Identity Work

Vineet Rajan, a former Marine Intelligence officer and now CEO of Forte, shares his transformative experience of redefining identity through introspection and faith. From the challenges of leaving a structured military life to embracing the uncertainties of entrepreneurship, Vineet's story is a testament to the power of aligning personal values with professional aspirations. Tune in to explore how...

In this episode of the Identity Work Podcast, we delve into Scottie Scheffler's viral interview that challenges the conventional notions of success. Despite his dominant position as the world's number one golfer, Scheffler reveals that winning tournaments and chasing trophies don't define his identity. Instead, he finds true fulfillment in his family, faith, and being a good husband and father. Jo...

In this episode of the Identity Work Podcast, Stephen and Adam delve into the intricate relationship between identity and work, sparked by recent comments from Scotty Scheffler. They discuss the societal pressures of maintaining a perfect image, the challenges of working long hours, and the importance of finding meaning in one's job. The conversation highlights the mental health implications of bu...

In this episode of the Identity Work Podcast, hosts Adam Beasley and Stephen engage with guests Mac Bailey and Paul Kiekhaefer in a deep conversation about work existentialism, the challenges of turning 30, and the search for meaningful work. The discussion explores personal experiences with mortality, the journey into government work, and the realization that meaningful work is often created rath...

Stephen and Adam delve into the complexities of imposter syndrome, exploring personal experiences, cognitive dissonance, and the impact of self-doubt on professional life. They discuss strategies to combat these feelings, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and the acceptance of positive feedback. The conversation highlights the need for humility and the significance of recognizing one's uniq...

In this episode of the Identity Work Podcast, Stephen and Adam interview Meff, a career coach and author, who shares his journey from being a first-generation immigrant to a successful career advisor. Mef Shebi discusses the importance of understanding one's identity and values in creating a meaningful career. He emphasizes the need for curiosity, exposure, and alignment with personal values to fi...

Summary In this episode of the Identity Work podcast, Stephen and Adam discuss the journey of Athletic Brewing, the concept of meaningful work, and the importance of feedback and self-worth. They explore the components that contribute to meaningful work, including autonomy, beneficence, competence, and relatedness. The conversation delves into the challenges of receiving feedback, the struggle to...

In this episode of the Identity Work Podcast, Emma Wood, an executive coach, shares her journey from the wine industry to consulting and ultimately to coaching. She discusses the importance of people in the workplace, the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and how to navigate identity in relation to work. Emma emphasizes the need to focus on desires rather than societal 'shoulds' and explores the...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we share some lovely fan mail before exploring the complexities of early career success, sparked by Adam’s surprising find in People Magazine—an article about child stars. We explore the feeling of having "made it" young but still questioning your path, a sentiment echoed by research on stressed PhD candidates who surprisingly value competence over les...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we explore what truly makes us happy at work, with special guest Lexi Reiff! We discuss the World Happiness Report and a surprising finding: the perception of kindness across the entire company is a bigger predictor of workplace happiness than your individual boss or even your own competence.  We talk about generosity and how expecting kindness from ot...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we start with Adam's new life as a father! Expect many 3 AM insights for future episodes! We also reflect on lessons from recent guests: Daniel's inspiring contentment and Robin's wisdom on bringing your identity to work. Then, we explore "unretirement," drawing from research like "Why Retirees Are Returning to Work." We discuss why people return to wo...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast , we talk with Kevin Hollingshead about his unique career journey. He started in private equity, took a sharp turn into nonprofit work mentoring college students, and eventually landed back in the tech industry, navigating multiple roles along the way. Kevin talks honestly about this journey, describing it like a pendulum swinging as he figured out what...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast , executive coach, author, and former entrepreneur Robin Pou joins us to explore the twists and turns of career journeys and how not to tie your identity solely to your job title. Robin shares his own nonlinear path from lawyer to builder, offering wisdom on knowing what you don't want, being opportunistic yet patient, and the crucial difference between...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast , we chat with Daniel, whose interesting journey took him from Google and the explosive growth phase at Stripe to becoming a full-time stay-at-home dad. We explore the intentional, often counter-cultural choices he made along the way—like leaving his work laptop at work even amidst startup intensity—driven by faith, family, and a search for deeper meani...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast , we explore why some questions aren’t meant to be answered and how letting go can bring relief and renewed focus. We reflect on our own inclination to chase grand philosophical puzzles—sometimes at the cost of our day-to-day well-being. Drawing upon insights from Ralph Waldo Emerson, we discuss how unanswered questions can pull us away from living in t...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast , we dive deep into the fascinating question: “Whose desires are you chasing?” We explore how our unconscious imitation of others’ desires shapes what we want, whether it’s a career, home, or lifestyle. Inspired by the concept of mimetic desire, we discuss real-life decisions such as selecting a neighborhood or choosing between public and private educat...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast , we explore the unexpected wisdom hidden in our Sunday scaries. Host Steven and guest Adam share candid stories about the low-grade anxiety that creeps in as the weekend fades and the work week looms. They examine how cultural expectations and the loss of choice in our daily routines can trigger these feelings, even when we enjoy our jobs. The conversa...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we peel back the layers of our modern struggle with distraction and the relentless pull of our phones. Steven and Adam get candid about their battles with focus, sharing humorous yet honest stories of phone-induced chaos and the surprising remedy found in a simple brick-like device. They reveal how something as mundane as a magnetic block on the fridge...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we dive deep into the cycle of meaning and explore how authentic living fuels success and lasting impact. Our conversation unpacks an interesting formula that is centered on your strengths, community, and balance and transforms everyday actions into meaningful work.  We share candid stories, from a memorable job search to a cherished birthday dessert m...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast , we dive into the unfiltered journey of starting a new job. Although it may seem picture-perfect on social media, the reality can be far different. Adam and Stephen unpack the surprising twists of transitioning into a role where real-life challenges, like the infamous Sunday Scaries and long workdays, mix with moments of genuine growth and trust. Adam...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we sit down for a heartfelt conversation with Stephen’s 95-year-old grandfather—a man whose life spanned the Great Depression, wartime service, and decades of evolving career paths in engineering. He shares humorous tales of quirky summer jobs (including delivering newspapers to just one client!), reveals how he embraced continuous learning throughout...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we imagine ourselves at the end of life looking back, examining how we can show up more fully right now. We explore five core categories—relationships, career, personal passions, family, and physical health—and discuss why focusing on fewer but deeper connections often leads to greater fulfillment. Adam shares how a recent heart scare reminded him to i...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we take a step back to reflect on what we’ve learned about building a meaningful life and career. From exploring why “following your passion” can sometimes miss the mark, to recognizing how each of us experiences purpose differently, we open up about the messy, ongoing process of turning work into something deeper. Adam shares updates on his new job an...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we dive into that persistent tug-of-war between seeking ambitious goals and feeling truly content where we are right now. We explore why it can feel like two opposing voices—one telling us to push harder, achieve more, and leave nothing on the table, and the other whispering that we’re already enough as is. Expect honest reflections on navigating these...

In this episode of The Identity Work Podcast, we dive into the habit of debating hypothetical future decisions and whether it's a waste of time or a helpful exercise. Adam shares his experience of spending countless hours pondering which business school to attend—Harvard or Stanford—even though he never applied to either. We discuss how high achievers often escape into future fantasies to cope wit...