The Courageous Podcast with Ryan Berman

Landon Donovan - USMNT Soccer Star + Author

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For years, Landon Donovan—the face of U.S. soccer and one of the most decorated players in the sport’s history—was defined by what he did on the...

Sean Poole - Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at charity: water

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Few people get close enough to a global problem to truly understand how solvable it is—Sean Poole is one of them. In this conversation with Ryan, he...

Shaun Belongie – CEO of New Belgium Brewing

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For most of his career, Shaun Belongie helped brands find their voice. Now he’s responsible for the story of one of craft beer’s most iconic compa...

Dan Schunk – Head of Creative at Zoom

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Left brain. Right brain. East coast. West coast. Client side. Brand side. Dan Schunk has built a career on motion. Over nearly two decades, he has kep...

Courage Brands Spotlight – Radically Transparent Supplements & Record-Breaking Rings

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this edition of the Courage Brands Spotlight, Ryan is joined by Courageous' Action lead, Lisa Jacobs, for a two-brand audit that spans from prenata...

Eddie Geller - Founder of SKOR

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most leaders think their teams are performing. Eddie Geller measures whether they actually are. Originally from Australia, where “tall poppy syndrom...

Colette Carlson - Hall of Fame Speaker and Behavior Expert

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Colette Carlson doesn’t just talk about communication—she reads what’s not being said. A Human Behavior Expert and Hall of Fame keynote speaker,...

Chris Dyer - Culture Building Expert, Author and Speaker

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Dyer is a culture builder, bestselling author, and globally ranked leadership speaker who’s helped redefine what workplace success can look li...

America: Still The Home Of the Brave? - Ryan Berman

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time in 250 episodes, Ryan steps up to the mic solo. No guest. No script. Just a raw, personal reflection on a question that’s been gn...

Jaelin Kauf - Team USA Olympic Freestyle Skier

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Team USA Aerial Mogulist Jaelin Kauf is heading to Milan for her third Olympics—this time with two shots at gold as dual moguls make their debut on ...

Roi Ben-Yehuda - CEO of NextArrow

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Roi Ben-Yehuda has built a career exploring the dragons that get in the way of courageous action…and how to slay them. He’s the founder of NextArr...

Ed Roberson - Founder of Mountain & Prairie Media

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Roberson is a conservationist, endurance athlete, and the creator of Mountain & Prairie, a podcast rooted in the stories and landscapes of the Amer...

Brent Gleeson - Navy SEAL Veteran, Entrepreneur, and Bestselling Author

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brent Gleeson is a Navy SEAL combat veteran, bestselling author, and business transformation expert who has built his life around high performance, in...

Jill Schulman - Bravery Expert, Author, and Keynote Speaker

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jill Schulman is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer, leadership expert, and founder of Breakthrough Leadership Group. Her new book, The Bravery Effect...

Sterling Doak - VP of Marketing at Gibson, Inc.

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sterling Doak is a seasoned marketing executive with more than two decades of experience building brands at the intersection of music, culture, and li...

Courage Brands Spotlight – Nostalgic Cravings, Grocery Joy & Smile-Inducing Sponges

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this edition of the Courage Brands Spotlight, Ryan, Billy Collins, and Kimberly Voorhis unpack three brands that turned overlooked moments into loy...

Michelle K. Johnston – Leadership Coach, Professor & Author of The Seismic Shift in You

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston believes the future of leadership starts with connection. As a professor, executive coach, and co-author of The Seismic Shift...

Magnus Wedhammar – CEO at MOOVLAB

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With a career spanning Nike, Converse, Tom’s, and now MOOVLAB, Magnus Wedhammar is fueled by a passion for purposeful movement. In this episode of t...

Meg LeFauve – Screenwriter of Inside Out, Film Producer

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fear. Joy. Anger. Sadness. For Oscar-nominated screenwriter Meg LeFauve, these characters aren’t just creations — they’re living, breathing bein...

