Get to B-School

Today’s guest is Kyle Conger, a student at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business and one of the school’s biggest advocates.

In this episode, Kyle gives us an inside look at what makes UF’s MBA program unique, from its extremely small class sizes to the culture and experience that come with being in Gainesville. He also brings a refreshingly practical perspective, including a look at the program’s cost and why UF can be such a compelling option for MBA candidates.

If you’re considering an MBA and want to look beyond the usual list of highly ranked programs, this conversation offers a great perspective on what a smaller, more cost-effective program can provide.

Today’s guest is Derek Paulson, CFO of Nani Swimwear and a Kellogg MBA graduate who has built a career across some unexpected industries. In the five years since graduating from Kellogg, Derek has sold bikes, bracelets, and now swimwear—taking a winding career path that has been shaped as much by people and relationships as by titles or industries.

In this conversation, Derek shares how he thinks about career planning, making hard but good decisions, and figuring out what comes next when the path isn't always obvious. We talk about the importance of being people-focused, working well with others, and making decisions that may not always be easy but ultimately move you in the right direction.

One idea runs throughout Derek's career: leave every place better than you found it, no matter how long-or how briefly-you were there. Whether you're staying for five years or five months, Derek offers a thoughtful perspective on how to make an impact, build meaningful relationships, and approach your career with intention.

If you're an MBA student trying to figure out your career path, navigating a career transition, or simply looking for a better way to think about working with people, Derek has plenty of hard-earned lessons to share.

Sponsors: Leland & GiftFlow

GetGiftFlow.com

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

Today’s guest is Alec Cutler, an MBA candidate at INSEAD with an ambitious goal: building a career in professional soccer, whether that's working for a club or one day owning one himself.

In this conversation, Alec shares why INSEAD was the perfect fit for his global aspirations and what makes the program unlike almost any other MBA in the world. We discuss what INSEAD looks for in applicants, how candidates can stand out in the admissions process, and how to determine whether an internationally focused MBA is actually the right path.

If you're considering a global MBA, interested in a career in sports, or simply trying to figure out which business school best aligns with your goals, Alec offers a thoughtful perspective on choosing a program that fits not just your résumé, but your ambitions.

Sponsor: GetGiftFlow.com

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.