I Never Told You What I Do For A Living

This week, our final guest of season 1, Justin Salhani, chats with Jordan Rizzieri about his life and career.Right from the start, Justin has Jordan wondering why some kids want to be certain things when they grow up, even if that thing doesn't align with their values as adults (1:46). He also shared how growing up in the D.C. area in the early 90's influenced his ideas of what "work" was (5:34), and how his parents shaped him both personally and professionally.Justin touches on his relationship with learning (13:37) before Jordan goes on a diatribe about Community College in the U.S. (15:36). Justin explains the Arabic word "wasta", and how he ended up in Beirut after college (23:28) and why he was there long after his first job contract had ended (26:29).Eventually, Justin returned to D.C. and started exploring his passion for journalism, though the roles he took weren't as satisfying as he'd hope (36:01). But D.C. also brought him back to his first love - football (41:12). Justin and Jordan come back to the idea of community, as he discusses his current projects and the people who support him every day (50:39).Finally, Justin sums up his takeaways from his career so far - and they also nicely sum up this season, too. (53:18).Many thanks to him, Stu, Rachel, Diane, Matt and Gia for sharing their stories this season!Follow Don't Talk to Me About Work on Twitter @DTTMAWpod. You can follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram @JordanRizzieri.

This week, Stu Whiffen, the man of many jobs, chats with Jordan Rizzieri about his life and career.Stu kicks us off with a discuss about how music was always important to him (1:38), and how his father's relationship with work inspired him as he got older (2:44). His parents did encourage him to get a qualification so he had something to fall back on (7:29).He goes on to explain how he "stumbled" into his career path by way of the college he attended to study mechanics (10:18). Eventually, he found his way into club promotion, doing it the "DIY way" (14:21). When it comes to promotion, whether it's a club night or promoting his own band, Stu points to an ability to talk to people and be confident that helped make him a success (17:07). If you're looking for the first name drop, it comes at (19:26), before Stu goes on to discuss his second band and his complicated relationship with joy (21:21).  Eventually, he found himself managing the nightclub, The Pink Toothbrush (24:00), and promoting at other club nights including with our mutual friend Scroobius Pip [name drop number 2 ] (26:12). He puts the blame squarely on Pip for getting him into podcasting as well (28:50).If you're wondering where Jordan and Stu's paths crossed, it was doing the podcasting magazine PodBible (33:12). Finally, St shares what he hopes any listener takes away from his weird and wonderful story (38:05).Follow Don't Talk to Me About Work on Twitter @DTTMAWpod. You can follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram @JordanRizzieri.

This week, Group Managing Director Rachel Caggiano chats with Jordan Rizzieri about her life and career.Rachel doesn't have a strong memory of what she wanted to be when she was young, which she attributes partially to her deeply religious upbringing (1:32). But she did love school as a kid (3:13), and she now views others in the world with an empathy she felt was lacking from her religious education (5:19).After college, she moved to D.C. to do some writing that involved a new thing called "The Internet" (8:00). But the job did take up most of her time, and so she moved on to book editing before she found her way into the agency world (13:01). Eventually, her husband encouraged her to move to a company that was working at the forefront of social media (15:45).Rachel shouts out a mentor, Bethany Little (17:20), and discusses the idea that there's no such thing as balance for anyone, especially working Moms (20:53). She also shares the value of setting boundaries (26:50) and how her father's relationship to his work may have influenced her ideas of what work should be (29:33).Finally, we get into how important choice is, and how much more choice we all have than we think we do (39:05).Follow Don't Talk to Me About Work on Twitter @DTTMAWpod. You can follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram @JordanRizzieri.

This week, voice over artist, broadcaster and media coach Diane Roberts chats with Jordan Rizzieri about her life and career.Diane originally wanted to be a veterinarian, but eventually started daydreaming of being on broadway (1:35) before eventually falling in love with broadcasting (4:00). Her parents put a lot of emphasis on education (4:24) and it was actually in high school that she got her start in broadcasting (9:19). Diane shares what it was like to take a position in Des Moines, IA, a much less diverse community than where she'd come from (14:55) and discusses the mentorship she's received in her career (20:02).Diane traces her path all the way to Washington D.C. (25:19) where she works today, and all of the opportunities the city has provided her (29:13). She tells us about one of favorite stories she's done (36:15), all the things she's doing now (39:20), and what she hopes listeners take away from her journey (44:19).Follow Don't Talk to Me About Work on Twitter @DTTMAWpod. You can follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram @JordanRizzieri.

