LET'S GO WITH JULIO

Julio G. Alvarez
  • 4.8 (30)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Hi, I’m Julio. After 15 years leading teams at Apple, Google, Tumblr, Airbnb and Lyft — I’m now a coach on a mission to educate, inspire and empower you to unlock your best, most authentic self as a leader. Through conversations, interviews, practical advice, and live coaching, we’ll cover topics like career changes, personal growth, tackling failure, building community, brave leadership, and creating a life you genuinely love. You can expect real talk, laughs, and lots of love as I help you navigate life’s tough questions with a calm head and courageous heart. To learn more or submit a question or topic you’d like to hear covered in the show, visit letsgowithjulio.com/podcast Tune in, buckle up and get ready to bring out your best. Let’s go!

  1. 7H AGO

    Braving Big Tech: One Year Later (Q&A)

    One year ago, I published Braving Big Tech — a five-part audio docu-series about getting hired and fired by Apple, Google, Tumblr, and Airbnb. It took 14 months, nearly 100 pages of writing, and 15 interviews with the people who were there — including managers that hired me, and one who fired me.  Today, on the one-year anniversary, I’m answering the most common questions people ask me, like: Did you deserve to get fired?What did numbing actually look like? What hasn’t healed yet?What do you say to someone whose job is killing them slowly?This episode is honest, real and intended to help you get clear on how you’re braving big tech right now. Because let’s be real: we’re all trying to figure out how to navigate these times with a calm head and courageous heart. Listen and learn more about Braving Big Tech: https://bravingbigtech.com/ Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify  Listen on YouTube CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠

    42 min

  2. MAR 3

    On Self-Love, Grief, and Living Whole with Nick Deutsch

    What does it look like to lead a life that's fully integrated — not split between who you are and what you do? In this episode, I sit down with Nick Deutsch — elementary school teacher, musician, and the artist behind You Are The One, this season’s theme song. Only 1 in 10 elementary school teachers in America are male, and Nick is one of them. He is one of our undervalued leaders raising the next generation. In this conversation, he offers wisdom from the classroom, the music room, and from a life genuinely examined. We talk about: What kids are honest about that adults have learned to hideWhy music reaches places words and logic can'tCarl Jung, the unconscious, and why self-awareness changes everythingThe "disease to please" — and how niceness can become a cageLosing his mother at 26, and what grief taught him about lifeWhat it means to love yourself — not as a cliché, but as a real, daily practiceIf you've ever "smiled on the outside while something inside was being torn apart" — this episode is for you. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: ⁠Nick’s Music⁠ Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves The Loving Parent Guidebook Listen to Braving Big Tech CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠

    1h 10m

  3. FEB 17

    Engaging Our Hearts with Qiana Sanders

    I’m curious: where in your life are you leading from your head… but not your heart? Today we’re joined by Qiana Sanders — a data science leader, classically trained violinist, and proud Black trans woman from Detroit — for a conversation that’s equal parts practical and deeply human. Qiana says “success is on the other side of service,” and she lives it. We talk about servant leadership as something you do (not something you claim), why “being a leader is a verb,” and the KPI that might matter more than any dashboard: Key Performance Heart Indicators. You’ll hear us unpack: how to “engage the heart” on real teams (especially under pressure)how to read what people are not saying — not just what they are sayingthe lost art of one-on-oneswhy so many of us walk around with a “representative” instead of our real selvesand what it takes to stop shrinking, stop judging, and start living out loudThe invitation for you with this episode: Wake up and like yourself. Love yourself, actually. Then, lead from there. Thank you all for being here on this journey — let me know what this conversation brings up for you! CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠ 0:00 Intro: Leading With Integrity, Grace, and Heart 3:34 What is Servant Leadership? 5:11 The Key Performance Heart Indicator 5:30 Knowing Who You Are & Living Out Loud 12:00 Being Naturally of Service 13:33 Everyone’s a Leader in Their Own Way 13:59 Unlocking the Potential of Others 15:19 Humility & Vulnerability Are Inherent in Servant Leadership 16:29 A Leader’s Job is to Engage the Heart 20:43 Having an Orchestral Mindset - What Are You Not Saying 22:18 You’ve Got to Be Excited About You 25:42 Calling People In 27:23 More on the Orchestral Mindset 30:36 Newton’s Third Law 31:10 Building Trust 32:00 Giving & Receiving Real Feedback3 7:00 The Agency to Go Higher 38:57 How to Improve Your One on Ones 44:50 Staying Grounded Through Opposition 48:44 Creating Joy For Yourself & Others 50:22 A Message For Those Transitioning 53:05 Challenging the Idea of Needing to Be Fixed 56:06 Judgment as a Mirror 01:04:24 Showing Up With Grace 01:06:42 Heart Work as an Act of Courage

