Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Dale Carnegie Flagship Podcast, Joe Hart

Embark on a journey of real-life business insights and inspiring personal growth narratives. Welcome to Dale Carnegie Take Command: A Leadership Podcast, where we seek to uncover what leadership means in today’s world. Hosted by Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie, we’ll be talking to diverse leaders across various industries to help unlock your potential for success. We’ll be sharing real-life insights into leadership—which in turn can help spark the next level of your growth as a leader.

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20 episodes
Updated July 14

Episodes20

Newest first

Hire People Smarter Than You: Humble Leadership in the Age of AI
Ania Smith is someone who has built a remarkable career on resilience, curiosity, and a deep belief in people. She arrived in the U.S. from Poland at 12, not speaking English, and went on to lead at Airbnb, Walmart, and Expedia before becoming CEO of TaskRabbit in the thick of the 2020 pandemic. She says, "It is not about the fall. It really is about the ability of being able to get up the moment after the fall — and use that experience to get that much stronger." Ania's episode is full of groun
July 14 · 36 min
Do the Right Thing, Every Time: Lessons on Leadership and Agency
Eric Ries has spent the last two decades reshaping how companies are built and led, emphasizing continuous innovation, long-term thinking, and purposeful governance. He says, “It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing the right things consistently. Your small actions compound, and they define the future of your organization.” In this episode, Eric dives into the principles behind the Lean Startup method, why leaders need to create structures that empower others, and how long-term thinking can
June 9 · 44 min
No Shortcuts, No Excuses: Building What Lasts
Today’s guest made history as the first African American woman to found and build a multi-billion-dollar company, now a global organization operating in more than 30 countries and connecting talent with opportunity at scale. She is a best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and global speaker on leadership, business, and opportunity in a changing world. Janice Bryant Howroyd built her success on a simple belief: “No shortcuts, no excuses.” In this conversation, she reflects on growing up
May 12 · 47 min
Running the Long Game: Small Steps, Big Impact.
Jake Rawson, CEO of Craft Sportswear North America, thinks of business like an endurance race. “It’s not one moment… it’s the stacking of goals… incremental gains,” he says. In this episode, Jake shares how patience, consistency, and a long-term mindset have shaped both his leadership and his life. From mentoring teams to coaching his kids, he emphasizes positive reinforcement, embracing opportunities, and applying lessons from Dale Carnegie to create lasting impact. Tune in for practical insigh
April 14 · 31 min
Grit Is Not Optional: Leading Through Crisis with Courage and Heart
Mr. Wai Phyo is someone who has defined his leadership through grit, resilience, and a deep belief in people. When he took over his father’s instant noodle business at age 23 with only two years of experience, he faced a crisis that could have broken anyone. He says, “Grit is the single most important characteristic that separates the extraordinary from the ordinary… you have to acknowledge failure, embrace it, and overcome it.” Wai Phyo’s episode is filled with practical leadership insight. He
March 24 · 33 min
Nothing to Lose, Everything to Build
Wemimo Abbey is a purpose-driven entrepreneur transforming financial inclusion in the U.S. through Esusu, a fintech that helps renters build credit and access flexible payments. His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in resilience, faith, and the principle of “falling forward” from failure. Abbey believes that meaningful impact comes from combining bold ambition with humility, saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." He shares vivid stories from his jou
March 10 · 38 min
Beyond Shareholders: Rethinking What Winning Means
Ivan Tornos is a purpose-driven CEO leading one of the world's top medtech companies, and his leadership philosophy was profoundly shaped by Dale Carnegie principles. Ivan brings his complete self to every challenge, balancing high-stakes results with genuine care for people, saying, "Great leaders are able to inspire performance and execute performance—that's my 4P model: Purpose, planning, people, and processes." Ivan shares powerful stories from his journey—from early family tragedies tha
February 24 · 28 min
Keep Sharp in Chaos: A Surgeon's Mindset Hack
Sanjay Gupta is someone who has balanced a high-stakes career as a practicing neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent through curiosity, humility, and lifelong learning. He says, “Everyone's a teacher, if you allow them to be, and you should be a good student, a good and willing student, and then also teach at the same time when you can.” Sanjay’s episode is packed with amazing advice. He talks about Dale Carnegie's transformative impact on public speaking and relationships, the power o
February 10 · 44 min
Driven: Danica Patrick on High-Performance Mindset and Modern Leadership
Danica Patrick has built a career defined by fearless choices, relentless drive, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth. She shares, “Ignorance is bliss... you don’t know what to be afraid of then,” reflecting on her bold decision at 16 to race in England. This special 100th episode of Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast is packed with inspiration. Danica opens up about building confidence through tough decisions, trusting your potential even when the path is uncertain, and staying
January 27 · 38 min
Seismic Shift in the Age of AI: Building Teams That Feel Seen, Heard, and Valued
What happens when productivity keeps rising, but people feel more disconnected than ever? In this episode, Michelle K. Johnston, Ph.D., challenges leaders to make a seismic shift back to genuine human connection in an age of AI, nonstop notifications, and relentless busyness. Michelle shares her powerful insight, “Productivity without connection equals emptiness,” and explains why checking boxes without meaningful relationships leaves leaders and teams drained rather than fulfilled. This convers
January 13 · 38 min
Eagles Don’t Fly in Packs: Courage, Faith, and Leadership
Some people follow the crowd. John Hope Bryant pursues transformation. From personal growth to inspiring leaders worldwide, John shares how courage, optimism, and intentional action shaped his journey. He says, “If you become the person that Dale Carnegie’s trying to evolve you into, there’s a high likelihood that most people are not going to understand you anyway.” This episode dives into stepping into fear, leading with faith, and embracing principles that turn potential into action. John remi
Dec 9, 2025 · 42 min
95% Decisions, 100% Impact: Rethinking Leadership
Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer, has built his career by transforming organizations from the inside out, focusing on empowering people and breaking through bureaucracy. He says, “I didn’t need more of a work ethic, I didn’t need more attention to detail, I needed to be focused on helping other people be successful.” Bill’s episode is packed with actionable insights. He shares why giving decision-making power to the people doing the work is key, how to redesign organizations around purpose and custom
Nov 25, 2025 · 39 min
When the World Stopped, They Kept Moving: A Journey from Fear to Freedom
Mark Fitzmaurice and Juliette Dennett’s journey is a testament to resilience, partnership, and the power of living your values. From humble beginnings in the UK to leading one of Dale Carnegie’s most successful franchises worldwide, their story is about turning passion into purpose—and navigating life’s toughest challenges with grace. Mark got into Dale Carnegie after a breakfast seminar in 1986. A young baker at the time, full of insecurity and imposter syndrome, he enrolled in a leadership pro
Nov 11, 2025 · 41 min
Empathy, the Hidden Superpower of a Modern CEO
Nate Rempe’s journey is anything but ordinary. From writing code in grade school to becoming the first non-family CEO of Omaha Steaks in over 100 years, his story is a masterclass in adaptability, courage, and human-centered leadership. In this episode, Nate shares how stepping into uncomfortable situations shaped his rise from CIO to CEO—and why empathy became his greatest leadership advantage. He says, “Empathy is absolutely necessary at the CEO level if you want to win hearts and minds. And i
Oct 28, 2025 · 40 min
Climbing Higher: Leadership Lessons from Adversity to Impact
From war-torn Nicaragua to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and purpose. Jose shares how growing up as a refugee shaped his mindset, how West Point taught him the value of followership, and how feedback—given with care and conviction—became the cornerstone of his leadership style. He says, “Making it clear when you're giving the feedback that it is your job and your responsibility as the leader to make that person successful.” This episode
Oct 14, 2025 · 39 min
Fearless by Design: Building Global Brands with Purpose
Some people chase trends. Adam von Gootkin builds legacies. From selling candy in high school to founding one of the world’s most prestigious gin brands, Adam shares how bold thinking, authentic connection, and a fearless mindset shaped his entrepreneurial journey. He says, “If you don’t have much to lose, then you learn to become bold… either fearless by intention or too stupid to be afraid.” This episode is packed with insights on overcoming fear, embracing awkwardness, and leading with pass
Sep 23, 2025 · 35 min
Convicted, Not Defeated: A Real Talk on Ethics and Redemption
Rashmi Airan’s story is one of grit, grace, and radical accountability. A former attorney turned ethics advocate, Rashmi shares how a series of missteps led to a federal prison sentence—and how that experience became the foundation for her life’s mission. She says, “I had to lose my freedom to gain freedom,” and her journey is a masterclass in how to rise through struggle with courage and clarity. In this episode, Rashmi introduces her four-step RISE framework—Reframe, Identify, Surrender, and
Sep 9, 2025 · 30 min
Generation AI: Why People Skills Are the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
Matt Britton is a trailblazer who’s made a career out of understanding what’s next—especially when it comes to youth culture, digital behavior, and the future of brands. He believes, “Culture moves faster than companies can keep up. If you want to lead, you have to stop reacting and start anticipating.” In this episode, Matt breaks down what it takes to stay relevant in a world of constant disruption. He dives into generational shifts, how AI and automation are changing consumer expectations, an
Aug 12, 2025 · 37 min
Forged in the Dark: Why Real Leaders Run Toward Problems
John Venhuizen, CEO of Ace Hardware, knows firsthand that business is tough — a constant battle against some of the biggest players out there. But for John, it’s never just about products or profit. It’s about people, relationships, and a deep sense of purpose. In this conversation, John opens up about how Ace’s unique model — combining a powerful global brand with locally owned stores — creates something special that can’t be easily replicated. He talks about the daily grind of leadership, the
Jul 22, 2025 · 38 min
Next-Gen Influence: PACSUN’s Strategy to Own the Future of Youth Culture
What does it really take to keep a legacy brand relevant to Gen Z and Gen Alpha? For Brieane Olson, CEO of Pacsun, it’s all about leading with purpose, embracing creativity, and truly listening to your customers. In this open and insightful conversation, Brieane shares how Pacsun has stayed grounded amid shifting trends and digital disruption by staying focused on a clear mission. She dives into how the brand builds lasting love with its community, the role vulnerability plays in her leadership,
Jul 8, 2025 · 34 min

Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Hire People Smarter Than You: Humble Leadership in the Age of AI

Do the Right Thing, Every Time: Lessons on Leadership and Agency

No Shortcuts, No Excuses: Building What Lasts

Running the Long Game: Small Steps, Big Impact.

Grit Is Not Optional: Leading Through Crisis with Courage and Heart

Nothing to Lose, Everything to Build

Beyond Shareholders: Rethinking What Winning Means

Keep Sharp in Chaos: A Surgeon's Mindset Hack

Driven: Danica Patrick on High-Performance Mindset and Modern Leadership

Seismic Shift in the Age of AI: Building Teams That Feel Seen, Heard, and Valued

Eagles Don’t Fly in Packs: Courage, Faith, and Leadership

95% Decisions, 100% Impact: Rethinking Leadership

When the World Stopped, They Kept Moving: A Journey from Fear to Freedom

Empathy, the Hidden Superpower of a Modern CEO

Climbing Higher: Leadership Lessons from Adversity to Impact

Fearless by Design: Building Global Brands with Purpose

Convicted, Not Defeated: A Real Talk on Ethics and Redemption

Generation AI: Why People Skills Are the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

Forged in the Dark: Why Real Leaders Run Toward Problems

Next-Gen Influence: PACSUN’s Strategy to Own the Future of Youth Culture