North Star Leaders

Lindsay Pedersen
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

As a leader, how do you know where to focus? When there are a hundred possibilities, how do you direct your time, your team, your budget, your emotional energy? And - how do you step back and consider the longer term? How do you set conditions for the business to create value not just now, but for years and decades? How do you dance the tension between creating economic value now, while also serving a noble purpose? If you wonder about these things, then this podcast is for you.

  1. Stay Curious with Gautam Mehandru

    1d ago

    Stay Curious with Gautam Mehandru

    AI is making it easier than ever to create content, but also easier than ever to disappear into the noise. So how do you actually stand out when everything starts to sound the same? And what does it really take to balance short-term results with long-term brand in a world that’s moving this fast? In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Gautam Mehandru, SVP of marketing at CrowdStrike, to talk about navigating modern marketing, leading through change, and why curiosity might be your most important advantage right now. You’ll hear them discuss: How Gautam’s path from engineering to marketing shapes the way he solves problems and leads teams Why data isn’t optional anymore and what happens when decisions are driven by opinion instead The real impact of AI on marketing today, including the rise of “AI slop” and how to cut through it What it takes to stand out in crowded, noisy industries where everything starts to look the same The ongoing tension between brand building and driving pipeline - and how to navigate both Why alignment between sales and marketing matters more than ever in a full-funnel world How staying curious (especially about AI) can be the difference between staying relevant or falling behind Resources: Gautam Mehandru on CrowdStrike | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

    29 min
  2. The Meaning with Lindsay Pedersen

    May 19

    The Meaning with Lindsay Pedersen

    Is your brand working for you or just existing by accident? In this bonus episode, the tables turn on host Lindsay Pedersen as podcast producer Megan Dougherty steps in to interview Lindsay herself. Lindsay shares the thinking behind her approach to brand strategy, why she can't stand the term "personal brand," and what it actually takes to build something people remember. You'll hear them discuss: Why every business has a brand whether they like it or not and why ignoring that is a mistake The difference between a brand that gets liked and one that gets loved, and why only one of them drives real growth Why Lindsay thinks "personal brand" is a dilution of what brand actually means, and what she'd call it instead How her time managing household products at Clorox shaped the way she thinks about customers and why a big corporate brand team and a small local business aren't as different as you'd think The case for being polarizing, and why playing it safe is the surest way to be forgettable Resources: Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn Megan Dougherty on One Stone Creative | LinkedIn

    26 min
  3. Beyond Perfect with Bill Glenn

    May 12

    Beyond Perfect with Bill Glenn

    Perfection. Hustle. Always being the smartest person in the room. Those are the things many leaders are taught to chase. But what happens when you realize those ideas might actually be holding you back? In this episode of North Star Leaders, Lindsay Pedersen sits down with Bill Glenn, SVP of Marketing at Esper, for a refreshingly honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability, and the long road away from perfectionism. Bill shares how decades in tech reshaped the way he leads - from chasing flawless performance to prioritizing honest feedback, mentorship, and self-awareness. You’ll hear them discuss: Why performance review conversations can actually be one of the most energizing parts of leadership How direct, honest feedback - delivered with care - can unlock real growth for teams The shift from trying to be the smartest person in the room to building teams that challenge and elevate each other The hidden connection between perfectionism, fear, and authentic leadership Simple daily practices that help leaders reset their mindset and stay grounded hHw mentorship - both giving and receiving it - can shape an entire career Why more professionals are rethinking success, hustle culture, and what the “next phase” of life might look like Resources: Bill Glenn - LinkedIn | Esper Device Management Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

    28 min
  4. Healthy Tension with Michael Atalla

    May 5

    Healthy Tension with Michael Atalla

    What actually separates marketing that moves markets from marketing that just explains things? And in a world where AI is rewriting the rules in real time, what does leadership even look like when your team might know more than you do? In this episode, Michael Atalla joins Lindsay Pedersen to unpack the real role of storytelling in modern marketing and why tension, transparency, and experimentation might be your biggest competitive advantages right now. You’ll hear them discuss: Why great marketing is really about translating complex ideas into something people actually care about How storytelling acts as the connective tissue across product, sales, and go-to-market strategy The trap of “inside-out” thinking and how to shift into an audience-first mindset What it really takes to build a team culture where experimentation (and failure) is not just allowed, but expected Why AI isn’t just another tool, but a full operational shift that requires new roles and ways of working How “healthy tension” inside teams leads to better decisions, stronger strategies, and real conviction What relentless transparency looks like in practice and why it’s riskier (and more powerful) than it sounds Resources: Michael Atalla on LinkedIn | UiPath | UiPath LinkedIn | UiPath X | Ui Path Instagram Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

