A recent survey has unveiled a startling disconnect between young people’s perception of financial success and their economic reality. The study revealed that Gen-Z believe an annual salary of $587,797 and a net worth of $9.47 million are necessary to achieve financial success.  In this episode, we talk about why this generation has such a high benchmark for financial success and why it may be unrealistic. We explore alternative career routes that could be high-paying for people looking to make a lot of money.

There is an ongoing debate about whether or not you should bring your authentic self to work. Critics say that you should check all that at the door, leaving behind your personal politics, social causes and sob stories.  In this episode, we discuss the extent to which we should allow people to be their authentic selves in the workplace. Do you allow the rockstar jerk to continue to be a jerk if he is bringing in a lot of money? We also explore how there is power in embracing your true self, giving you the confidence to go after “crazy” ideas, advocate for yourself and effect change

Aaron Terrazas, former chief economist at Glassdoor and expert on the labor market, discusses the duality of today's job markets and the erosion of white-collar job quality. He sheds light on the generational shift as Baby Boomers retire, impacting workforce dynamics and intergenerational wealth. The conversation also tackles the complexities of inflation, the changing landscape of immigration and labor supply, and the uncertainties that lie ahead as we approach 2025. Terrazas emphasizes the need for nuanced dialogue on these pressing economic issues.

Phil Willburn, VP of People Analytics at Workday, shares valuable insights into the highly competitive job market for white-collar workers—where applications outpace openings four to one. He advises job seekers to 'crush their jobs' and build connections, emphasizing the significance of networking and referrals in landing opportunities. Willburn discusses the challenges of career stagnation and contrasts 'quiet quitting' with proactive engagement. He underscores the importance of both human and social capital to thrive in today's fast-evolving workplace.

The podcast dives into the DOJ's push to break up Google, highlighting a recent court ruling on its monopoly in search and advertising. It discusses potential divestments of Chrome and Android, drawing parallels to Microsoft’s past. Legal challenges facing Google could alter competition and innovation in tech. The impact on other giants like Facebook is also explored, along with the political tactics of tech executives. Lastly, potential industry shifts, employee dynamics, and investor ramifications from these regulatory changes are examined.

Robert Israch is the President of Tipalti, a global finance automation platform, who has over 20 years of leadership experience. During Rob’s tenure, Tipalti has experienced 50x growth, while helping the company receive a valuation of over $8.3 billion. The company has appeared on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Inc. 5000 lists for the last five years running. In this episode, Rob talks about the importance of the 3 P’s when balancing your career: Place, People and Profession and how he went against the advice of his mentors by following his gut and taking a less-senior role in a position he knew he could grow in. Rob walks us through the framework of when is the right time to switch companies, as well as assessing a potential employer. He gives insight into what makes a company successful, such as its commitment to hard work, grit, problem-solving and conflict resolution. Rob also breaks down the concept of customer centricity.

Kiranbir Sodhia is a Senior Engineering Manager, leading teams developing machine learning frameworks for Google and the open-source community. He has over 15 years of experience working in AI, AR, gaming, mobile app and semiconductor industries at companies like Microsoft, Apple and Garmin International. Notably, at Microsoft he led development teams in Azure, Xbox and HoloLens. Kiranbir has always known exactly what he wanted to do, since the age of 12, and used that vision to build the stepping stones and skill sets to achieve his goals. He walks us through his trajectory to becoming a manager and how he has maintained the same enthusiasm all these years later. Kiranbir talks about why you shouldn’t fear failure and how it can be a key motivator for greatness. He gives us insight into the interviewing process at the prestigious Big Tech companies, from the perspective of both a job candidate and as a leader who has built his own teams. Lastly, Kiranbir shares how he turned down pre-IPO Facebook to work at his then-dream employer Apple, a decision he calls “comical” and humbling.

Mark McCaffrey is the CFO of GoDaddy. McCaffrey joined the company in 2021 after a long and successful career at PwC—a decision that was swiftly made within 24 hours of a conversation with the company's CEO. He was drawn to GoDaddy's passion for its customers and its underdog mentality, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the company's transformation from a domain business. In this episode of the Blind Ambition Podcast with Jack Kelly, we discuss the importance of controlling your personal career narrative, which often involves taking risks and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Mark talks about why passion is crucial, as well as surrounding yourself with a network of sponsors, mentors and coaches. His career journey not only provides an interesting case study on opportunities after a lifetime in public accounting, but also highlights the importance of recognizing opportunity, identifying emotional leadership and developing the confidence needed to bet a career on a gut feeling.

Although we are having an American Presidential election, it looks like people from other countries can bet on the outcome of who wins the US Presidency. For example, a French trader known only as "Théo" has made headlines for placing a massive $30 million bet on Donald Trump winning the 2024 presidential election through the cryptocurrency prediction market platform Polymarket. If successful, his bet could yield approximately $80 million in returns, but he risks losing most or all of his investment if Kamala Harris wins. Some experts and politicians have raised concerns about election betting potential influence on voter perception and democratic processes, with Senator Jeff Merkley proposing legislation to ban such practices. Prediction markets can significantly influence public opinion on elections through several mechanisms. They provide real-time updates and respond quickly to new developments, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional polling, which captures only periodic snapshots of voter sentiment. Does Betting Make The Elections Better? By incorporating various factors beyond mere voter intention—such as economic data and current events—prediction markets compel participants to "put their money where their mouth is," potentially leading to more honest assessments of candidates' chances. This can create perceived momentum for candidates with strong odds, and the media often amplifies market movements, further shaping voter sentiment. However, concerns about reliability persist, as market manipulation practices like wash trading can distort outcomes; reports suggest that approximately one-third of Polymarket's trading volume may be artificial.

Jack Kelly and Rick Chen react to Home Depot's policy requiring all corporate employees to work eight hours at one of its retail stores every quarter. Rick discusses the practicality and what it'd be like to have senior executives, remote workers or people who don't have any day-to-day understanding of retail policy or frontline experience working. Jack compares the policy to an episode of "Undercover Boss" and wonders if the company can improve its supply chain and corporate policies to be a more effective, profitable company. Finally, Rick and Jack reflect on the potential impact the policy could have on Home Depot customers and the company's bottom line. ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/blind-podcast⁠ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/10/09/home-depot-asks-corporate-employees-to-get-out-of-their-offices-and-work-8-hour-shift-in-stores/⁠ ⁠https://www.teamblind.com/post/Home-Depot-doing-the-Corporate-Employees-Work-in-Retail%E2%80%9D-Bulls-B8WUQWSi⁠ ⁠https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/12/23/could-doordash-executives-and-white-collar-employees-be-required-to-make-food-deliveries-to-customers/