Dr. Jenny Gordon is a Harvard-trained economist and one of Australia’s most influential policy leaders.In this episode, we go inside the real work of reform—from aged care and early childhood policy to rebuilding Indonesia’s debt system after a financial crisis.Jenny shares what it actually takes to make big changes happen: how evidence meets politics, how to build coalitions, and how to keep going when the incentives aren’t aligned. If you’re curious about impact, public service, economics, or just how the world really works behind the scenes—this one’s for you.In this episode, we cover:- What it’s like being a chief economist inside government- How major reforms (like aged care + early childhood) get designed and passed- The behind-the-scenes reality of crisis response and rebuilding financial systems- How to influence decision-makers when “good ideas” aren’t enough- Career lessons from a life spanning academia, government, and policy leadershipGuest: Dr. Jenny Gordon: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/jenny-gordon

Carlos Cabrera, EVP @ Wild Alaskan Company, swapped breaking news for building tech that ships wild-caught seafood to U.S. doorsteps.

Carlos's Career Journey:

• Passed on a safe consulting offer to chase documentary journalism.

• Cold-emailed a fellow Northwestern Wildcat, joined a media startup Storyhunter (now called Glimmer), and fell into product management.

• Quit a comfy PM role, went contractor-mode, and helped launch Wild Alaskan Company.

Show Links:

Carlos' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%90%9F%F0%9F%91%8D-carlos-cabrera-9b40b813/

Wild Alaskan Company: https://wildalaskancompany.com/

I talk with music and tech executive Peter Szabo. Peter has had a front-row seat to the transformation of the music industry.

Peter Szabo started at KISS 108, an iconic Boston radio station, during the internet's earliest days. His job was to post pictures and videos of bands like Backstreet Boys, Jay-Z, and Dave Matthews Band. Without knowing it, Peter was at the forefront of shaping how we’d all soon connect with music online.

From there, he stepped into leadership roles at companies that completely changed the music landscape: Pandora, Shazam, and Spotify. And now with his own company, “The Idea Factory,” he is helping artists and brands harness the power of authentic partnerships. Like the ones where the artist actually enjoys the product – From the Struts to Train.

But beyond his impressive resume, Peter brings deep insights about the human side of success—how curiosity and tenacity drive innovation, why great leaders prioritize kindness, and how a single generous act from a boss can leave a lifelong impact, especially during a crisis.

Links:

Peter Szabo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pszabo/ The Idea Factory: https://www.ideafactory.solutions/