On Brand with Nick Westergaard cover art

On Brand with Nick Westergaard

On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Written by: Nick Westergaard
Listen for free

On Brand helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week, host Nick Westergaard, author of Get Scrappy and Brand Now, 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 Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Why Confidence Is a Habit, Not a Trait

    Why Confidence Is a Habit, Not a Trait
    Oct 5 2026
    What happens to an organization when people stop believing in themselves? Dr. Cindra Kampoff is a confidence researcher and performance psychology expert who has worked with Minnesota Vikings players and Olympic athletes. Her new best-selling book, The Confidence Habit, explores the surprising connection between confidence, performance, leadership, and even employee retention. On this episode of On Brand, we're gonna talk about why confidence is more than just a personal trait. It may be one of the most important forces shaping how we show up What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow confidence directly shapes employee retention and business growthThe crucial difference between authentic confidence and egoWhy two thirds of employees would take a pay cut for supportive leadershipThe three step framework elite athletes use to overcome mistakes fastSimple questions to interrupt self doubt and regain clarityEpisode Chapters(00:00) Intro(01:29) Why confidence is an organizational issue(03:11) What a confidence crisis looks like at work(04:30) What employees want from supportive leaders(07:54) The learn burn return framework(10:18) Accelerators and killers of organizational confidence(11:12) Lessons in letting go from elite athletes(17:16) How to train confidence as a habit(19:04) Authentic confidence versus arrogance(21:37) Reframing automatic negative thoughts(26:18) A brand that made Dr. Cindra Kampoff smile(27:53) Where to connect with Dr. Cindra KampoffAbout Cindra KampoffDr. Cindra Kampoff is a recognized confidence researcher, performance psychology expert, and author of The Confidence Habit. She has coached High-performance leaders, Olympic athletes, and players for the Minnesota Vikings, helping them build resilience and mental strength. Through her research and work at the Mentally Strong Institute, Dr. Kampoff provides actionable tools to help individuals and teams transform self-doubt into authentic self-belief.What Brand Has Made Cindra Smile Recently?Cindra smiled recently because of Good Morning America. Following an appearance to discuss her book, she praised the brand for its incredible care, seamless preparation, and welcoming environment during a major career milestone.Resources & LinksConnect with Cindra on LinkedIn.Learn more at Cindra’s website and her new book, The Confidence Habit.Listen & Support the ShowWatch 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Ron Johnson on Steve Jobs & Building the Apple Store

    Ron Johnson on Steve Jobs & Building the Apple Store
    Sep 21 2026

    Before the first Apple Store opened, the experts said it would fail within a year. But Ron Johnson saw a different story. As the retail pioneer who worked directly alongside Steve Jobs to build the Apple Store from scratch, Ron transformed retail from a simple transaction into an immersive experience. He also pioneered Target's famous high design partnerships and founded Enjoy. In this episode, we take a look at what it really takes to build a physical space and leadership lessons learned directly from Steve Jobs.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode
    Why Apple delayed its retail launch six months to redesign around the digital hub
    How Steve Jobs applied Pixar storytelling principles to physical store design
    Why total trust and customer experience matter more than online transaction speed
    What direct-to-consumer brands get wrong when attempting physical retail expansion

    Episode Chapters
    (00:00) Intro
    (01:08) Challenging the Dot-Com Retail Consensus
    (05:07) Co-Creating Space in a Secret Warehouse
    (09:31) Designing for Ease of Use and Tactile Discovery
    (12:07) The Digital Hub Rewind
    (17:23) Focus and Execution Lessons from Steve Jobs
    (21:50) The Reality of Modern Omnichannel Retail
    (28:39) A Brand That Made Ron Johnson Smile

    About Ron Johnson
    Ron Johnson is a retail pioneer best known for co-creating the Apple Store alongside Steve Jobs, where he served as Senior Vice President of Retail Operations. Throughout his career, he has transformed customer experiences across major brands, pioneering Target’s famous high-design partnerships, leading JCPenney, and founding Enjoy. His upcoming book, Shop Different, details the leadership, design, and innovation principles behind some of the world’s most iconic physical spaces.

    What Brand Has Made Ron Smile Recently?
    Ron Johnson highlighted Sixt, the European car rental company, for its energetic branding, bright orange store design, and clever marketing that consistently features a subtle, engaging wink.

    Resources & Links
    Connect with Ron on LinkedIn.

    • Learn more at Ron’s website.
    • Check out his book, Shop Different.
    • 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.

    • Listen & Support the ShowSign 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!


      Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Amplifying Your Voice to Lead Others

    Amplifying Your Voice to Lead Others
    Sep 28 2026

    What happens to your voice when everyone has AI helping them find the right words? Gina London, an Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent and author of Amplify You, has coached tens of thousands of professionals around the world on communicating with greater intention. Her message is simple: great communication isn't about becoming louder or becoming someone else. It's about making who you are on the inside come through more powerfully on the outside.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode
    • How to align your internal values with external behaviors for meaningful impact
    • Why practicing communication techniques creates a new, authentic baseline
    • How to use AI tools for writing without losing your distinct personal voice
    • Ways to adapt tone and energy to build trust across different audiences
    • The key to balancing professional competence with approachable warmth
    Episode Chapters
    • (00:00) Intro
    • (00:51) Amplifying Who You Are
    • (03:26) The Misconception of Natural Talent
    • (05:41) Closing the Perception Gap
    • (10:14) Exercising Communication Muscles
    • (14:11) Lessons on Dialect and Enunciation
    • (19:13) Redefining True Authenticity
    • (23:43) Protecting Your Voice in the AI Era
    • (26:33) Brand That Made Gina Smile
    About Gina London

    Gina London is an Emmy Award-winning former CNN correspondent and author of Amplify You. She has coached tens of thousands of executives and professionals worldwide on intentional communication, media strategy, and leadership presence. Drawing on her extensive background in broadcast journalism and international executive coaching, she helps leaders align their internal values with their external behaviors to build authentic connections and drive impact.

    What Brand Has Made Gina Smile Recently?

    Haribo gummy candies recently brought a smile to Gina's face. While she does not personally enjoy the taste or texture, picking up a bag serves as a warm reminder of her daughter, who recently moved away to college and loves the whimsical shapes.

    Resources & Links
    • Connect with Gina on LinkedIn.
    • Learn more at Gina’s website.
    • Check out his book, Amplify You.
    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!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet