Dr. Danny Brassell is a globally recognized speaker, author, coach, and storytelling expert who has spent more than three decades helping individuals and organizations communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact. Often referred to as “Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.,” Danny blends high energy, humor, and practical wisdom to inspire audiences around the world. A former inner-city teacher, university professor, and distinguished visiting professor at The American University in Cairo, Danny has delivered more than 3,500 presentations across four continents and authored more than 20 books focused on leadership, literacy, motivation, and communication. Today, as co-founder of WellCrafted Story, he helps entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners craft stories and presentations that convert audiences into clients and inspire meaningful action.

Throughout his career, Danny has remained passionate about one central mission: helping people unlock the power of their own stories. From teaching bilingual students in South Central Los Angeles to coaching leaders and business owners on stages worldwide, Danny believes the right story told at the right time can transform lives, businesses, and communities.

Some of the powerful ideas Danny and I explored during our conversation included:

• What if becoming an expert starts with embracing being an amateur first? Danny discussed the importance of “the power of the pause” and why transitions become easier when you stop expecting yourself to have all the answers immediately. Protecting your confidence and identity during periods of change is critical to long-term success.
• How do you overcome imposter syndrome without overwhelming yourself? Danny emphasized starting with the “low-hanging fruit” — focusing first on smaller groups, familiar environments, and manageable opportunities before accelerating into larger projects and bigger stages.
• Why can’t you outsource your growth? As Danny said, “You can’t pay others to do your push-ups.” Success requires repetition, discipline, and putting in the reps yourself. There are no shortcuts to building confidence, competence, and credibility.
• What role do emotions and grief play during transition? Danny reminded us that all emotions experienced during major life or career changes are normal. Eventually, you arrive at a place of indifference — and often, that is where you can operate most effectively and make the clearest strategic decisions.
• Can you become a great leader without being a reader? Danny shared his belief that while not every avid reader becomes a great leader, it is difficult to think of a truly effective leader who is not a committed reader and continuous learner. Lifelong learning is not optional for sustained growth.
• Why is execution more valuable than education alone? One of Danny’s most impactful insights was: “Education is valuable, but execution is priceless. Knowledge is not power; only applied knowledge is power. Knowing the right thing to do and doing the right thing are two very different things.” The challenge for all of us is to move from learning into action.

As a special gift to listeners of the podcast, Dr. Danny Brassell is offering a free 30-minute phone call to help you create your own story and system that converts conversations into clients. Learn more at freestorymap.com.

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Few conversations leave you inspired to think differently about your career, leadership, and personal purpose. My discussion with Paul Comfort did exactly that. Through his own experiences and insights, Paul shared valuable lessons about discovering purpose, building meaningful relationships, and intentionally shaping a fulfilling career path.

Paul Comfort is a nationally recognized transportation executive, bestselling author, keynote speaker, educator, and thought leader in public mobility and leadership development. He is also the creator and host of the widely followed Transit Unplugged podcast and video series. His upcoming book, Find Your X Factor: Follow Your Personal Treasure Map to Purpose, reflects many of the themes we discussed — discovering the intersection between your passions, abilities, and purpose.

Throughout our discussion, several powerful ideas emerged:

• How much does your very first job shape the trajectory of your career — even if you ultimately end up somewhere completely different? Paul emphasized that while your starting point may not define your destination, it often establishes the habits, skills, and mindset that influence every opportunity that follows.

• What happens when your interests, passions, and natural abilities finally intersect? According to Paul, this intersection is the “sweet spot” of your best self — the place where purpose, fulfillment, and impact align. Finding that intersection is not just a career strategy; it is often the clearest path toward discovering your purpose in life.

• What if your current role does not fully align with both your passions and strengths? Paul encouraged the idea that even if you cannot immediately find the perfect combination, having at least one — either meaningful interests or strong abilities — present in your work can provide fulfillment and motivation while you continue building toward something greater.

• How do you actually discover who you are and what you want? Paul spoke about the importance of reflection: taking time to evaluate your experiences, recognize what you have consistently been good at, and identify the moments that energized you most. Once that intersection becomes clear, intentional action becomes the bridge between where you are and where you want to go.

• Why is follow-up one of the most overlooked keys to successful networking? As Paul explained, meaningful relationships are rarely built in a single meeting. The real value of “I met a man” moments comes from intentional follow-up, continued engagement, and the creation of authentic connections over time.

• And what if communication does not come naturally to you? Paul offered practical encouragement: communication is a skill that can be developed. Whether through programs like Dale Carnegie speaking courses or by intentionally studying effective communicators as role models, growth in communication and public speaking can dramatically improve leadership presence and confidence.

Our conversation was a reminder that successful careers are rarely accidental. They are built through reflection, intentionality, relationships, continuous learning, and the courage to align your work with who you truly are. Paul Comfort’s insights challenge us not simply to pursue careers, but to pursue purpose. For more information about Paul and his resources, go to https://findyourxfactor.ai/.

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Welcome to this week’s episode of "People in Transition". I’m your host, Bob Gerst, and today I’m joined by Gregg Lunceford, PhD, CFP®, a seasoned wealth advisor and thought leader who is redefining how we think about retirement. As a Managing Director at Mesirow and an academic researcher focused on 21st-century retirement transitions, Gregg brings a rare combination of real-world experience and deep intellectual insight to this conversation. With more than two decades of advising individuals approaching and entering retirement, his work goes far beyond finances - exploring identity, purpose, and what it truly means to thrive in life’s “third age.” Gregg is also the author of "Exit from Work", where he challenges conventional thinking and opens the door to a more intentional, fulfilling vision of retirement.

In this engaging and thought-provoking discussion, Gregg and I explore several important yet often overlooked aspects of retirement. We dig into why so many people struggle to feel excited about retirement - touching on the loss of structure, daily accomplishment, and social connection that work provides - and what can be done to address those challenges. Gregg introduces the idea of building a “coaching identity” and explains how it can provide continuity and purpose during this transition. We also discuss how retirement doesn’t have to be a binary, all-or-nothing decision; it can be a gradual shift, working fewer days over time. Along the way, we examine the untapped sense of empowerment that retirement can offer, the importance of replacing “kinship with friendship,” and how evolving life stages - from youth to middle age to the “third age” - shape our satisfaction and happiness.

This is a conversation that challenges assumptions and opens up new possibilities for anyone thinking about what comes next. Gregg offers practical insights and a refreshing perspective on how to approach retirement not as an ending, but as a beginning filled with opportunity. If you’re preparing for this transition - or even just starting to think about it - this episode will give you plenty to consider. To learn more about Gregg and his work, visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-lunceford-phd-cfp%C2%AE-3aa83a15/

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In this episode of “People in Transition”, we’re joined by Steve Turner, co-owner and principal of Solomon Turner PR, an award-winning agency he co-founded more than three decades ago. Steve is an accomplished public relations professional, author, and keynote speaker. Throughout his career, he has assisted organizations ranging from multinational corporations to nonprofit entities in enhancing their visibility, credibility and achieving measurable outcomes through strategic communication initiatives.

Steve is the author of PR That Works – Real Strategies. Real Campaigns. Real Results, where he shares practical insights drawn from his extensive experience leading high-impact campaigns. His work has been featured in major outlets including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press, and he’s widely recognized for his ability to translate complex messaging into compelling, results-driven narratives. In our conversation, Steve brings that same clarity and practicality to the topic of career transitions and personal branding.

During our discussion, Steve shared several key insights for professionals navigating change:

• Strong candidates “look the part” of the role they’re pursuing - in every form of communication.
• Your message - whether written, spoken, or visual - must consistently align with your target role and brand.
• The most important question to answer is: What problems can you solve for the employer?
• Effective networking and elevator pitches should spark curiosity and leave others wanting to hear more - storytelling is a powerful tool here.
• A common misstep in personal branding is failing to remove content or signals that may work against you.
• The best networkers operate as “go-givers,” focusing on helping others as a path to mutual success.
• Successful job seekers are intentional: they define their objective, understand their audience, tailor their message, and continuously measure and refine their approach.

These insights - and more - make this episode a practical guide for anyone looking to reposition themselves professionally or strengthen their personal brand during times of transition.

For more information on Steve, visit his LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveturnerpr/ or learn more at solomonturner.com.

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In this episode of “People in Transition”, we’re joined by Sue Maitland, an ICF-accredited life and career transitions coach with over 13 years of experience helping high-achieving professionals navigate midlife change and create more meaningful, fulfilling lives.

After a successful 20+ year career in IT consulting, Sue reached a point many can relate to - her life looked great on paper, but it no longer felt aligned. That realization sparked a bold career pivot, leading her to support others who feel stuck, uncertain, or ready for change but unsure where to begin. Today, she works one-on-one with clients, leads workshops, and runs a thriving global community designed to help people gain clarity, confidence, and direction in their next chapter.

In this conversation, we explore a topic that resonates with so many - how to navigate midlife transitions, overcome self-doubt, and build a life that actually feels as good as it looks.

Key topics we discussed:

• The signs of being “successful but stuck,” including dreading the start of the work week, feeling underutilized, and questioning what you’ll have to show for your efforts
• Why change is inherently difficult - our brains are wired for consistency, making career transitions especially challenging
• The importance of doing real-world research before pursuing a new path (including Sue’s example of the “romantic” idea of winemaking vs. the reality of it being farming)
• Understanding imposter syndrome, which affects over 70% of people, and how it shows up as a fear of being exposed as not good enough
• The concept of keeping a journal to track your wins, to reflect on and appreciate your accomplishments
• Practical advice for getting unstuck: pausing to reflect, identifying your core values, and aligning your work with both your strengths and your passions

…and much more around gaining clarity, building confidence, and taking meaningful steps forward.

Connect with Sue Maitland:

• Website: https://www.suemaitland.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suemaitland/
• Email: sue@suemaitland.com

If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a rating and review - it really helps others discover the show. And if you know someone who might benefit from this conversation, share it with them.

