Welcome back to The Power of Owning Your Career Podcast!

In this episode, host Simone Morris sits down with technology executive Irina Dymarsky, a trailblazer known for leading complex, transformative initiatives and currently serving as the head of IT at Avixa. Irina opens up about her career journey—from a childhood ambition of becoming a business executive to navigating the zigzags of corporate life and embracing each new opportunity as a chance to grow. Together, Simone and Irina dive deep into what it really means to be in the driver's seat of your own career, sharing actionable insights on intentionality, the importance of having a North Star, building your "board of directors," and how to manifest your professional goals. Whether you're aiming for your next promotion or reimagining your path at the top, this episode offers strategies, real stories, and inspiration to help you own your journey and design your career for impact. Don't miss Irina's practical tips—from leveraging project management skills for personal growth to the magic of putting your ambitions out into the universe!

Let’s dive in!

✴️Episode TimeStamp:

00:00 Success: No One-Size-Fits-All Path

05:58 "CIO Journey Realization"

09:06 Evaluating Progress Toward Your Goals

13:12 Project Planning and Career Resilience

14:47 Career Planning and Promotion Tips

18:46 Continuous Growth and Good Deeds

23:13 "Range: AI's Limitations"

25:17 "Designing for Impact"

✴️Resources:

• 52 Tips for Owning Your Career Book by Simone E. Morris
  Leverage online resources: Social media, LinkedIn, podcasts
• Networking and asking peers for recommendations
• Continuous learning through books and connecting with industry peers (i.e., Podcast “Acquired,” book “Range”)

✴️Connect with our guest, Irina Dymarsky, at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinadymarsky/.

✴️Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

✴️To apply to be a guest or recommend guests for the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest.

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com

Welcome back to The Power of Owning Your Career Podcast! In this special encore episode, host Simone Morris revisits a powerful conversation with Bhavna Bartholf, a trailblazing leader who spent over two decades at Microsoft and is now Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales and Strategy at another top organization.

Bhavna takes us on an inspiring journey from her upbringing in India, where she came from a family of doctors but chose to forge her own path, to her impressive rise in tech leadership. She opens up about the challenges of staying with one organization for over 20 years, the pivotal moments that shaped her, and the importance of taking the driver’s seat in your career. Bhavna shares illuminating insights on self-advocacy, knowing your worth, and overcoming the internal and external barriers that keep us from confidently pursuing what we deserve—especially as women in the workforce.

Get ready for actionable takeaways, game-changing mindset shifts, and a reminder of your power. Whether feeling stuck or looking to level up your career ownership journey, this episode contains wisdom and inspiration you won’t want to miss.

Let’s dive in!

Episode TimeStamp:

00:00 Top Career Podcast Honors/Bhavana Bartholf Introduction
03:27 "Bhavana Bartholf: Career Growth Insights"
07:18 Driven by Purposeful Giving
11:40 Unexpected Career Start at Microsoft
15:53 Career Growth During Pandemic Reorganization
19:23 "The Power of Saying No"
21:30 Cultivating Confidence and Self-Advocacy
25:01 Rediscovering Purpose Through Self-Reflection
29:21 "Secrets to Self-Advocacy Revealed"
31:31 Overcoming Fear Through Preparation
33:53 Forge Your Own Path
37:50 "Gratitude for Bhavana's Impact"

Resources:

52 Tips for Owning Your Career Book by Simone E. Morris
Self-assessment tools (for understanding strengths, motivators, and drivers)
TEDx Talk by Bhavana Bartholf (on self-advocacy and career ownership)
LinkedIn (as a platform for connection and career networking)

Connect with our guest, Bhavana Bartholf, at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavanabartholf/.

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest or recommend guests for the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest.

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com

In an engaging return to The Power of Owning Your Career Podcast, Simone Morris reconnects with the brilliant Bridgett McGowen, renowned for her expertise in communication and presentation skills. This episode is packed with invaluable insights on how to own your professional narrative in today's competitive landscape. Simone and Bridgett delve into the power of storytelling with "receipts," mastering digital communication (including Bridgett's PIE strategy), and the art of active listening for career advancement. Whether you're navigating remote work or seeking to amplify your personal brand, Bridgett's practical advice from her book "Show Up and Show Out" will empower you to become unforgettable. Tune in and unlock the secrets to career mastery!

Episode Timestamp:

00:00 Own Your Career Narrative

06:12 "Social Media PIE Strategy"

07:39 Leveraging Social Media for Opportunities

10:37 Purposeful Communication for Visibility

15:27 "5 in 2025 Initiative"

19:38 Engage and Adapt Your Narrative

22:09 Connect with B Online

Connect with our guest, Bridgett McGowen at

https://www.connectwithb.com

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.connectwithsimone.com

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching fit call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com

This week, host Simone E. Morris shares her journey to help you take control of your career. She explores the transformative power of being in the "driver's seat" and shows how taking ownership—rather than remaining passive—can dramatically change your professional trajectory.

Based on Season 14's experiences, Simone candidly discusses her early struggles, pivotal career moments, and lessons learned. She tackles common challenges like impostor syndrome and career setbacks while sharing the strategic decisions that shaped her entrepreneurial path. Simone also directly addresses listener questions, offering personalized advice to help you navigate your own career hurdles.

Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, battling self-doubt, or seeking inspiration to pursue your dreams, this episode delivers practical insights and motivation. Please tune in to discover what it truly means to own your career and how to unlock your inner power to create the professional path you desire.

Join Simone as she champions your journey toward career success.

Episode Timestamp:

00:00 "Taking Charge of Your Career"

05:19 Embrace Continuous Learning Independently

09:43 "AI Interviews Host for Q&A"

10:57 Leaving Corporate America: A Tough Choice

16:53 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Reflection

19:19 Reframing Failure in Leadership

23:18 "Navigating Inclusion and Career Advice"

25:03 Rethinking a Wasted Degree

28:03 "Join the Career Talk"

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com

Ready to revolutionize your career strategy? This week's "The Power of Owning Your Career" features Hector Pachas, a headshot photographer who's more than just a visual storyteller – he's a career catalyst! Dive into his inspiring pandemic-driven pivot, learning how he leveraged his IT background to redefine personal branding through powerful, personality-driven photos and expert facial expression coaching. But that's not all! We're also unlocking resources and strategies for career advancement, exploring the crucial role of mentorship, and emphasizing lifelong learning in a rapidly evolving world. Hector shares his insights on navigating AI and tech advancements and mastering LinkedIn for professional growth, including how it's evolved as a networking and branding tool. Plus, we tackled overcoming the fear of self-promotion on LinkedIn and compared it to other social media platforms. And, of course, we get a glimpse into Hector's life beyond the lens, from his passion for cooking to winemaking. Get ready to transform your career trajectory and visually command your professional story!

A Time Stamp of The Show:

00:00 From Corporate IT to Camera

04:36 Personal Branding Evolution Work

07:49 Zoom's Enhanced Photo Features

11:05 Evolving Identity and Growth

15:41 "Mentorship: Navigating Online Overload"

19:35 Tailoring Content to Platform Audience

20:59 Balancing Professional and Personal Branding

24:46 "Embracing Authenticity and Public Speaking"

Connect with our guest, Hector Pachas, at:

https://hectorpachas.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectorpachas/.

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com

Welcome to this week's inspiring episode of The Power of Owning Your Career podcast. Today, we're thrilled to welcome Matt Stephenson, the CEO and co-founder of Code to College. Based in Austin, Texas, Code to College is making a powerful impact by creating a national network of diverse college-going technical talent. Their mission? To empower high school students, primarily Black, Brown, and girls, by developing vital coding and professional skills through a skills-based, volunteer-driven program. These students gain invaluable exposure to STEM industries through case competitions, workshops, and mentorships.

