Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Ernie Johnson Jr., a beloved sports personality and three-time Emmy winner, shares profound insights from his life experiences. He discusses the unpredictable beauty of living unscripted and highlights lessons learned from his cancer battle and his family's adoption journey. Ernie emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family through intentional actions and reflects on the chemistry and quirky antics of his TNT show team. His 'Blackberry moments' philosophy showcases how everyday acts can lead to extraordinary life perspectives.

To succeed at work and advance your career, you need someone who will advocate for you. Who will be your champion? Carla Harris, Vice Chairman of Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, believes that a sponsor is the critical relationship in your career. Carla began her career on Wall Street at a time when few of her colleagues were African-American or women. She oversees Morgan Stanley's multicultural client strategy, helped build the company's Multicultural Innovation Lab, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. On this episode, Carla shares what she's learned about pathways to career success. Discover the difference between mentors and sponsors, how to get a sponsor, and why authenticity is your competitive advantage.

Joe Maddon, a veteran MLB manager celebrated for his innovative leadership, shares his unique approach to coaching. He discusses the importance of pushing players out of their comfort zone through themed trips and fostering a positive culture over punitive tactics. Joe emphasizes optimism in the face of failure, encouraging a mindset that treats setbacks as temporary. He also highlights the significance of mental and physical wellness routines, including meditation and a balanced lifestyle, showcasing how these principles elevate performance both on and off the field.

Kirk Herbstreit is the face of college football, serving as an analyst for College GameDay and Saturday Night Football. In his new memoir, Out of the Pocket, Kirk takes us inside the locker room—to the practice fields, meeting rooms and stadiums. And he also opens up about the personal challenges he overcame. On this episode, we talk about what happens when your dream blows up, taking a chance to pursue your passion, and never compromising what matters most.

Amy Van Dyken is a six-time Olympic gold-medalist swimmer and the first American female athlete to win four gold medals in a single Games. In June of 2014, Amy's life was turned upside down. She severed her spinal cord in an ATV accident, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Instead of being defeated, Amy attacked her rehab with relentless optimism and has become a champion for the disabilities community. In our conversation today, we talk about how to stay positive in the face of adversity, persevere against all odds, and go for it!

Dominique Dawes, a three-time Olympic gymnast and member of the iconic 'Magnificent Seven,' discusses the highs and lows of her athletic journey. She candidly shares her struggle with identity and perfectionism, alongside the pressure of Olympic competition. Dominique emphasizes the importance of redefining success and finding fulfillment beyond medals, especially as a mother and entrepreneur. She advocates for change within gymnastics, encouraging parents to protect children from abuse and promote a healthy environment at her gymnastics academy.

Confidence. We all want it. We all need it. But how do we build it? Katty Kay is the author of The Confidence Code and The Confidence Code for Girls, and has spent years researching and studying the science of confidence. On this episode, we look at how a lack of confidence—particularly for women in the workplace-- impacts our leadership, success and fulfillment. In our conversation, Katty shares the magic formula for confidence: act more, think less and be authentic.

In this captivating conversation, Alex Guerrero, the innovative founder of TB12 and Tom Brady's trusted body coach, reveals the secrets behind sustaining peak performance. With over 15 years of collaboration with Brady, Alex discusses the vital role of mindset, recovery, and nutrition. He highlights Tom's unique traits, such as humility and discipline, and shares holistic prep techniques, emphasizing the mental side of training. Alex also delves into goal-setting, the importance of finding joy in achievements, and adapting strategies amidst change.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and speaker. Her TED Talk has been viewed more than 6.6 million times and Oprah named her to the inaugural SuperSoul100 list as someone who "elevates humanity." Luvvie's new book, Professional Troublemaker, inspire us all to live life loudly—with courage and conviction. On this episode, she walks us through how to do the things that scare us, embrace our unique superpowers, and use our voice for a greater good.

Jamie Kern Lima went from Denny's waitress to founder of a multibillion-dollar cosmetics brand. She's the founder of IT Cosmetics, a company she started in her living room and sold to L'Oreal for $1.2 billion, earning her a place on Forbes "Richest Self-Made Women" list. At least that's the highlight version of her story. In her new book Believe It!, Jamie gets real on the hustle it took to keep her dream alive and the countless rejections she encountered along the way. In our conversation, we talk about how to overcome self-doubt, trust your intuition, and turn down the volume on your inner critic so that you can achieve your wildest dreams.