Podcast · Business

How Leaders Lead with David Novak

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 9 min
Latest: 8 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 16 minNew

#312: Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder & CEO, Cabot – Be an idea collector

How does a 24-year-old with no construction experience turn a remediated coal mine in rural Nova Scotia into one of the world’s top golf destinations? That’s the story of Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder and CEO of Cabot. Twenty years later, he’s built one of the most respected golf brands in the world, with five courses featured in Golf Digest’s World Top 100. And he did it by becoming an “idea collector” – obsessively studying great courses and learning from key mentors, then turning that expertise into something that stirs people’s souls. This conversation is packed with leadership lessons and…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E311 · 1 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 9 min

#311: Mark Pincus, Founder & Former CEO, Zynga – Trust your instincts, but vet your ideas

Back in 2007, Mark Pincus had a gut feeling that adults would play games on their phones if they were just woven into their daily lives. On that instinct, he founded Zynga and built the biggest games of the early social internet — including FarmVille, Words With Friends, and Zynga Poker. Four years later, they had over a billion users. Safe to say, Mark’s instincts were right. But according to Mark, that’s where a lot of leaders lose the plot. They have the right instincts but then put the wrong ideas around those instincts. They try to change too much. They don’t iterate quickly. Or worst…
E310 · 24 Sep 2026 · 56 min

#310: Demond Martin, Cofounder and CEO, WellWithAll – Recognize how others shape you

A lot of leaders brag that they’re “self made.” Demond Martin says he’s “community built.” He recognizes all the people who helped him move out of a violent environment as a preteen and go on to work at the White House, graduate from Harvard Business School, and become a successful hedge fund manager. Now, as the Cofounder and CEO of the wellness brand WellWithAll, he’s trying to do the same for others – putting a portion of profits toward ending health inequity. In this conversation, you’ll get an inspiring look at Demond’s philosophy of being a “friend of the good” – someone who sees the…
E309 · 17 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

#309: Ben Zobrist, 2x World Series Champion – Prepare for pressure

Game 7 of the 2016 World Series had gone to extra innings. The Cubs were trying to break a 108-year championship drought that some called a curse. If you’re a baseball fan, you already know what happened next: With two runners on base, Ben Zobrist stepped up to the plate. Despite being 0-4 in the game so far, he pinged a double to left field that brought in the winning run and made him a Chicago legend. So yeah, Ben Zobrist knows about pressure. And you do, too: pressure is a part of every leader’s reality. How you understand it, prepare for it, and handle it in the moment can make or break…
E308 · 10 Sep 2026 · 51 min

#308: Zac Taylor, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals – Consistency creates results

Imagine being Zac Taylor in 2019. He was 0-11 in his first season as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He knew they were doing a lot of things right, but the results just weren’t coming. Eventually, they did: just over two years later, Zac led his team to the Super Bowl. But for a while, there was a big, painful gap. And you may be in a similar place right now – where you believe you’re on the right track, but the results aren’t showing up yet. In this conversation, you’ll see what great leadership looks like in those seasons when you’re building, grinding, and learning – but not…
E307 · 3 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

#307: Clark Lea, Head Football Coach, Vanderbilt – Belief is a practice

We’ve all got big goals and dreams, both for ourselves and our people. But often, there’s a gap between what we say we want and what we’re actually willing to do to get it. Vanderbilt head football coach Clark Lea is obsessed with closing that gap. For him, the ultimate measure of your beliefs isn’t how you feel or what you say. It’s the actions you take. And that alignment is at the heart of the incredible turnaround he’s leading. Under his leadership, Vanderbilt’s football program has gone from being the punching bags of the SEC to one of the NCAA’s most exciting teams, notching their…
E306 · 27 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 4 min

#306: Tony Spring, Chairman & CEO, Macy’s, Inc. – Hit the ground listening

Everyone says to “hit the ground running.” Tony Spring thinks that’s terrible advice. Tony is the Chairman and CEO of Macy’s, Inc. an iconic retail institution with over 150 years of history. He took charge in 2024 after a 35-year career moving through the ranks at sister company Bloomingdale’s. But despite knowing the organization well, he didn’t come right out with a shiny reinvention strategy. Instead, he hit the ground listening – to customers, colleagues, data, and the culture at large. For Tony, listening isn’t passive. It’s something you do with your whole heart and mind. And it’s the…
E305 · 20 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 9 min

#305: Harry Arnett, Cofounder & CEO, MUNICIPAL – Bet on yourself

As a leader, you take chances all the time. On big ideas. On new hires. On financial investments. But when was the last time you bet on yourself? That’s what Harry Arnett did when he co-founded the golf sportswear brand MUNICIPAL along with Mark Wahlberg. After years of success running marketing at Callaway, Harry realized it was time to find a new challenge – something that would help him grow into the person he knew he could be. In this candid conversation, Harry breaks down what it really means to bet on yourself: the fear, the risk, and ultimately, what it takes to choose growth over…
E304 · 13 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

#304: Ron Johnson, Creator of the Apple Store – A great customer experience is an act of love

You’ve probably been inside an Apple Store. And if you have, you know: it’s a totally different kind of retail experience. That’s because of Ron Johnson. He was Steve Job’s handpicked hire to launch the Apple Store, after Steve saw how Ron revitalized Target with an emphasis on design. He and Steve Jobs worked closely to launch what has to be one of the greatest retail experiences ever built. In this episode, you’ll see exactly how they did it – and how it all stemmed from Ron’s belief that you should love your customers. He also talks (with refreshing vulnerability!) about what he learned…
E303 · 6 Aug 2026 · 55 min

#303: Ben Goodwin, Cofounder, CEO & Formulator, OLIPOP – The power of emotional intelligence

It’s statistically harder to get a job at OLIPOP than it is to go pro in the NBA. And after this conversation with CEO and Cofounder Ben Goodwin, you’ll see why. OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda Ben formulated and built from the ground up. So how did he go from creating tasty soda products to building a culture that everyone wants to be a part of? It all comes down to emotional intelligence. You can have the best product in the world. But if you lack the emotional intelligence to connect with people and create a mission they want to be a part of, your bottom line will suffer. This episode is for…
E302 · 30 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

#302: Varun Krishna, CEO, Rocket Companies – Culture is rooted in behavior, not words

We’ve all heard the famous quote that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” But as CEO of Rocket Companies, Varun Krishna knows that a healthy work environment doesn’t just happen. In this episode, he talks about why so many organizations get it wrong. He also shares several key principles he and his team use to forge their culture in real behavior, not just words on a slide deck. That foundation has allowed Rocket to scale massively—including over $16 billion in acquisitions—without losing who they are. This episode is for you if: You are always looking for ways to strengthen your culture…
E301 · 23 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 14 min

#301: Julie Bornstein – Founder & CEO, Daydream – People skills matter most

The tech landscape is changing faster than ever, as we’re all trying to navigate big shifts in AI, consumer shopping habits, and more. But it’s nothing new to Julie Bornstein. She’s been at the forefront of retail for decades, leading big brands like Nordstrom and Sephora through the ecommerce revolution. And now, as the Founder and CEO of the AI-powered fashion search engine Daydream, she’s once again at the bleeding edge of technological change. But through every shift, the thing she keeps coming back to is this: people skills matter most. In this conversation, Julie will help you stay on…
E300 · 16 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 27 min

#300: Marty Smith, Reporter, ESPN – Deep listening builds deep trust

If you’re a leader, you know how important the skill of listening is. It’s the foundation for every strong relationship in your world. But in the daily hustle, it can be hard to slow down and truly be present in every meeting and conversation. Take it from Marty Smith, one of ESPN’s most recognizable faces. In his years covering college football, golf, and NASCAR, he’s earned the trust of some of the sports world’s biggest names … simply by listening well. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of those relationships, sharing what he’s learned from legends like Nick Saban, Tiger…
E299 · 9 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

#299: David Dorman, Former CEO, AT&T – See around corners

What separates leaders who survive massive change from the ones who get blindsided by it? David Dorman has had a front row seat to disruption throughout his career, both as the former CEO of AT&T and as a board member for PayPal, Motorola, CVS, and Dell. In this conversation, he talks about how he “sees around corners” – not only preparing for industry shifts before they happen but also becoming the kind of leader people trust to guide them through it. This episode is for you if: You spend more time thinking about the current reality of your business than its future You want insight into how…
E298 · 2 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

#298: Joe Manchin, Former Governor and Senator, West Virginia – How to find common ground

Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America! It’s a great moment to reflect on everything that makes this country so special. And maybe have a hot dog or two. But this milestone also comes at a moment where our country feels more divided than ever. So today, David sits down with Joe Manchin, the former Governor and Senator of West Virginia. His independent political stance gave him a unique opportunity to find common ground in Washington, even among people with deep disagreements. Every leader needs to get people with different perspectives aligned and working together. And in this…
E297 · 25 Jun 2026 · 57 min

#297: Dave Ritterbush, CEO, Califia Farms – Build for what’s next

Dave Ritterbush has helped lead some of the most successful consumer brands in America, including Califia Farms, Dreyer’s, and Quest, which sold for a billion dollars in 2019. And he’s learned something that most leaders never figure out: you have to build your current systems for what’s next. Make sure you have the right infrastructure, processes, and organizational capabilities before you need them, not after. If not, you may find that the biggest obstacle for your company’s growth … is your own company! Listen to this episode and get inspired to think bigger, build better, and drive real…
E296 · 18 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

#296: Landon Donovan, US Soccer Legend – Separate who you are from what you do

The World Cup is in full swing, and if you’re watching, you know – the intensity and stakes are unlike anything else in sports. So it’s the perfect time to sit down with Landon Donovan, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time. But after a disappointing performance in the 2006 World Cup, he nearly walked away from the sport entirely. That crisis taught him a powerful leadership lesson: you can’t make your job your whole identity. And that insight – alongside some therapy – gave him the freedom to be his best, both on the field and off it. The lines…
E295 · 17 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

#295: Shawn Johnson & Andrew East, Olympic Gold Medalist, Former NFL Pro – Experiment and learn by doing

Shawn Johnson won America’s hearts as a gold medal gymnast at the 2008 Olympics. And her husband, Andrew East, is a former NFL player.But after their athletic careers, they stepped into the world of content creation – and quickly realized they had no idea what they were doing. They dove in headfirst, experimenting and learning as they went – with plenty of missteps along the way. But it worked: they’ve built a following of over 12 million people across all social channels. And together they run the media company Family Made – all while being true to themselves and their values. This…
E294 · 4 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

#294: Bobby Long, Partner and Co-Founder, Piedmont Capital Partners – See the best in people

As the Partner and Co-Founder of Piedmont Capital Partners, Bobby Long invests in big problems that need big solutions – stuff like Alzheimer’s research and lithium ion technology. But he does it all in the most relational way: listening with humility, doing deals on a handshake, and looking for ways to truly serve everyone he meets, regardless of their status. In this episode you're going to find out what happens when someone decides to use everything they've built to actually change the world. These days, it can feel like climbing the ladder of success means we have to be a little cynical…
E293 · 28 May 2026 · 1 hr 9 min

#293: David Lafitte – CEO, Tecovas – Serve others with radical hospitality

If you lead a business, you know providing great service is vital. But what does that actually mean? For David Lafitte, CEO of the popular Western retailer Tecovas, it means radical hospitality. Stuff like offering shoppers free drinks, personalization, and a space to linger. Treating everyone who walks through the doors like a high-value customer. Encouraging staff to create relationships, not just transactions. And as you’ll see in this conversation, that kind of people-first mentality doesn’t apply only to customer service. It can also change the way you build your whole business, and it…
E292 · 21 May 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

#292: Kecia Steelman, CEO, Ulta Beauty – Progress over perfection

Today, she is the CEO of Ulta Beauty, leading over 1500 stores worldwide, striking partnerships with Chanel and Beyonce, and creating record growth since she took over in early 2025. That kind of career momentum doesn’t happen by accident. And in this conversation, you’ll see the “progress over perfection” mentality that’s helped Kecia do it – all while building a strong team culture that’s laser focused on serving customers. If you’ve ever felt stuck overthinking a decision, here’s what it takes to beat analysis paralysis and keep pushing forward even when you don’t have all the answers.…
E291 · 14 May 2026 · 56 min

#291: Mark Smucker, Chair and CEO, The J.M. Smucker Company – Understand the soul of your brand

What’s the soul of your brand? And why might it be the secret to unlocking a new chapter of growth for your company? Today, David sits down with Mark Smucker. He’s the CEO and Chair of The J.M. Smucker Company, which is home to iconic brands like Smucker’s, Folgers, Uncrustables, Hostess, and Milk Bone. And he’s obsessed with understanding the soul of a brand. By knowing what his brands truly stand for, he and his team can make smarter creative decisions, take the right risks, and keep growing even when consumer tastes shift. If you want a brand that’s relevant, authentic, and successful,…
E290 · 7 May 2026 · 58 min

#290: Mariam Naficy, Founder and Chairman, Minted – See the possibilities in people

Minted Founder Mariam Naficy was ready to shut it all down. She’d spent nearly all the capital from her angel round, but nothing was selling. Then, she experimented with crowdsourcing stationery and card designs from independent artists, and everything changed. Sales exploded. And 18 years later, Minted is in 75 million homes worldwide, empowering tens of thousands of independent artists and designers to make a living. And it’s a testament to Mariam’s ability to find the potential in people that others miss. Whether it’s with customers, independent artists, or her own team, she leads with…
E289 · 30 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

