We Fixed It, You're Welcome Archiv
99 Episoden
1 Stunde 3 Minuten
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are transforming far more than weight loss. They're changing how people eat, shop, spend money, dine out, and interact with brands, creating ripple effects across retail, restaurants, healthcare, apparel, and the broader economy. In this episode of We Fixed It, You're Welcome, Aaron Wolpoff and Chino Nnadi sit down with Lisa W. Miller, ex PepsiCo VP Consumer Strategy & Insights and founder of Lisa W. Miller & Associates, to discuss groundbreaking findings from her latest proprietary research on the rapidly evolving GLP-1 economy. With insights from more than 30 industry studies and a survey of 6,500 U.S. consumers, Lisa reveals what businesses need to know as consumer behavior changes in real time. From the surprising rise of male GLP-1 users to the future of retail, employee benefits, and restaurant innovation, this conversation explores why companies that adapt early will likely have a competitive advantage while those that ignore these shifts risk being left behind. What You'll Learn • How GLP-1 medications are reshaping consumer spending habits • Why restaurants, retailers, and grocery brands are being forced to adapt • The surprising growth of male GLP-1 adoption and why most brands are missing it • Why simply labeling products "GLP-1 Friendly" isn't enough • How apparel companies and wedding retailers are responding to rapid weight loss • The impact of GLP-1s on HR, employee benefits, and workplace policies • The opportunities and risks businesses should prepare for over the next several years • Why understanding consumer behavior matters more than following headlines. About Our Guest Lisa W. Miller is a Consumer Insights & Innovation Strategist with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations turn consumer insights into business growth. She previously served as Vice President of Insights at PepsiCo and Vice President of Innovation at Brinker International. Today, through Lisa W. Miller & Associates, she helps leadership teams translate research into actionable business strategies. Connect with Lisa: • LinkedIn: Lisa W. Miller • Website: Lisa W. Miller & Associates Connect With the Show Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should beconstrued as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
58 Minuten
OpenAI and Anthropic are locked in a high stakes rivalry, and the fallout is hurting public trust in AI overall. In this episode, the "We Fixed It, You're Welcome" panel (Aaron Wolpoff, Melissa Eaton, and Chino) sits down with veteran tech PR strategist Perry Headrick to unpack whether the ChatGPT vs Claude rivalry is a branding win or a trust disaster. With over 20 years of experience representing brands like AOL, Bing, Yelp, and Logitech, Perry brings sharp, no nonsense insight into why both AI giants are missing the mark with everyday users, and what they need to do to fix it. Guest Bio Perry Headrick is the founder of Crackle PR, a B2B tech focused communications agency working with startups through publicly traded companies. He also co-hosts the Under Embargo podcast alongside Becca Chambers, CMO at Scale Ventures. Perry brings decades of experience in media strategy, reputation management, and crisis control. Key Topics Discussed Why only 17% of Americans trust the people running major AI companies, and 40% consider them untrustworthy The origin of the OpenAI vs Anthropic rivalry, born from a philosophical split within OpenAI How the Super Bowl ad wars and competitive digs are backfiring on both brands The psychology of "AI dread" and why fear, not excitement, dominates public perception Why AI companies make themselves the star instead of the customer Perry's real world examples: turning heads at a local Chinese restaurant with an AI generated photo, and using AI to pick better golf clubs The case for radical transparency over "promiseware" and vague grandiosity Why sycophantic AI responses (agreeing with everything, false reassurances) erode user trust The Claude broken links example and why owning limitations matters more than smoothing them over Reddit and AMAs as an underused trust building tool Are OpenAI and Anthropic "too big to fail," or heading toward a Yahoo vs Google outcome Why competing companies dragging each other down risks making the entire AI category look unsafe DuckDuckGo's rise as a case study in giving users control (the option to turn AI off) Connect with Perry Headrick LinkedIn: Perry Headrick Podcast: Under Embargo (co-hosted with Becca Chambers, CMO at Scale Ventures) Website: cracklepr.com Connect With the Show Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
