Today’s guest is Bara Sapir, the CEO of MindflowSpeedReading.com

CityTestPrep: CityTestPrep.com

MBA program search: https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d

Free MBA events: https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d

Today’s guest is Anthony Palomba, a professor at the Darden School of Business who challenges his students with a simple but powerful idea: be undeniable to yourself.

In this episode, we get into the real questions around business school. Why go, why not go, and how to think about the decision honestly. Anthony makes it clear that while there are great reasons to pursue an MBA, it is also an expensive roll of the dice. What matters most is what you do with the opportunity once you are there.

We talk about showing up with intention, going to class ready to engage, and being willing to fail in pursuit of something bigger. Failure is a major theme throughout this conversation, and Anthony shares openly about how many times he has fallen short on the way to meaningful success.

Anthony brings both academic and real-world credibility to the conversation. Beyond teaching at Darden, he has built an impressive career across media, marketing, and consulting, working with major brands and helping organizations think more creatively about growth and strategy.

In this episode, we cover:

This is a thoughtful and honest conversation for anyone considering an MBA or trying to get more out of the experience once they are there.

Leland resources:

Leland Coach search: https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d

Free MBA events: https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d

Enjoy the episode! 🎧

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Clancy, an MD-MBA student at the University of Virginia who is also the founder of Admissions Academy. Paul is one of the most structured and driven people you will meet, and this conversation is packed with practical insight on what real productivity actually looks like.

We talk about building systems that help you move the needle, not just stay busy. Paul breaks down how to identify the work that truly matters and avoid the sneaky “productive distractions” that pull you off course, like cleaning the house when you should be studying or tackling low-impact tasks that feel good but don’t move you forward. His perspective on structure, discipline, and intentional focus is incredibly practical for anyone balancing big goals.

If you want thoughtful strategies for getting more done and staying aligned with what actually matters, this is a great episode to tune into.

Learn more and connect:

Admissions Academy MBA content: https://AdmissionsAcademy.MBA

Admissions Academy: https://admissionsacademy.org

Leland resources:

Leland Coach search: https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d

Free MBA events: https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d

Enjoy the episode! 🎧

Today’s guest is Matt LoLordo, an Evening and Weekend MBA student at Kellogg, and someone who brings a refreshingly practical perspective on how to make the most of business school without burning out. I’m joined by Doug Michalak as a co-host for this conversation, which made for a fun and dynamic discussion.

Matt shares how he thinks about getting involved at Kellogg in an efficient, intentional way so that school adds energy rather than draining it. He reflects on his background in the food industry, why it was a great foundation for business school, and where he’s intentionally using the MBA to fill in gaps and broaden his toolkit.

In this episode, we cover:

If you’re trying to balance work, school, and life, or wondering how to engage deeply without doing everything, this episode is a great listen.

Helpful resources mentioned:

This one is especially relevant for anyone navigating a part time or evening MBA and trying to do it sustainably.

Today’s guest is Hunter Wortmann, whose path to business school is anything but typical.

Before pursuing her MBA, Hunter spent five years working with marine animals, training dolphins, orcas, and more. After that chapter, she made the bold move to enroll at Bond University, where she has found a close knit academic experience (with small class sizes of just 9 to 12 students!).

In this episode, Hunter shares:

Hunter’s story is a great reminder that there is no single “right” path to business school and that sometimes the most unconventional journeys lead to the clearest direction.

If you’re exploring MBA programs, here are a couple helpful resources:

🔗 Join free MBA events and info sessions:

Whether you are early in your MBA journey or actively applying, this episode is full of perspective on choosing a program that truly fits your life and goals.

Today’s guest is Skyler Almquist, a Kellogg MBA who has spent the last few years exploring entrepreneurship through acquisition.

In this episode, Skyler shares:

How and why he moved from banking to PE and then into the search fund and ETA world

What he wishes he had known before committing to an MBA and before jumping into a search fund

The tradeoffs between traditional finance paths and entrepreneurship

His experience in Kellogg’s Zell Fellows Program and the huge benefits

What aspiring founders and operators should seriously consider before taking the leap

This is an honest, practical conversation for anyone thinking about business school, private equity, ETA, or entrepreneurship and trying to decide not just what sounds impressive, but what actually fits the life they want to build.

Today’s guest is my good friend, Oscar Kersey, a career switcher who made a bold call after being accepted to top law schools. Instead of following the expected path, Oscar realized he did not actually want to be a lawyer and pivoted toward business school.

In this episode, Oscar shares:

Why he chose to walk away from law school offers and pursue an MBA instead

His framework for approaching life and work as a consumer, a critic, or a contributor and why he intentionally strives to be a contributor

What made NYU Stern the right fit for him, from the energy and opportunities of New York City to the school’s deeply collaborative student culture

This conversation is a great listen for anyone questioning an “obvious” next step, considering a major pivot, or trying to choose a program that truly fits who they are and how they want to show up.

Today’s guest is Carolyn Schafer, a Kellogg MBA student with a deep background in global health and public service.

Before Kellogg, Carolyn earned a Master’s in Public Health and worked across Burkina Faso, Malawi, and Sierra Leone on global health and youth mental health research, including projects with former child soldiers and their families. After several international roles were cut short by forces outside her control, she made a strategic pivot to domestic healthcare, joining Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine and quickly rising to lead research operations.

In this episode, Carolyn shares why she chose Kellogg to add a business lens to her public health career, what it’s like returning to school as a working professional, and how she navigates leadership, identity, and advocacy in the part-time MBA program.

We also discuss:

A thoughtful conversation for anyone interested in healthcare, social impact, or purpose-driven leadership.

Today’s episode features Campbell McGavin, a dual–degree engineer turned MBA candidate who chose Chicago Booth over Kellogg, and is very glad he did.

Campbell earned two bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science, and he’s now using that technical foundation as he recruits for consulting. At Booth, he’s fully embracing the social side of the MBA experience while diving into the academic and career opportunities that drew him there.

In this episode, Campbell shares:

🔹 Why he chose Booth over Kellogg and why he’s so grateful for that decision

Campbell’s story is thoughtful, grounded, and full of great insights for anyone exploring Chicago MBA programs, navigating recruiting, or coming from a technical background.

Tune in for a great conversation! 🎧

Today’s guest is Benedict Ashiedu, a proud Nigerian and newly minted graduate of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. His MBA journey is a masterclass in clarity, resilience, and proving fit.

Benedict applied to several programs, but Fuqua was his clear first choice. When he was placed on the waitlist, he didn’t sit back. He doubled down. In this episode, he shares how he fought his way off the waitlist by demonstrating a meaningful, authentic connection between himself and Fuqua and showing the admissions committee exactly why he belonged there.

He also walks through how he secured a Bain & Company internship (and later a full-time offer) before stepping foot on campus, and how that early win shaped the rest of his MBA experience.

In this episode, Benedict shares:

🔹 How he made Duke his top choice and proved that fit to the adcom

It’s an inspiring story of belief, preparation, and persistence — and a great roadmap for anyone navigating the waitlist or aiming for a top consulting outcome.

Tune in and enjoy!