Matt shares his journey in our conversation, from discovering coding in college to founding Code to College. He discusses the pivotal moments and influences that shaped his career path, emphasizing the importance of education, community, and the power of saying "yes" to opportunities.

Tune in as Matt reveals his insightful perspectives on owning your career, the transformative power of building a supportive network, and his vision for expanding this impactful initiative. Whether you are in an exploratory phase of your career or simply seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable life lessons and encouragement to help you take charge of your professional journey.

A Time Stamp of The Show:

00:00 "How Tech Skills Transformed My Life"

05:16 Immigrant Family's Pursuit of Opportunity

07:36 "Unexpected Journey to Fulfillment"

12:50 Teaching: The Toughest Job of All

15:39 Travel, Plan, and Stay Open

19:56 "Books, Podcasts, and Networking"

20:56 Build and Value Your Network

24:15 "Importance of Following Up"

27:32 Career Empowerment with Matt Stephenson

Resources shared by Matt:

• Books:
  • Thinking Strategically
  • Give and Take

Connect with our guest, Matt Stephenson, at

https://code2college.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcstephenson/

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com

Welcome to this week's exciting episode of The Power of Owning Your Career Podcast! I'm thrilled to bring you a dynamic and insightful conversation with Kira Deneen, a seasoned genetics counselor and the brilliant mind behind the popular DNA Today podcast. And here's a special treat – this was a live recording! Head over to our YouTube Channel to watch the full episode.

We're diving deep into Kira's fascinating career journey, exploring how her early passion for podcasting, sparked back in 2012, has seamlessly intertwined with her work in genetics. Listen as she shares her experiences on the profound impact of networking, overcoming career jitters, and the crucial role of consistent hard work. Kira also unpacks the unique insights she's gained from bridging her podcasting and scientific worlds, offering invaluable takeaways for anyone eager to accelerate their career.

Whether you're curious about genetics counseling or simply seeking inspiration to own your career journey, this conversation is sure to leave you motivated and ready to take the reins of your professional life. Join us for an exhilarating and informative episode!

Connect with our guest, Kira Dineen, at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiradineen/

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest.

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com

Welcome back to the Power of Owning Your Career Podcast! Simone Morris is joined by Dan Castle, a 30-year career veteran with a story you won't want to miss. From astronaut dreams to tech leadership, Dan's journey is a masterclass in embracing change and leveraging your strengths. He'll share his invaluable insights on career strategy, networking, and standing firm on your values. Get ready for a candid conversation on integrity, disruption, and taking control of your professional path.

Dan's Bio:

Dan has formal training in psychology, philosophy, information systems management, design thinking, and organizational dynamics. Dan has facilitated workshops and spoken at several organizations, worked as a TA in the graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, facilitated workshops at Penn State University, and is currently an adjunct professor at Drexel University. In addition, Dan is enrolled in the Doctoral program at Fielding Graduate University in Organizational Change and Development. Dan is both a published author (2022) and TEDx speaker (2023) and believes wholeheartedly in sharing his life experiences and stories with the world.

Since the recording of this episode, Dan has taken on a new role at Oligo Security.

A Time Stamp Of The Episode:

00:00 Customer Success and Organizational Dynamics

05:18 "Interview Preparation Beyond Algorithms"

09:42 Networking: Key to Opportunity

13:33 Respect: Earned, Not Demanded

14:18 "Respect is Earned, Not Given"

20:34 Commitment and Contribution Over Paycheck

23:52 "Breaking Vicious Cycles"

26:45 Finding Personal Empowerment Through Education

28:27 Podcast Guest Dan Castle

Resources shared by Dan:

• AI References:
  • Ethan Mollick's LinkedIn
  • Jeremy Utley's LinkedIn
• Books:
  • Think Again by Adam Grant
  • Dan Castle's Book

Connect with our guest, Dan Castle, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/castledano/.

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit bit.ly/pooycshowguest.

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6) 🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03) 🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com