<p>What happens when your career suddenly stops fitting your life?</p><p>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.</p><p>John shares how to:</p><p> • Navigate uncertainty and rebuild resilience.</p><p> • Reframe “returning to work” as moving forward, not backward.</p><p> • Turn personal experiences — even parenting — into professional strengths.</p><p> • Rebuild confidence by acting before you feel ready.</p><p> • Create community instead of just “networking.”</p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p>Pema Chödrön <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pemachodronfoundation.org">https://pemachodronfoundation.org</a></p><p>Gampo Abbey <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://gampoabbey.org/">https://gampoabbey.org/</a></p><p>Comfortable with Uncertainty <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4oNRCTc">https://amzn.to/4oNRCTc</a></p><p>Julia Cameron <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://juliacameronlive.com/">https://juliacameronlive.com/</a></p><p>The Artist’s Way <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4hClP5h">https://amzn.to/4hClP5h</a></p><p>Ikigai <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2022/03/ikigai\_japanese\_secret\_to\_a\_joyful\_life.html">https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2022/03/ikigai\_japanese\_secret\_to\_a\_joyful\_life.html</a></p><p>Ikigai Venn diagram <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai#/media/File:Diagramo\_de\_Ikigajo\_-en.svg">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai#/media/File:Diagramo\_de\_Ikigajo\_-en.svg</a></p><p>You’ve Got a Friend by Carole King <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAR\_Ff5A8Rk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAR\_Ff5A8Rk</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow John</strong></p><p>John Tarnoff on LinkedIn <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/</a></p><p>Mid-Career Lab community <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://midcareerlab.com/">https://midcareerlab.com/</a></p><p>John Tarnoff website <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://johntarnoff.com/">https://johntarnoff.com/</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/gaptogig">instagram.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">tiktok.com/@gaptogig</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://x.com/gaptogig">x.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg</a></p><p>On your podcast player of choice: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig">https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig</a></p><p>Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://gaptogig.com">gaptogig.com</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/</a></p>
