In this episode, we sit down with Rodrigo Vargas, founder of American Vinegar Works. Rodrigo’s story goes beyond vinegar as just an acid — it’s about rediscovering and revitalizing a craft deeply rooted in history and tradition. He shares how his passion for craft fermentation, dating back to the 1800s, inspired him to create a company that elevates vinegar as an essential and sophisticated ingredient.

We explore Rodrigo’s transition from his corporate career to entrepreneurship, the hands-on challenges of starting at farmers markets, and the uphill battle of scaling a craft food business amid a pandemic. Rodrigo’s journey is a testament to patience, persistence, and the power of honoring craftsmanship in today’s fast-paced food scene.

This conversation offers insights into building a business grounded in authenticity and quality, showing that real craft and commitment can carve a unique path in a crowded market. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a food enthusiast, Rodrigo’s story delivers valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the simple joy found in great ingredients.

In this episode, we sit down with Noel Kinder, former Chief Sustainability Officer at Nike, to explore what it really means to lead change inside a global brand.

Noel’s path from operations into sustainability gave him a front-row seat to and, later in his career, explicit accountability for how decisions in one part of the business ripple across supply chains, factories, and communities worldwide.

He explains how sustainability becomes meaningful when it’s integrated into everyday business decisions — not treated as a side project. By aligning goals with innovation, efficiency, and profitability, companies can create real impact while also strengthening the business itself.

Noel also shares lessons on leadership—that change requires learning and practicing patience to focusing on what can truly be influenced as a way to deliver systemic solutions. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and trust, which prove critical not only in moments of crisis but also in sustaining progress over time.

In this episode of The More Elephant Podcast, I sit down with Jamal Sims. Jamal’s story begins in Southern California, where he taught himself to dance by recording MTV videos on old-school VHS tapes and studying Soul Train on Saturday mornings.

What started as a kid emulating moves in his living room turned into a remarkable career that includes performing with Michael Jackson, choreographing for Usher and Madonna, going on tour with Miley Cyrus, shaping films like Aladdin and Encanto, and building a creative family with RuPaul.

We dig into how manifestation has guided his path. From childhood dreams to Emmy nominations, Jamal talks about what it meant to have a father who supported him without hesitation, even when he was dancing with RuPaul in Las Vegas at a time when that kind of acceptance was far from guaranteed. He explains why soul is at the heart of everything he creates and why authenticity matters more than flashy moves.

In this episode, I sit down with Brian Hurtak—Fortune 100 executive, community leader, dad, and author of The Play Sheet.

Brian brings forward a grounded, honest conversation on what it means to carry the weight of work, family, ambition, and expectations—and still show up with intention.

Inspired by the structure of football, and how coaches coach, The Play Sheet isn't a sports book. It's a life book. A practical, clear-eyed framework designed to help overloaded professionals cut through noise and make the right call—whether at work, at home, or in the sometimes precious minutes we get with our kids at the end of a long day.

We talk attitude, adjustments, and those sand-in-the-gears moments when what used to work doesn’t anymore—and how to respond. Brian shares real-life plays he runs in his parenting, marriage, and leadership, and why he keeps his play sheets visible in the most ordinary parts of his day.

In the opening episode of the second season of More Elephant, we are in conversation with Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, an activist deeply influenced by her upbringing in South Africa, in the era of apartheid, and by her late father, Reverend Desmond Tutu.

Rev. Tutu shares her journey from rejecting the idea of priesthood to embracing her call to ministry in her 50s. Our conversation delves into her personal and professional evolution, highlighting the impacts of apartheid, racial, economic, and gender inequities, and her continued dedication to advocating for marginalized communities.