What if getting fired wasn’t the end — but the beginning of the life you were meant to live?

In this powerful and deeply human episode of the Finding Better Podcast, John Suzuki sits down with Merry Korn, whose life changed forever after being fired just two months into what she thought would be her final job before retirement. As a single parent with two teenagers headed to college, the fear was overwhelming — but what followed was extraordinary.

Merry shares how that moment of despair became the foundation for a mission-driven business that eventually employed over 1,300 people across 30 states, many of whom had severe disabilities and were considered “unemployable” by society. Inspired by her mother, a Holocaust survivor, and the legacy of Oskar Schindler, Merry redefined what meaningful work can look like — and how purpose, courage, and listening to the inner voice can change everything.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

1. Why getting fired can sometimes be a hidden gift
2. How listening to your inner voice can change your life’s direction
3. What fear actually teaches us — and how to move through it
4. The power of gratitude during life’s hardest moments
5. How purpose and service can transform work into meaning
6. Why alignment matters more than security

💡 Key Takeaways:

1. Rock bottom can become your strongest foundation
2. Fear shrinks when action begins
3. Purpose often reveals itself in moments of crisis
4. Gratitude is a powerful antidote to despair
5. Meaningful work can change lives — including your own

If you’re facing uncertainty, job insecurity, or a major life transition, this episode will remind you that sometimes the path forward begins where you least expect it.

👉 Listen, reflect, and find what “better” looks like for you.

If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need to hear it today.

Connect with Merry:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrykorn/

Website: https://firedtoinspired.com/

Ep 196 - Finding a Plan B now: Merry Korn's Journey