In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, Nicole sits down with her longtime friend and serial entrepreneur Neil Sands — founder of Lost Irish Whiskey, Clir Water, and a few other ventures that prove bold ideas (and good stories) never go out of style.
They met in grad school in Dublin, crossed paths again at Salesforce (Neil hired Nicole!), and now reunite to talk about what it really takes to build something from scratch — the conviction, the chaos, and the quiet confidence behind every entrepreneurial leap.
It’s part storytelling, part therapy, and part Irish toast to those willing to bet on themselves again and again.
BTW - get some Lost Irish at https://lostirish.com/
From poker player to product builder to founder of FractionalJobs.io, Taylor Crane has bet big on the future of work — and it’s not full-time.
In this episode, Nicole McNamara and Sam Tortora sit down with Taylor to unpack what fractional work really means, why startups are embracing it, and how professionals can build thriving portfolio careers on their own terms.
They dig into the flexibility, freedom, and real-world challenges behind the movement — from retainer-based pay to health insurance gaps — and why, as Taylor puts it, “fractional isn’t easier, it’s just smarter.”
If you’ve ever wondered how to break into fractional work or hire top talent without full-time overhead, this conversation is your playbook for the new labor economy.
🎧 Topics include:
The difference between fractional and freelance
The demand for expert-level, part-time roles
How long fractional engagements really last and how to get started
The mission behind FractionalJobs.io
In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, hosts Nicole McNamara and Sam Tortora sit down with Gavin McMahon — engineer turned storyteller and author of Story Business — to prove that storytelling isn’t fluff; it’s a power move.
From boardrooms to job interviews, Gavin shows how the right narrative can do what data can’t: shift perception, build trust, and even move markets. He breaks down the story beneath the story, why authenticity beats “LinkedIn polish,” and introduces story stocks — the tales investors buy into long before they buy equity.
If your career path looks more like a plot twist than a straight line, this one will help you turn your messy middle into your market advantage.
A year ago, we first met Sam Tortora in Episode 2. Today, she’s back — not just as a guest, but as our new co-host.
This conversation sets the tone for the next chapter of Who Moved My Career?!: LinkedIn vs. Reality. Think of it like sitting down with your coworkers after hours, when the polished profiles and “I’m thrilled to announce” posts finally drop away.
Together, we unpack the tension between how we present ourselves professionally and what actually happens inside workplaces. Why it’s so hard to have the uncomfortable conversations. Why we avoid them. And why we need them more than ever.
Because at its core, this podcast is about creating a safe space to talk about the stuff we don’t usually say out loud at work — the messy, honest, human side of our careers.
Takeaways:
LinkedIn is the highlight reel; this podcast is the blooper reel.
We aim to create space for the conversations you wish you could have with coworkers.
Workplace dynamics don’t get better by avoiding them — they get better by naming them.
Expect relatability, honesty, and a little cheek.
This season on Who Moved My Career, we’re exploring the rise of fractional leadership—why more professionals are walking away from the “one job for life” model and building portfolio careers instead.
What happens when the career ladder breaks under you—not once, but four times?
That’s the reality Erika Weiss faced. After years of building iconic brands, she found herself navigating layoff after layoff, each one harder than the last. But instead of giving up, Erika learned to see disruption differently. In this conversation, she shares how she rebuilt her confidence, reframed networking, and ultimately stepped into a portfolio career she never saw coming. If you’ve ever felt like your career story got ripped out of your hands, Erika’s journey will remind you: reinvention is possible!
Madeline Fetterly has been helping executives own their power and tell their stories long before LinkedIn became the noisy place it is today. As founder of Be The Brand Collective, she’s guided countless leaders to step into their narrative with confidence and clarity.
In this episode, Madeline shares why personal branding isn’t about self-promotion – it’s about owning your story, your voice, and your professional power, especially in times of change. We talk doom-scrolling, imposter syndrome, and the simple mindset shift that makes LinkedIn your digital handshake instead of your digital sewer.
If you’re navigating a pivot, building resilience, or just trying to talk about yourself without cringing, this conversation is for you.
When Rebecca and Drew—two federal employees—were abruptly fired during their probationary periods, they didn’t just navigate the job loss. They built WellFed: a community-first platform helping fired or tired federal workers find their footing.
In this episode of Who Moved My Career, host Nicole McNamara dives into their raw, powerful story—from the emotional fallout of unexpected termination to launching a movement that’s now helping thousands.
💬 Topics include:
Emotional resilience in career transitions
Creating a safe space for laid-off workers
Networking and professional development in the federal sector
The future of work, public service, and mutual aid
How to support WellFed’s mission
This is not just a podcast—it’s a blueprint for rebuilding after rupture.
n this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole McNamara and Stephanie Wicky get real about the messy middle—that uncertain, uncomfortable space between what was and what’s next.
Stephanie opens up about a pivotal chapter in her late twenties when a career crisis collided with a breakup, sending her halfway around the world to Australia. Over a glass of metaphorical wine (and maybe a real one), she reflects on what it means to lose your footing, reframe your story, and build something better from the rubble.
This conversation is about more than careers—it’s about identity, motherhood, anxiety, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to start over. From relocating across continents to finding her voice in a new industry and city, Stephanie shares what it’s like to chase balance, belonging, and a life that actually fits.
Whether you’re in the middle of a reinvention—or just feeling a little untethered—this episode is for you.
In this Power Move episode, former EY partner and The Career Leap creator Misha Rubin shares the quiet moment that changed everything — and how he helps others design lives they don’t regret.
We talk about:
Why success on paper can still feel empty
The 3 biggest mistakes people make when asking “What’s next?”
How to connect with your future self for better decision-making
What it means to live a life by design, not default
Whether you’re in crisis or just quietly questioning, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about your next move.
In this episode of Who Moved My Career, Arun and Nicole sit down with Samina Bari—biopharma executive, memoirist, and trailblazer—for a raw, resonant conversation about identity, resilience, and redefining what comes next. Samina shares how cultural expectations, pivotal mentors, and deeply personal experiences shaped both her career and her sense of self. Together, they unpack what it means to lead through heartbreak, show up for other women, and find power in your own narrative. Rooted in the wisdom of her memoir, I Can, I Will, and I Did, Samina’s story is a masterclass in grit, grace, and what it takes to rebuild when life throws the unthinkable.
In this episode of 'Who Moved My Career', Nicole and Arun engage with Kelly Lewis, founder of the Lewis Leadership Group, to explore the complexities of career transitions, the concept of polarities, and the importance of navigating uncertainty. Kelly shares her personal journey from a problem-solving leader to one who inspires answers, emphasizing the need for curiosity in leadership. The conversation delves into the role of grief in transitions, the significance of processing emotions, and how to redefine competence in new contexts. Listeners are encouraged to embrace the dualities of life and leadership, finding purpose and gratitude amidst change.
What happens when your career—and your body—are taken from you in an instant?
In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, Nicole and Arun sit down with Ryan Curtis, a rising MMA fighter whose life changed forever after a catastrophic spinal injury. From chasing championship belts to fighting for the ability to move again, Ryan shares the raw truth of what it means to lose everything—and rebuild from the ground up.
This isn’t just a story about recovery. It’s about mindset, visualization, and the gritty discipline it takes to stare down the unthinkable and choose purpose anyway. Ryan opens up about the mental battle behind the physical one, and why he now feels a deep responsibility to lift others who are fighting their own invisible wars.
In this episode, Arun and Nicole pull back the curtain on TPC — The Phoenix Club — a community built for anyone rising from the ashes of a career shakeup.
They break down why TPC started, what makes it work, and why every professional needs a ride-or-die crew when the ground starts shifting. From the power of diverse perspectives to the magic of long-term peer support, this convo is packed with insights for anyone craving connection, clarity, and a little fire to keep going.
Whether you're in freefall or flying high, your network matters. And if you don't have a Phoenix Club of your own yet? It's time to start building one.
TPC Design Principles:
Leaders in Transition, Together
This is a space for seasoned leaders navigating what’s next — after the job changes, the title shifts, or the plan goes sideways. We’ve all been in the fire. No one here is above reinvention.
Trusted In, Tapped In
People join through personal connection — a tap on the shoulder from someone who knows what you’re made of. Not to keep people out, but to keep the experience high-trust and high-impact.
Wide Lens, Shared Table
We intentionally bring together leaders from different industries, backgrounds, and perspectives. The magic is in the mix — this isn’t an echo chamber. It’s a space where new ideas (and identities) take shape.
Keep the Door Open Behind You
When you find your footing, you help the next person do the same. That’s how the club stays alive — through reciprocity, not transactions. No one is “done” here. You stay because you want to give back.
In this episode, Nicole and Arun sit down with Ousman Jobe — a force in tech and a founding member of The Phoenix Club — to talk about what it really takes to navigate career transitions with strength, clarity, and community.
Ousman shares his journey from The Gambia to the tech world, and how mentorship and connection changed everything. Together, they unpack how the Phoenix Club became more than a networking group — it became a lifeline.
This one’s all about the power of showing up for each other, building real relationships, and rewriting your career story with people who’ve got your back. Because no one should have to reinvent alone.
What happens when the old rules for landing top jobs stop working?
In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, Nicole sits down with Rory Verrett—executive recruiter, career coach, and founder of Protégé Search—to unpack the mess that is today’s executive talent market. Rory shares hard truths about what’s really happening behind the scenes in hiring, why recruiters aren’t your fairy godmothers, and how mid-career professionals can stop spinning their wheels.
He introduces his Career Transition Blueprint, a new approach to navigating the search for your next big role—without losing your mind or your mojo. From ego checks to economic cycles, Portugal to the NFL, this conversation is a wake-up call for anyone stuck between success and reinvention.
In this episode of Who Moved My Career?!, hosts Arun Changamveetil and Nicole McNamara talk with Matt Seiler—former media CEO —about why your career needs something no AI can offer: a human agent.
Matt challenges the passive, spray-and-pray approach most people take when they’re between roles. He believes navigating career transitions requires agency—and sometimes, an actual agent—someone who sees your value, sharpens your story, and helps you move with purpose.
They unpack:
Why clarity is more powerful than connections
How to lead yourself through uncertainty
What it means to act as an “agent” for yourself—and others
And how we can build a culture of career reciprocity
This isn’t another episode about résumés and recruiters. It’s about taking back control, getting specific, and showing up for yourself (and your people) when it matters most#WhoMovedMyCareer #CareerAgency #HumanAgent #AIAgent #CareerTransitions #Leadership #PodcastDrop
Job searching is the worst—and in today’s market, it’s even tougher. In this episode of Who Moved My Career, hosts Nicole and Arun sit down with Bill Fitzgerald, founder and managing partner at Fitztrade Search, to get real about the emotional rollercoaster of job hunting. Whether you’ve been laid off, ghosted, or just feel stuck, this episode is packed with no-nonsense advice to help you navigate the chaos.
Bill pulls back the curtain on what recruiters actually look for in a resume (hint: you’ve got seconds), how to stand out on LinkedIn, and why most people are doing networking all wrong. We also dive into the unspoken mental toll of the job search—and how to build the support system you didn’t know you needed.
If you’re in the middle of a search, thinking about making a move, or helping someone who is, this one’s for you.
#JobSearchTips #CareerTransition #ResumeAdvice #LinkedInTips #WhoMovedMyCareer #CareerSupport #LayoffRecovery #NetworkingStrategies #Resilience #JobSearchSucks
In this Power Move episode of Who Moved My Career?, Arun and Nicole break down key insights from the newly released World Happiness Report—and what it means for your career - in just 10 minutes! With happiness declining in the U.S. and loneliness reaching epidemic levels, especially among young adults, these trends are reshaping the job market and how we work.
They explore:
💡 The link between happiness, career success, and job searching
🤝 Why social connections are the competitive advantage in today’s workforce
🔄 How to reframe perspective and combat career isolation
🎯 Actionable strategies to build resilience and stay motivated
If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or just need a boost—this one’s for you. Tune in for a quick hit of insight and strategy to take control of your career (and your happiness).
#worldhappinessreport #jobsatisfaction #layoffs #DOGE #jobsearch #socialconnection #lonliness
Job hunting can be brutal—lonely, confusing, and full of rejection. But what if you didn’t have to go it alone? In this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole and Arun sit down with Phyl Terry, author of Never Search Alone, to unpack a radically different approach to job searching.
Phyl shares why the traditional solo job hunt is broken and how forming a ‘search party’—a structured support group—can transform the experience. They break down key strategies like the Manookin Two-Pager, personal OKRs, and the Job Search Council, designed to give job seekers a real edge. Plus, Phyl doesn’t hold back on the ethical pitfalls of job interviews, why you should be vetting companies as much as they vet you, and why candidates should be compensated when providing strategic insights.
In a world where AI is reshaping the job market, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating a career transition. Don’t search alone—listen in and learn how to build your own winning team.
Sometimes, career moves happen to you. Sometimes, you make the move happen.
In this episode of Who Moved My Career, Nicole and Arun sit down with Sam Tortora to talk about what it really takes to reinvent yourself.
Sam shares her journey from BlackRock to personal reinvention, opening up about the challenges of career transitions, overcoming self-doubt, and navigating health struggles. They dive into how to reframe obstacles into opportunities, shift from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, and build the right support system along the way.
This episode is all about owning your story, making intentional career moves, and finding the confidence to embrace what’s next. If you're facing a career pivot (or thinking about one), you won’t want to miss this conversation.
💬 What’s the biggest mindset shift that’s helped you in your career? Drop it in the comments!
#WhoMovedMyCareer #CareerReinvention #MindsetShift #CareerPivot #Leadership #PersonalGrowth