Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

About the Guest:John Venhuizen leads Ace Hardware, a company with a proud 101-year history, built on the trust and hard work of thousands of local owners. With over 6,000 stores worldwide — nearly all independently owned — John believes that this combination of local entrepreneurship and global support is the secret sauce that keeps Ace strong and relevant.He’s a leader who values character, humility, and grit — the kind of qualities that get tested daily when you’re trying to solve problems and move a big organization forward. John’s perspective is both inspiring and grounded, reminding us that leadership is about service and connection as much as strategy and results.What You Will Learn:Why real leadership is about rolling up your sleeves and tackling problemsHow local ownership creates a powerful bond with communities and customersThe importance of putting faith, family, and character before work — and why that matters for long-term successHow AI is a tool to empower people, not replace themWhy a servant heart and human connection will always be a business’s greatest advantageJoin us for this heartfelt conversation with John Venhuizen and discover what it really takes to lead with purpose in a complex, fast-moving world. If you want to lead better and build something that lasts, this episode will give you plenty to think about — and put into action. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Episode Notes:Brieane Olson has spent 18 years shaping Pacsun into a youth-focused lifestyle brand, stepping into the CEO role in 2023 after serving as President. Known for her digital-first mindset and passion for innovation, she’s deeply committed to empowering teams and promoting mental health awareness.  Key Takeaways:How Pacsun builds long-term brand loyalty through purpose and authentic partnershipsWhy vulnerability and intentionality are essential tools for leaders todayMoving beyond trends to a multi-pillar strategy rooted in California lifestyleThis episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about brand evolution and genuine leadership—reminding us all that staying real is the key to staying relevant. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

About the Guest:Sowmyanarayan Sampath is the CEO of Verizon Consumer, leading a multibillion-dollar division serving over 100 million customers across the U.S. Known for his calm leadership and strategic vision, he’s focused on operational excellence and reskilling teams to stay ahead in a fast-evolving digital landscape.What You Will Learn:Why AI is a deflationary force that every company needsHow to use AI as a personal growth and communication toolThe career advantage of thinking in three-year chaptersWhat to do when your job evolves—or disappearsEvergreen skills that matter more than ever: clarity, curiosity, and communicationThis episode is packed with insight, strategy, and practical optimism. Whether you're navigating a tech transformation or planning your next leadership chapter, Sampath will inspire you to think longer, lead better, and move with intention.  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

About the Guest:Liz Haberberger is the president of Dale Carnegie Missouri and a leadership powerhouse. With a decade of experience coaching professionals at every level, Liz is known for helping people unlock potential they didn’t know they had. Her training sessions and keynotes are packed with energy, actionable insights, and honest encouragement.Whether she’s working with a senior leadership team or speaking on stage, Liz's mission is the same: inspire people to lead themselves first—so they can better lead others.What You Will Learn:Why attitude is your greatest leadership assetThe “gap and the gain” mindset and how to apply it dailyThe role of optimism and energy in creating lasting culture changeHow to lead with more self-awareness and intentionalityWays to build stronger, more emotionally intelligent teamsGet ready to rethink how you show up. Liz brings practical wisdom, powerful mindset tools, and a spark that stays with you. Don’t miss this conversation on the Take Command podcast.  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

About the Guest:Meet Guy Fieri—chef, TV host, entrepreneur, and champion for communities in need. With his signature style and relentless energy, Guy rose to fame through shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but his impact reaches far beyond entertainment. Through the Guy Fieri Foundation, he mobilizes disaster relief efforts across the U.S., bringing resources and volunteers to rebuild communities. Guided by the belief that “As soon as you are not learning, you are dying,”Guy continues to inspire others to lead with heart, humility, and hustle.What You Will Learn:How Dale Carnegie’s principles shaped Guy’s approach to leadership and lifeThe philosophy behind the Guy Fieri Foundation’s disaster relief effortsWhy it’s crucial to listen to those who love you—not the noise from strangersTune in for a fresh, powerful follow-up where we explore how Guy built a movement beyond food, why focusing on the right people matters, and why the right mindset changes everything. Whether or not you heard Part 1, you’ll walk away inspired. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Meet Hal Elrod and listen to his story of resilience, mindset, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. After surviving a car accident at age 20, Hal defied the odds and recovered, despite doctors' grim predictions. Years later, when faced with cancer, he again took full responsibility for his healing. He researched holistic practices, implemented them all, and emerged victorious. Hal now shares his experiences with the world through The Miracle Morning, a routine that has helped millions achieve their goals and transform their lives.Hal’s approach isn’t just about achieving success—it’s about cultivating a mindset that allows you to show up for life every single day.What You Will Learn:How Hal overcame life-threatening challenges and used his mindset to healThe key practices in The Miracle Morning that have helped millions transform their livesHow to push through mental and emotional roadblocks to achieve your goalsJoin us for this inspiring conversation as Hal shares how he turned adversity into a life-changing philosophy, and how you can do the same. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to elevate your own life with the power of mindset and intention. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Meet Anne Mahlum—entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and advocate for living life on your own terms. In 2007, she founded Back on My Feet, a nonprofit that uses running to help individuals experiencing homelessness regain confidence, employment, and independence. A few years later, she launched [solidcore], a pilates-inspired fitness brand that she scaled to 100 locations nationwide, attracting clients like Michelle Obama. After raising $210M in private equity and exiting the company in 2023, Anne now invests, writes, and advocates for causes close to her heart, including addiction recovery and wrongful convictions. She believes in taking control of your story—“You are always one decision away from a totally different life.”What You Will Learn:How Anne turned a simple idea into a national movement with Back on My FeetThe mindset shifts that helped her scale [solidcore] and exit successfullyWhy she believes in sharing wealth and lifting others upHow to embrace risk, reinvention, and a bold approach to leadershipJoin us for this powerful and personal conversation, where Anne shares not just her successes but the mindset that got her there. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to create the life you want—on your terms.  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

About the Guest:Meet Dr. Bruce Stillman, president and CEO of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, one of the oldest and most distinguished scientific and research facilities on the planet. Growing up, Bruce knew that medicine and science were in his future—he was already volunteering in hospitals at the age of fifteen. But little did he suspect that his first gig out of medical school would prove to be his entire career. “I was thirty-eight at the time,” he says. “And I got plucked out of the faculty here to become assistant director and, ultimately, director…I had no experience in running anything. But I knew the culture of the lab, the organization, and I think that was the most important thing that I've carried forward.” This knowledge informed his leadership approach, which ultimately led both the organization and its faculty and staff to flourish under his direction. Learn more about Bruce and his amazing career in this episode of the Take Command podcast.What You Will Learn:Lessons in conflict resolution and negotiationsStories of the ups and downs of being a Nobel laureateStrategies for bringing workers together under a single missionInsights into why having a big question to answer still requires flexibility in how you approach itJoin us for this incredible episode, where you’ll learn everything you want to know about fostering an environment that supports mentorship and risk-taking. Bruce is here to share his knowledge. Don’t hesitate to dive into his wisdom to make your own organization even better. Listen to the Take Command podcast today!  Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share. 

Ginni Rometty, former chairman, president, and CEO of IBM, shares her inspiring journey shaped by resilient women in her family. She discusses the Olympic learner mindset, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptability for growth. Ginni explores authentic leadership, highlighting the power of vulnerability and genuine relationships. She advocates for skills over degrees in hiring practices, promoting inclusivity. Lastly, she addresses tech's limitations in business, urging leaders to prioritize sound judgment over mere tools.

Remember how people used to ask when you were younger what you wanted to be when you grew up? Well, no one asked Guy Fieri that question because by nine years old, he already was what he wanted to be. After a funny incident with his mother, Guy’s love for cooking took off. From his first childhood business of selling soft pretzels to his more than ninety award-winning restaurants now open around the world, Guy has built himself a cooking empire.But he wouldn’t have gotten half as far if it weren’t for Dale Carnegie. “At twenty-two years old, I was very smart about what I knew. I was very expectant of people. And I just couldn't understand why people wouldn't work their ass off and be great,” Guy says. “So now I'm working with a hundred and fifty team members that don't all give a hundred and fifty percent, and I don't know how to really manage it. So I just did it with aggression . . . So anyhow, it doesn't really go well . . .”Listen in to the podcast to hear more of Guy’s origin story as a chef and as a true leader who maintains his authentic self by recognizing and celebrating the authentic self in everyone.What You Will Learn:Strategies in practicing what you preachInsights into being your true self over becoming sensational for attentionWhy you should come into any business wanting to “protect their castle”Lessons in why you can’t base your success off someone else’s failuresGuy has some pretty fantastic advice packed into this episode, and he couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. He genuinely wants you to succeed as your authentic self. “I'd always been the guy that was always telling everybody to go for it. Ask her out. Start the business. Get the loan. Buy the truck . . . I'm always the guy that's pushing everybody to go live their best self.”You can learn how to maintain your true self in business and in life when you listen to this episode of the Take Command Podcast. Join Joe and Guy for an episode filled with stories, advice, and passion. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.