Sit with Lexi B

About Our Guest

Fred Chandra is a professional who has intrigued audiences with his approach to integrating new hires into large companies. With a background that indicates involvement with onboarding processes and possibly employee development, Chandra comes across as an enthusiastic individual dedicated to improving the joiner's experience. He reflects on his Chinese Indonesian heritage with a storytelling flair, indicating a rich family history and cultural influences.

In this heartfelt and enlightening episode of "You Can Sit with Us," our host, Lexi B, is joined by the charismatic Fred Chandra. The duo delves into the layered concepts of work-life rhythm, managing burnout, and the journey of seeking professional help. The conversation begins with anecdotes from both Lexi and Fred's lives, touching on intriguing backstories that shed light on their resilience and character. As Fred shares his experiences, listeners are drawn into a candid discussion about the challenges of maintaining balance amidst adversity.

Episode Summary

Fred Chandra opens up about his personal experience with burnout, which manifest in the intense year of 2020. Throughout, he navigates through the themes of work demands, family responsibilities, and societal pressures. This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care and the courage it takes to seek help when needed. The dialogue also touches on the evolving concept of resilience, distinguishing it from the act of mere endurance and the struggles associated with maintaining a facade of success.

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Important Links

- Fred's Linkedin

About Our Guest

Nathalie Walton is the co-founder and CEO of Expectful, a women's health and wellness company. She has over a decade of experience in big tech corporations, including Google, Airbnb, and eBay. Nathalie took the leap to start her own company and has found great success in doing so.

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Summary

Nathalie Walton shares her journey of leaving the corporate world to start her own company and the difference between something that is scary and something that is dangerous. Nathalie emphasizes the importance of investing in oneself and surrounding oneself with inspiring individuals. She also highlights the need to step out of one's comfort zone and take risks in order to reach one's full potential.

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Key Takeaways

- Leaving a stable job to pursue something new can be scary, but the worst thing that can happen is ending up where you started.

- It is important to invest in oneself and surround oneself with inspiring individuals who are doing cool things.

- Outsourcing tasks that are not one's strengths can free up time to focus on what one is good at and lead to greater success.

- Taking risks and stepping out of one's comfort zone can lead to personal and professional growth.

- Investing in oneself may require financial sacrifices, but the returns can be significant in terms of personal fulfillment and achievement.

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Quotes

- "The worst thing that would happen to me was I would be exactly where I was in that moment, which was a great job at a great tech company." - Nathalie Walton

- "You actually don't need a formal mentor. You can just follow people and get everything you need to know." - Nathalie Walton

- "Investing in yourself always leads to outsized returns." - Nathalie Walton

- "Your time is more valuable than money. If you could save more time to do what you're really, really good at, you can actually make more money." - Nathalie Walton

Important Links

About Our Guest:

Michael Miller is the Deputy General Counsel and Data Protection Officer at Strava, a leading consumer tech company. With over 16 years of experience in the government and private sectors, Mike has established himself as a trusted expert in data protection and privacy. He has played a crucial role in ensuring compliance with regulations such as GDPR and has been instrumental in developing robust data protection strategies. Mike's expertise and dedication to his role have earned him a reputation as a leader who is not afraid to address the elephant in the room and advocate for the best interests of the company and its users.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Lexi B sits down with Mike Miller, Deputy General Counsel and Data Protection Officer at Strava, to discuss the importance of addressing the elephant in the room. Mike shares his personal journey of being the person who speaks up and highlights the impact it has had on his career. He explains the role of a data protection officer and the significance of GDPR in shaping data protection practices worldwide. Mike provides valuable insights on how to effectively communicate difficult truths in a corporate setting and emphasizes the need for risk management and compliance in today's data-driven world.

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About Our Guest:

Shira Gill is a professional organizer, author, and minimalist. She is the founder of Shira Gill Home, a lifestyle brand that helps individuals declutter and organize their homes. Shira has over 15 years of experience in the field and has worked with clients all over the world. She is the author of two books, "Minimalista" and "Organized Living," which provide practical tips and strategies for creating a simplified and organized home. Shira's approach to minimalism is focused on intentionality and creating a space that aligns with one's values and priorities.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Lexi B sits down with professional organizer and author Shira Gill to discuss the concept of minimalism and how it can be applied to various aspects of life. They explore the idea of decluttering not just physical spaces, but also priorities, goals, and dreams. Shira shares insights from her travels around the world, where she interviewed professional organizers and learned about their approaches to minimalism. They also discuss the importance of setting boundaries, teaching children about organization, and the fear of failure. Throughout the conversation, Shira emphasizes the value of intentionality and making decisions that align with one's values.

Key Takeaways:

Discomfort is the currency of our dreams; embracing discomfort and stepping out of our comfort zones is necessary for personal and professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

"Your job is to give [your children] clear physical boundaries. And so an example of that would be like, 'Hey, little Timmy, we have five big baskets and those are the vessels for our toys. So you get to pick five categories of things that you want to fill these baskets with. And that's going to be your variety of playthings.'" - Shira Gill

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About Our Guest

Tayo Amos is a filmmaker, writer, and director known for her creative storytelling and unique perspective. She was born and raised in California, but her parents and ancestors are from Nigeria. Tayo has a passion for bringing ideas to life and using her creativity to make a lasting impact.

Episode Summary

Tayo Amos, a filmmaker and writer, discusses the importance of creativity and how it can be used to make a career. She shares her journey of realizing her passion for storytelling and the process of turning ideas into reality. Tayo emphasizes the spiritual aspect of creativity and the role it plays in making intangible ideas tangible. She also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the film industry and the importance of building relationships with others in the field.

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About Our Guest:

Candace is a strategic planning and operational management expert with a passion for community impact. She has a background in engineering and business and holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Candace has worked in large tech companies, focusing on trust and legitimacy, and has extensive experience in strategic consulting. She is also a certified coach and founder of her own coaching practice, where she helps individuals align their personal and professional goals with their core values.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Candace discusses the importance of knowing your "why" and how it can guide your decision-making in both personal and professional contexts. She shares her own journey of discovering her why and the impact it had on her career and life. Candace emphasizes the need for individuals to be intentional about their path and make choices that align with their core values. She also highlights the challenges faced by high-achieving individuals, particularly black women, and the importance of supportive partnerships. Candace provides insights into her coaching approach and how she helps clients uncover their why and create a roadmap for success.

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About Our Guest:

Melanie is a seasoned professional boasting a dynamic career across various disciplines. As a researcher, product designer, entrepreneur, and certified professional coach, Melanie brings over 14 years of rich experience to the table. Her notable tenure at Facebook involved leading cross-functional teams and enhancing the platform's content moderation tools, as well as streamlining community operations for better compliance with regulations. Currently, Melanie channels her expertise into executive and leadership coaching, helping leaders at all levels cultivate resilience and achieve their maximum potential.

In this candid episode of "You Can Sit With Us" featuring the multi-talented Melanie, listeners are invited into a thought-provoking discussion on personal agency within corporate spaces. Melanie brings forth her wealth of experience, discussing the delicate balance between personal and career development against the backdrop of a fast-paced and often demanding tech industry.

The conversation begins with an exploration of Melanie's rich cultural heritage and her journey from being the daughter of Cape Verdean immigrants in the US. to establishing herself as an immigrant in the Netherlands. This unique perspective adds depth to the discussion on navigating agency within corporate structures. Melanie and Lexi B delve into the essence of making intentional choices in one's career, acknowledging both the privilege and the power that comes with the ability to choose.

As the episode unfolds, Melanie shares her insights on motherhood and its transformative effects on one's professional path. She stresses the importance of self-reflection, understanding one's values, and crafting a long-term vision that aligns personal growth with career objectives. The exchange delves into confronting inner critics, recognizing one's worth, and breaking free from self-imposed limitations to step into a more purposeful and impactful role, both professionally and personally.

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Melanie Linkedin

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About Our Guest:

Kiana Shelton is an experienced learning and development professional with a background in international relations. She has worked in various roles within the tech industry, focusing on post-sale teams and creating training opportunities. Kiana is fluent in French and has leveraged her language skills to work with teams in different regions, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. She has a passion for travel and has successfully pursued opportunities to work abroad, leveraging her expertise and targeting companies with a global presence.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Kiana Shelton shares her journey of working abroad and provides valuable insights for those interested in pursuing similar opportunities. She discusses the importance of targeting companies with a global presence and the need for field-facing roles that involve interacting with clients or teams in different regions. Kiana emphasizes the significance of being vocal about your intentions and having growth conversations with your managers to express your desire to work abroad. She also highlights the importance of cultivating a lifestyle that supports international work, including having a supportive network and being financially prepared. Kiana's advice is applicable to anyone looking to work abroad, whether it's for a short-term assignment or a long-term relocation.

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Linkedin

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About Our Guest:

Reggie Williams is a highly experienced recruiter who has worked at top companies such as Google, Airbnb, and Netflix. He is currently working at Bain Capital Ventures, where he helps early-stage startups build their teams and achieve success. Reggie is known for his strategic and thoughtful approach to recruiting, as well as his dedication to helping individuals navigate their career paths in the tech industry.

Summary:

Reggie Williams, a seasoned recruiter who has worked at Google, Airbnb, and Netflix, joins Lexi B on the "You Can Sit With Us" podcast to demystify the recruiting process for candidates. Reggie emphasizes the importance of building a genuine connection with recruiters and seeking their insights to position oneself effectively for a role. He also addresses common misconceptions candidates have about the recruiting process, such as the role of recruiters in decision-making and the reasons behind delays in the hiring process. Reggie advises candidates to be transparent about their compensation expectations and to arm recruiters with information to make a strong case for them during negotiations. He also highlights the significance of equity in building long-term wealth and encourages candidates to consider the future value of equity when evaluating job offers.

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About Our Guest:

Brandon Jones is an entrepreneur, technology leader, investor, and board director. He is the founder and president of Gravy, a private membership organization and investment syndicate focused on building generational wealth through education, access, and community. Brandon has a background in senior executive roles at top tech companies and has extensive experience in growing and scaling technology products.

Summary:Brandon Jones, founder and president of Gravy, joins Lexi B on the "You Can Sit With Us" podcast to discuss generational wealth and investment strategies. Brandon shares his journey and the impetus behind starting Gravy, a platform that provides education, access, and community for wealth creation. He emphasizes the importance of conversations around wealth building and the need for more sophisticated investment options. Brandon also dives into different forms of investment, including real estate and angel investing, and provides insights on how to get started in these areas.

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