💡 What happens when decades of climbing the executive ladder reveal that the real detour was corporate life itself?

In this episode, Martin Featherston, former company president turned author, shares his journey from corporate leadership to creative reinvention. After leaving the presidency of a major company, Martin returned to one of his true passions: writing. Through satire, storytelling, and characters like Earl Grey, he explores identity, self-awareness, and the freedom of post-corporate transformation.

Martin opens up about why his corporate career was the unexpected detour, the difference between task-based and existential self-awareness, what it means to “play the game” when the game no longer serves you, and how humor and writing helped him process identity, purpose, and post-corporate life. Whether you’re navigating leadership, career reinvention, or creative pursuits, this episode is filled with wisdom and inspiration.

🔑 Topics Covered:

00:00 Introduction & Early Encounters

03:13 Journey from Corporate to Not Corporate

06:01 Transitioning to Leadership Roles

08:15 A Long “Left Turn” in Career

12:46 The Weight of Leadership

16:05 President vs. Vice President Roles

18:12 Lessons from Leadership: Common Sense

23:59 Crisis of Self-Awareness & Facades

28:17 Epiphany & Aftermath Leading to Leaving Corporate Life

35:48 Task-Based vs. Existential Self-Awareness

39:43 Playing the Game When It No Longer Serves You

46:56 Adjusting to Post-Corporate Life

52:07 Writing His First Book: *Nothing Sacred* & Second: *The Universe, Earl Grey, and a Duck*

59:12 Writing a Book as a Team Sport

01:03:10 Joy in Post-Corporate Life

01:05:02 Value of Authenticity & Connection

01:11:22 Closing & Call to Action

🎯 Connect with Martin Featherston:

Website: https://anywhen.ca/

Books: *Nothing Sacred*, *The Universe, Earl Grey, and a Duck*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martin.j.featherston/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.Anywhen

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