The Best Boss Ever

Jay Samit. Season 5, Episode 18. 3 books! One conversation. Tech entrepreneur, author, futurist.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Jay Samit shares his journey from tech pioneer to author, discussing how to leverage the second act of life through innovation, AI, and networking. Discover actionable insights on embracing change, overcoming fear, and creating a meaningful second act.

Season 4. Episode 9. Gary Jacobus, President Bus Dev, ASM Global

Carl Thomas — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 06:00:00 GMT

With an extraordinary career in Sports Sponsorship and Food Service, Gary Jacobus most recently served as the President, Bus Dev for ASM Global. With stops at IMG, NFL, NBA, and Aramark, Gary's leadership style and accomplishments are text book. Listen Up!

E 43 Eric Schenker, CEO Craft Sportswear, NA> Appointed CEO of Craft Sportswear NA at the age of 41, Eric Schenker is an energetic and accomplished Sales executive with an impressive 20 year record.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT

At $130M in global top line revenue, Craft Sportswear, is a pioneering company of functional apparel for world champions and everyday heroes. For North America, Eric Schenker, CEO of Craft is leading an aggressive 5 year strategic plan focused profitable growth as opposed to a market entry "revenue at any cost" strategy. This approach is the heart and soul of the "Know When to Say No" for any entrepreneur who wants to Thrive, not just Survive. Listen Up!

Season 3, Episode 10. Eddie Newquist, an award winning creative executive who is equally talented in design, execution and business acumen.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 05:33:20 GMT

Best known for his work creating brand experiences for some of the world’s most successful companies, organizations and entertainment franchises including Harry Potter, Cars, Frozen, Avatar and Game of Thrones, Eddie brings a rare combination of visionary creative ideas, executional excellence, and a practical view as to how things truly get done! As Vice President of Universal Studios Creative he contributed to the development of blockbuster attractions such as Jurassic Park, Terminator 2-3D, Twister, Waterworld, Jaws and King Kong. His story blends best-in-class creativity with the "get it done" sensibility every executive should aspire to. Listen Up! This is a good one!

Season 4, Episode 16. Sandra Lopez, and Latina executive who successfully navigated the male dominated Tech and Sports sectors.

Carl Thomas — Mon, 05 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Sandra Lopez is an accomplished executive, having served in high-powered positions with Intel, Microsoft, Computer Associates, Macromedia, and Adobe. As a Latina, she faced many hurdles in the male-dominated Tech and Sports sectors. Her story is inspirational, authentic, and grounded in reality, as she's also a working mom. It is packed with insights, to-dos, and what NOT to do. Listen up! This one is as inspiring as it is authentic!

E 40 Rob DeMartini CEO, USA Cycling and former CEO, New Balance Footwear and Apparel, talks about how to grow the right way and the challenges heading into Tokyo 2021. Listen Up!

Carl Thomas — Tue, 25 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Rob DeMartini joined USA Cycling in February 2019, after spending 12 years as President and CEO of New Balance where, under his leadership, the company doubled its global annual sales to $4.2B, achieving one of the highest growth rates in the athletic footwear and apparel industry.

A passionate athlete and cycling enthusiast, Rob was drawn to the opportunity to lead USA Cycling after recognizing the potential for the organization to take on a larger leadership role in the cycling industry. Prior to New Balance, he spent 20 years at Procter & Gamble where his collective experiences, humility, and work ethic launched him to where he is today. A great listen!!

E 37 Koko Archibong, A first generation immigrant from Nigeria, Koko and his 2 brothers grew up in Pasadena, CA, while his parents instilled in them Family, Faith, and the Pursuit of Excellence.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 04 May 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Throughout his childhood, Koko's academic and athletic gifts were obvious, and they were NOT wasted. Good enough for a Division 1 NCAA basketball scholarship, he chose instead, the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school where scholarships don’t exist.

After graduating from Penn, His basketball story went on for 10 years including a starting role on the 2012 Nigerian Olympic Team in London. Now a husband, father, volunteer and fast rising businessman, what happened next is much better told by our guest himself. Listen Up!

E 30 Rob Temple, CEO Fishbait Solutions. His credits at ESPN include Home Depot's landmark sponsorship of Game Day, and commercial architect of the Collège Football Playoffs for the ESPN and ABC.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT

After nearly 20 years at ESPN and a long career securing nearly $10 Billion in sponsorships, advertising and marketing contracts, Rob left the high profile role at the Walt Disney Company and joined long time friend and colleague, Rick Jones. The fast growing and amazingly creative Fishbait Solutions is on the cutting edge of integrating Brand partnerships with programming aligned with passionate audiences. But there is way more to Rob's fascinating story. Listen up and learn!

E 27 Mark Sisson parlayed his Elite Endurance Athlete success and drive into a massively successful business, Primal Kitchen. Which he sold to Kraft/Heinz in 2018. And he's not done yet!

Carl Thomas — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 07:00:00 GMT

Mark Sisson publishes the wildly popular blog, Mark's Daily Apple. His passion for healthy, nutritious food started in his childhood. A world class Marathon runner and Triathlete, his own body was his test tube. Primal Kitchen, the food company he started and then sold to Kraft/Heinz now has over 80 products and growing. His story is a great one with invaluable lessons. And a healthy dose of Humor along the way. Listen Up!

Season 5, Episode 15. Nick Baker, President and COO, AEP Global Partnerships. 130+ assets, 4000+ sponsor partners, 22+ years at AEG. A mind-bending session with one of the greats.

Carl Thomas — Mon, 18 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Growth. Depth. Talent. Vibe. These four attributes set the culture for AEG Global Partnerships, one of the world's most successful sponsorship sales organizations. As President and COO, Nick Baker has spent 22+ years at AEG honing his leadership skills and style. This session is outstanding. Watch. Listen. Learn.

Season 5. Episode 8 DP and McGhee. Experienced. Smart. Funny. Checki it out. You won't be disappointed. And listen to their podcast. Wait, What? Sports Biz Chat with DP and McGhee.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

DP and McGhee are competent, experienced, and hilarious. Learn while you're laughing. AB Inbev, ATT, McDonald's, and MoneyGram are just a few clients in their repertoire. This is a "must listen". And check out their podcast. Wait. What? Sports Biz Chat with DP and McGhee.

Season 5, Episode 2. Mike Mooney is an impresario at heart. What is that you ask? From K-Mart to executive coach with stops at Agencies, Brand and Rights Holder, his breadth of experience is why.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:01:00 GMT

In this episode of The Best Boss Ever, host Carl Thomas interviews Mike Mooney, a seasoned professional in the marketing and motorsports industry. Mike shares his journey from working at Cotter Group to leading marketing efforts at Nextel and eventually starting his own coaching practice. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the influential leaders in his life, the challenges of navigating corporate politics, and the importance of intentionality in leadership. Mike emphasizes the lessons learned from both great and not-so-great bosses, and how these experiences shaped his approach to leadership and coaching.

Season 5. Episode 7. Dan Mannix went from Lead Dog to Underdog. On his way to Top Dog. If you ever thought about starting your own company, this is for you!

Carl Thomas — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Dan Mannix shares his journey from his early career in sports marketing to founding his own agency, Lead Dog Marketing, and eventually transitioning to CSM and starting Underdog. He emphasizes the importance of professional persistence, building connections, and the value of workplace diversity. Dan reflects on his experiences in the NBA and the Olympics, highlighting the significance of teamwork and trust in achieving success. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, particularly in the fast-paced world of sports marketing.

Molly Arbogast founded POV Sports Marketing in 2016. With stints at the PHL Eagles, DET Pistons, and IMG, her boutique agency punches way above its weight. Small is BIG!s

Carl Thomas — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Molly Arbogast, a seasoned sports marketing expert, shares her journey from working with major sports teams to founding her own agency, POV Sports Marketing. She discusses the importance of data-driven decisions, effective negotiation strategies, and the value of building collaborative relationships between brands and rights holders. Molly emphasizes the future of sports sponsorship, the unique advantages of boutique agencies, and the lessons learned throughout her career, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

E 25 Bill O'Connell, a 24+ year veteran Special Agent in the FBI with stories that are amazingly real and compelling.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

From helping bust up the Five Families in the NYC Mafia, to leading the effort in San Diego against the Mexican Drug Cartels, Bill O'Connell's nearly 25 years in the FBI is real truth at its core. Lifelong lessons in leadership stemming from decades on the front lines and "In Harms Way". Listen Up!

Season 5, Episode 2. Mike Mooney clip. Have you had a bad boss? Yes, is the answer. We all have. So how should you handle it?

Carl Thomas — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 22:19:26 GMT

Have you had a bad boss? Yes, is the answer. We all have. So how should you handle it?

Carl Thomas — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:20:00 GMT

Season 2, E 3, Robin Thurston, CEO Outside

Carl Thomas — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Early in his career Robin Thurston, founded MapMyFitness including MapMyRun which he then sold to Under Armour. Now as the CEO of Outside, the world’s leading creator of active lifestyle content and experiences, he and his leadership team are reinventing how athletes consume content, participate and engage, increase knowledge, find gear, and ultimately perform in their sport. His story of innovation, leadership, and vision together with an insatiable appetite for Entrepreneurship is a Master Class in gritty determination. Listen Up!!

Season 5, Episode 6. Michele Kajiwara, SVP Premium and Suites at Crypto.com Arena at LA Live

Carl Thomas — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode of the Best Boss Ever podcast, Carl Thomas interviews Michelle Kajawara, Senior Vice President for Premium Seating Sales and Service at Crypto.com Arena. Michelle shares her inspiring career journey, starting from her early days as an executive assistant to her current leadership role. She discusses the importance of mentorship, navigating challenges, and the lessons learned from her experiences in the live events industry. The conversation highlights the significance of attitude, integrity, and enthusiasm in leadership, as well as memorable moments from her time at the arena.

E 41 Rob Urbach, CEO of the Iditarod has been driving relevance, thought leadership and innovation in leading the “Last Great Race on Earth" for the past two years.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT

E 41 Rob Urbach, CEO of the Iditarod has been driving relevance, thought leadership and innovation in leading the “Last Great Race on Earth" for the past two years.

The Idtiarod is 50 years old and steeped in folklore and history. A 1000+ mile dog sled race across the Alaska wilderness is an endurance event like no other on the planet. For woman and man, "the mushers", each driving a 14 member team of very serious athletes, sled dogs, the obstacles are dizzying.

Only a long diverse career prepared Rob Urbach for this role, and his story is littered with a who's who of sport and entertainment posts. Listen Up! You will absolutely learn something new!

Season 5. Episode 4. Frank Vuono is unique. From Young and Rubicam to NFL Properties, then founding two agencies: ISI and 16WMarketing, his creativity, character and work ethic never wavered. Watch

Carl Thomas — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Frank Vuono is one of a kind. In this session, he shares his extensive career journey in the sports business, highlighting the importance of mentorship, relationships, and leadership. He reflects on his experiences at Young and Rubicam, NFL Properties, and his own agency, discussing the lessons learned from both good and bad bosses. Frank also delves into the creation of the NFL Quarterback Club, emphasizing the significance of honesty and integrity in business.

Season 5, Episode 5. Professor John Cairney combines academic research with real-world business issues for Brisbane Olympic Games in 2032.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Professor John Cairney shares his unique journey from Canada to Australia, highlighting the influence of mentorship in his academic pursuits. He emphasizes the importance of research impact on real-world issues and navigates the complexities of sports marketing. He reflects on his leadership experience during COVID-19 and the preparations for the upcoming 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, advocating for innovative university-industry collaborations and the role of disruption in leadership.

Harlan Stone - Chairman at CSM Sport & Entertainment - Episode 2

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Carl's guest this week is Harlan Stone, formerly the North American Chairman for the fast growing sports sponsorship agency, CSM. Harlan has been a leader in the sponsorship selling agency his entire career and has a wealth of know how which he shares from starting and selling three boutique agencies to his former role as Chief Commercial Officer of USTA, the home of the US Open Tennis Championships.

E 34 Jessica Klodnicki CMO Skullcandy for the past 4 years has been instrumental in repositioning the Skullcandy brand at the intersection of Action Sports and Music.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Jessica's challenge was to reposition the Skullcandy brand as bold, innovative and youthful while maintaining the "Born on a Chairlift" brand essence the original founders had when they launched. Through hyper growth at the outset, an IPO, a sales slump, then bought by Private Equity, Skullcandy has been through the gamut of business cycles. And then COVID hit. Her path to the CMO post is as compelling as the return to growth. Listen Up!!

Season 4. Episode 6. Jeff Price Chief Commercial Officer, PGA of America

Carl Thomas — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 06:00:00 GMT

x Sports Illustrated. x Mastercard. x NBA. x Gatorade

Arguably one of the most powerful executives in professional golf, Jeff Price is the Chief Commercial Officer for the PGA of America, which represents more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals. The organization operates the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and the KitchenAid Sr. PGA Championship. Don't miss this one! Listen up!

E 33 Rocky Harris CEO USA Triathlon

Carl Thomas — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT

As CEO of USA Triathlon, Rocky Harris is leading the world's largest National Governing Body in the sport. With the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics on the near horizon, the challenges of getting the US team ready have been daunting. But once you here his background with NFL teams, MLS clubs and Arizona State Athletics, it's not surprising. The lessons learned along the way are invaluable. Listen Up !!

Season 3, Episode 12 Ryan Levy, Co-founder and President chargeFUZE

Carl Thomas — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:05:00 GMT

Chutzpah, persistence, vision, execution. Plus capital! And Voila"

chargeFUZE is born and scaling across the Universe. Ryan Levy has a veritable tiger by the tail. Listen Up!

Joy Howard - CMO at Dashlane Part 1/2 - Episode 16

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Self-title "Turnaround" CMO Joy Howard joins The Best Boss Ever talk about her favorite bosses... Geoff Contrill and John McFarland. In part 1, Joy shares stories about her time with Converse, Sonos, and now Dashlane. Company culture and overcoming obstacles are a driving theme and helped her to become the Chief Marketing Officer she is today.

Season 4. Episode 10. Jack Bariteau, Visionary Real Estate Developer

Carl Thomas — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Jack Bariteau is a real estate impresario. With Vision and determination, he's made a significant impact in the world of creative, mixed-use real estate development. Most notably in Sun Valley, Idaho. Over the past 25 years, he's built 4 very successful projects, and the 5th one is coming out of the ground right now. Watch for the 5-star Harriman Hotel coming in the summer of 2026.

Season 3, Episode 13. Ted Yeschin, SVP Wasserman aka TeamWass

Carl Thomas — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:59:21 GMT

Every NO!, is one step closer to yes! Says Ted Yeschin, SVP Wasserman, and he's right! Ask any successful Sales Exec and she'll tell you the same thing. A Sports Marketing expert, Ted has covered all aspects of revenue generation from athlete endorsements and appearances to sponsorship, ticketing and and game day events. Listen Up!

Season 3, Episode 1. Chuck Steedman, Principal, Raptor Sports Capital Private Equity

Carl Thomas — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:33:44 GMT

One of the best Bus Dev execs, I know, Chuck Steedman and I first met in 2003. I was CRO and CMO at Tickets.com and he was early in his tenure at our client, the Boston Red Sox where he worked on team business, non-team business, the Fenway Sports Group and virtually every large-scale business development initiative until he left in 2008. For the past 14 years he has lead Business Development and operating units at AEG Facilities and transitioned to EVP and Global Head of Bus Dev at ASM Global 3 years ago when ASM was formed as the result of a merger between AEG Facilities and SMG, the 45-year-old Philadelphia based venue management firm. And now the fun begins, Listen Up!

Season 4, Episode 1. Meg Liberman, EVP CBS Casting

Carl Thomas — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:35:44 GMT

Meg Liberman is one of the most successful casting directors in recent memory. A three-time Emmy Award winner and multiple other industry awards, she brings sensibility and sensitivity to one of the more mysterious art forms in Film and Television. This is a must-listen for anyone remotely interested in Film and TV. Listen up!

Season 4, Episode 3. JD Wicker, Athletic Director at San Diego State University

Carl Thomas — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT

JD Wicker has been the Athletic Director at San Diego State University for the past eight years. To say collegiate sports has undergone unprecedented change in recent years is a massive understatement. From navigating the collapse of the PAC 12 and now one of the four schools from the Mountain West to be added in 2026 to being the first-ever MW school to play in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship final, JD is one of the New Breed of significant college sports AD's. Listen up!

Ralph Winter - Hollywood Producer of X-Men films, Hocus Pocus, & more - Episode 10

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Ralph Winter's produced 4 X-Men films including Wolverine, the Fantastic Four franchise, Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes, family favorites Hocus Pocus and Captain Ron. A fascinating episode for everyone and anyone who loves Movies!

Season 4. Episode 20. David Miller, CMO San Diego Zoo and Wildlife Alliance

Carl Thomas — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:51:00 GMT

As CMO of the SDZWA, David Miller is in the position he has always wanted to be in. As a former executive at Universal Studios, The Four Seasons, and the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, he's now In a senior leadership role where the greater good of protecting, nurturing, and rescuing wildlife is part of the core mission. David brings practical business acumen in selling tickets and generating attendance to two world-famous attractions.

Steve Koonin - CEO Atlanta Hawks - Episode 18

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Carl talks with Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin. Koonin has a long history of buying and selling integrated brand sponsorships and advertising. His past includes senior leadership roles at Coca Cola and Turner Networks. In this episode, Steve shares his great experiences, learnings, and wisdom along with his favorite female artist.... Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac.

Season 2, E 4, Chad Biagini, President Nolan Partners

Carl Thomas — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT

With well over ten years of leadership in Retained Executive Search, Chad Biagini has represented a wide range of sports and entertainment clients. These include all 5 major sports leagues in the US…... the NBA, the NFL, Major League Soccer, the National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball, as well as International properties like the Olympics and the Premier League in the UK. How to find talent, how to hire talent, and most importantly, how to keep talent is a refined blend of art and science. Separating great from good is not easy, but you wouldn't know that from this episode. Listen Up!

Which whistle are you listening too? The loud one or the soft one? Harvey Schiller knows!

Carl Thomas — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In the full episode on October 14th, Carl Thomas interviews Harvey Schiller, a prominent figure in sports management and leadership. They discuss Schiller's journey from the military to becoming a key player in the sports industry, including his roles with the U.S. Olympic Committee, Turner Sports, and the YES Network. Schiller shares insights on mentorship, the importance of trust and honor in leadership, and his experiences in developing triathlon as an Olympic sport. The conversation also touches on the challenges of sports governance and the evolution of media relationships in sports.

Bill Carter - Founder & First CEO at Fuse Marketing - Episode 15

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Bill Carter's leadership as Founder and first CEO of Fuse Marketing is a textbook case on how to do it right. With Fortune 100 clients like Pepsico, Mt Dew, Ford Motor Company, Gillette, and Motorola, Fuse Marketing was and is the leading youth marketing agency in the country. Add the X Games, Dew Tour and countless other events and clients and you'll why and how Fuse Marketing rose to the top.

Caitlin Landesberg - CEO and Founder, Sufferfest Beer Company - Episode 21

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

In this episode Carl and Caitlin Landesberg, founder of Sufferfest Beer Company discuss the difficulties of company management.

E 35 Bob Haro, Founder Haro Bikes, Athlete, Designer, BMX Innovator

Carl Thomas — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 21:47:55 GMT

Bob Haro is the Tony Hawk of BMX Freestyle, a gold medal event for the first time at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. From literally inventing the sport as a premier athlete to launching Haro Bikes then creating his own design shop, Bob has been at the forefront of design, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A Cardiff-by-the-Sea resident in North County San Diego, his lifestyle and work-life balance are a reflection of a lifetime living and working in San Diego. He's simply cool! Listen Up!!

Season 4. Episode 2. Lisa Farris, CMO Soundtrack Technologies

Carl Thomas — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT

I admit it. I've known Lisa for 20+ years. And what struck me then as now is her enviable skill of blending Marketing with Digital Media. She is part of the origin story where music, tech, labels, artists, and delivery systems collide. Listen up. This is a good one!

Mini Keynote Address from Carl Thomas - Episode 6

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Today's episode is my first Mini Keynote address. It's short and straight to the point as I discuss my favorite quote by Goethe: Whatever you can do or Dream you can, Begin it. Boldness has Genius, Power, and Magic in it.

Season 4. Episode 13. Rick Alessandri, Executive Recruiter and MD for Media and Sports Tech

Carl Thomas — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Rick Alessandri, who has 30+ years in the industry, is currently the MD for Media and Sports Tech for Executive Search firm Turnkey ZRG. A former ESPN and Univision executive, Rick brings a unique blend of integrity, work ethic, technology,, and the human factor to Executive Recruiting.

Season 4. Episode 8. Courtney Carter, CRO Seattle Sounders FC. Seattle Reign FC

Carl Thomas — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 06:01:00 GMT

Courtney Carter is a great example of experience and opportunity crossing paths to yield a great outcome. She drives strategic revenue growth for MLS' Seattle Sounders FC and NWSL's Seattle Reign FC. A dual role of significance in the Northwest and one in which she is flourishing.

Season 4, Episode 18. Ken Hudgens, CEO Family Entertainment Live

Carl Thomas — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Co-founded by CEO Ken Hudgens, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks and The Magic of Lights are just two of the blockbuster live shows Family Entertainment Live owns and operates. Born out of being fired from the Monster Jam truck series, he helped create Family Entertainment Live, which is built on family involvement in all aspects of the business. This is a great success story of adversity, perseverance, persistence, and quality rising to the top. Listen Up!

Season 2, E 6. Michael Rabil, Co-Founder and CEO Premier Lacrosse League

Carl Thomas — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 05:00:00 GMT

In 2018, Mike Rabil Co-Founded and became the Chief Executive Officer of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). And while the COVID pandemic wreaked havoc with the fledgling League, Mike took charge and with his financial partners, consolidated the sport by merging with the much older Major League Lacrosse (MLL) entity and brought all subsequent season operations and activities to formally exist under the PLL brand and org structure. Determination and perseverance are terms we hear all to often...they're easy to say but hard to do. Listen Up!

Season 3, Episode 10. The Assist is as Important as the Goal!

Carl Thomas — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 05:02:00 GMT

This is my 4th mini keynote, a quick 10 minute monologue about the importance of teamwork, and how the individuals in any team environment; Business, Sports, Marriage, Family, Community need to blend their collective strengths to achieve success. Here are 5 things everyone has but which can't be taught. Character. Attitude. Drive. Energy. Talent.

Listen Up!!

Why do words matter you ask? Because they are the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things to come.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In this final episode of season four, Carl Thomas reflects on the journey of life, emphasizing the importance of intention, integrity, grit, and community. He discusses how these elements shape our experiences and drive us toward success. The episode serves as a motivational keynote, encouraging listeners to embrace their purpose, support one another, and remain curious as they navigate their paths.

Season 2, E 1. Kevin O'Connell, LA Rams, Offensive Coordinator

Carl Thomas — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMT

After being drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2008 NFL draft by the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick, Kevin O'Connell played Quarterback for 5 years in the NFL with 5 different teams. It was then decision time: Pursue a blossoming Broadcast career with CBS or get back on the field as a coach where he had already shown brilliance. Kevin's story is really good and he learned some amazing lessons. Listen Up!

The Olympic Torch has its own stories. Here's Harvey Schiller in Atlanta, 1996

Carl Thomas — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In the whole episode, which drops on October 14th, Carl Thomas interviews Harvey Schiller, a prominent figure in sports management and leadership. They discuss Schiller's journey from the military to becoming a key player in the sports industry, including his roles with the U.S. Olympic Committee, Turner Sports, and the YES Network. Schiller shares insights on mentorship, the importance of trust and honor in leadership, and his experiences in developing triathlon as an Olympic sport. The conversation also touches on the challenges of sports governance and the evolution of media relationships in sports.

Bill Stapleton, former agent for Lance Armstrong, Founder, The Laurel Group

Carl Thomas — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In this engaging conversation, Bill Stapleton shares his remarkable journey from being an Olympic swimmer to becoming a successful sports agent and entrepreneur. He reflects on the lessons learned from his swimming career, the intense pressure of making the Olympic team, and his long-standing relationship with Lance Armstrong. Bill discusses his transition into the business world, the founding of the Laurel Group, and his vision for the future of music festivals. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of joy and personal growth in both his professional and personal life

Jim Andrews - Former SVP at IEG Events - Episode 11

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Jim Andrews led the IEG Events group his entire career. The annual conference in Chicago was a perennial favorite in the Sponsorship Industry. His learnings, perspective and forecasting of the future of Sponsorship is invaluable. Enjoy!

Carl Thomas in Conversation with Mike Mooney: Your E.P.I.C. Pursuit

Carl Thomas — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:23:30 GMT

Carl Thomas sat down with Mike Mooney for an episode of Your E.P.I.C. Pursuit, a podcast that explores leadership and high performance through the lens of Excellence, Presence, Intentionality, and Curiosity. In this episode, Carl shares the leadership lessons that helped him navigate that crisis and build triathlon's Olympic format from scratch, including the answer to the question: What happens when a thunderstorm destroys your entire event course at 1 AM - and 2,500 athletes show up in 5 hours? More broadly, when the storm hits, what kind of leader will you be?Carl Thomas is a global C-suite growth strategist, pioneering sports marketing executive, and host of the Best Boss Ever podcast. He created the Olympic triathlon format and co-founded both USA Triathlon and the International Triathlon Union. His leadership journey spans Fortune 500 companies, startup ventures, and building high-performance teams across marketing, sales, and business development.

Season 4, Episode 14. Jason Oberlander, Chief Commercial Officer. xASM Global, x Learfield/IMG, x NBA

Carl Thomas — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT

From multiple stops at Viacom to the NBA to IMG College and through the merger that created Learfield/IMG, Jason Oberlander has distinguished himself at every juncture. Most recently, building a top-notch team from scratch at ASM Global, a major contributor to revenue and EBITDA as Legends and Sixth Street Capital acquired the company.

