Episodios

  • Rethinking Risks: Why Staying Safe Might Be Your Biggest Gamble

    Rethinking Risks: Why Staying Safe Might Be Your Biggest Gamble
    Jun 24 2025

    Why do risks feel so paralyzing? How can we reframe them as stepping stones to growth? Co-hosts Tamara Loring and Dr. Mike Smith explore how fear, mindset, and perceived failure shape our willingness to embrace change.

    From gut-driven decisions to the power of intentional baby steps, they share practical insights for turning risks into catalysts for resilience, transformation, and success.

    • Tamara Loring Dr. Mike look at a topic that often paralyzes people and makes them retreat back to their comfort zone: risk.
    • Dr. Mike touches upon the role that following his own thoughts and gut played in his pursuit of change at different stages of his professional and personal life, despite facing potential risks.
    • When someone says something that goes against what you believe in, you can either let that stop you in your tracks or you can use it as fuel to help push through whatever you’re dealing with.
    • Tamara brings up a change that happens in our life: as children, we see something new with a sense of adventure, but things somehow change when we grow up…
    • Tamara shares an acronym she often goes to when it comes to F.E.A.R.: False Evidence Appearing Real.
    • When it comes to change, a mistake we tend to make is overemphasizing the associated risks, instead of equally evaluating best- and worst-case scenarios.
    • Remember: sometimes, there’s more risk associated with not taking action, as opposed to taking action.
    • Dr. Mike explains why fear is NOT a bad thing.
    • When making mistakes, we tend to be hard on ourselves… However, we should remember Thomas Edison’s words: “I have not failed, I have just found 10,000 ways something won’t work.”
    • Tamara and Dr. Mike talk about why we should approach change – and the risks associated with it – the same way we approach, and use, a GPS.
    • When looking at successful people, it’s important to look at their successes, but it’s even more important to look at the lessons they’ve learned through “failure”.
    • Dr. Mike goes over another big benefit of embracing fear (in the right way): it really starts to give you an internal sense of resiliency, an increased self-esteem, and the belief that you can do it.
    • Tamara brings up the topic of mindset – ask yourself whether yours is empowering or disempowering.
    • Do you have a disempowering mindset? Then, try to find a way to change it and find something to be hopeful about.
    • Did you know that, from a psychological point of view, it’s impossible for you to recognize a trait, characteristic, or element of someone else’s behavior that you don’t have in you? So, if you can spot something, it means you have it too!
    • Tamara and Dr. Mike unpack the idea that things in life are only risky if you’re not informed and educated about that topic.
    • Dr. Mike invites you to pick one thing that you’ve been holding off because of fear and to just explore it – go and take the risk!
    • Tamara is a big fan of the compound effect of taking intentional baby steps every single day… and the progress that comes with it.
    • “When it comes to taking a risk, your approach should be strategic, thoughtful, purposeful, and meaningful,” says Dr. Mike.
    • Tamara and Dr. Mike illustrate how spending time with like-minded people can get you stuck in your comfort zone – and what to do instead.
    • Some important words by Tamara, especially if you’re going through a tough time: “Give yourself permission to dream.”

    Mentioned in This Episode:

    YourCareerRevolution.com

    CareerCompassShow.com/5

    Tamara Loring

    Dr. Mike Smith
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    26 m
  • The Corporate Comfort Zone: When to Stay and When to Go

    The Corporate Comfort Zone: When to Stay and When to Go
    Jun 10 2025

    The corporate comfort zone. Millions of people are in it, yet only few ask themselves “Am I actually building my dream or someone else’s?”

    With over 50% of the American workforce estimated to be made of 1099 employees by 2027, it’s a key question to ask.

    Tamara Loring and Dr. Mike Smith talk all things corporate comfort zone – tune in to learn about pros and cons of corporate America, and why discomfort is actually a good thing!

    • Tamara Dr. Mike address corporate comfort zone.
    • Tamara kicks things off by sharing what you’ll find if you were to look up the definition of comfort zone.
    • Tamara believes that it’s important to ask yourself whether the corporate comfort zone is real or is just an illusion.
    • According to Statista, over half of the American workforce will be 1099 employees by 2027.
    • Dr. Mike touches upon the trap that the corporate comfort zone represents and the potential consequences you may end up facing.
    • For Tamara, it’s okay to stay in your comfort zone as long as it’s intentional.
    • The challenge is to make sure that you’re not too comfortable and that you have control over your future – all while making intentional choices about what’s going to be the right thing for you.
    • Dr. Mike points out the reason why you may want to step up and do what you were meant to do.
    • The list of pros of being in corporate America includes you being in a role of service, earning a living, and having stability.
    • However, you’re NOT in control of your future and promotability, of your growth and upward mobility and, at times, of your job…
    • “When you’re in your corporate comfort zone, you can only move as fast as your corporate job,” says Dr. Mike.
    • Even when you’re in a good corporate environment you’re always faced with the question: “Am I working on my dream or on somebody else’s?”.
    • Tamara goes through a series of questions that have to do with both your short- and long-term vision when it comes to your professional journey and your life.
    • Dr. Mike brings up the (surprisingly) good side of discomfort – and why you should explore it.
    • Tamara and Dr. Mike unpack additional key questions you should ask yourself, as well as the power of having a core purpose statement you’ve really reflected on.
    • When you feel that something’s misaligned, there are two things you can do with those thoughts: address them or suppress them.
    • Remember: “Suppressing causes diseases, expressing causes at ease.”
    • Tamara and Dr. Mike wrap things up by talking about the benefits of working with a career ownership coach.

    Mentioned in This Episode:

    YourCareerRevolution.com

    CareerCompassShow.com/4

    Tamara Loring

    Dr. Mike Smith

    Take our "When to Leave Your Corporate Role" Assessment

    Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams

    Statista
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    25 m
  • Setting Goals With Purpose: How to Design a Life You Actually Want

    Setting Goals With Purpose: How to Design a Life You Actually Want
    May 27 2025
    Priorities change, but values don’t. And you can be lost without the proper goal…do you agree? If you feel that your personal and professional life need some alignment, you’re in the right place! Tamara Loring and Dr. Mike Smith discuss how setting goals with purpose can help you design your personal life and career. Tune in to hear about what setting goals helps you with from a psychological standpoint, the problem with mixing up a goal and a vehicle toward the goal, and the mindset needed to align your personal and professional life and goals as much as possible. In this episode, co-hosts Tamara Loring and Dr. Mike Smith talk about defining your goals at this stage of your life.Tamara is blown away by the fact that 75% of the American adult population is quitting their jobs. Today’s topic is close to Dr. Mike’s heart because it’s something he not only studied closely but also personally experienced while working at Berkshire Hathaway.Dr. Mike opens up about how he realized that his personal and professional life goals were misaligned – and what he did to change things around.Often, you’ll find yourself feeling a lack of fulfillment, accomplishment, and purpose, despite having hit your professional goals.Thinking that the job is the dream or that the dream is the job is something many people can’t quite get…The key question becomes: is the job or the career the goal or is it just a vehicle toward the goal?Tamara gives a humorous example of something that pretty much nobody would dream of as their “dream business” but that could become a great vehicle to achieve your income goal.Remember this: if your goals hit your primary aim in life, you’ll know that everything else will be a vehicle to help you accomplish that.Dr. Mike points out that many people tend to live a life by default instead of a life by design.Dr. Mike explains how, from a psychological standpoint, having goals gives you direction and motivation.Proper goal setting helps you accomplish small wins that contribute to your bigger vision.Moreover, real goal setting allows you to focus on prioritization.When was the last time you had a workday go 100% according to your calendar? As Dr. Mike puts it, “priorities change but our values don’t.”Having priorities deeply rooted in your values will make sure that they won’t change all the time.You may be driven to focus on your goal but don’t forget to give yourself room to grow, learn and make mistakes, says Dr. Mike.Tamara touches on the concept of “failing fast and failing forward.”The late Bob Proctor defined a goal as the continual pursuit of a worthy, meaningful ideal.Dr. Mike brings Tony Robbins into the conversation – he believes it’s never a lack of resources, but a lack of resourcefulness, that stops us from moving forward.Tamara shares an important reminder: just because something feels uncomfortable, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong. It just probably means that it’s outside of our current comfort zone.Dr. Mike discusses his personal challenge in finding the right mentor and the impact that had on his journey.Dr. Mike and Tamara wrap up by sharing an example that illustrates the importance of proper goal setting — and a reminder: you don’t have to go through all of it on your own. Mentioned in This Episode: YourCareerRevolution.com CareerCompassShow.com/3 Tamara Loring Dr. Mike Smith Take Our Career Goals Assessment Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams Gallup Previous episode - Battered Career Syndrome and the Search for Fulfillment: Is It Time for a Change? Berkshire Hathaway Bob Proctor Tony Robbins
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    22 m
  • Battered Career Syndrome and the Search for Fulfillment: Is It Time for a Change?

    Battered Career Syndrome and the Search for Fulfillment: Is It Time for a Change?
    May 20 2025
    Battered Career Syndrome. Three words that prevent millions of people from achieving fulfillment in both their professional and personal life. What is it? What are its symptoms and how do you overcome it? That’s what co-hosts Tamara Loring and Dr. Mike Smith address in this episode! Tune in to learn about Dr. Mike’s story with Battered Career Syndrome, how it manifests itself, and what you can do to avoid being like ¾ of the adult working population (who are actively thinking about quitting their jobs), and have the career – and life – you always dreamed of. In today’s episode, which is the second of a 10-episode series dedicated to the 10 steps of figuring out your ideal career, co-hosts Tamara Loring and Dr. Mike Smith discuss Battered Career Syndrome.Having a career that isn’t getting you to where you’d like to go, both personally and professionally, may be a sign of Battered Career Syndrome.Dr. Mike Smith feels that Battered Career Syndrome – something he struggled with in the past – is something that isn’t talked about enough.According to global studies nearly ¾ of the adult working population are actively thinking about quitting their jobs.As emotional human creatures we tend to find greater comfort in staying in a place of pain and discomfort rather than facing the unknown, the perceived potential pain of change.The idea of changing jobs, changing location, getting a promotion, stepping out on our own may feel like too much, Dr. Mike explains.However, people tend to forget the flip side of the coin: the psychological, mental, and physical effects of that…Finding more comfort staying where you are and not knowing what you’re feeling, and why you’re feeling it, are two main reasons why people stay at their job (even when fulfillment isn’t there).Tamara touches upon the analogies between insanity and Battered Career Syndrome: doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different outcome.“By not taking ownership and personal responsibility for where we’re at we’re totally giving away the power to change things”, says Dr. Mike.The job market will always fluctuate and evolve but, with the right mindset, you’ll be able to seize the opportunities that it brings about.Dr. Mike explains that the most short-term psychological impact of Battered Career Syndrome is that sense of feeling lost.Dr. Mike discusses the impact that short-term aspects have on long-term feelings – and that lead to isolation, a lack of purpose and a lack of a sense of fulfillment.It can become a vicious cycle that ends up taking you to a place of anxiety, stress, worry, fear, and doubt…Dr. Mike opens up about how he got to understand he was experiencing Battered Career Syndrome, and how he navigated through those times.Tamara brings up the concept of “golden handcuffs” and figuring out your primary goal in life.Confusing the dream with the vehicle to the dream is a common trap many people fall into.Some of Tamara’s colleagues joke that J-O-B actually stands for “Just Over Broke”.Remember: things that are most personal are most universal.Dr. Mike shares the mental and physical repercussions that Battered Career Syndrome had on him.According to a McKinsey study, 70% of employees define their sense of purpose through work. Yet, only 15% feel fulfilled in their current roles…Dr. Mike and Tamara share some final considerations about overcoming Battered Career Syndrome and reclaiming your life – both personally and professionally. Mentioned in This Episode: YourCareerRevolution.com CareerCompassShow.com/2 Tamara Loring Dr. Mike Smith Take Our Workplace Wellness Assessment Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams Gallup Business Insider Warren Buffett Positive Chaos: Transform Crisis Into Clarity and Advantage by Dan Thurmon Carl Rogers Ernest Hemingway
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    25 m
  • Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage: Overcoming Negative Thinking

    Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage: Overcoming Negative Thinking
    May 6 2025
    In this pilot episode of Career Compass, host Tamara Loring and guest Dr. Mike Smith talk about self-sabotage and negative thinking. From jaw-dropping stats about the American workforce and the psychological reasons behind imposter’s syndrome to the difference between self-sabotage and battered work syndrome, and four strategies for overcoming negative thinking… no stone is left unturned! Tune in to learn about an important question you should ask yourself and key steps you should take to get unstuck and don’t let self-sabotage stop you whenever you have to deal with it. Host Tamara Loring kicks the episode off mentioning a 2023 Gallup poll that reported that only a third of Americans feel engaged at work.A Zippia survey of a thousand people revealed that at least half of the workforce don’t like their job at all.The cause of this? The disengagement is caused by the lack of the freedom for people to be themselves.Tamara cites the late Brian Klemmer who claimed that if how-tos were enough, we’d all be skinny, rich, and happy…Tamara asks Dr. Mike Smith about self-sabotage – and why people expect different results even though they take the same action over, and over, again.Dr. Smith touches upon the relationship between self-sabotage and negative thinking.Dr. Smith shares a story of experiencing the so-called imposter’s syndrome and self-doubting himself – including the key questions his wife asked him and that enabled him to step away from self-doubt. Feeling like an imposter? Tamara suggests sitting back and saying “I’m here for a reason. I was given this position/responsibility for a reason!”.Fundamentally, we form self-doubting thoughts because of our need for societal acceptance.We crave being part of something bigger than ourselves to the point that we question whether we would fit in and would be able to contribute in a meaningful way.Dr. Smith explains the psychology behind imposter syndrome and how it can be stopped.There are a couple of things that can be your north star and help you get rid of self-doubt – Dr. Smith goes over what you should focus on to accomplish that.Tamara and Dr. Smith discuss the concept of battered career syndrome.Self-sabotage is something that is internally initiated and carried out by you as a person, while the battered work syndrome is driven by external circumstances.Dr. Smith lists four different strategies that you can use to overcome negative thinking.Remember: never be afraid to step into and share your expertise, your wisdom, your passion, and the school of hard knocks that you’ve gone through in life.According to Tony Robbins everyone periodically goes into a period of feeling sad, depressed and/or emotionally beat up – the difference is between how quickly you pull yourself up versus how long you stay in that negative phase. Mentioned in This Episode: YourCareerRevolution.com CareerCompassShow.com/1 Tamara Loring Dr. Mike Smith Download Our Guide Do More More Naturally: Empowering Effortless Success and the Freedom to Be Yourself by David Kolbe and Amy Bruske Brian Klemmer Carl Rogers Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs McClelland’s Human Motivation Theory Henry Ford Tony Robbins
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    21 m
  • Escape the 9 to 5 with Phil Macko and Joe & Cheri Mercer, Your Career Revolution, Ep 213

