Smart Rookie Smart Rookie

Inspired by Monica Parker's Wall Street Journal best selling book, “The Power of Wonder”, we brought together a distinguished panel featuring Monica Parker, Melissa Gonzales, Andy Grover, and Dan Mazzarini to discuss how wonder, curiosity, and awe have shaped their lives and careers. Join us for this special episode recorded in front of a live studio audience in New York City's BHDM studio where we delve into the transformative effect of wonder and how it shapes how we live, engage with, and think about the world and its most pressing problems.
Highlights:
04:18 Exploring the Essence of Wonder with Monica Parker
20:21 The Rookie Experience: Learning, Growth, and Vulnerability
26:20 Embracing the Rookie Mindset: Inspirational Stories
36:59 The Ultimate Cookie Debate: What's Your Favorite?
39:54 A Toast to all the Smart Rookies
Our MC:
Kelly Hoey is the author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World. She’s currently working on her second book which focuses on the unique networks women need for career success. Kelly has contributed to a variety of publications including The New York Times, Inc., Fast Company and Forbes - these and other unexpected career opportunities (such as meeting Malala) she notes, are a direct result of building a network. jkellyhoey.co
About Our Panelists: 
Monica Parker is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller The Power of Wonder and a world-renowned speaker, writer, and authority on the future of work. Parker has spent decades helping people discover how to lead and live wonderfully. The founder of global human analytics and change consultancy HATCH, whose clients include blue-chip companies such as LinkedIn, Google, Prudential, and LEGO, Parker challenges corporate systems to advocate for more meaningful work lives. In addition to her extensive advocacy work, Parker has been an opera singer, a museum exhibition designer, a policy director, and a homicide investigator defending death row inmates. A lover of the arts, literature, and Mexican food, Parker and her family split their time between Atlanta, London, and Nice. Her wonderbringers include travel, time spent with friends, and live music.
Melissa Gonzalez, a visionary leader at MG2, where she heads the MG2 Advisory Group. Melissa's journey from a Wall Street executive to an influential entrepreneur has seen her collaborate with dynamic direct-to-consumer brands and industry stalwarts. Her expertise lies in blending physical and digital realms to create immersive retail experiences, notably for companies like Nordstrom and Victoria’s Secret. As the author of "The Pop-up Paradigm," Melissa's work in generating over 200 tangible consumer experiences underscores her commitment to building authentic human connections in today's digital age. Recognized as a top executive and a voice of influence in retail, she's been featured in prominent publications and is the driving force behind the Retail Refined podcast. Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa finds inspiration in daring pursuits, like skydiving from 10,000 feet.
Dan Mazzarini is an award winning designer whose work includes high profile residences, hotels, restaurants, and retail. Helping clients tell a story through the spaces, he re-imagines visual landscapes embracing a sense of theatricality and the unexpected.
Andy Grover is a visionary leader who has redesigned healthcare delivery experiences. He applies his expertise in real estate, design and branding to successfully scale start-ups that combine innovative bricks-and-mortar service delivery with technology. 
Reference:
* “Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World” by Kelly Hoey
* “The Power of Wonder: The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live, Learn, and Lead” by Monica Parker. 
* “The Pop-up Paradigm: How Brands Build Human Connections in a Digital Age," by Melissa Gonzalez
* BHDM Studio
Add Yo

Delve into the world of Abbi Waxman, a former advertising copywriter turned bestselling novelist. Abbi discusses the vitality of staying curious, humble, and fearless, whether in crafting compelling stories or navigating the twists and turns of life. She shares her personal and professional metamorphoses, highlighting the importance of collaboration, altruism, and creativity. Listeners will also get a unique behind-the-scenes look at Abbi's writing process and insights about her transition into the mystery genre.
Highlights:
* 01:04 The Origin Story: How a Bold Question Sparked a Career Pivot
* 21:03 Exploring New Genres: Advertising, Novels and Mysteries
* 25:07 A Perennial Rookie: Embracing New Beginnings 
* 27:29 The Beauty of Altruism
* 29:07 Asking for Help and the Joy of Giving
* 47:34 Reflections on Rookie Adventures and Future Endeavors
* 50:07 The Value of Ideas and the Power of Patience
About Our Guests: 
Abbi Waxman is an acclaimed author of contemporary, light-hearted fiction, with her sixth novel set to grace bookshelves in April. Born in England, she began her career working as a copywriter and then a creative director at various advertising agencies in London and New York, including an agency she founded with Smart Rookie co-host, Elizabeth Talerman. Eventually she quit advertising, had three kids and started writing books. Abbi is deeply interested in people, and in the gap between our outsides and our insides. She believes that space is where novels live, after all.
Reference:
* Pre-order Abbi’s upcoming book, “Christa Comes Out of Her Shell.”
* Read Abbi’s Bestselling Books
* Download Abbi’s Book Club Kits.
* Learn how we use the Acorn to Oak Tree exercise in our human-centered design research on our tools page.
We want to hear from you!
We'd love to hear what you observed in this episode. What did this episode leave you wondering about? What did you observe and what was said or left unsaid? Leave us a voice memo, DM us on Instagram, or send us an email, smartrookie[at]thenucleusgroup.com.  
Credits:
* Chelsea Carlson, Podcast Art Designer
* Ashley Bradford, Theme Music Artist
* Sam Nash, Audio Engineer
* Gabriela Acosta, Executive Producer 
* Smart Rookie is brought to you by brand and strategy collaborative, The Nucleus Group.
Please note that our show transcript is AI generated and may not be 100% accurate.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smartrookie.substack.com

