

Career Contessa
Career Contessa
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 transitions, workplace toxicity, and more!
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, follow @careercontessa on Instagram for daily career tips, and subscribe to our newsletter at www.careercontessa.com/newsletter
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 transitions, workplace toxicity, and more!
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, follow @careercontessa on Instagram for daily career tips, and subscribe to our newsletter at www.careercontessa.com/newsletter
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 30min
Why We Click: How to Build Better Bonds at Work and in Life
Kate Murphy, journalist and bestselling author who studies human connection, explores interpersonal synchrony—how our brains and bodies subconsciously sync. She explains what synchrony is and why it shapes empathy and quick impressions. She talks about listening, leadership rhythms, hiring for fit, the limits of remote work, and simple shared activities that build trust.

Jan 20, 2026 • 29min
The Career Development Playbook: What To Do Each Quarter to Advance Your Career Year-Round
In this discussion, career coach Michelle Schafer shares her insights on creating a quarterly career playbook for sustainable growth. She emphasizes the importance of breaking down goals into manageable chunks and staying accountable. Michelle reveals how to initiate valuable career conversations, increase visibility, and seek constructive feedback. Each quarter focuses on specific actions like clarifying your brand, networking, and celebrating achievements. With practical tips and a structured approach, she ensures listeners can drive their own development.

Jan 13, 2026 • 28min
How to Run a New Year Career Audit
Saniya Waghray Tyagi, a career coach and product marketing expert, guides listeners through the importance of conducting a career audit. She emphasizes the need for reflection on the past year to identify what’s working and what isn’t. Saniya introduces her 'power of three' goal-setting method for actionable insights and offers practical tools like a 'Skill-Based Smile File.' She also discusses how to recognize when you need an audit and the significance of relationship evaluations, ensuring career alignment with personal ambitions.

Jan 6, 2026 • 33min
3 in 30: 2026 Workplace Predictions
Dive into the future of work with insights on what 2026 holds! The job market may feel familiar, prompting job seekers to clarify their qualifications. Values alignment is now a priority, with candidates eager for authenticity in company cultures. Plus, leaders will play a key role in AI adoption, needing to balance transparency and emotional intelligence. Tune in for actionable advice on job searching and understanding your workplace values!

Dec 16, 2025 • 31min
5 Steps to Stop Overthinking and Break the Cycle of Inaction in Your Career
We’re replaying one of our most popular episodes with courage coach and bestselling author Dr. Margie Warrell. If fear or self-doubt has ever held you back from making a career move or life change, this episode will help you take that next step with confidence.You’ll learn:Why fear and overthinking keep us stuck in inactionDr. Margie’s 5-step process for building courage and momentumHow to reframe failure and embrace discomfort as growthShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:The Courage Gap (Book): https://margiewarrell.com/thecouragegap/ Dr. Margie Warrell’s website: https://margiewarrell.comDr. Margie Warrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiewarrell/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/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 9, 2025 • 24min
3 in 30: Ask Marnie Anything
In this solo 3 in 30 episode, career coach Marnie Lemonik answers listener questions across leadership, job searching, and workplace growth. From stepping into people management for the first time to navigating stagnation, hypothetical interview questions, and asking for more feedback, Marnie breaks down the mindsets and tactical approaches that will help you move forward with confidence. You’ll Learn:How to transition into people management with trust, structure, and clarityHow to evaluate whether it’s truly time to leave your jobHow to answer hypothetical interview questions with a clear, repeatable formatHow to ask your manager for more feedback in a direct, positive wayShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Follow Marnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnielemonik/ Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmcgoodwin/ Resources Instagram Video: Hypothetical Questions: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ7_A3rgVYs/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==CareerFitter Online Assessment: https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218 Job Search Dashboard: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-job-search-dashboard-notion-template?affcode=70732_cx6_j5wn Marnie’s Free Resourceshttps://www.marnielemonik.com/resources Marnie’s Interview Prep eBook: https://www.marnielemonik.com/resources/p/ebook-how-to-shine-in-your-next-job-interview 10% Discount Code: CCPOD 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/ 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:Go to shopify.com/careercontessa to upgrade your selling today.Go to livemomentous.com, and use promo code CONTESSA for up to 35% off your first order.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 28min
Think Fast, Talk Smart: How to Communicate Confidently on the Spot
Matt Abrahams, a Stanford lecturer and spontaneous speaking expert, explains how to stay calm and confident in on-the-spot conversations. He explores simple structures like “What? So what? Now what?” to keep answers clear. Topics include prepping for interviews, reframing small talk, concise messaging for email, and using practice drills to think faster and speak smarter.

Nov 25, 2025 • 39min
Growth Mindset at Work: Overcome Fixed Thinking and Unlock Career Success
Join career coach Kristin Evanson, an expert in neuroscience and transition coaching, as she discusses how to shift from a fixed to a growth mindset. She shares four actionable steps to reframe limiting thoughts, enhancing resilience during career changes. Recruiter Alex Bader provides insider tips on tailoring resumes and excelling in Zoom interviews, emphasizing the value of transferable skills. Together, they inspire listeners to embrace challenges creatively and confidently.

Nov 18, 2025 • 29min
3 in 30: How to Prep for PTO and Actually Enjoy Your Vacation
Career coach Marnie Lemonik joins the discussion, offering her expertise on how to maximize your paid time off. They explore using AI tools for a seamless post-vacation catch-up, ensuring your team knows what to expect, and the importance of clear communication before PTO. Marnie emphasizes reframing vacations as integral to long-term career success and mental well-being. They also discuss the challenges of unplugging and share strategies to help you truly relax while away.

Nov 11, 2025 • 34min
3 Mental Strategies for Overcoming Fear (That Actually Work)
Ranjay Gulati, a Harvard Business School professor and author of "How to Be Bold," shares insights on courage and overcoming fear in your career. He explains that true courage is acting despite fear, not the absence of it. Listeners learn about the 'fear equation' and how uncertainty impacts our actions. He introduces the 9 C's of Courage and emphasizes the importance of personal narratives. Ranjay also shares mental strategies like rituals and reframing that help manage fear in real-time, ultimately guiding us to take bold actions.


