New Podcast 'The Messy Parts' Launches to Challenge the Myth of Perfect Success

While social media feeds overflow with‬‭ polished success stories, a new‬ ‭ podcast is asking: what if the biggest career breakthroughs come from the moments we’re least‬‭ likely to share? The Messy Parts, launching June 9th, cuts through the highlight reel to explore‬‭ the raw, unfiltered reality behind achievement.‬

Host Maryam Banikarim, a powerhouse executive with 20+ years in the C-Suite at Nextdoor,‬‭ Hyatt, NBC Universal, and Univision, created the show after growing tired of the facade. “I’ve‬ ‭been 'successful’ by most measures, and it’s messy as hell,” says Banikarim. “There are days‬ ‭even the people who 'have it all’ can barely get out of bed. We want listeners to know they’re not‬‭ losing their minds alone.”

What Makes This Different:‬

• Candid conversations revealing never-before-heard stories behind influential careers‬
• Maryam’s unique lens as someone who’s “been through it”
• Access to high-powered guests willing to share their most vulnerable moments‬
• Actionable insights for navigating career pivots, setbacks, and recovery‬ ‬ ‭The podcast arrives as 70% of professionals actively seek career change and 78% of those‬ under 40 are reassessing their paths. Traditional career advice focuses on success stories, but‬ professionals need honest conversations about failure, pivots, and what it really takes to bounce‬‭ back.‬

‭The premiere episode features Katie Sturino, founder of Megababe, discussing building a‬ ‭self-funded brand, the real struggles behind Instagram gloss, and how “letting the messy parts‬ ‭hang out” became her superpower.‬ ‭ “The Messy Parts” launches with intimate 35-minute conversations recorded at historic‬ ‭Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center, available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all‬ ‭major platforms.‬