How to Make, Not Find Meaning to Matter I Matt Emerzian

🎙 Ageism Isn’t Discrimination — It’s Strategic Stupidity “Overqualified.” The word that sounds like a compliment but acts like a curse. Especially if you’re 40, 50, or 60+. Most professionals don’t get rejected because they’re not capable. They get dismissed because they show up from a time and place that’s decades long gone.  This is the #1 reason why the hiring game continues to confuse you.  You think “I’m doing everything,” but how you did it then doesn’t fly now.  I know this playbook all too well. At 54, I was put on a performance plan for using the word “Yippee” in an email. It wasn’t about tone. It was about tone policing. Age shaming. Disempowerment. I signed myself up for a mission: To end career victimization and help executive job seekers over 40 stop apologizing for their age and start leading with relevance. In this episode, I dismantle the 3 big myths keeping brilliant, experienced leaders sidelined: What “overqualified” really means (and how to destroy the label) Why hiding your age is killing your chances The difference between experience and relevance—and why only one gets you hired I show you how to: Reclaim your unfair advantages and make them undeniable Speak fluent business, so hiring managers actually pay attention Show up with value (not vanity) on LinkedIn The truth: Your resume doesn’t get you hired. Your narrative does. And if you’re not telling it, someone else is—badly. This episode is your wake-up call to stop polishing, hiding, and waiting. You are not too old. You are too damn good to play small. Listen in. Then level up. Because your story deserves to be heard—and hired. Loved the episode? Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/

🎙 Episode: How to Reactivate Your Dormant Network (with 5 Proven Emails)  Most career doors aren’t locked. You just stopped knocking. You know these people—former bosses, colleagues, even competitors. You’ve solved problems together. Pulled off impossible deadlines. Shared memes. Shared war stories. And now? Silence. Not because they don’t care.  Because you’ve been focused on something else – but either way you’re no longer on their radar. This is the perfect time to rebuild and reactivate those relationships —  zero cringe and zero asks. Listen in to find out  how to use these 5 powerful outreach emails to reignite your connections with: The boss who shaped your work ethic The colleague who saw around corners The rival who respected your hustle The vendor who made you sharper The mentor who planted seeds that changed your path Here’s what these emails do: ✔ Give value without begging for time ✔ Make people feel seen (and want to see you again) ✔ Spark conversations that lead to coffee, intros, and fresh momentum I’ll give you the subject lines, the copy, and the psychological ROI—so you know exactly why they work and how to use them without sounding like a LinkedIn robot. Because your network isn’t gone, it’s sleeping Time to wake them up. And if you don’t reach out before you need them, it’ll be too late when you do. Listen in. Write the damn email. Reclaim your radar. Loved the episode? Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/

🎙The Price of Professional Invisibility When You’re Over 40,50 or 60+ | Corey Hurley “Do I have to be on LinkedIn?" Wrong question. The right question: "Can I afford not to be?" Invisible executives don't get hired. Most professionals over 40,50 or 60? Invisible. Not unqualified. Not past their prime. Just stuck. Not because they’re not Not because they’ve lost their edge. Because they’re still in a pre-digital mindset, waiting to be discovered instead of showing up. Corey Hurley, TEDx speaker and social media strategist, sees this every day. She works with leaders who’ve built incredible careers offline—only to realize too late that the rules have changed. In this episode with Loren, Corey calls out the silent killer of career relevance: digital invisibility. Why lurking is career suicide The signal silence sends How to show up without selling out Starting late without looking desperate The truth: You don't need to go viral. You just need to show up. Because invisible isn't humble. It's expensive. This episode is your permission slip to stop hiding. Your experience is too valuable to be MIA. Listen in. Then log in. It’s time to be seen. Connect with Corey Hurley LinkedIn: Corey Hurley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenwillows.media/ TEDx Speaker | Social Media Strategist | Advocate for Visible Leaders Loved the episode? Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/

The Booby Traps That Keep Women Broke I Billy Zerillo Money isn't math. It's war. And most women are losing. Not because they're bad with numbers. Not because they spend too much on lattes. They're losing because they're fighting the wrong battle—themselves. Billy Zerillo learned this the hard way, watching his parents weaponize money. A single mother making every financial mistake in the book. The kind of origin story that either breaks you or makes you dangerous. Billy chose dangerous. Now he's a behavioral wealth coach who works exclusively with women. Why? Because he discovered something the financial industry doesn't want you to know: Women don't have money problems. They have permission problems. In this episode with Loren, Billy exposes the three booby traps that keep brilliant, capable women playing small with their money: The trap that makes you hoard cash while inflation steals your future.  The trap that makes you spend on everyone except the person who matters most.  The trap that keeps you so overwhelmed you'd rather be broke than deal with it. Here's the uncomfortable truth: Your money story is writing your life story. And if you don't like the ending, it's time to listen and grab a pen. This isn't about budgets or investment tips. This is about the six inches between your ears that's either building your empire or burning it down. Warning: This episode will make you uncomfortable. Good. Comfort is expensive, and you can't afford it anymore. Add Billy’s contact details 🔗 Connect with Billy Zerillo Website: https://iws.terrawealth.com/home?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2MBi0SwAO_OGHHPCT1BhpFqAgYhPmySHhY_FBXoXRMkIsw_KY-ndCZUf0_aem_Afoy5hbtda144fI47AQgTvodrMBT8XgjwXElcFCENPy4rtIpMG9FNbo8tMhPAElbQbAtLtNeeInxVYVTOWl5rpbz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoneytalkadvisor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.zerillo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billyzerillofinancialadvisor/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourmoneyyourpurposechannel   Loved the episode? Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/

Breaking the Busyness Habit | Peggy Sullivan Maybe that’s why your job search feels like a full-time job... but without the paycheck? This week, Loren is joined by Peggy Sullivan—bestselling author of Beyond Busyness, corporate performance expert, and founder of She Can—to tackle one of the most destructive myths in executive career transitions: the busier you are, the more productive you must be. Spoiler: it's not true. Peggy knows firsthand how burnout disguises itself as drive. Her own journey through stress-induced health issues, personal loss, and extreme overwhelm led her to create a powerful framework that’s helped thousands—from entrepreneurs to Google and Bank of America execs—reclaim their time and focus on what actually moves the needle. Chapters 00:00 – The Myth of Busyness 03:02 – The Impact of Busyness on Life 06:03 – Breaking the Cycle of Busyness 08:48 – The Busy Busting Framework 12:04 – Finding Happiness in the Everyday 14:58 – Mastering Metrics and Values 17:59 – The Importance of Human Connection 21:05 – Strategies for Job Seekers 24:05 – Transforming Unhappiness into Action 26:51 – The Role of Fun in Learning 30:09 – Conclusion and Call to Action Peggy Sullivan is a leadership speaker, best-selling author, and founder of SheCAN!, a women's empowerment organization. She helps high-achievers rediscover joy, purpose, and balance in their lives.   Peggy’s bestselling book is a practical, laugh-out-loud guide to doing less and achieving more. Packed with stories, science, and simple exercises, each chapter delivers a fresh mindset shift and actionable step to reclaim your time and live more intentionally. It’s a must-read for anyone navigating career burnout, work/life balance, or just craving clarity.   Follow Peggy: Website Linkedin Beyond Business Book Link! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/  

How Not To Diss The Dream | Mitch Matthews What happens when high achievers stop dreaming? In this episode, Mitch Matthews—speaker, coach, and host of the Dream Think Do podcast—shares why reconnecting with your dreams isn’t optional, it’s essential. From navigating career pivots to understanding the neuroscience behind our emotions, Mitch unpacks how small experiments, emotional honesty, and defining your “why” are key to building momentum and real growth. This isn’t about lofty ideas—it’s about taking actionable steps to make dreams real. From Burnout to Breakthrough Mitch reveals how the dream was once “kicked out” of him—and why that's more common than you'd think. Together, we explore how experiences, not just ambitions, can bring clarity, and why emotional indicators shouldn’t be ignored. This episode isn’t just a pep talk. It’s a practical roadmap for anyone who wants to stop stalling and start moving. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 03:12 – The Importance of Experiences Over Dreams 06:13 – Navigating Career Transitions and Inner Struggles 08:46 – The Science of Dreaming and Neuroscience Insights 12:02 – Small Experiments and Micro Actions 14:52 – Testing and Iterating on Your Dreams 17:54 – The Power of Exponential Thinking 21:09 – Maintaining Momentum in the Face of Challenges 24:13 – Understanding Your Why and Learning from Failure 27:04 – Prioritizing Dreams and Taking Action Follow Mitch: 🔗 LinkedIn 🌐 Website Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/  

Teacher to Google Big Tech | Keith Anderson What separates those who talk about making a big move – even a pivot from those who actually do it? Being unreasonable. Tenacious and not quitting when that goal is non-negotiable.  Keith Anderson - was an English teacher – with a love for linguistics (find out why this matters and how he used it) making $27k annually.  With sights on working at Google and a coach who told him it was impossible. His fire was lit.  How’d he do it? That’s what this episode is all about.  From Futility to Strategy Keith started out messaging 125 strangers with "I see you work at Google. Can you refer me?" That landed with 125 rejections. Trials and errors brought on the breakthrough when he stopped treating his job search like a transaction: He spoke like an insider using industry vernacular that signaled belonging He humanized his resume by placing quirky personal details (like winning a pie competition) at the top He limited rejection exposure by confining job search activities to 2 hours daily He measured progress objectively rather than emotionally The results - hardly overnight –  but earned positions at Google, and later worked at Facebook, YouTube, and Uber. The Reality Behind the Dream The fantasy of "making it" quickly gave way to the reality of long hours and relentless production demands. Dreams achieved often look different than dreams imagined. Your Excuses Don't Matter "Don't believe what everyone says," Keith advises. "Don't believe everything you read. It's people's perception, their reality. But that doesn't need to be your reality." While others debate whether the job market is good or bad, someone is getting hired somewhere today. Why not you? "What's wrong with people," Keith says, "is they believe they can do well by just getting by when they need to aim for the highest." The permission to be unreasonable in pursuit of what matters might be the only permission worth seeking.   You can hire Keith to help you with your job search https://careeralchemylab.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithand/LinkedIn   Chapters: 00:00 - 01:45 - Introduction 01:45 - 04:18 - Keith's Background and Burnout 04:18 - 09:01 - The Spark of Interest in Tech 09:01 - 14:00 - The Job Search Strategy Evolution 14:00 - 19:04 - Resume Transformation 19:04 - 23:25 - Making Your Resume Human - Quirks Work 23:25 - 27:16 - Handling Rejection and Almost Quitting 27:16 - 30:25 - Reality Check at Google 30:25 - 32:49 - Finding the Right Path in Tech 32:49 - 37:00 - Key Advice for Career Transitions 37:00 - 39:34 - Closing and Business Information   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/

The 411 on Ageism & How To End It Faster I Janine Vanderburg   For the life of me, given the choice between a strong, more profitable business and letting go of the back-assward stigma around age, the logic is clear. But is it?    Like me, Janine Vanderburg isn’t shy about why the math isn’t mathing the business reasons why it’s about impact not age..    Here’s what you’ll find out:  What employers don’t want you to know  You think it's your resume that needs tweaking or  your interview techniques but What if the real obstacle was something entirely different? What if the system itself was rigged against you in ways you've never considered—not because you're not qualified, but because of your date of birth.  Who’s impacted by ageism, or who isn’t? When there's a problem like ageism in hiring, it "goes in both directions." As Janine Vanderburg reveals, we're not just talking about discrimination against those 40-plus. "Youngerism" is equally "alive and kicking." If you've been ghosted after interviews, if you've watched less qualified candidates get positions you were perfect for, it might not be you—it might be your birth year. Let’s talk about the numbers they’re not talking about Last year alone, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 16,000 complaints of age discrimination. When surveyed, over 80% of respondents believed they had experienced workplace age discrimination. Even more shocking: Resume Builder's surveys found hiring managers systematically screen out both applicants over 60 AND those under 27. And if you work with AI? 90% of hiring managers don't want to hire anybody over 35 for roles involving artificial intelligence—despite experienced professionals often being the best AI power users. Three Places Ageism Is Sabotaging Your Career (And What to Do About It) Inside your own mind: When you think "I'm too young/old for this position" before even applying In hiring practices: When recruiters make assumptions about your abilities based solely on graduation dates Embedded in systems: When AI screening tools filter you out before a human ever sees your application The Demographic Shift That Will Change Everything By 2030—just five years away—there will be more people over 65 than under 18. Companies unprepared for this reality will be scrambling for talent while others thrive. Will you be positioned to capitalize on this inevitable shift? What Smart Job Seekers Do Differently As Janine advises, "You can be willing to fight to end ageism, and you can also try to preserve your financial security." Both can be true at once. The wisest approach? Learn the unwritten rules, navigate the system strategically, and position yourself where your true value is recognized. Listen now to discover how to turn what looks like an obstacle into your greatest competitive advantage. Janine Vanderburg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinevanderburg/) is a Keynote Speaker, and Founder/Director of Changing the Narrative is the leading effort in the U.S. to change the way people think, talk and act about aging and ageism through evidence-based strategies and innovative public campaigns. Her end game? To end ageism."   Chapters: 00:00-01:32 - Introduction & The Firestarter 01:32-05:58 - Understanding the Landscape of Ageism 05:58-09:23 - Janine's Awakening to Ageism 09:23-10:41 - Cliff Notes from the Training 10:41-13:34 - Employer Messaging Shift 13:34-16:05 - The Math Isn't Mathing 16:05-18:14 - Progress & Reality Check 18:14-29:09 - Staying in the Fight Without Burning Out   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/

In this me to you episode, I am delivering some tough love and strategic clarity for executives facing job search challenges in today's uncertain climate.  Uncertainty isn't new, and someone will get hired despite the chaos - here are the 5 key take-aways to make sure it you.  See uncertainty as feature, not a bug Extended interview processes are designed to find leaders who leverage uncertainty as an advantage. Companies want those who transform chaos, not merely endure it. Scarcity is a lie, not the truth Opportunities haven't vanished; they've transformed. The problem isn't market scarcity but your perspective. Flip your viewpoint and find possibilities in unexpected places. Campaign, don't just search Reframe from passive "searching" to active "campaigning." Treat your job hunt as a strategic business initiative. Apply agile methods: iterate, test, learn from failures. You need to deepen connections In uncertain times, companies seek referrals through trusted networks. Don't ask "who do you know?" but rather "who needs to know what I know?" - an approach focused on providing value. Flaunt your battle scars Don't hide struggles with crisis management - these experiences make you valuable. Perfection won't land you the job; authentic leadership will. The future belongs to executives who move first, adapt quickly, and build value regardless of conditions. Someone will get hired - make it you. Chapters: 00:01 - Introduction to uncertainty in the current job market 02:27 - Tough love about job search challenges 04:50 - How uncertainty creates opportunity 07:17 - The rise of temporary opportunities 09:21 - AI's impact on executive roles 11:25 - Breakthrough #1: Reframe your search as a campaign 13:46 - Breakthrough #2: Treat the world as your market 14:59 - Breakthrough #3: Focus on deeper connections 16:14 - Breakthrough #4: Be a leader of change 16:52 - The importance of personal branding 17:14 - Closing thoughts   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/

The world is obsessed with metrics and status. But the most important currency is the one you’re missing.  Most of us spend our careers chasing validation – titles and paychecks. I did too. So did our guest Matt Emerzian. The brutal reality? Your job search misery, corporate culture complaints, and endless pursuit of status are all symptoms of the same disease:  The belief that mattering is something you find rather than something YOU make. Think this theoretical? Think again: Get Matt’ 5 Frameworks to Make Your Life Matter I-You-We Framework: I Matter: Discover your uniqueness (there's only 1 of you among 8 billion!) You Matter: Make the 38,000 daily choices count by connecting first We Matter: Stop the self-help delusion - you're not on an island with a volleyball Brutal Time Audit: What truly matters to you?Check your calendar. The gap between these two answers is why you feel empty. Values as Weapons: When everything feels uncertain, non-negotiable values become your armor.  The Self-Talk Intervention: Your internal dialogue is the most revealing data point of your life. Most of us wouldn't speak to enemies the way we speak to ourselves. The Counterintuitive Path: The healing sequence is backwards: internal healing → relationship repair → serving others. Most get stuck at step one forever. Culture Ownership Test: Stop pointing at "toxic culture" as if it's over there. You ARE the culture.  Want to matter more? Start by making others matter more.   00:00 Intro 01:51 The Search for Meaning in Work 04:49 Matt's Journey to Finding Purpose 10:01 Understanding Mattering Beyond Clichés 14:34 Creating a Movement Around Mattering 22:11 Actionable Steps to Cultivate Mattering 26:03 The Power of Choice in Finding Meaning   Follow Matt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-emerzian/ Website: https://www.matthewemerzian.com/ X: https://x.com/emerzian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewemerzian/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEmerzian/   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/