Welcome to The JAM, the radio show and podcast that drops the mic on leadership as you really live it. Hosted by Marcus Allen and Dr. James Smith Jr., two powerhouse voices in personal and professional transformation, The JAM dives deep into the raw rhythm of leadership — the wins, the wounds and the wisdom gained in between.
Each week, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs and changemakers step into “the hot seat” to share their beats — what drives them — and the jams they’ve had to push through to stay in tune. From innovation and authenticity to resilience and reinvention, these conversations hit every note of what it means to lead in a world that never stops moving. You’ll laugh, reflect, and walk away with powerful takeaways you can use right now to lead better, live bolder, and show up with purpose.
The JAM isn’t about titles — it’s about truth. Because when leadership gets real, that’s when the magic happens.
Vision: To redefine leadership for a new era — seeing possibilities where others see problems and opportunities where others see obstacles.
Your Hosts
Marcus Allen is a transformative leader, entrepreneur, and storyteller whose purpose is to help people see possibility where others see limits. As the former CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, Marcus built one of America’s most respected mentoring organizations—reimagining how leaders create impact that lasts. Today, as founder and CEO of Allen Global Consulting Group, he helps executives, entrepreneurs, and innovators elevate performance, lead with purpose and thrive through change.
His insights have been featured on CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show and in Philadelphia Magazine, Philly Style and The Philadelphia Inquirer. But it’s Marcus’s gift for turning real-world experience into real-time inspiration that makes him unforgettable.
On The JAM, Marcus brings his trademark blend of humor, empathy and hard-won wisdom to conversations that cut past the highlight reel. He and co-host Dr. James Smith Jr. invite leaders to unpack the wins, the wounds and the work it takes to grow—and to rediscover the rhythm that keeps them moving forward. Because when the music gets loud, Marcus helps you find your rhythm again.
Tone: Inspirational | Human | Authentic | Rhythmic
Dr. James Smith Jr. is an internationally acclaimed speaker, educator and presentation skills coach known for transforming how leaders show up, speak up and level up. For over three decades, he’s been the go-to voice behind the mic and in the boardroom for some of the world’s most successful organizations, including HBO, Merck, Comcast, Medtronic, Genentech, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and MetLife.
A proud West Philadelphia native, Dr. James brings an unmatched blend of truth, humor and heart to every conversation. He’s the author of three books and a contributing author of four more. His book The No Excuse Guide to Success, earned an NAACP Image Award nomination. As president and CEO of Dr. James Smith Jr. International, he helps leaders around the globe embrace authenticity and own their stories with confidence.
Known in the industry as The Presentation Skills Doctor, Dr. James teaches at Rushford Business School in Geneva, as well as Rutgers and Temple Universities. On The JAM, he brings that same infectious energy to the airwaves — inspiring listeners to speak their truth, find their rhythm and lead from the inside out. Because for Dr. James, every great leader has a story worth telling — and he’ll make sure you hear it. He believes that facts fade and stories stick!
