Michael Sakraida believes wealth isn’t just about your bank account—it’s about how you spend your time and who you spend it with. In Money, Balance and Joy , he exposes why traditional financial wisdom misses the mark and why the real key to happiness lies in balancing money, time, and relationships. He also dishes out some well-aimed criticism at Wall Street, personal finance “experts,” and the media’s obsession with financial doom and gloom. This episode might just change the way you think abo...
Mar 13, 2025•25 min•Ep. 229
If negotiating your salary makes you sweat more than a job interview, you’re not alone. John Gates, author of ACT YOUR WAGE , knows how to turn those anxiety-fueled conversations into strategic wins. Forget the old-school advice about just “asking for more.” John explains why real salary talks aren’t about throwing out a number, but about controlling the conversation, shifting your mindset, and playing the long game. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Coast-to-Coast Hustle: The Ups and Downs of Ch...
Mar 13, 2025•43 min•Ep. 228
Some people color inside the lines. Others—like Sara Lobkovich—ditch the coloring book altogether and make their own rules. A proud introvert, ADHDer, and change-maker, Sara turned years of navigating life’s twists into two books designed to help others do the same. In Part 1, we’ll hear how she went from feeling like an outsider to building a thriving career by embracing what makes her different. And in Part 2, we’ll break down her books—what’s inside, who they’re for, and why they actually wor...
Mar 13, 2025•34 min•Ep. 227
Some people color inside the lines. Others—like Sara Lobkovich—ditch the coloring book altogether and make their own rules. A proud introvert, ADHDer, and change-maker, Sara turned years of navigating life’s twists into two books designed to help others do the same. In Part 1, we’ll hear how she went from feeling like an outsider to building a thriving career by embracing what makes her different. And in Part 2, we’ll break down her books—what’s inside, who they’re for, and why they actually wor...
Mar 13, 2025•35 min•Ep. 226
We’re closing out Love and Logic with a powerhouse—Waverly Deutsch, the theater-loving, PhD-earning, startup-coaching dynamo. A fierce advocate for LGBTQ and women entrepreneurs, Waverly doesn’t just give advice; she gives strategies that work. At WyseHeart Advisory, she’s proving that retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about lifting up the next generation with tough love and a little bit of stage presence. Key Highlights of Our Interview: A Coach’s Secret Weapon “The key to trust and tran...
Mar 12, 2025•30 min•Ep. 225
If there’s one thing Waverly Deutsch doesn’t do, it’s fluff. In Part 2 of Love and Logic series, she shares her bold journey from STEM to stage, academia to entrepreneurship, and why she built WyseHeart Advisory to help founders thrive. A champion for LGBTQ and women entrepreneurs, Waverly proves that real mentorship isn’t about hand-holding—it’s about giving the kind of feedback that sticks. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Blending Heart and Head “Whether it’s calming executives’ cautious appr...
Mar 12, 2025•37 min•Ep. 224
Welcome to Part 1 of “Love and Logic,” where Waverly Deutsch shows us how balancing passion and reason leads to real impact. Today, we explore her journey—how she carved her path and why she’s committed to helping others find theirs. In later episodes, we’ll cover her work at Chicago Booth and WyseHeart Advisory, where she dishes out “tough love for entrepreneurs.” Waverly is famous for her blunt yet brilliant coaching style—think “Simon Cowell of Chicago Booth,” but with actual solutions. She’l...
Mar 10, 2025•43 min•Ep. 223
Christopher Quek wasn’t built to follow the family script. In this two-part series, we explore how he walked away from the comforts of a well-established family business in Singapore to chase entrepreneurship in Malaysia—much to his father’s dismay. After returning home, he doubled down on his independence by selling his inheritance to launch TRIVE, a venture capital firm built on his own vision. Last episode looked into his quest for self-identity—the reasons behind his bold moves and how he ma...
Mar 08, 2025•33 min•Ep. 222
Christopher Quek wasn’t built to follow the family script. In this two-part series, we explore how he walked away from the comforts of a well-established family business in Singapore to chase entrepreneurship in Malaysia—much to his father’s dismay. After returning home, he doubled down on his independence by selling his inheritance to launch TRIVE, a venture capital firm built on his own vision. In this episode, we dive into his boldest moves, his pursuit of self-identity, and what it really ta...
Mar 08, 2025•28 min•Ep. 221
Part Two. From politics to entrepreneurship, Sihame El Kaouakibi has faced—and conquered—some serious challenges. Burnout? Check. Bankruptcy? Been there. A political storm? Handled. But instead of breaking under pressure, she calls herself “anti-fragile,” using adversity as fuel for reinvention. In Part One, we explore how she built herself back up as a leadership coach, diversity advocate, and creator of Women Leaders OS. And this is just the beginning. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Burnt Ou...
Mar 07, 2025•35 min•Ep. 220
From politics to entrepreneurship, Sihame El Kaouakibi has faced—and conquered—some serious challenges. Burnout? Check. Bankruptcy? Been there. A political storm? Handled. But instead of breaking under pressure, she calls herself “anti-fragile,” using adversity as fuel for reinvention. In Part One, we explore how she built herself back up as a leadership coach, diversity advocate, and creator of Women Leaders OS. And this is just the beginning. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Burnt Out, Bankrup...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 219
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•28 min•Ep. 218
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 transitio...
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: Naviga...
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
