Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, brilliant marketer and speaker who’s known for “making a ruckus.” He’s written 19 bestselling books including Permission Marketing, Tribes, and Purple Cow and has the most popular business blog in the world. Seth also runs the altMBA, a four-week online leadership and management workshop, and hosts the podcast akimbo. On this episode, we dig into Seth’s new book- This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See. We talk about building a tribe, how to earn trust, and the three questions every marketer should ask.

Shabnam Mogharabi is the CEO of SoulPancake, an award-winning entertainment company she co-founded with actor Rainn Wilson (better known as Dwight from The Office). SoulPancake spreads joy and celebrates the human experience by producing and curating thought-provoking, uplifting video content. Shabnam is also a New York Times bestselling author of SoulPancake: Chew on Life’s Big Questions. On this episode, we talk about how to craft a great story, being intentional about tuning into joy in our daily lives, and the power of tackling tough conversations.

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz loved the big stage. The only Atlanta Braves player to be part of the franchise’s historic run of 14 consecutive division titles, Smoltz helped the Braves to five World Series appearances and the 1995 title. In his 21-year career, Smoltz shifted between starter and closer, making history as the only player in big league history with at least 200 career wins and at least 150 saves. On this episode, we talk about how he dealt with adversity throughout this career and the importance embracing discomfort as a pathway to growth.  

The New York Times calls him “a sought-after guru to NFL coaches, Olympians, hip-hop stars and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.” Ryan Holiday is a marketing expert who made a name for himself as the director of marketing for American Apparel and has gone on to work with clients like Google, Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss. He’s the bestselling author of The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy, and his books have sold more than 1.3 million copies. On this episode, Ryan shows us how to turn even the most insurmountable obstacles into advantages. We talk about what we can learn from the ancient philosophy of stoicism, the power of staying present, and why most of our failures are self-inflicted.

Ron Clark is more than just an educator. He has been featured on Oprah and The Today Show, and his school, the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta, is known around the world for its innovative teaching methods. Nearly 50,000 educators, teachers and administrators have visited the Academy to learn the “out-of-the-box” methods for student success, and you’ve probably seen some of the viral videos of students singing, dancing and bringing joy to the classroom. Ron is the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the year, the subject of a TV movie, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Essential 55 and Move Your Bus. On this episode, we talk about how to really motivate your people to effect change, embracing a fearless mindset, and how to lead with love, passion, and high expectations.

Dubbed a “modern-day Jane Austen,” byVanity Fair, author Emily Giffin has touched the hearts of millions of readers with her bestselling novels. Her books have been translated into 31 languages and sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. Her latest book, All We Ever Wanted, is out now. On this episode, Emily talks about the creative process and finding the courage to pursue your dreams.

Gus Malzahn, head coach who led the Auburn Tigers to a SEC Championship, shares insights on transforming team culture and embracing small details for big victories. He discusses how effective communication fosters a unified team and the importance of recruiting players aligned with core values. Balancing high-pressure coaching with personal life, he emphasizes building trust and connections with players. Additionally, he reflects on his journey in the sport and the positive impact of youth development through sports programs.

An overflowing email inbox. Pointless meetings. An endless to-do list. Does this describe your life at work? It’s time to shift your mindset from busyness to thoughtfulness by embracing whitespace. Juliet Funt is the CEO of WhiteSpace at Work, a training and consulting firm that helps organizations, their leaders and employees reclaim their creativity, productivity and engagement. On this episode, she talks about the big difference between activity and productivity, the four thieves of productivity, and the huge cost of our culture of busyness at work.

The nature of work is shifting. More people do their job virtually or remotely than ever before, the gig economy is booming, and more companies are using freelance and contract workers. Shannon Miles is the co-founder of BELAY Solutions, a virtual staffing solutions company that is ranked #1 on Entrepreneur’s Top Company Culture list in the small company category. She’s also the author of The Third Option which explores how you can live and work on your own terms without sacrificing career or family. On this episode, we talk about the shift towards a virtual workplace, practical tools for teams working remotely, and advice for leaders who want to create a more flexible work environment for their employees.  If you enjoy this episode and are interested in experiencing Belay’s services yourself, you can get 50% by visiting belaysolutions.com/mollyfletcher. 

In this engaging conversation, Daniel Coyle, New York Times bestselling author and expert on high performance, delves into what makes teams thrive. He reveals the three key skills that cultivate collaborative cultures and how leaders can effectively implement them. Coyle draws on examples from renowned organizations like the San Antonio Spurs and Pixar, discussing the importance of vulnerability, trust, and honest feedback. He also emphasizes the balance of support and demand, showcasing how genuine connections drive success in high-performing teams.