Shows
The Life Shift: Real Stories of Life-Altering MomentsRedefining Success and Embracing Stories | Ashley Menzies BabatundeIn this episode of "The Life Shift Podcast," Ashley Menzies Babatunde, a former attorney turned DEI strategist and storyteller, shares her life-shifting moments, particularly her experience with failing the California bar exam, and how these experiences led her to redefine her understanding of success, self-worth, and resilience. The conversation delves into the importance of human connection, storytelling, and the journey behind success.The Impact of Failure and ResilienceAshley discusses her pivotal life-shift moment when she failed the California bar exam, not once but twice, which led to losing her first job out of law...2024-09-241h 04
Cultivating H.E.R. Space: Uplifting Conversations for the Black WomanS23E2: Reclaiming Our Time with Ashley Menzies BabatundeHey lady! Doesn’t it seem like 2024 took off in a full sprint? This year has moved rather quickly, which is why this week Terri and Dr. Dom invite Ashley Menzies Babatunde, host of the No Straight Path podcast, to discuss the power of the pause, and why honoring the moments when life slows you down can be your biggest asset and opportunity to find and strengthen your authentic self. Ashley shares her inspirational story of advocating for herself after a major life event showed her the beauty in her present, albeit difficult, circumstance so that she could create a li...2024-07-1252 min
No Straight PathRelentlessly Chasing Your Dreams with Thomas RussellJoin us for a thoughtful conversation with entertainment attorney, Thomas Russell. Thomas’ story is all about grit. It’s about resilience. It’s about dreaming. It’s about chasing your dreams relentlessly. Thomas Russell III is Corporate Counsel at Amazon Music where he advises the tech-giant on its livestreaming, video-on-demand and sponsorship efforts. Thomas was recognized by Variety as one of the Top In-House Entertainment Attorneys for 2023.Thomas is also committed to championing issues for the BIPOC community. Prior to joining Amazon Music, Thomas represented Post 21, a black-owned online marketplace, in its deal with Disney making i...2024-04-1747 minNo Straight PathThe Setback Cycle with Amy ShoenthalJoin us for a fascinating conversation with USA Today bestselling author, journalist, and marketing consultant, Amy Shoenthal. Blending her marketing expertise with her formal journalism training, Amy approaches storytelling as sense making. As a top contributor to ForbesWomen and Harvard Business Review, she shines the spotlight on those who have been historically underestimated yet are doing the work to solve society's biggest problems. Years of interviewing hundreds of leaders from politicians to Peloton instructors, fashion icons to founders just starting their journeys inspired her bestselling book, The Setback Cycle, which offers a framework to help people persevere...2024-04-0432 minNo Straight PathTurning Your Passions Into Your Professions with Dr. Feranmi Okanlami (Part 2)Join us for a thought-provoking two-part conversation with Dr. Feranmi Okanlami as we celebrate the two-year anniversary of No Straight Path. Feranmi embodies all of the things that No Straight Path represents–honesty, vulnerability, compassion, self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, a commitment to excellence, resilience, purpose, and faith. We delve into his fascinating life and career journey. He is a speaker, advocate, and physician leader dedicated to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion and inspired by the belief that disability does not mean inability. He is currently the director of Student Accessibility & Accommodation Services at the University of Michigan. Tune in...2024-03-2845 minNo Straight PathTurning Your Passions into Your Professions with Dr. Feranmi Okanlami (Part 1)Join us for a thought-provoking two-part conversation with Dr. Feranmi Okanlami as we celebrate the two-year anniversary of No Straight Path. Feranmi embodies all of the things that No Straight Path represents–honesty, vulnerability, compassion, self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, a commitment to excellence, resilience, purpose, and faith. We delve into his fascinating life and career journey. He is a speaker, advocate, and physician leader dedicated to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion and inspired by the belief that disability does not mean inability. He is currently the director of Student Accessibility & Accommodation Services at the University of Michigan. Tune in...2024-03-2044 minNo Straight PathUnderstanding Your Career Journey through Behavioral Psychology with Phill AgnewJoin us for an insightful episode with Phill Agnew, host of Nudge, the UK’s #1 marketing podcast. On his show he interviews experts in psychology and behavioral science to try to better understand how humans make decisions. He has spent over a decade in senior marketing roles at Buffer, Hotjar, and Brandwatch, where he helped launch products in social media, website analytics and AI. Today, we learn about his career journey, decision-making processes, and ability to redefine his journey despite labels that were placed on him as a child. Phill also opens up about his purpose in life...2024-03-0639 minNo Straight PathVulnerable Storytelling & Content Creation with Jourdan GuytonJoin us for a a thoughtful conversation with CEO of Vera Jean Media, Jourdan Guyton! She is a visionary entrepreneur with a decade-long immersion in the entertainment industry. Leveraging experience with giants like Meta, Teachable, and Blavity, Jourdan founded Vera Jean Media to empower heart-centered entrepreneurs through authentic social media strategies. Achieving rapid six-figure growth within a year, Vera Jean Media, named after Jourdan's grandmother, stands for compassion, kindness, and innovation. This media powerhouse aims to amplify voices, foster connections, and make a positive impact in the digital landscape, guided by a mission to empower individuals to thrive authentically...2024-02-2842 minNo Straight PathRunning for Office with Walter GarciaWe are back with a new season for 2024. It is election season, and the California Primary is Tuesday, March 5th. We have a special guest who is running for office on the show today. Although media coverage often focuses on the political polarization at national level, state and local politics have a direct impact on the lives of Americans. Tune in to hear from a Millennial running for State Assembly, Walter Garcia. Born and raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, Walter is the proud son of two Mexican immigrants. Although his family faced economic hardship and adversity, Walter...2024-02-2140 minNo Straight PathA New Year's Message from AshleyAshley provides a quick update about what's in store for No Straight Path in 2024. Although it's a quick message, you'll leave it inspired! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ashley Menzies BabatundeAshley Menzies Babatunde on InstagramHubspot Podcast NetworkSign Up for Ashley's Newsletter Ashley's Substack Rate & Review:If you enjoy listening to No Straight Path, please make sure you write a review and rate the show. It helps other listeners find the po...2024-01-2905 minNo Straight PathLetting Go of a Dream and Embracing Change with Carly BakerTune into our final episode of this year with Manager of the HubSpot Creators Carly Baker. We cover Carly’s transition from a creative industry to the corporate world and how she let go of one dream and embraced a multi-passionate identity. Carly's passion for the Podcast Industry can be traced back to her roots as a professional musician, where she spent significant time working in and exploring the facets of the audio industry. As an artist and freelancer, her approach to working with Creators is informed by her own experiences in the creator sphere.Cu...2023-12-2938 minNo Straight PathNavigating Brotherhood & Entrepreneurship with Luis and Fonzi CamejoTune in today for a dynamic conversation with entrepreneurs Luis and Fonzi Camejo. They are the dynamic brothers behind BIZBROS and they have spent over seven years mastering the art of content creation that drives opportunities and profit.As online personalities, owners of Studio Podcast Suites and hosts of the top 0.5% global podcast, Content is Profit, which is in the HubSpot Podcast Network, they’re on a mission: to help companies, business owners, and content creators transform their content into value-packed assets that amplify their message, build trust, and create consistent opportunities.Drawing from their exp...2023-12-2053 minNo Straight PathLeading with Faith, Joy and Authenticity with Antonio IngramOn this episode of No Straight Path, Ashley interviews civil rights attorney Antonio Ingram. Antonio serves as Assistant Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He is a graduate of Yale College and UC Berkeley School of Law. He served as a federal judicial law clerk for the honorable Ivan L. Lemelle in the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans and for Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia. He also completed a Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship in Malawi where he worked for the Malawian government and served in their...2023-12-1345 minNo Straight PathTrials to Triumphs with Ashley Blaine Featherson-JenkinsOn this episode on of No Straight Path, Ashley interviews the talented actress, singer and producer, Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins. Ashley has appeared on several television series and she starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix Original Series, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE for four seasons. She is the host of Trials to Triumphs, which is an interview-style show in the Oprah Winfrey Network. Ashley’s personal and professional struggles, along with her gift for relating and connecting to people from all walks of life, allows Ashley and her notable guests to open up about the trials that led to their man...2023-12-0641 minNo Straight PathTaking Imperfect Action with Steph TaylorJoin us today for our live conversation at Podcast Movement with online business strategist, podcaster and speaker Steph Taylor. She helps business owners build profitable and sustainable online businesses that continue to grow even when they’re offline. She is also the host of Imperfect Action, a podcast where Steph uses her experience of building a million-dollar online business to help listeners as they navigate their journey. She provides mindset advice, actionable marketing tips and strategies to build a business that brings you more profit, more freedom and even more joy. Imperfect Action has over two million listeners, and Ste...2023-11-2933 minNo Straight PathTaking Small Bets with Henna PryorOn today's episode of No Straight Path, Ashley interviews Henna Pryor, a highly sought after Workplace Performance Expert and an award-winning 2 time TEDx and global keynote speaker, author, and executive coach. Her clients call her their “secret weapon for impossible change,” an honor she wears proudly. She’s known for her science-backed approach to improving the performance, habits, and actions of hungry high achievers – in her fun, no-nonsense, no-jargon way – to move them from their first level of success to their next one. We cover Henna’s interesting career path and dig into the work she’s doing with her...2023-11-2240 min
Giving You EverythingGolden Storytelling: Turn Your Passions into a Business with Reality TV Love from the Golden Bachelor w/ Ashley Menzies BabatundeWelcome to another exciting episode of the Giving You Everything Podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into the captivating journey of Ashley Menzies Babatunde, a dynamic entrepreneur whose path was shaped by her diverse experiences and the art of storytelling. Ashley is a lawyer-turned-storyteller on a mission. She's the brains, heart, and soul behind No Straight Path, a podcast that dives deep into the human tales behind entrepreneurial success stories. In our conversation, Ashley shares the how and why behind her No Straight Path Podcast, why she’s so passionate about storytelling, and what inspired her growth as...2023-11-2153 minNo Straight PathReflections on Life & Career with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 2)On this episode of No Straight Path, Ashley shares her reflections on life and career to celebrate her 34th birthday! She shares some of the important lessons she's learned on her journey thus far. She covers mindset, envy, purpose, authenticity, and kindness. Her hope is that these lessons help you as you work to achieve your version of success. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Thanks for listening! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ashley Menzies BabatundeAshley Menzies Babatunde on InstagramHubSpot Podcast Network2023-11-1526 minNo Straight PathReflections on Life & Career with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 1)On this episode of No Straight Path, Ashley shares her reflections on life and career to celebrate her 34th birthday! She shares some of the important lessons she's learned on her journey thus far. She covers mindset, envy, purpose, authenticity, and kindness. Her hope is that these lessons help you as you work to achieve your version of success. Don’t forget to tune in to part two next week. Thanks for listening! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ashley Menzies BabatundeAshley Menzies Babatunde on InstagramHubSpot Podcas...2023-11-0925 minNo Straight PathPursuing a Multi-Hyphenate Career with Justin Key (Part 2)Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with our special guest for the Halloween Season, author and psychiatrist, Justin Key. He recently published his debut book with HarperCollins called The World Wasn’t Ready For You. In his book, Justin expands and subverts the horror genre to expertly explore issues of race, class, prejudice, love, exclusion, loneliness, and what it means to be a person in the world while revealing the horrifying nature inherent in all of us. Marked by its exceptional imagination and profound emotional impact, it presents a fresh and unforgettable voice in the realm of fiction. He’s be...2023-11-0131 minNo Straight PathPursuing a Multi-Hyphenate Career with Justin Key (Part 1)This episode of No Straight Path features a special guest for the Halloween Season, author and psychiatrist, Justin C. Key. He recently published his debut book with HarperCollins called The World Wasn’t Ready For You. In his book, Justin expands and subverts the horror genre to expertly explore issues of race, class, prejudice, love, exclusion, loneliness, and what it means to be a person in the world while revealing the horrifying nature inherent in all of us. Marked by its exceptional imagination and profound emotional impact, it presents a fresh and unforgettable voice in the realm of fiction. He...2023-10-2533 minNo Straight PathDefining Your North Star with Isaiah Deporto-PlickSwitching careers can be a stressful and daunting prospect for anyone who is looking to make a vocational change, but it can also be a source of inspiration and a catalyst for growth and for finding your life’s purpose. Today’s guest, Isaiah Deporto-Plick is no stranger to change, as he’s jumped between various industries to finally land on a path that is truly aligned with his purpose. Aside from holding a BA Degree in political science, an MBA, and a Doctorate in Law, Isaiah is also the Co-Founder of Fuerza Ventures – a firm that provides support to new s...2023-10-1929 minNo Straight PathLearning to Live with Courage with Natalie Franke (Part 2)What if it only took five seconds of radical courage to change your life? That is the bold idea underpinning Natalie Franke’s new book, Gutsy: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage. In today’s episode, we continue our thought-provoking conversation with Natalie, a bestselling author, community-builder, neuroscience nerd, and mama bear for small businesses. Join us as we get into the details of her new book by exploring the importance of vulnerability, the power of making mistakes, and how a moment of radical courage can remind you of how extraordinary you truly are. We unpack how...2023-10-1126 min
Business Beyond the Mic003: Unlocking Your Podcast’s Potential by Building Through Community with Ashley Menzies Babatunde Do you ever find yourself pondering the humanity behind the experience? Beyond the accolades and shiny facades we often see from friends, colleagues, and family? Today’s guest, Ashley Menzies Babatunde, firmly believes in the transformative power of storytelling to uncover these hidden narratives and recognizes its profound ability to forge connections, kindle inspiration, and nurture a sense of empathy. Ashley is a lawyer, career advisor, passionate storyteller, and the host of the No Straight Path Podcast. She is dedicated to exploring the intersections of humanity and career, and today, she shares her podcasting insights and experiences with us.2023-10-0832 minNo Straight PathLearning to Live with Courage with Natalie Franke (Part 1)Joining us today is Natalie Franke, a best-selling author, community builder, neuroscience nerd, and mama bear for small businesses. She founded The Rising Tide Society (a game-changer in community building for entrepreneurs), which was acquired by HoneyBook in 2015. Now, at Flodesk, she continues to empower entrepreneurs globally. Her latest publication, Gutsy: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage, is a remarkable book that motivates readers to embrace their inner courage. For the first part of our conversation with Natalie, we learn about her entrepreneurial journey, from her ambitious side hustle as a wedding photographer in college to...2023-10-0533 minNo Straight PathRising to the Occasion with Sarah Chen-SpellingsOur guest today is Sarah Chen-Spellings, an award-winning entrepreneur and investor. She co-founded Beyond The Billion, a global consortium of over 100 venture funds and investors committed to investing over $1 billion in women-founded companies. Sarah's extensive experience includes corporate venture capital within a $13 billion conglomerate, cross-border investments, and leadership roles in organizations like 131 & Counting and Lean In Malaysia, where she accelerates women into leadership roles and promotes women's participation in politics. In our conversation today, we delve into Sarah's remarkable journey, which began at the age of nine when she became a national TV host, setting the stage for an...2023-09-2745 minNo Straight PathLeaning Into Joy with Les AlfredThere is no doubt about it: life is full of challenges that come in all different shapes and sizes. But when we approach those challenges with a joyful attitude and an open mind, the possibilities of cultivating prosperity (in every sense of the word) are endless. Les Alfred is the founder of the online wellness community and podcast, Balanced Black Girl. Her mission is to help others create nourishing habits that help them create necessary space to live their best lives. Since launching in 2018, Balanced Black Girl has garnered over 7 million downloads, has over 1,500 5-star reviews, and has been f...2023-09-0651 minNo Straight PathHow to Have a Healthy Relationship with Achievement with Ashley Menzies BabatundeIn the fast-paced society we live in, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to succeed. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to achieve success, the way you approach it can either have a very positive or very negative impact on your health and happiness. As someone who knows all too well what it feels like to overwork, I’ve come up with five strategies that have helped me find more joy, inner peace, and excitement about all aspects of my life, all of which I share with you in this episode. If you’re listen...2023-08-0923 minNo Straight PathUnleashing Creative Leadership with Kaylin CottonMillennials are the largest generation in the workforce and they are moving into leadership positions across sectors. They possess the ability to navigate swiftly through changing circumstances, empathize with others, drive purposeful endeavors, and cultivate a culture of ongoing development. Today's guest, Kaylin Cotton, is a Los Angeles native dedicated to creative leadership strategies and pushing organizations forward with inclusive and equitable sensitivities. She has managed retail locations for Fortune 500 companies, led teams in retail and entertainment, and embraced millennial leadership. In the entertainment industry, she built brand guidelines and employed DEI communication strategies. Now, she manages HOORAE, Issa...2023-08-0245 minNo Straight PathConscious Consumerism, Leadership, & Entrepreneurship with Ian Bentley (Part 2)As we continue with the second part of our conversation with Ian Bentley, the Co-Founder, and CEO of Parker Clay, we delve deeper into his journey and the social enterprise work he and his wife Brittany are undertaking. You’ll hear more about Ian’s non-traditional career path and the family's decision to move back to the USA. Ian explains the concept of investing in relation to community, highlighting their unique funding effort through a Regulation A+ and crowdfunding campaign. He reflects on the personal growth he and his family experienced during their time in Ethiopia and the lessons lear...2023-07-2616 minNo Straight PathConscious Consumerism, Leadership, & Entrepreneurship with Ian Bentley (Part 1)Continuing in our entrepreneurship theme, today we speak with Ian Bentley, the co-founder, and CEO of Parker Clay. This brand showcases exceptional Ethiopian leather and craftsmanship while creating meaningful job opportunities for at-risk women in Ethiopia. Ian, driven by his business development background and desire for change, founded the company with his wife Brittany after adopting their daughter from Ethiopia. Parker Clay has since expanded to over 200 employees (80% women), between their office, warehouse, and flagship store in Santa Barbara, California, and their factory and leadership team in Ethiopia. In this episode, Ian shares his personal journey from growing up...2023-07-1935 minNo Straight PathCreating Systemic Change in DEIB with Mandy PriceDiversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are issues of great concern across corporate America. Thankfully, we are witnessing a drive toward improving DEI in the workplace at a systemic level, and today’s guest is one of the frontrunners of this cause! Mandy Price is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kanarys, Inc., a technology company that is focused on using data analytics to provide the tools that organizations need to create long-term, systemic change around DEIB challenges. Mandy grew up in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, and the segregation that she witnessed in her comm...2023-07-1239 minNo Straight PathCuriosity, Failure, and Loving the Process with Dileep ThazhmonLaunching an all-in-one corporate spend and expense management platform for businesses and global markets is no easy feat, especially when you are a newcomer to the Fintech industry. But innovation can come from the unlikeliest places, and sometimes your outsider status can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on how you look at it. Today on the show, we welcome Dileep Thazhmon, CEO and Founder of Jeeves, a Y Combinator company providing financial infrastructure for global startups, covering regions as diverse as Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the UK, Europe, and more. When Dileep first started Jeeves, he did not have...2023-07-0537 minNo Straight PathLessons Learned from Accidental Entrepreneurship with Ashley Menzies BabatundeEvery entrepreneur has a different origin story. For some, it’s a natural progression within their career, where they were always going to set out on their own, while others have dreamed of doing it their entire life and just needed the right opportunity. And for another set of people, it happens almost as if by accident. I never set out to become an entrepreneur, and in the beginning, it felt a bit odd calling myself that. My goal had simply been to make people feel seen and heard. But somewhere along the way, I found myself embarking upon my...2023-06-2828 minNo Straight PathThe Journey Back to Self with Tola Sunmonu-Balogun (Part 2)Welcome to part two of our interview with Tola Sunmonu-Balogun. If you haven’t listened to part one already where we discussed her childhood, the loss of her mother, her podcast, how she finds balance, and so much more, go do so now! In this episode, we take a deep dive into her career, neutralizing her ego and separating herself from external accolades, developing boundaries at work, hating consulting and ultimately growing to love it, and so much more! Tola shares the importance of working with enthusiasm, why she feels anxious about work, and how she overcomes those feelings. Ou...2023-06-2136 minNo Straight PathThe Journey Back to Self with Tola Sunmonu-Balogun (Part 1)Today’s guest is the perfect example of someone whose path has had its twists and turns, even though it seemed linear. And her story, although more conventional than that of our usual guests, is just as important to be told. Tola Sunmonu-Balogun is an associate partner at a top consulting firm in Nigeria, and she is here with us to discuss her journey to living a more authentic, peaceful, and fulfilled life. We hear about her adventurous childhood as an extrovert with a focus on being her absolute best, her ‘life with no borders’, how those things informed who sh...2023-06-1451 minNo Straight PathQuick Tips for Podcasting with Ashley Menzies BabatundeIf you have a business and you want to reach a wider audience, or if you are looking for a creative outlet, or if you want to connect with like-minded people on a topic you feel passionately about, I highly recommend starting a podcast! Podcasting has changed my life for the better in so many ways, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. In this episode, I share the tools and resources that will help make your experience of starting a podcast as smooth as possible! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:2023-05-3108 minNo Straight PathThe Good Enough Job with Simone StolzoffParticularly in American culture, productivity is seen as a measure of moral good, and subsequently, many people define their identity by the work they do. Simone Stolzoff is trying to turn this way of thinking on its head. Simone is an author, designer, and workplace expert from San Francisco. Through his book, The Good Enough Job, Simone promotes the idea of separating self-worth from output and treating work more transactionally. One of the central questions that Simone explores in the book is, “How do we pursue meaningful work without letting what we do for work subsume who we are?” In th...2023-05-2444 minNo Straight PathFive Tips for Career & Life Throwback with Ashley Menzies BabatundeDrawing on insights from a handful of past guests, this throwback episode outlines five powerful tips for career and life as your host, Ashley Menzies Babatunde shared. Tune in to get inspired by advice rooted in real-life experience. Hear how understanding that things are often grey can help you adopt a growth mindset and even find more success in your career. Learn why freedom and work simply don’t co-exist and how making that distinction can enrich your life. This episode also explores the need to fundraise and appeal to donors and why you should accomplish the goals you wa...2023-05-1716 minNo Straight PathNavigating Motherhood with Ashley’s AuntiesToday we have a special conversation in honor of Mother's Day! Ashley sits down with her four aunties to talk about motherhood, family dynamics, their reflections on raising kids, leading with love, and so much more. We get to hear a little about each of the guests and their families and personalities before diving into some insightful questions and answers on learning from moments of loss, the power of maintaining faith, how being an aunty differs from being a mother, and some funny memories of their children! In such a close-knit family, there is a real sense of togetherness...2023-05-1058 minNo Straight PathReclaiming Autonomy and Growing Joy with Maria FaillaToday, we are joined by Maria Failla to hear about her journey from Broadway to becoming a professional podcaster in the gardening space. Maria hosts the Growing Joy with Plants Podcast, which is the top Home & Garden podcast about houseplants and gardening in the world, and is the author of the book Growing Joy: The Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants). Maria is evidently a natural-born leader and performer and she is dedicated to using her voice to help people cultivate joy in their lives through plant care. In this episode, we hear her astounding life st...2023-05-0349 minNo Straight PathMarrying Law and Artificial Intelligence with Jack XuThe evolution of AI will change our lives for good and bad, but today we’re focusing on the positive. We are joined by attorney-turned-entrepreneur Jack Xu to discuss the intersection between law and coding. Jack Xu holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a BS in computer science and AI from the University of British Columbia and after working as a patent attorney specializing in intellectual property, he set out to found PatentPal. In this episode, Jack shares insight into patent applications and explains how PatentPal uses generative AI to automate patent drafting. We learn about how hi...2023-04-2631 minNo Straight PathFinding Alignment with Your Values with Jordana ConfinoGrowing up, most of us will remember being asked what we want to be when we grow up, rather than who we want to be, conditioning us to base our identity on what we do rather than who we truly are and what we value. But focusing solely on achievement and prestige can lead you down a path of isolation that ultimately doesn't provide you with any of the happiness and satisfaction you thought it would. This was the position that today’s guest, Jordana Confino, found herself in. She had spent years tenaciously pursuing a prestigious law career, ea...2023-04-1942 minNo Straight PathTapping into the Power of the Mind with Jelani JenkinsToday, we have another inspiring episode about an athlete pivoting to a different world. Jelani Jenkins, a five-year NFL vet and certified mental performance coach, joins us to tell his story. In response to his challenges after leaving the NFL, Jelani founded Postseason, an app facilitating athletes’ journeys to growth, success, and fulfillment beyond sport. During today’s conversation, Jelani shares some of the blockages he overcame and how he works to help other athletes in a similar space do the same. We touch on defining and measuring success and explore the connections between Postseason and Jelani’s journey out of...2023-04-1347 minNo Straight PathFollowing your Joy, Passion & Purpose with Desta Tedros ReffDesta Tedros Reff is a remarkable writer and director who has written for shows like Sorry for Your Loss, The Last Tycoon, The Purge, and Grand Hotel, and currently serves as an Executive Producer on the popular Amazon television reboot of A League of Their Own. Growing up as a Black, queer woman in the rural Midwest, Desta used writing as a tool to help her process her otherness and her passion for filmmaking revealed itself to her one summer when she found her grandparents’ video camera. Yet, she didn’t consider entertainment a viable career option until after she ha...2023-04-0542 minNo Straight PathAnother Setback, Another Comeback with Ashley Menzies BabatundeAt one point or another in all of our no-straight-path journeys, we are bound to face setbacks, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on our dreams! To continue our celebration of the one-year anniversary of No Straight Path, I share some personal anecdotes from my journey thus far and tell the story of how one setback set me up for success. After encountering a major stumbling block in the Hubspot Creators Accelerator Program, I had to take my own advice: honor your feelings, put things in perspective, normalize the setback, and move forward. To take stock of...2023-04-0333 minNo Straight PathA Sustainable Approach to Building a Business with Laurelyn HarrigIn the age of social media, there’s a lot of pressure to gain instant virality online and appeal to a massive audience. But there are countless ways to achieve, measure, and define success. And it’s important not to underestimate the value that comes from growing your brand or business slowly and sustainably. Today's guest, Laurelyn Harrig is an entrepreneur, brand photographer, and strategist with a passion for supporting small, female-owned businesses. Over the past 13 years, Laurelyn has done the hard work of taking her photography business from being her side hustle (while working a demanding corporate job) to a...2023-03-2938 minNo Straight PathLessons Learned After One Year of Podcasting with Ashley Menzies BabatundeWhen you reach an important milestone, it’s natural to take a moment to reflect on what came before. It’s an opportunity to take stock of what you’ve experienced, how you’ve changed, and what lessons you have come away with after everything you’ve been through. Today’s episode is one such milestone, and marks the one-year anniversary of the No Straight Path podcast! It has been a year of wonderful interviews with truly incredible human beings, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who’s been on this journey with me. Since starting this podcast I h...2023-03-2224 minNo Straight PathA Side Hustle is a Form of Self Love with Sterling SmithDuring today’s episode, we have another entrepreneurial story to share with you! Sterling Smith is a software engineer turned startup founder and the mastermind behind LaunchPartner.co, Sandbox Commerce, and Black Freelancer, the number one diverse platform for top-vetted talent globally. During today’s conversation, you’ll hear his story of turning a pain point into purpose, having