The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman

This week, Ryan Berman is turning the Courageous Podcast toward a different kind of challenge: raising courageous kids. Fresh off a back-to-school appearance on KTLA, Ryan shares the full segment and expands on why curiosity can be one of the best ways to help kids navigate fear, anxiety, and unfamiliar situations. He talks about resisting the urge to rescue kids from discomfort, building confidence through small acts of courage, and the simple formula he tries to follow as a dad: attention + belief. Plus, Ryan shares why courage is a muscle kids can strengthen over time and a simple question...

Dr. Shirley M. Collado knows firsthand how transformative an education can be. The daughter of Dominican immigrants who grew up in a working-class Brooklyn neighborhood, she became the first in her family to attend college and eventually made history as the first Dominican American to serve as president of a four-year college in the United States. Now, as President and CEO of College Track, she’s taking on an even bigger challenge: making sure a student’s zip code, family income, or access to resources doesn’t determine how far their talent can take them. In this conversation, Ryan and Shirle...

Jackie Plaza knows a thing or two about betting on yourself. She left a successful career in Los Angeles for a new opportunity in San Diego, stepped into the challenge of helping reshape perceptions of one of the world’s most recognizable theme parks, and discovered that taking risks gets a little easier once you’ve survived a few that didn’t work out. Today, as VP Marketingand Sales at SeaWorldSan Diego, Jackie is bringing that same willingness to experiment to a brand with more than 60 years of history. In their conversation, Ryan and Jackie talk about the freedom that co...

Ania Smith learned early that you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can be intentional about what you do next. After moving from Poland to South Dakota at 12 without speaking English, she developed a curiosity and adaptability that would eventually take her to companies including Airbnb, Uber Eats, Walmart, and now Taskrabbit, where she serves as CEO. In this conversation with Ryan, Ania talks about the difference between reacting to change and choosing it for yourself, and why asking better questions has given her the confidence to keep making big moves. She also opens up abou...

Everyone wants change to be easier. Ryan Berman thinks that's exactly the wrong goal. In this solo episode, Ryan challenges the growing belief that transformation should be effortless and makes the case that the strongest teams don't avoid friction—they create the right kind of it. Ryan explains why hard conversations are the real starting point of change, why leaders should stop trying to eliminate discomfort, and how alignment, belief, and clarity create the foundation for lasting transformation. He also shares the question every team should be asking, why "believe again" became one of Courageous' earliest rallying cries, and th...

Elle McCarthy is drawn to transformation. It's the thread that connects everything she does, from challenging outdated ways of thinking to helping some of the world's biggest brands—including Ford, PayPal, EA, and now McAfee—reinvent themselves from the inside out. In this conversation with Ryan, Elle shares why real change starts by getting people to believe in what's possible, why the strongest brands are built long before a campaign ever launches, and how a little "chaos magic" has helped shape her approach to leadership. They also discuss building trust during times of change, the lessons motherhood has taught her...

Adam Markel has built his career around helping people navigate change, but lately he's been asking a bigger question: what if the real challenge isn't changing ourselves, but changing the systems we work in every day? After years advising Fortune 500 companies and studying resilience, Adam has become convinced that culture isn't a byproduct of leadership—it's the reason organizations succeed or struggle in the first place. In this conversation with Ryan, he unpacks why leaders can no longer expect employees to shoulder the burden of resilience alone, and what it looks like to build a culture that people actually wa...

Helen Calcraft believes the best creative work can't exist without joy. At a time when fear, AI, and constant change are reshaping the advertising industry, the co-founder of Lucky Generals joins Ryan for a thoughtful conversation about what leaders can do to protect creativity instead of stifling it. Together, they explore why saying no is sometimes the most important decision a business can make, how trust became the foundation of Helen's decades-long creative partnership, and what she learned from building not one but two successful agencies. They also discuss the challenge of letting go of day to day control...

