
Thirty Minute Mentors
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 25, 2025 • 34min
Episode 272: NTT DATA CEO Abhijit Dubey
In this engaging discussion, Abhijit Dubey, CEO of NTT Data, a leading $30 billion IT services provider, shares insights from his remarkable journey. He emphasizes the key traits of effective leadership, such as strategic clarity and active listening. Abhijit highlights the importance of integrity and trust in fostering a strong organizational culture. The conversation also delves into the challenges of 'last mile execution' and the need for clear communication. Lastly, he offers valuable advice on hiring and innovation in leadership.

Mar 18, 2025 • 34min
Episode 271: Venture Capital Pioneer Alan Patricof
Alan Patricof, a venture capital pioneer and co-founder of renowned firms like Apax Partners, shares his insightful journey in the investment world. He discusses the critical differences between private and public investments, emphasizing the mindset needed for success. Alan reflects on his triumphs and setbacks, highlighting the lessons learned from failures. He also delves into the importance of self-awareness, lifelong growth, and cultivating a positive mindset for longevity and success in entrepreneurship.

Mar 11, 2025 • 35min
Episode 270: Chili's CEO Kevin Hochman
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.

Mar 4, 2025 • 38min
Episode 269: Governor Christine Todd Whitman
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.

10 snips
Feb 25, 2025 • 35min
Episode 268: Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones
Cullen Jones, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the first Black swimmer to set a world record, shares his inspiring journey. He discusses the pivotal role of resilience and passion in athletic success, offering insightful tips on goal-setting and motivation. Cullen also delves into managing anxiety and mental challenges in competitive swimming, emphasizing effective mental training strategies. Additionally, he highlights the importance of self-acceptance and individuality while navigating stereotypes, providing a blueprint for both personal and professional triumph.

Feb 18, 2025 • 36min
Episode 267: John Hancock CEO Brooks Tingle
Brooks Tingle, CEO of John Hancock and a leader in the insurance industry, shares insights from his fascinating career journey. He emphasizes the importance of foundational experiences, such as his start in customer service. Passion and purpose in aligning career goals take center stage, alongside innovative leadership that advocates for change. Tingle discusses the power of persuasion in fostering a positive impact and driving organizational success, ultimately showing how the right values can transform traditional industries.

11 snips
Feb 11, 2025 • 39min
Episode 266: Emmy Award Winning Producer David Collins
David Collins, a nine-time Emmy Award-winning producer known for creating Queer Eye, shares his inspiring journey in the world of television. He discusses the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership and how these traits foster deeper connections. Collins highlights the transformative power of storytelling and the need for diverse narratives in media. He also emphasizes the role of collaboration in unlocking creativity, urging listeners to embrace reinvention and personal growth.

Feb 4, 2025 • 36min
Episode 265: Century 21 CEO Mike Miedler
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.

Jan 28, 2025 • 37min
Episode 264: Congressman Patrick Kennedy
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.

Jan 21, 2025 • 30min
Episode 263: Olympic Gold Medalist Amanda Kessel
Amanda Kessel, an Olympic gold medalist in hockey and current NHL executive, shares her journey from a competitive childhood in Madison, Wisconsin, to the top of her game. She delves into the importance of goal-setting and continuous self-improvement, emphasizing resilience in overcoming setbacks. Kessel discusses the essential qualities of effective leadership and coaching, while also tackling the unique challenges women face in male-dominated sports. Her insights on teamwork and transforming failure into growth are both inspiring and empowering.