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#54 | MOTHERHOOD & NOT WORKING IN PAJAMAS

MOTHERHOOD & NOT WORKING IN PAJAMAS | E.54 Career Therapy Podcast with Shanica Roberts

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.54), we welcome Shanica Roberts to the show. Shanica is a fellow career coach, a resumé writer, a “mom-preneur,” and the founder of Next Chapter Career Services, LLC.

Her work revolves around helping moms overcome the barriers of returning to work, and we go deep into this topic on the podcast.

Throughout our discussion we go over the difficulties that mothers face when returning to the workforce. We also get into how to set boundaries between family, work, and self-care, how to navigate the dueling emotions of imposter syndrome and mom guilt, and the importance of ‘doing it scared’ when it comes to putting yourself out there in order to grow in your career. Hope you enjoy!

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Shanica Roberts

2:30 her goal of helping moms get back to work

2:50 what do mother’s need to consider in the job search?

4:40 what is the company perception of moms?

5:40 putting “motherhood” on the resumé

10:55 should we go after more education?

16:30 how you should address lack of confidence

18:25 tackling the job search in a unique way

19:50 what’s the right amount of authenticity? 

23:53 motherhood becoming an identity in and of itself

27:15 the rise of remote and part-time work

29:50 “emotional blockers” and pressures

33:55 delegating, imposter syndrome, and the split mindset

37:10 it’s okay to fail

38:20 treat yourself as you’d treat others

39:40 normalizing processes to make them less scary

41:10 the “right thing at the right time,” and scheduling

43:35 “ideal vs. the real

47:00 “yeah, I know that … but” + boundary setting

49:10 not doin’ work in your PJs

52:00 “working from home” vs. “living at work”

52:45 storytelling: motherhood in the context of the job search

56:31 a piece of advice Shanica would give to expecting mothers

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#53 | CAREER FREEDOM & THE FUTURE OF GAMING

CAREER FREEDOM & THE FUTURE OF GAMING | E.53 Career Therapy Podcast with Keisha Howard

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.53), we welcome a long-time friend, Keisha Howard, to the show. Keisha is a futurist, award-winning entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of the amazing Sugar Gamers community. 

In our conversation we talk about the human side of gaming, the secret power of introverts, aging gracefully throughout our careers, and how she continues to fight for career freedom in the gaming industry.

Her work is absolutely incredible, and the community she’s building is growing stronger every day. If you’re interested in seeing what’s beyond the horizon of the video game industry, and or learning how to build a company and/or community around the thing you love, tune in!

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Keisha Howard

1:25 how did she get into gaming?

3:33 gaming industry from the 2008 recession 

6:35 stumbling into the community of casual social gamers

8:42 how Keisha did it with a full-time job

13:05 why build a media company?

17:54 communication, psychology, and gaming

19:02 the struggles in getting our voices heard

24:50 why it’s important to take inventory of your life

25:38 “over-proving”

27:30 maintaining relationships while taking time off

29:25 “aging into your career”

31:40 the difference between fame & community

37:29 privacy, social media, and the Jeff Wittek story 

40:00 “social media industry is like tar, so sticky”

46:20 TikTok and authenticity (?)

49:50 the future of the gaming industry

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#52 | PAY CUTS & CAREER TRANSITIONS

PAY CUTS & CAREER TRANSITIONS | E.52 Career Therapy Podcast with Bonjoro CMO Oli Bridge

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.52), we welcome Oli Bridge, Chief Marketing Officer at Bonjoro. For anyone unaccustomed, Bonjoro is a marketing-oriented software that lets its users send fast, personalized videos to convert more leads and support their customers​.

Martin and Oli’s conversation touches on the unpredictability of careers, the nuts and bolts of getting into side hustles, and how to join or create groups based on the things you enjoy. The discussion is anchored on Oli’s LinkedIn post about the 6 things he learned when transitioning from a career in sales, to one in marketing. Enjoy!

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Oli Bridge

2:02 the beginning of Oli’s journey

2:45 wanting to be a wine critic / working in Chelsea

5:45 transitioning to the marketing world 

7:15 transitioning from marketing to sales

9:35 6 tips on how to switch your career around

11:23 having lots of ideas of when you’re in your twenties

13:15 the actual day-to-day of running side hustles

16:06 how do you create momentum from nothing?

19:30 #3 on the list of tips: accept a pay cut

24:35 following people on Twitter to figure out what they use for marketing 

27:10 the “rollercoaster” of imposter syndrome 

29:25 teaching people

30:20 staying on top of things and learning

31:40 what are you actually joining?

33:45 “where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

35:30 what would he want people in marketing to know?

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#51 | MEANINGFUL NETWORKING & WORK LIFE BALANCE

MEANINGFUL NETWORKING & WORK LIFE BALANCE | Career Therapy Podcast E.51 with Brandon Gidicsin

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.51), we welcome business development specialist Brandon Gidicsin to the show.

Although he currently works full-time for eco-conscious junk removal company The Junkluggers, he is also a passionate volunteer with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

In our conversation, we discuss the difference between good & bad networking, how volunteering can help enhance your career, and what providing value to your network actually looks like.

If you can, donate to Brandon’s charity fundraising team The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at this link.

Enjoy the episode!

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Brandon Gidicsin

1:58 Brandon’s life & career, currently

4:10 transitioning from a career in commercial real estate

5:55 what makes a great salesperson? 

9:35 how did Brandon come across the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?

11:00 work-life balance

12:53 the value of being part of organizations outside of work

15:28 how did Brandon get good at networking?

19:19 engaging with social media content

20:52 how to foster meaningful conversations in networking

23:40 social media networking, continued. (ie. maybe use a CRM)

26:25 short term vs. long term networking

31:59 “what’s new with you?”

33:45 strategies for meaningful networking

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#50 | LIFELONG CAREERS & HYPER-FOCUSED GOALS

LIFELONG CAREERS & HYPER-FOCUSED GOALS | E.50 Career Therapy Podcast with Rajiv Nathan

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.50), we welcome a long-time friend, and former business partner, Raj ‘RajNATION’ Nathan to the podcast. Raj is the founder of the Startup Hypeman, and he’s also a rapper, and a yogi. We ran a small business together back in the day called Idea Lemon that set the foundation for both his business and Career Therapy.

In our conversation we talk about how to build a career you don’t need to retire from, the true meaning behind ‘passion,’ and how to form a healthy sense of identity in both our work and our lives. 

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Raj ‘RajNATION’ Nathan

3:12 being swept up in an internet culture wave

4:50 the “what more can I do?” mindset

10:20 business & entertainment blurring 

11:35 the entertainer mindset

13:03 sales decks and the ‘Hamilton’ musical 

16:20 athletes streaming on Twitch, dropping NFTs

16:50 “make a name in something to enable doing the other things”

20:38 the true understanding of passion

24:10 “our brain talking to us without words”

30:38 going back to the old ways

35:54 “choose something for your sake”

43:54 the “exploration phase” of careers

45:05 what helps integrate the different pieces of us?

50:05 a career you don’t have to retire from

56:20 respect for stand-up comedians 

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#49 | WORK CULTURE & THE FOOD INDUSTRY

WORK CULTURE & THE FOOD INDUSTRY | E.49 Career Therapy Podcast with writer Sabrina Medora

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.49), we talk with food writer, editor, and the founder of Un-Plated, Sabrina Medora.

Sabrina is the founder of Un-plated, where she celebrates the little-known stories and unsung heroes of the restaurant industry. In the conversation, we explore how food is inextricably linked to our identities, cultures, and even our mental health, especially as we saw the industry change so dramatically throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sabrina also shares her experiences shifting her business from a marketing firm to going all in on her writing, where she is now bringing her incredible stories to the world.

