John Tarnoff: How to Reinvent Yourself Mid-Career

In this episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with John Tarnoff whose career story defies conventional wisdom and challenges everything we think we know about success, failure, and leadership in today’s volatile workplace. What unfolds is a candid, thought-provoking conversation about reinvention, identity, and the invisible forces shaping modern careers - from boardrooms to break rooms. With sharp insights, unexpected truths, and moments that may make you rethink how you show up at work, this episode invites you to question old assumptions, confront uncomfortable realities, and imagine a more intentional path forward - both as a leader and as a professional navigating an uncertain future.

John Tarnoff is an executive and career transition coach, speaker, and author who helps mid-career professionals build more meaningful, sustainable careers.  After a 35-year career as a film producer, studio executive, and tech entrepreneur—where he was fired 39% of the time—John learned how to turn setbacks into reinvention. At 50, he earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology and built a global career coaching practice.

John has led career workshops for MBA programs at UCLA Anderson and Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business, and coached leaders at companies including Bank of America, Bridgewater Associates, Levi Strauss, SoftBank, and TD Ameritrade.  He is a TEDx speaker, the author of the bestselling Boomer Reinvention, and the creator of the 3 Elements Careerbuilder Framework.

00:00 Intro
02:05 I’m not the problem?
03:42 This process is outdated, do this instead.
06:05 You work for them, they don’t work for you!
08:36 The more you do this, will build this, because of this!
11:01 What are the real responsibilities of a senior leader?
13:33 Three Elements Framework.
20:31 How to reset?
23:01 Closing advice…
26:35 Write, write, write!

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