She Runs Wondery, a Podcast Company Known for Creative Risks. But It's Owned by Amazon, a Data-Driven Corporation. How Does She Make It Work?Jen Sargent was an entrepreneur before she became CEO of Wondery, and she knows that in any situation, to get the outcome you're looking for: "You'd better have a strong answer."

Want to make a greatpodcast? The CEO of the powerhouse podcast networkWondery, Jen Sargent, knows a thing or two about that.

"Put yourself in the listener's shoes," she says. "Everybody is really busy, and you're asking for people's time, which is their most valuable asset. So why should someone listen? You'd better have a strong answer."

Sargent's team consistently produces strong answers in the form of hit shows likeDirty John, Dr. Death,andBusiness Wars.It's one of the reasons why, this past February, Amazon officially acquired Wondery for a sum reported to be around $300 million. The move transformed Wondery from an independent studio into a key asset in Amazon Music's battle against Spotify. It also meant big things for Sargent, who was COO at the time of the sale but took over as CEO afterward.