Lead Human with Jack Myers and Tim Spengler

Jack Myers
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Jan 28, 2026 • 38min

Leading 65,000 People while Staying Human with Dave Penski

What does it take to lead tens of thousands of people without burning out or becoming a robot?In this episode of Lead Human, Jack Myers and Tim Spengler sit down with Dave Penski, Global CEO of Connected Media, Publicis Groupe, to talk about leadership at massive scale, three-part happiness at work, and why “winning at work means nothing if you lose at home.”Dave breaks down how he thinks about his career in thirds (pay, the work itself, and how it fits your life), why he refuses to sacrifice his family for more travel, and how his job didn’t really change from leading 1,000 people to overseeing 65,000—so long as the right 12–15 leaders are in the right seats.He shares the inside story of the COVID decision not to lay off thousands of people, how that became a long-term advantage, and the simple culture mantra he uses to run a giant organization: “No silos. No solos. No bozos.”Dave also explains his “Take Four” mentoring program for diverse talent, why he answers every hard question in town halls, and what he thinks leaders owe the people who bet their careers on them.If you’re a manager, executive, or ambitious human trying to grow without losing yourself, this conversation is a masterclass in leading big while staying human.New episodes of Lead Human every week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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12 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 43min

The Media Reset with Evan Shapiro

Evan Shapiro, producer, professor, and media cartographer who maps the modern media landscape. He discusses the shift from limited to infinite competition, using hard data to persuade leaders, why young people should learn at small companies, and treating creation like a daily job. He also previews media upheaval, the rise of the affinity economy, and what leaders can steal from a fact-first approach.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 1min

Lead Human with Jack Myers and Tim Spengler - Trailer

In a world obsessed with data, dashboards, and AI, Lead Human asks: what does it really mean to lead as a human being right now?Media ecologist Jack Myers and industry leader Tim Spengler talk with CEOs, creators, founders, veterans, and culture builders about how they actually lead through disruption. They dig into navigating AI without losing your soul, building teams and cultures people want to stay in, making hard calls when the data is messy but the stakes are human, and living your values on diversity, equity, and inclusion.No performative hot takes—just candid conversations and practical ideas you can use with your team next week.New video episodes every Wednesday. In an age of machines, the real competitive advantage is still a human one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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