PODWalk with Radhika Zaveri

Dan Hunt has served as President of FC Dallas since 2014 and serves on several leadership committees across Major League Soccer, including as Co-Chair of the Board of MLS NEXT Pro. He has led Dallas’ successful bid to host nine matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026 — the most of any host city — and now serves as Co-Chair of the North Texas Organizing Committee. Alongside his late father, Lamar they...

James Ruth is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he leads brand strategy, fan engagement, and revenue-driving marketing efforts for one of the NFL’s most dynamic franchises. With a career that spans sports, media, and brand leadership, James has been at the forefront of transforming how teams connect with fans, blending data, storytelling, and culture to build lasting l...

Today’s guest is François, SMU alum and CEO of La La LandFrom their sunshine-yellow cups to their purpose-driven hiring model,  La La Land  is proof that when a brand leads with heart, the world follows. Their cause is soulful, their culture is intentional, their content is everywhere — and their growth has been nothing short of explosive. But behind the viral moments and the aesthetic yellow glow...

In this episode of PODWalk, we go behind the scenes of the modern aviation startup JSX with its Co-Founder and CEO Alex Wilcox. From his early days at the University of Vermont and Southwest Airlines to helping launch JetBlue and founding JSX, Alex shares what inspired him to reimagine short-haul travel, the lessons he’s learned about culture and resilience, and how customer experience remains at...

On this episode, I am chatting with Purvi Patel Albers, Partner at Haynes and Boone, and a top IP and brand protection lawyer who advises Fortune 500 companies on the management of their valuable brand investments.  Brands today can create more content faster than ever—but faster doesn’t always mean safer. Purvi and I will dive into how brands can protect creative assets while staying ahead in an...

 Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with Ryan Ross—former President of Neiman Marcus and a brand builder who’s brought purpose, meaning, and magic to some of the world’s most iconic retailers, from Harrods, Williams and Sonoma and Neimans. In an age of frictionless commerce, Ryan helped redefine what a modern luxury experience looks like—anchored not just in exclusivity, but in values, relationships,...

Today on the show, we’re joined by Carey Chou, VP of Data AI at HEB who’s had cross sector experience working at companies like Infosys to LVMH to now HEB. Carey leads in Human-Centered AI, building tools that help us make better decisions, build trust, and simplify the complex. We will explore how AI can turn  routine experiences into relevant ones  and how brands are most discoverable in AI sear...

Today, I am thrilled to have on the show, my friend, Ajay Chauhan, Executive director at Parle Products based in Mumbai, India; a third-generation leader from Parle Products — the company behind  Parle-G , the world’s best-selling biscuit brand (in volume). We’ll talk about what it takes to build a century of trust with Ajay Chauhan. Three big takeaways stand out for me today —  first,  legacy isn...

Today on the show we have Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Southwest Airlines, where he has led the charge of building products and building loyalty experiences that help the airline win more customers and drive growth. His marketing foundation was shaped by iconic brands like Dr Pepper, Pizza Hut, and PepsiCo, giving him a sharp lens on how brands earn both attention...

Today, I’m delighted to welcome Valerie Freeman, serial entrepreneur, talent pioneer, co-founder, & CEO of BravoTECH - whose bold mantra “How hard can it be?” has fueled game-changing ventures. Inducted into multiple Halls of Fame and honored with lifetime achievement awards, Valerie’s relentless curiosity and commitment to ethical leadership have positioned her, and the talent she champions ...

Welcome to today’s episode! I’m thrilled to be joined by Sherry Graziano, Head of Digital, client experience and Marketing - a forward-thinking leader at Truist Bank who’s helping shape the future of banking through innovation, empathy, and purpose-driven strategy. From evolving brands, to pioneering digital experiences to strengthening generational collaboration, Sherry Graziano brings a unique l...

Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with Michael Fisher—former CEO of Cincinnati Children's, civic leader, founder and recently grandparent; someone whose leadership has always been guided by values, not just vision. From healthcare, entrepreneurship to community service, Michael’s journey isn’t just a  “TO DO list to build resumes” —but rather has a “TO-BE list to build legacy”  and a roadmap for...

