Kelley Cornish’s journey is one of purpose, faith, and service. From her roots in Aiken, South Carolina, where family and faith shaped her early values, to her role now as President and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation, Kelley has carried a through line of integrity and impact.
We talk about how her foundation’s mission of financial inclusion, education, and community transformation guides her work, and how the lessons of education, exposure, and experience continue to shape her leadership. Kelley also shares what it means to make history as the first woman to serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Wiley University, and how she is helping others build legacies of their own.
This episode is a reminder that true leadership begins with knowing who you are and serving from that place. Learn more about the Foundation’s work at TDJFoundation.org.
Comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid brings laughter, honesty, and heart to every stage she steps on. From co-founding the New York Arab American Comedy Festival to delivering one of the most-viewed TED Talks of all time, Maysoon has built a career on turning challenge into charm and advocacy into art.
In this conversation, she shares how humor became her superpower, the lessons her parents taught her about joy and grit, and why she created Shiny Misfits, a graphic novel that gives kids a hero who looks and lives like them. With her trademark wit, Maysoon reminds us that inclusion isn’t charity, it’s common sense.
Watch to hear how this unstoppable force proves her mantra true: If I can can, you can can.
Sarah Kunst has never been afraid to take a leap. From building her career at Apple and Chanel to stepping boldly into venture capital when very few women of color were in the room, she’s been rewriting the playbook for what leadership and ownership look like. Today, as Managing Director at Cleo Capital and a trusted voice in business media, Sarah is investing in the next generation of founders while using her platform to open doors for others.
In this Ask JBH episode, the focus is on money: earning it, negotiating for it, and making it work for you. Sarah shares the lessons learned early on, the instincts that led her into Bitcoin before most of the world knew its name, and what she looks for when deciding who and what to bet on. There’s also honesty about risk, resilience, and the courage it takes to speak truth in an industry that doesn’t always welcome it.
This episode offers more than investing tips. It’s about agency, ownership, and the kind of vision that makes change possible.
Dr. Sandro Galea is one of the world’s leading voices on public health. As the founding dean of the new School of Public Health at Washington University, he’s shaping how we think about health not just as individual wellness, but as the conditions we create together.
A physician, scientist, and author of more than 20 books, Dr. Galea’s work reminds us that health is deeply connected to justice, equity, and hope. In this conversation, we talk about the shift from treating illness to addressing root causes, building trust in a world of skepticism, and what it takes to create healthier communities for the next generation.
Panache Desai joins Ask JBH with a radical reminder: you are already whole. From his grandmother’s meditation room to London’s East End, Panache’s journey shows us that crisis can be a calling, struggle can be a teacher, and wholeness is our birthright. In this conversation, he shares how to befriend your ego, honor your feelings without fixing yourself, and remember your worth in a world obsessed with comparison. This episode is an invitation to return to authenticity and discover the power of being enough.
Chris Denson is an award-winning innovation advocate, bestselling author, and former comedian who blends humor with sharp business insight. From the White House to Fortune 500 companies, he’s helped leaders break rules, spark creativity, and turn bold ideas into reality. He’s the author of Crushing the Box and host of the Innovation Crush podcast, and he returns to Ask JBH to share fresh lessons on creativity, leadership, and reimagining what’s possible.
Change doesn’t have to feel like struggle. It can feel like strategy. In this Ask JBH episode, we sit down with Katy Milkman, a Wharton professor and author of the bestselling book How to Change, whose work is transforming the way people approach habits, discipline, and growth.
From procrastination to purpose, Katy brings fresh insight into how small choices and smart design can unlock real transformation. Her approach of pairing joy with effort and aligning timing with intention helps millions stick to the goals that matter most.
This is a conversation for anyone ready to shift from wishing to doing. Come for the science, stay for the clarity, and walk away with tools that respect where you are and support where you're headed.
Jack Kornfield is one of the most influential figures in bringing Buddhist mindfulness to the Western world. A former monk trained in Thailand, India, and Burma, he later co-founded both the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Center. With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and decades of teaching under his belt, Jack brings ancient wisdom into real, modern life. He’s the author of beloved books like After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, and No Time Like the Present. In this conversation, we explore how to stay grounded through it all, from embracing acceptance and taking action to practicing forgiveness and emotional healing. Jack shares guidance to help us stay present, awake, and open-hearted, even in the face of global uncertainty.
Dr. David Eagleman, Stanford neuroscientist, bestselling author, and host of The Brain on PBS, joins this episode to break down the science behind how the brain rewires itself throughout life. From sensory perception to daily habits, this conversation explores how people can expand their thinking, shift perspective, and tap into unrealized potential.
With over 120 academic publications, bestselling books like Livewired and Incognito, and experience advising shows like Westworld, Dr. Eagleman brings science to life in ways that empower change. He shares how understanding the brain’s plasticity can reshape how people grow, connect, and thrive.
For anyone ready to change their mind, this episode is a masterclass in what’s possible.
From cattle rancher to business psychologist, Dr. Camille Preston’s unconventional journey led her to help leaders optimize their potential in today’s hyper-connected world. As the founder of AIM Leadership and author of Rewired, she tackles technology overwhelm and champions authentic leadership.
