At a 2015 World Cup match in Vancouver, Kara searched nine stores for her daughters’ jerseys and found none. That spark of “joyful irritation” became a movement to build teams, build community, and build an industry. In this episode, Kara joins Ilana to share how that moment ignited Angel City FC, how she, along with her partners, managed to create one of the most valuable women’s soccer teams in the world, and why she embraces rejection as a growth strategy. She breaks down the tension between patience and urgency, the power of finding joy in pursuing one’s passions, and how to choose partners who amplify your mission.

Kara Nortman is the co-founder of Angel City FC and managing partner of Monarch Collective, a $250M investment platform driving the growth of women’s sports. A former investor at Upfront Ventures and operator at IAC, Kara brings decades of experience turning bold ideas into lasting movements.

In this episode, Ilana and Kara will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:03) Realizing the Market Gap in Women’s Sports

(04:16) Turning Inspiration into Action

(06:44) Finding Joy Through Volunteering and Community

(11:54) The Birth of Angel City FC

(17:23) Turning Rejection into Fuel

(30:48) Breaking into the World of Venture Capital

(31:42) Game-Changing Mentorship and Early Career Lessons

(33:47) Discovering a Passion for Tech at Battery Ventures

(44:19) Building Angel City and Redefining the Playbook

(50:04) Launching Monarch and Scaling the Movement

Kara Nortman is an investor, founder, and sports operator focused on advancing the women’s sports economy. As a co-founder of the professional women's soccer team, Angel City FC, she pioneered a community-first 10% sponsorship model that drove significant commercial success. Kara co-leads Monarch Collective, investing in women’s sports teams and related businesses across the U.S. and Europe. Previously, she was a managing partner at Upfront Ventures and an executive at IAC, where she helped incubate Tinder through Hatch Labs.

Connect with Kara:

Kara’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karanortman

Resources Mentioned:

Monarch Collective: https://monarchcoll.com

Angel City FC: https://angelcity.com  

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Robert Glazer collapsed in his kitchen in front of his son, convinced he was having a heart attack. In reality, it was a massive panic attack triggered by grinding too hard while starting a business, building a house, raising kids, and weathering the 2008 recession. That wake-up call forced him to reevaluate everything: his health, his leadership, and the values that guided his life. In this episode, Robert returns to the show to share how childhood struggles shaped his values, why passion is developed, not discovered, and how to know if you’re climbing the wrong mountain in life. He also reveals the frameworks from his new book to help you align your career, relationships, and purpose with your deepest values.

Robert Glazer is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and global keynote speaker. He founded Acceleration Partners, a 300-person marketing agency, and is the author of eight books, including Elevate and his newest release, The Compass Within.

In this episode, Ilana and Robert discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:09) Growing Up as the “Underachiever” Kid

(05:20) Discovering a Love for Learning in College

(09:00) How Helping One Company Sparked an Agency

(10:30) The Health Scare That Sparked a Wake-Up Call

(14:18) Leading with Transparency During COVID

(16:56) Choosing to Step Aside as CEO

(19:29) Writing The Compass Within as a Story

(22:00) Understanding Core Values

(26:09) The Three Climbs of Success for High Achievers

(29:12) Six Questions to Identify Your Core Values

Robert Glazer is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and thought leader on business and personal growth. He founded Acceleration Partners, scaling it into a 300-person agency recognized for its values-driven culture. Robert is the author of eight books, including Elevate and The Compass Within, and the Friday Forward newsletter. Known for his insights on leadership, capacity building, and core values, he speaks on stages around the globe and helps individuals and organizations align success with authenticity.

