What happens when a talented recent graduate can't seem to break through and land that first full time job? In this powerful and practical episode of Spilling The Career Tea, hosts Jerry Goldstein and Bill Fisse take a different approach. With AnnaClare, they roll up their sleeves and coach a real job seeker in real time. Meet AnnaClare, a recent McGill University graduate, writer, editor, former ballet dancer, and aspiring entertainment industry professional. Despite strong internships, leadership experience, and a clear work ethic, she's facing the same challenge thousands of graduates encounter: "How do I get employers to see my value?" Joined by career storytelling expert Barbara Kurz, the conversation becomes a live career strategy session as they:

☕ Uncover AnnaClare's hidden personal brand

☕ Identify transferable skills that employers often overlook

☕ Transform resume bullet points from tasks into impact statements

☕ Explore how passion and life experiences can become professional differentiators

☕ Discuss networking, positioning, and standing out in competitive industries

☕ Reveal why accomplishments, not responsibilities, get interviews

☕ Show how dancers, athletes, artists, and leaders can leverage their unique experiences in the job market

Whether you're a college student, recent graduate, career changer, mentor, parent, or employer, this episode offers an inside look at the coaching process that helps candidates discover what makes them memorable. If you've ever wondered why your resume isn't getting attention, or how to tell your story in a way that opens doors, this episode is for you. Because sometimes the biggest career breakthrough isn't gaining a new skill... It's learning how to communicate the value you already have! Grab your favorite blend of tea and join us for one of our most insightful and relatable coaching conversations yet.

What really happens behind the hiring process? In this episode of Spilling The Career Tea, Bill & Jerry sit down with executive coach and former talent acquisition leader Barbara Kurz to unpack the realities of recruiting, interviewing, personal branding, and career growth.

From recruiter ghosting and AI-driven hiring systems to interview prep, networking, leadership reputation, and the importance of empathy in the workplace, this conversation gives early career professionals a candid look at what recruiters and hiring managers are really thinking.

You’ll hear practical advice on:

• Why recruiters ghost candidates and why it matters

• How to stand out in applicant tracking systems (ATS)

• Resume and cover letter strategies that actually work

• The importance of networking, referrals, and recruiter relationships

• What hiring managers notice in interviews

• Common interview mistakes candidates make

• How personal brand, trust, and reputation shape long-term career success

• Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills

• The leadership traits that help people rise and the behaviors that derail careers

Whether you’re searching for your first internship, preparing for interviews, or thinking about long-term career growth, this episode delivers actionable insights from both the recruiter and executive coaching perspectives.

Why does today’s job market feel so discouraging, especially for recent college graduates?

In this episode of Spilling The Career Tea, Bill and Jerry are joined by Barbara Kurz, an executive coach and former senior leader in recruiting and talent management, to explore what’s really going on beneath the headlines.

Drawing on decades of experience across financial services, consulting, executive search, and global HR, Barbara helps reframe today’s challenges with honesty, perspective, and practical wisdom.

They discuss:

• Why disappointment after graduation isn’t new and why it still hurts
• The danger of treating college as a pure “return on investment”
• How skills based hiring is changing who gets hired (and how)
• The overlooked value of volunteering, internships, and experiential learning
• Why networking isn’t transactional, it’s relational
• What students and early career professionals can control, even in a tough market

This episode is especially relevant for Gen Z, recent grads, career changers, parents, and educators trying to make sense of a shifting world of work.

Honest. Grounded. Encouraging. This is career advice that meets you where you are.

Season 2 of Spilling The Career Tea – The Podcast continues with Part 2 of Bill’s conversation with Jerry D. Goldstein, diving deeper into the frameworks and ideas behind his new book, Spilling The Career Tea: Your Guide to Value, Intent & Confidence.

In Part 1, Bill and Jerry explored the “why” behind the book. In this second installment, the conversation shifts to the “how”; how young professionals can actually apply these concepts in real-world situations.

Jerry expands on the practical application of the VICC framework (Value, Intent & Credibility, Confidence) and the SOLVE Method, breaking down how these tools show up in interviews, networking conversations, and early career decision-making. The discussion moves from theory to execution, focusing on how individuals can take control of their career narrative and communicate their value with clarity.

Together, Bill and Jerry explore:

📖 How to articulate your value in interviews and networking conversations

📖 The difference between being qualified and being understood 📖 Why many candidates struggle to communicate clearly, and how to fix it

📖 How to move from overthinking to taking intentional action

This episode goes beyond ideas and into practical strategies, offering listeners a clearer roadmap for navigating the transition from college to career with purpose and confidence.

If Part 1 was about understanding the problem, Part 2 is about learning how to solve it.

☕️ The tea continues.

Season 2 of Spilling The Career Tea; The Podcast kicks off with a special one‑on‑one conversation as Bill turns the microphone on his co‑host, Jerry D. Goldstein, to unpack the story behind his new book, Spilling The Career Tea: Your Guide to Value, Intent & Confidence.

In this candid and thoughtful episode, Bill and Jerry explore the genesis of the book, born from years of mentoring students and young professionals who felt stuck, uncertain, or underprepared for the realities of the workplace — not because they lacked talent, but because no one ever taught them how to translate college into career.

Jerry breaks down the core frameworks at the heart of the book, including VICC (Value, Intent & Credibility, Confidence) and the SOLVE Method, and explains how these practical tools help individuals communicate more clearly, think more critically, and show up with confidence in an increasingly complex professional world.

Together, Bill and Jerry speak openly about:

• The hidden expectations of the workplace
• Why confidence is built, not assumed
• How young professionals can move from uncertainty to momentum
• And what employers actually want but don’t always articulate

This episode is honest, approachable, and packed with real-world insight for students, recent graduates, mentors, educators, and anyone invested in helping young professionals succeed.

Whether you’re navigating your first job, advising students, or wondering how to prepare for what comes next, this conversation sets the tone for Season 2; practical, human, and focused on building careers with clarity and purpose.

☕️ The tea is real. Season 2 starts here.

Release Date: April 1, 2026

Bill and Jerry are back with Richard Magid, a seasoned entrepreneur, for part 2 with Jarrett Birnbaum, a University of Maryland graduate who transitioned from corporate roles to full-time freelance photography. The episode offers practical insights on building a career in creative industries, leveraging networks, and embracing risk to pursue passion driven work.

Thanks to Richard and Jarrett. This wraps up Season 1. Stay Tuned for More of "Spilling The Career Tea" and Season 2, COMING SOON

Special Thanks to PeopleGrove and Jared Goldstein/Broken Planet Media for making Season 1 a success!!

Look for Jerry's book "Spilling The Career Tea: Your Guide to Value, Intent & Credibility, and Confidence" https://a.co/d/023uFOJ4

Stay up to date with us at www.spillingthecareertea.com

©️ 2026 Bill Fisse & Jerry Goldstein

Part II of our deep dive with Richard Magid - entrepreneur, mentor, storyteller, and founder of SoundBoard; we pick up right where the energy left off. This episode goes beyond career advice. We explore the human side of professional growth: unlocking your voice, navigating pivotal moments, building confidence, and turning raw potential into real opportunity. Richard shares more of his behind the scenes stories from coaching executives and creatives, revealing the patterns he sees in people who rise, adapt, and thrive. Jerry and Bill dig even deeper into themes like: • Why self awareness is the real accelerator • How to communicate with clarity, curiosity, and confidence • What mentoring actually looks like when it works • The emotional skills early career professionals overlook • The power of saying yes even when it scares you Whether you're a student figuring it out, a young professional navigating your first big steps, or a leader looking to develop others, this conversation is packed with insights that meet you right where you are. If Part One got you thinking… Part Two will get you moving. Grab your coffee, your curiosity, and let’s spill some more career tea. ☕🔥

Part II - We are back with Lindsay Sosnik and Dr. Allison McWilliams to hear more of Lindsay's story and to learn how she elevated her profile for potential employers buy stepping up her game.

Part II - Dr. Allison McWilliams, Assistant VP of Mentoring and Alumni Personal & Career Development at Wake Forest University, shares her journey and the evolution of Wake Forest’s innovative approach to career services. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, intentional career planning, and holistic development for students and alumni.

In this episode, Bill and Jerry welcome Richard Magid, a seasoned entrepreneur, and Jarrett Birnbaum, a University of Maryland graduate who transitioned from corporate roles to full-time freelance photography. Jarrett shares his journey from studying public relations and working in software sales to discovering his passion for creative work. After being laid off during COVID, he explored real estate before fully committing to photography, eventually celebrating his first anniversary as a full-time entrepreneur.

The conversation dives into:

• Career pivots and entrepreneurial mindset: Jarrett’s decision to leave stable corporate jobs for creative freedom, and Richard’s reflections on his own leap from banking to entrepreneurship.
• Networking as a growth engine: Jarrett attributes nearly all his business to referrals and relationships, emphasizing authenticity over transactional networking.
• Core values and fulfillment: Both guests discuss how aligning work with personal values drives success and satisfaction.
• Luck vs. preparation: Jarrett and Richard agree that luck often comes from creating opportunities through effort and openness.

The episode offers practical insights on building a career in creative industries, leveraging networks, and embracing risk to pursue passion driven work.