The SALA Series Podcast: Recent Episodes
SALA Series
Welcome to the SALA Series Podcast – bringing together purpose-driven leaders and ideas that matter. Hosted by Dalen Cuff and Monica McNutt, SALA celebrates diverse voices and highlights a commitment to community and individuals who are driving positive change across the interrelated worlds of sports, entertainment, corporate and nonprofit.
Best known as a political strategist, community leader, and the father of award-winning playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis A. Miranda Jr. has spent a lifetime building bridges, expanding opportunity, and serving others.
At the heart of that story is something even more enduring: fatherhood.In the inaugural episode of Fatherhood, host Gordon LaForge sits down with Luis Miranda for a deeply personal conversation about the values that shaped his family and the lessons he learned raising children grounded in confidence, compassion, and a strong sense of identity. From his journey from Puerto Rico to New York City to the everyday choices that define parenting, Miranda reflects on the importance of being present, honoring culture and heritage, and leading by example through both triumphs and setbacks.
More than a conversation about raising successful children, this episode explores how fathers shape character, inspire purpose, and nurture a deep sense of belonging. Through stories of family, service, and resilience, Miranda reflects on the quiet, daily choices that shape a child's confidence, character, and sense of purpose.
SALA Series present its new Podcast "Fatherhood" hosted by Gordon LaForge
In the 20th century, if you asked someone to picture the typical American father, they would probably describe a man with a briefcase, a face behind a newspaper. His job was to put food on the table and keep discipline in the home. He might play catch on Saturdays, but he didn't know the pediatrician's name, and he never changed a diaper. At his best, he was Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Noble, principled, kind, yet distant. But things are different today. Fathers are spending more time on childcare and housework than ever before. The number of stay-at-home dads has doubled in the last 30 years. Fathers are still providers and protectors, but they are also coaches and teachers, caregivers and nurturers. But while the reality in our living rooms has shifted, our cultural imagination is still catching up.
To understand fatherhood is to understand the crisis of masculinity in our politics. It's to grapple with the falling behind of boys in education, the rewiring of childhood by social media, and the policy debates over work and childcare that are defining our economy.
On the Fatherhood Podcast, we'll be speaking with experts, leaders, and plain old dads to understand the forces defining us and to ask what it means to be a father in a world that's changing faster than we can keep up.
At a time when disagreement too often becomes division, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield has spent a lifetime demonstrating another path. As President of CLAL (The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership), he has helped leaders across business, government, higher education, and faith communities navigate complexity with empathy, humility, and moral courage.
In this episode, Rabbi Hirschfield reflects on his own remarkable journey—from religious extremism to becoming one of America's most respected voices on pluralism and civil discourse. He explores why listening is an act of leadership, how curiosity can overcome certainty, and why our deepest differences need not become our greatest divides.Among others, key themes include faith, identity, civic life, and the responsibilities of leadership in an increasingly polarized society.
This discussion also offers practical insights for anyone seeking to build trust, strengthen community, and lead with both conviction and compassion.
Stu Jackson has spent decades shaping the game of basketball from nearly every level imaginable — first as a college basketball player, then as one of the youngest head coaches in NBA history with the New York Knicks, later helping launch the Vancouver Grizzlies as Team President and General Manager, and now serving as commissioner of the West Coast Conference and a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee.
In this episode, Jackson reflects on the transformation of college basketball during a period defined by conference realignment, NIL, the transfer portal, and the changing structure of amateur athletics. Drawing on experience leading teams, front offices, and major basketball institutions, he discusses what it takes to build winning cultures, navigate uncertainty, and balance tradition with innovation in a rapidly evolving sports landscape.
The conversation explores leadership, talent development, competitive integrity, and the growing intersection of college sports with media, business, and professional development — offering a unique perspective from someone who has helped shape the game at every level.
Marcia Chatelain, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has built her work around uncovering the deeper stories that shape American life. Through acclaimed books like Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, Chatelain examines the intersection of race, capitalism, and culture, revealing how systems of power influence opportunity, identity, and community in ways that often go unseen.
In this episode, Chatelain reflects on how narratives around economic progress and social mobility are constructed and who gets included in those stories. Drawing on her research, she explores the tension between corporate influence and public responsibility, and how institutions have shaped both the possibilities and limitations experienced across generations. The conversation also examines the role of historians in moments of change, the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths, and why understanding the past is essential to making better decisions in the present.
Jennifer Peter has spent her career leading newsrooms through some of the most consequential moments in modern journalism. From overseeing The Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing to now serving as Editor-in-Chief of The Marshall Project, Peter has built a reputation for guiding organizations through complexity with clarity, urgency, and purpose.
The Marshall Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization focused on the U.S. criminal justice system. Through in-depth reporting, data-driven investigations, and partnerships with local and national news outlets, the organization examines issues ranging from policing and prisons to courts, race, and systemic inequities, with the goal of creating transparency, accountability, and public understanding around one of the country’s most consequential - and flawed - institutions.
In this episode, Peter reflects on the evolving role of journalism in a time of institutional distrust, rapid technological change, and growing societal division. She discusses what it means to lead mission-driven reporting at scale, the responsibility of telling difficult stories with integrity, and why accountability journalism remains essential to a functioning democracy. The conversation explores leadership under pressure, the challenge of balancing speed with accuracy, and how the best editors build cultures capable of navigating uncertainty without losing sight of their mission.
