The Gathering Podcast

AI is changing how people discover brands — but most marketers are either panicking or chasing the wrong things. In this episode, Erik Huberman, founder & CEO of Hawke Media ($600M+ revenue, 6,000+ brands), breaks down the Modern Marketer's Playbook for building trust, visibility, and real growth in an AI-first world. We cover SEO vs. GEO, why trust is your most valuable asset, the biggest...

How today’s most impactful leaders build courage like a muscle, expand their capacity, and create connected cultures that last. In this episode, Mandy Balak sits down with Jon Gordon, Leadership Coach and Best selling author 18 books including The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership , to explore what it really takes to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction in 2026 and beyond. They...

Get the Pinterest Experiential Brand Principles here: Pinterest Playbook In this episode, Mandy Balak sits down with Sean Doyle, Director of Global Brand Experiences and Group Creative Director of Experiential at Pinterest, the “positive corner of the Internet.” They unpack how Pinterest uses real-world experiences to build brand belief, stand out from the “blandemic” of sameness, and turn online...

In this episode of The Gathering Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Eric Nelson, naturopathic doctor and co-founder of Sabi Health, to unpack what sustainable performance actually looks like—and why most high performers are unknowingly trading their health for short-term wins. Eric breaks down the physiological, mental, and emotional trade-offs leaders make when they push too hard for too long, from bu...

In our first episode of 2026, Mandy Balak (President of The Gathering) and Owen Reader, sit down to debrief the lessons learned—and earned—from 2025. From fear and hesitation to edge-work, decisive action, and the power of integration, this is a candid conversation about what it takes to lead when the playbooks are burned. They unpack practical takeaways like studying your edges , packing light (l...

Join  Mandy Balak  for a real conversation with  Kathryn Gordon, author, entrepreneur, and co-author of  Relationship Grit, on what it takes to build a relationship that can actually hold your ambition. This episode is for high performers who lead hard, build big, and sometimes forget that your life runs on the strength of your closest relationships. Kathryn shares the “GRIT” framework (God, Resol...

High‑performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais joins Mandy Balak to unpack what it really takes to perform under extreme pressure. From coaching Felix Baumgartner’s jump from the edge of space to building a Super Bowl–winning culture with Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. In this episode you will learn: Why technical skill isn’t enough when the stakes are high How the best in the world thi...

The best Gathering yet — and the energy was undeniable. In this special debrief episode, the team sits down to unpack what Winning the Future—Together truly meant, share the top 10 lessons from 65+ sessions , and reflect on the ideas, leaders, and moments that made 2025 unforgettable. From building brands that last to redefining what leadership looks like in the next decade, this is your all-acces...

Big brand moves this week 👇 AG1 expands from morning ritual to nighttime sleep with AGZ (a masterclass in owning daily routines). Mid-Day Squares x Coconut Cult drop a collab so hot it crashed the site and sold out in minutes. Emma Chamberlain x Pinterest prove vibe-first product launches can win attention without a 60-slide deck. Christian McCaffrey trades sponsorship for ownership with While on...

This week on The Brand Breakdown, we unpack how bold brands are turning attention into action. Netflix is stepping off the screen with modular, immersive “Netflix House” experiences; Tiffany & Co. shows a masterclass in premium positioning with its US Open takeover and century-long trophy pedigree; Build-A-Bear surprises Wall Street by doubling down on ritual and nostalgia; and pro athletes ta...

This week on The Breakdown, we look at the brand plays winning with fans. The NFL extends its cultural footprint with Crocs, proving comfort and fandom go hand in hand. YETI taps into game-day rituals with team-color drinkware across every major league. And Cracker Barrel’s $700M rebrand shows what happens when a brand forgets what its customers actually want. The thru line? Serving your customers...

In this episode, Owen Reader, Head of Marketing at The Gathering, sits down with Matt Gagnon, founder of Atomic Mornings and speaker on the Human Performance track at The Gathering 2025. Matt has built his practice around helping busy executives reclaim the first moments of their day—transforming morning routines into a foundation for resilience, clarity, and sustainable high performance. Together...

This week on The Breakdown, we dig into the brand moves making waves: Gap × BÉIS launches a travel-ready collab blending heritage and hype, McDonald’s revives its classic mascots with an adult Happy Meal, and AI influencer Mia Zelu goes viral from Wimbledon without ever attending. We also unpack Guess’ backlash for using AI models in Vogue and Wendy’s moody Wednesday “Meal of Misfortune” on Uber E...

