Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Into the Unknown
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Into the Unknown
Into the Unknown episodes
- EP118: From Kolkata To CEO: Sid Banerjee On Leadership, Family & The Power Of Starting Over
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What drives someone in their mid-50s to leave everything behind—friends, family, and familiarity—for a fresh start across the globe? Meet Sid Banerjee, who did exactly that when he uprooted his life in India to take on a CEO role in New York.
In this deeply human episode, Sid opens up to host Jeremy Swick about navigating culture shock, building a business from scratch, and surviving the emotional toll of isolation while leading through industry disruption. His secret weapon? Emotional grit—and a long-awaited family reunion that changed everything.
You’ll discover the surprising link between cricket and boardroom leadership, the hard truth about what AI can’t fix, and why every major leap requires a hidden anchor. If you're standing at a crossroads—or just feeling the weight of going it alone—Sid’s story will challenge you to rethink what's possible, and why timing might just be your greatest asset. This isn’t just a conversation about business—it’s a roadmap to personal reinvention.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Sid Banerjee:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sid-banerjee-3b29276/
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
22 min - EP117: From Wall Street To Purpose: Matt Blair’s Leap Into Meaningful Impact
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What does it take to walk away from Wall Street and redefine success on your own terms? In this heartfelt conversation, Matt Blair shares how the quiet dissatisfaction of corporate life collided with a deeper calling to serve — and how one pivotal moment, encouraged by his wife and driven by fatherhood, changed everything.
He opens up about building a commercial real estate fund with his father, why he believes small balance investors deserve access to generational wealth opportunities, and how embracing uncertainty became the most freeing decision of his life.
This episode isn’t just about entrepreneurship — it’s about listening to the internal whisper that says you were made for more. Matt’s journey from cubicle burnout to mission-driven founder is packed with insights for anyone standing at their own fork in the road. Whether you're craving purpose, considering a bold leap, or simply looking for inspiration to push forward, this episode offers an honest, grounded look at what it means to risk stability for something that actually matters.
Follow Matt and REI Capital Management:
https://www.instagram.com/reicapitalmgt/ https://www.facebook.com/reicapitalmanagement https://www.linkedin.com/company/rei-capital-management/
https://x.com/ReiGrowth https://www.youtube.com/@reicapitalgrowth
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
24 min - EP116: Uncovering Legacy: A Family Photo, A Forgotten Athlete, And The Power Of Connection with Lungi Pinda
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What if a century-old photograph could rewrite your family history? In this deeply personal episode, host Jeremy Swick speaks with South African actor Lungi Pinda about an extraordinary digital discovery: a picture of Lungi’s great-grandfather, Livingstone Mzimba, an African theology student and American football player at Lincoln University in the early 1900s. Their transcontinental connection began with a LinkedIn post and unfolded into a journey of reconnection, ancestry, and untold legacy.
From suppressed stories under apartheid to generational shifts in purpose—from medicine to the arts—Lungi’s reflections reveal the soul-deep importance of knowing where we come from. You’ll walk away seeing heritage, history, and identity in a completely new light.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Lungi Pinda:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@lungi_pindahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lungi-pinda-01341aa8/
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
37 min - EP115: Healing After Trauma: A Veteran’s Journey From Combat To Creative Empowerment with Mindy Dougherty
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" When the military chapter ends, what comes next? In this raw and powerful conversation, host Jeremy Swick sits down with U.S. Army veteran, author, and medical healer Mindy Dougherty to explore her extraordinary journey through war, survival, systemic failure, and radical reinvention. From the battlefield to being bedbound, Mindy opens up about medical trauma, her fight to reclaim mobility, and the deeply personal reasons behind her autobiographical and children’s books.
This episode dives into complex truths—mental health after military service, alternative healing therapies, and why storytelling can be a lifeline for trauma survivors. Mindy doesn’t just share what she’s overcome—she reveals how she helps others find their voice, including children learning to trust their instincts. Whether you’re a veteran, a creator, or simply seeking human resilience in its purest form, this is a conversation that will shift how you see healing, purpose, and personal growth.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Mindy Dougherty:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindy.dougherty.9
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtrgpsy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyd/
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
28 min - EP114: Bogeys, Byzantium, And A Battle Within: The Archivist Who Refused To Quit with Conor Lehr
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What do ancient empires, golf scorecards, and corporate archives have in common? For Conor Lehr, they’re chapters in a story he never expected to write. After losing his mother and discovering golf as a form of therapy, Conor's journey took him from Chick-fil-A’s archives to military enlistment—and a life-altering illness that changed it all.
Host Jeremy Swick uncovers how Conor’s love for history, sports, and storytelling carried him through grief, professional setbacks, and a brutal medical scare. This isn’t just a career journey—it’s a testament to perseverance, reinvention, and how even the most unexpected detours can lead to purpose.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Conor Lehr:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/conor-lehr-mas-a9734350
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
35 min - EP113: How Tech, Transparency, And One Bull Sparked A Movement with Dr. Preethi Srinivas
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What if your donation didn’t just disappear into the void—but actually told a story? In this moving episode of Into the Unknown, Preethi shares how an unexpected emotional connection with a bull during a personal low point reshaped her entire life. As a tech researcher turned nonprofit founder, she’s building a more transparent world for donors, families, and sanctuaries—starting with a single act of compassion.
You’ll explore the emotional and ethical complexities of animal welfare, how culture and consumerism shape empathy, and why awakening love—especially in children—is the foundation for a more conscious planet. This conversation is both deeply personal and universally urgent. If you've ever questioned whether small actions can ripple into real change, this episode will leave you rethinking what it means to give, to feel, and to lead.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Dr. Preethi Srinivas:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/befriendcows Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089778273594
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivaspreethi/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@befriendcows
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
35 min - EP112: From Risk To Reward: Brad Stillman On Career Leaps, Creative Projects, And Building Legacy Part 2
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when you trust your gut and take a leap into the unknown? In Part 2 of his conversation with host Jeremy Swick, fintech leader and youth coach Brad Stillman dives into the power of personal risk — from moving states sight unseen to launching creative ventures and preserving generational memories through photography. This episode is a masterclass in leading with curiosity, leaning into discomfort, and surrounding yourself with people who elevate your vision.
Brad opens up about building a photography studio, writing leadership books, and what 143 internal documents taught him about storytelling and impact. Whether you're chasing your next big idea or just learning to trust your voice, this episode reminds you that growth begins at the edge of comfort — and community is built one authentic step at a time.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Brad Stillman:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/brad.stillman
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@bradstillman1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.stillman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradstillman/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bradstillman1
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
21 min - EP111: Leadership Lessons From The Baseball Diamond To The Boardroom with Brad Stillman Part 1
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What if the worst leaders you've worked with taught you the most? In Part 1 of this deeply personal and insightful conversation, host Jeremy Swick sits down with fintech executive and youth coach Brad Stillman to unpack the surprising intersections of leadership, card collecting, and community building. From running tech teams at MasterCard to accidentally becoming a little league coach, Brad shares how meeting people where they are — whether in business or on the baseball field — is the key to sustainable success.
You’ll hear stories of early leadership moments, how a childhood passion for sports cards turned into life lessons, and why authentic mentorship still matters in today’s fast-paced, title-chasing world. Brad’s take on the difference between leading and managing will have you rethinking how influence is built — and why emotional intelligence trumps ego every time. Part 2 picks up next week with even deeper lessons on growth, humility, and transformation.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Brad Stillman:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/brad.stillman
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@bradstillman1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.stillman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradstillman/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bradstillman1
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
28 min - EP110: From Wisconsin Pitches to International Rugby: Aly Cunningham’s Rise in Rugby
In this episode of Into the Unknown, host Jeremy Swick sit down with rising rugby star Aly Cunningham to talk about her wild and winding path through the sport—from chasing her friends in her dad's tag league as a kid in Milwaukee to suiting up for the USA Falcons and heading off to Brazil.
We unpack how the rugby world is both massive and tight-knit, the moment she chose rugby over competitive ski racing, and what it felt like stepping into a senior-side international jersey. Aly’s story is one of trust, persistence, and not being afraid to go all-in on what sets your soul on fire. Plus, we shout out the Milwaukee Barbarians, Atlanta Old White, and the lowkey magic of rugby that build lifelong friendships.
Whether you’re a rugby lifer or just chasing what’s next in your own life, Aly’s journey will hit home.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Aly's Rugby Journey!
Instagram: https://instagram.com/acunninghamrugby
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
19 min - EP109: From Tragedy To Transformation: Amy Pechacek On Leadership, Legacy, And Finding Purpose
On this episode of "Into the Unknown" What happens when your entire world shatters — and you're left to rebuild it from the ground up? In this moving and deeply insightful conversation, Amy Pechacek opens up about her journey from classroom teacher to corporate trainer, speaker, and founder of Alpstra. She shares how an unimaginable personal tragedy became the catalyst for a career rooted in intention, resilience, and helping others lead with purpose. From her early days teaching stuffed animals in her childhood bedroom to commanding stages and guiding executives, Amy’s story is a testament to what’s possible when curiosity meets courage.
Host Jeremy Swick invites Amy into a vulnerable, real-time reflection on the lessons that shaped her — from navigating grief to building a business that champions authentic leadership and emotional intelligence. Whether you're pivoting professionally, starting a podcast, or simply wondering if you're on the right path, this episode offers a grounded, hope-filled look at what it means to shift, grow, and lead in uncertain times. You’ll leave seeing leadership — and your own journey — in a whole new light.
Follow Us:Instagram @Pod.IntotheUnknownFacebook - Into the Unknown
Follow Amy Pechacek: TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@amy.pechacek
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyrainwaterpechacek
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amypechacek/
X: https://x.com/pechacek_amy
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmyPechacekSpeaker
Are you looking to start a podcast? Check out my free "Jump Start to Podcasting Guide" or reach out! Here!
23 min
About Into the Unknown
From the publisher's feed
Into the Unknown with Jeremy Swick What’s up everyone! Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Jeremy Swick, aka Sumo, aka @theaveargehistorian and welcome to the podcast! I’m so excited to share this!
Join me, Jeremy Swick, on "Into the Unknown," a podcast that delves into personal journeys, stories, and experiences of individuals across diverse life experiences. As a historian by trade, I firmly believe that our personal histories shape our present and offer valuable insights into our paths ahead. With that being said let's get into it!