Lead With Your Brand!™

Happy New Year! As 2025 comes to a close, Jayzen Patria reflects on a transformative year and shares the most powerful career and personal brand insights from some of the podcast’s most memorable guests. This special year-end episode blends Jayzen’s own career advice with standout moments on leadership, adaptability, curiosity, authenticity, and knowing your value—all designed to help you hit the ground running in 2026.If you’re looking to pause, reflect, and reset your career strategy for the year ahead, this episode is your playbook.Jayzen’s Core Career Advice for 2026“Find a hole and fill it.”In a year defined by economic shifts, AI disruption, return-to-work changes, and constant uncertainty, Jayzen challenges listeners to:Take stock of your towering strengthsReconnect with your passionsIdentify the needs of your boss, company, and industryTailor your current role—like tailoring clothes—to better fit who you are and the value you bringYour brand isn’t about you. It’s about the value you deliver to others.Career advice for 2026 from past guests includes:John Pagano — VP of Editorial, Nickelodeon Digital StudiosDon’t be afraid of the future. Stay resilient and keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.Gina Woods — Co-Founder/Owner, Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha BrownBe ready to pivot. Embrace change and learn to enjoy the ride.Liz Randall — Head of Operations, Strategic Development, CAAStay curious. Curiosity keeps you current and relevant.Tina Shaw — Creative Director, ActivisionProtect your curiosity. Your brand travels faster than your résumé—don’t wait for permission to lead.Jennifer Kaplan — Founder & CEO, Evolve Public Relations and MarketingFocus on your niche and remember: perception is reality.Victoria Boston — EVP & Chief Customer Experience Officer, Tech Network Inc.Know your worth. Ask for what you want—no apologies.Brett Lemick — Creative Studio Manager, RyanairEvery room needs your version of “you.” Find the tables where you truly fit.Iva Chen — CEO, IOC Design & ConsultingDo work you love. Passion fuels energy, excellence, and fulfillment.Emily Chang — Bestselling Author & Executive LeaderDefine your own winning formula and don’t follow someone else’s version of success.Be sure to follow for the latest shows in 2026 with some incredible guests, including:Disney Imagineer Bob GurrEntertainment insider Dave KargerCEO of the American Red Cross, Cliff HoltzLinks To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

In this Giving Tuesday episode, Jayzen invites listeners to reflect on generosity as a fundamental strength of personal branding. Drawing from his own service with the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the American Red Cross, he reminds us that giving—whether time, talent, or treasure—expands our skills, deepens our relationships, and strengthens our personal brands. Jayzen revisits a powerful lesson from a former leader: “Selfish companies can’t serve.” The same is true for individuals—your brand isn’t about you; it’s about the value you provide to others.Jayzen offers three actionable ways to be generous with your brand:Share Your Superpowers Freely.Mentor someone, help a colleague sharpen their work, or lend your creativity to someone who needs it.Make High-Value Connections.Become the connective tissue that brings people together with no expectation of return.Spotlight Someone Else’s Greatness.Use your platform—meetings, team stand-ups, or social media—to amplify someone else’s win.As you move into the holiday season, Jayzen challenges you to choose one generosity practice to deepen your brand and expand the world around you.This week, Jayzen sits down with Jennifer Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Evolve PR & Marketing, now Arizona’s largest public relations firm. Jennifer shares her remarkable 20-year entrepreneurial journey—one rooted in authenticity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to telling powerful stories.Jennifer reflects on what it means to “own your brand,” emphasizing that perception is reality and authenticity creates a genuine connection. She opens up about pivotal career moments: leaving a successful sales role to pursue her true calling in PR, navigating a major life transition in her early 30s, and ultimately building Evolve into a 27-person powerhouse representing more than 140 clients. Her candid stories—from “faking it till she made it” to landing game-changing clients like Sprinkles Cupcakes and Waymo—illustrate how confidence, boldness, and relationship-building fuel long-term success.Guest BioJennifer KaplanFounder & CEOEvolve Public Relations and MarketingJennifer Kaplan is the founder and CEO of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, a premier PR agency she established in 2010 to help businesses and professionals authentically tell their stories. With a communications degree from Arizona State University and an entrepreneurial spirit, Jennifer has dedicated her career to elevating brands, building trust, and fostering meaningful connections.Jennifer comes from a family of entrepreneurs, so forging her own path was a no-brainer! As a young professional, she left her steady sales job to take on her first client, boldly launching herself into the rest of her career. In 2005 she co-founded her first PR start-up, PRIME 3, LLC, but later sold her share to branch out and start Evolve! Now, her team works across industries to provide media coverage, influencer engagement, reputation management, and crisis communications.Jennifer’s work has garnered widespread acclaim. She’s been honored as one of “The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business” by AZ Business Magazine, a “40 Under 40” by Phoenix Business Journal, a “Woman of Achievement” by InBusiness Magazine, and the inaugural Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Alumni of the Year.When Jennifer isn’t running her agency, she fills her cup with yoga, cheering on the ASU Sun Devils, and of course, spending time with her family.Links To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.com

