Unserious

When people feel seen, heard, and needed at work, everything shifts. Motivation, performance, retention and well-being all improve. Too often that sense of significance is missing, and the cost to teams and organizations is massive.In this episode, we talk with Zach Mercurio, author of The Power of Mattering, about how leaders can create cultures where people genuinely feel valued. We explore:- The difference between mattering, belonging, and self-esteem- What happens when people feel invisible at work and how to prevent it- The everyday practices leaders can use to help people feel significant - Why in the age of AI, our ability to care for one another will be the most essential skill"Mattering happens through interactions, not through awards, perks or programs. Our next great leadership act is in our next interaction." - Zach MercurioPrefer video? Watch on YouTube or Spotify.Check out Zach's book, as well as free a self-assessment and templates at zachmercurio.com. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

In uncertain times, many leaders play it safe: cutting risks, pulling back, and aiming for stability. But what if the better move is to be bold? In our latest Unserious episode, Puck News CEO Sarah Personette reveals how they practice courageous leadership by betting big and speaking up when much of the media world plays it safe by avoiding the line of fire. We unpack why news still matters, the business Puck is building, and how her team covers a White House that has moved from threatening news organizations to extorting them for cash and silence."Courage is a strategy, not a risk. We would all benefit from leading our lives with that perspective." - Sarah PersonetteWatch the full video version on YouTube or Spotify.Follow Sarah on LinkedIn and sign up at Puck.news.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

We invest so much time in building a portfolio of skills, experiences, a network of friends, a body of meaningful work - that many of us overlook the critical work of understanding and accepting ourselves. In this episode, J.B. and Molly talk to Helen Min of True Ventures about the impact of avoiding that work and the powerful force-multiplier for good it can be in our lives."It wasn't like one day I woke up and found my mojo, and then I started to join podcasts like this and talk about it. It was a process of finding where can I start out with the most confidence possible." - Helen MinWatch the full video version on YouTube or Spotify.Follow Helen on X or LinkedIn and check out the Great Chat Podcast at GreatChatPod.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Most companies are implementing AI backwards: they're starting with the technology and hoping their people will figure out how to use it. For the season opener of Unserious recorded live at the Meltwater Summit, J.B. and Molly sit down with Jennifer Kattula, CMO of Microsoft Advertising who revealed why the organizations actually succeeding with generative AI are doing the exact opposite. They're starting with their people. Follow Jennifer on LinkedIn and check out Microsoft Advertising to revolutionize your ad creation experience with Copilot.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

How many of you have that idea for a great business nagging you in the back of your head? The one that you just know will make the judges on Shark Tank swoon? Or maybe it’s another idea altogether… writing a book, an adventure, going back to school to pivot your career? What is it that urges us to take that leap of faith and move forward? It’s not always about a perfectly executed plan. Sometimes it’s about resilience, having the right people around you, and more than a little bit of hustle.In this final episode of season 3, J.B. and Molly kick off their shoes with Bianca to talk about what it takes to turn an idea into a thriving brand, the lessons she carried from Facebook into her own company, and why community is everything in business and in life."I never put pressure on myself to start a company. It was like this nagging thing I had to figure out if I could solve." - Bianca GatesFollow Bianca on Instagram @biancagates and check out Birdies at birdies.com.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

We all love a comeback story, and live comedy is one of the biggest to emerge from the pandemic. It offer us what we crave more than ever: shared experience, community, and levity. But how does that work in an era when social media has become a comedian's most begrudgingly important platform?In this episode, J.B. and Molly talk with Danny Frenkel, founder and CEO of PunchUp Live, a platform revolutionizing how comedians connect with their audiences. From his roots in advertising to the grind of startup life, Danny shares what it takes to turn a creative vision into reality. This is a candid exploration of the sacrifices and rewards of following one's dreams, seasoned with wisdom on embracing creativity and the unpredictable nature of the entrepreneurial journey."Find something that you care so insanely passionately about that you're willing to put in all the work. Because, again, the only thing that I know is you've really gotta work hard." - Danny Frenkel Check out punchup.live to connect with some of your favorite comedians, like Larry David, Michelle Wood, Roy Wood Jr., Tom Segura, and Aparna Nancherla! Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

They say the average person sees something like 10K ads per day. A constant flood of messages and hooks, all vying for a sliver of our attention. So what does it take to be noticed? To be memorable? To be relevant? One way is to create moments that aren’t just seen, but are lived.In this episode, J.B. explores the extraordinary with Judy Lee, Senior Director of Global Brand Experiences at Pinterest. The conversation is packed with ideas for live events and experiences that work in a new era where inspiration and authenticity take center stage. "It's not as much about 'let me take a photo of me being somewhere.' It's more about 'I want to experience something authentic...' We always have to think about who are we serving, how can we be additive to their lives?" - Judy LeeFollow Judy on LinkedIn and Instagram @judyleebk. Mentioned in this episode:North West / Daniel Roseberry take Pinterest Predicts Pinterest Manifestival Pinterest PresentsProducer and editor: Micah VonoStory producer and editor: Sarah KuckAssociate producer: Justin ToyFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Preparing for the future doesn’t make a lot of sense at a time when the unknowns feel like they outnumber the knowns. Nowadays we encourage our young people to be quick on their feet and have transferable skills. But what if instead of waiting for the future to happen, we could take an active role in designing it? What would it take to develop the mindset, imagination, and skills, to shape futures that are equitable, creative, and sustainable?In this episode, J.B. and Molly explore the process of shaping our futures through creativity and empathy with Laura McBain, Managing Director of the Stanford d.school and author of the book My Favorite Failure. "Our job is helping people recover the imagination they've always had. How do I not just imagine what that world might be, but how could I start building toward it?" - Laura McBainYou can follow Laura on LinkedIn to see her, in her words, "repost with no comment." Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Ryan Modjeski, a tech leader and former CEO of Empatico, dives into the power of empathy and its teachability. He discusses the vital role emotional intelligence plays in children's education, advocating for a shift from STEM to skills fostering compassion. Modjeski also shares insights from his unique career journey, blending creativity with operational success. A fun twist unfolds as he plays a game choosing between iconic children's TV hosts, adding a nostalgic touch. The conversation underscores empathy's significance in personal growth and meaningful connections.

Building a movement is truly an art form; one without a single formula or method. It takes more than strategy, and a lot more than just having a great idea. When a movement starts to click, you can feel it. The cogs begin to turn themselves, then turn each other, and the whole thing starts to move as something that’s bigger than any one of its parts. In this episode, J.B. and Molly go behind the scenes of social change initiatives with Eric Waldo, president and CEO of the District of Columbia College Access Program and the former executive director of Michelle Obama's Reach Higher program."What's our 'why?' What's the story and how can we tell it in a way that may move people where they have been cynical or skeptical before?" - Eric WaldoYou can follow Eric Waldo on LinkedIn and learn more about his work at dccap.org.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.