LEAVE YOUR MARK: Freshly Brewed Career Advice with Aliza Licht

Adam Rose has lived the acting life in Hollywood since he was 9-years old, making his debut opposite Robin Williams and Julie Kavner in Woody Allen's Deconstructing Harry. With over 55 tinsel-town projects to date he's played roles on the sets of luminary directors and actors with credits that include The Sopranos, Veronica Mars, Netflix's Santa Clarita Diet, Supernatural, Merry Happy Whatever, and so many more. He's worked with Matthew Broderick, Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo, and Anna Paquin, to name a few. As a writer, Adam sold his first pilot, PISSED, to Warner Bros. His short film, QUEEN, which he wrote and directed, screened at over 50 film festivals and won several awards. But back in 2009, he intuitively knew that social media would change how the world consumes content forever. At a time when most of his celebrity peers turned their noses up to anything "online," Adam began cultivating fans outside of his Hollywood projects. Today, Adam has amassed an enormous social media following, with over 3.7 million followers on TikTok and nearly half a million on Instagram, not to mention his growing YouTube. He's one of the most beloved creators with A-list brand deals, known for his viral comedy sketches, dances, and "lovely" wife, a character he plays opposite himself. In this episode, Adam and I unpack the question, "What drives the other: Does the traditional career drive a social following, or does a social following drive your traditional career?" It's an interesting debate. We dive into the story of digital identity and the famous blue cardigan that his fans are obsessed with, and how his community reacts to his content. Adam shares his content strategy, secrets to creativity, production schedule, and a typical day in his life. The whole episode is like a hug in your ear, full of warmth, comedy, and advice.

"Did I want to be there for a moment, or did I want to be there forever"? That's the question Mandy Teefey asked herself when she contemplated whether she should prioritize her mental health or be there for her daughter, Selena Gomez's, first day of Kindergarten. Fast forward to today, and Mandy Teefey is a co-founder and co-CEO of Wondermind and the founder and CEO of Kicked to the Curb Productions, where she has developed award-winning and nominated content. Mandy is best known for her work on Netflix's 13 Reasons Why. Mandy's personal journey struggling with mental health has fueled her passion and drive. Wondermind will satisfy the hunger for inclusive content and the need to change the narrative on how mental health is portrayed. It also gives people the tools to practice "mental health fitness," both online and offline. Mandy was misdiagnosed as bipolar and later diagnosed with ADHD with Trauma, which has fueled her passion for offering accessible mental health resources for anyone and everyone. Co-founded with Selena Gomez and Daniella Pierson, Wondermind is a multimedia company that destigmatizes and democratizes mental health in a way that has never been done before. In this episode, Mandy shares her incredible and heartfelt journey. From her mental health struggles to being a teenage mom, she authentically shares how her career came to be despite her misdiagnosis as being bipolar. With a dream of storytelling in entertainment, Mandy has made some of the biggest contributions to normalizing the mental health discussion in Hollywood.

What does it feel like when your video goes viral? Chrissy Rutherford knows. She was shocked when her video captioned, “It’s not enough to just say “I’m not racist, ” following the murder of George Floyd went viral, garnering over 5 million views in less than a day. Chrissy realized that there was much to teach her industry on being anti-racist. After working in fashion for 12+ years as the former Special Projects Director and the Senior Digital Fashion editor of harpersbazaar.com, she decided to join forces with fellow fashion editor Danielle Prescod, creating 2BG (Two Black Girls). 2BG is a consultancy that advises fashion and beauty brands along with influencers on how to implement anti-racist communication strategies. She is also a digital creator who has partnered with brands like Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. In this episode, Chrissy shares her journey breaking into fashion with tactical advice on how to make sure your bosses never forget you, how to be politely persistent, what it means to know your value, and how to know when to leave your job. She also transparently shares her struggle with mental health and her mission to make diversity and inclusion in fashion a mainstay of the present and future.

No one likes managing their money, but money expert and New York Times best-selling author of Boss Bitch, Rich Bitch, Becoming Super Woman, and now Miss Independent, Nicole Lapin, makes it easy. Have you ever wondered how millionaires make their money? Spoiler alert: it's not from saving money. My favorite money expert, Nicole Lapin, is back on LEAVE YOUR MARK with her new Wall Street Journal #2 bestselling book, Miss Independent. "Millionaires don't make their money just from their salaries, no matter how big their paychecks get. They have an average of seven additional streams of income, many of which are passive, meaning their money is making money for them while they sleep." Nicole had no choice but to learn the language of money, and empowering people to embrace and understand it has been her goal ever since. Nicole started out making $20K a year and getting into almost as much credit card debt. She never worked at a bank and didn't have an MBA. "I wasn't born into wealth or privilege. There were days when I didn't have food to put in my mouth, much less a silver spoon. For much of my early career, I either lived paycheck to paycheck, was in debt, and/or subsisted on a brown-rice-and-beans diet (it felt fancier than ramen). I tell you this because if I could become Miss Independent—totally financially set up and secure on my own—then anyone can, including you. I promise." Miss Independent is your best friend who knows and shares all the ins and out of saving money and investing it meaningfully. You don't have to understand finance to heed Nicole's advice. With in-depth tutorials and humor to boot, Nicole can transform your mindset to begin to think differently. In this episode, Nicole shares that she may not have been a financial expert, but she was an expert in being broke, and writing her four bestselling books was her way of teaching everything necessary to learn the language of finance. Nicole calls on a lot of BS cliches, and one of them, which she shared, was "knowledge is power," instead, Nicole says that 'action is power.' Nicole also points out that women can have it all, only if you define what 'it all' means for you and then stick to it rather than changing the goal post.

In a world that's gone virtual, how do you make an impression if no one sees you? How do you collaborate and connect? Are you a camera off or a camera on person? Are you 100% work from home or hybrid? Whether you're an executive or an assistant, remote work affects everyone. On this LEAVE YOUR MARK snack segment, I speak with workplace strategist and author Erica Keswin on how to make an impression as a remote worker. Erica has worked for the past twenty years with some of the most iconic brands in the world as a consultant, speaker, author, and professional dot-connector. Her bestselling book, Bring Your Human to Work: Ten Sure-Fire Ways to Design a Workplace That's Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World, was published by McGraw-Hill in the fall of 2018. Her second book, Rituals Roadmap: The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines Into Workplace Magic made the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and USA Today best seller lists. Erica's work and insights can be seen in various media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, NY Post, Forbes, Huffington Post, O Magazine, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Mogul, Conscious Company, Quartz, and Fast Company. Erica was named one of Marshall Goldsmith's Top 100 Coaches in 2020, as well as one of Business Insider's most innovative coaches of 2020.

Does desperation paralyze or invigorate you? For founder and CEO Sarah LaFleur, it was both. After quitting her dream job after four months because, spoiler alert, it was not a dream, she decided she had no choice but to become an entrepreneur. In truth, her motivation came from her inability to explain her departure in a way that wouldn’t permanently dent her career. Owning your narrative and shaping your story is something that many people struggle with, but for Sarah, her so-called failure spawned the birth of her company, M.M. LaFleur. Frustrated by a lack of women’s workwear options that were stylish and practical, she teamed up with Miyako Nakamura and Narie Foster to launch M.M.LaFleur in 2013. Their mission is to help women take the work out of getting dressed, so they can focus on the work that matters to them. The brand is known for its functional design details, comfort (like go ahead and nap in these clothes), and no “dry cleaning necessary” pieces. The brand is also doing its part in supporting women where it counts most. Passionate about seeing more women run for office, M.M. LaFleur has loaned clothing to over 275 female candidates. Since 2017, they have partnered with Bottomless Closet o help disadvantaged women in the NYC area jumpstart their careers, making it possible for women to donate their workwear at either M.M. LaFleur store in NYC or DC. They also offer special discounts to the military, veterans, medical professionals, first responders (including government and public service workers), and teachers. In this episode, Sarah shares her origin story and the struggles she dealt with after thinking she had destroyed her career. She explains why sometimes the answer to depression is just to keep moving forward. We talk about how her mother is her biggest inspiration, how to use your clothes to send powerful messages, and much more.

DeDe Brown and her career exemplify what it means to carve your own path and leave your mark. From studying broadcast journalism at the University of Alabama to finding her way through the bright lights of Hollywood, DeDe proves that if you put yourself in the right places, are humble enough to learn, and stay curious, people will take a chance on you. Today, DeDe is the senior vice president of multicultural marketing and publicity at Paramount Pictures, one of the biggest production companies in Hollywood. DeDe's journey is the story of having no connections at the start, waiting many, many tables, and being clever enough to know when opportunities present themselves for you to take that leap to the next rung on the career ladder. When she's not helping run the show behind the scenes at Paramount, she's co-hosting a podcast, BLK ON THE SCENE, featuring Black voices who are helping to drive change and representation in entertainment. In this episode, we talk about the concept of putting your trust in the skills you have acquired and taking a chance to grow your career in a new industry. We talk about what it takes to succeed in marketing and public relations, especially in a high-stakes industry, and why DeDe believes that her humility, curiosity, and willingness to admit when she doesn't know the answer have contributed to her ability to thrive in her roles.

When Stacy London joined this podcast in season two, her parting words were a wish. She hoped in the future to do something for women her age. Needless to say, she manifested her dream role and what happened next is crazy. Now, Stacy is back to share what she has been up to since the last time she was on this podcast. Stacy London was previously a fashion stylist who has styled everyone from Kate Winslet to Liv Tyler. She's a best-selling author and TV personality, made famous from the fan-favorite series, What Not to Wear. As a person in the public eye, Stacy has been very transparent about her journey—the ups and the downs, the battles with body image, and even finances. Today, Stacy has faced her fear of the unknown and redefined what it means to be Stacy London. As the CEO of State of Menopause, a company she acquired a year ago, Stacy is helping women understand this next phase of life, not just through their products. It's her mission to make talking about menopause as normal as talking about pregnancy. But beyond that, Stacy is proving that there is a Renaissance for older women, and it's no coincidence that during the pandemic, they are starting companies in droves. In this episode, Stacy shares her story in an authentic way her fans know and love. She shares her struggle to find her new place in this world and what it was like to experience a life-altering change that she wasn't prepared for. She shares the real story of running a startup as a CEO with no experience and how she's learning as she goes. Stacy's truth will resonate with so many, and the more we open up these conversations, the better we will all be.

Can you be a great leader and also show vulnerability? Amy Shecter thinks so. She believes that vulnerability is a key strength in leadership and that people are afraid to show it. Her ability to say, “There’s so much I can learn from you,” to not only major players in her network but also outside of it might be one reason for her success. She’s gone from traditional fashion roles to being CEO at four major companies. From Glamsquad to CEO of Ever/Body today, Amy is a bold visionary, nimble strategist, and inspiring organizational leader who has built businesses from the ground up. She’s known for her ability to revitalize brands and accelerate growth and profitability, whether for established companies or start-ups. Amy was named one of Entrepreneurs Magazine’s 100 Powerful Women of 2020. In this episode, Amy shares her journey and many transparent learnings. She shares the importance of working for what you want to accomplish and why you should never settle for a career path that you no longer have a passion for. As Amy says, being stuck in a job is a choice. Listen to her words of wisdom and model her tactics in your own career.

Alfredo Hurtado's LinkedIn bio declares him "The most dangerous man in the world." Back in the early days of Twitter, he became infamous as the "Bad Boyfriend." This man breaks every personal branding rule in the book. Still, his fearless marketing tactics have worked for the many brands he has worked on, including Bacardí, Calvin Klein, Cerveza Sol, Gatorade, and Hennessy, among many others. Today, he's the co-founder of Swordmaker Studios and the creative director of HOLY JOE, a Los Angeles-based streetwear brand. HOLY JOE was accepted into Licensing International's inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Accelerator Program in 2021 and is now one of the fastest-growing Hispanic-owned clothing labels. In this episode, we dive into what it means to be a bold marketer and have an unapologetic view of who you are and how you show up. We also talk about what happens when it backfires. Alfredo's tactics are not for the weak, but there is a lot to learn from someone who doesn't care what anyone thinks and has truly made it his own way.

