Advertise on podcast: Career Lunch Break

If you've ever thought "I could never do sales" — Nicolina Abruzzese thought the same thing. Then she became a senior account manager. In this episode, Eva sits down with her friend Nicolina — former special education teacher, former assistant principal, and now senior account manager at an ed tech company — for a conversation every educator thinking about something new needs to hear. They get into a lot: why Nicolina recommends exploring your options before you hit burnout, the teacher guilt that comes with leaving a career that feels like a calling, and why your classroom experience is actually your biggest asset in an ed tech sales role. They also break down the different types of sales roles, commission structures, what ed tech companies are really looking for, and why you should apply for the job even when you don't meet every requirement — because that's exactly how both of them got their jobs. Real talk, transferable skills, and the oxygen mask reminder every teacher needs to hear. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits.  🧡 CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR JOB SEARCH RESOURCES, EXECUTIVE COACHING, AND MORE: erinlewber.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes

Eva gets a lot of messages asking how she did it. This episode is her answer. In this solo episode, Eva Papacostas — career pivot coach at Erin Lewber Coaching and former teacher turned account manager — tells her full story and answers the questions she gets asked most about leaving the classroom. She gets into all of it: what her teaching experience was really like and when she knew it was time for something new, what the first phase of her job search looked like when she had no idea what she wanted and was applying with a teacher resume, and how everything changed once she got focused and targeted. She also gets into something a lot of teachers don't see coming — sales. Why she avoided it, every misconception she believed about it, and how she ended up in a sales role anyway. No fluff. No sugarcoating. Just the real talk every transitioning teacher needs to hear from someone who has been exactly where you are — and made it to the other side. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits.  🧡 CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR JOB SEARCH RESOURCES, EXECUTIVE COACHING, AND MORE: erinlewber.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes

In a sea of applicants, the people who stand out usually aren't doing anything magical. They're just doing it with intention. For our final week of reruns, we pulled three of our favorite conversations about differentiation — what hiring managers actually notice, how to show up with confidence, and how to make people remember you for the right reasons. This week's lineup includes Katy Stover Fox on what startups really look for when hiring, Basia Richard on dressing for impact and building a wardrobe that supports your confidence, and Chris Bogue on standing out with short-form video in your job search. New episodes are right around the corner — but this one's a great way to round things out. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits.  🧡 CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR JOB SEARCH RESOURCES, EXECUTIVE COACHING, AND MORE: erinlewber.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes

You're not the first person to wonder if a totally different career is possible. And these three guests are proof that it is. We're still on a short break from new episodes, but we pulled three of our favorite "how I broke into a new field" conversations to hold you over. This week's lineup includes Ben Erwin on his pivot from teaching to instructional design, Aaron Thompson on breaking into Customer Success with no traditional background, and Nathaniel Miller on making the leap into marketing and using what you already know to land something new. If you've been quietly wondering "could I actually do that?" — this one's your answer. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits.  🧡 CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR JOB SEARCH RESOURCES, EXECUTIVE COACHING, AND MORE: erinlewber.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes

Sometimes the best advice is worth hearing twice. We're taking a short break from new episodes, but we didn't want your lunch break to go without something good — so we pulled some of our favorite job search conversations from the archive. This week's lineup includes David Fano on why intentional effort beats keyword chasing every time, Brad Stair on building real confidence through the job search, Tim Slade on owning your story instead of faking it, David Hannan on building a job search that works with an ADHD brain instead of against it, and Richie Lampani's honest, no fluff recruiter advice. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just need a reset — this one's for you. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits.  🧡 CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR JOB SEARCH RESOURCES, EXECUTIVE COACHING, AND MORE: erinlewber.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes

Barbara Merola Pawar has never been afraid to ask for what she wants. And it has taken her everywhere. In this episode, Erin sits down with Barbara Merola Pawar — a leader with an impressive career spanning politics, sales, and beyond — for a conversation about what it really takes to build a career with intention. They get into a lot: how Barbara leveraged every role she's ever had to move into the next one, why career clarity and specificity in your job search changes everything, and how networking and telling people you're looking can open doors you didn't even know existed. They also get into what it means to be both a results leader and a people leader at the same time, the first team mentality, and how to pick yourself back up after one of the hardest lessons leadership has to teach you. Honest, strategic, and full of the kind of advice that makes you want to go reassess your superpowers. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits.  🧡 CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR JOB SEARCH RESOURCES, EXECUTIVE COACHING, AND MORE: erinlewber.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes

Some conversations don't need an agenda. They just need the right people and the right questions. In this episode, Erin sits down with Shane Arthur for round two — and this one goes deep. They get into the questions most people are quietly sitting with but not saying out loud. They get into a lot: how to weigh the pros and cons of staying vs. leaving a job, why an ending is often more of a beginning than it feels like in the moment, what security and stability are really costing you, and how to get comfortable asking for help instead of trying to figure everything out alone. They also get into something that doesn't get talked about enough — the difference between your digital community and your analog one, and why putting the phone down and being with your people might be the most important thing you do this year. This one is personal, relatable, and the kind of conversation that makes you want to call someone you love when it's over. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

Sixteen years. National board certified. A doctorate in progress. And still, Emily Tadepalli knew it was time to go. In this episode, Eva Papacostas sits down with Emily Tadepalli — former teacher turned Customer Experience Manager — for one of the most honest conversations about leaving teaching you'll hear. They get into a lot: what it actually felt like to leave the classroom mid-school year, the heaviness of walking away from a career that feels like a calling, and why teaching doesn't have to be your identity to still matter. They also get into the real timeline of a teacher job search, why your resume can't sound like a lesson plan, and what it's like to go from being an expert in your field to feeling like a total beginner all over again. This is the real, not sugar coated, motivational talk with your two BFFs that every transitioning teacher needs to hear. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

Some people come into your life and quietly raise the bar for everything. In this episode, Erin sits down with Martha Foreman — staffing company owner, former boss, and someone Erin considers a true north star in both life and leadership. They get into a lot: what made Martha walk away from a successful career to build something of her own, how she navigated launching a business right as a pandemic hit, and why she believes the secret to any great company starts and ends with people. They also get into something incredibly valuable for anyone in a job search right now — what the job market actually looks like from a hiring perspective, how staffing companies really work, and the honest truth about contract opportunities. Plus the kind of life and leadership wisdom that makes you want to take notes. Warm, wise, and exactly the kind of conversation that reminds you what really matters. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

Some pivots look easy from the outside. Alexa Hirschberg will be the first to tell you hers was not. In this episode, Eva Papacostas sits down with Alexa Hirschberg — pilates and yoga instructor, content creator, Reiki master, and someone who applied to 247 jobs before landing her full time role outside the classroom. They get into a lot: what it actually felt like to leave a job she loved, how she navigated anxiety throughout the process and in life, what surprised her most about corporate life, and how becoming a content creator helped her build confidence she didn't know she had. They also get into something a little unexpected — energy. How to protect it, how to stop other people's from dragging you down, and why becoming a safe space for others starts with taking care of yourself first. Real, refreshing, and the kind of conversation that makes the scary thing feel a little more possible. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

A conversation that feels like a coaching session… Erin sits down with Shane Arthur (her personal executive coach) for one of the most thoughtful conversations Career Lunch Break has ever had. They get into a lot: Shane's decision to walk away from a job he loved for 20 years to bet on himself as an executive coach, what it really means to lead with kindness without sacrificing results, the loneliness that comes with being in a leadership role, and how to stay grounded in your values when everything around you is shifting. Consider this your free coaching session. You're going to want to listen with something to write on. Genuine, warm, and the kind of conversation that makes you think differently about the leader you want to be. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

There are leaders who talk about authenticity. And then there are leaders who actually live it. Anne Barker is the second kind. In this episode, Erin sits down with Anne Barker, a sales executive in the procurement space and one of the most dynamic women in leadership you'll ever hear from. They get into a lot: Anne's winding career path from radio to TV to procurement, the moment she knew something had to change, how the relationships she's built throughout her career have become her greatest asset, and what it really means to show up as your authentic self in sales and leadership. They also get into something that doesn't get talked about enough — the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and why women in leadership need both. Genuine, grounded, and full of the kind of advice you'll want to write down. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

Tim Slade wrote the book on Instructional Design. Literally. In this episode, Erin sits down with Tim — Instructional Design expert, author, and one of her most trusted go-to resources for anyone curious about ID or L&D — for his second appearance on Career Lunch Break. They dig into a lot: what Instructional Design actually is and why it matters, how AI is reshaping the field and where the human touch becomes more important than ever, what teachers need to know about their identity when they make the leap into ID, and how to reframe your mindset when something successful runs its course and it's time for something new. Oh, and there's a giveaway for a signed copy of Tim's brand new book, The Instructional Design Handbook. You'll want to listen for that part. Honest, practical, and exactly the kind of conversation that makes your next step feel a little clearer. 📕 Pre-order Tim’s book here & use code ERINLEWBER for 10% off: https://bit.ly/4t3x4aI  ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

Some people want to climb the ladder. Abbey always knew that wasn't her thing. In this episode, Erin sits down with Abbey Vogt, the virtual assistant behind the scenes at Erin Lewber Coaching, for a conversation about what it takes to build a life on your own terms.  They get into a lot: her transition out of teaching and the tough decisions that came with it, what building a freelance business really looks like from the inside, how she thinks about boundaries, communication, and work life balance, and why designing a life you love sometimes means going against the grain. Real, refreshing, and a little bit rebellious. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/

You've heard her name. Now meet Eva. In this episode, Erin sits down with Eva Papacostas, career pivot coach on the Erin Lewber Coaching team, for a real introduction. They dig into: what Eva was like growing up and how much she's evolved, her own transition out of teaching and what that pivot actually looked like, how she thinks about coaching and supporting clients through career change, and her best advice for anyone navigating a tough job market right now. Genuine, grounded, and exactly who you want in your corner. ________________________________________________ Hi, I'm Erin. Career and executive coach for women, Head of Sales at Amazon, and someone who believes your career should support your life — not consume it. Whether you're figuring out your next pivot or navigating the pressures of leadership at a high level, this podcast is here to help you think clearer, move forward with confidence, and build something that actually fits. 🧡 📄 DOWNLOAD MY FREE RESUME & COVER LETTER TEMPLATE: https://erinlewber.com/free-template 🔧 BUILD A RESUME THAT GETS INTERVIEWS: https://www.erinlewber.com/blueprint 🔎 PIVOTING CAREERS? FIRST, FIND YOUR FOCUS ROLE: https://www.erinlewber.com/focusrolef... 💻 BOOK A COACHING CALL: https://calendly.com/erinlewber/1-hou... 🤝 CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlewber/