Shows
Career SlayConfident CharismaIn this episode of Career Slay, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Milam Miller, a leadership expert, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author of The Charisma Craft about career transitions, fulfillment, and authentic leadership.Episode HighlightsMilam's Career Journey: From working in tech startups and Fortune 500 companies to becoming an entrepreneur and career coach.Finding Fulfillment: Milam discusses how fulfillment comes from within rather than external achievements like titles or material possessions.Values Alignment: The importance of working at organizations where you feel a sense of belonging and purpose...
2025-07-3036 min
Career SlayPower Pause ft. Neha RuchDoes your ambition fade when you downshift your career to make room for motherhood?In this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of the bestselling book, The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—and Come Back Stronger Than Ever. Neha discusses her journey of redefining success and ambition for women, particularly those navigating motherhood and career pauses. She also shares her personal experiences, the challenges she faced in her career, and how she transformed her career break into a powerful mo...
2025-07-1742 min
Career SlayTransforming Leaders ft. Dr. Anthony RandallIn this episode, Dr. Anthony Randall shares his inspiring journey from a lively childhood being nicknamed “Action Ants” as a kid to a distinguished career as an Army Ranger, chaplain, coach, and bestselling author. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his life, including overcoming self-limiting beliefs about his writing and the transformative experiences of combat. Anthony emphasizes the importance of trusting the process of transformation and practicing excellence by aligning passion, purpose, and precision in leadership. He also shares insights from his work as the President and Founder of VanguardXXI, a leadership development company, and the significance of crea...
2025-06-2533 min
Career SlayTeenage Founder ft. Catherine ConnellyIn this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Catherine Connolly, an award-winning entrepreneur and best-selling author. They discuss Catherine's journey from a young entrepreneur and cofounder alongside her brothers to leading a successful tech company, the challenges she faced scaling her company, The Meet Group, into a $500 million dollar company, and her insights on redefining success. Catherine emphasizes the importance of connections, purpose, and resilience in achieving a fulfilling career. She also shares her experiences in writing her book Designing Success, which offers practical tools for managing burnout and creating a supportive work environment.
2025-06-1130 min
Career SlayDesigner and Doctor ft. Dr. Chris SebastianIn this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Dr. Chris Sebastian, a pediatrician who transitioned from a career in graphic design to medicine. Dr. Sebastian shares his unique journey, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion, the value of mentorship, and the impact of serving others. For him, being a counselor at Camp Sweeney, a summer camp for kids with Type 1 Diabetes sparked his transition into medicine. He discusses the challenges and rewards of changing careers, the significance of empathy in healthcare, and offers advice for those considering a path in medicine. His story...
2025-05-2828 min
Career SlayThe Tragedy of Wasted Potential ft. Simon RurkaIn this episode of the Career Slay Podcast, host Kelly Poquiz Burke sits down with Simon Rurka, founder and CEO of The Simon Assessment, for a powerful conversation about boldness, authenticity, and unlocking potential. From a supportive childhood in London to studying at Cambridge to leading a $9 billion business at Intel, Simon shares the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership journey. He opens up about the challenges of corporate culture, how organizations often unintentionally shrink high-potential employees, and why our unique boldness should be preserved—not tamed—as we grow in our careers.Simon also introduces The Simo...
2025-05-1433 min
Career SlayFierce Founder ft. Tara WilsonHave you ever felt like you were destined for greatness?In this episode, host Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Tara Wilson, CEO and founder of Tara Wilson Agency. Tara shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Arkansas where she fostered an entrepreneurial spirit as a child to becoming a successful founder of an experiential marketing agency. Her career evolved from finance to event planning to experiential marketing, demonstrating how you can reinvent yourself multiple times. Tara talks about finding your passion and recognizing your transferable skills to successfully make a pivot. She emphasizes the importance of...
2025-04-3038 min
Career SlayCyber Superhero ft. Dr. Emmanuel Bello-OgunuThe Career Slay podcast is back and I’m thrilled to interview my friend, Dr. Emmanuel Bello-Ogunu — principal cybersecurity engineer, lifelong superhero fan, and real-life defender of our digital world. Emmanuel opens up about his journey from shy big brother to cybersecurity expert at MITRE, where he helps protect critical infrastructure and national security. We talk imposter syndrome (yes, even PhDs get it), mission-driven work, mentorship, and finding purpose in your career. Whether you're in tech or just navigating your next step, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with courage and be the superhero of your own care...
