To The Top: Inspirational Career Advice

Available Episodes

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#111 Sam Vander Wielen: The Million Dollar Pivot
Sam Vander Wielen is the founder of a multimillion-dollar legal templates business and author of "When I Start My Business I'll Be Happy: A Practical, No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship." As a former corporate attorney turned entrepreneur, Sam provides legal templates and education to online business owners, helping them protect themselves and their businesses without the anxiety or expense of hiring a lawyer. After pivoting from a brief stint as a health coach, Sam discovered her niche when fellow entrepreneurs kept asking her legal questions at a wellness conference. Today, her signature product, the Ultimate Bundle, has generated over $8 million in revenue, while her weekly newsletter "Sam's Sidebar" reaches more than 47,000 subscribers. In this episode, you'll learn how Sam discovered her multimillion-dollar business idea by listening to her audience at a wellness festival, where people lined up for legal advice instead of health coaching You'll discover why Sam believes starting with a viable business concept is more important than just "following your passion" and how differentiation beats trying to be better than competitors You'll hear about Sam's ingenious "broccoli and mac and cheese strategy" that helped her grow an email list of 47,000 subscribers by balancing necessary legal content with topics people actually want to consume This conversation reveals why Sam intentionally keeps her business streamlined around one core offering (her "Ultimate Bundle") rather than constantly expanding - and how this approach supports both profitability and work-life balance You'll understand the central message behind Sam's book title "When I Start My Business I'll Be Happy" as she challenges the "when-then" mindset and explains why external success doesn't automatically bring happiness
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1:09:10
#110 Garry Ridge: A Masterclass in Culture Building (Former CEO, WD-40)
In this enlightening conversation with Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40 Company, you'll discover powerful leadership insights that transformed an ordinary product into an extraordinary company. Here's what to expect: How values create freedom - Gary explains his hierarchical value system that empowered employees to make independent decisions anywhere in the world without "quacking up the hierarchy." Embracing "learning moments" rather than failures - Learn how reframing mistakes revolutionized WD-40's culture and encouraged innovation without fear. The ego-empathy balance - Discover why letting "empathy eat your ego" instead of the reverse is crucial for effective leadership. The power of authentic humility - Gary shares his mother's wisdom: "Even the Queen sits down to pee" and how staying grounded shaped his leadership style. Why "coach" should replace "manager" - Understand the fundamental difference between managing and coaching that transformed WD-40's organizational structure. The "Maniac Pledge" for accountability - Learn about Gary's antidote to the "Na-Na-Na Disease" of finger-pointing that builds true responsibility. Not ignoring your "alarm bells" - A personal story illustrates the importance of paying attention to warning signs in both business and life. The interview offers a masterclass in building cultures where people feel they belong, know they matter, and can contribute meaningfully - all proven through 25 years of leadership without a single layoff.
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1:03:12
#109 Rich Gannon - The Playbook for Building Mental Toughness
Rich Gannon is a former NFL MVP and quarterback for the Vikings, Chiefs, and Raiders. He's currently a broadcaster and analyst for CBS. In this interview we discuss: -How he responded when he was at a crossroads in his career -How his experience in Minnesota and Kansas City may have prepared him for the unique situation in Oakland -What made him believe the Raiders would give him the 'keys to the kingdom' -What he did to change the culture at the Raiders -How to move on from a bad play, his favorite comeback win and more..
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33:35
#108 Raffi Grinberg: The 14 Essential Skills You Didn't Know You Needed
Today we're sitting down with Raffi Grinberg, author of "How to Be a Grownup: The 14 Essential Skills You Didn't Know You Needed Until Just Now." After walking away from Wharton's MBA program just two weeks before it started, Raffi challenged conventional wisdom and created a wildly popular college course teaching the life skills most schools never address. His journey from management consultant to educator offers a refreshing perspective on designing a meaningful life in a world that tries to program our decisions. In this enlightening conversation, we explore: Why breaking free from "default programming" is essential for creating a life you won't regret How to identify your unique "superpowers" and leverage them for greater career fulfillment The critical transition from an achievement mindset to a contentment mindset without losing your ambition Why making counterintuitive life choices—like moving next door to your best friends—can lead to deeper happiness than following the traditional script
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56:45
#107 Ximena Vengoechea: The Counterintuitive Secrets of Listening That Will Transform Your Relationships
Ximena Vengoechea has been UX researcher at companies like Twitter and Pinterest. She is the author of several books including the one we discuss today titled Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, Newsweek, Fast Company, CNBC, The Muse, among others. She writes a regular newsletter on personal growth and human behavior at ximena.substack.com. In this inteview we discuss: How to Listen Beyond Words - Discover techniques to understand the emotions and unspoken needs hiding beneath surface-level conversation. When to Switch Listening Modes - Learn to identify your default listening style and how to adapt it based on what others actually need from you. Turning Any Topic Into an Engaging Conversation - Find out how to remain genuinely curious about subjects that don't naturally interest you by focusing on the person sharing them. Setting Healthy Boundaries While Listening - Master the balance between empathetic listening and protecting yourself from carrying others' emotional burdens. The Power of Being Fully Present - Understand how mindfulness, reduced note-taking, and self-awareness create the foundation for meaningful connections. -- email questions to [email protected]
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1:09:57