Connect with Robert

Robert’s Website: robertglazer.com 

Robert’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/glazer  

The Compass Within Website: compass-within.com

Resources Mentioned

LEAP Episode 32 with Robert Glazer: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-reinvention-how-to-elevate-your-career/id1701718200?i=1000660153819

The Six Core Values Questions: robertglazer.com/six

Robert’s Book, The Compass Within: A Little Story About the Values That Guide Us: https://geni.us/values

Free Course: robertglazer.com/compass-leap

Robert’s Book, Elevate: Push Beyond Your Limits and Unlock Success in Yourself and Others: https://www.amazon.com/Elevate-Beyond-Limits-Success-Yourself/dp/1492691488 

The Freak Factor: Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness by David Rendall: https://www.amazon.com/Freak-Factor-Discovering-Uniqueness-Flaunting/dp/1599326698 

Leap Academy

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Most people would assume that raising capital for a celebrity-backed business would be a cakewalk, but Thai Randolph knew that was far from the truth. Securing $100 million in investment for Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Productions required more than just a famous name; it took proving real value, building trust, and navigating rejection. Her success led to one of the largest private-equity rounds ever led by a Black woman in the U.S. In this episode, Thai joins Ilana to share the lessons she’s learned throughout her career, from her time at Sony, Facebook, and Lionsgate. She also opens up about her personal struggles with fertility while building a successful career and the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership style.

Thai Randolph is an award-winning entrepreneur and marketer, and the former CEO of Hartbeat, where she led the company’s growth and secured a $100M investment, one of the largest private-equity rounds led by a Black woman in the U.S.

In this episode, Ilana and Thai discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:51) How Thai’s Small-Town Roots Shaped Her Path

(04:58) Pivoting from Marketing Missiles to Storytelling

(09:36) Breaking into Big Tech: From Sony to Facebook

(14:14) Balancing Fertility Struggles and Career Moves

(22:11) Joining Lionsgate and Meeting Kevin Hart

(26:34) Challenges of Carving Out a New Business

(28:20) Raising $100M for Hartbeat Against All Odds

(32:40) Transitioning to CEO and Leadership Lessons

(37:49) Balancing Work, Life, and Avoiding Burnout

(41:57) Redefining Your Identity Beyond the Job Title

(49:28) Thai’s Next Big Ventures and Future Plans

Thai Randolph is an entrepreneur and marketer, and the former CEO of Hartbeat, where she led the company’s growth and secured a $100M investment, one of the largest private-equity rounds led by a Black woman in the U.S. As President and COO of Laugh Out Loud, she oversees the strategy and operations for Kevin Hart’s comedy network. Thai has driven digital transformation at companies like Facebook and Sony, and provided media strategy for top brands like Verizon, Dell, and more.

Connect with Thai: 

Thai’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thairandolph

Thai’s Instagram: instagram.com/thairandolph

Resources Mentioned:

Thai’s Podcast, The Suga: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-suga/id1502324399 

LOL Network: youtube.com/@lolnetwork 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training 

For eight years, Lisa Bilyeu lived the life others expected: a traditional Greek wife focused on supporting her husband and running the home. But deep down, she knew she was meant for more. With no business background, zero confidence, and no clear roadmap, she decided to rewrite her story. She co-founded Quest Nutrition with her husband and built a billion-dollar business. In this LEAP Replay, Lisa opens up to Ilana about breaking free from cultural expectations, showing up authentically in the face of criticism, and how you can build radical confidence without needing external validation.

Lisa Bilyeu is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a multi-billion-dollar company. Her mission is to use content creation to empower women to break free from limiting beliefs and build extraordinary lives.

In this episode, Ilana and Lisa will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:22) Her Upbringing and the Weight of Expectations

(06:44) Velvet Handcuffs: The Trap of People Pleasing

(10:55) Transitioning from Housewife to Co-Founder

(19:13) Handling Your Emotions in Business 

(24:25) How Lisa Tackles Online Hate and Criticism

(33:12) The Three Keys to Mission-Driven Content Creation

(37:25) Lisa’s No-BS Guide to Success 

(44:40) Why She Chose Her Mission Over Motherhood 

(1:03:06) Building Radical Confidence Through Self-Reliance

Lisa Bilyeu is an entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a multi-billion-dollar company that transformed the health and wellness industry. She is also the founder and host of Women of Impact, co-founder of Impact Theory, and bestselling author of Radical Confidence. Lisa’s mission is to use content creation to empower women to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace their full potential. 

