Best Ben McClurkin Podcasts (2025)

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Smooth Operators(2-20-2025)- Paint the Car Red 43:54

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7M ago43:54

43:54

Griggs, Noah, and Ben are back as the breakdown the recent F1 releases and what those teams look to achieve in the 2025 season.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Episode 12: It's ALL Sales...Karlyn Uncensored 58:43

9M ago58:43

58:43

Send us a text Wow, what a season it has been! Welcome to the season two finale of The Road to Greatness! This season, I invited you, my amazing listeners, to take control and ask me anything—and you delivered! From career pivots and tackling AI in leadership to uncovering what fuels my energy (spoiler: it’s not coffee!), this episode is a heartfel…

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Episode 11: From Tech to Team Builder: Uncovering Your Team's Superpowers with Tony Durso 52:51

9M ago52:51

52:51

Send us a text In this episode of The Road to Greatness, host Karlyn Kieffer sits down with Tony Durso, SVP and Global Head of Solutions Consulting, to explore the art of blending technology expertise with business acumen. From dismantling the stereotype of "demo monkeys" in solutions consulting to uncovering the superpowers of individuals on his g…

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Episode 10: Learn, Laugh and Let Go with Ben Mankiewicz 1:11:06

10M ago1:11:06

1:11:06

Send us a text Have you ever seen or heard me present? I mean...more than here on the podcast? I've been in front of the camera, behind the camera, on stage and at the front of classrooms. None of that would have happened if not for this week's guest on The Road to Greatness! Please join my crazy conversation with my very first career mentor, Ben M…

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Episode 9: Wendy Petty: From Passion to Profit via Pivots 46:19

10M ago46:19

46:19

Send us a text On this week's episode of The Road to Greatness, I chat with Wendy Petty, Chief Revenue Officer of WorkFusion, who’s revolutionizing how enterprises leverage AI to save time, streamline processes, and outsmart inefficiencies. Wendy shares her remarkable journey from hotel management graduate to tech trailblazer, revealing how relentl…

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Episode 8: Pivot, Perform, and Prosper: Demetrice McClurkin’s Secrets to Sales and Strategy 49:50

10M ago49:50

49:50

Send us a text In this episode of The Road to Greatness, we’re joined by Demetrice McClurkin, Vice President of Corporate Strategy and R&D at Procter & Gamble, who has spent his career building customer-focused solutions that drive results. Demetrice discusses his unique career pivots—from compliance to R&D finance—and the lessons he’s learned abou…

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Episode 7: So Hooked on You with B.J. Wiley Williams 47:31

11M ago47:31

47:31

Send us a text Get ready for an electrifying episode of The Road to Greatness! This week, we dive into the mind of B.J. Wiley Williams, the visionary CEO of SoHookd, who’s shaking up the wellness industry for Fortune 100 clients. BJ didn’t take the typical career path—and that’s exactly what fuels her groundbreaking approach. From leading with impa…

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Smooth Operators(11/8/2024) - Beautiful Brazil 28:25

11M ago28:25

28:25

The Boys are back, this week they break down the Brazilian GP and all the craziness that came with it. They also break down the F1 driver market, and talk a little about NASCAR and what product they are putting on.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Episode 6: Leadership Masterclass with Coach Rick Barnes 50:24

11M ago50:24

50:24

Send us a text In this episode of The Road to Greatness, Karlyn Kieffer sits down with legendary NCAA head coach Rick Barnes, who delivers a true masterclass on leadership, resilience, and the art of building high-performing teams. With over three decades of coaching experience, Coach Barnes dives deep into the philosophies that have propelled him …

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Smooth Operators(11/1/2024) - Back to Brazil 36:50

11M ago36:50

36:50

The boys are back after a couple weeks to talk all things F1, including the USA GP, Mexico GP, and the upcoming Brazil GP.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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S2 Episode 5: Flipping the Script with Karlyn Kieffer 30:13

11M ago30:13

30:13

Send us a text 🚀 **The Road to Greatness is bringing the heat this Q4!** 🚀 In Season 2, Episode 5, I take a leap into the future by letting AI lead the interview! Imagine this: just two months to hit those year-end targets, and in reality, only five full selling weeks remain. I break down urgency into three unique types—natural, program, and contra…

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S2 Episode 4 Keisha Zollar Success is Unscripted 18:00

11M ago18:00

18:00

Send us a text I am 100% against scripting. Don't script your sales pitch, introductory presentations, conversations. Period. Why? Because if you think about it, how much of YOUR life is scripted? Yet so many teams feel the only way to teach a product, communicate with prospects, or develop a relationship is with a strictly adhered to script. We're…

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Episode 3 Shari Spencer Power House: from Blood Sports to Finance 43:24

12M ago43:24

43:24

Send us a text This week, we sit down with the dynamic Shari Spencer, the First Lady of MMA, who has blazed a trail from international finance to managing MMA champions and now thriving as a CFO! 💼💥 Shari shares her fearless approach to life—taking risks, saying “yes” first, and figuring out the “how” later. 🛤️ She talks leadership, trust-building …

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S2 Episode 2: Renee DeSilva: Leadership is More than a Title 56:46

12M ago56:46

56:46

Send us a text She went from salesperson to CEO all before the age of 50. How'd she get there? You'll have to my interview with Health Management Academy CEO Renee DeSilva. We talk about:  Leadership  Recruiting and retaining top talent,  Career pivots,  Asking for what you want and so much more. If you have the ambition to get more out of your…

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S2 Episode 1: Don't Pitch Slap with Harris Fanaroff 51:08

12M ago51:08

51:08

Send us a text Would you like to go from $0 to nearly $1M in 10 months of starting a business...WITHOUT having to make a single cold call? Do you want to get better at generating inbound leads from your activities on LinkedIn? If you answered yes, to either of the above it is imperative that you listen to the first episode of Season 2 of The Road t…

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Road to Greatness Season 2 Trailer 0:33

12M ago0:33

0:33

Send us a text There's so much to look forward to in this season. Listen for Pro Tips on: Sales Leadership Funding your startup Recruiting top talent Executive communication Breaking Barriers Career pivots Hear from CEOs, coaches, television personalities, top salespeople and more! It's a great season to talk about, starting October 1st.…

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Smooth Operators(9/27/2024) - An ode to Daniel Ricciardo 28:46

12M ago28:46

28:46

Noah, Griggs, and Ben are back in the WEGL 91.1 FM bullpen to talk about the world of F1 reacting to the news of Danny Ric's exit from the world of F1. Breaking down F1's use of Ricciardo in their promotional material for hype of the upcoming races as well as a retrospective on his career. The boys also break down the Singapore GP, breaking down ra…

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Smooth Operators (9/20/2024) - Oscar "Castle" Piastri 32:37

1y ago32:37

32:37

The boys are in the WEGL 91.1FM Podcast studio to talk about Baku, the F1 Driver Market, and a look ahead to the Singapore Grand Prix. The boys are back and in a big way. www.WEGLFM.comBy Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (9/6/2024) - Season 3 Premiere 1:35:19

1y ago1:35:19

1:35:19

The boys are back for year 3 of the Smooth Operators podcast. On this episode of the show, the boys talk about Charles Leclerc winning the Italian Grand Prix, the driver market, what is going on at Red Bull and who will win the constructors and drivers championships.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Episode 11: Season Finale 3 Things You Need for Success 29:52

1y ago29:52

29:52

Send us a text As we close out the first season of The Road to Greatness, we’re bringing you the most powerful insights and memorable moments from our incredible lineup of guests. This episode isn’t just a recap—it’s a masterclass in mental agility, the secret ingredient that turns good into great in the fast-paced, ever-changing marketplace. Join …

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Episode 10: Storytelling with Lee Child 1:13:27

1y ago1:13:27

1:13:27

Send us a text Get ready for an exhilarating episode of The Road to Greatness! This week, we're thrilled to welcome Lee Child, the legendary author behind the bestselling Jack Reacher series. Lee shares exclusive insights about the highly anticipated third season of the Amazon Series, Reacher. He opens ups about his thoughts on Tom Cruise's portray…

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Episode 9: Leadership with Ed Foster-Simeon 52:26

1y ago52:26

52:26

Send us a text As the world turns its eyes to the Olympic Games, the power of sport to unite and inspire is on full display. This week, join us for an inspiring conversation with Ed Foster-Simeon, the dynamic CEO and President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, who has dedicated his career to harnessing the unifying power of soccer to drive social chan…

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Episode 8: Mastering Negotiation with Joshua Weiss PhD 44:00

1y ago44:00

44:00

Send us a text Everyday is a winding road…so is the path to negotiation! Whether you’re in sales, a buyer, in a relationship, or raising kids, guess what…you’re negotiating every…single…day. Join me and globally recognized negotiator Josh Weiss as he gives substantive action steps on how to be a great negotiator. Dr. Joshua N. Weiss is a renowned n…

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Episode 7: The Slam with Nicole Kankam 49:46

1y ago49:46

49:46

Send us a text This week's episode is a must-listen for tennis enthusiasts and anyone aspiring to excel in their career! We’re thrilled to have Nicole Kankam, the Managing Director of Pro Tennis and Entertainment at the USTA, join us to delve into leadership, the importance of finding a mentor, and how mental agility can drive success. Nicole also …

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Episode 6: Make it Rain with Sid Nazareth 52:36

1y ago52:36

52:36

Send us a text In this exciting episode of The Road to Greatness, we're joined by Sid Nazareth, Principal of Strategic Accounts at AWS and one of the top sales leaders in the technology space. Sid's impressive journey to the pinnacle of sales success is a masterclass in mindfulness, relationship building, and flexibility. Tune in as Sid shares his …

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Episode 5: Jackie Kallen - Knock'em Out 58:44

1y ago58:44

58:44

Send us a text In this electrifying episode of The Road to Greatness, we sit down with the legendary Jackie Kallen, a true trailblazer in the world of boxing. Known as the "First Lady of Boxing," Kallen has managed over 40 fighters, including world champions like James "Lights Out" Toney and Thomas "Hitman" Hearns. Her inspiring journey from a show…

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Smooth Operators (6/24/2024)- Summer Shenanigans Episode 3: Nice 1:00:06

1+ y ago1:00:06

1:00:06

The boys are back in studio for this episode! First they talk about the F1 news, then they recap the Spanish Grand Prix and wrap up with their picks and preview of the Austrian Grand Prix.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Episode 4: Relax Relate Release with Jeff Harrison 52:29

1+ y ago52:29

52:29

Send us a text Ready for a wild ride? Tune into Episode 4 of "The Road to Greatness," where we dive into the art of relationship building with Jeff Harrison, EVP of Revenue at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Jeff shares secrets to becoming a master business matchmaker and a jaw-dropping story involving Billie Jean King, Sir Elton John, and a…

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Episode 3: Relationships and Resilience with Bennie Wiley 46:24

1+ y ago46:24

46:24

Send us a text Ready to unlock the secrets to greatness? Join us on the Road to Greatness Podcast as we sit down with the extraordinary Bennie Wiley, founder of The Partnership and CEO of the Wiley Group. She's a Harvard Business School Senior Fellow, and proud Howard University alumna! 🌟 From breaking barriers and making history to building powerf…

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Smooth Operators(06/09/2024)- The Return of the Dutch Anthem 40:41

1+ y ago40:41

40:41

The boys are back with race recap of the Canadian GP, among other news like Checo getting an extension, AI Trophies, EA Sports F1 24, and a whole host of hilarious content.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Episode 2: Messy Thinking for Success with Nathan Hunter 48:33

1+ y ago48:33

48:33

Send us a text Get ready for the latest episode of The Road to Greatness Podcast. This week features Nathan Hunter, the man I call the AI Jedi! We're talking about how he got his AI expertise, how he has CEOs asking him to show them how he makes THEIR products work better, and how you can get on the road to find your own super powers! Don't wait to…

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Episode 1: Improv for Success with Keisha Zollar 1:01:46

1+ y ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Send us a text Have you ever watched an improv performance and wondered, how do they come up with things so quickly? Or, how do they all know what to do at the same time? The answer is letting go of control and increasing mind agility. In our inaugural episode, we'll speak with Keisha Zollar, an improv artist, actress, writer and producer who conne…

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The Road to Greatness Trailer 2 3:11

1+ y ago3:11

3:11

Send us a text Hear a sneak preview of Season One. From lessons learned and warnings to juicy gossip and fun facts. Tune in so you know what lies ahead!By Karlyn Kieffer

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The Road to Greatness: Trailer 0:51

1+ y ago0:51

0:51

Send us a text Welcome to the Road to Greatness! The new podcast focusing on how experts became great at what they do. Regardless of YOUR line of work, the practices, mantras, behaviors, and preparation techniques transcend into any environment. To get you ready for episode one, listen to the trailer for Season 1.…

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Smooth Operators(05/26/2024)- Summer Shenanigans - Happiness at last 14:56

1+ y ago14:56

14:56

Noah and Griggs are here to talk about what could be the most heartwarming Monaco race of all time. More episodes are coming soon as the boys are hard at work.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators(04/26/2024)- Miami Vice 47:39

1+ y ago47:39

47:39

The boys are back for one last time for the semester, they talk all the drama including Nico and Newey, the Chinese GP, as well as the upcoming Miami GP.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (4/12/2024)- Calendar Crazy 48:29

1+ y ago48:29

48:29

The boys are back to disuses the F1 circus, This time it was the most recent Japan GP, The new Calendar for 2025, The driver lineup for 2025, and the who what why of those driver moves.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (4/5/2024)- Back to Japan 25:51

1+ y ago25:51

25:51

On this episode of Smooth Operators, Griggs, Noah and Ben discuss what Sainz's future will look like along with their preview and picks for this weekends Japanese Grand Prix.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (3/29/2024)- Melbourne Madness 30:07

1+ y ago30:07

30:07

On this episode of Smooth Operators, Ben, Noah and Griggs discuss the Australian Grand Prix, the FIA and FOM relationship, and the driver market.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (3/22/2024)- Going to a Land Down Under 1:09:22

1+ y ago1:09:22

1:09:22

On this episode, Griggs and Ben talk about Logan Sargeant giving up his car this weekend for Alex Albon, the FIA, Zak Brown's new contract extension and their picks and preview for the Australian Grand Prix.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (3/15/2024)- Abysmal Alpine 49:20

1+ y ago49:20

49:20

The boys are here on the radio as they break down the past races including Alpine struggles, Redbull dominance and scandal, as well as Mercedes and a kid named Bearman.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (2/29/24)- 2024 F1 Season Preview 32:54

1+ y ago32:54

32:54

On this episode, Griggs and Ben preview the upcoming F1 season and give their predictions and takes for what to expect in 2024. Then, the guys move into discussing the Bahrain Grand Prix and give there thoughts and predictions for the race weekend.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (2/16/2024)- Red Bull Rearrange 1:22:05

1+ y ago1:22:05

1:22:05

After a two week break, Noah, Ben and Griggs are back again to talk about the world of Formula 1. On this episode, the guys talk about car launches, Fernando Alonso interested in going to Mercedes, their favorite liveries from the launches, and what they are looking forward to from testing next week.…

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Smooth Operators(2/2/2024) - Fabulous Ferrari 46:34

1+ y ago46:34

46:34

The boys are back and are excited to talk to you as the offseason gave them a present for things to talk about like, Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari, Andretti getting blocked from entering the world of F1, Haas's sponsorships and livery.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators(1/26/2024) - Madrid Madness 48:32

1+ y ago48:32

48:32

the boys are back to talk Madrid, Lando Norris, Driver contracts, and a look toward the livery season as it is fast approaching.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators(1/19/2024) - Livery Talk 50:09

1+ y ago50:09

50:09

The boys not only talk the McLaren livery but also driver talk and what ever the last segment is.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators (1/12/2024) - Goodbye Guenther 1:31:46

1+ y ago1:31:46

1:31:46

The boys are back from break and ready to talk about more Formula One. To start off, the gang reacts to the firing of Guenther Steiner at Haas and give their thoughts on the decision. Next, they discuss Mercedes and them changing almost all the parts on the car. Then, they discuss ESPN's Top 10 F1 Drivers of 2023 list and finish the show talking ab…

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Smooth Operators (12/01/2023)- F1's Season Finale and Holiday Episode 48:31

2y ago48:31

48:31

The boys are back to recap both the Las Vegas GP and the season finale in Abu Dhabi. They also break down the season as whole and salute American hero Logan Sargent on getting the contract to stay in F1.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin

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Smooth Operators(11/17/2023)- A Fortune Won and Lost on Every Deal. 48:57

2y ago48:57

48:57

The boys are back and this time is all about Vegas baby, manholes coming out to hurt Ferrari, Fans paying thousands to be told to leave, Max Verstappen may not be the fastest, does the circuit look like Spider-Pig, all these topics and so much more as the SMOP boys are left with more questions than a Mobster trying to find a rat.…

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Smooth Operators (11/10/2023)- Breaking Brazil 47:10

2y ago47:10

47:10

Noah and Ben are back to talk about the world of F1. Including, Brazil GP recap, A recap of the lap one crash from Brazil, the economics, and world of F1 in Las Vegas, and the bombshell of Perez staying at Redbull.By Griggs Blankenburg, Noah Phillips, Ben McClurkin