Leading Up: The Work Shift
Business & Economics Podcasts
Shift happens. This podcast can help. Layoffs can leave you scrambling for what’s next. Company priorities can switch at the speed of light. Promotions can feel out of reach. Or perhaps you’re starting a new venture. For better or worse, our work...
Location:
United States
Description:
Shift happens. This podcast can help. Layoffs can leave you scrambling for what’s next. Company priorities can switch at the speed of light. Promotions can feel out of reach. Or perhaps you’re starting a new venture. For better or worse, our work lives are constantly changing. How do we forge our career path through this ever changing landscape? Leading Up: The Work Shift is the compass that will guide you back to your career values, goals, and vision. If you’re feeling lost, you're not alone. Host Elizabeth Weingarten talks to executives, entrepreneurs, and Udemy instructors who have survived layoffs and career uncertainty. We ask how to rebound after getting fired, what blocks talented individuals from getting promotions, and how to build a career that makes you proud. Elizabeth is a journalist, applied behavioral scientist, and author of the book “How to Fall in Love with Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.” Elizabeth is the Director of Thought Leadership for Udemy, and your guide through whatever shifts are happening in your world of work. We all deserve to thrive in our careers, even when we’re not sure what’s next. Whether you're stuck in a job that's crushing your soul, facing an unexpected layoff, or ready to make a bold move but don't know where to start, your next chapter starts now. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Production by Pod People
Language:
English
Episodes
Meg Josephson: The Psychology of People Pleasing and What It Costs You
3/10/2026
What if the habit that's made you successful is also holding you back? Meg Josephson, therapist and author of the New York Times bestseller Are You Mad at Me?, joins Elizabeth Weingarten to break down the psychology of people pleasing and its hidden cost on leadership. Drawing on her research and clinical work, Meg explains the "fawn response," the lesser-known survival mechanism that drives us to appease rather than assert, and why high achievers are especially susceptible. People pleasing erodes trust, keeps relationships shallow, and quietly undermines your authority — and Meg explains what to do about it. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Subscribe to our Substack. If you’re trying to skill up, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Leading Up: The Work Shift is produced by Udemy in partnership with Pod People.
Duration:00:44:53
"I Don't Know" Is Actually Knowing: Top Leaders on Career Uncertainty
2/17/2026
More than half of Americans say job insecurity is crushing them with stress. So how do some people look like they've always had it figured out? Spoiler: they haven't. Host Elizabeth Weingarten traveled to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland to pull aside C-Suite leaders, entrepreneurs, and founders from companies like BetterUp, Zoom, Bain & Company, and more to talk about the moments when work inexplicably shifts—the layoffs, the pivots, the feeling of being completely stuck. From Dr. Becky Kennedy discovering that admitting "I don't know" was actually the path to knowing herself, to Ray Wang's father asking him "what are you worth?" before he started his own company, to Josh Kallmer's "happiness matrix" that pulled him out of his darkest professional period, these leaders show that navigating uncertainty is what makes great leaders. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. If you’re trying to skill up, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Subscribe to our Substack: workshifthappens.substack.com Leading Up: The Work Shift is produced by Udemy in partnership with Pod People.
Duration:00:29:01
Deborah Grayson Riegel: How to Lose Your Fear and Find Your Voice
2/3/2026
In a world of consistent career pivots and shifts, mastering how you show up and speak up isn’t optional—it can be your superpower. So how do you go from nervous novice to powerhouse presenter? Host Elizabeth Weingarten sits down with Deborah Grayson Riegel to reveal the secrets from her 30 years as an international keynote speaker. As a corporate trainer and instructor at top business schools like Duke Fuqua, Wharton, and Columbia, Deborah coached thousands to communicate with polish, professionalism, and authentic power. In this episode, we unpack her battle-tested tools for conquering public speaking fears, crafting messages that stick, and using presentation skills to accelerate career shifts—whether you’re pitching for a promotion, negotiating a raise, or rebounding after a layoff. If you’re ready to start leading the conversation, this episode is your script. Subscribe to Leading Up: The Work Shift on YouTube. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Subscribe to our Substack. For courses from Deborah Grayson Riegel, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Leading Up: The Work Shift is produced by Udemy in partnership with Pod People.
Duration:00:34:03
Lorraine K. Lee: How to Go From Passed Over to Promoted
1/20/2026
Doing great work isn't enough to get promoted. You need presence. In this episode, Lorraine K. Lee, author of Unforgettable Presence and former LinkedIn editor, shares why she stayed stuck at the same level for six years despite working hard and being well-liked. She explains the 80/20 rule of career advancement, how to optimize your video presence with the TEAM method, and why introverts have hidden superpowers in the workplace. Host Elizabeth Weingarten helps you learn actionable strategies for standing out in virtual meetings, networking without feeling transactional, and building a LinkedIn presence that opens doors. Plus: the feedback questions that actually get you useful answers, and why small talk might be your secret weapon. Subscribe to Leading Up: The Work Shift on YouTube. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Subscribe to our Substack. If your new year’s goals include learning a new skill, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Leading Up: The Work Shift is produced by Udemy in partnership with Pod People.
Duration:00:44:07
Ahyiana Angel: The Art of the Career Pivot
1/8/2026
How do we know when it’s time to leave a job? Or completely reinvent your career? In this episode, we explore what it really takes to make a major career change, and the fear that comes with stepping into the unknown. Ahyiana Angel, former NBA publicist turned published author and host of the hit podcast Switch, Pivot or Quit, shares her journey from sports PR to entrepreneurship. We’ll hear the moment she knew it was time to pivot, how she navigated shifting industries, and what lessons helped her find her footing lessons she learned along the way. She shares what it takes to navigate uncertainty, find clarity and take your next step with confidence. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. If you’re trying to skill up, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Subscribe to our Substack: workshifthappens.substack.com Production by Pod People
Duration:00:30:47
Indeed CMO James Whitemore: How to Stand Out in the Job Hunt
12/16/2025
James Whitemore, Chief Marketing Officer at Indeed, shares insights from billions of job searches on how to navigate career transitions in today's challenging market. He discusses the power of reframing your skills, why focus beats quantity in job applications, and how to discover non-obvious career paths that match your experience. James also reveals the mindset shifts that matter most after a layoff, why sales roles can be strategic career moves, and how to build a profile that shows adaptability and lifelong learning: the qualities employers value most. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Subscribe to our Substack . If you’re trying to skill up to land a new job, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Production by Pod People
Duration:00:38:25
Zak Brown: F1 Racing, Leading Under Pressure, and Split-Second Decisions
12/9/2025
How do you make a quick decision when the stakes are high? Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, shares hard-won lessons from his journey from professional driver to marketing entrepreneur to Formula One executive. Zak reveals why asking questions matters more than having all the answers, how he learned to control emotional reactions that could have derailed his racing career, and what Formula One can teach anyone about decision-making under pressure. He discusses the parallels between driving at 200mph and leading 1,400 people, why sleep and attention to detail are underrated skills, and how embracing failure accelerates learning. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. If you’re trying to skill up, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Subscribe to our Substack: workshifthappens.substack.com Learn more about Zak’s new book: Seven Tenths of a Second: Life, Leadership and Formula 1 Production by Pod People
Duration:00:23:28
Rebecca Stern: How to Turn AI Into Your Career Coach
11/18/2025
From being laid off to spinning your wheels in a position with no momentum, getting to the next step in your career can take a lot of energy. And resources, too, if you decide to hire a career coach. This week’s guest has been focused on building a learning culture wherever she goes, and as the Senior Director of Leadership Development at Udemy, Rebecca Stern has applicable ideas on how to use AI as a thought partner to assist you in achieving your goals.This episode covers how human coaching can be inaccessible and how AI models can serve the same purpose, from identifying and contextualizing your career strengths and areas for improvement to facilitating learning through small experiments or tests of a new skill. Turning the page to the next chapter in your career will take a bit of planning. This episode will leave you with small, actionable steps to regain your confidence and find the motivation within. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Subscribe to our Substack . If you’re trying to skill up, head to Udemy.com Use code SHIFT25 for 20 percent off your first month on Udemy and turn today's inspiration into actual progress. Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Production by Pod People
Duration:00:28:37
Pat Flynn: Another Podcast Won’t Help You Take Action (But this one might)
11/12/2025
We live in an age of endless information – books, courses, and even podcasts like this one offer inspiration, success stories, and countless ideas to pursue. But this presents a paradox: the more information we learn, the less we accomplish. In this week’s episode, Pat Flynn teaches us how to break free from the trap of endless planning without action. Pat Flynn is the founder of Smart Passive Income and best selling author of Lean Learning: Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Subscribe to our Substack . Use code SHIFT25 for 20 percent off your first month on Udemy and turn today's inspiration into actual progress. If you’re trying to skill up after a layoff, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Production by Pod People
Duration:00:30:14
I survived 11 layoffs: How to Rebuild After Loss
10/28/2025
40 percent of Americans are laid off or fired at least once in their career. Half of working Americans are anxious about layoffs. This week's guest has faced eleven layoffs and come out stronger each time. Host Elizabeth Weingarten explores what it really takes to survive repeated layoffs, reinvent yourself again and again, and find purpose in the middle of constant professional uncertainty. Krista Chism, Udemy's SEO Director, shares her hard-won wisdom on separating your identity from your job, building community during unemployment, creating structure in chaos, and even finding unexpected gifts in career setbacks. Whether you're facing a layoff now or want to prepare for the future, this conversation offers practical strategies and emotional resilience tools for navigating one of work's most challenging transitions. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Use code SHIFT25 for 20 percent off your first month on Udemy and turn today's inspiration into actual progress. If you’re trying to skill up after a layoff, head to Udemy.com Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Production by Pod People
Duration:00:30:35
Dorie Clark: Reinvent Your Career (Without the Risk)
10/14/2025
If you feel like you’re flailing in your career, listen to this. Career reinvention expert Dorie Clark reveals why the "leap and the net will appear" advice is terrible and shares her proven framework for strategic career pivots that work over the long term. Podcast host, author, and Udemy Editorial Director Elizabeth Weingarten breaks down what you need to know to turn career "flailing" into intentional moves. This episode covers how the best reinventions happen gradually, how to craft a compelling narrative that connects your past to your future, and why networking when you don't need anything is the secret to long-term success. Plus, how you can get around AI resume screeners when you have taken an untraditional path. Whether you're recently laid off, feeling stuck, or sensing there's something bigger out there for you, this conversation provides the roadmap to reinvent yourself strategically while keeping the big picture in mind. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen. New episodes drop Tuesdays. For courses from Dorie Clark, head to https://Udemy.com/user/dorieclark Use code SHIFT25 for 20 percent off your first month on Udemy and turn today's inspiration into actual progress. Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Production by Pod People
Duration:00:39:22
Introducing: The Work Shift
10/7/2025
Leading Up: The Work Shift is your compass that guides you back to your career values, goals, and vision. If you’re feeling lost, you're not alone. Host Elizabeth Weingarten talks to executives, entrepreneurs, and Udemy instructors who have survived layoffs and career uncertainty. We ask how to rebound after getting fired, what blocks talented individuals from getting promotions, and how to build a career that makes you proud. Elizabeth is a journalist, applied behavioral scientist, and author of the book “How to Fall in Love with Questions: A New Way to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.” Elizabeth is the Director of Thought Leadership for Udemy, and your guide through whatever shifts are happening in your world of work. Follow Leading Up: The Work Shift on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube. New episodes drop Tuesdays. Find out more about Leading Up: The Work Shift at business.udemy.com/leading-up-podcast Production by Pod People
Duration:00:01:55
Building a Skills-Based Organization with Paul Kent
10/23/2024
In this special mini-episode of Leading Up, host Kelly Schwarze highlights key takeaways from the Udemy Forward 2024 virtual event. This episode features advice from Paul Kent, the senior L&D manager at PepsiCo, about how best to leverage skills-based practices to boost employee performance, engagement, and retention. Paul also emphasizes the importance of developing core skills, the impact of setting on learning retention, and how AI and human intelligence can be paired for maximum productivity and success. Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:11:06
Leadership Lessons from Fortune 500 Executives
10/16/2024
In this special best-of episode of Leading Up with Udemy, Kelly Schwarze, senior digital marketing manager at Udemy, revisits powerful leadership lessons from the past seven seasons. Hear from former Charles Schwab CEO Dave Pottruck on the importance of humility and emotional intelligence when leading from the middle, Starbucks Head of Learning Brandon Carson on building a strong company culture through trust and continuous learning, and Merck CLO Johann Laville on why great leaders are lifelong learners. Whether you're an emerging or seasoned leader, this episode offers valuable insights to help you grow and lead with impact. FULL EPISODES: Leading From the Middle: Featuring Dave Pottruck, former CEO of Charles Schwab How Company Culture Impacts Every Team Member: Featuring Brandon Carson, VP of Learning, Starbucks Why Strong Leaders Are Strong Learners: Featuring Johann Laville, Chief Learning Officer, Merck Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:19:53
From Newsrooms to Boardrooms: Alan Murray's Leadership Insights
9/18/2024
Alan Todd sits down with Alan Murray, President of the Dow Jones Leadership Institute and former CEO of Fortune Magazine. Murray shares his journey from a young journalism enthusiast to a leader in the media industry, offering insights on adapting to technological disruption and the evolving role of business in society. He also discusses the challenges facing journalism today and the importance of integrity in leadership. Tune in to learn how to navigate change and lead with purpose in an ever-changing world. Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:33:31
Neurodiversity at Work: Strategies for Inclusive Leadership
9/11/2024
Alan Todd speaks with Jessica Michaels, an award-winning speaker and expert in leadership development. After discovering in her thirties that she has autism and ADHD, Jessica became an advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. She shares practical insights on how leaders can create more inclusive environments that unlock the potential of neurodivergent employees. With humor and directness, Jessica explains how embracing diverse ways of thinking can lead to more innovative and effective teams. Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:31:04
From Dumpster Fires to Dream Workplaces
9/4/2024
Alan Todd sits down with Hebba Youssef, creator of the popular HR newsletter I Hate It Here and Chief People Officer at Workweek. With over 130,000 subscribers, Heba's newsletter provides candid insights and advice for HR professionals looking to build workplaces that people love. In this conversation, Heba shares her human-centered approach to leadership, offering fresh perspectives on the future of work, building trust, and leading with empathy. Tune in for practical ideas on how to create a more engaging and people-focused work environment. Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:34:46
Empowering Women of Color in the Workplace with Cynthia Pong
8/28/2024
Join Alan Todd as he sits down with Cynthia Pong, founder and CEO of Embrace Change, a firm dedicated to helping women of color achieve their career goals. Cynthia shares her innovative concept of "career insurance" — steps to ensure long-term career success. They discuss her transition from law to career coaching, strategies for career advancement for women of color, and overcoming systemic marginalization. Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:31:32
Cultivating Gen Z Success with Human-Centered Leadership
8/21/2024
Alan Todd sits down with David Yeager, Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, and Stefani Okamoto, Director of Manager Excellence at ServiceNow. They discuss debunking negative stereotypes about Gen Z, introducing the mentor mindset in leadership, and exploring practical insights from David's book, 10 to 25. Learn how to foster growth, support potential, and apply cutting-edge developmental psychology to inspire emerging leaders. Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:29:52
Navigating Generational Dynamics in Work and Life
8/14/2024
Alan Todd as he sits down with Sophie Riegel, a best-selling author, speaker, coach, and mental health advocate. Sophie shares her journey as a young mental health advocate, strategies for optimizing intergenerational relationships, tips for talking about mental health with young people, and how to offer, ask for, and accept help. They also discuss the impact of generational dynamics in the workplace and at home. Learn more about Udemy Business at https://bit.ly/udemy-podcast.
Duration:00:30:12