Giant Steps with Leilani Brown (formerly Your First Job)

If you've ever been told your goals are too high, your credentials aren't strong enough, or you should have a backup plan — this episode is your answer.Dr. Vicki Johnson, founder of ProFellow and author of Pitch Your Potential, built a 7-part formula for winning competitive opportunities that has helped her community secure over $500 million in merit-based awards. In this conversation, she breaks down the MATCH ME Formula® and shows you how to apply it to jobs, fellowships, promotions, board seats, and any opportunity where you need to make a case for yourself.This one hits differently right now — we recorded it in the middle of one of the most disruptive job markets in recent memory, with tens of thousands of professionals navigating layoffs and wondering how to stand out when every application looks the same.In this episode, you'll learn:- What the MATCH ME Formula® is and why it works better than a stronger résumé- Why selectors care more about your future than your past — and how to pitch it- How to show mission alignment so powerfully that credentials become secondary- What "elegant" means in an application and why it signals emotional intelligence- Why authentic desire is your biggest competitive edge — even against more qualified candidates- How to use LinkedIn as a network map, not a feed- What to do when fear of rejection shows up (hint: it's a signal, not a stop sign)📌 CHAPTERS0:00 — Opening Hook2:00 — Dr. Vicki Johnson's Origin Story5:00 — What Selectors Actually Want7:10 — The MATCH ME Formula® Explained13:00 — Guides vs. Gatekeepers17:00 — Authentic Desire & Fear of Failure22:00 — Job Searching in a Layoff Market26:00 — The Winning Application Story Arc30:00 — LinkedIn — Still Worth It?35:00 — ProFellow: Fellowships Demystified38:00 — Dr. Johnson's Final Advice👤 ABOUT DR. VICKI JOHNSONDr. Vicki Johnson is a speaker, author, and four-time fellowship winner who has spent her career helping ambitious professionals win elite opportunities. She is the founder of ProFellow — the leading U.S. platform for competitive fellowships, graduate programs, and leadership accelerators, with more than nine million readers globally. Through her coaching and the ProFellow platform, she has helped her community secure over $500 million in merit-based funding awards. Her book, Pitch Your Potential: The Formula for Winning Dream Jobs, Awards, and Elite Opportunities, introduces the MATCH ME Formula® — a proven seven-part framework for crafting applications that stand out at every career stage.🔗 Find Dr. Vicki Johnson:🌐 ProFellow: https://www.profellow.com👩‍💼 drvickijohnson.com🔗 RESOURCES📘 Free Reset Guide: https://resetguide.giantstepsllc.com/🌐 Website: https://giantstepsllc.com📚 Books: https://giantstepsllc.com/books📬 Work with Leilani: https://giantstepsllc.com/contact📰 Newsletter: https://giantstepsllc.substack.com👋 ABOUT GIANT STEPS WITH LEILANI BROWNGiant Steps with Leilani Brown is a podcast about the pivotal decisions, bold reinventions, and daring choices that shape meaningful work and lives. Leilani Brown is the Founder & CEO of Giant Steps, LLC — a consulting firm supporting leaders and institutions at the intersection of strategy, culture, career, and education. She is a global keynote speaker and the author of three books on career strategy and professional development.#GiantSteps #GiantStepsLLC #DowellDoGood #CuriousLeilani #CareerAdvice #PitchYourPotential

In the Season 3 finale of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, host Leilani Brown looks back at a season intentionally built to meet the moment of mass layoffs, AI disruption, and career uncertainty. This best-of episode features curated clips and the six key lessons from Season 3’s most impactful guests.  Dr. Helen Riess, a Harvard psychiatrist, explains why self-compassion—not self-criticism—is the strongest foundation for rebuilding after job loss. Career strategist Rachel Tully introduces the Boa Constrictor Approach, a targeted job search method she used to land a role at Tesla. Certified financial planner Michael Daniels walks through the first financial steps after a layoff, from applying for unemployment to protecting your 401(k). Bestselling author Minda Harts shares her Seven Trust Languages framework for rebuilding workplace trust during restructuring. Jocelyn Lincoln, a transformational marketing and talent leader, poses the question every leader should ask: if people weren’t paid, would they still follow you? And executive producer Jirah Mickel puts Leilani in the hot seat for unscripted rapid-fire career advice.  Whether you’re navigating a career transition, leading a team through change, or looking for practical guidance in uncertain times, this episode delivers actionable advice from experts who’ve been there. Season 4 is coming—subscribe now so you don’t miss it.0:00 – Welcome & Season 3 Overview 2:34 – Theme Music / Show Intro 3:01 – Dr. Helen Riess: Self-Compassion After Job Loss 5:04 – Rachel Tully: The Boa Constrictor Approach 7:37 – Michael Daniels, CFP®: Financial Clarity in a Crisis 9:50 – Minda Harts: The Seven Trust Languages 13:57 – Jocelyn Lincoln: Would They Follow You Without a Paycheck? 16:59 – Leilani Brown: Trust Your Own Knowing 19:26 – The 6 Lessons of Season 3 21:17 – Season Wrap-Up & Season 4 Coming SoonDownload our free career guide - resetguide.giantstepsllc.com

