Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

What leads someone to say "yes" to a request? It might not be what you think. Dr. Robert Cialdini has spent his entire career researching the science of influence. His books, Influence and Pre-suasion, have sold more than 5 million copies and his principles have become a cornerstone for sales and marketing professionals. But the reality is, we can all benefit by understanding the science of influence. On this episode, you'll learn how to become more persuasive by employing these 7 simple techniques.

She's been called "The Millennial Oprah" by New York Magazine and "the poet of her generation" by Time Magazine. Cleo Wade is a community builder, artist, and the author of the bestselling books Heart Talk, Where To Begin, and Heart Talk: The Journal. Her new children's book, What The Road Said, celebrates the journey we are all on and the questions we ask along the way. Cleo's work speaks to our collective power to create change. On this episode, we talk about how she built a career on her own terms, knowing your value, and the power of mantras. PS- I'm giving away a special pack of all four of Cleo's books to one lucky winner on my Instagram. Just follow @mollywfletcher for your chance to win!

Buck Showalter knows how to build a winning team. He's a three-time American League Manager of the Year and earned a reputation in baseball as a team builder who quickly built contenders. In his 20 seasons in the big leagues, Buck managed the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. His 1,551 career wins rank 24th all-time in MLB history. In our conversation today, we dig into how to build and position your team for success. Buck shares the defining moments in his career, his relationship-based approach to leadership, and how to create a culture rooted in ownership and accountability.

Dansby Swanson is one of baseball's brightest young stars. A former #1 draft pick, Dansby plays shortstop for his hometown team, the Atlanta Braves. In the shortened 2020 season, he put together the best stats of his career as the Braves fell just short of the World Series. Off the field, he is the founder of the lifestyle brand and movement, AllThingsLoyal, showcasing the culture of Atlanta. On this episode, we dig into the mindset of peak performance and the importance of mental health. Dansby shares the techniques like journaling, therapy and brainspotting that help him strengthen his mental game.

Have you ever tried to build a new habit or break an old one, only to end up frustrated and discouraged? The problem isn't you; it's your approach! BJ Fogg, the author of the New York Times bestseller Tiny Habits, is here to show you that habit formation doesn't have to be hard. BJ shares his breakthrough method that will help you design your habits and make them stick. Whether you want to lose weight, de-stress, or be more productive—you can apply the Tiny Habits framework to your life immediately. Start small and get big results!

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a multifaceted talent and global star with more than 55 films to her credit. She's an actor, producer, investor and philanthropist. Now she's adding author to her credentials with her new memoir, Unfinished. Priyanka made her American TV debut on the hit drama Quantico on ABC, making history as the first Indian-born actor to star as the lead of a TV drama series. She's been featured on the cover of Time Magazine's coveted "Time 100" issue and recognized as one of Forbes' Most Powerful Women. On this episode, we talk about embracing your ambition, taking ownership of your career, and the power in choosing to reinvent yourself.

Jay Bilas has been called one of The 10 Most Powerful Voices in Sports Media by The Hollywood Reporter and one of The 25 Most Powerful People in College Sports by Forbes. Both a lawyer and talent for ESPN, Jay brings a unique perspective to the world of sports. A four-year starter on the basketball team at Duke, Jay played professionally overseas before returning to Duke to join the coaching staff and earn his law degree. Since 1995, he's worked for ESPN covering college basketball, the NBA draft and sports business. In our conversation, we dig into the future of college sports, his book Toughness, and the lessons he learned playing for Coach K.

WNBA star Candace Parker has made her mark on the basketball court and beyond. She's a #1 draft pick, WNBA Champion, 5x All-Star, 2x MVP, 2x Olympic gold medalist and 2x NCAA Champion. Off the court, she's a devoted mom, a broadcaster for Turner Sports and part of the ownership group of the NWSL's Angel City FC. On this episode, we talk about the life lessons she learned from legendary coach Pat Summitt, how she has been able to prioritize being a mom first without sacrificing her career, and what drives her to compete at the highest level.

In 2009, a glassblowing artist and former computer scientist in St. Louis named Jim McKelvey lost a sale because he couldn't accept American Express cards. Frustrated by how difficult and expensive it was to take credit card payments, Jim set out to find a solution for small merchants like himself. He co-founded Square with Jack Dorsey in 2009 and together they reimagined the payment processing industry by turning a mobile phone into a credit card reader. In our conversation, Jim shares how Square survived the competitive threat from Amazon, the innovation stack that enabled their survival, and how we are thinking about innovation all wrong. His new book, The Innovation Stack, is available now.