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Sabrina Medora

4:09 networking with food industry pros in DC

5:00 ‘Chef at Home’ pilot series

6:18 how the restaurant industry is evolving

7:02 how food formed her identity

9:24 how culture affects work

14:30 the dark side food media

22:19 understanding the marketing side of food culture

23:32 the benefits of social media

27:50 about hypothetical chef who might be transsexual

29:40 associating our reactions of food with empathy

30:55 how has the pandemic affected the hospitality industry?

33:37 delivery apps taking profits from restaurants

36:40 pandemic unemployment for restaurant workers

37:45 Sabrina’s digital marketing business

39:15 why there aren’t any reviews during the pandemic

40:35 what are things she’s looking forward to?

44:06 note to everyone: take care of yourself!

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

For anyone truly interested in learning about the hospitality industry, and the way restaurants actually operate, pick up a copy of this iconic book:

And if you have any inclination to help those in the restaurant or hospitality industries who are struggling during the pandemic, here’s a great place to get involved:

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#48 | FINDING BELONGING & MAKING AN IMPACT

FINDING BELONGING & MAKING AN IMPACT | E.48 Career Therapy Podcast with Tina Tran

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.48), we talk with Director of Business Development at Microsoft, Tina Tran.

In the conversation, we talk about building confidence in the job search, the power of effective networking, and evolving throughout your career. Later, Tina shares a fascinating story about how she met former presidents Clinton and Bush, and how she ended up being featured in George W. Bush’s new book, ‘Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants.’

Her journey is an amazing one, and there’s so much we can learn from her optimistic, driven approach to building a career.

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Tina Tran

1:58 going into management consulting at UCLA

3:43 what management consultants look for when they hire

4:20 Summer jobs / moving from LA to NYC

6:24 not having the “right” background

7:20 having “control” in the job search (grades)

9:10 what do job postings really mean?

11:15 what do you have, that separates you?

15:15 everything all together, in conjunction. 

17:15 impact

19:45 startup life

28:35 “make other people feel like they belong”

32:09 people reaching out to Tina

37:35 sincerity in the job search

38:05 thoughtfulness 

40:05 “earn the right to pitch”

42:02 example of a powerful intro email 

47:00 meeting George W. Bush

51:49 advice for anyone looking to find belonging

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#47: What Does Success Look Like? with Brand Designer Haylee Jordan

Career Therapy Podcast e.47 - The Scary Side of Our Image of Success, with Brand Designer, Brand Strategist, and Entrepreneur Haylee Jordan

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.47), we talk with brand designer, strategist, and entrepreneur Haylee Jordan.

In addition to her work in strategic brand marketing and design, Haylee is the founder of The Committee, “a countercultural community focused on body neutrality, a love for small boobs, and spreading awareness about implant illnesses.”

During the episode, we talk about our images of success, how social media steers us wrong, 3 therapy techniques that can help move us to a better place, and how to find that middle ground between toxic positivity and the media messages that may be saying “you’re not enough.”

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Haylee Jordan

2:15 $11,000 breast implant carcinogens

3:55 breast implant illness

6:45 reframing this experience in a positive light

12:00 Aaron James Draplin as an influence

12:45 in the pursuit of professionalism, we often forget our humanity

13:45 quitting a corporate job at CBS

15:13 it’s hard to show up as yourself

16:14 the core of body image issues

17:05 3 forms of therapy you can do

22:50 “coming from the marketing world”

24:30 body neutrality

31:07 enneagrams

32:55 NOT an influencer

33:54 the Kardashian “beauty standard”

38:23 what we waste our time on

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#46: Sexuality in the Workplace, with Asya Brodsky

Career Therapy Podcast e.46 - Exploring Intimacy and Boundaries at Work, with Clinical Social Worker Asya Brodsky

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#46), we talk with psychotherapist Asya Brodsky.

Asya is a Clinical Social Worker, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Sex Therapist. She has her own therapy practice focused on sexuality and sexual relationships, and loves helping people recognize the connection between sexuality, ourselves and our sense of wholeness. 

During the episode, we talk about intimacy and boundaries at work, what individuals can do to bring their professionally authentic selves to office, and how company policies can exacerbate, or abate tensions in the workplace.

