Leland+ Content Library

AMA with Liz C., former admissions director @ University of Houston Law Center [8/3/2026] (Recording)

If you're thinking about going to law school, you've likely got a TON of questions. While the application process is largely standardized across schools, not every admissions officer is going to have the same perspective, so it can be useful to hear from more than one. I was an assistant and associate director of admissions at the University of Houston Law Center for eight years, and my goal is to demystify the process for all applicants. Join me for an AMA-style office hours where you can bring your questions and we can chat about all things law school admissions!

Breaking into the Music Business [9/30/2026] (Recording)

This is a basic introduction to the structure, rights landscape, and revenue flow within the modern music business. We'll also cover some essential guidance if you are interested in pursuing a career as a music artist, a music executive in any area of the business, a songwriter, or a music producer. You'll leave with a clear understanding of how the music business works and how it has dramatically evolved in recent years. That understanding is essential to gain clarity on how you might fit, and the opportunities and challenges that exist in the business today.

How to Capitalize on a Coffee Chat [9/3/2026] (Recording)

Most people send a thank you note and never speak to that person again. The note was never the point. First rounds go to candidates someone inside is pushing, and one conversation almost never does that on its own. Most of the people I know who ended up at JP Morgan ran more than twenty of these. So the work is in what happens after. Write down what stuck the moment you hang up, because it fades faster than you think and the thank you note needs one specific detail in it. Then the ask, which is the last two minutes of the call and the entire reason the next two chats exist. Then the check in, which most people skip, and which is why they are not on anyone's radar in January. The other thing you are collecting is your own answers. The line you use in a February interview is usually something a banker volunteered in September, and you only have it if you wrote it down. What we'll cover: - What to write down the moment the call ends, and why the note needs one specific detail - The thank you email inside twenty four hours, and what actually earns a reply - Ending on the ask, and how to get the introduction made over email instead of just a name - The referral email, and why it is the easiest one you will ever send - Checking in later with something worth sending, and how to still be on a radar in January - How many chats per firm is normal, and why boutiques are different Want to get more out of the chats you are already having? Book a free 15-minute intro and we will talk through your networking situation. Part 6 of Coffee Chat Ready, a six part run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each one stands alone, so jump in anywhere. I'm the founder of OFFERGOBLIN and ex-Centerview tech.

Ask me anything: Job Searching in a Challenging Job Market [8/24/2026] (Recording)

The job market is challenging right now. Job searches are taking longer and old approaches aren't working the way they used to. It's a long game. So having the right mindset and strategies are even more important. In this "Ask me anything," we'll be talking about: - Job search mindset - Finding purpose - Job search networking - Thoughts for career pivoters - Avoiding burnout - Interview prep ... and any other job search topics that come up.

Home for Ambition #16 — Weekly Live Show [7/22/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, hosted by Leland CEO, John Koelliker, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Deferred MBA Application Overview Session [8/12/2026] (Recording)

Are you considering applying for a Deferred MBA program and unsure where to start? Join me, Noah, for an insightful session on navigating the Deferred MBA application process. With extensive experience in admissions at top institutions like the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to stand out in the competitive landscape of deferred MBA applications. During this session, we'll cover timelines, target schools, as well as tips & tricks for strengthening your application! Deferred MBA programs are competitive - put your application on the right track before applications open. Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or are ready to dive into the application process, this session will provide valuable insights to guide your journey. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you take the next step toward your MBA goals!

Before You Apply: The Foundation Every First-Time Graduate Applicant Needs [6/25/2026] (Recording)

You already have everything you need to apply to graduate school. What most first-time applicants are missing aren’t stronger credentials, a more impressive resume, or more time. It's actually the inner work — a clear, grounded foundation that addresses the most important questions in the graduate application process: 🔍 What do you actually want? 🔍 Why is graduate school the right next step? 🔍 And what are you passionate about? Without that foundation, even the most qualified applicants jump straight into researching programs and drafting essays, trying to sound impressive instead of sounding authentic. The result is an application that's technically fine, but not very compelling. Most graduate applicants write from the pressure to sound impressive. In trying to present a version of themselves they think admissions wants to see, they lose what makes them unique. Without a clear foundation, every draft, every decision— will be met with self-doubt and more confusion. This session is about taking a different approach. No outside noise. No external pressure. In this masterclass, you’ll learn how to slow down long enough to find what's actually true about your story: what you want, why it matters, and where you’re headed. You’ll learn how to say it in a way that actually sounds like you, not a performed version of you trying to meet expectations. After the session, you'll walk away with more clarity on your direction, more confidence in your story, how to identify the core themes in your narrative, and a foundation for an application that feels intentional, grounded, and real. In a sea of overly polished applications that all sound the same, authenticity will set you apart. By end of this masterclass, you’ll walk away with: ✨ A clear sense of whether graduate school is the right next step and why 💡 An understanding of what you’re actually looking for in a program beyond rankings and prestige 🌱 The foundation of your narrative — the story that already exists that your application should tell 📋 A simple framework for making decisions with intention and clarity

MBA Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [7/21/2026] (Recording)

Strong MBA essays are built through strategy and revision, not first drafts. In this live workshop, attendees will watch a real-time transformation of an underwhelming MBA essay into a far stronger and more compelling submission. Along the way, the session will unpack the strategic thinking behind each edit, illustrating how top applicants improve storytelling, structure, reflection, and differentiation throughout the drafting process.

You've Submitted, Now What? 5 Strategies for a Successful Application Year [10/13/2026] (Recording)

You’ve submitted your applications. Now what? The months that follow can be an exciting but also stressful time, filled with uncertainty, waiting, and plenty of wondering about what you should be doing next. Join Ellen and Melinda, health professions advisors with over 45 years of collective experience advising applicants for health professional schools. In this session, we’ll explore five strategies for making the most of your application year and discuss how to stay engaged and intentional while navigating the uncertainty of the process. You’ll come away with a clearer sense of what to focus on now, what you can control, and how to make the most of the months ahead. RSVP Today!

Think Like an AI Builder, Ship Like a Founder: A Practical Playbook for Building at Speed [9/17/2026] (Recording)

AI has compressed every stage of product work: research synthesis and idea drafting that used to take days now take an afternoon; prototypes that used to require an engineering team can be built solo before lunch; and the bar for what counts as a “good enough” AI feature has been rewritten entirely. We'll walk through what's actually changed at each stage (e.g., discovery, building, and evaluating), why judging an AI feature requires a different playbook than judging a traditional one, and what all of this means for how PMs and product-minded builders get hired and get ahead right now. TARGET AUDIENCE Current and aspiring product managers, and early-stage founders or builders, who want to use AI across the full arc of product development (from discovery through shipping) not just as a coding shortcut. No coding background required; the talk is built for people who make product decisions, not just people who implement them. WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES By the end of this session, you’ll: ● Walk away with a repeatable process for building and shipping fast, not just a list of tools to try later. ● Learn to tell a good AI feature from a lucky one, with a real evaluation framework you can use ● Get a head start on the new AI-era hiring bar for product roles

MBA Behavioral Interviews: How to Tell Stories That Stand Out [10/8/2026] (Recording)

"Tell me about a time you failed." "Describe a situation where you faced conflict." "Give me an example of your leadership." These questions sound straightforward, but choosing the right story and knowing how to tell it can make all the difference. Join Loubna Bouamane, former Director of MBA Admissions and founder of The Admission Concierge, for a practical session on mastering behavioral MBA interview questions. We'll explore how to select compelling examples, structure your answers, and demonstrate your impact without sounding rehearsed. Key Takeaways - Choose the right stories: Identify experiences that demonstrate leadership, resilience, teamwork, and self-awareness. - Structure compelling answers: Learn how to use the STAR method to communicate your actions, impact, and lessons learned. - Avoid common mistakes: Discover how to handle difficult questions about failure and conflict while keeping your answers authentic and memorable.

AI Made Accessible: Real Power for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses [9/25/2026] (Recording)

AI is no longer just for large companies with massive budgets and technical teams. Small and midsize businesses can now use AI to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and unlock new opportunities for growth. This session is for business owners and operators who want to move beyond the hype and understand how AI can create tangible value for their organization. You'll learn practical ways to identify high-impact use cases, choose the right opportunities, and start applying AI to real business problems. Join live to hear from an AI expert who specializes in helping clients harness AI to achieve measurable business outcomes. The speaker will share practical examples, actionable frameworks, and strategies for turning AI from an interesting technology into a useful part of your business. Bring your questions and leave with ideas you can start applying right away.

Make Every Optional Essay and Addendum Count [8/5/2026] (Recording)

Optional essays and addenda can have a significant impact on your law school application, but many applicants either overlook them or miss the opportunity to use them strategically. This session is for aspiring law students who want to strengthen every part of their application and make each supplemental response work in their favor. You'll learn when to write an optional essay or addendum, what admissions committees are looking for, and how to use these materials to reinforce your overall candidacy. Join live to hear from a law school admissions expert with a Columbia Law JD who understands how strong supplemental materials can elevate an application. The speaker will share practical writing strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and real examples of what makes optional essays and addenda truly effective. Expect actionable guidance you can immediately apply to submit a stronger, more polished application.

