Second Breaks - podcast cover

Second Breaks

Coffee chats with people I want to learn from — about life, work, becoming, and figuring things out (often in midlife, but not always). Hosted by Lou Blaser. About The Host: Lou Blaser is a corporate escapee turned writer, podcast host, and resident philosopher-next-door. She writes We’re All Getting Older — a newsletter about joy, purpose, and figuring out what matters now. She’s also the author of Break Free: The Courage to Reinvent Yourself and Your Career.

loublaser.substack.com
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

132. The HR Perspective During Uncertain Times with Randy Lumia

Senior HR leader, Randy Lumia, discusses how the HR organization is handling the changing workplace. What can employees look to their HR organizations during times of uncertainty? And how we can best position ourselves at work, especially as companies begin measures to manage the ongoing economic situation. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to We're All Getting Older at loublaser.substack.com/subscribe...

May 28, 202038 min

131. Practical Best Practices for Resumés and LinkedIn Profiles with Allison Lockett

Updating the resumé and LinkedIn profile is unlikely to be one of your favorite things to do. Yet, it’s a requirement especially when we need or want to make a career move. Career coach Allison Lockett and Lou Blaser geek out on all things resumés. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to We're All Getting Older at loublaser.substack.com/subscribe...

May 21, 202053 min

130. Should You Start a Business During Times of Crisis with Michelle Ward

As the current situation extends and the economic issues deepen, more and more of us are going to consider alternate sources of income. This raises that question, is it a good time to start a business? When we hear of small businesses closing shop and the economy’s collapse, how sane is it to consider going into business? These are the questions at the heart of this episode. And to dig into this question, I’m joined by business coach, Michelle Ward . Since 2008, Michelle has been guiding creativ...

May 14, 202039 min

129. Should You Pivot to a Life Coaching Career with Lee Chaix McDonough

Lots of people across different industries and professions are being forced to — or are choosing to — look at their current career path and ask themselves “What else can I do?” For some, this may be a time to reposition themselves within their current field of work. For others, this may be time for a pivot or a career change. In this episode, we explore life coaching as a possible career path with Lee Chaix McDonough. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podc...

May 07, 202037 min

128. Is Self-Doubt Stopping You From Stepping Up with Tanya Geisler

We explore those inconvenient thoughts and feelings that come up just as you’re feeling motivated to act, step up to the plate, and do something out of your comfort zone. “Well, who the heck do you think you are to think that you can do XYZ?” These thoughts make you doubt yourself, your abilities, or whether you should even attempt the things you want to do. We dig into why these thoughts come up and what to do about them so we can move forward with our plans. I'm joined by Tanya Geisler, a lead...

Apr 30, 202047 min

127. Adapting to and Living a New Normal with Kristen Girard

Everyone agrees that it’s not going to be business as usual when this current crisis is all over, hence the phrase ‘new normal’ that we keep hearing nowadays. I find it helpful to read about or listen to stories of people who overcame seemingly impossible situations, people who figured out a way not just to adapt to a new normal but to thrive even as a result of it. My guest today, Kristen Girard , is one such person. Her story shows us we can find new paths when things decide to proceed in the ...

Apr 23, 202046 min

126. The Power of Stoicism When Times are Hard with Brendan Hufford

What’s Stoicism? How can its teachings help us during hard times? Brendan Hufford joins Lou Blaser to talk about Amor Fati, and Memento Mori, and Amelia Earhart, and Thomas Edison and the big fire. We also talk about this terrible diagnosis that Brendan and his wife learned about their son when he was just 2 years old, which made Brendan really embrace the idea of Amor Fati. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to We're All Getting Old...

Apr 16, 202046 min

125. How Our Values and Natural Preferences Help Us in Times of Disruption with Alethea Fitzpatrick

As much as the world seems intent on disrupting everything these days, there are a few things we count on to help us stay grounded. Two of those things are our personal values and our natural preferences — basically what makes us who we are. In this episode: how being self-aware and understanding our natural preferences can help us manage our anxiety level. How leaning on our personal values can help us manage our teams and communities during disruptive times. I am joined by Alethea Cheng Fitzpa...

Apr 09, 202050 min

124. Leadership, Planning, and Showing Up in Times of Uncertainty with Tara McMullin

Learning about what our mentors or people we admire are doing – how they are processing this moment, and how they’re going about things during these uncertain times – is instructive and motivating. Business owner, employer, and community leader, Tara McMullin discusses how she approaches planning when things are uncertain, and what leading and showing up looks like for her these days. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to We're All G...

Apr 02, 202041 min

123. Resilient Habits During Uncertain Times with Dr. Nayla Bahri

The world of work is intense and filled with uncertainty at the moment. What should we be doing? Are there steps we can take to position us in the best way possible? And what if you’ve already been affected by the lay-offs and furloughs? What to do then? Dr. Nayla Bahri discusses resilient habits to practice during uncertain times, leveraging her research of the 2008 recession. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to We're All Getting ...

Mar 26, 202045 min

What to Expect in Season 3

A brief episode where I talk about what you can expect for the next season of the podcast, which starts on Thursday, March 26th, 2020. Get full access to We're All Getting Older at loublaser.substack.com/subscribe

Feb 27, 20204 min

122. Remove the Stress When Kicking Off a Post Retirement Career with Mary Beth Simon

The key to launching a post-retirement career with minimal stress is to start considering and exploring opportunities before you pack up your office. This is one to listen to if you’re nearing retirement or beginning to consider possibilities beyond your current career. Mary Beth Simon retired from her long corporate career in December 2018. As planned, she started her project management consulting company in early 2019. In this episode, Mary Beth shares what sparked the idea for her unique cons...

Feb 06, 202040 min

121. Balancing a Day Job and Your Passion Projects with KC Karr

It’s a common story to have a day job that pays the bills (and even one that you find is meaningful work) while wishing you could be doing something else instead. KC Karr shares how she balances practicalities with her creative pursuits and how creating space in her life for her side projects keep her close to her true passion. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to We're All Getting Older at loublaser.substack.com/subscribe...

Jan 30, 202026 min

120. How to De-Risk Your Move to Self-Employment with Matt Baker

FreshBooks’ Matt Baker shares results of the 2019 Self-Employment Annual Survey. We talk about steps to minimize the risks of transitioning from a traditional 9-5 to a freelance career or self-employment. Plus, how to price your services with a win-win mindset, and how to address the obstacles that new freelancers and first-time business owners face. Highlights of Episode 120 The results of FreshBooks 2019 Annual Self-Employment Report Specific steps you can take to de-risk your transition to se...

Jan 23, 202044 min

119. From Idea to Side-Project to Full-Time Gig with Zoha Abbas

Zoha Abbas was let go during a recent round of layoffs at the advertising agency where she worked as a senior copywriter. Good thing that she had already been working on a side gig for three years. Though it was a bit earlier than her original plans, she took the opportunity to go all-in and turn her side project into her full-time gig. Zoha and I talked about how she found clarity around the kind of side business she wanted to grow, the first few steps she did to get off the ground (which by th...

Jan 16, 202031 min

118. How to Protect Yourself and Your Side Gig with Autumn Witt Boyd

You’re working hard to make your side hustle or freelancing career a success. So you’ll want to make sure you protect yourself, your investment, and your side project legally. Autumn Witt Boyd, Host of The Legal Roadmap podcast, joins Lou Blaser to cover the most pressing basic questions for someone starting out. Grab a notepad as you’ll want to take notes. Or head on over to the website for the show notes. Highlights of Episode 118 The single most important thing you have to do when starting a ...

Jan 09, 202036 min

117. Building Career Resilience with Dr. Nayla Bahri

Leadership and career development coach Dr. Nayla Bahri researched disruption and career resilience by studying professionals who lost their jobs during the 2008 Recession. She discovered behaviors and habits that differentiated those who remained stuck versus those who were able to move forward and thrived. The best thing is that there’s nothing special about these behaviors. In this episode, we explore these practical activities that we can practice to strengthen our resilience muscle. Because...

Jan 02, 202040 min

116. What happened to the podcast and what’s next

There hasn’t been a new episode since mid-October. Did I fall off the face of the earth? Did I cancel the podcast? Here’s the real deal. Get full access to We're All Getting Older at loublaser.substack.com/subscribe

Dec 19, 20198 min

115. Starting a Side-Gig Partnership With a Colleague | Karena Skibinski

Starting a side hustle is exciting. But it can also be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve never done anything like it before. Wouldn’t it be great if you could start your project with a colleague? As they say, two heads are better than one, and you can push each other to take action on your plans. Karena Skibinski shares how she and her co-worker started a side-hustle and became business partners. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full ...

Oct 24, 201930 min

114. Leverage Your Core Strength with Michelle Mazur

A side hustle leveraging your core strength is a huge advantage because the learning curve for starting a business is going to take up your time and energy. Dr. Michelle Mazur began with a side project that allowed her to “play” in her favorite sandbox and which turned into a side consulting business in no time. Highlights of Episode 114 The side-project that started Michelle Mazur’s side hustle Some of the challenges she faced when transitioning from corporate employment to self-employment, inc...

Oct 17, 201936 min

113. Speed Up Financial Independence Through a Side-Hustle

Highlights of Episode 113: Key actions that Kim and her husband took to achieve financial independence How they were able to pay their 15-year mortgage in 3 years Why insurance coverage holds people back from self-employment and how Kim and her husband manage their family’s insurance How Kim took advantage of inexpensive and free resources to help build her freelance career How Kim mitigated the risks of leaving corporate employment to transition to a freelance career For the show notes, highlig...

Oct 10, 201938 min

112. Channeling Your Skills Into a New Side-Hustle with Justine Sones

Highlights of Episode 112: How a side-hustle got started by raising her hand when someone asked for help on Facebook How this seemingly insignificant work grew into something bigger and became the basis of her new career Justine’s approach to channeling the skills she mastered in one field of work into another The idea that we can be headstrong about our goals but flexible about the way we will achieve these goals The principle of ‘ruling things out’ when considering a new career For the show no...

Oct 03, 201929 min

111. Start a Side Hustle with Affiliate Marketing | John Lagoudakis

In this episode: How John started his side hustle and his initial foray into Clickbank The difference between network marketing, multi-level marketing, affiliate marketing, and online marketing The major change Google implemented that closed his account and shut down his revenue source How John recovered from Google’s changes and how he manages the risk of similar occurrences in the future Why affiliate marketing is a good place to start for newcomers to the online marketing space For the show n...

Sep 26, 201932 min

110. Expanding Your Expertise Through a Side Hustle | Melissa Emler

Melissa Emler works in the education industry in both her regular job and her side hustle. She is the Director of Innovation at a regional service agency for educators. For her side gig, she co-owns a business called Modern Learners , where they serve educators around the globe to put the focus back on learning. But to call one a regular job and the other a side hustle misses the point somewhat. For the show notes, highlights, and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to ...

Sep 19, 201935 min

109. Working a Job to Finance a Dream Business | Althea Wiles

Highlights of Episode 109: Althea’s practical approach to following her passion How she arranged her schedule with her then-manager to allow her time to build her floral business What steps she took to build her client-base from the ground up while she still had her full-time job How Althea prepared for the day when she would go ‘all in’ on her business It’s not all arranging flowers! What it really means to run a seasonal business Sacrifices and challenges, but it’s all worth it! For the transc...

Sep 12, 201937 min

108. Starting a Side Consulting Business with Susan Boles

Highlights of Episode 108 The main difference Susan experienced starting an online consulting business versus their previous brick-and-mortar businesses What she focused on when she initially got going with Scale Spark Susan’s methods for maintaining the balancing act between her day job and her side consulting business The role of their side businesses versus the role of their day jobs on their long-term plan How Susan talks about her day-job and her side business in social and networking event...

Sep 05, 201942 min

106. Career Change: Embracing Your New Identity with Lee Chaix McDonough

Highlights of Episode 106 The challenge that goes with transitioning from employee to owning your own business Letting go of the old identity and embracing the new one as you make a career change The 3 Ms (Mindset, Meaning, and Mindfulness), what each one means, and how they show up and influence our careers and personal lives Separating the ‘work’ from the desired results Aligning career choices with our core values For the full transcript and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get f...

Aug 09, 201941 min

105. Technology and Work-Life Balance: 5 Things That Will Keep Tech Helpful

We have a complicated relationship with our technology, which we both love and love to hate! On the one hand, technology makes our lives easier. But it also creates complexity and stress. In other words: technology both helps and hurts work-life balance. In this final episode of our series on work-life balance, I explore why and when it’s helpful and why/when it’s not. I also share my thoughts on what we can do to keep technology on the useful side. For the full transcript and links, visit https...

Jul 25, 201929 min

104. Work-Life Balance: Making the Best Use of Your Time With Your Kids

Highlights of Episode 104 Why maximizing the use of time with your young kids starts with reframing expectations What play looks like for an infant or a toddler The impossible parenting standards that social media create Does ‘screen-babysitting’ work? Finding the tiny moments to support your baby in the most valuable way For the full transcript and links, visit https://secondbreaks.com/podcast Get full access to We're All Getting Older at loublaser.substack.com/subscribe...

Jul 18, 201925 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android