Still figuring out life? Good — you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. I’m Mary Choi Kelly, PhD — mom, leadership coach, and C suite veteran with 30+ years of helping leaders thrive. On this podcast, Fresh Out & Figuring It Out, we give young adults the mic to share their stories so everyone listening can understand who they truly are and what’s on their minds. We’re also showing the real side of young men — one that defies stereotypes — so that we can rewrite the story together and help every young adult (both men and women) grow into confident, compassionate leaders who know their worth
Fresh Out and Figuring it Out
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15 episodes
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Podcast Overview
Still figuring out life? Good — you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. I’m Mary Choi Kelly, PhD — mom, leadership coach, and C suite veteran with 30+ years of helping leaders thrive. On this podcast, Fresh Out & Figuring It Out, we give young adults the mic to share their stories so everyone listening can understand who they truly are and what’s on their minds. We’re also showing the real side of young men — one that defies stereotypes — so that we can rewrite the story together and help every young adult (both men and women) grow into confident, compassionate leaders who know their worth
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Publishing Since
9/1/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 25, 2026
How to think like a strategist and build the career you want
<p>Episode 13: Everyone Says "Be More Strategic." Andrew Lanzino Finally Explains How</p><p>What if the biggest advantage in your career isn't yourdegree, your resume, or even your job title?</p><p>In this episode, Mary sits down with strategist, author,Air Force veteran, and UNLV professor Andrew Lanzino to unpack what actually separates people who grow their careers from those who stay stuck.</p><p>From leaving college to join the Air Force after 9/11,rebuilding his career, and eventually building a portfolio of experiences in strategy, HR, and major initiatives like the Super Bowl and Formula 1 for one of the world's largest hospitality companies, Andrew shares the lessons that shaped his journey.</p><p>Together, Mary and Andrew break down what "beingstrategic" really means, why curiosity is your greatest career advantage, how to create opportunities instead of waiting for promotions, and why your career should be built around your own personal strategy.</p><p>If you're figuring out your next move, wondering how to stand out, or trying to build a meaningful career without losing yourself in the process, this conversation is for you.</p><p><strong>What You'll Hear</strong></p><ul><li>Why Andrew left college to join the Air Force—and how an unexpected injury changed everything </li><li>The power of curiosity and asking better questions </li><li>Why the best career opportunities often come from raising your hand </li><li>How to think strategically (even if you don't have "strategy" in your title) </li><li>Building transferable skills instead of chasing titles</li><li>Creating your own personal career strategy </li><li>How mentors and advocates quietly shape your success</li><li>Why relationships matter more than networking </li><li>The biggest misconception about young professionals today </li></ul><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li>Your career belongs to you—not your employer. </li><li>Curiosity creates opportunities that talent alone can't. </li><li>Don't wait to be discovered. Tell your story and advocate for yourself. </li><li>Strategy isn't complicated—it's making intentional choices. </li><li>Learn how every part<strong> </strong>of the business connects. That's how leaders think. </li><li>Build relationships before you need them. </li><li>The best mentors tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. </li><li>Success isn't about climbing the ladder—it's about building a unique portfolio of experiences. </li><li>Keep learning. The most successful people never stop being students.</li></ul><p><strong>Who It's For</strong></p><ul><li>College students preparing to enter the workforce </li><li>Young professionals trying to figure out their next career move </li><li>Anyone feeling stuck or questioning whether they're on the "right" path </li><li>Future leaders who want to think more strategically </li><li>Managers looking to better develop early-career talent </li><li>Parents, mentors, and coaches supporting the next generation</li></ul><p>I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and share this podcast with your friends so that we can figure it out together! Follow me so we can stay connected!</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/freshoutpodcast/</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marychoikelly/">https://www.facebook.com/marychoikelly/</a></p><p>https://www.tiktok.com/@marychoikellyphd</p><p><a href="https://www.mckleadership.com/">https://www.mckleadership.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.womenshospitalityinitiative.com/">https://www.womenshospitalityinitiative.com/</a></p><p></p>
May 27, 2026
Engineering Your Future: Leadership, Resilience & Finding Your Path
<p>Episode 12: Insights From Moving Around the Country, Staying Curious, and Ultra Marathon Running with Darrell Kennedy</p><p>In this episode of Fresh Out & Figuring It Out, Mary sits downwith environmental engineer and ultra-runner, Darrell Kennedy, to unpack the reality of working as an environmental engineering consultant. From cleaning uphistoric contamination sites to revitalizing waterways and wetlands, Darrell explains how he provides technical solutions to complex problems that impact communities and the environment. </p><p>Darrell opens up about moving around the country with no real plan, learning from failure, and why resilience and curiosity matter more than having a perfect plan. He also gives an inside look into what environmental engineering consultants actually do day-to-day—from investigation and design work, to project management and designwork to construction oversight, problem-solving, and leading teams. </p><p>Beyond the technical side, this episode explores leadership, communication, networking, discipline, and personal growth. From navigating the transition into leadership to running ultra marathons to build mental fortitude, this episode is packed with honest advice for young adults trying to figure out whothey are and where they’re headed. It’s a conversation about growth, curiosity, confidence, and why you don’t need tohave everything mapped out to build an incredible future.</p><p><strong>What You’ll Hear</strong></p><ul><li>Why failure early in life can actually become your biggest advantage </li><li>The truth about networking (hint: it’s just human connection) </li><li>What moving around the country taught him about identity and growth </li></ul><ul><li>The mindset shift that helped him go from struggling to run one mile to completing ultra marathons </li><li>Leadership lessons on self-awareness, communication, and emotional intelligence </li><li>Why young adults should stop chasing titles and start focusing on skills </li></ul><ul><li>The importance of mentorship, guidance, and building genuine community </li></ul><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of it: </strong>Darrell’s story proves that struggling, pivoting, and starting over areoften the moments that shape who we become.</li><li><strong>Your career path doesn’t need to be linear: </strong>You don’t need a perfect five-year plan. Curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to learn matter more.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Discipline builds confidence: </strong>Whether it’s running ultras, learning leadership, or growing professionally, confidence comes from keeping promises to yourself.</li><li><strong>Relationships matter more than resumes: </strong>Networking isn’t about collecting connections—it’s about meaningful conversations and authentic relationships.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Self-awareness is a superpower: </strong>The best leaders know their strengths, own their weaknesses, and stay open to growth.</li></ul><p><strong>Who It’s For</strong></p><ul><li>College students and recent grads feeling uncertain about their future </li><li>Young professionals navigating career pressure and identity </li><li>Anyone struggling with comparison, self-doubt, or fear of failure </li></ul><ul><li>Young men looking for a healthier definition of masculinity and success </li></ul><ul><li>Future leaders wanting practical advice on growth, communication, and resilience </li><li>People trying to build confidence, discipline, and purpose in their 20s and early 30s </li></ul><p>I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and share this podcast with your friends so that we can figure it out together! Follow me so we can stay connected!</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/freshoutpodcast/</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marychoikelly/">https://www.facebook.com/marychoikelly/</a></p><p>https://www.tiktok.com/@marychoikellyphd</p><p><a href="https://www.mckleadership.com/">https://www.mckleadership.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.womenshospitalityinitiative.com/">https://www.womenshospitalityinitiative.com/</a></p><p><br></p>
April 23, 2026
The Long Game: Identity, Insecurity & Redefining Success
<p>Episode 10: Stop Trying to Impress Everyone - Start Figuring Yourself Out</p><p>In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, I sit down with my cousin Benjie—former pastor turned fishing content creator—to unpack identity, pressure, faith, failure, and what it really means to find yourself.</p><p>Growing up in a Korean-American, faith-centered household, Benjie’s path seemed clearly defined. Religion, family, and community shaped his identity early on, ultimately leading him to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a pastor. But beneath doing what was expected, he shares the internal reality many young adults face—navigating insecurity, comparison, and the pressure to prove your worth. </p><p>As the conversation unfolds, Benjie opens up about pivotal moments that challenged everything he thought he knew—from conflict within the church to personal struggles that forced him to rethink his identity and direction. Whatmakes this episode powerful is the honesty around those experiences—not as failures, but as necessary turning points.</p><p>The conversation also highlights a non-traditional path—choosing family over career momentum, becoming a stay-at-home dad, and eventually rediscovering a passion for fishing that evolved into a growing content platform. But moreimportantly, it reflects a deeper transformation: moving from trying to prove himself to genuinely accepting who he is.</p><p>At its core, this episode is about redefining success. It challenges the idea that fulfillment comes from achievements alone and instead emphasizes self-awareness, resilience, and playing the long game.</p><p>Timestamps</p><p><strong>(00:00)</strong> Intro + Would You Rather (with a twist 😂)<br><strong>(02:00)</strong> Growing up Korean-American + family dynamics<br><strong>(06:00)</strong> Faith, identity, and becoming a pastor<br><strong>(17:00) </strong>Church trauma + pivotal moment with his father<br><strong>(24:00)</strong> Insecurity in your 20s (and why it’s normal)<br><strong>(32:00)</strong> Leaving ministry + starting over at 36<br><strong>(34:00)</strong> Unexpected success at Sherwin-Williams<br><strong>(41:00)</strong> Walking away from a promotion to prioritize family<br><strong>(43:00)</strong> Becoming a stay-at-home dad + rediscovering fishing<br><strong>(49:00)</strong> Confidence, identity, and self-acceptance<br><strong>(58:00)</strong> Real talk: success, happiness, and the long game<br><strong>(1:04:00)</strong> What’s next + advice for young adults</p><p>What You'll Hear</p><ul><li>The hidden cost of chasing validation and external success </li><li>A raw look at faith, burnout, and deconstructing identity </li><li>Why your 20s feel like a constant “prove yourself” phase </li><li>How failure, pain, and discomfort can become your biggest teachers </li><li>The mindset shift that changed everything: from proving → to being</li></ul><ul><li>Why doing what you love isn’t a straight path—and that’s okay </li></ul><p>Key Takeaways</p><ul><li><strong>You are not your accomplishments.</strong> Success built on insecurity will never feel like enough. </li><li><strong>Your 20s are messy by design.</strong> You’re not behind—you’re in it. </li><li><strong>Confidence on the outside ≠ confidence on the inside.</strong> Both matter, but they’re built differently. </li><li><strong>Stop chasing outcomes—focus on who you’re becoming.</strong> The results follow. </li><li><strong>Pain is a teacher (if you let it be).</strong> Growth comes from how you respond, not what happens. </li><li><strong>There is no perfect job.</strong> You build meaning—you don’t find it. </li><li><strong>It’s a long game.</strong> You don’t need it all figured out right now. </li></ul><p>Who This Episode is For</p><ul><li>Young adults feeling lost, behind, or unsure of their path </li><li>Anyone questioning their career, identity, or definition of success </li><li>High achievers who look “fine” on the outside but feel uncertain inside </li><li>People navigating pressure from family, culture, or expectations </li></ul><p>I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and share this podcast with your friends so that we can figure it out together! Follow me so we can stay connected!</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/freshoutpodcast/</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marychoikelly/">https://www.facebook.com/marychoikelly/</a></p><p>https://www.tiktok.com/@marychoikellyphd</p><p><a href="https://www.mckleadership.com/">https://www.mckleadership.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.womenshospitalityinitiative.com/">https://www.womenshospitalityinitiative.com/</a></p><p></p>
15 total episodes available
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