Thirty Minute Mentors

Ben Lytle is the founder and former CEO of Anthem, now known as Elevance Health, a Fortune 50 company that generated $175 billion last year. Ben has founded seven companies, including two listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Ben joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Ben and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development, the keys to building and growing a company, how to navigate change, how to understand and attain success, and more.

Lenny Krayzelburg is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest backstroke swimmers of all time. Lenny joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Lenny and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: the mindset and path to greatness; motivation; pushing your comfort zone; overcoming setbacks; leadership and coaching; and much more.

David Booth is the co-founder of Dimensional Fund Advisors, a leading investment management company, with $777 billion in assets under management as of the end of last year. David helped transform the world of modern investing and is the namesake of the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. David joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. David and Adam discuss investing, managing uncertainty, decision-making, trust, data, leadership, success, and much more.

Fawn Weaver is the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the most-awarded American whiskey or Bourbon over the last six years. A two-time New York Times best-selling author, Fawn is one of only five Black women to found and lead a billion-dollar business in U.S. history. Fawn joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Fawn and Adam discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, creativity, and much more.

Jeff Kindler was the CEO of Pfizer, the largest research-based pharmaceutical company in the world. Jeff oversaw Pfizer's $68 billion acquisition of Wyeth and led an organization that generated more than $60 billion in annual revenue. Jeff is currently the CEO of Centrexion Therapeutics. Jeff joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jeff and Adam discuss leadership and managing the challenges that come with it, career success and how to attain it, and much more.

A former Fortune 500 CEO and the current CEO of one of the most recognized brands in real estate, Erik Carlson has led two household name companies in two very different industries. Erik Carlson was the CEO of Dish Network and is the CEO of RE/MAX. Erik joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Erik and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, motivation, intrapreneurship, team-building and hiring, navigating change, and much more.

Clint Hurdle has spent nearly 50 years in professional baseball, including 10 as a player and 17 as a manager in the majors. While leading the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates, Clint developed a reputation as one of the best managers in baseball and was named NL Manager of the Year. Clint joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Clint and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership; trust; coaching and managing people and teams; building winning cultures; and much more.

Steve Hasker is the CEO of Thomson Reuters, a conglomerate that generated more than $7 billion in revenue last year and consists of 26,000 people across more than 75 countries. Steve joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Steve and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, productivity, balance, leading through change and transformation, leading data-driven businesses, AI, customer centricity, and more.

Jessie Diggins is the most decorated cross-country skier in American history. Jessie has won two World Cup overall titles, six World Championship medals, and three Olympic medals, including an Olympic gold medal. Jessie joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Jessie and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: attaining greatness, motivation, vulnerability, leadership, mental health, and much more.

Abhijit Dubey is the CEO of NTT Data, Inc., a $30 billion business and one of the largest IT services providers in the world. Abhijit joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Abhijit and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development and success, communication, hiring, ethics, trust, innovation, and much more.

A pioneer in the world of venture capital and a legend in the investment community, Alan Patricof is the co-founder of Apax Partners - one of the largest and most successful private equity firms in the world - and the venture capital firms Greycroft and Primetime Partners. Alan joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Alan and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, entrepreneurship, longevity, investing, venture capital, private equity, failure, success, and more.

Kevin Hochman is the CEO of Brinker International, the parent company of Chili's and Maggiano's. Kevin led Chili's turnaround and leads a business on pace to generate more than $5 billion this year. Kevin joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Kevin and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: the keys to successful leadership and to developing as a leader, the keys to career success, servant leadership, how to cultivate an employee-centric culture, and much more.

Christine Todd Whitman is the only woman to ever serve as governor of New Jersey and is a former Cabinet member, having served as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Governor Whitman joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Governor Whitman and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, influence, decision-making, pushing your comfort zone, building consensus, and much more.

The first Black swimmer to set a world record, Cullen Jones is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, winning gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic games. Cullen joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Cullen and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: reaching peak performance and attaining greatness; motivation; goal setting; mental wellness; managing and performing under pressure; developing comfort in your own skin; and much more.

Brooks Tingle is the CEO of John Hancock, one of America's largest insurance companies. Brooks joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Brooks and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career development, communication, influence, hiring, culture, customer centricity, and much more.

A nine-time Emmy Award winner, David Collins is the creator and Executive Producer of Queer Eye, one the most successful reality television shows of all time. David joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. David and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional success and transformation, authenticity, creativity, reinvention, and much more.

Mike Miedler is the CEO of Century 21, one of the largest companies and best-known brands in the world of real estate, with more than 140,000 affiliated agents across 86 countries and territories. Mike joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Mike and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development, emotional intelligence, communication, sales, negotiations, branding, and more.

Patrick Kennedy is a former Congressman and a leading mental health advocate. Congressman Kennedy served for eight terms in Congress and co-authored the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Congressman Kennedy joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Congressman Kennedy and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, resilience, mental wellness, and much more.

Widely considered one of the greatest female hockey players of all time, Amanda Kessel is an Olympic gold medalist; was a star player in college, the pros, and in international competition; and is currently an executive with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Amanda joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Amanda and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: competition, goal-setting, attaining greatness, leadership, teamwork, culture, performing under pressure, navigating failure, and more.

A three-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and Cy Young Award winner, Jake Peavy was a Major League Baseball star and is currently an analyst for MLB Network. Jake joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jake and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, teamwork, mentorship, performing at an elite level, performing under pressure, and much more.

Tim Sweeney is a Fortune 100 CEO and the leader of one of America's largest and most successful insurance companies. Tim is the CEO of Liberty Mutual, where he oversees a business that generates more than $52 billion in annual revenue and employs more than 50,000 people. Tim joins share to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Tim and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development and success, hiring, culture, innovation, diversity, trust, and more.

The greatest diver in American history, Greg Louganis is a 4-time Olympic gold medalist, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. Greg joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Greg and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: attaining greatness and peak performance, motivation, performing under pressure, navigating challenges and setbacks, and more.

A celebrity chef, Duff Goldman was the star of the hit TV show Ace of Cakes. Duff currently serves as a judge on Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship and Spring Baking Championship and is the co-host of Kids Baking Championship. Duff joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Duff and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: attaining greatness; creativity; relevance and reinvention; leadership; branding; and much more.

Lieutenant General Robert Ashley was the senior advisor to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army for all aspects of intelligence, counterintelligence, and security before becoming the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). LTG Ashley joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. LTG Ashley and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, relationship building, trust, motivation and persuasion, introversion, and much more.

Val Ackerman was the founding president of the WNBA, was the president of USA Basketball, is the commissioner of the Big East Conference, and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Val joins Adam to share her journey as a trailblazer and a leader in the world of sports and her best lessons and advice. Val and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership; career success; inclusivity; balance; mentorship; and much more.

John Quinn is the founder and Chairman of Quinn Emanuel, the largest law firm in the world focused on business litigation, with more than $2 billion in revenue last year. John joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. John and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, business development, building winning teams and cultures, negotiation, persuasion, and more.

Bill Harris was CEO of two of America's most successful technology companies - Intuit and PayPal - and was the founding CEO of Personal Capital, which was acquired for $1 billion. Bill joins Adam to share his journey and his lessons and advice. Bill and Adam discuss a wide range range of topics: leadership, personal and professional discovery and success, innovation, hiring, learning from failure, and much more.

Vice Admiral Ted Carter led at the highest levels in the United States Navy and currently serves as President of Ohio State University. A Top Gun graduate, VADM Carter flew on 125 combat missions around the world and previously served as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy and President of the University of Nebraska System. VADM Carter joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. VADM Carter and Adam discuss leadership, career development, performance, trust, and much more.

Marion Jones was considered by many to be the greatest female athlete in the world. Marion won an unprecedented five Olympic medals in track and field - three gold and two silver - at the 2000 Summer Olympics before returning them amid a historic doping scandal. Marion joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Marion and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: navigating the highest of highs and lowest of lows; failure and success; resilience; influence; mindset; and more.

Terrance Williams is the CEO of TruStage, one of the largest insurance companies in America. TruStage generated nearly five and a half billion dollars in revenue last year. Terrance joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Terrance and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development, culture, hiring, purpose, and much more.

John Mackey is the founder and former CEO of Whole Foods, one of America's most successful and popular supermarket chains. Under John's leadership, Whole Foods grew to 540 stores, 105,000 employees, and $22 billion in annual sales, and was acquired for $13.7 billion. John joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. John and Adam discuss entrepreneurship; leadership; growth and scale; culture; recruiting, retaining, and motivating talent; personal and professional development; and more.

Muggsy Bogues is a basketball legend and the shortest player in the history of the NBA. Muggsy played for 4 years over 14 seasons and set the Charlotte Hornets franchise record for steals and assists along the way. Muggsy joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Muggsy and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, teamwork, mentorship, overcoming adversity, attaining greatness, and much more.

The leader of one of the largest financial services companies in America, Teresa Rasmussen is the CEO of Thrivent, which generated $9.7 billion in revenue last year. Terry joins Adam to share her unique journey - from dental hygienist to Fortune 500 CEO - and her best lessons learned along the way. Terry and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development, feedback, managing transformation and change, ethics, and more.

The first Marine ever selected to command a theater of war, General John Allen led the multinational military campaign in Afghanistan and upon retiring from the military led the international effort to combat ISIS. General Allen joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. General Allen and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership; personal, professional, and career development; motivation; resilience; and much more.

Bryan Clay was considered the greatest athlete in the world, winning an Olympic gold medal in the decathlon. Bryan joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Bryan and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: attaining greatness and peak performance; mentorship and influence; health and wellness; and more.

Jim McCann is the founder and CEO of 1-800-Flowers. A pioneer in the world of retail, 1-800-Flowers generates more than $2 billion a year in revenue, consists of over a dozen brands, has more than 3,000 employees, and delivers more than 30 million gifts a year. Jim joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jim and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, career development, marketing, customer centricity, self-deprecation, growth and scale, and much more.

A trailblazer in the worlds of journalism and broadcasting, Lesley Visser is the only sportscaster in history who has covered the Final Four, the NBA Finals, the World Series, the Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Figure Skating Championships, and the U.S. Open on network television. Among her many firsts, Lesley is the first woman to receive the Sports Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award. Lesley joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons and advice.

Willie Pietersen was the CEO of four different multibillion-dollar businesses, including Tropicana and Seagram USA. Willie joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons on leadership and career success. Willie and Adam discuss lessons from growing up in South Africa when apartheid began; navigating a nontraditional path to the c-suite; keys to growing and excelling as a leader; the importance of ethics in leadership and business; and much more.

Reggie Aggarwal is the founder and CEO of Cvent, the largest event software company. Reggie has led Cvent through numerous highs and lows - from the brink of bankruptcy to getting acquired by Blackstone last year for $4.6 billion. Reggie joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Reggie and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, team-building, career development, crisis management, culture, and much more.

A Fortune 500 CEO and the leader of one of America's largest financial services companies, Dan Houston is the CEO of Principal Financial Group, where he leads nearly 20,000 employees and a business that generates more than $13 billion a year and serves more than 62 million customers. Dan joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Dan and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, teamwork, trust, career development, customer centricity, and much more.

Lieutenant General Mary O'Brien is in a rare group of women who have ascended to the highest levels of leadership within the military, most recently leading one of the Defense Department's most important modernization initiatives. Lieutenant General O'Brien joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Lieutenant General O'Brien and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including leadership, building and managing high-performance teams, overcoming obstacles and blind spots, and much more.

The creator, host, and star of numerous highly popular food television, web, and radio shows, Andrew Zimmern is a celebrity chef, an Emmy Award winner, and the recipient of four James Beard Awards. Andrew joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Andrew and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including attaining greatness, navigating a nonlinear path to success, resilience, humility, leadership, and more.

Ron Shaich is the founder and former CEO of Panera Bread, which he sold for $7.5 billion and was the best-performing restaurant stock under his leadership. Ron helped define the fast-casual restaurant segment: he was also the CEO of Au Bon Pain and is the Chairman of and lead investor in Cava, Tatte, Life Alive, and Level99. Ron joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Ron and Adam discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, personal and professional development, and much more.

Mark Dixon is a pioneer in the world of coworking. Mark is the founder of Regus, now known as IWG - which has more than 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries - and where he serves as CEO. Mark joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Mark and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, growth and scale, innovation, hiring, the future of work, and much more.

A leading entrepreneur in the world of fintech, René Lacerte is the founder and CEO of BILL. Valued at more than $5 billion, BILL helps hundreds of thousands of businesses manage their financial workflows. René joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. René and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, entrepreneurship, EQ, growth and scale, culture, and much more.

Dr. Mandy Cohen is the Director of the CDC, where she leads the federal agency responsible for protecting America's health. Dr. Cohen was North Carolina's Health and Human Services Secretary during the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Cohen joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Dr. Cohen and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, crisis management, communication, trust, career development, balance, and much more.

A three-time Emmy Award winner, two-time Golden Globe Award winner, and Grammy Award winner, Beau Bridges has spent more than 75 years acting in television and movies and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along the way. Beau joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Beau and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including leadership, mentorship, building successful relationships, enjoying professional longevity, and much more.

The first female three-star Admiral to lead in a combat branch, Vice Admiral Carol Pottenger spent more than 35 years serving in the United States Navy, leading at all levels and breaking many barriers along the way. Vice Admiral Pottenger joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Vice Admiral Pottenger and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career development, communication, confidence, inclusivity, listening, mentorship, and much more.

Jason Buechel is the CEO of Whole Foods, one of America's largest, most popular, and most successful supermarket chains. Jason joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jason and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leading people, teams, and companies; personal and professional development; recruiting, retaining, and motivating talent; building trust; feedback; and much more.

One of the biggest stars in the world of wrestling, Daria Berenato - also known by her stage name Sonya Deville - is a WWE Women's Tag Team Champion and is the first openly gay female WWE wrestler. Daria joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Daria and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: the keys to an unconventional path to success; relationships; motivation; mindset; and much more.