The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman

Jim Real - Former VP, Global Creative at Disney Experiences 17.06.2026 43m

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 father’s journey to sobriety, and why the next chapter of his career is focused on helping leaders, brands, and teams find the stories only they can tell.

Bracken Darrell - CEO at VF Corporation 10.06.2026 44m

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 of protecting new ideas from the “gravity” that naturally pulls big companies backward. Along the way, Bracken opens up about becoming more comfortable in his own skin over time and why the strongest brands succeed by helping people feel more like themselves.

Bonnie Wan - Bestselling Author of The Life Brief 03.06.2026 51m

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 the relationship brief that saved her marriage, why curiosity is essential to growth, and how the smallest honest decision can quietly begin to reshape an entire life.

BOSS = Bet On Self, Silly - Ryan Berman 27.05.2026 15m

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 - Former President at Kellanova Europe 20.05.2026 57m

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 thinking about identity, relevance, and what it means to keep growing when the operating rhythm suddenly goes quiet

Maya Colombani - VP, Chief Sustainability, Human Rights, and DEI at L’ORÉAL Canada 13.05.2026 48m

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 travel and cultural immersion reshaped her understanding of identity and human rights, and why beauty has far more to do with connection, humility, and authenticity than appearances. They also explore indigenous wisdom, women’s rights, leadership, power, and the responsibility that comes with having a voice in today’s increasingly polarized world.

Michael Fanuele - Chief Brand Officer at Shake Shack 06.05.2026 56m

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 leading people. They talk about hospitality as a true brand advantage, why the best ideas often come from pushing into uncomfortable territory, and how great leaders create the conditions for others to do their best work.

The Olympics Edition 29.04.2026 48m

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 quickly confidence can disappear, and what it takes to rebuild it in real time. It’s a raw look at nerves, identity, and the stories athletes tell themselves—and a reminder that sometimes the breakthrough comes not from doing more, but from returning to who you already are.

Wynn Austin - Founder of Wynn’s Kitchen 22.04.2026 45m

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 flow, the reality of doing everything yourself, and the emotional weight of building something that doesn’t yet run on its own. Wynn opens up about navigating divorce, raising two kids, and pushing through uncertainty, while offering a grounded perspective on risk, resilience, and what it really takes to keep going.

Carlos Abrams-Rivera - Former CEO at Kraft Heinz 15.04.2026 40m

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 clarity and ownership shape strong organizations. Carlos also opens up about this transitional moment in his life, the lessons he’s carrying forward, and why growth often comes from choosing the harder path.

Courage Brands Spotlight – Circular Tech, Fast Food Reinvention & Luxury at Sea 08.04.2026 27m

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 increasingly crowded travel category. Together, the conversation explores what it actually takes for brands to stay relevant today, from rethinking quality and trust to redefining ownership, taste, and the future of consumption.

Landon Donovan - USMNT Soccer Star + Author 01.04.2026 38m

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 writing the book, and how his definition of success has shifted from achievement to impact. Donovan also looks ahead to what matters now, from fatherhood to his mission to reshape youth sports in America.

Sean Poole - Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at charity: water 25.03.2026 49m

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 discipline required to pursue meaningful work without losing sight of the life you’re building alongside it.

Shaun Belongie – CEO of New Belgium Brewing 18.03.2026 55m

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 taught the business, why some ideas need to stumble before the next one can fly, and how story becomes a leadership tool once you are the person everyone is looking to for direction.

Dan Schunk – Head of Creative at Zoom 11.03.2026 55m

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 the lens he uses when making big life decisions, how curiosity and learning remains at the forefront and why fulfillment matters more to him than any title or next move.

Courage Brands Spotlight – Radically Transparent Supplements & Record-Breaking Rings 04.03.2026 21m

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. Despite a fragmented media landscape, the Games didn’t shrink—they decentralized and grew, driving record streaming minutes, social impressions, and renewed global engagement. From Ritual’s commitment to measurable integrity to the Olympics’ evolution into a modern platform brand, both prove the same point: courage brands don’t just talk about values, they operationalize them—and win.

Eddie Geller - Founder of SKOR 25.02.2026 42m

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 work. Eddie breaks down the seven muscles of high-performing teams, explains why courage is the multiplier, and reveals what happens when organizations finally see the true cost of misalignment.

Colette Carlson - Hall of Fame Speaker and Behavior Expert 18.02.2026 54m

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 what it actually takes to communicate clearly, lead effectively, and earn trust in today’s workplace.

Chris Dyer - Culture Building Expert, Author and Speaker 11.02.2026 43m

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 community again when your team is suddenly gone.

America: Still The Home Of the Brave? - Ryan Berman 04.02.2026 28m

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 Jaelin Kauf and he reflects on patriotism, performance, and the quiet acts of bravery required to show up for one another when staying silent would be easier. It’s an honest conversation about the kind of courage this moment is asking of all of us.