Do you know what you're doing — and why you're doing it?

In this episode of Fearless Creative Leadership, Charles Day speaks with Erin Riley, CEO of TBWA, about leadership in an industry undergoing profound change. As consolidation reshapes the advertising landscape and creativity faces new pressures from data and AI, Erin reflects on the qualities leaders need most today: self-awareness, integrity, and the courage to make decisions when certainty doesn't exist.

She shares how storytelling shaped her leadership style, why creative cultures depend on vulnerability and trust, and what it means to protect the "soul" of an organization while integrating new teams and histories. Erin also discusses imposter syndrome, the hidden power of micro-behaviors, and the tension leaders must balance between empathy and decisiveness.

This is a thoughtful conversation about honorable leadership, creative courage, and the responsibility of guiding people and ideas through uncertain times.

00:00 — Opening Question: Do You Know What You're Doing?
Leadership without a clear playbook.

03:43 — Creativity, Storytelling, and Family Influence
Growing up in a culture of conversation and narrative.

08:30 — Storytelling as Leadership
How leaders use narrative to inspire belief.

10:25 — External Processing and Leadership Style
Thinking through conversation and collaborative decision-making.

12:50 — The Power of Micro-Behaviors
How small leadership actions shape culture.

14:30 — Overcoming Self-Doubt
Confidence through action and team support.

21:20 — Entrepreneurship and Leadership Risk
Why starting a business still holds appeal.

27:40 — The Reality of Leadership
Responsibility, complexity, and the myth of autonomy.

30:00 — Balancing Empathy and Excellence
Making difficult decisions while protecting the organization.

35:40 — Creativity and Commercial Success
Why great creativity is the best business strategy.

40:20 — Integrating Agency Cultures
Navigating mergers while preserving identity.

46:30 — Custodianship of Bill Bernbach's Legacy
Honoring advertising history while evolving forward.

52:10 — Advice to Her 20-Year-Old Self
Trust your instincts and enjoy the journey.

Does someone else have to lose for you to win?

In this episode of Fearless Creative Leadership, Charles Day speaks with Amy Martin-Ziegenfuss, Chief Marketing Officer of Carnival Cruise Line, about redefining success — and rejecting the zero-sum mindset that often drives ambition.

Amy reflects on her journey from a small-town theater kid to leading one of the world's most recognized travel brands. She shares how creativity fuels business strategy, why leadership is about creating emotional safety, and how brands must balance long-term vision with real-time responsiveness in a volatile world.

They explore imposter syndrome, the power of preparation in earning a seat at the table, and why the best leaders see winning as collective, not competitive.

This is a conversation about impact, humility, courage, and the evolution from racing others to rising together.

00:00 — Opening Question: Is Winning Zero-Sum?
Reframing leadership beyond competition.

02:53 — Early Creativity & Storytelling
Books, theater, and the foundations of expression.

08:15 — From Literature to Marketing
Discovering consumer behavior and business impact.

12:20 — Earning a Seat at the Table
Preparation, sponsorship, and strategic credibility.

19:50 — Asking for Help as Leadership Strength
Building influence through curiosity.

22:30 — Defining Creativity in Business
Strategy as the unlock for innovation.

27:10 — Creating Emotional Safety
Supporting fragile ideas in high-stakes environments.

33:00 — Leading a Global Brand
Balancing long-term planning with rapid response.

38:30 — Imposter Syndrome & Personal Boards
Why no leader should navigate alone.

44:40 — Moving Beyond the Race
From guarded ambition to collective success.

45:50 — What Are You Hopeful For?
Impact, legacy, and rising together.

What does courage actually look like in leadership?

In this episode of Fearless Creative Leadership, Charles Day speaks with Rocky Novak and Brad Surcey, co-CEOs of Zeus Jones, about partnership, independence, and leading through uncertainty — both inside business and outside it.

They discuss why independent companies can invest ahead of clients, how curiosity and optimism shape hiring, and why great creative cultures run on principles rather than rules. But this conversation goes far beyond business. As events unfold around them in Minneapolis, Rocky and Brad share how leadership changes when your responsibility shifts from performance to protection — caring for people first, then the company, then the community.

This is a candid discussion about partnership, resilience, and humanity. It reveals how courage shows up in everyday decisions: investing before certainty, standing by your values, and supporting others when there's no playbook.

00:00 — Opening: Courage and Partnership
Leadership and the role of courage in creative companies.

01:20 — Investing Ahead of Clients
Why independence enables experimentation and learning.

03:25 — Leadership During Crisis
Prioritizing employee safety and emotional wellbeing.

05:20 — Creativity Origins
Rocky's dance background and Brad's early design influences.

12:30 — The Value of Independence
Speed, decision-making, and long-term thinking.

19:45 — Continuous Evolution
Why agencies must constantly reinvent themselves.

24:15 — Building a Culture of Risk
Making investment a real budget line item.

27:05 — Client Partnerships vs Vendor Relationships
Solving problems together rather than presenting solutions.

30:30 — Hiring for Curiosity and Optimism
The qualities that sustain creative environments.

34:50 — Principles, Not Rules
How culture becomes structure.

41:20 — Leading Through Social Upheaval
Supporting people during uncertainty and fear.

47:30 — Creativity Serving Community
Using communication to help local businesses.

53:40 — Supporting Each Other as Leaders
The role of partnership in resilience.

56:00 — Hope for the Future
Nuance, empathy, and rebuilding connection.