Live Like a Leader with John Bates

Today I sit down with Pete Sacco —entrepreneur, technologist, “modern-day mystic,” and a 30-year veteran of designing, building, and operating serious data centers . Pete is also the founder of Gray Wolf Data Centers , and he has a front-row seat to what AI is about to demand from our infrastructure—and from us as leaders.   What I loved about this conversation is the range: we go from the brutall...

Today I sit down with Jess Jensen , founder and CEO of Copilot Communications , where she helps executives build trust, credibility, and warmth online so they can open doors to clients, partners, and opportunity.   Jess has lived through the “birth, boom, and backlash” of social — from launching the first Adidas Facebook page in the early days of brand pages, to building global governance at Micro...

In this episode of Live Like a Leader , I sit down with organizational development expert Gil Crosby ( https://www.crosbyod.com/) to explore timeless principles for change, leadership, and frontline empowerment. Learn why most “programs” fail, how to balance authority with freedom, and how leaders can unlock performance by listening to the people closest to the work. Gil Crosby has been an Organiz...

🧠 Key Topics we discussed in this episode: Dean’s path from West Point to entrepreneurship How Ranger School forged his leadership mindset What “authentically American” really means—and why it matters The challenges (and joys) of building a mission-led brand Innovation in apparel: soft shirts, secret prints & national pride Why values like integrity, faith, and country still lead the way   🙌 Con...

We dive into: Why your beingness is the brand—and how to access it The quiet resistance most leaders carry that keeps them from full expression Her philosophy on “branding from the inside out” How she helps clients identify and speak from their core essence, not just what they do The real story of how she and I met—and why she decided I needed a podcast This conversation goes far beyond brand stra...

In this episode, we cover: ✅ How Jeremiah went from bootstrapping websites during the dot-com boom to building a global cybersecurity business. ✅ Why most cybercrime isn’t about “hacking systems,” it’s about hacking humans. ✅ The emotional tricks scammers use, and how to spot them before you get duped. ✅ Real-world stories of cybercrime that cost companies hundreds of thousands of dollars in s...

In this episode with Thom Shea, we cover: What makes someone truly “unbreakable” How to survive the worst day of your life, and what happens if you don’t give up Why “just doing the basics” is often the most advanced move you can make His life-saving experience during a firefight in Afghanistan that earned him the Silver Star The Rule of Three; how simplifying complexity transforms business, healt...

We get into interesting topics like: Why communicating with human beings isn’t logical—it’s biological What Navy SEALs, elite surgeons, and business leaders all get wrong about stress and recovery The surprising ways trauma shows up in leadership, relationships, and performance And the decisive importance of celebration in reprogramming the nervous system Whether you’re a high-performing executive...

In our conversation, we explore: What it was like to fly the legendary F-4 Phantom into combat. The moment his jet exploded — and the life-altering seconds that followed. What helped him survive nearly six years as a POW. The power of faith, friendship, and camaraderie under unthinkable conditions. One of the lowest moments of his time in captivity, and the lesson we can all learn from it.  Why ho...

In this episode, you’ll hear: Why TEDx is hyper-local —and why that matters more than you think. The one mistake I made in my first TED experience (and what it taught me). Why feedback must start with self-awareness. What makes group presentations succeed—or fail—and how to avoid pitch disasters. Why listening to yourself on video is brutal but necessary (and how to make it less painful). Ruth is...

Kijuan doesn’t just talk about resilience—he embodies it. Whether you’re going through a tough season or just need a reminder of how strong you really are, this episode will leave you inspired and empowered.   💥 Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: A behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to refuel aircraft mid-flight (including wild SR-71 and F-4 Phantom stories) The life-altering accident...

From snapping shrimp to blue whales, from silence to soundscapes, we cover: Why diversity of opinion is vital in leadership How sound affects everything from productivity to health Simple daily practices to instantly improve your listening, and be heard more clearly in return What business gets wrong about audio—and how to fix it The importance of designing your acoustic environment with intention...

Jennifer Kaplan is the founder and CEO of Evolve Public Relations and Marketing, a premier PR agency she established in 2010 to help businesses and professionals authentically tell their stories. With a communications degree from Arizona State University and an entrepreneurial spirit, Jennifer has dedicated her career to elevating brands, building trust, and fostering meaningful connections. Jenni...

What You’ll Learn: Why real leaders don’t always have the title—or the power How Becky’s Stoic-inspired Choose the Handle That Holds became a guidebook for life and leadership The difference between authentic vulnerability and oversharing A live demo of STOA: a goal-setting tool you’ll want to use immediately How to model leadership for your team, your family, and yourself   🧠 Leadership Insight:...

What You’ll Learn: Why the “Rule of Three” is a leadership game changer The origin and impact of Atlas’ TEDx talk: Start with Who What pirate leadership teaches us about trust and motivation Why success leaves clues—and how to collect them The mindset shift from chasing opportunities to choosing legacy   Leadership Gold: “Every leader I’ve admired kept it simple: People. Time. Money.” The Rule of...

What You’ll Learn: How adversity can become your most powerful teacher The surprise that “everything’s still in color” after a bankruptcy Why “Don’t be nervous, be at their service” is more than just a sticker—it’s a leadership principle How metacognition gives you the power to shift from victim to agent What the “Influence Quadrant” is—and how it can transform your communication and leadership  ...

💡 “What if Hell Week was a Celebration?” Diego failed SEAL training the first time—broken bones, broken dreams, and broken expectations. But it wasn’t the end. He came back ten years later , fully transformed, and turned the infamous Hell Week into moment after moment of gratitude. Lesson : When you reframe suffering as growth, everything changes. “I wasn’t being punished—I was being tested, tran...

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Steve Waddell transitioned from shipbuilding to entrepreneurship. The inspiration behind Valuepreneurs and why it challenges conventional startup wisdom. The key lesson from Steve’s TEDx Talk: Start with Who, Not Why . The challenges of launching a product, from patents to tariffs and the impact of COVID-19. Why networking, strategic grants, and understanding...

David Cunningham has spent over 35 years as a transformational leader, coach, and educator, working with hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide. He draws from his personal experiences and lifelong commitment to love and consciousness to inspire others to live with purpose, grace, and love. His teachings have helped countless people awaken to their highest selves and realize the power of lo...

Key Takeaways: Proximity Bias: Why your story might feel “boring” to you but is magical to others hearing it for the first time. From Shame to Service: How sharing your story transforms not just others but also yourself. Emotional Credibility: Establish trust and connection with audiences by sharing your authentic origin story. Strategic Storytelling: Your story is about you, but it’s for your aud...

Key Takeaways: The Authenticity Equation: Mike’s formula for creating genuine connections through honesty, humility, and vulnerability. Why vulnerability matters: Discover how emotional exposure fosters trust and empathy, even in high-stakes leadership. Sweaty palm conversations: How leaning into difficult discussions can unlock stronger relationships and higher performance. The power of listening...

Dan Sherrard-Smith is the founder & CEO of MotherTree. MotherTree works with values-led businesses to reduce CO2 emissions, increase client satisfaction, and unlock savings. Launched by the founding team behind Look After My Bills: Best ever deal on Dragons' Den, saved the British public £127m in 3 years. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Following the Money for Impact: Discover why your bank and...

Baz Porter isn’t just an executive consultant; he’s the catalyst that top-tier CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders rely on to unlock their next level. He is also the best-selling author of 'Cracking the Rich Code,' endorsed by Tony Robbins and featuring a foreword by Brian Tracy. With over 15 years in the trenches, Baz has mastered the art of high-performance coaching, using his trademark R....

Mark Albert is the founder and CEO of Media Advisory Experts, a Washington, DC-based consultancy providing media training, crisis communications, earned media, storytelling and video production services to clients in the U.S. and around the globe. He and his team guide leaders on their path to amplify their stories in the media, coaching top executives from C-suite to founders. Mark is also a Peab...

In this episode of Live Like a Leader , I’m joined by Minal Mehta, a leadership coach with deep experience in the tech world. Minal has worked at top companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Amazon, and now helps ambitious leaders align their careers with their true selves while bringing joy and ease into their lives. We dive into her journey from high-powered tech exec to leadership coach and how she...