Shows
Stay StarryEyedThe Trends That’ll Matter Most for Brands in 2026The best trends reflect deeper, lasting shifts in how we shop, eat, and behave. If you want to understand which trends are gaining real traction, and what they mean for your brand and business, this sneak preview of the year ahead is especially for you.Megan Lynberg is Senior Vice President of Client Strategy at Datassential, the world’s leading intelligence platform tracking the most relevant trends. Her work predicts what will impact consumer categories from restaurants and CPG to personal care and beauty.Megan shares how Datassential helps the best restaurant, retail, and CPG co...
2025-12-1855 min
GroundedLeading with Balance: Career Growth, Travel, and Fitness in Hospitality - Grounded #46In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell brings together an inspiring panel of women leaders in hospitality to explore a question many professionals wrestle with: How do you continue to grow in your career while protecting your physical and mental well-being—especially with a demanding travel schedule?Joining the conversation are four dynamic leaders, each carving her own path in the industry:Julie Zucker, Partner & CMO, Branded HospitalityShelly Garner, Assistant Vice President of Area Field Sales, EcolabLiz Seelye, Founder, Starry Eyed StrategyKelly Grogan, Founder, CRUMBSFrom boardrooms and conferences to hotel gy...
2025-12-1657 min
Stay StarryEyedThinking Bigger with Jack GibbonsIf you’re trying to spot new opportunities earlier, build best-in-class brands faster, and think bigger for ideas that define complete categories, you’re in the right place.Jack Gibbons, CEO of FB Society (creator of Velvet Taco, Whiskey Cake, Sixty Vines, Haywire, Mexican Sugar, Legacy Hall and more), shares how he and his team turned a portfolio of new-to-world concepts into a true powerhouse.Jack pulls back the curtain on how breakthrough ideas are sparked, shaped, protected, and scaled with soul. He also shares how his rise from server to COO to CEO fuels the...
2025-12-1153 min
Stay StarryEyedHow to Communicate Like a TED Speaker with Briar GoldbergWhat does it take to communicate with clarity, confidence, and creativity so that you move rooms, mobilize teams, and communicate ideas worth spreading? Briar Goldberg, one of the world’s most sought-after communications coaches and the force behind hundreds of the most iconic TED Talks, shares the essential skills today’s leaders need to break through noise, complexity, and shrinking attention spans.As the Head of Speaker Coaching at TED, Briar has coached CEOs of Meta, Ford, and Levi’s; Nobel laureates; Oscar and Grammy winners; founders and executives. In this episode, she reveals what the bes...
2025-12-0458 min
Stay StarryEyedBridging Brand and Ops to Break Barriers with Heather NearyWhat does it take to lead a 60-year-old legacy brand into its next, new era while staying optimistic, quality-focused and people-first? Heather Neary, President and CEO of Taco John’s, shares lessons learned during her rise from Auntie Anne’s marketing manager to CMO-turned-operations leaderand then to one of the very few female chief executive officers in her industry.In this episode, you’ll learn:✨ Why fun and hard work can (and should) co-exist, and why humanity is a competitive advantage for true and lasting impact ✨ How Heather bridged the infamous marketing-op...
2025-11-2753 min
Stay StarryEyedUnlocking Creative Courage with Todd SmithWhat does it take to stand out early in your career, stay creative as you rise, and lead teams so they are inspired to follow?Todd Smith, President of Swig and longtime brand builder (Sonic, Wendy’s, Yum! Brands, ROCTACO, Flake), shares the honest lessons behind bold thinking, humble leadership, and taking risks even when you can’t see what’s on the other side.In this episode, you’ll learn:✨ Why success has less to do with titles and wins, and more to do with your willingness to step into the unknown✨ Wha...
2025-11-2148 min
Stay StarryEyedEnsuring Heart-Led Leadership with Amy HomWhat does it mean to lead with both heart and high standards? Amy Hom, Chief Operating Officer at Barcelona Wine Bar and Co-Founder of GLEAM, shares how she builds world-class hospitality cultures rooted in care, curiosity, and consistency. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why exit interviews are too late, and how "stay interviews" reveal what truly keeps people inspired and engaged The five questions every leader should ask to understand what’s working (and what’s not) How to be “easy on people, tough on standards” without losing empathy or exp...
2025-11-141h 06
Stay StarryEyedBeing Bold, Not Beige, with Greg CreedWhat makes some brands launch and last, while others fade away?Being bold, not beige.Greg Creed, former CEO of Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC), shares how he helped turn Taco Bell into one of the world’s most distinctive brands by focusing on culture, creativity, and bold choices that broke industry rules.In this episode, you’ll learn:✨ How to replace “beige” thinking with bold, brand-defining moves✨ Why “easy” beats “better” and how to use simplicity to set your brand apart✨ How to build a courageous culture t...
2025-11-0654 min
Stay StarryEyedTransforming How You Lead and Live with Bonnie WanWe all have moments when we doubt the path we’re on. Am I in the right relationship? Is this the career for me? Is this as good as it gets? What's next?These questions can feel uncomfortable... until you have a method to answer them and redirect.Enter The Life Brief, the USA TODAY bestselling book from award-winning brand strategist Bonnie Wan. Named Ad Age’s Chief Strategy Officer of the Year, Bonnie has spent 30 years guiding the world’s most iconic brands to find their purpose. Now she brings...
2025-10-311h 00
Stay StarryEyedTurning Stanley into a Cultural Icon with Jenn ReevesWhat does it take to turn a 110-year-old camping brand into a cultural phenomenon? Jenn Reeves, SVP at Funko and previously Stanley 1913, shares how she helped transform a legacy utility brand into a modern lifestyle brand by looking back to move forward. In this episode, you’ll learn:✨ How to honor your brand’s history and heritage while reinventing for new audiences✨ The difference between branding and marketing, and why it matters for business✨ How to create viral moments and turn them into lasting brand momentum✨ The mindset every m...
2025-10-1751 min
Stay StarryEyedBuilding bartaco into a Beloved Brand with Scott LawtonCan data make your brand more human?Scott Lawton, Co-Founder & Chairman of bartaco, shares how he blends data, design, and hospitality to build a brand that has become one of the industry’s most distinctive experiences.In this episode, you’ll learn:✨ How to use guest data to enhance your brand experience✨ Why the best operators measure sentiment before sales✨ How to empower teams with insights that fuel connection and creativity✨ The leadership moves that keep cultures strong at scaleA playbook for turning insights into emotion and...
2025-10-1745 min
Hustle and Heart: Conversations with Culture CreatorsLiz Seelye - Founder of Starry Eyed Strategy (Part 2)Continuation of Liz Seelye's episode.
2025-09-1519 minHustle and Heart: Conversations with Culture CreatorsLiz Seelye - Founder of Starry Eyed Strategy (Part 1)In this episode of Hustle and Heart, host Edie Weintraub sits down with Liz Seelye, the visionary founder of Starry Eyed Strategy. Liz shares her journey from working with global brands like Starbucks and Cinnabon to helping emerging brands find their North Star. Discover how Liz's unique approach to brand strategy blends creativity, consumer focus, and a touch of magic to create brands that resonate deeply with their audiences. Tune in to learn how to reconnect with your brand's deeper purpose and build something that truly stands out.
2025-09-1524 min
Own ItHow Liz Seelye from StarryEyed Strategy, Owns ItThis week on Own It we’re talking to Liz Seelye from StarryEyed Strategy. Her firm believes to be starryeyed means to be creative, collaborative and visionary so you can dream new ideas and make them a reality.
But she also has a renewable energy company with her husband, trail runs and has been to over 40 countries, a dozen or so with one or more of her five children.
As you can tell, Liz is multifaceted and fascinating. We had such a great conversation and, of course, got into the challenges of the gender gap in a...
2025-06-1735 min
Titans of FoodserviceFinding Your Brand's North Star: A Conversation with StarryEyed Strategy's Founder, Liz SeelyeIn this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Liz Seelye, founder and Brand Wayfinder of StarryEyed Strategy, a global insights, strategy, design, and activation consultancy in the food service industry. Liz shares her journey in the food service industry and her passion for helping food brands define their purpose and create meaningful connections with their customers. She discusses the importance of sustainability in the industry and predicts the rise of personalized dining experiences. Liz also talks about her favorite food trends and innovative restaurant concepts and offers advice for entrepreneurs and food service...
2023-11-0138 min
The Startup CPG PodcastLooking on the Starryside with co-founders Liz Seelye & Erin FasanoBased on latest Torrance test data, 85% of today's children are less creative than their 1980s counterparts. CPG industry veterans Erin Fasano and Liz Seelye realized that part of the problem is old thinking when it comes to what kids eat and drink. They started dreaming up drinks and snacks with their kids to bring imagination back to lunchboxes and beyond and together founded Starryside. Their first product is organic, immunity-boosting Star Water in an adventure-ready, kid-sized can. Their big launch is coming up this week during World Creativity & Innovation Week, which runs from April 15th to 21st. Listen in...
2022-04-1243 min