Career Contessa

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394

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Shortcut your path to being more successful at work. This show helps you figure out what you truly want, land a job, make more money, advance your career, and improve your work life with actionable insights from experts that boost work performance.We're covering job searches, job interviews, resumes, LinkedIn, how to get paid and get a salary raise, career growth tips, leadership and management advice, workplace interpersonal skills, wellness strategies, work-life balance, confidence, career tra

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June 16, 202638 min

Is Your Debt Driving Your Career Decisions? How to Change That

Debt can quietly shape your confidence, boundaries, and career choices. In this episode, Lauren talks with Arden Missal, founder of She’s Financially Free, about how financial pressure keeps many women playing small at work—and how to start making career decisions from confidence instead of fear.You’ll learn:How money stress impacts negotiation, overwork, and risk-takingThe difference between being practical and being fear-ledMindset shifts to build financial confidence—even before you’re debt-freeShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:Debt Payoff Starter Kit: ShesFinanciallyFree.com/StarterKitIncludes a Debt Freedom Tracker App, a beginner budgeting sheet, a mini financial literacy course, motivational screensavers, and other great resources- Everything you need to get started in paying off your debt.Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorsHead to cozyearth.com and use my code CONTESSA for an exclusive 20% off.Get 25% Off  Cowboy Colostrum with code CONTESSA at http:// cowboycolostrum.com/contessa.Go to ogee.com/CONTESSA and use code CONTESSA for 20% off.Shop now at fabletics.com/contessa to get 70 - 80% off everything when you sign up as a new VIP.Head to vitaclean.co and use code CONTESSA at checkout for 20% off your first purchase.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 9, 202629 min

Career Transition 101: Strategy, Mindset, and What to Do First

Thinking about a career change—but not sure where to start? In this episode, career transition expert Cara Bedick breaks down what it really takes to make a successful move—from navigating fear and identity shifts to translating your skills and building a strategy that actually works. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this conversation will help you move forward with clarity and confidence. You’ll learn:How to tell if you need a full career pivot—or just a new role, team, or environmentThe biggest emotional blocks (like fear and self-doubt) that keep people stuck—and how to move through themShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Career Transition Course: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-career-transition-road-map/ Guest Resources:Book:https://www.amazon.com/Your-Next-Big-Career-Move/dp/B0FH3WNDKPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/carabedick/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-bedick/ Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorsIf you're ready to finally sleep great and feel like yourself again, head to http://www.bioptimizers.com/contessa and use my exclusive code CONTESSA to get 15% off any order. 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.

June 2, 202634 min

Why Aren’t People Responding to Your Emails? How to Write Messages Busy People Actually Read (Listener Favorite)

Even with social media, text, and DMs, email is still the best way to communicate and contact people who can help your career. Now we just need to make sure those emails are crafted in a way to catch the attention of busy readers! Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, Jason Feifer, will tell you a masterclass on:What bad email communication looks likeHow to assess your own email writing skillsTactics for formatting your email messagesThe power of responding to every emailShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  Grammarly Link: https://bit.ly/3PiAtBy Guest Resources:Newsletter: jasonfeifer.com/newsletter Book: jasonfeifer.com/bookLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfeifer/Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorsHead to cozyearth.com and use my code CONTESSA for an exclusive 20% off. That's code CONTESSA for an exclusive 20% off.Head to vitaclean.co and use code CONTESSA at checkout for 20% off your first purchase.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.

May 26, 202639 min

Should You Become a Manager? How to Know If Leadership Is Right for You (Listener Favorite)

The truth is, that not everyone will enjoy managing people. But luckily, you don't have to become a manager to grow in your career. Leadership expert and author of Happy@Work Robyn L Garrett is here to share:How to know if management is right for youWays to advance your career that aren’t managementWhat makes a good managerHow new managers can be successful in their first 90 daysShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  The New Manager Manual Course: https://bit.ly/3Ds3jdfGuest Resources:Robyn L Garrett website: https://www.robynlgarrett.com/TikTok: @courageousleadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realcourageousleadershipBook: https://www.robynlgarrett.com/booksCareer Contessa ResourcesBook 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:Go to http://www.bioptimizers.com/contessa, and use code CONTESSA to get 15% off your entire order and a free bottle of Masszymes—BiOptimizers' best-selling digestive enzyme.Get your menopause treatment plan today. Visit myalloy.com and use code CONTESSA for $20 off your first order! #AgeGracefullyHead to Biologica.com/CONTESSA to get started. Take their Quick Hormonal Life Stage Quiz to find the formula that’s right for you. Subscribers can receive up to 32% off their purchase. Take back control of your business today. Open a Found account for FREE at found.com.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.

May 19, 202634 min

Is This Job the Wrong Fit? How to Know When a Role Is Right for You (Listener Favorite)

How do we make work, less work? Author and organizational psychologist Andrè Martin shares how to find your right-fit career. You’ll learn:What’s the difference between right fit vs. wrong fit careersHow to craft your “right fit” careerThe questions to ask to determine if a company and role are the right fitWhat to do if you’re in the wrong fit Strategies for building a successful career within your right role Show NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  Guest Resources:Wrong Fit, Right Fit book: https://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Fit-Right-Work-Matters/dp/1950508757/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1675805341&sr=8-1 Website: https://www.wrongfitrightfit.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/docmartinpdxNewsletter: https://mondaymatters.substack.comCareer Contessa ResourcesBook 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/SponsorsThanks to today’s sponsor, Ogee: A higher standard for beauty. Go to ogee.com/CONTESSA and use code CONTESSA to get 20% off certified organic makeup that performs like luxury.For a limited time, Honeylove is offering up to 50% off sitewide during their Memorial Day sale at honeylove.com/CONTESSA #honeylovepodShop now at fabletics.com/contessa to get 70- 80% off everything when you sign up as a new VIP. Go to momentumshake.com/careercontessa and simplify your supplement intake. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 12, 202636 min

The Self-Promotion Problem: How to Advocate for Yourself Without Feeling Icky (Listener Favorite)

Nobody cares more about your career than you, so you need to make yourself and your achievements known. Embrace the skill of self-promotion. Career coach Lindsey Lathrop- Ryan is here to offer:Insight into why self-promotion is so uncomfortableThe 4-step strategy that makes self-promotion more effective and way less ickyQuick self-promotion tactics that take less than 5 minutesShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  Guest Resources:Lindsey Lathrop-Ryan website: https://www.lindseylathrop.com/ Lindsey Lathrop-Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseylathrop/ Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorsHead to vitaclean.co and use code CONTESSA at checkout for 20% off your first purchase. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa. Become a Fora Advisor today at foratravel.com/contessa. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 5, 202638 min

When Work Becomes Your Whole Identity (and How to Take It Back)

Ever feel like work doesn’t end when you close your laptop? Psychologist and TED speaker Guy Winch joins Lauren to explain why work stress is so hard to switch off—and how to reclaim your mental space without hurting your career, drawing from his book Mind Over Grind.You’ll learn:Why high performers are especially vulnerable to burnoutThe psychology behind Sunday dread and work ruminationSimple boundaries that help you disconnect from work and recoverShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:Guy Winch: https://www.guywinch.com/Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life: https://www.guywinch.com/books/mind-over-grind/ Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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:Head to vitaclean.co and use code CONTESSA at checkout for 20% off your first purchase. Open a Found account for FREE at found.com. Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. 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.

April 28, 202637 min

3 Toughest Leadership Problems— Solved

Leadership isn’t just about big wins—it’s about navigating pressure, tough decisions, and influence when things get messy. In this episode, leadership expert Dr. Katie Best shares a practical framework to help you lead with clarity—even when it feels hardest.You’ll learn:How to avoid reactive decision-making by clearly defining the real problemThe difference between stress vs. strain—and how to prevent burnoutA simple framework to lead with more clarity, confidence, and influence under pressureShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW New Manager Manual:  https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-new-manager-manual Guest Resources:Book: https://www.katiebest.com/bookNewsletter: https://www.katiebest.com/dear-katieWebsite: https://www.katiebest.com/Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorsSave 20% Off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/CONTESSA ! #honeylovepodShop now at fabletics.com/contessa to get 70-80% off everything when you sign up as a new VIP.Go to Biologica.com/CONTESSA and get up to 32% off your first subscription order today! 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.

April 21, 202638 min

Why Are We Racing? How to Navigate The Modern Rat Race

Why are we racing—and who decided the pace? In this episode, Lauren sits down with UCLA Anderson career coaches Jenna Migliaccio and Jessica Christopher, co-founders of Glimmers, to unpack the modern rat race and how to build a career rooted in clarity, not comparison. If you’ve felt busy but misaligned, this conversation will help you slow down strategically—without falling behind.You’ll learn:How to tell the difference between healthy ambition and misalignmentWhy “clarity comes from engagement” (and how to experiment without derailing your career)A simple mindset shift to stop running someone else’s race and start running your ownShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Book career coaching w/ Jenna: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/profile/Jenna-Migliaccio/71365/ Alan Watts “Life & Music” video:https://youtu.be/eUzgSyfiF2s?si=pATgHCaRd_lI_MT6Guest Resources:Glimmers Bi-weekly Newsletter: lifeglimmers.comGlimmers instagram: @glimmersbyjessandjennaJenna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennamigliaccio/Jessica LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicachristopher8/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:Head to vitaclean.co and use code CONTESSA at checkout for 20% off your first purchase.Open a Found account for FREE at Found dot com. That’s F-O-U-N-D dot com. Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 14, 202640 min

How to Design & Run Effective Meetings

Are your meetings driving results—or just draining your calendar? This week, Lauren sits down with organizational scientist and Your Best Meeting Ever author Dr. Rebecca Hinds to rethink how meetings are designed, measured, and led. Learn how to eliminate meeting debt, reclaim your time, and turn collaboration into a competitive advantage.You’ll learn:Why “meeting debt” is costing companies trillions—and how to reset your calendarThe simple design shifts (like ROTI and the Rule of Halves) that instantly improve meetingsHow to run inclusive, energizing hybrid meetings people actually want to attendShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW New Manager course: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-new-manager-manual/ Efficient Meetings course: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/building-efficient-meetings/ Guest Resources:Rebecca Hinds website: https://www.rebeccahinds.com/Book: https://www.rebeccahinds.com/book Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorsGo to momentumshake.com/careercontessa to get a free Welcome Kit and Travel Collection ($70 value) to get you started!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.