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
Oct 3, 2023 • 41min
Personal Branding And Zig-Zag Careers, With Susan Meier
Your personal brand is the masterpiece that emerges from coloring outside the lines. Embrace the beauty of zigzagging through life's diverse experiences and passions. In this episode, we have Susan Meier, a remarkable brand consultant, coach, and multimedia artist, to dive into the art of crafting a career that zigzags beautifully. Susan defies the traditional career ladder, embracing the idea of "zigzagging" through different industries and passions. She discusses the power of personal branding, zig-zagging to success, embracing uncertainty, and how they all can lead to unexpected opportunities and profound personal growth. Tune in to color outside the lines, challenge the norm, and explore the diverse facets of creativity. 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/susan-meierBecome a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/
Sep 25, 2023 • 46min
Becoming the Trusted Authority, with Petra Zink
Your personal brand isn't just about what you do; it's about who you become. Become the trusted authority in your field, and your brand will follow. In this episode, we sit down with Petra Zink, a certified Personal Branding & Digital Strategist, international speaker, Business Growth Consultant, and most recently, the author of Trusted Authority. Today, she unravels the secrets behind building an influential personal brand that stands the test of time. Petra tells her journey from traditional marketing to digital expertise, sharing her realization of the essential role of strategic thinking in personal branding. Petra also emphasizes the significance of staying curious and adaptable to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the modern job market. She explores the impact of her book and how it serves as a powerful business card, proving how you can leverage your expertise to open doors and seize opportunities. Join us to uncover the art of personal branding and set you on a path to becoming the trusted authority in your field. 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/podcast/petra-zinkBecome a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now
Sep 18, 2023 • 43min
The World Of Franchise Ownership, With Giuseppe Grammatico
Are you tired of feeling stuck working on a corporate job just to make others rich? Now is the time for you to change things around! Today, Giuseppe Grammatico, the author of Franchise Freedom: A New Manifesto for Your Financial and Time Freedom, opens the portal for you to enter into the world of franchise ownership. Sharing insights on the different business models of franchising, the myths of franchising, and mistakes most people make in this space, this episode provides a guide for everyone to detach themselves from the corporate trap and transcend into the freedom of franchise ownership brings to their lives. For Giuseppe, franchising is a powerful vehicle for success, which can also be yours! So tune in to this conversation and enter the world of franchising to discover how it can deliver you freedom and 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/podcast/giuseppe-grammaticoBecome a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now
Sep 11, 2023 • 42min
Mastering The Art And Science Of Sales, With Rana Salman
Sales is a fusion of artistry and strategy, where every rejection is a step closer to connection. In this episode, we have Rana Salman, founder of Salman Consulting, LLC, to uncover the secrets behind mastering the art and science of sales. Rana shares how the process of writing her book, Sales Essentials, paralleled her sales journey and taught her the profound impact of collaboration and partnership on her success. She reveals the importance of prospecting and the psychology behind navigating rejections and feedback. Rana emphasizes the significance of curiosity, adaptation, and embracing discomfort to refine your sales approach. Tune in and discover how it’s not just the techniques, but the mindset that sets exceptional sales professionals apart. Hit play and get ready to transform your perspective on sales and empowerment! 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 [insert URL for the transcript of this episode.]
Sep 4, 2023 • 42min
Right Kind Of Wrong: The Science Of Failing Well, With Amy Edmondson
Not all failures are alike. Although they are disappointing most of the time, there is gold to be found in failing well. In this episode, J.R. Lowry sits down with Amy Edmondson, author of Right Kind Of Wrong. Together, they discuss the self-development benefits of building a good relationship with failure, how to maximize learning from your intelligent failures, and how the most complex failures can be prevented simply by speaking up. Amy also talks about her strategy to keep a consistent writing process, what it is like to watch corporate teams work, and how the Thinkers50 community fuels her unique thinking. 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/podcast/amy-edmondson
Aug 28, 2023 • 58min
Work Lessons 101, with Sabrina Woodworth
There are so many things that are not taught to children growing up or while attending school. Project manager Sabrina Woodworth aims to bridge this gap by writing Work Lessons 101, which gathers all the essential things people should know even at a young age. Joining J.R. Lowry, she talks about the most important lessons everyone must take to heart in their first decade, from building themselves as effective leaders, designing a healthy frame of mind, to putting emotional intelligence to work. Sabrina also shares her insights as a professional engineer about the current state of the mining industry and its direct impact on supply chain and climate change. 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/podcast/sabrina-woodworth
Aug 21, 2023 • 51min
Leadership, DEI, And Life As An Entrepreneur, With Dorothy Enriquez
Before an employee can take on a leadership position full-time, they must be equipped with the right knowledge and skills first. If they do not receive the proper leadership development, they might not be as effective as they should be. Dorothy Enriquez of The Ellevate Collective sits down with J.R. Lowry to discuss how they guide corporate and nonprofit leaders in optimizing their talents and unlocking their greatest potential. She discusses the difference between a manager and a leader, as well as the best approach to building a business that could operate even without your full supervision. Dorothy also shares her advocacy to bring more gender equity in C-suite leadership and the importance of increasing the number of women leaders.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/dorothy-enriquez/
Aug 14, 2023 • 44min
Giving Back Through Public Service, With Yvonne Hao
It’s one thing to attract customers to stay with your company; it’s another to go out into a more public-facing role and attract the very companies into the state. Yvonne Hao is the Secretary for Economic Development of the State of Massachusetts, where she takes the responsibility to create career opportunities and nurture thriving businesses within the state. In this episode, Yvonne joins J.R. Lowry to share her inspiring journey towards public service and leaving a great mark across various sectors. From co-founding venture capital and private equity firms to serving on boards and holding leadership positions, Yvonne's path has been marked by purpose and innovation. She dives into the nuances of government versus private sector dynamics, sharing insights on decision-making, governance, and metrics. Yvonne also talks about her role in shaping Massachusetts' economic development plan and ensuring the public can live great lives in the state. Drawing from her rich background, she offers invaluable wisdom on leadership, building high-performance teams, and the importance of embracing opportunities. Don’t miss out on this great conversation for a comprehensive view of Yvonne's transformative journey, highlighting her pivotal role in propelling economic growth while sharing her profound insights into leadership and personal development. 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 [insert URL for the transcript of this episode.]
Aug 7, 2023 • 41min
Resilience And Optimism Following A Life-Changing Accident, With Sarah de Lagarde
Life's challenges may knock us down, but with resilience and optimism, we can rise to conquer any mountain that stands in our way. In this episode, we sit down with Sarah de Lagarde, the Global Head of Communications at Janus Henderson Investors, to hear her remarkable journey of resilience and optimism after a life-changing accident. At the peak of her career and juggling motherhood, Sarah's life took an unexpected turn when she was involved in a horrific train accident. The accident left her with severe injuries, including two crushed limbs, a broken nose, and broken teeth. Despite the odds stacked against her, she shares how she managed to find strength within herself and the support of her community, leading to an astonishing recovery. As we delve deeper, Sarah touches upon the importance of storytelling and how sharing her journey has been a source of healing and empowerment for herself and others. She reveals how she found solace in the great outdoors, scaling heights like Kilimanjaro, defying expectations, and proving to herself that she is capable of achieving the extraordinary. Join us and learn how to conquer your own mountains and seize every moment! 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/sarah-de-lagarde
Jul 24, 2023 • 44min
Entrepreneurship, Purpose, And The Early Days Of The Internet, With Matt Kursh
Not everything is taught in schools, especially when it comes to certain skills needed at work. People often find themselves acquiring them when thrust into the real world. Recognizing this, Matt Kursh co-founded Oji Life Lab, a leadership learning company that helps people in business learn the essential skills that drive performance and life satisfaction that the schools just don't cover more generally. In this episode, Matt joins J.R. Lowry to tell us all about Oji Life Lab, its origins, and how it is transforming the workplace. He dives deep into the importance of emotional intelligence and decision-making—the skills that determine the outcomes of our lives. Matt also takes us into his entrepreneurship journey, both in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, and shares the big changes between generations of entrepreneurs. Reflecting on his time at Microsoft, Matt then tells us about the early days of the Internet and how much has transformed the business. Whether you are early in your career or deep into it, this conversation offers great insights that will guide you to reconnect with the things that matter most. 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 [insert URL for the transcript of this episode.]
