All Episodes

What if you could find the intersection of cutting technology with your personal passion and expertise?  And what if you could develop a reputation for learning, experimentation, and generously sharing your knowledge along the way?Well, that's exactly what you'll learn from today's guest, Emmy-winning television producer Erich Archer. He's has spent his career telling stories, from MTV and The Biggest Loser to small-town Massachusetts TV. And now, he’s using generative AI to tell stories that were once impossible to make, and working with top brands like Netflix, LIV Golf, and more. In this episode, we talk about:The lessons from humbling career restarts.Why learning to edit again changed Erich's creative trajectory.How two “unlock moments” led him to realize the power of custom GPTs and AI video workflows.What marketers and storytellers miss when they look for one-to-one AI replacements instead of new creative lanes.How to combine your subject-matter expertise with AI as a force multiplier for your career.The importance of sharing your own behind-the-scenes work.Finding your scene, the power of IRL, and trusting you'll collide with fate.This is a conversation about experimentation, humility, and how staying rooted in what you love can open new frontiers.Whether you produce videos, lead content strategy, or manage a brand that tells stories (which, let’s face it, is every brand now), you’ll take a lot from this conversation.You’ll see what real career evolution looks like in progress, and how Emmy-winning producer Erich Archer has become a sought-after voice at the intersection of AI and video production.More importantly, you’ll learn how to find that intersection for yourself.Let’s dive in, and let's keep making career more of a team sport.-------Connect with Erich on LinkedIn-----Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

What does it take to really reinvent your career? This week's episode features a detailed breakdown of exactly that. After decades of success as a Hollywood producer, and later blending entertainment and tech in Silicon Valley, Derek Stoops found himself at a crossroads. Not long after launching his own production company, the phone stopped ringing. Covid, combined with a reckoning across Hollywood, forced him to consider an entirely new path.At first, ego got in the way, as it does for most of us. Derek had been a VP at Sony, pioneering production methodologies and international dealmaking. Letting go of that identity wasn’t easy. Step one was simply getting out from behind his computer. He leaned into an interest in energy and sustainability and put one foot in front of the other. A few key moves followed: taking a class, applying to a local incubator, and humbling himself enough to be vulnerable with friends about the uncertainty he was facing. That openness led to more conversations, and more conviction around his new direction.He also realized that his Hollywood experience was more transferable than he thought. Like so many of us who have worked in marketing, media, sports, and entertainment, he was a problem-solver, used to being proactive and learning as he went.In this conversation, Derek shares not only how he came to that realization for himself, but also the tactical moves you can apply to your own shift.Today, Derek is firmly planted in the energy sector. He is developing both expertise and a team of collaborators who focus on commercialization of IP rooted in academia, among other things.I’m grateful to Derek for the openness he brought to this discussion, and for his friendship and support.If something here resonates, don’t hesitate to reach out to him as well.Let’s keep making career more of a team sport.-------Connect with Derek on LinkedIn-----Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

By mid-career, Karen Kelly has reinvented herself more times than most people dare to dream. From ad agency burnout in New York City, to scrubs and red tape as a speech pathologist, to moonlighting as a photographer, to running a seven-figure media business, to CMO and later President of a tech company, to volunteer community organizer and change-maker, to present day Co-Founder and CEO of Launch by Lunch, she has turned curiosity and resilience into her career compass.In this conversation, Karen opens up about the roadblocks we create for ourselves, the power of listening to signals, and the surprising ways creativity and community can reshape what’s next. We dig into:Why “too many ideas” can be a superpower if you learn how to channel it.The moment she realized storytelling mattered more than the photo itself.Building a grassroots childcare solution in her hometown during the pandemic.Painkiller vs. vitamin thinking when launching new ventures.How to give yourself permission to pivot—and crystalize fleeting moments into something lasting.If you’ve ever felt trapped by sunk costs, uncertain about your next season, or hesitant to put your work into the world before it feels ready, Karen’s story will give you both a framework and the encouragement to move forward.Let’s keep making career more of a team sport.-------Connect with Karen on LinkedInVisit the website for her company, Launch by Lunch, to learn more about building with no-code tools and the community of leaders waiting for you to join them.-----Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

What is it really like to work in professional sports?Most of us only see the highlights: the packed arenas, the high-profile players, the big sponsorships. But behind the scenes, sports is one of the most intense training grounds in business. It is relentless, unpredictable, and filled with lessons that few other industries can offer, especially for marketing and media pros. Chris DiPierro knows this world better than most. He spent 15 years in professional sports, culminating in his role as Director of Marketing for the Boston Bruins. After leaving sports, he translated those lessons into the corporate world as Head of Global Market Development and Strategic Partnerships at Wipro. And today, he is the Founder & CEO of Cozelo Marketing Company, the ultimate insider resource for brands that want to align their goals with the right property, unlock the right assets, and generate the best return. In this conversation, Chris and I explore the reality of working in sports: the highs, the chaos, the exhaustion, and incredible lessons, including  unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories from his Bruins days - like the playoff moment when thousands of rally towels accidentally shipped to Austin instead of Boston.We also talk about the current job market, the power of creative collabs, the mindset required to be an independent consultant, experimenting with AI, and much more.If you have ever wondered what sports can teach us about resilience, creativity, and brand-building, this episode is for you.Let’s keep making career more of a team sport.-------Connect with Chris on LinkedInVisit the website for his consultancy Cozelo, to learn more about how to work with him to make sure your partnerships perform. -----Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

If you’re leading a company, department, or team, this conversation is for you.If you’re running your own consultancy, doing fractional work, or guiding clients in your role at an agency, you’re in the right place.And if you believe in the power of self expression and the opportunity to make an impact by leaning into your own creativity, yes, this is a must-listen.I met this week's guest, Deo Mwano, over 15 years ago.He was still in school, but already making waves as a leader and creator. I can still remember being in the room, memorized, as he delivered his TedX speech and dance performance in 2011, sharing his incredible personal journey, and ultimately his mission to help inspire, motivate, and make a positive impact.   Well, today he’s delivering on that mission as a creator, entrepreneur, consultant, advisor, tech founder, educator, choreographer, musician, community leader, father and so much more.  We dig into concrete lessons for leadership, including a 3-step process Deo uses in his own work helping leaders: 1) Self Reflection 2) Validation 3) Adaptability We go through individual case studies of his work with specific individuals. We also go deep into a specific negotiation and how Deo stayed true to his values.And of course we talk about his technology company, MirrorIM, and how he’s helping people tap into their intrinsic motivators to learn, grow, and change. But my favorite part is when Deo shares what motivates him to be so prolific in his own creative process, why he wants us all to remember the power and opportunity we have as creators, especially right now given the rise of AI. And finally, what it looks like when he’s in flow making music.  This is a totally unique and valuable episode, and I’m extremely grateful to Deo for sharing his expertise and wisdom. Let’s keep making career more of a team sport.-------Connect with Deo on LinkedInVisit the website for his consultancy DMC, to learn more about how to work with him in a one-on-one or group settingCheck out Deo's tech company to help you and your company accomplish more: MirrorIMWatch Deo's TedX Talk-----Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

In a year of research on the nature of work and mid-career evolution, one word keeps surfacing: compassion.Compassion for others, yes. But more importantly, self-compassion.It's essential for sustained performance at work, and essential for navigating the messy middle of mid-career.This week’s guest reinforces that idea and expands our understanding with both science and practical tools we can put to use. Heather Doyle Fraser is a publisher, author, entrepreneur, and coach who leads the Compassionate Mind Collaborative.In our conversation, Heather explains the physiology of self-compassion and the “threat, drive, soothe” emotional regulation system that shape our daily experience: Threat – the fears of not being enough, of failing, of being judged. Drive – the fuel, values, and purpose that makes us want to do/create something Soothe – the comfort and self-care we can introduce into the equationHeather shows how recognizing and balancing these forces supports both career growth and creativity.She also shares tactical tools for creative output, from creating enough time, to shaping our physical environment, to cultivating a cognitive landscape where compassion leads instead of the critic.We also dig intothe vagus nerve and Theory Polyvagal theorycomparisons between elite athletes and high performing leadersimportance of cultivating curiosityhow changing your state can help you find your flowthe whiteboard shower hackHeather's family bandour work together on my book Collaboration is KingThroughout our conversation the reminder is simple but profound: even the most seasoned leaders and creators wrestle with fear and doubt. What carries them forward is practice and support.Let’s keep making career more of a team sport.-------Connect with Heather on LinkedInVisit her website to learn more about how to work with her in a one-on-one or group setting-----Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

How do you find career clarity when everything feels uncertain?Frank Hwang - now Senior Director of Marketing at Viking Range and formerly a brand and marketing leader at SharkNinja, Sperry, EF Education First, Timberland, Cannondale, and more - has navigated multiple transitions, including a recent move from full-time to consulting and back into a major leadership role.In this candid and energizing conversation, Frank shares how he managed the uncertain months, questions around personal value and focus, the good, bad, and ugly of the modern hiring process, when to invest in personal business development, the mindset required to consult on your own, and how to identify a new role that feels aligned. Whether you’re considering a move, riding out a transition, settling into something new, or just wondering what’s next, this is a story you’ll relate to.Thanks for being here.Let's make career more of a team sport.----------------------------------------Connect with Frank on LinkedIn.-----------------------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

He had a full client roster, was running paid media campaigns, and building lead gen systems before he could legally vote.Aaron Wagenheim had already lived two distinct career chapters before most of us had even picked a major. First came digital marketing. Then came the pivot: helping high school athletes build personal brands before NIL had fully entered the mainstream.That decision, and a relationship-first approach, shaped everything that followed.Aaron chose to skip college and double down on what was already working. Now in his early twenties, he leads BYAWAGS Media, a content agency serving national brands, professional athletes, and local businesses. He's worked with top brands including GilletteLabs, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Timberland, Stanley, Slate Milk, Raising Cane’s, CVS, 7/11, and RedBull.When we met at a startup event in Boston, I was struck by Aaron’s clarity and mindset. While The Afternoon Shift is focused on mid-career and leadership, understanding how early career marketers and entpreneruers see the game right now is instructive. Especially for those of us navigating what’s next.In this episode, we cover:Balancing preparation and postingThe production-value paradox of personal contentWorking with athletes in the NIL eraWhy companies should support internal creatorsThe evolution of influencer marketingCreativity, ego, and the curse of the marketerThanks for being here.Let's make career more of a team sport.----------------------------------------Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn & Instagram-----------------------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

Brad McNamara has created companies, built teams, and learned how to lead differently at mid-career.We start this episode by diving into Brad’s unlikely journey from on-air personality at Boston’s top station to becoming an agency owner, to serial entrepreneur, and current CEO of a truly innovative healthcare startup. We talk about the difference between running hard and running smart in mid-career, the power of improv, and how the mental game of sports shows up in life and business.Brad shares lessons learned through agency life, startup growth, building in healthcare, and why he thinks influencers may eventually play a key role in the future of "food as medicine."We also get into what it’s like to lead while raising a family, and how open communication with your partner becomes a critical part of navigating mid-career life.  If you're leading a team (or thinking about your next big move), this one is full of practical insight and encouragement.Thanks for being here.Let's make career more of a team sport.----------------------------------------Connect with Brad on LinkedInCheck out his company, Morrissey Market-----------------------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

What if the way your brain works is actually your greatest strength?In this episode of The Afternoon Shift, I talk with Lindsay Binette, founder of The Wavy Brain, a Neurodiversity Coaching & Advisory Practice supporting individuals and companies. We start with her dream career in marketing, leading culture-shaping campaigns for brands like Nike and Levi’s, before diving into her personal ADHD diagnosis and her bold pivot into entrepreneurship.Lindsay shares practical tools for anyone navigating neurodivergence or working with neurodivergent teammates, along with a powerful reframe of what she calls “hobby hopping,” the tendency to start and stop creative projects. We also dig into how self-compassion can fuel your creativity and career growth.Thanks for being here.Let's make career more of a team sport.----------------------------------------Connect with Lindsay Binette on LinkedInCheck out her Neurodiversity Coaching & Advisory Practice, The Wavy BrainFind the resources and tools we discussed, here-----------------------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

Today we learn from growth marketing expert Anuj Adhiya and 16-year-old entrepreneur Sabrina Bhattacharjya as they challenge what it means to thrive in a rapidly shifting creative landscape. Anuj, who literally wrote the book on modern growth marketing, opens up about the uncertainty he feels around AI and career evolution. And his “reverse mentor” Sabrina, an entrepreneur and viral content creator recently profiled by The New York Times, teaches us how curiosity, and a fearless approach to AI experimentation can unlock new levels of creativity.We also explore Sabrina’s take on:Influencer marketingWhat authenticity really looks likeThe power of social media translating to IRLInsights revealed by Spotify’s recommendation algorithmThe future of workA Taylor Swift custom GPT Business opportunities in Marvel fandom and sneaker cultureSpecific AI tools we should be experimenting with right nowThis episode is packed with ideas to sharpen your creative leadership and keep you inspired in mid-career, no matter what’s next.Thanks for being here.Let's make career more of a team sport.----------------------------------------Connect with Anuj on LinkedInConnect with Sabrina on LinkedInCheck out Sabrina’s company Lexington250.comLinks discussed in this episode:Replit LovableChatPRD-------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter. (theafternoonshift.com)Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

We often think of creativity as the output. But as Kaitlin Maud shares in this episode, creativity is actually a process. A way of thinking. A form of intelligence we all possess, and can strengthen.Kaitlin is a superstar strategist, coach, and now, licensed art therapist based in Austin, TX. Over the past decade, she’s helped shape campaigns for brands like Nike, Beats, Taco Bell, and Google Play. But after years at the top of her game, she began to ask: Is this really the thing I want to keep fighting for?Covid gave her the space to reflect, and slowly, over five years, Kaitlin began building something new. She went back to school, completed clinical fieldwork, and created Maud & Moon: part studio, part retail shop, part private practice.In this conversation, Kaitlin shares:The three conditions that support real creativityHow she approached a major career shift How to take action and get closer to who we really are, and what we wantHer favorite career assessment for identifying meaningful paths: the Holland Occupational Test (RIASEC)In addition to her in-person clinical work as an art therapist in Austin, Kaitlin is also a certified coach, and sees clients virtually, all under her company Maud & Moon. Whether you’re looking for 1:1 or small group support from someone who has worked in high-stakes strategy roles and navigated a major life and career shift herself, I highly recommend connecting with Kaitlin here. Thanks for being here.Let's make career more of a team sport.-------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter.Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

Waseem Kawaf spent years leading digital transformation at global companies. Then, in 2023, he left to launch his own firm.But the start of that next chapter didn’t go as planned, and what happened instead forced a deeper kind of reset.In this conversation, Waseem joins The Afternoon Shift to talk about starting over, staying grounded, and why showing up, whether for your family, your friends, or even LinkedIn with a guitar in hand, is the most powerful thing you can do.We cover:Starting a business during a personal crisisWhat to do when the plan changesCreating rituals and rhythms in mid-careerThe power of being yourself  online, even when it’s scaryWhat he’s building now, and what’s nextWhy community really mattersFollow Waseem https://www.linkedin.com/in/kawaf/ https://kawafllc.com/Thanks for being here.Let's make career more of a team sport.-------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter.Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

As leaders, we’re taught to tough it out. To power through. To "eat last." And somewhere along the way, many of us learn to support everyone but ourselves.In this episode, I talk with Liza Dube, a marketing and communications executive turned leadership and career coach. Liza helps leaders rethink how they work, how they decide, and how they treat themselves along the way.Liza is ICF-certified with additional certifications in emotional intelligence, women’s leadership, and trauma-informed coaching. She's a member of The Preston Associates US Executive Coaching team and offers private career and leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes.We learn a ton from Liza in this conversation, including why asking for help might be the strongest move we can make right now.Connect with Liza through her website.And follow her on LinkedIn: Liza DubeThanks for being here. Let's make career more of a team sport.-------Learn more about The Afternoon Shift and sign up for our free newsletter.Host: Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

What if growing in your career wasn’t about pushing harder, but about reconnecting with what actually fuels you?In this episode of The Afternoon Shift, communications strategist and founder Rekha Sidhu shares her insights from a career spent working at the intersection of global brands and grassroots impact.We talk about what it really means to do good work without burning out, and why self-trust and alignment are essential for leading with purpose at mid-career.We also discuss:Rekha’s journey from global PR and creative strategy to purpose-driven entrepreneurshipBurnout and agency culture, and what it takes to do it differentlyHow to build teams where people actually want to show up and speak upWhat it takes to trust yourself during big career shifts🔗 Learn more and connect with Rekha:Corner Shop Communications Rekha on LinkedIn------------------------------------------The Afternoon Shift - JOIN US (newsletter)Thanks for being here. Let's make career more of a team sport.Brady SadlerLet's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

What if the thing that keeps derailing you - the frustration, the emotional trigger, the moment you lose it - was actually the key to your next career breakthrough?In this episode, former technology leader, executive coach, and best-selling author Mark J. Silverman shares the framework he uses with leaders to turn reactive moments into powerful leadership tools. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to show up at this stage of your career, this one’s for you.In this kickoff episode of The Afternoon Shift, we talk with Mark about how mid-career leaders can manage overwhelm, navigate change, and lead with greater clarity.Mark breaks down his “Event, Bait, Hook, Cut the Line” approach to working with emotional triggers, and explains how your nervous system, identity, and internal stories all influence how you lead.We also discuss:What mid-career evolution really feels likeThe trap of chasing “I’ll be okay when…” goalsLeading with authenticity in high-performance culturesWhy journaling and nervous system awareness still matterHow to reimagine leadership as collaborative, not soloLearn more about Mark: markjsilverman.com Grab a free copy of his book Only 10s 2.0: Download here Listen to his show, The Rising Leader Podcast: Listen here Grab other free resources: markjsilverman.com/free-resources-for-busy-executives------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Afternoon Shift - JOIN US (newsletter) Thanks for being here. Let's make career more of a team sport. Brady Sadler Let's connect on LinkedInShow Art: Kyle Mosher

Welcome to The Afternoon Shift, a hub for mid-career marketing, media, and creative leaders to build together.Created and hosted by marketing veteran, entrepreneur, author, and business consultant Brady Sadler, The Afternoon Shift exists to create more connection, collaboration, and impactful work. Expect weekly interviews with with incredible leaders, mixed with a larger effort to find community, create experiments, and build new ways of working.Because we believe career should be more of a team sport.If you feel the same, hit the follow button, and let’s change the game together.----Want to be the first to hear about our new tools, events, and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors? Sign up for our newsletter here: https://theafternoonshift.com/ And, for more information, or to be featured on the show contact Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradysadler/