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
Nov 14, 2022 • 43min
Corporate Communications, With Anne Hammer
Communication is vital for most organizations to build their reputation. It is so crucial that companies invest in building a corporate communications team to oversee a wide range of communications activities. In this episode, Anne Hammer, the Head of Global External Communications for Manulife and the Chief Communications Officer for John Hancock, shares a deeper explanation of how you can build that reputation through an effective communicator. She also shares how you can strengthen your communication skills. Be ready to navigate your career journey in corporate communications, and tune in to this episode NOW!"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/all-things-corporate-communications-with-anne-hammer
Nov 7, 2022 • 51min
When Retirement Isn't Retirement, With Scott Williams
Just because you're retired, doesn't mean you can't still be a part of the workforce. If you're curious enough and still have the knack to learn, you can still go out there and volunteer. This is what Scott Williams did and still doing up to today. He is 15 years past retirement, but that didn't stop him from being a backcountry ranger and firefighter while still being a Senior Advisor for The Boston Consulting Group. Join James Lowry as he talks to Scott Williams about his career before and after retirement. Scott worked in the banking industry, insurance industry, and management consulting. He has also done independent consulting work and is doing park service volunteer work. Listen in and learn why retirement is not the end for you. Find what you're curious about and do it. Never stop learning today! 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/when-retirement-isnt-retirement-with-scott-williams.
Oct 31, 2022 • 42min
From Bureaucracy To Humanocracy, With Michele Zanini
We are in a fast-paced and technology-driven society. Yet, many organizations continue to have antiquated management systems that are often bureaucratic and hierarchical. Michele Zanini has made it his life's work to overcome this, moving the conversation from bureaucracy to humanocracy. In this episode, he joins J.R. Lowry to take us deep into his book, Humanocracy, which he co-authored with London Business School professor Gary Hamel. Michele is also the co-founder of Management Lab, or MLab, which works with leading-edge firms and progressive practitioners to help them create tomorrow's new practices today. He shares with us how they stumbled into this alternative way of management that reverses the top-down power structure and puts the people forward. With case studies on companies that made the transition, Michele shows the benefits of humanocracy to the overall organization—from innovation to initiative and more! 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/from-bureaucracy-to-humanocracy-with-michele-zanini.
Oct 24, 2022 • 45min
Mpume Ncube-Daka, Business Executive And Coach
Change presents many opportunities, but it also strikes fear and doubts in the hearts of many. For Mpume Ncube-Daka, she took change as a chance for personal and professional growth, which allowed her to build a successful business coaching career. She sits down with J.R. Lowry to share how she jumped to a number of industries before landing on the one she truly loves. Mpume shares the skills she learned in finance, telecommunications, broadcasting, public relations, and non-profit that contributed to her coaching success. She also shares tips on how to come up to speed and add value when jumping into new areas, challenging yourself to perform even better than the last.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/mpume-ncube-daka-seasoned-business-executive-and-coach.
Oct 17, 2022 • 43min
Jim McCarthy, Co-Founder And CEO Of Stellar.Live
The pandemic put the entire live entertainment industry at a full halt. Audiences cannot attend concerts, public gatherings, and speaking events in person. This global crisis directly impacted Jim McCarthy's discount ticket site Goldstar, but he chose to be versatile than lay down in defeat. He joins J.R. Lowry to share how pandemic restrictions inspired him to start Stellar.Live, leveraging the power of the virtual world to hold online events. He explains the best live streaming strategies, the importance of audience interaction, and the current trends in pulling off such productions. Jim also shares entrepreneurship lessons from his time being mentored by Noah Alper and getting through a failed start-up experience.
Oct 10, 2022 • 39min
Dan Petrozzo - Entrepreneur, Author, Investor, Advisor, Board Member
Veering away from formal education to pursue a particular career direction is a pretty risky move. But with the right motivation and a clear purpose, you can ultimately achieve your own idea of success. Dan Petrozzo postponed going to college to work at Bell Labs and write a book when he was 20 years old, and these decisions set the course for his many achievements along the way. Sitting down with J.R. Lowry, he looks back on his long journey of working in financial services, starting a staffing agency, selling a cloud computing company, all the way to becoming a partner with Oak HC/FT. Dan shares valuable insights about the pitfalls of running a huge-scale program, the strengths and weaknesses of being an entrepreneur, and the technologies that excite him the most.
Oct 3, 2022 • 45min
Martin Hunt - Venture Investor and CEO
What does it take to become a successful CEO? Martin Hunt is a venture and private equity investor, published author, and is currently the CEO of Swanlaab USA Ventures. In this episode, he shares his journey and ascent into entrepreneurship. Martin has had a rich and colorful career in tech and business with some valuable lessons from his experiences which he shares in his chat with host J.R. Lowry. He tells all about his upbringing, getting into Harvard Business School, his different career paths, and the steps he took to get to where he is today. There’s much to learn from Martin’s journey about being a leader, carving your career path, and managing a business. Tune in to gain wisdom you can use and apply in your career growth journey
Sep 19, 2022 • 57min
Wade Myers - Ex-Airborne Ranger, Now A Serial Entrepreneur, Investor, Advisor, Author, And Speaker
Most serial entrepreneurs have interesting back stories, but few can match that of Wade Myers. There was no single point in Wade’s life since he was 6 years old that he was ever held down to only one job. His entrepreneurial bent allowed him to weave his way out of childhood poverty in the Badlands to joining the Army, holding several key sales positions at Mobil, being sent to the Gulf, going to Harvard Business School, and being a serial entrepreneur during the early days of the internet. Wade probably held no less than 30 titles in his professional career, and that’s barely scratching the surface. One hour is barely enough to get a sense of just how incredible Wade’s journey has been, but he attempts to give us the shortest version possible. We learn here that the key to Wade’s success is his willingness to take risks, seize opportunities, and break a few rules along the way. Join in and revel in Wade’s exploits in rural South Dakota, in the Army, in the volatile tech industry of the early 2000s, and in today’s business environment.
Sep 12, 2022 • 48min
Michelle Perchuk - Career / Leadership / Business Coach, Author, and Speaker
It doesn't matter what level or role an individual has in their professional life. We all need the same kind of handholding and career coaching to get ahead successfully. You don't have to take the hard route. Here to share how she found her purpose in career coaching and helping others succeed is Michelle Perchuk. She is an ICF-certified leadership, career, and business coach and is the owner of MTV Coaching. She is also a speaker and the author of Swimming in the Talent Pool: The Evolution of Recruiting. Join her in this episode with host J.R. Lowry as she narrates her career journey. Michelle also discusses the different strategies she teaches to help others achieve their vision covering topics such as job interviews, resume writing, networking, and, of course, coaching. Stay tuned!
Sep 6, 2022 • 45min
Beth Hillman, Incoming President And Chief Executive Of The National 9/11 Memorial And Museum
Serving in the military and teaching history leads to a truly fulfilling and highly patriotic career. These are the pillars of Beth Hillman's journey, a woman who started as a US Air Force officer and is now appointed as President and Chief Executive of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York. She joins J.R. Lowry to talk about the different roles she handled between these two positions. Beth imparts meaningful leadership insights as a military history teacher, law professor, provost, academic dean, and author. She also discusses her work as an active advocate of civil rights, social action, and anti-sexual harassment in the military.
