Defining Roles with Kate Barrett

What comes to mind when you hear of a Security Software Engineer? I’m guessing it’s only half as exciting as today’s guest. Meltem is a Security Software Engineer that is currently working for a robotics company developing surgical robots used in laparoscopic operations.

We learn how Meltem started to think like a hacker in her role, as well as her experience adjusting to American culture in grad school and in the workforce. She shares so much wisdom in this episode that’s applicable to almost any field.

Let’s connect on Instagram:

Have you ever dreamed of living the Italian life? Afternoon cappuccinos, vibrant conversation, and time spent enjoying an amazing meal.  I know I have.

Today’s guest shares about how she helps women plan extended trips that aren’t just a vacation to see the sights, but experiences that transform the way you see yourself and absorb the culture. Francesca shares what to consider when planning an extended stay, how to plan for spending time alone, and ways to make yourself magnetic to the locals.

I hope your passport is up to date. You’ll be ready to plan your next getaway when this one’s over!

Let’s connect on Instagram:

I've been learning a lot of personal lessons lately, but this one has been big.  This week's solo episode I share a recent revelation around fear and choice.  It's not the initial reaction that's important, it's what you do after.  Here's a quick story with a fun, sparkling clean finish!

Why is brain health so important? Well, according to this week’s guest, there’s a lot we can do to keep our brain healthy and age gracefully.

Dr. Patricia Cornille is a Brain Health Specialist and Dementia Care Consultant that trains caregivers and organizations internationally through the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model. Her background in occupational therapy and rehabilitation science have led to her unique approach to the industry that embraces compassion and individuality.

In this episode we hear about Dr. Cornille’s first-hand success in the field and ways that we can maintain our brain health to stay sharp.

This week’s episode is an extra special one. We’re talking to my brother!

Stephen is a Civil Engineer who started his career as an officer in the SeaBees, the NAVY’s engineering corp. Today he shares about his various roles in the military and how they connected with his current role in the private sector.

This episode covers the origins of the SeaBees, how they work with other branches of the military, the day-to-day of construction project management, and the skills needed to be successful.

We learn what initially drew Stephen to engineering and the military, as well as what he’s learned from working in both environments.

Not only will you learn about civil engineering in this one, you’ll also get a taste of our dynamic as siblings.

First responders have some of the most demanding jobs in our society, yet they don’t always get the physical and mental support that they need to stay in peak performance. That’s where Bobby Jaramillo comes in.

Bobby spent 12 years working as a police officer and now coaches first responders and those in the military on how to stay physically and mentally strong.

Our conversation explores where to start on a health journey, tools to measure your health, and personal examples of the stressful impact of these careers.

Whether or not you’re in one of these roles, you’ll find some helpful information for your own health journey.

Where are my dog lovers?

Even if you’re not a dog lover now, you may be after listening to this week’s conversation with an Animal Behavior Specialist.

Elaine has developed a talent for working with dogs that have aggressive or fearful tendancies, but today she covers psychology that will help with any pet. She shares why aggression can develop, strategies to help with common behavior issues, and so much more.

This episode is a doggone good one!

Books:

Change. It’s something we’ve all experienced in the past few years.

Today’s conversation with Jessica Christin explores what change can look like along the career journey. Like many of us, Jessica had a story about what it meant to be successful and how to get there.

Her story was that she had to start her own business as a health consultant and be an entrepreneur to create freedom and an abundant lifestyle. Well, she quickly found that her story around success actually led to stress, debt, and constraint.

NOT what she was looking for.

In this episode Jessica shares what has actually created freedom and choice in her life. She’s changed that story around success. It’s okay for yours to change too.

Let's connect!

How is a Performance Dietician different than a traditional nutritionist?  Well, this week we learn how Brooks Ford has built a career around using food to fuel members of the military community for optimal performance. 

Brooks shares foods that we can incorporate into our day that will help with better sleep, improved immune support, high mental performance, and how to best stay hydrated. Diet and nutrition often bring about feelings of deprivation and discipline, but Brooks shares that perfection isn’t the ultimate goal when we are aiming at long-term optimization. 

If you’re curious about how she created the unique pairing of nutrition and the military in her career or if you’re needing a little inspiration to easily support your body, this week’s episode will leave you satisfied. And maybe a little bit hungry. 

Where are my single ladies at?? If you haven’t heard of Shani Silver and her work around redefining the single narrative, you can thank me later.

You can find Shani over on A Single Serving Podcast every week with some refreshingly positive aspects of flying solo, as well as challenging the status quo of modern dating.

Today we hear about her advice for writers that want to start being paid to write professionally, how she handles creativity blocks, and we learn about the phenomenon of “window shoppers” in your life.  It's extremely enlightening and can be applied to all areas of your life.

Whether you’re curious about becoming a writer or appreciate those that create new narratives when the current one isn’t working for them, you’ll find something to love in this week’s episode.

Where to find more Shani Silver:  

When I say that today's guest is a rocket scientist, you probably have a stereotypical character that pops into your mind. Kelsey is super passionate about outer space, but that’s where the similarities end with what you envision. She’s charming, charismatic, and makes you want to try harder on those 8th grade math problems. 

Our interview takes us inside of the space industry to understand the role that NASA plays in orchestrating space missions with the help of their many contractors. Kelsey shares the education and training that prepared her for her role, as well as the skill that make her truly successful.  She also unpacks the well known phrase "It's not rocket science." Don't miss this episode.  

You'll likely feel a little smarter after. 

Each week we end the podcast with the same question: What is the best piece of career advice you have either received or would offer to others?

As the final episode for 2020, what’s more fitting than highlighting some of the answers that were given in response?  If you only listen to one episode, this is the one.  

The sincere, heartfelt words of wisdom greatly shaped me this year as I’ve searched for a new direction. My hope is that you’ll hear what you need as well.

Thank you to all of my guests and to YOU for listening. Let’s take these nuggets with us as we optimistically move forward into 2021!

Everyone has a birthday ritual whether they know it or not.  Some make it a big production that goes on all month.  Some prefer to ignore it and treat it like just another day.

Over the past few years, I have developed a birthday ritual that I genuinely look forward to. It’s my chance to look back and reflect on the year before I make my goals for the year to come.

Since my birthday is this week, I figured that I would talk about the ritual that only those closest to me know about.  And I also share a few lessons that I learned this year.

Cheers to being another year older!  Even here, there’s so much to be grateful for.

Have you ever become mesmerized by an American Sign Language Interpreter that gets REALLY dynamic? John, our Educational ASL Interpreter, shares why the theatrics are so important to communicate the full experience. The language is truly fascinating!

And we must admit, it was a fun challenge to have a strictly audio conversation about a 3-D language designed for the absence of sound.  Get ready to shift your perspective. 

Did you know that naturopathic physicians attend traditional medical school and THEN study homeopathy, botanical medicine, and holistic nutrition in addition to their allopathic training?

Dr. Renee Hubka helps to break down all of the medical terminology and explain what these different elements actually mean. She shares how homeopathy works versus plant medicine in helping the body find balance and healing.

Whether you’re curious about this magical pocket of the medical field or you’re trying to heal some aspect of discomfort or illness in you body, Dr. Renee is here to help. Her career has led her on a unique journey from Nike Wellness to Golden Heart Medicine, her private practice.

Check out her resources below, including her new offering of online courses!

Have you ever dreamed of living abroad, strolling through streets layered with history, tasting new flavors, and tuning your ear to a foreign tongue?  Yep, I've thought about it once or twice.   

While we may not be able to travel right now due to the pandemic, we can still entertain the idea and explore the realities of what living abroad would entail.  This week Jessica Safko shares how she made her way to living and working in Berlin, Germany.  We explore the visa process, language barriers, and how to generate an income and friend group.   

Have you had the experience where you listen to a podcast so regularly that you feel like you know the host, even though you’ve never actually interacted? You’ve listened to them so much that they feel like they’re part of your life, yet they have no clue that you exist? Me too. Until this week, when I actually had a conversation with one of those oh-so-familiar voices in my life.

Jessica Gill is the Podcast & Media Production Manager at To Be Magnetic and Co-Host of the Expanded Podcast. Prior to her current role, Jessica worked in tv and film production. She shares how those roles, along with creating her own podcast, laid the stepping stones to the Expanded Podcast.

We dive into how the workshops and meditations through To Be Magnetic have impacted both of our lives and shaped our career journeys. Hopefully this one’s the bit of encouragement you need to take that inspired action toward that role you’ve been thinking about.  Who knows where it will lead!

Have you ever been watching a movie with a court scene and noticed that person sitting with the little machine close to the judge? THAT’S the court reporter. Have you ever wondered what they do? Well, you’re in luck.

Kendra is an Official Court Reporter, also known as a stenographer. We hear about her experience working in the courtroom taking down the verbatim record, how the machine works, and what it’s like to “write” well over 225 words per minute. Kendra shares other roles that use the stenograph machine and the realities of the industry.

Get ready. Kendra and I definitely geek out a bit on this one.

Email: definingrolespodcast@gmail.com

What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker? What does it take to be successful in the industry? 

This week, Amber fills us in on all of the details of what it takes to be successful in the real estate industry. From the day-to-day responsibilities to the question to ask first time home buyers, this episode has you covered. 

Chuck Allen, host of the Cool Change podcast, is all about having fascinating conversations with fascinating people. He brings his 25+ years of experience as a Work & Life Strategist, sprinkled with his collection of stories from the Cool Change podcast, to provide insight on what really makes a meaningful life. While we tell the story of our lives by the monumental events that happen, it's actually the collection of day-to-day moments that define us. Chuck shares how we can make seemingly small changes to achieve more impact towards creating a whole life worth emulating.   

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey 

The Pivot is the place between two roles.  That place when you're ready to point yourself in a new direction, whether by choice or necessity.  Like many of you, I find myself in the pivot.  This episode is my reflection on this exciting and daunting experience of choosing something new.  

You'll hear about the tools that are helping me navigate right now, the wisdom from previous guests that keeps propelling me forward, and hopefully the bit of encouragement you (and I) need to keep pushing through the pivot.

You’ve likely heard of the role, but what’s actually involved in the position? As jobseekers see postings for medical reps sprinkled all over LinkedIn, it’s helpful to glance behind the scenes to understand the job description. Ryan helps us sift through misconceptions, assumptions, and general misunderstandings as he shares his experience as a Territory Manager for a medical device company.  We also hear Ryan's personal philosophy around living a healthy lifestyle and how he melds these beliefs with the medical industry as a whole. 

When is it appropriate for love to be in the workplace?  When you're a professional matchmaker!  Isabella shares what the industry looks like in the age of dating apps and how she created her position.  We dive into what it takes to find a lasting relationship and where common dating mistakes are made.  Looking for love or a unique job?  This episode's for you. 

This week Dr. Quinton Morris, creator of Key to Change, shares insight on how to work smart on the things that will lead towards the greatest impact.  Dr. Morris has combined his expertise in the arts with his entrepreneurial spirit to create a non-profit organization for underserved youth.  Dr. Morris highlights how to follow the guidance of your inner voice and how your response to setbacks and challenges can lead to grander opportunities than you could have originally imagined.

This week we hear from Matt, a graphic designer in the UX/UI freelance world.  Matt shares how design and advertising have evolved over his career and areas where curious designers can get started.

You don't always choose the role you're in.  This week, I'm stepping out of my comfort zone to share some thoughts and reflections on my current role of being unemployed.  

My Current Tools:

This week's episode is with Mary Blalock, a career coach that helps people find what they want to do with their career, as well as help them find a fitting job.  Mary shares a bit about her background and how she started her role.  We also talk about the best places to look for a job and how to discover the company culture behind the job postings.