Welcome to MENTOR dna

Welcome to MENTOR dna, a leadership podcast hosted by Meesh Pierce. I welcome you to drop in as I talk to my c-suite friends about what makes them tick, lessons they’ve learned through their career successes and failures, and memories we share through the decades spent growing up in our careers. MENTOR dna is your backstage pass to learning how to reach your next career goal - whether as a manager or serving on a board.

Recent podcast guests

Fred Croshal 2021

Fred Croshal – Music Industry Sales & Marketing Exec

Fred Croshal is one of the most positive and nurturing people I know. His energy immediately permeates any room environment, making fast friends. Fred was head of sales at the WORK Group at Sony Music and he wrote one of my recommendations for my business school applications. When I opened my acceptance letters, he blasted Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” in his office at volume 11 as we danced and laughed our hearts out in celebration!

meesh pierce April 14, 2021

Susan Natland, Sr. Partner, Knobbe Martens

Susan Natland, Sr. Partner Knobbe Martens

I’d never given much thought to intellectual property law until one of our investment portfolio companies ran into lawsuits by trademark trolls. I’ve since learned about the subtle nuance of protecting and defending your ideas. Susan Natland is a partner at Knobbe Martens, a law firm specializing in intellectual property and also serves as Vice Chair of the USPTO Trademark Advisory Committee and we had a fantastic chat about staying true to yourself.

meesh pierce October 19, 2021

Jason Hodell, CEO Skullcandy

Jason and I became fast friends on the volleyball court. His wife and I also bonded during our years in Philly and beyond. Jason has such a competitive yet gentle spirit. But don’t talk trash under the net else you suffer the wrath of Big Red emblazoning your forehead with a 100 mph kill.

meesh pierce June 15, 2021

MENTOR dna's host

Meesh Pierce is a former executive who’s worked with fantastic leaders throughout her career in tech, entertainment, and corporate and non-profit boards. MENTOR dna brings these leaders into the spotlight to share their stories. Consider MENTOR dna your VIP coaching session with hard-to-reach executives across a variety of industries.

Leadership books

Following is an extensive list of recommended leadership books from my podcast guests.

Getting to Yes

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.
The Goal

The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement
Stocks for the Long Run

Stocks for the Long Run: The Definitive Guide to Financial Market Returns & Long-Term Investment Strategies
Team of Rivals

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

How to Win Friends and Influence People

How to Win Friends and Influence People: self-help book written by Dale Carnegie. Over 30 million copies of this book have been worldwide.
The E-Myth Revisited

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
The Splendid and the Vile

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich: The Complete Original Edition Plus Bonus Material
Mindset

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

The One Minute Manager

The New One Minute Manager offers a way for you to succeed sooner with less stress in changing times—both at work and at home.
Good to Great

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't