The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman

Apr 09 2025 211 ep. 48 mins 3
The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman artwork

Ryan Berman talks to thought leaders from around the globe in business, sports and entertainment to uncover what it means to be courageous in today's world.

  Business  Education
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Nick Tran - Visionary Marketing Executive

Apr 09 2025 55 mins  
As former Global Head of Marketing at TikTok, Nick Tran transformed the company from an upstart app into a global cultural phenomenon, earning it Ad Age’s Marketer of the Year in 2021. A marketing executive with a knack for steering high visibility brands, he also drove revivals at Hulu, Samsung, and Taco Bell, always aiming to keep companies culturally on point. Now, he’s step

Thomas Kolster - Author, Advisor, and International Keynote Speaker

Apr 02 2025 52 mins  
Why settle for corporate ‘mission statements’ when you can spark a movement? Thomas Kolster has made it his life’s work to help Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and governments discover exactly who they can help their audiences become. As the founder of the Goodvertising Agency, a recognized global thinker at the intersection of marketing, business, and sustainability, and a

Raja Rajamannar - Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Mastercard

Mar 26 2025 49 mins  
What happens when a star chemical engineering student from India becomes one of the world’s most lauded marketers? In this episode of The Courageous Podcast, Raja Rajamannar reveals how a serendipitous moment shifted him from scientific problem-solver to “accidental marketer,” igniting a diverse career that has spanned financial services, consumer-packaged goods, and healthca

Agnelo Fernandes - CEO of COTE Hospitality

Mar 19 2025 57 mins  
Agnelo Fernandes didn’t set out to become a CEO in the hospitality industry, but his background in finance and marketing gave him the perfect foundation to lead courageously with strategy, and heart. Now, as CEO of COTE Hospitality, Agnelo is focused on inspiring his team, elevating guest experiences, and fostering a people-first culture. In this conversation with Ryan, Agnelo sh

Tim Perreira - Founder at PER Wellness

Mar 12 2025 45 mins  
When a high-flying tech sales career left him drained and unfulfilled, Tim Perreira realized it was time for a drastic change. Throughout his rise to President’s Club accolades, top-tier leadership roles, and hefty stock options, he buried stress and anxiety until it pushed him to an alarming low point. Now, Tim is certain that genuine toughness begins with raw vulnerability—an

Jason DeLand - Co-Founder at Anomaly

Mar 05 2025 58 mins  
Co-founding one of the world’s most successful ad agencies, Anomaly, would be a dream moment for most—but for Jason Deland, it has simply been part of his journey. In this conversation with Ryan, Jason shares how his father’s no-nonsense mantra, “What’s really going on here?”, has fueled his relentless approach to business and beyond. He breaks down the grit and guts be

Michelle Poler - Entrepreneur & Author of Hello, Fears

Feb 26 2025 44 mins  
Fear. It can flat out paralyze us. It can halt us in our tracks and make us feel small unless we stand up and face it head on. That is exactly what Michelle Poler decided to do as the creator of the “100 Days Without Fear” challenge. Michelle has tackled everything from cliff-diving to diving with sharks to conquering deeper fears of rejection and judgment. In this conversation

Ron Berger - Co-Founder of MVBMS & Adweek Pioneer

Feb 19 2025 64 mins  
Picture an era when advertising didn’t just sell products—it shaped culture. That’s the legacy Ron Berger helped build, from co-founding the 700-person agency MVBMS with Tom Messner, Barry Vetere, Louise McNamee, and Bob Schmetter to penning era-defining taglines like “Time to Make the Donuts” and “Subway Eat Fresh.” In this episode, Ryan reconnects with his former bo

Steve Fitzgerald - CEO of the FireStorm Group

Feb 12 2025 49 mins  
From assembling elite teams at Ford Motor Company and Sun Microsystems to navigating the high standards of Bridgewater Associates, Steve Fitzgerald has honed the craft of leadership—yet every other day, you’ll find him carving through fresh powder in the Rocky Mountains. As a seasoned HR leader, startup advisor, and board member, Steve has spent three decades weaving together p

Marian Salzman - SVP, U.S. at Philip Morris International

Feb 05 2025 46 mins  
Marian Salzman is a celebrated global thought leader, trendspotter, and author credited with popularizing “metrosexuality” and helping launch the worldwide #GivingTuesday movement. Over three decades, she’s guided top brands through cultural transformations and now serves as Senior Vice President at Philip Morris International, championing a smoke-free future. In her conversa