What if the very challenges threatening to derail your career are actually the golden opportunities you've been waiting for? Today's guest, Noah Dye, transformed 25 years of agency experience, into launching his own successful PR agency. His journey reveals how embracing uncertainty and viewing setbacks as stepping stones can unlock extraordinary career transformation.

Guest Bio

Noah Dye is a senior communications and business development executive with over 25 years of experience driving agency growth across B2B and B2C industries. After an impressive rise at Team Lewis from account executive to head of United States operations (overseeing six offices), Noah founded Spoken Voice PR, specializing in media relations, crisis management, executive positioning, and content strategy. His agency focuses on meaningful storytelling and genuine connection.

Connect with Noah:

• Website: https://www.thespokenvoice.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahdye/

Content Sample:

Noah shares three transformative insights that challenge conventional career wisdom:

The "Front Row Principle": A pivotal moment when his CEO pulled him from the back of conference rooms forever changed his trajectory, revealing how physical positioning reflects professional confidence and engagement.

The New Business Paradox: Discover why the most "intimidating" aspect of agency work—new business development—is actually identical to client service, just with prospects instead of existing clients.

The Selective Success Strategy: Learn Noah's controversial approach to RFPs and why saying "no" to certain opportunities became his competitive advantage in building a boutique agency.

Key Takeaways

[00:02:00] Opportunity Recognition Over Perfection: Noah emphasizes jumping at opportunities even without complete preparation—"I had none of them [the required experiences], but I jumped at that opportunity."

[00:08:00] The Front Row Transformation: His CEO's simple directive to "sit up front" instilled confidence that lasted 25 years, proving how physical presence impacts professional perception.

[00:17:00] Strategic Selectivity in Growth: "Don't do every RFP"—Noah's philosophy of choosing quality relationships over quantity leads to sustainable agency success.

[00:26:00] Culture Over Metrics: Focusing on people and culture first allows revenue and profits to follow naturally, rather than the reverse approach.

Memorable Quotes

"If you can't tell a story, social media's not gonna matter. Media relations isn't gonna matter... None of the tools are gonna matter if you don't have a voice."

Suggestions:

Ready to transform your communications career or find top talent for your team? Whether you're looking to make your next career move or need to build a world-class communications team, we're here to help. Connect with us at paradigmstaffing.com

Subscribe to Career Wanderlust for more insights from industry leaders who've navigated successful career transformations.

Host Information

Hosted by Jolie Downs with Paradigm, a voice in career evolution and growth. Jolie brings over 20 years of executive recruiting experience, helping professionals navigate career transitions and companies build exceptional teams.

Connect with Jolie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/

Ending Note

Noah's journey reminds us that sometimes the most rewarding career moves come from stepping into the unknown. As you reflect on your own career trajectory, consider this: What opportunities are you currently viewing as challenges? How might shifting that perspective open doors you never knew existed?

Intimidated in the boardroom? Learn how this senior communications strategist overcame imposter syndrome to climb the ranks at Fortune 500 tech companies, and discover the game-changing advice that can transform your career trajectory today.

Guest Bio

Meet Sylvie Tongco, VP of Corporate Communications and senior-level communication strategist with nearly two decades of experience navigating the tech landscape. From guiding billion-dollar companies through transformative communications strategies to building trusted C-Suite relationships at companies such as Genesis and Five9, Sylvie has established herself as a transformational leader in corporate communications. Her journey spans both agency excellence at Atomic PR and in-house innovation, offering unique insights into how authentic messaging drives business impact. Connect with Sylvie at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stongco/

Content sample:

· a powerful mentorship experience that redefined her approach to knowledge gaps

· the "opera incident" that taught her everything about professional boundaries

· the negotiation that nearly doubled her pre-30 salary

· transforming intimidation into opportunity

· why the art of asking "stupid questions" became her secret weapon in tech leadership

· compelling framework for making confident career decisions offers actionable wisdom that challenges conventional thinking about what it means to "know enough."

Key Takeaways

• [02:00] - The Knowledge Gap Revelation: "They're not smarter than you - they simply had more information about a specific topic"

• [08:00] - The Opera Boundary: Why a senior executive's refusal to work late became a powerful lesson in professional priorities

• [23:00] - The Six-Figure Conversation: How honest dialogue with her manager resulted in a salary increase beyond what she imagined possible

• [31:00] - The Certainty Principle: "The only thing I'm certain of is that things will change - you can only be sure of yourself"

Memorable Quotes

"Don't let anybody intimidate you... They simply had more information about a specific topic of what we were talking about. Learn to ask questions."

"No opportunity is worth compromising your overall health and mental wellbeing."

"Being vocal about what you want and where you want to go - half the time we tend to underestimate just being vocal about what you need."

Suggestions:

Ready to transform imposter syndrome into career confidence? Subscribe to Career Wanderlust Podcast for more insights on authentic career advancement.

Looking to build your dream communications, PR, marketing, or sales team? Connect with Paradigm Staffing at paradigmstaffing.com - where we match world-class talent with transformative opportunities.

Host and Platform Information

This podcast was hosted by Jolie Downs with Paradigm, a voice in career evolution and growth. You can connect with Jolie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/.

If you enjoy learning from others, please give us a like, subscribe, and share with a friend.

If you are looking to add talent to your public relations, marketing, communications, sales, or business development team with the best talent, and quickly, check us out at paradigmstaffing.com.

Ending Note

As Sylvie reminds us, change is the only certainty. What will you choose to change in your career approach today?

From TV news reporter to Snapchat executive to HR leader—Trisha Nicolas' career journey proves that following your heart (without losing it) can lead to unexpected success. Join us as she reveals how embracing discomfort, maintaining integrity, and staying eternally curious transformed her professional path in ways she never imagined.

Guest Bio

Trisha Nicolas is a multimedia content executive whose diverse career spans journalism, tech, entertainment, and people management. As a key leader at Snapchat's content division, she developed unscripted programming for over 250 million daily active users, including shows featuring Megan Thee Stallion and Steph Curry. A trained journalist who built her career in NYC and Boston newsrooms, Trisha earned recognition for amplifying marginalized voices. She's now empowering the next generation through her organization Anglade, which promotes equity in entertainment and sports, while also hosting her YouTube channel "Oh Shut Up, Trisha" covering true crime and current events.

Content Sample:

1, The Snow Day Decision: Discover how a dreaded snowstorm assignment became the catalyst for Trisha's bold career pivot that changed everything—and why walking away from the "wrong room" opened doors she never imagined.

2. The Strategic Heart: Learn Trisha's powerful philosophy: "Follow your heart, but never lose your heart"—a refreshing approach to career transitions that preserves relationships while honoring authenticity.

3. The Generalist Advantage: Explore why Trisha's ability to master various roles—from journalism to tech to HR—ultimately created a powerful convergence of skills that enabled her to build her own media brand and nonprofit.

Key Takeaways

• [00:05:00] The power of listening to your unhappiness and setting a firm boundary—even without knowing what's next—and how doing so can open unexpected doors.

• [00:08:30] Moving with integrity through career transitions creates a network of supporters who will champion your growth for years to come.

• [00:17:30] Embracing what you don't know and becoming a student again is a superpower that transforms apparent weaknesses into opportunities for growth.

• [00:25:00] Creating meaningful impact by addressing industry gaps—how Trisha's Anglade organization is bringing equity to entertainment and sports by exposing underrepresented communities to behind-the-scenes career paths.

• [00:31:20] Finding career fulfillment by bringing your diverse experiences full circle—how seemingly unrelated roles can converge into the perfect foundation for your passion project.

Suggestions:

To connect with Trisha Nicolas, you can find her links here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishanicolas/

https://www.angladeagency.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@ohshutuptrisha

If you're looking to add exceptional talent to your public relations, marketing, communications, sales, or business development team, connect with Paradigm Staffing at paradigmstaffing.com to find your next star performer.

Host and Platform Information

This insightful session was hosted by Jolie Downs with Paradigm, for more on career evolution and growth, you can connect with Jolie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/

If you enjoy learning from others, please give us a like, subscribe, and share with a friend.

Ending Note

What career transition has been calling to you, but fear or uncertainty has kept you from taking the leap?

In this insightful episode of the Career Wanderlust podcast, host Jolie Downs sits down with communications maestro Robert Collins. Robert is a senior marketing and communications executive with over 20 years of experience in the B2B and consumer tech industries. He has launched and managed marketing programs for global giants including Cisco, HubSpot, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Sony Electronics, and IBM. Robert has led tech practices at prestigious firms such as Fleishman Hillard, Shift Communications, RacePoint Global, and Lewis Communications. Beyond his professional achievements, he's an avid comic book collector, movie trivia aficionado, and speaks at conferences about the evolving role of digital and social media in driving organizational growth.

Content Sample:

Robert shares his revolutionary cereal box analogy that transforms how businesses should approach communications strategy—focusing not just on ingredients but on the compelling visual story and the "prize inside" that truly captures audience attention. His surprising revelation about community-building through the Social Media Breakfast initiative demonstrates how one small leadership opportunity can explode into a nationwide movement. Most uniquely, Robert unveils his unconventional hiring philosophy that prioritizes character and work ethic over traditional résumé achievements, challenging standard industry practices with remarkable results.

Key Takeaways:

• [00:02:00] When feeling doubts or sensing problems in your career, take immediate action rather than ruminating—this decisive approach unlocks forward momentum.

• [00:04:00] True leadership is about articulating vision clearly while inviting team members to find their own pathways to achieve goals, not prescribing how they should work.

• [00:11:00] Effective communication strategies should create a "vision" rather than a checklist, focusing on the compelling story that will engage your audience, not just tactical execution.

• [00:32:00] In hiring and team building, prioritize character and work ethic over perfect résumés—look for commitment and resilience that demonstrate true potential.

Memorable Quotes:

"You can go fast by going alone, or you can go far by going together."

"We don't rise to the level of our goals. We fall to the level of our habits."

"The media do not care about your company, your product, or your leadership team. They care about what they think is important to the industry."

Suggestions:

Subscribe to the Career Wanderlust podcast to continue gaining insights from leaders transforming industries.

Follow Robert Collins on LinkedIn for ongoing thought leadership in communications and community building. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbyrnecollins/

If you're looking to add exceptional talent to your public relations, marketing, communications, sales, or business development team, check out paradigmstaffing.com for access to top-tier professionals.

This insightful session was hosted by Jolie Downs with Paradigm. For more on career evolution and growth you can connect with Jolie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/

If you enjoy learning from others, please give us a like, subscribe, and share with a friend.

Ending Note:

What would your career look like if you started focusing on building communities rather than commodities? As Robert suggests, sometimes our greatest professional breakthroughs come from following our authentic interests—like robots and donuts—rather than conventional paths. We'd love to hear about your own career wanderlust moments in the comments below!

Discover the transformative power of authenticity with Blair Broussard, a communications strategist who turned "being unapologetically human" from a personal mantra into a core company value. In this illuminating conversation, Blair reveals how embracing your true self—mistakes, questions, and all—can become your greatest professional superpower.

Guest Bio:

Blair Broussard brings over 17 years of experience in communications, change management, and corporate storytelling across B2B tech, healthcare, and telecommunications. As the former Chief Operations and People Officer at Alloy Marketing, she scaled the agency from a two-person startup to a thriving team of 50. Currently serving as a Senior Consultant for Cox Communications, Blair applies her approachable style and sharp insights to tackle complex workplace dynamics with humor and humanity.

Content Sample:

- The Liberation of being "Unapologetically Human": Unlike the vague advice to "just be yourself," Blair shares how reframing authenticity as being "unapologetically human" gives you permission to make mistakes, ask questions, and bring your unique perspective to every challenge.

- Radical Candor for Leadership Growth: Discover how embracing both caring personally AND challenging directly transformed Blair's leadership style during her agency's highest growth phase.

- The Anxiety-to-Superpower Pipeline: Learn how Blair harnesses anxiety as fuel for growth and uses intentional body awareness to stay grounded during high-pressure situations.

Key Takeaways

- [00:02:00] Being "unapologetically human" means giving yourself permission to make mistakes, ask questions, and bring your authentic self to work—even when it feels vulnerable.

- [00:08:00] True leadership requires both empathy AND direct feedback. The book "Radical Candor" provides a framework for balancing "caring personally" with "challenging directly."

- [00:14:00] Regular one-on-one meetings are essential for building trust—they create space for both personal connection and honest feedback that can't happen in group settings.

- [00:25:00] Setting daily reminders to check in with your body helps prevent burnout and ensures you're speaking from authenticity rather than people-pleasing during important moments.

Memorable Quotes:

"When someone puts it in the 'unapologetically human' piece, it gives you permission to not just be yourself, but make mistakes... None of us know anything. And when I'm approaching a challenge, it just gives me that permission to be creative, and not maybe do things by the book."

"In order for praise to even mean anything, you have to be able to have the harder conversation."

"Once you get in your head and you start caring about what other people think, you're caring about them versus what you're saying. And then you screw up."

For more from Blair Broussard, you can connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-broussard/

Suggestions:

If you enjoy learning from others, please give us a like, subscribe, and share with a friend.

If you are looking to add talent to your public relations, marketing, communications, sales, or business development team with the best talent, check us out at paradigmstaffing.com.

Host Information:

This insightful session was hosted by Jolie Downs with Paradigm. For more in career evolution and growth, you can connect with Jolie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/

Ending Note:

What part of your authentic self are you holding back at work? Remember Blair's wisdom that "there's only one of you" and your authenticity is your unique gift to bring to the table. Share your thoughts on how being "unapologetically human" might transform your workplace!

From turning childhood chatter into a networking superpower to navigating the heights of corporate communications, Alex Ebanks shares transformative insights on authentic relationship building and career advancement. Discover how showing—not telling—became the cornerstone of her remarkable journey from agency life to Vice President of Communications with companies such as Microsoft and Essence Ventures.

Guest Bio:

Alex Ebanks is the Vice President of Communications at Fiserv. Previously, she was VP of Communications with Essence Ventures, overseeing executive, internal, and external communications across prestigious brands including Essence Communications, Afropunk, Beautycon, and Essence Studios. Her impressive career spans roles at Microsoft's Xbox, Coca-Cola, and Allied Global Marketing. A celebrated industry leader, Alex was recently named among Atlanta Business League's Top 100 Women and selected as a 2024 Career Influencer of the Year by the T Howard Foundation.

Content Sample:

- Learn how Alex hasn't applied for a job online since her first position, leveraging relationship building instead

- Discover her strategic approach to goal-setting with actionable timelines

- Uncover the power of volunteering in career advancement and network building

Key Takeaways:

[03:00] "Don't tell people your dreams, show them" - The philosophy behind career advancement

[07:00] The two-pronged approach to career success: Self-PR and strategic volunteering

[13:00] How early career relationships can circle back to create future opportunities

[19:00] Leadership insights on managing teams with transparency and partnership

Memorable Quotes:

"Don't tell people your dreams, show them."

"Your professional value isn't determined by someone else's anger or a single mistake - it's determined by your entire body of work."

Related Content:

- "Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes - Referenced as a transformative read

- "The First 90 Days" - Recommended for career transitions

Suggestions:

Want more insights on career evolution and growth? Connect with host Jolie Downs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/

Looking to build your dream team with top talent? Visit paradigmstaffing.com.

To connect with Alex Ebanks, you can find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraebanks/

Ending Note:

What's your strategy for turning conversations into opportunities? Share your thoughts and join us next time for more career insights and professional growth strategies. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share with others on their career journey.

From profit-driven executive to purpose-driven educator: Mark Beal's transformation story reveals how 30 years of PR expertise became a mission to shape the next generation of communication leaders. Join us for an enlightening conversation about career evolution, Gen Z insights, and the power of turning experience into impact.

Guest Bio:

Mark Beal is a distinguished public relations veteran turned professor of practice at Rutgers University's School of Communications and Information. With nearly three decades of experience developing campaigns for iconic events like The Olympic Games and Super Bowl, Mark has authored seven books on Gen Z and career development. His latest works, including "Z.E.O." and "Win the Job and Thrive in a Multi-Generational Workplace," showcase his unique perspective on the evolving workplace landscape.

Content Sample:

- The game-changing lesson that transformed his approach to new business pitching

- Revolutionary insights about Gen Z's "work to live" philosophy

- Compelling perspective on the future of hybrid work environments

Key Takeaways:

[03:00] - Never stop learning: The cornerstone of career longevity

[12:00] - The power of thorough research in winning opportunities

[26:00] - Understanding Gen Z's transformative impact on workplace culture

[37:00] - The shift from profit-focused to purpose-driven career evolution

Memorable Quotes:

"Gen Z works to live, they don't live to work - and I think they actually have it right."

"Your network is your net worth."

"We went from this focus on profit to purpose, and that's become my superpower."

Suggestions:

Ready to dive deeper into workplace evolution and career development? Connect with Mark on LinkedIn and check out his latest book "Z.E.O." https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-beal-ma-a24338a/

This insightful session was hosted by Jolie Downs with Paradigm, a voice in career evolution and growth. You can connect with Jolie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/

For more transformative career insights, subscribe to Career Wanderlust on your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoy learning from others, please give us a like, subscribe, and share with a friend.

If you are looking to add talent to your public relations, marketing, communications, sales, or business development team with the best talent, and quickly, check us out at paradigmstaffing.com.

Ending Note:

What's your perspective on the evolving workplace? Are you embracing the "work to live" philosophy? Share your thoughts and join us next time for more career insights and transformative conversations.

#CareerDevelopment #GenZ #WorkplaceEvolution #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Career #CareerAdvice #Communications

"You don't need all the answers to be valuable in the room." Discover how this powerful insight transformed Isobel Petersen's career from communications executive to Head of Talent Operations at Milltown Partners. Join us for an enlightening conversation about career pivots, emotional intelligence, and the courage to say "yes" to unexpected opportunities.

Guest Bio:

Isobel Petersen is a talent acquisition and operations leader who has played a pivotal role in scaling Milltown Partners from a boutique firm to 150 employees across five global offices. As Head of Talent Operations, she oversees recruitment, DEI initiatives, and operational strategy. Beyond her corporate role, Isobel mentors with Good Work, a UK-based organization focused on career development and workplace impact.

Content Sample:

- The surprising power of asking questions instead of having answers

- How vulnerability in career discussions can open unexpected doors

- Transformative insights on modern people management and creating psychological safety

- A fresh perspective on work-life boundaries and decision-making

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] - The game-changing advice about not needing answers, but asking the right questions

[7:45] - How saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities can reshape your career trajectory

[14:30] - The essential elements of effective people management in today's workplace

[24:00] - Practical strategies for maintaining focus and managing multiple priorities

Memorable Quotes:

"You don't always need to have the answers in order to be worthwhile of being in a room. You can ask the right questions."

"Working hard is no bad thing, but you can be a great friend and a great colleague if you actually log off."

Related Content:

- HBR IdeaCast: Deep dives into management and leadership topics

- "Grit" by Angela Duckworth: Exploring perseverance and achievement

- Armchair Expert podcast: Expert-on-Expert series for in-depth professional insights

Suggestions:

Ready to accelerate your career growth? Connect with Jolie Downs on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliedowns/ and visit paradigmstaffing.com to explore how we can help you build exceptional teams in PR, marketing, communications, and business development.

If you enjoy learning from others, please give us a like, subscribe, and share with a friend.

Ending Note:

What unexpected "yes" could transform your career? Join us next time as we continue to explore the intersections of career growth, leadership, and personal development. Share your thoughts and suggestions for future guests in the comments below! 🎙️

#CareerGrowth #Leadership #TalentDevelopment #Career