Push Pull Podcast

Earlier this year, I interviewed Jillian Reilly, author of "The Ten Permissions: Redefining the Rules of Adulting for the 21st Century," about why people change (or don’t). And how “permission” and agency shape behavior more than resources, training, or workshops.She recounts leaving a prescribed path and law school plans to go to South Africa during the of apartheid, followed by two decades in international aid across Africa. During that time, she led an HIV/AIDS program in Zimbabwe, where she saw how cultural and safety constraints make “novel choices” dangerous. She describes disillusionment with the kind of change driven by funding incentives, moving into consulting, and later prioritizing motherhood despite career trade-offs. We explore the ideas of permission, conviction over certainty, experimentation, avoiding regret through intentional choice, and building “permission-rich” environments in villages and boardrooms alike.00:00 Why Permission Matters00:17 Meet Jillian Reilly01:59 Ten Permissions Explained04:53 Leaving the Midwest Script08:11 Aid Work Lessons10:03 Zimbabwe and Permission13:32 Agency and Modern Careers17:46 Moving to South Africa22:33 Conviction Over Certainty24:02 Feel Your Way Forward27:05 Transition to Consulting27:28 Aid Work Disillusionment29:39 Spending Versus Impact31:52 Leaving the Dream Job36:09 Consulting as Truth Teller36:55 Permission and Change41:12 Motherhood and Tradeoffs46:33 No Regrets Framework50:57 Returning Through Experiments53:22 Frontiers and Explorers Way55:50 Closing Reflections and Tease

The Trust Tax: Reframing Your Story and AI Layoff NarrativesToday I unpack a LinkedIn post about declining trust in ourselves and each other, showing how it appears in job searches and in how companies explain AI-driven change. Drawing on Stephen M.R. Covey’s The Speed of Trust, I argue trust is has a tangible impact across our careers and the broader economy. I share a coaching conversation I had with an ops professional moving toward data analysis who calls his interview narrative “spin,” and reframed it as honest conviction and initiative rather than performance, linking this to Covey’s first “wave” of trust: self-trust as the foundation for relationship and organizational trust. I also critique companies spinning layoffs as AI-driven when they often reflect pandemic overhiring, warning that spin breeds cynicism and slows real adoption.00:00 The Big Idea00:55 Trust as Economic Force01:50 Coaching Story Spin vs Reframe04:49 Self Trust Comes First05:40 Layoffs and the AI Narrative07:29 Low Trust Tax at Work08:36 Five Waves of Trust10:31 Culture Leaks to Customers11:49 Conviction Over Certainty12:37 Closing and How to Reach Me

Empathy at Scale: James Warren on Building SEEQ, Trust, and the Emotional Data Behind WorkThis week, we continue our conversation with James Warren, who left a successful corporate career and built Share More Stories (SMS) alongside an investor/partner through a decade-long, sometimes exhausting dual-company arrangement that required relinquishing control, building trust, and personal growth. James explains SMS’s evolution from storytelling workshops into SEEQ, a productized platform that captures employee and customer stories and analyzes emotions to reveal the “why” behind metrics like NPS and engagement scores. After launching in late 2022, the company faced market re-education in 2023, gained momentum in 2024, and is now scaling with added generative-AI capabilities such as SEEQ GPT for rapid, high-context analysis. He describes how leaders must model healthy vulnerability, and shares a case where employee and customer trust curves mirrored, linking employee experience to customer experience. The host closes by reflecting on SEEQ as infrastructure for measuring an organization’s emotional layer.00:00 Part Two Setup01:40 Arranged Marriage Partnership02:56 Letting Go Of Control06:25 Two Businesses One Gearshift07:43 Startup Hiring Build Mode08:53 Going Full Time SMS10:03 Being Early In Market11:05 SMS Origins And Pivots12:45 Workshops To Tech Breakthrough15:06 First Big Pitch And API Demo18:49 Launching SEEQ And Reeducation23:29 Empathy At Scale Value26:08 What Stories Reveal At Work29:11 Psychological Safety Signals30:05 Facilitating Live Storytelling30:49 The Magic Moment32:39 Leaders Embrace Vulnerability35:18 Asking Better Questions37:03 Selling Employee Experience Value40:41 Trust Links EX and CX45:01 Emotional Archeology47:06 SEEQ GPT Breakthrough53:56 Advice For Feeling Stuck57:26 Trust Reflection Outro

