The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman (Ryan Berman)

Our guest today defines what it means to be courageous.  Robert Duran is a father, husband and passionate cyclist. For the last decade, Robert has been riding through life navigating the rocky terrain that comes with being diagnosed with what many call a death sentence in Pancreatic Cancer.  In this very open and raw conversation with host Ryan Berman, Robert opens up about how he has been able to survive and thrive despite the odds against him. Robert shares how cycling has been a lifesaver during his battle with cancer, but was almost the thing that killed him. The two also discuss how “cutting the cord” from most electronics has allowed Robert to take his life back and live every moment in the present. It’s a moving and inspiring episode with a tremendous human being in honor of World Pancreatic Cancer Day on 11/17/2022.

What if you could slow down Alzheimer’s or ALS? That’s exactly the deeply personal journey Dr. Howard Berman, Founder and CEO at Coya Therapeutics, finds himself on. To day, Howard runs a mission-driven company that is making remarkable breakthroughs in the world of T-Cells. Driven by his father's personal battle with Dementia, Howard has embarked on a relentless quest for a cure. Along his journey, he uncovered an extraordinary technology devised by the brilliant Dr. Stanley Appel that gave him the courage to leave his last life in pharmaceuticals. In this episode, Dr. Berman speaks on the science of fear and the negative physical effects it can have on our bodies. Howard also gives listeners an educational crash course on what dementia is and the many ways it can rear its unfortunate, ugly head. It’s Berman to Berman on this episode of the Courageous Podcast. 

There are creative gypsies among us. One of them is Romanian creative talent Mihnea Gheorghiu (Pronounced: Mee-na Gee-orge-ee-yew) who recently returned to Milan from Cannes as a fairly happy man thanks to his teams coveted work on Diesel. On this episode of the podcast, Mihnea, the Chief Creative Officer of Publicis Italia, shares his nomadic journey from Romania to the USA to Italy. We talked about the creative role in advertising: as he puts it, to, “Feel something in the shortest time possible.” We also covered the need for creators to stay curious, the importance of “asking seemingly stupid questions”, and the need to remain an entertainer. If you believe, like Mihnea, that “creativity is the enemy of comfort”, join us for a fast listen.

4:29 - Life changes that caused me to think about what I wanted out of life

6:20 - I have loved this brand since the day I walked into it - empowering people to have the outdoor experiences they want to have - guiding people toward wellness

6:45 - Coming back into a leadership position enabled me to do some of the things I wanted to accomplish that I was unable to previously

7:06 - The biggest lesson - to really lean into the "hell yeses of life" and stay clear of the "F-no's"

7:59 - There really is no time to have a mediocre life and make mediocre decisions.  To sit in mediocrity at all.  If you aren't happy with something, change it.

9:29 - When I started my freelance business I was determined not to take work I didn't believe in - just for the sake of taking work...I wanted to believe in the things I was doing.

11:52 - There is a massive difference between an influencer and someone who has influence

12:15 - Came back as a more ME version of me.

12:20 - Really started to take off some of those layers we put on...especially in corporate America

12:41 - Not adhering to those costumes that were previously required and instead showing up as myself.  Part of that is truth speaking, even when it is not popular.

14:05 - 2020 gave us the opportunity to strip back the things that we were doing and look very acutely at how we wanted to pave the way forward.

15:31 - The history of Eddie Bauer

16:11 - The shop in downtown Seattle served as a community gathering place...sharing stories about outdoor experiences.

16:41 - Benefits of getting outside...a remembrance of connection that gets built

19:06 - Live your adventure...it's self prescribed.  

20:07 - We view the outdoors as a playground, not an arena.

21:08 - Spend less time scrolling social media, and more time scrolling ourselves.

23:21 - Slowing down...connect with yourself more.

25:00 - Integrating experiences through adventure.

27:21 - What Kristen connected to the brand and the outdoors.

28:25 - The freedom you can feel as an individual in the outdoors.

30:30 - Taking the brand back to its roots and the purpose of Guides.

32:57 - Dying to Live podcast

33:51 - There must be a better way to do death.

34:17 - No idea how to handle emotional conversations...how to handle grief.

34:24 - New role coming to life called an end of life doula...a sister role to hospice.

34:56 - We need people that are comfortable being close to death, who can talk about it, who can help sheppard people through this amazing process we are all going to go through.

35:42 - How to manage the many transitions we go through in life and personal grief.

38:32 - Grief is associated with every kind of loss...not just death.

39:10 - Fears Kristen faced leaving and coming back to Eddie Bauer.

41:23 - Everything we need to know is inside us already.

41:53 - Kill off comparing ourselves. When you compare, beware. Come home to yourself.

43:31 - Soul alignment immersion.

46:01 - A refocus into our communities.

48:10 - We all die, but not all of us are living.

Katie McKenna, a professional speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author, turned a life-altering accident into a powerful story of resilience. On a sunny morning in Brooklyn, Katie was run over by an 18-wheeler, an ordeal that she miraculously survived after 10 hours of emergency surgery. In her conversation with Ryan, Katie recounts that harrowing day and the moment she was told she might never walk again, a prognosis that led her to change the way her doctor delivers life-altering news. Now, with a mission to make life better for everyone she meets, Katie shares how she channels her experience into helping others overcome their own challenges with grit, hope, and humor. She also reveals whether she would change her past if given the chance and why she fiercely pursues joy, feeling blessed rather than entitled to life. And yes, she has gotten back on a bike—at Burning Man, no less, in an unforgettable moment of reclaiming her power.

What does an asthmatic, a Rower, the co-founder of The Perfect Pushup and a Navy SEAL-turned-Platoon Commander have in common? All of them were my guest on this weeks episode of The Courageous Podcast. Alden Mills is one of a kind. He’s on a mission to help 100 million people be unstoppable. He strives to achieve this feat by being a keynote speaker, an executive coach and the epitome of courage. What else did I learn about Alden from our 45 minute conversation? For being a Platoon Commander, he is also a humble human. If you want to learn what it’s like to survive asthma and still become a Navy SEAL, if you aspire to be unstoppable, or if you care to hear why Alden has a bone to pick with Harvard, throw this episode between your ears.

Repetition is reputation.  Michael Preysman, Founder and Climate Lead at Everlane, has earned his reputation by repeatedly delivering on his company's promise to “Help people live their best lives with the least impact on the planet."  The company pioneered the term ‘Radical Transparency’, and has lifted the veil on many aspects of the fashion industry from pricing mark-ups to factory processes.  Embodying the brand's transparent values, Michael has put environmental impact front and center through commitments in its supply chain to eliminate all virgin plastic by 2021 and to transition to organic cotton by 2023.  In this conversation with host Ryan Berman, Michael shares his philosophy on approaching life as a practice, the importance of taking time away from work to do things that “fill your bucket”, and how to overcome fear when it gets in the way of growth.  Be sure to tune in to this energizing episode of the Courageous Podcast!

Seth Godin is a 1 of 1. With 21 bestsellers, five TED talks, and numerous entrepreneurial ventures, Seth has dedicated his life to helping people understand themselves and the complex world around them, often through the lens of creativity and leadership. In this episode with Ryan, Seth shares insights on everything from mastering Pictionary to improving organizational systems—even drawing lessons from airplane food. They explore ideas from Seth's new book This Is Strategy, discussing the link between courage and creativity. Seth explains that creativity isn’t about grand gestures, but about solving everyday problems generously, and how small, low-risk steps outside your comfort zone can lead to tremendous personal growth.

It's almost as if Tim Bantle was destined for his current role as CEO of Eddie Bauer. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Live Your Adventure® could easily double as Tim’s personal slogan, as he has hopped from skiing to rock climbing expeditions throughout his life.  Now, after time at both Patagonia and North Face, Tim's living his corporate adventure of driving forward a 100-year-old brand. In this episode, we learn how Tim is driven by questions (not his ego) which helps him sponge up new things about the company he runs on a daily basis. We cover the origin story of a real, live outdoorsman named Eddie Bauer. And we take part in a brave conversation on life, leadership, and the pursuit of a legacy. 

Over the past 4 years, Andrew Vassiliadis has been living a love story. Serving as Chairman of the San Diego Loyal SC, a team that was founded with soccer legend Landon Donovan, Andrew remained loyal to his mission of bringing professional soccer back to San Diego. In a candid conversation with Ryan, Andrew shares “all the feels” including his courageous decision to sunset his club with the arrival of a new San Diego MLS franchise set to debut in 2025. As the team played its final match on October 22, 2023, Ryan and Andrew took a celebratory stroll down Loyal Lane allowing Andrew to cap tip many of the stakeholders who helped “grow loyalty” for the greater good of San Diego’s community. If you wanted to come behind the scenes of building a professional soccer club or merely were curious of what Andrew Vassiliadis might do next (from San Diego), join us.

Ever show up to a party with a 6-pack of water? If you have, you most likely haven’t been invited back. Unless that sixer was comprised of stone-cold tallboys from Liquid Death Mountain Water. In just three short years, LDMW is “murdering thirst” by disrupting a boring-than-still-water commodity category. At the center of it all is Greg Fass; recently named by Forbes as one of 50 most Entrepreneurial CMO’s of 2022. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we are joined by Greg who has made a name for himself as a builder of consumer brands. He was the 2nd full-time employee at MeUndies, where he was at the forefront of non-traditional social-first brand marketing. Today, as Liquid Death Mountain Water’s VP of Marketing, he takes great pride in subverting all water category conventions. Greg grew up in the snow, skate, and surf world and unapologetically shares that he hates corporate marketing, in his words, “as much as everyone else”.

The universe had different plans for Paul Hutchinson who, today, is the Executive Producer of Sound of Freedom which grossed more than $100 Million in box office sales within its first 2 weeks. While he was training to be a doctor, Paul suffered a life altering injury in a horrible car accident. Unable to pursue his path in medicine, Paul pivoted and co-founded what turned out to be a multi-billion dollar company in Bridge Investment Group Partners. Today, not only does Paul raise and donate millions of dollars to child related charities, he risks his life for the rescue of children in slavery.  In this episode, Paul shares some stories from his 70 undercover rescue missions across 15 countries in the last decade. The two also discuss the power of having “unwavering conviction” needed to overcome fear. Finally, Paul makes a case for why we all should start giving back now and he shares how any person can incorporate his “do good” give-back formula in their everyday life.

Phil Horvath has been on quite the journey. Nothing like starting a prominent, new job during the thick of the pandemic. Now, almost a year in, Phil shares what it has been like to navigate his organization as the new President of Floyd’s 99 Barbershop. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we discuss how Phil has gone about getting to know his team who reside across 114 locations in 13 states from Florida to Texas. This includes the colossal challenge of not being about to travel for face-to-face meetings with his new team for a major part of his tenure. We also discuss the personalities of such a curiously creative workforce, what they call “The Floyd’s Vibe” (which you’ll experience in every Floyd’s shop) and the importance of helping Floyd's employees find their purpose and live their best lives. Enjoy!

With a billion monthly users, an average session length of 90 minutes, and 27 billion views on the hashtag #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt — there is a lot of commerce to unlock for any business or brand on TikTok. At the center of it all is Khartoon Weiss. Khartoon has been named “40 Over 40” by Campaign, “40 Under 40” by Advertising Age and “Top 50 Professionals". In her conversation with Ryan, the two discuss what it takes for any brand (at any size) to be successful on the platform. She also gives practical steps to help brands “think like marketers, but act like creators.”

You can see it, you can be it.  Artis Stevens is President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) – the nation’s foremost one-to-one youth mentoring organization. As the first Black CEO in BBBSA’s 100+ year history, Artis is spearheading a powerful mission to leverage mentorship as a transformative solution to society’s greatest challenges – from equity and access to justice and opportunity.  In his discussion with Ryan, Artis speaks on the power of relationships to make positive change in young people's lives, and explains why mentoring as your authentic self is the best approach, reminding listeners that a mentor does not have to be perfect, but they must be present.  He explains the benefits and challenges of leading a 120 year old brand, where some people have preconceived notions about what the organization is and isn’t.  Recently named one of the Top 10 non-profits in the U.S., Artis is on a mission not to just inform people about BBBSA, but make it relevant to individuals and inspire them to get involved in helping some of the millions of children in the U.S. that lack a positive adult mentor.

RESILIENCE.  That’s the word Adam Markel wears across his chest in big bold letters for his conversation with Ryan.  Adam is a CEO, Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, and Business Mentor.  In his most recent book Change Proof, Adam gives readers a blueprint to “Leveraging the Power of Uncertainty to Build Long-term Resilience”.  A self proclaimed cynic with a hopeful heart, Adam does not subscribe to the mindset that “balance” is ever truly attainable - instead he has adopted a perspective that works with uncertainty rather than against it.  In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Adam shares the ways in which fear shaped his career, and how he was able to break free to live a life that is more authentic to himself.  He also unpacks how a shift in environment can have big impacts on someone's mindset, and why the elusive work-life balance is a concept that is destined for failure.

Jean Batthany is a seasoned brand builder and marketer with over three decades of experience. She has been recognized as one of Business Insider’s 30 Most Creative Women in Advertising and awarded Advertising Working Mothers of the Year by AWNY. Despite being "in between successes" at the moment, Jean is focusing on the art of pausing and leveraging creativity to make the world a better place.  As Walmart's former Chief Creative Officer, Jean led a team of 300+ to enhance creative excellence, efficacy, and efficiency. She collaborated with agency partners to transform Walmart from a transactional company to an emotional brand. During her conversation with Ryan, Jean shares her insights on the advertising industry, the significance of awards, and the need to bridge the communication gap between brands and agencies. She also highlights the importance of asking difficult questions and having a clear and consistent message for effective communication. Tune in to hear Jean's invaluable advice for building successful brands and creating a positive impact.

3:55 - Serial entrepreneurism, the Navy and new cities

5:42 - Perseverance and getting through adversity.  

7:39 - Don't get lost in the plan

7:47 - "Business plans are crap..especially in a start-up.  Day 1 your plan changes..."

7:58 - "My philosophy is LAUNCH...something to get started and get feedback"

9:58 - Only had one partner through my successful ventures...a lifelong friend

10:16 - I look for two things in a founder...TRUST...and...BALANCE.

12:24 - We all face fear and risks when starting something new...use the wins to build confidence no matter how small

15:41 - If this doesn't work, that's ok...part of beating back that fear

15:56 - Have the confidence that if everything failed...you'll be ok.  There is something else you can do!

17:12 - First lesson of if you build it...they DON'T come

19:05 - The evolution of an idea based on a failed one...

19:49 - Creating immersive experiences

20:09 - It's all about the pivots

20:23 - Went from exploding to imploding...learning entrepreneurism while scaling a company

23:33 - Firm believer in the LEAN startup

25:03 - Passionate about bringing people together

26:38 - We've been struck by lightning twice

27:09 - Must understand the key indicators of your business and the leading NOT lagging indicators

27:21 - Getting the right people in the right places is key

27:47 - Always hiring for what we need next, today.  Helps us get where we are going. If you hire the right people it comes back.

29:47 - Hunt a Killer...we have to make it feel real...we create a universe for you to experience

34:40 - What keeps me up at night is the unknowns

35:20 - Partnership with Lionsgate

35:27 - 3 pronged strategy - diversification of distribution, intellectual property, new genres

38:10 - The move to digital distribution

39:29 - Take some big swings every year

39:58 - Getting others to believe what you believe - genuinity, excitement, authenticity

40:44 - Team building kits for companies42:40:17 - Atrophy could keep us from achieving our goals - need to constantly challenge our own thoughts, biases, and ideas

44:04 - Two big things in entrepreneurism- just start and don't let your attachment to the initial idea get in your way

Peyton Manning. Drew Brees. Eli Manning. Each of these Super Bowl winning quarterbacks relied on Bennie Fowler to run routes, block or catch passes over the course of his 8-year NFL career. But as Bennie will tell you, each of the above drew him to his current passion of helping executives and organizations maximize their performance. Today, Bennie is an entrepreneur, the creator of MVP leadership (cliff hanger opportunity: the MVP doesn’t stand for what you think) and the author of the book Silver Spoon. As you’ll soon learn from our episode, Bennie first learned to love leadership from his father Bennie Fowler Senior who was a high ranking executive at the Ford Motor Company. We discuss their relationship, Bennie's road to the NFL and his current role guiding leaders in business today.

3:07 - What's special about Mastermind Toys

5:18 - Sarah shares background on her path to CEO

6:53 - First time CEO navigating the pandemic.

10:12 - Leading when you've only met your team in Zoom.

11:34 - Sarah felt she wasn't just the CEO but the Chief Communicator

13:59 - Sarah shares that she plays to her strengths

16:51 - Sarah shares if her ambition wavered when she became a parent.

18:22 - What International Women's Day Means to Sarah

19:32 - Sarah shares "The Power Gap"

20:18 - Navigating the choices/realities of retail in a pandemic

21:39 - Setting the expectation with her team

23:04 - A year of "Choose Your Adventure" for customer's of Mastermind toys

25:49 - Launching "Grandparents Day"

28:34 - 4 Pillars of Sarah's strategy

30:13 - Sarah shares her mantra, "Find More Ways To Say Yes"

33:38 - Sarah discusses pattern recognition and how to guide a team forward

34:53 - As the leader, you're the one who has to inspire your team -- and get to know your team

37:56 - Parents instilled a "can do" attitude in Sarah

38:08 - No concept growing up of the glass ceiling

40:51 - Sarah shares what you're looking for in a Board.

43:10 - The importance of making it safe to allow others to be themselves at work.

43:41 - Sarah shares that women often won't apply for a job without 100% of the qualifications.

46:38 - How do you know if you've stayed too long at a company?

Amongst us are living, breathing heroes who have not only found their true calling, but are putting their purpose into action. This week on the Courageous Podcast, we are joined by “a real-live” superhero in Ricky Mena who is the founder of HeartOfAHero.org. Ricky is committed to bringing positivity and smiles to children facing life-threatening illnesses, disabilities and more.  The way he does so is by dressing up as Spiderman for his visits. We’ll learn how Spiderman came to be, how Ricky had his own courageous fight with PTSD and how he overcame it all for a higher mission.  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-courageous-podcast/id1520106524

Be clear on the ‘why’, flexible on the ‘how’.  Let’s walk in the shoes of Buddy Teaster. Buddy is using shoes and clothing to create opportunities for millions as he runs Soles4Souls, where they collect and distribute shoes and clothing around the world.  In his conversation with host Ryan Berman, Buddy gives listeners actionable advice to move towards a purposeful career, and also reminds us that you don’t necessarily need to switch jobs to start making an impact.  Buddy also touches on how Soles4Souls has been able to help people through the power of shoes in places like Haiti, Honduras, and right here in the U.S. by providing free shoes that can boost morale, and enable the ability to walk long distances to places like school and work.  He and Ryan also discuss what T.E.A.M stands for, and find similarities between Soles4Souls and one of Ryan’s organization, SockProblems, which “socks" problems in the world with altruistic socks.

Sportbike racer, track & field All-American, multi-patent holder, biometric lab creator, The Wall Street Journal’s Marketers That Matter Visionaries, and Adweek’s 50 Most Important People are just a few of Walter Geer’s self-earned accolades. Currently the Chief Creative Officer of Innovation at VML, he has developed commercials, ad experiences, products and implemented creative strategies for brands including Progressive, Advil, and Google. In his conversation with Ryan, Walter shares his surreal and harrowing experience of surviving a stroke, the life-saving decision to take an experimental drug, and the pivotal role his wife played in his survival. The two also explore his groundbreaking work as a founder of Blackweek, an inclusive conference and economic forum driving opportunities for diverse businesses and professionals. Tune in to this episode to discover Walter's insights on the evolving role of creative leadership and the fearless approach required to make meaningful change.

The Niche is You.  Matt Gottesman is a multidisciplinary creative, 2x founder, podcaster and writer with a background in helping some of the world’s most iconic brands (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) realize their potential… digitally.  His mission is to uncomplicate life and business and help millions do more of what they love at scale.  In his conversation with Ryan, they explore the concept of seeking approval from others, with Matt emphasizing that acceptance is inherent from birth. He also shares practical advice and strategies from his own life, detailing systems he uses to live meaningfully and efficiently.  If you're interested in learning how to reverse engineer work, rest, play and money for less chasing and more financial freedom and flow, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Proper pacing, surrounding yourself with the right players, and realizing what you put in is what you get out. These are all lessons that Audrey Burger has taken from her days as a 3-sport D1 college athlete and has applied to her current role as Head of Commercial Strategy, Insights & Planning at Primal Kitchen. In this advice-filled episode of The Courageous Podcast, Audrey shares some great tips with Ryan on how to start eating cleaner by applying a few simple adjustments to our grocery shopping habits. Audrey also dolls out some advice to other women on successfully making change across workplace culture. Finally, Audrey speaks on the importance of trusting your gut in decisions where you don’t have ALL the data, and applying a “proud, not perfect” mentality when a new product goes to market.
 

3:24 - Celebrating Micol's tenure in the ad game

3:45 - Background in music and ready to sleep in the airport if need be

4:13 - Moving to Atlanta with only $300

5:38 - I'd rather die, than stay on this rock

7:03 - Not afraid to go down in flames of glory

7:52 - Micol's career and backstory

9:25 - iHeart discovered Micol from one of his rap's online

10:22 - Going from 20% Micol to 100% Micol

11:54 - A realization to just share 'me'

13:24 - You Are Dope introduces us to Micol

13:39 - The Drink, Micol's new nickname

16:10 - How Micol went cold turkey

16:51 - The process of figuring out what you believe in

17:38 - "...making sure the things in my life aligned with who I actually was..."

18:50 - The catalyst for starting You Are Dope

21:23 - We can't wait for other people to be the change.  It's our turn.

23:12 - How Micol got beyond being judged

27:11 - Locked in and aligned

28:22 - Micol gets real with us...life is precious

30:23 - Honoring Micol's daughter

32:59 - Inspiration, support, and service

35:09 - Using my energy to lift you up

37:23 - Building a community

39:50 - You gotta get punched in the mouth

43:01 - For the love of Zinni https://www.shopmutana.com/

It’s 3:30am.  While most of us are still asleep, Tom Braun is in mid routine running his daily 5 miles, contemplating what it takes to push boundaries, win over Los Angeles, and redefine success in the world of Major League Soccer. In this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Ryan sits down with Tom as he prepares for a new MLS season - his first as President of the LA Galaxy. Tom and team kick off their season this Sunday at home against none other than Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and David Beckham. Reflecting on his journey since 2014, Braun isn’t just aware…but up for the challenge…to doing what is necessary to bring the LA Galaxy back into glory; without resting on its laurels of their glory days. Tom opens up about how he’ll go about driving this change, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way.

3:59 - Does Marisa feel like she's a courageous leader?

6:03 - We force Marisa to choose 3 words to describe herself.

6:33 - Her thrill in the workplace: finding ways to win creatively

8:12 - "Psychology is the gameplay for what we do"

9:47 - Marisa shares the power of brands and their role in culture.

10:26 - The role of home today.

12:12 - Marisa explains what delights her about jumping into new verticals.

13:18 - Marisa is adamant about not doing things differently for the sake of doing things differently.

15:34 - Marisa doesn't recommend moving across the country during a global pandemic.

17:40 - One surprise she learned from an economist: residential sales have been stong during this time.

19:51 - "It takes time to build trust and relationships."

21:37 - Work life and home life have come together

22:35 - The importance of keeping the team aligned: Marisa and department are meeting once a week right now.

25:07 - Marisa shares that when she's passionate about the work shes doing she's not afraid to speak up.

26:35 - We remember the inspirational leaders we report into (and the not so good as well).

30:11 - Marisa confides why marketing and the consumer needs it proper seat at the business table.

31:32 - Ad Age hails Lowes as Marketer of the Year

33:31 - Marisa walks us through her reality of making instinctual decisions in 1) a new job, 2) during a pandemic, 3) in the business of home

34:43 - Where courage should and shouldn't play in their business

38:23 - Lowe's win-win-win program: "Plant's Of Purpose"

41:32 - We tak about her work creating Taco Bell's "The Bell" Oasis out in Palm Springs

42:33 - Creating a culture where people are not afraid to bring bold ideas to the table.

45:15 - Once the fundamentals are locked then you can begin to take some creative risks.

46:32 - Marketing isn't all fluff & fun. Marketing brings clarity. Clarity drives focus. Focus is part of strategy.

48:54 - Marisa shares some of her tenets of leadership.

52:05 - What are the things worth fighting for?

53:51 - Why did the "Bell Hotel" make business sense at the time?

58:47 - Marisa gives a quick shout out and explanation to "Executive Mom's" which she founded 18 years ago.

1:01:26 - The importance of staying compassionate through all of this challenge and change. 

0-7 at home the year before. The 2nd and 3rd pick of last year's NFL draft. A first time Head Coach. The Houston Texans seemed to be moving in the wrong direction. At best? A slow cooked rebuild that could take 1000 days. But the NFL and its fans learned fast that this was anything but the truth. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we get a front row seat to witness a revamped culture that have helped land the 5-4 Texans in the smack of a playoff hunt. We're joined by Chief Marketing & Ticket Sales Officer Doug Vosik who shares what has been going on behind the scenes in H-Town including a few landmark choices (See: drafting C.J. Stroud) that have helped the organization win on the field and in the community.  

Lauren Teague knows the secret to building a great business is to cultivate fandom instead of followers. Currently, she’s focused on her new courageous endeavor — building FanWagn, a re-commerce marketplace where gently used, greatly loved fan apparel gets new life. On this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Lauren and Ryan dive into the realities of Lauren's leap. They unpack why it’s become courageous to “do good” in business and why Lauren has a major challenge in catering to both buyers and sellers with her new startup. Lauren also shares some wise advice about her last life at the PGA Tour.

Forever Remembered: Robert Duran. A few months back, you may remember my podcast with Robert Duran who had been fighting Pancreatic Cancer. In late March, Robert entered hospice. Last week, Robert (as he would put it) left this world for “2.0”. Robert was an anomaly in more ways than one. He defied the odds and battled the king of cancers for just under a decade. Along the way, he raised heaps of awareness and money for PAN CAN. I was able to spend an hour with Robert at the end of March when he arrived home to start hospice. It covers a coherent soul having the conversations he needed to have as well as a look back at his life. His spirit and passion for making a dent lives on in a lot of us — including me. Please consider listening to our conversation and making a donation on Robert’s behalf at PanCan.org

If you are like the majority, then you have an hourly rate. This severely bothered this weeks guest who couldn’t logically accept “hourly rate" payment terms for his talent. In fact, if Jonathan Stark was capable of cracking your problem in a shorter period of time, shouldn’t he be paid more? On this episode of The Courageous Podcast we are joined by a former software developer who is now on a mission to rid the world of hourly billing. Jonathan is the author of Hourly Billing Is Nuts, the host of Ditching Hourly, and writes a daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals. If you’re like me (and Jonathan) and believe that the laziest, lowest measurement of our worth is a measurement of time, then this is the episode for you. Enjoy.

Don't be afraid to take the scenic route.  Shelby Stanger treats everything in life like an adventure.  Whether it’s writing her latest book, Will to Wild, or hosting her hit podcast Wild Ideas Worth Living, she embraces the peaks, valleys, and everything in between.  In her conversation with host Ryan Berman,  Shelby speaks on the transformational power an outdoor adventure can have to build courage and inspire new ideas. The two also touch on the popular concept that you are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with. Spoiler Alert: Shelby shares her “top five.” Finally, They dive into the power of humor to move people and discuss why including detail is essential to eliciting emotion in storytelling.     

Join us for our Courage Week “Courageous ActionChat" on Zoom, Friday, September 8th at 2pm PST.  Over the course of the pandemic,  a community came together for 55 online ActionChats. The forum created a space to feel connected over genuine conversations.  As the world re-opened, we recognized that the ActionChats served a purpose while we were all stuck in our homes.  It has been 18 months since our last Zoom ActionChat and it's time to check in and get a temperature check from across the country. Join us as leaders from all four corners of America come together to share how life has been since hybrid work has become the new normal.

3:10 - Brent's background and starting his first company

3:57 - Learning about pivots in entrepreneurship

5:38 - Should every American serve in the military?

7:44 - What do you go through mentally in SEAL training

8:23 - The mental, physical and mindset transformation

8:51- Key attributes - grit, resilience, mental fortitude, passion, and a deep emotional connection to the idea of serving

12:47 - Taking Point - The foundational principles for leadership and organizational development

13:44 - Wanted 'Embrace the Suck' to be something actionable in the personal transformation space

15:34 - Navigating obstacles in a better fashion is a path to fulfillment and ultimately a more meaningful life

16:52 - Pain versus pleasure

18:35 - "Do something that sucks everyday"

19:24 - Get comfortable, being uncomfortable

19:03 - A growth mindset is wrapped in courage, courageous action, courageous thought, courageous faith and purpose

21:13 - Make a list on the items you do want to regret in life and execute that list

22:07 - Values and leadership at work versus at home

23:34 - "We defined a set of guiding principles for our family that helps us get through obstacles, challenges, and celebrate wins"

26:17 - Level of awareness to be successful

27:36 - "New Year's resolutions are for losers"

29:01 - Discipline is about balance - mind, body, and decisions

31:43 - Consistency and schedule of "successful" people - Sunday through Sunday

32:08 - Do your to-do list the day before, not the morning of...

33:58 - What does a regimented schedule look like with kids in the mix

36:10 - Communicate, set expectations and be willing to adapt

40:22 - How you can prepare yourself physically to help yourself mentally

42:30 - Brent shares his story of courage in the workplace

4:50 - Minter's background from the non-traditional jobs to entrepreneurship and corporate life
7:17 - What was tugging at Minter to leave corporate and go back to entrepreneurship
8:42 - Leaning into tie dye...and wearing it to work
10:49 - The one moment that drove Minter to re-evaluate what he was doing with his career
15:07 - Do you know what you stand for?
19:12 - The challenge and the time needed to get to know yourself
19:21 - If you haven't done the work to know who you are, then you are being authentic about what?
20:26 - Standing up and standing out feels bad
20:58 - CHECK, the framework
24:06 - The link between empathy and time
26:53 - The cult of productivity is dangerous - it pulls on our resources and are not present with ourselves
27:44 - We replace being with doing more stuff
29:53 - Back to CHECK - Curiosity, Humility, Empathy, Courage, Karma
33:46 - Explaining Karma - intentions and actions
36:02 - You Lead, You
38:07 - Minter shares his story of vulnerability
42:24 - Minters view on being able to openly discuss death
43:40 - Minter shares his story of courage
 

Emily Musil Church, Ph.D. specializes in tech for good, entrepreneurship, and prize competitions. She spent a half dozen years at the XPRIZE Foundation and served as Executive Director of the human equity domain. Today, she continues her good work running world-changing, “crowdsourced" prize competitions at Milken Institute. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we discuss where her philanthropic gene came from, the potential outcomes of a prize that can change the world and her recently announced finalists of the Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize.

We’re excited for our second annual Year End Special where we switch things up a bit. This year Ryan is joined by his two partners at Courageous; Nicole Miller and Billy Collins. Together, they’ll represent the three pillars of Courage: Knowledge (Billy), Faith (Ryan), and Action (Nicole) as they are joined by three MYSTERY guests.  Taking a cue from Smartless, each mystery guest will have an opportunity to both ask, and be asked, surprise questions.  Some of the many topics covered include taking leaps into the unknown, unifying humans — no matter their home — through humor, and a discussion on the need for resolutions. Enjoy the episode and Happy New Year from the Courageous Podcast!
 

Verne Harnish, Founder of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and CEO of Scaling Up, joins Ryan to share insights from his four decades of helping companies grow. The author behind bestsellers like Mastering the Rockefeller Habits and Scaling Up, Verne has been a pivotal force in executive education, guiding leaders around the world. In his conversation with Ryan, Verne reveals how one key innovation can propel a company forward, while continuous improvements keep the momentum going. He shares the importance of having a trusted council to help guide decisions and scale a business effectively, alluding to Jeff Bezos' two pizza rule. Verne also explores the power of saying no to customers' demands in order to stay true to the company vision and stand out in the market.  Finally, he reflects on a question posed by Tony Robbins that helped him cut through barriers to success.

Kate Winick is a Social Media Swiss Army Knife. She is a keynote speaker, thought leader, and an elite player in building social media programs for brands like Clique, Elle, and, most recently, Peloton. Her work has appeared in ELLE, Who What Wear, Today, Yahoo, and Martha Stewart. In her conversation with host Ryan Berman, Kate shares her journey from journalist to social media guru and many lessons she has learned along the way.  They discuss what it was like to lead a social media team at a company going through exponential growth. And they reminisce on what it was like to guide a brand — and the severe challenges that came with it (See: all UGC content) — during the height of the pandemic. Kate also shares why she believes happiness wins over anger on social and provides a handful of other high-level insights for any leader looking to make a meaningful dent through their social channels. 

Think Postpartum depression only happens with women? Think again. For our Father’s Day edition of The Courageous Podcast, we sit down for a brave conversation with pediatrician Dr. David Levine. David graduated with highest honors from NYU Medical School while completing his residency at Yale Children’s Hospital. Even with all his wisdom and accolades, life changed fast — and not all for the best — when David became a father. On this episode, David bares all and shares his fatiguing story of being a pediatrician who suffered from paternal postpartum in a time where there wasn’t a wink of literature on this topic. Fast forward to today. That lonely bout with depression steered David to take on the role as incoming Vice President of Postpartum Support International, the worlds leading organization supporting the mental health of new parents.

From exploring the farthest reaches of the planet to experiencing a life-changing accident,  Albert Lin’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and unwavering courage.  Albert is, quite literally, a modern-day high-tech explorer, blurring the boundaries between man and machine while redefining how we explore our own humanity. In his conversation with Ryan, Albert takes listeners on an awe-inspiring journey through his life and adventures, from sleeping in his car to save money, to near-death experiences while scuba diving with actor Will Smith.  Lin shares how his upbringing shaped his perspective on life and adventure, drawing from his childhood experiences growing up around the world with a father who was an astrophysicist and a mother who was an actress and musician.  Later in the episode, the two discuss the different depths of courage, and Albert gives listeners a behind the scenes peak of a few of his TV and Film projects including National Geographic’s Forbidden Tomb of Genghis Khan and Lost Cities with Albert Lin.

Show Notes:

3:26 - Background of Bracken and growing up in Kentucky

5:00 - Where Bracken’s drive came from

6:30 - Transition from sports to leadership

7:14 - How consuming content can help with analogies in business

8:30 - Setting goals early to achieve success

10:00 - Why reporting doesn’t matter if you use influence

11:40 - Communicating is the key to developing trust

14:08 - How and why Bracken decided to fire himself

17:13 - Staying hungry

19:15 - Negative blessing

19:55 - Business Haiku’s

23:28 - Bracken’s definition of time

28:00 - How to get inspired

30:56 - OGSMT - Objectives, Goals, Strategy, Measures and Tactics

35:46 - On being yourself and embracing your inner rebel

38:16 - Bracken’s definition of courage

AT&T, Ad Age, Xerox, NBC Universal. These are just a few of the companies that Josh Golden, Chief Marketing Officer at Quad, has had a hand in making courageous changes at. With a diverse career spanning over two decades, Josh’s wife accurately describes him as the Marco Polo of industry professions. Josh has earned a reputation as a catalyst to drive change within organizations.  In 2017, he led the repositioning of ‘Advertising Age’ to the more current ‘Ad Age’ — solidifying its place in a new digital era.  In this wide-ranging conversation, host Ryan Berman and Josh Golden discuss the importance of staying curious, which of the 300+ pieces of content Josh has made is his favorite, and his recent decision to share publicly his bout with epilepsy.  It’s another inspiring episode of the Courageous Podcast that you will not want to miss.

At 16, Mandy Salas was a nationally ranked soccer player, eagerly preparing to submit college applications and step into the next exciting phase of her life. All signs were a go to continue her soccer career — most likely at Stanford — until an event occurring during a summer trip to Argentina abruptly altered this trajectory. In her candid conversation with Ryan, Mandy reflects on her time in Argentina, the accident that left her a quadriplegic, and the profound adjustments she had to accept of her new reality. Mandy candidly shares the challenges she faced returning to America, grappling with a loss of identity and struggling to find her place among her peers without the ability to compete athletically. Despite these obstacles, Mandy’s story is one of perseverance! Now, married with two kids of her own, we discover that Mandy is on a mission to convey that the human spirit remains strong in all of us.

At just 8 years old, Matt Gilhooly was struck with the abrupt and heartbreaking news that his mother had passed away in a motorcycle accident. This event marked the beginning of a long, soul-breaking journey of grief that lasted well over two decades. Today, however, Matt has found a healthy way to cope with his grief; using his experiences to help others do the same through his podcast, The Life Shift. As a host, he creates a safe space for his guests to open up about their own struggles and triumphs. But today, Matt shares his story for a candid, unfiltered episode on The Courageous Podcast. Matt delves into some of the most transformative moments in his life including the next time he had to face death in his family — the passing of his grandmother — and how that moment helped him move on with his life.

3:22 - A battle that everyone fights within

5:08 - Wanted to jump out of planes and blow stuff up

5:22 - If I'm going to do it I wanted to be the best at it, and the SEALS are the best

6:17 - Had a laser focus 5-6 days a week for three years

7:30 - On BUDS...incredibly difficult physically, mentally, emotional.. but also the best time...

10:03 - Soul crushing and devastated to get rolled back...didn't know what I was going to do

11:04 - How much I learned about myself in that state of anguish, state of despair

11:14 - When I came back my pain threshold was through the roof...I came back more confident

13:28 - The priority changes...you start to think about yourself last

19:54 - Addressing issues head on

20:25 - We all heard each other, vented frustrations and were candid

21:30 - Feedback regardless of rank

22:05 - Becoming one unit

23:31 - How to get to trust in a group

25:35 - Difference between a group and a team

27:15 - Trust and respect in a team

29:48 - First thing you are scared of...tackle it
32:17 - Strategies for building trust

35:25- Separate emotion from the mission or task at hand
35:39 - Purpose is everything

37:39 - Courage is the bi-product of the purpose I am pursuing

South African Marc Sidelsky believes in the power of storytelling, finding your voice and following it. Marc, an award-winning commercials director, tends to create scripts that disrupt and flourish in the market including his recent brave accomplishment of going straight to a CEO with an idea (Stussy X Nike) that one year later won honors at all major advertising festivals including the Clios, One Show and D&AD.  On this episode of the podcast, Marc shares where his passion for story-making started and gives smashing advice for anyone looking to push themselves in the content generation game. 

Get ready for an electrifying episode of The Courageous Podcast with your host, Ryan Berman! Today, we're joined by the brilliant Cheryl Goodman, a renowned tech expert and leading authority in artificial intelligence. In a world where many are fearful of AI's rapid advancements, Cheryl's insights and innovations offer a beacon of understanding and optimism. Today, she unveils her latest masterpiece, "How to Win Friends and Influence Robots." Don’t miss this fascinating conversation as we delve into the future of AI and explore the groundbreaking ideas in her new book, out today! PS. AI wrote this podcast teaser.

