Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman

As a Radio Hall of Fame inductee, best-selling author, TV personality, and producer, Charlamagne Tha God is a singular shaper of culture. He’s the co-host of iHeartRadio's The Breakfast Club morning show, driving millions of listeners daily, and he’s expanded his collaboration with iHeart to create The Black Effect Podcast Network. Live from Miami at POSSIBLE 2026, Charlamagne talks with Bob about attention, engagement, and authenticity. He shares his strategies for building trust with listeners, including how he’s evolved from being transparent to truly vulnerable on the air. Plus, hear his thoughts on brand safety, influencers, and the ever-expanding ways to meet your audience where they are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working across 190 countries to deliver research-driven early learning, Sesame Workshop is the non-profit behind the longest running children’s television show and so much more. SherrieWestin is at its helm as President and CEO. Sherrie sits down with Bob to talk about the power of mission-driven work and how to stay relevant for generations of kids to come. From addressing social and environmental issues, to keeping pace with fast-moving technology and adapting to funding cuts, Sherrie leads with self-awareness and empathy while always keeping her eye on research and impact. Plus, Sherrie shares highlights from her time at ABC News and The White House and talks about her new book, “What I Learned from Mom: 27 Celebrated Individuals on How Mother's Wisdom Shaped Their Lives.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the free market to medical research to philanthropy, Mike Milken has had an outsized impact on it all. In the 1970s he ushered in an explosive era of innovation that changed the world of business and even the world itself. By the ‘90s, when facing his own life-threatening cancer diagnosis, he was determined to accelerate medical research and produce faster cures. Over the decades his work has addressed a vast range of medical problems, public health concerns, economic challenges, and international issues. The Milken Institute is a powerhouse think tank driving research and dialogue and its Global Conference is a can’t miss event for leaders every year. In a rare interview, Mike reflects on his legacy, discusses the leaders he’s invested in, and speaks passionately about the future of the American Dream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chief Business Officer at iHeartMedia, Lisa Coffey has run the gamut in media sales. She started out as part of traditional media, at newspapers like USA Today and The Wall Street Journal and at the magazines of Time Inc. Then she made the jump to digital, first at LinkedIn and then spending a decade at Amazon before being named Chief Revenue Officer at LoopMe. Now she’s working across traditional broadcast radio along with podcasts, music, digital radio and live events. She’s currently leading the charge to transform advertising on broadcast and talks about collaborating with TikTok, setting shared goals, and how she's helped bring ‘Guaranteed Human’ to life at iHeart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After finding success from a young age at companies like 20th Century Studios, Vestron, and BMG Entertainment, Strauss Zelnick decided to go out on his own in his 40s. He founded Zelnick Media Capital and became CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the software company behind Grand Theft Auto. Together, they’re a $55 billion enterprise. He’s spent his career at the intersection of technology and media working across film, music, and home entertainment. Not to mention he holds an MBA as well as a JD from Harvard and is the author of Becoming Ageless: The Four Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger Than Ever. He’s also a longtime friend of Bob’s who sits down to talk about what it looks like to operate on the business side of creative industries, the importance of developing talent, his outlook on the future of technology, and his own personal commitment to health and wellness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A skull-emblazoned design with a funny slogan is just not what people expect when they’re buying a healthy beverage. But that’s exactly why Liquid Death Founder and CEO Mike Cessario thought there was room for disruption. He didn’t think funny, cool, irreverent marketing should be limited to things that are bad for you. What if this approach could even help people make healthier choices? Now the healthy beverage company trying to “Murder Your Thirst” has expanded to soda-flavored sparkling water, iced tea, and energy drinks and it was valued at $1.4 billion in March 2024. Mike sits down with Bob to talk about how he got from inspiration, to concept, to funding an original order of 150,000 cans. He has great insights on both creativity and analytics, shares lessons from all the surprises and challenges he faced in becoming an entrepreneur and explains why he dislikes traditional marketing as much as most people do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for a new season of Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. Bob is taking you behind the scenes of the biggest businesses and industries while sharing insights from the smartest minds in marketing, business and creativity. New episodes start March 19th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chon Nguyen started his career in the kitchen. As he shares on this episode of CEOs You Should Know, he became an entrepreneur but never left restaurants behind. Today he builds high-impact businesses at the intersection of technology and hospitality. He’s the founder of and CEO of Newgentek, an IT service provider offering a help desk, field services, technology infrastructure, and strategy for companies and restaurants without an IT department. He’s also the co-founder of FusionPrep, an iPad-based kitchen management platform used by restaurant operators to handle everything from food safety compliance to recipe management to operational checklists. On top of all that he’s a partner at Proper House Group, a restaurant group that has been recognized on the Florida Michelin Guide and with Bib Gourmand Awards. He’s been interested in technology since he got his first computer as a kid and talks about where we’re headed with automation and AI, how they complement each other, and why we’ll always need experts to rely on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Avani Desai is the CEO of Schellman, the largest specialized CPA firm focusing on cybersecurity assessments for major companies like Walmart, Meta, and OpenAI. In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, she discusses the firm's role in building trust through third-party cybersecurity evaluations, the increasing importance of data privacy, and the evolving landscape of AI technologies. Avani emphasizes the shift towards integrating security and privacy in the design phase and shares insights on the future of AI, encouraging a proactive approach to emerging technologies. Their conversation also touches on how AI can streamline administrative tasks, allowing professionals to focus on their core responsibilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Math & Magic host Bob Pittman shares some iconic stories from the launch of MTV in this episode preview of Tetragrammaton, a podcast by record industry legend Rick Rubin. Find the full episode here. For more from Rick, visit his website and YouTube channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This bonus episode is all about innovation– that breakthrough that can change individual careers and even entire industries. We’re going back through the Math & Magic archives to hear from top innovators –from Blake Scholl, who is working to revolutionize commercial flights as the CEO of Boom Supersonic, to Gerry Laybourne who changed children’s television forever at Nickelodeon. You’ll also hear how OG influencer Paris Hilton turned the media’s obsession with her life into the first brand of its kind and an enduring career. Plus, Monumental Sports CEO Ted Leonsis shares insight into the future of how sports will be broadcast and followed by fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the White House, to Edelman, Microsoft, Nissan and IBM, Jonathan Adashek has had a wide-ranging career. His experiences may span from politics, to the business side of PR, to tech, to automotive, but he has developed core beliefs about corporate culture, work ethic, marketing, and communications. Now as IBM’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Jonathan joins Bob to share incisive thoughts on what a brand is really made of, adept insight on the current landscape and future of AI, and inspiring advice for building a career. He also speaks fondly about his upbringing in Milwaukee, summers spent at camp, and how he’s passing those meaningful experiences down to his kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can take decades to build breakthrough brands and noteworthy careers, and this bonus episode examines an essential building block to getting there – the college years. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon didn’t get the training you might expect for a leader in investment banking at his small liberal arts college. United Talent Agency CEO Jeremy Zimmer skipped college altogether, whereas Progressive Insurance CMO Remi Kent was confident about what she wanted to get out of her education. Advertising executive Tim Castree and Host of The Breakfast Club Charlamagne tha God both reflect on their experiences and consider the best options and opportunities for young people today, while Innovation Refunds co-founder and CEO Howard Makler discusses the importance of giving back to those who are still learning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobby Bones has been called “the most powerful man in country music.” Host of the nationally syndicated country music radio program, The Bobby Bones Show, and the podcast, Bobbycast, millions of Americans consider him a friend. Audio is his bread and butter, but he’s also made a name for himself on TV, as a mentor on American Idol, the host of Breaking Bobby Bones on the National Geographic Channel, and as a winner of Dancing With the Stars. He’s from a small town in Arkansas where his youth was largely defined by poverty and instability. Today, he considers the perspective it gave him one of his biggest strengths. Bobby joins Bob to share insights about ambition and tenacity, the power of country music, and how emotional intelligence is the strongest skill an interviewer can have.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Howard is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning film director. With work spanning from comedies like Splash and Parenthood to critically acclaimed dramas like Apollo 13, Frost/Nixon and A Beautiful Mind, he is one of the most popular and prolific filmmakers of the last 50 years. His first on-screen appearance was at just 18 months old and he was cast as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show at age five. By the time he was 10, adults on set predicted he would make a great director; but at the time, it was a major challenge to transition from acting to directing feature films. In his conversation with Bob, Ron shares how he leveraged one green light to make that improbable jump, how his feelings about collaboration have changed over his career, and his advice for young people in the entertainment industry today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corporate culture is a big buzzword these days, but for our guests it’s integral to how they do business. Bill Koenigsberg, CEO of Horizon Media, feels personally accountable for his employees, while Progressive Insurance CMO Remi Kent shares how the pandemic made her bring her values to the workplace during her time at 3M. WPP’s Christian Juhl shares how the power of culture was a differentiator in business at Group M, while General Motors’ Norm de Greve shares why as CMO of CVS he allowed for a locally-defined culture that varied across stores. Plus, former CMO of Ford Suzy Deering addresses work-life balance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh Howey is an international best-selling author whose work has been published in 40 languages. But he’s not just a writer, he’s an entrepreneur in the purest sense. When Hugh self-published a short story, the world demanded more. Soon enough the income from that one story was enough to quit his job to begin work on what became the now-iconic Silo trilogy. Instead of going the traditional route with a publisher, Hugh stuck with his instinct to self-publish, disrupting an entire industry along the way. His conversation with Bob dives into the inspirations and the dollars behind his decision-making. Plus, he talks about turning Silo into the acclaimed AppleTV+ series, how he ended up in a performance of the Nutcracker, and the sailing trip he’s planning to take around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fashion designer Norma Kamali has stayed relevant for generations by tapping into culture, creativity, and technology. In the early 60s, she got a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology but didn’t fit in with the style of the time. She abandoned design to work for an airline instead, giving her access to travel. During frequent trips to London, Norma discovered a fashion revolution that hadn’t hit the States yet. Soon she would be at the forefront of New York’s changing style. With her famous sweats collection, unforgettable sleeping bag coats, and iconic swimwear, she’s been credited with pioneering trends that still reverberate today. Unlike many designers, Norma never sold her brand, retaining control of both the creative and the business. Listen in to Norma’s conversation with Bob to tap into her wisdom– from the importance of disruption to sourcing creativity to innovative and forward-thinking uses of AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When he was 14, Tarang Amin’s family sold their home and bought a motel. They fixed it up and expanded their business, buying one motel after another. Since those days, Tarang’s gotten an MBA, built an impressive resume at Procter & Gamble, Clorox, and Schiff Nutrition, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of e.l.f. Beauty. Tarang still credits his days at the family motels for his achievements in the business world. Tarang shares stories about the incredible growth he’s built for brands across the board, even after hitting walls or stepping into unexpected roles. Underlying his success are core values and strategies like incentivizing employees with ownership opportunities, constantly learning from mistakes, and creating a culture of teamwork and innovation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A billion dollar business born from a $5,000 line of credit seems hard to believe, but so are a lot of Damian Maldonado’s achievements. The co-founder and CEO of American Financing, one of the major national mortgage companies, started selling candy and Avon products door-to-door when he was just 10 years old to help provide for his family. While he didn’t go to college, he was steadfast in his pursuit of learning and his humble origins taught him the value of bootstrapping and determination. He sits down with Bob to talk about developing his aptitude for marketing at a young age, his approach to company culture, and his advice for up-and-coming entrepreneurs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jewel–with just that name, you know exactly who she is. With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, four Grammy nominations, and an American Music Award she has all the accomplishments of stardom, but didn’t get there the traditional way. She spent her childhood in Alaska performing in bars with her dad and left home at 15, struggling with homelessness as a young adult. It was performing at a coffee shop that led to a bidding war between four major labels and eventually a hit record. Yet the most surprising part of her career was when, at the peak of her fame, she stepped away from it all. Jewel recounts her journey navigating what she’s learned about mental health, the ebbs and flows of fame, and why she turned down a million dollar advance. Listen in for an insightful conversation about creativity, inspiration, and the importance of living a life in service of others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moderna’s CEO Stéphane Bancel will go down in history for pioneering the Covid-19 vaccine. He sits down with Bob to recount the story of the pandemic from his perspective, from the moment he knew it would become an international disaster to the decision to throw out Moderna’s playbook and risk everything to help humanity. At the time, Moderna had never sold a product, requiring Stéphane to adapt to a new strategy, scale the business, and sustain seven day work weeks. All of this has set Moderna up for a strong future. In fact, Stéphane believes Moderna’s next decade will be so critical for the healthcare industry that its name will no longer be synonymous with the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for a new season of Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. How do the most successful minds in marketing, entertainment, business, and even health and science evolve in an ever-changing world? This season, Bob sits down with visionaries across a wide range of industries to hear how they’ve used data, analytics, and creativity to adapt to new technology, lead strong teams, and build successful businesses that will shape our future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it’s a promotion or a pivot, a great pitch or a stroke of luck, behind most successful careers is an improbable jump that unlocks new possibilities. Ryan Seacrest went from small-time broadcast host to breaking big with American Idol. On the other hand, Rob Reilly, the Chief Creative Officer of WPP, shocked his colleagues when he stepped backwards just as his career was about to peak, and IPG’s Jacki Kelley made some moves that surprised even herself. Plus, radio and podcast personality Angela Yee and advertising executive Tim Castree have amazing tales to tell about climbing the ladder and making a name for yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the years Bob has asked dozens of business titans to share their secrets –what’s inspired them, how they’ve exceeded their career goals, and the important lessons they’ve learned along the way. In this bonus episode, we’re highlighting memorable stories and secrets from marketing masters. AT&T CMO Kellyn Smith Kenny is honest about her takeaways from unsuccessful campaigns and Gwyneth Paltrow talks about the piece of feedback that changed everything for Goop. Entrepreneur and filmmaker Andrew Jarecki reveals that his successful business came out of trying to solve a problem for himself, while Jon Bon Jovi and Bobbi Brown have wise words on the power of authenticity. Finally, Olivier Francois gives us a behind-the-scenes look at an unforgettable Superbowl commercial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha Stewart has been a household name for over four decades and she still isn’t done building her empire. During her rise, the world’s first female self-made billionaire ignored conventional wisdom to become an Emmy Award-winning TV host, best-selling author, and creator of a groundbreaking magazine. Beyond those accolades, her wildly successful merchandising business and multi-channel lifestyle company has established her as an innovative mind in business. Bob sat down with Martha for an intimate live recording at iHeartMedia HQ in front of 100 marketing, advertising, and branding executives. Celebrating her 100th book, Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen, this conversation between friends covers the pivotal decisions in Martha’s career and unpacks the guiding philosophy that built an icon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of the 43rd anniversary of MTV, we’re rereleasing a classic episode: the real story of MTV, as told by the founders. Today MTV is a cultural institution, but people forget what a long shot it was to get the channel off the ground. Bob Pittman led the team that created MTV. In this special episode, he reminisces with co-founders and friends John Sykes, Judy McGrath, Fred Seibert, Tom Freston and Jarl Mohn about what it was like to create the '80s version of a start-up and lead a TV revolution by dreaming up the rules as they went along. From why the first MTV logo was designed on crinkled paper (it spent a little time in a trash bin), to how a tiny record store in Tulsa helped save the business, to why you should really think twice about going on a Lost Weekend with Van Halen... all the way to how a terrible cereal inspired one of the greatest ad slogans of all time: “I want my MTV,” we’ve packed this episode full of stories that marketers, fans and entrepreneurs will all want to hear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may know this week’s guest by many names. Mr. 305, Mr. Worldwide, or more likely, the one and only Pitbull. Yes, the Grammy winning superstar, education advocate and entrepreneur sat down with Bob for a live conversation in his native Miami at the POSSIBLE conference. Before gaining all his titles, Pitbull was simply Armando Christian Pérez, a kid soaking up the colorful cultures of his city. Growing up, he was exposed to diverse, bustling, and at times unstable environments on the streets of Miami. Yet despite any hardship, Pitbull credits his city with giving him the skills to succeed in music and business. In fact, he’s leveraged his creativity and keen business sense to develop a number of independent ventures, including creating his own record label, Mr. 305, Inc., co-owning the Trackhouse NASCAR racing team and creating the Voli 305 vodka brand. Plus, he uses his international superstardom to give back to his community. Through SLAM! Charter schools, Pitbull is revolutionizing education and giving kids in underrepresented communities the opportunities he didn’t have. Listen to hear about these endeavors and more, and stay tuned to learn how he got the name Pitbull in the first place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Seacrest is America’s favorite host. He’s been on the radio since he was a teenager, but it wasn’t until he came on all of our TV screens in 2002 as the host of American Idol that he became a constant presence in American households. That big break propelled him to other roles, like hosting E! Red Carpets, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and will soon become the new host of Wheel of Fortune. All the while, he’s been on the radio in Los Angeles, and as the host of the syndicated show On Air with Ryan Seacrest, recently celebrating his 20th year on KIIS-FM. All this plus producing ventures that have brought us phenomena like Keeping Up with the Kardashians make it seem like Ryan can be in multiple places at once, and is definitely the hardest working person in showbiz. As Ryan tells Bob, he’s had a relentless drive to find success since he was a kid in Atlanta falling in love with radio. Listen to hear how he dropped out of college at 19, moved to Los Angeles, and turned that determination into a storied career. Plus, hear how a key encounter with Dick Clark helped him hone his hosting persona and why interacting with people–from connecting with contestants to his meaningful philanthropic ventures–is what keeps him going.  To learn more about the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, please visit www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve probably been entertained by entrepreneur and filmmaker Andrew Jarecki even if you didn’t realize it. He co-founded the business everyone used in the 1990s: Moviefone. His list of accomplishments also include co-writing the theme song for the hit TV show, Felicity, directing the Ryan Gosling film, All Good Things, and directing and producing the documentary, Capturing the Friedmans, which won 18 international prizes and earned an Academy Award nomination. He’s probably best known for directing the Emmy-winning HBO series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, which will be back with Part Two this year. Andrew sat down with Bob to recount how he got Moviefone off the ground and changed the industry forever; the major pivots and innovations behind the production of his films; and share how his parents influenced his career. You’ll get a sense of the unique skills that have enabled him to turn curiosities into successes, and have fun along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does one come up with great ideas? Some may think they’re random strokes of genius, but Rob Reilly knows it takes a mix of hard work and creativity–the truest embodiment of math and magic. Now the Chief Creative Officer of WPP, Rob built his stunning reputation on work that is memorable and buzzy, from campaigns for companies like American Express and Burger King to the “Fearless Girl” statue that still stands in Manhattan’s Financial District. These works weren’t strokes of genius. They emerged from decades of Rob tirelessly logging ideas and learning his business inside and out. Listen to hear Rob explain his creative process and reflect on some of the most important moments of his career, from the college party that landed him his first advertising job to the time he took a demotion and pay cut to improve his craft. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country music is the biggest radio music format and Nashville’s Scott Borchetta knows the genre inside and out. He’s the founder, president, and CEO of Big Machine Label Group and the founder of Big Machine Distillery. Scott has signed deals with artists like Tim McGraw, Jewel, Lady A, Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, and many others.  Scott sits down to talk about his impressive career, from how he discovered his place in the music industry to when he knew it was the right time to go out on his own. His optimism, strategic thinking, and competitive spirit has helped him master music promotion and he feels more energized than ever to take on the next big thing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Audiences love a spectacle, and Kenneth Feld knows better than anyone how true this is. As the Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, he’s an acclaimed visionary when it comes to live, family friendly theatrics. He took over the business from his father, who founded it back in 1967 when he discovered the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Kenneth sat down with Bob to describe how he maintains the company’s core principles, from valuing families above all else to championing live entertainment as a way of bringing people together–even during a global pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kellyn Smith Kenny was born to innovate. From her early years, she was a textbook over-achiever, thriving as both an athlete and a mathlete and joining any additional club she could squeeze her way into. Growing up, she watched her mom run a hospital and her dad contribute to groundbreaking work at Bell Labs, inspiring her to dedicate herself to meaningful work. This well-rounded foundation has taken Kellyn far in the world of marketing. Her resume is stacked with giants of business like Microsoft, Hilton, Capital One, and Uber, where she learned to approach work like she’s captain of a sports team. Knowing the game inside and out and fostering a diverse, cohesive team is of the utmost importance. Currently, as the Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at AT&T, she has continued making bold moves to breathe new life into an iconic brand. She sat down with Bob to explain just how she does it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for the new season of Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing, starting Thursday, February 29th. This season, Bob sits down with leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries across music, film, live entertainment, marketing, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech pioneer Ted Leonsis is never one to shy away from a challenge. He’s an uncanny trend spotter, from his beginnings at companies like Wang Laboratories and AOL to his current role as Founder and CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment. He’s also the ambitious co-founder of investment group Revolution Growth and even did a stint as mayor of a small Florida town. But before college, Ted was a self-described “lazy” student who would just get by. So, what changed? In this conversation, Ted tells Bob about the monumental event that changed the trajectory of his life and ignited his passion for technology. He also explains how a near death experience propelled him to create a list of 101 things to do before he died – a list that guides and motivates him in all aspects of his life to this day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Howard Makler knows how vital small and medium-sized businesses are to the economy. But he also knows not everyone appreciates their value. A successful serial entrepreneur and CEO of Innovation Refunds, Howard is working to make sure smaller businesses are no longer ignored. Innovation Refunds helps small businesses gain access to government funding, along with the knowledge, resources, and technology to succeed. Howard started small too—he founded his first company out of his bedroom at 13 years old—and knows that paths to success aren’t always traditional. Bob sat down with Howard to hear how he went from opting out of college to teaching classes at Wharton. Howard also shares what big businesses can learn from small businesses – and why taking care of your employees should be a priority for every company, regardless of size.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of media is ever-changing — and no one has played it quite like Jacki Kelley, CEO of the Americas and Global Chief Client Officer of advertising giant, Dentsu. Jacki has been at the center of media and advertising for the last 25 years, with leadership roles at USA Today, Yahoo, Martha Stewart Living, and Bloomberg. Her deep understanding of the media landscape has put her in a valuable position to both manage Dentsu’s global portfolio of clients and lead a team that is always looking to where to go next, from exciting ways to use AI, to more precise messaging that powerfully connects with individuals. But what people may not know is that Jacki comes from a fifth generation cattle ranching family and has been a foster parent for more than 20 children. Bob sits down with Jacki to find out how these experiences have shaped her approach to business, leadership, and company culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Bon Jovi is so well known that when his songs play, everyone can sing along – even those born well after they first hit the radio. That kind of success is rare in the music business and a lot of artists would stop there. Yet Jon has tackled a number of ventures, bringing a magic touch to everything he’s involved in, from entrepreneurship to philanthropy. With Hampton Water, he turned a family joke into a top rosé brand. With Soul Kitchen, he created a first of its kind community restaurant for those in need. Live from Miami at the POSSIBLE conference, Jon tells Bob about his secret to remaining timeless – which he credits to ignoring trends and staying true to himself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At its core, radio is a community service. No one knows that better than Angela Yee. She’s been on the airwaves for over a decade as a founding member of The Breakfast Club, host of her midday show, Way Up, and now the podcast, Lip Service. Angela is a friend and mentor to her listeners and she’s no different off the air. As an entrepreneur, she finds creative ways to help others. From juice bars, to coffee, to open conversations about finance, she spreads the wealth of her successful career to communities in need. Recording live from the NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) in Las Vegas, Angela recounts this journey to Bob. Listen to hear how she went from Wu-Tang Clan’s assistant to a respected voice in hip hop and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For so long, Paris Hilton’s story was told for her – in tabloids, through her persona on The Simple Life, and in the context of her legendary family. Now, Paris has taken the reins. She’s used her power as the original influencer to show her true self on social media, through entrepreneurship, and as an activist. From documentaries to podcasts to successful brands, there’s now so many ways to get to know the real Paris. She sat down with Bob to share how she helped build influencer marketing into the phenomenon it is today, and how she learned to use her voice in every facet of her success. Listen to hear how she went from running a lemonade stand in Malibu to building a successful brand –while becoming a world-renowned DJ along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days, a lot of actors double as entrepreneurs. Yet no one has had their finger on the pulse quite like Gwyneth Paltrow. Before everyone else was doing it, the Academy Award winner started a newsletter with personally curated recipes, travel tips, beauty items, and more. That grew into the lifestyle brand Goop. From its clothing line to its podcast, Goop’s offerings have captivated customers who are just as obsessed with health and wellness as its founder. Gwyneth sat down with Bob to discuss how she came into her own as a CEO. When she became an entrepreneur, a retail job at Penny Whistle Toys was one of the few non-acting gigs on Gwyneth’s resume. Listen to hear how that early experience, plus belief in service to others and staying true to herself have been among the keys to her success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allen Grubman is a legend in the music business, but he’s not a musician. He’s an entertainment lawyer who for over 50 years has been making deals for superstars in music and media. He’s a trusted advisor to Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and, of course, Bob Pittman. Bob sat down with his longtime friend and confidante to learn how he went from Brooklyn kid to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. All it took was a stint singing on NBC’s Children’s Hour, an infectious personality, and a keen attention to the business of music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Boom Supersonic, Blake Scholl is reaching for the impossible. When the Concorde was grounded in 2003, dreams of a profitable model for supersonic aviation were abandoned. It took an introverted kid obsessed with aviation to prove skeptics wrong. Today, Boom has orders to make over 100 supersonic aircrafts for the US Airforce, United Airlines, and more, ensuring that supersonic travel is about to make a comeback. Of course, Blake didn’t achieve this overnight. He sat down with Bob to relay how his time in the early days of tech at Amazon and Groupon taught him the do’s and dont’s of startups and how he realized that above all else, it’s passion that makes a business soar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for the new season of Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. This season, Bob sits down with leaders across various fields –from A-list entrepreneurs to a supersonic aviator and everyone in-between—to learn how they’ve used data and creativity to push their businesses into the future. There’s nothing these visionaries can’t teach us about how to find success in our ever-changing world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might be surprised to learn that legendary sportscaster Colin Cowherd rarely checks his ratings. As he puts it: checking your ratings doesn’t make your ratings better. Instead, Colin has some other tried-and-true ways to build an engaged audience— and it shows. With his program on Fox Sports and two podcast networks in partnership with iHeartPodcasts, Colin hasn’t just built an audience, he’s built an empire. Colin joins Bob to share insights on audience growth, his advice for advertisers and what lessons from pro athletes we can apply to any industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout the tumultuous pandemic, Christian Juhl kept a steady hand at the helm of GroupM at WPP—the world’s largest advertising and media investment company. The key to Christian’s powerful leadership lies within his early experiences in the eye of the dot com boom and bust. The memories of wondering whether his paychecks would cash have not faded, and neither have the corresponding lessons. Listen as Christian shares those lessons with Bob; plus, how Christian and his team are leveraging GroupM’s size to change the industry, and the world, for the better.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a brief stint as a Blackjack dealer, Mike Meldman thought he’d try his hand as a real estate developer. Cut to the present: Mike and his team at Discovery Land Company have created over thirty luxury communities worldwide. But Mike is not just providing four walls and a roof: he’s providing community. Bob sits down to find out how Mike has achieved that— and where Casamigos, the award-winning tequila brand Mike co-founded, fits in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although Byron Sharp grew up on a sheep farm, he’s spent his career defying herd mentality. As Director of the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science, Byron has debunked marketing conventions and helped brands stick to what works. Along the way, he wrote the seminal book “How Brands Grow,” which you can find on any CMO’s desk who is worth their salt. In today’s special episode of Math & Magic, Bob shares the mic with iHeart’s CMO Gayle Troberman for a conversation with Byron on the marketing strategies backed by science.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s impossible to make good business decisions with bad information. That’s where truth-seeking reporters like Stephanie Ruhle come in. Host of the 11th Hour on MSNBC and Senior Business Analyst for NBC News, Stephanie has brought truth and accountability to power by breaking momentous stories like the London Whale loss. Bob talks to Stephanie about how she navigated a major career pivot, the surprising role New York City restaurants played in her career advancements, and how companies can get media coverage (spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think!).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.