No Straight Path: Recent Episodes
Ashley Menzies Babatunde - Storyteller & Attorney
No Straight Path aims to humanize success from the Millennial perspective. The world often sees the shiny resumes, highlights shared on social media, and job titles associated with a person's LinkedIn profile. We rarely see the story behind it. And when we do, it's often in a memoir towards the end of someone's journey. The podcast aims to delve into the story behind the success with a closer to real-time approach. Because the podcast focuses on the Millennial perspective, many guests are mid-journey. We are capturing a snapshot of the work they've done thus far, while also discussing their hopes and dreams for the future. I'll speak with various guests about their definitions of success and how they overcame setbacks, navigated pivots, and found purpose. No one has a straight path in life. There are lots of twists and turns, which often leads to growth, understanding, and wisdom. My hope is that listeners leave the conversation inspired and with a more nuanced perspective of success.
Durell Coleman founded DC Design with the goal of addressing some of America’s most pressing social challenges through the design thinking process. He has since collaborated with global non-profits, large tech companies, and small businesses to fight against homelessness, mass incarceration, economic inequality, Black infant mortality and more. In part one of our two-part conversation, we explore Durell’s upbringing, which laid the foundation for his passion for creating change. Next, we discuss his mission to eliminate multi-generational poverty by truly listening to what people need and how the humanity he sees in people motivates him to advocate for them. He is a two-time alumnus of Stanford University and its Institute of Design (the Stanford d.school). He is an expert in multi-stakeholder, human-centered design; has been awarded the Jefferson Award for Public Service as a result of his work; and is one of the subjects of the PBS documentary: “Extreme by Design,” which is used as a design thinking teaching aid all over the world. Don’t miss the chance to hear key insights from Durell’s journey that are sure to inspire you on your own!
In the fast-paced society we live in, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to succeed. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve success, the way you approach it can either have a very positive or very negative impact on your health and happiness. As someone who knows all too well what it feels like to overwork, I’ve come up with five strategies that have helped me find more joy, inner peace, and excitement about all aspects of my life, all of which I share with you in this episode. If you’re listening to this podcast, you probably place a high amount of value on achievement, so I really hope that you walk away from this feeling inspired to find work that you feel intrinsically motivated to do, stop setting unrealistic timelines, and celebrate the little wins!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Podcast Movement Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation: What’s the Difference? The Good Enough Job The Enneagram Personality Test Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
August Break Episodes:
Creative Journeys Battling Inner Voices and External Pressure with Carl Tart Following your Joy, Passion & Purpose with Desta Tedros Reff Reclaiming Autonomy and Growing Joy with Maria Failla
Corporate Journeys Building Safer, More Equitable Workplaces with Lexi B. Redefining Success with Ashley Menzies Babatunde Reflections on Resilience & Social Impact with Jessica Salinas
Entrepreneurship Upscaling your Business & Life with Scott D. Clary Curiosity, Failure, and Loving the Process with Dileep Thazhmon A Sustainable Approach to Building a Business with Laurelyn Harrig
Rate & Review: If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce and they are moving into leadership positions across sectors. They possess the ability to navigate swiftly through changing circumstances, empathize with others, drive purposeful endeavors, and cultivate a culture of ongoing development. Today's guest, Kaylin Cotton, is a Los Angeles native dedicated to creative leadership strategies and pushing organizations forward with inclusive and equitable sensitivities. She has managed retail locations for Fortune 500 companies, led teams in retail and entertainment, and embraced millennial leadership. In the entertainment industry, she built brand guidelines and employed DEI communication strategies. Now, she manages HOORAE, Issa Rae’s dynamic media company known for pushing boundaries and making waves in entertainment. In our conversation, we uncover Kaylin's remarkable journey, exploring the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and the strategies she employed to shape the future of creative leadership in an ever-evolving landscape. She opens up about her upbringing, the values her parents instilled in her, and her relentless over-achieving drive. We discuss how she developed her passion for leadership and how she was able to pivot her career from retail to entertainment. We also delve into her perspective on leadership, the qualities that make a good leader, and what she learned on her leadership journey. Kaylin also shares her self-care routine, advice for aspiring leaders, and how she continues to be curious. Get ready to be inspired as we dive deep into the life and career of this remarkable trailblazer.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kaylin Cotton on LinkedIn Kaylin Cotton on Twitter Kaylin Cotton on Instagram HOORAE Media Issa Rae Shondaland The Gathering Spot Millennial Leadership Article Generational Differences in the Workplace Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review:
If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
As we continue with the second part of our conversation with Ian Bentley, the Co-Founder, and CEO of Parker Clay, we delve deeper into his journey and the social enterprise work he and his wife Brittany are undertaking. You’ll hear more about Ian’s non-traditional career path and the family's decision to move back to the USA. Ian explains the concept of investing in relation to community, highlighting their unique funding effort through a Regulation A+ and crowdfunding campaign. He reflects on the personal growth he and his family experienced during their time in Ethiopia and the lessons learned about leadership, listening, and introspection. The episode concludes with Ian's heartfelt reminder to be kind to oneself. Tune in for a thought-provoking and inspiring discussion that is sure to resonate with anyone who is looking to make a difference in the world.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ian Bentley Parker Clay Invest in Parker Clay Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review: If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Continuing in our entrepreneurship theme, today we speak with Ian Bentley, the co-founder, and CEO of Parker Clay. This brand showcases exceptional Ethiopian leather and craftsmanship while creating meaningful job opportunities for at-risk women in Ethiopia. Ian, driven by his business development background and desire for change, founded the company with his wife Brittany after adopting their daughter from Ethiopia. Parker Clay has since expanded to over 200 employees (80% women), between their office, warehouse, and flagship store in Santa Barbara, California, and their factory and leadership team in Ethiopia. In this episode, Ian shares his personal journey from growing up in LA to meeting his wife and starting the company together. He discusses the challenges faced by women in Ethiopia and the family’s decision to move there to address these issues. The episode also explores topics such as conscious consumerism and what being a B Corp entails. Ian shares insights on balancing business growth with the company's mission and values and his views on failure versus learning. Join us for an insightful discussion on creating a better future with Ian Bentley through sustainable and ethical practices.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ian Bentley Parker Clay Parker Clay Investor Campaign Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review: If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are issues of great concern across corporate America. Thankfully, we are witnessing a drive toward improving DEI in the workplace at a systemic level, and today’s guest is one of the frontrunners of this cause! Mandy Price is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kanarys, Inc., a technology company that is focused on using data analytics to provide the tools that organizations need to create long-term, systemic change around DEIB challenges.
Mandy grew up in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, and the segregation that she witnessed in her community (including the ‘white flight’ mass exodus of Caucasian people from her suburb) ignited a fire within her for creating a better life for all across all environments. Her parents ensured that Mandy always knew who she was and understood the world that she lived in, and her interest in the civil rights movement formed the basis of what would become a stellar career in improving the lives of many others.
In our conversation, we learn of the values that were instilled in Mandy as a child and how they serve her in her work today, why she chose to study law and how this decision aligned with her life’s interests, how she made the pivot from law to DEIB, and why she’s dead-set on creating a better future for her children. Then, we dive deeper into Kanarys by discussing how Mandy roped in her Co-Founder (who is also her husband), how they funded their venture, the challenges she’s experienced as an entrepreneur, and why Black and Latino women founders are pushed to the back of the line when it comes to raising venture capital. To find out how Mandy finds peace in her chaotic work-life balance and to understand why she insists that we should all give ourselves more grace, tune in now!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Mandy Price on LinkedIn Kanarys, Inc. Kanarys, Inc. on Instagram Kanarys, Inc. on Twitter Spiraling Up: The Journey to Become a Unicorn | ‘Ep 2: Kanarys’ Texas Civil Rights Project Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review: If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Launching an all-in-one corporate spend and expense management platform for businesses and global markets is no easy feat, especially when you are a newcomer to the Fintech industry. But innovation can come from the unlikeliest places, and sometimes your outsider status can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on how you look at it. Today on the show, we welcome Dileep Thazhmon, CEO and Founder of Jeeves, a Y Combinator company providing financial infrastructure for global startups, covering regions as diverse as Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the UK, Europe, and more. When Dileep first started Jeeves, he did not have extensive experience in the Fintech space. But he did have experience in starting — and running — an international company. And it was during that process that he recognized a problem that needed solving. In our conversation with Dileep, we talk about his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of failure, and why so many entrepreneurs start a company based on a problem they’ve experienced (and that they are passionate about fixing). He describes how lessons from his upbringing connect to his company today and how his lifelong curiosity has been integral to his journey as an entrepreneur. Dileep also reflects on why you need to love the process of building (not just attaining a successful outcome), the advantages you have as a small company, and his advice to listeners looking to pursue a non-traditional career path. Today’s conversation is both comprehensive and candid and will leave you with a lot to think about. For a firsthand account of Dileep’s fascinating journey and the many lessons he learned from it, be sure to tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dileep Thazhmon on LinkedIn Dileep Thazhmon on Twitter Jeeves Spiraling Up Y Combinator Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review: If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Every entrepreneur has a different origin story. For some, it’s a natural progression within their career, where they were always going to set out on their own, while others have dreamed of doing it their entire life and just needed the right opportunity. And for another set of people, it happens almost as if by accident. I never set out to become an entrepreneur, and in the beginning, it felt a bit odd calling myself that. My goal had simply been to make people feel seen and heard. But somewhere along the way, I found myself embarking upon my own entrepreneurial path and changing in ways I could never have predicted! Today’s episode is all about taking a step back and reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned on my accidental entrepreneurship journey, like how entrepreneurship can help you step into a better version of yourself and teach you how to give yourself grace. You’ll hear me unpack the benefits of starting your entrepreneurial endeavor as a side hustle, why you can’t understand the amount of work it takes until you’re doing it, and how listening to open and honest interviews with other entrepreneurs can help you feel less alone. I also reflect on the entrepreneurial endeavors of both my mother and grandmother and the role this has played in my own journey, before providing a timely reminder that no one achieves success in business without help from others. Join me for a retrospective of my journey into entrepreneurship, the lessons I’ve learned, and what you can expect from this podcast in the coming months!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sign up for Ashley's Newsletter Lessons Learned After One Year of Podcasting with Ashley Menzies Babatunde The Pivot with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 1) The Pivot with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 2) Guyana Medical Relief A Side Hustle is a Form of Self Love with Sterling Smith Finding Alignment with Your Values with Jordana Confino What Success Feels Like with Jenna Kutcher The Goal Digger Podcast Side Hustle Pro Black Freelancer Upscaling Your Business & Life with Scott D. Clary Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review: If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Welcome to part two of our interview with Tola Sunmonu-Balogun. If you haven’t listened to part one already where we discussed her childhood, the loss of her mother, her podcast, how she finds balance, and so much more, go do so now! In this episode, we take a deep dive into her career, neutralizing her ego and separating herself from external accolades, developing boundaries at work, hating consulting and ultimately growing to love it, and so much more! Tola shares the importance of working with enthusiasm, why she feels anxious about work, and how she overcomes those feelings. Our incredible guest even shares who she really is with us before describing how her imposter syndrome shows up and how she plans on healing that part of her. Finally, Tola tells us how she is trying to figure out what her purpose is and why not knowing doesn’t scare her. This thoughtful, honest, raw conversation is one of a kind and you don’t want to miss out on it so tune in to hear from Tola and to be reminded to be kind to yourself!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Tola Sunmonu-Balogun on LinkedIn Tola Sunmonu-Balogun on Twitter Tola Sunmonu-Balogun on Instagram Return to Self Podcast Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review: If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Today’s guest is the perfect example of someone whose path has had its twists and turns, even though it seemed linear. And her story, although more conventional than that of our usual guests, is just as important to be told. Tola Sunmonu-Balogun is a partner at McKinsey & Company in Nigeria, and she is here with us to discuss her journey to living a more authentic, peaceful, and fulfilled life. We hear about her adventurous childhood as an extrovert with a focus on being her absolute best, her ‘life with no borders’, how those things informed who she is today, losing her mother, her podcast, Return to Self, and what made her want to begin the journey of rediscovering her identity. Tola tells us about her mother and what she learned from her before delving into the traumatic sexual harassment experience she had. Our guest even shares the unconventional way she balances her high-pressure career with the rest of her life, her motherhood journey, and the love unlocked in her from having children. This episode is incredibly relatable and beautiful so press play now and stay tuned for part two!
[Trigger Warning for Sexual Harassment story: 34:02]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Tola Sunmonu-Balogun on LinkedIn Tola Sunmonu-Balogun on Instagram Return to Self Podcast A New Earth Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
Rate & Review:
If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!
Today on No Straight Path, we are joined by startup entrepreneur, Harvard Law lecturer, and metaverse mogul Memme Onwudiwe. Like many of the esteemed guests on this show, you can certainly call Memme a multi-hyphenate!
He serves as Executive Vice President of Legal and Business Intelligence at Evisort, a legal tech AI company that he helped build via the Harvard Innovation Lab while in law school. Memme also teaches a course on innovation and entrepreneurship at Harvard with Evisort CEO Jerry Ting, and if that wasn’t enough, he is the co-owner of the African Museum of the Metaverse; one of the first multi-metaverse museums in the world.
Fascinated by legal issues around AI, space technologies, and innovation on the African continent, Memme is a digital nomad with a purpose. Listen in as we discuss why you don’t need to get good grades to make valuable contributions to society and Memme offers some insight into his entrepreneurial story, which was set in motion because he was receptive to unconventional opportunities.
As always, we touch on some of Memme’s pain points and what you can learn from them, as well as why it’s critical to make mistakes and take risks earlier rather than later, how even the most niche focus can earn you visibility as you build your business, and much more! Memme’s focus on niche topics in legal tech, crypto, and Web3 has earned him notoriety at a young age, and anyone listening is bound to walk away with some valuable insights. So, tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Memme Onwudiwe Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn Evisort African Museum of the Metaverse ‘Africa and the Artemis Records’ Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
There is so much stigma around failure in our society. Today’s guest is on a mission to change how we think about it. Paola Soares is the host and creator of the Top 50 Apple Podcast in entrepreneurship, But First, She Failed. She is here today to share her inspiring story of navigating job loss, finding clarity, and working towards the life of her dreams. She is a former journalist whose favorite news stories were always profile pieces that helped and inspired. Today, she is taking her passion for storytelling to help women to redefine failure, while gaining clarity and confidence in their careers and businesses. We explore the impact of growing up in a diverse environment on your social skills and navigating the blow of being fired. You’ll hear Paola’s take on forgiveness, honoring our feelings, and moving forward, along with searching your soul to take the necessary action towards living in alignment with your values. She shares what motivated her to change her life, what she recommends to listeners looking to create a life filled with passion and purpose, and how she finds time for wellness while leading a very full life. In closing, she reminds listeners not to let their spark go out by staying in places where they don’t belong. Thanks for tuning in to hear from today’s inspiring guest!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Paola Soares Paola Soares on Instagram But First, She Failed Why Millennials Might Have a Harder Time Overcoming Setbacks in their Career The Goal Digger Podcast Jenna Kutcher Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
A high school teacher by profession, Darius White is also a creative problem-solver, first-generation Stanford graduate, “what if” asker, and consultant on issues of equity and inclusion for our classrooms and professional workspaces. As a writing advisor, Darius has a gift for helping others tell their stories. He also serves as a board member for the San Francisco Education Fund, which supports students, their families, and the local public school system. In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation about Darius’ unconventional career choice, the impact that his grandmother had on him growing up, and his definition of success. We also dig into some important topics, including the state of our education system in the US and how we can better support our teachers, starting with giving them a voice. Thankfully, Darius is using his voice to effect change, and he uses his classroom and social media platforms to invite activists, advocates, allies, and educators into radical collaboration, inclusion, and liberation work. As you’ll come to learn, Darius has found a way to not only have an impact and pursue his creative work but also employ his financial literacy skills to maintain financial security. His unique, mission-driven path will resonate with anyone listening, not just those in the education space, so make sure to tune in today to learn more!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Darius White on LinkedIn Darius White on Instagram The Other English Teacher Just Black Thoughts Just Black Thoughts on Instagram Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot Podcast Network
I like to use my birthday month as a time for gathering, celebration, and reflection, and this year I wrote a blog post about some of my reflections over the past 33 years of life. Today on the podcast, I want to share some of these insights with you because I believe they will help you navigate your no-straight-path journeys. As I discuss these five tips, I give examples of how they have played out in my life and in the lives of many of the guests we’ve had on this show. Tuning in you’ll hear about what I learned about trusting myself with my own life from Kristin Turner and how this relates to Mike Thomas’s “No Excuses” approach. I explain how understanding that things are not black and white will help you achieve an abundance and a growth mindset. I also talk about how we should navigate the fact that freedom and work rarely coexist, why it’s so important to balance hard work and rest, and why you should accomplish the goals you want to achieve (with an emphasis on ‘you’). For all this and more, tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 33 Lessons for 33 Years of Life Finding Fulfillment with Sabreena Merchant You Can’t Lie to Yourself with Spencer Paysinger Part I You Can't Lie to Yourself with Spencer Paysinger Part II Becoming Your Best Teammate with Kristin Turner (Part 1) Becoming Your Best Teammate with Kristin Turner (Part 2) Pursue Your Dreams with Mike Thomas (Part 1) Pursue Your Dreams with Mike Thomas (Part 2) Picking the Destination, but not the Journey with Dawn Dickson Success Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 1 Success Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 2 Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast
Does the definition of success change as you grow older and experience more? Well, here to discuss just that and how she became mentally tough, is Ros Gold-Onwude. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to tune into part one of this conversation where we discussed how Ros’ family life shaped who she is today, her time as a basketball player, the lessons she learned, and what led her to sports broadcasting. We discuss Ros’ family’s reaction to her chasing broadcasting, how she handled the guilt surrounding potentially selfish life decisions, and what Ros is grateful for. She talks us through some of the highlights of her career including reporting at the Olympics, before telling us why the journey is way more important than the result. We also talk about the challenges Ros faced during the pandemic, how she always tries to move with grace, why she needed to separate identity from her career, and what her definition of success is. Finally, Ros leaves us with some advice about trying your best not to compare and giving yourself grace. Thank you for listening!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ros Gold-Onwude on LinkedIn Ros Gold-Onwude on Twitter Ros Gold-Onwude on Instagram Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast
You can develop mental toughness by working on life skills and pushing through hardships! This week is Ashley’s birthday week and in this episode, we are celebrating friendship, progression, and our journey! Joining us today is the accomplished ESPN sports broadcaster, Ros Gold-Onwude, to tell us how she stepped into her gift. Ros is also a basketball player, mentor for young women, advocate for mental health, and crypto-nerd who aims to use that space to create life-changing opportunities for minorities! You’ll hear all about Ros’ background, her incredibly strong mother, how she got onto her current career path, the difficulties and benefits of being a student-athlete, the life lessons we learned from sports, and how she overcame adversity. We also discuss how we inspire each other as friends and how Ros became mentally tough. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation and stay tuned for part two!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ros Gold-Onwude on LinkedIn Ros Gold-Onwude on Twitter Ros Gold-Onwude on Instagram Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast
Sales may often be associated with highly outgoing and extroverted personality types, but today's guest has a slightly different story to tell. Growing up shy and introverted, Jason Bay, probably never envisioned himself starting a career and company based on cold outreach and customer conversations, and in this episode, we hear from him about how he accidentally fell into the sales field, and adapted his listening skills into a sales superpower. Jason is the Founder and CEO of Outbound Squad, whose mission is to help sales teams turn complete strangers into paying customers. In our chat with Jason, we get to chart the most important moments in his life and career thus far, from early jobs and childhood memories, to the events leading up to the founding of the company. Our guest shares some of the biggest challenges he has faced, how he uses his values to make big decisions, what it took to be courageous enough to start a business, and some great pieces of practical advice for the personal and professional sides of life. So if you want to hear it all from a young and inspiring business owner, making moves in a quickly evolving and constantly important field, press play now!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Jason Bay on LinkedIn Outbound Squad Virtual Talk with Jordana Confino Jordana Confino on LinkedIn Anthony Iannarino Emily Thompson Smart Couples Finish Rich Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast
Welcome to part two of our conversation with wellness speaker and strategist, Kristin Turner! Don’t forget to listen to part one, where we learned about Kristin’s career, her fellowship at Harvard, and her thoughtful definition of success. Tuning in today, you’ll find out how Kristin made decisions in her career that aligned with who she is, how her sabbatical led her to where she is now, and why she doesn’t necessarily know what her ideal service is to the world, as well as when she felt happiest in her career and what inspired her dip into politics. We discuss how perspective helps you see what you’re capable of doing, even if you don’t believe you are, and the importance of contributing to building a world you won’t get to see. Kristin shares her take on why poverty is an issue that she desperately wants to solve, and we discover why she once took a full 365 days off work! You’ll also gain some insight into work she does with Emily’s List and why she isn’t all that concerned about knowing what is next for her. Kristin even talks about her experience of being at rock bottom (or at least what she was told was rock bottom) before leaving us with some words of wisdom about trusting yourself in your life in order to become your best teammate. To hear all about Kristin’s non-linear path, join us today!
Fw3E9azg9kjwbqAmvfbe
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kristin Turner on LinkedIn Women VOTE Emily’s List Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast
Welcome back to No Straight Path. We are very excited to be joined by speaker and strategist, Kristin Turner. Kristin is a self-proclaimed ‘recovering lawyer’ whose focus is now on advocating for wellness and social justice. She is also the deputy director of Women Vote! and has a passion for creating more equitable systems in society. Listening in, you’ll hear all about Kristin’s childhood, her unconventional parents and how they affected her future. She shares how she ended up at Harvard Law School, what derailed her away from her interests in negotiation, and how she figured out that she needed to be her best teammate through the loneliness of leadership. Kristin also shares how she came into her own voice as a leader, the anxiety she experienced after law school, and why she graduated without a job. We look into the importance of trusting your instincts and knowing what is right and wrong for you before discussing why timelines are fake and time is what you make it. Kristin also explains what coming back to yourself means to her and lastly, she tells us what her definition of success is. You don’t want to miss out on this one. Be sure to tune in for part two!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kristin Turner on LinkedIn WOMEN VOTE Project Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast
In this solo episode, I do a deep dive into how to bounce back from a setback. At some point in our no-straight-path journeys, we all face setbacks and I believe that by sharing our stories and the lessons learned we can help others struggle less and soften the blows. Given the fact that many big companies have recently announced staff reductions and lots of people are facing job losses, in this episode, I use job loss to contextualize the issue, but it is relevant to other setbacks. Having failed the bar exam to become a lawyer, I have firsthand experience of how to overcome a setback, and today I am going to break down some practical tips on how you too can get through a challenge like this. From normalizing the setback and honoring the pain to ultimately believing in yourself again, I’ll give you helpful steps to get through this tough time. If there’s one thing I know it’s that your setback story can become your comeback story and I’m here to help you do it. So if you’re in a tough spot in your career right now, this is the podcast for you!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: The Pivot with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 1) The Pivot with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 2) Law, Tech & Content Creation with Alex Su “The real strength of weak ties" Fiverr Upwork Picking the Destination, but not the Journey with Dawn Dickson Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast
In line with this podcast’s theme of navigating no-straight-path journeys, today we are joined by lateral thinker, Dawn Dickson! Dawn is a serial entrepreneur and inventor with over 20 years of experience in technology and business development. She has run six successful companies, including Flat Out of Heels and PopCom, and is a pioneer in crowdfunding as the first woman to raise over $1 million. She has received a number of awards recognizing her impact in business, including a feature on the Forbes Next 1000 List. In our very first live episode, we bring you a conversation with Dawn from HubSpot’s Inbound business conference. Tuning in, you’ll hear how Dawn’s entrepreneurial journey began in her childhood and how she came up with the idea for some of her companies. She also sheds light on investing, the barriers that exist for many people, and why crowdfunding is so rewarding. Dawn believes that the only reason she didn’t fail is that she didn’t quit. To hear about the many challenges that she has encountered and the pivots she has made along her journey, as well as the lessons learned in the process, make sure to tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dawn Dickson Dawn Dickson on LinkedIn Dawn Dickson on Twitter Law, Tech & Content Creation with Alex Su Inbound Flat Out of Heels, LLC PopCom The Big Fix Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path Podcast Hubspot Podcast Network
This week, on No Straight Path, we are joined by the Head of Community Development at Ironclad, Alex Su (otherwise known as the LegalTechBro on TikTok), who has been taking the legal content creation world by storm! As a former attorney who now works at the cutting edge of legal technologies, Alex uses humor to make some pretty serious points about what it’s like to practice law and highlights some of the biggest issues facing the legal profession, from mental health to overwork, burnout, and more. Alex’s journey is not without its unexpected twists and turns and, in today’s episode, we dig into a number of No Straight Path topics, including major setbacks, highlights, and lessons learned. You’ll discover what drew Alex to the legal profession in the first place, how he realized that he was on the wrong path, and how he uses the lighthearted medium of social media to engage with a typically earnest legal audience. One thing that stands out about this interview is the key role that personal storytelling has played in Alex’s success and how you can rethink your definition of success by focusing on doing what you find meaningful. For some valuable (and hilarious) insights from an exceptional leader at the intersection of law, technology, and new media, make sure not to miss today’s conversation with Alex Su!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: No Straight Path Podcast Alex Su Alex Su on LinkedIn Alex Su on Twitter Alex Su on TikTok Alex Su on Instagram IronClad Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Emily Thompson’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 18 when she bought her first business, a tanning salon. From the moment she stepped into the role of a business owner, she knew that was where she was meant to be, and since then she has built businesses ranging from online jewelry stores to website design agencies. Today, she runs Being Boss and Almanac Supply Co., both of which feed her passions for creativity and business in different ways. Tune in to hear Emily share the story of her upbringing (which was filled with experiences rather than things), one of the biggest setbacks she has experienced as an entrepreneur (and the valuable lesson it taught her), why it is so important to be flexible with your vision, and the benefits of a “business bestie.” Entrepreneurship is about the journey; be open to all the opportunities that life presents to you, and don’t forget to have fun along the way!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Emily Thompson on LinkedIn Almanac Supply Co. Being Boss Being Boss on Apple Podcasts Being Boss on Spotify Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
How can we achieve more humanity in the workplace? If this is something that you are passionate about, you have come to the right place! In this episode, we bring you an enlightening conversation with Dr. Sanja Licina and Maddie Grant on achieving a human-centered workplace. Dr. Sanja Licina is an organizational psychologist and the president of QuestionPro Workforce. She has dedicated her entire career to helping companies create cultures that employees love to be part of. Maddie Grant is the co-founder of Propel, as well as an expert culture designer and digital strategist, focusing on helping organizations unlock the power in their culture. She is also the author of a number of books including Humanize: How People-Centric Organizations Succeed in a Social World, which was surprisingly ahead of its time when it was published over a decade ago. After covering Sanja and Maddie’s no-straight-path stories, we talk about creating systems to better support humanity in the workplace in spite of business objectives and capitalist constraints. We discuss the importance of empathy as a leader, how well-being is more front and center than ever before, and how important flexibility of location and time is to workplace culture and employee retention. Tune in for this fascinating conversation!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dr. Sanja Licina Maddie Grant Work @ Life Work @ Life — 'How a Successful Career Path Can Be Anything but Linear' Hubspot Creators Program QuestionPro Workforce Propel Humanize: How People-Centric Organizations Succeed in a Social World When Millennials Take Over: Preparing For The Ridiculously Optimistic Future Of Business The Non-Obvious Guide To Employee Engagement (For Millennials, Boomers And Everyone Else) Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
In the second installation of The Pivot, I unpack five of the most important lessons (there were many more, but I’ll get into those in future episodes) that I learned during the period of imbalance that preceded my decision to take a one-year sabbatical from my law firm job and pursue podcasting full-time. From asking for what you want to embracing your childhood qualities and giving yourself grace, tune in today as I share some of the lessons that helped me gain the courage and the confidence to change the course of my life. Thanks for being a part of this journey!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram No Straight Path on Instagram
Today is the first official day of my year-long sabbatical from law. I am going to focus my energy on being a full-time podcast creator! So, I thought this would be a good time to share how No Straight Path came to be. The combination of my passion for storytelling, my desire to help other people overcome their feelings of failure, and my mom’s encouragement all led me to the point I’m at today and I couldn’t be more grateful. I know how it feels to have the weight of a community on your shoulders, how it feels to fail when everyone expects you to succeed, and how it feels to lose all sense of balance. I also know how it feels to overcome setbacks, redefine self-worth, and take control of the journey that is life. In taking this sabbatical, I’m going after what I really want, and I hope you’ll join me to see where it goes! Here’s to you, mom.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Hubspot Creators How Are You, Really by Jenna Kutcher Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Thanks for joining us for the second installment of our two-part conversation with Stanford graduate, NFL player, and active community member, Michael Thomas. As you learned in part one, Mike is one of the NFL Player Association’s most active players, a two-time NFLPA Community MVP, and an excellent storyteller. We ended on the incredible story of how Mike earned his reputation as one of the best Special Teams players in the NFL and, in today’s episode, we delve into his definition of success as he shares some of the lessons he has learned in his journey as an entrepreneur. Mike also speaks candidly about how his experience of loss has informed his perspective on life and how he was able to channel his grief into his philanthropic work. Tuning in, you’ll discover why Mike believes that consistency is key and how he implements the ‘No Excuses’ philosophy in his household. He also offers insight into the purpose-driven work he does through Camp Mike T and some of the valuable lessons he hopes to impart to the young athletes that he hosts, including the importance of pursuing your passions with great conviction and speaking out against injustice. Mike’s story is a poignant reminder that dreams can come true with hard work, dedication, and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise. We hope you’ll join us!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michael Thomas on LinkedIn Michael Thomas on Twitter Michael Thomas No Excuses Aldine Sports Association Camp Mike T Cincinnati Bengals Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
When they’re not using their athletic powers on the field, NFL players, like today’s guest, are finding ways to serve as superheroes for their communities. This week, we are joined by Michael Thomas, a fellow Stanford graduate and one of the NFL Player Association’s most active players, both on and off the field, having played with the San Francisco 49ers, the Miami Dolphins, the New York Giants, the Houston Texans, and the Cincinnati Bengals over the course of his decade-long career. Throughout his time with the NFL, Mike has always been an active community member, creating the Big Plays for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, being named NFLPA Community MVP in both 2015 and 2016 for his youth mentorship initiatives, and hosting ‘Camp Mike T’ to expose kids to unique opportunities for financial literacy and college prep programs. He also formed part in the NFLPA’s 2018 and 2019 Externship classes, during which he worked closely with Representative Sheila Jackson Lee to learn more about the political process on Capitol Hill. Tuning in, you’ll gain some insight into the journey behind Mike’s many accomplishments and find out how he learned to use his own social justice activism to turn his protest into policy. We also touch on how he struggled academically before he learned to ask for help, the challenges he had to overcome in order to realize his dream of playing in the NFL, and the importance of having faith in yourself, as well as how he earned his reputation as one of the best Special Teams players in the NFL, plus so much more! Today’s episode is No Straight Path’s version of an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary with Mike Thomas, jam-packed with valuable lessons that you can apply in your own life. Be sure not to miss it (and stay tuned for Part 2)!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michael Thomas on LinkedIn Michael Thomas on Twitter Michael Thomas Aldine Sports Association Camp Mike T Cincinnati Bengals Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
In the first of our two-part series on McKenzie Thomas, the Director of Operations, Ads & Business Products at Meta, we learned all about the twists and turns of her journey and how she stayed true to herself and her inner compass. In today’s episode we delve more deeply into the lessons she learned along the way. Tuning in you’ll hear more about McKenzie’s definition of success and the role of her values, integrity, and morals in it. As she is on the brink of motherhood and is about to go on maternity leave, she opens up about what her pregnancy has been like, how she feels about becoming a mother, and her refusal to change who she is as a result of it. She talks about some of the biggest challenges she has faced in her life, how she accepted that some things just weren’t meant for her, and why she believes that it’s so important to be open to things that you may not have imagined for yourself. Listen in today to hear more of McKenzie’s profound insights into the value of trusting your intuition, as well as what she means by internalizing your own compass, and why this is so key to navigating all of life’s challenges and successes!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: McKenzie Thomas Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
The story of today’s guest epitomizes what this podcast is all about. McKenzie Thomas is the Director of Operations, Ads & Business Products at Meta, where her team is responsible for creating products and solutions that help millions of businesses reach their customers through Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta platforms. Her path to get to this point was anything but straight and, in this episode, McKenzie shares with us what her journey has looked like to date. Tuning in you’ll hear about her childhood, her early communication skills, and her career aspirations and how they led her to where she is today. McKenzie talks about her experience at Howard University and how attending an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) gave her confidence and helped her succeed at a tough internship at Bloomingdales. She also discusses how a decision to defer Harvard Law School for a year to take a promotion went beyond the wishes and understanding of those close to her but ultimately led to much greater success later on in her life. To hear all about the inspiring McKenzie Thomas and how playing her own game by her own rules helped her achieve so much, tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: McKenzie Thomas Marcus Alexander Howard University Cooley Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Rather than defining yourself by your profession, define yourself by the positive impact that you can have on other people’s lives. Rather than defining success by the amount of money in your bank account, define success by how happy you are. DeRon Brown knows the feelings of burnout and denial all too well, but he has used every challenge that he has faced as a steppingstone to a brighter future. Today, DeRon supports the strategic development and ongoing management of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s investment portfolio and, although he took a paycut from his previous job, he has never felt more fulfilled! Tune in to hear about DeRon’s Southern-style upbringing, what drew him to the world of business, and what he loves about his work!
Key Points From This Episode:
What DeRon’s upbringing in Virginia Beach was like.
DeRon’s original career plans, and what led him into the world of business.
Some of the biggest challenges that DeRon has experienced during his career.
The realization that motivated DeRon to protect his health and wellbeing.
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s mission, and the work the DeRon is doing for them.
A lesson in the correlation between money and happiness.
How DeRon defines success.
Why you shouldn’t define yourself by your profession.
How DeRon has changed the way he engages with people over the years.
DeRon shares one of his career highlights (which was initially disguised as a lowlight).
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: DeRon Brown on LinkedIn Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Mississippi Center for Justice Yale Happiness Course [The Science of Wellbeing] Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Just for a moment, forget the hustle mentality. Forget waking up at 5 AM to ‘get ahead’ and obsessing over your five-year plan. The pandemic has forced a cultural shift, causing many of us to reframe our perspective of what work is for, what work/life balance really means, and how we want to spend our time on the planet. Today, we speak to Jenna Kutcher, an entrepreneur who grew her business from local wedding photographer to million-dollar personal brand. As if running an award-winning photography business wasn't enough, Jenna branched out into social media, education, and podcasting and she recently published her first book, How Are You, Really?, a guide to soaking up the richness of your experience rather than relentlessly pursuing the tired cliche of “having it all.” She has enabled thousands of entrepreneurs to redefine success and chase bold dreams through her decade-long work as a leading online personality and educator and, in today’s episode, she wants to help you do the same! Listen in as Jenna shares what success feels like and how she aims to guide others to wake up to life, all while staying in comfy pants. Today’s conversation with Jenna is like a business owner’s manual to owning life, rather than the other way around, so make sure not to miss it!
Key Points From This Episode:
Insight into Jenna’s upbringing and how it is reflected in the work she does today.
More about her book, How Are You, Really?, what led her to write it, and who it is for.
Jenna’s advice for achieving peace as you move through a winning season.
How you can protect yourself from burnout by implementing boundaries.
Defining success by what it feels like, not what it looks like!
The important shift from balance to presence.
Unpacking the subtitle of the book, ‘Living Your Truth One Answer at a Time’.
Why ambitious women don’t have to choose between the ‘hustle harder’ and ‘manifesting’ camps; live intentionally in the gray area in between!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Jenna Kutcher Jenna Kutcher on Twitter Jenna Kutcher on Instagram Goal Digger Podcast How Are You, Really? Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Welcome to today’s episode with another inspiring guest. Cece Xie is a writer, lawyer, and content creator who has been featured in Business Insider, Bloomberg Law, and the ADA Journal. As an immigrant, Cece grew up thinking she was only good at one thing, and that was studying. This led her to Yale, followed by Harvard Law, before she worked as a lawyer in New York City. She began creating content in 2020 to help demystify the legal industry for ordinary people and to share wisdom from her years of balancing wellness with a high-pressure career. Her aim was always to help and inspire outsiders to carve out their unique path in the world, and this has led her to gain 450 000 followers across her social media platforms. Cece brings all of this together on her blogs, which tell the story of this journey, and more! Join us to hear from her today.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cece Xie Cece Xie on Instagram Cece Xie on LinkedIn Cece Xie on Twitter Cece Xie on YouTube Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
As we bring you part two of our Father’s Day series, today our host Ashley Menzies Babatunde continues her interview with her dad Sydney and his three brothers Patrick, Marvin, and Eric, by delving deeper into their individual fatherhood stories. In this episode, we learn more about how they balanced fatherhood with their careers. Patrick talks about the good and bad decisions that he made, Marvin shares what he wishes he had done differently, and Sydney chats about the gratitude he had for Ashley’s mom Belinda. We hear about the support these fathers received from the mothers of their children and how it enabled them to focus on their careers. They reflect on their favorite parts of being a dad, the benefits of learning from those who came before you, the importance of surrounding yourself with a village, and the value of generally just being there for your kids. For all this valuable advice and some more charming family anecdotes from the Menzies, tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
In honor of Father’s Day, our host Ashley Menzies Babatunde brings you the first part of a two-part series on career and fatherhood where she interviews her dad and her uncles. Tuning in, you’ll meet the four brothers: Patrick, Sidney (Ashley's dad), Marvin, and Eric. Ashley gives us a brief introduction to each of the brothers, their careers, and the roles that they play in the family. You’ll hear about their childhood in the LA mid-city area where they were raised by Guyanese emigrants in the same home that Ashley grew up in. Although each of the brothers took a different path in life, they have a very strong familial bond that they have passed on to their children. In this episode, they reflect on their childhoods, what they learned from their parents, and how they have applied this knowledge in their own lives. You’ll hear how their parents instilled in them the values of responsibility, generosity, social responsibility, brotherly love, and accountability. You’ll also hear the stories of how their father always made everyone feel important, how Marvin changed his career course because of something his dad said, and how the brothers have handled adversity in the wake of losing jobs and loved ones (including Ashley’s mom, Belinda). This mix of Black, boomer, and Gen X dad perspectives is something that we can all learn a lot from, so tune in today for some wisdom and sound advice!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
We all experience periods in our lives that are imbalanced. And when we try to do everything at once, it often leads to burnout. In this episode, we hear more about our host Ashley Menzies Babatunde’s personal journey. With her wedding two months away, her cases blowing up, and her passion to continue producing this amazing podcast, Ashley is entering a period of imbalance. Tuning in you will hear how, even though she is grateful for everything that is going on in her life, she is overwhelmed. She also talks about how when you are doing something you love and you are generally a high achiever, you are at an even higher risk for burnout, before breaking down her top five tips for getting through periods of imbalance without sacrificing your well-being. To hear how you can get organized, control the things you can control, get creative, outsource, and hold on to things that really matter in order to make it through what could otherwise be a very stressful time, tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: The Goal Digger Podcast HubSpot Creators Program Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot
And we’re back for part two with Dr. Yvorn “Doc” Aswad: pediatrician, psychiatrist, activist, and aspiring author. This episode is filled with pearls of wisdom and inspiring new views on success, joy, and humor. In a capitalist society where success is intrinsically intertwined with individualism, Doc provides an alternative, championing the “tribe” and defining success as communal. In our conversation, Doc shares his thoughts on raising future generations to be communally minded amidst communal suffering and existential threats, and he explains why the most radical thing one could ever do is raise a healthy black family. Despite his hardships, Doc finds relief in humor, identifying it as his most vocal defense mechanism. Tune in to find out more about the four mature defense mechanisms as classified in psychiatry, the eternal source of joy, and how the only “have to” in this world is to live an abundant life. Sit back and prepare to be inspired!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dr. Yvorn “Doc” Aswad Dr. Yvorn Aswad on LinkedIn Gold Digger Podcast Hubspot Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Today’s guest credits growing up as part of a large family in South Central Los Angeles with not only providing him with a sense of deep spirituality, pride, and belonging, but also for his passion for serving the medically underserved. Dr. Yvorn Aswad, also affectionately known as ‘Doc’, is a pediatrician, psychiatrist, activist, and aspiring science fiction author whose work centers on youth violence prevention, caring for those who are transitioning from the criminal legal system, and restructuring emergency mental health access to feel more therapeutic. Doc received his Bachelors from Stanford University, his M.D. from the Charles Drew University UCLA Medical Education Program, and he is currently a resident at Brown University in the Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry combined program. In part one of this authentic and candid conversation, you’ll learn how Doc’s upbringing and education informed who he is as a healthcare professional and an activist, what led him to cofound the Leland Scholars Program at Stanford to improve the STEM pipeline for underrepresented minorities, and how loss has shaped many of his decisions along the way, as well as how he is using medicine as a tool for social justice today. Stay tuned for part two!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Yvorn "Doc" Aswad Yvorn “Doc” Aswad on LinkedIn Work@Life Podcast HubSpot Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Esther Agbaje is not your stereotypical politician, fortunately! Her heart for people is so big, and through the work that she is doing, she is really contributing to making the world a better place. From a young age, Esther was drawn to the political sphere (she started writing letters to the White House at the age of 7!), and today she serves as the State Representative in the Minnesota Legislature where she focuses on advancing people-centered policies. Esther is a passionate advocate for tenants rights, police accountability, and the provision of safe places for young people. She was once told by a professor that she didn’t have a voice, but that couldn’t be further from the truth; Esther has given me hope for the future of American politics, and I hope you feel the same after listening to her story today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Esther Agbaje Esther Agbaje on Instagram Esther Agbaje on Twitter Esther Agbaje on Linktree Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Sometimes a job is hard because it’s hard and sometimes a job is hard because it’s wrong for you. In this solo episode, our host, Ashley Menzies Babatunde, revisits some of the pearls of wisdom dropped by guests in previous episodes in relation to this subject. Past guest Sabreena Merchant explains how figuring out this distinction took her longer than she would have liked, while a voice clip from Spencer Paysinger’s interview explains how he realized he was in the wrong job. Ashley also opens up about how this revelation has impacted her own career before breaking down eight questions that may help you realize if your job is hard because it’s hard or hard because it’s wrong for you. Tuning in you’ll hear about the importance of factoring in your own personality, the role of societal pressure, and what heightened anxiety or your inability to maintain a healthy lifestyle may be trying to tell you. To hear about some of the clear signs that your job may be hard because it’s wrong for you and a practical exercise that may help you gain clarity on the issue, tune in today!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Work @ Life Work @ Life: Vulnerability in the workplace Sabreena Merchant Spencer Paysinger Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot
Today we dig into part two of our conversation with Spencer Paysinger. Spencer was an American football linebacker for the New York Giants until 2017 when he pivoted to focus on film and television, writing, co-producing, and acting in All American, the TV series based on his life. In this episode, Spencer shares his thoughts on success, explains how he defines it, and elaborates on why, despite his fame, it’s so important for him to be able to walk down a street as a relative unknown. He opens up about his relationship with his wife, how they support each other, and how fatherhood has changed him. We also discuss the importance of knowing yourself, why that’s becoming increasingly more difficult in today’s world, and what he has gained from going to therapy. To hear some profound words on success, knowing who you are, and the life-changing potential of hobbies, tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
How Spencer defines success.
Why it’s so important for him to be able to walk down the street as a relative unknown.
How he and his wife got together and the support he has received from her from the start.
How fatherhood has changed him.
Spencer’s advice to younger people who look up to him.
Ways that you can get to know who you are.
Advice that Spencer received from his brother-in-law about hobbies.
Why Spencer doesn’t want to get better at golf.
How Spencer first started going to therapy.
How therapy has changed the way Spencer coaches himself.
Information about Spencer’s wife’s company: Post 21.
How, despite his success, Spencer is still trying to learn the about the film and TV industry.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Spencer Paysinger Spencer Paysinger on Instagram All American Post 21 Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram HubSpot Creators Program HubSpot
Not only does Spencer Paysinger’s life story sound like a riveting television series, it was actually turned into one! Spencer was an American football linebacker for the New York Giants until 2017 when he pivoted to focus on film and television, co-producing and acting in All American, the TV series based on his life. He is also an old school friend of Ashley’s, and in this episode, we hear about some escapades from their past, as well as insight into Spencer’s character and interests growing up in LA. Spencer shares his almost fantastical tale of finding success in professional football, and eventually television, and opens up about the philosophies that guide him. Tune in to hear about how being true to himself at every step of the way opened up opportunities for him and led him to where he is today!
Key Points From This Episode:
Spencer Paysinger’s inspiring life story from football to television and beyond.
Spencer describes his childhood, growing up in LA.
His character and interests as a kid.
Why he switched from basketball to football midstream.
The trajectory of his football career throughout high school and college.
The transition from playing receiver to linebacker.
Spencer’s openness about therapy and expressing emotional vulnerability.
How he landed up being drafted by the NFL after having retired from football.
What inspired him to play sports.
His experience of playing in the starting position for the Giants.
Why he chose to stop playing football.
How and why he continued to do business internships throughout his football career.
How Spencer’s interest in screenwriting evolved into the creation of All American.
What Spencer focused on after wrapping All American and the projects he’s involved in!
Why he enrolled in film school despite being encouraged otherwise.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Spencer Paysinger Spencer Paysinger on Instagram All American Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Sabreena Merchant spent the majority of her childhood and early adulthood doing things to make other people happy. She went to religious school instead of playing basketball on Saturdays and pushed through pre-med because her parents’ dream was for her to become a doctor. All of this left her feeling anxious and unsatisfied, so, a few years ago, when Sabreena was presented with an opportunity to explore a completely different career path (sports writing), she took it, and she has never felt more fulfilled! Some of the biggest lessons that Sabreena has learned from her life experiences so far include the following: it’s never too late to start something new, there are many different ways to be successful, and your happiness should be your number one priority! Tune in today to hear Sabreena’s story, which I hope inspires you to follow your heart.
Key Points From This Episode:
An overview of Sabreena Merchant’s career as a sports writer.
Sabreena shares what her upbringing was like.
The shock that Sabreena received when she started college.
Feelings that Sabreena struggled with when she finished her undergrad.
The people in Sabreena's life who helped get her sports writing career kicked off.
How Sabreena’s unpaid blog writing gig evolved into a full-time job.
What Sabreena’s parents' response was when she told them that she wasn’t going to pursue a medical degree.
Why your happiness should be your number one priority.
Sabreena shares what success means to her.
The valuable skills that Sabreena is learning through her work.
Goals that Sabreena has for the future.
The lack of diversity in the sports industry, and how this makes Sabreena feel.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sabreena Merchant on LinkedIn Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Hubspot
We’re back for another episode of No Straight Path, where there are highs, lows, and lessons learned. Today’s is a solo episode where Ashley unpacks the highlights and lessons learned so far, from historic moments regarding the Supreme Court to changing the mindsets that prove detrimental to the well-being of Black women. Ashley shares her personal experiences in the academic world and some of the micro-aggressions that, in hindsight, broke down her confidence and negatively affected her overall wellbeing, a lesson we should all take note of. We end off the podcast with why it’s important for you to take note of the things that light you up, so make sure to stay tuned for all this and more!
Key Points From This Episode:
A clip from Episode 1 that resonated with Ashley, which you can listen to at [0:01:37].
Why Ashley finds it historic to have a Black woman on the Supreme Court.
Why compelling Black women to prove that they are worthy to occupy the spaces they enter is detrimental to their wellbeing.
Ashley shares a personal story about her academic experience as a Black woman.
Lesson: you shouldn’t do your work to prove you deserve to be there, you’re already there!
Another inspiring clip from Michelle Odemwingie in Episode 2 at [0:11:08].
The thing that keeps Ashley up at night: human-centered work.
Why it’s important to take note of things that “light you up.”
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Episode 1: Success Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 1 Episode 2: Success Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 2
Welcome back to the second half of our conversation with Michelle Odemwingie! Today we dive a little deeper into Michelle’s career journey and what she has learned from being CEO of Achievement Network (ANet). We kick things off by hearing from Michelle about why authenticity has been integral to her success as a CEO. She describes how being honest about her process at work has helped her be a supportive leader, who invites collaboration, and why it’s such an enriching alternative to micromanaging your team. Hear how her experience as Chief of Staff at the same company benefited her as a CEO, particularly because of the depth of her personal relationships within the company. Later we unpack what it means to be a recovering perfectionist and the importance of embracing the fact that you can’t be good at everything. Michelle also reflects on the loss of her grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic and what it has taught her about grief and how to spend the short amount of time you have on earth. We wrap things up by discussing the toxicity of constant availability at work and what Michelle has been doing to bring more balance to her life. Be sure to tune in for the life-affirming conversation on life, work, relationships, and finding balance!
Key Points From This Episode:
Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with Michelle Odemwingie!
The biggest lesson Michelle has learned as a CEO: authenticity is priceless.
A breakdown of Michelle’s approach as a supportive leader who invites collaboration.
How serving as Chief of Staff has informed Michelle’s work as a CEO.
How losing her grandmother made Michelle take stock of how she spends her time.
Michelle’s current definition of success: it’s not a destination, but how you experience life.
The challenge of balancing everything in your life as a recovering perfectionist.
The idea that grief is love unexpressed and how Michelle is choosing to honor her grandmother.
The toxicity of being available all the time and how Michelle is combatting it in her life.
The role of leadership in changing a culture of overwork and burnout.
Why Michelle encourages her team members to prioritize rest and take half days.
Michelle’s love of cooking and the recipes she made for Ashley.
Why Michelle is appreciative of Gen Z and her thoughts on what it means to be a good ancestor.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michelle Odemwingie on LinkedIn Achievement Network Teach for America Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
There’s a reason why so many people who have had teaching posts via Teach for America describe the experience as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Not only are you solving incredibly complex problems in a classroom filled with students, but you are also operating within a deeply flawed system. For our first episode of No Straight Path, we are delighted to welcome Michelle Odemwingie, CEO of Achievement Network (ANet), to talk about her career journey, and how she discovered her passion for education. In our conversation Michelle reflects on her academic perfectionism from an early age, the anxiety it caused her, and how growing up in a suburban Texas town informed her decision to go to Stanford. We discuss how Michelle discovered her passion for education while at university, and the hugely formative role that Teach for America played in her life. Next, Michelle describes some of her biggest mistakes and successes as a teacher, along with the most important lessons she’s learned along the way. She also shares the story of how she became CEO of ANet, some of the feelings of imposter syndrome she experienced, and the critical role that one of her mentors played in opening up a leadership path for her. To learn more about Michelle’s journey and how it has shaped her, be sure to tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
Introducing today’s guest Michelle Odemwingie, CEO of Achievement Network.
Michelle’s Nigerian heritage and the experience of being the daughter of immigrant parents.
The important impact that her mother’s dyslexia had on Michelle’s learning journey.
Michelle and Ashley’s experiences with academic perfectionism from an early age.
Some of the micro and direct aggressions Michelle had to contend with growing up in Texas.
Why Michelle decided to go to Stanford, and her positive experience there.
How Michelle discovered her passion for education as a career.
Michelle’s dedication to the idea of education as a great equalizer in America, if the country had the bravery to do it fully.
Michelle’s first encounter with Teach for America.
Why Michelle’s experiences as a math teacher in DC were so radically formative.
Why working for Teach for America is described by so many people as one of the most challenging, and rewarding, experiences of their lives.
Some of Michelle’s biggest mistakes and biggest triumphs that she had as a teacher.
Why the notion of ‘escaping where you came from’ as an aspiration can be so damaging.
The exercise where Michelle had students create their own textbooks and the impact it had on their learning and their lives.
How Michelle became the CEO of the Achievement Network.
Why having a mentor mention you in higher spaces is so impactful.
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and how Michelle adapted as a leader in education.
Michelle’s feelings of imposter syndrome and how she finally decided to apply for the job of being CEO thanks to her co-worker and the intervention of her family.
Tune in for Part 2 in our next episode!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michelle Odemwingie on LinkedIn Achievement Network Teach for America Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram
Hello and welcome to the first taste of the No Straight Path podcast! This is the show in which Ashley Menzies Babatunde will be exploring the idea of success with special attention given to the areas that we so often gloss over. You can expect to hear interviews with an array of fascinating guests from many different fields and backgrounds, all with the unifying theme of honesty, process, and the hurdles that are common in all of our journeys. We hope that through these conversations, success and achievement can be humanized and that the myths of success can be made more nuanced. So thanks for tuning in, and we hope to see you back here for our first full episode!
Key Points From This Episode:
Our mission to unpack the process of millennial success.
The kinds of conversations we will be having with guests about challenges and achievements.
Hopes for the podcast: inspiration, nuanced perspectives, and more.
Getting to grips with Ashley's 'why'; bringing more honesty into the conversation about success.
The letter that Ashley wrote to herself when she was ten!
An example of the adversity and failure that Ashley has encountered along with her many successes.
Tweetables: “This podcast aims to humanize success from a millennial perspective.” — Ashley Menzies Babatunde [0:00:16] “No Straight Path aims to delve into the story behind the success, with a closer to real-time approach.” — Ashley Menzies Babatunde [0:00:37] “I will speak with various guests about their definitions of success and how they overcame failure and life's unanticipated challenges.” — Ashley Menzies Babatunde [0:00:55] “Sharing personal stories allows us to connect with one another, inspire each other, and build empathy.” — Ashley Menzies Babatunde [0:03:15]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Ashley Menzies Babatunde Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram Harvard University Stanford University