Leaving The Nest

About Leaving The Nest

A podcast from ROCS Grad Staffing, hosted by Kathleen Pellegrino. Hey College Grads! Have you graduated college and unsure of what to do now? Are you struggling to find a job with little experience or figure out how to navigate early adulthood? Our mission is to help you find a job out of college and thrive in the real world. Join in as we provide insights on what to expect after graduation!

Publisher

ROCS Grad Staffing

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Sept 2021

Latest episode

31 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

64 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   31 Aug 2026

   Episode 64: Respect at Work: More Than Manners

   Thanks for tuning back in, everyone! It's been a little while since there has been a new episode of Leaving The Nest, but the podcast is back, and this episode is all about respect in the workplace. Respect is a word that comes up again and again when I'm talking with hiring managers, but it goes far beyond simply saying "please" and "thank you." It shows up in the little things: arriving on time, communicating when plans change, staying present and engaged in meetings, taking care of company property and shared spaces, and treating the people around you with dignity and professionalism, even when personalities clash or disagreements arise. But respect also has to work both ways. In this episode, we'll talk about what employees can do when they feel they aren't being treated with respect, including recognizing intent, addressing issues before they escalate, documenting serious concerns, and knowing when it's time to involve a manager, leader, or HR. Most importantly, we'll talk about protecting your own professionalism and values along the way. You can't always control how someone else behaves, but you can control how you respond and how you choose to show up. I hope you enjoy this episode, and as always, feel free to reach out with any thoughts, questions, or experiences you'd like to share! Key Takeaways: Respect includes being punctual and communicating when circumstances prevent you from doing so. Staying present and engaged in meetings shows respect for coworkers and their time. Shared workplace spaces should be treated with care and consideration. Professionalism means treating coworkers with dignity, even when there are disagreements. Address disrespect early, document concerns, and seek out help without sacrificing your own professionalism! Thanks again for listening to Leaving The Nest! To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677. Resources: ROCS Grad Staffing (https://www.rocsstaffing.com/) Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast (https://www.rocsstaffing.com/podcast) Connect with Kathleen: Kathleen@rocsjobs.com LinkedIn Call: 703-579-6677

2. 

   25 Mar 2026

   Episode 63: From Small-Town Reporter to ESPN: The Power of Persistence

   In this episode of Leaving the Nest, I sit down with longtime journalist John Barr to talk about what it really takes to build a career in media and how persistence, relationships, and authenticity still matter in a rapidly changing industry. Hear how John spent more than twenty years reporting for ESPN and now serves as an Investigative Reporter at WJLA-TV! In our conversation, John took us back to the beginning, growing up in a family with deep roots in newspaper journalism and discovering his own path into television reporting. He shares what it was like leaving home, finding his first job at a tiny station in Kentucky, and learning early lessons about rejection, persistence, and showing up when others won't. He also walks us through how his career unexpectedly shifted from local news to national reporting and how a leap into sports journalism ultimately led him to ESPN. We also talk about John's book co-written with Dan Murphy, Start by Believing, and how he reported on the crimes of Larry Nassar. He highlights the responsibility that journalists carry when telling survivors' stories and reflects on writing the book about the case and the realities of publishing. Finally, we talk about advice for today's graduates, from standing out in a digital world to why strong writing skills, authenticity, and real human connections still make all the difference. If you're someone who has been thinking of going into a career involving media and news reporting, then this is an episode you do not want to miss! Key Takeaways: Relationships still drive career opportunities, so showing up, meeting people, and building connections can matter more than even a perfect résumé! Career paths are rarely linear. Investigative journalism requires emotional resilience because reporting on difficult cases means balancing empathy with the responsibility to document the facts. Writing a book begins with a strong book proposal and collaboration! In a digital world with AI continuing to rise, authenticity and strong writing stand out perhaps more than ever! Thanks again for listening to Leaving The Nest! To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677. Resources: ROCS Grad Staffing (https://www.rocsstaffing.com/) Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast (https://www.rocsstaffing.com/podcast) Read John's Book Start by Believing Connect with Kathleen: Kathleen@rocsjobs.com LinkedIn Call: 703-579-6677 Connect with John: LinkedIn

3. 

   17 Feb 2026

   Episode 62: From the Marines to Mentorship: Building Careers Through Training

   Welcome back, everyone, to the first new episode of 2026! This episode truly feels like the perfect way to kick off the year, and I couldn't be more excited to share it with you. I am joined by Linus, one of our ROCStar alumni, and someone whom I've had the privilege of watching grow from an entry-level role into an Employee Development Manager who now trains new hires. Seeing that kind of growth up close never gets old, and this conversation really reminds me why I love this work so much! This episode of Leaving the Nest is for anyone who feels unsure about their next step, curious about alternative career paths, or eager to make a strong first impression at work. Linus' story is honest, motivating, and full of practical insight, and I truly can't wait for you to hear it! Key Takeaways: College isn't the only path to success; finding what truly fits you ultimately matters so much more! Military service will help build discipline, work ethic, and confidence. Civilian recruiting sells a job, while military recruiting sells a life-changing lifestyle. The data center industry includes massive infrastructure roles beyond just the technical, cybersecurity-focused side. Punctuality, initiative, and openness to feedback are the fastest ways to stand out as a new hire! Thanks again for listening to Leaving The Nest! To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677. Resources: ROCS Grad Staffing (https://www.rocsstaffing.com/) Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast (https://www.rocsstaffing.com/podcast) Connect with Kathleen: Kathleen@rocsjobs.com LinkedIn Call: 703-579-6677

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

64

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.