
Game Changers with Molly Fletcher is our podcast designed to help you maximize your influence and unleash your potential. Each episode, we take you behind the scenes with peak performers to learn what makes them tick and discover how you can apply their lessons to your life. Join Molly each week to hear from her special guests— top athletes and coaches, transformative CEOs, brilliant thought leaders, and entrepreneurs and trailblazers from around the world. Subscribe now on iTunes or Google Play.
Recent Episodes

An acclaimed leadership expert, psychologist, and New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Henry Cloud is one of the most influential leaders in personal growth and development. His books have sold more than 10 million copies and he’s helped countless people improve their relationships, leadership skills and workplace performance. On this episode, Dr. Cloud talks about the four corners of connection, why it’s important to set boundaries, and how to recognize toxic relationships. If you want more, head over to his website for a great collection of resources on leadership, relationships, productivity, and happiness.
Follow Dr. Cloud: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Show Notes
- Cloud breaks down the four corners of connection (8:30)
- Do this exercise to determine if your energy and priorities are aligned (18:15)
- Stop being afraid of fear (20:55)
- The importance of setting boundaries (32:05)
Resources Mentioned
- The Power of the Other by Dr. Henry Cloud
- Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud
- Ego Psychology by Gertrude Rubin Blanck
- No Man Is An Island Thomas Merton
- The Divided Self by D. Laing
- Love and Will by Rollo May
- Management by Peter Drucker
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Jim Loehr on the Power of Full Engagement
- Chipper Jones on What Baseball Taught Me About Failure
- Isaac Lidsky on Mastering Your Reality
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!

Once the poster girl for doing it all, today’s guest Tiffany Dufu is now sharing a powerful message to women: Drop The Ball. As Chief Leadership Officer of Levo and part of Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In launch team, Tiffany’s life work is to advance women and girls. If we can learn to let go of perfectionism, she says, we can achieve more by doing less and achieve better work-life integration. On this episode, Tiffany shares the power in shrinking your to-do list, how to delegate with joy, and what happens when we focus on our most meaningful work. Her new book, Drop The Ball, is out now.
Follow Tiffany: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Show Notes
- What “drop the ball” means and how to let go of unrealistic expectations (1:56)
- Gender roles and how Tiffany’s drive for achievement turned into perfectionism (3:06)
- Do these two exercises to achieve clarity on what matters most (13:00)
- Do this eye-opening time management exercise (17:05)
- Learning how to “delegate with joy” (19:27)
- Burnout is a feeling that happens when the things you are doing aren’t meaningful (28:20)
- What she learned from Sheryl Sandberg (31:08)
- Tiffany’s favorite apps, books and podcasts (32:43)
Resources Mentioned
- Insight by Tasha Eurich
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- Quiet by Susan Cain
- White Rage by Carol Anderson
- The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
- Popular by Mitch Prinstein
- The Big Life by Ann Shoket
- Feminist Fight Club by Jessica Bennett
- I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajay
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Dr. Ayala Malach Pines
- Things task management app
- TaskRabbit app
- Call Your Girlfriend podcast (Ann Friedman)
- The Call with Erica Williams Simon podcast
Recommended for You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Monique Mosley on Being Your Own Boss
- Alison Levine on Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest
- Kat Cole on Authentic Leadership
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!

Jon Gordon’s passion is developing positive leaders and inspiring winning team cultures. The author of the international bestseller The Energy Bus, Jon is a sought after speaker on leadership, culture, sales and teamwork. On today’s episode, Jon shares what he’s learned about building thriving team cultures, why positive leadership inspires high performance, and what to do when energy vampires threaten your workplace culture. Get his latest book, The Power of Positive Leadership, available now.
Follow Jon: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Show Notes
- The turning point in his life that motivated change (2:07)
- His advice to make the shift from negative to positive (3:22)
- Why grit is greater than thought (4:32)
- How to speak truth to lies in your life (5:00)
- Why to be great even when you don’t feel great (7:24)
- Purpose-driven motivation lasts (8:44)
- How to find your purpose (9:40)
- Why Dabo Swinney is a special leader and how he re-energized his team to win after a big loss (11:28)
- The best leaders in the world provide love and accountability (13:43)
- Example of a leadership team stuck in negative behavior and how he helped them change (16:50)
- This exercise helps teams grow closer (19:03)
- How to deal with the energy vampires in your life (21:12)
- The best way to deliver tough, honest feedback (24:24)
- Advice for a positive person stuck in a negative culture (26:43)
- His greatest accomplishment (31:01)
- His personal vision (33:00)
Resources / People Mentioned
- The Power of Positive Leadership by Jon Gordon
- The Seed by Jon Gordon
- The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
- The Carpenter by Jon Gordon
- Training Camp by Jon Gordon
- Jewel (Musician & Singer)
- Roger Federer (Tennis Player)
- Phil Dawson (NFL Kicker)
- Dabo Sweeney (Head Coach, Clemson Football)
- Christian Wilkins (Clemson Football)
- Dave Roberts (LA Dodgers)
- John Maxwell (Author & Speaker)
- The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard
- All the Places to Go…How will you know? by Jon Ortberg
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Andy Stanley on 5 Characteristics of Leaders Worth Following
- Steve Koonin on Creating an Innovative Culture
- Tom Izzo on Maximizing Your Team’s Potential
And read:
- You’re Not as Good a Leader As You Think You Are
- 3 Ways to Develop Positive Thinking Through Self-Talk
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!

World-renowned performance psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr is well known for his work with top athletes and Olympians. As co-founder of the Human Performance Institute, he applies his research to the business world with Corporate Athlete training on performance and resilience. The author of 16 books, including the national bestseller The Power of Full Engagement, Jim’s ground-breaking science-based energy management training system has been featured everywhere from the Harvard Business Review to the Oprah Winfrey Show. On today’s episode, Jim shares how to find fulfillment at work, ways to maximize energy for peak performance, and how to re-wire our mental script.
Show Notes
- How he helped Olympian Dan Jansen achieve new goals (2:58)
- The biggest parallels between business and sports (7:38)
- The groundbreaking executive coaching program at Johnson & Johnson’s Human Performance Institute (10:45)
- Tools to manage your energy better (14:00)
- Time without energy is nothing (15:05)
- Full engagement is the supreme gift we give to the world (16:20)
- Purpose is the centerpiece of everyone’s life story (19:10)
- How to know if you’re living out your purpose (19:37)
- Tips to help people gain mental toughness (22:20)
- Achievement doesn’t bring happiness, it’s the chase and journey (24:30)
- How parents, teachers and coaches can help kids build character as a result of youth sports (28:35)
Resources / People Mentioned
- The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr
- Jim Loehr (bio)
- Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute
- Michelle Wie, golfer
- Justin Rose, golfer
- Jim Courier, tennis
- Monica Seles, tennis
- Mike Richter, hockey
- Dan Jansen, track and field
- Philip Zimbardo
- Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan (self-determination theory)
- Viktor Frankl, author
- Arthur Ashe, tennis
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Geno Auriemma on Winning (And Winning Some More)
- Jon Gordon on Positive Leadership
- Tom Izzo on Maximizing Your Team’s Potential
And read:
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!

One of the greatest coaches in college basketball history, Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo has carved out a Hall of Fame career. But beyond the championships, Coach of the Year accolades, and 500+ career wins, Izzo has shaped the lives of countless players and coaches who have come through his program. On this episode, Izzo talks about what’s shaped his sports leadership philosophy, the difference between good teams and great teams, and the legacy he wants to leave behind.
Show Notes
- His Michigan roots and values his parents instilled early (2:55)
- His relationship with Mateen Cleaves (4:18)
- How he builds trust with his players (6:28)
- The activity he does with his players each year (7:05)
- His mission in life (7:40)
- The characteristics of great teams (8:22)
- The difference between great players and elite players (9:32)
- A player-coached team is better than a coach-coached team (11:00)
- Tough players win championships (13:01)
- The importance of spending time (17:50)
- What he does to re-build a player’s confidence (20:52)
- Self-motivate and self-evaluate (28:13)
Resources / People Mentioned
- Tom Izzo’s coaching tree
- Carl Izzo (father of Tom Izzo)
- Mateen Cleaves
- John Smoltz
- New England Patriots
- San Antonio Spurs
- Golden State Warriors
- Draymond Green
- Denzel Valentine
- Zach Randolph
- Jason Richardson
- Steve Smith
- Antonio Smith
- Chris Hill
- Morris Peterson
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Jen Welter on Breaking Glass Ceilings in the NFL
- Chipper Jones on What Baseball Taught Me About Failure
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!

Imagine yourself on the highest peak in the world, surviving sub-zero temperatures, battering winds, and sudden avalanches. Adventurer Alison Levine has been there. She’s served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, climbed the highest peak on every continent, and skied to both Poles. There’s no better training ground for leaders than environments where uncertainty reigns, teamwork is essential, and people are pushed beyond their perceived limits. On this episode, Alison talks about what she’s learned about leading through adversity, teamwork, and risk taking by taking on the world’s highest peaks. If you want more, be sure to check out her New York Times bestseller On The Edge.

Follow Alison: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Show Notes
- How she first got involved in mountain climbing (2:12)
- Why she left the corporate world to pursue her passion (3:50)
- Her advice to people who want to follow their passion (5:28)
- What it was like climbing her first mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro (5:56)
- Dealing with personal challenges (8:19)
- The key to how successful teams operate (10:19)
- What she’s learned from her “failed” attempts (12:34)
- What makes Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski a great leader (18:02)
- How to lead through uncertainty (20:30)
- What’s left on her bucket list (25:43)
Resources / People Mentioned
- On the Edge by Alison Levine
- Free to be…You and Me by Marlo Thomas
- Mike Kryzewski
- Shane Battier
- Sir Edmund Hillary
- Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
- Malala Yousafza
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Isaac Lidsky on Mastering Your Reality
- Kat Cole on Authentic Leadership
- Jessie Graff on Superheroes, Ninja Warriors and Facing Fear
- Mike Feinberg on Purpose-Driven Leadership
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!

During his 19-year career with the Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones was a World Series Champion, 1999 National League MVP and 8x All-Star. But baseball also forced him to fail time and time again, and in that he found his most valuable lessons. On this episode, the former #1 pick and future Hall of Famer discusses the highs and lows of being a professional athlete, opens up about his personal struggles, and talks about the mental toughness and perseverance required to become one of the game’s greatest switch-hitters. His new book, Ballplayer, is in stores now.

Follow Chipper: Twitter | Facebook
Show Notes
- What made the Atlanta Braves teams of the 1990s so special (2:12)
- What it was like to play for Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox (4:37)
- The Atlanta Braves veterans who mentored him in the clubhouse (7:04)
- How baseball taught him to recover from failure faster (10:32)
- The positive self-talk Chipper used when in a slump (12:32)
- The advice his mother gave him that he remembered every time he stepped to the plate (15:00)
- The story of how Chipper went hunting the morning of the World Series (18:37)
- His pre-game routine (21:30)
- Focusing on baseball while his personal life fell apart (25:20)
- The decision to retire and the transition (29:30)
- The best practical jokes from the Braves clubhouse (35:43)
- The advice Chipper would give his younger self (40:35)
Resources / People Mentioned
- Ballplayer by Chipper Jones
- Atlanta Braves
- Bobby Cox
- Greg Maddux
- John Smoltz
- Tom Glavine
- Deion Sanders
- David Justice
- Jeff Francoeur
- Barry Bonds
- Kelly Johnson
- B.B. Abbott
- Orel Hershiser
- Frank Wren
- John Schuerholz
- Roger Clemens
- Bryce Harper
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Tom Glavine on Peak Performance
- Billy Horschel on Mental Toughness
- Geno Auriemma on Winning (And Winning Some More)
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!

Laura Gentile turned her passion and purpose into a vision, leading the launch of the espnW platform for ESPN. On this episode, the former college field hockey standout takes us behind the scenes to talk about the hard-driving culture at ESPN, her vision for espnW, and what it takes to launch a new brand.

Follow Laura: Twitter | Instagram | Website
Show Notes
- Launching espnW as a startup (2:14)
- The data behind the decision to launch espnW (3:10)
- What she looked for in her first hires at espnW (3:45)
- Launching the business at the espnW Summit (6:24)
- Her vision for the espnW brand (7:12)
- Tapping into the power of the female consumer (8:30)
- How she’s aligned her purpose with her work (11:33)
- What she’s learned from working in the industry (18:28)
- What the culture is like at ESPN (20:14)
- Her views on youth sports today (23:05)
- Her advice to anyone who wants to work in the sports industry (26:17)
Resources / People Mentioned
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Jen Welter on Breaking Glass Ceilings in the NFL
- Val Ackerman on Reinventing Your Career
- Geno Auriemma on Winning (And Winning Some More)
Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave a rating or review!