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Design is everywhere from the car you drive to the coffee machine you can’t live without. But design is way more than looking good, it’s an asset every creator should have in their toolbox. Good design makes it easier for us to interact with the world and with the content we consume. An intuitively-designed iPhone gets us almost instantaneous access to a camera, music and of course, podcasts. In this bite-sized episode, Ben shares why creators should leverage design principles to get in front of their audiences, why style always wins, and the 3 lessons he learned from a trip to the Design Museum. Dig into this highly actionable bonus episode and discover how you can use design to build, grow and monetize your podcast, Follow Ben: Twitter:https://twitter.com/benbradbury ( twitter.com/benbradbury)

Audio is exploding. As you’re listening to this, millions of people are tuning in to be entertained, educated and inspired by creators just like you. But committing to a podcast is tough. The number one way podcasts grow is word of mouth, so how do you create a show worth talking about? How else can you reach bigger audiences? And how do you eventually convert that audience into revenue? If you’re an aspiring creator wanting to build with audio, this is the show for you. I’m Ben Bradbury, and 4 years ago I was an aspiring creator too. I started as a freelance podcaster, then became an agency owner, and now my agency has become part of Workweek: A media company powered by creators that’s making work fun. I’m heading up Workweek’s audio team, and although I’m obviously a little biased, I think we’re working on some pretty cool projects. And I’ll be sharing everything I learn to help you build, grow and monetize your audience through audio. Here’s what you can expect from this season. We’ll have 2 types of episodes: In-depth interviews, and bite-sized commentary. With the interviews you’ll hear from subject matter experts, learning how they got started in the audio space, and we’ll get into the weeds of how they maximize the impact of their audio. You’ll get actionable insights into growing and monetizing your content, from guests who practice exactly what they preach. And I know you’re busy, so I'll be following up with short episodes that includes commentary from each interview, diving into case studies you can learn from, and providing practical tips to make your show worth listening to. If you want to make the most of the audio revolution, you’re in the right place. New episodes dropping May 23, with four new episodes every week after that. Media’s constantly moving and we’ll be sharing information from the very edge of our field, so make sure to subscribe to stay up to date with the very latest content.

“How do I build, grow and monetize my podcast?” I see this question coming up a lot. In this upcoming season I’m excited to start this journey with you, sharing learnings that will help you turn your audio into a sustainable and profitable business. In this episode I share my own journey as a creator, from digital nomad, to agency founder, and finally how I’ve landed my dream role as Head of Audio at Workweek. We’re a new media company focused exclusively on supporting and growing creators. In this bonus episode I’ll take a look back at where Subject Matter has come from, why it’s taking a new, exciting direction, and how success in audio is something anyone can do with the right mindset. I’ll also tell you about our upcoming shows, some of the amazing guests I’ve got lined up who’ve achieved huge success in podcasting, and a bit more about the snackable, actionable episodes we’ve got hitting your feed very soon. Excited for you to listen! Feel free to reach out to me any time on Twitter: https://twitter.com/benbradbury (twitter.com/benbradbury)

It’s a wrap! Season 5 is done and dusted, leaving behind a treasure chest of wisdom collected from Ben’s stellar guest line-up. Take a listen to the season highlights in this best of episode. Founders, CEOs, former General Counsel and mavericks - all speaking from experience and offering their unique insights on growing and succeeding for young professionals in a competitive space. Not just succeeding but succeeding with integrity and while keeping yourself mentally and physically at the top of your game. Learn how to develop the right kind of empathy, how to really listen and why one word can unlock your potential. You’ll hear guest wisdom intertwined with some of Ben’s personal founder journey in this season finale of Subject Matter. Guest highlights include: http://linkedin.com/in/rmvolpe (Rob Volpe), http://linkedin.com/in/richskeller (Rich Keller), http://linkedin.com/in/davidwachs (David Wachs), http://linkedin.com/in/brianroland (Brian Roland), http://linkedin.com/in/robchesnut (Rob Chesnut), http://linkedin.com/in/marc-champagne-%F0%9F%97%9D-14767b17 (Marc Champagne) and http://linkedin.com/in/eleanorhaglund (Eleanor Haglund) You can find Astutely’s actionable feedback guide, mentioned in this episode, on https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WCroXCBOX0G97nyrnzVy8?si=35325d00eb044102 (this podcast.)

When you learn to let your authentic self shine through, you build the kinds of relationships that last the distance, personally and professionally. For busy professionals, taking time to consistently show up will help you take feedback better, build communication and make the kinds of pitches that get heard. And it’s never too early to get great feedback, opening the floor to your team is where solutions are created. Staying quiet and letting your talent loose, is where relationships are solidified and creativity unleashed. Ben unpacks why feedback is the tool you need to bring out the best in you and the people you lead, how to make a pitch that sticks and why being consistently yourself all of the time builds relationships with staying power.

Eleanor Haglund knows how to take feedback. Positive, negative and everything in between, when you stop talking and start listening, you get better and better. And it’s never too early to open the feedback loop. Whether you’re pitching to the boss, or working out a problem, let your team shine by talking less and listening more. Drawing on her experiences in Montessori education, Eleanor has worked with many startups, raised funds and won several competitions building her companies. Now she’s Founder and CEO of Allianse, the platform for connecting startup CEOs and investors. Learn the secrets of pitching like a professional and how to build a team that optimizes your business. Ben and Eleanor talk about why feedback is crucial for success and how theater and cooking have influenced her personal and professional life. Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/benbradbury_ (https://twitter.com/benbradbury_) Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbradbury/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbradbury/) For more information about the Subject Matter Podcast: https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf (https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf)

What does art mean to you? Is it a part of your everyday life or something that barely registers? For ambitious professionals, art can take on many forms, from podcasters to Old Masters. Whatever you define as art, it’s something that can help you tackle problems and look for solutions in your time-strapped professional life. Ben unpacks how one of the great names in tech was inspired by thinking outside the box and why the fusty old image of art as a hobby for the rich is being stripped away by an ambitious startup. You’ll hear why you should spend time with art and artists, and how to go about creating a creative routine.

Art is a divisive issue, but getting to know the artist’s story can help unlock creative thinking and break down barriers. Discover how tapping into creativity can make you a better strategist. Paul Becker is the CEO of Art Money, a global fintech company empowering people to buy art through a win-win business model. He believes art’s ROI isn’t just the value of the piece but how it makes you think and feel, and how it can help with creative problem solving. In this episode Paul explains why getting to know the artist, taking Steve Jobs as an example, helps to unlock the story behind the art and why that story can be a useful tool for your own creative thinking. He discusses how looking outside your own industry for inspiration and answers is all part of art’s power and how you can use it to break down barriers. 01:30 - Paul Becker intro 01:36 - The motivations that drive the Art industry 03:07 - The importance of psychology to understand the art world 06:30 - The cultural baggage and disruption of Art 10:40 - the true ROI of Art and how to use it as a tool for creative thinking 15:22 - The art of storytelling 20:30 - The importance of integrity in art and business 24:00 - The future of art, as per Paul Becker 27:48 - Interview wrap Listen to more Subject Matter podcasts at: http://www.subjectmatterpodcast.com/ (http://www.subjectmatterpodcast.com)

Prioritizing your wellbeing can feel selfish. In a world where we feel judged by our productivity, taking time to make sure you’re in top physical and mental shape can be challenging. And yet it’s exactly these kinds of actions that create motivation and success. When you prioritize your personal life, you’re making a long term commitment to your professional success. And leading by example can help your teams work smarter and harder too. Ben gives practical advice on how to form a healthy routine and weekly habits that will help you think more clearly, sharpen your intellectual edge and help you sleep better.

When you put your personal life above your professional life, you become a great employee. To get the best from teams, leaders should hand over the reins and allow them to manage their own workloads. With so many teams working remotely, focusing on output and not the clock is the smart way to get the best from your reports. Brian Roland is our guest and talks to Ben about why leaders should trust teams to make decisions on their work/home life balance. He discusses the power of having employees whose ethics align with the company they work for, and how to be a business that actively gives away its profits. Listen now and get practical insights into unleashing your leadership potential and why you should always put your needs above the company. Find more Subject Matter podcasts at: http://www.subjectmatterpodcast.com (http://www.subjectmatterpodcast.com) 00:00 - Introduction 03:09 - Abenity’s social mission 04:30 - Brian’s first steps to create Abenity’s social mission 08:26 - The benefits of having a social mission 14:26 - Working for Full-Profit Enterprises Vs. Working for Non-profit Enterprises 18:05 - The requirements to build a remote-working team 21:04 - The importance of prioritizing personal life over work life 25:03 - Managing social needs in a remote-working team 27:44 - Brian’s D-I-S-C evaluation system for remote workers 32:46 - The problem of using emails for internal communications 38:39 - Closing remarks

Choosing between doing the right thing and what's best for you can be tough decision, but what if doing the right thing was always in your self-interest? Ben talks about why developing personal integrity is a gamechanger for professionals and why Richard Branson agrees with him. You'll discover what happens when doing the right thing compounds and why the world's most successful people look inside when it comes to key decision making. You'll hear about the two types of motivation and why one will propel you forward, while the other leaves you flat.

Do you need to be ruthless to attract success? The answer is a resounding no. In fact, for ambitious professionals to unlock their potential, personal integrity is a key component. Chief Ethics Officer at Airbnb and former US Counsel Rob Chesnut believes great leaders embody authenticity, self-awareness and transparency and set the temperature for the culture of the companies they work for. Rob talks with Ben about why young professionals must use their North Star to guide them towards companies whose values align with their own. You'll hear why customers are attracted to ethically-led businesses, why integrity can be a double-edged sword and why leaders should bring their personal ethics into their roles Listen to more Subject Matter podcasts at: http://www.subjectmatterpodcast.com (http://www.subjectmatterpodcast.com) 00:00 - Intro 02:50 - Humans, intelligence and self-interest 04:24 - How to stay on the right lane of integrity 07:25 - The importance of purpose and integrity in business 12:10 - Airbnb’s case study of purpose and integrity 14:20 - Rob’s first encounter with integrity 16:08 - Integrity within leadership 20:00 - Differentiating right from wrong 22:38 - Characteristics that drive integrity 23:41 - The importance of curiosity in the workforce 25:18 - Airbnb’s CEO, Brian Chesky, approach to purpose and integrity 29:39 - Closing remarks

Seeing things from another's point of view is the starting point to all relationships, whether that's your CEO, colleagues or direct reports. With empathy you'll build collaboration, experience less turnover and avoid friction at work, but how do you know you're using the right kind of empathy? In this episode Ben talks through two different types and why there's such a thing as 'bad' empathy. You'll learn how to build it into your day-to-day practice without eating into your busy work schedule and hear why CEO and entrepreneur Rob Volpe believes building empathic relationships guarantees success.

Rob Volpe's early experiences of bullying taught him the power of empathy. He carries these lessons with him as an astute observer of life and a master storyteller, who brings empathy and compassion to the human experience. As CEO of Ignite 360, he leads a team of insights, strategy, and creative professionals serving the world’s leading brands across a range of industries. In this episode Rob sheds light on the different types of empathy, how to develop empathic communication and why your team will grow stronger, become more collaborative and produce better results when you go out of your way to understand them. Interview Breakdown: 2:00 - Intro to Rob Volpe 2:30 - How actors and writers apply empathy 3:55 - What most people misunderstand about empathy 4:50 - Empathy within the male and female stereotype 8:52 - How to remain empathetic in the workspace 13:00 - Habits to strengthen your empathetic muscle 18:11 - Unlock empathy through a beginner's mindset 21:20 - How Rob discovered the power of Empathy 25:40 - The empathy crisis explained through numbers 29:15 - Unleash empathy through talk and play 32:55 - Closing remarks Listen to more Subject Matter podcasts at: https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf (https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf)

