The Worst Advice I Ever Got

What happens when the world tells you, “You don’t have to be smart if you’re pretty”?

In this episode, Teresa Caro opens up about the dangerous advice she got early in her career—and how it fueled her drive to prove her worth beyond appearances. From shifting life stages to reinventing herself through every chapter, Teresa shares hard-earned wisdom on:

• Breaking free from superfici...

What happens when the person you admire most tells you you’re not good enough?

For John Follis, it was a college professor who pulled him aside and said: “You suck at advertising. You should quit.” At 20 years old, chasing a new dream, those words almost knocked him off course.

In this episode, John shares how he pushed past that moment, built resilience through setbacks—including getti...

This week, Michael Brody-Waite shares how that well-meaning message failed him—leading to homelessness, addiction, and hopelessness by age 23. But what happened next is extraordinary. Through a 12-step program, Michael not only recovered—he built a new life from the ground up.

He went from sleeping on floors to building a company that grew 20,000%, making the Inc. 500 list, and deliveri...

When Tom Rebers was told to "charge the going rate," it sounded safe and reasonable. But playing it safe nearly cost him his business. In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Tom shares how he learned to set his own value, stop following industry norms, and build a business that actually works for him.

If you’ve ever underpriced yourself or felt stuck following “what everyone el...

Zahra is a licensed therapist who now works with psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly ibogaine, a plant medicine with powerful anti-addiction effects. In this episode, she shares her journey from traditional treatment centers to becoming an advocate for spiritual, mental, and emotional healing through plant medicine.

We talk about outdated recovery models, the stigma surrounding p...

That’s the worst advice Jeremy Schneider ever got — and it’s everywhere. From the headlines to social media, we’re taught investing means timing markets, chasing trends, and hoping for quick wins. Jeremy says that’s exactly why most people stay broke.

Jeremy is the founder of Personal Finance Club, a former tech entrepreneur who retired at 36, and now teaches simple, proven ways to buil...

In this episode, Joe Van Hoose talks about the messy reality of modern journalism: we need it more than ever, but the world we’ve built makes it harder than ever to do it well. Good reporting takes time, curiosity, and integrity — but today’s incentives scream: click fast, publish faster, aim later.

It’s fire, ready, aim — and real journalists get burned in the process.

If you care abou...

Alison Bladh was told, like many of us growing up, that what you eat has nothing to do with your hormones. Turns out, that advice wasn't just wrong. It was harmful.

In this episode, the nutritional therapist and hormone health expert breaks down how endocrine disruptors in ultra-processed foods affect everything from your energy and mood to your skin and metabolism. She shares her person...

Kevin Palmieri was told, “Why don’t you think less?”—a dismissive response to his deep self-reflection during a personal crisis. In this episode, he shares how that moment collided with suicidal thoughts, external success, and a drive for meaning. Instead of shutting off his mind, Kevin leaned into self-awareness, using it to build a purpose-driven business and a healthier life.

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In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Kelly opens up about the damaging pursuit of perfection. From early praise that reinforced unrealistic standards to the hidden toll it took on her mental health, she shares how striving to be flawless actually helped her succeed... and why that made it even harder to let go.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt like their worth depends on...

Jeff Hilimire was told to “dream big.” Sounds like great advice—until it nearly burned him out.

In this episode, Jeff shares how chasing massive goals led to overextension, failed ventures, and a lesson he now lives by: dream small. Focus on what matters. Build with purpose. And grow from there.

From launching startups to founding 48in48, Jeff’s story is a masterclass in scaling back to...

In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Jamie shares why traditional business plans can be a trap for creative entrepreneurs. From freelance life to launching multiple ventures, he talks about embracing uncertainty, staying agile, and why “figuring it out as you go” isn’t failure—it’s freedom.

Whether you’re a planner, a dreamer, or somewhere in between, this episode will make y...

In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Lloyd shares how ignoring that advice led to a string of bold moves that opened doors in government affairs, public policy, and corporate leadership across industries. From coast-to-coast moves to global leadership roles, Lloyd’s journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes the best career decisions aren’t safe—they’re personal. ...