Why the Best Leaders are Better Storytellers with Robin P. Zander
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin P. Zander. In this episode, I’m doing something a little different: I step into the guest seat for a conversation with one of my good friends, Andrew Bartlow, recorded for the People Leader Accelerator podcast alongside Jessica Yuen. We dive into storytelling, identity, and leadership — exploring how personal experiences shape professional influence. The conversation begins with a reflection on family and culture, from the Moroccan textiles behind me, made by my mother, to the influence of my father’s environmental consulting work. These threads of...
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Investing In People, AI, and the Future of Work with Virginie Raphael
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
In this episode, I’m joined by Virginie Raphael — investor, entrepreneur, and philosopher of work — for a wide-ranging conversation about incentives, technology, and how we build systems that scale without losing their humanity. We talk about her background growing up around her family’s flower business, and how those early experiences shaped the way she thinks about labor, value, and operating in the real economy. That foundation carries through to her work as an investor, where she brings an operator’s lens to evaluating businesses and ideas. We explore how incentives quietly shape...
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The Human Side of Selling with Jeff Jaworski
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Jaworsky, who shares his journey from a global role at Google to running his own business while prioritizing time with his children. We talk about the pivotal life and career decisions that shaped this transition, focusing on the importance of setting boundaries—both personally and professionally. Jeff shares insights on leaving a structured corporate world for entrepreneurship and the lessons learned along the way. We also explore the evolving landscape of sales and entrepreneurship, highlighting how integrating...
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The Science of Human Performance with Melissa Painter
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Painter, founder of Breakthru – a platform bringing movement, mindfulness, and behavior change into workplaces around the world. We talk about how Melissa uses movement as a tool to improve focus, resilience, and well-being, and how her background in dance and creative movement informs her approach to human performance. We explore the science and art of helping people move more, think better, and feel more connected to their work and each other. Melissa shares how she designs short, immersive experiences for...
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How to Build What You Believe with Shannon Deep and Kevan Lee
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I’m joined by Kevan Lee and Shannon Deep, co-founders of Bonfire – a creative studio reimagining what it means to build brands, tell stories, and live meaningful lives. We talk about how Bonfire began as a “Trojan horse” – a branding agency on the surface, but really a vehicle for deeper questions: What does fulfilling work look like? How do we find meaning beyond our careers? And how can business become a space for honesty, connection, and growth? Kevan and Shannon share how their partnership formed, what it takes to build...
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The Human Cost of AI: A Debate with Miki Johnson
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I’m joined by Miki Johnson – coach, facilitator, and co-founder of Job Portraits, a creative studio that helped companies tell honest stories about their work and culture. Today, Miki leads Leading By Example, where she supports leaders and teams through moments of change – whether that’s a career shift, new parenthood, or redefining purpose. We talk about how to navigate transition with awareness, why enjoying change takes practice, and what it means to lead with authenticity in uncertain times. Miki shares lessons from a...
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The Art of Telling Stories with Bobby Podesta
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I’m talking with Bobby Podesta, longtime Pixar animator and storyteller. We dig into why storytelling and art matter, and why finding your own voice is more important than copying anyone else. Bobby opens up about his journey as an artist, the imposter syndrome he’s faced, and how he learned to create art in a style that’s truly his. We talk about how he turned a written novel into a graphic novel, translating dialogue and descriptions into illustrations along the way. He shares lessons from his college design teacher about...
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Soft Skills Are The Hard Currency Of The Future with Josh Levine
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Hi everyone, welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. This episode is a little different - instead of me hosting, I was actually the guest on my good friend Josh Levine’s podcast, . Josh and I went deep on a topic I care about a lot: why soft skills are the hard currency of the future. We explored what really sets humans apart in an age of rapid innovation, the rise of AI, and all the talk about machines taking over jobs. We dug into the skills that can’t be automated, the value we bring that AI can never replicate, and why those human capabilities will only matter more in the years ahead....
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How to Not Know with Simone Stolzoff
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu w/ Robin Zander. In this episode, I’m joined by Simone Stolzoff – author of The Good Enough Job and the upcoming How to Not Know – and our opening keynote speaker at Responsive Conference 2025. We explore what it means to have an identity beyond your job title, why rest is essential for high performance, and how ritual and community offer grounding in an age of uncertainty. Simone shares how Judaism and Shabbat have shaped his views on balance, the role of “guardrails” over boundaries, and how we can build more durable lives – personally and...
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Today Was Fun with Bree Groff — How to Design for Better Work
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I’m joined by Bree Groff, consultant, writer, and author of Today Was Fun. We talk about why mischief belongs at work, how humor and flirtation create real psychological safety, and the bold design choices behind her unforgettable book cover. Bree shares how she moved from CEO roles to full creative freedom, and how that shift helped her find her voice. We discuss marketing in 2025, how AI might reshape work and writing, and why personal agency, not hours, is the most important lever in a workweek. Bree offers practical insights...
info_outlineThe Habit of Doing Hard Things
I appreciate the irony. Do hard things, move to the Caribbean!
And while most of us probably aren’t going to move to a tiny island in order to make our lives more difficult, there are a lot of simple habits that can help.
Identify One Thing Every Day That Scares You
Identify something that scares you.
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Notice someone you are intimidated by.
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Recognize a moment when you avoided speaking up.
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Identify one moment in your day when you feel physically nervous or afraid.
You don’t need to take action – not yet! Just bring attention to one uncomfortable moment.
Start with awareness.
A Daily Movement Practice
There is a lot to be said for daily exercise.
Exercise is hard. When you push your physical limits, you get better at pushing the boundaries of what’s possible everywhere else in your life, too.
Unfortunately, more than two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, so clearly pressuring people to exercise does work for everyone.
My approach to movement is different. Having broken my neck and then gone on to perform in the circus, I also know the consequences of pressure. Instead, I make a habit of moving every day to build the confidence that I can learn new things.
If you’re interested, here’s a short video about my movement practice.
Coffee Shop Challenge (h/t Tim Ferriss)
Try this challenge: go to your local coffee shop and ask for a 20% discount.
The rules are that you are not allowed to give any explanation for why you are requesting a discount or any additional details alongside your request. If asked, “Why?” just say that you would like a discount and that is why you are asking.
The point of this exercise is that you are going to be uncomfortable. It will take you outside of your comfort zone.
Notice how it feels to make this request. Notice the tension in your body and your voice. It doesn’t ultimately matter if you get a discount or not, so long as you try.
As a former coffee shop owner, please give that 20% back to your barista as a tip!
Do Something Difficult Every Day
Do one thing today that is out of your comfort zone. It could be as small as a short exchange with a stranger, a much-needed conversation, or advocating for your opinion.
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Thank someone in their native language - If you first have to learn to say “thank you” in a language you don’t speak, all the better.
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Have a conversation with your spouse or a friend - You probably have something that you’ve been meaning to share, but haven’t gotten around to saying yet. Say it!
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Try to persuade someone of something - We are all selling to and inviting each other constantly. Advocate for your preferred restaurant or movie.
When my friends first moved to Vieques, I was skeptical. I’m all for beautiful ocean views, but it was so remote and isolated. (And the hurricanes!)
Now that I’ve spent a month living in that remote paradise, I understand their motivation a little better. Living there is difficult. Every day is a stretch. And that’s the point!
In a world where I – and probably you – enjoy every other modern convenience, it is easy to get complacent.
Perhaps, we could all use a bit more discomfort in our lives.