

Coffee With Convery
Brien Convery
Explore how success isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder—sometimes it’s about building your own jungle gym. From students to seasoned professionals, this career development podcast is your launchpad for job search strategies, personal branding, leadership growth, and workplace success. Dive into real-life career transitions, resume tips, interview preparation, mentorship, and future-ready skills. Produced by talent, for talent—empowering emerging professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives to thrive in today’s evolving job market. Listen now to level up your career!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 14, 2025 • 23min
From Neural Networks to Ethical Persuasion with Dr. Thomas Trautmann
Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we caffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, actionable insights, and fresh takes on how we define and design success.Today’s guest is an international business strategist, persuasion expert, and brain science trailblazer. Please welcome Dr. Thomas Trautmann—founder of HappyBrains, certified business coach, and creator of the “Make Me Great” system.Thomas doesn’t just help companies sell more—he helps leaders connect at the deepest, most decision-driven levels. Whether he’s guiding executives with his EthicalPersuader System or helping couples through his NeuroCouple method, Thomas proves one thing: when you speak the brain’s language, you unlock real, lastingimpact.If you’ve ever wondered how neuroscience can improve your relationships, your brand, and your bottom line—this episode is for you.

Aug 7, 2025 • 31min
From Seed Rounds to Stand-Up with Laura Scarlett Martin
Welcome back to another caffeinated convo on Coffee withConvery, where career clarity meets personal purpose—and success isn’t just defined by titles, but by trailblazing, tinkering, and tenacity.Today, we’re about to pour a double shot of inspirationwith someone who is part strategist, part disruptor, and ALL in on helping diverse voices get funded, seen, and heard. Meet Laura Scarlett Martin—Top 0.1% LinkedIn Influencer, Venture Partner, Fractional CMO, Global Finance ThoughtLeader, and yes… stand-up comic. She’s coached hundreds of founders, scaled startups from sketchpad to seed round, and is on a mission to make VC more inclusive and tech more human.From boardrooms to the comedy stage, Laura is redefiningwhat leadership looks like—and helping Gen Z and Millennial dreamers define their own version of success in work and life.Whether you’re a student founder, a tech-savvy creative,or someone still figuring it all out, this episode is for you.

Jul 31, 2025 • 26min
From High School Halls to Elon Excellence with Bianca Barrager
Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we explore the journeys of students, professionals, and changemakers navigating life, learning, and leadership. Each episode brings you a new perspective, a new voice, and a new story that just might shift your own path forward.Today’s guest is someone whose energy, authenticity, and leadership shine through in everything she does. I’m thrilled to welcome Bianca Barrager, a bright and inspiring student leader currently attending Elon University in North Carolina.Bianca’s journey takes us from her hometown roots in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to the vibrant community at Elon—where she’s not just adjusting to university life, but actively shaping it. Whether she’s advocating for others, stepping up in leadership roles, or simply being a source of encouragement to her peers, Bianca is already leaving a mark and paving her own purposeful path. Her story is one of heart, resilience, and bold ambition—especially as a young woman finding her voice and using it to uplift others.Bianca shares everything from her high school-to-university transition, to what leadership and identity mean to her, and the advice she has for students who are still figuring it all out.

Jul 24, 2025 • 38min
From Making Space to Leading the Way in Cyber with Heather Ricciuto
Welcome back to another episode of Coffee with Convery — where we bring you conversations with trailblazers shaping the future of work, education, and leadership. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome someone whose name is synonymous with impact in the cybersecurity world - Heather Ricciuto. With over 35 years at IBM, Heather is not only a seasonedtechnology and project management expert but also a tireless advocate for closing the cybersecurity gender gap. She’s the force behind the global CyberDay4Girls program, has led IBM’s Women in Security Excelling group, andwas named one of Canada’s Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity. From classrooms to boardrooms, from mentoring future leaders to transforming global cybersecurity outreach - Heather is a powerhouse of passion, purpose, and progress.

Jul 17, 2025 • 39min
From Sales Floor to Founder with Max Notis on Building Your Own Version of Success
Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we dive into inspiring stories, uncover life-changing strategies, and explore how individuals define and achieve their own success.Today, I’m pumped to introduce someone who truly lives and breathes entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth—Max Notis. Max is the Founder and President of CoMission, a company he built to transform how sales teams perform and grow. With years of experience in sales leadership, Max has coached high-performing teams, written winning playbooks, and now helps companies unlock sustainable revenue with scalable strategies. Max knows what it takes to close deals—but more importantly, he knows how to build people and culturesthat thrive. So whether you’re a student just starting out, someone in your first big job, or you’ve been thinking about making a bold move in your career—Max’s journey has gems for you.

Jul 10, 2025 • 27min
AI, Startups, and Student Life with Brendan Gignac
Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, your go-to podcast for authentic conversations that inspire and inform your career journey.Today, I’m excited to introduce Brendan Gignac to the show. Brendan is a builder of AI-driven software solutions, the founder of Genie Digital Solutions, and a Master ofApplied Computing student at the University of Windsor. From machine learning to entrepreneurship, Brendan combines his technical chops with business savvy to create real-world impact. Brendan’s journey from high school to university, and now into the world of startups and advanced computing, makes him a perfect guest for those of you who are navigating yourown transitions—whether from high school to college, or from the classroom to your first job.

Jul 3, 2025 • 32min
From Lifeguard Stand to Engineering with Rebecca Fiamboli
Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, the podcast where we dive into the stories and insights of professionals who are shaping their industries and creating impact. Today, I’m excited to welcome Rebecca Fiamboli to the show! Rebecca is a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Guelph, and she’s already buildingan impressive career. With hands-on roles at Tigercat Industries, Blue Valley Building, and Engineers of Tomorrow, she’s navigating the early stages of her professional journey with purpose and passion. From swimming instructor to mechanical design work, Rebecca brings a fresh, relatable perspective toanyone looking to transition from school into the working world.

Jun 26, 2025 • 44min
From the Frontlines to the Courtroom with David Levangie
Welcome to Coffee with Convery ☕️, the podcast where we sit down with industry leaders, and outstanding individuals making a difference. Today, I have the pleasure of introducing our esteemed guest, David Levangie. 🎙David is a Partner-Litigation at Fogler Rubinoff LLP in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With an impressive 16 years of experience in the legal field, David has become a leading figure in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at Fogler Rubinoff. ⚖️David's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitrations, where he has excelled in cases involving breach of contract, shareholder disputes, oppression, and breaches of fiduciary duties. He's not just an exceptional litigator; he's a strategic thinker and a problem solver. 💼David's journey includes academic excellence, having earned his Bachelors Social Science in Criminology and Political Science, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa. He furthered his education at Osgoode Hall Law School, obtaining an LL.B. in 2008 and being called to the Ontario bar in 2009. 🎓What sets David apart is not just his legal accomplishments but also his commitment to service. Proudly serving in the Canadian Armed Forces for 6 years, David received numerous awards, including Soldier of the Year for his Regiment and Service Person of the Year for the entire Communications Group. 🏅I’m excited now to welcome David as we jump into his journey, exploring his experiences in complex litigation, his dedication to veterans' rights, and his role in advancing diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. 🌟

Jun 24, 2025 • 36min
From Corporate America to The Gay Leadership Dude® with Dr. Steve Yacovelli
Welcome to Coffee with Convery, where we dive into the stories of changemakers, thought leaders, and trailblazers shaping the future of business and leadership. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Steve Yacovelli, also known as “The Gay Leadership Dude®”—a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and leadership development expert who has dedicated his career to fostering inclusive, resilient, and purpose-driven leadership.With a background spanning The Walt Disney Company, IBM, and Tupperware Brands, Steve has spent decades helping organizations create workplaces where everyonecan thrive.As the Founder and Principal of TopDog Learning Group, Steve works with Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits to build leadership skills, champion diversity and inclusion, anddrive meaningful change. His books, including Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to Be the King or Queen of Their Jungle and his latest release, Your Queer Career®: Workplace Advice from “The Gay Leadership Dude®”, offer invaluable insights for professionals navigating today’s evolving workforce. In today’s conversation, we’ll explore Steve’s journey—where it all began, the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, and his mission to make workplaces more inclusive, human, and kind.

Jun 19, 2025 • 22min
From Flipping Houses to Crushing Life with Cody Galloway-Braman, a Real Estate Rockstar
What's up, hustlers and dream-chasers! 🚀💪 Welcome to another high-energy episode of Coffee With Convery🎙️💥Today we're about to crank the volume up to 11! 🔊🔥 We've got a real estate rockstar 🏠🎸 Cody Galloway-Braman in the house.He's flipping the script on how we think about buying and selling homes. He's a 3x franchise owner 🏆🏆🏆, a community builder 🤝🌟, and an athlete who's still crushing it in the gym 💪🏋️♂️. Let's dive into this no-holds-barred conversation that's guaranteed to leave you buzzing with inspiration! 🐝💡🔥