Out of Scope: Conversations From Beyond The Brief

In this episode of Out of Scope, I sit down with BriElle Munizzi, Associate Creative Director at Praytell, to talk about what it actually feels like stepping into leadership for the first time. We get into the realities of being an ACD—the pressure, the decision-making, and the balance between leading and still being in the work. Brielle also shares how her background in improv and music shapes the way she approaches creativity, collaboration, and mentorship. We also talk about taking unconventional career paths, including her decision to leave her job and go back to school—and why betting on yourself, even when it doesn’t make sense to others, can pay off. If you’re navigating growth in your career, building confidence as a leader, or just trying to figure out your next move, this one’s for you.

Stepping into creative leadership sounds like the goal… until you’re actually in it. No training. No roadmap. Just a team looking to you for answers. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Steve Molnar—creative director coach and newly appointed Executive Creative Director and Partner at Home Agency—to talk about what really happens when you make the jump from doing the work to leading the people doing the work. They get into the gap no one prepares you for, the mistakes almost everyone makes early on, and what it actually takes to build a team that does great work and actually wants to be there. This one isn’t just for creative directors. If you manage people in any capacity, there’s something in here for you. Topics include: why leadership feels so hard (and why it’s not your fault), how to run one-on-ones that actually matter, why being the “fixer” hurts your team, how to give feedback without breaking trust, why not everyone should be a manager, and how to build a team people actually want to be part of. Steve Molnar is the creator of “From Creative Chaos to Creative Director,” where he helps ACDs and CDs develop the leadership skills no one teaches you. Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemolnar76/ Email: [email protected] Out of Scope is a podcast about the stuff in advertising no one talks about—the real stories, lessons, and moments that shape creative careers beyond the brief.

In this episode of Out of Scope, I sit down with strategist Darren Allison, who recently stepped out on his own to launch his agency, Understory. We get into what strategy actually looks like inside agencies, the role of the brief, and why the best ideas don’t start with “what should we make?” but with a much better understanding of the problem you’re trying to solve. Darren shares his path into the industry, from substitute teaching in Kansas to working with brands like Airbnb, Samsung, and Miller Lite, and what ultimately led him to build something of his own.

Season two of Out of Scope launches March 26. In this quick trailer, Ryan shares what’s coming this season — including conversations about leadership, reinvention, strategy, and what it really takes to build something in advertising today. The season kicks off with strategist and newly minted agency founder Darren Allison.

In this season one finale of Out of Scope, I’m taking a step back to reflect on what this first season has taught me. Across ten episodes, I had conversations with people at very different points in their careers — designers, copywriters, strategists, founders, and career coaches — and while their paths into advertising looked wildly different, the themes that kept coming up were surprisingly consistent. Very few people planned to end up here. Most found their way in through side doors, wrong turns, or moments that didn’t feel important at the time. And once they were in, the conversations quickly stopped being about titles or tactics and started being about people. In this episode, I revisit some of the biggest through-lines from the season: how relationships shape careers, why being a good person is often inseparable from doing good work, how to recognize when pushing through stops being productive, and what it really means to protect both the work and yourself. We talk about discernment versus quitting, knowing when to speak up, and learning to listen to your gut before burnout forces the issue. I also share what I’d tell an earlier version of myself after hearing all of these stories — not a plan or a set of rules, but a reminder to slow down, trust the signals your body gives you, take care of yourself along the way… and yeah, do your timesheets. Season one is wrapped. Thanks so much for listening, for sharing the show, and for being part of this first chapter. If you have a question you want help thinking through, send it to [email protected]. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, following or leaving a review is one of the easiest ways to help more people find it.

I’m sharing the recording of a talk I gave at Colorado Ad Day 2025, where the theme was The Marathon Mindset, and this talk leans all the way in. Because in this industry, success isn’t about one pitch, one promotion, or one campaign. It’s about consistency, discomfort, and showing up—even when it’s messy, even when you don’t feel ready. Whether you work in creative, strategy, production, media, or account management, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt like a fraud, questioned whether they’re “doing it right,” or wondered if they’re falling behind. I share lessons from Ironman training, past career pivots, and some deeply humbling moments along the way—including how to recognize disguised growth, why fear + annoyance usually means you’re about to level up, and how the smallest wins can carry you through the hardest miles. I also talk about reframing challenges, working through doubt, and trusting that all the weird detours count. If you’re starting the year feeling overwhelmed, off-balance, or just a little lost, I hope this episode gives you the reset you didn’t know you needed. Watch the episode that I reference in the talk: https://youtu.be/8tZcXLrJrho?si=biS9T71Jgbvah4O1 Want to reach out? Email me at [email protected]. If you’ve got a question you’d like answered in a future episode—or know someone who’d be a great fit for the show—I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to leave a review. It really does help more people find the show. Thanks so much for listening!

In this week’s episode of Out of Scope, I sit down with Myles Rigg, founder and partner at Standard Practice, for a candid conversation about tenacity, leadership, and what it really takes to keep ideas alive. We talk through Myles’s unconventional path into advertising — from political science to account service to creative — including the risks he took to pivot when something wasn’t working, and how initiative played a huge role in shaping his career. Myles shares what it was like learning on the job, betting on himself during uncertain moments, and navigating leadership without a straight-line path or perfect timing. We dig into why great work has to sell, how ideas get watered down when strategy isn’t clearly understood, and what it means to truly protect an idea as it moves through projects, teams, and internal stakeholders. We also talk about trusting your gut, managing regret, mentoring the next generation, and why confidence often shows up quietly. It’s a conversation about persistence, clarity, and leading creatively without losing yourself along the way. Want to reach out? Email me at [email protected]. If you think you’d be a great fit for the show — or you know someone with a story worth sharing — I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to leave a review. It really does help more people find the show. Thanks so much for listening!

In this week’s episode of Out of Scope, I sit down with Emy Franke Reed for a thoughtful, generous conversation about building a creative career that doesn’t follow a straight line. We talk about Emy’s path into advertising, including her decision to take a role as a recruiting apprentice simply to get her foot in the door — and how humility, curiosity, and doing the job well ultimately led her into creative. Emy shares what it was like learning by sitting in rooms she wasn’t technically invited into, the mentors who made space for her along the way, and why paying it forward is a responsibility, not a bonus. We also dig into imposter syndrome, running inclusive brainstorms, staying “raw” early in your career, and how to keep your humanity intact in an industry that often rewards polish over honesty. It’s a conversation about patience, perspective, and remembering that behind every title is a person still figuring things out. Want to reach out? Email me at [email protected] If you think you’d be a great fit for the show — or you know someone with a story worth sharing — I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to leave a review. It really does help more people find the show. Thanks so much for listening!

In this week’s episode of Out of Scope, I sit down with Jacque Marks for one of the funniest (and most honest) conversations of the season, tracing her path from punk bands and art school to a long career in commercial real estate marketing. Jacque shares how early creative experiences shaped her work ethic, how some of her first jobs taught her more than any class ever could, and why navigating difficult personalities is an unavoidable part of building a career. Along the way, she recounts workplace stories that sound completely made up… except they’re very real. The conversation also digs into the less funny side of things, as Jacque opens up about burnout, workplace stress, and what happens when chaos crosses the line from entertaining to unsafe. She reflects on how those experiences changed the way she approaches work, boundaries, and leadership, and why leading with curiosity has helped her work successfully with people who don’t think like her. Connect with Jacque: Website: immarks.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacquemarksdesigner Want to reach out? Email me at [email protected]. If you think you’d be a great fit for the show, or you know someone with a story worth sharing, I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to leave a review. It really does help more people find the show. Thanks so much for listening!

This week, I’m joined by career coach Elisa Dibble, who brings a clear, grounded perspective to what’s actually happening in today’s job market.
We talk about layoffs, the chaos of disappearing job postings, why hiring timelines feel impossibly slow, how to position yourself clearly, and why using AI to write your résumé can quietly undermine your credibility. Elisa works with creatives, marketers, and advertising pros at every stage — people trying to level up in their current roles, people navigating layoffs, and people trying to make bold career pivots. Her experience in agency life, recruiting, and coaching gives her a rare 360-degree view of how hiring really works right now. Whether you’re job searching, thinking about making a move, or just trying to stay proactive in a weird market, this episode is packed with insight. You can find Elisa at elisathecoach.com, on LinkedIn, or on Instagram @elisathecoach Want to reach out? Email me at [email protected]. If you think you’d be a great fit for the show, or you know someone with a story worth sharing, I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to leave a review. It really does help more people find the show. Thanks so much for listening.

In this episode of Out of Scope, I sit down with my friend Everett Guess, one of the busiest and most consistently successful freelancers I’ve ever worked with. We met years ago at The Marketing Arm, where Everett was a permalancer while I was on staff, and even back then he was always booked, always in motion, and always building something. This conversation goes deeper than anything we’ve talked about before. Everett shares the mindset that has carried him through the ups and downs of freelancing, what it takes to build long-term career stability, and why relationships matter more than anything else in this industry. We also talk about slow seasons, confidence, growth, and the unexpected shifts that shape a creative career. Whether you’re freelance, full-time, or somewhere in between, this episode is full of practical insight and real talk. Connect with Everett:
linkedin.com/in/everett-guess-guesswork-media Want to reach out?
Email me at [email protected]. If you think you’d be a great fit for the show, or you know someone with a story worth sharing, I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please take a moment to leave a review. It really does help more people find the show. Thanks so much for listening.

In this episode of Out of Scope, I sit down with freelance copywriter Haley Turner to talk about her winding path into the industry, the lessons she learned along the way, and the creative mindset that has carried her through every pivot. Haley shares her perspective on what makes good copy, why emotion matters more than cleverness, and how tone can completely change the meaning of a message. We also talk about creative confidence, what it feels like to evolve your career over time, and how to stay fearless even when the work gets hard. If you are a copywriter, a creative, or someone who is trying to find their next step in the industry, this one is packed with insight and honesty. Connect with Haley: www.haleyturner.com Reach out to me: [email protected] (If you have reached out and haven’t heard back, please try again. The email is working, but a few messages have been misspelled and bounced.) Listen, subscribe, and leave a review if you are enjoying the show. It really helps!

Finding your voice early in your career is harder than people admit, and today, Meghan Butterfield gets real about what it actually takes. Meghan is officially my graphic designer at Fjällräven, but in reality, she operates more like an art director: thoughtful, sharp, and unafraid to trust her instincts. In this conversation, she shares how she stumbled into advertising, the bold school project that accidentally landed her a job, what new business taught her about speed and pressure, and why authenticity matters more than polish on TikTok and in your career. We also talk about developing confidence when you’re new, how unexpected past jobs shape the skills you use today, finding mentors you actually trust, and why speaking up early matters more than you think. Whether you're just starting out or you have been in the game for a while, Meghan’s story is a reminder that your perspective matters and your voice deserves to be heard. Connect with Meghan: www.meghanbutterfield.com Reach out to me: [email protected] (If you have reached out and haven’t heard back, please try again. The email is working, but a few messages have been misspelled and bounced.) Listen, subscribe, and leave a review if you are enjoying the show. It really helps!

Welcome to Out of Scope! This is the episode that sets the tone for the whole show. In this solo kickoff, I talk about why I created this podcast and what I’ve learned since moving from agency life to an in-house role. The shift taught me a lot about how different the work feels when you don’t have a big creative department around you, and how important it is to stay connected to people who understand this industry on a deeper level. I also share why I started reaching out to creatives outside my immediate circle, what those conversations opened up for me, and how they helped me grow both as a creative and as a leader. This show is an extension of that. A place for real stories, honest insights, and the kind of perspective that only comes from people who have lived this work from the inside. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, curious, stuck, or simply in need of community, this episode is your starting point. Reach out to me: [email protected] (If you have reached out and haven’t heard back, please try again. The email is working, but a few messages have been misspelled and bounced.) Listen, subscribe, and leave a review if you are enjoying the show. It really helps!

Meet Out of Scope: a podcast about advertising and the people behind the job titles. Hosted by Ryan Reynolds (but not that one), Out of Scope dives into the messy, inspiring, and sometimes absurd reality of working in the ad industry. Hear from creatives, producers, account leads, recruiters, and other ad-world insiders who’ve been there, through burnout, breakthroughs, and everything in between. New episodes begin November 19.