On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Nick Westergaard
  • 4.0 (1)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

On Brand helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week, host Nick Westergaard, author of Brand Now and Get Scrappy, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders and innovators from brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Meta, Crayola, Beats by Dre, Southwest Airlines, Reddit, Spotify, and MailChimp. Watch the full, in-depth conversations and get actionable insights to help you and your brand stand out in a crowded, distracted world. For show notes and more, please visit http://onbrandpodcast.com.

  1. 10 HR AGO

    When People Matter at Work the Brand Follows

    Building a brand is about more than just what happens in the marketplace—it’s about what happens in the hallway. On this episode of On Brand, I’m joined by Josh Block, President of Block Imaging and author of People Matter @ Work, to explore why the health of your internal culture is the ultimate predictor of your brand’s external strength. Josh shares his journey of taking over a family business at 29 and the hard lessons he learned about how “responsible” decisions can fracture trust, and how he ultimately scaled a global organization by operationalizing the belief that people truly matter. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to identify the small well-intentioned decisions that quietly erode trust before performance slips The difference between unearthing authentic values and picking generic ones off a poster Why the shift from me leadership to we leadership requires the humility to democratize capabilities How to use the laughter test as a rapid diagnostic for the health and safety of your culture The internal work required to move from healthcare business to a mission-driven second chance at life Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:41) Why Culture is the Ultimate Predictor of Brand Strength (02:41) The Erosion of Trust in Well-Intentioned Decisions (04:22) Why Culture Collapses Quietly Long Before Performance (07:34) Moving Beyond Soft Skills to Cultural Systems (09:15) The Shift from Me Leadership to We Leadership (12:46) When Correct Decisions are Culturally Costly (14:52) How to Operationalize Values Without the Posters (16:53) Building Brand from the Inside Out Through Storytelling (22:17) The Laughter Test for Cultural Health (24:30) A Brand That Made the Guest Smile About Josh Block Josh Block is the President of Block Imaging and the author of People Matter @ Work. With nearly three decades of experience, Josh has navigated the complexities of scaling a global organization while maintaining a deep focus on the transformative power of workplace communities. After being handed the presidency of his family’s company at age 29, he learned firsthand how leadership pressure can fracture trust and spent the subsequent years refining a system of transparency and shared ownership. Today, he leads a team dedicated to providing a second chance at life through medical imaging services, proving that organizational growth and human connection are inextricably linked. What Brand Has Made Josh Smile Recently? Josh recently found himself smiling during his buying experience at a Tesla dealership. Comparing the typical dread of a car dealership to a visit to the dentist, he was impressed by the smooth user interface and the high level of service orientation throughout the process. The seamless connection and modern approach to the traditional car-buying journey left a lasting positive impression on him. Resources & Links Connect with Josh on LinkedIn. Check out his book, People Matter @ Work. Learn more about his family business, Block Imaging, where the ideas in the book were forged. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min

  2. 23 FEB

    Being Yourself Is Bad Advice

    We’ve all been told to just be yourself. But psychologist and author Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic—Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup and professor at UCL and Columbia—says that’s the worst advice you can take. In his new book, Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead), he reveals why our obsession with authenticity is holding us back—and what actually leads to success. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why "just being yourself" is often the worst professional advice you can receive The coffee drinker model for balancing your raw personality with social expectations How to use emotional intelligence as a strategic filter for better leadership Why high-performing leaders often act more like method actors than authentic versions of themselves How to navigate the tension between human authenticity and AI-generated content Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:21) The Myth of Objective Authenticity (02:50) Leaders as Method Actors (04:01) Comparing Personal and Restaurant Brands (05:53) The Rigidity of "Telling It Like It Is" (07:06) Understanding Authenticity Traps (10:11) Emotional Intelligence vs. Authenticity (13:22) The Coffee Drinker Model Explained (15:35) Adaptability in the Workplace (18:14) Cultural Differences in Authenticity (22:27) Authenticity in the Age of AI (26:43) Why Benetton Made Him Smile About Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, a professor of business psychology at University College London and at Columbia University, a cofounder of Deeper Signals, and an associate at Harvard's Entrepreneurial Finance Lab. He is the author of several books, including Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (and How to Fix It), upon which his popular TEDx talk was based, and I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique. What Brand Has Made Tomas Smile Recently? Tomas recently found inspiration in the history of the Italian fashion brand Benetton. He was fascinated by the brand's founder, Luciano Benetton, who pioneered fast fashion and used provocative, moral-driven advertising campaigns to address diversity and inclusion long before they were mainstream corporate pillars. Resources & Links Connect with Tomas on LinkedIn. Check out his book, Don't Be Yourself, the Manpower website, and his own Dr. Tomas website. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Listen & Support the ShowUntil next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  3. 16 FEB

    Designing with Emotional Friction

    Design is about more than just how something looks—it’s about how it works for the people using it. On this episode of On Brand, I’m joined by Lee Hoddy, Executive Creative Director at Conran Design Group, to discuss how experience-led design can solve complex brand problems. We’ll dive into how he leads multi-disciplinary teams to create meaningful work for global names like Sofitel and AstraZeneca, and why every great brand starts with a deep understanding of human needs, wants, and motivations. What You’ll Learn in This Episode - How to map emotional friction points to find the gold in a brand experience - Why the pursuit of human endeavor is the key to branding functional industries like pharma - The reason storytelling acts as a sticky DNA thread across physical and digital touchpoints - How to conduct a multidisciplinary orchestra by surfacing the ambition in every brief - Why original ideas are the only way to escape the sea of sameness in an AI-driven world Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:22) Getting to the heart of human motivations (02:43) Mapping emotional micro-moments (04:54) Humanizing corporate and functional brands (06:39) Using storytelling as a brand DNA thread (10:53) Leading multidisciplinary creative teams (14:35) Creating the Brief 2.0 (17:31) AI and the currency of original ideas (24:14) A brand that made him smile (27:41) Outro About Lee Hoddy Lee Hoddy is the Executive Creative Director at Conran Design Group, where he is responsible for maintaining creative standards and solving brand problems through experience-led design. With a career spanning decades, Lee has lived through major industry shifts, enabling him to lead diverse teams of designers, strategists, and experience experts like a conducted orchestra. He has spearheaded major rebranding programs for global names such as Sofitel, AstraZeneca, and Bicester Motion, always focusing on the deep understanding of human needs to create meaningful, strategically grounded work. What Brand Has Made Lee Smile Recently? Lee recently found joy in the "Venture Beyond" campaign by Hermes, noting its use of evocative illustrations and artisanal craft that respects the audience's intelligence. He also highlighted Apple’s "Critter Carol" for its charming, deeply human approach to technology, using puppets and physical craft rather than CGI to celebrate creativity. Resources & Links Check out the Conrad Design Group website. Connect with Lee on LinkedIn. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  4. 9 FEB

    The Myth of Brand Control

    The strongest brands don’t shout—they earn trust over time. That’s how Nikki Little approaches her work. She’s the CMO and co-owner at Franco, a women-owned, Detroit-based integrated communications agency with more than 60 years of history. After a full-circle career that took her from early agency life to leading social and communications teams, Nikki now helps shape Franco’s future with a purpose-driven, human-first approach to brand building, storytelling, and leadership. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why modern brand builders must accept that total control is a myth and focus on reputation monitoring instead The difference between consistent storytelling and repetitive messaging across integrated channels How to apply Brené Brown’s Strong Ground principles to build a solid brand foundation Why employee alignment is the first step in closing the authenticity gap with your customers How to treat AI as an overzealous intern rather than a replacement for strategic relationships Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:34) Authenticity in the Age of Unpolished Content (03:37) Understanding Your Audience and the Brand Core (05:22) The Myth of Total Brand Control (07:25) Navigating Critics and the Crisis Plan (10:10) Storytelling as a Tool for Trust Building (12:45) Internal Culture and the Authenticity Gap (15:12) Leadership Examples: Brené Brown and Liz Plosser (19:51) Rumbling with AI in a Human Business (25:30) Brands That Make Us Smile (28:33) Where to Find Nikki Little About Nikki Little Nikki Little is the CMO and co-owner at Franco, a Detroit-based, women-owned integrated communications agency with a 60-year legacy. With a career spanning early agency life to leading complex social and communications teams, Nikki specializes in a purpose-driven, human-first approach to brand building and leadership. She is a recognized expert in navigating the intersection of PR, digital strategy, and authentic storytelling, helping brands find their "core" to build lasting trust in a critical and fast-moving digital environment. What Brand Has Made Nikki Smile Recently? Nikki shared two brands that recently stood out: Chevy, for their deeply authentic "Memory Lane" holiday commercial that mastered the art of non-cheesy storytelling, and Mabel’s Labels, for their proactive customer service that turned a lost shipment into a "customer for life" experience. Resources & Links Check out the ⁠Franco website⁠. Connect with Nikki Little on ⁠LinkedIn.⁠ Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Amazon/Audible⁠, ⁠TuneIn⁠, and ⁠iHeart⁠. Rate and review on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠ to help others find the show. Share this episode — ⁠email a friend or colleague⁠ this episode. Sign up for my ⁠free Story Strategies newsletter⁠ for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the ⁠Marketing Podcast Network⁠. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  5. 2 FEB

