Explore every episode of the podcast Lead With Your Brand!™

Happy Pride Month!

In this special Pride Month episode of the Lead With Your Brand Podcast, Jayzen celebrates and amplifies the voices of LGBTQ+ leaders, executives, creatives, advocates, and changemakers from the Pride On Brand collection.

But before diving into these powerful conversations, Jayzen opens with an important reminder: you have a brand, whether you realize it or not. The real question is whether you are consciously and strategically leading with the brand you want, or are you allowing others to define it for you?

Jayzen shares a personal story from early in his career, when he realized that others were assigning a brand to him based on only one part of who he was. At first, it felt light and fun. But over time, he began to understand that the perception being created was not necessarily the brand that would help him move into the next level of leadership. It became a powerful “aha” moment: when you do not put your own brand forward, people will create one for you.

This episode brings that lesson to life through a powerful Pride Month clip reel featuring LGBTQ+ leaders who have turned their identities, lived experiences, values, and visibility into sources of strength, impact, and career breakthrough.

Key Takeaways

• Your lived experience can become one of your greatest leadership superpowers
• Being authentic at work is not separate from professional excellence
• Your brand will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that is exactly why finding the right brand fit matters
• Visibility, service, and giving back can all become powerful career accelerators

In this special episode, Jayzen revisits conversations with an incredible group of LGBTQ+ leaders and changemakers, including:

• Congressman Mark Takano, on becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color elected to Congress.
• Jen Henderson, technology executive, on being known for your expertise and leadership and also proudly owning the identity and lived experience that shape who you are
• Erin Uritus, CEO of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, on stepping into leadership with authenticity and not trying to be anyone but herself
• Chris Mossiah, Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase, on turning insecurities into superpowers and treating their name as a brand
• Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, on visibility, media representation, and using your platform to make the world safer for LGBTQ+ families
• Beck Bailey, Chief Diversity Officer at Accenture, on combining business expertise with lived experience to create systemic change
• Christelle Miller, Senior Creative Executive at Fable Entertainment, on the importance of representation behind the scenes and on screen
• Wilson Cruz, actor and activist, on breaking barriers in the Star Trek universe and engaging in meaningful dialogue about representation
• Stephen Macias, Chief Inclusion Officer for Octagon, on building a career rooted in values, advocacy, entertainment, and culture
• Louis Vega, President of Dow North America, on giving back and helping make the path easier for the next generation
• Matt Brooks, Vice President and head of enterprise data tech and solutions at Nationwide, on how employee resource groups can build confidence, visibility, skills, and career momentum.
• Legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, on how far the LGBTQ+ community has come and why visibility across generations matters

This Pride Month, Jayzen challenges listeners to ask themselves: What are the unique lived experiences, perspectives, and strengths that can become your calling card as you lead with your brand to your next career breakthrough?

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

To hear the full conversations from the Pride On Brand collection, visit leadwithyourbrand.com/pride

This week on the Lead With Your Brand podcast, Jayzen Patria challenges listeners to think about their network not as a contact list, but as one of the most powerful amplifiers of their career brand.

It is not enough to deliver great work, build a strong reputation, and know what you stand for. If no one sees it, hears it, or can speak to your value when you are not in the room, your brand can only go so far.

Inspired by a recent trip to New York and a reconnection with this week’s guest, Andrew Turner, Jayzen breaks down how to keep your network alive with intention. Jayzen also explores how self-similarity bias and proximity bias can quietly shrink your professional world. It is easy to spend time with the people who look like you, think like you, work near you, or sit in the same functional lane. But the strongest career networks are built by intentionally reaching beyond the familiar.

To help listeners put this into action, Jayzen shares practical tools, including creating a personal network “treasure map,” asking for AIR (Advice, Insights, and Recommendations) as an easy way to reconnect, and treating LinkedIn as technology that powers your professional network, not just another social media platform.

The challenge is clear - do not just build your network. Keep the embers alive.

Key Takeaways:

• Your network is not just a list of people you know; it is a system of influencers who can amplify your brand
• Self-similarity bias and proximity bias can limit your network if you do not intentionally break out of them
• Use a network treasure map to diagnose where you already have strong connections and where you need to build new ones
• AIR (Advice, Insights, and Recommendations) is a simple, authentic model to reconnect without making it feel awkward
• LinkedIn only works if you are active. Like, comment, post, and show up consistently so your brand stays top of mind

Jayzen is joined by Andrew Turner, Employee Engagement Director for Diageo North America. Andrew’s career is a powerful example of how your passions and past experiences can become a differentiator in the work you do today.

A classically trained actor and self-described “reformed actor,” Andrew has built a career helping major organizations connect with employees through communications, culture, and engagement. From Universal Studios and NBCUniversal to Travelers and now Diageo, Andrew shares how he learned to meet audiences where they are, create community inside large companies, and bring creativity, storytelling, and performance into corporate life.

Guest Bio

Andrew Turner, Employee Engagement Director, Diageo North America

Andrew Turner is an experienced employee engagement and communications leader who’s spent his career helping large organizations connect more meaningfully with their people. As Employee Engagement Director for North America at Diageo, he leads strategies that bring the company’s culture, purpose, and performance ambitions to life—making sure employees feel informed, involved, and motivated to play their part. He’s particularly focused on strengthening a sense of ownership and pride across the business, while finding creative ways to tell the stories behind Diageo’s brands and people.

Andrew is known for turning complex ideas into clear, engaging communication that actually resonates. Before joining Diageo, he held senior roles at Travelers, where he helped modernize internal communications for a 30,000-person workforce, and at NBCUniversal, where he spent over a decade leading global engagement efforts, executive messaging, and large-scale change communications. He started his career at Universal Studios, working at the intersection of communications and digital during a time when companies were just beginning to rethink how they connect with employees online.

What sets Andrew apart is his belief that culture isn’t just something you talk about - it’s something you actively shape. He brings a mix of strategic thinking and storytelling to his work, helping organizations build environments where people feel connected, valued, and ready to contribute. He holds a degree from Boston College and completed postgraduate studies at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art, which explains his natural instinct for a good story.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

This week on the Lead With Your Brand podcast, Jayzen Patria challenges you to look beyond external obstacles and take a deeper look at what may really be standing in the way of your next career breakthrough. Before your brand, before your next move, before your next opportunity, there is your career strategy. And at the center of that strategy is your mindset.

So the question becomes,” What is actually getting in your way?”

For many of us, it’s not the market, the role, or the timing. It’s the self-limiting beliefs we’ve built over time the ones that helped us succeed early on, but may now be holding us back.

Jayzen shares a personal story about how his belief that he needed to “be the best” helped him stand out and accelerate early in his career. But as he moved into leadership, that same belief created friction, driving competition over collaboration and limiting his ability to lead effectively.

The breakthrough came from shifting that belief, from needing to be the best to focusing on being excellent and helping others be excellent too. Because the mindset that helps you survive one stage of your career is not always the one that will help you thrive in the next.

Key Takeaways from Jayzen’s Teach:

• Your mindset drives your career strategy, not the other way around
• The beliefs that helped you succeed early in your career can become barriers later
• Self-limiting beliefs often show up as habits or patterns you don’t question
• Growth requires identifying those beliefs and intentionally rewriting them

In this episode, Jayzen sits down with Anya Cheng, Founder and CEO of Taelor, an AI-powered styling platform helping professionals show up with confidence without the time, effort, or stress of managing their wardrobe.

Anya’s journey is a powerful example of building a career by creating opportunities instead of waiting for them. After moving to the United States from Taiwan and graduating during the 2008 recession, she had no network and no clear path forward. Instead, she built one, reaching out to hundreds of people, finding ways into rooms she wasn’t invited to, and consistently asking for opportunities.

That persistence led her to leadership roles across major brands, including Target, eBay, McDonald’s, and Meta, where she helped launch Facebook and Instagram Shopping. Today, she is a venture-backed founder building at the intersection of AI, personal branding, and how people show up in their daily lives.

This episode is a reminder that your next breakthrough doesn’t come from trying to be everything to everyone. It comes from understanding what makes you distinct and building from there.

Guest Bio

Anya Cheng,  Founder and CEO of Taelor

Anya Cheng is the Founder & CEO of Taelor, an AI-powered men's clothing subscription service promoting sustainable fashion. A Silicon Valley entrepreneur, she has been recognized among "Girls in Tech 40 Under 40" for her expertise in tech product management and marketing.

Anya played a pivotal role in launching Facebook and Instagram Shopping at Meta, led new business expansion at eBay, and helped grow McDonald’s global food delivery. She also shaped Target’s mobile commerce and has led teams in AI, eCommerce product management, and marketing across Fortune 500 companies.

Anya’s award-winning venture, Taelor AI, was named one of the Bay Area’s Most Innovative Startups to Watch by Business Journal and is backed by early investors in NVIDIA, TikTok, Facebook, Lyft, and Spotify. 

Anya’s work has earned her 30+ prestigious tech and marketing awards. A best-selling author and two-time TEDx speaker, she teaches at Northwestern University and is a popular keynote speaker worldwide. She holds a Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

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In this episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria challenges listeners to rethink how they show up during times of uncertainty. When everything around you feels like it’s shifting: your company, your industry, even your role, it can be tempting to wait for clarity. But Jayzen makes it clear: this is exactly when you need to take action.

He introduces one of his most practical pieces of career advice: “Find a hole and fill it.” Instead of chasing the perfect job or waiting for the right moment, Jayzen encourages you to focus on where you can create value right now. By identifying the real needs of your organization, your clients, and your industry and aligning them with your strengths and passions, you position yourself for your next breakthrough. He also reinforces that your career is not about perfection, but about a series of intentional choices, trade-offs, and moves that build momentum over time.

Tune in to learn how to navigate uncertainty with confidence, take ownership of your career direction, and ensure your brand is defined by the value you deliver, not just the work you do.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t wait for the storm to pass. Moments of uncertainty are where breakthroughs happen.
• “Find a hole and fill it.” Focus on solving meaningful problems that create real value.
• Your brand is not about you—it’s about the value and service you provide to others.
• There is no perfect job. Focus on the right next step that moves your career forward.
• The strongest opportunities sit at the intersection of your talents, passions, and organizational needs.
• Readiness matters. Being prepared allows you to act when opportunity shows up.
• Career growth is a series of choices and trade-offs—be intentional about each move.

The episode then transitions into an inspiring conversation with Christine Escribano, Founder and Chief Design Officer of Cherry Home Designs. After a 30-year career in media, including leadership roles at NBCUniversal, Christine shares how she made a bold pivot from corporate executive to creative entrepreneur. What started as a side hustle evolved into a thriving business rooted in storytelling, design, and personal expression.

Christine’s journey brings Jayzen’s message to life—demonstrating how small, intentional moves, continuous learning, and a willingness to follow both passion and opportunity can lead to meaningful reinvention. From embracing her authentic, “edgy” brand to learning how to balance fearlessness with compassion, her story is a powerful reminder that your next chapter doesn’t require a perfect plan—just the courage to take the next step.

Guest Bio

Christine Escribano

Founder & Chief Design Officer

Cherry Home Designs LLC 

Christine is an award-winning marketer, writer, and interior designer whose work is rooted in storytelling. Before launching Cherry Home Designs, Christine spent over 30 years shaping some of the most recognizable media brands in the world. She began her career at McCann Erickson as a media buyer,

before transitioning into marketing at Time Inc., where she worked across the iconic People portfolio—including Teen People, People, and People en Español. She later joined Telemundo as Head of Integrated and B2B Marketing, and went on to serve most recently, as SVP at NBCUniversal, where she built and led a 60-person integrated marketing team across a dynamic portfolio of brands.

After decades of building stories for others, a COVID-era reset sparked a pivotal shift—one that led Christine to pursue her lifelong creative calling in furniture artistry and interior design. Today, she is known for her ability to translate a client’s life into a deeply personal design experience—creating spaces that reflect not just how people live, but who they are. Christine believes personalized design is an art—one that should feel collected, meaningful, and livable, never overdone or untouchable. Her work centers around helping clients reimagine their homes to reflect a life well-lived. With a passion for sensory design, she thoughtfully weaves together sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to create immersive, layered environments. At the heart of her work is a simple intention: to create spaces that feel like a warm hug—welcoming, comforting, and deeply personal.

With an eye toward customization, she often incorporates vintage and sentimental pieces, honoring the history behind each home while elevating its future. Her work has been featured on Freeform and Hulu’s That Thrifting Show with Lara Spencer, Magnolia Network’s Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation, and NBC’s George to the Rescue. Cherry Home Designs has also been recognized as a Best of Houzz winner for customer service.

Christine’s partner in life and in business, her husband John Pizzi of Casa Construction & Development, brings nearly four decades of experience in construction, architectural design, and project management. Together, they offer a seamless design-build experience, guiding clients from concept through completion. Their shared mission is simple: to inspire others to live their story.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Check Cherry Home Designs: https://cherryhomedesigns.com/

In this episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria wraps up his five-step framework by breaking down Step 5: Be Your Own Chief Marketing Officer. If the earlier steps focused on defining and shaping your brand, this final step is all about visibility and making sure your value is seen, heard, and recognized.

Jayzen explains that great work alone isn’t enough. If no one knows about it, it doesn’t move your career forward! Drawing from classic marketing principles, he outlines the three key ways to promote your brand: advertising (what you say about yourself), influencers (what others say about you), and word of mouth (what’s said when you’re not in the room). He introduces concepts to emphasize the importance of repetition and consistency, and challenges listeners to take ownership of how they show up, especially on platforms like LinkedIn and in everyday professional interactions.

Tune in to learn how to step into the role of your own CMO, build visibility with intention, and ensure your brand is consistently communicated across every touchpoint in your career.

Key Takeaways:

• You are the chief marketing officer of your career. No one will promote you better than you.
• Visibility matters. Great work without exposure limits your opportunities.
• The “rule of seven” shows that repetition is required before people even notice your brand.
• LinkedIn is your digital billboard. Optimize it or risk being invisible.
• A clear elevator pitch helps you communicate your value quickly and effectively.
• Consistency in how you show up builds recognition and trust over time.

The episode then transitions into a compelling conversation with Matt Brooks, Vice President of Enterprise Data Tech and Solutions at Nationwide. With over two decades of experience across GE, Bank of America, and Nationwide, Matt shares how he built a career at the intersection of data, technology, and human impact. He offers a fresh perspective on AI, not as a replacement for thinking, but as a thought partner, and explains how using real data, curiosity, and intentional questioning can unlock better insights and outcomes. From leading high-performing teams to redefining how technology serves people, Matt’s story highlights the power of aligning your career with purpose, staying adaptable, and raising your hand when opportunity calls.

Guest Bio

Matt Brooks

VP and Head of Enterprise Data and Technology Solutions 

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company 

With over 20 years of experience in leading data and analytics teams, Matt is a trailblazing Technology Executive at Nationwide, where he drives digital transformation across the enterprise. 

Matt has led teams across technology, learning and development and audit in three different mega corporations spanning the energy, aerospace, digital, financial services, and insurance industries. Matt is highly adaptable and can make strategic connections across domains in a way that inspires and motivates his business and tech partners. His personal mission is to build technology solutions powered by data to better the lives of clients, especially in their times of greatest need.

Matt is a technical trailblazer and talent maximizer. He brings the best out in teams and colleagues using his dynamic energy and infectious, problem-solving mindset. He’s strategic, but also a maverick, ready to try new solutions that nobody has successfully tried before. 

In his free time, he loves experiencing new cultures, creative writing, and learning new languages...while he’s not building new GPT agents. 

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Check out Matt’s substack : daitapoints.brooksny.net

In this episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria continues his five-step framework by breaking down Step 4: Keeping Up Your Image and Shaping Your Signature Style. If earlier steps focused on defining your brand DNA, this installment challenges listeners to operationalize it and turn who you are into a consistent, recognizable experience across everything you do.

Shaping Your Signature Style. Jayzen explains that powerful personal brands are not just defined, they are designed. Your signature style is your “formula” or “recipe card”: a set of repeatable behaviors, visual cues, and execution patterns that make your work unmistakably yours. Drawing on examples from Hollywood storytelling and media brands like Bravo, he shows how the most successful brands apply a clear filter to everything they create, ensuring consistency, clarity, and connection with their audience.

Tune in to hear how defining your personal “secret sauce” can eliminate inconsistency, strengthen your presence, and ensure that no matter where you show up—or what role you’re in—you are always delivering work that feels distinctly and memorably you.

Key Takeaways:

• Your signature style is your brand in action—a repeatable formula, not a one-time statement
• Consistency across your work is what makes your brand recognizable and trusted
• You can succeed in any role or industry if you apply your unique brand filter to everything you do
• Your visual presence (appearance, environment, presentation) must align with your brand—or risk creating a disconnect
• Your best past projects hold clues to your “secret sauce”—study them to define your formula
• Strong brands rely on repeatable actions and behaviors that can be applied across any project
• You are not meant to blend in—you are meant to build a signature that stands out

The episode then transitions into a dynamic conversation with Melinda Sanna, CEO and Founder of LookLook, a global consumer insights platform serving luxury brands. With a career spanning Coca-Cola, top advertising agencies, and entrepreneurship, Melinda shares how she built a seven-figure business by identifying gaps in traditional market research and creating a more human, high-touch approach. From her “white-glove” philosophy to building curated communities like the Luxuryverse and Beautyverse, she offers powerful insights on brand as a belief system, the importance of curiosity and authenticity in leadership, and how solving real problems can become the foundation for long-term success.

Guest Bio

Malinda Sanna

Founder and CEO

LookLook

Malinda Sanna is the founder and CEO of LookLook, a 7-figure proprietary consumer insights platform she's built over 15 years with a team of 16, specializing in luxury market research through what she calls "Cultivated Communities", recruiting participants one relationship at a time rather than relying on third-party panels. She created the Beautyverse (1,000+ high-net-worth women focused on luxury beauty) and Luxuryverse, two proprietary communities for luxury studies. With a global team of executives in New York, Paris, Dubai, São Paulo, Beijing, and Shanghai, she's conducted over 900 studies with 30,000+ research participants, serving clients including Shiseido, BMW, LVMH, Google, Mondelez, and Nestlé, while also running a Substack newsletter with ~600 subscribers including major luxury brand executives from around the world. 

As a bootstrapper who built profitable software without venture capital and a former singer who studied classical music and English literature at Goshen College, Malinda has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, CNBC, HuffPost, Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, The Washington Post, AdWeek, and Inc.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the women who are shaping industries, building communities, and redefining what leadership looks like today. In celebration of the month, we’re sharing one of our top Fan Favorite guests from 2025, Emily Chang, a global business leader whose career spans some of the world’s most recognizable brands and industries.

Emily currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer of CHAGEE, a leading international tea beverage company guided by the vision of connecting people through a great cup of tea. Founded in 2017 in Yunnan, China—the historic home of tea—CHAGEE has rapidly expanded to more than 6,000 stores globally, redefining the modern tea experience. Emily is also the best-selling author of The Spare Room, a powerful book about purpose, leadership, and the impact we can make when we choose to open our lives to others.

Jayzen starts the show with a deep dive into Step 1 of the Lead With Your Brand! System: Define Your Audience.

Many people think their personal brand is about what they do. In reality, the strongest brands are built around who they serve and the value they create. One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is trying to appeal to everyone. When you try to be everything to everyone, you become generic—something to everyone, but meaningful to no one.

The most successful brands take the opposite approach: they identify their core audience and super serve their super fans. Jayzen shares how networks like Bravo and Telemundo grew by focusing on the audiences that mattered most and delivering exactly what those viewers wanted.

The same principle applies to your career. Understanding your audience helps you show up with intention—and deliver the greatest value where it matters most.

Because your brand isn’t about promoting yourself—it’s about helping others succeed.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t try to serve everyone. Focus on the audience you serve best.
• Look beyond titles. Understand motivations, needs, and values.
• Identify your super fans. These are the people who champion your work.
• Deliver value intentionally. Tailor how you show up to serve them best.

Jayzen then welcomes Emily Chang to the show.  Emily shares her incredible career journey that has spanned senior leadership roles at P&G, the first executive for Apple in China overseeing retail marketing, CMO of Starbucks China and more.  Her insights and practical advice on how to be a leader on any level and move your career forward are invaluable.  

Guest Bio

Emily Chang

Chief Commercial Officer, CHAGEE and Best Selling Author of The Spare Room

Emily is CCO of CHAGEE, a leading international tea beverage company guided by the vision to connect everyone through a good cup of tea. The brand first started in 2017 in the hometown of tea, Yunnan, China, and has since expanded to over 6,000+ stores globally.  Emily has over 25 years of experience spanning QSR, Retail, Hospitality, Creative, Tech, and FMCG industries. She holds an exceptional track record of accelerating global brands which began at P and G. Over 11 years, she worked across all three business units spanning upstream design, retail, and digital marketing, and based in Cincinnati, Fayetteville, and Guangzhou.

She then moved to Apple as the first executive in China overseeing Retail Marketing for APAC, opening new stores and developing the Apple Asia retail operating model. Later, she joined IHG as the Chief Commercial Officer for Greater China where she led a team of 5,400, launching a new brand and crafting new partnerships to become the #1 hotel brand in China.

Drawn to the best of CX and CRM, Emily joined Starbucks in 2017 as CMO of China, where she oversaw all commercial functions and led the teams that brought digital experiences to life like the Shanghai Roastery Augmented Reality, Starbucks Delivery, and Digital Gifting. Five years ago, Emily became CEO of McCann Worldgroup in China, where she transformed a 450-member team across four agencies in three offices to deliver five-year highs in record revenue and OIBI.

Emily believes passionately in living with intention and leading with authenticity. She published a best-selling book called “The Spare Room,” and speaks at industry-leading events like TEDx and Fortune Most Powerful Women. Emily is a member of YPO and has also served on non-profit boards, including most recently with SOS Children’s Villages.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

In this episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria continues his five-step framework by diving deeper into Step 3: Refining Who You Want to Be and Building Your Brand Foundation. If the previous episode focused on identifying your brand attributes, this installment challenges listeners to move from descriptive words to bold, declarative statements — clarifying what you believe, what you promise, and why you should be chosen.

Building Your Brand Foundation. Moving beyond adjectives, Jayzen explains that powerful personal brands are rooted in three core elements: your belief, your promise, and your positioning. It’s not enough to say you are “collaborative” or “strategic.” SuperPremium professionals articulate the emotional belief that drives them, the value-driven promise they make to their audience, and the competitive edge that differentiates them from others with similar skills.

Tune in to hear how moving from generic descriptors to clear declarations can sharpen your narrative, attract the right opportunities, and clarify when you are — and are not — the right fit.

Key Takeaways:

• Your brand foundation is built on three pillars: belief, promise, and position
• Declarative statements are more powerful than generic descriptors
• Your core belief should be emotional and enduring — not tied to a job title
• A strong brand promise builds trust with your career audience
• Positioning clarifies your competitive edge and differentiates you from others
• You are not meant to be a corporate clone — you are meant to be distinct

The episode then transitions into an energizing and candid conversation with Kalia Waits-Smith, Vice President of Employee Communications and Engagement at Freshworks, exploring storytelling, authenticity, reinvention, and what it truly means to fill your career toolbox. With more than 15 years of experience across television, nonprofit operations, tech, and executive leadership, Kalia shares how uncovering her identity as a storyteller transformed the way she shows up as a leader.

Guest Bio

Kalia Waits-Smith

VP, Employee Communications and Engagement

Freshworks

With over 15 years of leadership experience in tech, Kalia combines expertise in change management and employee comms/engagement to shape how employees feel at work and drive businesses forward. A writer and storyteller at heart, she blends empathy and operations to build teams, partnerships, and systems to co-create change and bring company strategy and culture to life.

In her most recent role at Zuora, Kalia led a team of communicators that launched their first-ever company values, steered employee comms for multiple M&A transactions, and stood up an Employee Experience cohort of cross-functional leads that scaled engagement globally. Prior to Zuora, she held similar roles at Visa and Cornerstone OnDemand, partnering with leaders to build cultures of communication as they navigated times of change.

Kalia grew up in Southern California, but has lived in the Bay Area since 2018. She's living her best snack-filled life in Oakland with her husband, four-year-old daughter, mom, and mom's dog, Buddy. Whenever she's not writing on LinkedIn, which she does A LOT, she's taking Orange Theory classes and trying new wines, cheeses and champagnes.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

In this episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria continues his five-step framework by unpacking Step 3: Refining Who You Want to Be and Supersizing Your Superpowers. Jayzen challenges listeners to move beyond generic descriptors and intentionally elevate their personal brand so it stands out, feels differentiated, and creates real impact.

The episode then transitions into a powerful conversation with Cliff Holtz, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, exploring leadership, trust, authenticity, and what it means to steward one of the most trusted brands in the world.

Supersizing Your Superpowers. Supersizing your brand means turning up the volume on what already makes you strong, unique, and effective.

Using real-world examples from brands like the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Oxygen Network, and Bravo, Jayzen shows how powerful brands clearly define not only what they are, but also what they are not, creating consistency, trust, and memorability.

Tune in to hear how Jayzen SuperSized his own descriptors from being described as a “good presenter” to clearly owning his identity as a storyteller, showman, and super-connector…a combination that is unmistakably his.

Key Takeaways:

• Most people stop at generic traits; SuperPremium brands SuperSize what makes them different
• Clustering similar traits helps uncover your true brand superpowers
• Strong brands define clear boundaries, including how they never want to show up
• SuperSizing isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about calibrating how you show up, like a DJ mixing the right tracks for the moment

Jayzen sits down with Cliff Holtz for his first-ever podcast appearance, offering an intimate look at leadership behind one of America’s most trusted organizations. Cliff reflects on his journey from COO to CEO, the influence of legendary leader Gail McGovern, and the lessons learned about earning trust, choosing words carefully, and leading with humanity. He shares how authenticity doesn’t mean showing up the same way in every moment, but rather understanding when to shift gears while staying true to your values.

Guest Bio

Cliff Holtz

President & Chief Executive Officer

American Red Cross

Cliff Holtz serves as the president and chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, the nation’s largest provider of lifesaving blood products and leading emergency response organization. Holtz joined the Red Cross in 2011 and assumed his role as president and CEO on July 1, 2024, following the retirement of president and CEO Gail McGovern.  

Prior to his current role, Holtz held the position of chief operating officer for seven years where he oversaw the execution of all mission delivery and operations comprising Biomedical Services, Disaster Services, International Services, Training Services and Service to the Armed Forces. During his tenure as COO, Holtz worked closely with his predecessor, Gail McGovern, in leading the Red Cross to achieve financial stability while also growing critical investments in mission, people and infrastructure. 

As part of his vision for the Red Cross, Holtz is building on the organization’s strong foundation to adapt to the growing frequency and intensity of disasters and develop sustainability efforts with a focus on underserved communities across all mission delivery. His commitment to humanitarian efforts and operational excellence has been instrumental in the organization’s service to millions of people in need.

 Before joining the Red Cross in 2011, Holtz held executive leadership positions at for-profit companies including Pelco (a Division of Schneider Electric), Nortel Networks Corp, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Qwest Communications and Gateway Corporation. He also spent 16 years at AT&T working in sales, marketing, new business development, operations and engineering, and human resources. His tenure culminated with his role as the president of Metro Markets, a $4.5 billion unit. 

Holtz earned a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Albany and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He has served on the boards of LHC Group (recently sold to United Health Care), the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the National Jewish Hospital.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

In this episode, Jayzen Patria continues his five-step Lead With Your Brand framework, focusing on Step #2: Knowing What You Stand For — the foundation of every strong, trusted personal brand.

In a workplace defined by constant disruption, visibility without clarity is noise. If you don’t define what you stand for, others will define it for you — and not always in your favor.

Your personal brand isn’t what you say about yourself.  It’s how you operate.  It’s what people see you do.  It’s what people hear you say — consistently, over time.

In this episode, Jayzen breaks down why brand clarity is the key to being in demand, rather than being overlooked. When thinking about your brand, Jayzen highlights:

 • Why trying to copy other leaders is the fastest way to dilute your brand

• Why degrees, titles, and credentials are no longer differentiators

• How your daily behaviors define your reputation more than your résumé

• Why “authenticity” isn’t a personality trait — it’s disciplined consistency

• There is only one you — and that’s your advantage. You don’t need to be Oprah, your CEO, or a famous leader. Your power comes from being unmistakably you.
• Your brand is defined by how you operate. What you deliver, how you respond under pressure, and how people experience working with you is your brand.
• Brand DNA drives everything. Just like Nike doesn’t sell shoes — it sells performance and belief — your brand DNA should guide every decision, interaction, and opportunity.
• Tailwinds accelerate careers. When people consistently describe you with the same strengths, your career gains momentum. Clarity creates shortcuts.
• Headwinds create drag. Unmanaged behaviors under stress can erase your strongest brand equity. Awareness is non-negotiable.
• Words aren’t enough — behaviors matter. If someone followed you with a camera for two weeks, what would they actually see? Your brand lives in observable actions.

In celebration of the Oscars, Jayzen is joined by Dave Karger, award-winning television host, entertainment commentator, and one of the most trusted voices in film and awards-season coverage.

Dave is a longtime host on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and has appeared on The Today Show more than 215 times over the past 25 years. He is also the author of 50 Oscar Nights and the upcoming 50 Movie Nights. Dave’s career is a masterclass in brand clarity, consistency, and credibility. 

Dave’s career is a clear example of brand clarity in action. He didn’t wait to be promoted — he consistently operated at the next level until advancement became the obvious next step. Over time, his reputation was built on three behaviors: being respectful, reliable, and prepared. Not as buzzwords, but as lived habits.

Dave also made career decisions with a long-term mindset, understanding that every choice either raised or lowered his reputational “credit score.” That trust compounded, creating leverage and opportunity.

By becoming deeply known for the Oscars and classic film, Dave built lasting demand. His journey proves Jayzen’s core belief: strong personal brands don’t need to be loud — they’re trusted.

To book Jayzen for a keynote, workshop, or leadership program :  JayzenPatria.com

Guest Bio

Dave Karger

TCM Host & Author

Dave Karger is an award-winning television host, interviewer, and entertainment commentator. Since 2018 he’s been a host on Turner Classic Movies, where he introduces classic films and conducts interviews with stars and filmmakers of the past and present. He has also made over 200 live appearances on NBC’s Today show over the past 25 years. He has been called “this generation’s mass-media cinematic ambassador” by The Wrap and a “beloved entertainment guru” by The Hollywood Reporter. His first book, “50 Oscar Nights,” from TCM and Running Press, was published in 2024. His second book, “50 Movie Nights: Your Favorite Stars’ Favorite Classic Films,” will be released in 2026.

In 2015 Dave received the Publicists Guild Press Award honoring the year’s outstanding entertainment journalist. In 2014 he was named one of OUT Magazine’s “OUT 100,” acknowledging the most influential people in the LGBTQ+ community. 

From 2012 to 2016 Dave served as Chief Correspondent at Fandango, where he created and hosted the original video series “The Frontrunners,” which received a Webby Award nomination for Best Variety Series. Before that, Dave spent 17 years at Entertainment Weekly, working his way up from intern to senior writer and eventually writing over 50 cover stories for the magazine, on subjects including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Denzel Washington, Julianne Moore, Paul Rudd, and Kelly Clarkson. 

In 2018 Dave co-hosted ABC’s Live from the Red Carpet on Oscar night. In 2012 he was named the Academy’s official red-carpet greeter, only the third person ever to hold that post. He also co-hosted the 2011 Oscars Digital Experience (produced by The Academy and ABC), which won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Entertainment. 

Dave has served on the juries of the TriBeCa, South by Southwest, Florida, Napa Valley, and Los Angeles film festivals. He is a graduate of Duke University.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Welcome to week 2 of Season 7! As we roll into 2026, now is the perfect time for you to hone your personal brand, starting with Step 1 of the Lead With Your Brand system. Before continuing the conversation with Disney legend, Bob Gurr, Jayzen introduces this critical step: Define your audience so you can SuperServe your SuperFans.

In a crowded, fast-changing workplace, professionals who try to appeal to everyone become interchangeable. Momentum comes from focus. Jayzen reminds listeners that opportunities don’t flow through resumes—they flow through relationships, and relationships are built when people feel deeply understood. Great brands grow by being intentional about who they serve. Careers work the same way.

By identifying the people who already trust, advocate for, and champion you—and understanding what they want, need, and care about—you create clarity around how your brand shows up and why it matters.

This step sets the foundation for becoming a super-premium brand, not a commodity.

• If you try to be everything to everyone, you become nothing to no one

Focus creates differentiation and demand.

• SuperFans drive opportunity

Promotions, referrals, and influence come from people who trust and advocate for you.

• Career Audience Avatars are about mindset, not demographics

Your most powerful supporters share values and behaviors, not necessarily titles or industries.

• Knowing your audience sharpens your brand

Clarity allows you to show up with confidence, consistency, and relevance.

• Super-serving the right people attracts others

When you focus on your core audience, broader opportunity follows.

This week, Jayzen is thrilled to continue the conversation with one of his personal heroes, Disney legend and former Disney Imagineer, Bob Gurr. Originally trained as an industrial designer with a love of cars, mechanics, and motion, Bob’s career changed forever when Walt Disney invited him to help build Disneyland. What started as a small design assignment quickly grew into a defining role.

As Bob famously says, “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.”

He’s the creative force behind some of the most iconic attractions in theme park history, including Autopia, the Disneyland Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Haunted Mansion Doom Buggies. Over his Disney career, Bob completed more than 100 projects directly for Walt Disney, becoming known for his fearlessness, curiosity, and ability to say yes to challenges no one else wanted.

After leaving Disney, Bob didn’t slow down—he expanded. He went on to design 150+ major projects for other clients worldwide. Now 94 years young, Bob remains an active speaker, creator, and cultural icon. His story is a living example of what Jayzen teaches: competence, curiosity, persistence, and fearlessness build a brand that lasts decades—not job titles.

Guest Bio

Bob Gurr

Legendary Disney Imagineer

Imagineer Bob Gurr has always been a man on the move. And for nearly 40 years, he’s helped move many a happy Disney theme park guests aboard vehicles and ride conveyances of his own design. As he has often quipped, “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.” And he certainly has, developing more than 100 designs for attractions ranging from Autopia to the Matterhorn Bobsleds to the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Monorails, and more. 

For nearly five decades, Bob worked transportation magic developing the Disneyland Monorail Trains, the memorable Flying Saucers attraction in Tomorrowland, as well as the antique cars and double-decker buses of Main Street, Ford Motor Company’s Magic Skyway, which premiered at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, and more. Bob also designed the mechanical workings of Disney’s first AudioAnimatronics figure – Abraham Lincoln featured in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. 

In 1981, Bob retired early from Imagineering in order to launch GurrDesign, Inc., and three years later, joined creative forces with two former Imagineers to form Sequoia Creative, Inc. The firm, which specialized in “leisure-time spectaculars” and “fantastical beasts,” developed King Kong and Conan’s serpent featured at Universal Studios, Hollywood. Among his other mechanical feats, Bob was instrumental in creating the mysterious UFO that soared over the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. He also consulted on the T-Rex animated figure featured in Steven Spielberg’s motion picture Jurassic Park.   

Bob Gurr practices a favorite life philosophy as quoted in the words of Malcolm Forbes: “While alive, live!”

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Happy New Year and welcome to Season 7 of the LEAD WITH YOUR BRAND!™ Podcast.

Jayzen Patria kicks off the new season with a clear and urgent message: the rules of career success have changed—and your personal brand is non-negotiable in 2026.

Economic uncertainty, rapid AI adoption, shifting corporate priorities, and nonstop disruption have created a perfect storm in today’s workplace. In this environment, companies are no longer looking for interchangeable workers. They are looking for standout talent with a clear, trusted, super-premium personal brand.

Your personal brand is no longer about self-promotion. It’s about career ownership, relevance, and long-term opportunity.

In this episode, Jayzen breaks down why your brand determines:

• Who gets a seat at the table

• Who gets trusted with new opportunities

• Who gets paid more—and why

Key Takeaways:

• Are you coffee or are you Starbucks?

Commodity professionals are interchangeable. Super-premium brands are sought out, trusted, and paid more.

• Great work alone isn’t enough anymore

If people don’t know your value, they can’t advocate for you, sponsor you, or amplify your impact.

• Your brand earns you a seat at the table

Opportunities flow through relationships. A strong brand expands your network and builds an army of champions.

• Your brand future-proofs you in an AI world

Roles will change—or disappear—but a trusted brand allows people to follow you into new, undefined opportunities.

• Compensation is brand feedback

Salary, bonuses, and promotions directly reflect how valuable your brand is perceived to be.

• A brand is not a logo, outfit, or tagline

Your brand is your unique DNA—the sum of experiences, behaviors, and expectations others associate with you.

Jayzen grounds it all in one core truth: Your brand is the expectations people have of you—and expectations drive opportunity.

To start the year, Jayzen is thrilled to welcome one of his personal heroes: Disney Legend and former Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr.

Originally trained as an industrial designer with a love of cars, mechanics, and motion, Bob’s career changed forever when Walt Disney invited him to help build Disneyland. What began as a small assignment quickly evolved into a defining role in theme park history.

As Bob famously says, “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.”

Bob is the creative force behind iconic attractions including Autopia, the Disneyland Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Haunted Mansion Doom Buggies. He completed 100+ projects directly for Walt Disney, becoming known for fearlessness, curiosity, and saying yes to challenges others avoided.

After Disney, Bob went on to design 150+ major projects worldwide. Now 94 years young, he remains an active speaker, creator, and cultural icon.

His story perfectly reinforces Jayzen’s message: competence, curiosity, persistence, and fearlessness build a brand that lasts decades—not job titles.

To book Jayzen for a keynote or workshop: JayzenPatria.com

Happy New Year! As 2025 comes to a close, Jayzen Patria reflects on a transformative year and shares the most powerful career and personal brand insights from some of the podcast’s most memorable guests. This special year-end episode blends Jayzen’s own career advice with standout moments on leadership, adaptability, curiosity, authenticity, and knowing your value—all designed to help you hit the ground running in 2026.

If you’re looking to pause, reflect, and reset your career strategy for the year ahead, this episode is your playbook.

“Find a hole and fill it.”

In a year defined by economic shifts, AI disruption, return-to-work changes, and constant uncertainty, Jayzen challenges listeners to:

• Take stock of your towering strengths
• Reconnect with your passions
• Identify the needs of your boss, company, and industry
• Tailor your current role—like tailoring clothes—to better fit who you are and the value you bring

Your brand isn’t about you. It’s about the value you deliver to others.

Career advice for 2026 from past guests includes:

John Pagano — VP of Editorial, Nickelodeon Digital Studios

Don’t be afraid of the future. Stay resilient and keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

Gina Woods — Co-Founder/Owner, Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha Brown

Be ready to pivot. Embrace change and learn to enjoy the ride.

Liz Randall — Head of Operations, Strategic Development, CAA

Stay curious. Curiosity keeps you current and relevant.

Tina Shaw — Creative Director, Activision

Protect your curiosity. Your brand travels faster than your résumé—don’t wait for permission to lead.

Jennifer Kaplan — Founder & CEO, Evolve Public Relations and Marketing

Focus on your niche and remember: perception is reality.

Victoria Boston — EVP & Chief Customer Experience Officer, Tech Network Inc.

Know your worth. Ask for what you want—no apologies.

Brett Lemick — Creative Studio Manager, Ryanair

Every room needs your version of “you.” Find the tables where you truly fit.

Iva Chen — CEO, IOC Design & Consulting

Do work you love. Passion fuels energy, excellence, and fulfillment.

Emily Chang — Bestselling Author & Executive Leader

Define your own winning formula and don’t follow someone else’s version of success.

Be sure to follow for the latest shows in 2026 with some incredible guests, including:

• Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr
• Entertainment insider Dave Karger
• CEO of the American Red Cross, Cliff Holtz
• 
  

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Tune in as Jayzen invites listeners to look at personal branding through an unexpected—but powerful—lens: holiday decor. As homes, offices, and public spaces fill with intentional (or unintentional) signals during the holidays, Jayzen reminds us that nothing meaningful is accidental. Every design choice tells a story—about values, identity, priorities, and purpose. The message is clear: brand is not a logo or a LinkedIn headline—it’s the sum of your conscious choices.

Jayzen then bridges this insight directly to leadership and career growth. Just as we decorate our homes, we are constantly “decorating” our professional spaces—through meetings, emails, visibility, energy, and presence. Whether intentional or not, we are always sending signals. For ambitious professionals and leaders, leaving those signals to chance is risky. Autopilot is the enemy of leadership.

• Everything Is a Choice: Your brand is shaped by the decisions you make daily—what you amplify, what you edit, and what you ignore.
• Experience Beats Intention: What matters is not what you intend people to experience, but what they actually walk away remembering about you.
• Edit With Purpose: Over-decorating can dilute impact. The strongest brands know when to dial it up—and when to pull it back.
• Context Is King: The “right behavior at the right time” matters more than being loud or safe all the time.
• Know What’s Missing: Growth comes from identifying what you want to be known for next—strategic thinking, advocacy, executive presence, visibility, or new skills.
• Lead Intentionally: Choose one moment—one meeting, one conversation—where you consciously show up as the leader you want to be, not the one you inherited.
• Design, Don’t Drift: Your career, like your home, is something you get to design intentionally—not perfectly or performatively, but with purpose.

Jayzen is joined by Georgia Fort, an independent journalist, founder of Black Press, and president of the Center for Broadcast Journalism. Georgia shares her journey from traditional media into pioneering independent journalism, sparked by industry disruption, personal adversity, and a deep commitment to changing how stories about Black communities are told.

Through Black Press and the Center for Broadcast Journalism, Georgia is not only telling underreported stories but also building sustainable infrastructure and cultivating the next generation of journalists. Her story is a masterclass in aligning mission, brand, and impact—especially during times of disruption.

Guest Bio

Georgia Fort

Founder of BLCK Press & 

President of the Center for Broadcast Journalism.

Georgia Fort is leading the necessary movement to reclaim media's power. As the founder of BLCK Press, a social enterprise newsroom, she’s connecting journalism to Black culture. She has a dynamic vision of mobilizing the next generation of media starting at home in Minnesota, the 12th largest state, and the 22nd most populous with about 6 million residents, in which less than 3% of journalists are Black. As a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas, Fort’s work bridges frontline reporting and executive-level strategy to rebuild media infrastructure from the ground up.

As the President of the Center for Broadcast Journalism (501c3), she’s developing the next generation of reporting. Georgia's nonprofit was created to educate and coach the future of news. From editorial to fundraising to marketing, Georgia’s hands-on leadership is proving what’s possible when we build for ourselves—and build to last.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

In this Giving Tuesday episode, Jayzen invites listeners to reflect on generosity as a fundamental strength of personal branding. Drawing from his own service with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the American Red Cross, he reminds us that giving—whether time, talent, or treasure—expands our skills, deepens our relationships, and strengthens our personal brands. Jayzen revisits a powerful lesson from a former leader: “Selfish companies can’t serve.” The same is true for individuals—your brand isn’t about you; it’s about the value you provide to others.

Jayzen offers three actionable ways to be generous with your brand:

1. Share Your Superpowers Freely.
2. Mentor someone, help a colleague sharpen their work, or lend your creativity to someone who needs it.
3. Make High-Value Connections.
4. Become the connective tissue that brings people together with no expectation of return.
5. Spotlight Someone Else’s Greatness.
6. Use your platform—meetings, team stand-ups, or social media—to amplify someone else’s win.

As you move into the holiday season, Jayzen challenges you to choose one generosity practice to deepen your brand and expand the world around you.

This week, Jayzen sits down with Jennifer Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Evolve PR & Marketing, now Arizona’s largest public relations firm. Jennifer shares her remarkable 20-year entrepreneurial journey—one rooted in authenticity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to telling powerful stories.

Jennifer reflects on what it means to “own your brand,” emphasizing that perception is reality and authenticity creates a genuine connection. She opens up about pivotal career moments: leaving a successful sales role to pursue her true calling in PR, navigating a major life transition in her early 30s, and ultimately building Evolve into a 27-person powerhouse representing more than 140 clients. Her candid stories—from “faking it till she made it” to landing game-changing clients like Sprinkles Cupcakes and Waymo—illustrate how confidence, boldness, and relationship-building fuel long-term success.

Guest Bio

Jennifer Kaplan

Founder & CEO

Evolve Public Relations and Marketing

Jennifer Kaplan is the founder and CEO of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, a premier PR agency she established in 2010 to help businesses and professionals authentically tell their stories. With a communications degree from Arizona State University and an entrepreneurial spirit, Jennifer has dedicated her career to elevating brands, building trust, and fostering meaningful connections.

Jennifer comes from a family of entrepreneurs, so forging her own path was a no-brainer! As a young professional, she left her steady sales job to take on her first client, boldly launching herself into the rest of her career. In 2005 she co-founded her first PR start-up, PRIME 3, LLC, but later sold her share to branch out and start Evolve! Now, her team works across industries to provide media coverage, influencer engagement, reputation management, and crisis communications.

Jennifer’s work has garnered widespread acclaim. She’s been honored as one of “The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business” by AZ Business Magazine, a “40 Under 40” by Phoenix Business Journal, a “Woman of Achievement” by InBusiness Magazine, and the inaugural Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Alumni of the Year.

When Jennifer isn’t running her agency, she fills her cup with yoga, cheering on the ASU Sun Devils, and of course, spending time with her family.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

In this episode, Jayzen reminds listeners that nobody cares more about your career than you do—so you must be your own Chief Marketing Officer. With performance review season approaching, he challenges professionals to treat their self-assessments as advertising campaigns for their personal brand.

Jayzen’s key points include:

• Be intentional and proactive: Don’t wait until the last minute to write your self-review. Use it to market your accomplishments and showcase your value.
• Use brand language: Infuse your self-assessment with the tone and energy of your personal brand while aligning it to your company’s core values.
• Reflect deeply: Highlight three areas—what you’re most proud of, what you’ve learned, and what you need to develop to be a “rock star” in 2026.
• Be your own CMO: Your self-assessment is your “advertising”—a message you fully control. Show up on-brand and make it easy for your manager to advocate for you.

Jayzen ties this back to his signature question: Are you Coffee or are you Starbucks?—reminding us that successful professionals aren’t generic commodities. They’re super-premium brands that people line up for because of the unique experience and value they deliver.

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Iva Chen to the show. Her story is one of vision, grit, and transformation. From her early days working as a high school cashier at San Francisco International Airport to becoming the independent owner and operator of the first Panda Express at SFO, Iva has truly come full circle.

Iva’s career has included corporate finance as a CPA at Deloitte and leadership roles at Nestlé, CBS Paramount, and The Capital Group. Tune in to hear lessons from her father’s pioneering work forming the Starbucks–HMS Host airport partnership, a story that perfectly embodies the Lead With Your Brand philosophy—transforming everyday “coffee” into a globally recognized experience.

Guest Bio

Iva Chen

CEO

IOC Design and Consulting

Iva Chen is a dynamic entrepreneur, operator, and community advocate whose career spans finance, hospitality, and brand development. A UC Santa Barbara graduate and licensed CPA, she began her career at Deloitte before holding leadership roles at Nestlé, CBS Paramount, and The Capital Group.

She’s now the CEO of IOC Design and Consulting and Chief Development Officer of Lady Luck Gourmet — and most recently became the independent owner and operator of the first-ever Panda Express at San Francisco International Airport.

Her entrepreneurial path has taken her from building a chain of pizzerias in China to producing experiential marketing campaigns for brands like Taco Bell, Hyundai, and Herbalife.

