The Strat Show

018 - The Hell of Hazardous Work: Our Craziest Jobs and Why We Quit


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Today, we get into the worst jobs they’ve ever worked—from grueling stints in the military and law enforcement to rock scaling and forest firefighting. They dig into the mental and physical toll of high-stress roles, exposing the emotional weight of private investigation, the raw dangers of chasing traffickers, and the often-overlooked risks of rail and forest work.


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Takeaways

-Military experience and its challenges.

-Private investigation often involves tedious and stressful work.

-Law enforcement can be emotionally taxing and dangerous.

-The impact of human trafficking is profound and disturbing.

-Forest fire fighting is physically demanding and risky.

-Railroad work presents unique challenges and safety concerns.

-Rock scaling and blasting require intense focus and training.

-Job identity can be a struggle after leaving high-stress roles.

-Finding purpose beyond work is essential for mental health.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Worst Jobs

02:17 Military and Government Work Experiences

05:02 Private Investigative Work Insights

07:43 Law Enforcement Challenges

10:29 Understanding Police Stress and Public Perception

12:48 Near-Death Experiences in Law Enforcement

14:51 Human Trafficking Investigations

16:46 Transitioning to Marketing Careers

19:40 Forest Firefighting Experiences

22:41 Aging Workforce in Physical Jobs

25:24 Job Assignments and Work Locations

27:21 Pensions and Benefits in Heavy Labor

28:20 Life After Retirement from the Railway

29:26 Identity and Purpose in Work

30:29 Dangerous Jobs and Their Risks

31:07 Rock Scaling and Blasting Experiences

32:20 Training and Safety Protocols

33:08 The Importance of Safety in High-Risk Jobs

34:04 Complacency and Its Consequences

35:03 Wrapping Up: Reflections on Work and Life


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The Strat ShowBy Lee Payton and Sean Lyons