Why I Left

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Why I Left tells real stories from real people about the bold career moves that changed their lives.  Hosted by Brian Aquart, the show goes beyond resignations to uncover courage, clarity, and growth in the face of change. Each episode offers honest reflections, lessons learned, and practical insights for anyone considering a pivot, navigating uncertainty, or seeking inspiration for their next chapter. We don’t talk about resignations enough, this podcast makes sure we do.

  1. When Corporate Questions Your Passion - Nicaila Matthews Okome

    1 DAY AGO

    When Corporate Questions Your Passion - Nicaila Matthews Okome

    Send a message to the show When your boss finds your side hustle, what do you do? Nicaila Matthews Okome received the “We need to talk” email while working at NPR. HR got involved. Screenshots were printed. Her ambition was suddenly under scrutiny. That moment forced a decision: shrink or build. Nicaila is the founder of Side Hustle Pro, a top-ranked entrepreneurship podcast with over 10 million downloads. But before the Hall of Fame recognition, it was a strategic side hustle. She did not quit in anger. She built revenue streams. She studied sponsorship models. She saved aggressively. Over 18 months, she created an exit plan and left corporate on her terms. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to bet on yourself. How to build the “create your own opportunities” muscle. Why side hustles are training grounds for ownership. And why you should never leave while you’re confused. If you are navigating tension at work, building something quietly on the side, or wondering whether it is time to pivot, this conversation will challenge how you think about readiness and risk. Enjoy! Stay connected with Nicaila Matthews Okome Website: https://sidehustlepro.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicailamatthewsokome Training: https://sidehustlepro.co/freetraining Stay connected with Why I Left  Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co  Subscribe:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100   Thanks to our partners & sponsors: BetterHelp:  Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/whyileft and get 10% off your first month ApodcastGeek: Use Code BA10 to get 10% off your first order at https://apodcastgeek.com/ Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswoodto help executives, founders, and rising leaders align their presence with their next chapter. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    39 min
  2. Faith Over Fear - Stephen A. Hart

    24 MAR

    Faith Over Fear - Stephen A. Hart

    Send a message to the show Stephen A. Hart left a six-figure corporate leadership role after doctors warned him about the physical toll of chronic stress. What looked like success on paper was quietly becoming unsustainable. In this conversation, Stephen shares how burnout, high blood pressure, and a cardiologist’s warning forced him to confront what his career was really costing him. He opens up about turning down a six-figure safety net, betting on himself, and building a purpose-driven business rooted in legacy and impact. Then the mic flips. Brian reflects on what 100 resignation stories have revealed about fear, authenticity, and leadership in a changing world. If you are navigating burnout, questioning your next move, or wondering what courage actually looks like in real life, this episode is for you. Enjoy! Stay connected with Stephen A. Hart Website: https://stephenahart.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstephenahart/ Blu Oak Marketing: https://bluoakmarketing.com/  Work with Brian Storyline by Kingswood helps leaders and professionals make sense of career transitions, identity shifts, and the stories they’re telling about their work. Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing Stay connected with Why I Left  Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co  Subscribe:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef  Follow:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwhyileft/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-i-left/  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars and share feedback: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Thanks to our partners & sponsors:   BetterHelp: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/whyileft and get 10% off your first month   ApodcastGeek: Use Code BA10 to 10% off your first order at https://apodcastgeek.com/   Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswoodto help executives, founders, and rising leaders align their presence with their next chapter. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    55 min
  3. Leadership, Presence, and the Cost of Disconnection - Tracy Brower

    17 MAR

    Leadership, Presence, and the Cost of Disconnection - Tracy Brower

    Send a message to the show Loneliness at work is rising. And it is a structural issue. In this episode, Tracy Brower, PhD, returns to Why I Left to unpack the growing disconnection inside modern organizations. Fifty percent of people globally report feeling lonely. Leaders feel stretched thin. Teams feel unseen. Tracy is a sociologist and Vice President of Workplace Insights at Steelcase. She has spent years studying happiness, belonging, and the future of work. In this conversation, she explains why trust is built through consistency, why visibility is not the same as presence, and how culture is defined by the worst behavior it tolerates. She also shares insights from her new book, Critical Connections, unpacking how hustle culture, distraction, and performative presence erode trust and belonging. If you lead people, this episode will challenge how you think about productivity, accountability, and connection. You will walk away with practical shifts you can make immediately. Enjoy! Stay connected with Tracy Brower Website: https://tracybrower.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybrowerphd/ Purchase Critical Connections: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/products/critical-connections-tracy-brower-9781394362264 Work with Brian Storyline by Kingswood helps leaders and professionals make sense of career transitions, identity shifts, and the stories they’re telling about their work. Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing Stay connected with Why I Left  Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co  Subscribe:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef  Follow:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwhyileft/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-i-left/  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars and share feedback: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswoodto help executives, founders, and rising leaders align their presence with their next chapter. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    51 min
  4. The Jolts That Reshape Work and Identity - Anthony Klotz

    10 MAR

    The Jolts That Reshape Work and Identity - Anthony Klotz

    Send a message to the show Most people think quitting is the story. It isn’t. Before people leave their jobs, something usually happens first. A pause. A realization. A moment that makes it impossible to keep going the same way. Five years ago, Dr. Anthony Klotz coined The Great Resignation. But the real story was never about quitting. It was about clarity. In the Season 5 premiere of Why I Left, Anthony returns to unpack what actually drives career change. Not slow dissatisfaction. Not calculated pros and cons. But jolts. Sharp moments that disrupt how we see our work and ourselves. Anthony is an organizational psychologist at UCL School of Management and author of the upcoming book Jolted. We explore the six types of jolts that shape careers, the rise of reluctant stayers, the hidden cost of return-to-office mandates, and how AI may trigger the next wave of career reshuffling. If you have ever felt a sudden shift at work. If you have questioned whether you still belong where you are. If you are navigating a pivot or protecting your wellbeing in a tight labor market. This conversation is for you. Press play. Enjoy! Stay connected with Anthony Klotz Website: https://anthonyklotz.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aklotz/ Purchase Jolted: https://anthonyklotz.com/the-jolted-book Work with Brian Storyline by Kingswood helps leaders and professionals make sense of career transitions, identity shifts, and the stories they’re telling about their work. Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing Stay connected with Why I Left  Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co  Subscribe:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef  Follow:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwhyileft/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-i-left/  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswoodto help executives, founders, and rising leaders align their presence with their next chapter. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    1hr 4min
  5. Season 5 Begins: The Courage to Choose What Matters - Brian Aquart

    SEASON 5 TRAILER

    Season 5 Begins: The Courage to Choose What Matters - Brian Aquart

    Send a message to the show After 100 episodes, one truth stands out. Leaving is rarely about quitting. It is about alignment. In this season five launch, Brian Aquart reflects on what a hundred conversations with leaders, founders, and operators have revealed about career transitions and identity shifts. What changes when success no longer fits. What it costs to stay too long. And why discipline, not momentum, builds something that lasts. This season is for anyone at a crossroads. For executives recalibrating their definition of success. For builders questioning the path they chose. For professionals who know something needs to change but cannot yet name it. If you have ever wondered whether leaving means failing, this season reframes the question entirely. Enjoy! Stay connected with Why I Left Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co Work with Brian Storyline by Kingswood helps leaders and professionals make sense of career transitions, identity shifts, and the stories they’re telling about their work. Learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing Subscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwhyileft/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-i-left/ Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/ Rate us 5 stars and share feedback: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100 Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    3 min
  6. I Did It My Way - Craig the Barber