In this conversation, we explore the hidden costs of being "overwired," practical strategies for digital wellness, and her insights on female leadership, including the unique strengths women often undervalue. Whether you're battling tech overload or seeking to lead more authentically, this episode is packed with wisdom you can apply right away.
Minda Harts, CEO of The Memo LLC and bestselling author of The Memo and Right Within, is rewriting the playbook for workplace equity. A leading advocate for women of color, she helps organizations build real trust and inclusion through her Seven Trust Languages framework. Her insights on self-advocacy and authentic leadership have empowered professionals to reclaim their power and thrive in spaces not built with them in mind. This conversation will challenge, inspire, and transform your perspective on the workplace.
Ask JBH welcomes Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a former Harvard professor behind the university's most popular course on Positive Psychology. His bestsellers Happier and The Joy of Leadership have transformed how we understand fulfillment. We explore the surprising relationship between happiness and difficult emotions, why embracing failure fuels growth, and how self-discipline actually increases joy. Tal shares universal truths about happiness that transcend cultural boundaries, while offering clear strategies for finding meaning in our hyperconnected world. This conversation will transform how you approach success and struggle on your journey to a more purposeful life.
America's favorite financial educator, Tiffany Aliche, aka The Budgetnista, joins Ask JBH with her expertise on personal finance and wealth building. Her NYT bestseller Get Good with Money has helped millions of women transform their relationship with money. Creator of the Live Richer Movement, she's guided over two million women to save and manage hundreds of millions of dollars collectively. A former teacher with a Master's in Education, Tiffany made history as the driving force behind The Budgetnista Law (A1414), making financial education mandatory for New Jersey middle schoolers. As the first Black woman to grace the cover of Money Magazine solo, she continues to share practical strategies that empower people to take control of their financial futures.
Joining Ask JBH, bestselling author Gretchen Rubin brings her insights on happiness and human nature. Her books, including The Happiness Project, The Four Tendencies, and the recent release Secrets of Adulthood, have sold millions of copies worldwide. Host of the popular Happier podcast and creator of the award-winning Happier app, Gretchen brings research-backed strategies to help people build meaningful lives. A former lawyer who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, she now dedicates herself to exploring what truly makes us happy.
We sit down with Dr. Pamela Gurley, whose remarkable journey from Army veteran to federal executive to literacy champion exemplifies courage in action. After reaching the heights of government service at the Department of Defense and State Department, Dr. Gurley boldly stepped away in 2020 to pursue her passion. Her book "I Am Not A Stereotype: I Am H.E.R." challenges societal boxes, while her Brown Girl and Brown Boy Literacy Foundation is transforming representation in children's literature across America. Join us as Dr. Gurley shares how finding her authentic voice is creating ripples of change for the next generation of readers.
Dr. Jen Douglas, former Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford School of Medicine and mental wellness expert, pulls back the curtain on perfectionism in this revealing conversation. Beyond the organized, high-achieving face we recognize, Dr. Douglas uncovers perfectionism's surprising hidden masks - from procrastination to relationship struggles.
Through her 15+ years of experience, she explains why seemingly successful people feel overwhelmed and offers practical strategies for breaking free. Whether you're battling burnout or wondering why 'doing your best' never feels good enough, this episode provides transformative tools for building a life you truly love.
Lara Love Hardin knows firsthand that a single choice can either define us or transform us. Her remarkable journey from incarceration to literary leadership not only rewrote her own story but also opened doors for countless others. Today, as President and founder of True Literary Agency and author of "The Many Lives of Mama Love," she champions both storytelling and second chances. Through her advocacy for prison reform and dedication to helping writers find their voices, Lara demonstrates that our most challenging chapters often hold the key to our greatest purpose.
Dr. Chris Palmer challenges everything we thought we knew about mental health. As a Harvard psychiatrist and pioneer in psychiatric medicine, he presents a revolutionary understanding: mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain. His groundbreaking research reveals the profound connection between the brain's energy and mental well-being, offering new hope for conditions ranging from anxiety to schizophrenia. Through his work at Harvard Medical School and his book "Brain Energy," Dr. Palmer demonstrates how understanding the relationship between physical and mental health could transform treatment as we know it.
Dr. Marcus Collins bridges two worlds - from leading strategy at Wieden+Kennedy to teaching at Michigan's Ross School of Business. More than a marketing expert, he's a cultural translator who understands what makes ideas spread and people move. His book "For The Culture" explores how culture shapes not just what we buy, but who we become. From Apple to Beyoncé, his journey reveals the true power of cultural understanding in business and life.
Stephanie Chung is a trailblazing executive who has shattered glass ceilings in aviation. As the former Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up and President of JetSuite, she transformed these companies with innovative strategies that redefined private aviation. A neuroscience expert in sales and leadership, Stephanie's groundbreaking work has reached audiences in 60 languages worldwide. She serves on the boards of organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the National Business Aviation Association, bringing her expertise to causes that make a difference. As a dynamic speaker and author, she doesn't just share success strategies – she creates blueprints for breakthrough leadership that resonate far beyond the boardroom.
