Real-world advice for young professionals whose passion deserves a chance!

Hosten by recognized Career Coach, Debra Olshan Cooper

Episode #21

Megan Di Russo

A Gen Z girl and her path to incentivize prisons and create programs that encourage rehabilitation and reintegration.

Megan Di Russo is a 19 years old girl who recently graduated from Miami Dade Honors College. Megan just was accepted to Standford and is ready to release to begin this new transition period for her undergraduate studies.

Although she has obtained an AA degree in Psychology, Megan is working towards a Bachelor's in Psych and a Master's and Ph.D. in Policy. With her education and experience, Megan hopes to one day work to incentivize prisons and create programs that encourage rehabilitation and reintegration.

Episode #20

Dr. Edith Shiro

The power of posttraumatic growth.

Dr. Edith Shiro is a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in Miami, Florida, where I specialize in trauma. She is also the author of the book "The Unexpected Gift of Trauma".

Passionate about her work, has worked extensively with a diverse population who struggle with a wide range of emotional and daily life issues, including immigration, emotional and sexual abuse and violence, school shootings, loss, and difficulties in relationships and communication.

Born in Venezuela, Dr. Edith Shiro emigrated to New York where she holds a master's and doctorate degree from Yeshiva University in New York. She completed your post-doctoral certification in Couples and Family Therapy at the Ackerman Institute, and obtained certification in international trauma and PTSD from New York University's International Trauma Studies program.

Episode #19

Lois Barth

You master people skills, you master the world.

Lois Barth is a Human Development Expert, Keynote Speaker, Coach and Author of Courage To Sparkle.

Working with Organizations to help foster more engaged and effective leaders. While advising, educating and up-leveling staff, teams are able to address their stress more effectively, become better communicators, increase their productivity, and exceed their personal and professional goals.

My model is mindset meets methodology to champion individuals and groups, to overcome negative self-talk, develop compassion for self and others, and set up strategies and solutions to thrive both personally and professionally.

One of my favorite LOIS-ism (Lessons, Opportunities, Insights, and Solutions) is:

"Move from Criticism to Curiosity"

Episode #18

Marc Hurwitz

From the white house to my own
Private Investigation firm.

Marc Hurwitz is a National Board Accredited Investigator, Certified International Investigator, and Florida Board Certified Investigator. 

Marc attended SUNY Buffalo for a B.A. degree in Political Science, and The George Washington University for a M.A. degree in National Security Policy.

Marc began government service with Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and continued in the U.S. Department of State. He then worked in the White House for three years as the aide to the Deputy National Security Advisor. Marc went on to become a counter-terrorism officer for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and later worked for the government in multiple overseas posts, earning several commendations for meritorious service.

In 2008, Marc opened Crossroads Investigations to sub-contract for retired CIA Chiefs of Stations with corporate due diligence contracts, and is now a full-service Private Investigation and Due Diligence firm. 

Episode #17

Kristi Cline

Specific strategies to grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

She tried for over a year to land a job. Any job. Her resume was jam-packed with tons of experience – only to find out later that was part of the problem. She had applied to over 100 positions, scheduled less than five interviews, and had zero offers. She was overlooked for positions she was completely qualified for. It made no sense.

Frustrated and confused, she decided to take back control and find out what was really going on. She made appointments with top recruiters, headhunters, resume writers and job placement agencies to get their input. I wanted answers.

What was she doing wrong?
Was her resume the problem?
Was it her age?

Here is what she learned:

  • There is a strategy for getting your resume to the top of the pile.
  • There is a strategy to tap into the hidden job market.
  • There are ways you can partner with your professional network and get them working FOR YOU.
Episode #16

Myriam Cokmann

How leadership skills have supported my career launching solid operations of several luxury showrooms.

Myriam is an Enterprising, Innovative and Creative Manager with success in the launching and ongoing solid operations of several luxury showrooms.

Myriams proven leadership skills have supported her in the development and empowerment of staff to achieve goals. Her thorough understanding of market trends has supported her in facilitating the desired contributions for the benefit of luxury brands.

She is particularly effective in managing employee relations and team building, along with meeting and/or exceeding targeted goals. Successful in taking challenging operations in need of improvement and implementing the changes needed to provide exceptional quality and customer service.
Episode #15

Palveshey Tariq

How To Cultivate Joy And Fulfillment From Within While Balancing The External Worlds.

Palveshey is a storyteller that uses her intuition and awareness to help others rewrite their stories. Palveshey has helped the greatest leaders from all walks of life, cultivate joy and fulfillment from within while balancing their external worlds.

Most recently Palveshey taught mindfulness to preschoolers until she decided to shift her focus to adults. Previously, Palveshey served as an AI Researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to this she served as a lecturer at the University of Florida’s World Bank Program and an adjunct lecturer at Harvard University. Palveshey has an exemplary academic background ranging from graduate studies in financial technology from Harvard to post graduate studies in Quantum Physics. She has taught subjects from blockchain technology to block universe theory. After an extraordinary journey of her own, Palveshey has now geared her mission towards helping to spread consciousness and self-awareness.

While Palveshey has received many accolades, and built a heroic resume, ultimately the biggest challenge she has faced in her adult life is realizing, just a couple of years ago, that she was nonetheless depressed, addicted to drugs, and unable to face severe trauma from her past. Now, Palveshey is on a mission to help others do what she has done: Take ownership of their life by transmuting their current pain, suffering, and limiting beliefs into positive energy. She believes that the most advanced technology in the world is the human body, and if it can be truly harnessed, a person can do anything that they set their sights on.
Episode #14

Nat Measley

How My Entrepreneurial Thinking Helped Me To Run My First Business at The Age of 28

Nat is an experienced and exceptional public speaker, facilitator and trainer with a strong background in leadership in higher education, business, and entertainment. He received his MPA from The University of Delaware with a focus on Organizational Leadership and has worked in academia and directly with CEOs, leaders, managers, HR professionals, and administrators to develop plans and paths for their organizations, tied directly to specific business-outcomes and goals. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree focused on Organizational Learning.

In 2012, at the age of 28, Nat was selected to run his first small business. By the end of 2016, under Nat's leadership, the company had reduced monthly costs by over 60% through self-developed methods devised by Nat and his team. During the same period, the company had expanded its offerings from just a few products to 21, some of which were licensed domestically and internationally in Australia. The company's gross revenues had also increased by 100% from 2012 to the end of 2016. The business was expected to double each year for the next three years, without changing much of what had been the basis of their explosive growth - small-minded, entrepreneurial thinking.
Episode #13

Mike Myles

How My Curiosity Of How To Make Things Better Has Boosted My Career

Mike is a forward-thinking Content Executive with a stellar track record of building, optimizing, and leading teams in high-profile, brand-sensitive, rapid-paced environments to drive both scale and audience engagement.

With deep production, logistics, management, workflow, and technical expertise across TV, Film, Streaming, Events, Marketing, Live Broadcast, Digital, Social, Tech, Music, Concerts, Video Games, Podcasts, Animation, and VR Productions, Mike has a passion for creating great content and memorable experiences.

Highly experienced in talent and vendor negotiations, relationship management, staffing, as well as budget management and forecasting.

When Mike is not building up the projects, people and systems around me to create impeccable success, Mike can be found feeding his insatiable curiosity of how to always make things better!
Episode #12

Susan Howell

How to take the stress, fear, and worry out of money matters and put in the joy and freedom.

Susan grew up without money but was able to change the course of her life through her money skills, practices, and her positive money mindset.

Susan is the founder and owner of MoneyMaestra. She realized that financial education and financial wellness were largely not being taught in schools or in society. Susan made it her mission to change that.

Susan believes in a holistic approach to handling money matters. She focuses on the many aspects of money and how it affects all areas of our lives, including our relationships.
Episode #11

Dana DellaCamera

How to use your unique skills to land your dream career

Dana is an exceptional leader with 15+ years of experience developing strategic corporate relationships, team building, hiring, leadership, training, interviewing, resume writing, and special events. Serving diverse populations celebrating their unique perspectives and skills to attain employment in their chosen field.

She is a creative problem solver, strategic thinker, and relationship builder who leverages relationships to design innovative "win-win" outcomes for all.

She led a successful Human Resources Consulting company for 5 years offering recruitment, hiring, training, succession, and strategic planning to small to mid-sized businesses.
Episode #10

Siria Contreras Part 2/2

How my vision changed the face of how we view television and the entertainment industry.

Siria is an experienced and visionary industry leader with over 15 years of driving innovation and results.

Fortune 500 Entertainment companies such as Variety, NBC, and CBS have relied on her ability to think on a macro and micro level as she led these behemoths further into the digital age via experimental campaigns & strategy.

An expert community and audience builder, she was the go-to digital and experiential marketer of The GRAMMY Awards, The Tony Awards, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, the NCIS franchise, Upfronts, Fall Premieres, and more. Siria was also a key player in the high-profile launch of industry-disrupting CBS All Access-- the first subscription streaming service offered by an American broadcast television network. Exponential-digital growth for all of these properties all had her expertise in common.

