The IVI Podcast
The IVI Podcast
Podcast Description
Innovators, Visionaries, and Impact
Hosted by Joe Phoenix, Founder and CEO of Givinga
The IVI Podcast explores the world of innovation, vision, and impact on the world with some of the todays most fascinating people.
Joe Phoenix sits down with a ranges of leaders across the landscapes of business, technology, government, philanthropy, and even the occasional NASA engineer on his quest to discover how we... as people can make a positive impact on the world.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes of innovation, leadership, and social impact, with episodes examining topics like the role of visionaries in startups, the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship, and personal journeys of impactful leaders, such as Dave Blakelock's transition from NASA to angel investing.

Innovators, Visionaries, and Impact
Hosted by Joe Phoenix, Founder and CEO of Givinga
The IVI Podcast explores the world of innovation, vision, and impact on the world with some of the todays most fascinating people.
Joe Phoenix sits down with a ranges of leaders across the landscapes of business, technology, government, philanthropy, and even the occasional NASA engineer on his quest to discover how we… as people can make a positive impact on the world.
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

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