Starting to Shift with a What If — Holden Galusha's Story

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What if the safest choice isn’t the most honest one? That question frames a candid conversation with science journalist Holden Galusha, who started in programming for stability and found his voice by following curiosity, not clichés. A personal loss forced a new lens—regret minimization—sparking a shift from IT to writing that wasn’t a reckless jump, but a series of smart, low-risk experiments that grew into a career.
We talk about the power of small bets: how an unused company blog and a team of quietly expert technicians became a training ground for interviewing, editorial framing, and content marketing that actually moved the needle. Holden shares how a chance encounter with Lab Manager revealed the world of trade journalism—where technical insight and clear storytelling meet real demand—and why broadening the definition of a dream can dismantle the starving artist myth. Along the way, we examine moving goalposts, imposter syndrome, and the deep satisfaction of creating tangible work that helps people make better decisions.
We also get practical about generative AI. Holden maps the middle ground between hype and rejection, calling for newsroom-level ethics, reader transparency, and evolving policies that protect trust. He explains why human voice and niche expertise still matter, how audiences respond to AI-generated prose, and what writers can do to future-proof their craft. If you’re weighing a career pivot, you’ll leave with a simple playbook: run a risk analysis, test inside your current role, identify the mechanism beneath your passion, and follow the signals that open more than one door.
If this conversation sparks a thought, share it with a friend, subscribe for more like this, and leave a quick review—what pivot are you considering next?

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פרקים

1. Regret As A Career Lens (00:00:00)

2. Meet Holden: Tech-To-Journalism Journey (00:01:35)

3. Stifled Creativity And Early Signals (00:03:18)

4. Fear, Instability, And Imposter Syndrome (00:05:01)

5. A Father’s Illness And A Catalyst (00:08:03)

6. Finding Low-Risk Ways To Write At Work (00:10:02)

7. Results From Content Marketing (00:12:25)

8. “You’ll Be A Writer”: Dad’s Forecast (00:13:20)

9. Early Writing Practice And Technical Reviews (00:15:05)

10. Breakthrough: Pitching Lab Manager (00:17:00)

11. Navigating Cool Leads And Trade Media (00:19:30)

12. Dismantling The Starving Artist Myth (00:21:05)

13. Moving Goalposts: Blessing And Curse (00:23:40)

14. Tangible Work And Creative Fulfillment (00:26:20)

15. Creating For Utility Over Metrics (00:28:00)

16. Legacy, Loss, And Leaving Work Behind (00:29:20)

17. Designing The Next Role (00:31:30)

18. Generative AI: Ethics And Practice (00:34:15)

19. Audience Trust And AI Acceptance (00:37:50)

20. Risk Analysis For Career Pivots (00:40:05)

21. Broaden The Goal, Find The Mechanism (00:43:10)

22. Competence, Impact, And Outcomes (00:46:00)