In case you missed it, as of November 2021, a record of 4.5 million people are just not that into working anymore. Today, The Great Resignation is still going strong but birthing a new trend of The Great Reimagination. People are rethinking their lives and the time they spend at work. Priorities are shifting, and many for the good. In this short and focused LEAVE YOUR MARK "snack segment," workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author, Lindsey Pollak, shares both the pitfalls and positives of The Great Resignation and what comes next. She shares her advice on how to leave a company on a positive note, why you should consider all factors before jumping the gun on quitting, the dangers of workplace trends, and the consequences of following them. Lindsey has worked with more than 50 corporations, law firms, conferences, and universities to help their individuals and organizations navigate and thrive in the ever-changing world of work. Her clients include Aetna, Citi, Estée Lauder Companies, GE, Goldman Sachs, Google, Pfizer, Verizon, Yale, Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford. Her accomplishments don't stop there. She was named to the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar List, serves as an official Ambassador for LinkedIn, is a spokesperson for The Hartford's "My Tomorrow" campaign, and the chair of Cosmopolitan magazine's Millennial Advisory Board.

Would you ever take a risk and consider me? That was the question Tamara asked the hiring manager when she knew she did not have the qualifications for her first-ever job. Now, Tamara is an award-winning sales account executive. At Google, she leads cloud growth and adoption for Omnicom, a leading high-value agency where she is a strategic and effective partner to some of the world's most recognizable brands. She has built her reputation by driving business results by developing holistic data-driven solutions, a stellar personality, and the ability to understand that the secret to sales success lies in relationships. In this episode, Tamara shares her journey from ground zero with no experience but the will and motivation to do whatever it takes. She shares her insider tips on how to excel in sales and her tactics to effectively communicate, pitch a client, and unlock your customer's challenges.

Do you have permission to be unavailable? Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author (and Reese's Book Club pick) of Fair Play, is back on LEAVE YOUR MARK with her new provocative book, Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World. In her book, Eve explores the cross-section between the science of creativity, productivity, and resilience. So what is unicorn space? It's the time you carve out for yourself without guilt and outside pressures to tap into your most creative self. Described as the ‘antidote to physical, mental and emotional burnout,’ Eve aims to inspire a new narrative around the equality of time and the individual right to personal time choice. In this episode, Eve shares her advice and details some of her inspirational tactics for setting new personal goals, rediscovering your interests, and cultivating your creativity. But more, she reminds you that finding your unicorn space benefits everyone around you while strengthening the relationship you have with yourself.

Jennifer Meyer was rising in the world of celebrity public relations when her then-boyfriend asked her a straightforward question, "What do you want to do with your life?" The question would lead Jennifer to admit something that she had never uttered before, her secret dream of wanting to be a jewelry designer. She decided to pursue her dream, pushing aside the fear of what she didn't know and all the reasons why she couldn't succeed. Today, Jennifer Meyer is living her dream as one of Hollywood's favorite jewelry designers. In this episode, Jennifer shares her remarkable journey starting with the minute she graduated, and her Dad told her she had two weeks to get a job. She shares the importance of perseverance and following your dream, even if you don't think it's in your wheelhouse. According to Jennifer, if you have the confidence to bring your passions to the world, everything else can be figured out. Jennifer taught herself every aspect of her business, and her success reminds us that we all have a dream we are afraid to utter, so give yourself permission to say it out loud and go for it.

LinkedIn is having a moment, don't you think? Callie Schweitzer might be the reason. As the Global Creator Programs Lead at LinkedIn, she oversees its Creator Accelerator Program, part of the platform's $25 million commitment to supporting creators. The pandemic has had significant impacts everywhere, but at LinkedIn, it has shifted the platform from a place where you simply have a profile to a community of generosity, learning, and real-talk. People have discarded the traditional ways of communicating and become more vulnerable, creative, personal and inspiring. In this episode, Callie shares how to hone your thought leadership, have the confidence to raise your hand for opportunities and seize white space for roles that don't exist. She also shares the importance of not discounting your experiences even if they do not fit the traditional professional view and why you should connect and interact often with people who have similar interests. Pro tip: If you are uncomfortable sharing, focus on amplifying others on LinkedIn!

Linda Dowds is an Oscar award-winning makeup artist for film and television. As Jessica Chastain's longtime makeup artist and collaborator, they have 16 projects together to date. Their most recent makeup collaboration (and Oscar win for makeup) is in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, in which Chastain plays 1970's televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. Linda's other works with Chastain include her roles for the It franchise and X-Men: Dark Phoenix, among other films. Linda is a Hollywood veteran with experience working on film and television with some of the biggest names, including Hilary Swank, Woody Harrelson, Greg Kinnear, and Tom Hanks. In this episode, you will learn about Linda's amazing journey, what a day in her life is like (hint it's many many hours), what the pressures and the ins and outs of her role entail, how she collaborates with the talent and crew, and what Linda knows now that she wished she knew when she was starting out.

Elana Fishman is the first-ever New York Post "Page Six" Style Editor. In her role there, she covers everything in the world of celebrity beauty and fashion, from The Bachelorette to the Royal Family. Before joining the New York Post in 2018, she was the entertainment editor at Vox's now-shuttered shopping website, Racked, and worked at Lucky Magazine as deputy digital editor from 2011 to 2015. The New York University graduate also worked at Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, Fashionista.com, and People Magazine's StyleWatch. As a "shameless Swiftie," Elana takes her role as a hardcore Taylor Swift fan seriously. In this episode, Elana dishes on the style coverage secrets behind awards season, how she uses social media to convey her personal brand, why you need to offer to work across departments, and so much more.

This is my episode! My Sister, Ilana Yunis, Interviews me on all the things and we get super personal. This episode was so special. My sister Ilana and I are incredibly close and always have been. She's an attorney and also the founder of her fashion side hustle, @Splatterazzi. We are alike in many ways but also very different. Ilana is a fantastic host who asks all the right questions. I'm not going to lie; it was sort of like an interrogation. You may think you know my professional life, but you probably don't know my private one. From being pre-med in college to living The Devil Wears Prada Life, to becoming an entrepreneur, and back to corporate life again, there's so much that I share, and I hope you enjoy it!

Elizabeth, aka Lizzy, Savetsky lives her life out loud. As a digital fashion influencer, she uses her platform to express her style, share her adorable family, and educate her community on her deep-rooted beliefs. As the hilarious host of her new Instagram show, Bashert, she's setting out to help Jewish singles find love. On a more serious note, Lizzy is also a Jewish Activist, taking on complex and often polarizing issues with a strong emphasis on education and combating antisemitism. As Lizzy says, we all have the ability to wield influence, whether big or small, and she's using her platform to lend her voice to important issues close to her heart. In this episode, Lizzy shares the inner workings of her life as an influencer, being a working mom whose kids are part of the content strategy, and why you need to keep some of your creative energy for yourself. She'll share how she handles the heat when the comments get hot and why she will never stop standing up for what she believes in.

Dorie Clark on Why The Biggest Mistake You Can Make is Assuming People Know Your Story and How Looking for the Subtle "Raindrops" of Success Will Help You Play The Long Game: Dorie Clark wants you to know that everyone is too busy to think about you. Named the #1 Communication Coach in the world at the Marshall Goldsmith Coaching Awards, she preaches that if you don't take control of your narrative, no one will ever know your story. Her new book, The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World, is a Wall Street Journal bestseller and rejects the relentless pressure in our culture that pushes us toward doing what's easy, what's guaranteed, or what looks glamorous in the moment. In The Long Game, she argues for a different path. It's about doing small things over time to achieve our goals. After all, everyone is allotted the same 24 hours—but with the right strategies, you can leverage those hours in more efficient and powerful ways than you ever imagined. In this episode, Dorie shares her tried and true tactics, how playing the long game can yield success, and why 20% of your time should be spent on speculative projects that have nothing to do with your day job. As Dorie says, when you're working toward something, you will not always see results right away. Sometimes it takes months or even years. You might think that it's not working, but the truth is it's just not visible. That's when Dorie advises looking for the raindrops--- the subtle signs of progress. Just like when you see the clouds forming and feel the first drop of rain, you know the rainstorm is coming.

Everyone gets stuck sometimes. Many people are unsure where to take their next steps, whether it's a personal loss, an aimless career, or a difficult breakup. In her new book, If It's Not Right, Go Left: Practical and Inspirational Lessons to Move You in a Positive Direction, Kristen Glosserman — goal-setting strategist, life coach, and mother of four — offers inspiring and realistic guidance and direction, using examples culled from her own inspiring life. In light of her own family tragedy and personal struggles, Kristen formulated a plan to regain sight of her goals. In this episode, Kristen takes us through the daily path she follows. A series of life lessons, including Begin, Focus, Commit; Love is a Choice; and Stay in Your Lane, guide this inspirational episode about the attainability of happiness. If It's Not Right, Go Left teaches that connection, communication, and collaboration bring the change needed to pivot towards one's achievable goals.

Tina Wells created her marketing agency at the age of 16 because, as a young girl, she didn't feel that brands were speaking to her and her friends. For over two decades, she led Buzz Marketing Group, a full-service marketing and research company working to help clients like Dell, The Oprah Winfrey Network, Apple, P+G, Johnson & Johnson, and American Eagle, build lucrative relationships with youth markets. But in 2019, Tina decided to make herself a client and take stock of her own business. She decided to dismantle her agency, opting to pursue the work that lights her up-- creating content that speaks to tween girls. The multimedia content venture RLVNT Media was born in 2020, serving entrepreneurs, tweens, and culturists with authentic representation. This venture houses her newsletter, Elevation Tribe, a community and quarterly publication created to help women launch, grow and lead their businesses focusing on women of color. Tina is also the author of seven books, including the best-selling tween fiction series Mackenzie Blue, its spinoff series, The Zee Files, and the marketing handbook, Chasing Youth Culture and Getting It Right. Her mission is to help tween girls that look like her feel seen. In this episode, you'll learn how Tina made the hard decision to look at her own business and re-evaluate how she was spending her time, how to leave the things that don't work, outsource things you're not good at, and make sure that your vision and purpose guides the path no matter where it brings you.

Gravitas, communication, and appearance are three areas that Alisa Cohn, the #1 Start-Up coach in the world, focuses on. And before you get up in arms about the idea of judging appearance, think of it from the perspective of "playing the part." Alisa coaches both founders and executives alike on how they show up as leaders. She has worked with C-suite executives at prominent start-ups (such as Venmo, Etsy, Draft Kings, The Wirecutter, Mack Weldon, and Tory Burch) and Fortune 500 companies (including Dell, IBM, and Microsoft). Google, Pfizer, and The New York Times to name a few.) With 20 years of experience, she's dumped all her wisdom into her new book, From Start-up to Grown-up. Whether you're a founder, a corporate executive, or hope to be one day, this episode is full of insider advice on everything from Alisa's tactics on how she built her initial client base to how she coaches her clients on leadership. Alisa speaks to what they need to be effective and how to handle self-doubt, failure, and anxiety. She stresses the importance of grit and resilience and why building your track record as someone good to work with can open a host of opportunities.

In her own words, Tiffany Dufu was placed on this earth to advance women and girls. As the CEO and founder of The Cru, Tiffany brings together small groups of women who help each other achieve personal and professional goals. Tiffany's book, Drop the Ball, encourages women to embrace imperfection and cultivate the ability to let go. As a mentee to many, counting even "Auntie" Gloria Steinem (who wrote the foreword to her book) as a mentor, Tiffany believes that the most crucial skill you can have is knowing how to ask for help. Tiffany shares powerful words of wisdom in this inspirational episode, including reminding people that when someone opens the door for you, run through it as if your life depends on it- and closing the loop on where that introduction led! She shares the importance of making sure you surround yourself with people who know your goals and will hold your feet to the fire, getting clear on what matters most, and recognizing that courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

Mark Herschberg has tracked criminals and terrorists on the dark web and created marketplaces and new authentication systems. With a long career as a CTO, he has launched and developed new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s. But one thing Mark realized along the way is that success doesn't just lie in being to find the right answer; it lies in being able to communicate it to others. His journey to master emotional intelligence in the workplace led him to help start MIT's "career success accelerator," the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, where he teaches annually. In his book The Career Toolkit, Mark shares ten chapters that deliver the essential skills no one ever teaches you. From how to nurture relationships both inside and outside your company to successful negotiation and job interviews, Mark's lessons arm readers with top skills, professional advice, and an understanding of the modern workplace's— often overlooked— interpersonal dynamics— everything you need to be successful in your career.

