Happy Summer! We’re off enjoying some summer relaxation time! Enjoy one of our top shows from last season and be sure to take time to recharge!

In this episode, Jayzen shares his ideas on a critical element of your personal brand development: how you make people feel. That is, when people interact with you and experience your brand, what feeling are they left with and are you beginning to be intentional about what you want that to be? It is important to focus on your SuperSized brand words and make sure that they reflect the feeling that you want people to have - and you are delivering on that with every interaction.

Jayzen is excited to welcome Ed Soo Hoo to the show. Ed is a fascinating person who has had many careers over the years, from warehouseman to a union truck driver and now as CTO for one of the top global technology companies. His secret? As he says, “you have to ask for it, even if you’re not qualified.” Ed is a storyteller and brings volumes of career wisdom that everyone can learn from.

Guest Bio

Ed Soo Hoo

Worldwide CTO - Global Accounts

Lenovo

Ed Soo Hoo is an asymmetrical thinker, crossing the intellectual and practical boundaries of enterprise and technology. Ed is known for stretching-the-box strategic thinking allowing companies to expand from “Now, New and Next.” Ed connects the dots of technology and turns that capability into business-altering solutions for any organization. His Tetris-like talent for enabling, leveraging, and enhancing existing operational models and ecosystems is truly transformational.

An Industry Fellow at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology at UC Berkeley and executive coach, Ed brings unique insights coming from a diverse, eclectic set of rich experiences through a career that includes blue-collar teamster, global company leader, and eight-time startup exec (seed to IPO to buyout).

A sought-after executive and keynote speaker on business leadership, Ed presents his theories on entrepreneurial spirit, vision, and drive through a multidisciplinary perspective of the world.

“The way we work has forever changed, so it’s time that the way we lead follows suit. In order to meet the challenges of a post-pandemic world and workforce, we must explore the ways in which we can build, inspire, and lead a team.”

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

On this special Pride on Brand edition of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen reflects on graduation season and the powerful lesson of showing up in service of others. Inspired by two deeply personal milestones and a standout commencement speech at UCLA, Jayzen breaks down how context and service are at the heart of building a breakthrough career and a super-premium brand.

You'll learn why your brand isn’t just about what you do—it’s about the value you create for others. Whether you're just starting out, pivoting into a new chapter, or leading from the top, this episode challenges you to ask: Who are you serving, and how are you showing up with purpose and presence?

Key Takeaways:

• Why context matters in how you express your brand
• How to adapt your style without changing your core
• Why the best brands serve others and solve problems
• How to use your personal brand to write your next career chapter

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Jethro Rothe-Kushel, a visionary media executive, storyteller, and founder of Ritual Ads—a company revolutionizing TV commercials using AI. With a career spanning film, technology, and advocacy, Jethro shares how he built a future-focused career by blending creativity, impact, and innovation. From producing for the Oscars to representing over 8,700 top producers in the PGA, his story is a masterclass in brand leadership at the intersection of tech and storytelling.

Guest Bio

Jethro Rothe-Kushel

Founder & CEO

Ritual Ads

Jethro Rothe-Kushel is a visionary media executive, storyteller, and founder of Ritual Ads, a groundbreaking company using AI to transform the way television commercials are made. With a background that spans film, tech, and advocacy, Jethro’s work empowers brands, creators, and communities to tell unforgettable stories. He’s produced for the Oscars, advised Fortune 500 companies, and leads cutting-edge conversations at the intersection of technology and humanity. Jethro was the youngest Vice President ever elected to the Producers Guild of America, representing over 8,700 of the top film, television, and media producers. He was also a Presidential Research Scholar at Dartmouth for his pioneering work at the intersection of AI and image sciences.

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

In this week’s episode of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen Patria kicks things off not in a boardroom, but in a theme park. Fresh from a behind-the-scenes visit to Universal’s new Epic Universe, Jayzen shares unexpected (and powerful) lessons about personal branding drawn from immersive rides, gothic taverns, and talking portraits.

Why? Because the experience Universal crafted is more than entertainment—it’s a masterclass in branding. And your career should be, too.

It’s time to stop thinking of your work as a collection of disconnected tasks. Instead, ask “What’s the full experience people have when they interact with you—on Zoom, over email, in meetings, or across teams?”

Key takeaways include:

• Brand is experience. It’s not just what you do—it’s how others feel when they work with you. Your brand should be intentional, immersive, and memorable.
• Use your own language. Just like Universal has “portals” instead of lands and Starbucks has “baristas” instead of employees, you can craft a vocabulary that reflects your unique value and personality.
• Surprise and delight. Think about how you can go the extra mile—offer help before it’s asked for, share insights, or simply create moments that make people smile.
• Create emotional resonance. The most successful brands—and careers—are about more than results. They’re about storytelling, connection, and leaving a lasting impression.
• Be consistent across touchpoints. Whether it’s a quick text, a project presentation, or a hallway conversation, everything you do should feel like it’s part of the same “epic universe.”

Then, stay tuned for this week’s guest Stephanie Luros-Gilbert, who shares their own story of leading with their brand and creating a professional journey that’s anything but ordinary. As the Chief Commercial Officer at BSI and Food Service Holdings, she leads with a focus on innovation and impact across the foodservice space. She’s passionate about opening up non-traditional career paths in hospitality and tackling issues like food insecurity. Stephanie also serves in leadership roles with NAFEM and IFMA, helping shape the future of the industry.

Guest Bio

Stephanie Luros-Gilbert

Chief Commercial Officer

BSI and Food Service Holdings

In her role, Stephanie leads all commercially facing initiatives with a focus on driving growth and positioning best-in-class solutions providers to effect meaningful change across the foodservice landscape. A strategic business development and operational executive, Stephanie brings over 20 years of experience in the commercial foodservice equipment and manufacturing sectors.

Throughout her career, Stephanie has built a reputation for fostering industry collaboration and innovation. She is a dedicated advocate for elevating non-traditional career pathways within hospitality and is especially passionate about cross-industry efforts to combat food insecurity. A committed leader beyond her corporate role, Stephanie currently serves on the NAFEM Board of Directors, the IFMA Food Away From Home Association Board of Directors, amongst a multitude of other volunteer leadership roles. Stephanie’s breadth of experience and her tireless commitment to advancing the industry make her a respected voice and influential leader in foodservice and hospitality.

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

To learn more about opportunities at BSI, click www.bsidesigns.com

In this week’s episode, Jayzen dives into the buzz around the return of "HBO Max" and the revival of the Starbucks experience—not just as corporate case studies, but as powerful metaphors for your personal and professional brand.

Jayzen unpacks why a logo change isn’t the same as a rebrand—and how true brand evolution stays rooted in what made you great in the first place. Drawing lessons from the bold branding moves of household names, Jayzen challenges you to reflect on your brand DNA, your super-premium positioning, and how your “packaging”—from your Zoom background to your energy—either supports or confuses your message.

Through stories, insights, and even a charming personal moment at Starbucks, Jayzen reminds us that great brands don’t chase trends. They evolve with purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most “rebrands” are really just repackaging
• The difference between updating your look vs. evolving your brand
• How HBO Max’s brand journey reflects strategic realignment—not reinvention
• How your personal “packaging” (attire, background, tone) supports—or sabotages—your professional image
• The importance of staying grounded in your core strengths while adapting to new roles and environments

Your brand is not just what you do—it's how you make people feel. Your packaging should amplify your brand, not create confusion. Don’t be a commodity like coffee—be a super-premium brand like Starbucks. Stay true to your brand DNA, and evolve with intention.

In addition, Jayzen welcomes Janella Lacson to the show. Janella serves as the Producer for the Las Vegas Raiders - yes, that Raiders! When she started with the organization, she knew little about football, and now in her role, she produces all of the video content for the famous NFL team. This includes all of their highlight reels, sizzles, player features, and more. Janella has an amazing career story to share, evolving from film directing to advertising, to local news…ultimately, fulfilling her desire to learn all aspects of the business to make herself the best storyteller possible.

Guest Bio

Janella Lacson

Producer

Las Vegas Raiders

Producer, director, writer, editor - Janella Lacson is a sports creative who does it all. With an extensive background in directing for commercials and film, Janella’s passion for storytelling never wavered, growing up in Los Angeles and while attending college at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Janella has won 7 regional Emmys for her work at the Las Vegas Raiders for her work as a producer and editor. Aside from her work, Janella enjoys spending time with her wife and 2 cats, baking sourdough, and cooking.

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Check out Janella's fabulous work on Instagram @janellalacson

Is your career really a ladder—or is it something much more dynamic? In this episode of Lead With Your Brand!, Jayzen Patria flips the script on traditional career trajectories and challenges you to think about your path as a career jungle gym—with diagonal moves, lateral steps, trade-offs, and breathers that still lead to powerful breakthroughs.

Listen as Jayzen opens up about his own transformative journey from Disneyland performer to NBCUniversal executive. With a rich blend of storytelling and strategy, he walks through how each unconventional move (and even a few steps “back”) led him to greater alignment with his passions, strengths, and career purpose.

Whether you’re climbing, swinging, or pausing for perspective, this episode is a masterclass in how to evolve your personal brand to match your evolving career.

Key Takeaways:

• Why the career ladder is an outdated model—and how the jungle gym offers a better path for today’s professionals
• How to evaluate opportunities through the intersection of your strengths, passions, and market needs
• Why some “backward” or “lateral” moves are actually your greatest opportunities for growth
• How your brand should evolve in sync with your career—but always return to your core
• The power of defining your brand belief, promise, and position as you move through your journey

In addition, Jayzen has an inspiring conversation with Victoria Boston, EVP & Chief Customer Experience Officer at Tech Network Inc., who shares her incredible rise through telecom, her mission-driven leadership style, and how a single speaking engagement in South Africa changed her life—and launched a movement.

Guest Bio

Victoria Boston

Executive Vice President & Chief Customer Experience Officer

Tech Network Inc,

Victoria Boston serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer at Tech Network Inc, to help drive best in class employee and customer experiences. Most recently, she led engineering, network maintenance, and construction in the northeast area of Comcast, supporting over 3000 employees, more than 2 million customers and expanding the network to help grow over 5 billion in annual revenues. She began her illustrious career with Verizon Communications in numerous roles and functions with increasing responsibility, ultimately landing as the Northeast area vice president of customer service and global tech support for over 6500 employees and 10.5M customers.

Often sought after for her ability to energize, she’s enjoyed speaking engagements with audiences as large as 20,000 in attendance. Boston leads with integrity and trust while remaining authentic and relatable to diverse audiences. She’s a third-generation writer and published author of an international bestselling book, 3 Slow Nickels, a chronicle of her journey from humble beginnings to renowned executive and public figure.

Boston’s contributions have been publicly recognized and is the recipient of esteemed awards and honors.

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Learn more about Victoria’s key project at gofundme.com/f/periodpanties

Check out her bestselling book on Amazon, 3 Slow Nickels

Are you feeling stuck, uninspired, or just plain off? You're not alone. As we navigate a world filled with uncertainty—from AI replacing jobs and massive industry shifts to the heaviness of politics and burnout—many professionals are experiencing what Jayzen calls a “career funk.” But instead of waiting for things to get better, what if this is your moment to shift?

In this empowering episode, Jayzen invites you to reframe uncertainty as an inflection point. Drawing from his personal journey and early days leading change at Universal Studios, he shares how what feels like a low moment can actually be the start of your next breakthrough. Jayzen breaks down how to reconnect with your passion, identify your top skills, and realign with what your company truly needs—so you can build a stronger, more meaningful career trajectory.

Plus, he dives into the often-overlooked art of managing up: helping your boss succeed as a pathway to your own advancement. You'll also learn why your personal brand matters most when times are toughest—and how to shine when skies are gray.

Whether you're leading a team, trying to inspire one, or just looking for clarity on your own path, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to lead with your brand—even in the most disruptive of times.

In addition, Jayzen welcomes Brice Jaggars to the show. He is a distinguished technology executive and thought leader in digital transformation and is Head of Technology for North America at Avanade, a joint venture between Microsoft and Accenture. With an incredible career journey to share, he is a leading authority on role alignment and workplace behaviors and author of "Two Fish and the Tree, “ an Amazon bestseller.

Guest Bio

Brice Jaggars

Head of Technology for the Americas

Avanade Inc. (JV between Microsoft and Accenture)

Brice Jaggars is a distinguished technology executive and thought leader in digital transformation. As Head of Technology for North America at Avanade, he manages a $1.6B+ portfolio driving innovative solutions in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms. His transformative insights on workforce development and role alignment have made him a compelling voice in organizational effectiveness.

He is the author of the groundbreaking Amazon #1 Best Seller Two Fish and the Tree and is most passionate about mentoring and helping employees grow their overall skill set and achieve their career goals.

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

In this empowering episode of the Lead With Your Brand podcast, host Jayzen Patria dives deeper into the final step of the Five Steps to Lead With Your Brand™—Be Your Own Chief Marketing Officer—by exploring the critical roles of influencers, endorsers, and word of mouth in building your professional brand.

Last week, we focused on controlling your own message through your personal “advertising”—your elevator pitch, resume, LinkedIn profile, and self-assessments. This week, Jayzen expands the conversation by showing how your brand is also shaped by what others say about you.

Jayzen reveals how great careers are boosted not just by what you say about yourself, but by who knows you and what they say about you. Learn how to spot and cultivate relationships with super-connectors and build a diverse network that champions your success.

Tune in for practical tools like building a "Contact Map" and real-world strategies for strengthening meaningful connections, challenging you to go beyond your comfort zone and make lasting deposits in your “relationship bank.”

Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or pivoting careers, this episode is your guide to ensuring that your brand isn’t just seen—but endorsed, amplified, and remembered.

This week, Jayzen welcomes Paula Bruno, CEO of Intuition Media Group and a true pioneer in the influencer marketing industry. With over 15 years of experience and more than 750 brand campaigns under her belt, Paula shares how she helped shape the landscape of influencer collaborations with tips on how to apply the same concepts to your brand.

Guest Bio

Paula Bruno

CEO

Intuition Media Group

Paula Bruno is the CEO of Intuition Media Group, a full-service influencer marketing agency established in 2008. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Paula has been at the forefront of influencer marketing since its inception, helping shape the framework for influencer compensation and collaborations. Prior to founding Intuition Media Group, she helped build and take public a company in the equipment rental space through acquisitions. Her agency has worked with major brands like Canon USA, Hyundai, TikTok, GoDaddy, and has managed over 750 brand projects resulting in over 3B impressions.

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

Since the start of the year, Jayzen has taken an extended deep dive each week into one of the Five Steps To Lead With Your Brand! As a review, here are the first four steps of the Lead With Your Brand! system:

1. Define Your Audience
2. Know What You Stand For Today
3. Refine Who You Want To Be
4. Keep Up Your Image!

This week, we’re on to Step 5…Be Your Own Chief Marketing Officer. It’s time to showcase your super premium brand, because at the end of the day, you've got to promote yourself. For many of us, there is a common theme of consistently doing great work, going above and beyond, and an assumption that your work will speak for itself. The reality is…it won’t. You can have amazing performance, but if nobody knows about it, how are they going to amplify you? Your work is not going to speak for itself. You've got to follow Step 5 and Be Your Own Chief Marketing Officer.

Tune in for practical takeaways on how to market yourself and your accomplishments to help you achieve your next big career breakthrough! Jayzen breaks it down with amazing examples and lessons on how to promote yourself most effectively.

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Liz Randall to the show. Liz has one of those super cool jobs where she is at the forefront of technology, AI and talent for one of the world's most noted talent agencies in Los Angeles. Throughout her career, innovation has led the way, allowing her to spearhead industry-changing initiatives.

Guest Bio

Liz Randall

Head of Operations, Strategic Development

CAA

Liz Randall is Head of Operations, Strategic Development at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Randall is based in the Los Angeles office and is responsible for the execution of enterprise growth initiatives, including theCAAvault, an in-house, talent-focused service that scans, captures, and securely stores Talent’s digital likeness.

Randall began her career at Time Warner, where she held various roles in strategy and innovation, and led the digital transformation of MotorTrend Group. Prior to joining CAA in 2023, she led enterprise-wide initiatives in new technology development, cybersecurity, and IPv6 migration at Apple.

Randall graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Operations and obtained an MBA from Emory University.

Links

To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop visit Jayzenpatria.com

Follow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book