Agile Self-Development
Agile Self-Development explores how to design the second chapter of work and life.
After spending years — often decades — building careers, many of us start asking different questions. What kind of work do we actually want to do next? What pace of life feels sustainable? And what does “enough” really look like?
Hosted by Product Leader and Agile Practitioner Helene Amster Kopel, this podcast blends ideas from agile thinking, professional development, and real-life career experience to explore how our careers can evolve over time.
Instead of making dramatic pivots or starting over, the second chapter is about experimenting, learning, and intentionally designing what comes next.
Episodes include practical insights on skills like consulting, networking, and influence, along with deeper conversations about meaning, fulfillment, and redefining success in the later stages of a career.
If you’ve spent years climbing the ladder and are starting to wonder what comes next, you’re not alone.
Because the first chapter of our careers was about climbing.
The second chapter is about designing.
Episodes
98 episodes
S6 Ep2 - Treat Yourself Like a Product, Start With Discovery
When we think about the next chapter of our career, most of us jump straight to answers.What should I do next? What role makes sense? What would I even change?But that’s not actually where to start.In prod...
New Season Introduction: Designing the Second Chapter of Work and Life
For most of our careers, we’re taught how to climb the ladder.Work hard. Learn more. Get promoted. Take the next opportunity.But what happens after you’ve been climbing for twenty or thirty years?In this relaunch episode of...
WTF IS Ahimsa?
In this heart-centered episode of The Agile Self-Development Podcast, Helene returns a raja yoga class after a long time away — and is unexpectedly reintroduced to the powerful principle of ahimsa: the practice of non-harming. W...
WTF Is AI & Prompt Engineering
Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere—from work emails to vacation planning—but did you know it can also support your personal growth?In this episode of Agile Self-Development, Helene explains how tools like ChatGPT c...
WTF Is A Funk
It’s been awhile but I’m back with a new episode to share how to use an agile approach to break out of your funk.
S4 Ep1 - WTF is a Mental Health Day
Listen in for the benefits of mental health days and how to plan to make the best of them!
S3 Ep6 - WTF Is Mental Fortitude with David Theriot
Mental Fortitude is described as mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously. My guest on this episode is David Theriot, an ultrarunner and coach who understands that mental fortitude is ...
S3 Ep6: WTF is Self-Awareness
In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating topic of self-awareness and its importance in our lives. Self-awareness is the ability to introspect and understand one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We'll discuss why self-awareness matt...
S2 Ep 5 - WTF Is Group Therapy with Robert Pepper PhD
On this episode, you'll hear from Dr Robert Pepper, author of Some People Don’t Want What They Say They Want, and a therapist who’s been running groups for over twent...
S3 Ep 4: WTF is Exhaustion with Top Coach Joey Drolshagen
Have you found yourself feeling “exhausted” and to the point of feeling overwhelmed and depressed? Well you’re not alone. Business and Life coach Joey Drolshagen is back with us to share how exhaustion is leading to a skyrocketing number of peo...
S3 Ep3: WTF is Thrive AF (Alcohol Free) with Dupe Witherick
On this episode, we talk to Dupe Witherick who says being alcohol free is a choice and does not need to happen only when you hit rock bottom and that even normal drinkers may question their relationship with alcohol, wondering if it’s really se...
S3 Ep2: WTF Is Alignment with Rachel Richter
On this episode, I speak with Rachel Richter who says disconnection is the driving force of negative outcomes in our organizations and lives, and by increasing connection we can unlock greater prosperity. Alignment is the catalyst needed ...
S3 Ep 1: WTF Is Trauma Drama with Marni Goldman
On this epsode, I speak with Marni Goldman, author of True To Myself: Peace, Love, Marni." As the daughter of a drug-addicted mother, Marni survived a life of depression, ADHD, childhood PTSD, anxiety, and a leukemia diagnosis. In her book – pa...
S2 Ep 17: WTF Did I Learn The Hard Way in 2022
Final episode of season 2, a recap of my reminder lessons learned the hard way throughout 2022.Stay tuned for Season 3, coming soon!
S2 Ep16: WTF is Emotional Chaos from Cancer with David Richman
On this episode, we hear from David Richman, author of Winning in the Middle of the Pack and Cycle of Lives. In his most recent book, Cycle of Lives, David shares stories of people overcoming trauma and delves deeply into their emotional ...
S2 Ep15: WTF Is a Renaissance Woman with Katie Chonacas
If you describe a woman as a Renaissance woman, you mean that she has a wide range of abilities and interests, especially in the arts and sciences. I like to consider myself one of those with my day job in technology and outside interests in po...
S2 Ep14: WTF is Post-Betrayal Transformation with Dr Debi Silber
An unhealed betrayal impacts our health, work, and relationships. Unfortunately, too many of us know first hand what it feels like to be betrayed. On this episode, my guest is Dr. Debi Silber, founder of the PBT (Post Betrayal Tran...
S2 Ep13: WTF is Value Economics with Sam LaCrosse
Today's guest is Sam LaCrosse, author of Value Economics, The Study of Identity. Wh...
S2 Ep12: WTF is an Angel Intuitive with Michael André Ford
When I received a DM on LinkedIn from Michael André Ford, I took a look at a his profile and was instantly intrigued by his headline mentioning talking to angels...not your typical LinkedIn profile. The conversation shifted from how he can help...
S2 Ep11: WTF Is So Scary about Public Speaking with Eddie Rice
Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is one of the most common fears out there. In fact, some experts estimate that as much as 77% of people have some level of anxiety regarding public speaking. Yet for many of us, it’s something we ma...
S2 Ep10: WTF Is Empowered Wellness with Allison Pelot
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” —Maya AngelouThis quote opens the book Finally Thriving - Your Guide to Empowered Wellness,...
S2 Ep9 - WTF Is Getting Unstuck with Maria Lizza Bowen
In the personal growth and self-help world, we often hear people talk about being stuck. But what does that really mean and what does it mean to get unstuck? On this episode, you'll meet Maria Lizza Bowen, author of the book “REFLECT - a perspe...