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
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/
Jun 30, 2025 • 48min
Professional Development With Lasting Impact (And Some AI), With Todd Holzman
Revolutionizing professional development demands a bold approach to address why conventional programs often miss the mark. This episode features Todd Holzman, founder of Holzman Leadership, who unveils his groundbreaking "real work" process. Todd's methodology doesn't just theorize; it empowers leaders at Fortune 500 and Global 2000 companies to solve crucial business problems in real time while simultaneously cultivating their leadership capabilities. Tune in to discover how this practical, results-driven framework is transforming organizational cultures and fostering truly capable leaders, moving beyond mere knowing to impactful doing.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/todd-holzman/.
Jun 25, 2025 • 52min
Building Influence, Maintaining Growth, And Handling Setbacks With Keith Willis
Maintaining constant career growth requires more than just sheer will. If you want to do this the right way, you must come up with effective strategies aligned with your strengths – and even weaknesses. Sitting down with J.R. Lowry is Keith Willis, founder of Core Management Training. Together, they discuss how middle management professionals can take on bigger roles by learning the right way to influence others (even if they are not in the place of authority) and build relationships that truly matter in their chosen field. Keith also explains how to use setbacks as keys to unlocking profound growth moments instead of simply getting stuck.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/keith-willis.
Jun 16, 2025 • 42min
The Future Of Tech Talent And AI's Impact, With Gino Ferrand
Founder And CEO Of TECLA, A Provider Of Latin American-Based Tech ResourcesLatin America’s hidden gem of tech talent takes a vibrant turn as Junior Lowery sits down with Gino Ferrand, the dynamic founder of TECLA. Gino reveals the secret sauce behind connecting leading companies with a powerful network of over 50,000 engineers across Central and South America. This episode explores TECLA’s evolution over the past decade, diving into the advantages of nearshore talent, the revolutionary impact of AI on the industry, and the future trends that are reshaping remote work and global teams. Discover how to build highly effective remote teams, adapt to the ever-changing business landscape, and achieve extraordinary success in the competitive world of international tech recruitment.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/gino-ferrand.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Jun 9, 2025 • 42min
Negotiation, From The Man Who Wrote The Book On It With Chris Voss
What if the most intense, life-or-death negotiations in the world held the key to unlocking your everyday success? This episode, prepare to have your mind blown. We're joined by Chris Voss, the former lead international kidnapping negotiator for the FBI and author of the groundbreaking book, Never Split the Difference. Chris takes us deep into his extraordinary journey, from his roots in Iowa to the high-stakes world of hostage negotiation, and how he now empowers professionals like you to achieve more. Get ready to transform the way you approach every conversation, because this isn't just about negotiating a deal – it's about mastering human connection.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-voss/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Jun 2, 2025 • 46min
SuperShifts That Will Shape The Future With Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher
Are you ready for a seismic shift? Forget everything you thought you knew about the future of work and life, because today, we're tearing down old assumptions with Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher, co-authors of the provocative new book, SuperShifts. They argue that we're leaving behind a 200-year centralized industrial age and hurtling towards a new "Age of Intelligence." Join us as we uncover how their insights will not only redefine the future of the world but fundamentally reshape your career path in ways you might not have imagined.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/ja-nae-duane-and-steve-fisher.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
May 26, 2025 • 40min
Being A More Flexible Leader With Kevin Eikenberry
What does it take to lead with confidence when the ground beneath you keeps shifting?Today, Kevin Eikenberry, a globally recognized leadership expert, bestselling author, and Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, joins us. For over three decades, Kevin has been helping leaders unlock their full potential—and now he’s back with a powerful new book, Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. He dives into what it really means to lead in today’s fast-moving, ever-evolving world. From managing remote and hybrid teams to making decisions in the face of ambiguity, Kevin shares practical frameworks, timeless wisdom, and fresh insights on how to stay grounded while staying flexible. If you’ve ever felt like your leadership playbook is outdated—or you're just searching for a smarter way to lead through complexity—this conversation is for you.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/kevin-eikenberry/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
May 19, 2025 • 40min
Exploring The Midlife Career Crisis With Scott Doyne
Is your career at a crossroads? Feeling that familiar tug of wanting something more, or navigating an unexpected shift? You're not alone. This week, we speak with Scott Doyne, a career coach, author, and speaker with over fifteen years of experience helping professionals just like you find clarity and confidence during career transitions. Scott's book, Exploring the Midlife Career Crisis, is a go-to resource for anyone feeling stuck or searching for deeper purpose in their work. Join us as we discuss Scott's insights, his coaching work, and his own career journey. Ready to navigate your next chapter? Let's get started.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/scott-doyne/.
