Show Notes – The Mentors Radio

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Colonel Justin “Astro” Elliott, the Commander of the 96th Operations Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Colonel Elliot is the only person in history to complete all three of the Air Force’s elite flying programs: Fighter Weapons School, Test Pilot School, and the Thunderbirds. He is a Yale University ROTC graduate with three engineering degrees. His combat time in the F-15E during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM is featured in the book Red Platoon. As a test pilot, he flew more than 3,000 hours across 33 aircraft, with operational experience in the F-15, F-16, and F-35. Colonel Astro Elliot’s command as “Thunderbird 1” is featured in the Emmy- nominated Netflix documentary Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds, showcasing the team’s commitment to values, culture and a shared purpose of being a beacon of excellence demonstrating the uniting force of human achievement in the name of selfless service. Listen to episode below, or on ANY PODCAST PLATFORM here. BE SURE TO LEAVE US A GREAT REVIEW on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share with friends and colleagues!

COLONEL JUSTIN “ASTRO” ELLIOTT:

In this episode of The Mentors Radio Show, Host Tom Loarie talks with distinguished psychoanalyst Dr. James Hollis to discuss why a person might achieve what he or she wants in this life and still feel miserable? Hollis is the author of 19 books including Living Between Worlds, What Matters Most, and his top-selling Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life. He is well known for translating the profound teachings of Carl Jung into practical wisdom for our everyday lives. He has a gift for challenging us each to think more deeply and purposefully about our own lives, our own purpose and how we fit into this journey of life. He really understands people at a profound level, how we can become unconsciously “stuck” in ways we feel but don’t know what to do about it. You don’t want to miss this invaluable learning and mentoring opportunity…it literally can be a catalyst to change you and your life for the good, in ways you didn’t recognize on the surface. It can literally change your life, your trajectory, your happiness!

Listen to episode below, or on ANY PODCAST PLATFORM here. BE SURE TO LEAVE US A GREAT REVIEW on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share with friends and colleagues!

The Personal Myth in Turbulent Times – James Hollis, PhD. EXCELLENT! The longer you listen, the more absolutely excellent it is. Very enlightening. – The Mentors Radio

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Bengt Holmström, the Emeritus Paul A. Samuelson Professor of Economics at MIT, to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of receiving the 2016 Nobel Prize in Economics for his contributions to contract theory. His research has advanced the understanding of incentives, organizations, corporate governance, and financial liquidity. Bengt is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Econometric Society, and a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford and before MIT, he held faculty appointments at Yale and Northwestern. Dr. Holmstrom explains why factors that are hard to measure usually drive better behavior in incentive plans than those that are easy to measure.  He mentors his students that asking the right questions is far more important than answering questions. A self-described “AI optimist,” he considers the AI companion he has created, Charlie, clever and life-enriching.  LISTEN TO this radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or go to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

BENGT HOLMSTRÖM:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with veteran sportscaster Matt Morrison, author of “Touched: The Marin Morrison Story,” about the difficult, unvarnished truths so many families face in silence. When Matt’s 14-year-old daughter, Marin—a record-breaking competitive swimmer—was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive brain tumor, their family’s world changed forever. Through multiple brain surgeries, a stroke, and partial paralysis, Marin’s unyielding spirit and faith propelled her all the way to competing for Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. They discuss the Crucible of Crisis (how extreme medical trauma placed immense strain on his 23-year marriage), Reinventing Identity (losing his broadcasting career at the height of the crisis and swallowing his pride to wash windows just to keep his family afloat), “Mystic Fortitude” (what Marin’s unshakeable grit, humor and connection with God can teach all of us about facing life’s impossible hurdles), and The Shared Death Experience (the spiritually profound moment at his daughter’s passing that gave Matt permanent peace and an unwavering perspective on life and loss). If you are currently navigating a career transition, dealing with family hardship or seeking a deeper sense of perspective and hope, this episode is a must-listen! LISTEN TO this radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or go to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

MATT MORRISON:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Jim Tracy, founder and Chairman of the Legacy Companies and former CEO of Legacy Telecommunications, to discuss the importance of purpose and culture in business. Jim Tracy has been called the “Curator of Culture” and is also known as “The Grampion,” the title of his podcast, for his stories reflecting real life leadership experience. Legacy Telecommunications, where he served as CEO, is an infrastructure and technology services firm is a company he co-founded to make his son’s work safer. Prior to this, Jim spent 16 years leading firms in the manufacturing, sales and distribution of engineered construction products internationally. He was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2021, honored with the Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award from NATE in 2022, and received the Business ICON of Idaho Award in 2024. He has also been recognized for his volunteerism including Habitat for Humanity, Ducks Unlimited and SIPA. His best-selling book, “Building Men – Character Lessons From Influencers” has garnered widespread praise from critics and won multiple prestigious awards leading to a three-book deal with Morgan James Publishing. His next work, Management by Cliché publishes soon. LISTEN TO this radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or go to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

