Backstage Pass with GDA Speakers

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Kyle Davis sits down with Daymond John , entrepreneur, founder and CEO of FUBU, Shark Tank star, and bestselling author, to explore entrepreneurship, branding, innovation, and the mindset behind building a successful business. Daymond shares how he turned an underserved market into the beginnings of FUBU, what Shark Tank has taught him about entrepreneurship, a...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Polly LaBarre , bestselling author, speaker, and founding member of Fast Company , to explore how organizations can become more adaptable, innovative, and engaging in a rapidly changing world. Polly shares what she has learned from studying progressive organizations around the world and explains why experimentation is one...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Carey Lohrenz , the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy, to explore what her experience operating in high-pressure environments can teach us about leadership, courage, and high performance. Carey shares lessons from the demanding path to becoming a Naval Aviator and explains how those principles transl...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Josh Linkner , entrepreneur, venture capital investor, author, and professional-level jazz guitarist, to explore how creativity and innovation can help organizations adapt, solve problems, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world. Josh explains why innovation doesn't have to mean reinventing an entire industr...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Kyle Davis sits down with Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph. D. , clinical psychologist and author, to explore how our mindset shapes the way we handle stress, setbacks, relationships, and success. Elizabeth explains why everyone has an inner critic and how learning to manage that voice can help us change the way we think and respond. Elizabeth shares how a patient she me...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Seth Mattison , founder and Chief Movement Officer of FutureSight Labs, to explore workforce trends, generational dynamics, workplace culture, and how organizations can prepare for the future of work. Seth shares how the relationship between employers and employees is becoming more fluid and why creating a great employee...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Mike Walsh , futurist, author, and CEO of global innovation research agency Tomorrow, to explore how technology, changing human behavior, and new ways of working are reshaping the future of business. Mike explains that the future isn't driven by technology alone—real transformation happens when people change how they...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Todd Whitthorne , health and wellness expert, to explore how simple lifestyle choices can improve individual health, performance, and overall well-being. Todd shares why finding time for fitness is often more about priority than the number of hours in the day. He discusses practical approaches to exercise, nutrition, and...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Greg McKeown , author of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less , to explore how individuals and organizations can stop being pulled in too many directions and focus their time and energy on what matters most. Greg defines essentialism as the “disciplined pursuit of less but better” and explains how success itself...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Mike Abrashoff , former commander of the USS Benfold , to explore how a shift in leadership transformed one of the poorest-performing ships in the Navy’s Pacific Fleet into one of its best—using the same crew. Mike shares how he learned to see the ship through the eyes of his sailors, build trust, connect people to a grea...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Leslie Morgan Steiner , author and advocate who tackles difficult, often taboo topics including motherhood, domestic violence, and surrogacy. Leslie shares why she is drawn to conversations people often avoid and how opening up about them can create greater understanding and change. Leslie discusses her own experience sur...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Kindra Hall , professional storyteller, author, and communications expert, to explore how storytelling can help businesses communicate more effectively, strengthen their culture, and connect with customers. Kindra shares how her fascination with storytelling began at age 11 and eventually led her to study its role in orga...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with John O'Leary , who was burned on 100% of his body at age nine and given less than a one percent chance to live. John shares how that experience—and the extraordinary people who showed up along the way—ultimately taught him about resilience, service, gratitude, and choosing to live inspired. John reflects on the accid...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Kyle Davis sits down with Garry Golden , an academically trained futurist, to explore how leaders can better anticipate change, identify emerging trends, and prepare their organizations for what’s ahead. Garry shares how futurists look beyond individual technologies to understand broader shifts in society, culture, demographics, and business. The conversation e...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Lisa Bodell , bestselling author and founder and CEO of FutureThink, to explore how simplifying work can give people more time and energy to focus on what truly matters. Lisa explains how unnecessary meetings, emails, processes, and rules can create complexity that keeps even talented teams from doing their most valuable...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Sam Silverstein , founder of the Accountability Movement, to explore how accountability, values, and intentional leadership shape stronger organizational cultures. Sam challenges the idea that accountability is about blame or punishment. Instead, he defines it as keeping your commitments to people and explains why lasting...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Ron White , two-time USA Memory Champion, author, and memory expert, to explore how memory is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and applied in everyday life and business. Ron shares how a chance phone call at age 18 introduced him to memory training and eventually led him to compete in and win national memory champi...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Kyle Davis sits down with Ty Bennett , entrepreneur, author, and leadership expert, to explore the power of relationships, influence, and storytelling in business. Ty shares lessons from building a company to $20 million in annual revenue while still in his 20s and how that experience shaped his approach to leadership and connection. Ty explains why sustainable...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Kyle Davis sits down with Dr. Jackie Freiberg , author and workplace expert, to explore how purpose, culture, and innovation can help organizations attract great people, engage employees, and create lasting customer loyalty. Jackie also discusses her then-new book, Cause! A Business Strategy for Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness . Jackie explains why people wan...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Simon T. Bailey , former sales director and new business development director for Disney Institute and leader of the “brilliance movement,” to explore how individuals and organizations can shift their thinking, embrace change, and create meaningful results. Simon shares lessons from his time at Disney and his work with or...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Greg Bennick , a keynote speaker and juggler who uses humor, storytelling, and unexpected moments to explore personal development, teamwork, and navigating change. Greg shares how an accidental introduction to juggling at age 12 ultimately shaped his career and became a powerful metaphor for life and work. He explores wha...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Jim "The Rookie" Morris , whose remarkable journey from 35-year-old high school teacher and baseball coach to Major League pitcher inspired the Disney movie The Rookie , starring Dennis Quaid. Jim shares the story behind the bet he made with his high school baseball team that changed the course of his life. As h...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Pippa Malmgren , international bestselling author of Signals , former presidential advisor, economist, and entrepreneur, to explore how everyday signals can help us better understand what may be coming next in the economy and the world. Pippa explains why numbers and data only tell part of the story. By combining quantita...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Jamie Metzl , a futurist whose wide-ranging career has included roles in the White House, State Department, Senate, and United Nations. Jamie brings those experiences together to help people understand the big-picture changes shaping our world. Jamie explores major shifts in geopolitics, genetics, biotechnology, and human...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Molly Fletcher , a trailblazing former sports agent who negotiated more than $500 million in contracts and represented hundreds of professional athletes, coaches, and broadcasters. Molly shares what she learned from working alongside some of the highest performers in sports and how those lessons translate far beyond the p...