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Agile Self-Development

Helene Amster Kopel

Agile Self-Development explores how to design the second chapter of work and life.

After spending years — often decades — building careers, many of us start asking different questions. What kind of work do we actually want to do next? What pace of life feels sustainable? And what does “enough” really look like?

Hosted by Product Leader and Agile Practitioner Helene Amster Kopel, this podcast blends ideas from agile thinking, professional development, and real-life career experience to explore how our careers can evolve over time.

Instead of making dramatic pivots or starting over, the second chapter is about experimenting, learning, and intentionally designing what comes next.

Episodes include practical insights on skills like consulting, networking, and influence, along with deeper conversations about meaning, fulfillment, and redefining success in the later stages of a career.

If you’ve spent years climbing the ladder and are starting to wonder what comes next, you’re not alone.

Because the first chapter of our careers was about climbing.
The second chapter is about designing.

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20 episodes
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S6 · E2
April 20 · 10 min
S6 Ep2 - Treat Yourself Like a Product, Start With Discovery
When we think about the next chapter of our career, most of us jump straight to answers. What should I do next? What role makes sense? What would I even change? But that’s not actually where to start. In product, we don’t begin with solutions. We start with discovery. In this episode, I walk through what it looks like to apply that same thinking to your own life and career—starting with assumptions, not answers. Because the goal isn’t to figure everything out overnight. It’s to get a little more honest about what you think you want… and test whether it’s actually true. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S6 · E1
March 17 · 5 min
New Season Introduction: Designing the Second Chapter of Work and Life
For most of our careers, we’re taught how to climb the ladder. Work hard. Learn more. Get promoted. Take the next opportunity. But what happens after you’ve been climbing for twenty or thirty years? In this relaunch episode of Agile Self-Development, Helene Amster Kopel introduces a new direction for the podcast and a concept she calls the second chapter of work and life. Many professionals spend the first decades of their careers building experience, expertise, and credibility. But eventually the questions start to change. What kind of work do we want to do next? What pace of life feels sustainable? And what does “enough” really look like? This episode introduces the idea that the next phase of our careers doesn’t have to mean starting over. Instead, it can be about experimenting, learning, and intentionally designing what comes next. If you’ve spent years building a career and are starting to rethink what the next chapter might look like, this conversation is for you. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S5 · E3
Oct 6, 2025 · 15 min
WTF IS Ahimsa?
In this heart-centered episode of The Agile Self-Development Podcast, Helene returns a raja yoga class after a long time away — and is unexpectedly reintroduced to the powerful principle of ahimsa: the practice of non-harming. What begins as a quiet moment in a Raja yoga class becomes a soul-deep reflection on how we treat ourselves. This episode invites you to explore how subtle self-harm shows up in your life — and offers a set of grounding practices to reconnect with your wholeness through gentleness, awareness, and compassion. ⸻ 🔑 Key Takeaways: •Ahimsa means “non-harming” — and applies to how we treat ourselves as much as others. •Micro-harms like self-criticism, guilt-driven choices, and ignoring our needs wear us down over time. •Self-development is not about pushing harder, but about returning to yourself with love. •Alignment with ahimsa begins with daily, intentional, compassionate practices. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S5 · E2
Sep 29, 2025 · 14 min
WTF Is AI & Prompt Engineering
Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere—from work emails to vacation planning—but did you know it can also support your personal growth? In this episode of Agile Self-Development, Helene explains how tools like ChatGPT can become your brainstorming buddy, personal coach, and idea generator—all without needing to be a “techy.” You’ll learn what prompt engineering really means (spoiler: it’s just asking better questions), how to craft prompts that get you the results you want, and simple ways to bring AI into your daily self-development practice. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How AI tools like ChatGPT can support your growth journey What “prompt engineering” means in everyday language A simple 3-step formula for writing better prompts Real-life examples you can try right away Ready-to-use sample prompts for journaling, habit-building, stress management, and more This starter kit gives you ready-to-use prompts you can copy, paste, and customize when using AI tools like ChatGPT. These prompts were created by ChatGPT, as a matter of fact! They're designed to support journaling, habit-building, stress management, and mindset shifts in your personal growth journey. Journaling Prompts • Give me five journaling prompts to help me reflect on my strengths at work. • Suggest journaling prompts to uncover limiting beliefs holding me back. • Provide five prompts to help me celebrate small daily wins. Habit-Building Prompts • Help me create a 30-day plan to drink more water and build a consistent habit. • Give me simple strategies to stay consistent with exercising, even if I only have 20 minutes a day. • Suggest ways to track and reward myself for sticking to a new habit. Stress Management Prompts • Give me three short, practical techniques I can use daily to manage stress as a working parent. • Suggest five quick relaxation exercises I can do during a work break. • Help me create a 10-minute evening routine to unwind before bed. Mindset & Positivity Prompts • Give me three positive reframes I can use when I feel like I’ve failed at something. • Suggest simple affirmations I can practice daily for more confidence. • Provide strategies for shifting from negative to positive thinking when I’m overwhelmed. Tip: For the best results, add your own context when using these prompts. For example, mention your schedule, personal challenges, or goals so the AI can tailor its response to your unique situation. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S5 · E1
Sep 16, 2025 · 14 min
WTF Is A Funk
It’s been awhile but I’m back with a new episode to share how to use an agile approach to break out of your funk. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
Nov 16, 2024 · 14 min
WTF Is A Mental Health Medical Leave of Absence
Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S4 · E1
Jun 27, 2024 · 13 min
S4 Ep1 - WTF is a Mental Health Day
Listen in for the benefits of mental health days and how to plan to make the best of them! Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
Apr 7, 2024 · 2 min
Season 4 intro
Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
Sep 10, 2023 · 36 min
S3 Ep6 - WTF Is Mental Fortitude with David Theriot
Mental Fortitude is described as mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously. My guest on this episode is David Theriot, an ultrarunner and coach who understands that mental fortitude is pivotal to his success, very much akin to life's many other challenges. David Theriot is an ultrarunner and coach who started running later in life after ACL reconstruction surgery. He's run 45 ultramarathons, 16 of them of 100 miles or more. He finds great joy in helping others come to the realization that they can do hard things. He's coached runners from all over the world to finish their first or furthest Ultramarathon. He also hosts the Run the Riot Podcast where he interviews runners from all over the world accomplishing amazing feats. Lear more about David and how to work with him at http://info.runtheriot.run. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S3 · E6
May 27, 2023 · 14 min
S3 Ep6: WTF is Self-Awareness
In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating topic of self-awareness and its importance in our lives. Self-awareness is the ability to introspect and understand one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We'll discuss why self-awareness matters, how to cultivate it, and the benefits it can bring to our personal and professional lives. Visit http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com and click "Free Guide" in the top menu to start creating your own personal vision statement. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S3 · E5
Apr 26, 2023 · 34 min
S2 Ep 5 - WTF Is Group Therapy with Robert Pepper PhD
On this episode, you'll hear from Dr Robert Pepper, author of Some People Don’t Want What They Say They Want, and a therapist who’s been running groups for over twenty-five years and has a special gift in helping member’s resolve conflicts with relationships, both personal and professional. In group therapy, members learn to resolve obstacles to developing healthy relationships through interactions between members of the group. Listen now to learn more about what group therapy can do to support healthy relationships. Reach out to Rob at drpepperphd.com. Bonus thoughts from Dr. Pepper around the topic of using your friends to replace therapy: There are at least two reasons why friends and family can’t replace group therapy. Frankly, I believe it's quite psychologically naive to think that group therapy is unnecessary if a person has good friends and family. Good friends and family complement group therapy; they don’t replace it. For one thing, good friends and relatives usually aren’t objective. They have their own biases and opinions about what is best for us. And as "Dear Abby" has so brilliantly observed: "Unsolicited advice is always self-serving". Group members in a secure group environment, are in a better position to see our needs and foibles more clearly. Second, and to my mind more importantly, social relationships are not designed to absorb the full impact of our own, nor friends, family and a life partner’s feelings. In group therapy the directive to members is: "Say everything." That is clearly not a wise thing to do in non-therapy relationships. That is because there are some powerful, “dark” feelings that are better left unsaid in close, intense, personal relationships. They are better said in the safe context of a secure group. To share every thought and feeling with a loved one can be hurtful and damaging to the relationship. In group therapy it’s different. At the same time, our closest friends and relatives are there to provide TLC when we need it, while group members are there for us only weekly at a specific time and place. The restrictions prohibiting outside contact and physical contact in the group, plus the contract, ensure that there will be no real-life consequences to group interactions and that group is a safe place where members’ words can’t come back to haunt them in their personal or professional relationships. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S3 · E4
