Work Should Feel Good with Diana Alt

Diana Alt
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Work Should Feel Good is the no-BS career podcast for people who want more from their work, without selling their soul to get it. Hosted by career strategist and layoff survivor Diana Alt, this show shares real stories, mindset shifts, and practical strategies to help you grow your career on your terms. You'll hear from recruiters, entrepreneurs, leaders, and everyday professionals in episodes that drop most Wednesdays. Let's make work feel good - together.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 67: Winning Survivor Wasn't The End with Todd Herzog

    Todd joins Diana to talk about the unexpected career path that took him from movie theaters and Disney to working as a flight attendant, winning Survivor: China, rebuilding his life after alcoholism, and eventually discovering an artistic talent he didn't know he had until his 30s. Today, he and his husband create custom artwork through Todd's Pop Shop, a business Todd built around creativity, community, and doing work in a way that actually works for him. Todd also gets candid about what it means to start over when you feel like you've failed, why setbacks don't erase everything that came before them, and how deliberately looking for things worth celebrating helped him change the way he saw himself and his life. Todd's career before and after Survivor What winning Survivor did and didn't change Recovery, resilience, and starting over Discovering art during COVID Turning Todd's Pop Shop into a creative business Why it's never too late to try something new ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Meet Todd Herzog 03:48 Movies, Disney, and early career 09:48 Becoming a flight attendant and applying for Survivor 12:37 Why Todd knew he could play the game 21:36 What people get wrong about Todd after Survivor 25:40 Life after winning Survivor 29:40 Alcoholism, recovery, and starting over 41:14 Discovering art during COVID 45:20 Building Todd's Pop Shop 56:33 Moving through setbacks and shame 01:03:06 Career advice and why it's never too late 💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com   📢 Connect with Todd Herzog 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/rockthezog 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/toddspopshop ❌X/Twitter → https://www.threads.com/@toddherzog 📧Emai  →  toddpopshop@gmail.com 📲 Follow Me On Social Media LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

  2. Aug 11

    Episode 66: The Comeback That Changed Everything with Terry Weaver

    What happens when life completely derails the plan and forces you to rethink how you work, lead, and let other people help? Terry Weaver returns to Work Should Feel Good to share how a sudden case of sepsis landed him in the ICU just as The Thing was beginning. Diana and Terry talk about the community that stepped in to keep the event going, his long recovery, and how the experience changed his thinking about rest, legacy, leadership, and building work that doesn't depend entirely on you. When your plans get derailed by a major life event Building a community that can step up when you can't Making rest part of the work Legacy, leadership, and letting other people help Redesigning work around your strengths and energy Choosing yourself instead of always choosing the safe path ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Terry returns to Work Should Feel Good 02:28 When life changed in the middle of The Thing 05:47 Sepsis, septic shock, and the ICU 12:21 The community steps in 16:10 Rethinking legacy 20:59 The long road back 32:15 Redesigning work around energy and alignment 40:29 Why rest is part of the work 45:42 Letting other people lead 54:45 What does it take to pick yourself? 01:01:50 Why Terry doesn't want to build alone anymore 💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away from your job? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com 📢 Connect with Terry Weaver 🌐 Website → https://terryweaver.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrytheweaver 📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/terryweaver 📘 Facebook → https://facebook.com/terryweaver 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/terrytheweaver 📲 Follow Me LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

  3. Aug 4

    Episode 65: Building Visual Authority That Builds Trust with Eden Oates

    What if your appearance is either reinforcing or quietly undermining the credibility you've already earned? In this episode, Diana sits down with image strategist Eden Oates to explore how visual authority builds trust, confidence, and connection without feeling fake or performative. Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to strengthen your personal brand, you'll learn how to align your external presence with who you really are so that your first impression supports the value you bring. Why visual authority is about psychology, not fashion How clothing influences trust and credibility before you speak The difference between authenticity and creating a persona Choosing colors and style that reflect your brand—not someone else's Why understanding your audience matters more than following style rules Dressing for the result you want instead of simply getting dressed Common mistakes professionals make that create unnecessary friction Building confidence through congruence between your inside and outside Creating a signature style without becoming a caricature Practical ways to elevate your professional presence without spending money ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Intro & Meet Eden Oates 01:40 Why Eden chose red as her signature color 05:00 Growing up around entrepreneurship and discovering personal style 09:30 From helping others shine to stepping onto the stage herself 12:00 Is investing in your image superficial? 17:00 What people communicate before they ever speak 20:00 Reading the room and dressing for your audience 23:00 Building a personal brand that feels authentic 28:00 Translating your personality into visual style 33:00 Signature colors, brand identity, and avoiding gimmicks 36:30 Body language, presence, and creating trust 40:00 Finding confidence without pretending to be someone else 44:30 Looking polished on any budget 💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com 📢 Connect with Eden Oates 🌐 Website → https://exclusivelyeden.com 🎁 Free Resource → The Exclusive Style™ System: Make Your Style a Magnet for Premium Clients & Opportunities https://exclusivelyeden.com 📸 Instagram → @exclusively_eden 📘 Facebook → @exclusively_eden 📲 Follow Me LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

  4. Jul 28

    Episode 64: The Interview Skills That Get You Hired with Lili Foggle

    In this episode, Diana sits down with interview expert Lili Foggle to explore why interviewing is really about strategic communication, authentic connection, and understanding what employers are actually looking for. From AI's impact on hiring to practical interview preparation strategies, this conversation is packed with insights that will help you interview with greater confidence and clarity. Why communication skills matter more than ever in the age of AI The difference between memorizing answers and authentic interview preparation How to build strategic messaging instead of scripted responses Why interview skills translate directly into career success The importance of researching company values, not just company facts Understanding team fit versus technical qualifications How to create genuine connection and relational presence during interviews Why storytelling should be flexible, not memorized ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & introducing Lili Foggle 01:30 Lili's unexpected journey from actor to interview coach 08:45 Why great communicators often outperform more experienced candidates 14:30 Why communication skills are becoming even more valuable in the AI era 18:45 Stop memorizing interview answers 24:00 Building strategic messaging instead of scripted responses 33:00 How to research a company the right way 40:30 Understanding values, team fit, and hiring decisions 47:00 Relational presence vs. "rapport building" 54:00 Matching interviewer energy without losing authenticity 💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com 📢 Connect with Lili Foggle 🌐 Website → https://impressiveinterviewing.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilifoggle/ 📲 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@yourinterviewcoach 📲 Follow Me On Social Media LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

  5. Jul 21

    Episode 63: The Science of Becoming More Memorable with Michael Roderick

    What does it really take to build authentic professional relationships in a world increasingly dominated by AI and transactional networking? In this conversation, Diana sits down with Michael Roderick, CEO of Small Pond Enterprise LLC and host of the Access to Anyone podcast, to explore how clarity, curiosity, and memorable communication create opportunities that traditional networking never will. Michael's unconventional path from teaching to Broadway producing Why collaboration beats competition when building professional relationships The power of specificity when asking for introductions What makes someone truly referable The AIM framework: Accessibility, Influence, and Memory The LESS framework for making ideas memorable Why clarity always beats cleverness Moving from pitching yourself to discussing the problem you solve The difference between attracting aspirational audiences versus ideal clients Practical networking strategies that create genuine advocates ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & introducing Michael Roderick 01:35 Marvel fandom, collectibles, and finding common ground 07:28 Michael's journey from teacher to Broadway producer 18:20 From Broadway to relationship-building expert 22:08 Why referrals fail without clarity and specificity 30:00 The AIM framework: Accessibility, Influence & Memory 39:40 The LESS framework for memorable communication 41:40 Stop pitching yourself—start with the problem you solve 47:45 The IPO framework: Idea, Problem & Outcome 50:00 Why clarity beats cleverness in communication 51:10 Introducing the framework that inspired Diana to invite Michael   💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com 📢 Connect with Michael Roderick 🌐 Website → https://www.smallpondenterprises.com/ 🎙️ Access to Anyone Podcast → https://accesstoanyonepodcast.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/in/michael-roderick-1161571/ 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/mike.roderick.940 ✖️ X → https://x.com/MichaelRoderick 📲 Follow Me LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

  6. Jul 14

    Episode 62: How to Build Influence Without Becoming an Influencer with Mark Lebrun

    What does it actually mean to have influence and do you really need to become an "influencer" to make an impact? In this episode, Diana sits down with digital strategist Mark Lebrun to unpack why genuine influence has far more to do with trust, service, and credibility than follower counts or viral content. Whether you're a corporate professional, business owner, or aspiring thought leader, you'll learn practical ways to build a digital reputation that creates opportunities without sacrificing your authenticity. Why influence is about impact, not popularity Building trust before building an audience Creating a digital reputation that opens career opportunities How professionals can show up online without becoming "influencers" Choosing the right platform for your goals Why consistency doesn't mean posting every day Common mistakes on LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube Protecting your online reputation while growing your visibility How digital credibility creates career and business opportunities Mark's entrepreneurial journey from educator to digital strategist ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Intro & why "influencer" isn't the goal 04:15 How Mark accidentally built a digital influence business 10:45 From hope dealer to digital strategist 14:25 Why so many professionals resist social media 18:10 Redefining influence through trust and impact 23:40 Audience building vs. trust building 28:55 Building a professional reputation without risking your career 36:45 Platform strategy: LinkedIn, TikTok & YouTube 44:20 What actually builds credibility online 48:35 What happens if social media disappears tomorrow? 53:00 Handling criticism, haters & protecting your online reputation 1:00:10 The worst career advice Mark ever received 💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com 📢 Connect with Mark Lebrun 🌐 Website & Socials → https://hoo.be/marklebrun 🎁 Free Resources → https://hoo.be/marklebrun 📲 Follow Me LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

  7. Jul 7

    Episode 61: Knowing the Why Behind Your Target with Lucy Norris

    What happens when your career is driven by purpose instead of titles? In this episode, Diana sits down with workplace experience and food systems leader Lucy Norris to explore the importance of knowing the deeper "why" behind your career choices. From building healthier workplaces to navigating a long job search with intention, Lucy shares practical wisdom on creating meaningful work without letting your job become your entire identity. Finding the common thread through a nontraditional career Why meaningful work doesn't have to become your identity The connection between food, wellbeing, and workplace experience Creating healthier workplaces through thoughtful employee experiences Lessons from Lucy's eight-month job search Why networking matters more than endless online applications The power of narrowing your target instead of applying everywhere Using personal values to evaluate career opportunities Stoicism, resilience, and focusing on what you can control Building a career around ownership, impact, and purpose ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Intro & Meet Lucy Norris 02:10 The story behind the Daruma doll and setting meaningful goals 08:45 Finding the common thread across an unconventional career 12:20 Why food is about wellbeing—not just eating 20:30 Food systems, workplace experience, and reducing friction 27:00 Creating healthier work environments through thoughtful design 31:05 Lucy's eight-month job search and what wasn't working 39:00 The Job Seeker Summit that changed her approach 42:00 Why networking beat online applications 48:00 Narrowing the target instead of chasing every opportunity 52:30 Discovering the importance of ownership and meaningful work 56:30 Final thoughts on purpose, identity, and building a career that fits 💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com 📢 Connect with Lucy Norris 🌐 Website → https://www.lucynorrisconsulting.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucynorris/ 📖 Book → Pickled Vegetables, Fruits and Morehttps://www.amazon.com/Pickled-Vegetables-Fruits-More-Preserving-Traditions/dp/1584792779 📲 Follow Me LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

  8. Jun 30

    Episode 60: Why Employee Benefits Should Help You Build a Life with Larry Salazar

    Employee benefits are often treated as paperwork and perks, but what if they could become one of the most powerful tools for improving employee retention and helping people build the lives they actually want?   In this episode, Diana sits down with Larry Salazar to discuss why employers need to think beyond traditional benefits and invest in the whole person—not just the employee. From financial wellness and homeownership to career growth and workplace culture, they explore how meaningful benefits create stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and better lives. Larry's journey from broadcast journalism to entrepreneurship Why work and personal life can't be separated The hidden costs of employee turnover Why benefits should support the whole person Traditional benefits vs. modern employee expectations How financial stress impacts productivity at work Housing as an employee benefit and retention strategy Homeownership, financial education, and long-term wealth building Building the business case for innovative employee benefits The role of purpose in career decisions Why following your passion often matters more than following the money   ⏳ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & introducing Larry Salazar 02:20 Larry's journalism career and desire to make a difference 05:20 From Boeing to entrepreneurship through homeownership 11:00 Building Nest Steps after a layoff 17:20 Why employers need to invest in the whole person 21:00 Which employee benefits actually improve retention? 24:30 Housing assistance as a modern employee benefit 35:10 Financial education and preparing employees for homeownership 44:30 Helping existing homeowners build long-term wealth 49:45 Why purpose beats simply following the money 💡 Take Action 🔥 Subscribe for future episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt 📖 Grab my Resume Don'ts Guide → https://www.dianaalt.com/resumedonts ❌ Avoid these common job search mistakes → https://www.jobsearchmistakes.com 🚪 Wondering if it's time to walk away? → https://www.isittimetowalk.com 💼 Work with me → https://www.dianaalt.com 📢 Connect with Larry Salazar 🌐 NestSTEPS → https://www.neststepsbenefits.com 🔗LinkedIn / Social → https://www.linkedin.com/company/neststeps 📲 Follow Me On Social Media LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@dianaalt Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dianakalt TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedianaalt

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About

Work Should Feel Good is the no-BS career podcast for people who want more from their work, without selling their soul to get it. Hosted by career strategist and layoff survivor Diana Alt, this show shares real stories, mindset shifts, and practical strategies to help you grow your career on your terms. You'll hear from recruiters, entrepreneurs, leaders, and everyday professionals in episodes that drop most Wednesdays. Let's make work feel good - together.

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