Experiential Alchemy: A Podcast by Agency EA

Agency EA
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Experiential Alchemy is powered by Agency EA, a full service brand experience agency in the heart of Chicago. In each episode, President and CXO Rick Cosgrove and CEO Lucy Stratton chat with brand-side leaders in tech, sports, e-commerce and more about their career paths, advice they have for young professionals, and their thoughts on the future of experiential and event marketing...with some amusing, unexpected anecdotes along the way. For more information on Agency EA, visit www.agencyea.com.

  1. May 12

    Adam Walden - GitHub

    In this episode of Experiential Alchemy, we explore the "hero’s journey" of event production with Adam Walden, VP of Global Brand and Marketing at GitHub. Adam discusses how his background in acting and agency production helped him transform GitHub Universe into a story-driven, "Coachella-style" festival that prioritizes human connection and world-building over traditional tech conference tropes. Meet the Guest Adam Walden is the VP of Global Brand and Marketing at GitHub. With a career spanning from acting in New York to leading production at Gen Art, Adam brings a multifaceted "left-brain/right-brain" approach to experiential marketing. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded GitHub’s event strategy, focusing on how to blend technical depth with theatrical whimsy to engage the global developer community. What You’ll Learn The Power of World-Building: Why the "intro" and "outro" of an event are just as critical as the main content for cementing memories.The "Boulder" Analogy: Navigating the transition from a year of meticulous planning to the high-speed, unpredictable reality of a live event.Personalization at Scale: How GitHub uses various session formats—from "Dungeons and Deployments" LARPing to hackable badges—to meet different learning styles.The Art of Wayfinding: Why "timing signage" and physical orientation are the most overlooked but essential elements of large-scale event design.Agency-to-Brand Transition: Lessons learned from moving from the high-volume production world to leading a global brand’s marketing strategy Connect with Us Website: ⁠agencyea.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@agencyea⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Agency EA⁠YouTube: ⁠Agency EA

    33 min

  2. Apr 14

    Shawn Wagner - Hewlett Packard Enterprise

    In this episode of Experiential Alchemy, hosts Lucy Stratton and Rick Cosgrove sit down with Shawn Wagner, VP of Global Events at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). Shawn shares her unconventional journey from the Air Force to global event leadership, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how she keeps HPE’s flagship conference, Discover, creatively fresh while navigating the logistical complexities of large-scale experiential marketing. Meet the Guest Shawn Wagner is the Vice President of Global Events at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). With a career spanning over two decades, including a "boomerang" return to HPE after stints at AWS and on the agency side, Shawn brings a unique perspective on client-side event strategy. Her background in the Air Force informs her focus on precision logistics, while her leadership at HPE emphasizes white-glove customer experiences and innovative brand storytelling. What You’ll Learn Avoiding the "Formulaic" Trap: Shawn’s process for running multi-agency RFPs to spark innovation and prevent flagship events from becoming stagnant.Underrated Event Drivers: Why peer-to-peer networking and guided tours are often the most valuable, yet overlooked, elements of a major conference.Measuring Success Beyond Survival: How HPE uses survey data, executive feedback, and internal incentive programs to celebrate team achievements.Navigating Budgetary Friction: Shawn’s strategies for maintaining a high-quality attendee experience in an era of rising costs and flat budgets. Connect with Us Website: agencyea.comInstagram: @agencyeaLinkedIn: Agency EAYouTube: Agency EA

    23 min

  3. Feb 24

    Sofia Figueroa - Square

    In this episode, we explore how B2B brands can break traditional molds by showing up in consumer-centric spaces to drive deeper engagement. Guest Sophia Figueroa shares her unique experiential origin story and provides actionable advice for the next generation of creators navigating an AI-infused landscape. Meet the Guest Sofia Figueroa is the Head of Experiential at Square. With over a decade of experience ranging from large-scale mobile tours to executional production, Sofia later earned an MBA from NYU Stern to bridge the gap between boots-on-the-ground execution and high-level business strategy. She is a leading voice in how global tech brands can leverage live experiences to create authentic connections. What You’ll Learn B2B in B2C Spaces: Why meeting business owners where they live bypasses traditional pipeline barriers.The Value of "Getting Your Hands Dirty": Why production mastery is essential for long-term strategic success.Brand Evolution: How Square’s refresh uses human-centric elements to create curiosity.AI in Events: Using automation to unload administrative tasks and free up creative brain space. Connect with Us Website: ⁠agencyea.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@agencyea⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea⁠YouTube: ⁠agencyEA⁠