Siria has leveraged this experience in her role with AT&T’s Entertainment Group and the Fortune 10 company's various divisions including: DIRECTV, NFL Sunday Ticket, DIRECTV NOW, Hello Labs, and AUDIENCE network.

Siria is also Founder of L.A. based social impact studio, CONSCIOUSLY STUDIOS, and the forthcoming online magazine CONSCIOUSLY.
Episode #10

Siria Contreras Part 1/2

How my vision changed the face of how we view television and the entertainment industry.

Siria is an experienced and visionary industry leader with over 15 years of driving innovation and results.

Fortune 500 Entertainment companies such as Variety, NBC, and CBS have relied on her ability to think on a macro and micro level as she led these behemoths further into the digital age via experimental campaigns & strategy.

An expert community and audience builder, she was the go-to digital and experiential marketer of The GRAMMY Awards, The Tony Awards, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, the NCIS franchise, Upfronts, Fall Premieres, and more. Siria was also a key player in the high-profile launch of industry-disrupting CBS All Access-- the first subscription streaming service offered by an American broadcast television network. Exponential-digital growth for all of these properties all had her expertise in common.

Siria has leveraged this experience in her role with AT&T’s Entertainment Group and the Fortune 10 company's various divisions including: DIRECTV, NFL Sunday Ticket, DIRECTV NOW, Hello Labs, and AUDIENCE network.

Siria is also Founder of L.A. based social impact studio, CONSCIOUSLY STUDIOS, and the forthcoming online magazine CONSCIOUSLY.
Episode #9

Rosemary Ravinal

How your presence can make or break your career

Rosemary Ravinal is a former international media executive and broadcaster who has transitioned to her first love: public speaking. For more than three decades, Rosemary was a senior corporate communications leader and spokesperson for Fortune 100 companies, non-profit organizations and agencies in New York and South Florida. These include Avon, AT&T, A+E Television Networks, Discovery Channel, Sony Ericsson, Toyota, and Univision. 

She was the first Hispanic contributing news analyst for MSNBC and hosted numerous radio and TV shows in the New York area.

In 2019, she left Univision Network, the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States, to establish her practice as a media readiness, presentation skills, and public speaking coach for C-suite executives in bilingual, bicultural settings. 

In 2020, she adapted her coaching model for the virtual stage and created the ZoomScore™ based on 10 essential elements of professional video meetings. She is an E-Speaker certified presenter, past president of Miami-Wynwood Toastmasters and member of the National Speakers Association and co-dean of the Florida Speakers Association Academy. Her first book, titled The Joy of Thinking Out Loud, will be published in 2023.
Episode #8

Hana Ben-Shabat

Why Gen Z’ need to be happy in the workplace

Meet Gen Z Guru-Hana Ben-Shabat. Leading the charge on how Gen Z’ is the new generation of workers and what they need to be happy in the workplace. Hana is an award-winning management consultant, public speaker, and business commentator. She is the founder of Gen Z Planet - a research and advisory firm that helps leaders across sectors and industries to prepare and adjust to the change that Gen Z’ers are bringing into the workplace and the world.

The generation born in the late 1990s or the early 21st century is joining the workforce. They are not only joining it. They are leading it. Whether it be in our culture, the workplace and in commerce, Hana Ben-Shabat, is educating and enlightening educators, employers, and marketers on what it takes to acquire Gen Z talent and, most importantly, how to keep them and make them happy.

Hana’s commitment to the analytical yet compassionate of understanding of this values-driven generation makes our chat even more important not only to Gen’z but to a society that is hiring them.
Episode #7

Janice Brown

From Frozen to Minions, When Your Dream Career Is to Produce Movie Blockbuster’s into Apparel That Sells to The World.

Meet Janice Brown, President Entertainment Licensing Group at Centric Brands, Inc. the leading apparel producers for the entertainment industry.

Her stories will delight you from hiring unknown recording artist at the time, Taylor Swift to an international star with her own clothing line sold at Walmart. To JoJo Silwa, the Dancing With The Stars dancer who made an international name for herself with a bow collection sold worldwide.

As a division President, Janice has a demonstrated history of working in the apparel and fashion industry. Strong business development professional skilled in Trend Analysis, Sales, Wholesale, Apparel, and Sales Management.
Episode #6

Christian Garcia

A True Ambassador for Students on Their Journey to Finding Their Career Path to Success.

