Leaves to Liquid: Barbara Kurz

Spilling The Career Chai: Vikram Atal Part 2

Personal Brand, Resilience, and the Career Lessons Nobody Teaches What do people say about you when you're not in the room? In Part 2 of our conversation with global business leader Vikram Atal, Bill and Jerry dive deeper into some of the most important, and often overlooked, drivers of long term career success: personal brand, curiosity, resilience, adaptability, and talent development. Drawing on decades of leadership experience at organizations including Citibank, Vik shares candid stories and hard earned wisdom that helped shape his remarkable career journey. Vik discusses why every interaction contributes to your personal brand, why reputation is one of the most valuable assets you'll ever build, and how mentors and trusted advisors can help you understand how others perceive you. He also offers practical advice for early career professionals on standing out in the workplace through energy, curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to continuous growth. The conversation also explores: ▪️ Why personal branding is more important than ever in a connected world ▪️ The qualities that signal future leadership potential ▪️ Lessons learned from navigating major corporate transformations ▪️ Challenges and opportunities facing international students and professionals ▪️ Why chasing learning and growth may be more important than chasing a first paycheck ▪️ The critical role talent plays in organizational success ▪️ How resilience and adaptability are becoming the defining career skills of the future Through compelling stories from his own career, including lessons from senior executives, unexpected career pivots, and front row observations of business leadership at the highest levels, Vikram provides a masterclass on building a career that can thrive amid constant change. His final message to listeners is powerful: change is inevitable, but how you respond to it will define your future. Embrace it, develop resilience, and remain curious. Whether you're a student, recent graduate, international professional, or seasoned leader, this episode offers practical wisdom that can help you navigate your next chapter with greater confidence and perspective. ☕ Grab your favorite beverage and join us as we continue to spill the career tea with one of the most thoughtful executive leaders we've had on the podcast. ©️ 2026 Bill Fisse & Jerry Goldstein. All Rights Reserved Produced by Jared Goldstein, Broken Planet Media Sponsored by PeopleGrove

Spilling the Career Chai: Vikram Atal

Can curiosity, relationships, and your reputation matter more than your GPA? In this episode of Spilling the Career Tea, we sit down with Vik Atal, former CEO of PRA Group, former Citigroup executive, current Goldman Sachs Bank USA board member, and global business leader with more than 30 years of executive experience. Vik shares the lessons that transformed his career, from studying mathematics in India to leading billion dollar businesses and serving in some of the world's most influential boardrooms. This isn't just a conversation about getting a job. It's about building a career that lasts. In this episode, you'll learn: ▪️Why EQ often matters more than IQ after college ▪️The career advice every student should hear before graduation ▪️Why you should never ask someone for a job—and what to ask instead ▪️How networking really works (and why relationships take time) ▪️The leadership lessons Vik learned from failure, humility, and listening ▪️Why curiosity, authenticity, and reputation become your greatest competitive advantage ▪️How to prepare for opportunities you never see coming Whether you're a student, recent graduate, young professional, or experienced leader, this conversation is packed with timeless insights on leadership, networking, career growth, and personal branding. If you're looking for practical career advice from someone who's hired, mentored, and led thousands of people, you won't want to miss this episode. 🎙️ Subscribe to Spilling the Career Tea for honest conversations with executives, recruiters, career coaches, and industry leaders who share what it really takes to build a meaningful career. #CareerAdvice #Leadership #Networking #JobSearch #CareerDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalBrand #ProfessionalDevelopment #CollegeStudents #RecentGraduates #ExecutiveLeadership #Mentorship #SpillingTheCareerTea Produced by Jared Goldstein, Broken Planet Media ©️ 2026 Bill Fisse & Jerry D Goldstein, All Rights Reserved Sponsored by PeopleGrove

Spilling the Mentea: AnnaClare Part 2

Why Recent Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs (And What Actually Works) Still searching for your first job after graduation? You're not alone. In Episode 6 of Spilling The Career Tea, we sit down with recent graduate AnnaClare to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing young professionals today: turning a degree into a career. From networking strategies and resume mistakes to interview preparation and personal branding, we take a real world look at what it's actually like to navigate today's competitive job market. AnnaClare shares her job search journey, recent interviews, frustrations, successes, and the lessons she's learning along the way. Joining hosts Jerry Goldstein and Bill Fisse is special guest Barbara Kurz, a nationally recognized career services leader, who provides practical advice on standing out from the crowd, leveraging transferable skills, writing stronger cover letters, and building confidence throughout the job search process. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How networking can outperform online job applications ✅ The interview preparation strategy most candidates miss ✅ Why your resume should tell a story, not just list experiences ✅ How to highlight transferable skills and passions ✅ The role of confidence, credibility, and personal branding ✅ How recent graduates can stand out in a challenging job market ✅ Why informational interviews can lead to unexpected opportunities Whether you're a college student, recent graduate, career changer, or young professional looking for your next opportunity, this episode is packed with actionable career advice you can use immediately. 💡 Your dream job may be one conversation away. 📚 Learn more from "Spilling The Career Tea: Your Guide to Value, Intent, Confidence, and Credibility." 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly career advice, job search tips, networking strategies, resume guidance, interview coaching, and conversations designed to help students and professionals build meaningful careers. #JobSearch #RecentGraduates #CareerAdvice #InterviewTips #ResumeTips #Networking #CollegeGraduates #CareerCoaching #YoungProfessionals #PersonalBranding #FirstJob #JobHunt #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpillingTheCareerTea #careersuccess ©️ 2026 Bill Fisse and Jerry D. Goldstein Produced by Broken Planet Media Sponsored by PeopleGrove

Spilling the Mentea: AnnaClare

What happens when a talented recent graduate can't seem to break through and land that first full time job? In this powerful and practical episode of Spilling The Career Tea, hosts Jerry Goldstein and Bill Fisse take a different approach. With AnnaClare, they roll up their sleeves and coach a real job seeker in real time. Meet AnnaClare, a recent McGill University graduate, writer, editor, former ballet dancer, and aspiring entertainment industry professional. Despite strong internships, leadership experience, and a clear work ethic, she's facing the same challenge thousands of graduates encounter: "How do I get employers to see my value?" Joined by career storytelling expert Barbara Kurz, the conversation becomes a live career strategy session as they: ☕ Uncover AnnaClare's hidden personal brand ☕ Identify transferable skills that employers often overlook ☕ Transform resume bullet points from tasks into impact statements ☕ Explore how passion and life experiences can become professional differentiators ☕ Discuss networking, positioning, and standing out in competitive industries ☕ Reveal why accomplishments, not responsibilities, get interviews ☕ Show how dancers, athletes, artists, and leaders can leverage their unique experiences in the job market Whether you're a college student, recent graduate, career changer, mentor, parent, or employer, this episode offers an inside look at the coaching process that helps candidates discover what makes them memorable. If you've ever wondered why your resume isn't getting attention, or how to tell your story in a way that opens doors, this episode is for you. Because sometimes the biggest career breakthrough isn't gaining a new skill... It's learning how to communicate the value you already have! Grab your favorite blend of tea and join us for one of our most insightful and relatable coaching conversations yet.

Leaves to Liquid: Barbara Kurz Part 2

What really happens behind the hiring process? In this episode of Spilling The Career Tea, Bill & Jerry sit down with executive coach and former talent acquisition leader Barbara Kurz to unpack the realities of recruiting, interviewing, personal branding, and career growth. From recruiter ghosting and AI-driven hiring systems to interview prep, networking, leadership reputation, and the importance of empathy in the workplace, this conversation gives early career professionals a candid look at what recruiters and hiring managers are really thinking. You’ll hear practical advice on: • Why recruiters ghost candidates and why it matters • How to stand out in applicant tracking systems (ATS) • Resume and cover letter strategies that actually work • The importance of networking, referrals, and recruiter relationships • What hiring managers notice in interviews • Common interview mistakes candidates make • How personal brand, trust, and reputation shape long-term career success • Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills • The leadership traits that help people rise and the behaviors that derail careers Whether you’re searching for your first internship, preparing for interviews, or thinking about long-term career growth, this episode delivers actionable insights from both the recruiter and executive coaching perspectives.