Why I Left

Brian Aquart
  • 5.0(20개의 평가)
  • 직업
  • 매주 업데이트

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. How Leaving Google and Hacking the Art World Led to The Whitney - Gretchen Andrew

    5일 전

    How Leaving Google and Hacking the Art World Led to The Whitney - Gretchen Andrew

    Send a message to the show Gretchen Andrew left Google with just $5,000, no art degree, and no clear roadmap. Years later, her work, Facetune Portraits, now lives inside the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art. In this episode of Why I Left, Gretchen shares how she walked away from one of the most prestigious jobs in tech, taught herself painting online, and pioneered “Search Engine Art” by manipulating digital systems as artistic expression. Along the way, she confronted rejection, grief, gatekeeping, and the pressure of building an identity completely outside traditional institutions. This conversation is about far more than art. It’s about reinvention, self-belief, visibility, and the courage to pursue something that feels impossible before anyone else validates it. If you’ve ever questioned the path you’re on or wondered whether it’s too late to rebuild your life around what actually matters to you, this episode is for you. Enjoy! Stay connected with Gretchen Andrew Website: https://www.gretchenandrew.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-andrew/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchenandrew/ 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/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing 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/

    44분
  2. Why He Left Hollywood to Reclaim His Attention - Steven Puri

    5월 12일

    Why He Left Hollywood to Reclaim His Attention - Steven Puri

    Send a message to the show At the height of a successful career in Hollywood, Steven Puri was working on some of the biggest film franchises in the world. The path forward was clear. Bigger titles. Bigger budgets. More recognition. But something didn’t sit right. What happens when you realize the system you’re succeeding in no longer reflects your values? For Steven, that moment came when he saw firsthand how success could be disconnected from meaning. The work was profitable, but it wasn’t purposeful. In this conversation, Steven shares how a health diagnosis, impending fatherhood, and growing disillusionment with the attention economy pushed him to step away from Hollywood and return to building something different.  Today, he’s focused on helping people reclaim their focus through his company, The Sukha Company. This episode explores the hidden cost of distraction, the discipline of deep work, and the courage it takes to choose alignment over achievement.  You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of focus, flow, and how to reclaim your attention in a world designed to take it from you. Enjoy! Stay connected with Steven Puri Website: https://thesukha.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/ 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/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing 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/

    57분
  3. She Left TV News to Help Leaders Communicate Better - Karlyn Kieffer

    5월 5일

    She Left TV News to Help Leaders Communicate Better - Karlyn Kieffer

    Send a message to the show She had the career people chase. And still chose to leave. Karlyn Kieffer spent years in television news before realizing the work no longer aligned with how she wanted to live. What followed was a shift away from visibility and toward impact. Now an executive coach and founder of Pro Tip Partners, Karlyn helps leaders communicate with clarity, think on their feet, and lead with intention. But getting there required redefining identity beyond the spotlight. This episode is for anyone questioning whether their current path still fits. If you’ve ever felt the tension between external success and internal alignment, this conversation will resonate. Enjoy! Stay connected with Karlyn Kieffer Website: https://protippartners.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlyn-kieffer-cptm/ 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/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing 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/

    55분
  4. Leaving Stability to Build the Future of Healthcare – Dr. Adam Carewe

    4월 28일

    Leaving Stability to Build the Future of Healthcare – Dr. Adam Carewe

    Send a message to the show He had stability, leadership, and influence inside one of the largest healthcare systems in the country. And he still chose to leave. Dr. Adam Carewe is a practicing physician and clinical informaticist who built a reputation for driving innovation from within. But over time, he realized the system couldn’t move at the pace he believed healthcare needed. In this episode, Adam shares what led to that decision, what it cost him to walk away from stability, and how he’s now working at the intersection of medicine, AI, and digital health. If you’ve ever felt the tension between staying where you’re successful and leaving to grow, this conversation will challenge how you think about risk, identity, and what it means to build what’s next. Enjoy! Stay connected with Dr. Adam Carewe Website: https://rewski.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-carewe/  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/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing 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/

    35분
  5. Leaving the Newsroom to Reclaim Alignment & Identity - Aundrea Cline-Thomas

    4월 21일

    Leaving the Newsroom to Reclaim Alignment & Identity - Aundrea Cline-Thomas

    Send a message to the show Aundrea Cline-Thomas spent 15 years as an Emmy-winning journalist in top markets like New York and Philadelphia before making the decision to walk away. Because she realized she was operating far below her full capacity. In this episode, Aundrea shares what led to that realization, the internal conflict of leaving something she worked so hard for, and how she approached building a new path through entrepreneurship. From financial preparation to redefining identity beyond a job title, this is a grounded look at what real career transitions require. This conversation is for anyone questioning whether success still fits, navigating misalignment, or thinking about what comes next. It’s not about quitting. It’s about clarity, strategy, and choosing differently. Enjoy! Stay connected with Aundrea Cline-Thomas Website: https://aundreact.com/mountain-court-media/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aundreact/ The Next Nuggets Newsletter: https://aundreact.com/NEWSLETTER/ The Next Best Thing Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFkxUkBZcqCcmc9T5heyg9w 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/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing 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/

    53분
  6. Why a PayPal Executive Walked Away to Lead Differently – Farah Hussain

    4월 14일

    Why a PayPal Executive Walked Away to Lead Differently – Farah Hussain

    Send a message to the show Farah Hussain spent more than a decade building a successful career at PayPal. From the outside, her trajectory looked like momentum. Promotions. Influence. Global impact. But internally, something had shifted. In this episode, Farah shares the moment that changed everything. A quiet realization during a coaching session that made the burnout disappear and revealed the work she truly wanted to do. We talk about the myth of corporate meritocracy, the emotional cost of high performance, and what happens when leaders stop benchmarking their success against everyone else. Farah now helps founders and executives become more effective leaders by starting with something most organizations ignore: self-awareness. This conversation is about purpose, clarity, and the courage to choose a different path. Enjoy! Stay connected with Farah Hussain Website: https://coachingwithfarah.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farahhussain/ The Pivotal Leader: https://coachingwithfarah.substack.com/ 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/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing 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/

    46분
  7. When Service Becomes Identity and You Have to Walk Away – Kevin Schmiegel

    4월 7일

    When Service Becomes Identity and You Have to Walk Away – Kevin Schmiegel

    Send a message to the show Kevin Schmiegel founded Hiring Our Heroes and helped reshape veteran employment in America. At the height of its success, he walked away. Behind the hiring fairs, White House partnerships, and corporate coalitions was a leader working 80-hour weeks and running on empty. Kevin shares what it cost to build a national movement and what happened after he left. Depression. Identity loss. A search for purpose beyond the title. This episode is for leaders who have tied their identity to their mission. For founders who are exhausted but afraid to step back. For professionals navigating reinvention after success. You’ll hear how Kevin rebuilt his life through the concept of military thriving, why he challenges the “broken veteran” narrative, and the practical framework he now uses to define purpose. If you’ve ever wondered who you are without your role, this conversation will stay with you. Enjoy! Stay connected with Kevin Schmiegel Website: https://zeromils.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-schmiegel-03523b8/ The Service Project: https://theserviceproject.substack.com/  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/1yWlc-4M5JIaTMPurQlcccQ8gZF5lEabY/view?usp=sharing 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/

    53분
  8. When Corporate Questions Your Passion - Nicaila Matthews Okome

    3월 31일

    When Corporate Questions Your Passion - Nicaila Matthews Okome

    Send a message to the show When your boss finds your side hustle, what do you do? Nicaila Matthews Okome received the “We need to talk” email while working at NPR. HR got involved. Screenshots were printed. Her ambition was suddenly under scrutiny. That moment forced a decision: shrink or build. Nicaila is the founder of Side Hustle Pro, a top-ranked entrepreneurship podcast with over 10 million downloads. But before the Hall of Fame recognition, it was a strategic side hustle. She did not quit in anger. She built revenue streams. She studied sponsorship models. She saved aggressively. Over 18 months, she created an exit plan and left corporate on her terms. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to bet on yourself. How to build the “create your own opportunities” muscle. Why side hustles are training grounds for ownership. And why you should never leave while you’re confused. If you are navigating tension at work, building something quietly on the side, or wondering whether it is time to pivot, this conversation will challenge how you think about readiness and risk. Enjoy! Stay connected with Nicaila Matthews Okome Website: https://sidehustlepro.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicailamatthewsokome Training: https://sidehustlepro.co/freetraining 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  Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart/   Rate us 5 stars: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-left/id1613667100   Thanks to our partners & sponsors: BetterHelp:  Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/whyileft and get 10% off your first month ApodcastGeek: Use Code BA10 to get 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/

    39분
모두 보기(116개)

예고편

5
최고 5점
20개의 평가

소개

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.

정보

  • 제작진
    Brian Aquart
  • 방송 연도
    2022년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    116
  • 등급
    무삭제판
  • 저작권
    © 2026 Why I Left
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Why I Left