Dr. Prineha Narang – Physicist, Professor, Founder & Investor

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pri Narang likes to go fast. It’s no surprise, then, that she’s sprinting toward the very edge of what’s possible. While most are currently navi...

George Felix - CMO at Chili’s Grill & Bar

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

George Felix knows how to make legacy brands feel unapologetically modern. As Chief Marketing Officer at Chili’s, and former marketing leader at Piz...

Hannah Corbin - Peloton Instructor, Speaker, and Author

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As one of Peloton’s founding instructors, Hannah Corbin has helped millions move their bodies. But her new mission is just as bold: helping people s...

Greg Creed - Former CEO of Yum! Brands, Founder at Creed UnCo

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Smart, heart and courage. That has been the way-he-leads elevator pitch for Greg Creed who proves you don’t have to be a hard-charging tyrant to win...

Sona Khosla - Chief Impact Officer at Benevity

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sona Khosla thinks purpose belongs on the P&L. As Chief Impact Officer at Benevity, nicknamed the company’s “conscience”, she helps global brand...

Franziska Iseli - Founder, Author & Global Speaker on Courage

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the other side of the world lives Franziska Iseli. “Frankie”, as her friends call her, has built a life around chasing fear and turning it into...

Bryant Brennan - VP, Brand & Creative at Autodesk

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bryant Brennan builds brands by shipping work that matters. Before taking the reins at Autodesk, he shaped culture at Peloton, launched products at Ba...

Steven Bernstein - Director, Writer, Cinematographer

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Bernstein has spent a career proving that risk and creativity go hand in hand. The award-winning director and cinematographer behind Decoding A...

Courage Brands Spotlight – Fitness Apparel, Cookies & Canned Water

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our Courage Brands Spotlight is back, and this time Ryan, Billy, and Nicole put three very different brands under the lens. Billy kicks things off wit...

Ranjay Gulati - Professor at Harvard Business School

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ranjay Gulati believes courage isn’t about being fearless — it’s about taking action when fear shows up. As the Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 19...

Danielle Hawley - Global Head of Creative & Brand at Uber

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At Uber, Danielle Trivisonno Hawley turns bold ideas into work the world can’t ignore. As Global Executive Creative Director, she’s behind campaig...

Rhett Power and Suzy Burke, PhD - Science of Self-Talk

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The things we say to ourselves we’d rarely say to another person. Our self-talk, when we let it run rampant, can spiral us, slow us down and shrink ...

David van der Sanden - Head of Internal Communications and Engagement at Patagonia

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David van der Sanden turns Patagonia’s purpose into something employees can live, not just understand. As Head of Internal Communications & Engageme...

Bob Philion - Former President & CEO PUMA North America

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Philion spent 20 years wearing the cat on his chest—first as employee #1 launching Puma Golf, then as the architect behind Cobra Puma Golf, and ...

Courage Brands Spotlight - Equality Lounges, Banana Ball & Adult Beverages

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Courage Brands Win. This week, we hit pause on the usual interview format for a fast, fun “Courage Brands Spotlight” discussion featuring Ryan an...

Knight Campbell - Founder and CEO at Cairn Leadership Strategies

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Knight Campbell turns mountains into meeting rooms. A former Navy helicopter pilot and Naval Academy leadership instructor, he now takes executive tea...

Bree Groff - Author of Today Was Fun

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bree Groff thinks it’s an emergency that half of us feel dread at work every week, and that we’re trading five‑sevenths of our lives just to rea...

Bart Berkey – CEO/Founder at Most People Don't

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bart Berkey believes in doing what most people don’t—remembering names, anticipating needs, and showing up with contagious positivity. A former gl...

Todd Kaplan - CMO, North America at The Kraft Heinz Company

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Todd Kaplan believes legacy brands should feel as fresh as a track that just dropped. In his first ten months as CMO of Kraft Heinz North America, the...

Richard Motzkin - EVP & Managing Executive, Global Soccer at Wasserman

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alexi Lalas. Naomi Girma. Tim Howard. Landon Donovan. Richard Motzkin has been there representing each of them throughout their careers as their Sport...

