Brilliant People Podcast

Brilliant People Podcast

By AcertitudeBusinessManagement
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Brilliant People Podcast episodes

  • AJ Gandhi: Why Go-To-Market Is the Most Underweighted Lever in Private Equity | E31

    What does it take to consistently drive revenue growth in private equity in a market where traditional levers are exhausted, buyers are more independent than ever, and go-to-market has become the primary driver of value creation?


    In this episode, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with AJ Gandhi, one of the most experienced go-to-market operators in private equity. Having worked across more than 100 companies—from Bain and Alexander Group to Salesforce, RingCentral, and Marlin Equity Partners—AJ has built and scaled commercial engines at every stage of growth.


    From why go-to-market performance doesn’t break, but drifts, to how the best companies dominate their core before expanding, to what separates pipeline activity from real revenue progression, AJ breaks down the systems anddecisions that actually drive growth.


    For private equity investors, CEOs, and operators, thisconversation reveals what it takes to engineer go-to-market as a system, and why revenue growth is now the most underleveraged (and most critical) lever in value creation.


    What You’ll Learn:

    • Why go-to-market performance rarely breaks, andhow it quietly drifts over time
    • Why “dominating the core” is the most overlooked growth strategy
    • Why marketing is the most underinvested (and misunderstood) function in PE-backed companies
    • The two go-to-market models emerging in private equity and which one is winning
    • Why fragmentation is the biggest constraint on growth
    • How to align go-to-market around systems, not silos, to drive predictable outcomes

    Timecodes
    00:34 Guest Intro: AJ Gandhi, Go-To-Market Private Equity Value Creation

    1:24 Before AJ Sold Anything, He Sold Berkeley
    3:11 Learning the Science of Sales
    11:00 Selling to Skeptical Sales Leaders
    15:24 Why You Should Never Hire the Oracle Rep
    17:03 Enterprise Selling Lessons From Salesforce
    20:41 What Holistic Go-To-Market Actually Means
    22:40 The EQ Awakening
    23:14 Building GTM From Scratch at Marlin
    29:00 Why Go-To-Market Is Now a Valuation Issue
    33:54 Why Go-To-Market Drifts Before It Breaks
    36:38 The #1 Lever PE Firms Overlook
    40:00 STEER and PISTON, Explained
    47:33 Peak Performance
    48:35 Sources of Inspiration
    49:28 Advice for the Next Generation
    52:01 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections


    Resources:

    AJ Gandhi:
    LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjaigandhi/

    Linnea Jungnelius:
    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠
    X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠


    Explore the Podcast:
    Spotify: ⁠
    Apple Podcasts: ⁠
    Blog: ⁠
    Found Value?
    👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠


    Stay Updated on Acertitude:
    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/company/Acertitude
    X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠
    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude ⁠
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod
    Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com   

    55 min
  • Gareth Balch: How Fan Data, Audience Growth, and Sports IP Monetization Are Reshaping the Global Sports Industry | E30

    What does it take to build one of the most influential data and marketing engines in global sport  in a market defined by exploding fan demand, new consumption behaviors, and an unprecedented wave of private capital?

    In this episode, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Gareth Balch, Co-Founder and CEO of Two Circles, the sports data and intelligence company working with more than 900 rights holders worldwide — including the NFL, NBA, Premier League, ICC, and World Rugby — and processing nearly two thirds of all global sports fan transactions.

    Over the last 14 years, Gareth has helped usher sport into its third age of monetization: a world where audience attention, audience affection, and sophisticated data engineering shape the winners.

    From why sport is the “world’s largest religion,” to how fragmented fan behavior is redefining the attention economy, to what it really takes to build a tribe that compounds, Gareth breaks down the forces powering today’s global sports boom.

    For rights holders, private equity investors, and anyone focused on commercial growth in sport, this conversation reveals the playbook behind audience-led value creation, the economics driving white-hot investment, and why knowing your fans best is now the ultimate competitive advantage.


    What You’ll Learn:

    • Why the future belongs to rights holders that grow audience attention + affection fastest.
    • How the biggest leagues and the "innovating middle" are scaling by building tribes, not just selling rights.
    • Why we're entering the third age of sports monetization and who's positioned to win in it.
    • How to engineer real revenue from trillions of fan data points.
    • Where leakage is happening, and how rights holders can recapture value from tech platforms, piracy, and real estate.
    • Why institutional capital is pouring into the sector and where the smartest money is deploying next.


    Timecodes

    00:12 Guest Intro: Gareth Balch

    03:18 The 6B–4B–1.5B Fan Economy

    04:46 The Third Age of Sports Monetization

    05:16 The Attention–Affection Model for Valuing Sports IP

    06:04 Revenue Concentration: Top 20 Leagues Controlling 44%

    08:06 Sports IP Forecast: Path to $260B by 2033

    09:28 Breakout Performers: SailGP, CFP, The Hundred

    10:04 Tribe Building: How Smaller Sports Create Outsized Value

    11:18 Shooting Stars: IPL, UFC, NWSL Growth Flywheel

    13:00 Women’s Sports: Unlocking the Commercialization Gap

    16:32 Know Your Fans Best: The Ultimate Competitive Advantage

    22:12 Leakage: Piracy & Value Lost to Platforms

    24:00 Private Capital in Sports: Why the Category Is “White Hot”

    27:52 Where Capital Flows Next: IP vs. Tech vs. Adjacencies

    30:14 Predictive Analytics: Causation Over Correlation

    33:32 Building a High-Performance Culture

    36:36 Evolving the Ideal Hire: Attitude vs. Aptitude

    42:06 Managing the Doom Loop: “Don’t Suffer Twice”

    49:22 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections


    Resources:

    Gareth Balch:
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethbalch/

    Linnea Jungnelius:
    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠
    X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠


    Explore the Podcast:
    Spotify: ⁠https://rebrand.ly/gareth-balch-spotify-podcastApple Podcasts: https://rebrand.ly/gareth-balch-apple-podcastBlog: https://rebrand.ly/gareth-balch-blog

    Found Value?
    👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠


    Stay Updated on Acertitude:
    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/company/Acertitude
    X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠
    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude ⁠
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod
    Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com   ⁠

    51 min
  • Brian Neider: Managing Partner at Lead Edge Capital on the Strike Zone Strategy Behind $5B of Growth | E29

    What does it take to build a top-performing growth equity firm in a market defined by hype cycles, capital oversupply, and shifting investor expectations?

    In this episode, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Brian Neider, Managing Partner at Lead Edge Capital, a $5B global growth equity firm behind category-defining companies like Toast, Spotify, Alibaba, and Duo Security.

    As one of the original builders of Lead Edge, Brian has spent two decades refining one of the most disciplined investing models in the industry — a framework rooted in focus, consistency, and an unrivaled network of 700+ operator LPs.

    From staying “militantly” true to your strike zone, to navigating the aftermath of the 2020–2021 capital cycle, to separating real AI traction from experimental noise, Brian breaks down what great investors and great firms do differently. For growth equity investors, founders, and anyone responsible for capital allocation, this conversation reveals why discipline compounds, how strategy integrity drives DPI, and what it truly means to build a fund that becomes a company.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • Why staying in your strike zone is the most underrated competitive advantage in growth equity.

    • How Lead Edge built a network of 700 operator LPs and activates them.

    • How to evaluate companies in the post–“growth at all costs” era.

    • What gross retention tells you that topline growth never will in regard to AI hype.

    • Why exit pathways must be defined upfront.

    • Urgency, clarity, and the ability to adapt without drifting are the best traits CEOs and teams can have.

    Timecodes:

    00:00 Intro

    00:18 Guest Introduction: Brian Neider, Lead Edge Capital

    04:00 From “Grow at All Costs” to Profitable Growth

    05:32 Lead Edge 8: The Metrics That Matter

    08:30 LP Priorities: DPI, TVPI, and IRR

    10:48 Why DPI Is Critical in Today’s Market

    11:58 Exit Strategy Design: Defining Paths Upfront

    13:58 Disposition Committee: The Overlooked Advantage

    16:00 Filtering AI Hype: Experimental Spend vs. Real Retention

    20:12 The Bucket Analogy: Understanding AI Churn

    23:00 Founding Lead Edge: Building the LP Network Differently

    26:10 Scaling the Firm: From All-Hands to Specialization

    30:20 Activating the LP Network: How It Works in Practice

    33:40 The LP Flywheel: Sourcing, Diligence, and Portfolio Support

    36:00 Value Creation Capabilities: GTM, HR, and AI Support

    38:12 What Great CEOs Do: Urgency, Adaptability, Action

    41:54 Designing Effective Boards: Functional + Industry Balance

    44:30 Building Executive Teams: The Power of a Rigorous Hiring Process

    46:06 What’s Next: The Future of Lead Edge & Market Opportunities

    51:58 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

    Resources:

    Brian Neider: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-neider-7774041/

    Linnea Jungnelius:

    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠

    X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

    Explore the Podcast:

    Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/brian-neider-spotify-podcast

    Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/brian-neider-apple-podcast

    ⁠Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/brian-neider-blog⁠

    Found Value?👍

    Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠

    Stay Updated on Acertitude:

    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/company/Acertitude

    X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude

    ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude ⁠

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepodWebsite: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com ⁠

    54 min
  • Dan Migala: Former Legends Co-President & CRO on Turning Creativity into Commercial Wins in Sport | E28

    What does it take to turn creativity into commercial growth in the business of sport?

    In Episode 28, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Dan Migala, former Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer at Legends and one of the most inventive commercial minds in global sports and entertainment.

    From changing first pitch times to 7:11, to transforming a foulpole into an 85-foot TaylorMade driver, to selling out 86,000 seats at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, Dan has built a career by breaking the mold.

    He’s helped world-class organizations like the Chicago Bears, Real Madrid, and Oklahoma City Thunder reimagine how creativity, commerce, and culture intersect to drive growth.

    For sports executives, private equity investors, and commercial leaders alike, this conversation explores how imagination becomes a competitive advantage, and why the best leaders think like creators, sell like strategists, and operate like owners.

     

    What You’ll Learn:

    • How to turn creative thinking into measurable commercial impact

    • Why the best ideas are born from curiosity and the courage to ask questions

    • How the Art, Heart, and Science framework transforms innovation intorevenue

    • The Me–We–Go leadership model that builds alignment and culture

    • What every commercial leader can learn from the future of women’s sports, private equity, and mixed-use development


    Timecodes:

    00:00 Intro
    00:12 Guest Intro: Dan Migala
    03:30 Early Digital Play: Selling Sports on the Web
    03:46 Innovation Moment: Building the Bears’ First Website
    05:12 Leadership Lesson: Power of Private Questions
    05:58 AI Parallel: Curiosity as a Competitive Edge
    07:46 Sponsorship Breakthrough: The 7-Eleven White Sox Deal
    09:30 Pitch Like a Pro: Confidence Drives Buy-In
    10:00 The Art–Heart–Science Framework for Revenue Growth
    11:00 Brand Alignment: Anatomy of a High-Impact Sponsorship
    15:16 TaylorMade Case Study: $350M Earned Media Win
    16:26 Leadership Playbook: The Me–We–Go Model
    21:00 Women’s Cricket World Cup: Designing Demand at Scale
    21:22 Cultural Relevance: Katy Perry & International Women’s Day Tie-In
    23:52 Leading with Empathy: Evolving the Commercial Leader
    29:16 CEO–CRO Trust: Slow Down to Speed Up
    30:28 Private Equity in Sports: “Everyone Wants to Be First”
    35:12 Building the Future of Sports: Mixed-Use, Tech, and Capital Convergence
    45:36 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections


    Resources:

    Dan Migala:
    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/migala/

    Linnea Jungnelius:
    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠
    X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠


    Explore the Podcast:
    Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/dan-migala-spotify-podcast
    Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/dan-migala-apple-podcast⁠
    Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/dan-migala-blog⁠


    Found Value?
    👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠


    Stay Updated on Acertitude:
    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/company/Acertitude
    X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠
    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude ⁠
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod
    Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com   ⁠

    47 min
  • Tory Ramaker: Vistria PRG's Co-Head on Redefining Value Creation and the Future of Operating Talent | E27

    What does it take to build a value-creation engine that scales across portfolios, empowers CEOs, and blends purpose with performance?

    In Episode 27, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Tory Ramaker, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Vistria PRG, LLC ("Portfolio Resources Group") at The Vistria Group, one of the private-equity industry’s most forward-thinking operating leaders.

    From founding the PRG from the ground up to re-engineering how portfolio teams drive transformation, Tory shares what it really means to create impact in essential industries — where financial returns and societal outcomes go hand in hand.

    For Operating Partners, CEOs, and investors alike, this conversation breaks down the next generation of value creation, grounded in partnership, empathy, and disciplined execution.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • How to architect a portfolio operations model that bridges strategy and execution

    • Why management ownership, not investor direction, determines success

    • The playbook for aligning boards, sponsors, and CEOs around one value-creation plan

    • Why the best portfolio leaders blend consulting rigor with real operating experience

    • The leadership balance between autonomy and accountability that builds lasting trust

    Timecodes

    00:00 Intro

    00:15 Guest Introduction: Tory Ramaker, The Vistria Group

    00:54 Early Lessons in Resilience and Adaptability

    02:26 Learning to Influence: From Data and Logic to Empathy

    07:13 Building the PRG: Founding Vision and Early Model

    08:04 Evolving the Model: From Generalists to Functional Specialists

    09:51 Portfolio Priorities: Technology, Talent, and Finance

    11:06 Hiring Strategy: Product-Minded Tech Leaders and PE-Proven CFOs

    11:45 Next-Gen Operating Talent: Consulting Rigor Meets Operating Experience

    13:00 Operating Model Shift: Fewer Companies, Deeper Engagement

    14:33 Value Creation Planning: It Must Be Management’s Plan

    15:14 Execution and Measurement: Defining Success Metrics

    17:03 Integrating Impact: Embedding Purpose into Value Creation

    19:00 Partnering with CEOs: Building Trust and Candid Collaboration

    21:03 Leadership Alignment: Autonomy with Accountability

    22:35 Co-Investment Collaboration: Clarity and Over-Communication

    23:46 Change Leadership: Applying AI and Data to Transformation

    26:42 Capacity Discipline: Forced Scarcity and Strategic Resourcing

    29:15 Leadership Standard: Autonomy with Accountability

    31:39 Human Capital Playbook: Assessments, Coaching, and CEO Readiness

    36:20 Leadership Evolution: EQ Over IQ

    38:19 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

    Resources:

    Tory Ramaker:

    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tory-ramaker-a077141/

    Linnea Jungnelius:

    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius

    ⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

    Explore the Podcast:

    Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-spotify-podcast

    Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-apple-podcast

    ⁠Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/tory-ramaker-blog⁠

    Found Value?👍

    Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast

    ⁠Stay Updated on Acertitude:

    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/company/Acertitude

    X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude

    ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude

    ⁠TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod

    Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com ⁠

    44 min
  • Jeff Price: PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer on Reinventing Legacy Brands and Driving Growth in Sport | E26

    What does it take to modernize a legacy sport, inspire global fans, and build commercial engines that stand the test of time?

    In Episode 26, Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Jeff Price, Chief Commercial & Philanthropy Officer at the PGA of America, and one of the most influential architects behind golf’s modern growth story.

    From transforming brand partnerships at Gatorade and MasterCard to reshaping how millions experience the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup, Jeff has built a career at the intersection of sport, business, and innovation.

    His lessons apply far beyond the fairway: they’re about building trust, culture, and commercial momentum in any business facing disruption.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • How to turn sponsorships into lasting, growth-driving partnerships

    • The leadership shift from instructing teams to empowering them

    • Why understanding your “dual-habit” consumers drives sustainable engagement

    • How to extend experiences beyond the venue and into culture

    • Why focus and the smart use of AI defines the next wave of sports innovation

    Timecodes:

    00:00 Intro

    00:26 Guest Introduction: Jeff Price

    1:09 Early Career & Lessons from Rejection

    02:45 Career Journey: NBA, Gatorade, MasterCard

    06:31 Startup Experience & Learning from Failure

    08:43 Leadership Evolution: Empowerment vs. Instruction

    10:16 Decision-Making & Strategic Frameworks

    11:37 Joining PGA of America: Strategic Gaps & First Moves

    13:15 Partnership Economics & PGA’s Commercial Strategy

    17:10 Ryder Cup: Brand Unification & Global Growth

    20:36 Commercial Innovation: Events, Experiences, and Media

    22:51 Media Strategy: ESPN+ Streaming Deal

    25:42 The Future: AI, Data, and Personalization in Golf

    30:05 Building High-Performing Teams: The “We” Mentality

    32:51 Commercial Leadership: Data, Social Media, and Revenue

    34:01 Advice for CEOs & Commercial Teams

    35:00 Personal Routines & Sustaining Performance

    36:41 Sources of Inspiration & Industry Trends

    38:01 Trends in Sports Business & Media

    49:00 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections

    Resources:

    Jeff Price:

    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-price-24481318/

    Linnea Jungnelius:

    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius ⁠

    X: ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

    Explore the Podcast:

    Spotify: ⁠https://acertitu.de/jeff-price-spotify-podcast

    Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://acertitu.de/jeff-price-apple-podcast⁠

    Blog: ⁠https://acertitu.de/jeff-price-blog⁠

    Found Value?

    👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠

    Stay Updated on Acertitude:

    LinkedIn: https://⁠www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude

    ⁠X: ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠

    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude⁠

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brilliantpeoplepod

    Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com ⁠

    52 min
  • Dr. Allison Barber: The President Behind Caitlin Clark's Draft and the Fever's Rise — and Her Boldest Mission Yet, Building Marvella | E25

    What does it take to transform a team, ignite a movement, and build a future that didn’t exist before?

    In Episode 25, Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Dr. Allison Barber – trailblazing leader, ex-president of the Indiana Fever, and now the force behind Marvella Academy, the first-of-its-kind youth sports and leadership campus built entirely for girls.

    From reimagining a professional sports franchise to shaping the next generation of leaders, Allison shares lessons from the locker room, the boardroom, the Pentagon, and beyond. Her stories reveal how vision, conviction, and the courage to show up, again and again, can create lasting impact in business, sports, and life.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • How to reimagine and rebuild a brand from the ground up
    • The framework used to turn fans into loyal, lifelong advocates
    • How to prepare your team for a transformational "lightning strike" moment and sustain it
    • Why the best leaders show up in the community, not just the corner office
    • How investing in girls' sports creates a talent pipeline for future CEOs and leaders


    Timecodes:

    00:00 Intro

    00:11 Guest Introduction: Dr. Allison Barber

    01:16 Transforming the Indiana Fever: Rebuilding & Strategy

    01:39 Building a Championship Culture: The Three C’s

    02:17 Leadership Lessons: Vision, Strategy, and Patience

    04:34 The Caitlin Clark Moment: Preparing for Transformation

    08:54 Building Belief: Fans, Culture, and the “Movable Middle”

    14:17 Shaping a Winning Culture: Optimism & Fundamentals

    16:55 What Matters Most in Leadership: Integrity

    24:13 9/11: Leading Through Crisis

    28:24 The Mission Behind Marvella Academy

    34:17 Marvella’s Best-in-Class Approach

    35:51 The Business of Youth Sports

    39:57 What’s Next: Marvella Mobile & Campus Launch

    40:54 The Surge in Women’s Sports: What’s Fueling It?

    45:11 Advice for Women in Sports Leadership

    49:20 Book & Podcast Recommendations

    50:05 Marvella’s Legacy: Empowering Girls

    52:58 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections


    Resources:

    Dr. Allison Barber:  

    Website:  ⁠https://www.marvellasports.com⁠

    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-barber-phd-06201a2/⁠

    Linnea Jungnelius: 

    LinkedIn:  ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius⁠

    X:  ⁠https://x.com/itslinnea⁠

    Explore the Podcast: 

    Spotify:  ⁠https://acertitu.de/dr-allison-barber-spotify-podcast⁠

    Apple Podcasts:  ⁠https://acertitu.de/dr-allison-barber-apple-podcast⁠

    Blog:  https://acertitu.de/dr-allison-barber-blog

    Found Value?

    👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: ⁠https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast⁠

    Stay Updated on Acertitude: 

    LinkedIn:  ⁠www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude⁠

    X:  ⁠https://www.x.com/acertitude⁠

    Instagram:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/acertitude⁠

    Website: ⁠https://www.acertitude.com⁠

    56 min
  • Dr. Allison Barber: President at Marvella Academy and Former President of the Indiana Fever on Building the Next Generation of Leaders Through Girls’ Sports

    What does it take to transform a team, ignite a movement, and build a future that didn’t exist before?

    In this episode, Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Dr. Allison Barber – trailblazing leader, former president of the Indiana Fever, and now the force behind Marvella Academy, the first-of-its-kind youth sports and leadership campus built entirely for girls.


    From reimagining a professional sports franchise to shaping the next generation of leaders, Allison shares lessons from the locker room, the boardroom, the Pentagon, and beyond. Her stories reveal how vision, conviction, and the courage to show up, again and again, can create lasting impact in business, sports, and life.


    What You’ll Learn:

    • How to reimagine and rebuild a brand from the ground up
    • The framework used to turn fans into loyal, lifelong advocates
    • How to prepare your team for a transformational “lightning strike” moment andsustain it
    • Why the best leaders show up in the community, not just the corner office
    • How investing in girls’ sports creates a talent pipeline for future CEOs and leaders

    Timecodes:

    00:00 Intro

    01:23 Allison Barber: Trailblazing Leader

    03:41 Building a Championship Culture

    05:20 The Electric Caitlin Clark Moment

    11:02 The Movable Middle: Fan Engagement

    19:29 The Power of Optimistic Leaders

    28:58 From Teacher to Pentagon Leader

    35:44 A Day That Changed Everything: 9/11 Reflections

    37:46 Leadership Under Pressure: Lessons from Crisis

    40:44 A New Mission: Founding Marvella Academy

    42:45 Empowering Girls Through Sports: The Vision of Marvella Academy

    44:59 The Impact of Sports on Leadership and Mental Health

    50:10 Building the Future: Marvella Academy's Ambitious Plans

    52:43 The Business of Women's Sports: Opportunities and Challenges

    01:03:59 Lightning Round: Personal Reflections


    Resources:

    Dr. Allison Barber:  

    Website:  https://www.marvellasports.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-barber-phd-06201a2/


    Linnea Jungnelius: 

    LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius

    X:  https://x.com/itslinnea


    Explore the Podcast: 

    Spotify:  https://acertitu.de/allison-barber-spotify-podcast

    Apple Podcasts:  https://acertitu.de/allison-barber-apple-podcast

    Blog:  https://acertitu.de/allison-barber-blog


    Found Value? 👍Tap Like. And Subscribe: https://acertitu.de/rate-brilliant-people-podcast


    Stay Updated on Acertitude: 

    LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude

    X:  https://www.x.com/acertitude

    Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/acertitude

    Website: https://www.acertitude.com

    1 hr 7 min
  • Peter Browning: Boardroom Legend on Leadership, Legacy, and the Timeless Truths of Governance | E24

    What makes a truly great board? And what defines a life well-led? In Episode 24 of the Brilliant People Podcast, host Linnea Jungnelius sits down with Peter Browning, one of the most respected governance voices in America. With over 14 public company boards under his belt—including lead director roles at Nucor, Acuity Brands, and ScanSource, plus 16 years on the board at Lowe’s—Peter brings a rare depth of experience and perspective to the conversation.


    He shares the board-level decisions that matter most, from CEO succession to crisis leadership, and the personal stories that shaped his approach to communication, transparency, and resilience. It’s a deep dive into how leadership is built through pressure, listening, and connection—long before the boardroom.


    What You'll Learn:

    – The 3 questions every board must answer

    – What most boards get wrong about CEO succession

    – How to lead through bankruptcy, crisis, and culture change

    – Why the best directors listen more than they speak

    – How climbing mountains and running plants shaped his edge as a leader


    Timecodes:

    00:00 Intro

    00:11 Peter Browning: Corporate Legend

    01:35 Living Life as a Contact Sport

    14:57 Inside the Boardroom: ScanSource, Lowe’s & More

    16:42 Sales Trainee to CEO: Sonoco, Continental Can, National Gypsum

    22:18 Earning Trust Across 300 Plants, 36 Countries

    24:38 Bankruptcy Playbook: Reinventing National Gypsum

    29:59 Listening as a Leadership Advantage

    35:16 Modern Boardroom: From Rubber Stamp to Strategy Engine

    40:46 Great Lead Directors Influence Without Authority

    43:36 CEO Succession: Making the Hardest Calls

    47:32 Board Chemistry: Trust in High-Stakes Rooms

    51:49 When, Why & How to Replace a CEO

    54:58 Earning Your Seat as a New Director

    01:04:07 Favorite CEOs, Leaders & Books

    01:08:31 Lightning Round: Family, Focus & Living Fully


    Resources:

    Peter Browning:  

    Website: www.peterbrowning.com 

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/peter-browning-4421454/  
     
    Linnea Jungnelius: 

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius/ 

    X: www.x.com/itsLinnea  


    Explore the Podcast: 

    Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4q2SyG7jTqV109lC37RtOV  

    Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brilliant-people-podcast/id1582636185  

    Blog: acertitu.de/peter-browning-blog  

    Subscribe and rate the show: https://www.ratethispodcast.com/brilliantpeoplepodcast


    Stay Updated on Acertitude: 

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude/  

    YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCaRywuMZMbDfHR77TyzEQZQ  

    X: www.x.com/acertitude  

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/acertitude  

    Website: www.acertitude.com 

    1 hr 17 min
  • Charlie Turano: Executive Director at Heritage Werks on A New Era of Brand-Building in Sports | E23

    For Charlie Turano, legacy isn’t just nostalgia. It’s strategy. As Executive Director at Heritage Werks, Charlie is helping pro sports teams, leagues, and now even universities unlock the untapped power of their history—not just to preserve the past, but to propel the future.


    Before that, he co-founded Genesco Sports Enterprises, shaping it into one of the industry’s most respected corporate representation firms, advising global brands on how to maximize their presence in sports. But it all started with the Dallas Cowboys, where Charlie got his first taste of the business side of sports, an experience that sparked a career defined by innovation, storytelling, and the pursuit of enduring value.


    What You'll Learn:– How to turn your team's history into a high-ROI brand asset– How to drive fan engagement and revenue with digitized legacy content– The power of cutting through the noise with story-driven brand campaigns

    Resources: 

    Charlie Turano:  

    Website: https://www.heritagewerks.com/  

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-turano-7605302/  
     
    Linnea Jungnelius: 

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/linneajungnelius/ 

    X: www.x.com/itsLinnea


    Explore the Podcast: 

    Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4q2SyG7jTqV109lC37RtOV  

    Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brilliant-people-podcast/id1582636185 

    Blog: www.acertitu.de/charlie-turano-blog


    Stay Updated on Acertitude 

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/acertitude/  

    YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCaRywuMZMbDfHR77TyzEQZQ  

    X: www.x.com/acertitude  

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/acertitude  

    Website: www.acertitude.com 

    44 min

About Brilliant People Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the Brilliant People Podcast by Acertitude, a leadership podcast featuring conversations with some of the world’s best and brightest doers and thinkers. Guests range from CEOs and PE…

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