How to Get Past the Shame of Losing Your Job — with Harvard Psychiatrist Dr. Helen Riess
That sneaky feeling after a job loss? It’s not failure — it’s shame.
It shows up after the layoff, the rejection, or the silence between applications — whispering that you’re not enough. But you are. You’re simply in transition.
In this week’s episode of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, I sit down with my friend Dr. Helen Riess, a Harvard psychiatrist, empathy researcher, and author of The Empathy Effect. Together, we unpack what really happens when your confidence or identity takes a hit — and how empathy (especially for yourself) can help you rebuild.
Whether you’ve just been laid off, are in a career pivot, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical, science-backed tools to help you quiet shame, rebuild confidence, and move forward with clarity and courage.
💡 If you’ve been laid off — or think you might be — download our free career resource:
👉 Your Next Giant Reset™ — a step-by-step guide to help you stay in control and start your comeback.
🎧 Listen now: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and iHeartRadio.
👉 Subscribe for more conversations about work, purpose, and what it means to take your next giant step.
About Dr. Helen Riess
Dr. Helen Riess is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the Founder and Chief Scientist of Empathetics, Inc. Her pioneering research on the neuroscience of empathy has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Oprah Magazine. She is the author of The Empathy Effect: Seven Neuroscience-Based Keys for Transforming the Way We Live, Love, Work, and Connect Across Differences.
About The Show - Giant Steps with Leilani Brown
Each week, Leilani Brown — CEO of Giant Steps, LLC and author of From Campus to Career — explores the human side of work, leadership, and growth. Through smart, soulful conversations with experts, thinkers, and changemakers, the show helps you navigate transitions, build resilience, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world.
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Welcome to Giant Steps with Leilani Brown!
Season 3 kicks off with something big—a new name and an expanded vision. What started as Your First Job was built to guide early-career professionals. But our audience has grown, and so has the conversation.
In this episode, Leilani shares why the show is now called Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, and what that means for you. From your first role to bold pivots and reinventions, this season is about the whole career journey. You’ll hear real stories, practical insights, and everyday inspiration from leaders, innovators, and everyday people who turned challenges into opportunities.
Because big change doesn’t happen overnight—it starts with a single step, a spark, and one amazing conversation.
🎧 Tune in and take your next giant step.
Season Trailer - Giant Steps with Leilani Brown
ABOUT THE SHOW
Giant Steps with Leilani Brown (formerly Your First Job, the podcast)
Imagine what you could accomplish if you just take that first step. You could land your dream role. Shift a company culture. Redefine an industry.
That’s the spirit of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown. On each episode, author, speaker, and CEO Leilani Brown sits down with leaders, innovators, creators, everyday people, and trailblazers to uncover the pivotal decisions, bold reinventions, and daring choices that turned ordinary careers into extraordinary lives.
Whether you’re just starting out, ready to make a career move, or looking to reinvent yourself, you’ll find both information and inspiration here.
Big change doesn’t happen overnight—sometimes it starts with a single step, a small spark, and one amazing conversation at a time.
Watch on YouTube and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Audible and everywhere.
SHOW TRAILER/INTRO
Big change doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes it starts with a single step
That why I am excited to host leaders, innovators and great thinkers and everyday people, sharing their stories and practical insights you can use right now.
Wherever you are in you are in your journey, whether you are just starting out, looking to make a pivot, or ready to reinvent yourself.
You’ll find both information and inspiration right here.
This is Giant Steps, and I am Leilani Brown.
Brenda Mallory, a former chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, joins Your First Job LIVE to discuss her journey from aspiring child psychologist to environmental lawyer. She highlighted her early exposure to environmental issues at the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights, where she worked on affordable housing and zoning laws. Mallory emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives in policy-making and shared her experience as the first Black leader of the Council on Environmental Quality. She advised the Class of 2025 to cultivate networks and be flexible in their career choices, emphasizing the long-term impact of decisions. Mallory is currently reflecting on her next steps, aiming to contribute meaningfully to environmental and diversity issues.
ABOUT BRENDA
Brenda Mallory has had a 40-year career in Environmental Law and policy, spending roughly half her time at an environmental law firm serving public and private sector clients and the other half working in the Federal government in Senior roles at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ms. Mallory was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 14, 2021 and sworn in as the 12th Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). As Chair, she advised President Biden on environmental and natural resources policies, sustainability, climate change, conservation and environmental justice, all designed to improve, preserve, and protect public health and the environment for all America’s communities. Throughout her career, she has championed policies for cleaner water, cleaner air, and the removal of toxic pollutants from the places people live, work, and play and worked to create strong and inclusive working environments.
📌 ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB PODCAST
Your First Job is a podcast brought to you by Giant Steps, LLC, a company working at the intersection of Strategy, Culture, Career, and Education.
🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE!
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more career insights
📩 Join our community: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/contact...
📖 BOOKS BY LEILANI BROWN: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/books
🌐 Learn more about Giant Steps, LLC → GiantStepsLLC.com
Leilani Brown and Maxwell Heller discuss the intricacies of his dual career as a master fundraiser and drag performer. Maxwell, also known as Miz Cracker, shares his journey from reluctantly trying drag for the first time to becoming a successful performer. He emphasizes the importance of passion, experimentation, and balancing work with personal life. Maxwell also reflects on the evolution of drag, its cultural significance, and the challenges of monetizing it. Leilani and Maxwell discuss the value of unpaid internships, the importance of knowing oneself, and the need for a steady income to sustain passion projects. Maxwell is currently taking a step back to focus on personal growth and family.
ABOUT MIZ CRACKER
Miz Cracker is a New York City drag queen—and a writer, foodie and comedienne. She launched her drag career in 2011 while participating in marches for marriage equality in Times Square. She went on to compete in RuPaul’s Drag Race Season Ten, landing a spot in the top five and becoming a fan favorite. She later appeared in RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season Five, landing a spot in the top 3. Today, she tours the world with her one woman shows; delights fans on her YouTube channel; lectures on drag at top universities; writes for publications like Slate, ArtForum, Vice and GQ; engages nearly 1.5 million followers across social media; and tells the stories of incredible women through her interview podcast, She’s a Woman.
📌 ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB PODCAST
Your First Job is a podcast brought to you by Giant Steps, LLC, a company working at the intersection of Strategy, Culture, Career, and Education.
🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE!
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more career insights
📩 Join our community: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/contact...
📖 BOOKS BY LEILANI BROWN: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/books
🌐 Learn more about Giant Steps, LLC → GiantStepsLLC.com
Jesse Beckom III joins YFJ host Leilani Brown to discuss his diverse career journey, from urban planning to competitive bobsledding and tech roles at eBay, Teespring, and Atlassian. He emphasizes the importance of agility and continuous learning and highlights the transferable skills from sports, such as teamwork and resilience, to his professional life. He shares his early experiences, including selling snow in Chicago, which taught him the value of precision and independence. Jesse also stressed the significance of community involvement and mentorship, particularly for student-athletes transitioning to professional careers.
ABOUT JESSE
Originally from Chicago, Illinois Jesse is the youngest and only male child of five siblings. His mother was a nurse and his late father was a 27-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Jesse Beckom III is a Senior Go-to-market Program Manager at Atlassian. He has over a decade of experience in driving high-impact programs and campaigns, taking them from strategic conception to execution. At Atlassian, Jesse served as the first Global Chair of the company’s inaugural Black Employee Resource Group. Jesse is a former member of the USA Bobsled National Team where he competed in World Cup Races and World Championships for 12 years and was the Chair of the Athlete Advisory Committee. Jesse currently serves as a member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Ethics Committee.
📌 ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB PODCAST
Your First Job is a podcast brought to you by Giant Steps, LLC, a company working at the intersection of Strategy, Culture, Career, and Education.
🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE!
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more career insights
📩 Join our community: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/contact...
📖 BOOKS BY LEILANI BROWN: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/books
🌐 Learn more about Giant Steps, LLC → GiantStepsLLC.com
Graduates, this one’s for you! In this special crossover episode, YFJ host Leilani Brown joins Sonia Marta of The Smarta Podcast to share essential advice for anyone taking their first career steps. Leilani highlights the significance of relationships, initiative, accountability, and adaptability. Leilani shares her book "Campus to Career," which offers practical tips for recent graduates. She stresses the need for effective communication, self-management, and digital literacy. Leilani also discusses the impact of social media on mental health and the value of lifelong learning. She concludes with advice on building networks and overcoming imposter syndrome.
ABOUT SONIA
A changemaker and an award-winning author, Sonia Marta wrote and self-published her first poetry collection, Oracol (2018) at the age of 10. Next came her most acclaimed story by teachers and the international community, The Rapping Astronaut (2020), an award-winning children's book, along with Bucharest City Tour, a Trip with Sonia (2020). In 2023, Marta co-authored Women Leading the Way (2023), a collection of stories of successful women launched at the London Book Fair (LBF23').
Sonia Marta's projects kickstarted her journey as a role model, travelling all over the globe to speak to over 5,000 children, students, and parents about the importance of self-improvement and the importance of education. Her mission, inspiring the youth to follow their dreams, brought about her recognition at the Women Changing the World Awards Gala (2023), where she won Silver in the category Young Women Changing the World. She is the host of The SMARTA Podcast, a biweekly show on leadership with executives and bestselling authors exploring how to achieve your dream life.
📌 ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB PODCAST
Your First Job is a podcast brought to you by Giant Steps, LLC, a company working at the intersection of Strategy, Culture, Career, and Education.
🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE!
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more career insights
📩 Join our community: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/contact...
📖 BOOKS BY LEILANI BROWN: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/books
🌐 Learn more about Giant Steps, LLC → GiantStepsLLC.com
Leilani Brown interviews Eric Ryan, a serial entrepreneur known for brands like Method and Welly. Ryan discusses his early entrepreneurial aspirations, influenced by his family's automotive business. He emphasizes the importance of creating products that elevate everyday items and bring joy. Ryan highlights the significance of partnerships and capital, noting the pressure of using friends and family's money. He advises entrepreneurs to focus on cultural shifts and team dynamics. Ryan also stresses the need for adaptability and agility in startups, using AI as an example of transformative technology. He concludes with advice on maintaining a growth mindset and improving oneself.
ABOUT ERIC
Eric Ryan is an entrepreneur whose ventures have consistently redefined the consumer landscape. As the creative force behind method, he made eco-friendly cleaning products a household staple, blending sustainability with style. With OLLY, he revolutionized the vitamin aisle, making wellness both accessible and appealing. Welly, his next innovation, introduced a beauty-forward approach to first aid, transforming mundane health essentials into desirable lifestyle accessories. In the realm of retail, his venture Cast reimagines the experience of shopping for fine jewelry, marrying artisan craftsmanship with a joyful shopping ethos. Not resting on his laurels, Ryan recently launched Tandy, a candy brand that is not only better for you but also bring functional benefits to everyone’s favorite treat.
📌 ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB PODCAST
Your First Job is a podcast brought to you by Giant Steps, LLC, a company working at the intersection of Strategy, Culture, Career, and Education.
🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE!
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more career insights
📩 Join our community: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/contact...
📖 BOOKS BY LEILANI BROWN: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/books
🌐 Learn more about Giant Steps, LLC → GiantStepsLLC.com
Leilani Brown interviews Paul Nasrani, CEO and founder of Adirondack Creamery, about his journey from CFO to ice cream entrepreneur. Nasrani discusses the creation of unique flavors like Black Raspberry, inspired by political unity, and Kashmiri Kawa, based on a traditional Kashmiri drink. He emphasizes the importance of community and social impact, donating half of the profits from Syrian Date and Walnut to the International Rescue Committee. Nasrani advises aspiring entrepreneurs to stay passionate, learn continuously, and be open to new opportunities. He also highlights the significance of building relationships and respecting diverse perspectives in business.
ABOUT PAUL
Paul N. Nasrani discovered his passion for ice cream during childhood summers on a Pennsylvania farm, where he helped churn fresh homemade batches with unrivaled flavors and quality. His professional journey began as a Public Accountant at BDO Seidman in audit and consulting, before advancing to COO of an Orthodontic Care Start-Up, and later CFO positions at both a privately held staffing firm (an opportunity he chose over acceptance to University of Michigan Business School) and a mid-market private equity-owned legal services company.
Despite his successful finance career in New York City, Paul's ice cream dream persisted, leading him to produce premium homemade ice creams in his Manhattan studio apartment in 2002. As demand from colleagues and friends quickly outgrew his home setup, he dedicated his vacations to visiting ice cream shops and attending specialized dairy programs at Penn State and Cornell Universities to perfect his craft.
The turning point came on a winter Sunday in Grand Central Station when Paul purchased a commercial batch freezer at an auction. Within a year, he left his corporate career behind to establish Adirondack Creamery Ice Cream, where he now serves as Founder and President, finally fulfilling his lifelong dream of sharing his passion for exceptional ice cream with the world.
Adam Lowry and the host discuss Adam's career journey, emphasizing his transition from chemical engineering to climate impact consultancy. Adam, President of Lowry Climate Group and co-founder of Method, highlights his work at the Carnegie Institute for Science, where he managed a climate model predicting climate change impacts. He shares the story of co-founding Method to create sustainable cleaning products, which was later acquired by SC Johnson. Adam stresses the importance of voting for climate action and the responsibility of businesses to address their environmental footprints. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to persist through challenges and to take advantage of available resources, noting that entrepreneurship today carries less risk than it did in the past.
ABOUT ADAM
Adam Lowry is a former climate scientist and the founder of several mission-driven businesses, including Method Products, Ripple Foods, and Sugarbreak, all public benefit corporations. He builds businesses with sustainability designed at their core, so that their growth produces positive social and environmental impacts. The companies he has started saved megatons of GHG emissions, 100 billion gallons of water, thousands of tons of plastic waste, and created hundreds of green manufacturing jobs on four continents; all while creating nearly a billion dollars in shareholder returns.
His companies have been named #7 on the Inc 500 list of fastest growing private companies in the US; #16 on Fast Company's Fast 50 World's Most Innovative Companies; and twice named to the Global CleanTech 100.
More recently, he has shifted his focus to building companies and projects with the potential for gigaton and gigawatt scale, including work with the US government and companies pioneering the next generation of climate positive technologies. The scope of that work runs the gamut, from team, to operations, to strategy, to financing, and everything in between, building the proper foundations for performance over the long term.
📌 ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB PODCASTYour First Job is a podcast brought to you by Giant Steps, LLC, a company working at the intersection of Strategy, Culture, Career, and Education.
🔔 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more career insights.
📩 Join our community: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/contact...
📖 BOOKS BY LEILANI BROWN: https://www.giantstepsllc.com/books
🌐 Learn more about Giant Steps, LLC → GiantStepsLLC.com
Leilani Brown and Kerry Chandler discuss Kerry's career journey, emphasizing the importance of first jobs and the value of unexpected opportunities. At her first job, she learned the significance of employee relations and the impact of company culture. She stresses the importance of aligning with a company's values and being an advocate for employees. Kerry advises job seekers to be honest about their employment transitions and to prepare thoroughly for interviews.
ABOUT KERRY
Kerry is a highly accomplished HR business executive with experience in strategic planning, talent acquisition, performance management and organizational transformation. As a seasoned executive, Kerry has a unique combination of experiences in industries that include technology, sports, media, entertainment, telecommunications, and retail. She is a highly influential and effective leader with a record of achievements at some of the most admired organizations in the world. She is a trusted advisor who builds strong relationships with teams, CEOS and other C-suite leaders and board members. Kerry was most recently Chief People Officer at Bombas. She was recruited to this role as part of the company’s efforts to strategically prepare for its next stage of growth. At this highly reputable, early stage, mission-oriented company, Kerry was responsible for developing all aspects of the Human Resources function, including organizational design and learning, succession planning, total rewards, talent acquisition and employee relations. Her wealth of experience in the C-Suite served Kerry well in providing the necessary executive coaching and development to prepare this premium brand, B Corp, for continued growth and scale.
In 2018, Kerry was recruited to become the Chief Human Resources Officer of Endeavor, a global leader in entertainment, sports and fashion, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. She was responsible for all Human Resources strategy and operations including talent acquisition, organization and talent development, performance management, compensation and benefits, diversity and inclusion, HR business partnerships, employee relations and budget for Endeavor worldwide. In 2020, Kerry’s leadership was instrumental to the company’s restructuring that was necessary as a result of the business impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and in 2021, Kerry was an important member of the executive team that took Endeavor public on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2015, she was recruited as Chief Human Resources Officer at Under Armour to restructure and build out the HR organization to meet the 15,000-employee company’s emerging competitive challenges. Under her leadership, she created a global HR organization to scale while leveraging talent, enhancing culture, and driving long-term organizational change. She led a team of 160 HR professionals across North America, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Notably, she was instrumental in restructuring benefits for a $34M+ savings to the company. During her tenure, she implemented executive-level succession planning, and was a valued partner to IT, Finance, and SAP partners on an HRIS implementation. As part of the companywide Operational Excellence initiative, she expertly and sensitively managed a difficult reorganization that saved $55M. She was previously the Global Head of Human Resources with Christie’s International, and the most senior Human Resources executive for the National Basketball Association (NBA), reporting directly to the NBA Commissioner. She led the sports enterprise through organizational transformation to become a more global business entity with strong culture and operating infrastructure including new NBA markets in China, India, Europe and Africa. The sports fan joined ESPN in 2000 as senior Vice President HR, then worked in various capacities at Disney.
Bill Kennard, former FCC Chairman, joins YFJ to reflect on his trailblazing career in law, policy, and business. He shares his experience leading the E-Rate program under the Clinton administration, tackling the challenge of expanding internet access to schools and libraries. Kennard discusses the ongoing digital divide, including the “homework gap” that left 17 million students without broadband during the pandemic. He also explores the impact of social media on society, the power of mentorship, and why young professionals should take a proactive approach to career growth while staying mission-driven.
ABOUT BILL
William E. Kennard has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. He currently serves as a Co-Founding Partner of Astra Capital Management, a private equity firm. Before launching Astra, Kennard served as the US Ambassador to the European Union. Before serving as an Ambassador, Mr. Kennard was a Partner and Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, an asset management firm, where he led investments in the telecommunications and media sectors. Before joining The Carlyle Group, Mr. Kennard served as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). He began his public sector career as the FCC’s General Counsel.
As FCC Chairman, Kennard became well known for advancing policies to help people most at risk of being stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide. U.S. News & World Report dubbed Kennard a “consumer champion for the digital age.” He has received many honors and awards for his accomplishments, including honorary degrees from Howard University, Gallaudet University and Long Island University.
Mr. Kennard currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of AT&T, Inc. He also serves on the boards of directors of Ford Motor Company and MetLife, Inc., and he is a trustee of Yale University.
Mr. Kennard is a graduate of Stanford University and Yale Law School. In 2021, Yale Law School awarded him its Award of Merit, the school’s highest honor.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
Parker Harris, CTO and co-founder of Salesforce, joins YFJ to share his journey from a liberal arts background to co-founding one of the world's largest CRM platforms. He highlights Salesforce's evolution, emphasizing the importance of AI and the need for retraining to adapt to technological changes. Harris also addressed the shift to hybrid work post-COVID, noting the challenges of remote work on collaboration and early-career development.
ABOUT PARKER
Parker Harris is the CTO of Slack and the Co-Founder of Salesforce. He oversees Slack’s world-class engineering team and sets the technical vision for the company. Parker is passionate about the power of cloud computing and its ability to help organizations digitally transform and become more customer- centric. Since co-founding Salesforce in 1999, Parker has had an indelible impact on the company — driving its technology strategy, championing customer success and innovation, and fostering an ecosystem of partners and advocates across the globe. Parker has spearheaded many technology initiatives at Salesforce that deliver productivity, reliability, and exceptional user experiences to companies at scale — notably, Hyperforce, the Salesforce Platform, and Lightning Experience. Before Salesforce, Parker co-founded cloud computing company Left Coast Software and worked at Metropolis Software, a pioneer in field sales force automation.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
YFJ host Leilani Brown announces the release of her new book, Your Next Giant Steps: 25 Practical Tips For Job Search Success. The book offers practical tips and a journal for job seekers. She emphasizes the importance of applying with intention, leveraging AI tools, and turning rejections into learning opportunities. Brown highlights that her previous book, "From Campus to Career," focuses on job retention, while this new guide addresses the initial job search.
Your Next Giant Steps is available for purchase on Amazon–get your copy today! And stay tuned for the Season 2 premiere on February 10.
ABOUT LEILANI
Leilani M. Brown is the founder and CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in strategy, culture, career, and education. She is the author of Your Next Giant Steps: 25 Practical Tips for Job Search Success, From Campus to Career: 25 Tips for Your First Professional Year and is the host of Your First Job, a podcast offering inspiration and information from some of the world’s most talented and accomplished people.
Her insights on workforce development and inclusion have been featured in Newsweek, Fortune, and other leading outlets. Leilani holds a Bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and a Master’s in Public Administration from NYU.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
Wanji Walcott, Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer at Pinterest, joins Your First Job to discuss her journey from law school to Lockheed Martin to the world’s largest visual search engine. She recounts her early days when a mentor inspired her to pursue the role of General Counsel. Walcott also highlights Pinterest's mission to inspire people and its initiatives like inclusive search features and the Youth Mental Health Corps.
To learn more about Youth Mental Health Corps visit bit.ly/3OWvsOB
Follow Atiya Walcott at @atiyawalcottfits for style inspiration!
ABOUT WANJI
Wanji Walcott is the Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer at Pinterest and is responsible for leading Legal, Compliance, Public Affairs & Policy, Philanthropy, ESG and Trust & Safety.As an experienced senior executive, Wanji advises the senior leadership and the board of directors and has extensive experience with corporate governance, fintech, technology & innovation, compliance, government relations, investigations, M&A, talent management, and diversity. Prior to joining Pinterest, Wanji served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer at Discover Financial Services. Wanji also served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel at PayPal and has also held positions at American Express, Lockheed Martin IMS Corporation and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.She is on the board of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. Wanji also serves on the Frederick Gunn School board of trustees and on the Women’s Board of the Art Institute of Chicago.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
Brooks Reitz, a Charleston-based entrepreneur and restaurateur, joins host Leilani to discuss his entry and ultimate success in hospitality. Reitz emphasizes the importance of storytelling in his restaurants, drawing parallels to his early love for theater. He also shares insights on the challenges of running a restaurant group, including maintaining operations during the pandemic. Stay tuned and even get some early intel on Brooks’ latest endeavor in New Orleans!
ABOUT BROOKS
Brooks Reitz worked in restaurants from the age of 16, holding various positions before graduating college and becoming a Restaurant Manager. He moved to Charleston in 2007/8 and joined FIG as a server and bartender before being promoted to Manager. At 30, Reitz opened his first restaurant, Leon's Oyster Shop, which was followed by a string of others.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
Host Leilani welcomes Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business to the podcast. Hubert discusses her career journey and the evolving landscape of graduate admissions. She also reflects on her early career in pharmaceutical sales, where she learned resilience and advocacy. This episode comes on the heels of the Fuqua School achieving gender parity in its full-time MBA program.
ABOUT SHARI
Shari Hubert is associate dean of admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, where she is responsible for overseeing recruitment and admissions for their Daytime and Accelerated MBA, Weekend Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA, and six Specialty Masters’ Degree Programs. Prior to Fuqua, she was the associate dean of admissions for the Full-time and Evening MBA programs at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Hubert has extensive experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and entered higher education after working for the Peace Corps as director of recruitment within the Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection, the senior vice president of campus recruitment for Citi’s Global Bank in North America and as the manager of campus relations for GE. Immediately after receiving an MBA from Harvard Business School in 2000, Hubert worked as a consultant for The Boston Consulting Group, managed a leadership program for the Partnership for NYC and ran the United Way campaign at NBC. Finally, she began her career in sales and marketing at Merck and Co., Inc., after graduating with a bachelor's degree in French from Dartmouth College in 1992.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
Host Leilani reconnects with longtime friend Dolly Chugh, a social psychologist and NYU professor. They discuss her career journey from investment banking at Morgan Stanley to academia. Chugh emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in choosing a career path and highlights the generational differences in workplace dynamics. She stresses the significance of good bosses in fostering growth and happiness and advises listeners to save "go-to-hell money."
ABOUT DOLLY
Dolly Chugh (she/her, hear my name) is a social psychologist and management professor at the New York University Stern School of Business where she teaches MBA courses in leadership and management. Because of Dolly’s teaching skills, she was one of six professors chosen from thousands at New York University to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2020 and one of five to receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Faculty Award in 2013.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
Host Leilani is joined by Mychal Threets, a librarian, literacy ambassador, and mental health advocate. Threets discusses his journey from a homeschooled library kid to Spirit Halloween employee, to his current role as PBS’ resident librarian. Mychal emphasizes the importance of libraries as community hubs, providing resources for job seekers, including computer access and job fairs. He advises aspiring librarians to volunteer and gain entry-level experience. Michael's work now includes advocating for mental health and literacy.
ABOUT Mychal
Mychal Threets is a librarian, literacy ambassador, and mental health advocate. He grew up in libraries as a homeschooled kid, and eventually got his first job at the library where he was raised. He is obsessed with library joy, and insists that everyone belongs in the library just as they are. He is also adamant about reminding people it is okay to not be okay, to journey towards okay, and to focus on making it to tomorrow.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
Host Leilani interviews talent professional Alec Fox to explore his experiences on Google’s People team during times of rapid growth. They delve into the challenges of maintaining a consistent recruitment message while fostering relationships across multiple generations of employees. Alec reflects on his early job experiences, which shaped his understanding of how recognizing the unique needs of various teams and employees is key to succeeding in HR. They also touch on the value of diversity in backgrounds, tenures, and skill sets within the workforce. Alec wraps up by offering insightful advice for young professionals on navigating the Google hiring process and advancing their careers.
ABOUT ALEC
Alec Fox has spent his entire career at Google, working in both the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City offices. As a university grad, he started on a customer and product support team for Google’s online advertising products. For the last decade, Alec has worked in People Operations (Google’s version of HR!) on teams focused on campus outreach and university recruiting, HR operations, DEI and industry programs, and most recently, “classic HR” or HR business partner work supporting specific business and Cloud teams. Alec hails from the oh-so beautiful city of Charleston, SC, and currently calls Brooklyn, NY his home. He holds a BA in Linguistics from Emory University and is passionate about theater, movies, language, politics, and commercial aviation.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries.
Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs.
By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.
