The Courageous Podcast Episode #22: Bryant Brennan (Peloton) + Jason Harris (Mekanism)

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

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

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

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

Blasting their satellites into space? Just another day for Viasat; a company known for consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation. Whether pioneering the latest advancements in satellite technology or extending high-speed internet access to remote and underserved regions, recent Vice Chairman Rick Baldridge has been an indispensable and straight-shooting force at Viasat over the past two decades. In his conversation with Ryan, Rick offers a glimpse into his incredible career at Viasat, diving into his belief in fostering a meritocratic culture where groundbreaking ideas can emerge from any corner of the organization while turning the seemingly impossible into reality. Inspired by Rick’s recent retirement from Viasat a few months back, the two dive into the importance of having a “balanced busy” schedule that allows time for things like sitting on boards (such as Viasat) while still finding time to take a few grandkids to school.

As the President and CEO of College Track, the nation's foremost college completion program, Dr. Shirley Collado is realizing her dream of advancing equity and educational justice for underserved students and communities. With a distinguished background as President Emerita of Ithaca College, where she became its first president of color, Dr. Collado brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her mission.  In their conversation, Dr. Collado and Ryan delve into the imperative need for courageous and visionary leaders in higher education, particularly as society redefines the norms of intelligence and academic achievement for future generations. They explore empowering young individuals with the autonomy to shape their career trajectories, underscoring the importance of agency in navigating one's professional journey.  To end the episode, Dr. Collado gives a surprising answer to Ryan’s question about what success looks like for College Track in 30 years. 

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

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

Listed among the "30 Most Creative Women in Advertising" by Business Insider, Xanthe Wells is a driving force wherever she may be. Since joining Pinterest (from Google) in November 2022, Xanthe has been a key player behind the brand's creative evolution, introducing a new era of product-focused creative endeavors that have not only elevated the quality standard but also bolstered Pinterest's standing in the industry. In a candid conversation with host Ryan Berman, Xanthe delves into the dynamic landscape of the creative industry, emphasizing the growing significance for brands to embrace creativity with unwavering courage. The discussion goes beyond the surface, exploring the nuanced interplay between "book smart" and emotional intelligence within working teams. Finally, Xanthe and Ryan delve deep into the need for companies to embrace creativity in all facets of business — not simply what ends up in a positioning statement, on social media or an advertisement. 

Brad Meltzer is an Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author, screenwriter, and host of his own TV Show on the History Channel. He is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction, Advice, Children’s Books, and even comic books, for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.  In his conversation with Ryan, Brad speaks on how the words “Sorry, kiddo” have helped provide motivation throughout his writing career. Brad also touches on his belief that regular people have the potential to make major changes on the planet, and how the best stories tell you something about yourself.  Finally, the two discuss having the courage to admit what you love, and Brad tells an incredible story of chance that brought him back to a particular spot in New York City’s Penn Station.