In this episode of Ask For An Answer, Jim Fielding sits down with Eva Steortz, executive coach, author of From the Outhouse to the Mouse House, and a longtime entertainment marketing leader, for a conversation about bold moves, career growth, resilience, and the relationships that shape our lives.

From leaving West Virginia with a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, to building a 20-year career at Disney, to navigating layoffs, consulting, authorship, and executive coaching, Eva shares what it means to bet on yourself again and again. Together, Jim and Eva explore imposter syndrome, leadership blind spots, the power of coaching, work-life integration, and why relationships remain the most important asset in any career.

This is a conversation about courage, reinvention, and refusing to let your dream go unrealized.

If you are navigating a transition, building your next chapter, or wondering how to lead with more confidence and authenticity, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Why bold moves often begin before you feel ready
• How executive coaching can uncover blind spots and accelerate growth
• The role of imposter syndrome in leadership and career transitions
• Why relationships are the foundation of career success and personal well-being
• How to navigate layoffs, reinvention, and change with resilience and gratitude

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Why dreams matter and the courage to chase them

03:20 – Leaving West Virginia for Los Angeles with a one-way ticket

06:45 – The feedback that changed Eva’s leadership career

16:00 – Why relationships are the foundation of success

22:30 – Corporate change, layoffs, and starting over

32:19 – The dream Eva’s father never got to live

41:24 – Work-life balance, empathy, and leadership with heart

47:00 – Imposter syndrome and confidence in leadership

Follow Eva Steortz

Book: From the Outhouse to the Mouse House

Follow Jim Fielding and Ask for an Answer:

Instagram: @jimfielding

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Podcast: Ask for an Answer

If this episode sparked something for you, don’t just agree with it, reach out to one person, revive one relationship, or take one bold step toward the dream you’ve been postponing.

In this episode of Ask For An Answer, host Jim Fielding sits down with legendary entertainment executive Luis Balaguer, CEO and founder of Latin World Entertainment (LatinWE). As the longtime business partner of Sofía Vergara, Luis has been the strategic architect behind one of the most successful talent management and brand empires in the world.

Luis pulls back the curtain on the "secret sauce" of their 30-year partnership, sharing the raw, "hungry" early days of selling DIY calendars out of desperation and how they eventually pioneered the "crossover" from Univision to Hollywood. They discuss the evolution of their "Three Buckets" business model, the eight-year struggle to book Modern Family, and the calculated risk of Sofía shedding her comedic persona to become Griselda. This isn't just a Hollywood success story; it’s a masterclass in intuition, brand longevity, and the power of staying true to your audience.

Episode Timestamps & Key Takeaways:

1. 04:11 – The 30-Year Partnership: Luis reflects on his three-decade journey building Latin World Entertainment and the mutual respect that defines his relationship with Sofía.
2. 06:09 – The $10 G-String Calendar: The "desperation-driven" origin story of their first million-dollar venture and learning to do business directly with the audience.
3. 09:48 – The Three Buckets of Business: How a strategic framework—Ownership, Sharing, and Endorsements—transformed their "kitchen-run" company into a high-value global brand.
4. 14:50 – Culture Shock in Hollywood: Navigating the shift from "loud" Latin production meetings to the polished—but often ridiculous—landscape of LA studios.
5. 18:16 – The Eight-Year Climb: A candid look at the resilience required to survive canceled pilots before Modern Family changed the landscape of network television.
6. 21:36 – The Ultimate Creative Risk: Luis reveals why Griselda was the scariest test of Sofía’s career and the necessity of reinventing yourself at the top of your game.
7. 23:13 – The Matriarch: Sofía’s early responsibility for her family and heritage, and why she started being a "boss" at just 22 years old.
8. 25:22 – The Idea Fountain: How Luis translates Sofía’s raw passions—from fashion to home decor—into massive retail wins at Walmart and beyond.

If you’ve ever wondered how celebrity, strategy, and entrepreneurship come together to create a lasting brand, this episode offers a rare inside look into the business of being Sofía Vergara.

✨Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer:

💼Instagram: jimfielding

🌐Podcast: Ask For An Answer

In this episode of Ask For An Answer, Jim Fielding sits down with Vance Garrett, one of the creative minds behind groundbreaking immersive experiences like Sleep No More, 29Rooms, and the Museum of Ice Cream. Together they explore how experiential storytelling is transforming entertainment, retail, and live culture.

From Shakespeare-inspired immersive theater to Instagram-era experiences and large-scale retail activations, Vance shares what it takes to design moments that bring people together. Jim and Vance also dive into why audiences today crave collective experiences — from Broadway shows to Beyoncé concerts — and how immersive storytelling is reshaping the way brands and creators connect with people.

This conversation is about creativity, culture, and the power of shared joy.

If you believe experiences matter more than ever, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

1. How immersive theater like Sleep No More changed live entertainment
2. tWhy experiential retail became the future of consumer engagement
3. What Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Kendrick Lamar understand about immersive storytelling
4. Why audiences crave communal experiences after the pandemic
5. The future of Broadway, live theater, and immersive experiences

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Why storytelling and communal experiences still matter

01:30 – How Jim and Vance first met working on ModelLand

03:00 – Vance’s background in immersive theater and experiential storytelling

04:00 – The phenomenon of Sleep No More and the birth of immersive theater

05:30 – Creating 29Rooms and the rise of Instagram-era experiences

06:20 – Building the Museum of Ice Cream and the explosion of experiential entertainment

07:25 – Bringing immersive experiences into retail with Westfield

10:50 – Why consumers want experiences more than products

13:00 – Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and the rise of immersive concerts

16:40 – The psychology of collective joy and live entertainment

20:00 – Broadway, theater, and why live performance still moves audiences

28:20 – The business challenges of Broadway and live productions

32:00 – Favorite theater and immersive experiences of all time

Connect with Vance Garrett:

Instagram: @vancegarrett

Email: V@vancegarrett.com

Follow Jim Fielding and Ask for an Answer:

Instagram: @jimfielding

Podcast: Ask for an Answer

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Podcast: Ask for an Answer

If this episode sparked something for you, don’t just agree with it, try it: take one question into your next meeting and see what changes.

In this episode of ASK FOR AN ANSWER, host Jim Fielding sits down with former Miss USA Olivia Jordan to discuss the raw reality of life after the title. Known for her grace during one of the most infamous moments in Miss Universe history, Olivia opens up about the "evolution behind the headlines."

From the high-pressure world of pageantry in Los Angeles to finding peace and rebuilding her life in Tulsa, Olivia shares how to navigate identity shifts, personal growth, and the journey of reinvention.

Key Takeaways from This Conversation:

1. Confidence Under Pressure: The surprising mindset lessons learned from the Miss USA stage.
2. The Power of Pivot: Why Olivia left Hollywood to build a new dream in her hometown.
3. Modern Motherhood & Healing: How she is rewriting her identity to become a role model for her daughter.
4. Finding Purpose: Practical advice for anyone asking "what comes next?" in their career or personal life.

This is not just a story about pageants or Hollywood. It is about growth, vulnerability, service, and stepping into your most realized self. If you are in a season of reinvention or asking what comes next, this episode is your invitation.

✨Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer:

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On this episode of ASK FOR AN ANSWER, Jim Fielding sits down with Adam Powell, co-founder of the LGBTQ+ book platform Our Story (formerly Shop Queer), to talk about turning a 10-book idea into a thriving national movement. From launching a bookshop out of their apartment in 2022 to building 30+ book clubs and taking the Rainbow Book Bus across the country, Adam shares how he and his partner Eric are amplifying queer voices—especially in places where those stories are being silenced.

They dive into the realities of entrepreneurship as life partners, the power of in-person community, drag as creative liberation, and why “selfish” might be the most important word to reclaim for your mental health.

In this episode, we explore:

1. How Our Story grew from a garage startup to a 30+ club national community
2. The Rainbow Book Bus tour and giving away 8,000 banned books across the U.S.
3. Boundaries, burnout, and building a business with your partner
4. Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for connection and resistance

This is a conversation about courage, creativity, and choosing joy—even when the world feels heavy.

If you believe in the power of story to bring people together, this one’s for you.

✨Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer:

💼Instagram: jimfielding

🌐Podcast: Ask For An Answer

In this episode of Ask for an Answer, Jim Fielding sits down with Katharine “Kate” Jerkens, Chief Business Officer of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, to explore what it takes to build an iconic brand in uncertain times—without hiding behind “having all the answers.”

Kate shares the inside story of Uncle Nearest’s rise, including the origin of the Nearest Green legacy (the first known African-American master distiller who taught Jack Daniel), the leadership realities of building distribution and culture in a white, male-dominated industry, and how COVID reshaped consumer behavior, team dynamics, and decision-making.

This is a conversation about modern leadership, authentic storytelling, psychological safety, and the kind of long-game thinking that builds trust, not just revenue.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The real origin story behind Uncle Nearest and why legacy-driven brands outperform “marketing-first” brands
2. What it’s like to lead as a woman executive in the spirits industry — and how to keep your edge without losing your humanity
3. How to navigate uncertainty (COVID, shifting consumer trends, cultural change) with curiosity instead of control
4. Why psychological safety is the hidden driver of better decisions and stronger teams
5. A leadership reminder that applies everywhere: you can’t control the world, but you can control how you show up

Mentioned in the episode:

1. The Nearest Green story and the mission behind Uncle Nearest
2. The Nearest Green Foundation and education legacy
3. The “HBCU Cocktail” initiative and HBCU Heroes
4. 
   

Follow Katharine Jerkens / Uncle Nearest

Instagram: @unclenearest

Website: unclenearest.com

Follow Jim Fielding / Ask for an Answer

Instagram: @jimfielding

Website:

Podcast: Ask for an Answer

If this episode sparked something for you, don’t just agree with it, try it: take one question into your next meeting and see what changes.

Actor Gerardo Celasco opens up about growing up between cultures, being “othered” in El Salvador, chasing an acting dream without a safety net, and enduring years of near-misses before landing career-defining roles like The Waterfront. In a deeply personal conversation with host Jim Fielding, Gerardo reflects on marriage, fatherhood, creative identity, and what it really means to stay the course when doubt never fully disappears.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Growing up between countries, cultures, and expectations
2. The reality of chasing a creative dream without connections
3. Redefining success, masculinity, and belonging at midlife

If you’ve ever questioned your path, your timing, or whether it’s “too late,” this conversation is a reminder that your story is still unfolding and you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

In this live Los Angeles episode, Jim Fielding is joined by former direct reports Launi King, Elizabeth Litten Miller, and Erin Morris to unpack the real story behind building a high-performing team during a period of massive change at 20th Century Fox. From career pivots and creative freedom to empathy-driven leadership, they share what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons that still shape how they lead today.

Together, they explore what it takes to create psychologically safe teams, earn trust in uncertain times, and lead humans—not just org charts.

Key themes include:

1. Leading with empathy instead of fear
2. Building trust during change and uncertainty
3. Respecting creativity, fandom, and the people behind the work

If you’re a leader—or aspiring to be one—this conversation is a powerful reminder that how you lead matters just as much as what you build.

In this kickoff episode of the 2026 Leading With Pride Book Club, Jim Fielding sits down with retail and leadership veteran Matt Marcotte to explore the ideas behind his book Built on Belief: Why Cultures of Commitment Are the Competitive Advantage. From Gap and Apple to Tory Burch and Salesforce, Matt shares how decades of leading through reinvention taught him one truth: companies win when their people truly believe in what they’re building.

Together, Jim and Matt unpack what it really takes to build cultures where curiosity, trust, and human connection fuel growth — even in the most demanding, tech-driven industries.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Why curiosity beats certainty in great leadership
2. How to build a North Star that aligns teams instead of siloing them
3. What it takes to create cultures of commitment, not compliance

If you’re ready to lead with more purpose, clarity, and courage, this conversation will change how you think about culture — and your role in shaping it.

Matt Marcotte

🌐 m2collaborative.com

📘 Built on Belief — available wherever books are sold

Jim Fielding

🌐 jimfielding.com

Podcast: Ask for an Answer

Instagram: jimfieldingnyc

LinkedIn: jimfielding

In this Los Angeles Sessions episode of Ask For An Answer, Jim Fielding sits down with pioneering media strategist and XR visionary Wadooah Wali for a deeply human conversation about identity, creativity, and carving a non-linear career path. From growing up feeling “othered” in Gainesville, Florida, to riding the front lines of tech, digital media, and immersive storytelling, Wadooah shares how following curiosity rather than titles led her to reshape the future of entertainment.

Together, Jim and Wadooah explore what it really means to live authentically in your work, why careers are rarely linear, and how representation and storytelling can quite literally save lives. This episode is a powerful reminder that growth comes from risk, purpose comes from community, and your story matters more than you think.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Embracing “otherness” as a leadership superpower
2. Why curiosity and side hustles shape the most meaningful careers
3. The importance of representation, community, and telling stories that endure

If you’ve ever felt different, uncertain, or called toward something bigger, this conversation will remind you that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Connect with Jim Fielding

Instagram: @jimfielding

LinkedIn: Jim Fielding

Connect with Wadooah Wali

Website: www.newcanvas.co

Instagram / X / LinkedIn: @WadooahWali

New Canvas: @newcanvasxr

From sneaking off to summer camp and calling into radio stations as a kid to hosting national programs on NPR and launching The Middle, Jeremy Hobson shares how curiosity, storytelling, and Midwestern values shaped a career built on listening. Along the way, he reveals why live, unscripted conversations may be exactly what our fractured media landscape needs right now.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. Why The Middle is redefining what civil discourse sounds like
2. How growing up in a professor’s household shaped Jeremy’s voice and values
3. What real people across the country are saying about the economy, media, and the future

If you believe stories can still bring people together, this conversation will remind you why listening matters more than ever.

In this powerful episode of Ask For An Answer, host Jim Fielding sits down with Jorge Valencia, CEO of the Point Foundation and former Executive Director of The Trevor Project, for a deeply personal and timely conversation about LGBTQ+ leadership, resilience, and responsibility. Jorge shares how education, mentorship, and community can quite literally save lives—especially during moments of cultural backlash, political change, and isolation.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

1. Why scholarships are only the beginning—and community is the real impact
2. How LGBTQ youth are navigating education, safety, and identity in a post-COVID world
3. What history teaches us about resilience, resistance, and the power of staying visible

This episode is a reminder that hope isn’t passive—it’s built through action, mentorship, and showing up for the next generation when they need it most.

Learn more, support scholars, or get involved:

👉 https://pointfoundation.org

In this conversation, Jim Fielding sits down with Chris Glass, Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Soho House, to explore the humanity behind leadership, identity, and personal evolution. From navigating DEI in a shifting global landscape to returning to the U.S. after decades abroad, Chris shares how curiosity, humility, and service shape the way he moves through the world. Together, they unpack the idea of “asking for an answer” — a grounded practice of stepping back, seeking perspective, and letting growth lead.

Key Themes:

1. Why leaders don’t need all the answers — and shouldn’t pretend to
2. How living abroad reshapes identity, belonging, and the idea of “home”
3. The changing DEI landscape and how to lead with agility and humanity
4. Turning challenges into lessons instead of failures

Chris’s story is an invitation to slow down, stay curious, and trust that every chapter — even the messy ones — is here to teach us something meaningful.

Connect with Chris Glass

Instagram: Herrglass

Connect with Jim Fielding

Instagram: jimfieldingofficial

LinkedIn: jimfielding

A.I.

Is it here to help? To destroy? With so many opinions and so much complexity, it can be hard to understand where this technology is going and what it actually does to help.

Jim is joined this week by AI pioneer Scott Clendaniel to discuss this topic and better understand the opportunity it presents, and the drawbacks it may bring.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Intro

0:34 - Episode beginning

1:11 - Meet Scott Clendaniel

5:52 - Scott’s journey, AI’s history

14:47 - Generative AI’s future

19:07 - Microsoft Co-Pilot and the problem it reveals

24:58 - Should we be afraid?

30:48 - The “return to office” push + AI

34:30 - Anyone can use AI

40:13 - Different tools and the problem w/ software

50:31 - Scott's wisdom-drop

53:31 - Episode wrap-up

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH SCOTT CLENDANIEL

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tscottclendaniel/

They get into the Beekman origin story (yes, the goats), why “kindness” became the brand’s north star, and practical lessons on partnerships, hiring, and storytelling in a three-second world.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Welcome and introduction to Brent

3:25 - Why the book, why now?

8:35 - Have you ever felt like you “arrived”?

12:41 - Kindness, building brand

14:41 - Brent’s first big order

19:50 - What the firm (and product) has grown into now

23:36 - Disney, company culture

28:10 - Culture and attention in the era of social media

36:19 - “Two heads are better than one”

40:36 - 51% rule

47:28 - Need for nature

53:06 - Empathy

54:13 - “What would you tell 25-year old Brent?”

55:42 - Episode wrap-up

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH BRENT RIDGE

Website: https://beekman1802.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-ridge-md-0641791/

Jim returns to Indiana University to sit down with student Joey Mora live and in front of the next generation of retail and fashion to discuss his journey, but more importantly: his success in the retail industry - how he got involved, and what informed him along the way that he was in the right place.

Jim also dives into the specifics of his early career, including trips to Japan, living with a Danish family, and his big jump into the upper echelons of corporate leadership - and his newest chapter.

Episode Highlights:

(0:00) - Intro

(0:37) - Episode beginning

(2:31) - Meet Joey

(5:45) - Getting into retail

(12:32) - Travelling, fashion, where it takes you

(16:20) - More on Joey and her work on campus

(22:01) - This semester for Joey

(32:54) - Advice you give to students starting their careers

(39:44) - Staying true to yourself

(55:49) - Wrap-up

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

Oana sits down with Jim to discuss the path less travelled:

Leaving corporate (and your job + safety net).

The reason? To achieve a balance in life that few get. The synchronicity between what you're doing, what you're good at, and what you like.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 – Welcome and introduction to Oana

2:56 – How Jim and Oana met

7:23 – Diving into “the journey”

8:04 – Building your own brand

10:12 – From “different” to Unmatched positioning

13:22 – Hardest part of the transition

16:48 – “Disney deprogramming” & imposter syndrome

24:15 – Growing up (fast) as an entrepreneur

26:39 – Multi-hyphenate authenticity vs titles

35:03 – Biggest surprise of year one

36:30 – Rediscovering self before strategy

42:13 – Bad Bunny case study: roots → global demand

51:30 – Wrapping up + contact Juana

52:17 – Mic-drop advice: be faithful to your unmatched essence

55:02 – Gratitude & sign-off

57:11 – Outro + subscribe/reminder

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH OANA LEONTE

Website: https://theunmtchd.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-leonte

Jim and Blake trace the genesis of their collaboration and their first intro via Joanne Martino, unpack a wild personal-assistant story that ended at a Ramada, talk vitality vs. stagnation, and get candid about coming out, “inviting in,” and showing up for the LGBTQ+ community.

They also cover a practical mindset that can do wonders for your day to day experience..

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Welcome and introduction to Blake

2:32 - From book launch to brand and podcast

6:10 - Vitality over stagnation and lessons from Jim’s dad

8:32 - The 1% assistant story and the Ramada pivot

14:17 - The 2015 epiphany and 2016 move to LA

18:23 - Coming out at 19 and “inviting in”

27:40 - Representation, safe spaces, authentic leadership

28:11 - Control the controllable, leave space for the possible

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH BLAKE COLLAZO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecollazo/

Jim and Brian unpack coming out at 13, landing a first VC check in 15 minutes, surviving pivots (including web3), the painful decision to shut down—and the hopeful next chapter: SE / “sector,” a platform creating intergenerational connections for LGBTQ+ industry leaders.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:36 - Meet Brian Tran—founder, designer, connector

2:20 - Houston roots & coming out at 13

6:36 - Why he builds LGBTQ+ community products

7:05 - How Jim & Brian met; authenticity, connection, community

9:13 - College pivots: journalism → film theory → entrepreneurship

14:26 - First roles: Pandora product design → Kleiner Perkins (VC)

16:50 - What VC taught him (scale, stakes, networks)

18:20 - Side app to funded venture

19:52 - The 15-minute pitch that landed the first check

21:29 - Angel investing 101: what investors really back

24:10 - Eight years of pivots

30:13 - Why the web3 chapter was the toughest

31:54 - 2025 return to hospitality; real-estate hurdles

33:34 - Building a membership without a space; sponsor headwinds; shutdown

35:08 - Founder reality: failure, resilience, learning

39:03 - The next chapter: SE/“sector” for LGBTQ+ leaders

41:57 - Mentorship as a two-way street

44:02 - Closing & where to find Brian

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

Dr. Paul’s new book, “Black. Fat. Femme: Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices (in Media) and Learning to Love Yourself” is a guide to standing at the intersection of multiple identities, communities, and causes shapes people and how they see the world.

Jim sits down with Dr. Jon to explore his journey in creating this book, the influences he sought and most importantly: his lived experience which informed the book.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

1:20 - The Dr. Jon Paul story

7:58 - What has surprised you the most?

12:30 - Influences in the book and on Jon

18:56 - Sometimes you need to say what needs to be said

29:11 - RuPaul’s Drag Race

44:19 - Final thoughts

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH DR. JON PAUL

Website: https://www.doctorjonpaul.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/doctorjonpaul/?hl=en

Chris is the Global Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Soho House & Co and is responsible for lead strategy and execution of DEI initiatives across the company's +40 Houses and +100K members.

Chris joins Jim to catch-up and discuss recent events and how a changing political environment challenges him in both his career and in his life.

On a lighter note, Chris shares his unique experience of being an ex-pat living in Germany and what he found in Europe that he couldn’t state-side.

Lastly, there are the gold nuggets, the insights that only years of doing it ‘right’ (and wrong) can inform. Jim and Chris explore why you should live life in ‘1 year terms’, the importance of finding what works for you and why designing your life to your exact standards SHOULD be the standard, not the dream.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:38 - Episode beginning

3:13 - What Chris does

4:18 - Commitment to DEI in 2025

7:38 - “Do you feel pushback in your job?”

9:26 - How Chris’ job has changed

13:45 - Living and working abroad as an American

16:22 - Chris’ “moment”

19:13 - Thinking about your life in ‘1 year terms’

24:40 - “There is no one way for everyone”

30:27 - What locations are left on Chris’ bucket list?

36:26 - What does Chris see for the next year?

44:40 - Episode wrap-up

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH CHRIS GLASS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-glass-29295/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herrglass/

Bruce W. Brackett is a social media personality, author, entrepreneur, self-taught visual artist, and international motivational speaker. His book, “How to Breathe While Suffocating: A Story Of Overcoming Addiction, Recovering From Trauma and Healing My Soul” published by Wiley is now available everywhere books are sold.

Bruce sits down with Jim to discuss his new book and explore what he is looking to achieve with his story. They also dive into the experiences within the book and how Bruce began his journey in sobriety and more broadly, his journey to helping others in similar situations.

Additionally, they discuss the mechanical experience of writing a book (and the challenges therein), how Bruce got the idea (and got started) and most importantly: the biggest lessons from the book and why you should read it.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:39 - Episode beginning, intro to Bruce Brackett

4:27 - More about Bruce

10:24 - “Did you always plan on writing a book?”

13:37 - How long it took Bruce to write the book

25:20 - “Did you see yourself becoming an author?”

30:22 - [After the book release] “What’s been the biggest surprise?”

41:43 - Biggest lessons from the book

48:06 - Closing thoughts and where you can find Bruce

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH BRUCE BRACKETT

Website: https://www.bwbart.com/

Instagram: BWB.Positivity

X: BWB.Positivity

Paul shares what it’s really like to run some of the world’s biggest events, from the Olympics and Super Bowl to exclusive music festivals and global culinary showcases. As the driving force behind On Location, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at how they create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for fans and brands alike.

Jim and Paul also reflect on their college days at Indiana University, where they co-founded a fraternity that would shape their leadership styles and values for decades to come. It’s a full-circle moment filled with laughter, perspective, and a few lessons learned along the way.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

1:12 - How Paul and Jim met

2:41 - More about Paul

6:01 - What made Paul want to start his own fraternity

16:28 - What Paul is doing now

24:48 - Paul’s foundation

28:47 - Talking “On Location”

42:26 - “I’m driven by time”

45:55 - Paul’s one big piece of advice and closing thoughts

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH PAUL CAINE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pcaine/

Foundation Website: https://griffincaresfoundation.org/

On Location: https://onlocationexp.com/

Mindy shares the bold decisions that defined her career, from walking away from law school to diving headfirst into the fashion industry in New York City, and how trusting her gut led her to helm some of the world’s most iconic brands.

