Humans & Brands

24. Stop Wearing a Mask to Work, with Nadalie Dias, CMO, Hearts & Science

What happens when you decide to stop wearing a corporate mask and just be yourself at work? On this episode, host Lauren Douglass sits down with Nadalie Dias, CMO of Hearts & Science, to find out.
After years of being told to be less direct and less dominant, Nadalie hit a breaking point and chose authenticity over acceptance. We talk about the gendered feedback that shaped her career, why she values honor above all else, and her hot take on marketing jargon. 
This isn't your typical career advice. It's a real conversation about what it costs to conform and what you gain when you stop trying to be everyone's cup of tea. If you've ever felt like you're performing a version of yourself at work, this one's for you.
By the way! You might have noticed the intro to this one is a bit different. We have rebranded! We wanted to find something closer to what the podcast is actually about: humans, brands, & the humans behind the brands. 

23. Owning the Room, with Susan Howe, CEO of Weber Shandwick

Host Lauren Douglass sits down with Susan Howe, CEO of Weber Shandwick, for a conversation about leadership, growth, and the power of knowing yourself.
Susan shares how she built her career by leaning into curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning. She talks about what it means to lead with intention, why positive energy is a choice she makes every day, and how she stays grounded while leading one of the top global agencies. They also dig into the realities women still face in leadership, and why it’s important to own your space and speak up about your work.
If you’re thinking about your next move, reflecting on how you lead, or just need a reminder that it’s okay to be a work in progress, this one’s for you. Let's get into it. 

22. How to Get Brands Unstuck with Kate Rush Sheehy, Chief Strategist of Top Agency GSD&M

In this episode, host Lauren Douglass sits down with Kate Rush Sheehy, Chief Strategy Officer at GSD&M, for a conversation about the power of curiosity, the misunderstood narrative around women in leadership, and why building brands people care about starts with empathy.
Kate shares the personal story behind her love for advertising, what motivates her as a strategist, and how growing up with limited access to top brands shaped her fascination with them. She talks about trusting your gut in a data-driven world, leading with compassion, and why AI should raise the ceiling, not just the floor, on creativity.
From flipping the script on ageism in the workplace, to helping major brands like Southwest Airlines get unstuck, Kate offers a refreshingly human take on what it means to lead with purpose in an ever-changing industry.
If you're looking for inspiration on career pivots, leadership with heart, or just want a reason to fall in love with strategy again, this one’s for you. Let's get into it. 

21. Bonus Episode: Marketers on Marketing to Humans

In this special bonus episode of Humans & Brands, host Lauren Douglass sits down with Adrianne del Sol, VP, Digital Commerce + Omnichannel Marketing at Kimberly-Clark, and Kerel Cooper, CMO of GumGum, for a refreshingly human conversation about marketing, meaning, and how we show up in work and life.
We unpack what separates great marketing from forgettable, why the human element often gets lost in campaigns, and what it means to lead with empathy in today's changing landscape. Adrianne and Kerel also share their favorite projects and lessons that have stuck with them along the way, long after the work was done.
If you've ever questioned the idea of the linear career path or wondered how to lead with empathy in a metrics-driven world, this episode is for you.

20. Leading With Kindness, with Sarah Leinberger, Head of Marketing at Yoobi

In this episode of Humans & Brands, host Lauren Douglass sits down with Sarah Leinberger, Vice President, Head of Marketing at Yoobi, for a conversation about bold pivots, people-first leadership, and the quiet power of being inherently good.
Sarah opens up about her recent leap from a large corporate environment to a smaller, mission-driven company and how she’s always followed energy over titles when making career moves. She shares how fear signals growth, why curiosity rooted in empathy is her leadership superpower, and the value of choosing environments where you’re celebrated, not just tolerated.
Refreshingly honest and grounded, if you've ever wondered what it really means to prioritize who you are over what you do, this one’s for you. Let's get into it. 

19. Leading with Curiosity and Courage, with Samantha Avivi, CMO, Bayer

On this episode, host Lauren Douglass sits down with Samantha Avivi, Chief Marketing Officer of Bayer, to talk about leadership, purpose, and knowing when to pivot. Samantha, a seasoned marketing leader with an iconic advertising legacy in her DNA, shares how curiosity, values, and courage have shaped her journey and helped navigate a purpose-driven career in brand leadership. She reflects on the power of prioritization, the myth of “doing it all,” and how she learned to stop and truly savor milestones. If you’re navigating big decisions, trying to lead with more intention, or simply want to hear from someone who’s walked the walk, this one’s for you. Let's get into it. 

18. Leading With Heart, with Jessica Ling, AMEX

Host Lauren Douglass sits down with Jessica Ling, EVP of Advertising at American Express, for a conversation about what makes a great leader and how discomfort often signals the right next step. Jess shares how leading with heart, consistency, and trust has shaped her career, and reflects on the challenges of managing people. They talk about the importance of playing the long game, staying grounded in who you are, and why brands should stop chasing trends and instead double down on what they actually stand for. Whether you're stepping into a new role, building something of your own, or just trying to lead a little bit better every day, you're in the right place. Let's get into it.

17. Self-Reliance with Maha Abouelenein, CEO, Digital and Savvy

In this special episode of Humans & Brands, Lauren Douglass sits down with long-term friend Shannon Pruitt, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Stagwell, and powerhouse communicator, author, and Founder & CEO of Digital and Savvy, Maha Abouelenein, to unpack one of the most transformational mindset shifts we can make: self-reliance.
Maha shares the inspiration behind her book, The Seven Rules of Self-Reliance, and how these principles can help anyone stop waiting for permission and start building the life they want. From building your personal brand to ditching the “waiter” mindset (think: stop waiting, start doing), Maha shares how to invest in yourself and take control of your future. The three women also unpack the challenges of speaking up as a woman, navigating imposter syndrome, and getting out of your own way to actually move forward.
Whether you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or like you’re just waiting for your next opportunity, this episode is your invitation to stop waiting and start doing.Link to Maha's book: 7 Rules of Self-Reliance

16. LA Rams’ Blake Corum on How Financial Freedom Fuels His Passion for Giving Back

In this episode, host Lauren Douglass sits down with Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams running back, former University of Michigan standout, and co-founder of Peak NIL. Blake opens up about his journey from small-town roots to college football fame and how the rise of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) changed his life. They dive into how Blake turned brand deals into long-term investments, why he co-founded a platform to empower other athletes, and how his upbringing and family shaped his values. 
Tune in for a quick convo about purpose, financial empowerment, and what it means to give back.

15. Betting Big on Yourself, with Raj Register, CMO Stellantis

This week, host Lauren Douglass sits down with Raj Register, CMO of Stellantis (the auto giant behind Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and more) for a conversation that’s equal parts leadership masterclass and personal reflection.
Raj opens up about her unexpected journey from mechanical engineer to marketing exec, how a stint in Istanbul helped spark her pivot, and why building a career you love means trusting your instincts and doing the hard work. She shares what it’s like leading six distinct brands under one roof, how she creates space for younger voices on her team, and why her mantra these days is: “Not every ball is glass, some can bounce.”
It’s one of those episodes that makes you want to bet on yourself a little more. Let’s get into it.