Career development grounded in experience, not just credentials.
Professional Quotient is a media channel focused on career development for professionals who build their standing through experience, not credentials alone. The show explores how individuals and organizations can translate real-world expertise into professional influence and organizational impact. On MarketScale, Professional Quotient speaks to business leaders and practitioners navigating career growth in credential-heavy industries.
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Episodes
In the Race to Build Smarter AI, Technology Leaders Shouldn’t Forget That Innovation Needs Oversight
When a résumé is filtered out, a loan is denied, or a piece of content never reaches its audience, artificial intelligence may be the unseen hand behind the outcome. As these systems spread across the tools and institutions that shape daily life, the assumptions and priorities of their designers are carried forward into decisions…
Lights, Camera, Authenticity: Why Trusting Your Voice Is the Most Radical Move in Filmmaking Today
The entertainment industry is at a crossroads, where questions of access, authorship, and technological disruption are reshaping who gets to tell stories—and how those stories get made. From the rise of AI-assisted tools to ongoing conversations about representation and gatekeeping, filmmaking today is as much about identity and equity as it is about craft….
Why the Best Careers Are Designed Like Resilient Supply Chains
What do supply chains and community have in common? They both deliver value—when managed with purpose. At their best, they show how intentional systems, meaningful connections, and consistent action turn effort into lasting professional growth. This week on Professional Quotient, listeners hear from Nathan Chaney, founder of Supply Chaney, whose insights bridge the mechanics…
HR at a Crossroads: Navigating Culture, AI, and the Future of Work
The modern workplace is at a crossroads, shaped by the rapid rise of AI, shifting cultural expectations, and increasing pressure on leaders to balance efficiency with humanity. Organizations are being forced to make intentional choices about how they operate, how they lead, and how they invest in their people — choices that will define…
How an Underdog Mindset, Creative Discipline, and People-First Leadership Helped Cecil Cross Build Lasting Professional Equity
More and more, the creative journey looks less like a straight line and more like a series of pivots, setbacks, and surprising new opportunities. As layoffs, industry shifts, and unpredictable career turns reshape what a “typical” creative path looks like, many professionals are being pushed to turn uncertainty into momentum. Many are asking how to…
People-Centric HR in Practice: How Jen Schomer Turns Organizational Chaos into a Culture of Trust and Performance
In today’s whiplash workplace—where startups scale fast, funding dries up faster, and employee expectations keep evolving—HR isn’t a back-office function anymore. The rise of fractional leadership, remote teams, and constant regulatory change has forced companies to rethink how they support people while still hitting business goals. Leaders are realizing that “culture issues” often trace…
Why Empathy Matters in Today’s Workplace and How It Builds Better Teams
Empathy has become a business competency, not a soft nice-to-have. With hybrid teams, rapid AI adoption, and a workforce increasingly vocal about identity and inclusion, companies are being pushed to rethink what effective leadership looks like right now. Research and workplace trend reports consistently show that employees who feel seen and supported are more…
Allowing Inspiration to Grow from Intuition: How Inner Guidance Drives Real Career Growth
In a workplace culture increasingly shaped by rapid change, rising expectations, and new definitions of leadership, professionals are redefining success beyond titles and output. Empathy, intuition, and inner alignment — once seen as intangible “nice-to-haves” — are now emerging as competitive advantages. As recent workforce studies show that human-centered leaders drive higher engagement and retention,…
Allowing Purpose to Lead: Adrienne Mageors on Building a Career Grounded in Inclusion and Community Impact
Sometimes, purpose finds you when you least expect it. For Adrienne Mageors, it came in the form of a question she couldn’t ignore—one that pulled her out of corporate marketing and into a life of service and inclusion. What began as a career pivot became something bigger: a mission to build spaces where every…
From Caregiver to Changemaker: How Purpose and Community Create Lasting Impact
Resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges — it’s about leading with compassion, patience, and faith, even when the path feels uncertain. It’s a quality embodied by every caregiver, whose daily acts of care and commitment reflect the essence of true leadership — helping others grow stronger through empathy, service, and understanding. In this episode…
Coaching Away the Imposter Voice: Transforming Self-Doubt into Self-Acceptance
Authenticity isn’t about perfection — it’s about having the courage to show up as your true self, even when self-doubt creeps in. Many of us wrestle with imposter syndrome, people-pleasing, and the fear of being seen, but real growth happens when we embrace vulnerability and learn to trust our own voice. By letting go of…
Build As You Grow: Lessons in Career, Connection, and Confidence
Growth isn’t just about climbing the career ladder — it’s about becoming the kind of person who can lead with empathy, curiosity, and authenticity. In a world that often celebrates titles and achievements, the real work lies in learning to communicate clearly, connect genuinely, and turn moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth. In this…
Owning Your Development by Building Networks, Finding Mentors, and Embracing Servant Leadership
At the heart of every career journey is the question of how we grow—not just in skills, but in purpose, relationships, and impact. That kind of growth takes shape through everyday choices, the mentors who guide us, and the communities that stretch us to become more. Each step forward becomes part of a larger…
Child Advocacy in Action: How CASA Sustains Impact Through Volunteerism and Vision
Across the United States, roughly 390,000 children are living in foster care, each facing the challenges of navigating the child welfare and court systems. Nonprofits working in this space carry the dual responsibility of supporting children’s emotional needs while also sustaining the funding and partnerships that make child advocacy possible. This raises a pressing…
Slice of Service, Glimpse of Soul: Turning Purpose Into Outcomes With Service Leadership
Service is often measured in numbers, but numbers rarely tell the whole story. True service leadership demands outcomes that reflect transformation, not just tallies. As nonprofits face mounting pressure to prove lasting nonprofit impact, leaders are rethinking how to balance data with lived experience. Funders want results beyond attendance counts, and communities demand change…
Simplifying the Complex: Actionable Systems Lead to Clarity, Confidence, and Success
Simplifying the complex has become a defining advantage in today’s professional world—whether you’re navigating Medicare, building a business, or pursuing professional growth. According to a 2024 PwC study, more than half of employees feel there is too much change happening at work all at once, and 44% don’t understand the reasons for the changes….
Tell Your Story and Build Equity Through Personal Narrative
Authentic storytelling has become the competitive advantage that separates leaders from the rest in an AI-driven workplace
From Law Enforcement to Microsoft: The Unexpected Path to Becoming a Cybersecurity Black Belt
From ransomware attacks to AI-driven phishing schemes, today’s cyber threats are evolving faster than most organizations can defend against—making cybersecurity expertise one of the most urgent skills of the decade. Global cybercrime costs are expected to climb to $1.2 trillion annually by the end of this year, underscoring the stakes for organizations that must…
Frequency of Leadership: Building Integrity and Resonance in a Global World
Leadership has never been more complex—or more critical—than it is today. As businesses face global shifts in workforce expectations, cultural awareness, and communication styles, leaders must find ways to operate with authenticity and integrity across borders. In Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends report, 94 percent of surveyed business and HR leaders say that leadership capabilities…
Courage, Clarity, and the Power of the Pivot: How Risk, Mentorship, and Self-Advocacy Drive Real Career Growth
With global systems shifting and the need for adaptable leadership rising, more professionals are reevaluating their career paths nowadays. According to the World Economic Forum, 50 percent of all employees will need reskilling by 2025—a pressing reality in fields like international development and finance, where change is constant. For leaders navigating complex global issues,…
Conservation as a Calling: How Corina Solis Transformed Burnout into Purpose
As environmental awareness grows and sustainability becomes a top priority for both companies and consumers, a growing number of professionals, especially among younger generations, are rethinking what meaningful work looks like. With ecological urgency mounting, many are exploring ways to align their careers with causes they care about. But what does it really take to…
Young, Ambitious, and Authentic: How to Build Genuine Connections that Drive Career Growth
For many professionals—especially those early in their careers—landing the right opportunity often comes down to more than just qualifications. Research shows that nearly 80 percent of available positions aren’t advertised publicly, meaning personal connections play a major role in how positions get filled. Still, figuring out how to build those connections in an intentional and…
Human Creativity in the Frame: Bradley Lanphear on Art, AI, and Staying Creative
AI-generated content is becoming the norm as budgets tighten and deadlines shrink, leaving less room for slow, intentional craftsmanship and true human creativity. In today’s economy, the challenge isn’t just keeping up—it’s standing out. For filmmakers and visual artists, the pressure to prioritize speed over soul is growing. But what does it take to…
Tuning into the Frequency of Wisdom and Wise Leadership with Dr. Gregory Stebbins
What if leadership isn’t about power, but presence? Research shows that emotionally intelligent leaders drive up to 20% better team performance, highlighting why heart-centered management and self-awareness are becoming essential to long-term impact. As Gen Z and Gen Alpha bring new expectations around authenticity, empathy, and reflection into the workplace, the need to rethink…
How Self-Awareness Boosts Leadership, Improves Decision-Making, and Fuels Career Growth
In a world that increasingly values emotional intelligence, the link between self-awareness and professional success has never been more crucial. As conversations around inclusion broaden to recognize different cognitive styles and lived experiences, professionals who understand their own strengths, motivations, and ways of processing the world are better equipped to adapt, lead, and grow….