JIM TRACY

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Ed Hawkins, former All-American soccer player and Founder and CEO of SixBeacons Partners. As we watch the World Cup, it’s fitting that Ed Hawkins, a former All-American soccer player and the first US born African-American to wear the USA jersey, joins Dan Hesse on The Mentors Radio to describe the business lessons that the game of soccer can teach us. Ed explores how leadership, culture and human development intersect in organizational life. He’s the CEO of SixBeacon Partners where his work focuses on helping organizations design environments that allow people and systems to grow with purpose in the age of artificial intelligence. They discuss Ed’s fourth book, Beacon of Hope—Cultivating Excellence Across Generations, which also serves as a tribute to a special mentor.  LISTEN TO this radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or go to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Lifang He, a global tech brand strategist and marketing leader who is known for her more than 20 years experience launching record-breaking, popular tech innovations that include Apple’s iPhone and more. Data shows that up to eighty percent (80%) of technology ventures fail—not because their technology doesn’t work, but because they fail to drive consumer adoption. Why? We dive deep into the engine room of the modern tech economy to explore how great ideas actually win hearts, minds, and lasting market share. Too many business builders treat branding as a superficial creative mask to be slapped onto a product at the very end of its development cycle. Our guest today—Lifang He—argues that this exact mistake is what kills promising products and drains investor capital. She should know. A standout global brand strategist and tech marketing leader, Lifang He brings nearly twenty years of masterclass experience driving go-to-market excellence for the world’s most influential market leaders. She grew up as a competitive athlete in China, stepped into the advertising arena with Wieden+Kennedy on the Nike business, and after moving to the U.S., landed inside Apple’s dedicated global advertising agency, Media Arts Lab, where she helped orchestrate multiple global iPhone launches and worked on the historic “Shot on iPhone” campaign. From there, she built categories at Amazon, scaled product ecosystems at Ring, and directed brand integration for Amazon Pharmacy. Her career has been defined by building products and brands that scale fast and deliver results. She has earned industry recognition such as a Cannes Lions Grand Prix Award, a Fastest Growing Brands Award, and a Jay Chiat Award for Strategic Excellence. She now leads a consultancy specializing in brand strategy, product innovation, and go-to-market. Lifang is also the author of the brilliant new guide, Brand Power Built In: How Tech Products Really Win Hearts and Minds. LISTEN TO this radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or go to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

LIFANG HE:

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Dan Hesse talks with General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal about his career, leadership, building teams, risk management and more. A one-of-a-kind commander with a new perspective on organizational dynamics, Ret. General Stan McChrystal is known for helping elite teams tap into the potential of their people to better compete in a complex and interconnected world. Few can speak about leadership, teamwork, technology and international affairs with as much insight can he. Ret. General McChrystal is the former Commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan, former leader of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and co-founder of The McChrystal Group. His exceptional and innovative understanding of organizational dynamics has led to remarkable achievements in both military and business applications. McChrystal is the author of several best-selling books on leadership, building teams, engagement and risk management. After retiring from the U.S. Army as a four-star general, General McChrystal turned his expertise to the business world. He is the Founder and CEO of the McChrystal Group, which helps Fortune 500 Companies strike the right balance between hierarchical and decentralized team mindsets and structures. He and his firm focus on the power of network analysis and machine learning to strengthen how companies connect, internally and externally. As the author of several best-selling management books, General McChrystal offers a battle-tested system for detecting and responding to risk.

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!

GENERAL (RET.) STANLEY A. McCHRYSTAL:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who, in two decades as Commissioner, has built the NFL into a sports, media and cultural leader—growing the NFL to be not only America’s, but the world’s top sports league, with 13 of the world’s 20 most valuable teams being NFL teams. Ninety-three (93) of the top 100 rated programs on American television were NFL games. Starting as an intern for Commissioner Pete Rozelle in the early ’80s, Roger became the league’s first Chief Operating Officer, and he succeeded Commissioner Paul Tagliabue as Commissioner in 2006. Roger has focused on strengthening the game for players and fans alike. He prioritized improving player health and safety through new rules and better equipment, driving down concussions and other major injuries. Under his leadership, the NFL has secured consecutive, ten-year transformative collective bargaining agreements with the NFL Players Association, allowing the league to grow and thrive, enhancing pay and benefits for current and retired players and ensuring decades of labor peace. In 2021, he negotiated long-term media agreements with CBS, ESPN/ABC, FOX, NBC and Amazon, which brought Thursday Night Football to a streaming platform for the first time. He has since spearheaded groundbreaking deals with YouTube for NFL Sunday Ticket and Netflix for the NFL’s Christmas games, reaching a generation of younger fans. Under Roger’s leadership, an increasing number of regular-season games are played outside of the US, and he’s supported the rise of flag football globally. He also moved the NFL Draft from New York to cities and fans across the country.

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!

ROGER GOODELL:

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Raj Sisodia, PhD, co-founder of the global Conscious Capitalism movement, respected global business scholar, and author of 11 influential books. Today’s broadcast was originally intended to be a conversation with visionary business leader Bob Chapman, the founder of Barry-Wehmiller. Tragically, Bob recently passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. So we decided to anchor this show as a tribute to Bob Chapman’s remarkable life and monumental legacy by talking with his close friend and co-author, Raj Sisodia, and the results far exceeded all expectations! Earning his PhD from Columbia University, Dr. Sisodia’s distinguished 42-year academic career includes teaching at institutions such as Boston University, George Mason, and serving as the FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business and Scholar at Babson College. Over the past five years, he has served as a distinguished professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey—the MIT of Mexico—where he helped establish a Conscious Enterprise Center that has scaled these leadership principles to hundreds of professors and thousands of students across Latin America. Driven by a profound life purpose to open hearts and elevate human consciousness, he partnered with Bob to write the groundbreaking, national bestseller Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family. 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!