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 find fulfillment in work. Through his experiences, he illustrates how volunteering and authentic connections can lead to discovering one's true purpose. The conversation also touches on frameworks for meaningful work and the shifts in workplace expectations among younger generations.

Takeaways

• Identity is critical when making career choices.
• Cultural perspectives shape how we view work and identity.
• Success does not always equate to fulfillment.
• Volunteering can uncover hidden passions and purpose.
• Frameworks can guide individuals in finding meaningful work.
• Curiosity, exposure, and values are key to career satisfaction.
• Meaning in work is actively created, not passively found.
• The workplace is evolving, with a focus on purpose and well-being.
• Personal stories can inspire and guide others in their journeys.
• Taking small actions can lead to significant changes in one's career.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mef's Journey
04:15 Cultural Perspectives on Identity and Work
10:04 The Script of Success and Its Consequences
17:14 The Turning Point: Stress and Realization
24:17 Exploring New Paths: From Public Policy to Coaching
30:04 The Birth of a Book: How's Work?
32:55 Crafting a Vision for Meaningful Work
36:42 The Interplay of Curiosity, Exposure, and Values
43:54 Finding Meaning in Work: A Framework for Action
50:24 Creating Meaning vs. Finding Meaning in Work
54:26 Taking Action Towards Meaningful Work
59:15 Outro recording Stephen.wav

Connect with Mef

How's Work: https://www.mc2careercoaching.com/book/p/hows-work

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meftehe/

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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 find purpose in work, and the significance of community and balance in achieving a fulfilling professional life. The episode concludes with reflections on how to navigate the complexities of work and personal identity.

Takeaways

• Meaningful work is often a result of struggle and overcoming obstacles.
• Autonomy and beneficence are crucial components of meaningful work.
• Feedback can significantly impact self-perception and confidence.
• It's important to accept compliments graciously as a form of connection.
• Finding purpose in work can be a long and challenging journey.
• Community and balance play vital roles in achieving meaningful work.
• The gap between feedback and self-worth can be difficult to navigate.
• Exploring the broader purpose of work can enhance job satisfaction.
• Reflecting on personal strengths can lead to a more fulfilling work experience.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:01 The Catalyst Behind Athletic Brewing
06:04 Meaningful Work: The Four Components
08:55 Personal Definitions of Meaningful Work
11:59 Feedback and Its Impact on Self-Perception
14:57 Navigating Praise and Identity
17:48 Exploring Beneficence and Relatedness
20:53 The Journey to Finding Purpose
23:34 Tunnels to Meaningful Work
26:36 Final Thoughts and Reflections
33:36 Outro

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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 balance between finding and creating meaningful work. Her insights provide valuable guidance for anyone seeking fulfillment in their career.

Key Takeaways

• The importance of people in work cannot be overstated.
• Like coaching for Emma, creating more meaningful work often feels like a natural progression.
• Awareness and acceptance are key to navigating career changes.
• Desires can serve as a blueprint for what we are meant to have.
• Focusing on what energizes us leads to greater satisfaction.
• The 'shoulds' in our lives create unnecessary pressure.
• Finding meaningful work involves both luck and active creation.
• It's essential to loosen attachment to outcomes for better performance.
• Coaching can help individuals discover their true desires.

How to Reach Emma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamwood/

https://caterpillarcollab.com/

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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 less work.

We discuss creating mental space, from Adam’s sabbatical insights to Stephen’s simple coffee shop ritual. Then, the conversation bursts into an enthusiastic discussion about AI, as Adam reveals how tools like Claude are not only changing his workflow (goodbye SQL!) but also how we think about skills and confidence.

Podcast Production by Podders: https://podders.io

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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 others, often a result of being kind yourself, boosts your own happiness. Lexi shares a fantastic real-life example of her team's daily shared lunches fostering joy and connection, highlighting research on the power of eating together. Even Steven admits he’s often eating at his desk but is inspired to change!

Where can you find or create more kindness (and maybe share a meal) at work this week?

Podcast Production by Podders: https://podders.io

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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 work for purpose, community, and to combat isolation, even if financially secure. This shift from chasing early retirement to finding ongoing meaning resonates deeply. Stephen shares how one question from our talk, "If I had $50 million and had to stay in my job, how would I feel?" is already changing his daily perspective, reducing pressure and boosting confidence. How would financial freedom change your view of your current work?

Podcast Production by Podders: https://podders.io

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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 truly mattered to him beyond external expectations.

You'll hear how he learned to blend his drive to build and tinker with his deep value for people and relationships, finding a better fit in mission-oriented tech startups. Kevin shares practical insights on discovering work you enjoy (and are good at) alongside people you respect, emphasizing that career paths are flexible and U-turns are normal. His experience is a great reminder that meaning often comes after trying things out. (And yes, we even get into Mike Bibby news.)

Connect with Kevin:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hollingshead/

Podcast Production by Podders: https://podders.io

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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 cheerleading and truly putting courage into others (and yourself!).

He shares a vulnerable story about how losing a job title felt like losing his identity, driving home why our sense of self needs a foundation stronger than our current role. Discover why defining your own success is vital, how identifying your strengths anchors your identity (plus a special offer from Robin to help!), and why betting on yourself is the ultimate career move. Robin leaves us with powerful advice, especially for high achievers feeling the pressure. So, where is your ladder placed right now, and are you ready to bet on yourself?

Podcast Production by Podders: https://podders.io

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