Let's Talk About This Way

What if the career you're thriving in isn't the one you're destined to stay in?

Alex Sandoval has spent nearly a decade building success in the world of sales — but beneath the polished pitch and consistent results is a mind wired for something bigger. Born and raised in Arizona, Alex always knew school wasn’t his thing — but if he sets his sights on something, he’ll figure out how to win.

In this episode, we unpack Alex’s evolution from sales professional to behind-the-scenes brand strategist — helping a gamer go viral during the pandemic, building a streamer’s identity from scratch, and stepping into the music world as an acting manager for a rising DJ in Arizona. His journey isn’t just about side hustles — it’s about passion, creativity, and showing up for the people he believes in.

Alex is the ultimate hype man for his circle… but now he’s learning how to turn that same energy inward, in pursuit of a career that fires him up every single day. If you’ve ever felt like you’re meant for something more, this one’s for you.

What do you do when the dream you've chased your whole life... isn't enough anymore?

Sean lived for baseball — from playing, to working in the heart of a minor league team’s front office. On the surface, it looked like he was living the dream. But behind the scenes, the long hours, low pay, and emotional toll started chipping away at the passion he once had for the game he loved.

Rather than settle, Sean did something most people wouldn’t: he took a swing at something completely new. He left behind the only world he had known and jumped headfirst into real estate — chasing a different kind of dream, and helping others achieve theirs along the way.

In this episode, we talk about believing in yourself when no one else truly understands the risk, the emotions behind helping people find their ideal homes, the lessons and skills Sean learned from the baseball world that translated to him being a successful real estate advisor, and how sometimes walking away from one dream is the first step toward living an even bigger one.

(Also, a little golf talk — and how one of us might have a much better chance at a shot at the pro tour... while the other just prays for a good scramble teammate...)

How to Connect:

Instagram: @seanbozi

Mikey Contreras spent nearly a decade in the corporate world—earning promotions, climbing the ladder, and building a life that many would call a success. But deep down, he knew something was missing. The long hours, the stress, and the lack of fulfillment left him questioning what he truly wanted out of life.

He started college with dreams of becoming an engineer, then shifted toward law enforcement in hopes of helping others. While those paths didn’t pan out, they planted a seed: the desire to make an impact. Years later, inspired by his brother’s work as a wildland firefighter, Mikey finally took a leap of faith.

In this episode, Mikey shares how he walked away from a comfortable life to pursue a calling that aligned with his heart. Now, as a firefighter, he’s found purpose, brotherhood, pride, and a deep sense of fulfillment. This is a story about listening to your inner voice, embracing change, and finding the courage to build a life that truly matters.

How to Connect:

Instagram: @mikeycontreras23

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This week, we’re switching things up in a major way—and I couldn’t be more excited to bring you along for the ride. As many of you know, this podcast is a journey, and you're witnessing it evolve right before your eyes. For the first time ever, I recorded an episode in a professional studio right here in Arizona—marking the beginning of an exciting new partnership that’s going to take the show to the next level.

In this special episode, it’s all about YOU—the listeners. I sat down and answered the questions you’ve been sending in: from the origins and future of "Let's Talk About This Way," to dream guests, behind-the-scenes effort, and even a few fun personal tidbits (yes, I reveal my favorite sports team, though it should have been obvious from my own personal studio decor). It’s a candid check-in, a heart-to-heart, and a huge thank you to all of you who’ve supported the show from day one.

Whether you're curious about what’s coming next or just want to know more about the person behind the mic, this episode is the perfect place to jump in.

Hit play and let’s keep continue this journey together.

How to get in touch:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @letstalkaboutthisway

Intro/Outro Music: Hannah

Hannah Youtube: @hannahlabanda

There's no safer investment than believing in your own potential. We explore this concept through the story of Austin Kiel, an entrepreneur who staked everything on his passion and launched his own business. Austin's journey began immediately after college, fulfilling his aspiration to work in the sports industry by diving into ticket sales for a collegiate team. Austin's sales career, spanning collegiate to professional levels (NBA and NHL), led him to a disconcerting realization: his dream job wasn't fulfilling. While many would settle for comfort, Austin sought change. He transitioned to tech sales, aiming to pinpoint whether his dissatisfaction stemmed from the industry or the role itself. This episode delves into Austin's journey as he discovered the traditional 9-to-5 corporate life wasn't his path. He chose to channel his strong work ethic into pursuing a passion that resonated with him. Austin's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed when he launched his trading card business. He embraced the challenges and rewards of being his own boss, offering insights into staying motivated and focused. He recounts his transition from a secure career to the exhilarating uncertainty of entrepreneurship. This episode is a compelling narrative of how passion and ambition can drive a bold leap of faith. For anyone contemplating starting a business, Austin's story is a powerful source of inspiration. We are fortunate to witness the beginning of his remarkable entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, we enter the realm of the Casino industry. Quillan is a Casino Auditor for a big casino here in Arizona. It's very true that emotions are a powerful driving force in our lives, capable of both hindering and propelling us towards our goals. We take a look at how emotions can influence our journey faced with adversity. Quillan's story highlights a critical, often overlooked aspect of academic success: the impact of emotional well-being. Even with a stellar 4.6 GPA and a full-ride scholarship, personal hardships can significantly erode self-image and confidence, ultimately derailing academic achievements. Having to leave NAU and start fresh again, the power of positive emotions fueled by an amazing support system, reflection of self-worth, and personal ambition, drives Quillan to find his way again. Quillan talks about how his renewed sense of purpose and drive led him to the jobs that he found after NAU and ultimately how it led him to his current job. He covers how his role plays a part in the day to day functions of the casino realm and how you as a listener, if interested, can get your foot in the door should you want to pursue a job in this industry. Meet Quillan Smith: a numbers-driven financial professional working as a Casino Auditor, who also happens to be an amateur dad-jokes comedian, a die-hard hockey enthusiast, and a formidable Pai Gow player. His diverse passions make him truly unique.How to connect: Instagram: fuzzy_tendy

In this episode, we take a dive into the Mental Health field, specifically the substance abuse sector of it. Alaina Bishop is an admissions supporter for an inpatient rehabilitation program for substance abuse. We take take a look into what it means to work in the mental health/substance abuse field and what to be aware of. Carrying 7 years of sobriety herself, Alaina shares her story on how she became sober, what it took to get back on her feet, and how her journey into sobriety played such a key factor in the success she is seeing before her today. Alaina is looking to graduate from Northern Arizona University in May of this year (2025) with honors of Gonfalonier for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. As Alaina continues to thrive and attain her degree, she is looking forward to further her career in the mental health/substance abuse field and give back to the community that once helped her. An amazing story of resiliency, courage and passion for a better life!

How to Connect:

Email: [email protected]

Music: Hannah

Band Instagram: @hannahlabandaBand

Youtube: ‪@hannahlabanda‬

In this episode we follow Herbie Duah's journey into the tech world and he how he established himself as a software engineer. Herbie is an award winning web developer/designer and is the creator of a successful app called OPNRS. Born in Ghana, Herbie's love for all things computer and technology drove him to make the best of his opportunity in the United States and establish a career in something he is fully passionate about. Herbie is also very knowledgable of the AI world, we take a dive into how we should be aware of the impacts of AI and what to look out for!

Music: Hannah

Band Instagram: @hannahlabandaBand

Youtube: ‪@hannahlabanda‬

How to Connect:

Instagram: @herbieduah

Opnrs App Instagram: opnrs.app

Hello everyone and welcome! This is the first episode of the Let's Talk About This Way Podcast. In this episode, I will be going over how the show came to be, what the show is all about, and share my own path to where I am at today career wise. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology, I started off in the mental health field of work and am now a Senior Account Manager of a tech company. Oh, and I now host my own podcast. I will go into depth on how I started as a case manager for a mental health agency and made my way into a more sales type job in the tech industry as a Senior Account Manager.

Music: Hannah

Band Instagram: @hannahlabandaBand

Youtube:  @hannahlabanda 

How to Connect:

Instagram: @letstalkaboutthisway

Email: [email protected]

The official announcement of the Let's Talk About This Way Podcast!