Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square and author of The Innovation Stack, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey. He tells the story behind Square's origin, sparked by a lost sale due to payment issues. Jim emphasizes the importance of focusing on real problems rather than industry disruption and discusses how Square's innovation stack helped it withstand competition from giants like Amazon. He advocates for valuing energy over credentials in hiring and embracing uncertainty in the innovation process.

Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, shares his journey from being fired to launching successful businesses grounded in values-based leadership. He reveals how high standards and listening define his approach, and how creating purpose for associates enhances fulfillment. Arthur discusses the importance of fan-friendly pricing and innovative stadium designs to elevate the customer experience. He emphasizes philanthropy and honesty in leadership, reminding us that purpose drives true success.

Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and author of The Art of Gathering, delves into how to transform gatherings into impactful experiences. She highlights the importance of purpose over tradition, urging listeners to rethink their approach to meetings and social events. Personal anecdotes illustrate the role of cultural diversity and emotional connection in creating meaningful interactions. Priya also shares strategies for navigating conflict in gatherings, emphasizing the significance of thoughtful closures to enhance reflection among participants.

Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey has starred in movies like A Time to Kill, Dallas Buyers Club, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Wolf of Wall Street. His incredible career has spanned 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion dollars. Now he's adding author to his credits with his new memoir, Greenlights. On this episode, Matthew shares the unconventional wisdom he's learned. We talk about his sudden rise to fame, the self-imposed two-year hiatus from Hollywood that changed the course of his career, and the legacy he wants to leave behind. It's a conversation about how to catch more "greenlights" and realize that the yellows and reds eventually turn green too.

We all need help, but most of us are uncomfortable asking for it. But here's the funny thing: even though we hate to ask for help, most people are wired to be helpful. Social psychologist Heidi Grant is the author of Reinforcements: How to Get People to Help You. On this episode, Heidi shareswhy we are thinking about asking for help all wrong… and the things we inadvertently do that make it weird for other people. Discover the simple mistakes you are probably making—and learn what you should do instead!

Discover seven transformative mindset shifts that can redefine your approach to leadership. The discussion highlights the importance of humility and self-awareness while embracing discomfort for growth. Hear a compelling story of an athlete who evolved from a starter to a closer, reminding us that stepping out of our comfort zones is essential. Emphasis is placed on the value of honest feedback and ownership in leadership, making it clear that open-mindedness can lead to profound personal and team transformation.

John Mackey is the co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market. He's led the company from a scrappy startup to a multibillion-dollar business, and launched an organic food revolution. John's new book, Conscious Leadership, explores his own leadership journey from college dropout to successful CEO, and provides a playbook for values-based leadership. On this episode, John shares his most valuable leadership lessons learned from four decades leading Whole Foods through tremendous growth and innovation. It will challenge you to rethink conventional business wisdom and reimagine how you lead.

Scott Kelly set the record for the single longest space mission by an American astronaut. That year-long mission to the International Space Station was part of an unprecedented NASA study on how space affects the human body and it paved the way for the future of space exploration. On this episode, Scott shares his personal reflections on leadership and teamwork from his journey into space. He also shares what he learned about living in isolation and dealing with uncertainty that we can apply to our own lives.

Guy Raz, an award-winning journalist and the mind behind How I Built This, dives into what fuels success. He shares invaluable lessons from his conflict reporting, emphasizing empathy and the importance of storytelling in business. Guy debunks myths about entrepreneurship, revealing that many successful founders start with stable jobs and embrace calculated risks. Plus, he highlights how passion meeting problem-solving can lead to lasting businesses. His insights on resilience and the art of pivoting are both inspiring and applicable.

What if you stopped pretending and started getting real? Most of us hide. We play small and don't live up to our full potential. We're afraid we aren't enough… or maybe we're too much. NFL player, humanitarian and podcaster Sam Acho has been there. In his new book, Let The World See You, Sam encourages us all to discover our true selves and share our gifts with the world. We talk about the importance of not attaching your identity to your career, the highs and lows of being a professional athlete, and how his life changed when he stopped hiding and started living.