From marketing director to hometown business owner, how one bold pivot created purpose, connection, and community.

After 13 years in digital marketing, Matt Griffin made a massive life change. In this episode, he shares how he left agency life behind to co-found Hometown Sports Gear, a locally owned sporting goods store in Gardner, Kansas, with his wife and father-in-law. Learn how he navigated burnout, found clarity during a Jeep ride in Colorado, and built a business rooted in community and passion. Matt opens up about the emotional turning point that sparked his career pivot, what it’s really like working with family, and why "small but mighty" is more than just a motto.

Whether you're facing your own crossroads or curious about entrepreneurship outside of the corporate mold, this episode offers inspiration and insights for taking meaningful action.

⏳ Timestamps: 01:03 Why sporting goods? The origin story of Hometown Sports Gear 02:33 The beer spa brainstorm and community need discovery 04:46 Realizing the need for a career pivot 05:23 When stress started spilling into home life 07:21 From agency burnout to family business inspiration 08:09 Why Matt took action quickly instead of waiting 09:18 Building the business with complementary family skills 10:39 Leveraging experience from Kmart, Kroger, and the library 11:29 Engaging their teenage sons in the business 12:42 Learning to “stay in your lane” with family partners 14:06 What Matt does (and doesn’t) miss about agency life 15:25 Delivering a personal touch (like hand-delivering a soccer ball!) 16:21 When “we’re like family” actually works in business 17:24 Team size, hiring dreams, and support from the community 18:53 Partnering with local creatives and contractors 20:35 Diana’s own branding story with a student designer

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Matt Griffin 🌐 Hometown Sports Gear → https://www.hometownsportsgear.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcgriffin 📲 Follow Matt on Social Media: Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/hometownsportsgear Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/hometownsportsgear/

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Learn how to grow your LinkedIn presence authentically without cringing at every post! Whether you’re job hunting, leading a team, or building a business — your online presence matters.

In this episode of Work Should Feel Good, Diana Alt sits down with Liam Darmody — personal brand strategist and founder of Liam’s Brand Stand — to explore how professionals can show up on LinkedIn in a way that actually feels good. They talk about balancing personal and professional content, why networking is the heart of branding, and how being “too personal” might actually be your greatest strength. Liam shares his own journey from early LinkedIn experiments to becoming a known voice on the platform — hot sauce and all.

If LinkedIn feels overwhelming or cringe, this episode is for you.

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:07 Meet Liam Darmody 03:08 Why personal branding gives people “the ick” 04:15 The REAL value of networking on LinkedIn 06:59 Should LinkedIn be more personal? (Spoiler: yes) 10:47 What makes people remember you online 11:25 How Liam became the “hot sauce guy” on LinkedIn 16:26 The evolution of LinkedIn as a platform 22:20 Liam’s career journey and how his brand started 24:46 Why personal brand ≠ bragging 25:45 Reframing branding as online reputation 27:00 Building visibility for job seekers

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Liam Darmody 🌐 Website → https://www.liamsbrandstand.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamdarmody1/ 📲 Follow Liam on Social Media: Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ldarmody/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@liamdarmody1 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/liam.darmody  

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Ready to step into the spotlight and grow your career through speaking? Let’s talk about going from “good worker” to a must-promote professional

Public speaking can be a game-changer — not just for entrepreneurs, but for anyone looking to boost their visibility and influence. In this episode, I chat with Aurora Gregory, CEO of Speaker Brand Media and host of The Stage Whisperer podcast, about how mastering the mic can take your career to the next level.

Aurora shares how a speech contest at age 14 launched her lifelong passion for speaking, how she helps clients craft speaker brands and pitches that land real opportunities, and what it means to bring integrity, values, and presence to the stage. We also dive into what makes work feel good for her, how she sets boundaries in her schedule, and why deep work and “sacred time” are essential.

If you’ve ever wondered how speaking might fit into your growth strategy — or felt nervous about getting on a stage — this episode is for you.

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:15 Aurora’s first experience with public speaking at age 14 05:30 The power and responsibility of having the mic 08:22 How Aurora built her business and chose the “freelance” life early on 11:30 Making work feel good: time freedom, setting boundaries, and sacred mornings 16:40 Using deep work and calendar blocking to maximize productivity 23:30 The ripple effects of speaking on career growth and opportunity 26:50 Why speaking isn’t just for keynotes and TEDx 30:10 Examples of internal speaker bureaus and industry stages 35:00 Encouragement for the reluctant speaker

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Aurora Gregory 🌐 Aurora’s Website → https://auroragregory.com/🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/auroragregory/ 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/aurora.gregory.2025/ 🐦 X → https://x.com/auroragregory📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aurora_gregory/ 🎁 Resource: Pitch Your Brilliance → https://pitchyourbrilliance.com/ 📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Feeling stuck in your job search or unsure how to market yourself? You're not alone—and you're definitely not out of options.

