
How to Navigate Life’s Big Transitions with Oprah and Bestselling Author Jim Collins
From The Oprah Podcast by Harpo
April 7, 2026 · 1h 3m
About this episode
Oprah and Jim Collins discuss navigating life's big transitions and finding direction amidst uncertainty.
Oprah talks with the international bestselling author of Good to Great, Jim Collins, to discuss his groundbreaking new book What to Make of a Life. Drawing on ten years of research, Collins offers a data-driven answer to one of life’s most enduring questions: What do we do with this one precious life we’ve been given and how do you know what you’re truly meant to do? Collins explores how to navigate life’s “cliffs”—periods of great transition that leave us disoriented and how to find direction in the midst of mental fog. Oprah shares her own journey through 'the fog' and how she found her way out. Collins also offers practical guidance for anyone confronting a major career transition. This is a conversation for anyone, at any stage of life, seeking greater clarity, direction and meaning. BUY THE BOOK! What to Make of a Life, published by HarperCollins and written by Jim Collins, is available wherever books are sold. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/what-to-make-of-a-life-jim-collins?variant=44343300227106 00:00:00 - Welcome Jim Collins, author of ‘What to Make of a Life’ 00:03:19 - Why Jim started writing the book 00:06:50 - Every life has a cliff 00:10:25 - Cliffs can take…
People in this episode
Host: Oprah
Guest: Jim Collins
Topics covered
- life transitions
- career guidance
- self-discovery
- mental clarity
- personal growth
Keywords
- life transitions
- Jim Collins
- Oprah
- career change
- self-compassion
- mental fog
- personal clarity
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: HarperCollins
Books & works: Good to Great, What to Make of a Life
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