Career Relaunch®

Joseph Liu
Career Relaunch®

The Career Relaunch® podcast helps you navigate the dynamics and emotions of a major career transition. Hosted by career change consultant and keynote speaker Joseph Liu, each episode features candid, honest interviews with professionals around the world who have changed career paths to find more fulfilling and meaningful work. Their stories of reinvention can provide you with inspiration, companionship, and reassurance as you relaunch your own career. Check out episode show notes, access free career change resources, or join our global community of listeners in 170+ countries at https://CareerRelaunch.net.

  1. Channeling Your Curiosity with Laura McIntyre

    NOV 21

    Channeling Your Curiosity with Laura McIntyre

    Curiosity is something we're all born with as humans. Most of us come into this world with an immense amount of curiosity. If you ever watch young children around a new set of toys, they'll excitedly try them all out. Similarly, during the early stages of our careers, we're thirsty to explore, absorb, and learn as much as we can on the job. However, over time, that curiosity can get dampened and even shut down as a result of work pressures, life realities, or societal expectations around how we should be spending our professional time. Keeping your curiosity alive is one way to open new doors throughout your career. In episode 104 of the Career Relaunch® podcast, Laura McIntyre, a professional opera singer turned business change consultant at Deloitte, describes her journey of going from the world of performing arts to the corporate world of management consulting. She explains why she decided to walk away from singing, how she managed her transition while making ends meet, and what steps she took to eventually land her job at one of the world's leading professional services firms. After our chat, I'll also share some thoughts on the importance of remaining curious in your career during the Mental Fuel® segment. Key Career Change Insights * Sometimes, your career puts immense amounts of pressure on you in ways you don't fully register until you hit an emotional or physical limit. When you cross that threshold, you owe it to yourself to recalibrate and reassess where to take your career. * Transitions are inevitably messy, often resulting in rejection and setbacks that may lead you to question your original decision to leave your former career behind. Understand that transitions take time, and the ups and downs are par for the course. * With enough dedication, exploration, and proactive connection-building, you can increase your chances of eventually identifying and landing a role that better aligns with your interests, skills, and lifestyle. Resources Mentioned * Read this CareerShifters article featuring an interview with Laura where she describes her career journey in more detail. * During the Mental Fuel® segment, I referred to Ethan Mollick's book Co-Intelligence which radically reshaped my views on AI's role in our work. Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, I talked about dedicating a few minutes this week to just learning something entirely new that you find intriguing right now. You could explore an emerging technology affecting your industry. Or learn more about a skill that someone you admire possesses. Or listen to a podcast episode about a topic that you’re curious about. What step will you take to channel your curiosity in your career? Episode Chapters 00:00:00 Overview 00:01:07 Introduction 00:03:18 Chat with Laura 00:44:27 Mental Fuel 00:50:54 Listener Challenge 00:51:49 Wrap Up About Laura McIntyre Laura McIntyre is a business transformation consultant at Deloitte focused on connecting people with solutions and empowering them to achieve their personal and professional aspirations. Originally from Lithuania, Laura began her career as a professional opera singer performing in the UK, France, and other European countries. In her spare time, Laura enjoys horseback riding and working out at the gym.

    53 min
  2. Finding Where You Belong with Dorna Lakayan

    AUG 15

    Finding Where You Belong with Dorna Lakayan

    Have you ever felt a bit out of place in your current job? Do you ever feel more like an outsider than an insider at your company? Have you ever struggled to fit in at your workplace? In episode 103 of the Career Relaunch® podcast, Dorna Lakayan, an architect and designer, describes her international journey to figure out where she belongs, the challenges of penetrating new professional circles, and the emotional dynamics of running your own business I also share some thoughts on fitting into new environments during the Mental Fuel® segment. Key Career Change Insights * While your instincts can serve you well, over time, logic and reason can overwhelm that instinct as you progress in your career, which can stop you from making brave leaps that align with your true ambitions. * Some days, you may wake up and feel like you’re making zero progress, but you still have to find a way to bravely put one foot in front of the other and make consistent efforts to keep moving forward both socially and professionally. * You often hear stories of success, but what lies beneath the surface are often lonely, challenging days where things haven’t gone according to plan. It’s part of the journey and helps you get where you ultimately want to go. * When people don’t respond in the way you want them to, it may not relate as much to you as it does to their situation or own struggles. * If you’re going through a tough time in your career, trust that this shall pass and life will go on. As long as you’re enthusiastic about what you’re doing and excited about your future, opportunities will arise. Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, I challenged listeners to find an anchor point that’s consistently served you well, kept you grounded, or just helped you feel more in control. Identify an activity, skillset, person, or place you can reconnect with regularly to create that sense of familiarity that serves as a source of comfort, confidence, and certainty as you face those professional and personal challenges around you. Episode Chapters 00:00:00 Overview 00:01:07 Introduction 00:02:39 Chat with Dorna Lakayan 00:44:07 Mental Fuel 00:51:08 Listener Challenge 00:51:41 Wrap Up About Dorna Lakayan, Architect Dorna Lakayan is an interior architect and furniture designer with Persian and Norwegian roots. With Studio Lakayan, she transforms houses into dream homes and brand identities into memorable venues worldwide. Her approach focuses on inhabitants being the center piece of a space, complementing habits and lifestyles through mindful space design and visual harmony. Her philosophy and approach center on the idea that “A good space creates space: to feel, to think, and to be you. Be sure to check out her Lakayan Loves series where she shares her favorite icons in the world of architecture & design. Follow Dorna on Instagram and LinkedIn. Did You Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify,

    53 min
  3. Adding Your Unique Value with Sandeep Achanta

    JUN 26

    Adding Your Unique Value with Sandeep Achanta

    The start of a new job or chapter in your career can be a sensitive, delicate time. It’s a moment when you’re trying to convince yourself you’ve made the right move. It’s also a moment when you’re trying to convince others you can do something, which may be very different from what you were doing before. Moving onto something new is harder than holding on to what you already have, even if what you have isn’t bringing you joy. In episode 102 of the Career Relaunch® podcast, Sandeep Achanta, a former fitness professional in India turned service designer in the UK describes how you can discover what ignites you, bravely leap into a new professional role, and embrace your unique career journey.  I also share some thoughts on overcoming the mental hurdle of starting over during the Mental Fuel® segment. Key Career Change Insights * While you may be in a comfortable job with relative stability, you might still feel like something is off, like you could be doing more. When this happens, you have to ask yourself when you will cross a tipping point and make the leap to do something else. * The decision to change careers is separate from the transition process. The actual transition could take months or years to execute, which is just part of making a major pivot. * If you’re dissatisfied with your current role, you have broadly two options. You can either find a way to tolerate and manage your situation, or you can proactively attempt to do something else. * Humility is a critical component of making any career change. You may have to start over a bit, drop down to a lower rung on a corporate ladder, or report to someone who may be younger than you. * During a career change, we tend to discount or dismiss away our previous experiences that don’t directly relate to a new role. Those experiences are exactly what enables you to make your unique contribution. Resources Mentioned * Sandeep mentioned he began his exploration of service design with the Interaction Design Foundation. * Learn more about CrossFit at the official CrossFit website. Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, I talked overcoming the emotional hurdle of starting over. My challenge to you is to identify one small, imperfect step you could take toward doing something that could allow you to feel more energized. Ideas include: * Giving yourself a quiet moment to just reflect on how you’ve been emotionally feeling about your career * Taking a small leap of faith. * Taking stock of which skills or experiences you want to carry forward so you can more fully buy into making that leap. Remember, you don’t have to have it all mapped out right now. You just have to start somewhere. Episode Chapters 00:00:00 Overview 00:01:07 Introduction 00:03:17 Chat with Sandeep Achanta 00:45:54 Mental Fuel 00:52:04 Listener Challenge 00:52:48 Listener Thoughts 00:54:59 Wrap Up About Sandeep Achanta Sandeep Achanta is currently a Service Designer working at the Bank of England. After spending over a decade in the fitness industry in India across various roles such as trainer, business owner, and product lead, he decided to pursue a Master's program in Service Design at Loughborough University London. During his time at university, he worked on projects with organisations such as Mind, the mental health charity, and the Hackney Council public health team. Sandeep is passionate about designing great services that are sustainable and improve health and well-being. In his spare time,

    56 min
  4. Stepping Back with Gisela Prunes Garcia

    MAR 21

    Stepping Back with Gisela Prunes Garcia

    When was the last time you took some time off from work? I often feel this pressure to keep plowing ahead in my career, to not take detours, and to not slow down. However, taking a momentary pause during a job transition is often the only real opportunity you have to slow down, recalibrate, and reconsider where you want to take your career next. HR professional Gisela Prunes Garcia shares her thoughts on the complexities of living and working in different countries, putting yourself out there before you're ready, and managing your internal thoughts during uncertain career transitions. In episode 101 of the Career Relaunch® podcast, I also share some thoughts on the tension between professional achievement and periodic reflection during the Mental Fuel® segment. Key Career Change Insights * Returning to your home country after living elsewhere may not always fill you with the comfort you might expect from familiar surroundings and can instead leave you feeling confused about where you belong. * Talking about your career when you’re working for an established, well-known company is much easier than discussing your transitions or messy periods in your professional trajectory. * While uncomfortable, career transitions can be a very fertile ground to explore other interests and paths that you may have otherwise ignored or overlooked while being focused on climbing the corporate ladder. Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, I challenge you to periodically permit yourself to slow down, even if it’s just for a day, and allow yourself to have a bit of a metaphorical palate cleanser. During these momentary pauses, ask yourself: * What's my level of satisfaction with where my career is headed right now? * What action can I take to better align my work with my natural strengths and interests? * Where would I like my life to be a year from now, both personally and professionally? 5 years from now? Episode Chapters 00:00:00 Overview 00:01:07 Introduction 00:03:47 Discussion with Gisela Prunes Garcia 00:42:33 Mental Fuel 00:49:38 Listener Challenge 00:50:09 Wrap Up About Gisela Prunes Garcia Gisel Prunes Garcia is a Human Resources professional from Barcelona who lived in the United States for the past 12 years. Her career in corporate started in Barcelona at Sara Lee Corporation, a Fortune 500 company in consumer goods, where she worked for a few years until she decided to move to California in 2012. She went on to explore different industries while building up a new life and career in a new culture, in a second language with no network. Her most recent experiences were with The Walt Disney Company in HR Production and Getty Images managing Creative and Editorial client groups. She specializes in finding opportunities that drive solutions to improve the employee experience and business results. Working in various industries and with highly creative folks allowed her to form unique perspectives and develop agility to analyze problems and find holistic and creative solutions. Follow Gisela on Instagram and LinkedIn. Enjoy This Episode? Please Let Us Know! * Review: I’d also love for you to leave a positive review and rating for the podcast o...

    51 min
  5. Embracing Change with Anne Tumlinson

    09/28/2023

    Embracing Change with Anne Tumlinson

    Today marks our 100th episode of the Career Relaunch® podcast!. For the past seven years, we’ve shared the personal stories of people around the world who have reinvented their careers, and today, I'm thrilled to have Anne Tumlinson, CEO of ATI Advisory and founder of Daughterhood, join us again on the show. Anne was the very first guest I interviewed for this show over seven years ago before it even launched, and today, we're going to talk about how her career and life have evolved since then. She'll share her reflections on her journey as a founder turned CEO, the complex dynamics of growing your own organization, and the impact changes in her personal life have had on her outlook on life, career, and her own perspectives. During a special Mental Fuel® segment, I'll summarize my top takeaways from the nearly 100 guests I've featured on this show, including a montage of key highlights to help you understand the dynamics, challenges, and upside of changing career paths to pursue work you find truly meaningful. Key Career Change Insights * Consistently showing up is half the battle when embarking on any major career endeavor. * Your unique collection of gifts, talents, skills, and interests can fuel you to do work you find truly meaningful. You just have to open yourself up to fully tapping into them. * Even when you're building momentum and achieving "success," still questioning whether you're completely on the right track is normal. Resources Mentioned * In the book Great By Choice by Jim Collins, he describes the 20-mile-march concept. * Past Career Relaunch® episodes mentioned: * Creating Steady Progress with Anne Tumlinson- episode 3 * Deciding What Matters with Bruce Daisley- episode 26 * Giving Yourself Room to Explore with Audrey Lemargue- episode 9 * Embracing Uncertainty with Stephen Satterfield- episode 15 * Setting Realistic Expectations with Chinwe Oneaygoro- episode 59 * Creating a New Image with Deepak Shukla- episode 51 * Letting Go with Karen Hing- episode 52 * Doing What Excites You with Alex Trochut- episode 56 * Being Your Own #1 Fan with Sandeep Johal- episode 20 * Taking Care of Yourself with Erika Russi- episode 77 Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, my challenge to you is to decide what choice you feel you could make for your career that you can be proud of. One that you’re confident you can look back on 10 years, 20 years from now, and not regret. What matters most to you right now during this chapter of your life and career? And what step will you take to honor this? Episode Chapters * 00:00:00 - Overview * 00:01:07 - Introduction * 00:04:53 - Chat with Anne Tumlinsonbr ...

    1h 3m
  6. Making Things Work with Carla Stickler

    08/31/2023

    Making Things Work with Carla Stickler

    Think for a moment about the original blueprint you once had for your career. What did you want to be when you grew up? How did you envision your life would look? And what has your actual experience been like? If you're like most people I cross paths with, your career trajectory has been very different from what you imagined. Your ability to roll with the punches and absorb the shocks that inevitably come up along the way of any professional journey can make a huge difference to where you end up. Broadway musical star turned web engineer Carla Stickler explains how she managed to balance multiple career endeavors while pivoting into a brand new industry on episode 99 of the Career Relaunch® podcast. In the Mental Fuel® segment, I'll also explain how to embrace and manage the inevitable messiness of career transitions. Key Career Change Insights * Sometimes, you can just tell when you’re excelling and making the most of your strengths in your career. The more positive feedback you get from others, the more this reinforces the fact you’re on the right track. * You never know when you’re going to turn a corner in your career. With enough patience and persistence, you may eventually have your big breakthrough. * Think of your first job in a new sector as an opportunity to clarify exactly which aspects of this new work appeal to you and aligns best with your interests. * When you’re considering opportunities that may feel like a reach, instead of just saying, “why me?” try saying, “why NOT me?” Resources Mentioned * Carla mentioned a couple of resources to help people learn coding including Freecodecamp.org, the Grace Hopper bootcamp, and the Flatiron School bootcamp that episode 77 guest Erika Russi joined. Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, I challenged you to identify one area in your career where your desire for the ideal set of circumstances may be resulting in procrastination and getting in the way of you starting the next chapter in your career. Are you still waiting or the perfect solution to come to you? Are you waiting until the moment when you feel completely ready to take a plunge into something new? Try and accept that pivots are imperfect and imprecise. Acknowledge that there may be no perfect time to make your move. Understand you may never have 100% clarity on exactly what you want to do next. And understand that the biggest challenge is not tackling but rather accepting the uncertainty of it all. Rather than getting stuck in a state of inaction and paralysis, just do your best to just take one action that creates some progress in the face of this uncertainty. Episode Chapters * 00:00:00 - Overview * 00:01:07 - Introduction * 00:03:00 - Chat with Carla Stickler * 00:45:54 - Mental Fuel * 00:52:59 - Listener Challenge * 00:53:24 - Wrap Up About Carla Stickler, Broadway Star Turned Web Engineer Carla Stickler is a Web Engineer at Spotify with over a decade of performing in musicals under her belt. She is best known for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway and has performed her own cabaret as a guest entertainer onboard Norwegian and Disney Cruise Lines. With a BFA in acting from NYU-Tisch and masters degree in theater education from NYU-Steinhardt,...

    55 min
  7. Advocating For Yourself with Claudia Bruce-Quartey

    07/27/2023

    Advocating For Yourself with Claudia Bruce-Quartey

    If you’re like most people I cross paths with out there, talking about your accomplishments or showcasing your achievements may not come that naturally to you. Communicating your successes can feel like you’re bragging or shamelessly self-promoting. Asking for what you want can feel intrusive or presumptuous. And just sharing your own accomplishments with others can feel awkward or forced. At the same time, if you don’t advocate for yourself, you run the risk of disappearing into the background. If you don’t drive visibility for your work, no one may be aware of your accomplishments. And if you don’t ask for what you want, opportunities are unlikely to just fall into your lap. In episode 98 of the Career Relaunch® podcast, Claudia Bruce-Quartey, a political scientist turned key account manager shares her thoughts on why making a career change often involves a leap of faith and why you have to be the one to advocate for what you want. I also share some thoughts on how I manage the delicate balance between modesty and self-advocacy during the Mental Fuel® segment. Key Career Change Insights * Focus on the things you can control, not those you cannot. * Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith in your career and jump. * The onus is on you to make yourself seen and heard in your career. Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, my challenge to you is to pick one aspect of your work that you feel deserves more support . . . and to advocate for it. Maybe it’s a project you feel deserves more visibility within your organization. Or an overdue promotion you feel is worth getting onto your manager’s radar. Or a piece of career news you’ve been keeping to yourself but want to share with your network. Whatever it is, take ownership of your career and proactively promote it. If you don’t advocate for it, you can be sure others won’t either. And you might just be surprised how people respond. Episode Chapters 00:00:00 Overview 00:01:07 Introduction 00:03:44 Discussion with Claudia Bruce-Quartey 00:42:38 Mental Fuel 00:48:45 Listener Challenge 00:49:25 Wrap Up About Claudia Bruce-Quartey Claudia Bruce-Quartey has followed a career path that's required self-advocacy throughout. Raised in Germany as a first-generation immigrant after her parents moved there from Ghana, Claudia eventually completed her Master’s Degree in Public Administration in France and most recently relocated to Switzerland. Originally a political scientist with no knowledge of IT, Claudia’s now a Key Account Manager for the software company Red Hat. She also passionately works with underrepresented youth and female professionals to help them confidently speak about their accomplishments and ask for what they want in their careers. With over 8 years of experience in the Swiss Tech industry, Claudia describes herself as an agent for transformation, on a mission to create equal representation and opportunities. She’s also the author of the book My Hair, My Choice, a book that encourages young children to understand that being unique and different is great. Follow Claudia on LinkedIn and Instagram. Join her a href="https://claudiabrucequartey.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?

