My guest today is singer, songwriter, and pianist, Tori Amos. Tori has composed songs that focus on a broad range of topics including politics and religion since the 1980s. She’s been listed as VH1’s “100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll” and has received 5 MTV VMA and 8 Grammy Award nominations. I spoke to Tori about the times and tribulations of her career, as she wrote in her book “Resistance”, during this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Unlike your siblings, you didn’t need piano lessons growing up because it came naturally to you. When did you realize that you had musical talent and what motivated you to turn that talent into a career? In the 1980s you signed with Atlantic Records, moved to LA, and formed a band producing an album that wasn’t successful. What did you learn from this experience that proved to be useful later? How has your role as an artist changed since you first started your career and what obstacles do today’s artists have to overcome to sustain themselves? You have created decades worth of music influenced by social and political movements. Our world feels more divided than ever, yet issues like the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and income inequality require all of us to band together. How do you think your music and this book can provide encouragement to people who want to make a difference? What’s your best piece of career advice? Follow Tori’s journey: Website BookFacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube

My guest today is the star of Netflix’s Queereye, Bobby Berk. Bobby struggled growing up gay in a Christian conservative household and then overcame homelessness to build a successful interior design company and star as a member of The Fab Five on the Emmy-winning Netflix show Queer Eye. We discuss his experiences in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Can you share some of your childhood difficulties growing up gay in a conservative Christian household, and how you were able to escape it to pursue a new authentic life? You are a prime example of a “rags to riches” story having been homeless to eventually start a successful business and starring in a Netflix show. What motivated you to pursue your career ambitions and what lessons did you learn along the way? The Covid-19 pandemic amplified our mental health crisis, leaving many of us isolated in our homes without human connection or even a job. As an interior designer, what changes can we make to our home environment that will help us live healthier and work better? We are living through a period of great political, racial, and social division. What are some ways to connect with people who are different than you? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Bobby’s journey: Website FacebookTwitterInstagram

My guest today is the star of CNBC’s The Profit and Streets of Dreams, Marcus Lemonis. Marcus is not only the CEO of Camping World but is an investor and champion of numerous small businesses with over $75 million invested. He recently added a Business Learning Center to his website to promote the business education we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: In your childhood, your family supported you as you were starting your first business and now you’ve pledged $50 million to support other small businesses. How did the support you received inspire you to give back to others? The Covid-19 pandemic has enriched major corporations while decimating small businesses with about 800 closures every day. What tactical advice can you offer entrepreneurs who are trying to navigate through this crisis? You and I are both believers in lifelong learning. What have you learned about yourself and American business during your experience hosting Streets of Dreams? You’ve said that most of the businesses you’ve worked with don’t work out even after your capital investment. What are the similarities between those that are successful and the ones that fail? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Jim’s journey: Website Lemon Aid FoundationFacebookLinkedInTwitterInstagram

My guest today is researcher and author, Jim Collins. Jim is a student and teacher of what makes great companies tick, and a Socratic advisor to leaders in the business and social sectors. He is most known for his book Good to Great and his timeless business concepts. I spoke to him about the framework in his new book BE 2.0 for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You wrote BE 2.0 originally with the late Bill Lazier who you consider a mentor. What lessons did you learn from him that have changed the way you think about business, entrepreneurship, and life as a whole?You and I both love researching and throughout the past 30 years, you’ve used your research to create an integrated framework called “The Map”. What do you believe are the most important elements of the map that entrepreneurs should consider as they start and grow their companies? It is estimated that 60% of all business closures during Covid are now permanent. With such a grim picture, and an uncertain future, what inspiration and advice can you share with entrepreneurs on how to create an enduring company that survives and thrives? Today’s employees are looking for their leaders to have a purpose behind profits, invest in their education, take a stance on social and political issues, give them flexibility, and support their mental health. Why do you think organizations have to do more and be more to be relevant, competitive, and successful in today’s workplace? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Jim’s journey: Website BookFacebookTwitter

My guest today is actor, comedian and writer, Michael Ian Black. Over his 30-year comedy career, Michael has created and starred in TV shows, movies like Wet Hot American Summer, and a series of books for children and adults. I caught up with him to discuss his new book, A Better Man, which has a letter he wrote to his son about masculinity before he leaves for college, for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: The Sandy Hook school shooting got you interested in gun violence because you noticed that it was boys who pulled the trigger. How do you think teaching boys about emotions, vulnerability, and empathy can create a better and safer society for everyone? I only learned the power of vulnerability in the past few years when I would open up on dates and discovered that it formed a stronger connection and they would reciprocate because they felt more comfortable. How have you been vulnerable with others and what opportunities has that created in your work-life? What conversation do you wish your dad had with you before he died and how do you think that would have shaped who you are as a man today? Over the past decade, gender roles have evolved with women becoming breadwinners, earning higher degrees, and assuming more of the household responsibilities. How can men adjust to our ever-evolving culture? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Michael’s journey: Website BookInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is actor, comedian, producer and author, John Cleese. John is most known as the co-founder of the legendary Monty Python comedy group, writing and performing in the TV series and in films that include Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Life of Brian. He has appeared in many other films, from James Bond to Harry Potter, and has guest-starred in numerous TV shows. After decades in the entertainment industry, John wrote about his views on Creativity in his new book by that title, which we discuss in this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: You dispel the myth that creativity is something you have to be born with. What are some ways to bring out our creativity even in professions and industries that don’t require it like the legal and accounting fields? As children we are always playing then we get older and we become serious adults, disregarding play. How have you created space in your life for playfulness and how has that led to more creative projects? I find that the act of being creative is an outlet for me. How can creativity help us through this dark period of time where people are suffering mentally and physically? A lot of people have creative ideas and many of them produce creative work, but fewer are able to get their work published and viewed by a mass audience. You recently said that Monty Python “would not get commissioned today”. What’s your advice for overcoming the resistance that gets in the way of bringing our creativity to life? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow John’s journey: Website BookInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is one of the bestselling authors of all time, James Patterson. Patterson has written 147 novels since 1976. He has had 114 New York Times bestselling novels and holds The New York Times record for most #1 New York Times bestsellers by a single author, a total of 67, which is also a Guinness World Record. But, what he’s most known for is his enduring fictional characters like Alex Cross and Michael Bennett. I caught up with James to learn how he became a prolific author, his connection to historical figures like John Lennon, his writing approach, and why he cares so much about childhood education for this podcast episode. The 5 questions I ask in this episode: What would you say the biggest turning point in your life was that led to your success at an ad agency and as a bestselling author? You’ve written about historical figures such as your recent books about John Lennon, The Kennedy’s, and Muhammad Ali, and even collaborated with former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Why are you so fascinated with their lives and how have you told their stories in your own unique way? How do you decide on your approach to writing each book and which collaborators will be the best fit for each genre and audience? You’ve donated to libraries, classrooms, and indie bookstores. Why is childhood education the most important cause that you champion? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow James’s journey: Website BookInstagramFacebookTwitter

My guest today is Academy Award-winning actress, Natalie Portman. She started her acting career at the ripe age of 12 and has since starred in blockbuster movies like the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Black Swan, V for Vendetta, and No Strings Attached. Currently, she’s in Sydney Australia, where the upcoming Marvel film “Thor: Love and Thunder” will be filmed early next year, while promoting her new children’s book, “Natalie Portman’s Fables”, which we discuss in this episode.  The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Your acting career started at age 12! Why did you decide to become an actress, how did college reaffirm that decision, and what keeps you motivated to continue?How have you been able to stay grounded and maintain your image for so long while many celebrities have fallen victim to the corruption of fame? How has the practice of retelling fables reinforced the lessons you’ve learned in your life and why do you feel the need to pass them down to future generations? In what ways has storytelling, in both movie and book form, helped you cope with your biggest life challenges and grow as a person? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Natalie’s journey: BookInstagram

My guest today is holocaust survivor and author, Dr. Edith Eger. At 93-years-old, Edith is one of the very few remaining Holocaust survivors old enough to remember life at the concentration camps. Now as a clinical psychologist, she’s processed her life trauma and shows us all how to stop being victims in our own lives in her book “The Gift”. I’ve compiled questions from my Jewish friends to ask Edith for this special podcast episode! The 5 questions I ask in this episode: Jenn Sutton: A recent study found that 23% of young Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth or the death toll is exaggerated and 11% think Jewish people caused the holocaust. What is the best way to teach forthcoming generations about the Holocaust in order to change these numbers? JR Rothstein: What obligation do young Jews have in preserving Jewish culture, heritage, and history in light of the Holocaust? Katie Sanders: What’s something you’ve learned in your life that you’d like to pass on to future generations? Sasha Kopp: How have you coped with uncertainty amidst our current societal issues and what advice do you have to others who are overwhelmed right now? Dan Schawbel: What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Edith’s journey: Website BookTwitterFacebookInstagram

My guest today is the host of The Dr. Phil Show, Dr. Phil McGraw. After achieving his childhood goal of becoming a psychologist, Dr. Phil co-founded Courtroom Sciences, Inc providing litigation psychology, jury selection, and other services to major companies. It was there where he began working with Oprah who invited him on her show and the rest is history. I caught up with Dr. Phil to ask him timely questions about the impact of the pandemic on our lives and get some advice, for this podcast episode.   The 5 questions I ask in this episode: The mental health epidemic has worsened due to the impact of Covid and we recently celebrated World Mental Health Day. I just led a global study with Oracle finding that 70% of people say that this is the most stressful year ever. What can both institutions and individuals do to start addressing our growing mental health needs? People generally feel lonelier now because they are remote working, self-isolating, and social-distancing. What are some ways we can build meaningful relationships from afar? You’re not only a TV host, author, and clinical psychologist but also a business person. How has this crisis impacted you as a leader and what are some ways you’ve continued to build trust with your employees during this time? Our education system has been highly disrupted this year and I’m thankful that I graduated over a decade ago. What impact do you think school closures and remote learning will have on children’s lives as they eventually transition to the workforce? What is your best piece of career advice? Follow Dr. Phil’s journey: WebsiteTwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram