In this episode of PODWalk, we go behind the scenes of the modern aviation startup JSX with its Co-Founder and CEO Alex Wilcox. From his early days at the University of Vermont and Southwest Airlines to helping launch JetBlue and founding JSX, Alex shares what inspired him to reimagine short-haul travel, the lessons he’s learned about culture and resilience, and how customer experience remains at the heart of innovation. Together, we’ll explore how to build a brand that balances operational precision with Joyful Simple Experience of getting from point A to point B.  

Key takeaways from our conversation today

1. Reinvention Comes from Seeing What Others Overlook.

JSX was built on the belief that short-haul travel could feel human again. Alex reminds us that disruption doesn’t always mean building something new — sometimes it’s re-imagining what’s been taken for granted and designing a better experience around it.

2. Customer experience isn’t a department — it’s the heartbeat of the brand.

From check-in to landing, JSX succeeds because it obsesses over the moments that matter — time, comfort, simplicity. The takeaway: brand strength isn’t built on ads; it’s built onconsistency, empathy, and removing friction for your customer.

3.  Purpose and Passion Fuel Longevity.Alex’s story shows that aviation is really about connection — not just destinations. When a company is clear on why it exists and who it serves, it can evolve with technology, weather market turbulence, regulations and still keep its humanheartbeat of joy.

Thank you for listening. Please follow PODWALK and suggest it to a friend. Until Next Time.

On this episode, I am chatting with Purvi Patel Albers, Partner at Haynes and Boone, and a top IP and brand protection lawyer who advises Fortune 500 companies on the management of their valuable brand investments.  Brands today can create more content faster than ever—but faster doesn’t always mean safer. Purvi and I will dive into how brands can protect creative assets while staying ahead in an AI-driven marketplace.Amongst her many accomplishments, Purvi has been highlighted by the World Trademark Review for her “sophisticated brand management skills” and her engaging personality brings a relatable, lively energy to this podcast, making complex brand and IP topics both accessible and entertaining.Three key aways from my conversation with Purvi Patel

1. Faster is not always safer: AI lets brands innovate at lightning speed—but faster doesn’t always mean safer. Trade dress, copyright, and social media safeguards are a must to protect creativity.
2. Personal brand counts: Purvi’s “vibey” energy shows that your authentic presence builds trust and credibility—whether you’re leading a team or managing a brand.
3. Learn and future-proof: Look to leading brands (and even Taylor Swift!) for IP protection strategies. A proactive mindset is key to thriving in a world of constant content creation and competitors at you heals.

 Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with Ryan Ross—former President of Neiman Marcus and a brand builder who’s brought purpose, meaning, and magic to some of the world’s most iconic retailers, from Harrods, Williams and Sonoma and Neimans. In an age of frictionless commerce, Ryan helped redefine what a modern luxury experience looks like—anchored not just in exclusivity, but in values, relationships, and relevance. This is the evolution of the digital velvet rope. Does the velvet rope of luxury retail guard the exclusive—or offer a hidden unexpected moment that matters. Let’s go find out. A few key aways from our conversation.1. Luxury at Scale Still Has to Feel Personal
Ryan reminds us: in the digital age, exclusivity isn’t about access behind a velvet rope, it’s about intimacy. Great brands create emotional, high-touch experiences no matter the channel. 2. Great Brands Don’t Chase Relevance - They Create It Through Storytelling
Legacy brands don’t stay relevant by reacting—they lead with stories that resonate. For Ryan, brand storytelling isn’t marketing, it’s meaning, delivered with purpose. 3. Leadership Means Creating Moments, Not Just Metrics
One of Ryan’s most lasting impacts is his belief that moments, whether online or in-store, build trust and loyalty far beyond transactions. Because in the end, people remember how you made them feel, not just what you sold.Thanks for listening to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you are listening to it. We would appreciate subscribing to our podcast so you can hear the newest one and leave us a positive review – we do love that. 

Today on the show, we’re joined by Carey Chou, VP of Data AI at HEB who’s had cross sector experience working at companies like Infosys to LVMH to now HEB. Carey leads in Human-Centered AI, building tools that help us make better decisions, build trust, and simplify the complex.We will explore how AI can turn routine experiences into relevant ones and how brands are most discoverable in AI search.Three Key Takeaways:

1. Human-Centered AI is About Augmenting, Not Replacing Humans
   Carey emphasizes that AI and GenAI should enhance human judgment and decision-making rather than automate it blindly. By anchoring trust, usability, and reasoning at every interaction, brands can turn routine transactions into meaningful, personalized experiences—like banking apps or grocery shopping that feel attentive and intuitive.
2. Multi-Sensory, Emotional Digital Experiences Matter
   Digital experiences don’t have to feel transactional. AI can create multi-sensory, emotionally resonant interactions that maintain the “soul” of the brand. From colorful visuals and recipe sounds in grocery apps to subtle haptics for rewards, technology can amplify human connection while still delivering efficiency.
3. The Next Frontier: In an AI-driven world, being everywhere isn’t enough—brands need to build deep trust in key platforms while sending consistent credibility signals across all channels.

Today, I am thrilled to have on the show, my friend, Ajay Chauhan, Executive director at Parle Products based in Mumbai, India; a third-generation leader from Parle Products — the company behind Parle-G, the world’s best-selling biscuit brand (in volume). We’ll talk about what it takes to build a century of trust with Ajay Chauhan.Three big takeaways stand out for me today — 

1. first, legacy isn’t inherited, it’s reinvented. Ajay showed us that tradition only thrives when it adapts.
2. Second, trust is the ultimate marketing strategy. Parle-G didn’t need to chase trends — it earned love by being there, consistently, for everyone.
3. And finally, premium doesn’t have to mean exclusive. Parle’s story proves that growth and inclusivity can go hand in hand.

Thank you for listening to PODWalk, we would love it if you subscribed to us to listen to the next new podcast recording.  It is your subscriptions and ratings that keep this podcast going strong. 

Today on the show we have Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Southwest Airlines, where he has led the charge of building products and building loyalty experiences that help the airline win more customers and drive growth. His marketing foundation was shaped by iconic brands like Dr Pepper, Pizza Hut, and PepsiCo, giving him a sharp lens on how brands earn both attention and trust.And outside of work, you might find him running a race, exploring Napa or New York, or cheering on his Mustang at SMU.In this episode, Jonathan and I will dive into how experiences, AI, and smart product design work together to create lasting customer loyalty—with real examples of what loyalty looks like at Southwest Airlines and what it means for today’s consumers.Key Takeways from my conversation with Jonathan today:

1. Loyalty is felt, not earned
   "It’s the little wins—smooth check-ins, fun touches, thoughtful surprises—that make customers keep coming back- not just rewards or points—but for the experience"
2. Smart tech, personal touch
   "Use AI to simplify complex tasks and deliver tailored experiences, but combining that technology with empathy to keep the human connection alive
3. Products level up logically
   " Build products with benefits that make sense step by step. Each upgrade should feel obvious and worth it—step by step, customers see why moving up makes sense.

Today, I’m delighted to welcome Valerie Freeman, serial entrepreneur, talent pioneer, co-founder, & CEO of BravoTECH - whose bold mantra “How hard can it be?” has fueled game-changing ventures. Inducted into multiple Halls of Fame and honored with lifetime achievement awards, Valerie’s relentless curiosity and commitment to ethical leadership have positioned her, and the talent she champions to stand out as market-ready in every era.Key Highlights from the podcast: 

1.  Say Yes, Then Figure It Out:
   “How hard can it be?” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a mindset of bold action. Whether switching industries or launching a new venture, success often starts with the willingness to try, even before you feel fully ready.
2. Curiosity and Energy Are Career Superpowers:
   Staying relevant across decades and industries takes more than knowledge—it takes curiosity to keep learning and energy to keep moving. These are the real differentiators in both leadership and longevity.
3. Market-Ready Means Future-Ready:
   The most hire able and successful professionals aren’t static—they position themselves through experimentation. From learning AI tools to taking on new challenges, constantly evolving your skill set is the new résumé.

Welcome to today’s episode! I’m thrilled to be joined by Sherry Graziano, Head of Digital, client experience and Marketing - a forward-thinking leader at Truist Bank who’s helping shape the future of banking through innovation, empathy, and purpose-driven strategy.From evolving brands, to pioneering digital experiences to strengthening generational collaboration, Sherry Graziano brings a unique lens to what modern leadership and marketing looks like in financial services leading to unstoppable impact.Three key takeaways from Sherry today

1. Clarity Comes from Knowing What You’re Not
   Sherry reminded us: it’s just as important to define what your brand doesn’t stand for as what it does. Boundaries bring focus—and focus fuels growth.
2. Purpose Drives Positioning
   When your purpose is clear, your message, market fit, and value proposition all align. That’s how brands move from being one of many to the one that matters.
3. Relationships Builds Trust. Trust Builds Confidence.
   People don’t just buy what you sell—they believe in why you do it. When you lead with care, you earn trust. And when you earn trust, growth becomes unstoppable.

Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with Michael Fisher—former CEO of Cincinnati Children's, civic leader, founder and recently grandparent; someone whose leadership has always been guided by values, not just vision.

From healthcare, entrepreneurship to community service, Michael’s journey isn’t just a “TO DO list to build resumes” —but rather has a “TO-BE list to build legacy” and a roadmap for how purpose can shape systems, teams, and lives. Let’s walk through his winding way together.”Three key takeways from this podcast are:

1. Purpose Leads. Culture Lives.
   Purpose sets the direction—a clear why that anchors behavior, decisions, and strategy. Culture brings that purpose to life through everyday actions and shared values.
2. It’s a Dynamic Duo—One Holds the Other Accountable.
   When purpose and culture are in sync, they build trust, clarity, and relevance. Break that alignment, and a brand risks losing its identity and credibility.
3. Doing Builds a Résumé. Being Builds a Legacy.
   In our personal purpose pursuit, it’s easy to focus on achievements. But real impact comes not just from what we do, but from who we are—consistently, purposefully, and visibly.

The guest today is David McKillips, the CEO of Chuck E. Cheese. At a moment when the brand faced bankruptcy and a global shutdown, David stepped in with a vision—not only to stabilize the business but to reimagine what this iconic family entertainment brand could become.

From bold innovation to honoring legacy, today’s episode is a masterclass in crisis leadership, purpose-driven strategy, and turning challenge into opportunity. What strikes me most about David is his passion to learning and he lives by his mantra, #neverstoplearning which has served him well as he has turned around Chuck E Cheese to relevancy.A couple highlights from our talk today

1. From navigating bankruptcy and a global pandemic to modernizing a beloved brand without losing its soul, David has shown us that legacy and innovation don’t have to be at odds—they can power each other when guided by purpose.
2. For our listeners, especially those just starting their own leadership or marketing journeys, David’s insights offer an important reminder: that the past is a platform—not a prison—and that reinvention is possible when you respect what people remember while boldly building for what’s next.
3. And perhaps one of the most powerful takeaways from today’s conversation is the importance of never stopping learning—no matter your title, industry, or stage in your career. David’s approach shows that curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve are not just assets—they’re essentials in leading lasting change.”