Who Moved My Career?!?

Satta Sarmah Hightower quadrupled her salary going freelance. By year seven, she'd crossed seven figures in revenue. By year ten, multi-seven figures. She didn't plan any of it. Two layoffs ended her journalism career during the Great Recession. A cross-country move bought her time. One former colleague hired her for a contract role — and she never went back.Satta is a B2B tech content marketer, 12-year full-time freelancer, and author of The Forever Freelancer, out in June. In this conversation, we get into the myths — no, it's not just for creatives; no, it's not financially reckless — and the mechanics of finding clients without Fiverr. We also talk about the mindset shift that separates the people who make it from the ones who quit: stop thinking like an employee.We get into AI as leverage, caregiving, the broken corporate promise, and why if no one is saying no to your proposals, you're undercharging.For senior executives navigating career transition, Satta makes the financial case for self-employment in concrete terms. Whether you're exploring fractional work, a portfolio career, or a full break from corporate, this episode is a masterclass in career reinvention on your own terms.Follow Who Moved My Career?! on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — and leave a review if this one made you rethink your options.

He has one question tattooed on his arm: When was the last time you did something for the first time? For Gabriel DeSanti, that's not inspiration — it's infrastructure. He's a full-time content creator and co-founder of Staj who has gone to work across nearly 200 industries, filming two-minute windows into what jobs actually feel like from the inside.Most of our guests figured out their path after a disruption. Gabriel is building the thing that might have prevented the disruption entirely. He went to a trade school that spent a full year letting students try everything before committing to anything. He never got over how rare that was.In this episode, we get into why he walked away from a clear engineering path at 19 because one boss change showed him how fragile job satisfaction is, what nearly 200 jobs have actually taught him about what makes work meaningful, and why the first rung on the career ladder being broken might be the best argument for what he's building with Staj.Every executive we've talked to has a version of the same regret: I wish I'd known sooner. This episode is for that.Follow Who Moved My Career?! on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. And if this one landed, leave a review.

A "Mack Truck Moment" is the thing that hits you out of nowhere and takes the plan completely off the rails: Job loss. A diagnosis. A market that shifts under your feet. Omar Garriott coined this term and...yeah. Haven't we all been there. Omar has spent 25 years building a career around one filter: impact. Through Apple, Salesforce, LinkedIn, and Qualtrics, when his Mack Truck came, that filter is what held. His point of view on the power of non profits and their essential place in this world will make you rethink the order of the world. Omar is now Executive Director of the Batten Institute at UVA Darden, and in this conversation we get into what to do when the Truck comes for you. We also debate LinkedIn. He wrote the book on it. I still call it the digital sewer, but will admit he makes some valid points!
For senior executives navigating your career, the question isn't whether disruption is coming, it's whether your network and sense of mission are strong enough to hold when it does. This episode covers executive career resilience, mission-driven leadership, and how to really use LinkedIn properly. Follow Who Moved My Career?! on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — and leave a review if this one made you think.

Chuck Hutchinson grew up on a farm in Malvern, Ohio. Baseball was the plan — left-handed pitcher, natural curve — until a fractured elbow at 14 forced a pivot to football. He got knocked around as a freshman. He grew. Woody Hayes showed up at his parents' house, spent three hours with them and five minutes with Chuck, and handed him the 21st — and last — scholarship in the 1966 class.He became an Ohio State Buckeye (and beat TUN). He played (and started) for two teams in the NFL. Then he wrote a book called Getting My Hands Dirty — part memoir, part reinvention handbook.In this episode, Chuck and Nicole dig into what his story teaches about building a career in the dark — when the original plan is gone, when the path wasn't yours to choose, and when the only real option is to focus on what's in front of you and do the best you can with what you can control. He's been running that play since he was a kid. It still works!

