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

💡 Loved this episode? Don’t forget tosubscribe toCareer Focus on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in! If you found this conversation valuable, pleaseleave a review and share this episode with someone who could use a little career inspiration.

Call to Action:🚀 Follow me onLinkedIn for career tips and updates, and check out my YouTube channel for more content!

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

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate, and review Career Focus wherever you get your podcasts! Stay connected with Dan and check out more career insights on YouTube.

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

In this episode of Career Focus, I talk with Chuck Cooper, founder of Whitewater Consulting, about career transitions, leadership, and business culture. Chuck shares his journey from growing up in a family business to becoming a consultant for small and mid-sized companies. We discuss his two books—Unprecedented and The Family Business Blueprint—and explore topics like leadership in a post-COVID world, values alignment, mentorship, and succession planning in family businesses. Chuck offers valuable advice for early career professionals and entrepreneurs on communication and navigating business challenges.

Introduction: Meet Chuck Cooper, founder of Whitewater Consulting.

Whitewater Consulting: Helping businesses improve culture and communication.

The Impact of COVID-19: Why business culture has become crucial.

Chuck’s Canoe Trip Story: Inspiration behind Whitewater Consulting.

Mentorship & Values: Finding the right mentor and aligning personal values with career goals.

Chuck’s Books: Unprecedented—post-COVID leadership; The Family Business Blueprint—succession planning challenges in family businesses.

Key Takeaway: The importance of proactive succession planning and communication in business.

Resources Mentioned:

Whitewater Consulting

Chuck’s books: Unprecedented and The Family Business Blueprint (available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble)

Connect with Career Focus:

Ever feel like you’ve achieved an opportunity you didn’t deserve?  It’s possible you brushed shoulders with your “inner imposter”!  In this episode, I chat with Rene Dominguez, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist working in tech.  Rene unpacks what it feels like to experience Imposter Syndrome, and ways to successfully manage it for next time.

Rene and I also unpack several strategies effective allies and diversity leaders use to generate equality in the workplace.

If you’re someone struggling with your inner imposter, get anxious thinking about career pivots, or just want to hear one of the MOST inclusive and engaging personalities I’ve ever worked with, this is the episode for you! 

If you want to skip ahead:

01:24 - Rene’s professional background.

03:25 - Dan points out Rene’s transferable experience.

04:28 - Defining Imposter Syndrome.

05:41 - What Imposter Syndrome feels like.

06:16 - Who experiences Imposter Syndrome.

08:25 - Rene’s Imposter Syndrome story.

13:19 - Dan’s suggested strategy to work through doubt.

17:04 - How to showcase DEI day-to-day.

25:53 - Intention leads to success.

26:42 - Exploring professional mental health support.

Want to connect with Rene?  Find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rene-dominguez-jr/

In this episode, I chat with Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and podcast host Lesley Hunter, to discuss resume styles and how you can tailor yours to increase odds of getting the job.  Lesley and I unpack scenarios where your resume is applicable, and how to draft your resume from scratch.

If you’re someone that’s beating your head against a wall every time you submit an application, or you just want to update your accomplishments on paper, this is an episode for you!

If you want to skip ahead:

01:05 - Lesley’s professional background.

03:14 - Lesley’s origin story as a CPRW.

05:31 - How Lesley helps her clients.

06:22 - The two primary resume styles.

09:37 - Print vs. Digital copy.

11:55 - ATS tools and how to “beat” them.

14:04 - Dan’s tips to resume writing from scratch.

16:03 - Other forms of personal branding.

18:00 - Toeing the line of professionalism.

21:23 - Lesley’s recent projects.

Want to connect with Lesley?  Find her at the following:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleyhunter1/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lesleyonthetown1/ 

Lesley’s Website - https://resumemakeover.com/ 
Email - lesley@resumemakeover.com

In this episode, I chat with international speaker, technology professional, and community builder Dr. Chela White to tackle the all-too-familiar topics of Perfectionism and Burnout.  We share ways to align your values to your work-life, and how to manage stress when those two things are misaligned.  Plus, we share several tips and ideas to make your challenges feel a little less lonely.

For anyone experiencing Burnout - you are definitely not alone!  This conversation should help you feel a sense of belonging, increase your optimism of things becoming more positive, and hopefully inspire you to do good at work and in your personal life!

If you want to skip ahead:

01:51 - Chela’s professional background.

04:34 - Chela’s definition of Perfectionism and Burnout.

07:37 - Checking your values against your place of work.

11:00 - Dan’s comparison between value alignment and house-shopping.

12:56 - Discussing what Burnout feels like.

18:54 - How to feel validated in your work gripes and moans.

20:43 - Taking care of yourself as you’re experiencing Burnout.

27:22 - Chela’s involvement in her community.

Want to connect with Chela?  Find her at the following:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchela/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.chelamarie/ 

Chela is also regularly involved with each of the following:

https://www.instagram.com/heystrangeratx/ 

https://www.keepaustinfed.org/ 
https://www.littlebitofgood.org/

In this episode, I chat with best-selling author, TedX and keynote speaker, and lifelong storyteller Doug Thompson to discuss the opportunities storytelling brings to professionals inside and out of the workplace.  Together, Doug and I unpack the various benefits and tactics to effective storytelling, and how even if you’re not a “natural,” you can develop the confidence to tell stories that captivate.

For anyone looking to build relationships - maybe you’re on the job hunt, you’re building a network of friends or connections, or you’re presenting a project next week at work - this is the episode for you!

If you want to skip ahead:

01:55 - Doug’s career story.

04:37 - Doug’s definition of a “good job.”

06:20 - The easiest key to effective storytelling.

07:39 - The 1st step to building a story.

08:33 - Why you should empathize with your audience.

14:49 - Storytelling with friends vs. with coworkers.

15:44 - Blending personal stories with professional environments.

17:01 - Looking inward before sharing outward.

18:39 - Managing subconscious blockers and building confidence.

21:43 - Formula for making a story your own.

Want to connect with Doug?  Find him at the following:

Doug’s Website: https://thedougthompson.com/ 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thedougthompson 

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thedougthompson 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedougthompson/ 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/thedougthompson?lang=en 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedougthompson/