In this episode ofCareer Focus, I sit down with Erika Badan, CEO of Food52 and former CEO of Barstool Sports. Erika has built an incredible career across marketing, sales, and executive leadership, holding roles at Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL, and more. She’s been named one ofFast Company’s Most Creative People in Business and one ofForbes’ Most Powerful Women in U.S. Sports.

We dive into her journey from a receptionist at Fidelity Investments to leading some of the most well-known brands, her perspective on career growth, making career pivots, and the lessons behind her book,Nobody Cares About Your Career. Erika also shares insights on authenticity at work, leadership, and her brand-new podcast,Work.

Show Notes with Timestamps:

• [00:00] Welcome toCareer Focus – Setting the stage for today’s episode

• [00:30] Intro to Erika Badan: Her background in sales, marketing, and executive leadership

• [01:21] From Fidelity to Barstool Sports: How Erika built her career

• [02:53] Lessons from early career struggles and learning to be a self-starter

• [05:04] Transitioning to leadership and embracing risk in career moves

• [06:11] The shift from Barstool Sports to Food52 – why change is important

• [09:49] How to be authentic in high-growth work environments

• [13:20] Erika’s book,Nobody Cares About Your Career – Why she wrote it and the key takeaways

• [17:13] Finding alignment in your career: Lessons on purpose and happiness at work

• [19:22] What to expect from her new podcast,Work – Tackling real career challenges

• [21:19] Where to connect with Erika and final thoughts

Resources Mentioned:📖Nobody Cares About Your Career – Erika’s book (Grab ithere)🎙️Work – Erika’s new podcast (Listenhere)🌐 Food52 – Learn more about Erika’s company🔗 Connect with Erika onLinkedIn andInstagram

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In this episode of Career Focus, I’m joined by the brilliant and down-to-earth Hayley Dawson, founder of Let’s Talk Human Skills. Hayley’s had a “squiggly” career journey that’s as impressive as it is inspiring—she’s been a translator, researcher, educator, and now a full-time career development entrepreneur. Together, we dive into what makes human skills like courage, curiosity, and empathy the secret sauce for career success, and how AI can be a tool—not a threat—when paired with the right mindset. Hayley’s elegant yet practical insights make this conversation one you won’t want to miss, especially if you’re navigating the twists and turns of your own career path.

Show Notes with Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Welcome to Career Focus: Meet Hayley Dawson

[00:02:00] Hayley’s “Squiggly” Career Path: From Translator to Entrepreneur

[00:05:52] What Are Human Skills, and Why Do They Matter?

[00:08:21] Real-Life Stories: How Human Skills Impact the Workplace

[00:12:45] Building Courage, Curiosity, and Confidence for Career Growth

[00:21:56] Measuring and Improving Your Human Skills with Self-Reflection

[00:27:55] AI and Human Skills: A Winning Collaboration

[00:35:43] Addressing Guilt and Resistance to AI in the Workplace

[00:41:12] Evolving Roles: Humans and AI in the Future of Work

[00:42:33] Hayley’s New Ventures and How to Connect

Resources Mentioned:

Hayley Dawson’s Career Development Platform: Let's Talk Human Skills

Follow Hayley on LinkedIn: Hayley Dawson on LinkedIn

The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis

AI Tools:

Otter AI (transcription software)

Dovetail (thematic analysis tool)

ChatGPT

Call to Action

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In this episode of Career Focus, I sit down with Jez Benton, founder of Canvas Leadership and host of the Route to the Top podcast, to explore the connections between leadership, personal values, and adventure. Jez shares stories from his life, including his ascent of Mount Everest and his work helping executive teams and leaders create meaningful culture change. We discuss topics like resilience, understanding motivation, building genuine relationships, and the importance of aligning work with personal values. Jez’s insights provide a refreshing perspective for early career professionals looking to build meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Show Notes with Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction: Meet Jez Benton and learn about his background and work with Canvas Leadership

5:06 - Canvas Leadership: How Canvas helps companies manage culture change and develop leaders who drive growth

10:04 - Leadership Post-COVID: Why today’s workplace requires new approaches to motivation and engagement

17:37 - The Importance of Employee Relationships: How managers can connect more personally with their teams

22:45 - Personal Values & Friendship: Jez shares how friendship, enjoyment, and adventure shape his life and work

30:23 - Adventure and Personal Growth: Jez’s journey as a mountaineer, including summiting Everest, and how adventure builds resilience

34:57 - Route to the Top: The origin story of Jez’s podcast, where he interviews leaders on mountain summits

40:17 - Advice for Early Career Professionals: Tips on understanding your values and taking calculated risks in your career

Resources Mentioned:

Canvas Leadership: https://canvasleadership.com/

Jez’s Podcast Route to the Top: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Connect with Career Focus:

Instagram: @careerfocuspod

YouTube: Career Focus with Dan Brodsky