Company of One with Dale Callahan

Dale Callahan
  • 5.0 (32)
  • CAREERS
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You’re a high-achieving professional—maybe in tech, engineering, or leadership—but your career feels stalled. You’re paid well, but it’s not enough. You want more: more purpose, more income, more control over your life.Company of One is a podcast for professionals who want to grow their income, make strategic career moves, or even build something on the side. Hosted by Dr. Dale Callahan—engineer, entrepreneur, and director of a top-ranked graduate program—this show gives you real strategies to take ownership of your future.Whether you’re climbing the ladder or considering stepping off it to build your own thing, this is your place to get unstuck and take action.

  1. 2D AGO

    You’re Not Burned Out. You’re Misaligned

    Most professionals don’t lose their calling. They bury it under performance. In this episode, I talk about why so many smart, capable people feel restless in solid careers. It’s not because they chose the wrong company. It’s because they never clarified direction in the first place. We’ll unpack: Why corporate environments reward credentials over clarityThe difference between passion and callingHow drift quietly replaces directionA practical way to test whether you’re actually steering your incomeCalling isn’t soft. It’s strategic. If you want control over your income, you need direction before acceleration. You are not a job title. You are a company of one. And it’s time to start acting like it. Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    36 min

  2. FEB 12

    The Day You Stopped Steering #232

    You didn’t get trapped. You drifted. Most people don’t lose control of their careers in one dramatic moment. It happens slowly. Quietly. Respectably. You work hard. You hit deadlines. You stay reliable. And five years later you realize you’ve been executing… but not deciding. In this episode, we talk about: Why school trained you to follow instructions, not set directionHow compliance gets mistaken for professionalismWhy organizations reward priorities, not quiet consistencyThe subtle moment when you hand over controlHow to take ownership again without quitting your jobThis isn’t about blaming “the system.” It’s about responsibility. This is Company of One. Not about quitting your job. Not about blaming the system. About putting your hands back on the wheel. Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    30 min

  3. FEB 5

    The Work Didn’t Fail You. The Story Did. #231

    Why do capable professionals hit an income ceiling even when they’re doing everything right? Because good work doesn’t speak for itself. In this episode of the Company of One podcast, Dale Callahan breaks down a hard truth about careers and income: perception has always determined who gets rewarded. The system didn’t change. The failure point is translation. When decision-makers don’t understand your value, your income stalls. This episode covers: Why performance alone doesn’t increase payHow perception shapes promotions and raisesWho your real customers are at workHow income is influenced directly and indirectlyWhy translating value is leadership, not politicsHow to increase income power without selling yourself or playing gamesThis conversation is for professionals who want: more control over their incomeclarity about how value actually works at workleverage without burnoutownership inside their current roleYou don’t need to do more work. You need to explain your work better. The Company of One podcast is about understanding the game, playing it well, and increasing your income power on your terms. f this episode resonates, the next one goes deeper into how to identify the people who actually influence your pay and why most professionals guess wrong. Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    25 min

  4. JAN 29

    Why Promotions Feel Like Progress But Aren’t #230

    Promotions are often treated as the ultimate measure of career success. More responsibility. More income. More stability. Yet many high-performing professionals reach a point where promotions no longer feel like progress. In this episode of Company of One, Dale Callahan challenges traditional career advice and explains why promotions frequently increase dependence rather than freedom. He breaks down how career advancement can narrow optionality, reduce leverage, and lead to a quiet career stall — even for capable, motivated professionals. This episode covers: Why promotions don’t always lead to career freedomThe hidden trade-offs of traditional career advancementHow income growth differs from control and leverageWhy professionals feel stuck despite doing everything “right” If you’re questioning your career path, leadership trajectory, or long-term income control, this episode provides clarity without hype or quick fixes. Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    27 min

  5. JAN 22

    Nothing’s Broken — So Why Does This Feel Off? #229

    Some career stalls don’t come from burnout, fear, or failure. They happen when you’re doing fine — but nothing feels settled. In this episode, I talk about the quiet moment many professionals find themselves in: You’re capable. You have options. You’re not in panic mode. But you also don’t want to default into the wrong next step. We unpack: Why smart, competent people freeze when nothing is obviously wrongHow optionality creates paralysis instead of freedomThe hidden cost of waiting that most people never nameWhy this phase isn’t a problem to solve — but a moment to recognizeThis episode isn’t about leaping or reinventing yourself. It’s about understanding where you are — so the next move can be intentional, not accidental. Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    26 min

  6. JAN 15

    Running on Idle: Why Doing Everything Right Can Still Leave You Stuck #228

    Most people who feel stuck at work aren’t burned out. They’re still capable. Still producing. Still paid. They’re just running on idle. In this episode of the Company of One podcast, Dale Callahan names a quiet but common experience among people who did everything right but no longer feel challenged or pulled forward. This isn’t quiet quitting. It isn’t burnout. And it has nothing to do with age. It’s what happens when the engine still works, there’s gas in the tank, but the role or system no longer allows forward motion. What We Cover in This Episode Why capable people can feel stuck without being exhaustedWhat “running on idle” actually feels like in real lifeHow people outgrow roles long before they run out of energyWhat it means to be “retired in place”Why staying put isn’t a neutral decision over timeThe difference between confusion and internal conflictWhy advice and motivation often miss the real issueKey Takeaway Burnout is overheating. Running on idle is being fully functional with nowhere to go. The danger isn’t failure. It’s letting time pass while momentum quietly decays. About the Podcast The Company of One podcast is about ownership — not just owning a business, but owning your direction, your income, and your next move. No hype. No pressure. No generic career advice. Just clear thinking for people who want more control over where their work and life are heading. Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    25 min

  7. JAN 8

    You’re Not Stuck. You’re Just Overexposed to One Employer #227

    Most professionals who feel stuck in their careers aren’t actually trapped. They’re overexposed. When one employer controls your income, your time, and your perceived value, your options quietly disappear — even if things look stable on the surface. In this episode, we cover: What it really means to be overexposed at workWhy high performers fall into this trap without realizing itThe real cost of relying on a single paycheckHow to reduce risk and increase leverage without quitting your jobThis isn’t about fear. It’s about optionality. If you’ve ever felt uneasy depending on one role, one manager, or one company — this episode will help you think more clearly about control, leverage, and your next move. Question to reflect on: If your role disappeared in 60 days, how exposed would you be? 📩 I share grounded insights like this every week in my LinkedIn newsletter — focused on ownership, clarity, and taking control of your income. Subscribe on LinkedIn 📌 Want help applying this? Book a Strategy Session here:  Strategy — The Company of One Podcast with Dale Callahan Helping high earners stop depending on their employer and learn how to own their income. ✅ More help here: Podcast Blog Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    40 min

  8. JAN 1

    Nothing Changes Until You Decide to Take Control #226

    Most people think a new year creates change. It doesn’t. Decisions do. If you feel stuck, frustrated, or like last year quietly repeated itself, this episode explains why—and what actually breaks the cycle. January 1 brings motivation. But motivation fades fast. In this episode, I walk through the real reason high-performing professionals stay stuck—and why nothing changes until you decide to take control. This isn’t about goal setting or New Year’s resolutions. It’s about ownership. You’ll learn: Why time doesn’t create clarity The 3 ownership questions that reveal what’s really holding you back Why waiting feels responsible but costs you years How to reset your direction without quitting your job or blowing up your life If you’ve been hoping this year would be different, this conversation is your wake-up call. If this hit, drop DECIDE in the comments. Or share this with someone who feels stuck but won’t say it out loud. SEO / Discovery Section Topics covered: Career ownership Taking control of your income Why professionals feel stuck Company of One mindset Career clarity and decision making New Year career reset High performer burnout Ownership vs employee mindset Closing Line The year won’t change you. But a decision might. 🎧 Listen if you’re a professional who feels stuck, undervalued, or ready to operate at a higher level. blog: https://dalecallahan.com/nothing-changes-until-you-decide-to-take-control/ 🍎 Applepodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-of-one-with-dale-callahan/id616134940 🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2GT67YvIRTuS4Hva7Kj1K7?si=82d627555772413f 📩 I share grounded insights like this every week in my LinkedIn newsletter — focused on ownership, clarity, and taking control of your income. Subscribe on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7398060875909144577 📌 Want help applying this? Book a Strategy Session here:  https://calendly.com/dalecallahan/strategy-session — The Company of One Podcast with Dale Callahan Helping high earners stop depending on their employer and learn how to own their income. ✅ More help here: https://dalecallahan.com/podcast-episodes/ Dale Callahan, Ph.D. Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy Session Director of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn. Weekly Newsletter Subscribe on LinkedIn Watch Company of One on Youtube

    29 min
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5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

You’re a high-achieving professional—maybe in tech, engineering, or leadership—but your career feels stalled. You’re paid well, but it’s not enough. You want more: more purpose, more income, more control over your life.Company of One is a podcast for professionals who want to grow their income, make strategic career moves, or even build something on the side. Hosted by Dr. Dale Callahan—engineer, entrepreneur, and director of a top-ranked graduate program—this show gives you real strategies to take ownership of your future.Whether you’re climbing the ladder or considering stepping off it to build your own thing, this is your place to get unstuck and take action.

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