Thirty Minute Mentors

A Fortune 500 CEO and the leader of one of America’s largest financial services companies, Dan Houston is the CEO of Principal Financial Group, where he leads nearly 20,000 employees and a business that generates more than $13 billion a year and serves more than 62 million customers. Dan joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Dan and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, teamwork, trust, career development, customer centricity, and much more.

Lieutenant General Mary O'Brien, a trailblazer in military leadership and modernization, shares her inspiring journey from the Air Force Academy to high-ranking positions. She discusses turning rejection into opportunity, emphasizing persistence and resilience. O’Brien highlights the importance of self-awareness and accountability in leadership, and the need for effective communication tailored to diverse teams. She also reflects on cultivating innovation through aligned individual strengths and the power of feedback in fostering growth.

The creator, host, and star of numerous highly popular food television, web, and radio shows, Andrew Zimmern is a celebrity chef, an Emmy Award winner, and the recipient of four James Beard Awards. Andrew joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Andrew and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including attaining greatness, navigating a nonlinear path to success, resilience, humility, leadership, and more.  

Ron Shaich is the founder and former CEO of Panera Bread, which he sold for $7.5 billion and was the best-performing restaurant stock under his leadership. Ron helped define the fast-casual restaurant segment: he was also the CEO of Au Bon Pain and is the Chairman of and lead investor in Cava, Tatte, Life Alive, and Level99. Ron joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Ron and Adam discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, personal and professional development, and much more.

Mark Dixon is a pioneer in the world of coworking. Mark is the founder of Regus, now known as IWG - which has more than 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries - and where he serves as CEO. Mark joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Mark and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, growth and scale, innovation, hiring, the future of work, and much more.

A leading entrepreneur in the world of fintech, René Lacerte is the founder and CEO of BILL. Valued at more than $5 billion, BILL helps hundreds of thousands of businesses manage their financial workflows. René joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. René and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, entrepreneurship, EQ, growth and scale, culture, and much more.

Dr. Mandy Cohen is the Director of the CDC, where she leads the federal agency responsible for protecting America's health. Dr. Cohen was North Carolina’s Health and Human Services Secretary during the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Cohen joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Dr. Cohen and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, crisis management, communication, trust, career development, balance, and much more.

A three-time Emmy Award winner, two-time Golden Globe Award winner, and Grammy Award winner, Beau Bridges has spent more than 75 years acting in television and movies and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along the way. Beau joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Beau and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including leadership, mentorship, building successful relationships, enjoying professional longevity, and much more.

The first female three-star Admiral to lead in a combat branch, Vice Admiral Carol Pottenger spent more than 35 years serving in the United States Navy, leading at all levels and breaking many barriers along the way. Vice Admiral Pottenger joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Vice Admiral Pottenger and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career development, communication, confidence, inclusivity, listening, mentorship, and much more.

Jason Buechel is the CEO of Whole Foods, one of America's largest, most popular, and most successful supermarket chains. Jason joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jason and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leading people, teams, and companies; personal and professional development; recruiting, retaining, and motivating talent; building trust; feedback; and much more.