In this episode of the Career Gems for the Journey podcast, Leah C. Murphy CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, shares a powerful story about stepping out on faith and showing up for your vision—even when doubt creeps in. Reflecting on her experience at the National Black MBA Conference, Leah discusses how taking action and remaining flexible in the face of challenges can unlock new opportunities and transform your career.

Key takeaways include:

💎 Overcoming Doubt: How to move past hesitation and take action toward your goals, even when the outcome feels uncertain.

💎 The Power of Showing Up: Why being present, prepared, and ready to pivot can open doors you didn’t anticipate.

💎 Lessons from the Conference: Leah shares her experience navigating unexpected obstacles, building relationships, and finding inspiration at the National Black MBA Conference.

Leah’s journey is a reminder that growth often happens outside of your comfort zone. By committing to your vision and taking calculated risks, you allow space for opportunities to align in ways you never imagined.

Tune in for this inspiring episode and learn how to take your next big step from doubt to action.

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Gems for the Journey Summit on March 15, 2025, in Philadelphia! 🎉 This event is dedicated to empowering women through career, community, and care. Limited tickets are available, so don’t wait—⁠⁠secure your spot today!

In this episode of Career Gems for the Journey podcast, ⁠⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey⁠⁠ challenges you to take a hard look at what might be holding you back from reaching your goals—and spoiler: it might just be YOU.

With a blend of personal insights and practical advice, Leah dives deep into how ego, fear, and the “self-made” myth can stop you from tapping into the power of your network and community. 

Key takeaways include: 

💎 Get Out of Your Own Way: How ego and the fear of asking for help can keep you stuck and how to overcome it. 

💎 The Power of Community: Why success is rarely a solo journey and how involving others in your vision creates a ripple effect of opportunity and support. 

💎 Leverage Your Network: Strategies for reconnecting with trusted people in your network and asking for the help you need to move forward.

This is a reminder that while you are 100% responsible for your vision, you’re not meant to do it all alone. The myth of being “self-made” doesn’t reflect the true value of collaboration and community. By letting go of the barriers we build for ourselves, we open the door to support, resources, and connections that can transform our careers.

This episode is your call to action: ask for help, lean into your community, and—most importantly—get out of your own way to make your journey work for you!  

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Gems for the Journey Summit on March 15, 2025, in Philadelphia! 🎉 This event is dedicated to empowering women through career, community, and care. Limited tickets are available, so don’t wait—⁠secure your spot today!

In this special episode of Career Gems for the Journey podcast, Leah C. Murphy CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, is joined by her husband, Cameron Murphy, for the first-ever Husband Takeover!

This candid and heartfelt conversation offers a unique perspective on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of running a business, supporting a partner in entrepreneurship, and the power of teamwork in both life and work.

Cameron shares his experience as Leah’s biggest supporter, from helping execute the Pennsylvania Conference for Women to celebrating Career Gems for the Journey’s three-year milestone. Together, they dive into topics like:

💎 Building Together: What it’s like to navigate marriage, parenting, and running multiple businesses as a team.

💎 Conference Reflections: Cameron’s take on being one of the few men at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women and how events like these create vital spaces for empowerment and growth.

💎 Dreaming Big: Manifesting future goals, from keynote speaking opportunities to hosting transformative events for women.

This episode is a celebration of partnership, perseverance, and the incredible impact of working toward shared goals. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a supportive partner, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of Leah’s journey, this episode is full of insights, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.

Join us for this unique episode and see how teamwork truly makes the dream work!

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Gems for the Journey Summit on March 15, 2025, in Philadelphia! 🎉 This event is dedicated to empowering women through career, community, and care. Limited tickets are available, so don’t wait—secure your spot today!

In this live episode of Career Gems for the Journey podcast, Leah C. Murphy CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, shares a candid recap of her experience as a first-time vendor at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. Leah opens up about the highlights, unexpected challenges, and lessons learned from the event, emphasizing the power of in-person connections and community in professional growth.

Key takeaways include:

💎 Building New Connections: Leah challenges the “no new friends” mindset, stressing the importance of expanding your network with new connections who align with your goals and values, especially as you evolve in your career.

💎 Conference Reflections: Leah offers an inside look at the conference experience—from logistical surprises to memorable interactions with attendees, clients, and collaborators who share her mission to empower professionals.

💎 Community and Care: Leah discusses the importance of nurturing a healthy, supportive community, encouraging listeners to seek connections that promote growth, well-being, and mutual support.

Leah also shares her vision for future in-person events, including a potential role as a moderator at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women and other upcoming engagements. She closes the episode with a reminder to focus on community, self-care, and making our journeys work for us.

For more insights and career gems, join Leah next time for a special episode where she’ll be in the hot seat, giving you a sneak peek into her career journey and what’s on the horizon for Career Gems for the Journey.

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

In this episode of Career Gems for the Journey podcast, Leah C. Murphy CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, discusses a critical yet often overlooked phase of professional life—career layovers. Using her own experiences and insights from coaching high-performing individuals, Leah sheds light on how layovers are a natural and necessary part of any career journey.

She explains that career layovers—whether intentional or unexpected—are those in-between periods where you're not soaring at the peak of your career, but rather taking time to reassess, reimagine, and recharge.

Key takeaways include:

💎 The reality and importance of career layovers as a part of long-term success.

💎 How to maximize your time during a career layover, whether it's a brief stop or an extended stay.

💎 Strategies for using this downtime to invest in yourself, pursue side projects, or develop new skills.

💎 Why it’s essential to give yourself grace and avoid comparison to others during career transitions.

Join Leah in this thoughtful episode as she provides strategies and encouragement for those navigating a career layover. Whether you're on the brink of a new opportunity or simply need time to reflect, this episode will help you see your layover as an opportunity rather than a setback.

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU!

 💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

In this episode of Career Gems for the Journey podcast, Leah C. Murphy, CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, draws inspiration from the 2024 Summer Olympics to help you cultivate greatness in your career. From upgrading your self-talk to celebrating your current achievements, Leah shares valuable insights that can transform how you approach your career.

Key takeaways include:

💎 The importance of celebrating your current progress, no matter where you are in your career.

💎 How to manage doubters and detractors and stay focused on your goals.

💎  Practical steps to upgrade your self-talk and build confidence through a special “Top 40 Hit List.”

Join Leah in this inspiring episode as she blends career advice with motivational insights inspired by the Olympic Games. Whether you're building a new skill set, navigating a career transition, or just looking for a fresh perspective, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways that will help you upgrade your self-talk and celebrate your career progress.

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

In this episode our host Leah C. Murphy, CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, welcomes special guest Jacqueline Twillie, global expert in women's leadership and negotiation. As the founder of ZeroGap, Jacqueline is on a mission to close the gender wage gap by empowering underrepresented leaders to negotiate effectively and thrive in leadership roles.

Leah and Jacqueline dive deep into the journey that led Jacqueline to create the L.A.T.T.E. negotiation method, a powerful tool that has helped hundreds of leaders advocate for themselves in the workplace. Jacqueline also shares her personal story of how discovering pay disparities in her career ignited her passion for equality and ultimately led her to build a thriving leadership training business.

Listeners will discover valuable insights, including:

💎 Leadership Development: With a focus on leadership training for women in male-dominated industries, Jacqueline talks about how to cultivate resilience and push past challenges in the workplace.

💎 Leadership Development: With a focus on leadership training for women in male-dominated industries, Jacqueline talks about how to cultivate resilience and push past challenges in the workplace.

As we reflect on the powerful stories shared in this episode, Leah and Jacqueline encourage listeners to take action in their own lives by understanding the value of self-awareness, building strong habits, and having the courage to advocate for themselves.
Whether you're looking to negotiate your next salary or grow in leadership, this episode offers tools and motivation to help you succeed.

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

If you’re in the Philadelphia area, don’t miss the opportunity to meet Leah at the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference on November 7, 2024! BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

About Our Guest 

Jacqueline V. Twillie is a global expert in women's leadership, a master negotiator, and the founder of ZeroGap, a firm dedicated to providing leadership training for underrepresented leaders in male-dominated industries. With an MBA in Leadership, Jacqueline is on a mission to eliminate the gender wage gap by empowering women to negotiate more effectively and providing them with the resources to thrive in leadership roles. She developed the L.A.T.T.E. Method, a negotiation framework that has helped hundreds of leaders successfully advocate for themselves. Jacqueline's work extends beyond individual coaching and includes public speaking, workshops, and a leadership intensive called the Resilient Leaders Program. Her expertise has been recognized in major publications like Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and Essence.

We’re celebrating a major milestone—100 episodes of the Career Gems for the Journey Podcast!

Leah opens up about the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the podcast over time. From starting the podcast as a way to provide accessible career advice to those who couldn’t afford one-on-one coaching, to nearly sunsetting the show due to the overwhelming demands of entrepreneurship, Leah shares the pivotal moments that led to the podcast’s continued success.
Leah emphasizes the importance of perseverance and investing in oneself, even when the recognition and rewards aren’t immediately apparent. She shares her personal story of how sticking with the podcast, despite the initial lack of applause or financial return, ultimately laid the foundation for the growth of her business and career.

Listeners will also gain valuable insights on:

 💎 The Power of Trusted Advice: Leah highlights

💎  Staying Committed to Your Vision: Leah discusses the discipline required to stay committed to your goals, even when the journey feels long and unrecognized. Her story serves as a reminder that the effort you invest in your career or personal projects today will pay off in the future.

💎 Celebrating Milestones: As Leah celebrates 100 episodes, she encourages listeners to recognize and celebrate their own milestones, no matter how big or small. Each step forward is a testament to your hard work and dedication.

 Thank you to all the listeners who have been part of this journey, whether from the very beginning or just joining now. We invite everyone to continue growing with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the podcast, joining the newsletter, and participating in upcoming events like the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference.
Keep pushing forward in your own journey and…
MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career

In this episode of ‘Tap Into Conference Season,’ Leah C. Murphy, CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, invites you to explore the incredible impact that attending professional conferences can have on your career. With a focus on the upcoming Pennsylvania Women’s Conference, Leah shares her personal journey, from the nerves of attending her first conference to the excitement of now returning as a vendor. This full-circle moment is not only a testament to her growth but also a reminder of the power of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Leah emphasizes that if you’re feeling stuck in your career, conferences like the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference can be a game-changer. They offer a fresh burst of inspiration and open doors to new career opportunities, all while connecting you with thousands of professional women, nonprofit leaders, and CEOs who are eager to share their experiences.

 As Leah walks you through her thoughts on maximizing networking opportunities, she encourages you to think strategically. Whether you’re seeking new job opportunities, aiming to broaden your professional network, or simply looking to connect with like-minded women, conferences provide a unique environment to foster these relationships. Leah’s tips on making the most out of every interaction are invaluable, offering you a roadmap to navigate these events with confidence.

 One of the key insights Leah shares is how to approach your employer to sponsor your attendance. By starting early and asking the right questions, you can tap into resources like professional development budgets, continuing education funds, or even Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Leah’s advice is practical and actionable, guiding you on how to secure the support you need to attend these career-enhancing events.
For those with entrepreneurial dreams or side hustles, Leah

Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!  

In this episode of Career Pivots,  ⁠⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey⁠⁠  is  thrilled to welcome Jasmine Sessoms, a dynamic leader with an extensive background in hospitality management, corporate and public sector work, and philanthropy. Jasmine shares her unique career journey, starting as a hospitality management major and evolving into a powerhouse in fundraising, politics, and community engagement.

We dive into Jasmine's creation of She Can Win, a training program designed to support Black women running for office. Jasmine's dedication to empowering women in politics has led to significant successes, including the election of notable leaders like Councilwoman Catherine Gilmore Richardson and Representative Morgan Cephas.

Jasmine also shares her challenges and triumphs in the corporate world, including navigating professional expectations and maintaining authenticity. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive partner and taking necessary breaks to ensure personal well-being.

Currently, Jasmine is the Chief Engagement Officer at Community College of Philadelphia, where she launched the Center 1968, focusing on empowering Black women in government. The center offers programs like the Black Women in Government series and the Barbara Jordan Policy Fellowship to train and support future leaders.

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU!

💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by

About Our Guest 

Jasmine Sessoms has over 15 years of experience in community outreach, government relations, and public affairs, She is a passionate and strategic leader who strives to create positive social impact through higher education. As the Chief Engagement Officer at Community College of Philadelphia, she oversees the Office of Engagement, which includes stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, revenue growth, and workforce development.