🚨 Why does hard work never seem to be enough?

You're crushing it at your job. Delivering results. Yet somehow, you're still invisible when promotion conversations happen. Sound familiar?

This week, Simone sits down with Lorraine Lee—LinkedIn's founding editor turned LinkedIn Learning powerhouse—who learned this lesson the hard way after being passed over for promotion despite years of excellence. Her response? She built the Epic Career Brand Framework that's now helped thousands go from overlooked to unforgettable.

Here's what you'll discover:

✅ The #1 reason hard work alone won't get you promoted (and what actually will)
✅ How introverts can build a powerful presence without feeling fake
✅ The LinkedIn strategy that conquers your fears and gets you noticed
✅ Why you need sponsors, not just mentors—and how to find them
✅ Tactical brand-building moves you can make THIS WEEK

Perfect for you if:

• You're killing it but nobody seems to notice
• You've been passed over for promotions you deserved
• You're pivoting after a layoff and need to stand out FAST
• You're an introvert who's allergic to "networking"

Lorraine breaks down exactly how to position yourself as THE person for opportunities—whether you're gunning for VP or rebuilding after a setback.

⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Why your career brand matters more than your resume
05:27 - The promotion that never came: Lorraine's wake-up call
09:27 - How to actually use LinkedIn to get noticed (not just post and pray)
11:45 - The hard work myth that's killing your career
15:40 - Be the CEO of your career (even if you're entry-level)
17:47 - Your learning strategy is your secret weapon
20:11 - Networking for introverts (without the ick factor)
25:04 - Managing your presence: Online + offline strategies
26:45 - How taking risks builds unshakeable confidence

Featured In This Episode:

📖 Unforgettable Presence by Lorraine K. Lee
🎯 The Epic Career Brand Framework
💡 19+ LinkedIn Learning courses by Lorraine
📬 Newsletter: lorraineklee.com/subscribe

🚀 READY TO OWN YOUR CAREER?

📚 Grab the 52 Tips for Owning Your Career Book by Simone E. Morris
🎓 Enroll in the Own Your Career Course - Your 8-step roadmap to career clarity

Stop waiting to be discovered. Start being unforgettable.

🎧 Listen now + subscribe for weekly career strategies that actually work
💼 Engage with Simone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris
📺 Watch the full video episode on YouTube

This is it—the Season 15 finale. And if you've been waiting for a sign to take control of your career FINALLY—THIS IS IT.

After 15 seasons and 200+ episodes, host Simone Morris is closing out this incredible chapter with the most important lesson of all: You are the driver of your career. Not your boss. Not the economy. Not "luck." YOU.

In this powerful finale, Simone breaks down her game-changing framework from "52 Tips for Owning Your Career"—starting with the #1 step most people skip: claiming ownership. Because here's the truth: you can't steer what you don't own.

You'll discover:

✨ The affirmation practice that rewires your career mindset

✨ Why going public with your goals changes EVERYTHING

✨ How to embrace change without the overwhelm

✨ Real talk on staying intentional when life gets messy

Whether you're stuck in a job you've outgrown, chasing your next promotion, or building something from scratch—this episode meets you exactly where you are and pushes you forward.

Plus: Simone shares the tools, courses, and resources to keep you moving even as the podcast takes a pause. Because this isn't goodbye—it's your graduation.

Your career isn't happening TO you. It's waiting FOR you. Let's CLAIM it.

🎧 Hit play. Take notes. Then take action.

Episode TimeStamp:

00:00 Owning Your Career Insights

06:48 "Reset Your Mindset for Success"

08:39 "Affirmations for Career Growth"

11:23 Career Change for Mothers

14:52 Claim Your Career Ownership

20:07 "Fuel Change, Take Baby Steps"

24:24 Podcast Pause, Special Episodes Possible

Episode Resources:

• 52 Tips for Owning Your Career by Simone E. Morris
• The Power of Owning Your Career by Simone E. Morris
• Taming Your Gremlin by Richard Carson
• The Power Is Within You by Louise Hay
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought by Peter McWilliams
• Own Your Career Course

Welcome to this week's episode of The Power of Owning Your Career Podcast! I'm your host, Simone E. Morris, and today's episode is a heartfelt celebration of gratitude and growth as we reflect on seven incredible years of the show. With over 200 episodes under our belt, we take you behind the scenes—from the origins of the podcast, born out of the book "The Power of Owning Your Career," to the powerful stories of leaders, personal milestones, and the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode, Simone E. Morris looks back on her journey, shares the pivotal experiences that sparked her passion for career ownership, and reveals her eight essential steps for taking charge of your professional path. You'll also hear about the launch of an exciting new resource—the "Owning Your Career" course—designed to empower you further, wherever you are in your career.

Whether you're a longtime listener or just joining us, this episode is filled with actionable tips, inspiration, and, above all, gratitude for everyone in the Power of Owning Your Career community. Let's dive in and discover how you can move from simply surviving to truly thriving in your career—starting now!

Episode TimeStamp:

00:00 "Owning Your Career Reflection"

05:08 "Owning Your Career Journey"

08:50 "Claim, Audit, Plan, Perform"

09:56 "Career Success Through Planning"

14:07 "Owning Your Career Tips"

17:16 "Healing and Care After Change"

21:35 "Support & Career Growth Resources"

23:23 "Podcast Access and Gratitude"

Resources:

The Power of Owning Your Career Book
52 Tips for Owning Your Career Book
Own Your Career Course

This week on the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast, host Simone Morris interviews Steve Jaffe—San Diego native, veteran marketer, and author of The Layoff Journey. Steve's story is a testament to resilience and reinvention, showing that setbacks can spark your greatest professional pivots. From launching his career in journalism to shaping iconic campaigns like "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas," Steve enjoyed 25+ successful years in advertising, in-house marketing, and consulting before confronting—and thriving through—not one but four career layoffs.

In this heartfelt and practical discussion, Steve gets candid about how professionals can reclaim their power, purpose, and confidence after a job loss. He introduces his actionable "Grieve, Grow, and Go" framework, providing insights into the emotional and strategic realities of layoffs, and challenges listeners to bet on themselves—no matter how daunting the circumstances may be. Steve shares how aligning with your values and passions, adopting a learning mindset, and bravely taking risks are the keys to stepping into the driver's seat of your career, not simply riding along.

Whether you're currently navigating a layoff, worried about job security, or looking to get proactive about your career direction, this episode brings validation, encouragement, and tactical advice you can use right now. Steve also walks through the seven stages of grief and explains how understanding them can help any professional—whether laid off or not—move forward with clarity and confidence.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• The Layoff Journey by Steve Jaffe (book)
• Steve Jaffe's website: thestevejaffe.com
• LinkedIn: Steve Jaffe
• Instagram: @thestevejaffe
• Steve's Substack blog
• Studies on the five stages of grief by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Episode Time Stamp:

00:00 "Reclaiming Power After Job Loss"

05:07 "Taking Control of My Career"

07:05 "Layoffs as Growth Opportunities"

12:02 Turning Layoffs Into Lessons

13:21 Career Proactivity and Resilience

17:45 "Let Go, Look Forward"

21:04 "Phoenix Rising: Reclaiming Yourself"

23:20 "Taking Risks for Success"

28:06 "Own Your Career Journey"

Connect & Learn More:

• Host Simone Morris: LinkedIn | Become a Guest on the Show | 52 Tips for Owning Your Career
• Steve Jaffe: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Substack

Follow & Subscribe:

• Join us on IG at @simonemorrisent for career inspiration
• Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and visit Simone Morris Enterprises for more resources

From practical frameworks to stories of transformation, this episode will empower you to let go of shame, lean into your strengths, and write the next bold chapter of your career—wherever you're starting out.

This week on the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast, host Simone Morris interviews Dr. Yosi Amram—licensed clinical psychologist, CEO, leadership coach, and pioneering researcher in spiritual intelligence. From his decorated beginnings as an Israeli military leader to founding and taking two tech companies public in Silicon Valley, Dr. Amram's career journey is a masterclass in growth, reinvention, and awakening. But it was a personal spiritual crisis—at the peak of his business success—that transformed his understanding of leadership, purpose, and fulfillment.

In this insightful and deeply human conversation, Simone Morris and Dr. Amram unpack the concept of spiritual intelligence and its practical role in building a meaningful—and successful—career. Dr. Amram shares hard-won wisdom from the worlds of military, business, academia, and coaching: how tuning into your "inner compass" ignites passion, radiates confidence, and naturally draws others to your leadership. He explains why career ownership always starts from within—by honoring your unique gifts, cultivating purpose, and being bold enough to follow your sacred spark.

Listeners will discover a holistic formula for owning your career: from recognizing and silencing self-limiting beliefs to leveraging practices like contemplation, body wisdom, and "forest bathing" for greater clarity and intuition. Dr. Amram reveals how his own journey—from high-powered CEO to spiritual psychologist—was shaped by both challenge and awakening, and why embracing all your experiences (even the painful ones) leads to career mastery.

Key takeaways include actionable tools for reconnecting with your passion, tuning into bodily wisdom, tapping into nature for inspiration, and imagining your "future self" as a guide to the next chapter. Plus, Dr. Amram reminds us that thriving workplaces and meaningful lives are built on authentic connections, shared values, and the willingness to listen when your intuition nudges you to grow.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Dr. Yosi Amram's website: yosiamram.net

• AwakeningSI.org: Free monthly workshops on spiritual intelligence qualities (purpose, intuition, trust, and more)

• Practices discussed: Meditation, contemplation, nature walks ("forest bathing"), future self visualization

Episode Time Stamp:

00:00 "Yosi Amram: Spiritual Leadership Pioneer"

04:14 From Business to Spiritual Awakening

09:24 Unpacking Life's Unique Gifts

11:13 "What Makes You Come Alive?"

13:34 Body and Nature's Inner Wisdom

17:33 "Forest Therapy Benefits Explained"

22:21 "Embracing Inspiration and Balance"

24:47 "Awakening Spiritual Intelligence"

27:18 "Embracing Diverse Career Paths"

31:00 Awakening SI: Spiritual Resources

Connect & Learn More:

• Host Simone Morris: Simone Morris Enterprises | LinkedIn | 52 Tips for Owning Your Career

• Dr. Yosi Amram: yosiamram.net | AwakeningSI.org

• YouTube: Watch the episode for visual modeling and deeper insights

Subscribe & Follow:

• Instagram: @simonemorrisent for career inspiration and updates

• Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for actionable strategies and transformational stories every week

Whether you're at the start of your career, navigating a transition, or searching for deeper meaning in your work, this episode will empower you to listen to your inner guidance, unlock your unique gifts, and boldly take the wheel—designing a career that's not only successful, but soulful.

This week on the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast, host Simone Morris sits down with Kai-Nneka Townsend—a leadership, resilience, and burnout consultant whose global career journey has shaped her mission to help high-pressure industries achieve sustainable success without sacrificing wellbeing. As the founder of Rise by KCL, Kai-Nneka Townsend draws on lived experience in international development, public health, and corporate leadership across Jamaica, the UK, and beyond.

In this insightful episode, Kai-Nneka Townsend reveals how her childhood dream of becoming a diplomat sparked her love for travel, adaptation, and cross-cultural learning. From studying tourism in the Bahamas to moving into customer service and corporate roles in the UK, she shares how intentional pivots and strategic decisions put her in the "driver's seat" of her own career. Her journey is a powerful illustration of the value of risk-taking, adaptability, and remaining authentically yourself—no matter where your ambition leads you.

Listeners will discover Kai-Nneka Townsend's holistic approach to career ownership, built around her core ingredients: clarity on personal success, setting boundaries to protect energy, and raising strategic visibility. She covers vital lessons in navigating the nuances of assimilation versus authentic leadership, amplifying your voice while building inclusion, and keeping room for others as you advance. Her candid advice is practical and empowering, whether you're considering a career change, seeking more visibility, or stepping into leadership in a new culture.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• StrengthsFinder (Gallup): Focus on strengths and natural aptitudes to guide your next career pivot.
• VIA Character Strengths: Discover and leverage what makes you unique.
• Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation: Natural aptitude testing to align strengths with career direction.

Episode TimeStamp:

00:00 From Diplomat to Tourism Journey

04:10 Career Journey and Role Shifts

07:51 "Adaptability Without Losing Yourself"

10:05 Raising My Visibility

15:07 Defining Success and Setting Boundaries

16:59 "Intentional Visibility for Success"

20:26 "Source of Wisdom and Confidence"

25:38 "From Corporate to Resilience Leader"

26:37 "Focus on Core Strengths"

30:21 "Leading and Rising Again"

33:46 "Architect Your Career Journey"

Connect & Learn More:

• Host Simone E. Morris: LinkedIn | Become a Guest on the Show | 52 Tips for Owning Your Career
• Guest Kai-Nneka Townsend: LinkedIn | Rise by KCL

Follow & Subscribe:

✅Stay inspired on IG @simonemorrisent for career strategies and inclusive leadership tips.

