Career Blast in a Half

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

What's In A Name? I Everything You're Ignoring Over The Holidays

Your name isn't complicated.
Our laziness is.
 
Reality check:
 
→ 74% of workers struggle with pronunciations
→ 44% face it in interviews
→ 41% endure it in client meetings
 
Let me break this down
 
→ L.O.R.E.N. (Not Lauren, not Laryn)
→ G.R.E.I.F.F. (Gryfe rhymes with life)
→ Michelle? No problem. Funny how that works.
 
Here's what we're really talking about:
 
→ When you mangle someone's name,
→ You're not just fumbling syllables.
→ You're choosing convenience over respect.
 
The fix isn't complicated:
 
→ Ask once
→ Practice twice
→ Get it right
 
The math:
> 10 seconds to learn = years of respect
> 0 seconds to butcher = instant credibility loss
 
Isn't that worth the extra moment?
→ Because in our rush to digitize everything,
→ Speaking someone's name with care might be
→ The most human thing we have left.

Trust or Bust: The Currency of Modern Leadership I Shane Hatton

Trust isn't built overnight. 
It's built one small action at a time. 
But you can't control whether people trust you. 
 
You can only control your actions, your follow-through, 
and your willingness to take responsibility.
 
This week our guest is LinkedIn Top Voice Shane Hatton, 
Best-selling author of two books:
 
> "Lead The Room – Communicate a Message That Counts in Moments That Matter" and 
> "Let's Talk Culture – The Conversations You Need to Create the Team You Want." 
 
And host of the podcast of "Phone Calls With Clever People," exploring leadership topics through conversations with thought leaders.
 
We go deep into trust or bust: 
Find out:
 
How The Trust Bank Works
> Trust operates like a bank account - deposits and withdrawals
> Withdrawals cost more than deposits (about 10x more)
> So do you earn it when only 25% of leaders give trust upfront?
 
What’s In The Trust-Building Toolbox
> What actually builds trust? (It’s Not what you'd expect) 
>It’s more than just leading by example
 
What About Digital Trust? 
> Your trust journey starts long before you meet someone:
> What’s the first layer?  
> The second  and the third? 
 
What  Happens When Trust Breaks? 
> The secret = Context matters.
> This is where it gets juicy!
The Generational Trust Gap
> We all carry an invisible rulebook of expectations:
> The key: Make the unspoken spoken
 
The Bottom Line
> What ISN”T communicated is felt. 
> What's felt is interpreted. 
> What's interpreted is often inaccurate.
 
Follow Shane: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemhatton/
 
Get his books here:
Let’s Talk Culture 
Lead the Room

Uncertainty In Your Career, How Does Faith Work? I Dr. John Page

We’re going there. 
Full on, spiritual
 
WHY? 
Because it’s what most of us in times of uncertainty miss. 
Especially now
Especially in your job search. 
 
Don’t waste the value of uncertainty
Instead listen to this episode as:
 
Dr. John Page unpacks the intersection of faith and career uncertainty. 
 
4 insights you don’t want to miss; 
 
The Certainty Paradox
January won't magically be better than December. 
The only certainty? 
Nothing’s certain. 
 
Your Exit Signal
When your values clash with reality, 
The neon sign doesn't get dimmer. 
It gets louder. Listen.
.
Faith Without Action = Dead: 
Sitting still never created change. 
Take the leap. 
Watch the window of faith open up through action.
 
The Interview Truth: 
Decision-makers can smell belief or lack of it. 
Your faith (or lack of it) speaks before you do.
 
Navigating career transitions in uncertain times. 
This is Raw. Real. Required listening.
 
Dr. John Page is not a therapist or a psychologist.
He’s a Former pastor now helping people like me and you 
figure sh*t out, without the dogma. 
 
Follow him here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-john-page-2b227823b/

How To Be A Likeable Badass And Why It Matters I Alison Fragale

You want more power. 
But, here's what you're missing
 
Power isn’t earned respect 
Power doesn’t mean value either.
This week's conversation with Allison Fragale, best-selling author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get The Success They Deserve, reveals three game-changing insights about power, status, and success.
The Power Trap 
> Power without status is like having keys to a room nobody wants to enter. 
> Think about it,  when did you ever enthusiastically follow someone because of their title? 
> Status comes before power - it's what makes people want to give you opportunities, not out of obligations.
The Status Formula 
Two dimensions determine your status:
Capability: Your proven ability to deliver
Caring: Your commitment to others' success
 
This explains why some executives get every opportunity
While others, equally qualified, get passed over. 
Every interaction either builds or erodes your perception.
The Strategic Truth 
The most successful executives build status when they don't need it. 
It's not networking - it's status building. 
In today's world of remote work and AI, status is the ultimate differentiator between good and great careers.
 
The Bottom Line: 
> Power can be given. 
> Status must be earned. 
> Which one are you building today?
 
Alison Fragale is a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, on a mission to help others — especially women — work and live better by understanding and applying the science of people. 
Follow here here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonfragale/
Get her book here:https://alisonfragale.com/

Turn Your WYRD Into Worth I Frankie Russo

Here's something no one told you in business school:
Your greatest asset isn't your MBA, your network, or your experience.
 
It's your weirdness.
 
Not the corny coffee-mug kind. 
The WYRD kind. (That's the original spelling, by the way.)
 
WYRD: The power to control or influence fate and destiny.
 
Turns out our ancestors knew something we've forgotten. 
That thing that makes you different? 
It's not a bug. 
 
It's your operating system.
 
Frankie Russo learned this the expensive way.
 
Built an empire
Lost it all in 2008
Discovered something better than success
 
Here's the plot twist: 
You can't fulfill your 'why' until you embrace your 'weird.'
 
In this week's conversation, Frankie unpacks:
 
- The 7-8 year reinvention cycle (it's coming, whether you're ready or not)
- Why "bottoms" are your best teachers
- How to weaponize weirdness in high-stakes moments
- The counterintuitive path to genius-level work
 
The kicker? 
Your weirdness isn't something to overcome. 
It's your superpower waiting to be activated.
 
But only if you're brave enough to use it.
 
Are you?
 
Frankie Russo is Two-time TEDx speaker, author, and guide for those ready to turn their weird into their worth.
 
Check him out: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankie-russo/
https://www.frankierusso.com/

Copy For C-suiters, Words That Win Jobs I Adam Knorr

In the high-stakes game of executive job hunting, you're probably obsessing over your network, your resume, your interview techniques.
But here's the thing: 
While everyone else is playing the same old notes, there's an untapped advantage sitting right in front of you.
Writing.
Not just any writing 
> The kind that makes people stop scrolling. 
> The kind that turns strangers into allies. 
> The kind that opens doors before you even knock.
 
Adam Knorr, the wizard behind some of LinkedIn's most engaging executive profiles,
joins us to share these startling truths: 
 
On a platform of 1 billion users, only 16% are consistently showing up. 
That's not just a gap – it's your opportunity.
 
He reveals the elegant simplicity of what works: 
 
> One clear message. 
> One ideal reader. 
> One purposeful call to action.
 
Perfect isn't the point. 
 
> Consistency is. 
> Every post – you decide the cadence builds your mountain
> One pebble at a time.
Plus Adam’s rub on using AI to write your copy 
>Turn profile views into conversations, 
> Conversations into opportunities.
 
The best time to start was yesterday. 
The second best time is now.
 
Follow Adam here 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamknorr/
 

The Universal Ism, Ageism I Dealing With It In Your Career (Pt 2) I Maureen Clough

Here’s the pickle:
 
Experience, wisdom, and broader perspectives add tremendous value, but quantifying this without relying on age alone IS tricky. 
 
That’s why in Part 2 of The Universal Ism, Ageism I Dealing With It In Your Career we’re focusing on how to leverage your experience without having it become a liability. 
 
Maureen Clough of "It Gets Late Early" is back and she's not pulling any punches.
 
Why should you listen?  
Your change starts within. Flip your mental script on age.
Experience has a price tag. Learn to calculate it.
Cross-pollination is magic. Young + old = unexpected breakthroughs.
Fear is real. So is your value. Both can coexist.
Careers are marathons, not sprints – how will you pace yourself?
Talk is cheap. Real inclusivity takes guts and action.
This isn't just another episode. I
t's a call to arms. 
A nudge to rethink, rebuild, and revolutionize how we view age in your job search and career. 
Follow here here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenwclough/
 
Listen to It Gets Late Early Here 
https://www.itgetslateearly.com/podcast
 
Want to change the future of the tech workforce together?
Sign up for Maureen’s newsletter here: https://www.itgetslateearly.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFo9YlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaPbnPPMzihcdXkP8sWHNqws-HZnZwE6WPG6mulDjLdWTKAFK3l-MziczA_aem_3apY2HzyLLXuRAk5rBvhqQ
 
 
𝘐’𝘮 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘧𝘧, 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵.
 
𝘐 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺'𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴
𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘍𝘈𝘚𝘛𝘌𝘙, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘈𝘙𝘕 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. 
 
R𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙌𝟭?
Click here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/loren-greiff/discovery-call-loren-pod