Backstage Pass with GDA Speakers

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sonia Nazario , best known for Enrique’s Journey , to explore immigration, journalism, and the human stories behind one of the most complex issues facing society. Sonia shares how her own family history and experiences growing up in Argentina inspired her to become a journalist and why sh...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Ryan Estis , a former Chief Strategy Officer turned researcher and speaker, to explore how changing customer and employee expectations are reshaping sales, leadership, and the workplace. Ryan shares why succeeding in sales today requires much more than a great pitch. From becoming obsessed with the customer to showing up...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Peter Sheahan , founder and Group CEO of Karrikins Group and author of Matter , to explore how organizations can stay relevant, differentiate themselves, and become the obvious choice in a changing marketplace. Peter explains why disruption isn’t simply about new technology or changing generations—it’s about evolving expe...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Army Ranger turned interrogator Eric Maddox , who played a key role in the capture of Saddam Hussein and later wrote Mission: Black List about the experience. Eric takes listeners inside the search for Saddam and explains how an ineffective interrogation approach forced him to rethink everything he had been taught. By lea...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Kevin Brown to explore The Hero Effect and what it means to show up as your best when it matters most. Drawing from decades in the franchise industry, Kevin shares lessons from helping grow a family business into a $2 billion brand and building a culture centered on people, service, and excellence. Kevin challenges the tr...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with world champion adventure racer, San Diego firefighter, New York Times bestselling author, and CNN Hero Robyn Benincasa . Robyn shares how years of extreme adventure racing taught her that the strongest teams don’t simply rely on individual performance—they find ways to get everyone across the finish line together. Key top...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with internet pioneer, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author Tim Sanders to explore what it takes to build stronger teams, create better experiences, and become an essential partner to the people you serve. Drawing from his experience in technology, leadership, and business, Tim shares why success should b...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with mother-daughter duo Kristina Wandzilak and Constance Curry , co-authors of The Lost Years , to share their deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and rebuilding their relationship. Kristina and Connie offer both sides of a family’s experience with addiction—from the difficult decision to let go to the long p...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with New York Times columnist and six-time New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler to explore what his travels, research, and storytelling have taught him about families, relationships, and creating a more connected life. Bruce shares why he believes some of today’s biggest questions can be answered by combining the tim...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with adventurer, New York Times bestselling author, and leadership expert Alison Levine to explore the lessons she’s learned from some of the world’s most extreme environments. From climbing the Seven Summits and skiing to both poles to teaching leadership principles at West Point, Alison shares how adaptability, failure toler...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with nutritionist Carly Pollack to explore the connection between food, emotions, stress, and overall well-being. Carly shares her own journey with anxiety, body image, and dieting and how those experiences shaped her approach to helping others create healthier, more sustainable habits. Carly explains why there’s no one-size-f...

What does it take to keep chasing a dream after being told no 11 times? In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with astronaut José Hernández to hear his journey from growing up in a family of migrant farm workers to achieving his childhood dream of traveling to space. José shares the people and experiences that shaped his path, the persistence it took to finally be...

What if five seconds could change the way you take action in your life and work? In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Mel Robbins to explore the story behind her 5 Second Rule and how one simple tool can help people interrupt old habits, overcome self-doubt, and take control of their decisions. Mel shares how the rule began as a way to stop hitting the snooz...

How can we embrace technology without letting it take over our lives? In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Amy Blankson , author of The Future of Happiness , to explore how we can use technology more intentionally to support greater productivity, well-being, and happiness. Amy shares why technology itself isn’t the problem—it’s how we use it—and offers pract...

What does the future hold for the economy, technology, and the way we work? In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Kyle Davis sits down with financial market futurist Jason Schenker , founder of Prestige Economics and one of the world’s top-ranked forecasters, to explore the forces shaping the economy and the future of work. Jason shares how he separates the signal from the noise when forecasting, w...

What can one of history’s most extraordinary survival stories teach us about life, teamwork, and the human spirit? In this special episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis sits down with Nando Parrado , survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash and New York Times bestselling author, to share his remarkable story—and the unexpected connection that ultimately led to the creation of GDA Speakers. Nando r...