Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

About the Guest:
Michelle K. Johnston, Ph.D., traces her passion for leadership and connection back to childhood, when she discovered Dale Carnegie’s work in her father’s study and learned the lesson of genuine connection through Carnegie’s story of his dog, Tippy. That early spark shaped her path as a leadership professor, executive coach, bestselling author, and podcast host.
Her first book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, emerged from her work with healthcare executives navigating constant change. Her latest collaboration with the world’s number one executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith, launched in London following Thinkers50 conversations on why humanity will always outperform technology.
Michelle encourages leaders to shift their focus from the constant “what” of tasks to the critical “who” of people, starting with themselves. A former Loyola University leadership professor, she now coaches CEOs and senior executives to rethink calendars, rebuild engagement, and lead in ways that reduce burnout and increase results. Her message is clear: connection isn’t soft. It drives retention, satisfaction, and real business performance.
What You Will Learn:
Why today’s loneliness epidemic rivals the health impact of smoking 15 cigarettes a day
How your calendar reveals your true priorities and how to redesign it around people
Why digital meetings don’t automatically create connection
Simple questions that deepen trust and engagement
How small language shifts can transform feedback and relationships
This episode of Take Command is a thoughtful, energizing conversation about leading with heart in a high-tech world. Michelle blends timeless Dale Carnegie principles with modern leadership realities, offering practical wisdom you can apply right away. Tune in to connect more deeply and lead more effectively.

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About the Guest:
John Hope Bryant leads the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of financial literacy services for youth and adults. Recognized globally, he was named to the Forbes BLK50 List in 2024 and TIME Magazine’s inaugural The Closers List. A best-selling author and CNBC contributor, he reaches millions through his ‘Straight Talk’ series and continues to advance economic opportunity and inclusive capitalism.
What You Will Learn:
Why becoming the person you’re meant to be often confuses others
How courage, optimism, and faith drive leadership
Lessons from Dale Carnegie on influence and growth
The mindset shifts that separate good leaders from great ones
Join us for this inspiring conversation with John about acting boldly, embracing fear, and evolving into your best self.

 
Lukas

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.

About the Guest:
Bill Anderson grew up learning the value of influence and positive leadership from his parents, who instilled in him the importance of helping others succeed. As a teen, he took a Dale Carnegie course that shaped his communication and storytelling skills—tools he has carried throughout his career.
He has held leadership roles across major organizations, including leading transformations that stripped away layers of bureaucracy and replaced them with models that empower employees, focus on purpose, and accelerate results. Bill’s philosophy is simple but profound: give people the tools, trust, and freedom to make decisions, and incredible things will happen.
Bill has guided organizations with tens of thousands of employees and operations in over 100 countries, using leadership principles that emphasize humility, clarity, and impact. He says, “I sat down with my team… and said, I can’t do this myself. No way. The only way this is gonna work is if all of us are totally committed to this.”
What You Will Learn:
Why empowering people at all levels drives better decisions and faster execution
How to break bureaucracy and redesign organizations around mission and purpose
The power of curiosity and relentless improvement in leadership
How storytelling and influence can inspire people and create meaningful change
Join us for this episode to explore what it means to lead boldly, focus on people, and make systems work for humans—not the other way around. Bill doesn’t just talk about leadership theory; he shows how to implement it at scale, creating organizations that are faster, smarter, and more empowering. Tune in today to learn from one of the most impactful leaders in modern business.

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.

About the Guests:
Mark Fitzmaurice is a Carnegie Master Trainer who has certified trainers worldwide and authored the “Simple Structures” that transformed Dale Carnegie’s global training standards. Juliette Dennett served as President of the International Franchise Association, guiding a diverse network through times of change. Together, they’ve impacted tens of thousands of lives and continue to champion lifelong learning.
What You Will Learn:
How to lead through uncertainty with courage and creativity
Why culture matters more than performance—and how to protect it
The Dale Carnegie principles that sustain leaders in good times and bad
How partnership and respect can turn differences into strengths
Why lifelong learning is the key to staying relevant in a fast-changing world
Join us for this inspiring conversation with Mark Fitzmaurice and Juliette Dennett. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or navigating change, their story will remind you that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about values, vision, and the courage to keep moving forward.

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.

Special Listener Offer:
As a thank-you for tuning in, enjoy 20% off orders of $149 or more at Omaha Steaks! Use this link to shop and automatically get your discount: https://www.omahasteaks.com/dale
Offer expires: November 30, 2025
Business holiday gifts: Companies can also get a free gift with qualifying orders here: www.omahasteaks.com/CEO
About the Guest:
Nate Rempe is the President and CEO of Omaha Steaks—the first non-family member to hold this role in over a century. A former CIO turned CEO, Nate is a technologist at heart, a passionate advocate for talent development, and a leader who believes in empowering others to do more than they think possible. He’s also a musician, a mentor, and a dedicated husband and father.
What You Will Learn:
Why empathy is the ultimate leadership superpower
How to prepare for a role before you have the title
Practical ways to push past fear and build confidence
The secret to hiring and empowering great talent
Why balance—not burnout—fuels long-term success
Join us for this inspiring conversation about grit, growth, and the kind of leadership that leaves a legacy. Whether you’re leading a team, mentoring others, or navigating your own career pivot, this episode will help you take command—one bold step at a time.
🎧 Listen now and discover why empathy might just be your greatest leadership advantage.

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.