Apr 19, 2023 · 38 min
S3 Ep 4: WTF is Exhaustion with Top Coach Joey Drolshagen
Have you found yourself feeling “exhausted” and to the point of feeling overwhelmed and depressed? Well you’re not alone. Business and Life coach Joey Drolshagen is back with us to share how exhaustion is leading to a skyrocketing number of people experiencing depression and ways we can avoid the pitfall. Joey Drolshagen is a master mindset coach, author and Professional Speaker; and founder of the Subconscious Mindset Training method. Named one of the top Coaches in America for three consecutive years, in The NYC Journal and Disruptors Magazine, Joey is known for helping countless individuals to transform their lives through retraining their subconscious conditioning! He’s been seen on FOX, NBC, CBS, and e’s spent decades traveling the country, helping people move past obstacles to overcome adversity and create a life they absolutely love. Connect with Joey at https://IFGTcoach.com Mention Agile Self-Development at https://coachwithjoseph.com for a free 30-minute consult coaching session with Joey Drolshagen! Go to https://dynamic.ifgtcoach.com to access the FREE Dynamic Vision Roadmap video Joey mentioned on this episode. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S3 · E3
Apr 12, 2023 · 28 min
S3 Ep3: WTF is Thrive AF (Alcohol Free) with Dupe Witherick
On this episode, we talk to Dupe Witherick who says being alcohol free is a choice and does not need to happen only when you hit rock bottom and that even normal drinkers may question their relationship with alcohol, wondering if it’s really serving them. Dupe Witherick is an Accredited Alcohol Free Wellbeing and Transformational Coach who believes that being alcohol free is a super power and makes you brave, and getting rid of this one thing is just the start of what could be the most amazing life. On this episode, Dupe will share more about her story and how she helps women reach their full potential and live their best life alcohol free with her THRIVE AF process. Learn more about Dupe and Thrive AF at www.thrivealcoholfree.com. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S3 · E2
Mar 15, 2023 · 33 min
S3 Ep2: WTF Is Alignment with Rachel Richter
On this episode, I speak with Rachel Richter who says disconnection is the driving force of negative outcomes in our organizations and lives, and by increasing connection we can unlock greater prosperity. Alignment is the catalyst needed to for increased connection. When people come to Rachel for answers, she often starts with this simple question “Where do you want to create greater alignment and thrive?” Rachel Richter is the Founder and Managing Partner of INLIGN, the premier alignment coaching and advisory practice for teams and organizations seeking to rectify misalignment and enable optimal functioning. Rachel describes alignment as “culture in action.” Out of further demand, she also founded Align & Thrive, the alignment coaching practice for individuals with the purpose of making thriving attainable personally and professionally. As hardships got in the way along her journey, Rachel created her own way to live a life worth living, never losing sight of everything she still had to be grateful for. While enduring a near fatal illness, being a patient of one of the most painful surgeries known to man and losing her mother to a rare disease, she simultaneously innovated and delivered billions of dollars in value for shareholders and the public for over 15 years in both publicly traded companies and federal agencies. She delivered where many thought innovation or even agreement was impossible by leveraging alignment along with compassion for herself and others. To learn more about how you can work with Rachel, visit https://www.getinlign.com/ or https://www.rachelrichter.com/. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S3 · E1
Mar 1, 2023 · 48 min
S3 Ep 1: WTF Is Trauma Drama with Marni Goldman
On this epsode, I speak with Marni Goldman, author of True To Myself: Peace, Love, Marni." As the daughter of a drug-addicted mother, Marni survived a life of depression, ADHD, childhood PTSD, anxiety, and a leukemia diagnosis. In her book – part memoir and part inspiration – Marni takes readers on a journey from unimaginable pain to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Today, Marni Goldman is the host of the Peace Love Podcast and works with people all over the world to help them transcend and heal emotional traumas. Connect with Marni through her website: https://peacelovemarni.com/ Get her book True To Myself: Peace, Love, Marni https://www.amazon.com/True-Myself-Peace-Love-Marni/dp/1710056851/ "True To Myself: Peace, Love, Marni" is a book about Goldman terrible (and often surreal) childhood and young adult experiences - and how the road to hell ultimately lead to an oasis of peace. Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
Feb 28, 2023 · 1 min
Season Three Intro
Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
Jan 1, 2023 · 12 min
S2 Ep 17: WTF Did I Learn The Hard Way in 2022
Final episode of season 2, a recap of my reminder lessons learned the hard way throughout 2022. Stay tuned for Season 3, coming soon! Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S2 · E16
Dec 21, 2022 · 56 min
S2 Ep16: WTF is Emotional Chaos from Cancer with David Richman
On this episode, we hear from David Richman, author of Winning in the Middle of the Pack and Cycle of Lives. In his most recent book, Cycle of Lives, David shares stories of people overcoming trauma and delves deeply into their emotional journeys with cancer. These stories are interwoven amongst the narrative of David’s solo 5,000-mile bike ride to go meet the book participants whom he had been interviewing for a few years. His hope with this book is to help empower people to start the hard conversations about the emotional aspects of cancer and other traumas. An entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and endurance athlete, David Richman has a passion for inspiring deeper human connection through life changing stories. In his first book, Winning in the Middle of the Pack, David shares lessons learned in business, sport and life, to get more out of ourselves than we ever imagined. Connect with David Richman: www.cycleoflives.org www.facebook.com/cycleoflives www.instagram.com/davidrichman_cycleoflives David Richman on Amazon Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
Dec 8, 2022 · 37 min
S2 Ep15: WTF Is a Renaissance Woman with Katie Chonacas
If you describe a woman as a Renaissance woman, you mean that she has a wide range of abilities and interests, especially in the arts and sciences. I like to consider myself one of those with my day job in technology and outside interests in podcasting, yoga, improv and more. But wait until you hear about my guest today. There are so many layers to this onion that I knew I wanted to talk to her but I had a hard time trying to pick a topic to focus on! On this episode, I speak with Katie Elizabeth Chonakas, also known as Saint KYRIAKI Katie is a Greek American actor, producer, director, musician, voice-over artist, industry coach, podcaster, and published author. She is a multi-disciplinary artist and blockchain trailblazer who I couldn't wait to ask about her NFTs. You may have seen her in parts on major television shows including CBS's CSI: NY, Cold Case, FX Network's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Law & Order SVU, to name a few. She’s also published a book called A Lover's Fairytale about her experiences while traveling around the world. And on top of that, Kyriaki works in the entertainment sector as a woman's empowerment coach. Follow and connect with Katie at the links below! Website: https://www.chonacas.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/katiechonacas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chonacas/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chonacas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiechonacas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyriakiChonacas IMDB: imdb.me/katiechonacas Books: https://www.amazon.com/ Strategy Call: https://www.chonacas.com/links/ Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!
S2 · E14
Nov 9, 2022 · 33 min
S2 Ep14: WTF is Post-Betrayal Transformation with Dr Debi Silber
An unhealed betrayal impacts our health, work, and relationships. Unfortunately, too many of us know first hand what it feels like to be betrayed. On this episode, my guest is Dr. Debi Silber, founder of the PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute. Debi is a holistic psychologist, the author of Trust Again, and International bestselling author of: The Unshakable Woman AND From Hardened to Healed. Her podcast: From Betrayal to Breakthrough is also globally ranked within the top 1.5% of podcasts. Her recent PhD study on how we experience betrayal made 3 groundbreaking discoveries that changes how long it takes to heal. In addition to being on FOX, CBS, The Dr. Oz Show, TEDx (twice) and more, she’s an award-winning speaker and coach dedicated to helping people move past their betrayals as well as any other blocks preventing them from the health, work, relationships, confidence, and happiness they want most. Connect with Dr. Debi Silber and the Post Betrayal Transformation institute: The site: https://thepbtinstitute.com The latest TEDx: “Do You Have Post Betrayal Syndrome?“: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyqOR69dHiU TEDx: Stop Sabotaging Yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX30i6nC7ro The From Betrayal to Breakthrough podcast: https://thepbtinstitute.com/podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@debisilber Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspireEmpowerTransform Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebiSilber Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debisilber/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debisilber/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/debisilber Visit us at http://www.agileselfdevelopment.com!

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