After decades of building a tech career, author Debbie Levitt is one of many people with questions, anxieties, and doubts. As a mentor and coach, the employed and unemployed often ask her, “What happened to tech jobs?” and “What will I do next?”
In each episode, we'll meet someone who has left tech, is leaving tech, is adding non-tech work to a tech career, or is reinventing themselves with entrepreneurial adventures. You don't have to leave tech to join our multiverse!
You are the phoenix. It's never too early to plan what you'll do when you're done with tech… or tech is done with you... or you want to add non-tech work to a tech career.
Your Life After Tech is a podcast from the LifeAfterTech.info multiverse. Check out our "Life After Tech" book (with 18 actionable exercises), Discord community, coaching, and more. Use the "Phoenix Flight Plan" to get grounded, plan, rise, and soar.
Catch the video version of the podcast on YouTube https://lat.link/yt-podcast
Ep 013: Nicole Menkhoff: From Tech Leader to Consultant
Nicole Menkhoff takes us on a captivating journey through her professional evolution... from aerospace engineering with a focus on rocket propulsion to leadership roles at tech giants like Google, Twitter, and Apple, before launching her own consulting business in late 2024. Nicole recognized the tech industry's gradual shift away from true innovation and toward an overemphasis on profit and shareholder value. This sparked Nicole v3.0, a transformation from corporate tech leader to independe...
1 May 2025
Ep 012: Kristina Kennedy: From UX Research to French Pastries
Kristina Kennedy's career journey takes us from the familiar terrain of tech layoffs to the total yum of French pastry kitchens. Having worked seven years in user experience research, her professional path took an unexpected turn when she was laid off. Rather than immediately jumping back into the tech job hunt, Christina paused to reconsider what truly brought her fulfillment. During the isolation of the pandemic, Kristina discovered baking as a source of presence and joy. She then pursued ...
24 Apr 2025
Ep 011: Jess Vice - From Copywriter to Collective
What happens when you reject traditional business hierarchies and build something radically different? Jess Vice takes us on their journey from struggling English graduate to tech professional to co-founder of Kit Research and Strategy—a collective challenging how business gets done. After years of corporate instability, being repeatedly laid off without warning, Jess realized they needed to create a work environment aligned with their vision. The collective model Jess co-created offers clie...
9 Jan 2025
Ep 010: Ricardo Brito - From Service Design to In Service to Others
Ricardo Brito shares his transformative journey from tech burnout to becoming a solopreneur and career coach. He offers insights for individuals considering career transitions, warning against waiting until burnout or layoffs to take action.• Ricardo’s background transitioning from graphic design to UX design• The importance of following curiosity and exploring new paths• Proactive planning to avoid financial insecurity during career changes• Warnings against chasing “golden handcuffs” and un...
12 Dec 2024
Ep 009: Tonia Bartz - From UX Research to Holistic Wellness
Tonia Bartz, a former UX Researcher, shares her journey from tech to holistic wellness, reminding listeners to listen to their inner voice and pursue alternative futures.
5 Dec 2024
Ep 008: Jeff Kim - A Lifetime in Various Types of Design
Jeff Kim shares his unconventional journey from tech and design expert to entrepreneur, leveraging his UX skills and business acumen to launch a successful signage company.
21 Nov 2024
Ep 007: Faith Lane - Empathy in Every Career Path
Veteran UX Designer Faith Lane shares her resilience and adaptability in applying empathy to diverse career paths, including directing at a daycare company and potentially the funeral industry.
14 Nov 2024
Ep 006: Simone Robutti - Choosing Ethical and Values-Based Work
Simone Robutti shares the wild and interesting journey of transforming his career from data engineering to a path aligned with his personal values. He's also juggling multiple work areas fantastically... from consultant to a fermentation studio to organizational design/process improvement.Simone discusses the pivotal roles and motivations that shaped his journey, including teaching political praxis and addressing workers' rights in the gig economy. He's truly a model of aligning professional ...
7 Nov 2024
Ep 005: Jenny Shirey - From Research to Red Wines
While staying in tech (UX research), Jenny Shirey takes a bold leap into the world of wine. It's a tale of resilience and transformation, where wine becomes more than just a beverage—it's a gateway to a fulfilling second career.As Jenny contemplates opening a wine shop or bar, her tale of transition offers invaluable lessons for anyone considering a career change. Setting deadlines and embracing accountability emerge as crucial strategies to overcome the overwhelming task of creating a busine...
24 Oct 2024
Ep 004: John Braine - Staying in Tech, Building Up Art and Music
John Braine is a UX Designer combining his passion for technology with his love for art and music. John shares his journey from self-taught web design in the 90s to shifting into UX design. John shares his practical techniques for integrating artistic pursuits into daily life, emphasizing the importance of small habits, consistent progress, and holding yourself accountable. John is staying in tech, and increasingly adding art and music as both hobbies and money-makers. Find him on Instag...
17 Oct 2024
Ep 003: Heidi Araya - From Agile Coach to AI Coach
Ever wondered what it feels like to completely redefine your life's work? Join us as Heidi Araya from BrightLogic.ai shares her personal narrative of transformation from a seasoned tech veteran to a pioneering AI coach. Heidi opens up about her journey from roles in big tech, including technical writer and agile coach, to facing job uncertainty and discovering a new adventure. By enrolling in a data science program at MIT, Heidi initially aimed to spearhead AI initiatives but soon realized a ...
10 Oct 2024
Ep 002: Danielle Malik - From Silicon Valley to Social Impact
Discover the inspiring journey of Danielle Malik, a seasoned design leader who has transitioned from the tech world to make a significant impact in social causes. After two decades in the tech industry, Danielle embarked on a mission to align her work with her values. Motivated by her passion for addressing complex challenges in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and green energy, Danielle made the bold decision to transition from tech following a layoff. Get to know Danielle and her new ...
3 Oct 2024
Ep 001: Travis Ross - From Photoshop to Power Drills
What happens when a seasoned tech professional trades design tools for home renovation tools? Meet Travis Ross from RedDogRenovation.com, our guest for this episode of Your Life After Tech. Travis takes us on a fascinating journey from his roots in 3D product design and academia to a semi-unexpected but gratifying career in home renovation. We also discussed the traditional concept of work-life balance, advocating instead for more humane and flexible work structures that prioritize well-...
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