

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 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.

Jun 17, 2025 • 38min
Episode 284: Governor Chet Culver
Chet Culver, former Governor of Iowa, navigated his state through a historic natural disaster and has a rich background in politics and sports. He shares how lessons from athletics shaped his leadership style and the importance of teamwork in both sports and governance. Culver emphasizes the critical role of passion and commitment in successful leadership, especially during crises like the 2008 Iowa flood. He also delves into civic engagement as a cornerstone of democracy and reflects on the wisdom gained from iconic leaders.

Jun 10, 2025 • 31min
Episode 283: Extra Space Storage CEO Joe Margolis
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.

Jun 3, 2025 • 39min
Episode 282: Man Group CEO Robyn Grew
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.