Host Dan Hesse and award-winning writer Jon Gertner discuss the most innovative institution in history, Bell Labs

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with multi-award-winning writer Jon Gertner about what many believe was the most innovative institution—public or private—in the world, Bell Labs.

It is the topic of Gertner’s first book, The New York Times best-seller, The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation. Bell Labs’ inventions and discoveries are too long to list, but include the vacuum tube, the transistor, the silicon chip, the solar cell, microwave and fiber optic transmission, UNIX, and for you TV fans, even the Big Bang Theory.  A seasoned science and technology feature writer with The New York Times Magazine, Jon’s writing and book reviews have also appeared in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Book Review, and Wired Magazine.

Additionally, Jon is the author of The Ice at the End of the World: Greenland’s Buried Past and Earth’s Perilous Future, and he is currently working on a book about NASA’s long-running Voyager Mission, tentatively titled How to Build Something the Lasts Forever.

Listen to the full episode on TheMentorsRadioShow.com or through the podcast player below.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

Retired Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky joins Dan Hesse to discuss leadership, benefits of military training and the future of medical science

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with retired Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky about how the Army prepared him for business leadership, how to develop the skills essential to effectively running a large company, the most exciting developments on the horizon in healthcare, and how capitalism can be a force for good. 

Listen to the full episode on TheMentorsRadioShow.com or through the podcast player below.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

University of Houston President Dr. Renu Khator on Teaching Gen Z, How AI is Changing Education, and Why Paying Athletes Puts the Future of Collegiate Olympic Sports in Jeopardy

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Renu Khator, Ph.D., Chancellor of the University of Houston system, as they discuss how teaching Gen Z is different from prior generations, and the unintended consequences that paying college athletes might have on University academic budgets and the future of “Olympic” sports on American college campuses. We’ll also discuss the impact AI is having on higher education.

In 2008, Renu Khator became the first female chancellor in the state of Texas and the first Indian immigrant to lead a comprehensive research university in the U.S. Under Renu’s leadership, the University of Houston earned Tier One status for research from the Carnegie Foundation, and opened Houston’s first medical school in more than 50 years. It’s more than tripled the number of National Academy members on the faculty, and dramatically improved graduation rates.

Dr. Khator has been named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has served on numerous boards, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, the NCAA, the American Council on Education, and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Additionally, Renu has been an advisor to several Indian prime ministers.  She has been named Houstonian of the year, inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, received a Houston Business Journal Lifetime Achievement Award and, in 2014, Indian President Mukherjee presented her with the Samman Award, the highest distinction bestowed upon a non-resident Indian. Born in India, she earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in political science from Purdue.

Listen to the full episode on TheMentorsRadioShow.com or through the podcast player below.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

15-Time Emmy Winner Jimmy Roberts joins Dan Hesse to share life lessons on how athletes break out of slumps

In this episode, THE MENTORS RADIO Host Dan Hesse talks with Jimmy Roberts, a 15-time Emmy Award-winning sports reporter and writer for NBC, ESPN, and ABC Sports, about how athletes break out of slumps.

Jimmy Roberts has had what most people would think of as an interesting run. During a 30-year career in network television, he has spoken at the United Nations, and interviewed a convicted murderer behind the walls of Attica State Penitentiary. He has traveled with the heavyweight boxing champion to meetings with Nelson Mandela in Soweto and the Pope at the Vatican … and had dinner at the White House with the president of the United States. That said, he is primarily known as a sports reporter who has chronicled 19 Olympic Games, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NBA Finals, Wimbledon, and, of course golf, where he has covered more than 70 major championships, 15 Ryder Cups, and since 2012 has been the signature voice of Augusta National’s acclaimed digital platform MASTERS.COM.

Roberts has earned numerous distinctions, including a Golf Writers Association of America award, The Metropolitan Golf Association Distinguished Service Award, and the Lincoln Werden Journalism medal.

