
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

Jun 18, 2024 • 31min
Episode 232: WWE Superstar Daria Berenato
One of the biggest stars in the world of wrestling, Daria Berenato - also known by her stage name Sonya Deville - is a WWE Women's Tag Team Champion and is the first openly gay female WWE wrestler. Daria joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Daria and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: the keys to an unconventional path to success; relationships; motivation; mindset; and much more.

Jun 11, 2024 • 40min
Episode 231: Former NASA Administrator and Secretary of the Navy Sean O'Keefe
Sean O’Keefe was the Secretary of the Navy, the Administrator of NASA, and the Chancellor of LSU. Sean joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Sean and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career development, motivation, innovation, and much more.

Jun 4, 2024 • 38min
Episode 230: Former IHOP CEO Julia Stewart
Julia Stewart was the leader of two of America’s best-known restaurant chains. Julia Stewart was the CEO of IHOP, and upon acquiring Applebee’s, spent a decade as the CEO of the parent organization of both IHOP and Applebee's. Julia joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Julia and Adam discuss leadership, career development, risk-taking, culture, confidence, navigating setbacks, and much more.

May 28, 2024 • 39min
Episode 229: Governor Mark Sanford
Mark Sanford is the former Governor of South Carolina and a former United States Congressman. Governor Sanford joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons learned along the way. Governor Sanford and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: winning and losing elections; leadership; ethics; overcoming obstacles, challenges, and failure; authenticity; personal and professional development; relationships; and more.

May 21, 2024 • 36min
Episode 228: NFL Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler
LeRoy Butler is an NFL Hall of Famer, a Super Bowl champion, and the creator of the Lambeau Leap. LeRoy joins Adam to share his unique journey - overcoming poverty, bullying, and physical and learning disabilities to reach the pinnacle of success in football - and his best lessons learned along the way. LeRoy and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, building winning cultures, developing a winning mindset, happiness, and much more.

May 14, 2024 • 38min
Episode 227: GameStop Co-Founder Gary Kusin
Gary Kusin is the co-founder of GameStop and Laura Mercier Cosmetics and was the CEO of Kinko’s. Gary led the turnaround of Kinko’s and its acquisition by and integration into FedEx. Gary joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Gary and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, entrepreneurship, building winning relationships, building winning teams and cultures, feedback, mentorship, and much more.

May 7, 2024 • 33min
Episode 226: Award Winning Actress Bellamy Young
Bellamy Young was a star on the hit TV show Scandal, where she portrayed the first female president of the United States and won a Critics’ Choice Award. Bellamy joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Bellamy and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: finding personal and professional alignment; pivoting in your career; excelling in a competitive field; leadership; human rights; lessons from Kerry Washington and Shonda Rhimes; and more.

Apr 30, 2024 • 34min
Episode 225: St. Jude CEO James Downing
Dr. James Downing is the CEO of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the best-known and most impactful hospitals in America. St. Jude has an annual operating budget of roughly $1.4 billion, and among other achievements, has helped raise the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%. James joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. James and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career development, innovation, decision-making, and more.

Apr 23, 2024 • 34min
Episode 224: Senator Doug Jones
Doug Jones was the first Democrat elected to the United States Senate from Alabama in 25 years and was one of the most productive and bipartisan members of the Senate during his time in office. Senator Jones joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Senator Jones and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, mentorship, decision-making, finding common ground, building trust, fostering productive work environments, and much more.

Apr 16, 2024 • 35min
Episode 223: Madison Reed Founder and CEO Amy Errett
Amy Errett is the founder and CEO of Madison Reed, which disrupted the hair coloring market and has serviced more than 5 million customers since its inception. Amy joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Amy and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal and professional discovery and development, leadership, building winning teams and cultures, diversity and inclusion, and much more.