Unserious

How many of you have that idea for a great business nagging you in the back of your head? The one that you just know will make the judges on Shark Tank swoon? Or maybe it's another idea altogether… writing a book, an adventure, going back to school to pivot your career? What is it that urges us to take that leap of faith and move forward? It's not always about a perfectly executed plan. Sometimes it's about resilience, having the right people around you, and more than a little bit of hustle.In this final episode of season 3, J.B. and Molly kick off their shoes with Bianca to talk about what it takes to turn an idea into a thriving brand, the lessons she carried from Facebook into her own company, and why community is everything in business and in life."I never put pressure on myself to start a company. It was like this nagging thing I had to figure out if I could solve." - Bianca GatesFollow Bianca on Instagram @biancagates and check out Birdies at birdies.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

We all love a comeback story, and live comedy is one of the biggest to emerge from the pandemic. It offer us what we crave more than ever: shared experience, community, and levity. But how does that work in an era when social media has become a comedian's most begrudgingly important platform?In this episode, J.B. and Molly talk with Danny Frenkel, founder and CEO of PunchUp Live, a platform revolutionizing how comedians connect with their audiences. From his roots in advertising to the grind of startup life, Danny shares what it takes to turn a creative vision into reality. This is a candid exploration of the sacrifices and rewards of following one's dreams, seasoned with wisdom on embracing creativity and the unpredictable nature of the entrepreneurial journey."Find something that you care so insanely passionately about that you're willing to put in all the work. Because, again, the only thing that I know is you've really gotta work hard." - Danny Frenkel Check out punchup.live to connect with some of your favorite comedians, like Larry David, Michelle Wood, Roy Wood Jr., Tom Segura, and Aparna Nancherla! Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

They say the average person sees something like 10K ads per day. A constant flood of messages and hooks, all vying for a sliver of our attention. So what does it take to be noticed? To be memorable? To be relevant? One way is to create moments that aren't just seen, but are lived.In this episode, J.B. explores the extraordinary with Judy Lee, Senior Director of Global Brand Experiences at Pinterest. The conversation is packed with ideas for live events and experiences that work in a new era where inspiration and authenticity take center stage. "It's not as much about 'let me take a photo of me being somewhere.' It's more about 'I want to experience something authentic...' We always have to think about who are we serving, how can we be additive to their lives?" - Judy LeeFollow Judy on LinkedIn and Instagram @judyleebk. Mentioned in this episode:North West / Daniel Roseberry take Pinterest Predicts Pinterest Manifestival Pinterest PresentsProducer and editor: Micah VonoStory producer and editor: Sarah KuckAssociate producer: Justin ToyFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Preparing for the future doesn't make a lot of sense at a time when the unknowns feel like they outnumber the knowns. Nowadays we encourage our young people to be quick on their feet and have transferable skills. But what if instead of waiting for the future to happen, we could take an active role in designing it? What would it take to develop the mindset, imagination, and skills, to shape futures that are equitable, creative, and sustainable?In this episode, J.B. and Molly explore the process of shaping our futures through creativity and empathy with Laura McBain, Managing Director of the Stanford d.school and author of the book My Favorite Failure. "Our job is helping people recover the imagination they've always had. How do I not just imagine what that world might be, but how could I start building toward it?" - Laura McBainYou can follow Laura on LinkedIn to see her, in her words, "repost with no comment." Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

For a week devoted to gratitude, we decided to revisit this episode with Ryan Modjeski about empathy, compassion, and curiosity, originally aired on November 9, 2023. There are so many great lessons in this episode, but the most important one is that empathy is teachable. Happy Thanksgiving, US listeners!"The culture I try to build is one that is unafraid to try and the only real sin is making the same mistake over and over again." - Ryan ModjeskiConnect with Ryan on LinkedIn and on Twitter / X.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Building a movement is truly an art form; one without a single formula or method. It takes more than strategy, and a lot more than just having a great idea. When a movement starts to click, you can feel it. The cogs begin to turn themselves, then turn each other, and the whole thing starts to move as something that's bigger than any one of its parts. In this episode, J.B. and Molly go behind the scenes of social change initiatives with Eric Waldo, president and CEO of the District of Columbia College Access Program and the former executive director of Michelle Obama's Reach Higher program."What's our 'why?' What's the story and how can we tell it in a way that may move people where they have been cynical or skeptical before?" - Eric WaldoYou can follow Eric Waldo on LinkedIn and learn more about his work at dccap.org.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

