Career Contessa

The job market has changed—and standing out requires more than a polished resume. In this episode, Lauren sits down with career expert Sam DeMase from ZipRecruiter to break down what actually helps candidates get noticed right now—from clarifying your value proposition to optimizing the most important part of your resume. You’ll learn: Why the top one-third of your resume matters most—and exactly...

Executive presence is one of the most talked-about—and least understood—skills in your career. In this episode, Lauren sits down with executive coach and co-author of The Presence Principle , Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, to break down what executive presence actually is, why it matters for promotions, and how to build it in a way that feels authentic—not performative. If you’ve ever been told to “speak up...

Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward, transactional, or exhausting. In this episode, Lauren sits down with communications leader and author Monique Kelley to break down the do’s and don’ts of relationship-based networking—and how building genuine connections can unlock new opportunities, collaborations, and career growth. You’ll learn:  • Why the biggest networking mistake is waiting until...

Debt can quietly shape your confidence, boundaries, and career choices. In this episode, Lauren talks with Arden Missal, founder of She’s Financially Free, about how financial pressure keeps many women playing small at work—and how to start making career decisions from confidence instead of fear. You’ll learn: How money stress impacts negotiation, overwork, and risk-taking The difference between b...

Thinking about a career change—but not sure where to start? In this episode, career transition expert Cara Bedick breaks down what it really takes to make a successful move—from navigating fear and identity shifts to translating your skills and building a strategy that actually works. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this conversation will help you move forward with clarity and confidence. You’ll lea...

Even with social media, text, and DMs, email is still the best way to communicate and contact people who can help your career. Now we just need to make sure those emails are crafted in a way to catch the attention of busy readers! Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, Jason Feifer, will tell you a masterclass on: What bad email communication looks like How to assess your own email writing skil...

The truth is, that not everyone will enjoy managing people. But luckily, you don't have to become a manager to grow in your career. Leadership expert and author of Happy@Work Robyn L Garrett is here to share: How to know if management is right for you Ways to advance your career that aren’t management What makes a good manager How new managers can be successful in their first 90 days Show Notes We...

How do we make work, less work? Author and organizational psychologist Andrè Martin shares how to find your right-fit career. You’ll learn: What’s the difference between right fit vs. wrong fit careers How to craft your “right fit” career The questions to ask to determine if a company and role are the right fit What to do if you’re in the wrong fit  Strategies for building a successful career...

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...

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...