Uncensored Renegades

In this episode of Uncensored Renegades, Jon and Kory tackle something most people avoid: their own weaknesses.
From brutally honest feedback from partners and teams to self-awareness and uncomfortable truths, they explore how to identify what you’re not good at and why that might be the most important step in growing as a leader. They also ask whether weaknesses are just overused strengths, and how traits like empathy or attention to detail can become liabilities if left unchecked.
This is a candid, self-reflective conversation on turning your weaknesses into something you can actually use.
Recommended reading:
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Indistractible by Nir Eyal

Timestamps
00:00 - Start
00:51 - It’s ok to talk about the things you’re not good at
02:23 - How do you know what you’re not good at?
03:06 - Kory’s weaknesses according to her husband
04:22 - Jon’s weaknesses according to his team
06:19 - Kory’s weaknesses according to her
07:15 - Is a weakness an overbuilt strength?
08:54 - Can empathy be a weakness?
10:38 - Why Kory is trying to improve her punctuation marks
14:56 - Why Jon is terrible at company politics
17:36 - Why Kory wants to go to the doctors more often
18:50 - How to turn weaknesses into strengths

Today, Jon and Kory break down one of the most misunderstood relationships in marketing: working with agencies.
From treating agencies as a true force multiplier to fixing broken relationships, they share practical advice on how to get the best out of your partners, and what to do when things inevitably go wrong. This is a candid look at trust, expectations, and why the best results come when agencies feel like part of your team, not just a supplier.
Whether you’re managing an agency or working inside one, this episode will change how you think about the relationship.

Timestamps

00:00 - Start
01:20 - Why agencies can be a force multiplier
02:11 - How to fix a broken agency relationship
04:12 - How to set your agency up for success
08:36 - Bringing your agency into your company
13:42 - What to do when things go wrong with your agency
18:30 - Be tough in victory and gentle in defeat
20:17 - What is the cost of changing your agency?

Today, Jon and Kory explore a simple but often overlooked skill: how to actually find inspiration.

From brands like Tony’s Chocolonely to supermarkets, subways, and even nature, they break down why the best ideas rarely come from inside your own company. Instead, inspiration comes from changing your environment, staying curious, and being open to unexpected moments.
If you’re feeling stuck, this episode is a reminder that great ideas are everywhere, if you’re willing to look for them.

Timestamps
00:00 - Start
00:32 - Why Jon is inspired by Tony’s Chocolonely
06:45 - Why you need to look outside your company for inspiration
08:35 - Finding inspiration in nature
10:54 - The importance of changing your context
12:56 - Getting inspiration in a supermarket
14:33 - Getting inspiration on the metro
16:57 - Why you need to be open to be inspired

Leadership at the top level doesn't come free it costs time, energy, and often the comfort of a predictable life. In this episode, Kory and Jon get honest about what it really takes to lead as a CMO: the personal sacrifices, the travel, the pressure, and the constant balancing act between work and home. From managing time zones on the road to the surprisingly powerful concept of strategic laziness, this is a candid look at what high-performance leadership actually demands, and how to make it sustainable.
Timestamps
00:00 - Start
00:39 - What sacrifices do CMOs need to make
04:37 - How to balance work with home life
06:36 - Managing time zone differences when you travel
10:41 - How to apply strategic laziness
14:15 - How to lead effectively under pressure from travelling

Getting fired is one of the most humbling experiences in business, and one of the most instructive. In this episode, Kory and Jon get candid about the times they've been let go, what went wrong, and the hard-won lessons that followed. Jon in particular has a story or two to share (including getting fired twice in 18 months), and between them they unpack what it really takes to survive and thrive in high-stakes leadership roles.
Timestamps
00:00 - Start
01:22 - What Jon learned from being fired twice
03:35 - How not to get fired
08:20 - How to understand your boss (so you don’t get fired)
10:50 - Align yourself with the company, not just personal goals
13:11 - How Jon got fired for the second time in 18 months
16:12 - Are you the right person to work for a high growth company?
17:50 - Be careful where you get hired