Stand Out, Speak Up, Move Up: Jenny Wood’s Blueprint for Rising in the Ranks
Release Date: 05/29/2025
Meant For You
is the newly appointed Director of the Education and National Security Program at the In this important conversation, we disciuss how today’s ethnic studies curriculum, originally intended to promote understanding among diverse communities, is instead fueling division, promoting an oppressor-vs-oppressed worldview, and teaching students that capitalism is synonymous with white supremacy and exploitation. Brandy brings deep expertise to this topic, holding a doctorate in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco, an MSW from USC, and an M.A. in...
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Stella Escobedo is an Emmy award winning news anchor-reporter with nearly 20 years experience, a fearless journalist and an advocate who immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan. Stella is currently a news anchor for One American News (OAN). In this conversation, Stella shares how her upbringing shaped her values, her global perspective, and the causes of her disillusionment with mainstream media. Journalism was always Stella’s passion. but during the COVID-19 pandemic, something shifted. Stella began to question the media’s silence on critical issues: the voices of parents during...
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Karen McKinney was a prosecutor working in the gang unit when her path first crossed with Joseph Herrera, a man she would go on to prosecute for murder. Twenty years later, Karen faced Joseph when he was up for parole. Not exactly your classic “how we met” story. What no one could have predicted is that years later, the two would form an extraordinary friendship that would transform both of their lives. Karen saw something in Joseph that defied his past, a capacity for growth, empathy, and leadership. With her encouragement, Joseph began using his lived experience to help others...
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In this episode, we talk about the value of work with Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of wealth management firm based in Newport Beach, California overseeing $4 billion in client's assets, David is also a thought leader, and author of Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life. David wants to challenge one of society’s most accepted myths: that success means eventually not working. David makes a bold, and deeply personal case for why work isn’t just a way to earn a living, but a core part of living well. Drawing from his career in finance and his passion for...
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sci-fi writer, historian, and someone who sees the world with an incredibly rare, long lens. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the headlines, this episode might help. Ada believes we’re not living in a uniquely apocalyptic time—just a normally apocalyptic one. “We're living in a moment we must rise to, work hard on, do well where what we do matters,” she told me. “We have the ability to reduce 100% harm to 70% harm. We have that responsibility.” That line really stuck with us—because it’s so easy to feel powerless right now. But Ada’s message is the opposite: we do have...
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, former Google executive, leadership coach, and author of joins us to talk about what it really takes to grow your career, whether you're in the early stages or navigating a mid-career reset. With her candid approach, Jenny shares how to apply your experience and find your courage. In this episode, we cover practical, no-nonsense strategies for standing out at work, communicating with your boss, building a network that actually supports you, and tapping into the kind of courage that deepens with age. If you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or simply ready for more—this conversation...
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Natasha Sizlo was having a terrible year. Fresh off a divorce, bankruptcy, the end of a passionate relationship, and then the news came about her beloved father’s devastating terminal illness. When a friend suggested an astrology reading, Natasha’s first instinct was a hard pass. But, Natasha relented, and the reading led her towards a year of magic, the kind of year that turns into a romantic comedy on the big screen and a best-selling book. All Signs Point to Paris by Natasha Sizlo. If you enjoyed this podcast, check out our most powerful and inspiring conversations from the podcast...
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Are you living a psychologically rich life? In this episode we discuss what it means to be psychologically rich and how you can generate more richness. In ", Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, shares his research and the ways leading a psychologically rich life can transform how you prioritize your days and goals. As Shige shares, “a psychologically rich life is a life filled with diverse, unusual, interesting experiences that change your perspective; a life with twists and turns; a dramatic, eventful life instead of a simple and straightforward one”. For...
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Filmmakers discuss their latest documentary surrounding the mental health crisis among Gen Z. Their film based on the book, by and , was made to spark critical discussions, including conversations across college campuses. We discuss the alarming trends in Gen Z's mental health, the role of social media, and the impact of educational environments that often prioritize emotional safety over intellectual freedom and critical thinking. Please listen to this enlightening discussion that will alert you to concerning Gen Z cultural trends. Please share this episode with a friend!...
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an award-winning journalist and Emmy-nominated producer, joins us to discuss her book, Ghosts of a Holy War. Yardena’s book focuses on the 1929 Hebron massacre, allowing us to see the shocking parallels between the historical events of 1929 and the October 7th massacre in Israel. Hebron, an ancient city with archeological finds going back some 5,000 years, is in the controlled territory of both governments. For thousands of years, Hebron has had great religious importance for both Jews and Muslims. Despite Yardena’s credentials, and her book’s relevance to the current news cycle,...
info_outlineJenny Wood, former Google executive, leadership coach, and author of Wild Courage, joins us to talk about what it really takes to grow your career, whether you're in the early stages or navigating a mid-career reset. With her candid approach, Jenny shares how to apply your experience and find your courage.
In this episode, we cover practical, no-nonsense strategies for standing out at work, communicating with your boss, building a network that actually supports you, and tapping into the kind of courage that deepens with age. If you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or simply ready for more—this conversation is for you.
Careers: Looking for career clarity, inspiration, or a reset? Check out our other caereer related podcasts 💖
- Kathy Caprino, author of The Most Powerful You, breaks down the 7 power gaps holding back 98% of women and 90% of men—and how to close them.
- Lauren McGoodwin, founder of Career Contessa, talks about entitlement in the workplace and why chasing the “perfect job” can lead us astray.
- Julian Guthrie shares the untold story of the first female venture capitalists in Silicon Valley—and how they changed the game.
- Courtney Martin challenges traditional definitions of success and offers a more honest, human vision of achievement.
- Joan Barnes, founder of Gymboree, opens up about resilience, entrepreneurship, and recovering from bulimia while building a beloved brand.
- Jane Boulware reflects on her journey from Iowa farm life to an executive role at Microsoft—and what early retirement really looks like.
Topics Discussed:
- 03:33 - Jenny Wood shares her story about tapping into wild courage in to meet her husband in the NY Subway
- 06:39 - Go after what you want and get it
- 12:24 - "Woo with you" is a technique used by introverts to influence others
- 15:11 - What do you think are the most important traits for success
- 18:18 - The biggest leap in Silicon Valley is moving from middle manager to executive
- 23:43 - You have to have courage to reach up to your boss's boss
- 26:57 - Brutal is the power of no to protect your time, energy and priorities
- 33:08 - How AI could affect middle managers
- 34:37 - Which AI tools Jenny is using and how she is using them
- 44:25 - For moms who left the workforce to raise kids, how do they get back
- 51:08 - You show up as an introvert on Myers Briggs, but nobody believes it
- 55:40 - What the entrepreneurial path feels like for Jenny
- 58:53 - Jenny's current revenue stream is 70% keynote speaking and 10% newsletter sponsorship
Jenny Wood
[jennywood.com](https://jennywood.com)
Wild Courage
[Wild Courage Book](https://jennywood.com/wild-courage)
ChatGPT
[OpenAI ChatGPT](https://openai.com/chatgpt)
ConvertKit
[ConvertKit](https://convertkit.com)
Marshall Goldsmith
[Marshall Goldsmith](https://marshallgoldsmith.com)