The best leaders don’t have all the answers — they ask better questions.

In this episode of Tell Me More, Joel Worthington sits down with franchise industry powerhouse Mary Thompson, CEO of BNI and former COO of Neighborly, for a masterclass on leadership, growth, culture, and influence. Drawing from decades of experience leading franchise organizations, scaling businesses, and developing high-performing teams, Mary shares the leadership lessons that transformed her from a tactical operator into a visionary CEO.

Together, Joel and Mary unpack why leadership is not about titles, authority, or having the quickest answer — it’s about creating clarity, asking compelling questions, listening deeply, and helping people grow into their potential. From “bottom line up front” leadership to building cultures rooted in accountability and trust, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for leaders at every level.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why leadership is about influence, not position
• How asking better questions creates better leaders
• Why “Tell Me More” is one of the most powerful phrases in leadership
• The difference between tactical leadership and visionary leadership
• How great leaders build culture through values, curiosity, and accountability
• Why leaders must allow people to “fail forward” in order to grow
• How to create employee engagement by helping people see where they fit

Mary also shares hard-earned lessons from leading major franchise organizations, scaling teams through rapid growth, and learning how to slow down, listen, and lead with intentionality.

Because leadership isn’t about controlling people.
It’s about equipping them, inspiring them, and helping them become more than they thought possible.

Lean in — and tell me more.

Host:
Joel Worthington

Guest:
Mary Thompson — CEO of BNI, Former COO of Neighborly, Former Chair of the International Franchise Association

Show:
Tell Me More

Connect with Joel:
LinkedIn: Joel Worthington
Instagram: @joelworthington

Connect with Mary Thompson:
BNI: BNI.com

The biggest leadership failures rarely come from bad intentions. They come from leaders who stop asking questions.

In this episode of Tell Me More, Joel Worthington sits down with nationally recognized trial attorney and entrepreneur Parag Amin to unpack the deep connection between leadership, influence, trust, decision-making, and human psychology. After recovering more than $280 million for clients and building a highly successful law practice from scratch, Parag shares the leadership lessons he’s learned from the courtroom — and why they apply directly to business, culture, and organizational success.

From jury selection and persuasion to hiring, accountability, due diligence, and difficult conversations, Joel and Parag explore how great leaders build trust, influence teams, and avoid the blind spots that destroy businesses.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why great leaders ask hard questions — especially of themselves
• How poor due diligence destroys businesses and relationships
• The leadership danger of overconfidence and the Dunning-Kruger Effect
• Why trust, credibility, and integrity are everything in leadership
• How influence works in courtrooms, boardrooms, and team meetings
• Why employees and teams behave like juries
• How leaders lose people when they rely on authority instead of persuasion
• Why successful teams are built through belief, culture, and accountability

Parag also shares powerful lessons from growing his law firm, leading high-performing teams, and helping entrepreneurs avoid legal and leadership mistakes that can cost them everything.

Because leadership isn’t about forcing people to follow you.
It’s about earning trust, building credibility, and winning people over through authenticity and preparation.

Lean in — and tell me more.

Host:
Joel Worthington

Guest:
Parag Amin — Trial Attorney, Entrepreneur & Author of The Entrepreneur’s Legal Playbook

Show:
Tell Me More

Connect with Joel:
LinkedIn: Joel Worthington
Instagram: @joelworthington

Connect with Parag Amin:
Website: ParagAminLaw.com
Book: The Entrepreneur’s Legal Playbook

Most employees aren’t disengaged because they’re lazy. They’re disengaged because they don’t feel safe, valued, or connected.

In this episode of Tell Me More, Joel Worthington sits down with leadership strategist and workplace psychology expert Jess Lane to unpack the real reasons employee engagement is collapsing in modern workplaces — and what leaders can do to fix it.

After helping major brands like Porsche, Visa, Olay, Michelob Ultra, and multiple tech unicorns scale and grow, Jess experienced a life-changing layoff that forced her to rethink identity, purpose, leadership, and the future of work. That journey led her to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and launch The Four Cup Company, a business focused on helping people design more meaningful and purpose-driven careers.

Together, Joel and Jess explore the psychology behind workplace culture, employee motivation, leadership, and human-centered performance. From psychological safety and belonging to autonomy and meaning, this conversation delivers practical leadership strategies that every manager, entrepreneur, and executive needs to hear.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why psychological safety is essential for productivity and innovation
• How poor leadership destroys employee engagement and trust
• Why people perform better when they feel valued and connected
• The five workplace factors that drive happier, healthier teams
• How autonomy and flexibility increase motivation and ownership
• Why leaders must create meaning, not just manage tasks
• How human-centered leadership improves culture, retention, and profits

Jess also shares powerful insights on identity, layoffs, burnout, career reinvention, and why the future of leadership must balance technology with humanity.

Because people don’t thrive when they feel controlled.
They thrive when they feel safe, seen, and significant.

Lean in — and tell me more.

Connect with Joel:
LinkedIn: Joel Worthington
Instagram: @joelworthington

Connect with Jess Lane:
Website: FourCupCo.com
LinkedIn: Jess Lane