Welcome to The Popped Kernel.

Here you will find success secrets of industry luminaries. From business and politics to arts and entertainment, The Popped Kernel aims to bring you the inspiring stories you don't know behind the people you do. We hope that you find in them the motivation to follow your passion and make a real difference.

And what better way to launch The Popped Kernel than covering the World Business Forum in New York City, Oct 6 & 7, 2009. Headliners of past World Business Forums have included Richard Branson, Alan Greenspan, Colin Powell, Jim Collins, Rudy Giuliani, Muhammad Yunus, Tony Blair, and Jack Welch. This year, headliners include Bill Clinton, George Lucas, and Patrick Lencioni. Visit us here for live updates and incisive interviews.

For a preview of what you can expect, come back tomorrow. We will post highlights from our recent interview with Patrick Lencioni, best-selling author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and "A Top Ten Guru You Should Know" according to Fortune magazine. He turned down offers from Steve Jobs and Eric Schmidt to pursue his passion and reach the pinnacle of success. Find out the secret ingredients that got him there.