I escaped a cult and was homeless and desperate. Chris Martin gave me a piano, and I became a successful musician.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
A man sitting at a grand piano.
Jean-Philippe Riopy at his piano

Courtesy of Greg Williams

I'm a federal attorney. I've leveraged my White House experience into a side hustle that makes $70,000 annually.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Jennifer Clinchy headshot
Jennifer Clinchy worked at the White House for nine years.

Courtesy of Jennifer Clinchy

I took a career break to travel in my 40s, but even that exhausted me. I reparented myself — and finally learned to slow down.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Himal Mandalia wearing a helmet and driving a quad bike.
Mandalia left his job in 2022 and spent 18 months traveling.

Courtesy of Himal Mandalia

I pay the millionaire's tax in Massachusetts. I've thought about moving my family away, but I'm staying for my kids.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Sports
Sam Slater headshot
Sam Slater says he wants to raise his children in Massachusetts, despite paying the millionaire's tax.

Sam Slater

I'm still working in the medical field at 83. My husband doesn't need me at home staring at him all day — I want to be productive.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Barbara Fod
Barbara Ford, 83, works in the medical field.

Laura Thompson for BI

I'm 32 and have lived abroad for nearly a decade. Now, I'm weighing life in China against returning to the US.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
Man in a red shirt stading in a tea garden in Yunnan
Dylan Rothenberg's decision to spend his junior year abroad in Beijing paved his career path.

Provided by Dylan Rothenberg

My nonprofit celebrates birthdays for families who can't afford them. In 14 years, I've never grown tired of seeing their joy.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Paige Chenault Lohoefer
Paige Chenault Lohoefer founded The Birthday Project in 2012

Courtesy of This be Grace

I started drinking at 14, and it became a dangerous habit for more than 55 years. I'm finally sober at 70.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Barbara Face
From left: Barbara Face pictured as a teenager when she first started drinking, at the height of her alcoholism, and sober, as she is today.

Courtesy of Barbara Face

I spent $200,000 on my dogs. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that, but their intellect makes them really valuable.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
couple posing with their dogs
Reg Haid bought two dogs from Svalinn

Courtesy of Reg Haid

We're the showrunners of HBO's 'Industry.' Our workdays involve 3 baths a day and industrial quantities of coffee.

Tech Insider : Business
Two men in baseball caps sit in director's chairs looking at a monitor
"Industry" showrunners Konrad Kay and Mickey Down.

Simon Ridgway/HBO

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