Embark on a journey of real-life business insights and inspiring personal growth narratives. Welcome to Dale Carnegie Take Command: A Leadership Podcast, where we seek to uncover what leadership means in today’s world. Hosted by Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie, we’ll be talking to diverse leaders across various industries to help unlock your potential for success. We’ll be sharing real-life insights into leadership—which in turn can help spark the next level of your growth as a leader.
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In this inspiring episode, Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first African American woman to build a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, discusses her philosophy of “no shortcuts, no excuses.” She shares candidly about her childhood in segregated North Carolina and the profound lessons learned from her family and community, which instilled in her a resilient, opportunity-focused mindset. Howroyd also addresses the impact of AI on the workforce, advocating for keeping humans at the center of innovation and growth by focusing on essential people skills, asking good questions, and communicating effectively for long-term success.
About the Guest Jake Rawson leads Craft Sportswear North America with a focus on innovation, resilience, and performance. Inspired by the principles of Dale Carnegie, he has built a culture that values collaboration, encouragement, and incremental improvement. Beyond business, Jake applies the same endurance mindset to family and coaching, proving that small, consistent actions can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Whether guiding his team, developing athletes, or mentoring his children, he turns ...
About the Guest: Mr. Wai Phyo is a leading entrepreneur and business leader in Myanmar whose companies span food manufacturing, nationwide distribution, and technology. He is Managing Director of Yathar Cho Industry Ltd. and Cho Cho Industry Ltd., among the largest instant noodle manufacturers in the country, and also oversees Myanmar Zarla Distribution, one of the largest B2B distribution platforms. His technology ventures include Parama Technologies, OneLink Technologies, and Cannopy Technolog...
About the Guest: Wemimo Abbey grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he witnessed his mother borrow at 400% interest to fund his education. That early experience inspired him to co-found Esusu, helping millions of Americans get credit for paying rent and access fair financial services. Abbey has been recognized on the TIME100 NEXT List and named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023. He serves on the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the ...
About the Guest: Ivan Tornos grew up in Madrid, Spain, facing profound loss—his father, uncle, and brother all passed at 45 from cancer—which fueled his mission to "alleviate pain and extend life" in healthcare. Now CEO of Zimmer Biomet, a century-old medtech giant, he's expanding from orthopedics into robotics, AI, and infection prevention, aiming to become "the boldest medtech company on Earth." Early in his career, Ivan struggled with leadership until embracing purpose alongside execution. "O...
About the Guest: Sanjay Gupta comes from a family of trailblazers. His mother, the first woman engineer hired at Ford Motor Company—a refugee who fled India at age 5—took Dale Carnegie courses to conquer public speaking fears, making How to Win Friends and Influence People a family staple. Inspired by her grit, Sanjay pursued neuroscience early, became a White House fellow, and joined CNN just before 9/11, evolving from healthcare wonk to global reporter on wars, disasters, and outbreaks—while s...
About the Guest: Danica Patrick grew up in a household where discipline and high standards were the norm, with her father urging, “get up, don’t waste the day.” She started go-karting at 10 and by 14 had dominated nearly every race, which led sponsors to fund her Dale Carnegie course. Her grit propelled her to become a trailblazing race car driver—the first woman to win an IndyCar race, lead laps at the Indy 500, and finish it—while also building a career as an author, podcast host, and media pe...
In this insightful episode, Dr. Michelle Johnston, co-author with Marshall Goldsmith, explores the vital role of human connection in today's high-tech world, drawing inspiration from Dale Carnegie's timeless wisdom. She unpacks the
About the Guest: John Hope Bryant leads the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of financial literacy services for youth and adults. Recognized globally, he was named to the Forbes BLK50 List in 2024 and TIME Magazine’s inaugural The Closers List. A best-selling author and CNBC contributor, he reaches millions through his ‘Straight Talk’ series and continues to advance economic opportunity and inclusive capitalism. What You Will Learn: Why becoming the person you’re meant to be often confuses ot...
About the Guest: Bill Anderson grew up learning the value of influence and positive leadership from his parents, who instilled in him the importance of helping others succeed. As a teen, he took a Dale Carnegie course that shaped his communication and storytelling skills—tools he has carried throughout his career. He has held leadership roles across major organizations, including leading transformations that stripped away layers of bureaucracy and replaced them with models that empower employees...
About the Guests: Mark Fitzmaurice is a Carnegie Master Trainer who has certified trainers worldwide and authored the “Simple Structures” that transformed Dale Carnegie’s global training standards. Juliette Dennett served as President of the International Franchise Association, guiding a diverse network through times of change. Together, they’ve impacted tens of thousands of lives and continue to champion lifelong learning. What You Will Learn: How to lead through uncertainty with courage and cr...
Special Listener Offer: As a thank-you for tuning in, enjoy 20% off orders of $149 or more at Omaha Steaks! Use this link to shop and automatically get your discount: https://www.omahasteaks.com/dale Offer expires: November 30, 2025 Business holiday gifts: Companies can also get a free gift with qualifying orders here: www.omahasteaks.com/CEO About the Guest: Nate Rempe is the President and CEO of Omaha Steaks—the first non-family member to hold this role in over a century. A former CIO turned C...
About the Guest: Jose Garcia is the President of Alberici Constructors, one of the top construction firms in the U.S. He’s a West Point, Stanford, and MIT graduate, a passionate advocate for mentorship, and the founder of Strong to Serve, a nonprofit supporting orphans in Nicaragua. His story is one of bold choices, deep character, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. What You Will Learn: Why adversity can be the foundation for leadership How feedback, when given with care, unlocks growth Why...
About the Guest: Adam von Gootkin was raised by a single mother and learned early on that humility and hustle go hand in hand. He built his first distillery from scratch, learned the liquor business by trial and error, and eventually launched Highclere Castle Gin a brand rooted in heritage, elegance, and authenticity. He’s a passionate storyteller, a bold risk-taker, and a firm believer in building brands that outlive their founders. His journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurshi...
About the Guest: Rashmi Airan was a high-achieving attorney, Columbia Law graduate, and entrepreneur when a real estate transaction scandal changed everything. After serving time in federal prison, she chose to own her story and use it to help others. Today, she’s a global speaker, ethics consultant, and advocate for personal transformation. Rashmi’s work is rooted in the principles she learned as a Dale Carnegie graduate at age 16—and the resilience she inherited from her immigrant parents. Wha...
Matt Britton has been on the front lines of cultural and technological change for over two decades. He’s the founder and CEO of Suzy, a leading consumer intelligence platform that helps top companies make real-time decisions driven by human insights. Matt is also the author of Generation AI and a sought-after speaker known for his bold ideas and data-backed foresight. With a deep understanding of Gen Z and millennial consumers, Matt has helped Fortune 500 companies—from Pepsi to Microsoft—naviga...
About the Guest: John Venhuizen leads Ace Hardware, a company with a proud 101-year history, built on the trust and hard work of thousands of local owners. With over 6,000 stores worldwide — nearly all independently owned — John believes that this combination of local entrepreneurship and global support is the secret sauce that keeps Ace strong and relevant. He’s a leader who values character, humility, and grit — the kind of qualities that get tested daily when you’re trying to solve problems a...
Episode Notes: Brieane Olson has spent 18 years shaping Pacsun into a youth-focused lifestyle brand, stepping into the CEO role in 2023 after serving as President. Known for her digital-first mindset and passion for innovation, she’s deeply committed to empowering teams and promoting mental health awareness. Key Takeaways: How Pacsun builds long-term brand loyalty through purpose and authentic partnerships Why vulnerability and intentionality are essential tools for leaders today Moving beyond t...
About the Guest: Sowmyanarayan Sampath is the CEO of Verizon Consumer, leading a multibillion-dollar division serving over 100 million customers across the U.S. Known for his calm leadership and strategic vision, he’s focused on operational excellence and reskilling teams to stay ahead in a fast-evolving digital landscape. What You Will Learn: Why AI is a deflationary force that every company needs How to use AI as a personal growth and communication tool The career advantage of thinking in thre...
About the Guest: Liz Haberberger is the president of Dale Carnegie Missouri and a leadership powerhouse. With a decade of experience coaching professionals at every level, Liz is known for helping people unlock potential they didn’t know they had. Her training sessions and keynotes are packed with energy, actionable insights, and honest encouragement. Whether she’s working with a senior leadership team or speaking on stage, Liz's mission is the same: inspire people to lead themselves first—so th...
About the Guest: Meet Guy Fieri—chef, TV host, entrepreneur, and champion for communities in need. With his signature style and relentless energy, Guy rose to fame through shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but his impact reaches far beyond entertainment. Through the Guy Fieri Foundation, he mobilizes disaster relief efforts across the U.S., bringing resources and volunteers to rebuild communities. Guided by the belief that “As soon as you are not learning, you are dying,” Guy continues to ...
Meet Hal Elrod and listen to his story of resilience, mindset, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. After surviving a car accident at age 20, Hal defied the odds and recovered, despite doctors' grim predictions. Years later, when faced with cancer, he again took full responsibility for his healing. He researched holistic practices, implemented them all, and emerged victorious. Hal now shares his experiences with the world through The Miracle Morning , a routine that has helped millions...
Meet Anne Mahlum—entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and advocate for living life on your own terms. In 2007, she founded Back on My Feet , a nonprofit that uses running to help individuals experiencing homelessness regain confidence, employment, and independence. A few years later, she launched [solidcore] , a pilates-inspired fitness brand that she scaled to 100 locations nationwide, attracting clients like Michelle Obama. After raising $210M in private equity and exiting the company in 2023, Ann...
About the Guest: Meet Dr. Bruce Stillman, president and CEO of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, one of the oldest and most distinguished scientific and research facilities on the planet. Growing up, Bruce knew that medicine and science were in his future—he was already volunteering in hospitals at the age of fifteen. But little did he suspect that his first gig out of medical school would prove to be his entire career. “I was thirty-eight at the time,” he says. “And I got plucked out of the facult...
About the Guest: Ginni Rometty comes from a long line of hardworking women. First there was her great grandmother, who came from Belarus and cleaned bathrooms in the Wrigley building in Chicago. Next, it was her grandmother, a young widow twice over. Finally, there was her mother, who brought herself and her kids up through education and hard work after her husband abandoned them. Watching these women do what it takes to succeed instilled in Ginni a deep drive to be the best she can be and more....
Remember how people used to ask when you were younger what you wanted to be when you grew up? Well, no one asked Guy Fieri that question because by nine years old, he already was what he wanted to be. After a funny incident with his mother, Guy’s love for cooking took off. From his first childhood business of selling soft pretzels to his more than ninety award-winning restaurants now open around the world, Guy has built himself a cooking empire. But he wouldn’t have gotten half as far if it were...
About the Guest: You may know him as the illustrious host of the Take Command podcast and the CEO of Dale Carnegie & Associates, but today, you can meet the “Average Joe” behind his story. Joe says, “My ambition as a high school and college person was to go to law school, become a lawyer, join a large firm, become very successful, and do that for 40 years. And I was on that track.” But Dale Carnegie would come to pull him repeatedly in a new direction throughout his life. From lawyer to real...
About the Guest: While he never would have imagined being where he is today, Jason Buechel was truly made for his current position as CEO of Whole Foods. Jason’s parents grew up on dairy farms, sowing in him a strong connection to the land and food. Combine that with Jason’s thirteen years of retail consulting work, and you have a man with a unique intersection of perspectives that continue to bring Whole Foods to the front of their industry. There are many things that make Jason a strong leader...
About the Guest: You’ll always find this guest asking new questions because that’s just who Penny Zenker is. Penny says her career path has been a “crazy old maze,” taking her from accounting and finance to building and selling a multi-million-dollar company, to becoming a keynote speaker and executive coach. But she couldn’t have done any of it without her “focusology” practice. “The name of the game is how to be more intentional in a time where everybody is vying for our attention,” she says. ...
About the Guest: Say hello to Bob Chapman, CEO of the internationally renowned Barry-Wehmiller, a machinery industry company with over 12,000 employees in over 100 countries. Bob’s first title at the company was “Somebody He Could Trust”—meaning he was tasked with helping his father (the owner) make business decisions. But all did not go as planned. “I worked with my dad for six years, was put in the position of VP of finance, and I think it was October of ’75, he had a severe heart attack and d...
