The Examined Life

How do you navigate career uncertainty? [Anne-Laure Le Cunff]

Mar 6, 2025

Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a neuroscientist and founder of Nest Labs, dives into the uncharted waters of career uncertainty. She discusses 'liminal spaces' and how to make the most of those awkward in-between phases. Rather than rushing into familiar territory, she advocates for setting smaller goals and conducting 'tiny experiments' to navigate your path. With insights on balancing passion and financial stability, Anne-Laure empowers listeners to confront their fears and embrace personal growth during transitional times.

51:19

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Episode guests

Anne-Laure Le Cunff

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Quick takeaways

Embracing liminal spaces allows for personal growth, transforming discomfort into opportunities for self-discovery and innovation during career transitions.

Separating immediate financial needs from long-term career aspirations empowers individuals to explore temporary employment as a supportive tool rather than a limiting choice.

Deep dives

Understanding Liminal Spaces

Liminal spaces represent transitional phases in one’s career, reflecting an in-between state where individuals may feel uncertain about their direction. This discomfort arises naturally, as humans have an evolutionary inclination to seek clarity and stability, making uncertainty feel threatening. As discussed, the experience in a liminal space can fluctuate between a ‘honeymoon phase’ filled with newfound freedom to a ‘wilderness’ phase where identity and confidence begin to crumble. Embracing these spaces is crucial, as they ultimately provide opportunities for personal growth and transformation if navigated thoughtfully.

Intro

2min

Navigating Career Uncertainty and Liminal Spaces

3min

Navigating Career Transitions

12min

Navigating Career Transitions and Curiosity

24min

Embracing Financial Discomfort for Personal Growth

3min

Navigating Career Transitions: From Storytelling to Coding

5min

Navigating Career Uncertainty with Tiny Experiments

2min

What happens when you hit a career crossroads and don't know which path to take? Anne-Laure Le Cunff discusses navigating "liminal spaces" – those uncomfortable in-between periods where you've left something behind something familiar but haven't yet found what's next. Instead of rushing to the nearest known thing or following the obvious sequel to your career, she offers pragmatic steps to thrive in the uncertainty. [Episode 92]

Anne-Laure Le Cunff is a Neuroscientist, Ex-Googler, Founder and Author.

Learn more about Anne-Laure:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neuranne/?originalSubdomain=uk

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/neuranne

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuranne/?hl=en

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@neuranne

• Tiny Experiments Book: https://nesslabs.com/book

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