The Career Evangelist

In this episode of the Career Evangelist Podcast, I sit down with Maria Brinck, global leadership expert and former Fortune 500 executive. Maria shares lessons from decades advising CEOs, leading multinational teams, and even living with Indigenous communities in the Congo Basin. We discuss how to develop authentic leadership, navigate career challenges, and build the mindset that the modern world demands. Whether you’re aspiring to a leadership role or simply want to improve your impact at work, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you grow.

In this episode of The Career Evangelist Podcast, Bola Alabi sits down with JR Butler—former Division I athlete, tech executive, and founder of Shift Group—to talk about turning elite athletic or military experience into a thriving corporate career. JR shares his journey from NCAA hockey to leading billion-dollar business growth, and how he’s helping former athletes and veterans transition into high-performance roles in sales, finance, operations, and beyond. They discuss mindset, personal branding, hiring trends, and why traditional recruiting often overlooks the best talent. Whether you’re navigating a career change or looking to hire game-changing talent, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

What does it take to transition from elite sports or military service into a thriving business career? In this episode of The Career Evangelist Podcast, Bola Alabi interviews JR Butler, founder of Shift Group, a platform that helps athletes and veterans land high-performance roles in sales, finance, operations, and product management.

JR shares his journey from NCAA hockey at Holy Cross—where he was part of one of the biggest upsets in college sports history—to scaling a tech company to a $2B acquisition by IBM, and leading go-to-market strategies at Pillir with partners like AWS and Microsoft.

You’ll learn:
✅ How athletes and veterans can translate their skills to the business world
✅ The mindset shifts needed to thrive in corporate environments
✅ How to stand out in a competitive hiring market
✅ Why companies are overlooking some of the best talent available

On today’s episode of the Career Evangelist Podcast, we sit down with Stela Roznovan—TEDx speaker, immigrant entrepreneur, and founder of a multimillion-dollar Globe Life agency. At just 13, she arrived in the U.S. with only $600. Today, she leads a $500M+ business with over 100 remote agents and $500K in monthly revenue.

We dive into her viral Comfort Crisis message, the mindset behind explosive growth, and how she built wealth from the ground up. If you're ready to escape your comfort zone, unlock high performance, and build a career of impact—this episode is for you.

How do you build a multimillion-dollar business as a young immigrant with just $600?

In this inspiring episode of the Career Evangelist Podcast, we talk with Stela Roznovan—TEDx speaker and founder of a $500M+ Globe Life agency—about her journey from post-Soviet Moldova to building one of the fastest-growing remote teams in the U.S.

She shares the game-changing concept of the Comfort Crisis, wealth-building strategies, and how to lead with purpose and performance.

✅ Learn how to overcome fear and grow fast
✅ Tips for building wealth from scratch
✅ Entrepreneur mindset shifts
✅ Leading remote teams at scale
✅ High-performance habits for success

🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes on career growth, money, mindset, and entrepreneurship.

In this powerful episode of the Career Evangelist Podcast, I sit down with René Sonneveld, a former Fortune 500 CEO turned leadership coach, to explore how leaders can navigate complex family dynamics, strengthen succession planning, and build legacies that matter. We dive into his upcoming book The Elephant in the Family Room, the emotional side of leadership, and the career moves that shaped his global journey. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or your career path, this episode is packed with wisdom you don’t want to miss.

In this powerful episode of the Career Evangelist Podcast, we’re joined by Edgar Zavala, a Marine Corps veteran turned multiple six-figure entrepreneur and business coach. Edgar shares his raw and inspiring journey from growing up in Brooklyn to building a legacy of leadership and financial independence. We dive deep into strategies to escape the 9-to-5, multiply your income, and shift your mindset for long-term success. If you’re ready to break generational cycles and redefine what success looks like, this episode is for you.

Starting a new job or stepping into a new leadership role? Your first 100 days can define your entire career trajectory. On this episode of The Career Evangelist Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Shveta Miglani, career, leadership, and organizational development expert and author of Navigate Your Career. Dr. Miglani shares practical strategies to build trust, avoid critical mistakes, and thrive in new roles. Whether you're switching jobs, getting promoted, or re-entering the workforce, this episode is packed with actionable advice you don’t want to miss!

In this inspiring episode, Bola Alabi sits down with Nichole Daher, founder of Success On The Spectrum, to explore how purpose and passion can transform not only your career—but your entire life. Nichole shares her journey from burnout in the healthcare system to becoming a leading voice in autism advocacy and entrepreneurship. Learn how she built 66+ clinics across the country, mentored others into impact-driven careers, and turned heartbreak into hope. Whether you're ready for a career pivot or seeking deeper meaning in your work, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Career Evangelist Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ja-Naé Duane, a futurist, design strategist, and co-author of the upcoming book SuperShifts. With over 20 years of experience working with global companies like Deloitte and PwC, Dr. Duane unpacks how the 9 SuperShifts are transforming the way we live, learn, and work. We dive into the mindset you need to thrive in an AI-driven world, how to adapt to continuous disruption, and what future-ready careers look like.

Whether you're a student, mid-career professional, or business leader, this episode is your roadmap to staying relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.