What if the thing holding you back in your career isn’t a fact, but a story you’ve been telling yourself?

In this episode, Kelly sits down with leadership coach, speaker, and former Google leader Barbara Boselli to explore how the narratives we create about ourselves can quietly shape, and sometimes limit, our careers.

From growing up in Brazil and navigating cultural transitions in the U.S., to building a successful corporate career, leaving Google to focus on family, and eventually launching her own leadership consulting practice, Barbara shares a deeply reflective journey of growth, self-awareness, and reinvention.

Together, Kelly and Barbara unpack the difference between facts and stories, how emotional intelligence and mindfulness transform leadership, and why “step two is the enemy of step one” when it comes to meaningful career change. This conversation is a powerful reminder that self-awareness is the foundation of courageous leadership, and that redefining success often starts from within.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• The difference between facts and the stories we tell ourselves
• How cultural norms shape leadership and self-advocacy
• Transitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship
• Emotional intelligence as a core leadership skill
• Mindfulness, self-awareness, and reframing limiting beliefs
• Why you don’t need the full plan to take the first step
• Navigating identity shifts during career pivots
• Finding purpose, passion, and fulfillment through service

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
00:23 – Barbara Boselli bio
01:32 – Growing up in Brazil and early career influences
03:02 – Cultural transitions and working in the U.S.
05:08 – First roles at L’Oréal and Vale
06:40 – Choosing an MBA and career reinvention
07:58 – Joining Google and working in strategy & operations
09:51 – Discovering a passion for people development
11:58 – Emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership
13:52 – Leaving Google and identity shifts
15:36 – Spiritual psychology and reframing success
18:45 – Navigating motherhood and career uncertainty
21:00 – “Step two is the enemy of step one”
22:55 – Building Be Now Consulting
24:22 – Fact vs. story and limiting beliefs
28:04 – Self-awareness as a leadership superpower
29:53 – Community, collaboration, and entrepreneurship
31:36 – Advice to her 20-year-old self
32:28 – Career in three words
33:10 – Where to find Barbara

Guest Resources

• Website: benowconsulting.com
• LinkedIn: Barbara Boselli

Topics Discussed

leadership development, emotional intelligence, mindfulness at work, self-awareness, career pivots, women in leadership, entrepreneurship, limiting beliefs, personal growth, fact vs story, executive coaching, purpose-driven work, Career Slay Podcast

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

What if climbing the corporate ladder isn’t about working harder, but about learning the rules no one ever taught you?

In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, Kelly Poquiz Burke sits down with Kendall Berg, founder of That Career Coach and author of Secrets of the Career Game, to unpack the unspoken rules that shape real career growth.

From sneaking into job fairs and telling a CFO his strategy was flawed (at 19), to earning five promotions in six years, turning down a C-suite role, and building a nationally recognized coaching platform, Kendall shares the highs, lows, and hard-earned lessons that reshaped how she thinks about success.

This conversation dives deep into self-advocacy, managing up, building influence as well as your own brand, and redefining success as your life evolves. Whether you’re ambitious, burned out, or questioning what “next” really means, this episode offers practical wisdom for navigating your career with intention.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Why being great at your job isn’t enough as you move up
• The importance of educating your boss about your impact
• How self-advocacy and personal branding accelerate promotions
• Turning down a C-suite role and trusting your gut
• Balancing a demanding corporate role with entrepreneurship
• The mental load behind content creation and visibility
• Why success eventually becomes about owning your time
• Learning when to push forward and when to pivot

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
01:18 – Growing up driven, entrepreneurial, and type-A
02:56 – Studying math and economics without a clear path
04:21 – Sneaking into job fairs and landing a career-defining role
06:03 – Telling a CFO the hard truth (and getting hired anyway)
08:27 – Rapid promotions, tech leadership, and learning soft skills
11:58 – Turning down a C-suite role and redefining ambition
15:00 – What a Chief of Staff role really looks like day-to-day
17:38 – Balancing corporate leadership and That Career Coach
20:42 – Content creation, controversy, and building thick skin
26:45 – Writing Secrets of the Career Game
28:14 – “Your boss has no idea what you’re doing”
30:15 – Advocacy, promotion strategy, and managing up
34:44 – How Kendall defines success today
38:05 – Advice to her 20-year-old self
39:27 – Career in three words
39:56 – Where to find Kendall

Guest Resources

• Follow Kendall: @ThatCareerCoach (LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)
• Website: thatcareercoach.net
• Get Kendall’s Book: Secrets of the Career Game https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Career-Game-strategies-workplace/dp/1804091111

Keywords

career growth, career coaching, self advocacy at work, managing up, promotions, leadership development, personal branding, career pivots, women in leadership, content creation, work life alignment, executive communication, influence at work, career strategy, Career Slay Podcast

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke introduces a new format aimed at delivering actionable career and leadership advice. First up for the new year is effective goal setting, exploring three frameworks:

• SMART goals for structure
• OKRs for alignment
• The 3-2-1 framework for maintaining momentum.

There is no perfect framework, and goals should support your life, not consume it. This year isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about leading yourself with intention.

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

In this episode of Career Slay, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Nicole “Nikki” Ramirez, a growth marketing strategist and personal branding coach who helps professionals and businesses build data-driven, impactful brands. Nikki shares her unconventional journey from journalism into digital marketing, how she landed a TEDx Talk, and what happened after getting laid off from her dream job at Forbes. Determined to take control of her career, Nikki ended up becoming a LinkedIn influencer growing her audience from 2,400 followers to 34,000 within a year. We talk about making bold career moves, overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there, and why it’s crucial to build a personal brand and own your narrative.

To learn more about Nikki’s work, follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerayeramirez/

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

In this episode, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews marketing and sales executive Jenny Parrish. Jenny shares her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood as the daughter of an immigrant mother to a successful career in the corporate world. She discusses the impact of her mother's work ethic, her early career experiences, and the challenges she faced, including a personal tragedy that shifted her perspective on life and work: the sudden loss of her brother, who died in a car accident alongside actor Paul Walker.

Now as the VP of Sales at Division-D, Jenny discusses the evolution of programmatic advertising, the rise of influencer marketing, and the importance of finding purpose in one's career. Our conversation highlights the importance of resilience, personal growth, and balancing career ambitions with family and emotional well-being.

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

You don’t need a perfect résumé to land your dream job. You need a powerful story.

In this episode of Career Slay, career development advocate, resume writer, and speaker Steph Gillies joins me to talk about how to make your career path make sense, even if it hasn’t always been linear.

We discuss the importance of exploring various career paths, the role of resumes in job transitions, and how to show up authentically in job applications.

Whether you’ve jumped industries, taken time off, or feel like your experience is “all over the place,” this conversation will help you connect the dots and step into your next chapter with confidence. It’s an inspiring reminder that your career is all about the unique journey, not just the destination of a dream job.

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

What does self-leadership actually mean?

In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Elizabeth Lotardo, a consultant, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and author of 'Leading Yourself.' They discuss the importance of self-leadership, especially in uncertain times, and how mindset, behaviors, and relationships shape your career. Elizabeth shares practical mindset hacks, the significance of finding joy and meaning in work, and strategies for navigating challenging workplace dynamics. She emphasizes the power of agency in career development and the necessity of creating a fulfilling work experience. Even when you can’t control what’s happening in the economy, you can always lead yourself.

Learn more about Elizabeth’s work at elizabethlotardo.com

Grab a copy of “Leading Yourself” at https://a.co/d/8hPJ5Tm

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

What does it take to thrive in one of the most high-pressure careers in the world—and then reinvent yourself on the other side of it?

In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke sits down with Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie, retired U.S. Air Force officer turned Founder & CEO of GauxMax Strategies, a brand strategy and PR consulting firm. From flying the F-15E Strike Eagle to commanding hundreds of airmen to launching her own business, Lilo’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and growth through discomfort.

Lilo shares her candid story of navigating burnout, identity, and career transition after 20 years of service. She opens up about what it’s like to lead in a male-dominated field, why teamwork is the ultimate “team sport,” and how she’s redefining success on her own terms.

If you’ve ever faced burnout, questioned your path, or wondered how to embrace the unknown with courage, this conversation will inspire you to lead with both grit and grace.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How resilience and adaptability fuel career transitions
• Leadership lessons from the cockpit (and why perfection is never the goal)
• The truth about burnout—and why even high achievers must pause
• Why embracing discomfort is key to growth and fulfillment
• How to redefine success beyond titles and achievements

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:52 Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie: A Journey of Resilience
05:18 From Criminology to Aviation: A Career Shift
10:15 Life as a Wizzo: Training and Responsibilities
12:02 Leadership Lessons from the Military
14:53 Navigating Bias in a Male-Dominated Field
19:03 The Importance of Purpose in Career
23:28 Transitioning to Civilian Life and New Ventures
27:10 Redefining Success: A New Perspective
29:54 Advice for Aspiring Aviators
32:23 Embracing the Unknown: Growth Through Discomfort
34:35 Summing Up a Career: Gratitude and Reflection

Guest Resources:

• CEO, GauxMax Strategies
• Host, Lies My Ego Told Me Podcast https://liesmyego.com/

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

In this episode of the Career Slay podcast, Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Justin Schneider, the Founder & CEO of Wolf & Shepherd, a hybrid footwear brand redefining comfort in dress shoes.

As a former All-American track and field athlete at the University Notre Dame studying industrial design, Justin discovered his passion for footwear early on, eventually designing shoes for Adidas and New Balance. There, he had a breakthrough—why not bring athletic comfort to dress shoes?

That idea became Wolf & Shepherd. Since 2015, Justin and his wife and co-CEO, Hope, have built the brand into a leader in the space, selling nearly 2 million pairs and expanding their lineup from casual to formal—all with performance-driven comfort at the core.

Justin shares his journey of building a footwear brand and emphasizes the importance of family support, having personal conviction and relentless tenacity as an entrepreneur. He discusses finding alignment between building a business and family life, the vision for the brand's future, and the significance of embracing risk and opportunity. Finally, Justin shares the advice he’d give to his younger self and as well as advice for founders and entrepreneurs.

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay

In this episode of Career Slay, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Milam Miller, a leadership expert, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of The Charisma Craft about career transitions, fulfillment, and authentic leadership.

Episode Highlights

• Milam's Career Journey: From working in tech startups and Fortune 500 companies to becoming an entrepreneur and career coach.
• Finding Fulfillment: Milam discusses how fulfillment comes from within rather than external achievements like titles or material possessions.
• Values Alignment: The importance of working at organizations where you feel a sense of belonging and purpose aligned with your values.
• Career Seasons Framework: Kelly introduces her framework “Sow, Slow, Grow” for understanding different career seasons.
• Transferable Skills: Discussion on how experience doesn't expire and the importance of recognizing transferable skills.

Key Quotes

• "Fulfillment actually comes from within. Fulfillment can come from so many different sources, and fulfillment can change." - Milam Miller
• "Invest in human connection." - Milam Miller
• "Trust yourself, just trust that it will all work out. If you're paying attention to the things you're doing, if you're living with intention, and if you have unwavering self belief, then you're going to figure it out." - Milam Miller

Connect With Us

• Follow @careerslay for more advice on career development, leadership, and professional growth.
• Follow @milam.miller for more insights on charisma and authentic leadership.
• Grab a copy of Milam Miller’s book, The Charisma Craft, Available now on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/0UgOU

Enjoying the show?

Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

• Website: careerslay.com
• LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
• Instagram: @careerslay