
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

Oct 5, 2019 • 44min
#42 Bryant Barr: The Story Behind Stephen Curry's SC30 Inc.
Bryan Barr is the President of SC30 Inc. where he partners with Stephen Curry and oversees his brand, investment strategy, and philanthropy. He and Stephen were college roommates while they played basketball at Davidson. In this episode we discuss: -We unpack the lessons Bryant learned while working at Nike, The Stanford Graduate School of Business, and founding his own startup -The added pressure of being Stephen Curry's best friend and being the president of SC30 Inc. -We discuss their investment in Palm and how they are aiming to create a new category of devices to keep people connected to their phones, but not consumed -We also talk about the things Bryant does to be more mindful and present around the people that matter most --- This episode is brought to you by Timbuk2 bags (www.timbuk2.com) --- Text START to 345345 to join my newsletter for the latest updates --- Send questions or comments to omaid@omaid.me

Sep 15, 2019 • 1h 22min
#41 Chris Herren: The First Day
Chris Herren's story was publicized in 2011 through an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary titled Unguarded. It was the story of his rise and sudden fall of his professional basketball career due to substance abuse. The film also shows how Chris turned his life around. Over the years, Chris has been telling his new story. The First Day is the evolution of that talk where he weaves in his experiences but truly makes it about the students he's speaking to and about their struggles. His superpower is the ability to connect with these students -- and everyone should watch this film. In this episode: -Chris and I discuss why he made The First Day film and the impact he believes it can make -Jonathan Hock, the producer of The First Day, and I discuss the backstory of this documentary and the initial film he produced about Chris titled Unguarded -Watch the trailer for The First Day --- This episode is brought to you by HANDL New York (www.handlnewyork.com) --- Text START to 345345 to join my newsletter for the latest updates --- Send questions or comments to omaid@omaid.me

Aug 5, 2019 • 45min
#40 Mike Tyson: Preparing for Big Moments
Mike Tyson is the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and also became the youngest boxer to win the title at 20 years old. His career had a resurgence after the movie The Hangover a decade ago. Later, he partnered with Spike Lee where he starred in his autobiographical Broadway show titled Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth. In this episode we discuss: -How his mentor impacted his life -How he prepared for big matches -His self talk prior to a fight and more.. --- This episode is brought to you by HANDL New York (www.handlnewyork.com) --- Text START to 345345 to join my newsletter for the latest updates --- Send questions or comments to omaid@omaid.me

Jun 4, 2019 • 1h
#39 Scott Galloway: The Algebra of Happiness
Scott Galloway is a professor of brand strategy at Stern NYU and an entrepreneur. He successfully sold his last company, L2, to Gartner. He's recently published two books, one of them titled The Algebra of Happiness with the subtitle Notes on the Pursuit of Success, Love, and Meaning. In this episode we discuss: -Why some people with all the resources fail to lead a meaningful life -The number one thing in a person's life that can predict unhappiness -The two most significant attributes of entrepreneurs -Why nothing truly great will happen unless you take risks -Whether or not you should go to business school and more.. --- This episode is sponsored by Timbuk2, a San Francisco-based creator of stylish and highly functional bags. www.timbuk2.com --- Send questions or comments to omaid@omaid.me

Apr 28, 2019 • 52min
#38 Julie Zhuo: A Handbook for New Managers
Julie Zhuo is the VP of Design at Facebook. She started her career as an intern and became a rookie manager at 25. At the time, she felt unprepared for her new role. She published a book titled The Making of a Manager which is a practical guide that new managers can use to apply the tools and confidence they need to lead a great team. Seasoned managers can also compare notes by reading this book with one of the leading designers in Silicon Valley. In this episode we discuss: -How you know whether or not you want to manage people -How to evaluate the health of your team as a manager -The hardest path to becoming a manager and more.. --- This episode is brought to you by Timbuk2, a San Francisco-based creator of intuitive, stylish and personalized bags who have been creating bags in the heart of the Mission District since 1989. Check them out online at www.timbuk2.com --- email comments or questions to omaid@omaid.me

Dec 11, 2018 • 1h 10min
#37 Ricky Williams (Part II): On Redefining Yourself
To football fans Ricky Williams is known as a Heisman Trophy Winner and two-time All American at Texas. He's scored many touchdowns during his 12-year career in the NFL. In 2004, he retired at the peak of his career. He returned to the NFL with his future in mind and treated his work as his craft to set himself up for his next career. Ricky is becoming well-known for his work as a holistic healer, a journey that began nearly 15 years ago after his first retirement from the NFL. He has immersed himself in the study of evolutionary astrology as well as other healing modalities including Ayurvedic medicine, cranial sacral therapy, meditation, pranic healing and yoga. Ricky is currently pursuing his doctorate in Chinese medicine and continues to help people around the world gain a deeper understanding of their lives through his evolutionary astrology practice. In this episode we discuss: -Parenting & relationships -How he redefined his careeer -Ricky reads my astrology chart --- email omaid@omaid.me with comments or questions and send a text message to START at 345345 to join my email list

Dec 3, 2018 • 34min
#36 NFL All-Pro Ricky Williams (Part I): On Redefining Yourself
To football fans Ricky Williams is known as a Heisman Trophy Winner and two-time All American at Texas. He's scored many touchdowns during his 12-year career in the NFL. In 2004, he retired at the peak of his career. He returned to the NFL with his future in mind and treated his work as his craft to set himself up for his next career. Ricky is becoming well-known for his work as a holistic healer, a journey that began nearly 15 years ago after his first retirement from the NFL. He has immersed himself in the study of evolutionary astrology as well as other healing modalities including Ayurvedic medicine, cranial sacral therapy, meditation, pranic healing and yoga. Ricky is currently pursuing his doctorate in Chinese medicine and continues to help people around the world gain a deeper understanding of their lives through his evolutionary astrology practice. In this episode we discuss: -What led him to retire from the NFL in 2004 -How he defines success and who he believes in the most successful professional he has been around -How parenting is a reflection of our inner-selves and more.. --- email omaid@omaid.me with comments or questions and send a text message to START at 345345 to join my email list

Nov 25, 2018 • 1h 2min
#35 Karla Starr: Can You Learn To Be Lucky?
Karla Starr has written for O, The Atlantic, Slate, Popular Science, the Guardian, and the Los Angeles Times, and appeared on CBS Sunday Morning as an expert on luck. The recipient of a Best Science/Health award from the Society of Professional Journalists, she lives in New York and spends an inordinate amount of time lifting heavy things. Her first book, Can You Learn to Be Lucky? Why Some People Seem to Win More Often Than Others, was published by Penguin in 2018. She has since co-authored The Hilton Effect with Made to Stick co-author Chip Heath. Starr currently helps organizations foster lucky traits in their employees and business practices. In this episode we discuss: -How to nail a first impression -The benefits of going last in an interview -Tips to become the safe choice in a job search -Networking advice for introverts -Why it’s important not to outshine the hiring manager -When beauty can be a liability in your job hunt -How to cultivate more confidence -How to embrace your inner Kanye West -Why it’s sometimes good to fake it until we make it, and more.. -Why a near-death accident was the best thing that ever happened to Karla -The common traits of lucky people --- email comments or questions to omaid@omaid.me // visit my website at www.omaid.me // and text START to 345345 to join my newsletter for the latest updates --- If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review on iTunes because it will help spread the message of the show, thank you!

Nov 18, 2018 • 1h 6min
#34 Scott Shute: The Art of Work-Life Integration
Scott Shute is at the heart of LinkedIn's quest to create a culture of compassionate leadership, serving as the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion Programs. The programs are in service to the employees, building characteristics like emotional intelligence, resilience, and a better sense of well-being. This ultimately translates to a better experience for LinkedIn's customers. As a mindful leader, he has cultivated his mastery of meditation and awareness from his early days farming with his family in rural Kansas to leading thousands in meditation in Silicon Valley and beyond. Scott's journey has led him from an engineering degree, to sales leadership, impacting thousands of employees at LinkedIn, all weaved in with his love of photography. In this episode we discuss: -Why it's important to have a mindfulness practice and how you can develop one that works for you -How to think about work-life integration vs work-life balance -His advice for a first time manager of people -Ideas to lead better meetings and more.. --- Email questions/comments to omaid@omaid.me Sign up for my newsletter by texting START to 345345

Nov 11, 2018 • 31min
#33 Laura Vanderkam: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done
Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books. Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done(Portfolio, May 29, 2018) explores, through more than 900 time diaries collected on a single March day, why some busy people feel relaxed about time, while others do not. I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time (Portfolio, 2015) tackles the question of how women combine work and life through an analysis of 1001 days in the lives of women with demanding careers and children at home. What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast (Portfolio, 2013) profiles prominent people who use time creatively to achieve their goals. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think (Portfolio, 2010) argues that time is best approached from the holistic perspective of a week (168 hours) rather than any single day. Laura is also the author of a time management fable, Juliet’s School of Possibilities, which will be released by Portfolio in early 2019. Another novel, The Cortlandt Boys, is available as an ebook. Laura’s work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, City Journal, Fortune, and Fast Company. She has appeared on numerous television programs, including The Today Show and Fox & Friends, hundreds of radio segments, and has spoken about time and productivity to audiences of all sizes. Her TED talk, “How to gain control of your free time,” has been viewed more than 7 million times. She is the co-host, with Sarah Hart-Unger, of the podcast Best of Both Worlds. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and four children. She blogs most days at LauraVanderkam.com. --- email comments or questions to omaid@omaid.me and sign up for my newsletter for the latest updates at www.omaid.me