Uncensored Renegades

Jon and Kory discuss why, in an increasingly online world, some of the most important work still happens when people are together in a room.From recording the podcast face-to-face to building high-performing teams, they explore what is lost when every interaction becomes a scheduled video call. Not productivity or convenience, but the trust, informal learning and unexpected opportunities that are much harder to create remotely.They examine the changing attitude towards office life, including a Gen Z counter-swing towards real-world connection, and why some investors remain wary of backing fully remote teams. Kory also shares why e.l.f. is continuing to invest in in-person experiences, and how events can create connections that genuinely change someone’s career or life.Timestamps00:00 - Start00:25 - Why we do the podcast in person01:56 - How many companies are back in offices04:46 - The Gen Z counterswing07:33 - Why investors only invest in in-person teams08:36 - The power of IRL within teams12:19 - The unexpected opportunities that happen IRL13:31 - Why e.l.f. are investing in in-person events17:04 - How in-person events can change lives18:27 - How do we use IRL in an ever online world20:03 - A question from Jon and Kory

Jon and Kory discuss why the metrics designed to improve performance can sometimes lead businesses in exactly the wrong direction.Kory explains why e.l.f. does not tie compensation directly to KPIs, and why misaligned targets can discourage creativity, distort decision-making and even put good people at risk.They also tackle a growing leadership problem: treating KPIs as instructions rather than information. How high should targets be? When do they create useful focus, and when do they become a ceiling? And what should leaders use instead when the work requires judgement, experimentation and long-term thinking?Timestamps00:00 - Start01:01 - Do KPIs kill creativity?02:56 - Goodhart’s law03:31 - Why e.l.f. do not have compensation based KPIs06:50 - Why misaligned KPIs can get you fired09:37 - Can KPIs hold you back?13:25 - People are using KPIs like AI14:19 - How high should you set KPIs16:19 - The better way to approach KPIs19:09 - Are KPIs out?

Jon and Kory discuss why humour is a serious advantage for brands, leaders and anyone trying to earn attention. They explore the science behind why humour makes ideas more memorable, why funny advertising has become less common, and the important difference between trying to be amusing and using humour to reveal a truth.The conversation looks at what it takes to create the conditions for humour to thrive: giving people permission to take creative risks, planning for it rather than treating it as an afterthought, and understanding why brands such as Liquid Death make it look effortless.A useful case for taking the work seriously, without always taking yourself quite so seriously.Timestamps00:00 - Start01:44 - The serious case for humour03:46 - The science behind humour04:48 - Why humour is good for brands06:28 - Why we are seeing less funny ads09:23 - Humour touches on truth11:17 - How to create the conditions for humour to thrive14:25 - Why the best brands plan humour17:38 - Why Liquid Death are so funny19:37 - Can you use humour in a business context?

Jon and Kory discuss why persuasion is one of the most important, and overlooked, skills in leadership.Getting an idea approved is rarely about delivering the perfect argument in a meeting. It starts earlier: asking better questions, listening closely, understanding what different people need, and finding the stories that make an idea feel relevant rather than imposed.They explore the role of verbal and non-verbal communication, why the meeting is never really just the meeting, and how to build support before a decision is formally on the table. Kory also shares practical lessons from winning over her own board, persuading an organisation to take risks, and turning advocates into people who will sell the idea when you are not in the room.A practical episode for leaders who need to influence without forcing, build alignment without endless consensus, and give their best ideas a genuine chance of happening.LinksThe Storyteller's Secret BookTimestamps00:00 - Start00:56 - Is persuasion one of the secrets to being a successful leader?02:24 - The importance of asking questions05:00 - The art of listening08:09 - Verbal and non verbal communication10:49 - The power of communicating through stories13:43 - The meeting is never actually the meeting17:26 - How Kory sold So Many Dicks to her board20:08 - Pursauding your company to take risks21:17 - Getting advocates to sell your idea26:03 - Identifying your leverage

Jon and Kory discuss the Wiseman’s 15 building blocks of customer obsession: a practical framework for turning customer-first intentions into the way an organisation actually works, exemplified by Dutch Bros.As always, Kory brings the data behind customer-obsessed organisations before the duo discuss why internal politics so often gets in the way, and whether founder-led businesses have a natural advantage when it comes to staying close to the people they serve.From empowering frontline teams to reading every customer complaint, they unpack the behaviours that make customer obsession tangible rather than a line in a values document. They also draw on lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality, challenge the limitations of the golden rule, and consider how leaders can embed a customer-first mindset across the business.LinksFounders Mentality BookUnreasonable Hospitality BookTimestamps00:00 - Start00:40 - Are you really obsessed with your customer?01:59 - The data behind customer obsessed organisations03:08 - Why internal politics gets in the way of the customer05:15 - Are founder-led companies more customer led?06:42 - The Wiseman’s building blocks08:47 - Jon’s favourite customer first principles10:25 - Example of empowering the front lines13:11 - Kory’s favourite customer first principle14:20 - Talking through all the Wiseman building blocks17:13 - Why Kory reads all of e.l.f.’s customer complaints19:13 - Customer first lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality23:48 - Why Kory doesn’t like the golden rule24:45 - How to embed these principles into your organisation