What's The Point? - Discover Your Purpose

Hosted by Bill Ellis; Brand Architect

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Jun 2026

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Have you ever asked yourself What's the Point? What's the point of your work, your hobbies, your life? What's the point of what you do? What's the Point? is a question that can't be asked too often. It's a question that ultimately uncovers your purpose professionally, personally - in life as a whole. Join Brand Architect Bill Ellis as he pursues the answer to this question, and more, with people who have discovered their purpose, fuel it with their passion, and drive it through persistence. You'll be familiar with many of Bill's guests, while others you won't know but should. Each episode will be filled with learning, laughter, and inspiration which you can incorporate into clarifying your own purpose and moving closer to the success and fulfillment you desire. Listen and subscribe now so that you don't miss a single episode of awesomeness.

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September 2, 202654 min

132. Starting Again Without Starting Over | Dr. Ann Marie Peters on Returning to Work After a Career Pause

What happens when you step away from a career you worked hard to build? And when you're ready to return, are you truly starting over—or are you bringing years of experience, growth, caregiving, problem-solving, and perspective with you? In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Dr. Ann Marie Peters, executive coach, leadership strategist, and author of the forthcoming book We'll Be Right Back. Ann Marie stepped away from paid work for five years before finding her way back through entrepreneurship and eventually researching the experiences of other women navigating similar career pauses. Her story begins with a successful corporate career and an unusual work arrangement that was decades ahead of its time. When her first daughter was born in 1995, Ann Marie expected she might have to choose between full-time work and staying home. Instead, her manager asked what it would take to keep her—and agreed to let her work part-time and from home, long before remote work became commonplace. For years, that flexibility allowed her to keep growing professionally while spending meaningful time with her family. But eventually, with three children, increasing travel, relocations, and growing responsibilities at home, the balancing act stopped working. Ann Marie made the difficult decision to step away completely—a choice that brought relief, but also an unexpected loss of professional identity. She describes the discomfort of being asked, "What do you do?" and realizing how much of her sense of self had been connected to her career. Without performance reviews, professional feedback, promotions, or even the simple recognition that comes with being valued at work, confidence can begin to erode. And as the years pass, people may begin to question whether their skills are still relevant—or even forget how accomplished they once were. But a career pause is not empty time. Ann Marie explains that caregiving, parenting, community involvement, volunteering, and managing a household can develop significant skills—time management, negotiation, budgeting, mediation, leadership, delegation, event planning, fundraising, and more. One of the most important parts of returning is learning how to recognize those experiences and translate them into language that employers understand. We also discuss what employers need to understand about people returning after a pause. Some barriers are structural, including résumé systems that may automatically filter out applicants with employment gaps. Others are cultural, including assumptions about mothers, caregivers, or candidates whose careers haven't followed a traditional linear path. Ann Marie argues that employers who look beyond the gap may find highly experienced, motivated people with proven track records and valuable new skills. For anyone considering a return, Ann Marie offers practical advice: remember what you accomplished before the pause, identify what you learned during it, get support updating your résumé, reconnect with career resources and your network, identify the real barriers standing in your way, and begin taking small steps. Returning does not have to mean immediately jumping back into a 50-hour workweek. A part-time role, volunteer position, returnship, or entrepreneurial project can become an experiment—and an important first step. The larger lesson extends beyond career pauses. Starting again does not mean erasing everything that came before. It means remembering who you were, recognizing who you became during the pause, and deciding what fits the person you are now. As Ann Marie says at the end of the episode: your story is never over. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Website: https://www.annmariepeters.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annmariepeters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576489996830 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amp_is_back Pre-order We'll Be Right Back: https://www.annmariepeters.com/book-well-be-right-back What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters—their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Are you starting over or picking up where you left off? 01:00 – Meet Dr. Ann Marie Peters 02:00 – Building a career and professional identity 03:00 – Confidence, mentorship, and early career development 05:00 – Working remotely and part-time in 1995 10:00 – The career risk of flexible work before it was normal 15:00 – When the balancing act became too much 16:00 – Making the scary decision to step away 17:00 – Losing part of your professional identity 18:00 – What happens when professional feedback disappears? 20:00 – Can you love staying home and still miss your career? 23:00 – Why previous experience still matters 24:00 – Mentorship and becoming the mentor yourself 26:00 – Rebuilding confidence when you don't feel ready 32:00 – Who this conversation applies to beyond corporate careers 33:00 – Remembering who you were before the pause 35:00 – How to reconnect with your professional confidence 36:00 – What happened during the career pause matters too 39:00 – The pushes and pulls behind leaving work 41:00 – What employers misunderstand about career gaps 43:00 – The hidden skills employers may overlook 46:00 – Three places to start when you're ready to return 48:00 – Why small steps count 49:00 – Treating your return as an experiment 52:00 – Dr. Peters answers: "What's the point?"

