THE JUNGLE

This episode features a conversation with Maryann Feldman and Martin Kenney, leading scholars on innovation, finance, and regional economic development, and co-authors of Private Equity and the Demise of the Local. Maryann is the Watts Professor of Public Policy and Management at Arizona State University and Research Director at the Global Center for Technology Transfer. Martin is a Distinguished...

This episode features a conversation with Alison Fragale, Ph. D., Professor at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and author of the national bestseller Likeable Badass —a compelling exploration of the science behind gender bias and stereotypes, and how to change them. Beyond the book, we discuss how individuals can shape how they’re perceived, how leaders can create environments that bring out th...

This episode features a conversation with Spencer Harrison, Ph. D. – Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD. He is a world expert on creativity, coordination, and connection in organizations. We discuss his recent research on creativity and best practices for unlocking creativity in organizations.

Richard Reeves - President of the American Institute for Boys and Men This episode features a conversation with Richard Reeves – President of the American Institute for Boys and Men. Richard is a world expert on the challenges facing boys and men in Western societies and founded the American Institute of Boys and Men to raise awareness and advocate for effective solutions. His 2022 book “Of Boys a...

This episode features a conversation with Lauren Rivera, Ph. D. – Professor of Management & Organizations at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is a world expert on how evaluations of merit in hiring and employment create social inequality. We discuss her research and recent book Pedigree: How elite students get elite jobs.

This episode features a conversation with Wendy Smith, Ph. D. - the Dana J. Johnson professor of management and faculty director of the Women's Leadership Initiative at the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. Dr. Smith is a world expert on how leaders navigate strategic paradoxes that involve contradictory, yet interdependent demands. We discuss her recent book:...

Hal Hershfield, Ph. D. - UCLA Professor This episode features a conversation with Hal Hershfield, Ph. D. - Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making, and Psychology at UCLA's Anderson School of Management. Hal is a world's expert on decision-making and how projections of the future impact behavior. We discuss his research and recent book Your Future Self: How to make tomorrow a better tod...

Sue Ashford, Ph. D. – University of Michigan Professor This episode features a conversation with Sue Ashford, Ph. D. – the Michael and Susan Jandernoa Professor in the Management and Organizations group at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. She is a world expert on leadership and leadership development. We discuss her recent book: The Power of Flexing: How to Use Small Daily Exper...

Dacher Keltner, Ph. D. – University of California, Berkley Professor This episode features a conversation with Dacher Keltner, Ph. D - professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and the director of the Greater Good Science Center. He is one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists and we discuss his research and recent book Awe: The new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life.

Chris Marquis, Ph. D. – University of Cambridge Professor This episode features a conversation with Chris Marquis, Ph. D. - Sinyi Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Dr. Marquis is a world expert on how organizations achieve a triple-bottom-line impact on environmental, social, and financial performance and is a leading expert on capitalism in Chin...

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Jim Eckert - the Robert S. Kaiser Professor of Sales at WMU Haworth College of Business - and Cooper Frost - a Strategic Account Manager at Western Digital. Dr. Eckert joined Western’s business college over 22 years ago and transformed the undergraduate Sales and Marketing program into a nationally recognized and awarded program. Frost was a trail-blaz...

This episode features a conversation with Doug DeVos – Current Co-Chair and Former President of Amway. A globally recognized business and civic leader, Doug currently serves as co-chair of Amway, the world’s largest direct selling company with more than $8 billion in revenue. Doug is well known for his entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and civic engagement nationally and in West Michigan. Doug recen...

This episode features a conversation with Tom Garrett and Justin Murray – Executives in Residence at Sleeping Giant Capital. Tom and Justin recently joined Sleeping Giant Capital to search for, acquire, and grow a business in Michigan. Tom Garrett joins Sleeping Giant Capital with 25 years of corporate management experience. Previously he was President of Total Plastics, Inc. Justin Murray joins S...

This episode features a conversation with Bill Manns, CEO of Bronson Healthcare and Paula Termuhlen, Dean of WMU Homer Stryker School of Medicine. In this episode, Bill and Paula share how they are navigating the pandemic, the future of healthcare, and lessons for healthcare leaders.

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Doug Lepisto and Dr. Derrick McIver – Co-Directors of the Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy at the WMU Haworth College of Business. In this episode, Doug and Derrick discuss the opportunity to acquire a business, the myths surrounding small businesses and acquisition, and how executives can learn to buy businesses through a trainin...

This episode features a conversation with Jeb Burns, the Chief Investment Officer for the Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan. Jeb is a valued WMU Alum who graduated with a degree in history and political science. Jeb’s manages one of the largest funds in the state of Michigan. He speaks on his path from history major to CIO, the ever changing landscape of financial investments, and...

This episode features a conversation with Carl Erickson, Founder and Chairman of Atomic Object, a software design and development consultancy company. Atomic’s unique culture fuels the company’s drive to achieve their 100-year goal and deliver value to West Michigan. Carl is the Chairman of the Michigan Capital Network, a Michigan based venture capital network that blends capital funds with angel...

This episode features a conversation with Keith Valentine, President and CEO of Seaspine, a global medical technology company focused on the design, development, and commercialization of surgical solutions for the treatment of spinal disorders. An experienced business executive in the medical technology space, Keith recently was awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Department of Managemen...

This episode features a conversation with Irshad Manji, founder of Moral Courage College, which equips companies with a counter-cultural approach to Diversity and Inclusion -- an approach that promotes individuality and innovation over groupthink and grievance. An award-winning professor of leadership at New York University for many years, Irshad now teaches with Oxford University's Initiative for...

This episode features a conversation with Julie Byrne – President of CSM Group. CSM is a nationally recognized construction management firm headquartered in Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Dickson, Tennessee. Julie became President in February and we explore with her lessons on leadership during a pandemic, trends in the construction management space, and being a woman leader...

This episode features a conversation with Jonathan Koch – Senior VP and CEO of the Global Dental Group for Henry Schein. A Fortune 298 company with over $10B in sales, Henry Schein is one of the world's largest distributors of dental supplies and other medical goods. A two-time WMU alum, we speak with Jonathan about his career trajectory, lessons on leadership, and the future of the dental industr...

This episode features a conversation with Chris Voss – CEO & Founder of The Black Swan Group Ltd. A world renown expert on negotiation, Chris was previously the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His method has been featured on MasterClass and Chris has been a regular commentator on CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and NPR. We speak with Chris about where...

This episode features a conversation with Milind Pant – CEO of Amway. Founded in 1959 and based in Ada Michigan, Amway is a global consumer goods manufacturer and direct selling company. Amway is now one of the largest private companies in the United States. We speak with Milind about how Amway navigated the pandemic, the importance of inclusive entrepreneurship to its success, and his lessons on...

This episode features a conversation with Garrick Rochow – President and CEO of Consumers Energy. In December 2020, Garrick stepped into the CEO role for Fortune 500 Consumers Energy. A great alumnus of WMU Haworth, we speak with Garrick about his role transition during the pandemic, leadership lessons, the future of energy in the United States, and Consumers Energy competitive positioning as a le...

This episode features a conversation with Peter Meijer – US House of Representatives for Michigan’s 3rd congressional district. Peter has experienced a whirlwind start to his time in Congress with a pandemic, insurrection, impeachment, and new administration. Peter shares with us his first impressions of Congress, insights on leadership as a freshman representative, and his policy priorities for W...