AS UNEXPECTED

Sammy is a wine-lover, global traveler and innovative entrepreneur. He founded Wanderlust Wine Company based on a new-to-market concept: kegged, self-pour wine. Regulations, locations, and a pandemic all presented challenges, but Sammy always returned to his 'why' and found ways to persist, innovate and grow. Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share this epis...

Andi had built a successful career in sports marketing until suddenly her job was gone. Out of the shock and disappointment, she has built a 'whole life' based on her expertise, networks and, most importantly, a focus on what feels right to be doing today. Andi's story of resilience, hard work and commitment to learning is inspiring and filled with great insights. Thanks for watchin...

Christine is a multiple time, international entrepreneur and a committed mother to five kids. Every new venture and each new addition to her family wasn't about feeling ready. It was about making the decision and then being ready. With brilliance, Christine shares sage advice on how to move forward in life without being 'ready'.  Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscri...

Sean's path to CEO of a healthcare software company was not part of a plan. It was a path to take in the moment. Through many unexpected moments and major life transitions, Sean developed focused attention on the present, with little worry about the past and future. He carries and shares wisdom with grace and humility, all while building a multi-million dollar company. Thanks for watching AS...

Lily built her career from on-the-ground observing, listening and learning; all of which provides her with an unbreakable foundation of humility and persistent drive to make a difference. She leads an international team at the United Nations Economic and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Every day, she calls on her team to "see it to know it"; only by working hand-in-hand with their in-cou...

Paige is a master of making you laugh and getting you to be playful. By doing so, she'll also make you and your team more productive. As an entrepreneur and improv expert, Paige has a brilliant story to tell about building a business by just saying 'yes'. Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share this episode with others who are passionate about leadershi...

Roy Baladi serves as an outstanding example of how to take chances and create solutions. He interviewed for and got a job when he wasn't a candidate. He built an online HR hiring platform from scratch. When the US market for his services disappeared overnight, he took a professional and geographic leap to Saudi Arabia to support job opportunities for women. Roy's story is inspiring and f...

Laura Nestler has built her career on building communities. Yelp. Duolingo. And, now Reddit. Laura is driven to create thriving online communities that invite authentic conversations. To do so, she leads her team by embracing ambiguity, being present in each moment, and staying grounded in your values. Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share this episode with others w...

From Bon Jovi to the Goo Goo Dolls to Metallica, Mike Savas has worked with mega-bands around the world.  Recognizing an untapped market, he built a global business providing entertainment VIP services. To top it off, he is an ultra-runner, having completed the 250 km Marathon Des Sables and Copper Canyon Ultra. What's his secret? Take one step at a time and enjoy each moment. Thanks for watc...

Myla Edmonds is a storyteller, author, poet, and an expert in strategic marketing. In this episode, she discusses the differences between newsroom-style crisis management and strategic reputation-building. Her prescient message to colleagues in higher education and beyond is refocus peoples' time, resources, and attention to building reputation based on institutional values and societal value...

Jill Montera has worked in energy, higher education, and fintech. With all of the twists and turns in her professional career, the throughlines are not obvious to most observers. They are clear to her - be a fearless learner and say 'yes' far more than 'no'. Listen to Jill's fascinating career journey, with a multitude of lessons and reflections. Thanks for watching AS UNE...

This is a special episode of As Unexpected, with co-hosts Kelsey Harmon Finn and Loren Rullman. Kelsey and Loren pulled Dr. Akirah Bradly-Armstrong, Mark Ferne and me together under the banner of Campus Confidential to talk about the impact of Semester at Sea on careers in higher education and student affairs. It was such a fun and insightful conversation! Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sur...

Kristen and Tina have been working together in the finance industry for decades and recently launched Arcus Harbor, a real estate capital advisory firm, with two others. They both state unequivocally that it is the founders' reputations, built from day one in the industry, that is the key to their new company's success. Listen to the wise words of two industry veterans. Thanks for watchi...

Scott Heim is the consummate product marketer. From diapers, to luggage, to ventless griddles, he seemingly has done it all. His key to success? Set the goals, embrace accountability, and then support your team through the inevitable and often unpredictable changes to come. Listen in to a master class on leadership from a global marketing expert.  Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subs...

Listen to a truly fascinating entrepreneurial journey. John and his brother, Matine, want to tear up those too-slow moving walkways and get you flying on your feet! They built the prototype in an Iowa cornfield using treadmills. Now, they are constructing the first test model at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. The belts are straight but the pathway to implementation has been anything but.  T...

Dr. Mara Karlin's career has taken multiple turns, but always with a resolute commitment to learning and an openness to serendipity. As a result, she has served under six Secretaries of Defense under three different presidential administrations. Dr. Karlin provides a compelling life story on how to remain resolute in one's purpose while embracing both unforeseen obstacles and opportuniti...

What's it like to become CEO when your predecessor was in the position longer than you've been alive? This is Melanie Woolman's story. By listening to her mentors and leaning into her strengths, Melanie has led the United Way of Weld County out of financial straits to strength. She is certainly no imposter! Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share this e...

Candice McField lives every day by the Japanese proverb ichi-go, ichi-e - "each moment, one time."  With a penchant for numbers, her career began in finance, but her love for health and fitness led her to success in bodybuilding. Today, she is a fitness coach to executives and an inspiration to children around the world. Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and sha...

What does it take to make a major professional pivot? Jamie Maglietta had a successful career in front of the camera. But, in 2024, she realized it was time for a change. She used the best from her past to launch into the future, now working behind the camera as a storyteller and personal brand builder. We all can benefit from her story. Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and...

What's it like to run a Michelin Star kitchen? Don't watch The Bear. Listen to Rachel Haggstrom! When the back and front of the house are working together, magic happens. And, Rachel is the lead magician.  Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share this episode with others who are passionate about leadership, personal growth, and education. Together, let’s cont...

Kedren is an actor, filmmaker, and coach. More than talent (which she has plenty of), she brings commitment to her purpose and the people who share that purpose. Listen in to Kedren's story as a dreammaker, for herself and those around her.  Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share this episode with others who are passionate about leadership, personal growth, and...

Skye Fitzgerald is committed to finding and telling compelling stories. Human-centered stories. Stories that change how we see the world. And, hopefully, how we act in it. Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share this episode with others who are passionate about leadership, personal growth, and education. Together, let’s continue to build a community focused on betteri...

Passion! That's what got Matt his first job in the industry. And, it's what continues to drive him every day as an Executive Vice President at Warner Bros. Matt's story is one of listening, learning, adjusting and innovating and, perhaps most importantly, feeling gratitude for the opportunities that one is given. Thanks for watching AS UNEXPECTED. Be sure to subscribe and and share...

From collecting drums around the world to developing unique management consulting models, Louie has made a life built on questioning the status quo. His insatiable curiosity is the fuel that powered both his vocations and avocations and led to rooms filled with baseball collectibles and numerous books that he authored. Listen in to learn how to live a life by your drumbeat.  Thanks for watching AS...

Jordan and his team built a top-of-the-line adventure travel business by obsessively planning every detail of a visit and conducting pre-mortems to ensure a series of contingencies are built into the plans. They convene post-mortems after each experience to carry learning to the next adventure. The culture of habitual learning has led to extraordinary Net Promoter Scores and financial success.  Th...