WSJ Leadership Institute Presents Leaders
The Wall Street Journal
The WSJ Leadership Institute Presents Leaders. A new podcast series bringing you revealing conversations with top executives shaping business today. Hosted by Alan Murray, president of The WSJ Leadership Institute, the series goes beyond headlines to explore how leadership really works in times of upheaval, transformation, and uncertainty. These candid interviews challenge conventional wisdom and offer practical insights for anyone looking to lead with clarity, purpose, and impact. Great leaders aren’t born—they’re made. Our first episode was released Monday, Sept. 22 at 5:00 a.m. ET, with new episodes every other Monday.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 23, 2026 • 28min
Inside Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi’s AI Bet
Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi brings us inside the company’s multi-year shift from software to an AI-driven service model at a pivotal moment in tax season, as millions turn to TurboTax. He explains how AI is reshaping the business and driving Intuit’s transformation. Goodarzi also discusses how his personal journey informs his approach to leadership, talent and hiring—while maintaining an obsessive focus on the customer amid periods of market uncertainty. Recorded on February 11, 2026.
Mar 9, 2026 • 33min
BNY CEO Robin Vince: How AI Is Transforming America’s Oldest Bank
BNY CEO Robin Vince discusses the cultural and technological transformation of America’s oldest bank, sharing his firsthand lessons on executive leadership, coaching, and what it takes to get human employees to embrace working side-by-side with AI. Recorded on January 21, 2026.
Feb 23, 2026 • 26min
Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts on the Business of the NBA
Rick Welts didn't just witness NBA history—he was a part of much of it. From his early days in Seattle as a ball boy to his Hall of Fame induction, the Mavericks CEO reflects on how the league’s formative years shaped his approach to leadership, crisis management, executive resilience and long-term thinking. Recorded on May 28, 2025.
Feb 9, 2026 • 33min
How Doug McMillon Turned Walmart Into a $1 Trillion Tech Giant
Outgoing Walmart CEO Doug McMillon looks back on over 35 years at the company—from unloading trailers in a warehouse to leading from the top. He reveals why he ignored the market critics to invest billions in his workforce and how a surprise whiteboard session in Bentonville saved Walmart’s e-commerce strategy. Recorded on January 29, 2026.
Jan 26, 2026 • 27min
HPE Chair Pat Russo on How to Respond to Activists
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Chair Pat Russo takes us inside the fight against activist investors that led to a CEO’s ouster and a turning point for a legendary tech company. Russo outlines a roadmap for leaders defending an organization under attack while protecting its standing with investors, employees, and the public. Recorded on November 11, 2025.
Jan 12, 2026 • 42min
Why AT&T’s $25 Billion Plan Demands a New Corporate Culture
AT&T's CEO John T Stankey, a veteran with four decades at the telecom giant, shares insights on his ambitious $25 billion modernization plan. He discusses the clash between AT&T's traditional engineering culture and the need for a more market-driven, customer-centric approach. Stankey emphasizes the importance of in-office collaboration, a commitment culture where employees earn their roles, and the transformative impact of AI. He admits underestimating cultural change in his early leadership and reflects on the balance between employee well-being and performance.
Dec 29, 2025 • 28min
How CEO Brian Niccol Plans to Reclaim What Starbucks Lost
Brian Niccol, CEO of Starbucks, discusses his first challenging year leading the coffee giant following the pandemic's impact on its core experience. He shares insights on balancing mobile convenience with maintaining the café atmosphere that defines Starbucks. Niccol details innovations like smart-queue tech and the 'Back to Starbucks' initiative aimed at enhancing barista-customer connection. He also touches on unionization efforts and the importance of preserving the handcrafted nature of the coffee experience while integrating technology.
Dec 17, 2025 • 35min
Chobani’s Success Started With Great Yogurt — and One Radical Idea
Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya recounts his unlikely journey from an abandoned dairy plant in upstate New York to building the Chobani brand. He also discusses the once-unconventional leadership philosophy that has guided the company’s growth — and is now catching on across corporate America. Recorded on June 16, 2025.
Dec 15, 2025 • 29min
Chevron CEO on Geopolitical Shocks Reshaping the Global Market
Chevron CEO Mike Wirth discusses leading the company through extreme market volatility, from negative oil prices to global conflicts, and addresses his succession planning with the board. Recorded on Dec. 9, 2025 at WSJ's CEO Council Summit.
Dec 1, 2025 • 46min
How Brené Brown and Lumen CEO Kate Johnson Rebuilt a Telecom Company
Bestselling author Brené Brown and Lumen Technologies CEO Kate Johnson reveal the radical culture change that saved a legacy telecom company. Recorded Nov. 4, 2025.
