Best GDA Podcasts (2025)

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Everyday Innovation with Josh Linkner 28:03

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8d ago28:03

28:03

On the latest Backstage Pass episode, Gail Davis is joined by Josh Linkner who shares insights on the transformative power of everyday innovation, turning disruption into opportunity, and embracing creativity. Show Notes Josh Linkner, a five-time tech entrepreneur and expert in innovation and leadership. The conversation explores the parallels betw…

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Farm-Grown Wisdom for a Future-Ready Workplace with Seth Mattison 46:34

15d ago46:34

46:34

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Seth Mattison shares his insights on self trust, the future of work, the importance of perspective, and the crossover between business and lessons learned growing up on a farm. Show Notes Seth discusses how the dynamic nature of agriculture parallels the evolving workplace - emphasizing the need for human expansio…

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Jeremy Poincenot on The Hidden Strength Every Successful Team Shares 38:21

1M ago38:21

38:21

In this episode of Backstage Pass, host Gail Davis talks with world champion blind golfer Jeremy Poincenot. Jeremy shares his inspiring journey of losing his sight at 19 due to a rare genetic disorder and how he discovered the joy and power of interdependence. Show Notes He discusses the importance of asking for help, maintaining perspective during…

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Jay Baer Spills the Te(quil)a on What AI Will Never Replace 39:46

2M ago39:46

39:46

In this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jay Baer - business growth and customer experience expert and 2nd most popular tequila influencer in the world! Jay shares the keys to customer loyalty amidst the evolving landscape shaped by AI and actionable strategies for maximum impact. Show Notes In this engaging conversation, Jay Ba…

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What Nonprofit Pros REALLY Do Differently with Jan Langbein & Karen White 52:21

2M ago52:21

52:21

Gail Davis is joined by Jan Langbein (CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter) and Karen White (President & CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation) share powerful stories and hard-earned lessons from years of leading mission-driven organizations—and hosting events that truly move people to act. Show Notes Dallas nonprofit leaders Jan Langbein and Karen Hughes Whit…

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The Universal Message of the Virtuoso Mindset with Felipe Gomez 34:39

4M ago34:39

34:39

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Felipe Gomez to explore how adopting the virtuoso mindset is the key to achieving breakthrough success in business and life. By weaving grand piano performances into his presentations, Felipe taps into a universal language that transcends industries, cultures, and backgrounds, with insigh…

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Living ALL IN: A Lifestyle of Purpose & Impact with Gian Paul Gonzalez 42:44

5M ago42:44

42:44

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Gian Paul Gonzalez—the man behind the New York Giants’ iconic “All In” rally cry—for a powerful conversation on purpose, resilience, and showing up fully in life. From inspiring Fortune 500 companies to mentoring at-risk youth, Gian Paul shares what it truly means to live “all in”—at home…

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Finding Blessings in Life's Boulders with Aron Ralston 41:57

5M ago41:57

41:57

On the latest episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Aron Ralston for a powerful conversation about resilience, mindset, and finding meaning in the face of unimaginable adversity. Aron shares how being trapped by an 800-pound boulder became the catalyst for profound personal transformation—and how the “boulders” we all face can become…

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The Art & Impact of Self Expressionism with Judi Holler 54:01

5M ago54:01

54:01

On the latest episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis and Judi Holler have a high energy conversation about the significance of creativity in the future of work, embracing a broader vision of what is possible, and the power of improv in life and business. Tune in to hear how Judi empowers audiences to think big, feel seen, and express themselves full…

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Be Who You Came To Be: Living the Life You Deserve & Desire with Tara Renze 40:40

6M ago40:40

40:40

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Tara Renze to explore how emotional intelligence, self-acceptance, and pursuing fulfillment over happiness can transform lives. Hear how Tara helps audiences “Be Who You Came To Be” and why her work is resonating now more than ever. Show Notes In this engaging conversation, host Gail Davi…

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Ignite Unstoppable Momentum in a Rapidly Changing World with Kim Becking 38:41

6M ago38:41

38:41

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis is joined by Kim Becking who shares what it takes to lead with resilience and build unstoppable momentum. From embracing failure to fostering emotional intelligence, Kim explores practical ways to help teams thrive in times of change and uncertainty. Show Notes In this energizing and insightful episode,…

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The Power of Values: Unlocking Connection with David Allison 41:23

6M ago41:23

41:23

Gail Davis is joined by David Allison who dives into why understanding what people care about leads to better leadership, stronger client relationships, and more impactful strategies. Show Notes David Allison, an expert in engagement and human values, discusses the importance of understanding values over demographics in various fields such as sales…

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Embracing the Pioneer Spirit with Gaby Natale 38:15

7M ago38:15

38:15

On the latest Backstage Pass episode, Gaby Natale joins Gail Davis as she shares how to embrace a pioneer spirit through innovation, resilience, and breaking barriers. Show Notes As the first Latina to win three Daytime Emmys® back-to-back, Gaby Natale has consistently demonstrated her ability to innovate and lead in diverse spaces. And now - as a …

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Zero Gravity, Maximum Impact: Lessons from Space with Mike Massimino 45:14

8M ago45:14

45:14

On the latest Backstage Pass episode, Gail Davis sits down with former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino to explore the out-of-this-world lessons he learned in space. From teamwork and communication to overcoming obstacles, Mike shares invaluable insights that apply far beyond the cosmos. Show Notes Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut and celebrate…

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Energy Management: Breaking Down the Wall Between Work & Wellness with Suneel Gupta 43:03

8M ago43:03

43:03

Gail Davis is joined by Suneel Gupta who discusses how to practically manage energy and bolster emotional resilience in order to unite our wellbeing and performance at work. Show Notes Today we’re joined by Suneel Gupta, an expert on how well-being impacts performance. He’s a healthcare entrepreneur, best-selling author, and visiting scholar at Har…

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Memory Mastery: The Key to Winning in Business and Life with Ron White 41:51

8M ago41:51

41:51

Gail Davis is joined by Ron White who discusses the importance of memory in business, relationships, and self confidence. Show Notes Today we’re joined by two-time USA memory champion Ron White. His presentation addresses the skill of memorization and why it’s so important in business and in relationships. Not only that, but having a good memory ca…

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Broadway Edu-tainment with Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer 37:08

8M ago37:08

37:08

Gail Davis is joined by Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer who discuss finding success by removing our masks to be our authentic selves and how they uniquely blend their captivating Broadway talent with impactful storytelling at each event. Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Pass, we’re joined by Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer. Often referred to as Broadw…

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More Than Heroes: The Ultimate Story of Love, Teamwork, and Trust with Nando Parrado 26:22

8M ago26:22

26:22

Gail Davis is joined by Nando Parrado who shares the powerful message behind his story of survival and why it continues to resonate with generations and audiences of all ages today. Show Notes We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Nando Parrado, the first speaker ever booked by GDA Speakers 25 years ago. Nando is the hero of a 1972 plane cras…

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Behind The Scenes With Seasoned Event Strategist Heather Davis 38:25

8M ago38:25

38:25

Gail Davis is joined by seasoned event strategist Heather Davis who shares what makes an event a home run, factors that play into speaker selection, and the challenges she faces behind the scenes. Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Pass we’re joined by events strategist Heather Davis, Corporate Vice President with New York Life. She drives hig…

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Amputate to Amplify: Transforming Adversity Into Advantage with John Register 40:13

8M ago40:13

40:13

Gail Davis is joined by John Register who discusses transforming adversity into advantage, what holds people back from moving past difficult times, and how his message provides audiences a necessary perspective shift. Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Pass we’re joined by John Register. John is a Paralympic silver medalist, army combat vetera…

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Eliminating Complexity Through the Power of Simplicity with Lisa Bodell 22:48

8M ago22:48

22:48

Gail Davis is joined by Lisa Bodell who dissects the difference between productivity and simplicity, how workplace culture influences the complexity of our work, and using simplicity as an employee retention strategy. Show Notes Today our guest is the founder and CEO of FutureThink, Lisa Bodell. Lisa is a futurist and a global leader on collaborati…

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Exploring AI Through Neuroscience & Business Strategy with John Sanei 30:30

8M ago30:30

30:30

Gail Davis is joined by John Sanei who shares how to approach AI with optimism and how the combination of neuroscience, business strategy, and psychology impact our collective futures. Show Notes In this episode we visit with John Sanei who is an expert on human psychology, neuroscience, and business strategy. As a Certified Futures Strategist, he …

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Setting New Norms in Today's Digital Culture with Erica Dhawan 38:04

8M ago38:04

38:04

Gail Davis is joined by Erica Dhawan who shares her wisdom on communication in today's digital culture - including using connectional intelligence and reading digital body language in our modern workplace. Show Notes In this episode we’re joined by Erica Dhawan. Erica is a leading authority in the world of teamwork, collaboration, and innovation, a…

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The Interconnected Impact of Women's Issues with Leslie Morgan Steiner 39:04

8M ago39:04

39:04

Gail Davis is joined by Leslie Morgan Steiner who recounts her unexpected life experiences that led her to share her inspiring story - with a message that is equally applicable for both men and women. Show Notes Today our guest is New York Times bestselling author Leslie Morgan Steiner. Leslie is also a TED Talk veteran, a columnist for the Washing…

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Maximizing AI Through A Business Lens with Tim Sanders 27:04

8M ago27:04

27:04

Gail Davis and her guest Tim Sanders discuss how to use AI to reframe business challenges as prediction problems. Show Notes For our first episode we’re welcoming Tim Sanders, the Vice President of Customer Insights at Upwork and a New York Times best-selling author. Tim, recently appointed as an executive fellow at Harvard Business School's Digita…

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 11 - More Than Heroes - The Ultimate Story of Love, Teamwork, and Trust with Nando Parrado 26:22

10M ago26:22

26:22

Backstage Pass: Ep. 11 - More Than Heroes - The Ultimate Story of Love, Teamwork, and Trust with Nando Parrado by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 10 - Memory Mastery: The Key to Winning in Business and Life with Ron White 41:51

10M ago41:51

41:51

Backstage Pass: Ep. 10 - Memory Mastery: The Key to Winning in Business and Life with Ron White by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 9 - Broadway Edu-tainment with Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer 37:08

11M ago37:08

37:08

Backstage Pass: Ep. 9 - Broadway Edu-tainment with Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 8 - Behind The Scenes With Seasoned Event Strategist Heather Davis 38:25

11M ago38:25

38:25

Backstage Pass: Ep. 8 - Behind The Scenes With Seasoned Event Strategist Heather Davis by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 7 - Eliminating Complexity Through the Power of Simplicity with Lisa Bodell 22:48

12M ago22:48

22:48

Backstage Pass: Ep. 7 - Eliminating Complexity Through the Power of Simplicity with Lisa Bodell by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 6 - Amputate to Amplify with John Register 40:13

1y ago40:13

40:13

Backstage Pass: Ep. 6 - Amputate to Amplify with John Register by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 2 - Setting New Norms in Today's Digital Culture with Erica Dhawan 38:04

1y ago38:04

38:04

Backstage Pass: Ep. 2 - Setting New Norms in Today's Digital Culture with Erica Dhawan by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 3 - The Interconnected Impact of Women's Issues with Leslie Morgan Steiner 39:04

1y ago39:04

39:04

Backstage Pass: Ep. 3 - The Interconnected Impact of Women's Issues with Leslie Morgan Steiner by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 4 - Exploring AI Through Neuroscience & Business Strategy with John Sanei 30:30

1y ago30:30

30:30

Backstage Pass: Ep. 4 - Exploring AI Through Neuroscience & Business Strategy with John Sanei by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 5 - Owning & Accelerating Transformation with Peter Sheahan 36:49

1y ago36:49

36:49

Backstage Pass: Ep. 5 - Owning & Accelerating Transformation with Peter Sheahan by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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Backstage Pass: Ep. 1 - Maximizing AI Through A Business Lens with Tim Sanders 27:04

1y ago27:04

27:04

Backstage Pass: Ep. 1 - Maximizing AI Through A Business Lens with Tim Sanders by GDA SpeakersBy GDA Speakers

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GDA Podcast: ep. 05 - Dr. Michael "Misha" Auslin: WSJ Columnist, Advisor, and Geopolitics Expert 46:02

1y ago46:02

46:02

War. Economic Security. Elections. All the things you need to know about in our rapidly changing world is what Dr. Michael “Misha” Auslin deals with every day. A columnist for The Wall Street Journal, an award-winning author, government adviser, and Resident Scholar and Director of Japanese Studies at the American Enterprise Institute -- Misha is c…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 42 - Dr. Jackie Freiberg: Thought Leader & International Best-Selling Author 46:39

1y ago46:39

46:39

Dr. Jackie Freiberg is dedicated to helping leaders create BEST places where the BEST people can do their BEST work to make the world BETTER.For over 27 years, Jackie has been on a mission to expose the unconventional, business-best practices of globally admired leaders. Concrete Examples Entertaining Stories Valuable Takeaways. Just a few reasons …

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GDA Podcast: ep. 41 - Simon T. Bailey: Change Management, Leadership, and Customer Experience Expert, & Author 29:00