A recurring theme on this show is that of the rapidly changing world. Some thrive in the energy that fast-paced change can bring—new challenges, new ideas—while others feel overwhelmed or left behind. But it's in these uncomfortable moments of change that we find real growth and transformation.In this episode, J.B. uncovers the elements of adaptation with corporate innovator Chris Majer, founder of the Human Potential Project and author of the best-selling book, The Power to Transform: Your New Future Awaits. Listen in as Chris explains the power of  the "Popeye moment"—when we decide we can't stay the same anymore and embrace the changes that help us adapt and thrive."What am I committed to and what's the story that I live in about life? And every once in a while you've got to change your story.” - Chris MajerEngage with Chris' work at humanpotentialproject.com, YouTube and Instagram.The Power to Transform: Your New Future Awaits is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

This week is election week in the United States, and power has shifted. So we're revisiting this episode with Ebele Okobi on the Dynamics of Power, originally aired on March 21, 2024. Take a listen and take good care out there."My interest in power is, how do I bring people with me? How do I use this power to create a more radically loving world?" - Ebele Okobi You can connect with Ebele on LinkedIn and Instagram.  Mentioned in this episode: The Igbo have no king 2022 Venice Biennale Chinedu Valentine Okobi Sabbatical ProgramThe Future Plate (African & Caribbean Catering)Loophole of Retreat symposiumFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Everyone is trying to influence something or someone to get the outcomes they want, even when we're not actively thinking about it. As humans we're hardwired to persuade - at work, in relationships, negotiating dinner. Influence shapes the way we move through the world. But what is it exactly? In this episode, J.B. and Molly are joined by Bess Kennedy, former corporate litigator and the Founding Executive Director of the Aspire Public Schools Foundation to explore the elements of persuasion."What do people want out of this work? And it can't just be my vision, it can't just be what I want. I don't want to be the tail that wags the dog." - Bess KennedyConnect with Bess on LinkedIn or Instagram @bknyca.Apply for the Aspire Public School Board See the letter from Bess' parent committee on Instagram!Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Since the pandemic began, it seems like everyone's favorite topic is "the future of work." But in all the talk about return to office, remote work, and Zoom fatigue, are we missing the headline here? In 2023, the number of number of independent workers in the US quadrupled to 64 million - that's 45% of the American workforce. In this episode, J.B. talks with Noah Lang, founder of Stride Health, the leader of portable benefits for independent workers , to find out what's behind this trend and what it takes to build a company that meets the needs of this incredibly fast growing sector." Fundamentally, what's driving the independent economy is people want more flexibility...  we've just kept trying to knock down problems that people who work for themselves have to solve." - Noah LangConnect with Noah on LinkedIn and X, and check out stridehealth.com for open enrollment beginning November 1.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

At work, we all want to be respected, heard, and taken seriously. But for people from non-dominant groups, especially women, gaining respect is anything but straightforward. How can one be seen as competent and assertive, without being labeled as aggressive—or maybe worse, unlikeable? In this first episode of Season 3, J.B. and Molly are joined by Dr. Alison Fragale, distinguished professor of organizational psychology and author of Likeable Badass, to discuss practical ways women, and their allies and managers, can shift perceptions of status, power, and likeability in the workplace."Status exists only in other people's brains... it comes from people believing that you care and that you have a capacity to deliver." - Dr. Alison FragaleFollow Alison on LinkedIn, Instagram or on Peloton @afbombLikeable Badass is available everywhere books are sold!Sign up for Alison's newsletter, The Upper Hand (Behavioral Science to help Women Excel) at alisonfragale.comFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

If it doesn't already come naturally, communicating about your work can feel uncomfortable and downright cringey. But like it or not, it's part of the job. What you need is a method and a motivator, and fortunately Courtney Kaplan returns to Upshots to be just that! In this episode, Courtney offers a structured approach to not just build cold case studies but real stories that connect with hearts and minds. You'll also gain practical tips for gathering testimonials and overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion. This episode is brimming with actionable advice to help you effectively represent yourself in any professional setting!"Own your part of it, own the strengths of the conversations you brought to the solution, and be bold and braggy. If you have a hard time being bold and braggy, you can turn up the volume to 11 and you're still probably only hitting a five or six." - Courtney Kaplan Free PDF guide @ https://bit.ly/upshotskaplan2Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn or check out her courses, worksheets, and coaching offerings at iconicleadershipcoaching.com. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

As working professionals, meetings are so ubiquitous that we just think of them as something that happen to us. We check the weather to see if it's going to rain, the stocks to see what we gained or lost, and the calendar to see how many meetings we have. But we have much more control over meetings than we might think, as hosts and even as attendees. In this episode, we put Upshots host Micah Vono into the hot seat as J.B. Skelton takes over to learn practical steps to redefining meeting culture and getting more out of a company's most expensive investment: time."If you're just white-knuckling your meetings, that comes at a big personal cost of your own energy, identity, and perception." - Micah VonoPDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsmvonoConnect with Micah on LinkedIn and see his work at micahvono.com and unserious.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

With a record 5.5 million businesses starting up last year alone, it's not easy for early stage companies to stand out. Fortunately, John Cantwell, a creative director who specializes in brand and copy startups, is here to share his secrets behind building a memorable and authentic brand. In this Upshots episode, John shares his approach to harnessing the core ideas of founders and key team member to create a brand that resonates deeply with both its creators and its audience."A brand is the sum total of everything you do, everything you make, everything you say, everything you put out into the world. And it takes a while to shape that." - John CantwellPDF cheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotscantwellConnect with John on LinkedIn, check out his work at g-w.studio, and his most recent project itsdandi.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Ever had a spark of inspiration that fizzled out when you shared it? Or a great idea that was misrepresented when you weren't there? Let's face it, sometimes getting your ideas across is harder than coming up with them in the first place. In this Upshots episode, Micah is joined by fellow Unserious co-founder and host J.B. Skelton to learn how the briefing process can not only organize your thoughts but captivate leadership and drive decision-making. This simple tool can be your secret weapon for bringing big ideas to life and making sure they stick the landing."Most of the time that a decision gets made, you're not able to be in the room. So a solid brief really helps us focus our story and tell it story for us. It brings stakeholders along and wins sponsorship for promising ideas." - J.B. Skelton Free PDF guide @ bit.ly/upshotsskelton1Follow J.B. on LinkedIn and @jbskelton on Instagram.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Most of us have been taught from early childhood that dreams aren't meant to be taken seriously. "Don't worry, it's just a dream," your parent might have said. But as community builder, author, and product leader Sarah Epps shares with Micah in this Upshots episode, dreams can be a potent source of data to be explored for personal and professional growth. Don't miss this easy approach to receive life direction from your subconscious and literally follow your dreams."Listening to your dreams can be an act of deep compassion and self-trust... when you acknowledge yourself as having something worthy to tell yourself, that can change your life." - Sarah EppsPDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/eppshotsHear more from Sarah and sign up for her Substack at recipeasfeeling.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Building a customer community has been on the goal sheet for most B2B and consumer product companies at some point or another. But do your customers really need one? And are you ready to go all in to make it work? In this episode, Micah is joined by customer community consultant Heather Foeh to break down the elements of successful online communities and some common misconceptions. With actionable strategies for starting small and scaling effectively, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you build a thriving and engaged customer base - or avoid a potential misstep altogether."Customer vibe is very hard to put into an ROI. Once they feel like it's their community, that's a great tipping point. It's a good six months before that first glimmer." - Heather FoehFree PDF guide @ https://bit.ly/upshotsfoehConnect with Heather on LinkedIn. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

There are a number of reasons why we might not gel with a co-worker - some personal, some not. But luckily, being chummy isn't a requirement for great work, and there are tactical approaches to working in spite of interpersonal challenges. In this Upshots episode, product and marketing leader Natalie Kubitz shares her insights on identifying signs of difficult interactions to a framework that helps you identify common goals and foster effective collaboration without the need for personal rapport."It's inevitable that you're going to cross paths with a coworker where you just don't gel but results are still expected. Getting these skills is sort of a gift to yourself." - Natalie KubitzFree PDF guide @ https://bit.ly/upshotskubitzYou can connect with Natalie on LinkedIn. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

