Strategy Simplified
Strategy Simplified demystifies the consulting industry and helps listeners land their dream job in management consulting. Hosted by the expert team at Management Consulted, the world's largest resource for consulting news and interview prep, each episode covers interview preparation, case study techniques, networking strategies, and industry trends. The podcast offers actionable advice, insider tips, and real-life success stories for anyone looking to break into consulting.
Episodes
S24E11: Inside Private Equity Consulting: AI Bets, Harder Exits, and Real Diligence
Send us Fan MailA private equity firm bought a paint company. Turned out their sales reps were handing out 50% discounts to any contractor who asked nicely.That's the kind of blind spot 3 PE leaders talk through in this episode – what actually happens once a private equity deal gets underway.Carl Evander (OC&C), Sean McDevitt (Arthur D. Little), and Dave Clement (Simon-Kucher) break down
S24E10: The Toothbrush Test: Why Most Case Frameworks Fail at MBB
Send us Fan MailIf your case framework doesn't pass the toothbrush test, it's too generic for McKinsey, Bain, and BCG.Ex-Bain coach Abi Chen walks through the toothbrush test, the 3 mistakes that cost most candidates their offer, and the 4-step process to build strong frameworks.Finally, she walks through two full framework examples – an M&A case and a pharma product launch.Resources
S24E9: Inside a Bates White Economic Consulting Case Interview
Send us Fan MailBates White let us inside a real economic consulting case interview.Annie Olecki, a senior consultant in Bates White's antitrust practice, ran a live case interview with a volunteer from the MC community. And economic consulting cases don't look like the strategy cases at McKinsey or Bain.The case: a phone manufacturer suing its battery suppliers for price-fixing. The can
S24E8: Private Equity Consulting Firms Have a Sameness Problem
Send us Fan MailNamaan talked to dozens of PE practice leaders for our 2026 ranking. Almost every one said the same three things: 1) Cross-practice integration. 2) Strategy through execution. 3) Deep sector expertise. Strip the logo off 7 of 10 firms and you can't tell them apart. That's the sameness problem.And it's expensive. Sponsors stop evaluating and default to relationships,
S24E7: MBA Case Prep in 2–4 Weeks: An Ex-Bain Interviewer's Plan
Send us Fan MailMost 2nd-year MBA candidates have 2 to 4 weeks to get case interview-ready this cycle, not the usual 6 to 8.More cases won't close that gap for McKinsey, Bain, and BCG.Former Bain interviewer and LBS MBA Mitali Jalan compressed her prep into under 4 weeks and landed her offer. This session is her plan for doing it on a short runway.The fix isn't more volume. It's kno
S24E6: McKinsey Solve Game 2026: What It Is and How to Prepare
Send us Fan MailMcKinsey screens candidates with a video game – McKinsey Solve – before they ever see a case interview. Most candidates either try to copy other people's answers or panic because they don't know what it's measuring.So here's the breakdown: what Solve is, what McKinsey is testing for inside it, and how to approach it.The answer isn't Solve-specific prep. It&
S24E5: McKinsey Case Interview Example: Electric Truck Market Entry
Send us Fan MailGeorge Cary spent five years as a McKinsey EM. In this live case, he coaches candidate Harvey through a real McKinsey market entry study: should a diesel truck manufacturer build and sell electric trucks.Harvey builds a framework, runs the full cost-of-ownership math, and lands a final recommendation. George pauses after every section to break down good vs. great in real time.You&a
S24E4: She Bombed MBB Her First Try – Then Landed 2 Offers the Next Time
Send us Fan MailSharon had everything going for her. Top-tier MBA. MBB interview invites across the board. She'd done 50–60 cases – but didn't make it past a single first round.What held her back wasn't her profile. It was her approach.So she came back the next year when the stakes were even higher. This time, she did it differently – and landed McKinsey and Bain.Katie breaks down w
S24E3: 3 Questions That Kill Your Case Interview Opening
Send us Fan Mail"Any other objectives?" sounds polite. But in a case interview opening, it costs you points.Namaan breaks down the 3 questions that kill candidates in the first 2 minutes of a case.The case opening is the first section that gets scored. And it's nearly identical every single time.So if there's one part of the case you can walk in ready for, it's this one. G
S24E2: How Consulting Firms Really Score Case Interviews
Send us Fan MailYou can nail every case you practice and still get rejected.That's because firms aren't grading you on vibes. McKinsey scores you piece by piece – opening, structure, math, brainstorming, closing. Other firms use 3 buckets instead: structure, problem solving, communication.Either way, a 4 out of 4 in math won't save a 1 out of 4 in brainstorming. Firms want you solid
S24E1: The Hottest Consulting Sectors to Target in 2026
Send us Fan MailMcKinsey is making 12% more hires this year than last. But the jobs aren't going to the same profile of candidate.Energy and utilities is projected to grow 11% in 2026 – one of the least sexy practices in consulting, and one of the hottest right now. Healthcare, private equity, and consumer/retail are all shifting too.If you're aiming at the wrong sector or the wrong skil
S23E30: Why Retail Consulting Firms Are Losing Market Share
Send us Fan MailConsumer and retail consulting used to be one market. Now it's 4.Each lane pulls a different lever – growth, margin, or talent. Firms that used to compete on "we do consumer and retail" are getting picked apart by specialists who can prove which lever they actually move.In this episode of The Briefing, Japheth sits down with Namaan to break down the 4 lanes reshaping
S23E29: How to Build Business Acumen for Consulting
Send us Fan MailBuilding business judgment is learnable – most candidates just go about it the wrong way.Tauseef Charanya spent 10 years at BCG, conducted over 300 case interviews, and coached hundreds of candidates through the process. In this episode, he explains what business acumen actually looks like in a case interview, why work experience alone doesn't build it, and the 4 layers you ne
S23E28: How to Use AI in Case Prep (And How Not To)
Send us Fan MailUsing AI for case prep? For most candidates, it's costing them the offer.McKinsey and Bain are already grading how you use AI in interviews this cycle.Most candidates ask AI for answers, skip the hypothesis, and accept whatever it hands back. That skips the exact skill firms are testing: how you think through a problem, not just the answer you get to.In this episode, Namaan br
S23E27: Former BCG Consultant Runs a Live Higher Education Case Interview
Send us Fan MailThis episode is presented by Bates White, one of the world's top economic consulting firms. If you're an undergraduate rising junior (Class of 2028), Bates White internship applications open in August. Learn more.Consulting firms are moving towards non-traditional cases. They want to see if you can think, not just if you've memorized a framework. This one is a BCG-st
S23E26: Everyone Thinks AI Is Killing Consulting. The Data Says the Opposite
Send us Fan MailEveryone assumes AI is eating consulting alive – demand shrinking, firms pulling back. That's the narrative. The data from our July Consulting Market Outlook says something else entirely.In this episode of The Briefing, Japheth sits down with Namaan to unpack what's actually happening in the market right now. Demand is up. The bottleneck isn't leads or RFPs – it&apos
S23E25: BCG HireQuotient: What It Is, How It's Scored, and How to Pass It
Send us Fan MailBCG's HireQuotient Online Assessment is the Online Case – same test, new platform.Katie – MC's Black Belt Advisor and ex-BCG – breaks down what's on it, how it's scored, and the thing that fails candidates outright.We walk through a live demo so you can see the mechanics before BCG sends you the real thing. Finish in time, prioritize fast, rule things out. And w
S23E24: Consumer & Retail Consulting in 2026 – What the Top Firms Are Watching
Send us Fan MailThe consumer and retail consulting market is fragmenting. Specialists are winning deals that used to go to the big firms – and the clients driving that shift aren't going back.2 partners from this year's Top Consumer & Retail Consulting Firms ranking break it down. Keith Fogerty from Advancy and Shikha Jain from Simon-Kucher share what's actually happening in the
S23E23: The Unsexy Habit That Landed Him a BCG Offer
Send us Fan MailBruno had every disadvantage on paper: international student, non-target school, three internships that didn't add up to one clear story.He didn't let it hold him back, landing a full-time offer at BCG.In this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie – MC's Black Belt Advisor – breaks down what got Bruno there. Spoiler: it wasn't more cases. It was a plan he s
S23E22: Case Interviews Got Harder at MBB in 2026 – Here's What Changed
Send us Fan MailEvery McKinsey interviewee last year got at least 1 non-traditional case. Most candidates are still only prepping for standard business cases.Namaan breaks down what's actually different about case interviews in 2026, and it's not just the case types.McKinsey is piloting an AI-enabled interview round. Bain's also adding one this summer. The bar on communication and p
S23E21: The Real Driver Behind the Energy Consulting Boom
Send us Fan MailEnergy consulting grew in line with the market for a decade. Flat. Unremarkable. Nobody paid attention.That changed. The market's now projected to grow 11% in 2026, and leverage for candidates with ops or technical backgrounds is higher than at any point in recent history.In this episode of The Briefing, Japheth sits down with Namaan to break down what's driving the boom.
S23E20: The 4 Case Prep Gaps Costing You the Offer
Send us Fan MailThe reality of MBB recruiting: 100 candidates apply. 15 get an interview. 1 gets the offer.Most of the 99 who don't get it aren't underqualified. They just had a bad plan.Kabreya Ghaderi, who coached hundreds of candidates and spent time at McKinsey, PwC, and Bridgespan, sees strong candidates still miss because their prep plan has a hole in it they can't see from th
S23E19: BCG Case Interview – Solar Energy Revenue Decline
Send us Fan MailIsh Mawla ran a BCG case in front of a live audience. Real candidate, real pressure.The case: a solar company in an emerging market watching its revenue fall while the broader market keeps growing. Aditya has to figure out why – and what to do about it.Then Ish breaks down the whole thing – what Aditya did well and where he left points on the table.Here's what stood out:Why yo
S23E18: 5 Candidates Share What Actually Got Them MBB Offers
Send us Fan Mail5 people just landed offers at McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, and L.E.K. We got them all in one room and asked them the same question: what actually worked?The real stuff – how many cases they did, how they networked, what they wish they'd done differently, and the misconceptions that almost cost them.Aisha did 50 cases her first recruiting cycle and didn't get the offer.
S23E17: Ex-Bain Interviewer Shares What Gets You Hired at Bain
Send us Fan MailMitali Jalan was told she couldn't break into consulting as a chartered accountant. She was told it was unlikely she'd land Bain as an international MBA student. She got the offers anyway.She worked at Deloitte India and Bain London, then sat on the other side of the table as a Bain interviewer. She's coached over 350 candidates and knows where people lose the offer.
S23E16: How AI is Disrupting the Consulting Model | Arda Ecevit, Ex-Bain & NexStrat AI Founder
Send us Fan MailEvery week we hear the same question from candidates: Is AI going to gut consulting before I can break in?Short answer: No.Longer answer: The model is changing fast, and you need to know what's shifting and what isn't.Arda Ecevit spent over 13 years at Deloitte, Strategy&, and Bain before co-founding NexStrat AI. He sat down with Namaan to talk about what AI is doing
S23E15: He Quit His Job to Break Into Consulting
Send us Fan MailWalter applied to consulting out of undergrad and didn't get an offer. Went into investment banking, got another shot a year and a half later, and still wasn't ready – too busy, not focused enough, cramming at the last minute.So he quit his job to recruit full time.That's an extreme version of the lesson, but the lesson applies to anyone working full time while tryin
S23E14: Ex-BCG Principal: Why 22 Cases Beat 100 (And What Actually Gets Offers)
Send us Fan MailBCG interviews typically start 3–4 weeks after the application deadline – and deadlines are here. Tauseef Charanya spent 10 years at BCG – half consulting, half building AI products globally. He's done 300+ interviews and has seen strong candidates miss offers for the same reasons, over and over.In this episode, he breaks down the 3 mistakes that hurt otherwise solid BCG candi
S23E13: How to Crush Your First 90 Days in Consulting
Send us Fan MailMost new consultants walk in with work style blind spots they can't see – and their managers notice before they do.In this episode, Namaan – COO of Management Consulted – breaks down his framework for owning your first 90 days in consulting: how to identify your blind spots, read your manager, and carry yourself like someone who's been doing this for years.You'll lea
S23E12: Energy Consulting Is Exploding – 3 Insiders Break Down Why
