PODCAST · business
Corporate Competitor Podcast
by Don Yaeger
What do most Fortune 500 executives have in common? They learned important lessons on the fields and courts of their high school and collegiate sports teams. This is true for both men and women. Ernst & Young found that a whopping 94% of women holding a C-suite position, played sports.Join 13-time New York Times Best-Selling Author Don Yaeger on his journey to sit with some of the brightest executives in the world as we discuss how sports shaped their professional trajectory in life.
Episodes
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Victory Cruise Lines CEO John Waggoner on Why Leaders Should Still Wash the Windows
Ep. 271: The captain was given a choice: grab a rag to help the team wash the windows or hand over the boat. He tapped his epaulettes signaling his rank, "I'm the captain." John fired him. Why? Because the problem was never the windows. It was the belief that his title made certain jobs beneath...
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The Standard President and CEO Dan McMillan on how to turn disappointment into development
Ep. 270: Linfield basketball alum Dan McMillan shares how empowering your team to GIVE can create a ripple effect. A grieving customer once received a box of gourmet pears from his insurance company because a claims employee sensed he needed something extra. It turned out pears were his late…
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Penske President Bud Denker on How He Turned a Dinner Table Idea Into a Presidential Executive Order
Ep. 269: Team Penske has raced in more than 6,600 races and won 10% of them — and they're the winningest team in IndyCar history. This summer, Bud is leading the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, the first-ever IndyCar race in the nation's capital, down Pennsylvania Avenue August 22–23. In this episode…
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Wall Street Executive Mike Dorrell says: You've won the meeting when the other person talks more than you.
Ep. 268: Stonepeak CEO was shaped by rugby league, cricket, and growing up in a working-class farming town in Australia. Today he's built a career on Wall Street, but the personality that took him there was forged on fields where teammates and opponents alike gave each other unfiltered honesty —...
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Axon President Josh Isner on What His Mentor Bill Belichick Told Him That Still Runs His $45 Billion Company
Ep. 267: Harvard Golf and playing at Whisper Rock alongside Jon Rahm, Wyndham Clark, and Max Homa shaped Josh Isner's understanding of what winning really requires — and it shows in how he leads one of the most competitive companies in America. Axon is the $45 billion public safety company behind...
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Deloitte US CEO Jason Girzadas on The Feedback Formula: 3 Things Every Leader Must Consider
Ep. 266: Long before he was CEO of Deloitte US, Jason Girzadas was on the pitcher's mound with the bases loaded, his team up by one run, and his coach walking out to deliver the kind of feedback that sticks for a lifetime. In this episode, you will hear the lesson he learned, PLUS: How to fight...
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Guardian Life Executive Mike Perry teaches how to respond to a crisis without reacting to it
Ep. 265: As Head of Client Solutions and Wealth Management at Guardian Life Insurance, Mike has learned that the most transformational moments in business look a lot like cycling: riders who trust each other, rotate leadership, and communicate constantly can cover ground together that no one…
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Papa John's CEO Todd Penegor on what the restaurant floor teaches that offices never will
Ep. 264: Playing high school golf in Michigan and winning the Upper Peninsula State Championship shaped this CEO who led Wendy's through a decade of global growth before stepping into the CEO role at Papa John's after a very brief retirement. Today, Todd Penegor brings that same team-first...
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Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy Says: When FOMO Fear of Failure, You Move
Ep. 263: With a resume that includes StubHub President and Google President of Asia Pacific and Latin America, this technology exec joins the show talk about how tennis shaped her, and the way she now is involved in ownership of the Toronto Tempo! In this episode, you will learn: Why…
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Emmy-winning Food Network Star Giada De Laurentiis Says: Know What You Need and Make It Non-Negotiable
Ep. 262: What conditions do you actually need to perform at your best? Emmy award-winning chef Giada De Laurentiis shares that knowing your non-negotiables is the key ingredient. Don't miss these amazing stories on this episode: Food is connection. When Giada moved to the US from Italy, she...
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No Finish Line: How IndyCar Legend Sam Schmidt Turned Paralysis Into Purpose
Ep. 261: Just months after winning his first IndyCar race, Sam Schmidt hit a wall at nearly 200 miles per hour during preseason testing. He was paralyzed from the neck down at 35 years old. Doctors told his wife he wouldn't make it through the night. Twenty five years later, Sam has co-founded...
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Dutch Bros CEO Christine Barone says: It's not about being the most valuable player. It's about creating the most valuable team.
Ep. 260: The Harvard water polo co-captain, who had never played the sport before joining the team,now leads one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the countrywith the same philosophy that earned her that captaincy: it's not about being the most valuable player. It's about creating the…
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Calero President & CRO Eric Martorano says: Data tells you what's happening, stories tell you why it matters.
Ep. 259: After a decade at Microsoft where he was responsible for more than $17 billion in revenue, Eric used lessons from the baseball field—failure, resilience, and belief—to build award-winning cultures at Nextiva, Accordo, and Calero. You will learn: • Why people commit to stories—not...
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TruGreen CEO Kurt Kane says: To elevate your game, stop protecting your spot and start improving it.
Ep. 258: Former Wendy's U.S. President and now CEO of the nation's largest lawn care company, Kurt Kane, shares a powerful truth: "We are the leaders we've been waiting for." In this episode, you will learn: • Why protecting your position can hold back your growth • How great leaders use…
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The Film Room: 5 Ways to Make Your Processes More Efficient
What if your biggest leadership problem isn't results—but process? In this new mini series, we break down lessons from leaders at Ritz-Carlton, Aflac, and more who transformed performance by refining the details. In this episode you will learn how to identify friction, improve systems, and build...
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Gas South President & CEO Kevin Greiner says: Sometimes the best deal is the one you don't make.
Ep. 256: What if culture isn't built by slogans, but by what you reward? In this episode, you will learn: How Kevin makes values account for 50% of performance on his team When walking away from a deal is the smartest move a leader can make Why calm leadership matters Our BONUS RESOURCE for this...
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2-Time NBA Champion Shane Battier on the Secret to Winning: Study the Competition's Weakness
Ep. 255: The original "No-Stat All-Star" won Teammate of The Year playing alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Here he teaches you why being selfless and studying your opponent are the two secrets to success. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from...
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Gallagher Insurance Executive Shannon Gallagher on Mentorship That Works
Ep. 254: A black eye in her first Cornell rugby match taught Shannon she could do hard things—and that lesson still shapes her leadership today. A four-time New York City Marathon finisher, she believes leadership isn't about forcing people into the same mold. Like rugby, every role matters…
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Mindset Expert David Yeager on How to Make Comparison Your Superpower
Ep. 253: Baseball shaped this researcher who led the largest growth mindset experiment in history. His work spans from sports teams to global corporations like McDonald's and Walmart, where mindset shifts are boosting performance and reducing turnover. In this episode, you will learn: Strategies...
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Renegade Global CEO Amy Jo Martin: Go from busy to effective with calendar integrity
Ep. 252: What do black diamond ski slopes and working with Shaquille O'Neal have in common? For Amy Jo Martin, both became defining lessons in bravery, brand, and leadership. In this episode, you will learn: How to practice "calendar integrity" so your time matches your values. Why deleting,...
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Super Bowl Special: How Tom Brady and Doug Flutie Influenced Lisa Borges' Approach to Pressure
Ep. 251: As longtime Executive Director of the TB12 Foundation, Lisa helped carry forward Tom Brady's mission to redefine health and longevity. Before that, she spent 18 years leading the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, guiding families through some of life's hardest challenges and helping...
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SailPoint CEO Mark McClain says: Spend 90% of your time at work on your job, and 10% on your career.
Ep. 250: As captain of his HS baseball and basketball teams, Mark McClain began building a leadership playbook that would one day guide him as founder and CEO of SailPoint Technologies—recently named to Glassdoor's Best Places to Work list. In this episode, you'll learn: How to balance executing…
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Torchy's Tacos Founder Mike Rypka shares his journey from addiction to influence— an inside look at the rise of the beloved taco brand
Ep. 249: Before food trucks were cool, Mike Rypka had a used trailer, a red Vespa for deliveries, and a bold dream of building a taco joint. In this raw and inspiring conversation, he shares how overcoming addiction—and earning respect by leading from the line—shaped the culture behind one of...
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World Class Executive Coach Jack Daly asks: You can make more money, but not more time— how are you using yours?
Ep. 248: "Sports teams are run better than most businesses," Jack Daly shares. "They practice more than they play—and they never play without a playbook." With 100+ marathons across all 50 states and 7 continents, multiple Ironman finishes, and a business career that scaled companies into the...
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Hugh & Grace Founder Sara Jensen on "When Mentors Are Miles Away" – The unexpected inspiration that drove her wellness company
Ep. 247: Swimming and diving instilled a discipline in Sara that she carried into marathon running—qualifying for Boston the year of the bombing, then digging deep to requalify under even tougher standards. That same grit now fuels her approach to business, helping her navigate setbacks and drive...
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Former World No. 1 Tennis Player Stan Smith and Business Partner Gary Niebur on Winning Trust: How to Create Moments That Matter
Ep. 246: Tennis champion and Adidas shoe icon is joined by the President of Stan Smith Events, to share how leaders can Win Trust. With clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to Olympic legends and Michelin-starred chefs, they reveal how thoughtfully crafted moments create lasting impact. Our...
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NVIDIA's Anthony Robbins on what makes Jensen Huang unlike any other CEO
Ep. 245: From Jacksonville State Basketball to leading teams at AT&T, Oracle, and NVIDIA, he shares how a coach, a friend-turned-mentor, and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang helped shape his leadership mindset, including: Why mentorship that starts with friendship builds trust and momentum How to create a...
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Cisco Leader Sophie Stevens on Turning the "Competitive Cauldron" into Corporate Momentum
Ep. 244: From UNC soccer's "Competitive Cauldron" to Cisco's global sales floors, Sophie Stevens has learned that high performers thrive on feedback, not comfort. In this episode, she and Don Yaeger explore how measurable accountability builds great teams, why vulnerability and openness drive...
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Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel: Why Deliberate Practice Beats Just Putting in the Hours
Ep. 243: This executive who oversees OpenTable, Booking.com, and KAYAK was shaped by tennis courts and ski slopes. Glenn explains why "deliberate practice" beats "time on task" every time. Don't miss: • How Glenn used this mindset to recover from a stroke • The right way to coach for continuous...
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NewsNation Anchor Leland Vittert shares his journey with autism in our new book "Born Lucky"
Ep. 242: He didn't speak until he was three. Today, he's the one asking the tough questions on national television—broadcasting from war zones, pressing political leaders, and keeping his cool when chaos unfolds live. In this heartfelt episode, Leland shares how his father's fierce love—and some...
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Perspire Sauna Studios CMO Caroline Linton asks: Do you turn pressure into preparation?
Ep. 241: UC Irvine Volleyball shaped this longtime Pure Barre exec's belief in staying ready. She shares how being called off the bench during a game-winning point shaped her mindset as a Chief Marketing Officer. Don't miss: -Her two-question nightly ritual that sharpens focus and fuels growth…
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PNC Executive Cressman Bronson shares how he turned one chance into a 30-year career
Ep. 240: University of Toledo Baseball shaped his belief in showing up with pride—even when the scoreboard says otherwise. He shares how a blunt rejection from a scout and a cold-call to a bank exec changed his career path. "You are going to be great at something," a baseball scout informed him....
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The Senior: How Mike Flynt turned Regret to Redemption — Now a Major Motion Picture
Ep. 239: At 59, Mike became the oldest contributing member of a college football team in NCAA history—returning to his alma mater nearly four decades after being kicked off the team. He returned to finish what he started. But this isn't just a comeback story—it's about redemption, resilience, and...
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PGIM Quantitative Solutions CEO Linda Gibson: Why EQ is your most valuable edge in the age of AI
Ep. 238 Field hockey taught Linda to pause and ask "Why do you love the game?" That question has helped her transform both sports teams and billion-dollar organizations. Linda's team manages $111 billion in assets and are part of the 1.4 trillion dollar investment arm of Prudential Financial. She...
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Bose CEO Lila Snyder says risk-taking is a muscle— use it or lose it
Ep. 237: From the sidelines of Miami Football's National Championship game to leading one of the world's most iconic brands, the first female CEO of Bose shares stories of how weekly discomfort built her confidence! Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don's favorite quotes from today's...
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Lincoln Equities Group CEO Lance Bergstein says: Keep your eyes up!
Ep. 236: Tennis & racing cars shaped Lance's belief that decisiveness is a leader's most powerful tool. As a nationally ranked tennis player, he learned to make high-stakes decisions alone. That same mindset now fuels his success as a CEO and professional race car driver—where speed, risk, and...
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Denny's CEO Kelli Valade found her birth parents at 47— now she leads with vulnerability
Ep. 235: Softball shaped Kelli's belief that great leadership is about setting others up to win. In this heartfelt episode, she shares how her time as a scrappy leadoff hitter inspired a team-first mindset—and how embracing her adoption story became the key to building trust and loyalty as a...
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Flexjet CEO Mike Silvestro was teammates with Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana— now he's revolutionizing private aviation
Ep. 234: Notre Dame Football and having "Rudy" as a coach shaped the way Mike views "grit" and "grind" today! In this episode, you will learn how to turn personal wins into shared victories. "If you have a great day, make it a point to share that feeling with your entire organization," he shares....
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eXp World Holdings, Inc. CEO Glenn Sanford says: Opportunities are rarely missed, they are just given to someone else
Ep. 233: This CEO's high school was so tiny that it didn't have a track team, so he started a squad from scratch, built up the roster and even coached them, all while running a swift 4:25 mile along the way. That mindset—identifying a challenge and pursuing a solution—never left him. Years after...
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CEO of EF World Journeys USA Heidi Durflinger on How to Stop Treating Customers Like Transactions
Ep. 232: Training for her ultramarathon in Spain helped Heidi break big goals into small, achievable steps. Her approach offers a compelling blueprint for building trust, inspiring teams, and elevating the customer experience. Rooted in small-town Kansas values and shaped by global experience…
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The New Science of Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark - Featuring Gen. Bernard Banks
Ep. 231: How does a moment become momentum? You will learn the model to capture, accelerate, and reverse momentum as featured in my new book with Gen. Bernard Banks. From commanding in Desert Storm to teaching at West Point and Rice University to transforming organizations, Bernie's perspective…
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Acrisure President John Tuttle encourages you to be a student of excellence
Ep. 230: From college football to the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, John Tuttle has always thrived in competitive arenas. Now as President of Acrisure, he leads 19,000 employees in one of the fastest-growing fintech companies on the planet. Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes…
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Kitson & Partners CEO Syd Kitson asks: Are you willing to drive in the storm?
Ep. 229: Playing for The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys shaped the creator of Babcock Ranch—America's first solar-powered town. You will learn: Why Syd requires every team member to sign a Team Agreement—and what happens when they don't. How a quarterly Day of Service strengthens company...
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Technology Executive and Thoroughbred Owner Mark Kornegay encourages you to run your own race
Ep. 228: Get excited for the Kentucky Derby with Spectrum Vice President Mark Kornegay! "Horses are like people—they can burn themselves out trying to keep up with the fastest ones, instead of running their own race," he shared on this episode. Mark's career also includes leadership roles at...
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Former Cal Rugby Player Robert Paylor asks: What is paralyzing you?
Ep. 227: A devastating injury during the National Championship game left Robert paralyzed from the neck down. Told he'd never walk again, he began a new journey, one fueled by his three-word mantra: "Compared to what?" Robert shares how that question helped him shift from victimhood to…
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Amway CEO Michael Nelson teaches you how to embrace change
Ep. 226: Running marathons shaped this CEO's 35-year rise from "Amway Project Intern" to the corner office. From his first days at Amway to overseeing 14,000 employees in 100 countries, Michael reflects on his journey to teach you: How to avoid creating a culture where people are panicked to fail...
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PART 2 - Legendary Turnaround CEO Alan Mulally Reveals How 'Working Together' Saved Ford
Ep. 225: Our conversation explores powerful leadership lessons in radical transparency—revealing why honest reporting, even when the news isn't good, is essential for real progress. Learn how the Ford executives brought challenges to the table to solve them together. If you missed part 1, listen...
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PART 1 - Legendary Turnaround CEO Alan Mulally Reveals How 'Working Together' Saved Ford
Ep. 224: Former Boeing and Ford CEO went to Kansas on a gymnastics scholarship and later competed in a semi-pro tennis circuit. Learn how sports shaped one of Fortune's "World's Greatest Leaders." To listen to PART 2 of the conversation, visit:...
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Coach K shares two questions you should ask to elevate team performance
REWIND EPISODE: In celebration of March Madness, we are "rewinding" back to my conversation with 5-time National Champion Coach K! In his 42 seasons at Duke, Mike Krzyzewski built a dynasty that few programs in the history of the game can match. As the head coach of the U.S. Men's National...
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Summize CEO Tom Dunlop asks: How are you controlling the uncontrollables?
Ep. 222: Europe's top badminton player turned founder and CEO of the AI-powered platform revolutionizing contract management joins the show! You'll learn how to: - Use customer feedback wisely – Stay true to your vision without trying to please everyone. - Prioritize progress over perfection –…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What do most Fortune 500 executives have in common? They learned important lessons on the fields and courts of their high school and collegiate sports teams. This is true for both men and women. Ernst & Young found that a whopping 94% of women holding a C-suite position, played sports.Join 13-time New York Times Best-Selling Author Don Yaeger on his journey to sit with some of the brightest executives in the world as we discuss how sports shaped their professional trajectory in life.
HOSTED BY
Don Yaeger
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Corporate Competitor Podcast have?
Corporate Competitor Podcast currently has 276 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Corporate Competitor Podcast about?
What do most Fortune 500 executives have in common? They learned important lessons on the fields and courts of their high school and collegiate sports teams. This is true for both men and women. Ernst & Young found that a whopping 94% of women holding a C-suite position, played sports.Join 13-time...
How often does Corporate Competitor Podcast release new episodes?
Corporate Competitor Podcast publishes regularly with 276 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Corporate Competitor Podcast?
You can listen to Corporate Competitor Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Corporate Competitor Podcast?
Corporate Competitor Podcast is created and hosted by Don Yaeger.
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