The Unmtchd. Podcast

Are we addicted to dopamine? In this episode of Unmatched, Oana sits down with Liz Beecroft-Ridgway, a psychotherapist, certified clinical sports social worker, and founder of Mental Sesh, to explore how social media's dopamine culture impacts our mental health, productivity, and relationships. + 00:00 - Introduction: Dopamine Culture and Mental Health 01:41 - What is Dopamine Culture? How Social Media Affects Us 03:10 - Is Social Media the “Digital Crack”? 05:46 - Building Boundaries: Detoxing from Social Media 07:04 - How Algorithms Target Our Insecurities 12:06 - Responsible Marketing and Its Impact on Mental Health 16:11 - Tools for Navigating Mental Health Challenges 20:04 - Long-Term Consequences of Dopamine Culture 24:23 - Athletes and the Pressure to Perform 30:20 - Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health in High-Performance Spaces 36:14 - Redefining Productivity: Input vs. Output 41:27 - Liz’s Personal Approach to Mental Health 44:38 - Closing Thoughts: Intentional Actions for a Healthier Digital Life + Follow Liz: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizbcroftlcsw/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/lizbcroft/ Discover how mentl.sesh can support your mental health: https://www.instagram.com/mentl.sesh/ Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ Sponsors and strategic partners of Unmtchd.: Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!

In this episode of The Unmtchd. Podcast, Oana speaks with Donovan Ratnasingam, Co-founder of CONTEN.T, about redefining consumer loyalty and the impact of superfans. Donavan shares his insights on building meaningful connections with audiences, the rise of niche communities, and the strategies behind turning customers into brand advocates. This conversation uncovers how brands can foster deeper engagement, create lasting impact, and drive loyalty through fostering more meaningful connections with consumers. + (00:07) - Redefining Loyalty (11:36) - Cultural Differences in Consumer Loyalty (16:36) - Enhancing Brand Loyalty Through Technology (31:20) - Measuring Community-Centric Loyalty Initiatives (39:12) - Evolving Metrics in Brand Initiatives + Follow Donovan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donavanr/ Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd/?viewAsMember=true IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ Sponsors and strategic partners of Unmtchd.: Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective! 🎧 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations!

In a world obsessed with going digital, have we forgotten the value of physical spaces? Kevin Ervin Kelley is a renowned architect and author of "Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together". We explore the vital role physical spaces play in fostering community, connection, and belonging—and why they’re more important than ever in our digital-first world. + 0:00 Introduction: Why Physical Spaces Matter 1:20 What Makes a Place Irreplaceable 3:30 How the Digital World Changed Place-Making 5:04 Social Skills and Connection in Real Life 8:18 The Role of Retail Spaces in Building Community 12:08 Lessons from COVID: The Value of Real Gatherings 13:18 Why Brands Need to Focus on Community Over Products 20:53 Kevin’s Framework: Solutions, Meaning, and Experience 28:23 Symbols and Their Role in Place and Identity 33:08 What Defines an Extraordinary Place? 39:15 Rethinking Success for Physical Spaces 44:03 The Future of Place in an AI-Driven World 49:22 A Brilliant Example: A Mechanic Shop Designed for Women + In a world obsessed with going digital, have we forgotten the value of physical spaces? Kevin Ervin Kelley is a renowned architect and author of "Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together". We explore the vital role physical spaces play in fostering community, connection, and belonging—and why they’re more important than ever in our digital-first world. Here’s what we cover: ✨ How the digital shift has impacted our sense of place and belonging. ✨ The psychology of design and how spaces influence our behavior. ✨ Why physical stores need to focus on meaning, not just products. ✨ Practical insights for creating extraordinary places that connect people. Whether you're a designer, a brand leader, or someone passionate about creating meaningful communities, this episode will inspire you to rethink the spaces we inhabit every day. + 0:00 Introduction: Why Physical Spaces Matter 1:20 What Makes a Place Irreplaceable 3:30 How the Digital World Changed Place-Making 5:04 Social Skills and Connection in Real Life 8:18 The Role of Retail Spaces in Building Community 12:08 Lessons from COVID: The Value of Real Gatherings 13:18 Why Brands Need to Focus on Community Over Products 20:53 Kevin’s Framework: Solutions, Meaning, and Experience 28:23 Symbols and Their Role in Place and Identity 33:08 What Defines an Extraordinary Place? 39:15 Rethinking Success for Physical Spaces 44:03 The Future of Place in an AI-Driven World 49:22 A Brilliant Example: A Mechanic Shop Designed for Women + Follow Kevin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinervinkelley/ 📖 Get Kevin’s book Irreplaceable here: https://www.kevinervinkelley.com/ Follow Oana: LinkedIn: / oana-leonte IG: / oanaoleonte Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: / theunmtchd IG: / theunmtchd Sponsors and strategic partners of Unmtchd.: Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective! 🎧 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations!

The rules of success are changing, and the future belongs to creators who embrace every part of who they are. In this solo episode, I share how to own your story, build connected ecosystems, and thrive in a world of rapid transformation. 2025 is about redefining success—on your terms. + 0:00 Introduction: You Are the Creator 0:45 The Changing World: Why 2024 Transformed Everything 2:30 The Problem: Shrinking Ourselves to Fit In 4:10 The Opportunity: Multidimensionality as Your Superpower 6:25 The Solution: Own Your IP and Build Connected Ecosystems 8:55 Lessons from my 20 year corporate career (at Disney, Warner, PUMA) 10:30 The Plan for 2025: Tools to Align Your Future with Who You Are 12:15 The Promise: Building Something Extraordinary Together 13:45 Call to Action: Let’s Create Something Unmatched + MY LINKS: https://linktr.ee/oanaleonte + Follow Oana: LinkedIn: / oana-leonte IG: / oanaoleonte Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: / theunmtchd IG: / theunmtchd Sponsors and strategic partners of Unmtchd.: Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!

2025 is just around the corner, and let’s be honest, goal setting can feel overwhelming. If you’re anything like me—a creative, and someone with big ambitions always having ideas and in need for a more aligned structure —this one’s for you. This year, I’ve discovered a whole new way to approach goal setting that’s effective, energizing, and most importantly, fun. In this solo episode, I’m sharing a 5-step framework to help you plan your best year by aligning with your energy, adding a playful twist to goals, and using AI to supercharge your plans. Here’s what I’ll cover: ✨ How to identify what truly energizes you (hint: it’s all about joy and alignment). ✨ Why playful goals beat rigid plans every time. ✨ How I use AI daily to brainstorm, organize, and execute without stress. ✨ Breaking your goals into energy cycles—because creativity isn’t linear. ✨ Keeping it simple and visual to stay on track all year long. So grab your notebook and favorite drink, and let’s create a 2025 that feels good to live, not just achieve. You can download my Creative Chaos eBook here: https://ancient-penguin-65455.myflodesk.com/creativechaos + 0:00 Introduction 0:28 The Biggest Mindset Shift: From Overwhelm to Creative Flow 2:53 Step 1: Reflection – Understanding Your Energy 4:47 Step 2: Knowing Where You’re Going – Setting Playful Goals 6:25 Step 3: Goal Setting with AI as Your Creative Assistant 7:52 Step 4: Habit Tracking with Energy Cycles 9:23 Step 5: Staying Consistent – Keep It Simple and Visual 10:19 Align, Play, and Thrive in 2025 + MY LINKS: https://linktr.ee/oanaleonte + Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ Sponsors and strategic partners of Unmtchd.: Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!

Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer of Bugaboo North America, joins The Unmtchd. Podcast to share her personal approach to leadership and work-life harmony. In this candid conversation, Jeanelle discusses the challenges and wins of being a working parent, leveraging social media to inspire others, and how brands like Bugaboo are reshaping workplace cultures to prioritize flexibility, connection, and purpose. Discover how Jeanelle’s innovative leadership style—rooted in authenticity and empathy—is transforming the modern workplace and why aligning brand values with consumer and employee needs is key to long-term success. + Timestamps: 00:01 Work-Life Harmony vs. Balance: Jeanelle’s Perspective 03:12 Why Jeanelle Started Sharing Her Journey on Social Media 06:16 How Social Media Is Shaping the Future of Marketing 09:25 Bugaboo’s Organic Approach to Employee Advocacy 11:31 The Power of Consumer-Centric Branding and Content 14:44 Balancing KPIs: Driving Sales vs. Long-Term Brand Growth 15:46 Localizing a Global Brand: Bugaboo’s Strategy 17:49 Leading a Fully Remote Team: Challenges and Solutions 19:49 How Jeanelle’s Multicultural Background Shapes Leadership 24:33 Lessons in Adapting Leadership Across Cultures 30:17 Building a Unique Leadership Style: Advice for Aspiring Leaders 34:27 How Partnerships at Home Empower Professional Success 37:14 The Future of Work: Why Brands Must Stand for Something 38:07 Closing Thoughts: Aligning Purpose with Culture at Bugaboo + Follow Jeanelle: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanelleteves/IG: https://www.instagram.com/jeanelleteves/ Discover more about Bugaboo: https://www.bugaboo.com/de-de/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAgoq7BhBxEiwAVcW0LHyGmRWDW9dAbL8mAXaf1YJRu_BbfZu1S-c_KvM4yak8cCJw-FtlpRoCoZQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ Sponsors and strategic partners of Unmtchd.: Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!

Bryce Johnson, Inclusive Designer at Microsoft, joins us live from the Global Innovation Forum in London to share how Microsoft is revolutionizing technology with inclusive design. In this inspiring conversation, Bryce explains how designing with people with disabilities (not just for them) is transforming tech, the role AI plays in accelerating human potential, and the exciting future of hyper-personalized, accessible products. + 00:01 What Is Inclusive Design? 01:14 Designing *With* People, Not *For* Them 01:56 The Challenge of Designing for 1.5 Billion Windows Users 02:49 How AI Empowers People with Disabilities 03:17 The Future of Fluid Forms in Product Design 04:10 Hyper-Personalization Meets Accessibility 05:27 Why Awareness and Convention Matter in Accessibility 05:44 The Role of AI as a Co-Pilot in Daily Life 07:04 How AI Will Transform Daily Lives in the Next 12 Months 07:35 The Theme of Acceleration: Empowering People with Disabilities 08:18 Final Thoughts: Designing an Accessible Future + Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ 🚀 Explore the world of future innovation and creativity: https://giflondon.com/ Sponsors: Global Innovation Forum GIF - https://giflondon.com/ Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!

Newton Cheng, Director of Health and Performance at Google, joins us live from the Global Innovation Forum in London to share his powerful journey of embracing vulnerability. In this heartfelt episode, Newton opens up about his personal struggles with mental health, the pivotal moment that changed his life, and how vulnerability became a superpower for leadership and innovation. Learn why authenticity is essential for creating psychological safety, resilience, and connection in the workplace—and beyond. + 00:01 What Does Health and Performance Mean at Google? 01:10 Newton’s Mission to Advocate for Mental Health 02:09 The Turning Point: A Vulnerable Moment in a Team Meeting 03:34 How Authenticity Changed Workplace Conversations on Mental Health 04:24 Breaking Down in Front of Senior Leadership: A Moment of Courage 06:00 How a Life-Changing Moment Reshaped Newton’s Career 07:12 Struggling with Burnout and the Journey to Healing 08:47 The Critical Moment of Truth and Rewriting the Narrative 10:27 Turning Pain Into Purpose: Helping Others Through Vulnerability 12:28 The Heavy Mask of Hiding Mental Health Struggles 13:15 Why Healing Is a Journey, Not a Destination 14:26 Vulnerability as an Innovation Superpower for Leadership 16:12 Final Thoughts: Embracing Vulnerability and Empowering Others + Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ 🚀 Explore the world of future innovation and creativity: https://giflondon.com/ Sponsors: Global Innovation Forum GIF - https://giflondon.com/ Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Liubov Ruchinskaya, Head of Strategy Analytics and Consumer Planning at Diageo, reveals why so many new products fail, the branding problem with consumer insights, and the critical steps organizations must take to become truly consumer-centric. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and bridge the gap between brands and people, this episode is for you. + 00:01 What Does Strategy Analytics and Consumer Planning Mean? 03:14 Why 40% of New Products Fail: The Consumer Insights Gap 04:37 The Two Essential Factors Behind Successful Innovation 06:20 The Evolution of Insights as a $140 Billion Industry 07:59 How Insights Can Move From Data Providers to Thought Leaders 09:34 Insights vs. Marketing: The Missing Conversations 11:11 Consumer Centricity: Why Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast 13:53 From Partner to Leader: Elevating the Role of Insights 14:37 The Branding Issue With Consumer Insights 15:38 Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and the Consumer 16:39 A Call for Certification in People-Centric Companies 17:41 Final Thoughts: Redefining Success in Consumer-Centric Organizations + In this insightful conversation, Dr. Liubov Ruchinskaya, Head of Strategy Analytics and Consumer Planning at Diageo, reveals why so many new products fail, the branding problem with consumer insights, and the critical steps organizations must take to become truly consumer-centric. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and bridge the gap between brands and people, this episode is for you. + 00:01 What Does Strategy Analytics and Consumer Planning Mean? 03:14 Why 40% of New Products Fail: The Consumer Insights Gap 04:37 The Two Essential Factors Behind Successful Innovation 06:20 The Evolution of Insights as a $140 Billion Industry 07:59 How Insights Can Move From Data Providers to Thought Leaders 09:34 Insights vs. Marketing: The Missing Conversations 11:11 Consumer Centricity: Why Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast 13:53 From Partner to Leader: Elevating the Role of Insights 14:37 The Branding Issue With Consumer Insights 15:38 Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and the Consumer 16:39 A Call for Certification in People-Centric Companies 17:41 Final Thoughts: Redefining Success in Consumer-Centric Organizations + Follow Liubov: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/globalinsights/ Discover more about Liubov's Consumer Insights Initiative: https://insights-lighthouse.com/ Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ 🚀 Explore the world of future innovation and creativity: https://giflondon.com/ Sponsors: Global Innovation Forum GIF - https://giflondon.com/ Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!

Tom Ellis, CEO of Brand Genetics and Chairman of the Global Innovation Forum, shares powerful insights into the art of human-centric marketing. He explains why brands often fail to innovate, how to break free from category-focused thinking, and why understanding human motivations is the key to success in today's complex marketplace. + 00:01 Understanding Human Motivations Over Consumer Behavior 01:16 The Concept of 'Jobs to Be Done' and Why It Matters 02:21 Innovating Beyond Product Categories 03:51 Breaking Out of Echo Chambers in Corporate Marketing 05:24 Why Large Corporations Struggle with Innovation 06:07 Lessons from BMW: Thinking Beyond a Single Product 06:39 Humanizing Marketing: Moving Away from 'Users' and 'Consumers' 07:24 Ethnographic Research: Bringing Brands Closer to People’s Lives 08:27 The Importance of Human Connection in Innovation 09:41 What Startups Do Differently—and Why It Works 09:59 Final Thoughts: Think Human, Innovate Disruptively + Follow Oana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/oanaoleonte/ Follow Unmtchd. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theunmtchd IG: https://www.instagram.com/theunmtchd/ 🚀 Explore the world of future innovation and creativity: https://giflondon.com/ Sponsors: Global Innovation Forum GIF - https://giflondon.com/ Appinio - https://www.appinio.com/en/ Want to lead, not follow? Sign up for actionable insights from industry leaders: www.theunmtchd.com Sign up to our newsletter and join The Unmtchd. Collective!