The Accomplishment Project

Episode 6: Ready, Fire, Aim - Before Shark Tank (with Jonathan Miller)

In this Accomplishment Story episode, I sit down with Jonathan Miller, founder of Element Bars, for my first in-person interview on the podcast. This conversation took longer to bring to life than I expected, and in many ways reflects what this project is all about: accomplishment doesn’t always happen on a clean timeline. Jonathan shares the early chapters of his entrepreneurial journey, from selling a self-programmed version of Tetris in middle school to building a profitable college startup and navigating the transition from corporate consulting into business ownership. What stands out most is how his path wasn’t driven by a desire to “be an entrepreneur,” but by a consistent instinct to solve problems and challenge the status quo. We talk about the realities of starting something from scratch, including failed ideas, skill gaps, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who complement your weaknesses. Jonathan also walks through the origin of Element Bars, including the unexpected “raisin moment” that transformed a personal habit into a scalable business idea. This is part one of a two-part conversation, where we focus on Jonathan’s early path before everything starts to scale in a much bigger way. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome Back + Why This Episode Took Time 02:28 – First In-Person Interview + Introducing Jonathan 03:32 – Early Entrepreneurial Roots (Tetris Business) 08:22 – College Startup: GetCheapBooks.com 11:31 – Not Seeing Himself as an Entrepreneur 12:03 – Consulting Career + Skill Building 13:27 – Side Hustle Growth + Early Financial Independence 15:11 – Selling the Business + Business School Decision 18:15 – True Yardage + Lessons from Failure 20:09 – The Power of Complementary Skill Sets 22:43 – The Origin of Element Bars 24:57 – The “Raisin Moment” Insight 27:13 – Testing the Idea Without Overbuilding 30:00 – “Ready, Fire, Aim” Mindset 39:07 – Challenges with Customization + Scaling 41:46 – Taking the Shot: Applying to Shark Tank Connect with Jonathan Element Bars: https://www.elementbars.com/ [https://www.elementbars.com/] Reflection Prompts • Where in your life might you be overthinking instead of testing something in real time? • What’s one place where a “ready, fire, aim” approach could help you move forward? If you enjoyed this episode, please: * Follow or subscribe to the show * Share this episode with someone considering starting something new * Leave a quick rating, comment or review * Visit ⁠The Accomplishment Project Website (Substack) [www.theaccomplishmentproject.com] Resources Accountability Success Circle⁠ (Incubator for The Accomplishment Project) [https://www.accountabilitysuccesscircle.com/]

Episode 5: A Better Way To Set Goals (No Hustle Required) [PANEL]

In this Accomplishment Project panel episode, we explore a better way to set goals — one that doesn’t rely on hustle, pressure, or forcing outcomes. I’m joined by five members of the Accountability Success Circle, the long-running community that has served as the incubator for The Accomplishment Project. Each panelist brings a distinct lens shaped by leadership, creativity, parenting, entrepreneurship, and real-life seasons of change. Together, we talk honestly about why traditional goal-setting often falls apart, how accountability can be supportive instead of harsh, and why small, sustainable habits tend to matter more than grand plans or perfect systems. This conversation is grounded, human, and practical — focused on alignment, self-trust, and building goals that actually support your life. Meet the Panel This conversation features five members of the Accountability Success Circle, each bringing a different perspective on goals, habits, and accountability shaped by real life, work, and seasons of change: * Terry Brown – Creative and social media professional whose art-forward goals emphasize sustainability and self-trust * Mike Mackrory – Software engineer and endurance athlete navigating major life transitions through steady, habit-driven goals * Alex Myers – Leadership development coach and former mental health professional focused on strengths-based, sustainable growth * Annie Sisson – Multi-passionate entrepreneur and storyteller centered on intentional living, creativity, and alignment * Gary Ware – Co-Founder of the Accountability Success Circle, facilitator, and author of Playful Rebellion, exploring goals through play, identity, and mindset. All panelists have participated in GOAL30 challenges, annual planning retreats, or long-term accountability work within the community. Episode Timestamps 00:01 – Welcome + why this is the first-ever panel (“No Hustle Required”) 01:49 – Meet the panel + one word describing each person’s relationship with goals 03:48 – What most people overlook when setting goals 07:05 – What we should do less of (all-or-nothing, unrealistic systems, constant output) 11:15 – Redefining accountability as support, not pressure 14:40 – What kind of accountability doesn’t work 18:45 – Comparison, metrics, and why chasing numbers can backfire 24:40 – Habits, structures, and practices that help goals stick (including GOAL30) 34:00 – Why community changes everything 40:36 – Final mindset shifts when you feel overwhelmed + closing Reflection Prompts What’s one goal you might be approaching with pressure instead of curiosity? What small, sustainable habit could support that goal instead of overwhelming you? If you enjoyed this episode, please: Subscribe to the show⁠Visit The Accomplishment Project on Substack ⁠ [www.theaccomplishmentproject.com] Leave a quick comment or review Share this episode with someone who wants a healthier relationship with goals Resources ⁠Accountability Success Circle (Incubator for The Accomplishment Project)⁠ [www.accountabilitysuccesscircle.com]

Episode 4: Success That Didn't Feel Like Success (with Barb Wade)

In this Accomplishment Story episode, we look back on the journey of executive coach and speaker Barb Wade, whose career spans Hollywood acting, studio leadership, and more than 25 years of transformational coaching. From early achievement pressure and a breakout acting role on Saved by the Bell, to running a department at DreamWorks, to realizing that external success wasn’t delivering internal fulfillment, Barb shares what it looked like to give herself permission to change course without making herself wrong. We dig into imposter syndrome, redefining success, the realities behind six- and seven-figure coaching businesses, and one of Barb’s most powerful frameworks: focusing on what’s on your side of the street and letting go of what isn’t. It’s a grounded, honest conversation about accomplishment from the inside out. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome + What Is an Accomplishment Story? 01:33 – Why Barb’s Story Matters 02:06 – Barb’s Work Today: Coaching, Leadership, and Empowerment 03:03 – Growing Up a High Achiever 04:46 – Theater Dreams, College, and Choosing a “Fallback” 06:02 – Moving to Hollywood and Going All In 06:36 – Landing a Breakout Acting Role 08:20 – Life as a Working Actor (Including Saved by the Bell) 09:27 – Leaving Acting for the Other Side of the Camera 10:59 – A Decade in the Studio System 11:30 – Imposter Syndrome and Anxiety Behind the Scenes 13:10 – Discovering Self-Worth Beyond Achievement 15:15 – Returning to School and Finding Coaching 17:16 – Leaving Hollywood for Good 18:41 – Early Coaching Challenges and Income Uncertainty 21:03 – Parenthood and Designing a Sustainable Career 22:23 – The 2008 Financial Crisis and a Major Pivot 26:43 – The Truth About Six- and Seven-Figure Coaching 30:16 – Burnout, Alignment, and Returning to Core Work 31:19 – Parenting, Special Needs, and Business Boundaries 33:14 – Looking Ahead Without Over-Planning 35:46 – Rethinking Prestige, Money, and Quality of Life 39:39 – Defining Accomplishment: “Your Side of the Street” 42:41 – Icing on the Cake vs. What Really Matters 43:52 – Where to Find Barb + Closing Reflections Connect with Barb Barb’s website: barbwade.com [www.barbwade.com] Reflection Prompts Where in your life might external success be masking what you actually need or want? What’s one thing on your side of the street you can acknowledge yourself for today? If you enjoyed this episode, please: * Subscribe to the show * Visit The Accomplishment Project Website (Substack) [www.theaccomplishmentproject.com] * Leave a quick comment or review * Share this episode with someone questioning what “success” really means Resources * 🎬 Saved by the Bell clip featuring Barb Wade (YouTube) [https://youtu.be/Qt7JAKx2as8?t=120] * Accountability Success Circle⁠ (Incubator for The Accomplishment Project) [www.theaccomplishmentproject.com]

Episode 3: Stepping Onto The Next Stage (with Fawn Arnold)

