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“A Life Worth Working” is a podcast hosted by a disruptive innovation expert and a reverend, but it's not a religious podcast. We feature the gloriously messy stories about career paths that we like to call the spaghetti pathways of our work lives. 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 — all in quick, punchy 20-minute episodes.
Once you subscribe to “A Life Worth Working” (wherever you get your podcasts), you'll get a special little episode delivered every Thursday: a precious, little gem we lovingly call a "Shit Pile Episode" (yep, we curse here—and it's totally OK!). Each guest shares the shittiest moment of their careers and how vital and life-giving those moments ended up being.
And then the following Tuesday, you’ll get to hear a full episode with that particular guest. But heads up: we don’t repeat the Thursday stories in the Tuesday ones, so subscribe now! You definitely don't want to miss our stories about the muddy mess.
Creators and Guests
Host
What is A Life Worth Working?
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.
DANA:
Hi, I’m Dana Allen Walsh, senior pastor.
MICHELLE:
And I’m Michelle Weise, an education and workforce strategist.
DANA:
Together, we’re launching A Life Worth Working — a podcast where we explore one of the most pressing questions of our time…
MICHELLE:
How do we find real purpose and meaning in our lives — especially in our work?
DANA:
In a world where generative AI is reshaping nearly every job...
MICHELLE:
...and the future of work feels more unpredictable than ever...
DANA:
We believe it’s time to redefine what calling, mission, and vocation truly mean.
MICHELLE:
This podcast is your companion through uncertainty — where you will feel less alone in the spaghetti pathways of your career.
DANA:
Just give us 20 minutes, and you’ll hear real stories — the detours, the dead ends, the gaps — the moments of vulnerability that shape a life worth working.
MICHELLE:
Each of our guests has a captivating story about how they found ways to lean into curiosity and wonder, harness their courage, and stretch in moments of discomfort and ambiguity.
DANA:
And even though there is no such thing as a linear trajectory, there is a way forward.
MICHELLE:
On A Life Worth Working, we’ll lead you through the questions that matter most — toward a life and career grounded in purpose and meaning.