

Motivational Mondays: Conversations with Leaders
National Society of Leadership and Success
A weekly conversation with entrepreneurs, authors, and leadership experts to unravel the secrets behind success. Our guests share their inspirational stories and give actionable advice. Learn more about The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at thens.ls/mmpodcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 10, 2021 • 20min
Reach Your Goals by Focusing on What YOU Control (Feat. Alexis & Justin Black)
Growing up in foster care, Alexis and Justin had the odds stacked against them. But determined to show the world that you can change your destiny, they took charge of their situation, unlearned bad habits, and tackled goal-after-goal to reach success! As we celebrate National Foster Care Month, learn how grit, resilience, and raw determination helped these two NSLS members shed an abusive past to redefine their future. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn How to go beyond SMART goals; How Alexis graduated college with $200,000 in scholarships; Strategies Alexis & Justin use to find great mentors; How to break toxic habits that hold you back. LEARN MORE: >>> Get an autographed copy of Redefining Normal with coupon code 50OFFRN {re-definingnormal.com} >>> Connect with Alexis and Justin on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexislenderman/} {https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinblack4297/} >>> Follow their journey on Facebook (@redefiningnormalmovement) or Instagram (@re.definingnormal) NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn How to stay positive as you work towards your goals; Why studying abroad can change your life; How to define your vision and how you’ll get there. {https://thens.ls/3hazmna}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

May 3, 2021 • 25min
Are You a “Leader” or a “Boss”? (Feat. Paul Damico)
Many of you will recognize our next guest from Season 4 of Undercover Boss, as the President of Moe’s! But today, he’s the CEO of Global Franchise Group which owns some of America’s favorite brands like Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery, and Round Table Pizza. With more than 35 years leading the food industry, Paul Damico is sharing his secrets to success, and the power of servant leadership. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn How to handle the mental stress of leadership; The lessons Paul learned from Undercover Boss; How to build a culture of openness and innovation; Why nearly losing his brother turned Paul into a servant leader. LEARN MORE: >>> Connect with Paul on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/damico5/} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn What keeps leaders motivated; What Paul admires in other great leaders. {https://thens.ls/3aRa0qI}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Apr 26, 2021 • 14min
Are You Fighting for What You Believe In? (Feat. Andrei Cherny)
Andrei Cherny has spent his life fighting for what he believes in. While still in college, he was handpicked by Bill Clinton to become the youngest White House speech writer in American history. He prosecuted financial crimes as an Assistant Attorney General. Now, he’s taking on the banks by changing the way people think about their money — and showing us that you can do well, and do good at the same time. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn how to take on impossible tasks; life won’t go according to plan (and why that’s okay); why a blue-collar work ethic is your greatest asset. LEARN MORE: >>> Get $75 when you open a new Aspiration account. {https://thens.ls/3v4cNEy} >>> Follow Aspiration on Instagram and Twitter {@aspiration} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn How to get two sides to come together in a negotiation; How to build a meaningful career. {https://thens.ls/3eoMPF2}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Apr 19, 2021 • 20min
How To Give the Best Presentation of Your Life (Feat. Chris Scheeren)
Chris Scheeren is someone who knows a thing or two about confidence. For the last 20 years, he’s helped people unleash their presentation skills, speak with confidence and command attention. He’s trained more than half a million participants across the world, including Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Walmart, and the U.S. Army. Today, he’s sharing the secrets behind what it truly takes to give the best presentation of your life. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn How to grab attention and command a room; What to do when your presentation goes off-track; “I have to present” vs “I get to present” and why it’s all about mindset; How to stay confident in your next interview. LEARN MORE: >>> Connect with Chris on LinkedIn and visit evitraining.com to learn to present with confidence. {https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-scheeren-35177325/} {http://evitraining.com} >>> Learn more about Blue Barn Berry Farm and Chris’s goal to give away $1,000,000. {https://www.facebook.com/BlueBarnBerryFarm/} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn How to walk through every door with confidence; If anyone can learn to be a great presenter; How Chris went from being a shy kid to a professional speaker. {https://thens.ls/3mTy0hy}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Apr 12, 2021 • 14min
Are You Sabotaging Your Goals? (Feat. Andrew Wallas)
At 28, Andrew Wallas was the CEO of a major financial company. Great job, happy life. He was on top of the world! … Or so it seemed. While on the surface he was a success, a lack of personal fulfillment led to deep depression. Needing something more, Andrew left the corporate world behind in search of purpose. What he discovered, changed his life forever. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn why we sabotage our goals (and how to stop it); how to free yourself from negative patterns; how to use intention to create the next year of your life. LEARN MORE: >>> Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn {linkedin.com/in/andrewwallas/} and learn more at www.andrewwallas.org >>> Get Andrew’s new book “Intention: How To Tap Into the Most Underrated Power in the Universe” {https://amzn.to/3fLQJdz} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn How to make an inner shift (and actionable steps to get started); How to leverage intention to reach your goals. {https://thens.ls/3dLOowE}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Apr 5, 2021 • 20min
Are You Living Your Best Life? (Feat. Nicole Mayer)
Meeting Nicole today, you would never believe that not too long ago, her life was completely falling apart. Taking out student loans to support her family. A new baby on the way. And a marriage that was heading for divorce. But when a tumor on her liver forced her to come face-to-face with reality, she knew she had to do something different. Today, she’s sharing her story of how she clawed her way from the bottom, went on a journey of self-reflection, and came out on top living her best life! In this episode, you’ll learn What happens when you plan, but your plan falls apart; Staying positive as you work to reach your goals; How to define true wealth; Living life according to your own standards VS. other’s expectations. LEARN MORE: >>> Connect with Nicole on Instagram, YouTube, and Clubhouse {https://www.instagram.com/liveyourbestlife_nicole/} {https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMBxACWhW3X71w3eawozPw} {Clubhouse: @livebestlifenow} >>> Learn more about Nicole’s course at findyourbestlifenow.com Get 50% off with coupon code PODCAST NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn advice for dealing with “destination addiction” and what to do when you get knocked down. {https://thens.ls/31FpQiY}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Mar 29, 2021 • 16min
Learn Why the Best Leaders Put Kindness First (Feat. Brian Biro)
Brian Biro has redefined cultures for some of the biggest brands like Starbucks, Microsoft, Pizza Hut, and Lockheed Martin by putting one principle above all else... KINDNESS. Honored as one of the top Motivational Speakers in the world, Brian is busting the myth that for you to win, someone else has to lose — and why you don’t have to be ruthless to succeed. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn How leaders can bring kindness to their organizations; Why it pays to be kind; How to “control your controllables”; And why active listening and curiosity are your greatest assets. LEARN MORE: >>> Connect with Brian on Facebook {https://www.facebook.com/brianbiro} or LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbiro} >>> Get Brian’s new book “The ROI of Kindness” {https://thens.ls/3rjswgT} and learn more on www.brianbiro.com NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn how we can push through self-doubt that holds us back; and why the way we look at people changes the way they see themselves. {https://thens.ls/3srct1Q}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Mar 22, 2021 • 19min
Why We Must Challenge Best Practices (Feat. Jay Acunzo)
Jay Acunzo is a man of many talents. A former marketing and creative leader at Google, HubSpot, and ESPN. A 6x podcast host, the author of a fascinating book titled Break the Wheel, and the creator of an incredible new docuseries called Against the Grain. But most importantly he is a man on a mission to cut through conventional thinking, challenge best practices, and create things that truly make an impact. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn Why we must challenge the “why” behind the thinking; Why we must act like investigators, not experts; How to get people to understand your point; And how to get better at telling your own story. LEARN MORE: >>> Get Jay’s new book “Break the Wheel: Question Best Practices, Hone Your Intuition, and Do Your Best Work” {https://amzn.to/3bTXlUI} >>> Subscribe to Jay’s Unthinkable podcast {https://jayacunzo.com/unthinkable-podcast} >>> Hear the stories of businesses who put people over profit in Jay’s new docuseries Against the Grain {https://www.helpscout.com/atg/} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn How one mistake changed Jay’s career path forever; Why asking simple questions and using “first principles” is so powerful; Why putting people over profit is a better way to build businesses. {https://thens.ls/3cMvOUt}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Mar 15, 2021 • 13min
Why Being a “Know-It-All” Can Hurt Your Career (Feat. CeCe Morken) - Part 2 of 2
With three decades of leadership experience, CeCe Morken joined Headspace to steer the meditation giant through the height of the pandemic. Just 6 months later, she proved herself right out of the gate, earning a quick promotion to CEO! In our last episode, we discussed CeCe’s incredible rise to the top, the valuable lessons she learned throughout her 30-year career, and her advice for students navigating life after college. In the finale of this two-part special, you’ll learn why being a know-it-all can kill your career; How to motivate others to follow your vision; Fighting imposter syndrome; Finding your mentor (and the right way to learn from them). LEARN MORE: >>> Get a special student-only discount for a full year of Headspace for just $9.99 {https://thens.ls/30PIjcx} >>> Watch the Headspace Guide to Meditation on Netflix {https://thens.ls/3vhp4WZ} >>> Download the Headspace app for free on iOS or Android {https://apps.apple.com/us/app/headspace-meditation-sleep/id493145008} {https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android&hl=en} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn The importance of boundaries between life and work; How machine learning will personalize your experiences in the future; The steps we must take to be happier as a nation. {https://thens.ls/3cntnre}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Mar 8, 2021 • 15min
Leadership, Mental Health, and Lessons From the Top (Feat. CeCe Morken) - Part 1 of 2
In celebration of International Women’s Day, I’m honored to be joined by the new CEO of Headspace, and one of the most accomplished female executives in the tech industry: CeCe Morken! We talk about her rise to the top, lessons learned along the way, and the mistakes to avoid in your career. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn why titles have nothing to do with success, why true leaders feel comfortable saying “I don’t know”, and what CeCe wishes she knew earlier in her career. LEARN MORE: >>> Get a special student-only discount for a full year of Headspace for just $9.99 {headspace.com/studentplan} >>> Watch the Headspace Guide to Meditation on Netflix {netflix.com/title/81280926} >>> Download the Headspace app for free on iOS or Android {https://apps.apple.com/us/app/headspace-meditation-sleep/id493145008} {https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android&hl=en} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: In the bonus episode, you’ll learn What you can do to be happier; Why leaders are more open than ever about mental health; Eliminating the stigma around mental health; How to manage your stress when working from home. {https://thens.ls/2NXsLRb}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop