Working Your Way

Do you find yourself deeply affected by the emotions of others, often feeling their sadness or joy as if it were your own? Welcome back to "Let's Talk About Labels," a series where we dive into the labels we use to describe ourselves and others. In this episode, we’re exploring what it means to label yourself as an “empath” and how this label can impact our personal and professional li...

How much does your appearance influence your effectiveness at work? For Amanda Knappman, a seasoned marketing executive in the beauty industry, this question is more than just hypothetical—it's been a significant part of her career journey. In this episode, we dive into Amanda's experiences navigating the demands of maintaining a corporate image while staying true to her authentic self. Am...

Understanding the deep-rooted patterns that drive our behavior at work is crucial for personal and professional growth. Our past experiences, particularly those from childhood, shape the way we show up in our careers and leadership roles today. From survival instincts to ingrained habits, let’s explore the complex interplay between our history and our present work life. Joining me is Erin Baute, a...

We’re thrilled to revisit our conversation with Annie Costabile, a journalist with the Chicago Sun-Times who covers the Chicago Sky WNBA team. Annie’s journey into journalism was driven by a clear vision of her dream career, but the path to success has been anything but linear. From navigating career setbacks to overcoming personal trials, Annie’s experiences have shaped her into a bold advocate f...

Navigating life's challenges and rediscovering a sense of purpose at work can be a transformative journey. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Geonetta, Group Product Manager at Aspira, to explore how a major life transition and a challenging work environment pushed him to reevaluate his career and personal life. Andrew shares the deeply personal experience of moving home after starting a...

Do you find yourself striving for flawlessness and getting stuck in the details? Welcome back to "Let's Talk About Labels," where we dive into the labels we often use to describe ourselves and others. In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and fellow entrepreneur, Arden Evenson, to unpack the "Perfectionist" label. We share personal stories about our struggles with perfec...

Navigating a career while managing a chronic health condition and invisible disability is no small feat. In this episode, we hear from Alysha-Aubrey Bursey, the Senior Director of Affinity Programs at 1871, as she shares her journey with narcolepsy and its impact on her professional life. Alysha-Aubrey’s story is one of resilience and self-advocacy, offering valuable insights into how to navigate...

Ever felt like your work is taking over your personal life? Setting boundaries at work is essential for maintaining balance and protecting your well-being. Let’s dive into the critical topic of boundary-setting and its impact on our overall health and happiness. Joining me is Christine Kenline, a mindfulness transpersonal counselor and a soon-to-be clinical mental health practitioner. Christine br...

What does it mean to navigate your career authentically while dealing with profound personal loss? Today I’m joined by the incredible Mimi Gonzalez, a community organizer, writer, and the founder of griefsense. Mimi is on a mission to make the conversation around grief, loss, and mortality more accessible and relevant, especially for young people from minoritized backgrounds. We dive deep into Mim...

What does it mean to be a people pleaser? Welcome to the first episode of our new series, "Let's Talk About Labels," where we dive deep into the labels we often use to describe ourselves and others. In this episode, I'm joined by fellow entrepreneur Arden Evenson to unpack the "People Pleaser" label. Together, we’re listening to voice notes from the audience to explore what...

Starting this month, I’m excited to launch a new series called "Let's Talk About Labels," where we’ll delve into the labels we give ourselves and each other, such as "perfectionist," "people pleaser," or "introvert." These labels can shape our behavior and interactions in surprising ways, sometimes limiting us or helping us find common ground. In this series, co...

We’re excited to revisit one of our earlier episodes featuring the insightful Antonio Garcia. As the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at TXI, Antonio's career showcases the power of design and human-centered innovation. Beyond his workplace achievements, he’s also the founder of Dadwell & Company, a podcast that explores the lives of men balancing fatherhood and creativity. In this ep...

Understanding the dynamics of a multigenerational workplace is crucial for fostering a cohesive and effective team. With five generations currently in the workforce, each shaped by different historical contexts and experiences, it's important to navigate these differences to create an inclusive and productive work environment. This episode explores the challenges and opportunities that come wi...

Ever feel like what you’re doing at work doesn’t matter? Today’s guest, Edina Kalamperovic, SVP at Publicis Groupe, shares her journey from an immigrant childhood to becoming a senior leader who makes a big impact, revealing the pivotal moments and lessons learned along the way. Edina dives into the challenges of navigating early career hurdles and the importance of having a purpose in your work....

Have you ever wondered how following your curiosity can shape an extraordinary career? In this episode, Jill Lyons, the SVP of Creative Operations at Maximum Effort, opens up about her transition from traditional TV production to directing creative operations in an innovative media firm.  Jill talks candidly about the factors that influenced her career, including her history in journalism and the...

Taking charge of your career path can often feel overwhelming, especially when you're unsure of the direction you want to head in or feel stuck in your current role. In this episode, we explore how to intentionally design a career that aligns with your passions and strengths, offering practical advice on navigating internal career moves and leveraging your current position for growth and fulfi...

Doing something new can be as daunting as it is exciting. Angela Damiani, CEO and co-founder of NEWaukee, reveals her journey over the past 15 years, growing and evolving a client services company while staying true to the core value of constant innovation. We delve into NEWaukee’s motto, “change always in all ways,” and how it shapes their approach to projects and client relationships.  In this e...

It’s undeniable that music plays a critical role in our emotional lives. Today’s guest is Sam Parvin, who went from managing music for Coca-Cola's global marketing team to creating her own successful music strategy agency, Parvin Music. In this episode, she reveals the secrets behind her career journey and how she aligns her work with her values and passions. We dive into how Sam's career...

Where has your journey toward authenticity in your career taken you? Justin Grant’s career path has taken him from corporate leadership in retail and merchandising to entrepreneurial success and back again. In this episode, he shares how he balances creativity and data while staying true to himself in the fast-paced fashion merchandising industry.  Our conversation explores how Justin navigated tr...

Alma Quiroga is on the hunt for her next big career opportunity, and she’s here to share the wealth of career lessons she's gathered along her journey. In our conversation, we explore how Alma’s career journey is informed by her personal insights and her passion for using storytelling as a tool to make sense of her career path. We'll trace back through her experiences, discussing what she&...

Welcome to a fresh episode of "Working Your Way," where today we tackle the complex and often misunderstood topic of personal branding, as part of our Career Questions series. Joining me, your host, Sandhya Sudhakar, is Cat Coffrin, brand strategist and founder of Captivating Consulting. Together, we dive deep into the essence of personal branding—not just as a tool for career success, but...

In this episode, I'm thrilled to talk with Jemilly Castro, Vice President of Strategy at Remezcla. Jemilly opens up about the complexities of representing her cultural identity within the predominantly white corporate spaces of the advertising world. Her career journey beautifully illustrates the struggle and empowerment that come from embracing who you are in professional settings. Jemilly di...

Welcome to a special edition of "Working Your Way," where authenticity in the workplace is the heart of our conversation. I'm your host, Sandhya Sudhakar. In today’s episode, I dive into my own journey of authenticity, sharing the live talk I delivered for the Chicago chapter of CreativeMornings, a global community that inspires creatives to connect and flourish. This isn't your ty...

Today's episode is the continuation of our journey into the Enneagram and its application in our careers and on our teams. If you're joining us now, I recommend starting with episode 20 for a foundational understanding of the Enneagram, an overview of the nine personality types, and guidance on how to accurately identify your type. Building on that foundation, this episode is dedicated to...

Today’s episode is the first part of a two-episode series aimed at sharing the Enneagram as a tool for growth, and discussing how it can have a profound impact on our careers and teams. This first episode is your gateway to understanding what the Enneagram really is, what you need to know about discovering your type, and where to start in exploring the nine unique sets of core motivations and pers...