Unserious

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.

A recurring theme on this show is that of the rapidly changing world. Some thrive in the energy that fast-paced change can bring—new challenges, new ideas—while others feel overwhelmed or left behind. But it’s in these uncomfortable moments of change that we find real growth and transformation.In this episode, J.B. uncovers the elements of adaptation with corporate innovator Chris Majer, founder of the Human Potential Project and author of the best-selling book, The Power to Transform: Your New Future Awaits. Listen in as Chris explains the power of  the "Popeye moment"—when we decide we can’t stay the same anymore and embrace the changes that help us adapt and thrive."What am I committed to and what's the story that I live in about life? And every once in a while you've got to change your story.” - Chris MajerEngage with Chris' work at humanpotentialproject.com, YouTube and Instagram.The Power to Transform: Your New Future Awaits is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

This week is election week in the United States, and power has shifted. So we're revisiting this episode with Ebele Okobi on the Dynamics of Power, originally aired on March 21, 2024. Take a listen and take good care out there."My interest in power is, how do I bring people with me? How do I use this power to create a more radically loving world?" - Ebele Okobi You can connect with Ebele on LinkedIn and Instagram.  Mentioned in this episode: The Igbo have no king 2022 Venice Biennale Chinedu Valentine Okobi Sabbatical ProgramThe Future Plate (African & Caribbean Catering)Loophole of Retreat symposiumFollow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Everyone is trying to influence something or someone to get the outcomes they want, even when we’re not actively thinking about it. As humans we’re hardwired to persuade - at work, in relationships, negotiating dinner. Influence shapes the way we move through the world. But what is it exactly? In this episode, J.B. and Molly are joined by Bess Kennedy, former corporate litigator and the Founding Executive Director of the Aspire Public Schools Foundation to explore the elements of persuasion."What do people want out of this work? And it can't just be my vision, it can't just be what I want. I don't want to be the tail that wags the dog." - Bess KennedyConnect with Bess on LinkedIn or Instagram @bknyca.Apply for the Aspire Public School Board See the letter from Bess' parent committee on Instagram!Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Since the pandemic began, it seems like everyone’s favorite topic is "the future of work." But in all the talk about return to office, remote work, and Zoom fatigue, are we missing the headline here? In 2023, the number of number of independent workers in the US quadrupled to 64 million - that’s 45% of the American workforce. In this episode, J.B. talks with Noah Lang, founder of Stride Health, the leader of portable benefits for independent workers, to find out what's behind this trend and what it takes to build a company that meets the needs of this incredibly fast growing sector." Fundamentally, what's driving the independent economy is people want more flexibility...  we've just kept trying to knock down problems that people who work for themselves have to solve." - Noah LangConnect with Noah on LinkedIn and X, and check out stridehealth.com for open enrollment beginning November 1.Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.