We kick off Season 2 of the Push-Pull Podcast, we widen the lens from career transitions to how people build durable careers amid rapid change. In this episode, I interview James Warren, founder and CEO of Share More Stories, who is a storyteller committed to helping organizations understand their employees’ and customers’ experiences. James recounts early storytelling and entrepreneurial interests, studying at Princeton before transferring to Columbia for creative writing, and learning persistence through rigorous workshops. After marrying young, he entered corporate roles at MetLife and then Altria, where self-advocacy and mentorship fueled moves from communications to brand/marketing to sales, revealing shifting generational expectations about “job hopping.” He eventually left Altria with a package to pursue entrepreneurship, describing a difficult first year, early failed ventures and a failed crowdfunding campaign, and a pivotal partnership that provided the material and experiential resources to build Share More Stories.00:00 Season Two Mission00:50 Building Durable Careers02:24 Meet James Warren04:19 James Today Snapshot05:14 Early Storytelling Roots07:41 Writing Path to Columbia09:59 Pressure Intuition Pivots15:07 First Corporate Breaks18:48 Altria Growth and Moves23:52 Jump to Brand and Sales29:53 Sales Role Reality Check31:50 Resentment In The Field32:26 Work With Lunch Lesson33:42 Reorgs And Returning HQ35:40 Choosing To Leave Corporate37:19 First Year Entrepreneur Reality39:36 Origins Of Share More Stories45:32 Crowdfunding Failure Wakeup47:31 Mentors And Finding Ken51:48 Partner Deal And New Runway53:10 Host Reflection And Wrap

Announcing Season 2 of the Push Pull Podcast. In the world of rapidly evolving AI tools, and the expectations and market disruptions that come with them, ignore the losers trying to scare you. Find what matters to you and be the champion of your own story.

The past few weeks I soft-launched a hiatus, and today I'm making it official. Keep your eyes peeled for Season 2 of the Push Pull Podcast!

Today we revisit a couple of “near misses” — where a combination of solid preparation and luck led my guests to thrive or pivot quickly in the face of turmoil in their organizations.Omar Dinar discusses joining Lehman at the onset of the financial crisis, and the impact of the bank's bankruptcy on his career. Being in the real estate division allowed him participation in the acquisition negotiations by Barclays where he excelled for a solid portion of his career.We then revisit our discussion with Annalyn Cruz, at the point where she had years of advising university students under her belt. At a crossroads, she made the tough call to take a pay cut to go into Learning and Development when she had the option to move to a Director-level role. This choice didn’t save her from impending layoffs, but future-proofed her resume to work in corporate spaces.00:00 Introduction to the MBA Journey00:25 Landing the Dream Job at Lehman Brothers02:04 The Financial Crisis Unfolds02:57 Experiencing Lehman's Collapse08:07 Transition to Barclays08:32 A New Path: Semester at Sea09:49 Pivot to Learning and Development12:04 Challenges and Growth in L&D18:03 Final Reflections and Career Transition

Navigating the Ups and Downs: From Consulting to Startups and Facing BurnoutToday I revist discussions where my guests faced significant adversity in their work lives. Shalini Chander talks about pivoting to the startup world — and while she gained valuable industry knowledge, the experience was marred by financial instability and unethical practices by the company's founder. This difficult stint was followed by a brief period at another startup focused on diabetes care, where funding issues led to job instability. Ultimately, the she found stability at Abbott, successfully pivoting to Product Management for the rest of her career. Marshall Robins was a tech Account Executive. In his last couple of companies in this role, he encountered high-pressure environments driven by venture capital expectations and an economic downturn. He understood the importance of taking a step back from his career and getting meaningful rest when he was driven to burnout.00:00 Shalini Leaving Consulting and Joining a Startup00:57 Red Flags and Financial Instability03:29 Lessons Learned and Moving On05:57 Transition to Diabetes Startup08:35 Marshall’s Burnout and Career Reflections

In this episode I continue my conversation with Dr. Jess Mendoza, cognitive psychologist and UX researcher. Upon wrapping up Dr. Mendoza's transition from academia to UX research, we explore her efforts building community within her new company, and her advocacy for AI literacy across the org. Jess shares insights on the role of critical thinking and communication in prompting, the importance of a supportive work environment for pursuing side projects, and the unique challenges faced by different groups in the job market. You’ll hear Jess emphasize the value of fostering human connections at work and give solid advice for navigating career switches.00:00 Introduction and Recap00:46 Shifting Gears: Current Workplace Dynamics01:03 AI in the Workplace02:51 Building Community and Support Networks27:35 Navigating Career Challenges31:38 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts35:36 Conclusion and Reflections

Today I interview Dr. Jess Mendoza, a cognitive psychologist turned UX researcher. Dr. Mendoza shares her inspiring story of being a first-generation college student, pursuing a doctorate, and eventually transitioning into the tech industry. We explore her academic journey, including conducting social experiments and presenting research globally, to making the leap to user experience. Key topics include the emotional challenges of moving away from family, the impact of community and networking, and the importance of persistence and curiosity in navigating career transitions. Jess also highlights the value of feedback and networking in successfully pivoting careers. 00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast01:30 Meet Dr. Jess Mendoza: From Academia to UX02:09 Jess's Early Life and Education03:20 Discovering a Passion for Research07:59 The Journey to Graduate School11:49 Life and Challenges in Graduate School19:54 Exploring Opportunities Beyond Academia25:31 Navigating Online Security for Kids26:31 Developing Educational Curriculums27:39 From Grad School to Career Decisions29:13 Discovering UX Research30:03 The Grad School Dissertation33:49 Networking and Career Pivot38:48 Landing the First UX Job44:49 Adapting to the Corporate World49:02 Conclusion and Next Steps

Today I revisit some of my early converations on the podcast and the incredible insights of my guests. Samir Jain discusses the importance of combining technical skills with the ability to sell and influence. Theresa Freet shares her personal experience of turning a passion into a career and advises caution against it. Finally, Rajan Trivedi talks about his bold career decision to move to Nairobi for a startup, highlighting the support and guidance he received from his network in making this move.00:00 The Power of Sales Skills00:39 Reflecting on Career Success02:52 Balancing Passion and Profession07:34 Strategic Approach to Career Transitions09:54 Embracing Risk and Adventure as a Priority

Today I speak to Julia Levina about her multifaceted career journey. Julia shares her experiences as a counseling psychologist in Ukraine, a CFO of a family-owned pharmacy chain, a business consultant, and now a behavioral scientist and business intelligence analyst at Headversity in Canada. She delves into the challenges she faced during the war in Ukraine and how she transitioned her career multiple times, ultimately finding her place in Canada. Julia discusses her approach to workplace mental health, blending business acumen with psychological insights to help organizations and individuals thrive. Her story is a compelling narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of understanding internal motivations in professional and personal life.00:00 Introduction to Julia Levina's Multifaceted Career01:01 Julia's Early Exposure to Psychotherapy01:15 Challenges of Running a Family Business During War01:46 Transitioning to a New Life in Canada02:03 Insights on Workplace Psychology and Longevity02:54 Julia's Journey from Ukraine to Canada03:32 Balancing Business and Psychology04:58 Early Career and Family Business Involvement11:39 Impact of War on Business Operations22:22 Navigating Economic Challenges and Business Closure31:51 From Business Consulting to Psychology36:07 Developing Training Programs for Companies39:28 One-on-One Counseling and Client Stories44:52 Struggles with New Responsibilities45:51 Identifying the Core Issue47:53 Impact of the War in Ukraine49:00 Volunteering and Helping Refugees51:39 Relocating to Canada53:33 Starting a New Life in Canada01:01:47 Joining Headversity01:05:23 Role and Impact at Headversity01:13:16 Cultural Differences in Mental Health01:20:02 Communication and Feedback in Organizations01:25:37 Final Thoughts on Resilience and Leadership00:00 From War Zones to Work Culture: Julia Levina’s Journey of Resilience and Renewal

Today I discuss my thoughts on the concept of “fit” between employer and employee. Gallup found in 2023 that disengaged employees cost the world $8.8 trillion in lost productivity annually. I introduce Andre Martin's book 'Wrong Fit, Right Fit,' which emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit at the point of hire rather than adjusting organizational culture post-hire. I elaborate on reciprocity in the workplace and the significance of going beyond a transactional relationship between employer and employee. I also talk through Martin’s focus on trends in workplace branding and the potential pitfalls of focusing too much on employer brand rather than actual job fit. Finally, I reflect on my own values: fun, evangelism, discretion, value/impact, and relationships, and how they have influenced my career. 00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast00:32 Exploring 'Wrong Fit, Right Fit' by Andre Martin02:14 The Concept of Reciprocity in the Workplace03:48 The Rise of Workplace Branding06:50 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance at Work07:23 Reflecting on Personal Workplace Values13:47 Conclusion and Future Insights