What happens when pop culture and sports fandoms collide? Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory, trailblazing Chief Marketing Officer Lara Krug offers her unique perspective on the cultural zeitgeist that welcomed a swell of Swifties into their first season as football fans. We follow Lara’s career trajectory from beauty to beer to sports and learn why she believes the most successful companies hire smart rookies.
Highlights:
* 01:36 Navigating New Industries
* 10:15 Re-envisioning an Established Brand
* 15:23 Making the Leap from Beauty to Beer to Sports
* 18:46 The Importance of Soft Skills and Continuous Learning
* 23:13 Expanding the Fan Base: Swifties and Beyond
* 34:06 Why Successful Companies Hire Smart Rookies
* 45:21 The Value of Rookie Experiences and Aligning Aspirations
About Our Guests: 
Lara is an experienced and passionate business leader with 15+ years of experience building and growing brands across multiple industries including consumer goods, alcohol, beauty and sports in both global and U.S. roles. In 2021, Lara joined the Kansas City Chiefs as the first Chief Marketing Officer and EVP of Marketing. While overseeing all aspects of marketing in the U.S. including brand strategy, fan development, content & production, events and community impact, she is also responsible for the internationalization of the club in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Mexico. 
Prior to joining the Chiefs, she spent more than eight years in multiple marketing roles with Anheuser-Busch InBev, eventually taking over as Vice President of U.S. Marketing for Stella Artois. Before leading the national marketing efforts for Stella Artois, she oversaw AB Inbev’s regional brand portfolio, global experiential and sponsorship business and digital media partnerships. Those roles saw her develop and lead experiential platforms and campaigns around Super Bowl LIV, FIFA World Cup, the World Surfing League, UFC, Wimbledon, Tomorrowland and many more.
Reference:
* Chiefs Defeat 49ers, 25-22, to Secure a Second-Straight World Championship
* Learn how we use the Acorn to Oak Tree exercise in our human-centered design research on our tools page.
Add Your Voice to Our Final Episode!
We’re curating listener questions to include and answer in our season wrap-up. Leave us a voice memo with the biggest questions and takeaways from this season of Smart Rookie. What questions still linger for you? What do you wish we’d talked about more?
Get in touch: DM us on Instagram, or send us an email, smartrookie[at]thenucleusgroup.com.  
Credits:
* Chelsea Carlson, Podcast Art Designer
* Ashley Bradford, Theme Music Artist
* Sam Nash, Audio Engineer
* Gabriela Acosta, Executive Producer 
* Smart Rookie is brought to you by brand and strategy collaborative, The Nucleus Group.
Please note that our show transcript is AI generated and may not be 100% accurate.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smartrookie.substack.com

Design maven Debbie Millman shares her pursuit to courageously build a life filled with endless possibilities. Debbie reminds us to ask ourselves, “if not now, then when?” From mastering new languages, undertaking physical challenges, to navigating tough career choices, she takes us on a journey of self-discovery amid evolving aspirations and capabilities. 
Highlights:
* 10:46 Keep Growing and Challenging Oneself
* 22:01 Balancing Multiple Pursuits
* 26:40 Navigating Life's Trapeze: Decisions and Potential
* 36:52 The Pursuit of Potential and Possibilities
* 36:58 Desire for More Freedom and Experimentation
* 44:15 Emerging Rookie Styles: The Reluctant and the Dive-In
* 47:41 Success and the Pursuit Of Endless Possibilities
About Our Guests: 
Debbie Millman is host of the Webby award-winning podcast Design Matters, one of the first and longest running podcasts in the world; Chair of the first-ever Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts, Co-owner and Editorial Director of PrintMag.com, and the author of seven books on design and branding. She has worked on the design and strategy of over 200 of the world’s largest brands. Debbie is the recipient of a Cooper Hewitt National Design Award and a Lifetime Achievement award from AIGA, the Professional Association for Design.
Reference:
* Learn how we use the Acorn to Oak Tree exercise in our human-centered design research on our tools page.
* A Remarkable Life Deck: A Ten-Year Plan For Achieving Your Dreams
* Why Design Matters: Conversations with the World’s Most Creative People
* School of Visual Arts Masters In Branding
* Listen to Debbie’s Seven Wonders Playlist on Spotify.
Add Your Voice to Our Final Episode!
We’re curating listener questions to include and answer in our season wrap-up. Leave us a voice memo with the biggest questions and takeaways from this season of Smart Rookie. What questions still linger for you? What do you wish we’d talked about more?
Get in touch: DM us on Instagram, or send us an email, smartrookie[at]thenucleusgroup.com.  
Credits:
* Chelsea Carlson, Podcast Art Designer
* Ashley Bradford, Theme Music Artist
* Sam Nash, Audio Engineer
* Gabriela Acosta, Executive Producer 
* Smart Rookie is brought to you by brand and strategy collaborative, The Nucleus Group.
Please note that our show transcript is AI generated and may not be 100% accurate.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smartrookie.substack.com

Master brand builder Bret Sanford-Chung shares her career defined by constantly finding and stepping out of her groove, highlighting the critical role of intellectual curiosity and defining her WHY. Spanning various industries and roles, from art school to KPMG, Bret showcases her adaptability and love for the learning curve. She emphasizes the value of embracing challenges, asking questions, and the ethos of being comfortable with uncertainty. 
Highlights:
* 05:10 The Power of Intellectual Curiosity 
* 07:28 Storytelling As A Superpower
* 21:53 The Importance Of Knowing Your Why
* 27:10 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
* 31:55 Reflection: Embrace Your Inner Weirdo
* 41:06: Our Hope for Smart Rookies Everywhere
About Our Guests: 
Bret Sanford-Chung is a distinguished brand builder with a versatile marketing background, having served as an Agency Creative Director, Chief Marketing Officer, Global Agency Leader, and Educator. She is currently the Managing Director at KPMG's Marketing Consulting practice, spearheading significant corporate transformations. With previous roles at Forrester Research and as a Founding Partner at CreativePutty, Inc., Bret has a rich history of aiding top-tier clients in various sectors.
Her influential "Values" campaign for HSBC is permanently showcased at MoMA, and her work in rebranding Smith Barney underscores her prowess in modernizing financial services. Bret is not only a prominent speaker worldwide but also an academic, teaching at Columbia University and the School of Visual Arts, while contributing to esteemed business and academic boards. Holding advanced degrees in English Literature and Media Arts, she's also a yoga enthusiast, marathon runner, and a devoted family person.
Reference:
* Learn how we use the Acorn to Oak Tree exercise in our human-centered design research on our tools page.
We want to hear from you!
We'd love to hear what you observed in this episode. What did this episode leave you wondering about? What did you observe and what was said or left unsaid? Leave us a voice memo, DM us on Instagram, or send us an email, smartrookie[at]thenucleusgroup.com.  
Credits:
* Chelsea Carlson, Podcast Art Designer
* Ashley Bradford, Theme Music Artist
* Sam Nash, Audio Engineer
* Gabriela Acosta, Executive Producer 
* Smart Rookie is brought to you by brand and strategy collaborative, The Nucleus Group.
Please note that our show transcript is AI generated and may not be 100% accurate.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smartrookie.substack.com

Embrace wonder, abundance, and playfulness with marketing guru, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, Seth Godin. With his trademark blend of humor and wisdom, Seth argues that to be a true innovator (and to be a Smart Rookie) one must embrace the beginner's mind, venture into the unknown, and dare to ship it when the time is right. He challenges us to imagine a world as carefree and creative as a Pictionary game, where the risk of guessing wrong is eclipsed by the sheer joy of participation and increases our odds of success. Seth shares his ultimate ambition to cultivate an environment where everyone feels empowered to step up to the drawing board, marker in hand, ready to sketch out their wildest ideas without fear of failure.
Highlights:
* 01:43 The Art of Questioning: A Key to Innovation
* 06:32 The Power of Beginner's Mind and Changing Your Mind
* 16:34 The Magic of The Charrette As A Creative Process
* 32:20 The Power of Service and Learning Through Doing
* 45:23 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
About Our Guests: 
Seth Godin is the author of 21 books that have been bestsellers around the world and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He writes about the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing, quitting, leadership and most of all, changing everything. You might be familiar with his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip, and Purple Cow.
His book, This Is Marketing, was an instant bestseller around the world.Recently, he organized the all-volunteer community project,The Carbon Almanac. In 2023, he wrote, The Song of Significance, which is already a
Bestseller. In addition to his writing and speaking, Seth has founded several companies, including Yoyodyne and Squidoo.
His blog (which you can find by typing “Seth” into Google) is one of the most popular in the world. His podcast is in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide.
In 2018, he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame. More than 40,000 people have taken the powerful Akimbo workshops he founded, including the altMBA and The Marketing Seminar.
Reference:
* Learn how we use the Acorn to Oak Tree exercise in our human-centered design research on our tools page.
* The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin
* The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto For Teams by Seth Godin
* The Carbon Almanac by Seth Godin
We want to hear from you!
We'd love to hear what you observed in this episode. What did this episode leave you wondering about? What did you observe and what was said or left unsaid? Leave us a voice memo, DM us on Instagram, or send us an email, smartrookie[at]thenucleusgroup.com.  
Credits:
* Chelsea Carlson, Podcast Art Designer
* Ashley Bradford, Theme Music Artist
* Sam Nash, Audio Engineer
* Gabriela Acosta, Executive Producer 
* Smart Rookie is brought to you by brand and strategy collaborative, The Nucleus Group.
Please note that our show transcript is AI generated and may not be 100% accurate.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smartrookie.substack.com