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ZTP Episodes
Episode 09 - Katie Shannon: Crafting a Career in Executive Search and Founding Her Own Path
Katie Shannon has spent over two decades placing some of the world’s top executives—but her story is really about relationships, resilience, and choice. From an early life shaped by loss to building a career grounded in trust and authenticity, she shares how following curiosity—and not having all the answers—led her to success. In this conversation, Katie reflects on redefining priorities, taking risks, and what it means to design the next chapter of your life on your own terms. Here are some highlights from the episode: (0:06) Introducing Katie Shannon and her path into executive search (1:32) Reaching a point in life with more choice and optionality (3:54) “The moments when curiosity overwhelms fear” (4:04) Growing up one of eight children in Chicago (4:27) Losing her mother young—and the adversity that shaped her (5:20) A defining childhood moment: deciding hardship wouldn’t define her (6:17) Stepping into responsibility early as the oldest daughter at home (6:50) The soccer coach who changed the trajectory of her life (7:35) Learning teamwork, trust, and confidence through sports (7:58) Traveling internationally for the first time and expanding her worldview (8:22) Why business is ultimately a team sport (9:15) Winning the Dana Cup in Denmark as a teenager (9:47) Loving collaboration more than going it alone (10:22) Studying abroad in Rome and deepening her love of travel (10:49) Moving to Aspen after college and taking unconventional jobs (11:27) “A bunch of Mickey Mouse jobs” leading unexpectedly into search (11:43) Landing in executive search without even knowing what it was (13:15) Quitting her job to travel Europe and Africa solo (13:47) Six months alone in East Africa as a life-changing experience (14:25) Falling in love with Africa and later building a school in Tanzania (15:02) Moving to Silicon Valley during the dot-com era (15:33) Why executive search is perfect for someone who loves people (18:17) Working at the highest levels of executive search at Heidrick (18:59) Building relationships with executives over decades (20:18) Why great recruiting is about relationships—not transactions (21:30) Her father’s advice: treat everyone with respect (22:05) Presence and genuine connection as a professional superpower (22:28) Landing business through a chance encounter at Little League (23:30) Early career pressure to always “have the answer” (24:33) A brutal meeting at Morgan Stanley that became a defining lesson (25:24) The opposite experience at Viacom: grace, empathy, and humanity (26:22) Senior leaders and clients who became mentors and sponsors (27:25) Careers are built through long-term relationships (28:08) Entering a new chapter with more freedom and agency (29:25) Meeting designer Cynthia Rowley and following unexpected opportunities (30:33) “You don’t need the answer—you can live in the question” (31:09) Motherhood forcing a rethink of career and priorities (31:40) Raising the bar: only taking on top-tier executive roles (32:47) Craving challenge, novelty, and a new season of life (33:23) Learning to say no and protect time and energy (34:37) Why every risk and pivot accelerated growth (35:16) A major client relationship that went sideways (36:38) Realizing not every leader wants to be challenged (37:36) Why CEOs value honesty more than agreement (38:14) Designing the next phase of life on her own terms (38:42) Managing fear by remembering “everyone is human” (39:30) How curiosity and naïveté opened unexpected doors (40:09) Living fully because she believed life might be short (41:21) Following curiosity instead of rigid life plans (41:35) Final lesson: be present, stay open, and bring your full self every day
Learn more about Katie
Episode 08 - Peter Mills: Creating Value Versus Status in Technology
