Featured Interview With Chadd SJ Ciccarelli
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m Chadd Ciccarelli—author, strategist, and former Amazon exec. I grew up in Pittsburgh, studied philosophy at Carnegie Mellon, and spent over a decade at Amazon helping build global programs and scale high-impact initiatives. Along the way, I’ve lived in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London—and now, I proudly call Sydney home. It’s a city that blends everything I’ve loved about the places I’ve been: creativity, grit, and a pace that keeps you sharp. This is where I write, build, and push the next chapter forwar
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always loved books, but I’d say my real fascination—and the shift toward writing—started when I was accepted into Carnegie Mellon. That’s where I fell hard for philosophy. I became obsessed with ideas, systems, and the kind of critical thinking that forces you to question everything. That environment didn’t just teach me how to read deeper—it taught me how to write with purpose.
Later, at Amazon, writing became the core method of communication. No slide decks—just clear, structured narrative thinking. It was a writing culture built for high stakes, and it sharpened everything I’d learned at CMU. So while the love for books came early, I’d say I truly became a writer in university—and refined it in the pressure cooker that was Amazon.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Some of my favorite authors are the ones who don’t pull punches—Camus, Dostoevsky, Bukowski, and Hunter S. Thompson. I’ve always been drawn to voices that challenge convention and force you to think differently. On the philosophy side, Thomas Kuhn and Clark Glymour had a big impact on how I see systems and structure arguments.
As for genres, I split my time between thought-provoking fiction, sharp non-fiction, and inspiring biographies. I’m into anything that tells the truth, hits with clarity, and sticks with you long after you’ve closed the book. If it challenges perspective or sharpens thinking, I’m in.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book, It’s All Trash ‘til It’s Cash: Applying Amazon’s Blueprint for Builders, is a no-nonsense guide to turning ideas into results. Based on my 12+ years inside Amazon, it breaks down the systems, leadership principles, and writing culture that drive innovation at scale—and shows how anyone, from solopreneurs to startup teams, can apply them. It’s part philosophy, part field manual, and all about execution.
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