In this episode of Life Between Titles, host Savan Kong sits down with Phil Reiman, former Department of Defense attorney and lifelong builder of systems, teams, and ideas.

Phil shares his journey from architecture to law, revealing how a deep curiosity about how things work led him to one of the most complex institutions in the world—the DoD. Together they unpack what it means to balance innovation with ethics, the role of lawyers in shaping national policy, and why empathy and communication are as critical to leadership as technical skill.

💬 In this conversation:

• How lawyers drive innovation and safeguard ethics inside the DoD

• Why empathy is the cornerstone of effective lawyering and leadership

• The connection between architecture, systems thinking, and legal frameworks

• Lessons from military service on teamwork and resilience

• How cultural exposure builds trust and broadens perspective

• Why integrity is non-negotiable in leadership

🕰️ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Phil’s Journey

03:38 The Role of Lawyers in the DoD

06:03 Identity and Life Changes

08:42 Innovation and Connections

11:16 Career Choices and Fear of Poverty

14:03 From Architecture to Law

19:24 Military Experience and Policy Work

26:05 Navigating Legal Complexities in Defense

31:21 Empathy and Understanding Clients

35:46 Cultural Exposure and Global Lessons

42:30 Team Dynamics and Collaboration

45:23 Innovation Culture in the DoD

50:24 Maintaining Integrity and the Moral High Ground

51:56 Looking Ahead — Horizons and Values

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeBetweenTitles

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1olZo0VDvHh9w0F2D2vEir

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-between-titles/id1844748787

💼 Follow Savan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savankong/

What happens when achievement no longer feels like alignment?

In this episode of Life Between Titles, host Savan Kong sits down with Dr. Sarah Johnson, who went from designing marketing campaigns at a fast-growing Seattle startup that went from startup to IPO—to walking away and pursuing a completely new path in occupational therapy. Sarah opens up about leaving a high-performing role, navigating uncertainty, and learning to trust her own intuition through the process.

They explore clarity, purpose, and the courage to start again. Sarah shares how reflection, community, and self-awareness helped her define success on her own terms and create a more intentional life.

Sarah shares practical tools for self-discovery that helped her redefine her career path:

• Dependable Strengths Worksheet: Download here
• Life Values Inventory: Take the free quiz
• Values Checklist by Russ Harris: Worksheet link
• ACT Companion App: Learn more

Whether you are feeling stuck, burned out, or uncertain about what comes next, Sarah’s story proves that reinvention is possible at any age, and that courage often begins when comfort ends.


▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeBetweenTitles

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1olZo0VDvHh9w0F2D2vEir

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-between-titles/id1844748787

💼 Follow Savan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savankong/

What happens when the mission ends, but life keeps going?

In this episode of Life Between Titles, host Savan Kong sits down with First Sergeant (Ret.) Wesley Averkamp, a U.S. Army veteran who served multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wes opens up about his journey from small-town Iowa to the front lines of war — and how he learned to rebuild his identity after retirement.

They discuss everything from leadership and resilience to family, faith, and financial literacy. Wes shares lessons from 22 years of service, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and how he ultimately found peace in the basics — sleep, food, family, and joy.

Whether you are a veteran, a leader, or someone navigating your own life transition, this conversation will remind you that purpose isn’t lost after a title ends — it just changes shape.

🎧 In this episode:

00:00 Wilderness adventures and reflections

05:50 Growing up in Iowa

11:52 Enlisting after September 11

20:37 Family, discipline, and baseball dreams

30:57 Financial literacy and mentorship in the Army

42:04 Lessons from deployments and leadership

55:06 Resilience and decision-making in combat

01:02:01 Transitioning to civilian life

01:10:22 Finding peace in family and simplicity

👉 Subscribe for more conversations about transition, purpose, and rediscovery: Life Between Titles

👉 Listen on Spotify: Spotify

👉 Follow Savan on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/savankong

In this episode of Life Between Titles, host Savan Kong sits down with Howie Cohen for an honest, insightful conversation about leadership, unemployment, and what it means to find purpose in the in-between. Howie shares lessons from a career built on empathy, strategy, and connection. Together, they explore how relationships shape success, why leadership is about serving others, and how unemployment can be reframed as self-ownership. They also dive into the evolving job market, the rise of AI, and the importance of creating a personal life plan that aligns with your values. Whether you are navigating a job search, redefining your next chapter, or simply reflecting on what truly matters, this conversation offers wisdom, warmth, and practical guidance.

Key Takeaways:

• Relationships are key to career success
• Leadership is about serving others
• Unemployment can be reframed as self-ownership
• Creating a life plan can guide career decisions
• AI is reshaping the job market
• Communication skills are essential
• Involving family fosters resilience and support
• Finding peace matters more than happiness
• Continuous learning keeps you relevant
• Helping others drives growth and meaning

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeBetweenTitles

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1olZo0VDvHh9w0F2D2vEir

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-between-titles/id1844748787

💼 Follow Savan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savankong/

What happens when the title that once defined you disappears?

In the first episode of Life Between Titles, host Savan Kong reflects on what it means to exist in the space after one chapter ends and before the next one begins. It’s the silence that follows a busy career, the stillness after the introductions stop including your job, and the quiet question that rises in its place: Who am I without that title?

Drawing from his own experience navigating a career transition after years leading teams across technology and government, Savan explores how waiting can feel both disorienting and deeply revealing. He shares the lessons found in stillness, the discomfort of invisibility, and the unexpected creativity that surfaces when life slows down.

This episode is about identity, patience, and rediscovering your own worth—not through what you do, but through who you are becoming.

If you’re between titles, between jobs, or between versions of yourself, this story is for you. Because in the waiting, there’s meaning. And in that meaning, there’s possibility.

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeBetweenTitles

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1olZo0VDvHh9w0F2D2vEir

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-between-titles/id1844748787

💼 Follow Savan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savankong/