Dr. Jonah Essers - Pediatric Gastroenterologist

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Jonah Essers fights insurance red tape with the same rigor he once brought to genetic research at Columbia and Harvard. In this conversation with ...

Dr. Christopher Bader - Professor of Sociology at Chapman University

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Christopher Bader has spent a decade mapping the nation’s anxieties through the Chapman Survey of American Fears, and the picture he paints is a...

Kass & Mike Lazerow — Serial Founders, Investors, and Authors of NYT Bestseller Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kass and Mike Lazerow run companies the way great doubles teams win tennis matches: Kass owns the baseline of operations while Mike roams the net hunt...

Jason Schulweis – Chief Commercial Officer at The Female Quotient

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Schulweis isn’t content cheering equality from the sidelines. One year into his post as Chief Commercial Officer at The Female Quotient, he’...

Eric Gibson - CCO at Golf Pride

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Gibson believes that the future of golf starts where a player's fingers meet the club. As CCO of Golf Pride, he is redefining the grip as 'equipm...

MJ DePalma - Head of Marketing with Purpose at Microsoft

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

MJ DePalma sees marketing as an act of human connection, not a numbers game. As Head of Marketing with Purpose at Microsoft, she helped turn the phras...

Emily Bond - Author & Breast Cancer Survivor

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Bond turns life-quakes into page-turners, turning chemo rooms into writing rooms and everyday crises into bestselling fiction. In her conversati...

Katie Fitzgerald - Global President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Picture a weary parent stepping through a hospital door and finding a warm kitchen, a quiet bed, and a team that already knows their child’s name. K...

Patrick Leddin - Co‑author of Disrupt Everything

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some people survive disruption; Patrick Leddin reverse‑engineers it for sport. Now he’s teamed with the world’s best‑selling author, James...

Jason Feifer - Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Feifer has turned pattern-spotting into a super-power: on the page, on stage, and on LinkedIn’s daily feed.  In his conversation with Ryan, J...

Len Forkas – Tech Entrepreneur, Founder, Philanthropist, & Speaker

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a 30 hour flight to Kathmandu, Len Forkas, joins The Courageous Podcast before his daunting task of climbing Mount Everest to help raise awarene...

Aaron Starkman – Partner & Global CCO at Rethink

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron Starkman’s award shelves are overflowing, but it’s the process behind the honors that truly fascinates him. Currently leading Rethink as Glo...

Nick Tran - Visionary Marketing Executive

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As former Global Head of Marketing at TikTok, Nick Tran transformed the company from an upstart app into a global cultural phenomenon, earning it Ad A...

Thomas Kolster - Author, Advisor, and International Keynote Speaker

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why settle for corporate ‘mission statements’ when you can spark a movement? Thomas Kolster has made it his life’s work to help Fortune 500 comp...

Raja Rajamannar - Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Mastercard

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when a star chemical engineering student from India becomes one of the world’s most lauded marketers? In this episode of The Courageous...

Agnelo Fernandes - CEO of COTE Hospitality

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Agnelo Fernandes didn’t set out to become a CEO in the hospitality industry, but his background in finance and marketing gave him the perfect founda...

Tim Perreira - Founder at PER Wellness

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When a high-flying tech sales career left him drained and unfulfilled, Tim Perreira realized it was time for a drastic change. Throughout his rise to ...

Jason DeLand - Co-Founder at Anomaly

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Co-founding one of the world’s most successful ad agencies, Anomaly, would be a dream moment for most—but for Jason Deland, it has simply been par...

Michelle Poler - Entrepreneur & Author of Hello, Fears

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fear. It can flat out paralyze us. It can halt us in our tracks and make us feel small unless we stand up and face it head on. That is exactly what Mi...

Ron Berger - Co-Founder of MVBMS & Adweek Pioneer

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Picture an era when advertising didn’t just sell products—it shaped culture. That’s the legacy Ron Berger helped build, from co-founding the 700...

Steve Fitzgerald - CEO of the FireStorm Group

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From assembling elite teams at Ford Motor Company and Sun Microsystems to navigating the high standards of Bridgewater Associates, Steve Fitzgerald ha...

Marian Salzman - SVP, U.S. at Philip Morris International

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Marian Salzman is a celebrated global thought leader, trendspotter, and author credited with popularizing “metrosexuality” and helping launch the ...

The 200th Episode - Micah and Mackenzie Berman

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Courageous Podcast celebrates its 200th episode! For our 100th, we had our oldest guest ever, 100-year-old George Krumme. Now, for this milestone,...

Blair Enns - Founder of Win Without Pitching

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the worst parts of the job for many? Figuring out pricing. If you’ve ever had to price anything, this is a must listen episode. Blair Enns is...

Reggie Butler - CEO at Performance Paradigm, Keynote Speaker, Facilitator & Coach

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Reggie Butler is a transformative leader whose work spans over 36 years, empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their highest poten...

Dilan Gomih - Chief Energy Officer at Dilagence

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dilan Gomih has always been driven to perform at the highest level, but it wasn't until her time on Wall Street that she realized the critical link be...

Chris Danton and Kirsten Ludwig — Founders of IN GOOD CO

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If Thelma and Louis were reincarnated, it’s quite possible they’ve come back in the bodies of Kirsten Ludwig and Chris Danton. As partners and co-...

The Courageous Podcast Year End Special 2024

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re thrilled to bring you the third annual Year End Special of the Courageous Podcast! This year, Ryan is once again joined by his partners at Cou...

Jeff Ragovin - Founder & CEO at Ragovin Ventures

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Ragovin is a visionary entrepreneur who’s turned industry shake-ups into his playground. From co-founding Buddy Media, which led to a $745M acq...

Jennifer George - SVP of Communications at The Aspen Group

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer George isn’t just running marathons—she’s running entire brands into the future. As the SVP of Communications at The Aspen Group, Jenni...

Avery Johnson - Former NBA Player & CEO of Avery Capital

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Avery Johnson is a former NBA player and championship coach, best known for leading the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA Championship in 1999. Now the CEO ...

Amy Woodall - Founder of Conscious Habit

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Woodall is the founder of Conscious Habit and host of the Conscious Habit Podcast, a powerful movement dedicated to helping individuals and organi...

Dave Hersh - Entrepreneur, Investor, Author of Reignition

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Hersh is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and advisor with over three decades of experience building lean, mission-driven businesses. As the f...

Dr. Angela Jackson - Workplace Futurist & Harvard University Lecturer

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Angela Jackson was living a life most people only dream of. As a high-profile executive at Nokia, she traveled the globe, navigating her career from t...

Dave Brown - Head of Creative at Square

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With a career spanning over 20 years at top companies like Square, Microsoft, Amazon, and Etsy, Dave Brown has mastered the art of leading creative te...

Verne Harnish - Founder of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and CEO of Scaling Up

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Verne Harnish, Founder of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and CEO of Scaling Up, joins Ryan to share insights from his four decades of helping co...

Jarrod Dillon - President of Business Operations at Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jarrod Dillon is the President of Business Operations for Orlando City Soccer Club (MLS), Orlando Pride (NWSL), Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando City Academy...

Seth Godin - Author, Entrepreneur and Teacher

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Seth Godin is a 1 of 1. With 21 bestsellers, five TED talks, and numerous entrepreneurial ventures, Seth has dedicated his life to helping people und...

Reed Timmer - Extreme Meteorologist and Storm Chaser

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever seen a cow flying through the air? Yes, you read that right. On the latest episode of The Courageous Podcast, Ryan Berman sits down with...

Sophie Ozoux + Kwame Taylor-Hayford - Co-Founders of Kin Agency

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Ozoux and Kwame Taylor-Hayford, co-founders of Kin Agency, are renowned for their ability to blend creativity with purpose, driving impactful c...

Nicole Zube - EVP, Chief HR Officer at SpartanNash

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole Zube’s journey is one defined by grit, growth, and transformation. As the EVP and Chief HR Officer at SpartanNash, Nicole leads with integrit...

Troy Johnson - Chief Content Officer of San Diego Magazine and Food Network Host

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan asked me to write this intro myself since my writing gets credit and blame for a lot of things in my life. I was born and raised in San Diego, th...

Craig Dubitsky - Co-founder + CEO at Happy Products

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Dubitsky has built a career out of turning everyday products into something people can’t help but love. As the Co-founder & CEO of happy™ Pr...

Katie McKenna - Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Bestselling Author

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Katie McKenna, a professional speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author, turned a life-altering accident into a powerful story of resilience. ...

Danita Johnson - President of Business Operations at D.C. United

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you could pick up your phone right now and call the 18 year old version of yourself, what advice or feedback would you give that 1.0 person? On thi...

Denise Lee Yohn & Steven Morris - Spirituality in the Workplace

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Courageous or Outrageous? Does spirituality have a place in the workplace? Denise Lee Yohn and Steven Morris, two of the most respected voices in bran...

Jeremy Lowenstein - CMO at Milani Cosmetics

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Lowenstein, a global brand strategist and marketing visionary, has been instrumental in catapulting Milani to the forefront of the beauty indus...

Walter Geer - Chief Creative Officer of Innovation at VML

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sportbike racer, track & field All-American, multi-patent holder, biometric lab creator, The Wall Street Journal’s Marketers That Matter Visionaries...

Scot Chisholm - CEO, Founder, and Investor

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Be fierce with the fierce.  Scot Chisholm is a four-time founder with over 20 years of experience in building and leading companies. He founded Class...

Kevin Swanepoel - CEO at The One Club

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Swanepoel is CEO of The One Club, the world's foremost non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the global creative commu...

Molly Tschang - Founder of Abella Consulting and Say It Skillfully Inc.

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Molly Tschang helps senior management and their teams Win As One. She has helped executives navigate over 80 mergers and acquisitions and the human af...

IN-Q - Poet, Songwriter, and Speaker

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“Defining myself / Is like confining myself / So I undefined myself / To find myself”.  IN-Q is an Emmy nominated poet, multi-platinum songwriter...

Stephen "Shed" Shedletzky - Leadership Speaker, Author, and Coach

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Good leaders truly listen.  Stephen Shedletzky, or “Shed” to his friends, helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. A sough...

Brad Montague - Storyteller. Artist. Creator.

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Brad Montague is creator of the hit web series Kid President and author of Becoming Better Grownups, the New York Times best sellers Kid Preside...

Eric Ryan - Founder Method Soap, OLLY, Welly & More

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Ryan is a serial entrepreneur, investor, advisor, and father. He is the co-founder of multiple household brands including method, OLLY, Welly, Ca...

Jodi Wellman - Speaker, Author, & Founder of Four Thousand Mondays

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Count your Mondays.  Jodi Wellman is a Speaker, Author, and Founder of Four Thousand Mondays where she isn’t afraid to stare death in the face in t...

Artis Stevens - President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You can see it, you can be it.  Artis Stevens is President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) – the nation’s foremost one-to-on...

Cheryl Goodman - Founder and CEO at FindGood.tech

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for an electrifying episode of The Courageous Podcast with your host, Ryan Berman! Today, we're joined by the brilliant Cheryl Goodman, a re...

Matt Gottesman - Founder, Writer, Podcaster

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Niche is You.  Matt Gottesman is a multidisciplinary creative, 2x founder, podcaster and writer with a background in helping some of the world’...

Mandy Salas - Speaker, Writer, Mom

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

At 16, Mandy Salas was a nationally ranked soccer player, eagerly preparing to submit college applications and step into the next exciting phase of he...

Kirk Souder - Founder at Leadership for Impact

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Start with what brings you alive.  Kirk Souder is the Founder at Leadership for Impact, where he guides people and organizations to free themselves f...