In this episode of Liz Career Coaching, I sit down with Lynette Correa-Velez, M.Ed., a Critical Career Coach, DEIAJ advocate, and Founder & CEO of Pagame Project—an AI-powered career development platform dedicated to closing the women’s wage gap.

Lynette shares how her mother’s legacy inspired her to create Pagame Project and Rita AI, a groundbreaking AI career coach designed to empower women at every stage of their careers. We dive into:

✅ The biggest barriers to pay equity and how to overcome them
✅ How AI and human intelligence can work together to support career growth
✅ The importance of mentorship, networking, and risk-taking in career success
✅ How you can get involved in Pagame Project’s mission

Lynette's Bio:

Lynette Correa-Velez, M.Ed. is the Founder/CEO of “Pagame Project” which is an AI/H.I.-powered, CareerDevTech social enterprise platform seeking to close the women’s wage gap in the U.S. & globally. She is a trained #CriticalCareerCoach with over 20 years of professional experience in co-empowering individuals from all industries with a DEIAJ-centered lens. Lynette has received 18 awards and honors for her tremendous support and advocacy for all such as being 2024 “Latinas in Watch in the U.S.” by ALPFA National. She is a member of the Equal Pay Chicago Committee at Women Employed and an inaugural Associate Board of Director at Chicago Innovation. She has doctoral training in DEI in Education with a focus in HRD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and an alum of UIUC with her M.Ed. in e-Learning for Workplace Learning & Training & HRD. 

Connect with Lynette:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcorreavelez/
• Join the mailing list at www.PagameProject.com

Episode Resources:

• Career and Family, Claudia Goldin
• Latinas in Tech

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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Have you been thinking about starting a business while keeping your full-time job? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jay a seasoned educator, educational technologist, and content creator, to discuss what it really takes to build a successful side business.

💡 Key Highlights:
✅ The First Step: Understanding your WHY—extra income vs. long-term business growth
✅ Time Management Hacks: How to balance work, business, and personal life
✅ Financial Smarts: Avoiding common money mistakes and making smart investments
✅ Personal Branding & Visibility: Growing your business while respecting company policies
✅ Resources & Education: The best tools, courses, and communities for new entrepreneurs

Whether you're just exploring the idea or ready to take the leap, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you launch and grow your side hustle the right way.

🙌 Special thanks to Inner Workout for sponsoring this episode!

Connect with Dr. Jay:

• https://www.youtube.com/@DrJRealTalk
• https://www.instagram.com/jayphd18/

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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Today, we’re talking about portfolio careers—an unconventional yet empowering way to build a multifaceted career that aligns with your values, interests, and purpose. Our guest, Taylor Elyse Morrison  is a facilitator, author, coach, and PhD student who embodies this concept. 

Taylor is a portfolio careerist asking the question: How can we experience well-being and fulfillment in every aspect of our lives? She’s the founder of the Inner Workout app, and the award-winning author of a book by the same name. Taylor uses her coaching, mindfulness, and movement training to meet people where they are and get them closer to what they really want.

Whether you're feeling stuck in your career or curious about new possibilities, this episode is for you!

Episode highlights:

• Taylor shares how taking messy, imperfect action can lead to clarity, growth, and fulfillment in both career and life.
• She highlights the value of combining diverse skills and interests to create a multifaceted, meaningful career path.
• Aligning career choices with personal values helps cut through societal noise and provides long-term satisfaction.
• Taylor emphasizes the importance of cultivating interests outside of work and building relationships that support your authentic self.
• Taylor’s Inner Workout app provides tools to support self-care through reflection, mindfulness, and building healthier habits.

Connect with Taylor:

• https://taylorelyse.com
• https://www.youtube.com/@taylorelysemorrison
• https://www.innerworkout.co/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorelysemorrison/

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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Welcome to 2025! In this episode, I’m sharing personal reflections on how unexpected opportunities can shape our lives in powerful ways. While goals are important, I’ve realized that staying open to new possibilities often leads to the most meaningful growth.

This year started differently for me. After losing my beloved dog, R2, in 2023, my husband and I decided to bring some joy back into our lives by adopting a kitten—Leia.  Its the little things. 

I talk about how unplanned opportunities, like being invited to serve as a program lead for Mujeres de HACE, helped me grow in ways I never anticipated. I also share practical tips for embracing the unknown: reflect regularly, stay curious, build relationships, and say yes to new experiences, even when they feel a little scary.

This episode is all about holding onto your goals while keeping an open mind. Sometimes, the path forward isn’t linear, but those twists and turns can lead to something amazing.

Special thanks to Melinda Ramirez, founder of Tai Phoenix Consulting, for sponsoring this episode. She’s doing incredible work empowering leaders through arts-based leadership and emotional intelligence solutions—check her out on LinkedIn!

Let’s step into 2025 with curiosity, courage, and openness. Thanks for tuning in—I’m excited for what this year holds for us all!

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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In this episode of the Liz Career Coaching Podcast, I share practical tips for tailoring your experiences to align with organizational needs, identifying and articulating your strengths, and leveraging tools like AI for interview prep. I also highlight the importance of professionalism, authentic storytelling, and creating a lasting impression through personality, body language, and tone. Whether you're launching your career or advancing to your next opportunity, I offer insights to help you stand out and land the job you deserve.  This episode was sponsored by Kelley Francis.

Key Takeaways:

1. Tailor Your Experience: Research the organization thoroughly and align your skills to their mission and goals.
2. Know Your Strengths: Reflect on your achievements and bring specific examples that showcase your unique value.
3. Leverage AI Tools: Use tools like LinkedIn’s interview prep and https://yoodli.ai/ to practice and refine your responses.
4. Professionalism Matters: Arrive prepared, dress appropriately, and ensure a distraction-free environment for virtual interviews.
5. Ask Thoughtful Questions: Use the interview as a two-way street to assess if the organization aligns with your career values.
6. Follow Up with Gratitude: Send a personalized thank-you email to reinforce your interest and highlight key points from the interview.

Connect with our Sponsor!
Kelley Francis

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Welcome to the Liz Career Coaching podcast! I’m your host, Liz Herrera, career coach and job search ally. I’ve dedicated my career to empowering individuals to use their strengths to drive their career and find their purpose. Whether you’re launching your career or preparing for your next move, this podcast will empower you with actionable steps to reach your goals.  I interview professionals from diverse backgrounds who are working with purpose and on a mission. They share valuable knowledge and insights into both their personal and professional lives, how they’ve paved their own career paths, and offer advice to help you on your own career journey.

Today's Guest:
Melinda E. Ramírez is a seasoned expert in leadership development, change management, and team effectiveness with over 17 years of experience partnering with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and global organizations. A first-generation Latina college graduate, military spouse, and mother, she brings a distinctive blend of personal resilience, cultural insight, and professional expertise to her work, earning recognition as one of Influence Digest’s Top 15 Nashville Coaches in 2024. With a Master’s in Educational Psychology and a dynamic, creativity-infused approach, Melinda empowers leaders worldwide to build inclusive cultures, unlock their potential, and create lasting success.

Episode Highlights:

• Melinda shares how her passion for ballroom dancing cultivated skills that translated into effective leadership.
• Insights Discovery Tool:
  • Explanation of the four color energies: Fiery Red, Earth Green, Sunshine Yellow, and Cool Blue.
  • How understanding these energies fosters self-awareness and improves communication within teams.
  • How Insights Discovery helps professionals navigate blind spots and unlock their full potential.

Be sure to check out her Free roundtable discussion on 1/17/25 @1pm central time on Dancing Through Life: Mastering Emotional Regulation With Every Step
Click here for details

Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindaeramirez/

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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In this episode, Alex Beard explores how applied improvisation can transform personal and professional growth, fostering confidence, adaptability, and deeper collaboration. He shares his journey of using creativity to empower underserved communities and offers practical tools, like the ‘Yes, And’ technique, to encourage open-minded problem-solving. Listeners will gain insights on creating brave spaces and using storytelling as a powerful tool for self-advocacy and empathy in the workplace.

Key Highlights

• Alex Beard shares how applied improvisation can boost confidence, communication, and adaptability in careers.
• His journey illustrates the power of creativity in public service, especially for empowering underserved communities.
• Alex shares the ‘Yes, And’ technique to foster collaboration and inclusivity 
• Highlights storytelling as a tool for self-advocacy, enhancing empathy and understanding in the workplace.

Connect with Alex
www.beardcollaborative.com

Resources Shared:
Yes, And by Kelly Leonard
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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In this episode I have the pleasure to welcome an inspirational guest and long time colleague, Dr. Benjamin Ritter.

Dr. Ritter is the founder of LFY Consulting and author of Becoming Fearless. He is an international leadership and career coach, Sr. Talent Management Consultant, Top LinkedIn Voice, global speaker, and host of The Executive, and the Live Fearlessly Podcasts.

Episode Highlights - Dr. Ritter:

• Shares his journey of overcoming fears and becoming a leadership and career coach.
• Discusses how setbacks, such as job losses and failed career attempts, became pivotal lessons in his coaching.
• Highlights the importance of aligning your career with your values,
• Provides actionable strategies from his book "Becoming Fearless” to overcome fear and achieve personal and professional growth.

Connect with Dr. Ritter:

• https://www.liveforyourselfconsulting.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbenjaminritter-leadershipdevelopment/
• Check out his new book, Becoming Fearless

Connect with our Sponsor!
Kelley Francis

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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In this episode, I have a chat with Kelley Francis, Executive Director of the HITEC Foundation and a passionate advocate for increasing educational and professional opportunities for underrepresented groups in engineering, technology, and business. Kelley shares her journey from growing up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago to her work in the nonprofit sector, where she focuses on empowering Hispanic communities and women in tech. Highlights of the episode include:

• Kelley's upbringing and how her family’s emphasis on education shaped her values.
• Her decision to pursue Spanish and Business Administration despite external pressures to follow more lucrative career paths.
• Her transition into the nonprofit industry, where she discovered her passion for serving underrepresented groups, particularly through her internship at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Kelley’s current role as Executive Director of the HITEC Foundation, where she leads efforts to provide scholarships, mentorship, and career development support to Hispanic students pursuing technology-related fields.
• Kelley’s emphasis on the importance of mentorship, overcoming self-doubt, and the value of mindfulness and routines in her professional life.

Listeners will also hear about HITEC’s initiatives, including how career coaches and other professionals can support these efforts through mentorship or sponsorship.

Book Recommendation:

Uwavering: Rejecting Bias, Igniting Change, Celebrating Inclusion by Nellie Borrero 

Connect with Kelley:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelley-sheehan-francis/
• https://www.hitecglobal.org/foundation

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

40 Best Career Coach Podcasts
100 Best Coaching Podcasts

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

In this insightful episode, Coach Lee shares his transformative journey from struggling to build meaningful relationships to becoming a coach who empowers others to do the same. He candidly discusses how his upbringing in a dysfunctional family, failed relationships, and therapy led him to discover the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in creating connections. Coach Lee also outlines his three-step coaching process that helps clients understand themselves, establish boundaries, and communicate effectively to build and maintain close relationships. He offers practical advice on handling rejection, setting boundaries, and speaking up in professional settings, emphasizing the importance of strategic vulnerability. The episode concludes with Coach Lee sharing upcoming events and resources for those interested in deepening their understanding of meaningful relationships.

Episode Highlights:

• Coach Lee shares his journey as a transgender person, emphasizing how embracing vulnerability and authenticity in relationships became crucial after facing rejection due to his identity.
• He guides us through his three-step process—understanding and accepting oneself, setting boundaries that honor one’s identity, and communicating needs effectively—to build meaningful connections.
• Lee reframes rejection as a way to filter out those who don’t align with your values, turning it into an opportunity for growth and self-affirmation.
• Strategic vulnerability is key, sharing the right amount of personal information with the right people at the right time, especially when one’s identity may not always be accepted.

Connect with Coach Lee!

• https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/
• https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/events
• https://calendly.com/patternsofpossibility/friendly-conversation
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_sXvnjqwhFlpI-NYV845g
• https://tiktok.com/@patternsofpossibility
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachleehopkins/

Connect with our Sponsor!
Kelley Francis

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: [email protected]

40 Best Career Coach Podcasts
100 Best Coaching Podcasts

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show