Who Moved My Career?!?

In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, Nicole sits down with her longtime friend and serial entrepreneur Neil Sands — founder of Lost Irish Whiskey, Clir Water, and a few other ventures that prove bold ideas (and good stories) never go out of style.

They met in grad school in Dublin, crossed paths again at Salesforce (Neil hired Nicole!), and now reunite to talk about what it really takes to build something from scratch — the conviction, the chaos, and the quiet confidence behind every entrepreneurial leap.

It’s part storytelling, part therapy, and part Irish toast to those willing to bet on themselves again and again.

BTW - get some Lost Irish at https://lostirish.com/

From poker player to product builder to founder of FractionalJobs.io, Taylor Crane has bet big on the future of work — and it’s not full-time.

In this episode, Nicole McNamara and Sam Tortora sit down with Taylor to unpack what fractional work really means, why startups are embracing it, and how professionals can build thriving portfolio careers on their own terms.

They dig into the flexibility, freedom, and real-world challenges behind the movement — from retainer-based pay to health insurance gaps — and why, as Taylor puts it, “fractional isn’t easier, it’s just smarter.”

If you’ve ever wondered how to break into fractional work or hire top talent without full-time overhead, this conversation is your playbook for the new labor economy.

🎧 Topics include:

• The difference between fractional and freelance

• The demand for expert-level, part-time roles

• How long fractional engagements really last and how to get started

• The mission behind FractionalJobs.io

In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, hosts Nicole McNamara and Sam Tortora sit down with Gavin McMahon — engineer turned storyteller and author of Story Business — to prove that storytelling isn’t fluff; it’s a power move.

From boardrooms to job interviews, Gavin shows how the right narrative can do what data can’t: shift perception, build trust, and even move markets. He breaks down the story beneath the story, why authenticity beats “LinkedIn polish,” and introduces story stocks — the tales investors buy into long before they buy equity.

If your career path looks more like a plot twist than a straight line, this one will help you turn your messy middle into your market advantage.

A year ago, we first met Sam Tortora in Episode 2. Today, she’s back — not just as a guest, but as our new co-host.

This conversation sets the tone for the next chapter of Who Moved My Career?!: LinkedIn vs. Reality. Think of it like sitting down with your coworkers after hours, when the polished profiles and “I’m thrilled to announce” posts finally drop away.

Together, we unpack the tension between how we present ourselves professionally and what actually happens inside workplaces. Why it’s so hard to have the uncomfortable conversations. Why we avoid them. And why we need them more than ever.

Because at its core, this podcast is about creating a safe space to talk about the stuff we don’t usually say out loud at work — the messy, honest, human side of our careers.

Takeaways:

• LinkedIn is the highlight reel; this podcast is the blooper reel.

• We aim to create space for the conversations you wish you could have with coworkers.

• Workplace dynamics don’t get better by avoiding them — they get better by naming them.

• Expect relatability, honesty, and a little cheek.

This season on Who Moved My Career, we’re exploring the rise of fractional leadership—why more professionals are walking away from the “one job for life” model and building portfolio careers instead.

What happens when the career ladder breaks under you—not once, but four times?
That’s the reality Erika Weiss faced. After years of building iconic brands, she found herself navigating layoff after layoff, each one harder than the last. But instead of giving up, Erika learned to see disruption differently. In this conversation, she shares how she rebuilt her confidence, reframed networking, and ultimately stepped into a portfolio career she never saw coming. If you’ve ever felt like your career story got ripped out of your hands, Erika’s journey will remind you: reinvention is possible!

Madeline Fetterly has been helping executives own their power and tell their stories long before LinkedIn became the noisy place it is today. As founder of Be The Brand Collective, she’s guided countless leaders to step into their narrative with confidence and clarity.

In this episode, Madeline shares why personal branding isn’t about self-promotion – it’s about owning your story, your voice, and your professional power, especially in times of change. We talk doom-scrolling, imposter syndrome, and the simple mindset shift that makes LinkedIn your digital handshake instead of your digital sewer.

If you’re navigating a pivot, building resilience, or just trying to talk about yourself without cringing, this conversation is for you.

When Rebecca and Drew—two federal employees—were abruptly fired during their probationary periods, they didn’t just navigate the job loss. They built WellFed: a community-first platform helping fired or tired federal workers find their footing.

In this episode of Who Moved My Career, host Nicole McNamara dives into their raw, powerful story—from the emotional fallout of unexpected termination to launching a movement that’s now helping thousands.

💬 Topics include:

• Emotional resilience in career transitions

• Creating a safe space for laid-off workers

• Networking and professional development in the federal sector

• The future of work, public service, and mutual aid

• How to support WellFed’s mission

This is not just a podcast—it’s a blueprint for rebuilding after rupture.

n this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole McNamara and Stephanie Wicky get real about the messy middle—that uncertain, uncomfortable space between what was and what’s next.

Stephanie opens up about a pivotal chapter in her late twenties when a career crisis collided with a breakup, sending her halfway around the world to Australia. Over a glass of metaphorical wine (and maybe a real one), she reflects on what it means to lose your footing, reframe your story, and build something better from the rubble.

This conversation is about more than careers—it’s about identity, motherhood, anxiety, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to start over. From relocating across continents to finding her voice in a new industry and city, Stephanie shares what it’s like to chase balance, belonging, and a life that actually fits.

Whether you’re in the middle of a reinvention—or just feeling a little untethered—this episode is for you.

n this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole McNamara and Stephanie Wicky get real about the messy middle—that uncertain, uncomfortable space between what was and what’s next.

Stephanie opens up about a pivotal chapter in her late twenties when a career crisis collided with a breakup, sending her halfway around the world to Australia. Over a glass of metaphorical wine (and maybe a real one), she reflects on what it means to lose your footing, reframe your story, and build something better from the rubble.

This conversation is about more than careers—it’s about identity, motherhood, anxiety, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to start over. From relocating across continents to finding her voice in a new industry and city, Stephanie shares what it’s like to chase balance, belonging, and a life that actually fits.

Whether you’re in the middle of a reinvention—or just feeling a little untethered—this episode is for you.

In this Power Move episode, former EY partner and The Career Leap creator Misha Rubin shares the quiet moment that changed everything — and how he helps others design lives they don’t regret.

We talk about:

• Why success on paper can still feel empty

• The 3 biggest mistakes people make when asking “What’s next?”

• How to connect with your future self for better decision-making

• What it means to live a life by design, not default

Whether you’re in crisis or just quietly questioning, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about your next move.