Firestarters with Shannon Watts

“My definition of defiance is being able to act in alignment with your values, especially when there's pressure to do otherwise. It's not just for the brave people, extraordinary people, superheroes. It's available and it's necessary for all of us to really learn this skill." Dr. Sunita Sah is a physician turned organizational psychologist whose research has reshaped how we think about advice, bias, and trust in some of the most high-stakes environments—from hospitals to courtrooms to boardrooms and beyond. Her work sits at the fascinating intersection of ethics, decision-making, and human behavior. In Dr. Sah’s new book, “Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes,” [https://www.sunitasah.com/defy] she explains why it’s so difficult to speak up even when we know something is wrong, and she provides readers with simple tools to help them make decisions that align with their values. To read more about inspiring stories about Firestarters like Dr. Sah, grab a copy of my new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com [http://firedupbook.com/]. Join me on my book tour! For dates and tickets, visit firedupbook.com. [http://firedupbook.com/] For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you’ve always wanted. Click to order. [https://www.firedupbook.com/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Jessica Yellin [https://substack.com/profile/20113711-jessica-yellin], founder of News Not Noise [https://newsnotnoisejessicayellin.substack.com/], about the nudge that helped her take the leap to leave one career and embark on a new one. We also talk about the inevitable blowback you’ll get when you begin to do things differently, and why it’s important to remember that all blowback is predictable, but it’s not personal. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University [http://firedupbook.com/], a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.) I was thrilled to talk to author and historian Sharon McMahon [https://substack.com/profile/219533938-sharon-mcmahon] on Substack Live about how to take the next fiery step, why blowback is predictable, but not personal; and why you’re never too old and it’s never too late to fulfill your desires — all subjects I cover in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age.” If you’re not already following Sharon’s Substack, be sure to subscribe here. [https://thepreamble.com/] Join me on my book tour! For dates and tickets, visit firedupbook.com. [http://firedupbook.com/] For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you’ve always wanted. Click to order. [https://www.firedupbook.com/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University [http://firedupbook.com/], a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.) It was so great to have a conversation with Katie Couric [https://substack.com/profile/1020550-katie-couric]. We talked about the need for everyone to get off the sidelines, how increment steps forward lead to revolutions, and the importance of finding your people — all topics I explore in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age.” Watch our replay above. And be sure you’re following Katie’s new Substack [https://katiecouric.substack.com/]! Join me on my book tour! For dates and tickets, visit firedupbook.com. [http://firedupbook.com/] For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you’ve always wanted. Click to order. [https://www.firedupbook.com/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

"There has never been a more important time in our nation's history, or in the world, for women to figure out what it is they have to offer—their abilities, their values and their desires—and to bring those to the table. You deserve to leave a legacy. We all do." In my first solo episode of this podcast, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of writing my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” I talk about the whole book writing process, including how the book came to be (hint: it involved a treadmill and Maria Shriver), the origins of the “fire” metaphor, and why I interviewed over 70 women and what they taught me. If you’re listening in real time, pub day is tomorrow, June 17. You can get your copy at firedupbook.com [https://www.firedupbook.com/] and register your purchase to enroll in Firestarter University for free! Thank you for all of your support. I’m so excited to get this book into your hands and to hear about your firestarting journeys. My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering [https://www.firedupbook.com/], you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]