Best Dan Cockerell Podcasts (2026)

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The Final Episode 27:35

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2y ago27:35

27:35

"When you're appealing to everybody, you're appealing to nobody. You really have to know who you are and differentiate yourself. Home in on that thing that people are going to remember." Episode Highlights 00:00 Returned to business world after offering advice. 05:06 Importance of mentoring and paying it forward. 09:57 Focus on client needs, not cr…

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Give 'Em the Pickle [Rebroadcast] 16:34

2y ago16:34

16:34

One of my favorite customer service books is from legendary author and speaker Bob Farrell. In his book, 'Give 'Em the Pickle', he discusses how to improve client satisfaction and retention through three words, "I'll be back." However, as Jody and I explain in this episode, to earn this phrase, one should not rely on the protocol alone. Contrarily,…

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A Trip Down Elm Street 30:01

2y ago30:01

30:01

[Rebroadcast of one of Dan's favorite episodes.] "No matter what you've done in your life, career and what you've been involved with, you're going to have hard times. And moving on is really the only option you have. You get up and keep moving forward." In this episode of Come Rain or Shine, special guests, Clint Hill, and Lisa McCubbin join the sh…

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Developing a New Point of View 18:06

2y ago18:06

18:06

"Just because the information is at our fingertips doesn't mean we're always leveraging it to actually get stuff done and do things." In today's fast-paced world, information is readily accessible, yet many of us struggle to leverage it effectively. We often find ourselves consuming content for entertainment purposes rather than using it to fuel pe…

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What Is Holding You Back 15:13

2y ago15:13

15:13

"You can't always control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it and how you kind of take it in, and that's all on you." Episode Highlights 02:26 Courage and discipline are key to growth. 04:51 Change mindset, find motivation, or make change. 07:43 Attitude and choices determine control and confidence. 12:52 Start doing, mak…

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Conflict 20:48

2y ago20:48

20:48

"Conflict is inevitable. How we handle it separates great leaders from the rest." - Valerie Cockerell Episode Highlights 00:01:34 - Dealing with Conflict as a Mom 00:03:15 - Creating Common Ground 00:05:53 - Teaching Conflict Resolution 00:06:40 - Cultural Differences in Conflict 00:15:21 - Conflict in the Workplace 00:16:38 - Finding Solutions 00:…

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Pay Attention to the Person In Front of You 19:23

2y ago19:23

19:23

"You create your own luck.' When you engage in conversations with strangers, you never know what it may turn into - a pleasant conversation, a business opportunity, or even a friendship." Episode Highlights 01:27 Pay attention to people for effective leadership, communication, and relationship building. 04:43 Nonverbals are a powerful way to commun…

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Diversity 34:11

2y ago34:11

34:11

"It is hard if you come to the table with just one set of tools. By bringing diversity and embracing diversity, you are bringing more tools to your toolbox. - Valerie Cockerell Episode Highlights 00:01:46 - Valerie's Perspective on Diversity 00:04:33 - Diversity at Disney 00:05:48 - Stereotypes and Cultural Differences 00:09:40 - Overcoming Us vs. …

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Take Responsibility 19:42

2y ago19:42

19:42

"Sometimes I look around and say, why am I in this situation? It makes me take a step back to say, " What did you do to get yourself in this situation? What could you have done to not be in this situation?" Episode Highlights [00:03:58] Take responsibility for hiring, then address issues or remove employees.. [00:10:54] Ownership mindset leads to r…

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Recognition and Feedback 18:20

2y ago18:20

18:20

Make it genuine and make it immediate, otherwise one day they're going to find happiness somewhere else when they're being appreciated for what they do. - Valerie Cockerell Episode Highlights 00:01:27 - Generosity in Recognition 00:03:57 - Effort vs Result 00:05:06 - Specificity in Recognition 00:07:22 - Building a Habit of Recognition 00:14:41 - T…

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Change Your Environment to Change Your Mindset 13:33

2y ago13:33

13:33

"We're just so busy and distracted, things come in and out. We just don't take time to say, wow, that's a nice thing. I'm creating a little memory for myself right now." – Dan Cockerell Episode Highlights [00:02:19] Saying yes to opportunities and changing environments can be refreshing and inspiring. [00:05:07] Meditation is challenging but worthw…

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Values 16:42

2y ago16:42

16:42

Having clarity on your values is important as both a leader and a parent. It's the glue that keeps your family, your team, your organization, your community together. - Valerie Cockerell Episode Highlights 00:00:41 - The Importance of Values 00:03:56 - Behaviors Reflecting Values 00:06:32 - Alignment of Values in the Workplace 00:09:38 - Misalignme…

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The Four Elements of Team Productivity 18:53

2y ago18:53

18:53

"Talent times Relationships plus expectations plus reward and recognition equals the productivity of a team." Episode Highlights [00:03:02] Gallup's 4 measurements of team productivity. [00:06:22] Giving gratitude and recognition reinforces positive behavior and improves productivity. [00:08:42] Clarify expectations and communicate with your team f…

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Onboarding and Training 21:27

2y ago21:27

21:27

"Onboarding is about making a first impression. It's a telltale of how much care you put in your people. If you don't invest in onboarding, it foreshadows how little you value your employees. - Valerie Cockerell Episode Highlights 00:00:30 - Importance of Onboarding 00:02:33 - Elements of Good Onboarding 00:05:23 - Addressing New Hire Anxiety 00:09…

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Connecting with Customers through Storytelling 26:17

2y ago26:17

26:17

"If you don't keep their interest, they walk away. So I really learned really quickly how to keep that interest. And that was through storytelling." Episode Highlights [00:01:22] Passion for storytelling through moving around. [00:04:30] Transitioned from working for Disney to writing for nonprofits and training small business leaders [00:10:14] In…

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Anna's Story 4:14

2y ago4:14

4:14

"Do not ever, ever let your age or your circumstances or your gender or whatever dictate what you can and cannot do. If you have your mindset on it, you can make it happen." - Valerie Cockerell Episode Highlights 00:00:20 - Anna's Childhood" 00:00:59 - Anna's Resilience during COVID 00:01:25 - Anna's Independence 00:03:17 - Lesson from Anna Connect…

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The Art and Science of Customer Service 18:29

2y ago18:29

18:29

"It's not just about the people, but also the systems and processes in place. When art and science come together, magic happens." -Dan Cockerell Leadership and culture are the driving forces when it comes to creating exceptional customer experiences. Smart organizations know the value of a well-designed plan for their business. They can't just open…

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Introduction to Manage Like a Mother 17:54

2+ y ago17:54

17:54

"The competencies required to be a great leader are not very different from the competencies a mother must have to raise her children to be the best they can be." - Valerie Cockerell Throughout her years as a leader and mother, Valerie Cockerell has learned a number of lessons from people, including her own mom. So many that she wrote, "Manage Like…

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The Nike Manifesto 22:17

2+ y ago22:17

22:17

"Many organizations today are focused on whether or not people are following the process. They ask 'Did you send the report?' versus 'what results are you getting?'." It is hard to deny the power of leadership and culture on organizational success. During this conversation with Jody Mayberry we discuss the release of a the major movies, Barbie and …

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Manage Like a Mother 30:02

2+ y ago30:02

30:02

"We need to give women the confidence that they can do it, and then educate men about what women can bring to the table" - Valerie Cockerell Inspired by her mother's regrets and the desire to share her own insights, Valerie Cockerell set out to write a book that would provide practical advice on leadership. She noticed that while many resources dis…

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Creating a Life of Excellence 27:52

2+ y ago27:52

27:52

The essence of truth is not what someone says, it's what they do. Behavior never lies. Every day, prepare yourself to be the person that someone else may need. - Richard Flint Richard Flint, the CEO of Richard Flint International, joins to share his extraordinary life story. Our conversation dives deep into Richard's personal turning points, the im…

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The Art of Effective Communication 27:33

2+ y ago27:33

27:33

"What can I do today that my future self will thank me for 20 years from now?"— Ray Edwards In this episode of "Come Rain or Shine," I have an incredible conversation with Ray Edwards, a renowned copywriter and author. Ray opens up about his journey that has been filled with both success and setbacks. His resilience in the face of adversity is trul…

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Achieving Success Through Effective Execution 36:23

2+ y ago36:23

36:23

The key to successful execution is having focus, clarity, alignment, and accountability. These four things will help you get your strategies executed. - Patrick Thean Identifying core values, achieving clarity, and fostering accountability is undeniably important within organizations. My conversation with Patrick Thean, an expert in helping CEOs an…

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The Freedom of Doing Something Different 21:11

2+ y ago21:11

21:11

Just change your mind and do something differently. Changing your beliefs and assumptions can lead to different results in your life. - Dan Cockerell During our time in California, my wife Valerie and I took a 20-mile hike. I relished the challenge, but as the miles accumulated, so did the discomfort. My body protested, my mind amplified the pain, …

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The Transformative Power of Authentic Human Connections 22:27

2+ y ago22:27

22:27

Technology may bring us closer in some ways, but nothing can replace the depth and significance of real, in-person human connection. - Judd Shaw Human connection has been a crucial aspect of survival throughout history. Over the last few years there was a stark reminder of the importance of authentic relationships. Today I welcome Judd Shaw, CEO of…

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Achieving Success Through Accountability and Clear Expectations 16:35

2+ y ago16:35

16:35

Holding people accountable and setting clear expectations brings value to any role. - Mark Manukas Mark learned early on in his naval career about the power of accountability and clear expectations. During his four years at the Naval Academy he encountered a number of surprises. The most impactful things are the ones he still talks about today; har…

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The Value of Prioritizing Employee Fulfillment 25:33

2+ y ago25:33

25:33

As a leader of any organization, it's really important that we work every day to become unnecessary. - Chris Meroff Chris Meroff's journey is what has shaped him into a strategic leader that helps others recognize the value of prioritizing employee fulfillment. His story is both inspiring and enlightening. As a college dropout with no clear path in…

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People Matter and They Should Know It 19:47

2+ y ago19:47

19:47

"People really want to know that they have value. We can bring that to them in leadership positions, leadership roles." I had a pretty cool experience a couple months ago and I made a note of it because I knew it would be a great podcast topic. The story really reinforces something we've talked about before. It's the idea that people matter and the…

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Transforming Leadership through Accountability 26:14

2+ y ago26:14

26:14

"Clarity is key. It gets rid of confusion, frustration, and stress. Clear expectations empower your team to deliver great results." Mac McNeil is an army veteran and banking professional that brings a unique perspective to the significance of accountability and clear expectations in leadership. Mac's extensive background in psychological operations…

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Building a Unified Culture Among Employees and Partners 28:16

2+ y ago28:16

28:16

"Customers don't care about organizational structure, they just want a great experience." Matt Purdy joins for a conversation on the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and unity among all employees and partners. He shares his experience integrating outsourced operational areas with the internal culture and values as Director of Career Ser…

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Touch Hearts Through Storytelling 25:24

2+ y ago25:24

25:24

"We might not have control in politics, but we have control in our own lives." Amy Newmark's journey to storytelling started when she was just a child, with an insatiable curiosity for languages. Her fascination with communication took her from studying several languages in high school, to majoring in Portuguese at Harvard, and finally on a life-ch…

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Build Flourishing Organizations 30:11

2+ y ago30:11

30:11

"The more you live in hiddenness and darkness, it doesn't actually protect you or your spouse. It actually puts a wedge between you." Matt Lesser is an experienced business leader with a passion for fostering engaged and productive workplaces. Matt's journey began in a family-owned oil distribution company, where he quickly learned the importance o…

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Crafting Your Strategic Plan for Success 22:48

2+ y ago22:48

22:48

"If you want to change culture, you have to change the systems." John Losey is a sought-after coach and consultant that guides leaders in the entrepreneurial community. He is a thought partner and advisor for senior leadership, often working alongside the C-Suite as their outside support. With two decades of experience in organizations of various s…

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Empowering Women through Philanthropy 26:31

2+ y ago26:31

26:31

"We all have the responsibility to leave the world a little bit better than we found it." Wendy Steele is a passionate advocate for women's involvement in philanthropy and the mastermind behind Impact 100 Global. With a background in economics and banking, she has a keen understanding of the importance of financial empowerment and independence for …

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Your Attitude Creates Opportunity 16:41

2+ y ago16:41

16:41

"When things are going bad in the moment, they're usually almost never as bad as you think they are." Jody Maberry is back to talk about the importance of facing life's uncertainties with courage and positivity. Jody has learned that embracing change and being open-minded are key to personal growth and success. Too much time is spent trying to cont…

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Creating a Culture too Good to Quit 33:27

2+ y ago33:27

33:27

"If you are creating a culture of trust, it means you listen more than you speak." April Whitson has developed cutting-edge programs to create a culture employees won't want to quit. During our conversation she does a great job of explaining the value of diverse experiences in your career to prepare for future leadership roles. She is a leader that…

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Building Relationships Through Shared Experiences 19:46

2+ y ago19:46

19:46

"Hospitality is friendship with a purpose." Hospitality industry veteran, Andy McNeill, knows the importance of emotional connection and creating relationships with clients for business success. When organizations focus on hiring the right people who value good service and coach them on the little extra steps it makes a big difference. For as long …

