Episode 8: Rethinking Success and Meaning in Your 20s
In this full-circle conversation, I sit down with Stan Prehu—a Franco-Croatian third-culture kid I first met as a baby in France—who’s moved nearly 30 times and learned to build confidence and community wherever he lands. Stan walks us through the honest version of early adulthood: chasing a “glossy” consulting role in the UK, getting laid off during COVID, and using that forced pause as a reset to choose growth over grind. He relocates to Poland, plays rugby with coal miners, throws himself into humanitarian work when the war in Ukraine begins, and rebuilds a life from the inside out—eventually finding his lane in AI at Amazon.
We talk about how five-year plans can box you in, and the mindset that turns a brand-new city into home: show up where your interests live, act like a local, put your phone down, and keep returning until the room becomes yours. Stan gets real about comparison, self-doubt, and the moment he stopped living for external validation. We also touch on relationships: why checklists don’t make you “ready,” but self-respect does, and how finding the right partner quiets the noisy inner critic.
This is a story about choosing yourself without losing your humility, measuring compensation in learning, mobility, and alignment (not just salary), and paying it forward to thepeople who lifted you. If you’re stuck in a job that looks good but feels wrong, navigating a new city, or figuring out who you want to be in your 20s, this episode gives you a practical, humane playbook—rooted in courage, community, and heart.
00:00 Introduction to a Third Culture Kid's Journey
04:50 The Experience of a Third Culture Kid
08:08 Adapting Through Education and Travel
13:08 Navigating Career Paths and Expectations
19:48 The Impact of COVID on Career Decisions
27:40 Finding Personal Fulfillment and Growth
28:33 The Impact of COVID-19 on Career Choices
32:32 Finding Clarity Through New Experiences
36:50 Key Takeaways from Life's Challenges
39:15 Advice for Those Feeling Stuck
43:56 Navigating New Environments and Building Connections
46:35 Embracing Change and Personal Growth
49:22 Redefining Relationships and Expectations
52:40 Introduction to a Third Culture Kid's Journey
52:40 The Impact of COVID-19 on Career Choices
52:40 The Journey of Self-Discovery
52:40 Building Connections in New Environments
52:46 Understanding Masculinity and Support
56:27 Redefining Success and Career Goals
01:02:25 Mental Health and Support for Young Men
01:05:03 Introduction to Leadership and Action
01:05:04 Building a Community of Leaders
Key Takeaways
- Choose confidence over do-overs.
- Your path isn’t linear—and that’s a feature.
- A forced pause can be a gift.
- Build a life, not just a résumé.
- Hardship happens, and you owe yourself the happiness you deserve.
- Humility changes the story.
- Relationships start with you.
- Community is legacy.
Who This Is For
- Young adults navigating early-career choices, uncertainty, or a pivot
- Third-culture kids/expats learning to belong everywhere (and not lose themselves)
- Recent grads & job seekers who need practical, human advice after a layoff or “wrong fit” role
- Young men (and those who love them) looking for healthier models of confidence, connection, and support
- Parents, mentors, and coaches who want language and tools to walk with young adults—without steering for them
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