THE JUNGLE

This episode features a conversation with Maryann Feldman and Martin Kenney, leading scholars on innovation, finance, and regional economic development, and co-authors of Private Equity and the Demise of the Local. Maryann is the Watts Professor of Public Policy and Management at Arizona State University and Research Director at the Global Center for Technology Transfer. Martin is a Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the University of California, Davis, and Senior Project Co-Director at the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy.Together, Maryann and Martin discuss how private equity has evolved from a restructuring tool into a dominant ownership model shaping industries from manufacturing and healthcare to housing, childcare, and local media. They explore the mechanisms behind financialized ownership, the consequences for workers and communities, and why place-based ownership matters. The conversation also highlights emerging alternatives and what it will take to rebuild durable, locally rooted economies.

This episode features a conversation with Spencer Harrison, Ph.D. – Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD. He is a world expert on creativity, coordination, and connection in organizations. We discuss his recent research on creativity and best practices for unlocking creativity in organizations.

This episode features a conversation with Lauren Rivera, Ph.D. – Professor of Management & Organizations at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is a world expert on how evaluations of merit in hiring and employment create social inequality. We discuss her research and recent book Pedigree: How elite students get elite jobs.

Hal Hershfield, Ph.D. - UCLA ProfessorThis episode features a conversation with Hal Hershfield, Ph.D. - Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making, and Psychology at UCLA's Anderson School of Management. Hal is a world's expert on decision-making and how projections of the future impact behavior. We discuss his research and recent book Your Future Self: How to make tomorrow a better today. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Dacher Keltner, Ph.D. – University of California, Berkley Professor This episode features a conversation with Dacher Keltner, Ph.D - professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and the director of the Greater Good Science Center. He is one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists and we discuss his research and recent book Awe: The new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life.

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Jim Eckert - the Robert S. Kaiser Professor of Sales at WMU Haworth College of Business - and Cooper Frost - a Strategic Account Manager at Western Digital. Dr. Eckert joined Western’s business college over 22 years ago and transformed the undergraduate Sales and Marketing program into a nationally recognized and awarded program. Frost was a trail-blazing WMU student majoring in Leadership and Business Strategy & Sales and Business Marketing. He is also former president of SBMA - the Sales and Business Marketing Association. Frost now is a Top-50 seller at Western Digital, a recipient of Young Professional of the Year, and community volunteer in addition to his myriad other pursuits. The conversation touches on the extraordinary undergraduate programs at WMU Haworth, what differentiates the LBS and Sales programs, and how students can transform into top-performing industry professionals. Connect with us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wmichleadershipcenter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wmichleadershipcenter/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmichleadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-principled-leadership-and-business-strategy/All Rights belong to The Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy - https://wmich.edu/leadershipcenterRecorded on October 11, 2022

This episode features a conversation with Tom Garrett and Justin Murray – Executives in Residence at Sleeping Giant Capital. Tom and Justin recently joined Sleeping Giant Capital to search for, acquire, and grow a business in Michigan. Tom Garrett joins Sleeping Giant Capital with 25 years of corporate management experience. Previously he was President of Total Plastics, Inc. Justin Murray joins Sleeping Giant Capital with 14 years of management experience for Fortune 500 companies. Previously, he worked at Stryker where he most managed M&A activities for Stryker’s largest business unit. Tom and Justin share their motivations, learnings, and advice for professionals interested in becoming an owner-operator. Recorded on March 24, 2022

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Doug Lepisto and Dr. Derrick McIver – Co-Directors of the Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy at the WMU Haworth College of Business. In this episode, Doug and Derrick discuss the opportunity to acquire a business, the myths surrounding small businesses and acquisition, and how executives can learn to buy businesses through a training course they offer called Acquire.

This episode features a conversation with Carl Erickson, Founder and Chairman of Atomic Object, a software design and development consultancy company. Atomic’s unique culture fuels the company’s drive to achieve their 100-year goal and deliver value to West Michigan. Carl is the Chairman of the Michigan Capital Network, a Michigan based venture capital network that blends capital funds with angel investments. Also an experienced computer engineer, with a PhD from Michigan State University, Carl speaks on the opportunity for increased diversification, and how his organizations have impacted people from across the state.

This episode features a conversation with Irshad Manji, founder of Moral Courage College, which equips companies with a counter-cultural approach to Diversity and Inclusion -- an approach that promotes individuality and innovation over groupthink and grievance. An award-winning professor of leadership at New York University for many years, Irshad now teaches with Oxford University's Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights. Her latest bestseller is Don't Label Me: How to Do Diversity Without Inflaming the Culture Wars.(Fun fact: Chris Rocks calls the book "genius.") We speak with Irshad about practical ways to pursue diversity without division.

This episode features a conversation with Jonathan Koch – Senior VP and CEO of the Global Dental Group for Henry Schein. A Fortune 298 company with over $10B in sales, Henry Schein is one of the world's largest distributors of dental supplies and other medical goods. A two-time WMU alum, we speak with Jonathan about his career trajectory, lessons on leadership, and the future of the dental industry. Recorded on July 27, 2021

This episode features a conversation with Milind Pant – CEO of Amway. Founded in 1959 and based in Ada Michigan, Amway is a global consumer goods manufacturer and direct selling company. Amway is now one of the largest private companies in the United States. We speak with Milind about how Amway navigated the pandemic, the importance of inclusive entrepreneurship to its success, and his lessons on leadership. Recorded on June 17, 2021

This episode features a conversation with Peter Meijer – US House of Representatives for Michigan’s 3rd congressional district. Peter has experienced a whirlwind start to his time in Congress with a pandemic, insurrection, impeachment, and new administration. Peter shares with us his first impressions of Congress, insights on leadership as a freshman representative, and his policy priorities for West Michigan. Recorded on March 23, 2021