100 – The Spark of Life: Using Ikigai to Inspire and Empower Others with Katie Sandoe

What gives you energy? What is the spark that lights your fire?

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Katie Sandoe to explore how ikigai can inspire and energize people, helping them rediscover passion and purpose.

Podcast Highlights

• Katie’s background. Katie shares insights into her background.

• Having a thirst for knowledge. Katie shares what drives her strong passion for learning.

• Championing girls and women. Katie shares her passion for empowering young girls and women.

• The mother of ikigai. Katie shares her thoughts on the works of Mieko Kamiya, the Mother of Ikigai.

• What ikigai provides to people. Katie discusses the differences between what Ikigai offers and Western coaching approaches.

• Hosting an ikigai workshop. Katie talks about her recently conducted Ikigai workshop.

• Being a Sparkologist. Katie explains what being a Sparkologist means.

• Integrating the concept of ikigai. Katie shares how she plans to apply the concept of ikigai to her work.

Katie Sandoe

Katie’s background

Katie's core belief is that every person matters and has a purpose, which influences all aspects of her life—from personal interactions to professional work. She describes herself as both deeply intellectual and lighthearted, balancing intensity with humor. As an educator and lifelong learner, she is passionate about teaching and facilitating discovery. She also runs her own consulting company and hosts a podcast. Most importantly, she proudly declares her love for street tacos.

Having a thirst for knowledge

Describing herself as a lifelong ‘why kid,’ Katie has always been driven by curiosity. From childhood, she constantly questioned the world around her, seeking deeper understanding—especially about human thought and behavior. This intrinsic motivation to learn has carried into her adulthood and professional life, where she continually explores new perspectives, concepts, and practices to help others improve their lives and work. Her curiosity ultimately led her to ikigai, fueled by her passion for asking ‘why.’

Championing girls and women

Katie is deeply passionate about championing women and girls, particularly in helping them find confidence and purpose in their lives and careers. Her journey began during her graduate studies when she researched the lack of female representation in political leadership in the U.S. She discovered a study showing that young girls have equal confidence to lead as boys, but this confidence declines in middle school, impacting their willingness to step into leadership roles.

Determined to be part of the solution, Katie works to empower girls early, ensuring they grow into confident women who change the world. Her advocacy extends beyond mentoring and workshops—she also emphasizes the importance of male allies in supporting and uplifting women. Her commitment led her to join Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that helps young girls develop social and emotional skills. Through this work, she found a strong sense of belonging (ibasho) among like-minded individuals who share her mission. Ultimately, she sees her role as a gift—helping women embrace their full potential and thrive.

The mother of ikigai

One notable woman in the study of ikigai, who can be regarded as the ‘Mother of Ikigai,’ is Mieko Kamiya. Katie praises her for her groundbreaking research on purpose and fulfillment. She admires Kamiya’s curiosity in studying Japanese lepers, who, despite hardships, found joy and meaning in life. 

Katie respects Kamiya’s commitment to making her research accessible beyond academia, emphasizing that true learning should reach people, not remain confined to institutions. She also connects with Kamiya’s struggles as a woman balancing personal and professional responsibilities, seeing her as a role model for pursuing one’s calling. 

“Ikigai touches on this idea of agency; so you have to define the life you want, and then try and pursue it. And along the way, you discover, ‘Okay, I thought it was this, and now I realize it's not.’ But then that guides you to the next step. And then eventually, you find what your ikigai is, so maybe that was the journey for Mieko Kamiya.” - Nicholas Kemp 

What ikigai provides to people

Ikigai serves as a framework to help individuals refocus on what they give—time, talents, and treasures—rather than constantly striving for bigger achievements. In Western culture, there is often a pressure to live large, which can lead to exhaustion and burnout. While wellness practices like yoga, meditation, and exercise address physical exhaustion, Katie argues that much of the burnout people experience is a soul issue rather than just a physical one.

Ikigai encourages people to pause and reflect on what truly brings them joy, fulfillment, and purpose. Unlike the Western emphasis on grand accomplishments, ikigai highlights the significance of small, meaningful moments—such as a morning walk with a beloved pet or quiet time with coffee and meditation. These seemingly simple experiences contribute to a deeply satisfying life. While ikigai acknowledges the importance of big achievements, it also helps people reframe their priorities by valuing everyday joys that often go unnoticed.

“What ikigai does is give you the opportunity to pause and consider these different areas of life: Where do I find joy? Where do I find fulfillment? Where do I find purpose? And it doesn't have to be in this big, huge stuff, it can be in the small things that give you great joy.” - Katie Sandoe

Hosting an ikigai workshop

Katie recently hosted an ikigai workshop at a leadership center, with 40 attendees. The workshop aimed to help participants identify their purpose and areas for growth using the ikigai-9 scale and Kamiya’s ikigai framework. She emphasized the human energy crisis, where many people feel emotionally drained and unfulfilled, and positioned ikigai as a tool for personal transformation. Participants shared powerful insights, with many describing the experience as life-changing. The overwhelmingly positive feedback has inspired Katie to continue offering similar workshops.

Being a Sparkologist

Katie explains that she named her company Light Echo based on an astronomy term describing how we perceive the light of past events rather than the events themselves. This concept resonates with her mission—she believes we are all "light echoes" of those who have invested in us, and she aims to do the same for others.

She embraces the title The Sparkologist™ because her work—whether coaching, workshops, speaking, or podcasts—often provides brief but impactful ‘sparks’ that can ignite transformation in others. Her goal is to spark inspiration, helping people see new possibilities in their lives and, in turn, become beacons for others. She envisions a world where more people embrace their light, counteracting the darkness with warmth, brilliance, and purpose.

“When you choose to live your life as a ‘light echo,’ that brilliance, warmth, and radiance, can transform people's lives. As a Sparkologist, I am studying and living in all of the ways that I can spark within the souls of other people.” - Katie Sandoe

Integrating the concept of ikigai

Katie integrates the concept of ikigai into her work as a professional speaker, consultant, and coach. She has developed a keynote speech centered on ‘living your life on fire’ and presents ikigai as the key to burning brightly without burning out. She has delivered this keynote to organizations, including medical institutions, and conducts leadership workshops focused on applying ikigai in decision-making and personal growth. Beyond her professional work, Katie deeply embodies the principles of ikigai in her own life.

Conclusion

We all go through dark times in life—it's inevitable. However, having sources of motivation and inspiration, like the concept of ikigai, can help reignite our inner spark and rekindle our passion for life.