Health-Ade Kombucha went from a stall at the Farmer's Market to a multi-million dollar company over the course of just five years — which pushed co-founder Vanessa Dew to re-examine her leadership style in order to adapt. In this episode, Vanessa is revealing what she learned, and why vulnerability in leadership is key for scaling a business. You'll also hear her tips for overcoming imposter syndrome, trusting your instincts, and setting boundaries at work in order to become a more effective, well-rounded leader in business and life. 

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After helping scale Dell from $100 million to a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse alongside Michael Dell, Joel Kocher thought he had leadership figured out — until success forced him to relearn humility. Now the founder and CEO of Humann, Kocher reveals why adaptability is make-or-break in leadership, especially when transitioning fields. He also shares why he left an early retirement to build a company rooted in purpose, not hype — and how walking your talk 100% of the time is the only way to truly lead by example. 

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For Taskrabbit CEO Ania Smith, a professional gap year was exactly what she needed to rediscover purpose-driven leadership. She was feeling stuck in the Silicon Valley grind, losing sight of her "why." So she and her family packed up all their things and moved to Argentina — somewhere they'd never been before — to focus on anything but work. Upon her return, Ania was confident that this was the right path, which empowered her to scale as a leader. Today, she heads up Taskrabbit, an online platform hosting 60,000 "taskers" worldwide to help folks with household projects big and small. In this episode, Ania shares her advice for navigating uncertainty, architecting your reset, and cultivating a purpose-driven leadership style. 

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What does it take to turn a simple idea into a $100 million brand? In the Season 2 premiere of Leading By Example, host Jessica Chen sits down with Grace Lee Chen, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Birdy Grey, the direct-to-consumer company reshaping how people shop for weddings. Grace shares how she transformed a personal frustration as a six-time bridesmaid into a thriving business built on empathy, creativity, and deep customer connection. She opens up about scaling her brand, collaborating with her best friend and co-founder, and why stepping down as CEO to focus on creative leadership was the most empowering decision of her career. Through her journey, Grace reveals what it means to lead with trust, authenticity, and heart in today’s fast-changing business landscape.

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What sets remarkable leaders apart? In Season 2 of Leading By Example, Emmy Award winner and global communication expert Jessica Chen uncovers how today’s executives inspire trust, navigate change, and lead with purpose. From bold decision-making to everyday empathy, these conversations pull back the curtain on the communication skills, mindset shifts, and human stories behind impactful leadership. Whether you’re managing a team or leading your own path, this season will inspire you to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose.

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In this special in-between-seasons bonus episode of Leading by Example, host Farnoosh Torabi is joined by supervising producer Nakia (Kia) Swinton to reflect on standout leadership lessons from Season One. From authenticity and inclusion to empathy, expertise, and the power of introspection, Farnoosh and Kia revisit powerful moments and behind-the-scenes insights from their conversations with industry trailblazers including Will Pearson (iHeartMedia), Shannon Schuyler (PwC), Kathleen Griffith, Naveen Jain, Claude Silver (VaynerX), Marisa Thalberg, Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin (TheSkimm), and Ryan Serhant. Whether you're new to the show or a longtime listener, this highlight reel captures the spirit of the series—and sets the stage for an inspiring Season Two.

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Ryan Serhant has built a real estate empire by doing things differently. As the CEO of SERHANT.—a brokerage, media company, and tech platform all rolled into one—he’s redefining what it means to sell in the modern market. In this dynamic conversation, Farnoosh and Ryan talk about launching a company during the pandemic, building a brand that scales, and why “always in, all ways” isn’t just a motto—it’s a mindset. Ryan shares how he hires, the surprising way he tests for emotional intelligence, and why listening is his ultimate growth strategy. They also dive into AI’s growing role in real estate, what’s really behind the affordability crisis, and how innovation—not litigation—is Ryan’s favorite way to win.

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Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg have lived every chapter of theSkimm’s story—from scrappy startup to multimillion-user platform to their recent acquisition by Ziff Davis. In this candid conversation, Farnoosh sits down with the co-founders to explore resilience, leadership, and how they’ve stayed deeply connected to their audience of millennial and Gen Z women. They open up about rejection, burnout, and the challenges of being women founders—including the ones that still persist. Plus, the story behind their viral #ShowUsYourLeave campaign, why caregiving is the next workplace frontier, and how they’re helping women navigate the realities of adulthood—with clarity, confidence, and just the right amount of Froot Loops.

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Marisa Thalberg has made a career out of smart pivots—and bold bets. As Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Catalyst Brands, she now oversees some of retail’s most iconic names, including JCPenney and Brooks Brothers—brands with deep roots and fresh potential. In this dynamic conversation, Farnoosh and Marisa dive into the art of leading with both confidence and humility, the value of bringing an outsider’s perspective to long-established institutions, and why embracing the “underdog mindset” can spark real transformation. Marisa shares the lessons she’s learned from navigating across industries—from luxury beauty to fast food to mass retail—and offers an honest look at what happens when big ideas don’t land. It’s a masterclass in resilience, modern leadership, and finding clarity in complexity.

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What does it mean to actually lead with empathy? In this candid, energizing episode, Farnoosh sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia, to explore how emotional intelligence, radical transparency, and kindness can shape corporate culture. From redefining empathy as “riding shotgun” on someone’s journey to building an award-winning workplace from the inside out, Claude shares the origin story of her unconventional role, the challenges of navigating hybrid work, and her bold philosophy of emotional efficiency.

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