    1h 12m

  4. JAN 27

    Compassion as Your Compass with Michael Pelehach

    We’re sitting down with my old Lyft colleague Michael Pelehach. He’s currently the COO of The Adventure Project, a nonprofit tackling extreme poverty through sustainable job creation. Michael's career journey has in some ways been traditional — from Duke to Northwestern's MBA program to leadership roles at Target and Lyft. But he’s also been called more than once to social impact work. How do you know when to follow the call? Michael opens up about the pivotal experiences that shaped his path: witnessing poverty in rural Slovakia as a child, teaching English on a Fulbright grant, and the loss of his mother during the pandemic. We also explore how becoming a father has reshaped his definition of success and the legacy he wants to leave to his kids. If you’re searching for purpose, navigating a career transition, or wondering how to be both successful and do good in the world, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired — because Michael's story proves you don't have to choose. The Adventure Project: https://www.theadventureproject.org/ Get in Touch with Michael: michael.pelehach@theadventureproject.org CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠ 00:00 Episode Preview 00:45 Intro: Finding Purpose in Out Work 02:56 Meet Michael Pelehach  05:02 Early Exposure to Travel and Humbling Realizations 09:10 The Pull Toward Social Impact  18:30 The Courage to Leave Corporate 20:30 Teaching English in Bulgaria 23:00 Realizing What’s Important 28:13 Leaving Lyft for The Adventure Project 37:00 Where Can We Have the Most Impact? 40:45 Reflecting on Returning to Tech 42:48 Sustainable Development Work is Locally Led 47:11 A Broader Definition of Success 48:33 Raising Young Boys to be Compassionate 53:26 Staying Grounded While Juggling the Responsibilities of Fatherhood  56:24 Leaving a Legacy of Putting Others First 57:22 How to Get Involved with The Adventure Project 58:24 Closing: Compassion and Empathy Are the Answer

    1 hr

  5. 12/02/2025

    Leadership Lessons from Eckhart Tolle

    Eckhart Tolle's teachings have completely transformed how I live and lead—that’s why today we’re walking you through 5 powerful leadership lessons after my 4-day retreat with Eckhart Tolle at the Omega Institute. This will help you close out 2025 with more presence and what I call "Big Brave Heart" energy. And each lesson comes with a simple yet practical tool that you can use today, right after listening. You know we are living through strange times—answering Slack on the toilet, doomscrolling three wars, watching layoff rumors circulate—all while being expected to lead ourselves, our families, and our teams. The challenge is: most leadership training teaches us roadmaps and dashboards, not empathy, emotional regulation, or how to have hard conversations. That’s why I made this episode for you, because the wisdom to overcome feeling underwater or directionless or stressed is within reach if you slow down enough to listen. Really listen. What You'll Learn: How to shift from your inner critic to your inner coachWhat can happen if you see your biggest challenge as a portal for growthWhy presence is the new IQ in the age of AI MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Braving Big Tech Omega Institute A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Kim Scott Radical Candor CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠ 0:00 Introduction: Leadership in Strange Times 1:55 My Story: Lack of Support Before Getting Fired 3:37 Rock Bottom and Waking Up 4:57 Finding Eckhart Tolle Through Oprah 5:38 Eckhart Tolle at Omega Institute 6:32 Intro to the Five Lessons 7:13 Lesson One: You Are Not the Critic in Your Head 11:59 A Practice for Lesson One 13:23 Lesson Two: Don’t Get Infected by the Insanity 15:59 A Practice for Lesson Two 17:22 Lesson Three: You Are More Than This Role, This Year 19:34 A Practice for Lesson Three 20:43 Lesson Four: Your Hardest Thing is a Portal, Not a Problem 22:47 A Practice for Lesson Four 24:06 Lesson Five: Presence Is the New IQ in the Age of AI 27:08 A Practice for Lesson Five 28:08 Accelerating Our Awakening 30:03 Invitation to Experiment with the Lessons

    32 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    The Courage to Create Calm with Sue Rae

    We often see leadership as a title you hold at work, but today, we're talking with Sue Rae about the leadership you exercise over your personal sanctuary. You know the saying: clean house, clean mind. I worked with Sue at Google NYC, where she was an elite Executive Assistant—a master of organizing at the highest level. But her own success came at a cost. She reached a point where she was running on fumes just to go to work. Sue had the courage to listen to the whispers and step away from her role at Google to start Sorted by Sue, a professional organizing business. Today, she works with executives, entrepreneurs, and rockstar public figures. You'll hear her story of transformation, the system she uses to go from chaos to calm, and the one simple thing you can do today to start treating your home like the powerful sanctuary you deserve. You ready? Let's go! MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo Find Sue: ⁠https://www.sortedbysue.com/⁠ CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠ 00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:02:01 How Julio and Sue Met at Google 00:04:40 The Intensity of Being an Executive Assistant at Google 00:07:43 The Breaking Point 00:10:15 Asking for a Sabbatical 00:10:58 Coping Mechanisms 00:18:28 How Sue Spent Her Sabbatical in Asia 00:19:41 The Inspiration Behind Sorted by Sue 00:22:35 Taking the Leap: Leaving Google to Start Sorted by Sue 00:32:50 What Do People’s Spaces Say About Them? 00:35:12 Leap and the Net Will Appear 00:37:33 How Does the Disorganization Make You Feel? 00:39:05 Visual Clutter Ends Up Being Mental Clutter 00:40:37 De-Cluttering is an Emotional Exercise 00:47:53 The Role of Grief 00:51:34 Home Therapy for Individuals and Couples 00:55:08 Putting Systems in Place 00:58:07 Real Life Examples of Chaos to Calm 01:10:42 Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help 01:12:33 How to Begin Your Organizing Journey 01:14:22 Valuing Experiences Over Stuff 01:16:14 The 30-Minute Junk Drawer Challenge 01:18:03 Final Thoughts: Organizing’s Ripple Effect 01:19:22 Closing and Credits

    1h 20m

  7. 11/04/2025

    5 Shifts to Courageous Leadership: Insights from Out & Equal

    Inspired by this year’s Out & Equal Workplace Summit, I share five powerful leadership shifts that surfaced while connecting with over 4,000 Fortune 500 leaders. We’ll discuss how to move from apathy to love, from anger to action, from fear to faith, from division to bridge, and from noise to awareness. Each shift comes with practical tools you can implement immediately, including the Big Brave Heart framework. Whether you're navigating team dynamics, personal relationships, or simply trying to show up with more heart, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable strategies for building courageous, heart-led leadership. Perfect for leaders, ERG members, and anyone committed to creating lasting change through self-awareness and brave action. CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠ 00:00 Welcome Back from Out & Equal 00:53 The Stakes: Why This Moment Matters 02:42 Shift 1: From Apathy to Love 04:30 Why We Drift Into Apathy: Fatigue & Fear 06:34 The Big Brave Heart Tool 07:55 Shift 2: From Anger to Action 08:18 Larry Kramer: Anger Transformed 10:56 Channeling Your Indignation 11:57 Shift 3: From Fear to Faith 12:37 Harvey Milk's Message of Hope 16:00 Shift 4: From Division to Bridge 17:43 Professor Kenji Yoshino: From Cancel Culture to Coaching Culture 19:19 Finding the Bigger Win for Everyone 21:14 Allyship is a Behavior 22:16 Zooming Out: Equality Always Advanced 22:52 Shift 5: From Noise to Awareness 24:01 Why Leaders Need Coaches 24:51 Impact Over Action 25:23 Create Time Where None Exists 26:54 Closing: Gratitude, Queer Magic, & Choosing Courage

