What's Next? With Lacey

In this episode, Lacey sits down with Allegra Ponti for an honest conversation about career pivots, job hunting, and what it actually feels like to be in the in-between — sending applications, rethinking things, and trying to stay confident while mildly spiraling. You know the feeling. Allegra talks about what she's looking for after consulting, why team culture has become a hard non-negotiable, a...

This week on What’s Next? with Lacey, Lacey is joined by comedian and podcaster Claire Parker (of Celebrity Memoir Book Club and Good Noticings) to talk about—what else—her incredible and wildly inspiring career. They dive into her standup special, Claire Parker’s 32 (out now on YouTube ): how she wrote and workshopped the material (hello, Edinburgh), filmed it, edited it, built the set with her d...

In this episode of What’s Next with Lacey , Lacey sits down with the brilliant Michelle Griffin—CEO, founder, and all-around HR powerhouse behind Griffin Resources. Michelle helps small- and medium-sized businesses tackle the big HR stuff (think: building the right team, navigating mergers, and surviving layoffs with sanity intact). In this conversation, she spills on her journey from industrial-o...

This week on What’s Next? with Lacey , Lacey interviews Josh Simons, CEO of Vinyl Group, an Australia-based music tech company that’s shaping the future of the music industry. Vinyl Group is home to a range of platforms that support artists and music professionals in meaningful ways—from publishing and data to connecting creatives and selling records. Josh also co-founded Vampr, one of the group’s...

In this episode of What’s Next with Lacey , Lacey is joined by the incredible Kristen Buckles—writer, director, and producer with one seriously fascinating career path. From professional horseback rider (yes, really 🐎) to working behind the scenes in film and TV, Buckles shares how she made the leap from producing to writing and directing her own projects. They talk about what it actually takes t...

Welcome to Season 3 of What's Next? with Lacey! And we’re kicking it off with the world of Music Marketing. In this  episode, Lacey sits down with Alexa, who currently works as the Director of Marketing at Cinq, for a deep dive into the world of music marketing, creative storytelling, and career growth in the media industry. Alexa breaks down what her role really looks like, how she designs c...

In this episode of What’s Next? with Lacey , Lacey sits down with a friend from London, Maria. Maria is a dentist in England specializing in oral surgery, with a career path that has taken her across the country, into hospitals, and through some of the most competitive programs in her field. Maria shares how she’s shaped a more “traditional” career path into something uniquely her own, fueled by p...

In this solo episode of What’s Next with Lacey , host Lacey dives into the real power of networking — and why it’s so much more than trading business cards or sending cold LinkedIn requests. She shares personal stories, including how a simple coffee chat led to an internship at The Tonight Show , and why she calls herself the “Queen of Networking.” Listeners will hear why networking matters now mo...

On this episode of What’s Next? with Lacey , Lacey chats with Natalie, a Database Marketing Associate who takes us behind the scenes of her world. From what a “typical” day actually looks like, to how her role has shifted over time, Natalie shares the highs, the challenges, and the surprises of navigating her career path. It’s part career story, part real talk, and totally inspiring for anyone fig...

In this episode of What’s Next? , host Lacey chats with Sean, a third-year Cardozo Law student whose path from pre-med to patent law is anything but ordinary. From navigating the grind of law school to working in healthcare during the chaos of COVID, Sean’s story is packed with curveballs, lessons, and a few laughs. They get real about Law Review, why patent law excites him, and how music still pl...

Send us a text In this episode of What’s Next? with Lacey , Lacey sits down with emerging actor Dustin Damonte for an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to pursue a career in acting. From the nerves of auditions to the exhilarating moments on stage, Dustin shares the highs and lows of navigating the early days of his career. He opens up about the realities of auditi...

Send us a text In this solo episode of What's Next?, host Lacey gets real about one of the most stressful and isolating moments in any career: unemployment. Whether you've just been laid off, are between gigs, or considering a pivot, Lacey shares 5 actionable tips to help you navigate the uncertainty.  From finding a bridge job that pays the bills, to figuring out balance the budget, to...

Send us a text This week, Lacey sits down with her college friend Amelia — and yes, they do start with a little nostalgic spiral about their first job mixing cocktails on campus. But from there, it gets into all things health tech.   Amelia is now a Product Owner at a health tech company, and she’s got a story . We’re talking: prepping for the MCAT, applying to 20+ med schools… and then pulling ou...

Send us a text This week, Lacey sits down with Britt, a Partner Manager in Emerging Sales — or, as Lacey puts it, a total powerhouse in the world of advertising and media (cue the Mad Men reboot). Britt breaks down what it’s really like to work in advertising and sales — the pressure, the pace, and the pivot she made from media planning to a client-facing role in sales. They dive into her career j...

Send us a text This week Lacey sits down with Seb, who is in his final semester of grad school, earning a dual degree in Business and International & Public Affairs. They dive deep into his decision-making process—why he chose grad school, why these specific programs, and how his internships shaped his career goals (spoiler: he's eyeing a future in Venture Capital). Beyond academics, they disc...

Send us a text In this special first solo episode of What’s Next? With Lacey , host Lacey Dikkers shares the story behind the podcast, why she believes informational interviews are the secret weapon of any career journey, and her hopes for the future of the show. She also dives into the types of guests she’s looking to feature—so if you’ve got a great career story, she wants to hear from you! And...

Send us a text This week on What's Next? With Lacey , podcasting expert Nick Castner joins the show to share his journey in the industry. From launching his own podcast and turning it into a full-fledged company to getting acquired, moving to NYC and working with major names like Condé Nast and Atomic Entertainment, Nick has built an impressive career in podcast marketing and monetization. He...

Send us a text This week, Lacey sits down with Divya, an accomplished talent agent in the news and broadcasting industry. They first met at the start of their careers as Agent Trainees in a talent agency mailroom, and Divya has since grown into a powerhouse agent in the news department. With a mission to support her clients and shape the future of news, Divya shares her journey and the challenges...

Send us a text This week Lacey spoke with the brilliant Liz, a TV writer currently writing on a major streaming hit. Liz shares an insider’s view of what it’s like to work on her current show, her creative process, and how she draws inspiration for her own projects. She also opens up about the sacrifices and journey that led her to become a writer, and they dig deep into what it takes to climb the...

Send us a text This week, Lacey had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the inspiring Giovanna Ventola. You might recognize her from TikTok, or know her as the founder of the game-changing work force community, Rhize. In this exciting conversation, they dive deep into the creation of Rhize—how Giovanna started it, the impact it’s making today, and her vision for the future. Plus, Giovanna s...

Send us a text In the Season 2 premiere of What's Next? , Lacey sits down with the incredible Amit, a recent medical school graduate on the verge of starting his residency in Internal Medicine. Together, they dive deep into the realities of med school, from navigating challenging coursework to surviving those brutal early morning rotations. Amit shares his personal journey, offering valuable...

Send us a text In this episode, Lacey has the pleasure of chatting with Kristina Latino, an independent Artist Manager at Cornerscape Artist Management. Their conversation takes listeners on a journey through the intricate world of artist management. They explore Kristina's unique career path, the challenges and rewards of managing artists, and the day-to-day realities of her role. Kristina a...

Send us a text This week, Lacey sat down with Katy, a Gender Integration Associate working in International Development. If you're wondering what that means, don’t worry—Katy breaks it all down for us. They explain their job, delve into the world of international development, and share fantastic insights on navigating grad school, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and so much more. Tun...

Send us a text In this week's episode, join Lacey as she chats with Stacey, a seasoned assistant in the TV industry who's navigated the worlds of development and current programming. They delve into the common journey many entertainment pros share—starting as an assistant. It's the essential first step that paves the way for all entertainment career adventures. Stacey spills the bea...

Send us a text Join Lacey in this glamorous episode as she dives into the world of beauty and social media magic! Our guest, Kate, shares her journey from PR Intern to crafting captivating content for a top beauty brand. Discover the secrets behind the sparkle as we discuss her career milestones, how she has navigated the field, and what she hopes to do in the future . Get ready for a dazzling con...