2025-04-1729 min
Career SlayBreak the Rules ft. Ivonne KinserHow do you find the courage to break the rules?In this episode of Career Slay, my guest, Ivonne Kinser spent the first half of her career learning the rules so she could spend the second half breaking them. As the CEO and Founder of Vantage Creative Group, she helps challenger brands grow with the mission of solving the hardest marketing challenges by infusing untamed creativity and leveraging the power of technology. Her journey started in Venezuela and followed an unconventional path, from top advertising agencies to senior leadership roles in multiple corporations, including Avocados From Mexico...
2024-11-2538 min
The Peak PodcastLet's Talk Fear & Authenticity w/ Kelly Burke #015In this episode of the Peak Podcast, Kyle Nelson and co-host Eli Libby are joined by Kelly Poquiz Burke, founder of Career Slay. Kelly shares her powerful journey from corporate burnout to launching her own executive coaching company, helping others break free from fear and self-doubt to become the fearless leaders they were meant to be. Tune in for actionable insights on navigating career plateaus, overcoming fear, and finding authentic fulfillment in both your personal and professional life
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3-Day Solo Retreat: www.peakfulfillment.co
Employee Wellness: www...
2024-11-0817 min
Career SlayBuilding from the Ground Up ft. Mark LoweryWhat does it take to build a company from the ground up?In this episode of Career Slay, Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews owner and founder, Mark Lowery, the President & CEO of Lowery Property Advisors. LPA is a commercial appraisal and consulting firm completing a wide range of office, retail, and industrial projects throughout the southwest. We talk about his entrepreneurship journey from starting his own business with limited resources, to scaling it to a 60-person organization. We also discuss what it takes to be an authentic leader, build a strong company culture, and bet on yourself.
2024-07-3123 min
Career SlayCreativity for Good ft. Pedro LermaHow do you use creativity for good? On this episode of Career Slay, Kelly Poquiz Burke interviews Pedro Lerma, CEO of LERMA/ Agency. Pedro shares his amazing career journey that started with his humble beginnings to now leading an award-winning ad agency with the mission, “Creativity For Good.”Pedro emphasizes the importance of gratitude as a key theme that weaves throughout his career. He discusses the distinction between management and leadership and advocates for a vision-driven approach that inspires others. Pedro's leadership philosophy is deeply human-centered, valuing personal growth and relationships. We also talk about the need for...
2024-07-2230 min
Career SlayRedefining Obstacles ft. Kelly Poquiz BurkeHow do you respond to obstacles in life? Do you let them define you or do you redefine them? In this Career Slay episode, host Kelly Poquiz Burke dives deep into the obstacles she’s faced and how those have shaped her career. Kelly shares how she overcame $80K in student loan debt, learned how to walk again after multiple hip surgeries, and beat breast cancer while pregnant during a global pandemic. In this vulnerable episode, she gets real about the challenges of working motherhood, why she decided to take a career break, and what she’s up to next...
2024-04-1136 min
Career SlayDream Job ft. Michelle WongHow do you manifest your “dream job?”In this podcast episode, I interview Michelle Wong, the CMO of Sprinkles Bakeries & Picnik Restaurants. Michelle shares about her culinary background, how creativity led her to a career in advertising, and how her combined passions have manifested into the role she has today - her dream job.We discuss the challenges she faced early on particularly when it came to representation and visibility. Michelle also shares her advice for young women of color starting their careers and emphasizes the importance of mentorship and finding meaning in your work. We a...
2023-12-1935 min
Career SlayMade of Stories ft. Meg GriffithsCan storytelling change the world for good? On this episode of Career Slay, I interview Meg Griffiths, co-founder of Universe Creative, a documentary production company, and director "Impossible Town."We discuss Meg's career journey, including her transition from photojournalism to Teach For America to filmmaking and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. Meg also shares her insights on parenting while pursuing a demanding career, the importance of relationships and community in her work, and the power of storytelling to create understanding and catalyze change.Don't miss this inspiring conversation with...
2023-08-0837 min
Career SlayCreating Community ft. Varun JindalHave you ever been curious about a career in social media?In this episode of the Career Slay podcast, I sit down with Varun Jindal, a brand partnerships manager at TikTok, about his career journey in social media. Varun discusses his experience co-founding a South Asian media company, Bollyshake, and the dedication it took to grow an Instagram community of nearly a million followers without any outside funding. We talk about the secret sauce for building a successful social media career including the importance of authenticity and representation, engaging your community, and diversifying your income streams for...
2023-07-2521 min
Career SlaySelf Starter ft. Maricsa TrejoHow do you turn a neighborhood bakery into a beloved brand?In this episode of Career Slay, I interview Maricsa Trejo, the owner of La Casita Bakeshop. Maricsa shares her journey from working in professional kitchens to building a successful James Beard-nominated bakery with lines around the corner. She gives her advice for anyone who is trying to turn their passion into their full-time gig and emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with good people, setting boundaries, and not being too hard on yourself. We also talk about her recent success, the challenges of being in the...
2023-07-0423 min
Career SlayCare & Candor ft. Jeff RobertsHas anyone ever encouraged you to “bring your whole self to work”?In this episode Jeff Roberts, the President of Augustine Agency, discusses the importance of bringing your authentic self to work and how critical building relationships are in his role as an advertising executive. He shares the challenges he faced coming out as openly gay mid-career, and how being true to oneself changed the trajectory of his career and deepened his relationships with his clients and peers. Jeff also shares more about his leadership style of transparency and caring candor. He was named the Agency Leader of t...
2023-06-2025 min
Career SlayDefying Expectations ft. Chrissy McGarryIn this episode of Career Slay, I interview Chrissy McGarry, who shares her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming the COO of a national security software company, Second Front Systems. She talks about the challenges of transitioning into a full-time job after becoming a mom, finding work-life harmony, and dealing with workplace bias as a female executive in a male-dominated industry. Chrissy also emphasizes the importance of trusting your gut, establishing a self-care regimen, and finding purpose in your work. She’s on a mission to guide others, especially women and working moms, to realize their potential an...
2023-06-0634 min
Career SlayFocus on Outcomes ft. Dan JacobsAre you interested in learning more about a career in design? In this episode of Career Slay, I sit down with design consultant, Dan Jacobs. Dan is an innovation lead, design director, and lifelong entrepreneur who has worked in various fields such as industrial design, interaction design, service design, and innovation consulting. Dan is currently part of the leadership team of the Innovation Consulting practice at Accenture and he offers valuable insights for those who are starting or considering a career in design.Dan emphasizes the importance of focusing on outcomes, having a growth mindset, infusing passion...
2023-05-1624 min
Career SlayAuthentic Advocacy ft. Kat NasseriHave you ever heard of a pelvic floor therapist?In this Career Slay episode, I interview board-certified pelvic and abdominal health physical therapist, Kat Nasseri. We talk about what pelvic floor therapy is and how she found her passion for this unique practice. Kat discusses her work advocating for patients of all genders and ages and helping them through some of the most taboo health issues. Kat reassures her patients that they’re not alone and helps them overcome the stigma and shame surrounding these topics. We also talk about the role of mentorship in her career, be...
2023-05-0229 min
Career SlayRebranding Your Career ft. Dr. Gary OrosyHave you ever made a pivot in your career? Now imagine doing that, not just once, but twice!!In this episode of Career Slay, Dr. Gary Orosy, Adjunct Professor of Marketing at SMU Cox School of Business, takes us through his three career stints in marketing, consulting, and academia. An accomplished global marketer, Gary talks about his time at Procter & Gamble, Frito-Lay, and Gillette. He also discusses the importance of finding meaningful work and continually challenging oneself to set higher standards. Finally, he also shares advice on when to pivot in one's career and the most rewarding...
2023-04-1125 min
Career SlayWoman in Tech ft. Robin BrownWhat’s it really like being a woman in tech?My next Career Slay guest is Robin Brown. Robin has over 12 years of experience in tech spanning across organizations like Whirlpool and Google. Robin currently leads a team of engineers and technical consultants within the Professional Services Organization at Google.We talk about how she uses her sociology major everyday, mentorship, and how to deal with imposter syndrome, especially as a woman of color.Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking fo...
2023-03-2824 min
Career SlayCuring Cancer ft. Paula SchneiderI’m sure you’ve heard someone at work say: “Don’t stress. It’s not like we’re curing cancer.”Well my next guest on Career Slay literally is. I interview Paula Schneider, the president and CEO of Susan G. Komen. Paula is responsible for the world's largest breast cancer research portfolio, almost 1 billion in funding to date, and a network of more than 80 Komen affiliates serving millions of women and men in the United States and globally.In this episode, we talk about Paula's entrepreneurial beginnings, how she crafted her own college major, started her ow...
2023-03-1429 min
Career SlayPractice Makes Perfect ft. Dr. Shad HattawayHave you heard the saying: “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life?” My next guest on Career Slay, Dr. Shad Hattaway, LOVES what he does, but it’s his passion for dentistry that fuels his extraordinary work ethic.In this episode, we talk about how Dr. Hattaway grew up the 9th of ten children and how early financial hardships shaped what he wanted to do with his career. Seeking financial stability, he wanted to become a dentist since the age of 12. We talk about the rigorous years of education and trai...
2023-02-2825 min
Career SlayDesigning a Legacy ft. Erin SarofskyHave you ever thought about the #legacy you want to leave behind?In this episode of Career Slay, I interview Erin Sarofsky, the President, Owner, and Executive Creative Director of Sarofsky Corp. As a female founder and director, Erin is breaking barriers in her industry and designing her own legacy. We talk about how she built her company one step at a time and the biases she’s faced. Erin also gives us such real advice about the importance of putting in the time early on and building a foundation for your career. Finally, we discuss motherhood an...
2023-02-1427 min
Career SlayWords Matter ft. Dave JacksonHave you ever asked yourself “When in my adult life was I the happiest?” That’s the question my next guest on Career Slay asked, and his answer led him to a meaningful career that he loves.In our latest episode, I sit down with Dave Jackson, a journalist turned public relations expert, and now, the Director of Admissions for the Master of Accounting program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dave and I discuss so many great topics about career development including:Identifying and filling a skill gap [12:22]How communication is a leader...
2023-01-3139 min
Career SlayChasing Change ft. Jorge AlmeidaDo you find yourself running away from change? My next Career Slay guest chases it. In this episode, I interview Jorge Almeida, a seasoned marketer who has worked on iconic brands like Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Avocados From Mexico. Jorge talks about how change was the central theme of his childhood and how dealing with change shaped his career through mentorship and networking. We also discuss the difference between advertising agency and corporate marketing roles and how creative ideas need champions on both sides to bring them to life. Finally, we discuss how Jorge turned his g...
2022-11-2926 min
Career SlayBrokering Relationships ft. Michael YtemOn this episode of Career Slay, I’m sitting down with Michael Ytem, Senior Vice President at Younger Partners. Michael has over eight years of commercial real estate experience in the North Texas land market and was twice named a D CEO Power Broker. We talk about how Michael’s entire family is in real estate, how he’s found “ikigai”, and the value of networking. Michael attributes his success to building relationships and offers candid advice to young brokers who are just starting out.Listen now on all platforms, and please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharin...
2022-11-1623 min
Career SlayPassion for Fashion ft. Kim PoquizIn this episode of Career Slay, I interview my sister and fashionista, Kimberly Poquiz. Kim has worked in fashion for the past 10 years as a product developer for companies such as Halston, Guess, Uniqlo, Theory, Helmut Lang, and most recently, CUTS Clothing. We talk about how our grandma inspired her passion for fashion when she was only in 2nd grade and how she navigated through fashion school. Kim also discusses the importance of leaving her legacy through sustainability and building a lifestyle brand.Enjoying the show? Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us...
2022-11-0922 min
The Brave TechnologistBeing a Brand in a Brandless Category: Avocados From MexicoKelly Poquiz Burke, Associate Director of Brand Marketing & Strategy at Avocados From Mexico, discusses many of the brand experiences their team has launched in an effort to create a deep, emotional connection with consumers, despite lacking any marketing ability on their products themselves. She also shares her approach to Web3 marketing: sticking to a strategy instead of chasing shiny objects. Key Takeaways: How to build integrated, omnichannel marketing campaigns for the Superbowl Ways that produce brands can join Web3 and implement activations for the Metaverse Importance of authentic, purpose driven marketing that showcases your brand values
2022-11-0722 min
Career SlayWork in Progress ft. Sean LopezHow do you build a career you love when school just isn’t your thing?In this next episode of Career Slay, I’m catching up with massage therapist, Sean Lopez. We talk about his struggle to stay motivated at school and how he was told that you can’t make money off your passions. Sean proved the doubters wrong and is now the owner of Glory Manual Movement Therapy, where he provides holistic rehabilitative care to patients and builds community by teaching other therapists. His story shows how every career journey is unique and a work in pro...
2022-11-0223 min
Career SlayInvesting in Others ft. Nat AmaratanaDo you love the path you’re on even if you just fell into that career?In this episode of Career Slay, I’m catching up with banking and finance guru, Nat Amaratana. With over 15 years of experience at prominent companies like J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon, Nat tells us how he fell into a finance career after immigrating from Thailand, but ultimately rose through the ranks to become a VP, and eventually how he pivoted into tech. Nat also shares about his journey as a fellow cancer survivor, and how that experience shifted his prio...
2022-10-2525 min
Career SlayCreative Impact ft. Lane LoweDoes using creativity to impact social change sound inspiring? My next Career Slay guest, Lane Lowe, turns inspiration into action every single day. As a cofounder of Matterlab, Lane combines her marketing expertise and passion for educational equity to help leaders clarify their identities and communicate their impact.In this episode, we talk about how a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer experience inspired Lane to dedicate her career to social impact, her early years as a designer, and how she found her way to the classroom through Teach for America. Lane also tells us why she decided...
2022-10-1828 min