Backstage Pass with GDA Speakers

On this episode of Backstage Pass , Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author and now "recovering attorney and investment banker" Rashmi Airan to explore how good people can make life-changing mistakes—and how those same moments can become the foundation for stronger leadership, greater resilience, and lasting personal growth. After a successful career in law and finance led to a fede...

On this episode of Backstage Pass , Gail Davis sits down with cybersecurity expert, former NSA senior executive, and current Morgan Stanley Managing Director Rachel Wilson to explore the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape — and why cybersecurity now affects everyone from global organizations to individual families. Key topics in this episode include:  Rachel’s experience leading counterterror...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with New York Times bestselling author and positive psychology expert Shawn Achor to discuss his newest bestseller, The Power of Beliefs . Known for transforming how organizations think about happiness and performance, Shawn shares the research behind the beliefs that predict success, resilience, engagement, and well-being. He explains why be...

On this episode of Backstage Pass , Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author and leadership expert David Burkus to explore what separates high-performing teams from teams that struggle to connect, communicate, and collaborate. Key topics in this episode include: David’s concept of “fluid teams” and why they’ve become the dominant way modern organizations work The two key ingredients that make...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Amanda Lindhout — New York Times bestselling author of A House in the Sky and internationally recognized voice on resilience, mindset, and transformation — to explore how adversity can be reframed into strength, clarity, and purpose. Key topics in this episode include: Amanda’s experience surviving 460 days as a hostage in Somalia How sh...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Alison Canavan — global wellness expert, mindfulness facilitator, and transformational speaker — to explore how leaders and teams can reduce stress, regain focus, and create sustainable wellbeing in a fast-paced world. Key topics in this episode include: Alison’s journey from international supermodel to wellness and mindfulness expert Th...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Kevin Brown — bestselling author, leadership speaker, and one of GDA’s most rebooked experts — to explore what it really means to lead, serve, and show up at a higher level. Key topics in this episode include: Kevin’s journey from blue-collar beginnings in Muskegon, Michigan to the executive boardroom The defining moments and mentors tha...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Dr. Rebecca Heiss — stress expert and researcher whose work has been recognized as “transformative” by the National Science Foundation — to challenge the way we think about stress and explore how it can be used as a performance advantage. Key topics in this episode include: Why stress isn’t something to eliminate — and how trying to get...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jeff Civillico — Las Vegas headliner, Hall of Fame speaker, and one of GDA’s most rebooked talents — to explore what makes audiences connect, laugh, and come back for more. Key topics in this episode include: Jeff’s journey from juggling in his grandmother’s kitchen to producing his own Las Vegas residency The behind-the-scenes business...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jesse Israel , founder of The Big Quiet, to explore how quiet can become a competitive advantage in a noisy, high-pressure world. Key topics in this episode include: How Jesse’s early success in the music industry (including signing MGMT) led to anxiety and panic attacks behind the scenes  Why “solitude deprivation” is making it harder t...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Dr. Gary Chapman , bestselling author of The Five Love Languages and one of the most trusted voices on relationships, to explore why feeling valued is at the heart of both healthy relationships and healthy workplaces — and why good intentions alone aren’t enough. Drawing from decades of counseling experience and real-world research, Dr....

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Todd Whitthorne , Emmy Award–winning broadcaster and former senior executive at the Cooper Aerobic Center, to explore why health isn’t a mystery — it’s a puzzle — and how small, intentional habits can lead to meaningful, lasting change. Key topics in this episode include: Why health is a puzzle, not a mystery — and why most people alread...

On this episode of Backstage Pass , Gail Davis talks with Sun Ah Brock about her journey of abandonment, adoption, and the search for belonging. Sun Ah shares what it was like to reconnect with her biological family in Korea and how those experiences shaped her understanding of identity, leadership, and connection. Through powerful storytelling, she explores the difference between fitting in and t...

On this episode of Backstage Pass Gail visits with, James Lawrence , better known as The Iron Cowboy, who built his name on extreme endurance feats. But the real impact of his story? How we can all find shared hope no matter what our "hard" is. Key topics in this episode include: James completing 50 Ironman races in 50 days across 50 states. The importance of balance in life and work. Th...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, John O'Leary shares his inspiring journey from a tragic childhood accident to becoming a motivational speaker and author. He discusses the recent premiere of the film based on his life story 'Soul on Fire,' the importance of community, and the impact of storytelling. John emphasizes the significance of pursuing a life of purpose and the power of in...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis is joined by Andy Fastow , the former CFO of Enron, to discuss about ethics, leadership, and decision-making in business. Andy shares his journey of taking responsibility for his role in the collapse of Enron, the importance of understanding risk in the gray areas of business, and how corporate culture plays a crucial role in ethical decision-making. H...

Gail Davis is joined by Peter Sheahan who shares the importance of taking ownership of change to accelerate transformation on teams. Show Notes Peter Sheahan is an entrepreneur, strategist, C-suite advisor, and in-demand speaker. After writing Generation Y, his first book, he quickly found himself in boardrooms speaking about understanding and connecting with the next generation. Since then, Peter...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Eric Maddox discusses the importance of empathy-based listening in building trust and effective communication in both personal and professional settings.  Key topics in this episode include: Empathy-based listening is crucial for building trust. Organizations need to focus on understanding their clients. Listening is more important than pitching in conversations....

On the latest Backstage Pass episode, Gail Davis is joined by Josh Linkner who shares insights on the transformative power of everyday innovation, turning disruption into opportunity, and embracing creativity. Show Notes Josh Linkner, a five-time tech entrepreneur and expert in innovation and leadership. The conversation explores the parallels between jazz music and business leadership, emphasizin...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Seth Mattison shares his insights on self trust, the future of work, the importance of perspective, and the crossover between business and lessons learned growing up on a farm. Show Notes Seth discusses how the dynamic nature of agriculture parallels the evolving workplace - emphasizing the need for human expansion over extraction, advocating for regenerative wor...

In this episode of Backstage Pass, host Gail Davis talks with world champion blind golfer Jeremy Poincenot . Jeremy shares his inspiring journey of losing his sight at 19 due to a rare genetic disorder and how he discovered the joy and power of interdependence. Show Notes He discusses the importance of asking for help, maintaining perspective during adversity, and the tools he offers to help other...

In this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jay Baer - business growth and customer experience expert and 2nd most popular tequila influencer in the world! Jay shares the keys to customer loyalty amidst the evolving landscape shaped by AI and actionable strategies for maximum impact. Show Notes In this engaging conversation, Jay Baer, a Hall of Fame speaker and expert in business...

Gail Davis is joined by Jan Langbein (CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter) and Karen White (President & CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation) share powerful stories and hard-earned lessons from years of leading mission-driven organizations—and hosting events that truly move people to act . Show Notes Dallas nonprofit leaders Jan Langbein and Karen Hughes White discuss the intricacies of planning success...

On this episode of Backstage Pass , Gail Davis sits down with Felipe Gomez to explore how adopting the virtuoso mindset is the key to achieving breakthrough success in business and life. By weaving grand piano performances into his presentations, Felipe taps into a universal language that transcends industries, cultures, and backgrounds, with insights that resonate deeply with audiences around the...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Gian Paul Gonzalez —the man behind the New York Giants’ iconic “All In” rally cry—for a powerful conversation on purpose, resilience, and showing up fully in life. From inspiring Fortune 500 companies to mentoring at-risk youth, Gian Paul shares what it truly means to live “all in”—at home, on stage, and in service to others. His stories...