Best Graban Podcasts (2026)

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257: Why Punishing Mistakes Quietly Kills Workplace Innovation | Mark Graban 51:30

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12d ago51:30

51:30

Mistakes aren’t just “Oops” moments—when embraced, they’re the blueprint for growth. On this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon Lembi sits down with Mark Graban—consultant, author of "The Mistakes That Make Us," and host of the My Favorite Mistake podcast—to dive deep into the transformative power of mistakes in business and life. Drawing …

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5 Big Lean Questions with Mark Graban: Purpose, Misconceptions, and the Path Forward 12:08

24d ago12:08

12:08

The blog post In this episode, Mark Graban flips roles and becomes the guest—answering five core Lean questions posed by longtime Lean thinker Tim McMahon of the A Lean Journey blog. These questions have been answered by many practitioners over the years, and they cut straight to the purpose, the misconceptions, and the future of Lean. Mark shares …

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Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail: Willpower vs. System Design 5:19

18m ago5:19

5:19

Why do New Year’s resolutions fail so predictably—and what does that teach us about change at work? In this Mistake of the Week, Mark Graban explores why treating change as a test of willpower is a reliable setup for frustration, both personally and in organizations. Drawing on behavioral psychology and leadership examples, the episode connects fai…

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263: The Data Says America’s Best Days Are Ahead (Even If the News Doesn’t) | Larry Aldrich 50:30

6h ago50:30

50:30

America’s greatest advantage isn’t just its resources—it’s the optimism, grit, and bold thinking of its leaders. In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon Lembi sits down with Larry Aldrich—federal prosecutor, newspaper CEO, venture capitalist, and co-author of What’s Right with America—to challenge the narrative that America’s best days …

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262: Hard Work Doesn’t Get You Promoted—This Does | Nadine Niba 53:09

5h ago53:09

53:09

What do football, AI, and the immigrant journey have in common? More than you think. In this inspiring episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Nadine Niba—CPA, MBA, best-selling author, and trailblazer who journeyed from Cameroon to Canada—to unpack the mindset and strategies behind standout careers. Nadine shares how her darkest…

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Nick Saban’s “Dumbest” Call—and Why His Players Loved It 3:53

1d ago3:53

3:53

Nick Saban calls it “the dumbest decision I ever made” — a fourth-and-one call from the 2001 SEC Championship Game that still sticks with him. In this episode, Mark Graban breaks down why even the greatest coaches make mistakes, what Saban learned from the moment, and how leaders can turn high-pressure missteps into opportunities for trust and grow…

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261: 99% of Hiring Managers Miss This One Critical Interview Step | Scott Arias 59:56

2d ago59:56

59:56

Integrity over shortcuts. Humility over ego. Courage when it counts. On this dynamic episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi welcomes Scott Arias—Navy veteran, founder, and CEO of ACE Group—for a masterclass in values-driven leadership. Scott Arias shares the compelling story of how he built a fast-growing construction company by doi…

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260: The One Signal That Separates Those Who Succeed from Those Who Quit | Jerrid Sebesta 54:42

5d ago54:42

54:42

On this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon sits down with Jerrid Sebesta—keynote speaker, author of Life Undeferred, and a former award-winning TV meteorologist turned transformation coach—for a raw, inspiring conversation about breaking free from limiting beliefs and stepping boldly into the life you’re meant for. Jerrid shares his p…

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Unlearning Old Habits: What a Pickleball Mistake Taught Me About Feedback and Learning 10:23

6d ago10:23

10:23

The blog post In this Lean Blog Audio episode, Mark Graban reflects on an unexpected leadership lesson learned on the pickleball court. As a beginner unlearning decades-old tennis habits, Mark experiences firsthand how execution errors, muscle memory, and self-criticism can quietly undermine learning. A kind instructor and supportive playing partne…

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259: The Hidden Framework Behind Every High-Growth Partnership | Phil Hayes-St Clair 55:20

7d ago55:20

55:20

97% of business deals aren’t made in isolation—they’re forged through partnerships, trust, and strategic alliances. In this dynamic episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon welcomes executive coach, serial founder, and former soldier Phil Hayes-St Clair for a candid conversation on transforming leadership and unlocking growth. From a pivota…