    Escape the 9 to 5 with Phil Macko and Joe & Cheri Mercer, Your Career Revolution, Ep 213
    Jul 1 2024

    In episode 213, join Mike Toper, Tamara Loring, Joe & Cheri Mercer, and Phil Macko as they illuminate the unique challenges and rewards of transitioning from a corporate career to an entrepreneurial venture in franchise ownership. Listen as these seasoned professionals share their experiences and advice on making this bold move. The episode further explores the transformative journey of the Mercers, a couple who decided to leap into franchise ownership after years of corporate employment. Discover how their shared challenge of building a business led to a fulfilling partnership enriched by their strengths. Their transition inspires anyone seeking a fresh challenge beyond the confines of corporate life, highlighting the potential for personal and professional growth that ownership offers. In today's dynamic job market, the traditional path of long-term corporate employment is increasingly giving way to more entrepreneurial ventures. This shift is not confined to the young and restless; it spans across age groups, including those with decades of experience in the corporate world. Let's explore how seasoned professionals are pivoting to franchise ownership, the support systems that make this transition possible, and the profound impact this change has on personal and professional lives. The Call of Entrepreneurship After Decades in Corporate For many, a career in a global corporation like Walmart offers job security, steady career progression, and a clear sense of identity. However, the routine and predictability of corporate life can sometimes lead to a yearning for something more — a desire to create and to be one's boss. The migration from the corporate world to entrepreneurship is no small feat, especially for those with established careers. Yet, the allure of forging a new path and leveraging years of experience and skills in a new arena can make the leap into entrepreneurship particularly appealing. For some, this means venturing into franchise ownership, a path that offers the independence of business ownership with the framework and support of an established brand. Entering the world of franchise ownership can be daunting for newcomers to entrepreneurship. This is where Phil Macko, a Career Ownership Coach®, comes into play, offering guidance, expertise, and personalized advice to prospective franchisees. By assessing an individual's goals, skills, and financial situation, these coaches can match entrepreneurs with franchises that align with their aspirations and lifestyles. The passage from corporate worker to franchise owner is marked by several key stages, including self-assessment, exploring options, due diligence, and finally, taking the plunge and opening the business. Throughout this process, the TES Career Ownership Coach® plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals make informed decisions, understand the intricacies of franchise operations, and set themselves up for success in their new ventures. Read More:https://bit.ly/3xBY3DT

    This podcast is based on our latest book “Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams,” which gives people permission to dream. Terry Powell, Visionary Founder, co-authored this revolutionary book alongside the Career Ownership Coach community. This book is a great guide and starting point for anyone who wants to make meaningful changes in their lives and careers. From the Franchise Source Brands International and The Entrepreneur’s Source.
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    20 m
  • Strategies for Success in Today’s Competitive Job Market, Your Career Revolution EP 215

    Strategies for Success in Today’s Competitive Job Market, Your Career Revolution EP 215
    Jun 24 2024

    Episode 215: Strategies for Success in Today’s Competitive Job Market In this episode of Your Career Revolution Podcast, episode 215, Mike Toper, and Tamara Loring are joined by Glenn Scott. Glenn is dedicated to empowering senior and C-level executives in realizing their career aspirations and is the Founder & CEO of Executive Career Partners. The trio discuss how the job market’s current state and future directions are crucial for both job seekers and employers. By exploring transformations in the job market, the challenges it poses, and strategies for traversing these changes, the podcast provides invaluable insights for audience members seeking to advance their careers in today’s volatile job market environment or looking to hire top talent. The discussion further delves into the unique challenges and adaptations necessary for job seekers in the current competitive market. Prospective job hunters, particularly those seeking mid to senior-level positions, can gain insights into how job marketing strategies have evolved. They can also learn critical tips to elevate their professional presence online and master the new rules of engagement in job hunting beyond traditional applications. Moreover, the podcast provides an understanding for employers on the evolving expectations of job seekers and adjustments they need to make to attract top talent. Navigating the Evolving Job Market: Insights and Strategies for Success The job market is a dynamic and ever-changing environment. The job market today is robust, evidenced by a consistently low unemployment rate that has remained below 4% for an impressive duration. This strength, however, does not uniformly signal ease and opportunity for all job seekers. Several industries have experienced significant layoffs, highlighting a disconnect between overall market health and individual job security. High-profile companies across various sectors have reported substantial workforce reductions, affecting thousands of employees. This juxtaposition of a “strong” job market with notable layoffs underlines the complexity and volatility facing today’s workforce. Moreover, despite the addition of jobs across many sectors, the experience of job seeking has become increasingly challenging for many. The proliferation of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the initial screening process have transformed how resumes are evaluated and how candidates advance through hiring phases. These technological gatekeepers, while streamlining the hiring process for employers, often result in qualified candidates being overlooked due to formatting issues or keyword mismatches rather than a lack of skills or competency. Read More: https://entrepreneurssource.com/podcast/strategies-for-for-job-success/ Glenn’s LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-m-scott-26b92767/

    This podcast is based on our latest book “Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams,” which gives people permission to dream. Terry Powell, Visionary Founder, co-authored this revolutionary book alongside the Career Ownership Coach community. This book is a great guide and starting point for anyone who wants to make meaningful changes in their lives and careers. From the Franchise Source Brands International and The Entrepreneur’s Source.
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    28 m
  • Generation X: Breaking Free from Corporate Chains, Your Career Revolution Podcast EP 214

    Generation X: Breaking Free from Corporate Chains, Your Career Revolution Podcast EP 214
    Jun 17 2024

    Generation X: Breaking Free from Corporate Chains, Your Career Revolution Podcast EP 214 Join us in this episode of Your Career Revolution as we delve into the personal journeys of our insightful speakers, Mike Toper, Tamara Loring, and Brett Trainor. These are individuals who, like many of us, were once part of the corporate world but have now transitioned to more autonomous and fulfilling career paths. We'll explore how they are redefining success and rediscovering their dreams, and how their experiences can inspire and guide us in our own career transitions. In this discussion, we'll explore the narratives of individuals who've traded their corporate status and stability for the pursuit of authenticity, value, and personal freedom. From management consultants to sales operations executives, their journeys are driven by a relentless quest for a life that aligns with their personal values and aspirations. Reclaiming the Dream: The Rise of Gen X Corporate Escapees For decades, the corporate ladder seemed the only path to success, offering stability, prestige, and financial security. However, this promise has lost its sheen for many in Generation X. The realization that a job title and a hefty salary cannot compensate for the loss of freedom and autonomy has led many to seek alternative career paths. This disillusionment with the corporate world is not just about dissatisfaction with the 9-to-5 grind but also involves more profound questions about personal identity, value, and the very definition of success. A decision driven by a hunger for authenticity and a refusal to settle for a life that is not on their terms. The shift from corporate positions to entrepreneurship is not just a rejection of traditional employment, but a pivot towards a more fulfilling and flexible career. It offers the freedom and independence that many of us crave, and for Gen Xers, who value self-reliance and freedom, it resonates deeply with their intrinsic values and life experiences. The emergence of communities and platforms supporting corporate escapees is a testament to the need for support and guidance in this journey. These resources, such as podcasts, social media groups, and consulting services, are not just about providing practical advice. They also foster a sense of community and belonging, ensuring that those making the leap do not feel they have to do so in isolation. This sense of community and support can be a reassuring beacon in the often uncertain journey of entrepreneurship. Read More https://entrepreneurssource.com/podcast/generation-x/

    This podcast is based on our latest book “Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams,” which gives people permission to dream. Terry Powell, Visionary Founder, co-authored this revolutionary book alongside the Career Ownership Coach community. This book is a great guide and starting point for anyone who wants to make meaningful changes in their lives and careers. From the Franchise Source Brands International and The Entrepreneur’s Source.
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    26 m