Careers & Coffee Talk

Laura Edwards
  • 5.0 (14)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Careers & Coffee Talk — where real people spill the beans about their real career journeys, one cup at a time. ☕ We’re here for the twists, turns, fresh starts, and all the moments in between that shape us. These are quick, casual coffee chats with people figuring it out as they go — just like the rest of us. Because the best stories (and the best advice) are always better over coffee.

  1. Women in Finance and Building a Life on Your Own Terms with Urmi Hossain

    MAR 16

    Women in Finance and Building a Life on Your Own Terms with Urmi Hossain

    The finance world has a stereotype: the “finance bro.” But what about the women building careers in that same industry and redefining what success looks like? In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, I sit down with Urmi Hossain — finance professional, author, speaker, and host of the Stories Beyond Borders podcast. Urmi works in the financial services industry, and she has built a platform focused on women’s empowerment, identity, and self-leadership. Growing up as a Bengali woman in Italy, Urmi navigated life between cultures while searching for belonging. Those experiences shaped her journey and ultimately led her to write the book Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle. Urmi began building meaningful work alongside her career, using her hours outside the office to mentor women, host conversations about identity and migration, and advocate for financial independence and leadership. In this conversation, we explore: ☕ What it takes to succeed as a woman in finance ☕ How identity shapes confidence and leadership ☕ Turning your free time into purpose and impact ☕ Navigating career pivots without burning everything down ☕ Why self-leadership and financial independence matter more than ever If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fully fit the mold in your career, this episode is for you. Links from the episode: Women in Leadership https://www.womeninleadership.ca/ Urmi Hossain on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/urmihossain/ Stories Beyond Border Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-beyond-borders/id1831413373 and https://open.spotify.com/show/2vbwcrVNedmvljLnT5UEPc?si=34e2e613ba454865 Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle by Urmi Hossain https://amzn.to/4ltIcvr

    41 min
  2. From Flight Medic to National Leadership: Nitin Natarajan on Saying Yes to the Career You Didn’t Plan

    FEB 16

    From Flight Medic to National Leadership: Nitin Natarajan on Saying Yes to the Career You Didn’t Plan

    What if the career you end up loving isn’t the one you set out to build? Nitin Natarajan thought he’d spend his life in emergency medicine. Instead, his path took him from flight paramedic to hospital administrator, to national security policymaker, to Deputy Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, Nitin shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey — including getting “kicked out” of college, leaving a stable corporate job for a $7-an-hour EMT role, responding to disasters, navigating imposter syndrome in rooms full of Ivy League credentials, and learning to lead in fields where he wasn’t the technical expert. Throughout his career, one principle has guided his decisions: do right by the people, and make sure everyone goes home at the end of the day. We talk about: ☕ Why saying “yes” can open doors you never imagined ☕ The transition from frontline response to national policy leadership ☕ Leading teams without pretending to be the expert ☕ Imposter syndrome, even at the highest levels ☕ What public service really means in an era of constant disruption ☕ Why hiring managers should look beyond traditional career paths ☕ Finding purpose in uncertainty and career pivots Whether you’re a public servant, private-sector leader, first responder, or someone figuring out your next chapter, this conversation offers honest insight into building a meaningful career without a master plan.

    56 min
  3. Shared Responsibility Saves Lives: Craig Fugate on Disasters and Leadership

    FEB 9

    Shared Responsibility Saves Lives: Craig Fugate on Disasters and Leadership

    What does leadership look like when the clock is already running? In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, I sit down with Craig Fugate, former FEMA Administrator and longtime emergency management leader, to talk about what it really takes to respond when disaster strikes, and how those lessons still apply today. Craig shares his career journey from volunteer firefighter and paramedic to leading FEMA through some of the most demanding disaster years on record. We talk about why speed matters more than perfect information, how back-to-back disasters can reshape leadership, and what he learned rebuilding trust in FEMA by focusing on execution and outcomes. Our conversation also dives into emergency management as a shared responsibility: why bystanders are often the first responders and why empowering the public leads to better outcomes. Craig explains how better information changes decision-making and what today’s emergency managers should understand about AI, automation, and predictive tools. We also take a look ahead at the skills the next generation of emergency managers will need, the work Craig is doing now through his consulting practice, and the experience for survivors when emergency management gets it right.

    1h 1m
  4. From the Marine Corps to the Mat: Coach Kelly Grissom on BJJ, Lineage, and Leadership (Part 2)

    JAN 28

    From the Marine Corps to the Mat: Coach Kelly Grissom on BJJ, Lineage, and Leadership (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, we pick up where military service meets lifelong practice. Retired Marine Major Kelly Grissom, known to many as Coach Kelly, shares how his transition from the Marine Corps led him to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and how the principles of leadership, discipline, and accountability carried seamlessly from command to the mat. We talk about: ☕ Discovering BJJ as a path to self-mastery ☕ Why the name KOA connects his military service to his next chapter ☕ The importance of lineage in martial arts, including the influence of Master Leo Dalla ☕ Training first responders, military, and federal law enforcement ☕ Coaching confidence, humility, and resilience — without overemphasizing competition ☕ What it means to leave behind a legacy This episode is about showing up every day, doing the work, and carrying forward what was entrusted to you. 👉 Part 1 is available now, covering Kelly’s Marine Corps career and his career-defining experience in Afghanistan during Operation Whalers.

    57 min
  5. Coach Kelly Grissom on Operation Whalers, Combat Leadership, and the Path to Jiu Jitsu (Part 1)

    JAN 18

    Coach Kelly Grissom on Operation Whalers, Combat Leadership, and the Path to Jiu Jitsu (Part 1)

    What does leadership really demand, when the stakes are real and the consequences last? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, I sit down in person with retired Marine Major Kelly Grissom, known to many today as “Coach Kelly," to talk about the chapter of his life that shaped everything that followed. Kelly shares his journey from enlisting in the Marine Corps to leading Marines around the world, including his role as Company Commander during Operation Whalers in Afghanistan in 2005. We talk candidly about leadership under uncertainty, the weight of command, and how public narratives often miss what leadership actually looks like on the ground. We also discuss the transition home, why you don’t return from experiences like that unchanged, and how those lessons carried Kelly toward Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and yet another form of service. This episode focuses on leadership, responsibility, and identity beyond the uniform. 👉 Part 2 drops next week, where we shift to the mat: lineage, coaching, training first responders, and how Kelly built KOA Martial Arts as a community rooted in discipline, humility, and purpose. Stay tuned!

    46 min
  6. *You’re* Right to Petition: Nicole Tisdale on Making Government Work for You

    12/14/2025

    *You’re* Right to Petition: Nicole Tisdale on Making Government Work for You

    What does it actually take to make government work for you? In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, host Laura Edwards sits down with Nicole Tisdale, former White House National Security Council advisor, longtime congressional staffer, and founder of Advocacy Blueprints, for a candid, practical conversation about advocacy, public service, and reclaiming your right to be heard. Nicole shares her journey from growing up in Mississippi and discovering public service through programs like Girls State, to advising senior Members of Congress and shaping national security and cybersecurity policy at the highest levels of government. Along the way, she explains why Congress remains the most accessible branch of government, how everyday people misunderstand advocacy, and what it really means to make an effective “ask.” The conversation goes deep into Nicole’s work through Advocacy Blueprints, where she helps nonprofits, companies, and community organizations translate complex policy challenges, including cybersecurity, open-source software risk, and rural cyber workforce gaps, into strategies policymakers can act on. She also breaks down a real-world cyber advocacy case study that led to meaningful federal action, showing how education, timing, and coordination can drive lasting change without always requiring new legislation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in government, cybersecurity, technology policy, nonprofit advocacy, or public service — especially those who feel frustrated by bureaucracy but still believe change is possible. Nicole’s message is clear: you don’t need to be an insider to influence policy, but you do need to understand how the system actually works. Topics include: ☕Why most advocacy efforts fail before they start ☕Cybersecurity policy, open-source risk, and educating policymakers ☕Advocacy Blueprints’ model for supporting both large institutions and under-resourced communities ☕Practical advice for anyone who wants to engage government more effectively Learn more about Nicole’s work: Right to Petition: A Practical Guide to Creating Change in Government (https://amzn.to/48M3fU3) https://www.nicoletisdale.com Advocacy Blueprints (https://www.advocacyblueprints.com)

    54 min
  7. From Firefighter to US Fire Administrator: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell on Leadership, Data and Resilience

    12/07/2025

    From Firefighter to US Fire Administrator: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell on Leadership, Data and Resilience

    What does it take to lead through adversity, rethink decades-old systems, and champion the people who run toward emergencies? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former U.S. Fire Administrator and firefighter-paramedic, takes us through the defining moments of her career, from the streets of Memphis to the highest levels of federal leadership. Dr. Lori reflects on: ☕ What she learned about leading in male-dominated rooms, standing her ground, choosing when to push and when to pause, and how to develop true emotional intelligence as a leader ☕ How she reframes “work-life balance” into something far more realistic (and far more forgiving) ☕ The mental-health realities facing first responders, especially during the holiday season ☕ Where she’s choosing to focus her energy now: global wildfire innovation, AI-enabled solutions, and advising the next generation of leaders Whether you’re in public safety, public service, tech, or leadership of any kind, Dr. Lori’s story offers rare insight into what it looks like to carry responsibility at scale, and how to stay grounded while doing it. Resources mentioned in this episode: – IAFF Mental Health (https://www.iaff.org/behavioral-health) + Peer Support Programs (https://www.iaff.org/peer-support) – National Fallen Firefighters Foundation – First Responder Center of Excellence (https://firstrespondercenter.org) – Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (https://amzn.to/4485tvM) – Brave, Not Perfect (https://amzn.to/4pmnhvq) About Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell is a distinguished leader in public safety, policy development, and emergency response innovation. She has worked at the highest levels of government, engaging with White House staff, cabinet officials, and industry leaders to drive advancements in firefighter health, wellness, and operational efficiency. Dr. Moore-Merrell has led large, diverse teams, developed subject matter experts, and fostered international partnerships to shape policy and best practices. She continues to work to improve the safety and well-being of first responders and to equip firefighters with the resources and knowledge needed to thrive both on and off the job. Her expertise includes strategic planning, big data analysis, community risk assessment, and translating research into actionable policies that enhance public safety operations. Dr. Moore-Merrell believes that together, we can turn any moment of crisis into an era of opportunity for the fire service and beyond.

    56 min
  8. Laid Off to Lit Up: The Story of Illustrator & Muralist Eric "E$" Dolgas

    11/21/2025

    Laid Off to Lit Up: The Story of Illustrator & Muralist Eric "E$" Dolgas

    This is the story of what happens when life knocks you down… and you choose to rise in a completely different direction. Artist Eric “E$” Dolgas didn’t set out to become one of the most recognizable illustrators and muralists in the DMV. In fact, he spent years in IT sales, until the day he logged into work and realized he’d been laid off. Again. That moment could have broken him. Instead, it became the pivot point that brought him back to the thing he loved most as a kid: drawing. In this funny and deeply inspiring episode, Eric opens up about: ☕The sales career that gave him thick skin—but drained his joy ☕ The layoffs that pushed him toward a calling he could no longer ignore ☕ The wild story of cold-pitching his art to Spike Jonze and landing a Viceland commercial ☕ Creating the Food Villain project with The Alchemist ☕ Why authenticity is the foundation of his success A perfect episode for anyone navigating career change, burnout, creative curiosity, or the desire to build a life that feels like your own. Follow Eric’s work: Instagram: @theedollarsign Website: www.emoneyoriginals.com Umbrella Art Fair DC: https://www.umbrellaartfair.com/

    50 min
See All (29)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Careers & Coffee Talk — where real people spill the beans about their real career journeys, one cup at a time. ☕ We’re here for the twists, turns, fresh starts, and all the moments in between that shape us. These are quick, casual coffee chats with people figuring it out as they go — just like the rest of us. Because the best stories (and the best advice) are always better over coffee.

Information