Career Blast in a Half

Loren Greiff
  • 5.0 (2)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A third of our lives is spent working. Our careers, a source of identity and fulfillment, can often turn on us and become consuming. We obsess about how to create impact and feel valued. How can I get back to skipping to work on Mondays? We struggle to feel purposeful and at the same time feel clueless about how to go from where are now to where we want to go. If you crave career simplicity and action you’re in the right place. Career Blast, In a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what’s to come next.

  1. 6D AGO

    Execution Without Leverage I Nick Laudano

    Most people think effort compounds automatically. Do enough. Try long enough. Eventually, it works. This episode challenges that belief. Execution Without Leverage is about what happens when productivity becomes camouflage. When being busy replaces being effective. Nick Laudano spent 30+ years building a successful tech career. An acquisition ended it overnight. What followed was a year of disciplined job searching. Applications. Tracking. Consistency. Zero traction. The problem wasn’t effort. It was the signal. In this conversation, Nick breaks down the moment he stopped applying, turned off notifications, and replaced reactivity with conversations. He stopped chasing openings and started choosing people. The market responded fast. Not with luck. With alignment. If you’re doing all the right things and nothing is moving. If you’re busy but not advancing. If your effort feels responsible but ineffective. This episode is the mirror. In 2026, the market doesn’t reward volume. It rewards clarity, confidence, and signals that reduce risk. Busy or traction. Choose carefully. Follow Nick Laudano LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklaudano/ If this episode hit close to home, pass it along. Leave a rating and review. And subscribe so you don’t miss the next Career Blast in a Half. Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3b3kSamj8RbTNNgOg5E5oi?si=5fea15335a744e73 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast in a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful, and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Join the 30-Day BLAST Program: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/our-programs   Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/

    23 min

  2. FEB 4

    This Shit Works. But Only If You Stop Lying to Yourself I Julie Brown

    Episode Title: This Shit Works. But Only If You Stop Lying to Yourself I Julie Brown Most Executives don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because they avoid slow, unglamorous behaviors that don’t reward the ego immediately but compound relentlessly over time. Julie Brown, author of “This Shit Works” dismantles the biggest lies professionals tell themselves about networking, visibility, and career growth, grounded in the landmark study by Wolff and Moser.  This conversation moves beyond advice and into evidence. What you’ll hear is not about “putting yourself out there.” It’s the how and why networking doesn’t just correlate with success. It predicts salary growth over time If you’re still buying the dangerous myth that “your work will speak for itself” think again. Internal networking drives more career growth than external visibility. Plus: Why high performers are statistically vulnerable The hidden role of shame and avoidance in stalled careers What laid-off professionals must stop avoiding immediately if they want momentum back Why job security is gone and what act About the Research Referenced The conversation is anchored in a longitudinal study by Hans-Georg Wolff and Klaus Moser, which examined networking behaviors and career success over multiple years. The findings show that networking predicts not just current salary, but future salary growth, especially when relationships are actively maintained over time.   Connect with Julie Brown Book: This Shit Works • Website and speaking schedule: Available here Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3b3kSamj8RbTNNgOg5E5oi?si=5fea15335a744e73 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast in a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful, and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Join the 30-Day BLAST Program: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/our-programs   Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/   Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know what career topics you'd like us to cover!

    26 min

  3. JAN 28

    You’re Not Undervalued. You’re Underselling Yourself | Carlos M. Garcia

    This week, we're framing the executive job search through a sales lens. I sat down with my friend and sales trainer Carlos M. Garcia to unpack why most executives stall. It's not because of the market, but because they refuse to see the job search as a sales process. Sales isn’t persuasion. It’s decision friction removal. The same skill that closes deals is the skill that earns trust, momentum, and offers in a career transition. Executives who avoid this reality stay stuck. Key Takeaways (Read These First) • The job search mirrors a sales pipeline. Hope is not a strategy. • Sales fails when friction is high. Job searches fail for the same reason. • Corporate language kills clarity and trust. • Relatability beats credentials in high-stakes conversations. • Rejection is feedback, not identity damage. Follow Carlos M Garcia LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/exceedsales/ Website: https://exceedsalestraining.com/ If this episode hit close to home, pass it along. Leave a rating and review. And subscribe so you don’t miss the next Career Blast in a Half. Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3b3kSamj8RbTNNgOg5E5oi?si=5fea15335a744e73 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast in a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful, and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Join the 30-Day BLAST Program: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/our-programs   Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/   Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know what career topics you'd like us to cover!

    32 min

  4. JAN 21

    The Hidden Cost of Being “Easy to Work With” | Julia Korn

    Being easy to work with sounds like praise. For many women, it’s actually the beginning of a ceiling. In this episode, Julia Korn unpacks the hidden cost of being agreeable, likable, and low-friction at work, and why those traits so often cap women’s power, visibility, and earnings. We talk about the moment “working hard and keeping your head down” stops working. The subtle signals that tell you you’re losing influence. And why women are still punished for personality traits that have nothing to do with performance. This is not about becoming abrasive or difficult. It’s about owning your leadership brand before someone else defines it for you. If being “easy” is costing you influence, opportunity, or momentum, it’s time to rethink the strategy. The takeaway is simple and uncomfortable: If being easy to work with is costing you influence, visibility, and opportunity, it’s not working. You don’t need to be abrasive. You don’t need to be someone you’re not. But you do need to stop shrinking. Follow Julia Korn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakorn/ Website: https://juliakorn.com/ If this episode hit close to home, pass it along. Leave a rating and review. And subscribe so you don’t miss the next Career Blast in a Half. Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3b3kSamj8RbTNNgOg5E5oi?si=5fea15335a744e73 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast in a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful, and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Join the 30-Day BLAST Program: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/our-programs   Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/   Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know what career topics you'd like us to cover!

    25 min

  5. JAN 14

    2026 Truth Bomb I The Quiet Math Decision Makers Are Doing On You

    While you're preparing for your 2026 big move, decision makers are running a new calculation.   Not "is this person qualified?" But "will this hire move the needle in 12 months?"   The 2026 bounce-back didn't happen.  The market shifted instead.   In this episode, I break down: → Why 2025's playbook is now a liability → The shift from headcount to precision hiring → What boards are really measuring (it's not your experience) → How one exec repositioned herself from "qualified candidate" to "strategic lever" → The new question you have to answer before you walk in the room   Plus — a thank you to everyone who made this community what it is, and what's coming in 2026.   If you're in transition and wondering why qualified isn't converting to hired, this one's for you.   Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3b3kSamj8RbTNNgOg5E5oi?si=5fea15335a744e73 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast in a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful, and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Book a Signal Review https://meetings.hubspot.com/loren-greiff/signal-review-cbiah  Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loren.greiff   Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know what career topics you'd like us to cover!

    14 min

  6. JAN 7

    Why Recruiting Doesn't Work (And What Might Actually Fix It)

    The resume has been broken for 200 years. AI just made it worse. I sat down with Matt Alder—25 years in talent acquisition, 11 years hosting The Recruiting Future Podcast. He didn't sugarcoat it. Here's what we unpacked: Resumes and interviews are the 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 effective way to predict job performance (science says so) Only 20% of companies are using AI strategically—the rest are just automating bias LLMs are writing job descriptions with built-in discrimination nobody's catching The "apply now" button didn't fix recruiting. It broke it faster.   The uncomfortable truth? AI isn't the problem. It's an accelerator on a system that was already failing you.   Recruiters are overwhelmed. Hiring managers are biased. And job seekers are being blamed for "gaming the system" while employers do the same thing.   Matt's take on what actually works: Stop trying to hack the ATS. Start representing your skills in a way humans can understand. Build relationships before you need them. Know what makes you different—because standing out is the only strategy that scales.   The future he's optimistic about? Assessment-first hiring. AI that fills in gaps instead of filtering people out. Technology that makes human connection 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 valuable, not less.   We're at a fork in the road. One path: robots making decisions, candidates never talking to humans. The other: a system that finally matches people to opportunities they deserve.   Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3b3kSamj8RbTNNgOg5E5oi?si=5fea15335a744e73 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast in a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful, and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Join the 30-Day BLAST Program: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/our-programs   Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/   Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know what career topics you'd like us to cover!

    35 min

  7. 2025-12-31

    The Truth About PIPs: Why HR Is Not Your Friend & How to Negotiate Your Exit | Dan Goodman (Recast)

    Most executives think a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a lifeline. It’s actually a tombstone. They believe if they just work harder, hit the impossible metrics, and play nice, they can turn the ship around. But here’s the cold reality: A PIP isn't designed for your improvement. It’s a paper trail designed for your termination. It’s a paid interview period—and the clock is ticking.   Why this matters There is a dangerous gap between what corporate policy says (HR is here to help) and how the game is actually played (HR protects the company). When you are being managed out, your natural instinct is to defend your performance or seek mediation. That instinct is wrong. By the time you spot the signs—nitpicking, the "cold shoulder," or a sudden shift in responsibilities—the decision has likely already been made. If you treat a PIP as a genuine coaching moment, you lose your leverage. If you don't know how to document the "buckets of wrongdoing" and build a counter-narrative, you walk away with damaged confidence and the bare minimum severance. But if you know the playbook, you can turn a forced exit into a negotiated victory.   In this episode, we unpack: Why the "Performance Improvement Plan" is almost never about performance. The exact signs that you are being managed out (and why a new manager is the #1 red flag). Why HR is not your friend—and why going to them too early destroys your leverage. The "Buckets of Wrongdoing" framework: How to document toxic behavior to build your case. The "At-Will" employment trap: Why it’s a one-way street that benefits the employer. How to negotiate a severance package even when they try to offer you nothing. The mental toll of gaslighting and why validation is the first step to recovery.   A real transformation A professional facing a "Me Too" situation involving a CEO, dating back 20 years. She was wrongly terminated and then gaslit for seven months. Her family and friends told her she was crazy, urged her to drop it, and warned she was damaging her reputation. She felt isolated and powerless.   She partnered with Dan Goodman to stop playing the victim and start building a case. They refused to accept the silence. They documented the timeline, identified the inconsistencies, and presented a "scathing, reputationally damaging" narrative back to the employer.   After months of being ignored, she received a $50,000 offer out of the blue. But more importantly, the gaslighting stopped. The employer acknowledged the liability through their wallet. She moved from feeling "crazy" to being fully vindicated—and the negotiation is still ongoing.   Timestamps (0:00) — Intro (2:16) — Why you should never go to HR expecting a solution (5:20) — The PIP reality: It’s a paid interview period (8:35) — How to spot when you are being managed out (The "New Leader" Red Flag) (10:24) — The financial motivation behind making you quit (14:40) — How to leverage "Buckets of Wrongdoing" for severance (19:00) — Preparing for the worst: What documents you need to gather now (24:00) — Using HR vs. Being played by HR (29:40) — The "At-Will" employment scam and why it’s one-sided (36:30) — The mental health cost of carrying workplace trauma   The takeaway Blind loyalty is a career liability. If you are put on a PIP, the company has already broken up with you; they just haven't moved their stuff out yet. Don't internalize the gaslighting. Document the dysfunction. Turn their desire to get rid of you into your capital to walk away paid.   About Dan Goodman Dan Goodman is the founder of Evaluationz and a fierce advocate for employees facing toxic workplaces, unjust PIPs, and termination. He helps professionals interpret the "game" of corporate employment, document wrongdoing, and negotiate severance packages that respect their dignity and tenure.   Connect with Dan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-goodman2001/ Website: https://www.evaluationz.com/   Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06a3ec936ca4e0c YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast, In a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Join the 30-Day BLAST Program: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/our-programs   Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/   Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know what career topics you'd like us to cover!

    41 min

  8. 2025-12-24

    Stop Being the "B Word": The Science of Status and Influence | Alison Fragale (Recast)

    Do you believe that to be a badass, you also have to be the "B-word"—that you cannot be effective and liked at the same time? Many leaders chase power, thinking it comes from controlling resources—like holding the "car keys" to get what they want. But power and status are not the same thing; power is what you control, but status is how much you are respected. And in the long run, resources follow respect.   Why this matters If your audience doesn't value or respect you, it is nearly impossible to be influential, regardless of your title. Most professionals treat influence as a transaction, only focusing on their network when they need a job or a favor. But human judgments are not random; people instantly categorize you as "friend or foe" based on your warmth and competence. If you aren't intentionally building your "status bank" when you don't need anything, you won't have the leverage when the stakes are high.   In this episode, we unpack: The Power vs. Status Split: Why power controls valued resources, while status is respected and valued by others. The "Car Keys" Trap: How holding resources (like budgets or authority) creates temporary influence but fails to build lasting respect. The Podium Coaching Gap: Why women consistently ask different questions about negotiation and promotion than their male counterparts. The Friend or Foe Radar: The two distinct dimensions—Warmth (intent) and Competence (ability)—that our brains use to judge every leader. The "Latte" Rule: Why the absolute best time to build your network is when you are content and simply ordering a coffee. Navigating Hotspots: How to execute tough decisions, like layoffs, with both assertiveness and warmth to protect your professional reputation. Authenticity vs. Strategy: Why being "likable" isn't about faking a personality—it's about strategically demonstrating that you care about others' outcomes.   Timestamps (0:00) — Intro (1:47) — The differentiator between Influence, Power, and Status (3:00) — Guest Intro: Alison Fragale and the Likable Badass framework (5:00) — The "Podium Coaching" moments: What women ask that men don't (11:11) — Power is holding the car keys: Controlling resources vs. earning respect (14:45) — Status defined: Why resources follow respect (16:40) — Friend or Foe: The science of Warmth and Competence (24:00) — The "Latte" Metaphor: Networking when you don't need a favor (28:00) — How to handle "bad guy" moments (layoffs, tough calls) while keeping status (34:10) — The Authenticity Trap: Can you "fake" likability?   The takeaway Power is controlling resources. Status is being the resource.   Resources follow respect.   Stop choosing between being liked and being effective. Be both.   About Alison Fragale Alison Fragale, PhD, is an organizational psychologist and a professor who specializes in behavioral science to help women excel. She is the author of Likable Badass, a book dedicated to helping women get the success they deserve by mastering the science of status.   Connect with Alison Fragale Website: alisonfragale.com Book: Likable Badass Newsletter: The Upper Hand (Substack) LinkedIn: Alison Fragale, PhD Instagram: @alisonfragale   Subscribe to Career Blast in a Half Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/career-blast-in-a-half/id1670977528 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3b3kSamj8RbTNNgOg5E5oi?si=5fea15335a744e73 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/   About Career Blast in a Half A third of our lives is spent working. Career Blast in a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful, and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what's to come next. Hosted by career strategist Loren Greiff.   Work with Loren Join the 30-Day BLAST Program: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/our-programs   Connect with Loren Website: https://www.portfoliorocket.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/   Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know what career topics you'd like us to cover!

    40 min
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5
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About

A third of our lives is spent working. Our careers, a source of identity and fulfillment, can often turn on us and become consuming. We obsess about how to create impact and feel valued. How can I get back to skipping to work on Mondays? We struggle to feel purposeful and at the same time feel clueless about how to go from where are now to where we want to go. If you crave career simplicity and action you’re in the right place. Career Blast, In a Half is your 30 minutes of weekly simple, powerful and actionable career fuel to keep your success track no matter where you are in your career or what’s to come next.

Information

  • Creator
    Loren Greiff
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. 294125
  • Show Website
    Career Blast in a Half