Moonshot Mentor with Laverne McKinnon

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comStruggling with a stalled dream or delayed career goal? This post explores the emotional toll of unmet timelines, why grief can show up even when your dream is still alive, and how to process frustration, sadness, and stuckness with clarity and intention. Learn how to mourn outdated beliefs, reconnect with your purpose, and take meaningful steps forward—even when the path feels uncertain.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comAt some point, most of us hit a stretch in our career where grit and solo problem-solving just aren’t enough.If you’re anything like me, you’ve read the books. Listened to the podcasts. Whiteboarded the options. But the clarity, direction, or momentum still feels out of reach.That’s when support—the right kind of support—can change everything.But not all help is created equal.Sometimes you need a coach to help you hear your own voice again.Sometimes you need a mentor who’s walked the path and can point out the pitfalls.Sometimes you need a consultant who can cut through complexity and offer a plan.👉 In this week’s blog podcast, I break down the difference between each—and how to know what you actually need.You’ll also find the exact questions I recommend asking before hiring someone, and how I wear all three hats as a career strategist (depending on what the moment calls for).If you’re navigating a turning point—career grief, a leap into leadership, or a shift in what success means to you—this might help you figure out what kind of support will truly move the needle.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comI’ve always loved working hard. But lately, I’ve started questioning whether the way I work is actually working for me. I explore the difference between ambition and workaholism and three strategies I’m testing to shift my relationship with productivity, purpose, and rest.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comIf procrastination has ever made you clean out closets, reorganize junk drawers, or (in my case) manually express your dog’s anal glands instead of working on something important—this week's post is for you. 😉 We’re taught that procrastination is a time management issue. That if we just had better systems or more discipline, we could power through.If you've been stuck, stalled, or feeling bad about it—you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comI didn’t go to Japan to think about work.I went for the cherry blossoms, the food, the castles—and to have the trip of a lifetime with my brother and eldest daughter.But somewhere between getting lost in the Shinjuku train station and noticing the very cool rituals of everyday life, I started thinking differently about career strategy.One thing that really stuck with me? You are responsible for your own trash. (Literally. There are no public trash cans. You carry it home because it's yours.) It made me think: how often do we expect our workplace to clean up emotions that are actually ours to manage?This week on Substack, I’m sharing five everyday lessons from Japan that made me rethink how we show up at work—and what real fulfillment looks like.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comAre Your Gremlins Lying to You? 👹You know that voice—the one that whispers (or shouts) that you’re not good enough, that you’ll never recover from a career setback, that maybe it was all your fault.That’s not the truth. That’s grief talking. And the longer we let those gremlins run wild, the more they shape how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible.I’m breaking down why career grief invites self-doubt, how to separate fact from fear, and what you can do to rewrite the story in your head.💡 If your gremlins have been running the show, this one’s for you.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comWhy do I keep starting over?New job. New project. New industry. The thrill of something fresh is exciting—until stress kicks in, and suddenly, you're back to square one.If you’ve ever wondered why you keep pivoting but never feel like you’re thriving, you’re not alone. Many professionals get stuck in sprouting mode—constantly starting but never fully growing into their potential.This week on Substack, I’m diving into: ✅ The hidden role stress plays in keeping you stuck ✅ How to know if you’re exploring or avoiding discomfort ✅ The key mindset shifts to finally blossom in your careerIf you’re tired of the cycle of starting over, this one's for you.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comWhy does your career setback still bother you?You tell yourself you should be over it. Maybe it was a layoff, a promotion that never happened, or a career path that didn’t unfold the way you planned. On the surface, you’re moving forward—applying for jobs, updating LinkedIn, considering new opportunities.But inside? Something still feels...off.That lingering frustration, self-doubt, or exhaustion? It’s not just stress. It’s grief. Career grief is real, and when it goes unprocessed, it can keep you feeling stuck—unable to fully reclaim your motivation or confidence.In my latest podcast/post, I break down why career grief lingers, how it impacts your ability to move forward, and a simple framework to help you work through it. Plus, I’m launching a 5-part workshop series to guide you through the process - free for paid Moonshot Mentor Subscribers.If your career loss still weighs on you, this might be what you need.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comLately, something feels off. The skills that once set you apart don’t seem as valuable. Job descriptions read like they’re written for someone else. Conversations about AI and automation make you wonder if your experience still holds weight. Maybe you were laid off, or maybe you’re just sensing a shift—a quiet but growing fear that the career you worked so hard to build is slipping out of your grasp.This isn’t just professional uncertainty—it’s FOBO, the fear of being obsolete. And it’s not just about staying relevant in a changing job market. It’s about identity, about mourning the version of yourself that once felt secure, capable, and needed.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comYou know when you’re going through something tough, and someone says, ‘Time heals all wounds’? Yeah… grief doesn’t exactly work that way. If you’ve ever wondered why grief lingers or if you should have ‘moved on’ by now, you’re in good company.So many people think that grief has a timeline, but it doesn’t. One of my subscribers, Dennis, sent in thoughtful questions about grief, and I think they’ll resonate with so many of you.In today’s post, I’m answering:✅ Does grief ever truly end, or do you just learn to live with it?✅ Should you grieve alone, or does it help to include others?✅ Why do some losses hit harder than others?✅ Can grief really make it hard to function, or is that just in movies?If any of these questions have ever crossed your mind, keep reading. And if you have your own, drop a comment or DM me—I’d love to answer them in a future post. I’m offering The Career Grief Compass: 5-Part Workshop Series—an interactive space to process career grief and regain clarity after professional loss. Using the PHOENIX Framework, we’ll explore what’s been lost, reframe setbacks, and take small, intentional steps forward. Each session combines reflection, practical tools, and live discussion to help you move from uncertainty to renewed confidence.This workshop series is exclusively for paid subscribers ($5/month or $50/year). As a paid subscriber, you’ll also get access to:✔️ Co-working sessions to stay accountable and make progress ✔️ Exclusive guided meditations to navigate career grief and transitionsExclusive journal prompts for every blog ✔️ A supportive community of professionals redefining success on their termsThe first session kicks off on Tuesday, April 29, at 3:30 PM PST, with sessions every other Tuesday through June 17. Registration details will be sent out soon to paid subscribers.If you’re ready to move from stuck to empowered, I’d love to see you there. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.