OCCUPATIONS: The Podcast

Colt Smith, Environmental Scientist at the Division of Drinking Water for the state of Utah joins me for episode 39 of OCCUPATIONS. He tells us all about learning a myriad of skills that he thought he could use in careers that he wanted to pursue, but in the end, really allowed him to stand out in the career he NOW works in. He talks about his job enforcing rules and regulations that protect the precious drinking water that belongs to the citizens of Utah and he even gives us his opinion on what the future of drinking water could be.

Regie Gibson, Assistant Professor of Poetry and Performance at both Clark University and Berklee School of Music, AND the first and only Poet Laureate of the State of Massachusetts joins me for episode 38 of OCCUPATIONS. Regie talks to us about growing up as an African American in the 1970’s and finding his voice through the written word. He also shares his path to becoming both a teacher and a performer, and he has some great advice for others who might want a career in writing/poetry.

Nathaniel Meyer, Landscape Artist joins me for episode 37 of OCCUPATIONS to tell us about his experiences that he has had being and artist as well as his journey getting to where he is now. He has some wonderful stories about navigating the art scene and trying to survive as a full-time artist. Nathaniel also has some great advice for others who might want a career in art.

Craig Buschmann, Principal IP Counsel USA at Rio Tinto joins me for episode 36 of OCCUPATIONS to tell us about PATENT LAW. Craig tells us about his education first towards Engineering, then Law. Then how he combined the two to make him a very valuable commodity in Patent Law. Craig finishes the interview with some great advice to others.

Erin Alberty, Journalist and Reporter at Axios and Pulitzer Prize winner joins me for episode 35 of OCCUPATIONS to tell us about news reporting. Her path to becoming a news reporter has several stops at which she honed her craft and we also talk about the story that won her the Pulitzer Prize. She talks about education and, of course, has some great advise for those who might want to have a career in JOURNALISM.

Ryan Laughlin, Co-Founder and CTO at Splitwise joins me for episode 34 of OCCUPATIONS to tell us about app development. His path to having a successful app, and thus a successful career, is full of him taking advantage of opportunities, connections, coincidence, and hard work. He talks about his education and, of course, has some great advise for those who might want to have a career in app development or computer related fields in general.

Virginia Heffernan, Journalist and Staff Writer at The Republic joins me for episode 33 of OCCUPATIONS. She tells us about her path to her incredible career full of different writing subjects and styles and, of course, has some great advise for those who might want to have a career in journalism.

Charmaine Gahan, Oyster Farmer joins me for episode 32 of OCCUPATIONS. I join Charmaine on Cuttyhunk Island, MA as she shows me and tells us all about what it takes to run a small business and be an oyster farmer while holding on to traditions and fostering a small community.

Jason Dunion, Meteorologist at University of Miami/Science Director at NOAA Hurricane Field Program joins me for episode 31 of OCCUPATIONS. He tells us of his multiple missions flying into hurricanes (yes, you read that correctly). He also tells us of his love of meteorology and his path to become part of NOAA and gives advice to those who might want to become part of the science of weather.

Briana Azier, Owner/Head Treat Maker for Bri’s Sweet Treats joins me for episode 30 of OCCUPATIONS. She tells us about how she left Corporate America and started her own candy company out of her kitchen. She tells us about lessons learned along the way as well as advice for those who might want to follow her lead.

Cliff Goodwin, Music Director and Guitarist for Joe Cocker and others joins me for episode 29 of OCCUPATIONS. He tells us about how he started in music and how he has maintained his career to continue to this day. And does he have stories? Yes, yes he does.

Head of Design Governance at LEGO, Tara Wike studied ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, and MATHEMATICS to build her skills for her eventual career. She joins me from Denmark as we talk about her job working for LEGO and her path to her career. Of course she has good advice for those who are making their way toward their career goals too.

Jason McNamara joins me to talk about his lifelong career in PUBLIC SERVICE/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT for the US Federal Government. He tells us about his experiences, both good and bad, through some of the nations biggest emergencies from the 1990’s-2025. He tells us his path to his career and has some advice to those interested in serving in public service.

Senior Director of Suicide Grief Support Services at Samaritans in the SOCIAL WORK field, Sissi O’Shaughenessy joins me to talk about her career path and events that led her to work for the Samaritans. Sissi tells us about, as a child, her earliest thoughts about helping people. She also elaborates on the jobs that she had outside of social work that gave her tools that she uses in her work now.

Co-Founder/Growth and Expanding Strategist for The Playmaker Project in the EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT field, Ant Toombs joins me to talk about his job as a Playmaker. Ant educates us with what is most important in a child’s development, especially for children who have experienced tragedy in their lives. He also tells us about the path he took to arrive to where he is and how much he loves what he does.

Chief Development Officer in the ENGINEERING industry, Marc Gagnon joins me to talk about his job materials developing plastics, what his job entails, what his educational and occupational path was, and what advise he has for those who are interested in both plastics engineering and engineering in general..

