‘Your Career, Unscripted’: How A Podcast Came To Life

Hello there! You might know me from my other articles on Poets&Quants. If not, allow me to introduce myself. I made a significant pivot from a BFA in Musical Theater to an MBA from Columbia, and now I work in media and tech research and strategy through my own consulting company.

Over the years, I’ve received invaluable career advice from hundreds of generous individuals (you know who you are), and that kindness has inspired me to pay it forward — through career coaching, writing, and speaking to students and professionals about navigating their career journeys.

After writing three articles for Poets&Quants in the last year (see them here, here, and here), I began receiving daily messages from people seeking career advice. Many were experiencing struggles similar to my own — whether it was pivoting careers, entering new industries, or navigating the daunting landscape of early career challenges. I hopped on countless calls with students, recent grads, and early career professionals to share advice, help, and a listening ear. So many times during these calls, I wished I had more resources to share with them. I deeply believe that learning from different backgrounds and experiences is truly the only way to grow.

FINDING A PODCAST PARTNER 

That’s when I realized: the interviews I was already conducting could become that resource. And so, I decided to start a podcast, Your Career, Unscripted, to share the incredible wisdom and insights from the generous and accomplished people I’ve been fortunate to know. I wanted to create a platform where we could help young people build fulfilling careers, feel less lost, find their passions, and learn about leadership — all within the dynamic and evolving landscapes of tech, immersive media, and gaming (the industries I know best!).

But I didn’t want to do this alone. I wanted to collaborate with an organization that not only aligned with this mission but could also amplify these stories to a broader audience. That’s when I connected with Texas Immersive Institute, a leading voice in immersive storytelling and technology. I’m incredibly proud to announce that I’ve joined Texas Immersive as an Industry Explorer, and together, we launched Your Career, Unscripted on August 20.

Texas Immersive Institute, part of the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication, is dedicated to equipping the next generation with the skills and insights to build meaningful careers in emerging media fields. Their mission to bridge industry and academia aligns seamlessly with the goals of the podcast, and their innovative use of immersive technologies enhances how we tell stories​​. By partnering with Texas Immersive, the podcast offers an engaging way to share the career journeys and leadership lessons of some of the most creative and prestigious leaders in tech, media, and gaming.

THE FIRST EPISODE

In Episode 1, we had the privilege of hosting Shawn Layden, former chairman of PlayStation Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment, and upcoming episodes will feature thought leaders across immersive media, tech, and entertainment industries. The podcast will release on the first and third Tuesday of every month, and will also spotlight recent grads to bridge the gap between early career professionals and seasoned leaders. By sharing a diverse range of voices, we hope to inspire listeners to carve out their career paths with confidence and creativity​​.

Episode 1: Your Career, Unscripted: Shawn Layden, Sony

At its core, Your Career, Unscripted is about sharing knowledge and fostering a community that learns from diverse experiences. This show was born out of an authentic desire to give back — so if you want some career inspiration, we hope you find it here. If it isn’t clear by now I believe in doing things your way, defining success based on your unique values and experiences, and creating a career that makes YOU happy. That looks different for everyone and it certainly looks different for me and the amazing women I’m collaborating with at Texas Immersive Institute.

I hope you’ll find inspiration from our conversations, and if you ever want to connect or need career advice, I’m always just a message away.

Jane Bernhard is the host and creator of Your Career, Unscripted and a TXI Industry Explorer. She spent her early career as a television and theater actor, before pivoting to get her MBA from Columbia Business School. She has interviewed hundreds of CEOs and executives at top tech, media, and gaming companies. She has recently been published by CNN Opinion, Poets&Quants, and The Austin Chronicle. The Texas Immersive Institute is part of The University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication, offering a project-based curriculum that emphasizes audience engagement, experiential storytelling, and human-centered design, preparing students to tackle real-world challenges across industries.

Find Your Career, Unscripted on all major podcast platforms:

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Watch Episode 1 on YouTube