Enlightened Leadership with Purpose, Self-Awareness, and Talent Optimization Artwork

Life Fulfilled Podcast — Because Work Shouldn’t Drain Your Life

Hosted by Bernie Borges | Founder, Fulfilled@Work Academy

Most people don’t realize it, but career struggles often bleed into every part of life: your health, relationships, energy, and sense of purpose. If you feel stuck at work, burned out, or quietly wondering, “Is this it?” you’re in the right place.

On the Life Fulfilled Podcast, Bernie Borges helps you decode where fulfillment is missing and how to get it back. While two-thirds of our episodes dive into career and workplace topics like engagement, quiet quitting, leadership, and burnout, we never lose sight of the full picture. We also explore how emerging forces like AI are reshaping the workplace and what it means for your role, your growth, and your sense of purpose.

Because fulfillment doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens across five interconnected life pillars: health, fitness, career, relationships, and legacy.

Through solo insights and expert guest conversations, Bernie brings practical tools to help you reclaim purpose and clarity, especially at work. As the creator of the Fulfillment Centric Leadership™ Framework, he equips professionals and business leaders to create meaningful, energizing careers without sacrificing the rest of their lives.

Whether you’re leading a team or leading your own comeback, subscribe now to learn how to build a life fulfilled, starting where you spend most of your time: at work.

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Life Fulfilled Podcast — Because Work Shouldn’t Drain Your Life

Enlightened Leadership with Purpose, Self-Awareness, and Talent Optimization

December 08, 2025 • Season 4 • Episode 264

In this episode, host Bernie Borges is joined by Matt Poepsel, PhD, a Marine veteran, accomplished corporate leader, and author of "Expand the Circle."

Three key takeaways for leaders and professionals:

1️⃣ Enlightened Leadership Requires Rewiring
Outdated leadership models don’t serve today’s fast-evolving world. Matt Poepsel, PhD, explained how drawing on mindfulness practices and looking beyond hierarchical thinking helps leaders find purpose and make a broader impact.

2️⃣ Self-Awareness is the Cornerstone of Growth
Both Matt and Bernie highlighted the importance of self-awareness for leadership success. Only 10-15% of people are truly self-aware, so giving ourselves permission to look inward and accept feedback is crucial to becoming better leaders and teammates.

3️⃣ Talent Optimization Demands Integration
Successful organizations blend business strategy and people practices. As Matt Poepsel, PhD, shared, optimizing talent isn’t just about performance. It’s also about engagement, well-being, and meaning at work.

Main Takeaway:
Lasting fulfillment and leadership impact come from cultivating self-awareness, embracing change, and expanding your sense of purpose beyond personal ambitions.

How are you challenging outdated patterns in your career or leadership journey?

Connect with Matt Poepsel, PhD

Website: https://www.mattpoepsel.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/

Try the Employee Engagement Fund ROI Calculator. You’ll get a clear view of what turnover is really costing your business, and how much you could save by investing in employee engagement and retention strategies.

Connect with Bernie Borges
LinkedIn
Instagram
TikTok
Website

Get in touch with Bernie to explore:
Hiring him as a keynote speaker at your next event.
A tailored presentation or workshop on Fulfillment Centric Leadership™.

Watch the Life Fulfilled Podcast on YouTube

Music attribution:
Old Bossa Twin Musicom
Suno

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