

Thirty Minute Mentors
Adam Mendler
Leadership guru Adam Mendler goes one on one with America’s most accomplished and insightful people on how they made it to the top and how you can too. Each episode features a wealth of practical, actionable advice from a leading CEO, founder, athlete, celebrity, influencer or general / admiral. Learn how to lead in today’s landscape, become your best self and excel personally and professionally – in thirty minutes.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 26, 2025 • 40min
Episode 294: Principal CEO Deanna Strable
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.

Aug 19, 2025 • 41min
Episode 293: Booking CEO Glenn Fogel
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.

Aug 12, 2025 • 32min
Episode 292: Lieutenant General Jack Gardner
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.

Aug 5, 2025 • 31min
Episode 291: barre3 Co-Founder and CEO Sadie Lincoln
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.

Jul 29, 2025 • 38min
Episode 290: Goodwill CEO Steve Preston
Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill and former government official, shares his remarkable journey from Janesville, Wisconsin. He emphasizes the power of education and trust in career development. Steve discusses leadership across diverse sectors, highlighting the unique challenges in government, corporate, and nonprofit realms. He stresses the importance of relationship building and mission-driven leadership, revealing how personal connections can spark professional growth. Tune in for insights on navigating change and the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership.

Jul 22, 2025 • 34min
Episode 289: Thumbtack Co-Founder and CEO Marco Zappacosta
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.

Jul 15, 2025 • 39min
Episode 288: Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine
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.

Jul 8, 2025 • 33min
Episode 287: Fabletics Co-Founder and CEO Adam Goldenberg
Adam Goldenberg, co-founder and CEO of Fabletics, shares his entrepreneurial journey that began in high school and led to over $15 billion in sales. He dives into the importance of leadership, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics in business. Goldenberg discusses the art of effective decision-making and the power of authentic branding, especially through celebrity collaborations. He also emphasizes the future of e-commerce driven by AI for personalized customer experiences and encourages taking action to succeed, rather than succumbing to worries.

Jul 1, 2025 • 44min
Episode 286: Rent the Runway Co-Founder and CEO Jennifer Hyman
Jennifer Hyman, the co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, shares her insights on revolutionizing the fashion industry. She explores how early support systems and adaptability have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. Hyman emphasizes the power of cross-functional teamwork and the importance of flexible roles in fostering innovation. She also discusses building confidence amidst challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, and encourages listeners to actively pursue their dreams and take control of their lives.

Jun 24, 2025 • 36min
Episode 285: Klutch Sports Founder and CEO Rich Paul
Rich Paul, the Founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, represents top NBA stars like LeBron James. He shares insights on his journey in sports representation, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building and authenticity. Rich discusses navigating complex contract negotiations, highlighting trust and collaboration with clients. He reflects on valuable lessons learned from failures and stresses the significance of self-awareness in business. With a wealth of experience, Rich offers a masterclass on effective leadership and fostering genuine connections in the competitive world of sports.