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Asya Brodsky

6:30 what are we looking for at work?

7:20 Tom Hanks talking about Hollywood workplaces

8:10 companies that handle it well

9:14 objectionable behavior as part of the culture

9:25 Salma Hayek in ‘Frida’

10:10 marketing & advertising tropes

13:00 Bhad Bhabie and OnlyFans

15:15 “we learn through experience”

23:15 company response: shut it all down

27:30 the challenges of “professional authenticity”

29:50 “it takes two to tango” / victim blaming

34:35 people start to talk / employee satisfaction

35:30 relationships at work

37:59 workplace harassment training

38:45 orientation around collegiality and fellowship

41:45 are things moving in a good direction?

43:15 networking to find the right workplace culture

45:00 “intimacy is what makes us happy”

Resources & books mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#45: Authenticity and Networking in the Job Search, with Career Coach Bradford Smith

Career Therapy Podcast e.45 - Authenticity and Networking in the Job Search, with Career Coach Bradford Smith

On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (e.45), we talk with career coach Bradford Smith. Bradford "provides carefully crafted blueprints to aspiring web devel...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Overcast | PocketCasts | Spotify | YouTube

On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#45), we talk with career coach Bradford Smith.

Bradford “provides carefully crafted blueprints to aspiring web developers, data scientists, and UX designers who are looking to make the jump into the tech industry.” His focus is on “helping people find fulfilling roles that match their career goals, and empowering them to navigate their future career path.”

During this conversation, we chat about authenticity in the job search, the unique dynamic between job seekers and companies, and what’s actually going on behind the scenes from a recruiter perspective.

During this Episode, We Discuss:

0:00 introducing Bradford Smith

2:15 negotiating a job title

3:10 mirroring the authenticity that companies give us

4:10 why you should negotiate over Zoom or a call

6:15 burying the negotiation

13:20 the personality behind the candidate

14:45 why you should get your black belt

16:30 what to do if you’re shy

19:00 how to develop networking skills by talking about movies

20:55 over sharing

22:30 politics and the job search

24:40 “I want this job for a paycheck.”

28:02 the pitfalls of “authenticity”

30:00 reframing our stories

31:55 what we’re feeling isn’t the only truth

32:20 why you should have a journal

36:00 where does the “job search poker face” go right?

37:20 representing ourselves right

39:00 “agile” and “scrum” project management methodologies

40:30 “I COULD do it.”

42:25 gray areas on resumés

46:20 red flags you should avoid

49:10 resumé tips

50:00 what authenticity really means

50:50 how you can stand out

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode:

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#44: Shit Adults Never Taught Us, with TV Commercial Producer and Author Natasha Sattler

Career Therapy Podcast e.44 - Shit Adults Never Taught Us, with TV Commercial Producer and Author Natasha Sattler

On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#44), we talk with television producer and author Natasha Sattler. Natasha is the author of 'Shit Adults Never Taught ...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Overcast | PocketCasts | Spotify | YouTube

On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#44), we talk with television producer and author Natasha Sattler. Natasha is the author of ‘Shit Adults Never Taught Us,’ a “mini-memoir that uses personal experiences (including some epic failures) to guide you through the most perplexing moments in life.”

‘Shit Adults Never Taught Us’ covers a lot of topics, including career strategies, mental health, emotional quandaries, and navigating all of the WTF moments of adulthood. Our conversation on the podcast gets into Natasha’s inspiration for the book, and how we can use the lessons within to accept the realities of adulthood and thrive in our careers and in our lives.


During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Natasha Sattler

1:15 the upside of Zoom happy hours

2:00 the boiler moment: “we don’t know.”

3:55 there are millions of blogs

6:20 4 sections of the book

10:20 the “I’m important” mentality

11:45 entitlement and promises

12:30 searching for other job titles

22:15 the realities of adulthood

27:45 Natasha’s Super Bowl commercials

29:15 putting companies on pedestals

32:35 consider these 5 things in your job search

42:02 why you shouldn’t fear change

43:20 holding guilt & regret

45:00 Martin on growing up with religion

50:40 gaining weight after therapy

51:13 why self help is like going to the gym


Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.


As always, thanks for listening!

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#43: Staying Sane During the Job Search, with Career Coach and PM Potential Founder Rudd Hopkins

Career Therapy Podcast e.43 - Staying Sane During the Job Search, with Career Coach, Author, and PM Potential Founder Rudd Hopkins

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#43), we talk with career coach and author Rudd Hopkins. Rudd is the founder of coaching service PM Potential, which “enables others, through curriculum design, content creation and personal coaching, to break into the professional field of product management.”

During the episode, Rudd explains some of the ways he’s helped his clients throughout their job searches. He also offers tips on how to break into the field of product management, and how to leverage LinkedIn to network effectively. 

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Rudyard Hopkins

5:40 product management relationship

6:15 frameworks for a “product market fit”

9:50 “failing forward”

10:40 why you shouldn’t think of things as dead ends

12:35 saying ‘no’ to things

13:37 what are the distractions?

16:00 actionable metrics

17:15 testing out hypothesis

17:29 reactive vs. proactive job search

21:55 understanding the value of small things

23:20 Rudyard Kipling quote

26:50 merging hobbies with career

30:10 LinkedIn as a “career propellant”

32:15 talk to people you already know

33:50 [get] “leads or die”

34:50 enable the potential of others

35:20 why you have to network

36:00 we can’t be in silos

43:35 how to accept the reality of the job search

47:50 our train of thought is broken, not the process

49:10 accepting life as it is

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#42 - Breaking Into Tech without Breaking the Bank with Eleni Nicolaides

Career Therapy Podcast e.42 - Breaking Into the Tech Industry Without Breaking the Bank, with Software Engineer Eleni Nicolaides

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#42), we talk with UK-based Eleni Nicolaides, an aspiring junior software developer, language learner, travel enthusiast, and keen cook. 

During the episode, Eleni explains the process she’s using to break into the tech industry, and how she utilized university courses as a jumping off point to build her coding skill set. We also discuss the importance of community building with social networks and resources like Discord, LinkedIn, and more. 

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Eleni Nicolaides

2:30 university course, learning coding language Python

3:25 3 week course / “you’ll never be ready”

4:30 talking to the CEO about more courses

6:05 education as a way to procrastinate during the job search

7:15 immersing yourself in the work

7:45 going onto LinkedIn

9:45 find something that works for you

10:20 don’t go blindly in

11:00 learning the skills outside the skills

12:05 break it down or else it’ll become overwhelming

13:15 online events – building community

14:45 having an interest

16:40 finding your tribe on Discord

17:00 “coding can be so isolating”

17:40 finding a support network

18:00 introducing Discord

18:55 “nerding out”

19:30 talking about sports on a networking call

21:40 sense of community is important

22:00 no money stress in discord groups

23:15 navigate the courses financially

28:30 imposter syndrome

28:55 everyone has their own path

30:05 not every day is good but there’s good in every day

32:00 journaling

34:20 allow yourself to move slower

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

As always, thanks for listening!

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#41 - Breaking Free From Hustle Culture with Erica Fochtman

Career Therapy Podcast e.41 - Creating An Online Retail Business During the Pandemic, with Erica Fochtman

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On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#41), we talk with Erica Fochtman, an apparel buyer turned small business owner. During the episode, Erica runs us through the many phases of creating her online business, Winsome, which sells clothing, jewelry, and accessories. 

We discuss the branding side of building a business, the challenges in opening a digital store, and how social media marketing is changing the small-business ecosystem.  

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 introducing Erica Fochtman

1:35 Erica’s business journey

2:40 tax certificate, EIN, and all sorts of cool small business stuff

3:30 the branding side of starting a business

5:20 what were some of the brands that inspired Erica?