Jen Loving, CEO of Destination: Home and one of the nation’s leading voices on homelessness systems change, joins host Jeff Olivet — nationally recognized homelessness policy expert, former Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness — for a conversation grounded in what it actually takes to reduce homelessness at scale. With more than two decades of experience across government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, Loving has helped lead some of the most ambitious housing and prevention strategies in the country, including large-scale investments in affordable housing and data-driven approaches to system design.
In this episode, Loving reflects on the real drivers of homelessness and the persistent gap between public perception and lived reality. She discusses why “Housing First” has become a foundational approach, how public-private partnerships can unlock meaningful progress, and what cities often get wrong when trying to address the crisis. Drawing on her work in Silicon Valley, she offers a pragmatic view of what systems-level change looks like in practice and where measurable progress is being made.
Together, Olivet and Loving explore the challenges of leading in a space where success is often slow, complex, and difficult to measure. The conversation examines how leaders build trust across sectors, sustain momentum despite setbacks, and remain focused on sustainable solutions in one of the country’s most urgent public policy challenges.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, author and scholar Eddie Glaude Jr. asks a deeper question: what stories do we tell ourselves about who we are—and what truths do we leave out?
Known for his intellectual rigor and unflinching honesty, Glaude explores the enduring tension between freedom, democracy, and race that has shaped the nation from its founding to today. Drawing from works including Begin Again, We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For, and his forthcoming book America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries, he examines how national celebrations often expose deeper battles over identity, belonging, and power.
In this episode, Glaude reflects on leadership in an era of polarization, the responsibility of confronting history honestly, and whether America can move forward without reckoning with the myths that continue to shadow its past. A timely conversation about memory, truth, and the unfinished American story.
Well beyond his extraordinary on-field accomplishments, Paul Rabil has reimagined what the sport of lacrosse can become—and expanded who it’s for. For those familiar with his story, it’s no surprise.
As the sport’s first “million-dollar athlete,” Rabil always had a clear vision for building his personal brand and leveraging his success as a standout collegiate and professional player. But his ambitions extended far beyond individual achievement—he set out to transform the entire ecosystem of the game.
In this episode, Rabil reflects on the pivotal decision to step away from an established professional system and build something entirely new. With a bold, forward-looking vision, he co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), a modern, player-first league that prioritizes athlete empowerment while embracing digital innovation, content, and storytelling to connect with the next generation of fans.
As part of this, Rabil and his colleagues are driving the development of a women’s professional lacrosse league, aiming to create equitable opportunities, visibility, and long-term infrastructure for female athletes. This expansion reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity and growing the game across genders, audiences, and global markets.
Operating at the intersection of sport, business, and media, the conversation explores Rabil's evolution from athlete to builder—and what it takes to turn a personal platform into a purpose-driven, lasting legacy that reshapes the future of an entire sport.
Fidel Vargas’ story comes full circle. Once a recipient of Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) scholarships at Harvard and Harvard Business School, he now leads the organization as President and CEO—guiding one of the nation’s most impactful institutions advancing access to higher education, with programs serving 12,500+ students and parents in more than 2,900+ cities in all 50 states and U.S. territories annually, and awarding more than $756 million in scholarships since its founding.
Before returning to HSF, Vargas built a career across finance and public service, including serving as the youngest mayor of a major U.S. city at age 23 and later as a private equity leader. Across each chapter, his focus has remained the same: expanding opportunity for others.
In this episode, Vargas reflects on leading at scale while staying grounded in mission—sharing insights on growth, responsibility, and investing in young leaders. It’s a conversation about purpose-driven leadership and creating pathways that extend far beyond individual success.
Jimmer Fredette’s journey has been anything but linear. Lightly recruited out of high school and overlooked by major programs, he went on to become the 2011 Naismith College Player of the Year at BYU—captivating the country as one of the most electric scorers in college basketball. His rise to national stardom was as unexpected as it was unforgettable.
In this episode, he reflects on what it takes to evolve when the path doesn’t go as planned. After being selected 10th overall in the NBA Draft, Jimmer faced the challenge of transitioning from a college superstar to a role player at the game’s highest level—an adjustment that tested his identity and resilience. He shares what he learned from those years, how it led him to build a prolific career overseas, and ultimately how he reinvented himself through 3x3 basketball.
Now serving as General Manager for USA Basketball’s 3x3 men’s national team, Jimmer offers a new perspective on leadership, competition, and staying connected to the game at the highest level. This conversation explores how great competitors adapt beyond their peak moments—and what it means to rebuild, redefine success, and earn your place on the world stage.
After serving as the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey carried his leadership philosophy into a new arena—one where the stakes are different, but the need for alignment, trust, and performance remains essential.In this episode, General Dempsey shares how principles forged at the highest levels of military command translate into building elite teams on the global stage. Drawing on decades of leading complex, high-stakes organizations, he unpacks how trust is built quickly, how leaders create clarity amid uncertainty, and why preparation—not star power—is the ultimate competitive advantage.He also reflects on the unique challenge of leading “short-term teams” like Team USA—where cohesion must be built in weeks, not years—and what that reveals about adaptability, communication, and shared purpose.This conversation explores leadership beyond any single arena, where trust, preparation, and purpose drive performance—and define what it truly means to represent Team USA.
