Breaking Through The Mayhem

What does it mean to build a creative career by being unapologetically you, while making space for others to do the same? Bernice Chao, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Asians in Advertising, joins Michele Ching for a conversation about authenticity, representation, and the power of culturally grounded storytelling.

From leading campaigns for brands like Google, Amazon, and Netflix to mentoring the next generation at LMU, Bernice shares how personal identity and professional excellence don’t just coexist—they fuel each other. She opens up about the moments that shaped her, the impact of her nonprofit work, and the creative frameworks that help brands connect more meaningfully.

Inside:

If you care about purpose-driven work, inclusive creativity, and brand storytelling that actually resonates, this one’s for you.

What does it take to spend 27 years at one agency and still feel like you're just getting started?

David Campanelli, President of Global Investment at Horizon Media, joins Adam Katz to unpack how the media world has evolved and how he’s stayed ahead of it every step of the way.

They cover everything from his early days at Horizon to leading global investment strategy, and what he’s learned about staying grounded while thinking big.

Here’s what’s inside:

This one’s about playing the long game, building real culture, and keeping your edge through it all.

👉 Hit play and find out why business still comes down to people, even in the age of algorithms.

What if performance marketing could do more than drive growth—what if it could drive equity?

In this episode, Michele Ching sits down with Laura Lee, former performance lead at HBO Max and founder of LL Consulting, to talk about using advanced strategy and AI to open doors, not close them.

From helping B2C and DTC startups grow with fractional leadership to championing inclusive representation, Laura shares her mission to uplift API and women founders with strategic expertise that was once reserved for big-budget brands.

You’ll hear insights on:

Together, Michele and Laura explore how their shared focus on authenticity, access, and innovation reflects a broader shift toward marketing that’s not just smart, but deeply human.

Because the future of marketing isn’t just what we build. It’s who we build it for.

What do cowboy ethics, climate-conscious media, and the perfect chocolate chip cookie have in common? For John Osborn, it all comes back to purpose.

In this episode, Sightly CEO Adam Katz sits down with John—Director at Ad Net Zero and longtime industry force—for a no-BS conversation about sustainability, values-driven leadership, and why the future of advertising depends on doing the right thing and doing it well.

Together, Adam and John unpack:

💥 The “cowboy ethic” that fuels stronger partnerships

📊 Why carbon measurement is key to smarter media planning

⚖️ How to balance speed with scalable, lasting impact

👥 Why employees—not execs—are redefining brand values from the inside out

🍪 And yes, the secret to the perfect chocolate chip cookie (crispy edges, gooey middle)

They also dig into Sightly’s role in the movement, the rise of real-time value expression, and a global sustainability framework that could unite the industry around measurable change.

Whether you’re deep in ESG strategy or just getting started, this episode makes one thing clear: purpose and performance can go hand in hand.

From airline data to agency boardrooms and long swims to leadership wins, Amy Lanzi’s story proves that the best career journeys don’t follow a straight line.

Sightly CEO Adam Katz sits down with Amy Lanzi, CEO of Digitas North America. Amy shares her unique path from yield management analyst at American Airlines to the top of the agency world, revealing how a foundation in data, customer experience, and relentless self-improvement propelled her career. She opens up about lessons learned from swimming long-distance, her earliest mentors (including her remarkable siblings), and the mindset that’s shaped her leadership style—equal parts grit, compassion, and a little spark.

The conversation dives into:

From CEO challenges to personal mantras, this episode brings authenticity, energy, and wisdom in equal measure. Listen now.

What happens when media, mentorship, and mission collide? Cara Lewis isn’t just one of the most powerful voices in media investment. She’s a survivor, a culture-builder, and a mentor redefining what it means to lead with heart. In this episode, she joins Adam Katz for a deeply human and refreshingly real conversation about navigating change, scaling impact, and finding purpose inside the mayhem.

Cara shares her 15-year rise at dentsu, her early obsession with TV (shoutout to The Bold and the Beautiful sets), and how a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis shaped her approach to leadership, empathy, and legacy.

Inside:

🎯 Why leading with empathy is Cara’s true superpower

🚀 Building culture in hybrid work and making it stick

💡 The origin story of Media Ladies Conquering Cancer and the power of peer-to-peer survivorship

👗 Fashion, sewing, karaoke, and other unexpected truths about one of media’s top execs

🔥 Why embracing change might be the most underrated mindset in media today

If you’re leading a team, building a brand, or just looking for clarity in the chaos, this one’s for you. Listen now.

What happens when you stop trying to fit in and start leading from who you truly are?

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Nancy Benter, Enablement & Strategy Partner at Starbucks, shares what it really means to lead with authenticity in today’s workplace.

With over 14 years of experience driving innovation across tech and retail, Nancy unpacks how staying true to her values has shaped her career, why diversity must be a business imperative, and how building trust through transparency creates real organizational impact. She also reflects on her personal journey from assimilation to empowerment and how honoring her Chinese American identity has helped her lead more authentically and inclusively at scale.

What you’ll hear:

 ✨ The turning point where Nancy chose authenticity—and didn’t look back

💬 The three questions she uses to check in with herself as a leader

🌱 Why diversity isn't fluff—it’s fundamental to business

☕️ How coffee tastings at Starbucks turned into moments of cultural connection

⚖️Why clarity on your core values makes leadership (and life) a lot less overwhelming

Nancy’s powerful reflections on human connection, integrity, and courageous leadership will challenge you to bring more of yourself to your work and help others do the same. 

Wake up, media buyers—irrelevance is stalking you! In this episode, dive into the mind of a Hall of Fame strategist who’s mastered staying ahead in a chaotic industry. Discover why change sucks but irrelevance kills, how to evolve without losing your roots, the power of curiosity in an AI-driven world, and what it takes to stay indispensable in your career. Packed with insights from a 37-year veteran turned self-employed visionary, this conversation will jolt enterprise advertising pros into action. Tune in to Breaking Through the Mayhem with host Adam Katz and guest Rishad Tobaccowala for a no-filter take on thriving amid disruption.

To learn more about Rishad, visit rishadtobaccowala.com. You can also find Rishad's book, Rethinking Work, here on BulkBooks or on Amazon, along with his other books.

The best leaders don’t just set strategy, they build cultures that can execute it. Nicole Estebanell, US CEO of Mediahub, joins Adam Katz to talk about balancing speed with strategy, the real impact of AI on creativity, and why leadership is more about influence than authority. 

From navigating global markets to shaping high-performing teams, Nicole shares what it takes to stay ahead in an industry that moves faster than ever. She breaks down the fine line between innovation and chaos, why mentorship is an overlooked superpower, and how great teams win—not by working harder, but by working smarter together.

Inside: 

🏀The leadership philosophy that puts teamwork above individual stardom

💡The power of mentorship—and how one conversation changed her career trajectory 

🌎How working abroad (and a big leap to London) gave her an edge in global strategy 

Nicole’s take on leadership, culture, and innovation will challenge the way you think about building and leading great teams. Listen now!