What if work didn’t have to feel so…sucky? TJ Bennett is on a mission to help people figure that out. We talk about his DesuckifyWork® podcast, his path through advertising, the pressure we put on ourselves to have everything figured out (even though none of us do), and what actually makes work…and life…feel better. A fun and honest conversation about how things actually unfold. TJ didn’t have some perfectly mapped-out plan. He followed what was interesting, paid attention to what felt off, and made changes along the way. From randomly discovering advertising…to realizing later in his career that something had shifted…to leaving a successful career to try something new without knowing exactly how it would all work. We also talk about how early experiences shape the way we see work and life, and how sometimes it takes something significant to make us pause and rethink what actually matters. And throughout the conversation, this idea keeps coming up: We think we need to know first…and then act. But most of the time, it’s actually the opposite. We try something. We figure it out as we go. We adjust. That’s the process. It’s simple. Not always easy. But much truer than the story most of us are carrying.

• The unexpected path that led TJ into advertising (and how one seemingly random moment can change everything)
• Why not knowing how is usually the thing keeping us stuck
• How a major health experience early in life shifted how he thinks about work and what actually matters
• The moment “Desuckify” became a thing…and why he committed before he had it all figured out
• Why “fine” can be dangerous
• The pressure we all feel to have it figured out (and the fact that none of us actually do)
• Why enjoyment might be one of the most underrated tools we have

TJ is the founder, CEO and executive coach at The Pudding Factory, a work desuckifying consultancy.

He began his coaching career after 25 years as an advertising executive, creative director and writer for agencies big and small., including TBWA\Chiat\Day, Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy and Hill Holliday. He helped Fortune 500 clients like Verizon, Toyota, MetLife and Panasonic sift through the noise to solve big creative challenges. And he helped his teams do the same. His mission is to DesuckifyWork®. And he hosts a popular podcast with the same name. His cat Carl offers this review: “less talking, more treats dude." As an ICF-certified executive coach, TJ helps leaders and brands find calm in the chaos and grow what matters. Ready to make sense of the muck? Talk to TJ. Here’s where you can find TJ…

• Website: https://www.thepuddingfactory.net/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teejaybee/

• Substack: https://tjbennett.substack.com/

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.

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Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

What if the thing you’re trying so hard to tone down is actually the thing that makes your work resonate?

I’m joined by Hallee Dunsky, self proclaimed “writer for weirdos,” for a conversation about finding your voice and letting what makes you different work for you. A discussion about voice, energy, self-permission, and why waiting until “the kids are older” makes little sense.

Hallee shares her non-linear journey from teaching to freelance writing, the difference between copywriting and content writing, and why so many meaningful messages fall flat on the page…even when they sound brilliant in our heads. We also talk about energy differences, honoring how we’re wired, letting go of perfection, and why consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to creative work.

This episode is full of insight and plenty of relatable moments…from bathroom breaks in fifth grade classrooms to writing novels 200 words at a time.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do, worried about being “too much” or “not enough,” or felt like you needed permission before starting something, listen in.

• Why so many powerful ideas land flat once they hit the page
• The difference between copywriting and content writing (and why it matters…even though no one dies either way)
• Honoring your natural energy instead of fighting it
• Letting go of the need to appeal to everyone
• Why “writer for weirdos” is a brilliant filter
• Starting before you feel ready (and before you feel confident)
• Why small, imperfect progress beats waiting for ideal conditions
• The messy reality of creative processes

Hallee Dunsky is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience writing marketing copy and content for businesses that want to bring their mind-expanding mission down to Earth. Enlivened by the absurd and passionate about marinating deeply in the human experience, she lives outside the lines, collaborating with clients to turn meaningful missions into impactful messages, aligned voices, and resonant words.

• Website: www.writerforweirdos.com
• LinkedIn: Hallee Dunsky

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.

On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”

On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.”

Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

My friend Megan Thole joins me for an honest conversation about what mindfulness and emotional intelligence actually look like in real life…especially for high-achievers who have a hard time slowing down. Megan shares how her experiences with infertility, chronic illness, and burnout led her to explore mindfulness not as a luxury, but as a necessary skill for navigating work, life, and leadership.

We talk about why high-achievers struggle with rest, how negative self-talk and the stories we tell ourselves shape our reactions, and why trying to separate our “work selves” from our “personal selves” doesn’t really work. We also explore the difference between eliminating stress and learning how to recover from it, what resilience really looks like, and how small, consistent practices can make a meaningful difference…without adding more to an already full plate.

This episode is a reminder that mindfulness isn’t about being perfect or clearing your mind. It’s about noticing, creating space, and making small shifts that help you show up more intentionally…for yourself and for the people around you.

• What mindfulness actually looks like in real life (not the Instagram version)
• Why rest feels so uncomfortable for high-achievers
• How our inner dialogue quietly drives stress and self-doubt
• The stories we tell ourselves…and how often they’re untrue
• Small, practical ways to pause, reset, and show up more intentionally
• Why we bring our whole selves to work…whether we admit it or not
• How resilience is built through recovery, not perfection

Megan Thole is a speaker, coach, and trainer with over 14 years of experience across higher education and financial services. As the founder of Hello Mindful You, she helps professionals and leaders build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the clarity to lead with intention. Megan blends practical leadership tools with human-centered practices that support sustainable performance and presence, helping leaders navigate change and manage competing demands with greater focus and purpose. She holds a master's degree in leadership and management and is certified in change management, mindfulness, and coaching.

• Website: www.hellomindfulyou.com

• LinkedIn: Megan Thole

• Instagram: Hello Mindful You

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review.

On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.”

On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.”

Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.