June 24, 202651 min

131. The Hidden Stories Behind How We Spend, Save, and Struggle | Tari Vickery the Emotional Side of Money

Why can someone earn well, save responsibly, and still feel anxious every time they open their bank account? That question is at the heart of this conversation with Tari Vickery, financial wellness coach, founder of Life Matters Financial Group, and author of The Emotional Side of Money. We aren't talking primarily about budgets, investments, or how to earn more. We're exploring the memories, fears, relationships, and inherited beliefs that shape how we spend, save, and struggle. Tari's own money story began with fear. Her mother was only 19 when Tari was born, had limited education, and was left to raise two children without financial support from their father. Tari describes growing up in a family where generations of women became the providers and survivors. The message wasn't simply that money was scarce. It was that they were people who would always have to struggle—but would somehow find a way through. Those lessons reached Tari long before she had money of her own. She remembers being four years old, hearing an advertisement for a loan company, and asking why her mother couldn't simply call and borrow the money they needed. Her mother explained the realities of debt and repayment, giving Tari an unusually early awareness of financial pressure. It was one of many experiences that connected money with survival, security, and fear. Tari's adult life brought dramatic financial extremes. She and her husband built a successful wholesale carpet business and achieved significant wealth at a young age. Then economic forces beyond their control caused them to lose the business, their home, their retirement, and the life they had created. Tari went from living in a 6,000-square-foot home to cleaning houses for income before making the unexpected decision to apply to Stanford. Her story shows that rebuilding after financial loss is rarely just about rebuilding a bank account. It is also about rebuilding identity, confidence, and trust in yourself. Tari explains that the financial recovery often follows the personal recovery—not the other way around. We also explore why reaching a certain number rarely makes anxiety disappear. Tari shares the story of a friend who believed having $100,000 would finally make her feel safe. Once she had it, the money suddenly "didn't count," and the target moved again. When we are chasing a feeling of safety rather than a specific financial need, there may never be a number that feels like enough. The same hidden stories often surface in relationships. Tari describes couples who believe they are fighting over credit cards, furniture, or spending decisions when they are really arguing about the completely different financial worlds in which they were raised. One person may believe money must be earned through effort, while another grew up with easy access to a parent's credit card. One may believe in buying the best and keeping it forever, while the other believes in stretching limited money across everything the household needs. Money becomes the surface-level disagreement, but underneath it are beliefs about safety, responsibility, control, love, worth, and what a successful life should look like. Ultimately, this conversation is about the difference between having enough and believing you have enough. Tari's journey from scarcity toward abundance did not mean pretending that financial hardship wasn't real. It meant developing the confidence that whatever happened, she could respond, adapt, and find a way forward. Financial freedom may not begin with a number. It may begin with understanding the stories we inherited, deciding which ones still serve us, and learning to trust that we can create a life aligned with who we are and what we value. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters - their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: CONTACT INFO: Name - Tari K. Vickery Email - tari@tarikvickeryauthor.com Website(s) - https://www.tarikvickeryauthor.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tari-k-vickery-09027a2/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561349842621 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tarikvickeryauthor/ Threads - https://bsky.app/profile/tarikvickeryauthor.bsky.social BOOK: "The Emotional Side of Money" Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242974806-the-emotional-side-of-money Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Side-Money-Financial-Wellness/dp/B0FWZY5J8H/ Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-emotional-side-of-money-a-roadmap-to-financial-wellness-tari-k-vickery/9fb9475edf7fe89f Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Why money is rarely just about money 01:00 – Meet Tari Vickery and The Emotional Side of Money 02:00 – Growing up with money, fear, and survival 03:00 – Three generations of women, work, and financial struggle 04:00 – Do we inherit a financial mindset? 06:30 – Asking for a loan at four years old 08:00 – Understanding her mother and releasing the past 09:30 – What financial instability really threatens 11:00 – Tari's first childhood business 12:00 – Working through high school and becoming a high achiever 14:00 – Building wealth through a family business 15:00 – Losing the business, home, retirement, and lifestyle 17:00 – Cleaning houses and deciding to apply to Harvard 18:00 – Applying to Stanford and changing the family's future 20:00 – From a 6,000-square-foot house to campus housing 21:00 – Reinvention driven by survival 22:00 – How different childhoods affect financial hardship 24:00 – Rebuilding personally before rebuilding financially 25:00 – Why reaching a financial goal doesn't always bring safety 27:00 – Feeling financially secure but emotionally unsafe 28:00 – What children learn by watching their parents 30:00 – Why the goalpost of "enough" keeps moving 31:00 – Spending $1,000 and feeling nothing 34:00 – Why money is so difficult to talk about 35:00 – Two completely different childhood money stories 37:00 – What couples are really fighting about when they fight over money 40:00 – Why successful people still avoid opening bills 42:00 – How to begin changing a painful relationship with money 44:00 – The difference between having enough and believing it 45:00 – Scarcity versus abundance 46:00 – What financial freedom really means 48:00 – Money, identity, gratitude, and loving your life 49:30 – Tari answers: "What's the point?" What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters - their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