    05/08/2025

    I Did It My Way - Craig the Barber

    Send a message to the show On the Season 4 finale of Why I Left, Brian sits down with Craig Whitely, better known as Craig the Barber, who shares his inspiring journey from the world of finance to becoming an award-winning barber and founder of Burke Avenue, a premium mens grooming line. Discover how a passion for barbering, ignited by a simple gift from his father, led Craig to leap from bankings rigid structure to entrepreneurship, building a trusted brand recognized by Mens Health.  Craig opens up about overcoming fear, the power of intentionality, and the importance of listening to consumers. Whether youre eyeing a major career pivot or striving to build a brand that truly stands out, this episode delivers invaluable lessons on resilience, personal fulfillment, and doing it your way. Dont miss Craigs practical advice for reinventing your career and thriving in a competitive industry! Enjoy! Stay connected with Guest Website: https://www.burkeavenue.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/craigthebarber  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigthebarber/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigthebarber/  Stay connected with Why I Left  Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co  Subscribe:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef  Follow:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwhyileft/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-i-left/  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars and share feedback: Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswoodto help executives, founders, and rising leaders align their presence with their next chapter. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    40 min
  7. Igniting Leaders - Jordana Cole

    29/07/2025

    Igniting Leaders - Jordana Cole

    Send a message to the show Brian sits down with Jordana Cole, founder of Ignited LLC. Jordana shares her courageous decision to leave behind a successful corporate career and follow her passion for igniting leadership and transformation. Discover how her trailblazing path, from breaking barriers in her hometown to leading learning and development initiatives, helped her find her true calling.  Jordana reveals the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, her philosophy on intentional, everyday leadership, and the importance of aligning passion with profession. Plus, get a sneak peek at her upcoming leadership book and actionable advice for anyone considering a bold career move. Dont miss this episode filled with insights, real stories, and practical tips to help you spark positive change in your journey! Enjoy! Stay connected with Guest Website: https://ignitedbyjordana.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordana-cole-mapp-pcc-a8445a8/ Stay connected with Why I Left  Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co  Subscribe:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef  Follow:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwhyileft/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-i-left/  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars and share feedback: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Why I Left is happy to be part of the Alive Podcast Network, which offers a diverse range of shows featuring powerful storytelling, insightful conversation Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswoodto help executives, founders, and rising leaders align their presence with their next chapter. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    51 min
  8. Trust, Trauma & Leadership - Lori Swartz Eberly

    22/07/2025

    Trust, Trauma & Leadership - Lori Swartz Eberly

    Send a message to the show Brian sits down with Lori Eberly, founder of Radius Executive Coaching and co-author of "Fuckery." Lori shares her compelling journey from hospice social worker to leadership development expert, revealing how grief, transition, and trust shape meaningful career change. Discover practical, neuroscience-backed strategies for navigating loss in your professional life, building resilience, and transforming team culture.  Loris trauma-informed approach provides actionable insights on overcoming toxic workplace habits and fostering authentic connections. Whether you're considering your next career move or leading through change, don't miss this conversation packed with wisdom, humor, and real-life advice for making bold, intentional decisions. Check out the episode for inspiration to trust yourself, grieve what you leave behind, and step forward with clarity. Enjoy! Stay connected with Guest Website: https://www.radiusecd.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-swartz-eberly-msw-lcsw-licsw-74550964/  Stay connected with Why I Left  Visit: https://www.WhyILeft.co  Subscribe:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgQI4X0kEp8-o7Z9D3tRmg  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TE4Y626idPxNeewpCG6Ef  Follow:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwhyileft/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-i-left/  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars and share feedback: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100  Why I Left is happy to be part of the Alive Podcast Network, which offers a diverse range of shows featuring powerful storytelling, insightful conversa Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswoodto help executives, founders, and rising leaders align their presence with their next chapter. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    1hr 3min
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Why I Left tells real stories from real people about the bold career moves that changed their lives.  Hosted by Brian Aquart, the show goes beyond resignations to uncover courage, clarity, and growth in the face of change. Each episode offers honest reflections, lessons learned, and practical insights for anyone considering a pivot, navigating uncertainty, or seeking inspiration for their next chapter. We don’t talk about resignations enough, this podcast makes sure we do.

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