Your next chapter might be closer than you think . . .

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David Chami, Managing Partner of Consumer Justice Law Firm, joined us on “People in Transition” to shed light on an issue that quietly impacts millions of job seekers: background checks. With a legal career rooted in consumer protection and years of experience litigating under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, David has helped clients recover tens of millions of dollars from companies that reported inaccurate or misleading information. His work sits at the intersection of law, employment, and fairness—making him a powerful advocate for individuals navigating the hiring process.

Even before founding his current firm, David Chami built a reputation for holding large institutions accountable, including insurance companies and credit reporting agencies. Today, his focus is on ensuring that everyday people are not unfairly denied opportunities because of errors, outdated records, or systemic flaws in background screening and credit reports. His insights offer both a legal and human perspective on what can often feel like an opaque and unforgiving system.

In our conversation, we explored the realities of modern hiring, where background checks are used by nearly 95% of employers and are often handled by major background check companies. We talked about why employers generally cannot deny employment based solely on a charge without a conviction, and the many challenges within the system—such as dismissed charges that remain on records, mistaken identity issues (like data confusion caused by common names or hyphenated names), and inaccuracies caused by data vendors that don’t rely on Social Security numbers. David also shared a compelling case involving a client who successfully sued Uber over incorrect background information, resulting in a $680,000 verdict. We discussed who actually pays for legal representation (the answer may surprise you), the differences between expungement and record sealing—and why neither fully guarantees your past won’t resurface—and, most importantly, how the Fair Credit Reporting Act exists to protect employees and ensure their rights are upheld.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating today’s job market. Whether you’re actively searching, considering a career move, or simply want to understand your rights, David’s insights could make a critical difference. Tune in to “People in Transition” and learn how to protect your future before a background check defines it.

Listeners can get in touch with David Chami at:

Consumer Justice Law Firm

dchami@consumerjustice.com
844-808-2553 (firm)
480-626-2359 (direct)

Consumerjustice.com

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I’m excited to welcome Anthony Sharp to “People in Transition”. Anthony is a career strategist and job search expert who has helped countless professionals clarify their value, sharpen their messaging, and approach the market with greater confidence and intention. With a practical, no-nonsense style and a deep understanding of how recruiters and hiring managers think, Anthony brings both technical expertise and real-world insight to every conversation.

In this episode, we explored a wide range of topics designed to help job seekers find their confidence and clearly communicate their value. Anthony debunked common myths job seekers believe about resumes — including the idea that because AI helped write it, it will automatically pass an applicant tracking system, or that an employer will figure out where you fit within their organization. We discussed why using numbers and percentages is critical to demonstrating measurable impact, and what it really means when a recruiter reads your resume and silently asks, “So what?”

We also talked about how to “own your story,” especially when addressing employment gaps — including a helpful LinkedIn hack using the career break section. If there’s one action Anthony recommends you take this week, it’s this: be intentional about what you’re looking for. Throughout the conversation, he shared powerful examples and stories that brought his technical advice to life, making this an episode full of practical strategies you can use right away.

For more information on Anthony, go to his website, brandingsyou.info, or his LinkedIn profile, linkedin.com/in/brandingu. You are going to want to follow his thoughts as recruiting and the market evolve.

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In this episode of “People in Transition”, we discuss what really happens inside the hiring process — and how understanding it can help you land your next role faster, smarter, and with far more confidence.

My guest is Dan Waskow, founder of OnPoint Job Search Solutions. With more than 20 years as a corporate recruiter for organizations like Dell Technologies, Fidelity Investments, Credit Suisse, Accenture, NASDAQ, and Madison Square Garden, to name a few — plus over a decade as a job search coach — Dan has seen the hiring process from every angle.

He knows exactly what recruiters look for… and why strong candidates often get overlooked.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why you’re not hearing back
• Why interviews stall
• Or how to position yourself strategically instead of emotionally

This conversation is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why recruiters don’t “connect the dots” for you — and how to clearly translate your background so they instantly see the fit.

• The truth about the job market — there’s no “good” or “bad” time to search, only busier and slower cycles. The candidates who consistently build relationships always win.

• The two pillars of a successful job search: Marketing and Storytelling. Master how you present your value and how you tell your career story, and everything changes.

• Resume strategy that actually works. Clean formatting. No colors. No text boxes. No graphics. Make it easy for both humans and systems to read.

• How informational interviews and virtual coffee chats create momentum. They’re not just conversations — they’re relationship builders that open real doors.

What an episode. Dan brings clarity, strategy, and straight talk to a process that often feels confusing and frustrating.

To learn more about him and his coaching services, visit myjobsearchadvisor.com.

🎁 Bonus for listeners: If you sign up for one of Dan’s coaching packages by the end of March, 2026, and mention you heard him on “People in Transition”, you’ll receive 15% off.

And if you found this conversation valuable, please share this episode with your friends, colleagues, and anyone in your network who may be navigating a career move. A simple share could make a meaningful difference for someone in transition.

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