Normal 40: The Podcast

Some trades don’t make sense—until they do.This is one of them.Keith Pochick was an ER doctor. Twenty years in. Saving lives. Leading teams. Teaching residents. Everything he was trained to do and everything the world told him he should want.Until it stopped working.This conversation started the way most do: a quiet nudge, a LinkedIn post, and a DM sent without a plan. Forty-eight hours later, Keith and I sat down for the first time. No prep, no script. Just two guys who had made The Trade™ and knew the cost.He didn’t leave medicine on a whim. He left over years.One dissection. One advisory meeting. One tug from his future at a time.Until one day he said yes to something that had been whispering for years.Now, he teaches middle school science.And he’s never felt more useful.This isn’t a story about burnout. It’s a story about awakening—when staying felt heavier than leaving,when the “right thing” wasn’t the thing that felt true anymore,and when Keith finally stopped letting guilt steal his curiosity.You’re going to feel this one.And if you’re wondering whether it’s too late to start over...listen to the guy who did it—with no regrets, and no backup plan. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

What if the life you built—the job, the title, the salary—wasn’t the life you were meant to live?Lon sits down with Dr. Eric Arzubi, a former Wall Street bond trader who walked away from Morgan Stanley to become a psychiatrist and mental health advocate. But the real story isn’t the résumé.It’s what happened in between.Eric shares his remarkable, winding path. From early success to devastating anxiety. From image management to identity collapse. From the Upper East Side to the mountains of Montana, where he now leads one of the most innovative mental health organizations in the country - Frontier Psychiatry. They talk about high-functioning anxiety, burnout, fatherhood, ego, and the choice to live for impact instead of applause.This is an episode for anyone who has ever wondered if they’re allowed to want more and feared what might happen if they said it out loud. WHAT TO EXPECT:Why Eric left a $400K Wall Street job to start over in medicineThe anxiety spiral that nearly broke him and how he clawed his way backWhat panic feels like for elite performers (and why it’s so often hidden)Why mental health care is still out of reach for too manyThe power of marrying ambition with serviceHow Frontier Psychiatry is transforming rural care across the U.S.KEY TAKEAWAYS:You can wear the costume of success and still feel completely lost inside it.The pursuit of “brand” won’t protect you from burnout.Sometimes, you don’t need a new job. You need a new identity.Anxiety doesn’t make you weak. Ignoring it does.You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to advocate for yourself.What feels like unraveling might actually be your reassembly.What’s Next?If you’ve been silently struggling, this is your permission slip. Whether you’re chasing clarity, community, or calling, follow the movement on Substack if you haven't already. Lon shares his best work over here.Links & Resources: Follow Lon on Substack: https://normal40.substack.com/ Book a Free Ramble with Lon: normal40.com (Click “Talk to Lon”)Grab Lon’s book—The Trade: AmazonGet the 14 Questions That Changed My Life: normal40.comFollow Lon on LinkedIn: @LonStroschein🔗 Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein Connect with Eric here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drzoobs/ Website: https://frontier.care/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

What if success didn’t satisfy you the way it was supposed to?Lon sits down with Nicholas Whitaker, former Googler, entrepreneur, and founder of the Conscious Lead Collective. Nicholas shares his journey from punk anarchist to Google executive and the unraveling that began in a hotel room in Japan. At the peak of a global career, Nicholas found himself crumbling under the weight of performance, loneliness, and anxiety, living a version of success that felt more like survival. They talk about burnout, reinvention, and the quiet, powerful decision to build community over competition. This is for anyone who feels called to build something more intentional and honest and is brave enough to start.WHAT TO EXPECT:How Nicholas went from punk rock to the boardrooms of Google and why he walked away.The secret cost of “success” and why chasing status eventually leads to burnout.Building the "Conscious Lead Collective" and what it means to lead with awareness.Why collaboration beats competition every time.The power of healing through community, storytelling, and shared purpose.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Reinvention doesn’t start with a résumé. It starts with curiosity.Real leadership is rooted in compassion, not control.You don’t need to “burn it all down,” but you do need to build something that aligns.Your past doesn't define you. If anything, it prepares you.Sometimes the next chapter starts with a layoff and ends with legacy.What’s Next? Whether you’re chasing clarity, community, or calling, this episode is your permission to get started. Follow the movement on Substack if you haven't already. Lon shares his best work over here.Links & Resources:Follow Lon on Substack: https://normal40.substack.com/ Book a Free Ramble with Lon: normal40.com (Click “Talk to Lon”)Grab Lon’s book—The Trade: AmazonGet the 14 Questions That Changed My Life: normal40.comFollow Lon on LinkedIn: @LonStroschein🔗 Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein Connect with Nicholas here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaswhitaker/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes it takes a crash, literal and emotional, to finally wake up. For Steve Garraty, it was both.Before the diagnosis, there was the drinking. The parties. The wrecked cars. The spiral most people didn’t see coming, not even him. But then came the mass on his neck. A cancer diagnosis at 18. And suddenly, the path he was speeding down came to a screeching halt.In this episode, Lon sits down with Steve for a deeply personal conversation about the years that led to his diagnosis, and the transformation that followed. Steve doesn’t hold back about the chaos, the consequences, or the grace that found him in the darkest places.This episode isn’t about cancer.It’s about change.And about choosing what you do with the life you get after it all falls apart.Key Takeaways:It’s not a question of if adversity comes. It’s when. And how you use it.Most people avoid their past. Steve turned it into a book that might save someone else.True change rarely comes from comfort.Support doesn’t always come from where you expect. Real growth starts when you stop pretending everything’s fine.Gratitude, empathy, and faith are survival tools for the long game.You don’t need a perfect life to have an impact. You need a truthful one.Your “second resume,” the messy, painful stuff you usually hide, might be the most powerful thing you have to offer.What's NextYou don’t need a diagnosis to decide to change. But you do need to decide.Start by reading Steve Garraty's book Greatfruit now available on Amazon, then ask yourself: What’s in your Second Résumé™… and who might it help? Buy Steve's book "Greatfruit" here: https://a.co/d/7GktD9M 🔗 Connect with Lon and SteveLon Stroschein: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroscheinSteve Garraty:LinkedInFacebookInstagramhttps://stevegarraty.com/  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

In this raw and revealing episode of Normal 40, Lon Stroschein and Adam Eaton reunite for a signature ramble—and what unfolds is one of their most honest conversations yet. It begins with a simple question: What if you followed your passion 10 years ago? And what if that passion has changed? What follows is a masterclass in midlife clarity. Lon and Adam unpack the invisible tension between time and passion—how your career is linear, but your interests, energy, and identity evolve. They explore the false promise of “follow your passion,” why most people are stuck rehearsing worst-case scenarios, and how to take an inventory of the life you’ve built… and whether it still fits. Lon introduces practical tools for self-reflection, including the 15-Ingredient Dream Life exercise and a powerful question you should ask your spouse tonight. Whether you’re 35 or 55, if you’re feeling the nudge that “this isn’t it,” this episode will help you listen to your gut, outsmart your fear, and take the first step toward the life you know is waiting. Key Takeaways: Why “follow your passion” is both beautiful and brokenHow your desires shift from collecting to contributing in midlifeThe 3 things most people are really looking for: Easy. Obvious. Free.What to do when your head says “stay” but your gut says “go”How to take a meaningful life inventory—when you’re readyThe power of being a lantern for someone one half-step behind youHow to tell if you’re living a “get to” life or a “have to” lifeThe financial freedom framework no one is talking aboutWhy most people are one deep conversation away from clarityConversation Highlights: [03:45] — Time is linear. Passions aren’t. What do we do with that tension?[07:00] — The difference between “passion” and “art”… and why it matters[10:06] — How your goals at 22 can trap you at 42[15:47] — Why clarity has to come before you quit[29:57] — Why taking inventory alone doesn’t always work[37:27] — The single most powerful question to ask your spouse tonight[44:24] — “Get to” vs. “Have to” — how to identify the work you love[48:34] — A new way to think about money, time, and meaning[54:01] — The moment Adam realized he was someone’s “Manny”[58:34] — Lon’s personal decision to take a 100-day break from alcohol[01:00:11] — The future of Normal 40: live events, coaching cohorts & moreLinks & Resources: Join the Insider Community: normal40.com/insider — Use code insideraccess for a free monthBook a Free Ramble with Lon: normal40.com (Click “Talk to Lon”)Grab Lon’s Book — The Trade: AmazonGet the 14 Questions That Changed My Life: normal40.comFollow Lon on LinkedIn: @LonStroscheinFind it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein Follow Adam Eaton here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-eaton-21646a4/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

You can spend your whole life building something... only to realize it's no longer yours. That was Dr. LouAnne Giangreco. ER doctor. Chief Medical Officer. Board Director. Decades into a career she worked hard to earn, and even harder to keep, LouAnne did the unthinkable: she walked away.Why?Because she knew deep down, staying was safer... but leaving was honest.In this episode, LouAnne shares the deeply personal story of what it really took to leave a prestigious identity, walk through grief, and reimagine a life built on freedom, creativity, and self-trust.We talk about rest (the radical kind), success (the redefined kind), and the kind of clarity that only comes when you finally stop performing.If you’re sitting in a life that looks good on paper but feels off in your gut—this episode is for you. This is a conversation about letting go of titles, chasing what lights you up, and trusting that your best work might still be ahead of you.Key Takeaways:You can be grateful for your career and still know when it’s time to move on.Rest isn’t a sign of weakness.Grieving the loss of a former identity is part of the path forward.You don’t need to burn it all down—but you do need to make space for what’s next.Living fully means trusting that clarity follows courage, not the other way around.What's Next?If this episode speaks to you, this is an invitation to join the growing Normal 40 community to connect with like-minded individuals. Whether through a free Ramble, Lon's Insider group, or his bestselling book 'The Trade,' this episode is your call to action to start designing your next chapter.Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein LouAnne Giangreco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louanne-giangreco-md-facep/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when you reach the pinnacle of your career only to realize it’s no longer the life you want?In this episode, Lon Stroschein sits down with Parker Hays, a physician who spent 33 years in emergency medicine before making the courageous decision to leave and build a life of purpose and impact.Parker shares his journey, from a pivotal moment in his youth that inspired him to pursue medicine to the realization that it was time to trade his successful career for a new chapter focused on prevention, wellness, and helping others thrive.Through his company, Lasting Impact Wellness, Parker now helps leaders avoid burnout and become the best versions of themselves. This candid conversation is packed with insights about change, courage, and listening to the quiet voice inside that calls you to more.Key Takeaways:A lifelong career can feel out of alignment when your purpose shifts.Deciding to leave success behind is daunting, but the trade-off can lead to clarity, fulfillment, and growth.Stepping into a new chapter isn’t about starting over but rediscovering curiosity and learning with intention.Balance is possible when leaders prioritize self-awareness, wellness, and resilience over the grind of constant achievement.Honor your legacy by living fully: Inspired by his father’s untimely passing, Parker is committed to embracing every moment and living a life of service and purpose.What's Next?This heartfelt conversation is a testament to the courage required to make "the trade" and a call to action for anyone feeling stuck. Whether through a free Ramble, Lon's Insider group, or his bestselling book The Trade, this episode is a call to action to start designing your next chapter.Find all things Lon and Normal 40 here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein Parker Hays: https://www.instagram.com/drs.hays/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-parker-hays-jr-md-facep-6296b2125/Website https://lastingimpactwellness.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

