901 Tower Drive • Suite 420 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
901 Tower Drive • Suite 420 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
I’m the founder of Gravitas Detroit, architect of culture change in the automotive industry, author of “AutoCulture 2.0,” and host of the Automotive Leaders Podcast, where the voices and stories of automotive leaders practicing authentic leadership can be heard.
Can you tell us a little about your podcast?
The podcast is designed to amplify examples of authentic leadership in the auto industry as we transform our operating model of leadership and culture to AutoCulture 2.0. Our audience consists primarily of leaders in the auto industry, both OEMs and throughout the Tiers.
My mission is to find leaders in the industry who understand and practice authentic leadership and no longer subscribe to the command and control model practiced for decades in the auto industry. I often include guests who can contribute to the mission in other ways, such as the perspectives of start-ups, industry organizations, and students.
The podcast is an in-depth interview style 30 – 45 minutes in length. We publish every other Thursday at 6:30 AM, and consistency in episode release is critical to establishing a loyal following.
Who have been some of your better-known podcast guests?
Stephen M.R. Covey, global authority on leadership and culture and New York Times best selling author. I was one of the pre-release podcast interviews for his latest book, “Trust & Inspire,” which is exactly in line with the podcast’s mission. Stephen also provided a review of my latest book “AutoCulture 2.0.”
Dr. Andy Palmer, former COO of Nissan and CEO of Aston Martin, also known as the “Godfather of the EV.” Andy provides a unique perspective on cultural transformation in the industry along with some unique personal experiences.
John McElroy, host of Autoline, and Jason Stein, former publisher of Automotive News. John and Jason have been tremendous supporters of me on my journey into the world of podcasting and graciously joined me at the mic or my 100th episode.
Describe the craziest or most fun podcast you have worked on.
The most fun I’ve had, strangely, was the day I decided to lean into my supply chain experience and publish an episode called “Stellantis WTF!” It was back a few years ago when Stellantis published their new supplier terms and conditions, and I felt the pain and outrage of the entire supply base and was compelled to do something about it. I used my podcast platform to record a solo episode covering the specifics of the changes and the impact on leadership and culture. I hesitated to call out a major OEM, but I knew I had to be bold and advocate for my audience.
What podcast episode are you most proud of and why?
Again, this is another example of when I felt compelled to advocate for my audience and use the podcast platform to amplify the voice of the supply base during the UAW strike. I released an episode called “My love / hate relationship with Shawn Fain”. I’m proud of it because it required me to be again be bold and make some strong statements that resonated with many, but not everyone! In podcasting, you can’t be meek and mild, if you believe in something – say it!
What elements or characteristics do you look for in a podcast guest?
My guests have to share my mission of authentic leadership and be respected by the people who work for them. I’ve refused guests who don’t qualify, and I do my due diligence to make sure they have the right characteristics. I always schedule a 30-minute prep call to run through the intention of the episode, the conversation flow, and the tech required. This is a great opportunity for the PR firm and company communications teams to provide input.
How long have you been podcasting and how did you get started?
I’ve been podcasting for 4+ years, and I firmly believe in the power of audio to reach people at all levels. It’s a conversational medium that avoids the world of “corporate speak.” It’s authentic and allows the listener to feel like they’re part of the conversation. My journey into podcasting started with a lot of time researching what makes a successful podcast and a multitude of lessons learned along the way. I learn something new every day!
Finish this sentence: When I’m not working on the podcast I’m: working on being the architect of culture change in the auto industry, running off-site leadership team meetings for clients, rocking the stage with speaking gigs, and finding more innovative ways to use the podcasting medium. I recently launched an internal podcast for a client to reach their shop floor employees.
What advice do you have for your podcast guests?
Relax! It’s a conversation, not a presentation. I ensure that all guests get the opportunity to review and suggest content edits before anything is released, so there’s no need to try to be perfect; authenticity wins every time.
What advice do you have for PR people that want to pitch their executives for your podcast?
Please spend a few minutes researching the podcast’s mission and listening to the short trailer episode. I get several e-mails a week from PR firms pitching people as guests, and they have nothing to do with leadership and culture in the auto. industry.
Any pet peeves with guests and/or PR people?
PLEASE make sure you have a decent microphone! I send a short PDF to every guest and PR company with simple instructions on “How to be the best podcast guest,” and it’s sometimes ignored. The audience will tune out to bad audio quality, harming the personal brand of your guest and the company they represent.
Tell us a little about yourself (family, interests, hobbies, background, etc.)
I’m a walker! I love to walk in the early mornings either here in the U.S. or on the coastal paths of my homeland, Wales.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience? (Maybe something that would surprise people?)
I’m proud of my Welsh heritage and recently got the Welsh dragon tattooed on my arm. I’m officially the “girl with the dragon tattoo,” LOL!
Where can your podcast be found/subscribed to?
The podcast is listed on multiple platforms worldwide, including Spotify and Apple; this link provides many of the options. We also publish the interviews on our Gravitas Detroit YouTube channel for those who prefer to watch rather than listen. For those who prefer to read, we provide a full cleaned transcript of every episode and show notes to summarize the key points.
You can follow Jan on social media:
Here are a few podcast episodes you might be interested in listening to:
For a PDF of Jan’s tips on “How to Be the Best Podcast Guest,” please email us at bianchipr@bianchipr.com.
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901 Tower Drive • Suite 420 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
