
Welcome to THE JUNGLE—the wild and exciting world of business. Thoughtful, yet lighthearted conversations provide an up-close, unvarnished view into the emotions, practices and lived experiences of leading and strategy-making in an uncertain world. Hosted by Dr. Doug Lepisto and Dr. Derrick McIver, co-directors of the Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy in the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University.
The first season of THE JUNGLE explores COVID-19 and the inherent leadership challenges and opportunities in times of crisis.
Trailer
Available Episodes
Episode 28 · 52:37
Jane Dutton
Professor Emerita at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Recorded December 8, 2020This episode features a conversation with Jane Dutton – Robert L. Kahn Distinguished University Professor Emerita at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Jane is a world expert on processes that build capabilities and strengths of employees in organizations. A founder of the movement in Positive Organizational Scholarship, Jane’s research has demonstrated the importance of relationships, compassion, identity, and meaning to what makes people and organizations flourish.
Episode 27 · 47:25
Thor Flosason
Senior Director of Global Learning and Development at the Kellogg Company
Recorded December 3, 2020This episode features a conversation with Thor Flosason – senior director of global learning and development at Kellogg Company. Thor is responsible for the systems, processes, resources and solutions that help over 30,000 employees across the globe learn and develop. We explore with Thor how a global organization facilitates learning during a global pandemic, the importance of learning to strategize and what the future of learning in organizations looks like.
Episode 26 · 35:22
Jeff Blashill
Head Coach of the Detroit Red Wings
Recorded November 23, 2020This episode features a conversation with Jeff Blashill – head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. The Detroit Red Wings are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. Coach Blashill, a native Michigander and former WMU hockey coach, shares with us his experience on leading the Red Wings through the pandemic, leading across generations and his lessons on leading during a time of change for the organization.
Episode 25 · 41:18
John and Apollo Braganini
St. Julian Winery
Recorded November 18, 2020On this episode, our LBS students launch the next evolution of Bronconess – the Bronconess Peach Bubbly in collaboration with St. Julian Winery. St. Julian is the oldest and largest winery in Michigan.
Episode 24 · 41:02
La June Montgomery Tabron
CEO of W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Recorded October 26, 2020This episode features a conversation with La June Montgomery Tabron – CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Based in Southwest Michigan, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the world. La June shares with us how the foundation has pivoted and innovated during the pandemic, the role business plays in solving social problems, and the conditions that facilitate greater opportunity and equity in business ownership.
Episode 23 · 39:31
Dean Pohlman
Founder and CEO of Man Flow Yoga
Recorded October 20, 2020This episode features a conversation with Dean Pohlman – Founder and CEO of Man Flow Yoga. The pandemic is challenging our mental and physical health. At the same time, it is also disrupting established sectors like the fitness industry, raising questions about how a traditionally in-person experience translates online. Dean shares with us how he founded and grew a successful online fitness brand, how the pandemic is creating opportunity in the fitness space, and his advice on implementing an effective content strategy.
Episode 19 · 30:43
Kathy Beauregard
Director of Athletics, Western Michigan University
Recorded August 11, 2020On August 8th the Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced the postponement of all fall sports. We go behind the scenes of this decision, the implications, and the broader leadership and strategy dynamics confronting athletic directors.
Episode 18 · 32:00
Tom Sweet
CFO of Dell Technologies
Recorded June 15, 2020Tom helped Dell pull off one of the largest buyouts in history with the $67 billion acquisition of EMC. A great Bronco, Tom shares how Dell’s senior leadership team is navigating current events and his thoughts on the future of technology and business.
Episode 17 · 33:05
Larry Bell
Founder and President of Bell's Brewery
Recorded June 10, 2020Larry has helped pioneer the craft beer movement. Based in Kalamazoo, and 100% family owned and independent, Bell’s is now the seventh largest craft brewer in the United States. Larry shares how Bell’s is responding to the pandemic and issues of racial equity, his thoughts on the future of craft beer and innovation.
Episode 15 · 33:55
Dr. Stephanie Creary
Assistant Professor of Management at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Recorded June 12, 2020A leading expert on diversity and identity in organizations. Stephanie shares her expertise and experience on how business leaders create conversations and take action to foster racial equity.
Episode 7 · 31:29
Todd Sanford
CEO and President of Sanford Financial Services
Recorded April 17, 2020What are the implications of the COVID-19 crisis for financial planning?
Todd Sanford, CEO and President of Sanford Financial Services, and founding donor of the Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness in the Haworth College of Business, shares his insights in Episode 7.
Episode 4 · 34:57
Gordie Kosch
CEO, President and Owner of Kosch Dining Solutions
Recorded April 16, 2020The pandemic has hit food services and hospitality exceptionally hard. Gordie shares the rapidly unfolding trials and tribulations of leading an organization in the bullseye of the crisis.
Episode 3 · 33:10
Alessandro (Sandro) DiNello
President, CEO and a Director of Flagstar Bank and Flagstar Bancorp
Recorded April 17, 2020Banks are playing a vital role to help individuals and businesses manage this unprecedented time. Sandro shares his experience remaining calm while guiding a publicly traded bank through crisis.
Episode 2 · 38:54
John Bryant
Former Chairman and CEO of Kellogg's
Recorded April 7, 2020John Bryant is the former Chairman and CEO of Kellogg's, and a current board member of Macy's, Godiva, Ball Corporation and Compass Group. Doug and Derrick hear how a current board member is experiencing and advising during this unprecedented time.
Episode 1 · 45:43
Dr. Edward Montgomery
President of Western Michigan University
Recorded March 26, 2020Doug and Derrick kick off the podcast with a series of episodes exploring leadership and strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We begin in higher education with our very own, Dr. Edward Montgomery, President of Western Michigan University, former "car czar" in the Obama administration and nationally known labor economist.