Why I Left

Brian Aquart
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

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. 23h ago

    What a Hollywood Stunt Coordinator Knows About Risk and Leadership - Don Lee

    Send a message to the show Don Lee built a career around risk, but his biggest transition was not physical. It was learning how to stop thinking only about his own performance and start carrying responsibility for everyone else on set. Don is a stunt coordinator, fight coordinator, second unit director, and action designer whose credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Cobra Kai, and Tulsa King. In this conversation, he shares how martial arts opened the door to stunt work, why he chose to begin coordinating at 35, and how a life-changing project in India reshaped the way he communicates, leads, and protects people. This episode is for anyone in a high-pressure career who is asking whether it is time to evolve. Don talks about ego, safety, money, invisibility, team trust, and the quiet discipline it takes to become the calmest person in the room when the stakes are real. Stay connected with Don Lee Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_L._Lee_(action_director) IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1405807/ Cobra Kai: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/interviews/stunt-coordinator-don-lee-interview/  Work with Brian Aquart 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link Stay connected with Brian Aquart & Why I Left Brian: https://linktr.ee/thebrianaquart Why I Left: 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 Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    What a Hollywood Stunt Coordinator Knows About Risk and Leadership - Don Lee

  2. Jul 14

    How to Build a Career Around the Problem You Want to Solve - Chike Aguh

    Send a message to the show Not every career pivot starts with a dramatic resignation. Sometimes the deeper shift happens when you realize the title you hold is no longer the best way to serve the problem you care about. In this episode of Why I Left, Brian Aquart sits down with Chike Aguh, Head of Innovation and Strategy at the Kapor Center, for a conversation about workforce, public service, leadership, and the quiet discipline behind intentional career movement. Chike reflects on his family’s immigrant story, his time in government and advisory work, his decision to return to service during the pandemic, and the difference between leaving something and going toward something. This conversation is for leaders who feel boxed in by their current role, professionals trying to make sense of uncertainty, and anyone who has ever wondered whether ambition should be attached to a title or a problem worth solving. Chike offers a grounded framework for building a resilient career, leading change, and staying honest about what the next move is really about. Enjoy! Stay connected with Chike Aguh Website: https://www.kaporcenter.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chike-aguh/  Work with Brian Aquart 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link 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 Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    How to Build a Career Around the Problem You Want to Solve - Chike Aguh

  3. Jul 7

    Leaving Corporate Tech to Close the AI Access Gap - Adamaka Ajaelo

    Send a message to the show Adamaka Ajaelo had the kind of corporate career many people work years to build. She worked in people analytics and strategic workforce planning, helping major companies understand future talent needs, workforce shifts, and capability gaps. But the more she measured the future of work, the more clearly she saw who was being left out of it. In this episode of Why I Left, Adamaka shares why she stepped away from corporate stability to grow Self-eSTEM, a nonprofit helping youth and young adults, especially girls and women from under-resourced communities, build confidence, coding, leadership, STEM, and AI skills. She talks about the golden handcuffs of corporate tech, the fear of losing proximity to innovation, and the moment she realized she was quantifying inequity without doing enough to close it. This conversation is for anyone wrestling with a career decision that looks successful on paper but feels misaligned in practice. Adamaka’s story is a grounded reminder that purpose-driven work does not mean abandoning strategy. It means applying your skills to a different metric of success. Stay connected with Adamaka Ajaelo Website: https://www.adamakaajaelo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamakaajaelo/ Self-eSTEM: www.selfestem.org Work with Brian Aquart 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link 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 Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    Leaving Corporate Tech to Close the AI Access Gap - Adamaka Ajaelo

  4. Jun 30

    Leaving Law Enforcement Twice - Dr. Jessica Herbert

    Send a message to the show What happens when the system you helped build no longer reflects the person you have become? Dr. Jessica Herbert knows that question from the inside. She left the same career twice, first to step away from law enforcement, then later to move beyond public safety analytics toward leadership transformation. Jessica’s path spans law enforcement, federal task force work, data science, entrepreneurship, and executive coaching. She founded Idea Analytics, led analytics work for public agencies, and now serves as a practice leader at Asbatra Coaching, where she helps leaders think differently about trust, transformation, and human-centered change. In this conversation, Jessica and Brian explore what it feels like to hit the same wall twice, why awareness is the first real step toward leaving, and how data can reveal the early warning signs leaders often ignore. This episode is for anyone who once believed in a system, built something meaningful inside it, and now feels the quiet pull toward something more aligned. Enjoy! Stay connected with Dr. Jessica Herbert Website: https://drjessicaherbert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjessicaherbert/ Substack: https://asbatracoaching.substack.com/  Work with Brian Aquart 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link 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  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: GMOUNFIQHH9AQI79, SBBHRSGIJNZ80ZK5, G2KR6SSYJIY8IBBT Your story deserves to be told with clarity and impact. That’s why I created Storyline by Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    Leaving Law Enforcement Twice - Dr. Jessica Herbert

  5. Jun 23

    Alignment, Identity, and the Cost of Hiding at Work - Kjell van Zoen

    Send a message to the show What happens when the life you built still works, but no longer fits? For Kjell van Zoen, that question became impossible to ignore during a conversation about scaling a business in a direction that looked successful on paper but felt wrong internally. Kjell is a leadership coach, organizational development practitioner, and guide for people navigating personal and professional inflection points. In this conversation, they reflect on building and exiting Plywerk, moving between entrepreneurship and corporate life, coming out as non-binary, and learning how identity reshapes the way we experience work, leadership, and belonging. This episode is for anyone quietly questioning whether their career still reflects who they are becoming. Brian and Kjell talk about alignment versus comfort, ambition versus agency, code shifting, inclusive leadership, and why the first honest step is not always leaving. Sometimes it is telling yourself the truth about what no longer fits. Enjoy! Stay connected with Kjell van Zoen Website: vanzoen.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvanzoen/  Work with Brian Aquart 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link 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 Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    Alignment, Identity, and the Cost of Hiding at Work - Kjell van Zoen

  6. Jun 16

    Leaving Law to Reclaim Rest, Voice, and Agency with Dana T. Weekes

    Send a message to the show Dana T. Weekes had built the kind of career many people work years to reach. As a lawyer and policy advocate, she worked on complex legislative and regulatory issues, represented major clients, and became known for high-stakes problem solving. But behind the success, she was exhausted, disconnected, and losing touch with her own voice. In this conversation, Dana shares why 2020 became the culmination point after years of 12 to 14 hour days, pandemic-era crisis work, and the emotional weight of showing up for everyone but herself. She talks about trying to resign, being offered a sabbatical, taking a full year to focus on rest, and eventually founding Thrive Architects. She also shares the deeper meaning behind The Rest of Us podcast, where she explores rest as self-liberation for advocates and professionals who give so much of themselves. This episode is for anyone questioning whether the path they worked so hard to build is still the right one. Dana offers a grounded look at courage, identity, rest, and what it means to stop succeeding on someone else’s mountain. Content note: This conversation includes a brief mention of suicidal ideation and mental health. Stay connected with Dana T. Weekes Website: https://thethrivearch.com/ Podcast: https://therestofuspodcast.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-tenille-weekes/ Substack: https://therestofuspodcast.substack.com/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=6p1t9m  Work with Brian Aquart 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link 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 Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    Leaving Law to Reclaim Rest, Voice, and Agency with Dana T. Weekes

  7. Jun 9

    Who Are You Without the Uniform? - Oakland McCulloch

    Send a message to the show Some careers do more than give you a job. They give you structure, identity, mission, and a sense of belonging. For retired Lieutenant Colonel Oak McCulloch, leaving the Army meant more than stepping away from a role. It meant learning who he was without the uniform. In this conversation, Brian talks with Oak about his transition out of military service, the grief of leaving behind a deeply rooted identity, and the surprise of entering civilian leadership spaces where mission, urgency, and communication were understood very differently. Oak shares how he moved from the Army into service-oriented work at a food bank, then into leadership development, keynote speaking, and helping organizations build stronger leaders. This episode is for anyone who has felt loyal to a system that no longer fits, anyone rebuilding purpose after a major career shift, and anyone asking, “Who am I without this title?” Oak’s story is a reminder that service does not have to end when one chapter closes. Sometimes it becomes more personal, more deliberate, and more human. Enjoy! Stay connected with Oak McCulloch Website: www.ltcoakmcculloch.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/oakland-mcculloch/ Work with Brian Aquart 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link 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 Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    Who Are You Without the Uniform? - Oakland McCulloch

  8. Jun 2

    Leaving Education to Rebuild a Life Around Financial Healing - Kara Stevens

    Send a message to the show Money is rarely just about numbers. For Kara Stevens, founder of The Frugal Feminista, money was tied to avoidance, shame, family stories, ambition, risk, and the question of what it really means to have enough. In this conversation, Kara shares how she moved from debt and financial avoidance to helping women heal their relationship with money. Before building The Frugal Feminista, she worked in education, eventually becoming an assistant principal. But after years of building systems, serving students, and growing her platform on the side, she realized she had reached the end of that chapter. Kara talks with Brian about leaving education, preparing financially for a major life transition, moving to Ghana with her family, and learning to build community in a new country. She also explains why money stories matter, how shame shows up for professional women, and why a powerful exit requires more than a leap of faith. This episode is for anyone who is considering a career move, questioning their relationship with money, or trying to make a values-based decision without ignoring the numbers. Enjoy! Stay connected with Kara Stevens Website: The Frugal Feminista https://www.thefrugalfeminista.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-stevens-edm-37882b12/ Book: Heal Your Relationship with Money https://thefrugalfeministastore.thrivecart.com/heal-your-relationship-with-money-book/ Free resource: First three days of Heal Your Relationship with Money at https://www.thefrugalfeminista.com/community/ 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/1IT1-NDl51cZbhNUzUO4lCyjVJiVcmvxS/view?usp=drive_link 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 Kingswood, an executive branding and narrative strategy service for high-impact professionals who are stepping into a new chapter. Elevate your leadership. Command your story. Support the show Interested in sponsoring Why I Left? Learn more about partnership opportunities here: https://whyileft.co/sponsor-why-i-left-podcast/

    Leaving Education to Rebuild a Life Around Financial Healing - Kara Stevens
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Aquart
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Why I Left
  • Show Website
    Why I Left