Next In Line

Next In Line Podcast

Next in Line is a podcast about what it really takes to lead and why it's time to pay it forward. Hosted by Cesar Jimenez, Founder/CEO of Prosource IT and Founder/Board Member at myBasePay, and co-hosted by Karina Jimenez, Founder of Social Kraft, each episode features unfiltered conversations with executives who’ve built, failed, and learned the hard way. They’re not here to impress; they’re here to share the truth with the next generation of leaders coming up behind them.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 94: David Jost, Vice President of Cybersecurity at Amplix and Founder of The Cyber Resilience Tour, on Reinventing Yourself, Leading with Curiosity, and Staying Human in the AI Era

    David Jost, Vice President of Cybersecurity at Amplix and Founder of The Cyber Resilience Tour, joins host Karina Jimenez to reflect on a career spanning media, software, technology, growth, and cybersecurity, connected by a constant attraction to change and transformation. David shares why he believes in disrupting yourself before comfort turns into stagnation, how curiosity can turn uncertainty into excitement, and why some of the most valuable ideas come from taking what you have learned in one environment and applying it somewhere new. He also explains how his philosophy that “how you do anything is how you do everything” shapes the way he leads, builds relationships, and pays it forward to others. David and Karina also explore what leaders need to preserve as AI becomes more embedded in how we work, from authenticity and human judgment to the ability to challenge technology instead of simply accepting its output. He shares why responsible AI adoption should begin with the problem or outcome rather than the technology itself, and why guardrails matter as AI agents become more capable. For the next generation, David’s advice is to avoid overscripting your career, ask better questions, stay open to reinvention, and be real. The uncomfortable moments, unexpected turns, and things you have not figured out yet may be exactly what lead you toward what comes next.

  2. 5d ago

    Ep. 93: Chantell Ghosh, CMO, on Reinvention, Failure, and Staying Human in the Age of AI

    Chantell Ghosh, CMO, joins host Karina Jimenez to share the deliberately nonlinear career that took her from practicing law to founding a communications agency focused on crisis storytelling and reputation management, and eventually into full-funnel marketing leadership. She reflects on why she never saw leaving law as losing what she had built, but as creating space for what could come next, and how every skill and experience continues to compound throughout a career. Chantell also opens up about reframing her relationship with failure, learning to separate fixable inconveniences from true tragedies, and why reinvention should be an ongoing practice rather than something we wait for a crisis to force upon us. Chantell and Karina also explore her approach to criticism, including her “no seagull policy,” and how she is using AI and immersive technology as tools that support rather than replace human creativity. They discuss why real-world connection, serendipity, and even friction are becoming increasingly important in a world shaped by screens and technology. For the next generation, Chantell encourages taking on the projects others overlook, consistently pushing beyond your comfort zone, and staying open to learning and reinvention throughout your career, because it is never too late to become good at something new.

  3. Oct 1

    Ep. 92: Samuel Baker, Founder of Persevere Gear, on Faith, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Turning Setbacks Into a Brand

    Samuel “Sammy” Baker, the youngest guest to join Next in Line, sits down in person with host Karina Jimenez to share how he turned one of the hardest periods of his life into Persevere Gear, a clothing brand he launched at just eleven years old. After facing health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and struggling to earn playing time on his travel basketball team, Sammy created the brand as a reminder to keep going. He shares how Persevere Gear grew from an online business into in-person pop-ups and how connecting face-to-face with customers taught him the value of building genuine relationships around the mission behind the brand. Sammy also opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with school, varsity basketball, leadership responsibilities, and his faith, while leaning on a strong family support system to stay grounded. He shares how James 1:12 has guided his approach to perseverance and why surrounding yourself with people who share your drive can make a difference when pursuing something ambitious. For the next generation of young entrepreneurs, Sammy’s message is to trust the ideas you feel called to pursue and to keep moving forward through every obstacle by remembering three things: pray, plan, and persevere.

  4. Sep 29

    Ep. 91: Tamecka McKay, Chief Information Officer (IT Director) at the City of Fort Lauderdale, on Disaster Leadership, Imposter Syndrome, and Leaning Into Who You Are

    Tamecka McKay, Chief Information Officer (IT Director) at the City of Fort Lauderdale, joins host Cesar Jimenez to share how some of the most challenging moments of her career reshaped the way she leads. Within her first eight months on the job, she faced three back-to-back disasters, including a historic flood that shut down critical systems at City Hall. With an infrastructure modernization plan already in place, Tamecka was able to accelerate the roadmap and accomplish in roughly two years what she estimates would normally have taken five to seven. She also reflects on the shift from technical contributor to leader, why listening became one of her most important leadership skills, and her experience navigating imposter syndrome in a field where she rarely saw herself represented. Tamecka and Cesar also explore how the CIO role is evolving in the age of AI and why she believes technology leaders need to pay just as much attention to the people experiencing change as the technology driving it. She shares how “seek first to understand before being understood” guides the way she builds trust across an organization and why embracing what makes you different can become a strength rather than something to suppress. For the next generation of technology leaders, her message is to lean into those differences, listen before leading, and recognize the value of bringing your full perspective to the table.

  5. Sep 24

    Ep. 90: Leslie Alore, Chief Marketing Officer, on Adaptability, Lateral Moves, and Leading Through Influence

    Leslie Alore, Chief Marketing Officer, joins host Karina Jimenez to share the unexpected career journey that took her from dreams of becoming a fighter pilot and studying engineering to finding her path in marketing. She reflects on the difficult feedback that changed the way she thought about leadership, including a humbling 360-degree review that taught her to adapt her communication style without compromising who she is. Leslie also shares how she builds trust by understanding the different working styles on her team and why some of the most valuable moves in her own career were lateral ones that gave her new skills and perspectives. Leslie and Karina also explore how to decide which career feedback is worth acting on, why imposter syndrome can surface during periods of growth, and the importance of taking ownership of your development rather than waiting for someone else to define the next step. For the next generation of leaders, Leslie encourages staying open to opportunities that may not look like obvious promotions, proactively building the skills needed for where you want to go, and learning to lead through influence. Adapting how you communicate isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about understanding how to bring others along with you.

  6. Sep 22

    Ep. 89: Tricia Ferreira, Senior Vice President, Technology Product Management at World Fuel, on Reinvention, Attitude Over Aptitude, and Leading Through Change

    Tricia Ferreira, Senior Vice President of Technology Product Management at World Fuel, joins host Cesar Jimenez to share the unexpected decision that took her from an accounting scholarship to computer science and eventually into GE’s IT leadership program and a career in technology. She reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her along the way, from valuing attitude over aptitude and treating failure as part of learning to continuously reinventing yourself instead of becoming attached to a title. Tricia also shares why she sees career growth as a journey built around impact, where a sidestep can sometimes create more opportunity than the obvious next move. Tricia and Cesar also explore what technology leadership looks like today, why technology strategy can’t be separated from business strategy, and the value of leaders who can speak both business and tech. They discuss AI as another tool in the toolkit, the importance of keeping humans involved, and a future workforce where people and digital workers operate together. For the next generation, Tricia encourages saying yes to opportunities before you feel completely ready, finding a leadership style that is authentically yours, and staying open to the moves that may not look like progress at first but can ultimately set up your next leap.

  7. Sep 17

    Ep. 88: Luke Leinberger, Global Head of Social Media at Gravity Global, on Authenticity, AI-Driven Discoverability, and Leading With Care

    Luke Leinberger, Global Head of Social Media at Gravity Global, joins host Karina Jimenez to share how a background in creative writing led him into social media at a time when the channel was still considered a “nice to have.” From growing a boutique agency’s social offering to leading a full global practice after the agency’s acquisition by Gravity Global, Luke has spent the last decade watching social move from an afterthought to the center of how brands reach their audiences. In this episode, Luke shares the mentorship lessons that shaped how he leads today, from being given the space to make mistakes early in his career to learning that leadership means adapting your style to each person rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. He also opens up about a philosophy he lives by: there is no failing, only winning or learning. Luke and Karina also dig into how AI is reshaping social media from behind the scenes, from streamlining reporting and social listening to navigating a new reality where audiences question whether even authentic content is AI-generated. They discuss why content guidelines have to stay living documents rather than fixed rules, and why the shift from SEO to AEO is changing what it means for a brand to be discoverable at all. For the next generation of leaders, Luke’s advice is to lead with genuine care for your team, understand that team success is what defines your own, and recognize that leadership itself isn’t the right path for everyone.

  8. Sep 15

    Ep. 87: Maurizio Carano, VP of Global Marketing at MCC Label, on Career Pivots, AI as a Thought Partner, and the Power of Perspective

    Maurizio Carano, Vice President of Global Marketing at MCC Label, joins host Karina Jimenez to share the unconventional career journey that took him from chemistry and academia into product management and global marketing. He reflects on how curiosity, openness, and a willingness to pivot shaped his career, while sharing why the best leaders listen with the intent to understand and genuinely consider what is best for the people around them.  Maurizio also explores how AI is changing product marketing and why he approaches it as a thought partner that can challenge assumptions, introduce new perspectives, and strengthen decision-making while keeping human authenticity at the center. For the next generation, he emphasizes practicing new skills, seeking feedback, staying curious, and remaining open to perspectives different from your own. His final reminder is that adapting to change does not mean changing who you are, but learning how to evolve the way you show up.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Next in Line is a podcast about what it really takes to lead and why it's time to pay it forward. Hosted by Cesar Jimenez, Founder/CEO of Prosource IT and Founder/Board Member at myBasePay, and co-hosted by Karina Jimenez, Founder of Social Kraft, each episode features unfiltered conversations with executives who’ve built, failed, and learned the hard way. They’re not here to impress; they’re here to share the truth with the next generation of leaders coming up behind them.

Information

  • Creator
    Next In Line Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Next In Line Podcast
  • Show Website
    Next In Line