Curious about making a major career shift? Meet Tonia Bartz, a former UX Researcher turned holistic wellness coach, who shares her journey from the tech world to the realm of integrative nutrition and wellness.

Embrace your imperfections! Whether you're staying in tech or considering moving to a new career, Tonia reminds us to listen to that little persistent voice. There's a reason we keep imagining alternative futures for ourselves.

Tonia's links:
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Jeff Kim is a tech and design expert with decades of experience. His life took some wild turns after being laid off in October 2023. Join Jeff in the warm nostalgia of CorelDRAW and QuarkXPress, shifting into web design, and then years of UX work.

After researching and rejecting a franchise opportunity, Jeff and his wife launched Minneapolis Sign Design, diving into the world of vehicle graphics and signage. The couple brought their years of entrepreneurship and business acumen skills into play, and recently opened the doors of a 5,000 square foot shop.

DesignMSD.com
Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msd-tnt/

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Faith Lane, a veteran UX Designer with over two decades of expertise, joins us to share her captivating career journey, marked by resilience and adaptability. After a layoff, she shifted to apply her UX skills in a non-traditional setting: Directing at a daycare company. Children, teachers, and parents are her new stakeholders.

Where might Faith go from here? If tech jobs remain difficult to find, she's considering the funeral industry, perhaps funeral direction. It's another opportunity for her to use empathy... and apply some UX and Service Design to an industry that badly needs it.

Connect with Faith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faithlane/

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Simone Robutti shares the wild and interesting journey of transforming his career from data engineering to a path aligned with his personal values. He's also juggling multiple work areas fantastically... from consultant to a fermentation studio to organizational design/process improvement.

Simone discusses the pivotal roles and motivations that shaped his journey, including teaching political praxis and addressing workers' rights in the gig economy. He's truly a model of aligning professional pursuits with one’s core beliefs.

Simone's links:
Consultancy one-pager: https://bit.ly/robutticc
Tech Workers Coalition: https://techworkerscoalition.org/
Personal Website: https://robutti.me/
QU Fermentation Studio: https://www.qufermentationstudio.com/
Reversing.works: https://reversing.works/

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While staying in tech (UX research), Jenny Shirey takes a bold leap into the world of wine. It's a tale of resilience and transformation, where wine becomes more than just a beverage—it's a gateway to a fulfilling second career.

As Jenny contemplates opening a wine shop or bar, her tale of transition offers invaluable lessons for anyone considering a career change. Setting deadlines and embracing accountability emerge as crucial strategies to overcome the overwhelming task of creating a business plan.

With an emphasis on finding joy and fulfillment in one's work, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that life is too short to be stuck in unsatisfying roles. Jenny encourages us to pursue opportunities that resonate with our passions, ensuring that happiness and work are not mutually exclusive.

Connect with her @JennyTeachesWine on Instagram.

PS: She passed her test!

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John Braine is a UX Designer combining his passion for technology with his love for art and music. John shares his journey from self-taught web design in the 90s to shifting into UX design. John shares his practical techniques for integrating artistic pursuits into daily life, emphasizing the importance of small habits, consistent progress, and holding yourself accountable.

John is staying in tech, and increasingly adding art and music as both hobbies and money-makers. Find him on Instagram as @trontsephore

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Ever wondered what it feels like to completely redefine your life's work? Join us as Heidi Araya from BrightLogic.ai shares her personal narrative of transformation from a seasoned tech veteran to a pioneering AI coach. Heidi opens up about her journey from roles in big tech, including technical writer and agile coach, to facing job uncertainty and discovering a new adventure. By enrolling in a data science program at MIT, Heidi initially aimed to spearhead AI initiatives but soon realized a passion for helping others harness the power of generative AI.

The conversation delves into the broader tech landscape, emphasizing the importance of diversification, community support, and continuous learning, particularly in AI.

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Discover the inspiring journey of Danielle Malik, a seasoned design leader who has transitioned from the tech world to make a significant impact in social causes. After two decades in the tech industry, Danielle embarked on a mission to align her work with her values. Motivated by her passion for addressing complex challenges in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and green energy, Danielle made the bold decision to transition from tech following a layoff.

Get to know Danielle and her new business, Rising Tide Residences, a housing initiative helping those in need and in transition.

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