Unserious

We all communicate... but are we really saying what matters? So often, the most critical conversations at work are the ones we avoid. We dodge them to keep the peace, to protect ourselves, or because no one ever taught us how to navigate them well. "Anything worth communicating is because you want somebody to know, do, or feel something. If it’s not landing, it doesn’t matter how you said it." - Andrew Blotky In this episode of Unserious, we dig into what gets in the way of honest dialogue—and what becomes possible when we move through it. Leadership and communications expert Andrew Blotky, author of Honestly Speaking: How the Way We Communicate Transforms Leadership, Love, and Life and founder of Azure Leadership Group joins us to explore: It’s candid, a little irreverent, and full of practical wisdom you can bring to your next meeting. Follow Andrew Blotky on LinkedIn and learn more about his coaching and consulting practice at www.azureleadership.com. Honestly Speaking... is available at https://a.co/d/5C3gCal Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

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 Mercurio Prefer 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 Personette Watch 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 Phenomenal 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 Min 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 Gates Follow 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 Lee Mentioned in this episode: North West / Daniel Roseberry take Pinterest PredictsPinterest ManifestivalPinterest PresentsProducer and editor: Micah Vono Story producer and editor: Sarah Kuck Associate producer: Justin Toy Follow 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 McBain You 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.

For a week devoted to gratitude, we decided to revisit this episode with Ryan Modjeski about empathy, compassion, and curiosity, originally aired on November 9, 2023. There are so many great lessons in this episode, but the most important one is that empathy is teachable. Happy Thanksgiving, US listeners! "The culture I try to build is one that is unafraid to try and the only real sin is making the same mistake over and over again." - Ryan Modjeski Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn and on Twitter / X. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

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 Waldo You 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 Majer humanpotentialproject.comYouTubeInstagramThe Power to Transform: Your New Future AwaitsAmazonFollow 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 king2022 Venice BiennaleChinedu Valentine Okobi Sabbatical ProgramThe Future PlateLoophole of Retreat symposium Follow 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 Kennedy LinkedInInstagram @bknycaAspire Public School Board on InstagramFollow 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 Lang Connect 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.

At work, we all want to be respected, heard, and taken seriously. But for people from non-dominant groups, especially women, gaining respect is anything but straightforward. How can one be seen as competent and assertive, without being labeled as aggressive—or maybe worse, unlikeable? In this first episode of Season 3, J.B. and Molly are joined by Dr. Alison Fragale, distinguished professor of organizational psychology and author of Likeable Badass, to discuss practical ways women, and their allies and managers, can shift perceptions of status, power, and likeability in the workplace. "Status exists only in other people's brains... it comes from people believing that you care and that you have a capacity to deliver." - Dr. Alison Fragale LinkedInInstagrameverywhere books are soldalisonfragale.com Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

If it doesn't already come naturally, communicating about your work can feel uncomfortable and downright cringey. But like it or not, it's part of the job. What you need is a method and a motivator, and fortunately Courtney Kaplan returns to Upshots to be just that! In this episode, Courtney offers a structured approach to not just build cold case studies but real stories that connect with hearts and minds. You'll also gain practical tips for gathering testimonials and overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion. This episode is brimming with actionable advice to help you effectively represent yourself in any professional setting! "Own your part of it, own the strengths of the conversations you brought to the solution, and be bold and braggy. If you have a hard time being bold and braggy, you can turn up the volume to 11 and you're still probably only hitting a five or six." - Courtney Kaplan Free PDF guide @ https://bit.ly/upshotskaplan2 Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn or check out her courses, worksheets, and coaching offerings at iconicleadershipcoaching.com. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

As working professionals, meetings are so ubiquitous that we just think of them as something that happen to us. We check the weather to see if it's going to rain, the stocks to see what we gained or lost, and the calendar to see how many meetings we have. But we have much more control over meetings than we might think, as hosts and even as attendees. In this episode, we put Upshots host Micah Vono into the hot seat as J.B. Skelton takes over to learn practical steps to redefining meeting culture and getting more out of a company's most expensive investment: time. "If you're just white-knuckling your meetings, that comes at a big personal cost of your own energy, identity, and perception." - Micah Vono PDF cheat sheet @ https://bit.ly/upshotsmvono Connect with Micah on LinkedIn and see his work at micahvono.com and unserious.com. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

With a record 5.5 million businesses starting up last year alone, it's not easy for early stage companies to stand out. Fortunately, John Cantwell, a creative director who specializes in brand and copy startups, is here to share his secrets behind building a memorable and authentic brand. In this Upshots episode, John shares his approach to harnessing the core ideas of founders and key team member to create a brand that resonates deeply with both its creators and its audience. "A brand is the sum total of everything you do, everything you make, everything you say, everything you put out into the world. And it takes a while to shape that." - John Cantwell PDF cheat sheet @ bit.ly/upshotscantwell Connect with John on LinkedIn, check out his work at g-w.studio, and his most recent project itsdandi.com. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.

Ever had a spark of inspiration that fizzled out when you shared it? Or a great idea that was misrepresented when you weren't there? Let's face it, sometimes getting your ideas across is harder than coming up with them in the first place. In this Upshots episode, Micah is joined by fellow Unserious co-founder and host J.B. Skelton to learn how the briefing process can not only organize your thoughts but captivate leadership and drive decision-making. This simple tool can be your secret weapon for bringing big ideas to life and making sure they stick the landing. "Most of the time that a decision gets made, you're not able to be in the room. So a solid brief really helps us focus our story and tell it story for us. It brings stakeholders along and wins sponsorship for promising ideas." - J.B. Skelton Free PDF guide @ bit.ly/upshotsskelton1 Follow J.B. on LinkedIn and @jbskelton on Instagram. Follow Unserious in your podcast app, at unserious.com, and on Instagram and Threads at @unserious.fun.