Better Experiences by Design™

Own the Room: How Great Leaders Use Presence and Voice to Drive Organizational Growth with Eleni Kelakos

Better Experiences by Design is a podcast series produced by circle S studio that highlights leaders across a variety of industries dedicated to delivering exceptional brand, employee, and client experiences. © circle S studio, 2026.

The Discipline Behind The Markel Style of Leadership with Tom Gayner

In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, Susan Quinn speaks with Tom Gayner, CEO of Markel Group, about his perspective on what actually drives long-term success. Rather than a single bold move or a series of strategic pivots, it’s a set of principles, applied consistently over time.  From learning leadership in his father’s office to helping scale a company to 22,000 people, Gayner’s approach is rooted in curiosity, discipline, and a deep belief in doing right by others. This episode is a powerful reminder that great companies aren’t defined by what they do — but by how consistently they live what they believe. Better Experiences by Design is a podcast series produced by circle S studio that highlights leaders across a variety of industries dedicated to delivering exceptional brand, employee, and client experiences. © circle S studio, 2026.

From $8B to $38B: The Leadership Discipline Behind Remarkable Growth with John Asbury

In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, Susan Quinn sits down with John Asbury, CEO of Atlantic Union Bank, to explore what it takes to transform a regional bank into a high-performing challenger brand in a rapidly consolidating industry. When John joined the bank in 2016, it faced a defining choice: grow with intention or be acquired. Instead of playing it safe, John and his board pursued what he calls “escape velocity” — scaling strategically to compete with large national banks while preserving the responsiveness of a community institution. But strategy alone doesn’t sustain growth. Culture does. Better Experiences by Design is a podcast series produced by circle S studio that highlights leaders across a variety of industries dedicated to delivering exceptional brand, employee, and client experiences. © circle S studio, 2026.

Unlocking Hidden Growth Through Strategic Storytelling with Stephen Steers

In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Steers, author, consultant, and keynote speaker, for a strategic conversation about growth, storytelling, and the value that’s already inside your existing client base. Stephen breaks down how organizations can find revenue growth without chasing new leads, simply by asking better questions, reframing client conversations, and making storytelling a strategic business practice rather than just a sales tool. He also explains why curiosity is one of the most underrated engines of growth, how to empower every team member to spot new opportunities, and why “selling less” often leads to more revenue and stronger client relationships. Better Experiences by Design is a podcast series produced by circle S studio that highlights leaders across a variety of industries dedicated to delivering exceptional brand, employee, and client experiences. © circle S studio, 2026.

2025 Leadership Insights from Better Experiences by Design

Better Experiences by Design is a podcast series produced by circle S studio that highlights leaders across a variety of industries dedicated to delivering exceptional brand, employee, and client experiences. © circle S studio, 2026.