Careeriosity Spencer Atkinson

In this episode, Spencer speaks with Mary Kimball (she/her) about the critical shortage of farmers in this country, the ways that people get pushed away from agriculture-related careers, and the growing collaboration between the farming community and the sustainability community. 

Mary is the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Land-Based Learning, whose mission is to cultivate the next generation of farmers, agricultural leaders, and natural resource stewards. She was raised on a small farm in Yolo County, CA and has been involved in food and agricultural education at the local, regional, state, and national levels for over 25 years.

Mary started with the Center for Land-Based Learning as the first employee in 1998, and has led the growth and development of the organization from one program in the Sacramento Region with 30 high school students, to today’s portfolio that includes six educational programs for youth and adults, spanning 27 California Counties. The California Farm Academy’s portfolio includes the most expansive beginning farmer training, business incubator, and Registered Apprenticeship in Farm Management in California.

Mary holds a Master’s in Human and Community Development from the Ohio State University, and a B.S. from the University of California at Davis in Agriculture Science and Management, Plant Science Option. You can connect with Mary in the Careeriosity LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13924312/.

This is the last episode of season one of Careeriosity. We wish to express sincere gratitude to all of the guests who made this season possible, because they helped illustrate an important lesson for our listeners: People want to help. When you ask for advice and look for ways to connect, you will be amazed at the generosity that people show you. So we just want to acknowledge one more time all of the generous contributors to this season. Thank you for helping to lift up others who may follow in your path.

As always, episode music by Wataboi. To learn more about Careeriosity, visit https://careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast.


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In this episode, structural engineer Jared Ellis (he/him) explains why having good grades isn’t all that matters to get your start in the world of engineering. He also shares his experiences navigating advancement in his career, and how his marriage taught him the interpersonal skills to succeed at work.

Jared received his B.S. and M.S. in Structural Engineering from University of California, San Diego, and has been designing buildings for 15 years. He has lived in California his entire life. Outside of work, Jared practices martials arts and loves to run. He and his husband and their adorable 3-year-old daughter call the San Francisco Bay Area home. You can connect with Jared in the Careeriosity LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13924312/.

Episode music by Wataboi. To learn more about Careeriosity, visit https://careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast.


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Spencer speaks with Timothy Kirk (he/him) about the winding path he has followed throughout his career. He shares his reflections on how the Army prepared him to work in the Ivy League and why emotional intelligence matters in his work.

Tim currently serves as a Senior Learning Experience Facilitator at Indeed, where the mission is, simply, “We help people get jobs.” As a part of the Human Resources team, Tim provides internal training and facilitation for his fellow Indeedians on interpersonal learning, leadership, and development, while also serving as co-chair for Indeed’s Veterans and Allies Inclusion Resource Group (IRG).

Previously, he served three years in the U.S. Army, including a deployment in Iraq during Operation New Dawn, after which he worked in university student affairs at Stanford University. He earned his Bachelor’s in Public Administration and Master’s in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma.

Outside of work, Tim is passionate about DJing and fitness. He currently lives in Arizona with his partner and their dog, Nutmeg. You can connect with Tim in the Careeriosity LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13924312/.

Episode music by Wataboi. To learn more about Careeriosity, visit https://careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast.


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Spencer speaks with immigration lawyer Tami Goodlette (she/her) about her surprising path to becoming an attorney, and about leaving her lucrative private practice to move across the country and serve asylum seekers detained at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Tami is the Director of Litigation at the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to joining RAICES, Tami served as the Deputy Director of the Dilley Pro Bono Project representing immigrant families detained at the largest immigrant detention facility in the U.S.

Tami’s background is in civil litigation. She was the Managing Partner of the Colorado offices of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP, a law firm of nearly 300 attorneys, where she worked for 14 years. After law school, she clerked for the Honorable Robert M. Russel on the Colorado Court of Appeals, and before law school, she was a Spanish teacher and school administrator. She is fluent in Spanish and is admitted to the bars in Texas, Colorado, and Arizona.

You can connect with Tami in the Careeriosity LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13924312/.

Episode music by Wataboi. To learn more about Careeriosity, visit https://careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast.


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In this episode, Spencer talks with high school history teacher Billy Lieberknecht (he/him) about why he initially resisted becoming a teacher, how he brings self-awareness of his identity into his teaching practice, and why COVID-19 disproportionately impacts students like his.

Billy has been working in Bay Area public schools since 2008.  He began his teaching career in Oakland Unified School District as a Resource Specialist, as part of the Teach For America program. He then went on to earn his Masters in Education, where he focused on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting process as a way to foster self-determination for students.

Prior to his current role, Billy has held a number of roles in schools and education, including coaching new teachers, partnering with teacher training and credentialing programs, and working as a founding teacher at an East Oakland middle school. He joined his current school community in 2015 as a US History and AP US History teacher.  He also serves as the Department Lead, Network Course Facilitator, and member of the Instructional Leadership Team. Billy believes in an approach to education that explores authentic inquiry, emphasizes literacy and critical pedagogy, and is built upon co-learning through academic discourse. He loves his school community and is incredibly grateful for the passion, energy, and commitment he sees from all of his students.

Billy grew up as the child of two career public school teachers in San Diego, CA, and earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Political Science from UCSD. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, Olive, living in the beautiful city of Richmond, hiking, cooking, woodworking, and tending to a backyard garden full of vegetables, chickens, and flowers.

You can connect with Billy in the Careeriosity LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13924312/.

Episode music by Wataboi. To learn more about Careeriosity, visit https://careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast.


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In this episode, Jane Lose (she/her) talks about the role models that led her to nursing and midwifery, about the importance of seeing yourself represented in your health care providers, and about the not-so-linear path she took to build her career.

Jane is a Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife with 18 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University in 1995, and in 2002, a Master of Science in Nursing from Yale University. Jane has spent most of her career working in Community Health Centers. Her practice has focused on women’s health, family planning, HIV care, sexual health issues and transgender care, in addition to providing leadership in clinical quality, data analytics and patient experience. Jane currently practices as a full time clinician at STRIDE Community Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the Denver, Colorado Metro area. She presents nationally on family planning and transgender care issues.

Jane is also a potter, a yogi and a really good cook, wife and mother of two teenagers. You can connect with Jane in the Careeriosity LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13924312/.  

Episode music by Wataboi. To learn more about Careeriosity, visit https://careeriosity.wixsite.com/podcast.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/careeriositypodcast/support