Leading Up: The Work Shift
Udemy | Pod People
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
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
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 28, 2025 • 31min
I survived 11 layoffs: How to Rebuild After Loss
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
Oct 14, 2025 • 39min
Dorie Clark: Reinvent Your Career (Without the Risk)
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
Oct 7, 2025 • 2min
Introducing: The Work Shift
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
Oct 23, 2024 • 11min
Building a Skills-Based Organization with Paul Kent
In this discussion, Paul Kent, Senior L&D Manager at PepsiCo, reveals how skills-based practices can elevate employee performance and engagement. He stresses the need for core skills like digital fluency and resilience amidst rapid changes in the workplace. Paul also highlights the effectiveness of cohort learning, fostering communities that support education. Furthermore, he delves into the synergy between AI and human intelligence, showcasing innovative ways these technologies can enhance collaboration and productivity for organizational success.
Oct 16, 2024 • 20min
Leadership Lessons from Fortune 500 Executives
Join former Charles Schwab CEO Dave Pottruck as he shares his wisdom on humility and patience in leadership. He emphasizes leading from the middle, where collaboration thrives and team insights are valued. The discussion also highlights the importance of building a strong learning culture, fostering trust, and nurturing continuous leadership growth. Pottruck’s insights illuminate how effective leaders embrace diversity and prioritize self-awareness to enhance decision-making. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone looking to lead with impact.
Sep 18, 2024 • 34min
From Newsrooms to Boardrooms: Alan Murray's Leadership Insights
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.
Sep 11, 2024 • 31min
Neurodiversity at Work: Strategies for Inclusive Leadership
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.
Sep 4, 2024 • 35min
From Dumpster Fires to Dream Workplaces
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.
Aug 28, 2024 • 32min
Empowering Women of Color in the Workplace with Cynthia Pong
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.
Aug 21, 2024 • 30min
Cultivating Gen Z Success with Human-Centered Leadership
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.