This week, Jayzen Patria challenges you to think like the Chief Marketing Officer of your career. Fresh off the NAMIC Conference in New York City, Jayzen draws powerful lessons from the bright lights of Times Square — where every billboard and brand is intentional — to teach how you can market yourself with the same level of strategy and authenticity.Jayzen explores how your personal brand is built — and perceived — every single day. Drawing inspiration from the chaos and brilliance of Times Square, he outlines three key marketing pillars for your career:Advertising: Your online presence is your billboard. Make it intentional, inviting, and aligned with your brand story. “If your LinkedIn photo is blank, it’s like an empty Times Square billboard.”Endorsers: Your network is your team of influencers. Surround yourself with advocates who elevate and expand your visibility.Word of Mouth: Your reputation is your real brand. Every interaction, even casual moments, tells your story. “There is no off stage. You’re always visible to people who can impact your career.”Key Takeaways:Take control of your message — you own your advertising.Cultivate connections who will endorse and amplify you.Manage your reputation intentionally — people are always watching.Authenticity is your strongest marketing strategy.Be your own CMO and turn up the volume on your personal brand.Then, Jayzen sits down with Suezette Yasmin Robotham, visionary tech executive and author of Beyond Titles: Fearlessly Leading as Your Authentic Self. Suzette shares her incredible career journey from education reform to Silicon Valley, her fight against “covering” at work, and her lessons on leading boldly, bravely, and with purpose.Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a tech executive, leadership strategist, and author with nearly 20 years of experience driving transformation across industries. She’s held senior roles at Google, Meta, Salesforce, Gartner, and Teach for America, helping organizations scale with equity, access, and purpose.Guest BioSuezette Yasmin RobothamTech Executive and AuthorSuezette Yasmin Robotham is a visionary tech executive with nearly twenty years of experience driving transformative change at the intersection of passion and purpose, creating equitable access and opportunity for historically underrepresented groups. She honed her leadership acumen in the education reform sector, shaping human capital strategies for influential organizations Teach For America and The New Teacher Project. Her career trajectory has since elevated her to global leadership roles at industry giants such as Google, Meta (Facebook), Gartner, and Salesforce, where she has led high-impact teams and initiatives.

Well, Fall is in the air, and the pendulum has swung. Listen and hear Jayzen reflect on the changing dynamics of the workplace and the job market. For years, employees held the upper hand—companies competed fiercely for talent, remote work was abundant, and perks were plentiful. But today, the pendulum has swung back: layoffs are rising, consolidation is increasing, and many organizations are calling employees back to the office full-timeWhen the context changes, you must change with it. That doesn’t mean abandoning your values or pretending to be someone you’re not. It means leaning deeper into your brand superpowers and clearly demonstrating the unique value only you can bring.Key Takeaways:Acknowledge the shift: The balance of power in the workplace has changed; ignoring it puts your career at risk.Control what you can: Like Jayzen’s former leader Larry Kurzweil taught during major corporate mergers, don’t dwell on what you can’t control—focus on how you show up during times of change.Lean into your superpowers: Identify what sets you apart—whether it’s simplifying complexity, building community, or sparking creativity—and put those strengths on full display.SuperServe your career audience: Anticipate the needs of your boss, stakeholders, and clients. Go beyond meeting expectations—deliver solutions and value that help them thrive.Stay off of autopilot: When the market shifts, you need to be in the driver’s seat of your career, steering with purpose and confidence.Jayzen challenges listeners to step forward with clarity, authenticity, and confidence. In times of uncertainty, those who adapt and boldly show their value won’t just survive—they’ll thrive.This week’s guest is Matt Behrend, CEO of Agility, a precision brand advertising platform. Matt is a serial SaaS entrepreneur and revenue leader who has scaled multiple companies to acquisition. In his conversation with Jayzen, Matt shares his inspiring personal journey—from overcoming early struggles to becoming a resilient leader—along with his insights on customer obsession, building strong company cultures, and redefining how brand advertising is measured. His story is filled with lessons on grit, service, and the power of relentless learning.Guest BioMatt BehrendCEOAgilityMatt Behrend is a serial SaaS entrepreneur and revenue leader, currently serving as CEO of Agility, a precision brand advertising platform. Agility’s mission is to make brand advertising a predictable growth engine for all companies. The platform has helped customers achieve significant gains, including an average 250% increase in high-intent traffic and a 2.2x improvement in conversion rates. With over 15 years of experience building and scaling marketing and sales organizations at venture-backed SaaS companies, three of which ended in acquisitions, Matt has a proven track record of driving growth. He attributes success to two core principles: an unrelenting focus on creating customer value and a commitment to investing in team and culture.

In this Fan Favorite episode, Jayzen Patria explores a powerful branding lesson: sometimes your brand is not just about what you choose to do, but just as much about what you choose not to do.Drawing on a story from Nike’s brand strategy, Jayzen shows how being crystal clear on your brand DNA means making bold decisions—even saying “no” to opportunities that don’t align. By setting boundaries and refusing activities that dilute your identity, you ensure your brand remains consistent, authentic, and impactful.Jayzen challenges listeners to take a closer look at their own professional lives: what activities, habits, or commitments might be pulling you away from the brand you want to be known for? How can you more consciously choose to focus only on the actions that build and reinforce your unique value?Key TakeawaysYour brand is built by choice. It’s not defined by your title, employer, or manager—it’s defined by the deliberate actions you take.Defining what you don’t do is as important as defining what you do. Clear boundaries help your brand stay strong and recognizable.Stop running on autopilot. Evaluate the tasks and commitments that may be easy but don’t actually support your brand.Stay aligned with your brand DNA. Every decision should reinforce who you want to be known as, not distract from it.This episode features Javier Constante, President of Dow Brazil & Latin America. With more than 30 years at Dow, Javier shares his career journey, leadership philosophy, and his passion for authenticity and advocacy in the workplace. Recognized globally as a leading LGBTQ+ executive and inclusion advocate, he emphasizes the importance of showing up fully and creating space for others to thrive.Javier reflects on how authenticity, adaptability, and advocacy have shaped his leadership path. He opens up about pivotal career moves, the challenges of leading across cultures, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the liberating moment of coming out to his team. Above all, he highlights that true leadership is about facilitating an environment where people can succeed and grow.Guest BioJavier ConstantePresidentDow Brasil & América LatinaJavier Constante has been President of Dow in Brazil and Latin America since late 2019. In this role, he is responsible for developing and overseeing Dow’s regional strategy and financial performance in the region with the goal of making Dow the most customer-centric, innovative, sustainable and inclusive materials science company in the world. As part of his current role, Constante drives increased focus and action around ESG parameters, including moving to a low-carbon and circular economy, building a more transparent, authentic and safe work environment for employees, and moving toward a more equitable society.Constante joined Dow in 1989 in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a Sales Representative and moved through various marketing and commercial positions in Latin America and across Europe. In November 2019, he took on his current position as President of Dow in Brazil and Latin America. Constante is Vice President of the Board of the Brazil Chemical Association (ABIQUIM), is a member of the Council of Presidents of Amcham (American Chamber of Commerce) and is part of the global Executive Board of the Out & Equal organization for the fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the corporate environment. He previously served as a board member of Equate/TKOC and EMC (Equate Marketing Company) and was Vice President of Plastics Europe.In 2022, Javier Constante received the Outie Awards trophy for the first time in the category "Global LGBTQ+ Advocate of the Year" for his leadership in initiatives to include LGBTQIA+ people in the labor market. The executive also made it once again to the TOP 100 LGBT+ executives recognized by the 2022 OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List, which he is listed for the third consecutive time.Constante holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Universidad de La Plata, Argentina, and an MBA from Instituto Altos Estudio Empresariales - IESE, Argentina. He is married and lives in São Paulo, Brasil.Links To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.comFollow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

As we hit the halfway mark of the year, Jayzen kicks off the show with a powerful coaching moment to help you shift from surviving to thriving in your career. Whether your company formally conducts mid-year reviews or not, now is the time to pause, reflect, and reset. Why? Because your next career breakthrough won’t wait for a job posting or a scheduled performance cycle. If you’re not driving the narrative, someone else will.Listen now to hear Jayzen’s three essential questions to help you own the conversation, elevate your brand, and position yourself as the go-to person for what’s next:What are you most proud of accomplishing in the first half of the year? Go beyond the task list—highlight impact. What moved the business forward, inspired your team, or made a real difference?What did you learn? Wins and setbacks alike are learning moments. Showcase how you’ve evolved in your thinking, skills, or leadership approach. Growth is part of your brand story.What do you want to sharpen or focus on next? Set the vision. Demonstrate where you're headed and how you plan to get there. This isn’t about fixing weaknesses—it’s about leveling up your strengths and closing visibility gaps.Whether you're an individual contributor or managing a team, Jayzen challenges you to use these questions as a framework not just for self-reflection, but also to coach and develop others. Bottom line: Your personal brand is built through consistent behavior—but it’s powered by intentional reflection. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Lead with your brand now.This week, Jayzen sits down with award-winning creative leader Tina Shaw, Creative Director at Activision, for a rich conversation about evolution, resilience, and the power of showing up as your full self—especially when starting over in a new industry. From building digital campaigns for major entertainment brands like NBCUniversal and Netflix to redefining her creative voice in the world of gaming, Tina shares a powerful journey of career reinvention.Tina gets candid about her leap from comfort into challenge, walking away from success at NBCUniversal to join the gaming industry where she had to start fresh and rebuild her reputation. She opens up about the importance of staying curious, embracing humility, and betting on yourself—even when it’s scary.Guest BioTina ShawCreative DirectorActivisionA multiple award-winning creative, Tina is a Creative Director for Activision, leading a diverse team in innovative gaming content across Marketing, UA Mobile Growth & Emerging Franchises for players around the world on Call of Duty: Mobile, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, Warzone: Mobile, and Crash Team Rumble.Prior to that, she was a Group Creative Director driving strategic creative campaigns across digital, experiential, interactive & AR/VR for entertainment brands NBCUniversal, Netflix, HBOMax, Hulu, TNT, Showtime and FaZe Clan (eSports).Links To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.comFollow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book

On this special Pride on Brand edition of the Lead With Your Brand! podcast, Jayzen reflects on graduation season and the powerful lesson of showing up in service of others. Inspired by two deeply personal milestones and a standout commencement speech at UCLA, Jayzen breaks down how context and service are at the heart of building a breakthrough career and a super-premium brand.You'll learn why your brand isn’t just about what you do—it’s about the value you create for others. Whether you're just starting out, pivoting into a new chapter, or leading from the top, this episode challenges you to ask: Who are you serving, and how are you showing up with purpose and presence?Key Takeaways:Why context matters in how you express your brandHow to adapt your style without changing your coreWhy the best brands serve others and solve problemsHow to use your personal brand to write your next career chapterJayzen is thrilled to welcome Jethro Rothe-Kushel, a visionary media executive, storyteller, and founder of Ritual Ads—a company revolutionizing TV commercials using AI. With a career spanning film, technology, and advocacy, Jethro shares how he built a future-focused career by blending creativity, impact, and innovation. From producing for the Oscars to representing over 8,700 top producers in the PGA, his story is a masterclass in brand leadership at the intersection of tech and storytelling.Guest BioJethro Rothe-KushelFounder & CEORitual AdsJethro Rothe-Kushel is a visionary media executive, storyteller, and founder of Ritual Ads, a groundbreaking company using AI to transform the way television commercials are made. With a background that spans film, tech, and advocacy, Jethro’s work empowers brands, creators, and communities to tell unforgettable stories. He’s produced for the Oscars, advised Fortune 500 companies, and leads cutting-edge conversations at the intersection of technology and humanity. Jethro was the youngest Vice President ever elected to the Producers Guild of America, representing over 8,700 of the top film, television, and media producers. He was also a Presidential Research Scholar at Dartmouth for his pioneering work at the intersection of AI and image sciences. Links To book Jayzen for a speaking engagement or workshop, visit Jayzenpatria.comFollow Jayzen on his book journey at LeadWithYourBrand.com/book