Possible NOW

As CEO of Sundial Media and Technology Group, home to Essence, Refinery 29, Afro-Punk, and Beautycon, Kirk McDonald has spent 30 years at the intersection of publishing, ad tech, and agency leadership, and his thesis is simple: the industry optimized for clicks and reach when it should have been building for cultural relevance and community. Kirk unpacks the difference between influencers and creators, calls out AI as a proxy for "artificial intimacy," and argues the DEI backlash is a business mistake dressed up as a culture war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shelley Zalis has built her career turning bold ideas into movements. In this episode of Possible Now she joins Christian Muche to share how that mindset has shaped her journey. From pioneering online research with OTX to founding The Female Quotient and its global Girls’ Lounge community, Shelley explains how lasting change happens when leaders move from individual power to collective impact. She also reflects on the moment she realized compassion and empathy were not soft skills but essential leadership strengths. If you’re curious about how communities can transform industries, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Serial entrepreneur and investor Kim Perell has founded and exited nine companies but her story didn’t begin with certainty. It began with a layoff at 23 during the collapse of the dot-com bubble. In this candid conversation, Christian and Kim unpack what truly separates dreamers from builders. From embracing rejection as a numbers game to applying the “70% rule” in moments of uncertainty, Kim shares why execution is a skill, not a personality trait, and why waiting for perfect readiness may be the biggest risk of all. They also explore mentorship, pivoting in fast-moving markets, and what Kim looks for when investing in founders today. For anyone standing on the edge of an idea, this episode is a masterclass in momentum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 3 of POSSIBLE NOW moves beyond big ideas to the people who actually know how to execute. Host Christian Muche sits down with the builders, operators, and leaders shaping modern marketing. Where AI meets creativity, creators become companies, and brands fight to earn their seat at the executive table. From the intersection of media and technology to the rise of audiences as co-creators, these conversations reveal how bold ideas become real results. No panel speak. No empty hype. Just the people doing the work and leading the industry forward. Join us for an all-new season with new episodes every Thursday starting March 26th!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian Muche sits down with Alicia Tillman, CMO of Delta Airlines, to pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead a century-old brand into its next chapter. From transforming loyalty beyond points to reimagining travel as a deeply human experience, Alicia shares how Delta is evolving into a lifestyle brand—while staying rooted in its soul—people. If you’re curious about how brands stay iconic and relevant, this one’s a must-listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overseeing 400+ brands, Esi Eggleston Bracey’s roots in community advocacy has inspired her leadership as Unilever’s Chief Growth & Marketing Officer. Sitting down with Christian, Esi explains how her mantra, "Passion Power," has been the driving force behind the transformation of Unilever's marketing machine -- from using digital twins to revolutionize product design to implementing her "culture-to-cart" model turning cultural relevance into measurable growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shift to creator-owned models is changing how artists, brands, and audiences connect. Chaucer Barnes, CMO of Translation and UnitedMasters, has built his career at that intersection. In this episode, he and Christian explore how context strategy reshaped brand storytelling, why fan data must empower artists, and how AI could build a stronger creative middle class instead of dismantling it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women’s sports isn’t charity—it’s a growth market hiding in plain sight. Laura Correnti, founder and CEO of Deep Blue Sports & Entertainment, has built her career spotting the white space and turning it into business. She and Christian dig into the myths holding advertisers back, how athletes are seizing the white space with their own media platforms, and why the next billion-dollar sports opportunity will be led by women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mischief at No Fixed Address went from pandemic startup to Adweek’s Agency of the Year in just five years. Its co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Greg Hahn joins Christian to share why creativity must surprise and feel inevitable at once, how indifference kills more brands than controversy, and what it takes to build an agency that’s fearless, human, and impossible to ignore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entertainment has always moved culture—but what happens when brands step in as co-creators? Michael Sugar, the Academy Award-winning producer behind Spotlight and founder of Sugar23, joins Christian to discuss his new partnership with the Ad Council, why mental health is at the center of his storytelling agenda, and how great content can bridge purpose and profit while inspiring cultural shiftsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The funnel isn’t “dead” It has just evolved. Diana Haussling, CEO of Hello Products, explains why modern brand building looks more like an infinity loop than a linear path, and how AI is reshaping everything from creative to supply chain. Having worked leading marketing across many consumer brands, she and Christian discuss her shift from CMO to CEO, the importance of change management, and how values are reflected  in the thousands of micro-decisions companies make every day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Too many leaders talk about Gen Z without ever listening to them. Ziad Ahmed has spent a decade changing that. From founding JUV Consulting as a teenager to now leading Next Gen at UTA, he’s shown what happens when brands give young people a real seat at the table. In this conversation, he and Christian explore how to integrate into culture instead of interrupting it, why authenticity matters more than ever, and how Gen Z is rewriting the rules of creativity and leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 2 of POSSIBLE NOW goes beyond talking points to the playbooks leaders actually use. Host Christian Muche presses agency heads, CMOs, founders, and rising talent for specifics: AI that ships (not slogans), practical fixes for generational friction, and brand ROI measured in momentum—pricing power, loyalty, and pipeline—not just spend. Candid, concrete, and immediately usable, these conversations reveal how the people behind the work shift what’s possible.  Join us for an all new season with new episodes every Thursday, starting October 2nd!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forget mega-conferences with endless cab rides and low engagement. Hyve Group CEO Mark Shashoua explains why the best events are built around human connection, intentional design, and a relentless focus on audience quality. In the season one finale of Possible Now, Mark and Christian talk Possible 2025, what Hyve looks for in acquisitions, and how to grow without losing your magic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search landscape is evolving faster than ever. AI is rewriting the rules, and regulators are stepping in. Adam Epstein, Co-CEO of AdMarketplace, reveals how brands can navigate the shake-up, why independent ad tech matters, and what comes after Google’s dominance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta's Head of Global Business Group shares how AI is reshaping marketing, human connection, and leadership — plus why innovation and authenticity are key to success. Nicola also shares her personal journey with cancer and how it shaped her approach to leadership. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating the future of business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not about impressing people—it’s about impact. Gary Vee talks about the power of authenticity, why kindness is his competitive edge, and how staying true to yourself is the ultimate key to winning in business and life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.