We've all heard the stories about HR, but how much do you actually know about what happens behind the scenes? In this episode of Career Gems for the Journey, Leah sits down with Human Resources Business Partner Ebony Russ for an honest conversation about the realities of HR. Together, they unpack what really happens during performance reviews, promotions, PIPs, compensation decisions, and why building a relationship with HR can be one of the smartest career moves you make. In this episode: 💎 The truth about PIPs, promotions, and performance reviews 💎 How HR influences career growth behind the scenes 💎 What every employee should know to better navigate the workplace Whether you're just starting your career, leading a team, or looking for your next opportunity, this episode is packed with practical insights that will help you better understand the people, processes, and decisions that shape your career. If this episode gave you a new perspective on HR, share your biggest takeaway in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe for more Career Gems for the Journey. About Our Guest: Ebony Russ is a Human Resource Business Partner with 20 years of experience in HR and Author of Tea, Tactics, and Tenacity: 10 Tips to Thrive in Corporate America, a guide inspired by the lessons she learned and now shares to empower others. IG @ebony.russ_ Shop Ebony's book: ⁠Tea, Tactics, & Tenacity: 10 Tips To Thrive In Corporate America⁠

Failure is something so many of us try to avoid, hide, or push past quickly—but what if it’s actually the thing that shapes us the most? In this episode of the Career Gems for the Journey podcast, ⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠ CEO of ⁠Career Gems for the Journey,⁠ sits down with ⁠Priscilla Loomis⁠, Olympic athlete, entrepreneur, and speaker, to talk about resilience, perseverance, and what it really looks like to fail forward. Priscilla shares her journey of chasing Olympic dreams, facing setbacks, and continuing to show up even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed. This conversation is a powerful reminder that success is not a straight path and that growth often comes from the moments that challenge us the most. Together, they explore how to reframe failure, build confidence through adversity, and keep moving forward with purpose even when things don’t go as planned.  In this episode: 💎 What it really means to “fail forward” in your career and life 💎 How to stay committed to your goals when the path gets hard 💎 The mindset shifts needed to move through setbacks with confidence 💎 Why resilience is one of the most important skills you can build 💎 How to redefine success on your own terms Make Your Journey Work For You! Stay Connected: 💎 Subscribe to the Career Gems for the Journey podcast for more conversations that empower your personal and professional growth. 💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘CareerGems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!   💎 Catch Leah LIVE every Tuesday at 12 PM EST on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for fresh insights, real-time discussions, and career-building conversations. 💎 Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gemsforthejourney.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming events, resources, and more leadership gems. About Our Guest ⁠Priscilla Loomis⁠ is an Olympian, entrepreneur, media host, and advocate known for blending elite performance with purpose-driven leadership. A 3x Hall of Fame inductee and nationally recognized athlete, she leverages her platform to empower women, support students and families, and amplify untold stories in sports and beyond. Whether on air, on stage, or in the community, Priscilla leads with excellence, impact, and unapologetic confidence. 🎥 Be sure to check out Respect The Audacity—her bold digital streaming series highlighting powerful stories of women who are setting the standard and shifting the culture. Available on Apple TV, Fire TV, Xbox, and Roku Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priscilla_frederick/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skylar.e.lee.214/ Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-loomis-oly Website: https://priscillaloomis.com/

Career Gems for the Journey LIVE with Leah C. Murphy

Career Gems for the Journey LIVE with Leah C. Murphy

Artificial intelligence seems to be everywhere. One day it's being hailed as the future of work. The next day it's being blamed for taking jobs, replacing workers, and changing entire industries overnight. So what should professionals actually believe? In this conversation, ⁠Leah C. Murphy⁠ and Erica Castro-Morrison cut through the noise and break AI down into practical, real-world terms. From common misconceptions and workplace expectations to prompting, security, and productivity, they explore how professionals can use AI with confidence instead of fear. Key Takeaways 💎 Why AI is becoming an essential workplace skill 💎 How better prompting leads to better AI results 💎 What professionals can do now to confidently use AI in their careers ✨ Get on the list and learn more about the upcoming AI Workshop:⁠⁠⁠Career Gems for the Journey AI Workshop⁠⁠⁠ Make Your Journey Work For You! Stay Connected: 💎 Subscribe to the Career Gems for the Journey podcast for more conversations that empower your personal and professional growth. 💎 Stay engaged with Career Gems for the Journey by subscribing to the  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‘CareerGems for YOUR Journey’⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ newsletter and gain access to exclusive content just for you!   💎 Catch Leah LIVE every Tuesday at 12 PM EST on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for fresh insights, real-time discussions, and career-building conversations. 💎 Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gemsforthejourney.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for upcoming events, resources, and more leadership gems. About Our Guest ⁠Erica Castro-Morrison⁠ is a cybersecurity professional, AI solutions strategist, and founder of STEM Roots Collective. With a background spanning computer-aided design, computer science, information assurance, and cybersecurity, she brings a practical approach to helping organizations and entrepreneurs leverage technology more effectively. Drawing on her experience supporting government and enterprise environments, Erica specializes in cybersecurity, risk management, process automation, and workforce development. Through STEM Roots Collective, she helps businesses implement AI tools and technology solutions that improve efficiency, streamline operations, and support sustainable growth.