Moonshot Mentor with Laverne McKinnon

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Have you ever hit a big milestone—one you thought would feel amazing—and instead, you’re like, “Wait, that’s it?” You got the job. You crossed the finish line. You checked the box. And five minutes later, you’re already on to the next thing. Or worse—you feel a little empty, maybe even disappointed. I don’t t...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Here’s the thing about growth: quick wins will get you moving, but mastery? Mastery changes you. Don’t get me wrong. Quick wins are great. They give you that hit of momentum, a shot of confidence, the little push that says, “Hey, I can do this.” But they only take you so far. Mastery though is a game changer....

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com A portion of this blog originally appeared as a guest feature on Career Pivot . Join me for a special AMA with Career Pivot on Friday, October 31st at 9:00 a.m. PT on the Substack App. The call came on a Monday morning. I was still in bed, but when I saw that it was my boss, I jumped up, cleared my throat a f...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com It’s been two months since my little dog Roo died. Not exactly a strong hook for a post about career strategy. But I feel compelled to share this personal information because life keeps on life-ing despite the plans we make for our professional lives. And I think it’s important to make that okay and carve out...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Goals and outcomes go together like peanut butter and jelly. Popcorn and butter. Mustard and mayonnaise. One without the other just doesn’t quite work. And might leave you feeling out of sorts like you’re spinning your wheels—not clear if you’re making any actual progress in your career. A goal on its own is...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Many of us hold beliefs like: education opens doors, avoiding conflict keeps the peace, or opportunity is everywhere if we just look hard enough. These sound noble, but they can be more mistaken than true. In challenging times, we lean on our beliefs to carry us through. But some of them hurt us more than the...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com On paper, Deborah has it all. She’s the CFO of a well-known accounting firm in Boston. Married for 23 years, three healthy kids, a vacation home on the Cape. Her LinkedIn profile is stacked with awards and promotions. If you asked anyone around her, they’d tell you she’s “made it.” So why, in her own words, i...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com “My industry wants a divorce, but I don’t.” - Anonymous First off, I’m so sorry you’re being dumped. That really really sucks, no two ways about it. If we were best friends, I would rally to your side with a couple of pints of Talenti dark chocolate gelato, a cashmere throw, a bottle of your favorite wine, th...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com The Value of a Summary on Your Resume I’ll admit it—I’m a self-professed control freak. Which is exactly why I love a summary at the top of a resume. Think about the power of first impressions. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or skimming a document, those opening lines set the tone for every...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com If you’ve ever dreamed of getting your book published by a traditional publisher, you’ve probably heard the same advice I did: “You need an agent.” Today I’m sharing exactly how I landed mine. The steps I took, what I’d do differently, and the three things I wish I’d known before I started. And if you’re not...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com “How do I get my resume past the robots and into the hands of an actual human?” This is one of the most common questions I hear. It’s a little ironic considering how people are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help write their resumes and cover letters, only to have them screened by another form of AI: t...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Don’t waste a good failure. It can become the blueprint for your best practices. If you’re anything like me, you’ve beaten yourself up when something didn’t go the way you had hoped, planned, or dreamed. But self-blame isn’t a strategy. It’s a trap. A real strategy is learning how to assess what went wrong an...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Wondering why you're not landing job interviews? I recently hired a social media manager and digital strategist as an independent contractor. I reviewed more than 80 applications, interviewed 8 candidates, and ultimately selected someone who was a strong values and skills match for my business. Along the way,...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com There comes a point when waiting for the “right time” turns into never. Maybe you’ve been meaning to pivot to a more meaningful career path, but every time you try to shift gears, golden handcuffs or self-doubt pull you back. Maybe you’ve been longing to go after a leadership role, but imposter syndrome has h...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Everyone gets triggered.  It’s normal to have a strong emotional response to a situation that violates your values or reminds you of an upsetting time in your life. One of the best ways to manage them is to know your triggers so you trigger less frequently and process quicker.  That being said, you’ll never n...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com If you’re resonating with what you’re hearing, please consider subscribing . What’s that mean? 🙌🏾  You’ll receive regular emails (with lots of heart and a bit of humor) that share a tool or insight from my coaching practice. 🙌🏾  Typically the blog and podcast will have a question at the end to provoke tho...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Do you know someone who’s lost their groove and needs a little push to get it back? I would greatly appreciate it if you could kindly share this episode with them. 🙏 If you’re resonating with what you’re hearing, please consider subscribing . What’s that mean? 🙌🏾  Updates on offerings, free stuff, recommen...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com I’ve been facing a hard truth recently that situations are rarely 100% awesome. In fact most of the time the good and the not-so-good coexist … and seem quite content to be that way.  I, of course, am constantly striving to make everything awesome and perfect … and that creates not just tension, but emotional...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Feeling stuck on a passion project? Learn why momentum stalls and how to regain clarity, confidence, and direction.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Lost your job? Don’t rush into updating your resume or applying for anything and everything. In this post, I share a grounded three-step approach to recovering from career setbacks: spirit, strategy, and then tactics. Learn how to process the emotional impact, realign with your values, and take meaningful act...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Struggling to stay motivated mid-year? This podcast breaks down the difference between motivation and willpower, helping you reset your goals and regain momentum during the June slump.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com “I chose to leave. So why do I feel so sad?” It’s something I hear often from clients—people who walked away on their own terms. Retirement. A buyout. A planned exit. And yet… something feels off.  There’s a heaviness they didn’t expect. A version of themselves they miss. When a decision is logical, even stra...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com Struggling with a stalled dream or delayed career goal? This post explores the emotional toll of unmet timelines, why grief can show up even when your dream is still alive, and how to process frustration, sadness, and stuckness with clarity and intention. Learn how to mourn outdated beliefs, reconnect with yo...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com At some point, most of us hit a stretch in our career where grit and solo problem-solving just aren’t enough. If you’re anything like me, you’ve read the books. Listened to the podcasts. Whiteboarded the options. But the clarity, direction, or momentum still feels out of reach. That’s when support— the right...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com I’ve always loved working hard. But lately, I’ve started questioning whether the way I work is actually working for me. I explore the difference between ambition and workaholism and three strategies I’m testing to shift my relationship with productivity, purpose, and rest.