Alexi Lalas. Naomi Girma. Tim Howard. Landon Donovan. Richard Motzkin has been there representing each of them throughout their careers as their Sports Agent. In this conversation with Ryan, Rich recalls his journey of quitting big-firm law to become U.S. Soccer’s first in-house counsel, and how that leap led to his own agency which began before Major League Soccer even had a name. He explains how the early days of MLS felt like a startup, complete with fax machines and jersey swaps that exposed...
Jul 09, 2025•44 min•Ep. 223
Dr. Jonah Essers fights insurance red tape with the same rigor he once brought to genetic research at Columbia and Harvard. In this conversation with Ryan, he explains how his blunt LinkedIn posts—naming pharmacy-benefit managers and citing peer-reviewed data—have forced billion-dollar payers to reverse drug denials within hours, delivering treatments that 45-day appeals would delay. He recalls the day a hospital CMO tried to silence him but, after hearing the evidence, granted full support. Rya...
Jul 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 222
Dr. Christopher Bader has spent a decade mapping the nation’s anxieties through the Chapman Survey of American Fears, and the picture he paints is as revealing as it is sobering. In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Dr. Bader explains why “corrupt government officials” has topped the list since 2014, how media algorithms amplify our sense of danger, and why withdrawing from public life only makes neighborhoods less safe. He shares the survey’s most startling insight - that most Americans w...
Jun 25, 2025•47 min•Ep. 221
Kass and Mike Lazerow run companies the way great doubles teams win tennis matches: Kass owns the baseline of operations while Mike roams the net hunting openings -- neither drifts into the other’s court. In their conversation with Ryan, they unpack their new baby of a book; Shoveling $h!t, what they describe as an entrepreneurial love story and deeply personal playbook that distills eight ventures and nearly $10 billion in exits into fifty straight-talk lessons any founder can lift. Kass shows ...
Jun 18, 2025•54 min•Ep. 220
Jason Schulweis isn’t content cheering equality from the sidelines. One year into his post as Chief Commercial Officer at The Female Quotient, he’s using a revenue playbook rooted in allyship, empathy, and measurable results. In his chat with Ryan, he shares how the role allows him to model hands-on advocacy for his four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. Jason unpacks the business engine behind The Female Quotient’s mission, demonstrating how companies across industries can drive growth wh...
Jun 11, 2025•45 min•Ep. 219
Eric Gibson believes that the future of golf starts where a player's fingers meet the club. As CCO of Golf Pride, he is redefining the grip as 'equipment for the hands.' It's a widely-accepted shift by Tour professionals, as Golf Pride grips were used by approximately 90% of competitors at the 2025 Masters. He tells Ryan why he hires non-golfers to keep ideas fresh and why he supports innovative formats, like short courses, creator leagues, and even two-hour rounds. Eric explains his mantra of '...
Jun 04, 2025•54 min•Ep. 218
MJ DePalma sees marketing as an act of human connection, not a numbers game. As Head of Marketing with Purpose at Microsoft, she helped turn the phrase “inclusion is personalization” into a company-wide growth playbook, and a case study in countless business schools. In her conversation with Ryan, MJ revisits the day Satya Nadella’s growth-mindset culture lured her back to Microsoft, and explains why every KPI should ladder to a single mission. MJ also warns that a two-degree course error in AI ...
May 28, 2025•50 min•Ep. 217
Emily Bond turns life-quakes into page-turners, turning chemo rooms into writing rooms and everyday crises into bestselling fiction. In her conversation with Ryan, Emily shares how a surprise Stage 2 breast-cancer diagnosis collided with a two-year-old at her feet, and how she finished her “magical realism rom-com” Sort of Seeing Someone between infusions. She explains the mental trick that kept her buzzing her hair with a toddler by her side, and offers blunt advice on talking to friends who ar...
May 21, 2025•51 min•Ep. 216
Picture a weary parent stepping through a hospital door and finding a warm kitchen, a quiet bed, and a team that already knows their child’s name. Katie Fitzgerald, Global President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities, joins Ryan to explain how she is scaling that welcome across sixty-two countries, and sketches a clear plan for doubling the number of families RMHC can house and support worldwide. Katie recalls hard-won lessons from guiding Feeding America through the pandemic’s first sho...
May 14, 2025•55 min•Ep. 215
Some people survive disruption; Patrick Leddin reverse‑engineers it for sport. Now he’s teamed with the world’s best‑selling author, James Patterson, to turn chaos into a step‑by‑step field manual. In this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Patrick explains to Ryan how a college dropout became a Ranger, a CEO, and a Vanderbilt professor. He explains why he quit tenure to write Disrupt Everything with James Patterson, and how hundreds of interviews showed him that disruption is raw material, not ...
May 07, 2025•53 min•Ep. 214
Jason Feifer has turned pattern-spotting into a super-power: on the page, on stage, and on LinkedIn’s daily feed. In his conversation with Ryan, Jason, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine, author of Build for Tomorrow , host of the million-download podcast Help Wanted , and writer of the 65-thousand-subscriber newsletter One Thing Better , breaks down how he turns vague ambitions into clear, repeatable systems. He explains the “fresh-brain” morning ritual that powers his content engine, the...
Apr 30, 2025•28 min•Ep. 213
After a 30 hour flight to Kathmandu, Len Forkas, joins The Courageous Podcast before his daunting task of climbing Mount Everest to help raise awareness and funds for kids battling cancer. Len is the Founder of Milestone Towers, a Seven‑Summits contender, and Chairman of the foundation, Hopecam. In his conversation with Ryan, Len traces the moment his eight‑year‑old son asked, “Am I going to die?” and how that question sparked a mission now connecting 5,500+ children with cancer to their classma...
Apr 23, 2025•44 min•Ep. 212
Aaron Starkman’s award shelves are overflowing, but it’s the process behind the honors that truly fascinates him. Currently leading Rethink as Global Chief Creative Officer, Aaron guided the fiercely independent agency to become the most awarded in the world, clinching Independent Network & Agency of the Year at Cannes, The One Show, the Andys, and more in 2024. His creative direction has spurred viral hits like Coors Light’s “Light’s Out” and Heinz’s “Draw Ketchup,” with mainstream outlets ...
Apr 16, 2025•51 min•Ep. 211
As former Global Head of Marketing at TikTok, Nick Tran transformed the company from an upstart app into a global cultural phenomenon, earning it Ad Age’s Marketer of the Year in 2021. A marketing executive with a knack for steering high visibility brands, he also drove revivals at Hulu, Samsung, and Taco Bell, always aiming to keep companies culturally on point. Now, he’s stepping into a new chapter as president and CMO of a spirits venture backed by Diageo’s Ciroc and LeBron James’s tequila br...
Apr 09, 2025•56 min•Ep. 210
Why settle for corporate ‘mission statements’ when you can spark a movement? Thomas Kolster has made it his life’s work to help Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and governments discover exactly who they can help their audiences become. As the founder of the Goodvertising Agency, a recognized global thinker at the intersection of marketing, business, and sustainability, and author of two provocative books— Goodvertising and The Hero Trap —he challenges companies to stop obsessing over their “why...
Apr 02, 2025•53 min•Ep. 209
What happens when a star chemical engineering student from India becomes one of the world’s most lauded marketers? In this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Raja Rajamannar reveals how a serendipitous moment shifted him from scientific problem-solver to “accidental marketer,” igniting a diverse career that has spanned financial services, consumer-packaged goods, and healthcare at powerhouses including Unilever, Citigroup, Anthem, and Mastercard. Raja currently serves as Mastercard's Chief Marke...
Mar 26, 2025•49 min•Ep. 208
Agnelo Fernandes didn’t set out to become a CEO in the hospitality industry, but his background in finance and marketing gave him the perfect foundation to lead courageously with strategy, and heart. Now, as CEO of COTE Hospitality, Agnelo is focused on inspiring his team, elevating guest experiences, and fostering a people-first culture. In this conversation with Ryan, Agnelo shares the power of authentic leadership, reminding us that “the speed (and sprit) of the leader is the speed (spirit) o...
Mar 19, 2025•57 min•Ep. 207
When a high-flying tech sales career left him drained and unfulfilled, Tim Perreira realized it was time for a drastic change. Throughout his rise to President’s Club accolades, top-tier leadership roles, and hefty stock options, he buried stress and anxiety until it pushed him to an alarming low point. Now, Tim is certain that genuine toughness begins with raw vulnerability—and a willingness to admit when you need help. In his conversation with Ryan, he shares the bold plan fueling his next cha...
Mar 12, 2025•46 min•Ep. 206
Co-founding one of the world’s most successful ad agencies, Anomaly, would be a dream moment for most—but for Jason Deland, it has simply been part of his journey. In this conversation with Ryan, Jason shares how his father’s no-nonsense mantra, “What’s really going on here?”, has fueled his relentless approach to business and beyond. He breaks down the grit and guts behind building one of today’s most iconic agencies—home to groundbreaking campaigns for Budweiser, Beats by Dre, Dick’s Sporting ...
Mar 05, 2025•59 min•Ep. 205
Fear. It can flat out paralyze us. It can halt us in our tracks and make us feel small unless we stand up and face it head on . That is exactly what Michelle Poler decided to do as the creator of the “100 Days Without Fear” challenge. Michelle has tackled everything from cliff-diving to diving with sharks to conquering deeper fears of rejection and judgment. In this conversation with host Ryan Berman, Michelle invites us to do the latter through her signature question, “ What’s the best that can...
Feb 26, 2025•44 min•Ep. 204
Picture an era when advertising didn’t just sell products—it shaped culture. That’s the legacy Ron Berger helped build, from co-founding the 700-person agency MVBMS with Tom Messner, Barry Vetere, Louise McNamee, and Bob Schmetter to penning era-defining taglines like “Time to Make the Donuts” and “Subway Eat Fresh.” In this episode, Ryan reconnects with his former boss to explore how Ron helped launch Adweek and nurtured a culture of candid collaboration over empty hierarchies. Drawing a line b...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 203
From assembling elite teams at Ford Motor Company and Sun Microsystems to navigating the high standards of Bridgewater Associates, Steve Fitzgerald has honed the craft of leadership—yet every other day, you’ll find him carving through fresh powder in the Rocky Mountains. As a seasoned HR leader, startup advisor, and board member, Steve has spent three decades weaving together people and profits, championing both efficient business outcomes and more fulfilling personal lives. In this episode, Rya...
Feb 12, 2025•50 min•Ep. 202
Marian Salzman is a celebrated global thought leader, trendspotter, and author credited with popularizing “metrosexuality” and helping launch the worldwide #GivingTuesday movement. Over three decades, she’s guided top brands through cultural transformations and now serves as Senior Vice President at Philip Morris International, championing a smoke-free future. In her conversation with Ryan, Marian reveals the driving forces behind her 30th—and final—annual trends report, shining a light on the r...
Feb 05, 2025•46 min•Ep. 201
The Courageous Podcast celebrates its 200th episode! For our 100th, we had our oldest guest ever, 100-year-old George Krumme. Now, for this milestone, we’re flipping the script by featuring our youngest guests yet: Ryan’s own kids, 12-year-old Micah and 9-year-old Mackenzie. In this milestone episode, the siblings share fresh insights on bravery—from conquering stage fright to taking literal leaps of courage at Sky Zone. They also turn the tables on their dad, grilling him on how he’s embraced h...
Jan 29, 2025•45 min•Ep. 200
One of the worst parts of the job for many? Figuring out pricing. If you’ve ever had to price anything , this is a must listen episode. Blair Enns is the visionary behind Win Without Pitching , the organization that’s rewritten the rules on how expert advisors and creatives close deals. As the author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and Pricing Creativity , plus co-host of the 2Bobs Podcast , Blair has redefined integrity-based selling and value-based pricing for countless leaders. In this ...
Jan 22, 2025•49 min•Ep. 199
Reggie Butler is a transformative leader whose work spans over 36 years, empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their highest potential. As the CEO of Performance Paradigm, he has influenced thousands across industries, from finance to tech, with his expertise in leadership development, equity, and inclusion. In this episode with Ryan, Reggie dives into the 4G Blueprint: Growth, Grit, Gratitude, and Grace—four guiding principles that have been the foundation of his remarkable ...
Jan 16, 2025•48 min•Ep. 198
Dilan Gomih has always been driven to perform at the highest level, but it wasn't until her time on Wall Street that she realized the critical link between well-being and peak performance. After working intense 90-hour weeks in finance, she discovered fitness as a tool to thrive, not just survive. This realization led her to found Dilagence, where she now helps organizations and individuals integrate movement and wellness strategies into their daily routines for better energy, productivity, and ...
Jan 08, 2025•45 min•Ep. 197
If Thelma and Louis were reincarnated, it’s quite possible they’ve come back in the bodies of Kirsten Ludwig and Chris Danton. As partners and co-founders of IN GOOD CO, Kirsten and Chris have crafted badass strategies for companies like Pinterest, Zappos, and Mars, helping them stand out in crowded industries. In this conversation, we dive into their trend-filled Substack —GOOD THINKING —where they reach over 15,000 C-suite executives and creatives worldwide. We also discuss their unapologetic ...
Jan 01, 2025•55 min•Ep. 196
We’re thrilled to bring you the third annual Year End Special of the Courageous Podcast! This year, Ryan is once again joined by his partners at Courageous representing the three pillars of Courage: Knowledge (Billy Collins), Faith (Ryan), and Action (Nicole Miller). But the fun doesn’t stop there—this episode features three mystery guests — a mentor, a sports legend, and a Fortune 500 Kenvue executive — who each bring their unique perspectives and surprises to the conversation. Along the way, t...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 195
Jeff Ragovin is a visionary entrepreneur who’s turned industry shake-ups into his playground. From co-founding Buddy Media, which led to a $745M acquisition by Salesforce, to steering Semasio through a high-stakes rebrand and acquisition by Samba TV, Jeff has mastered the art of navigating complex transformations with grit and a strategic eye. In this episode, Jeff dives into his journey of leadership, from making the tough calls during a company pivot to having radical, transparent conversation...
Dec 18, 2024•55 min•Ep. 194
