Career Contessa

Talking about your achievements can feel uncomfortable, but self-marketing is a crucial skill for career growth. In this episode, career coach and author Michelle Schafer shares how to confidently articulate your value—without feeling like you’re bragging. You’ll learn: How to reframe self-promotion as sharing facts, not boasting Key ways to showcase your value beyond your resume Simple daily habi...

Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a career strategy. In this episode, we’re unpacking the powerful link between sleep and work performance with Terry Cralle, RN and certified clinical sleep educator from the Better Sleep Council, to explore how your sleep habits can make or break your productivity, decision-making, and even long-term career growth. Whether you're burning the midnight oil or battling after...

The very trait that makes you a great employee might be holding you back when it comes to negotiating. In this episode, we’re joined by negotiation experts Gerta Malaj and Alex Choi from YourNegotiations.com to discuss why over-communication can hurt your negotiation power—and what to do instead. You’ll learn: Why over-communication weakens your position in a negotiation Practical strategies to us...

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your work routines and habits! Learn three tangible tips in 30 minutes to help you stay organized, productive, and energized—no matter where or how you work with host Lauren McGoodwin and career coach Marnie Lemonik as they dive into: ✅ The difference between routines and habits (and why you need both) ✅ Tried-and-true strategies for structuring your workday...

Navigating tech salaries and equity can be confusing, but understanding the details of stock options, RSUs, and compensation strategies can significantly impact your financial future. Compensation expert, Kimberly Hodgdon, who has worked with major tech companies like Netflix and Pinterest, breaks down key insights to help you maximize your earning potential such as: How to decipher and negotiate...

We’re in the middle of the biggest transformation in work in over a century—from remote work and burnout to shifting employee priorities. Through it all, one factor remains essential: meaning. In this episode, workplace motivation experts Wes Adams and Tamara Myles share how leaders and employees alike can create more meaningful work and why it leads to higher engagement, productivity, and success...

Feeling stuck in your career and unsure of your next move? You’re not alone! In this episode, Career Contessa founder Lauren McGoodwin and career coach Marnie Lemonik break down 3 actionable steps to help you gain career clarity—without the overwhelm. Tune in to learn: The biggest misconceptions about career clarity (and what to focus on instead)  How to identify your strengths, non-negotiabl...

Learn how to navigate tough workplace conversations with grace. Leadership Strategist Talia Fox joins us to share strategies for fostering openness, maintaining trust, and handling sensitive topics like a pro. You’ll learn: The biggest mistakes people make during tough conversations at work. How to use her L.O.V.E approach to difficult conversations Practical frameworks including how to play Value...

Feeling stuck, frustrated, or unsure of how to get what you need from your boss? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re tackling the essential skill of managing up with special guest Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up . You’ll learn how to: Understand your boss’s motivations and set clear boundaries Advocate for yourself while maintaining strong workplace relationships Improve communication s...

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the rapid changes in your job, considering a career pivot, or simply trying to keep up, this episode is for you. LinkedIn’s Career Coach, Catherine Fisher, is here to share: What’s driving these tough realities about work 3 practical strategies for navigating any career stage right now The top skills hiring managers are looking for + how to show them Show Note...

Don’t let perfectionism stunt your professional growth! Career Contessa founder, Lauren McGoodwin, and Career coach, Marnie Lemonik, share: Before and after stories of perfectionist tendencies Tips for listeners dealing with the pressure to be perfect Our favorite creators and books for letting go of perfectionism Show Notes Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW   Follow Marnie on...

Whether you’re crunching numbers every day or avoiding them entirely, this conversation will redefine how you think about financial success. We’re breaking down the five key signs of financial health with author and financial expert Dr. Annie Cole. You’ll learn: Which sign is the most foundational for financial success How to improve your financial health without earning significantly more Simple...

Feeling stuck in fear, doubt, or overthinking? In this episode, bestselling author and courage expert Dr. Margie Warrell shares powerful insights from her book The Courage Gap . You’ll learn: How to close the gap between thinking and doing A practical 5-step formula for activating courage Tips to reset your relationship with discomfort and take action Show Notes Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up : http://...

Is 2025 the year you finally break free from career stagnation and start making progress toward the work life you truly want? In this episode, we dive into practical, actionable strategies to maximize your career growth, inspired by the game-changing insights from Job Moves with co-author Ethan Bernstein. You’ll learn: The biggest misconceptions about navigating career transitions How to apply the...

LinkedIn has become more than just a professional networking platform—it's your digital resume, your personal brand, and a hub for career opportunities. But with constant updates and evolving trends, how can you make sure you're using LinkedIn to its fullest potential in 2025? Career coach, Marnie Lemonik, and Lauren McGoodwin and here to share: How to use LinkedIn to build your personal brand in...

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 uncomfortable The 4-step strategy that makes self-promotion more effective and way less icky Quick self-promotion tactics that take less than 5 minutes Show Notes Weekl...

We all have moments when we doubt our path. Is this the career for me? Is this as good as it gets? These questions can feel uncomfortable without a method for uncovering the answers—especially at this time of year. The Life Brief author and globally-renowned Brand Strategist, Bonnie Wan, is here to share how we can create life briefs that unlock clarity and unleash action. You’ll learn  How t...

Research shows people form judgments within seconds of meeting someone new or encountering a new situation. That means how you introduce yourself in those first few moments has a powerful impact on how others perceive you. Personal branding expert Aliza Licht joins the show to share: Easy tips to nail your intro every time How to craft a concise and impactful professional introduction Ways to be m...

What will the workplace look like in 2025? In this episode, we dive into the trends shaping the future of work, from AI education and hybrid work evolution to the rise of EQ skills with Career Contessa coach, Marnie Lemonik. We'll discuss: 3 workplace trends you can expect in 2025 What trends stood out to us in 2024 Marnie and Lauren’s intentions for 2025 Show Notes Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http...

When work and life are overwhelming, reclaiming a sense of joy at work can be difficult. But the author of the new book Burnt Out to Lit Up , Daisy Auger-Domínguez, is here to share the research and strategies that prove it’s possible to find joy— even on your worst days. You’ll learn: The benefits of incorporating joy, hope, and optimism into the workplace to help combat burnout,  4 strategi...

Many people think that success comes from gaining power, but it's actually status that leads to long-term achievement and influence. Discover how to enhance your status from organizational psychologist and author of 'Likable Badass', Alison Fragale. The science behind status and why it’s more important than power Strategies for gaining and maintaining status at work How to use your status to build...

Do you ever feel like a fraud, doubting your achievements even when the evidence says otherwise? You're not alone—and that feeling might actually be a hidden strength. In this episode, career coach Marnie Lemonik and Lauren dive deep into the phenomenon of impostor syndrome and explore how to harness its power for personal and professional growth. We'll discuss: What impostor syndrome is and why s...

Here’s a hard truth about life: nobody cares about your career more than you. And that’s precisely why we’re learning how to take control of our careers with Erika Ayers Badan, the CEO of Food 52 and author of Nobody Cares About Your Career . You’ll learn: How your career vision guides your work The most important “soft” skill that leads to success How to know what your company is paying you to do...

Improve your management skills to get things done and bring out the best in your team, whether you’re an aspiring, new, or seasoned leader with Career Contessa Coach Marnie Lemonik. You’ll learn: How to default to transparent communication How to lead as a coach—not the star athlete Tips for asking questions and being a great listener Show Notes Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Fol...

It’s time to work with your brain and not against it to be more efficient. Most office workers are expected to operate with industrial-era efficiency. Yet, the work that matters most in our technology-dominated workplace – generating brilliant ideas, solving complex problems and learning – can’t be manufactured like outputs on an assembly line.  Neuroscientist and author of Hperefficent: Opti...