Burned Out VP to Purpose Coach: Quitting the Numbing - Ben Stein

How does a high-level VP with "everything" on paper end up lost, numb, and dependent on alcohol just to cope?Ben Stein, founder of Purpose Up and a sought-after career coach, shares his raw journey from corporate burnout to finding true alignment. He opens up about using alcohol and marijuana as a "ball and chain" to avoid facing his unhappiness, and the pivotal moment he was laid off while secretly feeling relieved.This episode dives into the FailCraft theme of shedding the false self to find the real one. Ben explains why he left a successful career to backpack solo around the world, how he overcame the "ego voices" that told him it was too late to pivot, and his actionable "Rapid Career Accelerator" framework for anyone feeling stuck.In this episode of FailCraft, you’ll discover: * Ben's rock bottom: Numbing his pain with alcohol and marijuana as a VP. * The moment his coach told him he was "ready to fly" but held back by addiction. * Why he secretly felt relieved when he was laid off from a high-paying job. * The transformative power of solo travel (climbing Kilimanjaro & Everest Base Camp). * The "Ego Voices" exercise: How to silence the inner critic holding you back. * Why feeling fear is actually a signal to walk towards something. * The difference between a "job" and a "purpose." * Ben's definition of true success: Alignment (Gandhi's philosophy). * Practical first steps for anyone wanting to pivot their career today.This episode is for anyone feeling stuck in a "successful" career they hate, struggling with numbing behaviors, or looking for a roadmap to find work that actually matters.Connect With Ben Stein: * Website: https://www.purposeup.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbenstein/Support the Show: * Fuel the FailCraft Mission: https://iferia.nestuge.com/supportme * Subscribe and leave a review! * Share this episode if it resonated!Want to Be a Guest on FailCraft? * Reach out to Ezekiel on PodMatch * PodMatch Host Profile: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/failcraftChapters:00:00 Hook: The Ball and Chain of Addiction01:17 Introduction: Ben Stein's Story01:40 The Breaking Point: Numbing the Pain03:52 From Coping Mechanism to Crutch (Alcohol & Weed)06:24 The Pivot: Solo Backpacking & Finding Freedom07:38 The Layoff: A Blessing in Disguise10:06 Practical Step: Silencing the "Ego Voices"12:17 Success is Alignment (Gandhi's Philosophy)13:20 How to Connect with Ben & Get Free Gifts