Uncensored Renegades

Jon and Kory discuss why humour is a serious advantage for brands, leaders and anyone trying to earn attention. They explore the science behind why humour makes ideas more memorable, why funny advertising has become less common, and the important difference between trying to be amusing and using humour to reveal a truth. The conversation looks at what it takes to create the conditions for humour t...

Jon and Kory discuss why persuasion is one of the most important, and overlooked, skills in leadership. Getting an idea approved is rarely about delivering the perfect argument in a meeting. It starts earlier: asking better questions, listening closely, understanding what different people need, and finding the stories that make an idea feel relevant rather than imposed. They explore the role of ve...

Jon and Kory discuss the Wiseman’s 15 building blocks of customer obsession: a practical framework for turning customer-first intentions into the way an organisation actually works, exemplified by Dutch Bros. As always, Kory brings the data behind customer-obsessed organisations before the duo discuss why internal politics so often gets in the way, and whether founder-led businesses have a natural...

Jon and Kory discuss how small, consistent improvements can transform team performance 38x in just 1 year. Using lessons from elite cycling and Team Sky’s famously obsessive approach to marginal gains, they explore why high-performing teams rarely improve through one dramatic intervention. Instead, progress comes from making incremental improvements that compound over time. Links The Earned Life,...

Jon and Kory discuss why making good decisions is one of the hardest – and most important – parts of leadership, and share the frameworks they use to make better choices when the answer isn't obvious. From knowing when to trust the data and when to follow your gut, to de-risking big decisions and playing “angel's advocate”, they explore practical ways to challenge your own thinking. They unpack So...

Today Kory shares the lessons from taking her leadership team offsite and deliberately putting them into an unfamiliar environment - a horse ranch. Jon and Kory explore why pattern disruption can help teams break old habits, the difference between a group of strong individual contributors and a genuinely connected team, and why getting outside your comfort zone can reveal how you really work toget...

Today, Jon and Kory open up their personal leadership toolbox, sharing the mental models and frameworks they rely on to make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and build high-performing teams. From understanding your audience before creating content to aligning teams around a clear vision, raising the bar through belief and repetition, and creating dedicated thinking time, these are t...

Today Jon and Kory explore the leadership habits that keep successful organisations moving forward. Drawing on research, personal experience and examples from some of the world's best businesses, they discuss why the strongest leaders surround themselves with people who will tell them the truth, stay relentlessly close to their customers, and never shy away from difficult conversations. Timestamps...

For decades, marketers have relied on the traditional 4 Ps: Product, Price, Place and Promotion. But as the role of the CMO has evolved, so too have the skills needed to succeed as leaders. Today, Jon and Kory introduce a new framework for modern marketing leadership, inspired by research Jon conducted with TikTok. Rather than focusing on the marketing mix, these five Ps focus on what today's lead...

Launching a brand is one of the hardest things you can do. Today, Jon and Kory break down the principles they've learned from building brands, products and podcasts from the ground up. They explore the three ingredients every successful launch needs: a crystal-clear value proposition, surrounding yourself with exceptional people, and the persistence to keep going when progress feels slow. Along th...

Fresh from Jon Evans' Cannes Lions talk, this episode explores why surprise is one of the most powerful tools in leadership. Drawing on behavioural science, neuroscience and real-world campaigns, Jon and Kory unpack how unexpected moments capture attention, create stronger memories and help brands stand out in an increasingly predictable world. Putting their marketing hat on, they look at examples...

Jon and Kory explore the three qualities they believe define great leadership. From building genuine proximity with your team to being fully present in the moments that matter and communicating with clarity, they break down a simple leadership framework that can be applied whether you're leading a global organisation or your first team. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:53 - Presence as a leader 03:31 -...

Tarang Amin, CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, joins Jon and Kory for a special live episode of Uncensored Renegades to discuss the leadership philosophy behind one of the most remarkable growth stories in consumer brands. Under Tarang's leadership, e.l.f. has delivered 29 consecutive quarters of growth while building a culture centred on ownership, transparency and long-term thinking. In this conversation, T...

Live from Cannes Lions, Jon and Kory reflect on the biggest themes, surprises and lessons from this year's festival. From experiencing unreasonable hospitality firsthand to the continued rise of creators and the rapid evolution of AI, they unpack what really stood out, and why many of the biggest takeaways had very little to do with technology. Whether you made it to the Croisette or followed alon...

Jon and Kory tackle one of the most talked-about, and most misunderstood, aspects of leadership: culture. What actually is culture? How do you know if yours is healthy? And why do some organisations consistently attract great people while others struggle? Drawing on research, personal experience, and leadership lessons, Jon and Kory discuss how culture is created, how it can be changed, and why hi...

Today, Jon and Kory discuss the moments that define careers. The ones where you have to leap before you know exactly how things will turn out. From leaving secure jobs to betting on yourself, they reflect on the decisions that shaped their own careers and why waiting until you feel "ready" is often the biggest barrier to growth. They explore the importance of having a strong support network, embra...

Jon and Kory explore why human connection matters more than ever in a world increasingly dominated by screens, automation, and AI. From the power of in-person experiences to the importance of empathy in business, they discuss why relationships are still the foundation of great leadership, marketing, and culture. Jon explains why he only records podcasts face-to-face, Kory shares why B2B is ultimat...

Today Jon and Kory explore the surprising link between leadership and exercise. From CEOs and founders to top marketers, many high performers share one habit in common: they make time to move. The duo discuss why working out often feels selfish (when it shouldn't), how to maintain healthy habits while travelling, and what companies can do to encourage their teams to prioritise wellbeing. Jon also...

Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:19 - Kory’s 4 part framework for a good keynote speech 02:20 - Audience before content 07:16 - Don’t provide information, tell a story 16:20 - The art of good keynote content 20:50 - Obsess over delivery 24:58 - Jon’s poem on public speaking

Jon and Kory reflect on the very first Uncensored CMO: The Calling event. This episode recorded just days after it happened, with Kory joining as one of the keynote speakers. The conversation explores the biggest lessons from the event, including why marketers need to embrace “pattern disruption,” the underrated power of curation, and what lobsters can teach us about growth and reinvention. Jon an...

Today Jon and Kory break down why speed has become one of the biggest competitive advantages in modern marketing. Using e.l.f.’s Super Bowl campaign, created and launched in just 11 days, they explore what allows some organisations to move incredibly quickly while others get trapped in endless approvals and bureaucracy. From legal teams and leadership trust to decision-making and culture, this epi...

Since joining e.l.f., Kory has famously achieved consecutive quarters of growth, 28 at the time of recording. This is an extraordinary achievement for a CMO, so Kory breaks down exactly how they did it, and what insights you can take back to your company to achieve the same.

Today Jon and Kory break down what actually makes someone memorable in an interview, beyond rehearsed answers and polished CVs. From body language and energy to asking better questions and avoiding corporate waffle, they share practical advice on how to stand out without sounding scripted. They also discuss how they personally hire, whether interviews are overrated, and why the best candidates tre...

In this episode of Uncensored Renegades , Jon and Kory tackle one of the most underrated relationships in business: marketing and finance. Too often, marketers see the CFO as a blocker. In reality, they can be your biggest ally. Jon and Kory break down how to build a strong relationship with finance, why understanding how the business really works is critical, and how to turn your marketing plan i...

In this episode of Uncensored Renegades , Jon and Kory tackle something most people avoid: their own weaknesses. From brutally honest feedback from partners and teams to self-awareness and uncomfortable truths, they explore how to identify what you’re not good at and why that might be the most important step in growing as a leader. They also ask whether weaknesses are just overused strengths, and...