Astrid Weisseise spent 35 years building a corporate career that looked exactly like success was supposed to look. Titles. Responsibility. A workload that followed her on every vacation she tried to take. Then she did something most executives only think about: she cashed in two years of banked overtime, booked a one-way ticket, and spent months traveling through the U.S., Hawaii, Bali, and South Africa figuring out who she actually was outside of a job title.What she came home with wasn't a retirement plan. It was a blueprint.Today Astrid runs The Corporate Escapee — a platform and Solopreneur Playbook helping professionals turn their corporate experience into something they actually own. She coaches. She creates. She's built a significant following on TikTok and Instagram. And she's constructed a genuine portfolio career: multiple income streams, full ownership, none of it dependent on any single employer's org chart.Call it a lot of things but do not call her an influencer!In this conversation, Astrid and Nicole dig into what the leap actually looks like from the inside, and what it really means to build a career on your own terms — not as a concept, but as a functioning business.

Traci DiMartini has seen it all. As a senior HR executive across multiple federal agencies, including a tenure leading human resources at the IRS. She spent decades making sure employees were treated with dignity during the hardest moments of their careers. She was the person in the room. The one who knew how it was supposed to go.Then the rules changed. And she found herself on the other side of the table.Here's the thing about Traci: she also survived a literal explosion in her apartment. And somewhere in the wreckage, she found something a lot of executives spend years chasing: perspective on what actually matters when everything gets stripped away.In this episode, Traci and Nicole get into what federal service really looks like from the inside, what job loss does to identity, and why the people dedicated to serving 330 million Americans deserve a hell of a lot more credit than they get. Traci is funny, direct, and completely unbothered by saying the quiet part out loud.She went through the fire. Her light's still on.

Bill Fitzgerald, CEO of FitzDrake Search, returns for round two. In this episode, Nicole and Bill get into the realities of the 2026 job market — still brutal for the long-term unemployed — and why most executives are misreading how recruiters actually work. They cover AI's real (and limited) role in job searching, what your resume is failing to communicate, the mechanics of meaningful networking versus transactional networking, and why career pivots are harder than anyone admits. Bill also shares one deceptively simple tip that most senior candidates overlook entirely. If you're in transition — or plan to be — this is the intel you need before you make your next move.

Jim Chilton didn’t start his career in technology.He started at Mr. Donut.In this episode of Who Moved My Career?, Jim shares how discipline, grit, and a healthy chip on your shoulder can shape a career far beyond where you begin.From early lessons in work ethic to executive leadership in technology and education at Cengage, Jim walks through the pivots that defined his professional growth — and the mentors who helped him along the way.We discuss:• Career development and mentorship• Navigating imposter syndrome • Why understanding both technology and business matters• Using Ikigai to align career ambition with personal purpose• Why “your career is your responsibility”This conversation is for anyone navigating a career pivot, feeling stuck in their current role, or trying to design a career plan that prepares them for opportunities anywhere — not just inside one company.Because sometimes a little paranoia keeps you sharp.And sometimes a chip on your shoulder becomes your edge.🎙️ Topics: career growth, mentorship, cybersecurity training, leadership development, professional pivots, imposter syndrome, Ikigai, education technology, Cengage

What does it really take to build a great services company—and keep its soul as it scales?In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, Nicole sits down with Eric Berridge, longtime tech operator, former Oracle exec, founder of IBM Bluewolf, and CEO of Coastal—heading up some of the most meaningful consulting companies in the cloud. Eric traces his journey from Oracle to founding Bluewolf, becoming Salesforce’s first consulting partner, and ultimately leading Coastal through growth, change, and its recent acquisition by Tata Consulting Services.Along the way, Nicole and Eric unpack what most leaders don’t talk about:Why the real IP in a services company is how your people show up every dayWhat it’s like to be a CEO without founder credibility—and how to build belief anywayWhy “growth and comfort cannot coexist”Why the truth is always with the customer (even when it’s uncomfortable)And why human creativity—and the humanities—still matter deeply in a tech-driven worldThis is a conversation about leadership without polish, building belief systems instead of org charts, and why so much magic still happens when people are in the room together.

“Leave when they want you to stay.”That’s a lesson most leaders learn quietly—if at all.In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, Nicole McNamara sits down with Brian Gallagher, former CEO of United Way Worldwide, for a rare, deeply personal conversation about a career he doesn’t often unpack publicly.Over more than three decades at United Way, Brian helped reshape the organization’s mission, brand, and global impact. Here, he shares the inside story—what it’s like to stay in one role for a long time, how leadership slowly changes you, and the moment he knew it was time to leave, even when others wanted him to stay.Brian opens up about imposter syndrome, early life experiences that shaped his leadership, and why building a portfolio career after United Way—now at Leargas Group—brought clarity, purpose, and renewed fulfillment.This episode is for leaders, nonprofit professionals, and high performers navigating career pivots, wrestling with identity beyond a title, or wondering what legacy really means when the work evolves.🎧 Listen for an honest look behind a remarkable career—and the courage it takes to turn the page.

Scott Barghaan walked away from a big job at a big company — not because something went wrong, but because he wanted something more intentionally designed.In this episode, Scott shares how he’s built a portfolio career around his curiosities: advising, mentoring and teaching. Scott mentions no fewer than 15 people who shaped his path along the way. Managers. Mentors. Sponsors. Friends. People who opened doors and people he showed up for.He’s also clear about what grounds all of it: family and health come first, and career decisions only make sense when they support both.This conversation isn’t about hustle or chasing titles.It’s about designing a career that reflects what actually energizes you — and recognizing that none of us do this alone.

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Mallory Byers, who went from crushing it at Salesforce to experiencing an unexpected layoff that changed everything. But this isn't just another career pivot story—it's about what happens when you're forced to confront the question: Who am I without my job title?Mallory opens up about her journey from high-performing executive to career coach, revealing the inner work that transformed not just her career, but her entire life. We dive deep into:✨ Why self-trust is the foundation of any meaningful career change✨ How to recognize (and disrupt) the patterns keeping you stuck✨ What it really means to embrace uncertainty as a superpower✨ The ripple effect of doing inner work on your relationships and well-being✨ Practical strategies for owning your value in job searches and negotiationsIf you're a high performer who's ever felt lost, stuck in a pattern, or afraid to make a change—this episode is for you. Mallory's insights on becoming the CEO of your own career will challenge you to ask: What would I do if I wasn't afraid?

High performers aren’t supposed to feel lost — until they do.In this episode, host Nicole McNamara sits down with Adunola Adeshola, career strategist and Forbes Contributor, to talk about what happens when success stops feeling satisfying.They unpack the idea of being “uncomfortably happy” — that uneasy space between achievement and purpose — and explore how asking for help, redefining your identity, and owning your story can change everything.Adunola shares hard truths about the current job market, why top performers struggle in career transitions, and how to build a life that feels as good as it looks on paper.

When Emmy Award–winning ABC anchor Larry Miller sits down, you expect headlines.What you don’t expect are French horns, male danseurs, and a conversation that stretches from childhood obsessions to purpose, pivots, and what it means to be one of the few Black journalists on TV in Oregon.Larry’s interviewed me plenty, but this time, he’s on the other side of the mic.We talk about his mom, his music, his mistakes, and the moments that told him he was exactly where he was supposed to be.It’s funny, reflective, and full of heart — a reminder that our paths make sense only when we look back.🎧 Who Moved My Career with Larry Miller — listen now.

A layoff isn’t just a career setback, it’s an emotional reset. In this episode, Nicole McNamara talks with Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey, about what really happens after the email hits: the grief, the loss of identity, and the surprising moments of humor that help you heal. They unpack how to process the emotions first, rebuild your confidence, and move from victim to architect of your next chapter.

In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, Nicole sits down with her longtime friend and serial entrepreneur Neil Sands — founder of Lost Irish Whiskey, Clir Water, and a few other ventures that prove bold ideas (and good stories) never go out of style.They met in grad school in Dublin, crossed paths again at Salesforce (Neil hired Nicole!), and now reunite to talk about what it really takes to build something from scratch — the conviction, the chaos, and the quiet confidence behind every entrepreneurial leap.It’s part storytelling, part therapy, and part Irish toast to those willing to bet on themselves again and again.BTW - get some Lost Irish at https://lostirish.com/

From poker player to product builder to founder of FractionalJobs.io, Taylor Crane has bet big on the future of work — and it’s not full-time.In this episode, Nicole McNamara and Sam Tortora sit down with Taylor to unpack what fractional work really means, why startups are embracing it, and how professionals can build thriving portfolio careers on their own terms.They dig into the flexibility, freedom, and real-world challenges behind the movement — from retainer-based pay to health insurance gaps — and why, as Taylor puts it, “fractional isn’t easier, it’s just smarter.”If you’ve ever wondered how to break into fractional work or hire top talent without full-time overhead, this conversation is your playbook for the new labor economy.🎧 Topics include:The difference between fractional and freelanceThe demand for expert-level, part-time rolesHow long fractional engagements really last and how to get startedThe mission behind FractionalJobs.io

In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, hosts Nicole McNamara and Sam Tortora sit down with Gavin McMahon — engineer turned storyteller and author of Story Business — to prove that storytelling isn’t fluff; it’s a power move.From boardrooms to job interviews, Gavin shows how the right narrative can do what data can’t: shift perception, build trust, and even move markets. He breaks down the story beneath the story, why authenticity beats “LinkedIn polish,” and introduces story stocks — the tales investors buy into long before they buy equity.If your career path looks more like a plot twist than a straight line, this one will help you turn your messy middle into your market advantage.

A year ago, we first met Sam Tortora in Episode 2. Today, she’s back — not just as a guest, but as our new co-host.This conversation sets the tone for the next chapter of Who Moved My Career?!: LinkedIn vs. Reality. Think of it like sitting down with your coworkers after hours, when the polished profiles and “I’m thrilled to announce” posts finally drop away.Together, we unpack the tension between how we present ourselves professionally and what actually happens inside workplaces. Why it’s so hard to have the uncomfortable conversations. Why we avoid them. And why we need them more than ever.Because at its core, this podcast is about creating a safe space to talk about the stuff we don’t usually say out loud at work — the messy, honest, human side of our careers.Takeaways:LinkedIn is the highlight reel; this podcast is the blooper reel.We aim to create space for the conversations you wish you could have with coworkers.Workplace dynamics don’t get better by avoiding them — they get better by naming them.Expect relatability, honesty, and a little cheek.

This season on Who Moved My Career, we’re exploring the rise of fractional leadership—why more professionals are walking away from the “one job for life” model and building portfolio careers instead.What happens when the career ladder breaks under you—not once, but four times?That’s the reality Erika Weiss faced. After years of building iconic brands, she found herself navigating layoff after layoff, each one harder than the last. But instead of giving up, Erika learned to see disruption differently. In this conversation, she shares how she rebuilt her confidence, reframed networking, and ultimately stepped into a portfolio career she never saw coming. If you’ve ever felt like your career story got ripped out of your hands, Erika’s journey will remind you: reinvention is possible!

Madeline Fetterly has been helping executives own their power and tell their stories long before LinkedIn became the noisy place it is today. As founder of Be The Brand Collective, she’s guided countless leaders to step into their narrative with confidence and clarity.In this episode, Madeline shares why personal branding isn’t about self-promotion – it’s about owning your story, your voice, and your professional power, especially in times of change. We talk doom-scrolling, imposter syndrome, and the simple mindset shift that makes LinkedIn your digital handshake instead of your digital sewer.If you’re navigating a pivot, building resilience, or just trying to talk about yourself without cringing, this conversation is for you.

When Rebecca and Drew—two federal employees—were abruptly fired during their probationary periods, they didn’t just navigate the job loss. They built WellFed: a community-first platform helping fired or tired federal workers find their footing.In this episode of Who Moved My Career, host Nicole McNamara dives into their raw, powerful story—from the emotional fallout of unexpected termination to launching a movement that’s now helping thousands.💬 Topics include:Emotional resilience in career transitionsCreating a safe space for laid-off workersNetworking and professional development in the federal sectorThe future of work, public service, and mutual aidHow to support WellFed’s missionThis is not just a podcast—it’s a blueprint for rebuilding after rupture.

n this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole McNamara and Stephanie Wicky get real about the messy middle—that uncertain, uncomfortable space between what was and what’s next.Stephanie opens up about a pivotal chapter in her late twenties when a career crisis collided with a breakup, sending her halfway around the world to Australia. Over a glass of metaphorical wine (and maybe a real one), she reflects on what it means to lose your footing, reframe your story, and build something better from the rubble.This conversation is about more than careers—it’s about identity, motherhood, anxiety, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to start over. From relocating across continents to finding her voice in a new industry and city, Stephanie shares what it’s like to chase balance, belonging, and a life that actually fits.Whether you’re in the middle of a reinvention—or just feeling a little untethered—this episode is for you.

In this Power Move episode, former EY partner and The Career Leap creator Misha Rubin shares the quiet moment that changed everything — and how he helps others design lives they don’t regret.We talk about:Why success on paper can still feel emptyThe 3 biggest mistakes people make when asking “What’s next?”How to connect with your future self for better decision-makingWhat it means to live a life by design, not defaultWhether you’re in crisis or just quietly questioning, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about your next move.

In this episode of Who Moved My Career, Arun and Nicole sit down with Samina Bari—biopharma executive, memoirist, and trailblazer—for a raw, resonant conversation about identity, resilience, and redefining what comes next. Samina shares how cultural expectations, pivotal mentors, and deeply personal experiences shaped both her career and her sense of self. Together, they unpack what it means to lead through heartbreak, show up for other women, and find power in your own narrative. Rooted in the wisdom of her memoir, I Can, I Will, and I Did, Samina’s story is a masterclass in grit, grace, and what it takes to rebuild when life throws the unthinkable.

In this episode of 'Who Moved My Career', Nicole and Arun engage with Kelly Lewis, founder of the Lewis Leadership Group, to explore the complexities of career transitions, the concept of polarities, and the importance of navigating uncertainty. Kelly shares her personal journey from a problem-solving leader to one who inspires answers, emphasizing the need for curiosity in leadership. The conversation delves into the role of grief in transitions, the significance of processing emotions, and how to redefine competence in new contexts. Listeners are encouraged to embrace the dualities of life and leadership, finding purpose and gratitude amidst change.

Ryan Curtis was building a career as a professional MMA fighter. Then a catastrophic spinal injury took it — and nearly everything else — away in an instant.This episode isn't about sports. It's about what happens to your identity when the thing you've built your entire life around disappears without warning. Ryan talks about the mental war behind the physical recovery, the visualization and discipline that kept him moving when movement itself was uncertain, and why he now feels called to show up for others fighting battles nobody can see.Every executive who's ever had the rug pulled out will recognize something in this conversation.

At some point, the ground shifts. The job changes. The title disappears. The plan goes sideways.What you need in that moment isn't a networking event. It's a crew — a small, high-trust group of leaders who've been in the fire and know what it takes to come out the other side.That's The Phoenix Club. Nicole and Arun pull back the curtain on why Nicole built it, how it works, and why the people inside it keep showing up for each other long after the crisis has passed.If you don't have a Phoenix Club yet, this episode will make you want to start one.

Ousman Jobe went from The Gambia to the upper levels of the tech industry. That journey didn't happen alone — and he's unusually clear-eyed about exactly who showed up for him and why it mattered.In this episode, Ousman joins Nicole and Arun to talk about what real community looks like during a career transition — not the performative kind, but the kind where someone actually picks up the phone. He shares what The Phoenix Club became for him, why mentorship is meaningless without real relationship, and what it looks like to be the person who shows up for someone else when the ground is shifting.No one reinvents alone. This episode is proof.

The rules that got you to the top won't get you to what's next. Rory Verrett has spent his career inside executive search — and he's done pretending otherwise.In this episode, the founder of Protégé Search sits down with Nicole to talk about what's actually happening in the executive talent market right now, why most senior leaders are navigating it completely wrong, and what a smarter approach looks like. He covers the ego traps, the economic cycles, and the hard truth about what recruiters can and cannot do for you.This is the conversation your career coach won't have with you. Rory will.

Matt Seiler ran major media companies. He's also thought harder than most about what it actually takes to navigate a career transition with intention — and his answer isn't a better resume or a bigger network.It's agency.In this episode, Matt makes the case that every executive needs someone in their corner who sees their value clearly, sharpens their story, and helps them move with purpose. Sometimes that's another person. Always, it starts with yourself.This is a conversation about clarity over connections, leading yourself through uncertainty, and why the most powerful career move you can make right now has nothing to do with AI.

Bill Fitzgerald has sat across the table from thousands of candidates. He knows what gets a resume tossed in ten seconds. He knows why most networking doesn't work. And he's unusually willing to say it out loud.In his first appearance on Who Moved My Career?!, the CEO of FitzDrake Search gets into the mechanics of a job search most people are doing wrong — the resume mistakes, the LinkedIn blind spots, and the mental toll nobody talks about until it's already crushing them.No filters. No recruiter spin. Just the intel most candidates never get.

In this Power Move episode of Who Moved My Career?, Arun and Nicole break down key insights from the newly released World Happiness Report—and what it means for your career - in just 10 minutes! With happiness declining in the U.S. and loneliness reaching epidemic levels, especially among young adults, these trends are reshaping the job market and how we work.They explore:💡 The link between happiness, career success, and job searching🤝 Why social connections are the competitive advantage in today’s workforce🔄 How to reframe perspective and combat career isolation🎯 Actionable strategies to build resilience and stay motivatedIf you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or just need a boost—this one’s for you. Tune in for a quick hit of insight and strategy to take control of your career (and your happiness).#worldhappinessreport #jobsatisfaction #layoffs #DOGE #jobsearch #socialconnection #lonliness

Job hunting can be brutal—lonely, confusing, and full of rejection. But what if you didn’t have to go it alone? In this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole and Arun sit down with Phyl Terry, author of Never Search Alone, to unpack a radically different approach to job searching.Phyl shares why the traditional solo job hunt is broken and how forming a ‘search party’—a structured support group—can transform the experience. They break down key strategies like the Manookin Two-Pager, personal OKRs, and the Job Search Council, designed to give job seekers a real edge. Plus, Phyl doesn’t hold back on the ethical pitfalls of job interviews, why you should be vetting companies as much as they vet you, and why candidates should be compensated when providing strategic insights.In a world where AI is reshaping the job market, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating a career transition. Don’t search alone—listen in and learn how to build your own winning team.

Sometimes, career moves happen to you. Sometimes, you make the move happen.In this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole and Arun sit down with Sam Tortora to talk about what it really takes to reinvent yourself.Sam shares her journey from BlackRock to personal reinvention, opening up about the challenges of career transitions, overcoming self-doubt, and navigating health struggles. They dive into how to reframe obstacles into opportunities, shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, and build the right support system along the way.This episode is all about owning your story, making intentional career moves, and finding the confidence to embrace what’s next. If you're facing a career pivot (or thinking about one), you won’t want to miss this conversation.💬 What’s the biggest mindset shift that’s helped you in your career? Drop it in the comments!#WhoMovedMyCareer #CareerReinvention #MindsetShift #CareerPivot #Leadership #PersonalGrowth

When we started this podcast, we thought we’d be talking mostly about tech executives navigating career pivots. But then layoffs started hitting everywhere—not just in tech, but across industries, and even in the government. Suddenly, this isn’t just a niche conversation—it’s the most timely career topic of all time.In this first episode of Who Moved My Career, Arun and Nicole dive into the emotional rollercoaster of layoffs, the identity struggles that come with it, and what actually helps you move forward. They share their own stories of career disruption, the unexpected gut-punch moments, and the harsh realities of job searching in a shifting market.But this isn’t just about surviving—it’s about who shows up for you, how you reframe the narrative, and why networking beyond LinkedIn is more critical than ever.If you've ever faced a career curveball—or want to be the person who helps someone through theirs—this one’s for you.💬 What was the best (or worst) career advice you got after a layoff? Drop it in the comments!#WhoMovedMyCareer #LayoffsHappen #CareerTransitions #Networking #Layoffs #Resilience #PhoenixClub

In this episode of Who Moved My Career, Arun and Nicole get real about job searching—the highs, the lows, and the gut-punch moments of rejection.Nicole opens up about her own experiences with rejection, sharing how she’s learned to embrace resilience, vulnerability, and the power of community when things don’t go as planned. They dive into why rejection stings, how to reframe it, and why building strong connections and mentorship networks can make all the difference.If you've ever faced a career setback (or are in one right now), this episode is for you. Because rejection isn’t the end of the road—it’s just part of the journey.💬 Have a rejection story that shaped your career? Drop it in the comments!#WhoMovedMyCareer #RejectionInRealTime #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #Resilience #Mentorship