E 38 Sarah Lewis OBE OLY is an Olympian and a highly respected international sports federation leader and is the first woman ever to run for President of the International Ski Federation.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 11 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT

From the Junior Ski Team in Great Britain to 20 years as the Secretary General of the International Ski Federation, Sarah literally served winter sport in every capacity. Olympian, coach, team manager, ski shop manager, appointed to 3 IOC Winter Games Coordination Commissions, and two Youth Olympic Games Commissions, she oversaw the FIS activities at 5 Olympic Winter Games. She served as Secretary General of the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federation (not once but twice), and chaired the World Anti-Doping Agency Independent Observers at the Beijing 2008 Games. It's an amazing story of strength, courage, perseverance, and intelligence with a distinctly global viewpoint. Listen Up!

Season 3, Episode 4 David Grundlingh, Co-Founder and CEO of Carbon Management start-up, A-Q GreenTech

Carl Thomas — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 06:00:00 GMT

David Grundlingh is now co-founder and CEO of carbon management start-up AQ Green TeC. Now 2 years old, David and his team have pioneered tools for institutions and individuals where everyone now has a window into what daily choices actually mean is the relentless march to sustainability. Regardless of which side of the debate one is on, the facts are even the smallest choice matters. This is a good one! Listen Up!!

Season 5, Episode 16: Randy Bernard ex CEO of the PBR. ex CEO Indy Car, and now, Manager for Superstar, Garth Brooks. His improbable career path has many twists and turns, but ONE common thread.

Carl Thomas — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Join Carl as he explores the dynamic career of Randy Bernard, from transforming PBR into a global phenomenon, leading IndyCar's revival, to managing Garth Brooks, and now a partnership with Bill Stapleton at the Laurel Group. Discover insights on media rights, innovative marketing, and the future of live entertainment. Watch. Listen. Learn

E 26 Christa Carone is President of CSM Sport and Entertainment North America, a global integrated partnership and marketing consultancy.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:00:00 GMT

As President of CSM Sport and Entertainment North America, Christa leads the fast growing agency with clients like the PGA, NFL, NASCAR, WTA, Formula E, MLB, Cirque du Soleil; and brands, including Citi, Verizon, Unilever and Coca-Cola, along with many others. Her story of experience, ascendance, and leadership is super inspiring. Listen up and Learn!!

Season 5, Episode 9. Dave Klewan. GM of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera CC, and the Chairperson of the Los Angeles Sports Council. Dave's journey is inspiring and accessible. Watch and Listen!

Carl Thomas — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

In this conversation, Carl Thomas and Dave Klewan discuss the future of sports in Los Angeles, highlighting major upcoming events like the World Cup and the Olympics. Dave shares his journey in sports management, the importance of leadership, and his role as chairman of the LA Sports Council. They also delve into the Ready Set Gold program, which aims to inspire youth through sports, and touch on the significance of work-life balance and personal values in the sports industry.

Season 4, Episode 15. Dan Kaufman, the first employee at Sport Techie, lawyer and trusted leader at SBJ.

Carl Thomas — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:16:03 GMT

From law school to founding his own agency to co-founding Sports Techie with Taylor Bloom, Dan Kaufman has emerged as a true leader at Sports Business Journal. His experience and insights are a master class, including an improbable moment early in his career. This one is outstanding!

E 29 Matthew Vandrau is Group CEO of CSM Sport and Entertainment and CO-CEO of Chime Communications. CSM is one of the fastest growing agencies worldwide. Don't miss this one!

Carl Thomas — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT

A transplanted South African, Matt Vandrau is Group CEO of London-based CSM Sport and Entertainment. His career path from professional Cricket to launching his own agency which ultimately rolled up in to Chime Communications is a great story of grit, intelligence, focus and as always, a bit of luck. CSM competes globally with the likes of Endeavour, IMG, CAA, and Octagon and continues its ascension under Matt's leadership. This is a good one, so listen up!

Season 5, episode 14. Jeff Plush, ex NWSL Commissioner, ex CEO USA Curling, ex Kroenke Sports. Jeff is one of the unsung heroes in Sports Marketing. Listen Up and Learn!

Carl Thomas — Mon, 04 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In this engaging interview, sports executive Jeff Plush shares insights from his extensive career in sports management, including his roles in hockey, soccer, Olympic sports, and curling. Discover lessons on leadership, the evolution of women's sports, the future of soccer leagues, and the Olympic movement's challenges and opportunities.

E 36 David Michaels 16 Sports Emmy Awards 7 Eclipse Awards And…….Directors Guild Sports Director of the Year! An amazing career behind the camera including 12 Olympic Games for NBC Sports!

Carl Thomas — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 06:00:00 GMT

David Michaels describes himself as born in Brooklyn, raised in LA, and a graduate of the University of Denver. He was the Editor of a small town newspaper in Idaho Springs, CO, Press secretary for a US Senator in DC, and a fledgling artist. What he leaves out is an extraordinarily successful 30+ year career at the highest levels of Sports Television with both CBS and NBC, including the Olympic Games, the Tour de France, the NFL, NHL, The Triple Crown of Horse Racing and the Breeders Cup and dozens of Documentaries. Listen up to one of the very best Television pros ever!

What was your first job? We all start somewhere, and if we're lucky we have a boss like this!

Carl Thomas — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:24:00 GMT

Derek Palmer - COO at Qcue, Former COO at Tickets.com - Episode 14

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Derek Palmer is widely recognized as one of the leaders in the Live Event ticketing industry. Formerly the COO of Tickets.com, he now holds the COO at Qcue, the global leader in dynamic pricing and yield management, a service Venues "must have". Derek's experience, wisdom and deep commitment to ticketing has earned hi a seat on the Board of the International Ticketing Association (INTIX). This is a really good one!

Season 3, Episode 2: Laura McQueen, Managing Director, Leaders in Sport, London

Carl Thomas — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 06:29:19 GMT

Arguably the global leader in the business of sport, Laura McQueen leads Leaders in Sport with vision, passion, and an understanding of the value of people in the organization. An event and conference company mainly focused in Europe and the Middle East, she works closely with her USA colleagues at the Sports Business Journal as both entities are owned by the same holding company. This is a good one as Laura is in the vanguard of women rising to prominent leadership roles across the global sporting landscape. Listen Up!

The CUSP Show Episode 451: Carl Thomas on the Core Values of Leadership

Carl Thomas — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Back in July 2025, Carl joined Joe Favorite and Tom Richardson on the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast (The CUSP Show) to talk about what success means in today's world and explore the qualities that make a good leader.

Peter Csathy - Founder & Chairman of CREATV Media - Episode 7

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

My guest is Peter Csathy, Founder and Chairman of CREATV Media. An expert in media, tech, music and entertainment with a wealth of know how. Listen up!

Season 3, Episode 8: Lindsay Arell, Sustainability Expert, Co-Founder and CEO HoneyComb Strategies

Carl Thomas — Tue, 09 May 2023 05:02:31 GMT

SUSTAINABILITY! We hear the word daily, and most often tie it to recycling and the environment. Good for us, but it's a much larger conversation. And that 's where Lindsay shines! She not only explains it in simple, easy to understand terms, but more importantly, she executes strategies, actions, behaviors, that work......because her methods are measurable! HUGE! A famous guy once said, You can't Manage what your don't Measure. Listen Up! Here's How!

E 24 Mary Wittenberg, former CEO NYC Marathon, and Virgin Sports. Now CEO EF Education First Pro Cycling Team.

Carl Thomas — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 22:22:51 GMT

Now in her 3rd CEO role in 15+ years, Mary Wittenberg is one of the leading business Women in Sports. Her team first leadership style has proven successful for nearly two decades, and there is a lot to learn from her. Listen Up!

Phil Wente - Vice Chairman of Wente Vineyards - Episode 13

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Phil Wente is the Vice Chairman of Wente Vineyards in Livermore CA. First established by his great Grandfather in 1883, The Wente family business is one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in CA, and is an amazing story of resilience, innovation, and adaptation. A remarkable heritage and legacy as generations 4, 5 and 6 of the Wente family continue in the vein of the generations before them.

Geoff Cottrill - Former Executive at Coca Cola, Starbucks, & Converse - Episode 9

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Geoff Cottrill recently retired from Coca Cola after his second stint at the beverage giant. Between those Coke roles, he was VP Marketing at Starbucks and CMO at Converse. A wealth of wisdom and a lot of fun as well.

Season 4. Episode 22. Melinda Morris Zanoni, Esq. A sports and Entertainment lawyer, extraordinaire!

Carl Thomas — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 07:59:00 GMT

Start your law firm? Oh wait, you're a woman, so think again. Nope, not Melinda Morris Zanoni. Not only did she start it, but she's now one of the leading boutique law firms in the Sports and Entertainment industry. She's got Moxy! And she's very good. Period! Listen Up!

Ricardo Fort, Global Marketer, x Coca Cola, x Visa

Carl Thomas — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 18:53:36 GMT

This is the full video episode of Season 4, Episode 12.

Ricardo Fort,

E 42 Andrew Messick, CEO Ironman.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Andrew Messick has been the President & CEO of The IRONMAN Group since 2011, overseeing dramatic global growth in all facets of the enterprise. And amazingly, he's been through several acquisitions which always come with new ownership and new bosses! This is a breakout episode from one of the very best CEO's in sport. Listen Up!

Rick Jones - Founder & President of Fishbait Marketing - Episode 4

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Rick Jones, Founder and President of Fishbait Marketing, joins us today for Teaching and Learning. He's a great story teller and a hugely successful entrepreneur.

Season 5, Episode 12. Vail Resorts, COO, Jody Churich, discusses leadership, winter sports, and Olympic 2034 planning.

Carl Thomas — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Join us as Carl explores the career journey of Jody Churich, COO of Vail Resorts' six major destination resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Whistler Blackcomb, and Park City. We delve into leadership, innovation, and the future of winter sports and Olympic planning.

Season 5, Episode 10. Janet Zuccarini, Founder of Gusto54, a 13 unit restaurant portfolio. With 30 years in the business she's an entrepreneur with all the ups and downs you'd expect. Don't miss it

Carl Thomas — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:15:45 GMT

In this episode of the Best Boss Ever podcast, host Carl Thomas welcomes Janet Zuccarini, founder of Gusto 54, a restaurant group with locations in Toronto and Los Angeles. Janet shares her journey in the restaurant industry, starting with her first restaurant in 1996 and the challenges she faced along the way, including difficult partnerships and the impact of COVID-19 on her business. She discusses her father's influence on her entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, highlighting how his pioneering efforts in the restaurant industry shaped her approach to business.Janet delves into the current state of the restaurant industry, expressing concerns about the challenges restaurateurs face, particularly in California. She emphasizes the need for labor law reform and the financial pressures that have made it increasingly difficult to operate profitably. Despite the hurdles, Janet maintains a positive outlook, focusing on creating unique dining experiences and fostering a supportive work environment for her team. The conversation concludes with Janet's reflections on finding peace and balance in her life amidst the chaos of the restaurant business.

Season 5. Episode 1. Harvey Schiller, American sports icon. Former posts include: SEC Commissioner, USOC CEO, President Turner Sports, President YES Network, and Brigadier General , US Air Force.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Carl Thomas interviews Harvey Schiller, a prominent figure in sports management and leadership. They discuss Schiller's journey from the military to becoming a key player in the sports industry, including his roles with the U.S. Olympic Committee and the YES Network. Schiller shares insights on mentorship, the importance of trust and honor in leadership, and his experiences in developing triathlon as an Olympic sport. The conversation also touches on the challenges of sports governance and the evolution of media relationships in sports.

Ted Turner to Harvey Schiller: "I'm a billionaire, you're not." Harvey responds with a challenge.

Carl Thomas — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In the full episode, which drops October 14th, Carl Thomas interviews Harvey Schiller, a prominent figure in sports management and leadership. They discuss Schiller's journey from the military to becoming a key player in the sports industry, including his roles with the U.S. Olympic Committee, Turner Sports, and the YES Network. Schiller shares insights on mentorship, the importance of trust and honor in leadership, and his experiences in developing triathlon as an Olympic sport. The conversation also touches on the challenges of sports governance and the evolution of media relationships in sports.

Season 4. Episode 19. Carolyne Savini, CEO and Chief Talent Strategist, The Catalyst Executive

Carl Thomas — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Executive Recruiter, Succession Specialist, and Leadership Coach Carolyne Savini has what every executive truly needs. An objective, experienced-based practice that can make us more effective as leaders while exposing blind spots, shoring up weaknesses, and sharpening our all-around leadership skills. This is a fascinating session. Listen Up!

Season 4, Episode 17. Alex Merchan, CMO LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Carl Thomas — Tue, 20 May 2025 05:49:00 GMT

LA 2028 CMO Alex Merchán is a seasoned marketing executive with a 25+ year career in entertainment, hospitality, and live events. Former Live Nation, Hard Rock, and others, he is known for his transformative leadership and commitment to fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. Alex has built a reputation for driving growth through data-driven marketing strategies, brand storytelling, and fan-first experiences.

Season 4. Episode 11. Nancy Hogshead, OLY JD. CEO Champion Women

Carl Thomas — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:00:00 GMT

“Nancy Hogshead is a 2-time Olympian, a 3-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, a civil rights lawyer, and the CEO of Champion Women, an organization providing legal advocacy for girls and women in sports.”

Arguably one of the most forceful and unapologetic supporters of the possibilities inside women’s sports equality, Title IX, and fairness at every level, Nancy has clearly found and grasped her “calling.”

Season 4. Episode 7. Steve Lauletta, CEO 23XI Racing.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:00:00 GMT

How to start a career is sports? Agency or brand client? Team or League? Rights Holder or Rights Owner ( a HUGE difference).

Steve Lauletta is an accomplished Sports Marketing executive and entrepreneur with a 30+ year body of work.

He’s currently President of 23XI Racing, a NC-based NASCAR team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.

AND, he answers all of the questions posed above! This is a good one! Listen Up !

Season 4, Episode 5. Jackie Woodward, Serial CMO. ex McDonalds, Miller/Coors, Bojangles

Carl Thomas — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Jackie Woodward is one of those "glass ceiling" breakers. Her career includes senior marketing posts at Mcdonald's, Miller/Coors, Krispy Kreme, and Bojangles. She's a real-life marketing textbook with incredible experience and wisdom to share. And you get it here for free! Listen Up!

Season 3, Ep 14 Mark Lev, Fenway Sports Group and CEO Boston Common Golf

Carl Thomas — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 06:51:00 GMT

Fenway Sports Group owns the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, Liverpool FC, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the brand new Boston Common Golf team. Tomorrow Golf is the new league established by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and Mark Lev is at the heart of it. This is a great success story, Listen Up!

Season 3. Episode 9. Jeff Marks is Founder and CEO of the Innovative Partnerships Group.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 30 May 2023 05:09:29 GMT

How does a boutique sponsorship agency in LA land FC Barcelona as a major client? Listen to Jeff Marks, Founder and CEO of the Innovative Partnerships Group tell the story, and yes, they are exactly what the name implies! Based in Los Angeles, IPG has brand clients, rights holder clients and is one of the leaders in brand, sponsor, client, rights holder integration. Their best know client? FC Barcelona in Spain. Listen Up!

Season 3, Episode 5 Jacqueline Leamer is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategic Office of The Venn Collective

Carl Thomas — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 05:00:02 GMT

A wife, a mom with three kids and a co-founding entrepreneur, Jacqueline Leamer has blended all that with a stellar academic pedigree to forge new ground in business leadership with her partners at The Venn Collective. With 20 years. give or take, in the agency and publishing world, she's learned what matters and typically knows way more about her clients than they know about themselves. This one is a doozey!! Listen Up!

Season 3, Episode 3: Susan Taylor, Dir External Affairs at Scripps Health, ex NBC News Anchor, San Diego

Carl Thomas — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 06:01:18 GMT

Susan anchored the evening news at NBC 7 in San Diego for 16 years. Why she left and where she is now as Director of External Affairs at Scripps Health is a textbook case in taking one's gift and applying that gift in a meaningful way well beyond the ratings wars of local news. Full of compassion, Susan takes her role well beyond the guardrails of what most in her position would even think of doing. Listen Up!

Season 2, E 11. Tyrrell Schmidt, Chief Marketing Officer, TD Bank

Carl Thomas — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 19:37:31 GMT

Tyrrell Schmidt is responsible for the company's brand and corporate positioning, product and customer marketing, digital marketing strategy, public relations, customer insights and analytics, social media, and field and retail marketing programs. A huge job! She’s also an avid runner and through her Board role with the Achilles International Group, Tyrrell uses her passion for running to guide athletes of all ages and ability levels through endurance events, including the Boston, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia marathons, having received the Achilles Volunteer of the Year Award in 2019. She’s an inspirational leader and has learned from the best. Listen Up!

Season 2, E 7. Carl Thomas Mini Keynote

Carl Thomas — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Our audience.....that's you.......have been fully engaged in the launch of Season 2. Bravo! I've gotten a bunch of feedback which has been spot on and I'm sharing 2 items which have and will keep me focused going forward. It's 3 minutes long, so Listen Up!

E 32 Don Meek Global Chief Content Officer and President/GM North America FUEL TV

Carl Thomas — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Don Meek is an accomplished multi-media content, brand, and sponsorship executive. As President/GM of FUEL TV North America and Global Content Officer he and his partners are revitalizing the Action Sports focused channel on every conceivable platform, including the Samsung+ streaming App. While decidedly New School, his story starts in the old school world when regional sports networks were brand new. It's a fun and exciting ride with a super bright future. Listen Up !!

E 31 Zak Brown, CEO McLaren F1 Racing Group, has spent his whole life in and around motor racing. Listen to his passion from aspiring driver to mega successful sponsorship sales executive.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 06:00:00 GMT

When Zak Brown figured out that he was more gifted in selling and packaging sponsorship than he was racing cars, his career took a fork in the road when he started JMI, one of the most successful auto racing sponsorship agencies. From there, investments from private equity, mergers, acquisitions and ultimately back to the racing grid, Zak's career has spanned oceans, continents, and continues to travel the world as CEO of McLaren Formula 1 racing. Listen up!

E 28 Rick Burton is the David Falk Professor at Syracuse University, his alma mater. His diverse back ground yields incredible wisdom.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 07:00:00 GMT

In addition to his academic prowess, Rick's career path includes Brand Management, Agencies, Sports Leagues, the USOC and the University of Oregon. Listen Up!!

Armen Keteyian - Award Winning Journalist & Executive Producer of the HBO Documentary "Tiger" - Episode 23

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

This week Carl and Armen Keteyian get together for some intense conversations.

Katie Chin - Celebrity Chef - Episode 19

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

In this episode Carl talks with Katie Chin.

Joy Howard - CMO at Dashlane Part 2/2 - Episode 17

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

This episode is part 2 of talks with Joy Howard. Make sure you go check out part one in episode 16

Dave McGillivray - Former Race Director of the Boston Marathon - Episode 12

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Ep. 12 Dave McGillivray is a "Live Endurance Event" producer, and arguably the best in the business. Best known as the Race Director of the Boston Marathon for the past 33 years, including the 2013 explosion at the finish line, and he's still going strong. His experiences, wisdom, mistakes and accomplishments are astonishing. Listen up!

Reid Carr - CEO of Red Door Interactive (RDI) - Episode 5

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Our guest today is Reid Carr, founding CEO of Red Door Interactive, RDI, the most successful data driven Marketing and Advertising Agency in San Diego. Reid shares his vision, agency ethos and wildly creative approach for clients including Titleist, Ascis, Bosch and many others.

Ron Bension - CEO at Live Nation, Club Division & House of Blues - Episode 1

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Carl's inaugural guest is Ron Bension, currently the CEO of the Live Nation Club Division which includes the House of Blues. Ron hired Carl twice and was "The Best Boss" Carl ever had. This wide ranging and engaging conversation is chock full of wisdom and practical advice and guidance which is sure to resonate with a broad audience.

Harmony Walton - Founder & CEO of BridalBar.com - Episode 8

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Surrounded by her family of World Class athletes, Harmony Walton's path to e8ntrepreneurial success is nothing short of awesomely inspiring. Enjoy!

Nick Meacham - Managing Director & CEO of SportsPro Media - Episode 22

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Carl talks to Nick Meacham in this episode of The Best Boss Ever

Season 2, E 5. Mark Russell, Chief Official, Rules and Competition, PGA Tour

Carl Thomas — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 21:40:52 GMT

Whether you play golf, watch golf, wanna play golf, hate golf or don't even know what golf is, this is a "must listen". 40 years of humor, integrity, fairness and making complex things simple, Mark Russell is a legend in the sport of professional golf. Listen Up!

Season 2, E 9. Rob Neuner is CEO of Boost Oxygen and a successful winner on Shark Tank.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Now 12 years old, Boost Oxygen delivers portable oxygen bottles in three sizes over the counter. Founder and CEO Rob Neuner is also a Shark Tank winner. The story is a great entrepreneurial venture, and he has self funded the company. You've gotta hear this one. Listen Up!!

Season 5, Episode 3. Carlos Padilla II, Head of Sports at Fortune 50 company, DOW.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Carlos Padilla shares his journey in sports marketing, emphasizing the importance of relationships, vulnerability, and continuous learning. He discusses his career path, the transition from selling to buying sponsorships, and the role of strategy and AI in marketing. Carlos highlights the significance of transparency in sponsorships and the science behind sports marketing, ultimately advocating for accountability and personal growth in both professional and personal life.

Season 4. Episode 12. Ricardo Fort, Sport by Fort. xCoca Cola, xVisa

Carl Thomas — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 23:00:00 GMT

After 25 years working for some of the best companies in the world and almost a decade successfully leading the Global Sponsorship teams of Visa and The Coca-Cola Company, Ricardo launched Sport by Fort Consulting to help sponsors, leagues, investors, and athletes successfully invest in sports.

Having negotiated over a billion dollars in sponsorship contracts, Ricardo is an expert with unique skills for helping investors evaluate, decide on, and negotiate partnerships.

Season 5, Episode 17. Dawna Stone is CEO of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. 7 races, 4 continents including Boston, NYC, Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo and Sydney. She's a FORCE !

Carl Thomas — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Founder of Women's Running Magazine and the Women's Running Series, Dawna Stone shares her inspiring journey from athlete and entrepreneur to CEO of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Discover her insights on mentorship, leadership, building successful organizations, and the power of passion in sports and fitness. Watch. Listen. Learn

Season 2, E 8. Cindy Sisson, Co-Founder and CEO GSEvents

Carl Thomas — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Cindy Sisson is a Go Getter. Simply put, she gets the job done. At the 1984 LA Olympics, at the LPGA, at Gatorade as the first woman in sports at the brand, and the list goes on. Through all of that experience she fell in love with Motor Sports and it's been a long standing passion of hers. In the heart of the pandemic she launched an events company focused on all things Women and fast, good looking cars. GSEvents is just one year old and already profitable and growing. Listen Up!

Carl Thomas Mini Keynote #2 - The Ride of a Lifetime - Episode 20

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Listen in as Carl gives a mini keynote to kick off the new year of The Best Boss Ever.

Season 3, Episode 6 Ryan Berman is an author, a keynote speaker and Founder/CEO of his own consulting agency, Courageous!

Carl Thomas — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 05:00:46 GMT

Ryan Berman is Courageous! That's the name of his book, the name of his agency and the framework he uses for his electric Keynote talks. You want to know the difference between Courage and Bravery? Listen up! His story is a great one and like many of us it took getting fired from his dream job to unlock the immense talent he deploys every day in the most unselfish way.

Season 4, Episode 4. Ryan Bishara, EVP Revenue and Growth. LAFC

Carl Thomas — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Ryan Bishara is the EVP of revenue growth and strategy at the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). To say he is on the career fast track is an understatement. Listen up, and you'll understand why. It's a good one!

E 44 Lord Sebastian Coe. Two time Olympic Gold medalist, International Sport administrator and politician, Global Businessman and so much more.

Carl Thomas — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Seb Coe. Double Olympic Gold medalist, 1500 Meters, Moscow and Los Angeles. Jazz collector. Astute politician in his 2nd term as President, World Athletics. Businessman as Non-Executive Chairman, CSM Sport and Entertainment. Renaissance Man extraordinaire. This is MUST LISTEN, Right Now!

E 39 Scott O'Neil CEO Philadelphia 76ers, CEO Harris Blitzer, Co-CEO Elevate

Carl Thomas — Tue, 18 May 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Scott O’Neil is one of the most recognized, connected and dynamic executives in the sports and entertainment industry today as recognized by Sports Business Journal, the NBA, and countless media outlets. So the question is why? How did he get to this pinnacle station in the work place?

With more than 25 years of experience leading NBA, NHL and NFL teams and leagues, including the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, he is also a first time author. His story of ups, downs, tragedy and remarkable family values is just the starting point. This episode and his forthcoming book, "Be Where Your Feet Are" dive much deeper. You'll love this one. Listen Up!

Season 3, Episode 7. Stephen Glicken Co-Founder and CEO of Project Admission

Carl Thomas — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:22:02 GMT

Stephen Glicken has never really had a boss. So why is he my guest today? Simple, he's one of the most engaging , smart, talented and persistent entrepreneurs I've ever met. You love music? You'll love Stephen. You love tech. You'll love Stephen. You love energy? You'll love Stephen. You love Nashville? You'll love Stephen. And you'll love this episode, so listen up!!

Season 2, E 10. Lydia Murphy-Stephans OLY. WatchSports App Founder & CEO. Former President PAC 12 TV Network

Carl Thomas — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 06:00:00 GMT

From her early days at ABC Sport, to Oxygen Media, then Cablevision and the MSG Networks and finally as the first President of the PAC 12 Network, which she built from scratch, Lydia Murphy-Stephans has had a stellar career spanning 30+ years of increasingly responsible executive Leadership posts.

For most of us that would be plenty…….but not for Lydia. 3 years ago she launched her own company, Sports Bubble an Internet-based company that owns and manages the WatchSports app…..a fascinatingly simple way to connect and watch sports regardless of platform, device, channel or Streaming Service. A total Game Changer. Listen Up!

John Sarkisian - Chairman of San Diego Sports Innovators (SDSI) - Episode 3

Carl Thomas — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

Carl speaks with John Sarkisian, Chairman of San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI). John has a long history of success in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Real Estate, Restaurant ownership and Sport Product and Technology.