E41 - He Quit at 54, Walked Away from His Pension - and Reinvented His Life

REWIND - Navigating Career Uncertainty: What 4,000 Leaders Told Us About the Future of Work

As ReInvention The Podcast is REINVENTING itself, please enjoy this important rewind episode that focuses on a simple truth inherent in our mission: No one knows what's coming next with the AI Economy. I recently got back from a 4,000-person leadership conference where top executives, HR leaders, and operators were all saying the same thing: we're figuring it out in real time. That's the backdrop for this episode, and it's a 'must listen' for anyone navigating career transitions. Chris and Todd break down why uncertainty isn't something to avoid, it's something to work with. We talk about what's actually happening inside companies right now, why the idea of "certainty" was always a bit of a myth, and how to start making decisions even when you don't have all the answers. You'll hear: * Why uncertainty can unlock opportunity (not just fear) * How to stop spinning and start thinking clearly again * The shift from transactional networking → real relationships * Why slowing down might be your biggest advantage right now This is the skill: learning how to move forward without knowing exactly how it's all going to play out. **Subscribe to the ReInvention Podcast to stay plugged into fresh ideas, frameworks, and real-world tools for navigating the future of your work and life. _____________ Todd Jason is an executive coach and career transition specialist. For more resources and to book some 1:1 time with him visit www.ToddJason.com [https://www.toddjason.com/]. Chris Thide is a career strategy coach focused on helping people find and do work they love. After 2 decades in corporate, Chris is a powerful guide and you can visit www.christhidecoaching.com [https://www.christhidecoaching.com/] to learn more.

E41 - He Quit at 54, Walked Away from His Pension - and Reinvented His Life

This is what successful Career ReInvention looks like. At 54 years old - with a pension on the line - John Anthony Savoca walked away from a 25-year teaching career…and never looked back. No perfect plan. No guarantees. Just a moment where he said: "I'm done." In this episode, John breaks down how he went from burned out teacher to thriving real estate agent, and why the move wasn't just about money, but freedom, creativity, and control over his life. This one hits on everything people struggle with: * "Is it too late for me?" * "What about the money?" * "What if I fail?" John lived all of that - and did it anyway. You'll hear: * The exact moment he decided to leave (and why he couldn't go back) * How he transitioned into a completely new career from scratch * Why relationships - not cold outreach - became his biggest driver of success * Why having fun might be the most underrated career advantage And maybe the most powerful moment: His advice to anyone stuck in a career they've outgrown - burn the bridge and go. **Subscribe to the ReInvention Podcast to stay plugged into fresh ideas, frameworks, and real-world tools for navigating the future of your work and life. _____________ Todd Jason is an executive coach and career transition specialist. For more resources and to book some 1:1 time with him visit www.ToddJason.com [https://www.ToddJason.com]. Chris Thide is a career strategy coach focused on helping people find and do work they love. After 2 decades in corporate, Chris is a powerful guide and you can visit www.christhidecoaching.com [https://www.christhidecoaching.com] to learn more.

E40 - She Quit Corporate, Bet on Herself and Built a Thriving Business | Katrina Cicero

This is what Career ReInvention actually looks like. Not perfect. Not planned. Not safe. Katrina Cicero didn't love her corporate job - but like a lot of people, she stayed because it felt like the "right" path. Until she couldn't anymore. What happened next is the kind of story more people need to hear. In this episode, Katrina walks us through how she went from stuck and miserable…to building a thriving photography business from the ground up, without having it all figured out first. This isn't a theory. It's real life. We talk about: * The moment she knew she couldn't stay in her 9–5 anymore * How she actually made the leap (during COVID, no less) * Why fear doesn't go away - you just learn to move anyway * How she turned a creative passion into a real, growing business There's no "perfect plan" in this story. Just action, risk, doubt, wins, setbacks—and momentum. **Subscribe to the ReInvention Podcast to stay plugged into fresh ideas, frameworks, and real-world tools for navigating the future of your work and life. _____________ Todd Jason is an executive coach and career transition specialist. For more resources and to book some 1:1 time with him visit www.ToddJason.com [https://www.toddjason.com/]. Chris Thide is a career strategy coach focused on helping people find and do work they love. After 2 decades in corporate, Chris is a powerful guide and you can visit www.christhidecoaching.com [https://www.christhidecoaching.com/] to learn more.

E39 - From Lawyer to Artist to Poker CEO: Sara O'Connor on ReInvention, Risk & Building a Life You Actually Want

If you're feeling stuck in your career, this episode might be the wake-up call you've been waiting for. Sara O'Connor is the definition of a modern Reinventor - former attorney turned full-time artist, poker industry leader, writer, and entrepreneur. In this conversation, she shares how she walked away from a prestigious legal career, navigated burnout and identity shifts, and built multiple creative income streams on her own terms. This isn't a "burn it all down" story. It's a masterclass in Strategic ReInvention - making a plan, running experiments, and betting on yourself before you feel fully ready. We dive into: * Why most people stay stuck (and how to break out) * The financial reality of reinventing yourself * How to test a new path without blowing up your life * Navigating identity, fear, and starting over * Why ReInvention isn't one move - it's a lifelong mindset Sara also opens up about neurodivergence, entrepreneurship, and how embracing who you actually are can unlock entirely new paths. If you've ever thought: "How did I get here… and what do I do next?" - this episode is for you. **Subscribe to the ReInvention Podcast to stay plugged into fresh ideas, frameworks, and real-world tools for navigating the future of your work and life. _____________ Todd Jason is an executive coach and career transition specialist. For more resources and to book some 1:1 time with him visit www.ToddJason.com [https://www.toddjason.com/]. Chris Thide is a career strategy coach focused on helping people find and do work they love. After 2 decades in corporate, Chris is a powerful guide and you can visit www.christhidecoaching.com [https://www.christhidecoaching.com/] to learn more.

E38 - How to Work with Anyone: The Real Skill Behind Career ReInvention

Everyone's talking about strategy, AI, and tactics. But most people are missing the thing that actually drives Career ReInvention: Relationships. In this episode, Todd and Chris turn the lens on themselves - and break down what it really looks like to build something with another person when you have different styles, rhythms, and expectations. Because collaboration sounds great…until it gets messy. We talk openly about our own partnership - where it's worked, where it's been hard, and what we've had to learn in real time to keep moving forward. You'll hear: * The difference between transactional vs. relational thinking (and why it matters) * How to actually collaborate when people work differently than you * The power of slowing down, listening, and having the hard conversations * How real human connection creates opportunities you can't plan for This isn't about "networking." It's about learning how to connect, communicate, and build with other humans - especially in a world that's pulling us further apart. **Subscribe to the ReInvention Podcast to stay plugged into fresh ideas, frameworks, and real-world tools for navigating the future of your work and life. _____________ Todd Jason is an executive coach and career transition specialist. For more resources and to book some 1:1 time with him visit www.ToddJason.com [https://www.toddjason.com/]. Chris Thide is a career strategy coach focused on helping people find and do work they love. After 2 decades in corporate, Chris is a powerful guide and you can visit www.christhidecoaching.com [https://www.christhidecoaching.com/] to learn more.