Have you ever seen a cow flying through the air? Yes, you read that right. On the latest episode of The Courageous Podcast, Ryan Berman sits down with renowned storm chaser and extreme meteorologist, Reed Timmer. Best known for his fearless pursuits inside the armored storm vehicle, "The Dominator," Reed and his team push the limits of science and courage as they drive straight into the heart of some of the most dangerous storms on Earth. We dive into the thrilling and terrifying realities of what it takes to chase tornadoes and hurricanes, as Reed recounts his awe-inspiring experiences both on the ground and in the skies. But storm chasing is just part of the story—Reed's dedication to extreme meteorology and his mission to advance weather prediction make this episode a must-listen for thrill-seekers and science enthusiasts alike.

Angela Jackson was living a life most people only dream of. As a high-profile executive at Nokia, she traveled the globe, navigating her career from the heart of New York City. Life was unfolding according to plan—until a life-changing car accident she never saw coming altered everything. During her recovery, Angela recognized a deeper calling, sparking a shift in her vision for her future. Today, Dr. Angela Jackson is the founder of Future Forward Strategies and a lecturer at Harvard University, advising Fortune 500 companies and policymakers on the rapidly changing landscape of tomorrow’s workplace. In this episode, Angela revisits the “negative blessing” of her accident. She also shares her shift which has her sitting at the intersection of leadership, purpose, business, and the future of work.

You can learn more about Dr. Angela Jackson's new book, The Win-Win Workplace here. 

“The hardest days are the most fun sometimes.” First at Buzzfeed, then helping to grow and sell Cheddar, Melissa Rosenthal recently made the leap to San Diego to take on a new challenge in her career.  As the Chief Creative Officer at ClickUp, Melissa is taking a bold approach to humanizing marketing in a space where it isn’t so common. Melissa has been named to Forbes' 30 Under 30, Business Insider’s 30 Most Creative People Under 30 and as one of Digiday's "Changemakers” for her creative brand work.  As you’d expect, Melissa drops plenty of gems on this episode of The Courageous Podcast, including a few juicy tips on what it truly takes to “go viral.”  Ryan and Melissa also dive into what it means to be a small fish that “punches up”, why being an outlier is important in differentiating your brand, and how Melissa has applied both of these tactics throughout her impressive career.

Good leaders truly listen.  Stephen Shedletzky, or “Shed” to his friends, helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. A sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor, Shed has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world.  In his conversation with Ryan, Shed speaks on some of his early inspirations that set a foundation for his current career inspiring bravery in others, including the courageous tale of his Holocaust surviving Grandfather.  Shed explains how to take steps towards embracing a speak-up culture, reminding leaders to both encourage people to speak up, and reward them when they do.  The two also discuss how it becomes harder to get the truth from employees the higher up the leadership rank you get, and discuss why leadership cannot be claimed, it must be earned.

2:35 - Getting The Band Back Together For One Podcast

5:00 - Describing her versatile roles to today

5:22 - Driven by curiosity and challenge

7:20 - Katie's Objective: Work on Global brands from San Diego

8:17 - Relationships matter

9:32 - Katie explains her time at GoPro

11:06 -Katie's "up and down" relationship with San Diego

13:57- Making the jump to Snap

15:20 - Snap: a leader in vertical content

17:06 - Gen Z  on Snap -- especially during Covid

18:29- Katie shares that Snap is driven by their values

19:10 - Snap values: Smart. Kind. Creative.

22:47 - Katie discusses Snap's current growth mode

24:15 - The perks of starting on the same day as your boss: Kenneth Mitchell

26:06 - What to do when you don't know...

27:09 - Having A Curious Mindset

28:15 - Good results are contagious

28:32 - It becomes a winning game

29:06 - What advice would Katie 3.0 give Katie 1.0?

30:51 - A mind shift: having a plan to staying present

31:43 - Working on a brand she believes is everything...

33:48 - Consumer's don't have time for marketing BS

34:50 - Katie discusses Tik Tok

37:26 - The business value of AR

39:03 - Leading with transparency

As the official soft drink of the NBA and WNBA, you've likely encountered the vibrant yellow and green Starry logo gracing sidelines and megatrons nationwide. Serving as the Head of Brand Marketing for Starry at PepsiCo, Michael Smith stands as a pivotal force behind the innovative partnerships that have propelled Starry to its current rapid success. Engaging in a conversation with Ryan, Michael delves into the strategic choice of the NBA as the brand's launch partner and shares insights on the nuances of marketing for an established brand compared to a nascent one—a perspective shaped by his experience on both ends of the spectrum. Michael also sheds light on the art of curating a team with the optimal blend of in-house talent and partner agencies, articulating why saturating the digital landscape with a diverse array of content is the key strategy for brands navigating the complexities of today's social media terrain.

"Don't just look at the world differently. Do the world differently.” This week’s guest is a profound talent who does both. IN-Q is an award-winning poet, multi-platinum songwriter, and the best-selling author of Inquire Within. His ability to deconstruct society and bend those observations into words landed him on Oprah's SuperSoul 100 list of the world's most influential thought leaders. He was the first spoken word artist to perform with Cirque du Soleil, and to be featured on A&E, ESPN, and HBO's Def Poetry Jam. His stand-up poetry special, IN-Q - Live at the Ace Theatre, is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. On this episode, IN-Q shares some of his new work. In the spirit of courage, IN-Q nudged the host to write and share one of his own poems as well.

“Dance! Nothing left for me to do but dance. Off these bad times I'm going through, just dance!”- Jamiroquai

Mom. Marketer. Ball Room Dancer. Care-giving Nurse? In a blink, much had to change in the life of the multi-talented, marketing extraordinaire Erin Levzow since her last appearance on the Courageous Podcast.  At work, she left tacos for a sweeter treat, now serving as the CMO at MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM where she helps all transcend into play to create unforgettable memories. As we must never forget, there’s an entire life happening behind the laptop at home. In Erin’s case, she and her family were thrown into a traumatic incident involving her husband’s fall over a 12 foot high banister that put him in a life-threatening coma. On this episode, Erin shares her whirlwind of hardships, triumphs, and how she kept herself sane by dancing the best she could through it all.

4:34 - Life long serial marketer who hates the way we're supposed to do marketing

5:07 - His two daughters: a Producer and a Musician

6:46 - "I hate lazy marketing"

8:15 - Marketers often wake up in the morning assuming people care what you have to say

9:44 - Geoff shares "the twofold" job of the marketer
11:44 - The pain of Covid advertising

13:47 - Incredible passionate about the consumer -- and making sure their voice is considered

14:12 - People confuse growth for a goal: growth is a result.

15:21 - Geoff's internal empty chair exercise

17:11 - The importance of being good to people.

18:20 - The fallacy of heritage (when the consumer doesn't care)

20:31 - Hard to keep continuity on big brands today because players come and go

20:51 - New P in marketing = Personal

23:31 - Talking at consumers vs Communicating with consumers

27:10 - Stranger Things amplifies "New Coke" -- the decision for Coke to say "yes"

28:40 - "This is a new coca cola company"

29:06 - 3B PR Impressions from Stranger Things partnership

31:08 - Know Going In You Are Going To Get Fired: What gives you the courage to take shots

32:30 - Geoff's interview with Mike Wilsky.

33:27 - "Have you ever gone all the way" - Interview question, Mike Wilskey (Nike)

34:51 - "You're going to fire me one day. I actually want this to be the thing you fire me for."

35:43 - The importance of going for it

38:23 - Geoff explains the "what's the catch" no catch...catch.

41:05 - "I try to surround myself with ridiculously creative people and see what happens."

42:18 - The power of music in their family: his wife and his two daughters

44:31 - Geoff's new role sitting on a few Boards

48:06 - Geoff explains a meeting at Coke when he was new and didn't say anything (but should have)

In today's ever-changing work landscape, being adaptable is more important than ever. Corey and his team at PrismWork specialize in helping brands and leaders navigate the complexities of modern leadership, creating inclusive environments where everyone can succeed. Recently taking on his brave new role as CEO, Corey chats with Ryan about how he balances staying connected with his team while handling his endless list of responsibilities. He opens up about the challenge of stepping out of his comfort zone, a journey that ultimately helped him grow. Throughout this conversation, Corey talks about how he is fully embracing every opportunity in front of him with courage. Corey also shares what’s behind PrismWork’s proprietary HEARTI leadership assessment and stresses the significance of having diverse teams to avoid falling into echo chambers.

Steve Mayer is Senior EVP/Chief Content Officer at the National Hockey League where he’s produced a myriad of memorable events (and content) for the league. Since joining eight years ago, Steve has been on a mission to reinvent the way the NHL creates, with an emphasis on experience and authentic storytelling. In his conversation with host Ryan Berman, Steve touches on how story-making has attributed to the recent growth seen at the NHL, his simpatico relationship with misunderstood Commissioner Gary Bettman and why it’s so darn hard to get NHL players to brand themselves. The two also discuss what makes the NHL special and why their die hard fans are a unique breed in the sport’s world.

Michael Bungay Stanier is at the forefront of shaping how organizations around the world make being coach-like an essential leadership competency. He is the author behind The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work.  In his conversation with Ryan, Michael dives into some of his best advice for writing a “really good” book that not only educates readers, but gives them an audible chuckle in the process.  He also shares his next daring adventure, climbing the fiery volcano known as Cotopaxi, and reveals the secrets of nurturing ideas to fruition by letting them “ripen” on the vine.  Throughout the episode, Michael reminds us that the greatest risks often yield the most rewarding outcomes and that "You're awesome and you're doing great."

Meticulously crafted plans. The essence of decisiveness. The inevitability of change. Nicole Ayers oversees a staggering billion-dollar enterprise comprised of household staples like Lucky Charms, Trix, Golden Grahams, and Coco Puffs. As a key force behind the cereal empire at General Mills, Nicole delves into the makeup and psychology of these beloved brands found in most pantries across America. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Nicole exposes her winning formula for surmounting challenges with her team that drive the business forward. Nicole also shares with Ryan what it's like to be a black woman in the boardroom today, delving into a few ways she is looking to move the ball forward in the arena of diversity and inclusion at General Mills and beyond. Finally, Nicole shares with Ryan her unique path from working in money to pivoting into marketing and how that has shown up as a competitive advantage for her.

 

1:32 - Quarantine Back In March Felt Like a Holiday; Not so much now

2:35 - Does he take pride in his advertising roots? Or does he run from that identity?

4:15 - Eric explains being in his 20's when he started Method

5:15 - Eric shares his two hiring rules back at Method

7:18 - Eric discusses the 3 separate cultures he's currently part of

8:40 - Finding those little ways to keep the team feeling unified

9:40 - Eric explains the "All Welly Wednesday" Zoom call

11:26 - We get Eric's response to a few Business Haiku's

12:21 - Covid was an accelerator to a new world and a new way of working

14:52 - The reality of imposter syndrome

17:38 - How Eric goes about testing his business ideas

19:09 - Creating little steps of confidence at a time

20:07 - Eric shares how he starts by looking at categories that are ripe for disruption

22:25 - "I sex up boring things that are part of everyday life. And I do it in a way that gives it scale fast. And that’s the Target partnership which really helps with that.”

23:57 - Their first meeting with Target: "It's a Snowball's Chance In Hell."

25:15 - "Any success story has an element of luck to it..."

26:12 - Eric raves about the creative leadership he sees at Target

28:48 - "Products are just the souvenir of the culture."

30:15 - Eric shares his artist and operator model

31:31 - Creating the space for the artist and the operator to work really well together.

32:48 - Does Eric see himself as the Artist? The Operator? Or something else?

35:18 - We get into the creation of Welly

36:23 - The differences between Eric's time on Method, Olly and Welly.

38:53 - The importance of learning and growing

40:38 - Trying to create space during the pandemic to think

42:18 - Eric shares a few life-after-Covid "we'll never go back" moments for his companies.

43:15 - "I believe in the slow hunch."

43:46 - "I need all the legos in the room again"

45:14 - Eric explains how he is a product guy: Culture first, Product second. Sales and marketing will follow.

47:39 - Discussing "Play Culture"

48:40 - Building brands is like putting on a play

50:11 - Method value: What would MacGyver do?

50:50 - Does Eric run his ideas by his kids?

52:32 - Eric has his next two company names ready to go...

53:16 - "If you're not growing you're dying"

 

 

“If I’m not scared, I don’t know that I want to be doing it.” Amanda Dunks loves living outside her comfort zone.  As Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Creative Development at Caesars Entertainment, she's been making waves in the gaming world for over 12 years. In her conversation with Ryan, Amanda shares her insights from navigating mergers, emphasizing the value of learning through trial by fire and the abandonment of the pursuit of perfection. She discusses her approach to hiring, prioritizing potential over credentials, and the delicate balance between agency-like creativity and corporate structure. Amanda also explores the intersection of brand strategy and creative development, highlighting the importance of visionary leadership and practical implementation. Don't miss Amanda's advice to embrace fear as a sign of growth and her encouragement for authenticity in business, reminding listeners to pursue what they love.

Eric Ryan is a serial entrepreneur, investor, advisor, and father. He is the co-founder of multiple household brands including method, OLLY, Welly, Cast, and WILL Perform. Eric has been named an eco-leader by Vanity Fair, was PETA's Person of the Year, and can be found on Fortune’s 40 under 40 list. In their conversation, Eric gives listeners an inside look on what it takes to be a serial entrepreneur. He provides candid advice on how to avoid the “sophomore slump” coming off a successful venture. He also shares his motivation behind seeking out negative feedback as a first step to any new project. Or, as Eric likes to say to himself when entering a board room: Improve yourself, don’t prove yourself. Ryan and Eric cover a lot of ground in this conversational edition including how Eric recognizes that entering a flow state when discussing an idea is a good sign that he may have a winner. 

There are presently 171,476 words making up our English Dictionary. And with all those choices, you can see how many leaders fumble their way through picking the very right words to help motivate their people, navigate hard conversations, or galvanize a consumer base. Enter Molly Tschang who is a problem solver extraordinaire, lexicon rock star, and the Host of the radio show Say It Skillfully®. Molly envisions a world where people speak without fear and feel heard. She's passionate about each of us being who we are and helping others say what needs to be said, skillfully. Most believe actions speak louder than words. Until, of course, words fail them. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Molly gives us a little taste of her skill including what it takes to let go of what doesn’t serve us. Enjoy.

Imagine spending a career helping brands figure out who they were only to wake up one day in a panic wondering who you were?  Bonnie Wan, a powerhouse in the brand strategy world, experienced just this. While she has made a living  molding narratives for Pepsi, BMW, and California Milk Processor Board ‘Got Milk?’, more recently she found herself in need of locking in her own powerful narrative. Hence, “The Life Brief” was born. Now? Her bestselling book, ‘The Life Brief’, derived from her experience aligning iconic brands with their core values, helps those who are willing achieve greater clarity, creativity and courage.  In this lively conversation with Ryan, we learn how Bonnie is helping people realize they cannot have it all; but they can have all that matters.

The Courageous Podcast w/ Shelby Stanger What happens when the tables are turned on an award-winning podcast host? You get badass podcaster, producer and storyteller Shelby Stanger as your guest on The Courageous Podcast. Shelby is a colossal believer that stories can impact substantial change. She has not only covered those stories as a journalist but has lived them herself. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Shelby shares how she went about crafting her Wild Ideas Worth Living podcast that she knew she’d one day sell to REI. She also shares her current passion project called Vitamin Joy; a podcast that sets out to deliver more health, humor and joy into the world. From covering rock stars to sand boarding under the South African stars, Shelby talks us through her adventures over this entertaining, hour long episode. https://lnkd.in/dYXsXvv

Courageous or Outrageous? Does spirituality have a place in the workplace? Denise Lee Yohn and Steven Morris, two of the most respected voices in brand leadership and corporate culture, believe the answer is a yes. Denise, an in-demand keynote speaker and bestselling author of What Great Brands Do, and Steven, a brand and culture-building expert behind The Beautiful Business, bring decades of experience to this thought-provoking discussion. Together, they delve into the growing demand among millennials for companies that reflect their core values and the courage it takes to foster a workplace where employees feel safe to express their spirituality. Drawing on their extensive expertise, they offer a compelling argument for why integrating soul and purpose into business is not just possible, but essential for creating magnetic, sustainable organizations.

Does Spirituality Belong at Work? Read the mentioned article here! 

Count your Mondays.  Jodi Wellman is a Speaker, Author, and Founder of Four Thousand Mondays where she isn’t afraid to stare death in the face in the pursuit of living her most fulfilling life.  As the author of "You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets", Jodi tackles the lively topic of mortality to help people make the most of their lives while they're still lucky to be above ground.  In her conversation with Ryan, Jodi speaks about how a stapler changed the course of her life, and how she took the “now steps” to make her dreams become reality.  The two touch on the concept of “pregrets” and why birthdays can be a good barometer in measuring how happy we are.  Throughout the episode, Jodi gives valuable advice on ways to make immediate changes in an effort to start living “like you mean it” and preventing delayed frustration for your future self..

It hasn’t always been a smooth ride for the people at Uber. In 2019, with the arrival of new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, the culture took a U-turn for the better. Four months into his tenure, our guest Danielle Hawley, was hired. Today, Danielle is Uber’s Global Executive Creative Director. A master at creating experiences that keep the promises brands make, Danielle will be the first to tell you that creative isn't a deliverable, it is the culture. In their conversation, Ryan and Danielle discuss her joining the company amidst the pandemic during a crucial moment of Uber’s transformation. Through the power of emotional storytelling and data-enabled creativity, Uber answered the question: “how can we service people as a movement company in a time where no one can move?” They also dive into what separates really good creatives from great creative leaders, and why “finding your people” in business should be your everything.

2:07 - Background on Steve

4:39 - Steve on his journey

5:25 - Brands with deep values that had the power to connect with people emotionally

7:26  - Absolute directionaless, needy, potential employee...up to my eyeballs in student debt

8:03  - Started at Lincoln Mercury division of Ford Motor Company

10:06 - The first time that I voluntarily left a job for unemployment

11:01 - The opportunities I was getting were not consistent with my expectations

14:57 - Didn't have a high level of enthusiasm or passion for the organizational structure - The way we were led, the way teams worked together.

16:47 - Golden handcuffs

17:05 - The good employees want to push things forward, they want to take risks, that are there working because they want to be working, because they are inspired...not because they have to be there

17:52 - Values alignment or violation of values

20:20 - A thirst for learning
20:24 - The greatest thing you can give your kids is curiosity

26:30 - You have to exposure yourself to broader ideas

28:47 - The CMO role. Have a whole bunch of people waiting for you to fail...

29:05 - So easy to get too myopic, too conservative...

29:15 - Give people the confidence and the courage to behave more adventurously

30:05 - "aircover"

32:33 - The world is full of managers...the world is not full of leaders

32:25 - The manager administers. The leader innovates.  The manager maintains.  The leader develops. The manager relies on systems. The leader relies on people.  The manger counts on controls.  The leader counts on trust.  The manager does things right. The leader does the right thing.

34:42 - We should be pushing for something extraordinary that connects people, that  inspires people.

42:08 - Probably never been a time more important for courageous leadership - develop a clear perspective...to lead people forward in an intelligent, unfrightened, confident way

43:31 - Steve Jobs

45:02 - He was admired but also kinda terrifying

45:56 - Apple had very clear aspirational values...and [Steve} expected the people that worked with him...to understand and embrace those values

46:28 - Was not bashful about telling anyone that they are full of sh*t

48:12 - He desperately needed people that would tell him he was wrong

49:31 - Every conversation has an impact

50:46 - I'm very proud of the advocates and relationships I've built.  I'm equally proud of the enemies I've created.

What’s it like to board a rocket ship? Just ask Morgan Buehler Zanotti.  Morgan was in the flight deck as Co-Founder & President of Primal Kitchen through its explosive growth from 0-50 million in just 3 years. In her conversation with host Ryan Berman, Morgan takes us on the journey from her plans to start a surf-yoga retreat in South America, to leading Primal Kitchen’s acquisition by Kraft-Heinz in 2018. Almost five years to the day of the purchase, Morgan recounts the plan she and her co-founder had going into the business, and how they successfully followed through on their vision.  Morgan also opens up about her imposter syndrome, her inability to NOT say exactly what’s on her mind (at all times) and gives listeners actionable advice on connecting with the right individuals that can help take their business to the next level.

While most of us were sleeping, the San Diego Padres were kicking off a new season on the other side of the world this week in South Korea. Joining them for the first of 150 baseball games he’ll witness this year is seasoned sports journalist Kevin Acee. With over 30 years of experience, Acee remains a road warrior as the Padres beat writer at The San Diego Union-Tribune. Despite his extensive career, baseball remains his true passion, marveling at the privilege of watching, writing, and discussing the game he loves. In this discussion, Acee shares how he churns out 3,000 words a day while navigating the demands of an eight-month Padres season.

Celebrities are people too, you know. And not many people on the planet know exactly how true that statement is like Chris Detert — who from his first days on the job in Los Angeles had him interacting with some of the most influential (but real) celebrities on the planet. Formerly the CEO of American Rebel PR, a boutique agency Chris started from Los Angeles, Detert now teams up with his brother, Ryan, to run the largest influencer marketing company in the world called Influential. In his conversation with host Ryan Berman, Chris tells a few stories from his past including regular run-ins with celebrities like Britney Spears, LL Cool J and Shania Twain. Later in the episode, Chris provides invaluable advice on how he stays on top of what’s cool today. Finally, Chris shares a few tips about how he builds genuine relationships with celebrities, influencers, brand leaders and more.

10 years ago, when the founders of Airbnb asked Chip Conley to be their mentor, he had his doubts. He could not see his place at a young-blooded tech start-up where the average employee was half his age. But Chip is not one to back down from a challenge, and with the help of Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky, he began embracing his new role as a “Modern Elder”. Chip is a self-proclaimed Zeitgeist Surfer, a rebel hospitality entrepreneur, a bestselling author, and the Founder of Modern Elder Academy, the world’s first midlife wisdom school that helps people cultivate and harvest their wisdom. In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, host Ryan Berman and Chip Conley explore what Chip is currently afraid of. They also discuss Chip’s time at Airbnb, the power of mentorship, and how the “great midlife edit” inspired Chip to launch The Modern Elder Academy. 

Eric Toda has had enough. Do you blame him? He is a father who unremittingly thinks about raising his children in a world where hate, fear and profiling is haunting Asian Americans. But why isn’t it haunting all of us? It should. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Eric Toda keeps it real on how he feels. We do cover a lot of ground including Eric’s versatile career leading at AirBnB, Snap, Nike and now Facebook. Deeper into the episode we discuss Eric’s frustration over the last year as hate crimes targeting Asian Americans spiked 150% in major US cities over the course of the last year. Finally, we talk through how Corporate America can be a solution to stopping Asian (and all) hate. https://lnkd.in/dYXsXvv

On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we sit down with Bjorn Trowery who joined Meta’s Communications/PR team near the beginning of the pandemic and the tail end of the brand formerly known as Facebook. We discuss what it’s like for Bjorn to establish credibility with a new team handcuffed away from his “personal superpower”; his ability to be live, collaborating and in-person.

The joys of being named a first time CEO just before the world shut down. This is the real, live work-in-progress story of Cedar Carter. Cedar, an experienced marketer who navigated her way through the fashion, wellness, and sports industries, took the reigns as the CEO of The Good Patch just before the global pandemic. She joins Ryan on The Courageous Podcast and shares her incredible journey despite the odds stacked against her, including an expansion into over 10,000 retailers nationwide, with over 15 million patches sold. We also discuss her favorite of the wearable wellness patches (she has a few) and some precious advice for anyone looking to take a brave step in their career. Whether you're interested in learning how to transition to CEO, or simply looking to pursue a bold move in your career, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

Bill Neff loves a good adventure. As VP of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Experience at YETI, he's on a quest for two R’s: Realness and Relevance.  In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Bill and Ryan delve into the art of forging genuine connections with audiences.  They get into details about certain tactics and strategies Bill has successfully implemented in his role at YETI, contributing to the brand's evolution from a hunting and fishing-centric company to the household name it is today.  Among the key themes discussed are the nuanced distinctions between brand-awareness and brand-trust, uncovering a product's unexpected relevance in niche markets, and the imperative for brands to prioritize people over data. 

Chris Kneeland is the tell-it-like-it-is co-founder of The Gathering which is, as the name suggests, a gathering that takes place in Banff’s Canadian Rockies by a consortium of world-class brand makers who wish to study, honor and celebrate the world’s best brands. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Chris and I discuss what goes into making this event as well as how his “day job” as the CEO of proactive creative agency “Cult" has evolved over the last decade. This includes a passionate back and forth about why brand leaders continue to make the very same mistake: putting stories into the world that don’t truly mirror what’s going on behind the curtain in their culture. And, if you’re a fan of Business Haiku’s, Ryan tests a few new ones out on Chris. Enjoy.

Communication is powerful.  Our guest today has proven that great communication changes individuals, companies, and societies for the better.  Patti Sanchez is the Chief Strategy Officer for Duarte, and has helped clients such as Nike, Cisco, Ericsson, and HP take their storytelling to the next level.  Through communication frameworks, storytelling techniques, and empathy exercises, Patti helps leaders and learners of all kinds understand the inner workings of the human mind and heart. She does so by crafting engaging narratives that resonate on a deep level. In this episode of The Courageous Podcast, host Ryan Berman and Patti Sanchez shed light on how to use storytelling to not only mobilize people to change, but to empower them to influence large-scale transformations.  Patti also shares some actionable advice on becoming a more effective communicator and speaks on why she believes a conversation is a more effective communication tool than a monologue.    

A Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee, Matt LeBris is a born and raised New Yorker whose current hustle is the pursuit of turning inward, with the goal of unlocking his core essence. Matt has previously worked for Shark Tank's Daymond John and now hosts the globally acclaimed podcast, Decoding Success. In their conversation, Ryan and Matt chop it up around their unique, and somewhat unconventional definitions of success and unlock the secrets of the equation E+P=O.  The two podcast hosts also discuss what brought them to the medium, and what they've learned along the way.  The conversation also delves into Matt's remarkable journey, where every setback becomes a stepping stone, earning him a "masters degree in getting knocked down" and an equally profound "PHD in getting back up."  It's another inspiring and engaging episode of the Courageous Podcast that you won't want to miss!

5:46 - We believe we have to be the ideal worker

6:25 - Heartwarming to hear the next generation of men stepping up and saying they want to be actively engaged fathers

6:32 - How to be great at your career and your family life

6:52 - The abundance mindset and trends we are seeing

7:10 - Value is not just about shareholders; it's about stakeholders

8:53 - Fears of taking a break from work

9:32 - The profile of productivity will surprise you - it's not about being all in, all the time

10:01 - Huge rise of parents versus non-parents

12:25 - This is a collective problem to solve, not an individual one

13:04 - Integrating work and family

13:29 - The United States ranks dead last in paid parental leave

14:17 - Please support paidleave.us

18:15 - We have a duality structure and we need to change that

18:20 - Go back to our original values as a country

20:15 - People need to be given a chance to learn and grow and change

20:53 - Forces from the bottom up and top down are creating change

21:24 - Background on PrismWork and HEARTI - Humility, Empathy, Accountability, Resilience, Transparency, Inclusivity

23:45 - The core traits of leadership in the 21st century

25:51 - Why buy-in from the full leadership team is important

28:51 - Often times what has happened is that someone is in pain and leaders need help to build it the right way.

32:01 - Humility and curiosity drive awareness

35:23 - Carol Dweck's research around scarcity mindset, abundance mindset and understanding a growth mindset.

37:23 - Why courage matters

39:06 - Courage happens every day

39:42 - Sharing your truth and finding courage in doing so can help someone else

41:52 - The cult of productivity

44:01 - The construct of corporate America

44:36 - The need to change what success looks like

44:46 - Taking time off from work has massive benefits

46:14 - Shame is not a driver for change

49:57 - How to live your best life

50:10 - Get clarity on your values and how you choose to spend your time

Nice gets a bad wrap. But Adam Morgan is one of the true nice guys who has successfully navigated the creative business space. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we are joined by the affable Adam Morgan who is Adobe's Executive Creative Director. We discuss a panoply of topics including how C-Suites can better understand the impact creativity has on its bottom line as well as Adam’s challenge to creatives; to “reach across the silo” and better understand the nuances of marketing and business. Who better to provide a point of view on the paramount importance of creative leadership than someone who has spent over two decades running creative departments at brands and agencies. Enjoy.

Spoiler alert: we’re all going to die some day. Yet, 67% of Americans are completely unprepared for that reality with no trust or will presently in place. Enter Entrepreneur Cody Barbo and his Trust & Will team. For the last 6 years, Cody and his partners have been working around the clock to disrupt a complicated estate planning industry.   In this conversation, Cody shares with Ryan how he might not have been your first guess (see: not a Lawyer) when it came to entering this regulated industry. Cody shares how he and his founders were perplexed that there wasn’t an easy, fast, and secure way to set up an estate plan online — which is why they decided to create this on their own. Finally, Cody shares forward his entrepreneurial path inspired by the visionary Steve Jobs and the groundbreaking release of the first iPhone. Cody also gives some great advice staying a perpetual student in life which includes how he uses social media to curate the “classroom you want to be in every day”.

