The Worst Advice I Ever Got

Get Your MBA - Kirk Halpern

In this conversation, Kirk explains why he believes entrepreneurial success comes from adaptability, salesmanship, coachability, and frontline experience, not spreadsheets and analysis paralysis. He shares stories about growing businesses from the loading docks up, surviving major legal battles, pivoting his company during COVID in less than a day, and why he’d take a gritty former athlete over a polished Ivy League MBA in a hiring interview almost every time. Whether you agree with him or not, this episode will absolutely make you think differently about leadership, education, and what actually prepares people for success. The Worst Advice I Ever Got is brought to you by Smith + Howard.

That Part Is Too Small For You - Johnny Sneed

Actor and musician Johnny Sneed (Fever Pitch, Love & Mercy, Outer Range, Painkiller, Parks and Recreation) is joining us on The Worst Advice I Ever Got to talk about the worst advice he’s ever received and why he wishes he never listened to it in the first place. From sharing the screen with Bryan Cranston and Josh Brolin to portraying legendary drummer Hal Blaine in Love & Mercy, Johnny’s career has blended music, comedy, drama, and character work across film and television. Now he’s sitting down with us to unpack the advice that quietly shaped years of his life and the regret that can come from realizing too late that the wrong voice got in your head.

No Is A Full Sentence - Andrew Stallings

CHAPTERS * (00:00:00) - The Worst Advice I Ever Got * (00:01:01) - Best Advice You Ever Got * (00:02:57) - The Alternative Paths of Colleges * (00:07:01) - Post-College Career: How To Persistence * (00:14:23) - How to Deal With No * (00:16:59) - Andrew's Advice For People Who Get No

Lead From The Back - Manya Whitaker

She was told to lead from the back. It sounded thoughtful. Humble. Empowering. It didn’t work. In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Manya Whitaker shares how that advice led to confusion, stalled teams, and zero direction… and why real leadership can’t come from hiding in the background. As a college president and CEO, Manya breaks down what actually works: clear direction, visible leadership, and creating space for others to succeed without leaving them guessing. This one gets into the real tension of leadership: how to lead from the front without micromanaging, how to empower without disappearing, and why “humility” can sometimes backfire. If you’ve ever been told to step back… this might change how you show up. Listen now and subscribe for more episodes of The Worst Advice I Ever Got.

Your Body Is Your Credibility - Jamie Mantzouridus

Early in his career, Jamie Mantzouridis was told something that actually made sense. If you want to be taken seriously as a trainer, you need to look the part. So he went all in. He transformed his body, built credibility fast, and started getting results. But the deeper he went, the harder it became to see where the line was between discipline and damage. This episode is about what happens when the thing that makes you credible starts to cost you more than it’s worth.