What happens when a small-town kid with a pink mohawk trades the Marines for Goldman Sachs?

Jack Keck, Head of Application Development at Octus, proves that unconventional paths often lead to breakthrough leadership. From sleeping under his desk during the Marcus launch to building the Apple Card infrastructure, Keck's journey challenges everything you think you know about tech leadership. He didn't follow the traditional script—no computer science degree, no Silicon Valley pedigree. Instead, he learned by doing, taking swings at problems others wouldn't touch, and turning imposter syndrome into unstoppable drive.

Listen now to discover how authentic leadership stems from climbing mountains with your team, not standing above them.

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Hosts: Jenny Bain 

John Erban, our Chief People Officer, knows that culture is more than just a buzzword. His path to leadership, shaped by creativity, resilience, and personal challenges, has given him a unique perspective on how to build an environment where people truly thrive.

In this episode of People in Focus, John shares:

How his empathetic leadership was forged from childhood creativity and adversity

The impact of living with a chronic illness on his pace, ambition, and perspective

Why clarity is kindness and how it influences his leadership

What culture really means in practice and how to scale it in a high-growth company

Join us for a candid conversation about life, leadership, and building workplaces that are as human as they are high performing.

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Hosts: Jenny Bain 

What does it take to go from rural Florida to the global stage of media and business leadership? Jennifer Merritt, Octus’ Global Editorial Strategy Lead, has lived it all. This episode of Inside Octus: People in Focus explores her remarkable trajectory, where grit and determination shaped every chapter of her life.

Join us as Jennifer discusses:

Don’t miss this deep-dive into a career built on bold choices, unwavering persistence, and a passion for championing truth and fairness.

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Hosts: Jenny Bain 

Jenny Bain sits down with Kent Collier not the CEO, not the founder, but the person.

In his most personal conversation yet, Kent opens up about the weight of building Octus, the legacy of his parents, what he’s still learning as a father, and why he hasn’t taken an out-of-office in over a decade. He shares what drives him, what haunts him, and why making music might be the only thing that helps him slow down.

This is the Kent most people don’t get to meet. The man behind the product, the pressure, and the playlist.

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Hosts: Jenny Bain 

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Inside Octus: People in Focus, where we dive deep into the stories, journeys, and experiences of the people who make Octus what it is today. Hosted by Jenny Bain, this series is all about transparency, culture, and growth both within the company and beyond.

In this first episode, Jenny sits down with Tanya Hubbard, the producer who helped bring this podcast to life. Together, they unpack their career journeys, the vision behind Inside Octus, and what it means to be part of a fast-growing, innovative company. From navigating career changes to fostering a culture of creativity and adaptability, this episode offers a candid look at what makes Octus unique.

Expect honest conversations, inside perspectives, and real talk about the wins, the challenges, and everything in between. Whether you’re part of the Octus team or just curious about how a company shapes its people-first culture, this episode is the perfect starting point.