Smashing the Plateau

Smashing the Plateau
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Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests share their journeys of transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship, offering practical insights on how to do more of what you love and get paid what you’re worth, while taking greater control over your career destiny. Along the way, you’ll hear real strategies for building a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms—covering positioning, growth, decision-making, marketing, and mindset. And woven throughout each conversation are insights from guests on the power of community—how belonging, support, and trusted peers can be the catalyst that helps you navigate uncertainty and accelerate your success. If you’re leaving corporate or have already made the leap, this podcast will give you both inspiration and actionable strategies to build momentum. ✅ What listeners gain: • Intimate, high-trust stories from peers who’ve been there • Proven frameworks to support your growth • Clarity, structure, and practical next steps • Encouragement and insight into the role of community in long-term success 🎯 Take the next step: Experience the power of community yourself. 👉 smashingtheplateau.com/guest ✉️ Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. 👉 smashingtheplateau.com/news

  1. 5D AGO

    From Expertise to Endurance: Helping Organizations Practice a Growth Mindset Featuring Jane Hyun

    Jane Hyun is the leading authority for leveraging culture and differences to drive innovation. Often called an "interpreter," she has been a trusted coach for over 20 years to thousands of leaders at Fortune 500 companies including PepsiCo, Clorox, Merck, and USGA, as well as schools and nonprofits, guiding their growth by building their cross-cultural capability. She is the pioneering author of Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Leadership Toolkit for Asians and the co-author of Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences. Through her Cultural Fluency in Leadership Project, Jane enjoys helping leaders forge stronger teams by closing the gaps that get in the way of growth and collaboration. She has been featured on CNN, CNBC, and NPR and has written for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal on the topics of culture, career development, and onboarding. As a sought-after speaker, Jane has keynoted at Microsoft, ESPN, the International Coaches Federation (ICF), and the Conferences for Women. Recently, Jane received the Marshall Goldsmith 50 Leading Global Coaches Award as the #1 Coach for Cultural Fluency and the NAAAP Vision 100 Award. Her life's calling is to help others flourish in their workplaces and in their communities. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to build a meaningful, sustainable consulting practice by leveraging cultural fluency and staying true to your values. Jane and I discuss: Jane's career journey from corporate to consulting [03:02]How Jane developed her cultural fluency specialty [05:27]Assessing and improving cultural fluency in leaders [08:32]How Jane's business has evolved over 20 years [12:31]The importance of saying no to the wrong clients [14:45]The role of community and peer support in business growth [17:42]Integrating personal and professional life as an entrepreneur [19:35]The strategic importance of rest and self-care [22:11]Seeing growth as an iterative process [24:00] Learn more about Jane at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-hyun/, https://www.instagram.com/janehyun_author/, and https://substack.com/@janehyun429198. ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

    27 min

  2. FEB 2

    How to Maintain Your Power During Unexpected Career Crises Featuring Christina Holloway

    Christina Holloway is an executive coach and leadership strategist known for helping professionals build influence, communicate with confidence, and advance without losing themselves in toxic or high-pressure workplaces. She has coached leaders across major global companies, and her insights have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and HuffPost. Through her YouTube channel and workshops, Christina provides practical tools for career clarity, courageous communication, and stepping into leadership with authenticity and power. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to maintain your power during career crises, negotiate from a position of strength, and build a thriving business based on authentic leadership. Christina and I discuss: Her career journey and becoming a corporate refugee in 2001 [02:33] The story of being let go without notice and working a full day after termination [03:13] How to prepare for and respond to a crisis [08:44] Managing emotions to maintain power in critical moments [10:23] Staying solution-focused during difficult negotiations [12:52] Working as a contractor for 13 years and the transition to remote work in 2001 [07:28] How her experience shaped her coaching business philosophy today [16:27] Her journey from chief of staff to executive coach [19:22] The role of community, collaboration, and peer support in business growth [21:03] Why trusted relationships are essential for entrepreneurs [23:00] Avoiding the trap of staying stuck in endless to-do lists [23:30] Learn more about Christina at https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaHolloway1205/ ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and...