In this episode, Jim and Mindy dive into why modern leadership requires vulnerability and empathy, the current state of retail, (really) building culture and more!

This conversation is part masterclass, part motivational playbook  and a rare look into the mindset of a true visionary.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

2:13 - Meet Mindy

9:03 - Two important things (for young people)

10:24 - Risk taking

12:11 - Mindy’s favorite role

19:32 - Culture

22:10 - The “Barbeque Effect”

25:27 - “Talking up” to the customer

35:05 - How does Mindy describe herself?

39:07 - Today’s marketplace: What are you saying to clients?

42:12 - Mindy’s mantra

45:15 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT JIM FIELDING

Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.

Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH MINDY GROSSMAN

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-grossman/

Website: https://consello.com/

This week, Jim is joined by Ron Thurston, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and fierce advocate for the people who keep retail running.

In this episode, Ron’s not just talking shop. He’s reframing the conversation entirely as they dive deep into the real value of retail work and why it deserves more respect, more pride, and a brighter future in the age of A.I.

From stocking shelves to leading global brands like Gap and Apple, Ron has seen it all. His newest book, Human Pride, builds on that lived experience and delivers a bold message: Your career doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful. And your skills are more powerful than you think.

Whether you’re just starting out or decades in, this conversation is a celebration of work that’s often overlooked but never irrelevant.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

1:54 - “How do we know each other?”

4:06 - Ron talks his book and what “pride” means to him

12:51 - Talking about “Human Pride”

20:46 - Jobs and A.I.

29:52 - Careers in retail

31:03 - “Retail is detail”, GAP’s renaissance

33:30 - Transferable skills (and how to market them)

36:31 - Don’t be afraid of new tech

40:09 - Stores reflecting consumers

40:33 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT JIM FIELDING

Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.

Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH RON THURSTON

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthurston/

Check out Ron’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Retail-Pride-Celebrating-Accidental-Career/dp/1544515928

Welcome back to Jim Fielding and Friends!

This week, Jim is joined by Billy, a music industry heavyweight whose name you may not know, but whose work you've certainly heard.

Billy’s journey isn’t just about hits or fame it’s a roadmap of resilience, reinvention, and real-world pursuit of purpose. Whether you’re an aspiring creator or simply curious about success, this conversation goes beyond the spotlight into the roots of creativity.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

1:45 - Intro to Billy Mann

8:05 - “What was the first hit?”

10:56 - Working with others, or solo?

12:15 - “How do you describe yourself?”

13:57 - Which song represents you best?

18:30 - Billy’s favorite collaborators

20:38 - Writing with Grayson Chance, “Brown Paper Bag”

26:58 - Getting what you want out of life, fulfillment

34:46 - Comparmentalization (for better or worse)

42:22 - Using survivor’s guilt

44:25 - Being tribalized

46:24 - Billy’s “Golden Mantra”

50:08 - Billy talks Chosen Family

ABOUT JIM FIELDING

Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.

Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

This week, Jim is joined by Ingrid Nilson and Erica Anderson!

Ingrid is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of The New Savant, a modern fragrance brand rooted in storytelling and connection. Before launching the company, she spent over a decade as a trailblazer on YouTube, helping shape the creator economy and building a loyal following of millions. Today, Ingrid continues to create community, this time through scent by crafting unique fragrances designed to spark emotion, memory, and meaningful connection.

Erica is the Co-Founder and CEO of The New Savant. Prior to launching the brand, Erica built a career at the intersection of media and technology holding key roles at CBS News, Twitter, Google, and MTV. Erica brings that same strategic vision and digital fluency to The New Savant, providing the brand with a strong, future-facing foundation.

Over the course of the episode, Jim explores The New Savant – not only the company’s genesis – but that of Erica and Ingrid as well. From humble beginnings in Indiana, YouTube fame and glory to starting all over with something new, Jim shares the interesting work that these two are doing in the fragrance industry and most importantly, their experiences as queer individuals in the entrepreneurial space.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:39 - Episode beginning

3:41 - Intro to Ingrid and Erica

6:34 - Ingrid’s YouTube journey

15:29 - Pivot to “The New Savant”

21:30 - Fragrance Houses and creating new scents

25:45 - “Mixed Feelings” scent

27:09 - Funding and getting The New Savant started

33:35 - Retailers, new brands and the product itself

39:33 - Words of wisdom

44:07 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT JIM FIELDING

Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.

Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

Brian is currently the CEO of Agenda PAC, a political action committee with an aggressive and refreshing approach to defeating anti-LGBTQ+ politicians. Agenda PAC targets incumbents with anti-equality records using data-driven messaging, hard-hitting digital ads, and grassroots organizing to unseat what Brian calls “beatable bigots.”

In this conversation with Jim, Brian breaks down what he’s learned from his career in politics — from serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to leading one of the most targeted pro-equality PACs in the country.

They don’t just talk shop, either. Jim and Brian go deeper, exploring how America’s cultural landscape has shifted, why diversity is wrongly being framed as a weakness, and why so many young people have lost faith in political participation. Plus: what Democrats are getting wrong, and how they can fix it.

If you’ve been frustrated by politics lately, this conversation won’t just resonate.. it might just re-ignite your fire.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:37 - Beginning and intro to Brian

5:56 - Making impact, the importance of school boards

8:44 - All politics are local

13:42 - Republicans being intentional about local politics

19:14 - Where should the “democrat response” come from?

24:27 - One big mistake with the Democratic strategy

31:16 - The incumbent advantage

33:38 - Who Brian is excited about in the democratic party

36:29 - “We used to celebrate our differences”

42:56 - Diversity, pessimism and the new reality

50:40 - Episode wrap-up, where you can find Brian

ABOUT JIM FIELDING

Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.

Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

CONNECT WITH JIM FIELDING

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimfielding/

Website: https://www.hijimfielding.com/

CONNECT WITH BRIAN SIMS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianksims/

Website: https://www.agendapac.org/

This isn’t just a podcast about leadership—it’s about staying constantly curious, learning from people who challenge the status quo, and creating space for real conversations. Whether it’s a Fortune 500 executive, an LGBTQ+ trailblazer, or a visionary entrepreneur, every guest is here for a reason!

In this inaugural episode, Jim is sitting down with two people who were integral in getting Jim Fielding and Friends started; Podcast Principles founder Ryan Sullivan and strategic marketing consultant and longtime friend, Andria Younger.

Together they discuss more about what this show is and what Jim is trying to accomplish, why it’s happening and what you can expect in the coming weeks and months.

Episode Highlights:

(0:00) - Introduction

(1:05) - Meeting the guests and the podcast

(10:25) - What drove Jim’s vision to do “something else”

(16:02) - The art of the pivot

(20:11) - Retirement vs. redefining

(23:05) - What’s next for this podcast

(35:14) - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT JIM FIELDING

Jim Fielding began his career on the department store floor, where he discovered a deep passion for face-to-face interaction and customer experience. That early spark launched a career spanning over 30 years in senior executive roles at some of the world’s most iconic retail and media brands, including Gap, Disney Stores, Claire’s, DreamWorks, and 20th Century Fox. Throughout his leadership journey, Jim became widely recognized for his commitment to developing talent and building inclusive, people-first cultures—believing that individuals perform at their best when they can bring their whole, authentic selves to work.

Today, Jim’s full-time focus is on sharing the lessons he’s learned. Through speaking engagements, coaching, writing, advocacy, and community building, he inspires leaders and organizations to create spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

On Jim Fielding and Friends, we explore what it truly means to lead and live with authenticity, kindness, and impact.

Each episode brings together leaders who inspire me—leaders, creatives, changemakers, and bold thinkers—people who lead with heart, break barriers, and redefine success. Through candid conversations, we’ll uncover the personal stories, leadership philosophies, and game-changing insights that drive real impact.

This isn’t just a podcast about leadership—it’s about staying constantly curious, learning from people who challenge the status quo, and creating space for real conversations. Whether it’s a Fortune 500 executive, an LGBTQ+ trailblazer, or a visionary entrepreneur, every guest is here for a reason—because I respect them, I’ve learned from them, and I want you to learn from them too.

If you’re looking for honest, insightful, and thought-provoking conversations, pull up a chair—let’s talk.