✅Subscribe to our YouTube for authentic conversations and transformational insights.

.

Whether you're just launching your career, making a bold pivot, or seeking resilience in high-stress environments, this episode will equip you with the tools and mindset to lead boldly—without losing yourself. Don't miss this energizing conversation packed with strategies, personal stories, and fresh perspectives to help you take the wheel and drive your career forward.

This week on the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast, host Simone Morris welcomes Keith Willis—leadership expert, entrepreneur, and Founder of Core Management Training. Keith's journey is indicative of how careers thrive by intentional design, not by chance. Starting out as a U.S. Army Junior Officer, Keith made the leap to corporate America through the Cameron-Brooks Development & Preparation Program, a pivotal experience that shaped his passion for helping others own their career trajectories.

Keith built an impressive resume with award-winning roles in sales and training at industry giants such as Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Bristol Myers Squibb, where he was recognized for his results as both a sales representative and a manager. Inspired by his drive to close the gap between individual performance and transformative leadership, Keith founded Core Management Training, where he equips pharmaceutical and life sciences organizations to turn managers into leaders who drive performance and culture.

Today, Keith is also building "Never Look for a Job Again"—an e-zine and course designed to empower professionals to create opportunities rather than wait for them. He believes that anyone can own their career by embracing self-awareness, setting meaningful goals, and building supportive networks.

In this candid and practical conversation, Keith shares actionable advice on navigating uncertainty, addressing ageism, and staying true to your authentic self—even when the workplace challenges you to fit in. Listeners will take away Keith's holistic formula for career ownership, practical resources, and the confidence to make bold moves—no matter where they're starting from.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Never Look for a Job Again (career development guide and upcoming course)
• PCS to Corporate America by Cameron Brooks
• Manager Tools & Career Tools podcasts
• The Long View by Brian Fetherstonhaugh
• Self-development tools: Audible, LinkedIn Learning, and yes—even ChatGPT!

Connect & Learn More:

• Host Simone E. Morris: LinkedIn | Become a Guest on the Show | 52 Tips for Owning Your Career
• Keith Willis: Core Management Training | Never Look for a Job Again

Follow & Subscribe:

• Join us on IG at @simonemorrisent for career inspiration
• Subscribe to our YouTube for inclusive conversations and actionable career strategies

Whether you're an aspiring leader, a career changer, or someone looking to unlock your full potential, this episode will inspire you to get behind the wheel of your career and drive your future forward.

This week on the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast, host Simone Morris welcomes Fadjanie Cadet, seasoned HR and inclusion strategist, author of "In First Place," and self-proclaimed Chief Change Experience Officer. Fadjanie's remarkable journey—from her upbringing as a first-generation Haitian American to leading talent engagement and culture transformation at top companies—offers essential lessons for those ready to take the wheel in their professional lives.

Join Simone and Fajani for a heartfelt and practical conversation brimming with actionable tips. Fadjanie discusses how she pivoted away from traditional career paths, navigated tough decisions during life changes, and rebuilt trust in herself at pivotal moments. She reveals her three-part formula for career growth—combining hard work, visibility, self-advocacy, and a supportive community—with practical guidance like making a list of pivotal career moments, reflecting on their impacts, and anchoring yourself in your core values.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Fadjanie's book: In First Place (for first-generation professionals)

• Connecting with mentors and sponsors for career advice

• Leveraging community support—balanced by discernment

• The importance of self-reflective exercises, including core values inventories

This episode will help you redefine success, balance gratitude with ambition, and view risk as a positive investment. Whether you're a first-gen professional, an inclusion advocate, or simply seeking a career refresh, Fajani's practical strategies and bold stories will inspire you to step into the driver's seat.

Learn More & Get Involved:

Connect with host Simone E. Morris: LinkedIn
Apply or recommend a guest: Become a Guest on the Show
Looking for career support or resources from Simone? Visit 52 Tips for Owning Your Career

Connect with Fadjanie Cadet:
Meet the CXO: Website
Fadjanie Cadet on LinkedIn

Follow & Subscribe:
Follow us on social @simonemorrisent for updates and career tips!
Subscribe for more inspiring guests and actionable career episodes.