My guest for Episode #290 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Michelle Rankine, Ph.D., a trailblazing entrepreneur in the health space who built a multimillion-dollar home care franchise business to address disparities in Black and Brown communities.

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A former sports executive with roles at major organizations like the U.S. Olympic Committee, Michelle found her calling in senior home care after her brother’s tragic car accident left him paralyzed. Driven by a strong sense of purpose and community, she now owns three Right at Home franchises in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, prioritizing quality care and bridging critical gaps for aging adults.

In this episode, Michelle and host Mark Graban explore her biggest lessons learned: why trust is essential when building a business, how data-driven KPIs can spark growth, and where home care fits into the spectrum of healthcare services.

Michelle shares her personal story of shifting from the security of collegiate sports administration to the uncertainty of entrepreneurship, revealing how she discovered resilience, the importance of coaching, and the power of focusing on the right goals.

Key themes include fostering health equity, measuring what matters, and creating supportive networks—whether for Olympic athletes or for families needing respite care.

• Could you share your “favorite mistake,” and how did you learn from it?
• Was your realization about needing to trust others gradual, or was there a clear wake-up call?
• Which key KPIs helped you decide to step away from handling sales yourself?
• How did your team respond when you began delegating more, and did you get any feedback about micromanaging?
• What led you from a career in sports management to launching a home care business?
• How do the resilience and focus you gained in athletics translate to entrepreneurship?
• What are the biggest health disparities you aim to address, and how do your franchises help bridge those gaps?
• Could you clarify the difference between ‘home care’ and ‘home health,’ and why does that distinction matter?
• Why do some families wait too long to seek help, and how can people avoid that mistake?
• What advice would you offer to adult children who find themselves caring for aging parents, especially when roles reverse?

I’m taking the next two weeks off, but I’ll be back with new episodes on January 6th.

Please check out the back catalog of episodes!

If you’re looking for something to read over the holidays, my book The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation (that contains many stories and lessons learned from my guests… and my own career) is available for a special price — the Kindle format is just $2.99 (and equivalent prices around the world).

Visit Amazon in your country, or go to mistakesbook.com to learn more and to get a free preview.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

My guest for Episode #289 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jonathan Bailey, founder of PlagiarismToday.com. He’s also a Copyright and Plagiarism Consultant at CopyByte, with background and education in Journalism.

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He’s spoken at conferences worldwide, including four of the International Plagiarism Conferences, three SXSWi Conferences, and much more. He’s also been featured in countless publications, including The Boston Globe, The Guardian, PBS MediaShift, The New York Times, and the BBC, to name a few.

In today's episode, Jonathan discusses his journey as a leading voice in copyright and plagiarism consulting. He shares insights into the challenges of protecting intellectual property in the digital age, offering practical advice on addressing online plagiarism, copyright infringement, and related issues.

Jonathan reflects on a career-defining mistake where he made a fear-driven decision to take an exclusive job, which ultimately led him to realize the importance of betting on himself.

The conversation also spans topics such as effective ways to handle plagiarism, the role of proper attribution, and the differences between copyright and plagiarism, offering valuable lessons for content creators and businesses navigating intellectual property challenges.

• What is your favorite mistake?
• What is your best definition of plagiarism in both academic and business contexts?
• How do you handle gray areas in plagiarism, such as overly close paraphrasing or using someone’s ideas without credit?
• What inspired you to start Plagiarism Today?
• What advice would you give to content creators dealing with websites that copy their work without permission?
• How does the DMCA process work for addressing online copyright infringement?
• What mistakes do people make in assuming online content (like photos or videos) is free to use?
• Can you explain the difference between “free” and “royalty-free” content?
• How can podcasters or creators avoid legal pitfalls when using music or other media?
• Are there connections between your haunted house work and intellectual property issues, such as using copyrighted characters?
• Why is copying and pasting content on platforms like LinkedIn or Threads a problem, even when attribution is provided?
• What steps can platforms like LinkedIn take to address copyright infringement?
• How should creators respond to claims that unauthorized use of their work is "helping give it exposure"?

My guest for this bonus episode of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is ESPN anchor Randy Scott. He shares a hilarious yet humbling story from his early days on live television. Reflecting on an on-air blunder during Highlight Express, Randy reveals how the moment taught him resilience, the power of adaptability, and the importance of laughing at yourself.

Join us as Randy takes us behind the scenes at ESPN and shares valuable lessons learned from his favorite mistake!

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My guest for Episode #288 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rupal Patel - she’s a former CIA analyst turned serial entrepreneur, who has embarked on an unconventional journey from military briefing rooms in jungles to corporate boardrooms and international stages.

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Her newly released book, From CIA to CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better, and Being Bolder, is not just a memoir but a comprehensive ops manual and tradecraft toolkit for leaders and entrepreneurs.

Serving primarily under President George W. Bush after 9/11, she became an intelligence expert on Afghanistan. She advised Four-Star Generals, earned War Zone Service Medals, and was recognized by the CIA Director for “superior support to the President of the United States.”

After leaving the CIA, she earned her MBA and started her first award-winning business over ten years ago. Rupal is a sought-after international speaker and corporate advisor who has spoken in front of thousands and delivered leadership and talent development programs for Fortune 500 companies around the globe and the White House.

In this episode, Rupal shares her journey from briefing four-star generals in war zones to advising Fortune 500 companies in boardrooms. She reflects on a defining moment at the CIA, where a false accusation taught her the importance of standing up for herself and overcoming self-blame. Rupal discusses lessons in leadership, the value of emotional intelligence, and the power of “tactical ignorance” in decision-making and problem-solving. She also explores how owning one’s uniqueness—what she calls “owning your weird”—can unlock potential and authenticity in leadership and life.

• What’s your favorite mistake, and what did you learn from it?
• How did the accusation from your supervisor affect your working relationship?
• Did that experience lead to your decision to leave the CIA?
• What motivated you to join the CIA, and how did that opportunity come about?
• How did your CIA experience shape your transition into business and leadership?
• What CIA methods or mindsets do you think are most applicable to business strategy?
• How do you balance strategic planning with the unpredictability of real-world situations?
• Can you explain the concept of “tactical ignorance” and its role in decision-making?
• What advice do you have for leaders or entrepreneurs facing setbacks or mistakes?
• What inspired you to write From CIA to CEO, and what was the writing process like?
• Did you need CIA approval to share details in your book?
• What does “owning your weird” mean to you, and why is it important for leadership?

My guest for Episode #287 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Steven L. Blue, the CEO of Miller Ingenuity, a global manufacturer and supplier of railroad parts and high-technology rail safety systems and services.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

He’s a recognized expert in business transformation. With 50 years of experience leading companies across diverse industries like manufacturing and publishing, Steve has a proven track record of turning businesses around and driving massive profit increases.

A best-selling author and regular media personality, Steve is also a sought-after keynote speaker who has spoken at prestigious venues like Harvard Business School, The United Nations, and Carnegie Hall. His leadership insights have been featured in major outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, Forbes, and CNBC.

In this episode, we dive into the pivotal lessons learned from mistakes, exploring how past successes can plant the seeds for future missteps. Steve shares his story of a bold but ultimately flawed business venture in Cuba, unpacking how ego and faulty assumptions led to failure—and valuable insights.

We discuss the importance of testing assumptions, inviting challenges from peers and boards, and fostering a culture that learns from, rather than fears, mistakes. Steve also highlights the transformation of Miller Ingenuity, offering wisdom on leadership, rebranding, and building a culture of continuous improvement that empowers employees to innovate and adapt.

This conversation is rich with reflections on the intersection of humility, risk-taking, and the resilience required to navigate today’s business landscape.

• What is your favorite mistake, and what did you learn from it?
• What was the event at Carnegie Hall where you spoke?
• How did you approach navigating the challenges of broadcasting from Cuba?
• Why do you think there was low interest in the U.S. for the Cuba broadcast?
• What lessons did you take away about making assumptions in business?
• How do you accurately forecast interest in new ventures?
• What role does ego play in decision-making, and how can it lead to mistakes?
• Why is failure an important part of learning and eventual success?
• How do you test assumptions before making significant investments?
• What’s the role of a board of directors in challenging and validating assumptions?
• How do you navigate resistance to new ideas within your team or board?
• What was the process behind rebranding Miller Ingenuity?
• How did you ensure the rebrand was successful and aligned with your business goals?
• What role does culture play in Lean manufacturing at Miller Ingenuity?
• How do you foster an environment where employees feel safe admitting mistakes?
• What’s your approach to hiring and ensuring cultural fit within your teams?
• How do you balance empowering teams with stepping in during a crisis?
• What leadership attitudes are most likely to lead to business disasters?
• What steps do you take to prevent and respond to unforeseen disasters?
• What advice would you give to other leaders about sustaining a culture of continuous improvement?

My guest for Episode #286 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Nancy Ho, a distinguished Life Strategist, Clarity Messenger, and State of Mind Specialist with over 26 years of experience guiding individuals toward holistic success.

Oops! The original audio file was not playing properly due to an editing error. My mistake!

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

Throughout her illustrious career, Nancy has empowered over 10,000 clients, including C-Suite executives, mid-level managers, and business owners, to navigate the intricate balance between professional achievement and personal fulfillment.

She’s co-author of the book Success Redefined with Jack Canfield.

In today's episode, Nancy shares the story of her favorite mistake—losing $300,000 in just five months pursuing a lifelong dream of opening a wine bar. She reflects on the critical lessons she learned about the importance of due diligence, trusting gut instincts, and recognizing misaligned partnerships. Nancy discusses how this experience shaped her approach to coaching, helping clients uncover their life purpose, navigate the paradox of professional success, and integrate work and personal fulfillment. She offers practical strategies for managing stress, addressing incomplete tasks, and shifting from fear-based thinking to resilience and clarity. Nancy’s insights provide inspiration and actionable advice for anyone striving to align their career, values, and sense of purpose.

• What is your favorite mistake?
• What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during this venture, and how did you handle them?
• What lessons did you learn from this experience, and how do you apply them in your work today?
• Do you have any regrets about walking away from the business?
• What is your life purpose, and how do you help others articulate theirs?
• What do you mean by the “professional paradox,” and how do you help clients facing career and life challenges?
• How do you approach unraveling the root causes of professional struggles for your clients?
• What strategies do you recommend for managing stress caused by incomplete tasks?
• How do you help clients shift from fear of failure to a mindset of resilience and growth?
• How has this mistake influenced your approach to life and business coaching?

Welcome back to My Favorite Mistake! In this bonus episode, host Mark Graban reconnects with returning guest Dr. Janet Polach, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and PhD in organizational development.

Janet, who previously appeared on Episode 175, shares insights from her new book, "The Strategic Leader's Mindset: Unlocking the Keys to Success." This book offers actionable strategies for executives making the challenging shift to strategic leadership roles. Janet's website: https://janetpolach.com/

In this conversation, Janet explores key concepts such as embracing ambiguity, strengthening internal and external relationships, and the importance of setting aside dedicated time to develop strategic thinking. She dives into the practical tools and exercises included in each chapter to help leaders take action on what they learn.

Tune in to hear how Janet's approach to writing has evolved, her lessons on strategic leadership, and why it’s essential to engage with peers across industries to drive innovation and insight.

Plus, get a glimpse into Janet’s favorite leadership lessons, from “leaning into ambiguity” to harnessing outside perspectives for organizational success. If you’re an aspiring or seasoned leader, this episode is packed with valuable advice.

And if you missed her original episode, catch Janet's "favorite mistake" story in Episode 175 at https://www.markgraban.com/mistake175