    32 min
  5. AI ≠ Strategy with Jeremy Korst

    Apr 28

    AI ≠ Strategy with Jeremy Korst

    AI is everywhere. Is your business actually using it with purpose, or just chasing the hype? In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Jeremy Korst, many time CMO and executive, to unpack the real relationship between strategy, brand, and AI. They get into why most companies are getting this wrong, how brand becomes the ultimate decision-making filter, and what leaders need to do right now to avoid adding to the noise. You’ll hear them discuss: Why AI isn’t a strategy and what happens when companies treat it like one How brand becomes a shortcut for decision-making across an entire organization The growing problem of “AI slop” and why most content is about to get worse, not better How strong brands can actually stand out more in a world flooded with cheap content The tension between analytical strategy frameworks and human-centered brand thinking What’s changing in market research thanks to AI and what still can’t be replaced Why even the biggest companies with massive budgets still struggle with prioritization Resources: Jeremy Korst on LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

    38 min
  6. Marketing Truths with Jason Ing

    Apr 21

    Marketing Truths with Jason Ing

    And are B2B and B2C really as different as we like to pretend they are? AI is moving at breakneck speed, but what actually stays the same when everything around marketing is changing? In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Jason Ing, CMO at Typeface, to talk about curiosity in the AI era, why identity plays a bigger role in business buying than most people realize, and the timeless marketing principles that still matter no matter how advanced the technology becomes. From classic brand lessons learned at P&G to the evolving role of AI as a true teammate, Jason shares a thoughtful, grounded perspective on what great marketers should focus on right now. You’ll hear them discuss: Why curiosity and a “childlike wonder” mindset are helping leaders navigate the massive shift happening with AI How AI is evolving from a tool or assistant into a true teammate that can orchestrate work across systems Why the fundamentals of marketing - understanding people, emotions, and motivations - still matter in both B2B and B2C How identity and psychology influence buying decisions, from diapers and cars to cloud platforms and martech stacks Why being top of mind is one of the most powerful advantages a brand can have when customers are ready to buy How strong marketers meet customers at the right moments in their buying journey instead of trying to be everything to everyone Why customer obsession remains the most important marketing principle, even as technology and AI capabilities continue to evolve Resources: Jason Ing on LinkedIn | Typeface | Marketing Orchestration Engine Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

    28 min
  7. Solve & Scale with Marcio Arnecke

    Apr 14

    Solve & Scale with Marcio Arnecke

    Some leaders thrive on stability. Others thrive on chaos. So what does it actually take to lead marketing inside a company that’s scaling fast, solving new problems daily, and trying to democratize access to tools that were once reserved for big enterprises? In this episode, Apollo CMO Marcio Arnecke joins Lindsay to talk about resilience, moving fast without burning out your team, and why “progress over perfection” is more than just a catchy phrase when you're building in hyper-growth mode. You’ll hear them discuss: Why solving internal problems quickly can be one of the most energizing parts of leading in a hyper-growth startup How Marcio’s Brazilian upbringing and international leadership experience shape the way he builds and manages global teams The leadership mindset behind “progress over perfection” and why speed often matters more than flawless execution in fast-scaling companies How risk looks different in startups versus large public companies and why moving slowly can sometimes be the biggest risk of all Why strong marketing shifts from feature-focused messaging to value-driven storytelling as companies scale What happens when product strategy, buyer reality, and go-to-market plans fall out of alignment, and how to recognize the disconnect early How curiosity, experimentation, and hands-on leadership help marketers stay ahead as AI reshapes the future of the industry Resources: Marcio Arnecke on Apollo | LinkedIn Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

    30 min
  8. No Crickets with Udi Ledergor

    Apr 7

    No Crickets with Udi Ledergor

    Is playing it safe actually the fastest way to become invisible? In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Udi Ledergor to unpack why most marketing fails to get attention and what it really takes to stand out in a world where no one is paying attention. From bold Super Bowl plays on a startup budget to the uncomfortable truth about “boring” content, this conversation is packed with real-world strategies, sharp takes, and a refreshing reminder that being liked by everyone usually means being remembered by no one. You’ll hear them discuss: Why “safe” marketing is often the riskiest move you can make How Gong built a brand voice so consistent it’s instantly recognizable The real reason your content isn’t getting traction (and how to fix it) How to create marketing that people would actually choose to consume, or even pay for The “punch above your weight” strategy behind Gong’s Super Bowl ad Why polarizing content beats forgettable content every single time How brand isn’t just external - it shapes hiring, culture, and perception before you even meet someone Resources: Udi Ledergor on the Web | LinkedIn | Gong | "Courageous Marketing" on Amazon Lindsay Pedersen - Contact me to tell me who you'd like to hear as a guest! | Connect with me on LinkedIn

    32 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

As a leader, how do you know where to focus? When there are a hundred possibilities, how do you direct your time, your team, your budget, your emotional energy? And - how do you step back and consider the longer term? How do you set conditions for the business to create value not just now, but for years and decades? How do you dance the tension between creating economic value now, while also serving a noble purpose? If you wonder about these things, then this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Lindsay Pedersen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    North Star Leaders