On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Diana Kander, serial entrepreneur, innovation consultant, and New York Times bestselling author, to explore how curiosity and asking better questions can help leaders and teams challenge assumptions, uncover opportunities, and achieve bigger results.

Diana shares how arriving in the United States as an eight-year-old refugee shaped her resourcefulness and unconventional approach to problem-solving. She explains why curiosity is essential for continued growth, how success can create unexpected blind spots, and why the questions we ask often determine the opportunities we see.

From escaping the "expert trap" to eliminating low-value work and challenging outdated habits, Diana introduces practical, memorable tools for making smarter decisions and focusing on what creates the greatest impact. She also shares how creating meaningful connections and memorable experiences can help organizations build trust and inspire lasting change.

Key topics include:

• How Diana's journey from refugee to successful entrepreneur shaped her curiosity and resourcefulness
• Why asking better questions is essential for innovation, growth, and better results
• How the "expert trap" can cause successful leaders and organizations to stop evolving
• Why challenging assumptions can uncover opportunities hiding in plain sight
• How doing more of what matters, rather than simply doing more, can increase your impact
• How to identify your highest-value activities using a simple 1-to-10 scale
• What it means to "kill the zombies" in your workplace by eliminating outdated processes and unproductive meetings
• How changing the way we ask questions can lead to smarter, more informed decisions
• The science behind creating memorable presentations and stronger connections with customers and teams
• How Diana customizes her keynotes to deliver practical insights that stick with audiences long after an event

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Diana Kander to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Chris Barton, creator of Shazam, inventor, and former Google and Dropbox executive, to explore what it takes to turn seemingly impossible ideas into reality.

When Chris first imagined Shazam, experts told him the technology couldn't be built. After overcoming countless technical challenges to launch it, the company spent six consecutive years on the brink of bankruptcy before finally taking off. Today, Shazam has surpassed 2 billion downloads, but the lessons behind its creation extend far beyond technology.

Chris shares his Start from Zero approach to innovation, explaining how questioning assumptions, practicing creative persistence, and eliminating friction can help individuals and organizations unlock new possibilities. He also discusses how these principles apply to today's business challenges, from embracing AI and new technologies to inspiring teams to think differently.

Key topics include:

• The unlikely story behind Shazam and the obstacles Chris faced bringing it to life
• How Shazam survived six years on the brink of bankruptcy
• Why our default way of thinking can limit innovation
• The Start from Zero method for challenging assumptions and generating bold ideas
• What creative persistence really means and how to push past seemingly impossible obstacles
• How eliminating friction can improve products, processes, and experiences
• Why embracing AI and new technologies requires a shift in mindset
• How Chris's experience with dyslexia helped shape his approach to solving problems
• Why Chris is now working with his son on a new venture focused on dyslexia diagnosis
• How to stop treating obstacles as final answers and start finding creative ways around them

Chris's message is a powerful reminder that innovation isn't reserved for inventors or technology companies. Whether you're leading a team, navigating change, or pursuing an ambitious goal, thinking differently about what's possible can open the door to extraordinary results.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Chris Barton to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Molly Fletcher, one of the first female sports agents and known in the industry as the “female Jerry Maguire,” to explore what her years in the sports world taught her about high performance and reaching your full potential.

From creating your own scoreboard instead of comparing yourself to others to treating recovery as an essential part of performance, Molly shares the mindset shifts that can help people continue raising their own standard.

She also explains why consistent feedback matters, how high performers approach change differently, and how changing the “mental script” in your head can help you move forward when you feel stuck.

Key topics include:

• Why the best performers compete against themselves instead of everyone around them
• Creating your own scoreboard and focusing on your own potential
• Why consistent feedback can help people continually improve
• Why recovery is a discipline, not a reward
• How high performers approach change as an opportunity for growth
• What organizations can learn from the mindset and practices of the sports world
• Why successful teams can’t afford to settle after achieving results
• How Molly customizes her message to the challenges and goals of each organization
• Identifying the “mental scripts” that may be keeping you stuck
• Taking small, intentional steps toward becoming the person you want to be

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Molly Fletcher to your next event.