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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, host Vanessa Jackson explores the heartwarming 2003 film Secondhand Lions and what it reveals about identity, respect, and rewriting your personal story. Through the lens of this quiet classic, Vanessa draws deep parallels between the character Walter’s journey and the experience of burned-out educators who are questioning their place in the classroom.

Vanessa encourages teachers to examine the stories they've been told—or have told themselves—about their worth, their career options, and their future. With empathy and clarity, she offers actionable reflection prompts and a powerful reframing exercise to help educators reconnect with their skills, strengths, and sense of purpose.

Whether you're feeling stuck, misunderstood, or just ready for something different, this episode is a call to consider your own second act—and to know it’s never too late to be taken seriously or to begin again.

In this episode:

• A breakdown of Secondhand Lions and its career-relevant themes
• The link between storytelling and self-concept in career decisions
• How teachers can reframe classroom experiences into leadership language
• A guided journaling prompt for LinkedIn summaries or personal clarity
• Why your “middle chapter” isn’t the end—and how to shape what comes next

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Secondhand Lions (IMDb)
• Download the episode transcript or copy from the Buzzsprout page
• Explore Vanessa’s free 5Ps Framework
• Book a free Discovery Call or Coffee Chat with Vanessa

Connect with Vanessa

[email protected]

Leave a voicemail or text at 512-640-9099

Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn!

Schedule a free Discovery Session with Vanessa here

Follow Vanessa on Bluesky @beyondteaching.bsky.social

Visit the homepage at TeachersinTransition.com to learn more!

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