Protégé Podcast with Rory Verrett

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with management consultant/venture capitalist/hedge fund manager/software engineer Craig Brumfield. Craig and I talk about the value of ex-pat assignments and what it's like to work under a powerful Black senior executive and mentor. We discuss the highs and lows of a career in complex finance, including what it means when your boss declines to invest in a startup that becomes one of  the biggest tech companies in the world.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with hospitality and leisure executive Steven Brooks. Steve talks about how he built a successful career in the procurement function through his uncanny blend of exceptional negotiation and strategic advisory skills. We talk about the challenge of starting a family before starting your career, the gift of failure, and what Ta-Nehisi Coates got right about Howard University. The truth bombs abound in one of our final episodes in the #BlackManBrilliance series.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with super lawyer Chaka Patterson, the general counsel of Adtelem Global Education, as the third episode in our series on career reinvention. A powerful advocate for black lawyers, Chaka analyzes why law firms miss the boat on developing black associates and partners, and why he remains committed to providing opportunities to black outside counsel. 

In this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with corporate executive turned art dealer Lewis Long. The Harvard Business School and Howard University grad discusses how he's managed to keep his career purpose front and center, even as he's shifted the platform he's used to manifest his professional skills. We talk about tips for applying for the White House Fellowship and how the Black Lives Matter movement is impacting the fortunes of emerging black artists. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: Black Man Brilliance, I talked with former NFL and Arena League pro David White about the art of career reinvention. David talks about how planning for the unexpected in his life and career has allowed him to thrive in his Plan B and his Plan C. We also discuss David's black male mentoring program at SUNY-Fredonia, Kings' Corner, and how it provides a safe haven for students to talk about everything from Black Lives Matter to their future careers. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with superstar development professional Aulston Taylor about his career journey from working at ESPN in New York to leading fundraising at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. Aulston talks about the meticulous planning, strategic cultivation, and fearless tenacity it takes to succeed in the competitive world of nonprofit fundraising, and how a deathbed whisper from a mentor changed his life.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with true legends of their craft, The Persaud Brothers.   Michael A. Persaud and Irwin Persaud discuss how they've evolved their entrepreneurial talents from event to brand to wealth management. Along with their brother Mark, these are not just the hosts of the best parties you were dying to get into, the Persaud Brothers are world class relationship builders and marketers who share the secrets of their amazing professional journeys.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I have a riveting conversation with diversity advocate and thought leader George Walker about friendships between black gay men and straight men. We wade into some of the cultural biases that exists in the black community, and discuss ways we can own the power of our own stories. It's a frank and revealing conversation about a very timely topic: the power and strength of black manhood.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with Microsoft executive Nate Yohannes about the world of artificial intelligence. Nate discusses his amazing personal story of fleeing war-torn Eritrea, surviving refugee camps, completing college and law school, and working in the Obama Administration. Whether it was luck or divine guidance that landed him a role in one of technology's hottest sectors is a story only Nate can tell. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with Barry Lawson Williams, a corporate CEO and investor who's served on 14 corporate boards. Barry and I talk about the typical path of a black board member, what makes you an effective leader in the boardroom, and the role that diversity plays in the board experience. In the intro segment, I pay special tribute to the late civil rights icon and Congressman, John Lewis.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I have the honor of interviewing Kenneth Bentley. Kenneth, a board member of Farmers Insurance, is also the founder of the Advocates Professional Golf Association and Tour, a black golf league. We talk about the evolution of diversity and inclusion in corporate America, the need for board diversity, and why black professionals should lean into their cultural heritage on their career journeys. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents - #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with hedge fund manager Von Hughes about his incredible career in the financial services sector. We discuss how he found time to write a 500 page reference book on public pensions, the benefit of a long tenure at one company, and the importance of celebrating the small positives in our daily lives.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance,  I'm joined by congressional candidate Mondaire Jones. Mondaire talks about how he went from an impoverished childhood to Stanford and Harvard Law, and why he is an unabashed progressive. We talk about how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the nature of campaigning and policy choices for the foreseeable future, and why healthcare is an existential issue for New York's 17th congressional district. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I outline seven principles to keep our minds, bodies and souls intact during the coronavirus crisis. These are practical insights to help us come out of this pandemic with a healthy body, a peaceful mind, and grateful soul. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with Dr. Edjah Nduom, a neurosurgeon at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about what we can do to survive the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Enduom provides some straight talk on why it's important to keep social distance and how meditation can help us get through the anxiety of this crisis. I also suggest three important goals we should commit ourselves to while we are working from home.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I have the distinct honor of talking with artistic visionary C. Brian Williams, the founder of Step Afrika! As he prepares for his 10 city tour of Drumfolk, Brian talks about how he blends African and African-American cultural elements into an innovative new art form. We talk about the opportunities for a reverse migration to Africa and why the continent holds endless possibilities for culture creators and entrepreneurs alike. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance, I talk with Rev. Marshall Mitchell of Salem Baptist Church about the importance of voting and our civic engagement. Marshall talks about his journey in transforming a church from 50 to 1500 members, and how he's spearheading a revival of economic self-sufficiency and Biblically-based self love for this suburban Philadelphia congregation and community.  

In our second episode of Protégé Podcast Presents: Black Man Brilliance, I'm joined by emergency room physician and health disparities scholar Dr. Italo Brown. As a physician and clinical instructor at Stanford Hospital, Dr. Brown is on the front lines of research designed to improve access to healthcare for black men. Dr. Brown and I discuss why it's important for black men to get an annual health check up and why seeing a therapist can improve our overall mental health. 

Welcome to Protégé Podcast Presents: #BlackManBrilliance! Over the next 12 months, we are going to celebrate the unique and enduring brilliance of black men. I’m going to interview 20 extraordinary black men and talk about a variety of topics important to us as black men: mentoring, our physical and mental health, our political involvement, community service, marriage, finances, parenting, our culture, our identity, entrepreneurship, and much, much more. On our first of 20 episodes, I'm thrilled to welcome mentoring guru Stephen Powell. Stephen is chief programs and partnerships officer at National Cares Mentoring movement, a national nonprofit founded by Susan Taylor, the founder of Essence magazine. Stephen and I talk about the importance of self care, setting boundaries for toxic people, and the powerful and lasting effects of both youth and peer mentoring.

At the urging of many listeners, I recorded an episode which has a bit of reflection and analysis of what's happened in a year of incredible personal and professional growth. Part career therapy and part motivational talk, this episode of Protégé Podcast has the seven hard earned lessons from a truly memorable year as an entrepreneur. 

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week and reflect on what we're grateful for, I'm reminded of Desiree Robinson's incredible story of resilience. What do you do when your Plan A in your professional and personal lives don't work out? Desiree's story is a reminder that we are stronger than we know, and that miracles can come from simple acts of kindness by our friends and family. It's a special encore episode of Protégé Podcast for Thanksgiving 2019!

On this episode, I'm joined by Guest Co-Host Shaunna Jones to take a humorous journey through the various segments of the black middle and upper middle classes. Does bourgie mean snobbish or successful? Which bourgie type are you? We break down the differences between the Afro-Bourgie and the Bourgie Fabulous, as well as the other major bourgie categories. Our goal is to help you with the code-switching we do at family gatherings, with understanding how to find your tribe in your dating life, and with finally realizing why your uncle is always paying for funerals in your family (he's Blue Collar Bourgie and that's what they do). On the Motivation segment, I mention a simple, but powerful quote from Oprah about how to stay grounded on your journey to success. 

On this episode of Protégé Podcast I’m joined by Guest co-Host Justin Wilson and we talk about two important workplace topics: open architecture offices and how to ask for a raise. Are open seating offices good for collaboration and bad for more focused work? Justin and I also discuss effective techniques to help you get that raise. On the Lit & Quit segment, we talk about the movie Harriet, politics, and the Oscars. On the Motivation segment, I ask you to consider what value should really drive your career decisions.

It's a Throwback Thursday episode of Protégé Podcast where we revisit my conversation with former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Governor Patrick and I talk about working as an insider when you feel like an outsider and why your commitment to serve is more important than the career platform you use. It's insightful career advice from the man who could be president one day.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, I devote the entire podcast to giving you a behind the scenes look at hiring from the recruiter/headhunter's perspective. Learn why patience is a virtue and why you should probably not call the recruiter to remind them you're still interested in the job. It's five principles to keep you confident and grounded when you're a candidate for that next big job. On the Motivation segment, I pay tribute to the brilliance and generosity of Harvard Law professor Charles Ogletree.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, I talk with guest co-host Saydeah Howard, the Chief Talent Officer at IVP, one of Silicon Valley's top venture capital firms. We have a candid conversation about this week's Big Question: what do you do if you have to quit your job abruptly? How do you exit gracefully? On the Motivation segment, I encourage you to commit to a core set of values in your career, while remaining agnostic about the specific jobs you might have along the way. On the Lit & Quit segment, Saydeah and I talk about track and field heroes, Tyler Perry, vaping, and Kanye West's bbq invitation. 

On this special Howard Homecoming edition of Protégé Podcast, I talk with media superstar Depelsha McGruder, the interim CEO of New York Public Radio. The Howard and Harvard Business School graduate talks about her humble childhood in Georgia, her rapid rise through Viacom, and why she started a nonprofit to help protect black boys. On the motivation segment, I encourage everyone to keep the magic going when they experience rough patches in their careers.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, Guest co-host Shaunna Jones joins me to discuss this week’s big question: how do you manage issues of integrity and ethics when it comes to reporting malfeasance in your workplace? Should you report an ethics issue above your boss? And what should you consider before you blow the whistle?  On the Motivation segment, I encourage everyone to, in the words of Prince, make heart decisions in business. On the Lit & Quit segment, Shaunna and I tackle cancel culture and free speech and racial solidarity within communities of color.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, Guest co-Host Justin Wilson and I talk about the vital information you need to know about your workplace. We talk about how to access information and data about your organization's strategy, its operating model, and the disruptive threats it faces, and how to use this information to propel your career forward. We also debut the Lit & Quit segment about what inspires us and tires us about what's happening in the world of work and culture. 

Protégé Podcast Season 4 launches with our 10-part series, "Inside the C-Suite," where I interview senior leaders from diverse backgrounds who are part of executive leadership at leading companies and organizations. On this episode, I have a powerfully inspiring conversation with the insightful and accomplished April Miller Boise, senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary of Meritor. April talks about the importance of sponsors, the elements of executive communication, and how to build relationships with your professional colleagues.

In our third and final episode in our Career Launch series, I talk with the best career coach anywhere, Coach Pamela Mitchell, the founder and president of The Reinvention Institute. Coach Pamela and I talk about the value of misery in your career, the difference between an ego and spirit led career, and how faith can guide you to career nirvana. On the Rant, Rave and Review segment, I review Coach Pamela's best-selling book, "The Ten Rules of Career Reinvention."

In Part II of our Career Launch series, I talk with communications and personal branding guru Henry Stewart, the founder of Emerson Street Strategy Group. Henry and I discuss how your social media profile, communication style, attire and etiquette help form your professional brand. Henry provides expert techniques he's used with his celebrity and corporate clients to help you maintain a polished professional brand. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I review the Netlix documentary "The Black Godfather" and rave about the stress-relieving benefits of yoga.

This is part one of our multipart series "Career Launch" about entering and reentering the workplace. What are the pitfalls, common mistakes, and unwritten rules we should be mindful of as we begin a new phase in our careers? Justin Wilson, a returning Guest Co-Host, and I discuss how to manage your time, your money, and your emotions in those critical first few months and years of your career launch or relaunch. On the Rant, Rave, and Review segment, I rave about the legacy and spirit of the incomparable Leah Chase.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, I provide five simple techniques to get your career in shape for summer. From networking to social media, summer is actually a perfect time to think and act strategically about advancing your career. And don't worry: you can do all of these techniques from the beach with a margarita in hand.

This week on Protégé Podcast, I talk with master networker Dale Favors, the founder of Adaptive Growth Leadership, a consulting firm focused on business development training. Dale and I talk about leveraging our entrepreneurial skills to build and sustain professional networks. Hint: it's all about favors. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I Rave about Robert Smith's astonishing act of generosity to the Morehouse College Class of 2019.

On this week's Protégé Podcast, we talk about what’s next after the #MeToo movement. What changes can we make within our workplaces to make sure everyone is treated fairly and with respect? Linda Seabrook, the General Counsel of Futures Without Violence, the nation’s leading violence prevention advocacy organization, joins me to talk about what we can do as individual employees to change workplace culture for the better.   On the Rant, Rave and Review segment, I review "Knock Down the House," an inspiring documentary about four women who launch long shot bids for public office.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, I talk with one of the nation’s leading experts on cities, Chris Tyson. Chris and I have a spirited conversation about fusing your many interests and skills into one career, the challenge of managing family and professional duties, and why we’re fighting gentrification all wrong.  On the Rant, Rave and Review segment, I Rant about an interesting trend that I’m seeing in the diversity and inclusion space.

On this week's Protégé Podcast, I have a fascinating conversation with a dynamic leader in one of the fastest growing industries on the planet. Johanna Faries, the Head of Call of Duty Esports at Activision Blizzard, and I talk about how to take calculated risks in your career, the impact of women in the eSports industry, and the power of focusing on short term goals over the long arc of your career. On the Rant, Rave and Review segment, I Rave and Reflect on the legacies of two giants who recently passed: film director John Singleton and federal judge Damon Keith. 

This week on Protégé Podcast, I’m talking to Carolina Espinal, a leading diversity crisis communications expert in Washington, D.C. Carolina and I talk about what companies get wrong in a diversity crisis, and the first few things they should do when they get into a quagmire.  On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rant about and review how companies can learn about diversity and inclusion from the PGA Tour and Tiger Woods.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, I talk with innovation and efficiency expert Whitney White, the founder of Afara Global, about time management. Whitney and I talk about how effectively managing your time can make you a happier and more productive professional. You'll hear tips about strategically managing your calendar, avoiding procrastination, and prioritizing the company you keep. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I pause to thank you, our listeners, for supporting the show over the past three years.

On this week's Protégé Podcast, I’m talking with the first ever head of diversity at Hasbro, the legendary toy company. Bryony Bouyer and I talk about the secret to her longevity at one company, what Hasbro’s got to do with Wakanda, and why you should get to know your company’s chief diversity officer.  On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about the sports documentary “After the Buzzer” about the exploitation within college athletics. 

On this week's Protégé Podcast, I talk with social justice attorney and advocate Mai Ratakonda of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. We discuss how Mai was able to choose a career in social justice right out of law school, why Planned Parenthood's advocacy includes access to quality health care, and the importance of diversity in the reproductive choice movement. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I discuss why Jim Collins' classic business strategy book "Good To Great" offers profound lessons for our career development. 

On this week's Protégé Podcast, I have an inspirational conversation with Dr. Edjah Nduom, a neurosurgeon at The National Institutes of Health (NIH). Edjah and I talk about the long and difficult path through medical school and his residency, the impact of mentors in his life, and how he brings hope to his patients during some of the darkest moments in their lives.   On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rant about the college cheating scandal and the myth of meritocracy.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, we talk with super-lawyer Cicely Reid, a top disability rights attorney and advocate, about how we can become effective allies on behalf of people with disabilities. Cicely discusses her career journey from trial lawyer to civil rights advocate, and the practical steps we can take to advance disability rights in the workplace. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I do a pre-Rant about the college admissions cheating scandal.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, we discuss seven strategies to apply in your career to get you moving again. Whether it's a layoff, a return to the workforce after an extended absence, or a reinvention, finding the right opportunity with the right organization demands a well-executed strategy. Hear how facing some hard facts and learning to decipher your own career algorithm are a couple of the bedrock principles to getting you unstuck in your career. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rant about where the real Wakanda might be. 

When she graduated from Howard University, Nicole Williams Black set her sights on a career in marketing. As she scaled the heights of one of the biggest companies in America, Nicole faced unforeseen events which would impact her career journey in powerful ways. Her husband's entrepreneurial dreams, her mother's illness, the demands of an active parent all challenged Nicole's assumptions about her life, her career, and balancing it all. This is not a story about having a plan B in your career. It's about making sure your plan A is flexible enough through the peaks and valley of your life. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about diversity at this year's Academy Awards.

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, I have an engaging and frank conversation about race with my guest co-host, Justin Wilson, a rising star in public affairs. In particular, Justin and I dissect the blackface controversy with Virginia's governor and with Gucci, what to do if your company goes sideways on racial issues, the blackness test for presidential candidates, and how to balance racial integrity and commercial ambition.   

On this episode of Protégé Podcast, I discuss the Four Mistakes to Avoid in Your Job Search. Just like you wouldn't show up on a date in 2019 wearing a Coogi sweater and British Knights, you shouldn't use outdated techniques to land your next gig. Hear what actually works in an effective job search so you can land that amazing new role in 2019! Happy holidays and happy new year from Protégé Podcast!

On this week's Protégé Podcast, we re-launch our series "What It Takes," where I interview dynamic, diverse leaders at the top of their professions. Our Guest Mentor on this episode is Gary Hall, partner and head of investment banking at Seibert Cisneros Shank. Gary reflects on his life and career journey from the Cabrini Green housing projects in Chicago to his White House Fellowship to chairing one of the financial industry's most important and prestigious boards. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about Nike's approach to board diversity.

This week on Protégé Podcast, I devote a full episode to reviewing Robin DiAngelo's bestselling book "White Fragility - Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism." Written by a white person primarily for a white audience, "White Fragility" is a powerfully honest and unflinching look at why and how white Americans deflect, deny, and disrupt most attempts at truth-telling about race. In my review, I analyze how DiAngelo's book also offers insightful perspectives about how professionals of color can navigate the sometimes treacherous racial landscape at work. 

In our third episode in our Workplace Wellness series, I talk with attorney and associate pastor Natosha Reid Rice about the importance of faith and time management on our emotional wellness. Natosha and I discuss managing the expectations and challenges in the various seasons of life, and why the arc of history does indeed bend toward justice. On the Rant/Rave/Review segment, I rave about the social and emotional value of attending school reunions.