In this episode of The Mentors Radio, host Dan Hesse talks with General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Army General (Ret.), Commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan, Leader of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), co-founder and CEO of McChrystal Group, and noted, best-selling author of several books. A one-of-a-kind leader with a new perspective on collaboration and teamwork, General Stan McChrystal is known for helping organizations tap into the potential of their people to better compete in a complex and interconnected world. Following thirty-four years of service in the U.S. Army—including as commander of U.S. and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) Afghanistan and commander of the nation’s premier counter-terrorism force— General McChrystal delivers his unique blend of on-the- ground experience with decades of leadership to provide practical insight and wisdom to help organizations transform and succeed in challenging, dynamic environments. General McChrystal now leads the McChrystal Group as its founder and CEO, which helps organizations of all types transform how their people, processes, and technology work together to unlock greater speed and adaptability. As the author of several best-selling books, General McChrystal latest examines the character of leaders and what makes someone who they are and, importantly, how they will be remembered. 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.

SHOW NOTES:

GENERAL STANLEY "STAN" McCHRYSTAL, General Ret., U.S. Army:

BIO:

https://leadershipheights.org/speaker-series/stanley-mcchrystal/

https://www.boldbusiness.com/human-achievement/stanley-mcchrystal-founder-mcchrystal-group-bold-leader/

BOOKS:

NEWEST BOOK: On Character: Choices that Define a Life, by General Stanley McChrystal

My Share of the Task: A Memoir, by General Stanley McChrystal

Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, by General Stanley McChrystal

Leaders: Myth and Reality, by General Stanley McChrystal

Risk: A User’s Guide, by General Stanley McChrystal

WEBSITE:

McChrystal Group

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.

SHOW NOTES:

RAM CHARAN:

BIO:

Ram Charan, Ph.D. is renowned global consultant, an exceptionally keen observer of future retail and economic ecosystems, how to serve clients better, faster and deliver more satisfaction and brand loyalty and more, and a critical advisor to such corporate founders as Amazon's Jeff Bezos and many, many more. He shares his insights in guiding others and in books and is a prolific, multi-time, best-selling author. You can listen to his story, growing up in India, how he changed his family's marketplace show-selling business by observing ways to serve clients better, faster and in a way that radically transformed their family business and their customers' satisfaction in our first episode with Ram Charan here: How to Grow Fast and Make an Impact, with Ram Charan . Regardless of your level of achievement, YOU CANNOT HELP BUT LEARN FROM RAM.

BOOKS: (partial list)

NEWEST BOOK - To be released in August/September 2025 - China's Assault: How to Break It Before It's Too Late, by Ram Charan

What the CEO Wants You to Know: Using Business Acumen to Understand How Your Company Really Works, by Ram Charan

Execution, by Ram Charan

The High Potential Leader: How to Grow Fast, Take on New Responsibilities, and Make an Impact, by Ram Charan

The Attacker’s Advantage; Turning Uncertainty Into Breakthrough Opportunities, by Ram Charan

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Robert Parker, a man widely considered the most powerful critic of any genre in history, about changing careers to pursue a passion. Pulitzer-prize winning media critic David Shaw, in his two-part Front Page profile for the Los Angeles Times, called wine critic Robert Parker “the most powerful critic of any kind, anywhere.” Parker’s impact on the wine world has been unrivaled, and many others agree that no critic of any genre, be it theatre, movies, music, art or fashion, has been as influential in their industry as Robert Parker has been in wine. Internationally acclaimed and recognized, Parker is the only wine critic ever awarded France’s highest Presidential honor, which he received twice, from France’s Presidents Chirac and Mitterrand. Robert was the first critic given Italy’s top honor by Italy’s President Berlusconi. He was also the first critic given Spain’s highest civilian honor by King Juan Carlos. Even though his influence is global, being hounded by paparazzi when he’d visit places like Japan, Robert Parker is an American writer who has had an enormous impact on America’s interest in and fascination with wine, and many say he’s been a major influence on how wine tastes and is made today. Listen to the show 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.

SHOW NOTES:

ROBERT PARKER:

BIO:

BIO: Robert Parker

Robert Parker (wine critic) – Wikipedia

WEBSITE: https://www.robertparker.com/

VIDEO:

Robert Parker’s interview with Charlie Rose

BOOK:

The Emperor of Wine-The Rise of Robert M. Parker, Jr. and the Reign of American Taste  – Elin McCoy

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, host Tom Loarie talks with Justin Stebbing, M.D., a London-based, world-renown scientist, cancer researcher, medical journal editor and author. Dr. Stebbing talks about the excitement and rewards of a STEM career, the life of a scientist, and about his own journey to becoming a world-renown clinician and scientist. He also about the tremendous wonder of discovering improved therapies for cancer and for treating covid. Professor Justin Stebbing, M.D., is also a professor of biomedical sciences at ARU, Cambridge, and a visiting professor at Imperial College where he has an active and widely known translational laboratory. He is the author of more than 700 peer-reviewed papers published in The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine and elsewhere. Dr. Stebbing is the co-chief editor of Oncogene and author of the book, Witness to Covid. Find Show Notes below. Listen to this episode below and on ANY podcast platform (from Apple to Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, etc) by typing in “THE MENTORS RADIO” … even easier, Subscribe HERE to listen on any podcast platform!!!

SHOW NOTES:

JUSTIN STEBBING, M.D.:

BIO: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/j.stebbing AND https://justinstebbing.me/

BOOK: Witness to Covid: The diary of a global pandemic, by Professor Justin Stebbing

ARTICLES:

PROFESSOR JUSTIN STEBBING: The revolution that makes me believe we really CAN beat cancer in my lifetime

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Cathy Lanier, whose amazing story continues to inspire. At age 14, Lanier got pregnant, ran away from home, dropped out of high school. But by age 39, this single mother became Washington D.C.'s Chief of Police, earned two master's degrees, and now serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer for the National Football League (NFL). In her role with the NFL, Lanier coordinates the efforts of the League offices—that is, all 32 clubs!—and federal, state and local law entities to ensure the security of the NFL’s venues, fans, players, staff and infrastructure. Cathy served as Chief of Police in Washington, D.C. from 2007 to 2016, where she was not only the first female police chief but also the longest serving chief, serving under three mayors. Her innovative strategies were credited with reducing violent crime in Washington, D.C. by 21 percent from 2007 to 2015 while the city’s population grew by 15 percent. 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:

CATHY LANIER:

BIO: BIO: CATHY LANIER, Senior Vice President and Chief of Security, National Football League

NEWS & CLIPS with Cathy Lanier

Women in Football: Cathy Lanier, NFL Chief Security Officer

Cathy Lanier, Washington, DC Police Chief

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0J8c91rWQ

A Conversation with NPS Alumna, Ms. Cathy Lanier

Other various News clips involving Cathy Lanier

Keynote Speaker, Ms. Cathy Lanier, Senior Vice President of NFL Security, Fall 2018, Naval Postgraduate School Graduation Ceremony

NFL calls on Congress to address growing drone threats at games

Cathy Lanier Changes Policing in D.C. and Maybe Nation

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Terry Hanck, a multi-award-winning blues and soul saxophonist, singer and songwriter whose journey is as raw and real as the music he plays. Terry didn’t follow a straight line to success. He started as a surfer and diver, found his voice through a saxophone at age 21, toured the world with Elvin Bishop, and went on to lead his own band for more than three decades. Along the way, he’s won multiple BMA Awards, that is Blues Music Awards (BMA) and played with legends of the genre. But this is more than a story about music—it’s about finding your passion, staying one step ahead of a “real job,” and living life on your terms. You won’t want to miss this conversation. 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:

BIO:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Hanck

TERRY HANCK BAND:

https://terryhanck.net/band.html

WEBSITE:

https://www.terryhanck.net/

"His fiery reed work, beautiful tone and effortless, inventive melodies make for a thoroughly enjoyable listening... his voice is a marvel. He can make it growl, ache, croon, moan and tease, and then some. It is a superb instrument in its instrument in its own right." - Joseph Jordan, Golden Gate Blues News (SF)

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with motorsport legend Danica Patrick who discusses her remarkable career racing against the men and how her program--which combines mental conditioning, physical fitness and a Paleo-inspired diet--can lead to a healthier and happier life. Racing legend Danica Patrick broke barriers and set records through her on-track performance in the male-dominated world of professional motorsports. Danica was named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” list, has graced the cover of many prestigious publications, and she has appeared in a record-setting 14 Super Bowl commercials. In 2005, Danica stunned the world by leading 19 laps and finishing fourth in her first Indianapolis 500. In 2008, Danica made history again, becoming the first woman to win a major-league open-wheel race with her victory in the IndyCar Series Indy Japan 300. In 2013, as Danica transitioned to the NASCAR Cup Series, she made headlines with her record-setting performance in the 55th Daytona 500 race when she became the first woman to win a NASCAR Cup Series pole. She holds the record for most top-10 finishes of any female in the NASCAR Cup Series, and in 2018, she shattered another glass ceiling when she became the first female host of the ESPY’s – ESPNs Sports Award show. Retired from racing, Danica’s focus has shifted to her role as an entrepreneur and business owner. She launched the clothing line – Warrior by Danica Patrick, she entered the home space with the launch of VOYANT by Danica, she authored the book Pretty Intense, describing how focusing on the mind, body and the food we eat leads to success in life. Danica is also the sole proprietor of Somnium, a vineyard in Napa Valley. 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:

DANICA PATRICK:

BIO:

BIO: Danica Patrick

BOOKS:

Danica, Crossing the Line, by Danica Patrick with Laura Morton

Pretty Intense: The 90-Day Mind, Body and Food Plan that will Absolutely Change Your Life , by Danica Patrick with Stephen Perrine

PODCAST:

Pretty Intense with Danica Patrick

WEBSITE:

www.danicapatrick.com

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Dr. Derry Connolly, a visionary entrepreneur, engineer, educator, and the founding president of John Paul the Great Catholic University—a unique university that merges faith, entrepreneurship and creativity. Derry left his home in Ireland to study at CalTech in Southern California, where he not only found a new country but also his future wife. He went from research and development (R&D) labs at IBM and Kodak to teaching innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of California at San Diego—and ultimately to building a university from scratch. You’ll hear a story of grit, faith, vision and purpose. You’re going to love this conversation. 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:

DERRY CONNOLLY, PhD:

BIO:

https://jpcatholic.edu/JPadmin/president.php

WEBSITE:

John Paul II Catholic University

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Dr. Chris Howard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Arizona State University and former President of Robert Morris University and Hampden-Sydney College, to discuss his diverse career path on the way to discovering his calling in higher education. Elected student body president at Plano High, where 2% of the student body was African American, he helped Plano win the Texas state football championship. Chris received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy where he again excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron and was selected to be the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Draddy Trophy, now called the Campbell Trophy, given to our nation’s top college football scholar athlete. Chris earned a PhD from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and served in the U.S. Air Force as a helicopter pilot and as an intelligence officer, where he was assigned to the elite Joint Special Operations Command. He later received an MBA with distinction from Harvard before embarking on a successful business and higher education leadership career, becoming the nation's youngest college president.  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:

DR. CHRIS HOWARD:

BIO: Dr. Chris Howard Arizona State University BIO (pdf)

VIDEOS:

TEDx: "The 5 Be's": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQvuktjngwI

RMU Innauguration Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fAOVoKp4hE

University Innovation Alliance Weekly Wisdom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1zSFuJe1FY

Lighthouse Mckinsey- Dr. Chris Howard on the power of education and inclusivity: https://www.mckinsey.com/Videos/video?vid=6315399472112&plyrid=HkOJqCPWdb

ARTICLES:

Business Principles are Important for College Presidents, by Christopher B. Howard — The New York Times

Combat Veteran and Robert Morris University President Chris Howard shares what it means to be Military Friendly - G.I.Jobs magazine - terrific article!

Being The Most Popular Kid in the Class Doesn't Work Forever, by Christopher B. Howard, President, Hampden-Sydney College — The New York Times

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?, by Dr. Chris Howard, President, Hampden-Sydney College — The New York Times

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with David P. Wallace, sales expert and author, to uncover what the best sales professionals know—and how you can apply those same principles to your own life, no matter what your profession, background, circumstances. David has spent his career leading high-performing sales teams, advising companies on building world-class sales organizations, and helping professionals master the art of persuasion. He shares a wealth of insights as he breaks down the core principles of effective selling. Together, we’ll explore the different styles of selling, the common mistakes people make when trying to influence others, and the sales skills that anyone—regardless of their profession—can use to be more effective. How you use these skills can help you if you are in transition and need to sell yourself in today’s challenging job market, or if you are an entrepreneur and need to persuade investors, or if you want to improve internal communication and collaboration within your organization. David P. Wallace is also the author of The Sales Executive Handbook, a guide to creating and sustaining a winning sales force. Ultimately, whether we know it or not—we're ALL in sales. From job seekers, to entrepreneurs, to professionals navigating internal office politics, to every day life and family…we spend our days persuading, influencing, and negotiating. Every day, we persuade, influence and communicate ideas—whether it’s selling a product, pitching an idea, securing funding for a new venture, or even convincing a hiring manager that we’re the right person for the job. Selling isn’t just for sales professionals—it’s a fundamental skill that drives success in business and in life! If you’ve ever wondered how to sharpen your ability to influence others, communicate more effectively, or close more deals—whether in business, your career, or everyday life—this conversation is for you. 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:

DAVID P. WALLACE:

BIO:

https://wallacemanagement.com/about-us/about-david-wallace/

https://wallacemanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/David-P.-Wallace-CV.pdf

BOOK:

The Sales Executive Handbook: 8 Essential Elements of Sales Management, by David P. Wallace

WEBSITE:

https://wallacemanagement.com/