The guest today is David McKillips, the CEO of Chuck E. Cheese. At a moment when the brand faced bankruptcy and a global shutdown, David stepped in with a vision—not only to stabilize the business but to reimagine what this iconic family entertainment brand could become. From bold innovation to honoring legacy, today’s episode is a masterclass in crisis leadership, purpose-driven strategy, and tur...

This podcast is with Ramesh Srinivasan, Sr. Partner at McKinsey, and the Dean of the Bower Forum, McKinsey’s program for CEO learning and a co-author of the bestselling book the Journey of Leadership – How CEOs learn to lead from the Inside Out.   What strikes me most about his recent work is that it is a fantastic summary of the inner journey of getting to excellence as a leader and yes, we all c...

It is a true privilege to welcome a leader whose influence extends far beyond the walls of academia—Dean Matthew Myers, the ninth dean of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Dean Myers is not only a respected academic but also a visionary whose career reflects a lifelong dedication to bridging the worlds of global business and higher education. Before joining SMU...

This is a special podcast and a special day with special guests; two SMU students graduating in 2025.  I have on the show Jude Lugo, is a student entrepreneur and founder of Lecture Logger, which is a student success and attendance tracking app. Jude is a business major at SMU Cox and serves on SMU's Board of Trustees as the Student Trustee. He was one of two Cox students featured in the Poets &am...

Shar Dubey and Mandy Ginsberg former CEOs of Match.com and legends in consumer technology, friends who have supported each other professionally and personally and now serve on some of the most interesting boards. Shar Dubey grew up in India, graduating at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, she was the only woman metallurgical engineer that year.  She then came to the United...

Sonia Vora, on “you don’t change the world for what’s on a spreadsheet, you change the world because of the  impact on individual lives.” My conversation with Sonia Vora, CHRO at the Gates Foundation was about Vision, Mission, Purpose and how it all relates to talent.  The Gates Foundation's mission, driven by the goal of improving global health, reducing poverty, and expanding educational opportu...

With 30 years of global business experience, Sheryl Adkins-Green combines strategic insights, financial acumen, and values-based leadership to deliver topline and bottom-line results in competitive environments. She brings a consumer-centric perspective to building brands, transforming organizations and leading successful teams.  She has excelled as a senior operating executive in the CPG, financi...

In this episode, Purpose Matters | Parkland Health,  I interviewed Michael Horne, CEO of Parkland Health Foundation. Collaborating with  Parkland Health Foundation  &  ENP Media  a special podcast was created as a reminder to start the year thinking of health. In this special feature on  #PODWalk , my conversation with  Michael A. Horne  CEO at  Parkland Health Foundation  on the  #purpose  of...

On this episode, we have Joseph Loretto, an audit partner at Grant Thornton of nearly 25 years. He is also a member of the firm’s Partnership Board, a devoted mentor to many of his colleagues, and a longtime volunteer with the Association of Latino Professionals for America. He grew up in Oak Cliff, the son of two immigrant parents from Guatemala. Joseph continues giving back to the city of Dallas...

Do you think about making moments matter for your loved ones during the holidays? Marjon Henderson thinks about it 365 days of the year.  In this episode, I interviewed Marjon Henderson, V.P. of Brand Experience at Neiman Marcus, a luxury store across the United States.  Neiman Marcus pledges fashion, quality, and unparalleled service maintaining a close relationship with their customers, vendors...

Zubin Mehta, Finance/Pre-Med student at SMU, TEDX Speaker Lauren Ciborowski, Data Analytics/Pre-Law student at SMU, Member of Pre-Law Scholars program Duncan Yozzo, Data Analytics/Supply Chain student at SMU, Leader in Mustang Band   This episode is a conversation with Lauren Ciborowski, Duncan Yozzo and Zubin Mehta , all juniors at SMU COX, who over the years have struck me as having a solid poin...

Warren Tranquada is president and CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, a 10-acre performing arts campus in the Dallas Arts District that is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this fall. Warren has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University in Montreal. In this episode, Warren discussed 3 key takeaways: The purpose of the performing Arts is tel...

Today I am joined by Emmy-nominated, award-winning former war reporter, Mandy Clark has more than 20 years of experience in top-tier newsrooms including CBS, NBC, CBC and Sky News. Beyond conflict zones, her current affairs documentary work has taken her across the globe to cover stories on climate change in Greenland, human rights in China, and elections in Zimbabwe. She is now the Managing Edito...