Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

About the Guest: Eric Ries has been a force in entrepreneurship and innovation for over twenty years. He is the creator of the Lean Startup method and the author of The Lean Startup , The Leader’s Guide , and The Startup Way . His ideas have shaped how startups and large companies approach growth, decision-making, and innovation. As a founder, Eric has applied his principles with ventures like The...

About the Guest Janice Bryant Howroyd is the Founder and CEO of The ActOne Group, a global workforce solutions company operating in more than 30 countries. She is recognized as the first African American woman to build a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. A best-selling author and global speaker, she has been honored for entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation, and has advised leaders across bu...

About the Guest Jake Rawson leads Craft Sportswear North America with a focus on innovation, resilience, and performance. Inspired by the principles of Dale Carnegie, he has built a culture that values collaboration, encouragement, and incremental improvement. Beyond business, Jake applies the same endurance mindset to family and coaching, proving that small, consistent actions can lead to extraor...

About the Guest: Mr. Wai Phyo is a leading entrepreneur and business leader in Myanmar whose companies span food manufacturing, nationwide distribution, and technology. He is Managing Director of Yathar Cho Industry Ltd. and Cho Cho Industry Ltd., among the largest instant noodle manufacturers in the country, and also oversees Myanmar Zarla Distribution, one of the largest B2B distribution platfor...

About the Guest: Wemimo Abbey grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he witnessed his mother borrow at 400% interest to fund his education. That early experience inspired him to co-found Esusu, helping millions of Americans get credit for paying rent and access fair financial services. Abbey has been recognized on the TIME100 NEXT List and named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023. He serves on the SEC...

About the Guest: Ivan Tornos grew up in Madrid, Spain, facing profound loss—his father, uncle, and brother all passed at 45 from cancer—which fueled his mission to "alleviate pain and extend life" in healthcare. Now CEO of Zimmer Biomet, a century-old medtech giant, he's expanding from orthopedics into robotics, AI, and infection prevention, aiming to become "the boldest medtech company on Earth."...

About the Guest: Sanjay Gupta comes from a family of trailblazers. His mother, the first woman engineer hired at Ford Motor Company—a refugee who fled India at age 5—took Dale Carnegie courses to conquer public speaking fears, making How to Win Friends and Influence People  a family staple. Inspired by her grit, Sanjay pursued neuroscience early, became a White House fellow, and joined CNN just be...

About the Guest: Danica Patrick grew up in a household where discipline and high standards were the norm, with her father urging, “get up, don’t waste the day.” She started go-karting at 10 and by 14 had dominated nearly every race, which led sponsors to fund her Dale Carnegie course. Her grit propelled her to become a trailblazing race car driver—the first woman to win an IndyCar race, lead laps...

About the Guest: Michelle K. Johnston, Ph. D., traces her passion for leadership and connection back to childhood, when she discovered Dale Carnegie’s work in her father’s study and learned the lesson of genuine connection through Carnegie’s story of his dog, Tippy. That early spark shaped her path as a leadership professor, executive coach, bestselling author, and podcast host. Her first book, Th...

About the Guest: John Hope Bryant leads the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of financial literacy services for youth and adults. Recognized globally, he was named to the Forbes BLK50 List in 2024 and TIME Magazine’s inaugural The Closers List. A best-selling author and CNBC contributor, he reaches millions through his ‘Straight Talk’ series and continues to advance economic opportunity and inc...

About the Guest: Bill Anderson grew up learning the value of influence and positive leadership from his parents, who instilled in him the importance of helping others succeed. As a teen, he took a Dale Carnegie course that shaped his communication and storytelling skills—tools he has carried throughout his career. He has held leadership roles across major organizations, including leading transform...

About the Guests: Mark Fitzmaurice is a Carnegie Master Trainer who has certified trainers worldwide and authored the “Simple Structures” that transformed Dale Carnegie’s global training standards. Juliette Dennett served as President of the International Franchise Association, guiding a diverse network through times of change. Together, they’ve impacted tens of thousands of lives and continue to...

Special Listener Offer: As a thank-you for tuning in, enjoy 20% off orders of $149 or more  at Omaha Steaks! Use this link to shop and automatically get your discount: https://www.omahasteaks.com/dale Offer expires:  November 30, 2025 Business holiday gifts:  Companies can also get a free gift  with qualifying orders here: www.omahasteaks.com/CEO About the Guest: Nate Rempe is the President and CE...

About the Guest: Jose Garcia is the President of Alberici Constructors, one of the top construction firms in the U.S. He’s a West Point, Stanford, and MIT graduate, a passionate advocate for mentorship, and the founder of Strong to Serve, a nonprofit supporting orphans in Nicaragua. His story is one of bold choices, deep character, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. What You Will Learn: Why a...

About the Guest: Adam von Gootkin was raised by a single mother and learned early on that humility and hustle go hand in hand. He built his first distillery from scratch, learned the liquor business by trial and error, and eventually launched Highclere Castle Gin a brand rooted in heritage, elegance, and authenticity. He’s a passionate storyteller, a bold risk-taker, and a firm believer in buildin...

About the Guest: Rashmi Airan was a high-achieving attorney, Columbia Law graduate, and entrepreneur when a real estate transaction scandal changed everything. After serving time in federal prison, she chose to own her story and use it to help others. Today, she’s a global speaker, ethics consultant, and advocate for personal transformation. Rashmi’s work is rooted in the principles she learned as...

Matt Britton has been on the front lines of cultural and technological change for over two decades. He’s the founder and CEO of Suzy, a leading consumer intelligence platform that helps top companies make real-time decisions driven by human insights. Matt is also the author of Generation AI  and a sought-after speaker known for his bold ideas and data-backed foresight. With a deep understanding of...

About the Guest: John Venhuizen leads Ace Hardware, a company with a proud 101-year history, built on the trust and hard work of thousands of local owners. With over 6,000 stores worldwide — nearly all independently owned — John believes that this combination of local entrepreneurship and global support is the secret sauce that keeps Ace strong and relevant. He’s a leader who values character, hum...

Episode Notes: Brieane Olson has spent 18 years shaping Pacsun into a youth-focused lifestyle brand, stepping into the CEO role in 2023 after serving as President. Known for her digital-first mindset and passion for innovation, she’s deeply committed to empowering teams and promoting mental health awareness.   Key Takeaways: How Pacsun builds long-term brand loyalty through purpose and authentic p...

About the Guest: Sowmyanarayan Sampath is the CEO of Verizon Consumer, leading a multibillion-dollar division serving over 100 million customers across the U.S. Known for his calm leadership and strategic vision, he’s focused on operational excellence and reskilling teams to stay ahead in a fast-evolving digital landscape. What You Will Learn: Why AI is a deflationary force that every company need...

About the Guest: Liz Haberberger is the president of Dale Carnegie Missouri and a leadership powerhouse. With a decade of experience coaching professionals at every level, Liz is known for helping people unlock potential they didn’t know they had. Her training sessions and keynotes are packed with energy, actionable insights, and honest encouragement. Whether she’s working with a senior leadership...

About the Guest: Meet Guy Fieri—chef, TV host, entrepreneur, and champion for communities in need. With his signature style and relentless energy, Guy rose to fame through shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,  but his impact reaches far beyond entertainment. Through the Guy Fieri Foundation, he mobilizes disaster relief efforts across the U.S., bringing resources and volunteers to rebuild commu...

Meet Hal Elrod and listen to his story of resilience, mindset, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. After surviving a car accident at age 20, Hal defied the odds and recovered, despite doctors' grim predictions. Years later, when faced with cancer, he again took full responsibility for his healing. He researched holistic practices, implemented them all, and emerged victorious. Hal now sh...

Meet Anne Mahlum—entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and advocate for living life on your own terms. In 2007, she founded Back on My Feet , a nonprofit that uses running to help individuals experiencing homelessness regain confidence, employment, and independence. A few years later, she launched [solidcore] , a pilates-inspired fitness brand that she scaled to 100 locations nationwide, attracting cli...

About the Guest: Meet Dr. Bruce Stillman, president and CEO of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, one of the oldest and most distinguished scientific and research facilities on the planet. Growing up, Bruce knew that medicine and science were in his future—he was already volunteering in hospitals at the age of fifteen. But little did he suspect that his first gig out of medical school would prove to b...