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Podcast · 78 episodes

How Leaders Lead with David Novak

by David Novak · English

How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more. Other guests include: CEO of Starbucks CEO of Target Co-founder of Home Depot and many others... David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wisdom of these leaders into actionable insights you can use to elevate your own leadership game. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already leading teams, this show helps you build the confidence you need to lead well.

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#310: Demond Martin, Cofounder and CEO, WellWithAll – Recognize how others shape youDemond Martin (WellWithAll) discusses how leaders are shaped by relationships (“community built, not self-made”) and how to build lasting friendships (“friends of the good”).24 Sep 2026 · 56 min · 33 chapters
#309: Ben Zobrist, 2x World Series Champion – Prepare for pressureLeadership under pressure, staying present, building confidence through routines, and managing the “descent” after major success; includes advice for leaders and for youth sports pressure.17 Sep 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 28 chapters
#308: Zac Taylor, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals – Consistency creates resultsZac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals head coach) explains how consistent leadership, player relationships, and culture-building drove Cincinnati from 2-14 to a Super Bowl appearance, and how he plans to…10 Sep 2026 · 51 min · 30 chapters
#307: Clark Lea, Head Football Coach, Vanderbilt – Belief is a practiceVanderbilt football turnaround under head coach Clark Lea, centered on “belief is a practice” (actions over feelings), authenticity, culture/standards, alignment, and shared ownership.3 Sep 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 25 chapters
#306: Tony Spring, Chairman & CEO, Macy’s, Inc. – Hit the ground listeningTony Spring, Macy’s CEO (since 2024), discusses how Macy’s is modernizing its customer experience and culture through “Bold New Chapter,” using customer listening, hospitality, storytelling, and…27 Aug 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 27 chapters
#305: Harry Arnett, Cofounder & CEO, MUNICIPAL – Bet on yourselfHarry Arnett, cofounder/CEO of MUNICIPAL (launched with Mark Wahlberg in 2020), discusses building a brand that sells identity and self-belief, leading through stress, and expanding from apparel into…20 Aug 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 28 chapters
#304: Ron Johnson, Creator of the Apple Store – A great customer experience is an act of loveRon Johnson (author of Shop Different) discusses how he built Apple’s retail store experience—turning it into a customer-first “act of love”—and what leadership lessons he learned from Steve Jobs,…13 Aug 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 26 chapters
#303: Ben Goodwin, Cofounder, CEO & Formulator, OLIPOP – The power of emotional intelligenceBen Goodwin, cofounder/CEO/formulator of OLIPOP, explains how emotional intelligence and product intuition drive “third wave” functional soda—delicious drinks built to support digestive health and…6 Aug 2026 · 55 min · 23 chapters
#302: Varun Krishna, CEO, Rocket Companies – Culture is rooted in behavior, not wordsVarun Krishna, CEO of Rocket Companies, explains how Rocket preserves culture while evolving, and how leadership practices (shared experiences, behavior-based “isms,” customer obsession, and data +…30 Jul 2026 · 1 h 13 min · 30 chapters
#301: Julie Bornstein – Founder & CEO, Daydream – People skills matter mostJulie Bornstein, founder/CEO of Daydream (AI-powered fashion search), discusses how “people skills matter most” in the age of AI, plus her retail-to-tech journey and what she learned building…23 Jul 2026 · 1 h 14 min · 34 chapters
#300: Marty Smith, Reporter, ESPN – Deep listening builds deep trustDeep listening as the foundation for trust and leadership, told through Marty Smith’s career transitions and journalism craft.16 Jul 2026 · 1 h 27 min · 36 chapters
#299: David Dorman, Former CEO, AT&T – See around cornersLeadership for disruption—“seeing around corners” by tracking industry shifts early, building trust with boards and executives, and making hard personnel/strategy decisions before problems worsen.9 Jul 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 33 chapters
#298: Joe Manchin, Former Governor and Senator, West Virginia – How to find common groundJoe Manchin (former WV governor and U.S. senator) explains how leaders can find common ground in Washington despite deep partisan distrust, using personal connection, shared interests, and a focus on…2 Jul 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 28 chapters
#297: Dave Ritterbush, CEO, Califia Farms – Build for what’s nextDave Ritterbush (CEO, Califia Farms) discusses building a consumer brand “for what’s next” by investing in infrastructure, processes, culture, and supply chain ahead of demand; he also covers…25 Jun 2026 · 57 min · 28 chapters
#296: Landon Donovan, US Soccer Legend – Separate who you are from what you doLandon Donovan discusses leadership under pressure, separating identity from performance, and how mental health work (therapy) enabled his comeback after the 2006 World Cup.18 Jun 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 29 chapters
#295: Shawn Johnson & Andrew East, Olympic Gold Medalist, Former NFL Pro – Experiment and learn by doingShawn Johnson East and Andrew East discuss leadership and commitment as a couple—how they run Family Made and their podcast Couple Things, build content businesses together, disagree without arguing,…11 Jun 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 26 chapters
#294: Bobby Long, Partner and Co-Founder, Piedmont Capital Partners – See the best in peopleBobby Long, partner/co-founder of Piedmont Capital Partners, discusses relational leadership, “humble listening,” long-term investing in big problems, and how he pressure-tests ideas while staying…4 Jun 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 36 chapters
#293: David Lafitte – CEO, Tecovas – Serve others with radical hospitalityTecovas’ people-first “radical hospitality” strategy for selling Western boots and apparel, plus leadership lessons from David Lafitte’s career (law, operations, scaling manufacturing, and…28 May 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 25 chapters
#292: Kecia Steelman, CEO, Ulta Beauty – Progress over perfectionKecia Steelman’s leadership philosophy as CEO of Ulta Beauty—“progress over perfection”—and how Ulta drives growth through inclusive retail, loyalty data, authentic brand partnerships, and…21 May 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 34 chapters
#291: Mark Smucker, Chair and CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company – Understand the soul of your brandHow Mark Smucker (CEO/chair of The J.M. Smucker Company) defines “the soul of your brand” and explains how to modernize iconic consumer brands while staying authentic, using consumer insight,…14 May 2026 · 56 min · 26 chapters
#290: Mariam Naficy, Founder and Chairman, Minted – See the possibilities in peopleMariam Naficy’s leadership philosophy and Minted’s business journey—crowdsourcing artists, building dignity/joy in work, scaling customer service, and using AI for peak-season support.7 May 2026 · 58 min · 25 chapters
#289: Kurt Kane, CEO, TruGreen – Fall in love with customer retentionKurt Kane, CEO of TruGreen (largest U.S. lawn care company), explains how to grow through customer retention and satisfaction rather than only acquiring new customers.30 Apr 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 34 chapters
#288: James “JC” Curleigh, CEO, Pelican Products – How to reframe what you sellPelican Products’ CEO James “JC” Curleigh discusses reframing what a company sells—from “cases” to “protection for missions”—and how leaders should build momentum through clear messaging, better…23 Apr 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 28 chapters
#287: Julie Hansen, CEO, Babbel – Don’t fear changeJulie Hansen, CEO of Babbel (U.S.) and Chief Revenue Officer for global Babbel, discusses leading through change, language-learning efficacy, motivation, and how AI and competition are reshaping the…16 Apr 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 33 chapters