Pivot, Passion, and Partnership: Building a Life and Business That Matters

Most people start businesses chasing freedom—but end up trapped by fear, burnout, or loneliness. In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to succeed.
I sit down with Brian Burke, founder and CEO of Food First Travel, who shares the hard-earned lessons behind multiple career pivots, building a business with his spouse, and creating transformational client experiences through food and culture. From caddying as a teenager to launching a high-end concierge travel company, Brian’s story is a masterclass in resilience, partnership, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Whether you’re thinking about leaving your corporate job, scaling your business, or just trying to find more meaning in your work—this episode is for you.

🚀 Top 3 Leadership Takeaways:
✔️ Why fear leads to regret—and how to use it as fuel instead of a roadblock
✔️ How to build a thriving business with your spouse without losing yourself
✔️ Why shared experiences (not sales tactics) are the ultimate relationship builder

⏳ Timestamps & Key Sections:
00:00 – Intro: What If Success Isn’t a Straight Line?
Engagement prompt: Have you ever made a career pivot that changed your life?
02:00 – From Basketball to Business: Brian’s Unlikely Entrepreneurial Path
How a failed coaching dream sparked a life of business innovation
09:00 – Resilience, Risk, and the Power of the Pivot
Why every leader needs to reframe failure and embrace the unknown
14:00 – Building a Business with Your Life Partner
The real challenges and advantages of co-creating a mission with your spouse
19:00 – Fear vs. Regret: The Decision Every Entrepreneur Must Face
What to do when your gut says go, but fear says no
28:00 – Breaking the Myths of Entrepreneurship
Why being your own boss is harder—and more rewarding—than it looks
34:00 – Shared Tables, Deeper Trust: The Power of Experience-Based Leadership
Why food, conversation, and human connection outperform masterminds
42:00 – What Is Food First Travel? And Why It Matters for Modern Leaders
How Brian and Angela Burke are designing transformational travel experiences that create connection, community, and clarity
46:00 – Final Wisdom: You Control Who You Know
Why expanding your network with integrity is the ultimate leadership move

🔥 Key Moments to Watch (No Timestamps, Just Teasers):
– The pivotal moment Brian realized he wasn’t meant to be a coach
– Why most entrepreneurs fail in public—and how to own it
– The surprising reason masterminds often fall short
– How Brian turned his wife’s pediatric therapy skills into a business superpower
– What trust really looks like when building a life and company together

🎙 Guest Introduction:
Brian Burke is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Food First Travel, a private concierge firm specializing in immersive culinary experiences across Europe and North America. With a background in sports management, higher ed fundraising, and edtech, Brian brings a refreshingly grounded view of entrepreneurship—and what it really takes to turn passion into purpose.
Meet Brian and Angela:
Angela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelatburke/
Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burkeenterprises/
Food First Travel: https://foodfirsttravel.com/

📢 Call to Action:
💬 What’s the biggest pivot you’ve made in your life or business? Drop a comment below!
👍 Like this episode if it gave you a new perspective
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Doland White is the host of The Next Interview—where bold leaders share the real stories behind business growth, empowered teams, and leadership breakthroughs. With over 40 years of experience as a CEO, advisor, and transformation coach, Doland brings a sharp eye for strategy and a deep belief in trust, autonomy, and accountability. His conversations cut through the noise to deliver insights that help leaders build confidence, scale results, and change lives.

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