Career Sessions, Career Lessons
JR Lowry, PathWise.io
Each of us has a unique career story to tell. For the lucky few, their career trajectories are like rockets heading for the stars, with no turning back. More typically, our career paths are more like a game of Chutes and Ladders, with advances and setbacks along the way. On this podcast, guests from a range of industries and backgrounds share their career journeys and the lessons they've learned. Hear from C-level executives, leading academics, entrepreneurs, mid-level leaders, ex-military members, leadership coaches and other career experts, non-profit workers, and gig economy participants. Each guest shares their unique story and career insights to inform and inspire your own path. Career Sessions is part of PathWise.io. Whether you’re just a few years out of school or well into your professional life, PathWise helps you live the career you deserve. PathWise provides comprehensive career and professional development coaching, content, courses, and community, backed by a group of leading coaches and career management experts. Career Sessions’ host, James (J.R.) Lowry, has had multiple careers of his own and learned countless lessons along the way. A Duke engineer by background, he spent the early part of his career as an officer in the US Air Force . From there, J.R. earned an MBA from Harvard Business School to accelerate his transition into the private sector. Following grad school, he spent over a decade with the consulting firm, McKinsey and Company, working with clients across a range of industries and business situations. He then made a second career shift into financial services, spending time at Fidelity Investments and State Street Bank. Most recently, he joined Janus Henderson Investments as their Chief Operating Officer. Multiple leadership development programs honed his skills, advanced his career, and fueled his desire to help others with their professions. He hosts this podcast in a personal capacity, and any views expressed are his own and not those of his current or any former employer.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 22, 2025 • 45min
Addressing The Epidemic Of Loneliness, With Cindy Jordan
The loneliness epidemic is more than an emotion—it’s a public health crisis with devastating effects on mental and physical well-being. Cindy Jordan, CEO of Pyx Health, shares how her personal tragedy led to founding a company dedicated to tackling loneliness and its companion challenges, from food insecurity to transportation barriers. She reveals how evidence-based screenings, personalized outreach, and a blend of technology and human connection are transforming care for Medicaid, Medicare, and exchange populations, proving that addressing social determinants of health can change lives and communities.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Sep 15, 2025 • 46min
Championing The Small Business Underdogs, With Sri Kaza
Small business strategy is getting a rethink: underdogs can win when they obsess over positioning, proximity, and purpose rather than scale alone. Sri Kaza, author of Unconvention: A Small Business Strategy Guide and longtime small-business advocate, traces his path from McKinsey to Viking and explains the three “Underdog” principles that power niche resilience. He illustrates those ideas with stories like Toshi’s Yakitori, breaks down real-world lessons on customer acquisition costs and product-market fit, and shows how AI and intimacy can democratize entrepreneurship. Practical, candid, and strategic, this conversation offers a playbook for owners, leaders, and emerging founders who want to turn small advantages into lasting success.Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/sri-kaza.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Sep 8, 2025 • 53min
Radical Candor, Radical Respect And More, With Kim Scott
Best-Selling Author And Former Google And Apple ExecutiveGreat leaders aren’t born—they’re built through candor, respect, and the courage to face hard truths. In this conversation, Kim Scott—author of Radical Candor, Radical Respect, and Just Work—shares her journey from the diamond factories of Moscow to Google’s leadership halls, revealing how feedback and culture can transform organizations. She explains the true meaning of radical candor, why respect is essential in addressing bias and bullying, and how leaders can foster workplaces that thrive on honesty, accountability, and collaboration. With practical strategies and hard-earned wisdom, Kim challenges us to rethink leadership and build teams where everyone’s voice matters.Check out the full series of “Career Sessions, Career Lessons” podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/kim-scott/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Sep 1, 2025 • 46min
How To Avoid Settling And Pick Your Path With Intention, With George Appling
Settling for a career that doesn’t spark joy is a choice you don’t have to make. In this inspiring conversation, George Appling—entrepreneur, author, and self-described “passionpreneur”—shares how to avoid settling and instead pick your path with intention. Drawing from his eclectic journey from global consulting to leading in the cell phone industry and now building passion-driven ventures like a Medieval theme park, George unpacks the framework behind his book Don’t Settle: A Pick-Your-Path Guide to Intentional Work. He outlines five unique paths to align passion and career, the power of role models, mentors, and accountability partners, and why persistence, ownership, and clarity are essential for meaningful success.Check out the full series of Career Sessions, Career Lessons podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/george-appling/.
Aug 18, 2025 • 54min
The AI Revolution And How It Is Creating Cognitive Organizations, With Kenneth Corrêa
Cognitive organizations are revolutionizing how businesses operate. Technology thought leader, entrepreneur, and author Kenneth Corrêa, whose groundbreaking book Cognitive Organizations was published by MIT, reveals the profound impact of AI on productivity, skill-building, and workflow management. He shares real-world examples and insights into how businesses are currently leveraging AI agents to automate tasks and optimize processes. Discover the critical balance between human intelligence and artificial intelligence in this rapidly evolving landscape. Kenneth also candidly discusses the challenges and opportunities leaders and individuals face in adopting these transformative technologies, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and strategic experimentation.Check out the full series of Career Sessions, Career Lessons podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/kenneth-correa/.
Aug 4, 2025 • 35min
The Four Disciplines Of Execution (Part 2), With Jim Huling
J.R. Lowry continues his discussion with executive coach Jim Huling about The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX), the book he co-authored with Chris McChesney and Sean Covey. In this second part, they discuss the last two disciplines: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard and Create a Cadence of Accountability. Together, they explore how keeping score can promote higher team engagement and the true value of a fully accountable workplace culture. Jim also emphasizes why the 4DX approach must be implemented with simplicity in mind, as well as how AI tools are reshaping management systems, human connection, and collective effort.Check out the full series of "Career Sessions, Career Lessons" podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/jim-huling-2.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Jul 28, 2025 • 34min
The Four Disciplines Of Execution (Part 1), With Jim Huling
Too many teams have bold strategies but fall short in execution. In this episode, Jim Huling—executive coach and co-author of The 4 Disciplines of Execution—dives into the power of focus, discipline, and simplicity in leadership. Jim shares how Fortune 500 companies transformed performance using the 4DX methodology, what makes execution harder than strategy, and why clarity around wildly important goals and lead measures drives real results. From Marriott’s hospitality breakthrough to the surprising metric that boosted Payless Shoes' sales, this conversation is packed with insights on how to move from intention to achievement—with heart and consistency.Check out the full series of Career Sessions, Career Lessons podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/jim-huling.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Jul 21, 2025 • 44min
Expanding Your Spheres Of Influence, With Brad Englert
Technologist, Advisor, And Author Of Spheres Of InfluenceSpheres of influence are more than just networks—they’re strategic relationships that define how you lead, grow, and succeed. In this thoughtful conversation, Brad Englert—author of Spheres of Influence and former CIO at the University of Texas at Austin—breaks down what it really takes to cultivate authentic relationships inside and outside the workplace. Drawing from his decades at Accenture and in higher education, Brad shares the three core principles every leader needs, how to manage up, down, and across, and why middle managers are the unsung heroes of every organization.Check out the full series of Career Sessions, Career Lessons podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/brad-englert.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Jul 14, 2025 • 48min
Insights From CEOs With Multi-Billion Dollar Growth Stories, With Georgie Dickins
Leadership is less about ego and more about evolution. In this dynamic conversation, Georgie Dickins—C-suite confidante and trusted advisor, founder of Women in Leadership Global, and author of Stratospheric CEOs—dives into the lessons behind some of the most influential financial industry leaders. She shares firsthand insights from working with C-suite giants and reveals what sets stratospheric leadership apart: clarity of vision, magnetic storytelling, intentional culture-building, and relentless personal growth. Whether you're scaling a startup or leading at enterprise level, this is a blueprint for elevating your impact.Check out the full series of Career Sessions, Career Lessons podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/georgie-dickins/.
Jul 7, 2025 • 46min
The Creator Economy, Portfolio Careers, And Candles, With Kudzi Chikumbu
The creator economy is rewriting the rules of modern work, blending passion with purpose in a way that reshapes how we think about careers. In this inspiring conversation, Kudzi Chikumbu—former Global Head of Creator Marketing at TikTok, fragrance entrepreneur behind Sir Candle Man, and venture advisor—opens up about his unconventional path from accounting to executive leadership, and how he’s building a multi-hyphenate career with intention. From AI’s role in creativity to the emotional dynamics of leadership, Kudzi shares what it really means to thrive in the creator economy without losing your authentic self.Check out the full series of Career Sessions, Career Lessons podcasts here or visit pathwise.io/podcast/. A full written transcript of this episode is also available at https://pathwise.io/podcasts/kudzi-chikumbu.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
