LEAVE YOUR MARK: Freshly Brewed Career Advice with Aliza Licht

Gwyneth Paltrow is more than an Oscar-winning actress. She is a wellness mogul, a branding mastermind, and one of the most polarizing women in Hollywood and beyond. But how did she go from red carpet royalty to CEO of a global and controversial empire? In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I’m joined (again!) by New York Times bestselling author Amy Odell, whose new book Gwyneth: The Biography pulls back the curtain on the strategy, ambition, and missteps behind one of the most talked-about careers in pop culture. We explore Amy's extensive research process that took three years and included interviewing over 220 people. Amy shares insights on Gwyneth Paltrow's life, her hotly debated and influential persona, her ventures with Goop, her leadership style, and the controversies that follow her. We also delve into the implications of Gwyneth's influence on the wellness industry and her uncanny ability to reinvent herself while maintaining a strong personal brand. We dig into: - Gwyneth as a boss and businesswoman - The backlash that became part of her brand - How she built Goop into a cultural force and what it cost her - What Amy learned from reporting on one of the most image-controlled women in the world Plus, Amy shares her own career journey from journalist to biographer, what it takes to profile powerful women, and the surprising lessons Gwyneth's story offers for anyone building a brand or navigating their own reinvention. This episode is equal parts Hollywood tea and hard-won career advice. You do not want to miss it. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:28 Introducing Amy Odell and Her Work 01:20 Amy's Career Evolution and Writing Process 05:00 Challenges of Writing Unauthorized Biographies 06:44 Gwyneth Paltrow's Influence and Brand 16:13 Gwyneth's Leadership Style at Goop 23:31 Gwyneth's Media Strategy 23:47 Goop's Controversial Products 24:40 Gwyneth's Leadership Style 25:30 Challenges at Goop 26:43 Working with Founders 29:40 Gwyneth's Reinvention 33:53 Nepo Baby Debate 36:11 Harvey Weinstein Relationship 38:02 Public Perception of Gwyneth 41:10 Conclusion and Reflections

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with the dynamic Sarah Fraser, host of The Sarah Fraser Show. We dive into Sarah's transformative journey from her early broadcasting days in DC to establishing her podcast empire. Sarah shares vivid anecdotes from her career, including the challenges of being asked to tone down her voice in corporate settings, her experience with cancel culture (plus how she survived!), and finding her authentic broadcasting voice. We also delve into Sarah's unique career advice for maintaining authenticity and dreaming big, including her exciting plans for leveraging AI and expanding her reach internationally. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to make their mark in the media industry.

When you walk into a room with confidence, people treat you differently. But why? And how can you build that kind of presence—even when you're still figuring things out? In this solo episode inspired by a simple but powerful idea from my daughter, I dive deep into the psychology of confidence. Backed by science, real-world case studies, and insight from Harvard Business School, I explore why confidence—not perfection—is often what moves the needle in your career.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with the multi-talented, Jonah Platt, actor, writer, and host of the hit podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. As a powerful advocate for Jewish identity, Jonah is someone who has thought deeply about how we communicate in complex, high-stakes moments. We explore what it means to build a career in a polarized environment and how Jonah’s recent ADHD diagnosis has reshaped the way he sees himself and shows up in the world. We discuss the tools we all need to navigate difficult conversations, those that arise at work, in friendships, within families, and online. Jonah shares his "4 C’s" of effective communication, and we unpack the concept of secondary messaging, exploring how people speak in code, avoid clarity, or remain silent when the stakes feel too high. We also explore what it takes to truly own your identity, especially when the room gets quiet, when it may come at a cost, or when you're still figuring it out yourself. 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Jonah Platt's Upbringing and Early Career 03:22 Transition to Acting and TV Writing 07:29 Jewish Identity and Advocacy 11:10 Impact of October 7th and Public Response 18:33 Starting a Podcast and Future Plans 20:21 The Challenges of Starting a Podcast 21:25 The Impact of Podcasting on Career 22:20 Memorable Conversations 23:23 The Four Cs of Difficult Conversations 29:04 Diagnosed with adult ADHD 37:37 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans 39:07 Leaving a Mark

In a world saturated with brand collaborations, how do you stand out? In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Julie Turkel, a leading brand licensing expert who has helped shape some of the most successful fashion and lifestyle collaborations of the past two decades. From her early corporate days at Nickelodeon and Discovery to launching her own boutique agency, Julie has made it her mission to help designers, influencers, and creative entrepreneurs scale their businesses through strategic licensing. We dive into how she spots the “magic” in a brand, why maintaining brand DNA is essential in today’s oversaturated market, and how social media has changed the game for creative growth. Julie also shares actionable advice on how artists can protect their creative IP and avoid common licensing pitfalls that can cost them long-term equity. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or founder looking to take your brand to the next level, this episode is packed with expert insights on how to grow and protect what you’ve built—without compromising your creative integrity.

Is your résumé getting ghosted by a bot? In this snack segment of Leave Your Mark, I delve into the frustrating experience of applying for jobs and not hearing back, even after submitting a perfectly crafted resume. Highlighting the case of Derek Mobley who sued Workday over AI bias, I provide actionable resume tips to beat the bots used by major companies. Learn how to format your resume to be ATS-friendly and the importance of leveraging your network to get past automated screening systems. Plus, insights into the evolving legal landscape around AI in hiring and practical advice from my book 'Leave Your Mark.'

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with my friend Claudia Chan, an award-winning serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, and Whole-Self Leadership™ coach. She has dedicated half of her life to empowering women and the cultures in which they work and live. Her B2B company, S.H.E GLOBL, has focused on coaching entrepreneurs and corporations to be changemakers. Over the last decade, her annual S.H.E. Summit has convened 600 renowned speakers from over 400 companies, including Morgan Stanley, ESPN, Google, Bacardi Global, and PepsiCo. In this episode, we delve into her concept of the 'Invisible Epidemic,' exploring the hidden burnout and anxiety that plague high achievers. Claudia shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her focus on Whole-Self Leadership™ and faith. We discuss the cognitive patterns driving burnout, the importance of aligning outward performance with inner truth, and Claudia's IHAC framework for creating a more fulfilling life. Tune in to learn how to lead your life with wholeness and passion. 00:00 Introduction to Leave Your Mark 00:34 Meet Claudia Chan: Leadership Coach and Speaker 01:01 The Invisible Epidemic: Burnout and Anxiety 03:26 Understanding the Mind-Body Connection 04:55 Patterns in High Performers 06:37 The Burnout Baller and Major Life Transitions 10:36 Aligning Outward Performance with Inner Truth 12:30 The IHAC Framework: Imagination, Healing, Alignment 17:17 The Bridge to a New Paradigm 18:02 The Courage to Create the Future 18:57 Unfulfilled Potential and Low-Grade Depression 20:16 Leading Your Own Life 21:09 Balancing Multiple Roles and Avoiding Burnout 24:13 The Importance of Passion-Driven Work 25:00 Energy Management and Productivity 30:00 The Role of Family and Heritage 31:36 Defining Success and Wholeness 33:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In today’s workplace, transparency is expected—but how much is too much? In this episode, I break down the new rules of leadership transparency, spotlighting recent real-world examples from JPMorgan, Meta, Delta, and Business Insider. You’ll hear what those companies got wrong—and what they could have done better. Plus, I share a practical decision-making filter to help leaders decide what to share, when to share it, and how to do it without eroding trust. You’ll learn: When transparency builds trust—and when it backfires The difference between honesty and oversharing What to say when you don’t have all the answers A 5-question leadership filter to guide communication How to avoid performative openness and drive real connection Whether you're a seasoned executive or a first-time manager, this episode is your toolkit for navigating transparency with clarity, empathy, and intention.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with history-making polar explorer, mountaineer, and leadership expert Alison Levine. We delve into her incredible journey from the boardrooms of Goldman Sachs to leading the first American women's Everest expedition and completing the Adventure Grand Slam despite having Raynaud's disease and undergoing three heart surgeries. Alison shares her insights on leadership in extreme environments, overcoming personal limits, and the importance of resilience. We also discuss her experiences at Goldman Sachs, her tenure as a leadership professor at West Point, and the valuable lessons she learned from the top of some of the world's tallest mountains. Not to mention incredible insights from her book, On the Edge. Find out how Alison's failures paved the way for her eventual successes and her approach to risk management both in the mountains and in corporate settings. Don't miss her profound thoughts on the true goals of mountaineering, the importance of resilience, and the power of encouragement.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Stacey Ross Cohen, CEO and founder of Co-Communications, bestselling author of the Brand Up series, TEDx speaker, and marketing professor, to discuss personal branding and career advancement for early professionals. The conversation dives into the essentials of beginner personal branding, highlighting a three-step framework from Stacey's book, Brand Up 2.0: Propel Your Early Career Success. It features invaluable career-building best practices and helps young adults tell unique stories highlighting their best selves and answering the million-dollar question: Why Choose You? Stacey shares insights on leveraging LinkedIn, networking, and the balance between content creation and genuine engagement. She also offers practical advice for young professionals on effective job application strategies and how to make a lasting impression during interviews. Additionally, the episode touches on the crucial role of follow-up skills and the nuanced use of LinkedIn's 'open to work' feature. No matter your career path or goals, Stacey's insights will teach you how to craft your professional digital presence and set you up for success. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:30 Target Audience for the Book 02:35 Understanding Personal Branding 04:39 Personal Branding in 3D Framework 06:24 Delivering Your Value 10:32 Navigating Social Media and Algorithms 13:58 Graduation Tips and Job Market Insights 18:31 Networking and Interviewing Skills 21:40 Brand Up Book Overview 28:39 Open to Work on LinkedIn 32:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts