Breakthrough Innovation

Most executives believe they're strong communicators. Their teams often disagree. That gap — and what to do about it — is exactly where Dr. Danny Brassell lives.Known as "Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.," Dr. Brassell has delivered over 3,500 keynotes worldwide and authored 21 books on leadership, communication, and business growth. As co-founder of WellCrafted Story™, he's helped entrepreneurs, executives, and organizations transform the way they communicate — turning speaking engagements into measurable business results.In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, produced by Centered, host J.L. Heather sits down with Dr. Brassell to unpack why storytelling without intention falls flat — and what separates a good speaker from one who actually moves the needle.You'll walk away with:The Five C's framework for building a presentation that converts — not just engagesWhy ending on your call to action may be costing you 50% of your audienceThe counterintuitive reason leaders should share their failures, not their victoriesA free Storytelling Blueprint at freestoryguide.com to start building your own Well-Crafted StoryIf your ideas deserve a bigger audience — and a bigger return — this episode is your starting point.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

Most organizations don't fail at strategy. They fail at execution — and the gap between the two is where transformations go to die.In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, JL Heather sits down with Jeff Niebuhr, a seasoned technology and delivery executive who has spent his career leading large, complex organizations through modernization, restructuring, and high-stakes change. Jeff has led global teams of hundreds, delivered mission-critical platforms at companies like Verizon, and operated at the intersection where strategy either works in practice — or fails fast.Jeff shares what he actually looks for when he steps into a broken organization, including the red flags most leaders overlook, why "can't" is almost always hiding a decision someone is afraid to make, and why knowledge trapped in one person's head is one of the biggest transformation risks in enterprise technology.He also pulls back the curtain on a surprising side project: an AI-powered autonomous content and marketing system — with roughly 50 virtual employees — that recently won a Pinnacle Award for autonomous enterprise systems. The lessons he's drawn from building it part-time are reshaping how he thinks about AI as a force multiplier inside large organizations.If you're a senior leader navigating transformation pressure, this one is worth your full attention.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Coby Skonord, founder of IdeaWake, about why most corporate innovation programs fail — and how organizations can unlock massive value from the ideas already inside their workforce.Coby shares lessons from building IdeaWake from scratch, raising venture funding, and helping companies like Kraft Heinz, SiriusXM, and U.S. Bank crowdsource employee ideas that drive measurable business impact.💡 Why most innovation programs fail before they start🚫 The “black hole” problem that kills employee participation📉 Why companies expect breakthrough innovation but fund it like a side project⚙️ How small operational improvements often outperform moonshots📊 The simple framework companies can use to measure innovation ROIIf you're trying to build a culture of innovation, this episode shows why ideas aren’t the problem — systems are.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Paul Schmidt, VP of AI & Innovation at SmartBug Media, to break down why so many innovation efforts fail — even when the ideas are solid.Paul brings an operator’s lens to innovation, services, and AI adoption, focusing not on hype, but on what actually sells, scales, and sticks.💥 The #1 reason new services fail: no distribution, no buyers🧩 Why innovation must include sales, marketing, service, and customers from day one📉 How overly bespoke solutions quietly kill scalability🎯 Why your biggest growth lever is probably existing customers, not new logos🤖 How to adopt AI by solving small, painful problems instead of boiling the oceanIf you care about turning innovation into revenue — not theater — this episode delivers a clear, grounded playbook.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Kylee Ingram, co-founder and CEO of Wiser, to unpack why organizations with smart, experienced leaders still make costly decisions.Kylee’s journey spans international television, award-winning interactive media, and now decision science — all driven by one core question: why do groups sometimes make brilliant decisions and other times fail spectacularly?🧠 Why decision quality is not the same as decision outcomes🚨 The three hidden biases sabotaging leadership teams👥 Why “the loudest voice” often wins — and why that’s dangerous📊 How cognitive diversity matters more than titles or hierarchy⚙️ How better decision design can reduce errors and increase innovationThis episode is a wake-up call for executives who rely on instinct, experience, or consensus — and want a more reliable way to lead through complexity.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Oksana Lukash, executive advisor, culture builder, and former Chief People Officer, about what real transformation looks like — not the buzzword kind, but the kind that reshapes identity, systems, and leadership behavior.Oksana shares her No Matter What values framework and powerful insights into how leaders can navigate crisis, growth, and cultural rewrites with clarity, courage, and humanity.💡 Why confidence is misunderstood — and how clarity changes everything🚫 What happens when toxic high performers go unchecked🧠 How leaders can discover their “unknown unknowns” (and respond without ego)🛑 Why “culture” isn’t words on a wall — it’s daily behavior🌱 The power of modeling behavior and letting go of performative leadershipThis conversation is for bold leaders ready to move from fear-driven systems to values-driven culture.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Jeff Sykes, a veteran DevOps and platform engineering leader who’s helped teams bridge the gap between tech ambition and real-world sustainability.Jeff shares honest reflections on infrastructure, culture, and leadership — and why understanding the story you’re in might be the most important part of doing meaningful work.🧱 Why building is fun — but value is only captured in the running💥 “Production hates you” — the mindset shift DevOps engineers must make🧠 Why story beats principle — and how narrative creates resilience🧭 The bridge-builder mindset: how to walk halfway toward dev, ops, or security🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Why therapy, friends, and slowing down might be your next leadership moveThis is a vulnerable, wise, and powerful conversation for anyone leading in complexity — especially if you’re questioning what it all means.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by James A. Weiss, Managing Director at Big Drop Inc., a top-tier digital agency known for high-impact web and platform experiences.James shares what most companies get wrong about digital transformation — and how to build creative, scalable solutions that don’t fall apart in 12 months.🚫 Why most transformation efforts fail before they deliver value🧠 The real reason teams lose motivation — and how to reignite them with purpose📊 When “doctor smiles” is a better metric than site traffic⚙️ Why you must stop buying solutions and start defining real problems🧱 How to build platforms that grow with you — not lock you inThis episode is packed with lessons for digital leaders who want to deliver lasting impact — not just shiny features.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Dr. Christiana Schroeder, leadership strategist, TEDx speaker, and creator of the Petite Practice Framework — a simple but powerful method built on behavioral science.If you’ve ever struggled with overwhelm, lack of clarity, or feeling stuck as a leader, this episode is your permission to simplify and start again — with one small step.💡 Why consistency beats intensity for sustainable success📉 How the internal monologue silently sabotages momentum🔁 The STEP framework: Simplify, Tell someone, Examine, Praise progress🔥 The myth of “big leaps” — and why they often backfire🧠 Why telling others (and yourself) is the most powerful step of allStop trying to do everything — and start doing something that actually works.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with H.R. Huntsman, founder of Leaders Edge, a leadership strategist who's coached over 400,000 people and delivered 4,000+ keynotes globally.From the military to the boardroom, H.R. shares hard-won wisdom on building high-performing teams — not through control, but through clarity, curiosity, and creative conflict.🔥 The shift that changed his life: stop using people to do work, start using work to build people🎯 Why real leadership isn’t about having the answers — it’s about asking better questions💥 The #1 signal of a high-performing team (hint: it’s not “no problems”)📉 Why traditional accountability systems fail — and what actually drives performance🧠 The "MAP to Success": Mastery, Autonomy, and Purpose as levers for intrinsic motivationThis episode is packed with truth bombs for founders, execs, and team leaders ready to create a culture that truly performs.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Stephanie Sylvestre, founder of AvatarBuddy, former CIO, and one of the boldest voices in AI for social impact.From pioneering digital twins in 2016 to launching an AI-powered metaverse that preserves Black legacy and expands mentorship, Stephanie is redefining what it means to lead innovation with empathy, ethics, and courage.🧠 Why AI is about people, not just technology🌀 How she built a digital twin that thinks and speaks like you🔥 Why she refuses to chase trends that don’t scale or serve📚 How her work is preserving Black history through storytelling and digital embodiment🌍 The future of mentorship, identity, and digital consciousnessStephanie proves that the most innovative solutions are deeply human — and that the next frontier of AI might just be… ourselves.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Bruno Pešec, strategist, author, and creator of Playing Lean. Bruno helps companies make innovation real, not just performative — and he isn’t afraid to call out the “innovation theater” most leaders accidentally create.🔥 How to spot when innovation is just for PR (and what to do instead)📉 Why training employees to innovate is pointless without systems to support them🎯 How to fund innovation without losing control (or your CFO's trust)💥 The “cruelty of good intentions” most leaders don’t realize they’re doing🧠 Why translating business goals into tangible problems is every leader’s jobIf you're serious about aligning strategy, experimentation, and execution — this conversation is for you.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Sam Berman, founder of LARC (Logistics Advanced Research Center) and author of Militant Mind, a brutally honest dive into the psychology of building what doesn’t exist.Sam’s story isn’t about overnight success — it’s about obsession, failure, grit, and spiritual resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.🧠 The psychological cost of building something no one believes in🔥 Why obsession is both the fuel and the risk of real innovation📦 How LARC is transforming the global movement of mission-critical hardware💥 “People problems” are usually system problems — and he built a better one🙏 Why faith, identity, and pain shape the best founders — and what to do when the burden is too heavyThis is more than an innovation story — it’s a story of internal reckoning, perseverance, and the invisible battle every visionary faces.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we welcome Tom Healy, founder of PeopleOps360, author of five leadership books, and creator of people performance systems used by elite teams and top companies alike.Tom brings the heat with sharp insights on why so many “people problems” are actually systems problems — and how to fix them without sugarcoating.💥 Why culture isn’t values on a wall — it’s how your systems behave📊 How to design accountability that’s motivational, not punitive🧩 Why middle managers hold the key to 30-day performance shifts🎯 The 3-5 key outcomes every employee should own — and why most don’t🚨 What happens when your compensation structure contradicts your cultureIf you lead a team, a department, or a company — this episode will challenge and equip you to make culture operational.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Garrett Wood, founder of Gnosis Therapy, board-certified health and wellness coach, and executive functioning expert. Garrett helps high achievers — especially founders, execs, and creatives — escape the boom-bust cycle of burnout and build sustainable performance by working with the nervous system, not against it.🔥 Why burnout is more about biology than bad time management🧠 How your subconscious beliefs silently sabotage your performance🌀 Why traditional coaching and CBT miss the mark for many founders💡 How hypnotherapy helps you rewire limiting beliefs from the inside out🧘 What “nervous system-first performance” actually looks like in practiceWhether you're scaling a company or just trying to show up better at work and home, this conversation reframes success around capacity, not just ambition.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Andrew Davies, Better Meetings Director at Artly Working, where he brings improv + facilitation to companies like Meta, Google, Netflix, and Roblox.Andrew’s workshops are helping teams become more connected, more creative, and way more effective — not through more tools or strategy, but through better human interaction.🎭 Why improv is a listening skill, not a performance skill🧠 The “social risk” that shuts down ideas — and how to reduce it🙌 The real ROI of improv: culture, retention, and collaboration📢 Why meetings are the frontline of company culture (for better or worse)💬 Games like “Band Names” and “Breaking News” that unlock trust and creativityIf you lead teams or run workshops, this episode will change how you think about group dynamics — and what makes a meeting truly work.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Dr. Tyler Susko — roboticist, inventor, and founder of Cadense, the startup behind a revolutionary adaptive shoe for people with mobility challenges.This story starts with million-dollar rehabilitation robots at MIT… and ends with a lightweight, friction-adaptive shoe that has already helped tens of thousands regain confidence and mobility.👟 Why high-friction shoes are dangerous for people recovering from stroke or injury🧠 How a PhD in robotics led to a simpler, not more complex, solution⚙️ Why the first prototype failed (and what they learned from #40)🌎 How they scaled to 30,000+ units sold — and why customer feedback drives everything🏗️ The Cardboard Boat Race and why MVPs should look like 5th grade science projects📈 What to do when success forces you to become a different kind of businessThis episode is a masterclass in listening, iterating, and innovating from the outside in.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this milestone episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Dr. Rahul Prasad, an applied physicist who helped advance nuclear fusion at institutions like Yale and the National Ignition Facility — and then made a radical pivot into global social impact.Dr. Prasad is now president of Butterflies USA, chairperson of Amandla Development, and author of the upcoming book Impact Shift. His story is a blueprint for anyone seeking meaning beyond success.🔬 Why he left a prestigious scientific career to empower marginalized youth🌍 How he translated innovation from the lab to the streets of India and South Africa🏦 The grassroots banking system run entirely by street children — and why it works💡 The power of asking “why not?” to unlock bold new impact📘 What Impact Shift teaches about pivoting toward purpose-driven leadershipThis conversation blends science, service, and strategy — and it will absolutely shift how you think about real innovation.Find more information about these great organisations here:- https://www.butterfliesusa.org/- https://amandladevelopment.org/Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Dave Schoof, a former counterintelligence expert turned master leadership coach. Dave’s unconventional path led from national security to the C-suite — where he now helps senior executives unlock meaning, clarity, and performance through deep mindset shifts.This conversation goes beyond strategy — it's about who leaders become when the old ways stop working.🧠 Why high-achieving leaders often feel restless despite “having it all”🔁 The Peter Principle trap — and how to stop promoting people into misery💡 The “disquiet at 3 a.m.” — and how it’s actually a gift👥 How to build your own executive board of directors for honest feedback🌊 Why thriving in change requires new internal operating systemsThis episode is for leaders who are ready to grow through change — not just survive it.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this laughter-packed and insight-rich episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Conor Cunneen, the Irishman known as Irishman Speaks — a business humorist, two-time cancer survivor, and former marketing exec on a mission to improve people, performance, and productivity… with a smile.Whether you lead teams, sell products, or pitch ideas, this episode will reframe how you think about humor as a strategic business tool.🎯 Why humor isn’t about being funny — it’s about creating connection and trust🧠 The neuroscience of laughter and the brain’s “leprechaun effect”📈 How leaders can increase persuasion with the LAUGH framework🎤 Why your job isn’t to get laughs — it’s to get smiles (and why that’s more effective)😂 The #1 mindset shift that unlocks natural humor in business settingsPlus, you'll hear how Conor’s signature “shaving foam story” helps teach manufacturing safety — and how humor boosts retention and impact across all domains.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Mickey Anderson, founder of LoyaltyOps and a culture-systems expert who helps leaders scale without breaking their teams.Mickey brings clarity to the messy middle where process, tools, and people collide — and offers a repeatable system for building culture as a competitive advantage.💡 Why high-performing culture matters more than high-performing teams📉 How to spot when your culture is the real reason growth is stalling🧠 The 4 key questions every team member should be able to answer instantly🔁 The “OG syndrome” and how it sabotages your scale strategy⚠️ Why over-automating with tools kills performance instead of enabling itIf your company is growing fast — or trying to — this episode will help you design a culture that doesn’t collapse under pressure.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Kelly Schuknecht, founder of Two Mile High Marketing and host of Beyond the Bestseller. Kelly spent 20 years helping others build their brands — until a layoff forced her to finally bet on herself. And it paid off.Her story is part personal reinvention, part business strategy, and all 🔥 inspiration for anyone feeling invisible, stuck, or underestimated.🚨 The wake-up call that launched her business after being laid off💡 Why reframing your experience is more powerful than starting over🧠 The “Authority X Factor” — and how to find yours🎯 Why you need to repeat yourself on LinkedIn (and why that’s good strategy)📈 How Kelly helps clients become go-to thought leaders in their spaceWhether you're building a business, brand, or personal platform — this conversation is a blueprint for turning credibility into momentum.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this powerful episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Anil Gupta — global speaker, mindset coach, and creator of the Happiness Formula and 3G Fulfillment Framework. After losing everything in 2008, Anil discovered what really drives joy, resilience, and leadership from within.This conversation isn’t about surface-level positivity — it’s about the inner game of innovation, leadership, and living fully.🔥 Anil’s moment of despair — and the one question that changed everything🧠 Why fulfillment (not happiness) is what we’re all really seeking✋ The 3 G’s: Give, Grow, and Gratitude — and how to raise your score today💥 The mindset reframe that helped him go from suicidal to speaking with the Dalai Lama💡 What leaders get wrong about success — and how to redefine it without giving up ambitionThis one is for every leader who has the titles, the results, the external wins — but knows something is missing inside.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we welcome Heather Physioc, Chief Discoverability Officer at VML and global keynote speaker. She’s built award-winning search and content teams — and now she’s helping leaders understand how discoverability shapes everything from branding to org design.Heather doesn’t just talk marketing — she talks systems, trust, and what people are really looking for.💡 Why discoverability is no longer optional — it’s your org’s visibility engine🧠 How AI is shortening the gap between intent and decision (and what that means for your strategy)⚠️ The 99% failure rate of AI initiatives — and how to lead through the chaos🔍 Why search is a better reflection of truth than social media — and what you can learn from it🤝 How to break silos and align your team around the real customer journeyThis episode is packed with insights for anyone leading transformation, innovation, or go-to-market strategy.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Lee Russel — AI strategist, bestselling author of Minimal Viable Launch, and builder of systems that generate real ROI, not just buzzwords.Lee brings a refreshing, pragmatic approach to AI. He’s not here to sell hype — he’s here to talk about what’s actually working in the real world. If you're wondering how to use AI without wasting time, money, or credibility, this one’s for you.