PODWalk with Radhika Zaveri

About PODWalk with Radhika Zaveri

PODWalk is a podcast by Radhika Zaveri, Professor of Practice at Southern Methodist University with one goal - encouraging the audience to get off their screens; go for a walk, listen, and learn through conversations with industry experts. Each episode will feature thought provoking conversations with experts in consumer, brand and innovation facing challenges as you. You’ll leave each episode feeling encouraged, inspired, and motivated.

Publisher

Radhika Zaveri

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Feb 2023

Latest episode

4 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

46 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Jun 2026

   Episode 47: Dan Hunt (FC Dallas President) | Built To Last

   Dan Hunt has served as President of FC Dallas since 2014 and serves on several leadership committees across Major League Soccer, including as Co-Chair of the Board of MLS NEXT Pro. He has led Dallas’ successful bid to host nine matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026 — the most of any host city — and now serves as Co-Chair of the North Texas Organizing Committee. Alongside his late father, Lamar they developed Toyota Stadium and established FC Dallas as a leader in youth soccer development. Dan also plays a strategic role across the Hunt family sports portfolio, including the Kansas City Chiefs. Dan graduated from St. Mark’s School of Texas and Southern Methodist University. Today’s conversation is about how leaders build—build teams, build talent, and build brands that last—whether on the field or in the marketplace. 3 Key takeaways: 1. Great teams are built, not foundWhether in FC Dallas or beyond, success comes from identifying potential early and creating systems that develop people consistently—not relying on talent alone. 2. Culture only works when it is lived, not statedA strong identity means little unless it is reinforced through behavior, decision-making, and accountability at every level of the organization. 3. Leadership is about long-term impact, not short-term outcomesFrom player development to global events like the FIFA World Cup, the most effective leaders focus on building structures that last beyond immediate wins and create lasting value for communities. Thank you for listening to PODWalk. Until next time.

2. 

   16 Apr 2026

   Episode 46: James Ruth (CMO, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | What Fans Really Want

   James Ruth is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he leads brand strategy, fan engagement, and revenue-driving marketing efforts for one of the NFL’s most dynamic franchises. With a career that spans sports, media, and brand leadership, James has been at the forefront of transforming how teams connect with fans, blending data, storytelling, and culture to build lasting loyalty in an ever-evolving sports landscape. And today we are going to chat about what is that fans really want – what are they buying -- is the wins or is it something else? 3 key takeaways Marketing in the Modern Age: the power of a brand rooted in mission. In a world where everything feels like it’s constantly shifting — from content production (e.g., AI) to engagement platforms (e.g., vertical video) to how we define success (e.g., transaction vs. brand growth) — a committed mission becomes the anchor. It’s the thing that transcends the noise and outlasts the moment. The Power of Culture & Knowing Your Way: Great brands understand their mission — and then say the same thing 1,000 different ways. But the part worth double-clicking on is the why. The why isn’t always what’s on the surface — it’s the value exchange. What do fans, consumers, evangelists actually get from you? When you get that answer right, you build something people choose to be part of… In sports, that’s when you have a brand that can transcend wins and losses. Finding Your North Star; Just like a brand, you need a north star.   At a place like SMU, life will present you with a constant stream of options. The north star becomes the prism — the thing that helps you decide whether a path is taking you closer or pulling you further away. And importantly, that north star can — and should — evolve. But the act of having one, of committing to something that guides your decisions, is what creates momentum. It gives you direction, progress, and purpose. It pulls you along. And one day, you’ll look back and ask yourself, how the hell did I get all the way here?

3. 

   10 Mar 2026

   Episode 45: Francois Reihani (Founder, La La Land) | Scaling with Purpose

   Today’s guest is François, SMU alum and CEO of La La LandFrom their sunshine-yellow cups to their purpose-driven hiring model, La La Land is proof that when a brand leads with heart, the world follows. Their cause is soulful, their culture is intentional, their content is everywhere — and their growth has been nothing short of explosive.But behind the viral moments and the aesthetic yellow glow lies something deeper — a belief that purpose is the algorithm. In a world of fleeting trends and constant noise, François and his team have built a movement by knowing exactly what they stand for.Today, we’ll explore how La La Land scales with soul, how clarity cuts through chaos — and how the best brands don’t chase the algorithm, they become it.Three Key Takeaways from this podcast are: Purpose Is Algorithm.  It’s the Filter, Not Just the Fuel The strongest brands don’t react to what’s trending — they define what matters. Purpose gives them the clarity to lead when everyone else is chasing the feed. “Growth That Keeps Its Promise” Scaling isn’t a numbers game — it’s a trust game. Every Lalaland product, every post we share, every partnership we form is a reflection of our purpose and values. Enduring growth comes from delivering on that promise, again and again. Clarity Is the Ultimate Competitive Edge. In a world obsessed with speed, the brands that know who they are move the fastest — because they never waste time pretending to be something they’re not.  Thanks to our audience, we would love it if you subscribed to you so you can hear the next podcast when it drops and give us a positive rating. Until next time.

Who has been a guest on PODWalk with Radhika Zaveri

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• David McKillips
• Ramesh Srinivasan
• Joseph Loretto

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

19 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

56

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact PODWalk with Radhika Zaveri

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.