Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

About the Guest:

Adam von Gootkin was raised by a single mother and learned early on that humility and hustle go hand in hand. He built his first distillery from scratch, learned the liquor business by trial and error, and eventually launched Highclere Castle Gin a brand rooted in heritage, elegance, and authenticity.

He’s a passionate storyteller, a bold risk-taker, and a firm believer in building brands that outlive their founders. His journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

What You Will Learn:

• How early challenges can fuel bold leadership
• Why fear and procrastination are often two sides of the same coin
• How Dale Carnegie’s principles shaped Adam’s fearless mindset
• The power of storytelling in building trust and influence
• Why authenticity and enthusiasm are essential leadership traits

Join us for this inspiring conversation with Adam von Gootkin about dreaming big, acting boldly, and staying true to your values. Whether you're launching a brand, leading a team, or just trying to get out of your comfort zone, this episode will leave you energized and ready to take command.

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About the Guest:

Rashmi Airan was a high-achieving attorney, Columbia Law graduate, and entrepreneur when a real estate transaction scandal changed everything. After serving time in federal prison, she chose to own her story and use it to help others. Today, she’s a global speaker, ethics consultant, and advocate for personal transformation. Rashmi’s work is rooted in the principles she learned as a Dale Carnegie graduate at age 16—and the resilience she inherited from her immigrant parents.

What You Will Learn:

• How achievement can mask deeper insecurities
• Why listening to your inner voice is critical—even when it’s inconvenient
• What it means to take radical ownership of your mistakes
• How to build a support system that lifts you and holds you accountable
• Why surrendering control can lead to personal evolution

Join us for this deeply personal and powerful conversation with Rashmi Airan. Whether you’re facing a challenge or simply want to lead with more authenticity, this episode will inspire you to take command of your life—and rise through whatever comes your way.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

Matt Britton has been on the front lines of cultural and technological change for over two decades. He’s the founder and CEO of Suzy, a leading consumer intelligence platform that helps top companies make real-time decisions driven by human insights. Matt is also the author of Generation AI and a sought-after speaker known for his bold ideas and data-backed foresight.

With a deep understanding of Gen Z and millennial consumers, Matt has helped Fortune 500 companies—from Pepsi to Microsoft—navigate everything from social media shifts to brand reinvention. His mission? To help businesses close the gap between what consumers want and what companies deliver.

What You Will Learn:

• Why Gen Z values community and co-creation over traditional advertising
• How companies can build trust by being transparent, responsive, and real
• Why staying static is the biggest risk a brand can take
• The key difference between data and insight—and why that matters
• How to foster a culture of innovation inside large organizations

Join us for this future-focused conversation with one of the leading voices in consumer trends and innovation. Matt Britton doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but he also doesn’t believe in standing still. If you want to understand where your audience is headed—and how to meet them there—this episode is a must-listen.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

About the Guest:
John Venhuizen leads Ace Hardware, a company with a proud 101-year history, built on the trust and hard work of thousands of local owners. With over 6,000 stores worldwide — nearly all independently owned — John believes that this combination of local entrepreneurship and global support is the secret sauce that keeps Ace strong and relevant.

He’s a leader who values character, humility, and grit — the kind of qualities that get tested daily when you’re trying to solve problems and move a big organization forward. John’s perspective is both inspiring and grounded, reminding us that leadership is about service and connection as much as strategy and results.

What You Will Learn:

• Why real leadership is about rolling up your sleeves and tackling problems
• How local ownership creates a powerful bond with communities and customers
• The importance of putting faith, family, and character before work — and why that matters for long-term success
• How AI is a tool to empower people, not replace them
• Why a servant heart and human connection will always be a business’s greatest advantage

Join us for this heartfelt conversation with John Venhuizen and discover what it really takes to lead with purpose in a complex, fast-moving world. If you want to lead better and build something that lasts, this episode will give you plenty to think about — and put into action.

Please rate and review this Episode!

We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

Episode Notes:

Brieane Olson has spent 18 years shaping Pacsun into a youth-focused lifestyle brand, stepping into the CEO role in 2023 after serving as President. Known for her digital-first mindset and passion for innovation, she’s deeply committed to empowering teams and promoting mental health awareness.  

Key Takeaways:

• How Pacsun builds long-term brand loyalty through purpose and authentic partnerships
• Why vulnerability and intentionality are essential tools for leaders today
• Moving beyond trends to a multi-pillar strategy rooted in California lifestyle

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about brand evolution and genuine leadership—reminding us all that staying real is the key to staying relevant.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

About the Guest:

Sowmyanarayan Sampath is the CEO of Verizon Consumer, leading a multibillion-dollar division serving over 100 million customers across the U.S. Known for his calm leadership and strategic vision, he’s focused on operational excellence and reskilling teams to stay ahead in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

What You Will Learn:

• Why AI is a deflationary force that every company needs
• How to use AI as a personal growth and communication tool
• The career advantage of thinking in three-year chapters
• What to do when your job evolves—or disappears
• Evergreen skills that matter more than ever: clarity, curiosity, and communication

This episode is packed with insight, strategy, and practical optimism. Whether you're navigating a tech transformation or planning your next leadership chapter, Sampath will inspire you to think longer, lead better, and move with intention.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

About the Guest:

Liz Haberberger is the president of Dale Carnegie Missouri and a leadership powerhouse. With a decade of experience coaching professionals at every level, Liz is known for helping people unlock potential they didn’t know they had. Her training sessions and keynotes are packed with energy, actionable insights, and honest encouragement.

Whether she’s working with a senior leadership team or speaking on stage, Liz's mission is the same: inspire people to lead themselves first—so they can better lead others.

What You Will Learn:

• Why attitude is your greatest leadership asset
• The “gap and the gain” mindset and how to apply it daily
• The role of optimism and energy in creating lasting culture change
• How to lead with more self-awareness and intentionality
• Ways to build stronger, more emotionally intelligent teams

Get ready to rethink how you show up. Liz brings practical wisdom, powerful mindset tools, and a spark that stays with you. Don’t miss this conversation on the Take Command podcast.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

About the Guest:
Meet Guy Fieri—chef, TV host, entrepreneur, and champion for communities in need. With his signature style and relentless energy, Guy rose to fame through shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but his impact reaches far beyond entertainment. Through the Guy Fieri Foundation, he mobilizes disaster relief efforts across the U.S., bringing resources and volunteers to rebuild communities. Guided by the belief that “As soon as you are not learning, you are dying,”Guy continues to inspire others to lead with heart, humility, and hustle.

What You Will Learn:

• How Dale Carnegie’s principles shaped Guy’s approach to leadership and life
• The philosophy behind the Guy Fieri Foundation’s disaster relief efforts
• Why it’s crucial to listen to those who love you—not the noise from strangers

Tune in for a fresh, powerful follow-up where we explore how Guy built a movement beyond food, why focusing on the right people matters, and why the right mindset changes everything. Whether or not you heard Part 1, you’ll walk away inspired.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

Meet Hal Elrod and listen to his story of resilience, mindset, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. After surviving a car accident at age 20, Hal defied the odds and recovered, despite doctors' grim predictions. Years later, when faced with cancer, he again took full responsibility for his healing. He researched holistic practices, implemented them all, and emerged victorious. Hal now shares his experiences with the world through The Miracle Morning, a routine that has helped millions achieve their goals and transform their lives.

Hal’s approach isn’t just about achieving success—it’s about cultivating a mindset that allows you to show up for life every single day.

What You Will Learn:

• How Hal overcame life-threatening challenges and used his mindset to heal
• The key practices in The Miracle Morning that have helped millions transform their lives
• How to push through mental and emotional roadblocks to achieve your goals

Join us for this inspiring conversation as Hal shares how he turned adversity into a life-changing philosophy, and how you can do the same. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to elevate your own life with the power of mindset and intention.

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We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

Meet Anne Mahlum—entrepreneur, investor, speaker, and advocate for living life on your own terms. In 2007, she founded Back on My Feet, a nonprofit that uses running to help individuals experiencing homelessness regain confidence, employment, and independence. A few years later, she launched [solidcore], a pilates-inspired fitness brand that she scaled to 100 locations nationwide, attracting clients like Michelle Obama. After raising $210M in private equity and exiting the company in 2023, Anne now invests, writes, and advocates for causes close to her heart, including addiction recovery and wrongful convictions. She believes in taking control of your story—“You are always one decision away from a totally different life.”

What You Will Learn:

• How Anne turned a simple idea into a national movement with Back on My Feet
• The mindset shifts that helped her scale [solidcore] and exit successfully
• Why she believes in sharing wealth and lifting others up
• How to embrace risk, reinvention, and a bold approach to leadership

Join us for this powerful and personal conversation, where Anne shares not just her successes but the mindset that got her there. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to create the life you want—on your terms. 

Please rate and review this Episode!

We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.