The Portfolio Career Lab

Octopus Careers

In this conversation, I sit down with Dave Kang, entrepreneur and brand strategist, to explore his bold experiment in building an “octopus-style” portfolio career. Dave shares how his journey began with a corporate layoff and a transformative sabbatical, leading him to embrace generalism and launch multiple "tentacles" of work—from brand strategy consulting to e-commerce and even ambient music production.
We dive into the philosophy behind his unique approach, including the importance of integrating work and life, the challenges of balancing multiple revenue streams, and the criteria he uses to decide which projects to pursue. Dave also discusses his vision for a future where generalists are valued, sharing his goal to create a community of portfolio careerists and, ultimately, innovation teams built entirely from generalists.
From redefining work-life integration to challenging the specialist-driven job market, we cover why portfolio careers offer a compelling alternative for those seeking fulfillment, variety, and purpose in a fast-evolving world of work.
P.S. - Check out Dave's Life-at-a-Glance motivational calendar 

A Meditation: Embracing the Holiday Rhythm

Through a short and sweet guided moment of stillness, Brie invites you to reset, recharge, and reconnect with yourself while inviting in the change of the seasons. Let this be your permission slip to step back and step into 2025 with renewed clarity and intention after some R&R for the remainder of the year.
Take a deep breath and join us. You deserve it.

Balancing Motherhood and a Portfolio Career

In this episode, I sit down with Paige Hewlett, marketer, founder, and VP of Marketing at Mobius Risk Group, to explore her journey through a portfolio career and the creation of Margo, a SaaS platform designed to help small business owners tackle the complexities of marketing. Paige shares how her experience moving from running her own business to in-house leadership roles gave her unique insights into the challenges entrepreneurs face and how Margo helps solve them through guided marketing plans and access to expert resources.
We dive into how Paige balances the demands of being an executive, a founder, and a mother, sharing her strategies for prioritizing what matters in the current season of her life. Paige offers valuable reflections on staying grounded, navigating societal expectations, and raising children while pursuing ambitious goals. She also speaks candidly about the importance of choosing work environments that align with your values and allow space for personal and professional growth.
This episode is filled with practical advice for anyone navigating the intersection of career, creativity, and caregiving. Whether you're building your own business, balancing multiple roles, or redefining success on your own terms, Paige’s story will leave you inspired to embrace the messy but meaningful journey of a portfolio career. 

The Future of Work Revolution & The Rise of Portfolio Careers

In this conversation, I sit down with Bradley Schurman, author, consultant, and founder of Human Change, to unpack the profound demographic shifts shaping today's workforce. Bradley shares insights on how changing birth rates, an aging population, and workforce challenges are pushing more people toward portfolio careers as an alternative to traditional work structures. We explore the ongoing "great wealth transfer," women’s evolving role in the workforce, and the unique pressures facing Gen X and Millennials as they navigate financial instability and rising caregiving demands.
Bradley also delves into the complex relationship between employers and employees, discussing the eroding social contract and what it means for companies trying to retain talent in a fast-changing labor market. From examining global trends in flexible work to the crucial role of communication skills in the future of work, we cover why portfolio careers may offer a path forward in a disrupted economy.
This episode is packed with insights into the demographic destiny shaping our work lives and the adaptations businesses, governments, and individuals may need to consider to thrive in this evolving landscape. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on where the future of work is headed and how portfolio careers might be a key part of that journey!

The Great Unraveling

In this introductory episode, I share insights into what inspired me to launch this podcast. Drawing from my experiences navigating layoffs and career uncertainty, I discuss how the traditional promises of stability and security in work have eroded, especially in the wake of the pandemic and rapid technological change.
I explore why so many of us are rethinking our careers, the appeal of the portfolio career, and the importance of crafting work that aligns with our own values and goals. I emphasize the need to question conventional career paths and to embrace the messy, nonlinear journeys that more accurately reflect today's evolving world of work. Join me as I set the stage for a podcast dedicated to redefining career success, one story at a time.
Links:
www.buildwithbrie.com