In this episode of Connection Request, we sit down with Ron J. Williams, venture builder and partner at Co-Created, a global venture studio. Ron shares his incredible journey from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming a pioneer in the shared economy and an advocate for “good growth”—a framework for creating sustainable, impactful businesses.

We dig into how curiosity and problem-solving have shaped Ron’s career, why purpose-driven innovation is essential for meaningful progress, and how we can build ventures that prioritize both profit and people. Along the way, Ron opens up about his philosophies on leadership, systemic change, and empowering communities to be architects of their own futures.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Connection Request is a platform to explore ideas related to creative entrepreneurship, purpose, and the future of work.

Hosted by Joel Leeman and produced by Vivace Studios, the podcast features in-depth conversations with creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs offering listeners a mix of practical insights and personal reflections. The companion newsletter is Joel’s reflective space to build in public and explore creativity, connection, and innovation.

Follow @connectionrequest on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcast platforms everywhere. To pitch the show, email [email protected]. New episodes are released bi-weekly.

☕️ Connection Request is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection

Connect with Joel

Vivace Studios

Vivace Studios makes media for the internet and is part of Vivace, a b2b global creative studio and consultancy.

As you might know, a lot has changed for me (Joel) since I started making this show. My whole professional world -- heck my whole life -- has changed. In 2023, I started a new creative studio and consultancy called Vivace, teaming up with my long-time collaborator Ryan Sheppard.

So, for this episode of Connection Request, we decided to do something a little different. The team thought it might be a good idea to share some of the lessons we've learned so far and put me in the hot seat for once. And Ryan.

So, I'm handing the host mic over to another friend and collaborator Mimi Hayton. Together, we dive into the journey of building Vivace— the highs, lows, and in-betweens. We chat about the values that guide us, from prioritizing relationships over revenue to building a community to balancing personal life with professional ambition. And give a peek into what comes next for us.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Connection Request is a platform to explore ideas related to creative entrepreneurship, purpose, and the future of work.

Hosted by Joel Leeman and produced by Vivace Studios, the podcast features in-depth conversations with creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs offering listeners a mix of practical insights and personal reflections. The companion newsletter is Joel’s reflective space to build in public and explore creativity, connection, and innovation.

Follow @connectionrequest on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcast platforms everywhere. To pitch the show, email [email protected]. New episodes are released bi-weekly.

☕️ Connection Request is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection

Connect with the show

• Twitter: @ConnectRequest

Connect with Joel

• Twitter: @joelleeman 

Vivace Studios

Vivace Studios makes media for the internet and is part of Vivace, a b2b global creative studio and consultancy.

Special thanks 🙏

• Marie Iannazzo

In this episode of Connection Request, Joel Leeman sits down with Alex Lieberman, co-founder of Morning Brew and StoryArb, for a deep dive into the scrappy moves and creative strategies behind building companies. From cutting out superhero goggles from his underwear to scaling and selling Morning Brew, Alex shares candid insights into the art of storytelling, entrepreneurship, and why he stepped back from Morning Brew to launch his latest venture, StoryArb.

Tune in to hear Alex’s take on building in public, finding the right balance between creating and building, and his vision for the future of content. Plus, a sneak peek into his Pixar movie idea and a rapid-fire Q&A that showcases his wit and wisdom.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone curious about the journey of building businesses that last.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Connection Request is a platform to explore ideas related to creative entrepreneurship, purpose, and the future of work.

Hosted by Joel Leeman and produced by Vivace Studios, the podcast features in-depth conversations with creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs offering listeners a mix of practical insights and personal reflections. The companion newsletter is Joel’s reflective space to build in public and reflect on creativity, connection, and innovation.

Follow @connectionrequest on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcast platforms everywhere. To pitch the show, email [email protected].

New episodes are released every Friday.

☕️ Connection Request is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection

VIVACE STUDIOS

Vivace Studios makes media for the internet and is part of Vivace, a b2b global creative studio and consultancy.

Today on the show I’m talking to John Arms. He’s a Fractional CMO, Co-Founder of Voyageur University, and author of a new book called Revolt: The rise of fractional and the death of full-time. Or, as some folks in the fractional community like to call him, the Mayor of Frackville.

In today’s conversation, we dive deep into the world and movement known as Fractional.

For those who aren’t familiar with the term, a fractional executive refers to someone occupying a permanent leadership seat in a company in a fraction of the time thought necessary. In our conversation, John walks us through the basics of the fractional movement - how it differs from consulting, what kind of professions its for, characteristics of someone who is a good fit for fractional, and what it really looks like day-to-day to be part of this world.

We also talk about some of the megatrends that got us to this point – all the way back to 1970, Milton Friedman, and shareholder economics, through to the Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting, and the rise of the Fractional economy. I’ve gotta say, the picture John paints of the future is a really exciting one. If you’re interested in learning more about the world of Fractional, I highly recommend you go grab a copy of his book (link below).

📕 John's book, Revolt: The Rise of Fractional and the Death of Full-Time -- https://bit.ly/4a8IFNF

Fill out our listener survey to help us make the show better: https://forms.gle/myjg43kAGg2tv8vE7

New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.

☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection

Connect with the show

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest

Connect with Joel

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman

About Connection Request

Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on the show, I’m talking to Kristin Mitchell, the founder and creative director of Gathered in Style, a boutique event planning business based in New York City. Kristin is a magician when it comes to events. You might call her an event scientist. 

If you were to scroll through her Instagram page, you’d see a K-pop themed birthday party, an elevated state fair soiree, a private dinner in a small grocery store, a pasta pool party, and my new favorite thing – a churro umbrella. 

We talk about Kristin’s career journey, from planning high profile events like Reuters Newsmakers and client events at the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Super Bowl - to going off on her own to start her own business. We also trade stories of both of our experiences at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington DC, including the time NFL linebacker Von Miller stood me up at the airport.

Kristin shares some excellent advice on what she’s learned running her own business and creating a brand from scratch, as well as practical tips for anyone who’s looking to take their next gathering to the next level. She also shares her philosophy on why we should celebrate everything, how to catch a vibe, and how she learned to love business. And her love for accountants.

New episodes released every Thursday wherever you get podcasts. 

☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection 

Connect with the show 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest 

Connect with Joel 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman 

About Connection Request 

Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on the show, I’m chatting to Kris Ehresmann, the architect of Minnesota’s COVID-19 pandemic response, and the former long-time director of the Infectious Disease Division of the Minnesota Department of Health. 

Kris spent more than 30 years of service in public health before retiring, and played key roles in many public health issues both in Minnesota and nationally. Minnesota leaders have called her “an extraordinary public servant”, a “true leader”, and responsible for cultivating “a new generation of talented public health leaders.” 

We talk about what she learned during the global pandemic, a time she describes as being a frog in a pot of boiling water. We also talk about other outbreaks during her career, why public health is linked to social justice, as well as what public health has taught her about the world. She also details the biggest learning experience of her career and how the pandemic taught her how to swear. And, she describes some of the immense challenges of the politicization of public health and public service, and what she’s been up to since retiring. 

New episodes released every Thursday wherever you get podcasts. 

☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection 

Connect with the show 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest 

Connect with Joel 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman 

About Connection Request 

Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on the show I’m talking to Dale Whittaker. He’s a Senior Advisor at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and has spent his career working in academia at institutions including Texas A&M, Purdue University, and the University of Central Florida. He’s also a watercolor artist and plays a mean harmonica. 

I wanted to pick Dale’s brain on the state of higher education around the world, both from his perch inside institutions, and now outside as part of the Gates Foundation. We talk about how education relates to careers today, how artificial intelligence will impact the future of learning, and how education remains one of the strongest levers and predictors of economic mobility. We also dig into some of the various alternative learning movements, like coding bootcamps and Google certifications, and unpack the real value of higher education today. 

Dale also tells the story of his time as president of the University of Central Florida, which ended in a very public battle with Ron Desantis and the Florida legislature. I’m grateful to him for being so open about that journey and what he learned from a traumatic period in his career journey. I also of course ask him for his thoughts on Desantis’s prospects for the presidency.

New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts. 

☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection 

Connect with the show 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest 

Connect with Joel 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman 

About Connection Request 

Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on the show I’m talking to Tim Niver, the restaurateur behind beloved Minnesota restaurants Mucci’s Italian and Saint Dinette, owner of Mucci’s Frozen Food, and host of Niver Niver Land, a podcast about the changing restaurant industry.

Tim has worked in restaurants for a long time, working here in Minnesota, as well as New York, Colorado, and a stint in Las Vegas opening up the Bellagio. I’ve long been a fan of Tim’s as we chat about in today's conversation. I especially appreciate how open he is about the ups and downs of his industry, through his podcast, social media, and interviews he does with the media. He displays that openness and vulnerability in our conversation as we talk about what success looks like in his field, what he’s learned from going through the pandemic, and how the restaurant industry is still changing dramatically today.

We also chat about his multiple business and creative adventures, going toe to toe with Muhammad Ali, and his dream guest for Niver Niver Land.

New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.

☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection

Connect with Tim

• https://www.youtube.com/@niverniverland3707 

Connect with the show

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest

Connect with Joel

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman

About Connection Request

Today on the show, I’m talking to Taylor Misiak. She’s an LA based actor best known for starring as Ally on DAVE on FX, the comedy starring the rapper and comedian Dave Burd, better known as Lil Dicky. She also starred in Lil Dicky’s music video Pillow Talking alongside Dave and John C. Riley, and has acted in shows on Netflix, Paramount Plus, and NBC.

The actors’ strike has now been going on for more than 100 days, so I wanted to understand from Taylor’s perspective what SAG-AFTRA is fighting for, what the strike has been like for her, and the knock-on effects for the industry. Her decade has also been marked by mega movements in the industry like the streaming wars, MeToo, the pandemic, and now artificial intelligence, so we unpack all of that too. 

We spend time digging into what being on DAVE has meant for her career, how collaborative the show has been, and how she was able to help shape her character. We also talk about why despite her recent success she feels like an underdog, and the characters she still wants to play. And we chat about why she loves working on short films, sketches, and how she’s been writing and pitching her own material.

Taylor also is the co-host of Table Flipping, a podcast about reality TV, so we had to get into some of her thoughts on reality TV, including why she thinks 90 Day Fiancé is actually a better show than DAVE(!).

Stick around for the rapid fire for her thoughts on the Golden Bachelor and her favorite celebrity run-in.

New episodes of Connection Request are released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts. 

☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection 

Connect with Taylor

Connect with the show 

Connect with Joel 

About Connection Request 

Today on the show we’re talking to Mandi Jung, better known as Sabocat on TikTok, aka Fox News' #1 worst nightmare.

Mandi is a public school teacher who has grown a large following on TikTok sharing both her thoughts and resources on teacher unions, the intersection of capitalism and education, and other critical issues in her space. I love Mandi’s joy and passion for both students and teachers alike, and I think you’ll hear that come through in the interview.

We discuss what the broader public gets wrong about teachers, her friendship with Minnesota’s attorney general, the far right’s push to delegitimize public education, and about what it’s like to get roasted by Fox News and mentioned by Donald Trump.

We also get into why she started her TikTok out of spite, her run-in with Dave Matthews, and do a quick round of hot takes on important issues like book bans, free lunch, and critical race theory. New episodes released every Thursday, right here on YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.

☕️ Season 2 is presented by SK Coffee, a specialty coffee roaster, based in Minnesota, shipping worldwide. Learn more: https://bit.ly/skconnection

Connect with Sabocat

• https://www.tiktok.com/@sabocat

Connect with the show

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConnectRequest

Connect with Joel

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelleeman

About Connection Request

Connection Request is a podcast about career journeys, produced by Shrug Content. Hosted by Joel Leeman, a producer and strategist who has spent the past 10 years making media for the Internet, the show profiles a variety of fascinating people, digging into how they spend their waking hours, what they’ve learned along the way, how they make decisions, and why they do what they do. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.