Find partners
Biz & Tech Podcasts — Collaboration Platform
Menu
HomeBusiness and Technology PodcastsAboutBlogContactSubmit Podcast
the Learn-It-All™ podcast

the Learn-It-All™ podcast

Hosted by Damon Lembi

Business
WebsiteRSS feed

Episodes

303

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN

About the show

The Learn-It-All™ podcast is built on the conviction that the leaders worth following aren't the ones with all the answers. They're the ones who never stop learning. If you've chosen growth over coasting, and curiosity over the comfort of being the smartest person in the room, you're a learn-it-all. And this podcast is for you. Host Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, CEO of Learnit, and someone who has spent 30 years watching what separates leaders who keep growing from those who quietly become the ceiling that limits everyone around them. Each episode features real conversations with top executives, founders, NYT bestselling authors, and world-class athletes — people who've faced adversity, made costly mistakes, and done the hard, unglamorous work of growing. They share what they learned — and unlearned — to lead at the next level. Great leaders aren't born or made. They're always in the making. Let's not do that work alone. Stay curious. Keep learning. Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
June 16, 202653 min

303. The #1 Reason Companies Fail (& How To Fix It) | Jamie Shaver

Are you launching great ideas only to watch them fall apart at the finish line?Many organizations struggle with execution because they start with a creative idea rather than a foundational strategy. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Jamie Shaver, a strategic marketing leader who specializes in helping companies "get amped" and win. Jamie reveals why a "confused mind says no", whether it's a prospect on your website or an employee tasked with a new initiative. They discuss the critical internal-external alignment needed for success, why 95% of AI projects fail to get past the pilot phase, and how to stop "lollygagging" by implementing core values that actually drive accountability.If you’re tired of mediocre marketing and inconsistent leadership messaging, Jamie shares her blueprint for flipping the script: starting with strategy to give birth to messaging that sticks.📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5In this episode, you’ll learn...Why jumping straight to creative output creates execution gapsHow to use the same principles you use to win external clients, like identifying pain points and ideal profiles to gain internal buy-in for new initiatives.How a lack of workflow integration and unaddressed employee fears about job security keep 95% of AI projects in "pilot purgatory."How to move beyond generic values like "integrity" to descriptive behaviors that empower teams to tackle antiquated platforms and changing interfaces.Jamie’s exact method for sussing out a victim mentality by asking candidates to finish the sentence: "I would be a better leader if..."Why the best leaders learn to let the silence sit during an interview to truly understand a candidate's emotional maturity and intuition.How to protect your team’s culture by exercising your option to give notice to clients who don't align with your core values.Timestamps00:00 — Introduction01:13 — Why great ideas still fall apart02:37 — The Slack message that creates chaos04:21 — Why 95% of AI projects stall07:24 — The questions leaders skip before launching AI08:46 — Why slowing down makes teams faster12:51 — The small things that build real trust15:23 — The sentence every team needs to hear18:22 — When flexibility starts creating confusion19:37 — What to do when someone “crushes it” in less time20:58 — The second question that reveals motivation22:29 — Why canceling one-on-ones sends the wrong message23:36 — Core values you can actually fire by24:28 — Why “figure it out” became a core value26:42 — The interview question that exposes ownership28:21 — How to spot a victim mindset before hiring29:38 — Why silence might be your best interview tool31:19 — The belief Jamie has about every leader34:44 — How AMPED keeps values off the wall36:18 — The rebel value every company needs39:16 — How leaders create safety for hard feedback42:11 — The scoreboard that scares the wrong people43:32 — When a client deserves to be cut45:09 — Why mediocre marketing is everywhere46:51 — The bicycle wheel lesson for better strategy53:04 — Damon’s challenge for leaders and teamsAbout Jamie ShaverJamie Shaver is a strategic leader at AMPED, a full-service strategic marketing agency dedicated to eradicating marketing mediocrity. She works with mid-size B2B businesses, manufacturing companies, and global brands to build comprehensive strategies that drive measurable wins. Jamie is a proponent of "truth in love" leadership and believes that small things done consistently are what build lasting trust in any organization.Resources and MentionsJamie Shaver’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-shaver-ampedAMPED’s website: https://ampedstrategy.com/Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comSubscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I SpotifyFollow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

