After multiple layoffs and a health scare, Fernando Labastida completely reinvented himself — turning his tech sales, content-marketing skills and AI curiosity into a thriving business.
In this episode of Redefining Retirement, Corey Koehler and Fernando break down how to pivot after a layoff, find your zone of genius, and build a career that actually fits midlife.
See how to connect with Fernando and design your own category: https://startupstrikes.substack.com
Check out out theClick AI community that Fernando and Corey are part of that we mentioned: https://community.jointheclick.ai/a/2148180570/8gzvRUpi (affiliate link)
Subscribe to Corey's newsletter, get the free Gen eXit Playbook and redefine retirement with us: https://redefiningretirement.io/subscribe
We dig into:
00:00:00 Introduction to Reinvention
00:02:46 The Impact of Layoffs and Personal Growth
00:05:42 Career Journey: From Sales to Marketing
00:09:32 The Rise of Content Marketing
00:12:24 Building in Public: The Power of Blogging
00:15:08 Navigating Employment and Entrepreneurship 00:18:30 The Importance of Networking and Community 00:21:23 Lessons Learned from Career Transitions
00:27:33 The Value of Side Projects
00:29:52 Embracing Creativity and Opportunity
00:33:05 The Rise of Older Entrepreneurs
00:35:56 Navigating Career Transitions
00:39:57 The Power of Writing and Self-Publishing
00:52:18 Launching a New Category through Books 00:53:13 Navigating Health Challenges and Career Transitions
00:55:12 The Journey of a Fractional CMO
00:58:29 Innovating Through Virtual Summits
01:03:49 Lessons from the AI Smart Summit
01:11:20 Embracing Boldness and Category Design
#genxpodcast #careertransition #laidoff #comebackstory
Eve Enslow spent decades climbing the corporate ladder at Microsoft before burnout forced her to rethink success. In this episode, she shares how moving across the country and redefining “wealth” led to a more meaningful life after 50 as an Executive Branding Coach.
Connect with Eve: https://www.enslowgroup.com/
Read Eve's book "INSPIRE!: Go Big Without a Corner Office": https://amzn.to/3J1lPyL ($)
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we might have mentioned? Get the full resource list, Corey's Newsletter and Gen eXit Playbook here: https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts Subscribe to
Corey's newsletter, get the free Gen eXit Playbook and redefine retirement with us: https://redefiningretirement.io/subscribe
We dig into:
00:00 Introduction
02:51 Eve's Early Career Journey
05:57 Transitioning to Technology and Microsoft
09:04 The Impact of the Internet on Career Opportunities 11:46 Recognizing the Need for Change
14:58 Moving from Seattle to Maine
17:51 Finding Work-Life Balance
20:58 The Shift from Employee to Entrepreneur
23:53 Defining Wealth and Impact
27:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
27:51 Redefining Wealth and Wellbeing
30:09 The Journey of Learning and Growth
32:42 Finding Balance in Life and Work
35:20 The Leap of Faith in Career Changes
39:06 Redefining Retirement and Lifelong Learning
43:00 Exploring New Opportunities and Flexibility
46:40 Taking Action to Build Confidence
49:52 Finding Your Unique Path and Purpose
#genxpodcast #midlifereinvention #careertransition
What happens when the career you thought you’d love forever suddenly feels like a trap?
In this episode, I talk with Curt Sassak a former award-winning chef who hit the wall after 20 years in his “dream job.” Burnout, identity loss, and the Sunday Scaries forced him to reinvent himself — and today, he’s a career and personal development coach helping professionals do the same.
Connect with Curt and sign up for his upcoming workshop on landing your next 6-figure career in 90 days:
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we might have mentioned?
Get the full resource list, Corey's Newsletter and Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Subscribe to Corey's newsletter, get the free Gen eXit Playbook and redefine retirement with us:
https://redefiningretirement.io/subscribe
We dig into:
00:00 Introduction and Early Life
02:04 Career Journey and Inflection Point
06:28 Recognizing the Need for Change
11:13 Transitioning from Chef to Coach
16:33 Coaching Philosophy and Client Experiences
21:35 Finding Fulfillment in Career Changes
33:37 The Value of Experience and Perspective
35:00 Side Hustles and Career Resilience
36:29 Building Your Brand and Networking
38:23 Self-Promotion and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
45:14 Navigating Career Changes and Inflection Points
50:42 Clarity and Action in Career Transitions
In this episode, Executive Career Coach Dr. Eboni Truss discusses her journey of midlife transition and the importance of self-discovery and authenticity.
She emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from releasing societal expectations and embracing one's true purpose.
The conversation explores the courage needed to change careers, the significance of asking questions, and the difference between passion and purpose.
Dr. Truss shares practical steps for listeners to identify their own paths.
OH AND... if you dig this episode and podcast, do us a huge favor by liking, rating and subscribing now. THANK YOU!
Resources:
Get Dr. Truss' 3-Step Guide for high-achievers "When Success Isn't Enough:
https://gift.yourunbecoming.com/podcast
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we might have mentioned? Get the full resource list, Corey's Newsletter and Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Subscribe to Corey's newsletter, get the free Gen eXit Playbook and redefine retirement with us:
Retirement isn’t about quitting — it’s about reinventing. In this episode, Corey & Mike break down the Five Pillars of Redefining Retirement so Gen Xer's can build a life (and income) they never want to retire from.
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned?
Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Work with Mike Buccialia directly to get unstuck:
Subscribe to Corey's Redefining Retirement newsletter and redefine it with us:
https://redefiningretirement.io/subscribe
In this episode, Corey and Mike explore why creativity is the most valuable skill for Gen Xers in the AI era.
As well as...
Authenticity and Unique Perspective
Innovation vs. Imitation
Future-Proofing Careers through Creativity
Embracing Human Connection in a Digital World
AI as a Creative Force Multiplier
The Balance of Productivity and Stress
AND a crap ton more
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned?
Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Work with Mike Buccialia directly to get unstuck:
Check out Corey’s Redefining Retirement Weekly Email Mixtape and Gen eXit Playbook:
What if your 20 past jobs were actually the roadmap to your best chapter yet? In this episode, I talk with Mark Wigginton, a career transition coach who's lived the reinvention journey himself — 20+ jobs, 4 life chapters, and now a mission to help midlife professionals turn experience into clarity, purpose, and momentum. He also discusses the crisis of loneliness in older adults and the importance of proactive mental and physical health for men.
Connect with Mark: https://focusingonresults.com/
Check out Corey’s Redefining Retirement Weekly Email Mixtape and Gen eXit Playbook:
https://redefiningretirement.io/subscribe
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned?
Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Can you really start a new career in your 50s — after decades in corporate and years of family caregiving? Absolutely. In this episode of Gen X Unplugged, Corey sits down with Elizabeth Howell — a former CNN and Emily Post Institute executive turned LinkedIn ghostwriter.
Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/euh24/
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned?
Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Check out Corey’s Redefining Retirement Weekly Email Mixtape and Gen eXit Playbook:
Most Gen Xers are preparing for a retirement that doesn’t exist. We’re living longer, working harder, and stuck between aging parents and adult kids—while our 401ks, savings, and careers haven’t kept up.
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned?
Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Work with Mike Buccialia directly to get unstuck:
Check out Corey’s Redefining Retirement Weekly Email Mixtape and Gen eXit Playbook:
Thinking about a career change at 50? You’re not alone — and you’re not crazy. In this episode of Redefining Retirement we get real about what it actually takes to reinvent yourself in midlife. We talk about the highs, the lows, and the energy tax no one warns you about. Whether you're leaving a cubicle, freelancing, or trying to turn decades of experience into your own thing, this episode is for you.
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned?
Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Work with Mike Buccialia directly to get unstuck:
Check out Corey’s Redefining Retirement Weekly Email Mixtape:
In this hour-long convo, Corey Koehler (Redefining Retirement) and Mike Buccialia (MindWorx) break down the stigma Gen Xers carry around sales, marketing, and self-promotion and how it’s holding a lot of people back from building the life and income they actually want.
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned?
Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here:
https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Work with Mike Buccialia directly to get unstuck:
Check out Corey’s Redefining Retirement Weekly Email Mixtape:
Should we even want to retire anymore? In this hour plus long chat, Corey Koehler (Redefining Retirement) and Mike Buccialia (MindWorx) talk through what work, purpose, and income really mean after 40 and how AI, burnout, and career change are forcing all of us to rethink the plan.
Want the books, tools, and AI prompts we mentioned? Get the full resource list + my Gen eXit Playbook here: https://redefiningretirement.io/p/gen-x-unplugged-podcast-resources-books-tools-prompts
Work with Mike Buccialia directly to get unstuck: https://www.mymindworx.com/
Check out Corey's Refining Retirement Weekly Email Mixtape: https://redefiningretirement.io/subscribe