Career Blast in a Half

How Not To Diss The Dream | Mitch Matthews What happens when high achievers stop dreaming? In this episode, Mitch Matthews—speaker, coach, and host of the Dream Think Do podcast—shares why reconnecting with your dreams isn’t optional, it’s essential. From navigating career pivots to understanding the neuroscience behind our emotions, Mitch unpacks how small experiments, emotional honesty, and defining your “why” are key to building momentum and real growth. This isn’t about lofty ideas—it’s about taking actionable steps to make dreams real. From Burnout to Breakthrough Mitch reveals how the dream was once “kicked out” of him—and why that's more common than you'd think. Together, we explore how experiences, not just ambitions, can bring clarity, and why emotional indicators shouldn’t be ignored. This episode isn’t just a pep talk. It’s a practical roadmap for anyone who wants to stop stalling and start moving. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 03:12 – The Importance of Experiences Over Dreams 06:13 – Navigating Career Transitions and Inner Struggles 08:46 – The Science of Dreaming and Neuroscience Insights 12:02 – Small Experiments and Micro Actions 14:52 – Testing and Iterating on Your Dreams 17:54 – The Power of Exponential Thinking 21:09 – Maintaining Momentum in the Face of Challenges 24:13 – Understanding Your Why and Learning from Failure 27:04 – Prioritizing Dreams and Taking Action Follow Mitch: 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchmatthews] 🌐 Website [https://mitchmatthews.com/] Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/newsletter] to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/age-website] Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ [https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/] Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/]

Teacher to Google Big Tech | Keith Anderson What separates those who talk about making a big move – even a pivot from those who actually do it? Being unreasonable. Tenacious and not quitting when that goal is non-negotiable.  Keith Anderson - was an English teacher – with a love for linguistics (find out why this matters and how he used it) making $27k annually.  With sights on working at Google and a coach who told him it was impossible. His fire was lit.  How’d he do it? That’s what this episode is all about.  From Futility to Strategy Keith started out messaging 125 strangers with "I see you work at Google. Can you refer me?" That landed with 125 rejections. Trials and errors brought on the breakthrough when he stopped treating his job search like a transaction: * He spoke like an insider using industry vernacular that signaled belonging * He humanized his resume by placing quirky personal details (like winning a pie competition) at the top * He limited rejection exposure by confining job search activities to 2 hours daily * He measured progress objectively rather than emotionally The results - hardly overnight –  but earned positions at Google, and later worked at Facebook, YouTube, and Uber. The Reality Behind the Dream The fantasy of "making it" quickly gave way to the reality of long hours and relentless production demands. Dreams achieved often look different than dreams imagined. Your Excuses Don't Matter "Don't believe what everyone says," Keith advises. "Don't believe everything you read. It's people's perception, their reality. But that doesn't need to be your reality." While others debate whether the job market is good or bad, someone is getting hired somewhere today. Why not you? "What's wrong with people," Keith says, "is they believe they can do well by just getting by when they need to aim for the highest." The permission to be unreasonable in pursuit of what matters might be the only permission worth seeking.   You can hire Keith to help you with your job search https://careeralchemylab.com/ [https://careeralchemylab.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithand/LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithand/]   Chapters: 00:00 - 01:45 - Introduction 01:45 - 04:18 - Keith's Background and Burnout 04:18 - 09:01 - The Spark of Interest in Tech 09:01 - 14:00 - The Job Search Strategy Evolution 14:00 - 19:04 - Resume Transformation 19:04 - 23:25 - Making Your Resume Human - Quirks Work 23:25 - 27:16 - Handling Rejection and Almost Quitting 27:16 - 30:25 - Reality Check at Google 30:25 - 32:49 - Finding the Right Path in Tech 32:49 - 37:00 - Key Advice for Career Transitions 37:00 - 39:34 - Closing and Business Information   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/newsletter] to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/age-website] Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ [https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/] Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/]

The 411 on Ageism & How To End It Faster I Janine Vanderburg   For the life of me, given the choice between a strong, more profitable business and letting go of the back-assward stigma around age, the logic is clear. But is it?    Like me, Janine Vanderburg isn’t shy about why the math isn’t mathing the business reasons why it’s about impact not age..    Here’s what you’ll find out:  What employers don’t want you to know  You think it's your resume that needs tweaking or  your interview techniques but What if the real obstacle was something entirely different? What if the system itself was rigged against you in ways you've never considered—not because you're not qualified, but because of your date of birth.  Who’s impacted by ageism, or who isn’t? When there's a problem like ageism in hiring, it "goes in both directions." As Janine Vanderburg reveals, we're not just talking about discrimination against those 40-plus. "Youngerism" is equally "alive and kicking." If you've been ghosted after interviews, if you've watched less qualified candidates get positions you were perfect for, it might not be you—it might be your birth year. Let’s talk about the numbers they’re not talking about Last year alone, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 16,000 complaints of age discrimination. When surveyed, over 80% of respondents believed they had experienced workplace age discrimination. Even more shocking: Resume Builder's surveys found hiring managers systematically screen out both applicants over 60 AND those under 27. And if you work with AI? 90% of hiring managers don't want to hire anybody over 35 for roles involving artificial intelligence—despite experienced professionals often being the best AI power users. Three Places Ageism Is Sabotaging Your Career (And What to Do About It) 1. Inside your own mind: When you think "I'm too young/old for this position" before even applying 2. In hiring practices: When recruiters make assumptions about your abilities based solely on graduation dates 3. Embedded in systems: When AI screening tools filter you out before a human ever sees your application The Demographic Shift That Will Change Everything By 2030—just five years away—there will be more people over 65 than under 18. Companies unprepared for this reality will be scrambling for talent while others thrive. Will you be positioned to capitalize on this inevitable shift? What Smart Job Seekers Do Differently As Janine advises, "You can be willing to fight to end ageism, and you can also try to preserve your financial security." Both can be true at once. The wisest approach? Learn the unwritten rules, navigate the system strategically, and position yourself where your true value is recognized. Listen now to discover how to turn what looks like an obstacle into your greatest competitive advantage. Janine Vanderburg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinevanderburg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinevanderburg/overlay/about-this-profile/]) is a Keynote Speaker, and Founder/Director of Changing the Narrative is the leading effort in the U.S. to change the way people think, talk and act about aging and ageism through evidence-based strategies and innovative public campaigns. Her end game? To end ageism."   Chapters: 00:00-01:32 - Introduction & The Firestarter 01:32-05:58 - Understanding the Landscape of Ageism 05:58-09:23 - Janine's Awakening to Ageism 09:23-10:41 - Cliff Notes from the Training 10:41-13:34 - Employer Messaging Shift 13:34-16:05 - The Math Isn't Mathing 16:05-18:14 - Progress & Reality Check 18:14-29:09 - Staying in the Fight Without Burning Out   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/newsletter] to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/age-website] Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ [https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/] Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/]

In this me to you episode, I am delivering some tough love and strategic clarity for executives facing job search challenges in today's uncertain climate.  Uncertainty isn't new, and someone will get hired despite the chaos - here are the 5 key take-aways to make sure it you.  See uncertainty as feature, not a bug Extended interview processes are designed to find leaders who leverage uncertainty as an advantage. Companies want those who transform chaos, not merely endure it. Scarcity is a lie, not the truth Opportunities haven't vanished; they've transformed. The problem isn't market scarcity but your perspective. Flip your viewpoint and find possibilities in unexpected places. Campaign, don't just search Reframe from passive "searching" to active "campaigning." Treat your job hunt as a strategic business initiative. Apply agile methods: iterate, test, learn from failures. You need to deepen connections In uncertain times, companies seek referrals through trusted networks. Don't ask "who do you know?" but rather "who needs to know what I know?" - an approach focused on providing value. Flaunt your battle scars Don't hide struggles with crisis management - these experiences make you valuable. Perfection won't land you the job; authentic leadership will. The future belongs to executives who move first, adapt quickly, and build value regardless of conditions. Someone will get hired - make it you. Chapters: 00:01 - Introduction to uncertainty in the current job market 02:27 - Tough love about job search challenges 04:50 - How uncertainty creates opportunity 07:17 - The rise of temporary opportunities 09:21 - AI's impact on executive roles 11:25 - Breakthrough #1: Reframe your search as a campaign 13:46 - Breakthrough #2: Treat the world as your market 14:59 - Breakthrough #3: Focus on deeper connections 16:14 - Breakthrough #4: Be a leader of change 16:52 - The importance of personal branding 17:14 - Closing thoughts   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/newsletter] to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/age-website] Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ [https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/] Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/]

The world is obsessed with metrics and status. But the most important currency is the one you’re missing.  Most of us spend our careers chasing validation – titles and paychecks. I did too. So did our guest Matt Emerzian. The brutal reality? Your job search misery, corporate culture complaints, and endless pursuit of status are all symptoms of the same disease:  The belief that mattering is something you find rather than something YOU make. Think this theoretical? Think again: Get Matt’ 5 Frameworks to Make Your Life Matter I-You-We Framework: * I Matter: Discover your uniqueness (there's only 1 of you among 8 billion!) * You Matter: Make the 38,000 daily choices count by connecting first * We Matter: Stop the self-help delusion - you're not on an island with a volleyball Brutal Time Audit: What truly matters to you?Check your calendar. The gap between these two answers is why you feel empty. Values as Weapons: When everything feels uncertain, non-negotiable values become your armor.  The Self-Talk Intervention: Your internal dialogue is the most revealing data point of your life. Most of us wouldn't speak to enemies the way we speak to ourselves. The Counterintuitive Path: The healing sequence is backwards: internal healing → relationship repair → serving others. Most get stuck at step one forever. Culture Ownership Test: Stop pointing at "toxic culture" as if it's over there. You ARE the culture.  Want to matter more? Start by making others matter more.   00:00 Intro 01:51 The Search for Meaning in Work 04:49 Matt's Journey to Finding Purpose 10:01 Understanding Mattering Beyond Clichés 14:34 Creating a Movement Around Mattering 22:11 Actionable Steps to Cultivate Mattering 26:03 The Power of Choice in Finding Meaning   Follow Matt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-emerzian/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-emerzian/] Website: https://www.matthewemerzian.com/ [https://www.matthewemerzian.com/] X: https://x.com/emerzian [https://x.com/emerzian] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewemerzian/ [https://www.instagram.com/matthewemerzian/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEmerzian/ [https://www.facebook.com/MEmerzian/]   Like what you hear?  Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!  Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want  FREE executive job search tips each week? Click here [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/newsletter] to join my newsletter. Get a copy of my ebook Turn Age Into Your Advantage [https://programs.portfoliorocket.com/age-website] Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/ [https://www.instagram.com/portfoliorocket/] Watch my podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGM7j8croBkkZ4bLqN7DOQ/]