This week, host and podcast producer Matt Richards joins Jordan Rizzieri to talk about his life and career.Matt shares that he moved around a lot when he was young (2:23) and that the UK school system didn't hold his attention for long (5:20). He left school and got into retail (7:39) until someone's backhanded compliment lit a fire under him to try presenting (12:49).When it comes to long-term goals, Matt calls himself  "the most ambitious, un-ambitious person (19:30) even though he does have some dreams about what he hopes his future holds (22:22).Jordan asks him to explain his current project, the Football Manager Therapy podcast (24:03) and the ethos him and his co-host have about discussing football (31:33). This leads Jordan to viewing Matt's story like a three-pronged Recycle symbol of not caring, caring a little , and then caring a lot (34:25). Matt also considers the curse of doing a job you love (37:53) before imparting his final wisdom to the listener (41:46)Follow Don't Talk to Me About Work on Twitter @DTTMAWpod. You can follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram @JordanRizzieri.

This week, brand and communications strategist Gia Bagherpour joins Jordan Rizzieri to talk about her life and career.Gia discuss how her Dad influenced her first career desires (1:46) and how a school assignment ignited her desire for marketing (2:45). She reminisces about the diversity of attending the University of Johannesburg (4:13) and what her marketing program was like. She followed up her undergraduate degree with an ad school program (8:21) and her internship there led to her first job (11:27). They discuss mentorship (13:00), what drove her as a young person (17:14), and refilling her creative well (21:44).Eventually she and her husband left South Africa for the US (25:50), and she was instantly confronted with a new challenge: not being able to work for almost a year (27:08).  Once she was able to work, Gia ended up at an agency that would later employ Jordan (31:19), before setting out on her own (32:53).She also ruminates on how becoming a mother has changed her relationship to her work, and how she herself has changed (39:37).Follow Don't Talk to Me About Work on Twitter @DTTMAWpod. You can follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram @JordanRizzieri.

Jordan Rizzieri is back to have a quick chat with her producing partner, Jeremy Steinkamp, to catch everyone up on all the changes that turned "I Never Told You What I Do For A Living" into "Don't Talk to Me About Work"!They cover why Jordan started the podcast in the first place (0:30), why she decided to stop (2:04), and why she decided to start again (4:07). Jeremy introduces himself to the listeners (5:09) and they discuss their shared love of radio and audio (6:16) and why Jordan wanted to work with Jeremy (7:53).Some of the changes for this new season include how the episodes are named (11:30), the name of the show itself (13:25), and why your favorite old episodes may have disappeared (16:54). Jordan also shares what she's excited about with this new season (17:30), as does Jeremy (18:46), before they announce the first episode is dropping next week (19:40)!Follow Don't Talk to Me About Work on Twitter @DTTMAWpod. You can follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram @JordanRizzieri.

The Lady J may not have ever told you what she does for a living, but Jordan Rizzieri is back to talk about everything - well, almost everything. New episodes of Don't Talk to Me About Work are coming soon, so be sure to follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our feed on your favorite podcast platform. You can also follow Jordan on Twitter and Instagram!

This week, J gives into the one topic that comes up more than anything work-related on these shows - wrestling. But that's not REALLY what this episode is about. Irish wrestler and personal trainer Katey Harvey joins J to discuss shift work vs. salaried work, how Ireland is handling the coronavirus, and what it's like to have use of your arms during lockdown.PHOTO CREDIT: John Morrissey, @whiplashJ on Twitter

J sits down with her old podcast cohost Callum to discuss working in the charitable space, life in Scotland, loneliness under lockdown, formerly Horrible Bosses, and how his new boss biked to his house to bring him something sweet for his birthday!

The Lady J is back for another sprint of podcast discussions about work, careers, education, and how people feel about how they make money and support themselves. Today's chat is with Ryan, a marketer and DJ out of the Pacific Northwest - this is a fun chat about finding things that are important to you, and how to keep your work self and real life self separate.

The Lady J takes a tour of the career and working life of Kefin Mahon, podcaster, presenter, cat fence academic, and much more. Kefin and J discuss more than just his past jobs, but also the life of a freelancer, how work takes a toll on our mental health, and how we can all support one another.

The Lady J is taken on a journey. It's not just any journey. It is a journey that begins in a far away land called Australia and traverses the globe with an exciting and excitable companion called Mr. John Robertson. Hold on to your butts, friends, and choose wisely where you head next.

The Lady J chatted with Damian, a fellow podcaster and broadcaster with a background in psychology and marketing. They journey together through Damian's work life and career, the trials and tribulations, and how he came to make the decisions that would carve his path. Don't miss this one!

A few weeks back, The Lady J was joined by Meg Fair to talk about Meg's experiences as a freelance journalist. Their positive attitude and gratitude created the perfect episode to help remind us all what we have to be thankful for during stressful, scary times. Take a break from the never ending news cycle and get a little PMA with Meg!

The Lady J's guest this week is Alexis, who is an underwriter in Tampa, Florida. Alexis has a powerful story about finding an employer who could support her through one of life's greatest struggles, and how she found the strength to overcome her own self-doubt and achieve new things. This is a good one, y'all.

The Lady J is back after a week away to discuss graphic design, education, friendships, health, and so much more with Cloé. J's guest from the U.K. talks traveling to and from jobs, a support system that knows you better than you know yourself, and when your body makes you change how you view work in general. Don't miss this fantastic chat!

The Lady J is joined this week by Henry, who teaches a master class in both expressing gratitude and overcoming fears in order to further your career. Looks like a balance between the two breeds harmony, but so does falling somewhere between The Metropolitan Museum of Art and current NXT North American Champion Keith Lee. You simply MUST tune in to this one!

The Lady J spoke with Ayesha, an esports broadcaster to discuss her journey to working behind the scenes producing live esports events. They chat freelance work, being open about what you're getting paid, and whether esports may one day see their industry unionize.

This week The Lady J is joined by Adam Richardson to talk graphic design, freelancing, podcasting, Riptide Wrestling, and so much more. Adam discusses his family's role in his career, his school days, and how he transitioned from doing work for free to being paid what he deserves. Don't miss a very fun and honest episode of the podcast!

The Lady J shares a chat this week with her friend Anthony, who currently works for the NHS in Southampton. Anthony shares his beliefs, his background, his time abroad in Germany, and how his family - in particular, his wonderful wife Emily and their son - have shaped his world view.

The Lady J is joined this week by spoken word poet Neal Pike, recently off the tour of his first show "Five Years". Neal discusses how he became a poet, the inspiration for "Five Years" and where his work is taking him next! Check him out at nealpikeprojects.co.uk

This week's guest is Mat Ricardo, variety artist, writer, and all around wonderful human. Mat and The Lady J discuss performance, caskets, wrestling, diversity, identity and just basically a whole blooming' lot. This is a deep one, so buckle up, kids!

Today's episode features a chat with Meg, who tells Lady J all about her career trajectory - running the gamut from her grandfather's shop fixing set props to her current position as an usher at the Old Bailey in London.

This week, The Lady J is joined by Whitney and the two get chatting about education, the concept of deciding what you want to be when you grow up, and relationships with coworkers outside of the office. It's a different chat to many of the previous episodes (and the two battle with technology a bit) but it's a great one!

2020 is off to a great start! The Lady J is joined by Jess and the two head off to Baltimore to have a bit of an adventure while discussing work, school, music, food, and much more! Tune in to hear whether or not the hollandaise sauce with their breakfast was lemony enough.

The Lady J's final guest for the year is Sarah Kurchak, a self-described "writer of earnest op-eds, idiosyncratic culture bits, and a self-effacing memoir." Sarah openly discusses her career, her lifelong dream to be a writer, how she received her autism diagnosis later in life, and how all of these things set her on the path to writing her forth-coming first book! Find Sarah on Twitter @fodderfigure!

Seren joins the Lady J to chat about her career in public health, her education, and how what she's doing now relates to what she wanted to originally go to school for. They cover a lot of important topics like work/life balance, turning your passion into a career, and the pressure on young people to make life-altering decisions. Check it out!

The Lady J is joined by her friend Bill to discuss his work as a Graphic Designer, but also not being prepared to be an adult, whether or not he wants to do "this" for the rest of his life, and so much more. Bill expresses some frustrations and poses some questions that J thinks a lot of us have felt or are feeling. Tune in and see if you feel the same!

Justine and The Lady J have a chat about her career in marketing and gaming. She talks openly about being a woman in start-up culture, being mentored and becoming a mentor, moving to a new country, and so much more. Make sure you check out her art on Twitter/Instagram @PastaSauca!

Buckle up, odds and ends, because Kaity and The Lady J are going on a journey. One of J's best friends joins J to tell her own story of getting into the music business, being passionate about her work, seeking balance, mental health, the Millennium Falcon, and much more. You don't want to miss a minute of this extended episode!

Bea and The Lady J meander through her career trajectory, chatting about her creativity, self-confidence, and sex work. The two touch on topics of workers' rights, tattoos, continuing education, being from The North (in the U.K.), and even give a shout out to wrestler Britt Baker! Don't forget to check out all she's up to by following Bea on her social media: @itsbeadux

Erin and Lady J have an amazing chat about books, politics, wrestling, staying at jobs, social commentary, tattoos, twitter - you name it, it's in here. Much gratitude to Erin for not only coming on for a chat, but for being very open and forthcoming about her feelings on her last job, and how she has managed to strike a balance with her new job.

Lady J is joined by Stella Cheeks, mover, shaker, and all-around creator, lady in flux, who shares a lot of powerful thoughts. Many thanks to her for getting real on the podcast, especially after losing her wonderful fur baby just a few days earlier. Be sure to reach out with love for Stella on her socials - we are sure you're all going to have a lot of thoughts on this one! [Also WARNING: this episode contains many f-words.]

Just enough time for a quick recap - The Lady J spends a few minutes going through the episodes so far, discussing what we are learning and have taken away from each conversation. She also spends a little time discussing where she'd like the podcast to go next and what she's hoping to focus on. Don't forget to share YOUR ideas and insights, too!

Episode 6 features a conversation with The Lady J's friend Adam who works with the Alumni Association at Harvard University to plan class reunions. They talk about how he discovered his calling, how his theater training helps him put on "a show with no rehearsals", and what we can all learn from the classes of the past.

Welcome to episode 5 where The Lady J had a delightful chat with her friend Miss Mary Lou! Mary is currently the host of a YouTube channel, Tea Time with Mary, and a podcast called PositiviTea! The two chat about how she became a content creator, but also how she has built a sense of community, and what she hopes the projects she shares are giving to her audience. It's a wonderful - and silly - sit down!

Thanks for checking out part 2 of The Lady J's interview with Mike, a carer/caregiver! They spend this half of the conversation talking a bit about professional care versus family care, the Dignity in Dying bill in the UK, comparing US and UK care practices and much more! They are also briefly joined by a tiny bird and at the end, well...who knows what happened.

The Lady J is joined this week by her good friend Mike who is a carer (or caregiver, for my American listeners) in the U.K. In the first half of their chat, Mike and J discuss how he got into caregiving, what helped him to realize that he had a knack for it, and even a bit about the award he won last year. Part 2 comes next week!

For episode 2, The Lady J's guest is her longtime friend Kristine who talks about her career path to becoming a vocalist. They talk firetrucks, jazz, world travel, and the path less traveled. Plus - yes, she even gives us a taste of her talents! Learn all about this powerhouse singer and how her talents brought her to D.C.

It's debut episode time! The Lady J is joined by her very first guest and previous podcast partner, Courtney Rose, to discuss her path to becoming a Librarian. They chat about being a pirate, her lack of hand-eye coordination, and what schools really need to teach in librarianship courses. Learn more about what drives this tiny powerhouse of a human - and stick around to the end for some quality book recommendations!

Did you miss her? Well, she missed YOU. The Lady J missed being more than just a person who goes to work and heads home to binge watch things on streaming services. She missed having a creative outlet and something she was passionate about in her life. She missed being more than her job, so she sat down with some friends to talk about the thing everyone needs but loves to hate on - their work.