The Best Boss Ever

In this engaging interview, sports executive Jeff Plush shares insights from his extensive career in sports management, including his roles in hockey, soccer, Olympic sports, and curling. Discover lessons on leadership, the evolution of women's sports, the future of soccer leagues, and the Olympic movement's challenges and opportunities.

Back in July 2025, Carl joined Joe Favorite and Tom Richardson on the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast (The CUSP Show) to talk about what success means in today's world and explore the qualities that make a good leader.

Carl Thomas sat down with Mike Mooney for an episode of Your E.P.I.C. Pursuit, a podcast that explores leadership and high performance through the lens of Excellence, Presence, Intentionality, and Curiosity. In this episode, Carl shares the leadership lessons that helped him navigate that crisis and build triathlon's Olympic format from scratch, including the answer to the question: What happens when a thunderstorm destroys your entire event course at 1 AM - and 2,500 athletes show up in 5 hours? More broadly, when the storm hits, what kind of leader will you be?Carl Thomas is a global C-suite growth strategist, pioneering sports marketing executive, and host of the Best Boss Ever podcast. He created the Olympic triathlon format and co-founded both USA Triathlon and the International Triathlon Union. His leadership journey spans Fortune 500 companies, startup ventures, and building high-performance teams across marketing, sales, and business development.

Join us as Carl explores the career journey of Jody Churich, COO of Vail Resorts' six major destination resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Whistler Blackcomb, and Park City. We delve into leadership, innovation, and the future of winter sports and Olympic planning.

In this episode of the Best Boss Ever podcast, host Carl Thomas welcomes Janet Zuccarini, founder of Gusto 54, a restaurant group with locations in Toronto and Los Angeles. Janet shares her journey in the restaurant industry, starting with her first restaurant in 1996 and the challenges she faced along the way, including difficult partnerships and the impact of COVID-19 on her business. She discusses her father's influence on her entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, highlighting how his pioneering efforts in the restaurant industry shaped her approach to business.Janet delves into the current state of the restaurant industry, expressing concerns about the challenges restaurateurs face, particularly in California. She emphasizes the need for labor law reform and the financial pressures that have made it increasingly difficult to operate profitably. Despite the hurdles, Janet maintains a positive outlook, focusing on creating unique dining experiences and fostering a supportive work environment for her team. The conversation concludes with Janet's reflections on finding peace and balance in her life amidst the chaos of the restaurant business.

In this conversation, Carl Thomas and Dave Klewan discuss the future of sports in Los Angeles, highlighting major upcoming events like the World Cup and the Olympics. Dave shares his journey in sports management, the importance of leadership, and his role as chairman of the LA Sports Council. They also delve into the Ready Set Gold program, which aims to inspire youth through sports, and touch on the significance of work-life balance and personal values in the sports industry.

DP and McGhee are competent, experienced, and hilarious. Learn while you're laughing. AB Inbev, ATT, McDonald's, and MoneyGram are just a few clients in their repertoire. This is a "must listen". And check out their podcast. Wait. What? Sports Biz Chat with DP and McGhee.

In this episode, Dan Mannix shares his journey from his early career in sports marketing to founding his own agency, Lead Dog Marketing, and eventually transitioning to CSM and starting Underdog. He emphasizes the importance of professional persistence, building connections, and the value of workplace diversity. Dan reflects on his experiences in the NBA and the Olympics, highlighting the significance of teamwork and trust in achieving success. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, particularly in the fast-paced world of sports marketing.

In this episode of the Best Boss Ever podcast, Carl Thomas interviews Michelle Kajawara, Senior Vice President for Premium Seating Sales and Service at Crypto.com Arena. Michelle shares her inspiring career journey, starting from her early days as an executive assistant to her current leadership role. She discusses the importance of mentorship, navigating challenges, and the lessons learned from her experiences in the live events industry. The conversation highlights the significance of attitude, integrity, and enthusiasm in leadership, as well as memorable moments from her time at the arena.

In this episode, Professor John Cairney shares his unique journey from Canada to Australia, highlighting the influence of mentorship in his academic pursuits. He emphasizes the importance of research impact on real-world issues and navigates the complexities of sports marketing. He reflects on his leadership experience during COVID-19 and the preparations for the upcoming 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, advocating for innovative university-industry collaborations and the role of disruption in leadership.