Career Bites Podcast

If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. That’s exactly what Scott Bryson did throughout his career in the Secret Service. What’s it like to set up a brand new protective detail? How well do agents get to know their protectees? And why do teachers make good agents? You can learn more about Scott’s career on his website . WANT TO LEARN MORE? Get the Career Bites newsletter ! LIKE THIS EPIS...

Like competition? Try selling cars! As our guest Andrea Anderson will tell you, there’s nothing like making deals on the lot to get your adrenaline going. How does she handle being mistaken for the receptionist? What is it like to be paid on commission? And how did a bet turn into her dream job? See more of what it’s like to sell cars on Andrea’s Instagram . WANT TO LEARN MORE? Get the Career Bite...

This job is proof that a blue collar career can be lucrative - not only in income, but also in growth opportunities. The catch? You’ve got to be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up. That’s exactly how Ryan “Ike” Eisenhauer went from cleaning job sites at 14 y.o. to a facilities director at 35. But how do you land that first construction job when you’ve zero experience? Does a colle...

You’ve likely seen their work as an infographic at a zoo or on a nature walk, and never even realized who created it. So this week, I’m talking to J. Spahr to learn more about how she’s able to marry science and art as a scientific illustrator. Where does her inspiration come from? How does she balance best practices with client demands? And why are so many of her clients from Europe? You can see...

Cleaning classrooms might just be the most fun you’ll ever have at work - but don’t take it from me. In this episode, I asked high school janitor Maddie “Mad Dog” Baker and retired middle school janitor Gary Parsley for the dirt on what it’s really like to care for our public schools. What do janitors do over summer break? What is their relationship like with teachers? And do they ever get used to...

Guest Ruha Tacey is more than just an engineer - her mission is to help up-and-coming engineers navigate their ideal career path. So I asked her for her best internship advice, how to stand out while networking, and whether you have to have a passion for engineering to work in this field. She has nuggets of wisdom for all students - even if you’re not an engineering major! You can find Ruha on her...

They make the chemicals that make the world go round. But they’re not using test tubes and beakers. Instead, they design the systems producing millions of units of product daily. So I interviewed Ruha Tacey, former chemical engineer turned technical career advisor, to learn what it takes to become someone who does chemistry at such grand scales. What skills can you work on now to get noticed by jo...

We’re continuing our review of careers from previous episodes. In this third episode of our Sampler Series, we’re getting a taste of what it’s like to be a photographer, a 3D artist, and an actress. IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Try sampling the full episodes with a Photographer , a 3D Artist , and an Actress . Then follow Career Bites on Instagram ! GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at careerbite...

We’re continuing our review of careers from previous episodes. In this second episode of our Sampler Series, we’re getting a taste of what it’s like to be a doula, a physical therapist, and a mortician. IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Try sampling the full episodes with a Doula , a Physical Therapist , and a Mortician . Then follow Career Bites on Instagram ! GOT A COMMENT OR SUGGESTION? Email us at car...

To wrap up 2025, let’s take a look back at some of the previous careers we’ve featured on the show. In this first episode of our Sampler Series, we’re getting a taste of what it’s like to be a sous chef, a sommelier, and a food scientist. Bon appetit! IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Try sampling the full episodes with a Sous Chef , a Sommelier , and a Food Scientist . Then follow Career Bites on Instagr...

The voice behind the next bestselling audiobook could be YOU. In this episode, I’m joined by Tim Paige, an audiobook narrator and voice actor, to learn what it’s like to perform romance novels for a living. How do you read a love scene tastefully? How do narrators find work? And do closets make good recording booths? You can find Tim on his website and Instagram . Get started narrating with Narrat...

Like computers but can’t code? Don’t let that stop you from seriously considering a career in cybersecurity. Just as valuable as hackers and programmers are the folks who configure security tools, analyze data and educate organizations. With Abed Hamdan, a cybersecurity professional from Australia, we’ll explore what it takes to protect your data for a living. What’s it like to respond to a securi...

Get ready to be moved as Dr. Jon Hermansen helps a girl with brain damage learn to walk, treats injuries at a funeral, and empowers patients. How many different ways can PTs specialize? How are PTs like detectives? And is spending 7 years on education in this field worth it? IF YOU LIKE THIS EPISODE: Try sampling our Radiologist , Optometrist , and Doula episodes. Then follow Career Bites on Insta...

This episode is all about the chase! Chasing opportunities to film the world’s rarest animals; chasing dreams without a fallback plan; and chasing solutions to equipment failure in remote locales. How do you film animals in pitch black environments? What kinds of animals make the best subjects for novice filmmakers? And what does it take to go from shooting zero-budget short films to crafting awar...

If you are seriously considering pursuing music in college, this is the episode to listen to! My guest is concert clarinetist Irene Chen of Zurich, Switzerland. She reveals what it’s like to perform with only 24-hours notice, the effect of performing on a musician’s mental health, and why the most talented musicians don’t have degrees. Career Bites is moving to a monthly release schedule. Subscrib...

Farmers are the brawn behind our country’s crop production. But who are the brains of the agriculture industry? Crop scientists, like Dr. Cory Mills, use their knowledge of plant breeding, genetics, and experimental design to create new and improved crop varieties that yield more, repel pests, and withstand climate change. But developing these products means Cory needs to cultivate talent as much...

Working as a CSI is Jessica Liang’s love letter to her community. When a crime leaves families reeling and neighbors feeling helpless, her expertise directly impacts the justice that brings closure. It’s this knowledge that keeps her going through hours on her feet, gruesome sights, and the emotional toll of regularly bearing witness to humanity’s lowest moments. So what does it take to properly d...

We’re told as kids to “shoot for the stars”. Well, how about shooting for the skies - as an airline pilot? In this episode, European airline pilot Raja Katz lets us inside the cockpit as we explore a career in aviation. How do flight school students practice flying outside an aircraft? Is a pilot’s license like a driver’s license? And what is auto-pilot really for? Find Raja on Instagram ; learn m...

If you think you can stand the heat, get into the kitchen. It’s how professional chef Hanalei Souza got started - and in less than a decade she is second-in-command at the largest restaurant in her city. How did Hanalei rise through the ranks without a culinary degree? What is it like to be a leader in the kitchen? And where does she get inspiration for new dishes? Hanalei is online as @ladylineco...

Are you looking for a woman in finance? Better yet, do you want to BE a woman in finance? Meet Urmi Hossain, an associate in portfolio management in Montreal, Canada. She’s the first guest in our Women at Work series for Women’s History Month. Urmi shares how she worked her way through the industry to her dream role, the benefits of “extracurriculars” like Toastmasters, and what she’s learned from...

Doctors can seem (or even see themselves as) superhuman. But since only Superman can claim x-ray vision, doctors rely heavily on radiology - the practice of imaging patients by machine - to assess internal injuries. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Bryce Betteridge about what it’s like to interpret these images as a radiologist. He also sub-specializes in mammography (breast imaging). Does AI have...

Happy Int’l Day of Women and Girls in Science! In this episode, we’re celebrating with paleontologist and children’s educator Bethany Franklin. How accurate are Hollywood portrayals of paleontology? What is commercial paleontology? And which dinosaur fuels the field’s biggest rivalries? Can’t get enough about bones? Our next episode is with a radiologist. Subscribe to Career Bites so you don’t mis...

It’s the closest to being a wizard you’ll ever get: you wave your wand and music is conjured and controlled per your command. But the realities of musical conducting as an occupation are not quite so fantastical. You need marketing chops, communication savvy, a dash of humility, and a whole lot of hustle. Join me as I interview Callum Rookes, a musician-turned-conductor from the UK. What philosoph...

They are wine experts in the fine-dining world, helping guests understand and enjoy the bottles that pair best with each meal. But to be a sommelier, you need to know more than just expensive labels and obscure tasting notes. As L.A. sommelier Loris Jones-Randolph shares in this episode, her work requires her to also be part dancer, part server, and part scientist. So how difficult is it to become...

Let’s keep digging into the field of deathcare! I continue my interview with Kari Northey, a mortician with decades of experience, for the dirt on what it takes to work in a funeral home. Does spirituality help or hinder in this business? What makes a good funeral? And how does a mortician find fulfillment? This episode is a continuation of my conversation with Kari from Part 1 of this episode . F...