Uncensored Renegades

The subtle art of persuasion: how leaders get buy-in

Jon and Kory discuss why persuasion is one of the most important, and overlooked, skills in leadership. Getting an idea approved is rarely about delivering the perfect argument in a meeting. It starts earlier: asking better questions, listening closely, understanding what different people need, and finding the stories that make an idea feel relevant rather than imposed. They explore the role of verbal and non-verbal communication, why the meeting is never really just the meeting, and how to build support before a decision is formally on the table. Kory also shares practical lessons from winning over her own board, persuading an organisation to take risks, and turning advocates into people who will sell the idea when you are not in the room. A practical episode for leaders who need to influence without forcing, build alignment without endless consensus, and give their best ideas a genuine chance of happening. Links The Storyteller's Secret Book Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:56 - Is persuasion one of the secrets to being a successful leader? 02:24 - The importance of asking questions 05:00 - The art of listening 08:09 - Verbal and non verbal communication 10:49 - The power of communicating through stories 13:43 - The meeting is never actually the meeting 17:26 - How Kory sold So Many Dicks to her board 20:08 - Pursauding your company to take risks 21:17 - Getting advocates to sell your idea 26:03 - Identifying your leverage

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15 principles for building a customer-obsessed business

Jon and Kory discuss the Wiseman’s 15 building blocks of customer obsession: a practical framework for turning customer-first intentions into the way an organisation actually works, exemplified by Dutch Bros. As always, Kory brings the data behind customer-obsessed organisations before the duo discuss why internal politics so often gets in the way, and whether founder-led businesses have a natural advantage when it comes to staying close to the people they serve. From empowering frontline teams to reading every customer complaint, they unpack the behaviours that make customer obsession tangible rather than a line in a values document. They also draw on lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality, challenge the limitations of the golden rule, and consider how leaders can embed a customer-first mindset across the business. Links Founders Mentality Book Unreasonable Hospitality Book Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:40 - Are you really obsessed with your customer? 01:59 - The data behind customer obsessed organisations 03:08 - Why internal politics gets in the way of the customer 05:15 - Are founder-led companies more customer led? 06:42 - The Wiseman’s building blocks 08:47 - Jon’s favourite customer first principles 10:25 - Example of empowering the front lines 13:11 - Kory’s favourite customer first principle 14:20 - Talking through all the Wiseman building blocks 17:13 - Why Kory reads all of e.l.f.’s customer complaints 19:13 - Customer first lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality 23:48 - Why Kory doesn’t like the golden rule 24:45 - How to embed these principles into your organisation

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How to make your teams perform 38x better

Jon and Kory discuss how small, consistent improvements can transform team performance 38x in just 1 year. Using lessons from elite cycling and Team Sky’s famously obsessive approach to marginal gains, they explore why high-performing teams rarely improve through one dramatic intervention. Instead, progress comes from making incremental improvements that compound over time. Links The Earned Life, Marshall Goldsmith - book Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:24 - Why Jon always wears black 02:45 - The compounding power of incremental gains 05:16 - Lessons from high performance sport 06:48 - The insane 1% improvements Team Sky made to win the Tour De France 11:21 - Applying cycling lessons to leadership 13:52 - Why you need to ask for feedback 16:27 - Just start 17:10 - How to see if you’ve actually made progress 20:28 - The paradoxical data on incremental progress

9 decision making frameworks the best leaders use

Jon and Kory discuss why making good decisions is one of the hardest – and most important – parts of leadership, and share the frameworks they use to make better choices when the answer isn't obvious. From knowing when to trust the data and when to follow your gut, to de-risking big decisions and playing “angel's advocate”, they explore practical ways to challenge your own thinking. They unpack Solomon's paradox, the 10:10:10 rule, automatic negative thoughts and why sometimes the smartest thing you can do is ask someone else for help. They also explore what happens when you stop actively thinking about a problem, some surprisingly useful Japanese wisdom, and one particularly simple test: would you make the same decision drunk? Whether you're facing a huge strategic choice or simply stuck overthinking, these are 9 tools to help you make decisions with greater clarity and confidence. Links G.O.A.T. Wisdom Book Greg Hahn on Uncensored CMO The Brain at Rest Book (why your brain can make good decisions when you're not thinking) Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:26 - Why Jon looks “savagely tanned” 01:19 - Why decision making is hard 04:16 - When you need to trust the data or your gut 06:43 - How to make a decision 07:29 - How to de risk a decision 09:30 - Try playing “angel’s advocate” 10:50 - Solomon’s paradox when making a decision 11:51 - Squash the ants (automatic negative thoughts) 12:23 - The 10:10:10 rule 14:36 - Ask for help 15:22 - Make space for your default mode network 17:06 - Would you make the same decision drunk? 17:47 - Japanese wisdom for decision making 20:29 - The stats on why this is important

The leadership offsite that changed how we work (on a horse ranch)

Today Kory shares the lessons from taking her leadership team offsite and deliberately putting them into an unfamiliar environment - a horse ranch. Jon and Kory explore why pattern disruption can help teams break old habits, the difference between a group of strong individual contributors and a genuinely connected team, and why getting outside your comfort zone can reveal how you really work together. They also discuss the language of connection, learning to ask for help, why pressure isn't always the answer, and how to turn an offsite from a memorable experience into lasting behavioural change. Because however busy your team feels, sometimes stepping away from the work is exactly what helps you do the work better. Links G.O.A.T. Wisdom Book EQ2 Horse Ranch Leadership Offsite Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:37 - Why Kory takes her team offsite 03:01 - Why you need to transform your team 04:14 - The power of pattern disruption 07:13 - Individual contributors vs working as a team 11:20 - Going out of your comfort zone 13:40 - The language of connection 18:21 - Learning how to ask for help 23:44 - The power is not in the pressure, it’s in the release 25:40 - How Kory is implementing the lessons in the team 27:03 - You’re too busy to not do this

6 essential leadership frameworks that will make you a better leader

Today, Jon and Kory open up their personal leadership toolbox, sharing the mental models and frameworks they rely on to make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and build high-performing teams. From understanding your audience before creating content to aligning teams around a clear vision, raising the bar through belief and repetition, and creating dedicated thinking time, these are the practical tools that have shaped their careers. They also discuss why spending time with people smarter than you is one of the fastest ways to grow, and finish with the one framework that underpins everything else. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:11 - Tools for your toolbox (in work and life) 01:57 - Framework 1: A.B.C. (Audience Before Content) 07:43 - Framework 2: A.B.C. (Always Be Curious) 09:14 - Framework 3: V.A.E. (Vision, Alignment, Execution) 13:43 - Framework 4: Raising the B.A.R. (Belief, Attention, Repetition) 18:08 - Bonus tool: spend time with people smarter than you 18:36 - Framework 5: 3, 5, 7, 9 22:31 - Framework 6: T Time! 26:43 - The framework to rule all frameworks

How great leaders stay grounded

Today Jon and Kory explore the leadership habits that keep successful organisations moving forward. Drawing on research, personal experience and examples from some of the world's best businesses, they discuss why the strongest leaders surround themselves with people who will tell them the truth, stay relentlessly close to their customers, and never shy away from difficult conversations. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:56 - How to stay grounded when you’re successful 02:52 - Does success drive complacency? 04:14 - What the data says about successful companies 06:07 - You need people that are prepared to tell you the truth 09:25 - Why you need to have the tough conversations 12:45 - Spend time with your customer 15:07 - The power of saying no 17:42 - Working with the right people 23:06 - Define your organisation 25:22 - Play to win

The new 4P's of marketing for leaders

For decades, marketers have relied on the traditional 4 Ps: Product, Price, Place and Promotion. But as the role of the CMO has evolved, so too have the skills needed to succeed as leaders. Today, Jon and Kory introduce a new framework for modern marketing leadership, inspired by research Jon conducted with TikTok. Rather than focusing on the marketing mix, these five Ps focus on what today's leaders need to excel inside their organisations: People, Planning, Persuasion and Performance. (Plus a bonus P that isn't a P - Storytelling.) Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:48 - A new set of marketing Ps 04:38 - P1 - People 08:05 - P2 - Planning 14:57 - P3 - Persuasion 23:52 - P4 - Performance 28:55 - P5 - Storytelling

How to launch a brand from scratch

Launching a brand is one of the hardest things you can do. Today, Jon and Kory break down the principles they've learned from building brands, products and podcasts from the ground up. They explore the three ingredients every successful launch needs: a crystal-clear value proposition, surrounding yourself with exceptional people, and the persistence to keep going when progress feels slow. Along the way, they discuss why we're often too close to our own ideas, how constraints can become a competitive advantage, and why the best launches rarely happen by accident. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:48 - How hard is it to build a brand from scratch? 02:52 - The 3 things that need to be true for a succesful launch 03:24 - Having a clear value prop 10:55 - Are we too close to our own proposition? 15:02 - Surround yourself with greatness 20:50 - Persistence 23:59 - The power of constraint

The startling power of surprise

Fresh from Jon Evans' Cannes Lions talk, this episode explores why surprise is one of the most powerful tools in leadership. Drawing on behavioural science, neuroscience and real-world campaigns, Jon and Kory unpack how unexpected moments capture attention, create stronger memories and help brands stand out in an increasingly predictable world. Putting their marketing hat on, they look at examples such as Tubi's headline-grabbing Super Bowl campaign and e.l.f.'s unconventional product launch strategy. Along the way, they explain the science of Reward Prediction Error, discuss how to sell bold ideas inside large organisations, and reveal why partnerships can become a powerful source of unexpected creativity. Watch the new e.l.f. haircare advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk2KmRlx7eA Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:38 - The origin story of Uncensored CMO 04:03 - Why surprise is the antidote to dull 05:23 - The data behind the power of surprise 07:52 - Tubi’s example of using the power of surprise 09:58 - Understanding Reward Prediction Error 13:09 - Surprising the judges at Cannes Lions 15:45 - Selling big ideas into the boardroom 17:47 - e.l.f.’s surprising approach to their new hair product launch 20:29 - The power of partnerships to be surprising 22:23 - Baking surprise into your culture 25:41 - Why you need to keep delivering new surprises

Three Pillars of Great Leadership

Jon and Kory explore the three qualities they believe define great leadership. From building genuine proximity with your team to being fully present in the moments that matter and communicating with clarity, they break down a simple leadership framework that can be applied whether you're leading a global organisation or your first team. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:53 - Presence as a leader 03:31 - The 3 pillars of great leadership 03:52 - Pillar 1: Proximity 11:47 - Pillar 2: Presence 18:41 - Pillar 3: Clarity of Communication 28:26 - BCG on leadership

Tarang Amin, CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, on enabling 29 quarters of consecutive growth

Tarang Amin, CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, joins Jon and Kory for a special live episode of Uncensored Renegades to discuss the leadership philosophy behind one of the most remarkable growth stories in consumer brands. Under Tarang's leadership, e.l.f. has delivered 29 consecutive quarters of growth while building a culture centred on ownership, transparency and long-term thinking. In this conversation, Tarang and Kory share why every employee became a shareholder, how the company balances ambitious growth with a people-first culture, and the leadership habits that have helped e.l.f. scale at an extraordinary pace. The trio also discuss Kory's journey to becoming CMO of e.l.f., managing healthy conflict at the executive level, the rationale behind e.l.f.'s acquisition of Rhode, and why communication remains one of the CEO's most important responsibilities. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 02:27 - How Tarang and Kory met 06:30 - How Kory got the job at e.l.f. 07:26 - Why e.l.f. made everyone in the compary shareholders 10:48 - The challenges of offering everyone equity 12:35 - How do you get 29 quarters of growth sustainably 16:46 - Why Tarang writes a personal newsletter 21:28 - How to handle conflict at the c-suite level 27:53 - Why e.l.f. aquired Rhode

3 key insights from Cannes Lions 2026

Live from Cannes Lions, Jon and Kory reflect on the biggest themes, surprises and lessons from this year's festival. From experiencing unreasonable hospitality firsthand to the continued rise of creators and the rapid evolution of AI, they unpack what really stood out, and why many of the biggest takeaways had very little to do with technology. Whether you made it to the Croisette or followed along from afar, this is the Uncensored Renegades debrief on what actually mattered at Cannes Lions 2026. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:50 - Unreasonable hospitality in action 12:22 - The power of creators at Cannes 15:25 - How brands can collaborate with creators 19:52 - The AI shift in 2026 23:00 - The impact of the World Cup 26:09 - How brands are getting involved with the World Cup 28:59 - Final takeaway - getting back to basics

Why culture eats strategy for breakfast

Jon and Kory tackle one of the most talked-about, and most misunderstood, aspects of leadership: culture. What actually is culture? How do you know if yours is healthy? And why do some organisations consistently attract great people while others struggle? Drawing on research, personal experience, and leadership lessons, Jon and Kory discuss how culture is created, how it can be changed, and why hiring for cultural fit is only part of the story. They also explore why even brilliant people can fail in the wrong environment, how agency partners should become an extension of your culture, and why lasting change starts with taking ownership yourself. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:35 - What does the data say about building culture 02:06 - Signs of a healthy culture 04:52 - What actually is culture? 06:27 - The different types of cultures 10:14 - How to hire for people that meet your culture 12:48 - How culture can feed into your agency partners 13:59 - How to change a culture 17:01 - Why is change scary? 20:17 - Dealing with the right person in the wrong culture 21:35 - How our beliefs shape our reality 24:03 - Why you need to take ownership to change the culture

Take the leap - why taking risks can lead to big rewards

Today, Jon and Kory discuss the moments that define careers. The ones where you have to leap before you know exactly how things will turn out. From leaving secure jobs to betting on yourself, they reflect on the decisions that shaped their own careers and why waiting until you feel "ready" is often the biggest barrier to growth. They explore the importance of having a strong support network, embracing discomfort, and accepting that sometimes you need to take a step backwards before you can move forwards. This is an honest conversation about risk, resilience, and why the biggest opportunities often sit just outside your comfort zone. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:35 - Taking a giant leap 01:28 - A moment Kory took a giant leap 04:51 - Taking the leap before you feel ready 06:46 - Why Jon made the giant leap to go full time on the podcast 08:45 - The importance of a support network 10:10 - Get comfortable being uncomfortable 14:50 - The risks of taking the leap of faith 19:02 - Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a step forward 22:01 - Are you willing to lose the battle to win the war? 24:42 - You need a high risk tolerance

Why being human can be your competitive advantage

Jon and Kory explore why human connection matters more than ever in a world increasingly dominated by screens, automation, and AI. From the power of in-person experiences to the importance of empathy in business, they discuss why relationships are still the foundation of great leadership, marketing, and culture. Jon explains why he only records podcasts face-to-face, Kory shares why B2B is ultimately human-to-human, and together they unpack the mistakes agencies often make by forgetting the people behind the pitch. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:42 - What do we mean by human to human? 05:11 - Why we need more humanity now 06:55 - Why Jon only does podcasts in person 09:56 - What the data says about being in person 11:25 - The power of an in person experience 16:03 - Why experience matters 18:58 - Why being human matters in B2B 22:38 - Human relationships and the impact they can have 25:21 - What every agency gets wrong in a pitch 25:54 - How to be more human 27:33 - Everyone has something going on

Why successful leaders workout

Today Jon and Kory explore the surprising link between leadership and exercise. From CEOs and founders to top marketers, many high performers share one habit in common: they make time to move. The duo discuss why working out often feels selfish (when it shouldn't), how to maintain healthy habits while travelling, and what companies can do to encourage their teams to prioritise wellbeing. Jon also breaks down his philosophy of running, explaining how different stages of a workout mirror the rhythms of work and life. This is a conversation about energy, discipline, and why taking care of yourself might be one of the most important leadership skills of all. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:47 - The common thread for successful people 02:37 - Feeling guilty for working out 03:40 - How to workout while on the road 05:08 - How employees can encourage their employees to workout 09:31 - Mile 1: The hard part 11:37 - Mile 2: Rhythm 12:59 - Mile 3: Harmony 14:35 - Mile 4: Acceleration 17:36 - Mile 5: Let it rip 18:30 - How important is music to working out 19:55 - Becoming at one with the run 20:40 - Break things down into parts 23:06 - The two mountains

Keynote masterclass - how to deliver a world class keynote

Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:19 - Kory’s 4 part framework for a good keynote speech 02:20 - Audience before content 07:16 - Don’t provide information, tell a story 16:20 - The art of good keynote content 20:50 - Obsess over delivery 24:58 - Jon’s poem on public speaking

Lessons from Uncensored CMO The Calling - 400 marketers in one room

Jon and Kory reflect on the very first Uncensored CMO: The Calling event. This episode recorded just days after it happened, with Kory joining as one of the keynote speakers. The conversation explores the biggest lessons from the event, including why marketers need to embrace “pattern disruption,” the underrated power of curation, and what lobsters can teach us about growth and reinvention. Jon and Kory also discuss the uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with live events, why polish is often overrated, and why genuine engagement matters far more than reach alone. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 02:24 - How Jon pulled off The Calling in 3 months 03:10 - The uncertainty of a live event 05:55 - Kory’s 3 biggest insights from The Calling 06:44 - Lesson 1: Learn like a lobster 12:29 - Lesson 2: Pattern disruption 17:03 - Lesson 3: Curation 20:41 - The lesson from Jon’s daughter 22:24 - The power of vulnerability vs polish 22:53 - Why Jon gave free tickets to unemployed people 25:40 - Reach vs engagement 29:03 - Jon’s big takeaway from the event

The power of speed - how to move at the speed of culture

Today Jon and Kory break down why speed has become one of the biggest competitive advantages in modern marketing. Using e.l.f.’s Super Bowl campaign, created and launched in just 11 days, they explore what allows some organisations to move incredibly quickly while others get trapped in endless approvals and bureaucracy. From legal teams and leadership trust to decision-making and culture, this episode is a practical look at how to build teams that execute with speed. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:12 - What Usain Bolt can teach us about speed 04:43 - Why e.l.f. made a Super Bowl ad in 11 days 09:33 - How you can work at e.l.f. speed 12:27 - How legal can help you work at speed 15:30 - What needs to be true in order for speed to happen 17:47 - Why speed is such a big competitive advantage