Podcasts about career tips

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Cathryn Greville, CEO of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), a lawyer, governance expert, and one of the industry's most passionate advocates for systemic cultural change. From collaborative contracting to parental leave, from male allyship to psychological safety, Cathryn makes a powerful case that construction's biggest challenges: productivity, skills shortages, and retention won't be solved by technology alone. They'll be solved by leadership.Cathryn shares the evidence: inclusive teams make better decisions 87% of the time, and twice as fast. She explains why the single biggest risk time for losing women in construction is pregnancy and return to work, and why getting more men to take parental leave is a retention strategy, not a social one. She also pulls back the curtain on NAWIC's $5 million "Allyship in Action" project, including site-based allyship programs, sponsorship training, and a cultural ambassadors program designed to reach young tradies before bad habits set in.Tune in for a frank, data-driven, and hopeful conversation about what it actually takes to build workplaces where people want to stay  and why inclusive leadership may be the most underleveraged commercial advantage in construction today.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Inclusive Leadership and the Future of Construction:Why inclusive leadership is a commercial advantage, not just a social initiativeHow leadership styles directly impact workforce retention and project outcomesThe role leaders play in creating psychologically safe workplacesThe Link Between Inclusion, Productivity, and Performance:Why inclusive teams make better decisions and achieve stronger business resultsHow psychological safety improves productivity and reduces workforce riskThe hidden financial costs of poor workplace culture and employee turnover Innovation Starts with People:Why innovation is about more than technology and AIHow diverse perspectives create better solutions and stronger decision-makingThe connection between workplace culture, creativity, and problem-solvingWorkforce Challenges and Talent Attraction:Why construction's workforce shortage requires a broader talent strategyHow inclusive workplaces help attract and retain the next generation of workersWhat Gen Z expects from employers and why culture matters more than everFlexibility, Retention, and Modern Work:Why flexibility means more than working from homeHow small adjustments can significantly improve employee retentionThe importance of designing workplaces around people's real needsPregnancy, Parenthood, and Retaining Women in Construction:Why pregnancy remains one of the highest-risk points for losing women from the industryThe role parental leave and caring responsibilities play in workforce retentionHow supporting fathers and caregivers benefits the entire workforceMale Allyship and Culture Change:What male allyship looks like in practiceWhy giving men the tools to support change is critical for industry transformationHow NAWIC's Allyship in Action program is helping shift workplace cultureRecruitment, Bias, and Untapped Talent:Why construction still relies heavily on traditional hiring methodsHow transferable skills can unlock new talent poolsThe importance of challenging assumptions about who belongs in constructionBuilding a More Sustainable Industry:Why workforce sustainability is becoming one of construction's biggest challengesHow governments, clients, contractors, and leaders can work together to drive changeWhat organizations can do today to become employers of choice Key Quotes from Cathryn Greville:"Productivity all comes back to people.""The biggest impediment to innovation isn't the technology. It's whether people are able to implement it.""Innovation is not just tech. Innovation is about solving problems.""The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.""If you're not engaging 50 percent of the population, you're missing a huge opportunity.""We need workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and able to do their best work.""Inclusion is not just a diversity initiative. It's a business strategy."About Our Guest:Cathryn Greville is the CEO of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction), a lawyer by background with decades of experience in industry reform, regulation, and governance. She has worked across litigation, collaborative contracting, and cultural transformation in both the UK and Australia. Cathryn is currently leading NAWIC's $5 million "Allyship in Action" project (funded by the Building Women's Careers Grant Program), delivered in partnership with CPB Contractors, Adco Constructions, the Australian Workers' Union, and Holmesglen Institute. Her mission: to make "male ally" an obsolete term within a decade by building a sector that works for everyone.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in construction leadership, retention, team culture, and building a more inclusive industry. Connect with Cathryn Greville and NAWIC to learn more about workforce inclusion and culture change initiatives.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Daryl Sadgrove, a leader who has worked across healthcare, telecommunications, e-commerce, logistics, education, and professional services before joining Struber, a business focused on unlocking human potential in infrastructure. Daryl brings a rare cross sector lens to one of the industry's most stubborn challenges: flatlining productivity.From his time at Telstra under David Thodey through to his current role as CEO of Struber, Daryl reveals what actually creates momentum in large organizations. He challenges the belief that AI is a magic bullet, warning that accelerating an inefficient model only makes things worse, faster.Daryl also shares a powerful sliding doors moment from his time at Australia Post during COVID, when a reactive fear based decision could have led to mass layoffs, but curiosity and analysis unlocked 20% year on year growth. He makes the case that infrastructure's real constraints aren't technical, they are human. And he explains why leaders must supercharge their people with AI, not replace them.Tune in for a thought provoking conversation on productivity, legacy, and the future of infrastructure leadership.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Building Momentum in Large Organizations:How strategic clarity from the top creates a “tsunami” of alignmentWhy leaders need to repeat strategy until they are sick of it, at least seven times via different channelsThe power of hyper effective meetings: narrow focus, clear outcomes, and the right people onlyThe Productivity Paradox in Infrastructure:Why infrastructure productivity is 2% below 1990 levels despite the internet, mobile phones, and AIHow communication, collaboration, and culture are the three biggest constraints, according to Infrastructure AustraliaThe danger of treating “soft skills” as a nice to have when they unlock millions in ROIAI as a Leadership Opportunity, Not a Shortcut: Why AI can make bad systems, bad data, and bad culture worse, fasterThe difference between using AI to replace people versus supercharging themA real life case study: a new hire in her second week building an AI powered infrastructure project pipeline that blew Daryl's mindThe Sliding Doors Moment at Australia Post During COVID: How fear nearly led to 10,000 layoffs and why pausing to question assumptions changed everythingThe power of internal research, curiosity, and reframing risk as opportunityWhy the “best case scenario” of 50% growth became reality, not the worst caseAI, Human Connection, and the Future of Work: Why humans will still deliver infrastructure for decades (10,000 people on a job site is not going away)How to use AI to accelerate your own voice, not replace itThe two business models: cut staff and gain 50% productivity OR supercharge everyone and gain 300%Legacy, Leadership, and Being Present: Why Daryl's legacy is translating solutions across industry silosThe importance of being truly home when you are home, with family, not just in bodyKey Quotes from Daryl Sadgrove:“Communication, collaboration, and culture are the biggest constraints holding projects back.”“You don't need everyone on the bus. You need critical mass.”“If you're not sick of repeating the strategy, you probably haven't communicated it enough.”“AI can make bad systems worse faster.”“The businesses that win with AI will be the ones that supercharge people, not replace them.”“People are craving human connection more than ever.”“Leadership clarity matters exponentially more in the AI era.”“The future belongs to organizations that unlock human potential.”“Infrastructure productivity is still sitting below where it was in 1990.”About Our Guest:Daryl Sadgrove is a leader who has worked across healthcare, telecommunications (Telstra), e-commerce, logistics, education, and professional services before joining Struber, a business focused on unlocking the human constraints in infrastructure. He has seen what works in high performing organizations and what does not. A former GM of Innovation at Telstra, a musician, and a golfer in training, Daryl brings cross-sector wisdom, strategic clarity, and a deep belief that people, not technology, are the real accelerators.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in construction leadership, retention, team culture, and building a more inclusive industry Connect with Daryl Sadgrove on LinkedIn.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'll explains how technicians can stand out in refrigeration job interviews. I'll share tips on building confidence, developing a troubleshooting mindset, and communicating technical processes step by step, including fundamentals like superheat, subcooling, wiring diagrams, controls, and compressor diagnostics. Many companies hire for attitude, reliability, and problem-solving more than years of experience, and knowing how to demonstrate work ethic, professionalism, business-minded value and asking strong questions will put you ahead of the pack when it comes to competing for a refrigeration technician job. In this episode, we cover: (00:48) Job Interview Mindset (02:24) Building Trust Through Honesty (04:04) How to Talk Technical Confidently (07:25) Job Interview Preperation (11:39) Communicating Stepwise (15:07) Value of Showing Ambition (19:23) On-Call Work Ethic (25:10) Asking Smart Questions (28:58) Professional Reputation Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 256. Career Tips for New Technicians Episode 224. The Key To Finding New Career Opportunities as a Technician Episode 169: Leadership Insights: Work Ethic and Value Creation with Scott Farley of The Arcticom Group  

