Explore every episode of the podcast The Executive Career Playbook
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Ways AI is Sabotaging Your Job Search & What To Do Instead | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:46:00 | |
AI was supposed to make the job search easier. But for most job seekers (and especially senior leaders), it is creating an entirely new set of challenges. AI-generated résumés, increased application volume, and automated screening are all making it harder for even highly qualified leaders to stand out. Listen till the end for a practical conversation about three ways AI is changing the executive job search and what you can do to stay visible, differentiate your value, and compete for the right opportunities. We cover how to use AI strategically, what hiring teams are doing differently, and why your positioning, relationships, reputation, and leadership story matter more than ever. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://dscareermanagement-47519192.hs-sites.com/schedule-a-call-with-us Take our Executive Job Search Readiness Assessment here: https://debraboggs.typeform.com/to/pqW9pR8d Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQqO5RfB76q_ovQsai1k Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejwl7b-SVSkauZ8TrR9wQ Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY6QsvSNmAdYd7ZuQytg Request our free Unique Value Proposition Worksheet Here: https://share.hsforms.com/2SM4-7WEmQDur1LqRR2a6Qwsai1k Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all Listen to our Podcast - The Executive Career Playbook: https://theexecutivecareerplaybook.podbean.com/ | |||
| Executive Layoff: 5 Steps to Take Before It Happens | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:09:11 | |
A potential layoff is not the time to wait and see. Learn five critical steps senior executives can take now to protect their career, strengthen their resume and LinkedIn presence, prepare for an executive job search, and negotiate severance and outplacement support. Facing uncertainty in your role? Book a complimentary call with D&S Executive Career Management and build your strategy before you need it: https://dscareermanagement-47519192.hs-sites.com/schedule-a-call-with-us Take our Executive Job Search Readiness Assessment here: https://debraboggs.typeform.com/to/pqW9pR8d Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQqO5RfB76q_ovQsai1k Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejwl7b-SVSkauZ8TrR9wQ Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY6QsvSNmAdYd7ZuQytg Request our free Unique Value Proposition Worksheet Here: https://share.hsforms.com/2SM4-7WEmQDur1LqRR2a6Qwsai1k Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all | |||
| Breakdown to Breakthrough: What High Performers Don't Say on Mental Health | 02 Aug 2026 | 00:42:47 | |
Success doesn't protect you from burnout. In this candid conversation, Debra Boggs and Lesley Hunter explore the hidden mental health challenges many high performers face but rarely discuss. From perfectionism and burnout to vulnerability, resilience, and redefining success, they share practical insights for executives, senior leaders, and ambitious professionals navigating demanding careers. Whether you're leading a team, rebuilding after a setback, or simply trying to balance performance with wellbeing, this episode offers honest conversations and actionable strategies to help you move forward with confidence. 🎧 Follow The Executive Career Playbook for conversations on executive leadership, career growth, board readiness, and the realities of leading at the highest level. If this episode resonates with you, follow the podcast, leave a 5 star review, and share it with a leader who needs to hear it. Your support helps us bring more conversations like this to executives around the world. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://dscareermanagement-47519192.hs-sites.com/schedule-a-call-with-us Take our Executive Job Search Readiness Assessment here: https://debraboggs.typeform.com/to/pqW9pR8d Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQqO5RfB76q_ovQsai1k Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejwl7b-SVSkauZ8TrR9wQ Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY6QsvSNmAdYd7ZuQytg Request our free Unique Value Proposition Worksheet Here: https://share.hsforms.com/2SM4-7WEmQDur1LqRR2a6Qwsai1k Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all | |||
| Board Candidate Workshop: How To Craft a Value Statement that Opens Doors | 26 Jul 2026 | 00:29:06 | |
Join board positioning expert Debra Boggs, CEO of D&S Executive Career Management, for a tactical and practical workshop. You will leave with a draft of your own board value statement, ready to use in networking conversations, warm introductions, and with board chairs and Nom/Gov committees. This episode is for senior executives actively pursuing their first board seat, or looking to expand their board service. About the speaker: Debra Boggs is an award-winning entrepreneur and nationally recognized expert in executive career strategy as CEO of D&S Executive Career Management. Debra’s thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and dozens of other media outlets. She’s also a sought-after speaker for national conferences and private leadership events. Her firm has a decade-long reputation for supporting C-suite leaders in navigating complex career transitions, landing board seats, and maximizing compensation in competitive markets. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://dscareermanagement-47519192.hs-sites.com/schedule-a-call-with-us Take our Executive Job Search Readiness Assessment here: https://debraboggs.typeform.com/to/pqW9pR8d Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQqO5RfB76q_ovQsai1k Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejwl7b-SVSkauZ8TrR9wQ Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY6QsvSNmAdYd7ZuQytg Request our free Unique Value Proposition Worksheet Here: https://share.hsforms.com/2SM4-7WEmQDur1LqRR2a6Qwsai1k Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all | |||