    29 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    What Happens When a Tech Leader Hits Pause? with D.J. Johnson

    If you're a high-performing leader sensing that it’s time for a break, that there has to be a better way—one that doesn't sacrifice your health, relationships, or sense of self—this conversation is for you. In this episode, we’re going deep with D.J. Johnson, Program Manager for Global Employee Engagement & Experience at Amazon, to talk about his most recent act of courage: taking a sabbatical. DJ shares the lessons he learned during this time of recalibration, how he discovered who he was beneath the hustle, and his intention to break generational cycles. Together, we explore the meaning of heart-centered leadership and it’s role as the ultimate differentiator in an age where AI is leveling the intellectual playing field. Key takeaways: How to spot the signs that you need to slow down and recalibrateThe key qualities of heart centered leadership and what to start practicing nowThe difference between intent and impactThe importance of de-stigmatizing therapy and mental health medicationReady to start leading from your heart? If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to do the inner work to become a more aligned, effective leader, I offer 1:1 coaching for tech leaders navigating transitions, burnout, and the journey to heart-centered leadership. Visit letsgowithjulio.com to learn more. Where to find D.J.: LinkedIn CONNECT: Follow Julio on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Book Julio to speak, coach, or consult at ⁠letsgowithjulio.com CREDITS: Theme song: "You Are The One" by ⁠Nick Deutsch⁠ Produced + edited: ⁠Rikki Gunton⁠ 00:00 Introduction 02:38 Finding Community in Heart-Centered Leadership 05:50 Are You Willing to Look Inward? 13:16 How D.J. Knew it was Time to Take a Sabbatical 19:29 Spotting the Signs: Know When You're Moving Too Fast 22:52 Exploring Hobbies & Natural Hair Curl Journey 24:25 Body Image & Self-Acceptance 27:56 Pressures to Be Productive During Time Off 29:51 Uplifting Heart Centered Leaders in Tech 34:12 Managers vs. Leaders 35:17 Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI 38:34 What Is Heart-Centered Leadership? 47:33 Self-Care Tools from D.J.’s Book 50:59 Skills From a First Generation Upbringing 56:36 Intent Does Not Erase Impact 58:21 How Growing Up With Instability Impacts Professional Life 1:00:34 Mental Health: De-stigmatizing Therapy & Medication 01:04:16 Understanding Your Purpose & Living Fully 01:06:52 Forgiveness: The Most Powerful Tool We Can Give Ourselves 01:08:33 Fire Round: Courage, Hope & Accountability 01:10:33 Closing Thoughts: Sharing the Journey

    1h 13m
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

Hi, I’m Julio. After 15 years leading teams at Apple, Google, Tumblr, Airbnb and Lyft — I’m now a coach on a mission to educate, inspire and empower you to unlock your best, most authentic self as a leader. Through conversations, interviews, practical advice, and live coaching, we’ll cover topics like career changes, personal growth, tackling failure, building community, brave leadership, and creating a life you genuinely love. You can expect real talk, laughs, and lots of love as I help you navigate life’s tough questions with a calm head and courageous heart. To learn more or submit a question or topic you’d like to hear covered in the show, visit letsgowithjulio.com/podcast Tune in, buckle up and get ready to bring out your best. Let’s go!

Information

  • Creator
    Julio G. Alvarez
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Julio G. Alvarez
  • Show Website
    LET'S GO WITH JULIO