DJ DiDonna has spent years studying what happens when people have the courage to step away from work, and his new book, Big Time Off, makes the case that the biggest breakthroughs rarely happen while we're glued to our calendars. A senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and founder of The Sabbatical Project, DJ joins Ryan to challenge one of our most deeply held beliefs: that the path to success is always to keep pushing forward. Together, they explore why so many people wait for burnout, layoffs, or life-changing events before giving themselves permission to pause, and why creating...

Mike McCabe has spent the last two decades helping shape the world of competitive gaming, but what excites him most is what comes next. In this conversation with Ryan, the Esports Foundation CEO shares his vision for esports as a truly global sport while reflecting on the realities of building something at a scale few people can imagine. From helping bring together the world's biggest games, players, and clubs to navigating the last-minute decision to move the Esports World Cup from Riyadh to Paris just weeks before competition, Mike offers a candid look at leadership under pressure. They also...

Melissa Ninegar has built a career helping people navigate some of life's biggest moments, but her most valuable leadership lessons didn't come from a handbook or HR playbook. In this conversation with Ryan, the Senior Director of People & Culture at Once Upon a Farm shares the hard-earned truths that have shaped how she leads, from believing you belong in every room you enter to choosing how life's toughest moments define you. Ryan and Melissa explore imposter syndrome, resilience, grief, growth, and why some of the most important leadership skills are rarely taught. They also discuss the power of showing...

After 15 years helping shape the storytelling behind Disney’s most iconic experiences, former Vice President of Global Creative Jim Real joins The Courageous Podcast to talk about what it means to leave a dream job in pursuit of what’s next. Drawing on a career that spans Disney, global agencies, and years spent building brands across the U.S. and Asia, Jim shares why courage is less about fearlessness and more about moving forward before the path is fully clear. Ryan and Jim explore the power of storytelling and the importance of curiosity. Jim also reflects on lessons from his...

Bracken Darrell has spent his career helping iconic brands rediscover what makes them matter. In this conversation with Ryan, Bracken reflects on the mindset that guided his work leading transformations at companies like Logitech, Old Spice, Braun, and now VF Corp, home to brands including Vans and The North Face. He shares why curiosity has been one of the greatest drivers of growth in his life, why speed matters more than perfection, and how the best leaders learn to stay optimistic without losing their edge. Ryan and Bracken also explore imposter syndrome, creativity inside large organizations, and the challenge...

Bestselling author of The Life Brief and leadership strategist Bonnie Wan returns to The Courageous Podcast for a conversation about clarity, courage, and what it really means to live a life that feels like your own. Bonnie shares why so many people are unknowingly living someone else’s script, how language shapes leadership, and why finding your “f*** yes” starts with creating enough silence to hear yourself think. Ryan and Bonnie also explore Modern Elder Academy, the fear that comes with wanting more from your life, and the difference between comfort and fulfillment. Along the way, Bonnie opens up about...

In this solo “quick hit” episode of The Courageous Podcast, Ryan unpacks the tension between safety and growth, why so many people stay stuck waiting for certainty, and how courage is often built through smaller decisions that slowly reshape who we become. Along the way, Ryan reflects on the loneliness ambitious people quietly carry, the future of Courageous, and the mindset he keeps coming back to lately: the people who build the lives they want eventually learn to bet on themselves before they feel fully ready.

David Lawlor spent 35 years at Kellogg and Kellanova, eventually retiring as President of Kellanova Europe. In this conversation with Ryan, he reflects on the moves that shaped him most: leaving Ireland, building the company’s Middle Eastern business, leading in Russia, and stepping into roles that looked risky from the outside but became defining chapters in his career. He talks about fear as the starting line of growth, why the right agenda matters more than the longest to-do list, and how leaders build belief by creating cultures where people know they can make a difference. Now in retirement, David is...

Maya Colombani has spent more than two decades at L'Oréal helping redefine what beauty can mean in the modern world. As Chief Sustainability, Human Rights and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for L'Oréal Canada, Maya brings a rare blend of conviction and global perspective to her work. Her career has taken her across countries including India, Brazil, and Canada, experiences that deeply shaped the way she thinks about beauty, leadership, and human connection. In this conversation with Ryan, she reflects on why courage means standing up for long-term values when it would be easier to stay quiet, how tr...

Michael Fanuele, Chief Brand Officer at Shake Shack, has built a career shaping some of the most iconic brands in the world. Over the course of his career, he has created market-moving work for brands such as Dos Equis, Arby’s, Cadillac, Charles Schwab, Cheerios, The Economist, and Volvo. In this conversation with Ryan, he brings that same clarity and curiosity to a personal story that changes how he thinks about leadership and creativity. From uncovering his biological family to stepping into a role with real momentum, Michael opens up about fear, identity, and the responsibility that comes with le...

Olympian skier Jaelin Kauf and short track speed skater Corinne Stoddard didn’t plan to share a defining moment—but the Olympics had other ideas. In this special episode, a chance meeting in Italy connects two athletes navigating opposite ends of the same pressure: Jaelin rebounding from a shaky start to win two silver medals, and Corinne unraveling under the weight of expectation before finding her way back. Alongside coach Andrea Do-Duc, who helps guide Corinne through the most difficult stretch of her Games, this conversation unpacks what it actually feels like when the moment gets too big, how quic...

It’s hard to be an entrepreneur. It’s even harder when you are somewhere between a start-up and a scale-up. Enter Wynn Austin who is building a fast-growing, clean-label food brand—one jar, one store, and one hard-earned lesson at a time. In this conversation with Ryan, Wynn shares how a personal health wake-up call led her to create Asian-inspired sauces free from preservatives and chemicals, and how that simple idea has grown into a nationally distributed brand now found in over 300 stores. They talk about the messy middle of start-up life—the constant tension between growth and cash flo...

Carlos Abrams-Rivera, former CEO of Kraft Heinz, spent six years leading one of the world’s largest food companies through crisis, transformation, and constant change. In this conversation with Ryan, he reflects on what it takes to navigate a role where there is no playbook—and what he’s learned stepping away from it. He shares the leadership framework that guided him—empathy, vision, and courage—and why those traits matter more than ever in today’s volatile environment. They talk about the reality of modern leadership, from balancing data with instinct to operating far beyond your job description, and how clar...

We’re back with another Courage Brands Spotlight, as Billy Collins, Knowledge Lead at Courageous, and Sully Lawrence, Director of Growth at Courageous, join Ryan to break down three brands making bold moves in very different categories. Billy dives into Burger King’s push to reclaim relevance through sharper focus and real operational investment, while Sully spotlights Back Market, a fast-growing marketplace challenging consumerism and tackling the global e-waste crisis by making refurbished tech both trusted and desirable. Ryan rounds it out with Four Seasons’ move into ultra-luxury yachting, a clear bet on experience, service, and scarcity in an increa...

For years, Landon Donovan—the face of U.S. soccer and one of the most decorated players in the sport’s history—was defined by what he did on the field. In this conversation with Ryan, he shares the story behind his new book, Landon: A Memoir, and what it took to finally tell the truth about his life off the pitch. He reflects on the pressure of carrying expectations, the complicated relationship with his father, and the quiet struggles that existed alongside a historic career. They talk about why opening up about mental health was the hardest part of wri...

Few people get close enough to a global problem to truly understand how solvable it is—Sean Poole is one of them. In this conversation with Ryan, he shares how an early setback redirected his path, ultimately leading him from conflict zones in Central Africa to a leadership role at charity: water. They unpack what it takes to stay committed to long-term impact, why the global water crisis is far more within reach than most people realize, and how proximity to real change reshapes your perspective on what’s possible. It’s a conversation about belief, responsibility, and the discip...

For most of his career, Shaun Belongie helped brands find their voice. Now he’s responsible for the story of one of craft beer’s most iconic companies.  In this conversation with Ryan, the CEO of New Belgium Brewing reflects on the unlikely path from marketing to the top seat, and what shifts when the decisions get heavier. They talk about leading through the Asheville flood crisis, making bets in a beer industry that has gotten harder and less predictable, and why innovation only works if you can stomach failure along the way. Shaun also shares what Voodoo Ranger taugh...

Left brain. Right brain. East coast. West coast. Client side. Brand side. Dan Schunk has built a career on motion. Over nearly two decades, he has kept evolving and that includes spending time at some of the most recognizable names in media and tech. In this conversation with Ryan, Dan reflects on his roles at Pinterest, Walmart, TIME, and now Zoom, where he serves as Head of Creative. They talk about how teams still need people who can courageously defend their big idea. Why AI is best understood as a tool; not a replacement for judgment. Dan also shares...

In this edition of the Courage Brands Spotlight, Ryan is joined by Courageous' Action lead, Lisa Jacobs, for a two-brand audit that spans from prenatal vitamins to the Olympic podium. Lisa kicks things off with Ritual, the supplement company founded by Kat Schneider that built its reputation on radical transparency—traceable ingredients, science-backed formulas, public goal tracking, and even work with legislators to push for clearer industry standards in an under-regulated space. It’s a brand that treats trust as the product, not the marketing. Ryan then pivots to the Olympics, arguing that the five rings are stronger than ever...

Most leaders think their teams are performing. Eddie Geller measures whether they actually are. Originally from Australia, where “tall poppy syndrome” can cut high achievers down, Eddie is now the Founder and CEO of SKOR, the system that calculates what team dysfunction is costing companies in real dollars. In this conversation with Ryan, he shares how building and exiting companies led him to a simple realization: culture isn’t soft, it’s measurable. They explore why leaders often misread how they show up, how recognition and healthy conflict change performance, and why half of employees are afraid to speak up at wo...

Colette Carlson doesn’t just talk about communication—she reads what’s not being said. A Human Behavior Expert and Hall of Fame keynote speaker, she joins Ryan for a conversation that feels more like two sharp minds thinking out loud than a traditional interview. They explore why leadership feels harder right now and why connection is still the skill that separates great leaders from the rest. Colette shares what decades on stages and inside organizations have taught her, reflects on growing up street-smart in Chicago, and explains why courage isn’t the same as confidence. Together, they break down wha...

Chris Dyer is a culture builder, bestselling author, and globally ranked leadership speaker who’s helped redefine what workplace success can look like. After leading companies that earned “Best Place to Work” recognition 15 times, Chris now spends his time on stages around the world, challenging leaders to raise the bar from good to unforgettable. In this episode, he and Ryan talk about what most companies get wrong about culture, why mediocrity is the default, and how leaders can show up when the moments matter most. Chris shares lessons from building—and selling—his own business, and what it takes to find co...

For the first time in 250 episodes, Ryan steps up to the mic solo. No guest. No script. Just a raw, personal reflection on a question that’s been gnawing at him for months: are we still living in the land of the brave—or have we traded courage for comfort, distraction, and outrage? In this candid episode, Ryan explores what it means to choose courage at a moment when trust is low, fear is high, and the country feels more divided than ever. Ryan also shares his upcoming travels abroad where he’ll cheer on Team USA Olympic athletes like J...

Team USA Aerial Mogulist Jaelin Kauf is heading to Milan for her third Olympics—this time with two shots at gold as dual moguls make their debut on the world’s biggest stage. In this conversation, Ryan and Jaelin trace her rise from a quiet teenager to one of the fastest, most fearless skiers in the sport. They unpack her heartbreak of 2018, the redemption of Beijing, and the mindset that keeps her grounded when the pressure (and air) is highest. Jaelin opens up about the nerves, the noise, and her mantra—“deliver the love”—that helps her ski freely and with hea...

