How I rediscovered myself after my job defined me for years.
The Content Creator’s Dilemma
Discover two powerful techniques for endless content creation: newsjacking and lifejacking.
“I Yam What I Yam.”
That was Popeye the Sailor Man’s famous saying—a simple yet iconic mini-manifesto of self-acceptance that has resonated through generations. The version performed by Robin Williams in the live-action adaptation from the ’80s is etched in my soul.
“I yam what I yam,” translated to “I am what I am,” is more than just a catchphrase—it’s a powerful reminder to know and embrace who you are, regardless of expectations.
For many of us, who we are is inextricably linked to what we do. One of the fascinating things I’ve noticed is how Gen Z and younger generations have embraced a stronger sense of personal identity, often separating their worth from their occupation. But for us Gen Xers, Millennials, and Boomers, our careers became more than just jobs—they became our primary identity markers, the very essence of how we introduced ourselves to the world.
I’m as guilty as anyone of this career-based identity. For my entire adult life, my career felt like a hyphenate of my last name, a permanent addition to my introduction. I wasn’t just Joe Pardavila; I was Joe Pardavila from WPLJ. That radio station became as much a part of my name as the one given to me at birth.
As I shared in my book Good Listen, that moniker stuck with me for over 20 years — until one day, everything changed. Our parent company—the “wonderfully” run family media company (and those are HARD air quotes)—sold WPLJ to a Christian broadcasting company. Just like that, WPLJ was no more. And as I like to say, I was fired by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The transition from Joe Pardavila from WPLJ to just Joe Pardavila was not easy, as it rarely is for anyone who goes through a major career change or faces retirement. It’s like losing a piece of yourself that you didn’t even realize had become so fundamental to your identity.
However, through working with consulting entrepreneurs on podcasting, writing a book, and starting a YouTube show, I gradually discovered my own “I yam what I yam.” The journey taught me that our identities are far more than any job title could encompass.
I’m not Joe Pardavila from blank anymore—I’m Joe, someone who makes stuff and talks to cool people. The distinction might seem subtle, but it means so much more to me. It’s about defining yourself by your passions and actions rather than your employer or industry.
This really hit home during my chat with Orly KG on my show Good Listen. At 47, Orly signed up for a stand-up comedy class after years as a mother and publicist. Three years later, she used her particular set of skills to launch The Bad Momz of Comedy, a group of hilarious moms and female comics performing around Chicago.
Orly talked about how so many women, especially after having kids, struggle with feeling like they’ve lost themselves. Her message was powerful—it’s so important to do something just for you, something that fills your soul, whether it’s writing, dancing, or any creative outlet. She put it perfectly: just like on a plane, where they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others, we need to take care of our own passions and identities to show up as our best selves.
The beauty of discovering who you are beyond your career lies in the freedom it brings. You’re no longer constrained by professional expectations or industry standards—you’re free to explore, create, and evolve on your own terms.
So, who are you? Not your job title, not your role in your family, but you?
Find that thing. Embrace it, nurture it, and then you too can sing, “I yam what I yam.”