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Adam Woodley, a refrigeration and air conditioning veteran, former business leader, and passionate male ally. From tradie apprentice to building a business with 97 percent staff retention, Adam proves great teams aren't luck. They are built on trust, empathy, and rejecting "that's just how it is."Adam shares the small choices that kept his people loyal: high end tools, eight to ten shirts for Queensland's heat, and customer first autonomy. He also opens up about surviving a house fire that left him clinically dead, a second chance that reshaped his approach to work, family, and legacy.He speaks frankly on why construction struggles to retain women, what microaggressions look like on site, and why change must start from the bottom up with young men aged 17 to 25. As a leader of the Male Allies program, run with Trellis and NAWIC, Adam equips young tradies and engineers to call out poor behaviour without fear.Tune in for honest insights on retention, courage, and building an industry people actually want to stay in.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Building a Career Through Opportunity and Work Ethic:How early exposure to trades shaped Adam's career path and mindsetWhy hard work creates “luck” and opens doors over timeThe value of adaptability and being willing to take on new challengesScaling a Business from the Ground Up:What it takes to build a service business without acquisitionsWhy customer service is the foundation of sustainable growthHow repeat business is earned through consistency, not shortcutsHiring, Retention, and High-Performance Teams: Why hiring through trusted referrals leads to stronger teamsHow culture is built through shared standards and accountabilityThe small, practical decisions that led to exceptional staff retentionLeadership, Autonomy, and Trust: Why empowering employees to make decisions improves outcomesThe importance of giving teams full ownership not partial responsibilityHow removing friction helps people perform at their bestCustomer Experience and Long-Term Loyalty: Why customers stay loyal to people, not just companiesHow professionalism, attitude, and consistency drive repeat workThe role of trust in building long-term client relationshipsLife-Changing Perspective and Personal Growth: How surviving a house fire reshaped Adam's priorities and mindsetWhy living with urgency changes how you lead and make decisionsThe importance of focusing on what truly matters todayCulture, Bias, and Industry Change: Why construction doesn't have a talent problem, it has a thinking problemHow unconscious bias and microaggressions impact retentionThe role leaders and teams play in shaping inclusive workplacesMale Allyship and the Future of Construction: The case for changing culture from the bottom up, starting with young men aged 17–25What it takes to create a culture where everyone belongsWhy the goal is to make "male ally" an obsolete term in 10 yearsKey Quotes from Adam Woodley:“Construction has never had a talent problem. It has a thinking problem.”“Hard work creates the luck that people see.”“If you can do it today, don't put it off until tomorrow.”“Customers are loyal to the person, not the company.”“Don't ever be too busy to make sure your door is always open.”“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”About Our Guest:Adam Woodley is a refrigeration and air conditioning professional who built and scaled a service business in Queensland from scratch, achieving industry leading retention rates. He's a passionate advocate for cultural change in construction, co facilitating the Male Allies program (in partnership with Trellis and NAWIC ) to equip young men aged 17 to 25 with the skills to challenge poor behaviour and build more inclusive sites. Adam's perspective is shaped by decades on the tools, a near fatal house fire, and the experience of watching his own daughter try to enter a trade, only to find the doors still closed.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in construction leadership, retention, team culture, and building a more inclusive industry Connect with Adam Woodley on LinkedIn.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Cameron Bell, a seasoned construction and project management leader with decades of experience across Scotland and Australia. Cam has built his reputation on something surprisingly simple: holding a clear, consistent standard. From his early days as a “peggy” (chainman) in Scotland to leading major infrastructure teams in Australia, Cam shares the reality of what it takes to deliver profitable projects without cutting corners.Cam opens up about his rocky start in Australia, including washing dishes for three months, the pressure of losing money on a job, and why he refuses to settle for “good enough” when hiring. He also talks about the concrete footpath that sets the tone for an entire project, the power of a sticker board meeting, and why the most important concrete you pour might not be structural at all. Tune in to hear how strong standards, honest leadership, and disciplined decision-making can shape better projects, stronger teams, and a lasting reputation in construction.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Building Strong Foundations in Engineering:Why Cameron's early career in Scotland created a hands-on understanding of constructionHow engineers overseas are trained differently through practical responsibilityThe importance of learning how projects are built, not just how they are designedWhy early career exposure to pressure creates stronger long-term capabilityPersistence, Career Growth, and Breaking Into the Industry:How Cameron went from washing dishes to landing an engineering role in AustraliaWhy persistence matters more than perfect timing when searching for opportunitiesThe value of saying yes to regional roles to gain experience and credibilityWhy graduates should focus on gaining experience rather than chasing the perfect jobHigh Standards and Hiring the Right People:Why lowering hiring standards creates long-term project problemsWhat Cameron looks for in interviews beyond technical skillsWhy attitude, accountability, and willingness to learn matter more than technical brillianceHow early expectations shape performance culture across a project teamLeadership Under Pressure:How to manage stress when projects are losing money or facing delaysWhy great leaders focus on solutions instead of blameThe importance of honesty when mistakes happen on-siteHow clear communication helps teams recover during difficult periodsCulture, Accountability, and High-Performance Teams:Why project culture starts with the smallest details on siteHow leadership behaviors shape standards across an entire workforceThe importance of holding teams accountable without creating blameWhy one high performer can elevate an entire teamHow “rotten eggs” quietly damage morale and performanceProblem Solving and Lean Construction Thinking:Why construction is ultimately a constant exercise in communication and problem-solvingHow lean construction methods improve collaboration and planningThe value of bringing engineers, supervisors, safety, and environmental teams togetherWhy alignment across disciplines creates stronger project outcomesIntegrity, Reputation, and Long-Term Success:Why reputation matters more than short-term winsCameron's “pub test” and “Sunday paper test” for making ethical decisionsThe role integrity plays in hiring, leadership, and client relationshipsWhy people remember both strong leaders and poor decisionsFamily, Burnout, and Life Outside Construction:The reality of balancing leadership roles with family lifeWhy Cameron made weekends family time after becoming a project managerHow long holidays and downtime help leaders reset mentallyThe importance of finding identity beyond workKey Quotes from Cameron Bell:“Honesty is the best policy. It's easier to fix a mistake at the start.”“There's always a solution. You just haven't looked hard enough.”“You've got to set the standards at the start with the people you hire.”“If you settle on anything in life, you're giving up.”“There's nothing worse than not dealing with a rotten egg. It kills the culture.”“We're not tier one, tier two, or tier three. We're just the best people to work with.”About Our Guest:Cameron Bell is a construction and project management leader with extensive experience across Scotland and Australia. He has held senior roles on major infrastructure projects and is known for delivering profitable outcomes through high standards, strong teams, and consistent problem-solving. Cam currently works with Georgiou, where he leads multiple projects and helps shape a culture of performance and accountability.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Cameron Bell on LinkedIn.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ashley Hernandez, a civil engineer turned sustainability consultant who has worked across Australia, the Middle East, and the United States. Now a key member of the boutique consultancy Losee Consulting, Ashley brings a rare blend of technical engineering knowledge, sustainability expertise, and mindfulness practice to her work.Ashley opens up about her unexpected journey into engineering, her time in Abu Dhabi chasing the mysterious “green kilometre,” and why she walked away from big consultancies to align her career with her values. She also shares how becoming a mother reshaped her perspective on work, leadership, and legacy. From the power of single-tasking to the importance of turning cameras on, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone navigating the human side of infrastructure.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Sustainability as Integration, Not Silos:Why sustainability isn't just “something the enviros do”How infrastructure rating systems (like Greenroads and ISC) create a common languageThe challenge of moving goalposts and why that's actually a sign of progressCareer Transitions and Values Alignment:Why Ashley left large consultancies to join a boutique firmHow saying “yes before thinking” led to a board role and a new career pathLetting your RPQ lapse and why that was the right decisionMotherhood, Activism, and Legacy:Why “motherhood in and of itself is activism”How raising the next generation is the most influential work we can doThe shift from selling your soul for a paycheck to building a life aligned with your valuesMindfulness for the Overwhelmed Professional:Why burnout builds from micro-stresses, not just major crisesPractical techniques: box breathing, single-tasking, and the “rubber ball vs. glass ball” analogyHow to transition between meetings (and why a minute of breath work matters more than being on time)Workplace Culture and Human Connection:Why cameras off on Teams calls creates anonymity and hostilityThe power of in-person kick-off meetings to build psychological safetyHow a manager who encouraged friendship created a high-performing teamGender Equity and Male Allyship:The sting of “working a short day today?” and why it still happens 20 years laterWhy bystanders have more power than targets to call out biasThe importance of male allies in creating psychologically safe workplacesKey Quotes from Ashley Hernandez:“Sustainability brings it all to the forefront. This is everyone's problem.”“We're here for a short time. What kind of life are we living if we're not true to our values?”“Motherhood in and of itself is activism.”“It's not that serious. We're saving PDFs, not lives.”“We design and build these massive pieces of infrastructure through teamwork and through people.”About Our Guest:Ashley Hernandez is a civil infrastructure professional with over a decade of experience across Australia, the Middle East, and the United States. She currently works at Losee Consulting, a boutique sustainability firm, where she helps clients integrate environmental and social outcomes into major infrastructure projects. Ashley is also a certified yoga teacher who leads weekly mindfulness sessions for her team, and a former board chair of the Greenroads Foundation.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Ashley on LinkedInStay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

In this episode of the Liz Career Coaching Podcast, Liz sits down with Alberta Johnson, for an honest conversation about workplace culture, mentorship, leadership, and learning how to navigate career growth with intention. Drawing from her experience in human resources, executive leadership, and organizational culture, Alberta shares what truly defines a healthy workplace, why mentorship matters, and how professionals can distinguish constructive feedback from workplace noise.Together, they explore how leadership shapes employee engagement, the lasting influence of mentors, and why career decisions should go beyond salary to include values, stability, and quality of life. The conversation also highlights the importance of believing in yourself, seeking mentors both inside and outside the workplace, and being intentional about long-term career goals.Key Highlights• What healthy workplace culture really looks like: leadership, retention, and engagement • How to tell the difference between constructive feedback and criticism that undermines confidence • Why mentorship can change the trajectory of your career • The impact leaders have—even when they are not formal mentors• The importance of filtering out workplace noise and staying focused on your goalsAbout Alberta:Alberta Johnson is the Founder and CEO of People Experts LLC, a consulting firm specializing in human resources, people strategy, culture, and employee engagement. Backed by a career spanning decades of highimpact leadership, she has guided organizations through transformational change, talent development, and executive coaching. Alberta has held influential roles across public, private, nonprofit, and government sectors, providing strategic direction that strengthens inclusive workplaces and accelerates professional growth.She is a recognized authority in mentoring and talent development, designing programs that elevate leadership capability and build diverse, futureready talent pipelines. Her background includes work with multinational organizations, where she led crosscultural training initiatives and championed organizational effectiveness. Alberta has been a member of the Forbes Business Council where she has contributed thought leadership on workplace best practices, organizational inclusion and pay equity. Her expertise in shaping workplace culture and driving employee engagement has positioned her as a respected thought leader in HR and People strategy.Connect with Liz:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizcareercoaching/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/Website: Lizcareercoaching.net Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com40 Best Career Coach Podcasts100 Best Coaching PodcastsSupport the show

