On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jeff Civillico — Las Vegas headliner, Hall of Fame speaker, and one of GDA’s most rebooked talents — to explore what makes audiences connect, laugh, and come back for more.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Jeff’s journey from juggling in his grandmother’s kitchen to producing his own Las Vegas residency
• The behind-the-scenes business mindset that helped him thrive as an entrepreneur in Vegas
• Why authenticity is what audiences crave most — no matter the room size
• The release of his new comedy special, Comedy in Action, now streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and more
• How his TEDx talk sparked a research study on “everyday influence” — and the three factors that truly drive it: consistency, proximity, and presence
• The mission behind Win Win Charity and how it brings smiles to children in hospitals nationwide
• How Care Kits for Kids transforms corporate CSR into a high-impact, meaningful team experience

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Jeff Civillico to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jesse Israel, founder of The Big Quiet, to explore how quiet can become a competitive advantage in a noisy, high-pressure world.

Key topics in this episode include:

• How Jesse’s early success in the music industry (including signing MGMT) led to anxiety and panic attacks behind the scenes
•  Why “solitude deprivation” is making it harder to think clearly, feel grounded, and access creativity
•  How Jesse discovered that moments of quiet gave him an edge in decision-making and performance
•  The origin story of The Big Quiet and how it grew from small meetups into mass meditations in iconic venues
•  How Jesse landed a spot on Oprah’s arena tour
•  The three types of noise Jesse sees in every industry: the noise of the world, the noise in our heads, and the noise in our bodies
•  What event planners should know about Jesse’s Amplified Quiet framework and where it fits best

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Jesse Israel to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Dr. Gary Chapman, bestselling author of The Five Love Languages and one of the most trusted voices on relationships, to explore why feeling valued is at the heart of both healthy relationships and healthy workplaces — and why good intentions alone aren’t enough.

Drawing from decades of counseling experience and real-world research, Dr. Chapman shares how the Five Love Languages framework came to life, why it resonated across cultures, and how the same principles now help organizations address disengagement, morale, and retention.

Key topics in this episode include:

• The true origin story behind The Five Love Languages
• Why people can feel unloved or unappreciated even when effort is present
• The five love languages and how they shape emotional connection
• Why most people naturally give love the way they want to receive it
• How the Love Languages framework translates into the workplace
• Research showing why lack of appreciation drives employee turnover
• Why appreciation is not one-size-fits-all at work
• A simple, brave question leaders can ask to help people feel valued
• How Dr. Chapman structures his keynote presentations to engage diverse audiences
• Why organizations that prioritize appreciation create healthier, more productive cultures

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Dr. Gary Chapman to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Todd Whitthorne, Emmy Award–winning broadcaster and former senior executive at the Cooper Aerobic Center, to explore why health isn’t a mystery — it’s a puzzle — and how small, intentional habits can lead to meaningful, lasting change.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Why health is a puzzle, not a mystery — and why most people already have the pieces
• The role priorities play in burnout, exhaustion, and overwhelm
• How the most important conversation you have each day is the one you have with yourself
• Todd’s 1% rule: why 14 minutes a day can reset energy, focus, and mindset
• The 14/90 framework: committing to 14 minutes a day for 90 days
• How small, consistent habits create sustainable change
• The connection between physical health and emotional resilience
• Why strength training is essential for long-term health and confidence
• Simple ways to improve sleep, nutrition, and daily movement
• Why investing in yourself allows you to better support and serve others

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Todd Whitthorne to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis talks with Sun Ah Brock about her journey of abandonment, adoption, and the search for belonging. Sun Ah shares what it was like to reconnect with her biological family in Korea and how those experiences shaped her understanding of identity, leadership, and connection.

Through powerful storytelling, she explores the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, why vulnerability matters, and how her personal experiences influence the businesses and communities she’s built. This episode is a meaningful reminder that belonging is something we create through honesty, courage, and connection.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Sun Ah’s journey of abandonment began at age four and shaped her search for belonging.
• Storytelling became a powerful tool for healing and self-understanding.
  There’s a meaningful difference between fitting in and truly belonging.
• Vulnerability in leadership creates trust and deeper connection.
  Community and human connection are essential to a fulfilling life.
• Sun Ah’s entrepreneurial work is rooted in creating a sense of home.
• Her story reflects universal themes of family, identity, and belonging.
• Understanding cultural roots can bring clarity and compassion to personal identity.
• Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways we connect in today’s world.
  Belonging is something we actively create, not something we wait to receive.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Sun Ah Brock to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass Gail visits with, James Lawrence, better known as The Iron Cowboy, who built his name on extreme endurance feats. But the real impact of his story? How we can all find shared hope no matter what our "hard" is.

Key topics in this episode include:

• James completing 50 Ironman races in 50 days across 50 states.
• The importance of balance in life and work.
• The 75 Hard challenge was influenced by a conversation with James.
• Discipline is a skill that develops over time through routines.
• Valuable lessons learned from the chaos of his endurance challenges.
• Raising over a million dollars for anti-sex trafficking efforts.
• The power of community and support is crucial in overcoming challenges.
• The difference between empowering others rather than just motivating them.
• Managing our internal dialogues.
• Suffering can be a gift that teaches resilience.
• Mindset is key to achieving daily success and happiness.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing James Lawrence to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, John O'Leary shares his inspiring journey from a tragic childhood accident to becoming a motivational speaker and author. He discusses the recent premiere of the film based on his life story 'Soul on Fire,' the importance of community, and the impact of storytelling. John emphasizes the significance of pursuing a life of purpose and the power of individual choices in making a difference.

Key topics in this episode include:

• John O'Leary's journey is about resilience and community support.
• The creation and premiere of the film 'Soul on Fire' and how it reflects deeper life lessons.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for connection and healing.
• The seven choices in John's book that guide personal growth.
• The power of one individual can change lives.
• Tailoring messages for audiences enhances their impact.
• Life is a gift, and recognizing this can transform perspectives.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing John O’Leary to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis is joined by Andy Fastow, the former CFO of Enron, to discuss about ethics, leadership, and decision-making in business. Andy shares his journey of taking responsibility for his role in the collapse of Enron, the importance of understanding risk in the gray areas of business, and how corporate culture plays a crucial role in ethical decision-making. He emphasizes the need for leaders to ask critical questions and to foster an environment where risks are identified and managed effectively. The discussion also touches on the relevance of the Enron case in today's business landscape and the importance of continuing education in ethics and risk management.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Andy Fastow takes full responsibility for his actions at Enron.
• The importance of understanding risk in the gray zone.
• Corporate culture is crucial for fostering ethical decision-making.
• Loopholes can lead to unethical behavior despite following the rules.
• Human nature often leads to overlooking hidden risks in business.
• Risk assessment should take precedence over mere compliance.
• Continuing education in ethics is vital for professionals.
• Andy encourages open dialogue and questions in corporate settings.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Andy Fastow to your next event!

Gail Davis is joined by Peter Sheahan who shares the importance of taking ownership of change to accelerate transformation on teams.

Show Notes

Peter Sheahan is an entrepreneur, strategist, C-suite advisor, and in-demand speaker. After writing Generation Y, his first book, he quickly found himself in boardrooms speaking about understanding and connecting with the next generation. Since then, Peter has written several books and has headlined countless speaking events. During the episode, Peter shares the importance of owning change to accelerate transformation on teams.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Where Peter’s career started and the trajectory it took from there.
• Why Peter wanted to write about the value shifts of young people.
• How he ended up teaching about change and disruption globally.
• How he got the nickname “CEO whisperer,” and his method for pushing people.
• Peter’s process for preparing for a keynote speech and the interview he must have first.
• What it takes to be a great leader in today’s organizations.
• Why he decided to sell some of his businesses and what he’s focusing on instead.
• Peter’s ideal audience and who he loves speaking to the most.
• What happened when he crossed paths with Brené Brown and why he’s a big fan.
• How speakers set expectations for their events and why some seem high maintenance. 
• Why speakers are prone to depression (despite what it looks like on the outside).
• The advice Peter has for event planners when making speaker selections.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Peter Sheahan to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Eric Maddox discusses the importance of empathy-based listening in building trust and effective communication in both personal and professional settings. 

Key topics in this episode include:

• Empathy-based listening is crucial for building trust.
• Organizations need to focus on understanding their clients.
• Listening is more important than pitching in conversations.
• Trust is the foundation of effective partnerships.
• Empowerment within teams leads to better outcomes.
• How Eric’s techniques can be applied across various industries.
• Empathy-based listening vs. sympathy-based listening.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Eric Maddox to your next event!