Send us a Text Message. In this insightful episode, Lauren Weber of The Wall Street Journal joins host Brian Aquart to unravel the complexities of the modern workforce. Delve into a nuanced discussion on the pros and cons of gig jobs, the rising demand for sustainable work without a college degree, and the evolution of the workplace in light of AI and labor shortages. Unearth the challenges chief diversity officers face, the transforming landscape of employee empowerment, and innovative pathways...
Apr 23, 2024•50 min•Ep. 68
Send us a Text Message. Antonio Neves, a world-renowned speaker, author, and coach, shares his journey from a career in media to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their true potential. He discusses the impact of the pandemic on personal and professional growth, the power of storytelling in coaching, and the key principles from his book 'Stop Living on Autopilot'. Antonio also highlights the importance of community and connection in personal and professional development, like he d...
Apr 16, 2024•53 min•Ep. 67
Send us a Text Message. In a riveting episode of Why I Left, Sandra Hunter reveals why she abandoned her academic career to combat systemic bias and support women of color. Founding the Stealth Auntie Network and Wild Women Leaders of Color, she's transforming the landscape for mentorship and career progression. Delve into Sandra's personal evolution during the pandemic, her fight against discrimination, and her mission to uplift women through ancestral strength and resilience. Discover the prof...
Apr 09, 2024•51 min•Ep. 66
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart welcomes Ashley Morgan, Founder & CEO of Whip It Goods Skincare to share her journey from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship. Her LinkedIn post about her exit was a viral moment that caught the eyes of many for its authenticity. Ashley discusses the challenges she faced as a black woman in the tech industry and the toll it took on her mental health. She also explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial reckoning of 2020 pushed her to make a chan...
Apr 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 65
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Leah Phifer, former Homeland Security and FBI member, to probe the crisis rocking the modern workplace. Leah shares her gripping journey from public service to founding "Why Work," her employee engagement consultancy. Discover how Lego Serious Play revitalizes company-employee communication, and why understanding the hand-mind connection is vital for a thriving work atmosphere. Leah boldly confronts the human energy crisis akin to climate chang...
Mar 26, 2024•51 min•Ep. 64
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart welcomes Aoife O'Brien, Founder of Happier at Work, who shares her journey of leaving corporate and starting her own business. She discusses the Happier at Work framework, which focuses on values alignment, needs satisfaction, and strengths utilization. Aoife emphasizes the importance of putting people first in the workplace and creating a positive work culture. She also discusses the future of work and the need for flexibility and outcome-based work. For tho...
Mar 19, 2024•52 min•Ep. 63
Send us a Text Message. Jarvis Sam, founder of The Rainbow Disruption and former head of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Nike, discusses his career journey and the importance of creating inclusive cultures. He shares pivotal moments in his career, including working with athletes and sports leagues to drive change. Jarvis also talks about the impact of COVID-19 on his job and work-life balance. He explains his decision to leave Nike and start his own firm, Rainbow Disruption, which focuses on...
Mar 12, 2024•37 min•Ep. 62
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart chats with Kat Weaver, founder of Power to Pitch, who shares her inspiring journey from accidental entrepreneur to securing 22 out of 23 pitch competitions, revealing essential elements for entrepreneurial success. She discusses the impact of the pandemic on her business and how she pivoted to meet new demands. Kat also talks about her decision to exit her previous company, Locker Lifestyle, and the mission of Power to Pitch in helping founders get funded fas...
Mar 05, 2024•32 min•Ep. 61
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Judy Jackson to discuss the importance of authenticity, caring, and gratitude in the workplace. She shares her experiences in HR and highlights the challenges of the role. Judy emphasizes the value of expressing gratitude and the positive impact it can have on individuals and organizations. She also provides advice for those navigating career transitions and emphasizes the importance of having a supportive community. Judy advocates for putting ...
Feb 27, 2024•50 min•Ep. 60
Send us a Text Message. Chase Tucker, a former Peloton instructor, shares his journey of finding clarity and pursuing his passion. He discusses his upbringing, career pivot, and the impact of the pandemic on his work. Chase emphasizes the importance of discipline and self-control in achieving personal and professional goals. Since leaving Peloton, he has been building a business and aims to impact a billion lives positively. Takeaways Finding clarity and pursuing one's passion is a journey that ...
Feb 20, 2024•47 min•Ep. 59
Send us a Text Message. Dive into the heart-pounding drama, raw emotions, and jaw-dropping revelations as Why I Left launches Season 3! Join host, Brian Aquart , as we journey through the untold stories of real people who dared to defy convention and follow their dreams. From corporate giants to trailblazing entrepreneurs, no stone is left unturned in this riveting exploration of the modern workplace landscape. Brace yourself for an adrenaline-fueled adventure as we unravel the mysteries of the ...
Feb 08, 2024•2 min•Ep. 16
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Alicia D. Reece, an executive coach and author, who shares her career journey and the inspiration behind her book, Driven to Thrive. She discusses strategies for career growth, building authentic connections, and harmonizing personal and professional responsibilities. Alicia emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community and shares advice for those feeling stuck or discouraged in their personal and professional lives. She aims to hav...
Dec 19, 2023•46 min•Ep. 58
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart chats with Mark Scott, an influential sports agent and the founder of Crown Madison. Delve into an enthralling conversation that explores the depths of athlete representation, career development, and the transformative journey that led Mark to blaze new trails within the sports industry. Discover the passion and resilience that guided Mark's decisions, particularly during the unparalleled challenges posed by the global pandemic. Mark breaks down his 'aha' mom...
Dec 12, 2023•42 min•Ep. 58
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Anna Burgess Yang, who went from Fintech corporate executive to creative freelancer. At the peak of her career, Anna realized something crucial was amiss personal fulfillment and operational influence. After a 15-year hustle, the pandemonium of the pandemic presented Anna with unique challenges working remotely while balancing her role as a mother of three. It was in this moment that her priorities underwent a seismic shift. In a heart-to-heart...
Dec 05, 2023•39 min•Ep. 56
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Billy Keels. Billy left his high-salary corporate sales job to embark on a path of entrepreneurship and shares his journey from the grind of sales to creating financial independence and becoming invested in real assets through his company, First Generation Capital Partners. Billy enlightens listeners about the difficult transition to entrepreneurship from the safety net of a corporate job, a journey dotted with overwhelming challenges. However,...
Nov 28, 2023•49 min•Ep. 55
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Joy White, a multifaceted powerhouse balancing law, coaching, filmmaking and mental health advocacy. The heart of our discussion centers around Joy's experience at the frontlines of the pandemic, managing her role as General Counsel at Morehouse College. The pandemic did not spare higher education; her leadership was tested as ever-changing CDC guidelines influenced decisions that put students' safety first while grappling with financial dynami...
Nov 21, 2023•59 min•Ep. 54
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Le-an Lai Lacaba, the co-founder of 2xYouan outsourcing company specializing in executive assistants. Le-an is an expert in the world of remote work and passionately advocates for the future of flexible work arrangements. Together, they delve into the power of building the right team during the COVID-19 pandemic and the immense value that virtual assistants (VAs) bring to businesses. Le-an's journey in remote work began at a young age when she ...
Nov 14, 2023•40 min•Ep. 53
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Shara Hutchinson, the CEO of Xposeyour. Shara shares her powerful journey from a tumultuous childhood to building a successful career and finding her true purpose. As a former foster child, Shara's life wasn't always easy. However, she managed to turn her adversities into opportunities and became passionate about helping others do the same. With a background in change management, Shara believes that exposure to new ideas and information is the ...
Nov 07, 2023•36 min•Ep. 52
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Yasmeen Hassan, an Emmy award-winning news anchor and co-founder of HCue Consulting, to discuss her decision to leave the media industry after 15 years. Yasmeen shares her journey from Cairo, Egypt to the United States and her experiences working in media, both behind the scenes and as an on-air anchor. Despite the glamour and excitement of being involved in major events and telling people's stories, Yasmeen found herself longing for more fulfi...
Oct 31, 2023•31 min•Ep. 51
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Todd Quinones, a passionate former TV news anchor who has transitioned to a new chapter in his life. Todd shares his inspiring journey, highlighting the importance of giving a voice to underrepresented individuals and finding fulfillment in propelling others toward success. Throughout his career, Todd dedicated himself to broadcast journalism and storytelling. He enjoyed being in the spotlight and sharing stories that mattered. However, as time...
Oct 24, 2023•36 min•Ep. 50
Send us a Text Message. Join host Brian Aquart as he sits down with Sara Madera, the founder of Plan Creatively, a company dedicated to helping working moms find passion and success in their careers while managing the responsibilities of family and work. Sara shares her personal journey of leaving the corporate world and how she now empowers other moms to find joy and balance in their professional and personal lives. Tune in to discover how Sara's pivot during the pandemic led her to a fulfillin...
Oct 17, 2023•30 min•Ep. 49
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart welcomes Melina Cordero, Founder of Melina Cordero Consulting, who shares her journey of leaving the corporate real estate and building her own platform. Melina offers valuable advice for those contemplating leaving their jobs. Firstly, she recommends connecting with people who have successfully quit their jobs and listening to their stories, which can inspire others to realize that change is possible. Secondly, she emphasizes the importance of rest and findi...
Oct 10, 2023•38 min•Ep. 48
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Stacy Reed, a marketing guru who has successfully scaled paid social to $1 million. Stacy shares her insights, strategies, and experiences to take your marketing game to the next level! Stacy Reed is a seasoned marketing expert who specializes in helping clients map out their marketing strategies, creative messaging, and campaigns. With a deep understanding of the customer journey, Stacy helps businesses optimize their ad performance through or...
Oct 03, 2023•56 min•Ep. 47
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart speaks with Julie Raeder, a hooper and former special education teacher turned tech professional on this weeks episode. Julie shares her journey of leaving education and finding a new path in the world of business. During her time as a special education teacher, she faced numerous challenges in adapting to virtual teaching and supporting her students and their families through unfamiliar online learning environments. However, she approached these challenges h...
Sep 26, 2023•38 min•Ep. 46
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Adam McChesney, the owner at Hite Digital St. Louis, a highly successful digital marketing agency. Adam shares his journey of leaving his corporate sales job during the pandemic to build a multi-million dollar business. From finding success in the challenging CPAP industry to achieving exponential growth with Hite Digital, Adam's story is a testament to the power of taking bold leaps of faith. Adam shares valuable insights on the stepping stone...
Sep 19, 2023•44 min•Ep. 45
Send us a Text Message. Today, Brian Aquart is joined by Dr. Michelle Gordon, a surgeon with over 15 years of experience who took the brave step of leaving her multimillion-dollar practice. Dr. Gordon shares her personal journey of burnout, reinvention, and the importance of self-reflection in creating the life of your dreams. Join us as we explore the impact of menopause, the challenges of the medical profession, and the power of personal growth. Dr. Gordon shares her personal experiences with ...
Sep 12, 2023•43 min•Ep. 44
Send us a Text Message. Today, Brian Aquart sits down with the Maura Barclay, Founder of Changing Greatly, LLC, a culture consultancy that helps organizations create psychologically safe, inclusive cultures that unleash love for work. We explore the impact of data-driven decision-making, the importance of diversity in leadership teams, and the role of predictive assessments in creating thriving organizational cultures. Maura shares her experience of leveraging data to support leaders in diversif...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 43
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with executive coach and HR expert, Kate Walker, to discuss the importance of aligning your values to your work. As an executive coach with a wealth of HR experience, Kate shares her extensive background in assisting companies with team and company rebuilds. Through a personal brand audit exercise, Kate offers a practical approach to help individuals rebuild their leadership team and enhance their career advancement. The exercise Kate shares involve...
Aug 29, 2023•53 min•Ep. 42
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits with Matt Doan, a former management consultant who found the courage to leave the corporate cage and unlock a life of freedom, purpose, and personal growth. In this thought-provoking episode of Why I Left, Matt shares his insights on how he reinvented himself, uncaged his potential, and now helps others transform their lives. Although management consulting can be a rewarding and lucrative field that offers a range of valuable skills, Matt realized that h...
Aug 22, 2023•49 min•Ep. 41
Send us a Text Message. Brian Aquart sits down with Jane Kisnica to discuss her captivating journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of her true passion. From navigating the uncertainties of the pandemic to unleashing her creativity through design and branding, Jane shares invaluable insights that will inspire anyone searching for their calling. Join us as we delve into her story and find out how she found purpose in design, ultimately breaking free from the confines of a corporate job. In her ...
Aug 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 40
