Uncensored Renegades

Leadership at the top level doesn't come free it costs time, energy, and often the comfort of a predictable life. In this episode, Kory and Jon get honest about what it really takes to lead as a CMO: the personal sacrifices, the travel, the pressure, and the constant balancing act between work and home. From managing time zones on the road to the surprisingly powerful concept of strategic laziness, this is a candid look at what high-performance leadership actually demands, and how to make it sustainable.Timestamps00:00 - Start00:39 - What sacrifices do CMOs need to make04:37 - How to balance work with home life06:36 - Managing time zone differences when you travel10:41 - How to apply strategic laziness14:15 - How to lead effectively under pressure from travelling

Getting fired is one of the most humbling experiences in business, and one of the most instructive. In this episode, Kory and Jon get candid about the times they've been let go, what went wrong, and the hard-won lessons that followed. Jon in particular has a story or two to share (including getting fired twice in 18 months), and between them they unpack what it really takes to survive and thrive in high-stakes leadership roles.Timestamps00:00 - Start01:22 - What Jon learned from being fired twice03:35 - How not to get fired08:20 - How to understand your boss (so you don’t get fired)10:50 - Align yourself with the company, not just personal goals13:11 - How Jon got fired for the second time in 18 months16:12 - Are you the right person to work for a high growth company?17:50 - Be careful where you get hired

Companies have boards of directors to make big decisions, so why don't individuals? Kory does exactly this in her life, so she breaks down why she does it, how she chose the people to be a part of her board, and the kind of decisions they helps her make.Timestamps00:00 - Start01:17 - What is a personal board of directors?04:07 - When to use your board of directors04:51 - What makes a good personal board of directors?06:21 - How to choose your board08:58 - The power of networking11:41 - What not to do with your personal board of directors12:37 - Finding people outside your industry19:09 - Why you learn more deeper into your career

e.l.f. lives by the mission of being "a bold disruptor with a kind heart" a refreshing stance when disruption is rarely paired with kindness. Kory explains why kindness is at the core of how e.l.f. operates, what it actually looks like in practice, and what holds most people back from embracing it.LinksUnreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraG.O.A.T. Wisdom by Dr Brent RidgeTimestamps00:00 - Start00:53 - Being a bold disruptor with a kind heart03:11 - The difference between being kind and being nice08:02 - Why we should be kind to our competitors09:30 - The science to kindness10:56 - Why fear of embarrassment stops us being kind17:02 - The power of kindness for your career19:08 - Kindness doesn’t have to be big gestures

Every week, Jon and Kory pull back the curtain on the messy, unfiltered reality of building a career on your own terms. Throughout their long and successful careers, they've had their fair share of sh*tty moments and even sh*ttier bosses. From Kory being literally barked orders at in her first job, to Jon being fired after just 3 months at his dream job. These are the moments that make you question everything. But they're also the moments that shape you. Tune in for the lessons, the laughs, and zero sugarcoating.Timestamps00:00 - Start00:37 - Why sh*tty moments?01:24 - Kory moment #1 - the fire that fuels you04:20 - How to be a good boss05:43 - Jon moment #1 - when to have the hard conversations11:13 - Kory moment #2 - a lesson in de-escalation16:28 - Jon moment #2 - impossible and unreasonable expectations20:59 - Kory moment #3 - be careful of the bridges you burn25:51 - Jon moment #3 - the power of being vulnerable

How are great products created through innovation? Jon and Kory tackle this topic bringing entertaining examples from their careers, including the runaway success of e.l.f.'s Power Grip primer. So what's the key to innovation? Culture, constraints, and most importantly, being close to your customer.Timestamps00:00 - Start01:04 - Why innovation is Jon’s favourite marketing topic01:35 - Creating the cultural conditions necessary for innovation04:25 - The measuring stick for innovation06:23 - Why innovation fails08:19 - The innovation of e.l.f.’s Power Grip Primer15:09 - How constraint breeds innovation20:07 - Innovation when you’re close to your customer

Kory Marchisotto, trailblazing marketing leader and longtime CMO who blends data and creativity, opens with a seven-minute poem born at an AC/DC concert. She ties poetry to marketing as pattern disruption and emotional clarity. Short, vivid scenes explore accountability, mental fortitude, and why breaking assumptions sparks memorable brands.

With Cannes Lions deadlines looming, Jon and Kory dive into what it really takes to pitch, and win, at Cannes.We recorded this episode on the final day of Cannes 2025, with Kory in the thick of e.l.f’s "So Many D*cks" campaign submission for both a Glass and Titanium Lion. With the experience fresh in her mind, she breaks down the realities of the process.Jon brings a different perspective, reflecting on his own Bronze and Silver Lion wins from years past, and the hard-earned lessons that came with them.Timestamps00:00 - Intro00:49 - The pitching process for a Cannes Lion03:14 - The pitch process for a Glass Lion06:51 - The power of the Pratfall Effect08:39 - Pitching for a Titanium Lion10:41 - Jon’s tips from winning his Silver and Bronze Lions12:17 - Audience before content14:14 - How to make your campaign interesting (and not dull)16:25 - How e.l.f. makes their campaigns interesting18:58 - How to hack your campaign; babies or animals

When you define any other business function, the answer is simple. What is finance? What is HR? What is IT?When you ask, what is marketing? The answer is broad. Is it sales? Is it storytelling? Is it brand?In this episode, Kory and Jon dig into some of the words used to define marketing and decrypt some of the findings.Timestamps00:00 - Intro00:15 - Why is marketing hard to define?04:35 - Why brand is so important08:36 - How your brand shows up when hiring people10:36 - The words that describe marketing14:47 - Do marketers neglect the role of strategy?17:25 - The most surprising words that define marketing18:39 - The power of storytelling

Kory Marchisotto, e.l.f. Cosmetics CMO known for driving sustained, community-led growth. Kory explains why every marketer must know their numbers. He talks about linking creative work to revenue, making the long-term case for marketing, earning the right to be bold, and a five-step formula for brave, measurable campaigns.