Leeds Business Insights Podcast

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The challenges facing business today are more complex and interconnected than ever before.

The Leeds Business Insights podcast offers a cutting-edge perspective of trending topics, along with actionable insights from faculty, alumniand global leaders, to help you navigate the evolving world of business.

We invite you to , read about our latest episodes or listen to the most recent podcast below.

Listen to Season Four of Leeds Business Insights!

Join host Maria Kuntztoexplorethe challenges and opportunities facing business leaders, hear from leading researchers and innovative Leeds alumni, and receiveactionable insights to help you thrive.

Season Four Guests & Episodes

is a Leeds alumna, personal branding specialist, author, and the senior director of marketing and communications at the Denver Scholarship Foundation. Olivia shares how to be intentional about building your brand, clarifies common misconceptions about branding, defines what a personal brand is, and explains why a personal brand is important in both entrepreneurial and corporate settings.

Technology is an integral part of work for most of us, but it’s also an undeniable cause of workplace stress. So how can we avoid burnout and start trying to find balance? Jason Bennett Thatcher holds the Tandean Rustandy Esteemed Professorship at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder and researches how the interaction of people and technology change the world we work in.

is a Leeds MBA alumna and the founder of Affix Communities, a startup with a mission to create new ways for potential home buyers to become homeowners. Jamie was inspired by her sister's struggles with fluctuating income and rent increases, shifting from architecture to developing innovative, smaller homes in Colorado for people also struggling. Jamie explains how the concept of prefabrication, creative land use, and designs that allow for short-term rental income can help make housing more affordable.

Ethan Poskanzer is an assistant professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Hislatest research is focused on how voters relate to the concepts of truth and factuality, and how personal moral values tend to drive voters more than facts.Ethan joins our new host Mariz Kuntz to discuss how moral flexibility influences political parties and challenges the efficacy of fact-checking, and ultimately shows us how across political parties, people are more similar than they are different.

Season Three Guests & Episodes

Our guest today says sales is all about helping buyers make informed purchase decisions and giving them the information they need. But there is so much more nuance behind that simple definition, and what goes on in the day to day of a salesperson.So we are thrilled to be discussing applicable lessons from sales that can be useful for any professional with Brian Higgins, a Teaching Assistant Professional at Leeds Business and sales and business development executive.Brian joins host Amanda Kramer to talk about misperceptions many have about working in sales, the art of a good conversation, surprising skills taught in sales courses at Leeds, and the unique mentorship opportunities available here.

Brock Weatherup is a Leeds alumnus and consumer growth board executive, three-time Exit Startup CEO founder, multi-billion dollar C-suite leader, an active early-stage investor. He was a dedicated startup guy, who went from churning out successful businesses in the pet food & wellness industry, to receiving a diagnosis that changed the entire course of his life.In this episode, he sits down with host Amanda Kramer to discuss his accomplishments, reflect on getting diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just 18 months ago, finding comfort in risk, and diving into opportunities even if you don't feel 100% prepared.

So much of our free time is consumed with posting on social media, sharing our day to day lives and crafting a personal narrative or brand online. But how is the effecting our day to day lives, and is it effecting our possibility to truly live in and experience the moments were in? Today we are discussing the intersection between technology and consumer experiences with Alix Barasch, an associate professor at the Leeds School of Business.She sits down with host Amanda Kramer to talk all about what makes customers enjoy their experiences, how companies can then create experiences that make consumers more immersed or more engaged in the moment, the pros & cons of 5G and more immersive content, as well as posting posed vs candid photos.

In this episode, we are discussing innovation and inclusivity in entrepreneurship with Ethan Poskanzer. Ethan is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship in the Leeds School of Business, and studies how organizations can select and connect people to develop innovative ideas and how the opportunity to innovate can be democratized and made more inclusive. Host Amanda Kramer sits down with Ethan to discuss his latest research: the science behind matching entrepreneurs and mentors, some striking data in how gender factors into mentor/mentee relationships, and what we can learn from pitch evaluation & sequencing.

Commercial construction and real estate development is a difficult space to break into, and building plans can change at the drop of a hat, forcing you to be flexible and nimble with clients.So joining us to talk about this dynamic and ever-growing industry is Case Swenson, alumnus and president/CEO at Swenson in the San Francisco Bay area.Case joins host Amanda Kramer to share the trends and challenges he is seeing in the construction and real estate space, so-called “green building,” the skillset needed to enter this industry, and what he's learned from scaling a 4 generation family-owned business.

Crowdfunding and volunteer mobilization are at the heart of how non-profits function on a day-to-day basis. But how does this work in an ever-growing remote workforce? And how can this ethos transfer to the business sector and for-profit organizations? Joining us to answer some of these questions and more is Gloria Urrea, an Assistant Professor of Operations Management in the Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Operations Management (SEO) Department at the Leeds School of Business. Gloria studies operations of humanitarian organizations (HOs), whose mission is to alleviate human suffering and improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable population.She joins host Amanda Kramer to discuss crowdfunding in emergency support situations, mobilizing donors without burning them out, weighing volunteer experience, and the power of transparency.

If we look at the events that have unfolded in the first part of the year, our guests believe likelihood of a recession has increased, and changed expectations for the economy. Joining us today for this discussion on the economy and a look ahead, are Rich Wobbekind, the Dean for Business and Government Relations and Senior Economist at Leeds as well asBrian Lewandowski, Executive Director of the Business Research Division at Leeds. We dive deeper into the SVB crash and its ripple effects this episode, including effects on smaller community banks, the current status of inflation and interest rates on a national and state level, the status of labor shortages and where cryptocurrency fits in the economy.

Everything on paper was perfect for Ashish. A successful job with McKinsey, a beautiful wife and baby, a happy and peaceful life in Boulder. But everyday, he would wake up with intense anxiety, nausea, and an overwhelming sense of doom. Where was this coming from, and what could it be pointing to?This is when the real journey began, and Happiness Squad was created. With a goal to help enhance joy, health, love, and meaning in your life, Happiness Squad works with organizations as well as individuals to help people reach their highest potential.Ashish Kothari is the Founder of Happiness Squad, author of Hardwired for Happiness, and a friend of the Leeds School of Business.He joins our host Amanda Kramer to debunk myths surrounding happiness & success, help us find happiness in our work, job crafting, and how we can integrate more happiness, gratitude and good habits into our own lives.

Both Silicon Valley and Signature Bank are two of the top three largest bank failures in American history, both in terms of dollars, but also on an inflation-adjusted basis. And they happen just a few days apart, just over 2 weeks ago now. To get more insight on this incredible financial event, we sat down with Shaun Davies. He is an associate professor and research director of the Burridge Center for Finance at the Leeds School of Business. We grabbed some time with Shaun during this hectic week to get the low down on what the SVB collapse means, the parallels between the 2007/2008 financial crisis and today, and what to look out for moving forward.

20+ years ago, if you were featured in an editorial story in the New York Times could keep customers coming to you for years. But in 2023, we are all too aware that the fight for you attention is happening at all times, and from all angles and devices. So how can PR agencies keep up and keep you focused? Alexis Walsko is a Leeds alumna and founder of Minneapolis-based agency Lola Red, starting the company when she was just 22 years old. This episode dives into all things PR and strategy, touching on the history of traditional PR and the rise of the influencer, what to look for in an influencer and how to evaluate their effectiveness in your campaigns, micro vs macro influencers, and Alexis’ work in the early days of Love Your Melon hat and beanies.

Season Two Guests & Episodes

What's meaningful to one person may not be meaningful to the next. But one this is for sure, we as humans search for meaning through consumption, whatever that “meaning” may be. Lawrence Williams is an associate professor of Marketing at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder. In his research, Dr. Williams examines the subtle influence of environmental cues on consumer behavior, the impact of psychological distance on consumers’ emotional judgments, and the mechanisms of self-regulation and self-control. In this episode, Lawrence discusses the importance of self-expression, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards of consumption, and where purpose-driven branding & products fall into the mix.

Jeff York, the Leeds School of Business’ Research Director, and Brad Werner, Leeds’ Teaching Director and Instructor, host the podcast Creative Distillations, which takes academic research on entrepreneurship and turns it into actionable insights.In this episode, Amanda asks Jeff and Brad how they meld their research with real-world experiences – and what practical insights they have to share with new entrepreneurs.

Can your business do something good for the world… and your bottom line? We think so. Join us this week as we speak with Jennifer Forman, who coaches businesses and individuals on social responsibility and sustainability practices through the Leeds School of Business Certificate of Corporate Social Responsibility program. In this episode, Jennifer outlines what she calls “Big Sustainability” and shares advice for connecting your company's culture and values with causes where they can make a positive difference.

Professor Erick Mueller is the Executive Director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and an adjunct professor of strategy, entrepreneurship, and operations at the Leeds School of Business. A lifelong entrepreneur, Erick is dedicated to helping new entrepreneurs, and business owners start and grow their businesses. In this episode, Erick talks about how to apply the lessons he’s learned to the current moment and business landscape.

Buying and selling homes has never been so easy. But that doesn’t mean real estate agents are a thing of the past! Join us this week as we speak with Mike DelPrete, an internationally recognized expert and thought-leader in real estate tech. Mike has traveled the world forging relationships with leading property portals and real estate tech startups, gathering first-hand knowledge and insights on tech trends and themes. This episode, he shares some of the most exciting innovations in real estate – including iBuying – as well as the unintended ways these new models are impacting property markets.

Are you election ready? This episode, Sloan Speck joins us to talk about tax law and the many policies that Congress will have to deal with after the 2022 midterm elections.Today on the podcast, Sloan breaks down a bunch of legislation scheduled to sunset between now and 2025, the possible priorities of a Democratic- or Republican-held Congress, and who you should trust most when it comes to legal tax advice.Sloan Speck is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Colorado Boulder. He specializes in taxation and tax policy.

If you’ve ever bought tickets to a concert or sporting event, you know what it’s like to watch prices rise and fall – and to sweat over finding the perfect seats for your budget and enjoyment. Ovunc Yilmaz is an expert in the dynamic market of live events ticketing, and joins us to offer his insights into a $20 billion industry. Today on the podcast, he talks about the factors that influence ticket prices – from weather to proximity to a video screen – and the complicated ripple effects of secondary ticket markets. Ovunc also shares his research into innovative pricing strategies, and real-world advice for businesses in the live event industry. Ovunc Yilmaz is an Assistant Professor of Operations at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. He specializes in revenue management and pricing – particularly in the airline, hotel and event industries.

Richard Wobbekind and Brian Lewandowski offer glimpses of what to expect in Colorado’s economy heading into 2023. Today’s episode takes listeners on a deep dive into employment rates, inflation, the pandemic’s lasting economic impacts, and more. Richard Wobbekind is the Associate Dean of Finance and the Business Research Division at Leeds. Brian Lewandowski is Executive Director of the Business Research Division. Together, they formulate the University of Colorado’s Business Economic Outlook report.

Jaclyn Freeman Hester is a venture capitalist and partner at the Foundry Group. In this episode, Jaclyn talks about how she recruits and funds new talent, her “give first” philosophy, and what entrepreneurs should consider when it comes to VC funding.

Michael Huseby is a CU alumnus who has been managing the challenges of digital transformation in a number of industries, including retail communications, and now education as Chairman and CEO of Barnes & Noble Education. In this episode, Michael discusses how he’s managed to lead Barnes and Noble through the pandemic and offers insight on how to foster a strong brand and culture in an increasingly digital world.

Season One Guests & Episodes

Over the past two years, especially, we’ve heard the word “diversity” a lot in the workplace context—but what are people actually talking about when they say that’s important to them? This episode’s guest explains why it’s important for leaders to figure that out—and shares lessons about how meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion work lifts the whole team. Professor Sabrina Volpone is a recognized expert in workplace diversity. At the Leeds School of Business, she is the doctoral program coordinator for the Organizational Leadership and Information Analytics division and also runs the Diversity and Identity (DI&ID) Management Research Lab. In this episode, she talks about different ways we can think about diversity in the workplace, and how digging into this work yields unexpected results.

