Professional Confessionals

A super quick sampler of the guests and their insights from Season 1 of the Professional Confessionals podcast.

An in depth sampler of the wisdom and perspectives shared in the 31 episodes of Season 1. Many heartfelt thanks to our guests who so generously shared their time. We were honored by their participation in this podcast and learned so much from each and every one of them!

“All the skills that are required to be successful in the [tech] field can be self-taught. You can learn anything nowadays. Be curious. Read all you can. Watch all you can. Mess around. Try to build your own products. Build an app, build a website. That’s what really interests me as a hiring manager.” A unique perspective on technology is revealed in K. David McCarthy’s engaging interview on his professional journey in tech and advertising. From a pre-internet gig at ad agency giant J Walter Thompson to his current role at Tightrope Interactive, David shares insightful observations drawn from personal experience and offers informed advice to those wishing to pursue a career in tech.

“It is deeply, personally fulfilling to work for something that you believe in and would support, and would give money to if asked…the mission of the organization was central to my happiness.” Susan Kenny has found great satisfaction in her career of meaningful work at nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, and is a firm proponent of the benefits and intrinsic value of an education in the humanities. She believes “there is a direct line between a humanities education and working in fields where ethics, compassion, humility, and empathy are important”.

“To a lot of people, architecture is an intangible. It’s not something they understand. They can understand the work that an engineer does, so a building doesn’t fall down on them. They can understand the work a contractor does because they drive the nails or they apply the paint. But architecture is the art of the building, and that gets to be much more difficult for people to understand.” With a focus on energy-efficient passive homes, Architect James Hartford shares his thoughts about his professional journey and working as an architect, plus offers advice for those interested in pursuing the field. James Hartford and his wife Juhee Lee-Hartford are partners at River Architects.

– PODCAST EXTRA – Author Jo Pitkin discusses the challenges and intricacies of textbook writing for major educational publishers and how she draws upon her literary creativity in what she considers her “survival job”. She offers good tips and advice for writers interested in the field of educational publishing. Don’t miss Jo’s additional Professional Confessional interview on her primary career: [Poet] Jo Pitkin

“The high points for me are less about making a quarterly number or something like that. It was about the friendships and joy you have with the people that you work with.” As a former Chief Financial Officer and current Compliance Officer, Mike LaRocco’s experience may be in finance and accounting, but his insights and philosophy on work, life and being true to yourself are applicable to anyone.

“A Creative Technologist is someone who uses technology and their creative self to solve problems.” Combining dual disciplines of creative arts and technology, Creative Technologist is a new and unique profession in our brave new world. Bo Bell’s intriguing journey has taken him from neoclassical and experimental electronic music composition to work as Off-Broadway Soundscape Designer and as Creative Technologist with the NYC Central Park Conservancy. These days he works as a “creative technology ambassador” for StudioLabs, a digital technology development company. He shares his thoughtful perspective in this engaging interview.

“One thing through my career is corporations taking over hospitals and when they’re trying to save money, they cut nursing staff. It just doesn’t seem there’s enough nurses to do the job.” Practicing Nurse Linda Raftery has seen much in her nearly 3 decades of working in hospital intensive care units, emergency rooms, and as a camp, school and pediatric nurse. She shares the ins and outs and ups and downs, shedding light on often overlooked considerations relating to the nursing profession.

“I don’t think there is anything more important than the freedom to think, the freedom to generate new knowledge, the freedom to distribute that knowledge wherever it takes us.” The author of 12 books on media, communications and journalism, Rutgers Professor John V. Pavlik not only gives us his take on working in higher education, but shares fascinating insights from decades of research into technology’s effects on media, journalism and society, plus the prospects for people interested in pursuing the field. Highlights include his outlook for journalism and media in the modern age, implications of ‘deep fake videos’, difficulty in detecting modern propaganda, research experiences in the Middle East, and the use of immersive technologies like AR and VR (augmented reality and virtual reality) in journalism and storytelling.

“Have that crazy, larger than life goal, pursue it with a vengeance, and know that it’s going to end up being an amazing experience regardless of whether you achieve that one vaunted goal or not.” Military aviator, aerospace engineer, flight instructor, computer scientist, West Point professor, licensed commercial pilot, Colonel Tanya Estes was part of the first wave of women in combat aviation, and only the 3rd woman instructor pilot of the legendary $35 million Apache AH-64A, considered the Maserati of helicopters. She shares how her early love of flying and lifelong pursuit to become an astronaut influenced her decisions. Tanya (right) and her husband Ray flying a DA40 single-engine plane

“I think the biggest challenge is trusting your own core and your own instinct to do the right thing. There are a lot of influences. There are a lot of people that want to tell you what to do and how to do it.” Involved in public service since her youth, Nancy Montgomery considers it a part of the fabric of who she is as a person. As the only Democratic party member among 8 Republican legislators in New York’s Putnam County, she finds herself in somewhat familiar territory having been raised in a family of all Republicans. Nancy describes how love for her community and a family legacy of public service led to her current role, and she gives us an insider’s look at some of the challenges, issues, and rewards, plus offers advice for those considering working in politics and public service.

“My big obstacle on a daily basis is getting people who actually care about working; getting employees. I think everybody should be like me…I put my pride into it, and a lot of people do not feel the pride about what they’re doing.” From learning set carpentry while working as an actor, to becoming an actual carpenter and eventually a builder focused on climate-friendly, energy efficient structures, Michael Robinson gives us an insider’s perspective. He also shares the project he’s currently passionate about that keeps him wanting to do more.

“It’s really hard to hear so many painful stories, but it’s particularly hard to know that people have experienced such awful things and the magnitude of that, like how many people have. I know everybody that does this work has that experience.” Founding Partner and Director of Programs at New York Creative Arts Therapists, Drena Fagen is a licensed clinical social worker and creative arts therapist. She details what led to her migration from graphic designer to therapist, revealing what it’s really like to provide mental health services within a creative platform.

– PODCAST EXTRA – “The opposite of division is not unity. It’s collaboration.” Dar Williams discusses what led her to author 3 books, plus how she came to develop the songwriting workshop retreat “Writing a Song that Matters”. Don’t miss Dar’s episode on her primary career[Singer-Songwriter] Dar Williams

“I tell lab students ‘that tube of blood has a person behind it. It could be your mother or your father, and treat it as such. They depend on you doing your best for an accurate diagnosis’.” A former hospital lab director, these days Ribhia Abdelhady can be found applying her expertise and passion to help people as a consultant to medical laboratories. She believes medical technology, or any of the many jobs in medicine, offer some of the best career opportunities for young people. She shares her story of emigrating from Palestine, talks of her determination to attain a college education while caring for her family, and recounts her path and experiences working in medical technology at hospitals.

“Leaving my job and becoming a teacher was the best and hardest decision I’ve made in my life.” Joe Patrick is a career changer who left a lucrative career as a project manager to pursue his youthful dream of teaching. He details the challenges and obstacles inherent in a mid life change as well as the joy and fulfillment of doing the work he loves.

“There’s all sorts of numbers you’ll encounter when you put yourself out there, like your age, your weight, your audience size, how much you’re selling, how many clicks you’re getting. I call them ‘the numbers’, and they’re all toxic.” Dar Williams, whom The New Yorker describes as ‘one of America’s very best singer-songwriters’, shares her thoughtful views on the changing landscape of the music industry, recounts her personal musical journey, and offers advice for folks considering a similar career in this insightful and engaging interview.

“Comedy allows people to hear things that they normally can’t comprehend. To listen to people they normally fear. To change their opinion about something they hate. Because when you get people laughing, you open their hearts.” Comedian and actress Maysoon Zayid tells us about her path to becoming a successful stand-up comedienne and how she recently fulfilled a lifelong dream to appear on General Hospital. In addition to focusing on writing and producing her new TV series for TNT, she says advocacy will now play a bigger part in her life.

“To be a good journalist, you have to care about what’s going on in the world.” Investigative Reporter, Journal News Columnist, freelance journalist and photographer David McKay Wilson talks to us about his colorful career path, his love of writing, the economics of journalism, and its power to truly change the world.

“Nothing for me beats being an artist. The practice of it, the satisfaction of it.” Carla Goldberg is a successful mixed media artist, gallery director and curator. She discusses her love of what she does and the challenges artists face. Carla re-entered the field after a hiatus to raise her daughters and has cautionary words of advice for those who would follow in her footsteps.

“Usually the best people in my profession are the most difficult to get along with. They have difficult personalities. It’s funny the way that works.” A fateful family loss during childhood led Dr. Robert Raniolo to follow an otherwise unlikely professional path. He discusses his unique personal/professional journey, shares wisdom and advice for those interested in healthcare as a career, plus how the corporate takeover of the medical field has changed the traditional role of caregivers and its effect on medical care.

“You have to think like a renaissance person. That’s been really great because I love changing it up and I love visual challenges.” Stylist Raquel Vidal takes us through her engaging journey from fashion design to photo stylist, and tells us about her experiences working with legendary photographers like Richard Avedon. For those that might follow in her footsteps, Raquel shares insights she’s gained from wearing a multitude of different hats in the fashion industry. On Location

“The best part is problem solving and puzzles. Putting together pieces from different things that have bounced around your brain because you’ve been working on it for a long time, and when something comes together and it works out, it’s incredibly satisfying.” Tim Hall always wanted to be a scientist. An analytical mind and boyhood fascination with black holes and the origin of the universe guided him to where could continue pondering big questions – the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, where he is a Senior Research Scientist.

“If a school isn’t working for you, if a profession isn’t working for you, choose something else. Choose yourself.” Ascend founder Melia Marzollo reveals her path from English teacher to Wellness Center founder. Courageously following her heart and her gut into a field that holds more resonance, she’s created a life of fulfillment in which she seeks to nurture wellness in her community.

“I want to move people, create a space where people would feel lifted spiritually, and make it worthwhile for someone to visit that space.” Architect Juhee Lee-Hartford is the managing and founding partner of River Architects. She shares her passion for architecture and the challenges inherent in starting her own firm.

“Even if someone has committed a crime, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a bad person. Sometimes it’s an underlying condition.” Robert Langley has experienced many roles in law enforcement including canine and forensics duty, and is currently the Sheriff of Putnam County, New York. In this frank and honest interview, Robert shares his perspective about his profession, explains his motivations for wanting to be an officer, and raises important considerations for people interested in pursuing a similar career.

“Yes, I did scenes with George Clooney and people like that, but when you’re on a set, it’s like being in the trenches. It’s hard work, it’s not this glamorous love scenario fairy tale.” Liz Keifer has appeared in many films and TV shows, and is familiar to millions as Blake Marler from the TV soap Guiding Light, where she brought the character to life for 17 years. Liz tells us about her experiences, and relates her insider’s perspective working in the TV industry.

“One of the best parts of being a chef is that you get to create every day and experiment. You evolve all the time, you’re always trying something new. We’re artists and we create what is hopefully beautiful looking and tasting.” After a career as head chef at a number of fine restaurants, Richard Kukle now works as a personal chef to the rich and famous. He gives us an inside look into a profession that can be fun and creative at times, but cautions that it has been over-glamorized by celebrity chefs. Folks considering entering the field need to consider the long hours and physical demands, he advises.

“You’re going to get knocked down a lot, you just have to never pay attention to that. Don’t take the rejection personally. Just remember whoever rejects you on Tuesday, the person on Friday might be telling you you’re great.” Jo Pitkin’s poetry was first published nationally when she was 21 years old, and she shares with us how her early love of words led to a life focused on creating works based on the artistic use of language. She often acts as a mentor to young poets, and kindly offers her wisdom and advice for those with a similar passion for the art form and for those who wonder about writing poetry as a career. Jo Pitkin (center) working on college literary magazine Jo Pitkin.com

“You get to a certain level in your career where it becomes less about doing that thing that you learned, and more about navigating the personalities of the people around.“ Technical Theater Professional Duane Rutter’s story is as unique as they come. His self effacing, lyrical way of storytelling has been known to cause listeners to smile as he relates the journey that led to his unique profession. Duane currently runs the busy theatrical operations at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“You have to be humble. You need to listen. You need to be able to get rid of your own ego, what your ego thinks, and listen to what another person is saying. These are things you learn over time.” Terry Alexander helped pioneer the profession of Nurse Practitioner, and imparts the wisdom she’s gleaned in a career that has taken her from working in prisons, a men’s shelter, hospitals, and family practice.

“When I have my edit room in tears, I love that. I feel like I can find that emotional sweet spot in my storytelling, and that means a lot to me, that you can reach people on such a profound emotional level.” Creative Editor Dana Bol shares her journey in the world of TV production and commercial editing, and tells us what it takes for a woman to succeed in this male dominated field. She also reveals her informed perspective on attaining a work/life balance. Dana runs Tallgirl, a company specializing in VFX and Creative Film Editing, which she established in 2001. Video SamplesLongform/Emotional ClipsCommercial Clips