Career Slay: Recent Episodes
Kelly Poquiz Burke
Imagine the impact we could have on society if everyone loved what they did. That's what Career Slay is all about: interviewing people who love their jobs and asking them how they got there and what they've learned along the way. We're here to slay the fear in career.
In this episode, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews marketing and sales executive Jenny Parrish. Jenny shares her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood as the daughter of an immigrant mother to a successful career in the corporate world. She discusses the impact of her mother's work ethic, her early career experiences, and the challenges she faced, including a personal tragedy that shifted her perspective on life and work: the sudden loss of her brother, who died in a car accident alongside actor Paul Walker.
Now as the VP of Sales at Division-D, Jenny discusses the evolution of programmatic advertising, the rise of influencer marketing, and the importance of finding purpose in one's career. Our conversation highlights the importance of resilience, personal growth, and balancing career ambitions with family and emotional well-being.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
You don’t need a perfect résumé to land your dream job. You need a powerful story.
In this episode of Career Slay, career development advocate, resume writer, and speaker Steph Gillies joins me to talk about how to make your career path make sense, even if it hasn’t always been linear.
We discuss the importance of exploring various career paths, the role of resumes in job transitions, and how to show up authentically in job applications.
Whether you’ve jumped industries, taken time off, or feel like your experience is “all over the place,” this conversation will help you connect the dots and step into your next chapter with confidence. It’s an inspiring reminder that your career is all about the unique journey, not just the destination of a dream job.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
What does self-leadership actually mean?
In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Elizabeth Lotardo, a consultant, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and author of 'Leading Yourself.' They discuss the importance of self-leadership, especially in uncertain times, and how mindset, behaviors, and relationships shape your career. Elizabeth shares practical mindset hacks, the significance of finding joy and meaning in work, and strategies for navigating challenging workplace dynamics. She emphasizes the power of agency in career development and the necessity of creating a fulfilling work experience. Even when you can’t control what’s happening in the economy, you can always lead yourself.
Learn more about Elizabeth’s work at elizabethlotardo.com
Grab a copy of “Leading Yourself” at https://a.co/d/8hPJ5Tm
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
What does it take to thrive in one of the most high-pressure careers in the world—and then reinvent yourself on the other side of it?
In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke sits down with Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie, retired U.S. Air Force officer turned Founder & CEO of GauxMax Strategies, a brand strategy and PR consulting firm. From flying the F-15E Strike Eagle to commanding hundreds of airmen to launching her own business, Lilo’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and growth through discomfort.
Lilo shares her candid story of navigating burnout, identity, and career transition after 20 years of service. She opens up about what it’s like to lead in a male-dominated field, why teamwork is the ultimate “team sport,” and how she’s redefining success on her own terms.
If you’ve ever faced burnout, questioned your path, or wondered how to embrace the unknown with courage, this conversation will inspire you to lead with both grit and grace.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How resilience and adaptability fuel career transitions
- Leadership lessons from the cockpit (and why perfection is never the goal)
- The truth about burnout—and why even high achievers must pause
- Why embracing discomfort is key to growth and fulfillment
- How to redefine success beyond titles and achievements
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Career Slay Podcast 01:52 Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie: A Journey of Resilience 05:18 From Criminology to Aviation: A Career Shift 10:15 Life as a Wizzo: Training and Responsibilities 12:02 Leadership Lessons from the Military 14:53 Navigating Bias in a Male-Dominated Field 19:03 The Importance of Purpose in Career 23:28 Transitioning to Civilian Life and New Ventures 27:10 Redefining Success: A New Perspective 29:54 Advice for Aspiring Aviators 32:23 Embracing the Unknown: Growth Through Discomfort 34:35 Summing Up a Career: Gratitude and Reflection
Connect with Lilo:
- CEO, GauxMax Strategies
- Host, Lies My Ego Told Me Podcast https://liesmyego.com/
Connect with Kelly:
- Website: careerslay.com
- LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
- Instagram: @careerslay
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
In this episode of the Career Slay podcast, Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Justin Schneider, the Founder & CEO of Wolf & Shepherd, a hybrid footwear brand redefining comfort in dress shoes.
As a former All-American track and field athlete at the University Notre Dame studying industrial design, Justin discovered his passion for footwear early on, eventually designing shoes for Adidas and New Balance. There, he had a breakthrough—why not bring athletic comfort to dress shoes?
That idea became Wolf & Shepherd. Since 2015, Justin and his wife and co-CEO, Hope, have built the brand into a leader in the space, selling nearly 2 million pairs and expanding their lineup from casual to formal—all with performance-driven comfort at the core.
Justin shares his journey of building a footwear brand and emphasizes the importance of family support, having personal conviction and relentless tenacity as an entrepreneur. He discusses finding alignment between building a business and family life, the vision for the brand's future, and the significance of embracing risk and opportunity. Finally, Justin shares the advice he’d give to his younger self and as well as advice for founders and entrepreneurs.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
In this episode of Career Slay, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Milam Miller, a leadership expert, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of The Charisma Craft about career transitions, fulfillment, and authentic leadership.
Episode Highlights
- Milam's Career Journey: From working in tech startups and Fortune 500 companies to becoming an entrepreneur and career coach.
- Finding Fulfillment: Milam discusses how fulfillment comes from within rather than external achievements like titles or material possessions.
- Values Alignment: The importance of working at organizations where you feel a sense of belonging and purpose aligned with your values.
- Career Seasons Framework: Kelly introduces her framework “Sow, Slow, Grow” for understanding different career seasons.
- Transferable Skills: Discussion on how experience doesn't expire and the importance of recognizing transferable skills.
Key Quotes
- "Fulfillment actually comes from within. Fulfillment can come from so many different sources, and fulfillment can change." - Milam Miller
- "Invest in human connection." - Milam Miller
- "Trust yourself, just trust that it will all work out. If you're paying attention to the things you're doing, if you're living with intention, and if you have unwavering self belief, then you're going to figure it out." - Milam Miller
Connect With Us
- Follow @careerslay for more advice on career development, leadership, and professional growth.
- Follow @milam.miller for more insights on charisma and authentic leadership.
- Grab a copy of Milam Miller’s book, The Charisma Craft, Available now on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/0UgOU
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
Does your ambition fade when you downshift your career to make room for motherhood?
In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of the bestselling book, The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—and Come Back Stronger Than Ever. Neha discusses her journey of redefining success and ambition for women, particularly those navigating motherhood and career pauses. She also shares her personal experiences, the challenges she faced in her career, and how she transformed her career break into a powerful movement that empowers women to embrace their choices and redefine their identities. We discuss her book and dive deeper into the concept of 'Power Pause' and how women can leverage this time for personal growth and fulfillment.
Takeaways
- Neha Rush emphasizes that ambition evolves rather than disappears during career pauses.
- The importance of redefining success on personal terms, especially for mothers.
- Mother Untitled was born from Neha's desire to change the narrative around motherhood and career pauses.
- Women often feel pressured to justify their choices in motherhood and career.
- The concept of 'Power Pause' allows women to explore new interests while stepping back from paid work.
- Networking and community support are crucial during career transitions.
- Self-trust is essential for navigating career and family life.
- Women can maintain their ambitions and interests even while focusing on family.
- The journey from a blog to a book took time and persistence.
- Success is about aligning personal values with professional goals.
Link to The Power Pause Book: https://www.thepowerpause.com/
Follow Neha Ruch on Instagram: @neha_ruch
Book a free coaching discovery call with Kelly at www.careerslay.com
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
In this episode, Dr. Anthony Randall shares his inspiring journey from a lively childhood being nicknamed “Action Ants” as a kid to a distinguished career as an Army Ranger, chaplain, coach, and bestselling author. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his life, including overcoming self-limiting beliefs about his writing and the transformative experiences of combat. Anthony emphasizes the importance of trusting the process of transformation and practicing excellence by aligning passion, purpose, and precision in leadership. He also shares insights from his work as the President and Founder of VanguardXXI, a leadership development company, and the significance of creating high-performance cultures. Finally, we also discuss the importance of maintaining a 'white belt mentality'—a mindset of humility and continuous learning. No matter how seasoned a leader you are, there’s always room for growth.
Check out Vanguard XXI and Anthony's best-selling book Practicing Excellence.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Catherine Connolly, an award-winning entrepreneur and best-selling author. They discuss Catherine's journey from a young entrepreneur and cofounder alongside her brothers to leading a successful tech company, the challenges she faced scaling her company, The Meet Group, into a $500 million dollar company, and her insights on redefining success. Catherine emphasizes the importance of connections, purpose, and resilience in achieving a fulfilling career. She also shares her experiences in writing her book Designing Success, which offers practical tools for managing burnout and creating a supportive work environment.
Download a free digital copy of her book at: http://cconnelly.me/careerslay
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Dr. Chris Sebastian, a pediatrician who transitioned from a career in graphic design to medicine. Dr. Sebastian shares his unique journey, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion, the value of mentorship, and the impact of serving others. For him, being a counselor at Camp Sweeney, a summer camp for kids with Type 1 Diabetes sparked his transition into medicine. He discusses the challenges and rewards of changing careers, the significance of empathy in healthcare, and offers advice for those considering a path in medicine. His story is proof that changing your mind isn't failure—it's growth. If you’re wondering whether it’s too late to pivot, let this be your sign: it’s not.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke sits down with Simon Rurka, founder and CEO of The Simon Assessment, for a powerful conversation about boldness, authenticity, and unlocking potential. From a supportive childhood in London to studying at Cambridge to leading a $9 billion business at Intel, Simon shares the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership journey. He opens up about the challenges of corporate culture, how organizations often unintentionally shrink high-potential employees, and why our unique boldness should be preserved—not tamed—as we grow in our careers.
Simon also introduces The Simon Assessment, his latest venture designed to help companies identify and eliminate stagnation, while creating environments where people can truly thrive. This episode is filled with insight on leading with authenticity, taking risks, and celebrating the differences that enhance team performance.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to fit into a box, this conversation is your call to take the risk, lead with heart, and remember: your edge is your superpower.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
Have you ever felt like you were destined for greatness?
In this episode, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Tara Wilson, CEO and founder of Tara Wilson Agency. Tara shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Arkansas where she fostered an entrepreneurial spirit as a child to becoming a successful founder of an experiential marketing agency. Her career evolved from finance to event planning to experiential marketing, demonstrating how you can reinvent yourself multiple times. Tara talks about finding your passion and recognizing your transferable skills to successfully make a pivot. She emphasizes the importance of leadership, core values, and empowering women through her platform, FierceLab. We touch upon on overcoming doubts, embracing risk, and finding joy in leadership. Through the twists and turns, Tara’s career journey showcases the power of owning your destiny.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
The Career Slay podcast is back and I’m thrilled to interview my friend, Dr. Emmanuel Bello-Ogunu — principal cybersecurity engineer, lifelong superhero fan, and real-life defender of our digital world. Emmanuel opens up about his journey from shy big brother to cybersecurity expert at MITRE, where he helps protect critical infrastructure and national security. We talk imposter syndrome (yes, even PhDs get it), mission-driven work, mentorship, and finding purpose in your career. Whether you're in tech or just navigating your next step, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with courage and be the superhero of your own career journey.
To hear more about Emmanuel’s story, listen now on all platforms and please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
🎧 Listen now on https://www.careerslay.com/podcast
CareerSlay #Cybersecurity #TechCareers #ImposterSyndrome #Leadership #Mentorship #PurposeDriven #Podcast
Approved by MITRE for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited. Public Release Case Number 24-3927.
The author's affiliation with The MITRE Corporation is provided for identification purposes only, and is not intended to convey or imply MITRE's concurrence with, or support for, the positions, opinions, or viewpoints expressed by the author.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
How do you find the courage to break the rules?
In this episode of Career Slay, my guest, Ivonne Kinser spent the first half of her career learning the rules so she could spend the second half breaking them. As the CEO and Founder of Vantage Creative Group, she helps challenger brands grow with the mission of solving the hardest marketing challenges by infusing untamed creativity and leveraging the power of technology. Her journey started in Venezuela and followed an unconventional path, from top advertising agencies to senior leadership roles in multiple corporations, including Avocados From Mexico and Hoplark Brands, plus some entrepreneurial ventures in between. She’s received multiple industry accolades and was the first Latina to win the DFW American Marketing Association Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023, she published her best-selling book ‘THINK: The Manifesto for Creative & Critical Thinkers.
As a trailblazer & innovator, Ivonne’s career is a true testament of how to break the rules and challenge the status quo.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
What does it take to build a company from the ground up?
In this episode of Career Slay, Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews owner and founder, Mark Lowery, the President & CEO of Lowery Property Advisors. LPA is a commercial appraisal and consulting firm completing a wide range of office, retail, and industrial projects throughout the southwest. We talk about his entrepreneurship journey from starting his own business with limited resources, to scaling it to a 60-person organization. We also discuss what it takes to be an authentic leader, build a strong company culture, and bet on yourself.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
How do you use creativity for good? On this episode of Career Slay, Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Pedro Lerma, CEO of LERMA/ Agency. Pedro shares his amazing career journey that started with his humble beginnings to now leading an award-winning ad agency with the mission, “Creativity For Good.”
Pedro emphasizes the importance of gratitude as a key theme that weaves throughout his career. He discusses the distinction between management and leadership and advocates for a vision-driven approach that inspires others. Pedro's leadership philosophy is deeply human-centered, valuing personal growth and relationships. We also talk about the need for brands to make genuine long-term commitments to social progress, and how he aspires to leave a legacy of channeling creativity for good by fostering unity and joy through their work.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
How do you respond to obstacles in life? Do you let them define you or do you redefine them? In this Career Slay episode, host Kelly Poquiz Burke dives deep into the obstacles she’s faced and how those have shaped her career. Kelly shares how she overcame $80K in student loan debt, learned how to walk again after multiple hip surgeries, and beat breast cancer while pregnant during a global pandemic. In this vulnerable episode, she gets real about the challenges of working motherhood, why she decided to take a career break, and what she’s up to next. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to get through a hard time, you don’t want to miss this.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
How do you manifest your “dream job?”
In this podcast episode, I interview Michelle Wong, the CMO of Sprinkles Bakeries & Picnik Restaurants. Michelle shares about her culinary background, how creativity led her to a career in advertising, and how her combined passions have manifested into the role she has today - her dream job.
We discuss the challenges she faced early on particularly when it came to representation and visibility. Michelle also shares her advice for young women of color starting their careers and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and finding meaning in your work. We also talk about work-life integration and the sacrifices that come with building a successful career. Michelle embodies how to be a fearless and authentic leader and shows us that achieving your dream job is totally possible.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, visit careerslay.com to learn more.
Can storytelling change the world for good? On this episode of Career Slay, I interview Meg Griffiths, co-founder of Universe Creative, a documentary production company, and director "Impossible Town."
We discuss Meg's career journey, including her transition from photojournalism to Teach For America to filmmaking and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. Meg also shares her insights on parenting while pursuing a demanding career, the importance of relationships and community in her work, and the power of storytelling to create understanding and catalyze change.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation with a talented and passionate storyteller.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Have you ever been curious about a career in social media?
