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!