Matt Britton has been on the front lines of cultural and technological change for over two decades. He’s the founder and CEO of Suzy, a leading consumer intelligence platform that helps top companies make real-time decisions driven by human insights. Matt is also the author of Generation AI and a sought-after speaker known for his bold ideas and data-backed foresight.

With a deep understanding of Gen Z and millennial consumers, Matt has helped Fortune 500 companies—from Pepsi to Microsoft—navigate everything from social media shifts to brand reinvention. His mission? To help businesses close the gap between what consumers want and what companies deliver.

What You Will Learn:

• Why Gen Z values community and co-creation over traditional advertising
• How companies can build trust by being transparent, responsive, and real
• Why staying static is the biggest risk a brand can take
• The key difference between data and insight—and why that matters
• How to foster a culture of innovation inside large organizations

Join us for this future-focused conversation with one of the leading voices in consumer trends and innovation. Matt Britton doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but he also doesn’t believe in standing still. If you want to understand where your audience is headed—and how to meet them there—this episode is a must-listen.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

About the Guest:
John Venhuizen leads Ace Hardware, a company with a proud 101-year history, built on the trust and hard work of thousands of local owners. With over 6,000 stores worldwide — nearly all independently owned — John believes that this combination of local entrepreneurship and global support is the secret sauce that keeps Ace strong and relevant.

He’s a leader who values character, humility, and grit — the kind of qualities that get tested daily when you’re trying to solve problems and move a big organization forward. John’s perspective is both inspiring and grounded, reminding us that leadership is about service and connection as much as strategy and results.

What You Will Learn:

• Why real leadership is about rolling up your sleeves and tackling problems
• How local ownership creates a powerful bond with communities and customers
• The importance of putting faith, family, and character before work — and why that matters for long-term success
• How AI is a tool to empower people, not replace them
• Why a servant heart and human connection will always be a business’s greatest advantage

Join us for this heartfelt conversation with John Venhuizen and discover what it really takes to lead with purpose in a complex, fast-moving world. If you want to lead better and build something that lasts, this episode will give you plenty to think about — and put into action.

Please rate and review this Episode!

We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

Episode Notes:

Brieane Olson has spent 18 years shaping Pacsun into a youth-focused lifestyle brand, stepping into the CEO role in 2023 after serving as President. Known for her digital-first mindset and passion for innovation, she’s deeply committed to empowering teams and promoting mental health awareness.

Key Takeaways:

• How Pacsun builds long-term brand loyalty through purpose and authentic partnerships
• Why vulnerability and intentionality are essential tools for leaders today
• Moving beyond trends to a multi-pillar strategy rooted in California lifestyle

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about brand evolution and genuine leadership—reminding us all that staying real is the key to staying relevant.

Please rate and review this Episode!

We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.