Why I Left
Why I Left tells real stories from real people about the bold career moves that changed their lives.
Hosted by Brian Aquart, the show goes beyond resignations to uncover courage, clarity, and growth in the face of change. Each episode offers honest reflections, lessons learned, and practical insights for anyone considering a pivot, navigating uncertainty, or seeking inspiration for their next chapter.
We don’t talk about resignations enough, this podcast makes sure we do.
Why I Left
Latest Episodes
Leaving Law Enforcement Twice - Dr. Jessica Herbert
What happens when the system you helped build no longer reflects the person you have become? Dr. Jessica Herbert knows that question from the inside. She left the same career twice, first to step away from law enforcement, then later to move be...
Alignment, Identity, and the Cost of Hiding at Work - Kjell van Zoen
What happens when the life you built still works, but no longer fits? For Kjell van Zoen, that question became impossible to ignore during a conversation about scaling a business in a direction that looked successful on paper but felt wrong int...
Leaving Law to Reclaim Rest, Voice, and Agency with Dana T. Weekes
Dana T. Weekes had built the kind of career many people work years to reach. As a lawyer and policy advocate, she worked on complex legislative and regulatory issues, represented major clients, and became known for high-stakes problem solving. ...
Who Are You Without the Uniform? - Oakland McCulloch
Some careers do more than give you a job. They give you structure, identity, mission, and a sense of belonging. For retired Lieutenant Colonel Oak McCulloch, leaving the Army meant more than stepping away from a role. It meant learning who he w...
Leaving Education to Rebuild a Life Around Financial Healing - Kara Stevens
Money is rarely just about numbers. For Kara Stevens, founder of The Frugal Feminista, money was tied to avoidance, shame, family stories, ambition, risk, and the question of what it really means to have enough.In this conversation, Kara...
