Afleveringen
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Why settle for corporate âmission statementsâ when you can spark a movement? Thomas Kolster has made it his lifeâs work to help Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and governments discover exactly who they can help their audiences become. As the founder of the Goodvertising Agency, a recognized global thinker at the intersection of marketing, business, and sustainability, and author of two provocative booksâGoodvertising and The Hero Trapâhe challenges companies to stop obsessing over their âwhyâ and focus instead on empowering people to own their own transformations. A frequent speaker at TEDx and SXSW, a judge at D&AD and Cannes Lions, and a vocal critic on climate issues, Thomas believes âpurposeâ isnât about being a savior but a catalyst. Whether heâs advising Meta, Adidas, or IKEA, his mission remains the same: deliver authentic impact by making your audience, not your brand, the hero.
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What happens when a star chemical engineering student from India becomes one of the worldâs most lauded marketers? In this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Raja Rajamannar reveals how a serendipitous moment shifted him from scientific problem-solver to âaccidental marketer,â igniting a diverse career that has spanned financial services, consumer-packaged goods, and healthcare at powerhouses including Unilever, Citigroup, Anthem, and Mastercard. Raja currently serves as Mastercard's Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Founding President of its healthcare business. His accolades include Global Marketer of the Year by the World Federation of Advertisers, top 5 âWorldâs Most Influential CMOsâ by Forbes, top 10 âWorldâs Most Innovative CMOsâ by Business Insider, and induction into The Advertising Hall of Fame. Raja is also a Wall Street Journal-bestselling author, known for his book âQuantum Marketing: Mastering the New Marketing Mindset for Tomorrowâs Consumersâ.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Agnelo Fernandes didnât set out to become a CEO in the hospitality industry, but his background in finance and marketing gave him the perfect foundation to lead courageously with strategy, and heart. Now, as CEO of COTE Hospitality, Agnelo is focused on inspiring his team, elevating guest experiences, and fostering a people-first culture. In this conversation with Ryan, Agnelo shares the power of authentic leadership, reminding us that âthe speed (and sprit) of the leader is the speed (spirit) of the team.â He also recounts a memorable moment when an unexpected whale sighting turned a near disaster into a lasting partnershipâproving that adaptability and perspective can make all the difference. Agneloâs all-in on blending strategic vision with service, training, and building a people-first culture, proving that a little empathy and adaptability might just be the secret to the future of hospitality.
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When a high-flying tech sales career left him drained and unfulfilled, Tim Perreira realized it was time for a drastic change. Throughout his rise to Presidentâs Club accolades, top-tier leadership roles, and hefty stock options, he buried stress and anxiety until it pushed him to an alarming low point. Now, Tim is certain that genuine toughness begins with raw vulnerabilityâand a willingness to admit when you need help. In his conversation with Ryan, he shares the bold plan fueling his next chapter: a 2,800-mile walk across America to raise $50K for menâs mental health and suicide prevention. Heâs out to dismantle the âlone wolfâ myth, convinced that real resilience comes from community, honesty, and human connection.
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Co-founding one of the worldâs most successful ad agencies, Anomaly, would be a dream moment for mostâbut for Jason Deland, it has simply been part of his journey. In this conversation with Ryan, Jason shares how his fatherâs no-nonsense mantra, âWhatâs really going on here?â, has fueled his relentless approach to business and beyond. He breaks down the grit and guts behind building one of todayâs most iconic agenciesâhome to groundbreaking campaigns for Budweiser, Beats by Dre, Dickâs Sporting Goods, and Coca-Cola. Despite Anomalyâs continued success, Jason remains in pursuit of personal growth, returning to the classroom for a masterâs in sports psychology. Plus, he reveals the job interview rejection that solidified his belief in challenging the status quo and staying true to his convictions.
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Fear. It can flat out paralyze us. It can halt us in our tracks and make us feel small unless we stand up and face it head on. That is exactly what Michelle Poler decided to do as the creator of the â100 Days Without Fearâ challenge. Michelle has tackled everything from cliff-diving to diving with sharks to conquering deeper fears of rejection and judgment. In this conversation with host Ryan Berman, Michelle invites us to do the latter through her signature question, âWhatâs the best that can happen?â Today, Michelle has sparked an aspirational movement that has reached over 70 million people. As youâll discover from this conversation, Michelle is a cocktail comprised of positivity, generosity, authenticity and abundance.
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Picture an era when advertising didnât just sell productsâit shaped culture. Thatâs the legacy Ron Berger helped build, from co-founding the 700-person agency MVBMS with Tom Messner, Barry Vetere, Louise McNamee, and Bob Schmetter to penning era-defining taglines like âTime to Make the Donutsâ and âSubway Eat Fresh.â In this episode, Ryan reconnects with his former boss to explore how Ron helped launch Adweek and nurtured a culture of candid collaboration over empty hierarchies. Drawing a line between sports competition and creative excellence, he explains why teamwork, accountability, and âimpact winningâ have always been at the core of his leadership style. Ron also shares on building a culture at MVBMS that prized strategic clarity over trendy cool.
