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.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, professional pilot, and keynote speaker Jason Harris to explore the combat-proven principles behind his No Fail Trust® methodology.

After 11 combat deployments, Jason knows what it takes to operate in environments where the stakes are high and trust is essential to getting the mission done. He shares how those experiences shaped his approach to teamwork and why the same principles can help organizations strengthen trust, accountability, connection, and performance.
Jason also shares how he helps organizations surface challenges around trust, communication, psychological safety, and accountability, and why building stronger teams starts with creating genuine connection.

Key topics include:

• The high-risk combat experiences that shaped Jason's approach to teamwork
• The story behind his No Fail Trust® methodology
• What it takes to build trust before the pressure hits
• Why training, processes, and empowerment matter to team performance
• How connection can lead to commitment, accountability, and trust
• Why anyone can influence culture, regardless of title
• How Jason takes organizations beyond the keynote through workshops and deeper engagement
• The story behind his new book, No Fail Trust: The Flight Manual for Building Teams That Deliver Under Pressure
• One simple way to start building stronger trust today

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Jason Harris to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis welcomes futurist, bestselling author, and technology strategist Jamie Metzl for a conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing leaders today: how to prepare for a future that's changing faster than ever.

Drawing on decades of work spanning AI, healthcare, biotechnology, and geopolitics, Jamie explains why the future isn't about humans versus technology. It's about learning how the two can work together. He shares practical insights for leaders and organizations looking to navigate change, empower their people, and build a culture of continuous learning.

Key topics include:

• Why today's technological revolutions are accelerating each other
• How humans and AI create more value together
• A simple framework for deciding what people do best
• Why curiosity is the key to staying relevant
• How organizations can become better learning organizations
• Practical advice for preparing yourself and your team for the future
• Why human creativity and judgment will matter more, not less
• The audiences and organizations that benefit most from Jamie's message

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Jamie Metzl to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author and now "recovering attorney and investment banker" Rashmi Airan to explore how good people can make life-changing mistakes—and how those same moments can become the foundation for stronger leadership, greater resilience, and lasting personal growth.

After a successful career in law and finance led to a federal prison sentence, Rashmi rebuilt her life with a mission to help organizations better understand ethical decision-making, human behavior, and the hidden blind spots that affect us all. She shares the practical framework she developed to help leaders pause, gain clarity, and make better decisions in today's fast-moving world.

Key topics in this episode include:

• How one ethical blind spot changed the trajectory of Rashmi's life
• Why pressure, speed, and ambition often cloud our judgment
• The four questions behind Rashmi's "Clarity Loop" decision-making framework
• The difference between performance and alignment in leadership
• The release of her new book, All Rise, and why "Rise" has become the foundation of her work
• How to recognize blind spots before they become costly mistakes
• The audiences and industries that benefit most from Rashmi's message
• Why pausing may be the most powerful leadership habit of all

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Rashmi Airan to your next event.

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with cybersecurity expert, former NSA senior executive, and current Morgan Stanley Managing Director Rachel Wilson to explore the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape — and why cybersecurity now affects everyone from global organizations to individual families.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Rachel’s experience leading counterterrorism operations and overseeing thousands of high-stakes cyber operations at the NSA
• Why cybersecurity has evolved from an IT issue into a leadership and business issue
• How artificial intelligence is accelerating cybercrime and lowering the barrier to entry for hackers
• Why employees are both the greatest cybersecurity vulnerability and the first line of defense
• The importance of developing “healthy skepticism” in today’s digital world
• Practical cybersecurity habits Rachel recommends for businesses, leaders, and families
• How organizations can better prepare teams to navigate modern cyber risks
• Why today’s cyber threats are impacting businesses and households alike
• The types of audiences and organizations that benefit most from Rachel’s message

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Rachel Wilson to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with New York Times bestselling author and positive psychology expert Shawn Achor to discuss his newest bestseller, The Power of Beliefs.

Known for transforming how organizations think about happiness and performance, Shawn shares the research behind the beliefs that predict success, resilience, engagement, and well-being. He explains why beliefs are far more powerful than most people realize and how leaders can intentionally shape them to create stronger teams and better outcomes.

Key topics in this episode include:

• What inspired Shawn to write The Power of Beliefs after an eight-year break from publishing
• How the new research builds upon the foundation of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential
• The seven core beliefs that influence performance, resilience, and success
• Why beliefs predict outcomes ranging from sales and retention to well-being and longevity
• The surprising lesson behind the "home field advantage" and what it teaches us about connection
• How organizations are using belief-based strategies to improve engagement, culture, and results
• Practical ways leaders can strengthen positive beliefs within their teams
• Why Shawn believes hope, meaning, and human potential matter more than ever in the age of AI

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Shawn Achor to your next event!

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with bestselling author and leadership expert David Burkus to explore what separates high-performing teams from teams that struggle to connect, communicate, and collaborate.

Key topics in this episode include:

• David’s concept of “fluid teams” and why they’ve become the dominant way modern organizations work
• The two key ingredients that make teams successful: clarity and empathy
• Why communication norms and trust matter more than most leaders realize
• How organizations often try to solve collaboration issues with more meetings and more tools — while missing the real problem
• The role psychological safety plays in creating healthy disagreement and stronger team performance
• Why AI should be viewed as a collaboration tool instead of just a productivity shortcut
• How leaders can strengthen trust, respect, and communication within their teams immediately
• The kinds of organizational challenges that most often lead companies to bring David in to speak

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing David Burkus to your next event!