The Worst Advice I Ever Got
Episodes
You Can't Have A Career Using Math - Tyler Zachem
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when a single test score starts shaping your entire life?This week’s guest, Tyler Zachem, grew up hearing that he should avoid anything...
New Years Resolutions
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sean and JB reflect on the past year and talk about New Years resolutions, and specfically why they are chock full of the worst advice you ever got.
The Worst Advice Holiday Episode!
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the first ever holiday panel on The Worst Advice I Ever Got. Sean and JB sit down with four members of the Smith + Howard family of companies t...
A Jack Of All Trades Is A Master Of None (Re-Release) - Josh Mancuso
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Actor, comedian, filmmaker, and college-football-internet legend Josh Mancuso joins us to unpack the classic piece of bad advice: “A jack of all tra...
Hard Work Speaks For Itself - Ovie Mughelli
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the surface, it sounds perfect. Work hard and you will be successful. How could that possibly be bad advice? That is exactly what Ovie Mughelli be...
Go To College, It Will Change Your Life - Roy Keely
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Roy Keely grew up being told that college was the only path that mattered. The worst advice he ever got was to chase the traditional route at all cos...
Don't Laugh So Much - Carla McCall
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carla McCall spent years believing the worst advice she ever got: “Don’t laugh so much.” It came early in her career and it came from someone s...
Look Outside Yourself As You Grow - Ripley Rader
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Ripley Rader was told to trust consultants and experts instead of her own instincts, she almost lost sight of what made her brand special. Instea...
You Need A Degree To Be Somebody - Mehrnush Saadat
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mehrnush Saadat grew up with one message: to be somebody, you had to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. She followed that path into real estate law, ev...
Be The Expert - Joy Youell
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joy Youell was told to ‘become an expert.’ Starting college at 14, she was pushed toward hyper-specialization and a life of academia. But a detour...
At Home, Think Only Of Family. At Work, Think Only Of Business. - Sam Reese
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Reese, CEO of Vistage, shares how the worst advice he ever got—‘separate work and family completely’—shaped years of overwork, ego, and mi...
Don't Sell Your House For Fancy Firewood - Leroy Hite
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leroy Hite turned ‘fancy firewood’ from a laughable idea into a luxury brand. In this episode, he shares how faith, grit, and one bold decision—...
Do What Makes You Happy (Re-Released)
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Cleveland, Head of School at Wesleyan, looks back on the worst advice he ever got: “Do what makes you happy.” On the surface, it sounds har...
Emotions Don't Belong In The Cockpit - Kyle Frieburger
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kyle followed that rule for years, becoming a decorated airline pilot by shutting his feelings down. But eventually he realized the truth: every deci...
Eat Less, Exercise More - Sammy Williams
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“The worst advice I ever got was, exercise more and eat less.” Sammy Williams shares how that advice, repeated over and over, became a damaging m...
You Don't Need To Be Smart, If You're Pretty - Teresa Caro
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 dangero...
Don't Go Into Advertising - John Follis
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Show Them Who's Boss
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In The Karate Kid, the bad advice was “show them who’s boss.” For Matthew Eyers, it wasn’t a movie—it was the real message he was given earl...
Time Heals All Wounds - Kyle Smith
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if “time heals all wounds” was the worst advice you could take? Clarity consultant Kyle Smith breaks down why healing is an active process, n...
We Don't Talk About Money - Chris LaFay
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Chris shares how avoiding conversations about salary, business finances, and expenses keeps us stuck — and how transparency, experi...
Say No To Drugs - Michael Brody Waite
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Michael Brody-Waite shares how that well-meaning message failed him—leading to homelessness, addiction, and hopelessness by age 23. But ...
Charge The Going Rate - Tom Reber
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 episod...
Psychedelics Can't Help You - Zahra Adloo
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Zahra is a licensed therapist who now works with psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly ibogaine, a plant medicine with powerful anti-addiction e...
Investing Is Speculation - Jeremy Schneider
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That’s the worst advice Jeremy Schneider ever got — and it’s everywhere. From the headlines to social media, we’re taught investing means tim...
Journalism Is Dead - Joe Van Hoose
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ha...
Season 3 Recap So Far - Happy Fourth of July!
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean and JB breakdown the episodes we've heard so far in this mini episode of the show during our week off celebrating our home nations independence!
Diet Doesn't Effect Your Hormones - Alison Bladh
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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. I...
You need To Think Less - Kevin Palmieiri
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Palmieri was told, “Why don’t you think less?”—a dismissive response to his deep self-reflection during a personal crisis. In this episo...
You Should Be An Accountant - Allan Koltin
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Allan shares how embracing, and eventually outgrowing,that advice led him to become one of the most influential voices in the account...
Be Perfect - Kelly Johnson
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Kelly opens up about the damaging pursuit of perfection. From early praise that reinforced unrealisti...
Dream Big - Jeff Hilimire
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Hilimire was told to “dream big.” Sounds like great advice—until it nearly burned him out. In this episode, Jeff shares how chasing massiv...
Make A Business Plan - Jamie Brindle
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Don't Relocate For A Job - Lloyd Avram
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 af...
To Make More You Need to Sell More - Anita Henderson
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Anita shares how she rebuilt her business with a minimalist mindset—focusing on fewer, high-value clients instead of chasing consta...
The Shortcut To Happiness, Is Success - Evren Ozka
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, Evren shares how achieving the kind of success most people dream about left him feeling empty, addicte...
Don't Graduate College Without a Job - DePriest Waddy
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, DePriest shares how generational expectations shaped his early career path, why he eventually walked away from corporate success, and...
Don't Start a Bar For Dogs - Stephen Ochs
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Honestly seems like sage advice. But it was the worst Stephen Ochs, founder of Fetch, ever got. Listen to his story.
Welcome back! Season 3 kicks off.
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean and JB talk about why we're making a podcast in the first place, what we've learned so far and what we can look forward to this season on The Wor...
You're Too Old To Make an Olympic Team - Matt Hemingway
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After a very successful college track and field career, Matt Hemingway decided he was going to try to make the olympic team. It didn't happen the firs...
Go Do Great Things And Then Give Back - Ryan Heckman
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When your father only gives you one piece of advice your whole life at the age of 10, thats apt to stick with you. It made Ryan a two time olympic ski...
Brand Doesn't Matter - Paul Carpenter
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul was starting out in advertising, it was the golden age of analytic data so he was told that when it comes to selling a product or service, "...
Join The Military - Jon Styers
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Jon was told to join the military, he thought that would be a spring board to where he really wanted to be. Turns out, that was the worst advice ...
You're Not Cut Out For Business - Claudia Medina
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When her professor told her "you're not cut out for business" after her very first test in college, Claudia took it to heart. How does hearing somethi...
Franchising Means Losing Your Brand - Steve Carse
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
King Of Pops Co-Founder Steve Carse created a wildly successful pop brand. But when it was time to exand, he was told that frnchising would mean he wo...
You Don't Have To Worry About Money Anymore - Bill Haas
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When a reporter asked him how it felt not to have to worry about money anymore after winning the FedeX Cup in 2011, Bill Haas didn't know how to answe...
If You Want To Fit In You Can't Stand Out - Kavi Vu
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Kavi's parents moved from Vietnam to the deep south in the U.S., they wanted her to fit in as best she could. They told her to do that, she neede...
Get an MBA - Kirk Halpern
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
if you want to be successful in entrepreneurial business, the worst advice Kirk Halpern ever got was to get his MBA. With so many people striving to g...
Never Date Someone Poor - Jason Browne
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Even saying it out loud made Jason feel icky. Why would you think about money when it comes to love and relationships? If you're Jason, you wouldn't, ...
Don't Buy This Business - Ann Curry
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ann Curry tells the story of her career starting from the worst advice she's ever got, "don't buy this business". You have money, why work harder than...
Settle Down - Kyle Stapleton
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever since Kyle was old enough to realize not every adult knows what they're talking about (something he learned while volunteering as an umpire for l...
That Part Is Too Small For You - Johnny Sneed
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When actor Johnny Sneed (Parks and Rec, Painkiller, Trumbo, Fever Pitch) got the advice to turn down a role in a blockbuster because "the part was too...
You Can't Give Up On People - Kat McDavitt
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Come for the brownie guy story, stay for the swear count. It's high. Kat McDavitt talks about the harsh reality of being a leader, and knowing when yo...
Don't Marry Her - Todd Musselman
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Boy meets girl, boy wants to marry girl, best friends tell boy "don't marry her." What comes next?
Don't Wear Pink To An Interview - Jess Kirkman
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
But what if your interview is on a Wednesday?
A Jack Of All Trades Is A Master Of None - Josh Mancuso
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Don't put baby (Josh Mancuso) in a corner (in a job where he only does one thing)
Don't Start Your Own Business!
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've just had a new baby, you're diagnosed with cancer and your thriving in your career, so naturally you quit your job to start your own business r...
Stay Inside Your Clients Comfort Zone - Susie Cha
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Susie Cha, an influence marketer at Ogilvy in NYC has been hearing this bad advice her whole career. But comfort zones exist for a reason so why is th...
Stick To What You Know (Kid) - Crystal Washington
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Stick to what you know kid." That's the worst advice Crystal Washington has ever heard. How do you grow if you limit yourself like that? Find out how...
Don't Change Anything Your First Year - Dr. Phil Schroeder
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you honor the past, but prepare for the future?
Don't Go Work For That Guy - Lars Minns
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lars Minns was excited. He's got the job opportunity he's been waiting for. Then his boss at the time says, "don't go work for that guy." That turned ...
Be The Most Interesting Person In The Room - Glen Jackson
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"When you're networking, be the most interesting person in the room, Glen." Those words were given to a young Glen Jackson, just starting out in the p...
To Be Content Is To Admit Failure - Luke Bonner
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When he was 15 years old, Luke was told that to be content is to admit failure. Never feeling like what he had achieved was enough, it wasn't until hi...
There Is No Such Thing As False Hope - Chad Hymas
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest today for our second part of our live audience recording is Chad Hymas. Chad is an internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, an...
The Worst Advice I Ever Got - LIVE!
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our first episode recorded in front of a live audience is here! Join Sean on stage as he asks Corey Cicchetti, Courtney Stillwagon and Jamie Tiernan, ...
Women Can't Have It All - Hala Moddelmog
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Women can't have it all? That's the worst advice Hala Moddelmog has ever heard.
You Can Do So Much More Than Coaching - Tony Vitello
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today our guest is the two-time National Coach of the Year current head coach of the University of Tennessee baseball team, Tony Vitello. Obviously ...
You're Not College Material - Wayne Pelletier
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you're told you're not college material in middle school, it alters your entire life. Come find out how with Resonate Pixel creative director Way...
Don't Make White People Music
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When you're in the music industry, you're going to hear alot of feedback. Some of that feedback for singer-songwriter Lanré was the worst advice he's...
Be Humble - Kim Rittberg
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sit down, be humble? That's the worst advice award winning TV and Video producer Kim Rittberg has ever got.
Take Advantage of Every Opportunity - Danny Wuerffel
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
College football national champion and Heisman winning quarter back Danny Wuerffel took advantage of every opportunity and it turned him into a star. ...
Do What Makes You Happy - Chris Cleveland
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all say it all the time, just do what makes you happy. What's wrong with that? 30 year educator and current headmaster of The Wesleyan School says ...
Invest In Ripple - Gavin Guidry
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Crypto currency has been lumped into the get rich quick mindset for too long. We all know someone who's been burned by that strategy. But why was this...
The Worst Advice I Ever Got Podcast Intro
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Worst Advice I Ever Got hosted by Sean Taylor. This show will feature in-depth discussions with diverse guests, exploring the unconvent...