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Peter Mills has spent his career quietly operating alongside some of the most important leaders and technology shifts of the past 50 years—from Ford and DEC to Sematech and the rise of the internet venture capital boom. In this conversation, he reflects on lessons learned from icons like Bob Noyce and Ken Olsen, the realities of building companies and backing entrepreneurs, and why humility, trust, and creating lasting value matter more than titles or status. Peter also shares how he evolved into a life of mentoring and advising after reaching a place where he had “zero to prove.” Here are some highlights from the episode: (3:45) The career-changing decision to pursue an MBA at Columbia (5:18) Starting at Ford to learn systems before joining startups (6:06) DEC’s explosive growth—and learning inside a tech rocket ship (6:58) Why “buy-in culture” at DEC clashed with his operating style (8:35) Ken Olsen and DEC missing the PC revolution (10:14) Ford’s five-year planning mindset vs. tech speed (11:55) First startup experience with Dave Weatherill (12:20) Becoming the last person Bob Noyce ever hired (13:48) Inside Sematech: restoring America’s semiconductor leadership (15:22) Bob Noyce’s philosophy: work should be productive and fun (16:47) Feeling like Forrest Gump around legendary tech leaders (18:37) Launching one of the first internet-only VC firms (20:37) Why venture investing still felt like operating (22:53) Lessons from working around great leaders (24:11) What Bob Noyce may have seen in him (25:15) Confidence, realism, and seeing both sides of an argument (27:12) Why trust matters more than hidden agendas (28:51) Never caring about titles or “being king of the castle” (30:33) The dangerous founder mindset: making the company about yourself (32:58) Why most founder CEOs eventually get replaced (33:41) Red flag: entrepreneurs thinking about exits too early (35:15) The “long off-ramp” from venture capital (37:40) Choosing not to launch another fund—and why (38:05) Finding balance, partnership, and a different pace of life (39:20) Reaching a point of “zero to prove” (40:06) Why mentoring entrepreneurs became deeply fulfilling (41:16) Realizing he had naturally become a mentor and advisor (43:37) The value of experience in a youth-obsessed tech culture (44:09) Going to Woodstock with high school friends (46:22) “Productive days matter” — his guiding philosophy today
Learn more about Peter
Episode 07 - Jay Samit: Embracing Change and Building Your Second Act Advantage
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Jay Samit has spent his career at the center of disruption—from early video games and special effects to digital music, streaming, and AI. In this conversation, he shares how solving problems—not chasing opportunities—became the foundation of his success, why perseverance matters more than credentials, and how he repeatedly reinvented himself across industries and decades. Jay also discusses his latest book, The Second Act Advantage, and why technology and AI are creating unprecedented opportunities for people to build meaningful second careers later in life. Here are some highlights from the episode: (2:30) Starting with no roadmap—and no traditional connections (3:25) The “fake job listing” strategy that launched his career (4:20) Starting a special effects company at 21 with no experience (5:07) “You only need two things: insight and perseverance” (6:00) Discovering technology through one of the earliest internet systems (6:43) Winning a Clio by inventing “computer graphics” before they existed (7:18) “Be the best in the world—or be the only one doing it” (8:04) Walking away once industries became crowded (9:28) The billion-dollar mistake: choosing video editing over email (10:14) “Entrepreneurs don’t sell things—they solve things” (11:03) Turning failed technology into new business models (13:16) Cold-writing Bill Gates—and getting him to help (14:11) Transitioning from startups to giant companies like Universal and EMI (15:19) Why big companies only call when they have problems (16:28) The moment Sony leadership told him to keep breaking rules (17:10) Reinventing music licensing during the rise of digital piracy (18:22) Convincing artists that digital music could save the industry (19:07) Why record labels originally refused to work with Amazon (20:12) Curiosity + risk tolerance = career opportunity (21:20) The hidden fear driving most corporate behavior (22:21) Competing with iTunes with zero marketing budget (23:14) Turning McDonald’s into a digital music distribution channel (24:29) The “concert in the sky” marketing stunt with United Airlines (25:28) Why he started writing books later in life (26:39) Disrupt You unexpectedly becoming a global phenomenon (27:21) Mentoring a homeless immigrant from zero to millionaire (28:08) Why AI creates massive opportunity for second careers (29:46) Your second act may be longer than your first career (30:08) “The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose” (30:44) The 71-year-old woman who reinvented herself at 80 (31:06) Using AI and technology to reconnect—not divide—people (32:12) Perseverance as a lifelong mindset, not just a business skill (33:16) Why modern retirement models no longer work
Learn more about Jay
Episode 06 - Cary Bowman: Why Chasing Your Own Definition of Success Matters
Cary Bowman went from aspiring archaeologist to investment banker to entrepreneur—but his biggest shift wasn’t career, it was how he defined success. After building a thriving distillery business, he redesigned his life around time, family, and freedom instead of scale at all costs. In this conversation, Cary shares how he built businesses that don’t own him, why curiosity matters more than credentials, and how he’s now diving into AI and tech with zero formal background. Here are some highlights from the episode: (1:36) From archaeology dreams to investment banking (3:38) Discovering he was both good at—and enjoyed—finance (5:19) The shift: learning from entrepreneurs instead of serving them (7:13) Realizing success isn’t just money—it’s what you build (8:08) The 4-Hour Workweek and reclaiming control of time (10:05) Reimagining life and career with his wife (11:36) The moment that sparked a distillery business (13:32) The origin of “Lucky Bastard” (and why it worked) (20:23) Scaling from 1,000 to 300,000+ liters annually (22:00) Designing a business that supports life—not consumes it (23:19) “I want my Tuesday to be mine” (24:17) The hardest lesson: trusting others with your business (27:43) When trust breaks—and how to rebuild it (31:12) Choosing not to scale at all costs (33:07) Building a team that runs the business without you (37:46) Jumping into AI and tech with zero background (39:30) Turning real-world problems into software solutions (41:21) Building products using AI (“vibe coding”) (45:38) Why building is fun when it doesn’t feel like work (50:17) Family as the true priority—and how he protects it (55:07) Redefining success on your own terms (56:30) Curiosity as a guiding force (58:06) Why failure doesn’t matter if you’re learning
Learn more about Cary
Episode 05 - Al Lindsay: Work-Life Synergy Over Balance: Insights from a Former Amazon Leader
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In this episode, Anthony Bay speaks with Al Lindsay, who spent nearly three decades in tech, including leading the team that built Alexa from a concept into a product used by hundreds of millions. Then, at the peak of that success, he made the unexpected decision to walk away. In this conversation, he shares what it really costs to operate at that level, why stepping away is harder than it seems, and how he’s redesigned his life around impact, learning, and choice. Here are some highlights from the episode: (0:29) From idea to global product: building Alexa from day one (0:57) Leading 1,000+ people at the center of Amazon’s innovation engine (1:33) The hidden cost of “always-on” leadership (3:23) Why work-life balance doesn’t exist at that level (4:45) When personal energy and career demands collide (6:02) The breaking point: leaving the office in an ambulance (6:41) Walking away at peak earnings—and why (7:30) The unexpected struggle after stepping away (8:05) Why “doing nothing” or hobbies isn’t as fulfilling as it sounds (8:32) Missing the team, the challenge, and meaningful impact (9:25) Why startup advising didn’t fit (and what did) (10:26) The shift: from operator to advisor (11:12) “Feast or famine” — the reality of post-career work (13:21) What “always on” actually looks like (holidays, outages, pressure) (14:20) The cost of responsibility at massive scale (16:13) Designing a new life: control over time and focus (17:26) Why deep work beats constant context switching (18:55) Rebuilding a life around family, learning, and craft (21:26) Being selective: only working where you can truly add value (22:16) Staying relevant in a fast-moving world (AI, tech shifts) (23:03) The importance of “mattering” — contributing to something meaningful (25:11) A new north star: helping others succeed (27:20) Redefining success: health, family, learning, and impact
You can find Al's book here
Learn more about Al
Episode 04 - Steve Mosko: Navigating Tough Times with Kindness, Respect, and Resilience with Steve Mosko
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In this episode, hosts Anthony Bay and Steve Mosko explore the crucial themes of authentic relationship-building, self-motivation, and leading with values over ego. You'll hear Steve open up about how the most successful people never truly stop striving; they just shift from trying to prove themselves to others to pushing themselves for personal satisfaction and growth. Drawing on stories from sports legends and behind-the-scenes moments in the entertainment business, Steve Mosko and Anthony Bay unpack how genuine friendships, honesty, and integrity can be your greatest career assets. Here are some highlights from the episode: (0:00) Cold-calling Mark Burnett → the creation of Shark Tank (2:30) Growing up with something to prove (3:30) Being told “you’re not college material” → fuel for ambition (4:00) Breaking into TV by sheer persistence (and no plan B) (4:23) 23 years old and completely over his head—learning anyway (5:10) Walking away from comfort to avoid stagnation (5:40) Moving to Hollywood at 37—a massive career risk (6:00) Success in entertainment = surviving failure after failure (13:24) The pattern: risk-taking + people betting on you (14:33) Relationships as the real long-term advantage (15:37) Even top performers still feel pressure to prove themselves (16:30) Rebuilding Sony’s TV business with no traditional background (18:00) External vs internal “proving”—and why it matters (19:00) “You won. Stop trying to prove yourself.” (21:20) High performers still carry a chip on their shoulder (26:19) The “relationship tree” — how opportunities really happen (27:30) Cold outreach + honesty = breakthrough opportunities (30:55) Radical transparency builds trust faster than anything (31:43) Life is short—be good, be kind, and still be tough (32:32) The best leaders make others feel better, not smaller (33:42) How you treat people in hard moments defines you (35:00) Leadership test: handling layoffs with dignity and respect (36:30) Being tough and kind at the same time (38:00) Life is not zero-sum—success compounds through people.
Learn more about Steve
Episode 03 - Dave Peinsipp: From Courtroom to Boardroom: Navigating Success, Authenticity, and Personal Freedom in Tech Law with David Peinsipp
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In this conversation, Anthony Bay sits down with David Peinsipp, partner at Cooley, for an honest reflection on ambition, authenticity, and what it means to reach a point in your career when you have nothing left to prove, but everything left to gain from staying engaged. This episode dives into how true fulfillment isn’t just about money or title, but about shaping your own path, building lasting relationships, and knowing when to say no. David Peinsipp shares fascinating stories from inside Silicon Valley’s most dramatic boardrooms, including pivotal moments with companies like Uber, LinkedIn, Snap, and Robinhood. Here are some highlights from the episode: (0:28) Inside boardrooms shaping LinkedIn, Uber, Snap, OpenAI (1:14) What changes when you no longer need to prove yourself (2:10) “Freedom” isn’t about money—it’s about choice (3:08) Why people keep working even when they don’t have to (4:36) Choosing boardrooms over courtrooms early in his career (6:01) “Better to be wrong and engaged than right and silent” (7:24) Success = timing, relationships, and staying in the game (8:16) Why he’s staying in tech during the AI inflection point (9:22) The real job: not rules, but judgment under uncertainty (10:05) Great lawyers say “yes, maybe” instead of “no” (11:31) Operating at the bleeding edge of law and innovation (13:25) The power to walk away from clients who don’t align (16:03) The most liberating moment: choosing who you work with (18:55) Why money doesn’t actually create independence (20:11) Real power = knowing nothing can truly take your identity (22:25) Your reputation + relationships = your real safety net (24:49) Inside high-stakes boardroom moments (Uber, Snap, Zenefits) (27:39) The role isn’t legal—it’s navigating people and pressure (29:48) Careers are built on long-term, non-transactional relationships (32:23) Authenticity > likability as you grow (33:34) Life is a balance sheet of how you show up for others
Learn more about David
Episode 02 - Peter Allison: When Curiosity Beats Fear: Lessons from Safari Life and Professional Transformations
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In this episode, host Anthony Bay sits down with acclaimed safari guide and author Peter Allison. Together, they share personal stories of facing fear, overcoming imposter syndrome, and redefining what success truly means. From near-miss encounters with stalkers and the FBI to hilarious and humbling moments guiding ultra-high-net-worth guests through the bush, Anthony Bay and Peter Allison explore how curiosity can overcome fear, and why “just showing up” often opens the door to opportunity. Here are some highlights from the episode: (0:29) Safari guide turned bestselling author and storyteller (2:22) Quitting the “safe path” at 19 (3:33) “Feed your curiosity until it outweighs your fear” (4:45) Getting hired by simply showing up (6:05) Learning by being thrown into the deep end (8:13) Feeling successful—but still battling imposter syndrome (11:05) The real skill: creating unforgettable experiences (14:10) Why promotions can pull you away from what you love (15:31) The second brave moment: becoming a writer (19:36) Success came from embracing authenticity (20:39) “Only food runs” — a philosophy for facing fear (28:01) Redefining success: contribution over status (30:28) Why wealthy people envy meaningful experiences (34:53) The “lottery of birth” realization (38:40) Asking communities what they actually need (40:00) The “Elephant Express” and real-world impact (41:49) Why business—not just philanthropy—drives change (46:29) Relationships without transactions
You can find Peter’s books here
Learn more about Peter
Episode 01 - Rania Anderson: Moving Beyond Approval: Creating Fulfillment and Impact in Work and Life
In this episode, host Anthony Bay sits down with executive coach, author, and trailblazer Rania Anderson for a conversation that crosses continents, careers, and the personal pursuit of purpose. Anthony Bay and Rania Anderson discuss her early journey from the Middle East to college in the U.S. at 16, her rise through the banking world, and her bold transition into coaching and global leadership. Rania Anderson opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the importance of taking risks, and the power of allies and sponsors—especially as a woman navigating male-dominated environments. Here are some highlights from the episode: (0:44) From Bank of America executive to coach and author (1:07) The 3 building blocks of a “Zero to Prove” life (4:23) A chance conversation sparks her coaching career (6:57) “You’re making all the right mistakes” — redefining failure (8:34) Why success requires both skill and enjoyment (10:28) Allies, sponsors, and navigating corporate power dynamics (13:52) Why trying different roles builds real confidence (21:58) The moment success stopped being fulfilling (23:13) Leaving corporate to build something of her own (24:47) Turning 50 → questioning purpose and impact (27:25) Studying success globally → writing Undeterred (29:31) “You only have to prove things to yourself” (31:01) The “one person” insight that redefined impact (36:19) Designing a life where work fits into life (38:23) Why mastery never stops—even after success (44:28) The 3 pillars: love your work, live purposefully, pursue mastery (47:16) Letting go of approval and external validation
You can find Rania's books here
Learn more about Rania
Pilot Episode - Zero to Prove Helps Leaders Find Purpose Beyond the Corporate Ladder
Introducing a podcast for experienced leaders who are shifting from external success toward pursuing work and life on their own terms. Host Anthony Bay shares his personal turning point after a long tech career, explaining how it led him to redefine success around fulfillment and contribution. Some highlights from the episode: (0:29) Introducing Zero to Prove — a podcast about redefining success (1:00) What “Zero to Prove” really means (and what it doesn’t) (1:40) Shifting from building someone else’s vision → your own (2:00) Anthony’s career: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon → CEO → exit (2:20) The moment: “I don’t want to run that playbook again” (2:40) Redefining success beyond titles, status, and validation (3:20) There is no playbook for this next phase of life (3:50) Why many high achievers struggle after stepping away (4:20) The need for a new model: independence with community (4:50) Why going solo (consulting/freelance) often falls short (5:10) Creating a “collective” instead of working alone (5:40) Building Techquity as a new kind of professional model (6:10) Learning from others as the core motivation for the show (6:40) Defining “enough” — the real unlock for making the shift (7:10) This isn’t about money — it’s about choosing your path (7:40) Designing a life with family, travel, and flexibility (8:10) Advice to younger self: don’t lose sight of what matters (8:40) “The people who loved us will miss us” — defining legacy
Learn more about Anthony