How I'm Staying The Course When Uncertainty Gets Hard

In this episode, Vanessa talks through the reality of change and how change can bring on many uncomfortable feelings. Often times, so uncomfortable that we aren't willing to sit through the time needed for change to truly happen. Now that she has hit 5 months of working on her own, she comes to the pod with real, practical advice on how she has been navigating times of uncertainty. Share you thoughts with Vanessa on how these tips have either helped you in the past or if there is something in addition that's been useful for you! You can find Vanessa on Instagram and LinkedIn!

In this episode of Career Edit, Vanessa sits down with Erika Price, a career coach who’s as grounded as she is wise. With 20 years of experience in corporate leadership and program management, including a successful run at Microsoft, Erika brings a deep understanding of both career pivots and the inner work it takes to make them.Erika Price is a Certified, Accredited, and Licensed career coach who helps professionals get hired, level up or pivot into new careers. She brings two decades of corporate experience to her coaching, having led teams, launched products and managed programs at tech giants, startups, and small businesses-most recently at Microsoft. She was recently listed as Seattle’s Top 15 Career Coach and can be found on LinkedIn or her website (listed below).  In this episode, we explore:Erika’s career path, including a 13-year breakand her transition back into tech before launching her own businessThe Ikigai framework: how to get clear onwhat you actually want to be doing in your careerHow to shift your mindset and manage almost anywork problem by focusing on what you cancontrolWhy knowing your core values is more importantthan having every detail figured outAn introduction to the Positive Intelligence assessment and how identifyingyour internal “saboteurs” can improve your peace and performance at workWhat to do when work feels heavy, uninspired, orjust offSimple ways to bring more presence and peaceinto your day-to-dayWhether you're in a season of questioning, transition, or trying to figure out what’s next, Erika’s approach offers both practical and soulful guidance.Connect with Erika:Erika’s Ikigai FrameworkPositive Intelligence Saboteur Assessment Website: RootCauseCoaching.comLinkedIn: Erika Price

What if the burnout, overwhelm, or frustration you're feeling at work isn’t just about the job but about your internal response to situations? In this episode of Career Edit, we explore the power of nervous system regulation and how it can completely shift the way we experience challenges in our careers and beyond.Vanessa sits down with holistic health and trauma-informed coach Melissa Armstrong, who specializes in helping people align mind, body, and spirit to live with more clarity, calm, and purpose. Together, they unpack how our nervous system shapes our reactions, why certain patterns follow us from job to job, and how we can begin to find peace within, even when external circumstances are less than ideal.If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of job hopping, emotional reactivity, or never quite feeling fulfilled no matter what changes you make this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn:What nervous system regulation actually is (and why it matters)How trauma and chronic stress impact our work life and relationshipsTools and techniques to ground yourself in stressful momentsWhy regulating your internal state can lead to more contentment—without changing everything around youHow to know when the issue isn’t the job, but your body’s response to itInterested in working with Melissa? Connect with her here: Holistic Health by MelissaInstagram

I’m joined by Henna Pryor, Workplace Performance Expert, Keynote Speaker, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and award-winning author of Good Awkward.Henna is the founder of Pryority Group, where she helps high achievers and teams turn discomfort into a powerful tool for growth. She’s a two-time TEDx speaker, certified coach, and has worked with brand name companies and Glassdoor serving as a WorkLife Pro.In our conversation, Henna shares how she’s continually evolved her career from accounting to recruiting to coaching, course creation, and public speaking. We talk about:What it really looks like to iterate on your career (even when you’re already successful)How Henna defines success and the questions she asks herself before saying “yes” to something newThe story behind her LinkedIn Learning course and how she pitched itHow she’s built a portfolio career that aligns with her strengths, energy, and valuesWhy embracing good awkwardness is key to growing both professionally and personallyWhether you’re in a season of growth, pivoting, or simply questioning what’s next, this episode is packed with honest insight, real talk, and practical takeaways to help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.Connect with Henna:Website: pryoritygroup.comLinkedIn: Henna PryorBook: Good Awkward

This week on Career Edit, we head outdoors (literally and metaphorically) with Jessica DeAngelo, the founder of Hike to Become™ and Chief Hiking Officer. With a background in global sales and strategy for companies like Amazon, Nike, and Uber, Jessica now guides leaders off the beaten path using nature and movement to spark clarity, creativity, and connection.We talk about her personal pivot from corporate to entrepreneurship, how her business truly took off once she leaned into her most authentic strategy, and the powerful transformation that happens when we ditch our desks and take our work outside.What we cover in this episode:The Hike to Become™ methodology and the HIKE31 ChallengeWhy your best ideas come when you’re in motion and unpluggedThe role of silence in business strategyHow movement in nature improves both personal clarity and business performanceWhether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or just feeling disconnected from your spark, this episode will inspire you to reconnect with your wild side and work in a way that feels aligned.Watch her TEDx talk:🎥 Why We Are Afraid to Go into the WoodsConnect with Jessica:🌐 Website: www.hiketobecome.com📸 Instagram: @hikingbusinesscoach💼 LinkedIn: Jessica DeAngelo

