The Underswell with Derek Sabori

What do you do when your career doesn’t follow a straight line? For my guest, Rachel Heussenstamm, the answer has always been: stay curious, say yes to opportunities, and treat every challenge like a problem worth solving.

In this episode, Rachel shares her dynamic, “sideways” career journey—from overcoming dyslexia as a kid, to studying music and architecture, dropping out of USC to join a band in Nashville (Shh... don't tell anyone😁), freelancing as a designer, producing commercials for ESPN, leading creative teams at ZipRecruiter, and now consulting with purpose-driven brands. Along the way, she’s built a career on curiosity, creativity, and the courage to keep reinventing herself.

Rachel’s stories remind us that the best jobs aren’t always the ones you apply for—they’re often the ones you create yourself.

What We Talk About:

Key Takeaways

💡 “Curiosity is problem-solving. It’s not just about wonder—it’s about asking better questions, building context, and finding the real issues to solve.”

💡 “Sometimes the best jobs are the ones you make for yourself.”

💡 “Every career has pivots. The trick is to keep stacking experiences, stay open, and trust that it all adds up.”

💡 “Every job is a climate job. No matter your sector, sustainability belongs in the conversation.” Listen to

This Episode If You’re:

🔗 Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-heussenstamm/

📚 Rachel’s Book Recommendations:

Rachel's Non-profit pick: https://drawdown.org/ because "Every job is a climate job."

Music by Lidérc.

Inquire about being a guest on the show here.

Guest: Steve Jones — Owner, bettershelter | Creative Visionary | Real Estate Developer

Steve Jones has lived many careers in one: surfer, Quiksilver creative, college instructor, boutique developer, and community builder. Along the way, he’s built a reputation for design vision, grit, and a knack for staying relevant. In this episode, Steve shares stories that remind us why creativity, perseverance, and relationships matter more than ever when building a career. 🌊🏡

From his early days helping Shawn Stussy with shop windows in Laguna Beach, to leading Quiksilver’s visual identity during its rise to a global powerhouse, to launching bettershelter and transforming Southern California neighborhoods through inspired and thoughtful real estate, Steve’s story is packed with lessons for anyone navigating their career path.

🔍 What We Talk About

💡 Key Takeaways

“Your job is to make your boss look good.”

“Don’t underestimate the public—people notice more than you think.”

“Sometimes you’ve just got to jump in. Figure it out as you go.”

“There’s a reason you have one mouth and two ears: listen more.”

“Put yourself in situations where you don’t know all the answers—that’s where the growth is.”

🎯 Listen to this episode if you are:

👉 Follow Steve and his projects:

Steve Jones on LinkedIn

bettershelter on Instagram

California Surf Club

bettershelter

Music by Lidérc.

Michael Marckx’s career doesn’t read like a straight ladder climb—it’s a masterclass in following curiosity, saying yes to unexpected detours, and bringing your whole self (athlete, musician, strategist, dad, leader) to the work you do.

From his early days as a marathon-running, surf-obsessed econ major at UC Irvine to leading brand turnarounds at Surfing Magazine, Ocean Pacific, Spy, Globe, and beyond, Michael has built a career at the intersection of culture, creativity, and commerce. He’s the founder of Monuments of Cycling and creator of the Belgian Waffle Ride—now the largest gravel race series in the world—and has collaborated with icons from DEVO to Metallica to The Clash.

In this conversation, Michael shares the stories (and the lessons) behind the big moments—and the quiet ones—that shaped his path. We talk about turning warehouse jobs into career springboards, using music as a marketing teacher, building brands from the ground up, leading with consistency, and redefining what “winning” looks like after life-changing setbacks.

“You do a good job. Other people notice it. They ask, ‘Who did that?’”

“Find mentors within the building that can help fashion your career.”

“It was a super fun turnaround story and it only could have happened by a legion of people all believing the same thing and making magic happen.”

🎧 Listen if you are:

📌 Links to Know About:

About Michael:
Michael Marckx is a Brand Leader, Creative Marketing Strategist, Event Producer, Keynote Speaker, and Lecturer. He’s the founder of Monuments of Cycling and creator of the Belgian Waffle Ride. He’s led brand and marketing strategy at adidas, Nixon, Billabong, OP, Spy, Globe, and Surfing Magazine, and has served as Chairman of the Board for the Surfrider Foundation. More about Michael at linkedin.com/in/ibemmx. 

Watch a great TEDx talk that he gave here. 

Check out Monuments of Cycling.

Show music by Lidérc.

Guest: Andrew Kaminski – Digital Marketing Specialist (Entry-Level)

🔗 Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

🔎 About This Episode:

Meet Andrew Kaminski—a recent college graduate with a strong work ethic, a background in hospitality, and a growing skillset in digital marketing. In this Professional Podcast Profile, we explore Andrew’s unique path from restaurant jobs and internships to the world of PPC, paid ads, and lead generation.

What stands out is Andrew’s ability to learn fast and adapt to new systems (thank you rock climbing and film studies), and bring a humble (and humorous when called for), team-first approach to every role. Whether he was working the floor at fast-paced restaurants or diving into Meta ad dashboards, Andrew has consistently shown grit, initiative, and a hunger to grow.

🎯 Who Should Listen:

🧠 What You’ll Learn About Andrew:

🗣️ Standout Quotes:

“Every time I’ve had to learn something new—different software, different systems—I just figured it out. That’s what I do.”

“I’m not trying to be a know-it-all. I’m trying to learn and grow—and contribute.”

“If you can work in a restaurant, stay calm under pressure, and still be a good teammate, you can do almost anything.”

💼 Why You Should Hire Andrew: Andrew is early in his digital marketing journey but already demonstrates the mindset and work ethic that make great marketers—and great colleagues. He’s Google Ads Search Certified, comfortable with platforms like Meta Ads, knows how to think analytically about audience behavior, and is eager to keep leveling up. He’s not looking for a shortcut—he’s looking for the right opportunity to grow, contribute, and prove himself.

📢 Help Us Help Andrew: If you're hiring—or know someone who is—reach out or share this episode with your network. Andrew is ready to roll up his sleeves and make an impact.

What does a career look like when it doesn’t follow a straight line—but every chapter adds up to something remarkable?

In this episode, I sit down with Julia Burton, a dynamic and resilient leader who has reinvented herself time and again across hospitality, finance, corporate events, and now higher education. From her earliest job selling hot dogs and waiting tables at the Four Seasons to managing multi-million dollar partnerships at UC Irvine, Julia’s story is proof that grit, humility, and a people-first mindset can open doors in unexpected ways.

Her career journey includes working at The Four Seasons, (an unexpected stop at) Rubio’s, Mattel’s American Girl, Bank of America, Schools First, and beyond. But what’s most striking isn’t just where she’s been—it’s how she’s led with empathy, stayed adaptable through crisis after crisis, continued to learn and evolve, and found meaningful work in every role.

Whether you're early in your career, navigating a pivot, or mentoring others, this episode is filled with life-tested wisdom.

💬 What We Talk About:

✨ Key Takeaways & Julia-isms:

🔎 Listen to this if you are:

💼 More career stories at theunderswell.com

Music by Lidérc.

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn and learn more about the UC Irvine Alumni Association here.

Katrina Cravy has built a dynamic career through the power of story, stage presence, and sincere connection. In this episode, she joins me to talk about executive presence, mastering the art of charisma, and why communication is a learnable power skill—not just something you’re born with.

From her early days as a TV anchor and consumer advocate to her current work as a coach for CEOs, speakers, and rising leaders, Katrina has been on both sides of the spotlight. If you've ever worried you don’t “have it,” and want some tips on how to get “it” this episode is for you.

🔍 What We Talk About:

🎯 Key Takeaways:

💬 Memorable Quotes:

“Treat people like you want to be treated. That’s the core of communication.”

“If you can see it, you can dissect it. And if you can dissect it, you can train to be it.”

“If you're not nervous, you don't care.”

“Dreams don’t have deadlines… but you still have to be a doer.”

🎧 Listen to this if you are:

📚 Coming Soon:

Katrina’s next book, The Charisma Switch, aims to help professionals turn up their presence and own the room.

📌 Links to Know About:

Learn more about Katrina’s coaching, speaking, and communications strategy: Katrina Cravy on LinkedIn

Her book: On Air: Insider Secrets to Attract the Media and Get Free Publicity

Music by Lidérc.

In this episode of The Underswell, I’m joined by Santiago Forero Vega, a sustainability consultant, entrepreneur, and 🥑 avocado farmer on a mission to make sustainability a performance driver—not just a cost center.

From launching his own consulting company, ThinkSID, to helping run his family’s avocado farm in Colombia, Santiago blends personal experience with corporate know-how to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the agricultural world: how to make sustainability actually work for farmers.

💬 “Disappointing my future self was the scariest thing. That’s what pushed me to finally take the leap.”

We cover his non-linear journey from business school to design science to sustainable food systems, and how he weaves it all together into a career built on empathy, pragmatism, and systems thinking.

This episode is a masterclass in real-world sustainability strategy, shifting the narrative from carbon accounting to profitable, practical change—especially in ag. If you're a purpose-driven professional wondering how to align your skills with a greater mission, you’ll want to tune in.

💬 What We Talk About:

🔑 Key Takeaways:

💡 Memorable Quotes:

“You get to steal a little bit of the virtues of everyone you meet.”

“Disappointing my future self was the scariest thing.”

“I think too much weight has been put on sustainability’s shoulders… now it’s time to balance it with the rest of the business.”

“We should be building departments of profitable sustainability.”

“Degrees matter less than you think. There’s always time to pivot.”

🎧 Listen to this episode if you are:

Follow Santiago and keep up with his entrepreneurial journey: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiagoforerothinksid/

More about thinkSID: 🔗 https://thinksid.notion.site/ 

🤝 Meet Sebastien Marcq, a marketing executive with over 20 years of experience shaping iconic brands across industries—from lifestyle giants like Vans and Volcom to global CPG players like Sambazon, and the U.S. launch of Asia’s premium tea chain, Chagee.

Sebastien is currently exploring his next leadership role, and this conversation offers a deep dive into his philosophy, track record, and the contagious energy he brings to every team. If you're hiring senior marketing talent—or know someone who is—this is the kind of candidate you’ll want to meet.

🧠 In This Episode, You'll Learn About:

💬 Notable Quotes:

"I strive in organizations who are aligned behind a strategy where a leader empowers its employees to take action and to learn."

"Marketing is everything you do to help attract and retain more good customers."

"Progress beats perfection. Momentum matters more than a perfect launch."

🌍 Sebastien's Superpowers:

🎯 Looking to Hire?

Sebastien is based in Southern California, open to hybrid roles, and ready to pour his expertise, heart, and hustle into a brand that wants to shape culture and scale with meaning. Let’s help him land somewhere amazing.

🔗 Connect with Sebastien on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastienmarcq 📣

Tag a recruiter, CMO, or founder who needs to hear this episode.

In this episode, I sit down with David Stover, CEO and Co-founder of Bureo, Inc., for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation on purpose-driven entrepreneurship, systems change, and staying the course—especially when things get messy.

David’s path started in a surf and skate shop in Rhode Island, wound through engineering school and corporate consulting, and eventually led him to Australia and then Chile, where a garage-based skateboard project sparked a global movement to turn discarded fishing nets into high-performance materials.

From lucky breaks with Jack Johnson and Patagonia to bold pivots and relentless supply chain problem-solving, David shares his journey of turning a small idea into a big impact.

“We were just working on a problem.” — David Stover, on how it all started

🧭 What We Talk About:

💡 Key Takeaways:

🧠 Memorable Quotes:

“We need brands with conviction.”

“Stay even-keeled. Don’t ride too high or sink too low—just keep going.”

“The world is producing more new plastic every year. That’s the problem we’re focused on.”

“If you weren’t worried about money, where would your career take you?”

🎧 Listen if you are:

Music by Lidérc.

🔗 Links to Know About:

Learn more about David: David Stover on LinkedIn

Explore Bureo

#careeradvice #careerstories #careerjournies #plasticpollution #systemschange

In this episode, I sit down with longtime creative leader and newly minted agency founder, Chris D’Amico, to discuss big career moves, the evolving creative landscape, and the power of clarity. Chris has built a standout career in advertising, creative direction, and brand storytelling—working with brands like Taco Bell, Dunkin’, and many more.

Now, he's channeling all of that experience into CAPTAIN, a strategic and creative studio helping ambitious founders and executives find their voice and category. Chris brings wisdom, humility, and bold insights on what it means to lead, evolve, and stay true to your creative instincts (no matter where you are in your journey), as well as what it takes to break into the business.

🔍 What We Talk About:

💡 Key Takeaways:

“Your network is everything.” Chris is a serial connector who believes in networking with intention, reciprocity, and purpose.

Start sooner. Chris shares that he waited too long to start his own thing—and encourages others to bet on themselves earlier.

Execution is being commoditized. Strategy and upstream creative thinking are more valuable than ever.

Even captains need captains. Leadership can be lonely. Finding partners, advisors, or co-pilots can make all the difference.

The best ideas still win. Amid all the noise and new tools, great storytelling and authenticity still rise to the top.

🔥 Memorable Quotes:

“Your network is everything… 80 to 90% of your future business will come from it.”

“I probably should have started a lot earlier. But that’s okay. You start when you’re ready.”

“Creative direction is not about art—it’s about solving problems.”

“Be interesting and be interested.”

🎯 Listen to this episode if you are:

🔗 Links from the show:

#careerjournies #careerstories #careerlessons #careeradvice #theunderswell #advertising #marketing #professional