Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“People are so hungry to really be understood and the challenge that's primary now, is a growing inability to understand each other.”

What if doing less could actually lead to more impact? Greg McKeown, is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s most influential voices on productivity, purpose, and leadership. Greg shares the story his book "Essentialism – The Disciplined Pursuit of Less", and powerful insights on how leaders can cut through the noise to focus on what truly matters. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or overwhelmed by too many priorities, this conversation will inspire you to take a bold step: do less, but better. LEARN MORE: gregmckeown.com

Greg has delivered keynote addresses in over 40 countries and worked with more than 500 organizations, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Nike — and hosts a top  podcast in self-improvement and education. A Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Greg also serves on nonprofit boards and has co-created Stanford’s popular “Designing Life, Essentially” course. Greg is currently conducting doctoral research at the University of Cambridge, holds an MBA from Stanford, and completed a Global Leadership and Public Policy certificate at Harvard Kennedy School. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on how to say no more often, how to lead without overwhelm, and how to build cultures where excellence becomes effortless. 

This conversation is from from P&G Alum Stefan Homeister’s top podcast “LEITWOLF” - for more inspirational conversations on leadership subscribe to Leitwolf wherever you get your favorite podcasts. LEARN MORE: stefan-homeister-leadership.com

Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at [email protected]

“ We might need only 10% of the population to have a tipping point into a brighter future — to change lives for the better at scale by recognizing your potential to calm others. We're in this thing together.

Life right now seems chaotic, but there's a method to the madness — welcome to the challenge of our generations. It sucks, it’s not fair, it’s been going on too long, and it feels like we’re sacrificing our children to some golem of change—with no relief in sight. We need something to believe in and something to do about it, so longtime friend of the pod Bob Gilbreath shares what works for him. It might help you handle the stress, and maybe even convince you to be the tiny pair of butterfly wings that delivers positive change.

This conversation is from P&G Alum Bob Gilbreath’s podcast & newsletter “The Workaround” — Bob is a repeat startup founder with two exits. Bob’s stories and conversations — from a career in tech startups and corporate innovation — are here to make you think, smile, and discover a shortcut to success or a trap to avoid. You can subscribe at behearty.substack.com

This is a feature of an Alumni Leader’s frequently published thought leadership. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode - reach out at [email protected]

“Understand the cultural sensitivities to really engage people — It is so critical to create an inclusive atmosphere for better decision making and influencing.”

Koji Kobayashi is Coca Cola’s Head of Human Insights for Japan and Korea. Koji San is a global marketing and insights leader who's worked across the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia, on categories ranging from affordable every day consumer products to luxury goods. Koji San got his start at P&G, where he spent 14 years as a CMK leader, working Prestige Skin Care, Beauty Care, and Household Care, across Singapore, Asia, and the United States. He’s also passionate about giving back, supporting children's education and health through amazing organizations like Save the Children and UN Women. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation of experiences across multiple cultures from Japan to Singapore to the United States — and how influence can look very different across individualistic and collective cultures and lessons on how leaders can architect inclusiveness into their teams.

This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

“ Chinese consumers today are quite different — a massive middle class of 500 million people.  So big upside, but also bigger challenges.”

Sarah Kochling is the Founder and Managing Principal of Shanghai Blossom Innovation, where she leads strategic growth initiatives for global brands and startups in China since 2014. With over 30 years of experience across Asia, This is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and early-stage ventures alike—guiding brand transformation, innovation strategy, and culturally attuned consumer engagement.Sarah got her start at Procter & Gamble in Hong Kong and Guangzhou in the early 1990s, where she managed brands across Greater China during a pivotal time of regional economic opening. Since then, Sarah’s experience across China and Asia at J&J International, as well as leading innovation practices at agencies and advising several China startups. Fluent in Mandarin and deeply immersed in the Chinese market, Sarah brings a rare combination of strategic rigor, creative vision, and cross-cultural fluency—helping organizations navigate complexity and chart bold paths forward. Sarah attended is based in Shanghai, China. She studied Mandarin and Political Science from Wellesley College, and holds certifications in Chinese language and law from MIT Sloan. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Beijing Foreign Languages Normal College, and Harbin Institute of Technology. Sarah lives in Shanghai. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about a career at the intersection of culture, commerce, and innovation.

This is part of our Chinese leaders series - hosted by P&G Alumni Emily Chang. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode? Reach out at [email protected]

“ ​The future is unwritten — the more I work with AI, the more I see opportunity for more human connection - a tool to get me out of the drudge-work - to sitting down and listening to people.”

Marc Stoiber is a creative director and strategist who reinvents leading brands for a living — his work has been recognized by virtually every international industry award for advertising and design. While Executive Creative Director at Grey - a leading creative agency - Marc helped P&G brand team turn around the iconic Mr. Clean brand. Marc’s writing on on brand innovation has been featured by TED, the Huffington Post, Fast Company, GreenBiz and Sustainable Life Media. You can learn more about Marc’s work at BrandsInvestorsLove.com or MarcStoiber.com. Marc joined friend of the pod Bob Gilbreath for a fascinating conversation on how he’s building a one-person strategy+creative agency…with the help of an army of AIs. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation - full of practical stories - about how one entrepreneur is using AI as a creative wingman, looking at the future of work through an augmentation lens, and embracing our inner cluelessness.

This conversation is from P&G Alum Bob Gilbreath’s podcast & newsletter “The Workaround” — Bob is a repeat startup founder with two exits. Bob’s stories and conversations — from a career in tech startups and corporate innovation — are here to make you think, smile, and discover a shortcut to success or a trap to avoid. You can subscribe at behearty.substack.com

This is a feature of an Alumni Leader’s frequently published thought leadership. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode - reach out at [email protected]