What if the most powerful leadership development program in America isn’t at Harvard or McKinsey — but has been operating in Black churches for centuries?L. Michelle Smith — award-winning author, Fortune 100 C-suite advisor, ICF certified executive coach, and CEO of No Silos Communications — joins Leilani to make the case that the Black church is the most overlooked leadership incubator in this country. Her new book, Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church, draws on cultural history, applied neuroscience, and positive psychology to show how the skills forged in that experience — communication, resilience, community building, and purpose — are exactly what today’s leaders need. And these lessons aren’t just for Black people or churchgoers. They’re for anyone who wants to lead with more empathy and more power.In this episode:— The AT&T keynote that generated 25 million impressions and launched the question: “Where did you learn to speak like that?”— Why emotional intelligence — not communication — is the least obvious leadership lesson from the church— How online church became “like Bumble” and what that reveals about workplace communication breakdowns— The science of hope theory: why hopeful people are better planners, goal setters, and strategists— What it means to create “safe soil” for emerging leaders — and why ropes courses won’t cut it— Why young people are the most important — and least obvious — audience for this book— Plus, a surprise appearance from Rev Run that ties the whole origin story togetherAbout L. Michelle Smith: L. Michelle Smith is an award-winning author, Fortune 100 C-suite advisor, ICF certified executive coach, and CEO and founder of No Silos Communications. She is the executive producer and host of the Culture Soup Podcast, a contributor to HuffPost Voices, and her work has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, and Black Enterprise. She has spoken on stages including South by Southwest and the Essence Festival. Her new book Call and Response: 10 Leadership Lessons from the Black Church is available now.Find L. Michelle: LMichelleSmith.com | Instagram | LinkedIn | Threads Giant Steps is a production of Giant Steps LLC, a company working at the intersection of strategy, culture, career, and education. Learn more at GiantStepsLLC.com.Tags/Keywords: leadership, leadership development, Black church, call and response, leadership incubator, positive psychology, hope theory, neuroscience, emotional intelligence, executive coaching, Gen Z, workplace communication, community building, resilience, L. Michelle Smith, Black leadership 

Episode Title: If People Weren’t Paid, Would They Follow You? (A Leadership Wake-Up Call)What actually motivates people to follow a leader — beyond a paycheck?What happens when belief, trust, and clarity matter more than compensation?And how do leaders need to evolve as work, talent, and expectations continue to change?In this episode of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, Leilani sits down with Jocelyn Lincoln, a transformational marketing and talent leader, for a candid conversation about leadership, growth, and the human side of work. Jocelyn shares her career journey — from her first job in financial services to executive leadership roles across staffing and healthcare — and the lessons she’s learned along the way about people, purpose, and performance.Drawing on her experience as a Fractional CMO and executive advisor, Jocelyn unpacks how the workforce has evolved, including the rise of flexible and contingent work, the impact of automation and AI, and the growing talent shortages reshaping industries like healthcare. She also reflects on her experience leading a political campaign, where motivating volunteers offered a powerful lesson in leadership without pay — and why belief may be one of the most underestimated leadership tools.Together, Leilani and Jocelyn explore what it really takes to lead in today’s environment — and why growth, at every level, ultimately comes down to people.Whether you’re a leader, manager, or professional navigating change — or questioning whether your leadership would hold without a paycheck — this episode offers perspective, clarity, and a much-needed leadership reset.What it means to lead when money isn’t the motivatorWhy belief, trust, and clarity are essential leadership toolsHow flexible and contingent work has reshaped careersThe impact of AI and automation on today’s workforceWhat healthcare talent shortages reveal about leadership gapsWhy defining your personal value proposition mattersLessons from leading volunteer workforces and political campaignsJocelyn LincolnJocelyn Lincoln is a Fractional CMO with Chief Outsiders and a transformational marketing and talent leader with more than two decades of experience across staffing, healthcare, and growth strategy. She works with CEOs and leadership teams to drive growth through clarity, alignment, and execution, helping organizations rethink how they attract, retain, and lead talent in a rapidly changing workforce.Leilani BrownWebsite → https://giantstepsllc.comInstagram → @giantstepsllcJocelyn LincolnLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynlincoln/ Website / Chief Outsiders → https://www.chiefoutsiders.com/ 🎁 Free guide: Your Next Giant Reset™ — a step-by-step resource for navigating loss, layoffs, and planning your comeback.👉 Download it here: https://resetguide.giantstepsllc.com/#page=1📚 More free resources & writing:Read the Giant Steps blog and download additional resources on Substack →👉 https://giantstepsllc.substack.com/#GiantSteps #Leadership #FutureOfWork #WorkforceStrategy #TalentLeadership #CareerGrowth #AI #CareerTransitions

What does leadership demand in moments of national reflection? How should service, responsibility, and moral courage guide those preparing to lead? And what does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy ask of us today?This episode of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown is different.What you’re about to hear is a formal address Leilani delivered at The Citadel, one of the nation’s six senior military colleges and home to the South Carolina Corps of Cadets — where leadership training and a commitment to service are central to the institution’s mission.Titled “Dr. King’s Legacy: Beyond Nonviolence,” this speech was delivered on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday last year, which also coincided with Inauguration Day — making it a powerful moment for reflection on values, responsibility, and moral leadership.This episode is publishing on January 15, Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual birthday, and felt like the right moment to share these words in his honor.In this address, Leilani reflects on:Dr. King’s enduring moral legacyWhat leadership requires beyond titles and positionsThe responsibility that comes with education, service, and powerWhy integrity, courage, and action still matterThe timeless call to do what is right — even when it is difficultPlease note: this episode is audio-only, as there is no video from the original event — but you can listen to the full address here on YouTube.Leilani closes with Dr. King’s reminder:“The time is always right to do what is right.”🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and iHeartRadio.👉 Subscribe for more reflections and conversations that explore leadership, work, and growth with clarity and purpose.Each week, Leilani Brown — author, career coach, and founder of Giant Steps LLC — explores the human side of work, leadership, and growth. Through conversations and reflections, the show helps listeners navigate change, build resilience, and lead with intention.About the Show — Giant Steps with Leilani BrownEach week, Leilani Brown — author, career coach, and founder of Giant Steps LLC — explores the human side of work, leadership, and growth. Through conversations with experts, innovators, and thought leaders, the show helps listeners navigate transitions, build resilience, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world.

What career advice is actually worth listening to — and what should you ignore?In this episode of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, we switch things up and kick off the conversation with a rapid-fire career game. Jirah puts Leilani in the hot seat, firing off a mix of open-ended and “this or that” questions — no overthinking allowed.As Leilani answers on the spot, she shares her most honest, practical, and experience-backed advice on careers, success, and navigating the workplace. From defining your own version of success to choosing flexibility over rigid career paths, each question unlocks a lesson that cuts through common career myths and overused advice.The fast-paced format keeps the conversation candid, insightful, and engaging, while revealing how instinct, self-trust, and adaptability play a major role in building a career that lasts.Whether you’re early in your career, navigating a pivot, or rethinking your next move, this episode delivers clear, grounded guidance without the fluff.If you’re tired of vague advice and ready for real perspective, this episode is for you.The best career advice Leilani has ever received — and why it still mattersStructured career paths vs. creating your ownHow to make smarter career decisions without overcomplicating themWhich popular career advice is overrated — and what actually worksLessons learned from real experience, not theoryWhy trusting your instincts is a skill you can strengthen over timeLeilani Brown — Author, career coach, and founder of Giant Steps LLC.Leilani helps professionals navigate transitions, build resilience, and make intentional career decisions in a rapidly changing world.Leilani Brown / Giant Steps LLC🌐 Website → https://giantstepsllc.com📷 Instagram → @giantstepsllc🎁 Free Resource: The Giant Steps Year-End Reset Guide™ — a guided workbook to help you reflect on your year, clarify what matters most, and set intentional goals for what’s next.👉 Download it at giantstepsllc.com👉 https://resetguide.giantstepsllc.com/Each week, Giant Steps with Leilani Brown explores the human side of work, leadership, and growth. Through candid conversations and practical insights, the show helps listeners navigate career transitions, build confidence, and move forward with purpose.✨ If this episode resonated, please like, comment, and share.📩 Join the community → https://giantstepsllc.com/contact📚 Explore Leilani’s books → https://giantstepsllc.com/books🌐 Learn more → https://giantstepsllc.com#GiantSteps #CareerAdvice #Reinvention #CareerGrowth #NewYearReset #IntentionalLiving #ProfessionalDevelopment

When trust breaks down at work, how do teams communicate when communication no longer feels safe? How do leaders rebuild confidence, clarity, and connection in a constantly shifting workplace?In this episode of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, Leilani sits down with Minda Harts, bestselling author, workplace consultant, and keynote speaker, to explore how to create workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and respected. Minda shares her groundbreaking Seven Trust Languages® framework, a practical approach to rebuilding communication, restoring belonging, and fostering trust in teams and organizations.Whether you’re a leader trying to build a healthier, more human workplace or an employee navigating environments where you feel unheard, this conversation provides actionable strategies to strengthen trust, communication, and collaboration.In This Episode:Why trust is collapsing inside organizations and how to rebuild itThe Seven Trust Languages® and how they transform workplace communicationCommon misconceptions leaders have about trust, safety, and belongingHow employees can advocate for themselves when they feel overlookedSmall, daily behaviors that determine whether a team thrives or falls apartInsights from Minda’s own career journey, from executive assistant to bestselling author, consultant, and filmmakerGuest Minda Harts – Minda Harts is a bestselling author, workplace consultant, and sought-after keynote speaker who is revolutionizing how organizations build trust. Through her groundbreaking Seven Trust Languages® framework, she helps leaders and teams create cultures where trust becomes their greatest competitive advantage.As the author of The Memo, Right Within, You Are More Than Magic, and her latest Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace, Minda has empowered thousands to build stronger workplace relationships and navigate professional challenges with confidence.Her impact spans boardrooms and conference stages worldwide, with companies like Nike, Google, Best Buy, and Zoom calling on her to drive meaningful change through trust-building strategies. She's been recognized by LinkedIn as the #1 Top Voice in the Workplace and by Business Insider as one of the top 100 People Transforming Business. In addition to her speaking and consulting work, Minda is shaping future leaders as an NYU assistant professor and founder of The Memo LLC. When organizations want to transform their communication through trust, they call Minda Harts. 💬 Connect Leilani Brown Website → giantstepsllc.com Instagram → @giantstepsllcMinda Harts Website → mindaharts.com LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/mindaharts Instagram → @mindaharts YouTube → Official Minda HartsResources🎁 Free guide: Your Next Giant Reset™ — a step-by-step resource for navigating loss and layoffs and planning your comeback. 👉 Download it at https://resetguide.giantstepsllc.com/#page=1

When everything you’ve built—your career, your business, your personal life—suddenly falls apart, how do you begin again?In this episode of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, Leilani sits down with Sabena Miller, corporate training consultant, instructional designer, and entrepreneur, to explore how to rebuild and reinvent your life after profound loss.Sabena shares her approach to resilience and reinvention—a method built through real-life experiences of career disruption, personal tragedy, and business collapse. Together, they discuss how to rise stronger when everything seems lost, how to transform grief and uncertainty into growth, and how to rebuild confidence and purpose along the way.Whether you’ve experienced a major personal or professional setback, or simply want to strengthen your ability to navigate life’s unexpected challenges, this conversation will help you see that reinvention is not just possible—it’s an opportunity to create a more empowered, purpose-driven future.In This Episode:Sabena’s journey from the trading floors of the New York Stock Exchange to running her own businessThe personal and professional losses that shaped her resilienceHow to turn grief, uncertainty, and disruption into catalysts for growthPractical strategies for rebuilding your career, business, and personal lifeMindset shifts and habits that help you move forward when everything feels lostSabena Miller –  Sabena Miller is a leadership consultant, speaker, and founder of KairosXP™, where she helps teams and organizations strengthen communication, build trust, and elevate performance. Known for her practical, energizing style, Sabena teaches leaders how to break down silos, improve cross-department collaboration, and create workplaces where people thrive. With consulting experience across construction, financial services, telecom, beauty, healthcare, and more, she brings real-world insight to every stage or workshop. Sabena also leads corporate training projects as a curriculum architect and creative consultant, designing experiences that empower teams to learn and lead with clarity.Leilani Brown Website → giantstepsllc.com Instagram → @giantstepsllcSabena Miller Website → www.KairosXP.com LinkedIn → Sabena Miller Instagram → @Kairos.xp Guest💬 ConnectResources🎁 Free guide: Your Next Giant Reset™ — a step-by-step resource for navigating loss and layoffs and planning your comeback. 👉 Download it at https://resetguide.giantstepsllc.com/#page=1 

Facing job loss is stressful — emotionally, professionally, and financially. In this episode, Leilani Brown talks with Mike Daniels, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, about how to approach career transitions with clarity and confidence. From understanding your cash flow and applying for unemployment to managing retirement accounts and planning Social Security, Mike provides practical steps to stabilize your finances and protect your long-term future. In This Episode:How to evaluate household finances after a job lossApplying for unemployment benefits and understanding COBRA vs. ACA health insuranceHandling retirement accounts strategically: 401(k), 403(b), TSP, pensionsThe Rule of Fifty-Five for penalty-free withdrawals for employees 50+Social Security insights and claiming strategiesManaging debt and cash flow during career transitionsKey financial habits and resources to build long-term resilienceGuest: Mike Daniels, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP® — Senior Financial Advisor at Financial Focus Group, specializing in retirement planning, risk management, tax strategies, and wealth preservation.💬 Connect with Mike Daniels:YouTube → Mike Daniels CFPLinkedIn → Michael V. DanielsEmail / Phone → Available for personal consultationResources: 🎁 Free guide: Your Next Giant Reset™ — a step-by-step guide to navigating layoffs and career transitions. 👉 Download at giantstepsllc.com

When everything you’ve built suddenly feels uncertain — how do you begin again?In this episode of Giant Steps with Leilani Brown, Leilani sits down with Rachel Tully, founder of Still Human and former leader at Tesla, Venmo, Ford, and the SEC, to explore how to reinvent your career after disruption.Rachel shares her signature “Boa Constrictor Approach” — a strategy for identifying, surrounding, and seizing new opportunities with precision and purpose. Together, they discuss how to turn career crises into catalysts for reinvention, how to stay relevant in the age of AI, and how to rebuild confidence when your professional identity is shaken.Whether you’ve been laid off, are rethinking your career path, or simply want to future-proof your skills, this conversation will help you clarify your unique value and move forward with focus, courage, and humanity.Rachel’s journey from Ford and Tesla to founding Still HumanThe “Boa Constrictor Approach” to career reinventionHow to handle layoffs, pivots, and professional uncertaintyStaying human in an AI-driven workplacePractical tools for resilience and reinventionRachel Tully – Founder of Still Human, a career strategy practice helping professionals navigate AI disruption and build future-proof careers. Before launching her business, Rachel held roles at Ford, Tesla, Venmo, and the SEC, and earned her MBA from NYU.Leilani Brown Website → giantstepsllc.com Instagram → @giantstepsllcRachel Tully Website → https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiracheltully/  LinkedIn → Rachel Tully 🎁 Free guide: Your Next Giant Reset™ — a step-by-step resource for navigating layoffs and planning your comeback. 👉 Download it at giantstepsllc.com Tags#CareerReinvention #GiantStepsPodcast #LeilaniBrown #RachelTully #FutureOfWork #AI #CareerResilience #Layoffs #ProfessionalGrowth #StillHuman

How to Get Past the Shame of Losing Your Job — with Harvard Psychiatrist Dr. Helen RiessThat 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 RiessDr. 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 BrownEach 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.✨ If this conversation resonated, please like, comment, and share.📩 Join the community → giantstepsllc.com/contact📚 Explore Leilani’s books → giantstepsllc.com/books🌐 Learn more → giantstepsllc.com#GiantSteps #GiantStepsLLC #DoWellDoGood #YourNextGiantReset #CareerComeback #Empathy #SelfCompassion #CareerResilience #FutureOfWork #LeilaniBrownPodcast

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 SHOWGiant 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/INTROBig change doesn’t happen overnight.  Sometimes it starts with a single stepThat 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 BRENDABrenda 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 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 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 CRACKERMiz 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 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

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 JESSEOriginally 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 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

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 SONIAA 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 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 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 ERICEric 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 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 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 PAULPaul 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 ADAMAdam 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 KERRYKerry 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 BILLWilliam 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 SHOWYour 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 PARKERParker 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 SHOWYour 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. 

