LAUNCHING:
SYDNEY WEISS
Company:
Seek The Joy Podcast
THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
Lawyer, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Host & Executive Producer Seek The Joy Podcast
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
The first thing that I do every day when I wake up is meditate and journal. It’s such an important part of my daily routine and I really value that time in the morning. It’s also during that time that I get most of my creative ideas for future content and projects. In addition to the podcast I work full-time in Business and Legal Affairs, and most of my creative work is done in the evenings or on the weekends. On the weekends, I try and schedule all of my client calls and podcast recordings in the mornings. In the afternoons, I’m usually glued to my computer. You can find me editing podcast audio, crafting social media content, drafting blog posts, working on my poetry book, or scheduling content with strategic partners.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?
Since I was 12 years-old my dream was to be a lawyer. It’s pretty cool to be able to say I’ve achieved probably my biggest childhood dream. My path is a little unusual though. After planning to be a Prosecutor, in law school I realized that I didn’t want to practice law in the most traditional sense. That led me to working with non-profits and social impact initiatives in the areas of strategic development, partnerships, and developing infrastructure for new programs. It’s always been important for me to be part of something that is having a positive impact on our world, but it wasn’t until I launched Seek The Joy Podcast in September 2017 that I started to really understand what that would look like. I’m passionate about changing the world through creating connection and community, and I want to do this through producing media and content that resonates and inspires. It’s my dream to work in entertainment and production, and the opportunity to provide a platform and a space to share our stories of vulnerability and courage through Seek The Joy Podcast has been incredible. Working in intentional media is the direction I see my career going, and I wouldn’t have known that if it weren’t for my podcast.
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
BA Social Sciences, USC
JD, Pepperdine University School of Law
Licensed to practice law in California
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Stay open and flexible and don’t be afraid to make changes along the way. As we grow and evolve, so will everything around us and that’s okay!
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
Savannah Guthrie is one of my biggest role models and I’m so inspired by her successful transition from law to creating a life and a career that she loves in media and broadcast journalism. Plus, she’s an author, wife, and mother, she’s relatable, kind, and her presence on The Today Show is undeniable. To me, Savannah is proof that if you stay true to who you are, your passions, and the type of impact that you want to have in the world - anything is possible.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
I love the collaborative team environment, the opportunity to grow and expand my skillset, and learn from some pretty incredible people. I can honestly say that I learn something new every day, and I’m so grateful for that.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
Right now, there really isn’t anything that I would change. I went from working remotely to working in an office and that’s definitely been an adjustment, but I like the fact that every day is different.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
I see myself working in entertainment and content creation, working on big projects and initiatives that are having a positive social impact on our world. I see Seek The Joy Podcast and its community growing a lot in five years too. My biggest goal is to share the podcast and its message with as many people as I can. From in-person events and workshops to meaningful conversations, I honestly can’t wait to see what the next five years will bring.
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
I definitely do feel that I can be the same person at work and in private. It’s been so important for me to be myself no matter where I am or who I’m with.
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
At Seek The Joy Podcast I’m a one-woman show but I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to collaborate and consult with a lot of female-owned and female-run companies. They’re all incredible, passionate, driven, hard-working, kind, and trailblazers. I’m so grateful for the example they set and everything that I’ve learned from them.
DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?
Diversity absolutely matters to me. On Seek The Joy Podcast, it’s really important for me to feature diverse voices from all backgrounds and walks of life. We all have a story that deserves to be heard and celebrated, and it’s my goal to share as many stories and conversations as I can.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
It’s a work in progress, but I’m getting better every day. I’m still learning how to balance a full-time position with the podcast, especially as it continues to grow. Creating structure and realistic deadlines has been huge in making sure that I have greater balance in my life. I’ve gotten a lot better at eliminating distractions, but it’s definitely been a process of trial and error.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
There are so many, but I would say being kind, authentic, empathetic, energetic, curious, giving, outspoken, proactive, solution-oriented, hard-working and creative are all key qualities in starting and running your own podcast, while also being a lawyer and an entrepreneur.
ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
Follow your joy and what lights you up, and don’t be afraid to change course. If I didn’t have the courage to follow my joy, I don’t know if I would be where I am today. I’ve fallen in love with sharing stories and connecting with this courageous, brave, and vulnerable community that we’re building together on Seek The Joy Podcast. Every conversation is honest, vulnerable, unique, uplifting and real. Life is a journey, we are constantly evolving, and I’m so grateful that Seek The Joy podcast reflects that. You really never know how your bravery, courage, and joy will inspire someone else to stand in their truth and share their story!