Roi Ben-Yehuda has built a career exploring the dragons that get in the way of courageous action…and how to slay them. He’s the founder of NextArrow, where he works with leaders at companies like Twitch, Sony, and Angi to build cultures rooted in clarity and bold thinking. In this episode, he and Ryan dig into what courage looks like in the real world, and why most people know what to do but struggle to do it. They unpack Roi’s formula and how fear, ego, and self-doubt can quietly erode performance and talk about the role of humor...

Ed Roberson is a conservationist, endurance athlete, and the creator of Mountain & Prairie, a podcast rooted in the stories and landscapes of the American West. But long before that, he was chasing a very different life—until a sudden health scare forced a reckoning that changed everything. In this episode, Ed and Ryan talk about discomfort as a compass, the pull of wild places, and the quiet transformation that happens when you choose effort over ease. Ed opens up about rewiring his ambition, leaving behind the shallow chase for success, and leaning into a slower, more deliberate path. They un...

Brent Gleeson is a Navy SEAL combat veteran, bestselling author, and business transformation expert who has built his life around high performance, in every sense of the word. As the founder of EXCELR8 and author of Embrace the Suck, Brent brings a rare blend of battlefield experience and boardroom wisdom.  In this episode, he and Ryan talk about what it means to lead with clarity, consistency, and conviction. Brent shares how sobriety reshaped his perspective, and how his work today helps teams grow through change instead of getting buried by it. Discipline, in Brent’s world, isn’t just a dri...

Jill Schulman is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer, leadership expert, and founder of Breakthrough Leadership Group. Her new book, The Bravery Effect, offers a science-backed approach to building courage. In this episode, she and Ryan go deep on what it means to run toward hard things instead of away from them. Jill shares the story of how a Minnesota kid who looked like Elle Woods became the top Marine in her officer class, how bravery became the throughline of her work, and why so many people confuse discomfort with failure. Together, they unpack the mindset shifts that...

Sterling Doak is a seasoned marketing executive with more than two decades of experience building brands at the intersection of music, culture, and lifestyle. Today, he serves as Vice President of Marketing at Gibson, where he leads with equal parts creative instinct and operational rigor inside one of the most iconic brands in the world. In this honest and often hilarious conversation, Sterling and Ryan reflect on their early agency days, the lessons that stuck, and the realities of leading with intention as the stakes get higher. Sterling shares how curiosity—not confidence—has fueled his biggest leaps, what it m...

In this edition of the Courage Brands Spotlight, Ryan, Billy Collins, and Kimberly Voorhis unpack three brands that turned overlooked moments into loyal movements. Ryan kicks things off with Goldbelly, the mail-order marketplace delivering regional food favorites nationwide—think deep-dish from Chicago or crab cakes from Maryland. Kimberly sings the praises of Trader Joe’s, a grocery chain that proves simplicity is courageous, where decision fatigue fades, handwritten signs spark delight, and hidden monkeys keep kids smiling. Billy closes with Scrub Daddy, the Shark Tank sponge that scrubbed away boredom and built a half-billion-dollar empire with flex-texture tech, irreverent TikT...

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston believes the future of leadership starts with connection. As a professor, executive coach, and co-author of The Seismic Shift in You, Michelle is on a mission to help leaders rewire how they show up—starting with energy, perspective, and a deeper sense of humanity. In this episode, she and Ryan talk about the real cost of disconnection, why great leadership isn’t about control, and how shifting small habits can trigger massive cultural impact.  She also shares powerful stories from her research, including how Drew Brees helped unify post-Katrina New Orleans, and why even virtual energ...

With a career spanning Nike, Converse, Tom’s, and now MOOVLAB, Magnus Wedhammar is fueled by a passion for purposeful movement. In this episode of the Courageous Podcast, Magnus reflects on navigating Tom’s through the chaos of early 2020, shifting its iconic one-for-one model, and leading with transparency in a world that changed overnight. He shares what it means to build something from scratch after decades inside global brands, why he values scrappiness over slide decks, and how MOOVLAB aims to reimagine the chair not as furniture, but as a tool for better health. For Magnus, courage isn’t ego—it...