    26 min

  3. JAN 26

    How to Navigate AI Era Product Development with Curiosity and Ambition Featuring Jim Morris

    Jim coaches product management in startups, growth-stage companies, and Fortune 100s. He's a Silicon Valley founder with over two decades of experience, including an IPO and a buyout. These days, he coaches product leaders and teams to find product-market fit and accelerate growth across a variety of industries and business models. Jim graduated from Stanford University with a BS in Computer Science and currently lectures at both Stanford and University of California, Berkeley in product management. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to navigate the AI era in product development and build a sustainable coaching practice around your unique expertise. Jim and I discuss: Jim's career journey from building products to coaching [01:59]The importance of curiosity and ambition in product management [06:07]The benefit of having a dedicated product management coach [09:33]How AI tools are reducing friction in finding the right product [11:55]The exciting opportunities for companies that adopt AI tools effectively [14:32]Why internal transformation is the key competitive advantage [17:18]Advice for professionals building a consulting business [21:03]How peer relationships enhance transformation [24:41]Helping people navigate the turmoil of adopting new AI technologies [25:53] Learn more about Jim at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmorrisstanford/ and https://productdiscoverygroup.com __________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. __________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

    30 min

  4. JAN 19

    How to Tap Community Support and Multiply Your Profitability Threefold Featuring Boudewijn Bertsch

    Bou is a leadership consultant who helps his clients discover how to bring out the best in themselves and others. He designs and delivers customized leadership development workshops for executive teams around the globe. Bou also has a thriving executive and life coaching practice. With his wife, Riva Greenberg, he supports people who live with diabetes. He lives in Brooklyn, NY. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn why community is essential for solo entrepreneurs and how it can transform both your well-being and your bottom line. Boudewijn and I discuss: Why community is so important to Boudewijn [02:25]The kinds of communities Boudewijn has experienced [05:11]How collective intelligence helps navigate complexity and uncertainty [06:36]The practical outcomes of being part of a community [08:43]Why interdependence is more accurate than independence [09:43]How community increases profitability by a factor of three to four [11:25]The financial impact of compassionate support through neurobiological co-regulation [13:10]What makes communities different from corporate structures [15:03]The importance of psychological safety in community [18:01]How community provides both wellbeing and advancement [20:27]Why now is the most critical time to be part of a community [23:01] Learn more about Boudewijn at www.spimanagement.com ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

    26 min

  5. JAN 12

    How to Build Authentic Relationships That Sustain Your Knowledge-Based Business for Decades Featuring Paige Arnof-Fenn

    Paige Arnof-Fenn is the founder and CEO of global branding and digital marketing firm Mavens and Moguls, based in Cambridge, MA. Her clients include Microsoft, Virgin, The New York Times Company, Colgate, venture-backed startups, as well as nonprofit organizations. She graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Paige serves on several boards, is a popular speaker and columnist who has written for Entrepreneur and Forbes. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to build a thriving knowledge-based business by making authentic connections and staying true to your values. Paige and I discuss: What caused Paige to become an entrepreneur [02:23]How Paige decided on her business model [13:04]Who Paige's ideal clients are [05:59]How to navigate AI tools without losing your brand's authentic voice [08:18]What makes it challenging to build a sustainable knowledge-based business today [09:48]The importance of making friends before you need them [15:07]How to build your reputation with every conversation [17:06]What makes it easier than ever to start a knowledge worker business [18:32]The do's and don'ts of connecting with others in community [21:20]Why quality over quantity matters in building your brand [23:28] Learn more about Paige at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigearnoffenn and www.mavensandmoguls.com __________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. __________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest  • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

    29 min

  6. JAN 5

    How to Redesign Your Business Model and Find New Meaning in Later Career Stages Featuring Kenneth Gorfinkle

    Kenneth Gorfinkle is a clinical psychologist and owner of Common Sense Therapy, a private psychotherapy practice in Manhattan. His career transitioned from decades of work with medical patients in hospitals to a full-time private practice in 2016. As his own practice slowly winds down, he finds himself caring for many individuals at the late stages of their careers. Retirement has become an outmoded idea, now that there are myriad ways to stay engaged in meaningful work. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to navigate late-career transitions while maintaining your sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth beyond the paycheck. Ken and I discuss: The differences between mid-career job loss and late-career transitions [03:02]The advantages of gradually winding down versus stopping abruptly [04:36]How accumulated wisdom and experience add value in later career stages [06:04]Connecting your identity to your wisdom rather than your work [08:00]The fear and anxiety people face when approaching retirement [09:14]Strategies for finding meaning beyond work [11:34]How to address financial fears and planning [13:37]Ways to transition your business model as you wind down [18:51]The importance of community and intentional friendships [24:06] Learn more about Kenneth at www.commonsensetherapy.com __________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. __________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

    27 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    How to Leave Corporate Security Behind and Reinvent Your Career Featuring Ann Vanino

    Ann Vanino is a career and new directions coach and author whose passion is collaborating with her clients to create the life they want to live. Prior to coaching, Ann enjoyed a 21-year career in the environmental, health, and safety field, including running New York City's 24-hour chemical emergency response team, responding to over 600 emergencies a year. Ann authors a weekly blog, Opening, and a monthly newsletter, Working Happy, guiding readers to work that leaves them happy at the end of the day. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn what it takes to reinvent yourself when the path forward isn't clear and how vulnerability builds true resilience. Ann and I discuss: Ann's non-linear career journey from Asian history to environmental studies [02:05]How she became the leader of NYC's chemical emergency response team [04:14]Navigating male-dominated environments as a young woman [06:17]Leading without formal authority when people don't listen [08:29]What triggered her transition to entrepreneurship [10:14]Hitting the glass ceiling and recognizing it wasn't her fault [11:31]Starting Williams and Vanino environmental consulting firm [12:36]The rainmaker and operator business partnership dynamic [13:33]Taking the leap from security-conscious family to coaching [16:48]Joining the founding board of International Coach Federation in LA [20:20]Her husband's illness and passing in 2022 [20:35]Navigating life alone on two acres in wildfire country [21:56]The dramatic wildfire evacuation during her home sale [25:00]The connection between vulnerability, community, and resilience [29:13]Getting comfortable with change as a key to a fulfilling life [32:34] Ann authors a weekly blog and a monthly newsletter called Working Happy, guiding readers to work that leaves them happy at the end of the day. Learn more about Ann at: https://annvanino.com, https://annvaninoauthor.com, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/annvanino/ __________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. __________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

    35 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    How to Build a Sustainable Business by Choosing What Scares You Most Featuring Susan Barber

    Susan M. Barber is a leading visibility coach who transforms quiet high achievers into visible and influential leaders so they can confidently position themselves for new opportunities. With over 25 years of experience in leadership roles at Kraft Heinz, she has a deep understanding of the challenges corporate leaders face. Susan is the author and podcast host of The Visibility Factor and author of Your Journey to Visibility Workbook. Her mission is focused on empowering leaders to show their value and be seen for their true talent. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn the key differences between starting a business and running one, and how to build a sustainable enterprise by focusing on what truly moves the needle forward. Susan and I discuss: The main differences between starting a business and running a business [03:17]What metrics move the needle forward [04:40]Why the choice that scares you the most is the one you should pick [06:33]Things Susan decided not to do and why [08:00]How to avoid the trap of perfectionism [10:21]Key strategies for visibility that help your business [11:22]Common challenges clients face around fear and imposter syndrome [12:51]How to demonstrate capability without having done the exact thing before [14:25]The role of community, collaboration, and peer support in growth [16:21]One thing a corporate refugee can do today to move forward [19:21]Susan's Your Journey to Visibility Workbook [21:49] Learn more about Susan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/ and https://susanmbarber.com __________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset. Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success. __________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of community. Join a live guest session and connect with peers who understand the journey: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. Get practical strategies, stories, and invitations delivered to...

    25 min
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5
out of 5
159 Ratings

About

Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own. Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests share their journeys of transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship, offering practical insights on how to do more of what you love and get paid what you’re worth, while taking greater control over your career destiny. Along the way, you’ll hear real strategies for building a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms—covering positioning, growth, decision-making, marketing, and mindset. And woven throughout each conversation are insights from guests on the power of community—how belonging, support, and trusted peers can be the catalyst that helps you navigate uncertainty and accelerate your success. If you’re leaving corporate or have already made the leap, this podcast will give you both inspiration and actionable strategies to build momentum. ✅ What listeners gain: • Intimate, high-trust stories from peers who’ve been there • Proven frameworks to support your growth • Clarity, structure, and practical next steps • Encouragement and insight into the role of community in long-term success 🎯 Take the next step: Experience the power of community yourself. 👉 smashingtheplateau.com/guest ✉️ Not ready to join live yet? Stay connected. 👉 smashingtheplateau.com/news

Information

  • Creator
    Smashing the Plateau
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Smashing the Plateau
  • Show Website
    Smashing the Plateau