441. From CEO of ASX-listed company to Bus Driver with Nic Jones

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Nic Jones, a former executive who made the bold decision to step away from a high-powered career in media to drive buses.

Jones, whose past roles spanned influential positions at Moshcam, Pureprofile, Nine, Yahoo, News Corp, Publisis, and Vevo, shares the experiences and reflections that led him to question the corporate world’s relentless pursuit of more.

Together, we unpack the value of living in alignment with one’s true nature versus society’s definition of success, inspired by a famous Seneca quote: "Live according to nature and never be poor; live according to opinion and never be rich."

Key Discussion Points:

• Background and Big Decisions: We explore Nic’s previous life, filled with executive roles and startup ventures, including his time as CEO of Pureprofile and his contributions to projects like Vera, a platform supporting people with dementia. Nic reflects on what happened with some of these companies and what ultimately influenced his choice to take a step back.
• Pursuing Purpose Over Prestige: Why does society prize "chasing more" even if it costs us our happiness? Nic reflects on how this constant drive often leads to personal sacrifices and explores why he chose to reject that path in favor of simpler living.
• Identity & Letting Go of the “Golden Handcuffs”: How did Nic break free from the identity and financial security associated with his high-level roles? He discusses the challenges of leaving a successful career, the concept of “golden handcuffs,” and how he managed the financial and personal implications of this shift.
• Privilege and Perception: Nic addresses the perspective that leaving a well-paying job is a choice only available to a few. He openly talks about privilege and explains why, for him, this was not an impulsive decision but rather one carefully navigated.
• The Role of Social Circles & Intellectual Stimulation: How has Nic’s social life changed since transitioning to a new career? Nic shares how this choice impacted his relationships with friends, especially those in professional circles.
• Reflections on Happiness and Meaning in the Age of Screens: Nic reflects on the crisis of meaning and community in a world dominated by screens, discussing how bus driving and working with people daily bring him a new sense of observable meaning.
• Relationship with Money: Has Nic’s relationship with money changed since he walked away from his high-income job? We examine the evolution of his financial values, including the notion of "enough," and how that influences his current approach to life.

Show Notes

Connect with Nic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic99jones/

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