The Combustion Chronicles
Join the unapologetic Shawn Nason as he deep dives into the power, influence, and opportunities embedded in Experience Ecosystems™. When bold leaders fuel big, consumer-centric ideas with courage, vision, and commitment, the result is a game-changing explosion that creates a people-first new normal. It’s time to blow up some silos and ignite an experience revolution by putting people first.
Wed, November 15, 2023
Humanizing Leadership in Healthcare (with Faith Zaslavsky)
In the dynamic landscape of the healthcare industry, where the stakes are high and the challenges are ever-evolving, the need for a robust and healthy environment cannot be overstated. Faith Zaslavsky, a seasoned leader in the field, sheds light on the critical elements that contribute to the prosperity of any healthcare organization — an environment that prioritizes stakeholders, embraces transparency in leadership, fosters innovation, values human connection, and tackles the perpetual challenge of maintaining positivity in the face of adversity. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason interviews the CEO of Theralink Technologies, Inc. as she shares her experiences and insights from her career in life sciences and oncology. Faith emphasizes the importance of creating a healthy environment for stakeholders, transparency in leadership, and the need for innovation in healthcare. Faith also discusses the importance of human connection in the workplace and the challenge of maintaining positivity in a challenging industry. She concludes with advice for women entering any industry, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and seeking guidance. In This Episode [02:24] Faith's role at Theralink [03:34] Transparency as a key insight [11:40] The patient-centered mission [14:04] The need for disruptors in oncology [20:28] Connecting humans with the science [23:39] Motivating and connecting with younger team members [26:16] Advice for women in the industry [27:31] The Combustion Questions What We Learned from Faith Zaslavsky The importance of creating a healthy environment where both internal and external customers can thrive. Tailoring interactions to meet people where they are and helping them engage in the process of innovation and change. The significance of transparency in leadership roles, ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table and that cross-functional teams understand each other's priorities. The importance of putting patients at the center of healthcare work and offering something different from what is currently available. Finding ways to bring joy and personal connection to the job, even in a challenging industry like life sciences. Notable Quotes [2:59] “When you’re a leader, it’s really important that the folks that you’re leading feel like they’re a part of the process, the innovation, the change, the mission, all of that.” [09:06] "Putting that connection of what you do to improve lives out in front keeps all of your human resources connected and what part they play in that, and praising them and having that broad corporate recognition is something that's very powerful.” [26:47] “Find people around you and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to gat
Wed, November 01, 2023
Making a Ruckus in Patient Experience (with Denise Wiseman)
In a world constantly evolving with technological advancements and innovative breakthroughs, it's easy to assume that every aspect of our lives will also see remarkable progress. However, when it comes to healthcare, particularly the patient experience, the journey towards improvement has been a challenging one. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason interviews Denise Wiseman, founder of The PX Community , a healthcare organization aiming to improve the patient experience. Denise shares her journey in the healthcare industry, her motivation for founding The Community, and her vision for its future. She discusses the challenges in improving patient experience, the need for a mindset change in healthcare, and the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders. Denise also emphasizes the need to think differently and take risks in order to make significant changes in the healthcare industry. In This Episode [00:40] Introduction to Denise Wiseman [02:33] Catalysts that led Denise into the field of patient experience [05:05] The biggest challenge in improving patient experience [08:47] Healthcare's misunderstanding of patient experience [11:55] Lack of improvement in patient experience in healthcare since 2013 [13:06] Challenges in enhancing patient experience [14:39] The birth of The Community [19:01] Making a ruckus in healthcare [23:07] Building a network hub [24:46] ‘How Might We’ statement [25:42] Equipping people for change [26:37] Changing the healthcare mindset [27:46] The combustion questions What We Learned From Denise Wiseman The catalyst for change can come from personal experiences and the wisdom of others There is still a long way to go in improving patient experience The Community was founded to provide resources and support for healthcare professionals dedicated to improving patient care Collaboration and unity are important for the future of healthcare Awareness is the first step towards making a significant impact on healthcare Notable Quotes [05:15] “The work of patient experience is siloed in a number of ways. But when you think about patient experience, it is everything we do in health care, either directly or indirectly touches the patient..” [09:06] “I think the fundamental problem is that health care doesn't understand what patient experience is. And this is a large problem that I don't think we can overcome.” [19:39] “When we show up to make a ruckus, we're doing generous work. We're doing work on behalf of those we seek to serve.” [20:20] “Being a ruckus maker to me is identifying those things that are problematic in health care that we're all aware of. But so many peopl
Wed, October 25, 2023
Pioneering Healthcare Transformation (with Elizabeth Popwell)
The healthcare landscape has always been a dynamic and ever-evolving domain, driven by scientific advancements, breakthroughs, and shifting demographics. However, the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in early 2020 brought about seismic changes, rapidly transforming the way healthcare organizations operate and strategize. In the midst of these challenges, healthcare leaders and professionals had to adapt and recalibrate their strategies to meet the evolving needs of patients, maintain the safety of their staff, and ensure the resilience of their healthcare systems. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason sits down with Liz Popwell, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for Stony Brook Medicine. They discuss Liz’s understanding of strategy, the importance of aligning strategy with an organization's mission and vision, and the role of partnerships. Liz also shares how the pandemic shaped their strategic plan and mindset, emphasizing the need to be patient-centric and consumer-centric. In This Episode [04:26] How strategy intersects with the patient, family, and employee experience in healthcare organizations [06:08] The importance of aligning mission and vision with external partnerships [10:32] How the pandemic has shaped Stony Brook Medicine's strategic plan and mindset [11:44] The fortunate position of Stony Brook Medicine with bounced-back volumes and finances, and the anticipation for the new strategic plan [13:17] How the pandemic changed Liz’s mind about strategy [16:08] Incorporating the patient's voice in serving under-resourced communities at Stony Brook [19:03] Making room for the voice of clinicians in the strategic plan [21:29] “How might we” statement [24:48] The Combustion Questions What We Learned From Liz Popwell Strategy plays a crucial role in making healthcare organizations stand out, and each organization has unique attributes that make them shine. A patient-centric approach is essential, considering the patient, family, and employee experience when developing a strategy Prioritizing the voice of the patient in decision-making processes is crucial, and organizations can gain valuable insights from market studies, community engagement, and student feedback. Transforming the healthcare industry into a people-first business model involves understanding patient needs, improving patient education, fostering collaboration, and leveraging non-traditional partnerships. Notable Quotes [02:36] “Strategy for me has always been about differentiation. It's always about how you can make your organization shine compared to other organizations.” [04:31] “Ultimately, your strategy is your roadmap to live out your mission and your vision statements for your organization.” [13:27] “I think
Wed, October 18, 2023
Exploring the World of Patient Advocacy (with Deb Gordon)
What if the healthcare system revolved around you, the patient, and not the other way around? Imagine a world where your healthcare experience was as tailored and personalized as your favorite streaming service's recommendation algorithm. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, the concept of Consumer-Focused Healthcare is no longer just a utopian dream; it's a reality that's reshaping the way we approach our well-being. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason chats with Deb Gordon, a former CEO turned author and patient advocate. They discuss the high cost of healthcare in America and the need for consumer-focused healthcare. Deb shares her journey and motivation to help others navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. They also explore the barriers that need to be removed to level the playing field, with a focus on cost and empowering individuals to have control over their healthcare spending. Deb emphasizes the importance of making people feel heard and cared for in their healthcare experiences. In This Episode [01:53] Deb's journey from CEO to author to patient advocate extraordinaire [04:34] Why do we pay so much for healthcare in America and get so little? [06:53] The shopping experience as an analogy for understanding the broken healthcare system [11:16] The need for consumer-focused healthcare [19:22] Barriers to leveling the healthcare playing field [20:40] Addressing the issue of healthcare costs [22:03] Removing the minutia of healthcare [23:01] Motivation and energy in healthcare advocacy [27:16] Blowing up traditional healthcare models [34:14] The high cost of healthcare in America What We Learned From Deb Gordon Many people are unaware that independent advocates exist and can provide invaluable assistance in navigating the complex healthcare system. It is important to educate individuals about these resources and their benefits. Seek help sooner rather than later: People often struggle to ask for help, even when they know it's available. Encourage individuals to overcome their reluctance and reach out for assistance when needed. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and scenarios. This emphasizes the need for expert guidance to navigate these changes effectively. Encourage healthcare professionals and advocates to approach their work with empathy and understanding, recognizing the importance of addressing consumer vulnerability and providing support. Notable Quotes [22:45] “Let people get what they need, let doctors and hospitals do what they think is right, and let individuals make good decisions for themselves.” [24:07] “It is so universal that people just want to feel well, to feel respected, to feel listened to, to feel taken c
Wed, October 11, 2023
Bridging the Divide in Healthcare (with Dr. YiDing Yu)
Picture this: a healthcare system that doesn't discriminate based on income, geography, or social status. A system where everyone, regardless of their background, has equal access to quality medical care. Unfortunately, the reality we face today is far from this ideal. Healthcare disparities, soaring costs, and a lack of access have created a chasm that separates those who can afford care from those who cannot. In this episode, Shawn Nason interviews Dr. YiDing Yu setting out on a crucial mission—to explore the intricacies of bridging the divide in healthcare. They discuss the core issues in healthcare, including misaligned incentives between patients, providers, and payers, and the need to empower patients and improve the payment system. Dr. YiDing Yu emphasizes the importance of making incremental changes and leveraging technology, such as artificial intelligence, to streamline processes like prior authorizations. In This Episode [02:10] YiDing’s journey as a serial entrepreneur [04:01] The brokenness of the healthcare industry [06:24] The challenge of making change in healthcare [07:11] Magic wand: Empowering patients to make choices [10:54] The starting block to transform payment [12:04] Challenges in changing health insurance and payment [14:40] Using technology to streamline prior authorizations [18:22] Some of Dr. YiDing’s favorite innovations [22:22] Bridging the divide in healthcare [24:41] Disjointed revenue cycle [28:59] Empowering women in healthcare [31:14] The pipeline and supply of talented women [32:08] The combustion questions What We Learned From YiDing Yu Misaligned incentives between patients, providers, and payers are a foundational problem in the healthcare system. Empowering patients and giving them more agency in their healthcare decisions is crucial for transforming the system. Bridging the divide in healthcare includes addressing challenges providers face in getting paid and battling insurance providers for reimbursement rates and denials. The role of women in healthcare is important, and there is a need for mentoring, sponsoring, and promoting women to higher leadership positions. Women should be encouraged to advocate for themselves in the healthcare industry. Notable Quotes [07:19] - “We have to allow patients to have more agency, more autonomy, more decision-making capacity.” [08:42] - “Building patient loyalty doesn't necessarily generate more revenue. So it's hard to find the economic incentives to do that.” [19:57] - “You don't have to have a master's degree in machine learning and all this crazy AI to make a profound difference to patients' lives and impro
Wed, October 04, 2023
Unwind, Sip, Dance: Revitalizing Healthcare Leadership (with Robin Glasco)
Can we truly afford to ignore the untapped potential of half the population when it comes to healthcare leadership? Imagine the transformative power of revitalizing this sector with more women and diversity at the helm. It's not just a question of 'why,' but a resounding 'why not?' In today’s episode, Shawn Nason welcomes back Robin Glasco, an executive search consultant in the healthcare industry to the show. They discuss Robin's recent activities, including the launch of a women executive leadership advisory group. They also delve into Robin's accidental entry into healthcare and her passion for supporting women executives. The conversation touches on the importance of diversity in leadership, frustrations with current healthcare practices, and ideas for revolutionizing the industry. In This Episode [00:40] Introduction to Robin Glasco [03:24] Launching a women executive leadership advisory group. [05:11] Robin’s accidental entry into healthcare [07:58] Robin’s rewarding experiences in healthcare [11:02] Emerging industry trends and future prospects in healthcare [11:06] Women leaders in healthcare [13:35] Improving healthcare experiences [19:33] How might we segment [22:25] The combustion questions [23:45] Dance parties and Robin's love for them [24:23] The launch of Suite. What We Learned From Robin Glasco Robin Glasco is a powerhouse in the healthcare industry and has launched a women executive leadership advisory group, aiming to shatter glass ceilings and empower women executives. Robin's journey into healthcare was unplanned, but she has made a significant impact and is driving change in the industry. The importance of having more women leaders in healthcare, with the belief that diversity in leadership leads to innovation and better outcomes. The need to revolutionize the healthcare system, with ideas such as eliminating payers and claims and putting patients at the centre. Notable Quotes [08:35] “I was 26 years old when my mentor friend gave me a seat at the table and passed me the microphone, and I'd do it every chance that I get.” [09:21] - “Some people aren't willing to walk into the front door of the clinical experience, but they were at the time willing to walk in what was the side door into alternative medicine.” [11:26] “When there still are a lot of old legacy mindsets that are leading, leading at the helm, who still see health care in a very myopic way, It's not going to get better.” [12:08] “Those who control the purse strings, control the decision, impacts so many things around policy, investment strategy.” Our Guest Robin Glasco is an esteemed executive search consultant at <a href="https://www.sp
Tue, September 26, 2023
Inside the World of Healthcare Innovation (with Dr. Karen Murphy)
Imagine a world where diseases are not just treated but predicted, where access to healthcare is democratized, and where patients are empowered like never before. This isn't science fiction; it's the potential of healthcare innovation. The possibilities are boundless, and the potential for positive change is immense. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason is joined by Dr. Karen Murphy , the Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Geisinger Health. They discuss Dr. Murphy's career in healthcare, her passion for driving change, and the importance of collaboration and problem-solving in the industry. They also touch on the challenges and misconceptions surrounding healthcare innovation and share examples of successful transformations. In This Episode [00:51] Introduction to Dr. Karen Murphy [02:22] Dr. Karen Murphy's career path [04:18] The importance of collaboration and avoiding silos in healthcare [07:14] The Importance of purposeful innovation in healthcare [09:36] The Influence of culture and experience on success in healthcare and the film institute [10:39] What made Dr. Karen an effective healthcare innovator [13:39] Common misconceptions and challenges in health care innovation. [16:47] Human-centered design in healthcare leadership [21:56] How might we statements [23:26] Payment transformation [23:41] The combustion questions What We Learned From Dr. Karen Murphy Collaboration and breaking down silos are essential for fostering innovation in healthcare. Innovation should have a purpose and aim to solve real problems with measurable outcomes. Balancing patient care with the need for experimentation and iteration is a challenge in the healthcare industry. Successful healthcare transformations include an AI-based colon cancer detection program and a remote patient monitoring system for complex hypertension. Human-centred design plays a crucial role in healthcare innovation, from empathy to implementation. Notable Quotes [04:21] -“Our philosophy is we work with the willing.” [04:38] - “We define innovation as a fundamentally different approach to solving problems that have quantifiable outcomes.” [08:19] - “We use virtual nurses to admit and discharge patients from the hospital.” [11:04] - “During my time at the hospital, I worked with so many that wanted to change, were willing to change, and just didn't have the way to change.” [11:43] - “I'd like to change the world as long as nobody changes me.” [22:28] - “We have got to get to a payment transformation that promotes wellness, promotes prevention, and does not incentivize.”
Wed, September 20, 2023
Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Education (with Hillary Miller)
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the pursuit of excellence is an unwavering commitment. The healthcare industry is a dynamic and multifaceted realm, where innovation and adaptation are essential for delivering high-quality patient care. At the heart of this mission lies the intricate web of learning and development – the cornerstone upon which the healthcare industry builds its future. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason is joined by Hillary Miller , the Vice President and Chief Learning Officer for Penn State Health. They discuss Hillary's background in learning and development, the intersections between experience and learning, and the challenges of building programs for a diverse population in a clinical setting. They also touch on the importance of onboarding and making it a meaningful experience. Hillary highlights the "Grow Portfolio" initiative at Penn State Health, which aims to remove financial barriers and support employees' growth and development. They also discuss the importance of not limiting individuals based on past experiences and the value of human-centered design in creating effective learning experiences. In This Episode [01:28] Hillary’s background in learning and development [05:22] The intersections between experience and learning [08:34] Approaching onboarding as a meaningful experience [11:44] The Grow Portfolio pilot program [14:19] The importance of trust and communication in learning and development [19:05] Designing learning opportunities based on employee needs [20:54] The challenges of labeling people [25:05] Creating learning experiences in healthcare [26:28] Hiring based on attitude and behavior [28:04] The Combustion Questions What We Learned From Hillary Miller Engagement and fun are essential in learning, regardless of age or industry. Tailoring learning experiences to the audience's backgrounds, skills, and cultures leads to more effective outcomes. The Grow Portfolio Initiative at Penn State Health aims to provide fully paid programs in various fields, removing financial barriers for entry-level employees. Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are crucial for leadership roles. "How might we" statements can be used in human-centred design to foster innovation and problem-solving. Notable Quotes [01:54] “Engagement and fun and play, sometimes we forget that's not just for kids. Adults need that interaction.” [04:56] “A lot of times we use learning synonymously with training, education, development, the training, development, education are three very different things.” [00:06:53] “I could be the best technical functional leader on the planet, but i
Wed, September 13, 2023
Breaking Barriers for Healthcare Leaders (with Arianne Dowdell)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a challenge that corporations all over the nation are trying to conquer. Some have settled for checking the box, but privately, they’re still operating under the same hard and fast rules that they’ve always used. In other cases, some efforts are being guided by forward-thinking leaders with a vision to make the dream of equality in the workplace a reality. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason speaks with Arianne Dowdell. Arianne is one of the champions of workplace equity who boldly pushes the envelope and strives to make her organization reach its full potential. She’s the VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Houston Methodist and a true champion of the community. Today, she and Shawn sit down to discuss her views on diversity in healthcare, how to bring about change and how she strategically weaves her passion for storytelling into making the world a healthier place! In This Episode (2:46) – How Arianne’s passion for people has evolved through life experiences. (3:11) – The days that she’s really tired motivate her for the next day. (3:52) – The diversity of people, genders, and ages have helped her prepare for her current role. (7:02) – Healthcare falling behind in DEI. (9:49) – Checking the DEI box will never be an option. (10:50) – The importance of leaving a lasting impact. (14:30) – The value of connecting with people on an internal and external level. (17:35) – Accountability and making sure diverse voices are heard. (20:29) – Thoughts on adding persons of color in the healthcare systems. (22:30) – The Combustion Questions (24:31) – Advice for women wanting to move into leadership in healthcare. What We Learned From Arianne Dowdell Helping people is one of the key drivers that keeps Arianne moving forward. The learning curve relating to DEI and the things she’s doing to move it forward. Impact and vision are important to her. Arianne firmly believes in the concept of storytelling. Seeing the community as part of the healthcare puzzle. Notable Quotes (2:55) – “I’ve never chased a title in my life, it's always just being about making sure that people know that they’re heard and seen.” (16:12) – “What we do is put the patient at the center of what we do every day.” (17:59) – “I also think we have to take a step back when we look at healthcare and look at our communities.” (21:09) – “Tell people to stop being so scared to have somebody that doesn’t look like them sitting in the C-suite.” (25:10) – “It’s okay if everyone doesn’t like you but everyone will respect you and that’s what I pray happens when I leave this earth is that I will be someone who is respected for the work I do
Wed, September 06, 2023
Empathy & Innovation: The Dynamic Duo that’s Reshaping Healthcare (with Dr. Adrienne Boissy)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to receive healthcare that is not only efficient and effective, but also filled with love and magic? Imagine a world where every interaction with a healthcare professional leaves you feeling seen, heard, and cared for. It may sound like a dream, but for Dr. Adrienne Boissy , it's a vision that she is determined to turn into reality. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason sits down with Dr. Adrienne Boissy, a pioneer in healthcare experience management to discuss the importance of integrating patient and employee experiences in healthcare, powered by empathy, innovation, co-design, and evidence-based research. They also discuss the role of Chief Experience Officers in healthcare and the need to infuse love and magic into patient interactions. In This Episode [02:19] Dr. Adrienne’s best day in healthcare [06:10] How Dr. Adrienne’s experience with illness changed her perspective on finding joy in everyday moments [07:31] From Neurology to Experience Management [11:44] The importance of making the patient experience magical [14:58] Baking humane moments into healthcare operations [17:58] The evolving role of Chief Experience Officers in healthcare [23:36] The importance of business acumen in the world of experience [26:01] The role of maverick thinkers in healthcare. [30:33] Experience as a discipline and the need for leadership support [35:40] Importance of dreamers and doers in bringing about real transformation [36:52] The Combustion Questions What We Learned From Dr. Adrienne Boissy Empathy plays a crucial role in healthcare, as small moments of joy and gratitude can make a big difference in patients' lives. Patient experience should be redefined by infusing love and magic into every interaction, making healthcare more personal and human. The role of Chief Experience Officers (CXOs) in healthcare is evolving, with a shift towards everyone being a CXO and focusing on influencing outcomes for patients. Business acumen is important in healthcare, as leaders need to be maverick thinkers while also understanding their audience and speaking their language. The phrase "how might we" has transformative power in healthcare, encouraging people to dream and think differently to find solutions even in challenging situations. Notable Quotes [18:40] “Everyone has to be a chief experience officer in the future of health care.” [26:08] - “I see healthcare as a place for the dreamers and the doers. It's a partnership made in heaven.” [27:51] - “To be a thought leader and experience work, you have to know the evidence and hopefully be producing it yourself.” [31:09]
Wed, March 29, 2023
Beyond the CCO: Unlocking Your Workforce Potential (with Scott Roth)
My guest today has a passion for pushing the boundaries of the customer experience and a keen eye for unlocking and maximizing the true potential of a workforce. Scott Roth, is Chief Customer Officer at Beamery, the leader in talent lifecycle management. He is responsible for designing, building, and implementing talent transformation initiatives to unlock the potential in their workforce and ultimately achieve key business targets. I sit down with Scott to talk about his role at Beamery and what strategies companies are adopting to hire new talent, increase retention, and rehire ex-employees in a post COVID, quiet quitting, great resignation era. Whether you are a recruiter or a job seeker or already working, this is one discussion you don’t want to miss! In This Episode: (01:37) – Welcoming Scott Roth to The Combustion Chronicles. (02:04) – The best part of being a CCO at Beamery. (03:54) – Navigating the great resignation, quiet quitting, and remote work. (06:42) – Why companies should stay engaged with previous employees. (10:37) – On making a career in talent life cycle management. (15:46) – On being maverick-minded and human-obsessed. (19:21) – Scott’s advice for CCO’s and HR. (17:41) – The best advice Scott received about leadership. (21:16) – Scott’s next big idea. (24:10) – Scott takes the combustion questions. What We Learned from Scott Roth Scott believes that employers should listen to their employee base to determine overlapping things that they are recommending or asking for. A lot of corporations have developed their teams through the Bains and McKinsey consulting model. Managers are recognized for moving the workforce talent within the company, giving them new opportunities, thereby creating a stronger organization. Scott’s key focus at Beamery is to drive customer centricity throughout the organization to ensure that they have a seat at the table. Notable Quotes [04:21] “My best advice is listen to your employee base. Listen to what they are telling you. Listen to what they are asking for. Now you can’t do every single one thing they are asking for, but there are going to be themes that develop and there are going to be the things that employees are recommending.” [12:20] “You say what you can do and you do what you can say and you have to deliver on your promises. And I think that’s so important because at the end of the day, all you have in this world is your word and your reputation.” [15:50] “I think it’s really important to remember: People buy from people.” [16:08] “It’s super important to create a relationship with your customers and to make sure you know something about them. So, one of the things I strive to do when I am first meeting
Wed, March 22, 2023
The Magic of Helping Kids Rediscover the Joys of Childhood (with Alicia Kabir)
Today’s episode is very special for Shawn because his daughter attended Camp Kesem, a camp founded to help children through and beyond a parent’s cancer, put on by the incredible organization led by today’s guest. Kesem is a nonprofit that works with kids of parents who’ve had cancer and Shawn has been amazed and in awe of their work, their vision, and the impact they have had on so many people. In this episode, Shawn sits down with Alicia Kabir, Chief Executive Officer of Kesem, to talk about the challenges of running a nonprofit organization, how it feels to make such a big impact on the community, especially kids, how designing a better experience can improve someone’s life, and Kesem’s mission to help kids rediscover the joys of childhood. In This Episode: (02:23) – The best day she’s ever had doing what she does. (04:35) – How designing a better experience can improve someone’s life. (06:43) – What employers can learn from how Kesem recruits and trains college student volunteers. (09:40) – How Alicia found her calling at Kesem. (11:40) – Learning how to become a successful CEO. (13:35) – On being maverick-minded and human-obsessed with kids at camp. (16:35) – Talking about how a non-profit can grow its impact. (17:41) – The best advice Alicia received about leadership. (19:42) – The Combustion Questions. What We Learned from Alicia Kabir Alicia measures Kesem’s success by the number of tears, laughs, and hugs that they experience. College students are the heart of Kesem’s organization. Kesem does two things really well: Leaning into their why and giving their volunteers a lot of responsibilities. Use the voices of the people in your community to make sure you’re making decisions that make sense to them. Notable Quotes [3:23] - “You can see the happiness that the kids have, the joy, thankfulness, and gratitude that the parents have. It’s such a special moment for us at Kesem.” [8:00] - “They are our next generation of leaders and they need real responsibility and they step up and do this work time and time again.” [17:18] - “It’s super important to listen, to get feedback and input in order to scale and to make good decisions that truly drive impact and meaning with the families that we serve.” [18:08] - “I really am not hiding anything. You have the full story. And for me, that is leadership.” Our Guest Alicia Kabir is the Chief Executive Officer of Kesem, the leading national nonprofit organization that supports children affected by a parent’s cancer. She has been involved at Kesem since 2017 and began serving as CEO in 2021. Alicia had an established career in Environmental Engineering before she found her calling at Kesem, leading
Wed, March 15, 2023
Reshaping Lives: The Importance of Radical Participatory Design (with Victor Udoewa)
We are deeply rooted in human-centered design. That starts with showing empathy and having a design that is inclusive. As a society we have to learn how to empathize instead of sympathize. Our guest today understands this all too well. Today's special guest is Victor Udoewa, a multi-talented rocket scientist with a personality that is just as impressive as his career bio. In today’s episode, Shawn and Victor discuss how organizations can meet the needs of immigrants and refugees, neurodiversity, the importance of inclusive design, pulling away from mainstream institutional knowledge, and the true meaning of radical relationships. In This Episode: (02:23) – How Victor tells people what he does for a living. (04:38) – Organizations meeting the needs of immigrants and refugees. (06:26) – Talking about Inclusive design and to empathize and not sympathize. (12:34) – Talking about Shawn’s book Kiss Your Dragons . (19:36) – On being maverick-minded and human-obsessed with larger audiences. (24:49) – Victor gives invaluable advice to the audience. (28:34) – The Combustion Questions. What We Learned from Victor Udoewa Victor directed his design work to community development and national development. We need to use the best trauma responsive design and research practices in working with immigrants and refugees. Public experience is broader than the citizen experience. The best people to help us understand the needs of immigrants and refugees are immigrants and refugees. It’s important for the public sector to learn about inclusive design because we are in a social mission. Experiential knowledge is more important than design knowledge. People can connect based on experiences, values, goals, and future visions. Notable Quotes [05:38] - “In order to create and design a particular solution, you have to be able to name the particular problem.” [11:03] - “If we can be experts in this type of mainstream institutional design knowledge, then other people can be experts in other types of knowledge.” [16:29] - “Ignorance isn’t the absence of knowledge. Ignorance is the absence of relationships.” [26:15] - “Be open and aware of all the different possibilities. And part of that involves making your intentions known.” Our Guest Victor Udoewa is Chief Technology Officer, Chief Experience Officer, and Service Design Lead of the NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs. Before joining NASA, he was director of strategy at 18 F, a civic consultancy for and inside the federal government. He also worked as a global education and instructional designer and training development special
Wed, March 08, 2023
Inspiring Needs, Wants, and a Sense of Meaning Through Storytelling (with Marisa Thalberg)
Ever wonder what exactly does a Chief Marketing Officer do? How do they define their role as a storyteller and as an engine of growth? How do they create culture centric lifestyle brands? Today’s special guest, Marisa Thalberg answers all these questions and much more! In this week’s episode, Shawn sits down with Marisa to talk about the role of the CMO and how they fare against the new kid on the block, the new title to emerge in recent years – the Chief Experience Officer. In This Episode: (02:30) – Expanding on the role of a Chief Marketing Officer. (03:27) – Becoming a storyteller and an engine of growth. (05:54) – How to create culture centric lifestyle brands. (10:38) – On thinking bigger and broadening her focus. (15:30) – Chief Marketing Officer vs Chief Experience Officer (19:10) – The challenges of being an executive mother. (23:33) – Marisa’s advice to her younger self. (26:59) – The best leadership advice Marisa has received about leadership. (29:44) – The Combustion Questions What We Learned from Marisa Thalberg The CMO’s role is to be an engine of growth. Marisa loves the intersection of human psychology, business, and culture. Her best work has been with Estée Lauder, Taco Bell, and Lowe’s. She’s been passionately advocating for executive moms for over 20 years. Notable Quotes [04:50] - “It’s really essential for colleagues, boards, and CEOs to understand that any good marketer is indeed an engine of growth.” [13:43] - “We kind of glorify high risk, high reward, and we forget to remind people that sometimes, risks are risky for a reason.” [20:09] - “You have to be willing to live in a little bit of the chaos of something new and the process comes later.” [25:23] - “We all have different journeys. Embrace it and be proud of it, and continue to find ways to create more impact.” [28:23] - “You can’t really talk down to people and expect them to then rise up.” Our Guest Marisa Thalberg is a maestro of marketing. She has been named “50 Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers in the World” by Forbes. Business Insider puts her in their top 25. She has also been named Adweek Brand Genius and Industry Drive Marketing Executive of the Year. She’s led brand and marketing efforts at organizations that include Estée Lauder, Taco Bell and Lowes. Marisa specializes in building brands across a range of industries. Resources & Links Marisa Thalberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisathalberg/ Shawn Nason LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasonshawn/"
Wed, March 01, 2023
Finding Fresh Insights and Innovations in the Digital World (with Theo Edmonds)
Innovation is at the forefront of our success. It affects every aspect of our lives be it health, agriculture, transportation, or technology. The human mind is curious by design and our desire to seek out better, more efficient solutions to our everyday problems is the reason we enjoy the lifestyle we live in today. However, new innovation also brings about new challenges which in turn demand more innovation in order to be successfully negotiated. There is an ever present need today for companies and organizations to be maverick-minded and human-obsessed in order to improve the Experience Ecosystem™. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason sits down with Theo Edmonds to talk about transformational creativity, courageous imagination, and leadership. Theo is a skilled, energetic, Cultural Futurist™ and innovator with 25 years of senior level strategic national and international experience spanning the private, public, and non-profit sectors. In This Episode: (02:30) – How Theo’s background fuels his innovation insights. (04:50) – Talking about organization end goals and creativity. (11:09) – Defining what courageous imagination means. (12:45) – Theo recalls a quote from George Sparks. (25:23) – On leaders being maverick-minded and human-obsessed. (26:19) – Theo talks about neuroscientist Vivian Ming. (37:15) – The best advice Theo has received about leadership. (38:05) – The Combustion Questions. What We Learned from Theo Edmonds Gen Z will make up 20% of the workforce by 2025. Digital tools are the bread and butter of contemporary society. Courage and imagination are measurable. Transformational creativity is already happening all the time. Notable Quotes [19:17] - “Courage and imagination are scientific concepts that come from across many disciplines, but there's also an art to both of those things.” [25:38] - “Being a maverick could produce divergent ideas, but there comes a point when you have to produce convergent goals.” [36:29] - “Human instincts are human instincts.” [37:18] - “Leadership is a dialogue, not a monologue.” Our Guest Theo Edmonds is the directing co-founder of CU Denver’s Imaginator Academy, a cultural analytics strategy and futurist innovation hub. Theo works with global networks of entrepreneurs, companies, scientists, artists, creative innovators and changemakers of all kinds to find hidden opportunities that others miss. Resources & Links Theo Edmunds LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theoedmonds Shawn Nason LinkedIn: h
Wed, February 22, 2023
Conducting a Symphony of Marketing Success (with Ali Jawin)
What does it mean to be successful at marketing? How do you run a successful marketing campaign? Companies spend millions of dollars trying to find answers to these questions. Many regard the whole concept of marketing campaigns as dark magic. In reality, it can be sized down to an exact science; as exact as conducting a symphony according to our guest today. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason sits down with marketing expert Ali Jawin to discuss the need for brand awareness in today’s highly competitive, ever-demanding B2B and B2C space. In their detailed interaction, Ali details insightful methodology and even personal struggles she had to go through to make sure that the show must go on. In This Episode: (02:06) – How Ali tells people what she does for work. (05:24) – On closing the gap between brand management and actual experience. (07:40) – What can other industries learn about brand awareness? (10:10) – Reflecting on how ballet and a doctorate degree played into her success. (14:09) – Other experiences that helped Ali reach the top of her career. (16:47) – Can large corporations be maverick-minded and human-obsessed? (20:19) – Every organization should do this one thing to improve its reputation. (23:40) – The Combustion Questions What We Learned from Ali Jawin Ali went into marketing thinking that she wouldn’t need to do math. Her mind has no limit on the number of things it can worry about at any given time. One of the reasons for the success of the marketing campaigns she led was that she worried about every single detail. She didn’t complete her PhD in Philosophy because she realized almost any other career was a better one. Notable Quotes [02:22] – “I see myself as a conductor and that my department is the symphony. That we get the score or the strategy that I have worked on with the rest of the executive leadership team and then it is my job to go make sure that my department executes everything as they should be. So Creative is the strings and Operations are the winds, but they all have to work together at the same time.” [05:49] – “When you think about reputation, it is that your brand is the promise that you make; and your reputation is that people actually think you are living up to that promise.” [20:36] – “Become a brand that people want to spend time with.” [24:07] – “Your employees are your best underutilized brand representatives. They live and breathe it. So, get them to do that.” [27:02] “Don't let your own head get in the way of it. Acknowledge the fear, but use that to make you better at what you're doing, not get in your way.” Our Guest Ali Jawin is on a mission to demystify the processes that drive marketing success.
Wed, February 15, 2023
Beyond Health and Wellness: Making a Meaningful Impact (with Sid Stolz)
Experience is everything and it is a well-known fact that healthcare experiences can be absolutely horrendous at times. There is an ever-present need for all aspects of the healthcare Experience Ecosystem™ to work in sync with one another as our guest on today’s podcast will point out. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason sits down with healthcare expert and longtime friend, Sid Stolz to talk about making experiences better for people who have given up on achieving wellness; what are some of the challenges facing healthcare today; and how Sid’s company Blue Zones is incorporating the maverick-minded and human-obsessed mindset to ensure that people are better informed of the choices they have and the choices they can make. In This Episode: (02:08) – Sid talks the best part about being at Blue Zones. (03:38) – The secret sauce for making healthcare experiences better for people. (07:45) – What other companies can learn from what Blue Zones is doing. (11:35) – On taking the leap from Economics to Health & Wellness and to Experience & Design. (16:35) – Making people in healthcare more maverick-minded and human-obsessed. (20:16) – How does the new Blue Zones center incorporate the maverick-minded mindset? (22:43) – Sid’s advice to people who are just starting out in this space. (25:11) – The Combustion Questions. What We Learned from Sid The original Blue Zones were created naturally by the environment and by the cultures such as Japan, Costa Rica, Italy and Greece, and even California. The key to having a good experience in wellness is to have a provider who understands where you are in the journey and then create a plan that is personalized to you rather than the masses. Simplify the experience. Don’t make it complicated. Sid’s friends constantly reach out to him about their healthcare situation or issues. Notable Quotes [04:25] – “The key to having a good experience of wellness is to understand where you are on the journey and to have a provider or a service organization that understands where you are in the journey and then create a plan that is personalized to you.” [12:12] – “It goes back to that purpose and impact. What do I get out of bed for everyday and then am I going to make my life better, your life better, or somebody else’s life better. I love helping people.” [21:30] – “There is a lot of noise out there Shawn, in the marketplace. How do you know what’s real? How do you know what’s fake? How do you know what’s helpful to your body and to your wellness journey and what’s hurtful? And we have clinicians behind us who help us make that decision.” [23:48] – “I think it’s making it simple and manageable so that people continue the experience. You need to make the experience positive, a
Wed, February 08, 2023
Creating Surprise and Delight Moments (with Lisa Holladay)
As consumers, we rely heavily on our experiences when determining whether a product, place or service is good or bad. By creating positive experiences, brands can really establish themselves in their target niche. One way to go about it is by creating special moments and by providing enhanced comfort and ease of access that would invoke a sense of joy and happiness within a customer. In today’s episode, Shawn Nason speaks with Lisa Holladay about improving customer experience with big brands by creating pleasant experiences and delightful moments. He also talks to her about her career evolution from a degree in Education to Chief Experience Officer at Tiger 21. In This Episode (02:00) – Lisa on how she tells people about what she does. (05:04) – What’s unique about navigating experience with customers of luxury brands. (07:55) – The 3 fundamental design principles. (08:54) – How Lisa got into this business of creating experiences. (11:33) – How Lisa’s past roles have prepared her for today. (16:21) – Lisa discusses being maverick-minded and its positive impact. (19:52) – The best advice Lisa has received about leadership. (23:22) – The Combustion Questions. What We Learned from Lisa View the world with compassion and curiosity rather than criticism. Intern at companies and organizations that you are passionate about. If you are young enough to be going to college, take a few courses. As leaders, be empathetic and listen first and give direct feedback. Notable Quotes [05:24] – “I think anytime you are asking people to give up their time regardless of whether it is a luxury consumer or not, it is super important what type of experience you are delivering. No matter how much money any of us have, we can't buy more time. So, time is super valuable.” [06:25] – “What I try to instill in our team is genuinely caring about every single individual. Because we are smaller, we should be able to take the time to really individualize that experience and their member journey with us.” [11:35] – “Even when I didn’t have a great leader, I was learning and I was always thinking if I am ever in this situation or have the privilege of leading other people, what am I going to take away from this that’s the good or the bad.” Our Guest Lisa is Chief Experience Officer at Tiger 21, the premiere membership organization for high-net-worth wealth creators. She is responsible for optimizing member experience particularly along the dimensions of learning, access, and connection. She curates an integrated portfolio of high-end member programs resulting in engagement and retention. Before Tiger 21, she held leadership roles in branding, advertising and PR at luxury brands like Mercedes Benz a
Wed, February 01, 2023
From Cancer to a Purpose-Driven Life (with Trevor Maxwell)
What does it mean to use tragic circumstances as a means to serve others? How can men take the fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability that often accompany their darkest moments and turn it into a chance to connect with others and free themselves of the social stigma surrounding men and being vulnerable? Beyond this, what does it look like to create an environment where men can be vulnerable and open without fear of criticism or judgment? Shawn Nason speaks with Trevor Maxwell on today’s episode to discuss his journey as a cancer survivor, what it was like to overcome his darkest moments, the mental health component that often goes unnoticed in illnesses like cancer, and how he used his cancer battle as a springboard to set an example and serve others in a similar struggle. In This Episode (2:21) What Trevor does at Man Up To Cancer and why he does it (6:00) How healthcare organizations could better meet the needs of men with cancer and other serious illnesses (7:35) Understanding how cultural conditioning influences the needs of men vs. women (9:14) Oftentimes, men don’t have the available resources to have their emotional needs met (12:18) Why Trevor created The Howling Place (15:34) How Trevor’s background helped him write his book, Open Heart, Warrior Spirit . (18:26) Finding your people: using social media to build a community (21:28) Trevor on his “Shawshank Moment” (25:41) What healthcare professionals need to know to help patients (27:15) Trevor’s advice for people who want to turn their life experiences into something that serves the world (29:35) The Combustion Questions What We Learned From Trevor Men are culturally conditioned to see asking for help as a sign of weakness, so even in cases such as a cancer diagnosis, men are more prone to isolate and “tough it out” than women. There is a gap in healthcare organizations, leaving the mental health component often undervalued despite the heavy emotional burden that accompanies illnesses like cancer. Men crave a space that allows them to share struggles with other men who understand their struggles and can offer support and understanding. The best time to start turning your life experiences into something that serves the world is right now - start where you are. Notable Quotes [4:41] “The cancer world needs guys who are going to step up, be honest about it, start talking about it.” [7:10] “A lot of us have been conditioned to think that if we ask for help, that that is weakness.” [20:33] “I needed to connect with others who were around the same age, you know, raising kids, going through the same challenge, like to know that I wasn't alone.” [27:02
Wed, January 25, 2023
Designing the Human Experience with Maverick-Minded, Customer-Obsessed People (with Amy Shore)
What does it mean to optimize to embrace a customer-obsessed mindset in your company? While many corporations spend money and time focused on maximizing profits alone, is it possible to focus on creating a positive customer experience while producing a positive ROI executives need to see? Beyond this, what does it look like to maximize the human experience within a highly regulated industry that incorporates extraordinary care for the employee and the customer? Shawn Nason speaks with Amy Shore on today’s episode to discuss her journey from customer-adjacent roles to being the Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Nationwide and how that journey has influenced her trend-setting approach to maximizing customer acquisition and retention by being customer-obsessed and maverick-minded. In This Episode (2:03) Amy discusses her journey to being a CCO right before COVID struck (5:00) Amy discusses the continuum of the human experience across CX and EX (8:00) How to measure customer experience and convey that benefit to executives (09:11) A company using the word “extraordinary” in its mission statement sets a high bar (12:18) How customer-adjacent experiences influenced Amy’s maverick-mindset as a CCO (14:20) The keys to being maverick-minded in a highly-regulated industry like insurance (16:14) Rewarding and recognizing wins within the industry (18:18) Amy’s best piece of advice about leadership (21:40) The Combustion Questions What We Learned From Amy To get to the role of CCO, spend time deep-diving into what the role entails, and do not be afraid to cold call people further along than you for advice. Even a challenge such as COVID has benefits if you are willing and able to think outside of the box and work as a team. If you are going to use the word “extraordinary” in your mission statement, you need to have a plan in place to meet those high expectations. You do not need to spend lots of money to reward and recognize small wins in your industry - you just need to demonstrate appreciation in a meaningful way. The best leaders create followership. Be a leader in the mind of those who follow you - not just a leader in your own mind. Notable Quotes [8:57] - “A good customer experience doesn’t cost - it pays.” [9:18] - “When you are a company that puts words like extraordinary care in your mission statement, you know that sets a very high bar, and it provided a significant amount of air cover.” [12:55] - “Even when I was leading product development or pricing teams, understanding and thinking about how this connects to customers really matters.” [15:14] - "Some of the most maverick-minded things we did back in t
Wed, November 16, 2022
People, Culture, Engagement, & Experience (with Cheryl Whiting-Kish)
What does it mean to optimize the employee experience at your company? While many corporations spend money and time marketing their business to consumers, can that same effort and intention be applied to making your workplace a suitable and appealing place to be? Beyond this, what does it look like to lead a team well, affirm their stories, maximize their potential, and equip them with the tools to succeed? Shawn Nason speaks with Cheryl Whiting-Kish on today’s episode to discuss her beginning as a Hooters Girl, the leadership experience she gained on the way to becoming HOA Brands’ current Chief of People Officer, and more. In This Episode (2:16) Cheryl discusses how her beginning influenced where she is today (3:56) How restaurants can improve the employee experience (5:59) Cheryl recalls a time when this experience mentality made a difference (8:09) Cheryl’s role as a consultant on a Hooters casino project (10:55) What she learned from working in Operations (13:08) How executives can push ahead and move into the future (15:39) Preconceived notions about the Hooters brand (19:55) Best advice Cheryl received regarding leadership (21:17) The Combustion Questions What We Learned From Cheryl Businesses have to put money and effort into making a workplace and employee experience optimal and appealing. It’s important to pay attention to who people are as individuals and their potential. Read, research, and stay on top of what future generations like and want. Build those things into your programs NOW. Shine a light on the stories of your team members. Know thyself and that you are amazing! Notable Quotes [04:47] - “If you want to get the results that you’re going for externally, then we have to make it just as much fun, just as appealing, just as exciting as we would to the external customers.” [05:17] - “Experiences drive beliefs, and beliefs drive behaviors.” [07:22] - "What really drives us as human beings is knowing that we're part of something bigger than ourselves." [20:18] - “We cannot lead if we don’t start with self first.” Our Guest Cheryl Whiting-Kish is the Chief People Officer at HOA Brands, which operates and franchises close to 400 Hooters restaurants in 38 states. With a background in consulting and leadership, her focus is identifying talent and giving team members the space and freedom to shine, grow, and become whomever they want to be, wherever their path leads them. Resources & Links Cheryl Whiting-Kish LinkedIn: https://www.l
Wed, November 09, 2022
Magical Moments, Fearless Impact, and Jumping into the Friction (with Robin Daniels)
What does product marketing have to do with customer experience? It’s not enough that customers are aware of your brand’s existence, as a marketer, you have to know your product really well, experience the end-to-end process, and figure out a way to make the consumers fall in love with what you do. In this episode, Shawn Nason and Robin Daniels discuss a marketer’s role in ensuring a good customer experience, leading with positive and fearless impact, and providing magical moments to your consumers. In This Episode (02:20) - Robin’s 2.5 IPOs (05:34) - From converting a prospect to ensuring a good customer experience (07:31) - The best kind of customer experience (10:37) - Robin’s long journey leading to his current role (14:32) - The difference between understanding a brand’s existence vs falling in love with what the brand does (19:52) - Merging the roles of CMOs and Chief Experience Officers (23:48) - How can organizations help develop radical relationships? (29:24) - Robin’s advice to his younger self from 20 years ago (31:51) - The Combustion Questions What we learned from Robin The need for marketers to experience the end-to-end process. Understanding what customer experience is about – focusing on their experience, not our experience. Being an easy partner to work with is also an important part of customer experience. The best marketing engine you can create is word of mouth. Your communication skills will either make you succeed or fail in business. Notable Quotes [06:18] - “The best marketers I’ve known, they also take the time to learn the product and stay with it.” [07:34] - “The best marketing and the best kind of customer experience is about, how do you remove the friction points at every step of the way?” [11:22] - “I was always more driven by the potential of what could be, than the fear of just staying stale.” [20:01] - “Experience is such a part of creating a brand that people fall in love with, but also creating very strong word of mouth.” [29:32] - “If you really wanna see your career take off, it doesn’t happen if you just do the bare minimum. You have to go all in.” Our Guest Robin Daniels is a three-time Chief Marketing Officer, and a veteran of 2.5 IPOs, and currently serves as an advisor to fast-growth companies around the world. He spent more than 20 years in marketing and growth leadership roles at such companies as Salesforce, Box, LinkedIn, Matterport, and WeWork. His areas of expertise include product marketing, brand-building, and sales transformation, among many others. Resources & Links Robin Daniel
Wed, November 02, 2022
Vision Boards, Bridge Builders, & Mushrooming Collaboratives (with Cassandra Crowe)
How can we elevate the human experience in healthcare? COVID-19 has immensely affected the healthcare system, but how can it shift from the changes brought by the pandemic? Hospitals and systems really need to think about the experience of the patients, especially today in this new generated focus. So what is the role of Chief Experience Officers in breaking down these silos in healthcare? Is there still a space for collaboratives? How can we keep the human experience at the forefront? Join Shawn Nason as he talks to Cassandra Crowe to learn more. In This Episode (02:17) - Cassandra’s transition to Sharp HealthCare in 2020 (05:42) - Breaking down the silos in the health system (10:08) - Cassandra’s childhood dream, and her journey to becoming a CXO (14:09) - Working in an organization that does experience as a strategy (15:50) - The most important thing Cassandra learned as a certified patient experience professional (18:53) - How can we keep the human experience at the forefront? (21:15) - An experience idea that healthcare should emulate from another industry (22:59) - The best advice Cassandra has ever received about leadership (24:11) - The Combustion Questions What we learned from Cassandra Experience officers as bridge builders, dot connectors, and collaborative formers. You should expect good service when you walk into a healthcare organization. Experience is connected to everything that you do. In terms of creating a good experience, a lot of it is intuitive and based on regulations. The need to put experience design methodology at the forefront of your brain in everything we do. Notable Quotes [08:25] - “Our job is to make sure the work is meaningful and connected to a bigger strategic objective.” [16:27] - “In the healthcare space, letters behind your name mean a lot to certain people.” [17:29] - “If you’re not sure where I fit, then we won’t ever get to success.” [23:01] - “You don’t have to have a title to be a leader, you have to have heart for people.” Our Guest Cassandra Crowe serves as chief experience officer at Sharp HealthCare, her latest stop in 20+ years of leadership in patient experience and service excellence. She is a dynamic professional with a proven track record of elevating the human experience through collaborative relationships, and high-impact strategies and initiatives. Resources & Links Cassandra Crowe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandracrowemba/ Shawn Nason LinkedIn: <a href="http
Wed, October 26, 2022
The Principles of a Priceless Customer Experience (with Greg Boullin)
If you want to build an outstanding Experience Ecosystem™, understanding your customers is critical. But this is often easier said than done. Data and research can be difficult to mine for the right insights. Monitoring the metrics of a product life cycle can take your focus away from the end consumer big picture. Company leaders need to learn the importance of keeping their focus on the needs of the people they serve, finding the right problem, and designing the solutions for it. What are the principles of a priceless customer experience? How can you understand your customers more? Is there a place for maverick-minded people in the financial industry? Shawn Nason talks to Greg Boullin to learn more. In This Episode (02:19) - Greg recalls the best day he’s had at MasterCard (03:57) - The key elements of good in-person research (09:17) - Using experience design to be a force for good (13:09) - MasterCard is more than just a credit card company (14:56) - Greg’s advice to leaders of B to C to B companies (17:01) - Maverick-minded people in the financial industry (19:09) - How can we create more human obsession in the financial industry? (20:44) - The best advice Greg has ever received about leadership (22:36) - The Combustion Questions What we learned from Greg The importance of listening, observing, and trying it yourself when doing research. Act with purpose, lead with the heart, and make a positive impact. CX is about remaining genuinely focused on the needs of the people that you serve. The purpose of a business is to create a customer. The need to understand and respect different cultures. Notable Quotes [07:55] - “If you get more participation from engineers, product managers, executives, the investment follows.” [10:23] - “It’s time for doing well by doing good to become business as usual.” [14:57] - “Ultimately, you need to be focused on what delivers value for the end consumer.” [17:40] - “Maverick mindset allows us to accelerate vitality for the business.” [22:00] - “Get experiences of lots of different cultures and that will accelerate your learning and your career potential as it relates to leadership.” Our Guest Greg Boullin is the Senior Vice President of Experience and Innovation at MasterCard. Greg and his team are charged with de-risking the introduction of new products and services through customer-centric research and insights in close collaboration with experience design, engineering, and product teams. Resources & Links Greg Boullin LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregboullin/
Wed, October 19, 2022
The Secret Sauce for Designing for Humans (with Aarthi Murali)
If you get the human experience right, you’ll get the numbers that you need. Customers and employees should never be disconnected in any way, shape, or form, no matter what industry you’re in. It is crucial for leaders of organizations to think about how they can create delightful experiences for human beings that engage with their brands. The question is, what is the secret sauce for designing for humans? What does it mean to have an outside-in approach? How do we pull the three concepts of employee experience, customer experience, and brand experience together? Join Shawn Nason and Aarthi Murali as they discuss all this and more. In This Episode (02:11) - What does Aarthi’s average week look like? (05:02) - Aarthi’s approach to human experience (07:53) - Should the Chief Customer Experience Officer report to the CEO at an organization? (10:17) - The outside-in approach versus the inside-out approach (13:22) - Why Aarthi joined M&T Bank (17:34) - Aarthi’s journey and how it influenced her role today as a Chief Customer Experience Officer (22:10) - The advice Aarthi would give to people who want to be in a similar role in the industry (23:35) - What is Aarthi’s next big idea? (25:45) - The Combustion Questions What we learned for Aarthi In any industry, you can’t decouple customers and employees. The outside-in approach – putting ourselves in an empathetic lens. The further away you go from customer-facing roles, your customers tend to be different. What's most important is to think about beliefs and behaviors. The Chief Experience Officer role should be responsible for pulling together the three concepts of experience: employee, customer, and brand. Notable Quotes [06:25] - “I've been very much on this mission to connect the dots and make sure that when we think about experiences, it's human experiences and designed for humans.” [09:14] - “It's incredibly important that the (Experience Officer) role is empowered, has complete decision rights and has full empowerment to drive the change.” [12:31] - “Experiences are a set of choices that you allow the customers to make that delight them.” [15:29] - “It is very important for every single employee in that journey from front to back to connect to understand their piece of that journey.” [22:11] - “One of the things I would say is incredibly important in any role, especially for this role, would be to have an incredibly open mind and a growth mindset.” Our Guest Aarthi Murali is M&T Banks’ first Chief Customer Experience Officer. She focuses on enabling teams across the enterprise to design delightful end-to-end experiences f
Wed, October 12, 2022
Stitching Together Relationship-Centered Experiences (with Fred Gerantabee)
