How Disney’s Ad Chief Leads 3,000 People Through Constant Change

Rock, Humanity & the Art of “Smile F*cking” | Jack & Tim

In this special Lead Human episode, Jack Myers and Tim Spengler skip the guest interview and talk about what’s on their minds: classic rock, aging cultural icons, authenticity, and a workplace behavior Tim calls “smile f*cking.” Jack reflects on the staying power of artists like Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the Rolling Stones, and what their longevity says about institutions, cultural identity, and the irreplaceable human role in music. From vinyl records to live performance to what it means to “wear” music as part of who we are, the conversation explores why some forms of humanity can’t be replicated by machines. Then the conversation shifts into business and leadership, with Tim unpacking a kind of fake-nice behavior he sees more often in workplaces: smiling, agreeing, and creating good vibes in the moment—without any real intent to support the idea, decision, or person afterward. It’s a candid discussion about authenticity, conflict avoidance, and whether “fake nice” is quietly becoming a management style. Lead Human is hosted by Jack Myers & Tim Spengler, produced by Wondir Studios (Desta Wondirad), in association with Acast. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why Empathetic Accountability Wins | Marc DeBevoise

What does strong leadership look like when technology keeps changing the rules? In this episode of Lead Human, Jack Myers and Tim Spengler sit down with Marc DeBevoise, media and technology executive President and Board Member of OverDrive, for a conversation about empathy, accountability, AI, timing, and leading mission-driven companies through transformation. Marc shares the leadership framework he calls “empathetic accountability”—a style built around clear goals, honest expectations, and genuine support for the people doing the work. He reflects on lessons from the early internet boom, the long arc of digital transformation, and why he believes AI may follow a similar pattern: fast change up front, followed by years of deeper impact. He also explains how he helped drive urgency and turnaround at Brightcove, how he thinks about risk and timing, and why mission matters when choosing what to lead next. The conversation also dives into OverDrive’s role in literacy, education, and access to books around the world, and why Marc sees human potential—not just technology—as the real source of long-term advantage. Lead Human is hosted by Jack Myers & Tim Spengler, produced by Wondir Studios (Desta Wondirad), in association with Acast. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Why the Future Belongs to the Curious | Liz Ross on AI, Leadership & Kids

What happens to leadership, work, and parenting when AI can answer almost anything? In this episode of Lead Human, Jack Myers and Tim Spengler sit down with Liz Ross, CEO of Shift Paradigm, to talk about AI, leadership, discernment, curiosity, and what it means to stay relentlessly human in a world of accelerating automation. Lizz shares the story of knowing at age 11 that she wanted to work in advertising, and how that early spark led to a career spanning agencies, technology, data, and executive leadership. She talks about why the best leaders balance accountability with authenticity, why curiosity is a practical stand-in for empathy, and why having a real point of view is becoming more valuable—not less—in the AI era. They also get into her work helping parents think through how to raise kids with AI, why “the new genius is asking better questions,” why fake work is dying, and why discernment may become the most important human skill of all. If you’re trying to lead, learn, or parent through massive change, this conversation is for you. Lead Human is hosted by Jack Myers & Tim Spengler, produced by Wondir Studios (Desta Wondirad), in association with Acast. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How to Build Trust in an AI World | Jeanniey Walden

What actually drives growth in an AI-saturated world: better tools, or deeper trust? In this episode of Lead Human, Jack Myers and Tim Spengler sit down with Jeanniey Walden to talk about trust, leadership, AI, momentum, and the human side of business transformation. Jeanniey shares her path from earning $5.25 an hour at JCPenney to becoming a CMO, startup advisor, and founder of LiftOff Enterprises. She explains why the foundations of business have not changed—even as the tools have—and why trust is still the thing that creates belief, loyalty, and real growth. She also breaks down her AIR Method—Authenticity, Inspiration, and Relatability—and explains how leaders can use it to navigate change, communicate more honestly, and keep teams aligned when momentum slows. They also explore how to learn AI by actually using it, why speed and alignment are often in tension, what marketers can learn from digital’s early days, and why work-life “blend” may be more realistic than balance in today’s world. If you’re trying to lead through change without losing the human core of your company, this conversation is for you. Lead Human is hosted by Jack Myers & Tim Spengler, produced by Wondir Studios (Desta Wondirad), in association with Acast. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How Disney’s Ad Chief Leads 3,000 People Through Constant Change

What does it take to lead 3,000 people through constant change at one of the most powerful media companies in the world? In this episode of Lead Human, Jack Myers and Tim Spengler sit down with Rita Ferro, President of Global Advertising at Disney, for a conversation about leadership, trust, technology, and how to keep teams aligned when the ground is always shifting. Rita shares what she learned directly from Bob Iger, including why technology should be treated as an enabler—not the core—and why the best leaders stay focused on their own game instead of chasing competitors. She talks about balancing data, automation, and programmatic buying with storytelling, human relationships, and long-term brand building, and explains why outcomes matter—but art and science still have to work together. They also get into how to succeed under new bosses, how to lead through discomfort, why overcommunication matters, and how her experience in international markets taught her to stay calm even when everything feels “squishy.” It’s a sharp, grounded conversation about how to win in modern business without losing the human side of leadership. Lead Human is hosted by Jack Myers & Tim Spengler, produced by Wondir Studios (Desta Wondirad), in association with Acast. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.