Your Employment Matters with Beverly Williams

In this solo update episode, host Beverly Williams reconnects with her audience to share important updates about the show, insights into current employment challenges, and a powerful message of resilience and collaboration.  As she prepares to relaunch Your Employment Matters across YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and her website, Beverly emphasizes her ongoing commitment to providing meaningful guidance to job seekers, workers navigating change, and anyone invested in professional growth. Key Points The podcast is transitioning to YouTube, and over 100 existing episodes are being prepared for the platform. New content will return after the first of the year, and the show will continue to be available on Apple Podcasts and youremploymentmatters.com Employment remains a critical, ever-evolving issue, and Beverly is committed to offering personal perspective along with insights from guests who have valuable employment journeys and lessons to share. A new collaborative project is underway, involving people of different ages, backgrounds, and work experiences—all contributing to create meaningful employment-related resources. Collaboration is essential, and Beverly highlights the “three Cs” that make it effective: Communication, Coordination, and Cooperation. She encourages listeners to be intentional about who they work with and to cultivate a personal brand rooted in reliability, punctuality, and integrity. Everyone has value, and listeners are reminded to acknowledge those who help them, stay curious, and build relationships that expand their knowledge and opportunities. Practical encouragement for job seekers: While job loss is painful, your skills, talent, education, and knowledge remain yours. Beverly urges listeners to consider marketable skills, skilled trades, and fields less likely to be displaced by AI as viable, rewarding career paths. Beverly closes with a heartfelt reminder that while the job market may shift, your inherent value and ability to grow never changes. As Your Employment Matters enters its next chapter, she encourages listeners to stay connected, stay hopeful, and stay proactive. Her message is clear: with the right mindset, collaboration, and personal accountability, new doors will always open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly Williams sits down with Seth Kellogg, a trailblazing senior principal geologist and President-elect of the National Groundwater Association (the first woman in its 75-year history to hold the title). Their conversation covers a rich range of topics from career evolution to mentorship, networking, and leadership. Key Takeaways: From Law to Geology: Seth originally pursued environmental law but pivoted to geology after an internship revealed more hands-on opportunities (and better pay) for geologists. Her curiosity and love for problem-solving helped her embrace a career in environmental consulting. Persistence Pays: Seth’s first major opportunity came through consistent follow-up. She called every two weeks until she was hired for an internship—an early lesson in tenacity and self-advocacy. Making History: Seth will soon become the first female President of the National Groundwater Association, a reflection of her dedication, leadership, and willingness to say “yes” even when she wasn’t sure she was fully qualified. Networking as an Introvert: Though she identifies as an introvert, Seth has developed strategies to network effectively—setting small goals (like connecting with three new people at events) and emphasizing authentic listening as her superpower. Leadership Wisdom: Seth shared practical advice on fostering better communication in teams. If no one asks questions in a meeting, she makes it a point to follow up individually—a hallmark of inclusive, engaged leadership. Advice for Job Seekers: Be persistent but polite in your follow-ups. Send thank-you notes (especially handwritten ones) to stand out. Reflect during career gaps: Unemployment can be an opportunity to realign with your values and identify the next right fit. Focus on relationship-building as a career strategy—not just during job searches. Soft Skills Still Matter: From firm handshakes to showing genuine interest in others, Beverly and Seth emphasize the enduring power of good manners, respect, and thoughtful interaction. This inspiring, practical conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating career transitions, considering STEM paths, or simply looking to grow as a leader and communicator. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly Williams hosts a dynamic and honest conversation with three labor attorneys from Selikoff & Cohen: Elizabeth Pudel, Daniel Dowdy, and Hop Wechsler. explore the realities of labor law, the future of work, and why community, advocacy, and adaptability matter more than ever. Here are the top takeaways from this insightful discussion: There’s No One-Path Career JourneyEach guest shared their unique path to labor law, from academia and publishing to bartending and temp work, highlighting how real-world experience shaped their perspectives and fueled their passion for workers’ rights. Labor Law Is Personal and PowerfulWhether dealing with reductions in force (RIF), unemployment, or workplace discrimination, the attorneys stressed that labor law is rooted in real people’s lives. Public sector unions, in particular, are vital to protecting essential workers and ensuring fair treatment. The Future of Work Is Uncertain but Unions Are a ConstantAI and automation were hot topics, with all guests agreeing that while technology may change industries, labor power and union advocacy remain key to ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of worker dignity and livelihoods. Union Jobs = Tangible BenefitsUnionized workers earn higher wages, have better benefits, and enjoy stronger job protections. Data from the Department of Treasury and Bureau of Labor Statistics backs this up with unions helping to close the racial wealth and gender wage gaps. Adaptability, Curiosity, and Community Are EssentialBeverly and her guests agreed that finding your professional path often comes through trial, error, and connection. Building relationships, especially across different backgrounds can open unexpected doors and provide support when you need it most. Final Words of Advice: Tap into your community. Collective power starts with connection. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring episode, Tom Lenoble, host of the Opening Pathways podcast, sits down with Beverly Williams, employment attorney, author of Your GPS to Employment Success, and founder of Your Employment Matters, and Parthenon Enterprises, Inc. to talk about the winding roads of career, purpose, and perseverance. Beverly shares her deeply personal journey from employment law to empowering job seekers and future leaders through her books, speeches, training programs, and mentorship. Key Takeaways: Inspired by the Great Recession: Beverly felt called to help others after witnessing widespread unemployment in 2008–09. Her varied career in law, HR, and corporate leadership gave her the tools to assist others. Writing the Book Was a Calling: A moment of clarity led her to start writing Your GPS to Employment Success to help people navigate employment challenges. The Power of Perspective: Beverly emphasizes the emotional toll of job loss and the societal pressure on people, especially men, to be providers. Her empathy is rooted in her father’s example and her passion for service. Turning Point Moment: Clerking for the Chief Justice of her state’s highest court was a major milestone that affirmed her path, though she initially resisted applying for the role. Mental Health Matters: Beverly openly shares her grief over a friend’s suicide and stresses the importance of emotional resilience when searching for employment. Her Greatest Pride: The influence she’s had on young people, mentoring, guiding, and affirming their worth stands out as her proudest contribution. Tough Love and Straight Talk: She’s a truth-teller who believes in telling people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Next Big Thing: Beverly is building a new media platform that merges employment insight with storytelling, and she’s already planning her next book based on her Your Employment Matters podcast interviews. A Hopeful Vision: She believes in the power of learning, the value of trade skills as much as college degrees, and the importance of people knowing their worth—regardless of title or background. Beverly is passionate about helping people discover their best career path. She wants to educate and empower workers at any stage of their career about ways they can be proactive and engaged and achieve success on their employment journey. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book:⁠ Your GPS to Employment Success⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Your Employment Matters, host Beverly Williams speaks with Ann Mracek, an author, musician, performer, and content creator whose life is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and creative purpose. Ann’s story is anything but traditional. Once a piano prodigy preparing to debut with a symphony at 16, her career trajectory was suddenly and violently altered by a devastating car accident that crushed her top vertebra. Told she might be paralyzed, Ann chose a different path, one of relentless healing, visualization, and personal strength. Just two years later, she was singing and dancing on stage at Six Flags. That remarkable comeback became a pattern. Throughout her career, Ann has consistently adapted, reinvented, and created opportunities from scratch. Her journey includes: Turning talent into entrepreneurship—from teaching piano as a teen to launching a music studio, dance troupe, and later, interactive children’s theater productions. Using trauma as creative fuel—her book Unpacking the Attic: A Path to Healing Your Inner Child explores childhood pain and healing through memory, reflection, and forgiveness. Building a YouTube channel with global impact—My Best Friends Live in the Woods blends storytelling, original music, and mindfulness teachings for both kids and adults, now with over 160,000 subscribers. Creating every job she's ever held—except for one early performance job, Ann has imagined, launched, and built each opportunity she’s pursued, often combining her creative talents with business savvy. Central to Ann’s philosophy is a commitment to service and collaboration. “Be of service,” she emphasizes in the conversation. “Always offer what you have, your talents, your energy, your time. The return will be far greater than the gift.” Ann’s journey reminds listeners that success isn’t limited by setbacks. Rather, it’s defined by how one responds to them. From injury and loss to new ventures and renewed purpose, she continues to inspire by living a life rooted in passion, persistence, and generosity. For anyone navigating a career crossroads, Ann Mracek’s story is a compelling reminder: reinvention is possible, creativity is powerful, and joy is worth pursuing. Ann’s Book: Unpacking the Attic: A Path to Healing Your Inner Child Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book:⁠ Your GPS to Employment Success⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices