Career Contessa

Latest Episodes:

5 Communication Shifts That Transform How You Lead, Speak, and Sell Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Communication isn’t just a soft skill—it’s the foundation of influence, trust, and leadership at work. In this episode, Ravi Rajani, author of Relationship Currency, breaks down the five habits that make communicators truly influential. From reframing the stories you tell yourself to building trust without being the loudest voice in the room, Ravi shares practical, immediately usable shifts that help you communicate with more clarity, credibility, and impact—starting this week.

You’ll learn:

How to build trust through the Three C’s: connection, character, and competence
Why patience (not charisma) is the secret weapon of influential communicators
Simple habits introverts can use to speak with confidence and be taken seriously at work

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

Relationship Currency book: https://www.theravirajani.com/book

Ravi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theravirajani/

Ravi website: https://www.theravirajani.com/

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New Career Path: Flexible Work, Blended Teams, and What’s Next Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

The way we work is changing—and it’s not going back. In this episode, we sit down with Brea Starmer, founder and CEO of Lions & Tigers, to break down the rise of blended teams, where full-time employees work alongside independent experts.

They explore why women are leaving rigid career structures, how AI is widening skills gaps, and what companies must do to build flexible, high-performing teams for the future of work.

You’ll learn:

Why blended teams are becoming the new standard
How flexible work can still support growth and stability
What leaders need to rethink in the AI era

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

Lions & Tigers website: https://lionsandtigers.com/

Workforce Reimagined Research: https://lionsandtigers.com/why-now/

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

Sponsors

Open a Found account for FREE at found.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Leadership Skill Most Likely to Derail Your Career, According to a Harvard Professor Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Great leadership starts with managing yourself. Harvard professor Margaret C. Andrews shares why lack of self-awareness derails careers, how emotional intelligence shapes leadership at every stage, and which human skills matter most as AI reshapes work. A must-listen for anyone ready to lead with more clarity and confidence. You’ll learn:

Why lack of self-awareness is one of the biggest predictors of career derailment
The hidden gap between our intentions and how others experience our behavior—and how to close it
The first question to ask yourself as you learn to manage yourself

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretcandrews/

Website: https://www.margaretandrews.com/

Book: https://www.margaretandrews.com/book

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

Sponsor

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to Stop Worrying About Money Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Money stress isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systems problem. In this episode, Lauren welcomes back Jesse Mecham, founder of You Need A Budget (YNAB), to unpack why so many high-achieving women still feel anxious about money—even when they’re earning more than ever. Jesse explains why the goal isn’t spending less, but spending with intention, and how a few mindset shifts can dramatically reduce money anxiety, decision fatigue, and guilt around spending. This conversation reframes budgeting as a tool for clarity, confidence, and actually enjoying your money again.

You’ll learn:

Why earning more doesn’t automatically reduce money stress—and what actually does
How “giving every dollar a job” creates confidence and ends constant financial second-guessing
What modern money tools (like Buy Now, Pay Later and AI automation) get wrong—and how to use tech without losing awareness or control

Show Notes

Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Jesse 2020 podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-rules-for-gaining-control-of-your-money-and/id1434354911?i=1000489700656

Guest Resources:

YNAB app: https://www.ynab.com/

YNAB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YNABofficial

Career Contessa Resources

Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/

Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/

Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/