A consumer’s first exposure to the brand is always important. With every new generation that comes up, brands should never assume that these people already know what you’re offering to them. How do you create that first touch in trying to bring a customer into the fold? How do the three pillars of content, messaging and value work together to build the right experience? What is an “experience toolkit,” and how can you use it to strengthen multiple verticals across your entire Experience Ecosystem™? Join Shawn Nason and Fred Gerantabee explore all this and more. In This Episode (02:23) - Fred’s experience of diving into a new industry with his foundational toolkit (06:17) - The right product, right message, and the right experience (09:34) - How do you build the right experience for your customers? (14:30) - Fred’s transition from the tech industry to becoming a CXO (19:08) - How Fred saw technology outside of a box (22:15) - Beating the adoption curve in digital innovation (23:49) - How becoming a CXO culminated everything Fred has done in his career (25:10) - Fred’s advice to someone starting out in experience design (27:04) - The Combustion Questions What we learned from Fred You have to be very much forward facing with consumers. Understanding what is the environment in which you’re working The success of things should always come from a collective effort The CXO is the connector in any organization Always think about what you would want to see as a shopper. Notable quotes [06:49] - “If it is something where you are bringing consumers into a new category, how do you convince them that it’s the right time to enter and it’s the right product to meet?” [09:48] - “The success of things that I look to bring to the market are not solely mine.” [12:03] - “It’s for me to work with my colleagues and create those relationships that we embark on together to say, to achieve these things, we need to do all of this together congruently.” [21:33] - “The evolution of your brand is not just about yet another campaign or another stunt. It is about creating the coolest products that you can put out in a number of channels in the market.” [23:56] - “To be a CXO, you have to definitely be a generalist in many senses. You have to understand how the different pieces come together.” Our guest Fred Gerantabee is the CXO of FGX International, which is part of eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. He is an award-winning technologist, author and executive whose career has spanned the client, platform, and agency worlds across a variety of verticals. During stints at Walt Disney Internet Group, WPP, a
Wed, October 05, 2022
Weaving, Disruption, and Purpose (with Antonia Hock)
One of the many important things that businesses need to learn is to have the right discipline in knowing your signature identity as a brand. Are you the disruptor, or are you being disrupted? If your answer is neither, that is going to be a big problem. How do you build an experience-based brand? How do you make your employees and leaders more productive? And most importantly, how do you weave purpose into leadership? Join Shawn Nason as he talks to trailblazer and acclaimed futurist, Antonia Hock. In This Episode (03:25) - You’re either disrupting or being disrupted (04:35) - Having a signature identity and building your brand around it (06:23) - Building an experience-based brand and investing in customer experience (08:21) - The future of consumer behavior and what it means for businesses (12:43) - How customer centricity came into focus on Antonia’s journey (14:55) - Having a maverick in C-suites of established companies today (17:38) - How can leaders within an organization create better experiences all around? (20:42) - Leading with the purpose behind the work (23:58) - The Combustion Questions What we learned from Antonia If you’re doing customer experience as a program, you’re going to lose. COVID allowed us to reimagine connections Invest in career development and employee development Think about purpose and how to weave it from top to bottom Having a questioning mindset that is tied to purpose Notable quotes [07:23] - “When you think about an experience-based brand, that is a leadership team that is thinking about the consumer first and building it into everything they do.” [10:01] - “More and more businesses are exploring this concept of purpose. That's another great consumer behavior trend.” [16:19] - “If you're going to embrace a maverick, you have to be ready for what they're bringing in their toolkit.” [19:23] - “Invest in great skill development and in portable things that make your employees more productive and leaders more productive.” [20:42] - “Leading with the purpose behind the work gets at the root of a lot of things that teams are really looking for right now.” Our guest Antonia Hock is a trailblazer and acclaimed futurist in the world of organizational transformation, leadership excellence, and building experience-based brands. Her career is rooted in building cultures of customer-centricity, implementing game-changing leadership strategy, and innovating customer experiences, all with an emphasis on tangible results and lasting impact. Before launching Antonia J.A. Hock & Associates as a global consulting firm focused on transformational leader
Wed, September 28, 2022
Finding the ‘Why’ Behind CX (with Gene Lee)
If you went to two different coffee shops that both had the same quality of coffee for the same price, which would you choose over the other? And more importantly – why? It all comes down to the customer experience – and being able to answer “why” is the key to any company’s CX. Join Shawn Nason and Gene Lee to discover how employee trust, culture and buy-in impact CX, why good CX is more human-obsessed than customer-obsessed, how to start figuring out the answer to your business’ “why,” and more. In this episode (02:22) - Explaining the value of CX (04:21) - Everybody needs to be part of customer experience (05:03) - Building the trust in an organization (06:44) - The mistakes that Gene went through, and how he was able to turn things right (12:13) - How Gene’s previous career experiences led him to his current role in CX (19:46) - Creating more human obsession in the industry (24:14) - Gene’s advice to himself as he was starting out his journey in CX (25:26) - The Combustion Questions What we learned from Gene Once you get past the “why” and buy-in, it then becomes about trust. Adoption is key, not just the understanding of concepts. Having the right culture is what it takes to get CX done The importance of empathy and understanding what your customers go through. Notable quotes [05:09] - “Once you have the trust, the who, when and how, becomes a lot easier.” [05:33] - “You gotta build your trust with your peers, stakeholders, and partners.” [08:03] - “Don’t fall in love with the tool and try to convince the organization, use it and show them the value of it.” [21:05] - “Bring the customer in as you concept and co-create. Be closer to the customer.” [23:13] - “You have to go slow to move fast and really understand the problem and understand what areas of experience that we can move the needle.” Our guest Gene Lee is the Vice President of experience design at Autodesk where he leads a talented, multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering a seamless end-to-end customer experience across the entire digital customer lifecycle. Previously, he served as chief experience officer at Mailchimp, and also had the opportunity to work at Sony PlayStation, Nickelodeon, Scholastic, Landor, Y&R, among many other great brands. Resources & Links Gene Lee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene337/ Shawn Nason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasonshawn/ Instagram: https://www.
Wed, September 21, 2022
Shifting from Patient Experience to Human Experience (with Nicole Cable)
In every industry, there’s always more than one type of person, customer or title that helps shape the Experience Ecosystem™. In healthcare, it’s been known as “the patient experience” – but now, as leaders begin to look at the way providers, employees, patients and their families all impact a hospital’s ecosystem, the human experience has become more apt. Why is focusing on the human experience critical in every industry? How do you measure the value and ROI of such a subjective thing in a metrics-obsessed world? What do you need to know to leverage the human experience in your company’s ecosystem? Join Shawn Nason and Nicole Cable to learn more. In this episode (01:57) What drew Nicole back to healthcare (05:09) What human experience looks like in a healthcare setting (10:30) Keeping leadership focused on human experience, not just metrics (16:43) The ROI of experience in healthcare (22:15) How diversity helps an organization stay human-obsessed (26:04) Nicole’s advice for those in CX (29:04) The Combustion questions What we learned from Nicole Connect with and learn from other human-obsessed individuals in your field. Diversity matters, and helps you learn from others with unique or different experiences. Everybody’s experience – not just the patient – matters in the healthcare Experience Ecosystem™. Notable quotes [06:02] – “The one thing that we did religiously was our team members always came first. So I am of the mindset that if you don't take care of the team members, they're not gonna take care of a patient.” [13:24] – “The saying that I hear all the time is ‘Nothing about me without me’. Don’t do anything for me without my input and I feel like that’s important from a patient experience perspective.” [24:33] – “Don’t ever have a fear to speak up because what you give us may be the differentiator for everything that we do. No idea is a bad idea, and all voices are welcome and heard.” [25:57] – “I think you have to be willing to go out there and do things that some people might think you’re crazy for doing it, but if it’s the right thing to do, you need to stand by it.” [27:00] – “You have to be willing to humble yourself to know you don’t know everything cos no matter what they say I am, I am still learning and growing in my world.” Our guest Nicole Cable is the Chief Experience Officer of CareMax, Inc., which is a network of value-based clinics providing primary care, dental care, social services and more. Previously, she served as the Chief Experience Officer of InnovaCare Health. Resources & Links Nicole Cable LinkedIn: http
Wed, September 14, 2022
Beyond DEI: Shaping the Employee Experience (with Mark Rickmeier)
A company’s Experience Ecosystem™ can be a vast and complex thing. But where exactly does the employee experience fit in, how does it impact the overall environment – and what can leaders do to shape an employee experience that works in tandem with the rest of the ecosystem? Join Shawn Nason and Mark Rickmeier to explore how remote work has altered the employee experience, why experiences are more impactful for employees than fancy offices and other perks, and what employers can do to start going beyond basic DEI initiatives and shape a truly effective Experience Ecosystem™. In This Episode [02:03] The PechaKucha storytelling framework [05:44] The TXI office experience prior to the pandemic [06:58] Outgrowing and letting go of the experiences that helped shape TXI’s culture [07:25] Why rent is a dumb way to facilitate experiences [08:12] How different tools help TXI bridge the connection gap as they transition to remote work [10:39] Fostering a sense of connection and belonging by finding other ways to bring people together [14:22] Finding other DEI leaders, and Mark’s learnings as part of Loyola University’s inaugural program for DEI Leadership [18:34] The importance of giving everyone an equitable understanding of what growth means [23:36] The Kermit Collective camps, the unconference approach, and what other leaders can learn from it [27:28] The best advice Mark has ever received about leadership [29:59] The Combustion Questions What we learned from Mark You can do more in-depth experiences around bringing people together than you could just shopping money and rent where it's gonna sit empty most of the time for most of the people. Using rent to foster connection is a stupid use of resources these days. The value of “Cooperatition”. You should have a dedicated budget and leaders who are getting trained in DEI. Take things that are implicit and make them very explicit. Busy is the new stupid. Notable quotes [08:32] - “You need to have everything easily accessible to improve transparency and equitable access to everyone.” [10:40] - “ Unlearn and let go of some of the things that historically worked to experiment and find new things that work.” [27:00] - “The most important way to learn is through admitting and owning up to failure.” [28:52] - “Your time as a leader is not just when you’re busy doing a bunch of things.” Our guest Mark Rickmeier is the Chief Executive Officer at TXI , a product innovation company. He has created more than 100 mobile apps, custom-built web applications, and intuitive user experiences for clients like the Field Museum, R
Wed, August 17, 2022
Putting the Heart Back in Business
Can you afford to put heart into business? In 2022, maybe a better question is – can you afford not to? Over our Experience Ecosystem miniseries, we’ve talked a lot about the practical elements of experience – implementing a new system, bridging gaps between the old one, helping your org understand the value of experience, and more. But when humans are the heart of your business, your business needs heart. Join Shawn Nason and Zack Hamilton as we talk about keeping humans at the heart of your business’ experience, the importance of heart-centered leadership and using human-first principles to connect with your customers on a deeper level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wed, August 10, 2022
Experience as a Strategy
One ultra-successful CEO once said, “If experience is not part of your strategy or your top three priorities in your organization, you're missing the mark.” But what does experience as strategy look like – and how do you build a functional framework around an experience strategy? Today’s episode focuses on the ins and outs of building an experience strategy – what you should look for in the short and long term, famous examples with big name brands like Sephora and Kohl’s, and how you can lead your org into a better understanding of the value of experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wed, August 03, 2022
Experience - The Battleground
There’s an undeniable disconnect – both for consumers and experience leaders – between what people want and what companies are able to deliver. That’s because experience has become a battleground – and your biggest competitor is no longer just another name in your industry, but the brand your customers have experienced most recently. Join Shawn Nason and Zack Hamiltion to explore how leaders can fight (and win) on the experience battleground, and how can you bridge that consumer disconnect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wed, July 27, 2022
Experience Strategy Gap
What’s the difference between a traditional experience management and experience systems, how do you bridge the gap between the two – and why is today the day to get started? (Hint: The former CEOs of belly-up companies like Blockbuster or Sears could probably tell you the answer.) Continuing last episode’s conversation on all things Experience Ecosystem™, Shawn Nason and Zack Hamilton keep the discussion going on why traditional experience management is struggling, how to make deeper customer connections your organization’s North Star and the link between taking action and lasting brand loyalty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wed, July 20, 2022
Experience Systems
What does an Experience Ecosystem™ look like in action? What kind of framework do they require, and where in the process do organizations commonly trip up? The experience ecosystem miniseries continues! In today’s episode, host Shawn Nason leads the conversation deeper into the more practical points of Experience Ecosystems. We’ll explore how VOC (voice of customer) should shape your Experience Ecosystem, the frictions most companies encounter during implementation and why so many orgs are still only set up to manage experience, not build it as an ecosystem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wed, July 13, 2022
Experience Ecosystems
When you think of Disney, chances are you no longer only think of your favorite characters or theme park rides. You remember feelings – your experiences in the parks, the fun you had at their all-inclusive, immersive resorts. That’s called an experience ecosystem, and it’s the reason Disney continues to see remarkable profits year after year, regardless of the economic climate. An experience ecosystem is something every company – from LLC to Inc – aspires to, but few truly achieve. So what makes an experience ecosystem so important? What’s the danger of siloing? What does your brand promise have to do with anything? Join Shawn Nason and Zack Hamilton for an insider look at experience ecosystems and why they’re changing the way our world does business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E69 · Wed, March 09, 2022
Trend-Driven Disruption (with Daniel Burrus)
Lots of people love reading trend reports; much fewer have a clue of what to do with what they’re reading. That’s where this week’s guest comes in. Author, speaker, and futurist Daniel Burrus has built a worldwide reputation for his spot-on predictions about technology-driven change and its impact on the business world. In fact, he’s named in hundreds of patents by people who got their ideas from his speaking and writing. Join the conversation as host Shawn Nason talks with Daniel about turning disruption into a choice, understanding the difference between hard trends and soft trends, and recognizing that there’s more opportunity on planet Earth right now than there has ever been in human history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E68 · Wed, March 02, 2022
Shocking Vulnerability (with Ahmad Imam)
Join us this week as host Shawn Nason sits down with Ahmad Imam, an entrepreneur whose journey has taken him from pizza-shop dishwasher to being recognized as one of the top influencers to follow in 2021. As a presenter, host, edutainer, and highly regarded social media personality with over a million engaged followers, Ahmad speaks a message of empowerment and leads by example in his challenge to inspire shocking vulnerability in the business world. Covering topics from going against the grain to being the story that other people tell at the dinner table, Shawn and Ahmad are not afraid to blow up the traditional norms of leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E67 · Wed, February 23, 2022
The Power of Go-Giving (with Bob Burg)
Maybe you’ve thought of yourself as a go-getter, but have you ever aspired to be a "go-giver"? Meet this week’s guest, author, consultant, and business leader Bob Burg, who is on a mission to show people that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve. For over 30 years, Bob has been successfully showing entrepreneurs, leaders, and sales professionals how to communicate their value and accelerate their referral business. Join the conversation between Bob and host Shawn Nason as they talk about winning by shifting focus from getting to giving, bringing immense value to others, and putting other people first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E66 · Wed, February 16, 2022
Thriving with Disruption (with Charlene Li)
This week’s guest has been a disruptor since way before disruption was cool. Join in the conversation as host Shawn Nason talks all things disruption with author, podcaster, speaker, and consultant Charlene Li, founder of Altimeter, a disruptive analyst firm acquired in 2015 by Prophet. In her mission to help leaders and organizations thrive with disruption, Charlene shifts people’s mindsets and behaviors to embrace disruption and change as a positive instead of negative. In this episode, the two disruptors talk about getting intimate at work, placing the customer prominently on your metrics dashboard, treating employees as collaborators instead of sheep, and making failure a part of your vocabulary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E65 · Wed, February 09, 2022
Leading with Service and Hospitality (with Michael Schultz)
On this episode, host Shawn Nason sits down with Michael Schultz, founder of Infuse Hospitality, a one-stop solution for specialty food and beverage experiences, which operates more than 29 million square feet across North America. Obsessed with creating human-obsessed experiences, Schultz also founded Chicago-based Fairgrounds Craft Coffee & Tea, a first-of-a-kind cafe that offers a variety of craft coffee roasters, specialty teas, and fresh chef-made food all under one roof. Join the conversation as these two mavericks chat about the power of legacy, solving for the right problem, and understanding that their children are not any more important than anyone else’s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E64 · Wed, February 02, 2022
S’mores, Taylor Swift, and Standing Out as a Maverick (with Billy Saleebey)
What do s’mores and Taylor Swift have to do with standing out as a maverick? Join this week’s episode to find out as Shawn Nason talks with Billy Samoa Saleebey, CEO and co-founder of Podify, a podcast agency that provides production and promotion services to companies and individuals who want to create podcasts. Centered on human-obsessed business interactions, the two cover authentic conversations about going against the grain, asking the hard questions, embracing customer mindsets, and overcoming obstacles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E63 · Wed, January 26, 2022
Humanizing Your Business Relationships (with Rachel Beck)
If LinkedIn ever names a chief inspiration officer, this week’s guest, Rachel Beck, would be perfect for the job. With more than a quarter of a million followers, she fills her feed with words of encouragement that bring hope to her followers. As an international award-winning photographer and author, she seeks to inspire as many people as possible before she leaves the planet. Join in this week’s conversation as host Shawn Nason talks with Rachel about maverick mindsets, using social media for good, and humanizing business relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E62 · Wed, January 19, 2022
Called for a Bit More (with Cory Warfield)
What do liver and onions have to do with changing the world? According to this week’s guest, there’s a stronger connection than you might think. In this episode, host Shawn Nason talks with Cory Warfield (A.K.A. the “LinkedIn Growth Guy”) about wowing your customer, putting yourself out there, listening more than you talk, and developing work-life harmony. Driven by big problems that needed to be solved, Warfield’s entrepreneurial career reflects an ongoing theme of constantly being called to step up and do a bit more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S6 E61 · Wed, January 12, 2022
Influencing the Influencers (with Anthony J. James)
To kick off the sixth season of The Combustion Chronicles podcast, host Shawn Nason sits down with B2B influencer AJ James to dig into the never-dull world of business influencers. Join the conversation as James, chief growth officer and CEO of InfluencerActive and group CEO for innovation and growth at Trinity Consulting Services, discusses innovation and transformation through the lens of connection while engaging the power of rule breaking, constructive criticism, and believing in your ideas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E60 · Wed, December 01, 2021
Putting People Over Profits (with Diane Magers, Stacy Sherman & Jeannie Walters)
In the world of business, it's all too easy to put profits over people and turn relationships into meaningless transactions. How might we flip the script and focus on humanizing business interactions by creating experiences that create significant revenue? Join host Shawn Nason as he examines the business case of creating people-first Experience Ecosystems with a panel of experts. Guests include Diane Magers, founder and chief experience officer at Experience Catalysts in Dallas, TX; Stacy Sherman, a keynote speaker, author, and podcaster; and Jeannie Walters, founder and chief experience officer of Experience Investigators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E59 · Wed, November 24, 2021
Creating Rock Star Experiences (with James Dodkins)
What does putting on an amazing heavy metal show have to do with customer experience? According to this week's guest, pretty much everything. In this edgy episode, Shawn Nason sits down with award-winning author and speaker James Dodkins to get real about the power of relationships, designing for customer success, and acknowledging the role that fear plays in CX work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E58 · Wed, November 17, 2021
New Experience Horizons (with Jon Radoff, Dr. Swati Mehta, & Dov Hirsch)
How might we prepare for the new experience frontiers that will be here before we know it? On this episode, host Shawn Nason talks with three industry experts who dig into the role that digital technology plays in transforming our experience horizons. Guests include Jon Radoff, CEO of Beamable; Dr. Swati Mehta, director of quality and performance at Vituity; and Dov Hirsch, founder of ContinuumXR. Download Vituity's tips for making virtual visits "R.E.A.L." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E57 · Wed, November 10, 2021
Rethinking the Healthcare Experience (with Beth Bierbower)
From humanizing the patient experience to engaging as many industry disruptions as possible, this week's guest is no stranger to challenging the healthcare industry to think differently. Join host Shawn Nason and healthcare experience expert Beth Bierbower as they discuss how healthcare leaders can rethink their Experience Ecosystems by paying attention to what eighteen-year-olds are doing in their garages, looking for lost opportunities, and utilizing data in ways that create a better quality of life for the people they serve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E56 · Wed, November 03, 2021
CX Rants, Soapboxes, and Wakeup Calls (with Nate Brown)
Nate Brown's conviction and energy for customer experience knows no bounds. As a CX executive and co-founder of the CX Accelerator, he relentlessly unleashes his expertise, boldness, and creativity on the challenges that prevent organizations from creating experiences that make people's lives better. Join us this week as host Shawn Nason sits down with Nate to wake up CX professionals, harness the voice of the customer, and challenge the status quo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E55 · Wed, October 27, 2021
Experience Design at the Pace of Change (with Braden Kelley, Diane Stover-Hopkins, & Michael Horn)
How are business leaders using experience design to keep up with the pace of change? On this episode, host Shawn Nason is joined by a panel of experts to talk about the role that experience design plays when innovation gets accelerated. Guests include Braden Kelley, customer experience and innovation solution director at HCL Technologies; Diane Stover-Hopkins, founder and CEO of ExPeers; and Michael Horn, senior strategist at Guild Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E54 · Wed, October 20, 2021
Getting Real About Customer-Centricity (with Annette Franz)
Lots of organizations talk about being customer centric; this week's guest actually makes customer centricity happen. Join the conversation as host Shawn Nason gets real with internationally recognized thought leader, keynote speaker, and author Annette Franz about focusing on the humans in Experience Ecosystems by putting customers in the center of the organization's discussions, decisions, and designs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E53 · Wed, October 13, 2021
Making Magical Experiences
How do you create experiences so amazing that they're nothing short of magical? According to this week's guest, it all comes down to leadership. Join host Shawn Nason as he sits down with Lee Cockerell, former executive vice president of operations for the Walt Disney World Resort, to talk about the role that people-centric leadership plays in creating experiences that change people's lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E52 · Wed, October 06, 2021
Investing in Change
On this week's episode, host Shawn Nason explores innovation and disruption through the lens of the investment world. Though sinking major money into the next big thing is never a sure bet, investing in innovation requires looking beyond the immediate return on investment to focus on creating a better world. Episode guests include Michael Lee, senior vice president of strategy and marketing at Innovation Minds; David Kepron, founder and owner of NXTLVL Experience Design; and Garnet Heraman, co-founder and managing partner of Aperture VC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E51 · Wed, September 29, 2021
Culture, Leadership, and Social Legacy (with Emily Chang)
Having served in executive leadership roles with some of the world's most recognizable companies, this week's guest brings a unique perspective to understanding the importance of human-first experiences. Join in the conversation this week as host Shawn Nason talks with Emily Chang, CEO of McCann Worldgroup China, to discuss culture and leadership as well as the role that social legacy plays in the business world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E50 · Wed, September 22, 2021
Getting Customers to Come Back Again & Again (with Shep Hyken)
According to customer experience expert Shep Hyken, there's a big difference between repeat customers and loyal customers. And, to be successful, companies have to know the difference. Join us this week as Shep, an in-demand keynote speaker and best-selling author, joins host Shawn Nason for a no-holds-barred conversation about loyalty killers, the importance of leadership and culture, and the launch of his new book, I'll Be Back: How to Get Customers to Come Back Again & Again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E49 · Wed, September 15, 2021
Banking on Experience Design
The banking industry is at an interesting crossroads as it navigates the Experience Economy, the expectations of a mobile generation, and the uncertainties of the cryptocurrency frontier. How can banks leverage experience to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly changing world? On this episode, host Shawn Nason explores experience design in the banking industry with Robin Beers, SVP of customer insights and experience design at Wells Fargo, Renee Pezzi, SVP and head of enterprise experience at Atlantic Union Bank, and Andrés Ospina, SVP and head of user-centered design at City National Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E48 · Wed, September 08, 2021
Creating Remarkable Experiences (with Dan Gingiss)
No one shares an average experience; they share things they love and things they can’t stand. When you create a remarkable experience for your customers, they become your best marketers. On this episode, host Shawn Nason sits down with international keynote speaker, author, and customer experience coach Dan Gingiss, who explains why creating remarkable customer experiences is a company's best option for their sales and marketing strategy. 1shALtponNScsHTyqd8m Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E47 · Wed, September 01, 2021
Engaging the Experience Economy (with Joe Pine)
There's a big difference between services and experiences, and according to this week's guest, companies who are not staging experiences are missing important revenue opportunities. In this episode, Joe Pine, internationally acclaimed speaker and bestselling author of The Experience Economy: Competing for Customer Time, Attention, and Money, joins host Shawn Nason to challenge leaders from all industries to rethink their approach to customer experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E46 · Wed, August 25, 2021
Humanizing Emerging Technologies
Like it or not, artificial intelligence, robots, and other emerging technologies keep business leaders on their toes as they try to figure out how to navigate a changing world. How can we stay a step ahead of these changes, and more importantly, how can we humanize the technology as it emerges? On this episode, we're diving into the role that emerging technologies play in creating experiences that keep people coming back with guests Lou Carbone (founder and CEO of Experience Engineering Inc), Craig Allan Ahrens (senior vice-president of growth and strategy at CareRev), and Christoph Burkhardt (CEO of OneLife and founder of TinyBox Academy). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E45 · Wed, August 18, 2021
Blowing Up the CX Status Quo (with Blake Morgan)
From launching her own business to making people’s lives better by challenging the outdated conventions of customer experience (CX), Blake Morgan is no stranger to rejecting the status quo. In this episode, host Shawn Nason sits down with Blake to talk about CX trends, the importance of leadership, and the need to operationalize Experience Ecosystems™. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 E44 · Wed, August 11, 2021
Memories, Fishing Nets, and the Importance of Behavioral Science
According to this week’s guest, “Too many organizations have jumped on the customer experience bandwagon without understanding what it is.” As it turns out, the key to successfully jumping on the bandwagon includes harnessing the power of memories, playing with fishing nets, and jumping into behavioral science. Join us this week as we kick off season five of The Combustion Chronicles with bestselling author, podcast host, and LinkedIn influencer, Colin Shaw, CEO and Founder of Beyond Philosophy, who’s on a mission to change the face of customer experience by inspiring companies to focus on their customers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E43 · Wed, July 14, 2021
Kiss Your Dragons: Let’s Soar!
From the paralyzing impact of fear to the limitations caused by a scarcity mindset, dragons everywhere are holding us back. To wrap up the Kiss Your Dragons mini-series, we join authors Shawn Nason, Robin Glasco, and Michael Harper as they dig into the obstacles that prevent all of us from being the people that the world needs us to be and examine the lasting impact that dragon kissing has had on their work, their relationships, and their lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E42 · Wed, July 07, 2021
Kiss Your Dragons: The Power of Heartsets
Claiming to be customer-centric has become a throwaway buzzword for lots of organizations. On this episode of the Kiss Your Dragons mini-series, authors Shawn Nason, Robin Glasco, and Michael Harper explore the transformative power of heartsets in challenging us to rethink our approach to and relationships with the business world. Join us for a blunt conversation about putting people first, leading with love, and connecting our minds and hearts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E41 · Wed, June 30, 2021
Kiss Your Dragons: Embrace the Messiness of Swarms
They say, “your vibe attracts your tribe,” but your tribe ain’t your swarm. On this episode of the Kiss Your Dragons miniseries, authors Shawn Nason, Robin Glasco, and Michael Harper discuss how to build truly effective swarms in your workplace and community and how to navigate the messiness that comes with the territory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E40 · Wed, June 23, 2021
Kiss Your Dragons: Get Radical with Relationships
Ready to get radical? As our Kiss Your Dragons journey continues, authors Shawn Nason, Robin Glasco, and Michael Harper examine the challenges they’ve overcome and the lessons they’ve learned by embracing the messy, radical relationships they have with each other and the world around them. Spoiler Alert: If you're convinced that you already have radical relationships in your life, you may need to reconsider after listening to this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E39 · Wed, June 16, 2021
Kiss Your Dragons: A Metaphor, a Credo, and a Rallying Cry
Every journey starts with a single step, or in this case, a single page. Join us for another episode of the Kiss Your Dragons miniseries, as authors Shawn Nason, Robin Glasco, and Michael Harper discuss what compelled them to turn their mindsets and heartsets into a book and why they’re on a journey to challenge people and organizations to rethink their day-to-day interactions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E38 · Wed, June 09, 2021
Kiss Your Dragons: Mindsets Matter
In the book, Kiss Your Dragons: Radical Relationships, Bold Heartsets, and Changing the World , Shawn Nason, Robin Glasco, and Michael Harper challenge readers to live and work differently by embracing a powerful set of mindsets and heartsets. In this first episode of the Kiss Your Dragons mini-series, the three authors sit down to discuss the mindset that is most important to each of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E37 · Wed, May 26, 2021
The Cost of Fear (with Tabatha Coffey)
Fear has a price. Often that price includes limiting our capacity for showing up authentically, living our dreams, and being the best versions of ourselves. This week’s guest, Tabatha Coffey, believes that paying attention to the fear in our lives can unlock our ability to live a joy-filled, passionate life. Join us this week as we chat with the author, speaker, coach, and Bravo TV star about the cost of fear, embracing our authentic selves, and learning to live less in our heads and more in our hearts. Download the executive summary for this episode at shawnnason.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E36 · Wed, May 12, 2021
Grit, Gut, and Relationships (with Chris Cabott)
Before he repped the first-round NFL draft picks and negotiated mega endorsement deals, Chris Cabott was a small-town Pennsylvania kid who was driven to help others make a difference. Decades later, Chris still feels compelled to help, but he also knows what it takes to build long-lasting, meaningful relationships. On this week’s episode we link up with Chris, the president and CEO of Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, to talk about the lessons he’s learned about managing elite talent, rebounding from failure, and always trusting your gut. Download the executive summary for this episode at shawnnason.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E35 · Wed, April 28, 2021
A Frontline Data Revolution (with Ville Levaniemi)
If the customer is always right, shouldn’t we listen to what they have to say? And shouldn’t we get their feedback to the employees who can act on it? That’s just what Ville Levaniemi’s company, HappyOrNot, is doing. The company’s globally recognizable feedback system uses smiley faces—and frowny faces—to instantly turn consumer responses into clear, actionable information. Believing data should be both transparent and democratized, Ville is looking to disrupt the way organizations relate to their employees and instantly get the feedback to the people who need it most, the frontline worker. Join us this week as we chat with Ville about the power of harnessing real-time feedback and how it can revolutionize the future of business and the customer experience. Download the executive summary for this episode at shawnnason.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E34 · Wed, April 14, 2021
Design for a Change (with Ashleigh Axios)
From designing a new last name with her soon-to-be husband to lighting up the White House, Ashleigh Axios knows a thing or two about creating change. Inspired at a young age to never be satisfied with the status quo, she’s used her design chops to seize opportunities for breaking through barriers, challenging the norm, and inspiring others to think bigger about the world around them. Join us on this week’s episode as we chat with Ashleigh about bravely harnessing the power of design to be a vehicle for systemic change. Download the executive summary for this episode at shawnnason.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E33 · Wed, March 31, 2021
More Than the Game (with Jared Odrick)
For Jared Odrick, life after professional football has been anything but boring. From world travel and speaking engagements to creative exploration and self-reflection, he didn’t get the memo that “retirement” means slowing down. But whether he’s clashing on the gladiatorial gridiron, writing his next opinion piece, or hashing out the intricacies of faith with a group of Orthodox priests, Jared is always pushing back against a world (and a game) that preaches conformity, using his distinct perspective to humanize the way we think about our athletes. Join us for this week’s episode with Jared Odrick, as we examine life after sports, controlling your own story, and our profound misunderstanding of the modern athlete. Download the executive summary for this episode at shawnnason.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E32 · Wed, March 17, 2021
Waving a Baton for Change (with Teddy Abrams)
Teddy Abrams first dreamed of leading an orchestra when he was just nine years old. Barely two decades later, this musical phenom now leads both the Louisville Orchestra and Oregon’s Britt Festival. But Abrams isn’t just another orchestra conductor; he’s reinventing what an orchestra and its music can mean for a city and its people. He now dreams about far more than just waving a baton, and he’s just as comfortable hanging out with hip hop stars, bluegrass musicians, gospel choirs, and social-justice activists as he is on the podium. Join us for this week’s conversation as we sit down with the conductor extraordinaire to discuss how he’s using the universal language of music to break down walls and heal a city, offering a path forward not just for his community, but for humanity. Download the executive summary for this episode at shawnnason.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E31 · Wed, March 03, 2021
The Science of Happiness (with Shawn Achor)
After a year of pandemic isolation and social turmoil, we could all use a little happiness. But how do we find it and how do we keep it? And is happiness even a choice? We explore those questions and more on this week’s episode with happiness expert Shawn Achor. The bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential , Shawn says increased—even radical—happiness is possible for anyone; it just takes the right mix of mindsets and behaviors. Join us as we sit down with Shawn to discuss his research, what the data tells us about happiness, and his proven strategies for creating a happier life. Download the executive summary for this episode at shawnnason.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E30 · Wed, February 17, 2021
The Power of Neurodiversity (with Michael Brown and Tim Peace, FNP)
What if we lived in a world where cognitive differences were embraced as strengths to be leveraged instead of disabilities to be managed? That’s just the world neurodiversity advocates Michael Brown and Tim Peace dream about. From ADHD to the autism spectrum, from bipolar disorder to depression and anxiety, the duo are hopeless champions for engaging neurodiversity as a unique opportunity to further humankind. Join Michael and Tim on this week’s episode as they challenge what we think we know about the brain and invite us to join a universal movement to harness the power of neurodiversity. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E29 · Wed, February 03, 2021
A King’s Voice for a Better Way (with Antonio Fernandez)
Imagine a reformed gang leader harnessing their inner poetic voice to fight for social change through the undeniable power and passion of their words. Imagine a community activist transforming the idea of what a gang is into what a gang can be. Now, imagine listening to that person’s stories through the lens of disruption. Join us for this week’s episode as we chat with Antonio (King Tone) Fernandez and trace his amazing journey from drug dealer to social justice activist and leader of The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, New York Chapter, and dive into his inspiring stories of innovation, leadership, and hope. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 E28 · Wed, January 20, 2021
Soaring with Dragons (with Shawn Nason)
To kick off season four, we flip the script and put host Shawn Nason in the guest seat. That’s right: the unapologetic founder of Man on Fire and the Nason Group ecosystem (MOFI, Disruptor League, Truth Tellers, and The Pink Couch) will be the focus of the conversation for a change. It’ll be a unique opportunity to get inside the mind of this insanely creative disruptor and strategy expert who often gets pegged as a “corporate pastor” because he can’t help but take care of other people. Join Shawn and guest host Michael Harper as they explore the origins of The Combustion Chronicles podcast, the disruptive mindsets that are the foundation of their work, and what it really means to kiss your dragons. (Spoiler alert: it’s a good thing!) Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E27 · Wed, December 23, 2020
Augmenting Reality (with Neil Mandt)
“You’ll remember it more by being in it.” That’s the mantra of Neil Mandt, CEO/Founder of CrimeDoor. He’s harnassing the massive potential for artificial intelligence and virtual reality to humanize experiences and enhance learning by creating multi-sensory, multi-dimensional experiences through the “spatial web.” A winner of 50 international film festival honors and multiple Emmy Awards, Neil stops by to share how rejection, world travel, and imagining the impossible continue to propel him forward towards designing a better future on a global scale. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E26 · Wed, December 16, 2020
A Recipe for Reinvention (with Chef Bryan-David Scott)
How does a KitchenAid brand ambassador and four-time Luxury Coffee Roaster of the Year blow people’s minds and tastebuds week in and week out without boring himself or his customers? Find out when we sit down with Chef Bryan-David Scott, America’s Celebrity Coffee Chef. Scott says the key to innovating in your field lies with two principles: being true to yourself and interrupting your routine to keep yourself surprised. That and a good cup of coffee will make epic sh*t happen. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E25 · Wed, December 09, 2020
Take Two (with Chris McCarthy)
The best disruptors like to iterate as much as they can to perfect an idea—or at least a minimum viable product. So, it wasn’t a total shock when Chris McCarthy, vice president of strategy and design for Hopelab and founder of the Innovation Learning Network, asked us to re-record his podcast episode. In this second take, we go meta and get uncomfortable, diving deep into Chris’s mindset of embracing the mess and bringing it all to the table—your best intellect, your whole heart, everything—and being willing to endure pain in order to heal deep wounds. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E24 · Wed, December 02, 2020
Disruptive Harmony (with Gregg Breinberg)
Before grade-school choral director Gregg Breinberg won the TriBeCa Disruptive Innovation Award, before his fifth-grade chorus at Staten Island’s PS22 performed for Lady Gaga and President Obama, before the appearances on The Today Show and Sesame Street, he was just another young public-school teacher trying to follow his instincts. On this week’s episode, Gregg dives deep into his story of finding success through a clear mission and being willing to break tradition, bend the rules, and act now and apologize later. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E23 · Wed, November 25, 2020
Unteaching (with Nancye Green & Julie Anixter)
While imagination has no limits, designers and creatives Nancye Green and Julie Anixter know all too well that bureaucracy, hierarchy, and tradition can put up barriers that prevent transformative solutions. That’s why they’re on a mission to unteach everything we think we know about creativity. Join the dynamic duo on this week’s episode, as they advocate for following curiosities, creating collaboratively, and breaking through the boundaries we construct in our minds. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E22 · Wed, November 18, 2020
Rethinking Medicine (with Dr. Will Cole)
Leading functional medicine expert Dr. Will Cole thinks his being tagged as a “disruptor” says more about the field of medicine than about his own mindset. Now, he’s flipping the script on how healthcare is delivered by empowering patients to stay healthy, focusing on preventing disease rather than treating patients after they fall ill. On this week’s episode, learn more about functional medicine and why Dr. Cole believes the democratization of information can lead to ownership, autonomy, and innovation in healthcare and beyond. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E21 · Wed, November 11, 2020
To Innovate, Stay Cool (with Richard Paxman)
How do you draw passion and inspiration from family tragedy? When the matriarch of family-run Paxman Coolers Limited lost her hair to chemotherapy, the company turned its decades of cooling-industry expertise into a new product: scalp coolers for cancer patients. A hundred thousand cancer patients later, the family business has become a family legacy. Join this week’s conversation as Managing Director Richard Paxman talks about preserving his family’s history and keeping a cool head when life unexpectedly changes your direction. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 E20 · Wed, November 04, 2020
Mission Moustache (with Rich Loesing)
Movember, a quirky moustached movement started to promote men’s health, has evolved into a global brand and charity that has raised $900 million and funded over 1,200 men’s health programs in 21 countries. How does something superficial like celebrating facial hair evolve into a worldwide phenomenon that digs deep into supporting men’s health issues, mental health and suicide prevention? Join Rich Loesing, corporate development manager at the Movember Foundation, to discover how the group is working to disrupt the traditional model of nonprofit organizations while changing the face of men’s health on a global scale. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E19 · Wed, October 28, 2020
Founded on Failure (with Terry Jones)
Kayak and Travelocity founder Terry Jones is the poster child for embracing failure, and he brings this mindset into everything he tries. In fact, he considers his $15 million worth of epic failures to be among his best investments. Why? Because every failure is a short course in What Not to Do Next Time. Join us on this week’s episode as we explore some of Terry’s biggest lessons and how we can all embrace failure along the road to success. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E18 · Wed, October 21, 2020
Upstream Intervention (with Margaret Laws)
Leap before you look—that’s how HopeLab founder Margaret Laws approaches innovation. When she wants to launch a big idea, she just goes for it. She believes we learn to innovate not by planning but by doing, adapting to feedback, accepting failures, and pivoting on the fly. Join us for this week’s discussion as Margaret describes how this mindset guided her new app, Nod, which helps teens battle loneliness and depression, and how radical collaboration with teens guided the app’s creation. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E17 · Wed, October 14, 2020
Mindset to Transform (with Lucien Engelen)
What’s on Lucien’s mind? Quite a bit, actually, and it’s all focused on pushing the envelope on how we think about healthcare. In this episode, the infectiously enthusiastic healthcare strategist Lucien Engelen, CEO of Transform Health, engages a range of topics that will make your head spin and your passion ignite. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E16 · Wed, October 07, 2020
From the Barre to the Bar (with Allison Parc)
Ballet and whisky might seem a weird combination, but for Allison Parc they are the ingredients that make her company Brenne French Malt Whisky unique. At the age of 23, she traded ballet shoes and a stellar career performing with national ballet companies for whisky flasks and brewery casks. Today, she is one of the leading American entrepreneurs in the world whisky segment and the first woman to be named World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Awards. On this week’s episode, Allison talks about the challenges of entering an entirely new industry, the ballet skills that helped ease her pivot towards a new career, and the lessons she learned while moving from the barre to the bar. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E15 · Tue, September 29, 2020
The Power of a Bold Vision (with Myra Biblowit)
Two decades ago, a friend gave Myra Biblowit a vision and a challenge: cure breast cancer. As CEO of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Myra has made major strides towards that goal. She believes a bold vision inspires you to take risks and happily fail forward. In this week’s episode, we learn how Myra’s passion to fulfill her vision inspires commitment, creativity, and support and how her willingness to take bold risks has helped her achieve big results. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E14 · Wed, September 23, 2020
The Path of Disruption (with Dr. Zayna Khayat)
Disruption ain’t easy, but that’s precisely why healthcare futurist Dr. Zayna Khayat knows it needs to happen, even when it feels like you’re being kicked in the teeth every day. On this week’s episode, Zayna recounts her journey from PhD biochemist to disruptor extraordinaire, and the hard-learned lessons along the way. She covers everything from the power of “creative destruction” to why health innovators don’t have to worry about job security. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E13 · Wed, September 16, 2020
Grassroots American Unity (with Dave and Erin Leaverton)
Like a lot of Americans, Dave and Erin Leaverton struggled with the political divisions they saw and felt after the 2016 elections. From Facebook fights to coffee shop arguments, they couldn’t stop wondering, “What would it take to bring unity to America?” Instead of just talking about this question or adding to social media echo chambers, they quit their jobs, put their three kids in an RV, and set out on a year-long journey across the country to search for an answer. Their year on the road is a story of challenge, hope, pain, change, and, of course, a big ol’ pile of disruption. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E12 · Wed, September 09, 2020
Scalable Compassion (with Sean Slovenski)
One of Modern Healthcare ’s Top 10 Leaders in Healthcare, Sean Slovenski has a knack for disruption, a commitment to transforming healthcare, and a fearless attitude towards failure. Throughout his storied career (including a recent stint as the president of Health and Wellness for Walmart, Inc.), he’s challenged companies to start with the customer/patient first and then build from there. In this wide-ranging interview, Slovenski discusses how consumers’ need for transparency, choice, affordability, and convenience is driving healthcare innovation and how compassion can combine with scalability for explosive results. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 E11 · Wed, September 02, 2020
Digging Deep (with Colin Egglesfield)
Just months after landing a plum role on All My Children , Colin Egglesfield found his world turned upside down. A testicular cancer diagnosis threatened his career—and potentially his life. But the cancer (which he eventually beat) was just the latest obstacle on his journey from severe shyness to screen success. This week on The Combustion Chronicles , Colin, author of Agile Artist: Life Lessons from Hollywood and Beyond, tells Chief Ecosystem Disruptor Shawn Nason how he survived rejection, confronted his fears, and realized the power of the mind to attract positive people and outcomes. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E10 · Wed, August 26, 2020
Iconic Advantage (with Soon Yu)
Every company in every industry is facing disruption as tastes change, profit margins shrink, and barriers to entry fall for upstart rivals. Soon Yu, former global VP of innovation at VF Corporation, says the key to avoiding obsolescence is to build iconic advantage. No, that doesn’t mean designing prettier smartphone icons; it means pursuing a strategy that builds real differentiation and turns your business into a cultural icon. Dig into this week’s episode with us as Soon explores the concept of iconic advantage. He gives us a sneak peek at his book of the same name, which challenges businesses to refocus their innovation priorities by building greater iconicity—yes, that’s a thing—and establishing timeless distinction and relevance. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E9 · Wed, August 19, 2020
Cancer Isn’t Canceled (with Paula Schneider)
Paula Schneider made her name as an apparel-brand turnaround exec. Now she’s making her mark as CEO of cancer charity Susan G. Komen. At Komen Paula is fighting to slash breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in just six years. And the fight is personal: She lost her mother to metastatic breast cancer and is herself a survivor of the disease. Join us for this week’s episode as Paula discusses how she beat cancer, fought her way up the corporate ladder, and is now applying a turnaround mindset to keep breast cancer top of mind during a worldwide pandemic. No, cancer isn’t canceled—not yet anyway. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E8 · Wed, August 12, 2020
Trend Weaving (with Jane Sarasohn-Kahn)
COVID-19 has disrupted healthcare like a Cat 5 hurricane. So what comes next? And how do we create positive change on the other side of the pandemic? Jane Sarasohn-Kahn thinks she knows. The CEO of THINK-Health and founder of the Health Populi blog, Jane is a health economist, advisor, trend weaver, and author. And she’s our guest on this week’s episode. Join us as she shares her insight about three Ts—telehealth, trauma, and trust—the importance of self-care, and what it means to be a health citizen. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E7 · Wed, August 05, 2020
Mean it Deep (with Juan Muniz)
Las Vegas-based artist Juan Muniz wants people to know it’s OK not to be OK. In his new book I’m Not OK , he utilizes simple, meaningful illustrations and quotations to create space for people to voice their own struggles with mental health. Shining a light on mental health, depression, and anxiety is a theme of much of his work, including his popular Ninobuni World lifestyle brand. We get disruptively raw on this week’s episode as Juan shares his own struggles to understand feelings of loss and confusion and the importance of “Say it simple; mean it deep.” Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E6 · Wed, July 29, 2020
The Now-ist Capricorn (with Dr. Daniel Kraft)
Who better to disrupt the healthcare system than a Stanford- and Harvard-trained physician-scientist, entrepreneur, inventor, and innovator with more than 25 years of experience in clinical practice, biomedical research, and healthcare transformation? That’s Dr. Daniel Kraft, our guest on this week’s episode. Kraft is the brain behind IntelliMedicine—think personalized prescriptions you 3D print at home—and says the future of healthcare is being built by astrophysicists, gamers, and maker folks, not by doctors and biotech researchers. Tune in to hear why he calls the COVID-19 pandemic our Apollo 13 moment and why he thinks we’re in the midst of a practice pandemic. (Yikes!) Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E5 · Wed, July 22, 2020
A Moral Obligation (with Dr. Kelechi Uwaezuoke)
If you’re a black Californian, your doctor probably doesn’t look like you. That’s because underrepresented minorities make up 40 percent of the state’s population but only nine percent of its physicians. Dr. Kelechi Uwaezuoke is laser-focused on closing that gap. As Assistant Director for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Partnerships at San Francisco State University, she is disrupting the lack of minority representation in healthcare. In fact, that’s why she entered the public health field in the first place 20 years ago. Dive in with us as we explore how Dr. Uwaezuoke is changing the face of healing in the Golden State by changing the lives of minority and disadvantaged medical students. Download the executive summary for this episode at https://manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E4 · Tue, July 14, 2020
The Cutting Edge (with Jason Arasheben)
Switchblade earrings. A diamond-encrusted Ring Pop. A pendant inspired by Family Guy. Those are some of jeweler Jason Arasheben ’s outlandish creations, which adorn the bodies of everyone from Saudi princes to basketball royalty (Lebron James, among others). Dubbed the “anarcho-jeweler to the stars” by GQ, Jason leveraged a part-time gig—selling cheap trinkets out of his dorm room—into the cutting-edge Jason of Beverly Hills . On this week’s episode, we learn more about Jason and how his unique creations reflect the personal, intimate, and sometimes controversial aspects of his clients’ stories, all while absolutely dripping with diamonds. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E3 · Tue, July 07, 2020
Maverick Mindsets (with Annette Logan-Parker)
What’s the price of poverty for a child? If you ask this week’s guest, the answer should never be “death.” After launching the Cure 4 the Kids Foundation from her kitchen table almost 15 years ago, Annette Logan-Parker has proven that the worlds of both healthcare and philanthropy are ripe for disruption. On this episode, dive with us into Annette’s roller coaster of a journey to discover the maverick mindsets that you need for blowing up the status quo and the grit you need to overcome the obstacles that get in your way. Download the executive summary for this episode at https://manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E2 · Tue, June 30, 2020
Surreal Estate (with Ryan Serhant)
In 2008, with the subprime mortgage industry failing, investment banks collapsing, and the nation quickly moving into financial turmoil, Ryan Serhant decided it was time to launch his career in real estate. One of the stars of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York and author of the bestselling book Sell It Like Serhant , Ryan has become one of the most successful real estate brokers in the world at just 35 years old. Join us as we combust with Ryan and engage his unique blend of wit, charm, and disruption to dig into the secret sauce of what it takes to think differently about an industry that affects pretty much all of us. Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 E1 · Tue, June 23, 2020
Compassion in the Crucible (with Arianna Huffington)
For our first episode, Shawn speaks with Arianna Huffington , founder and CEO of Thrive Global , a corporate and well-being productivity platform with the mission of changing the way we live and work by destroying the delusion that burnout is the price we have to pay for success. Arianna explores the role of creative disruption in her work, dreams about a disrupted post-pandemic future, speaks boldly about the challenges of compassion, and she even poses the question, “Is Shawn a mutant?” Come combust with us as we dive into these topics and more! Download the executive summary for this episode at manonfire.co . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 Enull · Mon, June 01, 2020
Season One Preview
Get your first taste of The Combustion Chronicles podcast with our season one preview! Throughout this series, we're bringing together the most unique and influential minds we can find to have honest conversations about not being OK with the status quo, blowing sh*t up, and working together to influence our shared future. Check out some of the bad*ss guests we'll be bringing to you, and don't forget to subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
loading...