Ep 52. Anthony Palomba - Professor @ Darden: Be Undeniable to Yourself

Ep 52. Anthony Palomba - Professor @ Darden: Be Undeniable to Yourself

Today’s guest is Anthony Palomba, a professor at the Darden School of Business who challenges his students with a simple but powerful idea: be undeniable to yourself. In this episode, we get into the real questions around business school. Why go, why not go, and how to think about the decision honestly. Anthony makes it clear that while there are great reasons to pursue an MBA, it is also an expensive roll of the dice. What matters most is what you do with the opportunity once you are there. We talk about showing up with intention, going to class ready to engage, and being willing to fail in pursuit of something bigger. Failure is a major theme throughout this conversation, and Anthony shares openly about how many times he has fallen short on the way to meaningful success. Anthony brings both academic and real-world credibility to the conversation. Beyond teaching at Darden, he has built an impressive career across media, marketing, and consulting, working with major brands and helping organizations think more creatively about growth and strategy. In this episode, we cover: * Why you should and should not go to business school * How to think about the MBA as a bet on yourself * What it really means to “be undeniable to yourself” * Why failure is a necessary part of achieving meaningful success * How to maximize your time in business school This is a thoughtful and honest conversation for anyone considering an MBA or trying to get more out of the experience once they are there. Leland resources: * Leland Coach search: https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d * Free MBA events: https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d [https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d] Enjoy the episode! 🎧

Ep 51. Paul Clancy - Darden: B-School, Med School, and Entrepreneurship... AT THE SAME TIME.

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Clancy, an MD-MBA student at the University of Virginia who is also the founder of Admissions Academy. Paul is one of the most structured and driven people you will meet, and this conversation is packed with practical insight on what real productivity actually looks like. We talk about building systems that help you move the needle, not just stay busy. Paul breaks down how to identify the work that truly matters and avoid the sneaky “productive distractions” that pull you off course, like cleaning the house when you should be studying or tackling low-impact tasks that feel good but don’t move you forward. His perspective on structure, discipline, and intentional focus is incredibly practical for anyone balancing big goals. If you want thoughtful strategies for getting more done and staying aligned with what actually matters, this is a great episode to tune into. Learn more and connect: * Admissions Academy MBA content: https://AdmissionsAcademy.MBA [https://AdmissionsAcademy.MBA] * Admissions Academy: https://admissionsacademy.org [https://admissionsacademy.org] Leland resources: * Leland Coach search: https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d [https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d] * Free MBA events: https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d [https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d] Enjoy the episode! 🎧

Ep 50. Matthew LoLordo - Kellogg: Filling Professional Gaps... and Food

Today’s guest is Matt LoLordo, an Evening and Weekend MBA student at Kellogg, and someone who brings a refreshingly practical perspective on how to make the most of business school without burning out. I’m joined by Doug Michalak as a co-host for this conversation, which made for a fun and dynamic discussion. Matt shares how he thinks about getting involved at Kellogg in an efficient, intentional way so that school adds energy rather than draining it. He reflects on his background in the food industry, why it was a great foundation for business school, and where he’s intentionally using the MBA to fill in gaps and broaden his toolkit. In this episode, we cover: 🔹 How to get involved in b school without overcommitting 🔹 Choosing activities that compound learning rather than create stress 🔹 Using an MBA to strategically fill gaps from your pre MBA career 🔹 What the Evening and Weekend experience at Kellogg is really like If you’re trying to balance work, school, and life, or wondering how to engage deeply without doing everything, this episode is a great listen. Helpful resources mentioned: 🔗 Leland MBA page: https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d [https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d] 🔗 Leland free MBA events: https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d [https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d] This one is especially relevant for anyone navigating a part time or evening MBA and trying to do it sustainably.

Ep 49. Hunter Wortmann - Bond University: Creating Your Personal Brand at a Global MBA Program

Today’s guest is Hunter Wortmann, whose path to business school is anything but typical. Before pursuing her MBA, Hunter spent five years working with marine animals, training dolphins, orcas, and more. After that chapter, she made the bold move to enroll at Bond University, where she has found a close knit academic experience (with small class sizes of just 9 to 12 students!). In this episode, Hunter shares: 🔹 What it was like working hands-on with marine animals for years 🔹 Why she chose Bond University and how small class sizes changed her learning experience 🔹 Her love of adventure and solo travel, including backpacking through Europe 🔹 How Bond supports entrepreneurs through mentorship and individualized guidance Hunter’s story is a great reminder that there is no single “right” path to business school and that sometimes the most unconventional journeys lead to the clearest direction. If you’re exploring MBA programs, here are a couple helpful resources: 🔗 Explore MBA programs on Leland: https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d [https://www.joinleland.com/search/school/mba/traditional-full-time-mba?via=67a30d] 🔗 Join free MBA events and info sessions: https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d [https://www.joinleland.com/school/mba/events?via=67a30d] Whether you are early in your MBA journey or actively applying, this episode is full of perspective on choosing a program that truly fits your life and goals.

Ep 48. Skyler Almquist - Kellogg: Two Years into a Search Fund (ETA)

Today’s guest is Skyler Almquist, a Kellogg MBA who has spent the last few years exploring entrepreneurship through acquisition. In this episode, Skyler shares: * How and why he moved from banking to PE and then into the search fund and ETA world * What he wishes he had known before committing to an MBA and before jumping into a search fund * The tradeoffs between traditional finance paths and entrepreneurship * His experience in Kellogg’s Zell Fellows Program and the huge benefits * What aspiring founders and operators should seriously consider before taking the leap This is an honest, practical conversation for anyone thinking about business school, private equity, ETA, or entrepreneurship and trying to decide not just what sounds impressive, but what actually fits the life they want to build.