Happen To Your Career - Meaningful Work, Career Change, Career Design, & Job Search

When Quynh Killpack left Vietnam to study in the U.S., she never imagined her journey would lead to true career freedom . From visa stress and uncertainty to a flexible, meaningful global career , Quynh's story shows how clarity, courage, and self-awareness can transform your work and life. In this episode, you'll hear how she built confidence through action, created remote work that fits her valu...

What happens when your job turns into constant stress, 12-hour days, and endless office politics? For Shreya, the answer was a full-scale career reboot. After burning out at a Big 4 firm, she took a leap of faith, quit without another job lined up, and used the Happen To Your Career process to find a role that finally fit her values, strengths, and lifestyle.   What you'll learn How to recognize w...

Everyone says the job market is impossible right now — but the data tells a completely different story. In this episode of the Happen to Your Career Podcast, Scott breaks down why the job market isn't as bad as you've been told, what's actually making job searches harder, and what you can do today to stand out and land your ideal role.   What You'll Learn Why the job market isn't actually bad — an...

After losing her job, Laura MacDonald turned unemployment into a data-driven experiment in career clarity. By tracking 66 job applications, learning to say no to the wrong roles, and focusing on her Ideal Career Profile, she discovered what truly makes work fulfilling.   What you'll learn How to use career experiments to test what truly fits before committing The difference between being good at s...

After years of chasing the "perfect" career, Kat Bolikava discovered that true fulfillment came from clarity, not change. Hear how she challenged limiting beliefs, asked for growth, and transformed frustration into confidence and purpose. Her journey proves that meaningful work doesn't always mean a new job — it starts with knowing yourself and daring to ask for more.   What you'll learn How to fi...

Ever tell yourself "I'm just not good at networking"? You're not alone—and you might be more wrong than you think. In this episode, discover how some of the most successful career changers aren't natural networkers at all, but introverts and analytical thinkers who found ways to make connecting feel authentic. Learn the simple reframe that turns networking from schmoozing into experimenting.   Wha...

Are you stuck in your career because you can't stop overthinking every decision? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into why overthinking keeps you paralyzed, how fear of failure plays into it, and—most importantly—how to finally take confident action toward the work you actually want. You'll learn practical steps to move forward, shift from analyzing to experimenting, and start creating m...

Ever feel trapped in work that doesn't fit, convinced certain career paths just aren't for you? Aaron spent over a decade believing he'd "tried law and failed" when he'd never actually tried at all, while Steph kept fitness as a side hustle because she believed "you can't make money in fitness." Their breakthroughs reveal how the biggest career obstacles aren't external barriers—they're the limiti...

Most people think networking means awkward small talk and business cards. But Darrah Brustein proves real networking is about authentic connection, not transactions. In this episode, she shares how to reach busy people, build genuine relationships, and make networking something you actually enjoy.   What you'll learn The key to connecting with busy professionals without being ignored The mindset s...

Ever feel like you're gambling with years of your life every time you change jobs? Most people think career change means picking the "right" opportunity and committing — only to find out too late it's wrong. But what if you could test and validate what you want before making the leap?   What you'll learn: Why career experiments are the fastest way to find work that truly fits (without years of tri...

After years of constant job searching, endless pivots, and chasing new degrees, Amy Haggerty realized she wasn't the problem; her career path was. This episode dives into her transformation from chronically unfulfilled employee to thriving creative entrepreneur, and how she finally built a business aligned with her strengths, passions, and values.   What you'll learn How Amy spent 20 years in unfu...

Making a career change is hard enough. Doing it while your family and friends question your every move? That's a whole new level. In this episode, Rebecca Maddox shares how she left a high-status political law career, dealt with unexpected pushback, and reframed her interviews to land a role that truly fit her life and goals.   What you'll learn Why Rebecca walked away from a "dream job" in law an...

What happens when your "dream career change" doesn't fit? Louie left a 15-year career in medical imaging for IT—only to discover the stress was wrecking his health and family life. In this episode, he shares how he quit without a backup plan, used LinkedIn networking to reconnect with his old field, and landed a role that gave him balance, purpose, and energy again.   What you'll learn How to retu...

What if your job looks perfect on paper but leaves you drained and unfulfilled? For Paul Ichilcik, the breaking point came when he realized he was spending 80-90% of his time on work that didn't align with his strengths. This episode reveals how Paul challenged assumptions, let go of "security," and made an intentional career change that finally brought alignment and energy back into his life.   W...

What if "employee engagement" isn't about perks, promotions, or free yoga — but about building a career that actually fits you? In this episode, Rachel Cooke (founder of Lead Above Noise and host of the Modern Mentor Podcast ) joins Scott to share the 4 pillars of employee experience and how you can use them to grow, thrive, and find fulfillment at work — without waiting on your company to change....

What if the most awkward career move of your life became the best thing that ever happened? Karen Senger shares how being "passed over" for a role led her to uncover her non-negotiables, align with her strengths, and step into her dream job.   What you'll learn How an awkward career twist turned into Karen's dream job. Why smaller career shifts can be just as powerful as big pivots. The importance...

What if losing your job was actually the first step toward finding your best-fit career? After being laid off, Melissa Shapiro fought fear, built confidence, and discovered a career that aligned with her strengths. In this episode, she reveals the strategies, mindset shifts, and lessons that helped her transform job loss into opportunity.   What you'll learn What to do immediately after a layoff (...

What happens when decades of success collide with a health scare, misalignment, and doubt about the future? After nearly 20 years in healthcare sales, Glenn Strecker faced a rare spinal cord tumor that forced him to reevaluate everything — his health, his values, and his career. At 61, he discovered it's never too late to reinvent yourself, refuse compromise, and build a career that truly aligns w...

When Brian was laid off after years in leadership, he felt rejected, desperate, and unsure of his next move. But instead of rushing into the wrong role, he stepped back, rebuilt his confidence, and used HTYC's Ideal Career Profile to finally align his work with his values. In this episode, Brian shares how a painful setback turned into a powerful career pivot that brought clarity, balance, and ful...

Most job seekers approach interviews like a test — trying to guess the "right answers." That's the biggest mistake you can make. After sitting in on more than 6,000 interviews , Scott Anthony Barlow and talent acquisition expert Megan Crawford reveal what hiring managers really want: authentic conversations, not scripted performances.   What you'll learn: Stop overthinking what hiring managers wan...

When Nick's customer success role shifted into a high-pressure sales position, he quickly realized he was forcing himself into a job that didn't fit. Instead of powering through, he discovered his strengths, redefined what he truly wanted, and made a pivot into finance — without starting over. In this episode, Scott Anthony Barlow and Nick break down the exact steps he took to move from misaligned...

Is boredom at work enough to justify a career change? Lisa Vu reveals how career apathy quietly derails fulfillment, why it's just as dangerous as burnout, and how to break free from comfort zones to build a career that actually fits.   What you'll learn Why you should treat boredom at work as seriously as burnout How to recognize the subtle signs your role no longer fits How you can break free fr...

👉 The biggest obstacle in your career change isn't your boss, your industry, or the economy—it's you. In this episode, Scott Anthony Barlow shares real-life advice from people who overcame self-doubt, fear, and procrastination to build meaningful work. Discover how to get out of your own way, take the next step with confidence, and finally create a career that fits.   What you'll learn Small acti...

Negotiating a job offer can feel intimidating. You want to ask for more without sounding greedy or risking the offer. In this episode, negotiation expert and author David Sally shares why the best negotiators are both tough and fair, and how you can use this approach to land the compensation and role you deserve. You'll learn how to prepare effectively, avoid common mistakes, and apply practical n...

What if the #1 networking strategy you've been told to use is actually holding you back? In this episode, Scott Anthony Barlow reveals the smarter, faster way to find your dream career: Test Drive Conversations. Learn how this simple shift can open doors, build genuine connections, and help you land a role you truly love—without ever asking for a job.   What you'll learn The #1 reason informationa...