Cory Gerlach is a writer and ocean sailor currently living on a sailboat in Guatemala. With a Harvard PhD in biomedical science and years of government work, he decided to pivot towards a life filled with self-discovery.

He wasn't a sailor when he started. In fact, Cory Gerlach was on a successful path in a stable, government job. But 10 years in, his question was not just about his career choices, but about redefining success and embracing an adventurous life.

He wanted to live a life aligned with his values. And he knew it wouldn't be easy.

In this episode, we’ll explore Cory’s journey from a secure federal job to sailing across the seas, uncovering insights on courage, resilience, and the beauty of living authentically.

He shares how he planned his exit ramp, what went wrong, and how he's resiliant because he expects things to be hard.

His essays on Substack, "Radical Paths," explore the challenges and joys of living a life true to oneself.

Substack: @RadicalPaths

LinkedIn: @CoryVGerlach

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EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION is produced by Courtney Kaplan.

Website: Iconic Leadership Coaching.

Follow me on IG @iconic_owl

Connect on Linked in @courtney-kaplan

Music by Midwest Got It (IG: midwestgotit)

Mary-Lynne Williams is the CEO & Founder of Buffalo Firefly in NYC and Richmond VA. Buffalo Firefly is an Energy Wellness Company whose core mission is to bring the power of sound & energy medicine to the masses, allowing us to recalibrate and elevate from surviving to thriving. Energy medicine and sound healing allow us to regulate our nervous systems as a regular practice, encourage mindful presence, & invite people to achieve more abundance in all aspects of life — resulting in a deeper connection with their soul, the universe & their infinite potential.

Before stepping into this work, she spent over two decades in the tech industry as a product design leader, including roles at Microsoft, Meta, and Zillow, where she shaped complex digital products, led teams, and worked at the intersection of systems thinking, user experience, and human behavior. She left her career in 2019 at the age of 48 to pursue peace & purpose. She evolved her leadership & coaching skills, reiki master training & general ability to do whatever the f*ck she wants to build a strong, successful brand.

Her career in tech was successful by every external measure. Yet over time, Mary-Lynne began to recognize a growing disconnect between the work she was doing and the way she wanted to live in her purpose. She increasingly found herself in a chronic physical & mental health crisis and bravely chose to pivot.
Her story is not about leaving ambition behind, but about redefining success—trusting discernment, and choosing work that feels sustainable not just intellectually, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually as well.

Instagram: @buffalofirefly or @buffalofirefly.nyc

Shop & book appointments: www.buffalofirefly.com

Send us Fan Mail

EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION is produced by Courtney Kaplan.

Website: Iconic Leadership Coaching.

Follow me on IG @iconic_owl

Connect on Linked in @courtney-kaplan

Music by Midwest Got It (IG: midwestgotit)

Stacey Gordon wanted to be a novelist since she was a kid. She loved reading and writing.

However, as an adult she was juggling a demanding career in tech, parenting, work travel, and life...with nothing left over for her own creative pursuits.

Stacey shares how she gave herself the space for writing and creating without sitting down to type or put pen to paper. How she continued her path through Covid, putting down a few hundred words a day in a small shed outside her house.

In this episode, she talks about how she’s building a life of a fiction writer. And she's now working on her fourth book. (And, yes, she still has a 9 - 5 job).

She reveals the power of community and the importance of protecting your creative space — especially in the early, vulnerable stages.

Patience and persistence really pays off: her book The Pearl Farmers is out this fall, and she’s building her author brand and helping other writers alongside her day job.

Maybe your creative dream is just an idea now — but with small steps, it can become real.

Website: https://www.staceygordonauthor.com/

Her book: thepearlfarmers.com

IG: @staceygordonauthor

Send us Fan Mail

EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION is produced by Courtney Kaplan.

Website: Iconic Leadership Coaching.

Follow me on IG @iconic_owl

Connect on Linked in @courtney-kaplan

Music by Midwest Got It (IG: midwestgotit)