How many people do you know who have had the opportunity to work for Phil Knight, Bill Gates, Howard Schultz, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and more? This week I'm proud to share the 100th episode of the LEAVE YOUR MARK podcast. When I thought about who could possibly be my 100th guest, I looked no further than Corey duBrowa, Vice President of Global Communications and Public Affairs at Google. I first learned about Corey when he was SVP Global Communications at Starbucks (a role he held for almost eight years). As a former publicist myself, Corey has always been the gold standard for communications executives. With more than 20 years as a communicator of ideas, Corey has long been considered one of the top corporate communicators in the US. He just topped PRWeek's 2021 US Power List, ranking #7 out of the 50 communications leaders. In this episode, you'll learn how Corey has been able to radically shift between industries, the great learnings he has absorbed from the founders he has worked for, and why he wakes up every day excited to start again.

Tyler McCall has established herself as an indispensable fashion figure. As a staunch proponent of inclusive sizing years before it was the norm, Tyler's main focus has been on the issues which are changing and shaping the fashion business to be more inclusive. With extensive knowledge of fashion, pop culture, and beauty, Tyler is the Editor-In-Chief of Fashionista.com, a website regarded as one of the most influential voices covering fashion news, criticism, and career advice for the industry and influential fashion-focused consumers. She's come a long way from her days as an undergrad at the University of Florida, where she used to leave comments on the site religiously. She now continues to leave her mark, expanding readers' minds on what can be fashionable beyond the typical margins of the industry. Prior to being the Editor-In-Chief at Fashionista.com, McCall spent most of her career rising in the ranks at the platform. From being an intern, editorial assistant to senior associate editor, Tyler's fashion interest eventually led her to a brief experience as Digital Fashion Editor at Teen Vogue and Social Media Manager at Vogue, before returning back to Fashionista.com as Deputy Editor. During her climb, she learned some valuable lessons, all of which she shares in this episode. As a loyal fan of Gossip Girl, she now channels that dedicated energy into #WaldorfWednesdays, a recurring series dedicated to Blair Waldorf's style, and #SerenaSaturdays, devoted to Serena van der Woodsen's style on her Instagram. After becoming an expert on the subject, she was invited to lend a hand when the show rebooted, proving that your fan passion can lead to unique opportunities.

Amy Errett's multifaceted career has ranged from founding and operating companies to investing in startups to volunteer nonprofit leadership. But then she left it all to create Madison Reed, an omnichannel beauty brand that is challenging industry titans in the hair color space. Noticing that women only had two options when coloring their hair - Purchase a low-quality, cheap box from a drugstore or go to an expensive salon, Amy aimed to create an innovative option. But where Amy is truly innovating is in the way she leads her company. With the mantra that employees can bring their whole selves to work and a policy of openness and sharing where the entire company has lunch with Amy and coffee with Amy weekly, she's building a culture that's more like a family than anything else. Not to mention she's paying her colorists as salaried employees who don't have to rent their chairs like the rest of the hair color industry and also receive full benefits. When her stores closed during the pandemic, she continued to pay them, moved them all over to the call center, and taught them new skills. Prior to founding Madison Reed, Amy was a General Partner responsible for the Bay Area office of Maveron; a leading venture capital firm co-founded by former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz - focused on investments in consumer facing companies. Before Maveron, Amy was CEO of Olivia, where she repositioned the travel business as a complete lifestyle company and also where she was delivered her biggest career blow. Amy is the proof that women belong at the top. Amy founded Madison Reed with over 30 years of business and operating expertise as a four-time entrepreneur, venture capitalist and social-mission visionary. In 2015 and 2018, Amy was named one of the "Bay Area's Most Influential Women in Business" by the San Francisco Business Times. She was also a finalist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award in the Northern California region, which she won in 2006 for the consumer category. She was also featured on Fast Company’s first ever Queer 50 list of LGBTQ women and nonbinary innovators in business and tech in 2020. In this episode, Amy shares her truths in both her failures and successes. If you want a tutorial on how to be a leader and inspire greatness, this is the episode for you.

When Lisa Maynard-Atem started as the first-ever social media strategist at Harrods, she had her work cut out for her. Over 7.5 years, she took their following from 30,000 to over 2.5M, making them one of the most followed luxury department stores in the world - their Instagram channel went from zero to 1.1M under her leadership. As happy and successful as she was, Lisa is generally uncomfortable with being comfortable, and she decided to head out on her starting The Social Word, her consultancy. But as the daughter of a Father who works for the UN and a Mother who is a charity worker, Lisa grew up knowing that giving back to society would be her true calling. Her personal experience with racial discrimination and George Floyd's murder made her realize that she wanted to do something more meaningful with her digital superpowers. Today, as the Managing Director of Black United Representation Network CIC (BURN), she's a passionate campaigner who works tirelessly to support black business and black representation focused on the economic and social empowerment of the Black community in the UK. In this episode, you'll learn about Lisa's experience with racism, how she handled it, and how she's paying her experience forward, why she's not comfortable being comfortable, and why you need to drown out the noise and focus on what matters.

A self-described "accidental fashion drone," the idea of working in fashion never really seemed to be on Steven Kolb's radar. Today, Steven is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the trade association for the American fashion industry. He oversees all operations for the American fashion industry's group of 500 designers. He manages CFDA's membership, activities, and philanthropic efforts such as Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, disaster relief, and HIV/AIDS. In this episode, Steven shares the importance of cultivating relationships and making an impression that lasts even when you're not in the room. As a somewhat shy person, Steven has always favored playing number two and knowing his function in any given situation. He also reminds us that no matter how senior you get, sometimes you have to tell yourself that you're in the room because you belong there. Steven recommends taking stock in what you're good at, knowing what you don't know, and not being afraid to ask questions. We also dive deep into the fashion industry right now, the changes that have come since the pandemic, and what it takes to make it as a designer today.

Tracey Baker-Simmons met L.A. Reid and Babyface while waitressing at Houstons in Atlanta. She had no clue who they were. They handed her their Amex to pay for the bill, and she saw that they had a production company. She asked if they were hiring, and they invited her to come to the studio. That chance encounter landed her an internship where she would begin the process of learning the ropes of production. It was the early 90's in Atlanta, and while she had a degree in marketing and finance, she had no experience or formal education in what her future career would be. Leaning on the power of books and her own resourcefulness, Tracey taught herself everything she needed to know and asked the right questions. As a firm believer in saying yes and figuring it out later, Tracey is proof that if you take a chance on yourself, you just might win. Today as a 25-year entertainment industry veteran and seasoned television producer, Tracy Baker-Simmons is one of television's most prolific and industry-forward innovators, earning titles such as the pioneer of urban reality television. With content such as the Bravo reality series Being Bobby Brown, MTV2's Sprite Step-Off, and the biopic Bobbi Kristina, Tracy has proven her ability to create content that both resonates well with viewers and pushes the culture forward. Note: When she pitched Bobby Brown a reality show she had never produced one before and fun fact: he was in jail at the time! In fact, the only blueprint at the time was The Osbournes. Currently, she works under her production company, Baker Simmons Media. She also recently launched an educational platform Reality TV Decoded, which launched its first master course, Making Reality TV. In this episode, you will learn that determination and curiosity can get you everywhere and why if you invest in yourself, you can push beyond what you don't know and be unstoppable.

If you have a story to tell and want to use your authentic voice to share it, Barbara Barna Abel is the woman for you. Since launching her casting and talent development company, Abel Intermedia, in 2001, Barbara has worked on over 100 unscripted/alternative projects and jump-started the careers of many prominent figures. As a seasoned media & communications coach, talent & executive development expert, and casting director in the entertainment industry, Barbara knows what it takes to make an impact and stand out. Her clients include television networks, PR firms, athletes, models, celebrity chefs, business executives, and young creatives. Her credits include the groundbreaking RuPaul Show on VH-1, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and What Not to Wear. In this episode, Barbara shares the tricks of the trade and what makes a great audition. Fun fact: what makes a great audition is the same thing that makes a great interview and breaking news; it starts the minute you walk into the building. As Barbara says, be memorable and delightful. Leave the room better than you found it. Even if you don't land the gig, you'll make an impression that may pay dividends in the future.

Leading celebrations expert, Darcy Miller, grew up in a house where both of her parents were artistic, and "making things" was a daily occurrence. But their artistic passion was never about being hardcore crafters but more about celebrating life and everyday moments. Their mantra was D.I.T. (Do it together) versus D.I.Y. as creating memories, was always the driver. Darcy's mom worked for Diana Vreeland, and her after-school activities included being dragged to the MET. She would watch them work on the MET shows while she did her homework. That creative environment left an impression on Darcy that would inspire her future career. She, of course, didn't know that at the time. Beginning her career early, Darcy flexed her artistic muscle as a college entrepreneur, but after college, she was faced with a fork in the road decision: Interview to be Anna Wintour's assistant OR become the assistant to Martha Stewart, who was launching a start-up magazine. Going with her gut and following her crafting passion, she went on the road less traveled and has never looked back. Today, Darcy is the founder of Darcy Miller Designs, culminating over twenty-five years of cultivating and creating inspiration and ideas for all things celebrations. In this episode, you will learn to view every day as a celebration and why capturing those memories builds the foundation for long-term happiness and meaningful relationships. Darcy also shares how to choose the right path when you're faced with more than one direction and so much more.

David Yi grew up in the only Korean family in his small town of Colorado Springs. From a very young age, he felt othered and knew that one day, he would spend his time celebrating and uplifting others. After working as a fashion editor, reporter, and stylist in New York for ten years, David decided to use his extensive knowledge of beauty and became the Founder & editor-in-chief of Very Good Light and the co-founder of Good Light, a beauty brand that celebrates beauty beyond the binary. It's a gender-inclusive, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare line created as a response to the hypermasculine/hyperfeminine divide in the beauty industry. In this episode, David authentically shares his story, struggles, and self-doubts and how he overcame them. He details how he manifested his book and why he is focused on helping others realize their power. Living by the mantra that you need to remember when you wished for what you have now, David proves that he has found his light and is helping others find theirs too. LEAVE YOUR MARK listeners can try Good Light beauty product with a special buy one get one FREE offer by using ALIZA on goodlight.world.

Life is short. Kate Doerge learned that early on. Now, after more than 25 years of working for other people, she's taking the plunge into entrepreneurship. As Principal of Kate Doerge Consulting (KDC), Kate is betting that her more than two decades of brand-building and communications experience can help prestige consumer brands and investors unlock value at all stages of the investment process. When Kate left her role as partner of Paul Wilmot Communications after 21 years of experience, she thought that she left her network behind. A chance meeting that she almost didn't take pushed her outside her realm and comfort zone and landed her as Head of Marketing at iStar. Without that experience, she doesn't believe she would have founded KDC today. In this episode, you'll learn how Kate channels her physical fitness challenges to inspire her professional risk-taking and how it taught her that she could do anything she sets her mind to with that same passion. She'll share how she tackles goal setting as her own boss and how with a mantra of never burning bridges, she is now tapping into her network to invite them on her journey. You will learn why your network is not a pile of business cards but relationships that need to be nurtured. You'll also understand why every conversation is worth having, even when you don't see the value at the time.

Since she began working in the fashion industry over a decade ago, Ruthie Friedlander has established herself as someone to know. As the CEO/Founder of At Large Agency, she helps brands navigate the convergence of content and growth. Ruthie's prior experience has shifted over the years from iconic fashion brands like Chanel and The Row to major editorial roles at ELLE.com and InStyle.com. She started her career as the assistant to media entrepreneur Dan Abrams. But along her journey, Ruthie came face to face with her demons, ultimately hitting rock bottom and then coming out the other side. As the co-founder of The Chain, a non-profit peer support network for women in fashion, media, & entertainment who are struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder, she is building a community where no one has to struggle alone. In this episode, Ruthie shares her story, life lessons, and aspirations, all with sincerity and humor.

When Jackie Giusti Seaman was clipping headlines from newspapers during college at Villanova and analyzing what the story could be as a communications major, she knew this would be her career. Fast forward to today, and she is doing exactly what she set out to do—as the Vice President of Global Communications at Stuart Weitzman, overseeing Public Relations, Celebrity and Influencer Integration, Paid Publisher Advertising Partnerships, and Wholesale Marketing. For most of her 15 years at Stuart Weitzman, her primary role led the brand to its celebrity status and association under the Founder and brand's namesake leadership. In this episode, you will learn about loyalty and passion for working for a brand and Founder you genuinely believe in. You will see why the willingness to roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes makes you indispensable. You'll learn what it takes to make something buzzy in Hollywood, and the answer will surprise you. On the corporate front, you will also learn Jackie's tactics for understanding when you should speak up or not speak up, which is an underrated skill in managing complicated issues at work.

Alyssa Rosenheck was working hard, climbing the corporate ladder in a Fortune 100 company, when she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 32. Reevaluating her life, this diagnosis sparked a career change when photography became her healing catharsis. What started as a simple need to photograph her home for sale became a pioneering shift in an antiquated corner of the photography world. Alyssa is now a celebrated stylist, speaker, and architectural and interiors photographer with over 900 features of work regularly found on the pages and sites of the world’s leading shelter and lifestyle publications, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, HGTV Magazine, and PEOPLE. She works with clients who are designers and architects to communicate their brand and expand their digital footprint. She has helped grow many small businesses over the years. Her book, The New Southern Style, is a vibrantly illustrated exploration of 30 designers, artists, celebrity chefs, authors, and creative entrepreneurs who are reinventing Southern culture, along with tips for styling and soulful thoughts for living a creative life. The images and stories are meant to bring light and inspire stillness in a world that never stops to reflect. But as Alyssa will tell you, she needed to face her shadows before stepping into the light. As one of the only Jewish families in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she faced discrimination and ridicule. On top of that, Alyssa's childhood was emotionally and financially unstable. She hopes this book will inspire creative courage. In this episode, Alyssa shares her secrets to a holistic self-care approach, how to use fear as a tool for your own empowerment and why you need to reframe your inner dialogue and why you need to release in order to receive the gifts life has to offer.

As the Lead Benefit Auctioneer at Christie's Auction House and Global Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships, Lydia Fenet knows firsthand that being an effective salesperson is what distinguishes top achievers in all fields from the rest of the pack. She has led auctions for more than 600 organizations and raised over half a billion dollars for over 400 nonprofits worldwide. Lydia's widely acclaimed book, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You: Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to Success, equips you with the essential tools of the trade and reveals Lydia's strategies behind her revolutionary sales approach so that every reader feels empowered to tap into their own power and achieve results in any setting. She is currently writing her second book, The Most Confident Woman in the Room is You. Having developed key skills over a fifteen-year career on stage, Lydia is a keynote speaker and travels internationally lecturing on topics ranging from women's empowerment, unlocking sales potential, and empowering teams in the workplace. She was named one of New York's most influential women by Gotham magazine and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Crain's, Elle, and has appeared in Vanity Fair, Women's Wear Daily, Vogue, and Town & Country. In this episode, Lydia shares her tips on how to sell anything using a clever combination of intelligence, personality, and humor. She explains why you should get your foot in the door of your dream company and worry about the role later, see the positives in every task (even being the company's paper shredder!) and how to make sure you get paid what you're worth.

Margi Conklin is the former editor of the New York Post's award-winning Sunday edition. She is a storytelling expert who's previously set the editorial agenda at some of the world's most famous brands in both the US and UK, including ELLE, InStyle, the Daily Mail, and Harper's Bazaar. In this episode, Margi shares her editorial journey, complete with the highs and lows of rising to Editor-in-Chief, being fired, and even dealing with sexual harassment from a former boss. She authentically shares her learnings from being forced to push past her comfort level, how she rewrote her own story, and why, in her free time, she is helping women tell their stories pro bono.

Ariel Foxman is a writer, editor, and content developer with over two decades of experience and a thorough understanding of what makes a story compelling, journalistic, and ultimately memorable. Currently, he consults with luxury retail clients on their content and brand messaging strategy and pens ABBAPAPA, a mission to support fathers and non-traditional families, born of his experience as a new gay Dad. In addition, he is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, with his words also gracing the pages of countless other titles. Ariel has an impressive track record helping lifestyle and fashion brands tell their stories effectively. He has a talent for giving people what they want and expect from a brand in new and innovative ways, giving them what they don't yet know they want and finding ways to place the brand in surprising and delightful new spaces. As the former editor-in-chief and only male editor of InStyle, he led the brand to earn numerous awards and distinctions. Ariel is also a powerful voice and board member for GLAAD and has been recognized by his peers, listed on BofF's Fashion 500, Out Magazine's Annual Power List, and The Advocate. In this episode, Ariel shares his story with impactful lessons on when to recognize when a role or environment is not serving you or your goals. We also discuss the importance of not letting anyone slow down your innovation, what it means to leave a monolithic brand and pave a new and exciting road on your own, knowing that you have that experience behind you to guide the way.

Elisabeth Halfpapp has had an incredible journey in the fitness industry. She is one of the founders of the Barre movement with over 40 years of teaching and teacher training. As a sought-after authority and expert in the field, celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Heidi Klum, and Kate Hudson turn to Elisabeth when it comes to toning their body, especially their legs, bum, and abs. After two decades of growing the Lotte Berk Method, Elisabeth and her husband, Fred DeVito, decided to create their own method. In 2002, they became the founding partners of Exhale and took the business from dream to reality with 25 units in 11 markets. But in 2019, they decided to start over again. So with the monumental changes of the pandemic, they started Core Barre Fit, a new fitness movement that they've started from scratch on their terms. In this episode, you will learn what it means to truly have passion for what you're doing, how to get your team behind your movement, and what it means to start over three times. With positivity and excitement, Elisabeth and Fred are creating a movement for the third time with the same zest and passion they had over 40 years ago.

Madison Utendahl is the founder and CCO of Utendahl Creative, a Black-owned, female-founded and female-led, storytelling-first, branding, content & social media consultancy. Since its launch, Madison has worked with Refinery29, Milk Bar, Bandier, and has been featured in The New York Times, W Magazine, and Forbes. Prior to launching her company, Madison was a creative on the founding teams of three powerful cultural phenomenons: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, 29Rooms, and Museum of Ice Cream, where as the head of content & social media, she earned two Webby Awards and grew their digital presence to an audience of over 1 Billion people in under 20 months. She's also been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30. In this episode, Madison shares her tactics for a successful content strategy today, what metrics matter most to her, and why she believes that everyone has a story to tell. She will also share her 24-hour rule, why you should not argue for your limitations, and the reason you should trust the timing of your life.

Are you a passionate and persuasive communicator? Whether you're presenting in person or on zoom, connecting with your audience to deliver your message effectively is the key to success. Jillian Straus is a 20-year media veteran and the founder and principal of Straus Strategic Communications. She is a Swiss army knife of media training. With an astute ear for content and presentation, Jillian understands where you need to go and how to get you there. She is a media consultant, presentation trainer, and speechwriter for CEOs of the world's largest e-commerce companies, executives of Fortune 500 companies, founders of successful startups, professional athletes at the top of their game, A-list celebrities, and best-selling authors. In this episode, you'll learn tactical tips on how to master what she calls the three C's" of effective communication and her top five secrets of being a great communicator. In addition, she will share how to leverage the power of storytelling, authenticity, and transparency and how to use your voice to influence others, memorably tell your story, and control the narrative.

You may not recognize Jade Purple Brown's name, but chances are you have seen her work, which is featured as Adobe's splash image for Illustrator 2021. Jade is a New York–based visual artist who uses strong figures, vibrant colors, and messages of optimism in her graphic design, illustration & art direction. She has created art for major brands globally, including Apple, Facebook, Sephora, TikTok, and NYC Pride, to name a few. Jade was on track to become a stylist, attending the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago for fashion marketing and management. However, in her final year, Jade learned how to use graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign and fell in love with them. Pursuing this love, after graduation, she spent six months creating her portfolio. She made up imaginary artist mentors and began modeling the way they presented themselves. Self-taught, Jade's work stood for itself, and she landed a full-time art director role. Eventually, Jade built up her clientele and skills, breaking away from her day job to pursue her entrepreneurial goals. In this episode, Jade will share how she intuitively learned to trust the process, launched her business, gets creative, deals with burnout, client load, and copycats. With advice well beyond her years, she shares sage insights on how to prepare for the moment your season comes. As Jade says, things don't necessarily happen in the minute you want them to, but you better be prepared for when they do!

Karla Welch was named one of Hollywood Reporter's Top 10 Stylists of the Decade. As the founder and owner of x karla, and the founder of the premium styling app Wishi, Karla is one of the most visionary and loudest voices in Fashion, especially on issues that matter- using her platform to shine a light on social injustice. In this episode, you'll learn the secrets behind the red carpet, how to bring yourself to the next level, why you shouldn't downplay your success, and how to hold onto hope.

Stacie Henderson has loved marketing and computer programming since her teenage years in Kansas City. The CIA recruited her in college for computer programing, but her love of fashion drew her to pursue an MBA in Fashion Management at Bocconi in Milan. Fast forward, and Stacie's passion for bringing technology to retail and brands has resulted in an extensive resume with 15 years in luxury and retail, developing dynamic growth strategies that blend online and offline tactics. Currently, Stacie is the Head of E-commerce, Digital, and Consumer Experience at Tod's Group, with previous roles at Versace, Ferragamo, and Westfield. In this episode, you will learn what it means to innovate within a corporate structure, how to make yourself indispensable, and why listening is a superpower.

Fluent in Kardashian & Lagerfeld, fashion industry veteran Sasha Charnin Morrison has made her mark in the field as a stylist, style director, and pop culture connoisseur for the last 30 years. She has styled everyone from Jennifer Lopez to the Real Housewives of New Jersey and has been a fashion director everywhere from Harper's Bazaar to Allure to Us Weekly. Currently, she is the style director at CBS WATCH! Magazine. Her book, Secrets of Stylists: An Insider's Guide to Styling the Stars is the little black book of styling where she shares top styling secrets on creating unforgettable looks and advice on landing a choice job. In this episode, Sasha recounts her rise in fashion, incredible stories from the heyday of fashion, and why she got fired from Vanity Fair. Hint: it has something to do with Carolina Herrera's puppies. She shares the lessons she gratefully learned early and why she ultimately walked away from her dream career to prioritize a life well lived with her family.

Sharon Ainsberg's career began in the music industry, working with award-winning composer Philip Glass on recordings with artists ranging from David Bowie to The Rolling Stones. She then managed talent, working with veteran music manager Louis Levin on everyone from AC/DC to Michael Jackson. But during that time, she saw white space in the industry. Why didn't musicians have fashion or beauty deals? Where was that co-branded marketing? This was when Sharon's obvious fashion obsession became too great to ignore. As a pioneer in brand and talent partnerships, Sharon created the music and entertainment division at Ford and the VIP services division at Starworks before launching her own company in 2012. Sharon co-founded SHO+CO with Allison Oleskey, a bi-coastal fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment agency focused on celebrity and influencer initiatives, including product placement, collaboration deals, and talent booking for everything from global events to ad campaigns. In this episode, you will learn how Sharon identified a void in the industry and ideated how to fill it, why creating trust in relationships will lead to long-time collaboration, the importance of respecting the team around the talent, and her expert methods in negotiating partnerships.

The most powerful question in the world is, "How can I help you?" These are the words that Susan McPherson is known for. Susan is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies; a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. As a serial connector, Susan's first book, The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships, is the much-needed reminder that sometimes more than skills, success lies in the relationships we build and nurture. But when we are more physically distant than ever before—how can we reverse the growing trend of disconnection to forge meaningful connections in business and life? In this episode, Susan answers this question. She shares her secrets on how to be a serial connector to create a meaningful constellation of connections around you based on intention, shared interest, and helping others.