    51 min
  8. Leaving On a High Note with Aisling Drennan

    06/28/2023

    Leaving On a High Note with Aisling Drennan

    When you're not happy with your job, deciding to make a career change may seem more straightforward. However, when things are going well, do you keep riding the wave or make the leap and try something new? In episode 97 of the Career Relaunch® podcast, Aisling Drennan, a Riverdance Irish dancer turned artist shares her thoughts on shifting from an international stage to an art studio. We'll discuss the deeply personal choice of when to walk away from an established career, the inevitable challenges of starting anything new, and the importance of championing your own work. I also share some thoughts on when you can tell the time has come to move on during the Mental Fuel® segment. Key Career Change Insights * You can't know everything from the start. You have to figure it out along the way. It's about giving yourself time and accepting the inevitable mistakes along the way * You can't be the champion of everything, but you have to be your own champion of your own work and ambition. * If making a career change was easy, everyone would be doing it. You have to constantly ask yourself, is this what I want to do? If yes, you must find a way to make this work. * Deciding exactly when to leave your job behind is a very personal choice. On the one hand, you could leave on a high note, knowing you may still have left to give and gain. On the other, you could leave after you feel like you’ve given everything you can, although it can result in dissatisfaction, burnout, and even resentment. * Expect the early days to be tough. Starting is often the hardest phase when you’re embarking on a new career path. However, if you know you’re doing what you want to do, with enough hard work and tenacity, you’ll turn a corner. Episode Chapters * 00:00:00 - Overview * 00:01:07 - Introduction * 00:03:05 - Discussion with Aisling Drennan * 00:45:54 - Mental Fuel * 00:51:10 - Listener Challenge * 00:51:43 - Wrap Up Listener Challenge During this episode's Mental Fuel® segment, I discussed how to decide whether the time has come to pursue another path in your career. Consider whether you have: A) anything else to gain, B) more you could give, C) more you actually want to give. The choice is ultimately yours. I just encourage you to not overextend yourself too much and to walk away once you feel that deep down, the time is right to move on. About Aisling Drennan, Abstract Expressionist Painter Aisling Drennan used to be a former professional Irish dancer with Riverdance, performing internationally for almost a decade with her sketchbook and paint box in her suitcase. Originally from County Clare, Ireland, she dedicated the earlier parts of her life touring around the world, and dancing professionally. However, she eventually began a gradual, steady career transition into the world of art. She’s now a full-time, abstract expressionist painter, balancing her artistic endeavors with motherhood after the birth of her son in early 2022. Based in London, she now creates her artwork at Delta House Studios, where you can check out her paintings along with work from several other artists. Most recently Aisling Drennan’s work was selected for The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art’s annua...

    53 min
5
out of 5
112 Ratings

About

The Career Relaunch® podcast helps you navigate the dynamics and emotions of a major career transition. Hosted by career change consultant and keynote speaker Joseph Liu, each episode features candid, honest interviews with professionals around the world who have changed career paths to find more fulfilling and meaningful work. Their stories of reinvention can provide you with inspiration, companionship, and reassurance as you relaunch your own career. Check out episode show notes, access free career change resources, or join our global community of listeners in 170+ countries at https://CareerRelaunch.net.

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