The Quiet Pivot: Sandpaper Moments & The Art of Chasing Fun

Welcome back to The Quiet Pivot, my mini series for those in-between chapters—the ones where the old outfit doesn’t fit, but the new one isn’t quite tailored yet. In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my own pivotal transition: from a well-paid, intellectually stimulating geophysics career in oil and gas to my current role as a bridge builder for meaningful, sustainable futures.

Episode Highlights:

• The Sandpaper Feeling: I introduce my signature term for that subtle, persistent friction between who you want to be and how your work feels. This isn’t burnout or boredom, but a quiet signal that something’s out of sync.
• Society’s Labels & Black-or-White Thinking: From colleagues who couldn’t understand walking away to outsiders judging my industry, I explore the challenge of moving forward when everyone wants to put you in a box. Is your past a liability, or can it be a launching pad for positive change?
• Reframing the Pivot: Rather than running from my past, I chose to move toward what aligns with my strengths, curiosity, and values. I explain why chasing what energizes you is so much more sustainable than fleeing what drains you.

Resources & Links:

• Read more about the science of fun and access my pivot tools at vklavenes.substack.com
• Explore additional resources at storiesforthefuture.com/pivot

Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch.

You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.com

Links referenced in this episode:

• vklavnest.substack.com
• storiesforthefuture.com/pivot