The Mentors Radio Show

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Bruce Mehlman, CEO of Mehlman Consulting, a bipartisan firm he founded after serving at senior levels in politics, policy and business, to discuss the growing role that geopolitical risk plays in the strategy of all companies, large and small. Mehlman Consulting helps Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups understand, anticipate and navigate the ever-evolving policy environment and trends likely to impact the global marketplace. A highly sought-after public speaker to Boards of Directors, global conferences and strategic planning sessions, Mehlman’s popular Age of Disruption substack reaches tens of thousands of readers across business, government, NGOs and global investment firms each week. His well-recognized infographics regarding political trends are frequently covered in leading publications, including the Washington Post, Axios, Politico, CNN, Bloomberg and Fox News. Mehlman has lectured on “winning business-government relations” at the Harvard Kennedy School, Yale School of Management and Georgetown University, among others. Mehlman previously held the post of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy, having been nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2001. Prior to this appointment, he worked at Cisco Systems, the House of Representatives and at a Washington D.C. law firm. Mehlman is widely regarded as an expert in running issue campaigns, managing C-suite associations and developing strategies that achieve impactful policy outcomes. He also serves as Executive Director of the Technology CEO Council. SHOW NOTES: BRUCE MEHLMAN: BIOhttps://mehlmanconsulting.com/team-member/bruce-p-mehlman/SUBSTACKAge of DisruptionCOMPANYhttps://mehlmanconsulting.com/VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Robert Spetzler, M.D., a world-renown neurosurgeon specializing in cerebrovascular disease and skull base tumors. He served as the J.N. Harber Chairman Emeritus of Neurological Surgery, and Director Emeritus, as well as President and CEO Emeritus, of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Under Dr. Spetzler’s leadership, the Institute grew from a regional center to a global destination for the treatment, education, and research of neurological conditions. He is also emeritus chair of neurosurgery at the Phoenix campus of the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Dr. Spetzler was involved in pioneering the technique of hypothermia and cardiac arrest (‘cardiac standstill’) for the treatment of difficult brain lesions, which, as he explains, “has allowed us to treat patients who otherwise had absolutely no other option.” He performed more than 6,000 aneurysm surgeries during his career, treating some of the most complex cases in the world. Just over 100 of those patients underwent cardiac standstill. Dr. Spetzler’s desire to pursue a medical career, and to treat all—especially patients—with dignity, took root when he was age 5, when he had contracted tetanus from a rusty nail. Tetanus at the time was usually fatal. In the middle of the night his parents rushed him to the hospital, doing what they could to make sure he stayed awake on the way (to avoid falling into a tetany attack). At the hospital, he became one of the first people to receive a new drug, penicillin, which saved his life. Later, during a medical teaching presentation of his case, with the young Spetzler included in the presentation, the doctor failed to treat his young patient with even the slightest degree of dignity. Dr. Spetzler never forgot what that felt like and treating others, especially his patients, with dignity remained first and foremost the rest of his life, including in his practice and in his leadership. Honored many times by professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, in 1994, Dr. Spetzler was chosen to be the Honored Guest of Congress of Neurological Surgeons. At age 49, he was the youngest recipient of this prestigious honor. Five years later, he received the Herbert Olivcrona Award (the “Nobel Prize of Neurosurgery”), among many other awards listed in his biography. Born in Stierhoefstetten, Germany, Dr. Spetzler moved with his family to the United States at the age of 11. He received his B.S. from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and his doctorate of medicine from Northwestern Medical School in Chicago. His postgraduate training was completed at Wesley Memorial Hospital, Northwestern in Chicago. He completed a residency in neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco. He received board certification in September 1979 from the American Board of Neurological Surgery. In 1983 Dr. Spetzler left his position as associate professor of neurosurgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland to assume a position as chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. He served as president and CEO of Barrow from 1986 to 2017. Also a prolific writer, Dr. Spetzler has published more than 300 articles and 180 book chapters and has co-edited multiple neurosurgical textbooks, including The Color Atlas of Microneurosurgery (2000). 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: ROBERT F. SPETZLER, M.D. BIOhttps://www.barrowneuro.org/person/robert-spetzler-md/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Spetzlerhttps://alchetron.com/Robert-F-SpetzlerNEWS / ARTICLES Dr. Robert F. Spetzler Makes Neurosurgery History as Two-Time CNS Honored...

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Chris Cillizza, an American political analyst, journalist, and digital media creator. He is best known for his sharp, accessible breakdowns of U.S. politics. He now runs a popular YouTube channel and publishes on Substack, where he explains political news in clear, engaging terms. In his latest book, Power Players: Sports, Politics, and the American Presidency, Chris takes a non-partisan and fascinating approach to understanding leadership. Instead of just studying presidents as politicians, he looks at them as athletes, competitors and fans, and uncovers what sports reveals about their leadership traits. 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: CHRIS CILLIZZA: BIOBIO: Chris CillizzaBOOKSPower Players: Sports, Politics and the American PresidencyThe Gospel According to the Fix: An Insider’s Guide to a Less than Holy World of Politics

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with global advisor Ram Charan on whether your career and lifestyle are at risk from China’s “90% Strategy”. Ram Charan has been a foundational force in global business strategy for more than six decades, sought after for growth strategy and advice by CEOs including Jeff Bezos and more. Widely recognized as the advisor who tells you what you need to hear—not what you want to hear—Ram joins us for his sixth appearance to deliver a message essential for every leader, entrepreneur and citizen. The focus of this episode is on Ram’s new work, China’s 90% Model: China Has America by the Throat: Here’s How to Fight Back and Win. In this book, Ram offers a profound analysis of a systematic strategy of industrial dominance that is fundamentally reshaping the global order. This is not just a conversation about market competition; it is a look at the very survival of Western industrial capacity. While the subject may seem geopolitical, it is vital to understand because these are the forces putting our organizations at risk—the very factors that will shape the world that our children and grandchildren inherit. To protect our legacy and guide the next generation, we must see the road ahead with absolute clarity. This episode exposes the wisdom you need to protect the road ahead, your future. 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: RAM CHARAN: BIORam Charan, Ph.D. How to Grow Fast and Make an Impact, with Ram CharanBOOK – NEWEST BOOKChina’s 90% Model: China has America by the Throat: Here’s How to Fight Back and WinWEBSITEhttps://ram-charan.com/

In today’s episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Ben Swire, former Design Lead at IDEO about the power of creative work and “safe danger”, the importance of staying inspired and more. It’s the ultimate toolkit for those who crave meaning and purpose in every aspect of their life. Guest Mentor Ben Swire shows us the way to achieve it. Most of us have a “wish list” for our lives: we want inspiring experiences, deep relationships, and work that truly matters. But there is a massive chasm between that list and our reality. As Joseph Campbell once noted, the rewards we seek are not “easy pickings”—they require sacrifice, struggle, and the courage to be vulnerable. Our guest today, Ben Swire, has found an unexpected way to bridge that chasm. Ben is the founder of Make Believe Works and the author of Safe Danger. A former Design Lead at IDEO, Ben was famously told that his most important job wasn’t just to be a designer, but to stay inspired. Today, Ben uses a suite of creative activities to help leaders move past “forced achievement” to find their authentic soul. In this episode, we discuss why creativity is the “oven mitt” that allows us to handle the heat of our own pain, why AI may be flattening our diversity of ideas, and how one small, creative risk can change your life. You will learn about “Safe Danger,” the creative risks that transform teams, and why your most important job as a leader is to simply staying inspired. 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 BEN SWIRE: BIOBOOKS

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with MIT Professors Nelson Repenning and Don Keiffer to discuss their new book, There Has Got to Be a Better Way- How to Deliver Results and Get Rid of the Stuff That Gets in the Way of Real Work, describing Dynamic Work Design. Work design is the primary reason work often fails to get done well, and why leaders need to thoroughly know the business and get involved with the front line to be effective and respected. Nelson is the Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center and the Distinguished Professor of System Dynamics and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Nelson received the International System Dynamics Society’s Jay Wright Forrester Award, which recognizes the best work in the field in the previous five years and he received the Jamieson Prize for Excellence in Teaching. He was recently recognized by Poets and Quants as one of the country’s top instructors in executive education. Don’s 40-year career in operations spans from front-line work to executive roles, including 15 years at Harley-Davidson where he was VP of Operational Excellence. He is currently advising executive teams around the globe in operational strategy and improvement. He is a Senior Lecturer at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and AVT Business School in Copenhagen. Don and Nelson are partners in ShiftGear Work Design. 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: NELSON REPENNING and DON KEIFFER: BIOSNelson RepenningBIO: Nelson P. RepenningDon KeifferBIO: Don KeifferBOOKThere Has Got to Be a Better Way- How to Deliver Results and Get Rid of the Stuff That Gets in the Way of Real WorkOTHER:ShiftGear Work Design

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Shirin Behzadi, author of The Unexpected CEO and an extraordinary leader who has lived what many would call three lifetimes in one. Shirin’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance, resiliance and what some would describe as anti-fragility. She rose from being alone, as an 18-year-old immigrant, working behind bulletproof glass as an all-night gas station cashier, to becoming the CEO of a billion-dollar home improvement franchise network. Along the way, she navigated a high-stakes, nine-figure private equity exit and overcame a life-threatening health crisis—a brain tumor—that forced her to redefine everything she knew about leadership. In this episode we dive deep into why your point of view—not your ability—is often your greatest limitation and how to transform adversity into your ultimate competitive advantage. Key Wisdom from this Episode includes: The “North Star” Vision:Radical Empathy:The 1.8% RuleDoing Well by Doing Good:you SHOW NOTES: SHIRIN BEHZADI: BIOhttps://shirinbehzadi.com/my-story/BOOKhttps://amzn.to/4cMsiKwWEBSITEhttps://shirinbehzadi.com/

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Dr. Kaushik Basu, Professor of Economics and of International Studies at Cornell University. Dr. Basu was formerly Chief Economist of the World Bank, Chief Economic Adviser to the Indian Government, and president of the International Economic Association. He is currently co-Chair of the United Nations High-Level Expert Group “Beyond GDP”. Widely published, Dr. Basu’s works have been translated into several languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Polish and French. He won the Humboldt Research prize and he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India. Dr. Basu has held visiting positions at Princeton, Harvard and M.I.T., and has authored several books, including The Republic of Beliefs: A New Approach to Law and Economics and Reason to be Happy—Why Logical Thinking is the Key to a Better Life. 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: KAUSHIK BASU, PhD: BIOhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaushik_BasuBOOKReason to be Happy: Why Logical Thinking is the Key to a Better LifeThe Republic of Beliefs: A New Approach to Law and Economics

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks in a new episode with Jim Loehr, one of the world’s leading performance psychologists, a true pioneer in understanding human potential who has worked with the most elite athletes and business leaders, and who is a prolific author including his most recent book—and perhaps his most important—Sapiens Reinvented. You’ll learn about the real root of fear and bias, why it affects all of us, and why Loehr believes that families are the key to real change in our future. Loehr is the co-founder of the Human Performance Institute, a groundbreaking organization that transformed how elite performers manage energy, resilience, and purpose—and which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Over his career, Jim has worked with world-class athletes, business leaders, physicians, and members of the military, and he’s authored nearly 20 influential books, including the landmark bestseller, The Power of Full Engagement. You’ll learn why Jim believes his recent book may be his most important work yet; Sapiens Reinvented: Saving the Species from a Deadly Evolutionary Flaw—a bold exploration of human nature, fear, bias, and what it will take to ensure the future of our species. You’ll also learn why relationships are, in the end, the essence of a meaningful life. 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: JIM LOEHR: BIOhttps://scitechcampus.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/LC18_SpeakerBio_JimLoehr.pdfBOOKSSapiens Reinvented: Saving the Species from a Deadly Evolutionary Flaw,The Power of Full Engagement, Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal,Leading with Character, 10 Minutes a Day to a Brilliant LegacyWise Decisions, A Science-Based Approach to Making Better ChoicesWEBSITEhttps://www.jim-loehr.com/

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Ginni Rometty, who was the ninth Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of IBM. Under her leadership, the 100-year-old company reinvented 50 percent of its portfolio, built a $25 billion hybrid cloud business, and established leadership in AI and quantum computing. IBM acquired 65 companies during Ginni’s tenure as CEO, including Red Hat, the largest acquisition in the company’s history. She also drove record results in workforce transformation and supported the explosive growth of an innovative high school program to prepare the workforce of the future in over twenty-eight countries. Through her work with the Business Roundtable, Ginni helped redefine the purpose of the corporation. She has been named Fortune’s #1 Most Powerful Woman three years in a row, is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and has been honored with the designation of Officer in the French Légion of Honor. Today, Ginni Rometty serves on multiple boards and co-chairs OneTen, a coalition committed to upskilling, hiring and promoting one million Americans without four-year degrees by 2030 into family-sustaining jobs and careers. She is the author of the bestselling book Good Power: Creating Positive Change in Our Lives, Work and World, which is full of lessons she learned from important mentors, both inside and outside of IBM. SHOW NOTES: GINNI ROMETTY: BIOBIO: Virginia (Ginni) RomettyBOOKGood Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and WorldWEBSITEhttps://ginnirometty.com

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Richard Harris, the global sales expert who trained the teams at SalesForce, Zoom and General Electric, founder and principal of The Harris Consultant Group, and author of bestseller “The Seller’s Journey: Your Guidebook to Closing More Deals with N.E.A.T. Selling”. You’ll learn why everyone is in sales, regardless of whether you are sharing ideas, influencing a corporate direction, an entrepreneur, a landscaper, have a career in selling products or services, or at home discussing an upcoming vacation with the family. In short, the Sellers Journey is not just for people with “sales” on their business card. The insights and wisdom discussed in this episode are gleaned not from perfection, but from imperfection—from first-hand experiences and challenges that ultimately led to years of award-winning sales achievements and award-winning sales training to help others—including teams from some of the Top companies in the world—achieve the same and better. Richard Harris has been named one of the “40 Most Inspiring Leaders in Sales Lead Management” by the Sales Lead Management Association (SLMA) and was included on the Datanyze Top 20 Inside Sales rockstar list, which is a list selected from Datanyze’s peers, partners, and mentors who have helped grow and shape the industry. As they put it: “A seasoned SaaS sales leader and inside sales trainer, Richard helps early stage and expansion stage startups build their sales infrastructure and train their sales teams to “get there faster.” He went on to found The Harris Consultant Group, which has helped transform hundreds of companies, teams and individuals who have worked with him or read his book. A passionate advocate for mental health awareness in sales, Harris balances his professional achievements with his role as a husband and father of two sons. His approach to sales leadership emphasizes both high performance and human-centric values, making him one of the most respected voices in modern sales transformation, as you’ll learn from this episode. 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: RICHARD HARRIS: BIOhttps://theharrisconsultinggroup.com/about/BOOKThe Seller’s Journey: Your Guidebook to Closing More Deals with N.E.A.T. SellingWEBSITEhttps://theharrisconsultinggroup.com/

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Dr. Sunita Sah, national bestselling author, award-winning professor at Cornell University and an expert in organizational psychology. Dr. Sunita Sah joins Dan Hesse to discuss her bestselling book, Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, which teaches us how to say “No” when saying “Yes” conflicts with our personal values. Dr. Sah leads groundbreaking research on influence, authority, trust, compliance and defiance. A trained physician, she currently teaches executives, leaders and students in healthcare and business. Dr. Sah is a sought-after international speaker and consultant, advisor to government agencies, and former Commissioner of the National Commission on Forensic Science. Her multi-disciplinary research and analyses have been widely published in leading academic journals and media, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Harvard Business Review, and Scientific American. 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. SUNITA SAH: BIOhttps://www.sunitasah.com/about-sunitaBOOKSDefy: The Power of No in a World That Demands YesWEBSITE:https://www.sunitasah.com/OTHERNEWSLETTERhttps://sunitasah.substack.com/LINKEDINhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drsunitasah/ INSTAGRAM

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Ashley Goodall, former Cisco executive and co-author of Nine Lies About Work, about lies we are told about work. For example, we are told that the best companies cascade goals and the best people are well-rounded. We are told that people leave because of ‘culture’ and that feedback is a gift. But what if every one of those statements is a lie?! In this episode, often-repeated work ‘dogmas’ will be dismantled—including the myth of “Company Culture” and the trap of “Work-Life Balance”. Ashley Goodall culls from two decades working in leadership and human resources as a consultant, Fortune 50 executive, speaker, researcher and writer. You’ll learn the Nine Lies About Work and why they are lies. You’ll learn how to genuinely and effectively manage and lead teams in any field. You’ll learn the myths of management. And most importantly, you’ll learn what truly does help teams thrive in the real world… (it’s not what you’ve probably heard in the workplace!) If you lead or want to lead, you cannot afford to miss this episode! 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: ASHLEY GOODALL: BIOBOOKSNine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real WorldThe Problem with Change: And the Essential Nature of Human PerformanceASHLEY’S SUBSTACKhttps://ashleygoodall.substack.com/WEBSITEhttps://ashleygoodall.com/

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks withAndy Beckstoffer, named “the most powerful grapegrower by Wall Street Journal and the Wine Spectator. Few people have played a more pivotal, pioneering role in Napa Valley’s evolution into a world class wine region than Andy Beckstoffer, who owns Beckstoffer Vineyards. Beckstoffer Vineyards includes six Napa “Heritage sites” which consistently produce some of the best wines in the world, being awarded 100 point scores year after year. Perhaps most notably, Andy introduced an innovative and radical new grape pricing structure in 1976, which created a major and lasting shift in how the California wine industry views the importance of wine growers and grape quality. The Wall Street Journal and the Wine Spectator have both named Andy Beckstoffer the “Most Powerful Grapegrower.” In 1975, at age 35, Andy was a founding Director and the second President of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association. He and his wife of 60 years, Betty Beckstoffer, were honored as St. Helena’s “Citizens of the Year” and Andy has been named Grower of the Year three times, by three different organizations. He was also named Agriculturalist of the Year twice. In 2007, Andy received the Wine Industry Leadership Award, the first ever United States Congressional Wine Caucus Commendation, and in 2010, he was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame. 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: ANDY BECKSTOFFER: BIO: Andy Beckstofferhttps://beckstoffervineyards.com/Fascinating Historical Timeline of Beckstoffer Vineyards

In today’s episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist and the founder of Dementia Careblazers. Did you know that right now, one in four adults in the United States is providing care for someone else? That represents 63 million Americans—a silent army navigating complex medical needs, crushing financial pressures, and heavy legal responsibilities. As our population ages, this role is rapidly becoming one of the most defining experiences of our time. But what if we looked at caregiving differently? What if, rather than just a burden, we viewed it as a profound masterclass in being human? It is a form of sacrificial love that teaches us to listen without words, to read non-verbal signals, and to master the art of patience. It challenges us to become better leaders and more available to the people who need us most. In this episode, you’ll learn how Dr. Natali Edmonds transitioned from helping her clients one-on-one as a doctor, to becoming an “accidental entrepreneur” helping millions of caregivers and building a global movement not just by offering medical advice, but by giving caregivers the tools to protect their own well-being. Whether you are in the trenches right now or simply want to learn how to be more present in your own life, this conversation is for you. You’ll also learn how serving others can actually help us to find ourselves. 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. NATALI EDMONDS: BIO:https://careblazers.com/about/WEBSITECareBlazers.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@DementiaCareblazersWhen Dementia Caregiving Feels Impossible

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth about Senator Danforth’s book, The Relevance of Religion, and why and how religious congregations of all faiths should endeavor to heal the political divide in America. An ordained Episcopal priest and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Senator Danforth explains religion’s gift of “virtue” to politics, and his unique views on success and happiness. Former Senator John C. Danforth (Jack) is a partner at Dowd Bennett LLP and brings the strategic insights and wisdom gained from a distinguished career in public service and the law. Jack currently serves on the national advisory board of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. An ordained Episcopal priest, Jack is the author of Resurrection; Faith and Politics: How the “Moral Values” Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together; and The Relevance of Religion-How Faithful People Can Change Politics. Following his three terms in the U.S. Senate (1976-1995), Jack held appointments in both Republican and Democratic administrations. Jack was Special Counsel in the investigation of the federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas (1999-2000). He was Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan (2001-2004) and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2004-2005). Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Jack was elected and served eight years as Attorney General for the state of Missouri (1968-1976). He and his wife Sally have five children, 15 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 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: JOHN C. (“JACK”) DANFORTH: BIOhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Danforth BOOKSResurrectionFaith and Politics: How the “Moral Values” Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together,The Relevance of Religion-How Faithful People Can Change Politics The podcast of this episode will be posted midday Saturday, Jan 10, 2026, after airing on Salem and iHeart Radio.

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Jim Loehr, a world-renown human performance psychologist, about how to ensure you are leading with character and purposely pursuing what matters most. Loehr knows what he’s talking about. He has literally transformed hundreds of lives, including the most elite tennis competitors in the world, as well as business executives at all levels, and the millions of individuals who have read his books or taken his courses over many yeas. Jim’s ability to transform an individual’s energy so that he or she can easily and dramatically improve their sustained energy level is remarkable. His work and coaching unleashes an individual’s unique potential and peak performance, regardless of whether they are a top tennis athlete, or a company executive, entrepreneur, or a student in college. Jim knows first-hand that better sustained energy and better focus results in Peak Performance and Achievement. Every. Time. Jim Loehr is the co-founder of the Orlando-based Human Performance Institute, and the author of 17 easy-to-read, down-to-earth yet life-transforming books, including best-sellers: “The Power of Full Engagement,” “The Power of Story,” and “Leading with Character.” Listen to the radio podcast of this episode below (posted after the episode’s radio airing)… Subscribe for free here to THE MENTORS RADIO podcast so you never miss an episode! SHOW NOTES: JIM LOEHR, PhD: BIOhttps://scitechcampus.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/LC18_SpeakerBio_JimLoehr.pdfBOOKSThe Power of Full Engagement, Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal,Leading with Character, 10 Minutes a Day to a Brilliant LegacyWise Decisions, A Science-Based Approach to Making Better ChoicesWEBSITEhttps://www.jim-loehr.com/

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Yale Ph.D. J. Budziszewski, professor of Government and Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. The author of more than 20 books, including The Revenge of Conscience, What We Can’t Not Know and his most recent work, Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy. A former radical atheist, Dr. Budziszewski underwent a profound conversion that integrated his world-class intellect with deep faith. Today, he is one of the preeminent voices on Natural Law and critical thinking. In this discussion of his latest book, you will discover Budziszewski’s learnings about patterns of delusion in our culture, how beliefs shape society, the differences between human rationality and animal instinct, the role of conscience in human behavior, the need for personal honesty and for respecting common sense passed down through the ages, the critical importance of maintaining relationships and effective communication, and more. You’ll hear about the value of learning from genuine leaders. Whether considering the culture of society at large or the culture within a company or other work environment, the insights from this episode can help to keep you grounded and clear-thinking amid chaos and confusion. 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: J. Budziszewski, Ph.D.: BIOhttps://civicleadership.utexas.edu/people/j-budziszewski/BOOKSPandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems CrazyWhat We Can’t Not Know: A GuideThe Revenge of ConscienceWritten on the Heart: The Case for Natural Law

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Dr. Eswar Prasad, a Professor of Economics at Cornell, a senior fellow at Brookings, and the former head of the IMF’s China division, to discuss his book The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution Is Transforming Currencies and Finance, which was chosen as a Best Book of the Year by The Economist, The Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, ProMarket, and The Week. In The Future of Money, Dr. Prasad argues that we are at an inflection point where technology is redefining what money is, who issues it, and how it moves—pushing us toward a world with less physical cash, and an ecosystem of fintech and crypto innovations that will reshape everything from household payments to the global monetary order. 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: ESWAR S. PRASAD: BIOEswar S. PrasadBOOKSThe Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution Is Transforming Currencies and FinanceThe Doom Loop: Why the World Economic Order Is Spiraling into DisorderGaining Currency: The Rise of the RenminbiThe Dollar Trap: How the U.S. Dollar TIghtened its Grip on Global FinanceWEBSITEhttps://www.futureofmoneybook.com/

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Michael Collopy, one of the preeminent portrait photographers of our time — a man whose camera has revealed the inner soul of saints, world leaders, Nobel Peace laureates, and some of the most recognizable entertainers on the planet. Over 45 years, he has photographed six U.S. presidents, 37 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and hundreds of global icons — and in the process, he has observed patterns of character, humility, ego, joy, and loneliness that very few people ever get to see up close. Michael Collopy is self-taught, yet mentored by giants like Ansel Adams and Richard Avedon. His life’s work has taken him from Mother Teresa’s streets of Calcutta, to Pope John Paul II in Mexico City, to Nelson Mandela, to the Rolling Stones in Paris, and everywhere in between. In this episode, you’ll discover what Michael has learned about people — about what truly distinguishes the great from the merely famous, the fulfilled from the restless, and the peacemakers from the performers. 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: MICHAEL COLLOPY: BIOhttps://www.michaelcollopyphotography.com/about/BOOKSCourageArchitects of Peace: Visions of Hope in Words and ImagesWorks of Love are Works of PeaceWEBSITEhttps://www.michaelcollopyphotography.com “Michael has consistently shown sensitivity in his work, and it appears that the Muse rests lightly on his shoulder for his work captures the essence of his subjects.” – DR. MAYA ANGELOU