In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Curry, a magician and mentalist based in Washington, D.C. Brian offers a unique perspective on an unconventional career path and highlights the importance of passion, adaptability, and hard work - lessons that are valuable no matter what field we end up in.

What strikes me most about Brian's story is the support he received from his parents. Unlike many of us who feel the need to pursue traditional careers, Brian had the freedom to explore his passion for magic. But, as a student, he still dealt with plenty of internal pressure to excel academically and prove himself.

Brian's take on college is refreshing. He talks about how higher education taught him to genuinely enjoy learning. It's not just about the grades; it's about developing a curiosity that extends beyond the classroom.

In our conversation, Brian and I also cover the less glamorous side of being a professional magician. He doesn't sugarcoat the challenges: inconsistent income, wearing multiple hats, and the pressure of essentially running your own business. But, his passion for performing makes it all worthwhile, which is something to think about as we consider our own career paths.

Episode Outline

(02:30) Brian's childhood and early interest in magic

(08:15) College experience and choosing a career path

(14:45) Misconceptions about being a professional magician

(19:20) Advice for aspiring magicians and getting started in the field

(23:50) Realities of a magic career - challenges and rewards

(27:40) Balancing passion with parenting and life advice

Connect with Andrew

• Subscribe to Adding Spice to Career Advice on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Connect with Brian

• Follow Brian on Instagram
• Learn more about Brian’s show: A Good Liar

Additional Resources

• Vanishing Inc.
• Penguin Magic

This podcast is produced by The Wave Podcasting

In this episode, I’m joined by Ivan Learmont, Vice President of Information Technology at Northpond Ventures, to learn about his career journey in the tech industry.

Ivan's passion for tech began in high school with math and coding calculators. His first internship at a TV station at 13-years-old sparked his interest in computers. Despite facing challenges like lack of parental understanding and financial constraints, Ivan pursued computer engineering in college at the University of Delaware.

In our conversation, Ivan shares insights about his career growth at Marriott, where he transitioned from property-level work to overseeing telecom strategy and hotel openings across North America. Throughout his career, he’s had to practice being solution-oriented, adaptable, and continuously learn as the tech industry evolves. That curiosity for what’s at the cutting edge eventually led him to leave the hospitality industry and pursue a career at a science and technology venture capital firm.

Ivan's advice for aspiring tech professionals includes embracing challenges, being open to new experiences, and maintaining a positive attitude. He also reflects on the importance of encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in his own children, fostering creativity and independent thinking.

Episode Outline

(01:41) Ivan’s first internship experience

(05:57) Reflections on career decisions and advice for aspiring tech professionals

(11:41) Ivan's approach to managing work stress and problem-solving

(19:12) Why Ivan chose a career in IT over chip design

(24:12) Ivan’s experience with college applications and applying for scholarships

(28:43) Creative, simple ways to think like an entrepreneur

Additional Resources

• The University of Delaware

Connect with Ivan

• Follow Ivan on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Northpond Ventures

Connect with Andrew

• Subscribe to Adding Spice to Career Advice on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts

This podcast is produced by The Wave Podcasting

“What career should I choose?” “Where should I go to college?” These questions can feel extremely overwhelming. As a tenth grade student himself, host Andrew Maged has experienced that stress firsthand. That’s why he created “Adding Spice to Career Advice” to help teens figure out what they truly want to do and be inspired to follow that path.

With guests from all different professional backgrounds, Andrew covers a wide range of career paths and provides real-world examples that can be useful to any teen. Andrew and his expert guests discuss the pros, cons, and exciting potentials of different jobs. Whether it's uncovering the hidden aspects of someone’s daily work routine or learning the critical decisions that shaped their professional life, this podcast brings a fresh perspective to career development.