Episodes

Default thinking says, "I just need to suck it up at work." That's nonsense. You can take control of your corporate job and create Time Freedom — right where you are. Learn the biological reasons why we feel overrun at work, plus 3 strategies (plus tactics) for creating Time Freedom. Break free of the Corporate Cage: join the Uncaged Academy. *** TIMESTAMPS 03:03 The Time Freedom mindset 03:53 That caged feeling 04:45 Why work overtakes us 07:00 How Henry Ford screwed us 09:30 Freedom fr...

What path should you take? The Safe Path is predictable and comfortable. But then there's the Passion Path, where you know you'll encounter a life of adventure and excitement. This question applies equally to life and career. Listen up to discover a mental model for approaching safety vs. passion. Break free of the Corporate Cage: join the Uncaged Academy. *** TIMESTAMPS 02:35 A question of two paths 04:28 Contemplating passion 05:39 Truly, what is safety? 07:00 Too much safety = masochis...

This is a personal and emotional episode. In the months leading up to quitting corporate in March 2022, I recorded my thoughts and feelings. This episode is a compilation of those recordings — a personal journal, if you will. I discuss why I needed to make the leap, including the strategy and mindset that made it possible. I hope it helps you identify the “leaps” worth making in your life. Ready to take ownership of your career and life? I’ve got something next-level for you: the Uncaged Acade...

We're still battling remnants from the Industrial Age. One of the most notorious (and life-limiting) features is the standard workweek, including the cultural pressures to operate in a "standard" way. Matt argues that one of the keys to time freedom is to let go of the "participation points" mentality where we show up to every meeting and take on an immense workload. The solution? Focus on outcomes, not hours. *** TIMESTAMPS 02:23 Topical overview 03:00 Battling an antiquated belief system ...

In this episode, Matt announces the rebrand of his podcast (formerly The Rising Digital Leader). In line with his new entrepreneurial mission, Matt describes the rationale for rebranding the show. He discusses his professional journey since COVID began, what he learned in the process, and what his personal reasons were for saying goodbye to corporate. Ready to live Uncaged? Download your Freedom Guide. Full show notes & resources: uncageyourself.fm *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Immense power in taking hea...

Uncage Yourself explores how to build a career and life on your terms. Many people are trapped in the Corporate Cage — a dangerous position where work dominates their days and personal lives. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can direct your corporate experience and unlock a life of freedom, right where you are. This show is about your transformation: from Caged to Uncaged. Your host, Matt Doan, brings forward the guests, stories, strategies, and tactics to make it happen. Full show not...

Maurice Philogene lives a robust life, with a background as a senior executive, real estate investor, restaurant owner, traveler, public servant, philanthropist, and lifestyle design/wealth coach. We spend our time in this episode discussing his driving aim: freedom. A self-proclaimed “freedom fighter,” he highlights what he learned from the corporate world and how we can design a lifestyle that’s just dripping with our version of freedom. Stuck in the Corporate Cage? Download your Freedom Guid...

Are you a rat? Take a hard look in the mirror. Be honest with yourself, and decide whether your career strategy is helping or hurting your overall life experience. In this episode, Matt describes the life of a typical rat racer and then poses some critical reflection questions. Tired of rat racing? Download the free Corporate Cage Freedom Guide. *** TAKEAWAYS Rat Race: the unpleasant reality where a person’s job requires them to endlessly compete with others for money, power, status. Industr...

Sana A Ahmed is a personal brand experience consultant and thought creator. We unpack how to unleash your inner monster — showing up as a person who has the guts to consciously stand out amidst a noisy world. We also discuss the immense potential of becoming an online creator by focusing on your Personal Philosophy. Ready to dive down the rabbit hole? Download the free Corporate Cage Freedom Guide. *** TIMESTAMPS [2:08] Why explore monsters? [5:56] Befriending your inner monster [7:30] Sana...

Here, Matt shares his views on Imposter Syndrome, and why we need to start viewing it with a more productive lens. Rather than being down on ourselves for feeling like an imposter, we should let it signal a worthy challenge in life. Ready to dive down the rabbit hole? Download the free Corporate Cage Freedom Guide. *** TAKEAWAYS Humans are wired to seek safety and security — a contributing factor to feeling like an imposter. We should stop calling it a "syndrome," which implies there's somet...

On average, if we’re lucky, we’ll be alive on this planet for 4,000 weeks. That’s not much. So, what will you do with your precious time? Great time management is the ultimate meta-skill for life. In this episode, Matt presents what extreme time ownership is and why you need it. After explaining the mindset aspect, Matt shares 15 tactical tips on how to own your time with intention and ruthlessness. Ready to dive down the rabbit hole? Download the free Corporate Cage Freedom Guide. *** TAKEA...

Jason Rosselot is a VP of Cybersecurity at Dell Technologies. But traditional paths aren't his thing. From serving as a Special Agent protecting the Dalai Lama to ensuring resiliency in manufacturing and software, Jason is driven by a very personal mission. Feeling "caged" at work? Here's your key to freedom. *** TAKEAWAYS The most profound value creation isn't at the most predictable locations within organizations. Instead, the biggest opportunities exist in No Man's Land (the "seams") — the...

So many people end trapped in the Corporate Cage: a psychological state where they feel like they can't move. In this episode, I define this "caged" existence and reveal a path out — a path to freedom. Corporate work can feel good; you just need to intentionally design your way there. Ready to dive down the rabbit hole? Download the free Corporate Cage Freedom Guide. *** TAKEAWAYS The Corporate Cage is a prison of our own choosing (and we can break free). A corporate work environment can fee...

Life is chaotic and fast-moving. If we don’t pause and reflect, we miss out on key signals and opportunities. I do this almost every day in my journal, but I go meta through my annual review. So I analyzed my 2021 experience, and I'm delivering some wisdom to you. Here are my top 10 lessons from 2021. I hope you find them valuable! Go deeper with the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** RESOURCES Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan Check the show on YouTube Subscribe to th...

Mark Freeman (data scientist, entrepreneur, and LinkedIn celebrity) joins us in the studio! We can all admire his unrelenting fixation on solving large-scale societal problems and his deep understanding of how to nurture an online community. He goes behind the scenes on his career, as we discuss his navigation into various high-impact communities (startup, data science, Web3). Tired of feeling "caged" at work? Here's your key to freedom. *** TAKEAWAYS On social media, think of every follower ...

Chris Cochran is co-founder and CEO of Hacker Valley Media, where he co-hosts several podcasts centered on technology and human performance. He drops by the studio to discuss what it means for a tech professional to flourish as a "creator" today. We introduce Web3, and how its features are enabling an exciting set of opportunities for individual professionals to enhance their career trajectory and overall life. Create more career freedom: subscribe to the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** TAKE...

We all live in some version of the Matrix — where we take our situation as given. But what would it look like to wake up? To see more clearly and direct your life? This episode is about awakening to the limitations you've subconsciously accepted in your career and doing something about it: creating freedom. Listen in to discover your real potential. Go deeper with the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** TAKEAWAYS The Matrix movie trilogy suggests that everyone is capable of making the choice bet...

OVERVIEW We're joined in this episode by Elayna Snyder, Founder of Indigo Collectiv. She focuses on helping thought leaders fuel their strategy by being their authentic selves. She delivers a masterclass on harnessing your individuality. Her premise: your knowledge and ideas need an outlet, and that outlet should create an impact. Improve your LinkedIn game: How to Build Your Hidden LinkedIn Funnel™ in 3 Easy Steps (resource from Elayna) Tired of being "stuck" in your tech career? Try the Wedn...

OVERVIEW We're joined today by Shiv Singh, Founder of Emerge Management Consulting. Shiv is a compelling example of what it means to "look inside" and figure out what you've been put on this planet to do. We hear a lot about "find your why," but Shiv demonstrates how to put the concept into action — even if it requires going against societal norms. Lots to learn here, from both a career and life perspective. Tired of being "stuck" in your tech career? Try the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** ...

OVERVIEW We're joined today by Ben Dundee, VP and Head of Data Science at Dekeo. Ben delivers sharp advice on how to become influential with data — changing hearts and minds across an organization. Empathy and community are key elements of his personality and success. Lots of lessons in this one! Tired of being "stuck" in your tech career? Try the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** TAKEAWAYS Don't let your past define your future; learn to say "thank you, next." Product Management is a great s...

OVERVIEW For decades, there's been an assumption that you need an MBA to be a business leader. This creates a challenge for rising digital leaders — those that come from technical backgrounds and feel a desire to be an influential force within the organization. Do they need to sink their time and money into nabbing this credential? Today, Matt argues why an MBA isn't necessary for tech professionals while getting to the essence of what we're really after. Go deeper with the Wednesday Wisdom new...

OVERVIEW Does technology really make life better? Not necessarily. While digital technology is inevitably at the core of your organization's mission, we must be careful how we adopt it. We can’t look at any piece of technology as a silver bullet. We can’t let ourselves fall in love. Go deeper with the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** TAKEAWAYS Technology trends don't have to be as inevitable as they might appear. “Our inventions are [nothing more than] improved means to an unimproved end.” —...

OVERVIEW Today, Matt talks about one of his life’s greatest influences: the American philosopher and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. We cover the importance of Emerson’s 1841 essay "Self-Reliance" and how to adopt these principles as a modern tech professional. Go deeper with the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** TAKEAWAYS When it comes to a thriving career, self-reliance is the key. It's about taking control to create a life of wealth and freedom (however you define that). American Transcendenta...

OVERVIEW Politics is about more than nasty conversations between two political parties. Humans resolve conflicts and move forward through politics. In this episode, learn why aspiring digital leaders need to have their eyes on this skillset. We discuss how to enter the organizational politics arena and the key skills for elevating your career. Go deeper with the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter. *** TAKEAWAYS Politics stems from a diversity of competing interests, which must be resolved in some wa...