At some point, the chaos gets too loud to ignore. In that moment, you will break down or raise up.In Part Two of Brandon Meyer’s story, we start the exploration about what really matters and how you chase it.This episode is about the people who show up when you stop pretending. The friends who bet on you before you bet on yourself. The quiet acts of rebellion that help you remember who you were before the titles, the expectations, and the noise."I hit it at a young age… and realized it wasn’t the end game I thought it would be."—Brandon MeyerMost of all, we talk about rediscovering your art—not the kind you post, sell, or monetize—but the things you do just for you. The things that make you feel alive again. The things you share with friends, and we find out what happens when we share it.This isn’t about leaving a job. This is about finding the life that fits your soul. It's about rethinking who you are, what you can offer and getting clear on who needs it most.IN THIS EPISODE:The turning point that shook BrandonThe friendships that held him steady and called him forwardWhy you need people who believe in your next chapter—even when you don’tHow to remember your art, and why you mustThe cost of waiting vs. the power of actingWhat’s Next?🔗 Connect with Lon and BrandonLon Stroschein: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroscheinBrandon Meyer:LinkedInFacebook (Personal)Facebook (Breaking Braces)(Coming soon: BreakingBraces.com) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

Brandon Meyer was born three months premature with cerebral palsy. Doctors said he’d never walk. He walked at three. They said he’d never live on his own. He left home, earned degrees, became a husband, a father, and a corporate leader managing $50 million a year. They said he’d never play sports. He played. They said he’d never be free. But the day he broke his leg brace and threw it on the floor — he chose a different story. This is Episode 1 of Brandon’s two-part story — a conversation about identity, permission, faith, and finding your art. It’s about walking into your purpose, even if you limp. It’s about telling the truth, especially when it’s uncomfortable.If you’ve ever felt the fire to do something more with your life — something real, something yours — this episode will speak to you.Key Takeaways: You get to choose your weaknesses--they don't choose you.People show up when you need them. Doing hard things is about the journey--and fitting in.Finding purpose often starts by embracing what makes you unique.Creativity can become a powerful outlet for self-expression and healing.Your best days are in front of you--so long as you chase them.Lon is not a great guitar player. What’s Next? Enjoy this episode, and stay tuned for Part Two, which is coming soon. Trust us, you won't want to miss the next chapter of Brandon's incredible story!🔗 Connect with Lon and BrandonLon Stroschein: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroscheinBrandon Meyer:LinkedInFacebook (Personal)Facebook (Breaking Braces)(Coming soon: BreakingBraces.com) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe

Burnout is everywhere. It's in our board rooms and courtrooms. But now, more than ever, it's also in our operating rooms and emergency rooms. Something has to change. In this episode, Lon Stroschein sits down with Dr. John Shufeldt — a physician, entrepreneur, attorney, and pilot — to explore his unconventional career journey. From overcoming academic struggles to founding multiple successful ventures, Dr. Shufeldt reveals how curiosity and a mindset of lifelong learning have guided his path--and how he helps others avoid burnout.Lon and John dig into the unspoken challenges physicians face, including the mental health crisis in medicine and why so many doctors struggle with asking for help. John shares his latest mission to address these issues, including a venture fund to help physicians invest in startups and a screenplay to bring awareness to the pressures of the profession.Beyond medicine, John talks about his insatiable curiosity—why he pursued law, aviation, and business alongside his medical career—and what keeps him pushing forward. He also shares his quest to avoid forever the "If Only" look of death. This episode is a wake-up call for high performers who feel trapped in their success and are wondering what’s next.Key TakeawaysSuccess often starts with failure. Embracing setbacks creates resilience and opens new opportunities.Curiosity is a powerful driver — exploring diverse interests can uncover unexpected career paths.Innovation thrives when you identify problems that are frequent, expensive, and recurring.Living with purpose means taking calculated risks to avoid regrets later in life.What's next?If this episode resonated with you, it’s time to take action. Subscribe to The Insider at Normal40.com for coaching, insights, and a community of high performers navigating their next chapter. Your best days aren’t behind you—they’re waiting for you to step into them.Find it all right here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein Stephany Stuckey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-shufeldt/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com/subscribe