Career Relaunch®

How can you apply design thinking to your own career? In this episode of Career Relaunch, former high school teacher turned Site Reliability Engineer for DropBox, Krishelle Hardson-Hurley explains how she relaunched her career, sharing useful tips on how to use design thinking to plan out your next career move, investing time to create a clear & consistent career narrative, and the opportunities that come from making audacious moves. In the Mental Fuel® segment, I'll talk about the benefits and drawbacks of setting firm goals.

Your past professional experiences can often play an unexpected role in shaping your future career. Dinara Kasko explains how she used her training as an architect to now create beautiful architectural desserts as a pastry chef. We’ll discuss the importance of persistence, how to get your work noticed, and how to put yourself in a position to get lucky. In the Mental Fuel® segment, I'll share a few thoughts on how to leverage your past experiences to create a way forward with your future career ambitions.

Manuel Chilet shares his journey of moving from his Sales role in Spain to landing in the hospitality industry in London. In the Mental Fuel® segment, Joseph answers a listener questions about how to manage having multiple career interests.

Nonprofit teacher turned artist Sandeep Johal, shares her thoughts on the influence culture can have on your career choices, the importance of having a professional community, and why being your own #1 fan can have a positive impact on your career trajectory. In the Mental Fuel® segment, Joseph talks about how believing in yourself can have a concrete impact on your results.

Adrian Granzella Larssen shares her journey to become the Editor-at-Large at The Muse, networking tips for introverts, and how to take concrete steps to create the career change you want. In the Mental Fuel® segment, Joseph talks about the concept of creating professional bridges between your current role and target role.

Former money markets broker turned founder of ResponseIQ shares his thoughts on creating value, making his contribution to society by feeding the homeless, and the power of reading books. During the Mental Fuel® segment, I'll also share a couple of my favorite business books that had a major impact on my own career.

In this week’s Career Relaunch episode, David Pullara explains why he decided to leave his job at Google and instead focus his energies on his family and a few passion projects. We discuss respecting your authentic self and pursuing projects that feed your true interests. During today’s Mental Fuel segment, I described what happened when I decided to pursue a couple of my own side interests. Key Career Insights * Your authentic self is who you are, how you enjoy spending your time, and comes to life when you’re doing work you enjoy.  If you’re working hard at something you love, it doesn’t feel like work. * Walking away from a reputable organization is never easy, but if your work there isn’t allowing you to be your best self, there’s nothing wrong with moving on. * Exploring your personal interests doesn’t mean you have to necessarily transform those interests into a career per se. Simply giving yourself permission to pursue some side interests allows you to feed your soul, live authentically, and uncover some surprising opportunities along the way. Tweetables to Share Resources Mentioned * David wrote this blog post, Why I Left Google where he explained why he decided to leave his job at Google behind. If you’ve ever struggled with leaving your job behind, I’d highly recommend checking it out! Listener Challenge During this episode’s Mental Fuel segment, I talked about the importance of giving yourself permission to pursue one of your side interests. What’s one small, concrete step you will commit to taking today to finally get moving’ on that side interest or project you’ve been toying with for so long? I’d love to hear what you plan to do in the comments below. About David Pullara David Pullara is a senior business leader with over 16 years of marketing experience working for consumer centric, global companies including Starbucks, Yum! Brands, Coca-­Cola, and most recently Google. As someone who strongly believes in the importance of mentorship, he serves as a Director for the American Marketing Association’s Mentor Exchange Advisory Board. He actively meets with young business leaders through the Ten Thousand Coffees initiative, and he’s currently co-­authoring a book on mentorship scheduled to be published in late 2017.  You can follow David on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me and David know! Tweet a thank you! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, which helps my show reach more people who want to relaunch their careers. * Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to Career Relaunch podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or Google Play (it’s free) so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes.

