Liz Career Coaching

In this episode, Alex Beard explores how applied improvisation can transform personal and professional growth, fostering confidence, adaptability, and deeper collaboration. He shares his journey of using creativity to empower underserved communities and offers practical tools, like the ‘Yes, And’ technique, to encourage open-minded problem-solving. Listeners will gain insights on creating brave spaces and using storytelling as a powerful tool for self-advocacy and empathy in the workplace.

Key Highlights

• Alex Beard shares how applied improvisation can boost confidence, communication, and adaptability in careers.
• His journey illustrates the power of creativity in public service, especially for empowering underserved communities.
• Alex shares the ‘Yes, And’ technique to foster collaboration and inclusivity 
• Highlights storytelling as a tool for self-advocacy, enhancing empathy and understanding in the workplace.

Connect with Alex
www.beardcollaborative.com

Resources Shared:
Yes, And by Kelly Leonard
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

40 Best Career Coach Podcasts
100 Best Coaching Podcasts

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

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In this episode I have the pleasure to welcome an inspirational guest and long time colleague, Dr. Benjamin Ritter.

Dr. Ritter is the founder of LFY Consulting and author of Becoming Fearless. He is an international leadership and career coach, Sr. Talent Management Consultant, Top LinkedIn Voice, global speaker, and host of The Executive, and the Live Fearlessly Podcasts.

Episode Highlights - Dr. Ritter:

• Shares his journey of overcoming fears and becoming a leadership and career coach.
• Discusses how setbacks, such as job losses and failed career attempts, became pivotal lessons in his coaching.
• Highlights the importance of aligning your career with your values,
• Provides actionable strategies from his book "Becoming Fearless” to overcome fear and achieve personal and professional growth.

Connect with Dr. Ritter:

• https://www.liveforyourselfconsulting.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbenjaminritter-leadershipdevelopment/
• Check out his new book, Becoming Fearless

Connect with our Sponsor!
Kelley Francis

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

40 Best Career Coach Podcasts
100 Best Coaching Podcasts

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

In this episode, I have a chat with Kelley Francis, Executive Director of the HITEC Foundation and a passionate advocate for increasing educational and professional opportunities for underrepresented groups in engineering, technology, and business. Kelley shares her journey from growing up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago to her work in the nonprofit sector, where she focuses on empowering Hispanic communities and women in tech. Highlights of the episode include:

• Kelley's upbringing and how her family’s emphasis on education shaped her values.
• Her decision to pursue Spanish and Business Administration despite external pressures to follow more lucrative career paths.
• Her transition into the nonprofit industry, where she discovered her passion for serving underrepresented groups, particularly through her internship at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
• Kelley’s current role as Executive Director of the HITEC Foundation, where she leads efforts to provide scholarships, mentorship, and career development support to Hispanic students pursuing technology-related fields.
• Kelley’s emphasis on the importance of mentorship, overcoming self-doubt, and the value of mindfulness and routines in her professional life.

Listeners will also hear about HITEC’s initiatives, including how career coaches and other professionals can support these efforts through mentorship or sponsorship.

Book Recommendation:

Uwavering: Rejecting Bias, Igniting Change, Celebrating Inclusion by Nellie Borrero 

Connect with Kelley:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelley-sheehan-francis/
• https://www.hitecglobal.org/foundation

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

40 Best Career Coach Podcasts
100 Best Coaching Podcasts

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

In this insightful episode, Coach Lee shares his transformative journey from struggling to build meaningful relationships to becoming a coach who empowers others to do the same. He candidly discusses how his upbringing in a dysfunctional family, failed relationships, and therapy led him to discover the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in creating connections. Coach Lee also outlines his three-step coaching process that helps clients understand themselves, establish boundaries, and communicate effectively to build and maintain close relationships. He offers practical advice on handling rejection, setting boundaries, and speaking up in professional settings, emphasizing the importance of strategic vulnerability. The episode concludes with Coach Lee sharing upcoming events and resources for those interested in deepening their understanding of meaningful relationships.

Episode Highlights:

• Coach Lee shares his journey as a transgender person, emphasizing how embracing vulnerability and authenticity in relationships became crucial after facing rejection due to his identity.
• He guides us through his three-step process—understanding and accepting oneself, setting boundaries that honor one’s identity, and communicating needs effectively—to build meaningful connections.
• Lee reframes rejection as a way to filter out those who don’t align with your values, turning it into an opportunity for growth and self-affirmation.
• Strategic vulnerability is key, sharing the right amount of personal information with the right people at the right time, especially when one’s identity may not always be accepted.

Connect with Coach Lee!

• https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/
• https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/events
• https://calendly.com/patternsofpossibility/friendly-conversation
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_sXvnjqwhFlpI-NYV845g
• https://tiktok.com/@patternsofpossibility
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachleehopkins/

Connect with our Sponsor!
Kelley Francis

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

40 Best Career Coach Podcasts
100 Best Coaching Podcasts

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

In this episode of the Liz Career Coaching podcast, I’m excited to kick off Season 8 with a deep reflection on life's brevity, the importance of living with purpose, and the legacy we leave behind. I share personal stories of loss, including the early passing of my mother and the recent death of my 99-year-old grandmother, to show how these experiences have profoundly shaped my views on life and purpose. I also challenge you to think about your own legacy through a powerful exercise: writing your own obituary to gain clarity on what truly matters.

Key Takeaways:

• Life's brevity reminds us to live with intention and purpose.
• Reflecting on your legacy can help align your daily actions with your long-term goals and values.
• Small, everyday actions can have a lasting impact and define who you are as a person.
• The "Write Your Obituary" exercise is a powerful tool for gaining clarity on your life's purpose.

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

40 Best Career Coach Podcasts
100 Best Coaching Podcasts

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

Today I wanted to have an open dialogue about what it is like to be a first generation college student specifically, the unique challenges faced by first-generation Latino college students. I am always proud to share that I am a first generation college graduate and while there were many challenges that I personally faced, it really shaped my career and the professional that I am today. My experiences and challenges are what fuels my purpose today and why I am passionate about the work that I do as a career coach.

Many Latino students may feel pressure when choosing majors and careers, especially when their families discourage certain paths that are seen as low-paying. I believe it is so important to have open conversations with family about career choices.

So today I have a very special guest that will join me on this discussion of how college students navigate the college process without family support to feeling the weight of financial pressures and the responsibility to provide for their families after graduation.

My guest today is Dr. Ochoa-Galindo a senior lecturer and the director of internships in applied psychology at UIC. She is an alumnus from UIC and has been working there for 5 years. She has over 15 years of teaching experience both at the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition, Dr. Ochoa-Galindo is a licensed mental health clinician with over 18 years of experience providing individual, family, and group counseling to children, adolescents, and adults both in outpatient and inpatient settings. She has experience working with mental illness, behavioral disorders, domestic violence, sexual assault, acculturation stress, and trauma. In her spare time, she enjoys doing yoga, reading, and spending time with her family which includes her husband, 6-year-old twin daughters, 4 dogs, and 2 cats!

Connect with Dr. Ochoa on LinkedIn
In Motion Counseling

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

Explore Shara's journey from facing repeated licensure exam failures and personal hardships to becoming a licensed clinical social worker and successful entrepreneur. Gain insights into how she founded "Journey to Licensure," a consulting firm dedicated to guiding others through the licensure process, and learn the crucial roles of mindfulness and self-care in overcoming professional challenges. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, offering invaluable lessons for anyone navigating their own path to professional licensing and beyond.

Episode Highlights

• Shara's journey from facing personal and professional challenges, including failing her licensing exam multiple times, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and licensed clinical social worker
• Launch of "Journey to Licensure," a consulting firm created to support social workers on their licensure journey, inspired by Shara's own challenges.
• Emphasis on the importance of mindfulness and self-care to enhance effectiveness in helping professions.
• Advocacy for aspiring social workers and therapists to prioritize their own well-being and seek support, highlighting the often-overlooked need for self-care within these professions.

About Shara Ruffin:
Shara is an independently licensed clinical social worker and former psychotherapist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor's degree in social work from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a Master's degree in social work from Howard University School of Social Work. Shara has specializations in grief, personality disorders, family trauma, compassion fatigue, military counseling, mindfulness meditation, ADHD, and anxiety.  Shara is a Board Certified Tele-mental Health Provider. Shara is also a 5x-Amazon Best-Seller of a social work journal called, “90 Days of Prayer”. She is the author of her second best-selling social work journal “90 Days Of Inspiration”, which is a study companion for social workers taking their licensing exam. Currently, Shara is the Founder and CEO of a consulting company called "Journey To Licensure". Her company combines wellness, clinical supervision, and professional development coaching to support social workers through licensure examinations. Shara's company "Journey To Licensure" was featured in Business Insider, USA Today, and Success. Shara is also a LinkedIn Advisor and was most recently awarded "Top 15 LinkedIn Expert in Philadelphia in 2023", and the “LinkedIn Top Voice” award.

Connect with Shara:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shararuffin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharadruffin/
Podcast: Journey to Licensure Podcast

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

In this episode of the Liz Career Coaching Podcast, we delve into the topic of salary negotiation, a key aspect that can significantly impact your career advancement and financial health. Here are the highlights and key takeaways from the episode:

• We explore why salary negotiation is essential for every professional, regardless of their career stage, and how it can influence long-term career satisfaction and financial stability.
• We learn effective negotiation strategies and understanding your market value,  and the importance of timing in negotiation conversations.
• Actionable tips emphasizing the importance of preparation, research, and a clear understanding of one's worth.
• We discuss common mistakes to avoid during salary negotiations and best practices to ensure a positive outcome.
• Emphasis on the role of self-advocacy in closing wage gaps and achieving fair compensation.
• Negotiation success stories.

About Alan Stein:
Alan Stein, Founder, CEO & Chief Accelerator, Kadima Careers

After 25 years in the corporate world, including leading global teams at Google, Meta, Salesforce and Tableau, Alan Stein launched his startup, Kadima Careers, with a mission of accelerating 1 million careers by 2040. Alan has interviewed thousands of candidates as a hiring manager, and also interviewed for thousands of times throughout his career, so he has unique insights that inform Kadima's proprietary Job Acquisition Method. When Alan isn't accelerating careers, he enjoys spending time with his three teenagers, two dogs, and one incredibly supportive wife. Alan is a lifetime New Yorker and has lived in Brooklyn for the last 19 years.

Connect with Alan:

• Website: https://kadimacareers.com/
• Podcast: https://kadimacareers.com/podcast
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanjstein/ 

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show

In today's episode, we're talking about the significance of having career conversations with our partners. Whether you're starting a new relationship or have been in one for decades, it's really helpful to talk openly about what you both want in your careers. 

It is important to share your career aspirations, how you balance work and life, and how you can support each other's goals. Join us for this insightful conversation! 

Episode Highlights:

• The importance of discussing career goals and values in relationships.
• Strategies for supporting each other's ambitions and goals.
• Addressing issues like conflicting schedules, stress management, and balancing work commitments with personal time.
• Recognizing these challenges as the first step toward finding solutions together.
• How to approach conversations about major career transitions such as job changes, relocation, returning to education, or starting a business.

About Paula Holt:
Paula’s interest in marriage began more than 15 years ago leading her to pursue certifications in premier marriage education programs including The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and Bringing Baby Home from The Gottman Institute, Prepare/Enrich®, and Couple Communication. She later launched the award-winning blog Marital Musings and wrote for the wedding website Style Me Pretty.

Paula was inspired to launch Practically Married when she noticed a lack of accessible marriage preparation tools. In the development process, she consulted with numerous therapists and gathered extensive feedback from dating and engaged couples. Prior to running Practically Married, she graduated from Stanford University and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. She is  a wife, mother of two, podcast enthusiast, aspiring tennis player, and a beast on the dance floor.  

BONUS!

Paula has created a 'Career Worksheet' designed to help you and your partner explore your career aspirations and how they fit into your relationship. It's a great tool to get those meaningful conversations started.

To get your hands on this worksheet, just send her a direct message on Instagram @getpracticallymarried. Include your email address and the words 'Career Worksheet' in your message, and she will send it over to you. 

Connect with Paula:

• Website: https://practicallymarried.net/
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practically-married-with-paula-holt/id1685545112

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizherrera1/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lizcareercoaching/
• Website:  https://www.lizcareercoaching.net/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerreraLiz27
• Email: lizcareercoaching@gmail.com

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Sound from Zapsplat.com
Artwork: Joseph Valenzuela Design

Support the show