Glue Guys
Glue Guys
Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta are coming together to cut across the worlds of sports and business and dissect the subtle art of making others better. Glue Guys explores the qualities that make individuals become better leaders, teammates, and humans alongside a trio with those same ambitions. In each episode, you’ll hear candid conversations on themes and life lessons drawn from their own high-stakes experiences. From strategies for effective teamwork to personal stories of success, the podcast covers a broad range of topics relevant to anyone looking to make an impact in their respective fields.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 5, 2025 • 1h 24min
Should Ole Miss Let Lane Kiffin Coach? [Glue Guys, Ep. 61]
Lane Kiffin's unexpected exit from Ole Miss to LSU raises eyebrows and ignites a fierce debate in college football. The hosts delve into themes of trust, loyalty, and the impact of the transfer portal on team dynamics. They analyze whether Ole Miss sabotaged its playoff chances and explore the intersection of college athletics with corporate ethics. With discussions on tribal cultures in teams and the delicate balance between winning and loyalty, they highlight the complexities surrounding a coach's departure and its consequences.
76 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 58min
The Championship Mindset of DoorDash CEO Tony Xu - [Glue Guys, Ep. 60]
Tony Xu, co-founder and CEO of DoorDash, shares insights on building successful teams and organizations from humble beginnings to massive growth. He discusses the importance of humility and teamwork, recounting the challenges faced during DoorDash's early days. Tony emphasizes a culture of experimentation, revealing how small, iterative improvements can lead to significant success. He reflects on the importance of protecting new initiatives and nurturing small businesses, while also drawing parallels between leadership and jujitsu.
60 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 59min
The Science of Momentum with Don Yaeger - [Glue Guys, EP. 59]
Join bestselling author Don Yaeger, a trusted collaborator with sports legends, as he dives into the intrigue of momentum. He reveals how the Patriots' Super Bowl comeback ignited his research on creating momentum. Yaeger shares a four-part model influenced by sports, military, and business, highlighting the critical role of leadership in generating momentum. Discover the difference between obvious sparks and those seen in hindsight, as well as practical strategies to leverage small wins and reverse negative momentum. Learn how anyone can contribute to building momentum!
48 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 11min
Greg Olsen is Coaching a New Generation of Glue Guys - [Glue Guys, EP. 58]
Greg Olsen, a former NFL tight end with a passion for youth sports, explores what it means to compete as a player, coach, and parent. He shares insights from coaching middle school football alongside legends like Luke Kuechly and Jonathan Stewart, emphasizing the importance of fundamentals and a calm approach. Greg tackles the challenges of today's hyper-competitive sports culture and offers strategies to refocus young athletes on teamwork over individual highlights. He also reflects on the vital role of family and community in nurturing young talent.
110 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 1h 7min
Curiosity, Agency, and AI with Bret Taylor [Glue Guys, EP.57]
Bret Taylor, a tech entrepreneur and product leader, shares insights from his impressive career, which includes co-founding Sierra AI and shaping Google Maps. He discusses the importance of evolving beyond one's past identity and emphasizes fostering curiosity and agency in the AI era. Taylor believes AI could empower generalists, enabling cross-disciplinary innovation. He also touches on parenting in the age of AI, advocating for its thoughtful use as a learning tool, and highlights the critical role of clear communication in leadership.
31 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 9min
The Importance of Weavers - [Glue Guys, EP.56]
Than Healy, Head of Menlo School and former pro athlete, dives deep into leadership and parenting. Healy emphasizes the importance of the 'weaver' mentality in nurturing community and resilience among students. He discusses the pressures of competitive environments and how failure leads to growth. The conversation also touches on transforming leadership teaching through fun and relatable experiences. Healy shares personal stories about parenting struggles and the need for low-stakes failures to bolster resilience in kids.
29 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 12min
Aging - [Glue Guys, EP.55]
This discussion dives into the challenges of aging in sports and business, emphasizing the bias towards youth. Shane’s concept of the 'Imperial Period' highlights career peaks, while Alex warns against the quick dismissal of experience. Ravi stresses the importance of consistent growth over sporadic spikes and redefines success with patience and reliability. The conversation also touches on balancing personal life with professional opportunities and the value of authenticity as we age, offering a rich and thoughtful exploration of staying relevant.
78 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 58min
The Hidden Mental Game of Quarterbacking - [Glue Guys, EP.54]
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith shares insights from his career, focusing on the drastic transitions from high school to the NFL. He discusses the sheer volume of plays a rookie must master and the brutal reality of facing elite defenders. Alex emphasizes the importance of mental processing speed and preparation, revealing how repetition shaped his decision-making. Drawing parallels between quarterback development and business leadership, he highlights the roles of mentorship and choosing the right environment for success.
13 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 5min
Urban Meyer: Selfless Teams [Glue Guys Classic]
Urban Meyer, a legendary college football coach with 17 championship titles, shares his insights on building cohesive teams and the mental health challenges in sports. He reflects on his journey from a competitive coach at Utah to a figure navigating the pressures of success. The conversation dives into the importance of selflessness and trust within teams, alongside the rigorous training philosophies that foster resilience. Meyer also discusses his transition into philanthropy, emphasizing the emotional complexities of change and the value of personal relationships.
75 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 24min
Susan Li - Meta's CFO on Building a Fast Learning Culture - [Glue Guys, EP.53]
Susan Li, the CFO of Meta and one of the youngest Fortune 100 CFOs, shares her inspiring journey from an immigrant to a tech leader. She talks about joining Facebook when it was still smaller than MySpace and the cultural nuances she faced along the way. Susan emphasizes the importance of fast learning, mentorship, and the sacrifices made by her parents. She reflects on the power of books in shaping her identity and the crucial role of 'glue people' in her life, illustrating how relationships fuel both personal and professional growth.
