What makes a novel go from page-turner to cult classic? Aspiring novelists: This one’s for you. In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Christopher J. Yates, a British-American novelist known for his works in the dark academia genre. His first novel, Black Chalk, was named best book of the year by NPR, and continues to haunt readers 10 years later. In his latest masterpiece, Yates delivers for his fans with his new novel, The Rabbit Club, which follows an American student at Oxford. Add a secret society with a sinister streak, and it has an unexpected twist you won’t see coming.

But what’s the secret to writing psychological thrillers? Christopher shares his writing process, the evolution of his novels, and the cultivation of a dedicated fan base. The conversation delves into character development, the significance of plot twists, and the challenges of navigating the publishing industry, including rejection and reader feedback. Tune in to discover Yates’s insights on storytelling and learn how you can elevate your own writing.

00:00 Introduction to Leave Your Mark Podcast

00:24 Exploring Dark Academia with Christopher J. Yates

02:13 Cultivating a Fan Base: The Black Chalk Experience

04:39 The Writing Process: From Black Chalk to The Rabbit

06:35 Character Development and Dialogue

09:58 Writing Timelines: Black Chalk vs. The Rabbit Club

11:24 Daily Writing Routines and Overcoming Writer's Block

13:47 Plotting and Puzzles in Storytelling

15:39 The Role of Secret Societies in The Rabbit Club

19:02 Target Audience and Themes in The Rabbit Club

22:18 Navigating Plot Twists and Character Development

24:45 Feedback and the Writing Process

28:01 The Journey to Finding an Agent

29:54 Dealing with Rejection and Reader Feedback

33:46 Leaving a Mark in the Literary World

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, my dear friend and special co-host Samantha Ettus joins me to unpack what happens when people and institutions get their apologies disastrously wrong.

From a Vice President at Penguin Random House reposting a vile mockery of an innocent Jewish woman’s murder, to the New York Times publishing a dangerously misleading story about starvation in Gaza, we explore how these failures not only erode public trust but also fuel antisemitism.

This episode goes beyond PR missteps to unpack the moral and societal cost of bad apologies, and the silence that often follows them. With candor, urgency, and clarity, we break down:

- Why the “I didn’t read it” excuse doesn’t fly when you’re an editor

- The anatomy of a real apology and the red flags that scream deflection

- What the New York Times gets consistently wrong about Israel and the Jewish people

- How modern journalism is failing at its duty and what that means for public safety

- Why brands and institutions must speak out and what silence really signals

This is more than a conversation about saying sorry. It’s about who gets protected, who gets harmed, and what real accountability looks like in a world where perception is power.

Listen now to learn what to look for — and demand — when an apology isn’t enough.

00:00 Introduction to Leave Your Mark

00:28 The Art of Public Apologies

01:21 Case Study: Doubleday Books VP Apology

03:36 The Incident and Its Aftermath

05:48 Analyzing the Apology

10:18 Case Study: The New York Times Apology

16:10 The Role of Journalism and Accountability

26:03 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

Gwyneth Paltrow is more than an Oscar-winning actress. She is a wellness mogul, a branding mastermind, and one of the most polarizing women in Hollywood and beyond. But how did she go from red carpet royalty to CEO of a global and controversial empire?

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I’m joined (again!) by New York Times bestselling author Amy Odell, whose new book Gwyneth: The Biography pulls back the curtain on the strategy, ambition, and missteps behind one of the most talked-about careers in pop culture.

We explore Amy's extensive research process that took three years and included interviewing over 220 people. Amy shares insights on Gwyneth Paltrow's life, her hotly debated and influential persona, her ventures with Goop, her leadership style, and the controversies that follow her.

We also delve into the implications of Gwyneth's influence on the wellness industry and her uncanny ability to reinvent herself while maintaining a strong personal brand.

We dig into:

- Gwyneth as a boss and businesswoman

- The backlash that became part of her brand

- How she built Goop into a cultural force and what it cost her

- What Amy learned from reporting on one of the most image-controlled women in the world

Plus, Amy shares her own career journey from journalist to biographer, what it takes to profile powerful women, and the surprising lessons Gwyneth's story offers for anyone building a brand or navigating their own reinvention.

This episode is equal parts Hollywood tea and hard-won career advice. You do not want to miss it.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Introducing Amy Odell and Her Work

01:20 Amy's Career Evolution and Writing Process

05:00 Challenges of Writing Unauthorized Biographies

06:44 Gwyneth Paltrow's Influence and Brand

16:13 Gwyneth's Leadership Style at Goop

23:31 Gwyneth's Media Strategy

23:47 Goop's Controversial Products

24:40 Gwyneth's Leadership Style

25:30 Challenges at Goop

26:43 Working with Founders

29:40 Gwyneth's Reinvention

33:53 Nepo Baby Debate

36:11 Harvey Weinstein Relationship

38:02 Public Perception of Gwyneth

41:10 Conclusion and Reflections

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with the dynamic Sarah Fraser, host of The Sarah Fraser Show. We dive into Sarah's transformative journey from her early broadcasting days in DC to establishing her podcast empire. Sarah shares vivid anecdotes from her career, including the challenges of being asked to tone down her voice in corporate settings, her experience with cancel culture (plus how she survived!), and finding her authentic broadcasting voice. We also delve into Sarah's unique career advice for maintaining authenticity and dreaming big, including her exciting plans for leveraging AI and expanding her reach internationally. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to make their mark in the media industry.

When you walk into a room with confidence, people treat you differently. But why? And how can you build that kind of presence—even when you're still figuring things out?

In this solo episode inspired by a simple but powerful idea from my daughter, I dive deep into the psychology of confidence. Backed by science, real-world case studies, and insight from Harvard Business School, I explore why confidence—not perfection—is often what moves the needle in your career.

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with the multi-talented, Jonah Platt, actor, writer, and host of the hit podcast, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. As a powerful advocate for Jewish identity, Jonah is someone who has thought deeply about how we communicate in complex, high-stakes moments.

We explore what it means to build a career in a polarized environment and how Jonah’s recent ADHD diagnosis has reshaped the way he sees himself and shows up in the world. We discuss the tools we all need to navigate difficult conversations, those that arise at work, in friendships, within families, and online.

Jonah shares his "4 C’s" of effective communication, and we unpack the concept of secondary messaging, exploring how people speak in code, avoid clarity, or remain silent when the stakes feel too high.

We also explore what it takes to truly own your identity, especially when the room gets quiet, when it may come at a cost, or when you're still figuring it out yourself.

00:00 Introduction

01:22 Jonah Platt's Upbringing and Early Career

03:22 Transition to Acting and TV Writing

07:29 Jewish Identity and Advocacy

11:10 Impact of October 7th and Public Response

18:33 Starting a Podcast and Future Plans

20:21 The Challenges of Starting a Podcast

21:25 The Impact of Podcasting on Career

22:20 Memorable Conversations

23:23 The Four Cs of Difficult Conversations

29:04 Diagnosed with adult ADHD

37:37 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

39:07 Leaving a Mark

In a world saturated with brand collaborations, how do you stand out? In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with Julie Turkel, a leading brand licensing expert who has helped shape some of the most successful fashion and lifestyle collaborations of the past two decades. From her early corporate days at Nickelodeon and Discovery to launching her own boutique agency, Julie has made it her mission to help designers, influencers, and creative entrepreneurs scale their businesses through strategic licensing. We dive into how she spots the “magic” in a brand, why maintaining brand DNA is essential in today’s oversaturated market, and how social media has changed the game for creative growth. Julie also shares actionable advice on how artists can protect their creative IP and avoid common licensing pitfalls that can cost them long-term equity. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or founder looking to take your brand to the next level, this episode is packed with expert insights on how to grow and protect what you’ve built—without compromising your creative integrity.

Is your résumé getting ghosted by a bot? In this snack segment of Leave Your Mark, I delve into the frustrating experience of applying for jobs and not hearing back, even after submitting a perfectly crafted resume. Highlighting the case of Derek Mobley who sued Workday over AI bias, I provide actionable resume tips to beat the bots used by major companies. Learn how to format your resume to be ATS-friendly and the importance of leveraging your network to get past automated screening systems. Plus, insights into the evolving legal landscape around AI in hiring and practical advice from my book 'Leave Your Mark.'

In this episode of Leave Your Mark, I sit down with my friend Claudia Chan, an award-winning serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, and Whole-Self Leadership™ coach. She has dedicated half of her life to empowering women and the cultures in which they work and live. Her B2B company, S.H.E GLOBL, has focused on coaching entrepreneurs and corporations to be changemakers.

Over the last decade, her annual S.H.E. Summit has convened 600 renowned speakers from over 400 companies, including Morgan Stanley, ESPN, Google, Bacardi Global, and PepsiCo.

In this episode, we delve into her concept of the 'Invisible Epidemic,' exploring the hidden burnout and anxiety that plague high achievers. Claudia shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her focus on Whole-Self Leadership™ and faith. We discuss the cognitive patterns driving burnout, the importance of aligning outward performance with inner truth, and Claudia's IHAC framework for creating a more fulfilling life. Tune in to learn how to lead your life with wholeness and passion.

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33:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In today’s workplace, transparency is expected—but how much is too much?

In this episode, I break down the new rules of leadership transparency, spotlighting recent real-world examples from JPMorgan, Meta, Delta, and Business Insider. You’ll hear what those companies got wrong—and what they could have done better.

Plus, I share a practical decision-making filter to help leaders decide what to share, when to share it, and how to do it without eroding trust.

You’ll learn:

When transparency builds trust—and when it backfires

The difference between honesty and oversharing

What to say when you don’t have all the answers

A 5-question leadership filter to guide communication

How to avoid performative openness and drive real connection

Whether you're a seasoned executive or a first-time manager, this episode is your toolkit for navigating transparency with clarity, empathy, and intention.