Desktime Stories | Work, growth, and how people move forward.

A layoff became the beginning of something bigger. Sandra Sertel, former Oracle and LinkedIn leader and founder of Tzun, shares how resilience, intuition, and her first-gen Latina experience led her to build technology that brings accountability to AI-assisted decisions. A powerful conversation about career pivots, confidence, AI governance, leadership, and believing you are more than enough. #Des...

This episode is in Spanish, for subtitles in English, visit the Desktime Stories YouTube channel here . Networking is not about using people. It is about building real trust before you ever need help. In this episode of Desktime Stories, Rebeca de la Piedra shares how genuine relationships can open doors, support us during hard seasons, and make our professional lives more human. We talk about ref...

Lily Lopez, Director of External Affairs & Sustainability at Walnut Valley Water District and founder of Latinas in Water, shares how she broke into the water industry, prepared for a leadership role at 27, handled rejection, built mentorship relationships, and learned that true leadership is not about ego — it is about listening, building trust, and opening bigger doors for others.   In this...

In Work Life Flow with Natalie Mendez, Natalie returns to Desktime Stories to talk about ambition, boundaries, motherhood, leadership, and learning how to enjoy the life you worked so hard to build. From career growth to protecting your peace, this conversation explores how success can flow with family, health, joy, and authenticity.

Carlos Martín, executive coach and CEO of Continuum Leaders, shares how becoming the coach he needed as a young Mexican American shaped his approach to leadership, growth, emotional intelligence, and helping others feel seen. In this episode of Desktime Stories, Carlos talks about finding your why, getting comfortable with the unknown, asking for help, and why great leaders treat people like peopl...

One email, one comment, or one frustrating moment can ruin your workday if you react too fast. In this Short, Luisa from Desktime Stories shares the P-A-C Method: Pause, Anchor, and Celebrate, a simple work happiness hack to help you feel calmer, reconnect with your impact, and move through the day with more personal power.   #Shorts #CareerTips #WorkHappiness #WorkplaceWellness #DesktimeStories  

Want to get noticed and promoted faster? In this Desktime Stories episode, Luisa shares three career skills every professional should practice: communicate your value, ask for feedback, and follow through. These simple habits can help you build trust, grow faster, and become someone leaders see as ready for more. Subscribe to @DesktimeStories for more career tips, leadership lessons, and real stor...

Diana Maldonado, Latina leader, former Texas State Representative, author of The Unlikely Candidate, and founder of Candidate School, shares powerful lessons on confidence, career growth, public service, perfectionism, money, and what it really takes to become an unlikely leader. Watch this conversation for real advice for young Latinos, first-generation professionals, future leaders, and anyone r...

What if a receptionist job in Paris changed your life? That’s exactly what happened to Rebeca de la Piedra — a Mexican fragrance expert with 30+ years across France, the U.S., and Mexico. From newlywed in Paris to training under master perfumers, she built a global career in fragrance and spent 22 years with a top company. Now, she’s turning her passion into immersive workshops that blend art, his...

From sleeping in her car to becoming a Director of Consumer Lending — Natalie Mendez's story is one of grit, advocacy, and self-belief. In this episode of Desktime Stories, Natalie shares how she taught herself Spanish at 14, rebuilt her life after family hardship, climbed from bank teller to director in 20 years, and learned that the grass is green wherever you go. Whether you're navigating a car...

Have you ever felt capable of more, but scared to ask for it? This story is about fear, growth, and one moment that changed the way I saw myself forever. #DesktimeStories #CareerGrowth #Leadership #Motivation #PersonalGrowth #Confidence #WorkStories #Podcast #Inspiration #Mindset

What are the red flags you would never ignore in an interview? 

Micromanaging boss? In this episode of Desktime Stories, Dave Dirks shares a real workplace story about micromanagement and the career decision that changed his path. He explains what it feels like to work under a micromanaging manager, how it impacts confidence and creativity, and how to recognize leadership red flags before accepting a job. This episode also touches on career decisions, workplac...