experienced the challenges of being a Black freelancer first-hand. Hear highlights from his entrepreneurial journey, where he has developed perseverance through extreme challenges, fueled by deep relationships with his loved ones and a meaningful connection to his faith. He also gives...2023-03-1537 minNo Straight PathBattling Inner Voices and External Pressure with Carl TartJoining us today is the incredible comedian known for Comedy Bang! Bang! and Party Over Here, Carl Tart, who tells us all about his non-traditional path to becoming an actor! In this episode, we hear all about how Ashley met Carl in elementary school, why Carl and his mom moved to Los Angeles, what his childhood and family were like, how his mom influenced his career, and much more! We delve into the realization Carl had about his purpose in life before he tells us about his interests in college and what pushed him into comedy. Carl even tells...2023-03-0851 minNo Straight PathCreating Impact Through Transforming Workplace Culture with Leanne and Al ElliottThe majority of people spend a large proportion of their lives at work, so naturally, workplace culture has a massive impact on every aspect of our lives. The power couple who are the guests on today’s episode are on a mission to make people’s lives better one workplace at a time! Leanne and Al Elliott, the realist and the dreamer, are living out their shared passion for creating a human-centered workplace culture through the founding of Oblong (a one-stop-shop for leaders who want to build a great culture) and the Truth, Lies & Workplace Culture podcast. During this epis...2023-03-0139 minNo Straight PathElevating Black Voices with Dupe BabatundeBlack businesses fail at an alarmingly higher rate than others, and Black voices are not heard nor valued as much as they deserve to be. These (in addition to her desire to find a husband) were the forces that drove my cousin, Dupe Babatunde, to found Black Social, a new social network for dating, business, and entrepreneurial networking. During this episode, Dupe talks about her upbringing as the child of a Nigerian father and American mother, and how she reignited her innate qualities of passion and outspokenness that she lost touch with as she grew up. After b...2023-02-2242 minNo Straight PathListening to Your Inner Voice in Life, Love, and Business with Segun BabatundeToday we are continuing our celebration of Black folks by centering Black love. Our host, Ashley Menzies Babatunde, defines Black love as sharing a journey of love, support, and comfort with someone else who understands how to move through spaces, institutions, and a society that wasn't built for you. With this in mind, she welcomes her husband, Segun Babatunde, onto the podcast. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Ashley and Segun’s love story, Segun’s first impressions of Ashley, and how they both put out into the universe what they wanted in a relationship and the univers...2023-02-1540 minNo Straight PathNavigating Love & Entrepreneurship with Two Fourteen PhotographyIn today’s very special ‘Month of Love’ episode of No Straight Path, you’ll hear from best friends, husband and wife, and dynamic duo behind Two Fourteen Photography, Virath and Krizelle Pum. What they started 12 years ago out of Virath’s childhood hobby has grown into a wildly successful business, replete with a team of photographers and videographers serving couples all over the world.While there were many difficult moments along the way, Virath and Krizelle chose to view these moments as opportunities to realign and reflect on the things that were most important to them, and ultima...2023-02-0827 minNo Straight PathBuilding Safer, More Equitable Workplaces with Lexi BTo kick off Black History Month, we are speaking with a professional storyteller, thought leader, self-proclaimed freedom fighter, and leading Black voice in the tech community, Alexandria Butler (otherwise known as Lexi B).Considered one of Silicon Valley’s most candid and outspoken commentators, Lexi’s beliefs about how to build more equitable workplaces stem from her own experiences of working with some of the world’s most prominent tech companies, including Meta and Twitter. In 2017, these experiences also led her to create Sista Circle, a solidarity group and community dedicated to supporting the work of Black Women i...2023-02-0151 minNo Straight PathThe Power of Storytelling with Christopher RivasDuring today’s episode, we welcome our first visiting actor to the show! Christopher Rivas is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after multi-hyphenates - an actor, author, podcaster, and storyteller to watch. His goal is to create art that facilitates spaces of belonging, and he is deeply motivated by his own experience of finding connection through art. Chris believes that we are all creatives in one way or another, and shares his story of pursuing his dream. He also reveals a pivotal moment in his life where he realized that the character of James Bond is bas...2023-01-2530 minNo Straight PathReflections on Resilience & Social Impact with Jessica SalinasJessica Salinas did not have a blueprint. Growing up as a child of undocumented immigrants, experiencing childhood trauma, and being plunged into a new culture where she didn’t speak the language are just a few of the experiences that have made her who she is today. Her journey has also inspired her work to provide others with the support she didn’t know she needed when she was growing up. She is the Chief Investment Officer at New Media Ventures where she is responsible for developing the investment strategy, cultivating early-stage deal flow and portfolio management, building mission-driven part...2023-01-1841 minNo Straight PathUpscaling Your Business & Life with Scott D. ClaryMany of us are in a place of reflection and planning as we embark upon the new year. Staying in line with this theme, today you’ll hear some practical (and tactical) advice for upscaling your life and business from an established creator and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping others succeed.Scott D. Clary is the CEO of OnMi Patch, a transdermal vitamin patch company, the host of the Success Story Podcast, and the founder of a weekly business newsletter with over 100,000 subscribers. From startups to large organizations, Scott has worked with executives and entrepreneurs alike an...2023-01-1158 minNo Straight PathRedefining Success with Ashley Menzies BabatundeThere are so many societal markers of success that it can be challenging to figure out what your definition of success is. When I was asked by the host of another podcast to unpack the word ‘success', I realized that my version of success is living a fulfilling life while doing impactful work. As we enter the new year, today I unpack my definition of success, what it means to me, and how I reached it. You’ll hear a bit more about my journey; how my over-achieving hustle approach to life made me exhausted and less interesting and how...2023-01-0432 minNo Straight PathA Holiday Message from AshleyThe festive season and looming end-of-year deadlines can often feel like a mad dash to wrap up everything we hoped to achieve. Instead of rushing this week’s episode, I decided to honor my version of success in a healthy, sustainable manner by taking a break and spending the holiday with my family. So, even though we’re off this week, I wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation with all of our wonderful listeners. The No Straight Path community has been a beautiful and surprising gift, and I’m so grateful to every single one of you fo...2022-12-2803 minNo Straight PathEmbracing a Love-Based Mindset with Raha Francis (Part 2)When we pay attention to the life that we want to lean into and how to create it, we realize that it’s all a bit of a delicate dance. No one knows that better than today’s guest, strategic advisor, dancer, and leader, Raha Francis. She shares many pearls of wisdom with us during part two of our conversation, including a deeper look at what it means to embrace a love-based mindset over fear and how to pay attention to yourself and lean into your light. Pulled from her own experience of pivoting between strategic, management consulting, and tiny...2022-12-2123 minNo Straight PathEmbracing a Love-Based Mindset with Raha Francis (Part 1)Raha Francis is a writer and strategic advisor for entrepreneurs who has navigated several career pivots by paying attention to what makes her come alive. In her thoughtful newsletter, she writes about self-compassion, tapping into your inner child, and achieving a life well-lived by engaging in work and activities that help you come alive. Her career has encompassed working in intellectual and property law in New York City, moving into a management consulting role, and working in Canadian retail strategy and tiny tech startups. Today, she lives in Vancouver and works as a strategic advisor at the Business Development...2022-12-1535 minNo Straight PathReflections from my Grandmother with Ashley Menzies BabatundeThey say love rules the world. Today’s episode is dedicated to our host’s grandmother, who’s birthday is on December 10. This episode honors Grandma Eula’s legacy, who was truly a woman ahead of her time. She questioned societal norms. She traveled. She went to church and marched in the streets for LGBTQ rights. She was disheartened by societal inequality, and she founded an organization to fight it. She shared her reflections with Ashley in 2019, and we are honoring her memory by sharing some of her words of wisdom. We kick off our conversation with Grandma Eula’s ‘Double...2022-12-0821 minNo Straight PathTaking Early Risks with Memme OnwudiweToday on No Straight Path, we are joined by startup entrepreneur, Harvard Law lecturer, and metaverse mogul Memme Onwudiwe. Like many of the esteemed guests on this show, you can certainly call Memme a multi-hyphenate!He serves as Executive Vice President of Legal and Business Intelligence at Evisort, a legal tech AI company that he helped build via the Harvard Innovation Lab while in law school. Memme also teaches a course on innovation and entrepreneurship at Harvard with Evisort CEO Jerry Ting, and if that wasn’t enough, he is the co-owner of the Af...2022-11-3031 minNo Straight PathNavigating Job Loss and Finding Clarity with Paola SoaresThere is so much stigma around failure in our society. Today’s guest is on a mission to change how we think about it. Paola Soares is the host and creator of the Top 50 Apple Podcast in entrepreneurship, But First, She Failed. She is here today to share her inspiring story of navigating job loss, finding clarity, and working towards the life of her dreams. She is a former journalist whose favorite news stories were always profile pieces that helped and inspired. Today, she is taking her passion for storytelling to help women to redefine failure, while gaining clarity an...2022-11-2336 minNo Straight PathEducation, Imagination, and Wellbeing with Darius WhiteA high school teacher by profession, Darius White is also a creative problem-solver, first-generation Stanford graduate, “what if” asker, and consultant on issues of equity and inclusion for our classrooms and professional workspaces. As a writing advisor, Darius has a gift for helping others tell their stories. He also serves as a board member for the San Francisco Education Fund, which supports students, their families, and the local public school system. In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation about Darius’ unconventional career choice, the impact that his grandmother had on him growing up, and his definition of success. We als...2022-11-1633 minNo Straight PathFive Tips for Navigating Career and Life with Ashley Menzies BabatundeI like to use my birthday month as a time for gathering, celebration, and reflection, and this year I wrote a blog post about some of my reflections over the past 33 years of life. Today on the podcast, I want to share some of these insights with you because I believe they will help you navigate your no-straight-path journeys. As I discuss these five tips, I give examples of how they have played out in my life and in the lives of many of the guests we’ve had on this show. Tuning in you’ll hear about what I lea...2022-11-0915 minNo Straight PathMental Toughness with Ros Gold-Onwude (Part 2)Does the definition of success change as you grow older and experience more? Well, here to discuss just that and how she became mentally tough, is Ros Gold-Onwude. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to tune into part one of this conversation where we discussed how Ros’ family life shaped who she is today, her time as a basketball player, the lessons she learned, and what led her to sports broadcasting. We discuss Ros’ family’s reaction to her chasing broadcasting, how she handled the guilt surrounding potentially selfish life decisions, and what Ros is grateful for. She talks...2022-11-0227 minNo Straight PathMental Toughness with Ros Gold-Onwude (Part 1)You can develop mental toughness by working on life skills and pushing through hardships! This week is Ashley’s birthday week and in this episode, we are celebrating friendship, progression, and our journey! Joining us today is the accomplished ESPN sports broadcaster, Ros Gold-Onwude, to tell us how she stepped into her gift. Ros is also a basketball player, mentor for young women, advocate for mental health, and crypto-nerd who aims to use that space to create life-changing opportunities for minorities! You’ll hear all about Ros’ background, her incredibly strong mother, how she got onto her current career path...2022-10-2734 minNo Straight PathNavigating Sales & Entrepreneurship with Jason BaySales may often be associated with highly outgoing and extroverted personality types, but today's guest has a slightly different story to tell. Growing up shy and introverted, Jason Bay, probably never envisioned himself starting a career and company based on cold outreach and customer conversations, and in this episode, we hear from him about how he accidentally fell into the sales field, and adapted his listening skills into a sales superpower. Jason is the Founder and CEO of Outbound Squad, whose mission is to help sales teams turn complete strangers into paying customers. In our chat with Jason, we...2022-10-1946 minNo Straight PathBecoming Your Best Teammate with Kristin Turner (Part 2)Welcome to part two of our conversation with wellness speaker and strategist, Kristin Turner! Don’t forget to listen to part one, where we learned about Kristin’s career, her fellowship at Harvard, and her thoughtful definition of success. Tuning in today, you’ll find out how Kristin made decisions in her career that aligned with who she is, how her sabbatical led her to where she is now, and why she doesn’t necessarily know what her ideal service is to the world, as well as when she felt happiest in her career and what inspired her dip into pol...2022-10-1244 minNo Straight PathBecoming Your Best Teammate with Kristin Turner (Part 1)Welcome back to No Straight Path. We are very excited to be joined by speaker and strategist, Kristin Turner. Kristin is a self-proclaimed ‘recovering lawyer’ whose focus is now on advocating for wellness and social justice. She is also the deputy director of Women Vote! and has a passion for creating more equitable systems in society. Listening in, you’ll hear all about Kristin’s childhood, her unconventional parents and how they affected her future. She shares how she ended up at Harvard Law School, what derailed her away from her interests in negotiation, and how she figured out that she...2022-10-0553 minNo Straight PathFrom Setback to Comeback with Ashley Menzies BabatundeIn this solo episode, I do a deep dive into how to bounce back from a setback. At some point in our no-straight-path journeys, we all face setbacks and I believe that by sharing our stories and the lessons learned we can help others struggle less and soften the blows. Given the fact that many big companies have recently announced staff reductions and lots of people are facing job losses, in this episode, I use job loss to contextualize the issue, but it is relevant to other setbacks. Having failed the bar exam to become a lawyer, I have...2022-09-2816 minNo Straight PathPicking the Destination, but not the Journey with Dawn DicksonIn line with this podcast’s theme of navigating no-straight-path journeys, today we are joined by lateral thinker, Dawn Dickson! Dawn is a serial entrepreneur and inventor with over 20 years of experience in technology and business development. She has run six successful companies, including Flat Out of Heels and PopCom, and is a pioneer in crowdfunding as the first woman to raise over $1 million. She has received a number of awards recognizing her impact in business, including a feature on the Forbes Next 1000 List. In our very first live episode, we bring you a conversation with Dawn from HubSpot’s In...2022-09-2130 minNo Straight PathLaw, Tech & Content Creation with Alex SuThis week, on No Straight Path, we are joined by the Head of Community Development at Ironclad, Alex Su (otherwise known as the LegalTechBro on TikTok), who has been taking the legal content creation world by storm! As a former attorney who now works at the cutting edge of legal technologies, Alex uses humor to make some pretty serious points about what it’s like to practice law and highlights some of the biggest issues facing the legal profession, from mental health to overwork, burnout, and more. Alex’s journey is not without its unexpected twists and turns and, in t...2022-09-1430 minNo Straight PathMarrying Creativity and Business with Emily ThompsonEmily Thompson’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 18 when she bought her first business, a tanning salon. From the moment she stepped into the role of a business owner, she knew that was where she was meant to be, and since then she has built businesses ranging from online jewelry stores to website design agencies. Today, she runs Being Boss and Almanac Supply Co., both of which feed her passions for creativity and business in different ways. Tune in to hear Emily share the story of her upbringing (which was filled with experiences rather than things), one of...2022-09-0738 minNo Straight PathAchieving a Human-Centered Workplace with Dr. Sanja Licina and Maddie GrantHow can we achieve more humanity in the workplace? If this is something that you are passionate about, you have come to the right place! In this episode, we bring you an enlightening conversation with Dr. Sanja Licina and Maddie Grant on achieving a human-centered workplace. Dr. Sanja Licina is an organizational psychologist and the president of QuestionPro Workforce. She has dedicated her entire career to helping companies create cultures that employees love to be part of. Maddie Grant is the co-founder of Propel, as well as an expert culture designer and digital strategist, focusing on helping organizations unlock...2022-08-3127 minNo Straight PathThe Pivot with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 2)In the second installation of The Pivot, I unpack five of the most important lessons (there were many more, but I’ll get into those in future episodes) that I learned during the period of imbalance that preceded my decision to take a one-year sabbatical from my law firm job and pursue podcasting full-time. From asking for what you want to embracing your childhood qualities and giving yourself grace, tune in today as I share some of the lessons that helped me gain the courage and the confidence to change the course of my life. Thanks for being a pa...2022-08-2413 minNo Straight PathThe Pivot with Ashley Menzies Babatunde (Part 1)Today is the first official day of my year-long sabbatical from law. I am going to focus my energy on being a full-time podcast creator! So, I thought this would be a good time to share how No Straight Path came to be. The combination of my passion for storytelling, my desire to help other people overcome their feelings of failure, and my mom’s encouragement all led me to the point I’m at today and I couldn’t be more grateful. I know how it feels to have the weight of a community on your shoulders, how it fee...2022-08-1720 minNo Straight PathPursue Your Dreams with Mike Thomas (Part 2)Thanks for joining us for the second installment of our two-part conversation with Stanford graduate, NFL player, and active community member, Michael Thomas. As you learned in part one, Mike is one of the NFL Player Association’s most active players, a two-time NFLPA Community MVP, and an excellent storyteller. We ended on the incredible story of how Mike earned his reputation as one of the best Special Teams players in the NFL and, in today’s episode, we delve into his definition of success as he shares some of the lessons he has learned in his journey as an e...2022-08-1033 minNo Straight PathPursue Your Dreams with Mike Thomas (Part 1)When they’re not using their athletic powers on the field, NFL players, like today’s guest, are finding ways to serve as superheroes for their communities. This week, we are joined by Michael Thomas, a fellow Stanford graduate and one of the NFL Player Association’s most active players, both on and off the field, having played with the San Francisco 49ers, the Miami Dolphins, the New York Giants, the Houston Texans, and the Cincinnati Bengals over the course of his decade-long career. Throughout his time with the NFL, Mike has always been an active community member, creating the Bi...2022-08-0342 minNo Straight PathInternalizing your Compass with McKenzie Thomas (Part 2)In the first of our two-part series on McKenzie Thomas, the Director of Operations, Ads & Business Products at Meta, we learned all about the twists and turns of her journey and how she stayed true to herself and her inner compass. In today’s episode we delve more deeply into the lessons she learned along the way. Tuning in you’ll hear more about McKenzie’s definition of success and the role of her values, integrity, and morals in it. As she is on the brink of motherhood and is about to go on maternity leave, she opens up about...2022-07-2722 minNo Straight PathInternalizing your Compass with McKenzie Thomas (Part 1)The story of today’s guest epitomizes what this podcast is all about. McKenzie Thomas is the Director of Operations, Ads & Business Products at Meta, where her team is responsible for creating products and solutions that help millions of businesses reach their customers through Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta platforms. Her path to get to this point was anything but straight and, in this episode, McKenzie shares with us what her journey has looked like to date. Tuning in you’ll hear about her childhood, her early communication skills, and her career aspirations and how they led her to wher...2022-07-2039 minNo Straight PathSuccess is Maximizing Happiness with DeRon BrownRather than defining yourself by your profession, define yourself by the positive impact that you can have on other people’s lives. Rather than defining success by the amount of money in your bank account, define success by how happy you are. DeRon Brown knows the feelings of burnout and denial all too well, but he has used every challenge that he has faced as a steppingstone to a brighter future. Today, DeRon supports the strategic development and ongoing management of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s investment portfolio and, although he took a paycut from his previous job, he h...2022-07-1334 minNo Straight PathWhat Success Feels Like with Jenna KutcherJust for a moment, forget the hustle mentality. Forget waking up at 5 AM to ‘get ahead’ and obsessing over your five-year plan. The pandemic has forced a cultural shift, causing many of us to reframe our perspective of what work is for, what work/life balance really means, and how we want to spend our time on the planet. Today, we speak to Jenna Kutcher, an entrepreneur who grew her business from local wedding photographer to million-dollar personal brand. As if running an award-winning photography business wasn't enough, Jenna branched out into social media, education, and podcasting and she rece...2022-07-0624 minNo Straight PathAccidental Pivots with Cece XieWelcome to today’s episode with another inspiring guest. Cece Xie is a writer, lawyer, and content creator who has been featured in Business Insider, Bloomberg Law, and the ADA Journal. As an immigrant, Cece grew up thinking she was only good at one thing, and that was studying. This led her to Yale, followed by Harvard Law, before she worked as a lawyer in New York City. She began creating content in 2020 to help demystify the legal industry for ordinary people and to share wisdom from her years of balancing wellness with a high-pressure career. Her aim was al...2022-06-2939 minNo Straight PathFatherhood & Career with the Menzies Brothers (Part 2)As we bring you part two of our Father’s Day series, today our host Ashley Menzies Babatunde continues her interview with her dad Sydney and his three brothers Patrick, Marvin, and Eric, by delving deeper into their individual fatherhood stories. In this episode, we learn more about how they balanced fatherhood with their careers. Patrick talks about the good and bad decisions that he made, Marvin shares what he wishes he had done differently, and Sydney chats about the gratitude he had for Ashley’s mom Belinda. We hear about the support these fathers received from the mothers of t...2022-06-2217 minNo Straight PathFatherhood & Career with the Menzies Brothers (Part 1)In honor of Father’s Day, our host Ashley Menzies Babatunde brings you the first part of a two-part series on career and fatherhood where she interviews her dad and her uncles. Tuning in, you’ll meet the four brothers: Patrick, Sidney (Ashley's dad), Marvin, and Eric. Ashley gives us a brief introduction to each of the brothers, their careers, and the roles that they play in the family. You’ll hear about their childhood in the LA mid-city area where they were raised by Guyanese emigrants in the same home that Ashley grew up in. Although each of the br...2022-06-1533 minNo Straight PathNavigating Periods of Imbalance with Ashley Menzies BabatundeWe all experience periods in our lives that are imbalanced. And when we try to do everything at once, it often leads to burnout. In this episode, we hear more about our host Ashley Menzies Babatunde’s personal journey. With her wedding two months away, her cases blowing up, and her passion to continue producing this amazing podcast, Ashley is entering a period of imbalance. Tuning in you will hear how, even though she is grateful for everything that is going on in her life, she is overwhelmed. She also talks about how when you are doing something you lo...2022-06-0811 minNo Straight PathSuccess is Communal with Yvorn "Doc" Aswad M.D. (Part 2)And we’re back for part two with Dr. Yvorn “Doc” Aswad: pediatrician, psychiatrist, activist, and aspiring author. This episode is filled with pearls of wisdom and inspiring new views on success, joy, and humor. In a capitalist society where success is intrinsically intertwined with individualism, Doc provides an alternative, championing the “tribe” and defining success as communal. In our conversation, Doc shares his thoughts on raising future generations to be communally minded amidst communal suffering and existential threats, and he explains why the most radical thing one could ever do is raise a healthy black family. Despite his hardships...2022-06-0120 minNo Straight PathSuccess is Communal with Yvorn "Doc" Aswad M.D. (Part 1)Today’s guest credits growing up as part of a large family in South Central Los Angeles with not only providing him with a sense of deep spirituality, pride, and belonging, but also for his passion for serving the medically underserved. Dr. Yvorn Aswad, also affectionately known as ‘Doc’, is a pediatrician, psychiatrist, activist, and aspiring science fiction author whose work centers on youth violence prevention, caring for those who are transitioning from the criminal legal system, and restructuring emergency mental health access to feel more therapeutic. Doc received his Bachelors from Stanford University, his M.D. from the Charle...2022-05-2536 minNo Straight PathFinding your Voice with Esther AgbajeEsther Agbaje is not your stereotypical politician, fortunately! Her heart for people is so big, and through the work that she is doing, she is really contributing to making the world a better place. From a young age, Esther was drawn to the political sphere (she started writing letters to the White House at the age of 7!), and today she serves as the State Representative in the Minnesota Legislature where she focuses on advancing people-centered policies. Esther is a passionate advocate for tenants rights, police accountability, and the provision of safe places for young people. She was once told...2022-05-1835 minNo Straight PathThe Wrong Kind of Hard Work with Ashley Menzies BabatundeSometimes a job is hard because it’s hard and sometimes a job is hard because it’s wrong for you. In this solo episode, our host, Ashley Menzies Babatunde, revisits some of the pearls of wisdom dropped by guests in previous episodes in relation to this subject. Past guest Sabreena Merchant explains how figuring out this distinction took her longer than she would have liked, while a voice clip from Spencer Paysinger’s interview explains how he realized he was in the wrong job. Ashley also opens up about how this revelation has impacted her own career before breaki...2022-05-1118 minNo Straight PathYou Can't Lie to Yourself with Spencer Paysinger Part IIToday we dig into part two of our conversation with Spencer Paysinger. Spencer was an American football linebacker for the New York Giants until 2017 when he pivoted to focus on film and television, writing, co-producing, and acting in All American, the TV series based on his life. In this episode, Spencer shares his thoughts on success, explains how he defines it, and elaborates on why, despite his fame, it’s so important for him to be able to walk down a street as a relative unknown. He opens up about his relationship with his wife, how they support each ot...2022-04-2724 minNo Straight PathYou Can’t Lie to Yourself with Spencer Paysinger Part INot only does Spencer Paysinger’s life story sound like a riveting television series, it was actually turned into one! Spencer was an American football linebacker for the New York Giants until 2017 when he pivoted to focus on film and television, co-producing and acting in All American, the TV series based on his life. He is also an old school friend of Ashley’s, and in this episode, we hear about some escapades from their past, as well as insight into Spencer’s character and interests growing up in LA. Spencer shares his almost fantastical tale of finding success in pro...2022-04-2047 minNo Straight PathFinding Fulfillment with Sabreena MerchantSabreena Merchant spent the majority of her childhood and early adulthood doing things to make other people happy. She went to religious school instead of playing basketball on Saturdays and pushed through pre-med because her parents’ dream was for her to become a doctor. All of this left her feeling anxious and unsatisfied, so, a few years ago, when Sabreena was presented with an opportunity to explore a completely different career path (sports writing), she took it, and she has never felt more fulfilled! Some of the biggest lessons that Sabreena has learned from her life experiences so far in...2022-04-1335 minNo Straight PathStory Time with Ashley Menzies BabatundeWe’re back for another episode of No Straight Path, where there are highs, lows, and lessons learned. Today’s is a solo episode where Ashley unpacks the highlights and lessons learned so far, from historic moments regarding the Supreme Court to changing the mindsets that prove detrimental to the well-being of Black women. Ashley shares her personal experiences in the academic world and some of the micro-aggressions that, in hindsight, broke down her confidence and negatively affected her overall wellbeing, a lesson we should all take note of. We end off the podcast with why it’s important for yo...2022-04-0616 minNo Straight PathSuccess Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 2Welcome back to the second half of our conversation with Michelle Odemwingie! Today we dive a little deeper into Michelle’s career journey and what she has learned from being CEO of Achievement Network (ANet). We kick things off by hearing from Michelle about why authenticity has been integral to her success as a CEO. She describes how being honest about her process at work has helped her be a supportive leader, who invites collaboration, and why it’s such an enriching alternative to micromanaging your team. Hear how her experience as Chief of Staff at the same company bene...2022-03-2328 minNo Straight PathSuccess Is Not a Destination with Michelle Odemwingie Part 1There’s a reason why so many people who have had teaching posts via Teach for America describe the experience as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Not only are you solving incredibly complex problems in a classroom filled with students, but you are also operating within a deeply flawed system. For our first episode of No Straight Path, we are delighted to welcome Michelle Odemwingie, CEO of Achievement Network (ANet), to talk about her career journey, and how she discovered her passion for education. In our conversation Michelle reflects on her academic perfectionism fr...2022-03-2248 minNo Straight PathWelcome to the No Straight Path Podcast!Hello and welcome to the first taste of the No Straight Path podcast! This is the show in which Ashley Menzies Babatunde will be exploring the idea of success with special attention given to the areas that we so often gloss over. You can expect to hear interviews with an array of fascinating guests from many different fields and backgrounds, all with the unifying theme of honesty, process, and the hurdles that are common in all of our journeys. We hope that through these conversations, success and achievement can be humanized and that the myths of success can be...2022-02-1503 min