Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

Dan Ariely didn’t just accept the hand life dealt him. He turned it into something powerful. After a traumatic burn accident that scarred 70% of his body, he struggled to find his place in the world. This journey led him to study human psychology and behavior, focusing on how people cope with pain and trauma. Later, when false rumors spread about him on social media, Dan chose to understand and empathize with the “misbelievers.” In this episode, Dan joins Ilana to share his journey from personal trauma to professional triumph, exploring how lies, rumors, and "misbelief" take root and affect lives, and what he’s learned by going through it all firsthand. Dan Ariely is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. His personal experience as a burn survivor has influenced his approach to understanding human behavior. His latest book, Misbelief, explores how false beliefs form and how to challenge them. In this episode, Ilana and Dan will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (00:28) The Story Behind the Iconic Half Beard (04:46) Turning Personal Pain into Professional Purpose (09:07) From Burn Victim to Social Scientist (14:49) Confronting Death Threats and Conspiracy Theorists (17:54) How Stress Fuels Misbelief (25:05) How Online Hate Turns to Moral Outrage (31:50) Navigating Trust, Risk, and Failure in Leadership  (37:51) How Technology Is Making Us Worse (41:07) Dan’s 45-Minute Work Ritual for Better Productivity (43:43) Life Lessons on Finding Your True Strengths Dan Ariely is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. Known for his research on irrational behavior and decision-making, he’s advised companies like Google, Apple, and governments worldwide. His books Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, have been translated into 30+ languages, and his work inspired NBC’s The Irrational. As a burn survivor, Dan’s personal experience has influenced his approach to understanding human behavior. His latest book, Misbelief, explores how false beliefs form and how to challenge them. Connect with Dan: Dan’s Website: https://danariely.com  Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danariely  Resources Mentioned: Dan’s Book, Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things: https://www.amazon.com/Misbelief-Rational-People-Believe-Irrational/dp/0063280426  Dan’s Book, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone--Especially Ourselves: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Truth-About-Dishonesty-Everyone-Especially/dp/0062183613  NBC Show: The Irrational: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16288838/  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Howard Behar went from making $300,000 a year to working at Starbucks for a third of that. Driven by his passion for the business, he rose to become president of Starbucks North America and later the founding president of Starbucks International, helping grow the company from 28 to over 15,000 stores worldwide. Despite these achievements, Howard faced a deep depression after retiring, prompting him to reevaluate his life’s purpose. He realized that his true calling is to serve and uplift others, with or without a formal title. In this episode, Howard chats with Ilana about redefining purpose after retirement, finding identity beyond titles, and why he believes in putting people before profits.  Howard Behar is a speaker, advisor, mentor, bestselling author, former president of Starbucks North America, and founding president of Starbucks International. He champions the philosophy that businesses should focus on people rather than products. In this episode, Ilana and Howard will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to Howard Behar (01:12) Howard's Rock Bottom Moment (02:31) Rediscovering Life's Work (06:29) Childhood and Family Background (08:27) Lessons from the Family Grocery Store (09:40) Joining Starbucks (14:25) The People-Centric Philosophy (17:39) Reviving the 'We' Culture at Starbucks (25:51) The Four Rules of Leadership (26:06) Listening to Your Team (26:43) The Birth of the Frappuccino (30:15) Overcoming Challenges as a Leader (37:29) The Importance of Core Values (43:11) The Six P's of Success   Howard Behar is a speaker, advisor, mentor, bestselling author, former president of Starbucks North America, and founding president of Starbucks International. He champions the philosophy that businesses should focus on people rather than products. His impactful leadership principles include memorable lessons like, “The person who sweeps the floor should choose the broom.” He is the author of It’s Not About the Coffee and The Magic Cup, and he continues to share his insights globally with leaders and students. Connect with Howard: Howard’s Website: http://howardbehar.com/ Howard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-behar  Howard’s Email: [email protected] Howard’s Phone: 206-972-7776 Resources Mentioned: Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness by Robert K. Greenleaf: https://www.amazon.com/Servant-Leadership-Legitimate-Greatness-Anniversary/dp/0809105543 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

