Episodes

  • #298: Joe Manchin, Former Governor and Senator, West Virginia – How to find common ground

    #298: Joe Manchin, Former Governor and Senator, West Virginia – How to find common ground
    Jul 2 2026
    Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America! It’s a great moment to reflect on everything that makes this country so special. And maybe have a hot dog or two. But this milestone also comes at a moment where our country feels more divided than ever. So today, David sits down with Joe Manchin, the former Governor and Senator of West Virginia. His independent political stance gave him a unique opportunity to find common ground in Washington, even among people with deep disagreements. Every leader needs to get people with different perspectives aligned and working together. And in this conversation, Joe shows you how to lead in a divided room – and why that skill matters more than ever. This episode is for you if: You work in a polarized space where progress feels impossible You regularly face big, complex decisions You struggle to work with people who disagree with you You’re frustrated by party politics Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • #297: Dave Ritterbush, CEO, Califia Farms – Build for what’s next

    #297: Dave Ritterbush, CEO, Califia Farms – Build for what’s next
    Jun 25 2026
    Dave Ritterbush has helped lead some of the most successful consumer brands in America, including Califia Farms, Dreyer’s, and Quest, which sold for a billion dollars in 2019. And he’s learned something that most leaders never figure out: you have to build your current systems for what’s next. Make sure you have the right infrastructure, processes, and organizational capabilities before you need them, not after. If not, you may find that the biggest obstacle for your company’s growth … is your own company! Listen to this episode and get inspired to think bigger, build better, and drive real growth. This episode is for you if: You need some fresh ideas to strengthen your company culture You want to hire more proactive people Any part of your job involves creating or selling products You sense your team is nervous about AI taking their jobs Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    57 mins
  • #296: Landon Donovan, US Soccer Legend – Separate who you are from what you do

    #296: Landon Donovan, US Soccer Legend – Separate who you are from what you do
    Jun 18 2026
    The World Cup is in full swing, and if you’re watching, you know – the intensity and stakes are unlike anything else in sports. So it’s the perfect time to sit down with Landon Donovan, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time. But after a disappointing performance in the 2006 World Cup, he nearly walked away from the sport entirely. That crisis taught him a powerful leadership lesson: you can’t make your job your whole identity. And that insight – alongside some therapy – gave him the freedom to be his best, both on the field and off it. The lines between our professional and personal identities can get blurry, especially for leaders. If you make your job your whole identity, it can lead to burnout, fear of failure, or worse. Landon’s candor and fresh perspective can show you a different way. This episode is for you if: You’ve questioned your own self-worth after a professional disappointment You’ve struggled with burnout (or coached someone who has) You want to create more accountability in your company culture You avoid conflict when it arises You love sports, especially soccer, or just appreciate a good story Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • #295: Shawn Johnson & Andrew East, Olympic Gold Medalist, Former NFL Pro – Experiment and learn by doing

    #295: Shawn Johnson & Andrew East, Olympic Gold Medalist, Former NFL Pro – Experiment and learn by doing
    Jun 17 2026
    Shawn Johnson won America’s hearts as a gold medal gymnast at the 2008 Olympics. And her husband, Andrew East, is a former NFL player.But after their athletic careers, they stepped into the world of content creation – and quickly realized they had no idea what they were doing. They dove in headfirst, experimenting and learning as they went – with plenty of missteps along the way. But it worked: they’ve built a following of over 12 million people across all social channels. And together they run the media company Family Made – all while being true to themselves and their values. This conversation will give you the permission you need to just try stuff – even if it’s not perfect, even if it doesn’t work – because sometimes, just doing something teaches you exactly what you need to know. You’ll also learn: The secret to being vulnerable as a leader without “emotionally vomiting” What all the best marketing has in common How to define what your brand really is The surprising feeling Shawn had at her Olympic medal ceremony Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • #294: Bobby Long, Partner and Co-Founder, Piedmont Capital Partners – See the best in people

    #294: Bobby Long, Partner and Co-Founder, Piedmont Capital Partners – See the best in people
    Jun 4 2026
    As the Partner and Co-Founder of Piedmont Capital Partners, Bobby Long invests in big problems that need big solutions – stuff like Alzheimer’s research and lithium ion technology. But he does it all in the most relational way: listening with humility, doing deals on a handshake, and looking for ways to truly serve everyone he meets, regardless of their status. In this episode you're going to find out what happens when someone decides to use everything they've built to actually change the world. These days, it can feel like climbing the ladder of success means we have to be a little cynical and disingenuous in our relationships. But in this episode, you’ll see a better way – one where seeing the best in people can be what actually makes you successful. You’ll also learn: The refreshing sales philosophy that made Bobby successful in the insurance business How to be generous to others without being a doormat What it really means to be a great communicator The shocking move he made to save a longstanding PGA golf tournament Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • #293: David Lafitte – CEO, Tecovas – Serve others with radical hospitality

    #293: David Lafitte – CEO, Tecovas – Serve others with radical hospitality
    May 28 2026
    If you lead a business, you know providing great service is vital. But what does that actually mean? For David Lafitte, CEO of the popular Western retailer Tecovas, it means radical hospitality. Stuff like offering shoppers free drinks, personalization, and a space to linger. Treating everyone who walks through the doors like a high-value customer. Encouraging staff to create relationships, not just transactions. And as you’ll see in this conversation, that kind of people-first mentality doesn’t apply only to customer service. It can also change the way you build your whole business, and it might just be the competitive advantage you’ve been looking for. You’ll also learn: The hard truth about scaling your culture Why a loyalty program might actually backfire A practical way to stay connected to daily operations A great tip that can help your brand stay authentic Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • #292: Kecia Steelman, CEO, Ulta Beauty – Progress over perfection

    #292: Kecia Steelman, CEO, Ulta Beauty – Progress over perfection
    May 21 2026
    Today, she is the CEO of Ulta Beauty, leading over 1500 stores worldwide, striking partnerships with Chanel and Beyonce, and creating record growth since she took over in early 2025. That kind of career momentum doesn’t happen by accident. And in this conversation, you’ll see the “progress over perfection” mentality that’s helped Kecia do it – all while building a strong team culture that’s laser focused on serving customers. If you’ve ever felt stuck overthinking a decision, here’s what it takes to beat analysis paralysis and keep pushing forward even when you don’t have all the answers. You’ll also learn: Kecia’s 80/20 rule for faster, bolder decisions Why your company strategy might not be sticking (and what to do about it) How to respond when you get passed over for a promotion The advice she wants every other woman in leadership to hear Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • #291: Mark Smucker, Chair and CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company – Understand the soul of your brand

    #291: Mark Smucker, Chair and CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company – Understand the soul of your brand
    May 14 2026
    What’s the soul of your brand? And why might it be the secret to unlocking a new chapter of growth for your company? Today, David sits down with Mark Smucker. He’s the CEO and Chair of The J.M. Smucker Company, which is home to iconic brands like Smucker’s, Folgers, Uncrustables, Hostess, and Milk Bone. And he’s obsessed with understanding the soul of a brand. By knowing what his brands truly stand for, he and his team can make smarter creative decisions, take the right risks, and keep growing even when consumer tastes shift. If you want a brand that’s relevant, authentic, and successful, don’t miss this episode. You’ll also learn: The question Mark asks before making any creative decision How to make your core values more than just a list of ideals Why it took 10 years to scale Uncrustables (hint: it involves bread bubbles) The marketing principle that put Ludacris in a JIF commercial Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The How Leaders Lead App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daily Insight Emails⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
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    56 mins