Why Smart Teams Still Fail

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 doesHow “giving every dollar a job” creates confidence and ends constant financial second-guessingWhat modern money tools (like Buy Now, Pay Later and AI automation) get wrong—and how to use tech without losing awareness or controlShow NotesWeekly 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 ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorsHead to cozyearth.com and use my code CONTESSA for up to 20% off. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Getting laid off can feel overwhelming—but knowing what to do next can make all the difference. Greg Lawson from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) breaks down exactly what to do in the moments, days, and weeks after a layoff. From filing for unemployment the right way to accessing lesser-known support programs, this conversation helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.You’ll learn:The first 3 steps to take immediately after being laid off (before panic or paperwork sets in)How to file for unemployment benefits correctly—and avoid the most common mistakes that cause delaysThe EDD programs and resources that can support your job search beyond unemployment insuranceShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:EDD website: https://edd.ca.gov/ Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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.

In this episode, Lauren turns the mic on co-host Marnie Lemonik to unpack her journey from corporate professional to Career Coach.Marnie shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she “shot her shot” with Career Contessa years before officially joining the team, what pushed her to start coaching and how she financially (and mentally) prepared to bet on herself. If you’ve ever considered starting your own thing, whether as a side hustle or full-time job, this is for you.You’ll Learn:The timing and circumstances that led Marnie to transition from corporate to coaching What it actually looks like to build a side business before leaving your full-time jobThe importance of financial preparation and rejecting the “struggle to hustle” mindsetThe entrepreneurial skill of “figuring it out” (and why self-trust is everything)Show NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  Marnie’s  Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/7KaVZm8QWlC8RWwiajYcs9?si=a2a5187a63674a76 Marnie’s Podcast (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-marnie/id1875804683 Marnie’s Career Contessa Articles: https://www.careercontessa.com/meet-the-team/Marnie-Lemonik/87101/ Follow Marnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnielemonik/ Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmcgoodwin/ Resources Marnie’s Resume Template: https://www.marnielemonik.com/resources/p/template-marnies-resume-with-written-examples 10% Discount Code: CCPOD The Job Search Dashboard: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-job-search-dashboard-notion-template?affcode=70732_cx6_j5wnCareerFitter Online Assessment:https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ Browse open jobs: https://www.careercontessa.com/jobs/SponsorsSign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa. Take back control of your business today. Open a Found account for FREE at Found.com dot com. Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Share a little extra love this February in comfort that truly feels special. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code CONTESSA for up to 20% off.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feeling stuck in your career? You’re not alone. In this episode, Lauren talks with McKinsey senior partner and A CEO for All Seasons coauthor Carolyn Dewar about what to do when your early wins fade and your career momentum stalls. Drawing on insights from 83 top CEOs, Carolyn shares how to reset your goals, reignite your motivation, and lead with quiet confidence—no matter your title.You’ll learn:Why plateaus are a normal (and necessary) part of growth.Practical strategies to reignite your career momentum.The underrated leadership skill that can help you thrive in any season.Show NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:Carolyn Dewer: https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/carolyn-dewarBook: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/ceo-for-all-seasons Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorSign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What makes some teams thrive while others struggle? Leadership expert Dr. Vanessa Druskat joins Lauren to share why team success depends on emotional intelligence—not just talent.You’ll learn:Why emotionally intelligent teams outperform othersHow to build trust and psychological safetySimple steps to boost your team’s emotional IQShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guide to working with me: https://www.careercontessa.com/resources/communication-guide/ Guest Resources:Website: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/Book: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/books Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorSign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/careercontessa. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is transforming the way work gets done—but great leadership still comes down to people. In this episode of The Career Contessa Podcast, Lauren McGoodwin welcomes back Julie Zhuo, author of The Making of a Manager and co-founder of Sundial, to discuss how managers can lead effectively in the AI era, beyond productivity metrics and tools. You'll learn:Why AI-driven productivity doesn’t equal team success—and what leaders should focus on insteadThe leadership skills that become more valuable (not less) in an AI-powered workplaceHow managers can maintain trust, purpose, and meaningful work as AI reshapes rolesShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:Website: https://www.juliezhuo.com/Book: https://www.juliezhuo.com/book/manager.html Substack: https://lg.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-zhuo/ X: https://x.com/joulee Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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.

Why do we instantly “click” with some coworkers and struggle with others? Journalist and bestselling author Kate Murphy discusses the emerging science of interpersonal synchrony—how our brains, bodies, and behavior subconsciously sync with the people around us.You’ll learn: • What interpersonal synchrony is and why it matters for your career • How technology is changing the way we connect, collaborate, and build trust • Practical strategies to create stronger relationships and more cohesive teams at workShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:Book: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Click-Interpersonal-Synchrony/dp/1250352452Website: https://www.journalistkatemurphy.com/Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorStop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’ve ever started the year with big career goals—only to lose steam by spring—this episode is for you. Career coach Michelle Schafer shares her quarterly career playbook: a simple, structured approach to keep your professional growth on track all year long. Learn how to break your goals into manageable chunks, build momentum each quarter, and stay accountable to your future self.You’ll learn:How to create a quarterly framework that keeps your career goals realistic and sustainableThe right way to initiate career development conversations with your managerSimple ways to stay visible, build new skills, and celebrate progress—without burning outShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:Self-marketing episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-techniques-to-master-self-marketing-how-to/id1434354911?i=1000706486616 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/ Website:  https://mschafercoaching.ca/ Free offer #1: A free chapter from my book - sign up here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ Order my book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/ Free offer #2: Download the reflection tool Career Focus Framework here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/gain-clarity-and-confidence-in-your-job-search/ Email me here: [email protected] a complimentary 30 min discovery call with me here:  https://calendly.com/coaching-with-michelle-schafer Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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.

Before you set another career goal, hit pause — it’s time for a career audit. Career coach and product marketing pro Saniya Waghray Tyagi shares how to reflect on the past year, clarify what’s working (and what’s not), and set intentional goals that align your energy, environment, and ambitions for 2026.You’ll learn:The five key areas to evaluate in your career audit — and how to spot when you’re overdue for one.How to turn reflection into action using Saniya’s “power of three” goal-setting method.Simple tools to make your audit feel doable — including the “Skill-Based Smile File.”Show NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Guest Resources:Work 1:1 with Saniya: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/profile/Saniya-WaghrayTyagi/32470/ Amanda Goetz - ‘Life’s a Game’ bloghttps://amandagoetz.kit.com/posts/life-s-a-game-your-2024-game-plan?ref=life-creators.club And how to evolve at the 6-month mark: https://x.com/AmandaMGoetz/status/1774770294810452031 Expect to Win by Carla Harris: https://www.amazon.com/Expect-Win-Strategies-Thriving-Workplace/dp/0452295904/ ‘The First 90 Days’ - Michael D Watkins: https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/dp/1422188612/ Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ SponsorStop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Lauren and Marnie break down three major workplace predictions for 2026, drawing from leading reports by Indeed, Forbes, and McKinsey.  After a quick lookback on 2025, Lauren and Marnie dive deep into what’s ahead for the new year as it relates to job searching and larger workplace cultural shifts. You’ll Learn:Why the 2026 job market may feel familiar and how to job search accordingly Why values alignment is becoming a top priority for employeesHow AI will reshape expectations for leadership as it relates to transparency Show NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP  2025 Workplace Predictions Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-in-30-work-predictions-for-2025/id1434354911?i=1000680665545 Prediction 1 - Indeed Article: https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/20/indeed-2026-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report Prediction 2 - Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2025/11/16/5-trends-that-will-shape-workplace-culture-in-2026/ Prediction 3 - McKinsey Article: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/tech-and-ai/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work Recommended Online Assessment: https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218Follow Marnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnielemonik/ Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmcgoodwin/ Resources Marnie’s Instagram Reel on Negotiation: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_O1iZrurJt/ Marnie’s Interview Prep eBook: https://www.marnielemonik.com/store/p/ebook-how-to-shine-in-your-next-job-interview 10% Discount Code: CCPOD Marnie’s Resume Template: https://www.marnielemonik.com/store/p/template-marnies-resume-with-written-examples The Job Search Dashboard: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-job-search-dashboard-notion-template?affcode=70732_cx6_j5wnCareerFitter Online Assessment:https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218Career Contessa ResourcesBook 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/ Browse open jobs: https://www.careercontessa.com/jobs/ Sponsor:Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.