Hi, it’s Mary Kate again from “You, Me, & Ennui.” Thanks for listening to my conversation with Catherine Rains about the intersection of creativity and career. I hope it inspires you to think more deeply about what your creative outlet could be (if you don’t already have one), or maybe discover creative opportunities in your day-to-day work! 

If you’re looking for more ways to relate our conversation to your life, we’re back with another “bonus meditation” that will offer you some questions to reflect on… some might apply to you, some might not, and that’s OK! I’ll pause briefly between each question, but if you need more time, just hit the pause button and take as long as you need. So, find a comfortable position with your feet on the floor and close your eyes.

What activities or hobbies have you found yourself consistently drawn to throughout your life, even if they seem unrelated? Or have they changed over time as you’ve gotten older?

Do you integrate your hobbies and interests into your work? Or are you happy to keep work and personal interests separate?

If you’re feeling like you haven’t found your “passion” or creative outlet yet, think back to a time when you did something simply “for fun.” What was it? Is it something you can revisit in a fulfilling way?

Who are the people in your life who support and encourage you to follow your passions? How can you surround yourself with a supportive community that will help you stay motivated and focused?

Thanks again for spending time with me. I’ll be with you next time on “You, Me, & Ennui.”

Music credit:

Purple LoFi Chill Beats – Reverse

Stream: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/purplelofichillbeats/reverse-lo-fi-chill-beat

After spending most of her professional life as a corporate trainer, Catherine Rains realized that what she was most passionate about was her hobby of creating collages. In this episode, Catherine Rains talks about leaving the corporate world behind, pursuing her passion for art, and the practical obstacles she had to overcome along the way.

Show Notes:

Guest: Artist Catherine Rains

Connect with Catherine: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment
Free 5-day collage course

Hi, it’s Mary Kate again from “You, Me, & Ennui.” Thanks for listening to my conversation with Jha’nee Carter about approaching your career with confidence and professionalism. Whether you’re about to start a new job or want to reinvigorate your career, I hope the conversation inspired you to take action (and maybe see Human Resources in a new light).

If you’re looking for more ways to relate our conversation to your life, we’re back with another “bonus meditation” that will offer you some questions to reflect on… some might apply to you, some might not, and that’s OK! I’ll pause briefly between each question, but if you need more time, just hit the pause button and take as long as you need. So, find a comfortable position with your feet on the floor and close your eyes.

How do you define professionalism, and what specific actions or habits can you adopt to embody this in your day-to-day work? Are there role models or mentors in your field whose professional demeanor you admire and can learn from?

When it comes to negotiating your salary, what is your current understanding of your market value, and how can you effectively communicate your worth to your employer? Have you researched salary benchmarks in your industry, and do you feel confident in your negotiation skills?

Nobody plans to lose their job, but what steps, if any, have you taken to ensure financial stability in case it happens? Do you have an updated resume, a solid network, and a clear plan for job searching if you need to find a new position quickly?

How are you continuously learning and evolving in your field to stay competitive and adaptable? Are there any new skills or certifications that could enhance your career prospects and make you more resilient to industry changes?

Thanks again for spending time with me. I’ll be with you next time on “You, Me, & Ennui.”

Music credit:

Purple LoFi Chill Beats – Reverse

Stream: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/purplelofichillbeats/reverse-lo-fi-chill-beat

What does Human Resources actually do, anyway? In this episode, Jha’nee Carter, also known as TikTok’s “HR Queen,” helps us understand the “why” behind certain workplace rules, and shares her best tips for negotiating an offer and helping people come out on the other side of a layoff. 

Show Notes: 

Guest: Jha’nee Carter aka “The HR Queen” 

Connect with Jha’nee: Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn

Payscale

LinkedIn Learning

YouTube
Alison.com

Meditation transcript: 

Hi, it’s Mary Kate again from “You, Me, & Ennui.” Thanks for listening to my conversation with Pascal Hensel about taking the plunge into the world of networking. Whether you’re a natural when it comes to meeting new people, or (more likely) you’ve always wanted to make more professional connections and didn’t know where to start, I hope the conversation gave you the encouragement you need to get out there.

If you’re looking for more ways to relate our conversation to your life, we’re back with another “bonus meditation” that will offer you some questions to reflect on… some might apply to you, some might not, and that’s OK! I’ll pause briefly between each question, but if you need more time, just hit the pause button and take as long as you need. So, find a comfortable position with your feet on the floor and close your eyes.

What kind of connections do you want to make? Are you looking for career advice, job opportunities, or to expand your professional circle?

What are your goals? Do you want to hone your writing skills or learn more about leadership and management? Knowing that can help to focus your networking efforts toward areas that align with your goals.

Have you considered attending any industry events, workshops, or seminars? These can sometimes be great places to meet like-minded professionals.

What's your approach to introducing yourself? Are you comfortable with your elevator pitch, or do you need some help crafting it?

How can you leverage your existing connections? Think about friends, family, or colleagues who might already be in your desired industry or know someone who is.

Thanks again for spending time with me. I’ll be with you next time on “You, Me, & Ennui.”

Music credit:

Purple LoFi Chill Beats – Reverse

Stream: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/purplelofichillbeats/reverse-lo-fi-chill-beat

Networking can be a scary word, but at the end of the day, creating community (in and out of your professional field) can open up incredible opportunities. In this episode, Pascal Hensel, Chief of Staff at Young Catholic Professionals, offers encouragement for cultivating friendships, mentorships, and deeper relationships that can help us grow.

Show Notes:

Guest: Pascal Hensel, Chief of Staff at Young Catholic Professionals (YCP)
Connect With Pascal: LinkedIn

Meditation transcript: 

Hi, it’s Mary Kate again from “You, Me, & Ennui.” Thank you for listening to my conversation with Julie Laudick about choosing a career path in a thoughtful and authentic way. Whether you’ve known from a young age what you wanted to be when you grew up or are just now starting to think about the kind of career you want to have, I hope you found our conversation worthwhile.

If you’re looking for more ways to relate our conversation to your life, we’re back with another “bonus meditation” that will offer you some questions to reflect on… some might apply to you, some might not, and that’s OK! I’ll pause briefly between each question, but if you need more time, just hit the pause button and take as long as you need. So, find a comfortable position with your feet on the floor and close your eyes.

Reflect on a moment when you've felt truly passionate and engaged. What were you doing? What were the circumstances? These meaningful moments, when you feel like the most authentic version of yourself, can guide you toward a career that brings you fulfillment.

What are your strengths and talents? Take a moment to reflect on what you excel at. Are you a natural problem solver, a great communicator, or a creative thinker? Recognizing your strengths can guide you toward careers where you can leverage these skills to shine.

What impact do you want to make on the world? Consider the kind of difference you want to make in the lives of others or the broader community. Do you see yourself in a role that directly helps people or one that contributes to larger social or environmental causes?

What kind of work environment do you thrive in? Reflect on the atmosphere and culture where you feel most comfortable and productive. Do you prefer a fast-paced, dynamic setting or a more laid-back, collaborative one? Understanding the environment where you do your best work can help you narrow down career options that align with your preferences.

Where do you see yourself in the long run? Do you think you need to change course or keep going in what you're doing? Picture yourself five or ten years down the road. What kind of career trajectory do you see for yourself? Thinking about your long-term goals can help you make decisions that set you on the right path for future success.

Thanks again for spending time with me. I’ll be with you next time on “You, Me, & Ennui.”

Music credit:

Purple LoFi Chill Beats – Reverse

Stream: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/purplelofichillbeats/reverse-lo-fi-chill-beat

Julie Laudick Dougherty was deep into her postgraduate studies in agroecology when she started asking herself a big question – what if her future wasn’t in research, but in farming? After falling in love with the physical and intellectual challenges of farming, she started Oxbow Farm, a community whose mission is to provide produce, hospitality, and ecological education to anyone in material or spiritual poverty. In this episode, Julie shares her story and talks about the challenges and rewards of following your vocation.

Show Notes:

Guest: Julie Laudick Dougherty from Oxbow Farm 

Volunteer/Get involved with Oxbow Farm

Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center 

Dominican Sisters of Peace

The Catholic Worker

WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)

Meditation transcript: 

Hi, it’s Mary Kate again from “You, Me, & Ennui.” Thank you for listening to my conversation with Michael Segovia about MBTI and understanding your personality type. Perhaps this conversation made you curious what *your* Myers Briggs Type is!

If you’re looking for more ways to relate our conversation to your life, we’re back with another “bonus meditation” that will offer you some questions to reflect on… some might apply to you, some might not, and that’s OK! I’ll pause briefly between each question, but if you need more time, just hit the pause button and take as long as you need. So, find a comfortable position with your feet on the floor and close your eyes.

If you could describe your personality in three words, what would they be? And why do you think those words resonate with you?

What social situations or work environments do you find yourself naturally gravitating towards, and why do you think that is?

When you're at your best, what qualities about yourself do you notice shining the brightest? Are you funny? Organized? Empathetic? Creative?

Are there any recurring patterns or behaviors in your life that you've noticed, especially during times of stress or challenge?

Understanding that you have a unique set of strengths and weaknesses, does that affect how you collaborate with other people, especially with someone who has a completely different working style?

Thanks again for spending time with me. I’ll be with you next time on “You, Me, & Ennui.”

Music credit:

Purple LoFi Chill Beats – Reverse

Stream: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/purplelofichillbeats/reverse-lo-fi-chill-beat

Do you know your personality type? In this episode, we welcome Michael Segovia, Principal Consultant at The Myers-Briggs Company, to discuss how a better understanding of our and others’ personalities can help everyone collaborate better, handle conflict effectively, and ultimately succeed in the workplace. 

Show Notes:

Guest: Michael Segovia, Principal Consultant at The Myers-Briggs Company 

Connect With Michael: LinkedInMichael’s TEDx Talk: Being Different: Pain and JoyMyers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment (MBTI)

“Planned Happenstance” concept developed by Professor John Krumboltz, at Stanford University 

“Flexing” to Maximize Effectiveness

Inborn Predispositions, explained

Strong Interest InventoryVitaNavis: A resource to explore career interests in-depthFundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation™ (FIRO®) test