Blazing Trails

The climate crisis is a complex issue that requires unified action - it takes all of us doing what we can to help combat it. But what exactly can we do to decrease waste, lower our carbon footprint, and live, work, and play more sustainably?Today’s guests provide constructive thinking around climate action. Denise Naguib is the Vice President for Sustainability and Supplier Diversity at Marriott International and Patrick Flynn is the Vice President of Sustainability for Salesforce. In this episode, they share what they are doing to make it easier to understand our impact - one data point at a time. They discuss sustainability as a competitive advantage, carbon accounting, the power of partnerships, and how they are using technology to understand the climate crisis - and cure - better than ever before.

Entrepreneur and investor Daymond John turned a $40 budget into a $6 billion company -- so how’d he do it? Daymond joins us today to share his story founding and building FUBU. He tells us why the secret to success is how you react to failure, and the importance of setting daily goals. Plus, he talks about technology as a tool to power empathy and shares what he looks for in a business when he is considering investing.

As society starts to reawaken, businesses are now faced with the difficult challenge of defining what “normal” means in today’s world. Companies big and small are allowing employees more flexible work options -- but what does this hybrid work model look and feel like? How do you develop a meaningful company culture and continue to create a value-driven workplace without having everyone in the office?Joining the podcast today are Ray Dalio, legendary investor and founder of Bridgewater Associates, and Karen Magia, Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce. They discuss how you can be purposeful about culture and mission, advice managers should keep top of mind when working with a remote team, and the role data and technology can play in it all.

The last year has seen a rise in AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) violence. Today’s conversation explores the long history of this discrimination, and what we can each do individually and in our communities to help put an end to it.You’ll hear from former governor of Washington State, Gary Locke, CEO of Rise, Amanda Nguyen, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, Dr. Russell Jeung, and Emmy award-winning TV news anchor, Dion Lim. They discuss the negative impacts of the “model minority” and “perpetual foreigner” stereotypes, why education of Asian American history is vital to changing the narrative, and how we can help amplify Asian American voices and stories.

As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls and we can begin to anticipate a new normal, we reflect on the tools, people, and technologies that guided us through the last year and will continue to help us in the years to come.Joining the podcast are Dr. Ashwini Zenooz, Salesforce's Chief Medical Officer, and Meredith Flynn-Ripley, the SVP of Product Growth and GM of the Vaccine Cloud at Salesforce. Dr. Ash and Meredith discuss the challenges they observed at the beginning of the pandemic and how Salesforce and Work.com stepped in to help solve these problems.

We encounter inequalities in the world all the time, and it’s only a special few who not only recognize the injustices but speak up about them. Jillian Mercado has never been able to stay quiet when she sees others in need. She's an actress, fashion model, and founder of Black Disabled Creatives –– and she’s here to tell us that speaking up shouldn’t be a special occurrence, but something we do every day.In today’s conversation, Jullian is joined by host Linda Aiello EVP, Employee Success (HR) at Salesforce for a discussion about representation in the fashion industry, how she used social media to share her story, and why it’s everyday actions that bring about the biggest lasting changes.

What is grit? Is it something that you’re born with? Is it a skill you have to practice? Or is it a combination of the two?On today’s episode, Angela Duckworth, a MacArthur Genius Grant winner, academic, and author, explores that question with Kobie Fuller, the Chairman and Co-Founder of Valance Community. Marie Rosencrans, an SVP of SMB Marketing at Salesforce, leads the wide-ranging conversation. They discuss what qualities are common in overachievers, how leaders use stress to fuel themselves, and what it takes to build a gritty team that will succeed in the short and long term, regardless of the obstacles thrown in their way. 

Whether distributing PPE, helping with vaccine rollouts or making a push toward a more sustainable future, Accenture is innovating to drive positive change and impact. On today’s episode, Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff sits down with Julie Sweet, the CEO of Accenture, to discuss what it takes to get these kinds of initiatives off the ground and the leadership needed to bring about holistic changes when huge obstacles stand in your way. The two discuss how to prioritize when facing multiple challenges all at the same time, and they dig into the power of partnerships and teamwork in bringing about lasting change that goes beyond just your own front office.

In a matter of months, everything we knew about working and operating a business was flipped on its head. And with that almost overnight transformation have come new challenges for employees and employers alike.In this episode, you’ll hear from Bret Taylor, the president and COO of Salesforce, and Stewart Butterfield, the CEO and co-founder of Slack. Bret and Stewart Bret speak with Megan Greenwell, the editor of Wired.com, and explain why the overnight reinvention of work will have a positive impact in the long run, plus they share their perspective on work-related trends they believe are here to stay.

2020 was a year of dramatic change – social, economic, cultural. So what did we learn? And what can we take with us into 2021 and beyond? Joining the podcast is civil rights activist, co-founder of Campaign Zero, and host of the award-winning “Pod Save the People,” DeRay Mckesson. DeRay sits down with Salesforce Senior Managing Director Lola Banjo to discuss how he got started in activism, what it takes to bring about lasting change, and what you can do locally in your community to be an ally. In his words:“What I've learned in the social justice space over the years is that there is infinitely more work done on the problems than the solutions… I don't need another speech. I don't need a march. I don't need a workshop. I don't need a movie. I got it. The question becomes, what do we do? How do we do it? And I think that is messy work.”

“Live in the moment” is more than a quote displayed on decorative throw pillows. For Derren Brown, it’s his motto for life -- a mindset and lifestyle he’s adapted from the Greek stoics. Derren is a mentalist and illusionist, star of Netflix’s ‘The Push’, and the best-selling author of ‘Happy’.In today’s wide-ranging conversation, Derren joins host Vicky Nisbet, AVP of Comms & Media at Salesforce UK, to discuss practical tips for “living in the moment” and what he thinks is the key to lasting happiness. Plus, he shares what we often get wrong about goal setting and uncovers ways that quarantine has unlocked opportunities for us to reconnect with our inner selves.

The COVID-19 vaccine is here, so why haven’t most of us been able to receive it yet? Joining us to answer that question is Dr. Larry Brilliant, an American epidemiologist, technologist, philanthropist, and author known for his work helping successfully eradicate smallpox. In this episode, he sits down with Salesforce’s Casey Coleman to discuss why COVID-19 vaccine distribution is different from other vaccines he’s worked on, technology’s role in the development and distribution of the shot, and his advice for those concerned for the future.

Alonzo King is a visionary choreographer, dancer and activist who prides himself on training people's hearts, minds and bodies. Today he joins Blazing Trails to share how to develop a better understanding of ourselves, tips for finding inner peace, and what it means to plug into your thoughts. His mantra: “From me, to we, to oneness.”

We all know that managing diet is a critical component of living a happy, healthy life. But sometimes we need a little help to set us on the right path. Creating healthy habits that stick is nutritionist and best-selling author Kelly LeVeque's domain of expertise. Her clients include A-listers such as Jessica Alba and Molly Sims. Kelly joins us today to talk about everything from what four foods should be at the center of our diet, how to avoid crashes and cravings, and why calorie counting isn’t always the most helpful to stay on track.

All of us have felt the strain that 2020 has put on our relationships. Whether it's with your coworkers, with your friends, with your parents, with your spouse, or with your kids -- every dynamic we lean on has changed. Joining us today to talk about relationships is therapist and author Esther Perel -- you might recognize her from her world-famous podcast "Where Should We Begin?" Esther talks about autonomy vs interdependence, explains what it means to work “with” home, and gives advice on how to redefine your routines, rituals, and boundaries to nurture happy and healthy relationships even in uncertain times.

Nutritional, physical, emotional, and mental wellness all play vital roles in our overall well-being. They affect our relationships, longevity, performance at work, and general life satisfaction. Because wellness is multifaceted, it can be hard to figure out how to start on the path toward improvement. That’s where today’s guest comes in. Rich Roll is an athlete, author, podcaster, and expert in all things wellness. In today’s conversation, he explains his holistic approach to wellness, shares what daily (and even hourly) microsteps you can take toward long term change, and talks about why wellness is so imperative to living a happy, fulfilling life.

Successful digital transformations start and end with the teams executing them. Meaningful innovation and lasting impact isn’t top-down, it’s defined by those at the frontlines every day. But creating this ‘culture of innovation’ is easier said than done, and here to talk us through the dos and don’ts is Salesforce’s Global Innovation Evangelist, Brian Solis. Brian has been called “one of the greatest digital analysts of our time,” and is an expert in driving innovative thinking in the workforce. Tune in for his advice on business innovation, process innovation, employee experience, customer experience, and more.

What do all great leaders have in common? What does it mean to solve for fairness? What exactly is an “entrepreneurial leader”? Joining us to answer these questions and more is Joel Peterson, former Chair of the JetBlue Group, Founding Partner of Peterson Partners, Stanford professor, and author of "Entrepreneurial Leadership: The Art of Launching New Ventures, Inspiring Others, and Running Stuff." Joel's extensive experience on the frontlines of business inspires him to nurture the minds of future leaders. Today, he shares tips for leaders and managers and explains why he thinks a culture of feedback and transparency always wins.

In the age of quarantine, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by what divides us. Bridging our differences and making genuine human connections has always been difficult. Here to help coach us through the process is Louis Theroux, a documentary filmmaker, journalist, broadcaster, and author. Louis has nearly three decades of experience interviewing some of the most interesting - and some of the most wacky - people on the planet. Today, he shares his experiences facing adversity, and explains why a shared sense of humanity is the necessary first step to create lasting change. If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more about how Salesforce can help you in today's changing world, be sure to check out www.salesforce.com/uk.

If these past 7 months have taught us anything, it’s a lesson in embracing patience, finding gratitude, and building resiliency. So who better to call on for advice than a four-time Olympian? Joining us on this episode of Blazing Trails is Chaunté Lowe, an Olympic high jumper, bronze medalist, and world champion. From facing competition on the field to battling breast cancer off it, Chaunté knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity. In today’s conversation, she shares her story, the mindsets and thought patterns she leans on to push through stressful times, and how we can all work to create more inclusive environments for each other. So tune in for your daily dose of inspiration and positivity, brought to by the amazing Chaunté Lowe.