Don't be boring: KCRW's Jennifer Ferro on building a brand people love

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

October 1, 2026

Duration

33m

Channel

Masters of Scale

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Jennifer Ferro is the former board chair of NPR and president of Southern California’s iconic public radio organization: KCRW. Ferro talks with Masters of Scale host Jeff Berman about how nearly two decades as the founder’s deputy taught her to lead, why she thinks we deserve a better internet, and how the best defense of getting ignored is simple: Don’t be boring. Chapters: 0:00 Introducing Jennifer Ferro 0:55 Interview with Creative Planning's Chief Investment Officer 3:48 From paralegal to KCRW volunteer to the founder's assistant 7:55 Why fighting with the founder paid off 9:58 Broccoli vs. chocolate cake 11:18 The power of saying "this is boring" 12:29 Building community, not just content 15:40 Why trusted media matters more than ever 17:35 Life after federal funding 26:22 Fixing the outrage machine 📫 THE MASTERS OF SCALE NEWSLETTER 35,000+ read our free weekly newsletter packed with insights from the world’s most iconic business leaders. Sign up: https://hubs.la/Q01RPQH-0 🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://mastersofscale.com/ApplePodcasts Spotify: https://mastersofscale.com/Spotify 💻 LEARN MORE Our website: https://mastersofscale.com 🚀 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/11096326 Facebook: https://facebook.com/mastersofscale Instagram: https://instagram.com/mastersofscale X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mastersofscale TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mastersofscale 💡ABOUT US On Masters of Scale, iconic business leaders share lessons and strategies that have helped them grow the world's most fascinating companies. Founders, CEOs, and dynamic innovators (from companies like Uber, Airbnb, Apple, and Disney) join candid conversations about their triumphs and challenges with a set of luminary hosts, including founding host Reid Hoffman — LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock partner. From navigating early prototypes to expanding brands globally, Masters of Scale provides priceless insights to help anyone grow their dream enterprise. #mastersofscale #leadership #leadershiplessons #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #tech #technology #kcrw #publicradio #publicmedia #npr #howtobuildabrand #brandbuilding #mediastrategy #federalfunding #businesspodcast #careeradvice #careertips

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Jennifer Ferro

  guest

  President of KCRW and longtime public media executive; former chair of the NPR Board of Directors.

• Jeff Berman

  host

  Host of Masters of Scale.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Masters of Scale, featuring Jennifer Ferro and Jeff Berman, Don't be boring: KCRW's Jennifer Ferro on building a brand people love explores KCRW’s Jennifer Ferro on trusted media: high integrity, never boring Jennifer Ferro explains how KCRW differentiates itself by rejecting the assumption that public radio should be “a little bit boring” and instead leaning into culture and compelling storytelling.

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