Solonia Teodros discusses her international moves and shift from working in the PR world to co-founding The Change School, an organization focused on helping people navigate change. We’ll talk about how your cultural upbringing can affect your career choices and the importance of creating boundaries between work and the rest of your life. Afterwards, during today’s Mental Fuel segment, I’ll share a couple ways I maintain my own work/life balance. Key Career Insights * Proactively defining your own career narratives helps you manage multiple career changes and maintain a compelling, professional trajectory. * You can’t please everyone, so if you are going to seek the approval of others, focus only on those people who truly matter the most to you. * Any major career endeavor can take its toll on you, so you have to make sure you take care of yourself and allow yourself to recharge, recalibrate, and rest. Tweetables to Share Resources Mentioned * I mentioned I love browsing the news to get my mind off my work. I use Flipboard for consuming news, which helps me “check-out” a bit and read about non-career related topics. Solonia loves using Feedly! * Great Harvard Business Review article on the importance of work-life balance (Mar’17): If You Want to Be Happy at Work, Have a Life Outside of It. Listener Challenge During this episode’s Mental Fuel segment, I talked about the importance of giving yourself an opportunity to take breaks from your work. What’s one quick activity you could commit to doing on a regular basis that allows you step away from your job, rejuvenate, reflect, and recharge? About Solonia Teodros, co-founder of The Change School Solonia Teodros is driven by the potential of individuals, organisations and societies to change. Her vision for the world is one where everyone has the courage, confidence and commitment to realise their potential for greatness. In 2013, she co-founed The Change School, a holistic lifestyle and learning brand for anyone at a cross-roads or pivotal life stage. They create experiential events, retreats and talks designed for conscious individuals and groups committed to continuous learning and growth. They believe, with the right tools, change can be a force for good. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me and Solonia know! Tweet a thank you! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, which helps my show reach more people who want to relaunch their careers. * Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to Career Relaunch podcast on iTunes,

Get an honest glimpse into the life of a freelance food writer with former Nopa restaurant manager turned writer Stephen Satterfield. Joseph will also address a listener question about how to stay motivated when you're feeling worn out by the daily grind.

Your career can take turns outside of your control, and when that happens, you have a  choice between taking charge of the situation or allowing yourself to get knocked down. In this episode of Career Relaunch, Anne Lipton a former neurologist & dementia specialist turned writer & speaker discusses doing what you love, not just what you know and embracing the idea of stepping off the beaten path in your career. I also share some thoughts on how allowing your career to evolve can open up exciting, meaningful new doors in your professional life. Key Career Insights * When life throws you an unexpected twist in your career, you always have a choice about how to make the most of the situation and embrace the change. * You are braver than you may imagine. Career obstacles are a way of testing our limits, and you may be surprised how much you can accomplish if you rise to the challenge. * Don’t just stick with what you know. Pursue what you love in order to create the most fulfilling story for your career. Tweetables to Share Resources mentioned * Anne mentioned National Novel Writing Month if you’re looking for a good writing online & offline meet-up community. * Anne shared the concept of being a Plotter vs. Pantser or as George R. R. Martin explains a Gardener vs. Architect. About Anne Lipton, Writer & Speaker Anne Lipton is an MD/PhD Neurologist and dementia specialist who has transitioned from clinical practice and research to writing (fiction and non-fiction). She serves on the medical advisory board for Cariloop, a health-care start-up specializing in helping people make advance and current care plans and find the best in-home and long-term care solutions for elderly loved ones. Be sure to follow Anne on Twitter and check out her Common Sense Guide to Dementia For Clinicians and Caregivers book and Facebook page. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me and Anne know! Tweet a thank you! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, which helps my show reach more people who want to relaunch their careers. * Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to Career Relaunch podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or Google Play (it’s free) so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes. Full instructions. * Stay in touch: Follow Career Relaunch on Twitter, Facebook, and

