As world-travelling guitar tech — Kazakhstan, India, Chile — for top bands like Nelly Furtado, Jason Prack said his career is ‘always interesting.’

CareerCycles wonders, for 2010: On a scale of 1 to 10, how interested are you in your own career? How to move up the scale by half a point? What’s one interesting thing you can add to your career this year? What’s one uninteresting thing you can delete?

Let Go of What Life Should Be

November 27, 2009 Click to Listen or download

Stephen Schettini left a predictable life in England to travel the world. He became a Tibetan monk for eight years, then came back to Montreal and wrote The Novice: Why I became a monk, why I left and what I learned. We had a fascinating conversation about luck and control and happiness and discipline. About his own story, Stephen said:

W needed some pretty powerful discipline…. Buddhism was really up my alley… It really satisfied me on many levels. The first time I saw a western, Tibetan monk I thought, oh my god, it’s possible the Tibetans will actually let me do it. I realized this is the discipline I need. I quit the drugs, I quit smoking, I quit drinking, I quit women… It really wasn’t hard… When I leave the monastery and come back to the real world. That was the hard part.

About one’s own expectations: Let go of what life should be.

About security and comfort: Comfort has made me feel a little uncomfortable… Of course, [security and permanence] is a myth. What’s the one thing that’s going happen to us?… We’re all going to die.

About making career and life choices: I make all my important decisions when I’m on the verge of catastrophe.

About how to quit a job — as a monk: I renounced my vows.

About living in the real world: It is a perfect screen for our projections.

Stephen was joined by his wife and business partner Caroline Courey, and both co-founded Quiet Mind (QM) Seminars, with Caroline as its associate director. About her career, Caroline said:

Motherhood is my first career.

CareerCycles asks: How do you feel when you consider Stephen’s statement,  “let go of what life should be”? Close your eyes and repeat that statement three times. Now, what’s one thing that you want to change in your life

“Yentl” meets “The Full Monty”!

November 13, 2009 Click to Listen

Where’s the entrepreneurial spirit for today’s youth?

October 30, 2009 Click to Listen

Christine Lu, Director of Communications for Impact Entrepreneurship Group impact.org has a co-op position she loves called “social media marketing analyst,” a job that wouldn’t have even existed a few years ago. Christine admires Rebecca MacDonald.     Aditya Shah, an Impact alumnus and co-founded of startup software company called EightyTwenty Group (www.eightytwentygroup.com) said being young is a great time to take an entrepreneurial risk. Plus, during a recession, the expectations aren’t daunting. He admires Steve Jobs.    Yue Liu is a member of the Communications team for the  Impact Entrepreneurship and participated in Impact’s microcredit initiative. She and her team generated over 400% ROI in a week, based on an initial investment of $100. She too admires Steve Jobs.Our youth careers correspondent, Herky Cutler, joined us and shared the top three things youth want from employers: respect, trust, money, in that order.

CareerCycles asks: If 35 groups of high school students with a ‘microcredit loan’ of 100 bucks each could turn $3500 into $15,000 in one week, what else is possible? If you pulled together 10,000 bucks not to spend but to invest so that you’d have more money by the end of the year, what would you do? Now you’re thinking like an entrepreneur.

‘Serious Games’ and Serendipity

October 23, 2009 Click to Listen or download

When Andrea Bielecki was a science undergrad at U of Guelph, she thought she was preparing for a career in medicine. What she was really doing, however, was paving the way for the twists and turns that led her to a career she loves in healthcare communications. Founder of InViVo Communications and Spongelab Interactive, Andrea leads teams in developing innovative interactive educational tools in the Serious Games/Games for Health industry.

Dr. Jeremy Friedberg loves teaching complex concepts. Realizing that play is a great way to teach, Jeremy began developing immersive learning experiences for his university students. Serendipity led to a meeting with Andrea Bielecki of InViVo. They teamed up to found Spongelab, designer of educational games including award-winning Genomics Digital Lab biology games.

Naivete as a Career Strategy

October 9th 2009 Click to Listen

Ruba Nadda (Cairo Time) said how important naivete was in developing her career as a film director. Being naïve, Ruba said, allowed her to proceed without getting stuck behind obstacles that often block other, less naïve young directors. “Be like a boxer, get back up, and believe in what you do.”

As a kid Daniel Iron liked to make things. As an adult, he produces movies. That’s an example, he said, of being aware of and using your strengths. When opportunities appeared in his career, he seized them. That, and using your strengths and working with others to handle your weak areas, is what he’s learned about making satisfying career and life choices.

CareerCycles asks: What activities or interests are you curious about, yet quite naïve about too? Like Ruba Nadda, what might you gain by trying out that activity (cycling to work? Scuba diving?) or exploring that interest (e.g. workshop on living off the grid), with your naivete intact?

Career Buzz digs into archaeology, and shamanic healing.

September 25, 2009 Click to Listen

Martin Cooper is Partner and Senior Archaeologist at Archaeological Services, and he’s Vice President, Lands and Traditional Use, at Pele Mountain Resources. Dial in Martin’s kaleidoscopic career story, including accomplished wilderness guide and student of traditional travel, having journeyed by canoe and snowshoe throughout much of northern Ontario . Reisa Prock had no idea she was going to be a shamanic healer. She studied French, taught meditation, sold business equipment and houses before her healing career picked her.

CareerBuzz goes to Career Fairs with Video Resumes

September 11, 2009 Click to Listen

Rita Persaud from www.nappcanada.com about Career Fairs. Should you go? And Kelvin Edmonson of www.jobbeam.com where candidates submit video resumes. Should you?

CareerBuzz gets ROI: Return on Imagination

August 21, 2009 Click to Listen

Not every company has it’s own historian. Rogers does. And Ian Anthony is IT. He created his corporate historian position from scratch building on a long relationship with Edward rogers whom Ian met when they were both in residence at the U of Western Ont. We heard all about the twists and turns in Ian’ s career before he landed the corporate historian gig.

Peter Widdis is a marketing innovation practitioner who connects insights into ideas that “build for the better”. He’s Senior Consultant at Boston, based Stratovation Inc. as well as Professor at George Brown College here in Toronto. Peter’s 15 years of marketing and advertising experience spans positions at Marc Anthony Cosmetics, Campbell Soup Company, Cadbury Adams, CIM and Satchii and Satchii, GREY Advertising. Peter introduced the Cadbury Mr. Big Vince Carter promotion. We heard about Peter’s client side/agency side/education side career.

CareerBuzz looks at life after pro sports

July 24, 2009 Click to Listen

Orlondo Steinauer completed 12 seasons in the Canadian Football & National Football Leagues, (1996-2008), and was a 3-time CFL All-Canadian and a 2-time Grey Cup Champion. What happens when an athlete like Orlondo ‘retires’ from pro sports? He transfers his skills to the role of ‘Corporate Athlete’ / Entrepreneur, Community Leader and Mentor. Tune in to hear Orlondo’s career journey, and his new ventures including the formation of his own non-profit foundation, the ‘O ZONE’ for single mothers and disadvantaged children to enhance lives, illuminate spirits, and remove self-imposed barriers.

Joe Jackman merged his personal experience as an athlete with his sales and marketing strengths and brands himself as a corporate athlete. Joe founded the “Life after hockey” program used the NHL Players Association, and is partner in RemBrand Lifestyle, helping financial planners evolve to life planners. Plus, Joe has worked as Orlondo’s coach. Tune in for the whole story.

Sidestep Typical Negative Reactions to Bad News

July 10, 2009 Click to Listen

Congratulations to listener Darlene Dzura who won the song composed just for her by guest, Herky Cutler. Herky put a new spin on bad news. He said receiving bad news was “the best thing that even happened.” He’d been selling commercial real estate when a prospective buyer told he was a terrible salesman. Rather than getting defensive, Herky got curious. The man told him he was too nice and wanted to help too much. The man took Herky to a social service agency where Herky found a workplace he’d fit in. The bad news was a catalyst to a career Herky loves, helping people.

CareerCycles encourages you to sidestep typical negative reactions to bad news in your career and life, and instead probe it. What door does it open? What’s possible outside of the area of your bad news?

CareerBuzz Bakes and Shakes!

June 26, 2009 Click to Listen

When Bill MacNeil was growing up in rural Nova Scotia, every flat surface had a mound of dough on it. His love of baking led him finally, at age 45, to a baking job he loves at 24 Carrots Bakery in Halifax. The long road to career happiness—“I’m damn close to being the happiest person in the world”—took Bill from a job on the railway, to a drug addiction, to addiction counsellor roles and more. Knead your dial to 89.5 FM and breathe in the delicious aroma of an inspiring career story.

Marc Belaiche’s career path followed a respectable if traditional trajectory: B.Comm., reputable accounting firm, CA, reputable insurance company. Things started to shift when he took jobs in recruiting. Tired of his existing roles and entering his 40s, Marc asked, what now? He learned about some I.T. guys who had a website company and were looking for someone to take it to the next level. That’s when Marc become an internet entrepreneur and since 2005 has been making TorontoJobs.ca an employment success story. Call-in for giveaway of tix to their Career Day on July 22.

Career Buzz goes to Nicaragua, Part 2

June 12, 2009 Click to Listen

· What’s life like when your career and life choices are constrained because you live in the city dump? Yamileth will tell you. Yamileth Perez, Director of the Artisan Program of Esperanza en Accion, speaks poignantly about having lived alongside hundreds of others in the Managua dump, La Chureca
· What’s life like when your circumstances demand you start working at age 10? David, the miller, will tell you. David Lopez, a 28 year old miller, started his career 18 years ago at age 10.
· What’s life like when you dedicate it to saying ‘never again,’ after your neighbour’s baby dies of starvation due to poverty? Angela will tell you. Dona Angela, leads Palacio Esmeralda, a feeding program for 150 kids in Managua, in a space smaller than your kitchen.
· What’s life like when professionals like you earn $275-$550 per month? Forget about national unemployment rate in single digits, what’s it like to live in a country where 80% of the working population is unemployed or underemployed? Dalena will tell you. Dalena Taylor Pondler is 25 year old coordinator with Casa Canadiense, and logistics director of Compañeros

PLUS, Crystal Campbell, a certified professional coach, joins us off the top to tell listeners about The International Coach Federation-GTA Coaches “Coaching Conversations for Power and Possibility” to help combat the recession and support United Way Toronto.

People talk about career as a journey, but what models do we have for that journey? And what can we learn from the timeless myths and metaphors from human history that can help us navigate the complex world of work we find ourselves in these days?

Brave Work. A Hero’s Journey

May 22, 2009 Click to Listen

People talk about career as a journey, but what models do we have for that journey? And what can we learn from the timeless myths and metaphors from human history that can help us navigate the complex world of work we find ourselves in these days?

Michelle Tocher has a unique understanding of the archetypal journey and the healing power of storytelling, metaphor and myth. She is author of five books, and co-author of Brave Work: The Hero’s Journey at Work. Tune in to hear how Michelle’s work illustrates how every person can invoke the mythic imagination as a source of hope and wellness.

Charismatic, talented, warm, humourous. This is how Andy Frank was described when he was Senior Producer and Host of CIUT’s daily current-affairs show, Take5. Andy came to radio after experiences in the restaurant business eventually owning his own restaurant. But his commitment to radio took its toll, leading him to a Storytelling Journey workshop led by Michelle, today’s other guest. Hear how Andy found his way, empowered his career, and redeployed his passion for broadcasting and music into a new venture called Frankcasting.

Not For Sale

May 8, 2009 Click to Listen

Are you for sale? I mean in your job search if you’re conducting one now, of if you have conducted one in the past, were you “selling yourself”? You know, where you’re the product, employers are the market, and you talk about your features and benefits? How does it feel to use that metaphor?

