When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity. Hosted by CEO Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works — so you can think differently and act smarter.
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Commercializing Science That Changes Patient Outcomes with Dr. Westbrook Weaver, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tempo Therapeutics Inc
Episode 25
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 • Duration 39:04
How do you get people to believe in something they can’t yet see? It starts with conviction, an unshakable belief in the problem you are solving and the future you are building. When you pour that clarity into one meaningful problem at a time, selling the vision becomes less about persuasion and more about helping others recognize what is possible, especially in fields where progress directly affects people’s health and quality of life. Our guest this week brings that kind of focus to every stage of innovation.
In this episode of Rethink Change, Matt and Ward chat with Westbrook Weaver, PhD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tempo Therapeutics. Dr. Weaver brings more than 7 years of executive management experience and 15 years of life sciences R&D experience to Tempo. He is an inventor of the microporous annealed particle (MAP) core technology that is the basis of Tempo’s product pipeline. With deep expertise in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and biomaterials, Westbrook brings a unique capability critical to Tempo’s mission at the intersection of materials, medicine, and immunology.
Throughout their conversation, Dr. Weaver reflects on what it truly takes to lead a medtech company built on breakthrough science and unrelenting uncertainty. He explains how he translates complex biomaterial technology into clear value for clinicians, investors, and regulators, and how staying disciplined around a single real-world problem became the turning point for Tempo’s growth.
He also shares why embracing risk, listening deeply, and surrounding yourself with experienced operators are essential skills for anyone looking to lead in a highly regulated, innovation-driven industry.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro to Guest: Dr. Westbrook Weaver and Tempo Therapeutics
02:30 Challenges in Biotech: Finding the Right Problem to Solve
04:03 Simplifying Tempo's Mission: Improving Lives of Skin Cancer Survivors
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations reveal what actually works, enabling you to think differently and act smarter.
Leading Change at the Intersection of Science, Strategy, and Transformation with Julia Chapman, Vice President of Program and Portfolio Management at Latigo Biotherapeutics
Episode 24
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 • Duration 45:27
Some leaders grow through intention. Others grow through fire. And then there are leaders like Julia Chapman, who evolve through a rare combination of curiosity, serendipity, and the willingness to tackle problems most people would run from. Our guest this week doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. She uses her engineering mindset to run full force into challenges and leads her team to do the same.
In this episode of Rethink Change, Julia Chapman, Vice President of Program and Portfolio Management at Latigo Biotherapeutics, takes us inside a career shaped by unexpected pivots, from filing records in a Novartis plant to designing pandemic response frameworks that later influenced global vaccine development.
Throughout their conversation, Julia talks openly about what it takes to lead in an industry filled with uncertainty. She explains how she breaks down complex scientific challenges, how she communicates value to investors who expect clear direction, and how she’s learned to step back as a leader so her team can step forward. She also shares why understanding the problems above your role is one of the most important skills you can develop, no matter where you are in your career.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro to Guest: Julia Chapman: Using Science and Strategy to Lead Change
01:19 From Duke & Med School Dreams to Novartis Records Room
04:48 Serendipity & Sponsorship: How Chance and Mentors Shape a Career
06:50 Pandemic Planning, mRNA, and Biotech Innovations at Novartis
12:02 Inside Latigo Biotherapeutics: Non-Opioid Pain and Nav1.8
15:13 Why Pain Is So Hard to Treat—and Where Current Drugs Fall Short
17:09 Making the Case: Communicating Value to Investors and Pharma Partners
Flipping the Script in Marketing Your Story With Michael Cheek, Senior Marketing Manager at Dräger
Episode 15
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 • Duration 44:44
What makes someone stop, listen, and ultimately buy from you? Is it the specs, the price, or is it the story behind the product? In this episode, marketing leader Michael Cheek dives into why storytelling is the key to emotional buying decisions, even in technical, B2B industries.
From flooring and flame-resistant fabrics to firefighter breathing technology, he’s mastered the art of transforming complex products into compelling narratives that resonate with buyers and end users alike.
With over 20 years of experience, Michael Cheek is a visionary marketing executive who has turned strategy into execution and storytelling into market leadership. Known for his ability to translate market intelligence into revenue-driving plans and award-winning omnichannel campaigns, he has built immersive brand experiences that inspire loyal and measurable growth.
Passionate about brand clarity, sales enablement, and strategic agility, Michael continues to shape B2B marketing across safety equipment, technical fabrics, and industrial manufacturing.
In this conversation, Michael shares how bold, outside-the-box campaigns, like building immersive trade show “towns” and qualifying leaders' thorough hands-on experiences, shifted brand perspective and elevated Dräger from a quiet player to a market leader.
He also hones in on the importance of aligning internal teams, instilling trust, and pacing change in a way that keeps sales engaged while also laying the groundwork for long-term growth. His “varsity level marketing” approach challenges leaders to balance the dual mindset of driving results today while preparing the brand for further growth.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Storytelling in Marketing
Branding Bootcamp: How to Build a Brand That Sells Itself with Becky Escott, Senior Director, Corporate Communications at BKV Corporation
Episode 14
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 • Duration 41:07
If you’ve ever felt like your business is stuck hiding behind a pretty logo or a catchy tagline, you’re not alone. Branding isn’t just surface-level polish; it’s the soul-searching work of figuring out who you are, what you stand for, and how to share that story in a way people actually believe.
Think of it less like a quick elevator pitch and more like a bootcamp for your business: tough at times, but designed to give you clarity, consistency, and the kind of confidence that earns trust.
Today, our guest, Becky Escott, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at BKV Corporation, guides us through the core steps every entrepreneur needs to overhaul their brand and ultimately build something that feels authentic, aligned, and ready for growth.
Starting with six different logos and a misunified brand, Becky Escott led BKV through a transformation with the help of the guardrails process to define a clear story and vision. She launched the “Back to Our Values” campaign to build pride and employee ownership, turning the brand into something people could truly believe in.
As BKV grew and prepared for an IPO, she maintained consistent and credible messaging through campaigns like “It’s on” and “Innovating the Invisible,” proving that even complex ideas, such as decarbonization, could be made simple and relatable. Today, BKV stands as a unified brand that reflects alignment, belief, and long-term growth.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction: Building a Flexible Plan
00:37 Meet Becky Escot: The Brand Architect
01:20 Journey to BKV: A New Adventure
02:39 Building the BKV Brand
Leading Through Grit, Resilience, and Vision with Brian Reinsborough, President and CEO ReconAfrica
Episode 13
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 • Duration 41:44
A visionary executive with over 35 years of experience, Brian Reinsborough has established an exceptional record of strategic, leadership, and management success across the energy industry. But you don’t get that from playing small.
Throughout his career, he has developed and executed multiple business plans, including the launch of two Deepwater ventures in the Gulf of Mexico that have grown into industry-recognized programs. His expertise and forward-thinking leadership have resulted in the discovery of over 2.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), shaping the future of exploration and production in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Brian Reinsborough holds a PMD from Harvard Business School, an M.S. in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.S. in Geology from Mount Allison University. A finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year National Award in 2014, he has also successfully raised more than $2.5 billion in private equity funding, fueling innovation and growth within the sector.
Brian’s career is defined by his rare combination of scientific expertise, business acumen, and visionary leadership that continues to leave a lasting impact on the industry.
His secret? Having the drive to push through uncertainty, bouncing back from adversity, and betting on yourself even if you’re the only person in the room.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:16 Brian's Background and Career Journey
03:27 Challenges and Turnarounds at Recon
06:41 Navigating Uncertainty and Leadership
10:17 ReconAfrica's Business Model and Strategy
The Future of Talent Management and Company Succession with Laura Sorrell, Practice Leader at Sorrell
Episode 12
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 • Duration 44:18
What if your biggest career breakthrough came not from knowing the answer, but from daring to step into the unknown?
In business, it’s easy to think success comes from following the rules and sticking to what’s already been defined. But the real breakthroughs happen when you step into the undefined, when you’re willing to chart a course no one else has mapped yet. That’s where growth lives: in the courage to embrace ambiguity instead of resisting it.
Laura Sorrell learned this lesson early. At just 23, she was handed an assignment no one could explain and, armed with nothing but a roll of butcher paper, sketched out a framework that helped a global firm see its path forward.
From Houston’s oil boom to Silicon Valley’s biotech wave, she built a career on asking better questions, translating vision into action, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Her story is proof that the future isn’t something you wait to be handed, it’s something you help design.
As Laura puts it, lasting change doesn’t come from the top or the bottom alone. It happens “when leadership and teams stay in constant conversation, building the future together.”
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction and Quotes and Mentorship Around Leadership
00:35 Meet Laura Sorell: The Change Whisperer
00:58 Laura's Career Journey and Early Experiences
04:11 The Impact of Mentorship and Career Growth
07:51 Navigating Change in Various Industries
19:54 Identifying Ideal Candidates and Clients
22:47 Challenges in Articulating Future Goals
From Concert Halls to Capital Markets with Alison Moss, CEO at Paul Comstock Partners
Episode 11
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 • Duration 35:28
In business, one of the hardest skills to master, especially in a fast-moving capital market, isn’t knowing when to say yes; it’s knowing when to say no. Opportunities come knocking, and it’s tempting to answer every call, convinced that growth means grabbing at everything in reach. But more often than not, saying yes to the wrong things clutters your calendar, dilutes your value, and slows your momentum.
The real magic happens when you get clear on who you are, what you do best, and who you serve, and then have the courage to turn away from everything else. Every “no” becomes a way of protecting your time, energy, and resources for the work that truly matters. And every “yes” carries more weight because it’s intentional.
That’s exactly what Alison Moss and her team at Comstock Partners discovered. Once they gave themselves the license to say no, they cut out the distractions, doubled down on the right clients, and created the space to move forward with clarity and confidence.
