Higher education often feels like a reality TV show—full of rivalries, dramatic eliminations, and schools fighting for the top spot. But what if universities actually worked together? Enter Dr. Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) and host of The Innovating Together Podcast . From her small-town roots to becoming a driving force in educational reform, Bridget is on a mission to replace academic competition with collaboration. She’s tackling the “Higher Ed Hunger Games” ...
Mar 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 217
Change isn’t just a business buzzword—it’s a way of life. Jason Bloomfield, Global Head of Change and Experience Design at Ericsson, has spent over 20 years navigating the twists and turns of M&A, corporate transformations, and direct-to-consumer strategies. But his most valuable lessons didn’t come from boardrooms—they came from life itself. From childhood challenges to corporate shake-ups, Jason shares how resilience, adaptability, and a little bit of humor can turn even the toughest trans...
Mar 05, 2025•44 min•Ep. 216
What do Tintin and talent recruitment have in common? Just ask Ian Myers. As founder and CEO of Oceans, he’s on a mission to connect Sri Lanka’s top professionals with U.S. businesses—scaling his company from zero to $10 million in just two years. But his career isn’t just about business; it’s been a full-blown adventure. From banking and venture capital to gaming and entrepreneurship, Ian has navigated industries (and continents) with one simple rule: trust your gut and keep moving forward. Key...
Mar 05, 2025•40 min•Ep. 215
So you finally quit that toxic job, only to find yourself in another workplace filled with the same drama. What gives? Leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long explains why office politics follow you wherever you go—and how to stop them from running your career. In this two-part series, we tackle power dynamics, corporate chaos, and the real reason some people seem to climb the ladder effortlessly while others get stuck. If you’re tired of feeling like a pawn in someone else’s game, this episode is...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 214
So you finally quit that toxic job, only to find yourself in another workplace filled with the same drama. What gives? Leadership expert Jennifer Selby Long explains why office politics follow you wherever you go—and how to stop them from running your career. In this two-part series, we tackle power dynamics, corporate chaos, and the real reason some people seem to climb the ladder effortlessly while others get stuck. If you’re tired of feeling like a pawn in someone else’s game, this episode is...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 213
Jennifer Selby Long has spent three decades coaching tech leaders through the messiest corners of organizational change. In this episode, she tackles everything from leadership blind spots to stakeholder tug-of-wars and shares why handling office politics doesn’t have to feel like an episode of Survivor. Whether you’re managing a team or just trying to stay afloat during corporate upheaval, Jennifer’s strategies will help you keep your cool and make an impact. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Al...
Mar 04, 2025•46 min•Ep. 212
Jennifer Selby Long’s career took a surprise turn when she found herself managing change before “change management” was even a thing. Over the years, she’s cracked the code on why humans resist change—and how to help them embrace it. Now, as a trusted coach for tech leaders, she shares how to move beyond spreadsheets and systems to the real work of change: influencing people, handling conflict, and keeping your sanity intact along the way. Key Highlights of Our Interview: From IT Troubleshooting...
Mar 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 211
What happens when a media executive walks away from the world of celebrity and spotlights? César Couto Ferreira, the former MTV and Vice Media powerhouse, traded backstage passes with global icons like Madonna and Coldplay for a mission with more depth. After launching media empires across Europe and Brazil, he realized that glitz alone wasn’t enough—he wanted impact. Now, he’s bringing his creative and business savvy to olio.is and Streamhub, shaping the future of media with a blend of vision, ...
Mar 02, 2025•24 min•Ep. 210
Michael Levitt didn’t just hit rock bottom—he crash-landed, lost his job, his car, his home, and survived a heart attack, all within a single year. Talk about a wake-up call. Now, as the Chief Burnout Officer and Founder of Breakfast Leadership Network, he’s on a mission to make sure others don’t follow in his burned-out footsteps. With a career spanning finance, IT, and healthcare, plus a Top 200 podcast and his book Burnout Proof , Michael dishes out real talk on stress, resilience, and why yo...
Mar 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 209
Ral West’s resume reads like an adventure novel. She’s been an airline owner, a cruise ship operator, a real estate investor, and now, a mentor for entrepreneurs looking to turn bold ideas into reality. After selling her Alaska-Hawaii charter airline to Alaska Airlines, she didn’t slow down—she just switched industries. In this episode, she shares her wild ride through decades of entrepreneurship and the lessons she’s learned about balancing ambition with a fulfilling life. Key Highlights of Our...
Mar 01, 2025•28 min•Ep. 208
Athena Brownson was at the top of her real estate game when life handed her a challenge she never saw coming—Lyme disease. What followed was an eight-year rollercoaster of chronic pain, exhausting treatments, and redefining everything she thought she knew about success. In the last episode, she took us through the raw, unfiltered truth of navigating an illness that most people don’t understand. And in Part Two today, we’ll see how she turned this battle into a comeback story. Key Highlights of O...
Mar 01, 2025•25 min•Ep. 207
Athena Brownson was at the top of her real estate game when life handed her a challenge she never saw coming—Lyme disease. What followed was an eight-year rollercoaster of chronic pain, exhausting treatments, and redefining everything she thought she knew about success. In this episode, she takes us through the raw, unfiltered truth of navigating an illness that most people don’t understand. And in Part Two? We’ll see how she turned this battle into a comeback story. Key Highlights of Our Interv...
Mar 01, 2025•29 min•Ep. 206
Back in my LA finance days, I managed billion-dollar bond funds with Jeffrey Gundlach, aka the “Bond King.” But today, we’re switching gears from complex portfolios to something a little shinier—gold. Collin Plume isn’t here to sell you coins—he’s here to talk about what really matters: how to build financial security, make retirement stress-free, and raise kids who actually understand money. If you’ve ever wondered whether gold is more than just a doomsday hedge, Collin has some golden insights...
Feb 28, 2025•37 min•Ep. 205
Back in my LA finance days, I managed billion-dollar bond funds with Jeffrey Gundlach, aka the “Bond King.” But today, we’re switching gears from complex portfolios to something a little shinier—gold. Collin Plume isn’t here to sell you coins—he’s here to talk about what really matters: how to build financial security, make retirement stress-free, and raise kids who actually understand money. If you’ve ever wondered whether gold is more than just a doomsday hedge, Collin has some golden insights...
Feb 28, 2025•33 min•Ep. 204
Ryota Tanozaki started his career selling shochu at Suntory. Now? He’s running the show as President & CEO of Tabist (formerly OYO Japan), leading a tech revolution for 90,000+ Japanese hotels. Along the way, he’s worn many hats—strategy consultant, product manager, GM, and even Head of Instagram Japan. We first crossed paths at Chicago Booth’s Executive MBA program (2013–2015), and I’m excited to share his journey from spirits to startups in this episode. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Na...
Feb 27, 2025•33 min•Ep. 203
Wayne Turmel, co-author of The Long-Distance Leader , has spent years studying what makes remote and hybrid leadership work—and what makes it a complete disaster. In this episode, he breaks down why hybrid work often feels like a three-day compromise nobody really loves, how proximity bias warps leadership decisions, and why being intentional beats simply showing up. Whether you’re managing a team across time zones or just trying to figure out how to give feedback without a forced video call, Wa...
Feb 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 202
After 17 years at Blizzard, Benedikt Oehmen was living the dream—until layoffs hit like a surprise boss battle. While the ending was tough, he didn’t hit “quit.” Instead, he rewrote the script, turning his own experience into a mission to help others navigate job loss. In this episode, he shares his hard-earned insights, including his “Big Three” strategies for rebounding, thriving, and finding the next great opportunity. Key Highlights of Our Interview: From Physicist to Gamer at Blizzard From ...
Feb 26, 2025•30 min•Ep. 201
For the first time ever, my podcast comes full circle—finally featuring a guest from my home city, Hong Kong! Meet May Yeung: teaching artist, founder of the charity Art of My Family , cancer survivor, and proud mom of an energetic 14-month-old. While Hong Kong is famous for finance, May proves art can be just as powerful—reshaping lives, advocating for mental health, and championing sustainability. And as a bonus, our youngest guest yet (her toddler!) makes an appearance. Stay tuned for a heart...
Feb 25, 2025•34 min•Ep. 200
Katie Curry isn’t just fluent in the language of risk; she’s turned it into an art form. She has made a career out of calculated risks, pivoting from Bulgaria to Wall Street, from finance to creativity, and from spreadsheets to salsa dancing. Whether managing analysts, mentoring future leaders, or convincing her kids that Excel is “basically magic,” she’s proof that resilience is more than just a corporate buzzword—it’s a career cheat code. In Part Two, Katie Curry breaks down the Gen Z effect—a...
Feb 24, 2025•25 min•Ep. 199
Katie Curry isn’t just fluent in the language of risk; she’s turned it into an art form. She has made a career out of calculated risks, pivoting from Bulgaria to Wall Street, from finance to creativity, and from spreadsheets to salsa dancing. Whether managing analysts, mentoring future leaders, or convincing her kids that Excel is “basically magic,” she’s proof that resilience is more than just a corporate buzzword—it’s a career cheat code. In this episode, Katie unpacks the art of reinvention, ...
Feb 24, 2025•22 min•Ep. 198
Part Two. James Hilovsky dives into the real game of franchising—where passion fuels success, but unchecked ego can lead to fumbles. He breaks down how even non-athletes can thrive in franchising by overcoming fear, finding the right fit, and partnering with a franchisor that has their back. Whether you’re a former athlete or just someone tired of the corporate grind, this episode will show you how to step up to the plate and own your future. Key Highlights of Our Interview: When Ego Enters the ...
Feb 24, 2025•28 min•Ep. 197
Part One. James Hilovsky traded his cleats for contracts, moving from professional sports to a thriving career in franchising. He knows firsthand how skills like teamwork, leadership, and risk-taking make athletes natural business owners. In this episode, James breaks down how following a coach’s playbook isn’t so different from running a franchise—and how he’s helping others transition from the game to the business world without dropping the ball. Key Highlights of Our Interview: From Baseball ...
Feb 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 196
Steve Monaghan went from piloting airplanes to piloting billion-dollar banking transformations—because why settle for one high-stakes job when you can have two? After trading in his wings for Wall Street, he’s spent 30 years disrupting finance and tech across Australia, Tokyo, and the Middle East. Now, with leadership roles at RAKBANK, FinMir.ai, and beyond, he’s proving that the real flight plan for success is innovation. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The Foreigner’s Lens “Being an outsider ...
Feb 23, 2025•44 min•Ep. 195
The classic career path? Boring. Josh Geballe ditched his CFO seat at IBM Europe for a 16-person startup because, well, why not? Over three decades, he’s jumped between industries, from leading companies to managing state-wide crises, all in the pursuit of impact. Now, at Yale Ventures, he’s proving that a career built on risk-taking and gut instincts isn’t just rewarding—it’s how industries evolve. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Big Corporate to Small Chaos “Jumping from one of the world’s bi...
Feb 23, 2025•29 min•Ep. 194
What happens when humans and AI start sharing the same conversations? Dr. Juliana Schroeder, Associate Professor at UC Berkeley Haas, unpacks how generative AI is reshaping communication and collaboration. Whether it’s using paralinguistic cues, knowing when to switch modes, or ensuring tech doesn’t drown out emotional intelligence, Juliana makes one thing clear—real connection still comes down to being human. Key Highlights of Our Interview: The Mind Behind the Machine “AI isn’t just changing t...
Feb 22, 2025•35 min•Ep. 193
Fatou Sagna Sow had what most would call a dream job—managing billion-dollar transactions and leading a powerhouse legal team at the world’s top banks. Then she did something unexpected: she quit. Trading Parisian luxury for Senegalese grit, she packed up her family and set out to drive real change in Africa. Now, as CEO of New Deal Consulting, she’s empowering young talent and proving that ambition doesn’t have to come with a corporate logo. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Trading Parisian Com...
Feb 22, 2025•34 min•Ep. 192
Part Two. From psychology textbooks to political debates, Tin Pei Ling took an unexpected career turn—and not everyone was thrilled about it. Becoming Singapore’s youngest female parliamentarian meant facing criticism, age bias, and a whole lot of unsolicited advice. But instead of folding, she leaned into resilience, grassroots work, and a no-nonsense approach to leadership. She also dives into her approach to navigating change (spoiler: it involves a lot of adapting and zero standing still), h...
Feb 20, 2025•22 min•Ep. 191
Part One. From psychology textbooks to political debates, Tin Pei Ling took an unexpected career turn—and not everyone was thrilled about it. Becoming Singapore’s youngest female parliamentarian meant facing criticism, age bias, and a whole lot of unsolicited advice. But instead of folding, she leaned into resilience, grassroots work, and a no-nonsense approach to leadership. Tune in to hear how she turned skeptics into supporters and lessons into legislation. Key Highlights of Our Interview: A ...
Feb 20, 2025•21 min•Ep. 190
Hiring used to be about handshakes—now it’s about hacking the system. Mary Shea, GM of Hire Quotient and former co-CEO of Mediafly, spills the secrets of modern hiring, from decoding hidden talent pools to avoiding AI’s résumé black hole. Whether you’re job hunting, recruiting, or just trying to figure out why no one calls back anymore, this episode is for you. Key Highlights of Our Interview: AI as a Recruiter’s Right Hand “Offloading 75% of the recruiting workload, generative AI and automation...
Feb 20, 2025•43 min•Ep. 189
Who needs a solo act when you can have a dynamic duo? In Part Two of this series, Mary Shea, General Manager of Hire Quotient and former co-CEO of Mediafly, takes us inside the world of co-CEOship—a growing leadership trend that’s part genius, part juggling act. Mary unpacks what makes it work: trust, complementary skills, and a shared vision. But she’s also refreshingly candid about the pitfalls—slower decision-making, the need for a strong board, and why even the best co-leaders need a “busine...
Feb 19, 2025•26 min•Ep. 188
