

The Chris Voss Show
Chris Voss
With nearly 10 million downloads, The Chris Voss Show Podcast is a top 1% most popular shows out of 3,254,177 podcasts globally. Over 17 years, 27 millions views of amazing interviews of top CEOs, BILLIONAIRES, Astronauts, the hottest new book Authors, TV & Print News & Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalists, Governors, Congress Members and other inspiring and insightful guests that will expand your mind. Our podcast guests are the CEO’s, thought leaders, presidential advisers and the hottest new book authors and journalists from all the large publishers like Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Harper Collins, Macmillan, etc. Interviewed guests include top journalists from news anchors & journalists from all the top media: CNN, MSNBC, Washington Post, WSJ, NYT, The Guardian, etc. FTC Disclosure: Some guests pay advertising/production costs to appear on the show. See more at TheChrisVossShow.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 17, 2026 • 37min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – CultureWerk: The Twelve Pillars of Leadership Multiplication by Tom Kereszti
CultureWerk: The Twelve Pillars of Leadership Multiplication by Tom Kereszti
https://www.amazon.com/CultureWerk-Twelve-Pillars-Leadership-Multiplication/dp/166578833X
Leadershipdisciples.com
What if you could build organizations that thrive without you? In CultureWerk, you’ll discover the 12 Cultural Pillars that transform exhausted executives into architects of self-sustaining success. These aren’t consultant theories-they’re hard-won lessons from Tom Kereszti’s journey through five continents, turning disasters into triumphs for companies like Colgate-Palmolive, Benckiser, and Strauss Group. You’ll learn the same frameworks that helped transform a money-bleeding Prague operation into a profit powerhouse. The partnership approach that outmaneuvered Sara Lee and Kraft in acquisition battles. The trust-building secrets Navy SEALs use to turn ordinary people into extraordinary teams. Why Disney-Pixar created billions while Daimler-Chrysler destroyed value-and how to ensure you’re on the right side of that equation. But here’s what matters most: you’ll finally understand why your best people leave (hint: it’s not the money), why your team waits for you to solve everything (you trained them to), and how to break the cycle that’s keeping you trapped. This book won’t just change how you lead-it will free you from the prison of being indispensable. You’ll build something more valuable than a successful business: a legacy that multiplies through others. Your future self-rested, strategic, and watching your organization thrive without your constant intervention-starts here. You’re the only one who can close the big deals and fix the real problems-that’s not leadership, that’s a life sentence. Discover the 12 pillars that transform organizations and executives into architects of self-sustaining cultures where leaders emerge naturally at every level. “CultureWerk is not another leadership book built on theory-it’s a masterclass forged in the real world. Tom Kereszti doesn’t just talk about culture; he shows you how to engineer it, protect it, and multiply it so your organization can thrive long after you step out of the room. What makes this book rare is its focus on leadership multiplication, not leadership dependency. Too many organizations rise only as high as their most visible leader.
CultureWerk teaches you how to embed leadership so deeply into your culture that your people grow, your teams self-correct, and your mission outlives any single personality. Through the Twelve Pillars, Tom delivers a practical, global, and deeply human blueprint for building teams that perform with excellence and sustain impact across generations. This is the kind of book that changes how you lead on Monday morning-not just how you think on Sunday night. If you are serious about building a culture that scales, lasts, and multiplies leaders at every level, CultureWerk is not optional-it’s essential.” – Chris Robinson USA Today Bestselling Author, From Drift to Drive Executive Vice President, Maxwell Leadership “Different companies, different industries, strategies, technologies, and products – peel it all back, and what ultimately seals a company’s success is its culture. This book focuses precisely on that – on what truly transforms organizations into lasting legacies. It brings together the vast experience, deep insights, and extensive knowledge that Tom – whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing since our days at Strauss – possesses.” – Erez Vigodman Co-Founder Terra-A AG, Former President & CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals, ADAMA and Strauss Group. “I get asked to “endorse” a lot of books these days, and I always count it an honor. This book is quite different in the fact that I know the author personally and have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the fruit of his life up close. As a member of my church, Tom is a brilliant man, originally born in Hungary immigrated to the USA and this books carry’s a potent fusion of ‘old world’ Austro/Hungarian nobility, fused with ‘new world’ USA entrepreneurial pragmatism.
About the author
Tom is an industry influencer and is a highly sought-after coach, speaker, educator, and mentor. Tom’s new book C-Suite and Beyond was just published by Harper Collins. His approach to leadership comes from a lifetime of international experience. He has built and led executive teams in Fortune 500 companies in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States. His accomplishments include establishing global alliances, acquiring companies, leading successful start-ups, and creating brands. Tom is a certified member of the John Maxwell group, a leadership training organization built to grow and equip others to do remarkable things and lead fulfilling lives. Tom’s servant leadership principles are time proven and founded on biblical principles. “Man of God, leader of men.” That vision statement has guided every life choice Tom has made since 1995. Tom is down to earth and able to strike a balance between business challenges and common-sense solutions. His motivational and engaging style will leave you with practical and applicable solutions that you can put into practice. He is passionate about mentoring and coaching executives. He will empower you, your team, and your company to succeed. Tom is also an international speaker.

Mar 17, 2026 • 40min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Be There: My Lived Experience with My Sister’s Bipolar Disorder by Linsey Willis
Be There: My Lived Experience with My Sister’s Bipolar Disorder by Linsey Willis
https://www.amazon.com/Be-There-Experience-Sisters-Disorder/dp/1637559283
Betherebook.com
Be There is a compelling, insightful, heart-wrenching, and sometimes hard-to-believe memoir about a younger sibling’s lived experience as a lifelong caregiver for her sister, Betsy. A brilliant, beautiful, creative, and funny Ivy League-educated woman, Betsy’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 1975 at age 21 altered a life that would have otherwise been productive and happy.
Anyone who has a family member, significant other, or friend suffering from bipolar illness can find confirmation that they did not cause, cannot control, or cure the illness, but they can cope (The Four Cs). This book offers the peace of mind and healing that come from understanding the illness.
There is a discussion, with scientific references, of the genetic link to mental illness and the many characteristics of bipolar disorder. Dr. Linsey Willis engages the reader through the sharing of photographs, historical documents, commentary about a state psychiatric hospital, Betsy’s graphic yet engaging, hopeful letters, and examples of her many disturbing bipolar behaviors and actions.

Mar 16, 2026 • 30min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – A Thousand Kisses: A Family’s Escape From the Nazis to a New Life by John W. Weiser
A Thousand Kisses: A Family’s Escape From the Nazis to a New Life by John W. Weiser
https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Kisses-Familys-Escape-Nazis/dp/1978318073
Intimate and harrowing, this memoir of love, escape and redemption is a rich account of the Weiser family’s life and flight from Nazi Vienna to Hungary to Brazil and to the U.S. It will keep the reader glued to a narrative that skillfully recreates the palpable tension of multiple escapes. A Thousand Kisses is at once instructive about a family’s courage and determination to stay together and about the dangers of remaining silent while a government tightens immigration laws and promotes racial scapegoating.

Mar 16, 2026 • 21min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Courage: The Power to Stand Out Without Fear by Pastor Brian T. Lees
Courage: The Power to Stand Out Without Fear by Pastor Brian T. Lees
https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Power-Stand-Without-Fear-ebook/dp/B0F4M36X34
Stlqc.com
As long as there is good and evil in our world, we will always be at war. Christians should not be afraid to admit they follow God. They should take an active stance to share the Word and to encourage others to seek and find Jesus.
We gather our courage from a wide range of sources. Courage comes from within us. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. This book identifies courage we retain from past experiences. It encourages you to look back and learn from your accomplishments as well as your failures. Accomplishments enhance our confidence, and failures are learning lessons. Both contribute to the courage of moving forward.
In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” This book identifies real-world situations where Christians have overcome what seemed to be impossible. It includes examples of raw courage we use every day. Some are easy, where others require us to reach out for help. From teenagers saving a town from a flood to addicts stepping up to get free, it identifies the power of raw courage.
Courage enables us to do what is right at all costs. Biblical courage identifies Christians’ foundation to stand up and out. We should never be afraid to speak up, never hide our Christianity, and allow God’s grace to shine through us. For that to happen, we need to cling to our inner courage and never hesitate to use it.

Mar 16, 2026 • 27min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – BIG RED Kindle Edition by Matthew Gene Stephens
BIG RED Kindle Edition by Matthew Gene Stephens
https://www.amazon.com/BIG-RED-Matthew-Gene-Stephens-ebook/dp/B0G39Z5YBQ
Big Red, whose given name is Horatio Coonrod, is a teenaged boy in September 1864, the waning months of the War Between the States, in this historical novel that combines fictional characters and actual historical events and persons. He lives in the Florida Panhandle, in Jackson County, just east of Marianna, the county seat, as does his betrothed, Sue McKinnie. The times are desperate for the Confederacy but more so for Jackson County and the surrounding area, with a large force of battle-hardened Union veterans converging on Marianna. The Southern town is defended only by a few Confederate regulars, walking wounded, and citizens who make up a Home Guard, ranging in age from thirteen years to seventy-eight-a force half the size of the Union cavalry. The battle goes badly for the Southerners. Red was wounded, captured, and taken to the war’s most infamous Union prisoner of war camp in Elmira, New York, but he is protected and guided by the hand of the Lord as he makes his way back to his home, family, and the only girl he’s ever loved. He must then engage again in deadly combat in an attempt to regain what has been forcibly taken from him.
Red is transformed by the devastating trials he endures on his 1,100-mile journey home. He realizes the unfortunate transformation he went through and his need to seek the redemptive grace the Lord makes available to those who seek it. Sue McKinnie also struggles during this time, not knowing whether her beloved is alive or not. She clings to hope when it seems there is none. Her trials are recounted, illustrating how the Lord buttresses her against utter hopelessness through her extremely strong and devout faith. Together, their story is a tale of hope, faith, and love triumphant.

Mar 16, 2026 • 27min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Growing Your Nest Egg: A primer on investing for my grandchildren and other young adults by John W Weiser
Growing Your Nest Egg: A primer on investing for my grandchildren and other young adults by John W Weiser
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Your-Nest-Egg-grandchildren/dp/1778836879
COVERING THE BASICS OF INVESTING, Growing Your Nest Egg offers tips and pointers to familiarize readers with the benefits of saving for retirement, especially through owning stocks and bonds. It provides the wisdom of expert Wall Street investors and shares the benefit of the author’s own experiences-and his infectious enthusiasm for seeking and finding sound investments.

Mar 16, 2026 • 39min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Find the Black Box: The Solution No One Else Is Talking About by Dr Ira Williams
Find the Black Box: The Solution No One Else Is Talking About by Dr Ira Williams
https://www.amazon.com/Find-Black-Box-Solution-Talking/dp/1961908336
Every year, approximately 200,000 deaths occur in the US healthcare system that could have been prevented, akin to experiencing twenty weekly crashes of Boeing 747 airliners. This grim reality highlights the dire state of our nation’s healthcare delivery system, where lives are needlessly lost in hospitals every single day. In his book “Find the Black Box,” Dr. Ira Williams delves deep into the inherent issues plaguing the American healthcare system and offers viable solutions to establish a more effective healthcare system.
Throughout the book, Williams presents a multitude of facts to expose the deficiencies in the current healthcare system as he seeks answers to crucial questions such as:
What crucial element has always been lacking in our nation’s healthcare delivery system?
Why have previous efforts failed to bring about the necessary changes to the system, which continues to fall short?
What makes some of these efforts questionable, or even illegal?
“Find the Black Box” investigates the reasons behind the persistent rise in medical errors and sheds light on the disorganized, dysfunctional, and chaotic state of healthcare in the nation. However, amid these harsh realities, Williams also demonstrates that achieving a superior healthcare system is indeed possible with the right approach.
About the author
Dr. Ira Williams is a board certified oral surgeon and in writing his four books on health care he has recognized why the current system is broken and how to begin to create a far better system.

Mar 15, 2026 • 31min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Frac Without a K by John W. Ely
Frac Without a K by John W. Ely
https://www.amazon.com/Frac-Without-K-John-Ely/dp/1665552360
Elyfrac.com
The book titled FRAC without a K is actually the third edition of the initial book written in 1985. I got the inspiration for the initial book, titled Stimulation Treatment handbook, form working with a young Engineer who was in distress because of cheating on frac treatments. The original book was designed to instruct personnel on how to oversee fracs-basically understand what was going on and what to expect from the service company. There was, sadly, felonious activity going on in the oilfield and I took it upon myself to do what I could to stop this behavior. The activity was pretty well eliminated when the very large lawsuit occurred between Parker and Parsley and BJ Services occurred in the late 80’s. Without going into details the lawsuit was settled for 270 million dollars which was a huge sum in the late 80’s. I have included the 1994 edition 2 to show the improvements and advances that have occurred in our industry in 27 years. I include the second edition to show where my mind might have changed but also to allow a younger generation to see where we came from. I placed a lot of emphasis on historical changes as well as discussing at length the waterfrac revolution. My very subjective comments on waterfracs, small sand and actual design of slick water treatments is indeed controversial but not to me. I can state there is nothing equivalent to this book in our industry. You can find books with massive amount of equations or sales pitch phenomena but nothing anywhere as readable as FRAC without a K. I have included hopefully for your enjoyment, war stories and pictures and descriptions of directional kill blowouts I have attended worldwide.

Mar 14, 2026 • 43min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Empowering Small Retailers: NRS Plus Revolutionizes Independent Store Success
Empowering Small Retailers: NRS Plus Revolutionizes Independent Store Success
https://NRSplus.com/
About the Guest(s):
Elie Katz is the President and CEO of National Retail Solutions (NRS), a company dedicated to empowering independent convenience stores, liquor stores, tobacco shops, and gas stations across the U.S. With extensive experience as an executive in diverse industries, Ellie utilizes his strong leadership and organizational skills to drive NRS since its inception, under the subsidiary of IDT. NRS provides an advanced point of sale, network, and credit card processing ecosystem servicing over 35,000 retail locations. Elie Katz is also involved in managing real estate and food establishments, showcasing his deep understanding of business growth and investment.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Chris Voss Show, Chris hosts Elie Katz, President and CEO of National Retail Solutions. Elie Katz’s journey in establishing NRS as a beacon for small retailers is explored in depth, alongside discussions on how NRS provides advanced solutions to help independent retailers compete effectively. From revolutionary point of sale systems to integrations with platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats, Elie Katz outlines how his organization facilitates digital transformation for small businesses in an increasingly competitive market. Listeners are offered a firsthand understanding of how NRS’s tailored solutions are leveling the playing field for independent retailers across the United States.
Elie Katz elaborates on NRS’s latest initiatives, including the expansion of premium features and AI product recommendations that streamline operations and enhance consumer engagement. The discussion also dives into security innovations like the company’s patented panic alarm and strategies for digital transformation, which are not just theoretical but ingrained into the ethos at NRS. Elie Katz’s insights into focus and execution in leadership highlight pivotal lessons that are not only applicable to existing retailers but inspiring to aspiring entrepreneurs as well. Discover the evolving dynamics in retail and learn how to remain relevant and successful through adaptive strategies in this engaging episode.
Key Takeaways:
NRS empowers over 35,000 independent retailers across the U.S. with state-of-the-art POS systems and service integrations.
Elie Katz’s leadership philosophy emphasizes understanding pain points, focus, and execution to drive company growth and customer satisfaction.
NRS’s AI product recommendations help retailers optimize inventory and pricing, vital in today’s economy.
Partnerships with major companies like DoorDash and GrubHub expand customer reach for neighborhood retailers.
Innovations like the panic alarm showcase NRS’s commitment to retailer security and business continuity.
Notable Quotes:
“Small retailers have to stay in the game, especially in today’s economy.”
“Focus and get it done. You can’t pay your bills with excuses.”
“We’ve got to keep up with the AI transformation, or you risk being left behind.”
“Digital transformation isn’t just necessary—it’s vital for survival in today’s competitive market landscape.”
“Every feature we add aims at one goal: helping small businesses become more efficient.”

Mar 14, 2026 • 27min
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – A Hundred Honeymoons: A Novel by J.S. Wilson
A Hundred Honeymoons: A Novel by J.S. Wilson
https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Honeymoons-Novel-J-S-Wilson/dp/1664134204
Women are predators too, only the prey is different? – A.J. Strindberg A Hundred Honeymoons? storyline develops like a carnally driven small town soap opera revolving around two innocent teenagers, Todd and Sally. Drenched in hormonal confusion, Todd?s teenage adventures offer a good number of relatable moments for the reader to quip, ?Yeah, I remember feeling like that.? While Sally?s journey takes her from naive cheerleader to a mature woman. Exploitive and corrupt characters woven throughout, it is a story premeditated with carnal adventures, broken hearts, and true love. Can these infatuated, yet durable teenagers, survive and prove, love does conquer all?


