The Career Circus

Story Knight

5.0 (3)
BUSINESS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Where careers reveal character. Pursuing the moral of the story by exploring the pivotal moments, hard choices, and formative experiences behind remarkable professional journeys - from athletes to whistleblowers, journalists to venture capitalists and comedians to executives.

10/10/2025

Wajahat Khan on diplomacy, diaspora and being banned by the government

What is the human cost of speaking truth to power? Why does the shortest flight to Islamabad take off from DC? And how is journalism being disrupted by AI? Wajahat Khan - fearless Emmy-nominated journalist, author and entrepreneur - shares how his reporting has put a target on his back and much more. Hear stories accumulated from a career that spans Pakistan, Afghanistan, Michigan, Harvard, New York, Washington and more.

1h 5m
10/03/2025

David Ulevitch on entrepreneurship and VC investing in firms that promote U.S. national interest

How quickly do VCs realise an investment isn’t going to work out? What’s it like to sell your company to Cisco for $635 million? And can we commercialise Tom Brady’s DNA? David Ulevitch - Entrepreneur and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz - shares how a degree in anthropology and working at Cisco inform his approach to venture capital investing in companies that support U.S. national interests. Hear stories accumulated from a career that spans Silicon Valley, New York City and The Pentagon.

51 min
09/25/2025

Jatin Modi on entrepreneurship, writing historical analogies and life as an Indian in Lithuania

How does history help contextualise this moment and allow us to predict what comes next? Who schedules time for worrying? And how many Lithuanians play cricket? Founder and CEO of Renaissance (B2B strategy firm) Jatin Modi shares how understanding historical figures and Eastern philosophies fuels his leadership of Renaissance. Hear stories accumulated from a career that spans India, Silicon Valley and Lithuania. Yes really, Lithuania.

35 min
09/19/2025

Abbas Hashmi on family wealth, building relationships and working across borders

Do Saudi royals pay in beluga caviar? In family wealth, what is communicated through silence? And which South Asian city has the best biryani? Financier, entrepreneur and Columbia University professor Abbas Hashmi provides a fascinating view of what its like to work in the opaque world of private Middle Eastern family wealth. Hear stories accumulated from a career that spans India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

50 min
09/12/2025

Lady Suzanne Heywood on a childhood spent at sea

What was it like to spend 10 years sailing around the world as a child? How does self-education on a boat in the South Pacific lead to Oxford University? and what's it like to be appointed Commander of the British Empire by King Charles? Lady Suzanne Heywood of Whitehall shares her reflections and insight from a unique and challenging childhood and how this has helped her navigate government and executive leadership. To learn the full story, check out Suzanne's gripping memoir - an international bestseller: Wavewalker https://shorturl.at/RuLWI Also, referenced on the podcast was Suzanne's biography of her late husband Jeremy Heywood: What Does Jeremy Think? https://shorturl.at/wAovF Finally, check out the Heywood Quarterly, a free publication that champions innovation in public policy and delivery https://heywoodquarterly.com/

45 min
09/05/2025

Yasmin Elhady: lawyer, comedian, reality TV host and mother

How do you go from refugee in Alabama to reality TV host? What makes her journey a truly American story? Will there be a second season of hit reality show Muslim Matchmaker? Lawyer, comedian, public advocate, TV show host and mom Yasmin Elhady shares these stories and how she manages a multi-faceted career and travel as a mother on the latest episode of The Career Circus.

42 min
08/29/2025

Farzana Baduel on Kardashians, taxes and toy boys

How do toy boys get publicity? How does a career in tax lead to a career in PR? and why should we not sneer at the Kardashians? Trailblazing PR exec Farzana Baduel recounts these stories and more on this episode of The Career Circus.

32 min
08/22/2025

Evan Shapiro on why 30 Rock was a documentary

How did NBCUniversal manage to lose $400 million on The Office streaming rights? How will AI shape the future media? And how much vodka must be consumed to be carted out of South By Southwest? Emmy-Award winner Evan Shapiro tells all on this episode of The Career Circus as he recounts his journey from executive at NBCUniversal to media cartographer.

42 min
08/15/2025

Wendell Potter on blowing the whistle

Wendell shares the story of how he went from health insurance exec to whistleblower and reform advocate. He shares the tragic story that led him to quit his executive position and expose the insurance industry’s practices. Wendell also touches upon who health insurers are really serving, what it’s like to testify before Congress, and how the U.S. can approach universal healthcare. Tune in for a moving and motivating discussion about a career in healthcare.

41 min
08/08/2025

Dennis Chookaszian on AI, FBI and bears

Former CEO Dennis shares tales of corporate intrigue, boardroom dramas, and the humorous tradition of pole certification. Discover insights on the future of AI, bears, and the unique experiences of teaching across the globe. Tune in for a blend of wisdom, humor, and a few surprises that will keep you entertained and informed.

46 min
08/01/2025

Jake Adelstein on dealing with Yakuza

Jake shares stories from his decades long career in Japan reporting on the Yakuza and how in many ways they're just like a Western corporation. He also shares his harrowing experience of living under police protection due to a contract on his life. Tune in to learn about the inner workings of the Yakuza, where the Yakuza go to college and why the Yakuza love Mercedes-Benz. We also touch upon the TV adaptation of his memoir Tokyo Vice and how the Yakuza wanted to be on the show.

41 min
08/01/2025

Joe Walsh on politics, pranks and plans

Former U.S. Congressman Joe Walsh shares the story of his transformation from Tea Party Republican to MAGA to Never Trumper to Democrat. He also reveals how he got pranked by Sacha Baron Cohen and stories from the campaign trail. Chapters 00:00 Cold Open 00:25 Welcome 01:41 Joe Walsh's Unconventional Journey 03:33 Surprises Along the Political Journey 06:47 Engaging with Constituents 08:34 Populism and Political Outsiders 09:52 The Impact of Establishment Politics 10:56 SBC Prank 15:11 More Wild Stories from Joe's Career 17:30 Mistakes in Public Life 20:00 Navigating Public Perception 21:39 Reflections on American Citizenship 23:58 Thoughts on the Future 29:09 Outro

29 min

12 Episodes

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Where careers reveal character. Pursuing the moral of the story by exploring the pivotal moments, hard choices, and formative experiences behind remarkable professional journeys - from athletes to whistleblowers, journalists to venture capitalists and comedians to executives.

Creator

Story Knight
Years Active

2K
Episodes

12
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Story Knight
Show Website

The Career Circus