    Episode 600: Flipping the Script

    Today is a major milestone—Episode 600. My journey behind the mic began in 2012, and since then, this conversation has evolved from simple marketing tactics into the deeper pillars of leadership, communication, and storytelling. To celebrate, I’m flipping the script. I’ve invited my longtime friend and fellow 2012 podcasting pioneer, Mike Gerholdt, to take over the host’s chair. We’re going behind the scenes on everything I’ve learned over 600 episodes—from the origin story and terrestrial radio to the move to full video—to talk about what it really takes to build a podcast brand that lasts. What You’ll Learn in This Episode - Why curiosity is the most important trait for a long-running podcast host - How to pivot your content from marketing tactics to leadership and storytelling - The evolution of media from terrestrial radio to short-form and full-length video - Why every modern brand needs an evangelist to foster two-way conversations - Strategic lessons learned from 13 years and 600 episodes in the podcasting trenches Episode Chapters (00:00) Flipping the Script for Episode 600 (01:29) Introducing Guest Host Mike Gerholdt (02:54) Why Every Brand Needs an Evangelist (05:55) The 2013 Podcasting Pioneers (08:27) The Evolution from The Work Talk Show to On Brand (09:38) Pioneering the Remote Work Conversation (12:45) Standing Out in a Saturated Market (15:33) From Radio Production to Personal Voice (17:21) Why Audio Conveys More Than Text (20:15) Curiosity: The Trait That Drives 600 Episodes (23:46) The Reality of Guest Pitches and PR Intermediaries (27:10) Avoiding the "Game of Dodgeball" with Multiple Guests (30:22) Why Real Conversations Don't Need Prep Calls (33:40) The Leap to Full Video and Short-Form Content (38:15) The "Human Element" in Modern Communication (42:30) Closing Thoughts on the Future of On Brand About Mike Gerholdt Mike Gerholt is the Senior Director of Salesforce Admin Evangelism at Salesforce. He leads a group of world-class Admin Evangelists who are helping Salesforce Admins realize their dreams by being technology leaders and advancing their careers. He’s also the host of the Salesforce Admins podcast and someone I’ve been in the podcasting trenches with since day one. What Brand Has Made Mike Smile Recently? Mike highlighted HelloFresh as the brand that made him smile recently. He noted that the meal delivery service stood out during the pandemic and continues to impress him with small touches of appreciation, clear care in delivery, and a non-intrusive approach that never feels like a "used car salesman" pitch. He described the experience as receiving a "little smile in every box." Resources & Links Check out the Salesforce Admins Podcast. Connect with Mike Gerholdt on LinkedIn and (for fun) Instagram Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  6. TRAILER

    Welcome to On Brand with Nick Westergaard

    “I’m Nick Westergaard, and this is On Brand — helping you tell your story.” Storytelling is everything—especially for leaders and marketers navigating today's digital world. On this show, we go behind the scenes with the minds at Microsoft, Spotify, and the Mayo Clinic to see how they lead with purpose and build lasting trust. Featuring insights from global experts like Seth Godin, Nancy Duarte, and Alan Alda, we unpack the human element of brand building. We also ask every guest: “What’s a brand that’s made you smile recently?” If you’re ready to build a brand that stands out, join us each week on On Brand. Full episodes and resources: https://nickwestergaard.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3 min

  7. 26 JAN

    The Manager Method for Human Leadership

    Ashley Herd, founder of Manager Method and former Head of HR at McKinsey, explains why most managers aren't actually failing—they're just guessing. She breaks down her simple yet powerful three-step framework—pause, consider, and act—to help leaders move past the "speed of the inbox" and start leading with real intention. From handling employee mistakes with empathy to navigating the "octopus and wizard" traps of burnout, Ashley provides practical "real talk" for anyone responsible for the careers and lives of others. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The critical difference between day-to-day management and long-term leadership How to implement the three-step Manager Method of pause, consider, and act Why the “speed of the inbox” is causing manager burnout and how to slow down Practical ways to handle employee mistakes using the “Gigi” perspective How to use human-centric storytelling to build psychological safety on your team Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:51) Management vs Leadership (03:18) The Gap in Manager Training (06:01) The Manager Method Explained (06:39) Step One: The Power of the Pause (09:20) Step Two: Consider Your Response (11:09) Step Three: Acting with Intention (13:36) Avoiding Modern Workplace Burnout (19:16) Storytelling as a Leadership Tool (24:09) Brand That Made Her Smile (26:47) Where to Learn More About Ashley Herd Ashley Herd is the founder of Manager Method and a former Head of HR for McKinsey North America. A LinkedIn Top Voice and top 10 business podcast host, she has trained more than 250,000 managers across various industries. Her background as an employment lawyer for brands like KFC and Yum! Brands informs her practical, "real talk" approach to leadership. She is the author of The Manager Method, where she provides actionable frameworks for leading with confidence and supporting team growth without burnout. What Brand Has Made Ashley Smile Recently? Ashley recently smiled at Chiquita. She loves their banana stickers that claim they are "likely the best snack on earth." As a former marketing lawyer, she appreciated the humorous collaboration between the creative and legal teams to include the word "likely" rather than a definitive claim, showing a brand that doesn't take itself too seriously. Resources & Links Check out the Manager Method website and book. Connect with Ashley Herd on LinkedIn. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  8. 19 JAN

    Why Recess Is Quitting Dry January

    While every non-alcoholic brand is shouting Dry January, Recess is telling you to quit. Literally. Joining us is Ben Witte, CEO and co-founder of the #1 mocktail brand, to unpack a provocative new campaign that swaps all-or-nothing resolutions for something far more realistic: balance. From a bold manifesto to a full-page New York Times ad timed for “Quitter’s Day,” Ben explains why going against the seasonal grain isn’t risky—it’s exactly why Recess is winning. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why moderation—not elimination—is the real shift happening in drinking culture How going against category conventions can create sharper brand differentiation What most brands get wrong about Dry January and behavior change How narrative-driven branding builds permission to expand into new categories Why “do the unexpected” is more than a creative idea—it’s a leadership strategy Episode Chapters (00:00) Why Recess Is Telling People to Quit (01:00) The Myth of Sober Curious and the Rise of Moderation (04:30) Why Dry January Is Losing Relevance (06:45) Anti-Perfectionism as Brand Strategy (09:45) The Hidden Downsides of Rules and Streaks (13:00) Naming, Narrative, and Building Red Bull for Relaxation (18:00) Knowing When to Push Against Conventional Wisdom (25:00) Brands That Make Us Smile About Ben Witte Ben Witte is the CEO and co-founder of Recess, a leading functional beverage company built around the idea of calm, balance, and taking a break from modern stress. Coming from a Silicon Valley background rather than traditional CPG, Ben has consistently challenged category norms—shifting the conversation from sobriety to moderation and from ingredients to outcomes. Under his leadership, Recess has grown into a category-defining brand spanning mocktails, mood drinks, and relaxation-focused products sold nationwide. What Brand Has Made Ben Smile Recently? Ben points to a Thanksgiving campaign from Tito’s Handmade Vodka that flipped the familiar “Turkey Trot” on its head with the idea of a “Turkey Rot”—leaning into cultural truth with humor and self-awareness. The campaign stood out by inverting expectations, tapping into real behavior, and reminding us that the best brand moments often come from saying the quiet part out loud. Resources & Links Check out the Recess website and their Amazon store. Recess on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/recess Connect with Ben Witte on LinkedIn and X. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
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About

On Brand helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week, host Nick Westergaard, author of Brand Now and Get Scrappy, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders and innovators from brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Meta, Crayola, Beats by Dre, Southwest Airlines, Reddit, Spotify, and MailChimp. Watch the full, in-depth conversations and get actionable insights to help you and your brand stand out in a crowded, distracted world. For show notes and more, please visit http://onbrandpodcast.com.

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