How Leaders Lead with David Novak
How Leaders Lead gives you a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the world’s most iconic leaders across business, sports, and entertainment. Hosted by David Novak, Co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, this podcast pulls back the curtain on how top CEOs, founders, and game-changers make things happen. When you tune in, you’ll learn from legends like Tom Brady, Condoleezza Rice, Jamie Dimon, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), Indra Nooyi, Stanley Druckenmiller, and more.Other guests include: CEO of Starbucks CEO of Target Co-founder of Home Depot and many others... David’s unique perspective and thought-provoking questions distill the wi...
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#268: Gregg Renfrew, Founder and CEO of Counter – Step back to move forward
<p>Imagine this: you build a company from scratch, sell it at a billion-dollar valuation, get ousted, and watch it crumble under new leadership…</p> <p>Then you buy it back, shut it down, rebrand it, relaunch it – and grow it all over again.</p> <p>That’s exactly what Gregg Renfrew, the Founder and CEO of clean beauty brand Counter (formerly Beautycounter) has done.</p> <p>In this episode, she opens up about the emotional and strategic rollercoaster behind one of the most dramatic stories in recent business history. She shares what she’s learned about product development, resilience, and why...
#267: Michael Meldman, Founder and Chairman of Discovery Land Company – Be one of one in your category
<p>How do you make your brand stand out? </p> <p>Ask Michael Meldman. He’s the founder of Discovery Land Company, a global portfolio of high-end private golf communities known for doing things differently. By tossing out the traditional country club rulebook and building around comfort and community, he’s created a truly distinctive brand. </p> <p>He’s also a co-founder of Casamigos Tequila, the billion-dollar brand he built with George Clooney.</p> <p>In this episode, he shares how he builds brands that deliver exactly what the market wants and needs. If you want to create something unique...
#266: Richard Fain, Former CEO of Royal Caribbean Group – Push past comfortable
<p>Today’s cruise ships are floating cities – complete with waterslides, sushi bars, and even roller skating rinks. </p> <p>But it wasn’t always that way. Today, we’re joined by the leader who helped pioneer the megaship era and transform Royal Caribbean into a global vacation powerhouse.</p> <p>Richard Fain served as CEO for 33 years, building a culture where big ideas could thrive and the whole team was willing to push past what was comfortable or passable in order to deliver truly “wow” experiences.</p> <p>If you want to create a culture that’s big on innovation, don...
#265: Jim McCann, American entrepreneur and former CEO of 1-800-Flowers – Find a way to connect
<p>Jim McCann didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. He was a social worker and bartender before finding his way into the floral business. But no matter what he did, he always found a way to connect with people.</p> <p>That instinct eventually led him to build 1-800-Flowers, where he expanded the business strategically, turned it into a household brand, and tapped into the power of customer relationships long before it became a buzzword.</p> <p>In this episode, he shares the lessons that have carried him through decades of reinvention – and why, no matter what tech...
#264: Bracken Darrell, CEO of VF Corporation – Good design can make anything better
<p>Bracken Darrell led remarkable turnarounds at both Old Spice and Logitech. Now he’s the CEO of VF Corporation, where he’s working to revitalize iconic brands like The North Face, Timberland, Vans, and more.</p> <p>Hit play on this episode and take a look at his playbook. It’s all about constantly growing and designing things to be better – whether it’s a product, a team, or his own understanding of quantum mechanics (no, really).</p> <p>You’ll also learn:</p> The weird way he keeps a fresh outlook on his job The power of design, even outside...
#263: Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble – Your mission is your mobilizer
<p>She flipped the script on modern dating and built a billion dollar global brand.</p> <p>But Whitney Wolfe Herd’s path to success hasn’t been easy. After co-founding Tinder and walking away under difficult circumstances, she founded Bumble, a dating platform where women make the first move.</p> <p>In this refreshingly honest conversation, she opens up about her missteps and lessons, how she’s redefined success, and why an obsessive focus on a bigger mission has made all the difference in her company culture.</p> <p>She also shares: </p> The near-spiritual moment that sparked Bumble’s “women...
#262: Lew Frankfort, Chairman Emeritus and former CEO of Coach – Combine magic and logic
<p>He built Coach from a small leather goods brand into a $5 billion global fashion powerhouse. </p> <p>But Lew Frankfort’s rise to the top isn’t what you’d expect.</p> <p>He started out in public service and even got passed over for a promotion for being “too principled.” But when he came to Coach, he brought relentless drive, strong investigative instincts, and a unique leadership philosophy he calls “Magic + Logic.” </p> <p>He’s got wisdom to help any leader who wants to build something that lasts – with both quality execution and inspired creativity.</p> <p>In this episode, he...
#261: Nathan Smith, Walker Cup Captain – Know what your people need to excel
<p>He’s one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in the game – a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion and four-time Masters competitor. Just last month, he captained the 2025 Walker Cup team to victory over Great Britain and Ireland. </p> <p>Nathan Smith knows how to get the most out of himself and his team, especially when the pressure is on and the stakes are high.</p> <p>In this episode, he shares the leadership mentality and coaching habits that have helped him build trust, navigate adversity, and bring out the best in his team. If you lead a team or co...
#260: Nick Green, Cofounder and CEO of Thrive Market – The business model matters
<p>At age 25, he walked away from a successful seven-figure business, and took a big swing on a risky idea.</p> <p>Thrive Market Cofounder and CEO Nick Green knew he wanted to make healthy food more accessible. But at a time when everyone was chasing speed and scale, he made a big bet on the membership model. 1.7 million members later, it’s safe to say it worked.</p> <p>In this episode, he shares:</p> His early career failures and what they taught him The power of the right business model The weird way he uses ChatGPT Why you sh...
#259: Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Founder and CEO of Olive & June – Work on yourself
<p>As a kid, she had to hide her favorite red nail polish from her parents. Today, she’s the founder and CEO of Olive & June, a $100 million nail polish brand.</p> <p>But in between, Sarah Gibson Tuttle had to navigate a career she wasn’t really passionate about … and find the courage to chase a big idea. </p> <p>In this episode, she shares:</p> The untold stories behind the brand’s rise How she turned frustration into innovation Why her ability to work on herself has helped her build a more collaborative, company <p>Take your learning further...
