Best Shane Battier Ravi Gupta Alex Smith Podcasts (2025)

1
Jim Harbaugh - Why Relentless Enthusiasm Wins Games - [Glue Guys, EP.37] 48:12

24h ago48:12

48:12

Join The Glue Guys as they sit down with legendary NFL coach Jim Harbaugh in this heartfelt conversation about leadership, family, and football philosophy. Harbaugh shares personal stories from his coaching journey, including his time with Alex Smith at the 49ers, his "Who's got it better than us?" mantra from his father, and his approach to gettin…

1
Should Athletes Get Equity? - [Glue Guys, EP.36] 58:12

11d ago58:12

58:12

In this episode of Glue Guys, the guys debate whether professional athletes should receive equity in their teams. They explore which athletes truly increase franchise value, how equity might change player motivation, and whether ownership stakes could disrupt team dynamics. The conversation delves into sports economics, comparing the NBA's max sala…

1
The Price of Risk is Lower Than You Think - [Glue Guys, EP.35] 37:24

18d ago37:24

37:24

Former NFL QB Alex Smith, NBA player Shane Battier, and venture capitalist Ravi Gupta have a fascinating conversation about the NFL Draft, risk-taking in sports and business, and talent evaluation. They discuss why teams overreach for quarterbacks despite their low hit rate, the importance of being bold when you have a premier leadership position, …

1
Wright Thompson - Uncovering the Human Behind the Headlines - [Glue Guys, EP.34] 50:35

25d ago50:35

50:35

In this episode of Glue Guys, Alex, Shane, and Ravi talk with renowned sportswriter Wright Thompson about the complexities of ambition and success. Wright shares insights from his profiles of elite athletes like Jason Tatum and Michael Jordan, exploring the personal costs of excellence, the struggle to balance professional obsession with family lif…

1
Jim "Bones" Mackay - The Man Behind the Masters - [Glue Guys, EP.33] 1:05:31

1M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Jim “Bones” Mackay has seen it all. Three-time Masters champion caddie. The man inside the ropes with Phil Mickelson for 25+ years. And now one of golf’s most respected voices. In this episode of Glue Guys, Bones joins us for an incredible deep dive into what really happens at Augusta during Masters Week — from the insane pressure players feel to P…

1
Dan Quinn - Building Team Culture - [Glue Guys, EP.32] 45:30

1M ago45:30

45:30

NFL coach Dan Quinn joins the Glue Guys to share wisdom from his coaching journey. He discusses learning authenticity from mentors Nick Saban and Pete Carroll, using his Atlanta firing as an opportunity for growth, and his approach to building Washington's culture through player ownership. Quinn reveals how he creates high standards by competing in…

1
The Caddies of Life - [Glue Guys, EP.31] 52:18

2M ago52:18

52:18

In this episode of Glue Guys, Alex, Shane, and Ravi recap their annual "Commissioners Cup" golf tournament. They discuss why creating time for male friendship becomes increasingly important yet difficult as men age. The trio shares memorable moments from the tournament, including rookie hazing and competition stories. Alex reveals a hilarious NFL r…

1
Legends and Lessons: Personal Encounters with Giants - [Glue Guys, EP.30] 1:07:54

2M ago1:07:54

1:07:54

The hosts share their most memorable encounters with legends and titans in their respective fields. Shane recounts playing golf with Tiger Woods, Alex discusses his first NFL start against Peyton Manning, and Ravi reflects on his early days working with private equity legends Henry Kravis and George Roberts. The conversation explores themes of impo…

1
Jared Goff - Written Off, Chanted On - [Glue Guys, EP.29] 1:05:42

2M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff joins the Glue Guys to share his remarkable journey from first overall pick to Detroit's beloved franchise QB. He shares the shocking moment he learned about his trade from the Rams with no warning, and how a single phone call from Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes changed his entire outlook. Jared offers candid insi…

1
Sheryl Sandberg - Leadership, Growth, & Operational Excellence - [Glue Guys, EP.28] 1:19:58

2M ago1:19:58

1:19:58

Alex, Shane, and Ravi sit down with former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg for an insightful conversation about leadership, women in business, and corporate culture. The NASDAQ in aggregate is worth $30 trillion and companies that Sheryl helped build make up over 10% of it. She shares personal stories from her career journey, including her early days…

1
Why Great Teams Never Stay Satisfied - [Glue Guys, EP.27] 56:24

2M ago56:24

56:24

Alex, Shane, and investor Ravi discuss leadership, success, and what makes winning teams tick. The hosts explore how great leaders adapt their styles to different personalities, the importance of team culture, and why sports provide a compressed version of life's drama. The conversation touches on candid conversations about Hall of Fame inductions,…

1
The Dark Side of Athletic Competition - [Glue Guys, EP.26] 1:09:16

3M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

Who are you competing against? Diving into personal stories and insights, Alex, Shane, and Ravi examine the evolution from external to internal motivation across different phases of life and careers. Their competitive drives are on full display, from Shane’s fear of an unknown competitor to Alex tracking his Elite 11 peers in high school. The conve…

1
What Makes The Perfect Team? - [Glue Guys, EP.25] 1:11:42

3M ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Join Alex, Shane, and Ravi as they dive deep into what makes great teams tick. The hosts share personal stories from their sports and business careers, discussing key elements like earned inclusion, trust, and celebrating the work. From QB rooms to startup culture, they explore how the best teams balance fun and achievement while maintaining strong…

1
Tedy Bruschi - The Champion’s Comeback - [Glue Guys, EP.24] 1:03:06

3M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi joins the Glue Guys to share how he went from wearing tennis shoes to football tryouts to becoming one of the most feared defenders in NFL history. Tedy learned different kinds of strength from three Hall of Fame coaches—Bill Parcell, Pete Carroll, and Bill Belichick. But when a stroke threatened his life at the peak of…

1
Fatherhood - [Glue Guys, EP.23] 1:16:00

3M ago1:16:00

1:16:00

The guys dive deep into the complexities and joys of modern fatherhood. Alex, Shane, and Ravi share personal stories about their experiences - how they approach discipline differently than their own fathers did, their strategies for developing resilience in their children, and their wrestle with today’s parenting challenges like screen time and aca…

1
Michael Lewis - Arenas of American Ambition - [Glue Guys, EP.22] 1:10:45

4M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

How do you turn overlooked data into bestselling stories that change industries? Michael Lewis reveals his process for finding and telling groundbreaking narratives, from Moneyball to Flash Boys to The Big Short. He also explains how he came across Shane’s unique impact on basketball, and how Kobe Bryant secretly studied his profile––“No Stats All-…

1
2025: Got Goals? - [Glue Guys, EP.21] 1:00:26

4M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

What does it mean to face a new year with purpose? The guys talk resolutions and the methods to their madness. From Shane's 'Jar of Awesome' to Alex's Hall of Fame induction, and Ravi sharing the art of saying ‘no,’ there is a lot to unpack headed into 2025. Learn practical methods for reflection and relationship-building and hear their takes on gi…

1
Coach K: Get On The Right Bus - [Glue Guys, EP.20] 1:14:51

4M ago1:14:51

1:14:51

This is Shane Battier. It’s hard to put into words what Coach Mike Krzyzewski has meant to me, but I’ll try. For four incredible years at Duke University, I learned from a man who redefined leadership, resilience, and what it means to chase excellence. His record speaks for itself—five national championships, 15 Final Four appearances, three Olympi…

1
Fidji Simo: Harnessing Inner Power - [Glue Guys, EP.19] 1:07:00

4M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

From a family of fishermen in southern France to CEO of Instacart – Fidji Simo's path breaks every convention. After becoming her family's first high school graduate and attending France's leading university, she rose to lead the Facebook app before taking the helm at Instacart. She shares how she ‘finds the magic’ in people while delivering incred…