In this episode of Career Edit, I sit down with Alex Pottash, the founder of Forgotten Skincare, a skincare brand that's redefining how we treat our most overlooked skin concerns.Alex shares her journey from working in corporate to launching her own skincare company, starting with a desire to tap into whitespace that led her to create a one-of-a-kind product. We dive into the early days of product discovery, how she built awareness from the ground up, and what it really took to get her products into major retailers like Target, Macy’s, Urban Outfitters, and more.We also talk candidly about the real life of a founder—how Alex manages stress, prioritizes work-life balance, and stays grounded while growing a business in a competitive industry.What we cover:Alex’s career journey into entrepreneurshipThe origin story of Forgotten SkincareCreating and scaling a niche productGetting stocked in national retailersManaging the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurshipTips for staying balanced as a founderWhether you're curious about launching your own product or just love a good founder story, this episode will leave you inspired and informed.👉Shop Forgotten Skincare: SHOP👉 Follow Forgotten Skincare: @forgottenskincare🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Career Edit for more stories like this!

In this episode of Career Edit, I’m joined by Sean Hand, founder of Selling By Hand and author of the Amazon best-seller That Was Awkward: 7 Secrets of an Awkward Networker. Sean spent 15 years in a Big 4 consulting firm, generating over $150 million in new business and leading high-performing sales teams—so when it comes to networking, he knows what works.We dive into why strong relationships are the foundation of every opportunity—whether you’re in a corporate role, sales, or building a business of your own. Sean shares his practical approach to keeping his network fresh and why reaching out or following up doesn't make you annoying—it makes you memorable. You’ll also hear simple, actionable tips to build real connections and turn those relationships into results.We talk about:Why you shouldn’t feel awkward about following upHow Sean manages and maintains a large, active networkThe idea that “revenue follows relationships”Fun, practical strategies to become a better networkerThe mindset shift that turns networking from transactional to transformationalIf you're ready to rethink how you build and nurture your network, this one’s for you.Links & Resources:Learn more about Sean: Sell By HandSean’s book: That Was Awkward – available on AmazonFollow Sean on LinkedIn

Negative thoughts are part of being human — but how long you stay stuck in them? That’s where the real impact lies.In this solo episode, Vanessa explores how our primitive brains are wired to default to fear and doubt, and why this survival mechanism holds us back when we're trying to move forward in our careers and lives. She shares the real cost of letting negative thoughts take the wheel — from mental paralysis to energy depletion — and offers a powerful reframing practice to help you take your power back.You’ll learn:Why negative thoughts feel so automaticHow to recognize and interrupt spirals that keep you stuckA simple 3-step reframing process backed by psychologyHow to use visualization and daily “thought triggers” to shift your mindsetWhy reframing is critical when you’re building a new career visionHow taking action creates proof — and rewires your belief systemWhether you’re pivoting, starting over, or simply trying to stay grounded while going after something new — this episode is a mindset reset to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.Resources Mentioned:Daily thought triggers: morning intention & evening gratitudeCognitive reframing (CBT-based tool)Visualization as mental conditioningLet’s Connect:LinkedIn Instagram

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Hudson, a leadership coach, yoga teacher, and former CPA and HR leader who left behind a decade-long corporate career to follow her joy and step into a more aligned, purpose-driven path.We explore Sarah’s journey of career transformation—from checking all the “right” boxes in the corporate world to tuning in to what truly lit her up. Our conversation dives into what it means to trust yourself, how your body gives you clues about your truth, and why getting quiet with yourself is essential to uncovering what you really want.Topics we cover:How Sarah realized it was time for a changeThe power of following joy and letting the path unfoldLearning to listen to your body’s wisdom—heart, gut, chestWhy stillness and self-reflection are critical for clarityWhat coaching really is and how it supports growthWho coaching is for and how it can help you step into your potentialWhether you're contemplating a pivot, feeling stuck, or simply curious about what it looks like to design a life from the inside out, this conversation is full of grounded wisdom and inspiration.🔗 Connect with Sarah Hudson:Website InstagramLinkedIn

Feeling stuck or uncertain about what’s next in your career? You’re not alone — but clarity doesn’t come from sitting still. In this solo episode, I dive into the power of taking action, especially when you're in the messy middle of a transition. I share a personal breakthrough moment, the neuroscience behind why uncertainty triggers anxiety, and why action (not more thinking) is the only path forward.You’ll walk away with practical ideas to get unstuck, tools for navigating the unknown, and a fresh perspective on how momentum is built — one step at a time.🎧 In this episode, I cover:Why waiting for clarity is keeping you stuckThe science behind why uncertainty feels so uncomfortableWhat “taking action” actually means (hint: it's not about having a perfect plan)Realistic micro-steps that build momentumHow to navigate the “fog” when you can’t see the whole pathThe mindset shift that will change how you approach career decisionsLet’s connect:If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or tag me on Instagram @vanessapileggifecca — I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway!