Career Contessa

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 burnout The psychology behind Sunday dread and work rumination Simpl...

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 problem The difference between stress vs. strain—and how to...

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:...

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 tril...

Ever feel like the default project manager at home or work? In this episode, Lauren sits down with Dr. Regina Lark to unpack soft incompetence —a subtle dynamic that quietly shifts emotional labor onto one person, often with good intentions. Learn how to spot it, talk about it, and rebalance responsibility without resentment. You’ll learn: How soft incompetence differs from weaponized incompetence...

Communication isn’t just a soft skill—it’s the foundation of influence, trust, and leadership at work. In this episode, Ravi Rajani, author of Relationship Currency, breaks down the five habits that make communicators truly influential. From reframing the stories you tell yourself to building trust without being the loudest voice in the room, Ravi shares practical, immediately usable shifts that h...

The way we work is changing—and it’s not going back. In this episode, we sit down with Brea Starmer, founder and CEO of Lions & Tigers, to break down the rise of blended teams, where full-time employees work alongside independent experts. They explore why women are leaving rigid career structures, how AI is widening skills gaps, and what companies must do to build flexible, high-performing tea...

Great leadership starts with managing yourself. Harvard professor Margaret C. Andrews shares why lack of self-awareness derails careers, how emotional intelligence shapes leadership at every stage, and which human skills matter most as AI reshapes work. A must-listen for anyone ready to lead with more clarity and confidence. You’ll learn: Why lack of self-awareness is one of the biggest predictors...

Money stress isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systems problem. In this episode, Lauren welcomes back Jesse Mecham, founder of You Need A Budget (YNAB), to unpack why so many high-achieving women still feel anxious about money—even when they’re earning more than ever. Jesse explains why the goal isn’t spending less, but spending with intention, and how a few mindset shifts can dramatically reduce mo...

Getting laid off can feel overwhelming—but knowing what to do next can make all the difference. Greg Lawson from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) breaks down exactly what to do in the moments, days, and weeks after a layoff. From filing for unemployment the right way to accessing lesser-known support programs, this conversation helps you move forward with clarity and confidence...

In this episode, Lauren turns the mic on co-host Marnie Lemonik to unpack her journey from corporate professional to Career Coach. Marnie shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she “shot her shot” with Career Contessa years before officially joining the team, what pushed her to start coaching and how she financially (and mentally) prepared to bet on herself. If you’ve ever considered start...

Feeling stuck in your career? You’re not alone. In this episode, Lauren talks with McKinsey senior partner and A CEO for All Seasons coauthor Carolyn Dewar about what to do when your early wins fade and your career momentum stalls. Drawing on insights from 83 top CEOs, Carolyn shares how to reset your goals, reignite your motivation, and lead with quiet confidence—no matter your title. You’ll lear...

What makes some teams thrive while others struggle? Leadership expert Dr. Vanessa Druskat joins Lauren to share why team success depends on emotional intelligence—not just talent. You’ll learn: Why emotionally intelligent teams outperform others How to build trust and psychological safety Simple steps to boost your team’s emotional IQ Show Notes Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Gui...

AI is transforming the way work gets done—but great leadership still comes down to people. In this episode of The Career Contessa Podcast , Lauren McGoodwin welcomes back Julie Zhuo, author of The Making of a Manager and co-founder of Sundial, to discuss how managers can lead effectively in the AI era, beyond productivity metrics and tools. You'll learn: Why AI-driven productivity doesn’t equal te...

Why do we instantly “click” with some coworkers and struggle with others? Journalist and bestselling author Kate Murphy discusses the emerging science of interpersonal synchrony—how our brains, bodies, and behavior subconsciously sync with the people around us. You’ll learn: • What interpersonal synchrony is and why it matters for your career • How technology is changing the way we connect, collab...

If you’ve ever started the year with big career goals—only to lose steam by spring—this episode is for you. Career coach Michelle Schafer shares her quarterly career playbook : a simple, structured approach to keep your professional growth on track all year long. Learn how to break your goals into manageable chunks, build momentum each quarter, and stay accountable to your future self. You’ll lear...

Before you set another career goal, hit pause — it’s time for a career audit. Career coach and product marketing pro Saniya Waghray Tyagi shares how to reflect on the past year, clarify what’s working (and what’s not), and set intentional goals that align your energy, environment, and ambitions for 2026. You’ll learn: The five key areas to evaluate in your career audit — and how to spot when you’r...

In this episode, Lauren and Marnie break down three major workplace predictions for 2026, drawing from leading reports by Indeed, Forbes, and McKinsey.  After a quick lookback on 2025, Lauren and Marnie dive deep into what’s ahead for the new year as it relates to job searching and larger workplace cultural shifts.  You’ll Learn: Why the 2026 job market may feel familiar and how to job s...

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 inaction Dr. Margie’s 5-step process for building courage and momentum How to ref...

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.  Yo...

This holiday season, we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes featuring communication expert Matt Abrahams. Learn how to stay calm, concise, and confident in spontaneous conversations — from job interviews to everyday workplace interactions. You’ll learn: How to manage anxiety in high-stakes communication moments Simple structures (like “What? So what? Now what?”) to keep your responses c...

We’re replaying one of our most-loved episodes to close out the year. Career coach Kristin Evanson joins me to share how neuroscience can help you shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset — so you can approach challenges with confidence and creativity. You’ll learn: The difference between fixed and growth mindsets (and how to spot your own tendencies) Four actionable steps to reframe limitin...

In this episode, Lauren and career coach Marnie Lemonik are in full holiday prep mode—tackling the stress that often comes with taking paid time off.  From the anxiety of unplugging to the chaos of catching up, they share practical strategies to make your vacations more restorative and less overwhelming.  You’ll Learn: How to use AI tools to streamline your post-vacation “catch up” proce...

Fear shows up in every career — whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, going for a stretch role, or asking for a raise. But courage isn’t about eliminating fear; it’s about acting with it. In this episode, Harvard Business School professor and author Ranjay Gulati shares the science of everyday courage and practical strategies to help you move forward boldly in your career. You’ll learn: The “fear...

Think personal branding is only for extroverts? Think again. In this episode, Lauren sits down with Goldie Chan—personal branding strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Personal Branding for Introverts —to unpack how introverts can grow their authentic presence without burning out. You’ll learn: Why personal branding is about clarity and connection, not self-promotion The “Five C’s” every intr...