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How a Mistake Turned Jingle Bells into a Christmas Song 4:19

7d ago4:19

4:19

Jingle Bells is one of the most recognizable Christmas songs ever written… except it wasn’t written for Christmas at all. In this week’s Mistake of the Week, we unpack one of America’s most enduring cultural misconceptions: the belief that Jingle Bells has anything to do with Christmas. Originally titled One Horse Open Sleigh, the song debuted at a…

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Five NUMMI Tour Lessons That Still Define Lean Thinking 11:36

16d ago11:36

11:36

The blog post In this episode, Mark reflects on a visit he made twenty years ago to the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California — the Toyota-GM joint venture that became legendary in Lean circles. What stayed with him wasn’t flashy tools or so-called Lean perfection, but a series of small, human moments that revealed how Lean actually works as a managem…

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258: The Basketball Miracle No One Saw Coming | Coach Jim Johnson 54:19

9d ago54:19

54:19

Winning moments in life and leadership aren’t just about the scoreboard—they’re about resilience, trust, and lifting others up. In this unforgettable episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with legendary high school basketball coach Jim Johnson, the storyteller behind one of sports’ most inspiring viral moments: the “J-Mac Game.” Coa…

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From Medicare Fraud to Military Leadership: Learning Accountability After a Career-Defining Mistake (Dr. Josh McConkey) 42:16

18d ago42:16

42:16

In Episode #332 of My Favorite Mistake, Mark Graban talks with Dr. Josh McConkey — emergency physician, Air Force Reserve Commander, combat-deployed medevac leader, and Pulitzer Prize–nominated author. Known as the “MacGyver Doc,” Josh has spent his career solving problems in high-pressure environments where you rarely get a second chance. Episode …

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256: Why Waiting to Feel “Ready” Is Killing Your Potential | Valerie Bowden 43:35

14d ago43:35

43:35

What happens when you decide not just to dream of adventure, but actually buy the one-way ticket? On this inspiring episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon sits down with Valerie Bowden—social worker turned multi-startup founder and CEO of Cradle—to unpack a journey that defies the expected. Tired of the 9-to-5 grind, Valerie quit, moved t…

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How a Lab Error Led to an Unnecessary Surgery 4:21

14d ago4:21

4:21

A 32-year-old woman in Switzerland underwent an unnecessary surgery after her lab sample was mixed up at Basel University Hospital. Doctors believed she had cervical cancer. She didn’t — but the procedure went ahead anyway, potentially affecting her ability to carry a pregnancy in the future. In this Mistake of the Week, Mark Graban unpacks how suc…

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‘The Rock’ Says Getting Lean is Something Anybody Can Do… If You Work At It 4:28

22d ago4:28

4:28

The blog post Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson once joked that his incredible physical transformation came from one simple routine: working out six hours a day, every day, for twenty years. In this episode, Mark explores why that line from Central Intelligence mirrors how organizations misunderstand Lean. Many admire the “after” picture of Toyota, ThedaCa…

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255: How Great Leaders Grow People Faster — The 2025 Leadership Playbook | Cameron Herold 51:53

16d ago51:53

51:53

Helping people grow, building teams that win, and leading through rapid change—business success doesn’t have to be complicated. In this energizing episode, Damon sits down with legendary operator and leadership coach Cameron Herold to reveal the core skills every leader needs—but most never learn. From skyrocketing 1-800-GOT-JUNK’s growth to foundi…

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S2 E16 - Tom West & Mark Ryan - Visual Management That Actually Works - Our Disney Experience 43:11

17d ago43:11

43:11

S2 E16 - Tom West & Mark Ryan - Visual Management That Actually Works - Our Disney Experience 🎙️ Episode Description: Visual Management - From Strategy Development to Ride Lines at Disney In this episode of The Improvement Nerds Podcast, Tom and Mark go full nerd on one of their favorite Lean topics: visual management — and then take that lens all …

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Recovering from Workplace Bullying—and What Leaders Often Miss (Andy Regal) 57:28

17d ago57:28

57:28

My guest for Episode #331 of My Favorite Mistake is Andy Regal, a longtime media executive whose career has included leadership roles at The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, Consumer Reports, Court TV, and CBS College Sports. He is also the author of the forthcoming book, “Surviving Bully Culture: A Career Spent Navigating Workplace Bullying and a Guide…

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254: Early Warning Signs of Employee Burnout Managers Should Act On Now | Joyce Marter 47:32

19d ago47:32

47:32

Burnout. Money stress. Vulnerability at work. On this powerful episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon sits down with renowned psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and author Joyce Marter for an unfiltered conversation about modern leadership and mental health. Joyce shares her deeply personal journey—building (and nearly losing) a successful…

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Lean Without Layoffs: The Commitment That Makes Continuous Improvement Work 6:37

28d ago6:37

6:37

The blog post In this episode, Mark Graban explores one of the most misunderstood — and most essential — principles of Lean: the commitment to no layoffs due to improvement. Drawing from his work with Johnson & Johnson’s ValuMetrix Services team and stories from Lean Hospitals, Mark explains why Lean cannot thrive in a culture of fear and why prote…

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253: What Great Leaders Unlearn That Average Managers Still Believe | Josh Nanavaty 46:04

27d ago46:04

46:04

If you think becoming a manager is the only ticket to success, think again. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi sits down with Josh Nanavaty, VP of Ticket Sales for the San Jose Sharks, for a candid and practical conversation about the real shift from “me” to “we” in leadership. Josh Nanavaty shares what top performers mi…

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How a Landing Gear Error Was Caught Before Disaster 4:36

29d ago4:36

4:36

In this Mistake of the Week, Mark Graban breaks down an incident involving an American Airlines A319 on final approach to Phoenix — captured on video with its landing gear still up. A cockpit alert sounded, the crew realized what was missing, and the pilots executed a safe go-around. Their explanation to air traffic control? A perfectly understated…

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Toyota Thinking for Knowledge Work: Don Kieffer on Dynamic Work Design 50:31

28d ago50:31

50:31

Don Kieffer has spent more than fifty years redesigning how real work gets done. In this episode, he explains why so many improvement efforts stall—and how Dynamic Work Design offers a clearer, more practical way forward. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Don traces his path from machinist to Vice President of Operational Excellence at …

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252: What Leaders Don’t Know About Tribal Psychology | Tim Ash 51:07

23d ago51:07

51:07

We may look like modern professionals, but our brains are still wired like tribes on the savannah. On this deeply insightful episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi welcomes Tim Ash—international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and executive advisor—to unpack the science behind primal brain wiring and its impact on leadership, c…

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Stop Forcing Change: Use These Motivational Interviewing Questions Instead 7:06

1M ago7:06

7:06

The blog post In this episode, Mark Graban explores why so many organizational change efforts stall—not because people are resistant, but because leaders rely on telling instead of asking. Drawing from his recent Lean Blog article, Mark introduces five Motivational Interviewing questions that shift conversations from compliance to genuine commitmen…

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Why Curiosity Drives Better Leadership (Debra Clary) 40:47

24d ago40:47

40:47

My guest for Episode #330 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Debra Clary, a leadership strategist, researcher, and executive coach with more than four decades of experience at organizations including Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, and Humana. Episode page with video, transcript, and more She’s also a TEDx speaker, former off-Broadway perfo…

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251: How Great Leaders Face Fear Head-On: 3 Steps to Build Courage Through Effort | Quinn Magnuson 56:14

1M ago56:14

56:14

Great teams and workplaces aren’t defined by perfection, but by the drive to learn, the courage to show up, and the wisdom to value effort over results. On this high-energy episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon dives deep with Quinn Magnuson, former Division 1 athlete, pro football player, educator, and founder of Effort Over Results. From hu…

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250: How Pros Beat Resistance Every Day | Steven Pressfield 17:00

1M ago17:00

17:00

The Learn-It-All™ Podcast – Celebrating 250 Episodes! Steven Pressfield on Beating Resistance, Turning Pro, and Doing the Work That Matters What separates amateurs from true professionals isn’t talent; it’s the daily battle with resistance, fear, and self-doubt. And for our 250th episode, we’re celebrating with a legendary guest who has defined tha…

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249: What Elite Sports Teams Know About Building Culture That You Don’t | Ken Crenshaw 59:44

1M ago59:44

59:44

Teams that win don’t just master the playbook—they master trust, connection, and shared purpose. On this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Ken Crenshaw, longtime Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks, to uncover how lasting cultures are built—on and off the field. Ken shares his journey fr…

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From Toxic Culture to Empathic Leadership: Lessons in Empathy and Accountability (Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller) 41:58

1M ago41:58

41:58

My guest for Episode #329 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, a TEDx speaker, empathy and leadership expert, and author of The Empathic Leader: How EQ via Empathy Transforms Leadership for Better Profit, Productivity, and Innovation. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Melissa shares the story of her “fa…

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248: The HR Skills That Separate Strategic Leaders From the Rest | Nahed Khairallah 55:54

1M ago55:54

55:54

Founders, teams, and rocket fuel for growth — this episode is for anyone scaling from the scrappy startup stage to an eight-figure powerhouse. On the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Nahed Khairallah, global HR strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Organized Chaos. Together, they pull back the curtain on why so many founders stall—not…

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GE’s Larry Culp: Why Lean Thinking Starts with Safety and Respect for People 8:19

1M ago8:19

8:19

The blog post This episode looks at how GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp grounds Lean leadership in two fundamentals: safety and respect for people. Drawing on his recent appearance on the Gray Matter podcast, we explore how Culp applies the core habits of the Toyota Production System—not as slogans, but as daily practice. Culp traces his Lean developme…

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247: 22 Championships in a Row | The Character Over Talent Formula | Rusty Komori 58:26

1M ago58:26

58:26

Success isn’t just about the trophies—it’s about mastering mindset, building character, and leading with empathy. On this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon Lembi sits down with legendary tennis coach Rusty Komori, architect of 22 consecutive state championships and bestselling author, to unpack what it means to lead with true greatness. R…

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Why Unlearning Old Habits Is Harder Than Learning New Ones 4:06

1M ago4:06

4:06

In this edition of Mistake of the Week, Mark Graban tells a story that didn’t appear in any safety report or headline — it happened on a pickleball court. Early in learning the sport, Mark found his old tennis instincts taking over, leading to a very incorrect serve and a moment of embarrassment. What followed was a small but meaningful lesson in f…

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246: What Elite Sales Reps Do That AI Can Never Replace | John Barrows 1:02:44

1M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

AI has forever changed the rules of sales—but curiosity, empathy, and grit are still the ultimate game-changers. In this energizing episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with John Barrows, globally renowned B2B sales thought leader, CEO of JB Sales, and host of Make It Happen Mondays. With 25+ years spent at the forefront of sales i…

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245: The Workplace Gratitude Practice Most Leaders Are Missing | Joel Zuckerman 47:56

2M ago47:56

47:56

More than half of American workers are Millennials or Gen Z—and their top workplace concern isn’t salary or vacation, but feeling seen and appreciated. In this heart-opening episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon sits down with Joel Zuckerman, bestselling author of Gratitude Tiger, to explore why gratitude is a powerful leadership tool—fa…

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How 531 Living Patients Were Mistakenly Declared Dead 6:30

1M ago6:30

6:30

In this week’s Mistake of the Week, Mark Graban tells the story of a Maine hospital system that accidentally mailed condolence letters to 531 very-much-alive patients. The cause? A computer glitch — and a few missing fail-safes. Mark explores what this bizarre mix-up reveals about system design, automation, and trust in healthcare. Beyond the absur…

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244: The Mindset Shift That Turned One Man's Accident Into a Gift | Matt Drinkhahn 52:56

2M ago52:56

52:56

Radical ownership isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation that separates authentic leaders from accidental ones. On this inspiring episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Matt Drinkhahn—entrepreneur, bestselling author, business coach, and host of the Eternal Optimist podcast—to explore the power of radical ownership and resili…

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Fred Noe of Jim Beam: Leadership Lessons on Mistakes, Innovation, and Long-Term Thinking 15:17

2M ago15:17

15:17

The blog post In this episode of Lean Blog Audio, Mark Graban reads and reflects on his post “Fred Noe of Jim Beam: Leadership Lessons on Mistakes, Innovation, and Long-Term Thinking.” What can a seventh-generation master distiller teach us about leadership, experimentation, and learning from mistakes? Quite a lot, as it turns out. Drawing on two i…