OneSharpSword

Hosted by Dr. Wayne Pernell, CEO and Founder, DynamicLeader, Inc.

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220

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Most people live their lives using a dull blade, hoping to make it through to another day. Even a thousand dull blades would be no match for One Sharp Sword!One Sharp Sword is about breaking free and cutting through the veil that holds us back from living fully into our own truth. Who would you be if you weren't listening to someone else's voice? What job or career path would you be on? Where might you be living? Who would you surround yourself with? What would you eat? What music would y

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60 recent

June 16, 202655 min

The Future of Cybersecurity, AI & Quantum Computing with Anna Murray

Quantum computing is closer than most people realize — and it may change cybersecurity, privacy, leadership, and digital trust forever. In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell speaks with technology strategist and post-quantum security expert Anna Murray about the rapidly approaching “Q-Day,” the future moment when quantum computers can break current encryption systems. Anna explains quantum computing in accessible language while exploring the real-world implications for business leaders, governments, organizations, and everyday people. Together, they discuss “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later,” AI-driven vulnerabilities, decentralization, leadership under uncertainty, and why leaders don’t need to become technologists to ask better questions and make better decisions. If you’ve heard about quantum computing and wondered why it matters — this conversation is your starting point. Topics Covered Quantum computing explained simply Q-Day and the future of encryption AI + cybersecurity risks Leadership during technological disruption Data privacy and digital sovereignty Post-quantum readiness Organizational adaptation and decision-making GuestAnna MurrayCo-Founder, Six3ROAuthor of Quantum Computing 101Technology strategist, speaker, and systems thinker 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/FgEFrx0QiJ0 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #AnnaMurray #QuantumComputing #Cybersecurity #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfTechnology #Innovation #TechnologyLeadership

June 9, 202641 min

From Data Overload to Decision Clarity: Leading with Intelligence in the Age of AI with Tim Piemonte

Most companies aren’t lacking data—they’re lacking clarity. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with AI and technology strategist Tim Piemonte to explore why organizations struggle to turn data into decisions—and what leaders must do differently. Tim shares lessons from leading large-scale enterprise initiatives and explains why success with AI isn’t about tools—it’s about people, process, and clear strategy. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by technology, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually works. In This Episode: Why “data intelligence” matters more than “artificial intelligence” The real reason organizations fail with AI adoption How silos destroy value (and how to fix them) The correct order of transformation: People → Process → Platform How to start small and scale technology successfully What leaders must clarify before implementing AI Tim Piemonte – Founder, Empire Intelligence Group 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/-c8jOnGhTKQ 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernellConnect with Tim: Email: tim@empireintelgroup.com Tim Piemonte's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/timpiemonte #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #TimPiemonte #AILeadership #DataStrategy #DecisionMaking #BusinessClarity #FutureOfWork

June 2, 202647 min

From Science to Strategy: Leading at the Edge of Uncertainty with Graham Wood

What do clinical trials, leadership, and mountain biking have in common? More than you think. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with clinical pharmacology expert Graham Wood, who has led over 350 first-in-human trials, to explore how innovation actually happens—under pressure, with uncertainty, and through collaboration. You’ll learn: Why scientists are always “selling” ideas How great leaders build teams that don’t depend on them How to make decisions when you don’t have all the data Why discomfort is a sign of growth—not failure Where drug development is heading (and how AI is changing everything) If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or high performer navigating complexity, this episode will shift how you think about risk, leadership, and progress. Guest: Graham WoodHost: Dr. Wayne Pernell 👉 Follow, rate, and review One Sharp Sword to support the show. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WkYlT4qYKOU 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell 📌 Connect with Graham on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/grahamkeithwood#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #GrahamWood #LeadershipUnderPressure #DecisionMaking #InnovationLeadership #RiskAndReward #HighPerformance

May 26, 202642 min

Leading Through AI: Clarity Over Chaos with Dessalen Wood

What does leadership look like when the future won’t sit still? In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Dessalen Wood, Global Chief People Officer at Syntax, to explore how leaders can navigate AI, uncertainty, and rapid change—without getting lost in fear or hype. Dessalen cuts through the noise with a powerful reframe: AI isn’t about tools—it’s about outcomes. And the leaders who win are the ones who stay grounded in what’s true today while building toward what’s next. You’ll learn why resistance to AI isn’t really about technology, how to create change that feels winnable, and why the most important leadership skills haven’t changed at all. If you’ve been wondering how to lead in the age of AI—this conversation brings clarity. In This Episode: Why leaders must ask: “What does this mean for me right now?” The truth about AI replacing jobs vs. transforming tasks What’s really driving resistance to AI adoption Why leaders don’t need to be AI experts How to measure success with AI (beyond activity metrics) The enduring leadership edge: relationships, influence, and political intelligence How to focus your team on meaningful outcomes—not just automation Don’t focus on the tool. Focus on the result—and let automation help you get there.Dessalen Wood is the Global Chief People Officer at Syntax with 25+ years of experience in HR, leadership development, and organizational culture. She is known for helping organizations adopt AI with clarity, realism, and a people-first approach. Find Dessalen Wood on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dessalen-wood-b1192513 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/olDi7bK7AIM🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights: 👉https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #DessalenWood #AILeadership #FutureOfWork #LeadershipClarity #PeopleFirst #ExecutiveLeadership

May 19, 202652 min

Reclaiming Agency: Leadership, Coaching, and the Power of Choosing with Dr. Etienne Lacrampe

What changes when a successful professional decides they’re ready for more—not more work, but more clarity, control, and impact? In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Dr. Etienne Lacrampe, a board-certified periodontist and long-time coaching client, to unpack the leadership transformation that happens through intentional growth and coaching. Etienne shares candidly how coaching helped him: Reclaim control of his schedule and energy Redesign his practice around peak performance Strengthen his relationships with his wife and children Shift from reactive patterns to intentional leadership Embrace delegation, trust, and team culture Step into greater personal agency and purpose This episode goes beyond professional success and explores what it means to evolve as a leader, partner, and human being. It’s also a powerful reminder: even high performers need perspective. Coaching isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a commitment to expansion.#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #LeadershipGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #PersonalDevelopment #IntentionalLeadership #HighPerformance #Agency 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/D6RrBYQvbBc 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell Dr. Etienne Lacrampe's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/etienne-lacrampe-b88175235

May 12, 202640 min

A Reed in the Wind: Data, Decisions, and Leadership Clarity with Scott Schnaars

Most leaders don’t lack data — they lack clarity. In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with SaaS revenue leader and Yirla co-founder Scott Schnaars to explore how leaders can move from information overload to decisive action. With over two decades of experience scaling companies from zero to $100M, Scott shares how better data doesn’t automatically lead to better decisions — and why leadership psychology is often the real bottleneck. From marketing analytics to executive decision-making, this conversation cuts to what matters most: clarity, trust, and the courage to act. Key Takeaways Data alone doesn’t drive results — decisions do. Most teams waste time reporting instead of acting on insights. Clarity comes from interpreting data, not collecting more of it. Leaders must balance strong beliefs with the willingness to change. The biggest risk isn’t lack of data — it’s acting without understanding. Trust in systems (especially AI) is still evolving — and requires leadership alignment. Effective leadership means communicating what we know, what we’re doing, and why. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/57plZ8HgRAo 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSwordPodcast #WaynePernell #ScottSchnaars #LeadershipStrategy #DecisionScience #AILeadership #BusinessInsights #GrowthMindset

May 5, 202645 min

Leadership, Opportunity, and Lifting Others with Barbara Negron

What if your career path didn’t need to be linear to be powerful? In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell speaks with Barbara Negron, a senior fintech executive who built her career through unexpected pivots—from hospitality to banking to financial technology. Barbara shares: How disruption (9/11, mortgage crisis) became opportunity Why sponsorship—not just mentorship—changes careers What it means to lead with heart in high-performance industries The importance of representation in fintech and STEM How family, values, and identity shape leadership This episode is for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating change while building something meaningful. If you enjoyed this episode:Follow, rate, and review One Sharp Sword—and share it with someone ready to lead at the next level. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/i1gnV0iQtbk 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSwordPodcast #WaynePernell #BarbaraNegron #CareerGrowth #LeadershipInsights #FintechLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopmentBarbara Negron's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/barbara-j-negron-babba6

April 28, 202641 min

Reimagining Hiring: Speed, Humanity, and the Future of Work with Ann DiFrancesco

The hiring process is broken—and everyone knows it. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Ann DiFrancesco, Co-Founder of Guhuza, an AI-powered hiring platform that reduces time-to-interview from weeks to minutes. After 20+ years in recruiting, Ann saw the same problems everywhere: slow processes, ghosting, and frustrated candidates. So she asked a simple question: “If someone can fix this… why not us?” What followed is a complete reimagining of hiring—one that prioritizes speed, efficiency, and human connection. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why traditional hiring systems fail candidates and employers How AI is transforming recruitment in real time The psychology behind candidate engagement (and dopamine-driven responses) How to overcome imposter syndrome when building something new Why speed and humanity don’t have to be in conflict If you care about leadership, innovation, or the future of work—this episode is for you. Links:🌐 https://guhuza.com🔗 Connect with Ann on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anndifrancesco 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WDv7PKvVtxE 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #AnnDiFrancesco #HumanCenteredAI #FutureOfHiring #LeadershipGrowth #StartupJourney #HRInnovation

April 21, 202649 min

Scaling from $100M to $1B: Leadership, Labor Shortages, and the Future of the Data Center Industry with Steve Wortman

The data center industry is booming, driven by AI, cloud infrastructure, and unprecedented global demand for digital capacity. But when companies grow from $100 million to $1 billion, leadership often becomes the bottleneck. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Steve Wortman, CEO of Wortman Management Group, to explore the leadership challenges behind hypergrowth organizations. Steve shares insights from advising private equity firms and high-growth infrastructure companies, including: The leadership gaps exposed by rapid scaling• Why companies fail to build systems early enough• The growing skilled labor shortage in technical industries• How AI is reshaping work and leadership• Why culture and communication determine long-term success If you lead a growing organization — or want to — this conversation will challenge how you think about growth, leadership, and organizational capacity. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_fOrYFWFA6k 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSwordPodcast #WaynePernell #SteveWortman #ScalingLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #AIandWork #BusinessGrowth #InfrastructureLeadershipSteve Wortman's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wortman

April 14, 202649 min

The Future of Gaming, Digital Ownership, AI, and Leadership with Arron Goolsbey

The next evolution of the internet isn’t theoretical — it’s already live.In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Arron Goolsbey, President & COO of Mythical Games, to explore the future of player-owned economies, Web3 gaming, AI in interactive entertainment, and leadership at scale. Arron has helped scale some of the most influential platforms in gaming — from Wizards of the Coast to Activision Blizzard to Meta. Now, he’s helping build what many see as the next version of the internet: interactive, player-owned ecosystems.Most digital experiences operate on a consumption model:You buy it. You use it. You leave with nothing. At the same time, leaders are navigating rapid disruption in AI, blockchain, and digital transformation — often without clear frameworks for culture, decision-making, and innovation. Key Themes Digital ownership vs digital consumption Blockchain as infrastructure Web3 gaming strategy Tribal leadership models Psychological safety in innovation Scaling creative organizations Meaningful work and cultural accountability Arron Goolsbey is President & COO of Mythical Games, a company pioneering player-owned digital economies in gaming. His prior leadership roles include senior positions at Wizards of the Coast, Activision Blizzard, and Meta. Learn more: 🌐 https://mythical.games 🔗 Arron Goolsbey's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/arron#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #ArronGoolsbey #Web3Leadership #DigitalOwnership #AIAndCreativity #Web3Gaming #FutureOfWork 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jAdpuxjgCD4 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell