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What happens when your job title becomes your identity? In this episode, Ryan and Vic unpack the modern trap of defining yourself by your career — and what it takes to find a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment beyond work.

They explore how brand prestige and job titles can quietly shape our self-worth, share personal experiences from Nike, Google, and Amazon, and bring in psychology research that explains why we cling so tightly to professional identities.

Listeners will walk away with practical tools and reflection questions to start separating who you are from what you do.

In This Episode:

• Why 70% of people say work is their main source of identity
• How “work-role centrality” impacts your confidence and resilience
• What research shows about the difference between a job, career, and calling
• Personal stories of redefining identity beyond corporate prestige
• Four reflection tools to expand your sense of self

Reflection Prompts:

1. What sentence captures why you do what you do?
2. Which non-work role in your life deserves more of your energy right now?
3. If money and status were off the table, how would you define success?
4. Where does your compass need to point this week to feel aligned?

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Amy Wrzesniewski’s research on “Job, Career, or Calling” (Yale University)
• Robert Leahy in Psychology Today, "You Are Not Your Job"

If you’re in transition:

Ryan’s Foundation Series: Being Uniquely You helps you rediscover who you are beyond your job title through a 3-session small group experience.

Learn more here →

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk