What happens when something completely outside the life you’ve built starts pulling at your attention? Is it just a passing curiosity—or could it be the beginning of your next calling?
David Dachinger’s career has taken some remarkable turns. He began in the music world, eventually composing for major television sports and earning a Grammy nomination. Then, after moving next door to a firehouse and simply accepting an invitation to attend a drill, he discovered an entirely different kind of purpose. He became a career firefighter and lieutenant, and later moved into work supporting the mental health and resilience of first responders.
David’s story is about what can happen when we “go through the open door.” We talk about recognizing opportunities we didn’t plan for, how experiences from one chapter can quietly plant seeds for the next, and why the things that matter most may require us to tolerate a period of uncertainty and discomfort.
If you’re curious about a direction that doesn’t quite fit the professional identity you’ve already built, this conversation offers a useful way to think about whether that curiosity deserves a closer look.
About Second Calling
Second Calling is a podcast for professionals figuring out their next chapter. Host Bradley Wright, a sociologist who studies purpose and change, talks with people who have navigated meaningful professional transitions and with experts who help us understand what those moments require.
Learn More About David Dachinger
Helping the Helpers Book: https://a.co/d/04SSmMFd
Website: https://www.respondertv.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ResponderResilience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/responderTV
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responder.tv/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/82141685/
Connect with Bradley:
Newsletter: bradleywrightphd.com/essays
Website: bradleywrightphd.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bradleywrightphd/
