In this episode of the Career Flipper podcast, Jenny Dempsey chats with Brian Feretic about his journey from being a neuroscientist to becoming a resin artist and entrepreneur. Brian opens up about how he dealt with layoffs, found his passion for plants, and even started a social marketplace for plant lovers. He talks about the ups and downs of switching careers, the importance of taking a step back to reflect, and how he rediscovered his love for art. This episode is all about the power of following your passions and seeing career changes as chances to grow and find personal happiness.

Episode Takeaways

• A layoff can be the plot twist that leads you to your true passions.
• Community and connection are game-changers when navigating a career pivot.
• Lean into the unknown—creativity and self-reflection can unlock your next chapter.

Connect with Brian

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byunbaej/

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

In this April 2025 "cocoon episode" of the Career Flipper podcast, host Jenny, gets real about her own story of jumping back into the corporate world after being laid off. She chats about how she juggles her day job with her creative side gigs and why giving yourself a second chance is so important. Jenny shares those little moments of joy she finds in her weekend projects and opens up about why she decided to add ads to the podcast to help with expenses. Her story is all about change, bouncing back, and figuring out how to handle career twists and turns. Jenny's here to remind us all to embrace our own paths and the magic of fresh starts.

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

Tonya Cassidy has been a middle school teacher near Piedmont, North Carolina, for her whole career — and she loves her students. But on the side? She’s been running Appaloosa Artisans, her furniture restoration business, creating seriously gorgeous pieces for her clients. And now, with retirement on the horizon, Tonya’s getting ready to take her furniture business full-time — which is kind of wild considering how unexpected this whole path was. But if you’ve seen her work on Instagram, you’d swear this was always the plan.

👉 What you'll get from this episode:

• How Tonya went from teaching to furniture flipping (and why that first orbital sander moment was life-changing).
• What it’s like being a woman in a male-dominated industry — and how Tonya navigates it with confidence.
• Why setting phone boundaries and building genuine connections with clients and fellow flippers is at the heart of her success.

Tonya was actually one of the first flippers I followed after getting laid off, and honestly, she gave me so much hope when I was trying to figure out my next step. I think you’re going to love this one. Hit play and let’s dive in! ❤️

Connect with Tonya

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appaloosa___artisans/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appaloosaartisans/

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

In this episode of The Career Flipper podcast, host Jenny Dempsey sits down with Alex Ferro of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He opens up about his career shift from corporate banking to real estate — and the personal journey that led him there. After his dad passed, Alex started questioning what success really meant to him. He realized that climbing the corporate ladder wasn’t cutting it anymore — he wanted more freedom, more purpose, and a better balance in life.

Alex shares how he navigated the leap into real estate, balancing gut instincts with smart, calculated decisions. He talks about the systems he put in place to stay grounded and how he learned to redefine success beyond just making money. This episode dives into the ups and downs of career transitions — the moments of doubt, the unexpected wins, and the resilience it takes to keep going.

If you’ve ever thought about leaving behind a “stable” job to chase something more meaningful, this one’s for you. Alex’s story is a reminder that success isn’t always about the paycheck — it’s about building a life that feels right.

Episode Takeaways

• Switching careers can be a real emotional rollercoaster.
• We've all been there, stuck in a job that just doesn't light us up.
• Going through personal loss can really shake up how we view our careers and what success means to us.
• It's crucial to learn from both the wins and the slip-ups along the way.
• Having a solid plan and system in place can really help you get that work-life balance we all crave.
• It's all about finding that sweet spot between being spontaneous and making smart choices when it comes to investing.
• Success isn't just about the money; it's also about feeling fulfilled and happy with what you do.
• Having the freedom to make lifestyle choices can make a huge difference in how satisfied you feel with your career.
• Don't be afraid to take risks and shake things up if it means following your passions.
• Sharing personal stories can really inspire others to make bold career moves and chase their dreams.

Connect with Alex

• Ferro Home Buyers: https://www.ferrohomebuyers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ferrohomebuyers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ferrohomebuyers/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferrohomebuyers/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEs1Tsbo3gcC_HdvLkmUxIQ

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

In this episode of the Career Flipper podcast, host Jenny Dempsey chats with Hannah Slack, from Sheffield, England. She is a freelance writer who made the leap from academia to marketing. Hannah, who holds a PhD in history, opens up about her journey of stepping away from academia because of mental health challenges and finding her groove in freelance writing. She talks about the early hurdles of freelancing, why patience is key, and how crucial it is to have a support network. The episode dives into themes of self-discovery, tackling self-doubt, and putting mental health first, offering some great insights for anyone thinking about switching up their career path.

Connect with Hannah

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-slack-phd/
• Freelance writing & portfolio: https://topdogwords.co.uk/

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

Today on The Career Flipper, host Jenny Dempsey is chatting with Michael Mattson, whose career journey is a perfect example of how small, intentional shifts can lead to massive transformations. Michael started out as a mail carrier, delivering letters door to door—and yes, getting to pet all the dogs along the way! But beyond the friendly pups, he saw firsthand the importance of both customer and employee experience, which set him on a path of discovery and career growth.

With a high-empathy mindset, Michael made small leaps that took him from the frontlines of the postal service into a corporate customer experience role, and eventually across the country to become the Manager of Customer Experience for a global organization. He now also serves on advisory boards for multiple CX organizations, helping shape the future of the field.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The power of mentorship and why you shouldn’t be afraid to lean on your network
• Why employee experience matters just as much as customer experience
• The importance of finding the right workplace culture for long-term happiness
• How small, calculated risks can open unexpected doors
• The delicate balance between career ambitions and personal passions—and why Michael chose to keep photography as a creative outlet rather than a job
• How embracing vulnerability at work can strengthen professional relationships

Michael’s story is a reminder that career changes don’t have to happen all at once—sometimes, it’s the little shifts that add up to something big.

Connect with Michael

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcmattson/ 

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

In this episode, host Jenny Dempsey is sitting down with Carol Pearson from Bay City, Michigan—founder of 10 Little Rules, an independent publishing house. Carol’s career journey has taken plenty of twists and turns. She started in corporate PR and marketing, moved into freelancing, and eventually built her own publishing business. But this conversation isn’t just about career changes—it’s about life changes, too. Carol opens up about navigating divorce, losing both of her parents, and how those experiences reshaped her perspective on gratitude, resilience, and finding meaningful work.

We dive into the emotional side of career transitions—because let’s be real, they’re never just about work. Carol shares how storytelling became a tool for self-discovery, why aligning your career with your values matters, and how to take small, intentional steps toward the life you actually want.

Episode Takeaways

• Career transitions are emotional and deeply personal.
• Storytelling can be a powerful tool for growth and reflection.
• Gratitude and resilience help us navigate life’s toughest moments.
• Aligning your work with your values makes all the difference.
• Big life changes—like divorce and loss—can completely shift your perspective.
• Taking small, actionable steps is the key to pursuing your dreams.
• Acknowledging privilege and fostering empathy can shape career decisions.
• Staying open to unexpected opportunities can lead to amazing things.

If you’ve ever found yourself at a crossroads, wondering what’s next, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it!

Connect with Carol

• Purchase books from the 10 Little Rules collection: https://10littlerules.com/

Use discount code “FLIPME” for 25% off your purchase

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolpearson/
• Instagram: https://www.pinterest.com/10littlerules/

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

In this episode of the Career Flipper podcast, our host Jenny Dempsey gets real about her journey back to full-time work after being laid off for two years. She opens up about the tough times she faced while applying for over 400 jobs and how each rejection hit hard, making her question her identity, which was so tied to her career. Jenny also talks about her adventures in flipping furniture and podcasting, highlighting how important it is to have the mental space to chase your passions. She sees her new job as a solid base that helps her keep dreaming big. Jenny's message to listeners? Embrace your unique career journey and lean on your community for support when you're going through changes.

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

In this episode of the Career Flipper podcast, Jenny Dempsey chats with Julie Hanell, who's originally from Switzerland, lived all over and has had quite the diverse career path. Julie's done it all—from modeling to running a coffee shop in South Africa, starting a tech company aimed at empowering women, and working in talent acquisition. Nowadays, she's the head of growth at a global company and also co-hosts the She Hustles podcast, which is all about supporting female entrepreneurs. In this episode, they dive into how Julie has navigated her various career changes, how she makes big decisions, deals with imposter syndrome, and why she believes community and connection are key to growing both personally and professionally.

Episode Takeaways

• Julie’s diverse career journey from modeling to entrepreneurship and talent acquisition.
• The significance of community and connection in personal and professional growth.
• The role of technology in maintaining relationships and facilitating communication.
• Decision-making processes and the impact of fear of regret on career choices.
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and building self-confidence in professional settings.
• The challenges of transitioning from entrepreneurship to corporate roles.
• The importance of support networks during career transitions.
• Balancing side hustles with full-time employment and managing time effectively.
• Insights on the entrepreneurial mindset and its application in corporate environments.
• The mission of the She Hustles podcast to empower and inspire female entrepreneurs.

Connect with Julie

Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliehanell/

Listen to She Hustles podcast: https://shehustles.my.canva.site/

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫

Changing careers isn’t just about updating your resume—it’s a big, emotional transition that can shake up your sense of identity, self-worth, and even how you move through the world. In this episode, career flipper host Jenny Dempsey sits down with Licensed Professional Counselor, Katie Asmus, founder and director of the Somatic Nature Therapy Institute headquartered in Boulder, CO, to dive into the rites of passage that come with career shifts, the power of listening to your inner voice, and why change can feel so complicated (but also so rewarding!).

We talk about the grieving process that comes with leaving a job, listening to your body, and why it’s so important to create space for reflection and self-discovery during big life transitions. If you’re in the middle of a career flip (or thinking about one), this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Takeaways

• Rites of passage are essential in navigating life changes.
• Work identity and self-worth are often deeply connected.
• Listening to your inner voice is crucial, but it’s not always easy.

Tune in for a real, honest conversation about the messy, meaningful journey of career change—and how to navigate it with more ease and self-trust.

Connect with Katie

• Somatic Nature Therapy Institute: https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somaticnaturetherapy/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/somatic-nature-therapy-institute/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtm6bTVlnu_hurA-WBwYvFw

Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!

If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

💌 Share it with a friend
⭐ Subscribe or follow wherever you listen
💬 Leave a quick review! It helps other career flippers find our little corner of the internet.

Let’s stay connected:

📲 Instagram: @thecareerflipperpod for all things podcast

💼 LinkedIn: The Career Flipper Podcast

🪑 And if you want to see my career flip furniture flips in real life, follow me at @sandiegofurnitureflipper

Submit your story:

Have a career flip story? Whether you’re in the messy middle or celebrating the other side, I’d love to hear it and maybe even feature you on the show. Submit your story here: thecareerflipper.com.

Want to support the show or work together?

Book me to speak about career change at your next event, collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates or got another idea? Drop me a note at [email protected]

Bonus: If you’re in customer experience or building your own business, check out my online courses. Before I started flipping my life and furniture, I led CX teams and created training that’s helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.

🎵 Music Credits

Season 1: Intro & outro music by Audionautix.com

Season 2: Original music by yours truly, Jenny Dempsey, recorded in my home studio

And hey, remember my favorite question: What’s the best that could happen? 💫