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, LebanonStudied at the Lebanese American University studying International Relations and affairsWorked as a project coordinator for:Lebanese center for policy studiesLebanese American UniversityProject manager for A political partyForeign and commonwealth officeDepartment of international developmentNow working in Dublin with WhatsAppHighlightThe Magic of Dublin and it's not just the GuinnessNews Anchor for Dad at 5 years oldDon’t want to just record the news, but rather analyze the newsFollowing Dad's pathThink tank work in LebanonDiscussing with parents what to studyLearning and focus brings out strategic thinkingCombine practicality and emotion for successMaking an impact with other peoples lives Areas of conflictHumanitarian issuesEngaging youths for elections in LebanonLearning to accept other opinionsGrowing up in Lebanon Being conservative and liberal at the same timeWitnessing trying to make a change to the systemGoing to get more educationPolitical party consultancyWorking at the British embassy in BeirutDelivering education for underprivileged childrenMaya is a very determined personDiscipline and perseveranceTaking people to the Edge Every human needs to be pushed Loves to arguePushing people to the limitDon't go to Maya with a problem Being very solution drivenTaking a sabbatical to focus on Maya for one yearLeading from the heartGreat Regret discussionAdvice - Never give upMoney can't buy happiness but it can buy NutellaFrank SinatraWant 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 targetsSince returning Finished up his education with a Bachelors in International / Global StudiesWorking as: An Account Executive Operations support specialist Customer service specialistCurrently focusing on Cyber securityHighlights:Fear the beardVery persistent for his first job Hosting like his Mom at 16 years oldGoing to college early wasn't his thing and he recognized it quicklyFinding the military to grow up a bitHow he chose the military branch and trying NOT to be memorableHelping those in leadership throughoutLinguist training in the military and some great stations including HawaiiFulfilling the needs of the marines not vice versaGetting trained to intercept information to provide intelligence to his superiorsGreat advice during his first job that stuckThe 7 P's of the MilitaryGoing to Afghanistan and his perspectiveUsing Oreo packaging wiselyBecoming a trainer, full circle upon return to the USHaving beaucracy get in the way of continuing his military careerAn issue with our educational system that will make you crazyWhat the future holdsAdam has a high morale compassWant 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 TuckerCareer Background:Award winning CXO, CMO, Chief Customer Officer Chief Journey mapper, heling companies better understand the customer journeySelf employed with his highly successful consulting company for over 10 yearsHeld positions with great companies like Clorox, AAA, Copart, CSC Index and mercer Management ConsultingEducation Undergrad at Kansas State in Mechanical Engineering MBA from Stanford University in Strategy & Marketing Operations HighlightsGreat first job, those were the days and being the #1 StickerGrowing up in Middle AmericaStudied Engineering but always knew in his heart he would be a businessmanMaking Stanford wait for himDoesn't like working outside all that muchEngineering to business subjectsKansas to New York to the BayWine thread throughoutShifting between industry and consultingWorking for some major clientsGetting the best thinking in the roomConsulting is like fixing a gourmet mealAsking a consulting questions to consultantsHow coming from a farming family helps you become a practical consultantHiring people smarter than yourself"Live in the Question"Listening in a conversation for Context / Process / ContentTurn the data around to the client and ask a questionGetting a "Big Bang Theory" & "Ozark" references into the podcastBest advice is asking a questionCustomer Experience deep dive conversationMissing out on working with 2 high profile individualsBeing surrounded by great leadersChris Botti Stalker listGetting out of your wife's wayWant 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 yearsCreator and presenter of the Accidental Counsellor trainingPassionate about mental health and wellbeingRealized when he was a teacher the impact that they have on students and wanted to make a differencehumanconnections.com.au Introduction HighlightsHe got some bad advice early, so don't always listen to your teachers growing upAvoiding labels and carving out your own pathHow 2020 impacted him professionally and personallyBeing open, flexible, determined and the power of perseverance Executing the technical skills requires the right mindsetIf you want to help someone you sometimes have to connect with their painOne 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 ZurichRegional Sales Manager for the Middle East in DubaiHead of Project Sales for UAE and OmanInterior ArchitectFounder of What's On DesignStudied at the Lebanese American University with a BA in Interior Architecture HighlightsMaking a sale at 12 years old without any trainingVisualized a space and how to change itGrowing up in Beirut and what it teaches youGetting a job and opening up a new store in a Dubai @22Being a successful woman in the UAEChanging shoes to deal with the end to end processEnjoying sales and having people believe in youBeing curious and following your instinctsHaving your dad and grandfather as you mentorsTime boxing your emotionsWanting to experience a new industryHaving structured thinking is keyWhat success looks like for ChristinaGetting insight into the afterlifeWant 