Career Warrior Podcast

Should you lie on your resume to get ahead? Spend five minutes on Reddit and you’ll see it everywhere: people asking if they should inflate numbers, fake certifications, stretch job titles, or take credit for work they barely touched. In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast, Chris tackles one of the most uncomfortable questions in job search: where’s the line between strategic positioning an...

-Should you ever lie on your resume? -Do ATS systems really require you to tailor your resume for every application? -Should you include a headshot, use colors, or list volunteer experience? In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast, Chris answers some of the most upvoted resume questions from Reddit's r/Resumes community. You'll learn practical, no-nonsense advice on resume tailoring, AI tool...

In this episode, we break down the latest job market news shaping the Summer 2026 hiring landscape. Cisco recently announced 4,000 layoffs while shifting toward AI-driven services , highlighting a broader trend of companies restructuring their workforce. But the headlines don’t tell the full story. We’ll cover the bad news, the “meh” news, and the good news for job seekers—including why some econo...

Burnout is often treated like a badge of honor—but what if constant stress is actually sabotaging your performance? In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast , Chris Villanueva sits down with leadership advisor and former C-suite executive Amy Leneker , who once experienced over 100 stress-induced panic attacks in just three months while leading at the highest levels of business. Despite advis...

AI resume builders are everywhere. And while they promise the “perfect resume in 2 minutes,” something interesting is happening in the job market: resumes are starting to look exactly the same. In this episode, Chris Villanueva, Founder and CEO of Let’s Eat, Grandma , breaks down what recruiters are actually seeing right now—and why the rise of AI-generated resumes is creating a huge opportunity f...

Your Job Search: Effort Doesn’t Guarantee Results | Fix Your Mentality First When ambitious professionals hit a plateau, the instinct is simple: work harder. Add more hours. Push through. But according to my next guest, Diana Pagano, that reflex often backfires. She argues that “work harder” is often a learned pattern that keeps people busy, burned out, and stuck. In today’s careers, knowing when...

This episode is for our Career Warrior Women. Since 2004, Dr. Lois P. Frankel’s New York Times bestseller has been an essential resource for women seeking advice and empowerment to stop sabotaging their careers and get ahead in the workplace. This completely updated and revised vital new 3rd edition is everything a modern working girl needs to get what she wants. Though the workplace looks differe...

AI is everywhere in the job search—and it’s being marketed like crazy. But if you’ve tried using it, you know the truth: it’s confusing, overwhelming, and easy to misuse. In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast , Chris Villanueva—Founder & CEO of Let’s Eat, Grandma —pulls back the curtain on how to use AI responsibly and strategically in your job search without losing your voice, your sa...

Most leaders strive for this praise but are thrown into the deep end - responsible for up to 260 meetings a year and expected to know how to motivate teams, navigate tough conversations, and drive results with little guidance.  This episode is all about becoming leadership. So if you’re trying to step into a new role or even just become a better boss, this episode is for you.  Today’s gu...

AI tools are everywhere. Resume templates are getting longer. Applications are easier than ever to submit. And yet—fewer people are getting interviews. In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast , we break down what’s quietly going wrong on modern resumes—and why “doing what everyone else is doing” is now working against you. You’ll hear how well-intentioned strategies are backfiring, why more...

As we kick off a new year, it’s not enough to hope things get better at work—you need a plan. In this episode, we break down 5 practical ways to hit the ground running , whether you’re staying put, eyeing a promotion, or quietly preparing for your next move. The job market has shifted, managers are stretched thin, and “business as usual” career advice no longer cuts it. This is about being intenti...

Are you feeling stuck, overworked, or like your career is moving without intention? In this episode, I sit down with George Appling , author of Don’t Settle: A Pick-Your-Path Guide to Intentional Work , to explore how you can design a career that actually fits your values, strengths, and goals. We dive into questions like: How do you know if you’re settling in your career—and what to do about it?...

This is the Let’s Eat, Grandma Career Warrior Podcast, where our goal is not only to help you land your dream job but to help you live your best life! Today we’re going to talk about why the End of the Year Is One of the Best Times to Get Hired. But today we’re not just here to talk about December and timing. This episode will cover ways to get competitive in a time when you think there are no opp...

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are evolving fast — and job seekers need to keep up. In this episode, Chris Villanueva, CEO of Let’s Eat, Grandma Resume Service, breaks down how AI is reshaping the way resumes are read, ranked, and filtered before they ever reach human eyes. You’ll learn how to write a resume for ATS that actually gets noticed — from using the right keywords and phrasing to empha...

AI is changing the job search game — fast. Layoffs are making headlines, recruiters are turning to automation, and job seekers are using ChatGPT to generate resumes and cover letters at lightning speed. But in a world of less personalization and more noise, how do you stand out? In this episode, Chris Villanueva, CEO of Let’s Eat, Grandma , breaks down how artificial intelligence is reshaping both...

In this rebooted episode of the Career Warrior Podcast , we’re revisiting one of our most inspiring conversations — with international career strategist Sonal Bahl . Sonal isn’t your average career coach. With nearly two decades of global HR leadership experience at companies like GE and PwC — and over 250,000 resumes reviewed — she’s seen firsthand what it takes to stand out in any job market. Bu...

We have a special episode replay that deserves special attention today. We’ll discuss how to adapt to rapid changes in the world, which can save your career. Today I brought on Fawn Germer, a four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and best-selling author of nine books including an Oprah book. Fawn is a global keynote speaker who has presented to more than 80 Fortune 500 companies. For her new book, Comi...

Today's episode is about hope during uncertainty -- as well as how to set goals in a meaningful way. This popular episode rerun features Susan Levine, Founder and CEO of Career Group Companies. Susan is an expert in creating meaningful professional connections and curating quality career matches based on the cultural fit between client and candidate. She founded Career Group, Inc. in 1981 as the f...

The latest BLS report just wiped nearly a million jobs off the books through revisions, AI is creeping further into the workplace, and the headlines aren’t exactly comforting with political unrest on the rise. But if you’re on the job hunt, this isn’t the time to freeze. In this minisode, we break down: Why the BLS report looks so ugly this month (and why their numbers keep getting revised). The r...

Today I brought on Michael Goldberg, CEO and Founder of Hiring Transformed. Michael is a Recruiting Strategist, Candidate Experience Advocate, and Recruiting Data Nut. With extensive experience in talent acquisition and recruiting, he partners with both startups and established organizations to build strong HR functions and deliver exceptional experiences for internal and external customers. His m...

Today’s guest, Mike Hayes, is nothing short of extraordinary: Mike is the former Commanding Officer of SEAL Team TWO, leading a two thousand–person Special Operations Task Force in Southeastern Afghanistan. In addition to a twenty-year career as a SEAL, Mike was a White House Fellow, served two years as Director of Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council , and has worked direc...

In this episode of the Career Warrior Podcast, Chris interviews Lisa Lewis Miller, the CEO of Career Clarity and author of the book, Career Clarity . Lisa is an internationally recognized expert in career change who has coached over 500 people across more than 10 countries. Together, they discuss the "four pillars of career fulfillment" to help you find a job that is not only a good fit but also s...

Learn the 10 essential salary negotiation laws to help you maximize your job offer and avoid costly mistakes. From timing your negotiations right to leveraging your value like a commodity in the job market, these tips will guide you to fair and beneficial compensation. We share practical advice on preparation, mindset, and strategy so you can approach your next job offer with confidence. Discover...

Feeling stuck in your job search? Learn 4 steps to gain clarity, boost motivation, and land a role you truly want. Elizabeth Lotardo shares actionable tips to define goals, focus your search, and reignite your drive. Resources: Get more help on your applications from Let’s Eat, Grandma Check out Elizabeth's book, Leading Yourself Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn Follow us: Follow  Let's Eat...

Job rejection sucks—and Elizabeth Hurtado is here to help. In this Career Warrior Podcast guest session, she shares 4 powerful mindset shifts and real strategies to stay confident and resilient during the job hunt. If you're spiraling, doubting yourself, or just need some practical encouragement, this episode is your reminder: you're not alone, and you've got this. Resources: Get more help on your...