Find Your Passion Career Podcast

What do you do when the job market is more uncertain than ever before? You've been told to bury yourself in extracurriculars and attend every networking event—but that's easier said than done. What is the perfect ratio of experience and connections that can land you your dream job? And what if networking was something you could fit into your everyday routine?

Kecia Hansard is a director of the MBA Career Team at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and a career coach. She advises MBA students and helps build relationships between employees and employers, making her an expert on getting hired. Additionally, she teaches young professionals how to market themselves no matter the job market's conditions.

In my conversation with Kecia, we talk about viewing networking as casual conversation, drowning out the noise of the competition, and acing dreaded interview questions. To hear the full conversation, download my podcast interview!

What do you do when you face rejection at work? Do you mentally check out or complain to your inner circle, or do you take it in stride? Imagine if rejection didn't ruin our workplace experience or harm our motivation.

Dr. Kristin Scott is a management professor and the director of the Executive Leadership PhD Program at Clemson University. Her research focuses on workplace dynamics, including employee motivation and workplace exclusion. She uncovers what makes offices functional (and dysfunctional), then provides evidence-based strategies that can help you thrive at work.

In my conversation with Kristin, we talk about how to handle workplace dysfunction, the qualities of effective workplace leaders, and the importance of hopefulness when we face rejection. To hear the full conversation, download my podcast interview!

When you hear the word "no," what do you do? Do you stop? Spiral? Start questioning everything? Or … do you pivot?

Here's the truth: rejection isn't the end—it's often the plot twist that changes everything. The real question isn't if you'll face rejection, it's how you respond when it happens.

Jessica Bacal, MFA, EdD, is the Director of Reflective Practices at Smith College, where she co-developed and teaches a class about imagining and practicing the navigation of uncertain futures. She's also the author of The Rejection that Changed My Life and Mistakes I Made at Work, where she shares the real stories behind successful women's career journeys—the messy and rejection-filled paths we don't always see.

In my conversation with Jessica, we talk about embracing change in your career journey, steps to take after facing rejection, and the importance of reaching out to your network. To hear the full conversation, download my podcast interview!

We often psych ourselves out of opportunities and relationships because we're afraid of being told "no." But what if we saw those potential "no"s as steppingstones to achieving our wildest dreams?

Gabriella Carr is on a mission to get rejected 1,000 times and has documented her journey on social media since last year. As a result, Gabriella has amassed thousands of followers, been featured in The New York Times and CNBC, and started a trend of people documenting their own rejections.

In my conversation with Gabriella, we talk about reframing rejection, pursuing multiple passions without burning out, and pushing past discomfort to pursue your dreams. To hear the full conversation, download my podcast interview!

In my conversation with Bill Gurley, we explore what it really means to pursue your dream career—without a zero-sum mindset. Bill shares why your peers can become your greatest mentors, how rejection is often a sign of growth, and why continuous learning embracing AI is the key to future-proofing your career.

As a general partner at Benchmark, Bill has influenced transformative companies like Uber, Zillow, OpenTable, Grubhub, Stitch Fix, and Snapchat. In his book Runnin' Down a Dream, he encourages readers to reflect regularly, take courageous leaps, and pay attention to what energizes them outside of work.

"If you've only got one shot then why not do what makes you happy?" Bill asks.

To hear Bill's advice on passion, peer mentorship, and building a career with intention, download my podcast interview with Bill!

Lori Bumgarner loves helping others find their passions. As a career coach for over 20 years, she has worked with college students, Nashville up-and-coming recording artists, and now helps those who are mid-career in various industries and locations. She's written several books including her most recent work on personal branding. Lori inspires others to discover what sets them apart, helping them stand out in interviews with employers.

"You have to be able to say what makes you unique. And a lot of [the recording artists] either didn't know the answer to that question, or they couldn't articulate the answer," Lori said.

To hear Lori's advice about authenticity in personal branding, download my podcast interview with Lori here on iTunes!

Dr. Eli Tsukayama is passionate about helping his students achieve a growth mindset. Working as a professor at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, he has conducted extensive research on grit and perseverence. His research also focuses on understanding individual differences that can be used to segment and understand target markets. Dr. Eli challenges people to abandon their fixed mindsets and accept challenges as opportunities to hone in on their skills.

"If you're in a fixed mindset, challenges reinforce this idea that 'I'm bad at this, I'm never going to be good at this.' From a growth mindset, it's 'Well, yeah there [are] challenges because that's what I need to do to become better.'"

To hear Dr. Eli's advice about the power of grit, download my podcast interview with Dr. Eli here on iTunes!

Scott Stratten encourages people to put relationships before competition in the workplace. As the founder of UnMarketing, he believes that people should engage with their customers instead of marketing to them. Scott also co-authored six best-selling business books, and is an award-winning keynote speaker. Scott is an advocate for online integrity. Experiencing breakout success on Twitter, he realized his love for making virtual connections. His passion for online authenticity led him to found UnMarketing "I want to find people that care about humans, that don't treat customers as leads only." To hear Scott's advice about building relationships in the workplace, download my podcast interview with Scott here on iTunes!

Laura Putnam inspires people to get moving during their workday. As a former gymnast, she was motivated to create Motion Infusion, a leading provider of wellbeing and human performance services. Laura also wrote an award winning book, Workplace Wellness that Works: 10 Steps to Infuse Well-Being and Vitality Into Any Organization, and teaches at Stanford University. She was the recipient of The American Heart Association's "2020 Impact" Award and the National Wellness Institute's "Circle of Leadership" award. Laura firmly believes that work shouldn't feel like a chore. Instead, our work should inspire us to become our best and most authentic selves. She finds that this is highly achievable when efforts are made to integrate movement into our lives, and better yet, our workplaces.

"Workplace wellness done well is one in which people are healthier, they're happier, they're closer to their version of 'me at my best,' because of where they work as opposed to in spite of it."

To hear Laura's advice and learn how to get more active during the workday, download my podcast interview with Laura here on iTunes!

Dr. Nicole Tschierske helps overlooked women in STEM feel confident in their career journeys. As an action coach and career expert, she has found that employers seek passionate workers. Thus, she encourages women in STEM to pursue their passions within their current position.

Dr. Nicole understands the frustration of feeling "bored-out" in your career, and recommends that instead of quitting that job, you should seek new leadership opportunities within your company. Then, you can gain some experience within your passion while still getting that paycheck.

"Reading about a job or talking to people who have the job is always secondhand reality. Tapping into it and getting those real-life experiences is always more valuable," said Dr. Nicole.

To hear Dr. Nicole's advice and learn how to shake up your career, download my podcast interview with Dr. Nicole here on iTunes!