June 10, 202655 min

130. Why Getting Organized Isn't Really About Being Tidy | Lisa Woodruff on Overwhelm, Systems, and Self-Trust

Most people think getting organized means having a cleaner house, a tidier desk, or a color-coded planner. But what if organization isn't really about tidiness at all? In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365 and author of The Paper Solution and the upcoming book Escaping Quicksand. Our conversation explores a question that resonates with almost everyone: Why do capable people feel so overwhelmed by ordinary life? Lisa argues that the problem isn't laziness, lack of discipline, or personal failure. The real issue is that most of us were never taught how to manage the operating system of everyday life. We learn how to do jobs, earn degrees, and build careers, but very few people ever learn how to manage the invisible work of running a household. From bills and calendars to appointments, paperwork, meals, planning, and decision-making, there's far more happening beneath the surface than most of us realize. One of the most eye-opening moments in the conversation is Lisa's estimate that maintaining a household requires roughly 28 hours of work each week—and much of that work is invisible. Because we don't see it, we often fail to account for it, which creates guilt and frustration when we inevitably feel behind. We also explore the difference between organizing visible clutter and organizing life itself. Lisa explains that piles of paper, overflowing inboxes, and unfinished tasks aren't usually the real problem. More often, they're symptoms of larger systems that haven't been designed to handle the ongoing projects and responsibilities of everyday living. The conversation also dives into executive function, ADHD, procrastination, discipline, and why systems create freedom rather than restriction. Lisa shares her own late-in-life ADHD diagnosis and explains how creating structures that fit her strengths allowed her to build a successful business while managing a complex household. Rather than viewing organization as a personality trait, she sees it as a learnable skill that helps people trust themselves more. Perhaps most importantly, this episode reframes organization as something much bigger than keeping things neat. It's about reducing overwhelm, reclaiming mental bandwidth, and creating enough space to focus on what truly matters. In other words, getting organized isn't about becoming perfect. It's about building a life that works for you. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters - their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Email: customerservice@organize365.com Website(s) http://organize365.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisawoodruff Instagram http://instagram.com/organize365 BOOK: https://organize365.com/escapingquicksand Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Why getting organized isn't really about being tidy 01:00 – Meet Lisa Woodruff and Organize 365 02:30 – The invisible work of running a household 04:00 – Why organizing your pantry isn't enough 06:00 – What people think organization is vs. what it actually is 07:30 – Why piles of paper become emotional burdens 10:00 – The hidden projects behind everyday clutter 11:00 – Running a household like a business 13:00 – The surprising economic power of households 14:30 – Planning, supply chains, and invisible labor 16:00 – Lisa's entrepreneurial upbringing and early lessons 19:00 – Is overwhelm caused by invisible work? 20:00 – Digital overwhelm vs. paper systems 23:00 – A forgotten $123,000 account and why paper still matters 26:00 – Why households need systems too 28:00 – The grocery shopping story that changed everything 30:00 – Executive function explained simply 32:00 – Why knowing what to do isn't enough 33:00 – Productive procrastination and small tasks 35:00 – Why organization isn't about willpower 37:00 – Systems for different personalities and learning styles 39:00 – Lisa's ADHD diagnosis and what it changed 43:00 – ADHD, entrepreneurship, and adapting to life 46:00 – Why structure creates freedom 47:00 – Ownership, responsibility, and self-trust 48:00 – Feeling permanently behind? Start here. 50:00 – Discipline, habits, and consistency 52:00 – Escaping Quicksand: the idea behind the new book 53:00 – What's the Point? Lisa's answer

