Explore every episode of the podcast Thirty Minute Mentors

Donna Shalala was the longest-serving Secretary of Health and Human Services in American history. Secretary Shalala has also served as the President of the University of Miami, the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, the President of Hunter College, and a member of Congress. Secretary Shalala joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice on leading people and organizations and building successful relationships, networks, and careers.

An NBA legend and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Sidney Moncrief was a five-time NBA All-Star, five-time member of the All-NBA team, and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Sidney joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Sidney and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, teamwork, the keys to individual and collective greatness, adaptability, resilience, lessons from competing against Michael Jordan and the NBA’s best, and much more.

A retired four-star admiral and the former Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Bill Lescher was the second-highest-ranking commissioned officer in the United States Navy. Admiral Lescher joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Admiral Lescher and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: core leadership principles universal to success, the keys to enterprise-wide leadership, barrier removal in leadership, building a learning culture, motivation, performing under pressure, and more.

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy is the CEO of Xero, one of the fastest-growing SaaS companies in the world, with 4.4 million customers and a market cap of roughly $20 billion. Sukhinder was previously the President of StubHub, an executive at Google and Amazon, and an entrepreneur who founded a public company. Sukhinder joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Sukhinder and Adam discuss leadership, career success, building winning organizations and cultures, and much more.

John Hewko is the CEO of Rotary International, one of the largest service organizations in the world, with more than 1.2 million members across 46,000 Rotary Clubs. John joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. John and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: adaptive leadership, consensus building, communication, mentorship, leading and working internationally, leading a service organization, and much more.

Clifford Hudson was the CEO of Sonic, the largest drive-in fast-food chain in America. Under Cliff’s leadership, Sonic grew from $800 million to $4.5 billion in annual revenue and to more than 3,600 locations. Cliff joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Cliff and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, communication, sales, growth and scale, driving technological change and innovation, and much more.

An Emmy Award winner and a New York Times bestselling author, Montel Williams was the host of The Montel Williams Show and is the host of The Balancing Act and Military Makeover with Montel. Montel joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Montel and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, navigating challenging times, pivoting, goal setting, self-awareness, communication, and much more.

A Fortune 500 CEO and the leader of one of America’s largest financial services companies, Deanna Strable is the CEO of Principal, where she leads nearly 20,000 employees who serve more than 62 million customers around the world. Deanna joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Deanna and Adam discuss leadership, career development, mentorship, and much more.

A Fortune 500 CEO and the leader of a company valued at more than $180 billion, Glenn Fogel is the CEO of Booking Holdings, the world’s leading provider of online travel and related services and the parent company of Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, Rentalcars.com, KAYAK, and OpenTable. Glenn joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Glenn and Adam discuss leadership, business strategy, career success, and much more. 

Lieutenant General Jack Gardner spent 35 years serving in the United States Army, with tours in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Bosnia, Iraq, and multiple locations inside the U.S. LTG Gardner was the commander of the United States Army South, the deputy commander of the United States European Command, and in charge of detainee operations during part of the Iraq War. LTG Gardner joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice on leadership, leadership development, leading through adversity and change, motivation, and much more.

Sadie Lincoln is the co-founder and CEO of barre3, the largest omnichannel boutique fitness brand independently owned and operated by women. Sadie joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Sadie and Adam cover a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, growth and scale, franchising, accountability, cultivating self-confidence, excelling as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and much more.

Steve Preston is the CEO of Goodwill and is the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Administrator of the Small Business Administration. Steve has also served as the CFO of two Fortune 500 companies and as the CEO of two large private companies. Steve joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Steve and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career development, crisis management, relationship building, mission, trust, and much more.

Marco Zappacosta is the co-founder and CEO of Thumbtack, a leading online marketplace with more than 10 million users who have engaged more than 300,000 local service professionals to complete more than 90 million projects. Marco joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Marco and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, product validation, user acquisition, growth and scale, hiring, building a remote-first culture, AI, and more.

A celebrity chef and an entrepreneur, Robert Irvine has hosted many cooking television and talk shows over the years, including Dinner Impossible, Worst Cooks in America, Restaurant Impossible, and The Robert Irvine Show, and currently runs sixteen different companies. Robert joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Robert and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, entrepreneurship, empathy, ego, accountability, trust, mentorship, and much more.

Adam Goldenberg is the co-founder and CEO of Fabletics and is the co-founder and co-CEO of TechStyle, whose roster of brands - including Fabletics, Savage X Fenty, JustFab, ShoeDazzle, and FabKids - has generated over $15 billion in sales. Adam Goldenberg joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Adam and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including leadership, entrepreneurship, team-building, hiring, building successful brands, collaborating with celebrities, e-commerce, and more.

Jennifer Hyman is the co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway. Rent the Runway disrupted the fashion industry, changing the way in which countless women shop for clothing. Jennifer joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Jennifer and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, crisis management, adaptability, confidence, cross-functional teams, and much more.

Rich Paul is the founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, where he represents many of the best players in basketball, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, De'Aaron Fox, and Tyrese Maxey. Rich joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Rich and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: relationship building, dealmaking, leading and managing people, excelling as a trusted advisor, lessons learned from LeBron James, and much more.

Chet Culver is the former Governor of Iowa. Governor Culver led Iowa through the worst natural disaster in state history. Governor Culver joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Governor Culver and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: competition, leadership, team-building, crisis management, mission and purpose, and much more.

Joe Margolis is the Extra Space Storage, an S&P 500 company and the largest operator of self storage properties in America, with more than 4,000 sites, 8,000 employees, and 2.4 million customers. Joe joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Joe and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, culture, career success, dealmaking, mentorship, and much more.

Robyn Grew is the CEO of Man Group, one of the largest hedge funds in the world, with nearly $170 billion in assets under management. Robyn joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Robyn and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, authenticity, breaking into and breaking stereotypes in finance, hiring, decision-making, and much more.

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.