Leilani Brown interviews Francesca Hogi, aka "Dear Franny," about her career journey from law to dating expert. Francesca shares her experiences on Survivor, including being the first person voted off twice, and how it taught her to not internalize others' opinions. She discusses her transition to matchmaking and coaching, emphasizing the importance of self-love and mutual respect in relationships. Francesca also highlights her upcoming book, "How to Find True Love," which defines true love as a relationship with certain characteristics. Finally, Fran reflects on her first job as a babysitter–a gig so profitable, she had the makings of a childcare mogul! ABOUT FRANCESCA Francesca Hogi is an author,  coach, podcast host, TED speaker and love educator, among other things. Her passion is for helping people center love holistically in their personal and professional lives, as well as in business. As an internationally recognized and award winning love coach, Francesca disrupts the dating status quo with her passionately pragmatic expertise on navigating modern love and making true love inevitable. In her role as a consultant, she helps her clients tell better, more empowering stories about love inside their organizations and in marketing. She has designed and hosted bespoke events for Soho House, TED, and more. Prior to her love career, Francesca was an attorney and appeared on two seasons of the iconic reality TV show Survivor. She has a B.S. in Producing for Electronic Media from Syracuse University and a J.D. from The University of Michigan Law School. 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. 

On the premiere episode of Your First Job, Leilani catches up with Orlando Ashford, Chief People Officer of Fanatics, Inc - a leading digital sports platform specializing in licensed merchandise, trading cards, and sports betting. Their conversation takes place just before Fanatics Fest, the company's inaugural event in NYC set to attract over 100,000 fans. Orlando shares insights on mobilizing talent to pull off such a massive event, discusses his career journey, early beginnings, and reflects on his first job as a "bird boy".  What is a bird boy?  Listen to find out. ABOUT ORLANDO As Chief People Officer for Fanatics, Orlando manages global human resources and oversees culture, talent development, corporate communications, corporate social responsibility, total rewards, and HR infrastructure. In addition to his role as CPO, Orlando has a focus on expanding and advancing efforts across Fanatics’ principles of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Allyship) as well as energizing philanthropic initiatives, which includes oversight of the Fanatics Foundation.  Prior to joining Fanatics, Orlando was a Strategic Advisor to Sycamore Partners, a private equity company specializing in retail and consumer investment, where he served as a thought leader, confidant, and coach to senior executives on human capital and business issues with the Board, C-suite, and HR functions. Orlando has held senior level HR roles with several Fortune 500 companies, including Marsh & McLennan Companies, The Coca-Cola Company, and Motorola, Inc., and previously served as President of the Holland America Cruise Line. In addition to his role at Fanatics, Orlando serves on the Board of Directors of Make-A-Wish America and Perrigo (NYSE: PRGO). He also serves as Chairman of Perrigo.   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 M. Brown shares her personal experiences working in various entry-level jobs, including cashier, retail art gallery worker, and Red Lobster server! Through these experiences, she emphasizes the importance of adaptability, resilience, and observation skills in shaping future careers. Alsoooo, it’s Leilani’s birthday! Share your birthday wishes by subscribing to YFJ. And show your love on Instagram at LeilaniMBrown. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. 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.

Have you ever wondered how successful and happy people got their starts?  Every success story begins somewhere, often more humbly than you'd expect. I’m Leilani Brown, host of "Your First Job: The Podcast.” On each episode, I talk to extraordinary people about their ordinary beginnings, taking it back to where it all began.  You'll hear inspiring, unexpected, and sometimes hilarious stories from corner-office executives, superstar entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, teachers, and everyone in between.  Ready for a dose of information and inspiration?  Subscribe and tune in Mondays to learn how first jobs can shape remarkable journeys. COMING SOON: SUBSCRIBE AND DON'T MISS OUR FIRST EPISODE 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.