58 Minuten
Spotify recently rolled out "personal podcasts," letting anyone generate a custom AI show with no creator involved. So what actually counts as a podcast anymore? Aaron, Melissa, and Chino bring in podcasting veteran and Hall of Famer Rob Walch, who has been a mainstay of the podcast industry since 2005, to unpack where AI fits in, where it doesn't, and why human-made shows probably aren't going anywhere. Rob breaks down the real history of podcasting's biggest growth moments, reacts to the rise of AI in podcasting, and explains why trust, once lost, is brutally hard to win back. Our panel also tackles celebrity podcasts, the trouble with unlabeled AI content, and what actually counts as a podcast these days in a rapidly changing landscape. Connect With the Show Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners. Guest Links Rob Walch's personal podcast: podcast411.com Co-hosts In and Around Podcasting with Elsie Escobar (new episodes every other week) Email: rob.walch@global.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/podcast411/
59 Minuten
Happy Prime Day! Amazon Prime Day just turned 11 years old, and what started as a single day invented to fill a sales lull has become somewhat of an actual holiday. How do we celebrate? We buy stuff! In this episode, our panel digs into celebrations engineered by brands and commerce (Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday, Starbucks Red Cup Day) to question whether these types of moments build real community or just psychologically condition consumers to spend on cue. Joining the conversation is Pearl Servat, a fractional CMO who helped scale Verizon's Visible brand from zero to over a million customers and led the brand's Visible Acts of Kindness campaign, a movement that grew organically out of a single email. Pearl brings the brand-side perspective on building trust, avoiding the "race to the bottom," and the difference between a manufactured sales event and an authentic cultural moment. Our panel breaks down why Prime Day works (consistency, trust, FOMO, basket-size psychology), where it may be falling short (personalization, social impact, fulfillment promises), and we pitch our own potential improvements, including hyper-personalized deals and a charity-driven "freeze the deals" concept that is up for grabs.Connect with Pearl Servat LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pearlservat/ Connect With the Show Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
55 Minuten
Brand collaborations are everywhere right now. But for every Swatch x AP with overwhelming demand, there are examples like Nike x Tiffany that leave everyone wondering why those brands aligned. In this episode, Aaron, Melissa, and Chino break down the biggest brand collabs in recent history, figure out what separates the legendary ones from the cautionary tales, and build a framework to predict which ones will actually work. What We Cover Why brands are obsessed with collabs and why consumers are starting to get tired of them The Swatch x Audemars Piguet launch that caused mall shutdowns and $25,000 resale prices What makes a collab feel culturally necessary versus just a marketing stunt Nike x Air Jordan — how the original celebrity collab still dominates decades later Nike x Tiffany — two iconic brands, one massive execution failure Adidas x Yeezy — $2 billion made, a very public breakup, and why Adidas is still profiting Pepsi x Kendall Jenner — what happens when a brand collab completely misreads the room Supreme x Louis Vuitton — the collab that redefined streetwear and luxury forever McDonald's Happy Meal collabs — why they keep getting it right over and over HM and Target designer drops — when doing collabs too often kills the excitement The secondary resale market — is it a bug or a feature of a great collab? Aaron's risk framework for predicting whether a brand collab will succeed or fail The Collab Risk Framework (Our Fix) Formalize the unofficial — if customers are already doing it themselves, own it. Lowest risk, built to last. (Taco Bell x Doritos) Combine shared capabilities — two brands each bring a unique strength the other doesn't have. When done right, something magnetic happens. (Swatch x AP, Supreme x LV) Shared audience + shared sensibility — the Venn diagram has to be big enough. If it's too small, the market will tell you the hard way. (Nike x Tiffany failed this test) Curation and scarcity — making something too available kills the desire. The limited nature has to be real and protected. Brands and Collabs Mentioned Swatch x Audemars Piguet (AP) Nike x Air Jordan Nike x Tiffany Adidas x Yeezy (Kanye West) Pepsi x Kendall Jenner Supreme x Louis Vuitton McDonald's x Cactus Plant Flea Market McDonald's x Korean Demon Hunters McDonald's x Pokemon, Beanie Babies, Minions HM x Balmain Target x Kate Spade, Diane von Furstenberg, Karl Lagerfeld, Mossimo Coca-Cola x Oreo Pepsi x Peeps Nike x Toy Story 5 J.Crew x Costco Key Takeaways Scarcity is the most powerful tool in a brand collab. If everyone can get it, nobody wants it. The Venn diagram of your two audiences has to be big. A small overlap means a small result. Execution matters as much as the idea. A great concept with poor delivery (Nike x Tiffany) will still fail. Doing collabs too frequently kills the excitement. The magic is in the rarity. Celebrity collabs carry more risk than brand-to-brand collabs. Brands are predictable. People are not. The secondary resale market is now a built-in part of any major collab launch. Brands need a plan for it. Connect With the Show Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
59 Minuten
What happens when luxury brands sell more than products, but the promise of ethics, craftsmanship, and sustainability? In this episode, our panel explores the growing tension between luxury fashion's premium pricing and the increasing scrutiny surrounding supply chain transparency, labor practices, and sustainability claims. Using LVMH and several of its iconic brands as a case study, the conversation examines whether today's luxury consumers are buying status, quality, or a set of values. Joining the discussion is Kirsten K. Harris (Nordstrom, Nike, Amazon), sustainability strategist and founder of eavolu, who shares insights from more than two decades in the fashion industry. Together, we unpack the realities of ESG compliance, traceability, greenwashing concerns, counterfeit markets, resale opportunities, and the future of ethical luxury. The episode highlights why transparency, authenticity, and accountability are becoming essential business strategies for brands that want to maintain consumer trust in an increasingly skeptical marketplace. Connect with Kirsten K. Harris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenkharris/ eavolu: https://eavolu.com Final Thought Luxury brands have long sold aspiration and exclusivity. The next generation of luxury may be defined not by what brands say, but by what they can prove. As consumers demand greater transparency, the future of fashion will belong to companies that can align premium products with authentic business practices. Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
53 Minuten
What separates a food fad that burns out from one that becomes a lasting brand? This episode dives into the psychology and business strategy behind viral food trends, with Pop-Up Bagels as a current example, to answer the question every food founder and investor is asking: how do you turn a moment into a movement? Featured Guest Talia Solomon — Founder, The Brand Economist Talia is a fractional CMO and brand advisor with a background in marketing and behavioral science. She has impacted companies across food, media, and consumer tech including Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Maggiano's, Del Taco, Ruby Tuesday, Weight Watchers, Bravo TV, Showtime, and Ring Doorbell. Her cross-industry experience gives her a unique lens on habit formation and consumer psychology. The Problem Food trends explode fast, and fizzle just as quickly. Category saturation, cultural shifts, and the gap between first-time curiosity and repeat habit have ended many promising brands. The real question isn't how to generate buzz. It's how to make people come back. Connect with Talia Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/taliasacks Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
1 Stunde
With billions of dollars traded weekly across non-traditional and traditional investors, prediction markets have quickly become one of the hottest crazes in finance. In this episode, we grab time with Andrew Lebbos of Benzinga (SVP of Licensing) to explore the current state of prediction market platforms like Kalshi and speculate about their long-term potential for good. This provocative conversation examines why prediction markets have gained mainstream attention, how they differ from traditional investing and sports betting, and whether crowdsourced forecasting can produce more accurate outcomes than other established methods. The discussion also tackles hot-button topics such as regulation, threats of insider information, concerns over gambling addiction, and the importance of customer retention. From the psychology of gambling to the speculative future of financial markets, this episode explores both the promise and possible risks of turning real-world events into tradable assets. Connect with Andrew LinkedIn: Andrew Lebbos on LinkedIn Benzinga: Benzinga APIs & Data Solutions Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