In this episode, I reconnect with Ashwin Aravind, Head of Operations at Lightyear. Ashwin has been a high-octane performer all his life, spanning school and career. Starting with his undergrad years at UC Berkeley, where Ashwin majored in Molecular and Cell Biology as well as Business Administration, we follow his forays into consulting and law school before ultimately transitioning to the tech sector. Ashwin reflects on the proactive and strategic nature of his career decisions, consulting mentors, and evaluating trade-offs, only to recognize in retrospect how some choices didn't align with his true motivations.We wrap this conversation with him finishing law school, foregoing the bar, and returning to consulting. Stay tuned after this discussion for Part 2, where we discuss his transition to tech and operations.00:00 Introduction to the Push-Pull Podcast02:27 Meet Ashwin Aravind: A Journey Through Education and Career14:11 Early Career Decisions and Consulting15:31 The Law School Decision29:35 Experiences at Stanford Law School35:38 Questioning the Law School Grind38:07 Exploring Other Interests at Stanford41:01 Internships and Realizations46:05 The Consulting Pivot51:13 Navigating Post-Law School Decisions01:00:16 Final Decision: Consulting Over Law

Today I discuss my personal journey of leaving prior jobs in search of greater fulfillment. I compare my experience to what I learned in 'Job Moves' by Bob Moesta, Ethan Bernstein, and Michael B. Horn, highlighting how people's motivations for staying in or leaving jobs often go beyond compensation and job features. This book deftly expands to the role of employers in fostering employee growth and satisfaction, the potential for flexible role designs in the workplace, and the benefits of understanding what truly excites and motivates employees.00:09 Personal Career Reflections02:53 Features vs. Experiences in Job Descriptions03:58 Common Beneath-the-Surface Push and Pull Factors05:38 The Importance of People Development07:30 Crafting a Role That Fits09:45 Building a Team Your Employees Want to Rehire13:40 Flexible Role Designs and the Future of Work16:38 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode, I delve into the emerging concept of the “Great Detachment.” We discuss the impact of team dynamics, job longevity, and fulfillment on employee engagement and performance. Referencing recent Gallup surveys, I highlight issues like disruptive changes in organizations, hybrid and remote work challenges, and declining employee engagement. I ponder how I may shift the podcast's focus towards research on organizational changes, team morale, and building trust within companies to foster long-term employee commitment and growth.00:00 Introduction00:56 Shifting Focus: Job Longevity and Fulfillment01:56 The Great Detachment: Employee Disengagement02:45 Impact of Disruptive Changes03:44 Challenges of Hybrid and Remote Work04:54 Performance Management Issues06:24 Decline in Employee Engagement09:08 Addressing Employee Fulfillment and Growth11:00 Future Directions for the PodcastArticles referenced in the episode:https://www.gallup.com/workplace/653711/great-detachment-why-employees-feel-stuck.aspxhttps://www.gallup.com/workplace/654911/employee-engagement-sinks-year-low.aspx

In this episode of the Push Pull podcast, we continue our conversation with Omar Dinar, diving deeper into his career journey. Omar shares his experiences transitioning from aerospace engineering to finance, joining Lehman Brothers during the financial crisis, and later getting integrated into Barclays post-acquisition. He details his ascent into a management role, his pivot back to an individual contributor role to stay connected with markets, and his eventual leap into wealth management. Omar reflects on the importance of aligning work with personal values, the complexities of managerial roles, and the impact of setbacks like being passed over for a promotion. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of building a client base in wealth management and emphasizes the significance of long-term planning, taking well-calibrated risks, and finding work-life balance.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:22 Omar Dinar's Transition to Barclays01:58 Challenges and Growth at Barclays03:45 Management Insights and Hiring Philosophy14:45 Transition to MUFG20:56 Setbacks and New Beginnings26:44 Pivot to Wealth Management36:01 Reflections and Advice39:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Today I interview Annalyn Cruz, a dream life and embodiment coach and the CEO of Grounded in Wisdom, LLC.We discuss Annalyn’s career journey from higher education in student affairs to learning and development in the corporate world, and back to higher education. With each transition, we revisit her commitment to empowering others, and the role of strong personal relationships in building trust and self-confidence.00:00 Introduction03:09 Interview Begins05:05 Early Career and College Experience08:17 Discovering a Career in Higher Education18:17 Graduate School Experience20:26 First Job in Higher Education22:46 Challenges and Growth at San Jose State26:55 Exploring New Paths: Recruiting, Bartending, and Makeup Artistry33:25 Returning to Higher Education at UC Berkeley38:46 Career Progression and New Challenges39:14 Inherited Team Dynamics and Struggles41:20 Emotional Vulnerability and Team Shift47:10 Transition to Semester at Sea48:28 Pivot to Learning and Development50:32 Taking a Step Back for Future Growth58:59 Corporate Experience at EA01:03:22 Starting a Business and Balancing Roles01:10:59 Coaching Focus and Final Advice

In this episode of the Push Pull podcast, we explore the fascinating career journey of Omar Dinar, currently a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. Omar transitioned from an engineer working on military helicopters to working in financial services, starting his finance career in the aftermath of the subprime mortgage crisis at Lehman Brothers. Omar shares insights into the challenges he faced, the impact of the macroeconomic environment on his career path, and how he leveraged his education and networking opportunities to pivot successfully. Omar's story of resilience, adaptability, and relationship-building offers valuable takeaways for anyone navigating career transitions.00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast00:38 Meet Omar Dinar: From Engineering to Finance01:55 Navigating the Financial Crisis04:47 Early Career and Mentorship09:49 Transitioning to Finance19:52 Pursuing an MBA for Career Growth24:51 Navigating Multiple Internships25:41 Philosophy Behind the MBA Program28:27 Choosing the Right MBA Program30:19 Final Internship Experience30:36 Joining Lehman Brothers32:15 The 2008 Financial Crisis Unfolds38:50 Life After Lehman: Transition to Barclays41:05 Understanding Risk Management44:09 Settling into Barclays45:02 Conclusion and Future Insights

I just picked up the book 'Job Moves' by Ethan Bernstein, Michael B. Horn, and Bob Moesta! I haven’t gotten far into it yet but my bells are already ringing. Listen to me appreciate how much I already love the message. Also hear me betray my mixed feelings about how people smarter and more famous than me have concurrently came to the same conclusions I have.00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast00:49 Exploring the Book 'Job Moves'02:17 Defining Pushes and Pulls05:11 The Four Categories of Job Changers06:27 Progress Over Perfection07:34 Understanding Past Motivations09:22 Wrapping up

Today I reflect on some key lessons learned from my initial work on this podcast. In particular, I’ve received feedback about how challenging it is to detail push factors for three reasons: They’re often emotional before we place logic to themThey may not be flattering to share publicly, andReframing them diplomatically feels disingenuous I give you my take on why the process of fleshing out your push factors help you better understand yourself and make empowered career decisions.00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast00:18 Reflecting on the Podcast's Thesis01:01 Emotional vs. Logical Push Factors02:23 Hesitation in Discussing Push Factors03:17 Reframing Push Factors Positively05:35 The Importance of Self-Empowerment08:12 Conclusion

Such a pleasure to reconnect with Marshall Robins after several years. Starting off in construction, pivoting to finance and then tech sales, to come all the way back around to financing construction projects — Marshall’s story is a master class in taking chances on something new and committing fully to seeing it through.We had an honest discussion about burnout, recovery, and how the balance between social pressures and his internal compass helped him navigate a healthy dynamic with his work life.00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast00:15 Meet Marshall Robbins: A Journey from Construction to Finance00:40 The Power of Mentorship and Networking01:07 Understanding Sales Roles and Industry Jargon01:56 Marshall's Early Career Struggles and Realizations05:04 Transitioning from Construction to Community College05:56 The Decision to Pursue Higher Education13:12 Finding Direction and Mentorship in College19:33 Internship Experience in Private Equity21:49 Challenges in the Job Market Post-Graduation24:16 Pivoting to a Business Development Role27:53 Joining Looker: A New Opportunity30:42 Transitioning to Inbound Sales Development31:28 Progression to Account Executive31:47 Reporting Structure in SDR Roles32:21 Mentorship and Career Decisions34:09 Challenges and Opportunities in Account Executive Role36:09 Impact of Google Acquisition42:31 New Beginnings at Mixpanel43:35 Burnout and Career Reflection43:57 Taking Time Off and Finding Balance51:46 Joining Herzer Financial54:11 Current Role and Future Aspirations58:20 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Today I interview my cousin Shalini Chander, Director of Product at Align Technologies. Shalini shares her journey from consulting in pharmaceutical manufacturing to becoming a software product leader. We track her career progress through process, storytelling, relationship-building, and advocacy. Shalini also emphasizes the importance of building visibility and sharing learnings within a company for advancement.00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast03:05 Meet Shalini Chander: Career Overview04:03 Early Career in Pharmaceutical Consulting12:01 Transition to In-House Roles and Grad School16:43 Business School Experience and Lessons19:50 Post-Business School: Consulting and Startups22:41 Challenges in Startups and Learning Experiences30:56 Joining Abbott: Product Management Journey35:21 Navigating Career Changes at Abbott38:15 Balancing Career and Motherhood40:30 Transitioning to Genetics and Startups45:29 Challenges and Successes in Product Management55:00 Advancing in Product Management at Align01:04:44 The Importance of Storytelling in Career Growth01:07:15 Final Thoughts and Career Advice

In this episode, I interview Rajan Trivedi, a seasoned product leader who has made significant transitions across various industries. Rajan shares his unique framework for career transitions, focusing on the utility of making switches focused on either industry or function. He delves into his journey from consulting to the public sector, a startup in Kenya, and finally to product management roles at Prudential and Chegg. Rajan also discusses his changing risk appetite, the nuances of being a people manager, and the critical role of data in driving product decisions. Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on career growth, adaptability, and leadership.00:00 Introduction to the Push-Pull Podcast02:16 Interview with Rajan Trivedi Begins03:06 Rajan's Early Career and Education03:46 Consulting Experience and Public Sector Work05:51 Evaluating Career Options and Transition to Public Policy12:38 Working in the Obama Administration13:33 Millennium Challenge Corporation: Mission and Impact19:40 Transition to a Startup in Nairobi, Kenya24:04 Joining M-Changa and the FinTech Journey29:24 Reflections on Grad School and Career Clarity33:14 Unique Path to Product Management33:52 Grad School Experience and Thesis36:11 Breaking into Product Management38:07 Journey at Prudential49:01 Transition to HomeLight53:45 Joining Chegg and Career Growth59:39 Reflections on Risk and Career Transitions01:04:33 Current Endeavors and Final ThoughtsShoot thoughts, questions, ideas, or intros to [email protected]!

In this episode, I interview Theresa Freet, a Strategy & Operations leader with over 12 years of experience in the ed-tech field. Before her rise as an operator, she traveled internationally and immersed herself in the food industry, exploring the world and ruling out alternative career paths. Theresa emphasizes the importance of finding the right overlap between personal fulfillment and career growth, being comfortable with uncertainty, and effective delegation in management. Her experiences highlight the importance of recognizing what truly 'lights you up' and trusting the journey, even through transitions and unexpected shifts.00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast00:20 Meet Theresa Free: A Journey in Ed Tech00:50 Early Career: Embracing Travel and Passion03:29 The Madrid Experience: Unlocking Fearlessness05:42 Teaching in Bogota: A Year in Colombia06:52 AmeriCorps and the Path to Japan09:25 JET Program: Life in Rural Japan14:58 Discovering a Love for Cooking in Ireland17:36 Exploring the Food Industry in New York and California28:58 Transitioning to Tech and Volunteer Work32:22 Joining IIN: A Return to Education36:11 Incredible Team and Unmatched Benefits37:06 Optimizing Systems and Project Management38:04 Frustrations with Leadership40:56 Transition to Thinkful43:22 Growth and Challenges at Thinkful46:45 Managing Remote Teams58:07 Joining Polygence01:04:55 Navigating Cultural Shifts01:08:24 Exploring New Opportunities01:13:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode, I interview Samir Jain, Sr. Director of Product at Medidata Solutions, discussing his career journey and key transitions. We discuss how relationships, sales skills, and increasing levels of responsibility factor into career growth. We also explore what informed Samir's transitions: emphasizing the importance of mission alignment and finding the right kind of ownership (i.e. executing on the solution vs. defining the problem) in each Product leadership opportunity.

Introducing the Push-Pull Podcast! I'm Varun Rajan, a Product Manager and Career Coach. I'll be interviewing mid- to senior-level professionals about their careers to share their stories.If you’re looking to make a meaningful change in your professional life — contemplating a switch in your role, company, or industry — or if you’re just curious about how others chose their paths…I hope you pick up something useful or inspiring from my guests and their hard-earned wisdom.