Uncensored Renegades Launch Live from New York City with Kory Marchisotto

Jan 16, 2026

Kory Marchisotto, the CMO of e.l.f. Cosmetics, teams up with Jon Evans in a candid launch discussion. They dive into the audacious choice to tackle taboo topics like failure, bad bosses, and workplace dilemmas. Kory shares her 'renegade spirit' philosophy that aligns with e.l.f.'s disruptive brand identity. The pair share personal anecdotes, pet peeves, and recommed inspirational books that shaped their leadership. Plus, they invite audience ideas for future discussions, promising a snackable and human approach to leadership challenges.

46:30

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

John's Paprika Moment

John shares a quirky story of using ChatGPT to pick 'paprika' as his spice, matching his own choice.
He frames paprika as vibrant, versatile, and capable of turning the ordinary sensational.

Kory Chooses Saffron

Kory tested three AIs and settled on saffron to describe herself as rare, luminous, and transformative.
She and AI metaphors emphasize a colorful, renegade leadership presence.

Use Exercise To Unclog Thinking

Exercise to clear your head and surface creative solutions; John uses long bike rides for ideation.
Commit time for physical activity to boost mental clarity and problem solving.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Why start Uncensored Renegades

01:04 • 57sec

chevron_right

The rogue LinkedIn post and audience response

02:01 • 2min

chevron_right

Show format: snackable, human, weekly

04:08 • 1min

chevron_right

Topics: the things people avoid discussing

05:34 • 3min

chevron_right

How their partnership formed

08:51 • 3min

chevron_right

Why the name 'Renegades' fits

11:51 • 2min

chevron_right

Getting to know each other with prompts

13:58 • 3min

chevron_right

Spice metaphors reveal personalities

16:32 • 2min

chevron_right

What makes them mental

Yes energy and committing to scary goals

36:59 • 1min

chevron_right

Books and learning that shape them

38:16 • 3min

chevron_right

Crowdsourcing episode ideas from the audience

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

The Earned Life

Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment

Marshall Goldsmith

Mark Reiter

In 'The Earned Life,' Marshall Goldsmith offers a practical approach to achieving fulfillment and minimizing regret. The book emphasizes the importance of living in the present and aligning daily choices, risks, and efforts with a broader life purpose, regardless of the eventual outcome. Goldsmith provides various strategies, including the 'Every Breath Paradigm,' the 'Action, Ambition, and Aspiration' model, and the 'credibility matrix,' to help readers shed obstacles to fulfillment and avoid the trap of existential regret. The book is divided into two parts: 'Choosing Your Life' and 'Earning Your Life,' covering both the theory and practice of living an earned life.

#1009

• Mentioned in 37 episodes

Of mice and men

John Steinbeck

Published in 1937, 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck is a novella that tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression. The narrative revolves around their dream of owning a small farm, a symbol of the American Dream. However, their plans are continually thwarted by circumstances, including Lennie's accidental killing of the ranch owner's daughter-in-law, which leads to a tragic conclusion. The book is known for its vivid portrayal of farm life, its exploration of themes such as loneliness, friendship, and the harsh realities of the labor system, and its objective narrative style. It has been widely adapted into stage and film versions and remains a significant work in American literature.

#4408

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

For the Culture

The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be

Marcus Collins

In "For the Culture," Marcus Collins explores the profound influence of culture on our choices, actions, and identities. He delves into how cultural forces shape our purchasing decisions, career paths, and even our relationships. Collins examines the interplay between personal beliefs, cultural norms, and brand marketing, revealing how companies can leverage cultural understanding to achieve success. The book offers practical strategies for individuals and organizations to navigate the complexities of culture and harness its power for positive impact. It's a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the cultural landscape and its impact on various aspects of life.

#412

• Mentioned in 71 episodes

Lord of the Flies

William Golding

In 'Lord of the Flies', William Golding tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. The novel follows their attempts to govern themselves and the gradual descent into chaos and savagery. The story is an allegory that explores themes of human nature, morality, leadership, and the fragility of civilization. Key characters include Ralph, who represents order and democracy; Jack, who symbolizes power and violence; and Piggy, the voice of reason. The novel highlights the tension between the desire for civilization and the primal savagery that lies beneath the surface of human society.

#108

• Mentioned in 166 episodes

Unreasonable Hospitality

The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

Will Guidara

In 'Unreasonable Hospitality,' Will Guidara shares his experiences as the General Manager of Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad, highlighting the importance of hospitality in any business. The book emphasizes that simply offering a great product is not enough; organizations must also focus on creating authentic connections and memorable experiences for both customers and employees. Guidara provides practical advice on setting expectations, managing teams, and adapting to unexpected situations, all while maintaining a commitment to hospitality that goes beyond mere service. His approach is applicable across various industries, not just limited to restaurants and luxury businesses.

• Mentioned in 1,760 episodes

1984

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

Listen to the launch episode of my brand new show, Uncensored Renegades, co-hosted with Kory Marchisotto, CMO of e.l.f. and a previous guest on Uncensored CMO.

Listen to the new show here:

Apple Podcasts
Spotify

In Uncensored Renegades, we talk about the things most people are too afraid to discuss: being fired, failure, terrible bosses, and more.

Get to know your hosts, Jon Evans and Kory Marchisotto, hear why we started the show, and find out what’s coming next.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Background to Uncensored Renegades
01:59 - Why Renegades?
02:39 - The response to Jon’s launch post
05:48 - What topics will be discussed on the show?
08:47 - The partnership that led to the podcast
11:50 - Why the name “Renegades”?
13:54 - Getting to know Jon and Kory
27:45 - What do you do to recharge?
38:33 - Inspiring books
41:32 - Crowdsourcing topic ideas

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books