No Wrong Turns

Stride
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No Wrong Turns is a walk-and-talk podcast that features unscripted conversations with leaders across industries about careers, connection, community, and the future of work. Each episode explores the lessons, detours, and unexpected turns that have shaped our guests’ paths—and how those squiggly lines often lead to the most meaningful moments. Hosted by Stride founder and CEO Barry Plunkett.

Episodes

  1. “The Sense of the Unknown Is Exciting” – Interview w/ Genefa Murphy, JFrog

    6D AGO

    “The Sense of the Unknown Is Exciting” – Interview w/ Genefa Murphy, JFrog

    On this episode of No Wrong Turns, Barry is joined by Genefa Murphy, CMO at JFrog, for an inspiring story about taking risks, finding your community, and embracing growth. Genefa traces her career journey from teaching ballet in the UK as a teenager to leading global marketing in Silicon Valley. She opens up about her experience relocating to the US sight unseen, and how a series of health issues reshaped her perspective on where she invests her energy. Through it all, Genefa continues to lean into new challenges, as she shares that feeling uncomfortable is often a sign that growth and opportunity are on the other side.

    42 min
  2. “Luck and Timing” – Interview w/ Jade Choy, Epoch

    APR 7

    “Luck and Timing” – Interview w/ Jade Choy, Epoch

    On this episode of No Wrong Turns, Barry is joined by Jade Choy. She explores her career journey, starting from her very first job teaching piano at age 15, to her current role as Co-Founder and CEO of Epoch, a startup that helps some of the largest companies in the world deliver impactful employee experiences. Jade reflects on early lessons in discipline and resilience, finding an industry that matched her natural pace, and just how much of building a company comes down to luck and timing.

    29 min
  3. “That Wasn’t on My Bingo Card” – Interview w/ Steph Hess

    MAR 17

    “That Wasn’t on My Bingo Card” – Interview w/ Steph Hess

    On episode 5 of No Wrong Turns, Barry is joined by Steph Hess, most recently Chief Communications Officer at Discord. Steph reflects on her career in comms, from her early days at a small PR agency in San Francisco to senior roles at companies like Oracle, Asana, and Discord. She shares lessons from navigating crises, headlines, and the constant change that comes with working in tech. Steph also opens up about a moment that changed her perspective: her 2021 cancer diagnosis, and how it forced her to slow down, rethink where she puts her energy, and what she wants her next chapter to look like. Join us for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and knowing when to take your own advice.

    41 min
  4. “People Crave Connection” – Interview w/ Caeley O'Shea, Warner Music Group

    FEB 17

    “People Crave Connection” – Interview w/ Caeley O'Shea, Warner Music Group

    On Episode 4 of No Wrong Turns, Barry is joined by Caeley O’Shea, Director of Workplace Hospitality & Live Events at Warner Music Group (WMG). Caeley traces her career path from early hospitality and events roles, to large-scale operations at Nike, and ultimately to WMG, where she focuses on creating spaces and experiences that bring people together. The conversation explores connection at work, how to pace yourself, empathy as a resource, and why music can be a powerful source of common ground.

    33 min
  5. “Be the Fan” – Interview w/ Melissa Palarea, The NBA

    JAN 27

    “Be the Fan” – Interview w/ Melissa Palarea, The NBA

    In Episode 3 of No Wrong Turns, Barry is joined by Melissa Palarea, Social Impact & Inclusion Strategy Lead at the NBA, for a conversation about career paths, connection, and culture. Melissa traces her journey from her first internship on Capitol Hill, to roles across nonprofits, law firms, and ultimately the NBA, where she’s spent the last 18 years. She reflects on how to help employees feel connected and respected, how company values show up in day-to-day behavior, and what it means to truly “be the fan” of your people.

    23 min
  6. “The Daily Yes” – Interview w/ Adrian J. Hopkins, Weber Shandwick

    JAN 6

    “The Daily Yes” – Interview w/ Adrian J. Hopkins, Weber Shandwick

    In Episode 2 of No Wrong Turns, Barry is joined by Adrian J. Hopkins, Global Head of Employee Engagement & Communications at Weber Shandwick. Adrian traces his career from early roles in media and creative agencies to global leadership focused on employee experience, communication, and culture. He reflects on authenticity at work, the tension between creativity and commercial reality, and how the work you naturally gravitate toward often points you exactly where you’re meant to go.

    30 min
  7. “All Paths Lead to Where You Are Today” – Interview w/ Ed McDonnell, Braze

    12/17/2025

    “All Paths Lead to Where You Are Today” – Interview w/ Ed McDonnell, Braze

    In this episode of No Wrong Turns, Barry is joined by Ed McDonnell, who traces the steps of career — from his very first job to his current role as Chief Revenue Officer at Braze. Ed reflects on the risks, unexpected turns, and hard “no’s” that have shaped his path along the way. He also shares why community and human connection remain at the center of how he leads today.

    30 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

No Wrong Turns is a walk-and-talk podcast that features unscripted conversations with leaders across industries about careers, connection, community, and the future of work. Each episode explores the lessons, detours, and unexpected turns that have shaped our guests’ paths—and how those squiggly lines often lead to the most meaningful moments. Hosted by Stride founder and CEO Barry Plunkett.

Information

  • Creator
    Stride
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Copyright
    Copyright Stride 2025 ©
  • Show Website
    No Wrong Turns