The Break - with Michael Gardon

Michael Gardon
  • 4.5 (100)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY
The Break - with Michael Gardon

Entrepreneur Michael Gardon is on a mission to help people BREAK work and get intentional about their career journey. In 2018 work wasn't working for Mike, so he decided to BREAK work and design a better work-life. Now, he helps people do the same. Hear from corporate careerists who have found fulfillment in new industries. Hear from entrepreneurs and solopreneurs who invest in themselves in pursuit of a more fulfilled, more sane life. Hear from side hustlers who are building more resilient work lives. Hear what their break moment was, hear how they overcame resistance and their actionable advice for doing the same. You'll also hear a short strategy or story each week from Mike's own experience reinventing his career 6 different times! There's never been a better time to take control.

  1. OCT 7

    Designing Your Life With Purpose: Tools and Strategies with Nicole Greene

    #525: Nicole Greene is a Business and Lifestyle Strategist for badass women founders and executives who are committed to high performance in multiple non-negotiable roles (think executive, founder, mom, caretaker). Her actionable strategies and systems help these women step out of survival mode and achieve success, in life and business. Nicole’s passion for this work comes from her own experience making herself small (and eventually burning out) across a highly successful career, from defense intelligence to artisan chocolates, CPG and Health Tech, during which she founded three companies and built several others from Seed to Series B. Nicole describes herself as a recovering workaholic and forever high performer. She’s a classically-trained pastry chef, perpetual learner and dedicated mentor, as well as a mom of two boys (and an Australian Cattle Dog), living in Miami, FL. Nicole has a BA and MA from the University of Chicago and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University and is currently an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Miami.

    1h 2m

  2. SEP 10

    How To Just Get Started With Brian Ondrako

    #524: Brian Ondrako is, first and foremost, a dedicated Dad to an amazing young boy who keeps him energized and young at heart. As the host of the Just Get Started Podcast for over six years, Brian has built a platform for meaningful conversations and personal growth. Alongside his podcasting journey, he writes blogs three times a week, has published two children’s books with a third on the way, and serves as a Sales Mentor to B2B Founders and their teams. The past several years have been transformative for Brian, looking very different from the life he once knew. His current pursuits are rooted in a pivotal decision to take control of his life. Overcoming childhood challenges of poor confidence, low self-esteem, and a fear of judgment, Brian reshaped his path by embracing bravery, delayed gratification, and connecting with influential people. Through these steps, he discovered a sense of purpose that realigned his life's direction. Brian identifies as a NAVIGATOR, with his “North Star” guiding him to help others take control of their own lives. He believes that true fulfillment begins from within, by understanding that happiness is only achievable when we fully discover ourselves. As we explore who we are, Brian emphasizes, we uncover a COMPASS within us, one that guides us toward a more appreciative and purposeful life. This inner compass, according to Brian, forms the foundation for a happier and more fulfilling existence.

    1h 22m

  3. SEP 3

    Your Grass Is Greener: Building Better Workplaces With Jason Silver

    #523: Jason Silver is a multi-time founder of kids and a multi-time founder of companies. He gets his biggest thrill helping modern employees and their teams unlock a better way to work—surfing is a close second. He was an early employee at Airbnb and helped build an AI company from the ground up back before AI was the cool thing to do. Today, he advises a startup portfolio valued in the billions on how to build great, lasting companies that people actually enjoy working for. He’s a sought-after public speaker, instructor, and advisor on how to transform work into one of the biggest drivers of positivity in your life. When he’s not busy helping people solve their hardest workplace challenges, Jason’s kids are busy reminding him just how much of a work in progress he still is too.

    1h 19m

  4. JUL 29

    Pivoting with Purpose: Alex Compton's Inspiring Journey from Basketball to Business

    #522: In 2020 when the pandemic hit, Alex and his wife Michelle took their kids to Wisconsin to visit his parents.  What was supposed to be a 3 month trip ended up being a family move as the Comptons could not get back to the Philippines and decided to migrate to the US. It was during that time that Alex was exposed to business in the US, when he was asked to be CEO of a small company. It was a significant time of learning that eventually ended up leading Alex to spending more time talking with a good friend of his, Todd Marinshaw.  Todd and Alex had been friends for decades and both had deep ties with the Philippines.  It was out of these discussions that Valor Pro Global emerged as Todd and Alex both realized they could provide a great service to businesses in the United States.

    1h 17m

  5. JUL 12

    Breaking the Burnout Cycle With Julie Bee

    #521: Julie Bee is the founder of TJB Media (2021) and BeeSmart Social Media (2008). She’s an award-winning podcast host, a leader, a professional speaker, and an entrepreneur. Julie is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program (10ksb) and a proud alumnus of West Virginia University. Julie started her career as an accountant but quickly discovered that path was not a good fit for her creativity. After losing her job in 2008, Julie founded BeeSmart Social Media. Julie continues to serve as the founder of BeeSmart, leading her remote team and supporting them in delivering services to the clients. Today, Julie focuses most of her time on helping business owners prevent burnout and achieve success. She does this through Momentum calls, workshops, delivering original content online, speaking engagements, and short-term coaching services.

    1 hr

  6. JUN 26

    From Corporate to Coach: Alli Rizacos’ Journey to Entrepreneurial Freedom

    #520: In 2021, Alli Rizacos took the leap and left the corporate world to pursue her dream of building a coaching business while traveling the world. In less than 3 years, she has built a recognizable brand on LinkedIn and a successful coaching business nearing $1M in revenue. Tune in to learn how Alli transitioned from corporate work to becoming a coach and her journey to entrepreneurial freedom.

    1h 13m

  7. APR 22

    The Courage To Lead With Amy Riley

    #519: Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and leadership development consultant. She’s worked with organizations such as Deloitte, Cisco Systems and Aon Hewitt and has over 20 years of experience working with leaders at all levels. Amy earned a Masters of Science in Training and Development (MSTD), with an emphasis in Organization Development (OD), from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. She is a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst (CPBA), a certified Tiara International LLC Coach and certified in the Meyers-Briggs Type Instrument. Amy’s second book, The Courage of a Leader: How To Inspire, Engage and Get Extraordinary Results, was released on March 3, 2021 and immediately reached #1 international best-selling status.

    1h 12m

  8. MAR 20

    Turn Hidden Talents Into Extraordinary Advantage

    #518:  I dove headfirst into finance for one reason. Money. As a 20 year old I simply neglected who I was, and looked to go to the place I could make a lot of money. How ignorant. I ignored my real talents. Despite natural skills in writing, speaking, and presenting, I chose the expected path. Here’s the truth: Our system, from college to career, often buries our genuine strengths under a pile of “shoulds.” It took me too long to listen, to unearth those dormant skills, and truly embrace them. Why share this? Because you, too, have untapped potential, overshadowed by what you’ve been told to pursue. Let’s challenge that. It’s time to dig deep, uncover our real talents, and redefine our paths.

    6 min
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4.5
out of 5
100 Ratings

About

Entrepreneur Michael Gardon is on a mission to help people BREAK work and get intentional about their career journey. In 2018 work wasn't working for Mike, so he decided to BREAK work and design a better work-life. Now, he helps people do the same. Hear from corporate careerists who have found fulfillment in new industries. Hear from entrepreneurs and solopreneurs who invest in themselves in pursuit of a more fulfilled, more sane life. Hear from side hustlers who are building more resilient work lives. Hear what their break moment was, hear how they overcame resistance and their actionable advice for doing the same. You'll also hear a short strategy or story each week from Mike's own experience reinventing his career 6 different times! There's never been a better time to take control.

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