The Genius Scouts Podcast

John James isn’t here to make your brand look good — he’s here to make your business actually grow. In this episode, the founder of Hybrency and host of the Champagne Strategy Podcast dismantles some of marketing’s most sacred myths. From why brand campaigns rarely move the needle, to how executives really think about marketing (spoiler: it’s not impressions), John brings 15+ years of global experience helping companies scale witho...

Joe Hollier didn’t set out to start a phone company. But after years as an artist, designer, and creative technologist (with work commissioned by the Smithsonian) he co-founded the Light Phone: a minimalist, distraction-free device that’s become a quiet rebellion against the always-on world.

In this episode, Joe shares the design philosophy behind the Light Phone (“designed to be used as little as possible”), and why stepping away f...

Jonathan Rolley isn’t just talking about ad performance — he’s measuring what happens inside your brain when you watch one. In this episode, the founder of Undivided shares how a life-altering brain tumor launched him on a mission to decode how memory, emotion, and decision-making actually work. You’ll learn why most brand campaigns fail to stick, how neuroscience can predict effectiveness, and why true marketing mastery lies in tr...

Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin—the world’s largest member-led music rights organization—joins us to share how he’s reshaping leadership, creativity, and decision-making in the digital music age. From throwing out traditional corporate playbooks to asking his team how they'd destroy the company, Jeremy reveals the unconventional frameworks that fuel innovation. We dive into bad ideas, “Cheeto moments,” creative scaffolding, and how cu...

Nicole Ayres, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Jumpsuit, shares how intuition, storytelling, and a little bit of magic built one of the most unconventional creative agencies in the industry. From coffee shop owner to full-time ministry to selling a tech company spun out of her own agency, Ayres breaks every rule in the book and rewrites better ones. She reveals why the best brands create lore, not just logos, and how spirit...

George Tannenbaum has spent decades in advertising, from writing catalog copy at Montgomery Ward to shaping campaigns for IBM and American Express. In this episode, he breaks down what the industry has lost — and what still works. From the power of simplicity and humanity in copy to the danger of sameness in portfolios and agencies, George shares blunt, timeless lessons on how to stand out and stay relevant.

He also dives into perso...

High school dropout turned business leader Julian Scadden joins Genius Scouts to share his remarkable journey from digging sewers to leading Nextar Network. With refreshing candor, Julian reveals how being "bad" at his initial trade led to discovering his true leadership gifts. We explore his Health-Family-Community philosophy, the power of mentorship, and why the "Be Dumb Quick" movement transforms careers fast...

Legendary adman and author Steve Harrison joins Genius Scouts to explore the art and ethics of advertising. From founding the discipline of brand response to his years at Ogilvy and beyond, Steve shares why creativity must sell—and why most modern marketing has lost its way.

We cover everything from the influence of Howard Gossage and David Ogilvy, to personal branding, purpose-driven advertising, and the eternal battle between sale...

Bob Hoffman—legendary ad man, best-selling author, and the industry’s leading contrarian—pulls no punches in this conversation about the decline of creativity, the failures of digital media, and why advertising has lost its way.

A sharp critic of metrics-driven marketing, Bob argues that the industry’s obsession with data has come at the cost of real brand-building, craftsmanship, and originality. He also explores the rise of person...

Renowned executive coach and business psychologist Miriam Meima has spent decades helping top leaders and entrepreneurs unlock their full potential. In this conversation, she shares her journey from corporate counseling to coaching industry changemakers, revealing the emotional and strategic foundations of great leadership.

From resilience and navigating personal challenges to the dynamics of creative partnerships and the power of s...

What can a simple eyepatch teach us about personal branding? In this episode, Justin and Aaron break down one of David Ogilvy’s most iconic advertising case studies—and what it reveals about standing out in a crowded market.

From the power of storytelling to the subtle ways unique traits can enhance brand appeal, they explore how both companies and individuals can craft a consistent, memorable brand in today’s digital landscape. Wha...