
How Leaders Lead with David Novak
by David Novak
Is this your podcast?David Novak is a prominent figure in the business world, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company into a global powerhouse. His extensive experience in corporate lea…
On the show
From 29 epsHost
Recent guests
Recent episodes
#313: Joe Preston, President & CEO, New Balance – Focus on what you can control
Oct 15, 2026
1h 03m 55s
#312: Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder & CEO, Cabot – Be an idea collector
Oct 8, 2026
1h 15m 38s
#311: Mark Pincus, Founder & Former CEO, Zynga – Trust your instincts, but vet your ideas
Oct 1, 2026
1h 09m 28s
#310: Demond Martin, Cofounder and CEO, WellWithAll – Recognize how others shape you
Sep 24, 2026
56m 05s
#309: Ben Zobrist, 2x World Series Champion – Prepare for pressure
Sep 17, 2026
1h 07m 32s
Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
- leadership strategies and insights
- business success stories
Podcast Focus
- interviews with iconic leaders
- business and sports leadership
Publishing Consistency
- 453 episodes total
- active for 5 years
Platform Reach
- available on major podcast platforms
- potential for broad audience
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Based on 3 signals.
Built from
By chart position
- 🇬🇧United Kingdom · Management#233K to 173K
- 🇺🇸United States · ManagementHOME#3616K to 84K
- 🇰🇪KE · Management#12.2K to 11K
- 🇮🇪Ireland · Management#31.9K to 10K
- 🇮🇳India · Management#191.9K to 10K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
65K to 344K🎙 ~2x weekly·473 episodes·Last published 4d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
130K to 687K🇬🇧50%🇺🇸24%🇰🇪3%+14 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
71K to 378K1.9K real followers tracked across platforms
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
—
* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
Social Links & Contact
Official channels & resources
Official Website
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/15/26 | #313: Joe Preston, President & CEO, New Balance – Focus on what you can control | How did New Balance go from a modest “dad shoe” brand to a $10 billion global company? You might assume they just copied the playbook of their big-name competitors. But New Balance President & CEO Joe Preston knows better. In this conversation, he opens up about their unconventional path to success, including how they’ve worked hard to control their own destiny instead of just reacting to what the big guys are doing. If you want to scale smartly, you’ve got to learn where you can actually move the needle, then have the discipline to focus on those things instead of everything else. This episode is for you if: You work in retail and want to see what’s working You’re in a season of rapid growth but want to protect your culture You need to make quick progress without burning out your team You want to know what makes sponsorships and partnerships work Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business. | 1h 03m 55s | ||||||
| 10/8/26 | #312: Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder & CEO, Cabot – Be an idea collector | How does a 24-year-old with no construction experience turn a remediated coal mine in rural Nova Scotia into one of the world’s top golf destinations? That’s the story of Ben Cowan-Dewar, Cofounder and CEO of Cabot. Twenty years later, he’s built one of the most respected golf brands in the world, with five courses featured in Golf Digest’s World Top 100. And he did it by becoming an “idea collector” – obsessively studying great courses and learning from key mentors, then turning that expertise into something that stirs people’s souls. This conversation is packed with leadership lessons and golf lore aplenty, and it’ll help you be the kind of leader who inspires others through grit, expertise, and a genuine love of excellence. This episode is for you if: You’re an entrepreneur – or want to become one someday You’re building your career and want to find people to mentor you You have high standards but also want to build a kind culture You need inspiration for your next golf trip (and honestly, who doesn’t) Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business. | 1h 15m 38s | ||||||
| 10/1/26 | #311: Mark Pincus, Founder & Former CEO, Zynga – Trust your instincts, but vet your ideas | Back in 2007, Mark Pincus had a gut feeling that adults would play games on their phones if they were just woven into their daily lives. On that instinct, he founded Zynga and built the biggest games of the early social internet — including FarmVille, Words With Friends, and Zynga Poker. Four years later, they had over a billion users. Safe to say, Mark’s instincts were right. But according to Mark, that’s where a lot of leaders lose the plot. They have the right instincts but then put the wrong ideas around those instincts. They try to change too much. They don’t iterate quickly. Or worst of all, their culture doesn’t let people be intellectually honest about what’s not working. In this conversation, you’ll see how to avoid those mistakes with Mark’s “Proven-Better-New” framework for designing products. Plus, he opens up about his (very public) fall from Silicon Valley’s graces and the surprising freedom that came with it. It’s a must-listen conversation for anyone who’s building something – whether that’s a company, a product, or a team. This episode is for you if: You want to develop products people love You want to have more fun at work (or hey, just in general) You’re trying to build a culture that’s intellectually honest You’re navigating a low point in your career or company Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business. | 1h 09m 28s | ||||||
| 9/24/26 | #310: Demond Martin, Cofounder and CEO, WellWithAll – Recognize how others shape you | A lot of leaders brag that they’re “self made.” Demond Martin says he’s “community built.” He recognizes all the people who helped him move out of a violent environment as a preteen and go on to work at the White House, graduate from Harvard Business School, and become a successful hedge fund manager. Now, as the Cofounder and CEO of the wellness brand WellWithAll, he’s trying to do the same for others – putting a portion of profits toward ending health inequity. In this conversation, you’ll get an inspiring look at Demond’s philosophy of being a “friend of the good” – someone who sees the humanity in other people and builds relationships on respect, not transactions. When you learn how to surround yourself with those people (while striving to be one yourself!), you’ll find a whole new level of meaning and purpose in leadership. This episode is for you if: You’re wondering if you can scale a business while keeping people at the center You want to either find a mentor – or become one You want to develop more ways to give back through your business You could use a big jolt of inspiration Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business. | 56m 05s | ||||||
| 9/17/26 | #309: Ben Zobrist, 2x World Series Champion – Prepare for pressure | Game 7 of the 2016 World Series had gone to extra innings. The Cubs were trying to break a 108-year championship drought that some called a curse. If you’re a baseball fan, you already know what happened next: With two runners on base, Ben Zobrist stepped up to the plate. Despite being 0-4 in the game so far, he pinged a double to left field that brought in the winning run and made him a Chicago legend. So yeah, Ben Zobrist knows about pressure. And you do, too: pressure is a part of every leader’s reality. How you understand it, prepare for it, and handle it in the moment can make or break your career – not to mention your overall sense of well-being. This conversation is a candid look at how to navigate all the pressure you face – from success, from failure, from life in general – plus the habits and routines that keep you ready and regulated when you’re feeling it. This episode is for you if: You struggle to deal with pressure, especially after a big success You’re trying to find better self-care habits and routines You want to get better at understanding and managing your emotions You’re a coach or parent of a child athlete You just love all things baseball Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business. | 1h 07m 32s | ||||||
| 9/10/26 | #308: Zac Taylor, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals – Consistency creates results | Imagine being Zac Taylor in 2019. He was 0-11 in his first season as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He knew they were doing a lot of things right, but the results just weren’t coming. Eventually, they did: just over two years later, Zac led his team to the Super Bowl. But for a while, there was a big, painful gap. And you may be in a similar place right now – where you believe you’re on the right track, but the results aren’t showing up yet. In this conversation, you’ll see what great leadership looks like in those seasons when you’re building, grinding, and learning – but not necessarily seeing results. It’s a powerful reminder of the power of consistency … and a fun way to get ready for another exciting year of NFL football! This episode is for you if: You’re in a season where progress feels invisible You need solid advice on managing elite talent You’re trying to connect more meaningfully with your team You want to know what weirdly simple habit Zac attributes his success toTake your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources: The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business. | 51m 27s | ||||||
| 9/3/26 | leadershipfootball+3 | Clark Lea | VanderbiltNCAA+1 | — | leadershipfootball coach+3 | — | 1h 15m 02s | ||
| 8/27/26 | leadershipretail+3 | Tony Spring | Macy’s, Inc.Bloomingdale’s | — | leadershipretail+5 | — | 1h 04m 03s | ||
| 8/20/26 | leadershipentrepreneurship+3 | Harry Arnett | MUNICIPALCallaway | — | leadershipMUNICIPAL+5 | — | 1h 08m 43s | ||
| 8/13/26 | customer experienceretail innovation+3 | Ron Johnson | Apple StoreTarget+1 | — | Apple StoreRon Johnson+4 | — | 1h 10m 31s | ||
| 8/6/26 | emotional intelligenceleadership+3 | Ben Goodwin | prebiotic sodaOLIPOP | — | emotional intelligenceleadership+5 | — | 54m 45s | ||
| 7/30/26 | company cultureleadership+3 | Varun Krishna | Rocket Companies | — | company cultureleadership principles+5 | — | 1h 13m 22s | ||
| 7/23/26 | leadershiptechnology+4 | Julie Bornstein | DaydreamNordstrom+1 | — | leadershipAI+5 | — | 1h 13m 42s | ||
| 7/16/26 | listeningleadership+3 | Marty Smith | ESPN | — | listeningleadership+5 | — | 1h 26m 37s | ||
| 7/9/26 | leadershipbusiness disruption+3 | David Dorman | AT&TPayPal+3 | — | leadershipdisruption+3 | — | 1h 11m 58s | ||
| 7/2/26 | leadershippolitics+3 | Joe Manchin | — | West Virginia | leadershipcommon ground+3 | — | 1h 14m 51s | ||
| 6/25/26 | leadershipcompany culture+3 | Dave Ritterbush | Califia FarmsDreyer’s+1 | — | leadershipcompany culture+5 | — | 57m 01s | ||
| 6/18/26 | leadershipidentity+4 | Landon Donovan | US Soccer | — | leadership lessonsidentity crisis+6 | — | 1h 11m 20s | ||
| 6/17/26 | leadershipcontent creation+3 | Shawn JohnsonAndrew East | Family Made | — | leadershipcontent creation+3 | — | 1h 01m 28s | ||
| 6/4/26 | leadershipinvesting+3 | Bobby Long | How Leaders Lead AppPiedmont Capital Partners | — | leadershipBobby Long+5 | — | 1h 08m 05s | ||
| 5/28/26 | leadershipcustomer service+3 | David Lafitte | Tecovas | — | radical hospitalitycustomer experience+3 | — | 1h 09m 11s | ||
| 5/21/26 | leadershipdecision making+3 | Kecia Steelman | Ulta Beauty | — | leadershipUlta Beauty+3 | — | 1h 04m 39s | ||
| 5/14/26 | brand identityleadership+3 | Mark Smucker | Smucker’sFolgers+5 | — | brand soulleadership advice+3 | — | 55m 50s | ||
| 5/7/26 | leadershipentrepreneurship+3 | Mariam Naficy | Minted | — | leadershipMinted+5 | — | 57m 40s | ||
| 4/30/26 | customer retentionleadership+3 | Kurt Kane | TruGreenWendy’s+2 | — | customer retentionleadership+3 | — | 1h 04m 58s | ||
| 4/23/26 | leadershipbrand positioning+3 | James “JC” Curleigh | Pelican ProductsLevi’s+1 | Levi’s Stadium | leadershipbusiness strategy+3 | — | 1h 11m 05s | ||
| 4/16/26 | leadershipchange management+3 | Julie Hansen | BabbelAI | — | leadershipchange+5 | — | 1h 05m 00s | ||
| 4/9/26 | leadershipstrategy+5 | John Donahoe | NikeeBay+2 | — | leadershipstrategy+8 | — | 1h 23m 06s | ||
| 4/2/26 | leadershipcaddying+3 | Ted Scott | PGA TourOlympics | — | PGA TourTed Scott+6 | — | 1h 19m 03s | ||
| 3/26/26 | leadershipteam values+3 | Shea Ralph | VanderbiltNCAA | — | Shea RalphVanderbilt women's basketball+5 | — | 1h 05m 40s | ||
| 3/19/26 | leadershipbasketball coaching+3 | Roy Williams | North CarolinaKansas | — | Roy Williamsleadership+4 | — | 1h 23m 23s | ||
| 3/12/26 | leadershipteam building+3 | Peter Wharton-Hood | LIFE Healthcare Group | — | leadershipteam players+5 | — | 1h 07m 42s | ||
| 3/5/26 | time managementleadership+3 | Tom Wilson | Allstate | — | time managementleadership+5 | — | 1h 09m 05s | ||
| 2/26/26 | mental healthentrepreneurship+4 | Blake Mycoskie | TOMS ShoesENOUGH+1 | — | Blake MycoskieTOMS Shoes+5 | — | 1h 05m 14s | ||
| 2/19/26 | AIleadership+3 | Eric Kutcher | McKinsey & Company | — | AIleadership+5 | — | 1h 17m 28s | ||
Showing 35 of 473
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Distribution & Reach
About the show, platforms, and key insights.
Distribution & Reach
About the show, platforms, and key insights.
David Novak is a prominent figure in the business world, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company into a global powerhouse. His extensive experience in corporate leadership and brand building lends credibility and depth to his podcast. "How Leaders Lead with David Novak" stands out by offering intimate, in-depth conversations with influential leaders from various sectors, including business, sports, and entertainment. The format is conversational, allowing listeners to glean valuable insights and leadership strategies from icons like Tom Brady and Condoleezza Rice. With 453 episodes over six years, the podcast provides a wealth of knowledge on effective leadership practices and personal growth. The podcast appeals to a diverse audience, including aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and business professionals seeking inspiration and practical advice. Listeners value the unique perspectives shared by world-class leaders, which can enhance their own leadership skills and strategies in a competitive landscape.
By the numbers
- Total followers: 39K
- Total plays: 3.7M
- Total reviews: 565
Platforms
TuneIn
- Followers: 134
Castbox
- Followers: 1.2K
- Plays: 66K
YouTube
- Subscribers: 37K
- Views: 3.6M
- Videos: 1.6K
Podcast App
- Followers: 576
- Reviews: 565
Podcast Republic
- Followers: 3
Audience
adults
Key insights
What the show covers
- interviews with iconic leaders
- business and sports leadership
- exclusive conversations with CEOs
- lessons from successful figures
Audience interests
- leadership strategies and insights
- business success stories
- inspiration from top leaders
- personal development and growth
Platform reach
- available on major podcast platforms
- potential for broad audience
- no specific platforms detected
- unknown follower count across platforms
Publishing consistency
- 453 episodes total
- active for 5 years
- weekly or more episodes
- consistent new content release
Chart history for How Leaders Lead with David Novak
Peaked at #1 in KE, top 10 in 5 of 50 tracked markets, currently #1 in KE.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KE | — | #1 | #1 | — |
| United Kingdom | — | #2 | #2 | — |
| Ireland | — | #3 | #3 | — |
| CH | — | #5 | #5 | — |
| SG | — | #10 | #10 | — |
| BE | — | #11 | #11 | — |
| PL | — | #12 | #12 | — |
| IL | — | #12 | #12 | — |
| Sweden | — | #13 | #13 | — |
| Finland | — | #13 | #13 | — |
| Italy | — | #16 | #16 | — |
| India | — | #19 | #19 | — |
| South Africa | — | #21 | #21 | — |
| VN | — | #24 | #24 | — |
| TW | — | #25 | #25 | — |
| France | — | #26 | #26 | — |
| AT | — | #26 | #26 | — |
| NG | — | #34 | #34 | — |
| United States | — | #36 | #36 | — |
| PT | — | #37 | #37 | — |
Chart Positions
50 placements across 42 markets.
Chart Positions
50 placements across 42 markets.