Unlocking Creative Courage with Todd Smith

What 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
✨ What building your own brands teaches you about resilience (and why failure can often be your greatest teacher)
✨ What leaders get wrong when they say they want candor, and how to actually create a culture where teams tell you the truth
✨ How to shift from “being the best in the room” to “building the best team” using questions that unlock bigger thinking
✨ Why Swig’s magic isn’t just dirty soda; it’s Daymakers, first-sip rituals, and moments that turn customers into superfans
A playbook to turn failure into fuel, curiosity into candor, and big thinking into courage.

Todd’s creative inspiration:
Book: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Brand: Ferrari
Bevs: Island Time and Waikiki
Song: “Rock Star” by N.E.R.D. (Pharrell)