
Reclaiming Hope with Samantha Maltin (St. Jude) and George Carey (Human-ology)
From The CMO Podcast by vYve & Jim Stengel
May 20, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 394
About this episode
This episode explores the importance of hope in leadership and branding through conversations with Samantha Maltin and George Carey.
Are you a hopeful leader? Is your brand a hopeful brand? What does hopeful even mean anymore? And in a moment defined by uncertainty, anxiety, and rapid change, one emotion is emerging as a powerful force for brands and leaders alike: hope . Jim’s guests this week as both return guests, as he sits down with Samantha Maltin, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and George Carey, CEO and founder of Human-ology, for a deeply human conversation about why hope matters now more than ever. Together, they explore groundbreaking research on the emotional drivers of hope, why consumers are craving emotional safety and optimism, and how brands can authentically create deeper relevance by helping people feel more hopeful in their everyday lives. Samantha shares how St. Jude’s mission is built around helping families “afford hope,” while George explains why hope is not “glittery,” but grounded in grit, resilience, and meaningful human connection. This episode could not be more timely. There is a war on hope and people are fighting it on every front. But don’t despair: what follows will help you understand hope today, and what you can do to…
People in this episode
Host: Jim Stengel
Guests: Samantha Maltin, George Carey
Topics covered
- hope
- leadership
- branding
- emotional safety
- consumer behavior
Keywords
- hope
- leadership
- branding
- emotional safety
- consumer behavior
- resilience
- optimism
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Human-ology
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