Becoming You with Suzy Welch

27 Episodes

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If Suzy Welch Was Your Mother, Would You Just Automatically Become You? Let’s Find Out, Shall We

2024-10-2937:01

It’s said the cobbler’s kids have squeaky shoes, so could it be life coaches have confused kids with crappy careers? This week’s guest, Suzy’s daughter, Sophia, is here to answer that question once and for all, and as it turns out, she and Suzy share an intertwined story about self-discovery, self-challenge, mistakes, love, loss, and parenting that might just resonate with us all. Press play, and get ready for an illuminating — and intimate — Becoming You conversation.

The Always and Forever Question

2024-10-2220:56

Why is it, even after we grow up, we still always wonder what we should do when we grow up? It's crazy -- or maybe it's not. In this episode, Suzy tells the story of finding herself in a room full of hyper-accomplished women, and discovering, much to her surprise and then joy, that they are all asking humanity's always-and-forever question themselves. It's enough to make you feel OK about the twisty-turny journey to the answer, or maybe even better than OK. Speaking of questions, Suzy also takes a few from you, our beloved listening audience, about decision-making, passion, and boredom. Get a cuppa something, and press play.

Four big hairy things get in the way of living authentically. What are they?

2024-10-1520:55

There are the famous Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which are not just big and hairy, but incredibly terrifying. Then, there are what Suzy calls "The Four Horsemen of Values Destruction." They are also fearsome, and, unfortunately, real enough to gallop away with your life. Listen in this week as Suzy describes and illustrates how the desire for economic security, the lure of expediency, the press of expectations, and the interruption of events might be exactly why your life is moving in the wrong direction. Also: What you can do to change that.

“I’m on My Way to Somewhere, I Swear”

2024-10-0830:10

We laughed. We cried. We admitted we were idiots. We counted the ways. Then we said we’d do it all over again. Actually, that was only some of us. On today’s episode, Suzy reminisces about her days at Quadio, the college music streaming company she helped run. Quadio didn’t end up making it, but guess what? This is a story with a happy ending. It is! Quadio taught everyone on the team something they needed to know about themselves — their values. Also in the episode: Invaluable wisdom from the brilliant businessman, and Suzy’s good friend, Claudio Fernández-Aráoz who came to sit down with Suzy all the way from Argentina. Plus, a surprise life lesson that you didn’t know existed, but you don’t want to miss: the Golden Rule of Mountaineering.

Hate Is Not a Feeling. It Is a Piece of Data.

2024-10-0122:19

If you're human, you've hated someone. OK, maybe you're special, and you've only stooped to dislike someone, and, if so, good for you. But that's not what this episode is about. It's about the value we call "Belonging," one of the most complicated in the Becoming You lexicon because it's about friends. How we take care of them and how they take care of us, or not. In this episode, Suzy ruminates and pontificates about what Belonging means to her, and how she learned that through her messy and often fraught relationship with her grandmother Francesca, a radical woman who had much to teach, both positive and negative. Also in this episode, Suzy apologizes for a rookie mistake she recently made, but corrected when her old friend Andy shamed her into doing so. Go Andy! Press play to hear the whole sordid story. Listen to this episode next, for the full "Whose life do you want?" exercise: The One When Suzy Says Networking Doesn't Work

Every Successful Person Is A Complete Failure (First) with Karissa Bodnar

2024-09-2433:40

Ten years ago, Suzy traveled to Seattle to film a Today Show segment about a young make-up entrepreneur who was doing business differently. For every pair of false eyelashes she sold, she gave away a set to a chemotherapy patient who was losing her hair. At the time, Thrive Causemetics was based in Karissa Bodnar’s kitchen. The company has been so successful Karissa gave away – HELLO, GAVE AWAY – $150 million dollars to cancer patients and causes. And yet, Karissa would tell you that she’s failed along the way so many times she even has a playlist of “failure songs.” We share some of those tunes, plus so much more, in this interview that happened when Karissa stopped by Suzy’s house to reminisce, compare notes, challenge each other, and, as usual, talk about the ageless question of how to know your values – and live by them. Also in the pod, we answer: Can your boss be your friend? And, importantly, can gray hair be cured?

Denying Your Values is Like Hiding a Secret. Bad For Your Health.

2024-09-1728:45

Our topic this week is the value of fame – yes, fame is a value! – but why leave it there? In this episode, we also talk about how much we can lie to ourselves about this particular value, not to mention a few others we have hiding in our hearts. Why do we do this? Because we’re human. No getting around it. Also in this episode: Suzy’s profound take on the fluffy Netflix mini-series “The Perfect Couple,” and ruminations on the desire…never to work. Hit play!

Land Your Next Interview, Promise

2024-09-1030:13

When it comes to getting a job – say, the job of your dreams – you have to get existential before you get tactical. But what’s really killer is when you’re both at the same time. And that’s what this episode of the pod is all about, with tips galore from Suzy on both. Being existential, that is, and tactical. Also this week, the Becoming You values-probing question that makes everyone cry. It’s supposed to.

“But You Don’t Understand, She’s Special.”

2024-09-0327:25

There’s a little voice inside all of us telling us we were born to do something. You know it’s true. Sometimes, this voice translates into our “passion,” and as we grow up, we have to decide whether or not to admit this passion aloud and chase it, for all the world to see, or be logical, and go do “normal work.” In this episode, Suzy discusses the eternal conflict between these two routes, and then, oops, drops an epic rock & roll story on us out of the blue. Also in the pod: A new hack to get your coworkers to disagree with you in the most productive way imaginable. Hit play!

Change is bad.

2024-08-2727:02

Ok, not really! Change is good — usually. And really, these days, what choice do we have anyway? But sometimes, it’s worth the energy it takes to resist change, because you’ve built something worth keeping the same. Tune in to this episode for a story to make that point, and sorry not sorry, there will be blood, we mean “crying.” Plus down-and-dirty advice on landing your dream job, and a new secret mentor crush who can lay someone low with a velvet glove. That’s talent.

Is it time to reinvent yourself? Ask the birds.

2024-08-2022:57

Worried about Suzy the Swan? Yes, you and many other listeners too! In this episode, Suzy (the human, not the swan) gives an update on her missing spirit animal, and somehow also manages to make a point about allowing yourself to change, whether you want to or not. Also on the agenda: Madonna, not knowing which path to take, and advice for working parents.

Becoming You: Survivor’s Unit

2024-08-1332:32

We talk about Becoming You incessantly on the pod, but how about a first-hand account of the process in action? Heck yes, we got you! In this episode, Suzy welcomes former student, restaurateur par excellence, and full-time fabulous person Michael Lopez, who recounts his Becoming You journey, and also recommends a good Rosé, which, don’t lie, you need right now. Also on the pod: Suzy and Michael confess: “The one that got away.”

Everyone Must Get…"Pwned"

2024-08-0635:05

Back in the ‘60s, Bob Dylan made an anthem out of the phrase, “Everybody must get stoned,” but it’s 2024, friends, and pwned is what you must get nowadays…if you want to get over yourself and get better at life. Listen up as Suzy talks about two (count ‘em, two) pnwings in one day that reminded her what true friendship involves, and how not-easy it is to get a relationship A-plus IRL. Also on the pod: Music! Dogs! Party ideas! We’re having fun! Hurry up and join in!

Guess What? Sometimes Guilt is a Choice.

2024-07-3041:08

OK, not always. Sometimes we feel guilty because we should. But other times, guilt is just collateral of a war between our values and the world’s. How to tell the difference? Listen in! Also in this episode: Suzy’s secret mentor, a woman who has made her mad, embarrassed her, and otherwise brought her low, all for the good. Plus, more in-fighting about the best musician of all time. Did somebody mention Pitbull?

Thinking of Pursuing Your Passion as a Career? Please Think Again.

2024-07-2337:22

Doing something you love all day is the dream, right? Well, not if you’re not good at it. In this week’s episode, a cold, hard, realistic – and loving! – look at whether a passion-based career is for you, or anyone for that matter. Also, a long, sad story about a swan named Suzy…and ChatGPT. And if that wasn’t enough, another foray into Suzy’s favorite mistakes, this one involving (scary music, please) ENGINEERS.

The War on Kombucha, Oops, We Mean Dumb Bosses

2024-07-1637:41

In this week’s podcast, we recklessly make enemies with everyone who loves kombucha, but for a good cause, the routing out of bad bosses! That is, bosses who think a well-stocked snack bar can cover for a leader who doesn’t have the time or inclination to make people want to come in for…the actual work. GET OUT! Also on the pod: Rants about your personality, snakes, and slow-walking tourists. Honestly, no one is safe on Becoming You, except Pierre.

When Smart People Do Dumb Things, Or Maybe Not

2024-07-0937:23

In this week’s episode, Suzy takes a gander at the new essay questions for admission to Harvard Business School and reacts with a deeply flummoxed, “SAY WHAT?” Then – surprise, friends! – she attempts to answer her own question. Isn’t that just always the way around here? Also in this episode of the pod, special love for Gen Z with the introduction to an artist you should know, plus tips on how to get a raise, get help when you need it, and get a job that’s right for you. It’s all here, and so much more, because anything is possible when you talk fast.

Everything I Learned in Life I Learned in 10th Grade English

2024-07-0239:28

Do you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night realizing a problem can be understood, and perhaps even solved, by reflecting on the last line of “The Great Gatsby?” SAME HERE! That’s why in this episode Suzy waxes poetic about the power of literature to make us better leaders, followers, parents, friends, whatever, everything. Also on the pod: A listener's question about feeling defeated that made Suzy cry so we had to re-record, thoughts on being in sales, more toxic corporate jargon, and the one emotion that should be against the law. Tune in, we’re waiting for ya.

A Grammar Lesson You Might Just Love

2024-06-2537:46

In this week’s episode, we ponder, “Are we all just one long list of commas, as we reinvent and reinvent and reinvent ourselves to stay current in this crazy world of ours?” Short answer: Yes! But the longer answer may include a surprise for you, as it certainly surprised Suzy…the inventor? Also this week: two new features. “My Favorite Mistake,” about, hm, well, you know what it’s about. And “Listen Up,” a music tip sheet with a moral to the story. Turn the volume up!

Don’t Ask Me How I Did It, I Just Did It, It Was Hard

2024-06-1837:42

In this week’s episode, we consider the annoying age-old question, “Why does everything good have to be so stinking hard?” And also, “Was Suzy actually being clueless when she told the Today Show audience that they should all go get themselves fired?” Spoiler alert: No! And that’s not all. The pod this week covers preparing for tough interviews, crabby celebrities, and Suzy’s most creative insults, which she concocts because, really, she loves everyone.

#box-pro-ellipsis-173042766374343{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Becoming You with Suzy Welch