Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Greg McKeown, author of the bestselling book “Essentialism,” shares his insights on the art of prioritizing what truly matters in life. He discusses how to distinguish essential tasks from the non-essential ones to enhance productivity and well-being. McKeown recounts a personal story that underscores the need for clear priorities, especially in stressful moments. He introduces the 90% rule for focusing on key activities and advocates for intentional living through disciplined choices. This conversation encourages listeners to streamline their lives and commitments.

Leila Janah is the founder and CEO of Samasourceand LXMI, two companies that go beyond charity to give work to low-income people around the world to generate life-changing income. Leila is the author of the book Give Work. She was named to Fortune's 40 Under 40list and honored as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Women in Tech. On this episode, we talk about what's broken about the traditional charity model, the biggest challenges she's faced as a young entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, and how to reverse poverty one job at a time.

Seth Godin, a renowned entrepreneur and bestselling author, dives into transformative marketing strategies. He discusses the ethical responsibilities of marketers and the importance of understanding your audience. Godin emphasizes trust-building, the distinction between brand and direct marketing, and the emotional labor involved in creating meaningful connections. He encourages embracing fear as a catalyst for growth while sharing insights from his journey as a writer and leader. Expect humor and wisdom as he reflects on resilience and authentic relationships in business.

Shabnam Mogharabi is the CEO of SoulPancake, an award-winning entertainment company she co-founded with actor Rainn Wilson (better known as Dwight from The Office). SoulPancake spreads joy and celebrates the human experience by producing and curating thought-provoking, uplifting video content. Shabnam is also a New York Times bestselling author of SoulPancake: Chew on Life's Big Questions. On this episode, we talk about how to craft a great story, being intentional about tuning into joy in our daily lives, and the power of tackling tough conversations.

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz loved the big stage. The only Atlanta Braves player to be part of the franchise's historic run of 14 consecutive division titles, Smoltz helped the Braves to five World Series appearances and the 1995 title. In his 21-year career, Smoltz shifted between starter and closer, making history as the only player in big league history with at least 200 career wins and at least 150 saves. On this episode, we talk about how he dealt with adversity throughout this career and the importance embracing discomfort as a pathway to growth.

Ryan Holiday, a best-selling author and marketing strategist known for his works on Stoicism, dives deep into transforming obstacles into advantages. He discusses how Stoic principles help manage pressure and self-inflicted failures, especially for athletes and leaders. Ryan emphasizes the importance of perception and purpose in both life and marketing, explaining how reframing challenges can lead to growth. He also reflects on the value of presence over ticking off bucket lists, drawing inspiration from ancient wisdom and personal experiences.

Ron Clark, founder of the innovative Ron Clark Academy, shares his extraordinary journey from an unexpected teaching career to transforming education. He discusses balancing high expectations with joy, creating a culture of appreciation, and the power of a 'no fear' mindset. Ron's bus analogy emphasizes investing in top performers while uplifting the entire team. He reveals Oprah's impactful lesson on respect and shares his ambitious plans to revolutionize education by training thousands of educators annually, all while maintaining passion and joy in the process.

Dubbed a "modern-day Jane Austen," byVanity Fair, author Emily Giffin has touched the hearts of millions of readers with her bestselling novels. Her books have been translated into 31 languages and sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. Her latest book, All We Ever Wanted, is out now. On this episode, Emily talks about the creative process and finding the courage to pursue your dreams.

Gus Malzahn, head coach who led the Auburn Tigers to a SEC Championship, shares insights on transforming team culture and embracing small details for big victories. He discusses how effective communication fosters a unified team and the importance of recruiting players aligned with core values. Balancing high-pressure coaching with personal life, he emphasizes building trust and connections with players. Additionally, he reflects on his journey in the sport and the positive impact of youth development through sports programs.

An overflowing email inbox. Pointless meetings. An endless to-do list. Does this describe your life at work? It's time to shift your mindset from busyness to thoughtfulness by embracing whitespace. Juliet Funt is the CEO of WhiteSpace at Work, a training and consulting firm that helps organizations, their leaders and employees reclaim their creativity, productivity and engagement. On this episode, she talks about the big difference between activity and productivity, the four thieves of productivity, and the huge cost of our culture of busyness at work.