Backstage Pass with GDA Speakers

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Diana Kander, serial entrepreneur, innovation consultant, and New York Times bestselling author, to explore how curiosity and asking better questions can help leaders and teams challenge assumptions, uncover opportunities, and achieve bigger results.

Diana shares how arriving in the United States as an eight-year-old refugee shaped her resourcefulness and unconventional approach to problem-solving. She explains why curiosity is essential for continued growth, how success can create unexpected blind spots, and why the questions we ask often determine the opportunities we see.

From escaping the "expert trap" to eliminating low-value work and challenging outdated habits, Diana introduces practical, memorable tools for making smarter decisions and focusing on what creates the greatest impact. She also shares how creating meaningful connections and memorable experiences can help organizations build trust and inspire lasting change.

Key topics include:

• How Diana's journey from refugee to successful entrepreneur shaped her curiosity and resourcefulness
• Why asking better questions is essential for innovation, growth, and better results
• How the "expert trap" can cause successful leaders and organizations to stop evolving
• Why challenging assumptions can uncover opportunities hiding in plain sight
• How doing more of what matters, rather than simply doing more, can increase your impact
• How to identify your highest-value activities using a simple 1-to-10 scale
• What it means to "kill the zombies" in your workplace by eliminating outdated processes and unproductive meetings
• How changing the way we ask questions can lead to smarter, more informed decisions
• The science behind creating memorable presentations and stronger connections with customers and teams
• How Diana customizes her keynotes to deliver practical insights that stick with audiences long after an event

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Diana Kander to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Chris Barton, creator of Shazam, inventor, and former Google and Dropbox executive, to explore what it takes to turn seemingly impossible ideas into reality.

When Chris first imagined Shazam, experts told him the technology couldn't be built. After overcoming countless technical challenges to launch it, the company spent six consecutive years on the brink of bankruptcy before finally taking off. Today, Shazam has surpassed 2 billion downloads, but the lessons behind its creation extend far beyond technology.

Chris shares his Start from Zero approach to innovation, explaining how questioning assumptions, practicing creative persistence, and eliminating friction can help individuals and organizations unlock new possibilities. He also discusses how these principles apply to today's business challenges, from embracing AI and new technologies to inspiring teams to think differently.

Key topics include:

• The unlikely story behind Shazam and the obstacles Chris faced bringing it to life
• How Shazam survived six years on the brink of bankruptcy
• Why our default way of thinking can limit innovation
• The Start from Zero method for challenging assumptions and generating bold ideas
• What creative persistence really means and how to push past seemingly impossible obstacles
• How eliminating friction can improve products, processes, and experiences
• Why embracing AI and new technologies requires a shift in mindset
• How Chris's experience with dyslexia helped shape his approach to solving problems
• Why Chris is now working with his son on a new venture focused on dyslexia diagnosis
• How to stop treating obstacles as final answers and start finding creative ways around them

Chris's message is a powerful reminder that innovation isn't reserved for inventors or technology companies. Whether you're leading a team, navigating change, or pursuing an ambitious goal, thinking differently about what's possible can open the door to extraordinary results.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Chris Barton to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Molly Fletcher, one of the first female sports agents and known in the industry as the “female Jerry Maguire,” to explore what her years in the sports world taught her about high performance and reaching your full potential. 

From creating your own scoreboard instead of comparing yourself to others to treating recovery as an essential part of performance, Molly shares the mindset shifts that can help people continue raising their own standard.

She also explains why consistent feedback matters, how high performers approach change differently, and how changing the “mental script” in your head can help you move forward when you feel stuck. 

Key topics include:

• Why the best performers compete against themselves instead of everyone around them
• Creating your own scoreboard and focusing on your own potential
• Why consistent feedback can help people continually improve
• Why recovery is a discipline, not a reward
• How high performers approach change as an opportunity for growth
• What organizations can learn from the mindset and practices of the sports world
• Why successful teams can’t afford to settle after achieving results
• How Molly customizes her message to the challenges and goals of each organization
• Identifying the “mental scripts” that may be keeping you stuck
• Taking small, intentional steps toward becoming the person you want to be  

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Molly Fletcher to your next event.

In this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, to unpack the practical strategies that have shaped her nearly four decades on Wall Street.

From navigating uncertainty and rapid change to building relationships that move careers forward, Carla shares her signature Carla’s Pearls and explains how professionals at every level can be more intentional about how they show up, connect with others, and position themselves for success.

She also breaks down the difference between performance currency and relationship currency, why a sponsor plays a critical role in career advancement, and what it takes to lead with confidence and intention in today’s environment.

Key topics include:

• Why today’s workplace requires greater agility in the face of uncertainty and change
• How authenticity can become a competitive advantage
• Why perception matters to professional success
• The difference between performance currency and relationship currency
• Why a sponsor is different from a mentor
• How to identify and build relationships with potential sponsors
• The power of small, consistent interactions in building professional relationships
• What intentional leadership looks like today
• Why being present, listening, communicating, and empowering others matter for leaders
• How Carla uses keynote presentations and audience Q&A to give people practical strategies they can put to work

Carla’s message is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what you accomplish—it’s also about how intentionally you show up, invest in relationships, and lead the people around you.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Carla Harris to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, professional pilot, and keynote speaker Jason Harris to explore the combat-proven principles behind his No Fail Trust® methodology.

After 11 combat deployments, Jason knows what it takes to operate in environments where the stakes are high and trust is essential to getting the mission done. He shares how those experiences shaped his approach to teamwork and why the same principles can help organizations strengthen trust, accountability, connection, and performance.
Jason also shares how he helps organizations surface challenges around trust, communication, psychological safety, and accountability, and why building stronger teams starts with creating genuine connection.

Key topics include:

• The high-risk combat experiences that shaped Jason's approach to teamwork
• The story behind his No Fail Trust® methodology
• What it takes to build trust before the pressure hits
• Why training, processes, and empowerment matter to team performance
• How connection can lead to commitment, accountability, and trust
• Why anyone can influence culture, regardless of title
• How Jason takes organizations beyond the keynote through workshops and deeper engagement
• The story behind his new book, No Fail Trust: The Flight Manual for Building Teams That Deliver Under Pressure
• One simple way to start building stronger trust today

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Jason Harris to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis welcomes futurist, bestselling author, and technology strategist Jamie Metzl for a conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing leaders today: how to prepare for a future that's changing faster than ever.

Drawing on decades of work spanning AI, healthcare, biotechnology, and geopolitics, Jamie explains why the future isn't about humans versus technology. It's about learning how the two can work together. He shares practical insights for leaders and organizations looking to navigate change, empower their people, and build a culture of continuous learning. 

Key topics include:

•  Why today's technological revolutions are accelerating each other 
•  How humans and AI create more value together 
•  A simple framework for deciding what people do best 
•  Why curiosity is the key to staying relevant 
•  How organizations can become better learning organizations 
•  Practical advice for preparing yourself and your team for the future 
•  Why human creativity and judgment will matter more, not less 
•  The audiences and organizations that benefit most from Jamie's message

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Jamie Metzl to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with keynote speaker and creativity expert Kyle Scheele to explore one of the biggest myths holding organizations back: the belief that some people are creative and others simply aren't.

Known for his viral experiments, unforgettable storytelling, and practical approach to innovation, Kyle shares how his unconventional journey led him from youth speaking to corporate stages around the world. He explains why creativity isn't reserved for artists or inventors, but is a learnable skill that helps teams solve problems, generate better ideas, and move faster together.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Kyle's unconventional path to becoming one of today's leading creativity speakers
• Why creativity is a skill anyone can develop
• The biggest mistake organizations make when trying to innovate
• How leaders can unlock the untapped ideas already inside their teams
• Why facilitation is often more important than having all the answers
• A preview of Kyle's upcoming book, How Ideas Work
• How Kyle customizes every keynote to each audience
• One simple shift that can help any team become more creative

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Kyle Scheele to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author and now "recovering attorney and investment banker" Rashmi Airan to explore how good people can make life-changing mistakes—and how those same moments can become the foundation for stronger leadership, greater resilience, and lasting personal growth.

After a successful career in law and finance led to a federal prison sentence, Rashmi rebuilt her life with a mission to help organizations better understand ethical decision-making, human behavior, and the hidden blind spots that affect us all. She shares the practical framework she developed to help leaders pause, gain clarity, and make better decisions in today's fast-moving world.

Key topics in this episode include:

• How one ethical blind spot changed the trajectory of Rashmi's life
• Why pressure, speed, and ambition often cloud our judgment
• The four questions behind Rashmi's "Clarity Loop" decision-making framework
• The difference between performance and alignment in leadership
• The release of her new book, All Rise, and why "Rise" has become the foundation of her work
• How to recognize blind spots before they become costly mistakes
• The audiences and industries that benefit most from Rashmi's message
• Why pausing may be the most powerful leadership habit of all

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Rashmi Airan to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with cybersecurity expert, former NSA senior executive, and current Morgan Stanley Managing Director Rachel Wilson to explore the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape — and why cybersecurity now affects everyone from global organizations to individual families.

Key topics in this episode include:

•  Rachel’s experience leading counterterrorism operations and overseeing thousands of high-stakes cyber operations at the NSA 
•  Why cybersecurity has evolved from an IT issue into a leadership and business issue 
•  How artificial intelligence is accelerating cybercrime and lowering the barrier to entry for hackers 
•  Why employees are both the greatest cybersecurity vulnerability and the first line of defense 
•  The importance of developing “healthy skepticism” in today’s digital world 
•  Practical cybersecurity habits Rachel recommends for businesses, leaders, and families 
•  How organizations can better prepare teams to navigate modern cyber risks 
•  Why today’s cyber threats are impacting businesses and households alike 
•  The types of audiences and organizations that benefit most from Rachel’s message 

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Rachel Wilson to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with New York Times bestselling author and positive psychology expert Shawn Achor to discuss his newest bestseller, The Power of Beliefs.

Known for transforming how organizations think about happiness and performance, Shawn shares the research behind the beliefs that predict success, resilience, engagement, and well-being. He explains why beliefs are far more powerful than most people realize and how leaders can intentionally shape them to create stronger teams and better outcomes.

Key topics in this episode include:

• What inspired Shawn to write The Power of Beliefs after an eight-year break from publishing
• How the new research builds upon the foundation of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential
• The seven core beliefs that influence performance, resilience, and success
• Why beliefs predict outcomes ranging from sales and retention to well-being and longevity
• The surprising lesson behind the "home field advantage" and what it teaches us about connection
• How organizations are using belief-based strategies to improve engagement, culture, and results
• Practical ways leaders can strengthen positive beliefs within their teams
• Why Shawn believes hope, meaning, and human potential matter more than ever in the age of AI

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Shawn Achor to your next event!