Jon and Tom reflect on the evolving journey of professional identity, exploring how curiosity, creativity, and adaptability shape the next big move. Jon unpacks his own process of figuring out where he fits within a corporate merger and a changing industry, focusing on how to apply cutting-edge knowledge—like quantum computing or AI—through a lens of product engineering and creative systems thinking.

They explore the tension between research, engineering, and operations as value-creation modes, using vivid analogies like hiking through a mountain range of opportunity and navigating trade-offs between discovery and delivery. The episode also tackles the challenge of communicating intangible value, packaging innovation into something marketable, and how storytelling shapes impact in careers and consulting.

This episode is a deep dive for anyone reflecting on connecting their strengths, curiosity, and experience into meaningful work that drives both personal fulfillment and professional contribution.