What Comes After Work? Finding Meaning and Purpose in Post-Career Life
A Change in Story
Welcome to the first episode of A Change in Story, a podcast about the moments that reshape how we see ourselves and the world around us. In this inaugural episode, you’ll hear the story of Don Akchin, a career-long journalist and writer who is changing his view of what it means to be retired. After realizing that this stage of life wasn’t exactly what he thought it would be, Don began researching how the idea of retirement is changing as people are living longer lives. He also interviewed other retirees about their experiences and found he wasn’t alone in his discovery...
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Releasing the Hustle and Leading From Alignment
A Change in Story
Today's episode features an interview with Cailen Ascher, a business mentor who supports women coaches with releasing forced momentum and leading from alignment. As an entrepreneur from an early age, Cailen started out in interior design but realized while pursuing a yoga teacher certification that she was more interested in helping others on a more personal level. A pivot into yoga teaching then led to coaching other instructors in developing their businesses. Today, Cailen's using her experience and knowledge from years of yoga and meditation training as well as her experience as a...
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How 30 Years in the Wrong Job Led to a Better Way to Choose a Career
A Change in Story
Mike Wysocki spent 30 years in a job he hated. After graduating college and feeling unprepared for the working world, he stumbled into a career in tech sales, which paid well but didn't exactly reap joy. Eventually, Mike started wondering if he was the only one who felt miserable in his job, or were other people just as unhappy at work? To find out, Mike surveyed 101 professionals, including mortgage brokers, nurses, pizza delivery drivers and CEOs, asking for their raw, unfiltered take on the realities of their work. The responses became the foundation of his book, . In this episode,...
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Designing a Home and Life That Fits
A Change in Story
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You're One Breath Away From Better Decisions
A Change in Story
Today’s episode is a conversation with Ed Howard, founder of One Breath Leadership, a new human-centered leadership framework that combines neuroscience, psychology, AI and three decades of Zen training to help people prevent burnout and overwhelm. Take a listen to hear the story behind Ed's system that blends his 20 years experience in the high-pressure environment of global investment banking with what he learned living and teaching in Japan, where he was introduced to the Zen tradition. To learn more about Ed and One Breath Leadership, check out his . *** Want to reach...
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Navigating Life’s Twists and Turns With Chip Scholz
A Change in Story
Today’s episode features an interview with Chip Scholz, an executive coach, author and wood turner, who shares his story navigating an unexpected layoff from a job he loved and eventually finding purpose as a coach helping to develop people. Like most stories, Chip's wasn't linear or without curveballs, including a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and without the ability to speak. Take a listen to hear how Chip used the setbacks he encountered to help propel him forward, either by leaning into the unknown or finding meaning in the experience. You'll also hear how he...
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Uncorked: Parenting, Wine and Embracing Life’s Plot Twists
A Change in Story
This week’s podcast episode features a conversation with Danielle Frank, a newly published author whose debut book offers a tongue-in-cheek take on parenting, which she found has some striking similarities to winemaking. Drawing on her background in the wine and spirits industry, Danielle noticed the parallels between making a great bottle of wine and raising great kids and decided it would make a perfect blend—. Not only is the book intended to help parents "breathe" life into the potential challenges and chaos of raising a family, but it also embodies some of Danielle's own life...
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Is College the Right Next Step? Exploring Post–High School Paths
A Change in Story
Deciding what comes next after high school can carry a lot of weight. With the pressure to "stay on track," young people may feel that four-year college is the only option, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, Prasant Nukalapati—a mentor and coach who works with young people as they navigate their post-high school paths—shares practical strategies for evaluating whether four-year college is the right next step. He also shares some alternative paths and why they deserve to be seen as valid, meaningful options—not backup plans. And he explains why helping young people to start...
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Beyond the Classroom: A Story of Healing, Growth and Reinvention
A Change in Story
Today's episode features an interview with Nan Saysana, who made the decision to leave a 20-year career in teaching to become an emotional-eating coach. Nan shares the pivotal moments that inspired her to step away from a secure role within the French civil service and follow a new calling to support women through a struggle she once faced herself. Tune in to hear Nan’s story, including how her love of learning led to both her teaching and coaching careers, the realities of building a business from the ground up, and the message she hopes people will take from her journey–that change is...
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What Happens When You Fall Out of Love With Work? How to Find a New, Healthy Sense of Passion
A Change in Story
Today's episode explores passion decline, or what happens when your passion for work starts to fade, and what you can do to get it back. To help dive deeper into this topic, international speaker and consultant Dr. David Shar joins to share some of his research-backed insights and real-world examples of how people can rediscover meaning, excitement and fulfillment in their careers. For example, David breaks down the difference between harmonious and obsessive passion—and why aiming for harmonious passion leads to healthier, more sustainable motivation. Plus, he explains how burnout can...
info_outlineFrom a young age, Daryl Dittmer was a self-described fighter.
With blue collar roots, Daryl describes his upbringing as humble and often tumultuous, which contributed to him taking a tough approach to life and to himself. Eventually reaching a "dead-end," Daryl decided to try a different tactic and became more open to life and what it was trying to teach him.
Daryl's now the author of two new books that offer a look into his experience moving his life from that "dead-end mess" to a place he couldn’t have imagined in his wildest dreams: When I Stop Fighting, the Unexpected Joy of Getting My Head Out of My Ass and When You Stop Fighting, the Road You’re on is Your Own Asphalt.
In this episode, Daryl shares more of his story, including his decades-long sobriety journey, how he went from farm hand to entrepreneur and how he maintains a sense of inner peace.
For more on Daryl and his latest books, check out his website.
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If you’re a career pivoter or going through a life transition and you’re interested in redefining or reframing your story, check out takeabeatcoaching.com to learn more about a 1:1 coaching program designed to help you tell your story confidently.
Want to reach out, be a guest or have a question? Contact email@takeabeatcoaching.com.
*Disclaimer: The information contained in this episode is for the sole purpose of being informative and is not considered complete. It should not replace consultation with a qualified professional.