
To The Top: Inspirational Career Advice
We interview authors, entrepreneurs, and thoughts leaders to share their blueprints for success that you can also apply in your own life.
Latest episodes

Aug 2, 2021 • 55min
#52 Dan Sheridan: Leading With Authenticity at Brooks Running
Dan Sheridan, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Brooks Running, shares a treasure trove of life and career lessons from his 20+ years at the company. Dan has also experienced the turnaround of the organization through the leadership of their CEO, Jim Weber. Dan shares the lessons he's learned leading the organization before and after the pandemic and how it's positioned Brooks for a bright future. In this episode we also discuss: -The impact of finding the right CEO -How Dan and his team approach diversity, equity, and inclusion -Traits of the best leaders -How Brooks positioned themselves as a market leader in performance running/training -The upside of working for Warren Buffett and more.. ----- email questions or comments to omaid@omaid.me

May 23, 2021 • 56min
#51 Dr. Srini Pillay: On Recharging & Managing Stress
Dr. Srini Pillay is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and brain researcher who has published multiple books on how to address anxiety and how to unleash your full potential. His recent book, Tinker Dabble Doodle Try is about how to create periods of un-focus in your day to re-fuel your brain. In this episode we discuss: -the unconscious mind -a unique approach when feeling overwhelmed with uncertainty -tips to re-fuel your brain during the day to be more productive -ways to boost confidence, relieve stress, and more.. ----- send questions or comments to omaid@omaid.me

May 1, 2021 • 55min
#50 Pete Flint: Co-founder of Trulia
Pete Flint, General Partner at NFX and co-founder of Trulia, shares his remarkable journey from Oxford to Silicon Valley. He discusses the tough decisions faced during the 2008 recession that forced Trulia to pivot its business model. Flint dives into what he values in company culture, emphasizing the importance of hiring for diversity over conformity. He also highlights key lessons from early fundraising rejections, the significance of feedback in growth, and the role of risk tolerance in entrepreneurship.

Apr 23, 2021 • 1h 15min
#49 Bayard Winthrop: Building a Brand Based on Values
Bayard Winthrop is the CEO + founder of American Giant, an apparel brand that was coined of making the greatest hoodie ever made by Slate Magazine. AG is also known for sourcing and manufacturing their apparel in the US. Bayard is one of the most forward thinking leaders in the apparel industry. His is obsessed with quality, creating apparel that is American made, and leading his people with compassion. We discuss a range of topics from career advice, his journey, why cheap isn't cheap, and more. ----- This episode is brought to you by AquaLiv, the best tasting water filter system that is healthy and alkaline. You can learn more about AquaLiv here. ----- Email me any questions or comments omaid@omaid.me

Mar 27, 2021 • 50min
#48 Bruce Smith: How He Built the Peloton of Rowing
Bruce Smith is the CEO and founder of Hydrow which is like the Peloton of rowing. It's designed as a connected fitness device that has classes in a live outdoor reality setting. Bruce was also an elite rowing coach. He won the Head of the Charles, coached the US Lightweight Eight to a Bronze medal at the 2015 World Rowing Championships and was the former Executive Director of Community Rowing in Boston. In this episode we discuss: How his team was able to bring the product to market in half the time Why it was important to nail the live outdoor reality aspect of Hydrow The values Bruce looks for in a hire Why rowing has some of the best benefits of any other alternative for fitness, and more.. Check out Hydrow at www.hydrow.com ----- This episode is brought to you by AquaLiv, in my opinion the best water filter system that is the best tasting water that is also healthy and alkaline. You can learn more about AquaLiv here. ----- Receive news about the latest interviews by signing up for my newsletter here: www.omaid.me

Mar 7, 2021 • 28min
#47 Adam Schefter: Using Setbacks to Fuel Your Career
Adam Schefter is a Senior NFL Insider at ESPN. He joined ESPN as an NFL Insider in August 2009, and now appears on a variety of programs, including NFL Live, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, SportsCenter and more throughout the year. He also hosts his own ESPN Audio podcast, “The Adam Schefter Podcast”, and regularly contributes to other ESPN platforms, such as ESPN.com and ESPN Radio. Before joining ESPN, Schefter was a reporter/analyst for NFL Network (2004-08) and a sportswriter for more than 15 years for the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News, where he covered the NFL and the Denver Broncos. A former president of the Pro Football Writers of America, Schefter has authored five books. His most recent, The Man I Never Met: A Memoir (co-authored by Michael Rosenberg), is a powerful story of loss and hope, centered around his family and the memory of his wife Sharri’s first husband, Joe Maio, who died in the September 11 terror attacks. In this episode we discuss: His memoir, The Man I Never Met How he transitioned to fatherhood later in life How he earned the job he has today His advice on how to build trust with people How setbacks he endured fueled his career and more.. ----- This episode is brought to you by AquaLiv, in my opinion the best water filtration system that is the best tasting water that is also healthy and alkaline. You can learn more about AquaLiv here. ----- Receive news about the latest interviews by signing up for my newsletter here: www.omaid.me

Mar 4, 2021 • 52min
#46 Jaya Rao: CEO of Molekule
Jaya Rao is the co-founder and CEO of Molekule. She joined the "family business" after getting her mechanical engineering degree and masters in public policy from Stanford. Her father initially developed the technology for Molekule because her brother, Dilip, had severe asthma. Being one of the thought leaders in solar energy, Dr. Goswami, went to work to and built the prototype to what is now Molekule. Jaya shares sound career advice through her journey as the CEO of a disruptive and innovative brand. ----- This episode is brought to you by the AquaLiv Water System (www.aqualiv.com) ----- Join my newsletter for the latest updates (www.omaid.me)

Feb 22, 2021 • 38min
#45 Joe Boyle: EVP of Columbia Sportswear Company
Joe Boyle is a fourth-generation member of the founding Boyle family and currently Executive Vice President of Columbia Sportswear Company and Columbia Brand President. Through his years at one of the largest outdoor companies in the world, Joe served in several roles of increasing leadership and responsibility, ranging from sales and planning to merchandising and product design. Joe discusses the heritage of the brand, how they've led through adversity, career advice, and much more. ----- This episode is brought to you by the AquaLiv Water System (www.aqualiv.com) ----- Join my newsletter for the latest updates (www.omaid.me)

May 25, 2020 • 54min
#44 Richard Krulik: CEO of Briggs & Riley
Richard Krulik is the CEO of Briggs & Riley, my favorite luggage brand in the entire world. His family has been in the business for nearly a century. Richard shares the story of his family's heritage along with his experience in the business and how he's led the company to be one of the most respected and beloved brands that thoughtfully builds lasting relationships with their customers. Richard shares a mountain of gems ranging from career advice to some of the toughest decisions he's had to make as CEO. ----- This episode is brought to you by Briggs & Riley (www.briggs-riley.com) ----- Join my newsletter for the latest updates (www.omaid.me)

Jan 28, 2020 • 1h 41min
#43 Ryan Hawk: Welcome to Management
Ryan Hawk is widely known as hosting the most dynamic leadership podcast where he's interviewed 350 of the most forward thinking leaders. He's published a new book titled Welcome to Management which is the guide book he wishes he had when he was promoted from an individual contributor to a management role. Admittedly, he was ill prepared. His book should be handed to new managers and would be a great asset to those thinking of management or existing ones wanting to compare notes. --- This episode is brought to you by Anker, the leading provider of chargers, cables, and power banks. (www.anker.com) --- Text START to 345345 to join my newsletter for the latest updates --- Send questions/comments to omaid@omaid.me