Iva also serves as Vice President of Public Relations for the AMAC Los Angeles Chapter, sits on the Board of Directors for Pretend City Children’s Museum, and co-founded the Association of Asians in Aviation. She’s deeply passionate about mentorship, women’s empowerment, and helping the next generation of diverse leaders take flight.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

This week, Jayzen Patria challenges you to think like the Chief Marketing Officer of your career. Fresh off the NAMIC Conference in New York City, Jayzen draws powerful lessons from the bright lights of Times Square — where every billboard and brand is intentional — to teach how you can market yourself with the same level of strategy and authenticity.

Jayzen explores how your personal brand is built — and perceived — every single day. Drawing inspiration from the chaos and brilliance of Times Square, he outlines three key marketing pillars for your career:

1. Advertising: Your online presence is your billboard. Make it intentional, inviting, and aligned with your brand story.  “If your LinkedIn photo is blank, it’s like an empty Times Square billboard.”
2. Endorsers: Your network is your team of influencers. Surround yourself with advocates who elevate and expand your visibility.
3. Word of Mouth: Your reputation is your real brand. Every interaction, even casual moments, tells your story.  “There is no off stage. You’re always visible to people who can impact your career.”

Key Takeaways:

• Take control of your message — you own your advertising.
• Cultivate connections who will endorse and amplify you.
• Manage your reputation intentionally — people are always watching.
• Authenticity is your strongest marketing strategy.
• Be your own CMO and turn up the volume on your personal brand.
• 
  

Then, Jayzen sits down with Suezette Yasmin Robotham, visionary tech executive and author of Beyond Titles: Fearlessly Leading as Your Authentic Self. Suzette shares her incredible career journey from education reform to Silicon Valley, her fight against “covering” at work, and her lessons on leading boldly, bravely, and with purpose.

Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a tech executive, leadership strategist, and author with nearly 20 years of experience driving transformation across industries. She’s held senior roles at Google, Meta, Salesforce, Gartner, and Teach for America, helping organizations scale with equity, access, and purpose.

Guest Bio

Suezette Yasmin Robotham

Tech Executive and Author

Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a visionary tech executive with nearly twenty years of experience driving transformative change at the intersection of passion and purpose, creating equitable access and opportunity for historically underrepresented groups. She honed her leadership acumen in the education reform sector, shaping human capital strategies for influential organizations Teach For America and The New Teacher Project. 

Her career trajectory has since elevated her to global leadership roles at industry giants such as Google, Meta (Facebook), Gartner, and Salesforce, where she has led high-impact teams and initiatives.

As conference season kicks into full gear, Jayzen Patria shares practical strategies on how to lead with your brand while making authentic connections at professional events. Speaking from the Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Seattle, Jayzen dives into how to make the most of your time at major conferences — not by collecting business cards, but by building real relationships that amplify your brand.

He reminds listeners that your brand only matters as much as you can amplify it. That means using every interaction to put deposits into your relationship bank by engaging others authentically. Jayzen breaks down great networking into three essential actions:

Telling – Share a bit about yourself to build rapport. Use your observations to connect naturally — for instance, mention someone’s city, company, or even an interesting pin or accessory on their badge.

Asking – Transition quickly into curiosity. Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions that invite people to share their experiences, opinions, and passions.

Listening – The hardest and most powerful part. Go beyond “active listening” — listen to reflect. Summarize what you hear, and follow up later to deepen the relationship.

Jayzen emphasizes being a “guide on the side” rather than a “sage on the stage.” The goal isn’t to pitch yourself or collect LinkedIn connections — it’s to build trust and genuine connections that last.

Key Takeaways

• Your brand is built in the room, not just online. Conferences are your chance to amplify who you are and what you stand for.
• Engage through curiosity. Spend more time asking questions than talking about yourself.
• Build rapport before pitching. Skip the elevator speech and start with an authentic conversation.
• Listen to reflect, not to reply. True networking happens when people feel seen and heard.
• Follow up thoughtfully. Personal touches — like remembering someone’s vacation or interest — make you memorable.

Jayzen is also excited to welcome his old friend, Brett Lemick to the show.  Brett, is a creative executive and media strategist who has built a remarkable career helping global brands tell stories that engage, entertain, and inspire. Based at Ryanair’s Dublin headquarters, Brett leads the airline’s in-house video and design studio, shaping the creative identity of Europe’s largest airline group.

With more than 15 years of experience spanning entertainment, digital media, and corporate storytelling, Brett’s career includes leadership roles at Disney, Snap, and Rainbow Media Company, as well as collaborations with Netflix, Hulu, and Paramount. His journey from YouTuber to Disney Channel producer to Ryanair creative leader reflects a career defined by adaptability, storytelling, and authenticity.

Guest Bio

Brett Lemick

Creative Studio Manager

Ryanair

Brett is a creative executive and media strategist who has built his career helping brands tell stories that engage, entertain, and inspire. Originally from the U.S., he now works at Ryanair’s Dublin headquarters as Creative Studio Manager, where he leads an in-house video and design team shaping the identity of Europe’s largest airline group.

His path to Ryanair spans more than 15 years at the intersection of entertainment, digital, and corporate media. A veteran of Disney and Snap, Brett was recruited by Elisabeth Murdoch as VP of Programming & Development at Vertical Networks, where he developed the Snapchat Discover brand Brother. He later drove content strategy and production at Rainbow Media Co., building one of the world’s most engaged LGBTQ+ media networks with clients including Netflix, Hulu, Paramount, and AT&T.

Brett went on to serve as Chief Content Officer at FlyrTV, collaborating with Condé Nast and Mashable to merge proprietary tech with creative storytelling. He also held roles at Gameshow Network, Maker Studios, and The Walt Disney Company. Across every role, he has combined creative vision with process-driven leadership to deliver stories that resonate, amplify diverse voices, and build lasting cultural impact. Above all, Brett aims to "make great stuff with great people.”

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Well, Fall is in the air, and the pendulum has swung.  Listen and hear Jayzen reflect on the changing dynamics of the workplace and the job market. For years, employees held the upper hand—companies competed fiercely for talent, remote work was abundant, and perks were plentiful. But today, the pendulum has swung back: layoffs are rising, consolidation is increasing, and many organizations are calling employees back to the office full-time

When the context changes, you must change with it. That doesn’t mean abandoning your values or pretending to be someone you’re not. It means leaning deeper into your brand superpowers and clearly demonstrating the unique value only you can bring.

Key Takeaways:

• Acknowledge the shift: The balance of power in the workplace has changed; ignoring it puts your career at risk.
• Control what you can: Like Jayzen’s former leader Larry Kurzweil taught during major corporate mergers, don’t dwell on what you can’t control—focus on how you show up during times of change.
• Lean into your superpowers: Identify what sets you apart—whether it’s simplifying complexity, building community, or sparking creativity—and put those strengths on full display.
• SuperServe your career audience: Anticipate the needs of your boss, stakeholders, and clients. Go beyond meeting expectations—deliver solutions and value that help them thrive.
• Stay off of autopilot: When the market shifts, you need to be in the driver’s seat of your career, steering with purpose and confidence.

Jayzen challenges listeners to step forward with clarity, authenticity, and confidence. In times of uncertainty, those who adapt and boldly show their value won’t just survive—they’ll thrive.

This week’s guest is Matt Behrend, CEO of Agility, a precision brand advertising platform. Matt is a serial SaaS entrepreneur and revenue leader who has scaled multiple companies to acquisition. In his conversation with Jayzen, Matt shares his inspiring personal journey—from overcoming early struggles to becoming a resilient leader—along with his insights on customer obsession, building strong company cultures, and redefining how brand advertising is measured. His story is filled with lessons on grit, service, and the power of relentless learning.

Guest Bio

Matt Behrend

CEO

Agility

Matt Behrend is a serial SaaS entrepreneur and revenue leader, currently serving as CEO of Agility, a precision brand advertising platform. Agility’s mission is to make brand advertising a predictable growth engine for all companies. The platform has helped customers achieve significant gains, including an average 250% increase in high-intent traffic and a 2.2x improvement in conversion rates. 

With over 15 years of experience building and scaling marketing and sales organizations at venture-backed SaaS companies, three of which ended in acquisitions, Matt has a proven track record of driving growth. He attributes success to two core principles: an unrelenting focus on creating customer value and a commitment to investing in team and culture. 

Fall is here, and host Jayzen Patria kicks off this episode with a masterclass in refreshing your personal brand. Just like the energy of new notebooks and fresh school supplies, autumn is the perfect time to reset how you show up at work. Jayzen dives into brand lessons from household names, showing why chasing trends can hurt your credibility and how staying true to your “brand DNA” helps you shine in a noisy workplace.

• Treat Fall Like a Fresh Start - Back-to-school season isn’t just for kids—it’s your cue to recharge your brand, reset your goals, and show up with fresh energy at work.
• Refresh, Don’t Reinvent - Successful brands evolve without abandoning their roots. In your career, that means updating your approach while staying true to what makes you uniquely valuable.
• Don’t Chase Trends - From Cracker Barrel to Lifetime TV, Jayzen shows how copying others or chasing “what’s cool” can backfire. The same is true in your career—lean into what your audience already counts on you for.
• Super-Serve Your Super Fans - Identify the bosses, peers, and clients who rely on you most and focus on consistently delivering for them.
• Know Your Brand DNA - Define the few words that describe who you are today—not who you were years ago. Anchor your brand in your authentic value and let that guide how you evolve.
• Be Premium, Not Generic - The biggest risk is blending in. Don’t let your career brand become “ a commodity like coffee.” 

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Gina Woods to the show.  She is the dynamic co-founder of Donna’s Recipe, who turned a fun nickname for Tabitha Brown’s hair into a multimillion-dollar beauty brand that’s now carried in Ulta and Target nationwide. Gina shares her entrepreneurial journey, how she scaled a self-funded brand, and why leaning into curiosity and community fueled their success.

Guest Bio

Gina Woods

Co-Founder/Owner

Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha Brown

Gina Woods is a social entrepreneur, investor, and business advisor with a 15-year track record of creating and developing successful beauty brands that prioritize community reinvestment. 

As a business mentor, Woods leads a business mastermind program empowering women to kickstart and expand their ventures. She has advised multiple businesses to multi-million dollar companies. Additionally, Woods established the LA Kids Entrepreneur Camp, an in-person hands-on educational program for young minds to engage with accomplished entrepreneurs and delve into the essentials of entrepreneurship. Find Gina on Instagram: @ginalosangeles

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

In this Fan Favorite episode, Jayzen Patria explores a powerful branding lesson: sometimes your brand is not just about what you choose to do, but just as much about what you choose not to do.

Drawing on a story from Nike’s brand strategy, Jayzen shows how being crystal clear on your brand DNA means making bold decisions—even saying “no” to opportunities that don’t align. By setting boundaries and refusing activities that dilute your identity, you ensure your brand remains consistent, authentic, and impactful.

Jayzen challenges listeners to take a closer look at their own professional lives: what activities, habits, or commitments might be pulling you away from the brand you want to be known for? How can you more consciously choose to focus only on the actions that build and reinforce your unique value?

• Your brand is built by choice. It’s not defined by your title, employer, or manager—it’s defined by the deliberate actions you take.
• Defining what you don’t do is as important as defining what you do. Clear boundaries help your brand stay strong and recognizable.
• Stop running on autopilot. Evaluate the tasks and commitments that may be easy but don’t actually support your brand.
• Stay aligned with your brand DNA. Every decision should reinforce who you want to be known as, not distract from it.

This episode features Javier Constante, President of Dow Brazil & Latin America. With more than 30 years at Dow, Javier shares his career journey, leadership philosophy, and his passion for authenticity and advocacy in the workplace. Recognized globally as a leading LGBTQ+ executive and inclusion advocate, he emphasizes the importance of showing up fully and creating space for others to thrive.

Javier reflects on how authenticity, adaptability, and advocacy have shaped his leadership path. He opens up about pivotal career moves, the challenges of leading across cultures, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the liberating moment of coming out to his team. Above all, he highlights that true leadership is about facilitating an environment where people can succeed and grow.

Guest Bio

Javier Constante

President

Dow Brasil & América Latina

Javier Constante has been President of Dow in Brazil and Latin America since late 2019. In this role, he is responsible for developing and overseeing Dow’s regional strategy and financial performance in the region with the goal of making Dow the most customer-centric, innovative, sustainable and inclusive materials science company in the world. As part of his current role, Constante drives increased focus and action around ESG parameters, including moving to a low-carbon and circular economy, building a more transparent, authentic and safe work environment for employees, and moving toward a more equitable society.

Constante joined Dow in 1989 in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a Sales Representative and moved through various marketing and commercial positions in Latin America and across Europe. In November 2019, he took on his current position as President of Dow in Brazil and Latin America. Constante is Vice President of the Board of the Brazil Chemical Association (ABIQUIM), is a member of the Council of Presidents of Amcham (American Chamber of Commerce) and is part of the global Executive Board of the Out & Equal organization for the fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the corporate environment. He previously served as a board member of Equate/TKOC and EMC (Equate Marketing Company) and was Vice President of Plastics Europe.

In 2022, Javier Constante received the Outie Awards trophy for the first time in the category "Global LGBTQ+ Advocate of the Year" for his leadership in initiatives to include LGBTQIA+ people in the labor market. The executive also made it once again to the TOP 100 LGBT+ executives recognized by the 2022 OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List, which he is listed for the third consecutive time.

Constante holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Universidad de La Plata, Argentina, and an MBA from Instituto Altos Estudio Empresariales - IESE, Argentina. He is married and lives in São Paulo, Brasil.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

When the world feels unpredictable—industries in flux, layoffs in the headlines, and AI rewriting the rules of work—it’s easy to go into survival mode. But in this week’s episode, Jayzen Patria offers a powerful reminder: strong brands don’t shrink when things get hard—they step up.

He reflects on pivotal moments in his own career—like the chaotic merger between Universal Studios and GE—and how choosing to embrace change rather than resist it opened doors he never imagined. Instead of waiting for things to settle, he leaned into the storm, raised his hand, and became the bridge between corporate and creative cultures. Years later, during the 2009 financial crisis, Jayzen faced another turning point. With travel banned and training budgets slashed, he didn’t retreat—he got on planes himself, showed up in person, and found a new way to lead.

The message is clear: This is not the moment to coast. It’s the moment to grab the wheel. When you spot a problem, that’s your invitation to solve it—using your unique mix of skills, experiences, and passions.

So what’s your next turn? What opportunity is hiding inside the chaos?

After Jayzen’s powerful open, he’s joined by the vibrant and fearless Pamela Zapata—founder and CEO of Society18, a multicultural influencer marketing agency that’s shaking up the industry. Pamela’s journey from behind-the-scenes roles at E! and Ryan Seacrest Productions to launching a seven-figure business is both bold and deeply human.

She shares how she built Society18 from a side hustle into a full-fledged agency, not because she wanted to build an empire, but because she saw a problem worth solving: creators of color were underrepresented, underpaid, and undervalued. With heart, hustle, and a whole lot of spreadsheets, Pamela took the leap. Her first year in business? She hit seven figures.

Pamela opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship—the burnout, the mindset shifts, and the pressure of scaling fast without a business degree. But through it all, she remained grounded in her purpose: to create impact, amplify diverse voices, and pave the way for others like her.

Whether you're navigating layoffs, contemplating your next move, or building something from the ground up, this episode is your reminder that the bend in the road might just lead you to your breakthrough—if you're brave enough to turn.

Guest Bio

Pamela Zapata

Founder & CEO

Society 18

Society 18 is a bicoastal agency specializing in influencer management and marketing, with a focus on multicultural and multiethnic content creators. Based in Los Angeles, Pamela has spent the past 15 years building a successful career in influencer strategy, integrated marketing, talent relations, casting, and production. Over the course of her career, Pamela has worked with some of the most prominent networks, brands, and agencies in the industry. Before launching Society 18, she served as Senior Director of Influencer Marketing at Starpower, where she led influencer campaigns for high-profile beauty brands including Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Aveda, and La Mer. In this role, she was instrumental in developing and executing campaign strategies, managing client relationships, and building impactful talent partnerships. Prior to that, Pamela was the Director of Influencer Marketing at United Entertainment Group, where she spearheaded influencer strategy and partnerships for major Unilever brands such as Dove, Suave, Axe, and Popsicle. Her earlier roles at E! Entertainment, Ryan Seacrest Productions, and StyleHaul further shaped her expertise, with a focus on integrated marketing, talent development, and production. Over the years, she has cultivated a robust network of industry relationships, leveraging talent and influencers to drive digital campaigns, brand partnerships, and on-air programming that deliver measurable results and fuel business growth. A proud first-generation Dominican-American and bilingual Latina, Pamela is deeply committed to amplifying diverse voices in the digital space. Her impact and leadership have been recognized by top industry outlets including Forbes, Business Insider, WWD, Yahoo! Finance, Ad Age, Success Magazine, and GirlBoss. 

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

As we hit the halfway mark of the year, Jayzen kicks off the show with a powerful coaching moment to help you shift from surviving to thriving in your career. Whether your company formally conducts mid-year reviews or not, now is the time to pause, reflect, and reset. Why? Because your next career breakthrough won’t wait for a job posting or a scheduled performance cycle. If you’re not driving the narrative, someone else will.

Listen now to hear Jayzen’s three essential questions to help you own the conversation, elevate your brand, and position yourself as the go-to person for what’s next:

• What are you most proud of accomplishing in the first half of the year? Go beyond the task list—highlight impact. What moved the business forward, inspired your team, or made a real difference?
• What did you learn? Wins and setbacks alike are learning moments. Showcase how you’ve evolved in your thinking, skills, or leadership approach. Growth is part of your brand story.
• What do you want to sharpen or focus on next? Set the vision. Demonstrate where you're headed and how you plan to get there. This isn’t about fixing weaknesses—it’s about leveling up your strengths and closing visibility gaps.

Whether you're an individual contributor or managing a team, Jayzen challenges you to use these questions as a framework not just for self-reflection, but also to coach and develop others. Bottom line: Your personal brand is built through consistent behavior—but it’s powered by intentional reflection. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Lead with your brand now.

This week, Jayzen sits down with award-winning creative leader Tina Shaw, Creative Director at Activision, for a rich conversation about evolution, resilience, and the power of showing up as your full self—especially when starting over in a new industry. From building digital campaigns for major entertainment brands like NBCUniversal and Netflix to redefining her creative voice in the world of gaming, Tina shares a powerful journey of career reinvention.

Tina gets candid about her leap from comfort into challenge, walking away from success at NBCUniversal to join the gaming industry where she had to start fresh and rebuild her reputation. She opens up about the importance of staying curious, embracing humility, and betting on yourself—even when it’s scary.

Guest Bio

Tina Shaw

Creative Director

Activision

A multiple award-winning creative, Tina is a Creative Director for Activision, leading a diverse team in innovative gaming content across Marketing, UA Mobile Growth & Emerging Franchises for players around the world on Call of Duty: Mobile, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Warzone: Mobile, and Crash Team Rumble.

Prior to that, she was a Group Creative Director driving strategic creative campaigns across digital, experiential, interactive & AR/VR for entertainment brands NBCUniversal, Netflix, HBOMax, Hulu, TNT, Showtime and FaZe Clan (eSports).

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Happy Summer! We’re off enjoying some summer relaxation time! Enjoy one of our top shows from last season and be sure to take time to recharge!

In this episode, Jayzen shares his ideas on a critical element of your personal brand development: how you make people feel. That is, when people interact with you and experience your brand, what feeling are they left with and are you beginning to be intentional about what you want that to be? It is important to focus on your SuperSized brand words and make sure that they reflect the feeling that you want people to have - and you are delivering on that with every interaction.

Jayzen is excited to welcome Ed Soo Hoo to the show. Ed is a fascinating person who has had many careers over the years, from warehouseman to a union truck driver and now as CTO for one of the top global technology companies. His secret? As he says, “you have to ask for it, even if you’re not qualified.” Ed is a storyteller and brings volumes of career wisdom that everyone can learn from.

Guest Bio

Ed Soo Hoo

Worldwide CTO - Global Accounts

Lenovo

Ed Soo Hoo is an asymmetrical thinker, crossing the intellectual and practical boundaries of enterprise and technology. Ed is known for stretching-the-box strategic thinking allowing companies to expand from “Now, New and Next.” Ed connects the dots of technology and turns that capability into business-altering solutions for any organization. His Tetris-like talent for enabling, leveraging, and enhancing existing operational models and ecosystems is truly transformational.

An Industry Fellow at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at UC Berkeley and executive coach, Ed brings unique insights coming from a diverse, eclectic set of rich experiences through a career that includes blue-collar teamster, global company leader, and eight-time startup exec (seed to IPO to buyout). 

A sought-after executive and keynote speaker on business leadership, Ed presents his theories on entrepreneurial spirit, vision, and drive through a multidisciplinary perspective of the world.

“The way we work has forever changed, so it’s time that the way we lead follows suit. In order to meet the challenges of a post-pandemic world and workforce, we must explore the ways in which we can build, inspire, and lead a team.”

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

On this special Pride on Brand edition of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen reflects on graduation season and the powerful lesson of showing up in service of others. Inspired by two deeply personal milestones and a standout commencement speech at UCLA, Jayzen breaks down how context and service are at the heart of building a breakthrough career and a super-premium brand.

You'll learn why your brand isn’t just about what you do—it’s about the value you create for others. Whether you're just starting out, pivoting into a new chapter, or leading from the top, this episode challenges you to ask: Who are you serving, and how are you showing up with purpose and presence?

Key Takeaways:

• Why context matters in how you express your brand
• How to adapt your style without changing your core
• Why the best brands serve others and solve problems
• How to use your personal brand to write your next career chapter

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Jethro Rothe-Kushel, a visionary media executive, storyteller, and founder of Ritual Ads—a company revolutionizing TV commercials using AI. With a career spanning film, technology, and advocacy, Jethro shares how he built a future-focused career by blending creativity, impact, and innovation. From producing for the Oscars to representing over 8,700 top producers in the PGA, his story is a masterclass in brand leadership at the intersection of tech and storytelling.

Guest Bio

Jethro Rothe-Kushel

Founder & CEO

Ritual Ads

Jethro Rothe-Kushel is a visionary media executive, storyteller, and founder of Ritual Ads, a groundbreaking company using AI to transform the way television commercials are made. With a background that spans film, tech, and advocacy, Jethro’s work empowers brands, creators, and communities to tell unforgettable stories. He’s produced for the Oscars, advised Fortune 500 companies, and leads cutting-edge conversations at the intersection of technology and humanity. Jethro was the youngest Vice President ever elected to the Producers Guild of America, representing over 8,700 of the top film, television, and media producers. He was also a Presidential Research Scholar at Dartmouth for his pioneering work at the intersection of AI and image sciences. 

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

In this week’s episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria kicks things off not in a boardroom, but in a theme park. Fresh from a behind-the-scenes visit to Universal’s new Epic Universe, Jayzen shares unexpected (and powerful) lessons about personal branding drawn from immersive rides, gothic taverns, and talking portraits.

Why? Because the experience Universal crafted is more than entertainment—it’s a masterclass in branding. And your career should be, too.

It’s time to stop thinking of your work as a collection of disconnected tasks. Instead, ask “What’s the full experience people have when they interact with you—on Zoom, over email, in meetings, or across teams?”

Key takeaways include:

• Brand is experience. It’s not just what you do—it’s how others feel when they work with you. Your brand should be intentional, immersive, and memorable.
• Use your own language. Just like Universal has “portals” instead of lands and Starbucks has “baristas” instead of employees, you can craft a vocabulary that reflects your unique value and personality.
• Surprise and delight. Think about how you can go the extra mile—offer help before it’s asked for, share insights, or simply create moments that make people smile.
• Create emotional resonance. The most successful brands—and careers—are about more than results. They’re about storytelling, connection, and leaving a lasting impression.
• Be consistent across touchpoints. Whether it’s a quick text, a project presentation, or a hallway conversation, everything you do should feel like it’s part of the same “epic universe.”

Then, stay tuned for this week’s guest Stephanie Luros-Gilbert, who shares their own story of leading with their brand and creating a professional journey that’s anything but ordinary. As the Chief Commercial Officer at BSI and Food Service Holdings, she leads with a focus on innovation and impact across the foodservice space.  She’s passionate about opening up non-traditional career paths in hospitality and tackling issues like food insecurity. Stephanie also serves in leadership roles with NAFEM and IFMA, helping shape the future of the industry.

Guest Bio

Stephanie Luros-Gilbert

Chief Commercial Officer

BSI and Food Service Holdings

In her role, Stephanie leads all commercially facing initiatives with a focus on driving growth and positioning best-in-class solutions providers to effect meaningful change across the foodservice landscape. A strategic business development and operational executive, Stephanie brings over 20 years of experience in the commercial foodservice equipment and manufacturing sectors.

Throughout her career, Stephanie has built a reputation for fostering industry collaboration and innovation. She is a dedicated advocate for elevating non-traditional career pathways within hospitality and is especially passionate about cross-industry efforts to combat food insecurity. A committed leader beyond her corporate role, Stephanie currently serves on the NAFEM Board of Directors, the IFMA Food Away From Home Association Board of Directors, amongst a multitude of other volunteer leadership roles. Stephanie’s breadth of experience and her tireless commitment to advancing the industry make her a respected voice and influential leader in foodservice and hospitality.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

To learn more about opportunities at BSI, click www.bsidesigns.com

In this week’s episode, Jayzen dives into the buzz around the return of "HBO Max" and the revival of the Starbucks experience—not just as corporate case studies, but as powerful metaphors for your personal and professional brand.

Jayzen unpacks why a logo change isn’t the same as a rebrand—and how true brand evolution stays rooted in what made you great in the first place. Drawing lessons from the bold branding moves of household names, Jayzen challenges you to reflect on your brand DNA, your super-premium positioning, and how your “packaging”—from your Zoom background to your energy—either supports or confuses your message.

Through stories, insights, and even a charming personal moment at Starbucks, Jayzen reminds us that great brands don’t chase trends. They evolve with purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most “rebrands” are really just repackaging
• The difference between updating your look vs. evolving your brand
• How HBO Max’s brand journey reflects strategic realignment—not reinvention
• How your personal “packaging” (attire, background, tone) supports—or sabotages—your professional image
• The importance of staying grounded in your core strengths while adapting to new roles and environments

Your brand is not just what you do—it's how you make people feel. Your packaging should amplify your brand, not create confusion. Don’t be a commodity like coffee—be a super-premium brand like Starbucks. Stay true to your brand DNA, and evolve with intention.

In addition, Jayzen welcomes Janella Lacson to the show.  Janella serves as the Producer for the Las Vegas Raiders - yes, that Raiders!    When she started with the organization, she knew little about football, and now in her role, she produces all of the video content for the famous NFL team.  This includes all of their highlight reels, sizzles, player features, and more.  Janella has an amazing career story to share, evolving from film directing to advertising, to local news…ultimately, fulfilling her desire to learn all aspects of the business to make herself the best storyteller possible.

Guest Bio

Janella Lacson

Producer

Las Vegas Raiders

Producer, director, writer, editor - Janella Lacson is a sports creative who does it all. With an extensive background in directing for commercials and film, Janella’s passion for storytelling never wavered, growing up in Los Angeles and while attending college at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Janella has won 7 regional Emmys for her work at the Las Vegas Raiders for her work as a producer and editor. Aside from her work, Janella enjoys spending time with her wife and 2 cats, baking sourdough, and cooking. 

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Check out Janella's fabulous work on Instagram @janellalacson

Is your career really a ladder—or is it something much more dynamic? In this episode of Lead With Your Brand!, Jayzen Patria flips the script on traditional career trajectories and challenges you to think about your path as a career jungle gym—with diagonal moves, lateral steps, trade-offs, and breathers that still lead to powerful breakthroughs.

Listen as Jayzen opens up about his own transformative journey from Disneyland performer to NBCUniversal executive. With a rich blend of storytelling and strategy, he walks through how each unconventional move (and even a few steps “back”) led him to greater alignment with his passions, strengths, and career purpose.

Whether you’re climbing, swinging, or pausing for perspective, this episode is a masterclass in how to evolve your personal brand to match your evolving career.

Key Takeaways:

• Why the career ladder is an outdated model—and how the jungle gym offers a better path for today’s professionals
• How to evaluate opportunities through the intersection of your strengths, passions, and market needs
• Why some “backward” or “lateral” moves are actually your greatest opportunities for growth
• How your brand should evolve in sync with your career—but always return to your core
• The power of defining your brand belief, promise, and position as you move through your journey

In addition, Jayzen has an inspiring conversation with Victoria Boston, EVP & Chief Customer Experience Officer at Tech Network Inc., who shares her incredible rise through telecom, her mission-driven leadership style, and how a single speaking engagement in South Africa changed her life—and launched a movement.

Guest Bio

Victoria Boston

Executive Vice President & Chief Customer Experience Officer

Tech Network Inc,

Victoria Boston serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer at Tech Network Inc, to help drive best in class employee and customer experiences.  Most recently, she led engineering, network maintenance, and construction in the northeast area of Comcast, supporting over 3000 employees, more than 2 million customers and expanding the network to help grow over 5 billion in annual revenues.  She began her illustrious career with Verizon Communications in numerous roles and functions with increasing responsibility, ultimately landing as the Northeast area vice president of customer service and global tech support for over 6500 employees and 10.5M customers.

Often sought after for her ability to energize, she’s enjoyed speaking engagements with audiences as large as 20,000 in attendance.  Boston leads with integrity and trust while remaining authentic and relatable to diverse audiences.  She’s a third-generation writer and published author of an international bestselling book, 3 Slow Nickels, a chronicle of her journey from humble beginnings to renowned executive and public figure.

Boston’s contributions have been publicly recognized and is the recipient of esteemed awards and honors.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Learn more about Victoria’s key project at gofundme.com/f/periodpanties

Check out her bestselling book on Amazon, 3 Slow Nickels

Are you feeling stuck, uninspired, or just plain off? You're not alone. As we navigate a world filled with uncertainty—from AI replacing jobs and massive industry shifts to the heaviness of politics and burnout—many professionals are experiencing what Jayzen calls a “career funk.” But instead of waiting for things to get better, what if this is your moment to shift?

In this empowering episode, Jayzen invites you to reframe uncertainty as an inflection point. Drawing from his personal journey and early days leading change at Universal Studios, he shares how what feels like a low moment can actually be the start of your next breakthrough. Jayzen breaks down how to reconnect with your passion, identify your top skills, and realign with what your company truly needs—so you can build a stronger, more meaningful career trajectory.

Plus, he dives into the often-overlooked art of managing up: helping your boss succeed as a pathway to your own advancement. You'll also learn why your personal brand matters most when times are toughest—and how to shine when skies are gray.

Whether you're leading a team, trying to inspire one, or just looking for clarity on your own path, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to lead with your brand—even in the most disruptive of times.

In addition, Jayzen welcomes Brice Jaggars to the show. He is a distinguished technology executive and thought leader in digital transformation and is Head of Technology for North America at Avanade, a joint venture between Microsoft and Accenture. With an incredible career journey to share, he is a leading authority on role alignment and workplace behaviors and author of "Two Fish and the Tree, “ an Amazon bestseller.

Guest Bio

Brice Jaggars

Head of Technology for the Americas

Avanade Inc. (JV between Microsoft and Accenture)

Brice Jaggars is a distinguished technology executive and thought leader in digital transformation. As Head of Technology for North America at Avanade, he manages a $1.6B+ portfolio driving innovative solutions in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms. His transformative insights on workforce development and role alignment have made him a compelling voice in organizational effectiveness.

He is the author of the groundbreaking Amazon #1 Best Seller Two Fish and the Tree and is most passionate about mentoring and helping employees grow their overall skill set and achieve their career goals.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

In this empowering episode of the Lead With Your Brand podcast, host Jayzen Patria dives deeper into the final step of the Five Steps to Lead With Your Brand™—Be Your Own Chief Marketing Officer—by exploring the critical roles of influencers, endorsers, and word of mouth in building your professional brand.

Last week, we focused on controlling your own message through your personal “advertising”—your elevator pitch, resume, LinkedIn profile, and self-assessments. This week, Jayzen expands the conversation by showing how your brand is also shaped by what others say about you.

Jayzen reveals how great careers are boosted not just by what you say about yourself, but by who knows you and what they say about you. Learn how to spot and cultivate relationships with super-connectors and build a diverse network that champions your success.

Tune in for practical tools like building a "Contact Map" and real-world strategies for strengthening meaningful connections, challenging you to go beyond your comfort zone and make lasting deposits in your “relationship bank.”

Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or pivoting careers, this episode is your guide to ensuring that your brand isn’t just seen—but endorsed, amplified, and remembered.

This week, Jayzen welcomes Paula Bruno, CEO of Intuition Media Group and a true pioneer in the influencer marketing industry. With over 15 years of experience and more than 750 brand campaigns under her belt, Paula shares how she helped shape the landscape of influencer collaborations with tips on how to apply the same concepts to your brand.

Guest Bio

Paula Bruno

CEO

Intuition Media Group

Paula Bruno is the CEO of Intuition Media Group, a full-service influencer marketing agency established in 2008. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Paula has been at the forefront of influencer marketing since its inception, helping shape the framework for influencer compensation and collaborations. Prior to founding Intuition Media Group, she helped build and take public a company in the equipment rental space through acquisitions. Her agency has worked with major brands like Canon USA, Hyundai, TikTok, GoDaddy, and has managed over 750 brand projects resulting in over 3B impressions.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Since the start of the year, Jayzen has taken an extended deep dive each week into one of the Five Steps To Lead With Your Brand! As a review, here are the first four steps of the Lead With Your Brand! system:

1. Define Your Audience
2. Know What You Stand For Today
3. Refine Who You Want To Be
4. Keep Up Your Image!

This week, we’re on to Step 5…Be Your Own Chief Marketing Officer.  It’s time to showcase your super premium brand, because at the end of the day, you've got to promote yourself. For many of us, there is a common theme of consistently doing great work, going above and beyond, and an assumption that your work will speak for itself. The reality is…it won’t. You can have amazing performance, but if nobody knows about it, how are they going to amplify you? Your work is not going to speak for itself. You've got to follow Step 5 and  Be Your Own Chief Marketing Officer.

Tune in for practical takeaways on how to market yourself and your accomplishments to help you achieve your next big career breakthrough!  Jayzen breaks it down with amazing examples and lessons on how to promote yourself most effectively.

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Liz Randall to the show.  Liz has one of those super cool jobs where she is at the forefront of technology, AI and talent for one of the world's most noted talent agencies in Los Angeles.  Throughout her career, innovation has led the way, allowing her to spearhead industry-changing initiatives.

Guest Bio

Liz Randall

Head of Operations, Strategic Development

CAA

Liz Randall is Head of Operations, Strategic Development at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Randall is based in the Los Angeles office and is responsible for the execution of enterprise growth initiatives, including theCAAvault, an in-house, talent-focused service that scans, captures, and securely stores Talent’s digital likeness.

Randall began her career at Time Warner, where she held various roles in strategy and innovation, and led the digital transformation of MotorTrend Group. Prior to joining CAA in 2023, she led enterprise-wide initiatives in new technology development, cybersecurity, and IPv6 migration at Apple.

Randall graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Operations and obtained an MBA from Emory University.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Tune in this week for a review of the first three steps of the Lead With Your Brand! system:

1. Define Your Audience
2. Know What You Stand For Today
3. Refine Who You Want To Be

And then, on to step four…Keep Up Your Image!

Now that you have created your five to eight SuperSized brand attributes, you have to live them every single day. The bottom line is a Brand isn’t about words that you put on paper. It’s about the actions and the choices you make every single day. Take those brand attributes and peel the layers back.

Great brands think about their brand filter. Create your formula that determines the way that you dress, the way that you maintain your office space, and most importantly, the way you create your signature projects. No matter how boring a project or task is that you’ve been given, you can do it in a way that brings your brand attributes to life and really promotes you.

This week, Jayzen welcomes Jamie Schwartzman to the show. He is the Chief Creative Strategist and founder of Flux Branding, a premier branding agency. Listen in for a great discussion about how to apply the amazing system that he has developed for some of the top brands on your own personal brand.

Guest Bio

Jamie Schwartzman

Chief Creative Strategist & Founder

Flux Branding

Jamie Schwartzman is the Chief Creative Strategist and founder of Flux Branding, a premier branding agency with over 25 years of experience transforming businesses. An expert in corporate rebranding, Jamie developed the IDEA Method—a proprietary four-step branding process that reduces risk, reveals a brand’s true identity, and guides it to success.

Under his leadership, Flux Branding has revitalized public and private companies, including helping Motor Car Parts of America boost their stock price from $2 to $38 per share through strategic rebranding. Jamie’s expertise was featured on Gordon Ramsay’s TV show “Food Stars,” where he appeared as an Expert Brand Strategist, coaching the winning contestant for the grand prize. For over a decade, he has shared industry insights through his “First Tuesday” newsletter, which includes monthly essays with branding insights.

Passionate about crafting authentic brand stories that achieve growth, Jamie believes that change is the only constant. He and his team at Flux Branding continue to inspire and lead brands to embrace change, think strategically, and communicate boldly. He’s known for his wit, wisdom, and ingenuity— making him a seasoned advisor to business leaders who demand performance.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

We’re already almost into March, and that means Spring…and moving on to creating your Brand Foundation. Now that you have your five to eight SuperSized brand attributes, you have to live them every single day. The bottom line is a Brand isn’t about words that you put on paper. It’s about the actions and the choices you make every single day. It is critical that you take the time to craft the declarative statements that are foundational to your brand. What is it about you that differentiates yourself from others in the most compelling way possible? A Brand Foundation answers three questions:

What is that you believe?

What is your brand promise?

What is your brand position?

Tune in to hear Jayzen’s incredible lesson on how to think about your Brand Foundation through some fantastic real-life brand examples. Ultimately, your Brand Foundation becomes part of your brand language that will help you with everything from interviewing to your LinkedIn profile and more importantly, how people see and talk about you.

This week, Jayzen talks with Ron Szekely, the founder of BOS360 Growth Systems. After an amazing career working with top global brands, Ron has taken the best business systems and created brand-focused growth system to help companies and teams unlock their potential.

Guest Bio

Ron Szekely

Co-Founder

BOS360 Growth Systems

Ron is a business coach, ex-corporate leader, unconventional thinker, and founder of BOS360 Growth Systems—a transformative methodology blending the art and science of business to help founder-led companies grow. BOS360 simplifies operations and accelerates success by uniting strategy, brand, and team into a cohesive system, fostering high-performing, purpose-driven organizations.

With over 25 years of leadership experience at global enterprises like L’Oréal, Sanofi, and Keurig—where he earned recognition as Marketing Magazine’s Marketer of the Year—Ron developed a unique perspective on balancing creativity and commerce.

His passion for entrepreneurship and scaling startups inspired the creation of BOS360, designed to unlock growth and help leaders build businesses with meaningful impact. Known for his unconventional coaching style, Ron poses bold questions, turns challenges into opportunities, and uses optimism as a strategic tool to guide leaders in navigating complexity and achieving sustainable growth.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

It’s on to Step Three of the Lead With Your Brand system, REFINE WHO YOU WANT TO BE.  This week, Jayzen takes a deep dive into how you can develop your personal word bank by taking your brand attributes from Step Two, and SUPERSIZING THEM!

Now you can refine who you want to be by turning up the volume to be the best you that you can be. Take those five to eight brand attributes you came up with in the last step. Go through the McDonald’s drive-through and SUPERSIZE your words. Or, be a Marvel superhero and define those attributes as your SUPERPOWERS. Take those words and switch them from commodity descriptors everyone uses to make them uniquely you.

Don’t just say, “I’m a good presenter.” Say, “I’m a showman!” It’s not  “I’m well networked and have great relationships with people,” say, “I’m a super connector!” Why just be analytical when you can be a Data Guru? If you are organized, are you really a Precision Executor? If you are innovative, are you really a First-Mover who is the first to jump onto new ideas and trends?

Each one of your SuperSized words can have related sub-words or synonyms, all of which become your personal word bank, which is pure gold. These are the words you use to describe yourself or when interviewing for a new role.  Use them to re-tool your LinkedIn profile, when completing your annual review and more.  These are the words that you want to use so that others start to describe you in the same way.

This week, Jayzen welcomes Jessica Embree to the show.  In addition to helping her clients build brand credibility through both print and digital media, she is co-author of the Amazon bestseller, Double Sales / Zero Salespeople: Optimize Your Sales and Marketing Into One Business Development StrategyThat Works!  In the book, she lays out the system that they developed to grow the agency and cut their cost of acquisition from $40,000 to $4,000!

Guest Bio

Jessica Embree

Creative Director

Tulip Media Group

Jessica Embree has been the Creative Director at Tulip Media Group for over eight years. She works with Client-Partners to craft their brand identities into compelling stories with clear and consistent marketing messaging. Jessica is also Google Ad Certified and takes the lead on all of Tulip Media’s print and digital marketing programs for Client-Partners. 

Jessica is the co-author of the Amazon bestseller, Double Sales / Zero Salespeople: Optimize Your Sales and Marketing Into One Business Development StrategyThat Works!

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

As we close out January, it’s time for the second step of the Lead With Your Brand system, KNOW WHAT YOU STAND FOR TODAY.  Tune in for an extended lesson on how to be your best authentic self as you develop your personal brand and work towards your next career breakthrough.

Here is the dirty little secret. We can all smell inauthenticity from a mile away and it reeks! If you’re thinking, “I want to be Steve Jobs” or “I want to be Sheryl Sandberg” or “I want to have Oprah Winfrey‘s brand,” the truth is, you are not Oprah, and you’re never going to be her! Who you are is you. What you can be is THE BEST you! Start by thinking authentically what your brand authentically is today. What are those words and adjectives that people have used to describe you, sometimes even since you were a little kid? What do people love about you? Find 5 to 8 words that resonate with you. Maybe you are analytical, organized, and innovative. These become your brand attributes that you lead with all the time and are truly authentically you.

This week, Jayzen is excited to welcome his friend, John Pagano to the show.  John has had an incredible career in the entertainment industry working with some of the most iconic titles including SpongeBob, iCarly, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more.  As Vice President of Nickelodeon Digital Studios, John oversees 53 Nickelodeon YouTube channels worldwide, producing over 1,000 videos monthly and has launched a breakthrough video editing system using AI technology.

Guest Bio

John Pagano

Vice President of Editorial, Nickelodeon Digital Studio

John Pagano is a seasoned media professional with nearly two decades of experience. Starting at Nickelodeon’s Brand Creative department, he crafted promos for shows like Degrassi, SpongeBob, and iCarly, swiftly rising from Production Assistant to Executive Producer. Leading a large creative team, John directed branding for Nickelodeon’s top live events and digital channels, including TeenNick, NickToons, Nick Music, and Nick Sports.

In 2018, John pivoted to digital media, playing a key role in launching Nickelodeon’s Digital Studio. He managed content for high-profile YouTube channels like SpongeBob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Avatar: The Last Airbender, driving these channels to millions of subscribers and billions of watch time minutes.

By 2024, John globalized the department, overseeing 53 Nickelodeon YouTube channels worldwide, producing over 1,000 videos monthly. An early adopter of AI, he launched an innovative video editing system using ML and AI technology. John also served as Executive Producer for on-air and streaming specials like SpongeBob’s Super Bowl Party and the documentary Behind the Dangerverse. His work has earned accolades from ProMax, Kid Screen, and The Shorty Awards.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

As we all know, Los Angeles has had a challenging start to the New Year. Tune in to hear Jayzen’s reflections on the tragedy and the incredible resilient human spirit that is more alive than ever in LA.

As we jump into the new year, Jayzen is ready to make 2025 your year to achieve your next career breakthrough!  over the next couple of months, Jayzen will take a deep dive into each of the Five Steps to Lead With Your Brand.  This week.. Step 1: DEFINE YOUR AUDIENCE.

I know what you are thinking. You can work on any team. You can work for anybody. You can work for any company. And you can serve any customer. While that may be true because you have amazing expertise, here is what we know about brands - when you are trying to be everything to everybody, you are really being nothing to no one! You have got to find your target audience. Let’s make it really simple. Think about the people who love you. Who are your raving fans today? Who buys your services? Who promotes you? Who asks you to be on their team? Now, what is the secret sauce between that group of people that you can define as your tribe that your brand can SuperServe.

This week, Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Emily Chang to the show.  Emily shares her incredible career journey that has spanned senior leadership roles at P&G, the first executive for Apple in China overseeing retail marketing, CMO of Starbucks China and more.  Her insights and practical advice on how to be a leader on any level and move your career forward are invaluable.  She is also a best-selling author and the current CEO West for VML. 

Guest Bio

Emily Chang

CEO West, VML and Best Selling Author of The Spare Room

Emily is CEO of the NA West for VML, coming from 25 years of experience spanning QSR, Retail, Hospitality, Creative, Tech, and FMCG industries. She holds an exceptional track record of accelerating global brands which began at P and G. Over 11 years, she worked across all three business units spanning upstream design, retail, and digital marketing, and based in Cincinnati, Fayetteville, and Guangzhou.

She then moved to Apple as the first executive in China overseeing Retail Marketing for APAC, opening new stores and developing the Apple Asia retail operating model. Later, she joined IHG as the Chief Commercial Officer for Greater China where she led a team of 5,400, launching a new brand and crafting new partnerships to become the #1 hotel brand in China.

Drawn to the best of CX and CRM, Emily joined Starbucks in 2017 as CMO of China, where she oversaw all commercial functions and led the teams that brought digital experiences to life like the Shanghai Roastery Augmented Reality, Starbucks Delivery, and Digital Gifting. Five years ago, Emily became CEO of McCann Worldgroup in China, where she transformed a 450-member team across four agencies in three offices to deliver five-year highs in record revenue and OIBI.

Emily believes passionately in living with intention and leading with authenticity. She published a best-selling book called “The Spare Room,” and speaks at industry-leading events like TEDx and Fortune Most Powerful Women. Emily is a member of YPO and has also served on non-profit boards, including most recently with SOS Children’s Villages.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Happy New Year!  

Start your year off right with this very special episode and make 2025 the year for your next career breakthrough!  Jayzen dives into the foundational elements of what a brand is, and more importantly, where to start with your personal brand.  A brand is about the sum of all of the experiences, thoughts and emotions that you have with a product or service.  Your brand is much the same. Tune in to hear an overview of the Five Steps To Lead With Your Brand and much more!

To start the year, we’re taking a look back and sharing some of the best career advice that his guests had to offer, including:

• Brooke Sopelsa, NBC Out Editorial Director, NBC News
• Nicole Haase, Co-Founder and CEO, Modern Prairie
• Ed Soo Hoo, Worldwide CTO - Global Accounts, Lenovo
• Mark Bertolini Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Health
• Andrew Howlett, CEO, Struck 
• Beck Bailey, Managing Director and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Accenture
• Laura Hertz, CEO and Co-Founder, Gifts for Good
• Cassie Petrey, CEO and Co-Founder, Crowd Surf
• Jai Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO, Victory Media Group
• Marion Hargett, Vice President of Business Development, The Trade Desk
• Dr.Timbrala Marshall, Medical Operations Lead, Urgent Care Hospital Group, VCA Animal Hospital
• Javier Constante, President, Dow Brasil and América Latina

Happy New Year and here’s to an incredible 2025!

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

The tree is up and the house is decorated!  Tune in this week to hear Jayzen’s thoughts on bringing your brand to life this season by adding your signature style to everything, not just at work.  We know that Jayzen’s brand is being Hollywood, a Showman, a jet setter and a Storyteller. So you better believe that the holidays for him are that way too! 

Now, of course, we still need to talk about work and your career. For most of us, there are only a couple of weeks left in the office before we all head out for the holidays.  Remember, just like in Hollywood, you’re only as good as your last picture! So find ways to end the year on a high note. How can you put a shiny bow on top of those year-end projects?  Now is not the time to dial it in. Listen now for more and get ready to make 2025 the year for your next big career breakthrough!

This week, Jayzen welcomes Jane McCarthy to the show. After working as a brand strategist on some of the most successful brands in the world, Jane noticed a gap in powerful feminine archetypes in the traditional marketing canon and so, decided to explore these. Jane utilized her personal passion for, and study in, mythology, astrology, the Enneagram and the tarot to craft the expression of the goddess archetypes included in her book, The Goddess Guide to Branding. Working with her sister, Jane launched Goddess Office, a new platform for elevating women and the archetypal feminine in business in 2024.

Guest Bio

Jane McCarthy 

Brand Strategist and Author of The Goddess Guide to Branding

Jane McCarthy is a brand strategist with over a decade of experience in advertising. She has collaborated with both global and local brands in a variety of categories, from energy to confections, serving brands like SweeTarts, Southern California Edison, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Dole. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland with an MA in International Relations & Business.

As a strategist, Jane’s emphasis is on leveraging archetypes to unlock a brand’s true essence and power. She noticed a lack of powerful feminine archetypes in the traditional marketing canon and so, decided to explore these. Jane utilized her personal passion for, and study in, mythology, astrology, the Enneagram and the tarot to craft the expression of the goddess archetypes included in The Goddess Guide to Branding.

Along with her sister Kate McAndrew, a venture capitalist passionate about investing in female-led startups, Jane wrote The Goddess Guide to Branding in order to empower women entrepreneurs to build the businesses and brands they’re called to. In August 2024, the sisters launched the Goddess Office, a new platform for elevating women and the archetypal feminine in business.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Learn more about Jane and The Goddess Office at goddessoffice.substack.com

Drumroll, please….Jayzen makes his SuperSized announcement!  That’s right, his book is finally on it’s way!  Lead With Your Brand! : Build Your SuperPremium Personal Brand to Achieve Your Next Career Breakthrough will be available in Spring 2025!  In the book, Jayzen shares his full five-step process for you to build your personal brand and drive your career forward. Check out all of the latest about the book at leadwithyourbrand.com/book 

The holidays are upon us, and we all know that as exciting as the season is, it can be equally as stressful.  It is critical to remember that your brand shines even brighter in times of gray skies or when you’re in difficult situations.  Tune in to this week’s show to hear Jayzen’s tips on how to Lead With Your Brand this season to make sure you’re showing the best of yourself as we celebrate the holidays and close out the year.

This week, Jayzen is excited to welcome his longtime friend Marion Hargett to the show. Marion has built an incredible career helping top brands reach their target audience by providing cross-screen digital, video, and programmatic advertising solutions. Her amazing career advice about embracing discomfort in your career can be applied to anyone in any industry.

Guest Bio

Marion Hargett

Vice President of Business Development

The Trade Desk

As Vice President of Business Development at The Trade Desk, Marion Hargett leads the team responsible for driving revenue generation and strategic partnerships for the East Coast and Canada. Hargett is a proven leader known for creating highly effective teams, leading essential change, driving top line revenue growth, and providing audience and cross-screen solutions to Fortune 500 companies. Throughout her career, she has also developed a keen understanding of addressable video, digital, and programmatic and shares her knowledge of industry dynamics regularly with The Trade Desk clients and via speaking engagements at various industry events. Prior to her role at The Trade Desk, Hargett spent over 20 years in leadership roles at companies including NBCUniversal, Ampersand and iHeart Media where she has served as a change agent, driving innovation across traditional business models.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Learn more about The Trade Desk at TheTradeDesk.com

In honor of election day in the United States, Jayzen is excited to bring back a fan-favorite episode with a very special guest, Congressman Mark Takano, who proudly represents California's 41st district. Starting his career as a teacher, Mark has always been a huge advocate for education and has worked to improve his community for over twenty years. In 2012, Mark became the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress. His family roots in Riverside, CA go back to his grandparents who, along with his parents, were removed from their respective homes and sent to Japanese American Internment camps during World War II. After the war, these two families settled in Riverside County to rebuild their lives.

Go Vote!

Guest Bio

Mark Takano, Congressman for the 41st District of California

For more than twenty years, Mark Takano has worked to improve the lives of Riverside County residents, both as an elected official and as a teacher at Rialto High School.

Born and raised in Riverside, Mark's commitment to public service began at an early age. His family roots in Riverside go back to his grandparents who, along with his parents, were removed from their respective homes and sent to Japanese American Internment camps during World War II. After the war, these two families settled in Riverside County to rebuild their lives.

Mark attended La Sierra High School in the Alvord Unified School District, and in 1979 he graduated as the school's valedictorian. Mark attended Harvard College and received his bachelor's degree in Government in 1983. As a student, he bussed tables to help make ends meet. During his senior year, he organized a transcontinental bicycle ride to benefit the international development agency Oxfam America.

Upon graduation, Mark returned home to Riverside and began teaching in the Rialto Unified School District in 1988. As a classroom teacher, Mark confronted the challenges in our public education system daily.

In 1990, Mark was elected to the Riverside Community College District's Board of Trustees. At RCC, Mark worked with Republicans and Democrats to improve higher education for young people and job training opportunities for adults seeking to learn a new skill or start a new career. He was elected Board President in 1991 and helped the Board and the District gain stability and direction amid serious fiscal challenges.

In 2012, Mark became the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress.

Mark Takano represents the people of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley and Perris in the United States House of Representatives. He serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and as a member of the Education and Labor Committee.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

As we roll into the holiday season from Halloween to Diwali, Thanksgiving, and beyond, it’s also a critical time in your career.  That’s right, it’s performance review time!  Now is the time to formulate your plan and maximize the opportunity. Remember, your review is not just for your manager, but a reflection of you that many in the organization will see. You have to think about your performance review as your own advertising.  That’s right, it is like creating your own personal billboard for leaders in the company to see. If you’re not thoughtful about completing it, it is like a brand leaving a huge billboard on the highway blank as people drive by.  Don’t pass up an opportunity to market yourself when you control the message!  

Tune in to this week’s show to hear Jayzen’s top three steps to make the most of your performance review. First, focus on your top accomplishments from the year.  What did you do that you are proud of?  What moved the needle?  Then, with two or three in mind, use the S.T.A.R. model to highlight your success and tell your story most compellingly.  Finally, you have to determine what your towering brand superpowers are and the skills that are going to help you achieve your next career breakthrough.  Jayzen breaks it all down and gives you the info that will count!

This show, Jayzen welcomes Francesco Clark, the CEO & Founder of Clark’s Botanicals.  After suffering a paralyzing spinal cord injury at the age of 24, Francesco started Clark’s botanicals in his kitchen with his father.  As a side effect to the injury, he developed rosacea, eczema, and a hypersensitivity to ingredients.  Literally, nothing helped his skin feel and look normal. Through an unexpected outcome of a social meeting with his former boss, the editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, the brand was born and quickly moved from his kitchen to being sold at Saks Fifth Avenue and around the world. A truly remarkable and inspirational story.

Guest Bio

Francesco Clark

CEO & Founder

Clark’s Botanicals

Francesco is the author of Walking Papers (2010, Hachette publishing), and CEO/Founder of Clark’s Botanicals skincare, which has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ALLURE, PBS, CNN, CBS, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and many other publications. His company has won Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award, Allure’s Best of Beauty Award (6 time winner), Oprah’s Best of Beauty, WWD Best Beauty Products of All Time, Town & Country Best of Beauty, Cosmetic Executive Women’s Indie Brand of the Year, as well as Wallpaper’s design award. 

Recently, Francesco purchased Clark's Botanicals back from Warburg Pincus, reclaiming his independence as the sole investor and CEO. His steadfast leadership reflects his unwavering commitment to excellence and his entrepreneurial spirit. Since acquiring the brand back, Clark’s Botanicals has reaffirmed its place in luxury skincare, recently launching in: Goop, Saks Fifth Avenue, and most recently signed a distribution agreement launched the skincare line as the highest revenue Cache Program launch to date in 25 Bluemercury doors in February 2024.

Francesco's involvement as an active board member with organizations such as the Johns Hopkins Institute for Bioethics and NYSCF (The New York Stem Cell Foundation) reflects his deep commitment to giving back to the scientific community to help better the lives of others. He is honored to be an ambassador for the Reeve Foundation, which strives to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and their families.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Fall is a huge season of conferences for many of us, both in-person and virtual…and it’s your chance to maximize the impact of your networking and meet those key individuals who can help you on your career journey.  Tune in this week to hear Jayzen’s top tips on networking and how to put them into action.  Including the Five/Ten Rule for interaction, his Ask/Tell/Listen model for effective conversations, key ways to build rapport and meaningful relationships and his top piece of advice for live events and interaction…. GET OFF YOUR PHONE!  That’s right, when we have the chance to meet new people, it’s critical that we put our phones away and engage in conversation.  He includes tons of tips and tricks that are useful for any situation.

Jayzen is excited to welcome an old friend to the show, Christel Miller.  She has been responsible for and worked on some of the top shows on television that we all know and love, including Jury Duty, Superstore, Dexter and the upcoming Cruel Intentions series on Amazon Prime.  Starting her career in the medical profession, she realized that she’d rather tell the stories of working in a hospital instead of actually doing so and quickly shifted gears. She has an incredible career story to share with fantastic advice we all can appreciate.

Guest Bio

Christel S. Miller

Head of Scripted Hybrid

Amazon MGM Studios

In her role, Christel oversees series through their entire lifecycle from pitch to launch, and was responsible for building original content on Freevee from the ground up including JURY DUTY (Emmy Nominated), PRIMO, BOSCH: LEGACY, SPRUNG, HIGH SCHOOL, along with the upcoming Prime Video launches CRUEL INTENTIONS, CLEAN SLATE, PRADEEPS, MOTORHEADS, and DICK WOLF’s ON CALL. Miller previously worked at NBC as VP of Current Programming on numerous series including New Amsterdam, Superstore, Parenthood, Good Girls, Blindspot, and Grimm, and at Showtime Networks during the Dexter and  Nurse Jackie era. 

She is alum of Rice University and UCLA’s Film and Television Producing Program. She has been honored as one of Glamour’s 2004 Top Ten College Women, Outsmart’s 2005 Top 12 GLBT Houstonians, Producers Guild’s 2006 Diversity Award Winner, NBCU’s 2011 Entertainment Associates Program Participant, NBCU‘s 2012 Going The Extra Mile Award, Power Up’s 2012 Rising Star LGBTQ Award, GO Magazine’s 2019 One Hundred LGBTQ Women We Love Award, and Rice University’s CSWGS 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. Christel is a member of ColourTV, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and has been serving on the Board of Directors for GLAAD since 2017, which received the Emmy’s Governor’s Award in 2024.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

As Jayzen likes to point out…”It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”  It’s not the holiday season yet, but it is the release of the latest iPhone from Apple - one of his favorite brands!  While waiting in line for his new iPhone 16, it was a reminder that while many stores are struggling to stay open, Apple stores still have a line down the block for the new model.  That is the power of a great brand.  Tune in to hear Jayzen’s best thoughts on how to make sure that your personal brand is one that your SuperFans and those in your career audience are willing to wait in line for, want you on their team and ultimately help you achieve your next career breakthrough.

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Nicole Hasse to the show.  In 2022 Nicole teamed up with Melissa Gilbert, known to many as Laura Ingalls Wilder from the famous Little House on the Prarie television series.  Together, they co-founded Modern Prairie. The brand is centered on women aged 50 and beyond, offering them a source of inspiration, engagement, validation, and connection. Built on the idea of community, Modern Prairie offers heirloom quality products and creates a space for women to come together and share stories of embracing change and finding power in it.   She has had an incredible career working for some of the most notable retail brands and shares a wealth of success insights.

Guest Bio

Nicole Haase

Co-Founder and CEO

Modern Prairie

Nicole Haase is a dynamic executive and brand builder with over 20 years of experience creating innovative product concepts, leading ambitious teams, and facilitating profitable growth. She has been building high performing brands for over two decades, serving in leadership positions at companies such as Williams-Sonoma, Lucky Brand Jeans and ModCloth. As an executive, she is known for her unique ability to combine both creativity and financial insight to deliver extraordinary results.

Recognizing a significant gap in the market, in 2022 she teamed up with Melissa Gilbert to co-found Modern Prairie. The brand is centered on women aged 50 and beyond, offering them a source of inspiration, engagement, validation, and connection. Built on the idea of community, Modern Prairie offers heirloom quality products and creates a space for women to come together and share stories of embracing change and finding power in it. Since its launch, the brand has organically grown to nearly 500,000 followers on social media and 30,000 on its dedicated app.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Haase’s upbringing was steeped in the entrepreneurial spirit instilled by her parents. Embracing their ethos, she champions the message of limitless possibilities and firmly believes in the transformative power of opportunity. Her academic pursuits include studying at Boston College and obtaining her master’s at the Carroll School of Management where she honed her skills and shaped her vision for the future.

Haase currently resides in Huntington Beach, CA and believes that talent, teamwork, and tenacity will always lead to success.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Check out Modern Prarie at Modernprairie.com

For many, The Walt Disney Company is known for creating “The Happiest Place On Earth.” For Jayzen, the company represents the best example of a brand truly knowing and super-serving their super fans. Disney has an amazing ability to identify, understand and tap into everything that is fandom for their brands - and leverage it for sales. That in mind, in your career, your super fans are the people who are your sponsors and supporters. The people who can advocate for you and support your work even when you’re not in the room. Tune into hear Jayzen’s top tips on how to make sure that you have identified and have a plan to super–serve your career super fans as you strive for your next career breakthrough.

Jayzen is excited to welcome Rachel Hernandez to the show. Rachel is the Director of Brand Strategy at Next Net Media. In this role, she spearheads the world’s largest global network of trusted media outlets, link partners, and global news websites, catapulting clients to online retailing success with high-authority backlinks and targeted organic visitors. With a decade-long career in digital content creation and strategy, Rachel initiated Next Net Media’s content department in 2016, overseeing in-house teams and a vast network of 700+ freelancers, generating thousands of premium content pieces weekly. Recognized as a finalist for Woman in Content Marketing of the Year, Rachel is a sought-after guest on marketing podcasts and an esteemed speaker at international events, sharing her expertise in content marketing, brand strategy, and SEO. Rachel shares how you can use the tools that she uses for clients in your own career.

Guest Bio

Rachel Hernandez

Director of Brand Strategy, Next Net Media

Rachel Hernandez is the Director of Brand Strategy for Next Net Media, the largest global network of trusted media outlets, link partners, and global news websites, providing clients with a steady influx of high-authority backlinks and targeted organic visitors – making them the world’s largest and most successful online retailer of optimization products and services.

With a rich decade-long history as a digital content creator and strategist, Rachel stands as a beacon of innovation. In 2016, she launched Next Net Media’s content department, ingeniously leading both in-house teams and 700+ freelancers, culminating in the creation of thousands of top-tier content pieces every week.

Notably, Rachel’s success extends beyond her professional endeavors. She earned a coveted finalist spot for the Woman in Content Marketing of the Year by Masthead Media and Content Marketing Institute. An authority in her field, she’s a sought-after guest on marketing podcasts and a revered speaker on the international circuit, where she imparts wisdom on the pivotal intersections of content marketing, brand strategy, and SEO.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Like so many around the world, Jayzen was glued to the television over the past few weeks enthralled with the Olympic Games in Paris.  From a brand perspective, everything about the games was a showcase of the host city. Yes, there were travelogues and picture-perfect iconic locations but when we dive deeper, everything was quintessentially Parisian. An opening ceremony that mashed up the Can Can, Les Miserables and the metal band Gojira. There were athletes in boats down the seine and an Olympic flame floating in a hydrogen balloon inspired by French physicist Jacques Charles putting us in the middle of something out of a steampunk Jules Verne novel!  Even the medals that winning athletes received were designed like a piece of fine French jewelry with a piece of the Eiffel Tower in each. Yes, these past 2 weeks have truly been the Olympics by Paris.

So the question to you is, “what do the Olympics by you look and feel like?”  How would they be uniquely you? Of course, you’re never going to host an Olympics personally, but when you think about it, your career is a series of Olympics…every assignment, every project, even every task is something that many people could do. The real question is what is your signature style? What is your brand filter? What are the things that you do that leave your calling card or how are your fingerprints all over it?  How do you execute things in a way that says quite simply that no one else could have done that and reminds people that you are the go-to person who can execute in your unique way?

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Monika Krimendahl to the show.  In addition to her role as BlitzBe, Monika is COO of Click Riot (a software company leveraging technology to build, grow and scale) and the Co-Executive Producer of The Gold Rush Summit 1.0,  The Gold Rush Summit 2.0,  The Gold Rush Crypto Summit, and The Gold Rush Pride Summit.  She is an International Bestselling Author and enjoyed the collaborative process of writing “Action Takers Who Get Sh** Done.”  Her career has spanned from teaching school, being a massage therapist to now running marketing agencies, all with an incredible through line that makes perfect sense.

Guest Bio

Monika Krimendahl

COO, BlitzBe Marketing

Monika Krimendahl is the COO of BlitzBe Marketing, Click Riot (a software company leveraging technology to build, grow and scale) and the Co-Executive Producer of The Gold Rush Summit 1.0,  The Gold Rush Summit 2.0,  The Gold Rush Crypto Summit, and The Gold Rush Pride Summit.

She works with her team to develop strategies for Business Development, Online Audits, Producing Virtual Summits, and Training Entrepreneurs to grow to 6 and 7 Figures with Online Marketing strategies.  As a teacher and educator for 25 years, Monika enjoys educating entrepreneurs about Marketing, Mindset and Creative Strategies to grow their businesses. 

Monika is an International Bestselling Author and enjoyed the collaborative process of writing “Action Takers Who Get Sh** Done.”

With a background in healing, transformational work, Massage Therapy, Meditation and Yoga, Monika believes in the power of transformation!  Team meetings begin with, “We have a world to change!”  The foundation of everything she does is about helping people who help people grounded in the acknowledgment that “a rising tide raises all ships.”  

Monika is a member of several networking groups and enjoys meeting new entrepreneurs all over the world!  She believes in multiple streams of income and working with other fabulous entrepreneurs to create win-win-win relationships.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

To learn more about the GOLD RUSH PRIDE SUMMIT visit  thegoldrushsummit.com/pride-summit

On a recent trip to Portugal, Jayzen came across a very unique outpost of one of his favorite brands to talk about, Starbucks. Situated in a centuries-old building, the small Starbucks kept the original look and feel of the building and neighborhood and simply added very subtle branding to the exterior. It was an incredible reminder about how you can still be on-brand, and fit into your surroundings or a unique environment when you need to. Tune in to hear Jayzen’s thoughts on how with your brand, it’s really about knowing when to modulate and turn up or down the volume on your various brand attributes to best meet specific situational needs. You always need to be on brand - but you can lean in and out of aspects of your brand when it makes sense.   

Jayzen is excited to talk with Jai Khanna this week. Jai’s company is a top content producer telling amazing stories rooted in sports. Among others, they are known for their 2023 Emmy-nominated TNT documentary 'The Great Debate with Charles Barkley.' Upcoming projects include a documentary focusing on worldwide legend Kobe Bryant as well as a documentary profiling golf prodigy Michelle Wie exclusively set for Peacock. 

Guest Bio

Jai Khanna

Co-Founder and CEO, Victory Media Group

Jai Khanna is the Co-Founder and CEO of Victory Media Group, a global producer and financier of premium content across film, television and digital media– telling the stories of the journey to victory. Khanna guides the strategy and vision for the company’s three content brands- Victory Sports, Victory Women and Victory Film.

Victory Media Group has quickly produced a critically acclaimed slate of programming since its inception in 2023, garnering an Emmy nomination for the TNT documentary 'The Great Debate with Charles Barkley.' Upcoming projects include a documentary focusing on worldwide legend Kobe Bryant as well as a documentary profiling golf prodigy Michelle Wie exclusively set for Peacock. Additionally, in collaboration with Will Ferrell, a captivating feature film following the Seattle Seahawks. Plus a docu-series that dives deep into the intriguing true crime saga surrounding FIFA's stolen and un-recovered World Cup trophy.

Prior to launching Victory Media Group, Khanna served as a strategic leader at the preeminent management and production firm Brillstein, where he worked for over 22 years. Throughout his tenure at Brillstein, Khanna held various strategic roles, including Talent Manager, Producer and Packaging Agent. He played a pivotal role in assisting top-tier clients in launching multiple ventures across film, television and technology. Clients over the years included talent such as Eva Mendes, Sarah Silverman,Tiffani Thiessen, Ike Barinholtz, Larenz Tate among others. His credits include over 25 films, where he served as Producer or Executive Producer. Additionally, Khanna was responsible for securing over $300 million in capital for client projects. 

A veteran entertainment executive, Khanna started his career as a Talent Agent at Writers & Artists Agency. While there, he represented notable actors such as James Gandolfini, William H. Macy and Eva Mendes.

Khanna was named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the 'top 35 executives in Hollywood.' He has been profiled in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Business Insider recognized him as one of the '100 influential Indian American leaders in the US' and he was celebrated as one of the "Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business" by the Asian American Business Development Center.

Khanna graduated from the University of California at Davis as a student-athlete.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Happy Summer! This week, Jayzen takes a deep dive into Step Three of the Five Steps to Lead With Your Brand…Refine Who You Want to Be. When working on your personal brand and what you want to be known for, spending a good amount of time on this step is critical. That is, what are the SuperSized brand words that you use to distinguish yourself from others. How do you talk about your self not in coffee language, but as a SuperPremium brand like Starbucks. Tune in to hear Jayzen’s tips on developing a word bank that you will use on everything from your resume, to your LinkedIn profile to your performance review….even in your next interview!

Jayzen is excited to welcome Amy Shoenthal to the show. She is a journalist, marketing consultant and the author of The Setback Cycle, a book about how today’s prominent founders and leaders overcome obstacles to find success. Everyone experiences setbacks at some point. Amy shares some of her incredible insights into how to take challenges and turn them into the catalyst for success.

Guest Bio

Amy Shoenthal

USA Today Bestselling Author of The Setback Cycle.

Amy Shoenthal is a journalist, marketing consultant and the author of The Setback Cycle, a book about how today’s prominent founders and leaders overcome obstacles to find success. In her years spent profiling these leaders for outlets like Forbes and Harvard Business Review, nearly every discussion revealed a common theme: what they learned during their biggest setbacks led them to their most successful ventures. Setbacks are an unavoidable aspect of life—and while uncomfortable, they provide an opportunity to redefine success and gain a renewed perspective. But why does this happen? That’s the answer Amy searched for as she researched this phenomenon, speaking with executive coaches, neuroscientists and psychologists to come up with a framework that helps people identify setbacks and work through them.

Told through the stories of leaders like Robin Arzón, Reshma Saujani, Norma Kamali, Stacy London and others, Amy takes people through this common experience in a way that enables them to understand it, address it, and come out the other side with a renewed sense of growth and a clear vision.

Amy also boasts a two-decade marketing career, working with some of the world's largest brands, from Procter & Gamble to Google. Now, through her consulting firm, Visionaries Collective, she works with Founders, corporations, nonprofits and small businesses to shape their brand narratives and captivate audiences through strategic storytelling.

After completing The Setback Cycle, she began working with organizations to help their employees and managers confidently lead through tumultuous times, offering the tools to help their teams navigate their own inevitable setbacks together.

Amy previously wrote a local children’s book about the independent-owned businesses in her own beloved neighborhood of Sunnyside, Queens, where she lives with her husband and daughter.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

The Lead With Your Brand Podcast is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June. We're not just celebrating the LGBTQ+ community; we're amplifying it with an incredible lineup of guests who are leading with their brands and truly embodying the spirit of their uniqueness and excellence. Along with new episodes will check out our  "LGBTQ+ Pride on Brand" collection of top episodes with some of the best leaders from the past four seasons, all identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Visit LeadWithYourBrand.com/pride

This week, Jayzen answers the question he gets at nearly every presentation…”what is your best career advice?” Quite simply, as he tells people all of the time, “find a hole and fill it!”  That is, look out on your career universe and spot the potholes in the road that need to be filled.   What needs exist in your company or industry and how can you meet them?  How can you make the road smoother for yourself, your boss and your colleagues and turn them into success?  Tune in to hear Jayzen’s best advice.

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Tay & Val to the show. After both having careers in media and production, Tay & Val embarked on a two-and-a-half-year bike tour that took them across three continents and twelve countries simply to ask people one question, “what is your dream?”  Armed with the inspiration to build their dream, they went on to found Modern Mind Labs, a global practice to create and implement wellness-based, EDI-informed, and culture-coherent leadership and team development initiatives. 

So, as we celebrate Pride Month, let's create, support, and thrive in workplaces that truly value each and every one of us. Here's to a month—and a lifetime—of pride, progress, and power!

Guest Bio

Tay & Val

Co-Founders, MODERN MIND LABS

Tay & Val are business and life partners who co-founded MODERN MIND LABS: a global practice that supports companies like Amazon, Booking.com, VMLY&R, and many more around the world, to create and implement wellness-based, EDI-informed, and culture-coherent leadership and team development initiatives. 

Known for facilitating powerful and inclusive learning experiences, Tay & Val teach in an accessible and approachable manner - through science and storytelling; and make sure that everything you learn can be applied #IRL (in-real-life). To date, more than 100,000 people across diverse communities have experienced their work. Tay & Val are two-time TEDx speakers and have presented at international conferences such as Out & Equal Summit, Women In Cloud Summit, Seattle Interactive Conference, and more.

As lifelong practitioners with 12,000+ (and counting!) hours in their meditation practice, Tay & Val are seasoned certified teachers with the globally sought-after Search Inside Yourself Global (SIYG) for mindfulness-based emotional intelligence and leadership training. Through their partnership with SIYLI, they’ve facilitated programs for audiences in the Americas, Asia, Middle-East, and Europe. 

Fiercely committed to realizing the fullest potential of people and organizations — especially those in underrepresented and underestimated communities — Tay & Val completed the train-the-trainer program for Neurology of Equity & Inclusion At Work so they can bring the lens of EDI to all the work they do.

Fun Fact: In 2010, Tay and Val set off to travel the world by bicycle to ask as many people as possible one question: “What is your dream?” This project brought them across three continents, twelve countries, and fifty-five cities. In three years, they spoke to diverse communities of all identities; and collected tens and thousands of dreams, hopes and aspirations.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

The Lead With Your Brand Podcast is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June. We're not just celebrating the LGBTQ+ community; we're amplifying it with an incredible lineup of guests who are leading with their brands and truly embodying the spirit of their uniqueness and excellence. Along with new episodes will check out our  "LGBTQ+ Pride on Brand" collection of top episodes with some of the best leaders from the past four seasons, all identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Visit LeadWithYourBrand.com/pride

Tune in to hear Jayzen talk about one of the most important points to remember when developing your brand….What you choose not to do is as important as what you choose to do.  Remember, your brand is about making strategic consciously competent decisions to show up and lead with the brand that you want.  Now is the time to think about those things that you do because they are easy or on autopilot, but in reality, may be pulling you away from the brand that you want to be.

This week, Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Javier Constante to the show.  He is the President of Dow in Brazil and Latin America and as an out senior executive at a global company, Javier stands as an advocate and role model for bringing your full, authentic self to work.  A true inspiration with an amazing career story!

So, as we celebrate Pride Month, let's create, support, and thrive in workplaces that truly value each and every one of us. Here's to a month—and a lifetime—of pride, progress, and power!

Guest Bio

Javier Constante

President

Dow Brasil & América Latina

Javier Constante has been President of Dow in Brazil and Latin America since late 2019. In this role, he is responsible for developing and overseeing Dow’s regional strategy and financial performance in the region with the goal of making Dow the most customer-centric, innovative, sustainable and inclusive materials science company in the world. As part of his current role, Constante drives increased focus and action around ESG parameters, including moving to a low-carbon and circular economy, building a more transparent, authentic and safe work environment for employees, and moving toward a more equitable society.

Constante joined Dow in 1989 in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a Sales Representative and moved through various marketing and commercial positions in Latin America and across Europe. In November 2019, he took on his current position as President of Dow in Brazil and Latin America. Constante is Vice President of the Board of the Brazil Chemical Association (ABIQUIM), is a member of the Council of Presidents of Amcham (American Chamber of Commerce) and is part of the global Executive Board of the Out & Equal organization for the fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the corporate environment. He previously served as a board member of Equate/TKOC and EMC (Equate Marketing Company) and was Vice President of Plastics Europe.

In 2022, Javier Constante received the Outie Awards trophy for the first time in the category "Global LGBTQ+ Advocate of the Year" for his leadership in initiatives to include LGBTQIA+ people in the labor market. The executive also made it once again to the TOP 100 LGBT+ executives recognized by the 2022 OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List, which he is listed for the third consecutive time.

Constante holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Universidad de La Plata, Argentina, and an MBA from Instituto Altos Estudio Empresariales - IESE, Argentina. He is married and lives in São Paulo, Brasil.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

The Lead With Your Brand Podcast is celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June. We're not just celebrating the LGBTQ+ community; we're amplifying it with an incredible lineup of guests who are leading with their brands and truly embodying the spirit of their uniqueness and excellence. Along with new episodes will check out our  "LGBTQ+ Pride on Brand" collection of top episodes with some of the best leaders from the past four seasons, all identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Visit LeadWithYourBrand.com/pride

 With all of the summer activities in full swing, now is the perfect time to focus on the final step of the Lead With Your Brand system, Promote Yourself.  That’s right, it is all about being your own Chief Marketing Officer and leveraging the power of your network.  Tune in to hear Jayzen’s top tips on how to build genuine connections so that you can harness the power of your network and build a team of people who are amplifying your great work and advocating for your career advancement. 

This week, Jayzen is excited to welcome Brooke Soplesa to the show.  She is the editorial director of NBC Out, the LGBTQ digital destination of NBC News.  In addition to the dedicated NBCOUT.com site, the work of Brooke and her team is woven into the entire NBC News organization with content about and of interest to the LGBTQ community. 

So, as we celebrate Pride Month, let's create, support, and thrive in workplaces that truly value each and every one of us. Here's to a month—and a lifetime—of pride, progress, and power!

Guest Bio

Brooke Sopelsa

NBC Out Editorial Director

NBC News

Brooke Sopelsa is the editorial director of NBC Out, the LGBTQ digital destination launched by NBC News in June 2016. Under Brooke’s leadership, nbcout.com seeks to both enlighten and entertain by showcasing enterprise reporting, original videos and other unique content about and of interest to the LGBTQ community.

In addition to assigning and editing LGBTQ breaking news stories, feature articles and video reports, Brooke has also spearheaded a number of franchises and special projects, including the annual #Pride30 list and the digital docu-series “Stonewall 50: The Revolution.” Since 2016, Brooke and NBC Out have been recognized with numerous awards, including a GLAAD Media Award, NLGJA Excellence in Journalism Award, Digital Diversity Network Impact Award and Out & Equal Champion Award.

Prior to her return to the NBC family, Brooke was a producer at the Huffington Post, where she developed and produced live news and lifestyle segments. During her time at HuffPost, she created content ranging from business news segments to celebrity interviews — and was awarded a 2015 RTDNA Kaleidoscope Award for her LGBTQ Coverage.

Before joining HuffPost, Brooke spent six years at NBC — first as a writer/producer for CNBC.com and then as a producer for MSNBC.com, where she earned a GLAAD Media Award nomination for her multimedia report on the contemporary voguing scene.

In addition to digital media, Brooke has worked in both documentary film production and television news. She co-produced, shot and edited the documentary "Queer Streets," a film about LGBTQ homeless youth, which aired on MTV’s LOGO channel from 2008-2011. Brooke started her career in journalism as a production assistant and shortly thereafter an on-air reporter at Time Warner Cable Channel 10 News in Bergen County, N.J.

Brooke holds a B.A. in Economics from Bucknell University, M.A. in Journalism from Columbia University and M.B.A. from New York University's Stern School of Business.

Links 

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Get all of your LGBTQ news at NBCOUT.com