Tales from the Shift

Shane Peterson
  • 5.0 (1)
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Before you judge a job, listen to someone who has actually done it. Before you envy a job, learn what it costs. Before you dismiss a job, understand the skill inside it. And before you reduce a person to their occupation, hear their story. Tales from the Shift is a job deep dive show about the real lives behind the titles. Every profession has a public myth and a private reality. We sit down with the people who have lived the work and ask what outsiders get wrong, what the job demands, what it gives back, and what it takes from them. It is honest conversation with cops, nurses, lawyers, tradesmen, military veterans, performers, business owners, and people from jobs most of us misunderstand. Every job is a hidden world. Every worker knows something outsiders do not. The job title is the label. The story is the truth. NO AI videos are intentionally used, NO AI avatars or voicing. Real people, every time.

  1. May 2

    Accountant (CPA) 30 Yrs | Job Deep Dive

    Learn the unfiltered reality of a career as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Bonus info about being a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and a CFO (Chief Financial Officer). Like all TFTS episodes, you get the unfiltered reality of how this job works that you won't find in any instruction manual. If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Tales from the Shift: https://www.youtube.com/@Talesfromtheshift Comprehensive Accounting Solutions: https://comprehensiveaccountingsolutions.net/ Strategic Asset Management: https://www.1samgroup.com/ Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:51 Difference between CPA and CFA 2:12 Background as the youngest stockbroker 3:22 Requirements for becoming a CPA 4:31 Workplace horror stories 7:53 Expectations versus reality of a CPA career 8:54 Typical day for a CFO 11:12 Instances of clients hiding information 12:54 CPA client confidentiality 13:42 Best and worst days on the job 14:48 Opinions on tax loopholes 16:16 Safety concerns in the accounting field 18:15 Path to forensic accounting 20:06 Impact of the job on personality 20:55 Memorable professional cases 22:45 Surprising benefits of being a CPA 23:25 Different CPA work environments 25:02 Reality of working with other CPAs 25:50 Current shortage of CPAs 30:12 PCAOB and audit standards 34:11 Unspoken lessons of the job 35:07 Salary expectations for accountants 37:57 Reality of typical work hours 40:04 Sacrifices for career success 41:04 Value of the CFA program 43:20 Ideal personality for an accounting career 44:14 Math requirements for the profession 44:56 Advice for aspiring accountants 46:06 Potential career paths 47:56 Fraud in government accounting 49:50 Nature of sales tax audits 51:28 Aggressive tax auditing agencies 52:45 Key leadership traits for executives 55:32 Greatest professional accomplishments 59:47 Advice for new CPAs 1:04:10 Impact of AI on the profession 1:09:11 Current firm expansion projects #CPA #ForensicAccounting #AccountingCareers #FinanceJobs #CFO #TaxPlanning #AuditLife #CareerAdvice #TalesFromTheShift #DougCarpenter #SmallBusinessFinance #AccountingTruth #Jobs #SalaryTransparency #WorkReality #cfa Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2026 Soffley LLC

    1h 20m

  2. May 2 ·  Bonus

    Job Search Tips from Coach Dan Waskow | Why LinkedIn is Important and the 70% Rule | Special Episode

    Job Search Coach Dan Waskow shares professional insights on navigating the modern job search. This special episode covers the truth about managing your career and what it takes to land a new job today. My Job Search Advisor: https://www.myjobsearchadvisor.com If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:28 Entry into job search coaching 1:52 Recommendations for a new job search 2:42 Strategies to get a resume through AI 6:17 Missing listed job qualifications 10:12 Effective time management for job seekers 13:22 AI tools for job search assistance 14:23 Techniques for handling recruiter ghosting 18:20 Professional coaching service overview 22:21 Personal marketing for professionals 25:35 Hiring potential from LinkedIn profiles 27:41 Advice for college students 30:06 Summer internship resources 31:30 Competing offers after acceptance 34:12 Negotiation process for job offers 41:19 Reasons to renegotiate salary 42:22 Assessment of the right career move 44:52 Promotion strategies at current employers 49:33 Definition of stress interviews 53:41 Career pivoting in the age of AI 57:44 Navigation of broad salary ranges 1:02:43 Limited coaching discount offer #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #Recruiting #ResumeTips #LinkedIn #JobInterview #SalaryNegotiation #CareerCoaching #JobSeekers #Hiring #Employment #TalesFromTheShift #CareerGrowth #WorkLife #JobHunting #interviewing Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2026 Soffley LLC

    1h 4m

  3. May 2

    Alaska Cop (25 years) Explains His Job in an Unforgiving Environment with the Most Serial Killers

    Doug Fifer shares why being an Alaska cop is one of the most interesting professions despite the brutal cold and unique dangers. This episode explores a career filled with high stakes negotiations, forensic investigations, and the reality of solving crime in the last frontier. Like all TFTS episodes, you get the unfiltered reality of how this job works that you won't find in any instruction manual. Fifty Shades of True Crime: https://amzn.to/4cgEt0m If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:44 Basics of an Alaska police officer career 1:50 Employer and jurisdiction 2:32 Rural versus city encounters 3:02 Motivation to become a cop 4:18 Alcoholism and violence issues 4:51 Challenges besides the weather 5:24 Serial killer population density 6:11 Missing persons and foul play 7:41 Intentional disappearances 8:40 Unidentified bodies and torso killings 10:21 Active serial killers in Alaska 11:18 Tough moments and child victims 13:29 Process to become an Alaska cop 15:05 Vetting and background checks 17:14 Drug legality and employment 20:11 Salary and overtime pay 21:39 Pension and retirement changes 22:36 Native tribes and law enforcement 24:43 Shift work and sleep schedules 27:58 Peer relationships and practical jokes 31:35 Job slang and terminology 33:24 Transitioning from work to home 35:04 Divorce rates in law enforcement 36:48 Personality of a veteran officer 37:39 Frostbite and job injuries 38:44 Cynicism and the Spidey sense 39:35 Post career job opportunities 41:25 Traits not suited for the job 42:31 Multitasking under pressure 44:51 Advice for new hires 47:14 Field training and specialty teams 52:55 Training veterans versus rookies 54:51 Sports and outdoor hobbies 55:56 Best and worst days on the job 57:43 The Submerged Car 1:00:00 Embarrassing courtroom moments 1:02:21 Lessons not found in books 1:03:34 Potential career changes 1:04:55 Interrogation and negotiation tools 1:07:00 The Playboy Playmate hostage case 1:14:04 Fifty Shades of True Crime book 1:16:52 Reality of Alaska cop shows 1:18:22 Adrenaline dumps and sleep 1:19:55 Unsolved cases and torso murders 1:20:40 Situational awareness off duty 1:23:17 Healthy marriages in law enforcement 1:24:11 Frustrations with the legal system 1:25:17 Speed round 1:29:36 Final secrets of the job #TrueCrime #HostageNegotiator #Anchorage #AlaskaStateTroopers #Careers #TalesFromTheShift #DougFifer #AIProofCareers #AIProofJobs #CareerAdvice Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2026 Soffley LLC

    1h 31m

  4. May 2

    Applied Physicist (40+ Yrs) ⚡Job Deep Dive

    The job / career of an Applied Physicist. Dr. Rahul Prasad explains the reality of this job, from high-energy lab accidents to the future of nuclear fusion and quantum computing. Like all TFTS episodes, you get the unfiltered reality of how this job works that you won't find in any instruction manual. If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Butterflies India: https://www.butterfliesindia.org/ Impact Shift (Book): https://www.shoppivotal.com/products/impact-shift-the-art-of-pivoting-for-meaningful-change Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:44 Overview of an applied physicist career 1:44 Reason for choosing physics 4:12 Educational path at Yale 4:42 First research job at Yale 6:06 Experience in the private sector 7:22 Work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 8:11 Practicality of nuclear fusion 11:06 Advice for high school students 13:58 Value of teachers in society 15:47 Sacrifices for career success 18:14 Personality of a typical physicist 20:07 Traits not suited for this job 21:18 Connection between kites and trigonometry 23:25 Benefits of travel in the career 24:04 Worst day and third degree burns 25:57 Best days and micro thrusters 27:44 Potential for career change 31:00 Safety mistake with liquid nitrogen 33:03 Other career paths for physicists 35:00 Impact of AI on physics 38:42 Salary expectations for physicists 39:44 Workplace hazards and lab organization 40:48 Interaction with professional peers 41:48 Optimism versus cynicism in the field 43:38 Future of quantum computing 44:42 Hot takes and mundane disagreements 45:47 Definition of success 47:04 Tips for new hires 49:01 Memories of an X-ray laser experiment 51:15 Involvement in philanthropy 54:23 Meaning of the name Butterflies 57:58 The book Impact Shift 1:01:40 Everyday appreciation for physics 1:03:31 Passion for photography 1:07:31 Arctic and African expeditions 1:09:22 Importance of peer review 1:10:06 Potential of dark matter 1:10:45 Large Hadron Collider 1:11:19 Utility of superconductors 1:11:45 Discoveries at Fermi Lab 1:12:44 Unintended consequences of butterfly effect 1:13:53 Secret about being a physicist #AIProofCareers #AIProofJobs #CareerAdvice #Physics #AppliedPhysics #Physicist #CareerAdvice #Philanthropy #STEM #ScienceCareers #TalesFromTheShift #DarkMatter #Photography #ImpactShift Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2026 Soffley LLC

    1h 16m

  5. Apr 22

    Private Investigator | Job Deep Dive

    #AIProofCareers #AIProofJobs #CareerAdvice Ken Childs shares the reality of a career as a private investigator. This job involves surveillance, database research, and skip tracing rather than the myths seen on TV. Learn how this job actually works, and the dedication required for long surveillance shifts. Like all TFTS episodes, you get the unfiltered reality of how this job works that you won't find in any instruction manual. Ken's PI Business: https://licensed-investigator.com/ Ken's Instagram: @Paramountpis If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com. Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:45 Entry into the field at age 21 1:34 Hiring at Frasco investigation firm 2:04 Reality of the career over 20 years 3:11 Capabilities of private investigators 4:19 Hourly rates and project budgets 5:35 Locate process for missing persons 7:29 Surveillance across state lines 10:55 Most common clients and case types 11:36 Path to enter the industry 13:53 Meaning of taking statements 14:59 Entry and mid career salary 18:16 Purpose of professional licensing 19:35 Daily work life balance 20:29 Interaction with other investigators 21:28 Industry niches and specialties 24:06 Industry slang and terminology 25:17 Surveillance versus harassment 30:00 Repercussions of surveillance 32:27 Personality traits not for this job 33:57 Description of a veteran investigator 34:25 Impact of police background 35:41 Memorable investigation stories 40:38 Investigation camera equipment 41:51 Process of firing clients 43:42 Definition of OSINT 44:23 Career impact on worldview 45:41 Use of license plate readers 47:00 Major crypto investigation details 50:42 Use of the dark web 52:18 Common investigator secrets #PrivateInvestigator #PrivateInvestigation #Career #Job #Surveillance #SkipTracing #TalesFromTheShift #KenChilds #PrivateEye #ProcessServer #BountyHunter #Investigation #CriminalDefense #InsuranceFraud #OSINT Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2026 Soffley LLC

    54 min

  6. Apr 22

    Army Career | Job Deep Dive

    #AIProofCareers #AIProofJobs #CareerAdvice Rich LaMonica, Iraq war veteran explains the unfiltered reality of a job / career in the US Army, and modern military service. Like all TFTS episodes, you get the unfiltered reality of how this job works that you won't find in any instruction manual. Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Rich's Podcast: https://themisfitnation.com If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com Chapters 0:00:00 Intro 0:01:10 The MisFitNation podcast 0:02:45 Chemical Operations Specialist job 0:03:30 Hydration in MOPP suits 0:04:15 Initial motivation to join 0:05:20 College and football before enlistment 0:06:40 Staying for a 22 year career 0:07:05 Lessons from basic training and AIT 0:07:50 Learning from a cavalry scout 0:08:15 Routine and field environment 0:09:30 Mentorship before seeing a recruiter 0:11:40 ASVAB importance for job placement 0:12:15 Studying for the ASVAB 0:13:05 Chemical operations rating consistency 0:13:40 December 2010 0:14:15 Formation of the Misfits platoon 0:15:25 SGT Michael Beckerman 0:17:10 Evolution of empathy in leadership 0:18:45 Military mental health resources 0:20:30 Total soldier concept and wellness 0:21:50 Testing fate on the fourth deployment 0:22:15 Mortar attack and combat injury 0:23:05 Refusal of evacuation and return to duty 0:24:45 Injury details and shrapnel removal 0:25:20 Return to the Combat Outpost 0:26:05 Disability ratings and physical toll 0:26:40 9/11 impact on Kuwait rotation 0:27:10 Combat in Ramadi, Iraq 0:27:50 Military pay and BAH benefits 0:29:15 Stability and healthcare for families 0:30:10 Comparison of presidential pay raises 0:30:45 Tax free shopping at the commissary 0:31:30 Veteran shopping benefits 0:32:45 Work-life balance and field rotations 0:34:20 Evolution of soldier support systems 0:35:10 Peer interactions and unit culture 0:37:30 The box of grid squares prank 0:38:15 Military slang and profanity 0:39:40 Promotion boards and point system 0:41:15 Reaching the 798 point maximum 0:43:20 The pinning ceremony tradition 0:44:40 Impact of multiple combat tours 0:45:50 Seeking help after retirement 0:46:15 Managing PTSD and trauma 0:47:30 Moral injury and childhood baggage 0:49:10 Civilian career paths for veterans 0:50:20 Career Skills Program internships 0:51:15 Finding purpose through networking 0:52:40 Homeland Security and Master's degrees 0:53:15 Education benefits and the GI Bill 0:55:50 Military pension calculations 0:57:30 Cost of living adjustments 0:58:15 Personalities not suited for service 0:59:40 Financial advice for new soldiers 1:01:05 Avoiding high interest debt traps 1:01:40 Active Army unit deployments 1:02:15 Dream sheets and station assignments 1:03:20 Intelligence of the modern soldier 1:04:15 Technology on the future battlefield 1:05:05 Distance and unmanned systems 1:05:40 Best and worst days in uniform 1:06:50 Retirement ceremony and closure 1:07:30 Writing guides for success and trauma 1:08:45 Mentors who shaped a career 1:12:15 Lessons from a mistake in Korea 1:13:40 Helicopter crash rescue at Fort Campbell 1:15:10 Improving the promotion system 1:20:45 Defining success after 22 years 1:21:15 Accuracy of Black Hawk Down 1:24:30 Realities of combat vs. Hollywood Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2026 Soffley LLC

    1h 31m

  7. Apr 22 ·  Bonus

    Hiring Secrets / Job Search Guide | Special Episode

    Career coach Eric Woodard joins this special episode to reveal the top mistakes professionals make during a job search. Learn how to navigate the modern career landscape by shifting your focus toward service and creating strong professional agreements to accelerate your growth. Like all TFTS episodes, you get the unfiltered reality of how this job works that you won't find in any instruction manual. If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Eric's Career Coaching: https://winatwork.io Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:51 Top job search mistakes to avoid 2:35 How to get hired faster 3:35 How the ATS and AI screening work 8:09 Methods to circumvent the ATS 11:46 Handling job postings with no salary 13:12 Dealing with massive salary ranges 14:18 Answering the salary expectation question 15:51 Frequency of fake job postings 17:48 Truth about job postings for visas 19:10 Meaning of being overqualified 23:03 Red flags with "big family" companies 24:58 Replacing expectations with agreements 26:41 Building confidence and workplace presence 28:58 Reality of background checks 34:18 Truth about company loyalty 35:53 Accelerating career growth as a leader 37:40 Unlimited PTO scams or perks 40:10 Balancing productivity and wellbeing 43:34 Effectiveness of performance improvement plans 46:02 Honesty in exit interviews 47:56 Current state of the job economy 50:11 Actionable tips for your career #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #HiringTips #InterviewAdvice #JobSeekers #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #CareerCoaching #TalesFromTheShift #Employment #JobHunt #LeadershipSkills Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2026 Soffley LLC

    51 min

  8. Apr 4

    Special Victims Unit Prosecutor (SVU) | Job Deep Dive

    SVU Prosecutor Roger Canaff explains the reality of this difficult legal career path. He shares how prosecuting cases involving marginalized populations requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate a complex job where justice and ethics must remain at the forefront. Like all TFTS episodes, you get the unfiltered reality of how this job works that you won't find in any instruction manual. If you have an interesting job and would like to be a guest on the show, then email me at Talesfromtheshiftpodcast@gmail.com Real Human Conversations, No AI in this video. Roger Canaff Official Website https://rogercanaff.com/ Brooklyn Writers Press https://brooklynwriterspress.com/ Thomas & Mercer https://www.apub.com/imprint-detail?imprint=8 Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:10 Defining the Job 2:45 Personal Career Drivers 5:40 Reporting to the DA 7:00 Power in Prosecution 11:55 Career Salary Realities 14:00 The Five-Year Arc 16:00 Prosecutor vs Defense 21:15 High EQ Career Traits 25:00 Passion and Fatigue 28:40 The Win-Loss Record 32:00 Believe Children 35:40 Vindicating the Victim 36:50 The Competency Mistake 41:10 Law & AI Deepfakes 46:10 The Addiction Pattern 47:50 The Epstein Files 51:50 Accuracy of TV Shows 53:15 Psychological Thrillers 56:45 Advice for Detectives 1:00:40 The Ethics of Orders 1:03:30 Vicarious Trauma 1:07:20 From Arrest to Appeal 1:09:15 Speed Round 1:14:40 The Hidden Impact #SpecialVictims #LegalCareer #Prosecutor #SVU #CriminalJustice #LawAndOrder #LegalEthics #ChildProtection #VicariousTrauma #LegalSystem #Careers #Jobs #TalesFromTheShift #RogerCanaff #attorneylife Note: Any opinions stated on this show are my opinion and the guest's opinion only. They are not the opinion of either of our employers. Copyright 2025 Soffley LLC

    1h 14m
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About

Before you judge a job, listen to someone who has actually done it. Before you envy a job, learn what it costs. Before you dismiss a job, understand the skill inside it. And before you reduce a person to their occupation, hear their story. Tales from the Shift is a job deep dive show about the real lives behind the titles. Every profession has a public myth and a private reality. We sit down with the people who have lived the work and ask what outsiders get wrong, what the job demands, what it gives back, and what it takes from them. It is honest conversation with cops, nurses, lawyers, tradesmen, military veterans, performers, business owners, and people from jobs most of us misunderstand. Every job is a hidden world. Every worker knows something outsiders do not. The job title is the label. The story is the truth. NO AI videos are intentionally used, NO AI avatars or voicing. Real people, every time.

Information

  • Creator
    Shane Peterson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Shane Peterson
  • Show Website
    Tales from the Shift