In a digital world, we need personalization now more than ever. Ben unpacks the deep human need to connect and how leaders can work to create those connections, building trust within teams and creating lifelong customers. We hear about David Wachs, serial entrepreneur and founder of Handwrytten, a platform that leverages AI technology to produce beautiful handwritten notes at scale. David believes in the lost art of note writing and the power of connection that comes when you set time aside to write a personal note or card. When so many feel isolated post-COVID, human connection is just a handwritten note away.

David Wachs is a serial entrepreneur. His latest venture, Handwrytten, is bringing back the lost art of letter writing through scalable, robot-based solutions that write your notes in pen, sending 180,000 handwritten notes per month. Used by major meal boxes, eCommerce giants, nonprofits and professionals, Handwrytten is changing the way brands and people connect. Prior to starting Handwrytten, David founded Cellit, a leading mobile marketing agency. Cellit was sold to HelloWorld in 2012. In this episode, David shares why creating a platform NOT a product is important to him, how to score a 10 on team meetings every time, and why your time is the best gift you can give. Listen to more Subject Matter podcasts at: https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf (https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf)

In this episode, Ben pulls out some quick, practical takeaways to help busy leaders unlock relationships, hit pause and increase focus. And it all starts with a single question. Using talking points from podcast guest Marc Champagne's book, Personal Socrates, Ben guides you into deeper thinking and shows you how to build mental muscle. You'll discover the questions to ask yourself, when to ask them and what to expect on your journey to better mental fitness. Even the most time-short executive can develop daily habits that press pause on productivity when they ask themselves the right questions at the right time. Follow Ben on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3csz4o9 (https://bit.ly/3csz4o9) Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nuLN01 (https://bit.ly/3nuLN01) And at: https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf (https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf)

Marc is a Mental Fitness Strategist, author, and co-founder of the journalling app KYO. His podcast, Behind the Human, is ranked in the top 50 and unpacks the mental fitness practices and reflective questions shaping the lives of some of the most successful and brilliant thinkers in the world. His first book, Personal Socrates, explores the pointed questions that stimulate our mental fitness and teach us how to direct our internal narrative to work for us, instead of against us. In this episode Marc unpacks why asking questions helps leaders find clarity and hit pause on the treadmill of life. He also explains why focusing on the details helps your team feel valued, even when working remotely. Listen to more Subject Matter podcasts at https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf (https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf)

If you're a young professional wanting a successful career, it can be easy to feel frustrated at the slow progress you're making. You have big ambitions, yet you constantly feel stretched spinning a dozen different plates, and running out of time to accomplish what you want. What if there was a way to get the professional growth we're after, while not compromising on our busy lifestyle? On Subject Matter, we believe ambitious professionals shouldn't have to wait to learn from the best. The insights you deserve are one conversation away. On Subject Matter's fifth season, that's exactly what we're here to provide to you: Practical lessons from today's top performers that you can use to get ahead personally and professionally. With your host Ben Bradbury, together we'll get inside the heads of leaders running organisations like Airbnb, Vaynermedia, eBay, and even The White House, shining a light on the mindset, tools and practices they use that can help you understand your value, and unlock your potential. If you're looking for information and inspiration to create a career you're proud of, all bundled up as an easy listen, we've got you covered. Subject Matter's 5th season starts on November 16th. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Rakesh Kamath is Co-Founder and CTO of JoeZoo Inc, an EdTech company focused on transforming written skills assessment through the use of AI and NLP. He has more than 20 years' experience focused mostly on SaaS Product Engineering, and was formerly Director of Digital Strategic Innovation at BMO Bank of Montreal. In this episode Rakesh shares why you need to get out of the way of your intelligent hires, why vagueness leads to company churn and how to create a safe space in your company to get the best from your team. Listen to more Subject Matter podcasts at https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf (https://bit.ly/3I6GbBf)