In this episode of the Career Slay podcast, I sit down with Varun Jindal, a brand partnerships manager at TikTok, about his career journey in social media. Varun discusses his experience co-founding a South Asian media company, Bollyshake, and the dedication it took to grow an Instagram community of nearly a million followers without any outside funding. We talk about the secret sauce for building a successful social media career including the importance of authenticity and representation, engaging your community, and diversifying your income streams for aspiring entrepreneurs and social media influencers. Varun also shares his perspective on balancing creativity and commerce and his passion to help small businesses and creators navigate the social media landscape.
This episode is sure to be #bussin.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
How do you turn a neighborhood bakery into a beloved brand?
In this episode of Career Slay, I interview Maricsa Trejo, the owner of La Casita Bakeshop. Maricsa shares her journey from working in professional kitchens to building a successful James Beard-nominated bakery with lines around the corner. She gives her advice for anyone who is trying to turn their passion into their full-time gig and emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with good people, setting boundaries, and not being too hard on yourself. We also talk about her recent success, the challenges of being in the spotlight, and the excitement of being nominated by the James Beard Foundation. Get ready for some sweet career advice!
La Casita Bakeshop is open to the public every weekend in Richardson, TX.
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Has anyone ever encouraged you to “bring your whole self to work”?
In this episode Jeff Roberts, the President of Augustine Agency, discusses the importance of bringing your authentic self to work and how critical building relationships are in his role as an advertising executive. He shares the challenges he faced coming out as openly gay mid-career, and how being true to oneself changed the trajectory of his career and deepened his relationships with his clients and peers. Jeff also shares more about his leadership style of transparency and caring candor. He was named the Agency Leader of the Year 2022 from the American Advertising Federation in Dallas, for which he was nominated by his team.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
In this episode of Career Slay, I interview Chrissy McGarry, who shares her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming the COO of a national security software company, Second Front Systems. She talks about the challenges of transitioning into a full-time job after becoming a mom, finding work-life harmony, and dealing with workplace bias as a female executive in a male-dominated industry. Chrissy also emphasizes the importance of trusting your gut, establishing a self-care regimen, and finding purpose in your work. She’s on a mission to guide others, especially women and working moms, to realize their potential and power, just as she has.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Are you interested in learning more about a career in design? In this episode of Career Slay, I sit down with design consultant, Dan Jacobs. Dan is an innovation lead, design director, and lifelong entrepreneur who has worked in various fields such as industrial design, interaction design, service design, and innovation consulting. Dan is currently part of the leadership team of the Innovation Consulting practice at Accenture and he offers valuable insights for those who are starting or considering a career in design.
Dan emphasizes the importance of focusing on outcomes, having a growth mindset, infusing passion into work, and taking career breaks to reflect and refocus on what makes you happy.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Have you ever heard of a pelvic floor therapist?
In this Career Slay episode, I interview board-certified pelvic and abdominal health physical therapist, Kat Nasseri. We talk about what pelvic floor therapy is and how she found her passion for this unique practice. Kat discusses her work advocating for patients of all genders and ages and helping them through some of the most taboo health issues. Kat reassures her patients that they’re not alone and helps them overcome the stigma and shame surrounding these topics. We also talk about the role of mentorship in her career, being your authentic self, and playing to your strengths.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Have you ever made a pivot in your career? Now imagine doing that, not just once, but twice!!
In this episode of Career Slay, Dr. Gary Orosy, Adjunct Professor of Marketing at SMU Cox School of Business, takes us through his three career stints in marketing, consulting, and academia. An accomplished global marketer, Gary talks about his time at Procter & Gamble, Frito-Lay, and Gillette. He also discusses the importance of finding meaningful work and continually challenging oneself to set higher standards. Finally, he also shares advice on when to pivot in one's career and the most rewarding part of his job as an educator.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
What’s it really like being a woman in tech?
My next Career Slay guest is Robin Brown. Robin has over 12 years of experience in tech spanning across organizations like Whirlpool and Google. Robin currently leads a team of engineers and technical consultants within the Professional Services Organization at Google.
We talk about how she uses her sociology major everyday, mentorship, and how to deal with imposter syndrome, especially as a woman of color.
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I’m sure you’ve heard someone at work say: “Don’t stress. It’s not like we’re curing cancer.”
Well my next guest on Career Slay literally is. I interview Paula Schneider, the president and CEO of Susan G. Komen. Paula is responsible for the world's largest breast cancer research portfolio, almost 1 billion in funding to date, and a network of more than 80 Komen affiliates serving millions of women and men in the United States and globally.
In this episode, we talk about Paula's entrepreneurial beginnings, how she crafted her own college major, started her own fashion company, and then went on to be the CEO of several other fashion companies. Paula shares how mentorship played a role in her career, how she stays calm under pressure, and how her own personal experience conquering breast cancer led her to her most impactful role to date.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Have you heard the saying: “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life?” My next guest on Career Slay, Dr. Shad Hattaway, LOVES what he does, but it’s his passion for dentistry that fuels his extraordinary work ethic.
In this episode, we talk about how Dr. Hattaway grew up the 9th of ten children and how early financial hardships shaped what he wanted to do with his career. Seeking financial stability, he wanted to become a dentist since the age of 12. We talk about the rigorous years of education and training it took to achieve his dream—all while managing his dyslexia. What sets Dr. Hattaway apart is his dedication to providing the best care for his patients, even if meant sacrificing his own salary the first couple of years after starting his own dental practice.
Dr. Hattaway is the owner and CEO of Indian Creek Dental, a deaf-friendly dental practice in north Dallas, Texas. He is also the president of a non-profit dental clinic, Dental Health for Arlington.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Have you ever thought about the #legacy you want to leave behind?
In this episode of Career Slay, I interview Erin Sarofsky, the President, Owner, and Executive Creative Director of Sarofsky Corp. As a female founder and director, Erin is breaking barriers in her industry and designing her own legacy. We talk about how she built her company one step at a time and the biases she’s faced. Erin also gives us such real advice about the importance of putting in the time early on and building a foundation for your career. Finally, we discuss motherhood and open up about how our career ambitions rely on having a supportive partner. This is such an honest and inspirational conversation. You don’t want to miss this.
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Have you ever asked yourself “When in my adult life was I the happiest?” That’s the question my next guest on Career Slay asked, and his answer led him to a meaningful career that he loves.
In our latest episode, I sit down with Dave Jackson, a journalist turned public relations expert, and now, the Director of Admissions for the Master of Accounting program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dave and I discuss so many great topics about career development including:
- Identifying and filling a skill gap [12:22]
- How communication is a leader’s greatest tool [16:03]
- Finding what makes you truly happy and the courage to pursue it [22:33]
- The importance of running towards an opportunity vs. running away from your current situation. [29:14]
- Why finding purpose in a career is important [33:21]
This episode is filled with so much inspiring and insightful advice. You don’t want to miss out!
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Do you find yourself running away from change? My next Career Slay guest chases it.
In this episode, I interview Jorge Almeida, a seasoned marketer who has worked on iconic brands like Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Avocados From Mexico. Jorge talks about how change was the central theme of his childhood and how dealing with change shaped his career through mentorship and networking. We also discuss the difference between advertising agency and corporate marketing roles and how creative ideas need champions on both sides to bring them to life. Finally, we discuss how Jorge turned his greatest passion, running, into a side hustle.
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On this episode of Career Slay, I’m sitting down with Michael Ytem, Senior Vice President at Younger Partners. Michael has over eight years of commercial real estate experience in the North Texas land market and was twice named a D CEO Power Broker. We talk about how Michael’s entire family is in real estate, how he’s found “ikigai”, and the value of networking. Michael attributes his success to building relationships and offers candid advice to young brokers who are just starting out.
Listen now on all platforms, and please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
In this episode of Career Slay, I interview my sister and fashionista, Kimberly Poquiz. Kim has worked in fashion for the past 10 years as a product developer for companies such as Halston, Guess, Uniqlo, Theory, Helmut Lang, and most recently, CUTS Clothing. We talk about how our grandma inspired her passion for fashion when she was only in 2nd grade and how she navigated through fashion school. Kim also discusses the importance of leaving her legacy through sustainability and building a lifestyle brand.
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How do you build a career you love when school just isn’t your thing?
In this next episode of Career Slay, I’m catching up with massage therapist, Sean Lopez. We talk about his struggle to stay motivated at school and how he was told that you can’t make money off your passions. Sean proved the doubters wrong and is now the owner of Glory Manual Movement Therapy, where he provides holistic rehabilitative care to patients and builds community by teaching other therapists. His story shows how every career journey is unique and a work in progress.
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Do you love the path you’re on even if you just fell into that career?
In this episode of Career Slay, I’m catching up with banking and finance guru, Nat Amaratana. With over 15 years of experience at prominent companies like J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon, Nat tells us how he fell into a finance career after immigrating from Thailand, but ultimately rose through the ranks to become a VP, and eventually how he pivoted into tech. Nat also shares about his journey as a fellow cancer survivor, and how that experience shifted his priorities in life, including his approach to work. Nat reveals that his greatest pride comes from investing in people and developing his team.
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Does using creativity to impact social change sound inspiring? My next Career Slay guest, Lane Lowe, turns inspiration into action every single day. As a cofounder of Matterlab, Lane combines her marketing expertise and passion for educational equity to help leaders clarify their identities and communicate their impact.
In this episode, we talk about how a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer experience inspired Lane to dedicate her career to social impact, her early years as a designer, and how she found her way to the classroom through Teach for America. Lane also tells us why she decided to get an MBA, and how she used that to pivot and become an entrepreneur.
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How many of us know a passionate educator who quit teaching as a result of the pandemic?
My next Career Slay guest, Camille Awayan, always knew that education was her vocation. Camille talks about how her immigrant experience highlighted the value of education and the role it played in shaping her career choices.
As an English middle school teacher, Camille not only taught her students language arts curriculum but also the foundational lessons of life. Like many teachers who took on additional burdens to keep classrooms running, Camille found herself unable to sustain the demands of this new reality, and ultimately decided to transition out of the classroom. We talk about her journey to identify a new career path and how she leveraged her strengths to carve out a new role uniquely suited for her passions.
Do you know anyone who already had it figured out at the age of 17? In this episode, I’m chatting with serial entrepreneur, Kristian Bottini. Kristian is the CEO and founder of the digital marketing agency, 270B. We talk about Kristian’s early beginnings as a young entrepreneur selling candy at his high school, how he dropped out of college to pursue his passion for business, and how he found mentorship from a network marketing millionaire which put him on a lifelong path of personal development.
Check out 270B: https://270b.com/
Books mentioned: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
If you’re enjoying Career Slay, please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer
In this episode, I’m talking with HR-guru, Michelle Milberger. She’s the VP of People Operations for Kizen in Austin, TX and has over 10 years of experience in the human resources space. We discuss how she fell into HR, her international career journey, and how she’s putting people first in people ops.
For our first episode, I'm talking to Kinza Azmat. She's a multi-hyphenate: an entrepreneur, CEO, ex-consultant, former engineer, and my best friend. We discuss the genesis of Career Slay, her journey as a Pakistani-American woman in male-dominated industries, and her decision to eventually buy her own business and become her own boss.
After getting diagnosed with breast cancer at 30, while pregnant with my first born, during a global pandemic, I never wanted to treat life like it was a dress rehearsal ever again. And because I got this second chance, I hope to help as many people as I can live their lives authentically and find a career that brings them joy. I'm Kelly Poquiz Burke, and this is the Career Slay podcast.