No Straight Path

They say love rules the world. Today’s episode is dedicated to our host’s grandmother, who’s birthday is on December 10. This episode honors Grandma Eula’s legacy, who was truly a woman ahead of her time. She questioned societal norms. She traveled. She went to church and marched in the streets for LGBTQ rights. She was disheartened by societal inequality, and she founded an organization to fight it. She shared her reflections with Ashley in 2019, and we are honoring her memory by sharing some of her words of wisdom. We kick off our conversation with Grandma Eula’s ‘Double Jeopardy’ story which illustrates her contagious sense of bravery. Hear about her personal values around family and giving back, climate change, and how we allow religion to affect ourselves and others. Grandma Eula provides her thoughts on politics and the importance of serving others. She also shares her views on music, criticism, happiness, and jokes. Join us to hear some valuable wisdom from Grandma Eula’s remarkable life today. 

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If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Guyana Medical Relief

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

Inspire Family History

5 Benefits of Knowing Your Family History

Today on No Straight Path, we are joined by startup entrepreneur, Harvard Law lecturer, and metaverse mogul Memme Onwudiwe. Like many of the esteemed guests on this show, you can certainly call Memme a multi-hyphenate!

He serves as Executive Vice President of Legal and Business Intelligence at Evisort, a legal tech AI company that he helped build via the Harvard Innovation Lab while in law school. Memme also teaches a course on innovation and entrepreneurship at Harvard with Evisort CEO Jerry Ting, and if that wasn’t enough, he is the co-owner of the African Museum of the Metaverse; one of the first multi-metaverse museums in the world. 

Fascinated by legal issues around AI, space technologies, and innovation on the African continent, Memme is a digital nomad with a purpose. Listen in as we discuss why you don’t need to get good grades to make valuable contributions to society and Memme offers some insight into his entrepreneurial story, which was set in motion because he was receptive to unconventional opportunities.

As always, we touch on some of Memme’s pain points and what you can learn from them, as well as why it’s critical to make mistakes and take risks earlier rather than later, how even the most niche focus can earn you visibility as you build your business, and much more! Memme’s focus on niche topics in legal tech, crypto, and Web3 has earned him notoriety at a young age, and anyone listening is bound to walk away with some valuable insights. So, tune in today!

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Memme Onwudiwe

Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn

Evisort

African Museum of the Metaverse

‘Africa and the Artemis Records’

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

There is so much stigma around failure in our society. Today’s guest is on a mission to change how we think about it. Paola Soares is the host and creator of the Top 50 Apple Podcast in entrepreneurship, But First, She Failed. She is here today to share her inspiring story of navigating job loss, finding clarity, and working towards the life of her dreams. She is a former journalist whose favorite news stories were always profile pieces that helped and inspired. Today, she is taking her passion for storytelling to help women to redefine failure, while gaining clarity and confidence in their careers and businesses. We explore the impact of growing up in a diverse environment on your social skills and navigating the blow of being fired. You’ll hear Paola’s take on forgiveness, honoring our feelings, and moving forward, along with searching your soul to take the necessary action towards living in alignment with your values. She shares what motivated her to change her life, what she recommends to listeners looking to create a life filled with passion and purpose, and how she finds time for wellness while leading a very full life. In closing, she reminds listeners not to let their spark go out by staying in places where they don’t belong. Thanks for tuning in to hear from today’s inspiring guest! 

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Paola Soares

Paola Soares on Instagram

But First, She Failed

Why Millennials Might Have a Harder Time Overcoming Setbacks in their Career

The Goal Digger Podcast

Jenna Kutcher 

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

A high school teacher by profession, Darius White is also a creative problem-solver, first-generation Stanford graduate, “what if” asker, and consultant on issues of equity and inclusion for our classrooms and professional workspaces. As a writing advisor, Darius has a gift for helping others tell their stories. He also serves as a board member for the San Francisco Education Fund, which supports students, their families, and the local public school system. In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation about Darius’ unconventional career choice, the impact that his grandmother had on him growing up, and his definition of success. We also dig into some important topics, including the state of our education system in the US and how we can better support our teachers, starting with giving them a voice. Thankfully, Darius is using his voice to effect change, and he uses his classroom and social media platforms to invite activists, advocates, allies, and educators into radical collaboration, inclusion, and liberation work. As you’ll come to learn, Darius has found a way to not only have an impact and pursue his creative work but also employ his financial literacy skills to maintain financial security. His unique, mission-driven path will resonate with anyone listening, not just those in the education space, so make sure to tune in today to learn more!

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Darius White on LinkedIn

Darius White on Instagram

The Other English Teacher

Just Black Thoughts

Just Black Thoughts on Instagram

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

Hubspot Podcast Network

I like to use my birthday month as a time for gathering, celebration, and reflection, and this year I wrote a blog post about some of my reflections over the past 33 years of life. Today on the podcast, I want to share some of these insights with you because I believe they will help you navigate your no-straight-path journeys. As I discuss these five tips, I give examples of how they have played out in my life and in the lives of many of the guests we’ve had on this show. Tuning in you’ll hear about what I learned about trusting myself with my own life from Kristin Turner and how this relates to Mike Thomas’s “No Excuses” approach. I explain how understanding that things are not black and white will help you achieve an abundance and a growth mindset. I also talk about how we should navigate the fact that freedom and work rarely coexist, why it’s so important to balance hard work and rest, and why you should accomplish the goals you want to achieve (with an emphasis on ‘you’). For all this and more, tune in today!

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

33 Lessons for 33 Years of Life 

Finding Fulfillment with Sabreena Merchant 

You Can’t Lie to Yourself with Spencer Paysinger Part I 

You Can't Lie to Yourself with Spencer Paysinger Part II 

Becoming Your Best Teammate with Kristin Turner (Part 1) 

Becoming Your Best Teammate with Kristin Turner (Part 2) 

Pursue Your Dreams with Mike Thomas (Part 1)

Pursue Your Dreams with Mike Thomas (Part 2) 

Picking the Destination, but not the Journey with Dawn Dickson 

Success Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 1 

Success Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 2

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

No Straight Path Podcast

Does the definition of success change as you grow older and experience more? Well, here to discuss just that and how she became mentally tough, is Ros Gold-Onwude. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to tune into part one of this conversation where we discussed how Ros’ family life shaped who she is today, her time as a basketball player, the lessons she learned, and what led her to sports broadcasting. We discuss Ros’ family’s reaction to her chasing broadcasting, how she handled the guilt surrounding potentially selfish life decisions, and what Ros is grateful for. She talks us through some of the highlights of her career including reporting at the Olympics, before telling us why the journey is way more important than the result. We also talk about the challenges Ros faced during the pandemic, how she always tries to move with grace, why she needed to separate identity from her career, and what her definition of success is. Finally, Ros leaves us with some advice about trying your best not to compare and giving yourself grace. Thank you for listening!

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ros Gold-Onwude on LinkedIn

Ros Gold-Onwude on Twitter

Ros Gold-Onwude on Instagram

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

No Straight Path Podcast

You can develop mental toughness by working on life skills and pushing through hardships! This week is Ashley’s birthday week and in this episode, we are celebrating friendship, progression, and our journey! Joining us today is the accomplished ESPN sports broadcaster, Ros Gold-Onwude, to tell us how she stepped into her gift. Ros is also a basketball player, mentor for young women, advocate for mental health, and crypto-nerd who aims to use that space to create life-changing opportunities for minorities! You’ll hear all about Ros’ background, her incredibly strong mother, how she got onto her current career path, the difficulties and benefits of being a student-athlete, the life lessons we learned from sports, and how she overcame adversity. We also discuss how we inspire each other as friends and how Ros became mentally tough. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation and stay tuned for part two!

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ros Gold-Onwude on LinkedIn

Ros Gold-Onwude on Twitter

Ros Gold-Onwude on Instagram

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

No Straight Path Podcast

Sales may often be associated with highly outgoing and extroverted personality types, but today's guest has a slightly different story to tell. Growing up shy and introverted, Jason Bay, probably never envisioned himself starting a career and company based on cold outreach and customer conversations, and in this episode, we hear from him about how he accidentally fell into the sales field, and adapted his listening skills into a sales superpower. Jason is the Founder and CEO of Outbound Squad, whose mission is to help sales teams turn complete strangers into paying customers. In our chat with Jason, we get to chart the most important moments in his life and career thus far, from early jobs and childhood memories, to the events leading up to the founding of the company. Our guest shares some of the biggest challenges he has faced, how he uses his values to make big decisions, what it took to be courageous enough to start a business, and some great pieces of practical advice for the personal and professional sides of life. So if you want to hear it all from a young and inspiring business owner, making moves in a quickly evolving and constantly important field, press play now!

Rate & Review:

If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the podcast. You can rate and review the show here. Thank you!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jason Bay on LinkedIn

Outbound Squad

Virtual Talk with Jordana Confino

Jordana Confino on LinkedIn

Anthony Iannarino 

Emily Thompson

Smart Couples Finish Rich

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

No Straight Path Podcast

Welcome to part two of our conversation with wellness speaker and strategist, Kristin Turner! Don’t forget to listen to part one, where we learned about Kristin’s career, her fellowship at Harvard, and her thoughtful definition of success. Tuning in today, you’ll find out how Kristin made decisions in her career that aligned with who she is, how her sabbatical led her to where she is now, and why she doesn’t necessarily know what her ideal service is to the world, as well as when she felt happiest in her career and what inspired her dip into politics. We discuss how perspective helps you see what you’re capable of doing, even if you don’t believe you are, and the importance of contributing to building a world you won’t get to see. Kristin shares her take on why poverty is an issue that she desperately wants to solve, and we discover why she once took a full 365 days off work! You’ll also gain some insight into work she does with Emily’s List and why she isn’t all that concerned about knowing what is next for her. Kristin even talks about her experience of being at rock bottom (or at least what she was told was rock bottom) before leaving us with some words of wisdom about trusting yourself in your life in order to become your best teammate. To hear all about Kristin’s non-linear path, join us today!

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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kristin Turner on LinkedIn

Women VOTE

Emily’s List

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

No Straight Path Podcast

Welcome back to No Straight Path. We are very excited to be joined by speaker and strategist, Kristin Turner. Kristin is a self-proclaimed ‘recovering lawyer’ whose focus is now on advocating for wellness and social justice. She is also the deputy director of Women Vote! and has a passion for creating more equitable systems in society. Listening in, you’ll hear all about Kristin’s childhood, her unconventional parents and how they affected her future. She shares how she ended up at Harvard Law School, what derailed her away from her interests in negotiation, and how she figured out that she needed to be her best teammate through the loneliness of leadership. Kristin also shares how she came into her own voice as a leader, the anxiety she experienced after law school, and why she graduated without a job. We look into the importance of trusting your instincts and knowing what is right and wrong for you before discussing why timelines are fake and time is what you make it. Kristin also explains what coming back to yourself means to her and lastly, she tells us what her definition of success is. You don’t want to miss out on this one. Be sure to tune in for part two!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kristin Turner on LinkedIn

WOMEN VOTE Project

Ashley Menzies Babatunde

Ashley Menzies Babatunde on Instagram

No Straight Path Podcast