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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.
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With a career spanning over 20 years at top companies like Square, Microsoft, Amazon, and Etsy, Dave Brown has mastered the art of leading creative teams and building impactful brands. After a successful run as the founder of his own agency and record label, he made the choice to step into a 9-to-5 role, embracing the stability and fresh challenges it brought. In this episode, Dave reflects on the pros and cons of this shift, his dedication to connecting deeply with customers, and Square's recent billboard purchase above Mr. Beef (the restaurant where they film The Bear). Dave also shares insights on the spaces and routines that spark his creativity and his passion for mentoring others in their careers. Filled with humor, practical advice, and unique perspectives, Dave’s conversation with Ryan offers listeners a compelling look at the trade-offs between corporate life and hustle life along with the rewards of staying curious.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sophie Ozoux and Kwame Taylor-Hayford, co-founders of Kin Agency, are renowned for their ability to blend creativity with purpose, driving impactful change for some of the world’s most recognized brands. With over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, Sophie has worked with clients like Absolut, Apple, and Facebook, while Kwame has shaped global campaigns for brands such as P&G, Uniqlo and Chobani. Together, they created Kin to help brands navigate the delicate balance between culture, innovation, and social impact. In their conversation with Ryan, they discuss how brands can move beyond viewing "purpose" as a passing trend and instead embrace it as a growth driver. They reflect on the courage it takes for marketers to implement meaningful change and explore the idea that fear is often the biggest obstacle to progress. Through Kin, Sophie and Kwame are dedicated to fostering long-term, transformative work, helping companies like Delta Airlines and Mailchimp lead with integrity in today’s ever-evolving world.
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Nicole Zube’s journey is one defined by grit, growth, and transformation. As the EVP and Chief HR Officer at SpartanNash, Nicole leads with integrity and a commitment to making an impact, particularly through fostering a "People First" culture. In her conversation with Ryan, she shares how embracing challenges, taking on tough jobs, and remaining coachable has shaped her career. Nicole also discusses her “four G’s” —Growth, Grit, Gratitude, and Greatness—and the powerful impact these core values have on both personal and team development. Together, they explore the complexities of transforming the culture of a century-old company and the rewarding process of helping associates feel heard, included, and valued.
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Ryan asked me to write this intro myself since my writing gets credit and blame for a lot of things in my life. I was born and raised in San Diego, the city often written off as the souvenir cup of California. When my writing career managed not to flop and I landed a gig on Food Network, every agent or manager much smarter than me said the same thing. “If you wanna have a shot, you’ve got to move to New York.” Probably great advice. But I politely declined each time because if every creative person who had ambition moved away to “make it,” San Diego would just be a cultural wasteland, a resort with a city on it. What if some of us stayed and helped build a culture—told the stories of its people and the work being done? So in 2021 my wife and I decided to become the new owners of a 75 year-old, beloved media company, San Diego Magazine, and got to work transforming it into a modern media thing. It was a total rebuild, coming out of a global pandemic. The week we signed the papers, our son was born. We launched a massive festival. We launched a creative studio for brands. We micro-napped. Now? Thank all the gods, it’s growing. This is our story.
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Craig Dubitsky has built a career out of turning everyday products into something people can’t help but love. As the Co-founder & CEO of happy™ Products and the mind behind hello® products, Craig shares with Ryan how he made the pivotal decision to focus solely on his mission and cut out the other noise in his entrepreneurial mind. He explores the difference between FOMO (fear of missing out) and FONT (fear of not trying), a mindset instilled by his mother’s constant encouragement to “just try.” Craig emphasizes the power of creativity in business, revealing that intention only becomes magic once it’s put into action. He also talks about his business relationship with Robert Downey Jr. and their shared mission to spread mental health awareness through their partnership with NAMI.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Jeremy Lowenstein, a global brand strategist and marketing visionary, has been instrumental in catapulting Milani to the forefront of the beauty industry as the leading multicultural brand. His experience at beauty giants like Aveda and Sally Hansen has equipped him with a unique ability to craft compelling brand stories that resonate across diverse markets. In his conversation with Ryan, Jeremy talks about how his approach to inclusivity is inherent to Milani’s DNA, allowing it to resonate effortlessly across 40 countries. He also discusses how TikTok and strategic partnerships, like the one with Olympic athlete Jordan Chiles, have amplified Milani’s message worldwide. Jeremy also shares why makeup is not about changing who you are but embracing and enhancing your true self, offering valuable advice (to Ryan and others) on how to communicate this to the next generation.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Molly Tschang helps senior management and their teams Win As One. She has helped executives navigate over 80 mergers and acquisitions and the human after-effects of intense change. In her conversation with Ryan, Molly shares her notion that to be a good leader is to be a good coach. She points out that good leaders really want to know the truth, and why having a ‘shared reality’ between all levels of an organization is paramount in performing at the highest possible level. Finally, Molly gives advice to not let the fear of saying something ‘perfectly’ hold us back from communicating openly, and why we need to make peace with the things we really can’t change.
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“Defining myself / Is like confining myself / So I undefined myself / To find myself”. IN-Q is an Emmy nominated poet, multi-platinum songwriter, world renowned keynote speaker, and the best-selling author of Inquire Within. The Never Ending Now, his recent spoken word album and poetry journal, explore the importance of creativity for emotional and mental well-being. In his conversation with Ryan, the two dive into the dichotomy of being a macro-optimist and micro-pessimist while finding anchors to the world to keep you grounded. They discuss the courage it takes to put out a creation into the world that is truly raw and authentic to oneself, and the benefits of pursuing personal growth and maintaining a student mindset as you age, especially when you begin to feel calcified in your ways.
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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.
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