Ask For An Answer

ASK FOR AN ANSWER is more than a podcast—it’s a practice space for real leadership. Hosted by Jim Fielding, each episode features an honest, unscripted conversation with a leader facing a real challenge: a hard transition, a high-stakes decision, or a moment when the answers aren’t clear. Together, they work through it in real time with clarity, candor, and a growth mindset. This isn’t abstract theory or polished performance. It’s leadership as it actually happens: live, thoughtful, and grounded in shared insight. More than anything, ASK FOR AN ANSWER captures what it sounds like when leaders stop performing and start thinking—when they lower the armor, ask for help, and trust the process. If you believe leadership is a practice, not a pose, this podcast is for you.

Ask For An Answer is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Ask For An Answer, a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #5

  How To Secure $10 Million in Venture Capital Funding with Allison Byers

  Oct 1, 20261h 4mS3

  How Do You Raise Capital and Build Success When the System Wasn't Built for You? Allison Byers joins Ask for an Answer with Jim Fielding to discuss self-trust, overcoming trauma, and reclaiming power in venture capital. After walking away from corporate management consulting following a maternity leave ultimatum, Allison co-founded a medical device company out of MIT, raised nearly $10 million, and brought an FDA-registered product to market. When a Series B round stalled, an asset sale turned into a painful wake-up call. The all-male acquiring team went on to raise $55 million using her team's assets. Instead of playing the victim, Allison dived deep into capital allocation research, exposing systemic bias and founding Scroobious to level the playing field for every underrepresented founder. Jim and Allison dig into what it truly takes to navigate inequity without losing your identity. They unpack the power of turning personal hardship into systemic change, why equity investing is a form of everyday voting, and how setting healthy boundaries protects high performers from burnout. Allison also opens up about her grassroots political work with Founders for Kamala, her role in co-authoring California's landmark Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law, and why entrepreneurship gave her back her professional identity. IN THIS EPISODE: 1. How to spot and reframe real-time bias during high-stakes investment pitches. 2. Why separating your personal identity from your company protects mental health. 3. How physical burnout and stress signal the need for immediate boundaries. 4. The key differences between fiduciary venture funds and angel investor groups. 5. How groupthink inside angel networks can accidentally block funding for great ideas. 6. Why female founders deliver more profit per dollar invested despite receiving less capital. 7. How alternative funding sources can liberate founders from demoting themselves for venture money. 8. Why legislative policy and data collection are mandatory for long-term systems change. 9. How treating everyday spending and investing as voting shapes our economy. 10. Why entrepreneurship offers a vital lifeline for reclaiming professional agency. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 01:06 Welcome Allison Byers, author of Fundraising for the Rest of Us 02:40 Origin story: From management consulting to spinning out an MIT medical device 03:45 The asset sale, systemic disparities, and turning trauma into action 08:31 How historical bias shapes check-writing decisions 12:28 Identifying bias inside the room and shifting the narrative 16:50 Physical limits: Battling facial shingles from extreme stress 18:50 Healing through community, partnership, and separating self from business 22:40 Launching Scroobious in 2020 and building a movement 38:34 Why founders shouldn't dim their light for venture capital 42:28 Writing California's historic Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law 55:53 Why consumer dollars and investments dictate daily life 01:00:03 The final question: Why entrepreneurship matters so deeply MEET ALLISON BYERS Allison Byers is a founder, investor, capital access advocate, speaker, and author of Fundraising for the Rest of Us: How to Build Your Pitch, Navigate Bias, and Raise Capital on Your Terms . She is the founder of Scroobious, a relationship-first capital access platform built to scale startup growth for underestimated founders. With experience spanning corporate management consulting and medical device innovation out of MIT, Allison co-authored California’s landmark Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law and serves on multiple boards. ✨ Connect with Allison Byers Website: allisonbyers.com | scroobious.com LinkedIn: Allison Byers | Scroobious Bluesky: @apbyers.bsky.social Instagram: @apbyers | @scroobious Book: Fundraising for the Rest of Us ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, and leave a review if you want more of this kind of honest, unscripted conversation. #LeadershipPodcast #FundraisingForTheRestOfUs #WomenInBusiness #StartupCapital #Resilience

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  Episode #4

  You Don’t Need to Change Your Story — You Need to Own It with Dr. Joel Davis Brown

  Sep 24, 202658 minS3

  What happens when you stop running from your past and finally claim your full story? Dr. Joel Davis Brown joins Ask for an Answer for a deep, soul-stirring conversation about the messy reality of personal transformation, emotional growth, and what it truly means to lead an authentic life. As an awareness agent, organizational development consultant, university professor, and Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC, Dr. Joel shares how unaddressed trauma and unhealed wounds silently govern our choices until we take ownership of our narrative. Jim and Dr. Joel unpack the subtle art of inner work. They explore why real leadership starts from the inside out, how to break free from generational patterns, and why forgiveness is a physical release rather than a quick, surface-level exercise. Dr. Joel opens up about his journey writing his latest book, reflecting on his relationship with his late father, learning to parent himself, and finding true freedom in total vulnerability. IN THIS EPISODE: How claiming every part of your personal story eliminates the leverage others have over your self-worth. Why authentic leadership requires doing deep internal healing work before attempting to lead external organizations. How unaddressed emotional trauma and anger eventually bleed out onto loved ones and colleagues if left unchecked. Why true healing involves learning to parent yourself and stepping into full governance over your own narrative. How to break the cycle of generational trauma when caring for aging parents or navigating family dynamics. Why forgiveness is an active, physical release of bitterness that makes you lighter rather than a one-time gesture. How overextending yourself for others can actually be a subtle symptom of unhealed personal wounds. Why reframing leadership beyond corporate titles allows you to show up better in everyday personal relationships. How embracing complete stillness without overstimulation restores emotional energy and prevents burnout. Why self-acceptance and inner peace are essential prerequisites before building healthy long-term partnerships. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 00:37 Welcoming Dr. Joel Davis Brown to Ask for an Answer 01:05 What It Means to Be an Awareness Agent and Strategic Storyteller 05:28 The Inspiration Behind Souls of Queer Folk and Redefining Leadership 10:14 Embracing the Beauty and Complexity of Intersectional Human Identity 15:44 Finding Belonging, Community, and Authenticity Across Different Cities 24:09 I Had to Become the Father: Unpacking Healing, Repair, and Letting Go 31:58 Navigating Generational Trauma and Caregiving for Aging Parents 42:42 Owning Your Truth and Finding Total Freedom in Vulnerability 45:49 Redefining Family, Parenting, Mentorship, and Healthy Relationships 53:36 Prioritizing Self-Care Through Stillness and Peace 56:56 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks Meet Dr. Joel Davis Brown Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown, Esq., PCC, is the Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC. As a certified leadership, life, and executive coach trained in somatic coaching, Gestalt methodology, and trauma-informed care, Dr. Joel works collaboratively with organizations, civic groups, and professionals to create synergistic cultures, breakthrough performance, and dynamic leaders. He teaches strategic storytelling at a university in France, specializes in cultural intelligence, emotional intelligence, and organizational strategy, and has spent nearly 30 years working with Startups, Non-Profits, Philanthropic Organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. He is the author of Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Cultural Values Can Transform Your Leadership Practice and I Had to Become the Father: The Art of Healing, Reconciliation, Repair, and Letting Go . ✨ Connect with Dr. Joel Davis Brown Website: pneumos.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelanthonybrown Email: joel@pneumos.com Books: Souls of Queer Folk & I Had to Become the Father ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer: Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, and leave a review if you want more of this kind of honest, unscripted conversation.

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  Episode #3

  She Hid Her Therapy From Her Colleagues—Until Her Daughter Found Out (With Dr. Julie Basler)

  Sep 17, 20261h 5mS3

  How do you find the courage to lead with total vulnerability when the whole world expects you to stay invincible? Dr. Julie Basler walked away from a high-profile career as a college president to help leaders reclaim their mental health, their boundaries, and their lives without losing their seat at the table. Armed with a PhD in English and decades of leadership experience, Dr. Basler is an author, speaker, and advocate who wrote her transformative book, She Is Strong Enough to Break , to break the silence around female leadership, mental health, and the burden of carrying it all alone. What Happens When Leaders Stop Hiding Behind the Armor? Dr. Julie Basler joins Jim Fielding on Ask for an Answer for a deeply moving conversation about emotional intelligence, personal growth, and the quiet struggles high achievers carry behind closed doors. From secretly going to therapy while running a college to sending a middle-of-the-night email to her entire campus admitting she was broken, Dr. Basler shares the moment her youngest daughter made her realize that hiding mental health struggles teaches the next generation to do the same. Jim and Julie explore how true strength comes from authenticity, why choosing kindness is a radical leadership strategy, and how breaking down opens the door to genuine healing. IN THIS EPISODE: How to recognize when hiding mental health struggles sends the wrong message to those watching you. Why true strength requires stepping away from perfectionism and embracing vulnerability in front of your team. How to shift your focus from the First Mountain of ambition to the Second Mountain of servant leadership. Why simple, intentional acts like handwritten notes can transform how someone feels seen and valued. How standing up for personal values creates long-lasting ripples of courage for others. Why emotional intelligence and high-level leadership belong together in modern organizations. How reframing traffic disruptions or everyday frustration with empathy helps you realize everyone is carrying hidden pain. Why forgiving previous generations for their lack of mental health awareness brings personal peace. How embracing the role of a lifelong learner builds long-term resilience and intellectual curiosity. Why breaking down is often the necessary first step to breaking through into a more authentic life. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Teaser: A Daughter's Six Words That Changed Everything 00:40 Introduction: Welcoming Dr. Julie Basler 03:48 From English PhD to College President 06:01 Leaving the Office Behind: Transitioning to the Second Mountain 10:35 The Book: She Is Strong Enough to Break 12:05 Sneaking to Therapy: The Middle-of-the-Night Email 19:40 Writing for Women in Leadership 21:35 The Dinner Table Conversation That Added an Extra Chapter 24:14 Someone Noticed Her: The Power of Handwritten Letters 31:18 Jim's Story: The Indiana University Resignation Letter 37:20 Hidden Pain: Why Everyone Is Carrying Something 41:24 25 Years Later: Going Back to College for Counseling 44:41 Research Notes vs. Tech Dashboards 55:20 Generational Trauma and Forgiving Our Parents 01:03:50 Final Words and Where to Find Dr. Julie Basler MEET DR. JULIE BASLER Dr. Julie Basler is an author, keynote speaker, executive mentor, and President of Strong Teams, a company dedicated to building empathy, service, and compassion in workplace culture. With nearly three decades in higher education leadership, including serving as Vice President of Academic Affairs and President of Platt College for over 18 years, Dr. Basler led her team to achieve initial nursing accreditation with ACEN, the first prelicensure BSN program at a career college to do so. ✨ Connect with Dr. Julie Basler Website: juliebasler.com LinkedIn: Dr. Julie Basler Book: She's Strong Enough to Break: How Female Leaders Can Reclaim Their Mental Health, Their Boundaries, and Their Lives Without Losing Their Seat at the Table ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer: Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it today. #EmotionalIntelligence #Resilience #MentalHealthMatters #WomenInLeadership #AskForAnAnswer

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  Episode #2

  From Stage 4 Terminal Cancer to Cancer-Free: The Power of Mindset & Gratitude (With Jenn Greenhut)

  Sep 10, 20261h 6mS3

  What happens when a life-threatening crisis becomes your greatest catalyst for self-love, healing, and purpose? Jenn Greenhut joins Ask for an Answer for a deeply moving conversation on mindset shifts, emotional intelligence, and finding gratitude in life’s hardest moments. A former elite USA National Team gymnast and UCLA athlete who was used to demanding perfection from her body, Jenn found herself facing rock bottom when a stage IV triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis gave her a 12 percent chance of surviving five years. Instead of seeing the news as a death sentence, a single perspective shift at her oncologist’s office helped her view the diagnosis as a gift that ultimately saved her life. Declared cancer-free just four months later, she turned her personal transformation into a mission to heal and give back. Today, she is the co-author of Everyone Needs a Larry, founder of Love, Zero Negative, and founder of The Zero Negative Foundation, supporting cancer patients, caregivers, and families through their toughest trials. Jim and Jenn dive deep into the emotional themes that shape true resilience: shifting from asking "why is this happening to me" to "what is in this for me," replacing self-judgment with unconditional love, and trusting the journey even through trauma. Jenn shares her experience of navigating a terminal diagnosis as a newlywed, the unique bond between a patient and caregiver, and how elite sports discipline shaped her mindset during recovery. They also explore the power of staying present, managing life choices after career-altering injuries, and how simple daily anchors like her "Pinch Me" method can pull you back into gratitude. IN THIS EPISODE: How shifting your mindset from punishment to protection can turn life's scariest obstacles into gifts. Why asking "what is in this for me" creates openness, curiosity, and emotional growth during adversity. How childhood trauma and high-performance pressure create toxic patterns of self-worth tied strictly to achievement. Why self-love and gratitude serve as powerful emotional superpowers for physical and mental healing. How to navigate a severe medical diagnosis as a newlywed while honoring the critical role of caregivers. Why trusting your medical team allows you to surrender outcome control and focus entirely on present healing. How elite athletic discipline provides psychological strength during personal health battles. Why pivoting away from a lifelong dream like the Olympics can open up unexpected new chapters of fulfillment. How to build an intentional brand and nonprofit foundation to support patients and caregivers. Why using simple tools like the "Pinch Me" method snaps you out of anxiety and grounds you in present gratitude. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 03:04 Facing a Stage IV Cancer Diagnosis and IVF Struggles 06:02 The Medical Moment That Shifted Her Perspective 08:24 Becoming Cancer-Free in Four Months Through Love and Gratitude 11:47 Turning Trauma Into Purpose and Giving Back 16:28 Writing Everyone Needs a Larry and the Caregiver Journey 21:32 Life as an Elite USA National Team Gymnast 37:33 The Sacrifices of High-Level Athletics and Personal Worth 42:40 Expanding Grants for Families and Fundraising Events 44:45 Pitching and Preparing for a TEDx Talk 48:22 Asking Better Questions and Leading With Curiosity 53:14 Jim Shares His Father’s Story With Pancreatic Cancer 01:00:15 Navigating Genetic Markers and Health Decisions 01:02:08 The Pinch Me Method for Staying Present Meet Jenn Greenhut Jennifer "Jenn" Greenhut is a TEDx speaker, author, and founder whose work explores healing, resilience, and transforming life's hardest challenges into opportunities for growth. After becoming cancer-free four months following a stage IV breast cancer diagnosis, Jenn dedicated her life to helping others heal. She is the co-author of Everyone Needs a Larry, founder of Love, Zero Negative, and founder of The Zero Negative Foundation, a nonprofit supporting cancer patients, caregivers, and families. ✨ Connect with Jenn Greenhut: Website: www.lovezeronegative.com Foundation: www.zeronegativefoundation.org ♥️ Instagram: @lovezeronegative @jenngreenhut @zeronegativeorg LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifergreenhut TEDx Talk: TEDxRobinsonRoad - Jennifer Greenhut ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer: Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your platform of choice, and leave a review if you want more of this kind of honest, unscripted conversation. #LeadershipPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalTransformation #Resilience #CancerSurvivor #OvercomingAdversity #MindsetShift