If you're human like us, chances are you've had times where you've felt like you're drowning in commitments. But there's a way to keep your head above water, as Micah learns from Courtney Kaplan, the force behind Iconic Leadership Coaching, who shares a powerful approach for conquering overwhelm. Discover the transformative "whiteboard" technique that helps you visually organize and cut through what's dragging you down. This episode isn't just about managing tasks; it's about aligning your time with what truly matters."We know we've committed to more than what we can handle, but it's fixable. So how can we get back on track?” - Courtney KaplanFollow Courtney's work at iconicleadershipcoaching.comFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

When people talk about managing up, they don't usually dig into what that actually means. But becoming your boss's biggest ally can have a profound affect on your career and professional well-being. In this episode, product management leader Katie Bolz, shares her profound and practical insights on aligning with your boss's goals, tackling tasks they might dread, and communicating with precision. By mastering these strategies, you'll not only achieve greater autonomy but also pave your way to leadership roles and smoother team dynamics."A lot of us get hyper-focused on things like ‘I'm going to climb the ladder and here's all the steps'... But they forget to invest in the relationships or even how helpful they actually are to their immediate boss.” - Katie BolzPDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsbolzFollow or connect with Katie on LinkedIn.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

It's no secret that the gap between stated company culture and the reality of the employee experience can be enormous. And we've all been there when the employee survey rolls back around with no real change from the last one. In this Upshots episode, designer and executive Leonardo De La Rocha returns to Unserious to share real ways to take action on company culture with tangible actions and measurable outcomes, zeroing in on the pivotal role of managers in transforming company culture from the inside out."It sucks to work at a company where you bought into the culture and then it's just not there. If your company's promising something and doesn't deliver on it, employees are going to be looking elsewhere so they can find that." - Leonardo De La RochaPDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsdelarochaConnect with Leonardo on LinkedIn, on Instagram at @delar0cha, or check out his Adobe Portfolio.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Uncertain times have a tendency to stop us in our tracks. But marketing leader and mental health advocate Andrew J. Coate posits that life may be more ambiguous than not and offers a practical and effective approach for managing ourselves during times of flux. Embracing the situation might not just be a matter of survival, but can even be a catalyst for growth and opportunity!"Look at ambiguity as a chance to gain instead of a chance to lose. These kind of moments are the best opportunity to grow, to test, to learn, to stretch yourself, to figure out something new, to try things." - Andrew J. CoateCheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotscoateConnect with Andrew on LinkedIn or follow on Instagram at @andrewjcoate and @maggieandscooch.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

The "sophomore slump" is a notorious curse for artists who set high expectations with the debut. Luckily here at Unserious, our expectations for season 2 were just to keep shining the light on more brilliant people and their wonderful ideas - and we were not disappointed! In this season closer, J.B. and Molly are joined by producer Micah to look back at favorite moments and surprises from the season before the long form podcast takes a little break.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Work and life are often defined by milestone moments. But getting to the top of the mountain is only halfway; we need to plan for and manage energy to get all the way back down safely. In this Upshots episode, product and marketing leader and founder of PRUXM,  Natala Menezes, shares her insights for keeping the momentum post-launch. From setting strategic post-launch goals to the necessity of a dedicated follow-through team, we're lending you the compass to navigate the often-overlooked yet crucial descent from launch day's summit."We often focus on launch day, but that is not actually what makes your business or product successful. It's the before and after." - Natala Menezes Cheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotsmenezesFor all things product, user experience, and marketing, you can connect with Natala on LinkedIn and pruxm.ai.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

The journey to finding your own leadership voice is very personal and can be wildly confusing. Yes, it's about authenticity, but it takes a long time to figure ourselves out.  Dr. Vignetta Charles is the CEO of ETR, which is committed to improving health outcomes and advancing health equity for youth, families, and communities, and is a lifelong advocate and leader in healthcare equity. She's also a childhood friend of J.B. and Molly. In this episode, the group reunites to discuss the factors of cultivating a leadership voice that resonates with authenticity and compels change. "My personal voice as a leader has been about trying to uplift complicated truths [and] have people lean into that complication as the gift that it is.” - Dr. Vignetta CharlesConnect with Vignetta on LinkedIn and learn more about ETR at etr.org.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

In today's lean and efficient corporate world, the traditional mentor-mentee relationship may feel like a thing of the past. But in this Upshots episode, Kim-Long Nguyen, an operations leader in Asia and Europe, lowers the stakes through targeted conversations with leaders or peers. Kim-Long's approach of low pressure conversations on specific topics can blossom into valuable mentorships - or fall by the wayside with no harm done. This is a must-listen for anyone aiming to advance their professional journey through strategic support of their community."In this day and age, it's really hard to get people to commit so I'd rather get small doses of yeses before you officially become mentor and mentee.” - Kim-Long NguyenCheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotsnguyen You can connect with Kim-Long on LinkedIn or follow her travel and business content on Instagram and TikTok. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

For many, a mother is the original mentor and manager in the job of life. The foundational lessons we learn in those early days at home quietly leave an imprint on our professional behaviors and relationships. The management of motherhood is hard enough, and moms who also work outside the home rarely get the rest they need or deserve. In this episode,  J.B. speaks with Laura Krafka, operations powerhouse and author of The Human Side of Motherhood, to unpack the many parallels along the way to guiding children and grown-ups to find their purpose and potential."I see that greatness in people... if I can figure out how to best support them, they're going to reach their potential... farther than I even imagined that they could." - Laura KrafkaConnect with Laura on LinkedIn or laurakrafka.com. The Human Side of Motherhood is available on paperback or audio/Kindle. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

The thing about feedback is that we're often not open or trusting enough to give or receive it — as much as our culture statements might say otherwise. Having a structured method for advice and feedback is key to transforming teams into circles of confidants that accelerate growth. In this Upshots episode, Chase Harden, Lead Facilitator and head of Matching at Sidebar introduces the Chair of Focus, a surprisingly effective method for feedback that unlocks potential and cultivates a culture of transparency, empathy, and continuous improvement."This approach of providing live and candid feedback while the receiver is off-camera nurtures an environment of openness, honesty, and trust." - Chase HardenCheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotsharden Connect with Chase on LinkedIn and check out Sidebar at sidebar.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

When we set out last year to explore how creative people make outsized impact during times of rapid change, generative AI was shaping up to be a huge part of the conversation.  We have a lot of questions, an underlying sense of uncertainty, maybe even dread. But ready or not, here it comes. In this episode, we're inspired by Manjula Nadkarni, a creative powerhouse and co-founder of Yuni, a personal, multi-modal AI for creative people. Manjula shares empowering points of view on how creative people can use generative AI in a way that expands human potential while safeguarding the originality that defines us. "Creativity isn't just about what you make, it's about how you're inspired to think. It's always about people and I don't think that's going to change.” - Manjula NadkarniCheck out Yuni at hiyuni.coFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

The practice of vision writing can be challenging yet profoundly rewarding for personal and professional growth. In this Upshots episode, Jennifer Kattula, General Manager of Global Marketing at Microsoft Advertising shares her secrets to not just getting it done, but having fun. Jennifer's approach is an annual personal tradition of vision writing alongside family, turning this introspective activity into an enjoyable and meaningful ritual. Whether it's shaping the future of your career, focusing on family, or enhancing personal well-being, Jennifer's insights will help you prioritize what truly matters, enabling you to turn your dreams into actionable realities."These are ambitious and exciting and inspirational things... A vision should energize you and allow you to reconnect with what's important to you.” - Jennifer KattulaCheat sheet @  https://bit.ly/upshotsjenkattulaConnect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Peter Drucker famously said that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Search for resources on building company culture and you'll get lots of variations on a tried and true playbook: mission, vision, and values, strong narrative, great leaders - you know the drill. That playbook hasn't changed - but the world sure has. In this episode, Leonardo De La Rocha, VP of Design at SimplePractice, shares his extraordinary transition from engineer to design guru and the impact of visual storytelling in forging a company's culture. Along the way, he shares wisdom bombs and secrets from his time behind the scenes at Intuit, Spotify, Facebook, and Yahoo!."The cultures that embrace building and outside-in perspectives are some of the best cultures on the planet." - Leonardo De La Rocha00:00:10 Intro 00:01:26 Components of Culture00:13:00 Hire, Fire, Boss!00:17:19 Culture in Distributed Workplaces00:21:30 Trade-Offs and ROI00:26:50 The Uphill Battle00:29:54 Equity and Inclusivity Through Co-Creation00:36:18 Reflections and OutroConnect with Leonardo on LinkedIn.Mentioned in this episode:Facebook's Analog Research LabIntuit's Follow-Me-Homes Pecha KuchaFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

We've all heard the stories of that young person who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, made it out of that small town or that rough neighborhood, and moved to the big city to make something of themselves. That concept of “I made it out” is so prevalent that we accept the premise without much thought. In this episode,  Nancy Gutiérrez, Lead Executive Officer & President of The Leadership Academy and co-author of the new book  Stay and Prevail, questions the value of the "leave to succeed" mindset for people, community, and the workplace."When we realize how similar we are, we're able to advance work with perspectives that will help to do it in a faster, more productive, more enlightened way." - Nancy Gutiérrez00:00:10 Intro00:01:48 Leave to succeed00:12:17 Hire, Fire, Boss!00:15:40 Bringing diverse teams together00:19:50 Affinity groups, mentorship, code-switching00:31:42 Reflections and outroLearn more about Nancy at leadershipacademy.org.Mentioned in this episode:Stay and Prevail: Students of Color Don't Need to Leave Their Communities to Succeed by Nancy Gutiérrez and Roberto PadillaFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

We've all struggled with delivering or receiving feedback on work. Feedback given at the wrong time or in the wrong format can cause all kinds of problems. In this episode, Sarahlyn Bruck, an award-winning author and professor of writing and literature, introduces us to an ingenious solution. The Feedback Barometer is a game-changer for navigating the murky waters of feedback in the creative process. She breaks down how this simple rating system empowers her students to own and guide the type of feedback they receive. Plus, Micah gets the inside scoop on Sarahlyn's latest book, "Light of the Fire." "It's a way to set boundaries from unwanted or unhelpful feedback... I think everyone wants to feel heard and not just talked at." - Sarahlyn BruckCheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotsbruckConnect with Sarahlyn at sarahlynbruck.com. Mentioned in this episode:"Light of the Fire" is available everywhere books are sold.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

At work we constantly have to stand up to tell our stories, advocate for resources, and convince our teams and leaders to join us. Navigating internal and external workplace communication can be daunting, but in this episode Elisabeth Diana, Head of Communications at HR one stop shop Deel, shares her playbook for developing messages that are on-point, authentic, and strategic. And using examples from recent press events from Calista Flockhart, Taylor Swift / Tree Paine, we work backwards to dissect and speculate on the stories behind the stories."You cannot spin your own stuff. You have to be able to own when something is not going well. You are the truth teller. You're not paid to say yes. You are paid to tell the truth." - Elisabeth Diana0:10 Intro3:01 Strategic Communications for Influence13:55 Hire, Fire, Boss!17:37 Data and Anecdotes for Persuasion21:25 Pop Culture Communications Critiques31:08 Reflections and OutroConnect with Elisabeth on Threads @ediyorkMentioned in this episode: Deel Global Trends reportCalista Flockhart New York Times interviewTaylor Swift Eras Tour BonusesSwift Skips the Times GalaFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Do your team icebreakers ever elicit a groan? Have you ever stressed out being asked to share your innermost feelings at the top of a meeting? In this episode of Upshots, learning experience designer Lauren Vono shares a treasure trove of strategies for creating inclusive team-building icebreakers that aren't just fluff - but generate real connection and lay the groundwork for better collaboration."Some folks connect on the surface level and other people by going really deep. The secret sauce is for both of these groups to be able to harmonize.” - Lauren VonoCheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsvonoConnect with Lauren on LinkedIn or Instagram.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Great relationships are crucial to producing great work - at home and in the workplace. Striking the perfect chord between personal life and a demanding career with high-profile notables is not an easy task. In this episode, J.B. and Molly explore the delicate balance with guest Adria Marquez, founder of Latidos Media and former Director of Digital Content in the Obama administration. Adria's approach to life's juggling act is inspiring, offering up a blueprint for blending love, laughter, and a touch of style into success. She shares strategies on managing relationships with stars from Michelle Obama and John King to Eva Longoria and America Ferrera,  bringing one's full self to the professional table, and the alchemy that transforms her relationship with fiancé and comedian Jésus Trejo into rocket fuel for learning and personal growth."Relationships are one of our strongest assets, not just personally as humans, but also in our career...  I have been through the journey that I've been through in large part because of those relationships." - Adria Marquez0:10 Intro2:22 A modern romance11:10 Hire, Fire, Boss!16:01 Pro-tips for busy partners21:51 Navigating high-profile relationships24:34 Bringing full self to work32:56 Reflections and outro Connect with Adria on LinkedIn. Mentioned in this episode:Papa's Magical Water-Jug Clock children's book by Jésus TrejoFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Introducing Upshots, a new Unserious short format to kick off your Monday morning with one quick idea that you can put to use today. Have you ever unwittingly held your team back by being overly hands-on? In this first episode of Upshots, producer Micah Vono is joined by Ian Saville, a coach and founding partner at the collabic, who casts a spotlight on the counterintuitive effects of leaders rolling up their sleeves a bit too far. Ian's tactics can help you shift your approach to leadership, providing a roadmap from being an 'unconscious expert' to a cultivator of empowerment. "It's the best intentions... but if you're going and doing the work of your team, how are they going to learn how to do the work?” - Ian SavilleCheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotssavilleConnect with Ian on LinkedIn and at thecollabic.com. You can catch his live gaming and coaching stream at twitch.tv/thesavillian. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

We've all complained about office politics… someone was able to influence a decision or get a project over the line through the shear force of their personality or relationships. But what are we really complaining about? Power. In this episode, Ebele Okobi, CEO of The New Humanitarian, discusses the dynamics of power: challenging it, finding it, using it, and sharing it. This conversation takes you through the importance of rest not just as a form of self-care but as a powerful act of resistance. If you're feeling off course, Ebele's deep wisdom and challenging insights will point you in the right direction."My interest in power is, how do I bring people with me? How do I use this power to create a more radically loving world?" - Ebele Okobi00:31 Intro 02:06 What is power? 04:05 Developing personal power 08:21 Power through platforming and sharing 11:00 Hire, Fire, Boss! 13:56 Power sharing through team building 16:54 Joy and community 21:30 Rest and the sabbatical 28:35 The New Humanitarian 33:18 Reflections and outro You can connect with Ebele on LinkedIn and Instagram.  Mentioned in this episode: The Igbo have no king 2022 Venice Biennale Chinedu Valentine Okobi Sabbatical ProgramThe Future Plate (African & Caribbean Catering)Loophole of Retreat symposiumFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Embracing failure as a force multiplier for growth and creativity is a core belief here at Unserious. So in this our final episode of the season, we journey back to the origins of our podcasting adventure, reflecting on some of our favorite moments and valuable insights we learned along the way. In this episode, Unserious producer Micah Vono joins J.B. and Molly to talk about storytelling and narrative building from his unique angle of human-centered design. We talk about our hopes and dreams for the future and offer a sneak peek at what we're thinking about for next season. Join us as we celebrate new beginnings and let us know what suggestions you have for Unserious! "Being able to take that step back and say ‘this thing that I'm working on is not me' is table stakes for producing great work.” - Micah Vono0:12 Intro1:24 Learning and Growing Through Podcasting4:36 Great Moments From Season 112:41 Hire, Fire, Boss!15:48 Storytelling for Humans22:24 The Future of Unserious27:43 OutroYou can check out more of Micah's work at micahvono.com and connect on LinkedIn.Mentioned in this episode:- Julie Zhou on loving the problem- Storyteller Sarah Kuck of Present Medium Productions- Dieter Rams' Ten Principles for Good Design Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Research shows that joy and high performance are tightly correlated, so it's worth asking: why don't we play more? And how can the power of play help us produce better, more innovative, and more personally satisfying work? In this episode, J.B. and Molly speak with Lauren Cooke, the creative director behind diverse brands like Alamo Drafthouse, Mondo, Snap Kitchen, and Bestow Life Insurance. Her insights reveal the transformative power of joy and play in creating ideas that are just weird enough to connect with. We also dive into the stickiness of using AI to drive creativity and close with thoughts on working with or being introverts in the creative process. Grab some Play-Doh for this one!"You have to consciously decide to carve out time to be silly, to do something weird... Going through some paths that won't work out makes the final product sing." - Lauren Cooke0:13 Intro3:20 Give Me The Weird6:49 Hire, Fire, Boss!12:11 Encouraging Play in the Workplace19:17 Introverts in Structured Brainstorms22:02 On Ambition24:52 AI's Impact on Art and Creativity31:05 Reflections and outroCheck out Lauren's clay animations on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn.Mentioned in this episode: - Lauren's favorite fidget clay (don't forget the eyeballs)Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

When we think about our best work, the things that come to mind are probably about the work itself, but guest Denise Burchell poses that team member relationships are the real determiners of success. In this episode, J.B. and Molly learn how to design those relationships for maximum impact and innovation as Denise shares valuable insights garnered from years spent leading cross-disciplinary teams. They also explore shifting focus from products to people and how to plan for the relationship dynamic, remote or not. "You can do anything with a distributed team that you can do with an in-person team... you just have to make up a lot of the serendipity with orchestration." - Denise Burchell0:10 - Intro1:22 - Shifting from product first to relationship first7:30 - Aligning with executives13:53 - Hire, Fire, Boss!17:38 - Ways of working and macroeconomics20:48 - Team ideation for the TED conference26:35 - On distributed and in-person teams30:42 - Reflections and outroConnect with Denise on LinkedIn.Mentioned in this podcast:- Create Inclusive Collaboration Experiences During the Design Process training by Molly and Denise on Salesforce TrailheadFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Creative processes and frameworks are often presented as neat and linear orders of operation. But looking closer, we'll find a circuitous mess of unexpected twists, turns, and detours that we hope are worth it in the end. In this episode, J.B. and Molly explore with rogue creative director Mary Michael Pringle the crucial roles of joy, play, and vulnerability for fostering creativity in the workplace. She shares her approach to creativity, from drawing on her inner child and using toys, games, and stories to spark fearlessness, to creative briefs and verbal dreaming, to creating emotional connections that truly resonate with audiences. Get ready to unleash your inner child."It is about returning to your younger self. The word 'make believe' is perfect, because you do have to believe in what you're making...  it's about really believing and wanting to try.  You get back to that and you've got yourself your creativity back." - Mary Michael Pringle 0:10 Intro2:25 Play in the workplace5:39 Accelerating creativity and positivity12:55 Hire, Fire, Boss!17:05 The creative brief and brainstorming21:45 Case study: Egypt Air26:43 Friendships at work30:29 Reflections and outroConnect with Mary Michael on LinkedIn. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

At the advent of a transformative time in technologic history, skills like empathy, compassion, collaboration, and curiosity are becoming more crucial than ever. In this episode, J.B. and Molly speak with magician-turned-technologist Ryan Modjeski, the driving force behind the top-grossing literacy app, Reading Rainbow's Skybrary, as well as UNICEF KidPower and most recently, Empatico. Ryan shares advice on building empathy and emotional skills at scale and the power those can have in creative problem solving. He also reveals some illusionist secrets that have surprising application to user experience and technology."The culture I try to build is one that is unafraid to try and the only real sin is making the same mistake over and over again." - Ryan Modjeski00:01 Intro01:24 Social-emotional learning and empathy08:43 Hire, Fire, Boss!12:55 Skills for a better tomorrow15:49 Empathy at scale22:11 Embracing diversity on teams23:41 UX tricks from a former magician31:00 Final thoughtsKeep up with Ryan at @rmodjeski on Twitter / X and learn more about Empatico at Empatico.org.Mentioned in this episode:- Dance, Dance, Dance by Haruki Murakami- The Power of Moments by Dan & Chip Heath- The War for Kindness by Jamil ZakiFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

In this first episode of Unserious, J.B. and Molly speak with design leader and coach Courtney Kaplan about practical ways to manage creativity and personal growth during a particularly difficult time in the workplace. She shares advice from founding design operations at Facebook, highlights how leaders can create safe spaces for their teams and manage stress effectively. Finally, Courtney discusses coaching and the benefits it can bring from navigating fast-paced work environments to working toward larger personal transformations.“The promise of being your best self or transforming that self - people get excited about those promises. But the truth is that true transformation comes from practical ways of being a little bit different over time.” - Courtney Kaplan00:00 - Intro03:02 - What's keeping creative people up at night?06:30 - Demonstrating value to the business12:24 - Hire, Fire, Boss!15:24 - Creativity through structure25:44 - Navigating stress and finding moments of calm27:56 - Transformational coaching35:58 - Wrap-upFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Welcome to Unserious! Get to know hosts J.B. Skelton and Molly McMahon as they kick off a season of exploring how to manage and manifest creative impact in an era of constant disruption. Also, there are fireballs. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.