Career Sessions, Career Lessons - podcast cover

Career Sessions, Career Lessons

JR Lowry, PathWise.iopathwise.io

Each of us has a unique career story to tell. For the lucky few, their career trajectories are like rockets heading for the stars, with no turning back. More typically, our career paths are more like a game of Chutes and Ladders, with advances and setbacks along the way. On this podcast, guests from a range of industries and backgrounds share their career journeys and the lessons they've learned. Hear from C-level executives, leading academics, entrepreneurs, mid-level leaders, ex-military members, leadership coaches and other career experts, non-profit workers, and gig economy participants. Each guest shares their unique story and career insights to inform and inspire your own path.


Career Sessions is part of PathWise.io. Whether you’re just a few years out of school or well into your professional life, PathWise helps you live the career you deserve. PathWise provides comprehensive career and professional development coaching, content, courses, and community, backed by a group of leading coaches and career management experts.


Career Sessions’ host, James (J.R.) Lowry, has had multiple careers of his own and learned countless lessons along the way. A Duke engineer by background, he spent the early part of his career as an officer in the US Air Force . From there, J.R. earned an MBA from Harvard Business School to accelerate his transition into the private sector. Following grad school, he spent over a decade with the consulting firm, McKinsey and Company, working with clients across a range of industries and business situations.  He then made a second career shift into financial services, spending time at Fidelity Investments and State Street Bank. Most recently, he joined Janus Henderson Investments as their Chief Operating Officer.  Multiple leadership development programs honed his skills, advanced his career, and fueled his desire to help others with their professions. He hosts this podcast in a personal capacity, and any views expressed are his own and not those of his current or any former employer.

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Episodes

Exponential Growth And A Turnaround Or Two In B2C And B2B E-Commerce, With Eric Eichmann

Those who want to succeed in building their own business must learn what it takes to grow on a constant basis, not just in terms of money but in team management as well. J.R. Lowry sits down with Eric Eichmann, CEO of ESW, to share his most valuable secrets to achieving exponential growth. Tune in as he looks back on his career journey, presenting the biggest lessons about business transition, workplace culture, and leadership approaches. Eric also opens up about his realizations during his time...

Mar 25, 202445 minEp. 101

How Those High Achievers Do It, With Ruth Gotian

What is a high achiever’s secret to success? In this episode, Ruth Gotian , the Chief Learning Officer at Weill Cornell Medicine, identifies the four threads of success that high achievers have to succeed. She also touches on The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Business Performance . She explains how the Passion Audit can help you to reduce burnout. Develop the mindset and skillset high achievers have to reach their peak business performance. Join Ruth Gotian now! Ch...

Mar 18, 202446 minEp. 100

At The Center Of The High-Tech Landscape, With Saf Yeboah-Amankwah

At the heart of the high-tech landscape sits Intel Corporation , a company that’s shaping the future of technology. Its senior vice president and chief strategy officer joins us in this episode. Saf Yeboah-Amankwah talks about their massive transformation to catch up and be a leading capacity in the industry and the four areas they look at investing in. He also shares how they create that culture of innovation that’s important in tech. Saf then delves into AI and how it unfolds in our world toda...

Mar 11, 202448 minEp. 99

How to Get Along With Anyone, With Amy Gallo

Getting along with everyone in the workplace is certainly a challenging endeavor. No matter how hard you try, you will always encounter people who are quite difficult to work with. Sharing practical approaches to address this issue with J.R. Lowry is workplace expert and best-selling author Amy Gallo . Together, they discuss how to improve your working dynamics with the so-called ‘difficult people’ in your job, allowing you to do perform better without simply resorting to quitting. Amy also talk...

Mar 04, 202449 minEp. 98

The Six Disciplines Of Strategic Thinking With Michael Watkins

There are The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking that business leaders should master. Strategic thinking empowers individuals to become successful in business and life. In this episode, Michael Watkins , the Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at IMD in Switzerland and the founder of Genesis Advisers, outlines the core disciplines leaders should master for effective strategic thinking. He also touches on his seminal book, The First 90 Days , where he talks about the challenges o...

