

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

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.

Apr 9, 2024 • 36min
Episode 222: Therabody Founder Jason Wersland
Dr. Jason Wersland is the founder of Therabody and the inventor of the Theragun. Jason joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Jason and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, team-building, trust, growth and scale, mission, marketing, wellness, and more.

Apr 2, 2024 • 33min
Episode 221: Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick
Strauss Zelnick is the CEO of Take-Two Interactive, one of the largest video game companies in the world. Strauss is also the founder and managing partner of the private equity firm ZMC; was previously the CEO of BMG Entertainment, then one of the largest music and entertainment companies in the world; and has earned the nickname "America's fittest CEO." Strauss joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice

Mar 26, 2024 • 28min
Episode 220: Reebok Co-Founder Joe Foster
Joe Foster is the co-founder of Reebok, one of the best-known and most successful sportswear companies of all time. Joe joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Joe and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, growth and scale, expanding internationally, leadership, marketing, branding, and more.

Mar 19, 2024 • 37min
Episode 219: Ambassador Patricia Moller
Patricia Moller was the United States Ambassador to two different conflict-ridden countries: Burundi and Guinea. Ambassador Moller led through numerous significant crises, including helping to avert a civil war. Ambassador Moller joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons learned along the way. Ambassador Moller and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, crisis management, negotiations, conflict resolution, career development, and much more.

Mar 12, 2024 • 35min
Episode 218: UKG CEO Chris Todd
Chris Todd is the CEO of UKG, one of the largest private software companies in the world, valued at $22 billion. Chris leads 15,000 employees across more than 150 countries and oversees a customer base of 75,000 organizations. Chris joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Chris and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: defining and attaining success, leadership, personal and professional development, communication, feedback, hiring, customer-centricity, culture, and more.


