Career Gems For The Journey

Leah C. Murphy
Career Gems For The Journey Podcast

One engineer turned expert career coach and One brand marketer. Two successful women dropping gems, sharing their best advice and hacks for career navigation. Ama Gordon and Leah Murphy share tons of authentic stories on everything from compensation to progression. Subscribe now to laugh and learn!

  1. 100 Episodes Strong: Lessons, Growth, and Gratitude

    4 DAYS AGO

    100 Episodes Strong: Lessons, Growth, and Gratitude

    We’re celebrating a major milestone—100 episodes of the Career Gems for the Journey Podcast! In this episode,  ⁠⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey⁠⁠  reflects on the incredible journey that has brought us here. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted resource for professionals seeking career advice, Leah shares the pivotal moments and lessons learned along the way. Leah opens up about the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the podcast over time. From starting the podcast as a way to provide accessible career advice to those who couldn’t afford one-on-one coaching, to nearly sunsetting the show due to the overwhelming demands of entrepreneurship, Leah shares the pivotal moments that led to the podcast’s continued success.Leah emphasizes the importance of perseverance and investing in oneself, even when the recognition and rewards aren’t immediately apparent. She shares her personal story of how sticking with the podcast, despite the initial lack of applause or financial return, ultimately laid the foundation for the growth of her business and career. Listeners will also gain valuable insights on:  💎 The Power of Trusted Advice: Leah highlights the role of coaches, mentors, and industry experts in guiding her through difficult decisions, including whether to continue the podcast. She underscores the importance of seeking external perspectives to help realign with long-term goals. 💎  Staying Committed to Your Vision: Leah discusses the discipline required to stay committed to your goals, even when the journey feels long and unrecognized. Her story serves as a reminder that the effort you invest in your career or personal projects today will pay off in the future. 💎 Celebrating Milestones: As Leah celebrates 100 episodes, she encourages listeners to recognize and celebrate their own milestones, no matter how big or small. Each step forward is a testament to your hard work and dedication.  Thank you to all the listeners who have been part of this journey, whether from the very beginning or just joining now. We invite everyone to continue growing with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the podcast, joining the newsletter, and participating in upcoming events like the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference.Keep pushing forward in your own journey and…MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU!  💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!

    23 min
  2. Tap Into Conference Season

    5 SEPT

    Tap Into Conference Season

    In this episode of ‘Tap Into Conference Season,’ Leah C. Murphy, CEO of Career Gems for the Journey, invites you to explore the incredible impact that attending professional conferences can have on your career. With a focus on the upcoming Pennsylvania Women’s Conference, Leah shares her personal journey, from the nerves of attending her first conference to the excitement of now returning as a vendor. This full-circle moment is not only a testament to her growth but also a reminder of the power of stepping out of your comfort zone. Leah emphasizes that if you’re feeling stuck in your career, conferences like the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference can be a game-changer. They offer a fresh burst of inspiration and open doors to new career opportunities, all while connecting you with thousands of professional women, nonprofit leaders, and CEOs who are eager to share their experiences.  As Leah walks you through her thoughts on maximizing networking opportunities, she encourages you to think strategically. Whether you’re seeking new job opportunities, aiming to broaden your professional network, or simply looking to connect with like-minded women, conferences provide a unique environment to foster these relationships. Leah’s tips on making the most out of every interaction are invaluable, offering you a roadmap to navigate these events with confidence.  One of the key insights Leah shares is how to approach your employer to sponsor your attendance. By starting early and asking the right questions, you can tap into resources like professional development budgets, continuing education funds, or even Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Leah’s advice is practical and actionable, guiding you on how to secure the support you need to attend these career-enhancing events.For those with entrepreneurial dreams or side hustles, Leah explains why conferences are a must. These events are filled with opportunities to scale your business, find startup support, or connect with potential collaborators. Leah encourages you to approach conferences with an abundance mindset, setting clear goals to ensure that your investment in attending pays off.Investing in yourself by attending conferences is one of the best decisions you can make for your career and personal growth. We are so excited for the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference, and we invite you to join us in Philadelphia, where we’ll be sharing even more career gems in person.Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights that will help you navigate and maximize the benefits of conference season. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how to make conferences work for you and take your career to the next level. MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 💎💎  Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!

    32 min
  3. Career Pivots with Jasmine Sessoms

    22 AUG

    Career Pivots with Jasmine Sessoms

    In this episode of Career Pivots,  ⁠⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey⁠⁠  is  thrilled to welcome Jasmine Sessoms, a dynamic leader with an extensive background in hospitality management, corporate and public sector work, and philanthropy. Jasmine shares her unique career journey, starting as a hospitality management major and evolving into a powerhouse in fundraising, politics, and community engagement. We dive into Jasmine's creation of She Can Win, a training program designed to support Black women running for office. Jasmine's dedication to empowering women in politics has led to significant successes, including the election of notable leaders like Councilwoman Catherine Gilmore Richardson and Representative Morgan Cephas. Jasmine also shares her challenges and triumphs in the corporate world, including navigating professional expectations and maintaining authenticity. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive partner and taking necessary breaks to ensure personal well-being. Currently, Jasmine is the Chief Engagement Officer at Community College of Philadelphia, where she launched the Center 1968, focusing on empowering Black women in government. The center offers programs like the Black Women in Government series and the Barbara Jordan Policy Fellowship to train and support future leaders.   MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!   About Our Guest  Jasmine Sessoms has over 15 years of experience in community outreach, government relations, and public affairs, She is a passionate and strategic leader who strives to create positive social impact through higher education. As the Chief Engagement Officer at Community College of Philadelphia, she oversees the Office of Engagement, which includes stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, revenue growth, and workforce development. In her previous role as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Hilco Redevelopment Partners, she was responsible for creating and communicating a favorable public image for the company through media campaigns, corporate social responsibility, and government relations. She has a Master's degree in Organizational Development and Leadership, a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, and two certifications: Certified Event Planner and Certificate Fundraising. She has strong skills in fund development, event management, and non-profit management. She is motivated by the mission of empowering communities and individuals through education and collaboration.

    57 min
  4. Triumph Together Featuring Akida Neely

    8 AUG

    Triumph Together Featuring Akida Neely

    In today's episode , ⁠⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey, is joined by the winner of the Triumph Together Challenge, Akida Neely. Akida shares how she discovered the challenge through Gems for the Journey and discusses her transformative experience with the "Triumph in the Trenches" anthology. Akida talks about her experiences as a Black woman in corporate America, highlighting the significance of the Crown Act and how it has influenced her professional journey. She also shares her background as a multi-sport athlete and how her athletic discipline has shaped her career, particularly her transition from sales to operations. As an introvert, Akida offers insights into using one's voice in a corporate environment and provides advice on career growth. She emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and continuous education as key takeaways from the "Triumph in the Trenches" book.   MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!   About Our Guest  Akida Neely, MBA is named one of Comcast Philadelphia Tribune's award-winning, 2020 Women of Achievement! She is a driven leader with more than 15 years of experience spearheading complex projects and forging measurable, sustainable change. Creative and innovative, with proven success developing tools and strategies that improve employee quality and customer satisfaction. She is a distinguished mentor dedicated to promoting inclusion and diversity.

    28 min
  5. Triumph Together Featuring Wendy T. Talley

    25 JUL

    Triumph Together Featuring Wendy T. Talley

    In today's episode , ⁠⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey⁠⁠ is joined by co-author Dr. Wendy T. Talley who  highlights the impact of microaggressions and the importance of understanding the difference between intent and impact. She shares personal stories, including her experience of being criticized for her professional appearance, which many Black women can relate to. Leah and Dr. Talley discuss the significance of correctly pronouncing names as a form of respect and acknowledgment. Dr. Wendy explains how mispronunciation can be a microaggression and offers practical advice for leaders on addressing this issue thoughtfully. Dr. Wendy Talley introduces the concept of "selective amnesia microaggression," where contributions of professionals of color are often overlooked. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging everyone's contributions to foster an inclusive work environment. MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 💎💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!   About Our Guest  With over 22 years of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Wendy T. Talley is an internationally recognized Corporate Wellness Expert and Onsite Therapist EAP for government and entrainment organizations. As a Doctor of Social Work and a certified Leading like a Futurist, Dr. Talley creates and improves corporate culture by training leaders to be EQ experts in their company. Dr. Talley has a proven track record of delivering impactful wellness programs for corporate and non-profit organizations, utilizing EAP services and community resources to maximize mental health benefits for employees. She has worked with former First Lady Michelle Obama, providing housing to homeless veteran families, and is currently the Onsite Counselor for SONY Pictures Entertainment, providing staff development workshops and leadership consulting. Dr. Talley is also a best-selling author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and mentor, who inspires audiences and entrepreneurs to create positive change in their personal and professional lives.

    46 min
  6. Triumph Together Featuring Shareda Rollins

    11 JUL

    Triumph Together Featuring Shareda Rollins

    In today's episode , ⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠, CEO of ⁠Career Gems for the Journey⁠ is joined by co-author Shareda Rollins, M.Ed an experienced people manager and training development leader at Oracle. Shareda shares insights from her chapter titled "Escalator Blues: An Emotional Trauma Unpacked" focusing on early career development for Black professionals. Key discussion points include: 💎 Early Career Development: Shareda emphasizes the importance of preparing young Black professionals for emotional and professional challenges. 💎 Escalator Blues: Shareda describes her experience of feeling overwhelmed as the only Black professional in a large corporation. 💎 Emotional Intelligence: The conversation highlights the need for self-awareness, self-regulation, and creating safe spaces for emotional expression and disagreement in corporate environments. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace is evident as she shares practical advice for navigating corporate America. MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 💎💎 Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newsletter and get your FREE download TODAY! Gain access to exclusive content just for you!   About Our Guest  Shareda Rollins is a dynamic professional with training program development and federal contract management experience. Recognized for demonstrating a natural aptitude for delivering value-added learning and training solutions directly aligned with stakeholder needs, as well as for driving the development and performance of diverse teams and ensuring compliance with contract scope and requirements, she has a verifiable history of contributing directly to success throughout her career. Professional focal points include talent acquisition & retention, process optimization, learning program consulting, strategic partnerships, training coordination, client engagement, sales, team leadership, and risk mitigation. Delivering superior administration on the latter areas of expertise requires utilization of effective communication skills, negotiation skills, as well as professional acumen, strategy development, project management, and change management to support efficiency and optimal outcomes. Currently, she is a Managing Principal Consultant, Federal Client Learning with Oracle Corporation. Under her leadership, she spearheaded the ground up development of a team responsible for VA training implementation. Process optimization, quality improvement, and training delivery initiatives in accordance with the scope of federal contracts are key achievements. She also coaches and mentors direct reports to strengthen performance and skills. In addition, she is a liaise with senior leadership, vendor stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure the company’s client support structure is driving the business forward with minimal expenditures.

    37 min
  7. Triumph Together Featuring Dr. Nicole D. Vick and Dr. Natoshia Anderson

    27 JUN

    Triumph Together Featuring Dr. Nicole D. Vick and Dr. Natoshia Anderson

    In this inspiring episode of the Triumph Together, Leah C. Murphy, CEO of Career Gems for the Journey is joined by the accomplished Dr. Nicole D. Vick and Dr. Natoshia Anderson, both contributors to the "Triumph in the Trenches" anthology. Leah, Dr. Vick, and Dr. Anderson engage in a deep and insightful conversation about crucial topics such as psychological safety in the workplace, pay equity, and the profound impact of presence. They explore the importance of feeling valued and safe in professional environments, sharing personal experiences from their respective fields of public health and STEM. This discussion sheds light on the significant role supervisors play in creating a psychologically safe work environment and offers practical advice on how to evaluate one's own workplace for these critical factors. This episode also delves into the topic of pay equity, with Dr. Vick and Dr. Anderson highlighting the pervasive disparities and the need for fair compensation. Leah provides valuable strategies for negotiating better compensation, emphasizing the importance of transparency and mutual respect in salary discussions. As the conversation unfolds, listeners are encouraged to engage in transparent discussions about compensation and to advocate for their worth in the professional sphere. This episode is not only a rich source of knowledge and practical advice but also a call to action for listeners to reflect on their own work environments and take steps towards fostering inclusivity and equity. MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU! 💎💎 Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newsletter and get your FREE download TODAY! Gain access to exclusive content just for you!   About Our Guests Dr. Nicole D. Vick fell in love with public health over 20 years ago and have never looked back. She uses her professional experience, education, and lived experience to teach, engage, and inspire. She believes her community and the people in it are assets and does her part to promote and support small businesses. Dr. Nicole has 15 years of experience educating and inspiring the next generation of public health leaders. Dr. Natoshia Anderson specializes in helping minority women in STEM who feel overshadowed, overwhelmed, & overlooked to advocate for themselves in their personal & professional lives. For the past decade, she has dedicated her work to creating equal opportunities for minority girls & women in STEM. As an educator & advocate, career & leadership consultant, motivational speaker, podcast host, & author, she works with both individuals & organizations to enact change at all levels.Dr. Toshia...changing the STEM environment one minority girl at a time and creating opportunities where there were none before!

    46 min
  8. Triumph Together Featuring Mary Darden-Robinson

    13 JUN

    Triumph Together Featuring Mary Darden-Robinson

    The Triumph Together Challenge⁠⁠ is in full force 🙌🏾 If you would like to join us in real time we go live every Tuesday @ 12pm EST on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠YouTube.⁠⁠  In this engaging episode host ⁠⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠⁠, CEO of ⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey⁠⁠, Leah is joined by the phenomenal Dr. Mary Darden Robinson, co-author of the Triumph in the Trenches Anthology kicking off the episode by sharing their excitement about the challenge and the impactful experiences it has brought.  Chapter 10 – Dr. Mary Darden-Robinson: How Is It That I Constantly Got a Seat at the Table but No Voice in the Discussion?"...The Place Holder Phenomenon. You see, I was simply the candidate who was offered the interview, unbeknownst to myself I would never truly be considered for the position... I did not realize that it was in fact a placebo role which was already figuratively filled." ~Dr. Mary Darden- Robinson~ Dr. Robinson introduces the concept of the placeholder phenomenon, where individuals are given a seat at the table but no voice in the discussion and discusses its impact on professional growth and mental health. They explore the term "diversity desert," describing workplaces lacking true diversity and inclusion, and Dr. Robinson shares her experiences of work hijacking, where her work was taken and presented by others without proper credit.  The conversation shifts to strategies for navigating professional challenges, highlighting the importance of creating mutually beneficial relationships with employers and addressing intentional misidentification in professional settings. Leah and Dr. Robinson emphasize the need for empathy and curiosity in professional interactions, encouraging listeners to understand and address the underlying reasons behind individuals' responses and behaviors. We encourage you  to join us over on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for the Triumph Together Challenge with  real-time discussions as we help you reflect on your  own workplace experiences and consider how you can apply the discussed strategies to enhance your  professional and personal lives.   Learn more about how YOU can join the  ⁠⁠Triumph Together Challenge⁠⁠  💎💎 Contributions to the discussions can lead to opportunities to appear on the "Career Gems for theJourney" Podcast or live sessions.  💎💎 Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘Career Gems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newsletter and get your FREE download TODAY! Gain access to exclusive content just for you!  MAKE YOUR JOURNEY WORK FOR YOU!  ABOUT OUR GUEST  Dr. Mary Darden-Robinson is a private sector therapist with 20+ years of experience serving the Hampton Roads, VA area in the mental health and substance use fields. As a clinician, Dr. Darden-Robinson emphasizes overall wellness by addressing everyday life situations while supporting adolescents and families with rediscovering their personal resilience. Additionally, her therapeutic style is eclectic with a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). With an emphasis on entities such as healthy relationships, self-care, depression, as well as families and adolescents, she has a robust clinical background that consists of providing clinical treatment and therapeutic services. Clients have included the underserved and justice involved, the Department of Human Services, and the Family and Assessment and Planning Team(F.A.P.T.). Her experience also includes providing clinical services within residential, detention, academic, and community settings as well as the Medication-Assisted Treatment (M.A.T.) arena.

    46 min

About

One engineer turned expert career coach and One brand marketer. Two successful women dropping gems, sharing their best advice and hacks for career navigation. Ama Gordon and Leah Murphy share tons of authentic stories on everything from compensation to progression. Subscribe now to laugh and learn!

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada