Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Called “the most inspirational data geek you’ll ever meet,” Marcus Buckingham is re-defining the future of work. After spending nearly two decades as a senior researcher at Gallup and then starting his own company, Marcus now guides the vision of ADP Research Institute as Co-Head and Talent Expert. In his new book, Nine Lies About Work, Marcus challenges our assumptions about organizations, talent and high performance. We talk about the myths behind many of our common beliefs about work and leadership, and explore how we can all become freethinking leaders who value our unique imprint on the world.

Less than six years ago, University of Buffalo men’s basketball coach Nate Oats was teaching math and coaching high school basketball in Detroit. Fast forward to today and he is one of the hottest coaches in college basketball, leading the Buffalo Bulls to three NCAA tournament appearances in four seasons as head coach. On this episode, we talk about his unconventional rise to the top of the coaching world, managing the expectations that come with success, and how he’s been able to build a winning culture at Buffalo rooted in the core values of max effort, continuous growth and selfless love.

As the CEO of the Oakland Raiders, Amy Trask served as the highest-ranking female executive in the NFL. Today she’s a football analyst for CBS Sports and serves as Chairman of the Board of Ice Cube’s BIG3. In her book, “You Negotiate Like a Girl,” Amy reflects on her career in the NFL and the leadership lessons she learned on her journey. We talk about how she carved her own path from intern to CEO, her approach to negotiating, and why she never paid attention to gender despite often being the only woman in the room.

Celeste Headlee’s TED Talk “10 ways to have a better conversation” has been viewed more than 17 million times. She’s an award-winning journalist and the author of We Need To Talk – How To Have Conversations That Matter. On this episode, Celeste shares the simple communication tools she's learned through her research and job as a public radio host interviewing hundreds of guests. Her smart strategies are a guide to have more effective, more meaningful conversations at work and in our personal lives.

As a college football player, Inky Johnson dreamed of playing in the NFL to make a better life for his family. Inky was on the way to achieving his dream when an injury changed everything. What should have been a routine tackle led to a life-threatening injury that ended his football career and permanently paralyzed his right arm. Instead of being defeated, Inky channeled his hardship into a powerful message of overcoming adversity. As a popular motivational speaker, Inky empowers audiences to embrace the daily challenges of life to live with a greater purpose.

From the NFL football field to the stage of America’s Got Talent, Jon Dorenbos has captured the hearts of fans with his incredible story of perseverance. After the tragic murder of his mother by his father when Jon was 12, magic and football became his two outlets. He went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL- the majority with the Philadelphia Eagles- before a life-threatening heart condition ended his career. Jon also made it to the finals of the TV show America’s Got Talent, showcasing his skills as a magician. He is a regular on The Ellen Show and his book, Life is Magic, will be available in late 2019. On this episode, we talk about the trade that saved his life, embracing change, and showing up with a positive outlook no matter the circumstances.  

Daymond John is a branding expert, investor, TV personality, author and motivational speaker. He made a name for himself as the founder of the lifestyle brand FUBU, growing the business from a makeshift factory out of his home into a multibillion-dollar company. Today millions of viewers know him as a judge on ABC’s Shark Tank. On this episode, Daymond shares his story of relentless perseverance and the practical advice he’s learned along the way. We talk about the idea of failing fast, his unique approach to setting goals, and his tips for negotiating deals.  

This special edition of Game Changers with Molly Fletcher features clips and insights from some of our most downloaded episodes of 2018. Hear from guests like bestselling authors Patrick Lencioni, Seth Godin and Daniel Pink, athletes and coaches like NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson, Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, and Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, and business leaders like Ginger Hardage (Southwest Airlines), Jenn Lim (Zappos), and Patty McCord (Netflix).

Greg McKeown, author of the bestselling book “Essentialism,” shares his insights on the art of prioritizing what truly matters in life. He discusses how to distinguish essential tasks from the non-essential ones to enhance productivity and well-being. McKeown recounts a personal story that underscores the need for clear priorities, especially in stressful moments. He introduces the 90% rule for focusing on key activities and advocates for intentional living through disciplined choices. This conversation encourages listeners to streamline their lives and commitments.

Leila Janah is the founder and CEO of Samasourceand LXMI, two companies that go beyond charity to give work to low-income people around the world to generate life-changing income. Leila is the author of the book Give Work. She was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40list and honored as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Women in Tech. On this episode, we talk about what’s broken about the traditional charity model, the biggest challenges she’s faced as a young entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, and how to reverse poverty one job at a time.