Thirty Minute Mentors

Hosted by Adam Mendler

Business Careers EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

346

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Leadership guru Adam Mendler goes one on one with America's most accomplished and insightful people on how they made it to the top and how you can too. Each episode features a wealth of practical, actionable advice from a leading CEO, founder, athlete, celebrity, influencer or general / admiral. Learn how to lead in today's landscape, become your best self and excel personally and professionally – in thirty minutes.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 8, 2026Episode 34840 min

Episode 348: Waymo Founder Sebastian Thrun

Sebastian Thrun is the founder of Waymo, the market leader in the United States in autonomous driving. A pioneer in the fields of computer science, robotics, automation, education, and artificial intelligence, Sebastian is recognized as the godfather of the self-driving car industry. Sebastian is also the founder and former CEO of Udacity. Sebastian joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Sebastian and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: innovation, purpose, trust, decision-making, team building, AI, leadership, success, and much more.

September 1, 2026Episode 34739 min

Episode 347: Newell Brands CEO Chris Peterson

Chris Peterson is the CEO of Newell Brands, a Fortune 500 consumer products company comprised of global brands including Sharpie, Rubbermaid, and Crock-Pot. Chris joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Chris and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, strategy, time management and balance, tackling a turnaround, communication, hiring, innovation, and more.

August 25, 2026Episode 34638 min

Episode 346: Techstars Co-Founder and CEO David Cohen

David Cohen is the co-founder and CEO of Techstars, one of the largest and most successful startup accelerators in the world. Techstars has backed more than 5,000 companies - including 29 billion-dollar companies - that have a combined market cap of more than $145 billion. David joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. David and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship, communication and persuasion, innovation, intrinsic motivation, AI, and more.

August 18, 2026Episode 34543 min

Episode 345: Major League Soccer Founder Alan Rothenberg

Alan Rothenberg led the growth of soccer in the United States. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Alan was the president of U.S. Soccer, the governing body of American soccer, where he oversaw the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 Women's World Cup and founded Major League Soccer. Alan joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Alan and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, authenticity, reputation, risk, and much more.

August 11, 2026Episode 34440 min

Episode 344: Former E*TRADE CEO Mitch Caplan

Mitch Caplan was the CEO of E*TRADE, where he helped pioneer the first fully integrated online brokerage platform and led through the highest of highs (building a $3 billion business) and the lowest of lows (the 2008 financial crisis). Mitch is currently the CEO of Willow Wealth. Mitch joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Mitch and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, humility, collaboration, growth and scale, innovation, navigating crisis and chaos, and much more.

August 4, 2026Episode 34334 min

Episode 343: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Neil Giraldo

Neil Giraldo is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and a five-time Grammy winner. Neil has performed, written, and produced music that has sold more than 45 million records, most notably through his decades-long creative partnership with his wife and bandmate Pat Benatar. Neil joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Neil and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: the road to greatness, leadership, creativity, ego, evolution, and much more.

July 28, 2026Episode 34238 min

Episode 342: The Knot Worldwide CEO Raina Moskowitz

Raina Moskowitz is the CEO of The Knot Worldwide, one of the largest and best-known companies in the wedding industry. Raina was previously the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of Etsy. Raina joins Adam to share her journey and her best lessons and advice. Raina and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, team-building, career success, communication, community, trust, and more.

July 21, 2026Episode 34134 min

Episode 341: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has spent the past two decades serving in the United States Senate, where he is currently the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and is a senior member of the Judiciary, Budget, and Finance Committees. Senator Whitehouse joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Senator Whitehouse and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: leadership, career success, communication and persuasion, how to work with people you disagree with, and much more.

July 14, 2026Episode 34033 min

Episode 340: General Gary Brito

General Gary Brito is a retired four-star general who was responsible for recruitment, retention, and training across the United States Army. General Brito was the Commanding General of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 of the United States Army. General Brito joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. General Brito and Adam discuss leadership, motivation, career success, team-building, and much more.

July 7, 2026Episode 33943 min

Episode 339: Former MLB Star Ben Zobrist

Ben Zobrist was a three-time All-Star, a two-time World Series Champion, a World Series MVP, and one of baseball's first super utility players. Ben joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice. Ben and Adam discuss a wide range of topics: the habits for success, versatility, developing mental toughness and a winning mindset, leadership, coaching, culture, performing under pressure, and more.