What happens when a high-powered executive walks away from the corporate world to build a Renaissance fair?

In this episode of The IVI Podcast, host Joe Phoenix, CEO of Givinga sits down with George Appling, former McKinsey consultant, Fortune 500 CEO, and founder of Sherwood Forest Faire, a thriving community and immersive experience outside Austin, TX. George’s journey is anything but conventional, and that’s the point.

Much of the conversation is framed through the lens of George’s new book “Don’t Settle: A Pick-Your-Path Guide to Intentional Work“.

Joe and George explore how to each of us can discover a path to living a life of purpose and have a meaningful impact on the world.

This conversation dives into:

• Why George believes chasing money is a trap and how he built a business around passion instead
• The Five Pathways to aligning work with purpose from his book Don’t Settle
• How Sherwood Forest Faire became a sanctuary for real human connection in a tech-driven world
• The dangers of “follow your passion” advice and what to do instead
• How AI is shaping (and not replacing) real-world experiences

Whether you’re a rising executive, a parent thinking about your kid’s future, or someone rethinking your own definition of success, this episode offers a blueprint for building a meaningful life on your own terms.

“The goal isn’t just to work less. It’s to build a life you don’t need to escape from.” ~ George Appling

People and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Ikigai – The Japanese concept that inspired George to write “Don’t Settle”
• Jonathan Haidt – George mentioned his research impact of social media on young people and his campaign to get smartphones out of the schoolroom.
• Bill Damon – George mentioned his research on living with purpose.
• Positive Intelligence – George’s favorite book, written by Shirzad Chamine

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Financial Security and Passion Paths

01:03 Welcome to the IVI Podcast with Joe Phoenix

01:37 George Appling’s Journey and Insights

03:45 The Importance of Purposeful Living

04:53 Educational Background and Career Path

10:49 The Balanced Path and Financial Security

24:10 The Five Pathways to Passion and Work

36:02 Rethinking Career and Money

37:40 The Value of Non-Monetary Rewards

38:21 Generational Perspectives on Career Advice

39:58 The Ikigai Framework and Its Limitations

42:17 The Five Pathways to Success

48:30 The Renaissance Fair Business

54:32 The Allure and Growth of Renaissance Fairs

01:00:39 The Impact of AI on Renaissance Fairs

01:07:56 Concluding Thoughts and Lightning Round