Economist and author Tyler Cowen explores what makes founders uniquely capable of leading transformative organizations. He discusses the concept of “founder energy”—the authority, credibility, and institutional capital that empower visionaries like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to make bold pivots when others can’t. Cowen examines how leadership legitimacy differs between founders and hired CEOs, and why adaptability, decision speed, and conviction are critical in times of change. He also reflects on how leaders can build influence without formal authority by earning trust and creating value in their organizations. Watch this conversation to learn how to harness founder-like energy to drive innovation and resilience.   For most organizations, disruption has moved from a distant “black swan”–style risk to a permanent operating condition. Download our latest guide, From Shock to Strategic Advantage to learn how leaders convert disruption into opportunity: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-convert-disruption?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Chip Conley—hospitality disruptor, modern elder, and wisdom seeker—joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, culture, and wisdom in business. Chip shares stories from his early days transforming rundown hotels in San Francisco’s Tenderloin into vibrant communities, his role in shaping Airbnb’s growth, and why investing in culture doesn’t have to cost a dime. He reflects on the balance between founder energy and burnout, the lessons of storytelling and constraints, and the importance of wisdom in an AI-driven future.   Everyone agrees that leadership matters. But in the rush of competing priorities—in the whirlwind of data, deadlines, and deliverables—it’s easy to lose sight of just how much it matters. Download our new guide, Where are all the Great Leaders, to learn more: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-where-are-all-the-great-leaders?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

We sit down with Tim Brown, Chair of IDEO and pioneer of design thinking, for an inspiring conversation on the future of design, leadership, and creativity. Tim reflects on projects he’s proudest of while sharing why good design must address both functional and emotional needs. Tim also dives into the intersection of AI and human creativity—how it’s currently reshaping existing designs, and where it could take us in generating entirely new possibilities. With lessons on collaboration, leadership, and the value of exploring ideas across disciplines, this episode shines light on how design is not just for art but for business.   Level up skills like productivity, effectiveness, and trust to thrive alongside advancing technology. Download our guide Elevating Human Skills in the Age of AI: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-elevating-human-skills?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

We are joined by Carolyn Dewar, McKinsey senior partner and author of CEO Excellence, to unpack what makes great leaders stand out. Drawing on extensive research from her book CEO Excellence, Carolyn reveals the bold mindset that defines exceptional CEOs, the critical risks they take, and why focusing on expanding the pie drives long-term success. She shares insights on the four seasons of being a CEO, from early bold moves to finishing strong, and why openness to learning often matters more than confidence. Listeners will learn how CEOs can avoid analysis paralysis, manage their calendars ruthlessly, lead through uncertainty, and prepare for smooth transitions that save businesses billions.   Greatness lives in everyone; it just needs unlocking. FranklinCovey's newest guide, Where are all the Great Leaders: Solving the Leadership Crisis in a Disruptive World, is an invitation to reset. Download it here: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-where-are-all-the-great-leaders?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=over%E2%80%A6   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Bestselling author James Patterson and leadership expert Patrick Leddin join us to explore resilience, disruption, and thriving in uncertain times. They discuss lessons from their diverse careers, the importance of repeated practice in building resilience, and how to embrace change with courage and creativity. From stories of family businesses to navigating the rise of AI, this episode offers practical wisdom and inspiring insights on leadership and impact.   Identify and inspire impactful behavior amid disruption. Take our self-assessment to reveal your unique positive disruptor profile: https://disrupt.franklincovey.com   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

We sit down with Cyan Banister, a pioneering investor and entrepreneur whose remarkable journey began on a Navajo reservation and included homelessness at 14, no formal degrees, and more than 50 odd jobs before she found her path in technology. She shares how relentless curiosity, daily “level ups,” and the courage to embrace optimism shaped her career as an early investor in transformative companies like Uber, SpaceX, and Pokémon Go. Along the way, Cyan reveals the role of aphorisms in her personal growth, why conviction matters in investment decisions, and how play and wonder fuel both creativity and leadership.   Level up skills like productivity, effectiveness, and trust to thrive alongside advancing technology. Download our guide Elevating Human Skills in the Age of AI: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-elevating-human-skills?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Sit down with basketball legend and leadership thinker Shane Battier. From National High School Player of the Year and NCAA Champion at Duke to two-time NBA Champion with the Miami Heat, Battier built a career on more than stats—he became known as the ultimate “glue guy,” mastering the unseen skills that drive teams to win. In this episode, Shane shares the mindsets, lessons, and leadership principles that guided his journey on and off the court, including how to embrace humility, elevate others, and create winning cultures. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or striving for personal growth, Shane’s insights will inspire you to rethink success and lead with impact.   Mastery over self is what helps us unlock stronger teamwork, trust, and lasting victories both at work and at home. Download our guide, Public Victories: Build Triumphant Teams with the 7 Habits Effect, and start building your championship team today. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-public-victories?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Ethan Mollick, professor at Wharton and leading thinker on innovation and technology, joins us to explore his lifelong fascination with artificial intelligence and its impact on how we work and learn. Ethan shares why play is one of the most powerful ways to engage with new technology, and how feedback and curiosity can turn mediocre outputs into something meaningful. We dig into the challenges organizations face when adopting new tools, the common mistakes leaders make in rolling them out, and what history tells us about jobs lost—and created—during times of disruption. From advice for students entering the workforce to insights on how leaders’ roles are already shifting, Ethan offers a clear-eyed yet optimistic view of where we are headed.   As AI redefines efficiency, it cannot replace the qualities that make us human—like communication, collaboration, connection, creativity, ethical judgment, and leadership. Download our guide, Elevating Human Skills in the Age of AI to learn more: https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-elevating-human-skills?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

