Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“ The crowd will pay attention to whatever you give power to — it comes back to brand equity. Stand-up is a window and it's a mirror. Whatever you choose to talk about in stand-up and in art, it is truly yours.” Rajiv Satyal is a Los Angeles-based comedian and host known for his clean, versatile humor. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he is the only comedian to perform standup on all seven continents and co-created Make Chai Not War, a Hindu-Muslim comedy tour sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Rajiv has opened for stars like Russell Peters, Tim Allen, and Dave Chappelle and once followed Jerry Seinfeld at Gotham Comedy Club. A former P&G marketer, he speaks to Fortune 500 companies — including P&G and Alumni events around the world — on innovation and branding and has written acclaimed one-person shows, blending comedy and storytelling to captivate audiences worldwide. You’ll enjoy this conversation on not just Rajiv’s journey from brand-marketing to stand-up comedy, but his reflections on where we are in the world today, and how maybe we just need to laugh a little more. This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

"The bigger the roles that I got, the more I ended up drawing on what I had learned in improv and standup. Why was no one talking about how valuable humor is as a skill? So I realized maybe I should.” Drew Tarvin is the world’s first and only Humor Engineer (not just this podcast’s co-host). On a How To Live podcast conversation with co-host Sharad Lal, Drew shares not just his career journey - but practical skills on how humour can amplify leadership and why it’s more than just a tool for entertainment. Drew studied engineering at THE Ohio State University, and was hired to P&G for his technical skills where he worked on global roles in his hometowns of Cincinnati and New York City. Yet, it was humour—not engineering—that became his edge in the workplace. By using humour, he diffused tension, built strong relationships, influenced others, and accelerated his career — in fact, he became P&G's first ever - self proclaimed - corporate humorist.  Ultimately this led Drew to make the entrepreneurial leap — founding Humor That Works, a company that has helped 10,000+ leaders in over 100 organisations—including IBM, GE, the FBI, AND P&G —harness humour to lead effectively. His TEDx talk on the skill of humor has been viewed 15MM+ times. You can learn more about Drew’s work @ drewtarvin.com. You'll enjoy this candid conversation on how humor can add depth, purpose, and fulfillment to even the most serious work. This conversation is from from P&G Alum Sharad Lal’s top podcast “HOW TO LIVE” - for lots more great conversations with Sharad and thought leaders, subscribe to How To Live wherever you get your favorite podcasts, or visit howtolive.life  Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“ Celebrating success is essential. As is celebrating our existence together. A company culture is what employees do when no one is watching.“ Bob Gilbreath is longtime friend of the Pod, and fellow P&G Alum - who's also a repeat startup founder with two exits. His latest post shares how one of his business teams taught him to take pride in the little things. Whether it’s a struggling company or a city with challenges, investing to spruce things up is not necessarily painting over problems. Celebrating success is essential, as is celebrating our existence together. Bob now serves as Co-Founder and CEO of Hearty, a people-tech company, as well as a few other interesting ventures. While at P&G, Bob worked on brands like Tide, Mr. Clean, and more. Bob authored books and shares real-life stories of his business ups-and-downs in his weekly newsletter “the Workaround” - which you can subscribe to @ beheartly.substack.com This is a feature of an Alumni Leader’s frequently published thought leadership. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode - reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“Focus on people's strengths and give people confidence by pushing them outside of their comfort zone. Let them know you will support them, that they will make mistakes, but that's the way you learn and grow.” Ute Hagen is currently Vice Chair of the P&G Alumni Network, and a leader with 30 years of industry experience, now also leading her own consultancy ‘Your Success Counts,’ helping organizations sharpen their marketing, strategy, and leadership approaches. Ute is also a certified Power Facilitator, offering a unique blend of guidance to her clients. Ute had a 23 year career at Procter & Gamble, where she held key marketing leadership roles in business units across Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and North America. Ute also led a multi-functional team in the development & training of “best practices” and “assessment tools” for application of “consumer is boss” across P&G. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation rooted in Ute’s clear passion for customer centricity — a defining force throughout her personal and professional life. This episode is hosted by Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

“Leadership is about doing the right thing - beyond politics - for the purpose and values of the country.” Once again, this election may be the most important of our lifetime, so we hope you’ve made your plan to VOTE.  Bob McDonald - former P&G CEO and US Secretary of Veterans Affairs - returns to our podcast to share his unique perspective on service, leadership, people, and values and the choice we are making at this moment in our history. Beyond being a P&G Alum and an army veteran, Bob’s served Republican and Democratic Presidents. His political engagement is wide, and purpose-driven - always seeking to transcend party politics. This is a reply of our conversation from October 2020 - in the midst of our LAST presidential election - but much of what we discussed is still relevant in THIS election.  Many of our leaders - across both sides of the aisle - have expressed their concerns in THIS 2024 election for our community and country. On one hand, we face a retreat and possible return to our nation's darker impulses of grievance and division. On the other, a new path forward, rooted in a greater purpose, values and principles, for the next generation. No matter what generation you belong to...if you can vote, please do. If you have friends who are on the fence, talk to them, make the case rooted in our common purpose values, and principles, and get them to vote. It's all on the line. And the next generation of leaders is counting on all of us.