Feb 26, 202448 minEp. 97

Four L.E.A.F. Growth: Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, And Fulfillment With Mark Mears

In Celtic cultures, the druids associated the number four with powerful forces in nature, believing that a four-leaf clover possessed magical properties to bring good fortune. But today's guest found a fig tree's leaf, leading him to an epiphany, which turned into the Four L.E.A.F. Growth. Mark Mears is the author of The Pur poseful Growth Revolution , a book that will help individuals, teams, and organizations find purpose, fulfill their true growth potential, and leave a living legacy. Enhance...

Feb 19, 202452 minEp. 96

Proven Tips For Growing Your Business, With Robin Waite

Embrace fearlessness in business: where challenges become opportunities, and growth knows no bounds. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of business growth with coach, author, and founder of Fearless Business and CourseApp , Robin Waite . Today, he shares proven tips for taking your business to the next level. Robin shares his story: how he went from selling his marketing agency to becoming a successful business coach. With a focus on strategic thinking and scalable solutions, Robin she...

Feb 12, 202440 minEp. 95

Life As An Engineer In The Oil And Gas Industry, With Michelle Fraser

The energy sector is one of the essential industries in the entire planet. The oil and gas industry keeps the world running, and this is a male-dominated space. Therefore, it is truly remarkable to see women excel and shine here – which is exactly what Michelle Fraser did. In this conversation with J.R. Lowry, the oil and gas commercial and engineering expert breaks down how she interacts with her clients on a daily basis, what it is like to work as an independent consultant, and the systems tha...

Feb 05, 202433 minEp. 94

The Freelance Mindset, With Joy Batra

Freelancing can be your path to a great adventure, satisfaction, and happiness as you build your life that aligns with your passions and aspirations. That path will challenge your traditional “nine-to-five” mindset, allowing you to embrace the opportunities and benefits freelancing has to offer. In this episode, Joy Batra , the founder of Quartz Consulting, delves into her book, The Freelance Mindset: Unleashing Your Side Hustles for Better Work, Play, and Life . The Freelance Mindset may not be...

Jan 29, 202449 minEp. 93

Leadership In The First 90 Days, And Career Best Practices, With Amy Philbrook

Stepping into a leadership role in a new organization means not only a fresh start for your career journey but also for the organization and the people within. You bring with you your experiences and offer new perspectives on what they need. Amy Philbrook is currently unlocking this career milestone. After spending more than 25 years in a wide variety of roles at Fidelity Investments, Amy is now starting as an Executive Vice President for Service with LPL Financial . In this episode, she shares ...

Jan 22, 202451 minEp. 92

Being A Leader Of Significance, With Mosongo Moukwa

In today’s world, more and more people are searching for significance in what they do. What our guest realized on his own journey is that work is never about market share or innovation but instead the outcomes were the result of transformational change. This led to the book, Be a Leader of Significance , which Mosongo Moukwa joins us today to tell us more about. Mosongo is the President at Hathaway Advanced Materials and has been identifying leadership gaps and developing the talent and culture ...

Jan 15, 202443 minEp. 91

Investment Banking, Entrepreneurship, And The Future Of Work, With Greg Martin

Are we heading back into office work, or will businesses continue the road of hybrid and remote work? These are what companies are thinking after COVID. In this episode, J.R. Lowry is joined by the Managing Director at Origin Merchant Partners, Greg Martin. Greg takes us into his entrepreneurial endeavor. Entering the world of work, he provides insights about the future of work after the pandemic. Greg also shares his take on kids entering university. Greg brings a bucket of golden nuggets, so j...

Jan 08, 202441 minEp. 90

How To Be An Impact Player, With Liz Wiseman

An ordinary contributor in a team performs well according to the responsibilities given to them. On the other hand, an impact player goes above and beyond, proving to be a true asset, especially during dire times. J.R. Lowry explores how to become the latter with researcher and executive advisor Liz Wiseman of The Wiseman Group . She explains how one can shift their mindset to become an efficient impact player who knows how to quickly address team challenges, fill in the gaps caused by unclear r...

Jan 01, 202446 minEp. 89

Head And Heart Leadership, With Kirstin Ferguson

Are you a leader who leads with head and heart? Are you leaving a positive legacy for those you lead? In this episode, Kirstin Ferguson , the author of Head and Heart Leadership , unravels the art of modern leadership. She reveals what it takes to be a leader the world needs today: one who balances the head and the heart. She explains the value of a growth mindset to creating capabilities as a leader and breaks down the key attributes of a modern leader. Let’s flip through the pages of Kirstin’s...

Dec 18, 202349 minEp. 88

The Power Of Deep Observation With Christian Madsbjerg

Social media and the increasing social isolation it fosters overpowered the true meaning of connecting with others. How we connect at home, work, and beyond lies in the power of deep observation. In this episode, Christian Madsbjerg , the Author of Look: How to Pay Attention in a Distracted World , talks about the skills needed to recapture our skill to pay attention. He dives even deeper into his book to capture the essence of harnessing the power of deep observation. He shows how paying attent...

Dec 11, 202350 minEp. 87

Thinkers50 Conference Download And Campfire Lessons For Leaders, With Tony Martignetti

Around the campfire, people share stories, and behind the shadows of this gathering comes the beauty of sharing lessons from those stories and learning from them. In this episode, let’s gather around the bonfire and listen to Tony Martignetti ’s lessons learned in his coaching career. Tony is the author of Climbing the Right Mountain and Campfire Lessons for Leaders . He describes how working with different people allows you to learn something new instead of working with someone who does the sam...

Dec 04, 202344 minEp. 86

Crucial Conversations, Compassionate Candor, And Coaching Yourself, With Antonia Bowring

Let’s admit it: coaching can be expensive. While its ROI goes beyond the financial, not everyone can pay for it. Executive Coach Antonia Bowring is democratizing coaching so you can Coach Yourself! She is an ICF-certified, New York-based executive coach who works primarily with founders, C-Suite executives, and leadership teams. Bringing insights from her book of the same name, Antonia sits down with J.R. Lowry to tell us all about the idea behind it and how it offers more than getting good reso...

Nov 27, 202339 minEp. 85

Software's Move Into The Cloud, With Dai Vu

Google has been building the Cloud Marketplace to become more advantageous through its comprehensive user experience, making software deployment way easier for developers and end users alike. J.R. Lowry talks to the man behind this incredible undertaking: Dai Vu , Managing Director of Google’s Cloud Marketplace. He shares how they handle the rapid growth of Google Cloud, particularly now that it has reached more than 1,000 solution partners and 3,000 solution listings. Dai also talks about his s...

Nov 20, 202344 minEp. 84

Job Search Tips - From Resumes To Offer Negotiation, With Kolby Goodman

When out on a job search, you must know how to effectively catch employers’ attention and entice them to hire you. This is not just about having the right level of self-confidence, but also the right strategy to position yourself as the best one among the rest. J.R. Lowry sits down with Kolby Goodman, Founder of The Job Huntr , to share his most important job search tips. He talks about building a strong personal branding, writing a resume for both human and AI consumption, and making interviews...

Nov 13, 202350 minEp. 83

The Mirrored Door: The Hidden Barrier That Locks Successful Women In Place, With Ellen Taaffe

Courage is the key to success – unlock the 'Mirrored Door' that's holding you back and step into the spotlight of your own career. This episode reveals the secret to women's success with our special guest, Ellen Taaffe , a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Kellogg School of Management. Today, we open the "Mirrored Door" that holds women back from reaching their full career potential. Ellen's groundbreaking book, The Mirrored Door , dives into the hidden obstacles that successful women face, bu...

Nov 06, 202346 minEp. 82

Seeing Others - Recognition As A Foundation For Equity And Inclusion, With Michèle Lamont

Recognition is the currency of belonging. It's not about what you have, but who you are. In this episode, we explore the critical and often overlooked aspect of achieving true equity and inclusion in our society. Our featured guest, Michèle Lamont , sociologist and author of Seeing Others: The Sociological Ethnography of Recognition , guides us through the importance of recognition and how it serves as the bedrock for a more inclusive world. Michèle touches on several issues throughout the episo...

Oct 30, 202343 minEp. 81

Navigating Organizational Politics, With Niven Postma

Mastering office politics isn't about playing the game; it's about defining the rules. Join us with Niven Postma , author of " If You Don't Do Politics, Politics Will Do You ," in learning how to navigate organizational politics ethically— and yes, it is possible. In this episode, Niven uncovers the hidden dynamics of office politics, the power of leverage, and how to build your career path in this highly political world. Drafting insights from her book, Niven discusses how there are unspoken ru...

Oct 23, 202351 minEp. 80

Demystifying Executive Search, With Somer Hackley

Do you feel like you can do more in a higher position job but don’t know how to navigate your way to the top? Here to demystify executive search is Somer Hackley , the founder and CEO of retained executive search firm, Distinguished Search . Somer has been in recruiting for 20 years, including the last 13 years in executive search. In this episode, she cracks open the opaque black box that is the world of executive search. What are some misconceptions people have about recruiters and search firm...

Oct 16, 202345 minEp. 79

Executive Leadership: Learning Alongside Legends, With Ann Hiatt

Success is not reserved for the chosen few—it's about finding audacity within and humility to learn. Join us as Ann Hiatt dives into the world of executive leadership and what it’s like to learn alongside legends. She shares her incredible career, from her days as the right hand to Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, to her pivotal role as Chief of Staff to Eric Schmidt, the former CEO and Chair of Google. In a world where career fulfillment can often feel like a distant dream, Ann inspir...

Oct 09, 202349 minEp. 78

Personal Branding And Zig-Zag Careers, With Susan Meier

Your personal brand is the masterpiece that emerges from coloring outside the lines. Embrace the beauty of zigzagging through life's diverse experiences and passions. In this episode, we have Susan Meier , a remarkable brand consultant, coach, and multimedia artist, to dive into the art of crafting a career that zigzags beautifully. Susan defies the traditional career ladder, embracing the idea of "zigzagging" through different industries and passions. She discusses the power of personal brandin...

Oct 03, 202341 minEp. 77

Becoming the Trusted Authority, with Petra Zink

Your personal brand isn't just about what you do; it's about who you become. Become the trusted authority in your field, and your brand will follow. In this episode, we sit down with Petra Zink , a certified Personal Branding & Digital Strategist, international speaker, Business Growth Consultant, and most recently, the author of Trusted Authority . Today, she unravels the secrets behind building an influential personal brand that stands the test of time. Petra tells her journey from traditi...

Sep 25, 202346 minEp. 76

The World Of Franchise Ownership, With Giuseppe Grammatico

Are you tired of feeling stuck working on a corporate job just to make others rich? Now is the time for you to change things around! Today, Giuseppe Grammatico , the author of Franchise Freedom: A New Manifesto for Your Financial and Time Freedom , opens the portal for you to enter into the world of franchise ownership. Sharing insights on the different business models of franchising, the myths of franchising, and mistakes most people make in this space, this episode provides a guide for everyon...

Sep 18, 202343 minEp. 75

Mastering The Art And Science Of Sales, With Rana Salman

Sales is a fusion of artistry and strategy, where every rejection is a step closer to connection. In this episode, we have Rana Salman , founder of Salman Consulting, LLC , to uncover the secrets behind mastering the art and science of sales. Rana shares how the process of writing her book, Sales Essentials , paralleled her sales journey and taught her the profound impact of collaboration and partnership on her success. She reveals the importance of prospecting and the psychology behind navigati...

Sep 11, 202342 minEp. 74

Right Kind Of Wrong: The Science Of Failing Well, With Amy Edmondson

Not all failures are alike. Although they are disappointing most of the time, there is gold to be found in failing well. In this episode, J.R. Lowry sits down with Amy Edmondson , author of Right Kind Of Wrong . Together, they discuss the self-development benefits of building a good relationship with failure, how to maximize learning from your intelligent failures, and how the most complex failures can be prevented simply by speaking up. Amy also talks about her strategy to keep a consistent wri...

Sep 04, 202342 minEp. 73

Work Lessons 101, with Sabrina Woodworth

There are so many things that are not taught to children growing up or while attending school. Project manager Sabrina Woodworth aims to bridge this gap by writing Work Lessons 101, which gathers all the essential things people should know even at a young age. Joining J.R. Lowry, she talks about the most important lessons everyone must take to heart in their first decade, from building themselves as effective leaders, designing a healthy frame of mind, to putting emotional intelligence to work. ...

Aug 28, 202358 minEp. 72
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