
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

Nov 26, 2024 • 34min
Episode 255: Former PayPal and Intuit CEO Bill Harris
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.

Nov 19, 2024 • 35min
Episode 254: Vice Admiral Ted Carter
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.

Nov 12, 2024 • 42min
Episode 253: Former Olympic Gold Medalist Marion Jones
Marion Jones, a former Olympic gold medalist in track and field, reflects on her journey through triumph and scandal. She emphasizes the lessons learned from her meteoric rise and fall, focusing on resilience and accountability. Highlights include the transformative power of failure, the significance of a supportive community, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with mentors. Marion's insights inspire listeners to embrace challenges and view personal setbacks as stepping stones to growth and fulfillment.

Nov 5, 2024 • 35min
Episode 252: TruStage CEO Terrance Williams
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.

Oct 29, 2024 • 36min
Episode 251: Whole Foods Founder John Mackey
John Mackey is the founder and former CEO of Whole Foods, one of America’s most successful and popular supermarket chains. Under John's leadership, Whole Foods grew to 540 stores, 105,000 employees, and $22 billion in annual sales, and was acquired for $13.7 billion. John joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. John and Adam discuss entrepreneurship; leadership; growth and scale; culture; recruiting, retaining, and motivating talent; personal and professional development; and more.

Oct 22, 2024 • 31min
Episode 250: Basketball Legend Muggsy Bogues
Muggsy Bogues is a basketball legend and the shortest player in the history of the NBA. Muggsy played for 4 years over 14 seasons and set the Charlotte Hornets franchise record for steals and assists along the way. Muggsy joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Muggsy and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, teamwork, mentorship, overcoming adversity, attaining greatness, and much more.

Oct 15, 2024 • 35min
Episode 249: Thrivent CEO Teresa Rasmussen
The leader of one of the largest financial services companies in America, Teresa Rasmussen is the CEO of Thrivent, which generated $9.7 billion in revenue last year. Terry joins Adam to share her unique journey - from dental hygienist to Fortune 500 CEO - and her best lessons learned along the way. Terry and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, personal and professional development, feedback, managing transformation and change, ethics, and more.

Oct 8, 2024 • 38min
Episode 248: General John Allen
The first Marine ever selected to command a theater of war, General John Allen led the multinational military campaign in Afghanistan and upon retiring from the military led the international effort to combat ISIS. General Allen joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. General Allen and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership; personal, professional, and career development; motivation; resilience; and much more.

Oct 1, 2024 • 27min
Episode 247: Olympic Gold Medalist Bryan Clay
Bryan Clay was considered the greatest athlete in the world, winning an Olympic gold medal in the decathlon. Bryan joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Bryan and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: attaining greatness and peak performance; mentorship and influence; health and wellness; and more.

Sep 24, 2024 • 39min
Episode 246: 1-800-Flowers Founder and CEO Jim McCann
Jim McCann is the founder and CEO of 1-800-Flowers. A pioneer in the world of retail, 1-800-Flowers generates more than $2 billion a year in revenue, consists of over a dozen brands, has more than 3,000 employees, and delivers more than 30 million gifts a year. Jim joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jim and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, career development, marketing, customer centricity, self-deprecation, growth and scale, and much more.
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