What does winning look when work is full of paradoxes?

Today I’m joined by my friend and longtime mentor of more than 20 years, Patrick Jones, a builder at heart and one of the most multidimensional creative leaders I know.

Patrick’s career has been spent at the intersection of education, media, and workforce innovation, helping people and organizations adapt to what’s next.

He’s a professor, consultant, and public servant, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Investments for LACERA, where he helps steward over 85 billion dollars in assets for the largest pension fund in the country.

His path includes 25 years in management consulting, as well as faculty, and co-op leadership positions at Northeastern University.

He has also produced branded content and media projects for Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, and Nike, and his first documentary film, The Journey, about the power of asking for help, won the South by Southwest Documentary Award and received numerous other accolades.

Patrick embodies what we talk about so often on The Afternoon Shift: the belief that creativity, openness, and connection are the real levers for career growth and impact.

In this conversation, he shares how to play the inside-out game: how to stay open when uncertainty feels overwhelming, how to notice the signals others miss, and how to prepare for the moment when it’s time to take your shot.

This episode feels like a conversation with a great coach, part philosophy, part practicality, and all heart.

Dive in and explore how creative leaders like Patrick turn paradox into possibility.

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Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/patrickjonesmba
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Host: Brady Sadler

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Show Art: Kyle Mosher