In this episode, we sit down with Nancy Duarte—renowned communication expert and author—to explore her remarkable journey from a childhood marked by neglect to becoming a pioneer in storytelling and presentation. She shares insights from working with leaders like Al Gore and inspiration from Steve Jobs, the importance of passion and empathy in communication, and why training only works when leaders put in the effort. Nancy offers candid advice on balancing preparation with spontaneity, consulting challenges, and why CEOs must stay engaged with AI.   Level up your leadership and make every message count with proven communication strategies. Download our guide: From Misunderstood to Magnetic: A Leader’s Guide to Clear Communication. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-misunderstood-to-magnetic?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg joins us to talk about the science of habits, the art of storytelling, and how to become a “supercommunicator.” He shares how habits drive 40% of our daily actions, how rewards shape behavior, and why neuroplasticity means we can always change. From his early years as the lowest-paid reporter in his class to writing deeply researched pieces for The New Yorker, Charles reveals how storytelling, listening, and asking better questions can transform not only conversations but also leadership, charisma, and connection.   Strengthen your communication skills with our latest guide—From Misunderstood to Magnetic: A Leader’s Guide to Clear Communication. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-misunderstood-to-magnetic?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

In today’s conversation, Annie Duke—a cognitive scientist, one of the highest-winning poker players of all time, three-time bestselling author, and a prolific consultant and speaker—discusses how her upbringing shaped her journey, lessons learned as a professional poker player, and how to improve your decision-making.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Radical self-inquiry begins by asking yourself tough questions, such as "How am I complicit in the circumstances I say I don't want?" Honest self-reflection is a crucial step in improving as a leader. In today's episode, Jerry Colonna, CEO of Reboot.io, executive leadership coach, and bestselling author, discusses leadership through the lens of humility and purpose. Colonna shares his journey through radical self-inquiry and offers guidance on where we can all begin.   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.   To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Leadership is not about rank or title—it’s a skill that must be learned and continually developed. In this conversation, Will Houghteling is joined by Simon Sinek, renowned leadership expert, bestselling author of Start With Why, and founder of The Optimism Company. Known for his influential TED Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” Sinek shares insights on what he’s learned since the publication of Start With Why, and explores the deeper qualities that make someone a leader others genuinely want to follow. What mindsets, habits, and actions distinguish truly effective leaders in today’s world? For more information, visit https://www.franklincovey.com/

How many times have we been juggling a thousand projects, and responsibilities just keep coming? And we say yes to everything! Today's guest, Dr. Sunita Sah, has spent her career studying the power of "no." Dr. Sah is a Professor at Cornell University's Graduate School of Management and author of Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes.   In today’s conversation, we discuss her personal journey of defiance, research-backed and pragmatic defiance practices, and advice for business leaders building independent and innovative cultures.   For more information, visit https://www.franklincovey.com/

As a leader, you're always striving to improve—but how do you change what you can't see? In today’s conversation, Marty Dubin—a psychologist turned serial entrepreneur, business coach, and adviser to C-suite executives—discusses insights from his upcoming book, Blindspotting: How to See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader, soon to be published by Harvard Business Review. Dubin shares how his background in therapy shaped his approach to business, the most common (and dangerous) blindspots leaders face, his personal and professional experiences uncovering them, the critical role of self-awareness in leadership, and much more.   If your leaders’ approaches toward work haven’t changed significantly in recent months or even years, it’s likely they’re not actually leading. Leaders need more than a retroactive managerial playbook, causing resistance to change. Leaders need to shift how they think and what they do to succeed in the new world—and it requires a new mindset. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-6-shifts-to-develop?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay   FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization. To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776    

Being blunt with a coworker or direct report will only hurt your reputation and relationship unless you care personally first. Join Will Houghteling and Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical Candor and Radical Respect, as they discuss how the best leaders approach communication with transparency and respect.   For more information on FranklinCovey, visit https://www.franklincovey.com/

Is happiness a choice? Today's guest is Tal Ben-Shahar, best-selling author of Happiness Studies and Happier, No Matter What. He also taught two of Harvard's most popular classes, "Positive Psychology" and "The Psychology of Leadership." He consults and lectures to executives in multinational corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations, and is the co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Happiness Studies Academy. Tal and our new host, Will Houghteling, discuss whether happiness is truly a choice in the midst of so much turbulence and how we should give ourselves permission to be human through it all.

Tim Ferris, author of 5 #1 NYT/WSJ bestsellers, early-stage investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast, shares how one snarky comment from a college student and a night of insomnia set him down a path to be a New York Times bestselling author and a 4-hour thought leader.

Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Prize–winning chemist and author of Why We Die, shares a fascinating look into the biology of aging and the scientific breakthroughs that could extend not just our lifespan, but our healthspan. He explains how the body breaks down over time, what evolution teaches us about longevity, and why community, purpose, and sleep may matter more than we think. Venki also weighs in on vaccines, genetic engineering, and the emerging frontier of age-reversing technologies—offering both clarity and hope in the quest to live better, longer.

Dr. Gregory Walton, Stanford professor and co-director of the Dweck-Walton Lab, shares insights from his new book Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change with Small Acts. Drawing from decades of social psychology research, he explains how simple, intentional gestures—like wise feedback, affirming someone’s strengths, or showing belief in their potential—can transform lives and unlock performance. Whether you’re a leader, educator, parent, or friend, this conversation will inspire you to recognize the extraordinary power you hold in everyday moments to help others feel seen, valued, and capable.