JobSpeakers

In this episode, host Rob Hendrickson shares his thoughts about Season 1 of his JobSpeakers podcasting journey and speaks to what may come next. 

"Most people don't realize that architecture is a team sport," says this week's guest, Steve Burgos, who demystifies this highly romanticized profession from all angles: drawing designs, managing budgets, inspecting construction, brushing up on building codes, communicating with clients, and more. Designing and managing projects ranging from solariums on residential homes to resorts in northern Egypt, Steve covers the different stages of an architect's career, explains where he spends his time, emphasizes the hard work behind every structure, shares what makes him proud about what he does, and lays out his journey from being a little guy who wanted to draw for comic books to a successful Chicago architect.

Claudia Miller's job is to help her clients convert career ambitions into plans, plans into action, and action into achievement. By helping with personal branding, resume writing, online profile polishing, and one-on-one interview coaching (among other related services), Claudia helps her clients achieve more than they thought possible. Does it always work? Well ... most of the time, but it always works if her clients are committed, disciplined, and willing to put in the hard work. In this episode, hear about the three most common mistakes job seekers make and the missteps Claudia herself took as she learned about herself and the kinds of jobs that motivated her to do more, be more, and make an impact in others' lives.

It almost ruined her, but Ally Bergmann didn't let it. Bucking the family trend - both her parents had been alcoholics - Ally quit drinking cold turkey at the age of 29 and has since built a life dedicated to helping others deal with the disease of substance abuse through counseling or avoid it altogether through prevention. In this very personal and important episode, learn what triggered Ally to stop drinking, how she found her calling and returned to college to achieve undergraduate and graduate degrees, and what she did to build and manage a career dedicated to a purpose forged very early in life. Finally, hear Ally's take on the joys and challenges of working in the nonprofit arena.  

Her dream was to be a Walt Disney Imagineer - a super cool job by anyone's standards - but our guest Cindy Levin's path took her in a slightly different but equally cool direction: working as an automobile engineer at GM's proving grounds. While she worked to eliminate vibrations in vehicles, she was allowed on company time to tutor kids in math for one hour per week. Reflecting back, Cindy recalls, "that was my favorite part of the week." Fast forward to becoming a new mom during a long, dark Chicago winter, when Cindy tapped into her dormant give-back-to-the-community reserves. She began writing letters to Congress and perhaps without knowing it at the time, started an advocacy career phase focused on shifting public policy in areas covering poverty, hunger, and global health. Now, as Cindy's children have begun following in mom's footsteps (many more letters going to Congress these days!), she is about a year away from finishing and publishing a book about how moms make great activists - impressive indeed! In this episode, learn what it takes to write a book, how volunteering is an ideal career springboard, what it is like to work for nonprofit organizations, and how one person's career journey brought her back to the causes she cares most about and making a better world for our kids.

Our guest this week is an award-winning poet, young adult novelist, and cookbook author as well as an activist, public intellectual, performance artist, and scholar. Named by Southern Living as “One of the 50 People changing the South,” Caroline Randall Williams views her work and her identity as inextricably linked. As a truth-teller who endeavors to "have a say in how things get remembered," Caroline in this episode unpacks the jobs of being a writer, professor, and change agent in the context of serving causes that matter to our time now and will "impact the record" for years to come. Like the beautiful meals in her cookbook, Soul Food Love, our guest this week serves up the gritty and glorious experiences that have shaped her career and life journey, so that we may all learn a thing or two. Bon appetite!

Her job is cool, really cool. Visit the operating room to watch surgeries live? Check. Talk to surgeons and nurses about how to make their instruments better? Check. Devise cutting-edge operating instruments a joystick-operated robot will use to perform surgeries? Check. Yes, very cool indeed - but being a biomedical engineer also involves behind-the-scenes design and development processes that require exacting rigor, thorough testing, detailed documentation, and organized project management - along with a big dollop of creativity and problem-solving. Our guest this week walks through the ins and outs of a biomedical engineering profession while sharing how she has risen to the executive ranks, what she has learned about being a leader in her field, and whom she hopes to inspire as a result.

Do you work to live, or live to work? It's an important question many of us ignore ... but not this week's guest, David Connell, who has crafted a successful career in digital communications while managing to be crystal clear about his personal and professional priorities (hint: David knows how to unplug after a productive day to spend time with his wife and two sons). As for choosing his working path, says David, "my generation was never expected to pick a career before college - that's when we were supposed to start figuring that out!" Still, David had the presence of mind to pursue a liberal arts education that helped him learn to communicate and think critically, and he used those skills to pursue writing and eventually web design and content development opportunities. Now a director, David shapes the Urban Institute's digital communications strategy and leads a team to execute that strategy. Hear more about David's career journey, the four paths to pursue a digital communications career, and, as a bonus, a little-known novel David might one day publish!

Can you change the world? Guess what - you can! This week's guest Jennifer Burden had an idea about the power and diversity of motherhood and now, ten years later, the World Moms Network represents a growing family of moms from 30 countries who rally behind important causes like reducing poverty, providing safe drinking water, supplying vaccinations, and providing relief to victims of human trafficking. As Jennifer says, "We like to handle the tough issues," and this is exactly what she and her moms have done. Hear this inspiring story about the power of hope and perseverance and learn about the amazing people and experiences that have made up Jen's journey to date.

From his first job working in the duty free shop of an airport in the Dominican Republic, Hugo Lembert joined a newspaper in New York City to drive classified advertising sales ... until that business dried up overnight and forced him to adjust his career path and migrate toward the digital media space. In this episode, learn more about advertising sales, how to build trust with customers, and the lessons you learn when you have to navigate a career during periods of uncertainty.

Even though he played with chemicals and blew stuff up when he was young, our guest this week still found choosing a college major was one of his life's hardest decisions. Still, he followed his passion, studied chemical engineering, and has made a career "making things better." Now a VP of Development and Technical Services at Amalie Oil Company, John works with a cross-functional team of marketing, sales, and chemical engineering professionals who take ideas and turn them into products like engine oil and grease for electric vehicles (just two of the approximately 1,000 formulations John manages!). In this episode, hear how John and his team helped a well-known drag racing team start winning races, learn once and for all how frequently you should change the oil in your car, and pick up some priceless leadership advice from someone who has moved up the ranks but has never stopped loving his time in the lab.

Do you remember rainbow looms? How about adult coloring books? Well, those fun crafty items and thousands more come from somewhere, and that somewhere in the case of the over 1,400 Michael's crafts stores is the buyers who stay in front of trends and find manufacturers the world over to bring those items to US consumers. In the words of our guest Tara, "our job is to make people happy," and she has been doing that for over ten years in a range of positions leading to her current buyer position at Michael's. What's a buyer's work life like? Tara explains ... 70% math, 20% strategy, and 50% hard work! In this deep-dive episode, hear more about the reality versus the myth of being a retail buyer, and get ready to be energized by someone who makes very clear being a buyer is a "heavy lift" but super-worth-it if you have the underlying passion.

It was the dead of night when Joaquin was backpacking and got stuck in a severe snowstorm. "I could have survived the night," he said, but fate would connect him to the owner of a local tour guide company who miraculously found and rescued him - and then offered him a job! In this episode, hear more about Joaquin's experiences conducting over 1,000 tours to the Grand Canyon, famous red rock formations, the Coconino National Forest, and other iconic destinations as a tour guide for the well-known Pink Jeep Tours operating out of Sedona, Arizona. But as they say in those commercials, "wait, there's more!" And the "more" in this case is Joaquin's story as a boy who dropped out of high school but worked hard, learned all he could, and eventually achieved a master's degree in finance - all the while cherishing the natural and cultural landscape around him. Joaquin is proof that there is no 'right' path - but one's path can be right in the end.

Quant evangelist? What in the world? This week our guest Dimitri Bianco tells us about a profession and field of discipline focused on developing and validating predictive models used to make important business decisions with potentially significant financial implications. Every wonder why the same person who approaches five lenders for mortgage quotes gets five different terms and rates? As Dimitri explains in this episode, it's because each one of those lenders has a different risk profile and a different model for deciding what to offer its prospective customers. And although the details of modelling can be very technical and complicated, Dimitri demystifies and simplifies what this work really involves, explains why it gets him out of bed in the morning (and sometimes in the middle of the night!), and provides priceless advice to those who love solving problems and are looking for opportunities to apply that talent in the real world.

Could you clean teeth for a living? Looks simple right? It's not! This week's guest, Dorothy Smith, demystifies a profession we have all experienced up-close and personal (after all, their hands are inside your mouth for about 30 minutes). Having done this for 28 years, Dorothy tells us what is required to be trained and certified in this field, how posture and ergonomics play into this physically taxing job, how she was a little grossed out a few times, and what she does to make her patients comfortable. But beyond all that, Dorothy also shares how she overcame an accident that halted her life for about a year and left her with a badly injured dominant hand. However, Dorothy explains, "I've always been stubborn," and that stubborn streak drove her to emerge from a dark time to pursue - and obtain - a nursing degree that she hopes will soon position her to work in a hospital operating room. A surprising career shift? Not at all, since Dorothy's favorite TV show as a young girl was the surgery channel!

Our guest this week, Guy Averill, has loved working the land since his boyhood in England. And while some get to their current professions by way of a circuitous journey involving many different jobs, Guy's path never veered too far away from farming. Why? Because he loves it too much, calling it a true vocation. Is it hard work? Yes. Are there a lot of things that can go wrong? You know it. Is it a career that requires constant learning? Absolutely. But Guy has embraced all of those things and is now the president of a watercress farm that supplies this extremely healthy dark, leafy green to England and the U.S. In fact, his mum in England makes it a habit of telling every grocer who will listen, "My son grew this!!!!" Learn about the farming profession - the joys, challenges, and more - in this honest and revealing episode.

Unconventionally refreshing, forever fun, and intrepid to the fullest, Corey McGonigle is an IT project manager by trade and an adventurer by heart who approaches life with vim, vigor, and a huge dose of kindness. Dropping out of college early in her career, Corey found her passion in project management early and, after working overseas, decided at her son's suggestion to return to college and get her degree (listen to hear the funny story about which school she chose and why!). From that point, there was no holding her back. Recording this episode from her RV - which she is driving to various destinations across the country - Corey tells us about the job of being a project manager and shares her secrets for being really good at an important and fun profession that has and continues to enrich her life. As she says near the end of our conversation, "You never know what's going to come around that next curve, but you know it's going to be great!"

Vince Harris started his career as a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force. Now he is a measurement expert who ensures the tools we use and the parts on which they are used are all perfectly calibrated. Why does this matter, you ask? Because without calibration, things eventually break - like airplanes, for example (yes, this is important stuff!). In this episode, learn about Vince's job as a calibration specialist, his journey getting here, and how he uses the "power of positivity" to fuel his success and "shine his light." In his own words, "Any day I wake up is a good day indeed!"

This week's guest Ray Vicks was the first in his big family (12 kids!) to attend college. Having landed a solid job with Arthur Andersen right out of school, Ray spent his first years "learning how to xerox" before buckling down and moving up the ranks. Hear how his biggest professional disappointment led to his eventual ascendancy to partnership in a competing firm and eventually the role of Chief Financial Officer for a healthcare company. You don't achieve all of this without accumulating a full suitcase of life lessons, and Ray unpacks them all in this story-rich episode. Settle in, take a few notes, and let Ray's lessons shape your career path.

Most people would never say, "social services" and "entrepreneur" in the same breath. And those people have never met our guest this week, Kim Young, who started her career working for an international adoptions agency (she would fly to countries like Nicaragua and pick up the babies!). Later, Kim worked for an agency providing services to the Department of Children and Families in Connecticut; in fact, she was so good at that job, the owner asked her if she'd like to take it over. Fast-forward a few years, and Kim has grown that business to 15 employees and, never one to sit still, has opened her own private therapy practice in Maine focused on helping kids aged 11 through 18. In this episode, hear more about Kim's journey and learn about that special "something" that has propelled Kim to succeed at everything she's attempted.

In 2008, our guest Denise lost everything. The housing crisis left her and her husband out of work with barely enough money to do the one thing they could think of to pay the bills: start a food truck business based on pasta recipes their friends loved. It was hard work, but they survived - one of the many stories Denise describes as part of her "interesting ride" that started as a Greyhound Bus travel agent and now in the later stages of her career finds her doing something she has always loved: writing, decorating, and 'meeting' people from all over the world as a home decor blogger. Says Denise, "your style can be beautiful." Find out how exactly and be inspired by someone who has lived the adage that it is never too late to try something new, and is now living her dream as a result.

Having a zombie wedding? Then you are in luck! Our guest this week doesn't take normal wedding jobs - but he certainly takes zombie (and Viking) assignments because they are "so much more interesting to shoot!" In this episode, learn about the interesting working life of someone who received his first camera at 15 years old and hasn't looked back. From studying photography in college to teaching it today, Donovan Evans has a lot to share: learn about the types of jobs available in this field, what it takes to be a serious photographer, and benefit from tips you can use to start taking great photos. See the world of being a photographer through the lens of someone who really knows and has the stories to prove it!

"My crazy work ethic was a big reason why my first marriage failed." In this episode, hear from someone who has known major setbacks but has never given up on his entrepreneurial ambitions - or himself. Now the owner of a successful family-run gravestone business, Graeme Everson tells us how he came to be wired for overachievement as a young boy, explains the toll of being a workaholic, and shares his keys to growing and running a successful business. Like all of our episodes, this one is packed with career advice - but what makes this one special is the hard-earned life advice Graeme shares as he opens up about his difficult journey and how he has managed to use those lessons to prosper personally and professionally.

Sometimes you meet people who really ARE changing the world. Our guest this week, Ron Tyson, spends his days ensuring our healthcare records get to the right place and recounts a twisting journey that involved quitting college, joining the Air Force, going back to school, and using a drug prescription data entry job and work ethic advice from his grandmother as a springboard for an extremely successful career. Yet while he was moving up the ranks, he was also asking himself, "What is my purpose here on earth?" About five years ago, at the age of 52, Ron found that purpose when he visited his grandmother in a nursing home and saw just how many seniors lay on their beds without a single card or keepsake decorating their beds or window sills. Thinking, "there's something we can do here," Ron did just that - he started a nonprofit called Bring Smiles to Seniors that connects kind-hearted card writers to lonely seniors in nursing homes across the country. In its first year, Bring Smiles to Seniors delivered 7,719 cards of joy and human connection. This year that number has already grown to 157,000 and Ron expects after the holidays to have distributed almost 200,000 cards to seniors in all 50 states! As Ron put it, "I have a day job to feed my stomach, but I have my nonprofit to feed my soul." Don't miss this life-affirming episode!

This episode is a JobSpeakers first. Our first guest from Scotland? Yes. Our first guest to have worked at the world-famous Harrods in London? Yes again (and you MUST hear what that was like!). But the real first is hearing from a guest who is recently retired. So not only do we get treated to Les's rich career journey in the hospitality field - mainly as a food and beverage controller, an emerging profession when he started - but we learn what it's like to live after our working life is mostly behind us. Are you ready for colorful stories and priceless life lessons? Then spin up our latest episode and enjoy our guest this week, Les Creswell!

It was March 2020. The pandemic was just taking hold. And our guest Michael saw the writing on the wall - if more orders didn't come in, his job was on the line. Sadly, that's just what happened, and Michael over the summer was let go from the business development and sales role he loved. In this episode, we explore what many people throughout our pandemic-stricken world are going through: being out of work, but finding a way to push forward. And, as a bonus, we also get to learn from Michael's many years in various sales roles and hear about his journey to earn a college degree - starting in the 90s and finishing next semester - after 30 years! Get ready for heart-felt honesty and a message of hope based on "professional persistence"!

He was going to be a priest, but there was just one problem ... he didn't have the grades for it. So what did our guest Ian Hassell do with the rest of his working life after leaving the seminary? He stayed true to his intentions to help lift up the downtrodden - working in social services, counseling men suffering through the horror of the HIV AIDS epidemic, and entertaining and consoling elderly hospice patients. Today Ian's job has him coming full circle; as a registrar in the UK, he has one of the coolest jobs ever: he marries couples in love. In today's world, it's so easy to focus on ourselves, but Ian shows us that serving others is the surest path to happiness and a life well-lived.

That was it!!!! Lance couldn't take it anymore. When that Easter brunch customer who asked Lance for pickles but complained they were cut the wrong way when he received them, Lance made a decision at that moment to return to college. In this episode, hear how that early pivot point kicked off a journey that, funnily enough, ends (so far) with Lance becoming the Assistant Director of Pickleball at a brand new indoor-only pickleball facility in Chantilly, Virginia, called Pickleballerz. From working with at-risk youth in a group home to teaching in elementary school to making tennis and pickleball fun for active adults, Lance in this episode opens up about his career journey and shares how he learned to protect his professional happiness while growing on a personal level along the way.

"I want to see all hairdos, styles, and colors and a client-driven education for our students," says Bisi Lipede, who coordinates a work-study program for 270 Cristo Rey Boston High School students who work part-time corporate jobs throughout their four years of normal schooling. Not only do these students have some of their tuition reimbursed for their efforts, but they learn, at a very young age, what it means to hold down a job in a professional environment. Using her own corporate techniques honed at a large consultancy, Accenture, Bisi engages parents, students, and over 100 business partners to help these students begin charting a successful course toward college and beyond. Having started her journey studying biology at MIT, Bisi has meandered toward this job her whole life (whether she knew it at the time or not!), and credits this one thing to her success: "the capacity to be persistent."

In this double-header episode, Tammi Wirth tells us how a part-time truck loading job at UPS became a full-time position quality checking and fixing shipping addresses. Why did Tammi get promoted? "Because I pay attention to details," she says, "and it makes it all worthwhile when Grandma gets her present!" Someone who uses her downtime at work to help others, Tammi has applied her caring approach and hard work ethic to her second job - being a pet sitter for dogs, cats, turtles, and, as you will soon find out in this episode, chickens (you HAVE to hear the story of the 10 chickens!). "My job is to make sure the dogs and animals I watch are happy," says Tammi - and she'll make you feel the same way after listening to this episode.

"This is more dangerous than criminal law!" says this week's guest, Josh Sheridan, a divorce and family law attorney whose job has him dealing with good people on their worst behavior. Dispelling the notion that attorneys are by definition rich and smart (among other fallacies), Josh in this episode opens his job kimono to speak straight about his profession - the client angle, business angle, and, more broadly, the overall human nature angle. "I have front-row seats to why marriages go awry," says Josh, "and it's not because of unemptied trash, dirty dishes, or fantasy football." Not shy about the fact that being a divorce attorney means being disliked by just about everyone, Josh happens to be a super-likable and engaging guy who treats his clients well and does the right thing. And the bonus? In his spare time, Josh has a very cool podcast called Barely Legal!

When she opens a preschool assignment she's kept for all these years, Divya sees the question, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" and her answer: a "hair cutter." Seems like a far cry from journalism, right? Not to Divya, who points out that getting a hair cut is a great way to hear stories - and stories are the reason she was drawn to journalism. In fact, she worried herself in highschool because she spent more time working on the student newspaper than studying for her classes. And though she tried to suppress that same interest later in college, fate would hear of no such thing - Divya was always meant to do this, and now proudly covers higher education and nonprofits as a journalist for the Tampa Bay Times. Asked why she thinks her job is important, Divya provides a simple but compelling answer: "to create empathy." And don't we all need more of that these days?

What is success at the end of a long week teaching? "A good night's sleep!" says this week's guest Allison Caras, a Professor of Spanish at George Washington University. Considering herself a "conflicted extrovert," Allison in this episode conveys her total commitment to teaching - and the tolls and trials that come with the territory of her profession. Yes, she is a passionate 4.9-student-rated professor, but Allison is also a purveyor of truths who in this episode shares more than one dose of reality. "Losing your path is part of your path," she says. Listen to find out what Allison's path has been, where it is going, and what energizes her to succeed.

She likes cat videos, loves dogs, and has confirmed that pets really DO look and behave like their owners. In this week's episode, Joelle tells us what it takes to become a vet, what it's really like to take care of our beloved animals, and shares that being a vet is also about being empathetic, compassionate, and caring for all of us pet owners. And ... drumroll ... Joelle addresses the perception that all veterinarians are filthy rich. Yes? No? Find out by listening to this week's episode!

When we asked this week's guest Holli Rahmings what's changed in the world of food over the past ten years, she surprised us. "Me," she said, and then proceeded to convey how her job and her success ultimately depend on her ability to connect with people and move them toward long-term healthy habits. In this episode, learn how Holli has honed her personal connection skills, whether healthy eating is really more expensive, why Holli employs a no-judgment approach, and what is required to be successful in this profession. Get ready for a high-energy and fun episode with someone who loves her job and shares her infectious enthusiasm!

Work in coal mines or steel mills? These were Joe's hometown job options. He chose neither and left his small town to work for a credit union in another state. But rather than see his first job as a temporary stopgap, Joe saw the chance to show everyone that not having a college education would never hold him back. He buckled down, worked hard, and is now a Vice President of Mortgage Lending who has proven that "will" beats "skill" every time. Joe's story is guaranteed to inspire and motivate you!

Our first guest from the UK, Martin Gibbs had a knack for taking things apart when he was a little boy - so much so, he earned a nickname from his grandmother based on a book character. Little did she know that the nickname she gave Martin would come to describe his eventual career testing IT software and being the guy in the office who "took things apart" to understand how best to make them work. In this episode, hear how Martin struggled early to find his confidence and his path, but, over time, consolidated his skills and interests and found his way toward becoming very good at what he does.

In this episode, meet someone who leans into life and lives in the present. Someone who after nearly 30 years consulting to large companies across six continents decided to help individuals find their best selves through authentic interactions and the search for wisdom. It's no wonder when faced with the choice to play college volleyball or try ballet, a young college-aged Patrick saw one clear choice: dance, even if he had never done it. Or when he saw a bulletin board ad for tai chi, he jumped at the chance and is now an instructor. If finding meaning is important to you, you'll want to find 40 minutes to hear this episode!

Randy Gallogly was burnt out. But he was also smart enough to listen to his wife when she said, “I don’t like you being a realtor." Taking his own advice to always be ready when an opportunity knocks, Randy jumped on the chance to become a home inspector. In this episode, hear how Randy came out of the Navy having studied medicine but now spends his time crawling in attics, climbing ladders, and trying not to fall off roofs. And if you like stories, you’ll love to hear about some of Randy’s home inspection discoveries and how he takes special pleasure in helping home buyers with one of the most important and emotional decisions of their lives.

It was a serious decision. Tamara asked herself, "Should I become a lawyer?" She thought long. She thought hard. She considered her strengths and aspirations. She recalled her ability to engage in healthy debate. Yes, it was a serious decision that could not be made lightly. Especially since Tamara was considering this career at the ripe age of 12 years. Fast forward and learn more about how Tamara eventually dismissed law to pursue a career that started in banking but now finds her doing something even more important and meaningful: helping low-income families achieve the stability of safe and affordable housing. If you think public sector careers and overachievement are a contradiction, think again and stick around for this latest JobSpeakers episode.

You can ask Jacques why he decided to work with trauma victims, almost all of them addicts and many just one bad decision away from jail or worse. Yes, you can ask. But don't expect an answer. He doesn't know why he decided to specialize in therapy for these broken and hurting people. But that doesn't matter, because Jacques saves them every day. In this very poignant, revealing, and at times funny episode, hear how Jacques chose this career later in life and has learned and honed his tradecraft for those most in need.

Sshhh. Huddle around. Listen closely. Meet Gary Johnson, a man who for 50 years has learned life's lessons and is about to tell you all about them: taking pride in one's work, living a life of learning, helping those in need, and knowing how to say the right things at the right time. A man who volunteers his time as Santa Claus for charities that cannot afford pay-for Santas, Gary shares what you need to know about the HVAC trade - but so much more. Buckle up for priceless advice wrapped in homespun stories.

Approaching his profession with the mindset of an elite athlete, Brandon took his seat on a Delta flight, looked at that small screen, and asked a simple but compelling question that would land him a huge win as the new VP of Strategic Account Solutions at LivePerson. Find out what that question was, and learn how Brandon built a successful career - after playing soccer in Romania and DJ'ing in New York City - by raising his hand and embracing new challenges at every opportunity.

"I think you better box those up and put them in the garage," said our guest Victoria when she was surprised by what she found when she walked into the seller's bedroom. Find out what Victoria discovered and what she learned about herself as she describes her journey from being limited by Malaysian culture as a little girl to becoming an IT professional in the U.S. to taking a big and scary leap into real estate. In this podcast, we learn what it takes to follow a passion, take risks, and play to your strengths.

Does your job affect 300,000 people every day? Tyrell's job does! Through his work helping all of Florida's Boys & Girls clubs recruit and train CEOs, guide new board members, develop new programs, and more, Tyrell indirectly shapes and improves the lives of 300,000 boys and girls every day. Sounds hard, right? Well, it is - but despite working 60 hours per week, Tyrell says, "I never wake up and dread going to work." In this podcast, listen to Tyrell's challenging career and personal journey and learn how he brings a professional, collaborative approach to everything he does.

Chris Zutt spent the first half of his working life painting houses, billing hospital patients, and doing business analysis - before pulling the plug on all that and pursuing the job he always wanted, being a teacher. Now, 18 years later, hear how Chris teaches his 7th and 8th graders to love learning, discover what makes Chris's style unique and effective, and enjoy a heart-warming story about one of Chris's students who is changing the world.

After ten years in the mortgage broker business, our guest Mary Phifer tried aerobics for the first time. A former dancer, Mary wasn't just good at aerobics - she was great at it, and soon became an instructor. That led her to eventually making a big career change and becoming a personal fitness trainer. In this podcast, hear Mary tell stories about transforming her clients' lives as "an angel on my clients' shoulders" and learn more about what it takes to be great at this impactful profession.

That letter from the collection agency is NOT your bill! But that is exactly what a young man believed until our guest Justin took the time to help him understand the basics of managing money and fostering strong credit. Why? Because that is the type of person Justin is - open, engaging, fun, and the first in line to help the members of his credit union. In this podcast, learn about Justin's journey that started when he was 13 and his mom wouldn't buy him the expensive sneakers he so yearned for - but then took some interesting turns, including construction and pest control jobs and a marine science education - before he landed and began being amazing at his current financial services job.

Caring for her grandmother's "boo-boos" with her doctor's kit was an early sign that five-year-old Meredith Burt would one day enter the health care field. Now a registered nurse, Meredith in this tell-all podcast reveals whether TV hospital shows are realistic, describes her IV needle skills, and shares a few freshman mistakes new nurses make.

Have you ever said to yourself, "I can do that better?" As a young student, Rui Fernandes had a not-so-great guidance counselor at a time when he really needed, well, guidance. Using that motivation as a springboard, he then charted a career path that allowed him to fix it forward as a career and college advisor and soccer coach. Here Rui tells stories that will warm your heart and make you feel maybe just a little bit better about our world and the people in it.

Sample the new JobSpeakers podcast and hear our 'greatest hits' from our first three guests - real people with real jobs sharing great advice and the kinds of stories that make us smile, nod, learn, and improve. So ... have a listen, join the JobSpeakers community, and stay with us as we explore the universe of jobs and make the world a better place.