Career Lunch Break

Sometimes the best advice is worth hearing twice. We're taking a short break from new episodes, but we didn't want your lunch break to go without something good — so we pulled some of our favorite job search conversations from the archive. This week's lineup includes David Fano on why intentional effort beats keyword chasing every time, Brad Stair on building real confidence through the job search...

Barbara Merola Pawar has never been afraid to ask for what she wants. And it has taken her everywhere. In this episode, Erin sits down with Barbara Merola Pawar — a leader with an impressive career spanning politics, sales, and beyond — for a conversation about what it really takes to build a career with intention. They get into a lot: how Barbara leveraged every role she's ever had to move into t...

Some conversations don't need an agenda. They just need the right people and the right questions. In this episode, Erin sits down with Shane Arthur for round two — and this one goes deep. They get into the questions most people are quietly sitting with but not saying out loud. They get into a lot: how to weigh the pros and cons of staying vs. leaving a job, why an ending is often more of a beginni...

Sixteen years. National board certified. A doctorate in progress. And still, Emily Tadepalli knew it was time to go. In this episode, Eva Papacostas sits down with Emily Tadepalli — former teacher turned Customer Experience Manager — for one of the most honest conversations about leaving teaching you'll hear. They get into a lot: what it actually felt like to leave the classroom mid-school year, t...

Some people come into your life and quietly raise the bar for everything. In this episode, Erin sits down with Martha Foreman — staffing company owner, former boss, and someone Erin considers a true north star in both life and leadership. They get into a lot: what made Martha walk away from a successful career to build something of her own, how she navigated launching a business right as a pandemi...

Some pivots look easy from the outside. Alexa Hirschberg will be the first to tell you hers was not. In this episode, Eva Papacostas sits down with Alexa Hirschberg — pilates and yoga instructor, content creator, Reiki master, and someone who applied to 247 jobs before landing her full time role outside the classroom. They get into a lot: what it actually felt like to leave a job she loved, how sh...

A conversation that feels like a coaching session… Erin sits down with Shane Arthur (her personal executive coach) for one of the most thoughtful conversations Career Lunch Break has ever had. They get into a lot: Shane's decision to walk away from a job he loved for 20 years to bet on himself as an executive coach, what it really means to lead with kindness without sacrificing results, the loneli...

There are leaders who talk about authenticity. And then there are leaders who actually live it. Anne Barker is the second kind. In this episode, Erin sits down with Anne Barker, a sales executive in the procurement space and one of the most dynamic women in leadership you'll ever hear from. They get into a lot: Anne's winding career path from radio to TV to procurement, the moment she knew somethi...

Tim Slade wrote the book on Instructional Design. Literally. In this episode, Erin sits down with Tim — Instructional Design expert, author, and one of her most trusted go-to resources for anyone curious about ID or L&D — for his second appearance on Career Lunch Break. They dig into a lot: what Instructional Design actually is and why it matters, how AI is reshaping the field and where the hu...

Some people want to climb the ladder. Abbey always knew that wasn't her thing. In this episode, Erin sits down with Abbey Vogt, the virtual assistant behind the scenes at Erin Lewber Coaching, for a conversation about what it takes to build a life on your own terms.  They get into a lot: her transition out of teaching and the tough decisions that came with it, what building a freelance business re...

You've heard her name. Now meet Eva. In this episode, Erin sits down with Eva Papacostas, career pivot coach on the Erin Lewber Coaching team, for a real introduction. They dig into: what Eva was like growing up and how much she's evolved, her own transition out of teaching and what that pivot actually looked like, how she thinks about coaching and supporting clients through career change, and her...

Erin usually asks the questions. Not today. In this episode, Eva Papacostas flips the script and puts Career Lunch Break host Erin Lewber in the hot seat for the first time. They cover a lot of ground: what growing up on a farm shaped about who she is, her multiple career pivots and how she navigated them, the biggest misconceptions people have about sales, how she thinks about life goals versus c...

What actually makes a difference in your job search? David Fano (Founder & CEO of Teal) says it’s not about beating the algorithm—it’s about thinking hard, working smart, and being intentional. In this episode, we talk resumes, job search, and why thoughtful effort beats quick fixes every time. If you’ve been obsessing over keywords but avoiding the real work of reflection, this is your wake-u...

Ben Erwin went from the classroom to the world of instructional design—and he’s walking us through how he did it, what he learned along the way, and what every teacher (or career changer) should know before making the jump. We also talk portfolios, free resources, and LinkedIn authenticity. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: http...

Brad Stair, host of The Job Seeker’s Journey podcast, joins to talk about what makes a confident job search actually possible. From rejection to mindset shifts to personal growth—it’s a real convo about the stuff we all deal with but don’t always talk about. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef...

Tim Slade gets real about imposter syndrome, failure, and why showing up as your full self matters so much in both your career and your life. If you’re tired of faking it and ready to own your story, this one’s going to hit home. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusroleformula ⭐️ Build a resume tha...

Thinking about joining a startup? Katy Stover Fox shares what she’s learned recruiting for fast-growing companies—what hiring managers at startups actually want, what to expect from the culture, and how to know if it’s the right move for you. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusroleformula ⭐️ Build...

What even is Customer Success? And how do you break into it? Aaron Thompson lays it all out—what hiring managers are looking for, how to tell your story, and why your non-CS background might actually be your biggest asset. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusroleformula ⭐️ Build a resume that gets...

What you wear does matter—especially when you’re trying to feel confident and leave a lasting impression. Celebrity stylist Basia Richard shares real talk on dressing for interviews, creating a basic wardrobe, and finding your personal style without the overwhelm. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: https://www.erinlewber.com/focu...

If your job search feels like a mess of tabs, half-written cover letters, and distractions, we get it. David Hannan joins to talk about navigating the job hunt with ADHD, finding systems that actually work, and building a career that fits your brain, not the other way around. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: https://www.erinlew...

Thinking about pivoting to marketing but not sure where to start? Nathaniel Miller shares how he made the leap (with no traditional background), the mindset shifts that helped, and how to use what you already know to land new opportunities. A must-listen for career changers who want to stop overthinking and start moving. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path wi...

Ever wish you could get inside a recruiter’s brain? Richie Lampani’s been in the game for years, and he’s dropping real talk on what actually matters in your resume, how to stand out, and what most people get wrong in the job search. Honest, helpful, and no fluff. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Role Formula: https://www.erinlewber.com/focu...

Want to catch a recruiter’s eye in a sea of job seekers? Chris Bogue is all about using short-form video to showcase your personality and skills. We’re talking video, confidence, and how to be unforgettable (in a good way). If you’ve ever thought “How can I stand out from the crowd?” — this one’s for you. RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH: ⭐️ Confidently choose your new career path with The Focus Rol...