Claim OwnershipGap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life
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© Gap to Gig, 2026
Description
Build the life you’re working for.
Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads who want to crush it at work and still show up at home.
Each week, host Michael Jacobs talks with dads, founders, career experts, and creators about what it really takes to balance meaningful work and active fatherhood. From navigating career transitions and side hustles to staying present for hockey games and bedtime stories, Gap to Gig helps you create a life that feels steady, fulfilling, and built to last.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home dad reentering the workforce, a working dad craving more purpose, or a creator building your own path, you’ll find stories and systems to help you move forward with confidence.
Expect honest conversations about:
- Work-life balance that actually lasts
- Career change and meaningful work without losing yourself
- Parenting and productivity that fit real life
- Fatherhood, identity, and growth in the modern world
- Mindset and systems that keep both business and family running smoothly
No fluff. No hustle-culture noise. Just real stories, practical tools, and genuine conversations about being a dad who wants both: meaningful work and a meaningful life.
If you’ve ever felt pulled between your career ambitions and your kids’ soccer schedules, you’re not alone. Each episode offers ideas you can apply right away, whether that’s a way to structure your week, handle burnout, or rethink what success really means for you and your family.
The show blends personal storytelling, expert insights, and actionable takeaways from guests who are building careers, companies, and creative projects that fit their lives, not the other way around.
Recent episodes feature:
- Entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses around their families
- Career coaches helping dads find work that fits their values
- Creatives balancing passion projects with parenting
- Productivity pros teaching how to reclaim time and focus
- Everyday dads sharing their journeys from burnout to balance
If you’re ready to rethink success, build balance that lasts, and create space for what matters most, this podcast is for you.
Gap to Gig: Helping dads build the life they’re working for.
New episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.
19 Episodes
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What happens when the job you thought would carry you to the finish line disappears overnight?Two months into what she believed would be her final role, Merry Korn was let go. She was a single parent with two teenagers, college tuition looming, and no clear path forward. The fear was real. The pressure was immediate. Staying in bed was not an option.What followed was not an overnight success story. It was a series of hard conversations, informational interviews, small courageous steps, and a refusal to surrender. From those early survival decisions, Merry went on to found and scale a for-profit social enterprise that employed more than 1,300 people across 30 states, prioritizing jobs for people with severe disabilities, disabled veterans, and individuals living in the most impoverished communities.Merry shares how to:Move forward when fear feels paralyzingUse informational interviews as a career and business growth strategyAlign work with purpose instead of contorting yourself to fit the wrong environmentBuild a mission-driven company that attracts high-quality talentCreate simple rituals that protect presence at homeLead with values when rebuilding after a professional setbackTurn survival mode into meaningful, scalable impactDig DeeperPearl Interactive NetworkBergen-BelsenSchindler's ListBarneyCrazy by Patsy ClineFollow MerryOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrykornOn X: https://X.com/korn_merry45334On Instagram: https://instagram.com/mpearlkornOn Facebook: https://facebook.com/firedtoinspiredOn her website, Fired to Inspired: https://firedtoinspired.comFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What happens when health scares, job loss, and family tragedy collide all at once?After having part of his lung removed, being laid off during the pandemic, and losing his father-in-law the same day he was discharged from the hospital, Tony Berardo was forced to confront a hard truth: work was taking up too much of the wrong space in his life.Instead of chasing security, status, and a bigger paycheck, Tony rebuilt his life around something far more valuable: time.Today, he’s the founder of Human Dad, a content creator, and an entrepreneur who prioritizes presence over prestige. He makes less money than he once did, but he has more clarity, more intention, and more time with his daughter.Tony shares how to:• Reevaluate success after health scares and job loss• Shift from “work-life balance” to protecting time as your most valuable asset• Build a side hustle before making the leap into entrepreneurship• Lower financial stress by living below your means• Model discipline, boundaries, and healthy habits for your kids• Choose presence over prestigeTony’s perspective is raw, direct, and deeply practical. For any dad questioning whether the grind is worth it, this conversation offers a clear reminder: your time is the real currency.Dig DeeperIVFGet Ready With MeRidiculousnessMoanaRegal CinemasPolly by NirvanaFollow TonyWebsiteHumanity and Hashtags PodcastInstagramYouTubeTikTokHuman DadFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What does leadership look like when the mission is your family and the stakes are emotional, not tactical?Brad Leeman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, combat aviator, and F-35 test pilot who spent nearly two decades leading in environments where preparation, clarity, and execution were non-negotiable. After transitioning out of the military, Brad became an entrepreneur and founder of SwingSesh, a company built around a simple belief: parents should not be spectators in their kids’ lives.This conversation explores how elite performance principles translate and sometimes fail to translate into fatherhood. Brad shares why presence matters, how small daily rituals create connection, and why modeling behavior shapes a child’s inner voice far more than lectures ever could.Brad walks through how he and his wife intentionally design family rhythms, why play is a serious leadership skill, and how dads can rethink fitness, work, and ambition.Brad shares how to:Build daily rituals that anchor presence and connection with kidsUse play as a tool for bonding, modeling health, and emotional regulationShape a child’s inner monologue through actions, not instructionsRecognize when to lead and when to follow inside a partnershipRethink comfort, resilience, and decision making during hard seasonsDig DeeperF-35U.S. Marine CorpsBall State UniversityHarvard Graduate School of DesignHow to Build Extreme Willpower | David Goggins & Dr. Andrew HubermanHood’s GardensPicture by Sheryl Crow and Kid RockFollow BradOn his website: https://www.swingsesh.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamswingsesh/On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwingSesh/Follow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
How do you communicate in a way that builds trust, connection, and confidence with your kids, your partner, and the people you work with every day?Danny Brassell has spent decades teaching, coaching, and speaking around the world about storytelling, reading, and communication. This conversation explores how communication is not about polish or performance, but about meeting people where they are and staying present in the moments that matter most.Danny shares how to: Use storytelling to build trust instead of trying to impressBecome a stronger communicator by focusing on failures, not just winsCreate daily habits that strengthen presence at homeHelp kids love reading without turning it into a battleModel curiosity, learning, and humility for your childrenDanny’s insights are practical, honest, and immediately usable for dads who want to communicate more clearly, lead more effectively, and show up better for the people who matter most.Dig DeeperDo What Matters MostBecoming Your BestThe Unselected Journals of Emma M. LyonReal Dads ReadTotal Recall: My Unbelievably True Life StoryFollow DannyOn his website: https://www.wellcraftedstoryworkshop.comOn X: https://www.x.com/DannyBrassellOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realDannyBrassellOn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DannyBrassellOn YouTube: https://youtube.com/DannyBrassell On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/DannyBrassellGet your free well crafted story blueprint: www.freestoryguide.comFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
Jon Merlin is a longtime designer who left agency life to start his own creative studio while raising two young daughters. Instead of letting work bleed into every hour, Jon drew a hard line around family time and rebuilt his business around clarity, intention, and values.This conversation explores what it really looks like to pursue entrepreneurship without losing presence at home, and how letting go of perfection can unlock both better work and better parenting.Jon shares how to: Protect daily family time without derailing client workSet non-negotiables in seasons where work pressure is realBuild a focused business by saying no to the wrong projectsNavigate the anxiety and ambiguity of starting something newReplace perfection with progress at work and at homeUse small moments with kids to stay connected during busy daysModel emotional regulation, repair, and growth for childrenChoose work that aligns with values, not just revenueReframe career gaps as runways instead of setbacksDefine success through legacy, not titles or outputJon’s perspective is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply practical for dads who want to build something meaningful without missing what matters most.Dig DeeperOne Club for Creatives (San Diego)Creative MorningsLava ChickenDookie by Green DayBasket Case by Green DayFollow JonWebsite: https://jonmerlin.com/On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmerlin/Follow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
Why does work keep crowding out family time even when no one is explicitly asking it to?Doug Fleener is an author, coach, and former corporate executive who has lived both sides of the work equation. After years of leadership roles and constant pressure, he intentionally redesigned his work around presence, health, and family. As a dad to grown daughters and a teenager, Doug brings rare perspective on how seasons of fatherhood change what presence really looks like.Doug shares how to: Shift from chasing balance to making clear work and life choices Recognize when work is crowding out presence without anyone noticing Build daily intention through future focused journaling Use physical cues like closing a laptop or putting down a phone to signal presence Pause before reacting when pressure spills into family moments Find meaningful connection in small, ordinary momentsDig DeeperBose CorporationDay OneStart With What If by Doug FleenerDraft DayArthur theme songTurn StylePiano ManFollow DougWebsite: https://www.dougfleener.comOn TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@dougfleenerOn Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougfleenerOn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554942906442On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doug-fleenerOn LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfleener Follow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What do you do when your career looks successful on paper, but something quietly feels off?Stephanie Cordes is a career ownership coach who works with people at the exact moment when professional success and the life they want to live stop pointing in the same direction. She knows this moment personally. After building a successful corporate career, Stephanie realized that checking all the boxes did not automatically mean she was building the right life.Stephanie shares how to:• Recognize quiet misalignment before it turns into burnout• Reevaluate work and life goals as seasons and family needs change• Think beyond job titles and focus on lifestyle, income, and long term direction• Create a personal North Star that guides decisions without locking you into one path• Let go of the belief that every career change means failure• Explore new options while keeping stability for your family• Involve your partner in career decisions as a true team effort• Redefine what providing really means beyond a paycheckDig DeeperRing CameraJamie Siminoff, Founder of Ring CameraKim PossiblePicture by Sheryl Crow and Kid RockAquaphorFollow StephanieWebsite: https://stephahead.comOn X: https://x.com/stephcordesTESOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecordesTESOn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093172011381On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemcordes/On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephcordestes.bsky.socialFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
Why do anxiety and depression feel heavier during the long winter season, even when nothing is technically “wrong”?Kristian Leavell, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, returns to talk about the emotional weight winter can bring, especially for fathers carrying responsibility at work and at home. The focus here is awareness, regulation, and small, realistic ways to stay steady when energy is low and motivation fades.Kristian shares how to:• Notice early signs of anxiety and depression by watching patterns, not isolated moments• Treat emotions as useful signals rather than problems to eliminate• Separate thoughts from facts and step out of spirals• Use small, practical actions to interrupt anxiety before it builds• Apply opposite action when motivation disappears• Practice mindfulness in real life, not perfect conditions• Talk with kids about emotions in ways that create trust and safety• Redefine strength as presence, not endurance• Check in on other dads without feeling the need to fix themDig DeeperACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)Cognitive FusionDBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)The JetsonsHow to turn crayons into candlesCrash the Gates by YellowcardFollow KristianTherapyTokWithKris on TikTokTherapyTalkWithKris on InstagramTherapyTalkWithKris on YouTubeDistinctApproachCounseling.comEmail KrisFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What does it mean to succeed at work without missing the moments you never get back?Eddie Torba has spent decades in retail execution and operations, helping major brands adapt, rebuild, and evolve through massive industry change. Along the way, he made intentional career decisions to stay present for his family, from working nights and weekends early on, to shifting into remote corporate roles, to building a small consulting practice on the side.Eddie shares how to:• Design a career around family instead of fitting family into leftover time• Choose flexibility and stability without treating them as opposites• Build trust at work by delivering results, not logging hours• Protect family dinners, school events, and everyday moments that matter• Set boundaries that prevent burnout and protect mental energy• Create morning and weekly routines that support focus and balance• Explore a side path without overwhelming yourself or your family• Be honest about capacity before taking on extra work• Help kids understand the human effort behind convenience and consumption• Teach responsibility, work ethic, and perspective by example• Measure success by presence, not titles or constant availabilityEddie’s story is a reminder that careers evolve, seasons change, and showing up consistently for your family is a choice you make again and again. His approach is practical, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the belief that work should support life, not replace it.Dig DeeperAd PopulumEWS ConsultingParty CityDuck TalesDuck Tales theme songKnee Deep by Zach Brown BandJimmy BuffettFollow EddieEmail EddieFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn Threads: threads.com/@gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What does it actually take to feel grounded, confident, and present as a dad when anxiety is rising, expectations are shifting, and the world feels louder than ever?AJ Rich is a licensed marriage and family therapist, practice owner, and doctoral candidate who works almost exclusively with men. After nearly 20 years in corporate leadership, AJ transitioned into clinical work and now helps dads navigate identity, emotional intelligence, anxiety, and growth without losing themselves or their families in the process.In this conversation, AJ shares how men can move beyond coping and toward real psychological wellbeing, even while juggling work pressure, parenting, and constant change.You will hear AJ break down how to: • Understand anxiety as a signal, not a failure • Build emotional intelligence without losing strength or credibility • Develop the language to describe what you are actually feeling • Shift from survival mode into sustainable growth • Redefine success beyond titles, income, or external validation • Identify what is holding you back when you feel stuckDig DeeperFeelings wheelBrené BrownBrené Brown: Atlas of the Heart on HBO MaxAtlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (book)PERMA Theory of Well-BeingDoc McStuffinsSofia the FirstSubway Sandwich ArtistFood Avenue in TargetThis is How We Do It by Montell JordanFollow AJAJ Family Therapy, Inc.Email AJFollow Gap to GigOn InstagramOn TikTokOn XOn ThreadsOn YouTubeOn your podcast player of choiceSign up for the Gap to Gig newsletterFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn
How do you rebuild your life when everything breaks at once and you still have kids who need you every minute of the day?After a devastating spinal injury and years of recovery, Paul Terrell became a stay at home dad who had to relearn how to walk, talk, type, and parent with new physical limitations. Later he returned to work and eventually became a top performing enterprise account executive in PropTech and FinTech. His story is one of grit, patience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to family.Paul shares how to: • Relearn everyday life while caring for two young kids • Parent with physical limitations and find creative ways to adapt • Build mental toughness when progress feels painfully slow • Return to the workforce with confidence after years away • Use AI, systems, and prep work to compete at a high level again • Navigate the emotional shift from being the primary caregiver to traveling constantly for work • Strengthen a marriage through shared effort, support, and role changes • Turn stay at home parenting into quantifiable wins on a resume • Carry lessons from parenting into sales, negotiation, and leadership • Protect health, energy, and family time in a metrics driven role • Help kids understand work, money, teamwork, and responsibility • Break big goals into smaller ones and use data to track personal progressPaul’s story is honest, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom for any dad rebuilding after a tough season or trying to figure out what comes next.Dig DeeperYardiREITPlaudBohemian RhapsodyNuthin' but a "G" ThangFollow PaulPaul Terrell on LinkedInPaul Terrell on InstagramFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What happens when you realize the real work of your life is happening at home, not at your job?Sean Waldron returns for a deeper conversation about creativity, fatherhood, and the stories that shape us. He shares how filming with his son became a doorway into connection, why every dad has creative gifts even if they do not see themselves as creative, and how bringing your work skills into your home can strengthen the bond with your kids.Sean opens up about:• Entering his child’s world and why validation matters so much• How creativity shows up in everyday parenting• Using the skills you practice at work to build connection at home• The danger of tying your worth to your job• Why every dad carries a creative spark• How good is built in small moments inside your home• Growing up with fractured support and transforming that pain into purpose• The heart behind ROAR and the documentary Silly Cannonballs• The healing conversation he needed to have with his father before he could tell this story• Building habits and protecting your morning to stay grounded• Navigating perfection, mastery, and the pursuit of honestyThis conversation goes deeper into purpose, identity, generational patterns, and the kind of dad you want to become. It is raw, thoughtful, and full of clarity about what truly matters.Dig DeeperROAR DadsSilly CannonballsThe JetsonsMacGyverJohn MayerJapanese JoineryGap to Gig Episode 6: Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present DadFollow SeanSean Waldron on LinkedInFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
How do you hold onto your creative identity while trying to be the parent you want to be?Sean Waldron has built a life around creativity from music to video production to brand storytelling. He has freelanced, gone in-house, flipped houses, and wrestled with the tension between purpose and practical responsibilities. Becoming a dad pushed him to rethink all of it.Sean shares how to:Blend creative skills with fatherhood in a way that builds connectionSeparate who you are from what you do after layoffs, pivots, or burnoutNavigate the pull between purpose, mastery, and paying the billsPursue creative work without letting perfectionism take overFind meaning in seasons of uncertaintyRecognize early signs that you are on the right path even without resultsCarry ambition into parenthood without letting it overshadow your home lifeCreate simple moments of delight using the skills that light you upExplore the stories you learned growing up and how they shape the dad you want to becomeIf you have ever felt torn between your creative passions, your responsibilities, and the desire to show up well for your kids, this conversation offers clarity, grounding, and a reminder that purpose is built one small moment at a time.Dig DeeperROAR DadsSilly CannonballsGirl AboveSet Your MindReset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture by David MurrayGood Inside by Dr. Becky KennedyBlueyRed Hot and Blue Pit BarbecueJason MrazMy HumpsBaby Got BackThe Roost StandFollow SeanSean Waldron on LinkedInFollow Gap to GigOn InstagramOn TikTokOn XOn YouTubeOn your podcast player of choiceSign up for the Gap to Gig newsletterFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn
What does it really take to be present as a dad while juggling work, pressure, and your own mental health?Kristian Leavell, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, brings both clinical insight and lived experience to this honest conversation about the weight many fathers carry and how to navigate it with clarity and compassion.Kristian shares how to:• Be truthful about what you feel and what you need• Understand the voice behind internal pressure and self doubt• Redefine what it means to provide for your family• Manage guilt around work, parenting, and expectations• Let go of perfectionism and the anxiety under it• Reset when you feel disconnected from yourself or your family• Build routines that protect your mental health• Model emotional honesty for your kids while keeping boundaries• Build real community even when adult friendships feel difficult• Cross the swamp of discomfort to become the parent you want to beIf you feel stretched thin, quietly anxious, or simply trying to show up better for yourself and your family, this episode offers grounded guidance and a way forward.Dig DeeperKristian’s video about being a girl dad Instagram | TikTokDon't Go Chasing Waterfalls by TLCLisa “Left Eye” LopesThe Man Who Sold the World by NirvanaTexas StateFollow KristianTherapyTokWithKris on TikTokTherapyTalkWithKris on InstagramDistinctApproachCounseling.comEmail KrisFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What happens when the chapter you spent years chasing finally ends and you’re left asking what comes next?In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Erin Aldrich Shean, a former Olympic and professional athlete who has reinvented herself multiple times across sports, corporate strategy, and now career coaching. Erin helps people navigate life and work transitions using her LAND method, a framework built around learning, alignment, networking, and delivery.Erin shares how to:Redefine success when life shifts and old identities fall awayFind clarity before rushing into the next job or directionAsk for support instead of trying to figure everything out aloneBalance ambition with the life you want at homeNavigate seasons of grind and seasons of restAlign your values with the work you chooseKeep your network warm and active after you landTake care of yourself so you can show up fully for your familyWhether you’re returning to work, pivoting into something new, or simply trying to make sense of the season you’re in, this conversation offers perspective, honesty, and practical ways to move forward with more clarity and less pressure.Dig DeeperLAND MethodIkigaiAscension Coaching and ConsultingAscension Coaching and Consulting on LinkedInI Will Survive by Gloria GaynorFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What really happens behind the scenes in hiring and how can dads returning to work stand out?In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Jacob Stone, HR consultant and founder of WorqTap, who’s spent over a decade helping companies hire smarter and helping people land roles that actually fit their lives.Jacob shares what most job seekers never hear: • What’s really going on inside hiring teams (and how to stand out). • Why soft skills like adaptability and communication matter more than technical ones. • How parenting builds the exact qualities employers need. • How to reframe career gaps with confidence. • Why networking, not algorithms, gets you hired.Whether you’re reentering the workforce, changing careers, or just trying to build meaningful work around family life, this episode will help you bring your full story to the table.Dig DeeperWorqTapPaul Revere by Beastie BoysFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Jesse Holmes, a performance coach who helps entrepreneurs and parents make measurable progress in just 10 minutes a day.Jesse shares how to: • Build clarity and confidence through small, consistent actions. • Find your focus when life feels chaotic. • Apply “deep work” principles to parenting, relationships, and self-care. • Turn daily 10-minute wins into lasting momentum. • Balance business growth with family life — without burning out.Whether you’re rebuilding your career, starting something new, or simply trying to stay present at home, this conversation will help you take the next step toward growth that feels sustainable.Dig DeeperJesse’s Breakout PlannerFergalicious by FergieFollow JesseJesse Holmes on FacebookFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What happens when your career suddenly stops fitting your life?In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with John Tarnoff, an executive coach who rebuilt his career after the tech bubble burst and now helps mid-career professionals rediscover purpose and confidence.John shares how to: • Navigate uncertainty and rebuild resilience. • Reframe “returning to work” as moving forward, not backward. • Turn personal experiences — even parenting — into professional strengths. • Rebuild confidence by acting before you feel ready. • Create community instead of just “networking.”If you’re a dad redefining success, shifting careers, or searching for meaningful work that fits real life, this episode will help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.Dig DeeperPema Chödrön https://pemachodronfoundation.orgGampo Abbey https://gampoabbey.org/Comfortable with Uncertainty https://amzn.to/4oNRCTcJulia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/The Artist’s Way https://amzn.to/4hClP5hIkigai https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2022/03/ikigai\_japanese\_secret\_to\_a\_joyful\_life.htmlIkigai Venn diagram https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai#/media/File:Diagramo\_de\_Ikigajo\_-en.svgYou’ve Got a Friend by Carole King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAR\_Ff5A8RkFollow JohnJohn Tarnoff on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/Mid-Career Lab community https://midcareerlab.com/John Tarnoff website https://johntarnoff.com/Follow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogigSign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
What if the goal isn’t just finding work, but finding work that fits your life?Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads balancing career, family, and purpose. Hosted by entrepreneur and dad Michael Jacobs, each week features real conversations with fathers, founders, and experts who are redefining success and creating careers that fit real life.If you’re navigating career change, exploring freelance or flexible work, or looking for meaningful work without missing the moments that matter most, this show is for you.In this trailer, hear what’s coming: honest stories, practical strategies, and a few laughs along the way.Follow or subscribe to Gap to Gig on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast player of choice to start building a life that feels like yours, not someone else’s version of success.Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtgFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
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