Second Life Leader - Press Kit
At a Glance
About Second Life Leader
Second Life Leader exists to help founders and executives turn setbacks into momentum and build companies that thrive through technology.
Our mission is simple but urgent: transform the culture of leadership by proving that adversity can fuel reinvention—and that technology is the key to scaling what comes next.
The Podcast
The Second Life Leader Podcast showcases founders and CEOs who rebuilt after failure, came back stronger, and now lead with principle over permission. Host Doug Utberg brings forward conversations that reveal how modern leaders are using technology to grow, adapt, and build value for their people and customers. Ranked among the Top 5% of podcasts globally, the show amplifies stories of resilience and innovation to a worldwide audience.
The Origin Story
Doug’s own second life began when he was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty years in high-tech, erased in a five-minute call. With family and future on the line, he chose not to collapse but to rebuild—by creating a platform to highlight leaders who use adversity as fuel.
That moment set the tone for Second Life Leader: setbacks are not the end. They are the forge where the next chapter begins.
The Work
Today, Doug partners with companies to design technology growth strategies that:
Unlock efficiency through automation and AI.
Scale customer value with smarter systems.
Build resilience by aligning people, process, and tech.
Every engagement begins with a Strategy Call—a chance to align business goals with technology solutions, explore potential roadmaps, and identify how partners can accelerate results.
Why It Matters
The next era of business won’t be led by cost-cutters. It will be led by visionaries who use technology to create new value. Second Life Leader is here to help you become one of them.
📌 Schedule your Technology Strategy Call today and start turning your next chapter into growth.
Reasons to Contact Us
Contact us to request an interview on the People First Leaders podcast by submitting the form at: https://podcast.dougutberg.com/guest-app
For other requests from Doug, please connect with us at: https://podcast.dougutberg.com/contact
Supported requests:
Interview (print, tv, radio, podcast, blog)
Quotes from Doug or material from the website
Request Doug for a speaking appearance
Get in Touch - Contact Us
Long Length Bio
Doug Utberg is the creator and host of the Second Life Leader Podcast, a global top 5% show dedicated to spotlighting founders and CEOs who have rebuilt from setbacks and now lead with vision, principle, and technology.
Before launching his platform, Doug spent 20 years in the high-tech industry in finance and IT, helping global companies manage complex systems, scale operations, and align business with technology.
That career ended abruptly on April 20, 2020, when a new CIO scheduled a vague 30-minute meeting that turned out to be Doug’s layoff notice. Within five minutes, he went from provider and leader to unemployed—cut off from the network, carrying an $800k mortgage, private school tuition, and full responsibility for his family in the middle of a pandemic.
The shock and anxiety of that moment became a turning point. Instead of letting the setback define him, Doug chose to rebuild—not just for himself, but for others facing similar upheaval.
The Second Life Leader Mission
The mission of Second Life Leader is to prove that setbacks are not endings—they are catalysts. We showcase leaders who have been tested, rebuilt, and emerged stronger, and we equip today’s founders and executives with the technology strategies to do the same. At its core, Second Life Leader is about turning adversity into advantage and helping businesses grow through resilience, innovation, and people-first leadership.
His work centers on guiding leaders to:
Leverage automation and AI for efficiency and scale.
Modernize operations to serve both people and customers better.
Use adversity as a catalyst for innovation and long-term value creation.
Today
Doug continues to lead the Second Life Leader Podcast, interview some of the world’s most resilient and forward-thinking executives, and advise companies on technology strategies that create growth without sacrificing people.
He also remains deeply involved in his community—an Eagle Scout serving as Committee Chair for his son’s troop, and a long-time church Elder dedicated to service and leadership beyond the boardroom.
Doug’s philosophy is clear: failure is not final. Every leader has a second life waiting to be built. His mission is to help others find it—through stories, strategy, and the smart use of technology.
Medium Length Bio
Doug Utberg is the creator and host of the Second Life Leader Podcast, a global top 5% show that spotlights founders and CEOs who have turned setbacks into comebacks and now lead with vision, principle, and technology.
After spending two decades in high-tech finance and IT—helping global companies manage systems and scale operations—Doug’s own career ended abruptly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a five-minute layoff call, he lost not just his role, but the security of being his family’s sole provider. Instead of letting that crisis define him, Doug rebuilt—and launched a platform to amplify leaders who do the same.
The mission of Second Life Leader is to show that setbacks are catalysts, not endings. Doug’s work now centers on helping executives harness automation, AI, and modern technology strategies to scale efficiently, serve people better, and turn adversity into long-term growth.
Today, Doug continues to interview resilient leaders, advise companies on technology-driven growth, and serve his community as an Eagle Scout leader and church elder. His philosophy is simple: failure is never final—every leader has a second life waiting to be built.
Short Length Bio
Doug Utberg is the creator and host of the Second Life Leader Podcast, a global top 5% show that highlights founders and CEOs who turned setbacks into comebacks and now lead with vision, principle, and technology.
A former high-tech finance and IT executive, Doug rebuilt after his own COVID-era layoff and now helps leaders harness automation, AI, and modern strategies to scale growth without sacrificing people. His philosophy is clear: failure is never final—every leader has a second life waiting to be built.
Mini Bio
Doug Utberg is host of the Second Life Leader Podcast, a global top 5% show where founders and CEOs share how they turned setbacks into growth through vision, principle, and technology.
Products/Services
Doug Utberg, host of the Second Life Leader Podcast, helps founders and executives turn setbacks into comebacks by leveraging automation, AI, and technology strategies to scale growth without sacrificing people.
Interviewer Resources
Doug's Background:
· 20-year corporate career in Finance and Technology
· 18 years – Intel Corp (Finance)
· 2 years – Lattice Semi (Program Management Office)
· Business Development, Advanced Money Model Design
· Organizational Change Management
· Parent of 2 kids – Daughter (19) and Son (16)
· Bachelor of Science in Finance
· Master of Business Administration
· Toastmasters International
· US Marine Corps
· Eagle Scout
· >10k LinkedIn Followers
Second Life Leader:
· Top 5% Global Podcast
· Strategic Technology-Driven Growth
· Guiding Clients from Setback to Success
Suggested Interview Questions
What does it mean to be a people-first leader?
Why is leadership so important for business success?
Why do companies develop toxic cultures?
Why do companies sacrifice customer value?
How did you recover from being laid off during the COVID pandemic?
How did you balance building a business with being an involved parent?
How do you guarantee savings for clients?
How are you able to save an average of 10% to 20% for clients?
Where You've Been Featured
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Doug Utberg
Second Life Leader © 2025
Portland, OR, 97232