The Midpoint Review

Some paths follow straight lines, others zig zag. This is an episode about zig zags.

In this conversation, AJ speaks with Sumi Shanmuganathan, entrepreneur, politico and communications guru about her journey through various career transitions. They talk about the role community plays in overcoming imposter syndrome and finding the courage to take unconventional paths, the importance of mentorship in following your intuition, and moving with intentionality when navigating life's challenges.

She reflects on her current midpoint in life, experiences of burnout, work-life balance, and looking critically at the role work plays in life - both the role it’s played in her past and the role she wants it to play in the future.

Sumi encourages all of us to embrace our individuality, to be true to ourselves and to not be afraid to follow your own path into the future.

This is the last podcast for Season 1 of The Midpoint Review. We’ll be back in the Fall with Season 2. Thanks for listening!

You can spend your whole life trying to figure out who you are - and just as long trying to understand why you are the way you are.

For Kate Julien, some of those answers became clearer in her late 30s. In this episode, AJ speaks with Kate about her journey of self-discovery as she approaches her 40th birthday, revealing her recent diagnoses of ADHD and autism.

She discusses the challenges and insights that come with understanding her neurodiversity, including sensory experiences, social dynamics, and the impact on her relationships. Kate emphasizes the importance of recognizing neurodiversity in parenting and society, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of disability.

She reflects on her strengths and aspirations for the future, encouraging open conversations about mental health and neurodiversity.

It’s a powerful conversation and a reminder that the millennial generation’s openness to mental health conversations is not just groundbreaking, but cycle breaking.

“I am where I am needed.”

It’s a powerful mantra that this week’s guest, Lina Khatib, has learned to embrace as she follows her own path in life and career.

Lina speaks with AJ about her journey as a “career triathlete”, navigating non-profit work, policy, private sector - and motherhood - and how she tries to integrate all of it. It’s more about seasons than balance.

We talk about the need for women in particular to embrace their unique journeys, set boundaries, and redefine their roles in the workforce. The discussion also touches on generational perspectives on work, the impact of maternity leave, and the significance of creativity and lifelong learning.

Sometimes you don’t know you’re entering midlife until a podcaster knocks on your door and invites you to be a guest on her show. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Jared.

In this episode I talk to Jared Walker, political advisor, advocate, activist and hip hop head, about this moment of life in this period of history and how he’s navigating it.

We touch on intergenerational relationships, the challenges of navigating adulthood, and the importance of community. And we talk a lot about how to be the elders the next generation needs - how to show up, provide mentorship, and give them grace to move through their stages of life while remembering our own journey’s and how challenging each stage can be.

And we lament and embrace the fact that time is a flat circle, mid-aught style is coming back hard, and there’s not much to do but ride the wave and get back into those wide leg jeans.

Author, speaker, financial advisor and all around lovely person Shannon Lee Simmons joins me on this episode to talk about her journey at the midpoint, how her relationship with money has changed from working with so many people and seeing so much over the years (spoiler: she spends it!) and her perspective on generational wealth - that is, how different generations view wealth and the process of getting it.

We talk about the financial trauma of the Great Recession and how that impacted our generation. How value isn’t just about money but also about time, and both need to be spent wisely. And she talks about how time heals all financial wounds - unless you find yourself in a ponzi scheme, like one of her clients.

Picking a favourite episode is like picking a favourite child, I love them all - but this one is in the top ten for sure.

Rodrigo Borges has done a lot in his life. He’s had more jobs, locations and adventures in a couple decades than most people have their whole lives. And it’s given him a perspective on the world that is worth hearing.

In our conversation, he shares his journey of personal growth, emphasizing the importance of saying yes to new experiences. He reflects on his move from Brazil to Canada, the challenges of cultural adjustment, and the joy found in everyday moments. Like a lot of people talk about finding joy in little things, but he really does. (Like watching packages arrive). It’s an inspiring reminder that you can find beauty in anything with the right perspective.

We talk about the value of community and the balance between adventure and stability. Rodrigo reminds us of the significance of interconnection between people and leaves me with a lot to think about. He’ll leave you with a lot to think about too.

Enjoy the show :)

Tom Goldsmith is a policy researcher, writer and one of the smartest people I know. He’s also a father of a toddler and feeling the weight of parenting during a time of crisis.

In this conversation, we explore the complexities of parenting in a chaotic world, the intersection of personal and political life, and the importance of community engagement. We go full wonk on this episode, getting into geopolitics, economics, history and everything in between. This one is for the social science kids out there.

We get heavy and serious in some places, and keep it fun and light in others. At the end of the day we end up where so many of these conversations do - at the recognition that we all have personal agency and this is a moment calling out for us to use it.

In this conversation, AJ Tibando speaks with Rachel Wasserman, a former lawyer and investment banker who pivoted her career to align with her values.

They discuss the importance of personal reflection, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the challenges of navigating corporate culture.

Rachel shares her journey of self-discovery, the significance of community, and the opportunities for change in today's society. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity and the courage to challenge the status quo while building a life that reflects one's true values.

If you're at a crossroads, feeling like your work and your purpose aren't aligned, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, AJ and Ali talk about how to stay true to yourself and your craft as you navigate a journey through startup world.

Ali shares some inside stories about his experiences coming up in tech, working at Blackberry in the early days (and what it was like to invent a game that got Barack Obama addicted), the importance of craftsmanship and taking money off the table to stay focused on building, and how he sees the world changing and the role of entrepreneurs in that change.

If you're at the midpoint of life reflecting on values, or at the beginning of a startup journey looking for guidance on how to build your life, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, AJ Tibando speaks with Rachel Wasserman, a former lawyer and investment banker who pivoted her career to align with her values.

They discuss the importance of personal reflection, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the challenges of navigating corporate culture.

Rachel shares her journey of self-discovery, the significance of community, and the opportunities for change in today's society. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity and the courage to challenge the status quo while building a life that reflects one's true values.

If you're at a crossroads, feeling like your work and your purpose aren't aligned, this episode is for you.