Episode 150 · August 20, 2024
Welcome to Season 8
11 min
Welcome to Season 8
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In this episode
Welcome to Season 8! In this kickoff episode I'm flying solo to set the tone for the season ahead, and I'll admit I'm so excited about it. I took a break this summer to upgrade my recording equipment (so if I sound a little different, I hope I sound better!) and to see my own kids off to college. Now I'm back, kicking off a new semester at Tulsa Community College where I've taught for over twenty-two years, and lining up some really insightful guests thanks to all the names you've sent my way.
I also get a little raw and share my own story — how I started out as an accounting major at Oklahoma State, went to work as an external auditor in Dallas, and honestly dreaded going to work every single day. Getting laid off, as hard as it was, forced me to reevaluate and eventually led me to work I loved: connecting people with jobs, recruiting students, earning my MBA, and finding my way into teaching. That dread is a big part of why this podcast exists.
So I'll leave you with the question I want you carrying into this season: what would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail? It probably won't be easy — anything worthwhile rarely is — but when you align with your strengths, values, and interests, work becomes so much more than punching a clock. Next Tuesday I'm back with Ashley Campbell, and I'd love to see you in person at Conversations with Passion and Purpose. Let's connect, learn and grow together.
Key takeaways
- You spend an enormous amount of your life at work — whether you're building a business or going to one — so it's worth doing something you genuinely enjoy.
- Don't ignore the signs of dread. Nancy openly told everyone how much she disliked her auditing job, and being laid off became the push to reevaluate and regroup.
- A degree or early career path doesn't have to box you in — Nancy's accounting background opened doors to staffing, recruiting, and teaching over the years.
- Do the best job you can while you have it, and don't underestimate the power of networking and LinkedIn for opening the next door.
- Ask yourself the big question: what would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail? Then consider whether it's possible to step toward it.
- Purpose comes from aligning with your strengths, values, interests, and what you're good at — your God-given gifts and talents.
- Showing up in person matters — community and conversation are part of how we connect, learn and grow.
Chapters
- 00:00Welcome to the podcast
- 00:45Kicking off Season 8 and a new TCC semester
- 01:30A summer of upgraded recording equipment
- 02:30Networking, LinkedIn, and doing your best at work
- 03:15Nancy's story: accounting, auditing, and dread
- 05:00Getting laid off and finding a new path
- 06:30Finding work that feels like a difference
- 07:30What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail?
- 08:45Conversations with Passion and Purpose returns
- 10:00Upcoming dates and how to connect
“What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail?”
“There's so much more to life when you enjoy what you're doing.”
“Anything worthwhile is rarely easy.”
“You're aligning yourself with what you're meant to do and who you're meant to be by stepping into your strengths, values, interests — all of that.”
Resources mentioned
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