Connect with Lisa:

Lisa’s Website: https://lisabilyeu.com/

Lisa’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LisaBilyeu 

Lisa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu

Resources Mentioned:

Lisa’s Book, Radical Confidence: 11 Lessons on How to Get the Relationship, Career, and Life You Want: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JPHK9C3

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

As a teenager, Sir Richard Branson had already mastered the art of taking bold leaps to pursue opportunities. Dyslexic and struggling in school, he quit at age 15 to launch a youth magazine, a move that eventually led to Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic, and the Virgin Group empire. In this LEAP Replay, Richard joins Ilana to share how he turned obstacles into opportunities, embraced fearless risk-taking, and uses his influence for international peace initiatives, all while showing that dyslexia can be a superpower.

Sir Richard Branson is the founder of Virgin Group, spanning airlines, cruises, hotels, health, entertainment, and space travel. Known for his adventurous spirit and bold pursuits, he has not only transformed industries but also used his influence to champion global humanitarian causes.

In this episode, Ilana and Richard will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:10) Quitting School at 15 to Run a Magazine

(05:26) Launching Virgin Records with a Bold Move

(09:20) The Funny Moment That Birthed Virgin Atlantic

(11:37) Using His Influence to Negotiate with Saddam Hussein

(15:54) The “Reserve Tank” Mindset for Mental Toughness

(18:17) Why Dyslexic Thinking Is a Superpower in Business

Sir Richard Branson is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group, a global conglomerate of more than 40 companies spanning industries from entertainment to aviation and space travel. Known for his adventurous spirit and bold approach to business, Richard built Virgin into one of the world’s most recognized brands. Beyond entrepreneurship, he is a philanthropist, author of multiple bestsellers, and a passionate advocate for social and environmental causes.

Connect with Richard:

Richard’s Website: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson 

Richard’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rbranson

Resources Mentioned:

Richard’s Audiobook: Losing and Finding My Virginity: The Full Story: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Finding-My-Virginity-Story/dp/B0CW8BS7W7 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Ilana Golan knows what it feels like to lose everything. After climbing from the Air Force to Intel to VP in a Silicon Valley startup, she thought she had made it. But when a trusted co-founder cut her out of their new business overnight, she was left with nothing. No job, no company, no income, and a shattered ego. That collapse became the turning point, forcing Ilana to ask who she was without the titles and what kind of life she truly wanted to build. In this episode, Ilana breaks down the five shifts you need to reinvent your career and the blueprint she used to bounce back from failure, build one of the fastest-growing startups, and land opportunities with leaders like Richard Branson and GaryVee.

Ilana Golan is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, investor, and host of the LEAP Academy podcast. As the founder of LEAP Academy, she teaches professionals how to fast-track opportunities, build portfolio careers, and unlock financial freedom. 

In this episode, Ilana discusses:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:11) The Startup Collapse That Changed Everything

(04:24) Losing Her Identity and Rebuilding From Scratch

(06:22) Launching LEAP Academy and Reaching Startup of the Year

(09:10) Reinvention as the Must-Have Skill of Our Era

(10:09) The Power of Adaptability: IQ vs. EQ vs. AQ

(11:29) The Five Shifts to Fast-Track Your Career

(18:30) Commanding Authority: The Three Types of Branding 

(23:17) Creating a Portfolio Career for Freedom and Wealth

Ilana Golan is a serial entrepreneur, board director, global keynote speaker, and investor in over 100 companies. As the founder of Leap Academy, she teaches professionals how to fast-track opportunities, build portfolio careers, and unlock financial freedom. Ilana has been recognized as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence, a Top 40 Woman to Watch, and a CEO World Award winner. Under her leadership, LEAP Academy was named one of Inc. 500’s Fastest Growing Companies.