May 27, 202653 min

129. The Versions of Ourselves We Learn to Become | Femi Corazon on Identity, Adaptation, and Change

How much of who we become is actually ours? That question sits underneath this deeply thoughtful conversation with Femi Corazon, a senior creative leader whose life has moved across cultures, industries, storytelling, leadership, and behavior change. Her story begins in Iowa, stretches through the Philippines and Nigeria, and eventually lands in New York advertising, technology, and creative strategy. But underneath all of it is a deeper thread: identity. Femi talks openly about growing up feeling visibly different in every environment she entered. In the Philippines, her Blackness stood out. In Nigeria, her mixed identity made her feel foreign. Returning to the United States as a teenager brought another layer of cultural adaptation. Yet what stands out most in her story is the distinction she makes between difference and rejection. She never felt unloved by her family or communities, but she became deeply aware of how much human beings adapt in order to belong. That lifelong process of adaptation eventually became the foundation of her work. Femi explains that storytelling wasn't simply creative expression for her — it was survival. Stories helped her understand people, navigate unfamiliar environments, and make meaning out of change. That same curiosity later shaped her career in advertising, coding, user experience, and behavioral strategy. Whether she was building software systems at BBDO or leading creative teams years later, the underlying question remained the same: What makes people move? One of the strongest themes in this episode is that information alone does not change people. Human beings change when a new version of themselves feels emotionally survivable. Femi describes behavior through the lens of narrative: the unhealthy habits, fears, or limitations people hold onto are often rooted in stories that once kept them safe. Meaningful change only happens when people can imagine a different story that feels possible for them. We also spend time discussing leadership, empathy, creativity, and the emotional burden leaders sometimes carry. Femi speaks candidly about learning boundaries, avoiding burnout, and understanding that leadership is not about sacrificing yourself for others, but about creating environments where people can safely do their best work. Again, the conversation keeps returning to meaning, purpose, and the stories human beings live inside every day. Toward the end of our discussion, Femi reflects on technology, artificial intelligence, and the fear that humanity may slowly lose touch with what makes us human in the first place. But she also shares what gives her hope: the belief that despite all our flaws, people are still driven by connection, meaning, and the desire to understand one another. Ultimately, this episode is about identity — not as something fixed, but as something continually shaped through story, culture, adaptation, and choice. And maybe the most important question isn't simply Who am I? but Is the story I'm living still helping me become who I'm meant to be? What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters — their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: CONTACT INFO: Name: Femi Corazon Email: femi@femicorazon.com Website(s): femicorazon.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/femicorazon Instagram: @‌femicorazon Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Introduction + "The Versions of Ourselves We Learn to Become" 01:00 – Growing up between Iowa, the Philippines, and Nigeria 03:00 – Feeling different in every culture 05:00 – Difference vs. rejection: an important distinction 07:00 – Being visibly "other" and adapting to survive 10:00 – Family, belonging, and multigenerational influence 13:00 – Learning English and adapting in Nigeria 15:00 – Creativity, imagination, and storytelling as survival 17:00 – The stories we inherit vs. the stories we choose 18:00 – Why acting and advertising both mattered to Femi 20:00 – Moving to New York to become an actress 21:00 – Coding at BBDO and learning human behavior 24:00 – Storytelling, software, and influencing adoption 26:00 – Why behavior change starts with curiosity 29:00 – Understanding the stories people tell themselves 31:00 – What actually makes people change? 33:00 – Safety, fear, and emotionally survivable change 36:00 – Leadership, meaning, and motivating teams 40:00 – Leadership boundaries and avoiding burnout 42:00 – Pitching ideas and understanding human psychology 46:00 – Why information alone doesn't change people 48:00 – Curiosity, learning, and stepping into uncertainty 49:00 – What worries Femi most about the world today 51:00 – Humanity, connection, and what gives her hope 52:00 – "What's the point?" + Femi's final answer

May 20, 202656 min

128. When It's Time to Change, Even If It's Working | Julian Lighton on Progress, Purpose, and Navigating Your Next

Have you ever found yourself in something that works on paper… but doesn't really feel right anymore? That's the question at the center of this conversation with Julian Lighton, executive coach, strategist, and author of Navigating Your Next. Julian has spent decades helping leaders and organizations navigate change, but this conversation isn't just about career strategy — it's about identity, growth, and learning how to recognize when something no longer fits. Julian's own path has been anything but linear. Trained originally in law at Oxford, he realized early that he didn't want the life attached to the career he had prepared for. That decision began a journey across startups, consulting, Cisco, McKinsey, and executive leadership roles — each step driven less by title and more by what he calls "progress over progression." In other words, focusing on becoming better rather than simply climbing higher. One of the most compelling parts of our conversation centers around competency versus passion. Julian challenges the modern obsession with "following your passion," arguing instead that confidence and fulfillment are often built through becoming deeply competent at something meaningful. Passion can fuel us, but discipline, consistency, and learning are what sustain long-term growth. We also explore the emotional side of change: fear, identity, risk, and the uncomfortable realization that success doesn't always equal happiness. Julian shares stories of leaving environments that no longer aligned with who he was becoming, including a major move from London to San Francisco that completely reshaped his career and life. He talks openly about failure, why learning requires discomfort, and why some of the most successful people he knows are also deeply unhappy because they pursued progression without questioning what they actually wanted. Throughout the episode, Julian returns to three key questions: Am I learning? Am I in the right context? Am I surrounded by the right people? Those questions become a framework not just for career decisions, but for life itself. This episode is ultimately about responsibility — understanding that no one is coming to rescue you, and that meaningful change begins the moment you decide you're no longer willing to stay where you are. It's a conversation about growth, risk, purpose, and the realization that the point may not be the destination at all… but the journey itself. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: https://www.julianlighton.com Navigating Your Next : https://amzn.to/4eV8CVU Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Introduction + "When It's Time to Change, Even If It's Working" 01:00 – Julian's background in law and choosing not to become a barrister 04:00 – Joining a startup before startups existed 08:30 – How early career experiences shaped everything that followed 09:30 – Progress vs. progression explained 13:00 – Why these ideas apply far beyond business careers 14:00 – "What discussion should never happen without you in the room?" 16:00 – Competency vs. passion: what actually creates success? 20:00 – Why expertise is more accessible today than ever before 22:00 – Discipline, identity, and "doing is being" 24:00 – Taking opportunities before feeling fully ready 27:00 – Recognizing when leadership or culture no longer fits 30:00 – Learning, context, and culture: Julian's framework for change 31:00 – Moving from London to San Francisco in the 1990s 37:00 – Fear, risk, and deciding what you're no longer willing to tolerate 40:00 – Why change begins with personal responsibility 42:00 – Choosing the right work, context, and people 45:00 – Career success vs. balanced life 49:00 – Failure, learning, and why growth requires discomfort 54:00 – "It's about the journey, not the destination" 56:00 – Closing reflections + final thoughts What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters — their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do.

May 13, 202654 min

127. The Long Game: Susan Friedmann on Purpose, Publishing, and Staying Excited About Life

In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Susan Friedmann, founder of Aviva Publishing and Marketing, to talk about longevity — not just in business, but in life. What does it take to stay engaged with something over time without becoming stale, stuck, or disconnected from yourself? Susan has spent decades helping nonfiction authors bring their books into the world, but what stood out most in our conversation wasn't simply publishing. It was her honesty about passion, reinvention, and recognizing when something no longer fits. She reflects on starting in the trade show industry, building expertise there for more than two decades, and eventually realizing she had lost the excitement that once fueled her work. That recognition led her toward publishing — first for her own books, then eventually for more than 1,200 titles through her company. Throughout the episode, Susan shares what authors often misunderstand about success. Many believe publishing the book is the finish line, when in reality it's only the beginning. Marketing, she explains, is a long game built on consistency, clarity, and understanding exactly who you're trying to help. The same principle applies far beyond books: meaningful work requires ongoing attention and adaptation. We also explore identity — how difficult it can be to let go of the version of yourself you've spent years building. Susan speaks candidly about the fear of starting over later in life, losing the title that once defined her, and realizing that excitement and curiosity mattered more than simply maintaining familiarity. It's a conversation many listeners will recognize, especially anyone wrestling with whether to stay in something that no longer feels alive. Another recurring theme is learning. Susan talks about travel, exposure to different cultures, communication in long relationships, and even the role AI now plays in creativity and publishing. Rather than resisting change, she looks for ways to stay curious. Her belief is simple: if something feels stale, explore it from another angle. Find new perspectives. Keep learning. Ultimately, this conversation is about paying attention — to your work, your relationships, and yourself. Longevity isn't passive. It requires honesty, adaptation, communication, and the courage to ask whether what once fit still does. Susan reminds us that staying engaged is less about holding onto one identity forever and more about continuing to grow into the next version of yourself. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters — their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Email: susan@avivapubs.com Website(s) https://avivapubs.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanfriedmann Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.marketer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avivapubs PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/book-marketing-mentors/id1053995420 BOOKS: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-A.-Friedmann/author/B001ILM7BA Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Introduction + "Staying Engaged: The Point of Longevity" 01:00 – Susan Friedmann's work helping nonfiction authors 02:00 – What authors really want from writing a book 03:00 – Why marketing to "everyone" never works 05:00 – Editing, attention spans, and book covers that matter 08:00 – Passion, confidence, and believing in your work 10:00 – Being honest about what you can and can't do 11:00 – The biggest mistakes authors make 13:00 – Why publishing is only the beginning 15:00 – The long game of marketing and consistency 18:00 – Susan's early career and trade show expertise 20:00 – Getting rejected three times before success 22:00 – How Aviva Publishing unexpectedly evolved 23:00 – Losing passion and recognizing it was time to change 25:00 – Identity, reinvention, and starting over later in life 27:00 – Adapting to technology, AI, and publishing shifts 31:00 – Staying excited instead of becoming stale 33:00 – Creativity, AI, and finding fresh perspectives 35:00 – What makes something truly "work" 37:00 – Learning from people, travel, and different cultures 39:00 – The secret to long relationships: communication and honesty 42:00 – Feeling like you don't belong and what travel teaches us 46:00 – Knowing when something no longer fits 49:00 – Being brave enough to change your life 52:00 – "What's the point?" Susan's answer on gratitude and purpose

May 6, 20261 hr 6 min

126. Choosing a Life Before You've Lived It | Alex Dworsky & Gabriel DeSanti from Staj

How do you choose a career before you've really lived life? That's the question at the center of this conversation with Alex Dworsky and Gabriel DeSanti, co-founders of Staj. Most of us are asked to decide what we want to do at 18, 20, or 22 — long before we've had enough experience to truly understand what those choices mean. And while some people land in the right place, many others find themselves years into a path that no longer fits. Alex shares her experience inside corporate America, where careers often follow a predictable path shaped by expectations, environment, and stability. But as time goes on, many people begin to question whether what they chose actually aligns with who they are becoming. Gabriel's journey offers a different perspective — pivoting early from a technical trade into content creation, ultimately building a career around exploring what different jobs are really like from the inside. Together, they unpack why so many people stay in roles that don't fulfill them. Fear plays a major role — fear of losing stability, identity, or success. For many, it's not just about changing jobs, but about walking away from something that looks "successful" on paper. That tension — between comfort and fulfillment — is where people often feel stuck. A key theme throughout this episode is the lack of real exposure. Most career decisions are made with limited information, based on what we're told, what we see around us, or what seems safe. Even internships, which are supposed to offer insight, often fall short by showing only a narrow slice of the job rather than the full picture. This conversation challenges the idea that choosing once is enough. Instead, it invites a different approach: staying curious, experimenting, and being willing to reassess what success actually means at different stages of life. Because sometimes the real work isn't choosing the right path — it's recognizing when the one you chose no longer fits. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters — their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Name: Gabriel DeSanti Email: gabe@gabedesanti.com Name: Alex Dworsky Email: admin@gostaj.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: IG: https://www.instagram.com/gabriel.desanti LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-desanti IG: https://www.instagram.com/go_staj Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Why choosing a career early is so difficult 01:30 – The idea behind Staj (try before you commit) 03:00 – Alex's corporate career and COVID shift 06:00 – Gabriel's early pivot and "world's longest resume" 08:30 – Why people outgrow their careers 10:00 – Why most people stay in jobs that don't fit 12:00 – How we actually choose careers at 18–22 14:00 – The problem with internships 16:00 – Fear, identity, and career changes 18:30 – The "golden handcuffs" problem 21:00 – Why people don't explore other paths 24:00 – Who understands Staj immediately (and who doesn't) 27:00 – Why small businesses get it faster 30:00 – Hiring, risk, and finding the right fit 33:00 – Why internships don't fully solve the problem 36:00 – Unexpected jobs and hidden career paths 40:00 – How to explore without quitting everything 45:00 – What to do if your career feels wrong 50:00 – Redefining success over time 53:00 – Final reflections on choice and fulfillment

April 29, 202649 min

125. Andi Simon: The Stories We Believe—and Why They Make Change So Hard

In this episode of What's the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Andi Simon—corporate anthropologist, author, and founder of Simon Associates—to explore a deceptively simple question: Why is it so hard to see what's right in front of us? Andi has spent decades studying how people think, behave, and—most importantly—how they make meaning. From working with banks and healthcare systems to helping leaders navigate transformation, she's seen the same pattern over and over again: People don't resist change because they lack information.They resist change because of the stories they believe. These stories—often invisible to us—shape how we interpret the world, what we notice, and what we ignore. Even when evidence is clear, our brains filter reality through familiar patterns, protecting us from discomfort but also limiting growth. Through real-world examples, Andi explains how habits, myths, and internal narratives keep individuals and organizations stuck—and how change only begins when we learn to see differently, not just think differently . This is a conversation about perception, identity, and the quiet forces shaping every decision we make. Key Takeaways We Don't See Reality—We See Our Story Humans are meaning-makers, interpreting the world through internal narratives that feel true, even when they're incomplete . Change Doesn't Come From New Information People don't change because they're told something new—they change when they experience something that shifts how they see. Habits Protect Us—But Also Limit Us Our brains prioritize efficiency and familiarity, making it easier to stay the same than to grow. Myths Shape Behavior More Than Facts Many beliefs about identity, capability, and success are repeated assumptions—not proven truths. Change Requires Small Wins and Visibility Momentum builds through shared experience, not instruction. People change when they see others changing too. Curiosity Is the Gateway to Growth The most underused skill in personal growth is curiosity—the willingness to question what feels "obvious." What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters - their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Email asimon@simonassociates.net Website(s) https://www.andisimon.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andisimon/ Andi's Podcast: https://www.simonassociates.net/category/podcast/ BOOKS: https://www.andisimon.com/the-books Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Introduction: Why we miss what's right in front of us 01:00 – Meet Andi Simon: corporate anthropologist and meaning-maker 02:00 – What anthropology really studies 04:00 – Discovering that humans live inside stories 06:00 – Why people don't change—even when told to 07:30 – Habits and invisible patterns in behavior 09:00 – Why disruption often requires a crisis 10:30 – The brain, storytelling, and filtering reality 12:00 – Why people must see change to believe it 13:30 – Resistance inside organizations and individuals 15:00 – Copycat behavior and how change spreads 17:00 – Leadership vs. management mindset 18:30 – Why change feels mentally exhausting 20:00 – Small wins and positive reinforcement 21:30 – Why people need to feel they matter 22:30 – Myths: beliefs that feel true but aren't 24:00 – Breaking myths through real examples 25:30 – Imposter syndrome and identity shifts 27:00 – Creating a new narrative 29:00 – Why we try to fix the future using the past 30:00 – Curiosity vs. fear 31:00 – Resistance and identity transitions 33:00 – Losing structure, purpose, and community 35:00 – Why purpose matters 37:00 – Why we delay change 38:30 – Habits and human efficiency 40:00 – Loyalty vs. familiarity 42:00 – What people misunderstand about change 43:00 – Curiosity as a life skill 44:30 – Endings as transitions 46:00 – Embracing what's next 47:00 – What's the point? Embrace change

March 4, 20261 hr 5 min

124. The Price of Change: David Schnurman on Choice, Family, and What Really Matters

In this episode of What's the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with David Schnurman to explore a question many of us quietly carry: what do we think will happen when we change our lives? Change often begins with hope. A new job, a new city, a new path — we imagine it will give us clarity, fulfillment, or relief from whatever feels unresolved. But as David reflects throughout this conversation, change doesn't always deliver exactly what we think we're buying. Together, Bill and David explore the deeper motivations behind the choices we make. Family expectations, personal responsibility, ambition, and identity all shape the way we pursue change. Sometimes those choices bring us closer to what matters most. Other times they reveal that the answers we're searching for can't be found simply by changing circumstances. David shares reflections on how family influences the decisions we make, the stories we tell ourselves about success, and the quiet tension between the life we build and the life we imagined. It's an honest conversation about responsibility, perspective, and the complicated nature of personal reinvention. Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to step back and ask a deeper question: when we pursue change, are we chasing something external — or searching for something within ourselves? What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters — their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschnurman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidschnurman/ CURRENT PROJECTS / OFFERINGS Author of Eleven Suitcases – a memoir about family, identity, and reducing life to what matters most Author of The Fast Forward Mindset – focused on fear, focus, and intentional action CEO of Lawline – leading online CLE and professional development for attorneys Host of the Lawyers Who Learn podcast – interviews with legal and business leaders on lifelong learning and growth Speaker & Keynote Presenter – topics include leadership, navigating change, mindset, and living with intention\ Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Introduction to David Schnurman 01:20 – The idea behind life-changing decisions 03:45 – What we imagine change will give us 06:30 – How family shapes the choices we make 09:10 – The tension between ambition and responsibility 12:05 – When expectations don't match reality 15:20 – Identity, growth, and the stories we tell ourselves 18:40 – Why change alone doesn't always bring fulfillment 21:15 – Learning what truly matters 24:10 – How perspective evolves over time 27:30 – Navigating life transitions 30:10 – What keeps people moving forward 33:20 – The deeper meaning behind our choices 36:40 – David reflects on purpose and family 39:30 – David answers: "What's the Point?"

February 25, 202653 min

123. Built to Serve: Omar Ritter on Leadership, Discipline, and Living With Purpose

In this episode of What's the Point?, I sit down with Omar Ritter for a conversation about discipline, leadership, and what it really means to live with purpose. Omar's story is rooted in challenge. He reflects on the moments that shaped him — not just professionally, but internally. We talk about early lessons in responsibility, learning how to carry weight, and what it means to choose growth instead of comfort. Throughout our conversation, a theme keeps surfacing: discipline. Not the loud kind. Not the performative kind. But the quiet, daily commitment to becoming someone you can depend on. Omar speaks candidly about leadership — not as a title, but as stewardship. Influence carries responsibility. Authority demands integrity. And the strongest leaders are often the ones willing to do the unseen work. We explore what keeps someone moving forward when results aren't immediate. What drives you when applause fades? Omar's answer isn't flashy. It's anchored in consistency, values, and faith. He challenges the idea that purpose is a single lightning-bolt moment and instead reframes it as a series of intentional choices over time. This is a conversation about grit without ego, strength without arrogance, and ambition that stays grounded. It's a reminder that discovering what matters often requires testing what doesn't — and that real growth shapes not only what we build, but who we become. What's The Point? is a podcast hosted by Bill Ellis featuring real conversations with people who've figured out what matters – their purpose. Each episode explores what motivates them and how they find meaning in what they do. Connect with Bill: bill@billellis.com www.billellis.com www.brandingforresults.com IG - @wcellis Facebook - @CoachBillEllis Facebook - @bill.ellis LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis Book: Women Who Won Links for This Episode: Name: Omar Ritter Website(s) http://omarritter.com SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/omar-ritter-cpa-sphr Instagram: omar.ritter.9 Youtube: @‌ORitter1 BOOK: West Point to Wall Street - available for purchase at: https://a.co/d/9LSBgOZ http://omarritter.com Quick Episode Summary: 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Omar Ritter 01:20 – Omar's early influences and foundational lessons 03:45 – The turning points that shaped his leadership mindset 06:10 – Discipline: what it actually means 08:30 – Responsibility before recognition 11:00 – Leadership as stewardship, not status 14:20 – Learning through adversity 17:00 – Faith, values, and internal grounding 19:30 – What drives growth beyond external success 22:00 – Influence, integrity, and consistency 24:40 – What keeps you going when motivation fades 27:30 – Redefining strength 30:00 – Daily habits that build long-term character 33:15 – How Omar approaches setbacks 36:40 – What he hopes others take from his journey 39:10 – Omar answers: "What's the point?" 41:00 – Closing reflections