{"podcast":{"title":"Looking Forward Our Way","slug":"looking-forward-our-way-1114795","podcast_index_feed_id":1114795,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/looking-forward-our-way/","website_url":"https://lookingforwardourway.com","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/2bdd2231-7f0c-46ac-b0b5-789b795a439f/3000x3000-speech-bubble.jpeg","author":"Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson","episode_count":161,"summary":"We feature expert guests who provide real-world insights, inspiration, and resources, making each episode a valuable touchpoint for adults. You can expect to hear us discuss a wide range of topics, including employment and entrepreneurship, financial advice, legal issues, technology, healthy living, housing, and much more. New episodes are released twice a month. You can also sign up for our free newsletter, access additional resources, or contact the hosts directly at hello@lookingforwardourway.com. If you’re interested in joining a supportive community, learning from experts, and staying ahead of important trends and issues, tune in and subscribe today! The podcast is co-hosted by veteran and award-winning podcasters Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson.","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/looking-forward-our-way-1114795"},"episode":{"title":"Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Career Growth with Ken Lazar","slug":"overcoming-self-doubt-and-embracing-career-growth-with-ken-lazar","published_at":"2026-04-20T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/looking-forward-our-way-1114795/overcoming-self-doubt-and-embracing-career-growth-with-ken-lazar","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/looking-forward-our-way-1114795","url":"https://lookingforwardourway.com","audio_url":"https://op3.dev/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/bb137c9c-b991-4a73-a063-bd0451bde209.mp3","summary":"Hear insights that will help you navigate the ups and downs of your professional life, strengthen your self-confidence, and embrace the winding paths your career might take. Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca are joined by Ken Lazar, CEO of Ability Professional Network and a seasoned recruiter in the community. They talk about today's challenging employment environment—covering everything from the emotional pitfalls facing both job seekers and employees, to how self-doubt, fear of rejection, and age discrimination can impact our professional lives. Together, they explore the complexities of finding and keeping a job in an era marked by rapid changes in technology, evolving workplace expectations, and shifting definitions of career success. With stories from Ken Lazar's extensive experience, practical advice on overcoming setbacks, and a candid discussion on the role of emotional intelligence at work, this episode promises advice, encouragement, and a reminder that every career journey is full of surprises—and opportunities worth pursuing. Top 3 takeaways: Your career path isn’t always linear (and that’s OK!) - Every career is a “challenge of building the right skills.” Embrace the twists and turns — they’re opportunities to learn, grow, and reinvent. Self-confidence comes from more than your job title - As Ken emphasizes, we’re not solely defined by our occupation. Focusing on a variety of goals — professional, personal, physical, and spiritual — builds a well-rounded sense of value and direction. Own your story and share it with the world - Putting your intentions “out in the universe” isn’t just about networking — it’s about convincing yourself first, then finding the right opportunities (sometimes in the most surprising places!). If you like this episode, please let…","meta_description":"Hear insights that will help you navigate the ups and downs of your professional life, strengthen your self-confidence, and embrace the winding paths your…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2771,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/looking-forward-our-way-1114795/episodes/overcoming-self-doubt-and-embracing-career-growth-with-ken-lazar/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/looking-forward-our-way-1114795/overcoming-self-doubt-and-embracing-career-growth-with-ken-lazar.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}