#289: Kurt Kane, CEO, TruGreen – Fall in love with customer retention

You’re hustling to land new customers … but what if the ones you already have are quietly slipping away? Kurt Kane saw this problem on day one as CEO of TruGreen. And after years of driving transactional growth as CMO of Wendy’s, he saw the opportunity to grow TruGreen by leaning into long-term customer satisfaction and retention. Now, he’s revitalizing the brand and getting his team engaged in the mission, too. This episode will help you see your customers (and their feedback) in a whole new light – and reveal just how important it is to fall in love with customer retention if you want to…
E288 · 23 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

#288: James “JC” Curleigh, CEO, Pelican Products – How to reframe what you sell

Most leaders think they’re in the business of selling their product. JC Curleigh thinks that’s exactly what limits your growth. And as CEO of Pelican, he’s helping the company make a profound shift: they’re not in the protective case business, they’re in the protection business. JC understands that great brands sell more than products, and he knows how to position them the right way. In fact, it’s how he led turnarounds at iconic brands like Levi’s and Gibson Guitars. In today’s episode, you’ll see how to use the same thinking to revitalize and expand your own brand. You’ll also learn: How…
E287 · 16 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

#287: Julie Hansen, CEO, Babbel – Don’t fear change

Most leaders say they’re comfortable with change. But what happens when the change is so big, it threatens your entire business model? Julie Hansen is no stranger to disruption, having spent her career in online media. Now, as CEO of the language learning app Babbel, she’s facing the biggest one yet. AI is changing the way we learn languages — and raising questions about whether we’ll need to at all. But Julie doesn’t fear change. In fact, in her words, “if your business isn’t changing, it’s dying.” In this episode, she shares how to lead through uncertainty with clarity and conviction — and…
E286 · 9 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 23 min

#286: John Donahoe, Former CEO of Nike, Director of Athletics at Stanford – Create strategy from the outside in

Most organizations look inward when they build strategy. How did we do last year? Can we do 10% better this year? But that internal focus makes you miss the big changes happening in your market. When it comes to disruptive change, John Donahoe has seen it all — as the CEO of Nike, eBay, and ServiceNow. Today, he’s navigating the seismic changes in college sports as Athletic Director at Stanford. In this conversation, he’ll unpack how to navigate big changes with smart strategy and servant-minded leadership. Plus, he gets vulnerable about the mistakes he made at Nike and the 10-minute ritual…
E285 · 2 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

#285: Ted Scott, Caddie for Scottie Scheffler, PGA Tour – Great questions demand great answers

In his 29 years as a PGA Tour caddie, Ted Scott has won four Masters and an Olympic gold – not by having all the answers, but by asking the right questions at the right time. It’s how Ted guides the #1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, without getting in the way of his greatness. It’s his go-to strategy for getting better at anything. And it’s why he’s considered by many to be one of the best caddies to ever pick up a bag. If you’ve ever struggled with when to speak up and when to stay quiet, or how to guide people without micromanaging them, then this is the conversation you need.…
E284 · 26 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 6 min

#284: Shea Ralph, Head Coach of Women’s Basketball, Vanderbilt – Ground your team in values, not results

Five years ago, Shea Ralph walked in as head coach of Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team and inherited a broken program. There wasn’t much trust or talent left. But now, Vandy is flying as a #2 seed in this year’s NCAA tournament, and Shea has just been named National Coach of the Year. Go behind the scenes of their turnaround, and see how Shea’s unique story and perspective helped drive it – including how she motivates her team to get good results without letting those results define who they are. You’ll also learn: Why she calls herself “the weather” (and what it means for how you show…
E283 · 19 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 23 min

#283: Roy Williams, Former Men’s Basketball Head Coach, North Carolina – Get better every single day

Roy Williams is without a doubt one of the best college basketball coaches of all time. As the men’s head basketball coach at two storied programs – Kansas and UNC – he won three national championships and made nine Final Four appearances. And through every moment, Roy had one standard: don’t step off the court until you’ve gotten better. That applied to his players, his staff, and himself. Most leaders know they should focus on daily improvement. The hard part is actually making it into something real instead of just empty words. In this episode, Roy will show you how to build that…

About How Leaders Lead with David Novak

How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more. Other guests include: CEO of Starbucks CEO of Target Co-founder of Home Depot and many others... David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wisdom of these leaders into actionable insights you can use to elevate your own leadership game. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already leading teams, this show helps you build the confidence you need to lead well.

How Leaders Lead with David Novak is a English business podcast from David Novak. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: David Novak
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 9 min
Latest episode: 8 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1223803642

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