In this Accomplishment Tracker episode, we follow singer, actress, and educator Fawn Arnold as she steps onto a new kind of stage: public speaking. From a career pivot sparked by injury to building one of the first online singing schools in the German-speaking world, Fawn is now translating decades of stage experience into talks and workshops on trust, performance, and leadership. We dig into preparation vs. perfection, the power of micro-reps, tailoring a message for a competence-first culture, and how staying ready lets “luck” matter. Episode Timestamps * 00:00 – What’s an Accomplishment Tracker? * 01:26 – How We Met + Why Fawn’s Here * 02:53 – From Dancer to Singer to Teacher * 05:36 – Why Public Speaking Now? * 06:06 – TEDx Spark + Accountability to Act * 07:30 – Speaking Repititions in Disguise * 08:47 – Performance, Trust, and “Influence” * 11:04 – Landing the First Gigs * 12:32 – Designing a Speech-Workshop Hybrid * 15:06 – Tailoring for a Competence-First Culture * 16:52 – The Summer Juggle * 20:12 – The Surprise Mini-Gig * 21:19 – Be Ready When Luck Knocks * 22:05 – Prep Like a Pro * 25:28 – Perfectionism, Language, and Learning Out Loud * 27:08 – Introversion & Energy Management * 31:04 – What’s Next After the Gig * 36:24 – Iterating in the Wild * 37:20 – Naming the Venture: “Next Stage” * 38:15 – Where to Follow Fawn * 40:04 – Owning Mistakes & Using Feedback * 42:45 – Closing Reflections & What’s Ahead Connect with Fawn: * Fawn’s website: fawnarnold.com [http://www.fawnarnold.com/] * Singen ohne Angst [https://www.singen-ohne-angst.de/] * Belt Like a Pro [https://www.beltlikeapro.com/] * Fawn on Instagram: @beltlikeapro [https://www.instagram.com/belt.like.a.pro/] * Fawn on Facebook (Singen ohne Angst [https://www.facebook.com/singenohneangst/]) * Fawn on YouTube (Singen ohne Angst channel [https://www.youtube.com/@SingenOhneAngst]) Reflection Prompt: Where in your life could you trade perfection for preparation and incremental progress? What one small step can you do this week to move your “next stage” forward? If you enjoyed this episode, please: * Subscribe to the show or ⁠⁠The Accomplishment Project Website (Substack)⁠ [http://www.theaccomplishmentproject.com/] * Leave a quick comment or review * Share this episode with someone who’s navigating a career pivot Resources: * * People School [https://www.scienceofpeople.com/training/people-school/?affiliate_code=798526] (Science of People, Vanessa Van Edwards) * Jonathan Tilley TEDx [https://youtu.be/eMOqIJ9V_K4?si=RDcldDfNksC2bGLF] * Accountability Success Circle [https://www.accountabilitysuccesscircle.com/] (Sponsor of The Accomplishment Project)

Episode 2: Stop Forcing Progress. Get Curious Instead. (with Gary Ware)

When you feel stuck, do you push harder—or get curious? In this episode In this Expert Topic episode of The Accomplishment Project, I’m joined by my friend and business partner Gary Ware (founder of Breakthrough Play and author of Playful Rebellion). We dig into how curiosity helps you overcome obstacles, reframe anxiety and overwhelm, and find momentum in your accomplishment journey. * Our origin story: the "sliding into" DMs that kicked off a 10-year friendship and collaboration * Curiosity vs. anxiety: openness, possibilities, and getting the prefrontal cortex back online * Gary’s health/running story: shifting from all-or-nothing to small experiments * A team exercise that exposes the multitasking myth and helps leaders delegate * Simple curiosity prompts you can use today: What else could be true? What am I not seeing yet? What’s surprising me? * A playful “curious questions” game that reveals insights from Filipino culture to musicals * The closing reflection: Is the juice worth the squeeze? * Episode Timestamps 00:00 The Story of Our Connection * 05:42 Why Curiosity Matters * 12:12 Curiosity vs. Anxiety * 16:20 A Real-Life Curiosity Reframe * 20:36 How to Practice Curiosity * 22:10 Curiosity in Teams and Leadership * 25:52 Creativity and Flow at Work * 30:56 Improv as a Curiosity Gym * 34:46 Curious Questions Game * 40:56 Final Takeaway: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? * About Gary Gary Ware is a facilitator, keynote speaker, and the founder of Breakthrough Play. He helps teams boost creativity, connection, and collaboration through play and improv. He’s also the author of Playful Rebellion. Connect with Gary: * Breakthrough Play [https://www.breakthroughplay.com] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/garyware] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyware] * Book: Playful Rebellion [https://playfulrebellion.com/] * Resources & Links The Accomplishment Project Website (Substack) [http://www.theaccomplishmentproject.com/] * Accountability Success Circle [https://www.accountabilitysuccesscircle.com] * Bonus: Curious about the workshop that first connected Gary and me? Watch the webinar version here [https://youtu.be/HqsiERlJoiE].