50 Minuten
7-Eleven has been working on a big comeback for a while. Their first big attempt at reinvention might surprise you: egg salad sandwiches. While quite popular in Japan, 7-Eleven’s big gamble on egg salad sandwiches throughout United States stores is head scratching. In this episode, our panel wonders what led to this decision, discusses the larger business challenges at play, and proposes our own fixes for what 7-Eleven should do next. Along the way, we unpack convenience store culture, customer behavior, retail psychology, operational execution, and take a hard look at how brands can misfire when they try to import global trends without adapting them locally. The team also debates: Why Japan’s 7-Eleven experience feels completely different than anywhere else Whether North American consumers trust convenience store “fresh food” Why the U.S. $5.50 sandwich may already be positioned incorrectly How pop-up experiences and cultural immersion could help revive the brand Why iced coffee might actually be a smarter gateway product than egg salad How brands can retrain customer behavior instead of chasing viral moments Plus, Chino gives a firsthand review after testing the North American version of the sandwich in Toronto and shares her unfiltered reaction to it. Key Takeaways Convenience stores in Japan function as an everyday food ecosystem, not just gas station stops Freshness perception matters more than novelty Viral products alone don’t build long-term customer habits 7-Eleven may need a full retail experience redesign, not just a menu upgrade Limited-time cultural pop-ups could create stronger consumer engagement Coffee and customizable experiences may offer a lower-risk path to changing customer behavior If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and share it with another Fixaholic. And next time you walk into a 7-Eleven, ask yourself: are you there out of habit, convenience, or because the brand actually gave you a reason to come back? Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome.All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
54 Minuten
What happens when a major airline simply runs out of money? In this episode, USA Today’s consumer travel reporter Zach Wichter joins the conversation to break down the shocking collapse of Spirit Airlines and its impact on passengers, employees, competitors, and the future of budget air travel. After years of financial instability, failed merger attempts, mounting debt, and rising fuel costs, Spirit Airlines officially ceased operations on May 2, 2026, leaving travelers stranded and thousands of employees without jobs. But while the shutdown felt sudden to customers, the warning signs had been visible for years. Together, we unpack how the airline industry handles collapse, why ultra low cost carriers are becoming harder to sustain, and whether Spirit’s downfall signals a much bigger shift in the economics of air travel. In This Episode, We Cover Why Spirit Airlines officially shut down operations How fuel prices accelerated the company’s collapse The real reason ultra low cost airlines struggle long term What happened to stranded passengers and canceled flights Why airline shutdowns often happen abruptly The WARN Act and employee notification responsibilities How airline creditors influence shutdown decisions Why Spirit’s collapse could lead to higher airfare industry-wide The hidden role Spirit played in keeping ticket prices low The rise of premium travel after the pandemic How other airlines are responding to Spirit’s disappearance What happens to loyalty points and travel rewards after an airline dies Key Insight from the Episode Spirit Airlines may be gone, but its impact on pricing across the airline industry was enormous. As discussed during the episode: Whether or not you flew Spirit, you benefited from Spirit Airlines because they helped drive down prices in every market they touched. Without that pressure, travelers may soon face significantly higher airfare across the board. About the Guest: Zach Wichter Zach Wichter is a consumer travel reporter at USA Today, where he covers aviation, travel trends, airlines, and passenger experience through his column Cruising Altitude. Previously, Zach reported for: The New York Times The Points Guy He was also part of the reporting team recognized with a Loeb Award for coverage of the Boeing 737 MAX crisis. Connect with Zach on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zlwichter/ Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring.
1 Stunde 4 Minuten
Can a financially devastated footwear brand reinvent itself overnight as an AI infrastructure company? In this episode, noted investment strategist Todd M. Schoenberger joins the discussion to unpack one of the boldest corporate pivots in recent memory: Allbirds’ decision to reposition itself as an AI business after losing nearly all of its market value. Is this the beginning of a revolutionary turnaround or a last-minute headline grab designed to buy time? Together, our panel explores whether brand loyalty is enough to survive a category shift this extreme, what investors are really reacting to when companies announce “AI pivots,” and whether Allbirds might still have viable paths forward to pursue its original footwear business instead of such a drastic departure. Are we entering an era where struggling companies can simply add “AI” to their story and reset investor expectations? As discussed in the episode: The company didn’t pivot to AI. They pivoted to a headline. That distinction may define whether Allbirds’ reboot becomes a turnaround story or a cautionary case study. Across industries, companies are racing to reposition themselves around artificial intelligence. But investors, employees, and customers are increasingly asking: What counts as a real pivot? What signals credibility? And what separates strategy from survival tactics? Allbirds provides a rare real-time example of what happens when brand identity, capital constraints, and market hype collide. Todd M. Schoenberger is CEO of CrossCheck Media and Chief Investment Officer at CrossCheck Management. He is a veteran financial commentator whose analysis has appeared on: CNBC Fox News CNN Todd specializes in interpreting market signals, investor behavior, and strategic corporate positioning during periods of economic transition. Connect with Todd on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-m-schoenberger Some standout insights from this episode: AI announcements can trigger short-term stock spikes without long-term strategy GPU infrastructure businesses require massive capital investment to compete Brand trust weakens when companies abandon their founding mission abruptly Direct-to-consumer footwear strategy may have been a stronger recovery path Meme-stock momentum helped amplify Allbirds’ temporary rally Sustainable brand positioning could have supported a more credible pivot Timing, culture shifts, and retail expansion decisions accelerated decline The Allbirds story raises a broader question for founders and executives: When reinvention becomes necessary, should companies evolve within their strengths or leap into entirely new categories? Sometimes survival depends less on moving fast and more on moving credibly. Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners. Key Question Driving the EpisodeWhy This Conversation Matters Right NowAbout the Guest: Todd M. SchoenbergerDiscussion HighlightsA Bigger Strategic Lesson
52 Minuten
Napster once reshaped the music industry by making free digital downloads mainstream. Now it’s attempting another reinvention, this time as an AI-powered music platform. But can a brand once synonymous with piracy successfully re-enter the industry it disrupted? In this episode, our panel sits down with podcast host and music industry partner development expert Seth Schachner (ex Sony Music, Jive Records, Microsoft) to unpack Napster’s history, its current AI ambitions, and whether the company still has a meaningful role to play in today’s creator-driven music ecosystem. Together, we explore what Napster got right the first time, what’s different now, and what it would take for the platform to succeed in an era dominated by streaming, TikTok discovery, and AI music tools. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Napster changed music consumption foreverWhy the music industry revenue dropped dramatically after early file-sharing platforms emerged How platforms like Apple iTunes and Spotify built on Napster’s behavioral blueprint The real difference between early piracy-era innovation and today’s AI music ecosystem Why AI music tools face skepticism from artists and labels. Whether Napster’s brand still has strategic value. The strongest opportunity Napster has today: creator collaboration platforms Why independent artist infrastructure may matter more than streaming competition. How TikTok-era discovery is reshaping music success cyclesWhat Napster would need to do to “fix” its comeback strategyIf Napster Wants to Win Again… The panel suggests Napster should:Lean into collaborative music creation tools support independent artists instead of competing with major streaming platforms build discovery infrastructure for emerging creatorsavoid overextending into too many AI product categoriesfocus on repeat creator engagement instead of passive listening About the GuestSeth Schachner is a veteran entertainment strategist and founder of Strat Americas. His career includes leadership roles at Sony Music and partnerships with companies like Microsoft and Live Nation Entertainment. He also hosts the podcast Breaking Down the Biz, where he explores the business behind entertainment and media. Seth’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0S8P5a0rH76RD1DB3BKloD?si=7044f5767af94587 Connect with Seth:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethschachner/ Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on:Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpodLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpodYouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer - A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We’re here to ask the kinds of questions everyone’s thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you’re welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
46 Minuten
LEGO built one of the most iconic brands in history by standing for children, creativity, and open-ended play. But in recent years, a major shift has taken hold. The company is increasingly chasing adult fans with premium, expensive, highly detailed sets, licensed IP, and collector-focused experiences. In this episode, the panel is joined by toy industry veteran Leo Battersby to examine whether LEGO’s pivot toward adults is a smart growth strategy or a dangerous drift away from the very thing that made the brand legendary. The conversation explores the deep tension between imagination vs instruction, open-ended creativity vs rigid build-by-numbers kits, and long-term cultural pipeline vs short-term revenue growth. With declining birth rates, rising screen time, and changing childhood behavior, LEGO is navigating a radically different world than the one it helped shape. The group debates whether LEGO is slowly turning from a system of play into a premium model-building brand and what that means for future generations of builders. Key Topics & Takeaways Why adult collectors now make up ~25–30% of the toy market How LEGO’s “Adults Welcome” strategy and 18+ sets changed the brand The shift from imaginative play to instruction-following construction Why modern LEGO sets leave less room for creative reinterpretation The impact of screens, media, and IP on how kids play today Declining birth rates and what that means for toy company pipelines The difference between “paint by numbers” and a blank canvas Why nostalgia is powerful but not a long-term growth strategy How LEGO risks losing the next generation of builders The hidden danger of optimizing only for adult money Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We're here to ask the kinds of questions everyone's thinking. Have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you're welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
59 Minuten
Southwest Airlines is financially strong. Record revenues. Stock price near multi-year highs. Yet longtime customers are walking away angry. In this episode, we unpack the growing tension between Wall Street performance and customer loyalty at Southwest Airlines. Host Aaron Wolpoff sits down with brand strategist Rene Huey-Lipton, founder of The Dame Collective and former strategy lead on Southwest during its golden years. The question at the center of the conversation: How can a brand be winning financially while simultaneously losing its best customers? From controversial assigned seating to unpopular baggage fees to the triggering “Boarding Royale” Super Bowl campaign, we analyze how strategic shifts have taken the most beloved airline identity in America off course for many consumers. What We Cover The Core Problem: Financial Success vs Brand Equity Southwest reported record revenue, yet load factors are declining Loyal flyers publicly declaring they are leaving The emotional equity of “We’re all in this together” is eroding The danger of extracting more revenue per customer while shrinking the customer base Rene explains how this mirrors classic Wall Street optimization: maximize short-term revenue, risk long-term brand health. The Boarding Royale Backfire Southwest’s Super Bowl ad mocked its former open seating model. Instead of feeling like a self-aware evolution, customers felt: Belittled Gaslit Reduced to the punchline Rene breaks down why making your most loyal customers the joke is a strategic miscalculation. Hierarchy Changes Behavior Referencing research from Harvard Business School and the University of Toronto, Rene highlights how: Class distinctions increase conflict Introducing hierarchy shifts employee roles from hosts to referees Southwest’s once-democratic seating model helped create community When tiered seating and baggage fees entered the picture, the cultural dynamic shifted. Internal Culture Risk Southwest’s frontline employees have historically been its greatest asset: Humor Warmth Human connection But layoffs, operational constraints, and policy changes are altering that culture. The episode explores whether internal friction could accelerate brand decline faster than customer dissatisfaction alone. What Should Southwest Do? Rene proposes a bold alternative: A Dual-Brand Strategy Modeled after Qantas and Jetstar: Preserve Southwest as a high-trust, economy-focused domestic brand Launch a separate premium or long-haul sub-brand Protect the emotional equity instead of diluting it Other ideas discussed: Restore fee transparency Recommit to “Bags Fly Free” Monetize passenger engagement through paid brand research partnerships Re-empower employees as ambassadors rather than enforcers Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. Rene Huey-Lipton https://www.linkedin.com/in/hueylipton/ • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be construed as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We're here to ask the kinds of questions everyone's thinking. Have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you're welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners.