Send us Fan MailEnergy consulting is growing 11% this year – the fastest-growing sector in consulting.AI data centers are eating power faster than the grid can supply, the energy transition is still underway, and nobody has a clean answer for how to do both at once.3 insiders from MC's 2026 energy ranking join the show: Sean Jump (dss+), Charlie Sorensen (BearingPoint), and Michael Einstein (
S23E11: 400 Bain Resumes Reviewed – 3 Mistakes She Saw Every Time
Send us Fan MailMaile Dyer reviewed 400+ resumes as a Bain Manager. She was on the recruiting team, making the decisions on who got interviews.And she kept seeing the same 3 mistakes: structure, content, and formatting. Most candidates miss at least one. A lot of them miss all 3 — and they never find out why they never heard back.In this episode, Maile breaks down each mistake and tells you exactl
S23E10: BCG Revamped the CCA – An Ex-BCG Consultant Breaks It Down
Send us Fan MailBCG just updated its Consulting Career Assessment (CCA) and most candidates approach it the wrong way.In this episode, Katie – ex-BCG, Black Belt Advisor at Management Consulted – breaks down the revamped CCA across each section, so you know what to expect.What most candidates miss: this isn't just a math test. BCG is measuring who you are and whether you are consistent in you
S23E9: The 5 Places Consultants Go After MBB
Send us Fan MailEveryone wonders what comes after consulting, but the exits aren't talked about.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae (ex-Bain) breaks down the 5 most common exit paths – and why consulting opens more doors than almost any other career move.Resources:Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)Create a free MC account to access foundational resources and
S23E8: Bain First Round Case: Luxury Helicopter Manufacturer Profitability Decline
Send us Fan MailSebastian is a Purdue junior with Bain interviews coming up. He ran a full first-round Bain case live – and after every section, coach Mitali stopped and told him exactly what worked and what he missed.Mitali spent 5 years in consulting, including as a senior consultant at Bain in London. She's coached 350+ people into MBB and used to interview candidates herself – so she know
S23E7: 30 Cases Wasn't Enough for MBB
Send us Fan MailHe got McKinsey and Bain interviews and practiced 30 cases with friends – but didn't make it past round 1.Overconfident Ollie is a target school student with every reason to be confident. He joined Black Belt, made a plan – then mostly went at it alone. His KPI was cases completed and when MBB's first round came, his floor wasn't high enough.Katie and Japheth break d
S23E6: Steel Industry to McKinsey: What Most MBAs Get Wrong
Send us Fan MailDaniel went from steel and automotive to McKinsey. His path wasn't conventional – and neither was his networking strategy.Instead of casting a wide net, he built 2 deep relationships at the firm – mentors who helped him at every stage. This episode breaks down what worked – and what the standard MBA playbook gets wrong.Why 2 deep relationships beat 30 surface connections in co
S23E5: The Summer Prep Window MBAs Miss – And How to Use It
Send us Fan MailOnly 19% of McKinsey's new hires today are MBAs. In the mid-90s, that number was over 80%.The # of spots available for MBAs is shrinking – the competition isn't.MC coach Catherine Lee – ex-Deloitte, ex-BCG, Harvard MBA – breaks down 3 mistakes that sink most incoming MBAs before they ever reach an interview:Starting too late (fall semester is already too late)Treating pre
S23E4: How Experienced Hires Break Into MBB: A Proven 4-Step System
Send us Fan MailLaura Ackermann once worked with a hospital executive in his 50s – years of running a mid-sized US hospital – who wanted to apply for McKinsey's Associate position.She was outraged.Not at him – at how common the pattern is. Experienced hires undervalue what they've built. They apply too low. Skip networking because it feels uncomfortable. Wait to start case prep because t
S23E3: Bain's Up or Out Culture – What They Tell You (And What They Don't)
Send us Fan MailBain told Jenny Rae on day 1 she'd be pushed out if she didn't perform. What they conveniently left out: almost everybody meets the bar.Up or out isn't the brutal filter most people fear. In the early years, it's a deliberate scare tactic. The real pressure comes later, when you have to cross from analytical work into managing.In this episode of Consulting Unpac
S23E2: McKinsey Market Entry Case: Why the Right Answer Wasn't Enough
Send us Fan MailKunal ran the numbers. Modern pizza wins on absolute profit and payback period.Then he flagged it: you're projecting nearly 200 pizzas a day for a restaurant that hasn't opened yet. That's the instinct that separates good from great.This is a full McKinsey case in the restaurant industry, led by Mark Di Giorgio (ex-McKinsey Toronto). Kunal works through a New York pi
S23E1: Consulting Has Changed in 20 Years – But Not in the Ways You Think
Send us Fan MailJenny Rae joined Bain in 2005. At McKinsey that year, consultants were home 3 nights a week – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. That was considered acceptable.Today, consulting looks different. But maybe not in the ways you'd assume.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the 4 real shifts she's tracked over 20 years inside and alongside the industry –
S22E30: The Real Skill Consulting Actually Teaches You
Send us Fan MailMost people think consulting trains you in industries or analytics.That's not the real advantage.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the skill consultants master at the world's top firms – complex project management – and the 10 principles that separate average operators from the people who consistently deliver under pressure.You'll learn:Wh
S22E29: How to Pass McKinsey Solve, Bain Gorilla, & BCG CCA in 2026
Send us Fan MailDigital assessments are now the first filter at the top consulting firms – McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and more – and they're nothing you've seen before. Coach Kabreya (ex-PwC, ex-Bridgespan, ex-McKinsey) breaks down exactly what each firm's test measures, where candidates go wrong, and how to prepare effectively.What McKinsey Solve, Bain Gorilla, and BCG CCA are actually t
S22E28: The Evening MBA Who Landed McKinsey & Bain After Getting Rejected the First Time
Send us Fan MailYang Yu spent 8 years in healthcare and life sciences before pursuing an evening MBA at Chicago Booth with his sights set on consulting. His first recruiting attempt ended without the offer he wanted. His second? 3 top-tier offers, including McKinsey, Bain, and PwC Strategy&.In this episode, Yang breaks down exactly what changed – and how he stayed grounded when the pressure wa
BONUS: Inside the Bain Gorilla Test: 4 Example Questions (Walkthrough)
Send us Fan MailNot sure what to expect on the Bain Gorilla Test? You're not alone. Most candidates go in underprepared – and it costs them.In this bonus episode, Katie Neff walks through 4 example questions covering problem solving, time management, personality, and communication. She breaks down the logic behind each answer, including a sneaky gotcha that often trips people up.Resources:Get
S22E27: The "I'll Start When I'm Ready" Trap
Send us Fan MailIn this Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down "Procrastinator Annie" – an impressive sophomore at a target school who bought 24 coaching sessions, built a full prep plan… and then didn't start.In this episode, you'll learn:Why waiting until you "feel ready" is the most common trap high achievers fall intoWhat to do when you&a
S22E26: Inside Financial Services Consulting: M&A, AI, and the Future of Banking (PwC & L.E.K.)
Send us Fan MailFinancial services is entering a new era – shaped by M&A activity, AI adoption, regulatory pressure, and the rise of digital assets.In this fireside chat, leaders from PwC and L.E.K. Consulting break down the real strategic questions facing banks, asset managers, and investors today.You’ll hear how firms are thinking about growth, where AI is actually delivering value, and what
S22E25: The Simple Way to Build Powerful Mentors in Consulting | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailIf you want great mentors in consulting, don’t ask for mentorship.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the simple, repeatable approach she used at Bain to build powerful mentor relationships – and keep them for decades.You’ll learn:Why asking someone to be your “mentor” is the wrong moveThe low-pressure strategy that actually builds real relationshipsHow to
S22E24: McKinsey Interviewer-Led Case Interview – Luxury Hotel Expansion
Send us Fan MailWhat does a real McKinsey interviewer-led case actually look like?In this episode, you’ll step into a live McKinsey-style case interview focused on a luxury hotel expansion in Dubai targeting high-net-worth “whale” customers.Led by former McKinsey consultant Aditya Ghosh, this walkthrough breaks down how top candidates approach interviewer-led cases – from asking the right clarifyi
S22E23: The Bain Project That Made Me Question Consulting | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailThis was the project that made me seriously question consulting.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae shares the Bain project she liked the least — not because the work was bad, but because it sparked a realization that changed everything.You’ll learn:Why consulting can feel removed from real decision-makingThe moment Jenny Rae realized she wanted to be on the “owner” s
S22E22: Engineer to Consultant: The Playbook That Led to a PwC Offer
Send us Fan MailJacob Broadbent didn’t come from the typical consulting pipeline.He came from engineering – and still landed a PwC offer.In this episode, Jacob breaks down the exact moves that helped him make the pivot: how he positioned his technical background as a strength, got more comfortable networking, and built the case prep skills that actually moved the needle.In this episode:How Jacob t
S22E21: MBB Internship Recruiting Is Accelerating – Here’s How to Prepare
Send us Fan MailInternship recruiting for consulting is 3 months earlier than ever. March 29 is the first deadline (McKinsey, Bain, Oliver Wyman).In this episode, former Bain consultant Maile Dyer breaks down the exact preparation strategy – from networking and resume positioning to digital assessments and case prep.Instead of guessing what to do next, learn how to sequence your preparation so you
S22E20: The Best Decision I Made in My First Year at Bain | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailIn your first year in consulting, it’s easy to chase the projects that sound the most impressive.But the work that actually accelerates your career often looks very different.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae shares the single best decision she made during her first year at Bain – why it felt counterintuitive at the time, and how it helped her develop faster than an
S22E19: When Deadlines Move Up 3 Months
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “Sophomore Stan” – a strong candidate at a target school who has done everything right with networking… but hasn’t started case prep yet.With internship recruiting timelines moving up months earlier than expected (McKinsey: March 29), Stan suddenly has just weeks to prepare from sc
S22E18: Life Sciences Consulting in 2026: Impact at Scale
Send us Fan MailAI is accelerating drug development. Precision medicine is going mainstream. Rare disease innovation is reshaping pipelines.So what’s really happening inside life sciences consulting right now?In this panel, leaders from Guidehouse, Clarkston Consulting, ClearView Healthcare Partners, and Roland Berger join Management Consulted for a direct, no-fluff look at where the industry is h
S22E17: Advanced Degree to Consulting – The 2026 Bridge Program Playbook
Send us Fan MailIf you're a non-MBA advanced degree (PhD, MD, JD, PharmD, etc.), this is your roadmap into consulting.Bridge Programs are one of the fastest – and most misunderstood – paths into firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, L.E.K., ClearView, Oliver Wyman, and more. With 2026 deadlines upon us, timing matters.In this episode, we break down exactly how advanced degree candidates can win.You
S22E16: Top Consulting Firms 2026 – New Ranking & Industry Trends
Send us Fan MailThe 2026 Top Consulting Firms Ranking is officially live.After months of research, surveys, and industry analysis, we’ve narrowed the global consulting landscape down to the top 40 firms based on prestige, market positioning, growth prospects, candidate outcomes, and standing within the broader consulting market landscape.See the full 2026 ranking.In this episode, we break down:How
S22E15: The Worst Mistake In My First Month at Bain | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailI went to the beach (literally) during my first month at Bain.Technically, I was allowed to. Strategically, it quietly hurt my early trajectory.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae breaks down the biggest mistake she made in her first month – and what she wishes she had done instead.You'll learn:Why “unstaffed” is a career opportunity – not time offHow early visib
S22E14: Build-A-Bear Should Be Dead. So Why Is It Thriving?
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack one of retail’s most unexpected survivors: Build-A-Bear. Build-A-Bear is a mall-based stuffed animal retailer in an AI-driven world – and yet it’s a profitable public company with rising stock performance.We cover:What the company really sells – and how customization drives pricing powerWhat the financials reveal abou
S22E13: Waymo Growth Strategy Showdown – World Cup Finals 2026
Send us Fan MailWatch the top undergraduate and master’s teams in the 2026 Case Competition World Cup Finals go head-to-head in a live, high-pressure strategy showdown.5 finalist teams take on The Waymo Challenge, presented by Grant Thornton Stax: build a 3–5 year growth strategy to scale Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing business – without sacrificing safety, strong unit economics, or public trust.
S22E12: The Interview Question That Kills Offers | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailWork–life balance is one of the most common concerns candidates have about consulting.It’s also one of the fastest ways to quietly take yourself out of the running.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae explains why asking about work–life balance in an interview sends the wrong signal – and what firms are actually optimizing for instead.Inside this episode:What firms rea
S22E11: Jennifer Garner’s IPO Bet on Once Upon a Farm
Send us Fan MailOnce Upon a Farm went public, and the stock jumped. But this isn’t the standard path for a consumer brand.In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan examine why a single-brand baby food company chose an IPO instead of selling to a large CPG player - and what role Jennifer Garner’s involvement really plays in that decision.We break down the business fundamentals behin
S22E10: McKinsey Case Interview Example – College Football Expansion
Send us Fan MailIn this Strategy Simplified episode, you’ll hear a McKinsey case interview example built around a real-world investment decision.The client is a public university considering whether to add an inter-collegiate football program. Led by former McKinsey Senior Associate Jali Packer, this case challenges a candidate to assess costs, revenues, and strategic tradeoffs for a football prog
S22E9: The “Reading = Readiness” Illusion
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “PhD Phil” – a brilliant advanced degree candidate targeting consulting bridge programs who’s fallen into a common trap: confusing reading with readiness.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why reading case books creates false confidenceThe 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle (theory, pract
S22E8: Flat Base Pay, Rising Stakes – What 2026 Salary Data Signals for Consulting Recruiting
Send us Fan MailFlat base pay isn’t a blip – it’s a signal.In this episode, Namaan breaks down what new 2026 consulting salary data really means for recruiting, performance expectations, and how firms are reshaping compensation. You’ll learn:Why starting base pay is staying flat (and why it’s not about weak demand)How firms are shifting upside into bonuses, benefits, and faster skill-buildingWhat
S22E7: Boeing Didn’t Win the Race – It Just Survived It
Send us Fan MailBoeing’s rebound isn’t about brilliance. It’s about not losing in a brutal duopoly.In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what Boeing’s post-crisis recovery really signals — and why its future depends less on innovation and more on execution over time.We cover:Why Boeing’s biggest advantage is the Airbus duopoly, not outperformanceHow long delivery tim
S22E6: How I’d Break Into Consulting If I Had to Start Over | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailIf I had to break into consulting again today — starting from a clean slate — this is exactly how I’d do it.In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae walks through the step-by-step strategy she would use to maximize her odds.You’ll learn:What to focus on first — and what most candidates waste time onHow to build real confidence for interviews (not just “prep”)The mindset sh
S22E5: Why Capital One Bought Brex at a $7B Discount
Send us Fan MailBrex was once valued at $12.3B. Capital One just bought it for $5.15B.In today’s episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Capital One was willing to buy Brex at a $7B discount – and what the deal actually tells us about fintech valuations, banking strategy, and the future of credit cards.We unpack:Why the 50% cash / 50% stock structure reveals who really had
S22E4: The 2026 Consulting Salary Report Just Dropped
Send us Fan MailIn this short episode, Japheth Mast shares what’s new in the data – and what it means if you’re recruiting for consulting this year.You’ll hear 3 key takeaways from the report, including why starting salaries stayed flat, where compensation growth is happening, and how utilization trends are shaping hiring.👉 Download the full 2026 Consulting Salary Report (free).Additional Resource
S22E3: The 5 Skills You Need to Succeed in Consulting | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailWhat does it actually take to succeed in consulting — beyond frameworks and technical skills?In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down the five core skills consultants rely on every day — the same ones firms test for in case interviews and reward once you’re on the job.You’ll learn:Why structured thinking isn’t just about frameworksHow prioritization and
S22E2: The Business of College Football
Send us Fan MailCollege football isn’t just a game anymore, it’s a business. On this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian break down how wins on the field translate into dollars off it, sparked by Indiana University’s surprising national championship run. From media deals and ticket sales to donations and NIL money, Namaan lays out the six revenue engines powering modern
S22E1: Saks Is Bankrupt. Now What?
Send us Fan MailSaks Fifth Avenue has filed for bankruptcy.After years of warning signs – including its Neiman Marcus acquisition and Amazon’s investment – the iconic luxury retailer is officially on life support.In this Market Outsiders episode, Namaan and Jenny break down what actually went wrong behind the headlines. They cover:Why the Neiman Marcus deal failed to deliver real synergiesHow junk
S21E30: Analyst vs Manager vs Partner: How Consulting Roles Really Work | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailWhat’s the real difference between an analyst, a manager, and a partner in consulting?In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down how consulting roles actually work — what changes as you move up, what each level is responsible for, and what firms value most at every stage.You’ll learn:What analysts, managers, and partners really do day to dayWhy being grea
S21E29: Consulting Explained in 5 Minutes: What It Is + Why Companies Hire Consultants | Consulting Unpacked
Send us Fan MailWhat is consulting, really — and why do companies pay so much for it?In this first episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux (former Bain consultant and CEO of Management Consulted) breaks down consulting in 5 minutes, including:The difference between professional consulting and “single-shingle” consultingThe 4 core reasons companies hire consultantsThe 3 main types of cons
S21E28: Ford’s Surprise Comeback: Why $50K Cars Still Sold
Send us Fan MailThe average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760.So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019?In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand.They cover:Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVIDHow financing
S21E27: The “Spaghetti at the Wall” Recruiting Trap
Send us Fan MailIn the debut episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “Sophomore Sally” – a strong candidate at a fringe target school who’s panicking about junior-year recruiting and ready to apply everywhere (the “spaghetti at the wall” trap).In this episode, you’ll learn:Why applying to everything hurts your chancesHow to build a focused 6–8
S21E26: 2026 Consulting Salary Report Preview
Send us Fan MailThe 2026 Consulting Salary Report is coming later this month — and this episode is your first look at what to expect.Japheth shares why this year’s report matters more than ever, how it’s built using real offer data from 100+ firms, and what candidates need to understand about consulting compensation heading into 2026.Join the waitlist to get early access to the report and register
S21E25: Our #1 Episode of 2025: A Live McKinsey-Style M&A Case
Send us Fan MailThis is our most-listened-to episode of 2025 — and for good reason.In this replay, you’ll hear a live McKinsey-style M&A case interview where a candidate evaluates whether a global bubble tea chain should acquire a fast-growing coffee brand.Led by former McKinsey consultant and Management Consulted case coach Divya, the case walks through how to structure an acquisition decisio
S21E24: Cava Growth Strategy — Live MBA Case Competition Finals
Send us Fan MailWatch the top MBA teams in the 2025 MBA Case Competition World Cup Finals go head-to-head in a live, high-pressure strategy showdown.Five finalist teams take on The Cava Challenge: build a 3–5 year growth strategy to scale Cava nationally — without sacrificing the flavor, quality, and culture that made the brand.You’ll see:5-minute executive-style presentationsLive Q&A / defens
S21E25: Who Really Wins When Weed Goes Mainstream?
Send us Fan MailCannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics.In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news.They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and Medic
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