If you could pick up your phone right now and call the 18 year old version of yourself, what advice or feedback would you give that 1.0 person? On this episode, Danita Johnson, a member of Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and ESSENCE Power 40 Class of 2023, shares her answers. Danita, currently serving as the President of Business Operations for D.C. United, is the first Black President of an MLS Club. She is on a mission to make D.C. United one of the premier clubs in all of sports, focusing on both on-field success and off-field community impact. In this conversation with Ryan, she also shares her mantra, and how it guides her in controlling what she can while driving her ambitious vision for the club. Danita also offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of running an MLS team and how her club goes about celebrating victories across the organization.

Show Notes:

3:10 How many Dhani’s do you know?

6:48 Dhani & Berman meeting in the mean streets of Potomac, MD

8:26 Did Dhani’s dad really do that in high-school?

11:12 Dhani talks about the 3 influence football had on him

13:49 Dhani’s gifted genes - his mom + his dad

14:47 Dhani convinces Michigan to give him a scholarship

18:43 Dhani loves THE University of Michigan

19:52 Showing up + doing the work

21:27 Having people in your corner

23:34 Drafted in the sixth round with Tom Brady

23:57 Aha moments from the NFL

24:42 Michael Strahan’s advice

26:33 Getting kicked out of Bengals practice

27:25 None of us have been in a pressure situation

29:03 The forced “pause” in America

31:34 Is this is moment or a movement?

37:44 On facing change

40:00 Recognize. Regroup. Refocus.

41:41 What type of world does Dhani want for his son?

43:18 Dhani on Opti-realism

44:25 Live a courageous life of intellect

Jarrod Dillon is the President of Business Operations for Orlando City Soccer Club (MLS), Orlando Pride (NWSL), Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando City Academy, and Orlando City Youth Soccer Network. With a career spanning over 24 years in sports and business, he’s dedicated to creating best-in-class experiences for fans and fostering a winning culture for Orlando soccer on and off the field. In his conversation with Ryan, Jarrod shares his approach to building teams where individual success supports the greater good, and how he turned a last-place soccer team into a championship contender in just two and a half years. He talks about the formation of the "Director Alliance," the key group that connects senior leadership with the rest of the team, and the importance of giving everyone in his organization a voice. Jarrod also touches on the courage it takes to take a break in the relentless world of sports and how getting out of your comfort zone to widen your skillset is essential for anyone looking to work in the industry.

Some would say it’s hard to lose yourself if you had yet to truly find yourself. This is the story of how one man went from city-to-city searching for his purpose while stumbling through a divorce and a soul-crushing bankruptcy only to come out the other side building a multi 7-figure empire. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we meet Ryan Weeden who had lost everything — not just money; but himself. Today, this “Hairpreneur”, Founder and CEO of Masters of Balayage, happily helps thousands across his global audience not just navigate with what’s happening on their minds (their hair) but what’s happening in their minds! We’ll hear Ryan's personal trials and tribulations that he felt he had to go through in order to come out the other side as the man he is today. Enjoy.

What would it take to make you 10% happier? Ben Rubin believes that making small incremental changes, like spending a few minutes a day meditating, can make big impactful improvements in your life. Ben has spent the better part of his career at the intersection of technology and human behavior change. He is the Co-Founder & CEO at Ten Percent Happier, where he and his team are on a mission to convince fidgety skeptics that meditation isn’t as intimidating as it seems. In this episode of the podcast, host Ryan Berman and Ben Rubin unpack the question “How serious is the happiness business?”, which leads to some surprising and thought-provoking revelations. They also discuss how to find sweetness when experiencing sadness, and why if you don’t love what you are doing as an entrepreneur you may be fighting an uphill battle.

It can share a news report with us in the morning. It can tell our kids a whimsical bed time story just before sleep. Amazon Alexa has become a useful member of many families found in kitchens and bedrooms all across the home. But what goes in to what Alexa says? And are there ways for us to teach Alexa what we best like to hear? Learn from Andrew Turner who is a Senior Manager on the Alexa Artificial Intelligence team. He works on what he calls the Natural Language Understanding team — and will share with us a few tricks, tips and Alexa skills that may help you in your home. https://lnkd.in/dYXsXvv

For 300 years golf had remained the same. Then Topgolf came around. If you ask their Chief Marketing Officer Geoff Cottrill if Topgolf IS golf you’d be surprised to learn his answer. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we discuss how Topgolf is democratizing and diversifying the game. Geoff, on Forbes list of the 50 Most Entrepreneurial CMOs, and Ryan discuss what happens when sneaker culture meets golf culture and how to successfully introduce a new concept to the masses.

Runner. Soccer Ball. Basketball. Basketball player. Hockey stick. English flag. American flag. These are the 7 emojis that Ed Romaine has carefully curated to present himself to the world in his Instagram bio. Ed is the Head of Marketing and Brand Development, Sports at Warner Bros Discovery, where he oversees a myriad of sports related properties including House of Highlights and Bleacher Report. In their conversation, Ryan and Ed bond over their love for sports while discussing highlight culture and strategies for connecting with the modern fan. Ed also gives a behind the curtain look into his unique role that spans far beyond the world of sports, and touches on his approach to managing a massive team with an emphasis on candor.

He helped bring two NHL teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. Aided a USA Hockey World Championship Team to a bronze medal. Rebuilt two college hockey programs from the ground up. It’s why Greg Carvel refers to himself more as a “program builder” than a “head coach”. In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, join host Ryan Berman and Coach Greg Carvel as they discuss why having more character than your opponent is an essential feature of a winning team. We’ll hear how Coach Carvel, over the course of four years, took the University of Massachusetts men’s Hockey Team from 58th (out of 60 Division 1 programs) to 2021 National Champions — all while maintaining the highest GPA of any athletic team on campus. It’s an inspirational episode that presents lessons that can be applied to life, business, and beyond! 

A birth. A death. An anniversary. A circled date on the calendar. A special occasion where sending flowers or chocolates can bring loved ones together; even when they're physically thousands of miles apart. Now, imagine if this memory-making moment doesn’t show up on time. This is the anxiety that comes with being Charlie Cole, the Chief Executive Officer of FTD, the modern florist collective. In this episode, Charlie and I discuss what it was like joining the company days before the lockdown in March 2020. Charlie shares what surprised him the most — that he didn’t know about — until after he accepted the job. Finally, we banter back and forth on where fear and courage show up for him as he tries to reinvent a legacy brand that deserves its own flowers for turning 112 years old. Enjoy.

Kevin Swanepoel is CEO of The One Club, the world's foremost non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the global creative community. Through The One Club, he directs prestigious award shows like the One Show, ADC Annual Awards, and Young Guns, as well as several education related initiatives. In his conversation with Ryan, Kevin stresses the importance of taking initiative without waiting for permission, sharing a compelling story about securing funding for a diversity focused education initiative. The two explore the notion that courage inspires more courage, while fear breeds fear, and discuss the necessity of persistence and adaptability when trying out new ideas. Kevin also advises those entering the advertising industry to leverage AI as a powerful tool rather than fear it, and highlights the significance of finding a post-COVID balance that enhances workplace happiness and fosters human connection.

Be fierce with the fierce.  Scot Chisholm is a four-time founder with over 20 years of experience in building and leading companies. He founded Classy, which he scaled to over $100 million in revenue and led significant strategic investments and acquisitions, including the sale of Classy to GoFundMe in 2022. Currently, Scot is building Highland, a private accelerator and community designed to support and elevate startup CEOs and founders.  In his conversation with Ryan, Scot highlights some of the key moments throughout his journey as a leader, with the theme of resilience at the forefront of his story.  Scot speaks on the value of having a co-founder when starting a company, and also gives his opinion on the importance of friendship and family in business partnerships.  The two also discuss the concept of “speed to truth” when trying to resolve difficult conflicts, and Scot explains some of the successful strategies he’s implemented at his organizations to make sure all employees are heard and valued.  

Learn more about Scot here! 

“Careful, your strategy’s showing.”  While other kids were outside playing, an 8 year old Steve Pacheco spent Sunday mornings marking up ads in the paper to make them better.  To this day, his passion for the craft of advertising is unmatched.  Steve spent over 20 years of his career at FedEx, where he produced 12 consecutive Super Bowl commercials.  He is currently the President & CEO at American Advertising Federation, being the first CEO to have held leadership roles at every level of the organization.  In this conversation host Ryan Berman and Steve Pacheco discuss if advertising — and the ad business — is getting stronger or weaker. They each share their overarching "state of the union” on Super Bowl commercials, the business as a whole and the talent coming into the game.

00:01:57 - The biggest stage - The Olympics

00:03:00 - Growing up with a goal of competing at the highest level

00:03:57 - A family of skiers

00:04:45 - Watched my parents compete in the X Games

00:05:59 - Always competing in some sort of ski event

00:06:51 - Speed, turns and air...and you have to perfect all three

00:07:20 - Being in the moment

00:08:00 - Train all year for thirty seconds

00:10:31 - At home workouts

00:12:00 - Training during summer time

00:13:32 - Focused on what I can do versus everyone else

00:15:18 - Working with a sports psychologist

00:18:14 - Preparing to peak in fours years for the next olympics

00:20:40 - Rapid fire questions

00:23:42 - Traveling and experiencing different cultures through skiing

00:26:34 - Finding sponsors

00:27:21 - Warren Miller's 'Timeless'

00:29:18 - Helicopter skiing

00:32:05 - Have fun and love what you are doing!

00:33:41 - Being the best in the world

00:36:12 - The Woman's Advocacy Group

00:37:10 - Sharing encouragement with other young female athletes

Ever wonder why your best ideas show up in mid shower? Or how you refreshingly feel different after spending the day next to an ocean on the beach? Today, we dive head first into the healing powers of water. We’re joined by the masterful J Nichols who was nicknamed “Keeper Of The Sea” by GQ Magazine. J has spent a career researching the benefits and impact water have on all of us. He is a marine biologist, PhD and author of the book “Blue Mind”. On this episode, J shares why we need to find moments to step away from terra firma to spend more time on, near or around lakes, pools, seas, hot tubs and more.