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
Dec 8, 2025 • 48min
The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) - With An AI Booster With Chris Hallberg
The "Business Sergeant": Leadership Expert, Military Veteran, And Serial EntrepreneurReady to move past chaos and achieve scalable growth? Today, we dive deep into the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), the powerful framework and toolkit helping leadership teams gain crystal-clear vision, drive disciplined execution, and build healthier, more engaged workplaces. Host JR Lowry sits down with Chris Hallberg—a seasoned EOS implementer who has worked with over 100 organizations, achieving astonishing 90% employee engagement rates and numerous "Best Places to Work" awards—to unpack the six key components of EOS. We'll explore everything from getting the right people in the right seats to leveraging Chris's latest venture: an AI-driven EOS platform, GoExpand, that turbocharges performance and accountability. If you're a founder or executive looking to break through a growth ceiling, tune in to learn how to inject military-grade focus and discipline into your company's DNA.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/chris-hallberg/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Dec 1, 2025 • 48min
Building Your Resilience Plan With Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier
We hear a lot about the need for resilience these days, but simply wanting to be resilient isn't enough—in fact, the pressure to always bounce back can be counterproductive. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, a psychologist, leadership expert, and author of the award-winning book The Resilience Plan, challenges the notion of resilience as an innate trait. Discover why viewing resilience as a strategic state, rather than a personality feature, is key to sustained well-being and performance. Dr. Pelletier dives into the intertwined nature of professional and personal life, the dangers of underestimating demands and overestimating supply, and provides actionable, research-backed advice on creating your own strategic resilience plan. Learn how small, deliberate actions can build momentum and how leaders can foster a culture of prevention rather than just treating burnout after the fact.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/dr-marie-helene-pelletier/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Nov 24, 2025 • 44min
From Musician To Music Industry Pioneer With Josh Simons
What happens when a touring musician decides to rewrite the music industry from the inside out? Today, we sat down with Josh Simons—the force behind Vinyl Group, Australia’s only ASX-listed music company, and the founder of Vampr, the world’s largest social network for creatives. Discover how Josh went from a semi-successful musician touring with the likes of Keith Urban to becoming a CEO, the secrets behind Vampr’s explosive growth, and his strategy for navigating nonstop change in media and music tech. He shares essential lessons for entrepreneurs, fundraising insights for founders, and a fresh perspective on creativity, leadership, and the future of music in the age of AI. Don’t miss this candid conversation about playing to your strengths, building cohesive teams through acquisitions, and why anyone with the entrepreneurial itch should scratch it.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/josh-simons/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Nov 17, 2025 • 45min
Building A STEM Career - From Med School To C-Level and Board Roles With Dr. Sheila Gujrathi
In the demanding world of biotech and healthcare, charting a successful STEM career path, especially as a woman or minority leader, often feels like navigating without a map. But what if you had access to the boardroom lessons, the personal triumphs, and the hard-won wisdom of an industry veteran? Join us as we dive into a candid conversation with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi—physician, biotech entrepreneur, and executive—to explore her journey from clinical practice to the C-suite. Dr. Gujrathi shares how she learned to trust her gut, break through her inner glass ceiling, and define an authentic leadership style, all while developing life-changing pharmaceutical drugs. Get a sneak peek into the core principles of her upcoming book, The Mirror Effect, which offers a vital roadmap for the next generation of diverse leaders seeking to not just succeed, but truly thrive.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/dr-sheila-gujrathi.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Nov 10, 2025 • 48min
SaaS Software, DevOps, Data Science, And AI With Ben Johnson
Software development is undergoing rapid change as AI, DevOps, and data science reshape how teams build and scale products. In this interview, Particle41 CEO and technical co-founder Ben Johnson explains what modern software teams must do to stay competitive. He shares practical insights on boosting developer productivity with AI, building reliable systems through infrastructure-as-code, and adopting modern data architectures that move beyond simple dashboards. Ben also discusses how to lead remote teams effectively and apply OKRs in both work and personal life to stay aligned on what truly matters. If you're involved in building software or leading technical teams, this conversation offers clear, actionable strategies for thriving in the AI-driven era.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/ben-johnson.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Nov 3, 2025 • 46min
