5 Questions With Dan Schawbel

My guest today is the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington. Throughout the past decades, Arianna has become a prominent voice focused on media, politics, and well-being as the founder of both The Huffington Post and Thrive Global. She’s written 15 books, most recently Thrive, The Sleep Revolution, and Your Time to Thrive, and is one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. Since our work overlaps, we had a thoughtful conversation about ending the burnout crisis, improving our well-being, and changing human behavior for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You’ve been a public figure since the 1970s appearing on shows, writing columns and books, and then eventually launching the Huffington Post media company. Even your new company, Thrive Global, is partially a media company. What was the inspiration that originally led you to establish a media career and when did you know that you could be successful? As the CEO of Thrive Global with over 100 employees, how have you been able to manage your own well-being while leading others? My dad has always said “you have to walk before you run” and I say “small steps before big leaps”, which you sum up as taking “Microsteps”. What are some Microsteps people can start taking that will lead to positive health and well-being outcomes? Last year, both of our firms released research. Your Thrive Global survey found that 75% of employees feel overwhelmed and less productive while remote working during Covid and our study with Oracle found that 78% of workers said Covid negatively impacted their mental health. During such a difficult time, what can individuals and organizations do to be more resilient? What’s your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Arianna’s journey: CompanyWebsiteBookTwitterFacebookInstagramLinkedIn

My guest today is actor, producer, comedian, and Founder of Crystal Head Vodka, Dan Aykroyd. Even though Dan intended on becoming a priest, he dropped out of college and worked as a comedian in Canadian nightclubs. He rose to fame as a cast member for Saturday Night Live and eventually starred in hit movies like The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters. After decades in the entertainment business, Dan pursued his latest venture founding Crystal Head Vodka. We discuss both his career in entertainment and business during this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: What did your parents see in you as a child that made them encourage you to be an actor and how did they support your career as it progressed? You were in an all-star cast during your Saturday Night Live days. How did being the youngest cast member on the show be an opportunity for you to stand out and shine? What did you learn about the entertainment business during your time spent at Second City that helped you with your future endeavors? I was at the premiere in NYC for Patron founder and billionaire John Paul DeJoria’s documentary “Good Fortune” that you attended as the narrator of the film and as his former business partner. Can you talk about the business and life lessons you learned from him as you launched Crystal Head Vodka? What is your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Dan’s journey: CompanyTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is co-host of The Five on Fox News, Dana Perino. Dana is the former White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush, where she was the first Republican woman to hold the job. She served for over seven years in the administration, including at the Department of Justice after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Currently, she’s a Fox News anchor, co-host of The Five, and author of the new book “Everything Will Be Okay”, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: In your book, you detail your quarter-life crisis and explain that people today experience it over a longer period of time into their 30s. How did you overcome your quarter-life crisis to successfully pursue a long-term career in politics and media? About 3 million women have dropped out of the U.S. workforce over the past year due to the pandemic and disproportionate caregiving demands. What is your advice to women on how they can rebound from this crisis and get back to work? Last year, women made only 81 cents for every dollar a man made (PayScale). What role do men have in supporting women’s careers as we strive for gender pay equality? You’ve said that mentoring is one of your passions but in my experiences, people struggle to find and cultivate a mentoring relationship. Can you give an example of a successful mentoring relationship you had and how both parties benefitted? What’s your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Dana’s journey: WebsiteBookTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly. Scott is best known for spending a record-breaking year in space. He is a former US Navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and veteran of four spaceflights. After retiring in 2016, Scott has written a series of books including his latest one for children called “Goodnight, Astronaut”. We discuss the book, as well as his experience as an astronaut, during this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: While many children dream of being an astronaut, very few actually realize that dream because of the qualifications, competitiveness, and limited jobs available. When did you know you wanted to be an astronaut and what did it take the get the job? Your twin brother Mark was also an astronaut. How did your relationship with him develop from childhood to sharing the same profession as him and how did you each support each other on your voyages? How do you think your children’s book “Goodnight, Astronaut” can help open up a child’s mind to the possibilities of life and inspire them? What was your biggest challenge during your 520 days in space and how did you overcome it? What is your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Scott’s journey: WebsiteBookTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is co-host of The Talk on CBS, Sharon Osbourne. Throughout Sharon’s remarkable life, she was raised by a violent and manipulative father, married a rock star and helped launch his career, starred in a reality TV show with her family, and survived cancer. We discuss how she’s persevered despite her many life challenges during this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Ever since childhood, you’ve dealt with reoccurring family abuse and illness. How have you been able to manage through these experiences and become a stronger and smarter person as a result? You recently did a special episode of THE TALK to spread awareness for World Mental Health Day. What advice can you offer to those who are suffering from mental health issues right now and want to heal? You’ve said that you take pride in your “truthfulness”. How have you handled criticism from people who disagree with you even though you’re sharing your truth? How has being a public figure for so long both made it easier and harder to be a wife and mother? What’s your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Sharon’s journey: WebsiteTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is a professional athlete and author, Tim Tebow. Tim is a two-time national champion, first-round NFL draft pick, and Heisman Trophy winner. After playing for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots, he decided to pursue a career with the New York Mets as a left fielder and designated hitter. Sports aside, Tim has a passion for bringing faith, hope, and love to children everywhere with both his foundation and children’s book “Bronco and Friends”, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: As someone who is known for being outspoken in their Christian faith, how does religion play a role in how you lead on and off the field? Not many athletes have successfully transitioned between sports. What do you hope to accomplish in your baseball career that you weren’t able to in football? You’ve written a children’s book at a time when children are witnessing a historical pandemic that’s left much learning at home in isolation. What would you say to give children, and their parents, hope for a brighter future? You have dyslexia, and the main character in your book “Bronco” has a vision disability. How have you managed your disability and what do you recommend to both children and adults who have special needs? What’s your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Tim’s journey: WebsiteBookLinkedinTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is former WWE Hall of Famer turned TV host, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Steve is most known as being one of the most successful wrestlers of all time with 19 total championships and as the “poster boy” for WWE’s Attitude Era. He is the only wrestler to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Chairman Vince McMahon. Since retiring he has become a popular podcaster and TV host. As a long-time wrestling fan, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve about his wrestling career and season 2 of “Straight Up Steve Austin” for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You retired from wrestling back in 2003 and we just witnessed The Undertaker Mark Calloway retire after 30 years in the business. When you examine your entire wrestling career, what do you most want to be remembered for and what do you see for the future of the business? You’ve gone through a huge grind during your career, from an intense travel schedule to injuries. How have you maintained a healthy lifestyle post-retirement and what does your diet look like these days? You spent time with a variety of celebrities, like Ice-T, Steve-O, and Brett Favre, during the filming of your show “Straight Up Steve Austin“. What did you learn from your guests during these conversations and activities? In today’s media world, authenticity is hard to come by. What is your secret for having authentic conversations with your TV show and podcast guests? What’s your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Steve’s journey: TV showPodcastTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is actress and author, Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Priyanka moved a lot growing up and had to face racism and bullying in school. But she never gave up on herself, and with the support of her family, she eventually became Miss World and later appeared in more than sixty films produced in India and the United States. In 2015, she made history as the first Indian-born actor to lead an American network TV series when she starred in the ABC drama Quantico. She traces her 20-year entertainment career in her new memoir “Unfinished”, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You and I were both bullied in Newton, Massachusetts high schools, except you dealt with racism. How did you regain your confidence after this experience? In your memoir, when you talk about your insecurities you state “the worst thing to do is to feel sad alone”. What do you recommend to people who are suffering from mental health issues right now but don’t know what to do or where to turn? You said that after your dad died you were “in the darkness for a while”. Can you explain this sad period of your life and how you got out of it? What would you say the biggest obstacle you faced during your 20-year Hollywood career and how did you overcome it? What is your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Priyanka’s journey: BookTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is bestselling author, Robert Greene. Robert has mastered the arts of psychology and understanding what drives us and has incorporated his research and insights into many bestselling books, including The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, and his latest, The Laws of Human Nature. During this episode, Robert and I have a deep conversation about how understanding human nature can make us successful and happy in life. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: A few years ago you had a stroke and almost died. Can you talk about that experience and how you turned a negative situation into a positive one that helped you recover? Like you, human behavior fascinates me and I find myself constantly trying to understand why people think and act the way they do. How has understanding people’s motivations helped you live a better life and have a more successful career? Speaking about choosing the wrong person. Throughout our lives we meet, befriend and work with different personality types. While some bring us great joy, we fail to break away from the toxic ones. How do we decide who should stay in our lives and who we should let go of? Our emotions tend to get the best of us and override the logic that would help us make better decisions. How do we detach ourselves from our own emotions and master self-control? What is your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Robert’s journey: Website BookTwitterInstagram

My guest today is stand-up comedian, Lewis Black. Lewis is known for his regular appearances on The Daily Show, his Comedy Central standup’s, and being the voice of Anger in the Pixar film Inside Out. We discuss the root of his anger, being optimistic during troubling times and why building a career shouldn’t be about the money, during this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Many talented comedians acknowledge the dark side of comedy in that it can come from a place of pain and insecurity. Is there a connection between your childhood experiences and the anger you use in your comedy? Based on the struggles and successes you’ve had throughout your career, why do you think you were able to achieve what you have while many other comedians fall short? How do you think using anger through your comedic routines have helped you both make people laugh while conveying important social and political messages? Speaking of social and political issues, our society is more divided than any time in my lifetime at least. Despite all of the issues you talk about in your comedy routines, what gives you hope for the future? What is your best piece of career advice? Video interview Follow Lewis’s journey: Website PodcastFacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube

My guest today is singer, songwriter, and pianist, Tori Amos. Tori has composed songs that focus on a broad range of topics including politics and religion since the 1980s. She’s been listed as VH1’s “100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll” and has received 5 MTV VMA and 8 Grammy Award nominations. I spoke to Tori about the times and tribulations of her career, as she wrote in her book “Resistance”, during this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Unlike your siblings, you didn’t need piano lessons growing up because it came naturally to you. When did you realize that you had musical talent and what motivated you to turn that talent into a career? In the 1980s you signed with Atlantic Records, moved to LA, and formed a band producing an album that wasn’t successful. What did you learn from this experience that proved to be useful later? How has your role as an artist changed since you first started your career and what obstacles do today’s artists have to overcome to sustain themselves? You have created decades worth of music influenced by social and political movements. Our world feels more divided than ever, yet issues like the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and income inequality require all of us to band together. How do you think your music and this book can provide encouragement to people who want to make a difference? What’s your best piece of career advice? Follow Tori’s journey: Website BookFacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube

My guest today is the star of Netflix’s Queereye, Bobby Berk. Bobby struggled growing up gay in a Christian conservative household and then overcame homelessness to build a successful interior design company and star as a member of The Fab Five on the Emmy-winning Netflix show Queer Eye. We discuss his experiences in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Can you share some of your childhood difficulties growing up gay in a conservative Christian household, and how you were able to escape it to pursue a new authentic life? You are a prime example of a “rags to riches” story having been homeless to eventually start a successful business and starring in a Netflix show. What motivated you to pursue your career ambitions and what lessons did you learn along the way? The Covid-19 pandemic amplified our mental health crisis, leaving many of us isolated in our homes without human connection or even a job. As an interior designer, what changes can we make to our home environment that will help us live healthier and work better? We are living through a period of great political, racial, and social division. What are some ways to connect with people who are different than you? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Bobby’s journey: Website FacebookTwitterInstagram

My guest today is the star of CNBC’s The Profit and Streets of Dreams, Marcus Lemonis. Marcus is not only the CEO of Camping World but is an investor and champion of numerous small businesses with over $75 million invested. He recently added a Business Learning Center to his website to promote the business education we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: In your childhood, your family supported you as you were starting your first business and now you’ve pledged $50 million to support other small businesses. How did the support you received inspire you to give back to others? The Covid-19 pandemic has enriched major corporations while decimating small businesses with about 800 closures every day. What tactical advice can you offer entrepreneurs who are trying to navigate through this crisis? You and I are both believers in lifelong learning. What have you learned about yourself and American business during your experience hosting Streets of Dreams? You’ve said that most of the businesses you’ve worked with don’t work out even after your capital investment. What are the similarities between those that are successful and the ones that fail? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Jim’s journey: Website Lemon Aid FoundationFacebookLinkedInTwitterInstagram

My guest today is researcher and author, Jim Collins. Jim is a student and teacher of what makes great companies tick, and a Socratic advisor to leaders in the business and social sectors. He is most known for his book Good to Great and his timeless business concepts. I spoke to him about the framework in his new book BE 2.0 for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You wrote BE 2.0 originally with the late Bill Lazier who you consider a mentor. What lessons did you learn from him that have changed the way you think about business, entrepreneurship, and life as a whole?You and I both love researching and throughout the past 30 years, you’ve used your research to create an integrated framework called “The Map”. What do you believe are the most important elements of the map that entrepreneurs should consider as they start and grow their companies? It is estimated that 60% of all business closures during Covid are now permanent. With such a grim picture, and an uncertain future, what inspiration and advice can you share with entrepreneurs on how to create an enduring company that survives and thrives? Today’s employees are looking for their leaders to have a purpose behind profits, invest in their education, take a stance on social and political issues, give them flexibility, and support their mental health. Why do you think organizations have to do more and be more to be relevant, competitive, and successful in today’s workplace? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Jim’s journey: Website BookFacebookTwitter

My guest today is actor, comedian and writer, Michael Ian Black. Over his 30-year comedy career, Michael has created and starred in TV shows, movies like Wet Hot American Summer, and a series of books for children and adults. I caught up with him to discuss his new book, A Better Man, which has a letter he wrote to his son about masculinity before he leaves for college, for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: The Sandy Hook school shooting got you interested in gun violence because you noticed that it was boys who pulled the trigger. How do you think teaching boys about emotions, vulnerability, and empathy can create a better and safer society for everyone? I only learned the power of vulnerability in the past few years when I would open up on dates and discovered that it formed a stronger connection and they would reciprocate because they felt more comfortable. How have you been vulnerable with others and what opportunities has that created in your work-life? What conversation do you wish your dad had with you before he died and how do you think that would have shaped who you are as a man today? Over the past decade, gender roles have evolved with women becoming breadwinners, earning higher degrees, and assuming more of the household responsibilities. How can men adjust to our ever-evolving culture? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Michael’s journey: Website BookInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is actor, comedian, producer and author, John Cleese. John is most known as the co-founder of the legendary Monty Python comedy group, writing and performing in the TV series and in films that include Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Life of Brian. He has appeared in many other films, from James Bond to Harry Potter, and has guest-starred in numerous TV shows. After decades in the entertainment industry, John wrote about his views on Creativity in his new book by that title, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You dispel the myth that creativity is something you have to be born with. What are some ways to bring out our creativity even in professions and industries that don’t require it like the legal and accounting fields? As children we are always playing then we get older and we become serious adults, disregarding play. How have you created space in your life for playfulness and how has that led to more creative projects? I find that the act of being creative is an outlet for me. How can creativity help us through this dark period of time where people are suffering mentally and physically? A lot of people have creative ideas and many of them produce creative work, but fewer are able to get their work published and viewed by a mass audience. You recently said that Monty Python “would not get commissioned today”. What’s your advice for overcoming the resistance that gets in the way of bringing our creativity to life? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow John’s journey: Website BookInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is one of the bestselling authors of all time, James Patterson. Patterson has written 147 novels since 1976. He has had 114 New York Times bestselling novels and holds The New York Times record for most #1 New York Times bestsellers by a single author, a total of 67, which is also a Guinness World Record. But, what he’s most known for is his enduring fictional characters like Alex Cross and Michael Bennett. I caught up with James to learn how he became a prolific author, his connection to historical figures like John Lennon, his writing approach, and why he cares so much about childhood education for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: What would you say the biggest turning point in your life was that led to your success at an ad agency and as a bestselling author? You’ve written about historical figures such as your recent books about John Lennon, The Kennedy’s, and Muhammad Ali, and even collaborated with former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Why are you so fascinated with their lives and how have you told their stories in your own unique way? How do you decide on your approach to writing each book and which collaborators will be the best fit for each genre and audience? You’ve donated to libraries, classrooms, and indie bookstores. Why is childhood education the most important cause that you champion? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow James’s journey: Website BookInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is Academy Award-winning actress, Natalie Portman. She started her acting career at the ripe age of 12 and has since starred in blockbuster movies like the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Black Swan, V for Vendetta, and No Strings Attached. Currently, she’s in Sydney Australia, where the upcoming Marvel film “Thor: Love and Thunder” will be filmed early next year, while promoting her new children’s book, “Natalie Portman’s Fables”, which we discuss in this episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Your acting career started at age 12! Why did you decide to become an actress, how did college reaffirm that decision, and what keeps you motivated to continue?How have you been able to stay grounded and maintain your image for so long while many celebrities have fallen victim to the corruption of fame? How has the practice of retelling fables reinforced the lessons you’ve learned in your life and why do you feel the need to pass them down to future generations? In what ways has storytelling, in both movie and book form, helped you cope with your biggest life challenges and grow as a person? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Natalie’s journey: BookInstagram

My guest today is holocaust survivor and author, Dr. Edith Eger. At 93-years-old, Edith is one of the very few remaining Holocaust survivors old enough to remember life at the concentration camps. Now as a clinical psychologist, she’s processed her life trauma and shows us all how to stop being victims in our own lives in her book “The Gift”. I’ve compiled questions from my Jewish friends to ask Edith for this special podcast episode! The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Jenn Sutton: A recent study found that 23% of young Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth or the death toll is exaggerated and 11% think Jewish people caused the holocaust. What is the best way to teach forthcoming generations about the Holocaust in order to change these numbers? JR Rothstein: What obligation do young Jews have in preserving Jewish culture, heritage, and history in light of the Holocaust? Katie Sanders: What’s something you’ve learned in your life that you’d like to pass on to future generations? Sasha Kopp: How have you coped with uncertainty amidst our current societal issues and what advice do you have to others who are overwhelmed right now? Dan Schawbel: What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Edith’s journey: Website BookTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is the host of The Dr. Phil Show, Dr. Phil McGraw. After achieving his childhood goal of becoming a psychologist, Dr. Phil co-founded Courtroom Sciences, Inc providing litigation psychology, jury selection, and other services to major companies. It was there where he began working with Oprah who invited him on her show and the rest is history. I caught up with Dr. Phil to ask him timely questions about the impact of the pandemic on our lives and get some advice, for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: The mental health epidemic has worsened due to the impact of Covid and we recently celebrated World Mental Health Day. I just led a global study with Oracle finding that 70% of people say that this is the most stressful year ever. What can both institutions and individuals do to start addressing our growing mental health needs? People generally feel lonelier now because they are remote working, self-isolating, and social-distancing. What are some ways we can build meaningful relationships from afar? You’re not only a TV host, author, and clinical psychologist but also a business person. How has this crisis impacted you as a leader and what are some ways you’ve continued to build trust with your employees during this time? Our education system has been highly disrupted this year and I’m thankful that I graduated over a decade ago. What impact do you think school closures and remote learning will have on children’s lives as they eventually transition to the workforce? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Dr. Phil’s journey: WebsiteTwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram

My guest today is the host and author of How I Built This, Guy Raz. He started his career as an intern at NPR’s “All Things Considered”, then became a foreign correspondent before taking a two-year stint at CNN. Guy then returned to NPR, starting hit shows like the TED Radio Hour and the How I Built This podcast, where he interviews famous entrepreneurs from companies like Allbirds, Yelp, and Airbnb. Now Guy has turned his podcast into a book by the same name, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: What lessons did you learn early on in your career when you were with NPR and CNN that helped you become an effective interviewer and storyteller today? I’ve interviewed about 2,300 people in my career and you’re at over 6,000. Which guest was most surprising to you and what was the most inspirational moment that had a lasting effect on you? It seems like so many entrepreneurs have a safety net, in the form of family money or a full-time job, that enables them to execute on a big idea. Do you believe there is such a thing as “rags to riches” and “self-made” or do all entrepreneurs have a financial advantage when they start? In two previous episodes I asked billionaire venture capitalists Ben Horowitz and Chamath Palihapitiya about the qualities all successful entrepreneurs have in common and they said they are original thinkers, have leadership skills, a learning mindset, and deep-seated insecurity. Do you agree with this list and would you add anything to it?What’s your best piece of career advice? Follow Guy’s journey: Website BookTwitterFacebookInstagramLinkedIn

My guest today is fashion designer, Betsey Johnson. Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique designs since the 1960s. She became known for her over-the-top fashion and doing cartwheels ending in a split at the end of fashion shows. Her journey from dancing in her childhood to filing for bankruptcy is captured in her new memoir titled “Betsey”, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: In your book, you talk about fearing death as a child. How does your fear of death impact your decision making throughout your life? You admit that you inherited your father’s work ethic and your mom’s energy. How did both of these qualities help you as you build your career and brand? You’ve encountered many hardships in your life like cancer, divorce, and bankruptcy. How were you able to overcome these challenges and what life and business changes did you have to make? In a previous episode of this podcast, I spoke to Stuart Weitzman about how he’s kept his brand fresh and relevant for so long. How have you been able to sustain your brand and diverse customer base for multiple decades? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Matthew’s journey: Book

My guest today is Academy Award–winning actor, Matthew McConaughey. You might know Matthew as the A-list actor that has appeared in over 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion like “Dazed and Confused” and Dallas Buyers Club”, but he’s also a deeper thinker, family man, and professor. After decades of keeping a journal, he captured much of his life experiences, quotes, and stories in his new book “Greenlights”, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: How did journaling for 35 years help you better understand your life and career through both your hardships and successes? In your memoir, you use the analogy that on the highway of life we have red, yellow, and green lights. How did your father’s death eventually become a blessing for you, turning a red to a green light? I completely agree with you that the first step to knowing who you are is knowing who you aren’t. How did you use the process of elimination to discover yourself and choose the right career path? People around the world are suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression. What prescribes do you have to help others manage difficult situations and improve their mental health? I know you don’t consider yourself a preacher and this isn’t an advice book, but I ask every guest this one last question. What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Matthew’s journey: BookInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is fashion designer and entrepreneur, Steve Madden. Steve started his first company back in 1990 with a mere $1,100 selling shoes out of the trunk of his car and today his company is worth over $3 billion. Along the way, he struggled with alcohol addiction and went to jail for over two years for stock fraud. Steve’s story of both failure and success is captured in his new book, “The Cobbler”, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: After you dropped out of college you got a job as a traveling salesman for a shoe company but didn’t have a driver’s license because you had so many DUIs. This didn’t stop you from being successful at your job though. How did this early experience shape you as a business person and become the foundation for your future company? What motivated you when you were building your company from scratch and how were you able to grow the brand while simultaneously battling your alcohol and drug addiction? In your memoir, you talk openly about the high and low points in your life. One of your lowest points was when the FBI arrested you for participating in a “pump and dump” scheme that was orchestrated by Jordan Belfort and illustrated in The Wolf of Wall Street movie. What led you down that path and what lessons did you learn during your 2.5-year prison term that can be applied to business and life? You credit your team for many of your company’s achievements and I find in business that hiring is stressful and time-intensive. What are some of the unconventional hiring strategies that have allowed you to build a team that led to your success? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Steve’s journey: BrandBook

My guest today is singer and former Fifth Harmony member, Ally Brooke. Ally rose to fame as part of the multiplatinum music group Fifth Harmony before launching her solo career last year. She competed in ABC’s Dancing With The Stars then embarked on her Time To Shine Tour at the start of this year. After receiving billions of streams for her music through the course of her career, she wrote her memoir “Finding Your Harmony”. I spoke to Ally about her early struggles and insecurities, music influences, and her uplifting advice, which is especially important in these turbulent times, for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Even though you are of Mexican-American descent, you didn’t know Spanish as a child because your parents wanted to protect you from discrimination at school. How do you think their decision impacted your childhood and how have you embraced your heritage ever since?Since you’re the only entertainer in your family, who did you look up to how they did they influence you as an artist and your career choices? You said that you struggled with self-confidence growing up and that insecurity was heightened while you were part of Fifth Harmony, where you were compared to the other members and bullied. How has your experience with Dancing with the Stars and breaking out as a solo artist helped you gain self-confidence, feel empowered, and be fulfilled? I believe the hardest moments in our lives shape who we become. What was your greatest challenge, how did you overcome it and what did you learn about yourself in the process? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Arthur’s journey: WebsiteBookInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube

My guest today is the co-founder of The Home Depot, and owner of The Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank. Arthur built The Home Depot from an idea back in 1987 to a $50 billion-dollar company with 2,285 locations and is the leading home improvement retailer in the world. In this episode, we delve into what makes a “Good Company”, based on his new book, and discuss the importance of both building, and working for, a values-based organization that supports society, while making a profit. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Many prominent leaders I’ve spoken to during this pandemic, like Reed Hastings, John Mackey, Jon Taffer, and Former General Martin Dempsey, have said that trust is the most important asset leaders can build right now. How were you able to create a culture of trust at Home Depot that led to both a positive work environment and higher financial returns? I’ve always believed that values give us a framework that guides our decision-making process. How did you decide on Home Depot’s values of giving back, building strong relationships, and doing the right thing and how do these values reflect your own? 3) Last year the Business Roundtable defined the purpose of a corporation to focus on all stakeholders instead of just making a profit, even though we are in a capitalistic society. In what ways can companies support society, while also turning a profit? One of the trends I’ve been studying over the past year is stakeholder activism. Today’s employees and consumers expect companies to take a stance on social and political issues, but it can be very tricky to do so. What do you recommend to leaders on how to manage stakeholder activism? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Arthur’s journey: CompanyBookInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

My guest today is the chef and founder of Momofuku and the star of Netflix’s Ugly Delicious, David Chang. Since opening Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York City back in 2004, he’s been honored with six James Beard Awards and has been recognized as a TIME 100 honoree. In this episode, David opens up about his many life struggles as he illustrates in his new memoir, “Eat a Peach”. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You had a lot of insecurities in your childhood, such as not being a great chef and feeling like an outsider as a Korean when most chefs were white. How were you able to cope during that dark period in your life and what did you learn about yourself in the process? You are extremely self-aware through the pages of this book. You said that “working so hard was a side effect of depression” and I felt like that during my 20s working over 100 hours a week. The work was my outlet. How did your mental health issues motivate you to become a successful chef? In the book, you explain that despite your success you feel like you’ve created your own prison because you’re a workaholic with numerous responsibilities between the book, your show, restaurants, and your kid. Plus, you’ve had to close restaurants due to the pandemic. Now that you’ve reached the top of your profession, what are some ways you can escape the prison you created for yourself? Your father was a pivotal player in helping you break into the restaurant industry by getting you a $100,000 loan. Can you describe the complicated relationship you had with your dad, what you learned from him, and his impact on your life? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow David’s journey: BookPodcastInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is the co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey. John grew Whole Foods from founding it in 1980 to becoming a $13 billion Fortune 500 company, with over 80,000 employees, which he eventually sold to Amazon in 2017. I first interviewed him back in 2013 when he was starting to evangelize the conscious capitalism movement, then caught up with him in 2017 when he released his first cookbook. That’s why I was overjoyed that I got to catch up with him again to talk about his new book “Conscious Leadership” for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Your father was a role model for you in your childhood and even an investor in your company. What life lessons did you learn from him that has helped you become the leader you are today? Business values are at the core of Conscious Capitalism and Leadership. How did you originally identify your personal values and then embody them through your company for so many years? In today’s society, people work for and buy from companies that have a clear purpose not just make a profit. Employee and consumer activism have been heightened by recent political and social events like the killing of George Floyd. How can leaders focus on operating their businesses while also being sensitive to the global issue’s stakeholders care about? I’ve spoken to a lot of business leaders about what it takes to lead during a crisis such as the pandemic we’re living through right now and they say that trust is critical to sustainability. How have you been able to build trust with your workforce during this time? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Reed’s journey: BookNon-profitLinkedIn

My guest today is the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and Chairman of Netflix, Reed Hastings. After speaking to the other Netflix Co-Founder, Marc Randolph, for episode 53, I was delighted at the opportunity to speak with Reed to get the other side of the Netflix story, as well as learn from his experiences building the company and their workplace culture. Since Co-Founding Netflix back in 1997, Reed has revolutionized the entertainment industry, growing the company to over 183 million subscribers in 190 countries. He captures his journey, and lessons learned in his new book “No Rules Rules”, which we discuss in this episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: When you were the CEO of Pure Software you learned that tightly controlled management policies stifle creativity, which is why at Netflix you created a flexible work culture. Today’s professionals desire flexibility and that’s been made even more clear during this pandemic, where remote work has been normalized. How does a flexible work culture enable companies to adapt to changes and innovate faster? By promoting employee freedom, and eliminating rigid policies, you built organizational trust. How does giving employees the freedom to build the trust that leads to a healthier and more productive workforce? In the book, you said that hiring talented, creative, and diverse people was the “most critical dot for the foundation of the whole Netflix story”. What’s your approach to competing for and retaining the best talent, while promoting diversity and inclusion? In your childhood, you concealed your emotions from your family, which eventually became an issue for you as a leader and husband. What did your marriage counselor teach you about sharing your feelings, being honest, and giving transparent feedback and how did you apply that advice to your work relationships? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Reed’s journey: BookTwitterLinkedIn

My guest today is a former monk turned social media phenomenon and author of Think Like a Monk, Jay Shetty. I first met Jay several years ago in New York City and right away, I knew he was someone very special with a bright future. In one of our early conversations, he mentioned his interest in writing a book called “Think Like a Monk” and that book was just published today! This is our fourth interview and he’s my only return guest! I caught up with Jay to dive deep into the major themes and ideas in the book for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You start your book talking about values. How do you figure out what your values are and then start to notice them in other people? So many things are competing for our time now, especially with social media, the fear of missing out, and we are bombarded with news, even fake news. How do we what to listen to and get into a headspace so that we can do what we’re meant to do and not what others expect of us? Values follow intentions. Can you talk about setting those intentions and then following through on them? You talk about getting to the root of the problem and the importance of asking why. How did you do this in your own life? What’s your best piece of career advice? Video interview from New York City: Follow Jay’s journey: WebsiteBookTwitterLinkedInFacebookInstagram

My guest today is one-third of the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop music group Naughty by Nature, Vin Rock. Since the group formed in the 1980s, they’ve produced hits including “O.P.P.”, “Feel Me Flow” and “Hip Hop Hooray” and worked with everyone from Queen Latifah, who mentored them originally, as well as Easy-E and Run-D.M.C. More recently, they unveiled a new limited-edition clothing line with Champion. I caught up with Vin Rock to get his perspective on everything from the origins of the group, how he’s maintained his friendships, and his perspectives on the social movements going on today for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: What brought all three of you together in high school and when did you realize that your combined efforts would pay off? We’re living through a period of civil unrest caused by systemic racism, police brutality, and economic inequality in a pandemic and recession. As hip-hop moguls with a platform, how are you using your voices to make a difference, challenge the status quo and encourage activism? Like many successful groups, you broke up and came back together. How have you been able to maintain your friendships despite your business and personal disagreements? The music business has changed drastically since you came up in the 90s. If you were to start fresh today, what would do differently to stand out and what would you avoid based on what you’ve learned throughout your career? What’s your best piece of career advice? Follow Vin Rock’s journey: WebsiteTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is psychotherapist, author, and podcast host Lori Gottlieb. Lori is best known as the author of the bestselling book, “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone”, which has helped start a global conversation about human connection, which is what I’ve also been promoting. She writes the weekly “Dear Therapist” advice column for The Atlantic and co-hosts the “Dear Therapists” iHeart Radio podcast with Guy Winch. In this episode, you’ll learn about the ideal therapist relationship, why people avoid therapy, and how we can remove the stigma around mental health. I believe mental health is the biggest topic of our time, which is why I wanted to bring Lori on the show. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: After seeing multiple therapists in my life, and self-reflecting, I feel that many of the questions I asked my therapists I already knew the answer to. I was seeking validation from my therapists instead of advice. Is this common? What is the ideal therapist and client relationship? What would you say are the biggest mental and emotional obstacles that keep people from making changes in their lives and how do they overcome them? You’re a therapist who needed therapy. What did you learn about yourself when you went through therapy and what impact did it have on your own practice? Mental health is one of the most important topics in our culture right now, yet it’s often misunderstood, mistreated, and even dismissed entirely. How do you think we can remove the stigma around it and support those who are suffering? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Lori’s journey: WebsiteAtlantic ColumnPodcastBookTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is actress, producer, and author, Patricia Heaton. Patricia is best known for her starring roles in the sitcoms Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle, and Carol’s Second Act. In this episode, you’ll learn how her mom’s death impacted her life, how she’s reinvented herself, overcome obstacles, and why being both a leaper and planner have led to her success. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: How did the death of your mom during your childhood affect how you see the world, your work ethic, and life choices? Most people struggle during major life transitions because as humans we fear and are uncomfortable with change. How did you overcome the mental and emotional obstacles you faced as you transitioned from your first to your second act, and then commit to pursuing your new goals? Like my dad and his brother, I’m a lifetime worker with no plans to retire because I believe that being productive is good for our mental health. You recently said that you want to “die on a soundstage”, but what motivates you to continue to stay productive, juggle multiple projects and challenge yourself? Personal fulfillment is a lifetime journey of self-discovery, followed by both personal and professional accomplishments. How have your humanitarian efforts made you more personally fulfilled and shaped this next phase of your life? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Patricia’s journey: TV ShowBookTwitterFacebookInstagram

An interview with Gretchen Carlson about the biggest career decisions she’s made, standing against sexual harassment, being courageous, finding common ground, and her best career advice. You’re listening to the 5 Questions podcast and I’m your host, Dan Schawbel. In fewer than 10 minutes, my goal is to extract the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is former Fox News host turned author, activist and speaker, Gretchen Carlson. After hosting Fox & Friends and The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson, she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, which inspired the film Bombshell. Since then, Gretchen wrote Be Fierce, became one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, and is on a mission to eliminate non-disclosure agreements. I caught up with her to talk about her experiences, learn more about where her courage comes from, and to seek advice for those who have suffered from sexual harassment for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You’ve had a unique career trajectory, starting off as a violinist in your childhood, then entering beauty pageants, then transitioning to hosting a TV show and now you’re an activist, author, and speaker. What were the biggest decisions you made that allowed you to make these career transitions, were they intentional, and why? Sexual harassment like what you experienced during your tenure at Fox News was an example of abuse of power. How should people stand up to their boss when they feel suppressed, taken advantage of, or harassed knowing that they may lose their job by doing so? When you filed your lawsuit against Fox News, you gave other women the courage to follow suit. And now, you’re doing the same with your mission to void nondisclosure agreements so the public can hear the stories of all these women. Where does your courage to stand up for yourself, and others, come from knowing that there may be a backlash or repercussions as a result? We live in a time of radical social, racial, and political division that is exasperated by social media. What are some ways that we can find common ground, create connections, and be at peace even in social-isolation? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Gretchen’s journey: WebsiteBookTwitterFacebookLinkedInInstagram

An interview with D.L. Hughley about how he turned his life around after joining a gang as a teenager, where he gets his work ethic from, how to create a more equal society, why comedy is effective in addressing political and social issues, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 94th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is standup comedian, radio host, and author, D.L. Hughley. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, D.L. grew up in South Central, Los Angeles where he spent his teenage years in a gang and was eventually kicked out of high school. After turning his life around, which we will explore in this episode, he got his first job at the Los Angeles Times. From there, he hosted ComicView on BET before writing and starring in the TV sitcom series, The Hughleys. D.L. went on to star in the Spike Lee film, The Original Kings of Comedy, with costars Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac. More recently, he is the host of the talk show The D.L. Hughley Show which is syndicated in more than sixty markets and is the author of the new book, “Surrender, White People!”. I caught up with D.L. to learn more about his perspectives on the political and social issues that we are facing in America for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: After joining a gang and getting kicked out of high school as a teenager, how were you able to turn your life around so that you could pursue your career? In the last episode, Al Roker told me that his father said to him in high school, “you’re going to have to work twice as hard and be twice as good to get half as far as the white kid next to you”. Does this statement reflect your life experience and if so, what did you have to do in order to overcome it? The killing of George Floyd created a national conversation about racism, oppression, and inequality that’s existed in our society for over 400 years. What can individuals and institutions do to address these issues in order to create a more inclusive, equal, and prosperous society? You’ve tackled race issues throughout your entire career as an entertainer. Why do you think comedy is such an effective vehicle for addressing the social and political issues we face? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow D.L.’s journey: WebsiteBookRadio ShowTwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram

An interview with Al Roker about why we should avoid long-term career plans, why he decided to move to New York to pursue his career, how he landed his first job, manages multiple side hustles, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 93rd episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is the co-anchor of NBC’s The Today Show, Al Roker. Born in Queens, New York, Al wanted to be a cartoonist growing up until he went to college. During college, he worked as a weather anchor at WTVH in Syracuse, New York, while also DJ’ing at the campus radio station. Upon graduation, he took weather casting positions at both WTTG in D.C. and WKYC in Cleveland. In late 1983, Al returned to New York City to work at WNBC-TV before becoming a national weather forecaster at NBC’s The Today Show, eventually becoming a co-anchor beginning in 2012. Over his career, he’s hosted programs on Food Network, MSNBC, and The Weather Channel. His other achievements include losing 100 pounds, running a marathon, having the Guinness World Record for reporting for 34-hours straight, and being part of the Broadway musical Waitress. I spoke to Al about his weight loss in 2013 and today I talk to him again about his new book “You Look So Much Better in Person” for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You start your book saying that you never had a career plan. Why should people avoid crafting longer-term career plans and what should they do instead? You mention that you respected WTVH anchor Ron Curtis’s decision to stay in Syracuse with his family instead of move to New York City for a more prestigious position. Even though you respected that Ron prioritized his family over his career, you eventually decided to make the move that he didn’t. What motivated you to make such a major career change knowing that you would be leaving important relationships behind? I can relate to your persistence getting your first job, but unlike you, I would have given up before a restraining order was issued. To get my first job it took 8 month’s meeting 15 people for 3 different positions at the same company. While many people apply to multiple companies, why do you think to have a singular focus was key to landing your first job? You say that the secret ingredient to your career has been being open to new opportunities and while you have a full-time job, you also have 7 side hustles. I own a research company with 4 side hustles. How do you balance all of your gigs and know what to prioritize each day? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Al’s journey: CompanyBookTwitterhFacebookInstagram

An interview with Chamath Palihapitiya about what he learned during his identity crisis, how people can sustain themselves right now, what all successful entrepreneurs have in common, why he gave up social media, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 92nd episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is the CEO of Social Capital, Chairman of Virgin Galactic and the part-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Chamath Palihapitiya. Born in Sri Lanka, Chamath immigrated to Canada at age six where he and his family lived on welfare. He worked part-time to help his family while attending the Lisgar Collegiate Institute. After graduating from the University of Waterloo he worked as a derivatives trader before moving to California. Several years later, Chamath became the youngest Vice President in AOL’s history before joining the Mayfield Fund and then became a Vice President at Facebook. He left Facebook to start Social Capital with successful investments in Slack, Box, and Yammer. Today, he’s the Chairman of Virgin Galactic, an investor in the Golden State Warriors, and has been regarded as the “next Warren Buffett”. After telling Chamath’s story during my keynote speeches around the country, I was happy to speak to him personally for the very first time. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: In my keynote presentation, I talk about your story of going through an identity crisis, where you realized that you were unhappy even after accumulating wealth and achievements. Can you describe what you discovered through your recovery and share any lessons you learned? You recently went viral after speaking out against the government bailing out mismanaged companies, billionaires and hedge funds while leaving the average person behind. What do you recommend to average citizens trying to sustain themselves during this crisis? In a previous episode, I asked fellow venture capitalist Ben Horowitz about the common qualities all successful entrepreneurs have and he said they have to be original thinkers and have leadership skills. Would you add anything to this list and what can entrepreneurs do during this crisis to survive and thrive? Even though you were an early executive at Facebook, you have since stopped using social media and don’t let your kids use it. How has the decision to keep social media out of your life affected your mental health and relationships? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Chamath’s journey: CompanyMediumTwitterLinkedIn

An interview with R.L. Stine about his decision to become a writer, the most important storytelling elements in a book, how he writes books so frequently, adapts his writing to different age groups, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 91st episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is bestselling children’s book author, R.L. Stine. Born in Columbus Ohio, R.L. began writing at age nine after discovering a typewriter in his attic. While at Ohio State University, he edited the school’s humor magazine The Sundial before moving to New York City to pursue his writing career. There, he created the humor magazine Bananas that printed 72 issues between 1975 and 1984. Then, he wrote his first horror novel called Blind Date and the Fear Street series a few years later before launching his famous Goosebumps series. Throughout his career, R.L. has penned hundreds of books with over 400 million copies sold. The Guinness Book of World Records cites him as the most successful children’s book author of all time and he won the Horror Writers Association’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2014. More recently, he published the children’s book, “Just Beyond: The Horror at Happy Landings”. When I was growing up, I never wanted to read until I picked up the Goosebumps collection, which my parents still have in their home today. That’s why I was so excited to speak to R.L. for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: As a child, your teachers told you not to write and you received criticism about your comic book drawings from your classmates. How did this harsh feedback influence your decision to become a writer? I refused to read books in my childhood until I came across your Goosebumps series. What do you think are the most important storytelling elements that capture the hearts and minds of readers even those who resisted reading like me? You’ve said that you could write a Goosebumps book in about 2 weeks, whereas I’ve written 3 books in 10 years. How have you produced quality work in such a short period of time and what habits make you so efficient? How have you adapted your writing style, characters, and themes to different age groups and audiences of readers? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow R.L.’s journey: WebsiteBooksTwitterFacebookInstagram

An interview with Richard Marx about how he originally became a musician, what he learned from Kenny Rogers, how his father’s death affected him, his new album, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 90th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is singer, songwriter, and record producer, Richard Marx. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Richard’s mother was a singer and father was a jazz musician and the founder of a jingle company. He started his music career at age five singing jingles for his dad’s company. Then, as a teenager, a tape of Richard’s songs reached Lionel Richie and he moved to Los Angeles to work with him. In the 1980s and 1990s, he had several top Billboard hits including “Endless Summer Nights” and Right Here Waiting”, collaborating with Kenny Rogers, N’ Sync, and Cher. I caught up with Richard during the release of his twelfth studio album called “Limitless”. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You started your music career at age 5. I don’t remember doing anything memorable at that age. How did you originally get into music and when did you know that your love for music would turn into a lifetime career? You’ve surrounded yourself with a loving family and the support of some of the most prominent artists of all time like Madonna and Lionel Richie. What life lessons did you learn from the people who most impacted your career? You’ve had very high points in your life like topping the Billboard music charts, but you also lost your father and went through a divorce. How have your biggest life struggles given you a sense of gratitude and made you a stronger person? The music world has completely changed since you became established back in the 1980s. Why is your new album “Limitless” special to you and how will you promote it differently than your previous ones? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Richard’s journey: WebsiteTwitterYouTubeFacebookInstagram

An interview with Stacey Abrams about inspiring people during this pandemic, how people can make a positive change, the importance of voter rights, why she wrote several romance novels, and her best career advice. Welcome to the 89th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is a politician, lawyer, entrepreneur, and author, Stacey Abrams. Born in Madison Wisconsin, Stacey grew up with five other siblings in Atlanta. As a teenager, she was hired as a typist for a congressional campaign and was then hired as a speechwriter. She studied political science and economics at Spelman College, public policy at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, and received her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. Upon graduation, Stacey was a tax attorney at Georgia law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan. Starting in 2007 she served in the Georgia House of Representatives before resigning in 2017 to run in the gubernatorial election where she became the first African-American female major-party gubernatorial nominee in the United States. Then in 2019, Stacey became the first African-American woman to deliver a response to the State of the Union address. More recently, she’s the founder of Fair Fight Action and Fair Count, which fight for fair elections and for a fair count in the U.S. Census. Stacey’s new book “Our Time is Now”, and her upcoming documentary, both focus on voter suppression, which is part of what we talk about in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Can you offer any inspiration and advice to those who are struggling right now as they suffer from unemployment, illness, mental health issues, racism, or any other issues? Over the past month, we’ve witnessed the LGBTQ+ and African American communities protest systemic and perpetual social, political, and economic injustice, with some positive outcomes for both groups. What tangible actions can both institutions and individuals take to support these suppressed communities above and beyond posting activist content on social media? The right to vote is essential to America’s democracy. How did your loss during the 2018 Georgia election inspire you to be an advocate for voter protections and what steps will you take to ensure there’s election integrity for future races? What most people might not know about you is that aside from being a politician and a lawyer, you are also a novelist and entrepreneur as the author of 8 romance novels and founder of NOW Corp. and Nourish, Inc. What role have these pursuits played in your career and life goals? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Stacey’s journey: WebsiteBookTwitterFacebookInstagram

An interview with Debra Messing about how her parents supported her career, how she’s challenged the status quo, staying positive in the face of adversity, the global health crisis, and her best career advice. Welcome to the 88th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is the star of Will & Grace, Debra Messing. Born in Brooklyn, New York, her family moved to Rhode Island to attend high school, where she acted and sang in musicals. Before pursuing her acting career, she was urged by her parents to attend college at Brandeis University. Upon graduating with honors, she attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. After appearing in the film A Walk in the Clouds, she was chosen as a co-star for the TV sitcom Ned & Stacey, which led to roles in other shows like Seinfeld and Prey. In 1998, she co-starred as Grace Adler in mega TV hit show Will & Grace. The success of the show led to other roles in movies like Along Came Polly, The Wedding Date, and the remake of Dirty Dancing. More recently, Debra reprised her role in the revival of Will & Grace with a ninth Golden Globe nomination and is the co-host of The Dissenters Podcast. I had the pleasure of speaking with her about the impact of Will & Grace on the gay community, which is timely since the Supreme Court just ruled that workers can’ be fired for being gay or transgender. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Part of why I was able to pursue my career path as an author, podcaster, and researcher was the support of my parents. How important were your parents encouraged you to pursue your dream of becoming an actress and what advice did they give you during your pursuit? Your new podcast The Dissenters features nonconformists like Glennon Doyle who was recently on this podcast. In what way have you challenged the status quo and what inspires you about others who have done the same? You said that acting is 90% confidence. As both a social activist and actress, you’ve faced criticism, rejection, and obstacles. How do you stay positive, confident, and motivated in the face of adversity? How has your involvement and activism around HIV and Aids in Africa shaped your understanding of the global health crisis we are dealing with today? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Debra’s journey: PodcastTwitterFacebookInstagram

An interview with Patrick McGinnis about starting a side business while working full-time, how to start a business, prevent FOMO from affecting our daily lives and his best career advice. Welcome to the 87th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is author and venture capitalist, Patrick McGinnis. Born in Sanford, Maine, Patrick coined the term FOMO, or “fear of missing out”, while studying at Harvard Business School back in 2004. Six years later, he founded Dirigo Advisors working with investors and fast-growing companies in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and America. Then, went on to work at AIG Capital Partners before writing his first book entitled “The 10% Entrepreneur”. In 2018, Patrick released the first episode of the FOMO Sapiens Podcast, and I was recently featured this April to talk about working from home and corporate culture. The success of the podcast led to his TEDx talk in 2019 and his new book, “Fear of Missing Out”. As a fellow entrepreneur, I was curious to hear about Patrick’s perspectives on what we should all be mindful of before we start a business. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: I was a part-time entrepreneur from 2006 to 2010, sacrificing nights and weekends outside of my big corporate job to work on projects that I was passionate about. I had no idea that eventually those passions, and the hard work, would turn into a full-time job. How do you know if you can make it on your own versus staying at your company? If you do start a business outside of your full-time job, what’s the best way to meet the demands of both without being burned out? Can you share some tips for people who have great business ideas, but don’t know how to start them and fear failure? How can we prevent FOMO from affecting our daily decisions and instead focus on activities that bring us meaning and purpose? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Meg’s journey: WebsiteBooksTwitterFacebookLinkedInInstagram

An interview with Meg Whitman about the difference between leading a Fortune 500 company and a startup, how to decide what risks are worth taking, what she learned from politics, how to manage during a crisis, and her best career advice. Welcome to the 86th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is the CEO of Quibi, Meg Whitman. Born in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, Meg graduated high school in three years in the top ten of her class. She originally wanted to be a doctor but ended up studying math and science at Princeton University, but later changed paths after spending a summer selling magazine advertisements. Meg went on to obtain her MBA from Harvard Business School and starting her professional career at Proctor & Gamble. From there, she worked as a consultant at Bain & Company eventually becoming a Senior Vice President before leaving to become an executive at Disney, Stride Right, and Hasbro. From 1998 to 2008, Meg was the CEO of eBay growing the company from 30 employees and $4 million in revenue to more than 15,000 employees and $8 million in revenue. Then in 2009 she ran for Governor of California later dropping out in 2010. A year later, Meg went back into the corporate world as the CEO of HP before stepping down in 2017. Then in 2018, she became the CEO of Quibi, a short-form original mobile-only platform. I’ve wanted to speak with Meg for years because of her breadth of experience, both in politics and at different companies, has fascinated me. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You’ve been the CEO of two Fortune 500 companies and are now the CEO of a startup. What do you find are the differences, similarities, opportunities, and obstacles between being a CEO at a large versus a small company and how did your prior positions prepare you for this new role?You’re a believer in the importance of risk-taking and while you’ve received a lot of support for Quibi, most startups don’t succeed. How do you decide what risks are worth taking? What did you learn from the experience of running for Governor of California that helped you become a better business leader and what did you learn from your business career that made you a better politician? The workplace has changed so much since you started your career and is currently going through another transformation amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. What should leaders do to effectively manage their workforce during this crisis and how do you think the workplace will be transformed in the aftermath? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Meg’s journey: CompanyTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

An interview with Andrew Yang about how he created a political movement, how Universal Basic Income can enable people to follow their passion, how to prepare for the future of work, his decision making on the campaign trail, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 85th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is former U.S. Presidential candidate, Andrew Yang. Born in Schenectady, New York, Yang was bullied growing up as one of the few Asians in his hometown of Westchester. He was a gifted child skipping a grade, attending the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University, and then attended elite boarding school. Yang majored in economics and political science at Brown University and has a law degree from Columbia. His first job was as a corporate attorney, but eventually quit to launch his first startup, Stargiving that eventually failed during the dot-com bubble. From there, he became the CEO of Manhattan Prep, a test prep company, which was acquired in 2009. Yang then started the non-profit fellowship program Venture for America. In 2017, he launched his presidential campaign but later dropped out to endorse Joe Biden. Yang’s new non-profit is called Humanity Forward, which is dedicated to continuing his UBI and data security movements. More recently, he launched his podcast “Yang Speakers” and a few UBI experiments. Since I focus on employment topics and issues, I was excited to hear Yang’s perspectives on the future of work and careers. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You started off as a political unknown, yet you were able to create and grow a movement with legions of supporters who call themselves “the yang gang”. What do you think were the key elements in your ability to start the movement, rapidly scale it, and sustain it for so long?You’re credited with raising awareness for Universal Basic Income (UBI) and are now suggesting that all American’s should receive $2,000 each month during the pandemic. One of the hidden benefits of UBI that isn’t talked about is the leverage it gives citizens to make better career-related decisions. For instance, if you have a toxic manager, you’re more likely to leave that job if you have a UBI safety net. Can you please explain how UBI can be a game-changer for a citizen’s career prospects?While many people think that companies are less likely to invest in automation during a crisis, the opposite is true. When revenues decline the cost of labor increases and a study by EY found that over 40% of companies are spending up plans to automate their businesses. You say the economy is going to become more “inhuman”. What can people do right now to prepare for the future of jobs and work?You’ve made some difficult decisions during your campaign. How did you evaluate when it was time to keep pushing forward, change paths, or quit while continuing to motivate your supporters? What would you have done differently if you ran again?What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Andrew’s journey: CompanyPodcastBooksTwitterInstagramFacebookYouTube

An interview with Jon Taffer about how entrepreneurs can build trust during a crisis, how his first job as a bartender made him empathetic, what successful relationships have in common, how he’s addressed his own excuses, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 84th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is the star of Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer. Born in Great Neck, New York, Jon first entered the restaurant industry in 1973 as a bartender in West Hollywood, California, while performing as a drummer in a band. From there, he held his first management position at a nightclub, eventually leaving to open his first bar in 1989. Over the next two decades, he rose to prominence in his industry as the President of the Nightclub and Bar Media Group and is recognized in the Nightclub Hall of Fame. In 2011, Jon’s hit reality TV show “Bar Rescue” premiered on Spike TV and is now in its seventh season. The show’s success led to the spinoff show “Marriage Rescue”, two bestselling books, a podcast called “No Excuses” and a new restaurant chain called “Taffers Tavern”. I’ve been meaning to get together with Jon for a while now and was especially interested in his business views during this pandemic. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Jon, your industry has been greatly affected in this pandemic with many restaurants and bars that may never recover. You’ve said that the most important asset that people in any industry can build right now is trust and I agree. How can restaurant owners, or anyone else in business, build the trust that will put them in a better position in the aftermath of the pandemic? Even though you are a prominent figure in your industry, you started as a bartender in your youth, which is why I think you’re able to empathize with workers more than most. I also believe everyone should have a service job. I was a caterer for my temple! How did your first job as a bartender prepare you for your future in the industry? While your Bar Rescue and Marriage Rescue TV shows are different, both focus on relationships. Can you explain why most relationships fail and what all successful ones have in common? Over the course of your career, you’ve heard all kinds of excuses from people who are afraid to address their underlying issues. What is one excuse that you’ve made, how did you address it and what did you learn about yourself in the process? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Steve’s journey: WebsitePodcastBooksTwitterInstagramFacebook

An interview with Steve Aoki how he monetized his passion, his reflections from being in isolation, how Avicii’s death impacted him, how he recovered from failure, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 83rd episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is DJ, record producer, and music executive, Steve Aoki. Born in Miami, Florida, Steve is the son of Rocky Aoki, the legendary owner of the Japanese restaurant chain Benihana. During college at the University of California, Santa Barbara, he produced do-it-yourself records and ran underground concerts and eventually launched his own record label called Dim Mak back in 1996. Steve’s label released music from a variety of electro house artists like Felix Cartal and Bloc Party while remixing songs from a variety of artists like Kanye West, Eminem, and Drake. He rose to international fame for his surfing stunts, cake throwing, champagne spraying, and riding rafts during his hundreds of performances each year. Steve’s first solo album, Wonderland, was nominated for a Grammy in 2013, which is the same year he was ranked in the top ten best DJ’s in America. Since then, he’s released four other hit albums, Neon Future I, II, III, and IV, launched his own comic book titled “Neon Future” and his memoir titled “Blue”. I first interviewed Steve eight years ago for a series I wrote for Forbes called “The World’s Greatest DJ’s” and out of everyone I interviewed, he was the most authentic and vulnerable. That’s why I was excited to catch up with him again for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Steve, we are constantly told to “follow our passion” and you’ve not only found your passion but turned it into a thriving career. What do you recommend to others who have either not found their passion or haven’t been able to monetize it? As someone who has toured the world many times over you’ve witnessed how your music has impacted different cultures. Now that you’re in isolation in your home, how have you reflected on your life journey and what will you do differently when your life gets back to normal? This month marks the two-year anniversary of Avicii’s death, one of the most celebrated DJ’s ever that I interviewed and you collaborated with. How did his passing affect you personally and made you think about the life you want to live and the legacy you want to leave behind? When you first started your label you were signing big acts, while simultaneously losing money. What steps did you take to become profitable again and how did this time in your career prepare you for the future? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Steve’s journey: FoundationBookTwitterInstagramFacebookYouTube

An interview with Martin Dempsey about how to lead during a crisis, how conflicts in his career shaped his life perspectives, the common expectations that form relationships, the military figures that have influenced him, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 82nd episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is retired U.S. General and the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Martin attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After graduating he served as a company-grade officer, then went on to become an executive officer during Operation Desert Storm. He rose up the military ranks during the war in Iraq eventually becoming a General in 2008 and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Barack Obama in 2011. Four years later, Martin retired and was named to TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. After over forty years of military service, he now teaches leadership and public policy as a Rubenstein Fellow at Duke University and serves as Chairman of USA Basketball. More recently, Martin authored the new book, “No Time For Spectators”, which is the basis for today’s podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Leaders in every institution are being tested right now with how they’re dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic. Based on your experience as a General in the U.S. army, what are your recommendations to leaders on how to manage this crisis or any crisis?As someone with over 40 years of military service, how have major conflicts impacted your leadership, perspectives on the world and how you live your life?In your book “No Time for Spectators” you examine the common expectations that forge the strongest relationships. What are the key mutual expectations that make any relationship successful?Over the course of my career, I’ve interviewed major military figures like Colin Powell and Stanley McChrystal. What military figures have influenced your leadership style and what did you learn from them?   What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Martin’s journey: WebsiteBookTwitterLinkedIn

An interview with Hilarie Burton about how she transitioned from Hollywood to a farm, how her life has changed, the most challenging skill she learned on the farm, the power of human connection, and her best career advice. Welcome to the 81st episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is One Tree Hill actress turned farmer and author, Hilarie Burton. Born in Sterling, Virginia, Hilarie was very active in high school as the captain of the cheerleading squad, the student council president, and homecoming queen. She started her career as a VJ on MTV’s Total Request Live then made an appearance on Dawson’s Creek before getting cast for her breakout role on One Tree Hill. Since then, she’s played lead roles in films such as Our Very Own, Solstice, and The List, and TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Forever and Lethal Weapon. More recently, Hilarie wrote her memoir “The Rural Diaries” and became a co-host, with her husband, of AMC’s “Friday Night In with The Morgans”. In this episode, Hilarie introduces us to her life on the farm and what she’s learned from her experience. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: How were you able to transition from being a bi-coastal Hollywood actress to raising a family on a farm and what were the hardest sacrifices you had to make?How have your views on life and work changed from the time you spent living in big cities to a small town? Reading your book reminded me of the reality show “The Simple Life” in that you’ve had to learn new skills to survive and thrive in your new environment like raising animals and running a candy store. What was the most challenging skill you had to learn and how did you learn it? While the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in isolation, job loss, and death, the silver lining is that many of us are getting closer even from a distance. What has this crisis, and your new life, taught you about the power of human connection? What’s your best piece of career advice? Follow Hilarie’s journey: BookInstagramTwitter

An interview with Jim Kwik about how his childhood brain injury serves as his motivation, what his superpower and kryptonite are, what he’s learned from Will Smith, how to accelerate our learning, and his best career advice. Welcome to the 80th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is the CEO of Kwik Learning, Jim Kwik. Born in Westchester, New York, Jim suffered a brain injury when he was five, which hurt his brain performance and motivated him to study the power of the brain. He’s spent the past few decades training his brain for speed-reading and memory improvement. Jim has used his talents to coach clients including Google, Virgin, Nike, Harvard, and some of the most celebrated entertainers of our time like Will Smith and Hugh Jackman. He hosts the “Kwik Brain” podcast and his online training courses have impacted students in over 180 different countries. His advice and experiences have been captured in his new book “Limitless”, which teaches us how to learn so we can dramatically improve our performance. I first connected with Jim through Instagram, have since met him in person and I was excited to speak with him for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: How did your childhood brain injury motivate you to master your own brain and then help others do the same? You and I both love superheroes and you talk a lot about superpowers when you communicate to audiences or through your content. What would you say your superpower is and what is your kryptonite? What’s fascinating about your life story is that you actually work with the actors behind the most beloved superheroes, helping them speed read their scripts so they can perform better. While it’s clear that you helped them become better actors, what did you learn from spending time with them that has furthered your education and brain performance? We both believe in lifelong learning. We aren’t students for 4-years, we are students for life. Can you tell me the most effective technique that can accelerate our learning so that we can become smarter as we age? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Jim’s journey: WebsiteCompanyBookPodcastLinkedInFacebookYouTubeTwitterInstagram

An interview with Erika Nardini about being the CEO of Barstool Sports, how to stay relevant, handling pressure, her biggest challenges and best career advice. Welcome to the 79th episode of 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel. As your host, my goal is to curate the best advice from the world’s smartest and most interesting people by asking them just 5 questions. This episodes guest: My guest today is the CEO of Barstool Sports, Erika Nardini. Born in New Hampshire, Erika studied sociology and philosophy at Colby College. While at first, she aspired to be a lawyer, she eventually decided to go into advertising and marketing. Early in her career, she was a Media Manager at Fidelity, where she learned first-hand the potential of the Internet for media purposes. Erika went on to hold executive positions at Arnold Worldwide, Modelina, Yahoo!, Demand Media and eventually became the Chief Marketing Officer at AOL. In 2016, she stepped into her role as the CEO of Barstool Sports, a satirical sports and lifestyle culture brand, which has grown to become the tenth largest distributed media company in America with 66 million unique visitors each month. Under Erika’s leadership, the company has grown from 15 to 201 employees, with revenues approaching $100 million and with a valuation of $450 million after an investment by Penn National Gaming this past January. As one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People, I was excited to speak to Erika about how she stays relevant, handles the rapid business growth and what it’s really like being a CEO. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: What does your daily schedule look like that enables you to manage a well-known brand like Barstool? I believe the biggest challenge for a company, product and human today is staying relevant in a world, industry, category and profession that’s constantly changing. How do you keep yourself and your company relevant?How have you been able to handle the pressure to exceed expectations with all of your stakeholders and continue to be a leader in the market?Can you talk about your biggest challenges and how you’ve navigated through them?What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Erika’s journey: CompanyTwitterLinkedInInstagram