
Rapid Response
The pace of change in our culture is unprecedented and shows no signs of slowing. So what is most important to pay attention to when striving to innovate, create, and lead? From the team behind Masters of Scale, Rapid Response features candid conversations with today's top business leaders navigating real-time challenges. Hosted by the former editor-in-chief of Fast Company, Bob Safian.
Latest episodes

Jan 24, 2025 • 28min
Netflix’s wins, Meta’s shifts, and Changemakers, with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin
From Netflix’s new blockbuster earnings report to controversial moves announced by Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, tech and media are navigating seismic shifts amid a rapidly evolving political and cultural landscape. CNBC’s Julia Boorstin joins Bob Safian to decode the streaming wars, plus the business risks and reasons behind Meta’s abrupt changes of course. As leader of CNBC’s annual Changemakers list and author of the book “When Women Lead,” Boorstin also weighs in on why developing more women in business and entrepreneurship makes bottom-line sense in any era.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 21, 2025 • 30min
Redefining work-life balance, with Neha Ruch
As return-to-office policies reignite the perennial debate over work-life balance, a cultural shift is underway. Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause, is leading the charge to redefine the role – and perception – of working parents. In this episode of Rapid Response, she explores how career pauses can drive personal growth, expand networks, and unlock better long-term career outcomes. As support systems for parents become increasingly strained, Neha sparks an essential dialogue about our well-being, self-fulfillment, and the evolving definition of success.Find The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids--and Come Back Stronger Than Ever here: https://www.motheruntitled.com/thepowerpauseVisit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 17, 2025 • 28min
The business world braces for Trump’s inauguration, with Zeno Group’s Barby Siegel
In anticipation of Monday’s presidential inauguration, businesses around the world are crafting their response and gearing up for four years of change. Barby Siegel, CEO of global communications agency Zeno Group, joins Rapid Response to explore how leaders should assess what issues are right for their business to speak out on, and how the new administration impacts the already evolving state of DEI, a polarized workforce, and more. While many executives feel intimidated by the increased societal pressure on businesses, Barby encourages listeners to instead embrace this new era as a hidden opportunity. Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/Donate to Baby2Baby: https://baby2baby.org/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 14, 2025 • 30min
When disaster strikes: On the ground amid LA wildfires
Wildfires have forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate their homes in the Los Angeles area, and killed at least 24 people. In what will likely be the most costly disaster in U.S. history, thousands of homes and businesses have been lost. In a special edition of Rapid Response, host Bob Safian and show producers share on-the-ground perspectives from entrepreneurs who have been directly impacted.A couple who ran a small bakery in Altadena, Pain Beurre, share the story of losing their business and home to the flames. The restaurant chain HomeState describes how it’s engaging team members in food relief, and pivoting a closed location to distribute aid. And the LA project manager for World Central Kitchen (chef José Andrés' global organization) details how its global/local playbook is taking shape amid these fires.If you'd like to support any of the organizations featured, please follow the links below:Pain Beurre: A Micro BakeryHomeStateWorld Central KitchenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 10, 2025 • 33min
The luxury crisis rocking the fashion world, with The Business of Fashion’s Imran Amed
Imran Amed, founder and editor-in-chief of The Business of Fashion, dives into the luxury fashion industry's chaotic landscape. He discusses unprecedented price hikes and CEO turnover, dubbing it a ‘full-blown luxury crisis.’ Amed shares insights on brands entering the Indian market and utilizing AI for competitive advantage. He also critiques the gap between sustainability claims and practices, while highlighting the growing influence of consumers over 50. Finally, he reflects on the innovative strategies of challenger brands reshaping sportswear.

Jan 7, 2025 • 31min
5 bold AI predictions for 2025, with Pioneers of AI host Dr. Rana El Kaliouby
Entering 2025, AI is poised to continue disrupting, redefining and supercharging the business world. AI expert and Pioneers of AI host, Rana El Kaliouby, joins Rapid Response to share five bold AI predictions for the year ahead – from technological advancements to societal impact to investing. Whether you’re looking for AI to further enhance your work, portfolio, or personal productivity, Rana’s insights are the ideal primer for harnessing all the opportunity and potential at your disposal this year.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/Learn more about Pioneers of AI: http://pioneersof.ai/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 3, 2025 • 28min
The best time for a full reset? It’s now, with Dan Heath
A new year is the perfect time to rethink work goals, habits, and systems. Dan Heath’s new book Reset is focused on simple yet profoundly transformative ways to do just that. The co-author of bestsellers like Made to Stick and Switch, Dan shares hidden "leverage points” and other practical strategies to help us escape subpar routines and focus on what truly matters. Whether you’re reexamining your work, your team, or your personal resolutions, this episode will change the way you approach 2025.Dan’s book Reset is available for pre-sales here: https://danheath.comVisit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 31, 2024 • 30min
Replay: Plant-based foods need a makeover, with Peter McGuinness
In this special holiday replay, we share another standout conversation from 2024 featuring Impossible Foods’ Peter McGuinness. This year, sustainability initiatives rolled back across industries and meat alternatives struggled more than ever before on sales. McGuinness tells host Bob Safian where plant-based brands made big missteps, and why the industry’s marketing should evolve – potentially away from climate change messaging. McGuinness also shares how Impossible leverages retail partners like Starbucks and Burger King, lessons he learned from scaling oat milk for Chobani, and why Impossible see’s other plant-based players less as competitors and more as collaborative “frenemies.” Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 24, 2024 • 31min
Replay: How Barstool Sports’ ex-CEO cooks up attention, with Food52’s Erika Ayers Badan
In this special holiday replay, we share a standout conversation of 2024 featuring ex-CEO of Barstool and current head of Food52, Erika Ayers Badan. She shares with Rapid Response why she made a dramatic career pivot — taking over Food52 — and why running Barstool was like “a heart attack every day.” She also explores lessons around cultivating a community of fans, and why, as a leader, “no” is often a better answer than “yes.”Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 20, 2024 • 32min
Big Tech trends shaping 2025, with The Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson
This has been a defining year for Big Tech and media. Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian to explore the dominance of companies like NVIDIA and Apple, the personalities shaping tech — from Sam Altman to Elon Musk — and the shifting landscape of AI and innovation. Nick also shares what it’s like to lead The Atlantic during a time of heightened media disruption and skepticism.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.