In 1978, Arthur Blank and his business partner Bernie Marcus were fired from the hardware store chain Handy Dan. Within a year, they co-founded The Home Depot. In his new book Good Company, Arthur shares the powerful principles that have defined his success and serve as the foundation for his diverse businesses, including the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS). On this episode, we talk about how a values-based approach can transform companies, associates, customers and communities. Arthur's approach is a playbook for any leader who wants to build a culture that's rooted in values and powered by purpose.

Priya Parker is helping us take a deeper look at how anyone can create collective meaning, one gathering at a time. Priya is a conflict resolution facilitator, author of The Art of Gathering, and host of the podcast Together Apart.In our conversation, Priya shares how to turn everyday gatherings into transformative group experiences. She shares what works, what doesn't, and why. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, this conversation will have you reimagining the way you gather—whether it be in person or virtually. And you'll never be able to look at your next gathering the same way again!

Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has starred in movies like A Time to Kill, Dallas Buyers Club, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Wolf of Wall Street. His incredible career has spanned 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion dollars. Now he's adding author to his credits with his new memoir, Greenlights. On this episode, Matthew shares the unconventional wisdom he's learned. We talk about his sudden rise to fame, the self-imposed two-year hiatus from Hollywood that changed the course of his career, and the legacy he wants to leave behind. It's a conversation about how to catch more "greenlights" and realize that the yellows and reds eventually turn green too.

We all need help, but most of us are uncomfortable asking for it. But here's the funny thing: even though we hate to ask for help, most people are wired to be helpful. Social psychologist Heidi Grant is the author of Reinforcements: How to Get People to Help You. On this episode, Heidi shareswhy we are thinking about asking for help all wrong… and the things we inadvertently do that make it weird for other people. Discover the simple mistakes you are probably making—and learn what you should do instead!

I decided to try something a little different this week- my first solo episode. Through this podcast, I've had the opportunity to connect with more than 100 leaders from all different backgrounds and experiences. I've learned so many valuable insights from these conversations, and on this episode I walk you through 7 mindset shifts to reimagine your role as a leader. To take it a step further, I also created this playbook of 7 exercises to accompany each mindset shift. Listen to this special bonus episode where I walk you through each mindset shift and challenge you to reimagine how you lead.

John Mackey is the co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market. He's led the company from a scrappy startup to a multibillion-dollar business, and launched an organic food revolution. John's new book, Conscious Leadership, explores his own leadership journey from college dropout to successful CEO, and provides a playbook for values-based leadership. On this episode, John shares his most valuable leadership lessons learned from four decades leading Whole Foods through tremendous growth and innovation. It will challenge you to rethink conventional business wisdom and reimagine how you lead.

Scott Kelly set the record for the single longest space mission by an American astronaut. That year-long mission to the International Space Station was part of an unprecedented NASA study on how space affects the human body and it paved the way for the future of space exploration. On this episode, Scott shares his personal reflections on leadership and teamwork from his journey into space. He also shares what he learned about living in isolation and dealing with uncertainty that we can apply to our own lives.

Guy Raz has interviewed more than 6,000 people from Bill Gates to Mark Cuban to Taylor Swift. Described by The New York Times as "one of the most popular podcasters in history," Guy is the co-creator of How I Built This, TED Radio Hour and the NPR kids podcast Wow In The World with a combined audience of more than 19 million listeners each month. His new book, How I Built This, shares the behind-the-scenes stories of the world's most inspiring entrepreneurs and the companies they built. On this episode, we talk about how to have more meaningful conversations, the biggest myths of entrepreneurship, and why every business is ultimately a story.

What if you stopped pretending and started getting real? Most of us hide. We play small and don't live up to our full potential. We're afraid we aren't enough… or maybe we're too much. NFL player, humanitarian and podcaster Sam Acho has been there. In his new book, Let The World See You, Sam encourages us all to discover our true selves and share our gifts with the world. We talk about the importance of not attaching your identity to your career, the highs and lows of being a professional athlete, and how his life changed when he stopped hiding and started living.

If you're one of the 1.4 million members of the Peloton community, then you probably already know Ally Love. Ally is a Peloton instructor, founder of Love Squad, in-arena host for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, and Adidas global ambassador. In other words, she does it all. On this episode, Ally shares how to keep people engaged in a virtual environment, her approach to tough conversations, and how she's successfully built a multi-dimensional career.

In six seasons as the men's basketball coach at Auburn, Bruce Pearl has led the Tigers to two SEC championships, back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths and the program's first ever trip to the Final Four. It's success he's replicated at every stop of his 25-year coaching career. A proven winner, Bruce still coaches with a chip on his shoulder and his teams reflect that fighter mentality. On this episode, we talk about his unlikely journey from student manager to big-time college coach, what drives him, and how he consistently gets his teams to outperform expectations.

When the WNBA tips off this weekend, Atlanta Dream guard Renee Montgomery won't be there. Renee is sitting out the 2020 WNBA season to focus on the fight for social justice reform. A two-time WNBA champion and former standout at the University of Connecticut, Renee has carved out an 11-year career in the pros. Now, she's focused her attention on another mission. On this episode, Renee shares why she's trading basketball for a greater purpose and what it means to use your platform for change.

Steven Kotler is the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective and one of the world's leading experts on high performance. The New York Times bestselling author of Stealing Fireand The Rise of Superman, Kotler shows companies how to unlock their potential and level up their game like never before. On this episode, Steven decodes the science of flow—an optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and perform our best. We dig into the science of human performance, how to achieve flow, and what it all means for your own life.

Know the feeling of getting bombarded with too many pings, dings and rings? You're not alone. Nir Eyal writes and consults about the intersection of psychology, technology and business. His latest book, Indistractable, reveals the hidden psychology driving us to distraction. On this episode, Nir shares the practical techniques to control your time and attention—helping you live the life you really want. His four-step, research-backed model will help you manage distractions and finally do what you say you will do.

Where along the way did we trade in our confidence and courage for approval and acceptance? And why? That's the question Reshma Saujani challenges us with in her book Brave, Not Perfect. Reshma is the founder & CEO of Girls Who Code, an international nonprofit working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Her TED Talk, "Teach girls bravery, not perfection," has been viewed more than 4 million times and sparked a worldwide conversation about how we're raising our girls. On this episode, we talk about how to fear less, fail more and live boldly.

James Franklin is one of the top college football coaches in the country. Since arriving at Penn State University in 2014, Franklin has led the Nittany Lions to three top-10 finishes and a Big Ten championship. His journey took him from Division II quarterback to college coach, where he found unlikely success at Vanderbilt before taking on the challenge of rebuilding the storied Penn State program. On this episode, we dig into how he built trust in a tough environment when he arrived at Penn State and the ways his leadership approach has evolved over the years.

Tony Gonzalez is an analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast WIDE OPEN with Tony Gonzalez. In 17 seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons, Tony was a 14-time Pro Bowl selection. He is the NFL's all-time leader in touchdowns and yards by a tight end and is third-all time in receptions. Tony tackles all aspects of his life with the same drive and curiosity that helped him excel on the field. In this conversation, Tony shares what fuels him, the defining moments that shaped his life, and his powerful habits for success.

We all have stories we tell ourselves that define the way we live our lives. Stories help you make sense of your life, but they can also keep you stuck. How can you become the editor of your life? Therapist Lori Gottlieb is the author of the New York Times bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and writes the Dear Therapist advice column for The Atlantic. In this conversation, we talk about how to defeat toxic thinking, change our self-limiting narratives, and get unstuck. It's about changing your narrative to change your life.

How do elite performers mentally train for success? Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and Vision Pursue founder Russ Rausch discuss the relationship between mindset and performance. As an NFL coach, Dan uses Vision Pursue's performance mindset training with his team to strengthen their mental game. In this episode, we talk about how to develop mental toughness, focus through distractions and perform under pressure.

Who were you before the world told you who to be? That's the question Glennon Doyle asks in her new memoir Untamed. Glennon is a speaker, activist and New York Times bestselling author. Her two previous books- Love Warrior and Carry On, Warrior were both #1 New York Times bestsellers and Love Warrior was an Oprah's Book Club selection. Glennon writes about addiction, recovery, marriage and faith with no holds barred. In today's conversation, we dig into becoming attune to our discontent, abandoning expectations, and learning to trust yourself. It's about how sometimes we forget who we are… and how we find ourselves again.

Leonard Hamilton is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball and a trailblazer in the sport. The head basketball coach at Florida State University, Hamilton is the Seminoles' all-time winningest coach and the 5th winningest coach in ACC history. This season he won ACC Coach of the Year honors and led Florida State to the #4 ranking in the country and the ACC regular season championship. On this episode, Hamilton shares the moment where he thought he gave up coaching for good, the hurdles he had to overcome in his career, and how he built a reputation as a program rebuilder. Note: this conversation is updated with Coach Hamilton's thoughts after the cancelation of the NCAA tournament, where Florida State was expected to be a top seed.

Leonard Hamilton is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball and a trailblazer in the sport. The head basketball coach at Florida State University, Hamilton is the Seminoles' all-time winningest coach and the 5th winningest coach in ACC history. This season he won ACC Coach of the Year honors and led Florida State to the #4 ranking in the country and the ACC regular season championship. On this episode, Hamilton shares the moment where he thought he gave up coaching for good, the hurdles he had to overcome in his career, and how he built a reputation as a program rebuilder. Note: this conversation is updated with Coach Hamilton's thoughts after the cancelation of the NCAA tournament, where Florida State was expected to be a top seed.

Most people believe: if you work harder, you will be more successful, and then you will be happy. But if you think the key to happiness is success, you've got it backwards. It's happiness that fuels success. Shawn Achor is one of the world's leading experts on the science of happiness. He's the bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential. More than a decade of research shows that training your brain to be positive first actually leads to greater success at work. On this episode, Shawn shares the four biggest predictors of happiness, how to spark happiness in your own life, and the simple steps you can take to embrace a positive mindset.

Wouldn't it be nice if leadership came with an instruction manual? In his new book, Welcome to Management, Ryan Hawk is sharing the advice he wishes he knew when he transitioned into a leadership role. Ryan is the host of the popular podcast, The Learning Leader Show, which boasts millions of listeners in 150+ countries. On this episode, Ryan shares how to transition seamlessly from individual performer to exceptional leader. Listen in to discover the common qualities top leaders share and the three skill sets every leader needs to master.

Susan Cain got everyone talking about the power of introverts with Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, which has been on the New York Times bestseller list for seven consecutive years. Her TED Talk has been viewed more than 30 million times and was named by Bill Gates one of his favorite talks. Introverts make up an estimated 50% of the population, but we dramatically undervalue introverts and in doing so, miss out on their immense talents. On this episode, Susan shares the biggest misconceptions about introverts, why we need more introverted leaders, and the shift she's seen since releasing Quiet in 2012.

Simon Sinek has transformed the way we think about work. His TED Talk is the second most popular of all time and his book, Start With Why, sparked a movement to help people, teams and organizations discover their why. In his new book, The Infinite Game, Simon shares a bold new framework for leadership. Many organizations struggle because their leaders play with a finite mindset in a game that has no end. In our conversation, Simon shares why leaders who embrace an infinitemindset build stronger, more innovative, and more resilient teams.

Most people try to avoid stress. But what if changing how you think about stress could actually make you happier, healthier, and better able to reach your goals? Kelly McGonigal's TED Talk, "How to make stress your friend" is one of the most viewed TED talks with over 20 million views. In her book, The Upside of Stress, Kelly shares the hidden benefits of stress and how you can make it a catalyst in your own life. In this episode, Kelly explains why trying to avoid stress is counterproductive and why instead, you should focus on three mindset resets to re-frame how you view stress.

Now with over 150 million subscribers, Netflix is a tech giant, but it began as a scrappy startup with naysayers and obstacles at every turn. Netflix co-founder and former CEO Marc Randolph shares the untold story of how Netflix went from concept to company in his new book, "That Will Never Work." We talk about why some great ideas stick and others don't, why there's no formula for innovation, and what happens when your little idea becomes a multi-billion-dollar business.

Holly Rowe has made a name for herself as one of ESPN's most versatile commentators. She covers college football, college basketball, softball and multiple other sports for the network. In 2015, Holly was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma-- a rare, fast-spreading form of skin cancer. Once she went public with her diagnosis and treatment, Holly found a cheering section of her own. On this episode, Holly shares how her diagnosis shifted her perspective and focused her on the small moments of joy in each day. We also talk about her unique career journey and what she's learned from interviewing the best athletes and coaches in the world.

Imagine facing a life-threatening disease with no known cure. Now imagine that you are a physician- and the person facing the disease is you. That's the story David Fajgenbaum tells in his memoir, Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race To Turn Hope Into Action. David battles Castleman disease, a rare disease involving the immune system attacking and shutting down vital organs. Faced with lengthy hospitalizations and multiple near-death relapses, David realized that the best person to find a cure might be himself. In our conversation, David shares what it means to turn hope into action and why sometimes you have to create your own silver linings.

