Carol Lin - Official Site & Book (https://www.carollinnow.com/) CNN anchor Carol Lin broke the news of 9/11 live. 25 years later, she reveals what happened when the teleprompter went blank — and why she walked away to reinvent her life. Emmy-winning journalist Carol Lin was at the anchor desk in Atlanta on September 11, 2001, when she had to tell the world what was happening with no script and no context. In this episode of The Exit Interview | On Air, Carol shares what that morning was really like inside the CNN newsroom, how 9/11 became the inflection point that led through widowhood, single motherhood, and leaving broadcast journalism, and how she rebuilt identity after success. If you're navigating career reinvention, burnout, grief, or asking what's actually worth it after achievement — this conversation is for you. In this episode: Breaking 9/11 live when the teleprompter went blank Inside the CNN newsroom as the second plane hit The cost of detachment for women in journalism Leaving the anchor desk and navigating identity Windowhood and single motherhood Grief, ego, and rebuilding identity 25 years later Featuring: Carol Lin, Emmy award-winning former CNN anchor and author Subscribe for weekly conversations on career pivots, identity, and the future of work. New long-form every Sunday + daily Shorts from each episode. #911Anniversary #CareerReinvention #WomenInJournalism Guest: Carol Lin | Emmy Award-Winning Journalist | Former CNN & ABC News Anchor | Author, When News Breaks IG: https://www.instagram.com/carollinnow/ Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. 25 years after 9/11, the anchor who broke the news breaks her own story. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:47 9/11: Breaking the News That Changed Everything 00:09:16 The Personal Cost: Loss, Grief, and New Motherhood 00:17:53 Discovering Innocence: Motherhood After Loss 00:20:08 The Swimming Pool Moment: Confronting Failure and Fear 00:22:07 The Career That Defined Her: Journalism as Identity 00:24:50 Early Messaging: The Immigrant Daughter's Burden 00:32:21 The Exit: Leaving CNN and Letting Go of the Anchor Desk 00:38:57 Getting Over Herself: Teaching, Entrepreneurship, and Reinvention 00:47:28 Finding Meaning in Grief: The Biology and Spirituality of Healing 00:55:11 Being Asian in the Newsroom: The Connie Chung Effect 01:05:10 Redefining Success: Risk, Curiosity, and Liberation

18% vs 80%: The Hidden Truth Inside The Music Business | Marc E. Bassy What does a $1.5M major record deal really cost? Hit songwriter turned independent label owner Marc E. Bassy breaks down the real music business, music royalties, and why owning your masters beats chasing a major label. On this episode of The Exit Interview | On Air with Shana Aya, Marc reveals the code behind the music industry — from how a record deal actually pays, to how he walked away from a major and kept 80% of 170M streams instead of 18%. If you’re an independent artist, creator, or entrepreneur navigating ownership vs. access, this is the blueprint for understanding the through line between creative and business that runs on politics. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: ✓ The real math behind a record deal: 18% vs 80% and how music royalties work ✓ Why Marc E. Bassy left a $1.5M major label deal to go independent ✓ The hidden code of the music business most artists never learn ✓ How to think like a label head: “client services” and building around the artist ✓ Ownership, leverage and longevity — from songwriter to CEO and father ABOUT MARC E. BASSY: Bay Area singer-songwriter Marc E. Bassy with hit songs Morning and You & Me ft. G-Eazy. He has co-written on hits for CeeLo Green, Sean Kingston, and more. Marc built his career on major labels before betting on independence. As founder of New Gold Medal, he’s amassed 170M+ independent streams — and kept the ownership. Listen to Marc E. Bassy: Spotify Follow Marc: Instagram ABOUT THE SHOW: The Exit Interview | On Air with Shana Aya unpacks career reinvention, identity shifts, and the future of work. From boardrooms to creative industries, we go behind the pivot with leaders who chose purpose over title. Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron SUBSCRIBE for weekly deep dives on bold career moves. #musicbusiness #musicindustry #marcebassy #theexitinterview #careerreinvention

He had everything Wall Street could buy — money, status, a seat at the table. It still wasn't enough. Something was missing. Sam Polk was a millionaire trader on wall street by his late twenties. On paper, he'd won the game. But the more he earned, the emptier it felt — until one moment forced him to ask the question so many professionals are afraid to ask: if I have everything and I'm still not fulfilled, what am I actually chasing? This is a career pivot story told from the inside. Sam walked away from the golden handcuffs to build Everytable, a company feeding underserved communities — and in the process, redefined what success means for himself. In this episode we unpack: Why money and status stop delivering fulfillment — and what replaces them The psychological cost of the golden handcuffs, and how to break them How Sam turned a personal exit into a mission-driven business model Generating financial success creating a business with impact The uncomfortable question every high-achiever eventually faces: what's actually worth it? If you're mid-pivot — or just wondering whether the ladder you're climbing is the right one — this conversation is for you. 📌 Have a career pivot question? Drop it in the comments. Guest: Sam Polk | Ex- Wall Street Trader | CEO & Founder, Everytable LinkedIn: Sam Polk (https://www.linkedin.com/in/polksam/) Everytable Web: https://everytable.com/ Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. Giving up a successful financial career for entrepreneurship anchored in purpose. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro - The trader who left Wall Street 00:01:24 Why he walked away from the money 00:05:54 The golden handcuffs dilemma 00:07:41 When money stops making you happy 00:10:13 Why he felt lonely at the top 00:12:54 Why not just volunteer instead? 00:17:47 The year-long exit & first nonprofit 00:19:26 Building Everytable: mission + scale 00:24:19 Handling criticism for leaving 00:31:50 Resilience as his superpower 00:40:29 What an authentic successful life looks like 00:45:50 Learning to trust his own decisions 00:47:04 Lesson from Elon Musk 00:48:08 Why he never went back 00:53:33 Everytable's COVID-19 pivot & growth 00:57:00 How he's raising his kids differently 01:00:45 45 The real fear: walking away from status 01:01:44 His definition of success today

What happens when the one skill standing between you and career resilience isn't your expertise, your credentials, or your network — but your willingness to show up imperfectly, consistently, and publicly in a world that rewards the confident over the competent? In this episode of The Exit Interview | On Air, hosts Shana Ayabe and Kisha Imani Cameron sit down with Goldie Chan, the original OG of LinkedIn personal branding, LinkedIn Top Voice, author of Personal Branding for Introverts, and motivational speaker who has built an empire by teaching people how to stand out in an AI saturated world. From posting 800+ consecutive daily videos to negotiating offers most people leave on the table, Goldie shares the exact personal branding strategy she used to stand out when no one believed LinkedIn video would work. This episode explores: Why the person in personal branding matters more than the persona and how to avoid AI slop blandness The three golden keywords every professional needs to optimize for LinkedIn engine optimization How to record videos without watching yourself and why out of sight, out of mind is the best technique for perfectionists Why confidence comes from an internal source and ego requires constant external validation The brutal reality of month three when hate comments flood in and how to survive Cringe Mountain Why leading with curiosity instead of bitterness is the only way to layoff proof your brand How to ask for help publicly without shame and why your community matters more than your audience The difference between building a personal brand online versus offline and why introverts thrive on the internet Why sharing your health journey, career struggles, or personal life is about work life balance, not oversharing How to start when you're terrified, practice when you're uncomfortable, and keep going when results don't come immediately Whether you're an introvert trying to build visibility, a professional navigating a layoff, someone who feels paralyzed by perfectionism, or a leader trying to figure out how to stand out in an AI saturated market, this episode offers unfiltered truth about what it actually takes to build a personal brand that translates across industries, job titles, and life crises. Because at the end of the day, your personal brand is not about being perfect. It's about being persistently, imperfectly you. Guest: Goldie Chan | Personal Branding Expert | LinkedIn Top Voice | Author, Personal Branding for Introverts LinkedIn: Goldie Chan Book: https://www.goldiechan.com/book Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. Climbing Cringe Mountain and building a personal brand that endures in an AI era. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:59 The Original LinkedIn Video Pioneer: How It All Started 00:08:02 Breaking the LinkedIn Mold: Standing Out on a Professional Platform 00:10:19 Negotiating Your Worth: Resources, Money, and Job Titles 00:16:10 The Three Golden Keywords: Optimizing Your Personal Brand for LinkedIn 00:19:21 From Digital Marketing to Personal Brand: Goldie's Career Journey 00:23:00 Overcoming Perfectionism and Fear: Getting Out of Your Own Head 00:30:41 The Flaws Are Where the Audience Lies: Embracing Imperfection on Camera 00:34:57 Personal Branding for Introverts: Teaching Others to Find Their Voice 00:39:17 From Social Anxiety to Stage Presence: The Blue Bottle Experiment 00:42:57 Acting Classes, Producer's Guild, and Finding Your Zone 00:47:28 Practice Makes Nearly Perfect: The Dorky Conference Room Strategy 00:51:09 Climbing Cringe Mountain: The Cliff of Opportunity 00:52:05 Sharing Your Health Journey: Work-Life Balance as Part of Your Story 01:07:20 Ego vs. Confidence: Month Three and the Flood of Haters 01:10:56 Building Resiliency Through Persistence: Why She Kept Going 01:12:16 Common Personal Branding Mistakes: Person vs. Persona 01:21:21 Layoff-Proofing Your Brand: Identity Beyond Your Job Title 01:27:29 Community Over Audience: The People Who Care About You 01:30:40 Advice for the First 30 Days: When You're Not Getting Results 01:32:44 Redefining Success: From Linear Dreams to Fluid Parameters

What happens when you realize that the one thing standing between you and six figures isn't your expertise, your credentials, or your work ethic — but the seven seconds it takes for someone to decide whether they're going to keep listening or walk away? In today’s Expert Corner episode on The Exit Interview | On Air, hosts Shana Ayabe and Kisha Imani Cameron sit down with Marina Stamos, pitch expert and founder of The One Minute Talk method, to break down the anatomy of a pitch that actually converts. From networking events to closing calls, Marina unpacks the exact formula she uses to help coaches, consultants, and service providers hit six figures without burning out, without overwhelming complexity, and without worrying that AI is coming for their business. This conversation goes deep into the uncomfortable truth that most people avoid: sales is a skill you have to learn, scripts are not the enemy, and if you want to run a business, you're going to have to do things that make you wildly uncomfortable. Marina shares the four emotions every profitable talk must inspire — hope, curiosity, trust, and action — and why leading with your story, not your process, is the only way to stand out in a market flooded with AI generated expertise. Kisha opens up about her own journey working with Marina, including the brutal two months where she closed zero deals despite 30+ sales calls, and how she pushed through to convert nearly every call in January. The lesson? Mastering failure, stacking goals, and treating every conversation as practice is what separates those who quit from those who break through. This episode explores: Why the first seven seconds of your pitch determine everything and how to nail them The four emotions every profitable talk must inspire and how to structure them Why leading with story instead of process is the only way to differentiate from AI slop The brutal reality that sales will never feel authentic at first and why you have to do it anyway How to turn a coffee meeting into a closing call without being pushy Why scripts are non negotiable and every successful entrepreneur uses them The difference between warm leads and cold networking rooms and how to approach each How to test what's working, overcome objections, and avoid coaching people for free Why mastering failure and pushing through 30+ no's is the real business education The one thing you should practice before walking into any room where you need to pitch Whether you're a coach trying to land your first client, a consultant navigating sales conversations, an entrepreneur building a service based business, or someone who just needs to get comfortable asking for money, this episode offers unfiltered truth about what it actually takes to sell yourself, close deals, and build a six figure business without losing your mind. Because at the end of the day, if you're in business, you're in the business of sales. Guest: Marina Stamos | Stamos Consulting | Pitch Expert | The One Minute Talk Web: https://theoneminutetalk.com Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. Mastering the pitch, closing the deal, and building a six figure business without burning out. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:49 The Seven-Second Rule: Nailing Your First Impression 00:03:13 The Pediatric Nurse Story: A Before and After Transformation 00:05:52 The Four Emotions Every Profitable Talk Must Inspire 00:07:49 AI Can't Tell Your Story: Differentiating Yourself in a Saturated Market 00:09:16 Authenticity vs. Sales: Embracing the Script Without Losing Yourself 00:10:55 Business Skills Are Not Your Day Job: Learning to Sell 00:13:43 Coffee Talks Should Be Closing Calls: Warm Leads vs. Cold Networking 00:14:49 The Thirty-Five No's: Keisha's Story of Persistence and Breakthrough 00:20:32 Mastering Failure and the Power of Practice 00:22:08 Context Matters: Understanding Your Audience and Their Commitment Level 00:24:33 Your One Takeaway: Plan the Cycle and Capture the Lead 00:27:05 How to Work with Marina and Final Thoughts

What happens when the career ladder you spent years climbing suddenly collapses beneath you — and the only way forward is to admit the old rules no longer apply, the entry-level positions have vanished, and the future of work looks nothing like what we were promised? In this raw and unfiltered episode of The Exit Interview | On Air, hosts Shana Ayabe and Kisha Imani Cameron unpack the seismic shifts reshaping the labor market as AI eliminates roughly 16,000 jobs per month, according to Goldman Sachs. From BCG's report concluding that AI will reshape more jobs than it replaces to Yale researchers revealing that entry-level roles are quietly disappearing before new graduates can even get a foothold, this conversation breaks down what's really happening to professionals at every stage of their career — and why no one is safe. From coders and financial analysts to customer service reps and even surgeons, the jobs we once believed were recession proof are now being disrupted at a pace the market can't sustain. The traditional career ladder — student, doer, manager, decision maker — is being gutted from the middle out. Entry-level workers can't get experience. Mid-level professionals are being squeezed out. Senior leaders are facing age discrimination after decades of tenure. And the entire system is collapsing in real time. This episode explores: Why AI is eliminating the middle of the career ladder and what that means for everyone How entry-level positions are vanishing before new graduates can build foundational skills The brutal reality that both inexperience and overexperience are now liabilities Why traditional job titles and hierarchies are becoming obsolete The shift from experience-based hiring to skill-based hiring and what that actually means How companies are overcorrecting from COVID overhiring and why mass layoffs might backfire Why the future of work might look more like communal living and generational households The case for human-centered experiences and why in-person events might be the next gold rush Why we need to question the inevitability narrative and start having real conversations about what we're allowing to happen Whether you're navigating a layoff, trying to break into the workforce, upskilling to stay relevant, or leading a company through this chaos, this episode offers unvarnished truth about what's coming — and what you can actually do about it. Because when the career ladder is broken, the only option is to build something new. Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital Web: www.gracemediadigital.com The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. The career ladder is broken. Now what? Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:09 The Entry-Level Crisis: Jobs Disappearing Before Graduates Can Start 00:03:01 Are Doctors and Surgeons Next? The Robot Surgery Question 00:05:05 The Hollowing Out: When Doers and Managers Disappear 00:07:37 Flattening the Hierarchy: Skill-Based Titles Over Corporate Structure 00:08:50 Training AI Without Experience: The Entry-Level Paradox 00:10:46 Everyone Is Entry-Level Now: Rethinking the Workforce 00:11:31 The Labor Market Shift: Too Fast, Too Unsustainable 00:13:02 The Ageism Paradox: Too Young or Too Experienced to Get Hired 00:16:06 Hierarchy Was Built for Control, Not Efficiency 00:20:01 The Return to Communal Living: Back to the 1950s Model 00:21:26 Mass Exodus: Leaving Cities and Moving Closer to Family 00:22:38 The Overfiring Correction: Will Companies Regret Mass Layoffs? 00:24:41 The Experience Economy: Events, Concerts, and Human Connection 00:26:51 Community Was Always Our Survival Strategy 00:27:38 Work Was Never Community for Everyone 00:29:12 Should We Even Be Doing This? Questioning the Inevitability Narrative 00:30:26 16,000 Jobs a Month: This Requires a National Conversation 00:34:00 The AI Bubble: Bigger Than the Housing Crisis? 00:35:07 Survival Strategies: What Should Workers and Companies Do Now?

What happens when you start a business at 16 to pay rent after your father is killed, build a UFC career that wasn't even the original plan, and then turn everything you learned in the cage into a fight promotion, management company, and gym empire that's rewriting the path for the next generation? In this episode of The Exit Interview | On Air, hosts Shana Ayabe and Kisha Imani Cameron sit down with Anthony "Showtime" Pettis, former UFC Lightweight Champion and one of the most electrifying fighters in MMA history, and his wife Lisette Pettis, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the strategic force behind their growing business empire. From opening a taekwondo gym as a teenager out of necessity to becoming the first fighter ever featured on ESPN's Top 10 with the legendary "Showtime Kick," Anthony built a career most fighters only dream about. But the business started long before the fame and will carry on as he fights again this summer. Treating himself as a business from day one, shaped everything that followed. Lisette, with her philanthropic and marketing expertise is a critical component behind the couples success.Together, they launched a management company and APFC (Anthony Pettis Fighting Championship), a fight promotion giving up and coming fighters a real platform. And they're expanding globally with shows across the US, India, and Puerto Rico. This conversation breaks down what it actually takes to build multiple businesses while still competing at the highest level, how to negotiate when you're the product, why self funding saved them from expensive mistakes, and how they've structured their lives around discipline, partnership, and giving back to the community that raised them. Whether you're a UFC fan, navigating a career pivot, building a business from scratch, learning to negotiate your worth, or trying to figure out how to lead with care in a cutthroat industry, this episode proves that discipline, partnership, and staying grounded in your roots will always win. Guests: Anthony "Showtime" Pettis | Former UFC Lightweight Champion | Founder, APFC | Fighter Manager | Gym Owner IG: https://www.instagram.com/showtimepettis/ Lisette Pettis | Entrepreneur | Philanthropist | Founder, emPOWER YOUth Foundation and Cinderella Project | Co-Founder, APFC IG: https://www.instagram.com/uluvlisette/ Sponsors: Next Health (Code: Exit) first baseline blood test and consultation, an $850 value for only $250, exclusively for our listeners. Web: https://www.next-health.com/location/calabasas Blue Monkey Realty: https://www.bluemonkeyrealty.com/ Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. From the cage to the boardroom, building legacy through discipline and partnership. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:46 From Tragedy to Business: Starting at 16 00:03:33 The Accidental Fighter: Business First, UFC Second 00:05:04 Building the Path: Creating Infrastructure for Future Fighters 00:07:43 The Management Problem: No Regulations, No Requirements 00:09:03 The Power Couple Dynamic: Business Partnership and Marriage 00:32:25 Learning to Say No: Setting Boundaries and Long-Term Thinking 00:28:05 The Fighter Mindset: Discipline, Obsession, and Mental Toughness 00:34:57 Building a Brand: Social Media and Personal Branding for Fighters 00:53:57 Self-Funded Success: Why Bootstrapping Saved Their Business 01:13:46 The Showtime Kick and Career Highlights 01:12:07 What's Next: 2026 Vision and Global Expansion

What happens when the skills you spent years undervaluing turn out to be someone else's competitive advantage? In this episode of The Exit Interview | On Air, hosts Shana Ayabe and Kisha Imani Cameron sit down with Munir Haque, President of Cure8, a cybersecurity and IT firm operating in one of the most complex, fast-moving industries in America: cannabis. From graffiti artist to touring musician to retail leader designing stores selling to the Saudi Royal family, Munir had built a career most people would kill for. He was running the best store in the country, making more money than ever, and then one day he couldn't look in the mirror anymore. So he quit. The same week he was about to propose to his wife. A buddy called with one question: We're about to build the first legal dispensary in Canada. Do you want in? Munir said yes before he had a plan. Today, he runs a 24/7 operation in a