The Human Side Of AI-Driven Change, With Monica Marquez
The future of work is here, and it's being shaped by AI-driven change. Dive into a captivating discussion with Monica Marquez, Co-founder of FlipWork, Inc., the enterprise-wide AI workforce transformation system, as she illuminates the evolving landscape of an AI-centric world. Monica shares her unique insights on bridging the gap between AI tool availability and adoption, the imperative for individuals and organizations to disrupt themselves before being disrupted, and the critical role of human expertise in making artificial intelligence truly authentic. She also discusses her impactful work in diversity and inclusion, her valuable board work, and the fascinating, "squiggly" journey of her career, offering advice for those just starting out.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/monica-marquez.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Oct 27, 2025 • 53min
How To Bring A Luxury Mindset To Your Corporate And Personal Brand With Neen James
What if everything you thought about luxury was wrong? Our guest, Leadership Strategist and Keynote Speaker Neen James, proves that true luxury isn't about expense—it's a mindset. Neen's groundbreaking research in her new book, Exceptional Experiences, identifies four luxury mindsets that govern buying behavior. She also unveils a proprietary Experience Elevation Model that helps brands create unshakeable customer devotion. Tune in as Neen reveals how you can apply these high-level corporate strategies to elevate your own personal brand and life. Learn why making people feel seen, heard, and valued is the ultimate luxury, regardless of your budget.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/neen-james.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Oct 20, 2025 • 47min
How To Nail The MBA Admissions Process, With Jessica Shklar
Getting through the MBA admissions process may be a bit tricky, but you can get manage to nail it with the right planning and preparation. J.R. Lowry is joined by Jessica Shklar, Executive Director at mbaMission, who shares how they help candidates achieve admissions success and make their educational dreams a reality. Jessica explains why getting into a business school is definitely a great idea and how an MBA consultant can help you in your journey. She also breaks down the different MBA program types, how business schools screen their candidates, and why there is no one correct way to write your college essay.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/jessica-shklar/.Special discount for Career Sessions, Career Lessons listeners: mbaMission offers onTrack, an innovative, on-demand MBA application experience that delivers a personalized curriculum for you and leverages interactive tools and technology to guide you through the process of creating your best possible applications. For 30% off, use code PATHWISE30.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Oct 14, 2025 • 46min
How To Choose Your Next Role And Make A Strong Start With Shveta Miglani
Ready to navigate your career with confidence and achieve unparalleled success? Join us as we sit down with Shveta Miglani, a luminary in organizational development and talent management, and author of the essential guide Navigate Your Career: Strategies for Success in New Roles and Promotions. In this insightful discussion, Shveta shares her two decades of wisdom from pivotal roles at tech giants like Google and Salesforce, offering actionable strategies for choosing your next role and mastering career transitions—from acing your first 90 days to continuous learning. Whether you're eyeing a promotion or stepping into a new organization, discover how to transform challenges into triumphs and build a career that truly aligns with your aspirations.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/shveta-miglani/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Oct 9, 2025 • 51min
Building The Humane Future Of Work With Khadija Khartit
In an era where the traditional corporate structure is evolving and the rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges, the concept of a "humane future of work" has never been more critical. This post delves into a fascinating discussion with Khadija Khartit, founder of Sohaara, a platform dedicated to upskilling, tooling, and networking for individuals across all career stages. Join us as we explore Khadija's vision for a purpose-driven, individual-centric approach to work, the surprising global job trends she anticipates, and her unique journey as a female CEO in Saudi Arabia. Discover how Sohaara is stitching the holes in the current professional landscape and empowering individuals to own their lives and find fulfillment in their careers.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/khadija-khartit/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