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Vitality Hacks to Energize Your Life 27:34

2+ y ago27:34

27:34

"Systems and strategies help you raise your vim, vigor and passion for what you do." David Lindsay, a dedicated athlete and former fighter, discovered the importance of vitality to improve his energy levels throughout his sports career. He found that those lessons also extended to his personal and professional life. By creating routines and rituals…

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Transforming Theme Park Hospitality 22:17

2+ y ago22:17

22:17

"Recognizing that everything related to hospitality and guest experience can just keep going up is foundational to when looking at your own guest experience and hospitality strategy." As an 18-year-old working at Cedar Point, Josh Liebman had an encounter with a coworker that ultimately shaped the way he approached hospitality and guest experience …

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Building Authority and Thought Leadership 38:24

2+ y ago38:24

38:24

"The speed of trust is dramatically accelerated when you lead as a thought leader with something to teach rather than a company with something to sell." Rusty Shelton, founder of Zilker Media, joins this episode to share insights on how entrepreneurs can establish personal authority and thought leadership. He shares his journey in the media industr…

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Finding Purpose in Laughter 15:48

2+ y ago15:48

15:48

"The one thing you can do that separates you from everyone else is talk about your life." After years of corporate hustle and hard work, Shereen Kassam left it all behind in pursuit of a good laugh. Inspired by her parents' tireless pursuit of the American Dream, Shereen initially followed a traditional career path. She was working with renowned co…

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Curating a Brand with Flavor 22:38

2+ y ago22:38

22:38

"The best thing to do is just start doing something." When the pandemic struck, Jake Buzaid and his cousin Dale embraced their entrepreneurial spirit to create a beverage company. They wanted something that celebrates togetherness and connection the way they often do with their family. Combining their respective experiences in hospitality and retai…

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Driving Impact through Sustainability 36:22

2+ y ago36:22

36:22

"Sustainability can drive so much across your business if you truly integrate it and support it in a proper way." Have you heard the myths that sustainability only focuses on the environmental? Or that society does not need to be considered when discussing sustainability and that governance does not matter? It can be difficult to define sustainabil…

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Great Leadership Through Growth Mindset & Psychological Safety 38:49

2+ y ago38:49

38:49

"Learning by failure tends to leave scars, where learning by epiphany is about stars." Skip Bowman is working to debunk the myths and share his model for great leadership through growth mindset and psychological safety. Understanding what drives growth and what prevents growth are both essential in developing great teams and organizations. A growth…

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Creating High Performance Teams 29:40

3y ago29:40

29:40

"Believing in your team members and treating them as professionals increases their productivity, engagement, and satisfaction." Scott Whiteford is a passionate sociologist that has always been fascinated by the intricate interactions between people and their environment. His journey in studying leadership began during his time with strengths-based …

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From Basketball to Business Owner 22:15

3y ago22:15

22:15

"I learned that love and kindness, not just education, but loving, kindness, being kind to people can go a long way." JJ Eubanks did not let a challenging background slow him down. He worked his way to professional basketball before making his next big play into business ownership. It has not been an easy road, but he is now happily the co-owner of…

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Opening Doors with a Great Attitude 17:34

3y ago17:34

17:34

"Don't let failure deter you. That would be my advice, is it doesn't happen overnight. You will fail. If you're going to be good, you're going to fail and you're going to fail a lot and be okay with that." - Jamie Eubanks Jamie Eubanks is the owner, CEO, and founder of Magical Vacation Planner (MVP), the largest third-party travel agent for Walt Di…

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Efficiency in Networking and Communication 17:58

3y ago17:58

17:58

In this episode of Come Rain or Shine, Dave Benson shares about the power of connections and how that has impacted his work as an entrepreneur and software developer. Throughout his professional career, whether it was in a corporate environment at IBM, the sports media industry, or while working at Disneyland Paris, he recognized the impact of mean…

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Removing Distractions to Unleash Genius 37:17

3y ago37:17

37:17

"The very act of shining the light of your attention on something causes it to shift and change. So if somebody's coming in with a mindset that they've inherited and partly that they've kind of constructed out of trial and error over the years, it's probably never had the light of attention shone upon it." In this episode of Come Rain or Shine, Myl…

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Create a Great Day One for New Hires 24:33

3y ago24:33

24:33

Jody joins me during this episode to share his secrets to building an effective onboarding process. Onboarding processes are a crucial element of employee retention. If you want to retain good employees then you need to be determined to make sure those hired have a positive experience. Tell them exactly what to expect so they can show up looking th…