Mark Graban

My Favorite Mistake: Learning Without Blame in Business and Leadership

Business EN ↓ 402 episodes

My Favorite Mistake is a podcast about learning without blame in business and leadership. Hosted by Mark Graban, the show features honest conversations with leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and changemakers about a meaningful mistake they made—and what they learned after things went wrong. It’s not just my favorite mistake; it’s yours, it’s ours, and it’s what we can all learn from when things don’t go as planned. This isn’t a podcast about failure theater, gotcha moments, or simplistic “lessons learned.” It explores how real people reflect, improve, and lead better in complex organizations...

Author

Mark Graban

Episodes

Dr. Mira Brancu’s Long Email About an Ethics Situation Was Not Well Received 03.03.2022 37:22

CEO of Brancu Associates Episode page and links: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake145 My guest for Episode #145 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Mira Brancu . She is the Founder & CEO of Brancu Associates and is a Consulting Psychologist, Speaker, and Author. Dr. Brancu helps leaders expertly navigate complexity in the workplace and help organizations make it easier for leaders to na...

Steve Gamlin Walked Away From His Radio DJ Job Without a New One Lined Up 28.02.2022 41:44

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake144 My guest for Episode #144 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Steve Gamlin . He is a Speaker, Author, VisionBoarder and Humor Punch-Up Specialist. His company is Motivational Firewood . What does Steve do? He teaches individuals and organizations…to SEE THEIR GOALS, understand WHY they want them… and build an Action Plan for achievement. How? W...

Law Firm Founder Leslie Tayne Thought She Needed a Male Partner to Get Started 24.02.2022 40:31

Founder and managing director of the Tayne Law Group, P.C. Episode Page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake143 My guest for Episode #143 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Leslie Tayne , an award-winning financial attorney and author of the book, Life & Debt . She has over 20 years of experience in consumer and business financial debt solutions. Leslie’s extensive background spans in negoti...

CEO & CPA Charles Read’s Hubris Led Him to Think He Could Do Everything 21.02.2022 40:52

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake142 My guest for Episode #142 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Charles Read , the president and CEO of the company GetPayroll . He is an MBA, CPA, U.S. Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP), Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC), Employment Tax Expert, IRS Watchdog, and Small Business Advocate. Charles is an accomplished senior executive an...

Ellen Patnaude Assumed Her Past Experiences Would Buy Her a Seat at the Table 17.02.2022 39:17

Owner of the firm LeadQuine Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake141 My guest for Episode #141 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ellen Patnaude . She’s a Communication Coach. She’s owner of the firm LeadQuine . And her LinkedIn headline describes her as: “Truth teller. People-ing Guru. Tough Cookie.” Ellen is also a friend of mine from high school, as we played together in a regiona...

Ebonie Allard Invited 3 Friends to Join Her Business, Went Insolvent in 3 Months 14.02.2022 39:15

Award-Winning International Coach Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake140 My guest for Episode #140 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ebonie Allard . She describes herself as a “Priestess of Alchemy”® — she’s an award-winning International Coach. She’s a (her words) “ Misfit turned Maven ,” an author, an artist, and an advocate. She’s been host of the podcast “ Adulting with Ebonie...

Technology & Business Leader Jinny Uppal on the Mistake of Going Too Fast — ”In/Action” 10.02.2022 38:12

Author of I N/ACTION: Rethinking the Path to Results . Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake139 My guest for Episode #139 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jinny Uppal , the author of the new book I N/ACTION: Rethinking the Path to Results . Jinny is no stranger to driving contrary and innovative thinking. Uppal’s 20+ years of experience driving transformational growth by challengin...

Journalism Mistakes: J.A. Adande on the Medill F and Hate Mail 07.02.2022 34:38

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake138 My guest for Episode #138 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is J.A. Adande . He is the director of sports journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. He is also the graduate journalism Sports Media Specialization leader. J.A. earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from M...

Mistake of Not Having a Mentor: Dan Pink on the Power of Regret 03.02.2022 40:51

Author of the new book, The Power of Regret . Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake137 My guest for Episode #137 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Daniel H. Pink . He is the author of seven books and his most recent was released on February 1, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward – that seems like a perfect topic to explore on this podcast. I had a chance to in...

Dr. Nicole Roberts on Bad Assumptions in Global Philanthropy; How to Talk to People about Vaccinations and Football Head Injuries 31.01.2022 50:12

Executive Director of Feed A Billion Episode Page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake136 My guest for Episode #136 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Nicole Roberts . She is the Executive Director of Feed A Billion, an international nonprofit that feeds girls around the world to prevent exploitation and she's the founder of Health & Human Rights Strategies , a health care and human righ...

Sommelier and Consulting Firm Partner Michael Juergens on Wine Mistakes and More 27.01.2022 56:10

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake135 My guest for Episode #135 of the My Favorite Mistake podcas t is Michael Juergens . He is a senior partner with a Big Four consulting firm, where he runs the Winery Solutions practice, overseeing the portfolio of services the firm provides to wineries. He is also a certified specialist of wine, a certified sommelier, and a Stage 2 candidate to be...

Choosing the Secure Big Company Job Instead of the Better Fit: Dr. Kasey Thompson 24.01.2022 36:57

Leadership professor, author, entrepreneur Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake134 My guest for Episode #134 of the My Favorite Mistake podcas t is Dr. Kasey Lynn Thompson . She is an Associate Professor of Business Ethics, Business, and Strategy at Ferris State University and former Director of Global Menu Strategy for a Fortune 250 company. Dr. Kasey Lynn is the author of the book Fa...

Brewer Kelly Meyer Started a Damn Brewery at the Wrong Damn Time 20.01.2022 40:46

Founder of New Braunfels Brewing Company Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake133 My guest for Episode #133 of the My Favorite Mistake podcas t is Kelly Meyer, the author of How NOT to start a Damn Brewery: Ten Business Lessons From The Front Lines of The Craft Beer Industry — and a podcast of that same name. In today's episode, Kelly shares his “favorite mistake” story about starting a...

Certified Financial Planner Manisha Thakor Saved Too Much for Retirement 17.01.2022 35:06

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake132 My guest for Episode #132 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Manisha Thakor , a 25-year veteran of the financial services industry. She has seen firsthand the downfalls of being trapped in what she calls “the cult of money.” She is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Financial Planner. From a failed marriage to nearly working herself...

Workplace Therapist Brandon Smith Stayed in a Comfortable Teaching Job Too Long 13.01.2022 40:44

Video and more: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake131 My guest for Episode #131 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Brandon Smith , an executive coach, author, speaker, and podcaster. His podcast (and his label for himself) is “The Workplace Therapist” and he's had me as a guest there . As a “therapist,” he has an MS in Clinical Counseling. Some of his jobs and roles include: The Worksmiths, Fou...

Vicki Moore Gave Away Her Business and Found Moving to Europe Was Harder Than Expected 10.01.2022 34:58

Show notes, video, and more: https://markgraban.com/mistake130 My guest for Episode #130 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Vicki Moore , joining us from Frankfurt, Germany. Vicki is an entrepreneur, author, and coach, whose passion is finding ways to help people achieve big goals. She spent most of her career in corporate training and development, working with Fortune 500 clients. She founded...

Retired USAF Officer Mark Noon Thought Career Transitions Would Be Easy 06.01.2022 33:25

Show notes, video, transcript, and more: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake129 My guest for Episode #129 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mark Noon . He is a professional speaker , executive coach, and developer of leaders at his company, LEADERSHIPTEN . Mark is a retired USAF clinical laboratory manager and was in that role for more than ten years out of a total 20+ years of service. He is t...

Author Katie Anderson’s Audiobook Mistakes and What She Learned in the Process 03.01.2022 39:08

Show page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake128 My guest for Episode #128 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Katie Anderson , a leadership coach, and the author of the book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning — along with the companion workbook that she published. Katie was previously a guest with Mr. Yoshino in Episo...

Consultant Evans Kerrigan’s Early Client Was Happy But It Could Have Been So Much More 20.12.2021 31:35

Show notes, video, and more: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake127 My guest for Episode #127 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Evans Kerrigan, Co-Founder & CEO of the firm Integris Performance Advisors . Evans is the co-author, with Brett Cooper, of the book Solving the People Problem: Essential Skills You Need to Lead and Succeed in Today’s Workplace . In today's episode, Evans tells his...

Organizational Psychologist Amantha Imber Linked Her Self Worth to Achievements 16.12.2021 36:16

Founder of the firm Inventium. Show page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake126 My guest for Episode #126 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr Amantha Imber , she is an organisational psychologist and founder of behavioural science consultancy Inventium . She and I share a belief… “Work doesn’t have to suck!” As it says on the front page of her website . Amantha is the author of two best-selli...

Conspiracy Charges and Prison: Kevin Foster’s Favorite Mistake 13.12.2021 40:09

CEO of Business Ethics Advisors, LLC. Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake125 My guest for Episode #125 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Kevin Foster , the CEO of Business Ethics Advisors, LLC. He is a former financial executive with FDIC-Division of Liquidation, Standard Chartered Bank, and Dr Pepper Co., a 30-year veteran in real estate, and a former CPA with Peat, Marwick & M...

Trust, Fraud, and Prison: CEO Brent Cassity’s Favorite Mistake 09.12.2021 51:00

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake124 My guest for Episode #124 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Brent Cassity , author of the new book Nightmare Success: Loyalty, Betrayal, Life Behind Bars, Adapting, and Finally Breaking Free: A Memoir . Brent also has a podcast – “ Nightmare Success In and Out ,” which explores the stories of inmates who were in and now out of prison. Brent was...

CEO Super Julie Braun Didn’t Have a Plan When She Quit a Job 06.12.2021 43:30

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake123 My guest for Episode #123 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Super Julie Braun , founder and CEO of “ Super Purposes ” — a career coaching and advisement program built for the 21st century and today's job market. Her company helps people (more than 16,000 people!) get the career and salary they deserve regardless of their challenges. They work w...

CEO Joel Trammell Had Trouble Hiring a VP of Marketing, Again and Again 02.12.2021 38:13

CEO of Khorus Systems and iGrafx Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake122 My guest for Episode #122 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Joel Trammell . He is CEO and Founder of Khorus Systems, a business management system that empowers CEOs to lead high-performance organizations. Joel is the author of books including The CEO Tightrope: How to Master the Balancing Act of a Successful CEO...

Moving ”Beyond Happiness” to Living Without Regret: Author Jenn Lim 29.11.2021 34:07

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake121 My guest for Episode #121 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jenn Lim, co-founder, CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Delivering Happiness, a company she co-founded with Tony Hsieh, the late CEO of Zappos.com to create more happiness at work/life. Jenn was a consultant with Zappos from 2003-2011, during the years it grew from a startup into a...