On Brand with Nick Westergaard cover art

On Brand with Nick Westergaard

On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Written by: Nick Westergaard
Listen for free

About this listen

 On Brand helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week, host Nick Westergaard, author of Brand Now and Get Scrappy, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders and innovators from brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Meta, Crayola, Beats by Dre, Southwest Airlines, Reddit, Spotify, and MailChimp. Watch the full, in-depth conversations and get actionable insights to help you and your brand stand out in a crowded, distracted world. For show notes and more, please visit http://onbrandpodcast.com.2014 Economics Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • The Manager Method for Human Leadership

    The Manager Method for Human Leadership
    Jan 26 2026
    Ashley Herd, founder of Manager Method and former Head of HR at McKinsey, explains why most managers aren't actually failing—they're just guessing. She breaks down her simple yet powerful three-step framework—pause, consider, and act—to help leaders move past the "speed of the inbox" and start leading with real intention. From handling employee mistakes with empathy to navigating the "octopus and wizard" traps of burnout, Ashley provides practical "real talk" for anyone responsible for the careers and lives of others. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The critical difference between day-to-day management and long-term leadership How to implement the three-step Manager Method of pause, consider, and act Why the “speed of the inbox” is causing manager burnout and how to slow down Practical ways to handle employee mistakes using the “Gigi” perspective How to use human-centric storytelling to build psychological safety on your team Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:51) Management vs Leadership (03:18) The Gap in Manager Training (06:01) The Manager Method Explained (06:39) Step One: The Power of the Pause (09:20) Step Two: Consider Your Response (11:09) Step Three: Acting with Intention (13:36) Avoiding Modern Workplace Burnout (19:16) Storytelling as a Leadership Tool (24:09) Brand That Made Her Smile (26:47) Where to Learn More About Ashley Herd Ashley Herd is the founder of Manager Method and a former Head of HR for McKinsey North America. A LinkedIn Top Voice and top 10 business podcast host, she has trained more than 250,000 managers across various industries. Her background as an employment lawyer for brands like KFC and Yum! Brands informs her practical, "real talk" approach to leadership. She is the author of The Manager Method, where she provides actionable frameworks for leading with confidence and supporting team growth without burnout. What Brand Has Made Ashley Smile Recently? Ashley recently smiled at Chiquita. She loves their banana stickers that claim they are "likely the best snack on earth." As a former marketing lawyer, she appreciated the humorous collaboration between the creative and legal teams to include the word "likely" rather than a definitive claim, showing a brand that doesn't take itself too seriously. Resources & Links Check out the Manager Method website and book. Connect with Ashley Herd on LinkedIn. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Why Recess Is Quitting Dry January

    Why Recess Is Quitting Dry January
    Jan 19 2026
    While every non-alcoholic brand is shouting Dry January, Recess is telling you to quit. Literally. Joining us is Ben Witte, CEO and co-founder of the #1 mocktail brand, to unpack a provocative new campaign that swaps all-or-nothing resolutions for something far more realistic: balance. From a bold manifesto to a full-page New York Times ad timed for “Quitter’s Day,” Ben explains why going against the seasonal grain isn’t risky—it’s exactly why Recess is winning. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why moderation—not elimination—is the real shift happening in drinking culture How going against category conventions can create sharper brand differentiation What most brands get wrong about Dry January and behavior change How narrative-driven branding builds permission to expand into new categories Why “do the unexpected” is more than a creative idea—it’s a leadership strategy Episode Chapters (00:00) Why Recess Is Telling People to Quit (01:00) The Myth of Sober Curious and the Rise of Moderation (04:30) Why Dry January Is Losing Relevance (06:45) Anti-Perfectionism as Brand Strategy (09:45) The Hidden Downsides of Rules and Streaks (13:00) Naming, Narrative, and Building Red Bull for Relaxation (18:00) Knowing When to Push Against Conventional Wisdom (25:00) Brands That Make Us Smile About Ben Witte Ben Witte is the CEO and co-founder of Recess, a leading functional beverage company built around the idea of calm, balance, and taking a break from modern stress. Coming from a Silicon Valley background rather than traditional CPG, Ben has consistently challenged category norms—shifting the conversation from sobriety to moderation and from ingredients to outcomes. Under his leadership, Recess has grown into a category-defining brand spanning mocktails, mood drinks, and relaxation-focused products sold nationwide. What Brand Has Made Ben Smile Recently? Ben points to a Thanksgiving campaign from Tito’s Handmade Vodka that flipped the familiar “Turkey Trot” on its head with the idea of a “Turkey Rot”—leaning into cultural truth with humor and self-awareness. The campaign stood out by inverting expectations, tapping into real behavior, and reminding us that the best brand moments often come from saying the quiet part out loud. Resources & Links Check out the Recess website and their Amazon store. Recess on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/recess Connect with Ben Witte on LinkedIn and X. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Startup Storytelling Through Your Customer’s Eyes

    Startup Storytelling Through Your Customer’s Eyes
    Jan 12 2026
    Storytelling is easy to talk about—and hard to do well. On this episode of On Brand, I’m joined by John Elbing, Chief Storybuilder Officer at Standpoint, to unpack how his Storybuilding approach helps startups and brands clarify their value, sharpen their pitch, and actually connect—with a framework so effective it’s now a #1 international bestselling book. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why most brands jump to storytelling tactics before they understand the story they should be telling How recognition, perception, and projection shape whether people connect with your brand Why customer standpoint matters more than founder backstory How structure can unlock creativity instead of killing it A simple way leaders can improve their story starting this week Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:15) Why storytelling became a buzzword (02:50) Storytelling vs storybuilding (04:00) Coaching startups to find focus and alignment (07:30) Why the customer—not the founder—is the hero (08:05) Recognition, perception, and projection explained (16:00) Aspirations, problems, and emotional contrast (21:30) One practical fix leaders can make today (24:00) A brand that made John smile About John Elbing John Elbing is the Chief Storybuilder Officer at Standpoint and a leading authority on Business Storytelling for startups and growth-focused organizations. With a background spanning computer science, finance, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship, John has coached more than 150 startups and companies, helping them clarify their value, sharpen their positioning, and win with purpose. He is the creator of Storybuilding, a practical, canvas-based methodology that turns strategy into compelling customer-centered narratives, and the author of Storybuilding, a #1 international bestselling book. John also teaches entrepreneurship and digital transformation and works with incubators, accelerators, and social-impact initiatives worldwide—proving that when story is built right, it drives both growth and good. What Brand Has Made John Smile Recently? John shared the story of Felco, a Swiss company known worldwide for its professional-grade garden shears. What began as a durable tool brand for field workers uncovered a passionate fan base of everyday gardeners—some so devoted they’d tattoo the logo. By recognizing different customer aspirations and building distinct story worlds around them, Felco expanded into new audiences, including children, proving that even the most practical products can build emotional connection when the story is built from the user’s standpoint. Resources & Links Connect with John on LinkedIn. Check out the Standpoint website. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
No reviews yet