The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman

Sophie Ozoux and Kwame Taylor-Hayford, co-founders of Kin Agency, are renowned for their ability to blend creativity with purpose, driving impactful change for some of the world’s most recognized brands. With over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, Sophie has worked with clients like Absolut, Apple, and Facebook, while Kwame has shaped global campaigns for brands such as P&G, Uniqlo and Chobani. Together, they created Kin to help brands navigate the delicate balance between culture, innovation, and social impact. In their conversation with Ryan, they discuss how brands can move beyond viewing "purpose" as a passing trend and instead embrace it as a growth driver. They reflect on the courage it takes for marketers to implement meaningful change and explore the idea that fear is often the biggest obstacle to progress. Through Kin, Sophie and Kwame are dedicated to fostering long-term, transformative work, helping companies like Delta Airlines and Mailchimp lead with integrity in today’s ever-evolving world.
 

Nicole Zube’s journey is one defined by grit, growth, and transformation. As the EVP and Chief HR Officer at SpartanNash, Nicole leads with integrity and a commitment to making an impact, particularly through fostering a "People First" culture. In her conversation with Ryan, she shares how embracing challenges, taking on tough jobs, and remaining coachable has shaped her career. Nicole also discusses her “four G’s” —Growth, Grit, Gratitude, and Greatness—and the powerful impact these core values have on both personal and team development. Together, they explore the complexities of transforming the culture of a century-old company and the rewarding process of helping associates feel heard, included, and valued.

Ryan asked me to write this intro myself since my writing gets credit and blame for a lot of things in my life. I was born and raised in San Diego, the city often written off as the souvenir cup of California. When my writing career managed not to flop and I landed a gig on Food Network, every agent or manager much smarter than me said the same thing. “If you wanna have a shot, you’ve got to move to New York.” Probably great advice. But I politely declined each time because if every creative person who had ambition moved away to “make it,” San Diego would just be a cultural wasteland, a resort with a city on it. What if some of us stayed and helped build a culture—told the stories of its people and the work being done? So in 2021 my wife and I decided to become the new owners of a 75 year-old, beloved media company, San Diego Magazine, and got to work transforming it into a modern media thing. It was a total rebuild, coming out of a global pandemic. The week we signed the papers, our son was born. We launched a massive festival. We launched a creative studio for brands. We micro-napped. Now? Thank all the gods, it’s growing. This is our story.

Craig Dubitsky has built a career out of turning everyday products into something people can’t help but love. As the Co-founder & CEO of happy™ Products and the mind behind hello® products, Craig shares with Ryan how he made the pivotal decision to focus solely on his mission and cut out the other noise in his entrepreneurial mind. He explores the difference between FOMO (fear of missing out) and FONT (fear of not trying), a mindset instilled by his mother’s constant encouragement to “just try.” Craig emphasizes the power of creativity in business, revealing that intention only becomes magic once it’s put into action. He also talks about his business relationship with Robert Downey Jr. and their shared mission to spread mental health awareness through their partnership with NAMI.

Katie McKenna, a professional speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author, turned a life-altering accident into a powerful story of resilience. On a sunny morning in Brooklyn, Katie was run over by an 18-wheeler, an ordeal that she miraculously survived after 10 hours of emergency surgery. In her conversation with Ryan, Katie recounts that harrowing day and the moment she was told she might never walk again, a prognosis that led her to change the way her doctor delivers life-altering news. Now, with a mission to make life better for everyone she meets, Katie shares how she channels her experience into helping others overcome their own challenges with grit, hope, and humor. She also reveals whether she would change her past if given the chance and why she fiercely pursues joy, feeling blessed rather than entitled to life. And yes, she has gotten back on a bike—at Burning Man, no less, in an unforgettable moment of reclaiming her power.

If you could pick up your phone right now and call the 18 year old version of yourself, what advice or feedback would you give that 1.0 person? On this episode, Danita Johnson, a member of Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and ESSENCE Power 40 Class of 2023, shares her answers. Danita, currently serving as the President of Business Operations for D.C. United, is the first Black President of an MLS Club. She is on a mission to make D.C. United one of the premier clubs in all of sports, focusing on both on-field success and off-field community impact. In this conversation with Ryan, she also shares her mantra, and how it guides her in controlling what she can while driving her ambitious vision for the club. Danita also offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of running an MLS team and how her club goes about celebrating victories across the organization.

Courageous or Outrageous? Does spirituality have a place in the workplace? Denise Lee Yohn and Steven Morris, two of the most respected voices in brand leadership and corporate culture, believe the answer is a yes. Denise, an in-demand keynote speaker and bestselling author of What Great Brands Do, and Steven, a brand and culture-building expert behind The Beautiful Business, bring decades of experience to this thought-provoking discussion. Together, they delve into the growing demand among millennials for companies that reflect their core values and the courage it takes to foster a workplace where employees feel safe to express their spirituality. Drawing on their extensive expertise, they offer a compelling argument for why integrating soul and purpose into business is not just possible, but essential for creating magnetic, sustainable organizations.

Does Spirituality Belong at Work? Read the mentioned article here! 

Jeremy Lowenstein, a global brand strategist and marketing visionary, has been instrumental in catapulting Milani to the forefront of the beauty industry as the leading multicultural brand.  His experience at beauty giants like Aveda and Sally Hansen has equipped him with a unique ability to craft compelling brand stories that resonate across diverse markets. In his conversation with Ryan, Jeremy talks about how his approach to inclusivity is inherent to Milani’s DNA, allowing it to resonate effortlessly across 40 countries.  He also discusses how TikTok and strategic partnerships, like the one with Olympic athlete Jordan Chiles, have amplified Milani’s message worldwide.  Jeremy also shares why makeup is not about changing who you are but embracing and enhancing your true self, offering valuable advice (to Ryan and others) on how to communicate this to the next generation.

Sportbike racer, track & field All-American, multi-patent holder, biometric lab creator, The Wall Street Journal’s Marketers That Matter Visionaries, and Adweek’s 50 Most Important People are just a few of Walter Geer’s self-earned accolades. Currently the Chief Creative Officer of Innovation at VML, he has developed commercials, ad experiences, products and implemented creative strategies for brands including Progressive, Advil, and Google. In his conversation with Ryan, Walter shares his surreal and harrowing experience of surviving a stroke, the life-saving decision to take an experimental drug, and the pivotal role his wife played in his survival. The two also explore his groundbreaking work as a founder of Blackweek, an inclusive conference and economic forum driving opportunities for diverse businesses and professionals. Tune in to this episode to discover Walter's insights on the evolving role of creative leadership and the fearless approach required to make meaningful change.

Be fierce with the fierce.  Scot Chisholm is a four-time founder with over 20 years of experience in building and leading companies. He founded Classy, which he scaled to over $100 million in revenue and led significant strategic investments and acquisitions, including the sale of Classy to GoFundMe in 2022. Currently, Scot is building Highland, a private accelerator and community designed to support and elevate startup CEOs and founders.  In his conversation with Ryan, Scot highlights some of the key moments throughout his journey as a leader, with the theme of resilience at the forefront of his story.  Scot speaks on the value of having a co-founder when starting a company, and also gives his opinion on the importance of friendship and family in business partnerships.  The two also discuss the concept of “speed to truth” when trying to resolve difficult conflicts, and Scot explains some of the successful strategies he’s implemented at his organizations to make sure all employees are heard and valued.  

Learn more about Scot here!