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. 1d ago

    Carrie Speranza on Emergency Management's Identity Crisis and the Rise of the Disaster Diplomat

    Emergency management has an identity crisis, according to Carrie Speranza, and she's the one who put a name to the way out of it: "disaster diplomat." Twenty years after her first hurricane deployment, Carrie is one of the most recognized names in the field: former Deputy Director (and Acting Director through COVID-19) of DC's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, President of the International Association of Emergency Managers, and Chair of FEMA's National Advisory Council. Carrie joins Laura to talk about where that identity crisis comes from, testifying before Congress on the future of FEMA, building National Emergency Management Awareness Month, and the deeply personal reason she now champions mental health in the field.

    Carrie Speranza on Emergency Management's Identity Crisis and the Rise of the Disaster Diplomat

  2. Jul 15

    The Insider You Built: Camille Stewart Gloster on AI, Cybersecurity & the Future of Human Decision-Making

    Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, lead, and make decisions, but how much authority should we actually hand over to technology? In this episode, I sit down with Camille Stewart Gloster, CEO of CAS Strategies, former Deputy National Cyber Director for Technology and Ecosystem Security, and author of The Insider You Built. We explore her journey from law school to Google, the White House, and entrepreneurship, along with practical advice on building your career, navigating AI responsibly, and why human judgment still matters as technology evolves. If you're curious about AI, cybersecurity, leadership, or where the future of work is headed, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. 📖 Order The Insider You Built: https://amzn.to/4yhSHs1 🌐 Connect with Camille Stewart Gloster @ https://camillestewartgloster.com 🎙 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of work, technology, emergency management, cybersecurity, public service, and resilience.

    The Insider You Built: Camille Stewart Gloster on AI, Cybersecurity & the Future of Human Decision-Making

  3. Jun 15

    From FEMA to the Front Lines: Disaster Response, AI & Public Trust with Jeremy Greenberg

    What does leadership look like when lives are on the line and information is changing by the minute? Jeremy Greenberg spent more than 20 years in public service, including leading some of FEMA’s most critical national response operations. Along the way, he responded to hurricanes, wildfires, cyber incidents, terrorist attacks, and countless other emergencies. In this episode, Jeremy shares his journey from intern to the Senior Executive Service, lessons learned from leading teams through crisis, and why public trust remains one of the most important ingredients in effective emergency management. We also discuss AI, misinformation, disaster response, volunteer service, and what the future of preparedness may look like in an increasingly complex world. Jeremy is currently President of Provincial Strategies, Senior Advisor to Aspen Digital, and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Chicago.

    From FEMA to the Front Lines: Disaster Response, AI & Public Trust with Jeremy Greenberg

  4. Jun 2

    Inside the Fight Against Government Fraud with Jordan Burris

    Behind every government service is a simple question: how do you make access easier for the right people while keeping bad actors out? In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, Laura sits down with Jordan Burris, Head of Public Sector at Socure and former Chief of Staff in the White House Office of the Federal CIO, to discuss digital identity, fraud prevention, public trust, and the future of government services. Jordan shares his journey from public service to the private sector, lessons from leading technology modernization efforts, and why identity has become one of the most important challenges facing government today. The conversation explores AI-enabled fraud, accessibility, leadership, and what it takes to build trust in an increasingly digital world. Learn more about Socure: https://www.socure.com Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-burris-60588a70

    Inside the Fight Against Government Fraud with Jordan Burris

  5. Apr 29

    Building the World's Longest Resume to Find the Right Career with Gabriel DeSanti

    In this episode, I’m joined by Gabriel DeSanti, co-founder of Staj and creator of what’s been described as the “world’s longest resume.” By trying jobs across industries and sharing those experiences with a broad audience, Gabriel offers a different perspective on how people can approach career decisions. We discuss the pressure to choose a single path, the gap between expectation and reality in many roles, and how individuals can explore new opportunities without leaving their current jobs. This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series and builds on the conversation with Alex Dworsky in the previous episode.

    Building the World's Longest Resume to Find the Right Career with Gabriel DeSanti

  6. Apr 20

    Stuck in Your Career? How to Actually Figure Out What You Want to Do with Alex Dworksy

    In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Dworsky, founder of Staj. After building her career in corporate America, Alex recognized a gap in how people make career decisions, often choosing paths without ever seeing what those roles actually look like in practice. She went on to found Staj, a job-shadowing platform designed to make career exploration more accessible through hands-on experience and real conversations. We discuss why so many people feel stuck in their careers, what’s missing from traditional career advice, and how to explore new opportunities with more clarity and confidence. 🔗 https://www.gostaj.com 📲 https://www.instagram.com/go_staj/

    Stuck in Your Career? How to Actually Figure Out What You Want to Do with Alex Dworksy

  7. Apr 11

    Inside the Chief of Staff Role: Maggie Olson on Leadership, Influence, and Impact

    What does a Chief of Staff actually do? And how do you actually become one? In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, I sit down with Maggie Olson, Founder of Nova Chief of Staff, to explore one of the most in-demand and often misunderstood leadership roles in business. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience across retail, technology, and operations, Maggie shares how she built the Chief of Staff function from the ground up, supporting senior leadership and helping drive alignment across a large, complex organization. In this conversation, you’ll learn: ☕️ What the Chief of Staff role really looks like in practice ☕️ How to build trust and influence at the executive level ☕️ The skills needed to succeed as a strategic operator ☕️ Why the Chief of Staff career path is growing across industries ☕️ How Nova Chief of Staff is helping shape the future of the role Whether you’re exploring a Chief of Staff career path, stepping into a leadership role, or looking to better understand how organizations operate at the executive level, this episode offers practical insight and real-world perspective.

    Inside the Chief of Staff Role: Maggie Olson on Leadership, Influence, and Impact

  8. 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

    Women in Finance and Building a Life on Your Own Terms with Urmi Hossain
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5
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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.

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