This week on The Breakdown, we unpack the boldest moves in brand and culture: • Astronomer’s scandal turned PR masterclass with Ryan Reynolds & Gwyneth Paltrow.• Nike’s “You’ve Already Won” campaign flips performance marketing into emotional storytelling.• American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney ad—when controversy creates headlines (and headaches).• F1’s growing female fanbase reshaping sponsorships...

Join Owen Reader, Head of Marketing at The Gathering, for an energizing conversation with Caleb Clark, Chief Partnership Officer and Founder of hooK + Ladder. Together, they explore what it takes to maintain strong leadership in fast-changing times, how to position yourself to win the future, and the evolving role of a marketer in building high-performing teams. Caleb also shares how to uncover yo...

Join Owen Reader, Head of Marketing at The Gathering, for an unplugged conversation with Sloane Brown, CMO of Turtlebox Audio. What started as a need for rugged, high-quality sound outdoors has turned into a brand beloved by hunters, anglers, overlanders, and backyard legends alike. In this episode, Sloane shares how Turtlebox carved out a unique place in the audio industry by going louder, toughe...

Join Owen Reader, CMO of The Gathering, for a heartfelt and forward-thinking conversation with creator and community-builder Chloë Chapdelaine. With over 600,000 followers across social platforms and a leadership role at Socality, Chloë shares how creators are rewriting the rules of media, storytelling, and community—and why The Gathering is partnering with 250+ creators this year to spark bold co...

In this high-impact episode, Mandy sits down with somatics educator and conscious leadership coach Randelle Lusk to explore what it really takes to thrive in high-pressure environments. Randelle shares the science and soul behind her somatic-based framework, RARE Method, and offers grounded, actionable rituals for high performers to regulate their nervous system, sustain energy, and lead with clar...

Join Mandy Balak, President of The Gathering, and Owen Reader, Head of Marketing, for a high-energy conversation with Nicole Wingard —the creative disruptor who turned a marketing internship into a viral movement (and a 1,200% revenue spike). From being rejected (twice) to becoming the face of Mixology's most successful campaign, Nicole opens up about the chaos, pressure, and purpose behind her no...

Join Mandy Balak, President of The Gathering, and Owen Reader, Head of Marketing, as they sit down with Jillian Frechette, CMO of the New Jersey Devils, for a conversation that blends bold leadership, brand reinvention, and what it means to be truly fan-first. From her Olympic bid work in Calgary to navigating hockey's most competitive market, Jillian shares what it takes to lead with grit, gr...

Join Mandy Balak and Owen Reader for a powerful conversation with Tripp Westbrook (Chief Creative Officer) and Steve Smith (Chief Executive Officer) of Firehouse Agency. This episode is a front-row seat into how bold leaders are rewriting the rules of brand building through culture, courage, and unconventional strategy. As we count down to The Gathering x Firehouse: Dallas Edition on May 8, this e...

Join Mandy Balak, President of The Gathering, and Owen Reader, Head of Marketing, for a bold and energizing conversation with Lori Hatcher Hillier, Chief Marketing Officer of Kicking Horse Coffee. For nearly three decades, this Canadian-born coffee brand has carved out cult-like loyalty—without ever relying on a traditional marketing campaign. In this episode, Lori unpacks what it means to stay tr...

In this episode, Owen Reader, Head of Marketing at The Gathering, sits down with Brendon Arnold, VP of Brand at Sherwood Hockey, for a powerful conversation on modernizing a legacy brand while staying true to its roots. Brendon shares how Sherwood is transforming its image to resonate with a new generation of hockey players—while building a brand that competes globally and connects authentically....

Join Mandy Balak, President of The Gathering, and Owen Reader, Head of Marketing, for a conversation with Melissa Rosenthal, co-founder of Outlever and creative powerhouse behind brands like BuzzFeed, Cheddar, and ClickUp. Melissa shares her perspective on how modern brands can cut through noise, bring messages to market with impact, and tap into the fast-moving economy of attention. With deep roo...

Join Mandy Balak and Owen Reader as they chat with Rick E. Wittenbraker, VP of Business Development at Howler Bros, who shares 11 years of wisdom on leadership and brand building. Learn how to craft a brand’s character, define core values, and establish a lasting identity that stands for who you are. This episode explores:  • Leadership lessons from a seasoned industry pro  • The journey of buildi...