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Escape 9 to 5

Lydia.CLinzi

Freedom, Agency and Meaning. Ever thought about ditching the regular 9 to 5 to chase what truly lights you up? I'm on this path to. This podcast is all about that leap of faith—no guides, no guarantees, just real stories from those brave enough to pursue a life beyond the ordinary. Join me as we uncover the untold journeys of dreamers and doers who are carving their own paths. Let's figure out this together.

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  • 21 episodes
  • monthly
  • Avg 58 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • S1 · E39
    October 17 · 55 min

    Santiago Lefebvre (ChangeNOW): How to Keep Moving Without Proof

    I met Santiago Lefebvre because I lost my badge at London Climate Action Week. He was the one holding it. Santiago is the Founder & CEO of ChangeNOW, the Paris-based global summit and ecosystem bringing entrepreneurs, investors, businesses and policymakers together around solutions for the planet. But before ChangeNOW, he was already earning more than his parents as a banking intern. He later left finance, built a startup that didn't work out as he'd hoped, and went to INSEAD for an MBA. Then, while looking for his next job, he pitched an idea he'd been developing for months. The business angel's response? "I don't know if you're crazy or a genius, but you need to do that." That idea became ChangeNOW. Three months before its first edition, people from 80 countries were expected in Paris, and the team still had no funding. We talk about money as the first scoreboard, knowing when to quit, finding your first believers, starting before you have proof, and why Santiago believes climate is moving from a moral argument to a strategic priority. And towards the end, we come back to something surprisingly simple: what actually makes a good life? About Santiago Santiago Lefebvre is Founder & CEO of ChangeNOW.ChangeNOW: https://www.changenow.world/ About Escape 9 to 5 Conversations with people who have stepped beyond conventional career paths to build lives and work that feel meaningful to them.Hosted by Lydia Chen.#Escape9to5 #ChangeNOW #Entrepreneurship Full archive https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5

  • S1 · E38
    September 19 · 50 min

    Alexandra Simon - How to Prototype a Life That Feels Like Yours

    What happens when a life that looked right suddenly disappears? Alexandra Simon had already quit what had once been a dream job and was preparing to move to Mexico when her relationship ended the day before the move. Suddenly she had no fixed home, no clear next step and, in her words, felt like “a balloon without a string.” She took the sabbatical anyway. That decision became the beginning of a much bigger experiment. Alex spent the next year exploring emotional education, group work, mindfulness and community, eventually turning what she had learned into a course at Yale. When people kept asking where they could learn the same skills outside the university, she tried something deliberately scrappy: a one-month public experiment in New York. It sold out, people kept asking for more, and that experiment became Lifeshop. In this episode of Escape 9 to 5, we talk about Alex’s path from Yale and Bain to public-service work, emotional education and entrepreneurship; the swimming-pool-to-ocean metaphor that changed how she understood career choice; the letter she wrote to her future self so she wouldn’t get swept up by someone else’s definition of success; and why she now treats energy as data. We also get practical about what it means to prototype a life instead of trying to think your way into certainty: talking to people, shadowing, testing, noticing patterns and course-correcting. And Alex is equally candid about the less romantic side of meaningful work — the period when she was working all day, teaching every night and felt she was losing some of the soul while doing “work of the soul.” Her longer-term vision is bigger than workshops: a physical place for learning and human connection where people don’t have to “work on themselves by themselves.” Find Alexandra + Lifeshop Website: https://www.lifeshopny.com/ Instagram: @lifeshopny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifeshopny 🎙️ *Escape 9 to 5* is a long-form conversation series about people leaving, reshaping and questioning conventional career paths, and building lives that fit them better.

  • S1 · E38
    August 22 · 53 min

    Every No Is a Vote for Yourself | Ify Walker

    There are choices I’ve made that still scare me: saying no to the sensible thing, walking away from something that used to fit, choosing a version of myself I can’t fully see yet. Ify Walker gave me language for those moments: each one can be a vote for yourself. Somewhere along the way, without really realizing it, I think I’ve been casting those votes too. Saying no to things, people, events and choices that no longer serve me. Trusting my own judgment a little more each time. Slowly becoming someone my eight-year-old self would probably look at with amazement. That doesn’t mean the choices become easy. Life is still uncertain. Every decision still comes with doubt, and none of us gets to control what happens next. But there is something powerful about knowing: I chose this. I voted for myself. That is what stayed with me after this conversation with Ify. Ify Walker is the founder and CEO of Offor. Her path has moved through teaching, law, fundraising and entrepreneurship, including raising roughly $40 million at Teach For America before building Offor. We talk about her first career rebellion, why “a no isn’t fatal,” the danger of chasing approval until it becomes self-abandonment, what she calls the work twisties, rebuilding trust in your own judgment, and what happens when even meaningful work you chose for yourself starts asking you to change again. And we laughed. A lot. This ended up being exactly the kind of Escape 9 to 5 conversation I hoped this show could hold: relaxed, honest, occasionally ridiculous, and somehow leaving me with a little more strength to keep going. If you’re standing in front of a choice you can’t completely control, maybe the question isn’t whether you can guarantee the outcome. Maybe it’s simply: what would it look like to cast one more vote for yourself? 🎙️ Escape 9 to 5 is a long-form conversation series about people leaving, reshaping and questioning conventional career paths, and building lives that fit them better. 💌 Stay ConnectedThe First 60 Dayshttps://lydiaclinzi.substack.com/Sunday Not Bluehttps://www.lydia-c-linzi.kit.com/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/lydiachenlinzi☕ If something here made you think, smile, or breathe a little deeper:https://lydia-c-linzi.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-not-so-blue-brew© 2026 Lydia C. Linzi

  • S1 · E37
    July 11 · 13 min

    I Was Wrong About Escaping the 9–5 | 36 Conversations Later

    I used to think escaping the 9–5 happened in one brave moment. You quit. You leap. You start a completely different life. After 36 conversations with founders, authors, creators, and people who stepped away from the default path, I no longer think that is how it usually happens. Most people build a bridge long before they quit. A bridge made from private clues, tiny experiments, uncomfortable asks, money fears, and enough small proof to trust themselves with the next step. This is a special solo episode of Escape 9 to 5, looking back at what the first 36 conversations changed for me. I share five lessons: 1. The escape starts before you quit. 2. Proof matters more than confidence. 3. Money fear does not magically disappear. 4. Sometimes you have to ask anyway. 5. There is no arrival. Freedom means choosing the pressure you are willing to live with. The episode includes moments and ideas from conversations with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Gillian Liu, Erin Wade, Paul Millerd, Andrew Wilkinson, Michia Rohrssen, and other guests who have generously shared the honest, unresolved parts of building a different life. One line from Michia stayed with me long after we stopped recording: “The whole world is waiting for you.” Not necessarily waiting for you to quit tomorrow. But perhaps waiting for you to send the message, run the experiment, follow the curiosity, or begin building the bridge. I’m deeply grateful to every guest who has given their time to this podcast. These conversations have changed how I understand work, risk, freedom, and what it means to build a life that feels more like your own. Explore Escape 9 to 5: https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5 Watch the full podcast archive: https://www.youtube.com/@LydiaCLinzi/podcasts About the show: Escape 9 to 5 is a podcast about people who leave default paths and build more deliberate, self-directed lives. Hosted by Lydia Linzi, a former investment banker turned climate-tech founder and creator. Connect with Lydia: https://www.dayzeroproduction.com https://www.instagram.com/lydiachenlinzi

  • S1 · E36
    June 6 · 52 min

    Brian Dean: What Happens After You Get Freedom?

    Most people know Brian Dean as the founder of Backlinko and co-founder of Exploding Topics. He built his life from his dad’s basement into selling two companies. But this conversation isn’t just about how he did it. It’s about what came after: the strange, quiet, surprisingly stressful question of what freedom is actually for once you finally have it. We get into the first business that failed, the years of trial and error before anything worked, building an audience before earning a cent, geo-arbitrage, Portugal, tennis, why passive income is never really passive, and how AI is reshaping search. But underneath all of it is the question I kept coming back to: Is happiness about having more, or about learning to want less? Find Brian: Programs.com: https://programs.com/ Backlinko: https://backlinko.com/ Exploding Topics: https://explodingtopics.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrianDean/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianedean/ Escape 9 to 5 is a long-form podcast about people who stepped away from the conventional path to build more deliberate, self-directed lives. Listen and subscribe: https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5 Follow Lydia: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiachenlinzi/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lichenlydia/ Website: https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/ Newsletter: Sunday Not Blue: https://www.lydia-c-linzi.kit.com/ The First 60 Days: https://lydiaclinzi.substack.com/

