Working Your Way

A new year brings a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and set intentions for what lies ahead. In this episode, I’m joined by friend and fellow entrepreneur Virginia Martinez as we explore how to align your goals with your values, keeping them grounded and sustainable instead of following the trend of creating often fleeting resolutions.

We look back at the past year’s milestones, challenges, and lessons, uncovering what worked, what didn’t, and how those insights can shape more meaningful goals for the future. We also dive into practical strategies to stay connected with these intentions throughout the year, ensuring they truly serve your personal and professional growth.

Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to embrace the year ahead with clarity, purpose, and a renewed commitment to goals that reflect your authentic self.

Resources:

• Ten Guideposts for Wholehearted Living - Brené Brown
• Year Compass Booklet: yearcompass.com
• Connect with Virginia Martinez on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Virginia’s consulting: tenthhouse.work

Connect with me:

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• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

In this episode, we’re revisiting an inspiring conversation with Jemilly Castro, Vice President of Strategy at Remezcla. Jemilly opens up about the nuanced journey of representing her cultural identity in the predominantly white corporate spaces of the advertising world. Her career path reflects the strength and resilience needed to bring one’s authentic self into professional spaces.

Jemilly shares the early challenges of her career, when she often felt the need to adjust or even mask parts of herself to fit the expected mold of a Latina professional. These experiences prompted deep personal growth, ultimately leading her to embrace her true identity without conforming to external expectations. We also explore how Jemilly practices gratitude and maintains a rich life beyond her career, with personal hobbies like scuba diving and pottery that keep her grounded.

Join us as we revisit Jemilly’s reflections on navigating authenticity, balancing personal and professional identities, and her ongoing journey to live authentically in all aspects of life.

Resources:

• Learn more at jemilly.com
• Follow Guest on Instagram: @jemilly
• Connect with Jemilly on LinkedIn
• Podcast: Brené with Emily and Amelia Nagoski on Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle
• Calm: 8 gratitude exercises to cultivate a more grateful mindset
• Positive Psychology: The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Do you find yourself seeing the glass half full or half empty? Welcome back to "Let's Talk About Labels," a series where we explore the labels we use to describe ourselves and the impact they have on our lives. In this episode, we’re diving into what it means to identify as an “optimist” or a “pessimist” and how these perspectives shape our personal and professional worlds.

Once again, I’m joined by my friend and fellow entrepreneur, Arden Evenson, as we break down the complexities of these labels. We look at the strengths and challenges that come with being an optimist or a pessimist, and how our upbringing and past experiences can play a significant role in shaping our outlook.

We listen to voice notes from our listeners, who share how these tendencies show up in their everyday lives—from relationships to decision-making and navigating challenges at work. Together, we explore how understanding the nuances of optimism and pessimism can help us better connect with ourselves and others, ultimately leading to more effective communication and decision-making.

Tune in as we discuss the benefits and pitfalls of each mindset and share practical insights on how to harness the best of both for a more balanced and fulfilling approach to life.

Resources:

• Connect with Arden on LinkedIn
• Read: The Resilience Myth by Soraya Chemaly

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Navigating the complex world of financial independence can be daunting, but Sarah Charles has found her calling in making it accessible and empowering for others. In this episode, we dive deep into Sarah’s career journey, from her early days in public relations to her transition into wealth management and her decision to launch Sanctuary Financial Planning with her husband.

Sarah candidly shares her personal experiences, including financial missteps and lessons learned through her divorce, and how these challenges shaped her professional purpose. She highlights the importance of transparency, understanding client needs, and making financial planning accessible, especially for women. Sarah’s journey is a testament to how we can turn our experiences–even the difficult ones–into opportunities to create positive change.

Resources:

• Sarah’s website: sanctuaryfinancialplanning.com
• Watch: Sarah K Charles' Fearless Fire Speech
• Watch: The Pursuit Of Belonging - Sandhya Sudhakar's Fearless Fire Speech
• Episode 08. Being Bold & Creating Belonging with Eduardo Placer
• Episode 16. Independent work or self-employment: Is it right for me? | Career Questions
• Episode 26. Being Flexible and Finding Fulfillment in Your Career with Justin Grant
• Episode 42. How does my past affect my work habits? | Career Questions

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Change is inevitable, both in our personal lives and in the workplace. But when change is poorly managed, it can lead to chaos, frustration, and disengagement. In this episode of Working Your Way, Kara Kirby joins me to dive into the complexities of navigating change at work.

Whether it’s a reorganization, leadership shift, or company merger, Kara and I share our insights on the small and big changes that can trip us up and how leaders can better prepare their teams. We also explore strategies for building trust, addressing the underlying fears at play, and finding opportunities for growth during transitions.

Tune in to hear our best advice for handling change in a way that fosters clarity and reduces stress—no matter where you are in your career.

We talk about:

• [02:14] The changes people can expect to go through in their careers
• [11:03] How leaders can guide their teams through times of uncertainty
• [18:17] What happens psychologically when people face change
• [26:04] Common mistakes leaders make during times of change
• [41:45] The importance of transparency from leadership in change

Resources:

• Connect with Kara on LinkedIn
• Read: Managing Transitions by William Bridges with Susan Bridges
• Read: Conversations Worth Having by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres
• Read: Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
• Learn more: SCARF Model
• Read: Change by John P. Kotter

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

We’re celebrating a huge milestone today—Working Your Way turns one! In this special episode, the roles are reversed as Hayden Lyon, founder of NOVA (the production company behind the podcast), takes over the mic to interview me. We’re pulling back the curtain to share the journey that brought this podcast to life, with behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned, and reflections on the show's impact over the past year.

Together, we explore:

• The inspiration and purpose behind Working Your Way
• How I balance sharing guests’ stories with offering my own insights and expertise
• What really goes into producing each episode and keeping it aligned with my mission
• How this podcast has become a tool for both my personal growth and the listeners’

It’s been an incredible year of authenticity, growth, and connection, and I’m excited to share a closer look at what it’s been like to create this show. Tune in for a reflective and celebratory conversation, and reach out to help shape what’s next for Working Your Way!

Resources:

• Email me to share what’s been helpful or what you’d like to hear more about!
• Hear more about my career story: Episode 1. What it Means to Work Your Way

Listen to the Let’s Talk About Labels series:

• Episode 35. Are You a People Pleaser? | Let’s Talk About Labels
• Episode 39. Are You a Perfectionist? | Let’s Talk About Labels
• Episode 44. Are You an Empath? | Let’s Talk About Labels
• Episode 48. Are You an Overthinker? | Let’s Talk About Labels

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

What does it mean to create children's music with purpose and authenticity? Katie Norregaard, also known as Miss Katie Sings, is an Asian American singer, songwriter, and media maker dedicated to crafting music that encourages self-love and emotional awareness in young listeners. In this episode, she shares her journey from teaching music classes to launching an online platform during the pandemic and the process of releasing a studio album.

Katie discusses staying true to her values while navigating the children's music industry, the importance of respecting young audiences, and how she integrates social-emotional learning into her songs. She also opens up about her personal practices for staying grounded, the role of intentionality in her creative process, and the unexpected paths her career has taken. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about authenticity, creativity, and making a positive impact through music.

Resources:

• Learn more at misskatiesings.com
• Follow Katie on Instagram: @misskatiesings
• Connect with Katie on LinkedIn
• YouTube: Miss Katie Sings
• Listen to learn more about career breaks or sabbaticals: 
• Episode 46. Should I take a career break or sabbatical? Part 1 | Career Questions
• Episode 47. Should I take a career break or sabbatical? Part 2 | Career Questions

Connect with me:

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• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Do you constantly replay conversations or overanalyze decisions, often getting stuck in endless loops of thought? In this episode "Let's Talk About Labels," we dive into what it means to identify as an “overthinker” and how this label can affect our personal and professional lives.

Together with my friend and fellow entrepreneur, Arden Evenson, we unpack the complexities of overthinking—how it shows up, the challenges it creates, and the ways it can sometimes serve as a strength. We listen to voice notes from our audience, sharing personal stories about how overthinking has impacted their decision-making and mental well-being.

We explore the fine line between thoughtful preparation and counterproductive rumination, offering practical tips on how to manage overthinking, trust your intuition, and break the cycle of analysis paralysis. Tune in as we learn how to turn overthinking into a tool for success without letting it take over your life.

Resources:

• Connect with Arden on LinkedIn

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Taking time away from work can be a transformative experience. In part two of this two-part Career Questions series, we continue the conversation about sabbaticals and career breaks with two incredible guests, Tekisha Harvey and Cat Coffrin.

First up, Tekisha shares her experiences of taking a break to travel the world, which opened her up to new opportunities and perspectives. And later, Cat Coffrin reflects on her sabbatical journey, where she not only reignited her creativity but also processed some deep personal grief by engaging in a personal project.

We dive into the reasons behind their decisions to step away from work, how their time off shaped them personally and professionally, and the unexpected growth they found along the way. If you've ever considered taking a break from your career but wondered what comes next, this episode is for you.

Resources:

• Check out Tekisha’s magazine: CannaCurious Magazine
• Follow Tekisha on Instagram: @tekishaharvey
• Connect with Tekisha on LinkedIn
• Listen: Episode 02. From Being the ‘Only’ to Feeling Herself with Tekisha Harvey
• Learn more about Cat’s work at captivatingco.com
• Connect with Cat on LinkedIn
• Read Cat’s Blog
• Listen: Episode 24. How do I define my personal brand? | Career Questions
• Read: The Artist’s Way
• Listen: Episode 42. How does my past affect my work habits? | Career Questions

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Taking a break from traditional work can be one of the hardest—and most transformative—decisions in a career. We’re joined by two guests, Shobha Kansal and Jai Kensey, to explore the different reasons for taking a career break and the lessons learned along the way.

First, Shobha Kansal, a PhD candidate and former corporate leader, shares her journey of leaving the workforce twice—first to pursue a master’s degree and later to commit to her PhD fully. Then, Jai Kensey, CEO of Kensey Consulting, opens up about her decision to take a leave of absence from the corporate world to focus on her mental health, and the impact that choice had on her life and career. Together, they explore the importance of listening to your body, pursuing growth opportunities, and how taking time off can be a vital step in career development.

Join us for part one of this two-part series on career breaks, and be inspired to rethink the role that intentional time off can play in your professional and personal growth.

Resources:

• Read: Millennials Love Sabbaticals--Here's How To Save For Yours
• Read: Sabbatical on a Budget | Full Focus
• Listen: Episode 7. Using Your Values to Guide Your Career with Antonio Garcia
• Listen: Episode 40. From Battling Burnout to Sustainable Self-Care with Andrew Geonetta

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media