Whitney Johnson is an innovative thinker on individual and team growth. She has been named one of the 50 leading business thinkers by Thinkers50 and is the author of several award winning books, including Disrupt Yourself, Build an “A” Team and Smart Growth . Whitney is also the host of the Disrupt Yourself Podcast. Whitney joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to talk how leaders can build fast-improving teams. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: ...
Feb 19, 2026•52 min•Ep. 628
Gardiner Harris is an award-winning investigative journalist whose reporting has reshaped public health policy, exposed corporate misconduct, and held some of the world’s most influential institutions to account. Gardiner spent years at The New York Times as a public health and pharmaceutical reporter and served as a White House, South Asia, and international diplomacy correspondent. Before that, his reporting at The Wall Street Journal helped trigger what was then the largest SEC fine in histor...
Feb 17, 2026•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 627
In this new episode of Weekend Conversations, host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan dig into the recent headline that 40% of Stanford students receive academic accommodations for a disability. Robert and Mick delve into how that data compares to other universities, why Stanford's accommodations are out of step with similar universities, and what all this says about parenting, academic culture, and the struggle to adapt to the real world after graduation. Read The Post: Accommodation Expl...
Feb 14, 2026•52 min•Ep. 626
Adam Coffey is a visionary leader who drives growth and builds great cultures. Adam is an Army veteran, a former GE executive, and served as CEO of three service companies for over 20 years. He is the bestselling author of four books, including Empire Builder and The Private Equity Playbook. Adam is currently Chairman of The Chairman Group, a world class consulting business. Adam joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to talk about leadership lessons from two decades as a CEO, GE's app...
Feb 12, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 618
Dr. Alan Barnard is one of the world’s foremost experts on decision science and the Theory of Constraints (TOC). He’s the Founder and CEO of Goldratt Research Labs , which he co-founded in 2008. Over three decades, Alan has helped leaders in organizations like Microsoft, Nike, Cisco, Tata Steel, SAP, and the UN find the leverage points that turn impossible problems into sustainable breakthroughs. Dr. Barnard is also the author of From Fragile to Robust to Anti-Fragile , a groundbreaking book on ...
Feb 10, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 624
In this new episode of Weekend Conversations, host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss the leadership example set by Mike Vrabel, coach of the Super Bowl bound New England Patriots. Robert shares why Vrabel's unique approach to leadership--high standards, with high support--is so effective, what leaders in all fields can learn from that approach, and whether Robert is mad that Tom Brady isn't rooting for the Patriots. Read The Post: Taking Ownership (#522) Thank you to the sponsors o...
Feb 07, 2026•51 min
On a new edition of Thinking Thursdays, Elevate Podcast host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan delve into the remarkable history of Disney's CEO succession process. Robert and Mick discuss how Disney has been putting off the retirement of current CEO Bob Iger for over 10 years, why Iger's first attempt to retire went terribly wrong, and the ascension of new CEO Josh D'Amaro. Robert and Mick discuss key leadership lessons that go far beyond succession. Before that, Robert gives his view on th...
Feb 05, 2026•51 min•Ep. 622
Daniel Coyle is the New York Times bestselling author of The Culture Code and several other books. Daniel has advised organizations such as the Navy SEALs, Microsoft, Google, and the Cleveland Guardians, and his work has reshaped how leaders think about group performance, skill development, and human connection. His newest book, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment , is his most personal and expansive yet, which published the day this episode airs. Daniel joined host Rober...
Feb 03, 2026•58 min•Ep. 621
In this new episode of Weekend Conversations, we're host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss degrading of accountability and ownership in organizations. Robert shares a recent chaotic customer service experience that prompted the topic, and Robert and Mick share why too many leadership and organizations prioritize process and policy, rather than delivering great outcomes for customers and clients, and the effect of that shift in priorities. Read The Post: Taking Ownership (#521) Th...
Jan 31, 2026•45 min•Ep. 620
Cal Newport is carrying the banner for a movement to slow down. Cal is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. He is also the New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including, his latest: Slow Productivity , which debuted at number two on the NYT list in March. Cal is also a contributing writer for The New Yorker and the host of the Deep Questions podcast. On this classic episode Cal joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast for a deep-dive conver...
Jan 29, 2026•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 619
Greg McKeown changed the way so many leaders think about life with his New York Times Bestselling book, Essentialism . He is the founder and CEO of McKeown Inc, an organization that helps leading companies like Apple, Google, Pixar and more reach the next level of growth. In addition to Essentialism , Greg is also New York Times bestselling author of Effortless and The Essentialism Planner , a world-renowned keynote speaker, and the host of the Greg McKeown Podcast. On this classic epis...
Jan 27, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 618
In this new episode of Weekend Conversations, we're host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss the recent protests in Iran, the Iranian regime's response, and how the crisis has been discussed by the media, humanitarian leaders, and activists. Robert and Mick discuss why so many people struggle to find the line between right and wrong, how social media distorts our values, and much more. Read The Post: Clear Lines (#520) Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: ...
Jan 24, 2026•55 min•Ep. 617
Henry Abbott is a pioneer of sports media. Henry is an award-winning journalist and founder of TrueHoop, where he and his team cover basketball with depth and curiosity. Henry previously led ESPN’s 60-person NBA digital and print team, which published several groundbreaking articles and won a National Magazine Award. His latest book is Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance , available wherever books are sold. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: ...
Jan 22, 2026•47 min•Ep. 616
Ed Latimore is a former professional heavyweight boxer, a competitive chess player, sobriety advocate, physics graduate, U.S. Army National Guard veteran, and a bestselling author of Not Caring What Other People Think Is a Superpower and Sober Letters to My Drunken Self . He grew up in Pittsburgh’s housing projects and fought poverty, addiction, and trauma with the discipline of boxing and the clarity of stoic philosophy. His newest book, Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business: Boxing and the Art o...
Jan 20, 2026•54 min•Ep. 615
On a special episode of The Elevate Podcast, host Robert Glazer answers listener questions on the first ever Elevate Podcast Mailbag. To submit a question for a future episode, email mailbag@robertglazer.com On this episode, Robert and producer Mick Sloan tackle questions like: If you could write a letter to your 20 year old self, what would you say? How do you talk about values with your kids? What are key practices for a first-time manager, or a first-time executive? What is a professional dec...
Jan 19, 2026•43 min•Ep. 614
On a classic edition of Weekend Conversations on the Elevate Podcast, host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss the resistance leaders often feel to new ideas when they have too much on their plate. Robert shares guidance for evaluating ideas objectively, and how to take on new initiatives without burning yourself out. Read the post in this episode: Friday Forward - Idea Resistance (#487) Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopif...
Jan 17, 2026•40 min•Ep. 613
Amanda Ripley has extensively studied anti-fragility and resilience. She is an investigative Journalist of three books, including High Conflict, The Smartest Kids In The World and a her latest, The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes, and Why. She has reported for The Atlantic, Politico, the Washington Post, Time Magazine and other outlets, and her work has helped Time win two National Magazine Awards. Amanda joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to discuss reforming the e...
Jan 15, 2026•56 min•Ep. 612
Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is one of the only leaders in history to have served as CEO of two Fortune 500 companies on different continents: Siemens in Germany and Alcoa in the United States. Today, Klaus is the founder of K2Elevation, where he invests in tech and biotech firms, and he has served on boards ranging from advanced industrial startups to global cultural initiatives. He’s also the author of the new book Leading to Thrive, where he shares how leaders can manage energy, cultivate self-awarene...
Jan 13, 2026•54 min•Ep. 611
On this classic episode of Weekend Conversations on the Elevate Podcast, host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss the concept of company core values, and whether leaders properly articulate and uphold them. Robert and Mick discuss the process leaders should follow to determine if they have the right values and how to know if your company is aligned in what they say and do. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: shopify.com/elevate...
Jan 11, 2026•39 min•Ep. 610
In this new episode of Weekend Conversations, we're host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss a year filled with rejection, and why that rejection also led to success. Robert and Mick discuss why rejection is necessary to reaching goals, how to cope with and learn from failure, the problem our culture has with perfectionism, and why that perfectionism stands in our way. Read The Post: Taking Shots (#518) Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podcast Shopify: ...
Jan 10, 2026•38 min•Ep. 609
David Heinemeier Hansson is a true innovator. He is the co-founder of Basecamp, which has been used by over 20 million people globally. He’s also the founder of Hey and the creator of the transformational Ruby on Rails, an open source web framework that was used to create Basecamp, Github, Shopify, Airbnb and more. David is also a frequent writer at Hey World, the New York Times bestselling author of four books, including Rework , and even an award winning racecar driver. In this classic episode...
Jan 08, 2026•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 608
Chris Voss is the world’s leading expert on negotiation. He’s a former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator who’s handled some of the most intense, high-stakes situations in the world. He’s the creator of The Black Swan Method® —a powerful approach that takes proven hostage negotiation tactics and applies them to business and everyday life. Chris is the bestselling author of several books, including Never Split the Difference , and he’s taught negotiation at many top universities, includ...
Jan 06, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 607
On the second annual Year In Review episode of the Elevate Podcast, host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss some notable business and leadership topics from 2025 that may accelerate in 2026. They talk about the tumultuous business environment in 2025 and whether that will continue in 2026, before digging into who will win the AI arms race, the future of the technology, the banning of phones in schools, changes in the media environment and much more. Thank you to the sponsors of The El...
Jan 03, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 606
The start of a new year is the perfect time to take stock of your habits--to build good habits and cut out bad ones. Kick off 2026 with wisdom from one of the world's greatest thinkers on habit formation: James Clear, author of the smash hit NYT bestseller, Atomic Habits. On this classic episode of the Elevate Podcast , James sits down with host Robert Glazer to discuss how to build good habits, break bad ones, and make a massive impact with small changes. Thank you to the sponsors of The Elev...
Jan 01, 2026•49 min•Ep. 605
Jordan Grumet also known as Doc G, is a physician turned financial expert and author. A former hospice doctor, his exposure to the reflections of people at the end of their lives prompted him to pivot into the world of personal finance, where he helps people align their financial decisions with their life purpose. Jordan is the author of the acclaimed books Taking Stock and The Purpose Code, publishes a popular blog on finance and fulfillment, and hosts The Earn & Invest Podcast . Jordan ...
Dec 30, 2025•46 min•Ep. 604
For the holiday week, we're rerunning a classic edition of Weekend Conversations. In this episode, host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan talk about the importance of building credibility with people by showing up, not canceling commitments when it's difficult, and developing a reputation for reliability. Robert and Mick discuss why showing up consistently is becoming increasingly rare, and increasingly valuable, and talk about reliability in personal and professional contexts. Read The Po...
Dec 27, 2025•44 min•Ep. 603
Morra Aarons-Mele is the host of The Anxious Achiever, a top-10 management podcast that helps people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their leadership. Morra founded Women Online and The Mission List, an award-winning digital-consulting firm and influencer marketing company dedicated to social change in 2010 and sold her businesses in 2021. She is also the author of a bestselling book, The Anxious Achiever , which published in 2023. In this classic episode, Morra join...
Dec 25, 2025•48 min
Jim Murphy is a performance coach, author, and speaker who helps elite athletes and high performers unlock what he calls “inner excellence”. Through his work with professional athletes in the PGA, MLB, and Olympic sports, Jim has helped competitors transcend fear and anxiety to perform at their highest level. His book, Inner Excellence , blends spirituality, psychology, and performance science into a practical framework for mastering the inner game, and it gained widespread attention last year a...
Dec 23, 2025•24 min
On a new episode of Weekend Conversations on the Elevate Podcast, host Robert Glazer and producer Mick Sloan discuss leadership communication, and particularly the sharing of bad news or negative developments. Robert and Mick discuss why, while transparency is crucial, it is vital to share the "best version of the truth" which frames the issue effectively without contradicting the facts. Read The Friday Forward In This Episode: Best Truth (#515) Thank you to the sponsors of The Elevate Podca...
Dec 20, 2025•50 min•Ep. 600
Dave Whorton is an experienced tech investor and founder who spent 20 years of his career at the highest levels of Silicon Valley venture capital and tech startups. He worked directly at the top venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins and co-founded four companies, including drugstore.com and Good Technology. He is also the founder of the Tugboat Institute and the author of the brand new book, Another Way . Dave joined host Robert Glazer on the Elevate Podcast to discuss his remarkable c...
Dec 18, 2025•59 min•Ep. 599
