In this episode of Branded, hosted by Ben Kaplan, we sit down with Camilla Matias, COO of Brex, to unpack the bold decisions, hard-earned lessons, and unconventional thinking behind one of FinTech’s most remarkable scale-ups.
Camilla joined Brex when it was a scrappy startup solving one problem: helping fellow founders get access to corporate credit. Today, Brex is a global financial platform used by both startups and Fortune 500 giants.
We explore:

• How Brex went from “do everything” chaos to ruthless focus
• Why scaling down was key to scaling up
• The power of building your own infrastructure—and your own brand
• How a Brazilian mindset shaped Brex’s adaptability and culture
• What most leaders get wrong about growth, AI, and simplification

Whether you're a founder, operator, marketer, or just obsessed with how great companies grow—this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

In this powerful episode of BRANDED, host Ben Kaplan speaks with Maryam Banikarim—former Global CMO at Hyatt Hotels, co-founder of NYC Next, and the visionary behind The Longest Table.

Maryam shares her inspiring journey, navigating a non-linear career path defined by pivots, purpose, and resilience, ultimately becoming a passionate advocate for community-building in New York City.
Discover how Maryam leveraged purpose-driven leadership, brand storytelling, and authentic relationships to drive tangible impact.

She emphasizes the importance of brands genuinely understanding and committing to their values, particularly during times of crisis, and provides valuable insights for marketers and leaders eager to foster meaningful community, loyalty, and brand strength.

Whether you're managing career transitions, seeking to fortify your brand, or striving to build enduring communities, this conversation offers indispensable advice from one of today's most influential leaders.

Trust isn’t just a marketing buzzword—it’s the foundation of every successful brand. But how do you measure it? How do you build it? And how can businesses turn trust into a real competitive advantage?
In this episode of Branded, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Dana Bodine, VP of Marketing at Trustpilot, to explore how brands can leverage customer reviews as more than just testimonials—they’re a powerful intelligence tool that shapes reputation, drives conversions, and builds long-term credibility.Ben and Dana dive into:

• Why trust scores matter more than you think—and how just a 0.1% increase can boost conversion rates by 8x
• The psychology of reviews—why customers actually trust a 4.8-star rating more than a perfect 5.0
• The real impact of responding to customer feedback (even negative reviews can become your biggest asset!)
• How Trustpilot is shaping brand perception in industries like finance, insurance, and e-commerce
• The fine line between using reviews for marketing and ensuring authenticity

If you’re in marketing, branding, or business growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Because in today’s world, trust isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have.