Michelle Nunn has spent her career building and leading organizations rooted in service—from founding Hands On Atlanta to scaling Points of Light into a global volunteer network, and now as CEO of CARE USA.
In this episode, she shares what it really takes to lead mission-driven organizations at scale while staying anchored in purpose.Michelle reflects on the challenges of mobilizing millions of people, navigating complex humanitarian crises, and making tough decisions in environments where the stakes are deeply human. She offers candid insights on building trust, sustaining teams through uncertainty, and balancing urgency with long-term impact.
At a moment when global needs are rising and institutions face growing scrutiny, this conversation explores how service can be a powerful force for change—and what it means to lead with both conviction and compassion when the path forward isn’t always clear.
Jim Tooley, CEO of USA Basketball, joins the conversation to explore what it means to lead one of the most visible programs in global sport. Drawing on more than three decades with USA Basketball, Tooley reflects on leadership across eras, from Jerry Colangelo to Coach K to Gregg Popovich, and the cultural principles that sustain excellence at the highest level. He discusses building trust and accountability among superstar athletes, coaches, and partners while stewarding an organization that represents the country on the world stage. Jim Tooley is leading the future of the game: the globalization of basketball, youth development, understanding NIL and commercialization, the rise of 3x3 basketball, and how USA Basketball defines success beyond medals. Tooley offers a candid look at leadership, governance, and responsibility in a rapidly changing sports, media and technology landscape.
Dr. Richard Carmona’s life is a blueprint for service: Vietnam combat medic, trauma surgeon, sheriff’s deputy, professor, and ultimately the 17th Surgeon General of the United States—the first Hispanic man to hold the role. In this episode of the SALA Series Podcast, Dr. Carmona reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership, public health, and service.
Raised in poverty in the Bronx, he brings a deeply personal understanding of the barriers facing underserved communities. Throughout his career—from emergency rooms to the highest levels of government—he has championed health equity, preventive care, and the well-being of under-resourced populations.
From advising presidents to confronting national health crises, Dr. Carmona shares hard-earned lessons on integrity, resilience, and the responsibility leaders carry when lives are at stake. It’s a remarkable conversation about leading with principle, speaking truth in difficult moments, and leaving institutions—and communities—stronger than you found them.
Together with Lawrence E. Adjah, ordained minister, social entrepreneur, and best-selling author, Karida Brown, Professor of Sociology at Emory University and author of multiple award-winning works on race has a wide-ranging conversation on the inherent tension between systems and human agency.
Dr. Brown draws on decades of scholarship to examine how racial difference is historically constructed, institutionalized, and maintained, while Adjah offers a complementary perspective grounded in faith, leadership, and community-building—shaped by his work at McKinsey & Company, global mental-health initiatives, and founding the Family Dinner Foundation to combat loneliness and social fragmentation.In a provocative and compelling conversation, they explore how power operates across institutions and everyday life, how individuals and communities navigate these systems, and what leadership, connection, and responsibility demand in today’s world.
In this episode Gary Pinkus, former Chairman and Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company’s North America practice, reflects on leadership, governance, and building enduring impact inside complex institutions. Drawing on nearly four decades at McKinsey where he helped found and lead the firm’s global Private Equity & Principal Investors practice and later guided its North American business Pinkus shares lessons on scaling organizations, balancing purpose with performance, and cultivating innovation within established enterprises. The discussion spans corporate governance, board leadership across energy, real estate finance, and sport, and the intellectual growth that comes from leading across sectors, geographies, and moments of change. This episode explores what it means to lead thoughtfully at scale and how lasting impact is built over time.
In this episode Garry W. Jenkins, President of Bates College, joins Marshall Hatch Jr., Co-Founder and Executive Director of the MAAFA Redemption Project, for a conversation on leadership, institutions, and democratic responsibility. President Jenkins brings nationally recognized expertise in nonprofit governance, law, and higher education leadership, shaped by his tenure as Dean of the University of Minnesota Law School and his current role guiding Bates College’s academic mission. Marshall Hatch Jr., a Gates Millennium Scholar and Bates alumnus, adds a faith- and community-centered perspective informed by his work developing workforce, educational, and spiritual pathways for emerging adult Black and Brown men in Chicago. Together, they explore how leadership is cultivated, how institutions earn trust, and how education, faith, and governance intersect in shaping opportunity.
Best known for his work on geopolitics, emerging technologies like AI, international institutions, and the future of democracy, Gordon LaForge turns his analytical lens inward—to fatherhood. Becoming a father has prompted deep personal reflection, mirroring the broader evolution of what fatherhood means in contemporary society.
In this themed series, LaForge explores fatherhood as both personal reckoning and social lens. He reflects on changing ideas of manhood, the quiet loneliness many fathers experience, and the tension between achievement-driven success and lasting fulfillment.
Looking ahead, he examines how boys are coming of age amid technological acceleration, cultural uncertainty, and weakened civic norms—and what fathers model, often unconsciously. Together, these reflections frame fatherhood as a central, under-examined force shaping families, communities, and our collective future.
In this conversation, Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, Senior Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, reflects on the weight and responsibility of leading one of America’s most storied congregations at a moment of national fracture. Drawing on Abyssinian’s historic legacy and prophetic tradition, Dr. Johnson explores how the church can remain rooted in faith while expanding its reach—engaging younger generations, addressing mental and emotional well-being, and reimagining ministry beyond the sanctuary walls. He speaks candidly about leadership, stewardship, and moral imagination, offering a vision of the church as a keeper of tradition while responding to the moral and emotional needs of the present moment.
Two visionary leaders in higher education—Aimée Eubanks-Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of Braven, and Dr. Lynn Mahoney, President of San Francisco State University—join host Jeff Olivet, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, for a timely and inspiring conversation on the future of college and career pathways.Together, they examine how the partnership between Braven and San Francisco State is reimagining higher education as a true engine of economic mobility—particularly for first-generation and low-income students. The discussion explores the evolving role of higher ed, the growing importance of real-world skills and social capital, and the leadership required to advance equity and innovation in today’s institutions.This episode is a powerful reminder that talent is everywhere—and that expanding opportunity is not optional, but essential.
One of America’s most respected and influential religious thinkers, David Wolpe is our featured guest in a grounded, timely, and deeply human conversation about the questions of the day.
With clarity and compassion, Rabbi Wolpe reflects on the rise of antisemitism following October 7th, the growing polarization across campuses and civic spaces, and how we can confront these fractures directly and thoughtfully. A celebrated author, public intellectual, and former visiting scholar at Harvard Divinity School, he brings a rare combination of wisdom and candor to questions of faith, doubt, resilience, and the stories we tell to make sense of a turbulent world.
Through his lens, we explore what it means to uphold empathy, dignity, and moral clarity—especially when fear and anger dominate public life. He offers practical insights on dialogue, free expression, and the quiet strength found in community. This is a conversation for anyone searching for orientation in an age of noise, and for those who believe that helping people reach across divides is both possible and necessary.
Dr. Jim O’Connell has spent nearly forty years building Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, a best-of-class, consumer-led model that delivers medical care directly to shelters, soup kitchens, and the streets. His friend and board member Francis Hyatt, EVP & Chief Community Investments and Sustainability Officer at Liberty Mutual, offers the perspective of a 'stakeholder' leader committed to driving positive change in society. Dr. O'Connell & Hyatt share lessons from their joint community-investment commitments, including caring for patients through AIDS, multidrug-resistant TB, and the COVID crisis. They discuss why trust and continuity remain the bedrock of partnerships between nonprofits and corporate entities and ways in which philanthropy, healthcare and community investment can responsibly support systems strained by social determinants that stretch back decades. This episode offers a window into the future and how we can work to strengthen the safety net and ensure an equitable, just and caring society.
They're back! And picking up right where they left off - in between laughs, Dalen Cuff and Monica McNutt's catch-up on life and the world, including Monica’s major life changes, marriage, Mayor Mamdani and their own fresh takes on the Epstein Files. Always fun to see old friends coming back together, especially when they're our hosts !!
In this deeply reflective episode, educators Lindsay Whorton, President of The Holdsworth Center, and Dr. Ruth Simmons, trailblazing university president and author of New York Times bestseller Up Home: One Girl’s Journey, explore what it means to lead with purpose in education. In discussing the moral dimension of school leadership, Whorton and Simmons are aligned around the need to cultivate empathy and integrity in future leaders, and how personal history shapes one’s approach to service. Further, as collaborators in practice (Simmons has served as a founding board chair and public-facing elder statesperson to The Holdsworth Center) the conversation moves naturally from biography to governance to policy. From Simmons’ remarkable journey as the first Black president of an Ivy League institution to Whorton’s work strengthening leadership pipelines in public education, the conversation intertwines wisdom and urgency—reminding us that education is not only about achievement, but about the shaping of character, community, and democratic possibility.
Marlon Marshall leads The City Fund, a national organization committed to ensuring that every child—no matter their zip code—has access to a high-quality public education. A veteran of the Obama White House and one of today’s most influential voices in school reform, Marshall brings both political insight and deeply personal conviction to one of America’s most pressing challenges.
In this conversation, he reflects on his upbringing in St. Louis, where his mother taught in public schools and his father worked as a custodian—experiences that have shaped his lifelong belief in the transformative power of education. Marshall discusses the urgent need for accountability in our schools, the tensions between policy and practice, and the often fraught politics of curriculum and choice.Ultimately, this episode examines how public education—and those who lead within it—will shape not just the future of learning, but the future of American democracy itself.
Sean O’Brien, the fiery and plainspoken President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, leads one of the most storied labor unions in the United States—representing more than 1.4 million workers across logistics, transportation, and countless essential industries.In this conversation, O’Brien reflects on a lifetime shaped by the labor movement—from growing up in a Teamster family in Boston to becoming one of the youngest leaders in the union’s history. He discusses what it means to lead during a period of deep economic change and political polarization, and how the resurgence of organized labor is reshaping corporate America.O’Brien talks candidly about the role of unions in the age of automation and AI, and his vision for a future where the dignity of work is once again central to the American story. More than preparing workers for an economy in transition—O'Brien is holding corporations and politicians accountable. Part history lesson, part call to action, this episode offers an unflinching look at the state of the labor movement—and what purpose-driven leadership looks like.
Faith, community and a calling. In leading New Pilgrim Baptist Church on Chicago's west side for over three decades, Reverend Marshall Hatch serves the community from the pulpit. Meanwhile, his son, Marshall Hatch Jr., also an ordained minister, leads from a grassroots level in the same West Garfield Park community as Executive Director of The MAAFA Redemption Project.
In a remarkable discussion between father and son, the Hatches reflect on ways the spirit of fellowship has shaped their lives and their ministry. For both, the church has served as a sanctuary and a launchpad for systemic change. Reverend Hatch Sr., looks back on decades defined largely by struggle and hope while Marshall Jr. shares his vision for carrying the legacy forward and serving the next generation. Whether discussing Lincoln, the church, or the evolving spirit of the SALA community, listeners are brought into a deeply human conversation about mentorship, belonging, and the redemptive power of faith.
Homelessness: A Public Health Crisis
Recent data shows that every night, in communities large and small across the United States, over 750,000 people experienced homelessness. Behind every number is a life interrupted, families displaced, people struggling not just to survive, but to reclaim stability, dignity, and hope. To better understand issues ranging from hands-on outreach to leadership roles shaping national strategy, Jeff Olivet, the former Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), hosts a conversation with two of the foremost practitioners and thought leaders on the issue: Dr. Howard K. Koh, former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health and Professor of Public Health Leadership at Harvard, and Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, CEO of Two Elevate and former leader of Los Angeles’s homelessness response. Together, they explore how homelessness and its impacts - and why prevention and compassion must guide national action. Through research, lived experience, and deep humanity, they reveal what it will take to create a society where everyone has a safe place to call home.
Currently, Senior Advisor to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Initiative on Health and Homelessness, Jeff Olivet, has worked in homelessness, behavioral health, and public health for more than three decades. On this episode, Olivet sits with Imani Perry, National Book Award–winning author of South to America and Professor of African American Studies and Gender Studies at Harvard University, to reflect on the meaning of home, history, and identity. They explore their shared southern roots, the grief and memory tied to place, and the moral power of writing to preserve culture and challenge stereotypes. Spanning music, storytelling, race, and resilience, their conversation chronicles their respective personal journeys while also offering broader context to our nation's on-going struggle between injustice and the pursuit of freedom.
As a former candidate for U.S. Senate (Ohio) and founder of the non-profit Columbus Stand Up, our friend and SALA member Morgan Harper knows a thing or two about politics, nonprofits and building an inclusive democracy. During this session, Harper welcomes Dr. Basil Smikle Jr., Professor of Practice and Director of the M.S. program in Nonprofit Management at Columbia University and a frequent MSNBC political analyst. With three decades in public service and leadership roles ranging from Executive Director of the New York State Democratic Party to senior aide to Hillary Clinton, Dr. Smikle shares insights on civic engagement, education equity, and the evolving role of nonprofits in shaping democracy. Among other things, this conversation between two remarkable purpose-driven leaders offers a powerful look at how political strategy, grassroots advocacy, and academic leadership intersect to drive meaningful change.
Host and faculty member at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Mori Taheripour brings together two extraordinary leaders in mental health: Dr. Matt Biel, Director of the Thrive Center at Georgetown University, where he is Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics and holds the Marriott Endowed Chair in Child, Adolescent and Family Health, and Dr. Harold Koplewicz, one of the nation’s leading child and adolescent psychiatrists and the founding president of the Child Mind Institute. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with empathy in a mental health system too often defined by stigma and scarcity. With insights that span children’s mental health, public health, education, and family systems, these remarkable guests offer a roadmap for a more compassionate and connected future - including valuable lessons for leaders from a range of backgrounds and industry sectors.
With five years at the helm of the New Orleans Pelicans and a twelve-year playing career in the league, Willie Green talks about how his leadership style has evolved and the prioritized elements of his approach - notably a combination of empathy, faith, and service. He shares how he handles challenges out of his control, what it means when talent doesn’t fit, and why leadership starts with listening. From mentoring players like Josh Hart to navigating the weight of a national platform, Coach Green opens up about what guides him, what grounds him, and what makes a great leader in today’s NBA.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Trymaine Lee joins the SALA Series for a powerful conversation about truth-telling, justice, and the enduring weight of history. From the front lines of Hurricane Katrina to the streets of Ferguson, Trymaine has dedicated his career to spotlighting the voices and stories often ignored by the mainstream — with a deep focus on race, inequality, and Black life in America. In the midst of a book tour promoting his recent work: A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America, Lee shares his numerous provocative insights, including the importance of storytelling during an age of disinformation, and why truth and accountability matter now more than ever.
When it comes to understanding terrorism, intelligence, and the ever-evolving global security landscape, few voices carry more authority than Peter Bergen. As CNN’s national security analyst, author of multiple definitive books on Osama bin Laden and jihadist networks, and a seasoned journalist who produced the first television interview with bin Laden himself, Bergen brings unrivaled insight to today’s most pressing geopolitical challenges. In this remarkable episode, Peter takes us deep into the post-9/11 evolution of extremist movements—from al-Qaeda to ISIS to emerging digital radicalization—and explores how the new era of AI, cyber warfare, and great-power competition is reshaping the security playbook.
Emmy Award-winning journalists Juju Chang and Byron Pitts join the SALA Series to discuss the vital role of storytelling in American life. As co-hosts of ABC News' Nightline, Juju Chang, a 30-year veteran of broadcast journalism and Byron Pitts, former chief national correspondent for CBS Evening News, reflect on the power of journalism to foster empathy, elevate underrepresented voices, and hold power to account. With decades of experience covering breaking news, social justice, and human resilience, Chang and Pitts share their insights on fact-finding and in-depth reporting in a polarized world—and why stories still matter.
Marcia Chatelain, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, historian and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is one of the nation's foremost experts on the intersections of race, capitalism, and social change. From her work on the civil rights movement to her exploration of corporate influence in Black communities, she uncovers the forces that shape economic and social power in America. In this episode, she discusses the challenges and political realities we currently face, and the broader implications of race and business in today’s society. With deep insight and sharp analysis, Chatelain unpacks the historical roots of inequality and what it means for the future of economic justice and opportunity.
Frank Bruni, a longtime New York Times journalist, bestselling author, and Duke University professor, has spent decades analyzing the forces shaping American politics, media, and culture. From his work as a White House correspondent to his role as an op-ed columnist, he has explored the narratives that define our times. In this episode, he discusses his latest book, The Age of Grievance, examining how resentment has become a powerful force in politics and society. With sharp insight and masterful storytelling, Bruni unpacks the roots of this discontent, its impact on democracy, and what it will take to move forward
As the former Executive Editor of the Los Angeles Times, acclaimed author and journalist Kevin Merida looks back on a forty-year career as a master storyteller. From covering politics today and yesterday, to tackling hard, thorny issues, Merida discusses the evolving role of the media and its impact. Whether offering unique insights into Kamala Harris’ rise within the broader context of leadership, identity, and politics or in developing new businesses as editor-in-chief at ESPN, Merida has remarkably candid and insightful perspectives to share. He helps us understand both where we’ve come from and where we’re going within the on-going and ever-evolving world of journalism.
Hear from Isaac Saul, the award-winning founder of Tangle; a media company that reaches hundreds of thousands of engaged subscribers from across the political spectrum. In addition to understanding the positions from the left and right, Saul and his colleagues help us understand (and challenge) where (and how) media coverage leads us, while also deftly providing their own balanced views on some of the most polarizing issues of our time.
Co-hosts Monica McNutt and Dalen Cuff carve out time for a pre-holiday catch-up ranging from the day-to-day (hoops and travel) to bigger-picture musings (consumerism, intentionality and self-awareness) - and what it takes to juggle all of it as both evolve their on-air careers (including Monica being featured as part of a cartoon for the motion-enabled, animated NBA Christmas Day broadcast). With all the humor, heart, and refreshing perspectives they're well known for, this is a fun one between friends.
Colleagues at ESPN, our SALA Series co-hosts Dalen Cuff and Monica McNutt, are first and foremost good friends. Former college hoopers, Dalen (Columbia University) says Monica (Georgetown), both have a shared love for highlighting - and understanding - what drives purpose-driven leaders and the 'why' behind the impact they're making. With a shared sense of humor, Dalen says he appreciates Monica keeping him positive. And Monica appreciates the seriousness of Dalen's questioning and insights. Here they catch up after a busy summer and reflect on what lies ahead - both for themselves, the SALA Series podcast and society more generally.
Join us for a special episode featuring Juju Chang, Emmy Award-winning journalist and co-anchor of ABC News’ Nightline, Julian Zelizer, renowned historian, author and CNN political analyst, Eddie Glaude Jr., distinguished scholar, author and political analyst and Anne-Marie Slaughter, former Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. State Department and CEO of New America. This special episode days prior to the election is a timely discussion on the Fragile Nature of Our Democracy. Together, they engage in a thought-provoking conversation about democracy today and the steps needed to safeguard its future.
As CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Jonathan Greenblatt, fights against hate and antisemitism while promoting justice and inclusion. Greenblatt’s work focuses on creating a more equitable society while bridging divides and promoting resilience in these polarized times. With a deep commitment to civil rights and a clear vision for social change, Greenblatt offers insights into the power of leadership and advocacy in today’s world, making this conversation both timely and impactful.
Morgan Harper, a congressional candidate and progressive policy advocate, and Anne-Marie Slaughter, former Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. State Department and current CEO of New America, are both widely recognized for their leadership in addressing systemic challenges. Morgan Harper's work focuses on economic and racial justice, while Dr. Slaughter is one of the foremost experts on global network design and leadership; on gender equality and elevating the value of care for both men and women; and on American renewal. The author or editor of nine books, she is a contributing editor to the Financial Times and a regular columnist for Project Syndicate. Together, Harper and Slaughter bring a wealth of experience and insight on how to foster change, bridge divides, and lead with vision in a polarized world. Their deep commitment to innovation and progress makes this conversation both timely and inspiring.
The former dean of Duke University Divinity School and current President of Belmont University, Dr. Greg Jones is well known for his ability to re-shape cultures and navigate complex challenges. As an academic, Jones is one of the foremost thinkers around the power of forgiveness and ways to build (and heal) community. Dr. Jones leads with a uniquely optimistic and 'can do' mindset driving evolution and innovation within a sector facing numerous questions and challenges.
With a selfless commitment to others and a modesty starkly at odds with her extraordinary career, Lieutenant General Nadja West, the first African American Army Surgeon General and the highest-ranking woman to graduate from West Point, shares remarkable insights into leadership, resilience and teamwork. In these divisive and polarizing times, Dr. West and her almost forty year career represents the best of America.
Join us for a remarkable conversation with NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald as he shares stories and insights from his extraordinary seventeen-year playing career, along with what has driven both his business success and extraordinary commitment to community and philanthropy.
Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education, hosts Marshall Hatch Jr. and Sr., esteemed pastors and community leaders, in a compelling conversation around building community, driving social impact and investing in young people from marginalized communities. Pastor Marshall Hatch Sr., leader of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, has long been a force in faith-based initiatives on Chicago’s West Side, while Hatch Jr. builds on this legacy through youth advocacy and empowerment. Together with their friend Arne Duncan, they offer powerful insights into what's needed to uplift underserved communities and drive systemic change.
Jonathan Koppell, the ninth president of Montclair State University, shares his vision for one of New Jersey’s leading public research institutions and insights into the challenges (and opportunities) for higher education more generally, including student protests, the impact of AI technology and inclusiveness in admissions. Drawing from his experience at Arizona State University, where he led one of the nation's largest public affairs colleges, Koppell offers extraordinary insights into building a thriving, diverse university that advances societal well-being and shapes the next generation of leaders.
An extraordinary discussion with Larry Miller, Chairman of the Jordan Brand, around the power of second chances. Having been in jail decades ago and now serving as a leading executive at the Jordan Brand (NIKE, Inc.), Miller serves as a remarkable example of second chances. Among other things, Miller shares his rationale for writing “Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom” and more generally reflects on his journey from the violent streets of West Philly in the 1960s to the highest echelons of the sports industry.
As professor of government and law at Georgetown University and founder of the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, Marc Howard has dedicated his life to addressing the deep flaws in America’s criminal justice system. From exposing misaligned incentives to advocating for meaningful second chance programs, Marc provides a powerful perspective on what systemic change needs to look like. Leading a movement to ensure the humanity of incarcerated individuals, Marc is helping drive long-lasting change and ensuring more equitable opportunities for marginalized communities.
Rich Gotham, long-time president of the Boston Celtics, pairs with Allison Feaster, Vice President of Player Development and Organizational Growth and one of the highest ranking women executives in the league, to share insights into the culture and operations of one of the world's most recognizable sports brands. From building a world championship team to the organization's commitment to social impact and community leadership, Gotham and Feaster offer extraordinary insights into what it takes to achieve excellence across every facet of an organization's operations.
As a New York Times best-selling author, CNN Political Analyst, and Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University, Julian Zelizer provides remarkable historical context around the fragile nature of our democracy, political polarization and the impact of modern media. Beyond offering remarkable insights into how we find ourselves in this current state, Zelizer adeptly foreshadows future possibilities and both the 'what' and 'why' behind the forces at play.
One of the nation's most prominent scholars, Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr., offers nuanced insights into the complexity of the American experience and experiment. Drawing upon his vast writings, he shares profound observations into the experiences of Black communities, the difficulties of race in the United States and the challenges we face as a democracy. A highly accomplished and respected scholar of religion, Glaude's exemplary scholarship prompts us to confront our collective American conscience and the role we each play in driving positive change in society.
Built around themes of radical forgiveness, redemption and shared humanity, Marc Howard, Founder and President of The Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, hosts an extraordinary session between two protagonists: Randall Bagley and Idris Mitchell; individuals who share a complicated past: it was Randall who shot and killed Idris' father twenty-five years ago and Idris who appealed for Randall's freedom during a sentence review in 2022. Join us for what is an emotional, raw and enlightening discussion.
A remarkable discussion with Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, the Founding Spiritual Leader of Lab/Shul NYC. Uncover the profound impact of Rabbi Amichai's transformative efforts, offering a renewed outlook on the challenges of faith amid conflict. Delve into his extraordinary approach to merging diverse spiritual forms and fostering community cohesion. Gain exclusive insights into navigating the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a spiritual perspective.
With an unprecedented 36-year winning streak, Billy Walters is known as the greatest (and most controversial) sports better of all time. But beyond his revolutionary approach to sports betting, Walters shares insights from an extraordinary lived journey, including being born into rural poverty in Kentucky, overcoming addictions and outmaneuvering organized crime, to extraordinary philanthropic commitments and impact. A self-made man who has won it all, lost it all and made it all back, Walters had dedicated his life to helping others learn from his successes, failures and remarkable resilience.
Monica, Dalen and Peter Farnsworth get together for their annual check in - looking back on the creation of SALA, the past year's highlights and plans for future impact
Described as the 'No-Stats All-Star', Shane Battier always made the teams he played for much better - and his opponents much worse. Post playing days, he continues to inspire, mentor, dream big and take brave steps toward ensuring a brighter future. An inspiring and insightful conversation with a purpose-driven leader.
Best selling author, acclaimed public speaker and distinguished professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, Dr. Bettina Love provides an impassioned vision around the future of education and its role as the underpinning of a more just society. The renowned author of the New York Times bestseller "Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal," Dr. Love offers profound insights across a range of interrelated topics, including abolitionist teaching, youth civic engagement, anti-racism, Hip Hop education, Black girlhood, queer youth and educational reparations.
Shawn Spruce, host of 'Native America Calling,' the nation's only daily interactive audio program featuring Native & Indigenous voices, explains ways culturally-relevant storytelling builds community and drives positive impact on the lives of Native Americans.
Join Presidents Dr. Larry Robinson of FAMU and Darrell K. Williams of Hampton University, as they share their insights into higher education and the unique place of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As leaders of public (FAMU) and private (Hampton) institutions, each has set new standards for innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement.
With lived experiences through the American justice system, Jarrett and Joi Adams have first-hand experience with wrongful convictions, aiding the transition for the formerly incarcerated and advocating for under-served populations. Their personal journey raises important questions around fairness, equality and justice - illuminating one of the great crises facing America today.
From an electrifying NBA and college playing career to his transition into coaching, Vanderbilt Men's Basketball Coach Jerry Stackhouse shares stories of his unique journey, including the ever-changing nature of the game, areas of opportunity and impact, and his motivations moving forward.
With extensive experience in the for-profit sector along with senior-level posts in academia, renown author, educator and speaker Jason Wingard, President of Temple University, addresses the critical state of higher education: declining enrollments, questions about job and career readiness, cost and affordability and curriculum relevance within a rapidly evolving economy.
As chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, Peter Baker leads coverage of President Biden, the fifth president he has covered. Having spent four years as the bureau chief in Moscow and also Jerusalem, Baker is the author of seven books, most recently “The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021". Winner of all major awards related to White House reporting, Baker is also a political analyst for MSNBC and a regular panelist on PBS’s “Washington Week.”
As president of Arizona State University, Michael Crow has led groundbreaking transformation towards innovation, inclusivity and socioeconomic diversity. Hear his unique perspective on education and how ASU has consistently been recognized as the most innovative institution of higher education in America.
Hear from Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America, a think and action tank that strives to help us realize our highest ideals as a nation -- seizing on the benefits and opportunities created via technology and social change while honestly confronting the inherent challenges.
Compelling discussion with Peter Farnsworth regarding the creation and development of the SALA Series - the why behind its formation, its unique role and positioning and what the future holds.
Juju Chang, multiple Emmy Award-winning co-author of ABC News' "Nightline" joins her husband Neal Shapiro, CEO of WNET and former President of NBC News, for a fascinating discussion regarding the fragile nature of our Democracy and the on-going responsibility of the news media.
Groundbreaking physician-scientist, disease hunter, speaker, and national bestselling author shares extraordinary learnings from a remarkable life journey: from college quarterback to receiving his last rites while in medical school and nearly dying four more times battling Castleman disease. As he saved his own life, he spearheaded an innovative approach to research through the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) and discovered a treatment that is saving his life and countless others.
Lead ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas and Auburn Men's College Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl discuss their trip this past summer to Israel with the Auburn basketball team to Israel; the extraordinary personal growth, understanding and unifying power of the game.
Mitch Landrieu is a Senior Advisor to the President to the United States and the Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator. He joins Dalen and Monica to discuss leadership - where it comes from, what's required and how we best move forward together.
Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, joins Dalen and Monica to talk about the repeal of Roe v. Wade and the on-going fight for abortion rights. With the midterm elections looming, Johnson speaks to the importance of health equity and urgency of the fight for women's rights.
Tara August has the enviable role of partnering with the loquacious, outspoken - and outsized - personality of Charles Barkley on “Inside the NBA” on Turner Sports. With an initial two-year deal with TNT signed in 2000, Barkley has entertained hundreds of millions of sports fans since. August not only keeps things on track, but she and Barkley have a decades-long friendship and business partnership few know about and most would envy.
Best-selling author and Chairman of The HOW Institute for Society, Dov Seidman pairs with Gregg Berhalter, head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team. Berhalter’s intentional build of team culture can be seen through the lens of Seidman’s best-selling book: How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything. Explains Seidman: “Self-governing cultures both inspire alignment and eject elements that don't fit in.”
Recently voted as president of the NBA Players Association, purchasing a 300+ acre vineyard and releasing the McCollum Heritage 91 wine label, CJ McCollum epitomizes the next-generation of professional athlete: an entrepreneur, investor, new father and shooting guard extraordinaire.
The CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays and the CEO of the national nonprofit MENTOR happen to be brothers and one another’s biggest fans.
Dynamic mother-son combination, highlighting a renowned civil rights lawyer, author and professor and her son, an activist in his own right, who leads the San Francisco Foundation.
Featuring the most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history and her brother and manager who have teamed up to launch and develop Saysh, a high-growth women’s footwear and lifestyle brand.
Fellow travelers, former colleagues and dear friends who are making a dramatic impact in their respective worlds – Golston as President of the US Program for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gayle as CEO of The Chicago Community Trust.
Remarkable allies, Duncan, the former US Secretary of Education founded the nonprofit Chicago CRED and works closely with Toler, Director of Outreach and a former Chicago gang leader, in an attempt to rewrite the story of gun violence in Chicago.
Featuring Rose, the provocative on-air talent for ESPN and former NBA star, and Green, a former NBA player and current rookie head coach with the New Orleans Pelicans. With a decades-long friendship, Rose and Green are from Detroit and proud of it.
Featuring Knox, an exoneree, journalist and author alongside Howard, a professor of government and law at Georgetown University, who founded the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice; a multi-state Prison Visitation Program that facilitates prison visits and engenders meaningful personal and systemic change.
CEO of the Obama Foundation, as well as a best-selling author and renown businessperson who was widely recognized as the single most influential person in the Obama White House during her eight years as senior advisor.
Welcome to the SALA Series Podcast – bringing together purpose-driven leaders and ideas that matter. Hosted by Dalen Cuff and Monica McNutt, SALA celebrates diverse voices and highlights a commitment to community and individuals who are driving positive change across the interrelated worlds of sports, entertainment, corporate and nonprofit.