A Life Worth Working

A Life Worth Working

Michelle Weise & Dana Allen Walsh

Episodes 29
Avg. Duration 15m
Activity Sporadic
Since Apr 2025
Latest Episode Dec 2025

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
26%
Hosting
feeds.transistor.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

A Life Worth Working is a podcast hosted by Michelle Weise and Dana Allen Walsh. Michelle is an education and workforce strategist and author of Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don't Even Exist Yet, and Dana is a senior pastor at a progressive church. This isn't a religious podcast. “A Life Worth Working” celebrates the scraps, screw-ups, and detours of our work lives because we believe that nothing is wasted. The hardest moments we endure, from epic failures to employment gaps and crushing disappointments, all become fertile ground for new growth and endless possibilities. So you’ll hear about the wild journeys of our guests: a comedy writer turned ER doctor, a hedge fund manager turned death doula, a musician turned consultant, even a K-pop star turned lawyer—the list goes on! Each guest reveals pivotal moments of growth born from career zig-zags and dead-ends. Forget linear paths! We’re all navigating spaghetti-shaped journeys. And even those who appear to have it all figured out are fumbling their way through. Our guests talk about the pitfalls, the whispers they couldn’t ignore, or the moments of release that enabled them to jump to something unexpected. And perhaps most importantly, they talk about the messiest, hardest, and most painful parts of their journeys that created the conditions for new life and growth. If you’re interested in dwelling in that messy middle, you’ll love this podcast. And best of all, you’ll hear each of these guests in quick, punchy 20-minute episodes.

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Recent Episodes

S2E6 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Paul Rucker

Dec 16, 2025 6m

Artist, musician, and archivist Paul Rucker shares one of the messiest moments that shaped his life and work. Paul opens up about the first time he experienced explicit racism as a young classical…

S2E5 This Self-taught Cellist Walks Tightropes over Alligators

Dec 09, 2025 21m

A self-taught cellist turned visual artist and archivist, Paul Rucker thrives by moving beyond the limitations of expectations. In this episode of A Life Worth Working, you’ll learn how Paul has…

S2E4 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Vriti Saraf

Dec 02, 2025 9m

In this episode, Vriti Saraf shares how tough feedback from a VC and repeated rejection led to the creation of a new nonprofit helping educators navigate emerging tech. Make sure you listen to this…

S2E3 Off-Ramps and Ultimatums: Vriti's Secret to Success

Nov 18, 2025 24m

In this episode of A Life Worth Working, hosts Michelle Weise and Dana Allen Walsh talk with Vriti Saraf, founder of a nonprofit upskilling educators for the age of AI. Vriti shares how she went from…

S2E2 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Molly Baskette

Nov 11, 2025 9m

In this raw and redemptive conversation, Rev. Molly Baskette, pastor and author, shares her own “shit pile” moment: guiding her church through a painful conflict over affordable housing after a…

S2E1 Why This Pastor Turned to Psychedelics to Heal the Soul

Nov 04, 2025 19m

Dana and Michelle sit down with Rev. Molly Baskette, co-senior minister of the First Congregational Church of Berkeley and author of five books. After nearly 30 years in ministry, Molly found herself…

S1E23 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Soeun Lee

Jul 22, 2025 8m

Former Korean pop star Soeun Lee shares how one of the greatest moments of despair led to her crafting a new voice for herself.

S1E22 How Can Discomfort Lead to Discovery? Soeun Lee's Path from K-Pop Star to Lawyer to Producer

Jul 15, 2025 24m

In this episode of "A Life Worth Working," hosts Michelle Weise and Dana Allen Walsh chat with Soeun Lee, a former Korean pop star who navigated a demanding career starting at the age of 16. Soeun…

S1E21 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Christopher Leech

Jul 08, 2025 10m

Wallis Annenberg GenSpace Executive Director Christopher Leech shares how the hardest career experience of his life led to an understanding that although what he was doing was noble and important, it…

S1E20 What If Aging Means Growing Bolder? Christopher Leech on Reimagining Later Life

Jul 01, 2025 21m

This episode delves into the remarkable journey of Christopher Leech, whose deep curiosity about people led him to work in dementia care and later into bioethics. His passion brought him to GenSpace,…

S1E19 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Kristin Olson

Jun 24, 2025 7m

Yoga studio owner Kristin Olson shares how the fear and uncertainty of a marital separation and a pandemic-shuttered studio pushed her to re-imagine her business: launching 200- and 300-hour teacher…

S1E18 How Do You Find Courage to Follow an 'Impractical' Calling? Kristin Olson's Yoga Journey

Jun 17, 2025 21m

In this episode, Kristin Olson shares her path from discovering yoga as a teenager to becoming a renowned yoga teacher and ultimately opening her own studio in Massachusetts. She discusses the call…

S1E17 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Damon Davis

Jun 12, 2025 7m

In this Sh*t Pile episode of "A Life Worth Working," postdisciplinary artist Damon Davis discusses the concept of enough-ness and how sometimes the most challenging experiences come from the…

S1E16 How Can We See beyond Labels? Damon Davis's Guide to Wonder-filled Living

Jun 10, 2025 14m

In this episode of "A Life Worth Working," hosts Dana Allen Walsh and Michelle Weise chat with award-winning post-disciplinary artist Damon Davis. Exploring a vast array of mediums—illustration,…

S1E15 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Kwaku Aning

Jun 05, 2025 5m

Michelle & Dana dive into musician-turned-consultant Kwaku Aning’s story of heartbreak, evolution, and redirection. From the residue of his pain and experience, he’s built a new path—proof that…

S1E14 Unleashing Curiosity: Kwaku Aning's Journey from Classroom to Consulting

Jun 03, 2025 28m

In this episode of 'A Life Worth Working,' hosts Dana Alan Walsh and Michelle Weise delve into the fascinating journey of Kwaku Aning of Retro-Futurism consulting. Kwaku shares his story of how the…

S1E13 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Scarlett Lewis

May 29, 2025 10m

In this Shit Pile Episode of "A Life Worth Working," Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, shares how she transformed unimaginable pain into purpose after losing her son at…

S1E12 Can Our Deepest Pain Reveal Our Professional Purpose? Scarlett Lewis's Calling after Sandy Hook

May 27, 2025 39m

In this deeply moving episode, Scarlett Lewis shares her remarkable journey of transforming personal tragedy into a global movement. After losing her son Jesse in the Sandy Hook Elementary School…

S1E11 The Sh*t Pile Episode with Jeffrey Rosen

May 22, 2025 4m

In this special sh*t pile episode of A Life Worth Working with Jeffrey Rosen, President of the National Constitution Center, reflects candidly on a painful public critique early in his career that…

S1E10 Finding Virtue in a Distracted World: Jeffrey Rosen on the Pursuit of Happiness

May 20, 2025 22m

What does it take to live a life of purpose and principle? In this compelling episode, hosts Dana Walsh and Michelle Weise engage in a rich conversation with Jeffrey Rosen, President of the National…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does A Life Worth Working have?

A Life Worth Working has published 29 episodes since April 2025, covering topics in Business, Careers.

Is A Life Worth Working still active?

A Life Worth Working is currently sporadic with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 15m.

How do I contact A Life Worth Working for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for A Life Worth Working, including email and social media links.

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