The natural and organic products market is exploding, with more businesses and industries looking to create impact in this space. The epicenter for the movement: Boulder, Colorado, home to many of the players in this space as well as thought leadership about what the industry will look like going forward. On this episode, we’re joined by Leeds marketing instructor Heather Kennedy. Heather has over 15 years of experience in brand strategy, product development and management. She’s worked for Kraft Foods, Whole Foods Market, and, more recently, the Fresh Ideas Group in Boulder, which specializes in natural and organic products. Heather offers insight on how far the natural foods movement has come, and forecasts where it’s headed in the future.

The experience of watching movies has changed a lot—from rewinding VHSs to getting DVDs in the mail to streaming. How do businesses in the industry adapt, and even get ahead of the trends? Jim Packer is President of Worldwide Television and Digital Distribution at Lionsgate. As president of worldwide television distribution, he directs Lionsgate strategies for capitalizing on evolving distribution and licensing opportunities in a fast-changing global market. He talked to Leeds Business Insights how streaming has changed what movies and shows we watch, the lessons he’s learned from navigating those changes—and how they can be applied to other industries, too.

We all know less than we think we do—and that’s OK. Phil Fernbach is a Professor of Marketing at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a cognitive scientist who studies how people think. He applies insights from his research to improve public disclosure and help consumers and managers make better decisions.With co-author Steve Sloman he wrote The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone, which was chosen as an editor's pick by the New York Times when it was released in 2017. We talked to Phil about the Knowledge Illusion, about how acknowledging what we don’t know can help us be better leaders and teammates.

Professor Sanjai Bhagat is a recognized expert in finance who has worked with Fortune 500 companies and with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission and expertly explains financial theories to students at the Leeds School of Business. In this episode, Sanjai talks to us about the rippling economic effects of the war in Ukraine.

Professor Peter McGraw is an expert in emotions and behavioral economics. His latest project examines single living. More and more people are choosing to live as single people—or solo people. A quarter of millennials are projected to never marry, and already, 38% of households are solo. McGraw asks how businesses and society can better serve this growing demographic as both employees and consumers. In addition to his research, he’s the host of the podcast Solo—The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life.In this episode, Peter talks about how the workplace can be more inclusive toward singles, and missed opportunities in the marketplace.

You’ve snacked on the products that Jane Miller has helped bring to market.Jane Miller, Leeds alumna and a member of the Leeds Advisory Board, has more than three decades of executive experience in the food industry, spanning start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. She was CEO at Lily’s Sweets and has held several other CEO roles in the natural and organic industry, including Rudi’s Bakery, ProYo High-Protein Ice Cream, and HannahMax Cookie Chips. She also worked at Hostess, which she helped bring out of bankruptcy, as well as HJ Heinz, Bestfoods Baking, and PepsiCo.And she’s generous with career advice. She wrote a book, Sleep Your Way to the Top (and other myths about business success), founded the career advice website janeknows.com, and is the co-founder of Haevn, which helps students launch their careers.

Professor Sarah Zechman is Chair of the Accounting Division at Leeds, as well as an expert in financial communications and disclosure. She’s been researching SPACs—short for special purpose acquisition companies—and their sudden popularity, especially among celebrities. This episode digs into what SPACs are, why they’ve been in the news more, and what listeners should consider before going in on SPACs.

Two years ago, it would’ve been hard to imagine a Disneyland devoid of happy families and beloved characters. But for months, the park was mostly empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the crowds are back—but the experience has been updated to account for the new normal. Clark Jones is Senior Vice President and CFO at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is a 26-year veteran of the Walt Disney company's theme park business—and he’s been at the helm of efforts to ensure Disneyland’s success for generations to come, even amid a pandemic.

At this point in the pandemic, most American consumers have faced some supply issues—be it waiting for a part for your car, or not being able to get the perfect present during the holiday season. This episode’s guest explains why we are plagued with supply chain issues—and how we as a society can fix them.G. 'Ravi’ Ravishankar is a faculty member at the Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Operations Division at the Leeds School of Business. He is an expert on supply chain issues,lean transformation, product innovation strategies, and technology transfer from national laboratories.

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