The Unstuck Career
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 pr...
10
Why Smart People Stay Too Long in Jobs They Hate
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Have you ever found yourself stuck in a job you know isn’t right, but can’t seem to leave? You’re not alone. In this episode, Ken dives deep into the surprising reasons why smart, capable professionals often stay in roles they dislike. From the traps of overthinking and the drive for safety, to seeking approval or drifting without commitment, we'll unpack some behavioral patterns that keep people stuck—and discuss practical steps for breaking free. If you’re ready to understand what’s holding you back and how to move forward, this episode...
Surviving Career Shifts and Job Insecurity
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>This week on Unstuck Career, I sit down with Corey Holzer, who’s right in the thick of a huge career pivot: taking the leap from a long military career into the private sector. We dig into his personal journey and the real, raw emotions that come with leaving behind the familiar—even when you know it’s time. Corey shares what first drew him to military service in the wake of 9/11, and he gets open about the identity shifts and doubts that bubble up as retirement approaches.</p><p>You’ll hear the hard...
What To Do When You Don't Know What You Want In Your Career
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Welcome back to Unstuck Career! In this episode, Ken dives into that nagging question so many professionals face: What do you do when you aren't sure what you want from your career? Are you stuck settling for a life you never chose, repeating the same old patterns, or feeling frustrated that your career ladder seems to be leaning against the wrong wall? You're not alone.</p><p>We'll explore why so many of us ignore our true desires, talk ourselves out of reaching for more, and ultimately settle for "good enough." Today, we'll...
Finding Purpose in Every Career Stop
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>This week, we welcome Connor Laurent to the show for a conversation about carving your own path when the traditional rules of career advancement just don’t fit. From day one in finance, Connor has been guided not by a rigid ladder, but by a mindset of treating every job like a subway stop. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, sometimes surprising, and there’s always an opportunity for learning. We talk honestly about how the “expected” route of just keeping your head down and waiting for the next promotion, which often leads to a feeling of...
What to Do When Your Career Is Not the One You Chose
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Have you ever looked up from the daily grind and realized your career ladder is leaning against the wrong wall? In this episode of Unstuck Career, Ken dives into what happens when the career you have isn’t the one you truly chose—or wanted. If the phrase “something has got to change” keeps echoing in your mind, this episode will resonate. We'll explore how to recognize when your career path isn’t aligning with your strengths and passions, why it’s not your boss’s job to build your dream career, and actionable ste...
Turning Lemons into Lasagna: Your Mindset Controls your Destiny
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>This week on Unstuck Career, I sit down with the remarkable Sarah Ausby for a raw and inspiring conversation about what it really takes to rebuild, reinvent, and get “unstuck”—even when life pushes you out of your comfort zone. Sarah doesn’t just talk about career pivots; she’s lived them. From being involuntarily released from her job after a series of personal losses, to experiencing homelessness, Sarah shares the real-life turning points that ignited her journey into entrepreneurship and authorship.</p><p>We dive into how Sarah transformed a season of hardship i...
Why SMART Goals Fail and What You Should Do Instead
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>If you've ever felt frustrated or stuck after trying—and failing—to achieve SMART goals, you're not alone. This week on Unstuck Career, Speaker A dives into why SMART goals might actually be holding you back and why it's not your fault if they haven’t worked for you. We’ll explore the origins of the SMART framework, why it was designed for businesses—not individuals—and how its limitations can make us internalize failure and doubt our abilities.</p><p>But there’s hope: Ken introduces a new approach to goal-setting—one that focuses les...
Unlearning Lessons to for a More Authentic Career
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>This week, we’re joined by Sarah Bonello, a remarkable guest who took the leap from a well-trodden corporate path to adventure and fulfillment on a Hawaiian farm. Ever wondered what it’s like to walk away from the “safe” route of a consulting career, sell your car, and drop the cubicle life for organic macadamia nuts on the Big Island? Sarah shares her refreshingly honest journey, including the unexpected twists that led her to Hawaii, the moment she faced her own fears head-on, and the powerful conversations that transformed her perspective on risk and...
Sunday Scaries Are Optional: Ditch Workplace Anxiety
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Do the "Sunday scaries" set in before the work week even starts? You're not alone—and this feeling isn't a death sentence, but a signal that something needs to change. In this episode of Unstuck Career, Ken Williams challenges the unwritten "rules" we've inherited about work, stress, and career dissatisfaction, and reveals how these beliefs can shape our experience. We'll explore why dreading Mondays isn't mandatory and how you can rewrite those rules to build a life you actually want. Get ready to face less stress, find more happiness, and become unstuck and un...
Reshape Your Career Path: Lessons on Self-Belief and Adaptability
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>This week, I sit down with Bekah Troxell for a candid and inspiring conversation about making a truly bold career shift—from a decades-long finance and auditing career to launching her own fitness and coaching business. If you've ever wondered what it’s really like to leave the “safe” corporate world behind for something that feels more meaningful but much less certain, Bekah’s story will hit home.</p><p>We dig into the challenges of restarting when you’ve already built a successful career, the hidden ways self-sabotage and burnout creep in, and why havi...
