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The Unexpected Career Podcast

Megan Dunford
Artificial Intelligence
Entrepreneurship
Leadership
Technology
Lyra Labs
Sales Geek Denver
Information Technology
Career Path
Law
Career
Charities
Engineering
Women In Tech
Customer Insights
Executive MBA
London, United Kingdom
Marketing
Artemis Network
Recruitment
Nursing

Real people’s stories to inspire at every twist and turn of building a career and a life.Did you know what you wanted to be “when you grew up” when you were small? Is that what you are doing now? Most people don’t and yet there is so much pressure at every milestone in life to know exactly what you want to be doing and make the right decision, as if there are only a few “right” ways to create a ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes44Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationBusinessCareers

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Artwork for The Unexpected Career Podcast

Latest Episodes

S4E10: Louise Humpington shares her career journey from solicitor to international development and now strategy and coaching, all tied together with volunteering and a strong purpose.

www.kairosynthesis.com/

www.diverse-ai.org/

Ins... more

S4E9: Andrew Ta started his career in Software Development and has worked in emerging technologies, consulting and now as a management consultant.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theunexpectedcareer/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@unexpectedca... more

S4E8: Jennifer Makkreel dreamt of building bridges in high school and pursued an Engineering degree and while being an Engineer wasn't ultimately for her, she is building buildings. 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theunexpectedcareer/

TikTok: ... more

S4E7: Velera has taken chances in her career and has now pivoted from corporate to focus on her business, Positive Identify LLC, and career as a speaker and trainer. And she wrote a book! 

www.apositiveidentity.com/

www.velerawilson.... more

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Recent Guests

Louise Humpington
Strategic advisor, executive coach, and voice for AI governance and ethics
Kairosynthesis
Episode: Louise Humpington: Positive Impact - Law, International Development, Coaching & AI
Andrew Ta
Management consultant for tech companies with a background in software, physics, and MBA
Episode: Andrew Ta: People and Technology
Jennifer Makkreel
Director of Capital Projects at Ellison Institute of Technology
Ellison Institute of Technology
Episode: Jennifer Makkreel: Building with Purpose in Construction Management
Velera Wilson
Leadership keynote speaker and consultant
Episode: Velera Wilson: The Courage to go from Corporate to Keynote
Lulu Laidlaw-Smith
Partner, Commercial Growth at The IMCC and Founder of Rip It Up Start Again
The IMCC
Episode: Lulu Laidlaw-Smith: Seeing Beyond - From Hospitality to Tech
Rob Saltrese
Founder and COO at Lyra Labs; co-founder of the Artemis Network
Lyra Labs; Artemis Network
Episode: Rob Saltrese: Entrepreneurial Graft - Recruitment to AI
Shemina Jiwani
CEO of Ascendant
Ascendant
Episode: Shemina Jiwani: It's not a straight line to CEO
Ben Kinning
Owner of Sales Geek Denver; fractional sales leader, CRO, sales trainer and mentor
Sales Geek Denver
Episode: Ben Kinning: Corporate Life to Business Owner, Fractional Sales Leader, Trainer and Mentor
Susan Walsh
Author, speaker, founder of the Classification Guru
Classification Guru
Episode: Susan Walsh: Finding Her Calling in Data

Host

Megan Dunford
Host of The Unexpected Career Podcast

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 9 ratings
  • Very interesting experiences shared

    I’m really enjoying The Unexpected Career podcast by Megan Dunford. The thoughtful questions and responses provide a unique insight into how careers take shape and has brought me to the personal consideration of my own path over the years. Since my own road was full of twists and turns, it’s interesting to hear others describe their journeys. Looking forward to more stories and discussions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Clholloway
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host asks thoughtful questions that pull practical takeaways for career growth.
The episodes balance personal narrative with actionable advice for navigating transitions.
Guests come from diverse backgrounds, offering broad relevance to different audiences.
Listeners appreciate the candid, story-driven approach to career pivots.

Top Careers Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lisa Ardley-Price: Lawyer and Coach
Q: How did personal events influence your career decisions and your approach to leadership and coaching?
The loss of her parents was a pivotal moment that pushed her to re-evaluate her path, seek broader impact, and pursue roles that balanced work with well-being and leadership development.
Lisa Ardley-Price: Lawyer and Coach
Q: What led you to move from private practice to an in‑house role, and how did that shape your career?
A six-month client secondment and the realization that working inside a business with diverse stakeholders offered more collaboration and variety than private practice, ultimately steering her toward in-house roles and broader impact.
Geri Valova: Serial Entrepreneur
Q: Did you ever work for someone else during that time or have you always worked for yourself?
Her only stint working for someone else was as a secretary in university, where she offered unsolicited advice to her boss and was ultimately fired; this reinforced her path to entrepreneurship and leading her own ventures.
Geri Valova: Serial Entrepreneur
Q: So with that as your starting point, when it came time in school to make decisions about what to do when you're graduating high school, how did you make those decisions?
She pursued multiple degrees across English literature, business administration, and an executive MBA to broaden her understanding of the world, driven by curiosity and a desire to learn how economies function and to lead bigger projects.
Derrick Walton: Navy to Entrepreneur
Q: Why did you choose the Naval Academy and how did your military experience shape your leadership style?
The Naval Academy attracted him for its rigorous selection and leadership training; leading 13 people at 21 taught him about respect, responsibility, and teamwork, shaping his approach to management.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Unexpected Career Podcast

What is The Unexpected Career Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on real-world career pivots and the winding paths people take to build meaningful work lives. Across episodes, listeners hear intimate journeys through non-linear career changes, leadership shifts, and the role of sponsorship, mentorship, and adaptability in advancing—from technology, finance, and healthcare to construction and entrepreneurship. Noteworthy is the emphasis on practical, no-nonsense career guidance, with guests who share actionable lessons, resilience in the face of bias or risk, and a focus on purpose, impact, and lifelong learning. Potential listeners who want relatable stories and pragmatic advice about navigating career change, pursuing growth opportunities, and crafting a fulfilling professional life wi... more

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1. The Rest Is Politics

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The Unexpected Career Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 44 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Unexpected Career Podcast?

Recent guests on The Unexpected Career Podcast include:

1. Louise Humpington
2. Andrew Ta
3. Jennifer Makkreel
4. Velera Wilson
5. Lulu Laidlaw-Smith
6. Rob Saltrese
7. Shemina Jiwani
8. Ben Kinning

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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