From Hello Kitty to Ikigai: When Your Desk Isn't Safe, Where Do You Go?

Teachers in Transition: Career Change and Real Talk for Burned-Out Teachers

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This week, we dive deep into a viral story that’s about so much more than a stolen Hello Kitty Funko Pop. We explore boundaries, respect, and why burnout isn’t just about exhaustion—it’s about disillusionment. Plus, Vanessa shares a simple brain hack for instant momentum (spoiler: it involves a sticky note) and walks you through two powerful frameworks—Finding Your Element and Ikigai—to help you uncover your next career step. Oh, and Rush is going on tour… again.

In This Episode:

• The Red Flag Radar segment breaks down the Hello Kitty theft that lit up teacher Twitter — and what it reveals about systemic failure.
• A quick “5x3 on a 3x5” brain hack to crush overwhelm when you can’t decide where to start.
• What Sir Ken Robinson and Japanese philosophy can teach you about your next career move.
• The magic of being unapologetically you — and how Rush found success by doing exactly that.

🔗 Resources + Links Mentioned:

• 📘 Finding Your Element by Sir Ken Robinson: Buy on Amazon
• 📖 My Effin' Life by Geddy Lee: Buy on Amazon
• 📰 The Mary Sue article on the Hello Kitty incident: Read it here
• 🎵 Info on “The 50-Something Tour” (Rush fans unite): Check tour updates
• 📚 Learn more about Ikigai: Book
• 📘 Start discovering your own Element and Ikigai with this simple, free resource. Download here.

👋 Connect with Vanessa:

• 📩 Email: [email protected]
• 📞 Voicemail/Text: 512-640-9099
• 🧭 Discovery Call: Book a session
• 🌐 Website: TeachersInTransition.com
• 🔵 Facebook: Follow here
• 📸 Instagram + Threads: @teachers.in.transition
• 🐦 Twitter (X): @EduExitStrategy
• 💬 Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social

🧠 Podcast SEO Tags:

• Teacher burnout recovery
• Career change for teachers
• How to leave teaching
• Ikigai and career transition
• 5x3 focus hack
• Hello Kitty teacher story
• Teachers and boundaries
• Funko Pop theft classroom
• Vanessa Jackson podcast
• Teachers in Transition

The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzsprout