Sam Richards never planned to become a sociology professor whose lectures would be viewed hundreds of millions of times. Starting as a working-class kid from Toledo who skipped school to read in libraries, his path has been defined by curiosity rather than calculation.

In this fascinating conversation, Richards reveals how a moment of clarity at age 20 led him to abandon his rock band, quit his job, and pursue knowledge full-time—despite having no academic foundation. What makes his story particularly valuable is his perspective on fear and failure. Having marketable skills as a house painter gave him the freedom to take intellectual risks without worrying about conventional success. "If I failed at this, I'd go back to painting houses and be a house painter for my life. That's fine," he explains.

Richards shares profound insights about teaching, learning, and measuring impact. Rather than trying to impart specific knowledge to students, he creates spaces for exploration where there are no right answers. His approach—walking into his very first college class and admitting "I don't know what cybernetics is either, but we'll figure it out"—demonstrates the power of authentic curiosity. Even more surprising is his perspective on success: he'd rather profoundly impact one person's life than accumulate millions of meaningless views.

Perhaps most inspiring for those feeling trapped by artificial timelines is that Richards' greatest impact came after age 50, when he embraced his entrepreneurial spirit. He suggests that his later-in-life success was a blessing: "If that would have happened to me in my 20s, it would have destroyed my life." Ready to rethink your approach to career planning? Listen now and discover why sometimes the perfect path is the one you couldn't possibly have planned.

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What if your biggest failure became the foundation for your life's purpose? Dr. Angela Pham's journey from academic struggle to mental health occupational therapist reveals the transformative power of resilience and self-discovery.

As a first-generation college student from a low-income single-parent household, Dr. Pham entered USC with high expectations but soon faced a devastating setback. "I decided to drop out of my bio class with a W," she shares, recalling how this first academic failure became a pivotal turning point. Rather than giving up, she began exploring occupational therapy courses that taught her coping strategies and lifestyle modifications. "I figured out how my mind works, ways to make myself thrive... that inspired me to pursue the career that I chose."

Today, Dr. Pham runs her own telehealth practice specializing in mental health occupational therapy—an area pursued by only about 3% of OTs in the United States. She works with clients experiencing ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and burnout, using a neuro-affirming approach that addresses executive functioning, motivation, habit formation, and stress management. Her methodology breaks overwhelming tasks into manageable steps through environmental cues and personalized strategies.

The conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone struggling with daily functioning. Dr. Pham explains that occupational therapy targets any activity people need or want to do but find challenging—from cleaning rooms to managing work-life balance. "The hardest part is starting," she notes, sharing techniques like creating visual reminders and treating personal growth as an experiment. Her innovative approaches, such as having a young client pretend to be a vlogger while organizing, demonstrate how creativity can transform mundane tasks into engaging experiences.

Whether you're facing your own challenges or supporting someone through theirs, Dr. Pham's story reminds us that resilience isn't just about bouncing back—it's about using our struggles to create meaningful impact for others. Listen now to discover how small, intentional changes can lead to profound transformation.

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What happens when you trust your gut and step off the expected career path? For Pam Haering, that decision transformed her life and eventually led to her most meaningful work.

Growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Pam was among the "lucky ones" whose parents prioritized education, setting her on a path to Dartmouth College. Initially pursuing pre-law studies based on others' expectations, she felt something crucial was missing during a prestigious law firm internship. "There was a whole side of myself that I didn't feel like I was opening up," she recalls. This pivotal realization led her to trust her instincts and pivot to advertising, where her strategic mind and creative spirit could both thrive.

At DDB Needham, Pam discovered her passion for brand marketing, working with clients like General Mills and Maybelline. Her career accelerated when Time Warner Turner recruited her to pioneer global integrated marketing during cable TV's explosive growth. Later, at Viacom, she built groundbreaking marketing initiatives that revolutionized how media companies worked with advertisers. Throughout these transitions, Pam cultivated relationships with innovative mentors who shaped her approach to leadership.

Motherhood presented another inflection point when her premature twins required her full attention. After stepping back from corporate life, Pam gradually found her way to educational consulting, working with schools serving first-generation students. These experiences ultimately led her to found Ed Access Lab, a nonprofit strengthening organizations that provide educational opportunities to underserved communities.

Pam's story reveals profound wisdom about career development: trust your instincts, intentionally seek mentors, and follow what genuinely lights you up. "Do what you love," she advises. "Stay true to what motivates you, who you are, and the opportunities will come." Most importantly, she demonstrates it's never too late to create something meaningful that brings together all your accumulated skills and passions.

Are you following a career path that truly engages all aspects of who you are? Listen now for inspiration to make your next move with confidence and purpose.

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My "Tetherball" Path

How do you navigate career decisions when you can't predict the future? For Nathan Hillson, Department Head of Biodesign at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the answer lies in what he calls "career tetherball" – a journey tethered by your context but bouncing in different directions through experiences and mentorship.

Nathan's journey began with cockroach experiments and high school supercomputing challenges in Albuquerque, where his exposure to possible careers was initially limited by his environment. With parents in medical fields, becoming a radiologist seemed like the logical path. Yet through college coursework, he discovered that physics – not biology or electrical engineering – sparked his genuine interest and played to his strengths. Rather than forcing himself to continue on a predetermined path, he listened to this internal feedback and pivoted.

What makes Nathan's story particularly valuable is his insight into how we make decisions under uncertainty. When choosing his graduate lab at Harvard, he prioritized culture and environment over perfect research alignment – a decision that profoundly shaped his scientific development. Later, when weighing a stable national lab position against being the first employee at a biotech startup, his life circumstances influenced his risk tolerance, demonstrating how our "tetherball" is constantly influenced by practical realities.

The most actionable wisdom from Nathan's experience may be his approach to mentorship. He advocates for having multiple mentors at different career stages: senior leaders who provide big-picture vision and peers just a few years ahead who offer practical navigation advice. The ideal mentor should see your potential more clearly than you can yourself while remaining unbiased about your decisions.

Ready to apply these insights to your own career journey? Start by examining whether your current position offers the three essentials Nathan identifies: working with people you enjoy, continuously learning, and making a positive impact. Remember that your adaptability might be your greatest professional asset, allowing you to find fulfillment across multiple potential paths rather than just one.

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When Dr. Kenneth Kwon applied to Columbia Medical School, he never expected his college DJ experience would become the connection that helped him secure admission. This unexpected twist exemplifies his entire career—a journey of calculated risks and pivots within a traditionally conservative field.

For over two decades, Dr. Kwon has been at the forefront of emergency pediatric medicine, serving as Chief of Staff at Children's Hospital of Orange County. His path took remarkable turns: completing an economics degree before medicine, transferring from UCLA to Stanford during residency to be near his future wife, and pursuing a second full residency in emergency medicine after finishing pediatrics.

What makes emergency medicine unique? Dr. Kwon describes it as "controlled chaos" requiring thick skin, decisive action, and exceptional multitasking. Emergency physicians must constantly prioritize the most life-threatening conditions while managing 10-20 patients simultaneously. This high-pressure environment isn't for everyone, but for those with the right temperament, it offers tremendous fulfillment.

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted frontline healthcare workers. Dr. Kwon shares a powerful memory of receiving limited PPE supplies in March 2020—a somber moment when physicians realized they were "running into the burning building while everyone else was running out." This period accelerated burnout among medical professionals, including himself, leading to reduced clinical hours and earlier retirement considerations.

Perhaps his most valuable insight is about maintaining identity beyond medicine. "Don't identify only as a doctor," he advises. By compartmentalizing work and nurturing family relationships and outside interests throughout his career, he approaches retirement without the identity crisis many professionals face. This wisdom applies across all professions—your work should be part of your life, not its entirety.

Ready to shape your own career path? Remember Dr. Kwon's advice: research thoroughly, trust your instincts, and commit fully to well-considered decisions. What unique experiences might become your unexpected career differentiator? Share your thoughts and follow us for more inspiring professional journeys.

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What happens when life takes unexpected turns? Deborah Kwon’s remarkable career journey proves that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the least linear ones. 

Deborah takes us through her professional evolution from structural engineering studies at MIT to leadership roles at Deloitte, Disney Imagineering, Universal Studios, and A&E Networks. Her candid reflections reveal how each transition taught her valuable lessons about adaptability, communication, and the power of relationships in career development.

The conversation explores fascinating behind-the-scenes insights from her work developing major theme park attractions (including Tower of Terror!) and master-planning Universal Studios Singapore from bare ground. Deborah shares how at just 26, she found herself with extraordinary responsibility that shaped her professional confidence and approach to leadership.

Beyond career achievements, we delve into the personal side of professional choices. Deborah offers refreshingly honest perspectives on balancing ambitious career goals with family life, including strategic decisions to maintain flexibility while raising children. Her approach challenges conventional work narratives, showing how careful prioritization can allow for both professional fulfillment and family engagement.

For those feeling uncertain about their next career move, Deborah's story offers reassurance through its winding nature. She emphasizes the value of mentorship, highlights how networking (or "making friends" as she prefers to call it) opened unexpected doors, and explains why being able to anticipate questions makes you invaluable in any professional setting.

Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, struggling to balance competing priorities, or simply curious about different professional paths, this episode provides both practical wisdom and encouraging perspective from someone who's navigated it all with remarkable grace.

Subscribe now to hear more stories from professionals who've found their unique path through today's complex career landscape!

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What happens when you approach life with no boundaries? When you see the entire world as your playground and every experience as an opportunity to learn? Rawan's extraordinary journey provides a masterclass in creating a life and career defined by passion rather than convention.

From her earliest years surrounded by artist parents who responded to her creative impulses with "Why not?" to her global education spanning continents, Rawan cultivated a truly cosmopolitan outlook that's guided her varied and impactful career. Her path cuts across traditional sectors—from advising Korea's National Assembly to working with the UN Security Council, from financial institutions to founding her own publishing company meaningfully named "Illuminating Every Path."

The wisdom Rawan shares comes from concrete experience, not theory. When feeling uncertain about your direction, she suggests it might be because there is no established path—and that's your opportunity to create one. "Live your life like a buffet," she advises, sampling widely before committing deeply. This approach has special relevance in our rapidly changing world where careers span longer than ever before.

What sets Rawan apart isn't just her impressive resume, but her perspective on success. She distinguishes between authentic connections and merely transactional networking. She values knowledge not as an end but as fuel for creativity and impact. Most importantly, she emphasizes that loving what you do—from the smallest tasks to the grandest visions—is essential for sustained fulfillment.

Whether you're just starting your professional journey or considering a significant pivot, this conversation offers both practical guidance and profound inspiration. Listen now to discover how embracing a cosmopolitan mindset might illuminate your own perfect path forward.

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Check out Kurt's podcast on how to find your unlocking skills to become an entrepreneur: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLby7E682NE-On_xZt7XqGlJpi8PiJAfCt

My "Strength-Finding" Path

Ever wondered how some people navigate from corporate careers to becoming successful entrepreneurs and investors? Kurt Wilkin's journey offers a masterclass in finding your path through uncertainty and challenge.

Kurt didn't become an entrepreneur because of passion or a brilliant idea – he did it because he needed to feed his family after the dot-com bubble burst. With a new baby at home and bills to pay, he started a consulting firm out of necessity. This decision would eventually lead him to build and sell a multi-million dollar company, co-found Hire Better, and become managing partner at Bee Cave Capital, where he's invested in over 200 startups.

What separates Kurt's approach from typical business advice is his philosophy on personal strengths. Rather than trying to become well-rounded by improving weaknesses, Kurt advocates doubling down on what you're naturally good at: "Focus on your strengths and be really good at what you're good at... there's people that can do things that you suck at better, cheaper, quicker." This realization transformed his leadership style and became the foundation for his book "Who's Your Mike?", which explores the common challenge of loyal employees who get promoted beyond their capabilities as companies grow.

Throughout our conversation, Kurt shares candid insights from both his successes and failures. He reveals why he always invests in people over ideas, what he's learned from board dynamics as both CEO and board member, and why entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. As he puts it, "For every success story you see, there's probably 10 to 20 years of blood, sweat and tears that went into that." His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Be comfortable being uncomfortable, be willing to do whatever it takes, and remember that things typically work out – just not always how you expect.

Looking for honest guidance about entrepreneurship and leadership from someone who's been in the trenches? This conversation with Kurt Wilkin delivers precisely that. Check out his podcast "Unlocking Moves" for more insights from his extensive experience.

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Check out our Video Podcast!

https://youtu.be/hNUAJe7e86Y

My "Adventurous" Path

What do cleaning toilets, turning down investment banking, founding a stationery company, and becoming mayor have in common? For Velveth Schmitz, they're all stepping stones on her adventurous career path.

Growing up as the child of a single mother who escaped domestic violence, Velveth developed problem-solving skills and responsibility at an early age. These early challenges became the foundation for her extraordinary career journey. "What happens with children who have interesting circumstances is that you learn to think about a chessboard, not just the present moment," she explains. This ability to anticipate several moves ahead has served her throughout her professional life.

One of Velveth's most defining moments came during her senior year at Berkeley when she walked out of a final-round investment banking interview after realizing the lifestyle wouldn't align with her values. This bold decision—virtually unheard of in banking recruitment—led her to a management training program that better matched her desire to explore different areas. From there, her path took unexpected turns through financial services, entrepreneurship with her stationery company The Hen and The Bird, venture capital at Invent Ventures, and ultimately to her current role as CEO of Hire Better.

Alongside her corporate career, Velveth pursued public service, progressing from volunteer committee member to mayor of Rolling Hills Estates. Throughout these diverse experiences, she's maintained a people-centered leadership philosophy: "I've always seen being a CEO as the person who's the most serving and bringing everyone together." This perspective, combined with her willingness to learn new skills and embrace challenges, has enabled her to thrive across vastly different sectors.

Ready to create your own adventurous career path? Listen now to discover how trusting your gut, embracing diverse experiences, and leading with an abundance mindset can help you build a meaningful professional journey—one thoughtful yes at a time.

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🎙 Welcome to Season 2 of My Perfect Path!
Hi, I’m Daniel Koo, your host. 

In this special kickoff episode, I’m sharing the why behind the show—how my own journey through career decisions, from computer science to considering an MBA, sparked the idea to learn from others who’ve walked inspiring, unexpected, and purposeful paths.

💡 Season 2 is packed with amazing guests, including:
✅ CEO of HireBetter and its founder
✅ A published author and publishing company owner
✅ Former Disney Imagineer turned Business Consultant
✅ Emergency Medicine Doctor and Chief of Staff
✅ Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
✅ A Global Marketing Executive turned entrepreneur
... just to name a few!

Whether you’re at a crossroads or just curious about the diverse paths people take, this season is full of insights you won’t want to miss.

✨ My Perfect Path is also leveling up this season:
🎧 Sam Choi, our editor, brings his magic from Berklee’s sound engineering program
📈 Janey Park, our marketing lead, is helping our message reach even more people

🔔 Hit subscribe and follow along as we grow together!

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