Searching for the Sweet Spot tells Dave Godschalk’s personal story. An urban planner intrigued with design, he shaped his life and work in response to outside events and emerging needs. Recall to active Navy duty during the 1961 Berlin Crisis led him from architecture to city planning. Loss of progressive political support took him from local government planning to university teaching and research. Uncontrolled urban sprawl caused him to focus on managing growth through comprehensive plans and development regulations. Burgeoning citizen participation and opposition that blocked even worthwhile development projects motivated him to teach consensus building and dispute resolution. Increasing natural hazards and climate change impacts inspired him to propose ways to build community resilience to flooding, sea level rise, and other shocks and disasters. In retirement, he turned his skills to campus and neighborhood planning, as well as watercolor painting. Along the way, he found deep satisfaction in searching for optimal city designs, artistic compositions, and fulfilling relationships.