“To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.”

– Herman Melville

Chapter One – About us

Over the past 20 years we have seen people struggle to navigate existential crises in their professional lives. Interestingly, the root causes of those crises have not been the classic job acquisition challenge. It's the deeper questions of identity, sacrifice, purpose, cause. Things that affect all of us and change as we experience more and more of the world. The heart of our writing collaboration, and mission as mentors, coaches, and authors, is this frustration that many career advice books are essentially instructions on maximizing financial returns. On acquiring and trading up jobs. Too little is said about the deeper, more personal questions that ultimately have a much bigger and more troubling impact on us. After years of expressing frustration we decided to do something about it. This website, our books, the podcast, newsletter, and all the other work we do is dedicated to shining a light on the often difficult to discuss subjects that get us into the most trouble.

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Dr David Oxley

(1.2) Dr Oxley is a dual UK/US citizen based in Austin, Texas. David started his career as a management consultant before leading major people and corporate restructuring projects for BP PLC across Europe, USA, India, and the Middle East. He worked closely with Reliance Industries in India, one of BP’s partners, as they embarked on their big corporate restructuring. He currently spends his time researching and writing on future career trends for publications around the world including Fast Company, Forbes, Big Think, Reader’s Digest, and HR Today where he also serves as a member of the global advisory board. David was awarded his doctorate in Organizational Change at Cranfield University and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Dr Helmut Schuster

(1.3) Dr Schuster is a dual Austrian/British citizen who lives in London, UK. He is the former Group HR Director of BP PLC and Chairman of the Board for Ivocar Vivadent. He currently serves on the board of several dynamic start-up businesses including ExpectAI, a Greentech enterprise. Helmut is an active entrepreneur, investor, and frequent contributor to leadership and AFS Intercultural programs. He completed his PhD in Economics from the University of Vienna.

Artificial Death of a Career

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Chapter Two – Our Inspiration

“Up in that room I decided that I would write one story about each thing that I knew about. I was trying to do this all the time I was writing, and it was good and severe discipline.”

– Ernest Hemmingway
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(2.1) We believe that career is not just a path, but a mirror. It reflects our values, fears, hopes, and hidden assumptions—often more honestly than we expect. When people hit a wall professionally, it’s rarely due to a lack of talent or ambition. More often, it’s because something deeper is misaligned: a story they’ve outgrown, a value they’ve compromised, or a version of success that no longer fits. That’s why our work doesn’t offer shortcuts or formulas. Instead, we create space for the real questions—about purpose, identity, and change—that are harder to ask but ultimately more transformative.

Dr Schuster & Dr Oxley smiling at each other

(2.2) Whether you’re early in your journey, in the thick of transition, or rebuilding after a loss or shift, we’re here for the conversations that rarely show up in job descriptions or résumés. The ones that ask, “Who am I becoming?” and “What do I really want to stand for?” Our books, podcast, newsletter, and community are all centered on helping people navigate the emotional and existential dimensions of work with clarity and compassion. We don’t claim to have all the answers—but we’re committed to walking alongside you as you ask better, braver questions and shape a working life that’s honest, evolving, and truly your own.