The Values Lab

Welcome to The Values Lab, a podcast series for founders and portfolio career professionals seeking inspiration to live a more intentional, values-led life. Hosted by Viren Thakrar, Founder of In The Game and Values Map.

The Values Lab is a business podcast hosted by Viren Thakrar, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Viren Thakrar hosts The Values Lab, a business show with 25 episodes published.

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  Episode #23

  Penelope Barr on Freedom and the 6-3-3 Concept

  Jul 8, 202635 minS1

  In this episode, I explore the value of freedom with Penelope Barr. Penelope shares her 633 model focused on balancing work, travel and creation. She talks about the importance of freedom within structure. We also discuss how conversations in Paris planted the seed for working and living differently. Penelope also shares her decision criteria for saying yes to work, how she helps others design their own portfolio careers, as well as more about her book "Win the Night to Win the Day", the strategic guide for high performers to sleep well, work better and live best. Links www.linkedin.com/in/penelopebarr https://www.winthenighttowintheday.com/ About Penelope Penelope Barr is a Portfolio careerist, Advisor, Author, Technology innovator, Coach and working parent. Penelope draws on more than 25 years of executive experience to help high performers and organisations design more aligned and sustainable ways of working and living. She’s the creator of the 6:3:3 concept, focused on the connection between rest, performance, and strategic, sustainable success. Penelope’s new book “Win the Night to Win the Day. Sleep Well. Work Better. Live Best.” (Hardie Grant, 26 May 2026) is a guide created by research, interviews with global experts and years of experiments to help you design your personal best days to sleep well because your best days are made at night. Keywords freedom, structured living, personal development, portfolio careers, life design, sleep optimisation, experimentation, values, travel, work-life balance The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com

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  Episode #24

  The four most interesting themes from season one

  Jul 8, 202611 minS1

  And that’s a wrap on Season 1 of The Values Lab! It’s been one of my highlights from the first half of the year. I’ve had such interesting and meaningful chats and walked away with lots of ideas about better integrating my own values into my life. In this episode, I reflect on the four most interesting themes from the season (value uniqueness, origin stories, the absence of AI and intentional living) and share more about what's next, including season two. A massive thanks to all my special guests who’ve come on the show and shared such personal stories and examples of what it takes to put your values into action. Season 2 is coming soon, where I’ll be experimenting with the format. Ideas or suggestions welcome! The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com

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  The Values Lab

  Building your own values mantra

  Jul 2, 20269 min

  In this episode, I explore how to put your values into action under pressure using mantras. I talk about where I first learned about mantras through sport psychology and self-talk, then walk through the live process of building one. I cover the guiding principles and share ideas for how to build your own one. The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com

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  The Values Lab

  Jen Ryder on Growth

  Jul 2, 202635 min

  In this episode, I explore the value of growth with Jen Ryder. Jen shares how growth evolved for her from accumulating knowledge to accumulating understanding, and how her father's lifelong learning shaped this value. We discuss seeking discomfort intentionally, from uncomfortable hikes to reading opposing viewpoints, and her morning learning ritual. Jen also shares how she creates space for business leaders to grow through peer advisory groups and why she's passionate about supporting regional Australian communities. Links Jen Ryder | LinkedIn Jen Ryder - Vistage Chair - Leadership Coach and Mentor About Jen Jen Ryder is a Vistage Chair, Fractional General Manager, and facilitator who works with business owners and leaders to create clarity, challenge thinking, and unlock growth. With a background in business operations, leadership, and professional services, Jen brings a practical and deeply human approach to leadership conversations. Known for asking thoughtful questions that cut through noise and complexity, Jen creates spaces where leaders can think more clearly, make better decisions, and reconnect with what matters most. Her work centres on the belief that leadership can be both challenging and deeply relational — and that some of the best breakthroughs come through honest conversations, shared wisdom, and values-led reflection. Based in regional Queensland, Jen works with leaders across industries through peer advisory groups, strategic facilitation, and operational advisory work. Keywords growth, values, personal development, leadership, introspection, entrepreneurship, community, learning, comfort zone, self-improvement business strategy, personal growth, marketing, peer advisory, learning, boundaries, skills development, entrepreneurship, community support, professional development The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com

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  The Values Lab

  Using peaks and pits to identify your values

  May 8, 202610 minS0

  <p>In this episode, I explore how both your peak moments and your low points can reveal your values. I share some prompts to help you reflect on your own peaks and pits, and how my own pit moment from a few years ago illuminated my achievement value. I also introduce Chris Voss's concept of "violating your values" and share how my disproportionate reactions in micro-moments give insights into what your values are.</p><p>The Values Lab is brought to you by Viren Thakrar, Founder of Values Map - valuesmap.com</p>

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