The Ampersand Manifesto: Make Your Mark in Multiple Fields

Jessica Wan, Executive Coach and Classical Singer
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What happens when you refuse to choose just one path? On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have built thriving careers in two or more completely different worlds, from medicine & dance to technology & art. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto – a guide to leading a bold, multi-passionate life.

  1. 13h ago

    Joy Khoo: Nurturing the Seeker through Coaching, Nature, and the Arts

    Jessica talks with Joy Khoo, a Master Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. Since 2003, she has worked with leaders from all walks of life, helping them embrace their authentic selves and develop greater self-awareness in service of humanizing the workplace. Her coaching integrates nature, mindfulness, neuroscience, art, and embodied practices. A champion for women leaders, Joy serves as a Facilitator for Stanford University's Women in Management Group and has been a Founding Guide for Chief, a private network for senior women executives, since 2021. She teaches mindfulness at resorts in Southeast Asia, offers nature workshops for the Gates Foundation alumni program, and leads immersive self-discovery sessions exploring nature, mindfulness, and art at places like Rancho La Puerta in Mexico. She has recently published two books: Nature's Guide for Leaders and Nature's Guide for Coaches. Follow Joy Khoo on LinkedIn and at her website joykhoo.com. ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

  2. Sep 16

    Amani Roberts: Remixing Career Identities Across the DJ Booth, the Page, and the Classroom

    Jessica talks with Amani Roberts, international keynote speaker and global performer. He is a renowned DJ, entrepreneur, award-winning professor, and USA Today’s best-selling author of the books “The Quiet Storm” and “DJs Mean Business”.  With over 30 years in hospitality and 17 years in the music industry, he’s worked with global brands like Marriott, 7-11, and Chartmetric while generating millions of dollars in revenue. A sought-after speaker and co-host of the podcast Adventures in Business, Amani inspires professionals to unlock creativity, take risks, and grow their resilience in any circumstances. His expertise has been featured in Forbes, NPR, People Magazine, NBC, and Yahoo! Finance. Learn more about Amani at https://amaniexperience.com. ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

  3. Sep 9

    Shannon Nash: No Boxes, Just Verses – From the Boardroom to Broadway, Film, and Beyond

    Shannon Nash is a global C-suite leader, attorney, Qualified Financial Expert, CPA and public Board Member with over 30 years of experience navigating the intersection of technology, finance, and governance. Outside of her board and operating work, Shannon is an award-winning documentary film producer, a Tony Award–nominated Broadway producer, and the host of the leadership podcast No Boxes: Just Verses. Shannon currently serves as Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Vibrant Planet, which provides comprehensive wildfire resilience solutions for communities, utilities, and land management. She also chairs the Audit Committee of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, overseeing more than 16 billion dollars in assets. Shannon holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she also serves as a McIntire Foundation Board Trustee. Follow Shannon: Podcast: No Boxes: Just Verses IG: ShannonNash1 LinkedIn: Shannon K Nash ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

  4. Jun 10

    Chris Lele: Collecting Difficult Skills Across AI, Music Composition, and Big Words

    Jessica talks with Chris Lele, an AI educator, learning strategist, writer, musician, and lifelong collector of difficult skills.  He spent 20 years in test prep, creating thousands of SAT, GRE, and GMAT questions, publishing a bestselling vocabulary book, and reaching millions of students through YouTube.  Today, he teaches professionals how to use generative AI without losing their originality, judgment, or voice.  Chris is also a classical pianist, composer, Toastmasters speech competitor, fitness enthusiast, and occasional restaurant and bar performer.  Whether teaching AI, playing Chopin, writing speeches, or explaining a brutal math problem, Chris is drawn to the art of making complexity come alive. Follow Chris: IG: @chris_on_the_keys YouTube: Ab-peggios Spotify: The Tide Beneath Apple Music: The Tide Beneath ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

  5. Jun 3

    Leigh Marz: The Power of Silence on the Page, the Dance Floor, and Across Sectors

    Jessica talks with Leigh Marz, Author, Collaboration Consultant, and Rhythm & Motion Dance Instructor and Choreographer. She and Justin Zorn co-authored the book Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise, published by HarperCollins and translated into 15 languages worldwide. Leigh's favorite way to find internal silence is on the thumping dance floor! She's a choreographer and dance instructor with Rhythm & Motion, a high-energy dance workout program that cultivates a welcoming, accepting atmosphere for all people regardless of age, ability or background. Leigh's third Ampersand is as a collaboration consultant. She's led diverse initiatives, including a training program to promote an experimental mindset among multi-generational teams at NASA. She’s also facilitated a decade-long cross-sector collaboration to reduce toxic chemicals in partnership with the Green Science Policy Institute, Harvard University, Kaiser Permanente, and many others. Follow Leigh at: https://leighmarz.com/https://www.rhythmandmotion.com/https://astreastrategies.com/ Learn more about Jarvis Jay Masters at https://www.freejarvis.org/ ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

  6. May 27

    Talia Sherman: Bridging Disciplines, Global Podcasting, and the Future of the Multi-Hyphenate

    Jessica talks with Talia Sherman, recent grad & podcast creator and host. Talia Sherman just graduated from Brown University (congrats!), where she studied Linguistics and English with honors. She was an undergraduate fellow at the Cogut Institute for the Humanities. In the spring of her senior year of high school, she founded Tomayto Tomahto, an interview based podcast on language. Streamed in over 90 countries and showcasing the voices of professors from many different universities, Tomayto Tomahto digs into interdisciplinary research, cutting-edge theoretical questions, and sometimes linguistics journalism. Notable guests include Steven Pinker, Emily M. Bender, Jonathan Rosa, and John DeNero. When not podcasting, reading literary theory, or doing economics research, Talia can be found backpacking or training Brown students to lead backpacking trips. Tomayto Tomahto: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/talia-sherman  Talia’s website: https://www.taliasherman.com/ ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

  7. May 20

    Karin K. Jensen: The Strength of Water, Dance, and AAPI Advocacy

    Jessica talks with Karin K. Jensen, writer, journalist, dancer, & dance instructor. Karin K. Jensen is a local news writer for the Alameda Post, where she covers local government and book reviews, and is the author of The Strength of Water, an Asian American Coming-of-Age Memoir, which received a coveted starred review from Kirkus and appeared on the annual Kirkus List of Top 100 Indie Books. It also won awards from The BookFest, International Book Awards, and the San Francisco Book Festival in 2024. She has written for AsAm News and NewsBreak, winning NewsBreak editorial awards on the topics of #StopAsianHate and #AAPI Voices. For her work, Authority Magazine named her a Social Impact Author. Karin makes her home in sunny Alameda, California, where she also enjoys teaching at the Alameda Ballet Academy and performing historical dances with the Period Events and Entertainments Recreation Society (PEERS). Follow Karin’s work at Karinkjensen.blog and on Instagram @karinkjensen ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

  8. May 13

    Tony Martignetti: Illuminating Hidden Brilliance through Leadership, Glassblowing, and Poetry

    Jessica talks with Tony Martignetti, Leadership Advisor, Artist, & Creative Guide. Tony Martignetti is a leadership advisor who helps leaders navigate complexity without losing themselves. With over 30 years across high-tech and life sciences, he has worked where innovation, pressure, and uncertainty collide. His defining insight: brilliance doesn’t disappear in organizations; it goes dormant when people are asked to fragment themselves to perform. Through Inspired Purpose Partners, Tony designs experiences that integrate purpose, presence, creativity, and connection to drive meaningful impact. He is the author of Climbing the Right Mountain and Campfire Lessons for Leaders, host of The Virtual Campfire Podcast, and a keynote speaker known for creating “campfire” spaces for honest, expansive dialogue. Follow Tony and his work at: https://tonymspeaks.com/  https://linktr.ee/inspiredcoach  https://www.ipurposepartners.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymartignett1/  ~ About The Ampersand Manifesto: What happens when you refuse to choose just one path?  On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have made their mark in two or more seemingly different worlds. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto: principles for leading a multi-passionate life. ~ About your host, Jessica Wan: Executive Coach | Classical Singer | Former Marketing Leader & Tech Executive Jessica helps founders and leaders make the invisible visible. With 20+ years of experience scaling brands like Apple, Smule, and the San Francisco Opera, and as an ICF-certified executive coach, she provides the clarity and strategy needed to lead bravely and find fulfillment in a multi-passionate life. Work with Jessica: Book a Free Intro Call Join The Cohort: An Ampersand Community for Dual-Career Professionals Follow the Journey: @ampersandmanifesto Connect: Jessica’s LinkedIn Listen: Singing Excerpts ~ Credits Co-produced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠ Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

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What happens when you refuse to choose just one path? On The Ampersand Manifesto, host Jessica Wan sits down with “the most interesting people at the dinner party” – those who have built thriving careers in two or more completely different worlds, from medicine & dance to technology & art. Through candid conversations, we explore what it takes to navigate multiple callings, find the connection points between them, and redefine success on our own terms. Together, we’re co-creating The Ampersand Manifesto – a guide to leading a bold, multi-passionate life.

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