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 degreeMBA in Strategic Market from Sheffield Business school in the UKSolid consulting background with: Nearly 4 years at PwCOver 17 years with KPMG in Germany & ChinaHighlights: Job at 14 to get a better bike (I can totally relate)Proud of 3 degrees?Sheffield United and Sheffield WednesdayFiguring out what to do in your 20's 3 pieces of Great advice / Talk to peopleFollow your gut do what you believe in / Don't be too rationaleWhat he looks for in a candidate for consultingWalking through the decadesGetting the basics rightLoving connections in ConsultingBig blue knocking him out of PwCDiversity in Consulting#1 thing a good consultant should be doingCommunication in the younger generation and connectionsWhat Mirko does wellSharing successHis CHRO role, fantasticBeing in the people businessCreating awareness of leadership and importance of peopleGreat setback story with a positive outcomeReaching out for personal feedbackGiving feedback today, His China decisionGreat advice discussionAwesome consulting storyWant 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 conversationsBiography SnapshotBorne and grew up in Munich, Bavaria, GermanyMarried for more than 25 years, met my husband at KPMGCareer 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 careerAudit 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 businessSince 2018 part of the Audit Leadership of the German firm as CHROHighlights Working on the farm from ages 9 to 12 yoTax consulting early7 year checking things out of her careerWanted to try out a lot of things and see what she likedBeing a very structured person and being german, go figureGoing from big company to her own companyLearning the advantages of a big company and how to make it work for herThe ideal combination of a KPMGYou can hear her smile throughout the discussionBeing mentored and mentoring, how she developed her styleSelling - listening and asking questionsGreat questions when mentoring, really strongEverything has a price and consequencesUsing martial arts for career guidanceHer best advice LearnWork hard Be independentLeave your comfort zone, as much as possibleBeing positive and flexibleSetback discussionSink or swim without a lifeguard (metaphorically of course)Working in china conversation and how to work their successfullySolid celebrity crushWant 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 HighlightsFollowing in his fathers footsteps early with wanting to a lawyer and studying in the UKImpact of Margaret Thatcher on his educationNot liking accountancy all that muchPicking up Political ScienceThe Knowledge - Driving a taxi in LondonTraining program to the outskirts of ChicagoNice message to University GraduatesThe buck stops hereLoyalty discussion and caringMercenary vs missionaryBackpacking from London to GreeceBuilding up relationships while traveling33 days of silenceHaving only one mouthThe beauty of the pauseMarriage and back to MalaysiaThe 15% promise that didn't materializeWho works for who?If not now then when?Failure is criticalDare to . . . . Be gratefulAdapt, adjust, accommodateYour value is more than you paycheckWant 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 yearsManaging director at EquaTerraManaging consultant with PA Consulting GroupAttended University of Hertfordshire just north of London studied Business and Decision ScienceHighlightsBaby sitting Dads golf buddy kidsClaim to fame for her town Captain Cook - Grew up in Northern EnglandLOVED her small college north of London melting potParameters from her Mum on where to attend universityThe LOVE of London and her small universityWanting to stay at university and her Phd opportunityGetting into Consulting to "Catch Up" with peersA lot of LOVE in her career and lifeFinding a mutually beneficial friend in college to provide an alternative perspectiveGreat Dallas project while living in London (Listen to the lifestyle)Comparing working in the UK and the US, insightfulGetting terrible advice when moving to the US, using it as motivationKnow your own personal North StarConsulting event in San Diego with family and kids, impactful (Mind blowing)There is always a Plan BLiz builds relationships quicklyTrust and integrity are core to Liz and her successConsulting is about connecting the dots, we don't have to have all the answersThe beauty of a boutique consulting firmFinding her sweet spot in consultingBeing Bi-Lingual, shockerTrust who you are and know your boundariesProud moment of getting promoted to MD while on maternity leaveWorking in the UK Friday at 4 pm is the bestWant 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 PearsonHighlightsNot knowing how to do his first job and getting promotedCompensating with a PorscheTaking a year off prior to UniversityComing from humble stockDegree in English, but switching to accounting for a jobHaving verbal agility and emotional intelligence have served John wellThe Gap Year discussionGrowing into LeadershipAdvice on public speakingTalking stand up comedyWhy he chose his first employerBeing stubborn and getting accounting credentialsWatching Dad and loving what he sawGetting out of accounting at the right timeComing down to Shared Services where we eventually metLogistics eats strategy for lunch everydayGreat story about a US Major General that changed his lifeCrafting his own career path, MAGICFinding his stride for 3 to 5 years in shared services, being so happyGreat approach to conflict resolutionWonderful mentors that shaped his careerMentoring - Migrant LeadersWhat young people want these daysWonderful advice that fits everyone, so powerfulNever been to a McDonald'sTranslation Canteen = Lunch Room Cud = Fat Lager = Beer Want to be a guest? Email me at gpnowak@gmail.com!