market that rewrites itself overnight, navigating constantly shifting state regulations, building stores from blueprints to ribbon cutting, and solving problems most IT companies never touch. And he built his entire company on one hiring filter that has nothing to do with code: You can teach a firewall. You cannot teach empathy. This conversation breaks down what it actually takes to pivot into an entirely new industry with zero technical background, lead through constant regulatory chaos, and build a team culture rooted in transparency, collaboration, and celebration in a space where mistakes can shut down entire facilities. This episode explores: How creativity and customer experience design translate into completely different industries The brutal reality of quitting at the height of your success because you can't look in the mirror anymore Understanding your skills are someone’s competitive advantage and how to transfer them What it's like to pivot careers with a steep learning curve ahead and Google as your best friend Why empathy is the one skill you can't teach and the hiring filter that built his entire team Navigating markets where regulations change overnight Building a leadership culture rooted in transparency, open communication, and celebrating every win Why success shifted from hitting KPIs to helping clients cut the ribbon and generate revenue Whether you're navigating a career pivot, leading through constant change, building culture in a high pressure regulated environment, or trying to figure out how to leverage skills you think don't translate, this episode proves skills are absolutely transferrable in different industries. Guest: Munir Haque | President of Cure8 | Cybersecurity & IT Expert | Cannabis Industry Leader IG: https://www.instagram.com/munirhaque/ Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. The skills you already have are someone else's competitive advantage. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:34 The Retail Years: Success, Checked Out and Walking Away 00:03:03 The Leap: Jumping With No Safety Net 00:04:39 Where Creativity Meets Technology: Designing A User Experience 00:08:42 Building the Circle: Leadership Through Collaboration and Transparency 00:20:01 You Can Teach a Firewall, You Cannot Teach Empathy 00:25:22 Constant Pivoting: Navigating Regulatory Chaos and Market Changes 00:42:02 Social Equity Programs: The Promise and the Pitfalls 00:48:54 Cybersecurity in Cannabis: Phishing, Breaches, and Data Protection 00:51:37 24/7 Operations: Managing Mistakes in a Zero-Error Industry 00:55:37 Redefining Success: From KPIs to Hugs and Tears

What does it take to lead when one mistake could define your entire career? In this episode of The Exit Interview | On Air, hosts Shana Ayabe and Kisha Imani Cameron sit down with North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, Nevada's first Black mayor, who is rebuilding North Las Vegas from economic collapse while facing scrutiny most leaders will never experience. From classroom teacher to running a city, Mayor Goynes-Brown shares her leadership journey from never planning to attend college to becoming to ultimately becoming the elected mayor in 2022. This conversation breaks down what it actually takes to lead under pressure when the stakes are impossibly high and the margin for error is nonexistent. This episode explores: Why being the first means you're always expected to be better but can only be yourself The invisible pressure of being watched and waiting for you to fail How to shut down disrespectful meetings and set boundaries without losing authority Managing a 24/7 job that never turns off and learning when your body says no more The brutal reality of campaign fundraising and learning to ask for funding without flinching Strategies for rebuilding and recognizing not all partners are the right partners to fulfill the vision Why controlling your own narrative matters when negative press comes your way Why representation matters to build trust and confidence Building culture around morale, family first policies, and making employees feel valued The advice from the President that changed how she approached leadership transitions Whether you're navigating leadership under a microscope, building culture in a high pressure environment, managing toxic players or trying to figure out how to stay positive when people are waiting for you to fail, this episode offers unfiltered truth about public service, representation, and rewriting the rules on leadership under pressure. Guest: Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown | Nevada's First Black Mayor | Mayor of North Las Vegas Web:https://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/our-city/city-council/mayor IG: https://www.instagram.com/pagoynes/ Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. Leading under pressure. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:38 From Music Teacher to Public Servant: An Unexpected Journey 00:06:22 The Campaign Trail: Fundraising and Finding Your Voice 00:10:09 Building a Communications Strategy and Controlling the Narrative 00:12:29 Executing on Campaign Promises: Economic Growth and Community Development 00:14:18 Representation Matters: Building a Diverse Workforce 00:19:23 The Reality of Leadership: Managing Stress, Setting Boundaries, and Staying Positive 00:36:26 Creating City Culture: Morale, Family First, and Employee Wellbeing 00:45:29 The Pressure of Being First: Leading as Nevada's First Black Mayor 00:50:04 Downtown Reimagined: Project Sparkle and Building Community Gathering Spaces 00:56:16 Advice for Aspiring Leaders and Defining Success

In this episode of The Exit Interview, Laurel Mintz, Founder of Elevate Your Brand and Fabric VC, joins Kisha and Shana to discuss her unconventional path from a corporate M&A lawyer to an interim CEO at 26, and finally to a venture capitalist. Laurel breaks down why "investing in diversity isn't a charity" and shares the raw, "sad boxing" moments of building a $10M fund from the ground up. We explore her unique "Sweat + Cash" equity model, her decision to turn her agency into an ESOP, and why she believes success in 2026 is defined by one thing: Freedom. This episode explores: The 25% Edge: Why investing in diverse founders is a calculated financial strategy, not a social experiment. Scaling Through Systems: How an internal "Wiki" and a flat organizational structure allowed Laurel to step away from her agency's day-to-day. The "Sweat Equity" Model: How Fabric VC uses its marketing expertise to "make" winners instead of just picking them. Mindset Shifts: Moving from "Bad Lady Syndrome" and money trauma to managing a billion-dollar vision. Hosts: Shana Ayabe x Kisha Imani Cameron IG: https://www.instagram.com/theexitinterview_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/shana_onair/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cameroncareercoaching/ Produced by: Grace Media Digital The Exit Interview | On-Air — Real conversations. Navigating invisible labor, burnout, and rest as resistance in higher education. *Legal Disclosure:* The content provided in this episode of _The Exit Interview_ is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice. The views and opinions expressed by Laurel Mintz and the hosts are their own as of the date of recording (January 16, 2026) and are subject to change without notice based on market and other conditions. *No Offer of Securities:* This content does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any interest in any investment fund or vehicle managed by Fabric VC or its affiliates. Any such offer or solicitation will be made only by means of official offering documents, which will be furnished only to qualified investors. *Performance & Forward-Looking Statements:* References to "alpha," "outperformance," or returns data are historical or aspirational in nature. *Past performance is not indicative of future results.* There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will achieve its objectives or avoid losses. *Risk Warning:* Venture capital and alternative investments involve significant risks, including illiquidity, valuation uncertainties, long holding periods, and the potential for total loss of principal. Any discussion of market trends or sector performance reflects the speaker's opinion and should not be relied upon as a predictor of market movements. *Affiliation:* Laurel Mintz is the Founder of Fabric VC, a venture capital firm. Its investment offerings are made only to qualified investors through official private placement materials. *Note:* Grace Media Digital and The _Exit Interview | On Air_ are not registered investment advisers or broker-dealers and do not provide investment services.