Wish I Knew . . .

Hosted by Gary Nowak

Business Management

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Episodes

104

Latest episode

Jul 2025

Language

EN-US

About the show

A podcast where I speak with people about their career path. Focusing on their decisions, success, advice, key traits, career moves, mentoring and listening to interesting stories. This podcast is an interesting perspective on how careers can take a linear path to success, but all often career paths take a zig-zag path. Fun Stuff to learn about. Enjoy!

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60 recent

July 29, 2025Episode 581 hr 2 min

# 58 Maya Doueihi - Project Manager WhatsApp / Growing up in Beirut and being political / News Anchor for Dad (Age 5) / "Never Give Up"

I'm your host Gary Nowak and what a wonderful conversation I had with my guest Maya Doueihy. Maya brought so much energy, passion and beautiful perspective to her career and I know you'll enjoy it. Career Background : Grew up in Beirut, Lebanon Studied at the Lebanese American University studying International Relations and affairs Worked as a project coordinator for: Lebanese center for policy studies Lebanese American University Project manager for A political party Foreign and commonwealth office Department of international development Now working in Dublin with WhatsApp Highlight The Magic of Dublin and it's not just the Guinness News Anchor for Dad at 5 years old Don’t want to just record the news, but rather analyze the news Following Dad's path Think tank work in Lebanon Discussing with parents what to study Learning and focus brings out strategic thinking Combine practicality and emotion for success Making an impact with other peoples lives Areas of conflict Humanitarian issues Engaging youths for elections in Lebanon Learning to accept other opinions Growing up in Lebanon Being conservative and liberal at the same time Witnessing trying to make a change to the system Going to get more education Political party consultancy Working at the British embassy in Beirut Delivering education for underprivileged children Maya is a very determined person Discipline and perseverance Taking people to the Edge Every human needs to be pushed Loves to argue Pushing people to the limit Don't go to Maya with a problem Being very solution driven Taking a sabbatical to focus on Maya for one year Leading from the heart Great Regret discussion Advice - Never give up Money can't buy happiness but it can buy Nutella Frank Sinatra Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

July 15, 2025Episode 671 hr 5 min

#67 Adam Mowl - Marine (Afghanistan) / Cyber Security / High Morale Compass / Fear the Beard

I'm your host Gary Nowak and I am honored to have as a guest a young man who has served our country with 5 years in the military. Adam Mowl is a self proclaimed Renaissance man with a great foundation for life and very strong character. Career Background : Served at a Marine for 5 years and spent 1 year in Afghanistan tracking high value targets Since returning Finished up his education with a Bachelors in International / Global Studies Working as: An Account Executive Operations support specialist Customer service specialist Currently focusing on Cyber security Highlights: Fear the beard Very persistent for his first job Hosting like his Mom at 16 years old Going to college early wasn't his thing and he recognized it quickly Finding the military to grow up a bit How he chose the military branch and trying NOT to be memorable Helping those in leadership throughout Linguist training in the military and some great stations including Hawaii Fulfilling the needs of the marines not vice versa Getting trained to intercept information to provide intelligence to his superiors Great advice during his first job that stuck The 7 P's of the Military Going to Afghanistan and his perspective Using Oreo packaging wisely Becoming a trainer, full circle upon return to the US Having beaucracy get in the way of continuing his military career An issue with our educational system that will make you crazy What the future holds Adam has a high morale compass Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

July 8, 2025Episode 851 hr 8 min

#85 Greg Tucker - CxO Level(s) / Stanford MBA (made them wait) / Engineering to Business / How to listen

I'm your host Gary Nowak and today I've had the great honor of reconnecting with a former colleague and extremely successful consultant @Greg Tucker Career Background : Award winning CXO, CMO, Chief Customer Officer Chief Journey mapper, heling companies better understand the customer journey Self employed with his highly successful consulting company for over 10 years Held positions with great companies like Clorox, AAA, Copart, CSC Index and mercer Management Consulting Education Undergrad at Kansas State in Mechanical Engineering MBA from Stanford University in Strategy & Marketing Operations Highlights Great first job, those were the days and being the #1 Sticker Growing up in Middle America Studied Engineering but always knew in his heart he would be a businessman Making Stanford wait for him Doesn't like working outside all that much Engineering to business subjects Kansas to New York to the Bay Wine thread throughout Shifting between industry and consulting Working for some major clients Getting the best thinking in the room Consulting is like fixing a gourmet meal Asking a consulting questions to consultants How coming from a farming family helps you become a practical consultant Hiring people smarter than yourself "Live in the Question" Listening in a conversation for Context / Process / Content Turn the data around to the client and ask a question Getting a "Big Bang Theory" & "Ozark" references into the podcast Best advice is asking a question Customer Experience deep dive conversation Missing out on working with 2 high profile individuals Being surrounded by great leaders Chris Botti Stalker list Getting out of your wife's way Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

December 31, 2024Episode 2143 min

#21 Rocky Biasi - CEO Human Connections / Mental health advocate / Perseverance / Changing the world (simple approach)

I'm grateful to have a fantastic guest - Rocky Biasi CEO of Human Connections for over 15 years Creator and presenter of the Accidental Counsellor training Passionate about mental health and wellbeing Realized when he was a teacher the impact that they have on students and wanted to make a difference humanconnections.com.au Introduction Highlights He got some bad advice early, so don't always listen to your teachers growing up Avoiding labels and carving out your own path How 2020 impacted him professionally and personally Being open, flexible, determined and the power of perseverance Executing the technical skills requires the right mindset If you want to help someone you sometimes have to connect with their pain One simple approach to changing the World (Empathetic Listening) Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

December 17, 2024Episode 5252 min

# 52 Christina Doueihi - Global Biz Dev Leader / UAE Success / Being curious / Growing up in Beirut / Time box emotions

Welcome to another episode of "Wish I Knew . . . " A podcast where I speak with people about their careers focusing on their success, advice, mentoring and listening to interesting stories. I'm your host Gary Nowak and I've got another international flavor podcast with a creative young lady who loves the sales process and a global role, please enjoy my guest Christina Doueihi (Do Eh He). Career Background : Leader for Strategic business growth plans in Middle East / Turkey & Africa based out of Zurich Regional Sales Manager for the Middle East in Dubai Head of Project Sales for UAE and Oman Interior Architect Founder of What's On Design Studied at the Lebanese American University with a BA in Interior Architecture Highlights Making a sale at 12 years old without any training Visualized a space and how to change it Growing up in Beirut and what it teaches you Getting a job and opening up a new store in a Dubai @22 Being a successful woman in the UAE Changing shoes to deal with the end to end process Enjoying sales and having people believe in you Being curious and following your instincts Having your dad and grandfather as you mentors Time boxing your emotions Wanting to experience a new industry Having structured thinking is key What success looks like for Christina Getting insight into the afterlife Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

December 3, 2024Episode 4953 min

#49 Mirko Hilsheimer - Big 4 German Partner / Get the basics right / Creating Awareness / China Decision / Todays choices are tomorrows obligations

Welcome to another episode of "Wish I Knew . . . " A podcast where I speak with people about their careers focusing on their success, advice, mentoring and listening to interesting stories. I'm your host Gary Nowak and I am so grateful to my guest Mirko Hilsheimer coming to us from Germany and providing some genuine advice, sharing of his experience and giving me great perspective throughout our conversation. Career Background : Started off in mechanical engineering, then an international business admin degree MBA in Strategic Market from Sheffield Business school in the UK Solid consulting background with: Nearly 4 years at PwC Over 17 years with KPMG in Germany & China Highlights: Job at 14 to get a better bike (I can totally relate) Proud of 3 degrees? Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday Figuring out what to do in your 20's 3 pieces of Great advice / Talk to people Follow your gut do what you believe in / Don't be too rationale What he looks for in a candidate for consulting Walking through the decades Getting the basics right Loving connections in Consulting Big blue knocking him out of PwC Diversity in Consulting #1 thing a good consultant should be doing Communication in the younger generation and connections What Mirko does well Sharing success His CHRO role, fantastic Being in the people business Creating awareness of leadership and importance of people Great setback story with a positive outcome Reaching out for personal feedback Giving feedback today, His China decision Great advice discussion Awesome consulting story Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

November 19, 2024Episode 5653 min

#56 Angelica Alt-Sherer - Audit Partner (Big 4) / 7 years to "Try things out" / Best selling advice I've heard / Martial Arts

I'm your host Gary Nowak and I've got a China / Germany KPMG connection for you with my outstanding guest Angelika Alt-Sherer. I was blown away by the great perspective and advice provided throughout this conversations Biography Snapshot Borne and grew up in Munich, Bavaria, Germany Married for more than 25 years, met my husband at KPMG Career start at KPMG after graduating 30 years ago with 7 years out of the box experience at another Big Four, a smaller consulting firm and as a freelancer in the first decade of my career Audit Partner at KPMG Germany with stations in Munich, Stuttgart and Shanghai (3 years) Serving a broad range of clients in different industries (main focus on Media and Automotive), listed companies as well as family owned business Since 2018 part of the Audit Leadership of the German firm as CHRO Highlights Working on the farm from ages 9 to 12 yo Tax consulting early 7 year checking things out of her career Wanted to try out a lot of things and see what she liked Being a very structured person and being german, go figure Going from big company to her own company Learning the advantages of a big company and how to make it work for her The ideal combination of a KPMG You can hear her smile throughout the discussion Being mentored and mentoring, how she developed her style Selling - listening and asking questions Great questions when mentoring, really strong Everything has a price and consequences Using martial arts for career guidance Her best advice Learn Work hard Be independent Leave your comfort zone, as much as possible Being positive and flexible Setback discussion Sink or swim without a lifeguard (metaphorically of course) Working in china conversation and how to work their successfully Solid celebrity crush Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

November 5, 2024Episode 751 hr 0 min

#75 Vijay Eswaran - Entrepreneur / Executive chairman / 15% Promise / 33 days of silence

Career Background : Founder and Executive Chairman of QI Group of companies HQ's in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur Operations in over 30 countries He is diversified with business interests in: Real estate Education Retail and Hospitality Also owns a football / soccer club in Malaysia Highlights Following in his fathers footsteps early with wanting to a lawyer and studying in the UK Impact of Margaret Thatcher on his education Not liking accountancy all that much Picking up Political Science The Knowledge - Driving a taxi in London Training program to the outskirts of Chicago Nice message to University Graduates The buck stops here Loyalty discussion and caring Mercenary vs missionary Backpacking from London to Greece Building up relationships while traveling 33 days of silence Having only one mouth The beauty of the pause Marriage and back to Malaysia The 15% promise that didn't materialize Who works for who? If not now then when? Failure is critical Dare to . . . . Be grateful Adapt, adjust, accommodate Your value is more than you paycheck Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

October 22, 2024Episode 6855 min

#68 Liz Evans - Big 4 Principal / Catching Up / Lot's of LOVE / Connecting the Dots

I'm your host Gary Nowak and in addition to being a great person and fantastic former co-worker my guest Liz Evans has one of my most favorite accents of all time (Northern England). Career Background : Big 4 Principal for over 5 years Managing director at EquaTerra Managing consultant with PA Consulting Group Attended University of Hertfordshire just north of London studied Business and Decision Science Highlights Baby sitting Dads golf buddy kids Claim to fame for her town Captain Cook - Grew up in Northern England LOVED her small college north of London melting pot Parameters from her Mum on where to attend university The LOVE of London and her small university Wanting to stay at university and her Phd opportunity Getting into Consulting to "Catch Up" with peers A lot of LOVE in her career and life Finding a mutually beneficial friend in college to provide an alternative perspective Great Dallas project while living in London (Listen to the lifestyle) Comparing working in the UK and the US, insightful Getting terrible advice when moving to the US, using it as motivation Know your own personal North Star Consulting event in San Diego with family and kids, impactful (Mind blowing) There is always a Plan B Liz builds relationships quickly Trust and integrity are core to Liz and her success Consulting is about connecting the dots, we don't have to have all the answers The beauty of a boutique consulting firm Finding her sweet spot in consulting Being Bi-Lingual, shocker Trust who you are and know your boundaries Proud moment of getting promoted to MD while on maternity leave Working in the UK Friday at 4 pm is the best Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!

October 8, 20241 hr 23 min

#87 John Ashworth - Transformation Guru / Finding your path / Key mentors / Comedy

Career Background : Finance transformation expert most recently with: BT in London Prior to that: SVP Finance Operations with Smith and Nephew VP Finance Transformation and systems with Pearson Highlights Not knowing how to do his first job and getting promoted Compensating with a Porsche Taking a year off prior to University Coming from humble stock Degree in English, but switching to accounting for a job Having verbal agility and emotional intelligence have served John well The Gap Year discussion Growing into Leadership Advice on public speaking Talking stand up comedy Why he chose his first employer Being stubborn and getting accounting credentials Watching Dad and loving what he saw Getting out of accounting at the right time Coming down to Shared Services where we eventually met Logistics eats strategy for lunch everyday Great story about a US Major General that changed his life Crafting his own career path, MAGIC Finding his stride for 3 to 5 years in shared services, being so happy Great approach to conflict resolution Wonderful mentors that shaped his career Mentoring - Migrant Leaders What young people want these days Wonderful advice that fits everyone, so powerful Never been to a McDonald's Translation Canteen = Lunch Room Cud = Fat Lager = Beer Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!