What if your job isn’t as secure as you think and you’re building wealth in the wrong place?

In this episode of Beyond the Corporate Ladder, Stephen Lee-Thomas sits down with real estate investor John Todderud to break down his journey from software engineer to full-time investor.

John shares how he transitioned out of corporate life, built wealth through real estate, and created a lifestyle that gives him both time freedom and flexibility.

This is a grounded, practical conversation for anyone exploring life beyond a W2 job.

• Why corporate job security is often an illusion
• How to start investing in real estate while working full-time
• The difference between passive and active investing
• Why appreciation, not cash flow, is the real wealth driver
• The role of grit and “hanging on” in long-term success
• How to manage your time when building a second income stream

00:00 Intro & John’s lifestyle today 01:15 From software engineer to entrepreneur 05:10 Why corporate jobs aren’t secure 08:00 Getting started in real estate investing 12:30 Active vs passive investing explained 16:00 Wealth creation: cash flow vs appreciation 18:30 Lifestyle freedom vs workload 20:30 Future plans & scaling with partnerships 22:30 Time management advice for beginners

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