Welcome to week 2 of Season 7! As we roll into 2026, now is the perfect time for you to hone your personal brand, starting with Step 1 of the Lead With Your Brand system. Before continuing the conversation with Disney legend, Bob Gurr, Jayzen introduces this critical step: Define your audience so you can SuperServe your SuperFans.

In a crowded, fast-changing workplace, professionals who try to appeal to everyone become interchangeable. Momentum comes from focus. Jayzen reminds listeners that opportunities don’t flow through resumes—they flow through relationships, and relationships are built when people feel deeply understood. Great brands grow by being intentional about who they serve. Careers work the same way.

By identifying the people who already trust, advocate for, and champion you—and understanding what they want, need, and care about—you create clarity around how your brand shows up and why it matters.

This step sets the foundation for becoming a super-premium brand, not a commodity.

• If you try to be everything to everyone, you become nothing to no one

Focus creates differentiation and demand.

• SuperFans drive opportunity

Promotions, referrals, and influence come from people who trust and advocate for you.

• Career Audience Avatars are about mindset, not demographics

Your most powerful supporters share values and behaviors, not necessarily titles or industries.

• Knowing your audience sharpens your brand

Clarity allows you to show up with confidence, consistency, and relevance.

• Super-serving the right people attracts others

When you focus on your core audience, broader opportunity follows.

This week, Jayzen is thrilled to continue the conversation with one of his personal heroes, Disney legend and former Disney Imagineer, Bob Gurr. Originally trained as an industrial designer with a love of cars, mechanics, and motion, Bob’s career changed forever when Walt Disney invited him to help build Disneyland. What started as a small design assignment quickly grew into a defining role.

As Bob famously says, “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.”

He’s the creative force behind some of the most iconic attractions in theme park history, including Autopia, the Disneyland Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Haunted Mansion Doom Buggies. Over his Disney career, Bob completed more than 100 projects directly for Walt Disney, becoming known for his fearlessness, curiosity, and ability to say yes to challenges no one else wanted.

After leaving Disney, Bob didn’t slow down—he expanded. He went on to design 150+ major projects for other clients worldwide. Now 94 years young, Bob remains an active speaker, creator, and cultural icon. His story is a living example of what Jayzen teaches: competence, curiosity, persistence, and fearlessness build a brand that lasts decades—not job titles.

Guest Bio

Bob Gurr

Legendary Disney Imagineer

Imagineer Bob Gurr has always been a man on the move. And for nearly 40 years, he’s helped move many a happy Disney theme park guests aboard vehicles and ride conveyances of his own design. As he has often quipped, “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.” And he certainly has, developing more than 100 designs for attractions ranging from Autopia to the Matterhorn Bobsleds to the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Monorails, and more.

For nearly five decades, Bob worked transportation magic developing the Disneyland Monorail Trains, the memorable Flying Saucers attraction in Tomorrowland, as well as the antique cars and double-decker buses of Main Street, Ford Motor Company’s Magic Skyway, which premiered at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, and more. Bob also designed the mechanical workings of Disney’s first AudioAnimatronics figure – Abraham Lincoln featured in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

In 1981, Bob retired early from Imagineering in order to launch GurrDesign, Inc., and three years later, joined creative forces with two former Imagineers to form Sequoia Creative, Inc. The firm, which specialized in “leisure-time spectaculars” and “fantastical beasts,” developed King Kong and Conan’s serpent featured at Universal Studios, Hollywood. Among his other mechanical feats, Bob was instrumental in creating the mysterious UFO that soared over the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. He also consulted on the T-Rex animated figure featured in Steven Spielberg’s motion picture Jurassic Park.

Bob Gurr practices a favorite life philosophy as quoted in the words of Malcolm Forbes: “While alive, live!”

Links

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

Happy New Year and welcome to Season 7 of the LEAD WITH YOUR BRAND!™ Podcast.

Jayzen Patria kicks off the new season with a clear and urgent message: the rules of career success have changed—and your personal brand is non-negotiable in 2026.

Economic uncertainty, rapid AI adoption, shifting corporate priorities, and nonstop disruption have created a perfect storm in today’s workplace. In this environment, companies are no longer looking for interchangeable workers. They are looking for standout talent with a clear, trusted, super-premium personal brand.

Your personal brand is no longer about self-promotion. It’s about career ownership, relevance, and long-term opportunity.

In this episode, Jayzen breaks down why your brand determines:

• Who gets a seat at the table

• Who gets trusted with new opportunities

• Who gets paid more—and why

Key Takeaways:

• Are you coffee or are you Starbucks?

Commodity professionals are interchangeable. Super-premium brands are sought out, trusted, and paid more.

• Great work alone isn’t enough anymore

If people don’t know your value, they can’t advocate for you, sponsor you, or amplify your impact.

• Your brand earns you a seat at the table

Opportunities flow through relationships. A strong brand expands your network and builds an army of champions.

• Your brand future-proofs you in an AI world

Roles will change—or disappear—but a trusted brand allows people to follow you into new, undefined opportunities.

• Compensation is brand feedback

Salary, bonuses, and promotions directly reflect how valuable your brand is perceived to be.

• A brand is not a logo, outfit, or tagline

Your brand is your unique DNA—the sum of experiences, behaviors, and expectations others associate with you.

Jayzen grounds it all in one core truth: Your brand is the expectations people have of you—and expectations drive opportunity.

To start the year, Jayzen is thrilled to welcome one of his personal heroes: Disney Legend and former Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr.

Originally trained as an industrial designer with a love of cars, mechanics, and motion, Bob’s career changed forever when Walt Disney invited him to help build Disneyland. What began as a small assignment quickly evolved into a defining role in theme park history.

As Bob famously says, “If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.”

Bob is the creative force behind iconic attractions including Autopia, the Disneyland Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Haunted Mansion Doom Buggies. He completed 100+ projects directly for Walt Disney, becoming known for fearlessness, curiosity, and saying yes to challenges others avoided.

After Disney, Bob went on to design 150+ major projects worldwide. Now 94 years young, he remains an active speaker, creator, and cultural icon.

His story perfectly reinforces Jayzen’s message: competence, curiosity, persistence, and fearlessness build a brand that lasts decades—not job titles.

To book Jayzen for a keynote or workshop: JayzenPatria.com

Happy New Year! As 2025 comes to a close, Jayzen Patria reflects on a transformative year and shares the most powerful career and personal brand insights from some of the podcast’s most memorable guests. This special year-end episode blends Jayzen’s own career advice with standout moments on leadership, adaptability, curiosity, authenticity, and knowing your value—all designed to help you hit the ground running in 2026.

If you’re looking to pause, reflect, and reset your career strategy for the year ahead, this episode is your playbook.

“Find a hole and fill it.”

In a year defined by economic shifts, AI disruption, return-to-work changes, and constant uncertainty, Jayzen challenges listeners to:

• Take stock of your towering strengths
• Reconnect with your passions
• Identify the needs of your boss, company, and industry
• Tailor your current role—like tailoring clothes—to better fit who you are and the value you bring

Your brand isn’t about you. It’s about the value you deliver to others.

Career advice for 2026 from past guests includes:

John Pagano — VP of Editorial, Nickelodeon Digital Studios

Don’t be afraid of the future. Stay resilient and keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

Gina Woods — Co-Founder/Owner, Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha Brown

Be ready to pivot. Embrace change and learn to enjoy the ride.

Liz Randall — Head of Operations, Strategic Development, CAA

Stay curious. Curiosity keeps you current and relevant.

Tina Shaw — Creative Director, Activision

Protect your curiosity. Your brand travels faster than your résumé—don’t wait for permission to lead.

Jennifer Kaplan — Founder & CEO, Evolve Public Relations and Marketing

Focus on your niche and remember: perception is reality.

Victoria Boston — EVP & Chief Customer Experience Officer, Tech Network Inc.

Know your worth. Ask for what you want—no apologies.

Brett Lemick — Creative Studio Manager, Ryanair

Every room needs your version of “you.” Find the tables where you truly fit.

Iva Chen — CEO, IOC Design & Consulting

Do work you love. Passion fuels energy, excellence, and fulfillment.

Emily Chang — Bestselling Author & Executive Leader

Define your own winning formula and don’t follow someone else’s version of success.

Be sure to follow for the latest shows in 2026 with some incredible guests, including:

• Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr
• Entertainment insider Dave Karger
• CEO of the American Red Cross, Cliff Holtz
• 
  

Links

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

Tune in as Jayzen invites listeners to look at personal branding through an unexpected—but powerful—lens: holiday decor. As homes, offices, and public spaces fill with intentional (or unintentional) signals during the holidays, Jayzen reminds us that nothing meaningful is accidental. Every design choice tells a story—about values, identity, priorities, and purpose. The message is clear: brand is not a logo or a LinkedIn headline—it’s the sum of your conscious choices.

Jayzen then bridges this insight directly to leadership and career growth. Just as we decorate our homes, we are constantly “decorating” our professional spaces—through meetings, emails, visibility, energy, and presence. Whether intentional or not, we are always sending signals. For ambitious professionals and leaders, leaving those signals to chance is risky. Autopilot is the enemy of leadership.

• Everything Is a Choice: Your brand is shaped by the decisions you make daily—what you amplify, what you edit, and what you ignore.
• Experience Beats Intention: What matters is not what you intend people to experience, but what they actually walk away remembering about you.
• Edit With Purpose: Over-decorating can dilute impact. The strongest brands know when to dial it up—and when to pull it back.
• Context Is King: The “right behavior at the right time” matters more than being loud or safe all the time.
• Know What’s Missing: Growth comes from identifying what you want to be known for next—strategic thinking, advocacy, executive presence, visibility, or new skills.
• Lead Intentionally: Choose one moment—one meeting, one conversation—where you consciously show up as the leader you want to be, not the one you inherited.
• Design, Don’t Drift: Your career, like your home, is something you get to design intentionally—not perfectly or performatively, but with purpose.

Jayzen is joined by Georgia Fort, an independent journalist, founder of Black Press, and president of the Center for Broadcast Journalism. Georgia shares her journey from traditional media into pioneering independent journalism, sparked by industry disruption, personal adversity, and a deep commitment to changing how stories about Black communities are told.

Through Black Press and the Center for Broadcast Journalism, Georgia is not only telling underreported stories but also building sustainable infrastructure and cultivating the next generation of journalists. Her story is a masterclass in aligning mission, brand, and impact—especially during times of disruption.

Guest Bio

Georgia Fort

Founder of BLCK Press &

President of the Center for Broadcast Journalism.

Georgia Fort is leading the necessary movement to reclaim media's power. As the founder of BLCK Press, a social enterprise newsroom, she’s connecting journalism to Black culture. She has a dynamic vision of mobilizing the next generation of media starting at home in Minnesota, the 12th largest state, and the 22nd most populous with about 6 million residents, in which less than 3% of journalists are Black. As a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas, Fort’s work bridges frontline reporting and executive-level strategy to rebuild media infrastructure from the ground up.

As the President of the Center for Broadcast Journalism (501c3), she’s developing the next generation of reporting. Georgia's nonprofit was created to educate and coach the future of news. From editorial to fundraising to marketing, Georgia’s hands-on leadership is proving what’s possible when we build for ourselves—and build to last.

Links

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

In this Giving Tuesday episode, Jayzen invites listeners to reflect on generosity as a fundamental strength of personal branding. Drawing from his own service with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the American Red Cross, he reminds us that giving—whether time, talent, or treasure—expands our skills, deepens our relationships, and strengthens our personal brands. Jayzen revisits a powerful lesson from a former leader: “Selfish companies can’t serve.” The same is true for individuals—your brand isn’t about you; it’s about the value you provide to others.

Jayzen offers three actionable ways to be generous with your brand:

1. Share Your Superpowers Freely.
2. Mentor someone, help a colleague sharpen their work, or lend your creativity to someone who needs it.
3. Make High-Value Connections.
4. Become the connective tissue that brings people together with no expectation of return.
5. Spotlight Someone Else’s Greatness.
6. Use your platform—meetings, team stand-ups, or social media—to amplify someone else’s win.

As you move into the holiday season, Jayzen challenges you to choose one generosity practice to deepen your brand and expand the world around you.

This week, Jayzen sits down with Jennifer Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Evolve PR & Marketing, now Arizona’s largest public relations firm. Jennifer shares her remarkable 20-year entrepreneurial journey—one rooted in authenticity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to telling powerful stories.

Jennifer reflects on what it means to “own your brand,” emphasizing that perception is reality and authenticity creates a genuine connection. She opens up about pivotal career moments: leaving a successful sales role to pursue her true calling in PR, navigating a major life transition in her early 30s, and ultimately building Evolve into a 27-person powerhouse representing more than 140 clients. Her candid stories—from “faking it till she made it” to landing game-changing clients like Sprinkles Cupcakes and Waymo—illustrate how confidence, boldness, and relationship-building fuel long-term success.

Guest Bio

Jennifer Kaplan

Founder & CEO

Evolve Public Relations and Marketing

Jennifer Kaplan is the founder and CEO of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, a premier PR agency she established in 2010 to help businesses and professionals authentically tell their stories. With a communications degree from Arizona State University and an entrepreneurial spirit, Jennifer has dedicated her career to elevating brands, building trust, and fostering meaningful connections.

Jennifer comes from a family of entrepreneurs, so forging her own path was a no-brainer! As a young professional, she left her steady sales job to take on her first client, boldly launching herself into the rest of her career. In 2005 she co-founded her first PR start-up, PRIME 3, LLC, but later sold her share to branch out and start Evolve! Now, her team works across industries to provide media coverage, influencer engagement, reputation management, and crisis communications.

Jennifer’s work has garnered widespread acclaim. She’s been honored as one of “The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business” by AZ Business Magazine, a “40 Under 40” by Phoenix Business Journal, a “Woman of Achievement” by InBusiness Magazine, and the inaugural Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Alumni of the Year.

When Jennifer isn’t running her agency, she fills her cup with yoga, cheering on the ASU Sun Devils, and of course, spending time with her family.

Links

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

In this episode, Jayzen reminds listeners that nobody cares more about your career than you do—so you must be your own Chief Marketing Officer. With performance review season approaching, he challenges professionals to treat their self-assessments as advertising campaigns for their personal brand.

Jayzen’s key points include:

• Be intentional and proactive: Don’t wait until the last minute to write your self-review. Use it to market your accomplishments and showcase your value.
• Use brand language: Infuse your self-assessment with the tone and energy of your personal brand while aligning it to your company’s core values.
• Reflect deeply: Highlight three areas—what you’re most proud of, what you’ve learned, and what you need to develop to be a “rock star” in 2026.
• Be your own CMO: Your self-assessment is your “advertising”—a message you fully control. Show up on-brand and make it easy for your manager to advocate for you.

Jayzen ties this back to his signature question: Are you Coffee or are you Starbucks?—reminding us that successful professionals aren’t generic commodities. They’re super-premium brands that people line up for because of the unique experience and value they deliver.

Jayzen is thrilled to welcome Iva Chen to the show. Her story is one of vision, grit, and transformation. From her early days working as a high school cashier at San Francisco International Airport to becoming the independent owner and operator of the first Panda Express at SFO, Iva has truly come full circle.

Iva’s career has included corporate finance as a CPA at Deloitte and leadership roles at Nestlé, CBS Paramount, and The Capital Group. Tune in to hear lessons from her father’s pioneering work forming the Starbucks–HMS Host airport partnership, a story that perfectly embodies the Lead With Your Brand philosophy—transforming everyday “coffee” into a globally recognized experience.

Guest Bio

Iva Chen

CEO

IOC Design and Consulting

Iva Chen is a dynamic entrepreneur, operator, and community advocate whose career spans finance, hospitality, and brand development. A UC Santa Barbara graduate and licensed CPA, she began her career at Deloitte before holding leadership roles at Nestlé, CBS Paramount, and The Capital Group.

She’s now the CEO of IOC Design and Consulting and Chief Development Officer of Lady Luck Gourmet — and most recently became the independent owner and operator of the first-ever Panda Express at San Francisco International Airport.

Her entrepreneurial path has taken her from building a chain of pizzerias in China to producing experiential marketing campaigns for brands like Taco Bell, Hyundai, and Herbalife.

Iva also serves as Vice President of Public Relations for the AMAC Los Angeles Chapter, sits on the Board of Directors for Pretend City Children’s Museum, and co-founded the Association of Asians in Aviation. She’s deeply passionate about mentorship, women’s empowerment, and helping the next generation of diverse leaders take flight.

Links

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

This week, Jayzen Patria challenges you to think like the Chief Marketing Officer of your career. Fresh off the NAMIC Conference in New York City, Jayzen draws powerful lessons from the bright lights of Times Square — where every billboard and brand is intentional — to teach how you can market yourself with the same level of strategy and authenticity.

Jayzen explores how your personal brand is built — and perceived — every single day. Drawing inspiration from the chaos and brilliance of Times Square, he outlines three key marketing pillars for your career:

1. Advertising: Your online presence is your billboard. Make it intentional, inviting, and aligned with your brand story. “If your LinkedIn photo is blank, it’s like an empty Times Square billboard.”
2. Endorsers: Your network is your team of influencers. Surround yourself with advocates who elevate and expand your visibility.
3. Word of Mouth: Your reputation is your real brand. Every interaction, even casual moments, tells your story. “There is no off stage. You’re always visible to people who can impact your career.”

Key Takeaways:

• Take control of your message — you own your advertising.
• Cultivate connections who will endorse and amplify you.
• Manage your reputation intentionally — people are always watching.
• Authenticity is your strongest marketing strategy.
• Be your own CMO and turn up the volume on your personal brand.
• 
  

Then, Jayzen sits down with Suezette Yasmin Robotham, visionary tech executive and author of Beyond Titles: Fearlessly Leading as Your Authentic Self. Suzette shares her incredible career journey from education reform to Silicon Valley, her fight against “covering” at work, and her lessons on leading boldly, bravely, and with purpose.

Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a tech executive, leadership strategist, and author with nearly 20 years of experience driving transformation across industries. She’s held senior roles at Google, Meta, Salesforce, Gartner, and Teach for America, helping organizations scale with equity, access, and purpose.

Guest Bio

Suezette Yasmin Robotham

Tech Executive and Author

Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a visionary tech executive with nearly twenty years of experience driving transformative change at the intersection of passion and purpose, creating equitable access and opportunity for historically underrepresented groups. She honed her leadership acumen in the education reform sector, shaping human capital strategies for influential organizations Teach For America and The New Teacher Project.

Her career trajectory has since elevated her to global leadership roles at industry giants such as Google, Meta (Facebook), Gartner, and Salesforce, where she has led high-impact teams and initiatives.

As conference season kicks into full gear, Jayzen Patria shares practical strategies on how to lead with your brand while making authentic connections at professional events. Speaking from the Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Seattle, Jayzen dives into how to make the most of your time at major conferences — not by collecting business cards, but by building real relationships that amplify your brand.

He reminds listeners that your brand only matters as much as you can amplify it. That means using every interaction to put deposits into your relationship bank by engaging others authentically. Jayzen breaks down great networking into three essential actions:

Telling – Share a bit about yourself to build rapport. Use your observations to connect naturally — for instance, mention someone’s city, company, or even an interesting pin or accessory on their badge.

Asking – Transition quickly into curiosity. Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions that invite people to share their experiences, opinions, and passions.

Listening – The hardest and most powerful part. Go beyond “active listening” — listen to reflect. Summarize what you hear, and follow up later to deepen the relationship.

Jayzen emphasizes being a “guide on the side” rather than a “sage on the stage.” The goal isn’t to pitch yourself or collect LinkedIn connections — it’s to build trust and genuine connections that last.

Key Takeaways

• Your brand is built in the room, not just online. Conferences are your chance to amplify who you are and what you stand for.
• Engage through curiosity. Spend more time asking questions than talking about yourself.
• Build rapport before pitching. Skip the elevator speech and start with an authentic conversation.
• Listen to reflect, not to reply. True networking happens when people feel seen and heard.
• Follow up thoughtfully. Personal touches — like remembering someone’s vacation or interest — make you memorable.

Jayzen is also excited to welcome his old friend, Brett Lemick to the show. Brett, is a creative executive and media strategist who has built a remarkable career helping global brands tell stories that engage, entertain, and inspire. Based at Ryanair’s Dublin headquarters, Brett leads the airline’s in-house video and design studio, shaping the creative identity of Europe’s largest airline group.

With more than 15 years of experience spanning entertainment, digital media, and corporate storytelling, Brett’s career includes leadership roles at Disney, Snap, and Rainbow Media Company, as well as collaborations with Netflix, Hulu, and Paramount. His journey from YouTuber to Disney Channel producer to Ryanair creative leader reflects a career defined by adaptability, storytelling, and authenticity.

Guest Bio

Brett Lemick

Creative Studio Manager

Ryanair

Brett is a creative executive and media strategist who has built his career helping brands tell stories that engage, entertain, and inspire. Originally from the U.S., he now works at Ryanair’s Dublin headquarters as Creative Studio Manager, where he leads an in-house video and design team shaping the identity of Europe’s largest airline group.

His path to Ryanair spans more than 15 years at the intersection of entertainment, digital, and corporate media. A veteran of Disney and Snap, Brett was recruited by Elisabeth Murdoch as VP of Programming & Development at Vertical Networks, where he developed the Snapchat Discover brand Brother. He later drove content strategy and production at Rainbow Media Co., building one of the world’s most engaged LGBTQ+ media networks with clients including Netflix, Hulu, Paramount, and AT&T.

Brett went on to serve as Chief Content Officer at FlyrTV, collaborating with Condé Nast and Mashable to merge proprietary tech with creative storytelling. He also held roles at Gameshow Network, Maker Studios, and The Walt Disney Company. Across every role, he has combined creative vision with process-driven leadership to deliver stories that resonate, amplify diverse voices, and build lasting cultural impact. Above all, Brett aims to "make great stuff with great people.”

Links

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