Career Sessions, Career Lessons

In this episode of Career Sessions, JR Lowry speaks with behavioral scientist Jon Levy to explore what actually makes teams effective and why the answer isn’t what most people think.Drawing on research across psychology, business, and even sports, Jon breaks down the hidden dynamics behind high-performing teams, including the overlooked role of “glue people” – those who quietly elevate everyone around them.They discuss:Why emotional intelligence matters more than IQ on teamsThe surprising reason too much talent can hurt performanceWhat “glue players” do differently and how to spot themHow influence really works (and why it’s not about power)The role of trust, belonging, and feedback in team successJon also shares insights from his unconventional work building communities and designing experiences that foster deep human connection.If you’re leading a team or want to become more effective within one, this conversation will challenge how you think about performance, influence, and success.Follow Career Sessions with JR Lowry so you never miss an episode.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/jon-levy/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/

Why do so many successful leaders feel burned out, misaligned, or unfulfilled? According to Raj Sisodia and Nilima Bhat, the issue isn’t a lack of skill or intelligence, but rather a lack of healing. In this episode of Career Sessions, JR Lowry sits down with Raj Sisodia, co-founder of the Conscious Capitalism movement, and Nilima Bhatt, leadership coach and author, to explore the deeper emotional and psychological dimensions of leadership. Drawing from their new book Healing Leaders, they argue that many leadership challenges stem from unprocessed trauma, unconscious patterns, and a disconnect from purpose.In this episode, JR, Raj, and Nilima discuss:Why leadership today is facing a “healing crisis”The hidden cost of success: burnout, misalignment, and “hollow achievement”Why traditional leadership training often fails to create lasting changeHow unhealed wounds shape leadership behaviorWhy many leaders resist doing inner workThe seven steps to healing as a leaderHow trauma, if processed, can become a source of growthWhy leadership starts with self-awarenessIf you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or questioning your path, this episode offers a deeper lens on what it really takes to grow.Follow Career Sessions with JR Lowry for weekly conversations on leadership, career growth, and navigating the future of work.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/raj-sisodia-and-nilima-bhat.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/

What’s really holding leaders back? According to executive coach Muriel Wilkins, it’s often not skills, strategy, or experience -- it’s hidden beliefs. In this episode of Career Sessions, JR Lowry sits down with Muriel Wilkins, executive coach to senior leaders, host of Harvard Business Review’s Coaching Real Leaders, and author of Leadership Unblocked. Drawing from more than 20 years of coaching C-suite executives and analyzing hundreds of leadership cases, Muriel explains how deeply and often unconscious beliefs can quietly limit how leaders show up, make decisions, and work with others.In this conversation, JR and Muriel unpack:The seven “hidden blockers” that often derail leadership effectivenessWhy beliefs matter more than leadership tacticsThe difference between behavior and the belief driving itWhy high-performing leaders often struggle with perfectionismHow the belief “I know I’m right” can undermine collaborationHow uncertainty and layoffs are amplifying leadership pressure todayThe mindset shift that unlocks leadership growthThe framework for responding to challengesIf you want to become a more effective leader and experience leadership with greater clarity and ease, this conversation offers a powerful place to start.Follow Career Sessions for weekly conversations on leadership, career growth, and navigating the future of work.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/muriel-wilkins/.

What does it take to walk away from a successful global executive career to pursue a deeper purpose? In this episode of Career Sessions, Career Lessons, JR Lowry sits down with Christopher Williams, former global executive and author of the new book C.O.U.R.A.GE., to explore how courage shapes our careers, leadership decisions, and personal growth. Born in Sierra Leone and educated at Morehouse College, Christopher built an international career spanning four continents, multiple industries, and senior leadership roles. Yet despite professional success, he reached a turning point that forced him to ask a difficult question: What is the real purpose of my work? That reflection led Christopher to rethink his career, step away from the corporate track, and dedicate his work to leadership, governance, and helping organizations balance business success with societal impact. In this conversation, JR and Christopher discuss:Christopher’s journey from Sierra Leone to Morehouse College and a global executive careerThe moment he felt successful but unfulfilled—and what he did about itWhy courage is essential for meaningful leadership and career growthThe seven-part COURAGE framework for making bold decisionsWhy rejecting distracting voices is often the hardest part of changeWhat living and leading across multiple cultures and continents taught him about peopleThe courageous decision to leave the corporate ladder and redefine successHow corporate boards and leaders can create greater societal impactWhy individuals must reclaim their personal agency in a rapidly changing worldIf you're questioning your career path, navigating a leadership transition, or seeking a clearer sense of purpose in your work, this episode offers powerful insights on how courage can reshape both your career and your life. Follow Career Sessions, Career Lessons for weekly conversations with leaders, authors, and innovators sharing the lessons that shape meaningful careers.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/christopher-williams.

What does it take to go from sending 1,000 unanswered resumes to building a platform used by millions of job seekers worldwide? In this episode of Career Sessions, Career Lessons, J.R. Lowry sits down with Andrei Kurtuy, co-founder of Novorésumé, to unpack the hard lessons he learned navigating rejection, building a global resume platform from scratch, and studying what actually gets candidates hired. After moving to Denmark for school, Andrei struggled to land a job until one key insight changed everything: it wasn’t about luck. It was about positioning. That realization ultimately led to the founding of Novorésumé, now one of the world’s most widely used resume builders. In this conversation, J.R. and Andrei discuss:Why Andrei sent 1,000 resumes with no tractionThe “aha moment” that changed his job search strategyWhat recruiters look at first when scanning resumesWhy tailoring matters more than everThe biggest resume mistakes even executives makeHow to handle career pivots and resume gapsWhat applicant tracking systems (ATS) really parseOne-page vs. two-page resumesHow AI is transforming both resume writing and candidate screeningThe skills that will matter most in an AI-driven job market If you’re actively job searching, considering a career pivot, or simply want to future-proof your professional story, this episode delivers practical research-backed advice. Follow Career Sessions, Career Lessons for weekly episodes you’ll never want to miss.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/andrei-kurtuy.

Curiosity isn’t a soft skill. It’s a strategic advantage. In this episode of Career Sessions, Career Lessons, JR chats with Dr. Debra Clary, author of The Curiosity Curve: A Leader’s Guide to Growth and Transformation Through Bold Questions, and explores why curiosity is the missing link in leadership, engagement, and high performance.Drawing on four decades of corporate leadership experience, Dr. Clary explains how curiosity directly impacts employee engagement, innovation, decision-making, and organizational culture. Together, they discuss: The research-backed link between curiosity and performanceWhy 65% of millennials report being disengaged at workHow leaders unintentionally kill curiosityThe difference between exploration and executionThe four components of the “Curiosity Curve”Why “I don’t know” may be the most powerful thing a leader can sayWhether AI enhances or diminishes critical thinkingHow to build a culture of curiosity during transformation or changePractical questions leaders can ask to assess curiosity in candidates and teams Dr. Clary also shares how organizations can measure curiosity through diagnostics, activate “curiosity ambassadors,” and create alignment from the executive team down. If you care about leadership development, culture transformation, employee engagement, innovation, or becoming the kind of leader people actually want to work for, this conversation is for you. Follow the podcast for weekly leadership and career insights.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/dr-debra-clary.

What do Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers really want from work, and how can leaders navigate a multi-generational workforce without falling into stereotypes? In this episode of Career Sessions, Career Lessons, JR Lowry sits down with Dr. Candace Steele Flippin to explore generational differences in the workplace, evolving leadership expectations, and how employees can future-proof their careers in an era shaped by technology, layoffs, and social change. Dr. Flippin unpacks how value systems are shaped by world events, why compensation transparency matters more than ever, and how purpose has become central to career decisions post-COVID. You’ll learn:How generational theory shapes workplace expectationsWhy Gen Z and Millennials prioritize purpose, empathy, and fair payThe leadership skills that cut across generations: active listening, collaboration, and empathyHow the social contract between employers and employees has changedThe rise of the gig economy and career self-managementWhy pay transparency is reshaping employee expectationsHow to avoid generational stereotyping at workThe 5-step SHAPE framework from Dr. Flippin’s book Get Your Career in Shape If you want to manage your career more proactively, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on career growth, leadership development, and navigating today’s workplace.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/dr-candace-steele-flippin.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/

If you’re a product manager, founder, executive, or even an individual contributor navigating OKRs, AI, and innovation pressure, this episode of Career Sessions, Career Lessons offers a practical reframing of how great products and meaningful work actually get built.Host JR Lowry sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, to unpack why traditional goals, OKRs, and performance targets often do more harm than good in modern product organizations.Drawing from her experience as an MIT-trained engineer, startup founder, and product leader across industries, Radhika introduces an alternative: puzzle setting and puzzle solving. Rather than optimizing for short-term metrics, she says that the most successful teams spend more time in the problem space asking better questions, learning faster, and adapting intelligently.Together, JR and Radhika explore:Why OKRs and targets could kill curiosity and innovationThe difference between optimizing numbers and solving the right problemHow “puzzle-driven” teams outperform “goal-driven” teamsThe dangers of AI-driven “product slop” and what humans must do better than machinesLeadership lessons on delegation, critical thinking, and psychological safetyAI’s impact on recruiting and cultureCheck 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/radhika-dutt/.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/

The journey from individual contributor to effective manager is often called the most significant transition of a career—a shift not just in responsibilities, but in identity. Yet, the foundations of great leadership often start with a more personal, foundational practice: curiosity and continuous self-improvement. In this deep-dive interview, we sit down with leadership expert and podcast host, Ryan Hawk of The Learning Leader Show, to unpack his best-selling book, Welcome to Management, and the surprising lessons he's gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s most successful leaders. Ryan shares the critical mindset shifts every new manager needs to make, why leading yourself is the necessary first step, and how embracing a learning leader mindset—fueled by relentless curiosity—was the unexpected catalyst that propelled his own professional journey from cold-calling sales rep to full-time entrepreneur and author. If you're looking to master the art of management, cultivate psychological safety in your team, or simply unlock the compounding power of daily personal growth, you won't want to miss these powerful insights on how curiosity shapes 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/podcasts/ryan-hawk.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/

The term executive presence shows up constantly in professional feedback—but what does it actually mean? For many ambitious professionals, especially women, this vague phrase becomes a frustrating barrier that leaves them overlooked and unsure how to advance. Today, we unpack executive presence with former tech executive and executive coach Katy McFee. She shares how she bridged the gap from director to VP—and how she now helps women do it faster. Inside, you’ll learn why “head-down hard work” stops paying off at senior levels, how to push back on vague feedback and get clarity, and Katy’s practical advice for building authentic visibility through mindset, skills, and habits. If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start showing up as a confident, influential leader, keep reading.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/katy-mcfee.Become a PathWise member today! Join at https://pathwise.io/join-now/