Career Queens Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Laura de Benedetto — product policy manager at Meta, Cambridge AI Ethics graduate, and the very first Career Queen to return for a second conversation — for an honest discussion about what it actually takes to build a career that holds when the ground shifts beneath you.Laura was laid off from Airbnb. She didn't see it coming. And like so many high achievers, she had done everything right — which made the shock of it that much harder to process. What she did next is the conversation every career-driven woman needs to hear right now.Because the layoff era is not slowing down. AI is restructuring entire teams. And the idea that hard work alone guarantees security is a contract that is quietly being rewritten. This episode is about what job security actually looks like when you build it from the inside out — through community, clarity, and a mindset shift that Laura didn't find until she was forced to.If you are navigating uncertainty in your career, watching the industry change faster than you can keep up, or simply want to feel more grounded in where you stand, this conversation is for you.In this episode:What it really feels like to be laid off as a high achiever and how to process itWhy being open about your situation is one of the most strategic things you can doHow Laura went from layoff to presenting at the UN General Assembly in the same yearThe human skills that become more valuable as AI advances — not lessWhy you probably don't want to be indispensable at workHow to separate your professional identity from the company you work for

The job market has changed. Has your strategy?In this episode, Career Queens, I sit down with Sonya, a senior recruiter at Netflix, for an unfiltered conversation about what is actually happening in tech hiring right now — and what candidates need to do differently.With over 400,000 tech layoffs since 2022, companies getting leaner by design, and AI reshaping entire teams, the playbook that worked three years ago is no longer enough. Sonya breaks down exactly what recruiters see when they open your resume, why the shift to an employer's market changes how you should negotiate, and whether personal branding on LinkedIn is helping or just noise.If you are in a job search, thinking about your next move, or building your career in tech, this episode will give you the honest, insider perspective you have been looking for.In this episode:What recruiters actually look for on your resumeWhy referrals increase visibility but don't guarantee the roleThe AI skills myth — and what companies are really asking aboutHow to stand out when everyone is applying for everythingWhat Netflix's culture really looks for in candidatesSalary negotiation in today's employer's market

In this episode of Career Queens Podcast, I sit down with LaKiesha Tomlin — engineer, MBA graduate, and investor — to talk about financial preparedness, emergency funds, and building income streams in an uncertain job market.This episode is for women in tech, corporate professionals, and ambitious career women who want to reduce financial anxiety and build optionality.Because your employer is not your safety net, and financial security is something you design.If you’re thinking about emergency savings, career pivots, investing, or building income streams to prepare for a potential layoff, this conversation will give you both the mindset and practical steps you need.

This episode is about habit formation, self-trust, and choosing yourself when change feels hard. I’m joined by Elle Caffrey—an event consultant and founder of Ellevents—who reflects on her journey from obesity to losing over 100 pounds, and eventually running half marathons. We unpack how sustainable change is built through small, consistent actions, identity shifts, and systems that support you long after the initial transformation. If you’re trying to move away from all-or-nothing thinking and toward self-care habits that stick, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we dive into how vision boarding can unlock real career clarity—not just big dreams, but practical direction you can actually act on. I’m joined by Gracious Nyamupachitu, Pinterest’s first Marketing Strategy & Operations Manager and the founder of VisionaryMe, who breaks down how to turn goals into a life strategy using vision boards. Drawing on her journey from corporate banking to global tech, she shares how clarity, intention, and action work together to shape career moves that actually stick. We talk about using vision boards to cut through overwhelm, align your decisions, and stay focused in seasons of uncertainty. If you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or ready for your next chapter, this episode is for you.

On this episode, I speak to my mother, Dr. Rosemary Kobue-Lekalake, about her experiences moving to America back in the early '80s and again in the early '90s. We also delve into how she managed the guilt that often riddles mothers that work full-time.

On this episode, I speak to Sonali Karmarkar about how she’s managed to start and grow a creative business while working full time as a Community Partner Manager at Youtube. Sonali is based in New York where she supports Youtube’s creator community by day, and grows her handpainted hair accessory brand, Soieli, by night. 

I chat with Angela Guido, founder of Career Protocol, author of two books: “Interview Hero” and “How to Network Without Feeling Like an A‑Hole”. The topic on the table on this episode is  how to find your voice and ace your job Interviews. 

We're back! And, on this first episode of the second season of Career Queens, I’m so excited to be chatting with digital entrepreneur, Adanna Steinacker, about personal branding and leading your career authentically.

My guest on this episode, McKenna Sweazey, is the VP of Marketing at a Silicon Valley based startup called Truthset. Prior to this role, she was based in London where she led a team regional Marketing managers at the Financial Times. Over the course of her career, she has formed important relationships with people willing to connect her with great opportunities and help her navigate challenging situations.