There was no lightning bolt. No big promotion. No dramatic speech that changed everything. But there was a shift after being laid off at 55. A quiet, subtle, internal decision. After years of seeing people as tasks… After years of trying to earn value by fixing, doing, and proving… …I decided to stop living in “the box.” To be honest, I was too More…
Ten years after I burned myself out trying to get promoted… I finally understood what I did wrong. It wasn’t technical. It wasn’t my performance. It wasn’t my work ethic. It was the way I saw people. A few years ago, a friend gave me a copy of the book Leadership and Self-Deception. I wasn’t expecting a gut punch. But page by page, More…
I used to think working harder was the key to getting promoted. So I did the work no one else wanted. I kept the computer network running. Stayed late. Came in early. Answered the 2 a.m. support calls. Made sure no one ever had to say, “The system’s down.” I thought that made me valuable. And in some ways, it did. But here’s what More…
I have an app on my Apple Watch that tells me when I’m stressed. Of course, I don’t need an app to tell me when I’m stressed. The app measures a million data points, including my heart rate variability (HRV). Sometimes I’m alerted I need to slow down or meditate when I’m More…
Not just felt satisfied—but lit up, alive, like my three-year-old grandson when he does his happy dance. Somewhere along the path to being responsible, respected, and reliable… we traded spontaneity for stability. We’ve mastered our craft, built reputations, and led teams. But somewhere along the way, joy slipped quietly out the More…
I’m participating in an AI class led by Rich Schefren. The class is called ZenithMind OS. If you don’t know Rich, he’s one of the deepest thinkers you’ll ever meet. I met Rich about 20 years ago when he was teaching successful online business owners how to build a real business. More…
In this episode of the Epic Encore Show, hosted by Ted Prodromou, guest Elaina Zuker, a seasoned expert in influence training, discusses her journey and the importance of practical influence skills in the workplace. Zuker, who began her career in advertising in New York and later transitioned to organizational development, shares insights from her 25-year More…
After building a successful career for 20+ years, the path forward suddenly disappeared. My CAREER was eliminated as tech jobs were given to offshore workers earning pennies on the dollar. Like many professionals with decades of experience, I found myself facing questions I never expected to answer at this stage: What now? Who would hire More…
The Playground Principles: Writing a Book on Life Lessons from the Playground In this episode, Barry Kleiman discusses his new book inspired by childhood experiences on the playground. Barry describes his identity as a 74-year-old kid from Philly and shares anecdotes about writing the book. The book, titled ‘The Playground Principles,’ explores valuable life lessons More…
Struggling with job uncertainty or a sudden career shift? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone either. In this Epic Encore interview, Ted Prodromou sits down with Lorna Scott to explore real strategies for turning setbacks into opportunities. You’ll learn: ✅ How to find new opportunities, even during economic downturns ✅ Why More…