    29 min

  4. Jan 6

    Laura Parkinson - LinkedIn

    Discover the unique creative philosophies behind some of the world’s most iconic brands as we sit down with Laura Parkinson, Global Head of Brand Experience at LinkedIn. From her early days at South by Southwest to leading experiences at Apple and Google, Laura shares how to humanize B2B environments and stay centered amidst the high-pressure grind of large-scale event production. Meet the Guest Laura Parkinson is the Global Head of Brand Experience at LinkedIn. With over 15 years of experience in Silicon Valley, she has built a career making brand experiences tangible and meaningful for Fortune 5 companies, including Apple and Google. Laura brings a wealth of perspective on maintaining creative excellence while executing seamless, streamlined brand moments on a global stage. What You’ll Learn The Power of Human Connection in B2B: Why there is no longer a line dividing "corporate" environments from human ones, and how to meet audiences in their current mentality. Navigating Brand Cultures: Insights into the operational excellence of Apple, the playful playground mentality of Google, and the mission-driven connection at LinkedIn. Career Hustle and Resilience: How responding to a Craigslist post led to a career-defining start at SXSW and why you should never be afraid to speak up early in your career. Humanizing AI through Experiential: The role of live events in making complex technology like AI feel less scary and more understandable through real-life product demos. Staying Grounded Under Pressure: Practical rituals for mental and physical health, from the literal grounding of touching grass to the importance of modeling work-life boundaries for your team. Connect with Us Website: agencyea.comInstagram: @agencyeaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyeaYouTube: agencyEA

    27 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Jimmy Knowles - Canva

    In this episode of Experiential Alchemy, we sit down with Jimmy Knowles, the Global Head of Experiential at Canva, to explore his journey from producing iconic parades to building a global creative community. Jimmy shares how he transitioned from the agency world to the brand side and the strategic moves behind transforming "Canva Create" from an internal meeting into a worldwide creative celebration. Meet the Guest Jimmy Knowles is the Global Head of Experiential at Canva, where he leads the brand's global creative activations and community-facing events. With a decade of agency experience at Civic Entertainment Group and an origin story that began with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Jimmy brings a unique blend of theatricality and strategic brand-side leadership to the table. He was recently recognized as one of Variety's New Leaders and a BizBash Industry Innovator. What You’ll Learn The Power of Mentorship: How a job offer from the commencement podium at Ithaca College launched a career in large-scale event production. Agency vs. Brand Side: Key differences Jimmy discovered during his transition and how his agency tenure prepared him for the brand-side "beast". Scaling "Canva Create": The process of taking a safe internal company culture and scaling it into a vulnerable, high-stakes external global event. Fashion as Identity: Why Canva uses costuming and high-concept fashion to extend their brand visual identity on stage. Maintaining Human Touch: Jimmy’s perspective on the future of human-to-human connection in an increasingly AI-driven world. Connect with Us Website: ⁠agencyea.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@agencyea⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Agency EA⁠YouTube: ⁠Agency EA

    45 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Dustin Callif - Tool of North America

    In this episode of Experiential Alchemy, Rick + Lucy sit down with Dustin Callif, President of Tool of North America, to delve into his fascinating journey at the intersection of technology, content, and experience. From his early days in the dot-com era to pioneering innovative marketing strategies, Dustin shares how he transformed ideas into experiential realities. We explore the balance between cutting-edge technology and authentic human interaction, touching on standout projects like the interactive horror film "Take This Lollipop" and immersive campaigns for brands like Coca-Cola and LinkedIn. Join us as we uncover Dustin's insights on pushing creative boundaries and the future of experiential marketing. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that bridges the gap between technology and unforgettable experiences. Connect with Us Website: ⁠agencyea.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@agencyea⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea⁠YouTube: ⁠agencyEA⁠

    36 min

  7. 05/14/2025

    Sara Navarro - Dropbox

    Sara Navarro of Dropbox joins hosts Rick + Lucy for this episode of Experiential Alchemy. From Board of Trade to owning her own restaurant and now being in the technology industry, Sara has a lot to share! She spills lessons learned, the experiential trend she’d like to leave behind and an almost horror story so sweaty you’ll have to hear for yourself. Connect with Us Website: ⁠agencyea.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@agencyea⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea⁠YouTube: ⁠agencyEA⁠

    35 min

  8. 03/05/2025

    Matt Croft - McDonald's Agency 123

    Matt Croft of McDonald's Agency 123 joins hosts Rick + Lucy for this episode of Experiential Alchemy. With over 30 years of experience, Matt shares his advice for event professionals entering the industry, why he'll always be a Jennifer Hudson fan and so much more! Connect with Us Website: ⁠agencyea.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@agencyea⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea⁠YouTube: ⁠agencyEA⁠

    30 min
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About

Experiential Alchemy is powered by Agency EA, a full service brand experience agency in the heart of Chicago. In each episode, President and CXO Rick Cosgrove and CEO Lucy Stratton chat with brand-side leaders in tech, sports, e-commerce and more about their career paths, advice they have for young professionals, and their thoughts on the future of experiential and event marketing...with some amusing, unexpected anecdotes along the way. For more information on Agency EA, visit www.agencyea.com.

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