Career Breakthrough Masterclass [6/17/2026] (Recording)

🔓 Corporate Hiring Secrets Uncovered Do you want the unvarnished truth? The most qualified candidate rarely gets the corporate job. The candidate who knows how to package their value does. To dismantle these systemic roadblocks, I am partnering with international executive resume writer and career strategist Andrew Stoner for the Career Breakthrough Masterclass on June 17 on the following: 1. Resume & LinkedIn Architecture: Build a bulletproof profile and high-impact narrative that instantly captures global decision-makers. 2. Elite Personal Branding: Master the executive presence and strategic positioning needed to command top-tier rooms. 3. The Interview Process: Learn the exact storytelling frameworks to confidently navigate and dominate high-stakes conversations. Meet Your Hosts Sarika Puri is a Career Strategist with nearly two decades of global HR leadership and executive hiring experience at top firms like Spencer Stuart, Lenskart, and BYJU’S. She uses her deep insider knowledge of the hiring table to help ambitious professionals conquer imposter syndrome, master executive presence, and land top-tier roles. Andrew Stoner is an International Executive Career Coach with over 20 years of experience shaping personal brands and crafting over 500 elite resumes for corporate leaders. He specializes in transforming complex career histories into powerful storytelling frameworks and bulletproof LinkedIn profiles that instantly hook global decision-makers. Together, we are exposing the friction points between elite document architecture and the cold realities of the executive hiring room. Join us live on June 17 at 8:00 PM IST / 10:30 AM EDT for this high-value, 90-minute intensive session, complete with a live Q&A and a full recording provided afterwards. Register immediately by clicking on the link in this event and follow this space for more.

Stop Memorizing Frameworks: How to Build a Structure That's Actually Specific to [7/17/2026] (Recording)

The first few minutes of a case interview reveal more than most candidates realize. A weak opening signals that you don't have a structure. A scripted opening signals that you're not actually thinking. As a former BCG interviewer and Ross peer coach, I've watched both play out dozens of times, and I know exactly what interviewers are evaluating. This session is about building a case opening that's structured, specific, and sounds like you. Why the opening matters more than candidates think and what interviewers are actually assessing -The difference between having a structure and reciting a framework, and why interviewers can tell immediately -What a confident, specific case opening and framework sound like vs. what most candidates do A Repeatable Approach to Structuring Any Case in Real Time: You shouldn't be memorizing issue trees. You should be building them. -What to do in the 30–45 seconds of thinking time before you speak (and why most candidates waste them) -How to build a structure that's specific to the prompt in front of you rather than pulled from a template -How to adjust when the case type isn't immediately obvious Live Walkthrough: Watch the approach applied to a real case prompt from opening to structure.

How to plan 30-60-90 days in a new role : Onboard With Confidence [9/9/2026] (Recording)

You will learn the Do's and Don'ts to approach the first 90 days at a new role. Walk away with high level strategies to nail your onboarding. I will be walking you through on how you can set goals that feel achievable without feeling overwhelmed and win trust of your Managers and stakeholders. You will also walk away with a free playbook (30-60-90 days) that you can start using immediately in your new role.

Getting into the Most Competitive International MBA Programs [8/28/2026] (Recording)

The world's top international MBA programs look for more than impressive resumes. They seek applicants who demonstrate leadership, global perspective, and a compelling reason for pursuing an MBA abroad. This session is for prospective MBA applicants who want to strengthen their candidacy for highly competitive international business schools. You'll learn what distinguishes successful applicants, how admissions expectations differ across top global programs, and the strategies that can help your application stand out. Join live to hear from two MBA admissions experts with MBAs from the University of Oxford who have helped applicants navigate the international admissions process. They'll share practical application strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and firsthand insights into what top international MBA programs are looking for. Expect actionable guidance you can immediately apply as you prepare your applications.

Should I Reapply This Cycle? I'm So Confused! [7/24/2026] (Recording)

Feeling uncertain about whether to reapply to dental school this cycle? Join me for an insightful session where we'll tackle this common dilemma together. With decades of experience in prehealth advising and admissions, including my role as Director of Admissions at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, and Assistant Dean at both Fordham University and Columbia University, I've guided countless applicants through the complexities of the dental school application process. Whether you're considering reapplying with the same material, or retooling your whole application, this session will provide you with the clarity and confidence you need to make informed decisions.

Mixtures and Weighted Averages with the Number Line Trick [8/13/2026] (Recording)

Come join this session to learn a very clearcut method for deciphering the most. complicated Mixture problems. I'll show you all the different variations of Mixture problems and how to tackle each type.

PhD Applications: How to Identify Faculty Fit and Reach Out Strategically [9/24/2026] (Recording)

We'll cover: How to identify genuine research fit beyond simply matching keywords How many potential advisors you should identify at each program How to find out whether a professor is actually taking students When you should—and shouldn't—contact faculty before applying How to write a faculty outreach email that is specific without sounding transactional How to interpret responses like “I encourage you to apply,” “admissions are handled by the committee,” or no response at all How funding and faculty availability can affect your school list How to discuss faculty fit effectively in your Statement of Purpose What to do when your ideal professor isn't accepting students