Should I Strive for More?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Should I Strive for More?"

Podcast: The Dr. Laura Podcast
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Release Date: November 1, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on a caller’s question about whether he should keep striving for career advancement after experiencing both setbacks and a major positive change. Having faced repeated rejections for promotions at his old company despite his leadership and experience, the caller recently moved to a new employer where he is respected, better compensated, and happier. He turns to Dr. Laura to ask if it’s OK to simply enjoy his current position or if he should push himself for further advancement.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caller’s Career Journey & Frustration

• Long-Term Loyalty Thwarted:
  The caller, in his mid-50s, worked over 15 years at a laboratory company, repeatedly applying for promotions and being denied in favor of others supposedly with “[...] more experience in certain areas of the lab” (Caller, 01:39).
• Questioning the Rejections:
  Dr. Laura pushes for honesty about whether the stated reason was true. The caller affirms:
  • “No, ma’am, it was not.” (Caller, 01:59)
    Dr. Laura quickly suggests more assertive action should have been taken:
  • “Well, that’s when you should have gotten an attorney. And you probably still should.” (Dr. Laura, 02:01)
• Personal Motivations:
  The caller did not pursue legal recourse, but was motivated to keep moving forward.

2. Positive Career Turn & ‘Happy Ending’

• Competitive New Role:
  The caller recounts,
  • “There was a company in the same industry that hired me after four interviews and a lot of competition. And they hired me right away. Making more money, doing better for myself and having a little bit of freedom.” (Caller, 05:35)
• Dr. Laura’s Response:
  • “Why am I here? You had a happy ending.” (Dr. Laura, 05:52)
    She playfully notes that he’s already found resolution.

3. Debate: Is Ambition Always Required?

• Caller's Newfound Contentment:
  The caller explains the new company offers “…a lot of opportunity for advancement,” but,
  • “Now I don’t feel the need or, I mean, I don’t feel the urgency or anything to move up.” (Caller, 05:55)
• Dr. Laura’s Permission to Enjoy the Moment:
  • “You’re in a new job, somebody’s showing you respect and you’re getting more money. Put your feet up and enjoy it.” (Dr. Laura, 06:20)
  • “You got the reward. Put your feet up. Have a beer. Non-alcoholic.” (Dr. Laura, 06:36)

4. Listener Appreciation & Legacy

• The caller acknowledges Dr. Laura’s ongoing influence, noting she helped him through “…the hardest, hardest time of my life. Like back in the early 2000.” (Caller, 06:45)
• Dr. Laura responds graciously: “I’m glad to be here. I’ll stay here as long as I can. I think I have another 20 years.” (Dr. Laura, 06:56)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | 01:39 | “It was a very hard decision, but they, they have to go with the other person because they had, you know, more experience in certain areas of the lab.” | Caller | | 01:59 | “No, ma’am, it was not.” | Caller | | 02:01 | “Well, that’s when you should have gotten an attorney. And you probably still should.” | Dr. Laura | | 05:35 | “There was a company in the same industry that hired me after four interviews and a lot of competition... Making more money, doing better for myself and having a little bit of freedom.” | Caller | | 06:20 | “You’re in a new job, somebody’s showing you respect and you’re getting more money. Put your feet up and enjoy it.” | Dr. Laura | | 06:36 | “You got the reward. Put your feet up. Have a beer. Non-alcoholic.” | Dr. Laura | | 06:45 | “You helped me out in the hardest, hardest time of my life. Like back in the early 2000.” | Caller | | 06:56 | “I’m glad to be here. I’ll stay here as long as I can. I think I have another 20 years.” | Dr. Laura |

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Key Takeaways

• It’s OK To Enjoy Your Success: Dr. Laura affirms the value of satisfaction after a struggle and having the discernment to rest when happiness is finally attained.
• Respect & Wellbeing Trump Empty Ambition: Dr. Laura encourages the caller to appreciate being respected and well-compensated at work, rather than chasing unnecessary advancement.
• Advocacy and Self-Worth: The episode lightly touches on the importance of standing up for oneself in unfair systems, but also knowing when to move on for greater peace.

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:56: Start of caller’s story and context
• 01:39 – 02:06: Discussion of denied promotions, company feedback, and Dr. Laura’s legal suggestion
• 05:35 – 06:20: The new job’s impact and the question about striving for more
• 06:20 – 06:36: Dr. Laura’s strong advice to pause, enjoy, and appreciate the achievement

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Tone and Style

The conversation is warm, direct, occasionally humorous, and grounded in real-world wisdom. Dr. Laura employs her trademark no-nonsense approach while also offering reassurance and practical validation.

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Summary Prepared for Listeners Who Missed the Episode: This episode is a comforting, energizing dialogue about overcoming career setbacks, respecting oneself, and knowing when to savor victory instead of pursuing endless ambition. Dr. Laura gives clear permission to “put your feet up” after hard-won success, a message likely to resonate with anyone feeling overwhelmed in today’s achievement-focused world.

Transcript

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[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

My Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111 show. Welcome to the program.

[Caller]

Hi Dr. Laura, how are you doing today? Thank you for taking my call.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Thank you.

[Caller]

I've been a listener for many, many years. Always listen to your advice and you've been a great help for my whole life. I'm in my middle 50s, spent maybe 15 years at a company that I tried to get, you know, move up with the company and I was a great, great leader where I was in the department that I was in but never was able to get a promotion. I tried five different times and you.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Know, tell me the feedback you got each of the five times when you went for the promotion and you didn't get it. Tell me what the dialogue was.

[Caller]

The dialogue was that they, it was a very hard decision, but they, they have to go with the other person because they had, you know, more experience in certain areas of the lab. I work for a lab.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Was that true? Just stay with me here. Was that true?

[Caller]

No, ma', am, it was not.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Well, that's when you should have gotten an attorney. And you probably still should.

[Caller]

I know, I know that for a fact. But let me tell you why I didn't do it.

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[Caller]

I work in cancer Care. And the blessing in disguise out of all of that was that there was a company in the same industry that hired me after four interviews and a lot of competition. And they hired me right away. Making more money, doing better for myself and having a little bit of freedom.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Why am I here? You had a happy ending.

[Caller]

Well, the reason you're here, Dr. Lohr, is because I value your judgment and I just wanted to see what you thought about me. This company makes its workers. It gives its workers a lot of opportunity for advancement and moving up in the process of your career with the company. And now I don't feel the need or, I mean, I don't feel the urgency or anything to move up.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

You're in a new job, somebody's showing you respect and you're getting more money. Put your feet up and enjoy it.

[Caller]

Thank you. I appreciate that. That's what I've been thinking. But I just said, let me ask Joe.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Come on, this is life.

[Caller]

Just enjoy it.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

You got the reward. Put your feet up. Have a beer. Non alcoholic.

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Enjoy it.

[Caller]

Thank you. Dr. Laura, you're. You're amazing. Been listening to you for many, many years. I won't say how many, but I will tell you, you helped me out in the hardest, hardest time of my life. Like back in the early 2000.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

I'm glad to be here. I'll stay here as long as I can. I think I have another 20 years. My number 1-800-375-2872. Check out my social media on Facebook and Instagram. I post stories, photos and videos seven days a week and feature some of what you've sent me too. There's always something interesting going on there. You can find me at facebook.com drlaura and and instagram.com drlauraprogram.

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