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From assembling elite teams at Ford Motor Company and Sun Microsystems to navigating the high standards of Bridgewater Associates, Steve Fitzgerald has honed the craft of leadershipâyet every other day, youâll find him carving through fresh powder in the Rocky Mountains. As a seasoned HR leader, startup advisor, and board member, Steve has spent three decades weaving together people and profits, championing both efficient business outcomes and more fulfilling personal lives. In this episode, Ryan and Steve dive into the principles that have shaped Steveâs unconventional career path, such as strategic leaps of faith and walking away from corporate safety in pursuit of authentic balance. They explore Ray Dalioâs âpain plus reflection equals progressâ outlook, offering tangible takeaways on how to welcome tough feedback, develop a growth mindset, and build teams that thrive on continuous practice.
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Marian Salzman is a celebrated global thought leader, trendspotter, and author credited with popularizing âmetrosexualityâ and helping launch the worldwide #GivingTuesday movement. Over three decades, sheâs guided top brands through cultural transformations and now serves as Senior Vice President at Philip Morris International, championing a smoke-free future. In her conversation with Ryan, Marian reveals the driving forces behind her 30thâand finalâannual trends report, shining a light on the rising importance of âbite-sized delightsâ and proactive âlife care.â She explores how fear can become a positive accelerant for growth, and why the pursuit of curiosity and courage must go hand in hand. Marian also shares insights on living more intentionallyâfrom the resurgence of traditional rituals like tea time to finding personal refuge in a fast-paced digital world.
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The Courageous Podcast celebrates its 200th episode! For our 100th, we had our oldest guest ever, 100-year-old George Krumme. Now, for this milestone, weâre flipping the script by featuring our youngest guests yet: Ryanâs own kids, 12-year-old Micah and 9-year-old Mackenzie. In this milestone episode, the siblings share fresh insights on braveryâfrom conquering stage fright to taking literal leaps of courage at Sky Zone. They also turn the tables on their dad, grilling him on how heâs embraced his own advice to âunlock courage.â With laughter, honesty, and heartfelt moments, this episode proves that courage knows no age. Whether youâre 9, 12, or simply young at heart, Micah and Mackenzie will inspire you to face fears, tackle challenges, and take bold steps toward the life you imagine.
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One of the worst parts of the job for many? Figuring out pricing. If youâve ever had to price anything, this is a must listen episode. Blair Enns is the visionary behind Win Without Pitching, the organization thatâs rewritten the rules on how expert advisors and creatives close deals. As the author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and Pricing Creativity, plus co-host of the 2Bobs Podcast, Blair has redefined integrity-based selling and value-based pricing for countless leaders. In this episode, he and Ryan explore why fear is an inevitable part of the sales process and how embracing courage can help you command higher fees. Blair shares practical strategies to avoid âpitching prisons,â from anchoring high on pricing to structuring proposals with multiple options. He also shares some nuggets from his new book, The Four Conversations: A New Model for Selling Expertise, and reveals the unexpected path that led him from big-city advertising to a remote Canadian mountain town, where his mission to help businesses thrive took root.
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Reggie Butler is a transformative leader whose work spans over 36 years, empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their highest potential. As the CEO of Performance Paradigm, he has influenced thousands across industries, from finance to tech, with his expertise in leadership development, equity, and inclusion. In this episode with Ryan, Reggie dives into the 4G Blueprint: Growth, Grit, Gratitude, and Graceâfour guiding principles that have been the foundation of his remarkable career. He discusses how these principles drive not only personal resilience but also organizational success, especially during times of change and challenge. Reggie also explores the power of mindset and how we can shift from fear to courage, offering practical insights for navigating lifeâs transitions.
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Dilan Gomih has always been driven to perform at the highest level, but it wasn't until her time on Wall Street that she realized the critical link between well-being and peak performance. After working intense 90-hour weeks in finance, she discovered fitness as a tool to thrive, not just survive. This realization led her to found Dilagence, where she now helps organizations and individuals integrate movement and wellness strategies into their daily routines for better energy, productivity, and longevity. In this episode, Dilan and Ryan discuss the pivotal moments that shifted her from finance to fitness, including the life-changing event of witnessing a colleagueâs heart attack on the trading floor. She explains how small, incremental changes can lead to big transformations, both in personal well-being and corporate performance. Dilan also discusses how she works with companies like Google and Pinterest to optimize employee wellness, offering practical tips on how to introduce movement into busy livesâwithout overwhelming yourself.
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If Thelma and Louis were reincarnated, itâs quite possible theyâve come back in the bodies of Kirsten Ludwig and Chris Danton. As partners and co-founders of IN GOOD CO, Kirsten and Chris have crafted badass strategies for companies like Pinterest, Zappos, and Mars, helping them stand out in crowded industries. In this conversation, we dive into their trend-filled Substack âGOOD THINKING âwhere they reach over 15,000 C-suite executives and creatives worldwide. We also discuss their unapologetic philosophy on brand building where theyâre not afraid to challenge their clients to embrace change. Throughout the episode the duo share examples of how courage and fearlessness drive their workâwhether in creative partnerships or navigating the chaotic world of rebranding.
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Weâre thrilled to bring you the third annual Year End Special of the Courageous Podcast! This year, Ryan is once again joined by his partners at Courageous representing the three pillars of Courage: Knowledge (Billy Collins), Faith (Ryan), and Action (Nicole Miller). But the fun doesnât stop thereâthis episode features three mystery guests â a mentor, a sports legend, and a Fortune 500 Kenvue executive â who each bring their unique perspectives and surprises to the conversation. Along the way, they reflect on some of the most memorable moments and impactful conversations from Ryanâs year on the podcast, tying it all together with wit, wisdom, and humor.
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Jeff Ragovin is a visionary entrepreneur whoâs turned industry shake-ups into his playground. From co-founding Buddy Media, which led to a $745M acquisition by Salesforce, to steering Semasio through a high-stakes rebrand and acquisition by Samba TV, Jeff has mastered the art of navigating complex transformations with grit and a strategic eye. In this episode, Jeff dives into his journey of leadership, from making the tough calls during a company pivot to having radical, transparent conversations with his team. He reveals how the mantra âaction overrides inadequacyâ fueled his success and why surrendering his ego led to breakthroughs in both his personal and professional life. Plus, Jeff shares the behind-the-scenes of his latest passion project, combining his love for fishing with his entrepreneurial drive.
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Jennifer George isnât just running marathonsâsheâs running entire brands into the future. As the SVP of Communications at The Aspen Group, Jennifer has a front-row seat to the C-suite, serving as the voice of leadership for a $4 billion portfolio of brands, including Aspen Dental and WellNow Urgent Care. Over the years, sheâs transformed global communications functions at companies like Shutterfly and Headspace. In this episode with Ryan, Jennifer dives into how her unique blend of creativity, grit, and optimism has shaped her impressive career. From her early days crafting communications for Unilever to her work at The Aspen Group today, she shares how she's thrived in challenging environments, always seeking solutions that simplify the complex. Jennifer also opens up about the importance of curiosity and staying active in the face of fear, and how "action overrides inadequacy" in any situation. She reveals how she turned self-doubt into a catalyst for bold actions, making a lasting impact on her career and the companies sheâs helped lead.
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Avery Johnson is a former NBA player and championship coach, best known for leading the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA Championship in 1999. Now the CEO of Avery Capital, a financial advisory firm, he uses his extensive experience in sports and business to help clients achieve financial success. In this episode, Avery shares with Ryan insights on leadership, perseverance, and the mindset that fueled his success. He reflects on his time with NBA legends like Tim Duncan and David Robinson, discussing what he learned from their discipline and work ethic. Avery also reveals how the principles that guided him on the courtâpreparation, competitive spirit, and resolving conflictâapply to leadership and entrepreneurship. He opens up about his transition into private equity and how sports metaphors continue to shape his approach to business, showing that the game never stops.
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Amy Woodall is the founder of Conscious Habit and host of the Conscious Habit Podcast, a powerful movement dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential through consciousness and self-awareness. With nearly two decades of experience as a human behavior expert, Amy has transformed companies by integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and leadership into corporate culture. A sought-after keynote speaker and co-founder of the High Vibe Tribe retreats, Amy has worked with CEOs and executive teams for over a decade to improve sales, leadership, and personal growth. In this episode, Amy shares how consciousnessâwhen cultivated as a habitâbecomes the root of all transformation, both personally and professionally. With insights into how to break free from ego-driven decisions and lead with authenticity, Amy offers practical tools to help people overcome fear, tap into their true potential, and build healthier, more effective teams.
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Dave Hersh is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and advisor with over three decades of experience building lean, mission-driven businesses. As the founding CEO of Jive, he grew the company from a small open-source project to its IPO. After stints in private equity and venture capital (at a16z), he now serves as a general partner at Metamorph Partners, which does "operator-led buyouts" of companies needing a second act. In this episode, Dave shares insights from his book, Reignition, a playbook for startups to get unstuck. He opens up about his own journey of getting unstuck after facing personal and professional crises and why the future of competitive advantage will focus on humans, not technology. Dave and Ryan discuss the challenges of balancing personal fulfillment with business success and how leaders can make decisions that align with their core values and intuition.
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