June 11, 202659 min

302. The Dream Manager: The Question Most Leaders Never Ask | Kate Volman

What happens to a person, and to a company, when people stop believing their dreams can actually come true?In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Kate Volman, author, podcast host, and CEO of Floyd Consulting, for a powerful conversation about people-first leadership, employee development, dream management, workplace culture, coaching, creativity, and why helping your people become better versions of themselves may be one of the smartest business strategies a leader can build.Kate explains why an organization can only become the best version of itself when its people are growing, too. Even in the age of AI, she believes people remain the driving force behind great companies. Damon and Kate explore The Dream Manager, a coaching-based program that helps employees identify personal dreams, create action steps, and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Kate also shares real stories of skeptical employees who experienced breakthroughs after feeling seen, supported, and encouraged to dream again.They also discuss why many people say they “don’t have dreams,” how leaders can reawaken curiosity through simple questions, and why pursuing a dream can be just as meaningful as achieving it. For CEOs, founders, executives, HR professionals, coaches, and business owners, this episode challenges the way we think about leadership, employee engagement, talent retention, coaching, and the future of work.📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5In this episode, you’ll learn...Why people-first leadership matters even more in the age of AI, especially if you want your team to actually use new tools, collaborate, and grow with the businessHow The Dream Manager program helps employees identify personal dreams like buying a home, improving their health, building stronger relationships, becoming financially free, or pursuing a creative goalWhy asking employees about their dreams can change how they show up at work, communicate with their team, take initiative, and build confidenceThe power of dream storming and why Kate encourages people to create a list of 50 to 100 dreams across financial, emotional, spiritual, creative, physical, and relationship categoriesHow leaders can help high achievers see their own superpowers, especially when they downplay their skills or assume “this is what everybody does”Why the pursuit of a dream is often just as valuable as achieving the dream because of the skills, confidence, relationships, and self-knowledge gained along the wayWhy growth often requires getting through the “messy middle,” the uncomfortable part of the creative process where most people are tempted to quitTimestamps00:00 Introduction01:09 What happens when dreams stop feeling possible02:26 Why AI makes people-first leadership even more urgent05:13 What a Dream Manager actually does13:36 Why coaching unlocks what people keep buried16:10 Should the CEO share their dreams too?18:19 What if you think you have no dreams?22:54 How dream storming works24:17 The relationship people want to fix first25:55 Why “start small” beats big promises28:06 How leaders help people see their superpower30:45 The mentor moment Kate never forgot36:08 Who should become the Dream Manager?40:21 A simple exercise to get your team dreaming42:39 Why chasing the dream matters more than reaching it44:40 The dream Kate abandoned, and why it still mattered46:35 Why everyone is creative, even if they don’t think so49:43 How curiosity opens a bigger world51:09 Why dreams need a messy middle54:57 Who needs a Dream Manager most57:39 Damon’s challenge for every leader58:49 Where to connect with KateAbout Kate VolmanKate Volman is the CEO of Floyd Consulting, an author, coach, speaker, and people-first culture advocate who helps individuals and organizations reconnect with their dreams, creativity, and personal growth. Through The Dream Manager program, her book Do What You Love, and her podcast Create For No Reason, Kate helps leaders build cultures where people feel seen, supported, challenged, and inspired to become better versions of themselves at work and beyond.Resources and MentionsDo What You Love book: https://www.amazon.com/Do-What-You-Love-Creative/dp/1635823331Kate Volman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katevolman/Kate Volman’s website: https://katevolman.com/Create For No Reason podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-for-no-reason/id1534939856The Dream Manager’s website: https://www.thedreammanager.com/Books Mentioned:Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: https://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Noticing-Creativity-Inspiration-Discover/dp/0525521240Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comSubscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I SpotifyFollow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

June 9, 202656 min

301. High Performance Expert: Don't Let Fear Motivate You, Do This Instead | Josh Perry

What if the thing driving your success is also the thing quietly keeping you stuck?In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with former professional BMX athlete, X Games competitor, brain tumor survivor, and high-performance coach Josh Perry for a raw conversation about fear-based leadership, imposter syndrome, survival mode, and the invisible costs that often come with high achievement.Josh breaks down how many leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and executives operate through three hidden stress lenses: inadequacy, insecurity, and scarcity. He explains how force can create results, but it can also lead to resistance, burnout, health issues, toxic relationships, and a deeper feeling of being stuck. Through his own story and coaching work, Josh challenges the idea that “working harder” is always the answer and invites high performers to ask what stories, fears, and survival patterns are really driving them.Damon and Josh also explore how fear-based leaders fall into control, micromanagement, overperformance, and constant problem-solving when their teams, clients, or partners often need to feel seen, heard, and supported. This episode is for founders, executives, managers, coaches, athletes, and high performers who want to overcome imposter syndrome, lead with more self-awareness, shift out of survival mode, and create success without losing themselves in the process.📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why “force gets results,” but also creates resistance, pressure, and the kind of accumulated stress that eventually makes people ask, “Maybe I should do something different.”Josh’s powerful question for new leaders who feel like they are failing: What story do you have associated with what is happening right now?How to uncover the meaning you are placing on external problems, especially when a team does not trust you, a role feels overwhelming, or a challenge seems like proof that you are inadequate.How to reframe hard things from “this means I’m not good enough” to “this is helping me learn, grow, and improve.”Why Josh’s brain tumor diagnosis became the catalyst for deep self-awareness, learning, and shifting from survival-based growth to purpose-driven growth.How leaders can support people through stress and change by seeing them first, instead of rushing to fix, solve, or deny their experience.How shifting the energy behind performance can help athletes, executives, founders, and leaders unlock better outcomes without forcing everything.Timestamps00:00 Episode preview and introduction01:48 The 3 stress lenses holding leaders back03:11 When success becomes a coping mechanism04:57 Why force gets results, but comes with a cost06:20 The fear behind Josh Perry’s BMX career08:41 The X Games moment that revealed everything13:27 What if solving is the problem?16:36 The first step to breaking a leadership pattern18:53 Are you actually stuck, or just avoiding discomfort?21:27 Why motivation is usually a values problem26:56 Can you teach someone to be more motivated?28:45 The question that exposes your blind spots30:26 How a brain tumor became Josh’s wake-up call32:54 Fear-based growth vs love-based growth38:43 How to help someone through stressful change41:14 Why leaders try to fix instead of listen44:45 The hidden fear behind control48:35 What it means to stop “needing” the sale53:00 What fatherhood is already teaching Josh54:56 Who should work with Josh Perry55:31 The story you’re telling yourselfAbout Josh PerryJosh Perry is a former professional BMX athlete, X Games competitor, brain tumor survivor, and high-performance coach who helps leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and executives move beyond performance and redefine success from the inside out. After leaving home at 17 to pursue BMX and facing a life-changing brain tumor diagnosis at 21, Josh was forced to challenge the stories, fears, and identity patterns that shaped his life. Today, he coaches high performers to uncover the deeper values, beliefs, and survival patterns driving their behavior so they can lead, perform, and live with greater clarity, alignment, and purpose.Resources and MentionsJosh Perry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshperrybmx/Josh Perry’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshperrybmx/Josh Perry’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshPerryBMXJosh Perry’s website: https://www.joshperrybmx.com/Books MentionedDrive by Daniel H. Pink: https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805When by Daniel H. Pink: https://www.amazon.com/When-Scientific-Secrets-Perfect-Timing/dp/0735210624Mindset by Carol Dweck: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Updated-Changing-Fulfil-Potential/dp/147213995XMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: https://www.amazon.com.be/-/en/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comSubscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I SpotifyFollow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

