Excellent Leadership Podcast

By Excel Search & Advisory x DBPodcasts

The Excellent Leadership Podcast interviews sports and entertainment CEOs, Presidents, General Managers, Athletics Directors, Head Coaches, Elite Athletes and Performers. We explore their career journ... more

4.9

8686 ratings

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FAQs about Excellent Leadership Podcast:

How many episodes does Excellent Leadership Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.

Excellent Leadership Podcast episodes:

August 19, 2025 Shelly Cayette (President of Business Operations, Charlotte Hornets) on Staring with The New Orleans Hornets, 10 Years at Cleveland Cavaliers
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are at the finale for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty sixth guest, Shelly Cayette (President of Business Operations, Charlotte Hornets) on to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Being a student athlete at Tulane University & Working in the Casino Industry (1:30)
Working in Marketing for The New Orleans Hornets & Going From Marketing To Sales (7:00)
Working a Community role in New Orleans & Working for The Cleveland Cavaliers during COVID (11:53)
Balancing work with Motherhood & Advice to her younger self (17:31)
The pitch to join The Cleveland Cavaliers & Key pillars that lead to her successes (27:55)
Working with strong executive business leaders & Perfecting an interview process (33:43)
Staying sharp & 7 Question Blitz (43:50)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcastSubscribe on
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzsSubscribe on
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz
Follow Us on Socials:
@excellentleadershippodcast on Instagram & LinkedIn
CEO Conversations
#CEO #SportsExecutives #DreamJob

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56min
August 13, 2025 Clark Lea (Head Football Coach of Vanderbilt University) on The Week Leading Up To Beating #1 Alabama, Insisting Character & Consistency In Players
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Kari Goodwin (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty fifth guest, Clark Lea (Head Coach of Vanderbilt University Football) on to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Favorite Half Time Speeches & Setting the rules for a college football team (:56)
Playing Football at Vanderbilt University & Aligning the full program with their ultimate vision (4:41)
What excites him most about coaching college football at Vanderbilt & Instilling consistent behaviors (9:21)

The week leading up to beating #1 University of Alabama & Instilling character in players (19:01)
Assessing talent in a recruit & The importance of making adjustments as a new coach (30:00)

Communication through the media & Prioritizing when hiring for the coaching staff (38:28)

7 Question Blitz (47:35)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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55min
July 22, 2025 Danita Johnson (President of Business Operations - D.C. United) on Creating A Culture of Success, Finding A Sense of Purpose, A System of Process
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Matt Rogers (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty fourth guest, Danita Johnson (President of Business Operations of D.C. United) on to discuss:

Intro (:02)
How deep sports love runs with her family & Being part of a military family (:51)
Why she chose a career in sports & Starting with a Minor League team (4:19)
Walking into her first MLS job & Creating a culture of success (11:39)Leaving a system of process & Advice for managing up for ownership groups (18:58)
Finding a sense of purpose & The importance of knowing the type of person you’re hiring (23:28)

The process of hiring people for specific roles & Advice for those stepping into leadership roles (30:45)

The importance of taking risks & Why people should be D.C. United supporters (38:55)
The explosive growth of D.C. United & Biggest learnings from leading at Los Angeles Sparks (45:25)
The leaders who helped shape her career & Teaching confidence (51:14)
7 Question Blitz (59:29)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs

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1h 8min
July 15, 2025 JJ Gottsch (CEO of Austin Gamblers) on Valuations of PBR Teams, Western Curious Brands, The Risk of Injury To Bull Riders & more
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Kari Goodwin (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty third guest, JJ Gottsch (CEO of Austin Gamblers) on to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Being raised in problem solving environments & Foundational memories that prepared him to be a leader (1:03)
The realization that his parents were entrepreneurs & Bowling in his life (6:47)
What excited him about joining PBR & The best way to resign (11:26)The intricacy of PBR & The future of PBR (16:55)
Valuations of PBR Teams & Those who are Western curious (24:45)

The risk of injury to athletes in PBR & How PBR riders get started in training (30:05)Why a rider chooses a particular bull & How riders warm up (35:33)
Prioritizing in hiring & Day in the life of the Austin Gamblers CEO (40:40)
Biggest surprises that come from his job & The turning point in his career (47:01)
Professional habits in his work/live balance & 7 Question Blitz (51:24)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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1h 7min
July 01, 2025 Dewayne Hankins (President of Business Operations, Portland TrailBlazers) on Bringing Basketball & Business Together, Community Leading in Portland
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty third guest, Dewayne Hankins (President of Business Operations, Portland TrailBlazers) on to discuss:
Intro (:02)
How he starts every day with a workout & Habits to keeping his mind sharp (:45)
Getting into the seat that he has today & Working in Digital Marketing for Professional Los Angeles Teams (5:32)
Finding the right people to run social media for teams & Moving into digital sponsorship sales (8:20)Moving from CMO to President & Bringing Basketball and Business together (14:22)
The goal of culture & The big projects he’s been involved with in Portland (20:09)

Those who have helped him become the leader he is today & Becoming a Community Leader in Portland (26:24)Building a culture of leadership & What he’s most obsessed about (32:47)
Convincing people and sponsors to sign on for a season & Working with a team owner (37:14)
Putting together the strongest leadership team & Filling senior leadership roles (41:59)
Hiring for potential vs. Hiring for experience & 7 Question Blitz (46:59)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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55min
June 24, 2025 Burke Nihill (President & CEO of Tennessee Titans⁩ ) on Leading with a Start Up Mentality, New Stadium Creation & more
Megaphone: Burke Nihill (President & CEO of Tennessee Titans) on Leading with a Start Up Mentality, New Stadium & moreYouTube: Burke Nihill (President & CEO of Tennessee Titans on Leading This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Kari Goodwin (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty second guest, Burke Nihill (President & CEO of Tennessee Titans) on to discuss:
Intro (:02)
Being afraid of telling people he was a lawyer & How it prepares someone to be a CEO in the NFL (:50)
Choosing to get into the business of Sports & Having A Startup Mentality (6:35)
How The Tenessee Titans have changed over time & Hosting NFL Draft in Nashville (12:19)Instilling Culture in a new environment & Getting feedback from the entire organization (20:40)
New Stadium construction & What wins look like in culture (27:58)

Leadership values within the organization & Behavior To Instill Leadership (40:12)Keeping optimism high & The importance of telling the truth (47:54)
The idea of creating a new stadium & Work to Family balance in life (54:56)
7 Question Blitz (59:15)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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1h 8min
June 18, 2025 JT Batson (CEO & Secretary General U.S. Soccer Federation) on World Cup Coming To America in 2026, Recruiting Big Name Managers, Annual Revenue Goa
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & JT Batson (CEO & Secretary General U.S Soccer Federation) is here with our thirty first guest, JT Batson (CEO & Secretary General U.S Soccer Federation) on to discuss:Intro (:02)
The role of Secretary General & The economic model of U.S. Soccer (1:00)
The first paycheck he ever earned as a referee & Playing soccer growing up in Augusta (5:02)
Going to Silicon Valley after college & The train ride that changed everything for him (14:59)The challenges of development within the organization & Looking back at joining U.S. Soccer (21:52)
Convincing great people to work for you & His interview style (28:47)

The Importance of fit within the organization & Recruiting big name managers to join the organization (35:47)The World Cup coming back to America in 2026 & The Goal of $400m-$500m annual revenue (49:12)
Inspiring the next generation to play soccer in USA & Single Sport vs Multi Sport Athletes for The Youth (:59:27)
The importance of having fun at the core of business & Regional investment around USA (1:10:50)Engagement, efficiency, empathy & Finding time to become the best version of yourself (1:14:53)
Organizing your time more effectively & Advice for executives who want to become CEO plus the first 60 days (1:19:40)
When U.S. Women won the World Cup & 7 Question Blitz (1:29:39)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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1h 39min
June 10, 2025 Mike Whan (CEO of USGA) on Strategic Pillars at USGA, Global Media Rights at LPGA, Youth Development Programs, Celebrating Your Failures
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirtieth guest, Mike Whan (CEO of USGA) on to discuss:Intro (:02)
Shooting in Arnie’s Place & Going from Toothpaste to Tee Boxes by becoming GM of Wilson Golf (:49)
Working at Procter & Gamble & Bringing rescue hybrids to market (5:03)
Consumer trends in the golf market & The importance of building a leadership team that isn’t just like you (14:20)Building a culture that allows for challenging of the CEO & Managing up to the board (19:47)
Boards that are desperate for transformation & The meeting to become Commisioner of LPGA (25:57)

The Importance of Global Media Rights at LPGA & Traveling the world for work (37:49)Becoming CEO of USGA & The Strategic Pillars to focus on from the beginning (44:04)
Golf youth development programs & Remembering when it was a struggle to keep sponsors (49:48)
Packaging complex information to communicate them effectively & Advice to other CEOs who have never had a chair/board (54:09)CEO Interview presentation & Celebrating your failures (1:04:26)
Allowing yourself to not be the smartest person in the room & The value of taking arrows for your team (1:10:23)
7 Question Blitz (1:14:11)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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1h 26min
June 03, 2025 Matt Caldwell (CEO of Florida Panthers) on Stanley Cup Championship Culture in Broward County, Becoming CEO at 36, Making Big Personnel Move
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty ninth guest, Matt Caldwell (CEO of Florida Panthers) on to discuss:Intro (:02)
The first thing he did after winning The Stanley Cup & Planning for a Championship Parade (1:11)
Having a Championship ring & Florida being the epicenter of hockey with outdoor games coming (4:39)
Joining West Point Academy & The goals to become a leader (8:32)Being deployed to Kosovo & Habits that he still uses from West Point to this day (16:18)
Working on Wall Street & Becoming CEO of The Panthers at 36 (23:56)
Changing the environment of fans in the arena & Putting Broward County on the map by building one fan at a time (32:43)Making big personel moves & Having a hands on Owner culture (40:40)
Selling Out Ticket Sales & Remembering when it was a struggle to keep sponsors (52:00)
Flexing leadership styles in certain moments & Learning the craft of running a sports team (57:13)Where he spends the majority of his time now & New arena planning (1:04:42)
Going all digital after flat TV ratings & Building a phenomenal leadership team (1:07:26)
Advice for young go getters & Advice to new CEOs (1:14:05)
Biggest takeaway from being in the military and working in Wall Street & Advice to new CEOs (1:18:08)
7 Question Blitz (1:20:17)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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1h 28min
May 28, 2025 Ian Ayre (Vice Chairman of Nashville SC) on Growing Up In Liverpool, Becoming CEO at 37, Being Sued For A Billion Dollars, Starting a MLS Team
This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty eighth guest, (Vice Chairman of Nashville SC) on to discuss:Intro (:02)
Unofficial conversation (1:33)
His first game & Growing up in Liverpool (4:14)
Joining the Navy & The path to running a company in Hong Kong (9:35)Why people buy from you & Leadership style learned from the military (20:19)
Getting into a Soccer CEO role at 37 & Liverpool looking for a CEO (25:58)
Being sued for a billion dollars & Getting the Liverpool job (33:12)Getting the keys to Anfield & Winning the confidence of a new ownership group (41:05)
Signing Formino, Klopp & Analyzing a player’s social media before signing them (47:39)
Knowing if a manager is going to be a right fit for the team & Protecting leaks from the media (52:31)Starting a MLS Team in Nashville & Building from the ground up (1:01:06)
7 Question Blitz (1:07:03)
Subscribe To Full Episodes & Clips on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExcellentLeadershipPodcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/excellent-leadership-podcast/id1756992305
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KU2g2Baee7a5d04fQfSzs
Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b52f086a-0266-4345-be4d-bb8a7cde89fd/EXCELLENT-LEADERSHIP-PODCAST?ref=dm_sh_iGzHwozj5FaE9BcH829Nv8GBz

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1h 19min

FAQs about Excellent Leadership Podcast:

How many episodes does Excellent Leadership Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.

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