• Be the C.E.O. of Your Career: Map and Launch Your Career Strategy with Susan Barber

    In this episode of the Be the CEO of Your Career summer series, Tammy Gooler Loeb explores the fourth practice in her framework: Map and Launch Your Career Strategy. Once professionals have connected with their values, explored possibilities, and found a direction that fits, the next challenge is turning that clarity into action. This means creating a real plan with steps and timelines, one that is grounded not only in aspirations but also in practical realities.

    Tammy brings the practice to life through her conversation with Susan Barber, a leading executive coach and former corporate executive. Susan spent more than two decades in leadership roles while navigating perfectionism, people-pleasing, self-doubt, and a tendency to stay quiet rather than risk saying the wrong thing. Even while being recognized as a top talent, she didn't fully realize how her habit of staying in the background was affecting her career.

    That changed when Susan received difficult feedback that she wasn't visible enough. Initially, the message was painful and unsettling, but Susan chose not to ignore it. With the help of a business mentor, she reframed the feedback and recognized that speaking up wasn't simply about promoting herself. By withholding information, ideas, and the accomplishments of her team, she could unintentionally limit both her own impact and the ability of others to make informed decisions.

    Susan began preparing differently, speaking up more intentionally, and bringing her team into important conversations. Those changes transformed how she showed up as a leader and eventually became the foundation of her work around visibility. Later, when she made the decision to leave corporate leadership and build her own business, she approached the transition with an understanding of her actual circumstances, including the resources and support available to her.

    In This Week's Podcast, Learn More About:

    • What it means to Map and Launch Your Career Strategy
    • Why career clarity must eventually turn into action
    • Creating a plan grounded in both goals and practical realities
    • Why readiness doesn't always feel like confidence
    • How difficult feedback can become a catalyst for change
    • Recognizing when staying safe is keeping you hidden
    • The difference between visibility and self-promotion
    • Why speaking up can benefit your team as well as your career
    • How Susan reframed feedback into concrete action
    • Preparing in advance to show up with greater confidence
    • Building a career strategy around your actual resources and circumstances
    • Why launching a plan requires more than quietly preparing behind the scenes
    • How becoming visible can create new opportunities

    Learn more:

    

    Your CEO of Your Career Move:

    Look at your career plan honestly.

    Is there a piece of it you've built quietly in a way that's still keeping you hidden?

    Maybe you've updated your résumé but haven't told anyone you're exploring new opportunities.

    Maybe you've created a website but haven't shared it.

    Maybe you've developed a skill but haven't shown anyone what you can do.

    Maybe you've decided what you want next but haven't had the conversation that could move you toward it.

    Pick one piece of your plan this week and put it somewhere it can be seen.

    A strategy doesn't become real simply because you've created it.

    At some point, you have to launch.



    Stay Connected:


    43m - Sep 9, 2026
  • Be the C.E.O. of Your Career: Synthesize and Focus with Mira Brancu

    In this episode of the Be the CEO of Your Career summer series, Tammy Gooler Loeb explores the third practice in her framework: Synthesize and Focus. After a period of discovery, people  will have gained new information, perspectives, and ideas, considering the possibilities and themes that emerge from them. Synthesize and Focus is the process of bringing those pieces together, finding patterns, and identifying a direction that aligns with their values, strengths, interests, and practical needs.

    In her conversation with Dr. Mira Brancu, founder and CEO of Towerscope, Tammy saw this practice come to life. Mira's career has included school counseling, clinical psychology, research, leadership, organizational development, and entrepreneurship. What initially appeared to be a series of unexpected turns eventually revealed a pattern. Mira consistently found herself drawn to examining processes and systems to improve how people work together while navigating complex environments, and helping leaders become more effective.

    An important moment came when Mira decided to consider a backup plan for her career. She made a list of everything she was good at, then removed items from the list that she didn't enjoy. Mira then examined the remaining list to identify items that met at the intersection between what she enjoyed, what had income earning potential, and what could address a meaningful need. That process led her to identify a focus on supporting women in leadership and helping people navigate complex organizations and workplace politics.

    Mira's story also demonstrates that synthesis doesn't necessarily mean choosing one thing and abandoning everything else. Her work with the Veterans Affairs Administration and her own business began feeding one another, allowing her to bring insights from one environment into the other. She also emphasizes the importance of building relationships throughout a career transition rather than trying to make every decision alone.

    In This Week's Podcast, Learn More About:

    • What it means to Synthesize and Focus
    • Why career clarity often comes after a period of discovery
    • Identifying patterns across seemingly unrelated career experiences
    • Understanding the intersection of strengths, interests, values, and needs
    • Why being good at something doesn't necessarily mean you'll enjoy it
    • Mira's journey from psychology into organizational development
    • How mentors can sometimes recognize strengths before we do
    • The value of understanding systems and complex environments
    • How Mira created a career "sweet spot"
    • Balancing meaningful work with practical considerations
    • Why career decisions don't have to be made in isolation
    • How relationships, mentors, coaches, and professional networks are vital to reinvention
    • Why synthesis can be useful at any career crossroads

    

    Learn more:



    Your CEO of Your Career Move:

    Take everything you've been discovering lately and lay it out in front of you.

    That could include conversations you've had, ideas you've explored, skills you've identified, things you've enjoyed, possibilities you've considered, and even things that didn't work out.

    Then ask yourself three questions:

    What am I good at?

    What do I enjoy?

    What does the world need that I could contribute to?

    Look for the overlap or intersection.

    That intersection may reveal where your focus wants to go next. And if you're struggling to see the pattern on your own, take Mira's advice: don't sit with your thoughts and over-deliberate by yourself. Bring other people into the process. Find mentors, coaches, professional organizations, and people who have already navigated their own career transition.


    Stay Connected:


    44m - Aug 26, 2026
  • Be the C.E.O. of Your Career: Discovery in Action with Jason Van Orden

    In this episode of the Be the CEO of Your Career summer series, Tammy Gooler Loeb focuses on the second practice in her framework: Discovery. Discovery is about noticing the gaps in what you know, becoming curious about them, and actively gathering the information, experiences, and relationships that can help you determine your next steps. Rather than allowing uncertainty to translate into overwhelm or paralysis, discovery turns uncertainty into an invitation to explore, take charge, and gain new ground.

    Through her conversation with Jason Van Orden, Tammy brings the practice of discovery to life. Jason's career offers a powerful example of repeated discovery. His early fascination with computers and programming led him to study electrical engineering and software development, but he soon realized that working as an employee wasn't right for him. That discovery led him to experiment with real estate investing, marketing, teaching, and eventually podcasting. His first business podcast became a Top 10 business podcast and continued for a decade.

    Jason's discovery process continued even after achieving significant success. While living in Paris and running his established business, he realized he was no longer waking up energized by the work. Rather than throwing away everything he had built, he gave himself time and space to experiment and identify which parts of his experience he wanted to carry forward. That process eventually led him toward consulting with coaches and consultants, developing scalable programs, networking, and helping others communicate and grow their businesses.

    Today, Jason is also exploring artificial intelligence with the same curiosity that once drew him toward podcasting. For him, discovery means remaining open to what is emerging, testing possibilities, and finding ways to integrate new ideas without losing authenticity.

    His advice for anyone wondering what comes next is simple: follow your curiosity. Curiosity can become a channel to intuition, helping reveal interests and possibilities that might otherwise remain hidden.

    In This Week's Podcast, Learn More About:

    • What discovery looks like as an ongoing career practice
    • Why curiosity can be more useful than trying to "find your passion"
    • How to turn uncertainty into an invitation to explore
    • Recognizing the breadcrumbs that appear throughout your career
    • Using experimentation to learn what fits
    • Why discovery requires engagement with other people
    • How Jason transitioned from engineering to entrepreneurship
    • The unexpected path from real estate investing to podcasting
    • What Jason learned from leaving a successful business
    • How networking became an important part of his next chapter
    • Using your existing skills in new and unexpected ways
    • Exploring AI while maintaining an authentic voice
    • Why you don't need to have your entire next chapter figured out

    

    Learn more:



    Your CEO of Your Career Move:

    Pick one thing you've been wondering about.

    It could be a different role, a possible career direction, an industry, a business idea, a skill you want to develop, or simply a question about what might be possible.

    Instead of researching it alone on your laptop, go talk to a person about it.

    Have one informational conversation. Reach out to someone who has already explored that path. Ask an honest question. Talk to a librarian, colleague, former coworker, mentor, or someone you admire.

    The goal isn't to make a decision.

    The goal is to discover something you didn't know before.

    That's discovery in action.



    Stay Connected:

    45m - Aug 12, 2026
  • Be the C.E.O. of Your Career: Define Your Why with Rashmir Balasubramaniam

    In this first episode of the Be the CEO of Your Career summer series, Tammy Gooler Loeb explores the initial practice in her framework: Define Your Why. At its core, this practice is about identifying the values and priorities that matter most so career decisions can come from clarity rather than expectation, pressure, or simply following the next logical step.

    To bring the practice to life, Tammy revisits her podcast conversation with Rashmir Balasubramaniam, a transformational leadership coach and consultant whose earliest memories include asking her father, "Why am I here?" That question would consistently surface for Rashmir throughout her career in accounting, investment banking, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, consulting, teaching, and coaching. Again and again, Rashmir learned to recognize when her work was moving closer to, or further away from, the values of learning, growth, purpose, and impact that mattered most to her.

    Rashmir's journey illustrates how defining your why isn't something that happens once but rather serves as a thread that drives discovery, meaning and fulfillment along the way. It requires listening to the inner and outer signals that emerge throughout a career and reassessing what feels significant as circumstances evolve. Tammy closes the episode, offering a C.E.O. of Your Career Move to help listeners uncover their own why by reflecting on their best career decisions and identifying the threads connecting them.

    In This Week's Podcast, Learn More About:

    • How Define Your Why sets the stage for the five practices within the Be the CEO of Your Career framework
    • How values and priorities provide a compass for career decisions
    • Understanding the difference between logical choices and an inner sense of knowing
    • Why Rashmir repeatedly chose learning, growth, purpose, and impact
    • Recognizing when a successful career path no longer feels aligned
    • Why letting go can create space to discover what's next
    • How reflection helped Rashmir to navigate multiple career transitions
    • The power of curiosity throughout her professional journey
    • Listening for the inner and outer signals pointing toward what comes next
    • Defining your why matters at every career crossroads, including retirement


    Learn more:


    Your CEO of Your Career Move:

    Look back at every job, opportunity, or career decision that has ever felt genuinely right.

    Write down the thread, or perhaps several threads, that appeared across most of those experiences. Was it learning? Creativity? Service? Independence? Impact? Connection? Leadership?

    That recurring thread is a piece of your why.

    Pull on it. Consider where it is showing up in your career today and where it may be missing. As Tammy reminds listeners, defining your why isn't only useful when making a career pivot. It can provide clarity at any meaningful crossroads in work and life.


    Stay Connected:

    51m - Jul 31, 2026
  • Your Career, Your Future: Be the CEO of Your Career

    This week on Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb introduces listeners to a special bonus summer series centered around her Be the CEO of Your Career framework. Drawing on years of coaching and career development experience, Tammy explains why meaningful career growth begins with understanding yourself before pursuing external opportunities. She shares the foundational ‘CEO’ mindset: Curiosity, Engagement, and Ownership, which supports every stage of intentional career development.

    Tammy walks through the framework's five core practices: Define Your Why, Discovery, Synthesize and Focus, Map and Launch Your Career Strategy, and Reflect and Refine. Rather than presenting them as a checklist or succession of steps, she explains how these practices cycle through and evolve as careers and aspirations change. Throughout the summer, each practice will be explored through the story of a previous podcast guest whose journey demonstrates the framework in action.

    Tammy also previews an exciting new chapter for the podcast. Beginning this fall with Episode 300, Work from the Inside Out will feature a blend of inspiring guest conversations and solo episodes addressing today's evolving workplaces, career uncertainty, leadership challenges, and the future of work. She closes with a simple challenge for listeners: identify which of the five practices deserves the most attention right now and begin leading their careers with greater intention.


    What to Expect in This Summer Series:

    Over the next five episodes, Tammy will explore each practice of the Be the CEO of Your Career framework through the stories and experiences of past Work from the Inside Out guests:

    • Define Your Why with Rashmir Balasubramaniam, who shares how a lifelong search for purpose began with a simple childhood question: "Why am I here?"
    • Discovery with Jason Van Orden, whose curiosity-driven career journey demonstrates the power of exploring new possibilities and embracing change.
    • Synthesize and Focus with Mira Brancu, who explains how identifying the intersection of strengths, passions, and impact can bring greater career clarity.
    • Map and Launch Your Career Strategy with Susan Barber, who reveals how difficult feedback became the catalyst for a purposeful career transformation.
    • Reflect and Refine with Scot Safon, whose decades-long career illustrates the value of continually reassessing, learning, and adapting over time.


    Learn more:


    Your CEO of Your Career Move:

    Before the next episode drops, take five minutes and ask yourself: Which of the five practices needs your attention most right now?

    Is it Define Your Why, Discovery, Synthesize and Focus, Map and Launch Your Career Strategy, or Reflect and Refine?


    Stay Connected:

    10m - Jul 23, 2026
  • 299: A Work Life Worth Living: Jeff Westphal on Leadership, Purpose, and Meaning

    Professional success is often seen as the ultimate measure of a fulfilling career, but what if achievement alone isn't enough? In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb welcomes Jeff Westphal, former CEO of Vertex Inc., entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author of A Work Life Worth Living: Your Guide to Creating a Meaningful Career. Jeff shares the personal experiences that shaped his leadership journey and inspired his mission to help others create more meaningful work lives.

    Jeff reflects on growing up in a family of hardworking entrepreneurs, navigating a complicated relationship with his father, and discovering how learning to truly listen transformed both his leadership and his life. Together, Tammy and Jeff explore the power of workplace culture, personal responsibility, and the importance of understanding what truly brings meaning to work.

    Whether you're rethinking your career, leading a team, or searching for greater fulfillment in your professional life, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and practical wisdom. Jeff reminds listeners that while organizations can foster supportive environments, each individual has the opportunity to create a work life that is rooted in purpose, connection, and meaning.


    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How childhood experiences shape leadership
    • Why success alone does not create fulfillment
    • The leadership power of listening first
    • Building a culture where people thrive
    • Taking ownership of your own career satisfaction
    • Finding meaning regardless of your job title
    • The lessons that transformed Jeff's relationship with his father
    • Why meaningful work starts from the inside out


    Learn more about Jeff:


    Additional resources noted during the podcast: 


    Stay Connected:


    35m - Jul 1, 2026
  • 298: Male Allyship: Building Inclusive Actions at Work with Shawn Andrews and Michael O'Brien

    In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb speaks with Dr. Shawn Andrews and Michael O'Brien, co-authors of The 5 Levels of Male Allyship: A Guide to Building Better Teams Through Real Inclusion. Together, they explore how allyship can help create more inclusive workplace cultures and stronger professional relationships.

    Drawing on their research and experiences, Shawn and Michael discuss why many men want to be allies but often struggle to know where to begin. They explain the five levels of allyship, the importance of awareness and courage, and how individuals can move from good intentions to meaningful action.

    The conversation also examines the differences between allies, mentors, and sponsors, the role leaders can play in fostering cultures of inclusion, and the challenges created by workplace dynamics such as "bro culture." Shawn and Michael share practical tools from their book that help individuals assess their allyship and identify potential advocates within their organizations.

    Listeners will gain valuable insights into how allyship benefits everyone, strengthens workplace culture, and creates opportunities for people to thrive together.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • The definition of allyship and why it matters
    • The five levels of male allyship
    • Why awareness is the foundation of allyship
    • The role of courage in supporting others
    • How allyship differs from mentorship and sponsorship
    • The impact of workplace culture on inclusion
    • Common barriers that prevent men from becoming allies
    • The influence of "bro culture" in organizations
    • Practical tools for identifying and developing allies
    • Why allyship benefits both individuals and organizations 


    Learn more about Michael and Shawn:


    Stay Connected:


    43m - Jun 24, 2026
  • 297: Be Curious. Ask “What If?” When Luck Shows Up, Be Prepared To Do The Work with Heather Hansen O’Neill

    In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb speaks with Heather Hansen O'Neill, a keynote speaker, coach, leadership expert, author, and former professional dancer whose career journey has been defined by reinvention, resilience, and curiosity. Heather shares how dance became her safe place from a young age, leading her to a professional performing career before a devastating injury abruptly changed her path forever.

    Heather reflects on the difficult transition that followed losing the career she loved, the years she spent searching for direction, and the powerful “what if?” question that ultimately helped her rediscover joy and purpose. She discusses how her experiences shaped her work helping leaders and organizations create more human-centered cultures, build meaningful connections, and rethink the way they approach sales, leadership, and career fulfillment.

    Tammy and Heather also explore the importance of listening to your inner voice amid life’s noise, embracing reinvention at every stage of life, and staying resilient through rejection and uncertainty. Heather shares lessons from the dance world that continue to guide her today, including why sometimes not getting the role you wanted may lead you to the one that truly fits.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How Heather’s professional dance career shaped her identity and leadership style
    • What happened after a career-ending injury changed the direction of her life
    • Why curiosity and asking “what if?” can open new possibilities
    • How human connection transforms leadership, sales, and workplace culture
    • The importance of listening to your inner voice amid external noise
    • Why many professionals feel disconnected from their work—and how to reconnect
    • How Heather transitioned from sales into coaching, speaking, and authorship
    • Lessons about resilience, rejection, and persistence from the dance world
    • Why reinvention often begins with letting go of old expectations
    • How setbacks can ultimately lead to more meaningful opportunities 


    Learn more about Heather:


    Stay Connected:


    40m - May 27, 2026
  • 296. The Power of Authenticity, Networking, and Persistence with Deborah Farone

    In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb speaks with Deborah Farone, consultant, speaker, former chief marketing officer at two international law firms, and author of Best Practices in Law Firm Business Development and Marketing and Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Partners Build Thriving Practices. Deborah shares how her fascination with marketing began in childhood and evolved into a remarkable career helping professional service firms strengthen relationships, build trust, and grow thriving businesses.

    Deborah reflects on the early experiences that shaped her career path, from creating handwritten job-tracking systems while applying to public relations agencies to persistently pursuing opportunities that aligned with her interests. She discusses how curiosity, authenticity, and a willingness to learn helped her move from public relations into leadership roles at prestigious firms including Debevoise & Plimpton and Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Along the way, she credits strong mentors, meaningful networking, and continuous learning as essential ingredients in her professional growth.

    Tammy and Deborah also explore the importance of creating a career rooted in genuine interests and strengths. Deborah shares insights from her consulting work and books, including how professionals can identify the kinds of work that energizes them most, develop authentic client relationships, and navigate career transitions with intention and resilience.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • Why persistence and creativity helped Deborah land her first job in public relations
    • How curiosity has been a driving force throughout her career
    • The importance of authenticity in leadership and business development
    • What Deborah learned from working inside elite professional service firms
    • Why strong writing skills can transform a career in communications
    • How networking and relationship-building create long-term opportunities
    • Why career transitions require both resilience and intentionality
    • How professionals can identify the kinds of work that truly energizes them
    • Why building trust is essential for sustainable business development
    • How Deborah’s consulting and writing career evolved after leaving corporate leadership


    Learn more about Deborah:


    Stay Connected:

    37m - May 13, 2026
  • 295: Lead with Intention Through CORE Leadership with Miki Feldman Simon

    In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb speaks with Miki Feldman Simon, an executive coach, global business leader, and author of Core Leadership: A Four-Step Framework to Lead Yourself, Grow Your Influence, and Amplify Your Impact. Miki shares her journey across continents, industries, and roles, from growing up in Israel and Australia to stepping into leadership positions in HR, operations, and marketing, and ultimately establishing her path in executive coaching. Along the way, she reflects on the value of experimentation and how unexpected turns can become meaningful learning experiences.

    Miki introduces her CORE Leadership framework, a four-step model designed to help individuals lead themselves first in order to expand their impact. She explains the importance of clarifying values and priorities, translating intentions into consistent action, reflecting on internal patterns and limiting beliefs, and evaluating how one’s behavior is experienced by others. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that leadership is not only about what we do, but also about who we choose to be in each moment.

    This conversation is especially relevant for anyone at a career crossroads or seeking greater fulfillment in their work. Miki shares how clarity around values, strengths, and definitions of success can build confidence and open new possibilities. Her insights offer both a mindset shift and practical tools to help listeners move forward with intention and create a more meaningful path from the inside out.


    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How early career experiments can shape long term success
    • Why leadership begins with leading yourself first
    • The CORE framework, clarify, operationalize, reflect, and evaluate
    • The difference between intentions and actual impact on others
    • How breaking down strengths into skills opens new career possibilities
    • Why clarity builds confidence during career transitions
    • The importance of pausing before deciding what comes next
    • How small consistent habits create lasting change


    Learn more about Miki:


    Stay Connected:


    39m - Apr 29, 2026
  • 294: Career Fulfillment at the Intersection of People, Technology and Information with David Charles

    In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb speaks with Dr. David Charles, educator, executive coach, and former industry leader whose career spans consulting, analytics, innovation, and academia. David shares how early influences in science and engineering led him into technology, and how a series of unexpected pivots shaped a career grounded in curiosity, learning, and growth.

    David reflects on key transitions, from consulting to corporate leadership roles at organizations like CVS Health and John Deere, and eventually into academia. Along the way, he explores how networking, continuous learning, and a willingness to step into the unknown opened doors he never anticipated. He also discusses the importance of understanding what you enjoy in your work, especially the value of seeing the real-world impact of your contributions.

    Today, as a faculty member and coach, David helps others navigate their own career journeys. He emphasizes the importance of staying curious, building meaningful connections, and being open to opportunities that may not initially seem like the obvious next step. His story is a powerful reminder that careers are rarely linear and that growth often comes from embracing what you do not yet know.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How early career decisions do not have to define your long-term path
    • Why curiosity is one of the most valuable career skills you can develop
    • The role of networking in uncovering unexpected opportunities
    • How to evaluate whether you enjoy the work or just the subject matter
    • The difference between learning in theory and seeing real-world impact
    • What it takes to transition across industries successfully
    • Lessons from moving between large organizations and startup environments
    • The importance of understanding what you do not know yet
    • How coaching can expand your perspective on business and leadership
    • Why building relationships is more powerful than having the perfect pitch 

    

    Learn more about David:


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    52m - Apr 15, 2026
  • 293: Redefining Potential: From Performance to Purpose with Kate Kayaian

    In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb speaks with Kate Kayaian, a former professional cellist turned career strategist, author, and coach. Kate shares her journey from performing on world-class stages to making the bold decision to step away from a successful music career in her forties. What makes her story especially powerful is that nothing was “wrong” on the outside. She had built a life many would aspire to, yet something no longer fit.

    Kate opens up about the internal shift that led her to question her path, including the realization that success as she had defined it no longer aligned with the life she wanted to live. Through the unexpected pause of the pandemic, she began experimenting with new ways of working, which led to coaching, creating programs, and ultimately discovering work that felt more meaningful and aligned. Her story challenges the belief that we must stay on a path simply because it has been successful.

    Together, Tammy and Kate explore what it means to redefine potential on your own terms, how to move past the stories that keep you stuck, and why it is never too late to pivot. Kate also shares a simple yet powerful mindset shift that can help you move from feeling blocked to seeing new possibilities. This conversation is an invitation to rethink what is possible for your next chapter.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How to recognize when a successful career no longer aligns with your values
    • Why external success does not always translate to internal fulfillment
    • The role of identity in keeping you stuck in a path that no longer fits
    • How the pandemic created unexpected opportunities for reinvention
    • The difference between ego-driven success and purpose-driven work
    • Why you do not need a crisis to justify making a change
    • How to translate existing skills into a completely new career direction
    • The power of questioning the stories you tell yourself about your past, present, and future
    • A practical mindset shift from “no, because” to “yes, if”
    • How to begin redefining your potential on your own terms

    

    Learn more about Kate:


    Stay Connected:

    45m - Apr 2, 2026
  • 292: The Emotional Demands of Leadership in Today’s Workplaces with Dina Denham Smith

    What does leadership look like in a world where emotions are more present at work than ever before? In this episode, Tammy speaks with executive coach, strategic advisor, and author Dina Denham Smith about the increasing emotional demands placed on leaders today. Drawing on her background in organizational psychology, business, and executive leadership, Dina shares how workplaces have changed and why leaders are being charged with navigating situations that go well beyond traditional management practices. In her new book, Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work, she connects the dots between the complexities of intensified emotions in the workplace and the practical approaches needed to lead a trusting and engaged workforce. 

    Dina reflects on her early life growing up on a boys boarding school campus and how that environment shaped her confidence, communication style, and comfort speaking up in male dominated settings. She also shares the path that led her from studying organizational  psychology to earning an MBA, working in consulting and private equity, and eventually building a successful executive coaching practice.

    Tammy and Dina also explore the concept of emotional labor in leadership. Dina explains why the emotional expectations placed on leaders have intensified in recent years and offers practical insights for navigating difficult conversations, supporting teams through change, and leading effectively in an emotionally complex workplace.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How Dina’s unconventional childhood shaped her confidence and communication style
    • Why early work experiences influenced her interest in workplace psychology
    • The path from studying organizational psychology to earning an MBA and moving into consulting
    • What she learned working in organizational strategy and corporate transformation
    • Dina’s transition from corporate leadership roles into executive coaching
    • Why writing became an important part of her professional work
    • The concept of emotional labor and how it applies to leadership
    • Why leaders today face higher emotional demands than in the past
    • How leaders can navigate emotionally charged conversations with their teams
    • Practical ways to explore career changes through experimentation rather than overthinking

    

    Learn more about Dina:


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    42m - Mar 19, 2026
  • 291: Your Best Meeting Ever: Designing Collaboration That Actually Works with Rebecca Hinds

    What if meetings didn’t have to feel like a drain, but instead became one of the most powerful tools for collaboration and career growth? In this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Hinds, organizational behavior expert and author of Your Best Meeting Ever: Seven Principles for Designing Meetings That Get Things Done. Rebecca shares how her early years as a competitive swimmer shaped her understanding of teamwork and why putting the team first ultimately elevates individual success.

    We explore the science of collaboration, what most organizations get wrong about meetings, and why so many well-intentioned efforts, including AI rollouts, fail due to human resistance rather than technical limitations. Rebecca explains the “4D rule” for deciding whether a meeting should even exist, how network science can transform career advancement, and why cognitive wandering is essential for innovation.

    If you’ve ever felt frustrated by inefficient meetings, skeptical about AI at work, or unsure how to position yourself for what’s next in your career, this conversation offers both research-backed insights and practical ways to rethink how you show up for your team and for yourself.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How Rebecca’s experience as a competitive swimmer shaped her understanding of teamwork
    • Why organizations often reward individual performance over team success and why that’s a mistake
    • The 4D rule for determining whether a meeting should exist
    • Dropbox’s radical “Meeting Gettin’” experiment
    • The hidden psychology behind meeting overload
    • How network science influences career advancement
    • Why weak ties (not strong ones) often lead to new opportunities
    • What “cognitive wandering” is and why it fuels innovation
    • Why AI initiatives fail due to human resistance, not technical limitations
    • How to combine disciplines to create a unique competitive advantage
    • Why designing and running effective meetings is a high-value leadership skill

    

    Learn more about Rebecca:


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    41m - Mar 4, 2026
  • 290: Understand Yourself to Lead Others with Margaret Andrews

    In Episode 290 of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb speaks with Margaret Andrews, author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding. A seasoned executive leader, Harvard instructor, and founder of the MYLO Center, Margaret shares why leadership is not just a skillset, it’s a craft that begins within. From her early career in consulting to running MBA and executive programs at MIT and Harvard, Margaret’s journey has been guided by curiosity, risk-taking, and deep reflection.

    Margaret explains why self-awareness becomes increasingly important as we move into leadership roles. One of her most powerful insights? We judge ourselves by our intentions, but others judge us by our behaviors. That gap can undermine even the most well-meaning leaders. She shares how understanding our formative influences, values, and definitions of success allows us to close that gap and lead with greater clarity and impact.

    In a world reshaped by post-pandemic workplace shifts, hybrid culture debates, and rapid change, Margaret reminds us that there is no silver bullet in leadership, only thoughtful, intentional navigation. If you’re contemplating your next move, leading a team, or striving to grow into your next level, this conversation offers practical frameworks and reflective questions to help you truly work from the inside out.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • Why leadership is a creative craft and not just a position
    • The difference between intentions and behaviors, and why it matters
    • How curiosity shapes career transitions
    • The role of risk-taking in professional growth
    • Why self-understanding is foundational to leading others
    • The paradox of hybrid work and organizational culture
    • How leaders can close the intention–behavior gap
    • Why slowing down leads to better long-term decisions
    • The importance of modeling learning and vulnerability
    • Practical reflection strategies for your next career move


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    47m - Feb 18, 2026
  • 289: Unlocking Potential at Every Stage of Life with Addie Swartz

    In this episode of Work From the Inside Out, Tammy Gooler Loeb sits down with entrepreneur and leadership innovator Addie Swartz, CEO of reacHIRE. Addie shares the remarkable throughline of her career, from selling apple pies at age 12 to founding multiple mission-driven companies, all rooted in a belief that talent, confidence, and potential exist everywhere, even when they’re overlooked.

    Throughout the conversation, Addie reflects on pivotal moments that shaped her path, including her time at Bain, Disney, and Lotus, and the personal experiences that inspired her to build businesses supporting women, girls, and professionals navigating career transitions. From creating positive role models for young girls through The Beacon Street Girls to helping experienced professionals return to meaningful work, Addie illustrates how life’s disruptions often reveal powerful opportunities.

    Addie also discusses the evolution of reacHIRE and its leadership platform, Aurora, which help individuals grow, re-enter, and advance within organizations by focusing on strengths, confidence, and intentional support. Her advice for anyone facing a transition is both reassuring and practical: lean into your potential, stay curious, and don’t go it alone. This episode is a powerful reminder that every stage of life holds the possibility for growth and reinvention.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How early entrepreneurial experiences can shape lifelong leadership instincts
    • Why confidence, and not capability, is often the biggest barrier during career transitions
    • The hidden cost of sidelining experienced talent after career breaks
    • How strengths-based leadership development drives engagement, growth, and retention
    • Why meaningful careers are built through curiosity, courage, and support at every stage of life


    Learn more about Addie:

    

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    54m - Feb 4, 2026
  • 288: From Pain to Purpose: Building Whole Health Wealth with Matt Paradise

    What happens when life strips away certainty—health, finances, identity—and asks you to rebuild from the inside out? In this powerful episode, Tammy Gooler Loeb sits down with Matt Paradise, financial wellness speaker, award-winning author, and living example of resilience. Matt shares his extraordinary journey from homelessness and addiction to a decades-long career in financial counseling and ultimately, to redefining what true wealth really means.

    Matt reflects on growing up between two vastly different worlds, grappling with addiction as a teenager, and becoming sober at 18. His story unfolds through mentorship, purpose, and a growing understanding that money is rarely just about math. It’s about identity, meaning, and hope. Along the way, Matt explains the critical difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, why comparison is the thief of joy, and how unaddressed inner struggles often show up in our financial lives.

    The conversation takes a profound turn when Matt shares his experience surviving a rare bile duct cancer diagnosis and liver transplant. Out of that pain emerged clarity—and his book, Financially Capable: A Friendly Guide to Building Whole-Health Wealth. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and ask: What does “enough” really look like and how do we build lives that support our whole selves?


    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • Why financial stress is rarely just about money
    • The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
    • How addiction, debt, and overwork share common emotional roots
    • What it means to build Whole Health Wealth
    • The role of mentorship in personal and professional transformation
    • How serious illness can clarify purpose and priorities
    • Why “done is better than perfect” when life is uncertain
    • A practical five-step framework for meaningful change
    • Reframing “have to” into “get to”
    • Why hope matters—even when it’s not a strategy


    Learn more about Matt:

    

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    1h 1m - Jan 21, 2026
  • 287: The Visibility Factor: Why Hard Work Alone Isn’t Enough with Susan Barber

    In this episode of the Work from the Inside Out podcast, I’m joined by executive coach and author of The Visibility Factor, Susan Barber. A former Fortune 500 IT Director, Susan helps business leaders who want to leverage their leadership strengths, increase their visibility, and  elevate their impact in the workplace. Susan specializes in working with quiet, high-achieving leaders who want to step into the spotlight in authentic ways, so they can be seen, valued, and influential at work.

    Susan shares her journey working for 25 years in various leadership roles at Kraft Heinz to entrepreneurship, including the moment she received career-changing feedback that she “wasn’t visible enough.” That feedback, despite years of strong performance, forced her to confront imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the subtle ways leaders unintentionally hold themselves back.

    We discuss what visibility really means, why it’s not about bragging or being the loudest voice in the room, and how leaders, especially introverts, can reframe visibility as service, clarity, and responsibility. Susan also shares insights from her recently published Your Journey to Visibility Workbook and offers practical guidance for people navigating career growth, and professional transitions.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • Why visibility ≠ self-promotion
    • How imposter syndrome quietly limits career growth
    • The difference between being busy and being visible
    • Why introverts often struggle with visibility and how to reframe it
    • How feedback (even painful feedback) can become a career-defining gift
    • What it really means to “do the job before you get the job”
    • Practical ways to show up more intentionally without changing who you are


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    44m - Jan 7, 2026
  • 286: Fear Intelligence: A Breakthrough Framework for Leaders with Jacqueline Wales

    This week, Tammy welcomes back author and executive coach Jacqueline Wales, whose new book Fear Intelligence: A Practical Framework for Leading Beyond Fear offers a powerful, compassionate roadmap for understanding how fears shape our lives and our leadership style. Drawing on her two plus decades of coaching executives, professionals, and creatives, Jacqueline explains how fear, often misunderstood or ignored, offers a deeply influential emotional signal that calls for our attention.

    In the conversation, Jacqueline shares the evolution of her work, beginning with her early books The Fearless Factor and The Fearless Factor at Work, and leading to her latest framework, a four-part acronym: Face It, Explore It, Act on It, Rise with It. She and Tammy discuss how fear shows up in our behaviors, especially as avoidance, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or over-functioning, and how intergenerational stories can quietly shape our sense of safety and self-worth. Jacqueline illustrates how fear often runs “in the background,” like a CPU, until we learn to pause, question, and explore what it’s actually signaling.

    Listeners will gain a fresh understanding of fear as data, not destiny. Jacqueline emphasizes that growth is not about becoming fearless, a myth she debunks. Becoming fear intelligent  means choosing honesty over avoidance and conscious action over self-sabotage. Practical tools, reflective questions, and stories from her coaching practice illuminate how anyone can begin clearing the “old stories” that block their potential and open up space for the life they truly want.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • What Fear Intelligence is and why it matters for leaders and professionals
    • The four-step F.E.A.R. Framework: Face It, Explore It, Act on It, Rise with It
    • How fear shapes behavior through avoidance, perfectionism, and people-pleasing
    • Why fear is often intergenerational, and how those stories get passed along
    • Viewing fear as data rather than danger — and how that shift empowers action
    • How to identify the stories that quietly reinforce “I’m not good enough”
    • Why uncertainty is unavoidable, and why choosing discomfort can open new paths
    • Jacqueline’s personal journey from hardship to transformation
    • Tools, exercises, and real-life examples from her new book Fear Intelligence
    • How to begin building a more honest, compassionate relationship with yourself


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    37m - Dec 17, 2025
  • 285: Stroke Onward with Steve Zuckerman: Navigating Life, Work, and the Unexpected

    In this week’s episode of Work from the Inside Out, Tammy welcomes longtime friend and mission-driven leader Steve Zuckerman, whose multifaceted career spans private equity, economic justice work, and co-founding Stroke Onward, the nonprofit he founded with his wife, author and professor Debra Meyerson. Steve shares how his grounded upbringing, infused with values of service and perseverance, informed the choices he made throughout his professional and personal life.

    Steve walks us through his career journey, from his entry into consulting, to private equity, to becoming a stay-at-home dad during a major life shift, and eventually pivoting to non-profit leadership. He describes his ‘strategically opportunistic’ mindset which developed over time. Steve reflected on how this approach enabled him to see opportunities beyond conventional pathways and engage with both planned and unexpected situations. 

    In 2010, the unexpected occurred when Steve’s wife, Deb experienced a life threatening stroke Debra, leaving her with a paralyzed right side and no speech at all. We discuss her continual recovery efforts, limitations imposed by her aphasia, and their collaborative mission to expand the conversation around identity loss and rebuilding after stroke. Steve shares how this experience reshaped his career priorities, leading to the founding of Stroke Onward and the second edition of Deb’s book Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke. Their goal: transform how the medical and rehabilitation systems support the long-term emotional journey of recovery.

    In this week’s Work from the Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

    • How Steve’s childhood values shaped his lifelong commitment to service and purpose-driven work.
    • Why he turned down traditional career pathways in favor of roles aligned with his values.
    • The philosophy of being “strategically opportunistic” and how it can guide career decisions.
    • The year-long Mediterranean family sailing adventure that changed their perspective on life.
    • Deb’s stroke, her life with aphasia, and how Steve supports her identity rebuilding.
    • How the book Identity Theft evolved into a second edition and the founding of Stroke Onward.
    • The systemic gaps in stroke recovery and why emotional healing needs long-term support.
    • Steve’s advice for making career decisions rooted in clarity, compassion, and self-awareness.


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    59m - Dec 3, 2025
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