In a world that imposes expectations, Lisa Bilyeu is all about defying them. Raised in a traditional Greek Orthodox family, her path was set: get married and raise a family. But after eight years as a stay-at-home wife, she could no longer ignore the inner voice telling her she was meant for more. So, she co-founded Quest Nutrition with her husband and built a billion-dollar business. In this episode, Lisa talks to Ilana about setting ambitious goals, trusting your decisions, and finding self-worth without needing external validation. Lisa Bilyeu is a renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author, and co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a multi-billion-dollar company. Her mission is to use content creation to empower women to break free from limiting beliefs and unlock their full potential. In this episode, Ilana and Lisa will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (01:56) The Drip Effect: How Beliefs Shape Us  (04:54) Breaking Free from the “Velvet Handcuffs”  (06:26) The Trap of People-Pleasing and Toxic Gratitude  (09:08) Learning Leadership Through Trial, Error, and Rap Music  (10:00) From Housewife to Entrepreneur (17:30) Handling Your Emotions in Business  (24:30) How Lisa Tackles Online Hate with Grace  (31:40) Crafting a Clear Mission Using the “Who, What, Why” Method  (37:30) Lisa’s No-BS Guide to Success  (40:03) The Importance of Practice  (44:45) Why I Chose My Mission Over Motherhood  (01:01:23) The Tough Moment That Empowered Her  (01:06:49) The Reality of Happiness Lisa Bilyeu is a renowned entrepreneur, best-selling author, and co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a multi-billion-dollar company that transformed the health and wellness industry. She is also the founder and host of Women of Impact, co-founder of Impact Theory, and bestselling author of Radical Confidence. Lisa’s mission is to use content creation to empower women to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace their full potential. Connect with Lisa: Lisa’s Website: https://lisabilyeu.com/ Lisa’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LisaBilyeu  Lisa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu Resources Mentioned: Lisa’s Book, Radical Confidence: 11 Lessons on How to Get the Relationship, Career, and Life You Want: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Confidence-No-BS-Lessons-Becoming-ebook/dp/B09JPHK9C3 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Convinced that technology was the future of advertising, David Jones set out to build Brandtech. But again and again, investors rejected his model, doubting the potential of AI and digital technology in an industry where traditional models worked so well. Despite countless ‘no’s,’ David pressed on, believing he could redefine the industry. And that's exactly what he did. Today, he leads a billion-dollar company that blends tech and creativity to reshape advertising. In this episode, David shares actionable advice on staying resilient in the face of doubt, innovating in a traditional industry, and building a brand that stands out. David Jones is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of The Brandtech Group, a pioneering digital and Gen AI marketing company. He is also the co-founder of One Young World, a global organization empowering young leaders to drive social and environmental change. In this episode, Ilana and David will discuss: - His 180° shift from sports to advertising - The audacious cold call that got his foot in the door - Climbing to the top by breaking every rule - Finding courage by imagining the worst - Stepping back to leap forward - Taking Australia’s digital ad scene by storm - Defying naysayers to bring AI to ads - Going from countless ‘no’s’ to billions in revenue - Why he’s all-in on empowering young leaders - How Brandtech is using AI to reinvent ads - The business case for ‘doing good’ in the world - Using your privilege to make an impact - Turning vision into action - How excellent storytelling creates opportunities - And other topics…   David Jones is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of The Brandtech Group, a pioneering digital and Gen AI marketing company. Previously, he became the youngest global CEO in advertising history, leading Havas and Havas Worldwide, and was the only British CEO of a publicly traded French company. In 2009, he co-founded One Young World, a global organization empowering young leaders to drive social and environmental change. He also collaborated on Kofi Annan's TckTckTck Campaign for climate justice and has advised numerous high-profile leaders. Connect with David: David’s Website: https://thebrandtechgroup.com/ David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjonesoyw/ David’s Twitter: https://x.com/davidjonesOYW Resources Mentioned: David’s Book, Who Cares Wins: Why Good Business is Better Business: https://www.amazon.com/Who-Cares-Wins-business-Financial/dp/0273762532  One Young World: https://www.oneyoungworld.com/  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training