From Innovation-Driven Teams to Standout Storytelling, Protecting Creatives is a Business Strategy
As AI and digital tools expand the boundaries of production, one thing remains unwavering: human creativity is indispensable. And today, that creativity is under pressure—in fact, last year, as many as 70% of professionals working in the media, marketing, and creative industries reported experiencing burnout. In this moment, supporting the people behind the work…
Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes
In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s…
The Measured Mindset: How Mentorship, Curiosity, and Listening Drive Professional Advancement and Growth
Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate…
Freshman Year Survival Guide: How Overlooked High School Lessons Lead to College Success
Nobody warns you that college success isn’t just about brains — it’s about balance, too. In this refreshingly honest episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, hosted by Jason Winningham, high school teacher Jacob Mutchler reunites with two of his former students, Lilly Salcedo and Oscar Davila, to reflect on what really mattered…
CPA, SME, and Purpose: Exploring the Power of Multifaceted Professional Identity
What happens when sharp accounting meets sun-soaked strategy? In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham welcomes Olivia Barr, Senior Product Manager at CBRE, for a dynamic conversation that explores career pivots, process excellence, people leadership, and the power of community. Olivia brings the full spectrum of professional equity…
Workplace Visibility Builds Careers and Communities Through Trust, Recognition, and Shared Growth
What if the most powerful way to grow your career isn’t by perfecting your pitch, but by telling your story? In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham welcomes Hunter Lopatin, the Director of MarketScale, to explore the real value of visibility and voice in the workplace. The discussion…
Seeing What Others Miss: The Art of Problem Solving in HR Compliance
In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Andrea Kilburn, the HR EEO and Affirmative Action Compliance Manager at EssilorLuxottica. Andrea has built her career on problem-solving, advocacy, and the power of precise thinking. Andrea shares her unique path from mortgage underwriting to HR compliance, and…
The Future of the Engineering Community: Equity, AI, and Real Connection
The Engineer Who Builds Communities, Not Just Systems! Angelie Vincent has spent more than two decades in aerospace engineering, but her real legacy might be the communities she’s built along the way. Now an AI Integration Engineer at Boeing, Angelie joins Professional Quotient host Jason Winningham for a wide-ranging conversation on neurodivergent leadership, workplace…
The Hidden Key to Entrepreneurial Success: Build Momentum Through Personal Branding and Authentic Networking
What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation? In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network…
Reclaiming Power During a Career Pivot: Lead with Experience, Community, and Authenticity
What if your “non-traditional” resume is actually your greatest professional asset? In this vibrant and deeply honest episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham sits down with Audrey Malone, CHRM, MSOL, and Strategic Storyteller. Audrey shares what it’s like to build — and rebuild — a career that doesn’t fit into a single box….
The Power of Speaking Up: Building Your Voice into Your Professional Equity
If you want to raise your PQ, learn to speak up! In this episode of Professional Quotient (PQ): Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham, Founder and Principal Consultant of Professional Quotient, sits down with Lauren Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer at Semper Mind. Lauren reflects on her journey from feeling like a “baby deer”…
No Permission Needed: Forge Your Own Path Forward Through Bold Moves, Clear Focus, and Continuous Growth
What happens when you stop waiting to be chosen—and choose yourself? In this episode of PQ: Conversations that Build Equity, Jason Winningham talks with Amy Chavez, a seasoned marketing professional and graphic designer who boldly forged her career in commercial real estate, even before she had the credentials. Amy shares how a gutsy cover…
Community Building Through Marketing—Powered by Showing Up and Staying Open
In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Alicia Layfield, founder of Casa Layfield, a boutique marketing agency in Houston, Texas. Alicia shares how she built her business from the ground up—not by following a perfect plan, but by showing up, staying open, and turning connections…
Passion, Pause, and Disability Inclusion: Building Equity Through Self-Aware Leadership
Beth Sirull, President and CEO of the National Organization on Disability, joins Jason Winningham on PQ: Conversations that Build Equity to share a powerful career journey shaped by a passion for social enterprise, economic equity, and disability inclusion. From her early work in community finance to leading a national nonprofit, Beth reveals how she’s built…
Taming the Inner Critic to Fuel Career Growth: Crush Doubt, Build Confidence
In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham speaks with Mike O’Hora, a former Marine turned learning executive, now the founder of Semper Mind. With a career spanning sales, HR, and talent development, Mike brings a unique blend of resilience, humility, and wisdom to this powerful conversation about career…
Liz Atlee on Leadership Confidence and Letting Go of Doubt – Raise Your Hand Anyway, Even When You Feel Unsure
In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham welcomes legal powerhouse and mentor extraordinaire Liz Atlee for an honest conversation about leadership confidence, imposter syndrome, transparency in leadership, and the importance of simply raising your hand—even when you feel unsure. Liz brings a wealth of experience navigating high-stakes legal…
Sales Career Playbook: Build Trust, Not Just Pipelines
In this episode of Professional Quotient (PQ), host Jason Winningham sits down with Katie Steinberg, Director of Growth at MarketScale, for a candid conversation packed with practical sales career advice, focusing on what really drives success in B2B sales beyond cold calls and quotas. Katie’s approach to sales is refreshingly human. She prioritizes listening…
Reclaiming Your Voice Is a Leadership Move That Grows Professional Equity
In the very first episode of PQ: Conversations That Build Equity, host Jason Winningham , the CEO and Founder of Professional Quotient, shares his inspiring journey, applauding the transformative power of ‘Professional Quotient’ or PQ. This podcast series aims to explore the concept of PQ, defined as a sum of one’s professional equity, encompassing…