In this episode, Lauren turns the mic on co-host Marnie Lemonik to unpack her journey from corporate professional to Career Coach.

Marnie shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she “shot her shot” with Career Contessa years before officially joining the team, what pushed her to start coaching and how she financially (and mentally) prepared to bet on herself. If you’ve ever considered starting your own thing, whether as a side hustle or full-time job, this is for you.

You’ll Learn:

• The timing and circumstances that led Marnie to transition from corporate to coaching 
• What it actually looks like to build a side business before leaving your full-time job
• The importance of financial preparation and rejecting the “struggle to hustle” mindset
• The entrepreneurial skill of “figuring it out” (and why self-trust is everything)

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  

Marnie’s  Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/7KaVZm8QWlC8RWwiajYcs9?si=a2a5187a63674a76 

Marnie’s Podcast (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-marnie/id1875804683 

Marnie’s Career Contessa Articles: https://www.careercontessa.com/meet-the-team/Marnie-Lemonik/87101/ 

Follow Marnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnielemonik/

Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmcgoodwin/ 

Resources 

Marnie’s Resume Template: https://www.marnielemonik.com/resources/p/template-marnies-resume-with-written-examples 

10% Discount Code: CCPOD 

The Job Search Dashboard: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-job-search-dashboard-notion-template?affcode=70732_cx6_j5wn

CareerFitter Online Assessment:

https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

Browse open jobs: https://www.careercontessa.com/jobs/

Sponsors

Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa.

Take back control of your business today. Open a Found account for FREE at Found.com dot com. Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC.

Share a little extra love this February in comfort that truly feels special. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code CONTESSA for up to 20% off.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feeling stuck in your career? You’re not alone. In this episode, Lauren talks with McKinsey senior partner and A CEO for All Seasons coauthor Carolyn Dewar about what to do when your early wins fade and your career momentum stalls. Drawing on insights from 83 top CEOs, Carolyn shares how to reset your goals, reignite your motivation, and lead with quiet confidence—no matter your title.

You’ll learn:

1. Why plateaus are a normal (and necessary) part of growth.
2. Practical strategies to reignite your career momentum.
3. The underrated leadership skill that can help you thrive in any season.

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

Carolyn Dewer: https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/carolyn-dewar

Book: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/ceo-for-all-seasons 

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

Sponsor

Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What makes some teams thrive while others struggle? Leadership expert Dr. Vanessa Druskat joins Lauren to share why team success depends on emotional intelligence—not just talent.

You’ll learn:

• Why emotionally intelligent teams outperform others
• How to build trust and psychological safety
• Simple steps to boost your team’s emotional IQ

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guide to working with me: https://www.careercontessa.com/resources/communication-guide/

Guest Resources:

Website: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/

Book: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/books 

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

Sponsor

Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is transforming the way work gets done—but great leadership still comes down to people. In this episode of The Career Contessa Podcast, Lauren McGoodwin welcomes back Julie Zhuo, author of The Making of a Manager and co-founder of Sundial, to discuss how managers can lead effectively in the AI era, beyond productivity metrics and tools. You'll learn:

• Why AI-driven productivity doesn’t equal team success—and what leaders should focus on instead
• The leadership skills that become more valuable (not less) in an AI-powered workplace
• How managers can maintain trust, purpose, and meaningful work as AI reshapes roles

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

Website: https://www.juliezhuo.com/

Book: https://www.juliezhuo.com/book/manager.html

Substack: https://lg.substack.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-zhuo/

X: https://x.com/joulee 

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why do we instantly “click” with some coworkers and struggle with others? Journalist and bestselling author Kate Murphy discusses the emerging science of interpersonal synchrony—how our brains, bodies, and behavior subconsciously sync with the people around us.

You’ll learn:

• What interpersonal synchrony is and why it matters for your career

• How technology is changing the way we connect, collaborate, and build trust

• Practical strategies to create stronger relationships and more cohesive teams at work

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Click-Interpersonal-Synchrony/dp/1250352452

Website: https://www.journalistkatemurphy.com/

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

Sponsor

Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’ve ever started the year with big career goals—only to lose steam by spring—this episode is for you. Career coach Michelle Schafer shares her quarterly career playbook: a simple, structured approach to keep your professional growth on track all year long. Learn how to break your goals into manageable chunks, build momentum each quarter, and stay accountable to your future self.

You’ll learn:

• How to create a quarterly framework that keeps your career goals realistic and sustainable
• The right way to initiate career development conversations with your manager
• Simple ways to stay visible, build new skills, and celebrate progress—without burning out

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

Self-marketing episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-techniques-to-master-self-marketing-how-to/id1434354911?i=1000706486616 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/ 

Website:  https://mschafercoaching.ca/ 

Free offer #1: A free chapter from my book - sign up here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ 

Order my book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose here: 

https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ 

Free offer #2: Download the reflection tool Career Focus Framework here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/gain-clarity-and-confidence-in-your-job-search/ 

Email me here: [email protected]

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

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before you set another career goal, hit pause — it’s time for a career audit. Career coach and product marketing pro Saniya Waghray Tyagi shares how to reflect on the past year, clarify what’s working (and what’s not), and set intentional goals that align your energy, environment, and ambitions for 2026.

You’ll learn:

1. The five key areas to evaluate in your career audit — and how to spot when you’re overdue for one.
2. How to turn reflection into action using Saniya’s “power of three” goal-setting method.
3. Simple tools to make your audit feel doable — including the “Skill-Based Smile File.”

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

Work 1:1 with Saniya: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/profile/Saniya-WaghrayTyagi/32470/ 

• Amanda Goetz - ‘Life’s a Game’ blog
• https://amandagoetz.kit.com/posts/life-s-a-game-your-2024-game-plan?ref=life-creators.club 
• And how to evolve at the 6-month mark: https://x.com/AmandaMGoetz/status/1774770294810452031 
• Expect to Win by Carla Harris: https://www.amazon.com/Expect-Win-Strategies-Thriving-Workplace/dp/0452295904/ 
• ‘The First 90 Days’ - Michael D Watkins: https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/dp/1422188612/ 

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

Sponsor

Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Lauren and Marnie break down three major workplace predictions for 2026, drawing from leading reports by Indeed, Forbes, and McKinsey.  After a quick lookback on 2025, Lauren and Marnie dive deep into what’s ahead for the new year as it relates to job searching and larger workplace cultural shifts. 

You’ll Learn:

• Why the 2026 job market may feel familiar and how to job search accordingly
• Why values alignment is becoming a top priority for employees
• How AI will reshape expectations for leadership as it relates to transparency

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  

2025 Workplace Predictions Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-in-30-work-predictions-for-2025/id1434354911?i=1000680665545 

Prediction 1 - Indeed Article: https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/20/indeed-2026-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report 

Prediction 2 - Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2025/11/16/5-trends-that-will-shape-workplace-culture-in-2026/ 

Prediction 3 - McKinsey Article: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/tech-and-ai/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work 

Recommended Online Assessment: https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218

Follow Marnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnielemonik/

Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmcgoodwin/ 

Resources 

Marnie’s Instagram Reel on Negotiation: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_O1iZrurJt/ 

Marnie’s Interview Prep eBook: https://www.marnielemonik.com/store/p/ebook-how-to-shine-in-your-next-job-interview 

10% Discount Code: CCPOD 

Marnie’s Resume Template: https://www.marnielemonik.com/store/p/template-marnies-resume-with-written-examples 

The Job Search Dashboard: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-job-search-dashboard-notion-template?affcode=70732_cx6_j5wn

CareerFitter Online Assessment:

https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

Browse open jobs: https://www.careercontessa.com/jobs/ 

Sponsor:

Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re replaying one of our most popular episodes with courage coach and bestselling author Dr. Margie Warrell. If fear or self-doubt has ever held you back from making a career move or life change, this episode will help you take that next step with confidence.

You’ll learn:

• Why fear and overthinking keep us stuck in inaction
• Dr. Margie’s 5-step process for building courage and momentum
• How to reframe failure and embrace discomfort as growth

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

The Courage Gap (Book): https://margiewarrell.com/thecouragegap/

Dr. Margie Warrell’s website: https://margiewarrell.com

Dr. Margie Warrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiewarrell/

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo 3 in 30 episode, career coach Marnie Lemonik answers listener questions across leadership, job searching, and workplace growth. From stepping into people management for the first time to navigating stagnation, hypothetical interview questions, and asking for more feedback, Marnie breaks down the mindsets and tactical approaches that will help you move forward with confidence.

 You’ll Learn:

• How to transition into people management with trust, structure, and clarity
• How to evaluate whether it’s truly time to leave your job
• How to answer hypothetical interview questions with a clear, repeatable format
• How to ask your manager for more feedback in a direct, positive way

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW 

Follow Marnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnielemonik/

Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmcgoodwin/

Resources 

Instagram Video: Hypothetical Questions: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ7_A3rgVYs/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

CareerFitter Online Assessment: https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218 

Job Search Dashboard: 

https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-job-search-dashboard-notion-template?affcode=70732_cx6_j5wn 

Marnie’s Free Resources

https://www.marnielemonik.com/resources 

Marnie’s Interview Prep eBook: 

https://www.marnielemonik.com/resources/p/ebook-how-to-shine-in-your-next-job-interview 

10% Discount Code: CCPOD 

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/ 

Sponsors:

Go to shopify.com/careercontessa to upgrade your selling today.

Go to livemomentous.com, and use promo code CONTESSA for up to 35% off your first order.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.