Meet Christian Garcia, Christian is a higher education professional with over 20 years of experience in a variety of areas within student and academic affairs. He currently serves as the Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Patricia and Harold Toppel Career Center at the University of Miami, where he is responsible for the management and strategic direction of one of the country's most innovative and dynamic career centers. Through Christian's leadership, the Center opened the doors to its brand new, state-of-the-art facility in 2015.

Upon assuming leadership of the Center, Christian embarked on its first-ever strategic plan: Innovate, Connect, Impact. The ambitious, five-year plan was widely supported by the University and 98% of its goals and objectives were completed in just over four years. Christian and his team are currently in the the second phase of their current strategic plan, Toppel 2025: Career Services is Everybody's Business.
Episode #5

Josselyne Herman-Saccio

How To Live in The Now and Create the Life of Your Dreams

Meet Josselyne Herman-Saccio, founder of "How To Be UnmessableWith” a mission driven program to make a difference with as many people as possible in being able to develop their ability to be “UNMESSABLEWITH” and create the life of your dreams by living in the NOW!

With over 30+years leading programs for Landmark Worldwide, an international training and development company, Josselyne has had the opportunity to coach and train more than 200,000 people in creating the life of their dreams and actually living it NOW! In addition, Josselyne’s experience runs the gamut from marketing and branding expert, a producer in entertainment production and her personal achievements as a globally known artist, Josselyne is distinguished as one of the few professionals who have been successful on the business, production and talent sides of the entertainment and personal growth industry.

If you are successful in certain areas of your life AND find yourself stuck, who doesn’t feel that way in these uncertain times, translate your success to all areas of life. Knowing Josselyne will illustrate on the Passionate Professional how you can find your passion and become UNMESSABLEWITH and become the professional you are meant to be.
Episode #4

Oren Klaber

Find Out The Best Way To Be Hired

Meet Oren Klaber, Oren is a premiere hiring consultant for one of the top firms in the world. Orien gives us the inside scoop on the best practices on how to get hired in today’s marketplace.
Episode #3

Dan Schneider

From Entertainment Lawyer to World Wide Connector of Communities

Meet Dan Schneider. Dan is the Executive Director of the Florence Belsky Charitable Foundation “Flobel” a non-profit whose mission is to connect people, so they can share information and empower each generation to teach the others. Dan has produced benefit concerts and fundraising events for such causes as 9/11 first responders, Hurricane Sandy victims, Help Haiti following earthquakes, The Actors’ Temple, Max’s Kansas City Project, and the TJ Martell Foundation.

Dan is an attorney practicing entertainment, corporate, new media, intellectual property, and real property law in Manhattan NY. A graduate of Vassar College (AB, Evans Fellow in Law) and Emory Law School (JD, Emory Scholar). He is admitted to the New York bar and is a retired member of the Georgia bar. He is admitted to U.S. District Court (Southern District, NY). He is a member of the NYS Bar Association, the California Copyright Conference, the NY Vassar Club, and the Dramatists Guild.
Episode #2

Danielle Farage

Gen Z’s Voice Speaks Her Truth On Finding Her Passion and Her Generation's

Meet Danielle Farage. Danielle is a Work Futurist and Top Voice for Gen Z. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2020, at 22, she landed a Head of Marketing at a Y Combinator-backed HR-Tech startup based in Paris.

Danielle spends her time creating content (over 3M views), speaking (100+ panels, conferences, podcasts) and building community in the future of work to help bridge the gap between leaders & talent to create more inclusive, equitable, and dynamic cultures.

Listen and be inspired!
Episode #1

Jacob Fishbein

What it is to be a man in today’s world, and what women can learn from it.

Meet Jacob Fishbein. Jacob is an Executive & Personal Coach who helps people and organizations who are experiencing dilemmas or uncertainty make and navigate their most important choices.

In this episode of The Passionate Professional, Jacob and I discuss how top to make your most important life choices, what it is to be a man in today's world... and what woman can learn from it.

Listen and be inspired!

Meet Debra 
Olshan Cooper

I’m Debra Olshan Cooper, founder of YourCareerDesignLab, a premiere career coaching firm where we help land your dream career by finding who you are, excavate your passions and turn it into your pursuits.

After 30 years of owning the top Fashion & Luxury PR and Marketing firm in New York City & Miami, I've honed the art of crafting and telling powerful stories, placing companies, brands, and people in The New York Times, New York Post, CNN and The Today Show, to name a few. 
I help young professionals, like you, navigate a complex world of opportunities and find your passion.
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