In this special holiday spoof episode of Best Manager Ever, Annie Riley, host and founder of Fort Light, chats with the one and only Santa Claus!

Known for spreading holiday cheer and managing a diverse team at the North Pole, Santa gives a rare interview about life behind the scenes. His direct reports, including elves and reindeer, praise Santa for his leadership, though they note he's their only manager ever ;)

We will dive into Santa's leadership style, the secrets behind the naughty and nice lists, and the challenges of maintaining the Christmas spirit all year long. Join us for a fun-filled episode with laughter and insight into the man behind the magic.

Connect with Annie Riley

Connect with our hilarious Santa, Jason Gore

Listen to Jason’s podcast 108.9 The Hawk

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s producer Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this recap episode of Best Manager Ever, host Annie Riley reflects on standout lessons from Season 3.

Annie discusses the six things our top manager guests have in common: high standards, clear communication, strong relationships with peers, a relentless focus on their own growth, a unique view of career management, and a human-first perspective.

It’s a chance to pause, look back, and notice what makes our guests so exceptional— and then think about how to apply those lessons in your own work.

Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode offers a meaningful recap of the themes that shaped our season.

Share your feedback and suggestions from the season in this super quick form, so we can make future episodes even better.

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com

Join us on Substack

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jared Erondu is a seasoned design and startup leader, and is currently the Head of Design at early-stage startup Span. Jared spent eight years at Lattice rising from a solo designer pulling all-nighters in the early days, to leading a 50-person design organization and serving as GM across product and GTM as the company scaled. Earlier in his career, he was a design leader at Teespring and Omada Health. Jared is known for his design mentorship and community-building, and is an active advisor and angel investor.

Jared brings a calm, steady presence, especially during challenging times, always seeing the long view and providing unwavering support. His team appreciates his high standards, attention to detail, and commitment to craft, but also noted that he balances intensity with humor and approachability.

In this episode, show creator and Fort Light founder Annie Riley sits down with Jared, and they discuss:

• Why all managers should master selective transparency
• The right way to communicate destabilizing intel
• How to recondition your mindset for “hard mode” leadership
• How to build a bench of resources to support yourself
• The best way to recruit exceptional talent
• Why managing your own mindset is the ultimate leadership unlock

If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode of Best Manager Ever, reach out: sponsor@fortlight.com

Join us on Substack

Connect with Jared Erondu

Connect with Annie Riley

Check out Fort Light to level up your leadership skills

Connect with our show’s Producer, Alexis Ramdaou

Nominate your Best Manager Ever for the Podcast

This is a Production of Fort Light and Now it’s Hear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.