What's Next? With Lacey

Hosted by Lacey Dikkers

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Latest episode

Mar 2026

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EN-US

About the show

What’s Next? With Lacey is your backstage pass into the careers you think you’re curious about but don’t actually understand.Ever catch yourself Googling “what does a Account Manager do?” or “how do I even get into that industry?” Same. That’s why this podcast exists.Every two weeks, Lacey sits down with young professionals across all kinds of industries — from health tech to entertainment to whatever job you’ve seen on LinkedIn and thought: wait, is that real? It’s like an informational interview without the awkward LinkedIn DM.They talkday-to-day realities, internships, career pivots and how they got their foot in the door — with zero jargon and all the honest advice you wish someone had told you sooner.Whether you're job-hunting, soul-searching, or just nosy about what people actually do all day, this is the podcast to help you figure out what’s next.

Listen to episodes

42 recent

March 7, 20261 hr 10 min

What's Next: The Triple Threat of Job Hunting, Career Pivots and starting a Podcast

In this episode, Lacey sits down with Allegra Ponti for an honest conversation about career pivots, job hunting, and what it actually feels like to be in the in-between — sending applications, rethinking things, and trying to stay confident while mildly spiraling. You know the feeling.Allegra talks about what she's looking for after consulting, why team culture has become a hard non-negotiable, and how freelancing has helped (and challenged) her during the search — including tools she's been using like networking and Jack and Jill AI. They also get into the stuff people don't always say out loud: unemployment shame, staying sane through exercise and community, and what to do when you've had a genuinely difficult manager.Allegra also breaks down her new podcast Stan, which explores culture and why the people we obsess over say more about us than we think — a fun one to dig into.Plus, she shares some highlights from her UN role, grad school in France, and time living in Cairo and Dubai. Lots of ground covered and lots of great advice straight from the source!

February 20, 20261 hr 5 min

What's Next: Comedian & Podcaster - Claire Parker

This week on What’s Next? with Lacey, Lacey is joined by comedian and podcaster Claire Parker (of Celebrity Memoir Book Club and Good Noticings) to talk about—what else—her incredible and wildly inspiring career.They dive into her standup special, Claire Parker’s 32 (out now on YouTube): how she wrote and workshopped the material (hello, Edinburgh), filmed it, edited it, built the set with her dad (!), handled her own PR, and got it out to the world. The themes? Being 32, friends in wildly different life stages, baby talk vs. party plans, social media aging panic, and the general emotional whiplash of your 30s.Claire shares her journey from NYC open mics and day jobs to podcast success during COVID, quitting her finance admin role, growing Patreon into a salary, and rebuilding her standup footing in New York. They talk about perfectionism, why it’s easier to improve when fewer people are watching, and the importance of putting your work out there before anyone gives you permission.It’s packed with practical advice (don’t quit your job too early, make friends at your level, publish your work, commit to the community) and big creative energy. So much to learn — and also… it’s Claire Parker. Eek!!

January 24, 20261 hr 4 min

What's Next: CEO and Founder - HR

In this episode of What’s Next with Lacey, Lacey sits down with the brilliant Michelle Griffin—CEO, founder, and all-around HR powerhouse behind Griffin Resources.Michelle helps small- and medium-sized businesses tackle the big HR stuff (think: building the right team, navigating mergers, and surviving layoffs with sanity intact). In this conversation, she spills on her journey from industrial-organizational psychology to HR executive to full-on entrepreneur, plus what it really takes to run a multi-entity business.We get into the highs, the hard parts, and the behind-the-scenes realities of building a company—along with Michelle’s best advice on scaling a business, creating strong client relationships, and fostering a workplace culture people actually want to be part of.Whether you’re dreaming about starting your own business, already deep in the HR world, or just love hearing how smart women make big moves, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.Trust me—you don’t want to miss this one.00:00 Welcome to What's Next with Lacey00:15 Introducing Michelle Griffin: CEO of Griffin Resources00:51 Michelle's Journey to CEO01:59 The Role and Growth of Griffin Resources05:07 Operational Insights and Team Management07:14 Balancing Client Work and Internal Operations21:16 Challenges and Surprises in Running a Business25:31 Reflecting on Success and Future Goals33:20 Michelle's Early Career and Transition to HR34:45 Struggles in Human Behavioral Research35:07 Transition to IO Psychology and HR36:01 First HR Job at ConnectWise36:19 Challenges and Growth in HR37:33 Starting a Business and Pursuing a PhD38:39 Impact of Higher Education on Career40:06 Research Skills and Legal Knowledge41:45 Importance of Employee Happiness43:42 Pursuing a PhD: Personal and Professional Motivations46:51 Research on Reverse Knowledge Transfer48:24 Experience in Auto Theft Adjustment and Insurance53:19 Best Career Advice Received59:48 Advice for Entrepreneurs and HR Professionals01:03:35 Future Plans and Travel Goals

January 17, 202652 min

What's Next: CEO -Music Tech

This week on What’s Next? with Lacey, Lacey interviews Josh Simons, CEO of Vinyl Group, an Australia-based music tech company that’s shaping the future of the music industry. Vinyl Group is home to a range of platforms that support artists and music professionals in meaningful ways—from publishing and data to connecting creatives and selling records. Josh also co-founded Vampr, one of the group’s standout platforms, before later stepping into the CEO role for the company as a whole.In this episode, Josh shares his entrepreneurial journey and offers an honest look at what it really takes to build companies, take risks, and lead in a fast-moving industry. From behind-the-scenes lessons to thoughtful career advice, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.If you’re thinking about starting your own business, dreaming of becoming a CEO one day, or simply looking for an uplifting and motivating story, this episode is for you.

January 8, 20261 hr 7 min

What's Next: Writer and Director

In this episode of What’s Next with Lacey, Lacey is joined by the incredible Kristen Buckles—writer, director, and producer with one seriously fascinating career path. From professional horseback rider (yes, really 🐎) to working behind the scenes in film and TV, Buckles shares how she made the leap from producing to writing and directing her own projects.They talk about what it actually takes to make it in the entertainment industry, a rom-com she wrote that is currently in the works, her upcoming feature film Mother, and so so much more.  Along the way, Buckles drops honest, practical, and genuinely inspiring advice for creatives—on persistence, trusting yourself, getting better at your craft, and finding joy even when the journey feels messy.If you’re navigating a career change, working in (or dreaming about) film and TV, or just need a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out—this episode is for you.Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction and Welcome00:48 Introducing the Guest: Buckles01:58 Buckles' Career Journey03:03 Current Projects and Future Plans09:50 Daily Life of a Filmmaker12:31 Navigating the Film Industry19:54 Personal Reflections and Challenges20:31 Directing and On-Set Experiences31:14 Living and Working in Different Cities34:30 Finding Happiness in Your Environment34:57 Starting a Podcast: The Journey and Motivation35:54 Manifestation and Personal Growth37:34 Navigating Jealousy and Envy39:51 The Role of Community and Networking43:10 Entering the Entertainment Industry48:19 Transitioning from Acting to Directing58:33 Advice for Aspiring Creatives01:06:45 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

January 1, 202644 min

What's Next: Director of Music Marketing

Welcome to Season 3 of What's Next? with Lacey! And we’re kicking it off with the world of Music Marketing.In this  episode, Lacey sits down with Alexa, who currently works as the Director of Marketing at Cinq, for a deep dive into the world of music marketing, creative storytelling, and career growth in the media industry. Alexa breaks down what her role really looks like, how she designs campaigns that actually tell a story, and the path that took her from her college hustle to leading major marketing initiatives.Alexa got her start the way many of us do in the entertainment industry—juggling internships, building connections, and leveraging every skill she had to climb the ladder. She shares the behind-the-scenes of working in strategic partnerships, gaming marketing, and building a career that blends creativity, storytelling, data analysis and business.And because transparency is everything, Lacey and Alexa also share their stories of something very relatable: the struggle of dealing with unemployment in the entertainment industry and the challenge of getting your foot (or… getting it back) in the door. Their conversation digs into resilience, reinvention, the help you can get from your community and what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive employment landscape.Of course, before the episode ends, Alexa shares her best career advice for anyone trying to break into the field—so if you're building a career from the ground up or making a comeback, this is your new favorite episode.

October 7, 20251 hr 2 min

What's Next: Dentist (specializing in Oral Surgery)

In this episode of What’s Next? with Lacey, Lacey sits down with a friend from London, Maria. Maria is a dentist in England specializing in oral surgery, with a career path that has taken her across the country, into hospitals, and through some of the most competitive programs in her field.Maria shares how she’s shaped a more “traditional” career path into something uniquely her own, fueled by passion and persistence. From navigating moves and selective opportunities to building a career in a demanding specialty, her story offers inspiration for anyone considering how to make their career fit their life — not the other way around.(Quick note: the mic had a small glitch during this recording — but Maria’s insights more than make up for it!)

September 24, 202528 min

What's Next: Networking 101

In this solo episode of What’s Next with Lacey, host Lacey dives into the real power of networking — and why it’s so much more than trading business cards or sending cold LinkedIn requests. She shares personal stories, including how a simple coffee chat led to an internship at The Tonight Show, and why she calls herself the “Queen of Networking.”Listeners will hear why networking matters now more than ever, the role it plays in opening doors and building support systems, and how it can spark both personal and professional growth. Lacey also breaks down practical ways to start building a network today, tips for nurturing relationships, and how to overcome the common fears that hold people back.Whether you’re shy, worried it feels “fake,” or simply unsure where to start, this episode will give you the encouragement and tools to see networking as something human, fun, and life-changing.Credits: Hosted and Produced by Lacey Dikkers Art by Lacey Dikkers Music by Organic Lo-Fi, PIxabay 

September 9, 202551 min

What's Next: Database Marketing Associate

On this episode of What’s Next? with Lacey, Lacey chats with Natalie, a Database Marketing Associate who takes us behind the scenes of her world. From what a “typical” day actually looks like, to how her role has shifted over time, Natalie shares the highs, the challenges, and the surprises of navigating her career path. It’s part career story, part real talk, and totally inspiring for anyone figuring out what’s next in their own journey.

August 12, 202542 min

What's Next: Law Student (and future Patent Lawyer)

In this episode of What’s Next?, host Lacey chats with Sean, a third-year Cardozo Law student whose path from pre-med to patent law is anything but ordinary. From navigating the grind of law school to working in healthcare during the chaos of COVID, Sean’s story is packed with curveballs, lessons, and a few laughs.They get real about Law Review, why patent law excites him, and how music still plays a big role in his life—proof that you can chase multiple passions without losing your mind.Listen in for:What law school is really likeThe leap from medicine to law (and why it worked)Why time management is the secret weaponAdvice for making your own big career pivotWhether you’re rethinking your future or just curious about the twists and turns of a life in progress, this episode’s for you.