

Moonshot Mentor with Laverne McKinnon
Laverne McKinnon
Stories, tools, and strategies to conquer career setbacks, including grief work, as unresolved loss can lead to diminished resilience—a career challenge faced by everyone at some stage in life. Each podcast is an audio blog post from Laverne McKinnon, a Career Coach and Grief Recovery Specialist, Film and Television Producer, and Northwestern University Professor.
Full archive of posts is available for paid subscribers on Substack. moonshotmentor.substack.com
Full archive of posts is available for paid subscribers on Substack. moonshotmentor.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 14, 2024 • 10min
Why Is My Network Ghosting Me? 😢
Many people are finding themselves reaching out for career help, only to be met with... nothing. Being ghosted by former colleagues or folx you’ve supported is disheartening, upsetting and frustrating. By understanding why your network is ghosting, you can learn how to make the right asks that will help you utilize your contacts and open up new opportunities.In this week’s blog, I explore the three reasons your network might be ignoring you—and how you can fix it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Oct 7, 2024 • 12min
What You’ve Got Wrong About Procrastination 🤔
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comDo you ever find yourself putting off tasks, even when you know they’re important? You might think it’s just a time management issue, but the real reason goes deeper than that.Experts say procrastination is more about managing emotions than managing time. It's not the task you're avoiding but how that task makes you feel—whether it's stress, fear, or even perfectionism creeping in.By understanding the emotions behind your procrastination, you can take real, meaningful steps toward completing your goals without guilt and frustration.This week’s blog dives into the emotional side of why we delay and explore practical ways to get started and accomplish your tasks and goals.

Sep 30, 2024 • 8min
Low Energy? 💪
Feeling stuck in your career? Discover how gratitude can be a game changer! This enlightening discussion reveals personal stories and research showing gratitude's power to lift you from negativity. A compelling case study of Margaret illustrates how a mindset shift can unlock new opportunities. Listeners are encouraged to adopt their own gratitude practices and learn how appreciation fosters resilience and transforms tough times into moments of strength and comfort.

Sep 23, 2024 • 11min
Should You Change Jobs in Tough Times? 🤔
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comAre you feeling stuck in your career and unsure whether to stay the course or make a bold change? If you’re in an industry like entertainment that’s experiencing a massive contraction, you may be questioning if it’s better to wait for things to improve or to pivot.What if there was a way to make this decision with confidence and clarity? By combining practical considerations with a deeper understanding of your values, you can navigate this challenging time with a clear mind and steady heart. In this week’s blog, I explore two essential decision-making models that can guide you: the pragmatic approach and the spiritual approach.

Sep 16, 2024 • 14min
How Can You Stay Calm Under Stress? 🌿
Ever notice how some days you’re able to handle stress, communicate well, and keep your cool, while other days you feel overwhelmed and in a spiral of mercury in retrograde? In this week’s blog, I dive into how you can stay in an awesome, cool, and balanced state more often – so you can achieve your career goals and not get derailed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Sep 9, 2024 • 10min
How to Network After Losing Touch? 🤝
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comReady to pivot your career or find a new job but feeling stuck on reaching out to your network because it’s been a long time? This question came from a reader of my blog on Substack and it’s a problem we all face when reconnecting. I believe it’s possible to overcome those blocks and in my latest blog, I break down the four key reasons we hesitate and how to tackle them head-on.

Sep 3, 2024 • 15min
When Should You Set a Deadline? 🕒
If you’re like me, deadlines can be both motivating and stressful especially when tackling larger goals. While deadlines are valuable in order to create accountability, prioritize tasks, and track progress, we often create arbitrary ones in our careers that are unrealistic and ultimately unhelpful. In this week’s blog, I dive into how to best use deadlines to achieve results. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 26, 2024 • 10min
How Can Grief Boulders Turn to Butterflies?🦋
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comGrief can feel like an immovable boulder, crushing and overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered how to lighten this burden, you’re not alone. Inspired by a reader's question about how to manage the weight of grief, this week’s blog in the form of an advice column explores how changing your perspective can turn these heavy burdens into lighter, more manageable experiences.

Aug 19, 2024 • 9min
Why Do We Make Desperate Choices? 😟
Have you ever found yourself making a choice because you felt you had no other option? 😟 Maybe you took a job out of sheer desperation, hoping it would solve your immediate problems, only to find it left you feeling unfulfilled and stuck. You're not alone in this experience. Many of us face situations where making a decision from a place of desperation seems like the only way out. But what if there was a better way? What if you could make decisions that not only meet your needs but also align with what truly matters to you?In this blogcast, we’ll explore the power of values in guiding decisions. By identifying and honoring your values, you can transform how you approach decisions, even in tough situations. This shift can help you move from feeling desperate to feeling empowered and in control. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Aug 12, 2024 • 15min
Can We Grieve Former Versions of Ourselves? 🤔
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com*Apologies for the loud outside motorcycle noise during part of this recording!Nostalgia often hits when we least expect it, making us yearn for versions of ourselves that no longer exist. 🌟 These past identities, whether an ambitious young adult or a naive expat landing in a new city, play a crucial role in shaping who we are today. Yet, we rarely acknowledge the need to grieve them.Recognizing and mourning the different versions of ourselves from the past is an essential yet frequently overlooked aspect of growth. It's normal to miss who we once were. Allowing ourselves to grieve these former identities can help us move forward with a clearer sense of purpose.This week’s blog is inspired by a reader's question about grieving old versions of ourselves. If you have a question or topic you’d like me to address, drop me a DM or post a comment.


