Outside In with Charles Trevail

The global mental health crisis is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time. Yet, despite the magnitude of the issue, many people lack the resources and support needed to cope with the stress and anxiety of daily life. “Mental health is probably the only condition where you're asked to use the organ that's having trouble to solve the problem,” says Russell Glass, CEO of Headspace Health, who credits his daily meditation practice with transforming his relationship with stress and anxiety. Now, as the CEO of Headspace Health, he's on a mission to share this life-changing experience with others. Through the immensely popular Headspace mobile app, the company has brought mindfulness meditation to the masses. And, with its virtual mental health platform, Ginger, the company connects individuals with licensed therapists, behavioral coaches, and psychiatrists, providing personalized support, medication management, and evidence-based interventions. Russell joins the podcast to talk about how Headspace Health is breaking down barriers to mental health and wellness care and empowering people to live more balanced, mindful, and fulfilling lives. Listen to this podcast to learn: • How the awareness of our own mortality impacts our mental health, exacerbated by the fast pace of modern life and an unending barrage of global crises • How focusing on prevention, or "brushing our brains,” can strengthen our resilience in the face of stress and anxiety and help us manage life's inevitable challenges • The cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies behind Headspace Health's personalized mental health and wellness support, and how this tech is used to personalize individual interventions and programs • The lessons gained from the merger of Headspace and Ginger, and the importance of a strong industrial logic and cultural fit for a successful merger • Why generative AI and large language models like Chat GPT are not yet accurate or skilled enough to be used independently in mental health care but can still provide valuable support to providers • Why some user churn can actually be a good thing, and how the success of Headspace is measured not by subscription revenue but by the success of its users • How meditation and mindfulness practices have helped Russell personally manage his own stress triggers and be a better dad, husband, and CEO

The backbone of a thriving economy lies in the seamless flow of goods. Few industries play a more important role in this process than trucking. With over a million trucking companies in operation and a staggering worth of $800 billion in the US alone, the trucking industry is a vital cog in the economic machine. However, the industry has long been plagued by fragmentation and has been slow to adopt new technologies. Enter Dan Lewis, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Convoy, a digital freight network that is revolutionizing the industry by connecting shippers with trucking companies, optimizing routes, and improving the experience for truckers and shippers. Before Convoy, Dan held product leadership positions at Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. Dan knew there were problems that technology could solve in the trucking industry, but he didn't know much about truckers. So, he hit the road. He spent countless hours at truck stops and fueling stations to immerse himself in the world of truckers, learn their problems, and get insights into how to make their jobs, and the industry, run better. Dan joins us on the podcast to share how he's disrupting the status quo in trucking. He delves into the challenges facing the industry and how Convoy's digital freight network addresses them, from reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the quality of life for truck drivers, to boosting the efficiency and productivity of the economy. Listen to this episode to learn: • How Convoy overcame early challenges in the trucking industry by leveraging the widespread availability and affordability of smartphones to connect and streamline communication • How, with persistent effort and research, Dan was able to find the key value proposition for the early adoption of Convoy's mobile app among truck drivers • How to maintain a culture of understanding by being deliberate in bringing customers into the company and constantly evolving around changing their needs and behaviors • What Jeff Bezos told Dan about creating a company value system, how Convoy embeds values across all aspects of the business, and evolves its values to reflect changes in society, the economy, the environment, and the company itself • Why cutting “empty miles” is the most effective route to sustainability in the freight industry • The potential of trucking's semi-autonomous future, where humans and robots will join forces in “team driving” • Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on surrounding yourself with supportive, long-term-minded people

You don't have to be a die-hard fan of The White Lotus or a jet-setting Instagram influencer to know how profoundly travel shapes who we are. It deepens our understanding of different cultures, people, and ways of life. It exposes us to new experiences and broadens our perspective. Most of all, it helps us discover more about ourselves. But during the pandemic, that was all lost…at least in the short term. Fueled by pent-up wanderlust and the desire to (finally!) explore and connect in person, the travel and hospitality industry has rebounded quickly and is poised for continued growth. Nobody is more optimistic about the future of travel than Anthony Capuano, CEO at Marriott International, the world's largest and most iconic hospitality company. With nearly 8,200 hotels across 31 brands in 138 countries and territories, Marriott consistently makes “world's most innovative companies” lists and has played -- and continues to play -- an integral part in travel around the world. Anthony joins the podcast to discuss why he's so optimistic about the long-term future of travel and hospitality. He delves into the recovery trends, as well as the macro trends accelerated by the pandemic, that he's seeing across the Marriott portfolio of brands. Finally, he shares how innovations in customer loyalty, technology, and sustainability initiatives will reshape both the guest and employee experience in the coming years. Listen to this episode to learn: •How the blending of business and leisure, along with the desire for experiences, is opening new areas of growth and innovation in hospitality •What “innovation” means at Marriott (think: a new state-of-the-art Innovation Lab, prototype rooms where real guests stay and provide feedback, tech platforms for employee and guest experiences, and more) •How Marriott Bonvoy -- one of the largest loyalty programs in the world, with 173M+ members -- maintains and nurtures an emotional relationship with members, rather than a transactional one •Is it really valuable to have so many brands under one company umbrella? (Yes, as long as you have a distinct, well-articulated brand positioning for each one.) •The growing importance of sustainability to guests, employees, owners/franchisees, and shareholders -- and the goals Marriott has committed to in order to achieve net zero by 2050 •Why institutional knowledge and a strong culture are invaluable assets for any CEO and can get any company through the most difficult times •What Italy can teach us about “the nobility of jobs in service”

There's a growing tension between how people want to work and how companies believe people should be working. Employees have experienced firsthand how they can be more productive by fitting work and life together in flexible ways -- without the daily slog of an office commute. On the other side are business leaders. They see business as a team sport and that when people come together and have strong relationships, they get better work done. Navigating these two truths will be key to building a successful company. Just ask Dan Shapero, Chief Operating Officer at LinkedIn. He oversees LinkedIn's global sales, operations, and member and customer success, and he helps companies around the world grow their business and strengthen their teams through the LinkedIn platform. Dan joins the podcast to discuss the forces that are reshaping the global workforce and the workplace -- and how both employees and employers are responding as we move into the future of work. Listen to this episode to learn: • How creating economic opportunity for everyone is the driving force at LinkedIn (and the secret to its success as a 2022 Best Global Brand) • Some of the job skills that will be in high demand in the years ahead (hint: think digital!) • Why the next wave of job seekers will choose to work for companies based on their sustainability goals and how they're helping to fight the climate crisis • Ways in which LinkedIn is helping women in the workforce find jobs and advance their careers • What is “product-society fit,” and is it as important as “product-market fit”? • Why the one thing every successful leader needs is self-awareness…and how Dan discovered it himself • How one conversation with former LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner changed Dan's perspective on his career • What's supposed to be on LinkedIn? What should I be sharing? -- Dan's advice for how you should show up on LinkedIn

In 2009, Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs left their jobs as food editors and writers at The New York Times to start a website and company called Food52. They saw how Americans' relationship with food was changing: food was no longer a niche interest, but a core part of people's identities that connected them to every aspect of life. The founders saw an opportunity to use technology and the internet to bring people together around food, a site where everyday home cooks could find everything in one place, from recipes to cooking advice to where to find the perfect set of nesting mixing bowls. A decade later, Food52 has been recognized as one of the world's most innovative companies, with three brands (so far) in its portfolio, a media content arm that reaches millions of loyal users per month, and a multi-million dollar e-commerce business that sells kitchen wares, home goods and decor, furniture, bedding, and more. Amanda Hesser, Co-CEO of Food52, joins the podcast to talk about the company's natural progression -- not perceived expansion! -- from food into all aspects of the home, and how she and her team have built a brand that's genuine, soulful, and “for people who see food at the center of a well-lived life.” Listen to this episode to learn: • The value of content to build an emotional connection to and loyalty with users; and how building that trust allows Food52's e-commerce business to move in different directions • How Food52 has found success in cultivating long-term relationships with its community and continually evolving as its audience (and the world) changes • The cultural impact of celebrity chefs in the United States and their role in making food more accessible, interesting, and fun to a broader audience • How Amanda's background in media and journalism was great training for being a successful founder and entrepreneur • How Food52 has expanded its product offerings with three brands: its own Five Two kitchen goods brand; Schoolhouse, a lighting and lifestyle goods company; and Dansk, the Scandinavian-inspired heritage cookware brand • Why Food52's new office headquarters in the Brooklyn Navy Yard will be an expression of the brand and a place for its community, employees, and partners to gather, create, and connect

Thirty years ago, people knew IBM as the “computer maker.” Today, IBM has evolved its business away from computer hardware, shifting focus on consulting and developing and deploying next-generation technologies like hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. Arvind Krishna has been there through the transformation. He joined the company in 1990, at IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center. In 2020, he took over as the company's Chairman and CEO. Having the perspective of both a technologist and a business leader gives Arvind unique insight into where to take the company next. “We lean a little forward in where the world is going as opposed to where it has been,” he says. Arvind joins the podcast to discuss IBM's role as a catalyst in deploying advanced technology to solve the world's most complex challenges and make business -- and the planet -- better. Listen to this episode to learn: • How working through Covid was a “large social experiment” that ultimately strengthened IBM and ushered in a remote and hybrid work future • Garage methodology, client engineering, and client success management -- or, the three ways that IBM works together and co-creates with organizations • The business opportunity of sustainability and how technology reduces friction, removes waste, lowers costs, and creates a healthier environment • The case for a more resilient and diversified supply chain Why IBM does not believe in donating money to politicians or PACs -- but would rather gain access to politicians through doing good in the world • The three traits every aspiring CEO should have

People have been buzzing about the promise of fully autonomous vehicles for years. But using self-driving cars in our everyday lives was something that we could only imagine existing in the distant future. No longer. Autonomous driving is here, and people are already using it to get to the mall, send their kids to school, or get dropped off at the airport. Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet, has deployed a fleet of autonomously driven cars in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco that anyone can order from the Waymo One app -- just like you would with any ride-hailing service. Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo's co-CEO, joins the podcast to discuss Waymo's moonshot mission to solve “the greatest engineering challenge of our generation” and how autonomous driving technology is giving people freedom of movement while making the roads safer for all. She also gives an inside look into how Waymo is rolling out the autonomous service, city by city, using insights from early users to improve the Waymo One experience. Listen to this episode to learn: • Lessons from early users who are co-creating new use cases for autonomous vehicles • How the Waymo Driver technology makes the roads safer by removing human error • How visually impaired testers have inspired enhancements to the Waymo One app • The challenge of navigating consumers' expectations versus the realities of what the technology can do • How launching Waymo in different types of cities, with vastly different topographies and road conditions, is advancing the learnings of Waymo Driver and enabling it to scale much faster

Eliminating the world's dependence on fossil fuels might seem like a farfetched goal. But to Francesco Starace, decarbonization is inevitable. As a nuclear scientist and the CEO of Enel, one of Europe's largest energy companies serving 70+ million customers worldwide, Starace has seen firsthand the accelerated transition towards renewables over the past few years. It's driven, he says, by digital transformation, innovation, and the economic viability of green energy. Global events, like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have only intensified this acceleration. Starace joins the podcast to discuss the future of energy, why “electrifying society” is achievable well before 2050, and the forces changing the way we consume (and produce) energy. Listen to this episode to learn: • How the pandemic tested our energy systems by dramatically changing energy consumption overnight, and how grid operators successfully adjusted in real-time • Why bringing sustainable energy to Africa needs to be centered around metropolitan areas, where most people will live in the future • The complicated energy dynamic created by the war in Ukraine, and why it will require us to insulate ourselves from gas by whatever means possible • Why globalization isn't going away; it's “mutating” • The emergence of consumers as energy producers and why they will help fuel energy demand • Why the future of electrification won't be possible without customer centricity

CSR. ESG. Purpose. Code of Conduct. There's an endless succession of acronyms and phrases that companies use to describe what a moral philosopher would call “ethics.” Or, put simply: how individuals and organizations can do right by others. David Rodin is the Founder and Chair of Principia Advisory and is one of the world's foremost experts on ethics and organizational culture. For years, David says, his clients mostly sought guidance during an acute crisis or when something went wrong inside their company. But recently, companies are proactively seeking the same guidance, realizing that ethics are fundamental to their business, brand promise, and market position. David joins the podcast to discuss why ethics can be a competitive advantage and risk mitigator that informs and underlies business decisions. He also explains why companies are increasingly looking to be part of the solution to a range of societal issues, and why this “generational shift” towards ethics will be a defining aspect of business for decades to come. Listen to this episode to learn: • The difference between utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics -- and the three key ethical questions every organization should be asking themselves • Why, in order to drive ethical change and to build ethical capacity, you need to look at the organization as an organic whole (i.e., look at its “software and hardware”) • How the war in Ukraine has sparked a fundamental shift in how businesses operate on an ethical level • Why the language companies use around purpose and values is less important than their orientation around and commitment to ethical values • Why global organizations need to consider regional differences and define their ethical red lines • How do we retain the best parts of globalization, but at the same time make it more ethical and values-infused?

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered the largest humanitarian and refugee crisis in Europe since WWII, threatening the global economy and upending decades of relative geopolitical stability. Patricia Cohen, Global Economics Correspondent at The New York Times, believes we're at a “real turning point” in global affairs and a “time of incredible unpredictability.” She's been covering this story since the war in Ukraine began from an economic perspective, reporting on how other nations, particularly European nations, are responding to Russian aggression and the impact the crisis is having on their economies. Patricia joins the podcast to discuss how the war in Ukraine has overturned decades of active integration and positive cooperation between advanced industrial democracies and is moving globalization as we know it into a new, more regionalized phase. Listen to this episode to learn: • How a Russian economy that only accounts for between 1% to 2% of global GDP still has the ability to disrupt everything from global energy markets, to supply chains, to food security • Why governments, businesses, and consumers are conflicted over their own self interest and their moral principles when it comes to how far they're willing to go in response to the war • Did European nations naively miscalculate their heavy dependence on Russian oil and gas (and is the war -- not climate change -- going to finally accelerate the adoption of renewable energy)? • Why we should be concerned about the huge debt crisis and food shortage that's looming among poorer nations • Where this conflict might be headed and why this crisis might have opened an opportunity for global cooperation For more information, visit https://www.nytimes.com/by/patricia-cohen

For more than 100 years, Mercedes-Benz has been one of the most innovative and valuable brands ever created. But as the global automotive industry shifts towards an electric future, Dimitris Psillakis, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, says the company has a new goal: to become the most desirable electric luxury vehicle brand in the world. The automaker will shift its focus entirely to electric vehicles in 2025 and be prepared to sell only electric vehicles by 2030. But the transformation to electric has its hurdles. Namely, competition from both legacy automotive companies and newer, tech-driven entrants into the space, as nearly every automaker aspries to lead the transition to all-electric within the next decade. Dimitris joins the podcast to share the vision behind Mercedes-Benz's electrification strategy and how the company is approaching the challenge of transitioning to electric from two angles: product performance and customer experience. Listen to this episode to learn: • What will it take to inspire luxury auto buyers -- especially those in the United States -- to make the switch to electric vehicles • How Mercedes-Benz plans to differentiate its premium luxury brand amongst competitors • The value of the dealership experience, and how the customer-dealer relationship is evolving -- both in-person and online • The digitalization of Mercedes-Benz and why the car of tomorrow is a “smart car” powered by software and connectivity

Companies love to tout their purpose. They come up with a grandiose purpose statement, include it in their advertising, and paint it across their walls. But, when you look closely, there's a lot of confusion about what purpose really means and what value it actually serves. Is a company's purpose only about profit? Or, is it anything but profit? Perhaps purpose and profit should work in harmony to create a win-win? “The word ‘purpose' has been hijacked,” says Harvard Business School professor Ranjay Gulati. He recently conducted extensive field research, interviewing leaders of some of the world's most successful organizations to fundamentally understand what it means to operate from a place of purpose -- or a reason for being. The culmination of his research is his latest book, Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies. Ranjay joins the podcast to explain what it means to be a “deep purpose” company. He describes what we can learn from leaders who get purpose right -- and use it as a North Star to guide and elevate an organization's people, productivity, and potential. Listen to this episode to learn: • Why business (and life) without tradeoffs is an illusion • How purpose provides clarity on how to prioritize tradeoffs as well as the ability to make demands of company's stakeholders • How leaders like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella create a sense of purpose within their company to inform culture, organizational design, and people strategy • The opportunity for companies to help their employees (especially younger ones) discover coherence and connection between their purpose in life, career, and job -- the “Holy Grail” of fulfillment • Why great companies look inside before they look outside -- aiming to get a clear understanding of “who I am and why I'm here” • How NFL coach Pete Carroll unlocks “human potential,” and why all company leaders should strive to do the same with their employees

Amid the verdant rolling hills of central Kentucky, in the heart of Appalachian coal country, you'll find 60 acres of a massive, glass-encased structure. Inside, you'll find row after row of tomatoes. The bounty -- sold in grocery retailers like Kroger, Publix, and Walmart -- is grown and harvested to precision using data, AI, and robotics by an AgTech company called AppHarvest. But this isn't your garden-variety greenhouse. It's essentially a 60-acre robot — a high-tech, data-driven indoor farm. Inside is a tightly controlled environment that uses 90% less water than open-field agriculture and only rainwater to produce crop yields up to 30 times that of traditional farming. “The facility itself is really living while the plants are living,” explains Jonathan Webb, AppHarvest's CEO. “We're collecting data all through the facility to optimize for the plant.” Webb joins the podcast to talk about the environmental consequences of what we eat and what's at stake for the future of agriculture, as the current system depletes our soil and climate change threatens our global food supply. He also takes us inside how AppHarvest is harnessing the best of nature supported with technology to create sustainable agriculture and working to increase food security -- one data-driven tomato at a time – and soon to include salad greens and berries. Listen to this episode to learn: • The story behind AppHarvest and its mission to redefine agriculture for a more sustainable, equitable, and healthy future for all • How traditional farming often exploits farm workers across the world, and why we all should demand these essential workers get paid a living wage • Why the environmental and tech communities should be investing in the economic potential of Appalachian coal country and reskilling its workforce • The role of consumer demand and activism in helping to make AppHarvest a more mainstream, recognized brand in the produce aisle • From LED lights that automatically turn on when it's cloudy to ensuring that the perfect amount of water gets directly into the roots, how AppHarvest harnesses data and technology to optimize plant growth -- 365 days a year • What's on the horizon for AppHarvest in the years ahead

In 2005, fashionistas across America were raving about something called the “Morning After Bag” (or, the M.A.Bf. for those in the know). On fashion and celeb blogs, “It Girls” of the moment, like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, were photographed out and about with the M.A.B. draped casually on their arms. Over on an online chat board called The Purse Forum, Rebecca Minkoff, the bag's designer, was doing something that, up until then, fashion designers would never dare do: talk directly with and listen to customers (“my girls,” as she calls them) about her designs. This was the beginning of Rebecca Minkoff the lifestyle brand, which is now sold all over the world and includes accessories, clothing, jewelry, and, of course, handbags. Rebecca Minkoff, co-founder of the eponymous brand and author of Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success, joins the podcast to talk about how she launched an “accessible luxury” fashion brand around milestone moments in women's lives; how her brand's success is built on trial, error, and innovation; and what's ahead for fashion in a world on the precipice of entering the metaverse. Listen to this episode to learn: • The story of how a cut-up, remixed “I ❤️ NY” t-shirt helped launch Rebecca Minkoff's design career in September 2001…and the hustle and hard work she put in afterwards to build her brand • How technology, NFTs, and the metaverse are impacting the fashion industry • Why breaking the once-sacred rules of fashion industry engagement has been a business necessity -- and boon -- for Minkoff • Why “finding your generals” and “letting go” are key for successful leadership • How the Female Founder Collective, co-founded by Minkoff, is helping to support female entrepreneurs ad advance women-owned businesses • Advice for young creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are just starting their careers and are hungry to succeed

When Corie Barry took over as CEO of Best Buy in the summer of 2019, she -- nor any of us -- could have foreseen what would soon come next. Now, nearly two years into leading one of the world's largest consumer electronics retailers through a global pandemic, Corie says the experience has only reinforced her leadership philosophy: “I am here to create the conditions for other amazing leaders to be successful.” Corie joins the podcast to give an inside look at how she became CEO of Best Buy and what she's learned about the role along the way. She also talks about how Best Buy's purpose of “enriching lives through technology” has come into sharp focus, driving and uniting the organization in innovative ways -- and leading to exciting changes in how the company serves both its customers and its employees now and in the future. Listen to this episode to learn: • How a Midwestern work ethic, artist parents, and a drive to make the world a better place helped shape Corie into the leader she is today • Why retailers can't force customer behavior, but rather need to “get out of the way” and focus on delivering a frictionless experience • The value of communication in any large organization with so many stakeholders in times of “stacked crises” • How tailoring employee benefits for working parents and caregivers creates a “scaffolding” that helps them succeed at work and in life • The reason and strategy behind why Best Buy is entering the health space • How sustainability and being a part of the circular consumer electronics economy is a competitive advantage for a retailer like Best Buy • Advice for young people aspiring to one day become a CEO

The world of work is experiencing a seismic shift. After the stress and trauma of a global pandemic, people are questioning how, where, and why they work. That's led to what many are calling The Great Resignation. People around the world are looking for new career opportunities as they begin to take stock of all aspects of their lives in order to find greater meaning and purpose. With 800 million global members and 50 million companies represented on its platform, LinkedIn is watching this shift happen in real time. In many ways, the platform and its users are humanizing work, and pushing companies to follow. Mel Selcher, LinkedIn's Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, joins the podcast to discuss how companies are rethinking their working models, their culture, and their values -- and what all business leaders should be doing to prepare for the future of work. Listen to this episode to learn: • The growing influence marketers and brand leaders have on a company's ability to recruit and retain talent • How LinkedIn users are opening up to show their true selves and celebrate their vulnerabilities and, sometimes, failures on the platform • The early trends and data LinkedIn is seeing about changing jobs according to generation (e.g. Gen Z workers versus Baby Boomers) • How Gen Z is redefining what it means to be a professional and why companies need to rethink their cultures and values to align with them • The shift inside of companies to market towards talent and customers equally and why there shouldn't be a separate consumer-facing brand and the employee-facing brand • Advice for companies as they navigate the tricky boundaries between personal and professional conversation • Advice for CEOs and others on how to engage, connect, and use LinkedIn to improve their leadership

As humans, we crave travel. It connects us to each other and the world around us. Or, as Rafat Ali, founder and CEO of Skift, a leading travel media company, puts it, “Travel as a human need is the default human condition.” But during the pandemic, that need went unfulfilled. Our ability to fly on an airplane, hop in an Uber, or stay in a hotel was drastically limited, if not put on pause. Now, travel is coming back...but just a little bit different. And that raises new questions for both the industry and travelers. Rafat joins the podcast to discuss how the pandemic has both accelerated existing trends and forced a break from the norms of the past -- and what the future of travel means for the world. Listen to this episode to learn: • How Skift takes an “outside in” approach to understanding changing travel behaviors and connects the dots to what it means for the travel industry • Lessons from the 2021 Skift Global Forum, and predictions from the CEOs of Airbnb, Hilton, and Uber about the future of travel • Why embracing flexibility for their customers and pivoting their core business (i.e., becoming cargo carriers) helped airlines survive the pandemic (along with big government subsidies) • How airports are redesigning their experience through the customers' lens -- from elevated food options to biometrics and “contactless” check-ins • Why we're seeing a boom in domestic travel and how travelers' rediscovery of the outdoors and local areas is helping small businesses thrive • How the hotel guest experience has changed as a result of the pandemic (and why your room might not get serviced daily ever again) • Google's new sustainability scores, sustainable aviation fuel, and ways in which the travel and hospitality industries are approaching “sustainability”

In 1998, Michael E. Mann and two of his colleagues published the “hockey stick” graph that would revolutionize and galvanize climate activism. It showed the exponential acceleration of global warming since 1900 and that human reliance on carbon-based fuels was making the planet hotter and the climate consequently more unstable. Mann is now a Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State and has authored several books, including his latest, The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet, a finalist for the 2021 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award. He joins the podcast to talk about why, after decades of inaction, we're at an existential crossroads: keep doing nothing and watch the planet warm to levels that create catastrophic climate change, or take the necessary steps right now to decarbonize our economy and end our dependence on fossil fuels. Listen to this episode to learn: • How a spate of inactivists and bad actors have deceived, distracted, and delayed meaningful climate action -- and that fighting against this PR and messaging campaign is the battleground of our “new climate war” • Why mainstream messaging that focuses on personal responsibility (i.e., eat less meat, cut back on air travel, lower your carbon footprint) deflects from what's really causing climate change and the big, systematic changes needed to stop it • The vital leadership role companies must play in fighting climate change -- but why corporate greenwashing initiatives and individual “net zero” commitments, while well-intentioned, are not enough • How the financial industry has in many ways been more progressive than most governments in taking meaningful action against climate change • How words like “adaptation” and “resilience” and promises of “technological innovation” are really just forms of distraction and climate inaction • Why Mann is “cautiously optimistic” about our ability to avoid catastrophic climate change

Most of us understand the role insurance plays in managing risks in our personal lives. But some insurance companies play a larger role in protecting us from the economic consequences of the global risks that threaten society. Floods. Fires. Pandemics. Cyberattacks. Climate change. Risks that are making the world more dangerous -- and that are accelerating at an alarming pace. Oliver Bäte, CEO of Allianz, the world's largest insurance company and asset management firm, joins us for a frank, in-depth discussion about why it's critical to make investments in risk-prevention measures and infrastructure, and hold governments and business leaders accountable. He also discusses the role insurers, asset owners, and asset managers play in mobilizing resources and lending their expertise to secure our future. Listen to this episode to learn: • The risks of over-investing in consumer spending and under-investing in making infrastructure resilient • Why, as events like floods and fires become more destructive and occur at a higher frequency, the economic cost through insurance can (at some point) become unbearable for consumers • How Allianz has worked with the United Nations to establish pathways to get to net-zero emissions through initiatives like the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance • Steps Allianz took to respond to the global threat of Covid-19 in the earliest days of the pandemic • How increased government spending due to the pandemic could create dire economic and social consequences for future generations • Advice for leaders on how to stay more personally connected to customers and the outside world -- especially in times of crisis

At the beginning of 2021, Mary Barra, Chair and CEO at General Motors, set an ambitious goal for the legendary automaker: end tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035 and focus on the transition to an all-electric vehicle (EV) future. With the manufacturing capabilities, trained workforce, and the brands people know and love, she believes that GM is uniquely positioned to lead the EV transformation. But Barra is also a realist. She acknowledges that there are factors outside of GM's control that will impact its long-term vision, one of the biggest being infrastructure. Barra joins the podcast to talk about GM's goal to lead the industry into an all-electric future. She also discusses the changes happening within the company, including the technology inside its vehicles, the GM brand, the company's “work appropriately” culture, and the evolution of its identity from a 20th-century car company to a 21st-century tech company. Listen to this episode to learn: • The factors that will influence customers' decisions to purchase electric vehicles • Why utility vehicles like Hummer EV can attract new customer groups who might have dismissed EVs in the past • How GM's famous “dress appropriately” dress code -- simplified by Barra when she was formerly the company's VP of HR -- inspired the company's new “work appropriately” post-pandemic philosophy • Why culture change starts with values and behaviors -- and holding everyone accountable (including CEOs!) • GM's vision to “create a world with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion” • Barra's advice on leadership and why women should never be afraid to speak up and have a point of view

Change is hard. And it never stops. The volatility, speed, and uncertainty that comes with change has been increasing exponentially over the past several decades, and organizations often have a difficult time keeping up and capitalizing on the opportunities that come with change. John Kotter is one of the preeminent voices on leadership and how companies can transform to keep pace with change. As Professor of Leadership, and Emeritus, at the Harvard Business School and founder of Kotter International, a management consulting firm, Kotter is the author of 20+ books, including his latest, CHANGE: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results Despite Uncertain and Volatile Times. Kotter joins the podcast to talk about why human beings and organizations have difficulty responding to change and what's required to lead change in a complex, large-scale business environment. Listen to this episode to learn: • Why organizational rules established to reduce risk -- and our survival instincts -- often hamper our ability to see, feel, and respond to change as rapidly as we need to in today's world • How a “dual system” inside an organization harnesses the entrepreneurial leadership required for collaboration and innovation, as well as the structures and rules meant to maintain efficiency and keep things running reliably • Why a high sense of urgency is critical to undertake major change • Why a “burning platform” is a great way to catch people's attention but won't keep them motivated for the long-term to solve complex business or social issues like climate change • Why data can ensure you're “not fooling yourself” but can also lead to information overload and anxiety For more information: https://www.kotterinc.com/book/change/

Harry Potter. Batman. Looney Tunes. Game of Thrones. Each of these iconic franchises has shaped popular culture for years. Behind each one is a passionate fanbase with a strong emotional connection to the characters and stories. As the President of Global Brands and Experiences at Warner Bros., Pam Lifford oversees fan engagement, experiences, and consumer products for these and dozens of other beloved Warner Bros. franchises (there are so many, we can’t possibly list them all here). She also leads the publishing side of storytelling giant DC Comics, home to Superman and Wonder Woman. “Our goal is to have our products, no matter what type, enhance that story and that connection [with fans] versus derail it or create anxiety from it,” Pam says of the fan relationship. With so many responsibilities, you could easily call Pam a superhero. Her superpower? Listening. Pam joins the podcast to talk about the value of building strong relationships -- with fans, colleagues, consumers, and partners -- and growing the consumer products and experiences for the most popular and lucrative franchises in the world. Listen to this episode to learn: • What goes into managing a global consumer products business that spans across apparel, toys, collectibles, homegoods, and much more • The rules of fan engagement -- what you can and can’t do -- and learning from mistakes • The value of building an ecosystem of connection points within the business and through different consumer products and experiences • Advice on localizing global brands and embracing cultural nuances that make fans feel seen, heard, and understood • Speed, data, e-commerce, storytelling, and what’s next for the future of fan engagement

Reshma Saujani founded Girls Who Code in 2012, with a mission to close the gender gap in computer science and educate and prepare girls for careers in the technology industry. While the non-profit grew and the amount of women earning degrees in computer science increased, gender equality continues to lag inside of tech companies. Women are still being denied the same career opportunities as men, regardless of their education level or skill set. Then came the pandemic, dealing a devastating blow to women and their careers. Since the start of Covid-19, more than 2.3 million women have been forced out of the U.S. workforce, undoing over three decades of progress towards gender equality. The lack of leadership on this crisis was the impetus for Reshma’s new initiative, the Marshall Plan for Moms, which calls for "long overdue policies like paid family leave, affordable childcare, and pay equity." She joins the podcast to talk about solving the cultural and systemic forces that exist inside of tech companies, and across greater society, that hold women back and inhibit the U.S. from realizing its full economic potential. Listen to this episode to learn: • Why tech companies should be addressing the problem of “unearned privilege” rather than the myth of the “pipeline problem” • The cultural problem of toxic masculinity inside tech companies -- and how it’s forcing far too many women (especially younger women) to drop out of tech entirely • How bravery can be the antidote to perfectionism • How role models like Vice President Kamala Harris inspire women of color -- or, as Reshma says, “You cannot be what you cannot see.” • Why true gender equality needs vocal male allies and advocates -- at home and at work • What’s next for Reshma as she steps down as CEO of Girls Who Code and hands leadership over to Dr. Tarika Barrett For more information: girlswhocode.com and marshallplanformoms.com

Before “Argo,” “Juno,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” and “The King’s Speech” became some of the most successful films in Hollywood (and subsequently went on to win Oscars), they were all on The Black List. Started in 2005 by Franklin Leonard, then a junior film executive at Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, The Black List is an annual survey of film industry executives that aggregates their favorite unproduced movie scripts. Today, it’s become much more than just a list. The Black List has grown into a company with Franklin as its founder and CEO, on a mission to identify great screenplays and talented screenwriters wherever they can be found -- especially in places where Hollywood historically hasn't looked. “The goal is to open all of the windows and doors in the industry for people who have the talent, both for the benefit of those people but also for the industry,” Franklin says. He joins the podcast to talk about democratizing access to the motion picture industry -- traditionally an insular and biased system -- and how he’s creating a true Hollywood meritocracy by sourcing storytelling talent from around the world. Listen to this episode to learn: • From launching a database of new screenwriting talent to producing original films to brand partnerships, how The Black List is expanding the way it finds and celebrates a diversity of talent • A recent McKinsey study reveals the massive opportunity costs of Hollywood’s anti-Black bias -- and highlights the positive financial outcomes of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility • The methodology behind The Black List, and why you should consider it a “menu,” not a ranking • Franklin’s thoughts about Martin Scorsese's essay on Hollywood degrading the art of cinema • Why society will need storytellers coming out of the pandemic -- the values these stories embody, and the decisions made by those funding them, will be consequential For more information: www.blcklst.com

In 2005, when Steve Huffman co-founded Reddit, the 21-year-old engineer envisioned a place on the Internet where people around the world could connect with one another through common interests and passions. A place where anyone could find community and belonging. A place that embodied and exemplified the potential of the Internet. Established as a decidedly “anti-establishment” company, Reddit was built as a meritocracy where content was regulated by its community with a simple up or down vote — not by Reddit itself. But over time, as Reddit grew, it eventually had to confront the worst of the Internet: speech that destroys community and makes people feel unsafe. Huffman joins the podcast to talk about how Reddit has evolved, navigating the proliferation of hate speech and the spread of misinformation while also staying true to its mission. Huffman also shares how his perspective as a leader has changed and why he believes that “as long as community is universal, everybody will have a home on Reddit.” Listen to this episode to learn: • The thinking behind Reddit’s content policy and the reasoning behind decisions to ban Reddit communities like r/The_Donald • Why Huffman doesn’t want Reddit to grow too fast — and how the company is designed to grow authentically rather than artificially • How Reddit co-creates its experiences and products with Redditors through their direct feedback and influence • Why r/Wallstreetbets is an example of Reddit working well and why the retail investing community represents a global transition to people having more power than institutions • Whether Reddit would have been better served to be a non-profit like Wikipedia • Reddit’s plans to expand internationally and enable more people to find their sense of belonging

In 2005, when Sal Khan was tutoring his young cousins, he started to see a pattern: personalized education (in this case, tutoring) helped students to master concepts and fill in the gaps in their knowledge, making it easier to advance to the next level. Sal, a hedge fund manager at the time, next took his tutoring lessons to YouTube, where his pleasant and intuitive instruction style went viral, resonating with students worldwide. Millions of views later, Khan left his day job to become the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, a not-for-profit educational organization that today operates in more than 190 countries and has more than 120 million users. Khan joins the podcast to talk about why the old ways of education need to change to keep pace with our global economy. He also explains why we need to move towards an educational ecosystem where every student can receive a tailored education -- be it in-person, digitally, or both -- at a mass scale. Listen to this episode to learn: • The backstory behind Khan Academy’s mission to provide a free world class education to anyone, anywhere • How distance learning during the pandemic has revealed what works (and what doesn't) in both the physical and digital classroom • The pros and cons of being a non-profit company in the competitive for-profit edtech sector • The role platforms like TikTok can play in connecting with and educating students around the world • How Sal’s new venture, schoolhouse.world, aims to offer free, live, online tutoring help to all students through a global network of volunteer tutors For more information: www.khanacademy.org

Over the decades, the airline industry has had to grapple with the aftermath of several historical crises, including the Gulf War, 9/11, and the Great Recession. But none has unleashed as much economic devastation and created more uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic. Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, calls it “the defining crisis of our generation.” To get through the early days of the pandemic, he knew the company had to move quickly and, above all else, protect the health and wellbeing of Delta’s employees and customers. His guiding principle: a crisis doesn’t build character, it reveals it. Bastian joins the podcast to give an inside look into how Delta is overcoming this once-in-a-lifetime crisis, the changes it’s making to give customers peace of mind about flying again, and his outlook for the future of air travel in the years ahead. Listen to this episode to learn: • Why safety protocols like keeping the middle seat empty give customers peace of mind and are an extension of the premium nature of Delta’s brand • Why Bastian proudly says, “We’ve never worked harder to accomplish so little yet achieve so much” • What early booking data is suggesting about people’s confidence to travel again • How a societal void in leadership has altered the role of CEO -- and why business leaders can no longer afford to sit on the political sidelines • Whether international travel alliances will weaken or strengthen post-pandemic • Why Delta remains committed to a sustainable future, spending $1 billion over the next 10 years to become the world’s first carbon-neutral airline

People often confuse the act of being mindful with the practice of meditation. But mindfulness isn’t a practice, says Ellen Langer, a Harvard University professor of psychology and author of the groundbreaking book, Mindfulness. “It’s an understanding of the inherent uncertainty in the world that leads you to pay attention.” But too often we operate in a state of mindlessness -- because we think we already know the right answers. We’re mostly oblivious to our mindlessness. But not knowing is a very good thing, indeed. Langer joins the podcast to talk about the energy begetting benefits of simply noticing new things -- or, being mindful. She discusses the power of being comfortable with uncertainty and how individuals and businesses can embrace mindfulness to see problems and create solutions from different perspectives. Listen to this episode to learn: • The “psychology of possibility” and why the limits we see in our life -- even our physical health -- aren’t fixed or as real as we believe they are • Mindlessness occurs because we fail to realize that everything that is was at one point a decision based on uncertainty • Why 1 + 1 doesn’t always equal 2. (Context matters!) • The benefits of replacing defensive pessimism (expecting or preparing for the worst but hoping for the best) with mindful optimism • The limits of “work/life balance,” and why “work/life integration” is a better pathway towards being happier and more productive • How increased mindfulness after living through a year of Covid-19 might impact our post-pandemic world

As an internationally recognized public health expert, Dr. Ashish Jha knew that a global pandemic wasn’t a matter of if, but when. In the early days of COVID-19, Dr. Jha predicted that the United States would handle the pandemic well because of the country’s advanced biomedical infrastructure, laboratory capabilities, healthcare system, and testing resources. A year later, his view on America’s ability to respond to a pandemic, both at the public and private sector level, has evolved. “I overemphasized technical capability and undervalued governance, leadership, communication, and social cohesion.” Dr. Jha, the Dean of Public Health at Brown University, shares his thoughts on America’s botched response to COVID-19, what we can learn from it, and how to improve public health to better prepare us for when (not if) the next global pandemic emerges. Listen to this episode to learn: • How environmental and climate change, as well as globalization, are causing more novel diseases to emerge and spread -- and why we should expect more pandemics in the future • Why the politicalization of Covid-19 undermined public health messages and amplified conspiracy theories and misinformation • Ways to improve communication and warnings during a public health emergency • Why trust is currency and why what people believe is driven by who they trust • How complex vaccine distribution plans create inequality, and why a simple lottery system might be more a equitable solution to get vaccines out faster • Parallels between the pandemic and the climate crisis • When will we get back to normal, and what will normal look like? Follow Dr. Jha: www.twitter.com/ashishkjha

When Lorraine Twohill joined Google in 2003, the nascent tech company was just beginning to expand beyond the United States into other countries. Google was also expanding beyond search, building new products like Gmail and Google Maps. Twohill’s role at the time was to help engineers get these products right for each country, taking into account local differences and cultural nuances. Today, as Google’s Chief Marketing Officer, Twohill says those early days built the foundation for the company’s ability to understand multicultural audiences and build diversity and representation into Google’s products and marketing. But there’s more work to be done and diversity needs to exist inside the company, too. “I don't think you can fully represent the world unless you have the world working for you,” she says. Twohill joins the podcast to share how Google’s diverse global marketing team takes thoughtful steps to put great work out into the world that makes you feel something, helps make life easier, and represents us all. Listen to this episode to learn: • Why, in tech, if you fail at product marketing, you will fail at all marketing • How machine learning and a partnership with the Geena Davis Institute helped Google identify stereotypes in their advertising and improve racial, age, and gender representation • The thinking behind some of Google’s most famous ads, and why showing the company’s humanity, playfulness, and empathy is so important • How Google is partnering with the WHO, the CDC, and the Ad Council to promote COVID-19 safety and vaccination efforts • Why Google aims to be for everyone but will always fight against injustices that are antithetical to its values, like xenophobia, homophobia, and racial and gender inequality • Why a career in tech gives people an extraordinary opportunity to create impact at scale in the world -- and advice for those who want to enter or advance their careers in the industry

For a century, Tesco has been synonymous with British life. Today, the grocery retailer serves 80 million customers a week from the UK to Malaysia. But in the 2010s the business was faltering and becoming disconnected from its customers. The Tesco brand had become a drag on people’s perception of the quality of the food it sold. In 2014, Dave Lewis joined Tesco to turn the business around and in 2017, Alessandra Bellini joined the team as Chief Customer Officer, charged with revitalizing the brand and re-engaging Tesco with its shoppers. Bellini joins the podcast to take us inside how the retailer turned around its business by simplifying its product lines and shifting its focus towards customers and their love for food. She also talks about how Tesco responded to the Covid-19 crisis with unprecedented speed at scale -- from implementing safety protocols to hiring and training thousands of new colleagues -- forcing the company to flex its 100-year-old “memory muscle” where everyone instinctively knew what to do to help customers and colleagues. Listen to this episode to learn: • A brief history of Tesco and how it earned a reputation for innovative retail experiences • The difference in responsibility and scope between a Chief Customer Officer and a Chief Marketing Officer • How Tesco changed its brand strategy and simplified its value own-label brands to remove confusion and regain customer trust • How Tesco responded fast in the early days of the pandemic -- including daily customer sentiment check-ins and launching a multi-channel campaign in 72 hours • How values guide Tesco’s decisions to take a stand on social and political issues

Many people are skeptical that companies set out to achieve a higher purpose other than profit and serve any group other than shareholders. But John Mackey, founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, has always pushed back against this notion. In 2013, he co-wrote the best-selling book, “Conscious Capitalism,” which laid out a philosophy that businesses should be guided by the value and good they can contribute to the world, not solely the profits they generate. His new book, “Conscious Leadership,” applies this thinking to leadership and building purpose-driven cultures. Mackey joins the podcast to explain how leaders can become more awake and intentional (that is, more conscious) -- creating greater value for companies and their employees, the customers they serve, and the communities they live in. Listen to this episode to learn: • How to lead with love and create cultures in which people can flourish and maximize their potential -- and how it’s done at Whole Foods Market • What Mackey told Milton Friedman he got wrong about the purpose of a business • Why applying a “win-win-win” framework to your thinking can open up creativity and innovation and reveal higher purpose • Why appreciation is the “gateway” to love -- and companies could use a lot more of it these days • How to apply the Jungian psychological concept of “the shadow” to business and leadership • How an animal rights activist opened Mackey’s eyes to what needed to be changed at Whole Foods Market

Five years ago, PayPal was considered a dinosaur in Silicon Valley. With an antiquated structure and business model, and new competitors like Apple Pay entering the market, the digital payments company’s future looked questionable. But in 2015, Dan Schulman took over as PayPal’s CEO. He brought with him a philosophy shaped by his experience studying the Israeli martial art of Krav Maga: never stand still. To constantly move forward, always be learning, and think expansively about the challenges you face. Today, PayPal is “a radically different company” than it once was, says Schulman. Under his leadership, PayPal has become one of the most successful tech companies in the world. He joins the podcast to talk about the mission to democratize financial services, why profit and purpose should never be at odds, and why being a “customer champion” means sometimes going against your own business model to do what’s right for customers. Listen to this episode to learn: • Why a company’s single biggest competitive advantage is its ability to attract and retain the best talent -- and pay them enough to be financially healthy • How PayPal created the “Net Disposable Income” metric to measure its employees’ financial well-being, and why other companies should do the same • Lessons from Schulman’s working relationship and kinship with Sir Richard Branson • How understanding someone’s life through experiencing it (rather than reading a report about it) engenders the authenticity and insight to design relevant products and services • Why CEOs shouldn’t be focused on politics, but rather consistently standing for a set of values

Humanity is facing an existential threat. The destruction of ecosystems and rainforests, the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, rising carbon emissions and sea levels -- these wounds to our planet have dire consequences that affect us all. Since 1971, Greenpeace has been bringing attention to these threats through peaceful, direct action and standing up to the people and companies who are destroying the planet -- while risking arrest and harsh penalty. “You have to stand up for what you believe in and hope that people will support you and that ultimately you will prevail,” says John Sauven, the Executive Director at Greenpeace UK. He’s worked in various roles at Greenpeace for nearly 30 years and has been an instrumental figure in the organization’s success. John joins the podcast to talk about Greenpeace’s mission and fierce independence; the interconnectedness between Covid-19, racial justice, and climate; and how governments, companies, and consumers each have a critical role to play in the fight against climate change. Listen to this episode to learn: • The current state of the environment and why we’re leaving “the Garden of Eden” • Why no matter what climate deniers believe or say, market forces are already driving us away from fossil fuels towards cheaper renewable sources of energy • Why confronting the animal agriculture industry is the next chapter in the fight to save the rainforest and biodiverse ecosystems • How Greenpeace stands up to multinational corporations like Unilever and BP, while also working with some companies to create positive change • Lessons the climate change movement can learn from the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic • How the younger generation is leading, organizing, and acting on climate issues

**Our 100th Episode** Early in his career, Chris Capossela got an inside look into Microsoft that few, if any, 20-somethings get. As a speechwriter for Bill Gates, Chris traveled the world and learned about the company and its leadership through the perspective of the CEO. Today, he’s Microsoft’s CMO, working under the leadership of Satya Nadella. After a 30-year tenure at Microsoft, Chris believes the last six years have been an “awesome transformation” for the company, as it’s shifted from a know-it-all culture to a learn-it-all culture. He joins the podcast to talk about how Microsoft discovered its new purpose and how the company is helping enterprise and small business customers recover from the pandemic crisis, and, for some, enter a new phase of reimagining their business for a post-Covid world. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • How, at Microsoft, it’s all about culture and mission -- and the brand is embedded in that mission • Why there is no simple path to cultural reinvention • Why marketers should avoid layering too many high-level frameworks over their mission and brand • The importance of having a growth mindset inside an organization • Why Microsoft has changed its physical retail strategy, as more of its products are cloud-based and purchases are made digitally • Why everything you read about Bill Gates’ humility and curiosity is true

During the ten years Tiffani Bova was advising startups and Fortune 500 companies, she kept coming up against the same questions: how do we accelerate growth? And, more importantly, how do we recover from slow, flat, or even negative growth? The answers to these questions were complex, and they inspired Bova to write the best-selling book, Growth IQ, which details the ten paths to growth that any company can take. Today, Bova is the global customer growth and innovation evangelist at Salesforce and host of the business podcast, What’s Next! She joins us to talk about how companies can put the systems, people, and processes in place to spot the signs of what she calls a “growth stall” early -- and the many ways companies across industries can take a customer-led, rather than a product-led, path to growth. Listen to this podcast to learn: • Why focusing squarely on the competition can be paralyzing for companies - and what they should be focusing on instead • How McDonald’s recovered from a growth stall by streamlining the menu, re-organizing the kitchen, and listening to customers who were asking for all day breakfast • How partnerships -- even the most unlikely ones -- are an important and powerful source of growth • The unintended consequences of proclaiming that you are customer-led, but not actually acting on it • Why “the fastest way to get a customer to love your brand is to get employees to love their job” For more information: www.tiffanibova.com

Ninety-five years ago, an economist named Paul "Doc" Smelser was working for Procter & Gamble when he set out to answer a simple question: What percentage of Ivory soap were people using to wash their face and hands vs. for washing dishes? The journey to answering that question was the catalyst for what is today known as consumer insights and market research. Today, 5 billion consumers around the world use P&G products everyday. Trusted brands like Gillette razors. Crest toothpaste. Tide detergent. And, of course, Ivory soap. Now, as COVID-19 has forced the world to stay home, these household staple brands have become an even more trusted and central part of our lives. Kirti Singh is the Chief Analytics & Insights Officer at P&G where he leads a consumer insights department, which has been named as one of the world’s most innovative client-side research teams. Kirti joins us to talk about the philosophy and purpose behind P&G’s insights team, and how advancements in technology and research methodologies have transformed how they understand human behavior, emotion, and consumption. Listen to this episode to learn: • How the pandemic has changed P&G’s consumer research methods and accelerated virtual engagement • How P&G uses consumer insights to discover growth opportunities, keep a consumer focus within the business and its brands, and activate growth drivers • How advancements in data analytics, machine learning, behavioral sciences, and other methodologies have transformed P&G’s research capabilities • Why Tide Pods are an example of “constructive disruption” • How the economic downturn will affect consumers’ choices and likely move them towards brands that are trustworthy, reliable, and provide value • Why being a successful insights leader requires curiosity, a growth mindset, and continuous reinvention

It seems impossible: replace the animal-based meat industry with plant-based alternatives by 2035. But that’s what Impossible Foods believes it will do. Why such an audacious mission? Because the animal agriculture industry is depleting the world's natural resources and releasing harmful greenhouse gases into our environment. The key to the fulfilling Impossible’s mission isn’t targeting vegetarians or vegans, but hardcore meat-eaters. Give them everything they crave about meat...just make it plant-based. Impossible Foods CFO David Lee joins the podcast to talk about how the company is taking a product- and market-based approach to solving the climate crisis; and the company's rapid growth in the U.S. and globally, partnering with chains like Burger King and Starbucks, and expanding into grocery retailers like Trader Joe’s and Walmart. Listen to this podcast to learn: • Why the plant-based food industry is poised for multi-billion dollar growth over the next decade • How the animal agriculture industry is contributing to the climate crisis, and why plant-based meat is the solution • The molecule called “heme” that makes meat taste like meat, and how Impossible was able to recreate it in its cravable plant-based meats • The difference in marketing to meat-eaters at a restaurant vs. in the grocery aisle • How support from celebrity chef David Chang and Katy Perry’s “Impossible” Met Gala burger-gown raised awareness and helped create a loyal following

America was founded on principles of justice and equality. Yet, it has never lived up to these ideals in regards to how citizens of color are treated. The same can be said for many U.S. businesses, which, despite investing billions in ‘diversity and inclusion’ training programs, have also failed to truly diversify their workforces and leadership teams. Pamela Newkirk is an award-winning journalist, an NYU professor of journalism, and author of the critically-acclaimed book Diversity, Inc., which examines the efforts over the last 50 years to diversify the American workforce. She joins the podcast to talk about corporate America’s diversity problem, and why she believes we’re living in a “moment of reckoning” where we might be finally ready to confront the reality of racism and start fostering genuinely diverse workplaces. Listen to this podcast to learn: • A brief history of systemic racism in America, and why the nation is becoming “post-White,” which makes race more of an issue than ever • Why the everyday decisions made in our racially homogeneous worlds perpetuate the system of racism and injustice and denies opportunity to non-white people • Reasons why the most progressive industries like entertainment, academia, and fashion are the least diverse • How, after a 2000 landmark class-action discrimination lawsuit against Coca Cola, the company embarked on one of the most successful diversity transformations ever seen in corporate America • The delusion of the colorblind or post-race mindset that many progressives fell into after the election of Barack Obama • The reasons why diversity programs and mandatory anti-bias training in companies often do more harm than good • Why progress comes not from having more strategies for change, but rather the will to change

The importance of this moment isn’t lost on Scott Uzzell, the CEO of Converse. “How do I bring the unique experiences of being a Black man in America to help people around me, other executives, society, the consumers that care about and love our brand...to make us better?” Uzzell also recognizes that, as the CEO of a global brand, he has a responsibility to listen and learn from others from diverse backgrounds with different perspectives -- and then, take bold action to create a more diverse and inclusive culture inside Converse and fight injustice and inequality outside of it. Uzzell joins the podcast to talk about what this moment means for him, what he’s learned while leading his company through unprecedented change, and why he thinks we’re about to see way more progress than we've seen before. Listen to this podcast to learn: • Why the urgency of this moment demands that all CEOs “get off the couch” and do something • What Uzzell learned about being “color brave” from Mellody Hobson, Vice Chair of the Board of Starbucks • Why companies must confront and address tough political and racial issues • How influencers help shape the Converse brand in local markets and inspire product innovation • Why the original basketball sneaker is returning to the NBA -- and aligning with creatively-driven athletes like Draymond Green and Kelly Oubre Jr. • The effects Covid-19 has had on the business and why Uzzell is optimistic about the future

For decades, market research was considered an “auditing function” -- a department inside the business that looks backwards at an ad campaign or a product, and identifies all the reasons why it performed either well or poorly. But as organic growth became more important to a company’s success, market research transformed into a forward-looking insights function. “You can't have organic growth unless you understand your customers,” says Ravi Dhar, professor at Yale School of Management and Director of Yale’s Center for Customer Insights. He joins the podcast to talk about the evolution and role of insights and how to fix the tension that exists between insights departments and the C-suite. Listen to this podcast to learn: • The four stages of insights, based on Ravi’s research with Boston Consulting Group • Why insights leaders should be in the room when strategic decisions are being made • Changes in consumer behavior during the pandemic, and which new behaviors might persist • The effects that two concepts -- “out of sight, out of mind” and “absence makes the heart grow fonder” -- could have on consumer demand after the pandemic subsides • The inherent risk in looking to “consumers as scientists” • Why insights require a collaboration of analytics, anthropology, and psychology • The skills you need to become a successful insights professional now and in the future For more information: https://som.yale.edu/faculty/ravi-dhar

Nicholas Thompson once wrote that WIRED’s purview is the future and that “the only way to think creatively about the future is with something like optimism.” But it’s hard to think optimistically right now. Our old ways of living have been fundamentally altered -- and may never return. Nicholas joins the podcast to talk about the profound changes we’re all living through and the broad implications this pandemic will have for society, businesses, technology, governments, and our environment. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • Reasons to feel optimistic about our future (and challenges that will need to be solved) • People’s perceptions of and attitudes towards Big Tech during this crisis • The perilous state of data privacy when our health is on the line • Are we experiencing a “work from home bubble” and overestimating the value of remote work? • Whether the environmental movement may lose momentum in the years ahead • How technologies like AI and blockchain may help build stronger governments and smarter policy • Why coronavirus has been bad for (poorly run) democracies For more info: www.nickthompson.com

Mathew Sweezey is a marketing futurist for Salesforce. Based on his research, he discovered that June 24, 2009, was a tipping point for media and marketing. That’s the day consumers officially overtook brands and businesses as the dominant media creators. Since then, an infinite and uncontrollable stream of noise -- tweets, Facebook updates, texts, blog posts, Amazon reviews -- has been the foundation of the new media environment. It has inspired new consumer behaviors and forced marketers to play by new rules. Matt joins the podcast to talk about his new book, Context Marketing Revolution: How to Motivate Buyers in the Age of Infinite Media, and why brands can no longer simply force messaging into the marketplace and expect that will be enough to persuade people to buy. Instead, brands must now market with context in mind and co-create with the very people who create and consume. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • What is contextual marketing and how does it differ from what has worked in the past? • How brands have shifted to a new business model of “market, sell, build, market” • Mercedes vs. Tesla: two starkly different approaches to marketing • How high-performing brands like Oreo have co-created with the marketplace to establish demand for new products before they launch • How LEGO designed around the context of people’s holiday shopping pains in order to boost online sales • The downside of A/B testing • How companies like Room and Board use AI to create “headless commerce” • What’s next in marketing as AI, video, and voice take center stage For more information: mathewsweezey.com

In luxury, “cookie cutter” doesn’t cut it. And for a luxury hotel brand, it has to strike a delicate balance between delivering a guest experience that’s both consistent and one-of-a-kind. Bill Walshe, CEO at Viceroy Hotel Group, says that consistency shouldn’t stifle the things that guests remember: spontaneity, authenticity, individuality, and creativity. He calls his philosophy “consistent individuality.” Viceroy Hotel Group maintains 15 properties around the world, from St. Lucia to Los Cabos to Beverly Hills and beyond, with another 8 soon to enter the brand’s portfolio. Each maintains its own distinct sense of location and destination while also sharing Viceroy’s brand essence. Walshe joins the podcast to give his take on what luxury means in the service industry today, and how Viceroy designs its experience around changing guest preferences, new technologies, brand partnerships, and shared values. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • Why hotels aren’t just service providers; they’re content providers with Instagrammable moments in mind • From celebrity chefs to spin studios, how the right brand partnerships and alliances add value to the guest experience and future-proof the business • Why guests want to stay at hotels where they feel they're making a positive impact on the world through a “contribution without compromise” • Why Viceroy decided to open the first-ever hotel designed around celebrating female achievement and empowerment (Hotel Zena in Washington, DC) • Is luxury’s assumed exclusivity a “historically passé” notion?

When Google embarked on an extensive study to understand what makes for a high-performing team, it was Amy Edmondson’s research on “psychological safety” that became the foundation of the company’s findings. Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor and organizational behavior expert, joins the podcast to talk about her latest book, The Fearless Organization. She says that “psychological safety describes a climate at work where one believes that you can freely speak up with any idea, concern, question, even mistakes.” It’s “a sense of permission for candor.” She explains the benefits of creating psychological safety in the workplace and why it’s essential for learning, innovation, and growth in the knowledge economy. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • Do better teams make fewer mistakes, or are they more willing to talk about them? • Why “problems are gems” and how leaders can use mistakes to improve performance • Why customer truths don’t always tend to make it up the corporate hierarchy • Differences between the “comfort zone” and the “anxiety zone” at work, and why the latter is more dangerous • Misconceptions about what psychological safety is (and what it isn’t) • Actions we can all take to create greater psychological safety at work and in our personal lives

In 2013, Steve Blank, adjunct professor at Stanford University, and one of three co-founders of the Lean Startup Movement, wrote a front-cover article for Harvard Business Review entitled, “Why the Lean Start-Up Changes Everything.” It was a call to action for large companies to embrace the lean startup methodology of innovation. But after spending the past seven years working with large companies, Blank now believes his initial thesis was wrong. Large companies are not bigger versions of startups anymore so than startups are smaller versions of large companies. Applying lean startup methods in large companies creates “innovation theater” and not real innovation. Blank joins the podcast to talk about his next big idea for business: the Innovation Doctrine. He describes the fundamental changes large organizations need to make to their thinking, leadership, and structure to innovate faster than competitors and the perpetual disruption happening around them. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • The core differences between startups and big companies • The origins of the Customer Development Method and a brief overview of the Lean Startup Movement • The key aspects of the Innovation Doctrine and how it aligns with current business methodologies • Why companies need rule books to draw innovation from the “frozen middle” • Why a dysfunctional upbringing can be an asset for entrepreneurs or anyone operating in a chaotic environment • Life and work lessons Steve learned from serving in the Vietnam War

The demand for sports betting has existed for decades in the United States, but it has traditionally been confined to the black market and Nevada, the only state where sports betting is legal. That all changed on May 14, 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), effectively legalizing sports betting in the United States – as long as a state government allows for it. The removal of regulations have opened up a new market (and created a huge opportunity) for online gaming companies like DraftKings. Jason Robins, CEO of DraftKings, joins the podcast to talk about the evolution of his company and why a deep understanding of customers is the key to leading in the new era of legalized sports betting. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • How DraftKings is managing its transformation from a daily fantasy sports provider to a sports betting and online gaming company • How the culture, regulations, and attitudes around sports betting have changed in the United States • Why the most impactful insights emerge from a combination of listening to customers and data analysis • How legalizing a market that was once in the shadows helps create more transparency and responsible practices • The business value of “not being fully prepared,” and why entrepreneurs should expect to waste their first marketing dollars • What lies ahead for DraftKings and the industry

Our cultural obsession with flying cars has been well-documented: the 1927 film Metropolis, the 1960s cartoon The Jetsons, the 1980s Back to the Future movies. But flying cars have always been a sci-fi fantasy, not a reality. That may be changing sooner than we realize. At CES 2020, Uber and Hyundai announced the first air taxi, the all-electric S-A1. According to Eric Allison, Head of Uber Elevate, this is just the beginning. He joins the podcast to talk about the vision of Uber Elevate, how Uber is integrating air travel into our end-to-end mobility experience, and using partners, data, and people to make flying taxis a reality. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • How Uber is working to build the “operating system for cities” through partnership-driven strategy and a deep understanding of urban mobility • How both human insight and data analysis are informing the design, operation, and “inside out” passenger experience • Why local community engagement is so important to understanding and addressing the concerns of those affected (e.g., citizens, policy makers, and governments) • How Uber Copter and VR simulations have served as a rich testing ground for passenger feedback • The environmental, safety, and consumer cost challenges -- and how is Uber addressing them • When will we really be able to hop in an air taxi?

Leadership is not a role. It’s a process. A process of exercising influence in order to bring about a desired outcome. So says Bernie Banks. He’s the Associate Dean for Leadership Development and a Clinical Professor of Management at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He served as a U.S. Army Officer for more than 30 years, retiring from the Army as a Brigadier General in 2016 after having successfully led West Point’s Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership. Banks joins the podcast to explain his eight core leadership principles and draws parallels between effective leadership in the military and in business. Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • Why leaders can’t default to exerting formal authority and a “do it because I said so” approach • Why leadership is about establishing credibility, building empathy, earning trust, and aligning interests • The West Point Honor Code and what business could gain from following it • Charisma doesn’t guarantee great leadership (though, it can help) • Reasons why we distrust our leaders the decline in trust in institutions and our growing distrust in leadership • Why companies should accept that different leaders may be required at different phases of an organization’s growth • Why disciplined execution is perhaps the most important leadership principle of all

The Cluetrain Manifesto, published at the turn of 21st century, was one of the most prophetic and important books written about the internet. It was a call to arms -- and a warning for businesses -- that the internet is a place where human beings want to connect with one another, not be marketed to. One of the co-authors of the Manifesto, David Weinberger, is now a senior researcher at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. His most recent book is Everyday Chaos. He joins the podcast to talk about machine learning and how it helps us make better predictions and why it reveals how profoundly complex and chaotic our world is. Listen to this episode to learn: • What the Cluetrain Manifesto got right -- and wrong -- about the internet, 20 years on • What machine learning is and how it’s a radically new way of thinking about how the world works and our place in it • The danger of algorithmic bias when left unchecked • Why making decisions without knowing “why” is actually a good thing • The benefits of following a “Minimum Viable Strategy” and using “unanticipation” to navigate and capitalize on uncertainty • Why Milton Friedman gave cover to the worst impulses of business (and the hope that the Business Roundtable will give cover to the far better ones) For more information: www.everydaychaosbook.com

All around us, risk is increasing along with growing instability and volatility. Cyber crime, climate change, and social division are just some of the major threats we face. Thomas Buberl, CEO of AXA, one of the world’s largest insurance and financial services companies, says that the company’s success hinges on helping customers reduce their risk to threats. In an industry that has historically leveraged risk to its own advantage, Buberl believes it’s time for a new approach: move from payer to partner. Building a partnership with customers, he says, helps them to live better (and less risky) lives. For a Fortune 50 company like AXA, which serves more than 100 million customers in 63 countries, how exactly does that happen? Buberl joins the podcast to explain how his role and the company mission is changing in “the golden age of insurance.” Listen to this podcast episode to learn: • Real-world applications of moving from payer to partner • How the consequences of issues like climate change and societal division affect the risk in our lives • Why Buberl became a founding member of the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative, and the purpose behind the organization • The shifting purpose of CEOs (should they focus on “excitement”?) • Why “iconic moves” can make a brand promise tangible and visible • Strategies and advice for how business leaders can stay close to global employees