1
The Confidence Myth - [Glue Guys, EP.18] 48:53

5M ago48:53

48:53

Is confidence something you're born with or something you build? Alex, Shane, and Ravi challenge the stereotype of the naturally confident leader through raw stories of their own moments of self-doubt. The conversation speaks to the surprising truth that many top athletes and business leaders experience profound insecurity, but what sets them apart…

1
Shane’s Story: Shoot For The Stars - [Glue Guys, EP.17] 1:23:47

5M ago1:23:47

1:23:47

What does it take to be the player every championship team needs? Shane Battier’s journey from a suburban outcast to hoisting NBA championship trophies is a masterclass in discipline, adaptability, and leadership. In this episode, Shane shares the secrets behind his two NBA championships, life-changing lessons from Coach K at Duke, and the experien…

1
Walmart CEO, Doug McMillon - Leading 2.1 Million People - [Glue Guys, EP.16] 46:04

5M ago46:04

46:04

How do you lead a team of 2.1 million people? Whether you're managing five people or fifty, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon's leadership principles apply at any scale. He joins Glue Guys to share his journey from unloading trucks at Walmart as a teenager to leading a company that makes $1.7 billion in sales daily, serving 240 million customers weekly acr…

1
Jay Bilas: No Days Off - [Glue Guys, EP.15] 1:00:23

5M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

What drives the most unstoppable leaders? ESPN analyst Jay Bilas takes us inside Coach K's daring early years building Duke's dynasty and shares how a profound lesson about relentlessness changed his understanding of greatness. From behind-the-scenes stories of culture-building to candid insights on today's evolving college sports landscape with NI…

1
(Un)Common Sense - [Glue Guys, EP.14] 59:19

5M ago59:19

59:19

Can saying ‘happy birthday’ really transform team culture? Alex, Shane, and Ravi explore the power of "uncommon sense" - those simple but profound leadership practices that are rarely implemented despite their obvious impact. From Jim Harbaugh's birthday messages to every member of his team to Alex Smith's mentorship of Patrick Mahomes, the guys br…

1
Morgan Housel: The Cost of Ego - [Glue Guys, EP.13] 1:10:05

6M ago1:10:05

1:10:05

What's the real game you're playing with your money? “Psychology of Money” author Morgan Housel joins Glue Guys to talk about the importance of running your own race. He engages Ravi, Shane, and Alex on the topic of ego and how it plays a leading role in wealth dynamics. From pro athlete salaries to the “keeping up with the Joneses” mindset to even…

1
David Yeager: Never Waste A Crisis - [Glue Guys, EP.12] 1:08:14

6M ago1:08:14

1:08:14

What does parenting have to teach us about leadership? How can we help raise the next generation to be the best they can be? It’s a topic our hosts–parents themselves!–are endlessly curious about and this week they’re joined by psychology professor and expert in the science of motivating young people, David Yeager. David’s "mentor mindset" approach…

1
Demanding and Supportive - [Glue Guys, EP.11] 1:29:51

6M ago1:29:51

1:29:51

What is Ravi Gupta's story? Despite Ravi's initial discomfort, Alex and Shane go deep on his life and background. We learn about the family members who shaped him and how his career path has been anything but a straight line. Ravi reflects on how the people around him have always been "demanding and supportive", how it changed his life, and why it'…

1
David Senra - The Hard Way Is The Right Way - [Glue Guys, EP.10] 1:21:52

6M ago1:21:52

1:21:52

David Senra is in pursuit of one goal: helping people learn from history's greatest entrepreneurs. In a world obsessed with quick wins and overnight success, David has spent eight years building Founders podcast and distilling decades of sage advice. In the spirit of Glue Guys, David joins us to connect the dots between sport's GOATS and business l…

1
Brian Halligan: The Authenticity Playbook - [Glue Guys, EP.9] 1:08:41

7M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

If you’re looking for a model in authentic leadership, Hubspot founder Brian Halligan is your guy. He joins the Glue Guys conversation this week to talk as much about how he grew his company into a multi-billion-dollar company, as how he’s grown as a person. From the adrenaline-pumping tale of a near-fatal snowmobile accident that dramatically alte…

1
Play Free - [Glue Guys, EP.8] 53:09

7M ago53:09

53:09

How do you get the most out of your team? How do you get the most out of yourself? When is it a good thing to have a chip on your shoulder? Alex talks about the impact of negative coaches. Shane talks about how Coach K commits to treat everyone fairly, rather than equally and also shares a memorable quote from Pat Riley about the alchemy of teams. …

1
Urban Meyer: Selfless Teams - [Glue Guys, EP.7] 1:04:58

7M ago1:04:58

1:04:58

Teams that gel. It’s every leader’s ambition. And legendary college football coach Urban Meyer’s specialty. His approach earned him 17 championship titles, 3 perfect seasons, 5x coach of the year, and one of the most winning records in history (187-32). What does it take to go from a collection of players to a winning institution? Alex and Coach re…

1
Steve Young: Emotional Athleticism - [Glue Guys, EP.6] 1:11:24

7M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

Steve Young joins Glue Guys and lets us in on the moments and lessons behind his legendary career. We discover how he learned to throw a football at 18 from Jim McMahon and what it taught him about latent talent. Steve shares how the unstoppable Reggie White’s emotional athleticism was even more impressive than his physical athleticism. We learn ab…

1
Fear of Failure - [Glue Guys, EP.5] 51:30

8M ago51:30

51:30

Being "on top" doesn't spare anyone from fear of failure. Alex recounts self-doubt despite being the number one NFL draft pick. Shane talks about feeling the pressure of being the 4th-ranked seventh-grade basketball player in the country. Ravi talks about his fears as a CFO in the early days of Instacart. Why is fear of failure such a powerful forc…

1
Anti-Fragile - [Glue Guys, EP.4] 1:30:56

8M ago1:30:56

1:30:56

What is Alex Smith's story? Shane and Ravi turn the mic to Alex to tell his story front to back. From the moment he knew his life had changed forever to the decision not to amputate his broken leg to his first play back as quarterback after two years of recovery, resilience does not even begin to do this comeback justice. This episode gives new ins…

1
Chatter Matters - [Glue Guys, EP.3] 1:11:47

8M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

What is the language of winning? Alex takes us behind the scenes at the line of scrimmage. Shane uses Chris Voss's tactics to negotiate. Ravi asks one of his founders, "Are you going to live today?" This episode recognizes great communicators and their strategies for bending reality to their will. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to m…

1
Locker Rooms and Living Rooms - [Glue Guys, EP.2] 1:19:52

8M ago1:19:52

1:19:52

What do unsung heroes have in common? Alex talks about morning ‘wrestling’ practices with Urban Meyer at Utah. Shane recalls Steve Kerr flipping racks of basketballs. Ravi unpacks how to convince great founders to join forces. This episode sets the tone for three friends whose lessons, learnings, and values blur the lines between athletes, executiv…

1
At The Helm - [Glue Guys, EP.1] 1:25:34

8M ago1:25:34

1:25:34

What makes a great coach? Shane talks about playing college basketball under Coach K. Alex highlights his time in Kansas City with Andy Reid. Ravi gives insight into his mentorship from legendary investor Doug Leone. We kick off with themes around humility, ego, authenticity, and the dance between seriousness and silliness in leadership. For the fu…

1
Welcome to Glue Guys! 2:38

8M ago2:38

2:38

What do a 3-time pro-bowler, 2-time NBA champion, and a Sequoia Capital Partner have in common? Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta are a uniquely decorated trio diving deep into what makes for great teams across sports and business in their new show, Glue Guys. Every Thursday, these three close friends will talk about business, teamwork, lea…

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