People in Transition

Bob Gerst
  • 4.9 (54)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

 "People in Transition" is your ultimate guide to navigating life's major career changes with confidence and excitement! Whether you're a student landing your first job, a professional between gigs, an aspiring entrepreneur ready to start your own business, or someone preparing for a well-earned retirement, we've got you covered. Each episode offers unique insights and practical tips from people who have successfully walked these paths themselves as well as helped many others in their journey. Join us for an inspiring and entertaining journey through the many transitions of life! 

  1. 140. Mallory Byers - Ex-Salesforce Recruiter | Founder of The Inner CEO Method™

    FEB 8

    140. Mallory Byers - Ex-Salesforce Recruiter | Founder of The Inner CEO Method™

    Welcome to another episode of People in Transition. I’m your host, Bob Gerst. Today’s conversation is especially relevant for anyone who appears successful on paper—but feels burned out, unsettled, or quietly questioning what’s next. My guest is Mallory Byers. Mallory spent nearly a decade as a top-performing sales recruiter at Salesforce, where she helped highly driven professionals secure roles at the highest levels. She understood the hiring process inside and out—and by all external measures, she was thriving. Yet along the way, Mallory began to notice something that fundamentally changed the direction of her work. Even the most capable and accomplished people weren’t stuck because they lacked strategy. They were stuck because deeper forces were at play: long-standing patterns, chronic nervous system overload, and a version of confidence built entirely on performance. Today, Mallory is a Career Breakthrough and Empowerment Coach who supports high achievers navigating career transitions, burnout, or layoffs. Her work goes far beyond résumés and interviews. She helps clients strengthen the person behind the strategy—by rebuilding self-trust, regulating the nervous system, and untangling subconscious patterns such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, and over-functioning. Through her signature one-on-one program, The Inner CEO, Mallory helps clients stop outsourcing their worth to job titles and start leading their careers with grounded authority. As she teaches, you are the CEO of your life and your career. If you’re in a season of transition—or sensing that the next chapter of your career requires a different version of you—this conversation will resonate deeply. Topics We Discuss in This Episode Include: How tying your identity to your job impacts your career—and how to navigate that shiftWhat it means to operate from survival mode, and how people-pleasing reinforces itWhere imposter syndrome shows up and how it quietly influences decisionsThe connection between perfectionism, overthinking, freezing action, scarcity thinking, and a dysregulated nervous systemHow the inner critic drives overwork during a job search—and how to stay grounded without letting others dictate your directionWhy layoffs are such a disorienting experience, and why “staying in your lane” may not lead to fulfillment or successWhy you don’t solve issues of the mind with the mind—how working with the body changes the job search processWhat it truly means to take ownership of your career and embody your “Inner CEO” This is a powerful and insightful episode, and there is so much to take away from Mallory’s perspective. To learn more about Mallory Byers, connect with her on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmallorybyers/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mallory-byers-coaching/ Send a text

    30 min
  2. 139. Rachel Spekman - help high-performing professionals find soul-aligned work

    JAN 25

    139. Rachel Spekman - help high-performing professionals find soul-aligned work

    This week on "People in Transition", I had the pleasure of speaking with Rachel Spekman, a career strategist, therapist, and founder of Made for More Coach. Rachel brings a rare and powerful blend of experience—having spent years in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit work before navigating multiple career transitions of her own into mental health and career strategy. You can learn more about Rachel and her work on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspekman. Rachel helps high-performing professionals who feel stuck in high-paid but soul-sucking roles reconnect with their values, strengths, and sense of purpose—without ignoring the realities of money, market demand, and impact. As a trained therapist who deeply understands corporate pressure, burnout, and identity loss during transitions, she fills a critical gap between traditional career coaching and emotional well-being. In our conversation, Rachel and I explored what really shows up during a job or career transition—mentally, emotionally, and physically—and how job seekers can move from being passive candidates to confident experts. This episode is packed with practical insights, mindset shifts, and strategies for anyone navigating change, questioning their next move, or trying to align impact, income, and fulfillment. Some of the Topics We Discussed in This Episode  Somatic symptoms job seekers experience and how to recognize and cope with the physical signals of career stress and misalignment Using your feelings toward community, contribution, and problem-solving as guidance in your job search Impact vs. income: understanding what you can do, what the market needs, and where tension naturally shows up Positioning yourself as the expert, not a passive candidate waiting to be chosen The role of confidence in your job search and practical ways to build and display it What an internal resume audit is and how it improves both job search results and long-term job satisfactionAlso, go to her website, where there is a free training to support your job search - https://www.rachelspekman.com/ Send us a text

    28 min
  3. 138. Stephanie Cordes - Empowering Professionals to Reimagine Their Careers

    JAN 11

    138. Stephanie Cordes - Empowering Professionals to Reimagine Their Careers

    Stephanie Cordes knows what it means to chase success—and then intentionally redefine it. After spending more than twenty years building a strong corporate career in healthcare leadership, she made a bold pivot and now helps others take ownership of their careers on their own terms. As a Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source, Stephanie creates a safe, no-pressure space for professionals to explore what they truly want next—whether that’s flexibility, control, additional income, or a complete career reinvention. In this episode of “People in Transition”, host Bob Gerst and Stephanie dive into the real emotions and practical realities behind career decisions. They unpack why reassessing your goals is essential, how unmet needs can cloud your ability to identify what you actually want, and why money often represents much more than a paycheck. Stephanie introduces the idea of a personal “North Star”—a clear framework built around income, lifestyle, wealth, and equity—to guide smarter, calmer decision-making. This conversation is grounded, honest, and empowering. Transition doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful—and clarity is often the most powerful first step. If you’re feeling stuck, restless, or quietly questioning what’s next, this episode will help you slow down the noise and move forward with intention. For more information from Stephanie, visit her web site: https://scordes.esourcecoach.com/contact/ Send us a text

    31 min
  4. 137. Merry Korn - Career & Business Coach

    12/28/2025

    137. Merry Korn - Career & Business Coach

    My guest today is Merry Korn, author of Fired to Inspired, a powerful teaching memoir that chronicles an extraordinary journey from professional setback to purpose-driven success. Merry’s story begins with being fired—a moment many job seekers fear most—but instead of letting that moment define her, she used it as the starting point for reinvention. What followed was not a polished overnight success, but a real, unvarnished transformation. Through strategic pivots, hard-earned lessons, and persistence, Merry went on to build a social enterprise that now employs more than 1,300 people across 30 states, giving hiring priority to individuals facing the greatest barriers to work. Her journey is a roadmap for anyone who has ever felt defeated by a career setback and wondered whether their lowest moment could become their greatest opportunity. Merry’s perspective is deeply rooted in resilience. Her role model is her mother, a Holocaust survivor, who taught her the meaning of perseverance and never giving up. That lesson shows up throughout Merry’s work and is especially relevant for job seekers who may feel discouraged, fearful, or worn down by a prolonged search. In a time of economic uncertainty and career disruption, her story offers both hope and practical guidance for building something meaningful out of adversity. Key Themes We Explore in This Episode In our conversation, Merry shares insights and tools that are immediately applicable for anyone in transition, including: Turning setbacks into setups for success and reframing career disappointments as opportunities for clarity and growthThe power of informational interviews—what they are, how to use them, and why they are one of the most effective job-search strategiesUsing available resources such as coaches, books, and LinkedIn to build momentum and expand opportunityStaying physically strong during your job search, and how physical health directly impacts emotional resilience and mental well-beingOvercoming fear and uncertainty, with the reminder that this season will endFinding purpose before accepting your next role, and why not jumping at the first offer, can lead to a more fulfilling careerCall to Action If you’re in the middle of a job search—or know one is coming—this episode is for you. Listen with intention, take notes, and choose one idea from this conversation that you can act on this week. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement, and subscribe to People in Transition for more conversations designed to help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose. This is Bob Gerst, and this episode is about turning transition into transformation. Send us a text

    30 min
  5. 136. Jake Kennington - Personal Development Coach for Mid-Career Professionals

    12/14/2025

    136. Jake Kennington - Personal Development Coach for Mid-Career Professionals

    Ever look at your life and think, “How did I end up here… and why doesn’t this feel the way success should?” If that question feels uncomfortably familiar, this episode of “People in Transition” is one you’ll want to hear. My guest, Jake Kennington, knows what it’s like to build a career that looks enviable on paper while feeling disconnected on the inside. As a licensed Structural Engineer, he spent more than a decade designing $100M buildings, leading high-pressure projects, and stacking up the achievements people associate with success. But privately, his health was slipping, his relationships were stretched thin, and he began questioning whether the life he was building was actually the life he wanted. Becoming a husband and father of four brought that reality into sharper focus—and ultimately pushed him to redefine success, rebuild his habits, and realign his life around what matters most. Today, through his work at Actively Human, Jake helps mid-career professionals do the same: reconnect with who they really are, create space for what they care about, and build lives that feel as fulfilling on the inside as they look on the outside. In our conversation, Jake and I explore: • The moment he asked himself, “Is this it?”—and why that question is worth paying attention to • How identifying who you are not can open the door to who you truly are • Why defining your own meaning of success becomes a powerful compass • Subtle early signs of misalignment—especially in your health and relationships • The value of owning your morning for yourself, not your inbox • Why slowing down (and sometimes even disrupting what you’ve built) can be the path to clarity and joy If you want to learn more about Jake and Actively Human, visit his profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakekennington/ Or visit his website at activelyhuman.com  Listen to Jake’s recording here—and take the first step toward a life that finally feels aligned. If you enjoyed this episode and want to go deeper on these topics, grab a free resource called The Own Your Life Playbook here: activelyhuman.com/#playbook Send us a text

    32 min
  6. 135. Susan Hensley - Helping people navigate change

    11/30/2025

    135. Susan Hensley - Helping people navigate change

    Welcome to “People in Transition”, the podcast that gives you the tools, insights, and inspiration to navigate life’s biggest shifts with clarity and confidence. I’m your host, Bob Gerst — the Job Transition Professor — and today’s guest is someone who brings a powerful blend of creativity, wisdom, and lived experience to the world of personal transformation: Susan Hensley. Susan is a transformational coach, speaker, and author whose global career has taken her from corporate boardrooms in Hong Kong and London to leadership development spaces across the U.S. Her work helps people meet change with resilience, curiosity, and even joy. One of her most impactful tools is art journaling — a creative practice that blends reflection, mindfulness, and imagination to help people process transition and build emotional strength. In our conversation, Susan and I explore how creativity can quiet the inner critic, steady us in times of uncertainty, and unlock new possibilities during job transitions. We’ll dig into the “messy middle,” examine the six major types of life transitions, and talk about why early reflection and reinvention can completely reshape your job search path. If you’re facing change — or helping others navigate it — you won’t want to miss this episode. Susan brings practical tools, a fresh perspective, and an energizing sense of possibility to anyone standing at a crossroads. For more information about Susan, go to https://susan-hensley.com/ Send us a text

    32 min
  7. 134. Jack Calhoun - Founder, Encore Career Lab

    11/16/2025

    134. Jack Calhoun - Founder, Encore Career Lab

    This week on "People in Transition", our guest is Jack Calhoun—an inspiring guide for anyone exploring what comes after a successful first career. As the founder of Encore Career Lab, Jack helps high-achieving professionals design meaningful “second acts” that blend purpose, flexibility, and fulfillment. His passion comes from experience: after leading Capital Directions, LLC from $50 million to over $1.5 billion in assets under management, Jack sold the firm in his early 50s—and quickly discovered how little guidance there was for life after career success. That realization became his mission: to help others bridge the gap between retirement planning and life planning. During our conversation, Jack shared powerful insights and practical guidance for listeners thinking about their next chapter, including: Redefining identity: How to deal with the loss of identity that often comes when stepping away from a long career.Rethinking retirement: Why the traditional idea of “retirement at 65” no longer fits our longer, healthier lives—and what sustainable reinvention really looks like.Evolving goals: How success, satisfaction, and fulfillment shift as we enter the third phase of our lives—and how to measure meaning, not just achievement.Giving back wisely: The role of volunteering in encore careers, and why it won't fill the void where "work" used to be.Real-life transformations: Inspiring stories of people who discovered unexpected “callings” far different from their earlier careers.Sharing hard-earned wisdom: How to recognize and use the insights you wish you’d known 30 years ago to help others—and yourself—today.If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s next for me?”—this episode is a must-listen. Jack’s perspective will leave you inspired to see the years ahead not as a winding down, but as a powerful new beginning. Tune in to hear how you can transform experience into impact and uncertainty into opportunity. To connect directly with Jack or learn more about Encore Career Lab, visit encorecareerlab.com or email Jack at jack(at)encorecareerlab.com. Send us a text

    30 min
  8. 133. Christine Gullborg - Senior Trainer and Interviewing Expert

    11/02/2025

    133. Christine Gullborg - Senior Trainer and Interviewing Expert

    Have you ever reached a point in your career where you knew it was time for a change — but taking that leap felt terrifying? This week on People in Transition, we talk with Christine Gullborg, who did exactly that. She made the bold decision to leave the classroom and step into the corporate world — a risky move that ultimately paid off, though not without a few memorable (and now humorous) interview missteps along the way. Now a Trainer, Technical Writer, and Career Coach based in New York, Christine is the founder of IntervuPrep and creator of the Interview Training Bootcamp. With a background in education and a passion for helping others succeed, she teaches job seekers how to tell their stories with confidence, navigate the job search with strategy, and ace their interviews with authenticity. In this insightful conversation, Christine shares the mindset shifts and lessons that helped her turn rejection into resilience — and offers practical takeaways anyone in transition can use to land their next opportunity. Highlights from our conversation: Keep moving forward. Having experienced job loss and multiple transitions herself, Christine lives by Eric Thomas’s mantra: “No excuses.” Keep going, no matter what.Consistency counts. Do something every day for your job search — even small steps build momentum.Take care of yourself. Whether it’s a walk, time with family, or a quiet moment, self-care clears your mind and boosts effectiveness.Prepare and promote yourself. Practice your answers, be clear and concise, and don’t be afraid to share your achievements — if you don’t tell the recruiter, who will?Own your story. When asked, “Tell me about yourself,” tie your response to the company’s challenges and how you can solve them.End strong. Always close your interview on a positive note and ask about next steps in the process.Christine’s “homework” for listeners: Read What Color Is Your Parachute? for additional job search guidance. 🎧 Don’t miss this week’s episode of People in Transition — Christine’s story is relatable, insightful, and full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating change. As a special bonus, listeners can enjoy a 20% discount on Christine’s Interview Bootcamp course.  Go to intervuprep.org/challenges to find the programs and use code FALL20 at checkout to get your exclusive 20% off savings and start mastering your next interview today! Send us a text

    25 min
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4.9
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

 "People in Transition" is your ultimate guide to navigating life's major career changes with confidence and excitement! Whether you're a student landing your first job, a professional between gigs, an aspiring entrepreneur ready to start your own business, or someone preparing for a well-earned retirement, we've got you covered. Each episode offers unique insights and practical tips from people who have successfully walked these paths themselves as well as helped many others in their journey. Join us for an inspiring and entertaining journey through the many transitions of life! 

Information

  • Creator
    Bob Gerst
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 People in Transition
  • Show Website
    People in Transition