The Genius Scouts Podcast

Genius Scouts
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BUSINESS

Join hosts Justin Oberman and Aaron Zakowski each week as they bring you exclusive conversations with the business leaders and innovators you need to know about, sharing the secrets that fuel their success and power their personal brands. Whether you’re building a business, growing a brand, or just looking for inspiration, this is the podcast you don’t want to miss.

  1. Saul Blinkoff: From Disney Rejections to Animation Legend – How He Turned Weakness into Strength

    MAY 29

    Saul Blinkoff: From Disney Rejections to Animation Legend – How He Turned Weakness into Strength

    Saul Blinkoff didn’t just dream of Disney — he drew his way there. In this episode, the Hollywood animator, director, and life coach reveals how he turned rejection, setbacks, and self-doubt into a launchpad for creative success. From humble beginnings with no industry connections to working on Disney classics like Pocahontas, Mulan, and Tarzan, Saul shares the mindsets and habits that helped him go from aspiring artist to animation powerhouse. You’ll hear why turning weakness into strength is the real “secret sauce,” how to develop a resilience mindset that lasts, and why living inspired is so much more powerful than just being inspired. Whether you’re chasing a creative dream or just trying to get through a tough week, Saul’s story will make you want to grab a pencil — or a pen — and start writing your own comeback.

    1h 13m
  2. John James: The Business Wolf Who Tells CEOs What Their Marketing Team Won't

    MAY 27

    John James: The Business Wolf Who Tells CEOs What Their Marketing Team Won't

    John James isn’t here to make your brand look good — he’s here to make your business actually grow. In this episode, the founder of Hybrency and host of the Champagne Strategy Podcast dismantles some of marketing’s most sacred myths. From why brand campaigns rarely move the needle, to how executives really think about marketing (spoiler: it’s not impressions), John brings 15+ years of global experience helping companies scale without blowing the budget. You’ll hear why most marketers are focused on the wrong problems, what it really takes to build a growth engine, and how to think like a commercial strategist — not just a comms person. If you’ve ever wondered why your "strategy" isn’t working, this episode will hit like a splash of cold Champagne.

    1h 29m
  3. Joe Hollier: He Built the Light Phone to Save You from Your Smartphone (And It’s Working)

    MAY 15

    Joe Hollier: He Built the Light Phone to Save You from Your Smartphone (And It’s Working)

    Joe Hollier didn’t set out to start a phone company. But after years as an artist, designer, and creative technologist (with work commissioned by the Smithsonian) he co-founded the Light Phone: a minimalist, distraction-free device that’s become a quiet rebellion against the always-on world. In this episode, Joe shares the design philosophy behind the Light Phone (“designed to be used as little as possible”), and why stepping away from our devices might be the most productive thing we can do. From rewiring your brain for presence to the illusion of social media productivity, he breaks down how to reclaim your time, your attention, and even your memory. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, over-connected, or just craving real focus again — this one will stick with you.

    1h 6m
  4. Jonathan Rolley: How Neuroscience Makes Brands UNFORGETTABLE

    MAY 8

    Jonathan Rolley: How Neuroscience Makes Brands UNFORGETTABLE

    Jonathan Rolley isn’t just talking about ad performance — he’s measuring what happens inside your brain when you watch one. In this episode, the founder of Undivided shares how a life-altering brain tumor launched him on a mission to decode how memory, emotion, and decision-making actually work. You’ll learn why most brand campaigns fail to stick, how neuroscience can predict effectiveness, and why true marketing mastery lies in triggering the right chemical reactions. If you want to make your brand unforgettable — this one is unmissable.

    57 min
  5. Jeremy Sirota: Why This Music CEO Asks His Team ‘How Would You Destroy Our Company?’

    MAY 1

    Jeremy Sirota: Why This Music CEO Asks His Team ‘How Would You Destroy Our Company?’

    Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin—the world’s largest member-led music rights organization—joins us to share how he’s reshaping leadership, creativity, and decision-making in the digital music age. From throwing out traditional corporate playbooks to asking his team how they'd destroy the company, Jeremy reveals the unconventional frameworks that fuel innovation. We dive into bad ideas, “Cheeto moments,” creative scaffolding, and how curiosity drives real progress—not just in music, but in any industry. If you're leading a team, building something new, or just trying to think differently, this episode is a must-listen.

    1h 2m
  6. Nicole Ayres: How Psychedelics, Spirituality & Storytelling Built a Multi-Million Dollar Brand

    APR 23

    Nicole Ayres: How Psychedelics, Spirituality & Storytelling Built a Multi-Million Dollar Brand

    Nicole Ayres, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Jumpsuit, shares how intuition, storytelling, and a little bit of magic built one of the most unconventional creative agencies in the industry. From coffee shop owner to full-time ministry to selling a tech company spun out of her own agency, Ayres breaks every rule in the book and rewrites better ones. She reveals why the best brands create lore, not just logos, and how spiritual practices like psychedelics and telepathy are shaping the future of conscious business. This episode is about branding, but also about self-trust, healing, and building a career where you can bring your whole self to the table.

    55 min
  7. George Tannenbaum: Be USEFUL, Be DIFFERENT, or Be Forgotten

    APR 16

    George Tannenbaum: Be USEFUL, Be DIFFERENT, or Be Forgotten

    George Tannenbaum has spent decades in advertising, from writing catalog copy at Montgomery Ward to shaping campaigns for IBM and American Express. In this episode, he breaks down what the industry has lost — and what still works. From the power of simplicity and humanity in copy to the danger of sameness in portfolios and agencies, George shares blunt, timeless lessons on how to stand out and stay relevant. He also dives into personal branding, how to actually get noticed, and why the best creatives start by asking: “What does it do?” Whether you're a copywriter, founder, or just trying to get chosen in a noisy world, this one’s packed with insight, candor, and zero fluff.

    1h 35m
  8. Julian Scadden: From Ditch Digger to CEO - The Counterintuitive Secret to Rising to the Top

    APR 9

    Julian Scadden: From Ditch Digger to CEO - The Counterintuitive Secret to Rising to the Top

    High school dropout turned business leader Julian Scadden joins Genius Scouts to share his remarkable journey from digging sewers to leading Nextar Network. With refreshing candor, Julian reveals how being "bad" at his initial trade led to discovering his true leadership gifts. We explore his Health-Family-Community philosophy, the power of mentorship, and why the "Be Dumb Quick" movement transforms careers faster than "fake it till you make it." Julian's insights on business ethics, defining success beyond wealth, and finding meaning in the trades offer wisdom for entrepreneurs in any industry. A compelling conversation about authenticity, resilience, and redefining what true leadership means in today's business world.

    53 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join hosts Justin Oberman and Aaron Zakowski each week as they bring you exclusive conversations with the business leaders and innovators you need to know about, sharing the secrets that fuel their success and power their personal brands. Whether you’re building a business, growing a brand, or just looking for inspiration, this is the podcast you don’t want to miss.

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