“We shouldn't follow leaders, mentors, and gurus, but we should listen for their words that affect us. See if they spark insight or truth for you. Keep what works, leave the rest behind. “ Bob Gilbreath is longtime friend of the Pod, and fellow P&G Alum - who's also a repeat startup founder with two exits. His latest post “Don't Follow Mentors, Seek Signposts” shares a personal anecdotes that is applicable to us all. There are countless people, living and dead, who have shared a scrap of useful advice that helped in a moment and has sticks with us over time. These words - or signposts - can literally re-shape our way of seeing the world, making us better at work and life. Bob now serves as Co-Founder and CEO of Hearty, a people-tech company, as well as a few other interesting ventures. While at P&G, Bob worked on brands like Tide, Mr. Clean, and more. Bob authored books and shares real-life stories of his business ups-and-downs in his weekly newsletter “the Workaround” - which you can subscribe to @ beheartly.substack.com This is a feature of an Alumni Leader’s frequently published thought leadership. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode - reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“If you're getting stuck in your career, it's important to see if you are overly weighted towards mentors and need to bring a few more sponsors into your inner circle.” Jessica Gleeson is  the CEO of BrighterBeauty and founder of Experiential Retail. Jessica is an experienced international executive with a passion for helping purpose driven brands scale with integrity. She is a 20-year veteran of Starbucks, where she held a variety of leadership roles as the company grew from 50 stores in the US to 55 countries globally. Jessica also held senior roles in China for iconic brands like the Walt Disney Company and Claire’s Accessories.  Jessica is committed to helping organizations understand how to better engage with Chinese businesses and consumers globally. Recently recognized by IPWS with their Lifetime Achievement Award, Jessica works actively to advocate for placing women on executive boards, because the data shows it is just good business.  You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about mentorship, sponsorship, and knowing what it takes to win in China. This is part of our Chinese leaders series - hosted by P&G Alumni Emily Chang. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“Make every decision in your career on the basis of values and principles, and you will be successful.” Fernando Aguirre is the former CEO of Chiquita Brands International, and currently a Professional Baseball Owner - as CEO of the Erie SeaWolves (AA affiliate for the Detroit Tigers), and Vice-chair of Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Advanced A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs). Fernando also owned a minority position in the Cincinnati Reds for 14 years before divesting in 2019. Fernando got his start at P&G - where he worked for 23+ years - during which he was President of P&G Brazil. Fernando currently serves on several boards - some of which include CVS Health, Synchrony Financial, and Duke’s Fuqua school of business. He’s previously served on the boards of Aetna, Coca Cola, Levi’s, Univision, and USC’s Marshall School of Business. Fernando’s been active in the Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethic, the International Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, received the NFL's Hispanic Heritage Leadership award in 2011. AND - He was the first Hispanic CEO to participate in CBS’s Undercover Boss. In a spanning conversation of fantastic stories, get ready for some lessons learned across cultures, and around the world. This is a replay from one of our earliest episodes in 2021 - celebrating Hispanic P&G Alumni leadership this Hispanic Heritage Month. Got a favorite past guest, or idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

"Recruit the right people with the right principles." Jorge Montoya was President of P&G Latin America from 1999-2004. Having spent 30 years rising through the ranks of P&G - his expertise extends across all international business. Jorge currently serves on the boards of Gap, Inc and Kroger - and was named among the 50 most important Hispanics in Business & Technology. His foundation with his wife supports underserved children’s education in Peru and Venezuela. Jorge shares his story - growing up in Peru (the son of a teacher), becoming an All-America NCAA soccer player, and setting up a company in a foreign country. He shares the importance of building a business culture without compromising ethics and integrity. And ultimately, for Jorge, the most important results come from growing your business, and growing your organization. This is a replay from one of our earliest episodes in 2020 - celebrating Hispanic P&G Alumni leadership this Hispanic Heritage Month. Got a favorite past guest, or idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com

“Distraction is not a technology problem or a moral failing. The vast majority of distraction is simply that you have not learned the skill of dealing with discomfort. Master internal triggers, or they will become your master.” Nir Eyal is a best-selling author and instructor working at the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. In a research-driven conversation about his latest book “INDISTRACTABLE - How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life,” we learn about what really drives distraction — which is less about flashy external stimuli, and more about our own internal discomfort. The good news is, it’s not out of reach, by better understanding our internal triggers - it just might be possible to get back to a focus that feels so far gone. The good news is, It's not out of reach, and Nir shares some great tips to get started. Indistractable received critical acclaim, winning the Outstanding Works of Literature Award as well as being named one of the Best Business and Leadership Books by The Globe and Mail and Amazon, and among the Best Personal Development Books of the Year by Audible. Nir is also the author of “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” — his books have resonated with readers worldwide, selling over 1 million copies in over 30 languages. Nir’s writing and work has been featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Harvard Business Review, The M.I.T. Technology Review, Time Magazine, Psychology Today. Nir co-founded and sold two tech companies since 2003, and invests in habit-forming products that improve users’ lives including Eventbrite (NYSE:EB), Anchor.fm (acquired by Spotify), Kahoot!, Canva, Homelight, Product Hunt, Marco Polo, Byte Foods, FocusMate, Dynamicare, Wise App, and Sunnyside. Nir previously taught in the Business and Design schools at Stanford University, and Nir attended The Stanford Graduate School of Business and Emory University. This is a re-airing of a podcast conversation from P&G Alumni Podcast co-host Sharad Lal’s other top podcast “HOW TO LIVE” - for lots more great conversations with Sharad and thought leaders, subscribe to How To Live wherever you get your favorite podcasts, or visit howtolive.life Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode - reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com