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Paul Rhoden, a seasoned infrastructure leader, podcaster, and consultant with over 30 years of experience across the UK and Australia. Paul is the founder of Vulpra Contractors and the host of the Construction Matters podcast, where he champions the human side of construction.Paul shares why he believes the industry's greatest asset is its people, and how authentic, vulnerable leadership can transform project cultures. From his early days in the Royal Navy to leading major infrastructure projects, Paul opens up about his journey through grief, burnout, and purpose. He offers powerful insights on male allyship, the importance of listening to your supply chain, and why sometimes the best way to save a failing project is to simply stop and ask for help.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Leadership and Vulnerability:Why authentic leadership means admitting you don't have all the answers.How leaders can create psychological safety by being vulnerable first.The power of “stopping” a project to reset culture and solve underlying problems.Male Allyship and Gender Diversity:Practical ways men can use their influence to amplify women's voices in meetings and on-site.Why true allyship is about everyday behaviors, not just policies.Paul's personal motivation: his mother's strength and his three daughters.Mental Health and Psychosocial Safety:The link between purpose, retirement, and wellbeing in construction.How burnout and “rust-out” affect the industry, and what leaders can do about it.The importance of self-care for those who spend their lives helping others.Project Culture and Supply Chain:Why paying subcontractors fairly builds loyalty, innovation, and better outcomes.Moving from a “master-servant” dynamic to genuine business partnerships.The value of listening to everyone from the plant operator to the cleaner for breakthrough ideas.Key Quotes from Paul Rhoden:“If you're willing to turn up and have a go and ask for help, you get help. For me, it's the power of human relationships.”“We're great at building bridges and roads. We need to get better at building people.”“When I look at a social media post or a brochure, that reveals intent. But sites reveal design.”“Don't worry about position and power. It'll chase you when you're ready and you may not want it.”About Our Guest:Paul Rhoden is a civil infrastructure leader with more than three decades of experience delivering complex projects across the UK and Australia. A passionate advocate for mental health, gender equity, and authentic leadership, Paul now runs his own consultancy, Vulpra Contractors, and hosts the Construction Matters podcast, where he continues to shift the conversation toward the people who make the industry possible.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Paul on LinkedIn and listen to his podcast Construction Matters.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this conversation, we're joined by Refrigeration Mentor Community Ambassador Andrew Freeberg to discuss why we entered the refrigeration trade. On top of the strong pay potential, we uncover what we truly enjoy about the industry, including the daily variety, challenges, problem solving, helping customers and common misconceptions about on-call and working conditions. We also break down why many supermarket refrigeration technicians feel stuck second-guessing on jobs, which drives callbacks, stress, and constant support calls. This is an inspiring conversation for anyone considering getting into supermarket refrigeration or new techs looking to explore the sky high potential of the refrigeration industry. In this episode, we discuss: (03:14) Realities of On-Calls as a Tradesperson (04:43) Payoff and Lifestyle of a Refrigeration Technician (05:15) Why the Work Stays Fun (06:29) Top Advantages of the Refrigeration Trade (07:19) Advice for New Students (08:16) Refrigeration Wages and Career Math (10:33) Overtime (12:12) Travel Anywhere With Skills (15:47) Skills That Will Change Your Life (19:24) Recruiting the Next Generation of Tradespeople (21:34) Second Career Ageism (25:03) Why Refrigeration Matters (29:30) Trade School vs College (30:56) Different Career Avenues in Refrigeration Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 333. Training and Troubleshooting Tips to Level Up Your Career Episode 274. The Biggest Key To Career Success in Refrigeration Episode 256. Career Tips for New Technicians

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Alex Prenzel, a construction leader and coach with more than 20 years of experience in the property and infrastructure sector. Alex shares her insights on the pressures many professionals face in high-performance environments and why the constant push to deliver more can come at a hidden personal cost. Together, they explore what it means to find calm amid the chaos and why shifting how we think about leadership may be the key to sustaining long-term success in the construction industry.Alex, known for her thoughtful leadership and focus on mindset and wellbeing, also shares personal stories from her own career journey. From navigating imposter syndrome to discovering the transformative impact of meditation, she reflects on how slowing down helped her lead with greater clarity and resilience. Whether you are an industry veteran or early in your career, this conversation will challenge you to rethink performance, pressure, and what sustainable leadership truly looks like.What You'll Learn in This Episode:High Performance and Leadership Pressure:Why many high achievers tie their identity to their professional success.The hidden cost of “grinding it out” in high-performance industries.How capable leaders often carry silent pressure to always be the reliable one.Mindset and Sustainable Performance:How meditation helped Alex shift from constant stress to clearer thinking.Why slowing down can actually improve decision-making and creativity.The difference between working harder and expanding your leadership capacity.Identity, Self-Acceptance, and Leadership:How imposter syndrome can exist even at senior leadership levels.Why self-acceptance is a critical foundation for authentic leadership.How embracing different leadership styles strengthens teams and organizations.Practical Advice for the Boom Times Ahead:How to navigate the upcoming pipeline of work in Queensland without burning out.Why "grind it out or tap out" isn't the only choice, there's a third way.The difference between capability issues (which most high performers don't have) and capacity issues (which require a mindset shift).Key Quotes from Alex Prenzel:“If we're going to be high performers, we need to give ourselves space to breathe. Otherwise, we're just on a narrow track of relentless achievement.”“You can't increase your capacity simply by working harder. You have to change how you think about the work.”“I am enough exactly the way I am. The more I accept myself, the easier it is to go out and do exciting things without being tied to the outcome.” About Our Guest:Alex Prenzel is a construction leader, consultant, and coach with over 20 years of experience in the property and infrastructure sectors. Having delivered complex projects and led large teams across the UK and Australia, Alex now works with high-performing professionals to help them navigate pressure, strengthen leadership capability, and build sustainable approaches to performance. Through coaching, meditation practices, and mindset work, she helps leaders unlock clarity, creativity, and long-term resilience in demanding industries.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Alex Prenzel on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

I've recently gained a lot of new followers, so for this week's episode of the Fancy Scientist Podcast, I wanted to share with you my vast experience that I've had working as a wildlife biologist for nearly twenty years, so that you can fully understand what this field is like.My career has taken me all over the world, and I've been on all different kinds of adventures: from hiking the deserts of Utah to the top of Mount Kenya, and from flour beetles to forest elephants. I have worked across four different continents and in almost every type of organization that you can think of: the government, zoos, museums, universities, and alongside nonprofits.In this episode, I break down each one of the positions that I have had in the past, telling you what they're like and what I did, but more importantly, how I felt about the position emotionally, mentally, and what it did for my career.This is a comprehensive, yet fun overview of my journey. It's you and me hanging out, sharing the raw reality of these different places, so you can see the truth behind the resume. I do not shy away from discussing real challenges, like navigating toxic work environments and the “sink or swim” nature of graduate research. Chances are, you'll find it refreshing how I don't hold back, but also share how I pulled through.I started my wildlife career officially in 2003 when I graduated with my Bachelor's degree. My first position was an internship with the Bureau of Land Management in St. George, Utah, where I searched for water catchments to help wildlife combat drought and started some preliminary bat research in the Grand Canyon. This got me started in my wildlife career, but this was a challenging internship, and I almost quit!I'm so glad I didn't because that experience led me to a dream internship at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where I worked in a glass-walled lab doing endocrine research on the captive animals there, including African savanna elephants and the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin monkey. This was a total 180 from my experience in the desert! I loved Disney World and spent my days catching tamarin poop and helping to monitor elephant pregnancies. It was a supportive environment that showed me how much I loved combining science with outreach.From there, my journey took me to Kenya as an intern for the School for Field Studies, which was also enriching but challenging. Again, I almost quit! But here I showed that I could work at a field station internationally long-term, which was a major flex for my upcoming Ph.D. research. It also gave me the invaluable experience of publishing.My Kenya internship led me into a six-and-a-half-year Ph.D. program studying African forest elephants in Gabon. I loved my Ph.D., but each step was a mix of incredible highs like observing wild elephants for months on end in Central Africa and the lows of being lonely in a field station or figuring out how to do something that has never been done before! Here, I fully understood what scientific research was really all about.This episode is a must-listen to one if you are interested in going into wildlife fields, want to get to know me better, or are just curious to know what it's like to be a wildlife biologist!Specifically, we go over:How I landed my first “legit” field internship with the Bureau of Land Management in Utah and why it was so hard on meThe inside scoop on working at a world-class zoo and in Disney World, being a Reproductive Biology intern, including what it's like to catch cotton-top tamarin poop and monitor elephant pregnanciesWhat it's like to live in Kenya for a year, and in a remote field stationNavigating toxic work environments and almost quitting more than onceHow I got my first scientific publicationsA brief overview of my research on forest elephants in Gabon, the “sink or swim” reality of graduate school, and why I considered dropping down to a Master'sHow to study “disgust” in raccoons and why I drove around looking for roadkill carcassesMy seven-year postdoc at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, running global camera trap projects, and the birth of “The Fancy Scientist”How these 17 years of experience led me to leave the traditional research path to start my own business in science communication and career mentoringOther fun experiences, like seeing a tiger in the wild or watching a leatherback turtle lay eggsAnd MORE!Dream of being a wildlife biologist, zoologist, conservation biologist, or ecologist? Ready to turn your love of animals into a thriving career?

Erin McGoff says we're currently undergoing a "tough" jobs market as employers navigate AI and general uncertainty. She joins Schwab Network to offer her tips to those looking to get their next job. When it comes to Gen Z, Erin speaks on the challenges she believes the "hustle" generation needs to be wary of. She urges jobseekers to stay open-minded to evolving tech and opportunities in the sector. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with James Gleeson, civil engineer and co-founder of Marvel Engineers, to unpack what productivity really means in infrastructure and what it takes to build a resilient specialist consultancy.James shares his journey from tech drawing at school to launching Marvel Engineers after walking away from corporate burnout. Together, they explore the realities of starting a business with no blueprint, the risks of niching too narrowly, and the lessons learned from navigating market slowdowns in government-funded infrastructureThe conversation dives deep into procurement systems, panel arrangements, and the hidden cost of endless tendering. James challenges the industry to rethink how we engage consultants if we're serious about delivering major infrastructure ahead of 2032.If you're building a business or leading through market uncertainty, this episode will show you how to stay nimble, structure for growth, and rethink productivity to build long-term resilience.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Productivity in Infrastructure:Why current procurement processes may be slowing deliveryThe real cost of panel prequalification and repeated tenderingHow simplifying engagement could unlock speed and efficiencyBuilding and Pivoting a Consultancy:The risks of concentration in government-funded workWhy diversification doesn't mean abandoning your nicheHow structure and clarity create momentum in a growing businessLeadership and Resilience:Why having a strong business partner mattersHow to lead through market slowdowns without losing composureThe importance of support networks in sustaining long-term growthHiring and CultureWhat makes a “rounded consultant” in a small businessWhy communication and accountability matter more than everHow intentional onboarding shapes culture from day oneKey Quotes from James Gleeson:“There's no guideline or standard on how to create a business. It's a blank canvas.”“If we're serious about productivity, we need to rethink how we engage industry.”“We're not a big cruise ship. We can pivot quickly, but we're exposed.”About Our Guest:James Gleeson is a civil engineer and co-founder of Marvel Engineers, a specialist consultancy focused on transport infrastructure and government projects. Passionate about productivity reform and collaborative delivery, James is building a nimble business grounded in structure, accountability, and strong relationships.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with James on LinkedIn and share your takeaways.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

n this episode, I explore a reality many professionals are experiencing right now: choosing to stay in their current role during an uncertain job market. With hiring slowing and job transitions happening less frequently, more professionals are embracing what economists call a “no hire, no fire” labor market.But staying doesn't have to mean stagnating.I walk you through how to make this season intentional and strategic. I explain the difference between strategic staying vs. fear-based staying, and share practical ways to grow, build skills, and prepare for future opportunities while remaining in your current role.You'll learn how to track your wins, identify energizing work, leverage your strengths, expand your network, and invest in professional development so that when the time comes to move, you do it with clarity and confidence not urgency or burnout.This episode is a reminder that growth doesn't always require a leap. Sometimes the most powerful move is preparing quietly and intentionally.Connect with me:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizcareercoaching/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/Website: Lizcareercoaching.net Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com40 Best Career Coach Podcasts100 Best Coaching PodcastsSupport the show

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cassandra Lester. Purpose of the Interview The interview introduces Cassandra Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper and its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative. The goal is to provide free career certification scholarships to underserved and economically impacted communities, helping individuals increase earning potential and gain financial literacy. Key Takeaways Mission of Grow Give Prosper Founded in 2023, focused on financial education and empowerment. Aims to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively. Google Partnership Offers free career certifications in high-demand fields: Cybersecurity Data Analytics Digital Marketing & E-commerce IT Support Project Management UX Design Certifications are self-paced, online, and typically take 3–6 months. No prior experience required; participants receive a portfolio upon completion. Accessibility Scholarships are free; the only requirement is commitment. Available to anyone in the continental U.S., regardless of education level (GED, college dropout, etc.). Registration via growgiveprosper.org (scroll to Google Career Scholarships). Impact Over 300 scholarships awarded; previously had 500. Designed to level the playing field for those without Ivy League degrees. Certifications can stack (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics) for greater career potential. Financial Literacy Defined as understanding financial concepts and applying them to daily life. Misconceptions persist—some communities avoid discussing money or undervalue credit scores. Cassandra emphasizes breaking cycles of predatory lending and poor financial habits. Challenges Cultural reluctance to discuss money. Skepticism about legitimacy of programs. Difficulty securing grants as a small nonprofit. Cassandra combats these through grassroots outreach and workshops. Personal Drive Cassandra’s passion stems from seeing financial struggles across all demographics. She actively promotes opportunities through community centers, adult education classes, and social media. Notable Quotes “I want us to grow together so that we can give to each other and then prosper as a collective.” “Google is leveling the playing field—you don’t need an Ivy League education to earn a livable wage.” “The only fee is commitment.” “Financial literacy means you understand the words, you hear the conversation, and it’s not Greek to you.” “You can’t talk about managing finances if you really don’t have anything coming in.” “You don’t want to miss this opportunity to increase your earning potential.” “Once you’re certified, that’s yours for life—you can’t repo a degree or certification.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cassandra Lester. Purpose of the Interview The interview introduces Cassandra Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper and its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative. The goal is to provide free career certification scholarships to underserved and economically impacted communities, helping individuals increase earning potential and gain financial literacy. Key Takeaways Mission of Grow Give Prosper Founded in 2023, focused on financial education and empowerment. Aims to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively. Google Partnership Offers free career certifications in high-demand fields: Cybersecurity Data Analytics Digital Marketing & E-commerce IT Support Project Management UX Design Certifications are self-paced, online, and typically take 3–6 months. No prior experience required; participants receive a portfolio upon completion. Accessibility Scholarships are free; the only requirement is commitment. Available to anyone in the continental U.S., regardless of education level (GED, college dropout, etc.). Registration via growgiveprosper.org (scroll to Google Career Scholarships). Impact Over 300 scholarships awarded; previously had 500. Designed to level the playing field for those without Ivy League degrees. Certifications can stack (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics) for greater career potential. Financial Literacy Defined as understanding financial concepts and applying them to daily life. Misconceptions persist—some communities avoid discussing money or undervalue credit scores. Cassandra emphasizes breaking cycles of predatory lending and poor financial habits. Challenges Cultural reluctance to discuss money. Skepticism about legitimacy of programs. Difficulty securing grants as a small nonprofit. Cassandra combats these through grassroots outreach and workshops. Personal Drive Cassandra’s passion stems from seeing financial struggles across all demographics. She actively promotes opportunities through community centers, adult education classes, and social media. Notable Quotes “I want us to grow together so that we can give to each other and then prosper as a collective.” “Google is leveling the playing field—you don’t need an Ivy League education to earn a livable wage.” “The only fee is commitment.” “Financial literacy means you understand the words, you hear the conversation, and it’s not Greek to you.” “You can’t talk about managing finances if you really don’t have anything coming in.” “You don’t want to miss this opportunity to increase your earning potential.” “Once you’re certified, that’s yours for life—you can’t repo a degree or certification.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cassandra Lester. Purpose of the Interview The interview introduces Cassandra Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper and its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative. The goal is to provide free career certification scholarships to underserved and economically impacted communities, helping individuals increase earning potential and gain financial literacy. Key Takeaways Mission of Grow Give Prosper Founded in 2023, focused on financial education and empowerment. Aims to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively. Google Partnership Offers free career certifications in high-demand fields: Cybersecurity Data Analytics Digital Marketing & E-commerce IT Support Project Management UX Design Certifications are self-paced, online, and typically take 3–6 months. No prior experience required; participants receive a portfolio upon completion. Accessibility Scholarships are free; the only requirement is commitment. Available to anyone in the continental U.S., regardless of education level (GED, college dropout, etc.). Registration via growgiveprosper.org (scroll to Google Career Scholarships). Impact Over 300 scholarships awarded; previously had 500. Designed to level the playing field for those without Ivy League degrees. Certifications can stack (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics) for greater career potential. Financial Literacy Defined as understanding financial concepts and applying them to daily life. Misconceptions persist—some communities avoid discussing money or undervalue credit scores. Cassandra emphasizes breaking cycles of predatory lending and poor financial habits. Challenges Cultural reluctance to discuss money. Skepticism about legitimacy of programs. Difficulty securing grants as a small nonprofit. Cassandra combats these through grassroots outreach and workshops. Personal Drive Cassandra’s passion stems from seeing financial struggles across all demographics. She actively promotes opportunities through community centers, adult education classes, and social media. Notable Quotes “I want us to grow together so that we can give to each other and then prosper as a collective.” “Google is leveling the playing field—you don’t need an Ivy League education to earn a livable wage.” “The only fee is commitment.” “Financial literacy means you understand the words, you hear the conversation, and it’s not Greek to you.” “You can’t talk about managing finances if you really don’t have anything coming in.” “You don’t want to miss this opportunity to increase your earning potential.” “Once you’re certified, that’s yours for life—you can’t repo a degree or certification.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ben Schnitzerling, founder of Red Fox Advisory, a Queensland-based civil and structural engineering consultancy delivering support across the full project lifecycle, from early planning and design through construction, contract administration, technical due diligence, and dispute avoidance. Red Fox helps clients navigate risk, protect value, and deliver practical, buildable infrastructure solutions.From nailing floors for his builder father as a kid to certifying major infrastructure projects just two years out of university, Ben's career has been shaped by doing the uncomfortable. Today, he's on a mission to challenge what he sees slowing the industry down: fear of litigation, fear of accountability, and fear of stepping outside the “safe” standard.Lauren and Ben unpack how this risk-averse culture is producing average outcomes and quietly failing the very communities engineers are meant to serve. With Queensland facing a massive pipeline of work and tighter budgets, Ben makes it clear that courageous, accountable engineering is no longer optional. It is essential.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Roots of a Courageous Mindset:How Ben's upbringing on construction sites and struggle with dyslexia shaped his learning and leadership philosophy.Why embracing uncomfortable, high-stakes projects early in his career was foundational to his growth.The personal hierarchy for sustainable success: “Love yourself first, then your partner, then your kids, then work.”Confronting the Fear Culture in Engineering:Why the industry's obsession with “cover your ass” and blind compliance is stifling innovation and delivering poor value.The critical difference between a compliant design and a good, accountable design.How an abundance of money over the past decade has incentivized safe, unthinking work and why the coming "burning platform" of financial constraint will force change.Courage, Accountability, and the Art of Negotiation:Why true accountability leads to positive consequences and professional pride.Advanced negotiation tactics: understanding the “deal zone,” moving past “stupid numbers,” and identifying what the other party needs to feel they've won.The danger of email “CYA” culture and the irreplaceable value of picking up the phone to build understanding.Building the Engineers of the Future:How Ben's company, Red Fox, was born from asking clients one simple question: “What can't you get right now?”Practical strategies for creating a “safe to fail” environment: setting clear safety rails, encouraging peer review, and resisting the leader's urge to solve every problem.The link between personal pride in one's work and magical outcomes for the community, the engineering profession's true customer.Legacy, Grit, and the Next Generation:How stories of resilience from past generations (like his 102-year-old grandmother) inform a mindset of grit and determination.Why fostering discomfort and allowing the next generation to “have a crack” is essential for building courage.The legacy Ben wants to leave: training a generation of engineers who contribute to society and make the world a better place.Parenting and Modeling CourageWhy children learn courage by watching, not listening.The story of a teenage act of bravery that left a lasting mark.How leadership at work directly mirrors leadership at home.Key Quotes from Ben Schnitzerling:“I found I had to learn the concept of being uncomfortable to learn.”“We solve complex problems for the community. They're our true customers.”“A compliant design does not mean a good design or an accountable design.”“Courage is no longer optional in engineering. It's required.”“You're better to have a go and get it wrong than do nothing safely.”“If you want magic to happen, give people pride and freedom.”About Our Guest:Ben Schnitzerling is an engineer, leader, and founder of Red Fox Advisory, with decades of experience across complex infrastructure, dispute resolution, negotiation, and business leadership. Known for his direct honesty and deep commitment to developing young engineers, Ben is passionate about restoring courage, accountability, and pride in the profession. His work focuses not just on projects but on shaping the next generation of industry leaders.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Ben on LinkedIn and explore Red Fox AdvisoryStay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

As the world changes, the role of property and casualty (P&C) actuaries is changing too, from the emerging risks they study—including climate change and self-driving cars—to the technologies they employ to devise solutions. On this episode of Critical Point, Milliman recruiter Liz Shickles speaks with two P&C actuarial consultants, Zora Law from Milliman and Dane Grand-Maison from partner firm Eckler, about their own career journeys, the influence of AI (hint: it won't ever replace learning), and advice for students and other professionals who want to enter the field. You can read the episode transcript on our website.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with award-winning engineer and author Felicity Furey to unpack the powerful ideas behind her upcoming book and her mission to transform the engineering profession from the inside out.Felicity shares how engineering's DNA, inherited from the Industrial Revolution, has shaped the way we design, solve problems, and even unintentionally overlook the people those designs impact. She reveals why modern engineering must go beyond efficiency and output, and instead reconnect with values like well-being, community connection, and legacy.Through personal stories of burnout, motherhood, and rediscovering purpose, Felicity shows why engineers are not just technical problem solvers. They are inventors, creators, and community shapers whose decisions influence how society feels, moves, and thrives. Whether you are an engineer, a leader, or someone passionate about the future of our cities, this episode will challenge you to rethink what is possible.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Engineering's Hidden Values and Blind Spots:Why engineering still operates from industrial era assumptions.How designing for the “average” person creates safety and wellbeing gaps.The surprising ways that road design, seatbelts, vaccines, and even signage can unintentionally exclude people.Shifting From Efficiency to Human Impact:How reframing engineering around people, place, and legacy leads to better design.Examples from around the world where small, thoughtful changes created enormous community benefits.Why nature-connected, stress-reducing infrastructure must become standard.Diversity, Purpose, and the Future Workforce:Why engineering has a marketing problem and how creativity genuinely belongs in the field.What attracts young people, especially girls, to engineering today?The real reasons women struggle to stay in the industry and what actually works to fix it.Leadership, Wellbeing, and Cognitive LoadFelicity's personal journey through burnout and complex PTSD, and how it reshaped her work.Why engineers cannot design for human wellbeing when they are overwhelmed themselves.How workplaces can rethink schedules, meeting structures, and expectations to support better thinking and better results.Legacy and the Next GenerationThe seven generational question that inspired Felicity's book: “What Did You Do Once You Knew?Why engineering is entering an era where maintenance, stewardship, and long-term thinking matter more than ever.How small values-based shifts in design can create massive change over time.Key Quotes from Felicity Furey:“Engineers are superheroes. We can change the planet.""Everything we do as an engineer is for people, and often we are not actually meeting them.""What if we designed infrastructure that actually calms us down?"“Purpose is one of the most powerful ways to attract and keep people in engineering.”“What did you do once you knew? That question keeps me going.”About Our Guest:Felicity Furey is an award-winning engineer, entrepreneur, and speaker recognised for her leadership in engineering, diversity, and the future of infrastructure. With 18 years in the industry, Felicity has led major projects, launched national programs, advised organisations on gender equity, and is now reshaping how engineers think about values, legacy, and human-centered design. Her upcoming book explores how rewriting even 1% of the industry's mindset can have a profound impact on communities and the planet.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Felicity on LinkedIn and visit felicityfurey.com for updates on her book and podcastStay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

Big personal shares at the top of the ep (preview: podcasting terrifies me) before an utterly delightful conversation with Scots folk singer Josie Vallely aka. Quinie.Quinie's album Forefowk, Mind Me was named The Guardian's best folk release of 2025, but don't worry if you're not into bagpipes because we mostly chat about:Not making your art your careerTips for slow art/seasonal living in a rushing worldThe mind bending differences between relating with Country in Australia versus ScotlandMinority languages and evocation of placeThe right to roamConfused white settler syndromeWhen you're a cultural mongrelImpure ancestryPlace as a surrogate elderTradition in motionWhere do songs live?Journeying on horsebackHorses as bodyguardsWhy we all just want to be got

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Mark Simister, a globally experienced program leader who has spent three decades reshaping how infrastructure is delivered. From London's crumbling water network to disaster recovery in Queensland and Christchurch, and ultimately transforming Sydney Water into one of the world's top-performing programs, Mark's story proves that collaboration is not a buzzword. It is a system that works when leaders are brave enough to implement it.Mark opens up about his unconventional journey from the British Army to hydrogeology to major program delivery. He shares inside stories from rebuilding regions after natural disasters, pioneering early contractor involvement, cutting years out of procurement cycles, and leading one of the most influential collaborative frameworks in Australia.Whether you work in water, transport, energy, major projects, or leadership more broadly, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how teams engage, how contracts shape behavior, and how cultural clarity lifts productivity. Mark shows what happens when you replace fear-based systems with trust-based delivery: better outcomes, higher morale, and programs people are proud to be part of.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Leadership & Career Journey:How Mark went from the British Army to hydrogeology to multimillion-dollar program leadership.Why early exposure to NEC contracts shaped his lifelong passion for collaboration.How major disaster events (2011 floods, Christchurch earthquake) taught him the power of co-location and shared purpose.Collaboration & High-Performance Delivery:Why early-contractor involvement removes waste before it starts.How co-located teams eliminate rework and build trust.Why standardized contracts accelerate decisions and cut procurement delays.How shared KPIs and open-book data create accountability instead of adversarial behavior.Procurement Reform & Industry Challenges:Why traditional tendering creates fear, inefficiency, and poor outcomes.How Sydney Water shifted from adversarial contracting to 10-year partnership frameworks.How behavioral scoring using organizational psychologists created world-class team alignment.Why governance should enable, not police, major programs.Culture, People & LegacyWhy emotional intelligence matters as much as engineering intelligence.How embedding finance, communications, and support staff into frontline teams boosts morale.Why Mark believes mature engagement between owners and contractors must define Australia's next decade of delivery.What meaningful legacy looks like when billions of public dollars are on the line.Key Quotes from Mark Simister:“I want to see people enjoying being at work. I want to see a maturity in the engagement between owner and contractor.”“Everyone will work in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation, that's written into NEC, and it changes everything.”“Get what you want. Get what you're really striving for. If you want something, plan it clearly from the beginning.”“When disaster hits, people turn up. Collaboration becomes natural when the purpose is clear.”“It's public money, my money and your money so I want to see it spent effectively.”About Our Guest:Mark Simister is a program delivery and collaborative contracting specialist known for transforming some of the most complex infrastructure environments in Australia and the UK. From Sydney Water's award-winning Partnering for Success framework to major disaster reconstruction and global best-practice adoption via Project 13, Mark's work continues to influence the future of infrastructure procurement, governance, and team culture.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Mark on LinkedIn to follow his work and insights.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

Welcome to Season 14! This week Andrew talks with Tony-nominated Broadway star Lorna Courtney. Lorna starred as Juliet in the hit Broadway musical & Juliet where she earned a Tony Award nomination. Now, Lorna is preparing to star in the world premier stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman. In this conversation, Lorna pulls back the curtain on many of the mindsets, ideas, & decisions that have shaped a journey that's taken her from days as a shy, young kid all the way to belting out hit songs on the Broadway stage. You'll hear powerful ideas on stepping out of your comfort zone, making the most of opportunities, adapting to new situations, & so much more. ** Follow Andrew **Instagram: @AndrewMoses123X: @andrewhmosesSign up for e-mails to keep up with the podcast at everybodypullsthetarp.com/newsletterDISCLAIMER: This podcast is solely for educational & entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.

Are auditors truly good listeners, or do we just wait for our turn to talk? In Episode 70 of Audit Bites, host Rob Berry dives into a tough reality facing the audit profession: many auditors aren't as skilled at listening as they think.Key topics include:The difference between hearing and active listening in auditingSix major reasons auditors fail at listeningPractical strategies to overcome these listening barriersEngaging stories from Rob's own audit careerTips for asking better questions and building trust with clientsDon't miss actionable advice to level up your audit skills and tune into what's really being said. Rob also introduces his AI platform, Audit Leverage, and his bestselling book “Ask, Get, Perform” for auditors seeking to enhance their performance.If this episode hits home, share it with your audit team, subscribe on YouTube, and check out www.thatauditguy.com for courses and newsletter updates.Interested in AI for auditing? Explore Audit Leverage at auditleverage.net.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Stuart Cook, a multi-award-winning engineering leader who stepped into major leadership roles early, including managing a 400 million infrastructure program in his late 30s. Stuart opens up about career-defining opportunities, overcoming imposter syndrome, mentoring future engineers, and why the human element matters just as much as technical excellence.Stuart also shares his personal journey from following his grandfather on construction sites to raising three boys and rediscovering fishing. His honesty about insecurity, leadership missteps, and the pressure to be everything to everyone offers rare insight into what real growth looks like in the engineering and construction sectors.Whether you are an emerging engineer, an experienced leader, or someone fascinated by the future of infrastructure, this conversation will encourage you to rethink how you lead, collaborate, adapt, and build a meaningful career.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Leadership and Career Growth:How Stuart landed a design manager role decades ahead of the norm.Why building core technical skills is essential before chasing leadership titles.The truth about imposter syndrome and why even top leaders still feel it.Why the best leaders stop doing everything and start empowering others.Mentoring the Next Generation:Why mentoring only works when the mentee wants it.How organic, intentional mentorship shaped Stuart's entire career.Why knowledge transfer matters now more than ever as senior engineers retire.Sustainability and Industry Challenges:Why red tape, not people, is strangling productivity in infrastructure.Stuart's frustration with sustainability points that waste resources.The gap between practical sustainability and bureaucratic sustainability.How industry expectations must evolve to truly support net zero goals.Collaboration and Team CultureWhy collaborative outcomes depend on people, not contract structures.How simple rituals like weekly coffees and birthday celebrations build trust.The surprising importance of emotional intelligence for engineers.What it takes to unify SMEs, contractors, clients, and stakeholders.Personal Growth and LegacyWhy becoming a father shifted Stuart's definition of legacy.How family, surfing, and fishing keep him grounded.Why being a good dad matters more than being a well-known engineer.Key Quotes from Stuart Cook:“I still feel deeply inadequate and insecure in my position, but you have just got to work to your strengths.”“You cannot mentor someone into success unless they want to be mentored.”“Some of the most collaborative projects I have seen were not collaborative contracts. They were collaborative people.”“We spend so much time chasing sustainability points instead of investing in real sustainable outcomes.”“Legacy does not matter to me as much now. Being a good dad and a good mate matters more.”About Our Guest:Stuart Cook is an award-winning engineering leader known for delivering major infrastructure programs, mentoring emerging engineers, and championing emotionally intelligent leadership in a traditionally technical field. From the Ipswich Motorway upgrade to the Coomera Connector South project, Stuart has built a career grounded in curiosity, humility, and passion for developing people.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Stuart on LinkedIn to follow his work and insights.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Dr. Sean Brady, a forensic engineer, safety expert, and founder of Brady Heywood Consulting. Known for leading the landmark Brady Review into fatal mining accidents, Sean breaks down why our current approach to safety is fundamentally flawed and how the way we design systems, reward behavior, and report incidents can quietly create the very risks we think we are preventing.Sean shares what he discovered while investigating major failures across mining, aviation, health, and engineering, and why so many organizations unknowingly encourage silence, hide near misses, and measure the wrong things entirely. From normalization of deviance to the dangers of chasing zero-harm metrics, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how they view systems, human behavior, and organizational learning.Whether you lead teams, manage major projects, or simply want to understand what true safety looks like, Sean's insights will shift how you think about risk, leadership, and culture.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Rethinking Safety and System Design:Why most companies mistake the absence of incidents for the presence of safety.The real reason safety statistics often hide, not reveal, fatal risks.How normalization of deviance creeps into everyday work and leads to catastrophic failures.Why high-reliability organizations like aviation do not rely on compliance alone.Leadership, Reporting, and Culture:Why bad news rarely flows upward and how leaders can change that.How to create a culture where people report near misses instead of hiding them.Why learning beats blaming and how organizations unintentionally punish honesty.What senior leaders must do to build genuine psychological safety.Building Systems That Actually Keep People Alive:Why effective controls, not hazards, determine whether people survive high-risk work.How to design critical controls and verify their effectiveness continuously.The powerful difference between set-and-forget systems versus systems that learn.How dropped object reports and near misses can reveal deep system weaknesses.Key Quotes from Dr. Sean Brady:"It is not hazards that kill people, it is ineffective controls.""Zero harm sounds good, but what your people hear is: do not report anything.""When you cannot measure what is important, you make what you can measure important.""High-reliability organizations do not expect perfection. They expect things to go wrong.""Our companies are built for good news to flow up, not bad news."About Our Guest:Dr. Sean Brady is a forensic engineer, consultant, and internationally recognized expert in safety and organizational failure. Through his company, Brady Heywood Consulting, Sean investigates complex failures across high-risk industries and helps leaders understand how systems break and how to design organizations that learn, adapt, and prevent catastrophic events. His work on the Brady Review reshaped how Australia views mining fatalities and organizational risk.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Dr. Sean Brady on LinkedIn to learn more about his work.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

You're in a high-stakes meeting. You're wearing a power suit. And you just shit your ankle socks. What do you do? This week, we sit down with Meg, a lawyer who is navigating the high-pressure corporate world while battling Crohn's Disease. We dive deep into the messy side of chronic illness that LinkedIn doesn't tell you about: The shame of "potty breaks," the legal right to accommodations that nobody talks about, and the absolute mind-f*ck of having a partner who literally studies your disease for a living.It's a masterclass in resilience, humor, and knowing when to say "f*** the billable hour, I need a nap."You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube! Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

You're in a high-stakes meeting. You're wearing a power suit. And you just shit your ankle socks. What do you do? This week, we sit down with Meg, a lawyer who is navigating the high-pressure corporate world while battling Crohn's Disease. We dive deep into the messy side of chronic illness that LinkedIn doesn't tell you about: The shame of "potty breaks," the legal right to accommodations that nobody talks about, and the absolute mind-f*ck of having a partner who literally studies your disease for a living.It's a masterclass in resilience, humor, and knowing when to say "f*** the billable hour, I need a nap."You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube! Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord.

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Ashley Stewart, Project Director at Turner & Townsend, whose global experience across major events, construction, and program delivery gives her an extraordinary 360-degree perspective on Queensland's future. From starting on construction sites in Scotland at 18 to shaping the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and delivering Canada's Pan Am Games, Ashley brings a rare blend of lived experience and strategic insight.Together, Lauren and Ashley explore the state's biggest challenges, from housing shortages to capability gaps to the cultural shifts reshaping the workforce. As the 2032 Olympics fast approaches, what will it truly take for Queensland to build a workforce ready for the world stage?Grounded, honest, and deeply human, this episode offers practical wisdom for anyone navigating growth, leadership, or the emotional weight of relocating a family across continents.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Realities of Migration and Major Events:Why relocating a family is far more complex and emotionally taxing than people assumeThe hidden financial layers of international migration (shipping, customs, housing, credit history, vehicles, schools)How Ashley's experience across Glasgow 2014 and Toronto Pan Am Games informs her predictions for Brisbane 2032Why Brisbane is a different test case compared to London or LA due to city size, growth rate, and resource constraintsQueensland's Housing and Infrastructure Challenge:Why housing shortages could become one of the biggest barriers to workforce growthHow policy, zoning, approvals, and red tape shape development timelinesWhy large-scale master planned communities may be essentialThe ripple effects: schools, healthcare, roads, and the infrastructure needed to support incoming workers and familiesHow the cost of living and interstate migration are reshaping South East QueenslandWorkforce Capability, Skills, and Diversity:Why Queensland faces unique skill shortages heading into the Olympic decadeHow long procurement cycles awarding work years ahead affect workforce planningThe alarming 12% decline in women in construction over the past yearThe role flexibility, culture, and workplace systems play in retaining women“You can't be what you can't see”: why visible role models matterHow technology, hybrid work, and outcome-based management can close capability gapsLeadership, Flexibility, and the Future of Work:Why flexibility is not one size fits all, and why organisations must redefine itThe dangers of “flexibility but” policiesHow trust, autonomy, and outcome-focused leadership strengthen cultureThe double-edged sword of remote work: freedom vs. the pressure of being “always on”Why leaders must build sustainable systems, not rely on individuals to “push through” burnoutThe Mental Load, Comparison Trap, and Redefining SuccessWhy so many professionals, especially women, feel overwhelmed post-COVIDHow social media distorts expectations around careers, parenting, homes, and successWhy intentionally protecting your inner circle changes everythingThe importance of letting go of comparison and building connections aligned with your valuesHow community groups like NAWIC and industry bodies build confidence, belonging, and supportCommunity, Networking, and BelongingWhy meaningful networking is about depth, not quantityHow newcomers to Queensland can build a professional community from scratchThe power of reaching out to new arrivals, women returning from maternity leave, and early-career professionalsWhy smaller events often spark richer, more authentic connectionsThe role of committees, advocacy groups, and industry organisations in shaping the future of constructionKey Quotes from Ashley Stewart:“I want to be able to push open doors that people thought were closed and hold them open for others to walk through behind me.”“If I had known how hard relocating with a family would be, I'm not sure I would've done it.”“Queensland is such an attractive place to live, but that makes housing one of our biggest challenges.”“Flexibility can't be ‘flexibility but', it has to be tailored to the individual.”“You can't be what you can't see. Visible role models matter.”“Sometimes you walk into your home and your kids run to you, and that's the moment that makes everything feel worth it.”About Our Guest:Ashley Stewart is a Project Director at Turner & Townsend, with a career spanning major global events including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Toronto's Pan Am Games, alongside significant roles in construction, program delivery, and infrastructure. With deep experience across Scotland, Canada, and now Queensland, Ashley brings a unique lens to workforce capability, housing challenges, and the human realities behind major development cycles. Passionate about women in construction, flexibility, and leadership, Ashley is committed to opening doors and building pathways for future generations.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and follow Turner & Townsend's workStay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

Gratitude isn't just a feel-good practice it can be a game-changer for your career and overall well-being. For many of us, gratitude doesn't come naturally, especially when we're navigating job uncertainty or workplace stress.In this episode, we're moving beyond the gratitude journal to explore practical ways to build appreciation into your daily life. We'll cover:Why gratitude matters for your career success and mental healthThe real reasons gratitude might not be your default settingSimple, actionable tools to cultivate gratitude, even when you're not feeling itIf you're ready to shift your mindset and tap into the benefits of appreciation, this episode is for you.Support the showJill Griffin, host of The Career Refresh, delivers expert guidance on workplace challenges and career transitions. Jill leverages her experience working for the world's top brands like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Hilton Hotels, and Martha Stewart to address leadership, burnout, team dynamics, and the 4Ps (perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and personalities). Visit JillGriffinCoaching.com for more details on: Book a 1:1 Career Strategy and Executive Coaching HERE Build a Leadership Identity That Earns Trust and Delivers Results. Gallup CliftonStrengths Corporate Workshops to build a strengths-based culture Team Dynamics training to increase retention, communication, goal setting, and effective decision-making Keynote Speaking Grab a personal Resume Refresh with Jill Griffin HERE Follow @JillGriffinOffical on Instagram for daily inspiration Connect with and follow Jill on LinkedIn

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Nick Mair, founder of Pack Mentality Group and a rising voice for men's mental health across construction, mining, and FIFO workforces. Nick opens up about his near-fatal mental health crisis, the moment Lifeline saved his life, and how that experience inspired him to build a movement centered around community, connection, and giving men a safe space to speak without judgment.Nick unpacks the hidden struggles workers face in high-pressure, male-dominated industries, from isolation and fatigue to identity shifts and societal expectations. Whether you lead teams, work onsite, or simply care about the well-being of people around you, this conversation will challenge you to rethink strength, connection, and what it means to show up for each other.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Truth About Men's Mental Health:Why men are three times more likely to die by suicideThe silent toll of isolation, societal pressure, and identity shiftsHow stigma keeps men suffering alone and hiding behind “I'm fine”Why connection, not toughness, is the real antidoteInside the FIFO and Construction Reality:How long shifts, heat, fatigue, and remoteness impact mental healthWhy FIFO workers face unique guilt, stress, and relationship strainThe hidden dangers of financial pressure and “golden handcuffs”How simple support structures can change the culture on-siteBuilding Pack Mentality Group & The Power of the Pack:The story behind Pack Mentality Group and the “wolf pack” conceptWhy Nick created the onsite Wolf Chap and Wolf Angel rolesHow the Palmy Army gives men a safe space to talk openlyThe importance of catching subtle behavioural shifts earlyConnection, Identity & Living Your ValuesWhy our identity should not be tied to our job titleHow changing gender roles leaves many men feeling “lost”The danger of ignoring misalignment in your careerWhy removing the phone can transform any conversationKey Quotes from Nick Mair:“People don't want to hear your obituary. They want to hear your story.”“Men want to be seen. They want to be heard. Just like everyone else.”“Fatigue is the biggest driver of poor mental health onsite.”“We're losing connection through technology, and we're not built for that.”“You'd be surprised how quickly a mate will show up when you say, ‘I'm not doing well.'”About Our Guest:Nick Mair is the founder of Pack Mentality Group, an organization dedicated to smashing the stigma around men's mental health. Through workplace sessions, Mental Health First Aid training, and community groups like the Palmy Army, Nick provides education, awareness, and safe spaces for men to be seen and heard. His mission is fueled by his own lived experience and a passion for ensuring no one feels as alone as he once did.About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Share this episode with anyone interested in sustainability and leadership.Connect with Nick on LinkedIn and explore Pack Mentality Group's mission.Stay Connected:Follow Lauren and the Building Doors podcast on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive content.Let's Connect:Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email us at reachout@buildingdoors.com.au.Thank you for listening! It's time to stop waiting and start building.

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses In this episode, we're talking about blending personal and technical development, focusing on how AI can be effectively used for troubleshooting and learning. It takes an investment of both time and money into personal growth - setting career goals, attending training sessions, and developing strong communication within teams. This conversation is loaded with strategies for technicians looking to advance in their careers and take a proactive approach to self-improvement and professional development. In this episode, we cover: -The impact of refrigeration on everyday life -Attending industry events and learning from technicians -Using AI in refrigeration troubleshooting -Value of training and personal investment -Building confidence  -Career growth in the trades -The power of setting goals -The future of refrigeration Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 352. AI and New Refrigeration Training & Troubleshooting Resources Episode 338. Professional Development Tools & Resources in Refrigeration Episode 256. Career Tips for New Technicians  

Rachael Barron is a graduate of Emory University and the founder of Effective Students. Effective Students help adults and children by teaching skills like time management, organization, planning, prioritization, flexible thinking, and self-monitoring through coaching, classes and resources. *What We Cover: * * What IS ADHD? * How can you know if you have it? * How can someone with ADHD get the most out of learning a new skill? * How can instructors/teachers/coaches help? * What tools and tips are useful for navigating your VO business? * Goal Setting, Time Management, Navigating Rejection and more Download "My Available Time Resource" HERE (https://info.effectivestudents.com/free-time-management-download?hsCtaAttrib=181559714637) Learn more about Effective Students and the resources they provide HERE (https://effectivestudents.com/) Atlanta VO Studio Upcoming Training Give & Learn (https://atlantavoiceoverstudio.com/give-learn-2025/)- December 5th Animation & Video Game Class (https://atlantavoiceoverstudio.com/what-we-offer-classes-acting-for-animation-and-video-games/) with Arianna Ratner Intro to VO Workshop for Kids (https://atlantavoiceoverstudio.com/what-we-offer-workshops-intro-to-voiceover-for-kids-workshop/) Intro to VO Workshop for Adults (https://atlantavoiceoverstudio.com/what-we-offer-workshops-intro-to-voiceover-workshop/) (Last of 2025) Script Workout with Jill Perry (https://atlantavoiceoverstudio.com/what-we-offer-classes-vo-virtual-script-workout/) CLICK HERE for 15% off a Voice123 Membership ($495 tier and up) - https://bit.ly/3uPpO8i Terms & Conditions - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CcYMkdLxWfbmwbvu-mwaurLNtWYVpIBgkJpOQTYLDwc/edit?usp=sharing Looking for a VO MENTOR? Check out our Mentorship Membership for just $25/month - https://www.provoiceovertraining.com/300-membership *LET'S CONNECT! * facebook.com/atlantavoiceoverstudio instagram.com/atlantavoiceoverstudio twitter.com/atlvostudio tiktok.com/@atlantavoiceoverstudio YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/atlantavoiceoverstudio Atlanta Voiceover Studio & ProVoiceoverTraining's Classes & Workshops www.AtlantaVoiceoverStudio.com www.ProVoiceoverTraining.com **Sign up for FREE weekly VO tips: https://bit.ly/AVSemail

We're back with Sammy Brenner (Cisco's US Public Sector Sales Director, NBD) for part two! Usually sequels are worse than the original, but this one may be better! We dive RIGHT in to how to network at work, how to (and how not to) get referrals into jobs and how to grow your career from three people all in different stages of their career and journey. Grow where you are, even if you're old like Ian. If you want to apply (and hopefully interview) for a role at Cisco, we've got you covered: www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/careers.html Also, check out Sammy's podcast Meraki Unboxed here (after you listen to ours): https://community.meraki.com/t5/Meraki-Unboxed-Podcast/Episode-138-Converging-Forces-The-Next-Wave-in-Networking/ba-p/283068

In this week's episode of The Career Flipper, I'm joined by Lauren Tetenbaum, a former lawyer turned psychotherapist and author, who's made it her mission to help women navigate the big, messy transitions of life, from career pivots to motherhood to (yep) perimenopause.Lauren's story is one of courage, self-awareness, and trusting your gut when the path you're on just doesn't fit anymore. After years in the legal world, she decided to build a life that aligned with her values, one centered around supporting women and sparking honest conversations about topics we don't talk about enough, like menopause, mental health, and identity shifts.And let me tell you: this conversation could not have come at a better time for me personally. I'm in the early days of my own perimenopause journey, and honestly, no one really prepares you for it. Lauren's compassion, insight, and humor made me feel seen, and I think you'll feel that too.We get real about:✨ Walking away from careers that no longer fit✨ The identity shift that comes with major life transitions✨ How perimenopause impacts your work, energy, and relationships✨ The importance of saying no (without overexplaining)✨ Mental health, motherhood, and permission to pivot, at any ageIf you've ever found yourself wondering “Is it me, or is everything changing?”, this one's for you.Connect with LaurenBuy the book: https://thecounselaur.com/millennialmenopausebook/ Her website: https://thecounselaur.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecounselaur/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenatetenbaum/ Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

In this episode, I'm sharing reflections from completing my 12th marathon and how the lessons I've learned on the road mirror the journey of building a meaningful career. From stepping out of my comfort zone to learning adaptability, listening to myself, and trusting my experience through self-doubt, I've realized that running has taught me just as much about life and work as it has about endurance.Whether you're training for a marathon, navigating a career transition, or simply figuring out what's next, I hope this episode reminds you that growth takes time,  and to always embrace every version of ourselves. You already have what it takes, it's just about trusting the process, one step, one mile, and one lesson at a time.Connect with me!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizcareercoaching/Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com40 Best Career Coach Podcasts100 Best Coaching PodcastsMusic: https://www.purple-planet.comSound from Zapsplat.comArtwork: Joseph Valenzuela DesignSupport the show

How to Build a Global Music Career: Tips From a Top Artist Manager With Christiana Sudano From Do Less Management Dive into international music management with Christiana Sudano, founder of Do Less Management, as we uncover how she bridges talent between Scandinavia and the US, creates global songwriter camps, and manages legacy artists like Donna Summer in the digital age. If you're passionate about artist management, global collaboration, or building international music careers, don't miss these unique insights! #MusicBusiness #ArtistManagement #SongwriterCamps Our mission here at MUBUTV is to help independent artists and music business professionals of the future to educate, empower and engage their music career.

In this Career Insight episode, Anthony Cheung speaks with Ben Hayward, co-founder and CEO of TwentyFour Asset Management, about his unexpected journey into finance. From studying history of art and pursuing advertising to launching a fixed-income boutique in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, Ben shares invaluable lessons in career adaptability, leadership, and resilience.Whether you're a student eyeing your first internship or a young professional navigating your next move, this conversation offers practical advice on breaking into finance, understanding complex credit products, and thriving in asset management. Learn how to simplify financial storytelling, build confidence under pressure, and shape company culture from the top down.(00:00) Intro to Ben Hayward & 24AM(04:42) From Art to Finance(08:07) Starting Out at Citi(13:03) Becoming an Entrepreneur(19:23) Managing Stress & Resilience(25:40) Building Culture at 24AM(34:10) The power of storytelling(43:27) Asset Management Explained(47:35) What makes Fixed Income Unique(52:16) Advice on Confidence & Resilience(56:24) Career Tips for SuccessFind out more about TwentyFour Asset Management

Text us your questions and thoughts!We're excited to welcome Linda Lipovetsky, Senior Principal Customer Advocacy Manager at Unqork, whose career journey demonstrates that landing your dream role is less about polished résumés and more about delivering value, embracing radical transparency, and showing up where it counts. From a pandemic hackathon with her 10-year-old son to a gutsy LinkedIn pitch that opened the door to Unqork, Linda's story is a masterclass in building opportunity through courage and creativity.As she shares, her “operating system” is radical transparency—oversharing by design (within confidentiality) to break down silos, speed decisions, and help customers plan with the truth. No euphemisms, no carefully massaged answers—just candor that builds trust and accelerates outcomes.In this episode, we discuss:How to network into companies by creating a visible impact Self-advocacy strategies that feel naturalWhy traditional metrics like NPS and CSAT fall short (and which signals truly predict renewal and customer trust)How CS and Advocacy can claim a bigger seat at the tableThe realities of remote work, energy management, and why staying close to technology gives you long-term career liftReady to rethink how you advocate for yourself, your customers, and your career? This episode is packed with practical strategies you can start applying today—so tune in and enjoy!

In this episode of the Move the Ball podcast, host Jen Garrett unpacks the Power of Presence—how leaders can elevate the way they show up, influence, and inspire. Jen breaks down the four pillars of presence, from commanding energy in high-stakes moments to mastering the micro-interactions that build trust and credibility. Drawing on client success stories, leadership insights, and her own executive experience, Jen shows you how presence becomes the ultimate leadership multiplier. Whether you’re leading teams, navigating transitions, or stepping into bigger arenas, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you harness presence with intention and move the ball forward in your career and life. ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER BY LISTENING TO THESE OTHER MTB PODCASTS: Mastering the Executive Edge Part 1: The Mindset Shift: https://bit.ly/3ZoXyI1 Mastering the Executive Edge Part 2: The Behavior Shift: https://bit.ly/3HyDexS The Strategic Career Map Part 1: Laying the Foundation: https://bit.ly/4kAuPsj The Strategic Career Map Part 2: Execution and Elevation: https://bit.ly/3HxEKAf The Influence Factor Part 1: Becoming a Trusted Voice: https://bit.ly/451wIYl The Influence Factor Part 2: Activating Influence: https://bit.ly/4odgjsK The Visibility Equation Part 1: The Positioning Shift: https://bit.ly/4mWlsE8 The Visibility Equation Part 2: The Proximity Playbook: https://bit.ly/3HEPa1l No Permission Needed: 10 Power Moves: https://bit.ly/4lH1a19 Career Currency: Building a Digital Presence that Opens Executive Doors: https://bit.ly/4mcVH1l The Power Audit: Building the Right Personal Board of Directors: https://bit.ly/48ncYS6 Winning the Access Game: https://bit.ly/4nAeMfe IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP WITH CONFIDENCE, MAKE AN IMPACT, AND MOVE THE BALL:

When host Jenny Dempsey got laid off back in 2022, she had no clue what I was doing. She was crying on her couch, trying to figure out who she even was without my job. No one hands you a guide for that kind of loss. It honestly felt like the ground fell out from under her.And then along comes Steve Jaffe. Turns out, he literally wrote the book I wish I had back then: The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery.Steve's been through four layoffs (yes, four!) and instead of letting it crush him, he mapped out the stages of grief that come with job loss. Reading his book brought up so many of my own memories, everything from the shock and shame to that messy process of rebuilding your identity. It made me cry, it gave me hope, and it reminded me I'm not alone.In this conversation with Steve, we talk about:Why losing a job takes you through the grieving process.The awkward shame we carry after a layoff, and how to drop it.Why slowing down to process before jumping into the job hunt can change everythingThe “baggage” you might unknowingly carry into your next role.And what you need to hear if you just got laid off yesterday.This one hit so close to home for me, and if you've ever been laid off, or even just wondered who you are without your job, I think it'll resonate with you too.Connect with SteveGrab Steve's book The Layoff Journey on Amazon: The Layoff JourneyLearn more at: thestevejaffe.comFollow Steve on Instagram: @stevejaffethelayoffjourneyConnect with Steve on LinkedIn: Steve Jaffe on LinkedIn Thanks for tuning in to The Career Flipper!If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel a little braver about your own flip, do me a favor:

