Today’s guest is Shawn Butler, MBA Marketing Director at BYU Marriott School of Business.

Shawn’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and perspective. After losing his job at Home Depot, he built and sold a successful sports agency company, but when the buyout came, he felt a pull toward something bigger. That calling led him to BYU, where he now helps future MBAs chart their own paths.

In our conversation, Shawn shares:

This episode is a great reminder that career milestones are only part of the story—the real win is becoming the kind of person you want to be along the way.

Today’s guests are Pamela (MBA @ Columbia) and Laura (MBA @ Ross), the co-founders of MBA Pathfinders - a coaching team dedicated to helping applicants not just get into business school but thrive beyond it.

After discovering a shared passion for coaching and helping people achieve their dreams, Pamela and Laura built a practice focused on clarity, goals, and long-term growth.

In this episode, they share:

Whether you are in the thick of applications or just starting to consider business school, this conversation offers practical, grounded advice for finding your path and the right people to help you on it.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Today’s guest is Sam Olmsted, whose story blends heart, humor, and a whole lot of wisdom.

We talk about his time living in New Orleans and how the city left a lasting mark on how he sees the world. He also introduces us to his three-legged cat and his dog, Tom, and shares about some of the awesome client events he’s helped organize, including a Cubs event (RIP to the Cubs season).

At the core of this episode is Sam’s perspective on culture and self-awareness. He talks about the importance of truly listening, especially to those who aren’t fighting to be heard, and the power of regularly checking in with yourself to make sure you’re still on the path you want to be on.

It’s thoughtful, funny, and full of reminders about what it means to be intentional in how we live and lead.

Today’s guest is Allie Kronthal, one of Leland’s top MBA coaches who has helped more than 200 applicants gain admission to top programs across the M7.

Allie completed a dual-degree program at Harvard and Wharton, and she brings that same depth of insight to her coaching. Her unique approach which she calls “b-school therapy” (or “excavating”) focuses on uncovering what truly drives each applicant.

In this episode, Allie shares:

If you’re applying to business school, this one’s a masterclass in turning self-reflection into strategic storytelling.

Book Allie here: https://www.joinleland.com/coach/allie-kronthal/mba

Join Leland+ here: https://start.joinleland.com/campus-race?utm_source=amb-northwestern-drexler-tanner&utm_campaign=leland_plus_student

Today’s guest is Andrew Park, a Yale Executive MBA candidate whose career spans chicken, fashion, and a whole lot of frequent flyer miles.

When he’s not in class, Andrew is running one of the most successful Chick-fil-A locations in Southern California and building his own luxury men’s fashion brand, Urbane and Gallant (link below). Every other week, he flies cross-country from Los Angeles to New Haven for class, sometimes adding a stop in Paris to lay the groundwork for Fashion Week.

In this episode, Andrew shares:

🔹 How he juggles the demands of running a restaurant, building a fashion brand, and pursuing an MBA

🔹 Why he takes a people-first approach to every venture he’s involved in

🔹 The unique perspective he brings to Yale SOM’s Executive MBA program

Andrew’s story is a reminder that business is never just about profit- it’s about people, vision, and balance.

Urbane & Gallant website: https://urbanegallant.com/

Urbane & Gallant on Instagram: UrbaneGallant

Great article featuring UG: https://gurusmagazine.com/fashion-meets-fame-mary-bonnet-co-hosts-urbane-gallants-star-studded-collection-launch-in-los-angeles/

Today’s guest is Eric Lucrezia, a certified MBA admissions consultant based in Paris who has been coaching candidates for over 20 years. Eric has worked with applicants targeting everything from M7 programs in the U.S. to top schools across Europe, giving him a truly global perspective on the admissions landscape.

In this episode, Eric shares:

If you’re thinking about business school, this episode is packed with insights from one of the most experienced voices in admissions coaching today.

Find MBA Waves here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzOhXtDD6mJUtCabEMgO9A

Book Eric here: https://www.candidate.coach/

Today’s guest is James Holm, my good friend and former startup teammate back in our college days. James never thought he’d pursue an MBA, until a series of experiences and conversations shifted his perspective.

What started as a “wouldn’t it be crazy if…” chat with his wife quickly turned into two MBA applications in just a week and a half. The result? Admission to both programs he applied to.

Now thriving at UCLA Anderson, James shares:

James’s story is equal parts surprising, inspiring, and practical- a reminder that sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them.

Today’s guest is Ben Lazaroff, one of Leland’s top MBA coaches and a Stanford GSB graduate. Ben’s career has been anything but linear, from working at McKinsey helping prisons improve rehabilitation outcomes, to diving into politics, to supporting chess startups, his experiences are as diverse as they are fascinating.

After struggling through the MBA application process himself, Ben became driven to help candidates craft powerful, authentic applications that truly reflect who they are.

In this episode, Ben shares:

If you’re navigating the MBA application process, Ben’s insights will help you focus on what truly matters and make your story shine.

Find Ben at Leland: https://www.joinleland.com/coach/ben-lazaroff

Today’s guest is Petar Nestorovic, a recent Tuck graduate whose MBA journey is as inspiring as it is personal. Originally from Peru, Petar shares how his time at Tuck deepened his connection to his home country, even while studying thousands of miles away.

In this episode, Petar talks about:

If you’re considering Tuck — or just want to hear a thoughtful take on staying true to yourself during the MBA journey — this episode is packed with insight.

Today’s guest is Oren Margolis, a Stern graduate and seasoned admissions consultant. Having read thousands of essays during his time with the Stern's admissions team, Oren knows exactly what schools are really looking for — and what applicants often stress about unnecessarily.

In this episode, Oren shares:

If you’ve ever wondered what admissions committees actually care about, and how to focus your energy where it matters most, this one is packed with insight.

Book a chat with Oren here: https://calendly.com/pinetree-palm

Oren's website: https://www.pinetreepalm.com/