Episódios

  • From $13/Hour Job to AI Founder: Rizuan on Automation, Career Pivots & the Future of Work

    From $13/Hour Job to AI Founder: Rizuan on Automation, Career Pivots & the Future of Work
    Oct 2 2025
    In this episode of On My Own Terms, I sit down with Mohd Rizuan, founder of Rice Labs, to talk about career pivots, building a business around AI and automation, and what the future of work means for everyday professionals.Rizuan’s journey is anything but typical:From marketing & sales to tinkering with AI tools before they were mainstreamTaking a $13/hour part-time job just to buy himself time to build his startupHelping agencies and SMBs scale without hiring more headcount through automationBusting the myth that AI is instant — and why it takes real work to make it reliableSharing how patience with results and impatience with action became his formula for growthWe also dive into:Real-world examples of automation that save hours every weekThe hidden effort behind good AI prompts & why “prompt engineering” mattersWhat it means to stay “lean” as a business in the AI eraRizuan’s perspective on Agentic AI and why we’re still early in adoptionIf you’ve ever wondered how to future-proof your career, use AI effectively, or make the leap from corporate life into entrepreneurship — this conversation will give you both practical takeaways and a dose of inspiration.Takeaway Quote“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” – Nassim Nicholas TalebChapters:00:00 – Introduction: The AI Shift We’re Not Ready For04:08 – Welcome to OMOT06:38 – The Hardest Decisions Every Founder Faces11:25 – Automation & AI Explained Without the Hype17:28 – Finding the Right Clients for AI Solutions30:00 – Claude vs ChatGPT: Why Rizuan Made the Switch30:12 – n8n: The Automation Tool You Should Know31:03 – Leaving a Stable Job for the Unknown34:49 – The Future of Work: What AI Adoption Really Looks Like44:48 – Final Lessons: Rizuan’s Advice for EntrepreneursWhere to find Rizuan:Website: https://bit.ly/4gGMtcw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohd-rizuan/🎯Find practical tools and resources to guide your journey:Check out: https://bit.ly/3CTMZRW📩 Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onmyowntermspodcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-my-own-terms-podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnMyOwnTermsPodcastEmail: johnlimcy@gmail.comSupport my work here: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/onmyownterms📌 References (AI & Automation Tools)Make (formerly Integromat)Clay: A modern data enrichment and workflow automation platform. https://www.clay.comZapier: Workflow automation connecting apps and services. https://zapier.comApify: Web scraping and automation platform. https://apify.comRapidAPI: API marketplace and hub for developers. https://rapidapi.comAgentic AI: AI systems capable of autonomous actions in the real world (overview). https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/introducing-agentic-ai/Linda: AI personal assistant for workflow automation. https://www.linda.aiPinecone: Vector database for AI-powered search and recommendations. https://www.pinecone.ioClaude (Anthropic): A next-generation AI assistant. https://claude.aiOpenAI: Research company developing AI systems and tools. https://openai.comChatGPT (OpenAI): Conversational AI platform for idea generation and workflows. https://chatgpt.comn8n: A powerful workflow automation tool that lets you connect apps, APIs, and AI with custom logic. https://n8n.io#AI #Automation #FutureOfWork #CareerPivot #SME #AItools #AgenticAI #PromptEngineering #Productivity #tech #OpenAI #ChatGPT #ClaudeAI #WorkflowAutomation #FounderJourney #millennials #Singapore #CareerTransition
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    58 minutos
  • How This Working Mom Went From Tech Burnout to Helping Others Make Work Feel Like Play | Shuyi Goh

    How This Working Mom Went From Tech Burnout to Helping Others Make Work Feel Like Play | Shuyi Goh
    Oct 1 2025
    #CareerPivot #BurnoutRecovery #RedefiningSuccessFeeling stuck in your career or battling burnout? 💡Shu Yi “Shuyi” Goh is a Gallup‑Certified CliftonStrengths coach and founder of The Strengths Co, specializing in helping mid‑career professionals discover their innate talents and build fulfilling careers. With over 16 years in technology and leadership roles at Accenture, Standard Chartered Bank, and Salesforce, she now blends strategic business frameworks with positive psychology to guide individuals through bold career transformations.In this episode, Shuyi shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to launching a strengths‑based coaching practice, and provides actionable insights on career pivots, playing to your strengths, and leveraging AI tools for personal and professional growth.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How Shuyi turned corporate burnout into a purposeful career pivot.Why CliftonStrengths (Gallup StrengthsFinder) is key to unlocking career growth.Practical strengths-based coaching strategies to break free from feeling stuck.How to use AI like ChatGPT as a tool for personal and career development.Essential lessons for solopreneurs on finances, business setup, and resilience.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:42 Who is Shuyi Goh?04:53 Why I Walked Away from a “Successful” Career07:26 The Breaking Point13:17 Starting Over Isn’t Easy — Here’s How I Did It26:05 How to Build Authentic Connections27:59 Career Growth Strategies That Work31:05 What Most People Get Wrong About Career Growth41:17 Can AI Really Replace a Career Coach?45:35 Key TakeawaysWhere to find Shuyi Goh:Website: https://www.thestrengthsco.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuyigoh/Take the Career Fit Scorecard: https://bit.ly/4gjc8aY 🎯Find practical tools and resources to guide your journey:Check out: https://bit.ly/3CTMZRW📩 Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onmyowntermspodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-my-own-terms-podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnMyOwnTermsPodcastEmail: johnlimcy@gmail.comSupport my work here: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/onmyowntermsReferenced:• CliftonStrengths (Gallup): The strengths‑based development framework behind strengths coaching. https://www.gallup.com/home.aspx• ChatGPT (OpenAI): The conversational AI platform Shuyi uses for idea generation https://chatgpt.com• Claude (Anthropic): A next-generation AI assistant https://claude.ai/Keywords(career pivot stories, burnout recovery journey, mid-career change inspiration, career coaching tips, AI in personal development, how to deal with burnout at work, career transition motivation)#CareerChange #MidCareerChange #CareerTransition #PersonalGrowth #OnMyOwnTerms #SelfDiscovery #millennial #Singapore #AI
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    49 minutos
  • I Was Laid Off. What Came Next Shocked Me | Michael Foo

    I Was Laid Off. What Came Next Shocked Me | Michael Foo
    Sep 30 2025
    “I lost my job… and it changed everything.”In this raw and inspiring episode, Michael Foo reveals how being let go from a top tech company at age 49 forced him to question his identity, confront cultural shame, and completely redefine what success means.Instead of letting the setback break him, Michael turned it into the greatest opportunity of his life — to build a career filled with purpose, not just titles.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your job, scared of a career change, or lost after a layoff, Michael’s story will show you that rock bottom can be the start of something greater.🔥 What you’ll discover in this episode:The emotional truth about being laid off (that no one talks about)Why so many of us tie self-worth to our jobs — and how to break freeThe 3 powerful questions Michael asked himself to rebuild his lifeHow to turn setbacks into stepping stones for a meaningful career👉 Whether you’re going through a career transition, recovering from a layoff, or searching for purpose beyond your paycheck, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to take the next step.💡 If you’ve ever asked yourself “What should I do after being laid off?” or “Am I more than my job?” — this conversation is for you.Positive Minds: https://positivemindscoaching.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfoo-mindsetcoach/Subscribe to newsletter for bonus content on career change and growth: http://bit.ly/3Em887U ⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction04:06 Cracking the Confidence Code05:12 How Michael Found His Mission07:16 When the Tech World Crashed10:51 After the Layoff: What Comes Next?29:38 Looking Back to Leap Forward30:29 Starting from Zero33:49 The Hard Lessons No One Warns You About43:45 How to Stay Grounded When Life Gets Loud47:00 Mentor or Coach? Knowing Who You Need and When👉 Book your appointment with Michael: https://bit.ly/4oYXKZy👉 Connect with Michael Foo:Positive Minds: https://positivemindscoaching.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfoo-mindsetcoach/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelfoo.mindsetcoach/🎯Find practical tools and resources to guide your journey:Check out: https://bit.ly/3CTMZRW📩 Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onmyowntermspodcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-my-own-terms-podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnMyOwnTermsPodcastEmail: johnlimcy@gmail.comSupport my work here: https://buymeacoffee.com/onmyownterms✅ 📢 Support the Channel & Stay Connected📤 Share this episode with a friend or colleague who might need that little nudge to take the next step in their life or career. It really helps us grow and reach more people who need to hear stories like this.(career transition, life after layoff, what to do after being laid off, finding purpose after job loss, career change success stories, laid off from tech job, stuck in my job what to do, how to reinvent yourself after job loss, redefining success, purpose beyond paycheck, career advice for millennials, how to bounce back after being laid off, self-worth and career, meaning of success career change, is my job my identity)#OnMyOwnTerms #LayoffRecovery #CareerTransition #CareerChange #FindingPurpose #LifeReset #career #CareerGrowth #Singapore #RedefiningSuccess #Millenial #StartOver #WorkLife #Jobs #RealTalkPodcast
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    55 minutos
  • I Left My Job and Moved Abroad with No Plan - Career Change at 30+ | Pamela Suen

    I Left My Job and Moved Abroad with No Plan - Career Change at 30+ | Pamela Suen
    Sep 28 2025
    🎧 Feeling Stuck in Your Career? This Is What Starting Over Actually Looks LikeSubscribe to newsletter for bonus content on career change and growth: http://bit.ly/3Em887U Are you stuck in a job that no longer excites you? Wondering what it would take to finally make that career pivot — or move to a different country, city, or life altogether?In this episode of On My Own Terms, I speak with Pamela, a Singaporean who made a bold move early in her career: she left her job, bought a $350 one-way ticket to New Zealand, and figured things out from scratch.What started as a gap year turned into 14 years of building a life abroad — raising kids, returning to work in a company she once left, and now, launching a new passion project that combines gardening, cooking, and sustainability.We often hear about bold career moves — but what’s it really like to leave your job without a plan, move to a new country, and start over from scratch?In this episode, I sit down with Pamela to unpack the real side of reinvention:Navigating a career change when the timing feels all wrongMoving abroad without a job, roadmap, or safety netShifting from burnout and hustle to purpose and balanceReconnecting with yourself when you finally slow downTaking career risks in your 30s — and why it’s never too lateReturning to work on your own terms after years awayBuilding a lifestyle that aligns with your values, not just your resumeIf you’ve ever felt stuck in your 9-to-5, dreamed of living differently, or questioned what success really means — Pamela’s story will give you the clarity (and courage) you didn’t know you needed.🎯 Find practical tools and resources to guide your journey:Check out: https://bit.ly/3CTMZRW📩 Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onmyowntermspodcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-my-own-terms-podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnMyOwnTermsPodcastEmail: johnlimcy@gmail.com⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Beyond the Script: Can You Truly Live Life "On Your Own Terms?"01:00 – Was it a "Gap Year" or Destiny?06:30 – From burnout to breakthrough: Why she left Singapore10:45 – Starting Over Abroad: What It Really Takes15:10 – Is Singapore's Work Ethic a Virtue or a Trap?18:26 – Raising children away from pressure and hustle26:23 – Returning to Her First Company — With a Bigger Mission34:09 – Is Growing Your Own Food the Ultimate "Nurturing" Escape?42:00 – What If the Life You Dream Of is Just One Leap Away?47:07 – What Does "Living Life On Your Own Terms" Truly Mean✅ 📢 Support the Channel & Stay Connected👍 If you found this video helpful, don’t forget to LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE to the channel!🔔 Hit the bell icon to get notified whenever we drop new episodes — especially if you're navigating a career shift or feeling stuck in your job.📤 Share this episode with a friend or colleague who might need that little nudge to take the next step in their life or career. It really helps us grow and reach more people who need to hear stories like this.
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    52 minutos
  • I Got Laid Off. And This Is Why I'm Back

    I Got Laid Off. And This Is Why I'm Back
    Sep 26 2025

    👋 Hey everyone! It’s been a while… but I’m back.


    After a long pause, I’m relaunching On My Own Terms - a podcast created for people navigating career change, layoffs, pivots, and reinvention.


    The past year taught me a lot. And now feels like the right time to restart these conversations - honest, practical, and real.


    New episodes drop every Thursday - with fresh conversations, honest stories, and inspiring guests.


    👉 Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming.

    🎯 Find practical tools and resources to guide your journey:

    Check out: https://bit.ly/3CTMZRW


    📩 Follow us on:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onmyowntermspodcast

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-my-own-terms-podcast/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnMyOwnTermsPodcast

    OnMyOwnTermsPodcastEmail: johnlimcy@gmail.com


    (podcast, career change, How to use AI, AI, job, transition, lay offs, millennials, SG, Singapore)


    #OnMyOwnTerms #CareerChange #MillennialCareers #CareerPivot #EntrepreneurJourney #NewSeason #sg #Layoffs #AI
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    3 minutos
  • 24. Joining AI industry, Anxiety and Why Laid Off Folks Are More Likely to Get Laid Off Again (Part 3)

    24. Joining AI industry, Anxiety and Why Laid Off Folks Are More Likely to Get Laid Off Again (Part 3)
    Sep 30 2024

    This is Part 3 (and final part) of special conversation episode between John Lim and Aaron Wong, guest from Ep 1. At time of recording, John has been actively job hunting for several months.

    Some topics covered include:
    - You need permission to be employed
    - Crafting a good CV
    - Anxiety of an unemployed sole breadwinner with 2 young children
    - Job vs income
    - How to reduce probability of being laid off again
    - Know your triggers and keep a routine

    Support the show

    Subscribe to bonus podcast content and career resources via ✉️ email newsletter.

    About the host John Lim:

    John Lim has had an unconventional career by Singapore / Asian standards - with several career switches. He started his career in banking before co-founding a laser tag events company. After building the business from ground-up, growing the team to 20+ and running Singapore's largest indoor laser tag center, he joined an early-stage tech startup to lead business development across Southeast Asia. In 2019, he took a leap of faith to join the e-commerce industry, seemingly unknown sector, until a few months later when Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees.

    While John finds himself lucky to have 'survived' the career switches relatively unscathed, he has never forgotten how it feels like to be at the crossroads of your career and life. Now, he has started this podcast - to provide the resources and perspectives he wished he had - and to help you make the most of your career to live your best life.

    Join him as he speaks with unconventional career changers and risk-takers, taps into their experiences and perspectives and discusses all things career. Together, they will provide you nuggets of wisdom, inspiration and actionable insights to start living life on your own terms.
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    21 minutos
  • 23. Life after Layoff, Building Skills and Network and Career Coaches (Part 2)

    23. Life after Layoff, Building Skills and Network and Career Coaches (Part 2)
    Sep 30 2024

    This is Part 2 of 3 of special conversation episode between John Lim and Aaron Wong, guest from Ep 1. At time of recording, John has been actively job hunting for several months.

    Some topics covered include:
    - Dealing with news of ex-employer's extravagant spending
    - What could have been done differently
    - Building skills and network
    - How to deal with recruiters
    - Red flags
    - Career coaches
    - Most things in life are reversible

    Support the show

    Subscribe to bonus podcast content and career resources via ✉️ email newsletter.

    About the host John Lim:

    John Lim has had an unconventional career by Singapore / Asian standards - with several career switches. He started his career in banking before co-founding a laser tag events company. After building the business from ground-up, growing the team to 20+ and running Singapore's largest indoor laser tag center, he joined an early-stage tech startup to lead business development across Southeast Asia. In 2019, he took a leap of faith to join the e-commerce industry, seemingly unknown sector, until a few months later when Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees.

    While John finds himself lucky to have 'survived' the career switches relatively unscathed, he has never forgotten how it feels like to be at the crossroads of your career and life. Now, he has started this podcast - to provide the resources and perspectives he wished he had - and to help you make the most of your career to live your best life.

    Join him as he speaks with unconventional career changers and risk-takers, taps into their experiences and perspectives and discusses all things career. Together, they will provide you nuggets of wisdom, inspiration and actionable insights to start living life on your own terms.
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    31 minutos
  • 22. Special Episode, Getting Laid Off in May 2023 and Post Layoff Reaction (Part 1)

    22. Special Episode, Getting Laid Off in May 2023 and Post Layoff Reaction (Part 1)
    Sep 30 2024

    This is Part 1 of 3 of special conversation episode between John Lim and Aaron Wong, guest from Ep 1. At time of recording, John has been actively job hunting for several months.

    Some topics covered include:
    - Getting laid off
    - What's interest rate got to do with anything
    - Tech companies
    - Work vs identity
    - What's a good layoff exercise

    Support the show

    Subscribe to bonus podcast content and career resources via ✉️ email newsletter.

    About the host John Lim:

    John Lim has had an unconventional career by Singapore / Asian standards - with several career switches. He started his career in banking before co-founding a laser tag events company. After building the business from ground-up, growing the team to 20+ and running Singapore's largest indoor laser tag center, he joined an early-stage tech startup to lead business development across Southeast Asia. In 2019, he took a leap of faith to join the e-commerce industry, seemingly unknown sector, until a few months later when Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees.

    While John finds himself lucky to have 'survived' the career switches relatively unscathed, he has never forgotten how it feels like to be at the crossroads of your career and life. Now, he has started this podcast - to provide the resources and perspectives he wished he had - and to help you make the most of your career to live your best life.

    Join him as he speaks with unconventional career changers and risk-takers, taps into their experiences and perspectives and discusses all things career. Together, they will provide you nuggets of wisdom, inspiration and actionable insights to start living life on your own terms.
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    23 minutos