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

Leila Janah

Episode 52- Leila Janah on Reversing Poverty One Job At A Time

Leila Janah is the founder and CEO of Samasource and LXMI, two companies that go beyond charity to give work to low-income people around the world to generate life-changing income. Leila is the author of the book Give Work. She was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list and honored as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Women in Tech. On this episode, we talk about what’s broken about the traditional charity model, the biggest challenges she’s faced as a young entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, and how to reverse poverty one job at a time.

“Purpose is the strongest driver of human ambition.”

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Show Notes

  • How a trip to Ghana at age 17 inspired the idea for Samasource (1:37)
  • What is Samasource? (4:45)
  • Why giving work is a more effective model than the traditional charity model (5:20)
  • An example of how the giving work model works (9:19)
  • The Samaschool training model in the United States (13:50)
  • The most important trait entrepreneurs must develop to succeed (17:08)
  • How she was able to persevere as an entrepreneur (19:57)
  • Why it’s important to integrate profit and purpose (26:49)
  • How she manages her energy (30:29)
  • Leila’s book, “Give Work: Reversing Poverty One Job At A Time” (35:11)

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Seth Godin

Episode 51- Seth Godin on The 3 Questions Every Marketer Should Ask

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, brilliant marketer and speaker who’s known for “making a ruckus.” He’s written 19 bestselling books including Permission Marketing, Tribes, and Purple Cow and has the most popular business blog in the world. Seth also runs the altMBA, a four-week online leadership and management workshop, and hosts the podcast akimbo. On this episode, we dig into Seth’s new book- This Is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See.  We talk about building a tribe, how to earn trust, and the three questions every marketer should ask.

“The goal isn’t to reach everyone; the goal is to make an impact.”

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Show Notes

  • Why Seth started his blog (2:04)
  • Why he isn’t interested in scaling (4:09)
  • The definition of marketing: “the act of making change happen” (5:29)
  • Don’t do work for everyone; do it for someone (7:40)
  • How he decides what book to write (9:40)
  • The three questions every marketer should ask (11:57)
  • Measuring the right data (16:11)
  • The concept of emotional labor (17:25)
  • The problem with authenticity at work (19:20)
  • The difference between brand marketing and direct marketing (21:09)
  • What is permission marketing? (23:59)
  • The biggest trap marketers fall into (26:22)
  • Pushing through the fear of change (29:30)
  • How to make difficult decisions (32:20)
  • Doing the difficult work of the non-urgent (34:06)
  • The shift in the industry Seth sees coming (35:24)

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Shabnam Mogharabi

Episode 50- Shabnam Mogharabi on Cultivating Joy, Gratitude and Connection

Shabnam Mogharabi is the CEO of SoulPancake, an award-winning digital entertainment company she co-founded with actor Rainn Wilson (better known as Dwight from The Office). SoulPancake spreads joy and celebrates the human experience by producing and curating thought-provoking, uplifting video content. Shabnam is also a New York Times bestselling author of SoulPancake: Chew on Life’s Big Questions. On this episode, we talk about how to craft a great story, being intentional about tuning into joy in our daily lives, and the power of tackling tough conversations.

“Storytelling is a bridge to connection.”

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Show Notes

  • The story and inspiration behind SoulPancake (1:47)
  • Why the company is called SoulPancake (4:02)
  • How SoulPancake chooses what stories to tell (5:00)
  • The pillars of SoulPancake’s content: connection, storytelling, leadership (6:06)
  • How to tell a great story using Pixar’s rules of storytelling (8:14)
  • Seligman’s contributions to happiness: compassion, small acts of service, and gratitude (12:10)
  • Do this one gratitude exercise to significantly increase your happiness (14:39)
  • The difference between the fleeting feeling of happiness and the internal state of how you perceive things (18:52)
  • What she’s learned about how to have tough conversations (23:40)
  • The metrics they use to evaluate success (26:02)
  • Sprint’s 1Million Project to close the homework gap (27:55)
  • The importance of uplifting stories (30:15)
  • What’s next for SoulPancake (31:58)

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John Smoltz

Episode 49- John Smoltz on Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz relished the big stage. The only Atlanta Braves player to be part of the franchise’s historic run of 14 consecutive division titles, Smoltz helped the Braves to five World Series appearances and the 1995 title. In his 21-year career, Smoltz shifted between starter and closer, making history as the only player in big league history with at least 200 career wins and at least 150 saves. On this episode, we talk about how he dealt with adversity throughout this career and the importance of embracing discomfort as a pathway to growth.

“There is one vowel change between bitter and better.”

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Show Notes

  • On why his career in baseball was unique (1:44)
  • Learning to adapt so that he could extend his career (3:16)
  • How he taught himself to pitch as a kid (4:30)
  • Embracing the pressure of the biggest moments (6:37)
  • The 1987 trade to the Atlanta Braves that changed the course of his career (8:36)
  • Finding teaching moments in adversity (10:54)
  • “There is one vowel change between the words bitter and better.” (12:00)
  • The three things he learned about leadership from Bobby Cox (12:56)
  • How his relationship with teammates Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux pushed them all to be better (16:32)
  • The keys to the Atlanta Braves team chemistry and sustained success (19:00)
  • How he turned around a 2-11 start to a 12-2 finish in 1991 and his experience working with a sports psychologist (22:02)
  • His pre-game routine (26:05)
  • The shift from starter to closer… and back to starter (31:58)
  • Embracing his faith and learning to separate himself from the outcome (36:50)
  • The importance of self-awareness and not letting others define who you are (42:00)
  • The importance of getting out of your comfort zone(43:18)
  • John’s advice for leaning into discomfort (47:02)
  • The practical jokes inside the Atlanta Braves clubhouse (50:45)

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Ryan Holiday

Episode 48- Ryan Holiday on How to Turn Obstacles into Advantages

The New York Times calls him “a sought-after guru to NFL coaches, Olympians, hip-hop stars and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.” Ryan Holiday is a marketing expert who made a name for himself as the director of marketing for American Apparel and has gone on to work with clients like Google, Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss. He’s the bestselling author of The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy, and his books have sold more than 1.3 million copies. On this episode, Ryan shows us how to turn even the most insurmountable obstacles into advantages. We talk about what we can learn from the ancient philosophy of stoicism, the power of staying present, and why most of our failures are self-inflicted.

Follow Ryan: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

“Purpose is passion at a directed level.”

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Show Notes

  • How he decides what book projects to pursue (2:00)
  • The core principles of stoicism (3:18)
  • How Ryan first embraced the ancient philosophy of stoicism and how it applies to our world today (4:25)
  • Ryan Holiday’s following in the sports world and the hunger to gain a mental edge (6:02)
  • The relentless focus on improvement as a wall against ego (9:06)
  • Fearlessness stays present (11:57)
  • The discipline of managing your energy (13:00)
  • How to turn a setback into a pathway forward (14:30)
  • The discipline of perception: “it’s not things that upset us; it’s our judgment about things.” (19:28)
  • Why purpose is a more important driver than passion (22:33)
  • Purpose is passion at a directed level (24:18)
  • The things we control: our reactions, our thoughts, our emotions, the ability to change direction (26:25)
  • A defining moment in Ryan’s life (29:23)
  • A reminder he uses to stay present in the moment (33:10)

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Ron Clark

Episode 47- Ron Clark on Motivating Our Teams To Effect Change

Ron Clark is more than just an educator. He has been featured on Oprah and the Today Show, and his school, the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta, is known around the world for its innovative teaching methods. Nearly 50,000 educators, teachers and administrators have visited the Academy to learn the “out-of-the-box” methods for student success, and you’ve probably seen some of the viral videos of students singing, dancing and bringing joy to the classroom. Ron is the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the year, the subject of a TV movie, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Essential 55 and Move Your Bus. On this episode, we talk about how to really motivate your people to effect change, embracing a fearless mindset, and how to lead with love, passion, and high expectations.

Follow Ron: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

“If you make it really hard but it’s coached with love… they find success.”

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Show Notes

  • The unexpected way Ron Clark got started teaching (1:49)
  • When and where he got the idea to start the Ron Clark Academy (3:52)
  • How he combines love, energy and passion with discipline, structure and high expectations in the classroom (6:04)
  • The most important thing you can do as a leader is hire the right talent (9:03)
  • Running your organization like a bus- are your people drivers, runners, joggers, walkers, or riders? (10:32)
  • How to create unforgettable moments as a leader (15:23)
  • The success of The Ron Clark Academy (17:10)
  • How leaders can embrace fearlessness and risk taking in a way that fosters innovation and creativity (18:37)
  • A mistake Ron made as a leader professionally that he learned from (20:56)
  • What he’s learned from his friendship with Oprah (24:03)
  • How he re-charges and maximizes his energy (27:06)
  • The future of The Ron Clark Academy (29:03)

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Emily Giffin

Episode 46- Emily Giffin on Living The Life You Want

Dubbed a “modern-day Jane Austen,” byVanity Fair, author Emily Giffin has touched the hearts of millions of readers with her bestselling novels. Her books have been translated into 31 languages and sold more than 11 million copies worldwide. Her latest book, All We Ever Wanted, is out now. On this episode, Emily talks about the creative process and finding the courage to pursue your dreams.

Follow Emily: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

“Whatever it is you’re doing, try to find joy in it and bring joy to others.” 

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Show Notes

  • Why Emily left her career in law to pursue writing full-time (4:34)
  • The danger of living in your comfort zone (6:55)
  • Her advice to people who are stuck in a job they don’t love (9:17)
  • How Emily’s move to London after September 11 inspired her hit book Something Borrowed (11:30)
  • Her creative process as a writer (15:49)
  • Why she starts first with character development (18:19)
  • Getting over writer’s block (21:49)
  • The feeling of putting a new book out into the world (27:45)
  • How long it takes her to write a book (29:32)
  • Learning to listen to your gut (30:23)
  • How she manages her energy (34:10)
  • TV series coming soon (37:12)
  • Finding joy in the work you do (39:42)
  • The best advice Emily has ever received (44:34)

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Gus Malzahn, Auburn Football

Episode 45- Gus Malzahn on Embracing the Little Details for Big Wins

Under the leadership of head football coach Gus Malzahn, the Auburn Tigers are back in the national conversation. In five seasons as head coach, Gus has led the Tigers to a 45-22 record, a SEC Championship, and an appearance in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. On this episode, we talk about how he was able to orchestrate one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history, what it takes to change a program’s culture, and the importance of setting big goals while embracing the little details.

Follow Gus: Twitter

“Talent + Character + Work Ethic = Champions”

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Show Notes

  • Gus Malzahn’s leadership style (2:08)
  • How he structures his time and daily routines (2:38)
  • What he learned in his first year as a head coach at Arkansas State (4:04)
  • The keys to Cam Newton’s success (5:30)
  • On leading Auburn to one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history in 2013 (6:18)
  • Laying the foundation of a championship approach (8:50)
  • The importance of setting the standard, clear expectations, and consistent consequences (9:38)
  • Defining the culture of Auburn Football (10:44)
  • How he approaches the hiring process (11:48)
  • The best advice he’s received (15:52)
  • What he wished he knew earlier in his career (17:33)
  • How his leadership has evolved over time (19:27)
  • How to deal with high expectations and the pressure of competing in the SEC (20:10)
  • The importance of keeping big goals in front of you (21:16)
  • The approach after tough losses… and big wins (23:05)
  • What he looks for in players during the recruiting process (26:28)

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Juliet Funt

Episode 44- Juliet Funt on Reclaiming White Space at Work

An overflowing email inbox. Pointless meetings. An endless to-do list. Does this describe your life at work? It’s time to shift your mindset from busyness to thoughtfulness by embracing whitespace. Juliet Funt is the CEO of WhiteSpace at Work, a training and consulting firm that helps organizations, their leaders and employees reclaim their creativity, productivity and engagement. On this episode, she talks about the big difference between activity and productivity, the four thieves of productivity, and the huge cost of our culture of busyness at work.

If you enjoy this episode and want to experience The WhiteSpace Digital Learning System for yourself, our listeners get 20% off by using the code MFGCP (offer expires December 31, 2018).

Follow Juliet: Twitter | Website

“Half of everything that bugs you at work is 50% your fault until you’ve asked for what you want.”

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Show Notes

  • Get 20% off the WhiteSpace Digital Learning System by using the code MFGCP (offer expires December 31, 2018).
  • What is whitespace? Whitespace in corporate culture is a strategic pause taken between activities. (1:40)
  • Shifting the mindset inside of organizational cultures to embrace whitespace (2:42)
  • Understanding the cost of overload and busy work (5:10)
  • The four thieves of productivity: drive (overdrive), excellence (perfectionism), information (information overload), activity (frenzied) (8:25)
  • Turning the perfectionism switch off/on (11:13)
  • The difference between whitespace and meditation / mindfulness (16:29)
  • Two sides of whitespace: recuperative and constructive whitespace (17:14)
  • How whitespace correlates with energy management (19:43)
  • Implementing whitespace inside of an organization’s culture (22:01)
  • These are the things you control that you should focus on to create more whitespace: email, cell phone, to-do list, impulses, communications, boundaries (25:47)
  • The 50-50 rule: half of everything that bugs you at work is 50% your fault until you’ve asked for what you want (27:45)
  • Advice for how not to lose your time to unproductive meetings (28:43)
  • “Shouldn’t be here” (SBH): building awareness about what meetings you should / shouldn’t be part of (31:29)
  • Three ideas to get your company to care about whitespace (34:05)
  • Get free access to your team’s WhiteSpace digital course (39:16)

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Shannon Miles, BELAY

Episode 43- Shannon Miles on The Business Case for Working Remotely

The nature of work is shifting. More people do their job virtually or remotely than ever before, the gig economy is booming, and more companies are using freelance and contract workers. Shannon Miles is the co-founder of BELAY Solutions, a virtual staffing solutions company that is ranked #1 on Entrepreneur’s Top Company Culture list in the small company category. She’s also the author of The Third Option which explores how you can live and work on your own terms without sacrificing career or family. On this episode, we talk about the shift towards a virtual workplace, practical tools for teams working remotely, and advice for leaders who want to create a more flexible work environment for their employees.

If you enjoy this episode and are interested in experiencing Belay’s services yourself, you can get 50% off the start up fees or one time implementation fee by visiting belaysolutions.com/mollyfletcher.

Follow Shannon: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

“Traditional work is not working for a lot of people anymore. “

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Show Notes

  • What is the third option? (1:51)
  • How Shannon and her husband Bryan started their company BELAY Solutions (6:04)
  • The shift towards working remotely (9:30)
  • How to structure working remotely (11:05)
  • How to build a culture when people work remotely (13:09)
  • Resources and tools to support a healthy virtual culture (14:48)
  • (17:35)
  • Her advice to leaders who have employees that more flexibility to work from home (18:56)
  • Characteristics of people who thrive working well from home (22:06)
  • The value behind assigning responsibility instead of tasks (24:37)
  • How to know if working from home is right for you (26:10)
  • How to negotiate for more flexibility at work (29:06)
  • What Shannon sees as the future of work (30:42)
  • More than half (59%) of hiring managers today are using freelance and contract workers, up 24% from 2017, and predict that number will increase by 168% in the next decade. – Fast Company
  • With the advancement of communication tools and apps, the remote work industry continues to grow. In 2016, U.S. employees worked an average of 3.13 hours remotely per day, an increase from the 2.64 hour average 10 years ago. – Simple Texting
  • More people do their job virtually or remotely and at various times of the day rather than between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and teams have fewer face-to-face interactions, communicating increasingly through email, instant messaging and conference calls. Gallup found that from 2012 to 2016, the number of employees working remotely rose by four percentage points, from 39% to 43%, and employees working remotely spent more time doing so. – Gallup

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