Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions

What happens when a founder’s vision doesn’t just spark a company, but reshapes an entire industry?In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Don Katz, founder of Audible, to explore how a writer-turned-entrepreneur built a global brand that redefined the spoken word. From his early influences such as Ralph Ellison and his career at Rolling Stone, to commercializing the first digital audio player, Don shares how artistic passion and relentless innovation fuelled Audible’s rise. He reflects on the challenges of scale, managing complexity, protecting culture, and how his “People Principles” launched a thousand conversations.We’re also joined by Elliot Wenman, Managing Director of Abubilla Music, who offers a window into the recording studio - where rituals, conflict, and clarity can turn chaos into creativity. Together, these conversations reveal why great leaders keep their eyes on the “why,” how cultural missions outlast financial targets, and why caring - with grit and vision - can be the ultimate act of leadership.Join the Conversation:To learn more check out the Founders Mentality website or our CEO Insights hub: https://www.bain.com/founders-mentality/https://www.bain.com/insights/topics/ceo-agendaLearn More:  What Audible and a Studebaker Have in Common - Blog (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-audible-studebaker-have-common-james-allen-knfxe/)Light the Candle – Bring Light Not Heat into Meetings - Blog (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/light-candle-bring-heat-meetings-james-allen-xb0we/)Audible's People Principles (https://www.audible.in/about/people-principles)How to Stop People Who Bog Things Down with Bureaucracy - Article (https://www.bain.com/insights/stop-people-who-bog-things-down-with-bureaucracy-hbr)Bain & Company LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/bain-and-company/) Bain & Company X (https://x.com/BainandCompany) Jimmy Allen LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-allen-3442b/) Don Katz Profile (https://www.donald-katz.com/bio)Elliot Wenman Profile (https://www.abubillamusic.com/the-team)About Founders MentalityFounder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is a leadership podcast hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen. Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs, from Audible to Walmart to AWS, as well as artists, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers. Together, they share the lessons that shaped their growth, the “aha” moments that redefined their work, and the surprising ways reinvention happens at every level. Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or simply curious about leadership, influence, and business at scale, this podcast will challenge and inspire you, one story at a time.About the Host:Jimmy Allen is an Advisory Partner at Bain & Company with over 35 years’ experience advising leading organizations. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books on growth and leadership and the host and founder of Bain’s Global CEO Community Forum. Jimmy is a regular speaker at global business events, including the World Economic Forum, and serves on the Botswana Economic Advisory Council. Outside of consulting, Jimmy started his own record label (Abubilla Music) in 2008 and supports Singing Wells, a project dedicated to preserving Kenyan village music.Bain & Company:Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is brought to you by Bain & Company, a global consultancy trusted by the world’s most influential business leaders. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership development, Bain’s executive insights offer what it takes to lead at scale.

What turns a routine into a ritual that actually changes how people work?In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Christina Zhu, President and CEO of Walmart China, to explore how she builds focus and resilience while leading through one of the fastest-changing retail landscapes in the world. From creating “joyful routines” that empower frontline associates, to translating customer centricity into strategy, Christina shares how purpose, simplicity, and trust can both delight customers and transform teams.We’re also joined by Kavita Chaudhary of Jaipur Rugs, who offers a striking example of reconnecting business to its frontline artisans - where a monkey with a gun woven into a carpet became a symbol of dignity and creative freedom. Together, these conversations reveal why great leaders eliminate complexity rather than manage it, how rituals make values real, and why frontline obsession may be the ultimate competitive advantage.Join the Conversation:To learn more check out the Founders Mentality website or our CEO Insights hub: https://www.bain.com/founders-mentality/https://www.bain.com/insights/topics/ceo-agendaLearn More: Joyful Routines - Blog (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/joyful-routines-james-allen-ocawe/) Lifting the Veil - Why Showing the People Behind the Product Matters - Blog (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lifting-veil-why-showing-people-behind-product-matters-james-allen-cfize/) When Weavers Disagree - Article (https://www.bain.com/insights/when-weavers-disagree-fm-blog/) Recovering the Voices of the Customer and the Front Line - Article (https://www.bain.com/insights/recovering-the-voices-of-the-customer-and-the-front-line-forbes/)  Bain & Company LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/bain-and-company/) Bain & Company X (https://x.com/BainandCompany) Jimmy Allen LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-allen-3442b/) Christina Zhu LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-zhu-382432/) Jaipur Rugs Website (https://www.jaipurrugs.com/it/en/)About Founders MentalityFounder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is a leadership podcast hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen. Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs, from Audible to Walmart to AWS, as well as artists, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers. Together, they share the lessons that shaped their growth, the “aha” moments that redefined their work, and the surprising ways reinvention happens at every level. Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or simply curious about leadership, influence, and business at scale, this podcast will challenge and inspire you, one story at a time.About the Host:Jimmy Allen is an Advisory Partner at Bain & Company with over 35 years’ experience advising leading organizations. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books on growth and leadership and the host and founder of Bain’s Global CEO Community Forum. Jimmy is a regular speaker at global business events, including the World Economic Forum, and serves on the Botswana Economic Advisory Council. Outside of consulting, Jimmy started his own record label (Abubilla Music) in 2008 and supports Singing Wells, a project dedicated to preserving Kenyan village music.Bain & Company:Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is brought to you by Bain & Company, a global consultancy trusted by the world’s most influential business leaders. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership development, Bain’s executive insights offer what it takes to lead at scale.

Pizza may seem simple, but leading one of the world’s most iconic brands is anything but. In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Aaron Powell, Global CEO of Pizza Hut, to explore how he’s helping the company rediscover its magic in over 20,000 restaurants across 110 countries. From falling back in love with the product to celebrating the heroes of the frontline, Aaron shares how moments of joy, pride, and even a wedding anniversary dinner reveal what truly sets a business apart.We’re also joined by Archie Henderson, the comedian-musician behind the cult character Jazz Emu, who offers a surprising perspective on the power of “committing to the bit” and designing for fanatics, not the average fan. Together, these conversations offer insights into avoiding the commoditization trap, driving a relentless product focus, and why reconnecting with your people may be the ultimate competitive advantage.Join the Conversation:To learn more check out the Founders Mentality website or hit the link for additional CEO Insights. Escape The Commoditization Trap – Fall Back In Love With Your Product - BlogPizza Hut: How CEO Aaron Powell leads with the Founder’s Mentality - VideoBain & Company LinkedInBain & Company XJimmy Allen LinkedInAaron Powell ProfileArchie Henderson ‘Jazz Emu’ WebsiteAbout Founders MentalityFounder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is a leadership podcast hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen. Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs, from Audible to Walmart to AWS, as well as artists, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers. Together, they share the lessons that shaped their growth, the “aha” moments that redefined their work, and the surprising ways reinvention happens at every level. Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or simply curious about leadership, influence, and business at scale, this podcast will challenge and inspire you, one story at a time.About the Host:Jimmy Allen is an Advisory Partner at Bain & Company with over 35 years’ experience advising leading organizations. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books on growth and leadership and the host and founder of Bain’s Global CEO Community Forum. Jimmy is a regular speaker at global business events, including the World Economic Forum, and serves on the Botswana Economic Advisory Council. Outside of consulting, Jimmy started his own record label (Abubilla Music) in 2008 and supports Singing Wells, a project dedicated to preserving Kenyan village music.Bain & Company:Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is brought to you by Bain & Company, a global consultancy trusted by the world’s most influential business leaders. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership development, Bain’s executive insights offer what it takes to lead at scale.

What does it take to lead - and live - when the world won’t sit still?Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions, hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen, goes beyond the boardroom to uncover lessons in leadership and growth. Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs - from Audible, Walmart, AWS, and more - as well as artists, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers.Through curiosity and vulnerability, these leaders reveal the insights that shaped their businesses and personal journeys. Whether you're a CEO, an emerging executive, or simply passionate about leadership, influence, and business at scale, this podcast will challenge and inspire you, one story at a time.About the Host:Jimmy Allen is an Advisory Partner at Bain & Company with over 35 years’ experience advising leading organizations. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books on growth and leadership and the host and founder of Bain’s Global CEO Community Forum. Jimmy is a regular speaker at global business events, including the World Economic Forum, and serves on the Botswana Economic Advisory Council. Outside of consulting, Jimmy started his own record label (Abubilla Music) in 2008 and supports Singing Wells, a project dedicated to preserving Kenyan village music.Bain & Company:Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is brought to you by Bain & Company, a global consultancy trusted by the world’s most influential business leaders. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership development, Bain’s executive insights offer what it takes to lead at scale.Join the Conversation:To learn more check out the Founders Mentality website or hit the link for additional CEO Insights. Bain & Company LinkedInBain & Company XJimmy Allen LinkedIn