Sometimes, your career can evolve in surprising ways, and you can either fight those changes or embrace them. In this episode of Career Relaunch, Julian Mather a former army sniper turned TV cameraman turned magician discusses the importance of letting go and embracing the twists and turns of your career. I also share some thoughts on the importance of putting yourself out there to create new opportunities in your career. Key Career Insights * When you’re exploring a new career path, you really have to immerse yourself in every aspect of that new path in order to understand whether it can fit into your desired career trajectory. * Even when your career takes a turn for the worse, you always have the opportunity to bounce make, make the most of the hand you’ve been dealt, and reinvent yourself. * New opportunities often emerge when you take the initiative to bravely put yourself out there and just give things a shot, especially during those times when you don’t quite feel 100% ready. Tweetables to Share About Julian Mather, Cameraman & Magician Julian Mather wasn’t at school the day they taught conventional career planning. A chronic truant he self educated and read between the lines to find the secrets to turning his obsession into his profession. From high school failure to Army sniper to globe trotting TV cameraman to kids entertainer to online entrepreneur he really hasn’t felt he has a worked a day in his life. And at 55 he says he’s only just beginning to hit his straps. Julian uses his simple truths and life changing resources to inspire and educate mid lifers and halt the 45-65 year old mental health decline and rising suicide rate among men at his site TailorMadeCareer.com. He now runs the world’s #1 training academy for professional children’s entertainers while re-inventing himself as a speaker & expert on midlife career change. Be sure to check out Julian’s hand picked podcast episodes that will inspire you and teach you the art of change. Also, watch a few of Julian’s Magician School videos on YouTube to learn a few magic tricks like this one . . . Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me and Julian know! Tweet a thank you! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, which helps my show reach more people who want to relaunch their careers. * Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to Career Relaunch podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or Google Play (it’s free) so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes. Full instructions. * Stay in touch: Follow Career Relaunch on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also follow host Joseph on Twitter and

What impact does work have on your personality, attitudes, and behaviors toward others, both within and outside work? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Vicky Dain, a former corporate lawyer turned clinical psychologist discusses why she decided to say farewell to working in a fancy law firm to pursue other career interests during her “fertile void” of professional exploration. I also share some thoughts on the how work can radically change you without you even noticing. Key Career Insights * Your job has a way of changing who you are, how you treat others, and who you’re becoming, whether you realize it or not. * If you’re making major decisions about your career, opening up a bit of breathing room and headspace for yourself can be incredibly clarifying. * When you’re getting so much fulfillment from your work, you may no longer need as many material job perks that once made you happy. Tweetables to Share Resources Mentioned * Vicky referred to this concept of the fertile void, where stillness and emptiness can actually facilitate the process of planting some seeds for the future. This article in Vitality Magazine describes this concept in more detail. * We talked about why leaving your job behind can sometimes be difficult. Here are my thoughts on the 5 Main Reasons People Resist Career Changes, featured in Classy Career Girl. * I wrote about how work molds you more than you realize in this Fast Company Article on What I Learned from my Three Career Changes. Free Tool: How is work changing who I am? During this episode’s Mental Fuel segment, I talked about how work can change you more than you realize. To clarify how work is changing you, download your free “Who am I becoming” Worksheet. About Vicky Dain, Clinical Psychologist in Training Above are a few pics from Vicky’s explorations during her “fertile void.” Victoria Dain began her career with a First in Mathematics from UCL, before training as a lawyer. She practised corporate law in the London for three years, but left to explore careers that she felt had a more positive impact on the world. Having tried a variety of fields, she found Clinical Psychology allowed her to use her intellectual and professional capabilities for more meaningful ends. After 3 years experience in NHS research and clinical settings, she’s now embarking on a clinical doctorate in Psychology. She lives in East London with her partner and child. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me and Vicky know! Tweet a thank you! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, which helps my show reach more people who want to relaunch their careers. * Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to Career Relaunch podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or Google Play (it’s free) so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes. Full instructions.

Wow, we’ve finished the first 10 episodes of Career Relaunch, which brings us to the end of Season One! Thank you so much for being a subscriber and loyal listener. With the holidays upon us, this week’s episode is going to be a little different. I’m not featuring a guest, but instead, I’ll be sharing my own reflections and lessons I’ve learned from our first 10 guests on the podcast. If you’ve enjoyed the show, I’d love for you to write a review for the podcast, which helps build our community. Also, if you have feedback, suggestions, or questions you want covered in the next season of Career Relaunch that kicks off Jan 5, 2017, please leave me a voicemail. I’d love to hear from you! My takeaways from Career Relaunch Season 1 * Making a career change isn’t easy, but you can pull it off if you can be patient with the practical and emotional challenges. * You don’t have to get things exactly right the first time, you just need to take manageable steps in the right direction. * When you’re feeling confused or uncertain about what to do to, learn to trust your instincts, which often guides you to the right solution. Tweetables to Share Relevant Resources * I mentioned Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, one of the best reads out there! * If you’re want to read more about other behaviours that help fuel a successful career change, read my article on 3 Habits of People Who Successfully Relaunched Their Careers. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Me Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me know! Tweet a thank you! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, which helps my show reach more people who want to relaunch their careers. * Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to Career Relaunch podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or Google Play (it’s free) so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes. Full instructions. * Stay in touch: Follow Career Relaunch on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also follow host Joseph on Twitter and Facebook. Comments, Suggestions, or Questions?

