EducationHow ToBusinessEntrepreneurshipSelf-Improvement

The Unstuck Career

Ken Williams

The Unstuck Career is hosted by Ken Williams, an entrepreneur who made a bold career shift at age 55 after spending 16 years in the same job. Now building his own business, Ken is on a mission to help others break free from unfulfilling work and create a better life.

This podcast is for burned-out, frustrated professionals who feel stuck in toxic jobs, underpaid roles, or careers that no longer fit, and know they’re meant for something more.

Each week, Ken shares powerful conversations with people who have successfully made the leap (or are in the process of doing it) alongside practical Friday Focus episodes packed with mindset shifts and actionable strategies. Listeners will learn how to take control of their careers, build momentum toward change, and create work that aligns with the life they actually want.

If you’re ready to stop settling and start moving, this show will help you get there.

Play

Open in

38 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 21 min
English

Episodes 38

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S2 · E304
Yesterday · 5 min
The Assumptions Keeping You Stuck - Friday Focus - Ep. 304
Send us Fan Mail This week, I explore a question that can quietly change everything: What if I’m wrong about my limits? I start with a surprising thought about sleep, then follow it into the assumptions I make about my personality, my capabilities, and what I believe I’m allowed to pursue. I’ll challenge the idea that “I’m just not that kind of person” has to define what comes next. What if getting uncomfortable, starting earlier, or trying something new could reveal possibilities I haven’t even considered? This episode is an invitation to sit with the question, follow your curiosity, and test what you’re truly capable of. If you’re ready to stop settling for assumptions that keep you stuck and start building a bigger version of your life, this episode is for you. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E302
October 16 · 5 min
Become the Version of You Who Already Has What You Want - Friday Focus Ep. 302
Send us Fan Mail In this Friday Focus episode, I explore the gap between who you are today and the version of you who has the job, freedom, autonomy, or happiness you want. The changes required may be smaller than expected, from shutting off screens at night to stopping after a set number of Reddit stories, but following through builds something essential: trust in yourself. I also share why waiting until you “have it all figured out” can keep you stuck. The future version of you doesn’t appear all at once. Start practicing those habits now, even when giving something up feels miserable in advance. Join us on the morning Mindset Reset call: https://unstuckcareer.com/reset If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E301
October 12 · 40 min
When Staying Costs Your Life Satisfaction - Ep 301
Send us Fan Mail This week, we unpack what it really costs to stay in a toxic workplace with Kasey James, who found herself in two back-to-back environments that eroded her confidence, relationships, and sense of self. How do you know when a bad job is temporary, and when the organization is simply operating exactly as it always has? Kasey shares the warning signs, the moment she knew she had to leave, and why “familiar” doesn’t mean comfortable. You’ll hear how Kasey kept her job search moving despite rejection, cold messaged business owners on LinkedIn, and created an opportunity that wasn’t even posted. We also explore the danger of letting work become your identity, the value of searching while you still have an income, and why finding a better fit sometimes means setting aside your ego and making the opportunity yourself. If you’re anxious every Sunday, losing pieces of yourself at work, or telling yourself that misery is normal, this episode will challenge you to want more and act with intention. You can connect with Kasey James on LinkedIn or at operations@jb5investments.com. Want to connect with Ken? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E300
October 9 · 5 min
Stop Talking Yourself Out of the Goals You Want - Friday Focus Ep. 300
Send us Fan Mail This week, I’m tackling the limiting beliefs that shut down your biggest goals before you even give them a chance. Have you ever thought, “I’d love to do that, but it’s not possible”? We’ll look at how quickly we talk ourselves out of what we want, whether that means opening a business, pursuing additional training, or stepping onto a TEDx stage again. I’ll show you why you don’t need to know every step before setting a goal. Once you decide what you want, the next move becomes clearer, then the one after that. The real shift is giving yourself permission to pursue something before you have the skills, time, or perfect plan figured out. If you’re ready to stop letting “I can’t” make decisions for you, this episode will help you think bigger and take the first step. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E299
October 5 · 42 min
From Sunday Scaries to Building a New Career
