What if your big career break isn’t hiding in a job board or behind a perfect résumé—but sitting across from you at a coffee shop? In this special episode of Career Can Do, we switch things up as Chris Sandland steps in for Mary Ann Faremouth to host a lively and insightful conversation with Marc Reede—lecture agent to the stars and author of The Coffee Code. Marc’s mission is clear: help college seniors and recent grads stop spinning their wheels and start making real connections that lead to opportunities.
Forget stuffy interviews and formal networking events. Marc breaks down how a simple coffee chat—yes, really—can open doors you didn’t even know existed. He shares how reaching out for advice, not a job, often leads to something far more powerful: relationships. And when it comes to building your career, relationships are everything.
Chris and Marc also unpack the idea of personal branding—not in a buzzwordy kind of way, but in a “what’s your story and how do you tell it?” kind of way. Marc brings it home with a moving story about his daughter, a towel from Venus Williams, and a lesson that turns into the heartbeat of The Coffee Code: touch one person, share your gift, and watch what happens.
This episode is packed with the kind of advice you wish someone had told you years ago, whether you’re 22 or 42. Marc reminds us that professors are more connected than we think, that LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers, and that the power of “being nice” never goes out of style.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure of your next step, this one’s for you. It’s not about being the loudest person in the room—it’s about being the most memorable. And sometimes, all it takes is a coffee.
Resources
Marc Reede on Web | The Coffee Code Book | LinkedIn | Email:marcreede@yahoo.com
Mary Ann Faremouth on the Web | X (Twitter)
