Episodes

Have you ever met someone who used to be a tax accountant then became a rapper? Me neither. But that’s exactly what our guest on this week’s Career Relaunch episode did. Deepak Shukla, a former Deloitte tax accountant turned rapper and SEO agency founder shares his thoughts on what it’s like to break into a new industry when you don’t exactly look the part. We’ll also talk about putting yourself out there, dealing with judgement, and focusing on the future rather than the past. I’ll also address...

How do things REALLY turn out when you make the brave decision to relaunch your career? Do things actually end up working out? Or does leaving behind a stable career end up coming back to bite you? In this very special 50th episode of Career Relaunch, I’m excited to welcome back Kelly Cara to the show. Kelly was my very first guest when this podcast launched back in Sept 2016, and she was voted by listeners as the guest they most wanted to hear from again. We’re going to check in with her to he...

Sometimes, getting fired from your job can be a blessing in disguise. This was true for Chief Revenue Officer turned professional speaker and author Heather Monahan. In this episode of Career Relaunch, Heather will share her thoughts on the power of sharing your vulnerabilities, asking for assistance when you need it most, and the steps she’s taken in her career to become more confident. In the Mental Fuel segment, I also share some thoughts on how asking for help made my transition from the US ...

Living with less can sometimes allow you to do more. In this episode of Career Relaunch, JB Adkins, a pilot turned founder of Skyryde, a flying taxi service startup, shares his honest, humble story of walking away from aviation school after receiving a full-ride scholarship so he could pursue his entrepreneurial interests instead. He’ll explain the tradeoffs he made to make things work, including living in an RV with his wife and two young boys to reduce costs so he could fund his Skyryde ventur...

When you’ve had a successful run in your career, leaving it behind can be especially difficult. So how can you tell when it’s time to make a change even when you’re good at what you do? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Shawn Askinosie explains how he relaunched his 20-year career as a criminal defense lawyer to found his own chocolate company. We’ll discuss how your intuition can be more precise than your logic and how to create the space you need to make a clear decision about your career. A...

What’s it like to take evening classes while working full time to expand your career options? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Chris Donovan, a former telephone repairman turned high-end women’s shoe designer, shares his thoughts on doing work that’s authentic to who you are and how to deal with being an outlier when you’re pursuring a new career path. Afterwards, during today’s Mental Fuel, I’ll talk about being who you are, but doing it in a way that still allows you to resonate with the ri...

What does it feel like to do what you love on stage in front of a ton of people? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Lani Love will explain how she relaunched her career from working at an advertising agency to becoming a professional deejay. Lani shares her thoughts on how to evaluate which opportunities to pursue and how to balance your career and family interests. During the Mental Fuel segment, I’ll discuss the importance of giving yourself some credit, especially when you feel like you’re c...

Who are the people you should surround yourself with when you’re making a major career pivot? Who are the people you should avoid spending too much time with when you’re facing some career challenges? In Episode 44 of Career Relaunch, Adrian Knight, managing director of Knight Franchises, shares his perspectives on how to handle the range of people who affect your career plans. He’ll also share some insights from his experiences helping professionals transition out of corporate life into franch...

When you no longer feel your work, company, organization is the right place for you, that sometimes means choosing to walk away from your job before you have another role lined up. In this episode of Career Relaunch, former retail apparel buyer Maddie Potvin, explains what made her decide to move away from the Bay area to pursue other interests and how she’s managed her transition. During the episode, she shares honest perspectives on the emotions of career change, the challenges of leaving your...

Former hotel lounge pianist turned pharmaceutical digital marketer Rei Lim discusses why he chose to leave his life as a professional musician behind to instead pursue a corporate career. In this episode of Career Relaunch®, we’ll talk about the importance of role models, feeling good about your future, and being proud of the work you do. In the Mental Fuel® segment, I’ll address a listener question about how to prioritize your interests and head down the right path for you in your career. Key ...

Where should you be devoting your energies as a professional? Part of answering that question involves getting clear on which endeavors you feel naturally drawn toward. Former journalist Victoria Crandall shares her unique journey of leaving the US to become a managing director of a cocoa exporter in the Ivory Coast. We’ll talk about the power of curiosity and using your natural interests as a way of guiding your career choices. In the Mental Fuel segment, I’ll also explain the importance of ide...

In this special 40th episode of Career Relaunch, I’ll be drifting from our regular guest interview format to instead share some news about the show including a few exciting milestones we’ve crossed, three of my main takeaways from doing all these interviews with career changers, and some highlights from past episodes. You can also help me pick the guest who returns for episode 50. Key Career Insights Making your desired career change may involve “an imperfect start.” Sometimes, the process of ...

What happens when your career plans don’t end up working out? Independent artist turned community founder Jamie Smith will explain why it’s okay to allow yourself to shift away from your original goals and move forward with “imperfect” ideas. Afterwards, during the Mental Fuel® segment, I’ll share one of the plans I had for my own business that didn’t end up panning out. Key Career Insights You have the power to create the community you need. If you can’t find an existing, likeminded group of ...

What’s the key to being happier in your career and life? What choices and tradeoffs must you be willing to be make to achieve this happiness? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Samantha Clarke, a former digital manager turned happiness consultant, shares her thoughts on how you can become happier with your work and explains why refuelling yourself is so critical before you can serve others. During today’s Mental Fuel® segment, I’ll talk about how I deal with the pressure I put on myself. Key C...

How can you figure out how you should be devoting your professional efforts? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Sacha Romanovitch, CEO of Grant Thornton UK, explains why she decided to take a hiatus from work to figure out where to take her career. We’ll also talk about what you can gain by stepping away from your work and how you can be more intentional in your career. During the Mental Fuel® segment, I’ll explain how you can use the concept of Ikigai to clarify where you belong as a professio...

What steps can you take to build and shape your own personal brand and freelance business? What choices will you have to make to define who you are? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Redd Horrocks, a former circus stage manager turned professional voiceover artist shares her thoughts on how to choose the right professional pursuits, the importance of saying “no,” and how you can tap into online marketplaces to build your freelance business. I also share some thoughts on why saying “no” is so i...

How can building your network pay off in your career? In this episode of Career Relaunch, Aaron Fung, a former change management consultant turned Talent Brand Strategist for LinkedIn shares his thoughts on how your professional network can be an incredible resource for you in your career and why your job should be an extension of your authentic self. I also share some thoughts on how my professional network has unlocked some great opportunities for me in my own career. Key Career Insights You...

What’s it like to be homeless during your career transition? Helen Wix, a former secretary turned Reiki Master, healer, and coach describes her experience being evicted from her home and spending 3 years being homeless in Washington, DC. She shares her thoughts on paying attention to signs that point you in a different direction, declaring what you want for your career, and clearing out your own emotional baggage before you can truly move on. I also share some thoughts on the importance of defin...

What does it really take to find the right job for you? Claire McTaggart, a former management consultant turned founder of SquarePeg Hires, explains how she relaunched her career from being a management consultant to the founder of a new job hiring platform. We’ll discuss which factors really matter in hiring and some interviewing tips. Afterwards, during today’s Mental Fuel®, I’ll share my reflections on the stubborn appeal of job promotions. Key Career Insights You have to make sure the prom...