

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

7 snips
Feb 21, 2022 • 36min
Jason Krantz, CEO of Definitive Healthcare
Jason Krantz, CEO of Definitive Healthcare, shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a startup to taking it public. He discusses navigating venture funding, scaling a company, and transitioning leadership roles. Krantz reflects on career growth opportunities and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Feb 14, 2022 • 40min
Kim Crider, Major General, US Air Force (Retired)
Kim Crider is a decorated, retired Major General in the US Air Force with 35 years of service and a flexible military-private sector career. She most recently served as the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for the US Space Force. Kim joins J.R. Lowry to discuss an impressive career she describes as unscripted. She details the series of events that led to her retiring under the US Space Force. Kim also talks about how her military experience allowed her to excel as a leader while having a parallel career in the private sector. Be inspired by Kim's journey and discover how she made the most of her career by taking on new opportunities and challenges with open arms.

Feb 11, 2022 • 38min
Michael Alter, Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business
Michael Alter, Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, joins J.R. Lowry on our first episode to share his career story and the things he learned along the way. Michael talks to J.R. about how his bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University and his MBA from Harvard Business School equipped him with the skillset he needed to jump into the startup world. He takes us on his experience as a consultant in McKinsey & Company and the lessons he brought with him that helped him fulfill his roles as the Chief Executive Officer of The Tie Bar and SurePayroll. Michael’s career success continues to serve as an inspiring feat for young dreamers of today. Join us in our first episode as Michael talks about his childhood dream, his first job, and advancing his career through business school.