He is also a prolific writer. For two decades Roberts has been the featured back page columnist for Met Golfer (NY) Magazine. His most recent book, the bestseller “NO ONE WINS ALONE” (Simon & Schuster,) written in 2021 with hockey legend Mark Messier, discusses motivation and performance lessons from one of professional sports greatest leaders.

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen to the show live on Salem Radio in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, such as Apple, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

Catholic Charities CEO (ret) Sister Donna Markham joins Dan Hesse to discuss choosing a life of service to others

In this episode, Host Dan Hesse talks with Sister Donna Markham, PhD., an Adrian Dominican Sister and immediate past-president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.  During her ministry there, she led the implementation of national initiatives directed at alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people in the United States. 

Donna has dedicated the majority of her life as a licensed and board-certified clinical psychologist to the ministry of personal and global healing.  A writer, speaker and faith-driven leader, she is actively engaged in global peace initiatives and processes of reconciliation that have taken her across the world.

Sister Donna received a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit.  She is also the recipient of ten (10) honorary doctorates and has been named each year for the past eight years, as one of the Top 50 nonprofit leaders in the U.S. by The NonProfit Times.  Most recently, Sister Donna was honored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for her extraordinary leadership on behalf of humanity.  In August 2023, she received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. And perhaps most impressive of all, Sister Markham was the answer to a question on Jeopardy!

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen to the show live on Salem Radio in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, such as Apple, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

Learn from famed composer, musician, 16-time-Grammy Award-winner David Foster, a Mentor to the Stars

In this episode, The Mentors Radio host Dan Hesse talks with David Foster, one of the most illustrious composers of our time. With 16 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and Three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Songs,” Foster has earned a reputation as a keen spotter of new talent, playing a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and more.

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen to the show live on Salem Radio in San Francisco or via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, such as Apple, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

Tech Visionary Steve Case, founder of AOL, on how to deliver a compelling investor pitch and more

In this week’s episode, Dan Hesse talks with Steve Case, one of America’s most influential tech visionaries, the CEO of the investment firm Revolution, the founder and former CEO of AOL, and the author of The Rise of the Rest. In addition to learning how entrepreneurs can make a great pitch to investors, we’ll discuss how innovation is moving to America’s heartland, rejuvenating major cities, and why this is so important to our country’s future. 

Steve Case co-founded AOL in 1985. Under Steve’s leadership as CEO, AOL became the largest and most valuable Internet company on the planet, driving the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society. He is currently Chairman and CEO of Revolution LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm that backs entrepreneurs at every stage of their development. The Rise of the Rest Seed Fund has invested in more than 200 startups in more than 100 U.S. cities, in partnership with many of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and investors. Steve was recently named co-chair of the National Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, an organization aimed at celebrating and accelerating entrepreneurship.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

Tom Wheeler, former Chairman of the FCC and pioneering CEO telecom entrepreneur about the privacy issues and the future of high-tech communications

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, host Dan Hesse talks with Tom Wheeler. Currently a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Senior Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, Tom Wheeler is a businessman, an author of many books and former Chairman of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) from 2013 to 2017.

As an entrepreneur, Wheeler started and helped start multiple companies offering offering innovative cable, wireless and video communications services. He is the only person to be selected to both the Cable Television Hall of Fame and the Wireless Hall of Fame.

Prior to being appointed to the FCC, Wheeler was president and CEO of the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) and following NCTA, he was the CEO of several high-tech companies. For 12 years, Tom Wheeler served as president and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA). Read the full entry at TheMentorsRadio.com.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Tune-In, or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

Mike Milken on a Life’s Mission: Finding Faster Cures for Serious Disease

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Dan Hesse talks with Michael Milken, whose lifelong commitment to finding faster cures for terminal illnesses, including cancer, has help improve the lives of countless children, adults and families over the past 50 years.

Mike’s book, Faster Cures: Accelerating the Future of Health, is his memoir of his work in this regard and is well-worth the read. This work, however, has paralleled his revolutionizing of capital markets by pricing and rewarding risk more efficiently, ultimately helping to create millions of jobs. Mike Milkin has been uniquely successful in creating value, whether measured in lives saved (Fortune magazine called him “The Man Who Changed Medicine”), students inspired (Forbes said he is an education visionary) or jobs created.

A UC-Berkeley grad with highest honors and an MBA from Wharton where he was a Joseph Warton fellow, Mike and his wife, Lori, have been married 55 years and are proud of their three children and 10 grandchildren (so far). Hang on to your seats for a fast-paced, engaging, innovative and absolutely inspiring interview with plenty of “nuggets” that will help you to lead YOUR best life!

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Stitcher, Tune-In or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

UND Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick talks College Athletics, Mentoring, Leadership, Career and Character

In today’s episode of The Mentors Radio Host Dan Hesse talks with Jack Swarbrick, Director of Athletics at the University of Notre Dame (UND) about his unlikely—and unexpected—transition from a 28-year career with the Indianapolis law firm Baker & Daniels (he was made partner in 1987), to become UND’s 12th Athletics Director in 2008. He’s now in his 15th year as the James E. Rohr Director of Athletics (AD) at Univ. of Notre Dame.

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO

Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Stitcher, Tune-In or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com.

Success in Life Comes from Teaching Others: Interview with Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid

In this episode The Mentors Radio Host Dan Hesse talks with Andy Reid, Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, about Andy’s philosophy that success in life comes from teaching others. Winning two Super Bowls as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reid trails only Bill Belichick in career victories among active NFL coaches. His Chiefs have won seven consecutive AFC West titles and hosted five consecutive AFC championship games. He’s considered an offensive mastermind, seems to be well-liked by everyone, and 11 NFL head coaches were mentored by Andy as branches on his famous “coaching tree.” 

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO
Listen Live at 1 pm PST each Saturday on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Stitcher, Tune-In or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com

When Success Becomes the Enemy: How Kodak Lost Its Way, with Host Dan Hesse and Guest Bill Zollars | The Mentors Radio

In today's episode, host Dan Hesse talks with Bill Zollars, former YRC CEO and a 24-year C-suite veteran of Eastman Kodak during the company's heyday. The story of how Kodak, the third most powerful brand in the world, lost its way and ended up in bankruptcy remains so shocking on the surface that its journey is studied in business schools worldwide. There have been accounts in academic and business journals written about the demise of Kodak, but none with the anecdotes and insider’s view that Bill shares.

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio..

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO
Listen Live 1 pm PST Saturdays on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Stitcher, Tune-In or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com

Crisis Leadership: Host Dan Hesse talks with “The Master of Disaster” Former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen | The Mentors Radio

Thad Allen, former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral, joins this episode of the Mentors Radio Show to discuss leadership during a crisis with Dan.

During this Coast Guard career, Thad was asked by two U.S. Presidents to take over leadership of the Federal response to two monumental crises—the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

To achieve, resolution in each of these disasters required bringing together a wide swath of diverse constituencies—each with their own focus, concerns, habits of communication and pain points. No easy task. Allen was so successful in his efforts that he became known in some circles as “The Master of Disaster.”

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO
Listen Live 1 pm PST Saturdays on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Stitcher, Tune-In or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com

How Your Values Shape Your Decisions: Host Dan Hesse talks with Admiral Mike Mullen

Admiral Mike Mullen is a retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Dan was fortunate to have Admiral Mullen join this episode of The Mentors Radio to share the story of his rise from an early career setback to becoming America’s highest-ranking military officer. The conversation what Admiral Mullen learned about crisis leadership and decision-making along the way.

Listen to the recorded conversation below. You can find show notes and past episodes at the home of The Mentors Radio.

RADIO BROADCAST & STREAMING AUDIO
Listen Live 1 pm PST Saturdays on the SALEM Radio Network (860 The Answer, San Francisco), and worldwide on iHeartRadio & TuneIn Radio.

This episode and past shows can also be found on your favorite PODCAST platform, like Apple, Google, Stitcher, Tune-In or Spotify, or at www.THEMENTORSRADIO.com