  • S1 · E35
    May 3 · 1 hr 19 min

    Stop Negotiating Like a Candidate | Jacob Warwick

    Jacob Warwick has helped leaders secure over $1 billion in compensation across tech, Hollywood, private equity, and large companies. But this conversation goes far beyond negotiation tactics. We talk about the mindset shift from candidate to consultant, why so many people struggle to stand up for their own value, and what it takes to enter the room with dignity, safety, and self-trust. Jacob also shares the personal experiences that shaped his approach to negotiation, and why learning to speak for yourself is about more than money. This is a conversation about negotiation, but also about knowing your value before someone else decides it for you. Connect with Jacob: Website: https://www.thinkwarwick.com/ Newsletter: https://execsandthecity.com/ YouTube: @ExecsandtheCity Hosted by Lydia. Escape 9 to 5 explores unconventional career paths, reinvention, and building meaningful lives on your own terms. 🎙 About Escape 9 to 5Escape 9 to 5 is a long-form podcast about people leaving default paths and building lives of freedom, agency, and meaning. New episodes monthly.More episodes:https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5If this conversation resonated, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.📍 About MeHi I'm Lydia, I'm a banker turned Climate Tech EntrepreneurBuilding something to connect people and funding.

  • S1 · E34
    April 6 · 1 hr 18 min

    What Happens After You Make It? He Retired at 31 and Started Building Again | Michia Rhossen

    He sold his company for $110 million at 31. Retired. Traveled to Antarctica twice. Visited Richard Branson's private island. Then came back to build again.This is a conversation I've been trying to have for two years. Michia Rhossen and I first connected through the Part-Time YouTuber Academy in London, and we finally sat down on my last day in Hong Kong before flying back to London. No script, no preparation.What we ended up talking about wasn't the grinding stories or the exit mechanics. It was what happens after. What success means when money is no longer the goal. Why comfort was the scariest part of his journey. And how he's now building three companies, not because he has to, but because he realized that not building was the selfish choice.If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this: "If I'm still excited about what I'm doing, then I think I've won. And if we have 100 million users and I'm not excited, then I've lost."Find Michia: @askmichia on Instagram and YouTubeThis is Episode 34 of Escape 9 to 5. Connect with Michia Instagram / YouTube: @askmichia Explore more from Escape 9 to 5 Podcast archive: https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5 Escape 9 to 5 is a podcast by https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/ and hosted by Lydia Chen — real conversations with people who left the traditional path and built something of their own. New episodes monthly. Connect with Lydia: @lydiachenlinzi on Instagram | lydiaclinzi.substack.com

  • S1 · E33
    March 1 · 1 hr 2 min

    He Bought a Business at 18 With $2,000 | Alex Smereczniak (CEO of Franzy)

    At eighteen, Alex Smereczniak bought a college laundry business with $2,000 and a seller-financing deal. Three years later, he exited. In this episode, we talk about:• Buying a business at 18• Why “unsexy” paths can teach you more than prestige• Leaving corporate when it doesn’t fit• Building Franzy, a platform helping people access franchise ownership• And the question that still lingers with me:“Are you happy doing what you’re doing?” Alex is the founder and CEO of Franzy, an AI-powered platform helping people discover and acquire franchise businesses. Before Franzy, he built and scaled 2ULaundry and LaundroLab. Connect with Alex:Franzy — ⁠https://www.franzy.com⁠LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-smereczniak-40310329/ Hosted by Lydia .Escape 9 to 5 explores unconventional career paths and building meaningful lives on your own terms.

  • S1 · E32
    February 1 · 57 min

    You Don't Need a Dream Job to Build a Great Life | Simon Stolzoff

    What if you don’t need the perfect job to live a meaningful life? In this episode, I talk with Simone Stolzoff, author of The Good Enough Job and the upcoming How Not To Know, about permission, uncertainty, and designing a life that can change with you. We discuss the moment Simone quit his job after buying a $220 plane ticket, how that decision shaped his relationship with work, and what it looks like to build a portfolio life with family, community, and flexibility at the center. This is an honest conversation about optionality, evolving identities, and learning to trust yourself in an uncertain world. Books by Simone Stolzoff:- 📘 *How Not To Know* (new book): https://simonestolzoff.com/how-to-not-know- 📕 *The Good Enough Job*Find Simone online: https://simonestolzoff.com/

  • S1 · E31
    January 3 · 57 min

    Why She Didn't Quit Her 9 to 5 (and Built a $10M Business on the Side) Gillian Liu, co-founder of Kiyoko Beauty

    What if the smartest way to escape your 9-to-5… wasn’t quitting right away? In this episode, I’m joined by Gillian Liu, co-founder and CMO of Kiyoko Beauty, a brand on track to reach $10M in revenue. Gillian shares why she kept her 9-to-5 longer than most people would, took a $30K pay cut to create the right conditions for a side hustle, and how patience became her biggest advantage. We talk about: Building slowly without panic Why not quitting can be a strategy Family expectations and non-traditional paths What it really takes to grow something on your own terms This conversation is for anyone who feels the pressure to rush—but knows deep down that timing matters.

  • S1 · E28
    Dec 7, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min

    How to Speak Like Yourself Under Pressure — The Skill That Changed His Life

    When I met Michael Gendler at the Interesting People event this summer, I didn’t even see him teach. But in a casual conversation between sessions, he told me the story of how he froze mid-sentence in a meeting years ago — and how that moment of fear became the doorway into his life’s work. Michael is the co-founder of Ultraspeaking, and in this episode he opens up about: ✨ Showing up for 100 Thursdays ✨ Practicing courage long before mastery ✨ What it means to speak with aliveness ✨ How to unlock the voice you already have ✨ Why enjoyment → confidence → clarity This conversation changed how I see myself as a communicator. It felt less like an interview and more like gaining a new pair of wings — the conviction to speak honestly, the confidence to show up as myself, and the reminder that communication is something we unlock, not something we perform. If you’ve ever frozen in a meeting, doubted your voice, or wished you could speak with more ease and conviction — this episode is for you. 🎧 EP30 — How to Speak Like Yourself Under Pressure (with Michael Gendler) Let’s dive in. 🎙 Ultraspeaking • Website: https://www.ultraspeaking.com • Games: https://www.ultraspeaking.com/games • Courses & Coaching: https://www.ultraspeaking.com/courses • YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ultraspeaking • Michael Gendler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgendler 🎧 Escape 9 to 5 https://www.instagram.com/escape9to5_pod https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/escape-9-to-5/ ✨ Welcome to Your New Source of Freedom & PurposeHi, I’m Lydia — a former investment banker turned climate-tech founder, digital nomad, and creator.I make videos for people designing a life with more freedom, clarity, and connection — wherever you are in the world.🌍 Whether you’re:• breaking into climate tech• building a portfolio career• or crafting a life beyond the 9 to 5you’ll find gentle tools, creative experiments, and honest stories to help you move forward — on your own terms.🎁 Gifts & Tools I Use Daily(some links are affiliate — thank you for supporting my work!)🎥 DJI Camera Gear (my go-to minimal creator setup)https://dji-retail.co.uk/r?id=38ff4g🎙 Riverside — record high-quality podcast + remote interviewshttps://riverside.sjv.io/N9O5NV🎬 CapCut Pro (7-day trial) — my full editing workflowhttps://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/fission_receive?code=4kGM2e23925838&lng=en🧠 Notion — planning, journaling, life operating systemhttps://www.notion.com/product?utm_source=affl&utm_medium=lydiachen8604🎵 Epidemic Sound — cinematic music for creatorshttps://www.epidemicsound.com/campaign/invite-a-creator/?_us=Referral&_usx=0glnzs&utm_source=ref_program&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=0glnzs💪 ClassPass — £1 trial + 20 credits (my Lisbon/London workout routine)https://classpass.com/refer/STTVGMC528?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=raf_pre_reservation&utm_content=MjU4MTk4MzY%3D🧘‍♀️ Psycle London Starter Kithttps://psyclelondon.com/pages/register?referral_code=xZpKBB📬 Stay Connected💌 The First 60 Days — navigating change + reinventionhttps://lydiaclinzi.substack.com/💌 Sunday Not Blue — gentle reflections, weekly ritualhttps://www.lydia-c-linzi.kit.com/🌍 Websitehttps://www.lydiaclinzi.com📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/lydiachenlinzi© 2025 Lydia C. Linzi — All Rights Reserved.

  • S1 · E29
    Nov 1, 2025 · 58 min

    From SoulCycle Instructor to The PE Guy: Johnny Hilbrant’s Viral Story

    Johnny Hilbrant didn’t plan to become The PE Guy. A SoulCycle instructor by day, he turned one awkward wedding conversation about money and status into a viral character followed by nearly 200 thousand people. In this episode, Lydia and Johnny talk about turning cringe moments into creativity, using humor to heal after the loss of his twin sister, and saying yes to what feels right—without quitting the life that pays your bills. You’ll hear: • The real story behind “Absolutely Printing!” • How a viral character can stay grounded in real life • Why story always beats status • Finding joy again through comedy and community 🎧 Follow Escape 9-to-5 for more human stories about careers, creativity, and reinvention.

  • S1 · E28
    Oct 4, 2025 · 54 min

    Bootstrapped to Millions:How Ania Wysocka built Rootd as a Solo Founder

    An app born from a panic attack that now calms millions. In this conversation, Ania Wysocka shares how she bootstrapped Rootd, kept her values (not someone else’s rat race), and why she wants people to graduate from the app back to their lives. We also get real on conviction, those rooms where builders lift you up, and tiny drills you can try this week. You’ll learn:• panic → OK tools that help in the moment• bootstrapping an impact product without losing your values• female-founder real talk (bias, confidence, and finding your rooms)• the “graduate from the app” philosophy + a 7-day calm protocol Connect with Ania: https://www.instagram.com/simply_rootd/ https://x.com/aniamargaret Try out Rootd: https://www.rootd.io/• Watch the episode on YouTube — https://youtu.be/xo1lB9rxdxM *🎙 Tools Used to Record This Episode*🎙 Record with Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=lydia-chen 🎥 DJI Camera: https://dji-retail.co.uk/r?id=38ff4g 🎬 Edit with CapCut Pro (7-day free trial): https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/fission_receive?code=4kGM2e23925838&lng=en 🎵 Epidemic Sound (free music trial): https://www.epidemicsound.com/campaign/invite-a-creator/?_us=Referral&_usx=0glnzs&utm_source=ref_program&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=0glnzs *🌱 Other Tools I Recommend* 📚 Part-Time YouTuber Academy (PTYA): https://go.aliabdaal.com/ptya?ref=lydiaclinzi 🧠 LifeOS by Ali Abdaal: https://aliabdaal.com/lifeos/ref/lydiaclinzi/ 🧘‍♀️ Psycle London Starter Kit: https://psyclelondon.com/pages/register?referral_code=xZpKBB🚲 SoulCycle Invite: https://www.soul-cycle.com/r/7mBwe8c8/ 💪 ClassPass (£1 trial + 20 credits): https://classpass.com/refer/STTVGMC528?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=raf_pre_reservation&utm_content=MjU4MTk4MzY%3D*(Some of these are affiliate links — thank you for supporting my channel!) *---🌍 **Website**: https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5 📸 **Instagram**: https://www.instagram.com/escape9to5_pod/?hl=en 🎯 About the PodcastEscape 9 to 5 is for people who’ve left corporate life behind and never looked back. We talk about risk, reinvention, and what it takes to build a life you don’t need a vacation from. © 2025 Lydia C. Linzi. All Rights Reserved.

  • S1 · E27
    Sep 14, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min

    "See you later 9 to 5" From Oracle to Write of Passage — Will Mannon’s Act Two

    This is one of the best escape stories you’ll ever hear.Will Mannon walked away from Oracle after realizing he couldn’t find meaning in a 40-billion-dollar company. A single cold email to David Perell opened the door to co-founding *Write of Passage*. In this episode, he shares his escape story, the “secret sauce” of great outreach, and why finding your inner fire can change everything.In this episode, Will shares: - ✉️ The secret sauce of his cold email that changed everything - 💼 What it feels like to walk away from corporate - 🕰️ The joy *and* grind of building your own thing - 🌏 How a lightning-bolt moment in Shanghai made him fall in love with Mandarin - 🔥 Why finding your “uncommon inner fire” is the key to designing your second act If you’ve ever felt stuck in your 9-to-5 and wondered if reinvention is possible — Will’s story shows that sometimes all it takes is one brave message and a door that’s slightly open. #WillMannon #WriteOfPassage #ColdEmail #CareerChange #Escape9to5 #CreatorEconomy Connect with Will :https://x.com/will_mannon https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-mannon-317748a7/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Who’s Will Mannon 00:02:25 Intro, 2 truths & a lie and 00:07:00 the Write of Passage story 00:22:54 What Now - building ACT Two 00:31:31 The best way to start an online course 00:40:44 Will Learning Chinese & Become a Comedian in China 00:59:04 Vision for Act Two & What’s next 01:01:49 Lightning round 01:06:56 Pass it on *🎙 Tools Used to Record This Episode*🎙 Record with Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=lydia-chen 🎥 DJI Camera: https://dji-retail.co.uk/r?id=38ff4g 🎬 Edit with CapCut Pro (7-day free trial): https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/fission_receive?code=4kGM2e23925838&lng=en 🎵 Epidemic Sound (free music trial): https://www.epidemicsound.com/campaign/invite-a-creator/?_us=Referral&_usx=0glnzs&utm_source=ref_program&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=0glnzs *🌱 Other Tools I Recommend* 📚 Part-Time YouTuber Academy (PTYA): https://go.aliabdaal.com/ptya?ref=lydiaclinzi 🧠 LifeOS by Ali Abdaal: https://aliabdaal.com/lifeos/ref/lydiaclinzi/ 🧘‍♀️ Psycle London Starter Kit: https://psyclelondon.com/pages/register?referral_code=xZpKBB🚲 SoulCycle Invite: https://www.soul-cycle.com/r/7mBwe8c8/ 💪 ClassPass (£1 trial + 20 credits): https://classpass.com/refer/STTVGMC528?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=raf_pre_reservation&utm_content=MjU4MTk4MzY%3D*(Some of these are affiliate links — thank you for supporting my channel!) *---🌍 **Website**: https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5 📸 **Instagram**: https://www.instagram.com/escape9to5_pod/?hl=en 🎯 About the PodcastEscape 9 to 5 is for people who’ve left corporate life behind and never looked back. We talk about risk, reinvention, and what it takes to build a life you don’t need a vacation from. © 2025 Lydia C. Linzi. All Rights Reserved.

  • S1 · E27
    Sep 1, 2025 · 16 min

    [BONUS] What I Learned from 25 People Who Left the 9-to-5

    ESCAPE isn’t quitting overnight—it’s designing your life.After 25 conversations with people who left the default path, I distilled six lessons I wish I’d known at 26. I call it ESCAPE: • E — Experiment early & often • S — Step into fear • C — Create your own table • A — Assemble your tribe • P — Pair action with rhythm • E — Energy attracts energyChapters00:00 Intro00:58 E — Experiment early & often02:12 S — Step into fear05:56 C — Create your own table08:25 A — Assemble your tribe10:51 P — Pair action with rhythm12:46 E — Energy attracts energy My tools & resources • Escape 9‑to‑5 Quiz (30s) → https://tally.so/r/nG7ZbQ • I record with Riverside → https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaig...• Camera: DJI → https://dji-retail.co.uk/r?id=38ff4g Find me on IG → / lydiachenlinzi Find the pod → / escape9to5_pod © 2025 Lydia C. Linzi. All Rights Reserved.

  • S1 · E26
    Aug 24, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min

    #26 - Barista to Billionaire: Andrew Wilkinson on Money, Ambition, and Never Enough

    I loved this one. Andrew Wilkinson (co-founder of Tiny and author of Never Enough) and I ended up covering so much—business and life, habits and mental models. We talk about “enough,” when to raise VC vs. bootstrapping, his recent ADHD discovery and how it became a founder superpower, finding the right partner, how he uses AI day-to-day, and legacy. It’s easy to see why Tiny runs the way it does—long-term, buy-and-hold; people often describe it as the “Berkshire Hathaway of the internet.” Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escape9to5_pod Where to find AndrewTiny: https://www.tiny.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/awilkinson/X: https://x.com/awilkinson What we cover– Two Truths & a Lie (including a chance meeting with Steve Jobs)– Leaving a web-design job and starting anyway– Bootstrapped vs. VC: which path, when, and why– ADHD (recently discovered) → how he works– The feeling of “never enough”—and reframing it– Building Tiny with Chris (why partnerships need real work)– AI in Andrew’s daily workflow– Legacy & giving—letting go– Lightning round: books, newsletters, habits Timestamps00:00 Intro01:49 Two Truths & a Lie – Meeting Steve Jobs10:39 What Now – Current Focus15:47 How to Start a Business: Bootstrapping vs. VC25:26 Having Enough & ADHD33:19 Chris and Zoe — The People on the Journey40:56 How Andrew Uses AI49:29 Legacy & Letting Go57:48 Lightning Round Free 30-second quiz Take my “Escape 9-to-5” quiz: https://tally.so/r/nG7ZbQ About the show I’m Lydia—ex-banker turned climate-tech founder and podcast host. Escape 9-to-5 explores stories of people who left the default path to build lives of freedom, impact and authenticity. Thanks for listening! 🌱

  • Aug 3, 2025 · 40 min

    #25 - Why She Quit Google to Build a Life She Loves | Anne-Laure Le Cunff

    Anne-Laure Le Cunff thought she’d landed her dream job at Google—until a sudden health scare forced her to rethink everything. In this episode of **Escape 9 to 5**, the neuroscientist-turned-founder of **Ness Labs** explains:- Why burnout can hit people who *love* their jobs- How “Tiny Experiments” and her **PACT** framework turn uncertainty into growth- The power of Kairos moments (wait till you hear the cacao story ☕🌞)- Practical tips for designing a life driven by curiosity—not corporate calendarsFollow Anne-Laure: https://nesslabs.com/*🧭 Take the “Escape 9 to 5” Quiz*Wondering if *you* should leave the default path?Take my free 30second quiz to discover what type of “escapee” you are:👉 https://tally.so/r/nG7ZbQ*✨ Welcome to Escape 9 to 5 — the podcast for curious rebels*I’m Lydia — a former banker turned climate tech founder, nomadic creator, and podcast host. *Escape 9 to 5* is where we explore stories of people who left the traditional path to build lives of freedom, impact, and authenticity.---*🎙 Tools Used to Record This Episode*🎙 Record with Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?via=lydia-chen🎥 DJI Camera: https://dji-retail.co.uk/r?id=38ff4g🎬 Edit with CapCut Pro (7-day free trial): https://www.capcut.com/capcut_pc_web/fission_receive?code=4kGM2e23925838&lng=en🎵 Epidemic Sound (free music trial): https://www.epidemicsound.com/campaign/invite-a-creator/?_us=Referral&_usx=0glnzs&utm_source=ref_program&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=0glnzs🧠 Notion for episode planning: https://www.notion.com/product?utm_source=affl&utm_medium=lydiachen8604---*🌱 Other Tools I Recommend*📚 Part-Time YouTuber Academy (PTYA): https://go.aliabdaal.com/ptya?ref=lydiaclinzi🧠 LifeOS by Ali Abdaal: https://aliabdaal.com/lifeos/ref/lydiaclinzi/🧘‍♀️ Psycle London Starter Kit: https://psyclelondon.com/pages/register?referral_code=xZpKBB🚲 SoulCycle Invite: https://www.soul-cycle.com/r/7mBwe8c8/💪 ClassPass (£1 trial + 20 credits): https://classpass.com/refer/STTVGMC528?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=raf_pre_reservation&utm_content=MjU4MTk4MzY%3D*(Some of these are affiliate links — thank you for supporting my channel!)*---🌍 **Website**: https://www.lydiaclinzi.com📸 **Instagram**: https://www.instagram.com/lydiachenlinzi🎯 About the PodcastEscape 9 to 5 is for people who’ve left corporate life behind and never looked back. We talk about risk, reinvention, and what it takes to build a life you don’t need a vacation from.Let’s grow and glow together 🌱✨© 2025 Lydia C. Linzi. All Rights Reserved.

  • S1 · E24
    Jul 12, 2025 · 58 min

    #24 How to Become a Master Storyteller: How to Pitch Ideas, Use AI & Daily Story Habits with Matthew Dicks

    Matthew Dicks returns to show us how far we’ve come—and how far storytelling can still take us. In this intimate chat, he shares: A real-time founder pitch exercise How to use AI (ChatGPT!) without losing your voice The Homework for Life habit—now an app! Tips on asking better questions A playful Lightning Round When we recorded: I was struck by how different—and deeper—this conversation felt compared to last year. It reminded me that the Escape 9 to 5 journey is about continual growth, reflection, and connection. I learned so much, and can’t wait for you to experience it too. 🕒 Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Hook 01:18 – Ice‑Breaker: “Two‑Minute Life Trailer” 05:22 – Rewind & Reflect: Since We Last Spoke 11:45 – How to Pitch as a Founder – Live Exercise 29:41 – Using ChatGPT to Enhance Storytelling 36:26 – What’s Homework for Life & New App? 44:00 – How to Ask Better Questions 49:39 –  Lightning Round 🔗 Key Links– Watch last year’s conversation with Matthew → https://youtu.be/HWdh3wRo8o0?si=vb4IoX8HWh8ngZEi– 📚 Matthew’s book, Storyworthy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37786022-storyworthy– ✏️ Homework for Life app (iOS) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/homework-for-life- Connect with Matthew: https://matthewdicks.com/

  • S1 · E23
    Jun 7, 2025 · 50 min

    #23 Brian Wong: Escaping Expectations, Burnout & the 9 to 5 Trap ($32M Raise by 24)d

    What if the success you dreamed of… wasn’t the life you actually wanted? At just 24, Brian Wong raised $32M and was flying private while his friends were still in college. But behind the headlines was a deeper story—about burnout, traditional expectations, and the real meaning of freedom. In this episode, Brian shares how he broke free from the script, what first-time founders often get wrong, and why starting your own company might actually be the *real* job security. 🎙️ We talk about: • Growing up with traditional Asian parents • Founding a startup at 19 • Burnout and rediscovering balance • What most founders misunderstand about fundraising • Letting go of the 9 to 5 mindset 🔗 Connect with Brian: https://linkedin.com/in/brianwong 📬 Subscribe to Lydia's newsletter: [Sunday Not Blue link] 🎥 Full video on YouTube: [YouTube episode link]

  • S1 · E22
    May 18, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min

    #22 Whatever Scares You—Go DO It | Derek Sivers on Reinventing Yourself

    Derek Sivers has lived many lives: musician, startup founder, TED speaker, minimalist nomad, and author of beloved books like Hell Yeah or No and Anything You Want. In this conversation, we talk about: – How to accumulate evidence for the life you want – Tiny experiments that shape your identity – Cities of the future, from China to South Korea – Solopreneurship, uncertainty, and doing what scares you We also talk about creative reinvention, raising children, and why retirement isn’t the end—it’s just another prototype. 💡 Favorite Derek quote from this episode: “Whatever scares you—go do it.” Because when you do, you collect evidence.You’ve done it once. You can do it again. 📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode • The Art of Asking – Amanda Palmer → https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Asking-Learned-Worrying-People/dp/1455581089 • Selling the Invisible – Harry Beckwith → https://www.amazon.co.uk/Selling-Invisible-Field-Modern-Marketing/dp/0446672319 • You Can Negotiate Anything – Herb Cohen → https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Can-Negotiate-Anything-Cohen/dp/0553281097 🌐 Where to Find Derek Sivers • Website → https://sive.rs • YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/user/dereksivers • X (Twitter) → https://x.com/sivers ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:19 Two Truths & a Lie 00:11:29 Identity vs. What You Do 00:22:50 How 15 Years of Music Rewired His Mindset 00:28:38 Finding Your Voice From Scratch 00:43:20 Derek’s Current Goal 00:51:07 Failing Up 01:02:47 Adopting a New Persona 01:29:20 Lightning Round 🎧 LISTEN ON THE GO Spotify · Apple · all links → https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/escape-9-to-5 💌 WEEKLY LETTER – **Sunday Not Blue** Tools, tiny experiments, and behind-the-scenes stories → https://lydia-c-linzi.kit.com/ ☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW Buy me a Not-So-Blue Brew → https://lydia-c-linzi.kit.com/products/buy-me-a-not-so-blue-brew #DerekSivers #Escape9to5Podcast #DoWhatScaresYou #RiskyPath #LifeDesign #Reinvention #CDbaby #TinyExperiments #CareerClarity #DigitalNomad---* 🧭 Take the “Escape 9 to 5” Quiz*Wondering if *you* should leave the default path?Take my free 30second quiz to discover what type of “escapee” you are: 👉 https://tally.so/r/nG7ZbQ* ✨ Welcome to Escape 9 to 5 — the podcast for curious rebels*I’m Lydia — a former banker turned climate tech founder, nomadic creator, and podcast host. 🎯 About the Podcast Escape 9 to 5 is for people who’ve left corporate life behind and never looked back. We talk about risk, reinvention, and what it takes to build a life you don’t need a vacation from.Let’s grow and glow together 🌱✨© 2025 Lydia C. Linzi. All Rights Reserved.

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