Advertise on podcast: Leading By Example: Executives Making An Impact

What separates leaders who fold under pressure from the ones who turn a setback into the best story they'll ever tell? This episode pulls together the most unforgettable moments from an entire season of conversations with nine remarkable leaders, distilled into a four-part playbook: leading yourself, leading your people, leading through change, and leading with purpose. You'll hear from leaders at Mastercard, Linkedin, J.P. Morgan Chase, and more as they share hard-won lessons on resilience, trust, adapting to AI, and leading with intention. This is a high-impact listen for executives, managers, and anyone serious about leveling up their leadership and professional growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really mean to understand your own influence as a leader? In this episode, host and Emmy Award-winning journalist Jessica Chen sits down with Ben Walter, CEO of JP Morgan Workplace Solutions and former head of Chase for Business — the arm of Chase Bank serving over seven million small businesses across the U.S. Ben's leadership philosophy didn't start in a boardroom. It started watching his father, a rabbi who led a major congregation for decades in Houston, Texas. From those early lessons in authenticity and patience to a 30-year career spanning Continental Airlines, BlackRock, and Hiscox, Ben has developed a deeply human approach to leading at scale. Ben and Jessica explore what he calls the "blast radius" of leadership — how an offhand remark from the boss can set an entire organization in motion — alongside his framework of confident humility, the idea that experience should make you both more decisive and more aware of how much can go wrong. They also get into why honest feedback is the greatest gift you can give someone in their career, and why waiting too long to address underperformance doesn't help anyone. To hear more from Ben—check out The Unshakeables Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the fast-paced world of corporate communications, Meredith Seacrest Leach found it difficult to stop, slow down, and reconnect with her 'why.' Now, as the CEO and Executive Director of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, her mission is front and center: connect children's hospitals with resources for media production, to keep kids entertained during their stay. The journey wasn't always easy, but together with her brother, legendary broadcaster Ryan Seacrest, Meredith has helped bring media studios into 14 different hospitals across the United States. Meredith shares her insights on non-profit leadership, avoiding team burnout, and how to successfully work alongside your family.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of work isn't about competing with AI — it's about doubling down on the skills technology can't replace. As CMO of LinkedIn, Jessica Jensen sits at the forefront of workplace research that explains what's really going on with the decline of entry level jobs, the rise of Gen Z entrepreneurs, and why a strong professional network matters now more than ever. In this conversation with CEO of iHeartMedia's Digital Audio Group Conal Byrne, Jessica shares her takeaways from LinkedIn's latest reports, and offers her insights on how to authentically connect with your team and lead with humanity. Read LinkedIn's Research Reports: LinkedIn Labor Market Report: Building a Future of Work That Works: https://economicgraph.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/economicgraph/en-us/PDF/linkedIn-labor-market-report-building-a-future-of-work-that-works-jan-2026.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com Gen Z isn't waiting to be hired — they're building their own businesses across the country: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gen-z-isnt-waiting-hired-theyre-building-own-businesses-oijve/?trackingId=xiD3pVhFIxrj829PiJHiIg%3D%3DMore Founders, Higher Stakes: Inside San Francisco Bay Area’s Startup Surge: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/more-founders-higher-stakes-inside-san-francisco-ozoze/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Raj Seshadri moved from science to the C-suite, she realized the two weren’t really that different. Leadership requires problem solving — and the scientific method she practiced as a physicist now shapes how she drives innovation as Chief Commercial Payments Officer at Mastercard. Raj shares practical leadership strategies for building high-performing teams, making confident decisions in times of uncertainty, and fostering a culture of inclusion and decency in the workplace. If you’re looking to lead with clarity by thinking like a scientist, this is your blueprint. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since she was a teenager, Shellye Archambeau knew she wanted to be a CEO. And with unapologetic ambition—she got there—becoming the leader of MetricStream, a software company focusing on government risk and compliance.  But her path to power wasn't easy — there was loss, uncertainty and even a global recession that tried to stop Shellye in her tracks, but she was always one step ahead. Shellye shares her advice for guiding your team through a major setback, reclaiming your power as a leader, and inspiring others along the way.  Book: Unapologetically Ambitious Shellye's Nonprofit: Ignite Ambition  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health-Ade Kombucha went from a stall at the Farmer's Market to a multi-million dollar company over the course of just five years — which pushed co-founder Vanessa Dew to re-examine her leadership style in order to adapt. In this episode, Vanessa is revealing what she learned, and why vulnerability in leadership is key for scaling a business. You'll also hear her tips for overcoming imposter syndrome, trusting your instincts, and setting boundaries at work in order to become a more effective, well-rounded leader in business and life.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After helping scale Dell from $100 million to a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse alongside Michael Dell, Joel Kocher thought he had leadership figured out — until success forced him to relearn humility. Now the founder and CEO of Humann, Kocher reveals why adaptability is make-or-break in leadership, especially when transitioning fields. He also shares why he left an early retirement to build a company rooted in purpose, not hype — and how walking your talk 100% of the time is the only way to truly lead by example.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Taskrabbit CEO Ania Smith, a professional gap year was exactly what she needed to rediscover purpose-driven leadership. She was feeling stuck in the Silicon Valley grind, losing sight of her "why." So she and her family packed up all their things and moved to Argentina — somewhere they'd never been before — to focus on anything but work. Upon her return, Ania was confident that this was the right path, which empowered her to scale as a leader. Today, she heads up Taskrabbit, an online platform hosting 60,000 "taskers" worldwide to help folks with household projects big and small. In this episode, Ania shares her advice for navigating uncertainty, architecting your reset, and cultivating a purpose-driven leadership style.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to turn a simple idea into a $100 million brand? In the Season 2 premiere of Leading By Example, host Jessica Chen sits down with Grace Lee Chen, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Birdy Grey, the direct-to-consumer company reshaping how people shop for weddings. Grace shares how she transformed a personal frustration as a six-time bridesmaid into a thriving business built on empathy, creativity, and deep customer connection. She opens up about scaling her brand, collaborating with her best friend and co-founder, and why stepping down as CEO to focus on creative leadership was the most empowering decision of her career. Through her journey, Grace reveals what it means to lead with trust, authenticity, and heart in today’s fast-changing business landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What sets remarkable leaders apart? In Season 2 of Leading By Example, Emmy Award winner and global communication expert Jessica Chen uncovers how today’s executives inspire trust, navigate change, and lead with purpose. From bold decision-making to everyday empathy, these conversations pull back the curtain on the communication skills, mindset shifts, and human stories behind impactful leadership. Whether you’re managing a team or leading your own path, this season will inspire you to lead with confidence, authenticity, and purpose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special in-between-seasons bonus episode of Leading by Example, host Farnoosh Torabi is joined by supervising producer Nakia (Kia) Swinton to reflect on standout leadership lessons from Season One. From authenticity and inclusion to empathy, expertise, and the power of introspection, Farnoosh and Kia revisit powerful moments and behind-the-scenes insights from their conversations with industry trailblazers including Will Pearson (iHeartMedia), Shannon Schuyler (PwC), Kathleen Griffith, Naveen Jain, Claude Silver (VaynerX), Marisa Thalberg, Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin (TheSkimm), and Ryan Serhant. Whether you're new to the show or a longtime listener, this highlight reel captures the spirit of the series—and sets the stage for an inspiring Season Two. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Serhant has built a real estate empire by doing things differently. As the CEO of SERHANT.—a brokerage, media company, and tech platform all rolled into one—he’s redefining what it means to sell in the modern market. In this dynamic conversation, Farnoosh and Ryan talk about launching a company during the pandemic, building a brand that scales, and why “always in, all ways” isn’t just a motto—it’s a mindset. Ryan shares how he hires, the surprising way he tests for emotional intelligence, and why listening is his ultimate growth strategy. They also dive into AI’s growing role in real estate, what’s really behind the affordability crisis, and how innovation—not litigation—is Ryan’s favorite way to win. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg have lived every chapter of theSkimm’s story—from scrappy startup to multimillion-user platform to their recent acquisition by Ziff Davis. In this candid conversation, Farnoosh sits down with the co-founders to explore resilience, leadership, and how they’ve stayed deeply connected to their audience of millennial and Gen Z women. They open up about rejection, burnout, and the challenges of being women founders—including the ones that still persist. Plus, the story behind their viral #ShowUsYourLeave campaign, why caregiving is the next workplace frontier, and how they’re helping women navigate the realities of adulthood—with clarity, confidence, and just the right amount of Froot Loops. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marisa Thalberg has made a career out of smart pivots—and bold bets. As Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Catalyst Brands, she now oversees some of retail’s most iconic names, including JCPenney and Brooks Brothers—brands with deep roots and fresh potential. In this dynamic conversation, Farnoosh and Marisa dive into the art of leading with both confidence and humility, the value of bringing an outsider’s perspective to long-established institutions, and why embracing the “underdog mindset” can spark real transformation. Marisa shares the lessons she’s learned from navigating across industries—from luxury beauty to fast food to mass retail—and offers an honest look at what happens when big ideas don’t land. It’s a masterclass in resilience, modern leadership, and finding clarity in complexity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.