In this episode of The Messy Middle Matters, Indra Klavins sits down with Rachel Saslaw, product marketing director and founder of NYC’s storytelling community StoryTell, to explore the messy middle of career, purpose, and identity.

Rachel shares her journey of balancing a corporate career with a passion project, protecting her creative space from the pressures of monetization, and navigating societal expectations around hustle culture and “following your passion.” They discuss how work can serve as a fuel for life rather than a constant source of striving, and how intentionality, radical permission to change your mind, and embracing a multifaceted identity can bring clarity, freedom, and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

The messy middle often means balancing meaningful work with personal passions and financial stability.
Work does not have to be your life’s calling; it can provide fuel for a life you love outside of the office.
Saying “not for me (right now)” is a valid, intentional approach to career and passion projects.
Preserving your passion requires setting boundaries and resisting the commodification of personal interests.
Community and storytelling are powerful tools for empathy, belonging, and nuanced human connection.
Identity is multi-faceted; your job title does not define your worth or your whole self.
Experimentation and radical permission to change your mind allow flexibility and clarity in career decisions.

Follow Rachel and StoryTell:

Rachel Saslaw on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelsaslaw/
Rachel’s Website: https://rachelsaslaw.com/
StoryTell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storytellnyc

More on Indra and The Messy Middle Matters

Feedback for The Messy Middle Matters: http://messymiddlematters.com/feedback
Indra’s Blog: http://peopleprocessthings.substack.com
Indra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indrak/
The Messy Middle Matters Merch http://messymiddlemerch.com

Ep 45: Navigating Purpose, Identity and Career in the Messy Middle w/ Rachel Saslaw