The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman

From assembling elite teams at Ford Motor Company and Sun Microsystems to navigating the high standards of Bridgewater Associates, Steve Fitzgerald has honed the craft of leadership—yet every other day, you’ll find him carving through fresh powder in the Rocky Mountains. As a seasoned HR leader, startup advisor, and board member, Steve has spent three decades weaving together people and profits, championing both efficient business outcomes and more fulfilling personal lives. In this episode, Ryan and Steve dive into the principles that have shaped Steve’s unconventional career path, such as strategic leaps of faith and walking away from corporate safety in pursuit of authentic balance. They explore Ray Dalio’s “pain plus reflection equals progress” outlook, offering tangible takeaways on how to welcome tough feedback, develop a growth mindset, and build teams that thrive on continuous practice. 

Marian Salzman is a celebrated global thought leader, trendspotter, and author credited with popularizing “metrosexuality” and helping launch the worldwide #GivingTuesday movement. Over three decades, she’s guided top brands through cultural transformations and now serves as Senior Vice President at Philip Morris International, championing a smoke-free future. In her conversation with Ryan, Marian reveals the driving forces behind her 30th—and final—annual trends report, shining a light on the rising importance of “bite-sized delights” and proactive “life care.” She explores how fear can become a positive accelerant for growth, and why the pursuit of curiosity and courage must go hand in hand. Marian also shares insights on living more intentionally—from the resurgence of traditional rituals like tea time to finding personal refuge in a fast-paced digital world.

The Courageous Podcast celebrates its 200th episode! For our 100th, we had our oldest guest ever, 100-year-old George Krumme. Now, for this milestone, we’re flipping the script by featuring our youngest guests yet: Ryan’s own kids, 12-year-old Micah and 9-year-old Mackenzie. In this milestone episode, the siblings share fresh insights on bravery—from conquering stage fright to taking literal leaps of courage at Sky Zone. They also turn the tables on their dad, grilling him on how he’s embraced his own advice to “unlock courage.” With laughter, honesty, and heartfelt moments, this episode proves that courage knows no age. Whether you’re 9, 12, or simply young at heart, Micah and Mackenzie will inspire you to face fears, tackle challenges, and take bold steps toward the life you imagine.

One of the worst parts of the job for many? Figuring out pricing. If you’ve ever had to price anything, this is a must listen episode. Blair Enns is the visionary behind Win Without Pitching, the organization that’s rewritten the rules on how expert advisors and creatives close deals. As the author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and Pricing Creativity, plus co-host of the 2Bobs Podcast, Blair has redefined integrity-based selling and value-based pricing for countless leaders. In this episode, he and Ryan explore why fear is an inevitable part of the sales process and how embracing courage can help you command higher fees. Blair shares practical strategies to avoid “pitching prisons,” from anchoring high on pricing to structuring proposals with multiple options. He also shares some nuggets from his new book, The Four Conversations: A New Model for Selling Expertise, and reveals the unexpected path that led him from big-city advertising to a remote Canadian mountain town, where his mission to help businesses thrive took root.

Reggie Butler is a transformative leader whose work spans over 36 years, empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their highest potential. As the CEO of Performance Paradigm, he has influenced thousands across industries, from finance to tech, with his expertise in leadership development, equity, and inclusion. In this episode with Ryan, Reggie dives into the 4G Blueprint: Growth, Grit, Gratitude, and Grace—four guiding principles that have been the foundation of his remarkable career. He discusses how these principles drive not only personal resilience but also organizational success, especially during times of change and challenge. Reggie also explores the power of mindset and how we can shift from fear to courage, offering practical insights for navigating life’s transitions.

Dilan Gomih has always been driven to perform at the highest level, but it wasn't until her time on Wall Street that she realized the critical link between well-being and peak performance. After working intense 90-hour weeks in finance, she discovered fitness as a tool to thrive, not just survive. This realization led her to found Dilagence, where she now helps organizations and individuals integrate movement and wellness strategies into their daily routines for better energy, productivity, and longevity.  In this episode, Dilan and Ryan discuss the pivotal moments that shifted her from finance to fitness, including the life-changing event of witnessing a colleague’s heart attack on the trading floor. She explains how small, incremental changes can lead to big transformations, both in personal well-being and corporate performance. Dilan also discusses how she works with companies like Google and Pinterest to optimize employee wellness, offering practical tips on how to introduce movement into busy lives—without overwhelming yourself.

If Thelma and Louis were reincarnated, it’s quite possible they’ve come back in the bodies of Kirsten Ludwig and Chris Danton. As partners and co-founders of IN GOOD CO, Kirsten and Chris have crafted badass strategies for companies like Pinterest, Zappos, and Mars, helping them stand out in crowded industries. In this conversation, we dive into their trend-filled Substack —GOOD THINKING —where they reach over 15,000 C-suite executives and creatives worldwide. We also discuss their unapologetic philosophy on brand building where they’re not afraid to challenge their clients to embrace change. Throughout the episode the duo share examples of how courage and fearlessness drive their work—whether in creative partnerships or navigating the chaotic world of rebranding.

We’re thrilled to bring you the third annual Year End Special of the Courageous Podcast! This year, Ryan is once again joined by his partners at Courageous representing the three pillars of Courage: Knowledge (Billy Collins), Faith (Ryan), and Action (Nicole Miller). But the fun doesn’t stop there—this episode features three mystery guests — a mentor, a sports legend, and a Fortune 500 Kenvue executive — who each bring their unique perspectives and surprises to the conversation. Along the way, they reflect on some of the most memorable moments and impactful conversations from Ryan’s year on the podcast, tying it all together with wit, wisdom, and humor.

Jeff Ragovin is a visionary entrepreneur who’s turned industry shake-ups into his playground. From co-founding Buddy Media, which led to a $745M acquisition by Salesforce, to steering Semasio through a high-stakes rebrand and acquisition by Samba TV, Jeff has mastered the art of navigating complex transformations with grit and a strategic eye.  In this episode, Jeff dives into his journey of leadership, from making the tough calls during a company pivot to having radical, transparent conversations with his team. He reveals how the mantra “action overrides inadequacy” fueled his success and why surrendering his ego led to breakthroughs in both his personal and professional life. Plus, Jeff shares the behind-the-scenes of his latest passion project, combining his love for fishing with his entrepreneurial drive.

Jennifer George isn’t just running marathons—she’s running entire brands into the future. As the SVP of Communications at The Aspen Group, Jennifer has a front-row seat to the C-suite, serving as the voice of leadership for a $4 billion portfolio of brands, including Aspen Dental and WellNow Urgent Care. Over the years, she’s transformed global communications functions at companies like Shutterfly and Headspace. In this episode with Ryan, Jennifer dives into how her unique blend of creativity, grit, and optimism has shaped her impressive career. From her early days crafting communications for Unilever to her work at The Aspen Group today, she shares how she's thrived in challenging environments, always seeking solutions that simplify the complex. Jennifer also opens up about the importance of curiosity and staying active in the face of fear, and how "action overrides inadequacy" in any situation. She reveals how she turned self-doubt into a catalyst for bold actions, making a lasting impact on her career and the companies she’s helped lead.