In this episode of the Liz Career Coaching Podcast, certified coach and author Michelle Schafer joins me to discuss how to navigate career transitions and build authentic professional relationships. Michelle shares lessons from her own job losses, offers practical networking strategies, and introduces her new job search mini course. This episode is for anyone feeling stuck in their job search or intimidated by networking.

🔑 Episode Highlights:

• Michelle shares how job loss led her to discover coaching and build a meaningful, people-centered career.
• Reflection is the first step in a successful job search; the importance of knowing your values, strengths, and non-negotiables before applying.
• Networking should be approached with intention and seen as research through conversation, not a transaction.
• Practical strategies for preparing for informational interviews, including how to share your story and ask purposeful questions.
• Michelle introduces her new mini course and bestselling book, Cultivating Career Growth, as powerful tools for job seekers navigating change.

Michelle's information, resources and freebies!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/ 
• Website:  https://mschafercoaching.ca/ 
• Free offer: A free chapter from my book - sign up here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ 
• Order her book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose: https://www.amazon.ca/Cultivating-Career-Growth-Navigate-Transitions/dp/1998393194/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 67
• Free offer: Career Focus Framework and walk-through video guiding you on how to complete: https://mschafercoaching.ca/gain-clarity-and-confidence-in-your-job-search/

Email: [email protected]

Book a complimentary 30 min discovery call:  ☎️ https://calendly.com/coaching-with-michelle-schafer 

ACCESS COURSE

https://mschafercoaching.ca/job-search-jumpstart/

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 inspiring episode, I reconnect with Sandra Díaz, Operations Manager at RE/MAX Partners and founder of the Generation to Generation Prom Project. Sandra shares how her personal journey as a teen mom led her to create a community-driven initiative that provides prom attire, mentorship, and resources to high school students.

Now in its fourth year, the project has expanded to Puerto Rico and includes raffles, classic car rides, and resource tables to support students beyond prom. Sandra emphasizes the power of following your heart, building community, and starting small to make a big impact.

Key Highlights:

• Sandra blends her career at RE/MAX with her passion for service and community initiatives, including spearheading the Generation to Generation Prom Project.
  
  
• The Generation to Generation Prom Project provides students with dresses, suits, accessories, and creates space for mentorship, encouragement, and access to college and career resources.
  
  
• Sandra encourages others to start their own initiatives by following their purpose, even if they begin small or feel uncertain.
  
  
• Listeners can support the project by donating dresses, suits, gift cards, or volunteering their time and skills or simply by spreading the word and sharing the event info with students and families.

Connect with Sandra Diaz to learn more about ways to get involved with the Generation to Generation Prom Project! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-l-diaz-8a01a244/

Details Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/364199135722099

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
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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 of the Liz Career Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by leadership coach, writer, and speaker Helen Hanison, author of the bestselling book Unstuck. Helen shares her powerful journey from PR board director to career coach, offering deep insight into what happens when your work no longer aligns with your values and how to design your next chapter with intention.

Helen also walks us through her 3-part framework for getting unstuck: Alignment, Redesign, and Transformation—the same formula she uses in her book and with her clients.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• Why you don’t need a crisis to make a career change
  
  
• How to build a “career compass” based on your strengths and values
  
  
• What to do when your job drains your energy instead of fueling it
  
  
• The power of small, low-risk steps to reduce fear and build clarity
  
  
• How Helen’s book Unstuck helps readers move forward with intention and purpose

About Helen:

Helen Hanison is a UK-based leadership coach, writer, and speaker, who leverages her extensive experience as a former director at top PR companies to help seasoned professionals facing a career crossroads. Through a blend of positive psychology, co-active coaching, and narrative therapy, Helen helps her clients create a concrete plan realigning their next career chapter with their values to achieve aligned, career transformation.

Connect with Helen!

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-hanison-com/
• www.helenhanison.com
• Book Link: Unstuck Https://www.helenhanisonbook.com/
• Online Course Link - Purposeful Career Redesign
• https://helenhanison.thinkific.com/
• ACT Type Quiz https://bit.ly/ACT-Quiz
• https://www.instagram.com/helenhanison/

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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Marianne brings a wealth of experience in career development, job search strategies, and networking, making this conversation invaluable for anyone navigating career transitions. Whether you're rethinking your job search approach, looking to build your personal brand, or seeking motivation in uncertain times, this episode is packed with practical advice and encouragement.

• Finding Your Career Path – Marianne shares how she discovered career coaching and her passion for helping job seekers.
• Job Search Strategies – The importance of updating resumes for each application, leveraging AI tools, and exploring beyond traditional job boards.
• The Power of Networking & Personal Branding – How LinkedIn can be more than a job board by using content creation, engagement, and recruiter connections.
• The Hidden Job Market – How informational interviews and strategic networking can uncover unposted job opportunities.
• Resumes & AI – The biggest resume mistakes job seekers make and why formatting and keywords are more crucial than ever.

About Marianne:

Marianne Matarese is a Career Development Lead at Indeed.com and a Career Coach at Green with Purpose Coaching.  Marianne supports job seekers in getting started, building their networks, and crafting their job search strategy. In 2023, she created the first Career Development Professionals community on Linkedin with over 180+ members globally.  Marianne is a passionate speaker who enjoys panels, being a podcast guest and offering subject matter expert advice in a variety of topics such as career, coaching, and grief. She partners locally with photographers on Long Island to give professionals free headshots. She is  embarking on a new career season as being a first time mom of a beautiful son.  

Connect with Marianne:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/greenwithpurpose/
• Website- https://topmate.io/greenwpurpose
• Indeed Job Search Academy- https://www.indeed.com/job-search-services/academy

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
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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 share my favorite career and job search tools to help you navigate your professional journey with confidence. Whether you’re exploring career options, optimizing your resume, preparing for interviews, or networking effectively, these resources will give you an edge in today’s competitive job market.

1. CliftonStrengths (gallup.com/cliftonstrengths)

2. O*NET Online (onetonline.org)

3. JobScan (jobscan.co)

4. Teal HQ (tealhq.com)

5. Huntr (huntr.co)

6. Yoodli.ai (yoodli.ai)

7. Steve Dalton’s 2-Hour Job Search

8. LinkedIn (linkedin.com). (For Interview Prep Tool click here)

9. ChatGPT (openai.com)

10. AAUW Work Smart & Start Smart (aauw.org/resources/programs/salary)

11. Find Your Dream Job Podcast (macslist.org/podcast)

Thank you to Learngenix for sponsoring this episode!

Visit www.learngenix.com to discover how their learning technology solutions can elevate your organization's performance and productivity. Remember, in today's competitive business landscape, those who learn faster, lead.

For our listeners, Learngenix is offering 10% off on all continuing education certificates. Use promo code LEARN10. Just visit www.learngenix.com/certifications

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
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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 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
Sound from Zapsplat.com
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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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
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
Sound from Zapsplat.com
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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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
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]

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