Tag: Leadership

The Happiness Advantage

What if happiness is the most powerful brand strategy no one’s paying attention to? Mark Lester, Co-Founder and CSO at Squint, joins us to talk about how brands can drive massive impact, not by leaning harder into industry claims or trend forecasts, but by reconnecting with something far more fundamental: joy. From reimagining OLIPOP as a “happiness drink” to rebuilding brand trust one hike at a time, Mark shares how deep listening, emotional resonance, and strategic empathy can transform the way brands show up in the world.

The Evolution of Branding

Creative leadership, brand strategy, and the future of the industry—Troy Hitch, Global Chief Creative Officer at RAPP, shares how he approaches it all. From empowering teams to rethinking the role of brand in an AI-driven world, episode 89 explores what it means to lead well and build work that resonates.

Fearless Design

What does it look like to lead with both intuition and intention? As Partner and Global Head of Design at Known, Aya Baeshean brings a fresh, fearless perspective to the world of branding. In episode 87 of Brand Story, Aya shares how her early experiences as a multicultural, multilingual child shaped her creative voice and ultimately her approach to leadership. She opens up about the power of immersive travel and volunteer work, the importance of emotional safety in creative teams, and how breaking down traditional structures can lead to better, faster, more human work.

Season 4 Favorite Moments

From content marketing and branding to creative strategy and AI, this season of Brand Story featured insights from professionals at the forefront of their industries. In this episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments, showcasing advice on innovation, leadership, creativity, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.

Whether you’re a new listener or a longtime fan, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories to help you elevate your work and sharpen your skills—no matter your field.

Featuring guests Dana Herra, Maya Guice, Ross Martin, Alison McCauley, and Tara Lawell with host, Steve Gilman.

Customer-Centric Innovation

The best brands don’t become successful by standing still — they change and evolve alongside their customers. As a Senior Product Business Consultant at Southwest Airlines, Alicia has seen her fair share of change — in fact, she’s leading it. In episode 83 of Brand Story, Alicia shares insights from the airline industry and the changes she’s seen over the years. We also discuss the importance of understanding what you’re trying to accomplish as a brand and the opportunities we all have to make the customer experience better.