Connect with Ilana: 

Ilana’s Website: leapacademy.com 

Ilana’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan 

Ilana’s Email: [email protected] 

Resources Mentioned:

LEAP Academy Free Training: leapacademy.com/training 

Leap Academy

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Despite outward success, Brad Feld struggled with depression, exhaustion, and feelings of emptiness. For years, he hid these challenges while relentlessly pushing forward as an entrepreneur. It wasn’t until his 40s, after seeking therapy and confronting his mental health, that Brad realized success wasn’t just about building companies, but about managing the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. Today, as the co-founder of Techstars and Foundry Group, he leads with a harmonious approach to work and life. In this episode, Brad joins Ilana to share the lessons he learned from early failures, why every successful founder faces ‘near-death moments’, and the mental health practices that helped him find joy again.

Brad Feld is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Techstars, one of the world’s leading startup accelerators. He is also the co-founder of two venture capital firms, Foundry Group and Mobius Venture Capital.

In this episode, Ilana and Brad discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:07) Growing Up in Dallas and Discovering Computers

(07:29) MIT Years and Early Startup Failures

(14:17) Why Every Startup Faces a Near-Death Experience

(16:54) Battling Fear, Shame, and Depression in His Twenties

(26:52) Breaking Down at 47 Despite “Having It All”

(29:05) Brad’s Practical Steps for Rediscovering Joy

(41:54) The Random Day Experiment and Birth of Techstars

(52:47) Writing Venture Deals, Startup Communities, and Give First

(59:26) Coming Out of “Hibernation” to Write His Last Non-Fiction

(1:13:39) Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Harmony

Brad Feld is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Techstars, one of the world’s leading startup accelerators. He is also the co-founder of two venture capital firms, Foundry Group and Mobius Venture Capital. Brad is the author of nine books, including Venture Deals, Startup Communities, and Give First. Through his books, investments, and philosophy of “give first,” Brad has become a mentor to thousands of entrepreneurs navigating the brutal highs and lows of building a business.

Connect with Brad: 

Brad’s Website: feld.com Brad’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bfeld 

Resources Mentioned

Brad’s Book, Give First: The Power of Mentorship: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646871324  Brad’s Book, Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118441540  Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118443616  Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up by Jerry Colonna: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062749536

Leap Academy

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.
Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Brendan Kane didn’t break into Hollywood through connections. He started out making coffee on film sets. Spotting the untapped power of MySpace and YouTube, he launched one of the first influencer campaigns, catching the attention of studio executives and A-list actors like Jason Statham. That bold move launched his journey from Hollywood to advising global icons such as Taylor Swift and Rihanna on social media strategy. In this episode, Brendan joins Ilana to reveal how he built one million followers in just 30 days, the formula for going viral, and the psychology behind grabbing and holding attention.

Brendan Kane is a digital marketing expert who has helped top celebrities, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurs dominate social media and generate millions in revenue. He specializes in data-driven strategies that drive massive social media engagement.

In this episode, Ilana and Brendan will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:07) His Childhood Love for Movies and Storytelling

(03:17) Breaking into Hollywood Without Connections

(08:16) The Bold Move That Led to Working With A-List Actors

(10:37) Diving into Tech and Working with Taylor Swift, Rihanna, etc

(17:51) Lessons from Managing $100M in YouTube Ad Spend

(22:06) Uncovering the Secrets to Social Media Success

(27:40) How Brendan Hit a Million Followers in 30 Days

(34:51) Strategies for Marketing Bestselling Books

(39:10) How to Adapt to Ever-Changing Platforms

(44:01) Low-Cost Strategies to Stand Out on Social Media

(45:35) Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Brendan Kane is a digital marketing expert who has helped top celebrities, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurs dominate social media and generate millions in revenue. Known for building a following of over 1 million in just 30 days, Brendan specializes in data-driven strategies that drive massive social media engagement. He is the bestselling author of One Million Followers, Hook Point, and The Guide to Going Viral, where he reveals proven methods for scaling influence in today’s noisy digital world.

Connect with Brendan:

Brendan’s Website: brendanjkane.com 

Brendan’s Instagram: instagram.com/brendankane 

Resources Mentioned:

Get Brendan’s Book, The Guide to Going Viral, for FREE: hookpoint.com/leap 

Download Brendan’s Book, Hook Point for Free: hookpoint.com 

Brendan’s Book, One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days: https://www.amazon.com/One-Million-Followers-Updated-Following/dp/195066547X 

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

George Kurian’s journey from a modest upbringing in Kerala, India, to becoming CEO of NetApp is an extraordinary story. George worked cafeteria shifts and construction jobs to pay his way through Princeton before climbing the ranks at Oracle, McKinsey, and Cisco. In this episode, George opens up about the weight of being a “rookie CEO” responsible for 12,000 people, the discipline of saying no to 97% of ideas, and the humility it takes to lead through uncertainty. He and Ilana explore resilience, focus, and the future of AI, while revealing how diverse experiences and family values shaped his leadership philosophy.

George Kurian is CEO of NetApp, a Fortune 500 data infrastructure and cloud services company. Under his leadership, NetApp has strengthened its cloud-first and data services strategy, growing into a $20 billion company.

In this episode, Ilana and George will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:20) Family Role Models and Upbringing

(06:00) Landing a Princeton Scholarship and Learning to Survive

(09:20) Lessons from Oracle and McKinsey

(13:50) Why George Left Cisco to Join NetApp

(16:45) How Cafeteria Work Inspired NetApp’s Engineering Process

(19:40) The ‘30-30-30’ Rule for Driving Organizational Change

(22:40) George’s Journey to Becoming CEO Overnight

(26:30) First-Time CEO Challenges and Leadership Struggles

(30:40) Why a CEO Should Say “No” to 97% of Ideas

(33:10) Betting on Cloud Partnerships Instead of Competing

(37:15) The Power of Choosing Your Path and Tackling Hard Problems

George Kurian is CEO of NetApp, a Fortune 500 data infrastructure and cloud services company. Before joining NetApp in 2011, he had built a diverse tech career that included leadership roles at Oracle, McKinsey, Cisco, and Akamai. Under his leadership, NetApp has strengthened its cloud-first and data services strategy, growing into a $20 billion company.

Connect with George:

George’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/georgekuriannetapp

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Klaus Kleinfeld’s journey from a difficult childhood in Germany to leading two Fortune 500 companies, Siemens and Alcoa, was anything but easy. He experienced  the true cost of leadership: the loneliness of making impossible decisions and the grit to push forward when every alternative seems bleak. In this episode, Klaus joins Ilana to share how resilience and freedom shaped his leadership philosophy. They dive into his shift from time management to energy management, exploring lessons from sports, breathing techniques, and mindset practices that helped him lead various multi-billion dollar businesses without burnout. 

Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is a German entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Siemens AG, Alcoa Inc., and ARconic. He is also the founder and CEO of the investment firm K2Elevation and was named director of Saudi Arabia's Neom initiative, later becoming an advisor to the Crown Prince.

In this episode, Ilana and Klaus will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:01) Early Life and Family Tragedy

(07:31) East vs. West Germany and Freedom

(12:01) His Love for Problem-Solving

(18:01) Creating a Strong Feedback Culture

(23:31) Becoming the CEO of Siemens

(30:01) The Loneliness of Leadership

(35:31) Letting People Go with Respect

(40:01) Facing Fear and Regret

(45:31) Energy Over Time Management

(50:01) Building a Passionate and High-Performance Team

Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is a German entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Siemens AG, Alcoa Inc., and ARconic. He is also the founder and CEO of the investment firm K2Elevation and was named director of Saudi Arabia's Neom initiative, later becoming an advisor to the Crown Prince. As the author of Leading to Thrive, Klaus offers a framework for blending personal well-being with strategic leadership. 

Connect with Klaus:

Klaus’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/klauskleinfeld

Resources Mentioned:

Klaus’s Book, Leading to Thrive: Mastering Strategies for Sustainable Success in Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Thrive-Mastering-Strategies-Sustainable/dp/1544546718

The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Regret-Looking-Backward-Forward/dp/0735210659

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi: https://www.amazon.com/Open-Autobiography-Andre-Agassi/dp/0307388409

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training