Get the Pinterest Experiential Brand Principles here: Pinterest Playbook

In this episode, Mandy Balak sits down with Sean Doyle, Director of Global Brand Experiences and Group Creative Director of Experiential at Pinterest, the “positive corner of the Internet.” They unpack how Pinterest uses real-world experiences to build brand belief, stand out from the “blandemic” of sameness, and turn online inspiration into offline action.

From Cannes to Coachella to Davos, Sean shares the experiential principles that guide Pinterest’s most iconic work, how Gen Z is reshaping the experience economy, and why brands can’t afford to ignore IRL connection.

Whether you’re a CMO, founder, or creative leader, this conversation will help you rethink how your brand shows up in the real world—and how to design experiences your customers will never forget.

Links & Resources:

• Pinterest Experiential Principles

• Pinterest Predicts: annual trends report

• The Gathering Festival

• Montana Experiential Brand Retreat (limited seats)

Connect with Sean & Pinterest:

• Sean Doyle on LinkedIn

Connect with Mandy Balak:

• Mandy Balak on LinkedIn

If this episode sparked ideas for your brand, share it with your team and bring the Pinterest principles into your next creative meeting.

Want to experience this in person?

The Gathering brings together senior brand leaders who are building brands that last. If you lead a brand that invests in trust, culture, and transformation, this is your community.

🎟️ Join us in Banff, October 21-24, 2026

Premium experience for senior marketers and founders

→ thegatheringfestival.com/tickets

📅 Work with us

Brand retreats, Experience Labs, and Events

→ Book a discovery call: thegatheringfestival.com/contact

🎧 More resources

→ Subscribe to The Gathering Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

→ Follow @thegatheringfestival on Instagram + LinkedIn + YouTube

In this episode of The Gathering Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Eric Nelson, naturopathic doctor and co-founder of Sabi Health, to unpack what sustainable performance actually looks like—and why most high performers are unknowingly trading their health for short-term wins.Eric breaks down the physiological, mental, and emotional trade-offs leaders make when they push too hard for too long, from burnout and nervous system dysregulation to reliance on stimulants, hustle culture, and false productivity. Together, we explore why performance today can quietly sabotage performance tomorrow—and how to build a rhythm that lasts.This is a grounded, honest conversation for founders, executives, creators, and athletes who want to perform at a high level without burning out their future self.This episode explores:Why burnout shows up in over 70% of high-performing professionalsThe difference between short-term performance and long-term capacityHow stimulants, hustle, and overtraining mask deeper issuesThe role of trade-offs—and why ignoring them always catches upWhy “leaving a rep in the tank” applies to work, leadership, and lifeHow sustainable performance is built through structure, margin, and seasonsIf you care about longevity, clarity, and building a life—and career—that’s built to last, this episode is required listening.🎟️ Join us at The Gathering 2025 | October 21–24

In our first episode of 2026, Mandy Balak (President of The Gathering) and Owen Reader, sit down to debrief the lessons learned—and earned—from 2025. From fear and hesitation to edge-work, decisive action, and the power of integration, this is a candid conversation about what it takes to lead when the playbooks are burned.

They unpack practical takeaways like studying your edges, packing light (literally and metaphorically), and using the RICE framework (Revenue, Impact, Confidence, Ease) to filter distractions and focus on what actually moves the mission forward.

To close, Mandy and Owen share their Word of the Year for 2026—Boldness and Conviction—and challenge listeners to choose their own word, make it visual, and step into the year with intent.

This episode explores:

• Why your “word of the year” often attracts the opposite lessons you need

• How fear creates hesitation—and how action breaks the cycle

• What it means to “study your edge” and stop holding back

• How to prioritize change using the RICE filter (Revenue, Impact, Confidence, Ease)

• Why integration (rest + reflection) is part of the work—not a break from it

• Building out loud in a world full of polished, AI-generated sameness

🎟️ Join us at The Gathering 2026 | October 21–24
[Get Tickets Here]