Welcome to the launch of GAMETIME WITH SHAUNA GRIFFITHS. CONVERSATIONS WITH IMPACTFUL LEADERS.

For nearly five years, we've been bringing you real talk with real leaders through the podcast formerly known as THIS. with Shauna Griffiths.

It's been Shauna's mission and honor to elevate voices of diverse authentic leaders who are committed to learning, growing and evolving. These impactful conversations have been designed to help you take your leadership game to the next level. Her passion for that mission has only gotten stronger over time.

In this Sport of Leadership, Shauna puts in work to take her game to next levels including with her podcast. She's proud to drop this first episode featuring 2025 Leadership Athlete Draftee, Andrew Schwartz. 

Andrew is a prolific leader in the business of sports, entertainment, real estate and beyond who is revered by some of the people in the business that Shauna respects the most. When you ask about Andrew you get comments like – "He’s a gem." and "He’s one of the good ones." and "He’s the best." 

He's been the Co-President of the Howard Hughes Corporation, and he's worked for the Brooklyn Nets, Sirius XM Radio, the MLB, The New Jersey Devils, and the NHL. Now, he is Principal of his consulting firm, Five + A Game. 

He's also avid fan of the game of hockey – a player and coach – who transfers principles of the game of hockey the game of leadership. He is a testament to Shauna's theory that Leadership is a Sport. This is an Ice Hockey Edition.

Tune-in to hear about:

- Andrew's stories career journey including early stints in the mailroom and as a mascot

- A look at what he is today as Principal of his consulting business, Five + A Game

- His take on leadership, his leadership style, and why it works

- How his leadership style has been influenced by his experience in hockey - his love and respect for the game

- Parallels between leading senior level people in business, and coaching children in ice hockey

- His choice to lead authentically with awareness and intentionality

 

We hope you enjoy this episode, and we look forward to hearing your feedback! 

LEADERSHIP IS A SPORT.

IT’S GAME TIME. 

LET’S GO!

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down C-Suite Recruiting, features ON Partners Chief Commercial Officer, Vicky Wilkens, and Partner, Matt Mooney.  These former collegiate athletes deliver game-changing leadership for clients and candidates at one of the hottest executive search firms in North America. 

Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms and to the Inc. 500/5000 lists nine times, ON Partners is consistently ranked among the top 20 retained executive search firms in the U.S. It is the only pure-play retained executive search firm building C-level and board leadership teams across industries and functions. With offices across the country, they rebuilt the institution of executive search for the way you work. 

Their approach to executive search is untraditional – by choice. You'll get that sense in this straightforward, informative and authentic conversation. 

Tune-in for the Inside Scoop on: 

 

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! 

#leader #leadership #recruiting #csuite #recruiter #coaching #consulting #leadershipathlete #builtbysport 

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Return on Connection features John Harris, President & Chief Executive Officer of Worldwide Partners Inc (WPI), a global network of the top independent marketing services agencies who share an independent spirit and entrepreneurial drive to build commerce through connectivity, creativity and collaboration. 

John is a senior marketing executive with a proven track record of success in growing market share for brands and the agencies who serve them through creativity and innovation. He is an agent of change who believes that the best way to predict the future is to create the future.

He's also an authentic, self-aware human who believes in leading with giving and building relationships that are transformational, not transactional. These things came through the first time we met, and I knew I wanted him to be a guest on this show. He's a breath of fresh air, a brilliant marketer, and savvy leader who I'm honored to shine light on. 

Tune-in to hear about: 

1. Leading with Giving and What Return on Connection is All About 

2. Coaching for Leaders: Sharpen Skills, Learn New Tricks

3. Celebrating Progress and Focusing on Behaviors: A Different Approach to Short-Term ROI

4. Pharma Client Requirements Shift: From Agency to Pharma Agency and Beyond

5. Independent Agency Network: Collaboration and Community in Scaling Businesses

6. Agencies Shifting Focus from RFPs to Strategic Partnerships

7. Protecting Culture: Agencies Choosing to Work Together

8. Agencies Owning the Network: Reverse Holding Company Structure at WPI

9. Making Yourself Expendable: Strong Leadership and Alignment in Organizations

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! 

 

#leader #leadership #agency #independentagency #agencynetwork #culture #coaching #consulting #growth 

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Making Work Better features Dawn Sowerby, Founder of The Culture Business. Dawn is a natural strategist with a gift for transforming teams of all sizes and in any business area. With a background in People Management & Organizational Development and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, her experience encompasses transformational leadership in other areas, including operational delivery. 

Get ready for some real talk and actionable solutions in this one, Leaders. 

As Dawn put it, "we're getting it so wrong in some situations. We are at work for too much of our time for it to be an unhappy place, a place where we aren't able to be our true selves, a place where we aren't able to be productive and to be trusted and safe."

I couldn't possibly agree with her more. 

Tune-in to hear about: 

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! 

 

#leader #leadership #culture #people #assessment #thegcindex #womeninbusiness #humanbehavior

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Personal Growth & Professional Advancement features Rhonda George-Denniston, Chief Learning and Development Officer at TBWA\Worldwide and Founder of TBWA\GLP and Curiosity Connections. She is also a speaker, an innovator in talent development, a Jean-Marie Dru Founders' Award Recipient, AND an ADWEEK 50 Honoree.

If you don't yet know of the inspiration - the gift - that is Rhonda George-Denniston -  tune-in, turn the volume up, and enjoy! I'm absolutely taken by her graceful, self-assured manner and wonderful energy - and you will be too. 

You'll get a taste of Rhonda's passion for her mission to leverage the wisdom of diverse lived experiences, cutting-edge research, and expertise in human performance to empower individuals to craft and live their best lives. 

As the Founder of Curiosity Connections—a community dedicated to connecting people through shared values and vision—Rhonda is a beacon for those seeking to forge meaningful connections in their personal and professional lives. In her role as the Chief Learning and Development Officer at TBWA, she exemplifies her deep conviction in the synergy between personal growth and professional advancement.

Dive in to hear about: 

I hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! 

#leader #leadership #agency #advertisingagency #learninganddevelopment #tbwa #tbwaglp #personalgrowth #careeradvancement #coach #consultant #podcast 

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Creativity in the Workplace, features Keynote Speaker, Mary Messner, who focuses on creativity leading to a shift in companywide culture and positive impact. 

Mary dedicates her career to approaching challenges with creativity, refusing to accept the status quo, and leading with a determination to grow others. Her keynotes inspire individuals and companies to create something unexpected. Her consultancy turns inspiration into action; becoming a creative partner on each unique journey.

Tune-in to hear about: 

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! 

 

#leader #leadership #creativity #creativeleadership #problemsolving #creativeideas #womeninbusiness #speaker

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Representation & Leadership in Sports with Raven Jemison, an Award-Winning Sports Business Executive who is currently the President, Business Operations for the Kansas City Current Women’s Soccer team. She is also Author of a fantastic book - More Than Representation, The Cheat Codes to Own Your Seat at the Table, AND a First Draft Class Leadership Athlete. 

Raven is next level remarkable as a human and sports business professional. She as true as they come, and it's an honor to shine light on her voice, mission, and example. 

Tune-in to this can't miss episode to hear about:  

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! 

 

#leader #leadership #sportsbusiness #sportsexecutive #nwsl #ravenjemison #womeninsports #diversity #inclusion #representation #authenticity #positiveimpact #leadershipathlete 

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Public Perception of Public Relations, features my dear friend, Pilaar Terry - Managing Partner & COO of POV Agency, a PR and Comms agency based on the LA area. I can’t possibly type enough amazing things to explain to you why I adore and admire her. You’ll just have to listen and experience the magic that is Pilaar for yourself! 

Tune-in to this episode to hear about:

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! Feel free to reach out to either of both of us directly on LinkedIn. 

 

 #leader #leadership #PR #publicrelations #communications #agency #PRagency #diversity #inclusion #modernworkplace #fourdayworkweek #remoteoffice 

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Cultivating Culture Through a Leadership Trifecta, features Carter Reese, Co-Founder and President of Hatch.IM – an Immersive Engagement Company based on the LA area. Armed with his experience as a former Division I collegiate volleyball player, Carter certainly exemplifies the #LeadershipAthlete mindset.

Tune-in to this episode to hear about:

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! Feel free to reach out to either of both of us directly on LinkedIn. 

#leader #leadership #experiential #consumerexperience #agency #experientialagency #humility 

Welcome back to THIS. with Shauna Griffiths!

This episode, Breaking Down Creating Your Own Opportunities features Brett Essman, a Art Director and Creative Director in the Advertising Agency world, who sports just the right amount of humble swagger as he leads in work, life, and in youth basketball. 

One of the things I love most about this episode is the #LeadershipAthlete in Brett that shines so brightly. He clearly leads his own team, agency, and clients with incredible resilience and commitment to the pursuit of optimal performance. In his "spare time" he transfers his skills and mindset to his son's basketball team. As you listen - you'll notice the business and basketball lessons overlap. Whether you're at work or on the field of play - the rules of the game are much the same.  

Tune-in to this episode to hear about:

We hope you enjoy the episode and look forward to your feedback about it! Feel free to reach out to either of both of us directly on LinkedIn. 

#creative #agency #advertisingagency #coaching #basketball #leadershipathlete #consulting #coaching #leadership #leader #opportunity