Episode 2: Bald Truths, Springsteen Obsessions, and Running the Distance with Jeff Perkins

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Perkins to talk about everything but work—or at least, that’s the goal. From embracing baldness to marathon training to Bruce Springsteen concerts, we cover it all. There’s plenty of humor, life lessons, and takeaways that sneak into the conversation.

1. The Bald Truth
   Jeff shares his journey of accepting baldness after trying every hair-loss treatment under the sun. Spoiler: shaving your head saves a ton of time, and a good razor (or a great ad for one) makes all the difference.

2. Springsteen’s Secret Sauce
   Jeff is a diehard Bruce Springsteen fan with 34 concerts under his belt. He breaks down why Bruce’s ability to connect deeply with his audience inspires him both personally and professionally. Pro tip: Jeff’s marathon playlists feature Born to Run and Badlands to keep him moving.

3. Running as the Ultimate Reset Button
   Running isn’t just exercise for Jeff—it’s therapy. After a couple of missed chances to run the NYC Marathon in his twenties, he finally crossed the finish line years later. Now, he swears by the mental clarity, stress relief, and resilience he gets from hitting the pavement.

4. Leadership Through Optimism
   Jeff shares how he navigated leading ParkMobile during a turbulent time. His secret? Optimism, a killer team, and the mindset that tough times are always temporary. (And yes, he talks about the head trash we all deal with—and how to not let it sink you.)

5. Good Isn’t Good Enough
   Whether it’s building ad campaigns or preparing for board meetings, Jeff is a big believer in not settling. His motto? Push back, iterate, and refine until the work is great. You’ll hear why this approach, though painful at times, makes all the difference.

6. Fitness as a Leadership Hack
   Jeff credits daily exercise for making him a better leader. Whether he’s running, crushing it on his Peloton, or hitting up group classes like Orange Theory, fitness gives him energy, focus, and balance in a chaotic world.

• Jeff and I spend way too much time debating razors, electric shavers, and how not to nick yourself shaving your head.
• We come dangerously close to launching a podcast for bald guys. Working title: Bald Guyz.

Jeff is always dropping insights (and running stories) on LinkedIn. Connect with him there if you want to learn more.