

Thirty Minute Mentors
Adam Mendler
Leadership guru Adam Mendler goes one on one with America's most accomplished and insightful people on how they made it to the top and how you can too. Each episode features a wealth of practical, actionable advice from a leading CEO, founder, athlete, celebrity, influencer or general / admiral. Learn how to lead in today's landscape, become your best self and excel personally and professionally – in thirty minutes.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 7, 2023 • 35min
Episode 165: Former BET CEO Debra Lee
Debra Lee was the CEO of BET, the largest company in the world dedicated to African-American programming. The first Black company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, BET reached more than 100 million homes while Debra was CEO. Debra joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons learned along the way. Debra and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: personal and professional development; leadership; building winning teams and companies; diversity and inclusion; managing difficult experiences; and more.

Feb 28, 2023 • 29min
Episode 164: Basketball Legend Tony Parker
Tony Parker was one of the best players in basketball over the course of his 18-year career and is one of the greatest European players of all time. A 6-time NBA All-Star and 4-time NBA champion, Tony is the first European-born player to win the NBA Finals MVP. Tony joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Tony and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: teamwork, leadership, culture, mentorship, basketball, the wine business, Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich, Kobe Bryant, and more.

Feb 21, 2023 • 34min
Episode 163: Lieutenant General Jeff Buchanan
Over the course of his 37-year military career, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan led troops at every level in adverse environments across the country and around the world. LTG Buchanan led the military response for five major hurricanes - Matthew, Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Florence; served four combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan; and commanded nearly 6,000 federal military troops deployed to the Southwest border. LTG Buchanan joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice.

Feb 14, 2023 • 32min
Episode 162: Olympic Gold Medalist Kaitlyn Farrington
Kaitlyn Farrington is an Olympic gold medalist and was one of the best snowboarders in the world before having to retire at the height of her success upon being diagnosed with congenital cervical stenosis. Kaitlyn joins Adam to share her journey, how she navigated the ups and downs, and her best lessons learned along the way. Kaitlyn and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: attaining greatness; navigating obstacles, challenges, and setbacks; competition; coaching; mentorship; mindset; and much more.

Feb 7, 2023 • 34min
Episode 161: RE/MAX CEO Nick Bailey
The leader of one of the largest real estate brokerages in the world, Nick Bailey is the CEO of RE/MAX, where more than 140,000 agents across 9,000 offices in over 110 countries and territories have combined to sell more real estate than anyone. Nick joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Nick and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including leadership, sales, negotiations, career development, mentorship, international business, and much more.

Jan 31, 2023 • 38min
Episode 160: ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen
Bill Rasmussen is the founder of ESPN, the first television network fully dedicated to sports and the largest sports media entity today. Bill joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons learned along the way. Bill and Adam discuss a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurship, ideation, innovation, communications, overcoming obstacles and setbacks, mindset, and more.

Jan 24, 2023 • 38min
Episode 159: Former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James
The former Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James was only the second woman to ever lead a U.S. military service, where she oversaw an annual budget of more than $139 billion and nearly 660,000 airmen. Secretary James joins Adam to share her unique journey and best lessons and advice. Secretary James and Adam discuss how to rise within your career; how to navigate and avoid setbacks; how to lead in times of crisis; how to manage anxiety and pressure; and much more.

Jan 17, 2023 • 34min
Episode 158: Orangetheory Co-Founder and CEO Dave Long
The leader of one of the most successful brands in the world of fitness, Dave Long is the co-founder and CEO of Orangetheory, with more than 1,500 studios across 24 countries. Dave joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons learned along the way. Dave and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, branding, hiring, pushing your comfort zone, and much more.

Jan 10, 2023 • 32min
Episode 157: Olympic Gold Medalist Gail Devers
A member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame, Gail Devers is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. Gail competed in five different Olympic Games despite battling Graves' disease and Thyroid Eye Disease throughout her career. Gail joins Adam to share her journey and best lessons learned along the way. Adam and Gail discuss defining and attaining success, overcoming obstacles, developing a winning mindset, leadership, health, and much more.

Jan 3, 2023 • 34min
Episode 156: Governor Bill Weld
Bill Weld was the governor of Massachusetts from 1991 to 1997. Elected twice as a Republican in one of the bluest states in the country, Governor Weld won re-election with more than 70 percent of the vote. Governor Weld joins Adam to share his journey and best lessons and advice. Governor Weld and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: lessons from winning and losing races; relationship building; leadership; ethics; the power of humor; dealmaking; and much more.


