All Episodes

August 6, 2025 20 mins

Send us a text

What can a sci-fi comedy teach us about burnout, imposter syndrome, and teacher career transitions? A lot, actually. In this episode, Vanessa Jackson—former educator turned career transition coach—dives into Galaxy Quest to explore how pretending can lead to reality, why martyrdom in teaching needs to end, and how your “teacher skills” translate far beyond the classroom.

This episode is for every educator who’s ever felt like the “plucky comic relief,” every burned-out teacher who wonders if it’s too late to start over, and everyone who needs a reminder that belief—especially borrowed belief—can be a lifeline.

Takeaways

  • A new lens on impostor syndrome (and how it might be your launchpad)
  • Reflections on teacher martyrdom and how to break the cycle
  • Concrete ways your teaching experience translates into other careers
  • A sci-fi-inspired call to reclaim your identity and write your next chapter

 

💻 Helpful Links & Resources:

  • 💬 Book a free Discovery Call with Vanessa: teachersintransition.com/calendar
  • 📺 Watch Galaxy Quest: Available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube Movies
  • 🎧 Missed Episode #261 on Rejection Resilience? Click here to listen

 

📌 Keywords
teacher burnout, teacher transition, Galaxy Quest, imposter syndrome, career change for teachers, transferable skills for educators, leave teaching, second career, job search for teachers, inspirational podcast for teachers, sci-fi self-help, never give up never surrender, educational career coaching

👋Connect with and Follow Vanessa
📧 Email: Vanessa@teachersintransition.com
📞 Text or Leave a Voicemail: 512-640-9099
📅 Book a Free Discovery Session: teachersintransition.com/calendar
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessajackson78132
📷 Instagram & Threads: @teachers.in.transition
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565671792885
🌤️ Bluesky: @beyondteaching.bsky.social
    X (Twitter): @EduExitStrategy

I need your help!

Please share this podcast with someone that you think might like what it has to say – many teachers are aching to find a way to a new career.  You can help them. People find new podcasts mostly because they’ve been recommended by someone they know.   

 

The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzspout

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2

Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2

Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.