In Episode #89, Ross is joined by Rachel Gogel, Independent Design Executive and Educator

Rachel Gogel is an independent design executive whose work is informed by her experiences both in-house and agency side. Since founding her solo consultancy in 2020, she's worked as a fractional creative leader, embedding with organisations at an executive level on a part-time basis. Rachel has partnered with global companies such as Airbnb and Dropbox, and women-founded ventures like Chicken & Egg Films and Anew. Before going independent, she built multidisciplinary teams at GQ, The New York Times, Facebook, and Godfrey Dadich Partners. The through-line? Rachel specialises in inflection points, steering strategic change at the intersection of brand, culture, and technology.

Ross and Rachel discuss why fractional leadership works, how an outsider’s perspective inspires creativity, and why making flexible employment decisions supports growth and financial fruitfulness.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-rachel.

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In Episode #88, Ross is joined by Michael Wolff, Co-Founder of Wolff Olins

Michael Wolff is a branding pioneer who bridged the gap between design and business strategy, guided by his belief that “design is an act of imagination made real”. As co-founder of Wolff Olins, he created transformative identities for Apple, Audi, Volkswagen, BT, and Orange, setting new benchmarks in corporate branding.

With imagination, empathy, and curiosity at the core of his work, Wolff remains a singular voice in branding, dedicated to revealing the true character of the companies he helps shape.

In this conversation, they explore the lessons that only a lifetime of imagination and curiosity can teach. They talk about expanding the very idea of success, why joy and usefulness are a brand’s highest calling, and the deep honour that comes when a company trusts you with its self-expression.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-michaelw.

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In Episode #87, Ross is joined by Robert Brunner, Founder and Creative Director at Ammunition

Robert is the former Industrial Design Director at Apple and current Lead Designer for Beats by Dre. He’s a globally acclaimed product designer with over 40 years of experience. Robert built the pioneering internal corporate design organisation at Apple, and was a partner at the prestigious design consultancy, Pentagram. Under his leadership, his current studio, Ammunition, has developed iconic products for Beats, Lyft, Square, Polaroid, and numerous start-up enterprises.

Ross and Robert discuss the four elements of “making great”, the benefits of not accepting mediocrity, how micro-compromises build mediocrity, and being clear on why what you are designing is worth being designed.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-robert.

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In Episode #86, Ross is joined by Jay Wilkinson, Founder of Do More Good® Movement.

Jay Wilkinson is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of the Do More Good® Movement, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming capitalism by helping business leaders use their companies as a force for good. With over 30 years of experience leading purpose-driven organisations, Jay brings a rare blend of heart, vision, and real-world insight to conversations about conscious leadership, impact, and legacy. His mission? To help leaders lead from the inside out - Fueling companies that value people, purpose, and possibility.

Ross and Jay discuss building a movement or a community, the future of investment and participation in companies and brands, and how purpose can really make people care.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-jay.

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In Episode #85, Ross is joined by Paul Worthington, President of Invencion

Paul has been in the branding business for over twenty years, led major branding programs across 4 continents, lived in two, had his words published by the likes of Fast Company, and won multiple awards along the way.

Previously head of strategy and client principal at renowned branding consultancy Wolff Olins, he now runs his own little-known strategic branding firm, Invencion, because his family matters more to him than long plane-rides.

Ross and Paul discuss how oversimplifying your audience will bore and repel them, how bravery is a prerequisite for growth and impact and how critical it is that the decision-makers understand branding and marketing when selecting and resourcing these functions.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-paul.

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In Episode #84, Ross is joined by Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club for Creativity.

The One Club for Creativity is the world's foremost non-profit organisation devoted to supporting and celebrating the successes of the global creative community.

Since taking on the role in 2015, after being the organisation's President for more than eight years, Kevin oversaw the merger between The One Club and The Art Directors Club, as well as the expansion of its various education, inclusion and diversity, gender equality and professional development initiatives, both in the United States and around the world.

Ross and Kevin discuss what great looks like globally, how you can use culture to make your work outstanding and how a diverse creative team is a better team and a business multiplier for brands.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-kevin.

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In Episode #83, Ross is joined by Jessica Bong-Woon, Associate Creative Director.

Throughout her career, Jessica has collaborated with a diverse array of brands, from innovative startups to renowned institutions, including Monzo, Meta, Wise, Omlet, Marshmallow and London's V&A Museum, leaving her mark on each with her distinct creative perspective.

Ross and Jessica discuss how to get a deeply niche audience to care about the same things you do, how to extract the best from people and how, by varying your approach, you can find hidden gold.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-jessica. 

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In Episode #82, Ross is joined by Armin Vit, co-founder of UnderConsideration.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Armin Vit is a graphic designer and writer now living in Bloomington, IN. He is co-founder of UnderConsideration, a graphic design firm generating its own projects, initiatives, and content. He’s also the editor and primary writer of the popular blog Brand New.

Ross and Armin discuss the boldness it takes to impress a discerning audience, the best reasons to rebrand and how giving your brand motion can help you stand out.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-armin.

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In Episode #81, Ross is joined by Danny Denhard, Interim Chief Growth Officer and coach.

Danny has over two decades of experience helping to operationalise and grow businesses of all sizes. Danny has led Product, Growth and Marketing Departments, helping household names and challenger brands grow and connect with customers' hearts and minds.

Ross and Danny discuss how your brand makes you memorable and the roles community, logistics and advertising play in building successful businesses these days.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-danny

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In the first of our new rolling season, episode #80, Ross is joined by Astrid Stavro, Founder & Creative Director of Astrid Stavro Studio.

Astrid is a globally recognised and awarded creative director with over two decades of leadership in design. Her work is characterised by powerful ideas, exceptional craft and deep engagement with the content and audience. She is the President of the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) and a member of Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI). 

Ross and Astrid discuss what it takes to build brands that are timeless but still fresh and the important role people’s unique stories and perspectives play in this.

Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-astrid-stavro

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