Today we are joined by Ryan Ing. Ryan works with Unstoppable Domains, a NYC-based Series-B startup in the blockchain space, focusing on partnerships/business development.

Ryan also brings forward a ton of experience in tech sales including working with Shopify, Oracle, and IBM. Ryan shares tons of insights in this episode around entering industries that he's passionate about, blockchain and how it weaves into our modern lives, and what it's like to work in his industry.

This episode covers:

• Adjusting to moving away from your hometown for work.
• How venture-backed startups work in the US versus Canada.
• Terminology around the venture capital and tech startup world.
• Getting involved in emerging tech spaces like blockchain and crypto.
• Coming from Ryerson (now TMU) University and feeling the need to catch up.
• Taking calculated risks and its connection to success.
• Immigrant culture and how it manifests in terms of risk-taking.
• Researching potential employers for their profitability.
• Thoughts on adding blockchain to gaming, and surrounding blockchain culture/philosophy.
• The ethics and dynamics of decentralized power structures in various contexts.
• Working in partnerships/business development versus sales.
• Ryan's brand of being inspiring to others.
• The skill of navigating workplace politics and making others look good.
• Seeing your peers doing well versus random people on the internet.
• What exactly is an imposter? What do we mean by imposter syndrome?
• Can you bite off more than you can chew with taking a promotion? When is it worth the risk?
• Our rapid fire segment - full of brilliant insights as usual!

Today we are joined by Liam Murray. Liam is a Senior Product Manager and Discovery Lead at Autodesk (formerly Klir at time of recording), focusing on user discovery and exploration in the startup green tech context.

Liam shares tons of insights in this episode around what it means to maintain balance, follow your genuine passions, and develop yourself by staying ambitious and taking risks. Check this episode out!

This episode covers:

• What it's like to work in the engagement space in the startup perspective.
• What it means to be a Discovery Lead, and how to get an edge.
• Creating your own role while wearing multiple hats early in your career.
• Setting boundaries that let you stick to your passions.
• The say/do ratio, workload bandwidth, burnout, and overcommitment pitfalls.
• Why being the workplace overworked "machine" is overrated, and the importance of sustainability.
• Hobbies, and learning to build out your "non-work" life.
• Feeling inspired by your organization and its mission.
• Liam's personal brand - brutal honesty and curiosity-driven learning - and how some of it might have gotten him in trouble and helped him grow.
• Making space and time for small celebrations and rituals.
• Our rapid-fire segment that you'll have to listen to to enjoy!

Today we are joined by Tian Shi. Tian is a Product Designer in the startup wealth tech industry, an entrepreneur, and most importantly, someone who loves sports, health, music, and fitness! A man of many talents and interests!

Tian is incredibly articulate, wise, and has a lot to share with us today. Check this episode out!

This episode covers:

• Tian's work, interests, hobbies, and how they relate.
• Why Tian got into the tech industry, and into product design specifically.
• The Japanese concept of Ikigai, and how it inspired Tian to choose his career direction
• The importance of finding a creative outlet in his work
• How basketball played a role in Tian's personal and professional development.
• How music served as a creative outlet and how it combined with his sales background in his career.
• The tricky process of choosing between different paths when you have very different and seemingly non-overlapping interests.
• Choosing to dive into something potentially hectic and stressful rather than seeking out more education.
• The importance of active listening and empathy to develop solutions for people outside of your field of expertise.
• The importance of clear communication and simplifcation of complex concepts for collaboration.
• Being unafraid to say when you don't understanding something. The pitfalls of being too proud or too shy to speak up.
• Tian's personal brand.
• Mentorship, coaching, and self-improvement resources.
• How to improvise when you're learning on-the-job.
• Celebrating wins, staying on-track with your goals, and keeping up with an ever-changing industry.
• As usual, our (soon to be) award-winning rapid-fire segment!