Problem Solvers

 Executive coach Muriel Wilkins joins the show to unpack one of the biggest growth blockers in business. The leader who needs to be involved in everything. Drawing from her new book Leadership Unblocked, she breaks down how that urge forms, why it destroys trust and agency inside organizations, and how to recalibrate your time toward the work that actually drives results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBA stars don’t open up easily, but Taylor Rooks makes it look effortless. The lead host of Amazon’s NBA on Prime joins the show to share how she earns trust fast, even from the most guarded people in the room. It’s not just about asking questions. Whether you’re interviewing the team or leading it, trust is the foundation of every successful relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Bosstick, founder and CEO of Dear Media, breaks down the mechanics of audience growth and what smart creators do after they’ve built one. He shares his proven blueprint for turning attention into impact. This conversation will change how you think about the audience as an asset, not just a metric. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people think taking a month off work is impossible, but what if it’s actually a smart career move? Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often, argues that planning a “mini-retirement” isn’t just good for your sanity. It forces you (and your company) to build better systems, and delegate more effectively. In this episode, Jason digs into her framework for making extended time off possible in any situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Levy, behavioral scientist and author of Team Intelligence, is here to blow up what you thought you knew about leading teams. He reveals why most leadership advice is outdated, how the entire industry is built on a con man’s research from the 1900s, and what actually drives people to follow great leaders. He also shares one scientifically proven tip to build a smarter team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entrepreneurs face two kinds of problems: One has clear answers, the other does not. But is it possible to take unclear paths... and make them clearer? Alibaba.com president Kuo Zhang joins the show to talk about Accio, the company’s new AI tool that helps entrepreneurs create products, and the larger business lesson it represents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Shivery, founder of Blue Moon Camera and Machine in Portland, thrives in the analog photography world while embracing necessary change. He discusses how he successfully combined classic photography services with modern needs, like film scanning and social media. Jake shares insights on finding his unexpected young customer base and how to adapt without losing a core mission. His journey highlights the importance of blending traditional craft with innovation to survive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Branding expert Laura Ries joins Jason to talk about her new book, The Strategic Enemy , and the power of positioning. Together, they break down how companies can define what they stand against, win customers, and become the go-to name in their category. This is a packed conversation about how to create campaigns that resonate and understand the strategy behind the marketing that shapes our world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when your company is running out of money, your industry has collapsed, and even you think your idea is dumb? That’s the situation Siqi Chen, now founder and CEO of the finance platform Runway, faced in 2016 when he became CEO of Sandbox, a VR startup. Yet through a bold move, Chen managed to get the right people to believe, securing funding for a product that was a stupid good time.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max DesMarais, Director of Strategy at Vital Design, offers insights on navigating the rapidly changing landscape of marketing. He discusses the rise of AI tools that provide hyper-specific recommendations, shifting the way businesses attract clients. DesMarais emphasizes the importance of adapting content and SEO strategies to meet these changes. He also highlights the necessity for brands to diversify their marketing approaches and redefine success metrics to stay relevant in today's digital space.