PODWalk with Radhika Zaveri

Hosted by Radhika Zaveri

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Jun 2026

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About the show

PODWalk is a podcast by Radhika Zaveri, Professor of Practice at Southern Methodist University with one goal - encouraging the audience to get off their screens; go for a walk, listen, and learn through conversations with industry experts. Each episode will feature thought provoking conversations with experts in consumer, brand and innovation facing challenges as you. You’ll leave each episode feeling encouraged, inspired, and motivated.

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46 recent

June 4, 20261 hr 0 min

Episode 47: Dan Hunt (FC Dallas President) | Built To Last

Dan Hunt has served as President of FC Dallas since 2014 and serves on several leadership committees across Major League Soccer, including as Co-Chair of the Board of MLS NEXT Pro. He has led Dallas’ successful bid to host nine matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026 — the most of any host city — and now serves as Co-Chair of the North Texas Organizing Committee. Alongside his late father, Lamar they developed Toyota Stadium and established FC Dallas as a leader in youth soccer development. Dan also plays a strategic role across the Hunt family sports portfolio, including the Kansas City Chiefs. Dan graduated from St. Mark’s School of Texas and Southern Methodist University. Today’s conversation is about how leaders build—build teams, build talent, and build brands that last—whether on the field or in the marketplace.3 Key takeaways:1. Great teams are built, not foundWhether in FC Dallas or beyond, success comes from identifying potential early and creating systems that develop people consistently—not relying on talent alone.2. Culture only works when it is lived, not statedA strong identity means little unless it is reinforced through behavior, decision-making, and accountability at every level of the organization.3. Leadership is about long-term impact, not short-term outcomesFrom player development to global events like the FIFA World Cup, the most effective leaders focus on building structures that last beyond immediate wins and create lasting value for communities.Thank you for listening to PODWalk. Until next time.

April 16, 202658 min

Episode 46: James Ruth (CMO, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | What Fans Really Want

James Ruth is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he leads brand strategy, fan engagement, and revenue-driving marketing efforts for one of the NFL’s most dynamic franchises. With a career that spans sports, media, and brand leadership, James has been at the forefront of transforming how teams connect with fans, blending data, storytelling, and culture to build lasting loyalty in an ever-evolving sports landscape. And today we are going to chat about what is that fans really want – what are they buying -- is the wins or is it something else? 3 key takeawaysMarketing in the Modern Age: the power of a brand rooted in mission. In a world where everything feels like it’s constantly shifting — from content production (e.g., AI) to engagement platforms (e.g., vertical video) to how we define success (e.g., transaction vs. brand growth) — a committed mission becomes the anchor. It’s the thing that transcends the noise and outlasts the moment.The Power of Culture & Knowing Your Way: Great brands understand their mission — and then say the same thing 1,000 different ways. But the part worth double-clicking on is the why. The why isn’t always what’s on the surface — it’s the value exchange. What do fans, consumers, evangelists actually get from you? When you get that answer right, you build something people choose to be part of… In sports, that’s when you have a brand that can transcend wins and losses.Finding Your North Star; Just like a brand, you need a north star. At a place like SMU, life will present you with a constant stream of options. The north star becomes the prism — the thing that helps you decide whether a path is taking you closer or pulling you further away. And importantly, that north star can — and should — evolve. But the act of having one, of committing to something that guides your decisions, is what creates momentum. It gives you direction, progress, and purpose. It pulls you along. And one day, you’ll look back and ask yourself, how the hell did I get all the way here?

March 10, 202636 min

Episode 45: Francois Reihani (Founder, La La Land) | Scaling with Purpose

Today’s guest is François, SMU alum and CEO of La La LandFrom their sunshine-yellow cups to their purpose-driven hiring model, La La Land is proof that when a brand leads with heart, the world follows. Their cause is soulful, their culture is intentional, their content is everywhere — and their growth has been nothing short of explosive.But behind the viral moments and the aesthetic yellow glow lies something deeper — a belief that purpose is the algorithm. In a world of fleeting trends and constant noise, François and his team have built a movement by knowing exactly what they stand for.Today, we’ll explore how La La Land scales with soul, how clarity cuts through chaos — and how the best brands don’t chase the algorithm, they become it.Three Key Takeaways from this podcast are:Purpose Is Algorithm. It’s the Filter, Not Just the FuelThe strongest brands don’t react to what’s trending — they define what matters. Purpose gives them the clarity to lead when everyone else is chasing the feed.“Growth That Keeps Its Promise”Scaling isn’t a numbers game — it’s a trust game. Every Lalaland product, every post we share, every partnership we form is a reflection of our purpose and values. Enduring growth comes from delivering on that promise, again and again.Clarity Is the Ultimate Competitive Edge.In a world obsessed with speed, the brands that know who they are move the fastest — because they never waste time pretending to be something they’re not. Thanks to our audience, we would love it if you subscribed to you so you can hear the next podcast when it drops and give us a positive rating. Until next time.

