Coffee Unlimited with J&D

Cracking Career Beliefs: Redefining Success & Happiness

Janelle Aaker and Danielle Mika Nagel Season 1 Episode 14

In the final episode of our “When Beliefs Start to Crack” series, we dive into one of the most deeply held—and often unquestioned—areas of life: our careers.

From the traditional belief that success means climbing the corporate ladder, to the idea that résumé gaps signal weakness, Janelle and Danielle share personal stories of how these beliefs cracked wide open. You’ll hear:

- Janelle’s moment of reckoning as a new mom at Nike, realizing the cost of chasing titles at the expense of family.
- Danielle’s unconventional career path—from Cats in Hamburg to yoga leadership in Vancouver—and how happiness (not linear progression) guided her way.
- The power of mentors and parents who encourage authenticity, even when it doesn’t fit societal molds.
- Why fulfillment and happiness are better compass points than prestige or predictability.

This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about choosing happiness, rewriting career rules, and giving ourselves (and our kids) permission to take paths that don’t look “traditional.”