Best Nish Patel Podcasts (2025)

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Playing to your inner algorithm: Nish Patel [94] 46:08

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13d ago46:08

46:08

What does it take to lead yourself—before you can lead anyone else? You start by knowing yourself, being yourself, and showing up as yourself. From scaling startups to stepping away for a “blank canvas” sabbatical, Nish Patel has spent his career reimagining what leadership can look like in an age of rapid change. In this episode, he shares how liv…

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Happy accidents and bold moves: Vidya More [93] 41:47

21d ago41:47

41:47

What does it take to lead with courage—when you’re the only one in the room who looks or sounds like you? You advocate for yourself, open the door for others, and build the future one brick at a time. From growing up in a 300-square-foot apartment in India to becoming a global tech executive, Vidya More has built a remarkable career at the forefron…

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RE-RELEASE- Episode with Don Berwick 59:45

21d ago59:45

59:45

🎧 Re-release As many of us take a well-earned pause over the summer, we’re revisiting one of our most popular and inspiring episodes: our conversation with the legendary Don Berwick. Whether you’re listening for the first time or returning to it with fresh ears, this episode is packed with wisdom on leadership, purpose, and finding joy in work. For…

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EP 53 - Culture or Commodity? Can In-House Teams Become Irreplaceable? 1:25:48

1M ago1:25:48

1:25:48

Episode Summary You built a content machine. Now leadership wants magic. In-house creative teams were designed to move fast and save money—but today’s business leaders want more. They expect: bold brand-building cultural relevance strategic insight …from teams still treated like internal vendors. So what separates in-house teams that thrive from th…

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EP 52 - Is Creativity a Department—or a Decision-Making System? 1:26:49

1M ago1:26:49

1:26:49

Episode Summary What if creativity wasn’t just something a few people do—but the way your entire company thinks, decides, and works? In this episode, Ivan Pols argues that the most effective organizations don’t isolate creativity—they operationalize it. As Chief Creative Officer at what3words, Ivan has helped build a culture where story becomes str…

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Episode 48: Backstage with Prof Jason Leitch, former National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government 1:00:59

1M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Jason Leitch on Leadership, Public Trust & Fixing the Hoover In this powerful and personal episode, Professor Jason Leitch – former National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government – joins Dr. Nish Manek for an honest, insightful conversation on what it truly means to lead through crisis. From storytelling and the imposter syndrome to the pres…

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EP 51 - The Role Found Me — How Chris Varela Built Creative Ops from the Inside Out 1:04:21

2M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Episode Summary Chris Varela didn’t find creative ops. It found him—twice. The first time, he realized the work he was already doing had a name: solving friction between marketing and creative, protecting his teammates’ time, and building systems that made the entire process more efficient, more effective—and frankly, more fun for everyone involved…

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EP 50 - The Creative Force Awakens — A Storytelling Rebellion Against the Algorithmic Empire 1:01:55

2M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Episode Summary In a galaxy flooded with content, storytelling is no longer a skill—it’s the rebellion. In this milestone 50th episode, Nish and David Granger frame the conversation through the lens of the original Star Wars trilogy—exploring how brands moved from story-rich origins (A New Hope), through algorithmic obedience and commoditization (T…

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EP 49 - The System Is the People: Trust, Scale, and Creative Ops Beyond Creative 1:18:22

2M ago1:18:22

1:18:22

Episode Summary What if the most important system in your organization… is made of people? In this episode, Matt traces his path from creative ops leader to go-to-market operator—and reveals what never changed: his job has always been creating the conditions for others to succeed. We explore what it’s like to build trust while scaling, why confusio…

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EP 48 - Creative Ops, The Job Is Culture Now 1:16:39

2M ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Episode Summary What if the future of creativity doesn’t depend on better tools—but on better culture? As AI automates process and scale becomes a commodity, Nicky Russell—Managing Partner at WDC and former COO at Anomaly—argues that creative operations must evolve. The job is no longer just delivery. The job is culture. In this episode, Nicky shar…

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Episode 47: Backstage with Prof Sir Steve Powis, National Medical Director 1:07:14

2M ago1:07:14

1:07:14

In this landmark episode of the Next GenCast, Dr. Nish Manek sits down with Professor Sir Steve Powis, just weeks before he steps down as National Medical Director of the NHS in England after more than seven years in the role. This is not just an interview — it's an unfiltered, powerful reflection on leadership under pressure, told by the man who s…

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Low fuel, high integrity: Patrick Lakusta [92] 1:11:29

2M ago1:11:29

1:11:29

How do you lead in crisis when every protocol breaks down? You listen, adapt—and bring the volleyballs. From night landings in sandstorms to leading sailors mid-pandemic, Navy pilot (and Jeff's personal hero/brother!) Patrick Lakusta shares the messy, human side of leadership in high-stakes environments. In this episode, Patrick opens up about taki…

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EP 47 - What If You Built Brand Like a Product? 1:11:31

2M ago1:11:31

1:11:31

Episode Summary What if brand wasn’t a guideline or a campaign—but an operating system? Eric Alberts is helping reinvent a 190-year-old company by treating brand like a product—complete with documentation, demos, and internal adoption strategies. As Design Director at Wolters Kluwer, he’s drawing on a decade of UX and product design experience to b…

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EP 46 - Creative Leadership: The Organizational Multiplier Hiding in Plain Sight? 1:06:16

2M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

Episode Summary Creative teams have the potential to shape culture, drive innovation, and steer brand— but most companies still treat them like a service desk. Emma Sexton has spent over a decade building the one thing most creative leaders don’t have: a roadmap to power. As founder of the Inside Out® Community and architect of the Inside Out® Path…

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EP 45 - From Process to Partnership: The Relationship Between Ops & Creative 1:04:30

2M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Show Summary Creative work doesn’t start with a brief—it starts with trust. And when operations and creative build that trust, the results go far beyond delivery. In this episode, Kyle Wright and Brianne Gallagher—Creative Director and Head of Creative Operations at Wayfair—share how they’ve restructured the relationship between their teams. Instea…

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EP 44 - Creative Leadership Is a System. Are You Designing It—or Just Running It? 1:16:12

2M ago1:16:12

1:16:12

Show Summary You got the title. Now what? You’re no longer the one making the work. You’re leading the people who do. And suddenly… Everything that made you successful stops being useful. No one teaches you how to lead a creative team. There’s no playbook for designing trust. For giving feedback that doesn’t kill morale. For building culture that d…

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Episode 46: Backstage with Prof Sir Chris Whitty 55:55

3M ago55:55

55:55

For this episode, I’m absolutely honoured to be joined by someone I've wanted to interview for a long time: Prof Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England. Ever wondered about the man behind the podium—the calm, steady voice that guided the nation through one of its toughest times? Well, today, you get to hear his story. There’s so much m…

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Ask for what you need: Alessia Todde [91] 45:04

4M ago45:04

45:04

How do you lead with humanity in the face of uncertainty? You ask for what you need. From door-to-door sales in Texas to leading national teams in the luxury skincare space, Alessia Todde’s leadership journey is one of grit, transformation, and heart. But behind her impressive résumé lies a deeper story—one of learning from management mistakes (lik…

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Episode 45: Backstage with Dr Becks Fisher 55:47

4M ago55:47

55:47

On today’s episode, I’m absolutely honoured to be joined by my dear friend, Dr Becks Fisher. Becks is a GP and the Director of Research and Policy at the Nuffield Trust—a hugely respected voice in UK health policy. Becks helped to co-found Next Gen GP nearly eight years ago, and she’s been a close friend and someone I’ve deeply admired ever since. …

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No losses, only lessons: Juan Vallejo [90] 52:17

4M ago52:17

52:17

From playing collegiate soccer on a scholarship to leading global teams at Google, Juan Vallejo’s journey is defined by grit, heart, and an unshakeable commitment to his values. But behind the polished résumé lies a story of resilience—from rebuilding his life after losing a job and visa sponsorship, to facing major knee surgery and recovery with o…

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Finding strength in the face of crisis: Raman Khanna [89] 45:23

5M ago45:23

45:23

Life can change in an instant. One moment you're planning a future, and the next, you're navigating a whirlwind of life-altering events. Raman Khanna, VP at IPG media brands, shares his powerful and deeply personal story of facing a cancer diagnosis while his wife was pregnant with their second child and his mother was passing away. From the shock …

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EP 43 - Learning to Lead: Why Upskilling in Creative Ops Matters More Than Ever 53:11

6M ago53:11

53:11

Guest Information Name: Amy Strickland Title: Instructor, Advanced Creative Operations Program Organization: Rutgers Expertise: Expert in Creative Ops Leadership, Systems Thinking, and Team Optimization Name: Alicia Nicely Title: Senior Manager, Creative Operations Organization: Kidde Global Solutions Expertise: Specialist in Scaling Teams, Data-Dr…

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Break free from your addiction to work: Nicky Brown [88] 31:16

6M ago31:16

31:16

People talk about work addiction like it's a badge of honor. Like grinding yourself into the ground somehow makes you worthy of success. Leadership coach Nicky Brown shares her powerful journey from corporate success to self-discovery, revealing how she broke free from work addiction and redefined achievement on her own terms. From her early influe…

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EP 42 - Air's Big Bet, Creative Ops' Big Opportunity: A System of Record for Creative Work 19:15

6M ago19:15

19:15

Episode Summary With Air.inc securing $35M in funding, the creative operations world is facing a major inflection point. In this solo episode, Nish Patel explores what this investment means for creative ops leaders, why the concept of a "system of record for creative work" is critical, and how creative professionals can seize this moment to elevate…

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From fax machines to AI: Nancy Hall [87] 48:02

6M ago48:02

48:02

Can you remember a moment in your career that changed everything? Nancy Hall, CEO of Mindshare North America, shares her remarkable journey—from faxing her first job application to becoming one of the most respected leaders in digital marketing and advertising. She opens up about the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry,…

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EP 41 - Leadership in an Era of Constant Change 1:22:58

6M ago1:22:58

1:22:58

Guest Information Name: Jason Holzman Title: SVP, Creative, Production, and Brand Strategy Organization: Macy’s Expertise: Creative leadership in retail, media, and advertising Scaling creative teams in high-growth and high-change environments AI’s role in creative operations Episode Summary The future of creative leadership isn’t about having all …

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Taking the leap: Nandeeta Seth [86] 48:56

6M ago48:56

48:56

When you want something, sometimes it requires taking a leap. What are you leaping to next? From small-town India to the executive boardroom, Nandeeta Seth shares her journey of resilience, risk-taking, and redefining success. She opens up about moving to the U.S. with nothing but ambition (and a mountain of student debt), the challenges of leaders…

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EP 40 - Rebroadcast: My interview on The Future of In-House Creative Leadership 1:06:10

6M ago1:06:10

1:06:10

Guest Information Name: Emma Sexton Title: Founder & CEO Organization: Inside Out Community Expertise: Creative leadership & in-house team strategy Business impact of creativity Brand storytelling & operations Episode Summary This episode started with a thought experiment—a LinkedIn post I wrote about how I would design an in-house creative team fr…

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EP 39 - What Is Creativity in the age of AI: Makers & Machines 1:33:05

7M ago1:33:05

1:33:05

Guest Information Name: Alexia Adana Title: Director of Creative Technology and Innovation Organization: Edelman Expertise: Creative technology AI-driven storytelling Democratizing creative tools for underrepresented communities Episode Summary How does AI impact creativity—does it empower new forms of artistic expression or dilute human ingenuity?…

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Episode 44: Our TOP 5 most popular episodes 52:07

7M ago52:07

52:07

The Best of The Next Gen Cast: Celebrating Eight Years of Next Gen programmes In this special episode of The Next GenCast, we celebrate the Next Gen's 8-year anniversary by revisiting the highlights from the five most downloaded podcast episodes. Get ready to hear from truly inspiring leaders on a range of topics, from the conversations which have …

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Tough calls and four-year-old terrorists: Alexis Hochleutner [85] 42:04

7M ago42:04

42:04

Who are the toughest negotiators in your world? From navigating high-stakes decisions at Google and Facebook to advocating for her neuroatypical child, Alexis Hochleutner shares candid lessons on trust, resilience, and why four-year-olds might just be the toughest negotiators of all. Tune in for a refreshingly real take on leadership, advocacy, and…

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EP 38 - Specsavers’ Secret: How Creative Ops Drive Brand Success 1:30:36

7M ago1:30:36

1:30:36

Guest Information Name: Julia Arenson Title: Head of Creative Operations Organization: Specsavers Expertise: Transforming in-house agencies from production hubs to strategic creative powerhouses Integrating creative operations into brand strategy and business impact Navigating the cultural shift from agency to in-house leadership Episode Summary Ju…

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EP 37 - The Evolution of In-House Agencies: Insights from Patrick Burgoyne 1:28:09

7M ago1:28:09

1:28:09

Guest Information Name: Patrick Burgoyne Title: Co-founder Organization: In-House Agency Leaders Club Expertise: Leadership in creative and advertising industries Founder of platforms fostering collaboration among creative leaders Extensive experience shaping creative ecosystems Episode Summary In this episode of Creative Ops, Patrick Burgoyne unpa…

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A partnership built on trust: Sandra and Ryan [84] 55:18

7M ago55:18

55:18

Who's your closest partner? What makes that partnership work? Dive into the dynamic partnership between Sandra Muoio and Ryan Blum, two advertising leaders whose decade-long collaboration has weathered high-stakes challenges, heated debates, and plenty of laughter. From a fateful conversation on a stuck Chicago L train to transforming major client …

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EP 36 - To Refactor or Not: AI’s Impact on Tech Stacks 1:34:02

7M ago1:34:02

1:34:02

Guest Information Name: Jarrod Gingras Title: Managing Director & Analyst Organization: Real Story Group Expertise: Marketing and workplace technology evaluation Aligning technology with strategic goals Digital content and customer data platforms Episode Summary In this episode, Jarrod Gingras shares his expertise on navigating the seismic shifts A…

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Own It. Reinventing Your Narrative: Kay Munday [83] 42:01

7M ago42:01

42:01

You’re the CEO of your own narrative. So, what’s your next chapter? Kay Munday, a communications coach, NLP practitioner, and creative business leader at Google shares her journey from being a self-proclaimed “terrible communicator” to becoming a sought-after expert in helping people and brands own their narratives. Through her personal story of tr…

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EP 35 - In-House Evolution vs. Offshore Extinction: The AI Revolution 1:07:43

8M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

This episode explores the potential role of AI in disrupting offshore production and accelerating in-house innovation. Penri Jones shares his bold perspectives on the evolution of workflows, modular storytelling, and why creativity remains the ultimate differentiator in an AI-driven world. Key Takeaways The Economic Disruption: AI is fundamentally …

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Episode 43: Backstage with Ben Maruthappu, CEO of Cera 54:59

8M ago54:59

54:59

Today, I’m delighted to welcome Dr Ben Maruthappu, a young leader who has transformed from being a junior doctor to globally recognised entrepreneur. Ben is the co-founder and CEO of Cera, the UK's largest health tech company, which supports over two million patients a month with innovative, home-based care solutions. His work has led to many accol…

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Building business around life: Max Traylor [82] 33:10

8M ago33:10

33:10

How do you do it all and ENJOY THE RIDE?! Max Traylor, a fourth-generation entrepreneur and independent consultant, shares his journey of redefining success. From the pressures of running a marketing agency to discovering a business model that puts personal life first, Max reflects on the lessons he’s learned about work-life balance, mental health,…

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EP 34 - AI Gives You an Unlimited HR Budget for 2025 22:37

8M ago22:37

22:37

Episode Summary In this solo episode, Nish explores how AI is transforming creative operations by shifting from traditional role scarcity to role abundance. He highlights how creative leaders can spin up AI-driven “roles” like Creative Brief Coach or Chief Storytelling Officer out of thin air, without budget constraints. Nish shares practical frame…

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The team will tell me: Alexia Palau [81] 37:03

9M ago37:03

37:03

Trust and collaboration. Every team needs it, but how do you create it? Alexia Palau started a new role on March 20, 2020 just as things began unravelling for COVID. Alexia shares how the next few years challenged her with building trust and collaboration in her multi-national team. Applying lessons learned from startups and past roles, Alexia shar…

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EP 33 - Beyond Savings: Offshore as a Strategic Imperative w Anil Noorani of We Are Amnet 1:05:57

9M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

Guest Information: • Name: Anil Noorani • Title: Founder and Managing Partner of TKM Consultants and Non-Exec Director of We Are Amnet • Expertise: • Optimizing global creative production strategies • Offshore production models • Bridging in-house and offshore creative ecosystems Episode Summary: In this episode, we explore the transformative role …

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EP 32 - CreativeOps & IHA Leaders: 4 Buckets & 4 Questions for a More Impactful 2025 29:28

9M ago29:28

29:28

Episode Summary In this reflective and forward-looking episode, Nish explores four critical questions every Creative Ops and in-house agency leader must ask as they prepare for 2025. Drawing inspiration from Patrick Burgoyne’s four-bucket framework and Jason Holtzman’s thought-provoking philosophy, Nish emphasizes aligning creative operations with …

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Episode 42: Backstage with Dr Raj Patel MBE, former NHSE director 55:04

9M ago55:04

55:04

I’m thrilled to share the latest episode of our podcast with you. This time, I had the honour of sitting down with Dr Raj Patel MBE. I worked with Raj when he was Interim National Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England. Before that he was Medical Director for the North-West, and has held numerous senior clinical leadership positions in hi…

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Letting go to speed up: Dustin Riechmann [80] 45:38

10M ago45:38

45:38

How often do you say no? It may be getting in your way. Dustin Riechmann is a serial entrepreneur, and since he's always juggling multiple businesses, he's had to learn the importance of letting things go. A 6-month deadline to make a profitable side business became the opportunity to give notice and pursue his passions. Dustin shares tricks of the…

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Companies as fulfillment not family: Mailine Swildens [79] 47:06

10M ago47:06

47:06

Companies are not families, but the people we work with can be lifelong friends. Mailine Swildens helps the largest companies in the world reimagine their digital marketing. Mailine shares how she learned that companies are not families without becoming disillusioned or pessimistic by their profit-driven nature. Mailine thinks that when leadership …

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E31 - Live from LA! The AI Meteor is a Gift for Creative Ops 34:37

10M ago34:37

34:37

In this special episode of the Creative Ops podcast, we’re bringing you a live recording of my presentation at the Henry Stewart Creative Operations Conference in Los Angeles. The feedback from attendees was incredible—people left inspired and motivated to reimagine the role of AI in Creative Operations. During this talk, I dive into the real oppor…

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Episode 41: Backstage with Tara Mohr, author and coach 59:22

10M ago59:22

59:22

I am SO excited in this episode to speak to Tara Mohr, an expert in women’s leadership and well-being, and an author, educator and certified coach. Her book, Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create and Lead, is one of my favourite books, and I am constantly recommending it to people. It provides real, practical tools to…

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Growing through challenge: Annica Lin [78] 34:00

10M ago34:00

34:00

The best way to grow is to get uncomfortable. From Taiwan to tech, Annica Lin's journey is a testament to the power of a growth mindset. In this inspiring episode, Annica reveals her secrets for overcoming challenges, building resilience, and achieving her goals. As the head of growth for Nagish, Annica interweaves her passion for challenge with he…

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Make time for what you love: Giorgio Suighi [77] 34:08

11M ago34:08

34:08

Discover how to balance a demanding career with personal passions. Giorgio Suighi, a successful entrepreneur and corporate leader at Mindshare, shares his strategies for making time for what you love. From leveraging AI to cultivating personal discipline, Giorgio's insights offer practical tips for achieving a fulfilling work-life balance. Tune in …