Orit Gadiesh, the esteemed Chairman of Bain & Company with nearly five decades of experience, discusses the powerful combination of confidence and curiosity. She shares her pivotal role in steering Bain through a financial crisis, alongside Mitt Romney, showcasing how these traits can transform setbacks into learning opportunities. Orit delves into the evolving business landscape, the impact of technology on industries, and emphasizes the importance of deep client engagement. Her insights reveal how literature and continuous learning shape effective leadership.

Asheesh Advani, the CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide, shares his inspiring journey from a participant to a leader impacting millions. He discusses how Junior Achievement empowers youth economically, boasting over 15 million served annually. The conversation dives into the philosophy of embracing 'naive audacity' for innovative growth and navigating change through a structured framework of fixed, flexible, and freestyle elements. With insights on leadership from a global perspective, Advani emphasizes the transformative power of education and the importance of mentorship.

Tina Vatanka Murphy, a healthcare leader who overcame imposter syndrome, shares her inspirational journey from self-doubt to embracing leadership. She discusses how self-perception can hinder confidence and highlights the critical role of mindset in accepting new opportunities. Tina reflects on her diverse background and emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership. The conversation also touches on navigating smart failures and harnessing disruption for personal and professional growth, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.

It’s often fascinating to pinpoint when someone received the first inkling of what their eventual career would be. For many, of course—thinking of all the kids who grew up wanting to be professional athletes, movie stars, astronauts, or firemen—their idealized career path often follows a long and winding road of self-discovery, full of detours and roadblocks that transport them to an eventual destination that was not on their original radar. But what if you could date your dream? Get some firsthand experience in your supposed career of choice? Would you remain totally enamored with the opportunity and steadily move toward further engagement? Or, would you, like Seinfeld’s neurotic George Costanza, break things off with a nonchalant, “It’s not you, it’s me”? Today’s guest, Jeanette Bennett, CEO and founding editor of Utah Valley Magazine and Bennett Communications, had that revelatory experience while working as a camera operator at an Idaho TV station when she was in high school. It turned out to trigger the first of many career reframes for this talented entrepreneur and storyteller.  

In this engaging conversation, Yamini Rangan, the CEO of HubSpot, shares her inspirational journey from studying engineering in India to leading a major tech company. She emphasizes the power of curiosity in gaining credibility and embracing change. Yamini discusses the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the importance of relationship-building in sales. She also highlights the role of AI in enhancing customer connections for small businesses, while advocating for authenticity and self-awareness in leadership.

The power of manifesting something into reality might seem… well, a bit silly at times. It’s all over social media, for better or for worse. It can seem silly because we all know it’s not as simple as saying it out loud, or creating a Pinterest board. Getting what you want, reaching mastery on a curve, it’s hard, hard work. And yet it does start with saying it loud. If we want to turn our dreams into reality, then the first step is defining what you want. If you can’t put that dream into words, then it’s hard to put that on a timeline, and you risk others swooping in and defining that dream for you. Our guest today is an expert in manifesting what she wants. Tarsha Joyner is the owner and head treatmaker of Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats, a bakery in Lynchburg, Virginia. Everything from cookies, to caramels and tailor-made cakes. And those cookies are award-winning – Tarsha has appeared on several Food Network competitions, winning the Christmas Cookie Challenge in 2015. It all started with a graphic design class, where Tarsha had to imagine a brand label for an imaginary company. She’ll admit it herself – she was a terrible baker back then. But it came down to her confidence, her perseverance, her willingness to dream big – and – keep repeating that dream to herself until it was real.  

Do you know that feeling, when you’ve been on a roadtrip for however many hours – or even, days – and you just can’t bring yourself to eat another bite of fast food? The food all looks the same, the landscape outside your window starts blending together, and you just crave something… different?  There’s a part of us deep inside that searches out for the “different.” We want to leave our small town for the big city, start up that new project at work, or even something as small as freshening up a shelf on a bookcase. We want to experience life from many directions, not just one. Our guest today has made that multi-faceted mindset the focus of both her professional and personal life. Betty Lu is the CEO and founder of Confetti Snacks, everything from dried mandarin oranges to my personal favorite, shiitake mushroom chips. But it’s more than just making sure the next generation of kids grows up eating broccoli, Confetti is dedicated to putting a dent in the world’s food waste, partnering with organizations like the World Food Programme.  So what perspectives helped Betty build her brand – and build herself, too?  

Nina Tandon, co-founder and CEO of EpiBone, is a groundbreaking biomedical engineer focused on growing bone grafts using stem cells and 3D technology. She shares her inspiring journey from childhood curiosity about technology to the challenges of turning visionary ideas into viable businesses. Nina discusses balancing her roles as a researcher and CEO, the importance of self-disruption in innovation, and navigating the complexities of healthcare advancements. Her story highlights the power of personal transformation in achieving bold dreams.

In this insightful discussion, Jonathan Haidt, a distinguished social psychologist and author, addresses the profound impact of smartphones and social media on today's youth. He highlights staggering statistics detailing the rise of anxiety and depression among teens, attributing this to both technology and overprotective parenting. Haidt emphasizes the importance of allowing children to face real-world challenges while advocating for systemic changes to enhance online safety. He calls for embracing play and community support to help Gen Z navigate their mental health amidst these modern challenges.

Melissa Stockwell, a Paralympic athlete, shares her journey from Baghdad to Paris, emphasizing perseverance and resilience. She discusses her experience in the U.S. Army, losing her leg, and preparing for the Paralympics. Melissa also talks about her non-profit, Dare2Tri, empowering disabled athletes to chase their dreams.