More than 40% of what you do every day is habit. Habits are the foundation for how you live your life and do your work. In his New York Times bestseller, The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habits. Why do they exist and how can you change them? If you have the power to change your habits, you have the power to change your life. And the key to changing your habits is understanding the science of how they work. On this episode, Charles shares a framework to help you create new habits and break your bad habits.

You have a message you want to share. The problem is, you don't know how to position yourself and create a platform to share it. How can you get booked as a speaker? Brian Lord is a 24-year veteran of the booking industry with more than $100 million in bookings. He's booked everyone from presidents to superstar athletes to leading CEOs. On this episode, Brian shares everything you need to know about the speaking industry, whether you are a rookie or a veteran speaker. We talk about where to find the right clients, how to determine your speaking fee, and the three things every speaker must have to get booked.

In his bestselling books Deep Work and Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport explores our evolving and complicated relationship with technology. Technology has transformed the way we work and live- but at what cost? In a world defined by electronic busyness, we no longer value deep work. And in our personal lives, we have become addicted to our devices at the expense of human connection. On this episode, Cal walks us through a digital detox, an intentional decluttering process that thousands of people have used to simplify their lives. Learn how to make technology work for you— not the other way around.

What is the first step to becoming a better leader? Self-awareness. Ian Cron, author of The Road Back To You, is an expert on the Enneagram and host of the popular podcast, Typology. Ian uses the Enneagram personality-typing assessment as a tool to help leaders foster self-awareness. On this episode, we dig into the nine personality types and the do's and don'ts for leading each type.

Before she became the face of women's basketball, Elena Delle Donne quit the sport entirely. Burned out and unsure of herself, Elena had to walk away to rediscover her joy and write her own story. Today, Elena is a 6x WNBA All-Star and frontrunner for MVP. But Elena's story has always been bigger than basketball. Her biggest motivation is her sister Lizzie, who was born deaf and blind with cerebral palsy and autism. On this episode, Elena talks about her journey of self-discovery, how she stays mentally tough, and the two keys to her success.

From the college football sidelines to the basketball court and beyond, Maria Taylor has all your sports coverage for ESPN. Maria has quickly become a star broadcaster known for her versatility and drive. She is a co-host on College GameDay, sideline reporter for ABC's Saturday Night Football, and is expected to be added to NBA Countdown this season. Passionate about paying it forward, Maria is the co-founder of The Winning Edge Leadership Academy which helps young women and minorities get opportunities in the sports industry. On today's episode, we talk about the hustle it required to break into the industry, the lessons in failing fast, and how she got comfortable using her voice.

Every leader has to know how to get, give and encourage feedback at work. Former Google and Apple executive Kim Scott's book, Radical Candor: Be a Kick Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity, is a New York Times bestseller and inspired a management revolution. Radical candor is a simple idea: to be a good boss, you have to care personally and challenge directly. On this episode, we talk about how to create a culture of feedback, build a great team, and get results. This simple framework will guide every conversation you have and help you build better relationships.

At age 9, John O'Leary suffered burns to 100% of his body after a gasoline explosion in his family home. He was given a 1% chance to live. John not only survived, he made it his life's mission to inspire others. Today as an author and keynote speaker, John shares the lessons he learned through his experience and celebrates the everyday heroes who stepped into his life to help him on his journey. On this episode, we talk about tackling challenges with joy, owning your story, and living with intention.

Our culture today is all about getting a head start. Start early, focus intensely and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as you can. But what if that's actually not the best path to success? In his new book Range, author David Epstein argues going broad—not narrow—is the best route to success. On this episode, we talk about the dangers of early specialization, the value of breadth of experience, and how this all applies to the way you think about your career, your hobbies, and even the way you parent.

Navigating change is hard, particularly inside of organizations. Most people are resistant and afraid. Yet we all have to confront change- personally and professionally- and the pace of change is faster than ever. Beth Comstock led companies like NBC and GE through periods of transformational change. Her book, Imagine It Forward, encourages people to become change makers by leading with imagination. In this episode, we talk about embracing smart risks, challenging convention, and reinventing what's possible.

Why would a successful criminal defense attorney leave a lucrative career to start a chocolate company? That's the incredible story of Shawn Askinosie, founder of the award-winning Askinosie Chocolate. In his book Meaningful Work, Shawn shares his insights into doing work with heart and creating a business with a soul. Named one of the 25 best small companies in America by Forbes, Askinosie Chocolate sources 100% of their beans directly from farmers and shares profits with them. On this episode, Shawn shares how to find your calling, what to consider when contemplating a career move, and why businesses thrive when work is meaningful.