In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, Maira Genovese sits down with Bernardo Vasconcelos, one of the world's most sought-after hairstylists and founder of luxury haircare brand BCO, for an unfiltered conversation about building an empire from nothing, and what it really takes to stay at the top.

From selling Yakult outside his mum's garage salon in São José dos Campos, to washing hair in a bathtub in his studio flat, to flying to Dubai after a single Instagram DM, Bernardo's story is a masterclass in hunger, resilience, and the power of personal brand. They discuss why being busy is not the same as being productive, what tough leadership really looks like, and why success today means owning your time, not your schedule.

A raw, honest, and deeply inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, loyalty, faith, and never losing yourself on the way up.

What does it really take to turn one of Britain's simplest desserts into one of the UK's most loved food brands?

In this episode, Maira Genovese, Founder & CEO of MG Empower, sits down with Kim Innes, Founder of Humble Crumble, to explore the unexpected journey behind one of the UK's most loved food brands.

Together, they discuss why the best brands are built by listening rather than telling, how a simple dessert became a powerful vehicle for connection, and why Kim describes starting Humble Crumble as "my feminist act." They also go behind the scenes of Humble Crumble's first-ever brand collaboration with Mugler, revealing how creative trust, shared values and sensory storytelling came together.

A heartfelt conversation about creativity, resilience and building brands that people don't just buy from, but they genuinely love.

In this episode, Niamh O'Donoghue Head of Content Strategy and Social Media at Stella McCartney, sits down with Maira Genovese, Founder & CEO of MG Empower, to explore the extraordinary journey that took her from relearning how to walk after a life-changing spinal condition to leading the content strategy for one of the world leading fashion houses.

With a career spanning British Vogue and Victoria Beckham, Niamh has helped shape the storytelling of some of fashion's most influential brands. Together, Maira and Niamh discuss how writing became her path to healing, the lessons adversity taught her about success and leadership, the evolution of social media and luxury storytelling. Why the best brands, such as Jacquemus and Miu Miu, are choosing quality over quantity, and how AI is changing the future of content while making human creativity more valuable than ever.

A powerful conversation about resilience, purpose, storytelling and finding your voice in a world full of noise.

What makes a space unforgettable? And why do some environments instantly make us feel calm, inspired or connected?

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, Maira Genovese sits down with internationally recognised architect and ELLE Decor USA A-List designer Juliana Vasconcellos to explore the psychology of space and the powerful role architecture plays in shaping human emotion, behaviour and experience.

Together, they discuss why the future of retail is rooted in experience rather than products, how architecture influences brand perception, the importance of authenticity in creative careers, and why staying curious has been the key to Juliana’s continued success.

A fascinating conversation for architects, designers, marketers, brand builders and anyone interested in understanding how great spaces shape the way we feel.

Why do some marketing agencies thrive while others struggle to survive?

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, Maira Genovese sits down with agency growth advisor and expert Ivan Fernandes to unpack the realities of building, scaling and reinventing independent agencies in today’s rapidly changing industry.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience across global agency groups, challenger networks and independents, Ivan shares why the traditional agency model is under pressure, what clients are really looking for from their partners, and why the future may belong to smaller, more focused and founder-led businesses.

Together, they explore the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, the hidden challenges of growth and M&A, why money can fundamentally change a business, and why insight, creativity and human connection remain the true competitive advantage in the age of AI.

A must-listen for agency founders, leaders and marketers navigating their next chapter.

In this episode Maira Genovese sits down with Vanessa Kingori, one of Europe’s most influential business leaders and former Managing Director of Technology, Media & Telecoms at #Google.

From her childhood across Kenya, St. Kitts and London, to becoming British Vogue’s first female Publishing Director and Condé Nast UK’s first Black Publisher, Vanessa’s career is a story of bold reinvention and breaking barriers.

Together, they explore the leadership lessons nobody teaches you: navigating career pivots, embracing change, building confidence as an outsider, and creating opportunities through relationships and self-belief. Vanessa shares her perspective on AI, the future of work, the growing importance of personal IP, and why uniquely human skills will matter more than ever.

A powerful conversation on leadership, adaptability, and succeeding on your own terms.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, host Maira Genovese sits down with Maya Raichoora, UK's number one mental fitness and visualisation coach, book author, keynote speaker, and Nike's first-ever mental fitness trainer, to explore what it truly means to train the brain for peak performance.

From being diagnosed with a debilitating illness at 15 to fully overcoming it with no symptoms and no medication through the power of visualisation and mental fitness, Maya shares one of the most extraordinary stories of resilience, surrender, and self-mastery. They discuss the five visualisation types most people have never heard of, why the brain rewires while you sleep, and how celebrating small wins creates momentum for bigger goals.

A deeply powerful and practical conversation on mental strength, performance, and why mental fitness might just be the most important investment any of us can make.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, host Maira Genovese sits down with Lady Barbara, award-winning creative director, artist, style director, and visionary, to explore what it truly means to create from a place of purpose, identity, and spirit.

From growing up as a first-generation Italian Nigerian in northern Italy to leading global campaigns and exhibiting at Photo London, Lady Barbara shares how her journey shaped not just her career but also her entire philosophy of creativity. They discuss why confidence is something you build, not something you're born with, why AI can translate but never originate, and how staying relevant means understanding your past to see your future.

A deeply honest and soulful conversation on identity, self-expression, leadership, and why the most powerful creative force in the world will always be human.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, host Maira Genovese sits down with Tatiana Alonso, CEO of Gerando Falcões International, to explore why brand purpose often fails without action.

From a global legal career to leading impactful initiatives, Tatiana shares how purpose must move beyond intention into long-term commitment. They discuss why philanthropy isn’t a quarterly strategy, what real impact requires, and how brands can shift from visibility to accountability.

A sharp, honest conversation on leadership, responsibility, and redefining success, not as performance, but as legacy.

 In this episode of Beyond Marketing, Maira Genovese sits down with Matthew Spiteri, Head of Global Brand Communications & Advocacy at Kérastase, L’Oréal, to explore his journey from Sydney, London and now Paris, and how those experiences have shaped his perspective on leadership, culture and brand building.

Together, they unpack what brand advocacy really means today, why most brands struggle to build genuine connection, and how global teams balance consistency with cultural relevance.

The conversation explores how brands choose the right ambassadors, including the thinking behind Kérastase’s recent partnership with Demi Moore, and what it takes to build relevance beyond reach. We dive into the growing role of IRL experiences and why purpose must move beyond messaging into action, including Kérastase’s work around closing the confidence gap. A sharp, human-led conversation on building brands people don’t just see, but believe in.