What does it take to leave an office job behind to  become an independent Freelancer Writer? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Kat Boogaard, a former Marketing Assistant for the Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau turned Freelance Writer shares her thoughts on not allowing yourself to be defined solely by your job and managing the people who critique your career choices. I also share some thoughts on more meaningful ways to respond to the question, “What do you do?” Key Takeaways * Taking charge of your own career future and doing something really scary can also be really exciting. * Taking the decision to leave your full-time job is often the most challenging part of the career change process. * Keeping your eye on what you’re working toward and celebrating the small wins can help keep you on track. * What you do professionally in your career does not define you. You have an identity outside of your day job. * Don’t limit your response to the question “What do you do?” to simply your job title. When you share more about yourself, others get a more complete picture of who you are. Tweetables to Share Resources Mentioned * Visit blog Lemonade Linings & subscribe to Kat’s newsletter to receive her articles on career, lifestyle, and personal development topics. * Joseph’s TEDx Talk, Reshaping the Story of Your Career on the question, “What do you do.” * Dr. Suess Quote on Being Who You Are (although this has also been attributed to others) Free Tool: Define Your Commitments During this episode’s Mental Fuel segment, I talked about other things you can say when asked, “What do you do?” For some help in doing this, you can download your “Expand Your Identity” Worksheet About Kat Boogaard, Freelance Writer at Lemonade Linings After working full-time in the “real world” as a Marketing Assistant, Kat made the decision to leave her steady job and pursue a career as a freelance writer. Now, she spends her days crafting content—mainly related to career and self-development. Her work and career advice has been published by the likes of The Muse, Forbes, Inc, Mashable, and LifeHacker. You can check out her articles on her blog, Lemonade Linings. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me and Kat know! Tweet a thank you! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, which helps my show reach more people who want to relaunch their careers. * Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe to Career Relaunch podcast on iTunes,

What does it take to leave your international corporate job behind to return to school and pursue your true passions? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Audrey Lemargue, a former Cosmetics Export Manager turned Naturopath shares her thoughts on the importance of career exploration, respecting your emotions, and trusting your career instincts. During the Mental Fuel segment, I share thoughts on the upside of “career dabbling.” Key Takeaways * Give yourself the time and room to explore. With patience, the answers will come to you, and you may just stumble upon something perfect. * Never neglect anyone you meet. You never know what you can learn from people you cross paths with. * Discovering your true passions is like falling in love. It feels fresh and exciting, but also very familiar. Tweetables to Share Resources Mentioned * Visit Iswari to learn more about the superfood products Audrey manages. She mentioned Buddha’s Awakening, which is the product Joseph sampled and now adds to his breakfast every day! You can also find Iswari on Facebook. * Watch Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address. * Watch the video of Dr Irène Grosjean that convinced Audrey she should pursue a a career in naturopathic medicine.  Free Tool: Define Your Commitments During this episode’s Mental Fuel segment, I talked about the upside of “career dabbling” and taking the initiative to explore your interests outside your day job. To help brainstorm ways to do this, download my “Test the Waters” Worksheet. About Audrey Lemargue, Naturopath in Training, Iswari Superfoods Marketer After working in the Perfume and Cosmetics industry traveling the world for nearly 15 years, Audrey Lemargue decided to take a break to find her true calling. After several months of reflection time where she tried to get in touch with her creative side, she had an epiphany one day after watching an interview of this amazing 86 year old French Naturopath. The inspiration was so deep that she started researching courses to become a Naturopath herself. Now, Audrey’s a student at the College of Naturopathic Medicine in London, set to finish her program Dec 2017. She also works in Sales and Marketing position for Iwari, a superfood company that recently expanded to the UK. She was recently featured in the Sept 2016 edition of Healthy Living Magazine. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Tweet: If you enjoyed this episode and have a few seconds to spare, Tweet to let me and Audrey know! Tweet a thank you!