1y ago29:00

29:00

Simon T. Bailey is the CEO of Simon T. Bailey International, a premium education company specializing in creating learning and development content for individuals and organizations. Simon derives great joy by sharing and inspiring men and women with a simple transformational framework and the tools needed to create a purposeful life and a meaningfu…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 39 - Greg Bennick: Change Management Expert, Juggler, & Humorist 29:00

1y ago29:00

29:00

Greg Bennick, a humorous speaking champion that makes people laugh while inviting them to think about important ideas relevant to them His favorite topic is "managing the unexpected" which he combines with comedic juggling to create an unforgettable interactive display of ideas and interaction. Greg believes that his keynote presentation should be …

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GDA Podcast: ep. 01 - Jeff Kirschner- Founder and CEO of Litterati, and TED Resident 33:11

1y ago33:11

33:11

While backpacking around the world, Jeff Kirschner saw first hand the challenges we face on a global scale. In many ways, this experience led to his most recent venture. Inspired by his 4 year old girl and a cigarette butt, Litterati is a global movement using technology & data to “crowdsource-clean” the planet -- one piece at a time. Featured in N…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 03 - David Polinchock: Accomplished Innovator at the Intersection of Media and Technology 1:07:03

1y ago1:07:03

1:07:03

David Polinchock has over 30 years experience with the use of emerging technologies, event marketing and brand storytelling. He is a pioneer in the use of VR for advertising and has run his own media lab, as well as a lab for AT&T AdWorks. He has spoken around the world on marketing innovation and the future of advertising.Link to this episode: htt…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 04 - Herb Meyer: Former Reagan Administration Intelligence Official 46:25

1y ago46:25

46:25

Herb Meyer served in the Ronald Reagan's Administration as Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence and Vice Chairman of the CIA's National Intelligence Council. In these positions, he managed production of the US National Intelligence Estimates and other top-secret projections for the President and his national security advisers. …

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GDA Podcast: ep. 14 - Todd Dewett, PhD: Inspiring Authenticity in Leadership, Culture, & Customer Experience 33:29

1y ago33:29

33:29

Todd’s journey towards authenticity began with degrees from the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee. Next came process improvement and team-building experience with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) and Ernst & Young. He then earned a Ph.D. in Management from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, as well as a prestig…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 15 - Ashley Rhodes-Courter: NYT Best-Selling Author, Social Worker, & Former Foster Child 44:54

1y ago44:54

44:54

Ashley Rhodes-Courter is the quintessential American success story. Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted from a Children’s Home at the age of twelve.Despite her ordeal, she excelled in sch…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 16 - José Hernández: Retired NASA Astronaut, Businessman, & Author 29:16

1y ago29:16

29:16

NASA engineer José Hernández is one of four children born into a migrant farming family from Mexico and spent much of his childhood on what he calls "the California circuit" - traveling from Mexico to northern California each March, picking fruits and vegetables at farms along the route before returning to Mexico for Christmas. After graduating hig…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 17 - Carly Pollack: Clinical Nutritionist and Spiritual Advisor 48:47

1y ago48:47

48:47

Carly Pollack is the founder of Nutritional Wisdom, a thriving private practice based in Austin, Texas. She is a certified Clinical Nutritionist specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. Carly has been awarded Best Nutritionist in Austin three years running and has helped over 10,000 people achieve their health and happiness goals.Growing up…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 18 - Mark L. Walberg: TV Personality, Author, and Keynote Speaker 1:05:37

1y ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Mark L. Walberg is a television personality best known for hosting PBS' ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. He started his television career as an assistant at Dick Clark Productions and quickly moved in front of the camera as the announcer for the popular game show Shop Til You Drop and then as host of Burnt Toast, a sports magazine show on ESPN. It was there that…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 20 - Alison Levine: History-Making Adventurer & New York Times Bestselling Author‎ 41:05

1y ago41:05

41:05

Alison Levine served as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, climbed the Seven Summits and skied to the North and South Poles. A history-making adventurer who also spent time in the business world, she has survived sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds and sudden avalanches – and that was while climbing the corporat…

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GDA Podcast: ep. 21 - Joe Gerstandt: Authenticity, Diversity and Inclusion Speaker, Author, & Advisor 33:02

1y ago33:02

33:02

Joe combines artful storytelling with the latest research and science to successfully illustrate the importance of authenticity, diversity, and inclusion. His work is not about tolerance, sensitivity, or compliance it's about letting the dog off the leash.Link to episode: http://bit.ly/gdapodcast21Transcripts, blogs, and more: www.gdapodcast.comFor…