Handbag Designer in the FASHION/ART industry, Bryant Phelan joins me to talk about his fantastic leather handbags, what it takes to make them, what his learning process was, how his success was achieved, his mindset on art, and what advise he has for those who are interested in both working with leather and accessories.

Product Development Specialist in the FASHION industry, Jen Jagolinzer joins us to talk about her current job as well as other jobs that she has held in the Product Development department at several companies. Her job involves helping in many ways to get garments produced.. In this, the 21st episode, she tells us about her job, what her path to her career was and gives some advice to those interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry.

Documentary Production Animator in the MEDIA Industry, Alisa Frutman is our guest in the 20th Episode. Her job involves re-creating historic documents, maps and more, then animating them along with text for documentaries. Alisa tells us about her job, what her path to her career was and gives some advice to those interested in pursuing a career in graphic design and/or animation and production.

Principle Engineer for Off-Shore Wind in the ENGINEERING/SUSTAINABLE ENERGY industry, Ruth Heffernan-Marsh joins us for the 19th episode. Her job working with off-shore turbines in the renewable energy field is completely fascinating. Ruth tells us about her path to her career through personal inspirations, through MIT, Stanford, NASA, Google and more.

Graphic Novel Writer in the COMMUNICATIONS/JOURNALISM industry, Bob Salley has produced several series. He started by producing his first graphic novel on his own, learning the ways of the business, eventually teaming with a publisher. Listen to Episode 18 to learn more about Bob’s journey.

Senior Restructuring Manager in the ACCOUNTING/BUSINESS fields, Mike Nowlan attempts to save failing businesses. Join Mike and I in episode 16, as we explore what it takes to attempt to salvage what it left of a business in trouble.

Preservation Architect in the ARCHETECTURE?ENGINEERING field, Cory Trembath-Rouillard works at Henson Architecture in New York City. In this 15th episode Cory will tell us about her job preserving history and making old buildings comfortable and safe to live/work in.

Clinical Psychologist in Sex Therapy in the MEDICINE industry, Stan Ducharme tells us what the field is all about, how he got his education, and offers some advice for those who want to join this occupation.

Professional Musician in the MUSIC field, Ryan Montbleau is a singer/songwriter. His style is lyric-based with cleaver turns and twists and his live performances are a joy and full of energy. In this, the 13th episode, he tells us where he began, how he works tirelessly to hone his craft, and offers some advice for those who want to become a musician.

“Professional” Volunteer, Ken Krilla is an inspiration. He volunteers to help .charities, causes, and people (especially children) as if it was his job. He is constantly signing up to help wherever he can. In this episode he tells us his history with giving and how we might help too.

“Professional” Volunteer, Ken Krilla is an inspiration. He volunteers to help .charities, causes, and people (especially children) as if it was his job. He is constantly signing up to help wherever he can. In this episode he tells us his history with giving and how we might help too.

Custom Jeweler in the FASHION industry, Nathalie Martin-Schettini’s company, Martin-Schettini, which she owns with her husband Gabriel is a success. She tells us about the education she got to get to where she is now, as well as what it takes to be a jeweler.

Clinical Psychologist specializing in OCD in the MEDICAL field, Jen Ragon works for Massachusetts General Hospital and she has a private practice as well.  We talk about Jen’s job, what OCD is, it’s symptoms and how Jen and her associates treat it.

Muralist in the ART field, Alex Cook paints all over the world.  In this the 8th episode, we talk about the struggles that he overcame in order to successfully turn his art into a profession and lots more.

Social Services Advocate for the Committee for Public Councel Services in the SOCIOLOGY/CRIMINAL LAW field, Sarah Laughlin talks to us in this 7th episode. She tells us what it’s like to fight for the rights of convicted criminals and suspected criminals and how she made her path to her career.

Intelligence Analyst for the U.S. Navy and Professor of Psychology at American University, Craig Gruber tells us all about how Intelligence is handled and how he made a path to his career.

Professor and Director, Opioid Policy Research Collaborative and Department Director Cobre on Opioids and Overdose at Rhode Island Hospital, Traci Green studied SCIENCE/PUBLIC POLICY. She tells us her own journey, what it takes to do her jobs and what advice she has for those who are interested in her field.

Owner of Encompass Fitness, Mike Eisenstadt has been in the PHYSICAL FITNESS field his whole life. In this 4th episode, he tells us how he was able to open his gyms and keep them popular for many years.

Professor of Computer Science/Computing and Data Science at Boston University, Mark Crovella tells us about his ever-changing job and his journey obtaining it.

COMMUNICATIONS/MEDIA is what Jen Carter studied and now she’s morning co-host of 104.5 WXLO’s Jen and Frank Morning Show. In episode 2, Jen tells us all about her journey to the world of radio as well as what she suggests to folks who want to do the same.

Steve Heffernan is a veteran Boston Duck Tour driver/narrator. He let’s us know what it’s like doing his very cool job.