Cathy Keates has coached students, new grads and job seekers of all ages. Presently working at Queen’s University, formerly Cathy was the Associate Director of the Career Centre at York University. Cathy writes and presents about transforming job search. Her latest book is NOT FOR SALE, Why we need a new job search mindset. Tune in and find out what an integrity mindset is all about.

Anju Sohal had a great career in marketing, communications and sales for 15 years, back in Vancouver. Then, she decided to move to Toronto and landed right at the beginning of the recession. So it’s been a long search. Described as an “ambitious go-getter with a fearless attitude,” how does Anju stay positive while waiting for the results of her intentional exploration efforts to materialize?

Career Buzz goes to Nicaragua, 6 inspiring stories plus CIDA’s Head of Aid live from Managua

April 24, 2009 Click to Listen

Last month, I (and my digital recorder) traveled to Nicaragua on an ‘enriching lives and careers’ experience. I came back with six inspiring interviews for Career Buzz listeners.

1. Yamileth Perez, Director of the Artisan Program of Esperanza en Accion, who speaks poignantly about having lived alongside hundreds of others in the Managua dump, La Chureca
2. Emily Hewes, formerly of Maine, now based in Managua who’s passionate about social justice and her work as Executive Director of fair trade organization, Esperanza en Accion
3. David Lopez, a 28 year old miller, who started his career 18 years ago at age 10
4. Dona Angela, leader of Palacio Esmeralda, a feeding program for 150 kids in Managua, in a space smaller than your kitchen
5. Dalena Taylor Pondler, 25 year old coordinator with Casa Canadiense, and logistics director of Compañeros
6. Special guest, live from Managua, Kerry Max, Head of Aid for the Canadian International Development Agency in Nicaragua, and 3rd-time new father having just adopted a Nicaraguan daughter.

¡Por favor, escuche y estar inspirado! (=please tune in, and be inspired!)

April 10, 2009 Click to Listen

Stuart Knight is an entrepreneur like no other. After graduating with a business degree in1996, he immediately started the company KnightFlight Productions. Since that time, Stuart has written, produced and starred in the motivational extravaganza A Whole New Perspective and then launched his follow-up show entitled I DECIDE which has played to sold out crowds for the past three and a half years. Stuart is workshop leader for The Art of Powerful Conversation, recording artist of slam poems and songs, and co-host Guy Talk on CFRB.

Award-winning film-maker started as journalist. Writer began as lawyer.

March 27th 2009 Click to Listen or download

Karen Shopsowitz always wanted to make films, though first went into journalism because she loved the Mary Tyler Moore show. Years later, she changed careers, and now is an award winning film-maker whose work has been shown nationally and internationally. She was Series Producer/Director and an Editor on Canada’s War in Colour, and director/editor/writer on My Father’s Camera, a National Film Board of Canada documentary about the historical and cultural context of home movies. Tune in as we spotlight Karen’s career story.

Randi Chapnik Myers left her law career behind when she enrolled in a memoir class at Harvard University. That led to a career change as a freelance writer for publications including Today’s Parent and The Globe and Mail. She writes web content, helps clients write books, and wrote an essay for a book called Between Interruptions: 30 Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood. Randi is mother to three kids, ages 12, 10 and 6. During her spare time, she teaches mothers of all ages how to write their personal stories as part of The Momoir Project.

Learning from mistakes. Other people’s opinions.

March 13, 2009 Click to Listen

Jeff Bagg, President of The Bagg Group, said “I learned more from my mistakes than from what went right.”

CareerCycles asks: What do you consider a “mistake” in your career? Ask yourself: specifically, what’s one thing I didn’t like about the so-called mistake, e.g. didn’t like the lack of control. Then ask yourself: what do I now know I really want in my career? E.g. more control over clients I work with? Is it a mistake if you learned an important desire?

Lynn Sadlowski, Educational Sales Consultant at careercruising.com, said that a comment from a high school teacher about Lynn not being “university material” contributed to her not attending university. Until she was 36, when she earned a BA, BEd, and is now working on a master’s degree.

CareerCycles asks: What limitations are you choosing, based on other people’s opinions of your capabilities?

Step into the Spotlight, and collaborative divorce

February 27, 2009 Click to Listen

After ten years as a Dean’s List litigation lawyer, Tsufit left law for the limelight, performing comedy on television and gaining international attention for her debut music CD. Tsufit now coaches entrepreneurs, CEOs, professionals, authors and speakers to be stars on the business stage. Tune in as we Step into the Spotlight with Tsufit.

After an undergrad in psychology, Wendy McDonnell was going to do a B.Ed. but needed a break. She landed a job as education director at an after-school centre, almost bought a franchise, had kids instead, got active in La Leche League and loved it. Drawing on this and her own experience growing up with violence and abuse, Wendy moved her career into conflict resolution. Tune in to hear Wendy’s journey toward her career as a Certified Family Communications Coach working in collaborative divorce.

Follow-Through

February 13, 2009 Click to Listen

As a fast-tracked young executive at pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, Lisa Mattam had it all. She had an MBA, a respected job, a nice company car. But she began wondering whether what she was doing aligned with who she was. After re-evaluation, Lisa reinvented herself and began a consulting firm, The Mattam Group, drawing on her strengths in leadership development.

Gene Hayden grew up criss-crossing Europe. She went to 23 schools in 12 countries. Her mother kept on the move in search of the ‘perfect scenario’ that would allow her to bring her latest idea to life. She never found it… But Gene found her cause. After careers first as a journalist and editor, then in public relations, Gene re-invented herself as a business coach, speaker and author of the book, The Follow-Through Factor. Tune in Friday to hear Gene’s career-defining story and call in for a book giveaway!

Top career of 2009. Spearheading turnarounds.

January 30, 2009 Click to Listen

Paul Eisen is lucky enough to have found a career where he can pursue his lifelong passion for making complex things make sense. He’s a user-experience architect, chosen by US News as one of the top 30 careers of 2009. Dial us in for an inspiring top 30 listener-experience.

Dick Peters is a senior level executive with a 25 year track record of success in Canadian management and leadership positions. His career story has multiple chapters spearheading organizational turnarounds. How do you become a change agent and catalyst to enable organizations to succeed despite market conditions? Find out, tune in, be inspired.

Doing what you REALLY want

January 23, 2009 Click to Listen

In 2005 Leslie Bridger’s life changed forever after a bicycle accident in which she received a traumatic brain injury. For days, doctors were uncertain whether she would live or die. What they didn’t know was the work Leslie  does and how it would affect her healing. As a Wellness Innovator, after the accident Leslie had to live what she teaches about health and wellness. Tune in to hear how Leslie arrived at this career from years in business and marketing, how she recovered and thrived, and all secret twists and turns along the way.

Wouldn’t it be great to be intentional about what you really want? Linda Hochstetler wanted to return to her love of travel, create space for a long meditation retreat, spend time with family, and get away from all her responsibilities. So she planned a sabbatical from her position as Clinical Manager at Family Services EAP. With her sabbatical just a couple weeks away, we’ll check in with Linda about this desirable career turn.

Making the World A Better Place

January 9, 2009 Click to Listen or download

What’s it like to work toward making the world a better place in some of the highest conflict zones in the world? Dr. Annette  Ittig (PhD, University of Oxford) is an evaluation and livelihoods specialist working in emergency response and international development. She has undertaken missions in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, with the UN, CIDA, World Bank, and more. Tune in to Career Buzz to tour through Annette’s career story.

What’s it like to work toward making the world a better place one home at a time? Toby Yull’s sweet spot is the place where interior design and living consciously collide. As owner of an interior design firm, Toby has helped hundreds of clients design their dream homes from the ground up. Since 1990, Toby’s been a regular columnist with The Hamilton Spectator where she shares her thoughts on design and life. Dial up Career Buzz for Toby’s career design.