Jon Younger Why Keep Working at 73? On Talent, Wisdom, and Interesting Questions Artwork

The Wisepreneurs Podcast

For independent professionals building practice on their own terms.
Working lives have extended far beyond what anyone predicted.

Organisations need people who can navigate complexity and ambiguity—and increasingly, these professionals want to work independently.

Hosted by Nigel Rawlins, Wisepreneurs features conversations with experienced professionals about what it actually takes to build sustainable independent practice.

What we explore:
● Turning accumulated expertise into visible market presence
● Building business through partnerships and collaborative networks
● AI tools that amplify rather than replace experienced judgment
● Navigating the transition from employment to independence
● Sustaining cognitive capacity for the long term

80+ episodes of real conversations
Your accumulated expertise is your competitive advantage.
This podcast shows you how to systematically leverage it.

80+ episodes. Real conversations. No motivational fluff.

Find transcripts and more: https://www.wisepreneurs.au/
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter/

All Episodes

The Wisepreneurs Podcast

Jon Younger Why Keep Working at 73? On Talent, Wisdom, and Interesting Questions

November 14, 2025 • Nigel Rawlins • Season 1 • Episode 79

At 73, Jon Younger has spent his career understanding how talent evolves—from HR executive at Exxon to business builder to independent advisor on the future of work and AI.

In this conversation, Jon addresses the positioning challenge experienced professionals rarely voice: how do you justify premium rates when younger consultants cost less and AI handles routine knowledge work?

Jon explains why accumulated professional judgment creates diagnostic capabilities that remain valuable despite automation, how the traditional four-stage career model breaks down in the AI era, and what systematic business architecture independent practitioners need beyond corporate scaffolding.

You'll learn specific frameworks for using AI as cognitive amplification rather than content generator, why freelancing requires treating your practice as genuine business rather than hobby, and how to maintain intellectual engagement while managing finite energy in later career stages.

This episode provides immediately applicable frameworks for positioning crystallised intelligence as competitive advantage, not obsolete experience.

Resources Mentioned
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
RBL Group (Robert Baker Lawrence Group)
Matt Mottola of Human Cloud on freelancing and future of work research
Outlier AI (owned by Scale AI)
Turing,
Brain Trust
Surge AI
Kaklachra
Mercor
ChatGPT Plus and Claude Pro
Gleicher's Formula for Change
Career Stages Model
The Hamming Question

Contact Jon Younger
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-younger-phd-57a41455/

Practical ideas for independent professionals building practice on their own terms. Arrives Tuesday. Subscribe free at wisepreneurs.com.au

Support the show

Connect with Nigel Rawlins

website https://wisepreneurs.com.au/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/
Twitter https://twitter.com/wisepreneurs

Please support the podcast
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2311675/supporters/new

Stay one step ahead with The Wisepreneurs Insider newsletter
As a subscriber, you'll get:

Sneak peeks at upcoming must-listen podcast episodes and guests
Bonus wisdom straight from recent guest experts
Marketing tips to attract your ideal clients
Productivity hacks to streamline your independent business
And more exclusive insights are delivered right to your inbox!
Don't miss out on these invaluable resources
Subscribe now and gain the edge you need to survive and thrive as a wisepreneur

https://wisepreneurs.com.au/newsletter