The Distressed Lecturer with Mike Harmon

On today’s show, Liz talks with Mike Harmon — the distressed lecturer. Mike graduated from college with dreams of going to Wall Street, but it was 1991 and a recession caused brought the party to an abrupt halt. He landed at a bank working on distressed loans, finding his calling in the distressed asset business. 

But after 20+ years in the business, his “turkey thermometer popped” (as he puts it) – he was burned out, not seeing his family, and needed to move on. Sound familiar? 

Luckily, a happiness lecture on the Okinawans at his Harvard Business School reunion prompted him to find his “ikigai” — or reason for waking up in the morning. He discovered a passion for public radio and teaching in that search. Today, he is a happy part-time lecturer at Stanford Business School. Join Liz as she talks to Mike about how he made the journey to his third act.