Career Blast in a Half

Welcome To The End Of Career Victimization I Loren Greiff & TJ Bennett

If you’re seeking job security, it’s gone. Long gone.  
That means that you're in charge. 
Your career is YOUR business. 
No business can survive with outdated systems, an ill informed team or strategy that doesn’t meet today’s demands. 
Same for you. 
This week I share some of my interview with TJ Bennett, host of The DesuckifyWork® Podcast. 
We talk about my mission to end career victimization and how you can free yourself from it with: 
Examples of sticky story telling. 
The truth behind the ATS
Why being qualified doesn’t make you hireable
How to replace job security with career adaptability
And what it means to stay relevant in your career
 
Because here's the thing: You're going to live longer than you think. 
The question isn't whether you'll find another job. 
The question is: What are you going to do with the next 10, 15, 20 years of your life?
 
Follow me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/
Interested in my coaching programs: portfoliorocket.com
 
Follow TJ Bennett here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teejaybee/
Check out his website: thepuddingfactory.net
And his substack: tjbennett.substack.com

Piplashed? The Secrets Behind Performance Plans I Dan Goodman

Over the past five years there has been a significant increase in corporate issuing performance incentive plans (up 20+)
 
But are Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) there to help you improve or are they 
insidious tactics used by employers to manage you out of your position? 
 
How has their original intent changed over time? 
What are the subtle signs that yours may be coming? 
Who should you go to? 
What should you do about it before it’s too late? 
What does “at will” really mean? 
How do you take care of your mental well being when you’re in the midst of it and after? 
 
Our guest this week is  Employee Advocate Consultant, Dan Goodman. 
He saw through the PIP myth 30 years ago and noticed something that most people overlook: 
The gap between what employers promise and what they deliver isn't just unfair - it's wrong.
 
Here's the thing: 
Most employees don't need a lawyer. They need a guide.
Someone who can shine a light on the dark corners where "performance improvement plans" mask their real intent, where "you must sign this today" creates artificial urgency.
 
He decodes corporate doublespeak into what you need to hear.
 
Follow Dan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-goodman2001/
Schedule a call with Dan here: https://www.dangoodmanea.com/
Connect with me, Loren
Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/
Email: Loren@portfoliorocket.com
 
Join our 30-day Blast Program: https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/blast-february-2025

How Making 10K Friends Turned Into A Real Job I Rob Lawless

What if your day job was to talk to 4 people a day for an hour each? 
What if the goal was simply to build human connection? 
What if there was no agenda during these conversations?
No set questions or criteria to be someone’s friend? 
 
This week we take a peek into non linear careers. 
 
You’ve probably experienced this yourself. 
Even asking  “How did I get here?”
 
Our guest this week is Rob Lawless. 
After graduating suma cum laude in finance and landing at Deloitte and a “Millennial move," with a pay cut a $24 million venture-funded startup he stopped coloring in the lines and launched his project 10KFriends. 
 
To date, Rob has had over 6,500 conversations with people across 90 countries
gaining media attention, on "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," the "TODAY Show with Hoda and Jenna," and the Kelly Clarkson Show. 
 
Today he’s turned his project into a thriving keynote speaking career. 
 
Discover how to: 
 
Embrace calculated risks while pursuing your next role. 
Overcome the mental hurdles holding your back
Harness the unexpected 
How to stay true to your vision when others don’t “get it”
 
Follow Rob on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-lawless-robs10kfriends/Follow Rob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robs10kfriends/
Connect with me, Loren
Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/
Email: Loren@portfoliorocket.com
 
Join our 30-day Blast Program: 30-Day Blast

Get Hired in 2025 I Andrew Seaman

Work doesn’t have to make you miserable
Neither does your job search. 
 
The trick – knowing how to adapt. 
 
“Things are changing much faster in labor market than 15 years ago” says our guest this week 
Andrew Seaman Host of Get Hired and Editor-At-Large for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News. 
 
Today Andrew is in the interviewee seat.  
He breaks down the nuances of balancing “intelligent risk” in this job market and the need to blend being open to change with being deliberate and patient. (not easy)
 
Andrew also lets us in on pieces of his story and candid takes on: 
 
His relationship with work and boundaries
The intersection of resumes and LinkedIn
The rush of automation (AI) and his concerns on the impact on hiring
How the pandemic changed the game for older workers
Upskilling, reskilling and staying educated about the marketplace
 
Follow Andrew Seaman
Listen to the Get Hired Podcast
Subscribe to the Get Hired Newsletter

The Consumption of You, It's Sucking Out Your Success I James A. Felts

It’s not about you
It’s never has been  
It never will be. 
 
Thinking otherwise. 
That’s what’s sucking the life out of your success. 
 
Your job search too. 
 
You need a job > they need a solution
You want a referral > why should they put their reputation on the line? 
You want more money > they want to know what’s that worth to them?
 
Most get this wrong. 
 
You’re driving, but it’s not for you. 
It’s for them. 
 
How could this be how it is? 
 
Our guest, this week is James A. Felts
A man on a selfless mission to help leaders grow their command presence.
He breaks down where belonging comes from? 
The hard hit ego takes on leaders and leading teams. 
The power of the BE, KNOW DO framework 
Why the discipline of knowing it’s not about you is key to your success. 
 
The Bottom Line
The Consumption of You, It's Sucking Out Your Success 
 
Follow James A. Felts 
 
Follow me, Loren Greiff on LinkedIn
 
Every 40+ executive I work with has a moment when they realize: 
Their richest opportunities still lie ahead.
 
I help experienced leaders turn decades of insight 
into their next powerful chapter.
Let's shape what comes next.
 

2025 I What Will Stay The Same & What Will Change I Loren Greiff

As a kid New Year’s Eve guaranteed staying up past midnight
As a 60 year old woman I guarantee I’ll be in bed before 10PM
 
Some things stay the same
Others don’t.
 
This week I’m flying solo to cover both. 
 
What Will Stay The Same
Human Nature: Opportunity attracts the bold, before it attracts the crowd.
Risk is what you don’t see (or hear): Preparation beats prediction.
Overnight tragedies and long-term miracles:  Smart career decisions look boring in real time.
The best story wins: Numbers inform, stories transform. Know which to use when.
 It’s supposed to be hard: Success demands its price upfront.
 
What Will Change?
 
2025 is a HUGE year, not because it’s a new year: 
AI adoption to full adaption: 2024’s No.1 interview question “Tell me how you use AI in your job”
5 C’s of the relationship economy: Humanity Superpowers with skills AI will never replace
Upskilling and reskilling: The difference between Netflix and Blockbuster
Employee Value Proposition (EVP): From static posters to dynamic systems.
Hybrid + Multi Gen. Leadership: Make your presence felt by pixel and in person to work together across 5 generations
 
The Bottom Line
Preparation beats prediction.
 
Follow me, Loren Greiff on LinkedIn
 
Every 40+ executive I work with has a moment when they realize: 
Their richest opportunities still lie ahead.
 
I help experienced leaders turn decades of insight 
into their next powerful chapter.
Let's shape what comes next.

Loud Career Truths About Introverts I Lissa Appiah

The greatest lie in business? 
That success belongs to the loudest voice in the room.
 
But what about Warren Buffett? Bill Gates and this week’s guest, Linkedin Top Voice
Lissa Appiah? 
 
Lissa started making her mark when she discovered being quiet didn’t mean staying quiet. 
That’s how she helps her clients leverage their truth to meet impact in today’s workforce
 
Find out why rewiring the rules matters now more than ever.
 
The Wake-Up Call
The Big Lie: You've been told to "speak up more" your entire career. 
What if that advice is completely wrong?
The Power Play: Why introverts are secretly running some of the most influential companies - and how they do it without pretending to be extroverts
The Cultural Blind Spot: Your cultural background shapes your introversion.
 Most career advice completely misses this. Here's what you need to know.
The Visibility Secret: How to get noticed without burning out (including the unexpected power of what you wear)
The Network Flip: Stop working the room. Make the room work for you.
The Leadership Edge: Why the future belongs to leaders who listen first - and how to position yourself as one
 
 
The Bottom Line
You don't need to shout to make an impact. You need to be strategic.
 
The Expert
Follow Lissa Appiah Certified Career Strategist guiding quiet leaders on how to win at work with a strong personal brand. 
 
Check out her: Introvert At Work Quiz
 
 
Follow me, Loren Greiff on LinkedIn
 
Every 40+ executive I work with has a moment when they realize: 
Their richest opportunities still lie ahead.
 
I help experienced leaders turn decades of insight 
into their next powerful chapter.
Let's shape what comes next.

It's a Wrap I Highlights From 2024

Looking at my 2024 whiteboard, some of my goals will go unchecked.
 
