Revealing, intimate conversations with visionaries and leaders in the arts, science, technology, public service, sports and business. These engaging personal stories are drawn from interviews with the American Academy of Achievement, and offer insights you’ll want to apply to your own life.
What It Takes®
Claim This Podcastby Academy of Achievement
4.7(967 reviews)
227 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
79
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality93
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement67
Podcast Overview
Revealing, intimate conversations with visionaries and leaders in the arts, science, technology, public service, sports and business. These engaging personal stories are drawn from interviews with the American Academy of Achievement, and offer insights you’ll want to apply to your own life.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/3/2015
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79
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality93
Social0
YouTube93
Engagement67
11
Excellent Areas
1
Good Performance
7
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
22 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
iTunes Tags
7.2/10
Recommendations available
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needs improvement
Publishing Consistency
Every 16 days
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Recent Episodes
April 13, 2026
Cindy Sherman: Illusions of Identity
Cindy Sherman, one of the world's most renowned contemporary art photographers, started posing for her own photos in the 1970's, long before the advent of selfies. But she says her images are not self-portraits. Instead, she uses sets, costumes and makeup to create an elaborate array of characters. In this introspective interview about her journey as an individual and an artist, Cindy Sherman reveals how and why she hides herself from view.
November 27, 2025
Tara VanDerveer: A Vision for Victory
She is one of the greatest basketball coaches in history, and an inspiration to generations of young women. Tara VanDerveer was head coach of the Stanford Women's Basketball team for 38 seasons. She led her team to three NCAA Championships. She also led the national women's basketball team to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. Here she talks eloquently about her lifelong love for the game and about her frustrations early in life, before Title IX, when there were no women's teams available to her. She also talks in detail about her unique and winning approach to coaching, and describes the ways she finds basketball metaphors in everything she does!
October 27, 2025
Billie Jean King: Racquet Revolutionary
She is a sports icon and a trailblazer for women. She won 39 Grand Slam tennis titles during her career, and she fought for equal pay and equal opportunity for women in the game. She founded the Women’s Tennis Association and was the first woman named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated Magazine. She captivated the world when she won "The Battle of the Sexes".against Bobby Riggs. Now 81 years old, Billie Jean King has a lot of thoughts about her storied career, and many tales to tell!
227 total episodes available with 4 transcripts
Recent guests on What It Takes®
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Lotte Bjerre Knudsen
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is What It Takes®?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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