💥 The 80–90% failure rate in AI pilots — and what the winners are doing differently🧠 Why AI is an accelerant for experts, not a replacement for them⚠️ Why outsourcing your thinking to AI is a dangerous trap🤖 How to use AI for high-touch customer experiences at scale📉 What businesses still don’t see coming: shifting customer expectationsThis episode cuts through the noise and lays out a practical path forward for leaders ready to innovate intelligently.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Adam Kingl — author of Sparking Success, educator at top business schools, and expert in creative leadership.Adam has helped organizations from Disney to Deloitte to Shell unlock their people’s creative capacity. He breaks down why creativity isn’t chaos — it’s a discipline leaders must master if they want to adapt, lead, and outpace disruption.💡 Why creativity is the most underused leadership skill in today’s workplace⚠️ The 3 organizational blockers that kill innovation before it starts🧠 How structure enables creativity — it doesn’t kill it🎯 The simple mindset shift every leader can make to get better ideas from their team🎷 What jazz and improv can teach business leaders about experimentation and adaptabilityThis is a must-watch for execs, managers, and culture-builders ready to spark real, sustained innovation.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Amy Summers — entrepreneur, communications strategist, and author of Lift: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career.With more than 20 years leading virtual teams, Amy is on a mission to rehumanize leadership in a disconnected world. Through micro-feedback, intentional presence, and everyday actions, she shows how mentorship is not an event — it's your style of leadership.📚 Why you’re already mentoring — and how to do it with intention🧠 The concept of “pebbling” and how tiny moments create lasting impact💬 How vulnerability and empathy unlock deeper trust (without oversharing)📉 Why traditional mentoring programs often fail to create real connection🧭 What healthy exits, parenting, and team culture all have in commonWhether you're a seasoned exec or emerging leader, this conversation will reshape how you show up — and why small moments matter most.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Jeff Holman, founder of Intellectual Strategies, an innovation-focused law firm helping startups scale without the legal guesswork.Jeff blends experience as an engineer, attorney, and entrepreneur — and brings a rare ability to bridge strategy and legal for early-stage founders. His frameworks like the Four Fears of Innovation and Five Factor Strategy Model have helped startups move from hesitation to confident growth.🚫 The 4 fears that stop innovators from taking action — and what to do about them⚖️ Why legal shouldn't be a cost center — it should be strategic leverage🤝 The "Fractional Legal Team" model that puts law in service of innovation🧠 How second-time founders think differently — and how you can too📈 Why scaling yourself is just as hard (and important) as scaling your companyWhether you're just launching or preparing to scale, this conversation will reframe how you see legal — and how to make it work for your business.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Simon Copsey, transformation consultant, delivery strategist, and creator of Curious Coffee.Simon brings a rare blend of engineering rigor and people-first systems thinking. With deep roots in the Theory of Constraints, he’s helped early startups and global enterprises navigate transformation — not with generic playbooks, but with adaptive, tested methods rooted in the scientific method.🔍 Why treating symptoms instead of causes is killing your transformation⚙️ How to build a mental model of dysfunction using the scientific method🧠 Why most orgs optimize for efficiency — and end up stuck in traffic❗ The problem with planning: strategies ≠ deterministic solutions☕ Why Simon started Curious Coffee and what’s possible in 1 good conversationThis episode will shift how you think about root causes, transformation speed, and what leadership really means when things get messy.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Adam Overhiser, co-founder of SPRG and a sharp systems thinker whose journey spans sales, startups, and venture capital.Adam brings unapologetically honest takes on organizational dynamics, leadership culture, and why the real problem with AI adoption is human, not technical.🌪️ Why friction in your org might be the best sign of health🧠 How most hiring processes optimize for the best liars — not the best talent🧭 Why culture is built on whether or not friction is invited — not avoided🤖 The surprising role of AI co-pilots in founder-led innovation📉 Why trusting your team means letting go of the illusion of controlThis one’s a masterclass in strategic humility and organizational honesty.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Amir Elion, founder of Think Big Leaders and former head of AWS’s digital innovation program in the Nordics.With 25+ years in product strategy, emerging tech, and innovation leadership, Amir shares how he blends systematic frameworks with AI tools to scale creative thinking — without losing the human touch.🧠 Why innovation still requires human empathy, even in an AI-driven world🛠️ How Amir trained ChatGPT to act as an “innovation co-pilot”🧭 A step-by-step breakdown of Amazon’s Working Backwards methodology🧪 Real-time AI in workshops: how to use it without killing the vibe💡 Why clarity on your customer and problem is the most important innovation skillWhether you're building an AI-powered future or just trying to innovate more effectively, this episode delivers actionable frameworks with practical depth.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Chris Major, founder of the Human Potential Project and a pioneer in performance transformation from the battlefield to the boardroom.Chris has worked with elite athletes, Navy SEALs, and Fortune 100 execs to help them push beyond what they think they're capable of — and step into who they’re truly meant to be.💥 The mindset shift from “knowing more” to being more🎯 Why most adults never learn anything — and how to unlock true growth📉 The lie of practice: "You're just getting better at being bad"🧠 How embodied competence trumps intellectual understanding every time🚨 Why business leaders need coaching more than anyone elseChris’s frameworks and stories will leave you rethinking how you lead, learn, and show up — for yourself, your team, and your mission.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Anders Boulanger — professional magician turned communication strategist and founder of Engageify.Anders spent two decades performing magic around the world before turning those skills into a corporate training empire. His book, Engage First, teaches how to capture attention, build trust, and drive results — whether on stage or in the boardroom.🎩 How magic taught Anders to master business engagement📉 Why “boring” is more dangerous than “annoying” when presenting💬 The Boring-to-Annoying Line — and why you're probably too far left🎯 How to show up with 33% more energy (especially on Zoom!)📊 Why being “memorable” beats being “perfect” every timeWhether you're in sales, leadership, or training — this episode is a must for anyone who needs to capture attention before they can earn trust.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Andy Milligan — founder of MMG Design and host of the Marketing by Design podcast.Andy took a layoff at 23 and turned it into a thriving business. But he didn’t just hustle — he built with intention, documenting every step, mistake, and milestone along the way.📉 Why his monthly revenue dropped to $800 — and why he posted it anyway📈 How he climbed to consistent $20K+ MRR as a solo founder🎙️ Why launching a podcast became the key to business growth and mental health💡 His advice for separating yourself from your business🧠 How fear, feedback, and consistency shaped his entrepreneurial pathThis episode is for the builders — the creatives, freelancers, and founders doing the work behind the scenes to build something real.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Eran Broder, founder of Digital Enzymes, a stealth-mode AI agency solving “impossible” problems across sectors — and quietly leading innovation from the shadows.From his early days at WalkMe (literally coding from a Tel Aviv kitchen) to pioneering the next wave of autonomous AI agents, Eran’s journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring.🧠 Why most startups are chasing innovation — but don’t know how to define it🛠️ How fear of failure and love of puzzles shaped his John Wick-like problem-solving style📚 Why books — not Google — gave him the edge on legacy tech most devs can’t touch🤖 What the next era of AI agents will actually require from teams and leaders🌪️ Why time, pressure, and purpose are the real forces behind breakthrough innovationIf you’ve ever asked why am I working so hard?, or wondered how to solve a truly unsolvable challenge — this conversation is your mirror, your blueprint, and your permission slip.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Lior Gerson, serial founder and CEO of TargetBoard — a revolutionary KPI and performance platform built to turn noise into action.Lior helped lead Vroom to a $2.6B IPO and built a $25M product line at Placer.ai, but what shocked him most? How many unicorn startups were operating on wildly inaccurate data.📉 Why most KPIs are “90% wrong” — and what’s really going on inside your dashboards🛠️ How TargetBoard eliminates waste and friction across every department⚠️ Why even successful orgs have broken metrics — and how it’s hiding in plain sight🚦 How to go from tracking data to making decisions that actually move the business🤖 The future of KPI intelligence — and how “agents” are about to change everythingThis episode is a must-listen for CTOs, COOs, product leaders, and execs tired of vanity metrics and PowerPoint-level insights.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Perry Puccetti, Executive Director of Operations at VML, and one of the few leaders who’s successfully led transformation in the military, federal innovation, and enterprise tech.Perry doesn’t do “innovation theater” — he brings clarity, alignment, and people-first leadership into the mess of real transformation.💥 Why most organizations say “people first” — but design for process and tech🧠 The 3 non-negotiables for any large-scale transformation🚀 How Perry guided a massive SAP & Workday migration without chaos🙌 Why every team member needs to lead — not just follow📊 What real-time, actionable insights look like in a post-AI futureIf you lead change at scale — or want to — this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, systems, and your own role in the storm.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Jonathan Vehar — leadership expert, product strategist, and co-author of How to Make Meetings Not Suck.Jonathan has spent over 30 years helping Fortune 100s, military teams, and mid-sized companies innovate with courage, clarity, and integrity. His big message? Innovation isn’t about ideas — it’s about people.💥 The real reason most innovation fails (and it’s not lack of creativity)🧠 Why “humility” might be the most important leadership trait you’re not using📉 The danger of big “Ta-Da” moments — and what to do instead🛠️ How to replace perfectionism with smart, human-centered experimentation🎯 Building a culture where debate is welcome and failure becomes fuelWhether you're leading transformation, launching new products, or just trying to escape innovation theater, this episode will help you reframe how you lead for impact.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Sandra D’Ambrosio, Global Transformation Leader at HP and the force behind the wildly successful Insights to Innovation (i2i) program — a grassroots movement empowering HP employees to innovate from within.Sandra shares what it really takes to build change inside a complex system — not through another training, but by designing a program rooted in human behavior, purpose, and adaptability.🌱 Why HP stopped "nominating" participants — and started building a waitlist🎯 How a global program became a leadership metric tied to HP's OKRs🛠️ What Sandra learned by participating in the program she leads💬 How to navigate resistance, skepticism, and change fatigue from the ground up🌍 The future of innovation at HP — and why it’s more human than everThis one is for execs, L&D leaders, and change agents tired of top-down “innovation theater.” Sandra’s work proves: when you empower people, they build what’s next.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we dive into the mindset, systems, and failures of Vincent Weberink, founder of Pizzaz.io and author of 13 Failures Later: What the Hack. Vincent has launched over a dozen companies — and failed at 13 of them — but every misstep became a stepping stone to his biggest insights.🚀 Why most startup advice doesn’t actually apply to startups🧠 How Vincent’s "no-emotion" method helps you kill bad ideas faster📉 What founders misunderstand about data, feedback, and failure🧰 How he turned 1,000+ business books into a practical decision-making system🔥 The “stupidly simple” homepage tweak that made €11K overnightThis episode is a must-listen for founders, innovators, and intrapreneurs looking for a real-world strategy to navigate failure and build something that sticks.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Chris LaFay, founder and CEO of Classic City Consulting, podcast host, systems nerd, and builder of scalable digital experiences.Chris opens up about how he scaled his agency, avoided burnout, and automated the most annoying parts of business — all while staying radically human.🧠 Why innovation = tiny plus-ones that compound over time📨 How he built a full podcast guest workflow in one day — and never looked back🚀 Why “done” is better than “perfect” (and how that thinking saves months of wasted work)📉 The creeping cost trap that nearly wrecked his business during growth📬 Why agency newsletters suck — and what he did instead that actually workedChris proves that innovation isn’t about big leaps — it’s about better systems, honest feedback, and hitting the go button.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Dr. Julia Moore and Dr. Sobia Khan of the Center for Implementation — global experts in turning research into action and transformation into results.Known as “rogue scientists,” Julia and Sobia aren’t just studying change — they’re making it happen. Their clients include WHO, Gates Foundation, and the CDC, but their mission is simple: make implementation practical, usable, and human.🧠 Why most change efforts fail before they start (and how to fix it)⚠️ The leadership myth that telling people what to do actually works🛠️ Why implementation science is the competency every modern leader needs💬 The 4 leadership roles that make transformation sustainable🧱 Why “implementation therapy” is now part of their strategy offeringThis one is for execs, coaches, HR leaders, and change agents who want to lead in the real world — where complexity, behavior, and relationships matter more than process.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Rob Levin — serial entrepreneur, staffing innovator, and co-founder of Work Better Now, a platform helping U.S. SMBs hire top-tier talent from Latin America.From executive assistants to marketing and sales, Rob shares how Work Better Now is rethinking remote hiring, retention, and culture — with hundreds of SMBs scaling faster as a result.💥 Why “most companies suck at hiring” — and how to fix it📉 The cultural mistake that kills performance and retention🌍 Why Latin American talent is solving the U.S. talent crisis🧠 How to spot a toxic team member before they destroy morale🚀 The small innovations that helped WBN land on the Inc. 5000 listIf you’re scaling a company, struggling to hire, or building culture remotely, this is a masterclass in getting it right.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Tamara Laine — Emmy-winning journalist turned FinTech founder — now co-founder of Empower, a platform reimagining how creditworthiness is measured in a world of gig work, AI, and financial exclusion.Tamara brings a bold, justice-centered approach to innovation — not just because it’s timely, but because it’s long overdue.🏗️ Why the U.S. credit system is still stuck in the 1950s — and who it’s leaving behind💳 How Empower is creating holistic credit profiles for gig workers and non-W2 earners🧠 What investigative journalism taught Tamara about innovation and storytelling⚠️ Why 97% of AI startups are failing — and how to avoid the “wrapper” trap🔍 How transparency builds trust in financial tech (and mitigates risk more than compliance)This one’s for every founder building in FinTech, equity-centered tech, or trying to lead with integrity in an AI era.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Caleb Snow, CRO at UMIT Technologies — a tribally owned MSP and cybersecurity firm. Caleb’s path isn’t typical: he’s a self-taught techie with ADHD, a storyteller with grit, and a builder who now works at the intersection of innovation and Indigenous empowerment.🧠 Why he believes boredom is more dangerous than failure⚙️ How tribal ownership enables long-term innovation (vs. private equity churn)🌱 His obsession with mentoring — and why the next generation should leapfrog us💥 Lessons from an early internet crash course — and what tech still gets wrong🔥 What it really takes to scale trust, not just revenue, inside a growing tech firmWhether you're leading a startup or rebuilding a legacy system, Caleb's story reminds us: the best innovation often comes from outside the spotlight.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this high-energy episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we roll into leadership and audacity with Melissa Boggs — the only roller skating keynote speaker on the planet. A former Scrum Alliance executive, Melissa blends movement and mindset to teach leaders how to shift from fear to bold action.🛼 Why roller skating became a metaphor for innovation and risk-taking🚫 How fear and “operational memory” quietly shut down progress inside companies📉 Why reducing risk to zero is a myth — and a leadership trap📢 The 4-step model to move from caution to curiosity to courage to audacity🔁 The hidden damage of gaslighting in innovation culture — and how to fix itWhether you're a leader trying to empower others or someone sitting on a big idea, this episode is your push toward the edge.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Danielle McCombs, a leadership coach and co-host of The Opposite of Small Talk podcast. After a successful 20-year career in commercial real estate, Danielle made the bold move to pursue coaching — and hasn’t looked back.🎙️ Why she pivoted careers with no formal plan — and how clarity came through curiosity🏗️ How real estate taught her structure — but coaching gave her freedom and fulfillment🧠 What most people get wrong about coaching (and how ICF certification really matters)💬 The power of asking “What if this doesn’t have to be the plan forever?”🏡 Why she’s now focused on mission-driven work in affordable housingDanielle’s story is for anyone who's outgrown the old path and is ready to design a more intentional next chapter.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we ride through the radical journey of Dom Lévesque — CEO of NextWave, author of Avoiding Avalanches, and former punk rocker turned mountain adventurer turned HR disruptor.Dom blends business, backcountry, and bold thinking to challenge the tired status quo in how we lead transformation.🏔️ How snowboarding and near-death shaped his model for transformation🧠 Why most HR teams stay stuck in compliance mode instead of creating real value🤖 The truth about AI in HR — and why it can’t replace strategy🎯 The 5 Whys technique and why every HR leader should master it💡 Why work-life “balance” is dead — and the future is “work-life blend”Whether you’re leading transformation or just trying not to get buried in the avalanche, this one’s for you.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Giorgio Natili, VP of Engineering at Opaque Systems, and author of The AI Advantage and the upcoming The Imperfect Life of an Engineering Manager.From protecting data privacy in AI to embracing imperfection as a leadership superpower, Giorgio shares lessons learned across Amazon, Mozilla, Capital One, and beyond — all rooted in his fearless, experimental approach to engineering culture.🤖 Why you shouldn’t build your own LLM — and what to do instead⚠️ The hidden risk of “shadow AI” in your organization🧠 How to wrap guardrails, memory, and RAG strategies around open models🚀 Why perfection kills momentum — and imperfection drives strategic clarity📉 How to lead from behind, not from the front — and scale without burnoutGiorgio blends technical mastery with humble leadership and radical candor — a must-listen for engineering leaders, AI strategists, and execs building resilient teams.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Dr. Kelly Kinnebrew — psychologist, executive coach, and co-founder of Minerva, an AI-powered workplace coaching platform.Kelly shares what 1,100+ executive coaching engagements have taught her about leadership, burnout, bias, and the future of work — and why the next big shift in performance may come from machines working with humans, not instead of them.🧠 What Colorado’s controversial AI bill gets dangerously wrong🤖 How AI can support — but not replace — human coaching (and what tools get it wrong)📉 The #1 pattern she sees in leaders headed for burnout⚠️ Why some leaders are thriving under narcissists without realizing the cost💡 What "work-life blend" means — and why balance might be a mythWhether you're a founder scaling fast, an HR leader navigating burnout, or an exec trying to lead with more insight — this one’s a must-listen.Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!