At 16, Mandy Salas was a nationally ranked soccer player, eagerly preparing to submit college applications and step into the next exciting phase of her life. All signs were a go to continue her soccer career — most likely at Stanford — until an event occurring during a summer trip to Argentina abruptly altered this trajectory. In her candid conversation with Ryan, Mandy reflects on her time in Argentina, the accident that left her a quadriplegic, and the profound adjustments she had to accept of...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 163
Start with what brings you alive. Kirk Souder is the Founder at Leadership for Impact, where he guides people and organizations to free themselves from any self-created limitations and barriers, and connects them to the deep authentic energy underneath. In his conversation with Ryan, Kirk delves into the depths of his personal journey, from confronting mortality at just 18 years old to unraveling the dichotomy between conditioned and unconditioned intelligence. The two discuss the transformative...
May 08, 2024•52 min•Ep. 162
When you appreciate the good, the good appreciates. These are the words of Brian Dubow who is the Founder and CEO of Hit of Happiness. In this conversation, Ryan and Brian unpack Ryan's week long “Happiness Challenge” which was a response to the World Happiness Report recently unveiling the United States now outside the top 20 in happiest countries. With the intent of helping listeners get small wins on their path to happy, Ryan pressure tests his four-step challenge by Brian. Brian also adds on...
May 01, 2024•35 min•Ep. 161
“If I’m not scared, I don’t know that I want to be doing it.” Amanda Dunks loves living outside her comfort zone. As Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Creative Development at Caesars Entertainment, she's been making waves in the gaming world for over 12 years. In her conversation with Ryan, Amanda shares her insights from navigating mergers, emphasizing the value of learning through trial by fire and the abandonment of the pursuit of perfection. She discusses her approach to hiring, pr...
Apr 24, 2024•41 min•Ep. 160
Leader. Fighter. Athlete. Believer. TV Personality. Purveyor of Human Rights. Mexican professional soccer star Janelly Farias is a powerhouse on and off the pitch. At 34 years old, she is thriving as a professional soccer player, defying odds and stereotypes in the male-dominated world of Mexican sports while currently playing center-mid for club Juárez in the Liga MX Femenil. With resilience for a backbone, she shares her winding journey navigating injuries and familial rejection while staying ...
Apr 17, 2024•57 min•Ep. 159
In today's ever-changing work landscape, being adaptable is more important than ever. Corey and his team at PrismWork specialize in helping brands and leaders navigate the complexities of modern leadership, creating inclusive environments where everyone can succeed. Recently taking on his brave new role as CEO, Corey chats with Ryan about how he balances staying connected with his team while handling his endless list of responsibilities. He opens up about the challenge of stepping out of his com...
Apr 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 158
Hailing from the UK, Nick Bell's childhood consisted of collecting soccer stickers of his favorite athletes. As an adult, he’s transitioned this passion to trading cards, reigning as CEO of Fanatics Live, the foremost platform for sports card breaking. Having previously held positions at tech giants Google and Snap, Nick delves into how he's using data to capitalize on the resurgence of the collectible trading card market. Ryan and Nick explore the intricacies of building relationships with icon...
Apr 03, 2024•53 min•Ep. 157
Wayne Partello's journey is a testament of his versatility, persistence and resilience. Spanning from his graduation from the police academy at 19 to establishing a thriving DJ business, and later, a decade-long stint in sports with the Miami Dolphins and the San Diego Padres, Wayne now has a business of his own as the founder of his growing marketing firm, CUENTO. In his conversation with Ryan, the two swap stories of "figure-it-out-ability," advocating for patience and perseverance when tackli...
Mar 27, 2024•54 min•Ep. 156
While most of us were sleeping, the San Diego Padres were kicking off a new season on the other side of the world this week in South Korea. Joining them for the first of 150 baseball games he’ll witness this year is seasoned sports journalist Kevin Acee. With over 30 years of experience, Acee remains a road warrior as the Padres beat writer at The San Diego Union-Tribune. Despite his extensive career, baseball remains his true passion, marveling at the privilege of watching, writing, and discuss...
Mar 20, 2024•56 min•Ep. 155
Imagine spending a career helping brands figure out who they were only to wake up one day in a panic wondering who you were ? Bonnie Wan, a powerhouse in the brand strategy world, experienced just this. While she has made a living molding narratives for Pepsi, BMW, and California Milk Processor Board ‘Got Milk?’, more recently she found herself in need of locking in her own powerful narrative. Hence, “The Life Brief” was born. Now? Her bestselling book, ‘The Life Brief’, derived from her experie...
Mar 13, 2024•47 min•Ep. 154
Michael Bungay Stanier is at the forefront of shaping how organizations around the world make being coach-like an essential leadership competency. He is the author behind The Coaching Habit , the best-selling coaching book of the century. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone , shows how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work. In his conversation with Ryan, Michael dives into some of his best advice for writing a “really good” book that not only educ...
Mar 06, 2024•41 min•Ep. 153
From exploring the farthest reaches of the planet to experiencing a life-changing accident, Albert Lin’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and unwavering courage. Albert is, quite literally, a modern-day high-tech explorer, blurring the boundaries between man and machine while redefining how we explore our own humanity. In his conversation with Ryan, Albert takes listeners on an awe-inspiring journey through his life and adventures, from sleeping in his car to save money, to near-death expe...
Feb 28, 2024•58 min•Ep. 152
It’s 3:30am. While most of us are still asleep, Tom Braun is in mid routine running his daily 5 miles, contemplating what it takes to push boundaries, win over Los Angeles, and redefine success in the world of Major League Soccer. In this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Ryan sits down with Tom as he prepares for a new MLS season - his first as President of the LA Galaxy. Tom and team kick off their season this Sunday at home against none other than Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and David Beckham....
Feb 21, 2024•32 min•Ep. 151
Blasting their satellites into space? Just another day for Viasat; a company known for consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation. Whether pioneering the latest advancements in satellite technology or extending high-speed internet access to remote and underserved regions, recent Vice Chairman Rick Baldridge has been an indispensable and straight-shooting force at Viasat over the past two decades. In his conversation with Ryan, Rick offers a glimpse into his incredible career at Viasat, di...
Feb 14, 2024•47 min•Ep. 150
As the President and CEO of College Track, the nation's foremost college completion program, Dr. Shirley Collado is realizing her dream of advancing equity and educational justice for underserved students and communities. With a distinguished background as President Emerita of Ithaca College, where she became its first president of color, Dr. Collado brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her mission. In their conversation, Dr. Collado and Ryan delve into the imperative need for courage...
Feb 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 149
As the official soft drink of the NBA and WNBA, you've likely encountered the vibrant yellow and green Starry logo gracing sidelines and megatrons nationwide. Serving as the Head of Brand Marketing for Starry at PepsiCo, Michael Smith stands as a pivotal force behind the innovative partnerships that have propelled Starry to its current rapid success. Engaging in a conversation with Ryan, Michael delves into the strategic choice of the NBA as the brand's launch partner and shares insights on the ...
Jan 31, 2024•47 min•Ep. 148
Bill Neff loves a good adventure. As VP of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Experience at YETI, he's on a quest for two R’s: Realness and Relevance. In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Bill and Ryan delve into the art of forging genuine connections with audiences. They get into details about certain tactics and strategies Bill has successfully implemented in his role at YETI, contributing to the brand's evolution from a hunting and fishing-centric company to the household name it is to...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 147
Listed among the "30 Most Creative Women in Advertising" by Business Insider , Xanthe Wells is a driving force wherever she may be. Since joining Pinterest (from Google) in November 2022, Xanthe has been a key player behind the brand's creative evolution, introducing a new era of product-focused creative endeavors that have not only elevated the quality standard but also bolstered Pinterest's standing in the industry. In a candid conversation with host Ryan Berman, Xanthe delves into the dynamic...
Jan 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 146
Brad Meltzer is an Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author, screenwriter, and host of his own TV Show on the History Channel. He is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction, Advice, Children’s Books, and even comic books, for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award. In his conversation with Ryan, Brad speaks on how the words “Sorry, kiddo” have helped provide motivation throughout his writing career. Brad also touches on his belief that reg...
Jan 10, 2024•58 min•Ep. 145
John Assaraf is a 2x NY Times Best Selling Author, has been featured in 11 movies including “The Secret”, and is the CEO of NeuroGym, a neuroscience based coaching and training company that helps members strengthen their mindset and skills to achieve their biggest goals. In his conversation with Ryan, John gives an overview of his journey from a troublesome high schooler on the brink of academic failure to the epitome of success and discipline. John also speaks on the importance of rehearsing fo...
Jan 03, 2024•55 min•Ep. 144
We’re excited for our second annual Year End Special where we switch things up a bit. This year Ryan is joined by his two partners at Courageous; Nicole Miller and Billy Collins. Together, they’ll represent the three pillars of Courage: Knowledge (Billy), Faith (Ryan), and Action (Nicole) as they are joined by three MYSTERY guests. Taking a cue from Smartless , each mystery guest will have an opportunity to both ask, and be asked, surprise questions. Some of the many topics covered include takin...
Dec 27, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 143
“Dance! Nothing left for me to do but dance. Off these bad times I'm going through, just dance!” - Jamiroquai Mom. Marketer. Ball Room Dancer. Care-giving Nurse? In a blink, much had to change in the life of the multi-talented, marketing extraordinaire Erin Levzow since her last appearance on the Courageous Podcast. At work, she left tacos for a sweeter treat, now serving as the CMO at MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM where she helps all transcend into play to create unforgettable memories. As we must never ...
Dec 20, 2023•53 min•Ep. 142
Discovering what lights you up can be a dark journey. Mary Olson-Menzel helps leaders by shining a flashlight on their path to help them illuminate where they want to go. As an Expert Coach, Facilitator, Speaker, and Author, Mary excels in fostering businesses grounded in profound connections, excellence, and sustained inspiration. In her conversation with Ryan, Mary delves into the art of cutting through the noise to gain crystal-clear insights into leadership aspirations. The two explore the c...
Dec 13, 2023•43 min•Ep. 141
Starting his career as an Aerospace Engineer where he launched 84 astronauts into space, Neal Bloom now spends his time launching tech companies. As a Managing Partner at Interlock Capital, Neal helps find, evaluate, fund, and support the best technology companies through their venture fund and angel investor syndicate. In his conversation with Ryan, Neal drops lots of gems for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. He touches on the notion that not all money is created equal, reminding list...
Dec 06, 2023•51 min•Ep. 140
Change is an inevitable force, and over the span of 16 years, Ruth Hughes has witnessed a significant transformation both in the world and her career at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg's). Currently serving as the General Manager in Europe of High Growth Markets, Ruth oversees operations across 28 countries, steering the ship for iconic brands such as Pringles, Rice Krispies, and Pop Tarts, among many others. Connecting with Ryan from her home in Ireland, Ruth sheds light on the intricacies of manag...
Nov 29, 2023•45 min•Ep. 139
What’s it like to board a rocket ship? Just ask Morgan Buehler Zanotti. Morgan was in the flight deck as Co-Founder & President of Primal Kitchen through its explosive growth from 0-50 million in just 3 years. In her conversation with host Ryan Berman, Morgan takes us on the journey from her plans to start a surf-yoga retreat in South America, to leading Primal Kitchen’s acquisition by Kraft-Heinz in 2018. Almost five years to the day of the purchase, Morgan recounts the plan she and her co-...
Nov 22, 2023•47 min•Ep. 138
0-7 at home the year before. The 2nd and 3rd pick of last year's NFL draft. A first time Head Coach. The Houston Texans seemed to be moving in the wrong direction. At best? A slow cooked rebuild that could take 1000 days. But the NFL and its fans learned fast that this was anything but the truth. On this episode of The Courageous Podcast, we get a front row seat to witness a revamped culture that have helped land the 5-4 Texans in the smack of a playoff hunt. We're joined by Chief Marketing &...
Nov 15, 2023•47 min•Ep. 137
Over the past 4 years, Andrew Vassiliadis has been living a love story. Serving as Chairman of the San Diego Loyal SC, a team that was founded with soccer legend Landon Donovan, Andrew remained loyal to his mission of bringing professional soccer back to San Diego. In a candid conversation with Ryan, Andrew shares “all the feels” including his courageous decision to sunset his club with the arrival of a new San Diego MLS franchise set to debut in 2025. As the team played its final match on Octob...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 136
At the tender age of 11, Christopher Knight was a ubiquitous presence on small screens across America, portraying the iconic character Peter Brady. Fast forward to today, and Christopher has embarked on a new cinematic journey as the Co-founder of Former Prodigy Media, a production company he established alongside the two-time Emmy Award-nominated producer, Phil Viardo. In his conversation with host Ryan Berman, Christopher offers listeners an exclusive glimpse into his latest endeavor, "Truelov...
Nov 01, 2023•46 min•Ep. 135
Be the change . Meryl Rosenthal is the CEO and Co-founder of FlexPaths, a company that has chaperoned meaningful change within organizations such as Guardian, Ameritas, The Greater Boston Food Bank, and many more. For over two decades, Meryl and her team have brought future-of-work innovation, inspiration, and agility to today’s workplaces, advocating for flexible work before it was “cool”. In her conversation with Ryan, Meryl speaks on the many courageous moves leaders had to make during the pa...
Oct 25, 2023•44 min•Ep. 134