8:30 fears that crop up when building this business

9:15 you think you need so much money, and partners, and accounting skills

10:00 opening a digital shop

13:30 “we don’t want to go back to the way things were”

14:00 she’d never taken it into her own hands before

17:40 having that mental spark of excitement in owning your business

20:45 Instagram influencers

22:00 on Elon Musk also being an influencer

31:45 how to win at the Instagram algorithm

32:15 should you use hashtags?

34:00 are we too old or young for Facebook?

39:45 the worst/best advice in the self help world

40:10 “good advice is complex, and it’s personal”

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#40 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Mo Goltz

Career Therapy Podcast e.40 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, with UX Researcher, Strategist, and Designer Mo Goltz 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Overcast | PocketCasts | Spotify | YouTube

On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#40), we welcome Mo Goltz to talk  about his journey overcoming imposter syndrome. 

Mo is a UX Researcher, Design Strategist, and UX Designer at Grand Studio – and a recent Career Therapy success story! Tune into the episode to hear his  story and learn some great tips on how to build confidence and find success  in your job search. 

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 Imposter Syndrome intro 

2:00 Why imposter syndrome is similar to anxiety 

3:25 no one goes in a straight line to get to working to tech 

4:00 why Silicon Valley and Portlandia aren’t even that far outside reality

6:55 on that one scene in Jurassic Park with Chris Pratt and the velociraptors  

8:00 The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young 

11:30 ‘Ask like a Pro’ course 

11:50 practice + guidance = confidence 

14:30 other people saw him totally differently 

15:35 Zen Buddhism idea of believing something fully 

18:00 dialectical behavioral therapy 

18:26 Fail forward and learn 

21:55 finding a calm and succinct way of explaining  

23:40 what allowed [Mo] to slow down? 

24:50 why you’re not going to win at your career if you treat it like a job 26:55 why you don’t have control 

29:00 Beyoncé, Maroon 5, Adam Levine, and The Beatles 

30:25 “positivity porn” / “toxic positivity” 

32:15 the secret to all of this is that Beyoncé still fails — iteration 

34:00 Mo just wanted to learn photoshop to create t-shirts

35:30 it all relates back to Zen Buddhism 

37:45 Seth Godin’s work in relation to moving the needle 

39:30 NATO — have the outcome in mind but don’t be attached to it

41:10 just because you’re not attached, doesn’t mean you don’t care

42:00 “you never had the job in the first place — it’s just rental” 

48:00 you need to have a good enough relationship with ourselves before you go talk to  anyone else 

48:25 Belong, by Radha Agrawal 

49:15 all of this is about attitude 

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#39 - Simple Ways to Invest in Your Career, with Cory Davis

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Overcast | PocketCasts | Spotify | YouTube

For Career Therapy Podcast #39, we welcome Cory Davis to the show for the second time. Cory is the Director of Partnership Development at Infutor Data Solutions, and in this episode we discuss his simple habits for success, how he leverages social media in productive ways, and how to succeed without the fame-seeking mindset.

During this Episode, We Discuss:

1:10 Why we have to rely on ourselves

4:51 The winners and losers from this pandemic era in history

7:00 “K-Shaped recovery”

9:00 how the media always tells us to “jump on investments”

9:45 How the media these days is actually priming us for short term thinking

16:43 Looking at companies like Google as though they’re perfect

18:00 Why there’s no such thing as a perfect job candidate

18:45 Hitting 3 out of the 5 bullet points on a job description

21:00 What’s something people can do to improve their job?

22:21 Why the fastest road to success is a straight line

22:45 Cory’s tip to improve your life: emailing 5 people a day

30:15 We’re all part of the Instagram (and social media) system

31:00 You can actually use Instagram to connect with people, instead of just wasting time

31:30 Beyoncé only has 24 hours a day

33:35 Why time is also an investment

41:00 Is Jimmy Kimmel even funny anymore?

49:30 On moving to America from Russia, and why we don’t always have to be happy

51:10 The best way to stay motivated (to lose weight or do anything else)

53:00 The Bitcoin gold rush

54:00 The mental stress that celebrities like Johnny Depp go through

56:00 Why we should stop falling for get-rich-quick-type things and invest in long-term

value

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode:

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#38 - Finding Jobs on Clubhouse with Valerie Mekki

Career Therapy Podcast e.38 - Clubhouse and the Job Search, with Valerie Mekki

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Overcast | PocketCasts | Spotify | YouTube

For Career Therapy Podcast #38, we welcome Valerie Mekki to the podcast! She’s an amazing creator on LinkedIn with a background in the fashion industry.

In our conversation, we talk about how she is using social media in the job search. Her app of choice right now is Clubhouse, which is invite only, and she is leveraging it to network, connect, and build community in her search. She also writes a blog called "Oh Hello Work Life.”

Tune in to hear her thoughts on how to leverage these apps in your search.

During this Episode, We Discuss:

3:26 The power of mindset transferring — a tactile way of listening to other people

4:33 Is there a specific tactic for learning new skills?

5:20 Journaling

7:20 There’s nuance in learning how to do something new

8:15 How being laid off triggers doubts

9:00 The importance of LinkedIn

12:00 Why big companies aren’t perfect either

15:00 Writing down everything you’re successful at

15:30 Why you should take inventory and realize you’re awesome

16:45 Have your stories ready to go

24:55 No one wants to talk about the scrapes on the knees

25:45 The Clubhouse app!

30:30 Why Clubhouse is the wave of the future

33:35 Talking with people, and speaking authentically

34:00 The more comfortable you feel talking, the more alive you feel

36:00 1000 job applications submitted, and why doing so is like hitting your head against a wall

37:30 Audio messages

38:20 LinkedIn experts who think it’s a once size fits all approach, when really, it’s not

38:42 What would Valerie do differently?

40:25 Why “You really don’t know something unless you’ve gone through it yourself”

42:20 Why Martin likes ‘The Daily Stoic’

43:05 The power of a simple hello, and how to reach out to people

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode:

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#37 - Are Companies Lying to You? with Katie Martell

Career Therapy Podcast e.37 - Are Companies Lying to You? With Katie Martell

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Overcast | PocketCasts | Spotify | YouTube

For Career Therapy Podcast #37, we welcome Marketing Truth Teller Katie Martell to the podcast. Our discussion walks through the concept of  company "woke-washing,” persona branding, and how companies fib to us  during the job search. 

Tune in if you're interested in the hidden side of how companies work to  sway the way we think, and share this with anyone you know who is  interested in the marketing world. As always, we wish you the best in your  career journey. 

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 Are companies lying to You?

0:57 constantly fiddling with our LinkedIn profiles 

2:37 why marketing and entrepreneurship are actually similar 

3:55 normal will get you nowhere! 

5:12 what are the “bad” marketing things in the world? 

7:40 social justice stuff ... where are brands failing? 

9:25 social and cultural impacts of brands trying to align themselves with movements

14:20 why we need to look at advertising through a lens of skepticism

15:30 what’s the difference between company brands vs individual brands?

20:40 every decision is actually made by people 

17:55 how does the feminist movement play into this? 

21:00 what do we do to not get in trouble? 

24:00 people feel like a personal brand makes you – why this isn’t actually true

25:30 why Katie actually thinks cancel culture “isn’t a bad thing” 

28:00 how big companies market themselves too 

28:50 what should people be looking out for, when they’re looking at advertising?  

20:55 what would Katie say to someone who wants to put themselves out there?

33:20 wearing a lightweight Supreme jacket in Chicago weather 

40:30 what Katie’s done to stay authentic  

41:00 look at the motivation behind everything

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#36 - How Email Newsletters Help Your Career with Jessica Williams

Career Therapy Podcast e.36 - How to Monetize Your Newsletter, with Jessica Williams

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For Career Therapy Podcast #36, we welcome back Jessica Williams to the podcast! She recently monetized her newsletter (#JessPicks) and talks to us about her journey and the ups and downs she experienced along the way. 

Our conversation touches on side hustles, personal branding, and what to do when you get stuck. We're so excited to share it with you!

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

0:00 How Email Newsletters Help Your Career

3:30 “get comfy with the monkey” – Jess’ original newsletter idea 

5:30 how about I do a newsletter? 

7:00 just getting started ... it can get overwhelming 

8:00 email list is something you own 

8:40 Jess an idea that she’d start a business — she just didn’t know what

9:40 She realized she was great at creating pages ... it’s not that hard

11:11 Side hustles give you something to come back to 

12:00 Jess understands identity being wrapped up in the job 

12:34 She believes a side hustle actually gives you energy 

15:15 why building relationships and a good firm handshake are the keys to life

16:30 it’s not what you know, it’s who you know 

18:30 what were the major hurdles for Jess? What were the hard things?

19:00 There’ve been times she’s been stuck, with moments of clarity and moments out of  focus 

21:30 “if it helps one person, it’s worth it” 

23:00 why you shouldn’t chase after views 

27:00 why startup culture is terrible 

27:45 you don’t have to quit your job to be an entrepreneur! 

33:40 5-year transitions 

34:10 just because you have to get a job, doesn’t mean you’re not an entrepreneur.

34:15 use your job as your first venture capital! 

34:45 people can sense when you’re desperate, so don’t beg for anything.

35:20 there’s so many judgy people — there’s no shame with supplementing your income

36:40 there’s not one way to work! Two day jobs and a side hustle is totally fine.

36:55 give permission to see what else they can do 

37:00 go subscribe to #Jesspicks 

38:40 just because all those guys are doing it, doesn’t mean I have to do it exactly the  same way 

39:30 why you should never feel “behind” in life 

47:54 if we think short term we end up losing our ability to do this 10 years from now 

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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#35 - Personal Branding During a Pandemic with Mads Hanna

Career Therapy Podcast e.35 - Personal Branding During A Pandemic, with Mads  Hanna of Curated Compass 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | PocketCasts | Spotify | YouTube

On this week's Career Therapy Podcast (#35), we talk to Mads Hanna — a  Senior Brand Strategist & Copywriter who is challenging brands to “tell their  Story with Confidence, Clarity, and Oomph.” She runs the company Curated  Compass, and touts the strategy of “brand therapy” in order to energize her  clients’ companies. 

In our conversation we talk about personal branding, rebranding, and how to  go from a corporate job to owning your own business. As always, if you know  anyone who has been hustling during the pandemic and has an amazing  story to share, let me know who they are. We're always on the lookout for  amazing guests for the Career Therapy podcast. 

During this Episode, We Discuss: 

5:00 doing tech and food PR – Mads announcing leaving the company, feared judgment 

5:40 personal branding 

6:20 “entrepreneurship is belly-flopping into a bottomless abyss” 

7:30 having a website and a business 

10:00 harder to find housing than getting a job / an intro to house searching

11:45 core skills, writing resumes, verbalizing thoughts 

12:40 what are some skills? identifying the “how” of what you’re doing.

13:30 “the things that I’m scared of, I run towards” 

16:45 Mads’ theatre background – why “The Vagina Monologues” is important to her

19:10 getting up to rock climbing, getting over the fear of heights 

20:35 What’s the meaning of brand therapy? 

25:00 everything is so intentional because it comes from Curated Compass.

26:55 Mads helps people dive deep and find their truth 

31:00 Why you should have resilient patience with yourself 

34:45 your story comes from you, so you should be okay with tweaking

39:50 people are investing in people

46:00 people doubted that Mads would be able to crank out quality content from cafés

52:25 why you need to remind people what you do, and what you care about 

Resources & pages mentioned in this episode: 

Now Over To You!

If you know anyone who has been hustling, or started a business, during the pandemic, and has an amazing story to share, let us know who they are! Alternately, if you, or someone you know has recently gone through a layoff, or has a layoff, or any other career transition-oriented story to share, reach out. Contact Martin through his personal LinkedIn page to get in touch. We're always on the lookout for amazing guests for the cast.

As always, thanks for listening!

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