→ But my clients crushed theirs.
→ Making the big bucks
→ Landing huge 15/10 roles
 
All while overcoming ageism
 
→ Building new networks to last a lifetime
→ Leading companies and changing industries
→ Lifting others up without a second thought.
 
I’ve described it as the year of EVERYTHING. 
 
And you top the list. 
You’ve listened
You’ve shared
You’ve subscribed and written reviews. 
 
THANK YOU! 
I strive to continue to bring you new guests that honor your time
Challenge your mind
And reframe your thinking. 
 
This week we’ll keep it short, with key takes from 13 this year’s most listened to episodes. 
 
Full episodes are here: 
Your First Step On LinkedIn I Jasmin Alic 
Awkward? Good! | Henna Pryor
Time Rich? Energy Poor? | Simon Alexander Ong
How To Become Unignorable I Communicate Like 1% of CEOs I Oliver Aust
How To Be A Likeable Badass And Why It Matters I Alison Fragale
The Universal Ism, Ageism I Dealing With It In Your Career (Pt 1) I Maureen Clough
Copy For C-suiters, Words That Win Jobs I Adam Knorr
Storytelling IS Everything I Michael Margolis
Find Your Unique Voice (Even If You Think You Lost It) I Melissa Cohen & Julie Michelle Morris
What's The Difference Between Culture Fit & Culture Climate? I Dr. Colleen Saringer
You’re A Legend In the Making: Secrets to Executive Transformation I Howie Chan
Soothing Lies: Debunking Self-Care Fairytales I Randi Braun
Mindfulness In Your Career Is BS | Steve Ware
 
Follow me, Loren Greiff on LinkedIn
Book a call with me

Scaling Without Selling Out A $25 Million Story I Sharon Gillenwater

What if Success Didn't Require Selling Out?  
What if the conventional startup playbook is wrong?
 
Sharon Gillenwater sold her tech company in 2022 for $25M. 
 
But that's not the interesting part. 
The interesting part is how she did it. 
 
By ignoring almost everything Silicon Valley says you "must" do to succeed.
 
Whether you're dreaming of starting your own venture, stuck in a soul-crushing corporate job, or simply tired of feeling like success requires compromise, 
Sharon's story offers a powerful alternative. 
She candidly shares how she overcame imposter syndrome, bootstrapped a successful company, and maintained her integrity while building serious wealth.
 
Find out: 
Why Being an Outsider is an Asset? 
When everyone in your industry sees the world the same way, 
What happens when someone like you shows up with fresh eyes? 
 
Sharon did, and she spotted an opportunity hiding in plain sight.
 
How Fear Is  Driving Your Decisions? 
Sharon developed a simple test: "If my bank account had an extra $100K, 
Would I make the same choice?" 
 
What changes when you remove scarcity from your decision-making?
 
What If Your Critics Are Scared For You?Here's the thing about naysayers, especially family: 
Their doubt often comes from love. 
What shifts for you when you see it from that perspective? 
The Point Is:
The market is hungry for people and businesses that make things better.
Not just better products, but better ways of working, better ways of treating people, better ways of measuring success.
 
Sharon's story isn't about being nice or being profitable. 
 
It's about being both. 
And maybe that's the revolution you've been waiting for.
 
Her new book, "Scaling with Soul," isn't just a memoir. 
It's an invitation to rethink what's possible for you in your career.
 
Are you ready to accept?
 
Grab a copy of Sharon’s book: Scaling with a Soul 
Sharon’s  Website
Connect with her on LinkedIn
 
Follow me, Loren Greiff on LinkedIn
Book a call with me

Old Dogs, Better Tricks I Phil VanDusen

You spent 20 years building other people's brands. 
Then that piece of your identity was gone.  
 
Now what?
 
Fact #1:
Your impressive title or years there, was never your brand. 
 
Which then prompts you to ask these questions: 
 
> Why, if I never needed a personal brand before, do I need one now? 
 
> Why do some folks also on the market thrive and land interviews and I hear crickets?
 
> What's the real reason why my impressive network isn’t helping me generate opportunities? 
(Hint: It's not dead, just dormant)
 
> How can I make my age work for me as my competitive advantage? 
 
It’s all right here (and more)
 
Spoiler alert: In today's market, your personal brand is essential, not a fluffy nice to have. 
 
That’s why Former PepsiCo VP of Design and Old Navy creative leader 
Phil VanDusen is our guest. 
 
Today Phil helps industry veterans reinvent their relevance through his community, Bonfire.
Download Philip's Personal Brand Wheel: philipvandusen.com/PBW