The Unstuck Career

Ken Williams
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The Unstuck Career is hosted by Ken Williams, an entrepreneur who made a bold career shift at age 55 after spending 16 years in the same job. Now building his own business, Ken is on a mission to help others break free from unfulfilling work and create a better life. This podcast is for burned-out, frustrated professionals who feel stuck in toxic jobs, underpaid roles, or careers that no longer fit, and know they’re meant for something more. Each week, Ken shares powerful conversations with people who have successfully made the leap (or are in the process of doing it) alongside practical Friday Focus episodes packed with mindset shifts and actionable strategies. Listeners will learn how to take control of their careers, build momentum toward change, and create work that aligns with the life they actually want. If you’re ready to stop settling and start moving, this show will help you get there.

  1. 3h ago

    Breaking the Golden Handcuffs: Explore Meaningful Change in Life - Ep. 273

    Send us Fan Mail This week, I sit down with Jon for a raw, relatable conversation about the uneasy tension between career success and personal fulfillment. Jon opens up about what it’s really like to be a top performer in digital advertising sales—crushing quotas, earning well, and working with smart colleagues—yet feeling that nagging sense something’s missing at the end of each day. We break down the “golden handcuffs” dilemma: what happens when the perks of your job keep you stuck, even as you wonder if you’re settling for less than you deserve. We dig into the creative side hustles and big dreams Jon has chased, from stand-up comedy and aviation to building trivia empires on Instagram. Along the way, we tackle the all-too-common story of talking ourselves out of what we want, and what it would mean to finally live life on your own terms. You’ll hear candid reflections on why fulfillment can be elusive—whether it’s the disconnect of selling intangible products or letting AI automate the joy out of passion projects. If you’re wrestling with whether “this is it” or dreaming about a more meaningful path without blowing up your life, Jon’s story is proof you’re not alone. Tune in for practical inspiration, and if you want to connect, you can reach out to Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbeardslee/ If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    36 min

  2. 2d ago

    Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: Decide and Take Action Ep. 272

    Send us Fan Mail Do you constantly put things off until you finally “feel ready”? This week’s episode tackles the myth of ever being 100% ready before making a big move in your career or life. I open up about my own struggles with procrastination and perfectionism, sharing why waiting to feel ready is actually just another form of staying stuck. From the hesitation to start a new workout routine to the much bigger leap of making a career pivot, we explore the real reason we freeze: we’re trying to predict the future—and that’s impossible. You’ll hear why “ready” isn’t a feeling at all, but a decision—a simple, powerful shift that can set you in motion immediately. I lay out the practical formula: decide you’re ready, then take action. We get real about what finally pushed me to act after years of living someone else’s vision for my life, and why the decision to change is always available right now. If you're tired of waiting for a sign or the perfect moment, this is the push you’ve been searching for. Discover how to break the cycle and finally move toward what you want. Ready to connect and get unstuck? Head over to unstuckcareer.com. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    7 min

  3. Jun 29

    Reinventing Life After 50: Chasing Dreams and Change - Ep. 271

    Send us Fan Mail This week, I sit down with Clint, a relentless dreamer who ditched stability for a shot at building something meaningful. Ever wonder what it really takes to reinvent your life after 50? Clint shares his raw, honest story: selling a thriving business, moving cross-country, and discovering that changing your zip code doesn’t change your patterns. We unpack the moment he realized chasing his dreams meant taking real ownership, not just making excuses or waiting for the “perfect time.” You’ll hear how Clint faced the scary crossroads of leaving a job, confronting waves of doubt, and turning failure into the launchpad for his next act. From wrestling with the voices of naysayers to learning how to separate love-driven advice from fear, Clint’s journey will hit home if you’ve ever thought, “I’m too old,” or "That won’t work for me." His pivot from “just surviving” to truly pursuing happiness by launching a new surf skate ramp business in California shows what happens when you let go of what doesn’t serve you and finally bet on yourself. Feeling inspired or need a nudge? Check out Clint’s project and follow his progress at waveformtraining.com and on TikTok @waveformtraining. This episode is for anyone ready to drop the excuses and take their shot, no matter their age or what others think. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    51 min

  4. Jun 26

    Making the Decision Right: Overcoming Analysis Paralysis in Your Career

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Unstuck Career, we tackle the paralyzing fear of making the “wrong” decision—a mindset that leads so many smart professionals into analysis paralysis and a life they never truly chose. I share the all-too-relatable ice cream saga (yes, Chocoholic Chunk is still the star!), showing how second-guessing, detours, and even dead ends aren’t proof that you made a bad choice—they’re just part of the journey. You’ll learn why chasing perfect certainty is an illusion, and how treating every choice as “right” can liberate you from the anxiety of predicting the future. We get real about what actually happens when you decide to make a change, whether it’s in your job or your daily routine: when plans go sideways, it isn’t failure—it’s just an opportunity to reroute, learn, and keep moving forward. If you’re ready to ditch the overthinking and finally make decisions with confidence, this episode will show you how to adjust on the fly—no matter what life throws your way. Want extra support as you make your next move? Let’s talk! Get all the details and book time with me at kenwilliamscoaching.com, or check the link in the show notes. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    6 min

  5. Jun 22

    Redefining Possibility: Overcoming Trauma and Building Forward Ep. 269

    Send us Fan Mail This week, we're joined by Michael, whose journey is a masterclass in perseverance through radical change. From life on submarines and a dream engineering career to surviving a ruptured brain AVM that wiped out most of his memory, Michael’s story will grab you from the first minute. He opens up about what it’s really like to relearn everything—walking, thinking, and even basic daily activities—after a life-changing event, and how he learned to let go of what he lost so he could explore new possibilities instead of settling for less. You’ll hear how Michael copes with daily disabilities and reshaped his expectations for himself, from rebuilding his life in California and Arizona to creating custom journals designed to help others face sudden disability and trauma head-on. He shares the honest realities of PTSD, systemic hurdles like ableism, and why he’s determined to give people tools that didn’t exist when he was going through the hardest seasons. Our conversation covers how to start over, set new goals, and stay creative—whether you’re running into life’s big walls or just feeling stuck in your routine. If you want to see how optionless moments can birth new hope—and how you can apply this mindset to your own challenges—this episode is for you. Ready to connect or check out Michael’s journals? Visit MFoglietta.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    41 min

  6. Jun 19

    Finding the Courage to Quit: Overcoming Fear and Taking the First Step

    Send us Fan Mail This week, we’re tackling one of the scariest—yet most liberating—moves you’ll ever make in your career: finding the courage to quit when you know it’s time. Are you living with that nagging voice that says, “Something has got to change”? I open up about my own struggles with the decision to leave a job that no longer fit, sharing what it really felt like to write my resignation, confront my boss, and walk away from a place I’d invested years into. We unpack the myth of fear, from “False Evidence Appearing Real” to the hidden origins of most of our anxieties about change and difficult conversations. You’ll hear stories about handling a tough boss, the surprising power of taking that messy first step, and why the dread you feel before a leap is almost never as real as your brain tells you. If quitting, starting fresh, or even having that uncomfortable conversation is on your mind, you’ll find both practical wisdom and a jolt of courage here. Ready to cut through the flimsy layer of fear and become truly unstoppable? Listen now, and let’s get you unstuck. Want more hands-on support? Visit kenwilliamscoaching.com to connect! If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    9 min

  7. Jun 15

    Finding Purpose Beyond the Nine to Five: The Forward Kind Story

    Send us Fan Mail What if you could keep your 9-to-5 and still build something deeply meaningful on the side? In this episode, I sit down with Mateo Platsidakis, the founder of The Forward Kind, to talk about what it means to chase “more” out of life without blowing up everything you already have. Mateo’s story is one so many of us can relate to—a job he enjoys, but a sense that something important was missing, leading him to launch a brand built on mental health awareness, resilience, and community. We dig into the power of side projects to not just fill the gaps in our lives, but to make us better—not only at work, but as people. Mateo’s journey shows how giving ourselves permission to pursue that “something more” can actually help us flourish in unexpected ways. We get real about grief, change, and why kindness (to ourselves and others) is absolutely non-negotiable if you want to keep moving forward through hard times. If you’re looking for a reason to bet on your own “what if,” or just need a reminder that you’re not alone when things feel heavy—you don’t want to miss this conversation. Click over to theforwardkind.com or follow @theforwardkind on Instagram to join Mateo’s movement, grab some gear, or just see what real connection can look like. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    44 min

  8. Jun 12

    Why Playing It Safe at Work Is the Riskiest Career Move

    Send us Fan Mail This week, we challenge one of the biggest myths out there—the idea that a traditional job is supposed to make you feel safe and secure. Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “If I just made more money, then I’d finally feel safe”? I unpack why that sense of security you’re searching for will never come from your job title, paychecks, or even the size of your bank account. We’ll explore real stories and insights from a recent coaching call that illustrate how chasing external safety is a moving target—no matter how much you earn or what your circumstances look like, there’s always a new worry waiting around the corner. Instead, the real key is learning to trust yourself. I break down actionable ways you can start building genuine confidence and a sense of safety that comes from within, rather than hinging your peace of mind on an employer or career status. If you’re tired of letting your sense of security depend on someone else’s decisions, this episode will give you the mindset shift you need. Let’s dig into why “playing it safe” is actually the riskiest thing you can do—and what to focus on if you want to create a career and life you can truly trust. Want to connect or get personal support? Head to kenwilliamscoaching.com for more info. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

    6 min
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Hosts & Guests

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About

The Unstuck Career is hosted by Ken Williams, an entrepreneur who made a bold career shift at age 55 after spending 16 years in the same job. Now building his own business, Ken is on a mission to help others break free from unfulfilling work and create a better life. This podcast is for burned-out, frustrated professionals who feel stuck in toxic jobs, underpaid roles, or careers that no longer fit, and know they’re meant for something more. Each week, Ken shares powerful conversations with people who have successfully made the leap (or are in the process of doing it) alongside practical Friday Focus episodes packed with mindset shifts and actionable strategies. Listeners will learn how to take control of their careers, build momentum toward change, and create work that aligns with the life they actually want. If you’re ready to stop settling and start moving, this show will help you get there.

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Williams
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    273
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Unstuck Career
  • Show Website
    The Unstuck Career

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