February 11, 202644 min

Episode 44 : Alex Wilcox (CEO , JSX) | The Playbook

In this episode of PODWalk, we go behind the scenes of the modern aviation startup JSX with its Co-Founder and CEO Alex Wilcox. From his early days at the University of Vermont and Southwest Airlines to helping launch JetBlue and founding JSX, Alex shares what inspired him to reimagine short-haul travel, the lessons he’s learned about culture and resilience, and how customer experience remains at the heart of innovation. Together, we’ll explore how to build a brand that balances operational precision with Joyful Simple Experience of getting from point A to point B. Key takeaways from our conversation today1. Reinvention Comes from Seeing What Others Overlook.JSX was built on the belief that short-haul travel could feel human again. Alex reminds us that disruption doesn’t always mean building something new — sometimes it’s re-imagining what’s been taken for granted and designing a better experience around it.2. Customer experience isn’t a department — it’s the heartbeat of the brand.From check-in to landing, JSX succeeds because it obsesses over the moments that matter — time, comfort, simplicity. The takeaway: brand strength isn’t built on ads; it’s built onconsistency, empathy, and removing friction for your customer.3. Purpose and Passion Fuel Longevity.Alex’s story shows that aviation is really about connection — not just destinations. When a company is clear on why it exists and who it serves, it can evolve with technology, weather market turbulence, regulations and still keep its humanheartbeat of joy.Thank you for listening. Please follow PODWALK and suggest it to a friend. Until Next Time.

November 30, 202534 min

Episode 43 : Purvi Patel Albers, Partner at Haynes and Boone

On this episode, I am chatting with Purvi Patel Albers, Partner at Haynes and Boone, and a top IP and brand protection lawyer who advises Fortune 500 companies on the management of their valuable brand investments. Brands today can create more content faster than ever—but faster doesn’t always mean safer. Purvi and I will dive into how brands can protect creative assets while staying ahead in an AI-driven marketplace.Amongst her many accomplishments, Purvi has been highlighted by the World Trademark Review for her “sophisticated brand management skills” and her engaging personality brings a relatable, lively energy to this podcast, making complex brand and IP topics both accessible and entertaining.Three key aways from my conversation with Purvi PatelFaster is not always safer: AI lets brands innovate at lightning speed—but faster doesn’t always mean safer. Trade dress, copyright, and social media safeguards are a must to protect creativity.Personal brand counts: Purvi’s “vibey” energy shows that your authentic presence builds trust and credibility—whether you’re leading a team or managing a brand.Learn and future-proof: Look to leading brands (and even Taylor Swift!) for IP protection strategies. A proactive mindset is key to thriving in a world of constant content creation and competitors at you heals.

November 18, 202539 min

Episode 42 : Ryan Ross—Former President of Neiman Marcus

Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with Ryan Ross—former President of Neiman Marcus and a brand builder who’s brought purpose, meaning, and magic to some of the world’s most iconic retailers, from Harrods, Williams and Sonoma and Neimans. In an age of frictionless commerce, Ryan helped redefine what a modern luxury experience looks like—anchored not just in exclusivity, but in values, relationships, and relevance. This is the evolution of the digital velvet rope. Does the velvet rope of luxury retail guard the exclusive—or offer a hidden unexpected moment that matters. Let’s go find out. A few key aways from our conversation.1. Luxury at Scale Still Has to Feel Personal Ryan reminds us: in the digital age, exclusivity isn’t about access behind a velvet rope, it’s about intimacy. Great brands create emotional, high-touch experiences no matter the channel. 2. Great Brands Don’t Chase Relevance - They Create It Through Storytelling Legacy brands don’t stay relevant by reacting—they lead with stories that resonate. For Ryan, brand storytelling isn’t marketing, it’s meaning, delivered with purpose. 3. Leadership Means Creating Moments, Not Just Metrics One of Ryan’s most lasting impacts is his belief that moments, whether online or in-store, build trust and loyalty far beyond transactions. Because in the end, people remember how you made them feel, not just what you sold.Thanks for listening to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you are listening to it. We would appreciate subscribing to our podcast so you can hear the newest one and leave us a positive review – we do love that.

November 2, 202532 min

Episode 41 : Carey Chou, VP of Data AI at HEB

Today on the show, we’re joined by Carey Chou, VP of Data AI at HEB who’s had cross sector experience working at companies like Infosys to LVMH to now HEB. Carey leads in Human-Centered AI, building tools that help us make better decisions, build trust, and simplify the complex.We will explore how AI can turn routine experiences into relevant ones and how brands are most discoverable in AI search.Three Key Takeaways:Human-Centered AI is About Augmenting, Not Replacing HumansCarey emphasizes that AI and GenAI should enhance human judgment and decision-making rather than automate it blindly. By anchoring trust, usability, and reasoning at every interaction, brands can turn routine transactions into meaningful, personalized experiences—like banking apps or grocery shopping that feel attentive and intuitive.Multi-Sensory, Emotional Digital Experiences MatterDigital experiences don’t have to feel transactional. AI can create multi-sensory, emotionally resonant interactions that maintain the “soul” of the brand. From colorful visuals and recipe sounds in grocery apps to subtle haptics for rewards, technology can amplify human connection while still delivering efficiency.The Next Frontier: In an AI-driven world, being everywhere isn’t enough—brands need to build deep trust in key platforms while sending consistent credibility signals across all channels.

October 20, 202544 min

Episode 40 : Ajay Chauhan (ED, Parle Products) | A Century Of Trust

Today, I am thrilled to have on the show, my friend, Ajay Chauhan, Executive director at Parle Products based in Mumbai, India; a third-generation leader from Parle Products — the company behind Parle-G, the world’s best-selling biscuit brand (in volume). We’ll talk about what it takes to build a century of trust with Ajay Chauhan.Three big takeaways stand out for me today — first, legacy isn’t inherited, it’s reinvented. Ajay showed us that tradition only thrives when it adapts.Second, trust is the ultimate marketing strategy. Parle-G didn’t need to chase trends — it earned love by being there, consistently, for everyone.And finally, premium doesn’t have to mean exclusive. Parle’s story proves that growth and inclusivity can go hand in hand.Thank you for listening to PODWalk, we would love it if you subscribed to us to listen to the next new podcast recording. It is your subscriptions and ratings that keep this podcast going strong.

October 5, 202532 min

Episode 39 : Jonathan Clarkson (CPO, Southwest Airlines) | Loyalty isn’t earned, it’s experienced

Today on the show we have Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Southwest Airlines, where he has led the charge of building products and building loyalty experiences that help the airline win more customers and drive growth. His marketing foundation was shaped by iconic brands like Dr Pepper, Pizza Hut, and PepsiCo, giving him a sharp lens on how brands earn both attention and trust.And outside of work, you might find him running a race, exploring Napa or New York, or cheering on his Mustang at SMU.In this episode, Jonathan and I will dive into how experiences, AI, and smart product design work together to create lasting customer loyalty—with real examples of what loyalty looks like at Southwest Airlines and what it means for today’s consumers.Key Takeways from my conversation with Jonathan today:Loyalty is felt, not earned"It’s the little wins—smooth check-ins, fun touches, thoughtful surprises—that make customers keep coming back- not just rewards or points—but for the experience"Smart tech, personal touch"Use AI to simplify complex tasks and deliver tailored experiences, but combining that technology with empathy to keep the human connection aliveProducts level up logically" Build products with benefits that make sense step by step. Each upgrade should feel obvious and worth it—step by step, customers see why moving up makes sense.

September 21, 202546 min

Episode 38: Valerie Freeman (CEO, BravoTech) | Standing Out As Market Ready

Today, I’m delighted to welcome Valerie Freeman, serial entrepreneur, talent pioneer, co-founder, & CEO of BravoTECH - whose bold mantra “How hard can it be?” has fueled game-changing ventures. Inducted into multiple Halls of Fame and honored with lifetime achievement awards, Valerie’s relentless curiosity and commitment to ethical leadership have positioned her, and the talent she champions to stand out as market-ready in every era.Key Highlights from the podcast: Say Yes, Then Figure It Out:“How hard can it be?” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a mindset of bold action. Whether switching industries or launching a new venture, success often starts with the willingness to try, even before you feel fully ready.Curiosity and Energy Are Career Superpowers:Staying relevant across decades and industries takes more than knowledge—it takes curiosity to keep learning and energy to keep moving. These are the real differentiators in both leadership and longevity.Market-Ready Means Future-Ready:The most hire able and successful professionals aren’t static—they position themselves through experimentation. From learning AI tools to taking on new challenges, constantly evolving your skill set is the new résumé.