In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks withAndy Beckstoffer, named “the most powerful grapegrower by Wall Street Journal and the Wine Spectator. Few people have played a more pivotal, pioneering role in Napa Valley’s evolution into a world class wine region than Andy Beckstoffer, who owns Beckstoffer Vineyards. Beckstoffer Vineyards includes six Napa “Heritage sites” which consistently produce some of the best wines in the world, being awarded 100 point scores year after year. Perhaps most notably, Andy introduced an innovative and radical new grape pricing structure in 1976, which created a major and lasting shift in how the California wine industry views the importance of wine growers and grape quality. The Wall Street Journal and the Wine Spectator have both named Andy Beckstoffer the “Most Powerful Grapegrower.”  In 1975, at age 35, Andy was a founding Director and the second President of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association. He and his wife of 60 years, Betty Beckstoffer, were honored as St. Helena’s “Citizens of the Year” and Andy has been named Grower of the Year three times, by three different organizations. He was also named Agriculturalist of the Year twice. In 2007, Andy received the Wine Industry Leadership Award, the first ever United States Congressional Wine Caucus Commendation, and in 2010, he was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame.   LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

SHOW NOTES:

ANDY BECKSTOFFER:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Dr. Eswar Prasad, a Professor of Economics at Cornell, a senior fellow at Brookings, and the former head of the IMF’s China division, to discuss his book The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution Is Transforming Currencies and Finance, which was chosen as a Best Book of the Year by The Economist, The Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, ProMarket, and The Week. In The Future of Money, Dr. Prasad argues that we are at an inflection point where technology is redefining what money is, who issues it, and how it moves—pushing us toward a world with less physical cash, and an ecosystem of fintech and crypto innovations that will reshape everything from household payments to the global monetary order.  LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

ESWAR S. PRASAD:

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Rusty Gaillard, a man who built one of the quintessential “A-student” careers of our time: Princeton engineering, GE under Jack Welch, an MBA from Stanford, and ultimately 14 years at Apple, where he served as Worldwide Director of Finance. By any external measure, he had “made it”. But internally, Rusty hit a wall — a wall many high achievers eventually reach. That crisis led to deep introspection, divorce, reinvention, and ultimately the insights behind his book, Breaking the Code: Stop Looking for Answers and Start Enjoying Life — a guide to upgrading what he calls your code or your “InnerTech,” the internal operating system that shapes your life. Rusty eventually left Apple to become a transformational executive coach, helping leaders navigate transitions and create meaningful, sustainable success. In this episode, they explore what drove Rusty to the breaking point, how he rebuilt his life, and what he has learned coaching others through change. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

RUSTY GAILLARD:

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Thom Weisel, a guest whose influence has not only shaped companies, but also culture. A financier and sports leader, Weisel is both Senior Managing Director and a Director of Stifel, a diversified global wealth management and investment banking company. Previously Thom was Chairman and CEO of Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. and Montgomery Securities, one of Silicon Valley’s famed “Four Horsemen”. Thom helped build the financial infrastructure that fueled Silicon Valley’s explosive rise, often referred to as “Wall Street West”. He led the financings behind companies that transformed medicine, semiconductors, and the internet itself. In addition, Weisel was responsible for raising the iconic KLEINER PERKINS’ first venture fund. Along the way, he also exercised his leadership skills toward something entirely different and arguably just as consequential: rebuilding the governance and funding models behind U.S. skiing and U.S. cycling—helping save those sports and elevate American athletes on the world stage. Growing up, Weisel was a five-time U.S. National Junior Champion in Speed Skating, ranked Third in the 1959 U.S. Olympic Trials for the 500 meter in Speed Skating. He remained athletically active the rest of his life, including ranking Third overall in the 1982 U.S. National Master Alpine Championship, in ’85 he launched the Montgomery Cycling Team, four years later he won 2 Gold Medals in 1989 Cycling Kilo & Sprint in the World Master Games in Finland, the following two years he picked up 5 more Gold Medals and a 6th Gold in World Cup Masters Cycling in Kilo in 1991, the same year he was named Masters Athlete of the Year for U.S. Cycling. In 1999, he received the U.S. Ski Association Julius Blegen Award, its highest honor… his athletic achievements continued and in 2018 he was inducted in the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame…. all while pursuing advanced college degrees and innovative business building and exceptional entrepreneurial leadership. Thom Weisel’s is a story of ambition and resilience; of building institutions, losing them, and building again. It’s about competition, yes…but it is also about patience, stewardship, and meaning. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

THOM WEISEL:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Patrick McGee, author of the best-selling book Apple in China, who tells a riveting story about how Apple almost single-handedly built the advanced electronics industry in China only to find itself trapped in a relationship with an authoritarian state making ever-increasing demands, and giving Beijing power that could be weaponized. Even though China’s immense domestic market is hard to resist, this is a cautionary tale for listeners thinking about doing business in China and helps explain how China made progress competing against American tech companies so quickly.   Patrick was the Financial Times’ principal Apple reporter from 2019 to 2023, where he won a San Francisco Press Club Award for his coverage. He joined the newspaper in 2013, in Hong Kong, before reporting from Germany and California. Previously, he was a bond reporter at The Wall Street Journal. He has a master’s degree in global diplomacy from SOAS at the University of London, and a degree in religious studies from the University of Toronto.  Listen to THE MENTORS RADIO podcast anywhere, any time, on any platform, including Spotify and Apple, just click here!

PATRICK McGEE:

In this compelling episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with global strategist Ram Charan who returns with a powerful message for leaders at every level. From AI integration to talent shortages, from critical thinking to cash flow, Ram offers sharp, actionable insights. Ram explains why capital flows matter more than headlines, how humility fuels leadership growth, and why war rooms and curated newsletters are replacing traditional news sources. Most urgently, he reveals China’s economic strategy to undermine democracies—including the U.S.—and why we must understand it now. If you want to lead, adapt, and stay ahead, this conversation is your roadmap. Listen to THE MENTORS RADIO broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco, via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide or anytime, on ANY podcast platform, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

RAM CHARAN:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Mitch Daniels, who was a two-term governor of Indiana, the former Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush and until recently, the 12th president of Purdue University. He was elected Indiana governor in his first bid for any elected office, and then re-elected with more votes than any candidate in the state’s history. A former top executive at Eli Lilly, he was named to Fortune magazine’s list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders and elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Purdue named its business school for him. Mitch earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton and a law degree from Georgetown. Mitch is the author of three books including the recently-released Boiler Up- A University President in the Public Square, and he is a contributing columnist for the Washington Post. Find Show Notes below. Listen to the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here to not miss an episode!

MITCH DANIELS:

“I will urge that our purpose be bold, that if we err, we err on the side of action, of movement, of experiment. And that our aim be high.” — Mitch Daniels

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Chris Lowney, whose extraordinary journey took him from Jesuit seminarian to top executive at JP Morgan, to Chair of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States. Discover the timeless principles that have shaped the Jesuit order for 450 years and how they continue to inspire 150,000 employees, serving 30 million people today. Tune in to learn how these same values can transform your own life and career! Listen to THE MENTORS RADIO podcast anywhere, any time, on any platform, just click here!

CHRIS LOWNEY:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Ram Charan, Fortune Magazine’s “most influential global consultant alive,” whose client list is literally a Who’s Who of well-recognized global innovators and business titans. His 30 books have sold more than 4 million copies, in more than a dozen languages. As a world-renowned business consultant, author and speaker, hailed by The Economic Times as the world’s most influential business consultant and with a career spanning more than 40 years, Ram continues to provide unparalleled insights and practical solutions globally to top companies, CEOs, and boards, including Toyota, Bank of America and Novartis. Known for his ability to cut through complexity and address core business issues, Ram’s real-world advice is not only relevant but also actionable from Day One. In this episode we delve into Ram’s vision for businesses navigating today’s chaotic landscape, drawing from his extensive experience and unmatched expertise. In this episode you will learn:

RAM CHARAN:

In today’s episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Brandon Steiner, a successful entrepreneur who pioneered the sports collectible industry. He’s a kid from Brooklyn who started from scratch and ended up buying Yankee Stadium (yes, you read that correctly!), ultimately creating a sports empire. Brandon started entrepreneurship young, driven by an absolute love of bagels. At age 14, he invented the “The Everything Bagel”! Today he is the CEO of CollectiblesXChange and The Steiner Agency, and is the author of three books: The Business Playbook; You Gotta Have Balls; and Living on Purpose. In this episode, you’ll hear first-hand how Brandon went from a kid in Brooklyn to creating a sports empire; with lots of AHA! moments for your own life and business along the way. Listen to The Mentors Radio show live in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide… You can also listen on ANY podcast platform, including Apple podcast, iTunes, Spotify, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

BRANDON STEINER: