Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

Have you ever noticed how achievement and fulfillment can get mixed up? On my first solo episode of the podcast, I talk about how I learned this lesson the hard way (Enneagram Type 3 over here!). While you can have both, it’s important not to confuse them. Achievement centers on tangible outcomes, but it’s often temporary and can get addicting. Fulfillment is something deeper. It’s about finding purpose and living by your values. It lasts longer and feels more real. Without it, success can feel empty. Here are three questions I use to check in with myself, when I feel the lines start to blur: What am I chasing?Why?Do I like who I am becoming in that pursuit?

What if taking control of your health was easier than you thought? Today’s guest Dr. Casey Means is a Stanford-trained physician and co-founder of Levels, a health technology company with the mission of reversing the world’s metabolic health crisis. In her new book Good Energy, she explains why nearly every health problem we face can be explained by how well the cells in our body create and use energy. The good news? We have more control than we think. On this episode, Dr. Means shares five tests to help you evaluate your metabolic health, the five components of the “Good Energy Eating Plan” and three things to eliminate from your diet today.

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman is a rising star in the world of college football. With the Fighting Irish positioned for success in his third season as head coach, Marcus reflects on his leadership journey-- from standout player to NFL hopeful to college coach. In this episode, we talk about facing adversity, seizing opportunities, and leading with authenticity.

Robin Sharma is one of the top leadership and personal growth experts in the world. He’s mentored billionaires, superstar athletes, world class entrepreneurs and world leaders. His #1 international bestsellers, including The 5AM Club, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and The Leader Who Had No Title, have sold millions of copies and made Robin one of the most widely read authors alive. His new book The Wealth Money Can’t Buy teaches a life-altering system to help you lead your richest life before it’s too late. On this episode, we explore the 8 hidden habits of authentically wealthy people and what holds most people back from living a more fulfilling life.

After landing her dream job on the TODAY Show and establishing herself as a well-respected anchor, Tamron Hall was replaced and offered a diminished role with the network. Undeterred, she chose to bet on herself, walking away to write her next chapter on her own terms. Today, she hosts the acclaimed talk show "Tamron Hall," now in its fifth season, captivating audiences with her fresh, relatable voice and insightful interviews with changemakers. As an Emmy Award-winning journalist, Tamron's career includes hosting the third hour of TODAY, anchoring MSNBC Live, and hosting Court TV’s original true-crime series, “Someone They Knew With Tamron Hall.” She is also a successful author, known for her “Jordan Manning” mystery series, with her second book, Watch Where They Hide, recently released. In our conversation, Tamron shares lessons on knowing your value, having the courage to leave situations that no longer serve you, and the transformative power of betting on yourself.

Your perspective on life can be your power or your prison. It can serve your anxiety, your stress, and your depression, or it can support your peace, your courage, and your growth. Trent Shelton is a mindset expert and one of the most impactful speakers of this generation. When his NFL dream ended abruptly, Trent began recording 2-minute videos of his daily progress and posting them on social media with the hashtag #RehabTime. Today, Trent reaches over 60 million people weekly through his hard-hitting yet always uplifting messages. His new book Protect Your Peace is a guide for how to protect your energy from the things that drain it, your mind from the things that distract you, and your soul from the things that don’t fulfill you. On this episode, Trent shares practical strategies to disconnect from negativity, hone your vision, and bring your life into alignment with your true purpose.

What would your life look like if you stopped playing it small? If you pursued your dreams wholeheartedly? Savannah Guthrie is one of the biggest names in television and she’s reached that level of success because she’s not afraid to take risks. Savannah is the co-anchor of TODAY, NBC News’ chief legal correspondent and a primary anchor for the network’s election coverage. She’s interviewed some of the most recognizable figures in the world from former Presidents to the biggest celebrities and newsmakers. Her work has been recognized with the Edward R. Murrow Award and multiple News Emmys. Savannah is a New York Times bestselling author for her book “Princesses Wear Pants” and the sequel “Princesses Save the World.” Her new book, Mostly What God Does, is her most personal yet as Savannah explores the place of faith in everyday life and the many ways God loves us. In our conversation today, we talk about the value of taking risks in your career, finding fulfillment, and never downsizing your dreams.

Healthy boundaries. We all know we should have them. But what does that really look like? And how can we set, communicate and stick to them? Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist, sought-after relationship expert and the author of the bestselling book Set Boundaries, Find Peace. Her new book, Drama Free and the accompanying The Drama Free Workbook, is a guide for understanding and moving past family struggles—and living your life, your way. On this episode, we talk about signs you might have a boundary problem, why healthy relationships need healthy boundaries, and how to communicate boundaries effectively.

Are you a net giver or a net taker? Chris Anderson says this is the most powerful moral question we can ask ourselves. As head of TED, Chris has overseen the transformation of TED from an annual conference into a global beacon of ideas by giving away talks online, allowing millions access to free learning. Now he’s ready to share his own “idea worth spreading.” In his new book, Infectious Generosity, Chris explains how each of us can be a catalyst for the amplification of human kindness. Through acts of generosity great and small, we have within us the power to create a ripple effect that can transform the world. In our conversation today, we talk about the surprising science behind generosity, its psychological links to happiness, and how we can rethink generosity in today’s world.

Fulfillment doesn’t come from isolated peak experiences, but rather from many consistent good days. So how do we sustain performance, while avoiding burnout and maintaining balance? Daniel Goleman is a Harvard-trained psychologist and author of the bestselling book Emotional Intelligence, which transformed how we think about success and leadership. He has worked with organizations around the world, studying how social and emotional competencies impact the bottom-line. In his latest book, Optimal, Daniel reveals how emotional intelligence can help us have a great day, any day. On this episode, we talk about why EI matters, how to develop it in ourselves and others, and practical methods for applying the skill set more readily. We also dig into new research on EI and what it means for us, our teams, and our organizations.

One in three Americans are trying to drink less alcohol in 2023, reflecting a growing trend in the sober curious movement. Do you want to cut back or stop drinking, but don’t know where to start? This conversation with Annie Grace will give you the tools to make a change. Annie is the founder of This Naked Mind, a program that’s helped millions of people find freedom from alcohol through her groundbreaking emotion-based change framework. Instead of focusing on behavior change and sobriety, she offers a grace-led, science-based approach so that whether you want to cut back, moderate or cut out alcohol completely, you are empowered with the tools to take back control. Annie’s book This Naked Mind has sold millions of copies and she also hosts a popular podcast by the same name. On this episode, we talk about rethinking the benefits of alcohol, the key questions to ask yourself before you try to stop drinking, and how you can quit drinking without missing out.

How would your life be different if you started asking yourself: What’s possible? Johnny Agar was born with cerebral palsy, a muscle disorder that makes it difficult to walk and talk. From an early age, Johnny’s parents Becki and Jeff taught him that no obstacle was insurmountable and Johnny exemplifies this by willing himself to become the athlete he always dreamed of being. Team Agar participates in endurance races all over the world, with Jeff pushing, pulling and hauling Johnny as they swim, bike and run. At each race, Johnny walks the last mile on his own. They’ve completed more than 200 races from 5Ks to marathons to Ironmans. And in 2024, they will compete in the iconic Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. In our conversation today, we talk about overcoming limits, finding the gift in failure, and staying positive in the face of adversity. Click here to support the Agars journey to Kona for the 2024 Ironman World Championship.

What does it take to step into the shoes of a legend and write your own legacy? At age 33, Jon Scheyer was named the new men’s basketball coach at Duke University, taking over one of college basketball’s biggest jobs from coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski. Now in his second season at the helm, he’s one of the youngest head coaches in college basketball. In his first season as head coach, Jon led the Blue Devils to a 27-9 mark and the ACC tournament title. He spent nine seasons on Coach K’s staff and was an All-American and two-time team captain as a player at Duke. In his 14 seasons as player and coach at Duke, Jon has been part of two national championships, three Final Fours and five ACC Tournament crowns. On this episode, we talk about being prepared for your opportunity, the importance of authentic leadership, and how to handle pressure and high expectations.

Do you sometimes feel like you're not living up to your full potential because you're afraid of putting yourself out there? In her new book BE SEEN, Jen Gottlieb will show you how to step into the life you know you were meant to live. Jen is a powerhouse entrepreneur, speaker, host of the I Dare You Podcast, and co-founder of Super Connector Media. With a successful five-year stint as a VH1 host and a career as a Broadway actress, Jen has been making waves in the entrepreneurial world by teaching business owners how to build profitable brands and become the recognized expert in their field. On this episode, Jen shares how to stop hiding and embrace your unique talents so that you can make your greatest impact in the world by being authentically YOU!

Is your fear of other people’s opinions holding you back from fulfilling your potential? Dr. Michael Gervais is one of the world's top high-performance psychologists and leading experts on the relationship between the mind and human performance. He has spent his career helping the best of the best when they need to achieve the extraordinary. His clients include world record holders, Olympians, internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, MVPs from every major sport and Fortune 100 CEOs. In his new book, The First Rule of Mastery, Dr. Gervais shares a guide for overcoming what may be the single greatest constrictor of human potential: our fear of people’s opinions. In our conversation today, we talk about the science of peak performance, how to stop worrying about what people think of you, and live life on your own terms.

Jana Kramer is an actress, country music singer, New York Times bestselling author and host of the popular podcast Whine Down with Jana Kramer. She starred on the hit television series One Tree Hill and has appeared in numerous shows and films since. Jana has also made her mark in the music industry, winning ‘New Female Vocalist of the Year’ at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards and earning a nomination for ‘Best Female Vocalist of the Year’ in 2015. In her new book, The Next Chapter, Jana chronicles the end of her marriage and the year that follows, revealing how she found the courage to write the next chapter of her story. This episode is a conversation about moving from heartbreak, pain and anger to forgiveness, confidence and peace.

Malcolm Jenkins is one of the NFL’s all-time top defensive players. In his 13-year NFL career, he won Super Bowl rings with the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles and earned three Pro Bowl honors. His legacy extends far beyond the football field. Malcolm is an entrepreneur, media personality, executive producer, and philanthropist who is a passionate force for positive transformation. As cofounder of the Players Coalition, he’s utilized his platform to advocate for racial justice and equality, and through the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of youth in underserved communities. In his new book, What Winners Won’t Tell You, Malcolm takes you behind the scenes of his life on and off the field. On this episode, we talk about overcoming fear, trusting the process and why talent alone is never enough.

Mike McDaniel has been called “the most interesting coach in the NFL” and it’s easy to see why. In his second season as the Miami Dolphins head coach, McDaniel has captured the attention of the league. The 40-year-old Yale graduate has earned a reputation as a creative, offensive-minded coach and an authentic leader. He landed his first job in the NFL at age 22, but his journey to head coach didn’t come without struggle. On this episode, Mike opens up about how a drinking problem almost cost him his career—and how going through adversity has made him a better coach. We talk about embracing vulnerability as a leader, showing up authentically, and finding the opportunity in adversity.

The average person experiences 36 major changes in their adult life. Change is constant. So why do we tend to view it as a threat? Brad Stulberg is here to help us shift our mindset around change. His new book Master of Change offers a path for embracing and even growing from life’s constant instability. Brad researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of Peak Performance. He also serves as the co-host of The Growth Equation podcast and is on faculty at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Public Health. On this episode, Brad offers concrete principles to help you navigate change, build resilience and embrace transformation so you can emerge better than before.

You might recognize Lo Bosworth from the hit reality TV series Laguna Beach and The Hills. More than a decade later, Lo is making her mark as the founder of Love Wellness, a women’s total-body care brand that offers a range of supplements, multivitamins and personal care products and is found in stores like Target, Walmart and Ulta. Since launching the company in 2016, Lo has sought to change the narrative around self-care culture and empower women in their wellness journeys. On this episode, we talk about turning challenges into opportunities, how to pivot your career, and write your own story.