In this powerful episode, I chat with Joey Senart, a self-described "strategic combo platter" with deep experience in marketing, training, and design. We explore how embracing specialization—instead of casting a wide net—can transform your career, even if you’re multi-passionate. Joey opens up about lessons learned from gaming leadership, why certifications aren't everything, and how knowing your strengths (and having fun with them) can give you an edge.

We also get personal about burnout, trust in the workplace, and what it really means to do work that feels good. Whether you're a creative generalist or a seasoned pro looking to pivot, this conversation is packed with insights you don't want to miss.

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:15 How leading a gaming community built Joey’s real-world career skills 05:40 The truth about certifications and what hiring managers really care about 09:30 Why work/life balance is hard when your side hustle is fun 13:10 Joey’s career evolution from call centers to enterprise clients 18:45 The messy middle of being a generalist and the turning point 22:30 Discovering that trust—not title or salary—is what really matters 25:40 Why job search success is about positioning, not just experience 30:00 What “work should feel good” means to Joey

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Joey Senart 🌐 Andy Storch Inc → https://andystorch.com/🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/ 📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@andystorch 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/groups/1158966054309355/ 🐦 X (Twitter) → https://x.com/AndyStorch📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/andy_storch/

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Want to create stronger teams and better relationships at work? Start by focusing on strengths.

Alanna Gregg joins Diana for a conversation filled with insight, laughs, and a whole lot of heart. They explore how CliftonStrengths has impacted Alanna’s leadership style, why deep relationships matter in the workplace, and how positivity and people skills can transform customer service from transactional to transformational.

Alanna shares stories from her early days working in her mom’s salon to her leadership journey at Enterprise Fleet Management. She and Diana reflect on childhood memories, the lasting impact of a friend who followed his joy, and why the relationships we build at work can be more meaningful than we think.

If you’ve ever felt like leadership didn’t “look” like you—or you’ve been told you talk too much in class—this one’s for you.

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:15 From lip gloss to leadership: Alanna’s first job 04:30 How early customer service shaped her approach 07:00 Making clients into friends (not just vendors) 10:30 Remembering a childhood friend who lived joyfully 13:55 Why asking “Is this job good enough to be your last?” matters 16:30 Alanna’s leadership style and her journey 18:17 Introverts, networking, and building real connection 22:10 CliftonStrengths breakdown: Alanna’s top 5 24:40 What happens when strengths become blind spots 27:25 How strengths work shows up in team leadership 31:10 Why knowing your strengths is more important than knowing your job title

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Alanna Gregg 🌐 Enterprise Fleet Management → https://www.efleets.com/🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanna-gregg-47b04512/ 📲 Follow Alanna on Social Media: Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/alannagregg Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/alannabeate/

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

From LinkedIn lurker to credible thought leader — here's how to show up online without selling your soul. 

Ever feel overwhelmed by influencer culture on LinkedIn? Shelby Garlock joins Diana Alt to share how professionals can build authentic visibility and credibility online — no trending audio or performative content required.

With 15+ years in customer experience, CRM strategy, and digital marketing, Shelby breaks down how her journey from corporate to thought leader was fueled by strategy, confidence, and her Python Green Porsche (seriously). They explore:

- Her surprising transition from chemistry to marketing - The importance of showing up in your own way on social platforms - How to blend strategic thinking with empathy and service - How agentic AI can boost critical thinking and eliminate busy work - And why autocross driving is the perfect metaphor for professional focus Whether you're a marketer, tech pro, or just trying to build a meaningful career, Shelby offers powerful insight on how to grow your visibility while staying true to who you are.

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:06 Shelby’s autocross journey & recovering from fear 07:59 From chemistry major to marketing strategist 13:17 The difference between sales & marketing 15:57 What makes someone a qualified lead? 17:21 Marketing misconceptions — are ads really that creepy? 21:18 What is agentic AI and why should we care? 24:45 Eliminating busy work to make space for strategy 26:40 Strategic job searches vs. busy work masking as effort

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Shelby Garlock 🌐 Digital Women KC → https://www.digitalwomenkansascity.org/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbygarlock/ 📲 Follow Shelby on Social Media: YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxN4rH01IHxXeaJ_Jd-dBYg/featured Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/digitalwomenkc/ X → https://x.com/SEMavenInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/digitalwomenkansascity/

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Want to thrive in your career and make it future-proof? This conversation with Andy Storch is packed with powerful insights on owning your career journey and building a personal brand that actually works for you.

Andy joins Diana to talk about the mindset and practical tools needed to stay relevant and energized at work. From building your personal brand (without feeling sleazy), to navigating identity in career transitions, this episode dives into how to stay aligned, intentional, and impactful. Whether you're in corporate or dreaming bigger, Andy's blend of wisdom and practicality will inspire you to take control of your path.

They also cover: - Why learning outside your comfort zone builds resilience - How personal branding isn’t about being an influencer — it's about being memorable - The connection between values, strengths, and showing up with purpose - And why getting "stuff done" isn’t always the badge of honor we think it is

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:04 Meet Andy Storch 02:34 Diana’s first-ever podcast appearance was with Andy 03:01 Future-proofing through learning (like Spanish!) 05:22 The power of being uncomfortable 06:45 Andy’s new book with Mike Kim: Own Your Brand, Own Your Career 09:25 Why your personal brand matters (even if you’re not on LinkedIn) 12:29 What do you want to be known for? 13:45 The risk of being forgettable at work 16:00 How to align your brand with your values 20:03 What to do when you feel out of sync at work 24:03 How to start taking control of your personal brand 26:50 Actionable ways to build thought leadership without being cringey

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Andy Storch 🌐 Andy’s Website → https://andystorch.com🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/ 📲 Follow Andy on Social Media: YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@andystorch Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/groups/1158966054309355/ X (formerly Twitter) → https://x.com/AndyStorchInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/andy_storch/

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

What if you could find hope—even when life feels like it’s on fire? 🔥💡 Discover how pastor and coach Mark Foster turned personal despair into a platform of empowerment and hope. In this episode, Diana and Mark dive deep into the practical and emotional power of hope, stoicism, and noticing the small things that matter. They discuss real-life challenges—from a broken washing machine to systemic job loss—and explore how reclaiming autonomy and shifting mindsets can change the game. Whether you're navigating burnout, a layoff, or just feeling stuck, this conversation is packed with tools and truth bombs to help you move forward.

⏳ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro 02:15 How a broken washing machine changed everything 08:40 The role of anger and feeling trapped 13:00 Mark’s background in ministry, chaplaincy, and EMS 18:55 Real soul care and working with people in crisis 24:20 What “work should feel good” means to Mark 29:00 Hope beyond religious confines 33:15 Defining hope + the power of autonomy 39:10 Stoicism and mindset: choosing control over chaos 46:40 Practical ways to instill hope in organizations 51:55 Coaching leaders to release control and create impact

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Mark Foster 🌐 Mark’s Website → http://www.strengthenedbyhope.com 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfosterhope 📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HopeDealerNation 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/Strengthenedbyhope 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/strengthenedbyhope/#

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

✨ Ready to take the mystery out of what makes you thrive at work? Shelley Piedmont shares how YouMap® can illuminate your unique path and transform your job search strategy.

In this episode, Shelley Piedmont of Career GPS joins Diana Alt to dive into the power of the YouMap® framework and why understanding your strengths, values, skills, and personality is essential to finding fulfilling work. Shelley, a career coach and certified YouMap® facilitator, explains how this tool can bring deep self-awareness and shift your job search from scattershot to strategic. The conversation also touches on the biggest mistakes job seekers make and how clarity can be your competitive edge.

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:47 What is YouMap® and how does it work? 06:22 Shelley’s career transition story 11:45 Common job seeker mistakes and how to avoid them 17:30 Why self-awareness matters in career moves 22:55 How YouMap® helps with burnout recovery 27:40 Shelley's advice for people stuck in the wrong job 31:12 Wrap-up and next steps

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Shelley Piedmont 🌐 Career GPS → http://www.mycareergps.com 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleypiedmont/ 📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@mycareergps/featured 🐦 X → https://x.com/ShelleyPiedmont 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/my_career_gps/

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt

Discover how a recovering engineer found her true calling—and how you can too! 🚀

Feeling stuck in your career path? In this premiere episode of Work Should Feel Good, host Diana Alt sits down with Angie Callen—founder of Career Benders, Inc.—to explore the journey from corporate engineering to meaningful entrepreneurship. Angie shares how an unexpected detour led her to create a thriving business built around helping others find fulfilling work. From career pivots to nonprofit insights to the surprising story of a cat named Taco, this episode is packed with wisdom, wit, and warm takeaways.

Whether you're contemplating a big change or simply looking to reconnect with what lights you up professionally, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.

⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:15 Meet Angie Callen and the story behind Tacocat 06:00 Angie's engineering background and early career pivots 10:00 The Great Recession's impact and moving into creative roles 13:20 Lessons from nonprofit leadership and discovering entrepreneurship 18:20 Entrepreneur vs. employee mindsets 21:45 Corporate vs. mission-driven work: what each can learn from the other 24:00 Diana's "4 Pillars of an Aligned Career" 29:30 Why boundaries matter—especially for entrepreneurs

💡 Take action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don’ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it’s time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com

📢 Connect with Angie Callen 🌐 Career Benders, Inc. → http://careerbenders.com🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiecallen 📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@careerbenders 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/careerbenders/ 🐦 X → https://x.com/careerbenders📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/angieonanadventure/?locale=ne_NP&hl=ar

📲 Follow me on social media: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thedianaalt