Normal 40: The Podcast

#66 The Layoff: How Google Exit Sparked Personal Transformation — With Nicholas Whitaker


Listen Later

What if success didn’t satisfy you the way it was supposed to?

Lon sits down with Nicholas Whitaker, former Googler, entrepreneur, and founder of the Conscious Lead Collective. 

Nicholas shares his journey from punk anarchist to Google executive and the unraveling that began in a hotel room in Japan. At the peak of a global career, Nicholas found himself crumbling under the weight of performance, loneliness, and anxiety, living a version of success that felt more like survival. 

They talk about burnout, reinvention, and the quiet, powerful decision to build community over competition. This is for anyone who feels called to build something more intentional and honest and is brave enough to start.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
  • How Nicholas went from punk rock to the boardrooms of Google and why he walked away.
  • The secret cost of “success” and why chasing status eventually leads to burnout.
  • Building the "Conscious Lead Collective" and what it means to lead with awareness.
  • Why collaboration beats competition every time.
  • The power of healing through community, storytelling, and shared purpose.


KEY TAKEAWAYS:
  • Reinvention doesn’t start with a résumé. It starts with curiosity.
  • Real leadership is rooted in compassion, not control.
  • You don’t need to “burn it all down,” but you do need to build something that aligns.
  • Your past doesn't define you. If anything, it prepares you.
  • Sometimes the next chapter starts with a layoff and ends with legacy.


What’s Next? 
Whether you’re chasing clarity, community, or calling, this episode is your permission to get started. Follow the movement on Substack if you haven't already. Lon shares his best work over here.

Links & Resources:
  • Follow Lon on Substack: https://normal40.substack.com/ 
  • Book a Free Ramble with Lon: normal40.com (Click “Talk to Lon”)
  • Grab Lon’s book—The Trade: Amazon
  • Get the 14 Questions That Changed My Life: normal40.com
  • Follow Lon on LinkedIn: @LonStroschein

🔗 Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein 
Connect with Nicholas here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaswhitaker/



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Normal 40: The PodcastBy Lon Stroschein

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

71 ratings


More shows like Normal 40: The Podcast

View all
The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience

226,206 Listeners

The EntreLeadership Podcast by Ramsey Network

The EntreLeadership Podcast

4,349 Listeners

The Stacking Benjamins Show by StackingBenjamins.com | Cumulus Podcast Network

The Stacking Benjamins Show

1,980 Listeners

VINCE by Cumulus Podcast Network | VINCE

VINCE

63,409 Listeners

Jocko Podcast by Jocko DEFCOR Network

Jocko Podcast

30,719 Listeners

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe by The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

40,864 Listeners

Founders by David Senra

Founders

1,906 Listeners

The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

34,097 Listeners

Shawn Ryan Show by Shawn Ryan

Shawn Ryan Show

42,482 Listeners

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

9,189 Listeners

The Megyn Kelly Show by SiriusXM

The Megyn Kelly Show

38,676 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

28,304 Listeners

Acquiring Minds by Will Smith

Acquiring Minds

249 Listeners

Morning Wire by The Daily Wire

Morning Wire

26,527 Listeners

BigDeal by Codie Sanchez

BigDeal

739 Listeners