We are excited to share with you the next interview in our “Beyond the Page” series featuring Paul Zak.
Want proof that coaching works beyond a feel-good survey? We dig into the neuroscience of immersion—how the brain’s one-second signals of attention plus emotion predict what people remember and do next—and translate it into a practical playbook for coaches and leaders. With Professor Paul Zak, we unpack why joy is the byproduct of investing energy, not avoiding stress, and how the right level of challenge drives durable behavior change.
We share field-tested stories that show immersion’s “contagion” effect in action, from luxury retail associates whose engagement predicted purchases to healthcare teams that improved patient care by empowering nurses within clear boundaries. You’ll hear why opening hot sets stakes, how human-scale stories outperform abstract models, and what happens when leaders delegate for real. The result is deviation you can learn from—some mistakes, yes, but also the positive deviations that become innovations when you recognize and codify them.
Measurement ties it together. We talk about simple, wearable-driven ways to see which moments land, spot weekly energy dead zones (like that dreaded Thursday meeting), and design sessions that stick. Four levers matter: start with stakes, tell vivid stories, keep moderate pressure through participation, and end with one concrete action. Over time, those choices raise the number of daily “key moments,” a leading indicator of joy, energy, and follow-through that spreads from executives to teams and even into family life.
If you’re ready to coach for thriving, not just insight, this conversation gives you the science, the tactics, and a free tool to start today.
In this episode, I talk with Paul about his article published in our December 2025 issue.
Know of an author we should interview? Send me an email to podcast@choice-online.com
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