Denise Chan

The Messy Middle

Health EN ↓ 3 episodes

Feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or out of alignment? You're not alone. I'm Denise Chan, mom, therapist-in-training, and daughter of immigrants, navigating the messy middle of life right alongside you. Every other week, I sit down with others who find themselves in the thick of transition. Where the old story doesn't quite fit anymore, but the new one hasn't emerged yet either. Together, we'll explore the weird, uncomfortable, and surprisingly beautiful moments that come with change, transformation, and everything in between.

Author

Denise Chan

Episodes

Episode 3: Embracing Sabbaticals: Finding Yourself When Life Feels Too Loud With Nyam Adodoadji 06.11.2025 43:05

In this episode of The Messy Middle, I sit down for a candid chat with Nyam Adodoadji, digital product delivery leader, sabbatical coach, and writer. Nyam shares her own personal journey of early career struggles, burnout, and how she discovered the transformative power of sabbaticals. We explore the importance of reconnecting with yourself, managing cultural and societal expectations around work,...

Episode 2: Burnout Is Not Your Failure. On Quitting a Dream Job and Finding Peace - With Annie Lu 23.10.2025 40:35

This week, I sit down with my friend and former teammate, Annie Lu , to talk about her journey from tech PMM to burnout BFF , and why she’s now advocating for more open conversations around burnout, rest, and mental health. Annie shares her experience navigating an intense period of burnout, taking medical leave, and ultimately deciding to leave the tech world altogether in search of peace, purpos...

Episode 1: On Leaving Tech and Becoming a Therapist 21.10.2025 22:48

In the very first episode of The Messy Middle , I’m sharing something close to home: my journey from working as a senior product marketing manager in tech to leaving it all behind to become a therapist. I talk about the burnout I didn’t see coming, the quiet (and loud) nudges that pushed me to pivot, and the cultural narratives around success that made it all feel so confusing. This episode is a r...