Finding Purpose Beyond the Nine to Five: The Forward Kind Story

Send us Fan MailWhat if you could keep your 9-to-5 and still build something deeply meaningful on the side? In this episode, I sit down with Mateo Platsidakis, the founder of The Forward Kind, to talk about what it means to chase “more” out of life without blowing up everything you already have. Mateo’s story is one so many of us can relate to—a job he enjoys, but a sense that something important was missing, leading him to launch a brand built on mental health awareness, resilience, and community.We dig into the power of side projects to not just fill the gaps in our lives, but to make us better—not only at work, but as people. Mateo’s journey shows how giving ourselves permission to pursue that “something more” can actually help us flourish in unexpected ways. We get real about grief, change, and why kindness (to ourselves and others) is absolutely non-negotiable if you want to keep moving forward through hard times.If you’re looking for a reason to bet on your own “what if,” or just need a reminder that you’re not alone when things feel heavy—you don’t want to miss this conversation. Click over to theforwardkind.com or follow @theforwardkind on Instagram to join Mateo’s movement, grab some gear, or just see what real connection can look like.If you're ready to take the next step and get unstuck and unstoppable, you can find time on Ken's calendar at https://unstuckcareer.com/unstuck