Backstage Pass with GDA Speakers

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Alison Canavan — global wellness expert, mindfulness facilitator, and transformational speaker — to explore how leaders and teams can reduce stress, regain focus, and create sustainable wellbeing in a fast-paced world.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Alison’s journey from international supermodel to wellness and mindfulness expert
• The disconnect between external success and internal wellbeing — and how to close that gap
• Why energy management, not time management, is the key to sustained performance
• How burnout happens when we constantly “spend” energy without ever replenishing it
• Why mindfulness is simply reclaiming stillness, space, and silence in a distracted world
• How Alison integrates real-time breathing and grounding exercises into her keynotes and workshops
• Simple, practical tools — all five minutes or less — that audiences can implement immediately
• The power of “practicing the pause” to move from reactive to intentional leadership
• How leaders can better manage their energy to create stronger teams and healthier cultures

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Alison Canavan to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Kevin Brown — bestselling author, leadership speaker, and one of GDA’s most rebooked experts — to explore what it really means to lead, serve, and show up at a higher level.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Kevin’s journey from blue-collar beginnings in Muskegon, Michigan to the executive boardroom
• The defining moments and mentors that helped him rewrite his story and shape his leadership philosophy
• The HERO Effect® and why it’s a simple, powerful framework that separates world-class organizations from the rest
• What organizations are really trying to solve when they bring in Kevin to speak — from culture to customer experience to leadership
• Why outside voices can unlock new perspective and reinforce messaging
• Kevin’s new keynote in development around gratitude: If it matters, prove it
• His practical framework for high performance: REPS — reach, expand, prepare, and serve
• How mastering the fundamentals allows your talent and leadership to naturally rise to the surface

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Kevin Brown to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Dr. Rebecca Heiss — stress expert and researcher whose work has been recognized as “transformative” by the National Science Foundation — to challenge the way we think about stress and explore how it can be used as a performance advantage.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Why stress isn’t something to eliminate — and how trying to get rid of it can actually make it worse
• The difference between stressors and the stress response — and why that distinction matters
• How stress, when properly directed, sharpens focus, decision-making, and performance
• Simple, practical tools like “it’s not a tiger” to stop spiraling and regain control in high-pressure moments
• Why taking action — even small steps — is key to breaking cycles of overwhelm and inaction
• How high-performing teams use stress to fuel innovation instead of fear
• The role of stress as a signal for what we care about most — and how to use that insight to drive purpose and growth

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Dr. Rebecca Heiss to your next event!

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 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, 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, 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!