I could not be more excited to kick off this podcast with Shawn Layden, former Chairman of PlayStation Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment and former CEO of SIE America. I knew I wanted to start this podcast off with a guest who had an incredibly interesting career and someone who was kind, empathetic, and dedicated to giving back to younger generations. Shawn is all of those things and more.

🎮 Not only has he been a top Executive at one of the most interesting companies in the world, but he has dedicated much of his time to supporting young girls in gaming, and is a founding board member of the Girls Make Games Scholarship Fund.

💭 Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a CEO? Wondered how a leader balances stress with inspiration, and pressure with responsibility? Listen in as Shawn discusses his incredible career journey, how he learns from failure, his most proud and his most challenging moments, imposter syndrome (everyone has it), what leadership is, and of course so much career advice for young people hoping to make a career in gaming and entertainment, alongside his best tips on negotiation and storytelling.

🛣 So many young people coming out of school are afraid of what is to come - and I think this episode will help those people know that that feeling is common and universal - hear it from one of the most successful people in the entertainment industry.

📖 Shawn is honest and vulnerable and talks about whether if he could do his career over again, he would probably do parts of it differently.

💪 Shawn is a testament to a growth mindset and embracing new challenges. I continue to learn a lot from him, and I hope you will too!

🙏 Thank you Shawn for your support and for (again) being so incredibly generous with your time and insights - and for your insanely high level of humility, self awareness, humor, and storytelling ability. I hope this episode reaches as many people as possible and gives hope to anyone feeling lost in their career, or anyone who wants to move into leadership someday.

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