Michael Fanuele, Chief Brand Officer at Shake Shack, has built a career shaping some of the most iconic brands in the world. Over the course of his career, he has created market-moving work for brands such as Dos Equis, Arby’s, Cadillac, Charles Schwab, Cheerios, The Economist, and Volvo. In this conversation with Ryan, he brings that same clarity and curiosity to a personal story that changes how he thinks about leadership and creativity. From uncovering his biological family to stepping into a role with real momentum, Michael opens up about fear, identity, and the responsibility that comes with leading people. They talk about hospitality as a true brand advantage, why the best ideas often come from pushing into uncomfortable territory, and how great leaders create the conditions for others to do their best work.

Olympian skier Jaelin Kauf and short track speed skater Corinne Stoddard didn’t plan to share a defining moment—but the Olympics had other ideas. In this special episode, a chance meeting in Italy connects two athletes navigating opposite ends of the same pressure: Jaelin rebounding from a shaky start to win two silver medals, and Corinne unraveling under the weight of expectation before finding her way back. Alongside coach Andrea Do-Duc, who helps guide Corinne through the most difficult stretch of her Games, this conversation unpacks what it actually feels like when the moment gets too big, how quickly confidence can disappear, and what it takes to rebuild it in real time. It’s a raw look at nerves, identity, and the stories athletes tell themselves—and a reminder that sometimes the breakthrough comes not from doing more, but from returning to who you already are.

It’s hard to be an entrepreneur. It’s even harder when you are somewhere between a start-up and a scale-up. Enter Wynn Austin who is building a fast-growing, clean-label food brand—one jar, one store, and one hard-earned lesson at a time. In this conversation with Ryan, Wynn shares how a personal health wake-up call led her to create Asian-inspired sauces free from preservatives and chemicals, and how that simple idea has grown into a nationally distributed brand now found in over 300 stores. They talk about the messy middle of start-up life—the constant tension between growth and cash flow, the reality of doing everything yourself, and the emotional weight of building something that doesn’t yet run on its own. Wynn opens up about navigating divorce, raising two kids, and pushing through uncertainty, while offering a grounded perspective on risk, resilience, and what it really takes to keep going.

Carlos Abrams-Rivera, former CEO of Kraft Heinz, spent six years leading one of the world’s largest food companies through crisis, transformation, and constant change. In this conversation with Ryan, he reflects on what it takes to navigate a role where there is no playbook—and what he’s learned stepping away from it. He shares the leadership framework that guided him—empathy, vision, and courage—and why those traits matter more than ever in today’s volatile environment. They talk about the reality of modern leadership, from balancing data with instinct to operating far beyond your job description, and how clarity and ownership shape strong organizations. Carlos also opens up about this transitional moment in his life, the lessons he’s carrying forward, and why growth often comes from choosing the harder path.

We’re back with another Courage Brands Spotlight, as Billy Collins, Knowledge Lead at Courageous, and Sully Lawrence, Director of Growth at Courageous, join Ryan to break down three brands making bold moves in very different categories. Billy dives into Burger King’s push to reclaim relevance through sharper focus and real operational investment, while Sully spotlights Back Market, a fast-growing marketplace challenging consumerism and tackling the global e-waste crisis by making refurbished tech both trusted and desirable. Ryan rounds it out with Four Seasons’ move into ultra-luxury yachting, a clear bet on experience, service, and scarcity in an increasingly crowded travel category. Together, the conversation explores what it actually takes for brands to stay relevant today, from rethinking quality and trust to redefining ownership, taste, and the future of consumption.

For years, Landon Donovan—the face of U.S. soccer and one of the most decorated players in the sport’s history—was defined by what he did on the field. In this conversation with Ryan, he shares the story behind his new book, Landon: A Memoir, and what it took to finally tell the truth about his life off the pitch. He reflects on the pressure of carrying expectations, the complicated relationship with his father, and the quiet struggles that existed alongside a historic career. They talk about why opening up about mental health was the hardest part of writing the book, and how his definition of success has shifted from achievement to impact. Donovan also looks ahead to what matters now, from fatherhood to his mission to reshape youth sports in America.

Few people get close enough to a global problem to truly understand how solvable it is—Sean Poole is one of them. In this conversation with Ryan, he shares how an early setback redirected his path, ultimately leading him from conflict zones in Central Africa to a leadership role at charity: water. They unpack what it takes to stay committed to long-term impact, why the global water crisis is far more within reach than most people realize, and how proximity to real change reshapes your perspective on what’s possible. It’s a conversation about belief, responsibility, and the discipline required to pursue meaningful work without losing sight of the life you’re building alongside it.

For most of his career, Shaun Belongie helped brands find their voice. Now he’s responsible for the story of one of craft beer’s most iconic companies.  In this conversation with Ryan, the CEO of New Belgium Brewing reflects on the unlikely path from marketing to the top seat, and what shifts when the decisions get heavier. They talk about leading through the Asheville flood crisis, making bets in a beer industry that has gotten harder and less predictable, and why innovation only works if you can stomach failure along the way. Shaun also shares what Voodoo Ranger taught the business, why some ideas need to stumble before the next one can fly, and how story becomes a leadership tool once you are the person everyone is looking to for direction.

Left brain. Right brain. East coast. West coast. Client side. Brand side. Dan Schunk has built a career on motion. Over nearly two decades, he has kept evolving and that includes spending time at some of the most recognizable names in media and tech. In this conversation with Ryan, Dan reflects on his roles at Pinterest, Walmart, TIME, and now Zoom, where he serves as Head of Creative. They talk about how teams still need people who can courageously defend their big idea. Why AI is best understood as a tool; not a replacement for judgment. Dan also shares the lens he uses when making big life decisions, how curiosity and learning remains at the forefront and why fulfillment matters more to him than any title or next move. 

In this edition of the Courage Brands Spotlight, Ryan is joined by Courageous' Action lead, Lisa Jacobs, for a two-brand audit that spans from prenatal vitamins to the Olympic podium. Lisa kicks things off with Ritual, the supplement company founded by Kat Schneider that built its reputation on radical transparency—traceable ingredients, science-backed formulas, public goal tracking, and even work with legislators to push for clearer industry standards in an under-regulated space. It’s a brand that treats trust as the product, not the marketing. Ryan then pivots to the Olympics, arguing that the five rings are stronger than ever. Despite a fragmented media landscape, the Games didn’t shrink—they decentralized and grew, driving record streaming minutes, social impressions, and renewed global engagement. From Ritual’s commitment to measurable integrity to the Olympics’ evolution into a modern platform brand, both prove the same point: courage brands don’t just talk about values, they operationalize them—and win.