Show cover of Real Work, Real Life

Real Work, Real Life

Everything you wished you learned during your school's Career Day. Hear interviews from people in every line of work, covering how to get there, what the actual work is like, pay, benefits, and both the joys and annoyances that aren't clear until you're working in the field. Reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com

Tracks

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, after more than 60 interviews, today the tables are turned, and I’m the guest. My interviewer is my husband, Corey. If you’d like to learn more about his work, check out his episode on life as a Marine Engineer. In this interview, I answer all the questions I have asked my guests, but I also reflect a lot on what I have learned in this process, which as it turns out, is a lot of things. Before we get into, I just wanted to say how incredibly grateful I am to my guests, who took time out of their day to talk candidly about work with me, both strangers and dear friends and family. I’m also so grateful for the support of my friends and family through this process, I’ve learned more than I ever expected, and I can’t wait to share that all with you. Thank you all so much for listening, for coming on the show to talk with me, and all the notes of support. You can reach me at RealWorkRealLife@gmail.com. 

10/18/24 • 107:05

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life I’m talking with Mike Ettenberg, a firefighter and the founder of Frontline Optics, a sunglasses company focused on the needs of the First Responder Community but suitable for anyone. If you’ve ever considered becoming a firefighter or you wonder what it’s like, we get into it all: the joys of camaraderie and making a clear and tangible impact on people's lives, but of course, with the lows of the profession like burnout and spending much of your working life seeing people on some of the worst days of their lives. We also learned that if you want to thank your local fire department, you can’t go wrong with sweet treats. If you’d like to find out more about Mike’s company, which donates a portion of all proceeds to the First Responders Children’s Foundation, in support of those children who have lost a parent in the line of duty you can find them here: https://frontline-optics.comIf you liked this interview with Mike, you might also like my discussion with Tim and hearing about his life in the Air Force and working for the government or Meg, talking about life in the U.S.Army:Meg, U.S. ArmyTim, Air Force and GovernmentIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

10/2/24 • 36:29

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life I’m talking with LaQuita Johnson, about life working as a Pharmacist. We get into all the details about life in this field, like the burnout risk in the retail sector, to the challenge of transitioning from school to actually working in the field. If you’d like to learn more about LaQuita, you can find her at LaQuitaJohnson.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy one of the many episodes I’ve done covering life in the medical field:Chaundria, a Radiologic TechnologistShannon, and ImmunologistSabrina, an OB-GYNChris, a Registered NurseIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

9/18/24 • 48:43

Send us a textOn this week’s episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Nathan, a technical account manager. Generally, technical account managers are the technical support liaison for clients of software companies. They form and maintain relationships with their clients, help them resolve issues with the products, and make sure they’re are able to use it effectively, which is really important because software can often be a huge investment for a client. We cover so much in this episode, including thoughts on the future of this work with the continued rise of AI, the challenges of working in a service role (even a highly skilled one), the transition from in office to remote work, and how this role fits into the typical software company structure. If enjoyed this episode, you might also like my interviews with Sam, a Customer Success Manager, and Jake, a Software Engineer, you can find them linked below!Software EngineerCustomer Success ManagerIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

9/4/24 • 62:30

Send us a textOn this week’s episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Kelly Tag. Kelly teaches special education for preschoolers in a public school system and before that had experience teaching online on a variety of subjects . We talk about getting started with a provisional license, working in a field in whatever capacity you can before committing to it, and so much more. Follow Kelly at https://www.youtube.com/c/TeacherKellyTagOther episodes that might interest you:Meagan, TeacherMichelle, ParaeducatorStacie, Early Childhood EducatorIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

8/21/24 • 29:51

Send us a textOn this week’s episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Chaundria Singleton, a medical imaging and radiation therapy professional, or a radiologic technologist. One path we talk about here is one that I don’t hear quite as much about, the path from entrepreneurship into a career as an employee. I’m so glad to have an opportunity to share that path, because we so often romanticize the path of ditching your 9-5 to be your own boss, but there are tons of reasons that being an employee might be a better path for a person, especially in an in demand field like this. We cover so many important tips and considerations in the field, like the earning potential of different specialities, making sure you’re applying for an accredited program, and what actually happens if you accidentally get into an MRI with metal in your body. If you want to find out more about Chaundria and this field, you can follow her on social media at @acoupleofradtechs. If you enjoyed this episode, I have quite a few other interviews with people working in the medical field, like Kat, a physical therapist assistant or Chris, a registered nurse.Follow Chaundria on social media @acoupleofradtechsOther episodes that might interest you:Kat, Physical Therapist AssistantChris, Registered NurseIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

8/7/24 • 47:00

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Ashlee Cervantes Thomas, an experienced security professional from Guardian Protection Force in California. Like so many of the fields I’ve spoken with people about, there are so many different paths you can take within security, from the security guards we’re all familiar with in retail stores and offices, to events security to executive or celebrity bodyguards. There is room for all types of people with tons of different schedules available and high demand for services. We cover how to get started in this field, the roles and responsibilities once you’re on the job, and so much more. So let’s get into it!Find out more about what Ashlee does:Guardian Protection Force website: www.gpfsecuritycorp.comAshlee's Instagram @guardian.ceoGuardian Protection Force Instagram: @gpf_incIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

7/24/24 • 43:30

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Meagan Tehseldar, a high school English Language Arts teacher. When I first envisioned this podcast, teacher was definitely a career that was high on my list, and Meagan was the perfect guest for this because she’s had experience across different states, public, private, and charter, and now is teaching virtually, so if you’re curious about what life as a teacher might be like, we get into so many different paths you could take. I also appreciated how candid Meagan was about the challenges in this career right now, like some of the other fields I’ve covered, teaching as a profession is in a  tough spot right now. If you’re considering going into education, you’ll be in incredibly high demand, but that’s partly because it’s so hard to find enough people that want to fill the roles, which is definitely something to consider as you consider your own ability to cope with the specific challenges in this field. On the other hand, it’s a chance to positively impact your community in a way that few other fields offer.To learn more about Meagan, follow her Instagram:@loveoverlabelsadvocacyIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

7/10/24 • 43:57

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life I’m talking with Scott Fulmer, a seasoned private investigator. This field is in high demand, and includes a lot of different specialties within it, so it could be great for someone that’s not interested in a regular job and interested in the freedom and variety that can come from this type of work. I learned so much about this field that I didn’t know, I think you’re really going to enjoy this interview. If you’d like to learn more about Scott, you can check out his book or podcast!Scott’s book: Confessions of a Private Eye: My Thirty Years Investigating Cheaters, Frauds, Missing Persons and Crooks Podcast: A Study in Crime If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

6/26/24 • 38:28

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Janice Marquardt, an experienced Supply Chain professional that recently struck out on her own as a consultant, founding Passwall Solutions. If you’re curious about a career in Supply Chain, this episode is for you, but we also cover a lot of ground here and many of the themes we talk about would be relevant to many jobs in the corporate realm, pursuing advanced degrees, building strong professional networks, and managing through the challenging situations most everyone will encounter over the course of their career. If you want to connect with Janice, check out the links in the show notes. Where to find out more about Janice: https://passwallsolutions.com/If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

6/12/24 • 50:56

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Jordan Barnett-Parker, a master goldsmith. Jordan has had a really interesting career, and he’s one of quite a few people I’ve talked to at this point that found their career passion through a class in high school, so maybe a vote in favor of just trying as much as you can as early as you can, because you never know what might catch your interest in a way nothing else has before. We also talk about how pursing your passion for a career while probably more rewarding, can also sometimes be the more challenging choice. The people that I’ve talked to that seem really happy with that path are so committed that they really can’t imagine anything else, if you you’re thinking of turning a personal passion into a career, that’s probably a decent litmus test to see if you should dive in or not. Finally, one thing I have noticed about small business owners is that they often have a handful of paths within on general field. We’ll get into what that looks like for Jordan, but if there is a particular field  you’re interested in, talking with someone you know in that field might lead you to niches within that you didn’t even know existed, but when pieced together, can create a thriving business. You can find out more about Jordan's work here: Website: https://jordanadamdesigns.com/Instagram: @jordanadamdesignsIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

5/29/24 • 45:44

Send us a textOn this episode of Real Work, Real Life I’m talking with Meg, who is recently retired after 15 years in the army. While in  helicopter pilot then worked in special operations as a psychological operations officer. If you’ve ever considered joining the Armed Forces, this is a great episode for you, we cover so much about that this path, from the educational opportunities and wide-ranging benefits, to the challenge of a job that you can’t just quit when it’s not a good fit for you anymore. We also talk a bit about Meg’s nonprofit, the Valkyrie Project, which works in the realms of human performance, education, research, and advocacy to provide American female service members the tools they need for success across the full spectrum of military service. You can find out more about it at the link in the show notes, and watch recordings of their annual Military Women’s symposium on YouTube. So let’s get into it!Valkyrie Project: https://www.valkyrieprojectus.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzAPln9f7GAnAPM01rNq4_AIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

5/15/24 • 53:36

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Tiffany Baxter of Backyard Butchery, a mobile whole animal butcher. Tiffany also manages her own farm and a business doing bee removals. This was such a fun discussion, and so much of what we talk about is applicable to any small business owner. If you’re interested in learning more about what Tiffany does, you can find here here: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy two other recent episodes with folks in the broader farming and agriculture space:Backyard Butchery Website: https://backyardbutchery.com/Email: Tiffany@backyardbutchery.comInstagram: @backyardbutchery and @freelandfarmsCaite Palmer, host of the Barnyard Language podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/software-and-farming-life/id1673653251?i=1000646239848Katie Dotterer, founder of Agvokate Agriculture education. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/spanish-and-esl-agriculture-educator/id1673653251?i=100065272215If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

5/1/24 • 44:17

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Katie Dotterer, founder of Agvokate Agriculture Education, teaching Spanish and English as a second language, primarily to people working in agriculture. I learned so much in this episode. We get into a lot of the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, using language to improve life for everyone working in agriculture, and that A.I. means something completely different in the dairy industry. You’ll have to listen to the end for that one. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like my interview with Caite Palmer, cohost of the Barnyard Language podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/software-and-farming-life/id1673653251?i=1000646239848You can find out more about Katie here: Website: https://www.agvokate.com/ Instagram: @the_agvokateIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

4/17/24 • 43:49

Send us a textOn this week's episode, I have a very special guest, I’m talking with my best friend and husband, Corey. Corey is a merchant mariner, working as an engineer on an oil rig. If you’ve listened since the beginning of this series, you might remember that the original idea behind this podcast came from a desire to help guide our children as they thought about their own careers and how work would fit into a fulfilling and joyful life. Corey has been my biggest supporter throughout this project (and I’m lucky to say I have many others competing for that title) and so I’m thrilled to be able to share this interview with you all. If you’ve ever considered a job in engineering or in the maritime industry, this would be a great episode for you. You might also like my interview with my Dad, a captain of schooners, tugboats, and ferries, and Ed, who works on tugboats and captains a charter fishing boat in his off time. Charter Fishing and Tugboats: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/charter-fishing-and-tugboats/id1673653251?i=1000642768864Captain, Tugboats, Schooners, and Ferries: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/captain-tugboats-schooners-and-ferries/id1673653251?i=1000618604052If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

4/3/24 • 56:39

Send us a textOn this week's episode, I’m talking Saranya, an attorney in intellectual property. Saranya originally went to undergrad and graduate school and started her career in engineering and after finding success in the field, realized the paths ahead of her weren’t the right fit, so she went to law school at night, and is now a partner at a major firm. I know you’re going to enjoy this interview as much as I did, and if you want to hear more from Saranya, check out her Instagram account, Shelves of Color. It’s focused on kids books, with a special focus on diverse and inclusive reads and is excellent. If you enjoyed this episode, or you’d like to know more about a career in law, check out my interview with my mom, a judge: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/judge/id1673653251?i=1000621623582If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

3/20/24 • 48:52

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Annie Yang. Annie is employed full time as an accountant, but also has a side gig doing similar work for other clients. Annie also helps job seekers land positions quickly, so we talk a lot about strategies there. If you’re currently on the job hunt, check out Annie’s website, which you can find linked in the shownotes. Annie is one of so many people out there that don’t just do one job, they have lots of plates in the air, and Annie seems to have found a balance that really works well for her. If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy my interview with Allison Rothwell, an Administrative Assistant, Actor and Declutter Coach, you can find that here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/declutter-coach-administrative-assistant-actor/id1673653251?i=1000615992179Annie’s website: https://www.annieyangfinancial.com/If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

3/6/24 • 36:55

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Caite, who works remotely full time for a software company, hosts a podcast called Barnyard Language, and raises beef cattle and sheep with her husband on their farm. The work that Caite does in the software field is really interesting, essentially preventing abuse of the software, and would be a great option for nonlinear, creative thinkers, even if they don’t have the skills you might typically associate with someone working at a software company. We talk about the value of growth in remote work for farming families and others in rural areas, about the support and inclusion for neurodivergent folks in the tech field, balancing life as a working parent, just about everything in between. I had so much fun talking with Caite and I know you’ll enjoy this episode too.  If you’re interested in hearing more about remote work in the tech space, you can listen back to my episode with Jake, a Software Engineer or Rachel, a Creative Director in User Experience:Creative Director in User Experience: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/user-experience/id1673653251?i=1000630159382Software Engineer: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/software-engineer/id1673653251?i=1000604294924To hear more from Caite and her cohost Arlene:Barnyard Language Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/barnyard-language/id1581475809Barnyard Language Instagram: @barnyardlanguageBarnyard Language Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BarnyardLanguageI mentioned the Barnyard Language podcast episode with Jacob Beaton, you can find it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-skills-homeschooling-and-indigenous/id1581475809?i=1000640534350If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

2/21/24 • 46:51

Send us a textWelcome to Real Work, Real Life where I talk to real people about what they do for work and what that means for their lives. Today I’m talking with Beth Sandlin, a Pilates Instructor, and the founder of Trifecta Pilates. After years of working as an in person instructor, Beth started Trifecta to expand the reach and accessibility of Pilates, offering teacher training and online Pilates workouts (long before that became so normalized during the pandemic) available through membership, an app, and YouTube and trauma informed. We talk a lot about the ins and outs of a career in movement as well as the challenges and joys of starting a small business while still working full time, and even get into the details on different income streams, and so much more.If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like my interview with Jenna J, a personal trainer, which you can find here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/personal-trainer/id1673653251?i=1000641161798You can find out more about Beth here: Website: https://trifectapilates.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/trifectapilatesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/trifectapilatesIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

2/7/24 • 48:09

Send us a textOn the week's episode of Real Work, Real Life I'm talking with Ed, a merchant mariner who works on tug boats and captains a charter fishing boat, the Rita B, in his off time. We talk a lot about general life in the maritime industry and also get into all the details of working as a charter captain. It can be great gig for passionate anglers who love active work on the water and meeting lots of new people you might never meet otherwise. Because it’s seasonal in our area, most captains either have another full time job or do something else in the winter, so it can pair well with winter-only work, or for people that have a lot of time off from their primary work. If you’re in the southern Maine area and looking for a charter fishing adventure, I can tell you that you’re in good hands with Ed.Want to go fishing with Ed? https://www.mainecharterboat.com/If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

1/24/24 • 47:03

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I'm talking with Jenna Jozefowski (also known as Jenna J). Jenna is a semi-retired professional dancer, dance teacher and yoga teacher, turned personal trainer and kettle bell instructor. Jenna describes her approach as anti diet, so she doesn’t coach intentional fat loss. We talk about that in the interview, but if you want to learn more, check out her podcast Tough Cookie Talks. While this interview would be great for someone that ever considered building a career in fitness, a lot of what we talk about would be relevant to any kind of small business, like the challenges of balancing the fear of not enough work without  working yourself into the ground, the huge difference between your hourly rate and what you take home, and the personal relationships you get to develop with clients. So much great stuff to share in this interview, but I can’t stop thinking about one of Jenna’s statements at the end “ask yourself why before you say yes”.Website: Itsjennaj.comInstagram: @itsjennajPodcast: Tough Cookie TalksCertification that Jenna has for personal training: NASM https://www.nasm.orgIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

1/10/24 • 40:26

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Charles Read. Charles is a CPA and the CEO of Get Payroll, which provides payroll services for companies across the country. Becoming a certified public accountant today requires a master’s degree and an incredibly challenging three day exam, but it’s a field that is in high demand with tons of potential if you’re well-suited to the work. We cover so much much in this interview, from good business practice advice for any entrepreneur, to the joys and challenges of running a business with your spouse, to knowing when to delegate aspects of your business, to how your role changes as you progress in your career.  Also, if you’re considering a career in accounting, you might go back and listen to my very first interview, with Steph, a tax CPA that worked for a major firm. You can find it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/certified-public-accountant-tax/id1673653251?i=1000602280682Links to find out more about Charles’s work:www.getpayroll.comwww.facebook.com/getpayrollwww.youtube.com/getpayrollwww.linkedin.com/company/10964861/https://www.tiktok.com/@getpayrollhttps://twitter.com/getpayrollIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

1/3/24 • 35:58

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Jorge Gonzalez. After a successful career in warehouse logistics, Jorge was injured on the job and found himself unable to do the work that he once did. We talk a lot about that work and his new career as a Real Estate agent, so if you’re interested in either of those fields, this will be a good episode for you. But I also think his experience with injury and unexpectedly being unable to continue in a career he was thriving in could be valuable for many. It’s safe to say all of us will face some kind of unforeseen challenges or obstacles, and building the skills you need to get through a period like that can make all the difference. Jorge’s Book, “Answer the Call” https://www.amazon.com/Answer-Call-Lessons-Invention-Struggle-ebook/dp/B096WD61K8Website: www.jorgevgonzalez.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jorge_v_gonzalezFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jorge.v.gonzalez.50/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgevgonzalez805Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrvilligonYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@jorgevgonzalezOther: www.LiveVenturaCounty.comIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

12/20/23 • 39:34

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Urmi Hossain, an investment associate based in Canada with the goal of becoming a portfolio manager. Urmi is a CFA, or a Chartered Financial Analyst. CFA is a globally recognized professional designation that measures and certifies the competence and integrity of financial analysts. Candidates are required to pass three levels of exams covering areas, such as accounting, economics, ethics, money management, and security analysis. Working in financial services can offer a lot in terms of compensation and benefits and upward potential. We also talk about the challenge of finding that first job out of school and how disheartening it can be struggling to get your foot in the door somewhere, even when you have all of the qualifications on every posting. So if you’re there now, just know you’re not alone. My best advice for that stage of your career is to keep a number of strong applications open at once, don’t stop looking and applying until you’ve actually started a job. Hiring for salaried, professional jobs can take months of stops and starts, so if you have a lot of irons in the fire at once, it’s not so disappointing if one falls through. If you enjoyed this episode, you might enjoy my interview with Steph, a Certified Public Accountant:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/certified-public-accountant-tax/id1673653251?i=1000602280682You can find out more about Urmi here: LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/urmi-hossainBook: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B75X14G7/ref=sr_1_2?crid=38ODHSOSYZ3W8&keywords=urmi+hossain&qid=1658373403&sprefix=urmi+hossain%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-2Blog: https://www.myways.ca/YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZoiI0SGU0Xo9_lNjtLWtgg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urmamio/If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

12/13/23 • 27:36

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Dalene, who retired at 50 after a career working for the government supporting law enforcement agencies. If you missed last week’s episode, I talked with Tim who retired after 30 years in the air force and is about to retire again after working for the government in security, so that would be a great episode to go back and listen to if you’re considering a career in the public sector (you can find it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/government-and-u-s-air-force/id1673653251?i=1000636901719)We talk about pursuing college while working, planning for retirement financially and mentally, the many benefits of government work, as well as some of the challenges, and so much more. Dalene has launched a Financial Coaching service in retirement. Find out more here!:  https://elevatefinances.us/Where to find jobs in the United States government: https://www.usajobs.gov/If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

12/6/23 • 37:32

Send us a textWelcome to Real Work, Real Life where I talk to real people about what they do for work and what that means for their lives. Today I’m talking with Tim Murphy, a veteran who retired from the Air Force after 30 years and now works for the government in security. Working in the Armed Forces and for the government are distinct in so many ways from the private sector, so we talk  a lot about that since the vast majority of my other guests have worked in the private sector. We cover than and so much more, I can’t wait to share this discussion with you. So let’s get into it!Tim mentions that he’s publishing a book soon! You can find out more about it here: https://www.7secretpillarsofsobriety.comIf you're interested in working for the U.S. government: https://www.usajobs.gov/If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

11/29/23 • 43:57

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Trina, the host of the internet radio station and podcast, Run Radio. Trina built a career in radio before launching her own station, so if you’re interested in radio or podcasting, this could be a great episode for you. We also talk a lot about the shift from employee to entrepreneur, an experience that would be applicable to anyone thinking about taking that leap.  We didn’t get much into pay, especially because in Trina’s current role as an entrepreneur, it’s so variable. But I did do some research on salaries in broadcast radio. Seemed to be higher for sports broadcast announcers, but fewer available jobs. Of course there are always going to be outliers of highly paid hosts, but the median annual salary is around $40K, with a range of $30K to $70K. Radio producers seemed to have a similar range. I linked Trina’s radio station in the show notes if you’re interested in hearing more, as well as other episodes with similar themes, if you liked this episode and want to listen to more. You can listen to Trina’s station here: https://runradio.net/If you liked this episode, you might like these too! Digital Media Consultant and Strategist: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-media-consultant-sports-industry/id1673653251?i=1000620885913Music Industry, Producer, Manager and Singer-Songwriter: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/music-industry-producer-manager-and-singer-songwriter/id1673653251?i=1000623157811Music Industry, Singer, Manager, and Coach: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/music-industry-singer-manager-and-coach/id1673653251?i=1000622386657Theatrical Lighting Designer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theatrical-lighting-designer/id1673653251?i=1000632557420Children's Book Illustrator and Author: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/childrens-book-illustrator-and-author/id1673653251?i=1000617830582If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

11/22/23 • 23:33

Send us a textWelcome to Real Work, Real Life where I talk to real people about what they do for work and what that means for their lives. Today I’m talking with Sabrina, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist finishing up her residency before continuing into a fellowship in urogynecology. If you’re considering a career in medicine, this will be such a great episode for you. And if you aren’t, this will give you a whole new appreciation for the physicians that care for you over the course of your lives, and the sacrifices they have made to pursue this career. Obstetricians and gynecologists have a special place in medicine I believe. I can’t think of another field of medicine that cares for people during some of the most joyful moments of their lives and also in some of their most challenging and heart-wrenching moments. Guiding people through such personal, private healthcare decisions takes a special person, and I know I left this interview feeling like Sabrina’s patients will be lucky to have her. If you liked this episode, you might like one of these too!Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Care: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/registered-nurse-psychiatric-care/id1673653251?i=1000613358444Immunologist: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/immunologist/id1673653251?i=1000625371633Fisheries Biologist: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fisheries-biologist/id1673653251?i=1000607513735If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

11/15/23 • 49:58

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Brittany, an executive director and cofounder of a school of theatrical violence and stage combat in Philadelphia, Argent Combat. We cover so much about this work, from the many paths you could take within this broader field, to the impact of AI on the industry, to the way Brittany’s organization is advancing equity, inclusion, and best practices around consent in this community. If you liked this episode, you might like some of the other interviews I’ve done with people in the Arts. I spoke with Alex, a Children’s Book Illustrator and Author, Ethan, a Theatrical Lighting Designer, Kiara, Singer, Manager, and Coach and Tony, Music Producer, Developer, Manager (linked below).After talking with all of these different people building a career for themselves in the arts, there definitely seems to be some common themes. There are all the challenges that go along with any kind of entrepreneurial field. Some instability, wildly variable pay, limited location options, and the challenges that go along with making your living from a skill that ultimately subjective. But for all the people I have talked to, it’s seems like it’s all worth it. If it’s something you’re truly passionate about, the value of spending your working time on something you love and the freedom that can come with these types of career paths, is worth all of the challenges for some.You can find out more about Argent Combat here: https://www.argentcombat.com/If you liked this episode, you might like these too! Music Industry, Producer, Manager and Singer-Songwriter: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/music-industry-producer-manager-and-singer-songwriter/id1673653251?i=1000623157811Music Industry, Singer, Manager, and Coach: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/music-industry-singer-manager-and-coach/id1673653251?i=1000622386657Theatrical Lighting Designer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theatrical-lighting-designer/id1673653251?i=1000632557420Children's Book Illustrator and Author: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/childrens-book-illustrator-and-author/id1673653251?i=1000617830582If you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com 

11/8/23 • 50:52

Send us a textOn this week's episode of of Real Work, Real Life, I’m talking with Tracey, a pediatric occupational therapist. One thing Tracey mentions is that a lot of people don’t know what OTs actually do. Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living. Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities to promote health, well-being, and the ability to participate in the important activities in your life. This includes any meaningful activity that a person wants to accomplish, including taking care of yourself and your family, working, volunteering, going to school, among many others.I’ve talked to a few different people in the therapy field and they all seem to have some degree of the same issue: the work is in high demand but the pay has not kept up, meanwhile the education requirements and cost continue to increase and you’re often required to complete an unpaid internship before beginning work. Despite these challenges, it can be incredibly meaningful work. If you’re interested in hearing other related interviews, I talked to Dawn, a therapist in private practice, Kat, a physical therapist assistant, Alison, a social worker, and Samantha, a music therapist, which I’ll link in the show notes. Another theme that has come up in quite a few interviews is people finding that they are best suited to a speciality in their field that they actually did poorly in or didn’t like in college. I think probably the message there is to keep your mind open, liking or doing well is something in school is not always an indication that it will be right for you as a job, and of course, vice versa. Other episodes you might like too:Social Worker: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-worker-in-canada/id1673653251?i=1000608593635Music Therapist: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/music-therapist/id1673653251?i=1000631717144Therapist in Private Practice: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/therapist-private-practice/id1673653251?i=1000619359028Physical Therapist Assistant: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/physical-therapist-assistant/id1673653251?i=1000615135619If you want to learn more about Tracey:Website: https://peds.thinkific.com/Website: https://parentnicuconnection.com/Email: tkond423@gmail.comIf you like the show, please rate and review on iTunes and Spotify  (linked below) and please share with a friend! You can also follow the podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Tiktok. And if you’d like to be interviewed here, or there is a particular job you’d like to learn about, please reach out at realworkreallife@gmail.com.iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-work-real-life/id1673653251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Cp0w2BjOtS8NWfj0NhmIg?si=ece5b6ad45274b73Transcripts are now available here: www.realworkreallife.com

11/1/23 • 35:05