Send us Fan Mail This week, I sit down with Hannah Carvey to talk about the moment a career can start shrinking you instead of helping you grow. After more than two decades as a speech-language pathologist, Hannah realized her work had become less about helping people connect and more about paperwork, tracking minutes, and following someone else’s rules. Her decision to leave wasn’t sudden, but it did require a simple, uncomfortable step: saying out loud that she was done. We explore fear, expectations, and the pressure to communicate or live “the right way.” Hannah shares why “so what?” became a message on her bathroom mirror, how stuttering taught her that pressure often makes things worse, and what it means to build your own path through the jungle instead of staying on the paved road. Connect with Hannah Carvey on TikTok and Instagram at Communication for Life, and on LinkedIn by searching her name or business name. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E298
October 2 · 8 min
Friday Focus - Surrendered Authority Chapter 5 - Reclaim Authority
Send us Fan Mail This week, we tackle the moment when you realize you’ve handed your career decisions to someone else. Maybe it’s your boss, your family, your friends, fear, or even the job market. I break down why “not to decide” doesn’t mean you made a decision. It means something else made it for you. You’ll learn how to tell the difference between using advice and surrendering your authority. Advice can inform your decision, but it can’t replace it. We’ll look at the question that cuts through the noise: What do you want? Then, you’ll get an authority inventory to uncover where you’ve been letting other people or circumstances direct your life. If you’re ready to make your own choices and own the outcomes, this chapter is your call to reclaim your authority and live into your purpose. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E297
September 28 · 40 min
Taking the Next Step Without Knowing the Whole Path
Send us Fan Mail This week, I talk with Deval, who is still in the middle of a career pivot from work that no longer fits toward a life built around service, mindfulness, and coaching. We explore what it feels like to move forward without a perfect plan, especially when comfort and certainty make staying put seem safer than taking the next step. You’ll hear how one clarity conversation helped Deval stop waiting to have everything figured out, why small daily actions can create confidence, and how treating life like a playground can make the unknown feel less intimidating. We also unpack the fear that keeps people attached to jobs, relationships, and situations that aren’t serving them, even when something better may be waiting on the other side. If you’re stuck between the familiar and the possibility of something more meaningful, this episode will remind you that clarity often comes after you move, not before. Want to connect with Deval? You can email her at deval.dholakia@gmail.com or follow her on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@dailydoseofdeval If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E296
September 25 · 4 min
Surrendered Authourity Chapter 4 - We Confuse the Familiar with Safety
Send us Fan Mail This week, I unpack what it means to drift through your career, taking whatever opportunity appears after the last one disappears. I share how I moved from sales to a call center, insurance, human resources, and FedEx, often responding to circumstances instead of choosing a direction. The cost of that drifting eventually showed up in my health, family life, and social life. You’ll discover why familiar can feel safe even when it’s damaging, and why no job, government role, or traditional 9-to-5 comes with guaranteed security. I’ll challenge you to separate what feels familiar from what actually serves you, then identify three things you may have mistaken for safety. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E295
September 21 · 34 min
Choosing Meaning Over Money in Your Career
Send us Fan Mail This week, I talk with Patrick about walking away from the corporate ladder after reaching the kind of title and income many people spend their careers chasing. He shares how corporate politics, constant travel, and a job that demanded he leave the day his daughter was born forced him to question what success was costing him. His answer came with a massive pay cut, a lower title, and a move to Austin, Texas, but also the chance to build something from the ground up. You’ll hear how Patrick uncovered the work that gives him energy by asking former colleagues where they saw him thrive, then reconnecting with his love of understanding people, crafting stories, and building brands. We also explore golden handcuffs, family support, and why money and status have nothing to do with intrinsic worth. If you’re tired of chasing the next rung and ready to find work that feels like yours, this episode will give you permission to pivot, even if the path takes two years. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E294
September 18 · 7 min
Surrendered Authority Chapter 3: The Rationalizer
Send us Fan Mail Chapter 3: The Rationalizer The conversation focused on the voice that sounds reasonable while quietly keeping you stuck. In Chapter 3, “The Rationalizer,” the central belief is “I’m just being realistic,” but the stories created by the rationalizer may be believable without being true. A cliff jump into a lake becomes a lesson in how excuses can grow larger than the fear behind them 02:38. A delayed response to a networking opportunity reveals how self-doubt can disguise itself as practicality, even when the opportunity is exactly what you want 06:44. The discussion explores the rationalizer’s favorite tactic: convincing you that you don’t want the things you actually want. The episode closes with a practical challenge, a “rationalizer audit.” Identify the statements, assumptions, and stories keeping you from moving forward, then ask: “Is this really true?” 08:37 If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E293
September 14 · 31 min
Breaking Free from Exhaustion and the Alarm Clock
Send us Fan Mail This week, I sit down with Lori, who has spent more than two decades in SBA lending and has reached a point where the Sunday evening dread, 10 to 14-hour workdays, and constant exhaustion have made staying stuck impossible. She’s ready to trade the W-2 and alarm clock for work that gives her room to serve people, pursue her faith, and be present with her four grandchildren. We talk about reinventing skills, exploring AI and remote work, writing a book about her faith journey, and turning her strengths in budgeting, organization, cooking, and encouragement into meaningful services. Lori also shares the confidence struggles that held her back, and the small-step approach that’s helping her move forward: accomplish one thing today, then build from there. If you’ve felt the pull toward something different but keep getting buried under fear, fatigue, or endless what-ifs, Lori’s story will remind you that a better life can begin with one uncomfortable step. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E292
September 11 · 9 min
Surrendered Authority Ch2: Fear Makes Predictions, Not Promises
Send us Fan Mail Ch2: Fear Makes Predictions, Not Promises Fear can feel like evidence, especially when the future is uncertain. This episode explores how fear, doubt, and anxiety can distort decisions, from asking for the life you want to trusting your instincts in the cockpit. One concept discussed was the difference between feelings and reliable information. In flight training, instruments reveal what the body can’t. The same principle applies to career and life decisions: fear may predict rejection, failure, or danger, but it can’t guarantee any of those outcomes. At 10:29, the discussion lands on a clear distinction: fear feels real, but it isn’t evidence. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E289
September 7 · 31 min
What Work Is Really For: Designing a Life You Want
Send us Fan Mail This week, I talk with Aryana about leaving a full-time job that promised stability but delivered 166-hour workweeks, burnout, and benefits she couldn’t afford. After grad school, she returned to freelancing in costume and contour design, creating everything from wedding gowns and corsets to dancewear, sportswear, and wearable technology. We unpack what it takes to build a business around the life you actually want, including the discipline to schedule breaks, the courage to say no to poor-fit clients, and the value of having someone check in to make sure you’re “being a person also.” Arianna also shares how community, word of mouth, and a clearer sense of purpose helped turn inconsistent freelance work into a more sustainable path. Connect with Arianna on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aryanangainesstudio/ or on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/aryana-gaines. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E290
September 4 · 7 min
Friday Focus - Limiting Beliefs and Unlocked Doors
Send us Fan Mail This week, I explore the limits we accept without ever testing them. A dentist’s recurring problem, a numbed mouth, and a surprising product that may reverse Novocaine’s effects reveal how often we simply put up with frustrations because we don’t know an alternative exists. I’ll take you from a moving truck on the highways of Wyoming to Harry Houdini’s supposedly locked jail cell, which turned out to be unlocked all along. What if some of the barriers holding you back are assumptions rather than facts? And what could change if you truly believed that, with God, nothing is impossible? Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E287
August 31 · 39 min
Breaking Out of the Familiar Zone: A Story of Career Reinvention - Ep. 287
Send us Fan Mail This week, I sit down with Susan, who found me on TikTok and bravely reached out in the midst of her own messy "what’s next" journey. After a pivotal four-year reboot—relocating solo, embracing huge physical changes, and diving deep into self-discovery—Susan is now staring down her last big pivot: finding work that actually feels good. Together, we get real about the exhausting loop of taking jobs out of necessity rather than choice, and the sneaky fears that keep us stuck—even when everything else in life is finally clicking into place. You’ll hear Susan’s candid reflections on why she dreads Mondays, the discomfort of corporate games, and her simmering desire to move past “just surviving” into a role with meaning, flexibility, and impact. We unpack the universal struggle with fear and self-trust—what if it’s worse on the other side?—and why sometimes, all it takes is eight seconds of courage to make the next leap. If you sense you’re one decision away from a more fulfilling direction (but feel fear and uncertainty snapping at your heels), this conversation is for you. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E286
August 28 · 7 min
What If the Fix Is Easier Than You Think?
Send us Fan Mail This week, I’m asking a question that exposed more than a coolant leak: What am I tolerating simply because I’ve forgotten that I have options? I share how I ignored a problem with my car for months, only to discover that a five-minute test and a small repair could fix it. The same thing happened with electrical problems I had tolerated for years, because I was afraid to find out what the diagnosis might be. You’ll be invited to take inventory of the parts of your life you’ve quietly accepted, whether it’s a miserable job, an unresolved problem, or a change you’ve ruled out before even trying. Pick one thing, get the diagnosis, ask for help, and take a step. If you want to connect, visit https://unstuckcareer.com. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E285
August 24 · 34 min
Embracing Entrepreneurship: From Corporate Life to Hospitality Success
Send us Fan Mail This week, we're taking you behind the scenes with Lucy, whose path from family-run businesses to independent hospitality entrepreneur will leave you rethinking everything you thought you knew about “safe” career choices. Lucy shares how leaving a so-called stable job led her to building a life and business filled with passion and flexibility, despite setbacks and the constant uncertainty of working for herself. You'll hear Lucy get real about fears—like health insurance, business failures, and trading your time for money—and why none of these should hold you back from living your purpose. Her story, including powerful lessons learned from the ground up in small businesses and a surprising detour into auctioneering, proves that crafting your own career is just as much about resilience as it is about ambition. If you've ever wondered whether the traditional path is the only way, or if it's truly possible to build the life you want, Lucy's journey is the mindset shift you need. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E285
August 17 · 34 min
Reinventing Careers and Surviving Big Changes: Create a Story of Flexibility
Send us Fan Mail This week, I sit down with Dan for a whirlwind journey through the ups and downs of an unconventional career path shaped by resilience and adaptability. From small-town roots in rural Oregon to living in five states and two Caribbean countries, Dan shares what it’s really like to reinvent yourself again and again in the face of layoffs, industry changes, and personal challenges. You’ll get the inside story of how losing his job to a robot—before it was “cool”—set him on a path from civil engineering to software development, with plenty of unexpected detours along the way. Through Dan’s practical wisdom, you’ll learn why panic and worry never move you forward, why flexibility is your greatest asset, and how every job you survive (including the ones that push you to your limits) adds another building block to your future. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your current role or reeling from a recent setback, Dan’s perspective on starting over, building from scratch, and turning setbacks into strengths will give you real strategies you can use today. If you’re wondering how to navigate career uncertainty, keep perspective during the hardest times, and turn your experience—good or bad—into your next opportunity, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E284
August 14 · 8 min
Surrendered Authority - Chapter 1 Friday Focus
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Unstuck Career Podcast. In this episode, Ken Williams explores a question most of us have never truly considered: who is really making the decisions about your career and your life? We assume that we’re in control, but as Ken Williams points out, too often we delegate that authority to our jobs, our bosses, societal expectations, or even an unwashed bathroom. Through relatable stories and introspective exercises, Ken Williams challenges you to reclaim your direction, take ownership of your decisions, and break free from invisible expectations. Tune in as we uncover the subtle shifts that can help you build the life you truly want, starting with one powerful question: who's holding the pen to your story? If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck
S2 · E282
August 7 · 6 min
Surrendered Authority Audio - Intro - Why this book? - Ep. 282
Send us Fan Mail Every decision adds a new line to your life story, but who’s really holding the pen? In this episode, I lay bare the real reasons so many of us stay stuck in our careers and lives. We dig past the surface—fear of failure, fear of the unknown, imposter syndrome—and reveal the hidden force that keeps us spinning in place: authority. I share eye-opening stories, including the moment I realized my boss’s opinion could paralyze me in ways my own kids’ couldn't, and why it matters who you allow to define your potential. You'll hear why blaming fear or self-doubt for your inaction might just be a distraction from the bigger issue. Together, we’ll break down how giving away authority over your choices—usually to bosses, expectations, or even your own comfort—silently sabotages your progress. I’ll show you how recapturing that authority can change the trajectory of your career and your life. If you’re craving practical steps to break free from stagnation and finally choose your own path, this episode is your invitation to reclaim your pen and start writing the story you want. Want to connect? Head over to unstuckcareer.com. If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck

Showing 1–20 of 38 episodes