As Alison puts it, the right strategy doesn’t just point you in the right direction; it’s “the key that unlocks the door” so you can push past whatever wall you’ve been running up against.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Comstock's Legacy
00:38 Meet Alison Moss: Artist, Advisor, and Industry Disruptor
01:07 What Comstock Partners Does—and Who They Serve
01:27 How Wealth Advisory Services Have Evolved
03:24 Alison’s Unexpected Path into Finance
04:47 Redesigning the Comstock Client Experience
05:32 Competing in a Crowded Wealth Market
07:29 Setting Strategic Guardrails for Smarter Growth
Transforming Organizations Through Conversation with Hilary Ware, Strategic Advisor and Executive Coach
Episode 10
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 • Duration 40:43
What if the secret to lasting change wasn’t bold new strategies, but a return to the basics: clarity, focus, and genuine human connection?
In business, it’s tempting to think transformation happens through sweeping initiatives and complex processes. But the leaders who succeed don’t try to change everything at once. They know that real impact comes from slowing down, listening more than you speak, and building cultures where values guide decisions and accountability fuels performance.
Hilary Ware has seen it across industries and boardrooms: when leaders overcomplicate change, they lose people. But when they keep it simple, set clear expectations, communicate consistently, and focus on what not to do, the organization finds its footing.
Her approach is equal parts rigor and empathy. By spending more time talking with employees, appreciating the chaos they face, and aligning around enduring values, Hilary shows that transformation doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It just has to feel human.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Change Management
00:35 Meet Hillary Ware: The Change Whisperer
00:59 Hillary's Career Journey
01:34 Transforming BP: The Outsourcing Journey
04:03 Challenges and Strategies at Bristow Helicopters
05:58 Lessons Learned in Change Management
12:31 Personal and Corporate Transformation
16:32 The Importance of Values and Behaviors in Organizations
37:38 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Disrupting a Competitive Market with Brett Haugh, Executive Committee Member of Lockton-Dunning Benefits
Episode 9
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 • Duration 42:36
What happens when a company stops chasing every lead and starts focusing only on the clients that truly fit?
In this episode, Brett Haugh shares how Employee Benefit Solutions (EBS) went from a small firm without a clear market position to an industry disruptor with a 75% close rate on competitive deals. When personal relationships could no longer sustain growth, Brett and his partner turned to Pennebaker to help them define exactly who they were, and who they weren’t, in the marketplace.
The turning point came with the creation of strategic “guardrails”, three non-negotiable criteria every prospective client had to meet: a professional HR leader, a CEO with a clear vision, and a business in significant change or disruption. That focus not only transformed their sales results but also aligned the entire team around shared priorities, measurable values, and a culture built for efficiency.
The results spoke for themselves. Retention jumped to 95%, competitors admitted they’d never seen anything like EBS’s market shake-up, and clients embraced their role as the “ass-bailing business,” helping companies solve urgent, complex problems.
Brett also shares his thoughts on the future, including how AI could revolutionize data analysis and the opportunity to simplify the healthcare system for employers and employees alike.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Guardrails in Business
00:39 The EBS Story: Building the Boat While Sailing
00:49 Aligning Sales and Core Values
01:09 Early Days of EBS: Inflection Points and Growth
03:42 Challenges in Client Acquisition and Retention
Leading Change That Builds Momentum with Kathleen Margolis, Client Account Manager at Black & Veatch
Episode 8
Monday, August 11, 2025 • Duration 40:40
When it comes to leading transformation, Kathleen Margolis, Client Account Manager at Black & Veatch, shows that real change doesn’t require a top-down mandate; it requires clarity, influence, and a relentless focus on the customer. In this episode, she shares how a legacy architecture firm moved from a dated identity to a purpose-driven brand rooted in trust and long-term vision. What started as a simple rebrand quickly became a cultural reset.
Transformation doesn’t stick unless it’s lived from the inside out. Through deep customer research and internal alignment, her team uncovered their strengths and doubled down. Narrowing their focus not only clarified their value but also sparked creativity, growth, and renewed confidence across the organization.
But as business owners and leaders, we know that change is never one-and-done, and the work is continuous. Kathleen reflects on a later failure where internal alignment was skipped, and the results were costly. It’s a reminder that successful change is built on evidence, buy-in, and humility. When done right, transformation is more than a logo rebrand; it’s one that sustains through the ever-evolving needs of your clients, your culture, and your market.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Scientific Methods in Business
00:35 Kathleen's Career Journey
01:53 Driving Change in Organizations
02:51 The Role of Branding and Rebranding
05:51 Voice of the Customer and Its Impact
08:09 Implementing Change and Overcoming Challenges
16:45 The Importance of Internal Buy-In
26:50 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
39:58 Conclusion and Call to Action
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When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations reveal what actually works, enabling you to think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations reveal what actually works, enabling you to think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations reveal what actually works, enabling you to think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
When growth is stagnant, culture’s a mess, the brand’s adrift, and the board wants miracles by Monday, Pennebaker’s podcast, Rethink Change, is where innovators and disruptors go for clarity.
Hosted by Founder Ward Pennebaker and President Matt Pennebaker, this podcast delivers sharp insights from battle-tested leaders who’ve navigated chaos and turned challenge into momentum. You’ll hear from executives from startups to global behemoths, from a wide range of industries. No fluff. All results. These conversations uncover what actually works, so you can think differently and act smarter.
