“I was so undecided”: navigating personal fulfilment and professional purpose - Christopher Schoenwald | S4E2

Still Curious

Christopher hosts and produces the internationally-awarded "Life as A.." podcast, helping people find professional career ideas and business pathways by exploring jobs from around the world. We discuss the interplay between career and identity and the pursuit of purpose-driven work.

Christopher's story in brief

• Christopher didn’t have a Plan A. He was a high-achiever who had the grades, but not the roadmap for his future.
• Studying sociology without a clear direction, he simultaneously worked in Canadian Customs and Immigration, where he gained an early appreciation for how our jobs can shape who we are and how we see the world.
• His quest for clarity led him to Japan to teach English, a temporary plan that turned into 20-plus-year adventure including teaching, consulting, and co-founding a marketing company in Tokyo.
• It wasn’t just a career shift; it was a life transformation. Christopher realised his professional purpose was deeply tied to entrepreneurship, creativity, and a desire for variety and novelty in his work.
• Christopher’s podcast, "Life as A..," is his way of shining a light on the myriad of career paths out there. It's about giving people a real taste of the options they have, helping them find their own spark in the professional world.

Conversation Themes

• Navigating career uncertainty
• Curiosity, exploration, and enthusiasm as career catalysts
• The interplay of career and identity
• What it means to find purpose and fulfilment

Links and Resources

• Life As A.. Podcast
• Ikigai

Full Show Notes
Visit the Grokkist podcast hub for a full digest of this episode including highlights and links to stuff we discussed: https://grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast/s4e2-christopher-schoenwald

Recorded 23 October 2023

Website: grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast | Email: [e-mail] | Socials: @grokkist
Music: Kleptotonic Swing by Tri-Tachyon