What if your business could actually work for your life instead of consuming it? This question lies at the heart of Tana Kramer's approach to financial strategy for women entrepreneurs.Tana, founder of TK Solutions and a self-described "profitable strategist," joins the To Be Bolder podcast to share her journey from answering phones at her father's glass shop at age eight to becoming a fractional CFO for women-led businesses generating $1-5 million in revenue. Her path wasn't linear – after graduating with a management degree, she quickly realized corporate life wasn't for her and found her calling supporting entrepreneurs through various ventures before launching her own business.The conversation reveals profound insights about the relationship between profitability and lifestyle design. Tana emphasizes that most entrepreneurs fail to regularly examine their financial statements, often relying on flawed memory rather than actual data. "Looking at your numbers is definitely going to be the biggest thing," she explains, noting how entrepreneurs sometimes mentally spend the same dollar multiple times. This disconnect between perception and reality leads to misalignment that manifests physically – grinding teeth, tension in the shoulders, persistent irritability – signaling something in your business model isn't working for you.Perhaps most valuably, Tana addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of entrepreneurship. She shares how she discovered her own inherited scarcity mindset through conversations with her mother, and offers a powerful strategy for those struggling with similar limitations: "Get yourself into rooms where people are sure it's possible and you can borrow some of their confidence while you prove it to yourself." This environment shift gradually transforms your relationship with money and profitability.Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to scale your existing business more intentionally, Tana's guidance offers a refreshing perspective on creating financial systems that support your vision rather than dictate it. Tune in to be inspired and learn two important insights about managing your money.Support the show When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses.

In this episode of the So Rude Podcast, host Paige Ruderman welcomes Ralston Wells — known to many as “Ralstofferson” or “Mr. Nashville” — for an inside look at the heartbeat of Nashville's songwriting community. As a key figure behind Radio SoBro, a digital radio station dedicated to supporting independent artists and songwriters, Ralston shares his journey from his roots to becoming a fixture in Music City's writers rounds.We dive into:How Ralston got started in the Nashville music sceneThe role of writers rounds in building a music careerTips for networking and connecting with other artists in townBehind-the-scenes of Radio SoBro and why indie music mattersAdvice for submitting songs to get airplay on independent radioWhether you're an aspiring songwriter, a Nashville local, or just love hearing the stories behind the music, this conversation is packed with insider insights and inspiration.Links & Resources:

We're hitting episode 100 of Get Scene Unscripted!

Hey Ripplers! Steve Harper here, and I've got an episode for you today that I guarantee will leave a mark. This conversation isn't just another podcast about career tips. It's personal. I'm joined by Madeleine York, someone I've known for over 30 years and someone who unknowingly shaped the way I think about business, relationships, and customer service. What started as a simple printer sale back in the day turned into a lifelong friendship with one of the sharpest minds in career coaching and interview preparation. Madeleine York has worked in the Career Transition industry for over 25 years. She has a unique ability to connect with all clients, enabling them to achieve success in reaching their goals. She is not a process consultant, but rather someone who addresses the totality of the individual's needs, creating a one-on-one relationship. Madeleine is an accredited practitioner for Insights Discovery and has used MBTI, Edwards, and 16PF assessments in her work. She has co-authored a book on transition with Norman York, titled “Using Your Inner Power to Find Meaningful Work.” She has developed numerous workshops devoted to team development and goal setting. Madeleine is a graduate of the University of Texas-Arlington. Madeleine shares how she went from being laid off to becoming a sought-after expert in career development, helping professionals at all levels take control of their paths. We talk about what truly goes into preparing for an interview, how to rebuild your confidence after a job loss, and why simply being honest and authentic can be your biggest advantage. Madeleine has a powerful way of helping people understand how to talk about their experience and avoid the traps that sink so many interviews, such as rambling, oversharing, or trying to sound too perfect. This conversation is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways, making it perfect for individuals currently in a job search or planning a career pivot. Madeleine's no-nonsense approach is grounded in decades of experience, and her ability to help people prepare for interviews is unparalleled. If you've ever struggled to answer “Tell me about yourself,” or you want to feel more confident walking into your next opportunity, stay and listen until the end! I hope you'll take the time to listen, reflect, and maybe even reach out to Madeleine. She's not only one of the most talented professionals I know, but she's also one of the kindest. Thanks for tuning in to The Ripple Effect Podcast. If you found value in this episode, please like, subscribe, leave a comment, and share this with a friend. You never know who might need to hear what Madeleine has to say today. Ripple On!!!   Ripple with Madeleine York LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yorkcareerdevelopment Email: myork@yorkinc.com   Ripple with Steve Harper Instagram: http://instagram.com/rippleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rippleon X: https://twitter.com/rippleon Website: http://www.ripplecentral.com Stay in the loop by being a part of the Ripple mail list: https://ripplecentral.com/subscribe  Join our ever-growing community of Ripplers in The Pond: https://ripplecentral.com/pond   #careercoaching #interviewtips #careertransition #rippleeffectpodcast #jobinterviewpreparation #careerdevelopment #madeleineyork #steveharper #authenticcommunication #confidenceininterviews #outplacementsupport #jobsearchstrategy #reinventyourcareer

As young Americans struggle with job prospects and loan repayment, Mark and I share tips to ease financial stress and stay on track. Have a money question? Email us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jill on Money Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jillonmoney To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A lot of lawyers hit a point where the weight of it all becomes hard to ignore—the long hours, the pressure, the constant grind that never really lets up. It's easy to feel like the path you chose is now closing in, especially with debt piling up and the work feeling more draining than meaningful. Somewhere along the way, the purpose can get buried under procedure. But there's always that question sitting quietly in the back of your mind: does it have to be like this forever? Jason S. Weiss blends 25+ years of legal experience with a sharp focus on mentoring and fractional General Counsel work. He helps lawyers navigate real-world challenges law school never prepared them for—like billing, client drama, and burnout. Through his book and coaching, he guides young attorneys toward sustainable, fulfilling careers. Jason emphasizes staying calm under pressure and treating law like both a profession and a business. His approach cuts through the fluff and gives lawyers tools to thrive, not just survive. Stay tuned! Resources: WELCOME TO ASK JASON WEISS | Helping attorneys get what they want out of life and their practice Follow Jason S. Weiss on Facebook Follow Jason S. Weiss on Instagram Connect with Jason S. Weiss on LinkedIn

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Marilynn Joyner, the visionary founder and CEO of Her Workplace. Listen in as Marilynn shares her remarkable journey from a corporate career in commercial real estate to launching a career networking platform designed to empower Gen Z and millennial professional women. Drawing from her personal experiences in a male-dominated industry, Marilynn talks about the challenges women face in advancing their careers and how Her Workplace aims to bridge the gap by providing essential resources and mentorship. She also shares the story behind the platform's name and mission, along with insights into her transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, including her time at Columbia Business School and a stint in a startup environment to gain entrepreneurial insights. In this engaging discussion, we explore the vibrant community that Her Workplace fosters, which includes an inclusive approach for non-binary individuals as well. Discover the wealth of resources available through their newsletter and the exciting events on the horizon, like the upcoming summit in New York City. Marilynn offers her thoughts on what it means to be an empowered woman and the organization's plans for integrating AI and gamification to enhance member engagement. As Her Workplace continues to grow, Marilynn shares her personal journey and offers listeners a way to connect with her through LinkedIn, Instagram, and her soon-to-launch website. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Marilynn's experiences and gain insights into creating better work environments for women.   Connect with Marilynn:Website: www.herworkplace.com Instagram: @herworkplace LinkedIn: Her Workplace     Let's keep the conversation going!Website: www.martaspirk.com Instagram: @martaspirk Facebook: Marta Spirk Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest  Watch my TEDx talk: http://bit.ly/martatedx Get access to the free video: The #1 Mistake People Make That Keeps Them STUCK!  Along with powerful weekly abundance tips to make sure that you keep moving forward at https://www.carollook.com  

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing the recent increase in the volume of law school applications with admissions consultant Anna Ivey. We explore economic and political motivations, the role of the LSAT/GRE, and potential changes in student loan regulations. In this episode we discuss: Anna's background and work in admissions consulting Why there is an increase in the volume of law school applications The role of the LSAT/GRE in law school admissions Financial considerations for law school Advice for students applying to law school in a competitive cycle Resources AnnaIvey.com (https://www.annaivey.com/) The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions, by Anna Ivey (https://www.amazon.com/Ivey-Guide-Law-School-Admissions/dp/0156029790) BigLaw Confidential: The Comprehensive Guide to the Large Law Firm Work Experience in the U.S., by D.W. Randolph (https://www.amazon.com/Big-Law-Confidential-Comprehensive-Experience/dp/B0BKN5XHT8) Republicans plan to overhaul the federal student loan system (https://www.npr.org/2025/04/30/nx-s1-5381149/trump-republicans-student-loan-repayment) 'Trump bump,' iffy economy cited for huge law school application spike (https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-bump-iffy-economy-cited-huge-law-school/story?id=120126667) Podcast Episode 256: Tips for Applying to Law School (w/Anna Ivey) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-256-tips-for-applying-to-law-school-w-anna-ivey/) Podcast Episode 451: From Application to Acceptance: The Law School Admissions Timeline (w/Anna Ivey) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-451-from-application-to-acceptance-the-law-school-admissions-timeline-w-anna-ivey/) Podcast Episode 433: Career Tips from a BigLaw Partner (w/Bryan Nese) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-433-career-tips-from-a-biglaw-partner-w-bryan-nese/) Above the Law (https://abovethelaw.com/) Working on Your Executive Functioning Skills (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/working-on-your-executive-functioning-skills/) Law School Myth #1: Lawyers Make a Lot of Money (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/09/law-school-myth-1-lawyers-make-a-lot-of-money/) The Reality of Law School Debt and Planning for It (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/the-reality-of-law-school-debt-and-planning-for-it/) Download the Transcript  (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-506-exploring-the-increase-in-law-school-applications-w-anna-ivey/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/law-school-toolbox-podcast/id1027603976) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Law School Toolbox website (http://lawschooltoolbox.com/contact). If you're concerned about the bar exam, check out our sister site, the Bar Exam Toolbox (http://barexamtoolbox.com/). You can also sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/get-law-school-podcast-updates/) to make sure you never miss an episode! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee