"This is more dangerous than criminal law!" says this week's guest, Josh Sheridan, a divorce and family law attorney whose job has him dealing with good people on their worst behavior. Dispelling the notion that attorneys are by definition rich and smart (among other fallacies), Josh in this episode opens his job kimono to speak straight about his profession - the client angle, business angle, and, more broadly, the overall human nature angle. "I have front-row seats to why marriages go awry," says Josh, "and it's not because of unemptied trash, dirty dishes, or fantasy football." Not shy about the fact that being a divorce attorney means being disliked by just about everyone, Josh happens to be a super-likable and engaging guy who treats his clients well and does the right thing. And the bonus? In his spare time, Josh has a very cool podcast called Barely Legal!

When she opens a preschool assignment she's kept for all these years, Divya sees the question, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" and her answer: a "hair cutter." Seems like a far cry from journalism, right? Not to Divya, who points out that getting a hair cut is a great way to hear stories - and stories are the reason she was drawn to journalism. In fact, she worried herself in highschool because she spent more time working on the student newspaper than studying for her classes. And though she tried to suppress that same interest later in college, fate would hear of no such thing - Divya was always meant to do this, and now proudly covers higher education and nonprofits as a journalist for the Tampa Bay Times. Asked why she thinks her job is important, Divya provides a simple but compelling answer: "to create empathy." And don't we all need more of that these days?

What is success at the end of a long week teaching? "A good night's sleep!" says this week's guest Allison Caras, a Professor of Spanish at George Washington University. Considering herself a "conflicted extrovert," Allison in this episode conveys her total commitment to teaching - and the tolls and trials that come with the territory of her profession. Yes, she is a passionate 4.9-student-rated professor, but Allison is also a purveyor of truths who in this episode shares more than one dose of reality. "Losing your path is part of your path," she says. Listen to find out what Allison's path has been, where it is going, and what energizes her to succeed.

She likes cat videos, loves dogs, and has confirmed that pets really DO look and behave like their owners. In this week's episode, Joelle tells us what it takes to become a vet, what it's really like to take care of our beloved animals, and shares that being a vet is also about being empathetic, compassionate, and caring for all of us pet owners. And ... drumroll ... Joelle addresses the perception that all veterinarians are filthy rich. Yes? No? Find out by listening to this week's episode!

When we asked this week's guest Holli Rahmings what's changed in the world of food over the past ten years, she surprised us. "Me," she said, and then proceeded to convey how her job and her success ultimately depend on her ability to connect with people and move them toward long-term healthy habits. In this episode, learn how Holli has honed her personal connection skills, whether healthy eating is really more expensive, why Holli employs a no-judgment approach, and what is required to be successful in this profession. Get ready for a high-energy and fun episode with someone who loves her job and shares her infectious enthusiasm!

Work in coal mines or steel mills? These were Joe's hometown job options. He chose neither and left his small town to work for a credit union in another state. But rather than see his first job as a temporary stopgap, Joe saw the chance to show everyone that not having a college education would never hold him back. He buckled down, worked hard, and is now a Vice President of Mortgage Lending who has proven that "will" beats "skill" every time. Joe's story is guaranteed to inspire and motivate you!

Our first guest from the UK, Martin Gibbs had a knack for taking things apart when he was a little boy - so much so, he earned a nickname from his grandmother based on a book character. Little did she know that the nickname she gave Martin would come to describe his eventual career testing IT software and being the guy in the office who "took things apart" to understand how best to make them work. In this episode, hear how Martin struggled early to find his confidence and his path, but, over time, consolidated his skills and interests and found his way toward becoming very good at what he does.

In this episode, meet someone who leans into life and lives in the present. Someone who after nearly 30 years consulting to large companies across six continents decided to help individuals find their best selves through authentic interactions and the search for wisdom. It's no wonder when faced with the choice to play college volleyball or try ballet, a young college-aged Patrick saw one clear choice: dance, even if he had never done it. Or when he saw a bulletin board ad for tai chi, he jumped at the chance and is now an instructor. If finding meaning is important to you, you'll want to find 40 minutes to hear this episode! 

Randy Gallogly was burnt out. But he was also smart enough to listen to his wife when she said, “I don’t like you being a realtor." Taking his own advice to always be ready when an opportunity knocks, Randy jumped on the chance to become a home inspector. In this episode, hear how Randy came out of the Navy having studied medicine but now spends his time crawling in attics, climbing ladders, and trying not to fall off roofs. And if you like stories, you’ll love to hear about some of Randy’s home inspection discoveries and how he takes special pleasure in helping home buyers with one of the most important and emotional decisions of their lives. 

It was a serious decision. Tamara asked herself, "Should I become a lawyer?" She thought long. She thought hard. She considered her strengths and aspirations. She recalled her ability to engage in healthy debate. Yes, it was a serious decision that could not be made lightly. Especially since Tamara was considering this career at the ripe age of 12 years. Fast forward and learn more about how Tamara eventually dismissed law to pursue a career that started in banking but now finds her doing something even more important and meaningful: helping low-income families achieve the stability of safe and affordable housing. If you think public sector careers and overachievement are a contradiction, think again and stick around for this latest JobSpeakers episode.