15 Minutes with Charlie: Recent Episodes
Charlie Mechem
In this episode of 15 Minutes With Charlie, Charlie Mechem sits down with Nick Clooney, an American television personality, brother to singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, and father to actor and philanthropist George Clooney. Charlie and Nick dive into anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
In this episode of 15 Minutes With Charlie, Charlie Mechem sits down with an old and dear friend and former colleague at the legendary JM Smucker Company, Richard Smucker. Together they explore anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
In this episode of 15 Minutes With Charlie, Charlie Mechem sits down with Russ Meyer, a dear friend of Charlie’s and quite possibly the best Private Aviation Executive in the world. Russ uses his unique experiences in all things life and aviation to reflect on anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
In this episode of 15 Minutes With Charlie, Charlie Mechem sits down with old friend and premier golf instructor, Tom Patri. Together, they explore anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
In this episode of 15 Minutes With Charlie, Charlie Mechem sits down with Scott Ross, an American digital media guru with an impressive career spanning three decades. Together, Scott and Charlie reflect on anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
Charlie Mechem sits down with Mark Zecchino, the host and producer of Golf Talk Canada TV and Radio, and the live play-by-play announcer for PGA tour radio on Sirius XM Radio and PGA Radio. Mark reflects on anecdotes from Charlie’s book, “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.” You can learn more about the book at charliemechem.com/book, or find it available through Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and perhaps your local bookstore.
Kevin Johnson is the CEO of the world-renowned, highly successful company, Starbucks. As a good friend of Charlie’s, Kevin sits down for part one of his two-part interview to reflect on anecdotes from Charlie’s book, “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
In this episode, Charlie Mechem sits down with Nancy Lopez, one of the great names in the history of golf. In her time, Nancy has won 48 LPGA Tour events, three of which were major championships. But, Nancy is not just a hall of famer. Her warmth, her smile, and her determination to give back to the game are legendary. She is much like Arnold Palmer in all that she has meant to the game of golf. Nancy reacts to anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.” You can learn more about the book at charliemechem.com/book, or find it available through Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and perhaps your local bookstore.
Care and Positivity Charlie and Nancy shared the same position on the Smucker’s Board of Directors—she had replaced Charlie in this position once he left. Nancy found something very inspirational in just how much the board cared about their customers. In her golfing career, she has tried her best to reflect this positive and caring attitude in how she treats her fans. It is clear that Nancy’s gleaming positivity that has helped her to become the person she is today, to gain great and meaningful friendships, and to aid her in being a such a crucial part of the LPGA. Nancy has always wanted to do what is best for the LPGA, just as Smucker’s wished do always do the best for its customers.
You Can’t See the Ball When You’re Crying
Hard work was something that Nancy’s father always taught her. He owned an auto-repair shop in Roswell, New Mexico where he would fix cars and do paint jobs—his customers would always come back again and again because they loved her father because he did such great work. She took this as a lesson and brought it out onto the golf course with her; she would always go out and give her all, and that’s precisely how she got to where she is today. If you give 100%, Nancy says, that’s all you can do. Nancy recalls a time when she was playing in the US Open in Philadelphia—as she walked off the green after two days, she knew she wasn’t making the cut. In that moment, she hugged her father and he looked at her and said “all we gotta do is work a little harder.” She credits her father greatly for her success and for giving her all of the things she needed to become a champion.
Shoot for the Best to be the Best If you want to be successful, you have to love what you’re doing. Nancy says, you must be a good person, know that your word is all you have, and always work hard—that’s passion. Her father always told her to set goals high. As she raised three daughters, she reiterated her father’s advice, telling them to work hard and set goals high. If you set mediocre goals, you don’t reach what you could reach. If you don’t shoot for the best, you can’t be the best.
Patience with Everyone Once again, Nancy recalls her father, who was so very patient with everyone. He never disagreed with an unhappy customer, he was patient with them and worked with them to make them happy. Nancy tries her best to be patient with herself—which was especially important during golf tournaments, as there was no way she could win every time. Her husband, she notes, has never been very patient with people, sometimes she takes time to encourage him to be as patient as he can. Patience is very hard quality to develop, but it is critical to anyone’s success and happiness.
If you’d like to listen to more episodes of “15 Minutes With Charlie,” please visit the podcast page or search for “15 Minutes With Charlie” in your podcasting app. If you are enjoying the show you should check out “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.” Learn more on our book page, or find it available through Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and perhaps your local bookstore.
Steve Mosko is one of the most respected and successful executives in the entertainment business. Steve has had a 41-year long career in the business. After spending 24 years working with Sony Pictures Television, well known for its award-winning show Breaking Bad, Steve now holds the position of CEO at Village Roadshow Entertainment Group. Steve has a lot of wisdom to share as he reacts to anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
Jay Ratliff is an aviation consultant to several major media companies and an advisor on Stock Day Trading. He is also a substitute host for a number of major broadcasters, and has been a great help in promoting Charlie’s book. Jay shares his wisdom on the importance of applying hard work and passion to your goals as he reacts to anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
Richard Hunt is the head of Praus Press and the publisher of Charlie Mechem’s “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer,” as well as Charlie’s previous book, “Who’s That With Charlie.” Richard offer’s his insights into the anecdotes in “Total Anecdotal,” offering a publisher’s perspective into what makes the contents of a book like this so valuable.
Christine Brennan, a sports journalist who has worked with big names such as USA Today, ABC News, CNN, PBS NewsHour, and NPR, reacts to anecdotes from Charlie Mechem’s “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.” Christine raises awareness on sexism inside of and outside of her industry, and shares memories about her late father, who is one of her greatest inspirations.
Tommy Thayer is an American musician and songwriter, and lead guitarist for the American hard rock band KISS. Tommy was raised by his mother, a classically trained violinist and singer, and his father, a community leader, businessman, and Brigadier General in the US Army during World War II. Tommy gives a unique perspective as he reacts to anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer,” by reflecting on stories from his interesting life and career.
Pete Blackshaw, newly appointed CEO of Cintrifuse, a fund of funds and startup incubator created by Procter & Gamble, Kroger, Western Southern, and other major entities in the Greater Cincinnati region. Pete uses his marketing and management expertise to react to anecdotes from “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
Mike McCarley is a successful American Broadcasting Executive and President of Golf for the NBC Sports Group. Mike has a deep passion for what he does, and loves to inspire others to be just as passionate as he is. By using his passion, deep connections, and experiences in the golf and sports world, Mike responds to anecdotes from Charlie Mechem’s “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer.”
Jack Nicklaus, American golf legend and creator of “Golf My Way,” reacts to Charlie Mechem’s “Total Anecdotal: A Fun Guide to Help You Become a Better Speaker and Writer,” as he recalls the highs and lows of his golfing career, and how he views each day and each swing as individual entities of their own—that yesterday’s swing may be better than today’s and vice versa, and that’s okay.