Shows
Normal 40: The Podcast#69: The Five Dead Ends — A Conversation with Tait Arend on Image, Isolation, and Choosing Something MoreAt some point, every man has to ask:What’s this life I’ve built actually doing to me?In this episode, Lon sits down with Tait Arend—fundraiser, leadership coach, and Co-host of the Bridging Connections podcast, for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had. Together, they unpack what happens when you’ve done everything right, checked all the boxes, built the image… and still feel like something’s missing.This is not a conversation about brokenness.It’s a conversation about awakening.From a childhood accident that changed his face, and hi...2025-07-1855 min
Normal 40: The Podcast#67 The Calling: From Wall Street to Psychiatry. The Cost of Chasing Image - With Dr. Eric ArzubiWhat if the life you built—the job, the title, the salary—wasn’t the life you were meant to live?Lon sits down with Dr. Eric Arzubi, a former Wall Street bond trader who walked away from Morgan Stanley to become a psychiatrist and mental health advocate. But the real story isn’t the résumé.It’s what happened in between.Eric shares his remarkable, winding path. From early success to devastating anxiety. From image management to identity collapse. From the Upper East Side to the mountains of Montana, where he now leads one of...2025-07-041h 47
Normal 40: The Podcast#66 The Layoff: How Google Exit Sparked Personal Transformation — With Nicholas WhitakerWhat if success didn’t satisfy you the way it was supposed to?Lon sits down with Nicholas Whitaker, former Googler, entrepreneur, and founder of the Conscious Lead Collective. Nicholas shares his journey from punk anarchist to Google executive and the unraveling that began in a hotel room in Japan. At the peak of a global career, Nicholas found himself crumbling under the weight of performance, loneliness, and anxiety, living a version of success that felt more like survival. They talk about burnout, reinvention, and the quiet, powerful decision to build community over competition. This...2025-06-2059 min
Normal 40: The Podcast#65: The Diagnosis: What Cancer Taught Steve Garraty About Regret, Resilience, and the Second ResumeSometimes it takes a crash, literal and emotional, to finally wake up. For Steve Garraty, it was both.Before the diagnosis, there was the drinking. The parties. The wrecked cars. The spiral most people didn’t see coming, not even him. But then came the mass on his neck. A cancer diagnosis at 18. And suddenly, the path he was speeding down came to a screeching halt.In this episode, Lon sits down with Steve for a deeply personal conversation about the years that led to his diagnosis, and the transformation that followed. Steve doesn’t hold back...2025-06-061h 04
Normal 40: The Podcast#64: The Inventory: What Your Gut Knows Before Your Head DoesIn this raw and revealing episode of Normal 40, Lon Stroschein and Adam Eaton reunite for a signature ramble—and what unfolds is one of their most honest conversations yet. It begins with a simple question: What if you followed your passion 10 years ago? And what if that passion has changed? What follows is a masterclass in midlife clarity. Lon and Adam unpack the invisible tension between time and passion—how your career is linear, but your interests, energy, and identity evolve. They explore the false promise of “follow your passion,” why most people are stuck rehearsing worst-case scenarios, and how...2025-05-231h 02
Normal 40: The Podcast#63: The Leap: Moral Injury, Burnout, and Leaving the C-Suite with Dr. LouAnne GiangrecoYou can spend your whole life building something... only to realize it's no longer yours. That was Dr. LouAnne Giangreco. ER doctor. Chief Medical Officer. Board Director. Decades into a career she worked hard to earn, and even harder to keep, LouAnne did the unthinkable: she walked away.Why?Because she knew deep down, staying was safer... but leaving was honest.In this episode, LouAnne shares the deeply personal story of what it really took to leave a prestigious identity, walk through grief, and reimagine a life built on freedom, creativity, and self-trust.2025-05-0257 min
Normal 40: The Podcast#62 Making the Trade: Dr. Parker Hays on Trading Physician Burnout for BalanceWhat happens when you reach the pinnacle of your career only to realize it’s no longer the life you want?In this episode, Lon Stroschein sits down with Parker Hays, a physician who spent 33 years in emergency medicine before making the courageous decision to leave and build a life of purpose and impact.Parker shares his journey, from a pivotal moment in his youth that inspired him to pursue medicine to the realization that it was time to trade his successful career for a new chapter focused on prevention, wellness, and helping others thrive.2025-04-181h 08
Normal 40: The Podcast#61: The Courage to Dream (Pt. 2) – Reclaiming Purpose, Passion, and Your Art: A Ramble with Brandon MeyerAt some point, the chaos gets too loud to ignore. In that moment, you will break down or raise up.In Part Two of Brandon Meyer’s story, we start the exploration about what really matters and how you chase it.This episode is about the people who show up when you stop pretending. The friends who bet on you before you bet on yourself. The quiet acts of rebellion that help you remember who you were before the titles, the expectations, and the noise."I hit it at a young age… and realized it w...2025-04-0455 min
Tales of Leadership#99 Lon Stroschein - Founder of Normal 40 and Best-selling AuthorLon Stroschein is the founder of Normal 40 and best-selling author of The Trade. With a career spanning international expansion, leading a $100M division, closing a $2.1B public deal, founding a private wealth group, and serving in the U.S. Senate, Lon knows success at the highest levels.But his defining moment wasn’t in the boardroom—it was when he chose to walk away and chart a new path. Now, Lon helps high-performing professionals—executives, physicians, attorneys, military officers, and business owners—reclaim purpose and write the next chapter of their lives with intention.Each episode...2025-03-311h 18
Normal 40: The Podcast#60: The Courage to Dream: Finding Purpose Beyond The Diagnosis. A Ramble with Brandon Meyer--Part 1Brandon Meyer was born three months premature with cerebral palsy. Doctors said he’d never walk. He walked at three. They said he’d never live on his own. He left home, earned degrees, became a husband, a father, and a corporate leader managing $50 million a year. They said he’d never play sports. He played. They said he’d never be free. But the day he broke his leg brace and threw it on the floor — he chose a different story. This is Episode 1 of Brandon’s two-part story — a conversation about identity, permission, faith, and finding your art. It’s...2025-03-281h 16
Normal 40: The Podcast#59: The Burnout Breakthrough: How Physicians Can Take Risks, Think Like Entrepreneurs, and Escape the 'If Only' Look" w/ Dr. John ShufeldtBurnout is everywhere. It's in our board rooms and courtrooms. But now, more than ever, it's also in our operating rooms and emergency rooms. Something has to change. In this episode, Lon Stroschein sits down with Dr. John Shufeldt — a physician, entrepreneur, attorney, and pilot — to explore his unconventional career journey. From overcoming academic struggles to founding multiple successful ventures, Dr. Shufeldt reveals how curiosity and a mindset of lifelong learning have guided his path--and how he helps others avoid burnout.Lon and John dig into the unspoken challenges physicians face, including the mental health crisis in me...2025-03-141h 08
Normal 40: The Podcast#58 The Road Back Home: How to Reinvent a Failing Business (and Yourself) with Stephanie StuckeyWhat if you had the chance to reclaim your family’s legacy, resurrect a once-iconic brand, and bet everything on a dream? Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s Corporation, joins Lon Stroschein to discuss her unexpected journey from law and public service to buying back an iconic brand her grandfather start in 1937.“You never know when opportunity will knock—but when it does, you have to be willing to bet on yourself, even if no one else will.” – Stephanie StuckeyTaking back a brand and a company is one thing, but what it will demand f...2025-02-281h 02
Normal 40: The Podcast#57: The Judgement: A Doctor's Courage to Take Back His Life. A Ramble with Dr. Adam GoodcoffYou did everything right. You put in the years, made the sacrifices, and built a career most people admire. But now, there's a feeling you can't shake—one that whispers there's something more for you. But there you sit...waiting.Judgment starts at the moment you even consider doing something new or more. From colleagues, from society, from that inner voice that says, you should just be grateful for what you already have.The self-judgement that leads to the guilt of having so much and then the shame of feeling so little. This is you...2025-02-071h 05
Normal 40: The Podcast#56 The Diagnosis: A Four-Year-Old's Cancer, and a Parent's Courage with Kevin Hoover.What happens when life throws you one curveball after another? How do you rise, rebuild, and find your true purpose?In this episode, Lon Stroschein sits with Kevin Hoover, an elite performer whose life has been shaped by pivotal moments of triumph and heartbreak. From humble beginnings in Mooresville, North Carolina, to a whirlwind career in hospitality, coaching, and real estate, Kevin shares his story with vulnerability and wisdom. But the real turning point came when his 4-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer—a moment that redefined everything he thought he knew about success and purpose.2025-01-241h 51
Normal 40: The Podcast#55: The Next Chapter: Overcoming Guilt, Finding Clarity, and Building LegacyFeeling stuck at the peak of your success?In this raw and energizing kickoff to Season 2, Lon Stroschein and Adam Eaton dive deep into the emotional crossroads elite performers face when they least expect it.They unravel the "Eight Universal Struggles" of transition and share their proven process to help you trade comfort for clarity and reclaim your best days ahead.If you've ever wondered, "What's next for me?"—this episode is your guide.Welcome to Season 2! Here's an episode Summary:Lon and Adam kick off Season 2 with a classic "ramble" th...2025-01-101h 01
The Intentional Agribusiness Leader PodcastLon Stroschein: Finding Purpose and IntentionalityIn this compelling episode, Mark Jewell welcomes Lon Stroschein, founder of Normal 40, to explore the journey of intentional leadership and life transitions. From his South Dakota farm roots to becoming a corporate executive and eventually founding Normal 40, Lon shares powerful insights on courage, clarity, and finding meaning in midlife. Together, Mark and Lon discuss themes of leadership, personal growth, and the evolving role of agribusiness professionals.Key Takeaways:What It Means to Be Intentional:Lon defines intentionality as "trust with clarity where you expect to be led and lead others," emphasizing the importance of clarity, consistency...2025-01-0254 min
The Leadership Project Podcast179. Navigating Career and Personal Fulfilment with Lon Stroschein💭 What if the life you envision for yourself is just one bold decision away?In this episode of The Leadership Project, we welcome Lon Stroschein, best-selling author of 'The Trade' and founder of the Normal 40 movement. Lon shares his inspiring journey of career pivots, from working on a family farm to holding significant roles in politics, banking, and technology, ultimately leading to the creation of Normal 40. He discusses the importance of recognizing pivotal moments, the weight of decisions on personal and family life, and the process of trading unfulfilling success for genuine happiness. Lon...2024-07-081h 02
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Psychotherapist -- Navigating Midlife with Dr. Nicholas SamstagWhat happens when successful individuals reach the pinnacle of their careers only to feel trapped and dissatisfied? You become a psychotherapist, of course.Join me, Lon Stroschein, and Dr. Nicholas Samstag, as we embark on an eye-opening journey of midlife transition and self-discovery. We dive deep into the emotional and psychological struggles faced by those who've achieved much but still yearn for something more. Our conversation unravels the complexities of self-discovery, questioning if midlife reinvention truly leads to a better version of oneself or just a different one.In our conversation, we emphasize the necessity of...2024-06-281h 02
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Brutal Reality of You — And Your Missing ArtEver felt the weight of a secret life that no one knows about, or found yourself grappling with the stark reality of your own existence? Ever wonder why you don't have clarity for what's next or the energy to chase it? We get it!Join us as we explore the brutal reality of our lives to this point. Lon and Adam have a classic ramble--candidly discussing the spheres that shape our identity and influence the emotional authenticity we bring to our relationships and creative pursuits. With raw introspection, we invite you to consider how the brutal reality of...2024-05-231h 00
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Transformation: Navigating Health and Purpose with Dr. Molly MaloofEmbarking on life's next act can be a treacherous climb, but it's one some of us have braved with vigor. Join us on a transformative journey along the Normal 40 Highway as we welcome the exceptional Dr. Molly Maloof.This candid conversation is all about sparking change and pursuing a life filled with purpose. Listen in as we unpack the pivotal moments that redefine our biological and psycho-spiritual well-being and share our personal stories of career transitions and the search for a deeper meaning in life. Molly brings her wealth of experience to the table, offering practical tips on...2024-05-021h 11
Normal 40: The PodcastDismantling Self-Doubt in the Quest for the ExtraordinaryAre you living up to your potential, really? This episode gives hope to anyone wrestling with impostor syndrom. Lon Stroschein's co-host Adam Eaton returns to the airwaves to share his raw and insightful experiences with personal adversity and transformation.Adam shares some of the pitfalls that can find any of us who are on the Normal 40 highway. Adam shares his struggle with self-doubt and the courage it takes to step away from the grind and to live out his "Normal 40 Moment" to forge a path--his own path. This is a deep and candid conversation, in real-time, of the...2024-04-111h 07
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Other Bets - Crypto Currency with Ben WienerIn the new life Lon has built, he reserves every Friday to work on what he calls "Other Bets," investments that are outside of Normal 40 but also part of Lon's long-term future.Listen in as Lon Stroschein takes you through a transformative journey from a corporate executive to a lifestyle engineer -- and where his interest in cryptocurrency takes shape. Including the time he lost more money than he wants his wife to know about. You'll hear the story of Lon's hard lessons in Crypto, and what he does now.As one of Lon's "O...2024-03-291h 05
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Unfolding — A Story of Incredible Resilience and Irony in PeruIt takes trust--an awkward amount of trust--to let things simply unfold before you. To let them play out, to see them untangle, to give them space, and to live in that moment, trusting it.This podcast is a conversation recorded from the streets in Quillabamba, Peru. Join Lon Stroschein on a transformative trek through the heart of Peru, where he is joined by a remarkable guide, Carlos...only 72 hours after meeting, but already a mountain of trust.Carlos shares a slice of life from the streets of Quillabamba to the emotional journey back to his family...2024-03-081h 29
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Unscripted Journey -- Lon’s Journey into the Peruvian Highlands, alone.Have you ever had a calling you could feel in your gut? Have you ever felt called to do something on a whim, and you weren't sure why? Have you ever cut through the irresponsibility of how it feels, and then chased the call simply to see where it goes? Have you ever carved out eight days, flown to a land where you don't speak the language, don't have an event, and don't have a friend to host you? Have you ever arrived alone, to a place where you don't speak the language, you don't have a hotel reservation, a...2024-02-221h 03
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Transition -- Two Weeks Notice with Dan MayerEver dreamed about quitting your job to chase a dream? Well, meet Dan Mayer. Dan Mayer is a seasoned sales expert who resigned from his VP position and is starting his own venture -- NEXT WEEK! This ramble offers a wealth of insights into this life-changing decision. Through his personal experiences, including family challenges, a Wrigley's Gum commercial, and a stand-up comedy stint, Dan articulates the delicate balance of pursuing dreams and fulfilling obligations, providing a roadmap for those contemplating a similar leap.Dan's journey underscores the importance of self-belief, the power of genuine connections, and...2024-01-121h 16
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Journey: From ER Doctor to Middle-School Teacher: Keith Pochick's StoryWho quits their job as an ER physician to be a middle school science teacher?Well, this guy.There's something magnetic about a story that breaks the mold, and Keith Pochick's leap from the corridors of the emergency room to the halls of a middle school does just that.Join Lon Stroschein as he sits down with Keith Pochick, whose life took an extraordinary turn when he traded his stethoscope for a teacher's marker. Keith shares his heartfelt transition from being a medical doctor to inspiring young minds as a middle school science teacher. 2023-12-211h 12
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Move: A Ramble with my First Coach, Brendan Burns:Have you ever thought hiring a coach was a waste? Lon Stroschein did, until ... Join Lon as he sat (back) down with his first coach, Brendan Burns, to discuss his transformation from a public company executive to a lifestyle engineer and career coach on a mission to inspire others. This candid conversation touches on Lon's journey of leaving a successful career, the power of LinkedIn, the importance of taking action before you're ready, and how unexpected life events such as death, divorce, and mental health challenges have shaped us.Together, they share personal experiences and insights...2023-12-071h 12
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Near Miss - A Conversation With My Daughter GraceAs professionals, we can get so busy being important to those at work that we miss the cries for help happening around the home. That happened to Lon Stroschein when he missed the calls for help from his daughter, Grace. Learn how an actual call changed everything - for both of them. This is the personal story of Lon Stroschein, founder of the Normal 40 movement and the author of The Trade, and his daughter Grace.Lon shares his journey from being a public company executive to becoming a lifestyle engineer and how his path changed to...2023-11-161h 20
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Evolution of a Dream - From Idea to #1 Bestselling AuthorHave you ever wondered how different your life could be in a year if there were no sunk costs to taking a bet on yourself?One year ago, Lon Stroschein started writing his book. This podcast was recorded in the recording studio in the moments before he started narrating his book, The Trade, for Audible.This is a conversation with his partner in Normal 40 Publishing, Jeremy Brown. In this podcast, you'll get to hear about the incredible journey of creating and publishing 'The Trade' and experience how it started changing lives before it was committed to...2023-11-0347 min
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Big Decision; Knowing When To Quit Your W-2Do you find yourself constantly chasing work, stuck in a cycle of stress addiction, and yearning for a different life? You're not alone -- and I'm going to prove it.Meet Tim Klimchock, a one-time corporate executive and CPA, who mustered the courage to finally trade his W2 income for a chance at chasing something bigger. Tim shares the hardships he has faced since leaving a year ago and how he has used the "Normal 40 Insurance Policy" to re-evaluate his life and finances. We also talked about how work-related stress, sleepless nights, and health issues and...2023-10-191h 14
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Unexpected Conversation - With Austin Moore: Mental Health, Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Transformation -- To A Life On Mission.Austin is a dude I've never met. Before this podcast, I'd never heard Austin's voice and knew almost nothing of his story. But on a whim, we connected and recorded this episode. And, being honest, you won't believe where it goes.We talk about it all: Mental Health, Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, Resilience, Transformation, Football Injury, Radio Commercial, Mount Air Iowa, Opioid Addiction, Career Paths, Anxiety Coping, Identity Change, Manufacturing Image, Friendships, Mental Health Challenges, Rock Bottom, Authenticity, Support, Normal 40 Highway and my book, The Trade.This is an incredible journey with our guest, Austin Moore, who...2023-09-281h 33
Solopreneur MoneyThe 4 Steps to Moving from the Life You Have to the Life You Want with Lon StroscheinDo you feel like there’s something more out there? Maybe you have a great life and a great job, but you have a nagging feeling that there is more out there for you. You may not know what it is you want but you know it’s something different. Lon Stroschein had a job that others would love to have and they offered him more. But instead of taking it, he walked away. As he did so he learned 4 steps to take to shift from the life he had to the life he wanted. Listen in to he...2023-09-1838 min
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Bold Leap (Pt. 2): The Trade 0 One Year Later. Lessons From Leaving.This is part 2 of a conversation Lon Stroschein rambles with Paul Reynolds, a former public company executive who bravely embarked on a journey of entrepreneurship one year ago. Paul offers invaluable insights about the realities of transitioning from a corporate job to starting your own business, the effects on his family life, and the crucial lessons he's gleaned along the way. If you're contemplating a career transition, in the midst of one, or simply curious about what it entails, this conversation, sprinkled with Paul's nuggets of wisdom, is a must-listen.He shares his personal journey, from losing his...2023-09-011h 13
Normal 40: The PodcastThe Bold Leap: Discovering The Best Time To Leave.Ever wondered how life's biggest setbacks can turn into opportunities for growth?Well, you need to meet Paul Reynolds, a guy whose journey embodies this transformation. After losing his wife to cancer and facing the brunt of the pandemic, Paul did the unthinkable - he quit his lucrative executive job to start anew. We navigate this remarkable tale of resilience, uncovering how adversity led Paul to create his own path.Find more from Lon here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein We move beyond the pandemic narrative and discuss how COVID-19 has impacted life and...2023-08-2553 min