June 2, 20261 hr 23 min

300. The Winning Mindset of a 2x National Championship Baseball Coach | Andy Lopez

What does it actually take to build a championship culture when nobody believes you belong in the room?For the 300th episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with a very special guest: legendary college baseball coach Andy Lopez. This episode is deeply personal because Andy was not only Damon’s coach at Pepperdine but also a major influence on his life, leadership style, and career. From telling Damon the hard truth as a young athlete to modeling what it means to lead with standards, discipline, faith, and care, Andy helped shape the way Damon thinks about business, accountability, and people.In this conversation, Damon and Andy revisit the unforgettable 1992 Pepperdine national championship run, including the “Omaha” pencils, the College World Series banquet where Andy’s name was mispronounced, and the bus speech that helped turn disrespect into fuel. Andy also shares the leadership lessons behind building elite teams at Pepperdine and Arizona, why “be on time” and “do the right thing when nobody’s looking” were the only two rules in his program, and why leaders have to be willing to “motivate people with the truth.”This episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on championship culture, servant leadership, mental toughness, parenting, accountability, resilience, and the cost of chasing greatness without taking care of yourself.📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Andy believed Pepperdine could win a national championship even when others thought the idea was ridiculousWhy Andy told his players, “Take care of tomorrow today,” and how that mindset shaped championship-level preparationWhy leaders cannot let top performers get away with toxic behavior, even when they produce resultsHow “one fly spoils the whole bottle of perfume” became one of Andy’s clearest lessons on culture, standards, and accountabilityWhy Andy believes great leaders must know what is happening in people’s lives outside of work, not just how they perform on the field or in the officeWhat Andy learned after open heart surgery about servant leadership, health, and the danger of becoming too consumed with yourselfWhy Andy says leaders should never lower their standards, but they can learn to lower the volumeHow telling the truth, even when it hurts, can be one of the kindest things a leader doesWhy Andy challenged players to identify their own standards and become “a warrior under control”What parents can do to help kids build identity, resilience, discipline, faith, and depth without living through themTimestamps00:00 Episode preview and introduction01:42 Damon welcomes Andy Lopez for a very special 300th episode03:27 The moment Andy realized people thought his championship goal was crazy04:10 How “Omaha” pencils made an impossible goal feel real06:04 Why Andy banned his players from wearing another team’s shirt08:31 The “bad job” Andy almost turned down13:53 The College World Series banquet that lit a fire under Pepperdine15:21 What Andy felt when they called him the wrong name17:14 What Andy remembers from the final out of the national championship18:42 The moment Andy’s dad held the trophy and said, “I told you”20:57 Where Andy’s two-rule leadership philosophy really came from23:24 The only two rules Andy had for 38 years as a head coach28:46 The “one fly” lesson every leader needs to hear30:26 Damon shares the painful culture lesson he learned at Learnit32:47 Why fair leadership does not mean treating everyone the same35:24 The tragedy that changed how Andy thought about connection37:11 Why people need leaders who actually listen39:31 The health scare Andy almost ignored43:27 What changed when Andy returned after open-heart surgery45:50 The servant leadership lesson Andy learned the hard way49:09 How intensity and stress nearly cost Andy his life50:48 What Andy would change if he coached again today56:06 The difference between being nice and being kind as a leader57:05 Why telling the truth is one of the kindest things a leader can do58:15 How Andy used the five whys to get to the real problem59:06 The conversation with Andy that Damon never forgot1:00:33 Why “life is difficult” became one of Andy’s core messages1:01:47 Why impossible goals often get dismissed as luck1:04:35 How Andy brought Reality City to Arizona baseball1:06:50 Why great competitors need both the serpent and the dove1:08:26 Could Andy survive coaching in today’s world?1:13:37 Why Andy still believes in today’s athletes1:15:43 How parents can help kids build resilience and accountability1:16:31 Why Andy kept his awards out of the house1:18:07 The daily message Andy still sends every morning1:18:44 Why Andy wants people to have more depth1:20:12 What winning at Arizona meant with his sons in uniformAbout Andy LopezAndy Lopez is a legendary college baseball coach, national champion, mentor, and leadership figure whose career spans nearly four decades as a head coach. He led Pepperdine to the 1992 College World Series championship and later guided the University of Arizona to the 2012 national championship. Known for his intense standards, deep faith, fierce accountability, and commitment to developing young men beyond the game, Andy built championship cultures by demanding excellence in the small things. His coaching philosophy centered on discipline, truth, preparation, servant leadership, and helping players get ready for life, not just baseball.Resources and MentionsThe Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck - https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Travelled-Psychology-Traditional/dp/0099727404Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comSubscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I SpotifyFollow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

May 26, 202648 min

299. How to Find the Next Big Opportunity Before Everyone Else Does | Garrett Larsson

What if the biggest startup opportunities aren’t in the hottest markets, but in the “old, clunky” industries everyone else ignores?In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Garrett Larsson, founder and CEO of Rhombus, to unpack how founders can build massive B2B companies by looking where the hype isn’t. Garrett shares why industries that don’t attract the most venture capital or media attention can still produce category-defining businesses, especially when there is a major shift in technology, go-to-market strategy, or customer behavior.Garrett also breaks down the lessons he learned across three startups, including why great products alone don’t win, why distribution may matter even more than product in the early days, and why founders must learn to sell before hiring a sales team. Damon and Garrett dig into founder-led sales, product-market fit, startup mistakes, board accountability, and how to build a leadership team that can challenge each other without letting ego wreck the company.From AI security cameras and cloud physical security to robotics, computer vision, B2B go-to-market strategy, startup culture, and the future of engineering in the age of AI, Garrett brings a practical, no-fluff perspective on what it really takes to scale. His core message is simple: the best startups are not perfect. They are the ones that learn the fastest, move on from mistakes, and stay curious long enough to keep getting better.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why founders should pay attention to “unsexy” industries that don’t get all the venture money, but can still become massive companiesWhy Tesla’s direct-to-consumer model is a powerful example of go-to-market disruption, not just product innovationHow Garrett and the Rhombus team used founder-market fit, old customer relationships, and direct outreach to land their first 10 to 20 customersWhy B2B founders should personally sell to 10 to 20 unrelated companies before hiring a single salespersonHow to tell the difference between smart startup risks and risks that can cause real damage, especially in security, data, and hardware businessesWhy every startup is “a different version of a shit show” and how the best teams learn from mistakes without blaming, dwelling, or repeating themHow Garrett thinks about founder relationships, open communication, letting go of grudges, and building trust across a long-term leadership teamWhy curiosity, hunger, and lifelong learning may become even more important as AI makes great engineers dramatically more productiveTimestamps00:00 Episode preview and introduction01:09 The hidden upside of overlooked industries02:35 How to spot an industry ready to break04:05 The go-to-market lesson founders miss05:14 Why the fastest learners win06:37 How one founding team survived three startups08:38 The founder conflict advice no one likes hearing10:58 Every startup is a different version of chaos12:51 When moving fast becomes dangerous15:42 What Rhombus is really building18:17 The hardware lessons software founders never expect22:12 How Garrett landed his first customers24:19 What good investors actually do26:22 The VC advantage beyond the check28:16 Should every founder stay CEO?30:11 Why founders must sell before hiring sales32:27 The warning signs inside sales and support34:35 How bureaucracy quietly kills momentum35:32 Will AI replace software engineers?37:50 The culture Garrett refuses to compromise42:10 Why busy founders cannot stop learning44:38 Rhombus’ next big bet: robotics46:46 Where AI-powered security matters mostAbout Garrett LarssonGarrett Larsson is the founder and CEO of Rhombus, a cloud physical security company building AI security cameras, access control, IoT sensors, alarm monitoring, and guest management tools for businesses and large organizations. A computer science engineer by background, Garrett has started three companies and brings deep experience in B2B software, cybersecurity, hardware, AI, go-to-market strategy, and founder-led sales.At Rhombus, Garrett and his team are helping modern organizations rethink physical security with cloud-based systems, computer vision, and AI-driven insights. Before Rhombus, Garrett built companies in mobile and cybersecurity, including Mojave Networks, and learned firsthand that product matters, but distribution, customer traction, and fast learning are what separate good ideas from scalable companies.Resources and MentionsGarrett Larsson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettlarsson/Rhombus website: https://www.rhombus.com/Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

May 21, 202656 min

298. Former Tesla Executive: Why Speed Is the Only Business Strategy That Actually Works | Jay Abbasi

Most leaders are moving too slowly for the world they’re trying to win in.In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Keynote speaker and former Tesla executive Jay Abbasi to unpack why speed in business, leadership adaptability, and decisive action are becoming non-negotiable advantages in today’s AI-driven workplace. Jay shares how his time at Tesla taught him that in an environment full of change, chaos, and uncertainty, waiting on the sidelines means falling behind. The better move? Fail forward, take calculated risks, and trust that the first decision does not have to be perfect because you can always make another one.Jay also breaks down why high-performing leaders need more than hustle. They need resilience, emotional awareness, mindfulness, and the ability to lead through discomfort without burning out. He explains why burnout is not caused by what you do, but by what you do not do to recharge. Using his “Fundamental Six” framework, Jay gives leaders a practical way to build energy, clarity, and well-being through better sleep, physical fitness, mental fitness, positive consumption, social connection, and healthier daily habits.Damon and Jay also dig into what it really takes to lead in 2026 and beyond, especially as AI accelerates the pace of change. They cover how to give difficult feedback without avoiding discomfort, why concise communication builds confidence and credibility, how to influence without authority, and why adaptability may be the most important leadership skill of the next decade. If you want to become a faster, calmer, more effective leader in a world that refuses to slow down, this conversation is packed with practical leadership tools you can use immediately.In this episode, you’ll learn...Why Jay believes that “success loves speed” and how his time at Tesla taught him to take messy action, fail forward, and stop waiting for certainty before making decisionsHow leaders can stop spiraling after failure by observing their emotions instead of becoming trapped by anger, frustration, or self-criticismWhy Jay recommends the 4-7-8 breathing technique as a simple one-minute starting point for overwhelmed leaders who think they are “too busy” to practice mindfulnessWhy burnout is caused by what you do not do to recharge, and how Jay’s Fundamental Six framework helps leaders rebuild energy, clarity, and well-beingWhy discomfort before a difficult conversation is often a signal that the conversation matters, not a reason to avoid itWhy adaptability is essential for AI-driven leadership, and what happens to leaders who cling to “this is how we’ve always done it”Why concise communication is a future-proof leadership skill, and how “brevity is confidence, length is fear” can change the way leaders show up in meetingsTimestamps00:00 - Episode preview and introduction01:02 - Jay reveals why success actually loves speed03:20 - How to stop spiraling after failure05:19 - The inner voice test most leaders fail06:40 - Why Viktor Frankl still matters for modern leadership07:25 - The loss that pushed Jay into mindfulness09:48 - The one-minute breathing practice busy leaders can actually use12:23 - What to do when your thoughts won’t shut up14:48 - How grief changed Jay’s health, habits, and curiosity17:06 - Why burnout is caused by what you don’t do18:43 - The “Fundamental Six” every leader should audit20:35 - Why your workout does not need to be 90 minutes25:27 - The hidden trap behind people pleasing30:39 - How to face discomfort without beating yourself up33:29 - The visualization trick that makes hard conversations easier34:54 - Why adaptability will define AI-driven leaders39:46 - The human advantage AI cannot replace41:47 - How to become a more concise communicator44:12 - The feedback move that gives you instant data46:08 - Why your manager relationship matters more than you think47:07 - Jay shares the leadership mistake that rebuilt trust50:09 - Why specific public appreciation hits differently52:01 - The story-first format behind Jay’s podcast54:06 - The three leadership problems Jay is most focused on solving55:43 - Damon’s final challenge for leaders who want to move fasterAbout Jay AbbasiJay Abbasi is a former Tesla executive, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and host of the Unstuck podcast. His work focuses on helping leaders thrive in high-demand, fast-changing environments without burning out. Drawing from his experience at Tesla, his personal journey through grief and growth, and his work coaching leaders, Jay teaches practical strategies for resilience, adaptability, mindfulness, effective communication, and influencing without authority. He is especially passionate about helping leaders manage change, lead their teams through uncertainty, and communicate with clarity and confidence in an AI-driven world.Resources and MentionsJay Abbasi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/Jay Abbasi’s website: https://jayabbasi.me/Jay Abbasi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/Unstuck with Jay Abbasi podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unstuck-with-jay-abbasi/id1757296131Jay Abbasi’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast/videosMan’s Search for Meaning book: https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273Smart Brevity book: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Brevity-Power-Saying-More/dp/1523516976Mastering The Business of Storytelling: A Learn-It-All™ Mini-Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_Ed_2nZqU4riK9XSdblfgBi4p_0iDYiPodcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

May 19, 20261 hr 5 min

297. Most Companies Are Using AI Wrong And It's Costing Them | Christa Hill

What if your AI strategy is making your team faster, but not actually smarter?In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Christa Hill, Co-Founder of Tacit Edge and Learnit’s very own Chief AI Learning Officer, to unpack why so many leaders, teams, and organizations are still using artificial intelligence at what Christa calls “brochure-level.” Playing around with ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, or Gemini might feel like progress, but Christa says real AI literacy starts when you stop treating AI like a shortcut and start using it to rethink strategy, decision-making, team workflows, and business value.Christa explains why most people are still operating at a grade three or grade four level of AI literacy, why productivity wins eventually cap out, and why leaders cannot keep approving AI tools or projects they do not understand. She also breaks down one of the biggest mistakes companies are making right now: banning AI use and accidentally pushing employees into unregulated, risky “shadow AI” behavior. As Christa puts it, organizations do not really have AI problems. They have very human problems surrounding the technology.Damon and Christa also dig into what the future of work actually looks like when every employee is augmented by AI. From “greenhouse meetings” that unlock better ideas to using transcripts and AI tools to spot trends across team conversations, Christa shares practical ways to build real AI capability without losing the human advantage. Because AI may have more IQ points than us, but it does not have our judgment, empathy, lived experience, or what Christa calls “your proprietary data set.”In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What Christa means by “brochure-level” AI use, and why surface-level productivity hacks are not enough for real AI transformationWhy Christa calls ChatGPT “Captain Confidence,” and why leaders need to read, edit, and add the final 30% that makes AI-generated work actually sound like themHow to avoid wasting money on AI adoption by solving one or two business problems first, instead of trying to make one tool fix everythingWhy productivity wins cap out if they are not connected to team goals, business strategy, and collective valueWhy companies should stop running every day like “Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals” and give people room to think about the future of their workWhy recording meetings, using transcripts, and feeding team conversations into AI tools can help spot trends, risks, and new business opportunitiesWhy banning AI tools may be one of the riskiest moves a company can make, especially in regulated industries with confidential informationWhat Christa says is the true human advantage: your proprietary data set, your lived experience, your judgment, your empathy, your context, and your giftsTimestamps00:00 - Episode preview and introduction01:22 - Why Copilot doesn’t make you AI literate03:03 - The mistake self-taught AI users keep making08:16 - The “Captain Confidence” problem with ChatGPT10:30 - Why most people are still at a grade three AI level14:12 - Productivity wins are not an AI strategy16:52 - How one team bought back time with AI literacy19:09 - Why your team needs “game one days”23:15 - Why AI literacy makes people less afraid of being replaced24:25 - Technical debt explained for non-technical leaders27:01 - Why every meeting should become usable data28:52 - The “yes, and” exercise that kills bad brainstorming31:45 - Why people don’t have their best ideas on command33:41 - How leaders can capture ideas before they disappear38:21 - AI is a mirror, so what is it exposing?39:37 - Why Christa doesn’t buy the AI replacement panic42:18 - The question every leader should ask AI but probably won’t45:13 - Why banning AI might be your riskiest move54:09 - The executive AI questions leaders are afraid to ask57:18 - Smash or pass: the AI tools Christa actually recommends01:01:41 - The human advantage AI can’t copy01:03:21 - How to know when you need real AI educationAbout Christa HillChrista Hill is the Co-Founder of Tacit Edge and Chief AI Learning Officer at Learnit, where she helps leaders, executives, and teams build practical AI literacy and develop a smarter approach to technology, people, workflows, and business strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in technology, product management, and business transformation, Christa teaches organizations how to move beyond basic AI tools training and start using artificial intelligence to solve real business problems. Her work focuses on helping people become builders, not just users, so they can understand AI’s limits, create stronger guardrails, reduce risk, and amplify the human skills that still matter most in the future of work.Resources and MentionsChrista Hill’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christajhill/Tacit Edge’s website: https://tacit-edge.com/Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

May 14, 202645 min

296. The Real Workforce Crisis Isn’t AI — It’s Human Disconnection | Colleen Stanley

What happens when people stop feeling seen at work, right as AI makes it easier than ever to avoid real human connection?In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Colleen Stanley, President of SalesLeadership, author, and one of Salesforce’s Top 7 Sales Influencers of the 21st Century, to talk about the workforce crisis hiding in plain sight: leaders know mentorship matters, but the pace of change, remote work, social media, AI, and the “tyranny of the urgent” keep pushing it to the bottom of the list. Colleen explains why mentorship may not show up as a clean line item on a profit and loss statement, but it absolutely impacts employee engagement, retention, leadership development, emotional intelligence, sales performance, and company culture.Colleen also breaks down why AI will make human mentorship more important, not less. As younger professionals turn to AI tools for answers, judgment, and critical thinking, leaders have a bigger responsibility to pass down wisdom earned through real experience. From the power of a five-minute conversation to the danger of checking “one more message” during meetings, this conversation is a wake-up call for leaders who want to build mentorship cultures, strengthen workplace belonging, improve focus, and create teams where people don’t have to go it alone.In this episode, you’ll learn...How the “perfect storm” of remote work, social media, technology, and the pace of change is weakening the workplace communityWhy AI makes mentorship more urgent, especially as younger employees turn to tools before turning to experienced leadersWhy Colleen believes focus is not just a productivity skill, but a relationship skill that affects trust, learning, and sales conversationsHow to stop “managing from the suite” and become more intentional about spending real time with your peopleWhy empathy is a paying-attention skill, and how one five-minute mentor conversation stayed with Colleen for 25 yearsWhy getting to “100 no’s” can become a powerful sales leadership lesson instead of a confidence killerHow mentorship cultures accelerate learning, improve retention, build confidence, and turn individual experience into organizational advantageTimestamps00:00 Episode preview and introduction01:13 Why leaders still avoid mentorship even when they know it works02:35 The invisible workplace problem that quietly destroys retention05:24 The “divine download” that became Be the Mentor Who Mattered07:18 The three forces making mentorship more urgent than ever10:09 How leaders can pull teams out of self-absorption11:27 The “one more message” habit that makes people feel invisible13:42 When distraction becomes a values problem17:43 How mentorship can make leaders more empathetic19:21 Why you do not need a big title to become a mentor20:37 The power of one person believing in you21:39 The five-minute conversation Colleen still feels 25 years later25:20 Why giving someone your time can build their confidence27:17 Why AI makes human mentorship even more important29:53 The lesson Colleen believes AI probably cannot teach32:31 How a mentor can turn rejection into momentum34:42 The question that helps people see a better story36:50 How mentorship cultures accelerate learning and results38:49 What the Vagabonds can teach modern leaders about peer mentoring40:19 Why Colleen wants leaders to stop waiting for mentees to ask42:35 How to find 30 minutes for mentorship44:19 Where to connect with Colleen StanleyAbout Colleen StanleyColleen Stanley is the president of SalesLeadership, a sales development firm specializing in emotional intelligence, sales, and sales leadership. She is the author of Emotional Intelligence for Sales Success, Emotional Intelligence for Sales Leadership, Growing Great Sales Teams, and Be the Mentor Who Mattered. Known for connecting EQ with real-world leadership and sales performance, Colleen helps leaders build disciplined, focused, emotionally intelligent teams that communicate better, sell with more value, and create stronger cultures.Resources and MentionsBe The Mentor Who Mattered book: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Mentor-Who-Mattered-Difference/dp/1962834573Colleen Stanley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenstanleysli/SalesLeadership’s website: https://www.salesleadershipdevelopment.com/The Learn-It-All Leader book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5Reclaiming Conversation book: https://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Conversation-Power-Talk-Digital/dp/0143109790What Happened to You? book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-You-Understanding-Resilience/dp/1250223180The Harvard Study of Adult Development: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/Gallup Workplace Engagement Research: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/285674/improve-employee-engagement-workplace.aspxPodcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

May 12, 20261 hr 8 min

295. If AI Has All The Answers, What Do You Compete On? | Andrea Iorio

AI is not just changing the future of work. It is exposing which parts of your job were never the real work to begin with.In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Andrea Iorio, keynote speaker and best-selling author of Between You and AI, to break down how leaders can use artificial intelligence without losing the human skills that make them irreplaceable. Andrea reframes the fear around AI replacing jobs by showing how AI is really coming for repetitive tasks, data analysis, reports, meeting recaps, emails, and the “work about work” that keeps people busy but not always productive.Andrea shares the nine human skills leaders need in an AI-powered workplace, including prompting, data sense-making, reperception, augmentation, antifragility, adaptability, empathy, trust, and agency. He also explains why asking better questions matters more than having all the answers, why leaders need to “empty the cup” and unlearn old assumptions, and why 93% of HR leaders in his research said they would rather hire for soft skills than hard skills.Damon and Andrea also dig into the real reason many companies struggle with AI adoption: they bought the “Ferrari,” but their teams do not know how to drive it yet. From building antifragile teams to keeping humans in the loop, verifying AI outputs, and managing future hybrid teams of humans and AI agents, this conversation gives leaders a practical roadmap for using AI to build skills, protect trust, and create work that is more human, not less.In This Episode, You’ll LearnThe nine human skills Andrea believes matter most in the AI-powered workplaceWhy asking better questions is now more valuable than having all the answers, especially when AI can produce information faster than any human can memorize itWhy “reperception” means emptying the cup, unlearning what used to work, and giving up past decisions when the market, customer, and technology have changedWhy 93% of HR leaders in Andrea’s research preferred the candidate with stronger soft skills over the candidate with better hard skillsWhy Andrea believes resilience is not enough, because leaders should not just “bounce back” from mistakes, they should improve because of themHow AI can damage customer trust when companies automate too much, and why augmentation often beats full automation when empathy and personalization matterHow companies can avoid the “AI Ferrari” problem by training teams to actually drive the tools instead of just buying expensive technologyTimestamps00:00 – Episode preview and introduction00:58 – Challenging the fear that AI is coming for your job.03:13 – The first leadership tasks that should probably be handed to AI.05:17 – Why leaders still need discernment before shipping AI-generated work.07:34 – The human skills that matter most in an AI-led workplace.13:35 – The HR study that changed how Andrea thinks about hard skills and soft skills.18:04 – How AI can make leaders better at asking questions to other humans.21:17 – Why leaders need to “empty the cup” before they can adapt.25:17 – How reverse mentoring helped leaders at L’Oréal rethink old assumptions.28:30 – What Tinder learned from Candy Crush and why leaders should look outside their industry.32:51 – Andrea explains why antifragility is one step beyond resilience.37:40 – Andrea uses Giannis Antetokounmpo’s viral answer to reframe what failure really means.44:10 – The difference between automating humans away and augmenting humans with AI.52:25 – Why companies are buying the AI Ferrari before teaching teams how to drive it.59:03 – Why the future of work will not be fully human or fully AI.01:05:54 – Where listeners can connect with Andrea and learn more about Between You and AI.01:07:35 – Andrea leaves leaders with the question that reveals whether they are still growing.About Andrea IorioAndrea Iorio is a keynote speaker, author, and AI leadership expert focused on helping organizations build the human skills needed to thrive in the future of work. He is the best-selling author of Between You and AI, published by Wiley, where he explores how leaders can adapt to artificial intelligence through skills like prompting, data sense-making, reperception, adaptability, antifragility, empathy, trust, and agency. Drawing from his experience as Chief Digital Officer at L’Oréal and his work with global companies, Andrea helps leaders use AI not just to increase productivity, but to rethink how teams work, make decisions, and stay human in an AI-powered world.Resources and MentionsBetween You and AI book: https://www.amazon.com/Between-You-AI-Unlock-AI-Driven/dp/1394357982Andrea Iorio’s website: https://andreaiorio.com/en/Andrea Iorio’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaiorio/Andrea Iorio’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiorio_br/Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

May 7, 202647 min

294. NBA's Top Psychologist Reveals How to Thrive Under Pressure | Wayne Chappelle

What if your team isn’t underperforming because of talent, strategy, or effort, but because they’re mentally falling apart under pressure?In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with clinical psychologist and Oklahoma City Thunder’s team psychologist Wayne Chappelle to break down the emotional, social, and behavioral habits that separate good teams from elite teams. Drawing from his work with special operations, professional athletes, executives, and high-performance organizations, Wayne explains why talent and physical stamina matter, but are never enough on their own.Wayne shares the 4 warning signs that leaders and teams are starting to break down: blindness, complacency, distraction, and despair. He also explains why every leader needs a “wingman,” why difficult feedback is a sign of investment, and why the best performers learn how to compartmentalize emotion when pressure gets high. As Wayne puts it, if your emotional IQ is low, it does not matter how smart, talented, or experienced you are because eventually, it will hurt the team.This conversation is a masterclass in high-performance leadership, mental toughness, team accountability, growth mindset, emotional resilience, and building a culture that can handle the crucible before it arrives.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why natural talent and physical capability are important, but not enough to build an extraordinary teamThe 4 warning signs your team is mentally falling apart: blindness, complacency, distraction, and despairHow elite teams use debriefs to normalize feedback, even after a successful mission or projectHow to compartmentalize emotion under pressure so you can make decisions based on facts, logic, and objective dataWhy past success does not earn you a permanent seat on the team, and why Wayne says you have to earn your place every dayHow elite performers visualize worst-case scenarios so they are ready before chaos shows upWhy even the worst losses, failures, and painful experiences can become “diamonds” if you sift through them the right wayTimestamps00:00 – Episode preview and introduction01:29 – The real difference between talented teams and extraordinary teams02:40 – Why the best performers prepare for the crucible before it arrives04:11 – The wingman rule: no one becomes their best alone07:21 – The 4 warning signs leaders start mentally breaking down09:27 – Why feedback feels personal when you’re not built to receive it12:37 – How to stop fearing failure and start fearing stagnation15:23 – The top 1% skill most people never train: emotional compartmentalization18:52 – The mindset shift that kills victim mentality20:23 – What Oklahoma City Thunder players can teach leaders about earning their spot21:36 – Why ordinary success under ordinary conditions means nothing23:16 – The visualization mistake most people make under pressure25:18 – Why elite performers rehearse the worst-case scenario27:14 – Past wins don’t matter when today’s pressure hits28:35 – Why who you were last year can’t be who you are now31:38 – How to tell the difference between calculated risk and reckless risk33:39 – What PsyOptimal measures that most leaders never see35:54 – The blind spots that show whether you’re struggling, surviving, or thriving37:29 – Why low compliance can poison even a talented team39:33 – How the Thunder built a culture where everyone pushes everyone42:20 – How to turn tragedy into triumph instead of a pity party45:29 – Damon’s final challenge: are you making diamonds or staying soft?About Wayne ChappelleWayne Chappelle is a team psychologist and high-performance expert who has worked with elite teams and individuals across special operations, professional sports, business, and leadership. His work focuses on emotional, social, and behavioral functioning, including resilience, adaptability, composure, teamwork, confidence, and mental toughness under pressure.Through Psyoptimal, Wayne helps individuals, teams, and organizations better understand where they are struggling, surviving, or thriving so they can build the habits required to perform at an elite level. He is also the co-author of the New York Times bestselling book Heal Your Hurting Mind.Resources and MentionsHeal Your Hurting Mind book: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Hurting-Mind-Depression/dp/0310366747Wayne Chappelle’s website: https://www.drchappelle.com/Wayne Chappelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-chappelle-3990b6185/PsyOPTIMAL website: https://psyoptimal.com/Learn-It-All Press: Book a discovery call at www.learnitallpress.comPodcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

Sin88

Business
Toldjya Finance Podcast

Toldjya Finance Podcast

Zac Huish, Cameron Cooke, and Paul Lamb

BusinessInvesting

WW88

Business

Thabet

Business
SowGrow Marketing Council

SowGrow Marketing Council

sgmc

BusinessMarketing
Matrix Unboxed

Matrix Unboxed

Matrix Unboxed

Business