Liftoff Journeys with Jeanniey Walden

The fastest way to stall your career is trying to be everything to everyone. Chantell Preston reveals why the real advantage comes from knowing what you want, what you don’t, and building the right support around you.
From a chance meeting at Cannes to a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, private equity, and reinvention after a major exit, Chantell shares the hard-won lessons behind her success - and the myths she’s calling out in her new book, The Success Lie.
You’ll discover:
Why starting at an established company can be the best launchpad for entrepreneurship
How Chantell built and exited Mentis to private equity in 2015
The mindset shift that happens when success is no longer defined by title and money
Why “no” can be a gift that creates opportunity for someone else
The difference between balance and integration, and why she says balance is the wrong goal
How empathy, authenticity, and a strong culture make leaders more effective
Why it’s never too late to start over, change paths, or become your own advocate
Jeanniey Walden also shares her own lessons on mentorship, working motherhood, and the pressure women feel to do it all, creating a conversation that feels both deeply practical and powerfully personal.
Chantell is a business leader, investor, advisor, mentor, and the author of The Success Lie, a book focused on exposing the stories women are told about leadership, ambition, and achievement. She’s built her career around helping women step into opportunity with more confidence, more intention, and far less guilt.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re too late, too busy, or too far off track to build the life and career you really want, this episode will change the way you think about success. Perfect for emerging leaders, ambitious women, career switchers, and anyone ready to stop chasing other people’s definitions and start building their own.

Imagine a world where you can indulge in delicious, wholesome soups, savor exquisite Israeli wines, and explore innovative cheeses and coffee flavors—all in one episode.
This isn't just foodie fluff; it's a master class in taste, craftsmanship, and passion that will elevate your sensory experience to new heights. If you're a lover of gourmet foods, fine wines, or unique beverages, this episode is your passport to discovering the stories behind the flavors you crave—and the ones you haven't tried yet.
We kick things off with Talia from Manischewitz, revealing how her line of seven soups combines convenience with wholesome ingredients you recognize—think carrots, zucchini, garlic—without preservatives or chemical additives. You'll discover how these soups are designed for everyone—vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free devotees—and why they're perfect for any season, not just chilly days.
Plus, get the scoop on how Manischewitz soups arrive at your door via Amazon Prime, making healthy eating easier than ever.

Next, we dive into the world of cheese with a fascinating story about Rembrandt's award-winning gouda, a Dutch cheese protected by the European Union, and the small territory in the Netherlands that makes it so unique. Whether you're a cheese connoisseur or just looking to impress at your next gathering, you'll learn how this cheese's rich history and distinct flavor profile—salty, complex, crystal-capped—make it a must-try.
Then, we explore the booming innovation in coffee with Lindsay from Java Factory, unveiling their record-breaking quest to release 52 new coffee flavors in 52 weeks—think blueberry shortcake, s'mores, French toast, and peanut butter and jelly. You’ll discover how their flavor development process works, why their coffees contain no added sugars, and how you can indulge in dessert-like beverages anytime, day or night—perfect for the adventurous and coffee lovers alike.
Finally, venture into Israel's vibrant wine scene with experts Itay Lahat and Or Nadbach, or Lahat and Tabor winerys (both part of the IWPA) share how Israeli vineyards from the Golan Heights to the Jerusalem Mountains produce wines that balance climate, soil, and tradition. You’ll learn how each vintage tells a story—whether young or aged—and why Israeli wines are making waves internationally. Plus, explore the artistry behind branding and the personal touch they bring to their wineries and celebrate the launch of Tabor's Artisanal wines.

And, as a special surprise we chat with Jojo Anavim in his home studio as he shares his inspirations and love of art.
This episode is a feast for your senses, blending culinary storytelling with expert insights and behind-the-scenes secrets. Whether you're a dedicated foodie, a cheese monger, a wine enthusiast, or a curious traveler of taste, you’ll walk away inspired to elevate your next meal, toast, or coffee break.
Perfect for anyone craving authentic, innovative flavors that tell compelling stories—don’t miss out on this extraordinary journey.

Most companies overlook a game-changing ingredient that drives success, trust, and innovation — love. Owen Burns reveals how leading with love in business isn’t just a feel-good cliché, but a proven strategy that can transform your organization, boost performance, and even improve the bottom line.Imagine a world where fear, not hate, is the root of most workplace conflicts, stagnation, and poor customer experiences. Owen walks us through how fear blocks growth, while love and trust unleash creativity, collaboration, and resilience—especially when everything from AI to organizational culture feels uncertain. This eye-opening episode explores how love isn’t just an emotion; it’s a leadership tool that enhances relationships, sparks authentic connection, and fuels significant cultural shifts.You’ll discover:

The surprising science behind love and trust as the foundation of effective leadership
How companies like Patagonia, Panera, and Microsoft harness love-led strategies to outperform their peers by 20-1200%
Practical techniques for leading with love during crises, layoffs, and digital transformation—including reprogramming your neural pathways with the “love switch”
Why fear is the true enemy of innovation and how to turn it into a catalyst for growth
The role of vulnerability, authenticity, and emotional intelligence in a post-AI world that craves human connection
This isn’t just a feel-good chat—it's a blueprint for building resilient, purpose-driven organizations that stand out in a crowded, increasingly automated landscape. If you’re a leader, founder, or executive aiming to build trust, inspire loyalty, and create a culture where people thrive—this episode is your must-listen. Owen Burns’ insights challenge conventional business wisdom and invite you to embrace love as the ultimate competitive advantage.Perfect for entrepreneurs, CEOs, HR professionals, and change-makers committed to elevating their leadership game and redefining success in the age of AI and uncertainty.

About Owen Burns:
Owen Burns is an executive coach, author of The Power of Love in Business, and a restless seeker of how love and trust can revolutionize organizations. His work empowers leaders worldwide to lead authentically and create cultures rooted in genuine human connection.Join us to unlock the transformative power of love and discover how fear is holding your business back. It’s time to lead with your heart—and see your organization flourish like never before.
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It's true, you can make your story your path to success!

Aaron Golub was born legally blind, and he still walked onto a Division I football field at Tulane, became a team captain, and later signed as an NFL free agent. That isn’t a feel-good headline to us, it’s a blueprint for how identity gets rebuilt through daily reps, honest self-talk, and the decision to stop letting a limitation steer the wheel.

We talk through what it feels like to compete at the highest level when other people don’t know what to make of you yet, and how Aaron earns trust the only way that really works: by showing up and performing. He breaks down the difference between external motivation and internal motivation, why “proving people wrong” burns out fast, and how doing hard things consistently is one of the quickest ways to build real confidence that transfers from sports to school to leadership.

Then, we zoom out to careers and business in the age of AI. We explore practical advice for displaced workers and new graduates who feel their confidence get shaken by layoffs, uncertainty, and rapidly changing roles. Aaron shares why communication is not just about teams and meetings, it’s about how you communicate to yourself, because that creates clarity and momentum. He also gets specific about entrepreneurship, failure, and building a software product, including how programmatic SEO and long tail keywords can drive inbound leads when traditional “top keyword” marketing feels impossible.

If you want a grounded conversation about overcoming adversity, disability awareness, leadership communication, and building a career that adapts, you’ll get a lot from this one. Subscribe to Liftoff Journeys, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re putting into action.
Support the show
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Watch the TV show "Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden"
Follow us on X
Follow us on Instagram
Talk to us on Facebook
Meet Jeanniey live - see where she will be next.

In a world drowning in synthetic content, algorithmic noise, and shiny new tech tools, what actually still matters? This episode digs into the tension between where business is racing toward and what it can't afford to leave behind: real human connection.
I sit down with three powerhouse leaders Lou Paskalis, CEO, AJL Advisory, Kirk McDonald, CEO, Sundial Media and Lana McGilvray, CEO, Purpose Worldwide, who are each navigating that tension from very different angles. You'll hear why one executive believes we're entering an era where trusted curation will separate the winners from the noise, why another thinks everything marketers have learned might actually be working against them in the age of AI, and how a longtime entrepreneur is channeling her career into a humanitarian mission that's about to take her inside the Vatican with 40 teenagers from war-torn countries.
This episode goes places you won't expect. From the death of the traditional marketing funnel to the economics threatening global journalism, from the power of revealing your authentic self in business to why chasing curiosity across three career chapters might be the best professional advice you've never heard. There's a thread running through all of it: trust is the new currency, authenticity isn't optional anymore, and the people who understand that are building what comes next.
Whether you're a seasoned executive rethinking your playbook or someone early in your career trying to figure out which signals to follow, this one's going to hit different. Tune in, and then tell us which guest you'd grab coffee with.