Open to Work: Beyond the Label

One year ago, I took a chance.

I started a podcast called Open to Work because I saw something that didn’t feel right in the professional world.

Talented people were struggling to be seen.

Hiring systems felt broken.

And incredible professionals were getting overlooked.

So I created a platform where people could share their stories, their struggles, and their resilience.

What I didn’t expect…

was how much this journey would change me.

Through these conversations, I gained perspective.

I gained confidence.

And most importantly, I learned the power of being seen and owning your voice.

This episode marks the final chapter of the Open to Work podcast.

But it’s not the end.

It’s the beginning of something new.

I'm excited to introduce the next chapter:

Inspired Authority

A podcast focused on identity, leadership, faith, and the courage to step into the influence you were meant to have.

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and supported this mission.

Stay tuned because the next chapter is just beginning.

Follow the journey:

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralynncolon/

Instagram

@LauraLynnColon

In this episode, Erin McKone breaks down what real leadership looks like when everything is changing at once. From high-pressure situations to team-wide chaos, Erin shows how fun, personality, and presence can completely shift team dynamics.

We talk about leadership, team dynamics, fun at work, high-pressure situations, team support, micromanagement, effective leadership, and workplace culture.

Erin shares how she kept her team grounded through major transitions: playing music, staying lighthearted, leading by example, and showing up not as a micromanager… but as the extra set of hands her team needed.

If you’re a leader navigating change this conversation will give you real, practical insight into building a healthy, supportive workplace.

#leadership #workplaceculture #teamdynamics #effectiveleadership #micromanagement #funatwork #teamwork #careerconversations #womeninleadership #highpressuresituations #workplacewellbeing #teamperformance #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipskills #open2work #beyondthelabel

In this powerful episode of Open to Work: Beyond the Label, host Laura Colón sits down with Dr. V Boykin, author of "Unapologetically Disruptive: Hard Lessons, Simple Truths" for a raw conversation about what it really means to be authentic, bold, and unapologetic in corporate spaces.

Dr. V opens up about being let go during one of the most vulnerable times in her life and how she turned that setback into her comeback. From rebuilding her career to reclaiming her voice, she shares hard-earned lessons on authenticity, social capital, privilege, and how to challenge the systems that silence marginalized voices.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or underestimated at work - this conversation will remind you that your story matters and your voice has power.

📘 Order Dr. V’s book: Unapologetically Disruptive: Hard Lessons, Simple Truths

👉 Subscribe for more stories that inspire bold leadership, real talk, and growth beyond the label.

#Authenticity #Leadership #CorporateCulture #Unapologetic #Disruption #Resilience

In this episode, host Laura Colón sits down with Erica Finley, a professional storyteller and community builder in the tech industry, to explore how authenticity, storytelling, and connection shape meaningful careers.

From her journey moving from the Midwest to New York City, to building thriving communities within tech, Erica shares how being a “professional fangirl” led her to a career fueled by curiosity, creativity, and human connection.

If you’re passionate about career growth, community building, authenticity, or carving your own path in the tech industry, this episode will inspire you to connect, reflect, and grow.

👇 Subscribe for more conversations that go beyond the label.

#WomenInLeadership #CommunityBuilding #Storytelling #CareerGrowth #TechIndustry #PersonalGrowth #Authenticity #Networking

Are you avoiding tough conversations? Is fear of speaking up holding you or your team back? In this episode, Laura Colon sits down with communication expert Ivna Curi to explore the power of bold, assertive communication and how it can transform careers, teams, and organizational culture.

Ivna shares her personal journey from being a quiet, people-pleasing professional to a global voice advocating for assertiveness, leadership, and speaking up. Together, we dive into:

🔹 Why silence can destroy trust and lead to burnout

🔹 How saying no with confidence earns respect

🔹 The link between communication and innovation

🔹 Why being "nice" doesn't get you a seat at the table

🔹 How leaders can model and encourage bold communication

🔹 Tools to overcome fear and navigate feedback

Ivna is helping organizations around the world address their communication challenges and build cultures where people feel safe, respected, and empowered.

🎧 Listen in and start investing in your personal growth today.

✨ Take Ivna’s 10-Day Challenge to learn how to be both likable and assertive - https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked

🎙️ Subscribe to her podcast: Speak Your Mind Unapologetically - https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we explore how to go beyond the label of "technical expert" and become a trusted advisor. Glenn dives into his journey from customer service to solutions engineering, highlighting how listening, trust, and accountability transform customer relationships. From data security to communication under pressure—this conversation is a blueprint for anyone in customer-facing or technical roles.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• Balancing technical skills with human connection

• Turning around difficult customer relationships

• Why data security and governance matter

• Communicating with honesty and transparency

• Defining customer success beyond renewals

• Career advice for aspiring customer success leaders

🗣 Sound Bites to Remember:

“Stop talking and listen.”

“It’s okay to be truthful.”

“Be the person they trust.”

📌 Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Glenn May

02:04 – The Evolution of a Tech Professional

04:34 – Balancing Expertise & Relationships

06:01 – Turning Around Challenged Accounts

09:33 – Defining Real Customer Success

12:51 – Listening to Understand

19:06 – The Role of Data Security & Governance

23:59 – Advice for Tech Professionals

27:39 – Learning from Mistakes

33:53 – Career Growth & Final Thoughts

👇 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real stories from professionals rewriting their narrative beyond the job title.

Dan Rivera is open to work, and he’s bringing over 20 years of leadership, mentorship, and training experience to the table. In this powerful episode, Dan shares his journey from military service to global instruction to empowering people through knowledge, storytelling, and purpose.

He opens up about transitioning from doing to teaching, the cultural lessons he's learned, and why mentorship, gratitude, and preparation are essential to personal and professional growth. If you're navigating your own career pivot, Dan’s story will inspire you to own your expertise and embrace what’s next.

📌 Key Topics:

- The art of teaching and translating knowledge

- Navigating career transitions with intention

- Mentorship’s role in leadership and development

- The intersection of anxiety and inaction

- Global cultural lessons from training abroad

- Embracing gratitude, growth mindset, and storytelling

📚 Whether you're navigating a career pivot, managing anxiety, or mentoring the next generation, Dan’s story will leave you inspired to step into your potential and share your journey along the way.

Dan is ready for his next chapter and this episode shows why he’s exactly the kind of leader, mentor, and trainer teams need today.

📢 Let’s help Dan get discovered.

Watch, comment, and share with someone hiring a transformational trainer and trusted mentor.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-rivera-2b37a267/

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this episode.

#DanRivera #Mentorship #Leadership #Storytelling #CareerTransition #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #Training #Community #AnxietyManagement #GrowthMindset #OpenToWorkPodcast

Are you ready to stop applying and start attracting opportunities? In this episode of Open to Work: Beyond the Label, career coach and hiring expert Lindsay Mustain shares her powerful strategies for career design, personal branding, and becoming the Candidate of Choice in today’s job market.

With over 10,000 hires and a million resumes reviewed, Lindsay unpacks:

* Why most job search strategies are broken

* How to optimize your resume for instant impact

* The power of intentional career design

* Building a standout personal brand

* Relationship-driven networking techniques

* How to clearly articulate your value proposition

Whether you’re job seeking, pivoting, or just craving more from your career, this episode is your guide to taking back control.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✔ Your resume must communicate value in seconds

✔ Branding is about being known for something

✔ The best opportunities come from quality connections

✔ It’s time to stop applying and start attracting

🎯 Keywords: career design, job search, resume tips, personal branding, networking, candidate of choice, career coaching, job seeker advice, job market strategies, intentional career design

📌 Chapters

00:00 – Intro

01:19 – What Makes a Candidate Stand Out?

06:25 – Resume Insights

11:11 – Intentional Career Design

18:26 – Candidate of Choice Framework

22:13 – Personal Branding Essentials

34:21 – Power of Networking

41:08 – Mindset for Career Success

53:33 – Final Thoughts

👇 Drop your biggest insight or question in the comments—let’s build careers on purpose.

#CareerDesign #JobSearch #ResumeTips #PersonalBranding #CandidateOfChoice #CareerCoaching #NetworkingTips #JobMarket2025

In this episode of Open to Work Beyond the Label, Laura Colon interviews Patrice Silagi, a former teacher who successfully transitioned into tech sales. Patrice shares her inspiring journey, discussing the mindset shifts required for her career change, the doubts she faced, and the importance of building a supportive network. She emphasizes the transferable skills from teaching to sales and offers valuable advice for those considering a career pivot. Patrice's story serves as a beacon of hope for anyone feeling stuck in their current job, proving that with determination and the right mindset, a fulfilling career change is possible.

In this episode of Open to Work: Beyond the Label, host Laura Colon sits down with Avigail Lutwak, a seasoned leader in brand marketing.

Avigail opens up about her path through leadership, career transitions, and how staying true to your values fuels lasting success. She shares how personal branding, social media, and storytelling are not just tools, but transformative forces in building connections and driving results.

They explore the balance between creativity and data in marketing, the dynamics of empowering teams, and why understanding the customer journey is key to driving audience engagement. Avigail’s insights offer both inspiration and actionable strategies for anyone navigating a career pivot, leading a team, or building a brand with authenticity and intention.

Whether you're a marketer, a leader, or someone open to new career opportunities, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you embrace change, tell your story, and grow with purpose.