The Certain Growth Podcast with Joey Chandler

Joey Chandler

Everyone’s on a growth journey. The question is, what actually helps you move forward? The Certain Growth Podcast explores the real moments, decisions, and shifts that give people more clarity, confidence, and conviction in their lives. Hosted by Joey Chandler, each episode digs into the steps that matter most, not just the highlight reel, but the turning points where things clicked. We talk with experts and everyday people about what helped them see things more clearly, trust themselves more deeply, and commit to what matters. Whether you’re working on your money, your relationships, or how you spend your time, this podcast is about the awareness and intentional action that turn uncertainty into momentum. Less dreaming, more doing, and an honest look at what growth actually feels like along the way.

  1. Finding Your Way To Fun After Burnout with Melissa Hurrington

    18 MAR

    Finding Your Way To Fun After Burnout with Melissa Hurrington

    Introduction In this episode of the Certain Growth Podcast, we are joined by Melissa Hurrington, the CFO and Vice President of Operations at Premier Claims. Melissa, a champion of continuous self-improvement and servant leadership, shares her journey of scaling a small team to over 80 professionals while cultivating a strong personal brand through vulnerability and human connection. The conversation explores the multifaceted nature of growth, leadership, and the critical reality of burnout. Melissa candidly details her own experience with clinical burnout, the physical and mental toll it took, and her ongoing recovery journey centered on re-prioritization and finding joy within her demanding roles as a leader, mother, and wife. Follow Melissa Hurrington on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahurrington/ Timeline 0:00 - 1:07: Introduction to Melissa Hurrington, her professional background at Premier Claims, and the podcast's focus on growth and burnout.1:07 - 3:00: Melissa discusses her personal motto of prioritization—wife first, mother second, leader third—and how neglecting herself led to burnout.3:00 - 4:43: The moment of realization: Melissa describes nearly falling asleep at the wheel in the summer of 2025 and her subsequent diagnosis of clinical burnout involving organ dysfunction.4:43 - 6:05: Discussion on the commonality of burnout experiences and the initial feeling of being "done".6:05 - 8:36: Melissa’s choice to recover while staying in her career, her difficult conversation with her team and CEO, and the counterintuitive lesson of giving less to be a better leader and parent.8:36 - 11:15: Why Melissa chose not to quit her life but to change how she operated, setting a six-month timeframe to see scientific improvements in her health.11:15 - 14:38: Practical steps for recovery: The impact of removing the phone from the bedroom, establishing a "dumb phone" setting at 9 PM, and prioritizing basic needs like protein, water, and movement.14:38 - 17:15: Reflections on scaling weight loss and how prioritizing physical health improved her energy and presence in both professional and family life.17:15 - 19:42: The return of patience and support in her marriage, especially during her husband’s surgery recovery, and the joy of being "fun" again during a rare date night.19:42 - 21:51: Recognizing the signs of burnout: Overstimulation, living on autopilot, and a lack of emotional highs or lows (adrenal insufficiency).21:51 - 24:12: The struggle with resting: Melissa discusses her ongoing difficulty with passive rest and how she uses reading to "trick" her brain into feeling productive while resting.24:12 - 25:31: Conclusion and contact information for Melissa Hurrington on LinkedIn and TikTok. ---- a708b740-2e00-11f1-b6a6-f178def72c51 618954

    38 min
  2. Using Resolutions to Grow Your Career with Steve Cadigan

    10 MAR

    Using Resolutions to Grow Your Career with Steve Cadigan

    In this episode of the Certain Growth Podcast, host Joey Chandler sits down with Steve Cadigan, the former first HR Director of LinkedIn and a globally recognized talent strategist. Moving beyond the typical "New Year, New Me" tropes, Steve shares his unique journey from a plan-less college graduate to scaling one of the world's most influential tech companies. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of resolutions, the power of intentionality, and why looking backward is the most effective way to plan your future. Whether you are navigating a career pivot or looking for a more "felt" approach to your personal goals, Steve’s insights offer a grounded and inspiring roadmap for the modern professional. Episode Timeline 00:00 – Intro: Joey introduces Steve Cadigan, first HR Director for LinkedIn.01:30 – The Power of "No Plan": Steve discusses his experimentation-led education at Wesleyan University.04:00 – From HR Skeptic to CHRO: Scaling LinkedIn and finding passion in the "art of coordinating people".08:20 – The Ritual of Intentionality: How setting annual personal and professional goals led to international moves and book deals.11:50 – SMART vs. FEET Goals: Joey and Steve discuss the difference between tactical goals and goals that align with your values.14:30 – Finding Your "Professional Edge": Why you don’t need to follow a pre-set mold to be great in your field.19:15 – Navigating the "FOBO" (Fear of Being Obsolete): Advice for the younger generation facing high anxiety in the modern workforce.23:00 – Backward Planning: Steve shares a Tim Ferriss-inspired technique for auditing your energy and time.27:40 – The Conductors of Energy: Why "newness" and growth are the ultimate drivers of employee loyalty.32:15 – Overcoming the Perfection Trap: Tips for starting new projects (like writing a book) without having it all figured out.38:40 – Closing: Steve’s resolutions for the year and where to connect with him. Guest Bio: Steve Cadigan Steve Cadigan is a world-renowned talent advisor, leadership strategist, and the author of the groundbreaking book Workquake. Best known as LinkedIn’s first CHRO, Steve was instrumental in scaling the company from 400 to 4,000 employees across 17 countries during its most pivotal growth era. His work in building world-class cultures has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal and Fortune. Named one of the Top 200 Global Thought Leaders in People & Talent for three consecutive years, Steve now advises some of the world’s most prestigious organizations, including Google, Salesforce, the BBC, and McKinsey, as well as top-tier VC firms like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia. Today, Steve focuses on helping leaders navigate the future of work and the transformative impact of AI on the global workforce.

    47 min
  3. Overcoming Resolution Blocks with Ricky Scoggan

    3 MAR

    Overcoming Resolution Blocks with Ricky Scoggan

    Ricky Scoggan is an expert in OCD, human behavior, and high-performance coaching who specializes in shifting individuals from future-oriented goals to immediate, behavioral systems. As the founder of The Scoggan Institute, he utilizes his background in emotional regulation and family systems to help clients challenge intrusive thought patterns and reclaim control over their lives. In this episode, Ricky breaks down the neurological reasons why traditional resolutions fail and how to use repetitive actions to rewire the brain for success. Website: https://scogganinstitute.com Episode Timeline 02:31 Ricky explains the neurological difference between setting a goal and building a system, noting that the most successful people focus on the now rather than the future.05:01 The "Boston Story": Ricky shares how he helped his son overcome school failure by removing performance anxiety and focusing strictly on one repetitive behavior—handing in assignments on time.09:31 Understanding Mindset: Ricky defines mindset as the 20% consisting of internal rules, while 80% of success is driven by the behaviors we implement.12:46 The Reset Switch: Ricky discusses the "Reset Switch" for handling setbacks, emphasizing the need to fight through negative emotions until you return to your system.16:21 Anticipatory Anxiety: A deep dive into how anxiety regarding outcomes and performance creates "textbook anxiety" that stops people from even starting.20:16 The Power of Three: Ricky introduces his strategy of doing three specific things a day to create a "snowball effect" in business or personal health.25:01 Markers of Success: Ricky explains how rewarding yourself serves as a psychological marker that solidifies a new identity and prevents you from sliding back into old habits.29:31 Hacking the Brain: Ricky describes the "plumbing" of the brain in OCD cases and how changing mechanical behaviors causes the brain to adapt and go into remission.33:16 Character vs. Reputation: Ricky cautions against "dream bragging" and explains why living in your character—focused on the daily process—is more effective than feeding your reputation.

    50 min

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About

Everyone’s on a growth journey. The question is, what actually helps you move forward? The Certain Growth Podcast explores the real moments, decisions, and shifts that give people more clarity, confidence, and conviction in their lives. Hosted by Joey Chandler, each episode digs into the steps that matter most, not just the highlight reel, but the turning points where things clicked. We talk with experts and everyday people about what helped them see things more clearly, trust themselves more deeply, and commit to what matters. Whether you’re working on your money, your relationships, or how you spend your time, this podcast is about the awareness and intentional action that turn uncertainty into momentum. Less dreaming, more doing, and an honest look at what growth actually feels like along the way.