| Why Perfect Candidates Get Rejected - The Hidden Truths of Executive Job Searches | 19 Jul 2026 | 00:11:40 | |
This episode explains why well‑qualified executives often get no response or rejections when applying online, covering common issues like being perceived as overqualified, making a career pivot, job scope changes, internal referrals, and the rise of mass applicants driven by AI. Practical takeaways include focusing on strategic networking, positioning your unique value, preserving confidence during a long search, and using targeted go‑to‑market strategies (or executive career support) to win interviews and offers. Ready to accelerate your search? 👉Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/intro-call-with-carmen Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQqO5RfB76q_ovQsai1k Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejwl7b-SVSkauZ8TrR9wQ Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY6QsvSNmAdYd7ZuQytg Request our free Unique Value Proposition Worksheet Here: https://share.hsforms.com/2SM4-7WEmQDur1LqRR2a6Qwsai1k Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all Listen to our Podcast - The Executive Career Playbook: https://theexecutivecareerplaybook.podbean.com/
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| AI Wrote Your Resume. Now What? With Executive Recruiter, David Honig | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:06:13 | |
You've spent decades building your career. Leading teams. Driving growth. Solving complex business challenges. So why aren't the right opportunities turning into interviews? The reality is that AI can help you write a resume, but it can't define your value. It can't tell your story. And it can't position you as the leader a company needs right now. In this episode of The Executive Career Playbook, Debra Boggs and executive recruiter David unpack why so many qualified executives are struggling to gain traction, what recruiters are actually looking for, and how to stand out when everyone on paper looks impressive. If your search isn't moving as quickly as you'd hoped, this conversation will help you rethink how you're presenting yourself and where you may be unintentionally blending in. Listen now and discover why the goal isn't to have a better resume. The goal is to become the obvious choice. Want the full conversation? Listen to the complete episode here: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zvrs2-19e16ad?utm_campaign=embed_player_share&utm_source=embed_player_pb&utm_medium=dlink Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/intro-call-with-carmen Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQqO5RfB76q_ovQsai1k Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejwl7b-SVSkauZ8TrR9wQ Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all | |||
| How to Get a Corporate Board Seat: Board Readiness, Positioning, and Networking Strategies | 12 Jul 2026 | 00:21:21 | |
Corporate board opportunities rarely go to the most qualified executive. They go to the executive who is visible, positioned correctly, and connected to the right decision-makers. In this session, Debra Boggs shares the strategies executives use to secure corporate board seats, strengthen board readiness, build board visibility, and position themselves as valuable contributors in the boardroom. You'll learn: ✔ What board readiness actually means ✔ How to reposition executive experience for board opportunities ✔ The difference between an executive resume and a board resume ✔ How to optimize LinkedIn for board searches ✔ Why networking remains the most effective path to board opportunities ✔ Common mistakes that prevent qualified executives from being selected Whether you're pursuing your first corporate board seat, an independent director role, an advisory board position, or expanding your board portfolio, this discussion provides practical strategies to strengthen your board candidacy. Subscribe and follow us for more executive career strategy, board readiness guidance, executive branding insights, leadership visibility tactics, and corporate board opportunities. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://dscareermanagement-47519192.hs-sites.com/schedule-a-call-with-us Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY6QsvSNmAdYd7ZuQytg Request our free Unique Value Proposition Worksheet Here: https://share.hsforms.com/2SM4-7WEmQDur1LqRR2a6Qwsai1k Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all Listen to our Podcast - The Executive Career Playbook: https://theexecutivecareerplaybook.podbean.com/ Follow, rate, and enjoy the journey. https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraboggs/ https://dscareermanagement.com/ | |||
| WHAT RECRUITERS REALLY WANT | 27 May 2026 | 00:29:31 | |
What do senior recruiters look for when reviewing an executive resume or LinkedIn profile, and what makes them stop scrolling? Join Debra Boggs, D&S CEO and Matilda Cole, Lead Coach and 20-year executive recruiting veteran, for a candid conversation that takes you behind the curtain of the executive hiring process. Matilda has worked inside Fortune 500s, private equity firms, and FAANG companies, and as a power user of LinkedIn Recruiter and multiple AI platforms. She now uses that insider knowledge every day to help C-suite executives and board candidates stand out, get noticed, and land the roles they deserve. In this episode, you will learn:
Whether you are actively in search, open to the right opportunity, or building toward a board seat, this conversation will give you the insider intelligence to position yourself with confidence and clarity. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://dscareermanagement-47519192.h... Follow, rate, and enjoy the journey. https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraboggs/ https://dscareermanagement.com/ | |||
| THE RECRUITER FILTER in 2026: Insider Secrets Revealed with Amber Schleinkofer | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:31:32 | |
The executive search landscape has shifted dramatically. What worked even 18 months ago may now work against you. In this candid conversation, Debra Boggs sits down with Amber Schleinkofer, President & Strategic Talent Partner at AS Talent Advisors, LLC, to pull back the curtain on what actually matters when recruiters are evaluating C-suite candidates today. You'll discover: -How AI and automation have changed the way recruiters find and vet executives -The red flags that immediately remove candidates from consideration -How to position yourself when you're currently employed vs. in transition -The truth about working with multiple search firms simultaneously -What makes an executive's LinkedIn profile truly stand out to recruiters This is not a recruiting pitch. This is a strategic conversation designed to help senior leaders understand the current market reality and position themselves accordingly. Whether you're actively exploring opportunities, passively open, or simply want to understand how the executive search world operates in 2026, this session will give you practical intelligence you can use immediately.
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Learn more at our website: https://www.dscareermanagement.com
Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/intro-call-with-carmen
Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement
Follow, rate, and enjoy the journey. https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraboggs/ https://dscareermanagement.com/
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| 2026 Executive Career & Hiring Forecast: What Recruiters Want You to Know | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:33:56 | |
The executive talent landscape is shifting faster than ever. AI expectations are reshaping hiring criteria. Generational transitions are opening C-suite doors. Board opportunities are at unprecedented levels. The skills that got you where you are now may not be the ones that get you where you want to be in the future. Join Debra Boggs and Ascentria Search Partners’ Ken Schmitt for a focused 30-minute look at what 2026 holds for senior and C-level executives and how to position yourself for success in this evolving market. Listen in and take control of your next opportunity.
Subscribe for weekly leadership and career insights. Reclaim your opportunities today.
Learn more at our website: https://www.dscareermanagement.com
Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/intro-call-with-carmen
Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement Follow, rate, and enjoy the journey. https://www.linkedin.com/in/debraboggs/ https://dscareermanagement.com/
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| How to Lead Without Regret: A Conversation with Christopher Williams on C. O. U. R. A. G. E. | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:33:19 | |
For executives navigating career transitions or pursuing board appointments, courage isn't optional. It's the differentiator between settling and strategic advancement. In this conversation with Debra Boggs, Christopher O.H. Williams, NACD.DC, author of C.O.U.R.A.G.E.: 7 Choices for Living a Life Without Regret, draws from his leadership roles at Nike, Adidas, Goldman Sachs, and as the first president of African Leadership University to explore how everyday courage transforms hesitation into principled action. Whether you're contemplating your next executive role, pursuing board service, or leading through significant change, this conversation will equip you with actionable insights on leading without regret. Listen in and learn how to lead courageously without regret.
Learn more at our website: https://www.dscareermanagement.com Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/intro-call-with-carmen Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement
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| Where Have All The Jobs Gone? | 22 Dec 2025 | 00:32:07 | |
This episode is your roadmap to finding opportunities in today’s hiring landscape, not the one from 5 years ago.
Work with D&S (Executive Search Support): https://www.dscareermanagement.com/
Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward.
Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/in...
Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQq...
Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejw...
Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY...
Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights:
linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement/posts/?feedView=all | |||
| Cracking the Executive Recruiting Code: How to Work Effectively with Executive Recruiters with David Honig | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:31:47 | |
Executive recruiters can be your secret weapon in landing your next leadership role, but most marketing executives don't know how to leverage these relationships effectively. Join Debra Boggs for a candid conversation with David Honig, one of the top marketing executive recruiters in the business, as they pull back the curtain on what really happens in executive search, and how you can position yourself as the candidate recruiters want to champion. This isn't theory. David has placed countless CMOs, VPs of Marketing, and digital marketing executives with industry-leading organizations. He knows exactly what separates candidates who land premium opportunities from those who struggle. If you're a marketing executive who wants to be strategic about your career advancement, this conversation will change how you think about executive search. Listen in and take control of your next opportunity.
Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward.
Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/in... Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQq... Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejw... Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY... Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights: linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement | |||
| How to Maintain Hope and Confidence During Your Executive Career Transition with Debra Boggs, Norma Davila, and Allan Wojahn | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:31:31 | |
The average executive search now spans 6-9 months. If you're feeling the weight of an extended transition, you're not alone, and more importantly, you're not broken. Our panel has guided over 3,000 executives through successful transitions, and they're here to share what actually works. Our experts reveal the #1 mental trap that derails even the most accomplished leaders and, more importantly, how to recognize when you're falling into it. Forget generic advice about "staying positive." Our panelists share the exact daily structures their most successful clients use. Radio silence hurts differently at the executive level. Listen in as Debra, Norma, and Allan address the reframe that transforms rejection into intelligence, specific exercises to rebuild executive presence after setback, and when to follow up and when to let go because extended interview processes have become the norm, not the exception. Reclaim your opportunities today. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/in... Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQq... Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejw... Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY... Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights linkedin.com/company/dscareermanagement
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| How To Level-up Your Leadership Impact To Drive Results With Ari Butler | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:31:40 | |
Your title doesn’t make you influential, your story does. Join Debra Boggs, CEO of D&S Executive Career Management, and Ari Butler, Founder of The AB3 Group, as they unpack how top executives turn expertise into influence through the power of storytelling. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Communicate with impact in high-stakes moments ✅ Turn technical brilliance into leadership influence ✅ Build executive presence that commands the room Whether you’re board-bound, leading change, or shaping your next career move, this conversation gives you the frameworks to lead, inspire, and get remembered. Subscribe for weekly strategies on executive careers, leadership, and visibility Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/in... Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQq... Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejw... Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY...
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| The Modern Executive Digital Footprint: Going Beyond LinkedIn with Donald Thompson | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:30:24 | |
Your next executive role or board seat won’t be decided by your résumé alone. In today’s market, executive search consultants and board nominating committees are digging deeper. They’re looking at your entire digital footprint before making million-dollar decisions. In this exclusive conversation, Debra Boggs, CEO of D&S Executive Career Management, sits down with Donald Thompson, award-winning author and executive advisor, to reveal how senior leaders can build a digital presence that opens doors to premium opportunities. What you’ll learn: -The unseen digital touchpoints shaping perceptions of leaders -How executive search firms evaluate candidates beyond LinkedIn -Reputation strategies that attract board nominating committees -Thought leadership approaches that amplify your credibility -Mistakes that quietly disqualify even the most qualified executives If you’re a C-level leader, board candidate, or executive in transition, this session is your roadmap to standing out where it matters most.
Subscribe for weekly strategies on executive careers, leadership, and visibility Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Book a call with us today here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/in... Download your Executive Job Search Diagnostic now: https://share.hsforms.com/2VJfQD8HKQq... Access our Layoff Preparation Checklist here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/22ejw... Download your board readiness guide here: https://sai1k.share.hsforms.com/2LANY... Follow Us on LinkedIn for more executive insights | |||
| Brittney Ezell's Playbook for Bold Career Moves | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:33:15 | |
What if your biggest career blow felt public, personal, and impossible to bounce back from? That’s exactly where Brittney Ezell found herself. After two decades as a Division I head basketball coach, her entire identity was tied to the title, until it wasn’t. In this powerful conversation, Brittney reveals what it really takes to bounce forward, not just bounce back. Now the CEO of Keller Williams (Johnson City) and Executive VP of a fast-growing startup, her journey is a masterclass in reinvention. Inside this interview: ✅ How to lead after loss ✅ The mindset that saved her career ✅ Real talk about rejection, transition, and what's next If you're navigating a career pivot or identity shift, you need to hear this.
Subscribe for more bold leadership stories. Share this with someone ready to grow through change. Visit us at: https://www.dscareermanagement.com/ or on LinkedIn to learn how we can help you stand out, stay visible, and move your career forward. Schedule a free consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/cpoff/intro-call-with-carmen?uuid=4078ccc5-cead-4bf4-b086-26b611c2b467
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