53 Minuten
Are too many people being promoted into leadership roles? As a result, are companies becoming too top heavy? If we’ve created a system that values managers over executers, is this a recipe for disaster? In this episode, we’re joined by Ron Hetrick, Principal Economist at Lightcast and one of the most influential labor economists in the country. Together, we unpack one of the most important questions facing today’s labor market: whether modern organizations are overloaded with managers and what that means for productivity, hiring, layoffs, and career paths. Drawing on decades of labor market research and macro workforce data, Ron explains why middle managers are often the first cut during layoffs, how that decision can negatively impact companies, and why a contributor-based evaluation might be a better approach. This dynamic conversation digs into provocative questions we’re all asking, challenges assumptions, and poses some very real solutions about improving our collective thinking about the labor force. In This Episode, We Cover Why organizations naturally accumulate management layers over time The hidden risk of promoting top performers into leadership roles How layoffs disproportionately affect middle managers The mismatch between workforce expectations and available leadership roles Why companies reward management more than execution The growing importance of Individual Contributor career paths How interest rates and capital costs influence layoffs The long term consequences of overhiring during economic spikes Why forecasting failures create workforce instability How companies can rethink compensation structures to retain expertise The role AI may play in reshaping management structures Why trades and technical careers are becoming more attractive again Key Insight from Ron Hetrick One of the biggest workforce challenges today is not simply too many managers. It is a system that rewards leadership titles more than execution excellence. If organizations want stability, they must create career ladders where experts can grow inancially without being pushed into management roles if it creates misalignment. As Ron explains during the episode: The farther your role is from creating revenue or protecting margin, the harder it becomes to justify during restructuring. About the Guest: Ron Hetrick Ron Hetrick is a leading labor economist and Principal Economist at Lightcast. He previously worked at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and advises Fortune 100 companies, policymakers, and workforce strategists. He is also the author of: Demographic Drought Who’s Going to Do the Work The Rising Storm (contributor) Fault Lines (co-author) Ron is widely recognized for translating workforce data into practical strategic insight for organizations navigating talent shortages and economic change. Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronlhetrick/ Discussion Highlights Some standout takeaways from this episode: Promotions are often used as retention tools rather than structural necessities Middle management roles expand fastest during economic growth cycles Overhiring during temporary demand spikes leads directly to layoffs later Organizations rarely forecast workforce demand accurately Execution roles are often undervalued compared to leadership titles Skilled experts need compensation parity with managers Career ladders must evolve beyond title based advancement Our Panel Aaron Wolpoff – Host and Marketing panelist Melissa Eaton – Operations and C/X panelist Chino Nnadi – People, Talent and Culture panelist Ron Hetrick (Guest) - Labor economist and Principal Economist at Lightcast. Subscribe for more deep dives where we fix big business problems with fresh perspectives. • Website – www.wefixeditpod.com • Follow us on: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wefixeditpod LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/wefixeditpod YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Keep listening to find out how we fix companies and put them back better than we found them. Disclaimer A quick disclaimer. We are going into this somewhat cold and nothing we say should be onstrued as legal advice, financial advice or anything that would get us in trouble. These are our views and opinions. We're here to ask the kinds of questions everyone's thinking, have an engaging conversation and maybe come to some conclusions that we feel are worth exploring. By the end, if we fixed it, you're welcome. All trademarks, IP and brand elements discussed are property of their respective owners. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