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  Episode #1

  The Simple 3-Question Test That Reveals a Leader's True Character (With Adam Bryant)

  Sep 3, 20261 hourS3

  How do the world’s most successful leaders learn to navigate massive pressure, personal trauma, and total uncertainty? Adam Bryant spent over a decade interviewing more than 500 CEOs for The New York Times Corner Office series. Now Senior Managing Director and Partner at The ExCo Group, Adam joins Jim Fielding on Ask for an Answer to break down what actually makes or breaks a leader when the stakes are highest. From asking executives about their childhood memories instead of their quarterly earnings to recognizing why resilience in the face of early adversity is the ultimate differentiator, Adam brings decades of journalism experience and human insight into one powerful conversation. The two reflect on why leading today is harder than ever before and how authentic leadership means closing the gap between how you want to be perceived and how people actually decode you. Adam explains why so much traditional leadership advice falls short when real human beings are brought into the equation. The conversation wraps up with a sharp look at why active listening is the ultimate underrated superpower for anyone trying to build real trust and followership. KEY TAKEAWAYS: How early life adversity, family dynamics, and personal setbacks shape the internal drive needed for executive success. Why birth order and childhood expectations heavily influence your default leadership style and team management habits. How to manage the control-freak instinct that gets you promoted before it burns you out. Why your greatest professional strength can easily double as your biggest weakness without deep self-awareness. How to close the gap between how you want people to perceive you and how they actually decode your actions. Why practical human wisdom beats rigid, cookie-cutter leadership theories every single time. How to build psychological safety in remote or hybrid teams by intentional effort toward creating a sense of us. Why admitting you do not have all the answers creates stronger solutions from your entire team. How active listening serves as a foundational superpower containing humility, curiosity, and respect. Why processing information rather than just hearing it transforms surface conversations into real connection. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: 03:26 The Origin of Corner Office: Asking CEOs About Their Childhoods 05:54 The Three Opening Questions That Uncover Real Vulnerability 10:25 Indicators of Success: Why Early Adversity Drives High Achievers 15:10 Unpacking Sibling Order, Family Expectations, and Leadership Traits 17:39 Deprogramming Control Freak Tendencies to Avoid Burnout 25:46 Starting at the Bottom: Adam’s 30-Year Journey in Journalism 29:27 The Pivot to Executive Mentoring at ExCo Leadership Group 31:09 Why Most Cookie-Cutter Leadership Theories Fail in Practice 37:44 The Dual Challenge of Modern Leadership: Authenticity and Pressure 41:39 Navigating Hybrid Work Culture and Building Real Team Connection 51:42 The Underrated Leadership Superpower: Active Listening Meet Adam Bryant Adam Bryant is a veteran journalist, author, speaker, and Senior Managing Director and Partner at The ExCo Group. Across his 30-year career in journalism, including two stints at The New York Times, he interviewed more than 1,000 CEOs and board directors and created the renowned Corner Office column. He has authored four books on leadership, including The Corner Office and The CEO Test, focusing on practical, actionable insights for modern leaders navigating complex human dynamics. ✨ Connect with Adam Bryant Website: excoleadership.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adambryantleadership Books: The CEO Test, The Corner Office, Quick and Nimble, Jump-Start Your Career ✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer: Website: hijimfielding.com ♥️ Instagram:@hijimfielding LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimfielding Podcast: Ask For An Answer, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify Subscribe to Ask for an Answer on your favorite platform, and leave a review to help us bring you more honest, unscripted conversations! #LeadershipPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #Resilience #ExecutiveCoaching #ActiveListening

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