In today’s episode, Elena sits down with career strategist and HR expert Kate Sargent for a candid and practical conversation about navigating career transitions in today’s fast-changing world. With a wealth of experience ranging from high-level talent acquisition at top brands like Allbirds and The North Face to building her own thriving HR consulting business, Kate brings a truly real-world perspective to the challenges—and opportunities—of changing lanes, industries, or even striking out on your own.Together, they unpack essential strategies for anyone contemplating their next move: how to figure out what you want, how to keep your options open, and why everyone should always be “parallel pathing” their career. Kate shares her signature “bucketing exercise” for clarifying skills, demystifies the power (and pitfalls) of using AI tools like ChatGPT in the job search, and gives actionable networking tips—from making cold connections on LinkedIn to finding your “A-team” allies.If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just ready for a fresh start, you’ll walk away from this conversation with a toolkit of advice, a dose of motivation, and a reminder that community and generosity can be game-changers on your career journey. Stay tuned for real talk, practical tips, and inspiration to help you thrive in your work—and beyond.Time Stamps:00:00 From Law Aspirations to Talent Acquisition04:08 Guiding Career Transitions07:43 The Bucketing Exercise for Career Growth10:28 "Resume Overhaul Using AI"14:54 "Networking: Three Key Connection Types"18:46 LinkedIn Networking: Give Compliments First22:42 Follow-Up Wait Time: Three Weeks24:50 Networking: Engage, Connect, Practice29:01 Optimize LinkedIn for Quick Impressions30:05 Effective LinkedIn Profile Strategies33:46 Diversify Job Search Paths39:05 Generosity Flywheel: Collective Giving Movement42:08 Abundance Mindset Over Scarcity43:22 Supportive LinkedIn Consultations OfferedConnect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksarge/Visit website: https://kjs.consulting/Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wijIf you like this video, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Your support is extremely valued! #careercoaching #careertips #careerresilience #futureofwork #careerstrategy

On this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar Podcast, host Elena welcomes Catharine Montgomery, founder of Better Together Agency, for an unfiltered conversation about resilience, career pivots, and the ongoing challenges of building a purpose-driven business. Catharine opens up about her journey from growing up in Alabama, launching her career at large PR agencies, and pursuing her passion for social impact—all while navigating the harsh realities of workplace racism, toxic organizational cultures, and the unexpected pitfalls of working with investors.Catharine’s story is one of grit and reinvention: after experiencing blatant racism at a so-called progressive agency and successfully negotiating a buyout, she found herself at another crossroads when her business partners became obstacles rather than allies. Through each challenge, Catharine leaned on community, mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to using communications for social good. Together, Elena and Catharine unpack lessons learned about recognizing toxic work environments, the importance of knowing your worth, and staying grounded when starting over—sometimes more than once.Tune in for candid reflections, practical insights for founders (especially those working with investors), and real talk about resilience, authenticity, and the power of building a business that stays true to its mission. Whether you’re navigating your own career transitions or simply looking for inspiration, this episode will remind you that your story—and your impact—aren’t defined by your setbacks, but by how you choose to rebuild and move forward.Time stamps:00:00 "Agency Career Journey Shift"05:26 Starting a Social Impact Agency09:23 "Quitting Better Together"12:17 Realizing Microaggressions and Racism13:30 HR Challenges in Addressing Racism17:40 Structural Racism Needs Addressing21:41 "Diversity Misunderstood in Slack"25:17 Investor Decisions and Due Diligence26:25 "Stay Involved in Business Finances"30:09 Building Awareness for Community Impact33:31 "Reflecting on Starting the Agency"36:18 Reflecting on Entrepreneurial Beginnings39:26 Embracing Change and AI GrowthConnect with Catharine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnmontgomery/Website: https://thebettertogetheragency.com/Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wijIf you like this video, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Your support is extremely valued! #careercoaching #careertips #careerresilience #futureofwork #careerstrategy

Welcome back to the Shift with Elena Agar Podcast! In this episode, Elena sits down with trailblazing executive Jennifer Langton, known for her remarkable career spanning finance, technology, and sports leadership—including 14 years at the NFL.Jennifer opens up about her unconventional journey, from being the only girl on an all-boys lacrosse team to breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. She shares invaluable career advice, lessons from the field that shaped her leadership style, and behind-the-scenes stories of driving transformative innovation in high-stakes environments. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, navigating the tech world, or simply looking for inspiration to own your story and ambition, Jennifer’s candid insights and practical strategies deliver a playbook for growth, resilience, and authentic connection. Get ready for a conversation packed with wisdom, real talk, and empowering takeaways!Time stamps:00:00 Connecting Through Data and Authenticity03:58 From Atari to NFL Strategy08:48 Transforming Youth Sports Safety Strategies13:55 Business School Inspired Leadership Journey16:01 "Authentic Connection Fuels Team Success"18:38 Financial Strategy: Lessons from Sports24:48 Building Trust Eases Change Fears28:19 Digital Athlete Data Management30:22 Building Trust through Authentic Leadership34:46 "Sports Roots to Safety Leadership"38:20 "Breaking Barriers Through Youth Sports"41:33 Building Trust Through Authentic Connection44:32 "Post-NFL Journey: Inspiring Change"48:25 Facing Giants: A Defining Moment50:12 "Breaking Barriers in Boys' Sports"52:32 Impactful Presentations Across Audiences56:16 "Impact Through Authentic Connection"Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlangton/Website: https://jenniferlangtoninc.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenny_langton/#Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wijIf you like this video, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Your support is extremely valued! #careercoaching #careertips #careerresilience #futureofwork #careerstrategy