Why do we promote our best engineers into leadership roles they are unprepared for, only to see them burn out? The skills that make a great individual contributor are often the opposite of what’s needed to be a great leader. This is the technical leadership crisis, and it’s costing companies their best talent.

In this episode, Cody sits down with Andrew Hinkelman, a former CTO with over 25 years of experience in the tech industry at companies like LinkedIn, Stripe, and Sony. After experiencing severe burnout in his own career, Andrew founded Priority-1 Group to coach technical leaders on how to avoid the same fate.

Together, they dissect the root causes of this widespread problem and provide a new framework for success.

In this episode, you will learn:

•Why the transition from engineer to manager is so challenging.

•The three definitive signs of burnout you can’t afford to ignore.

•What "human-centered leadership" is and why it’s the counterbalance to a tech-obsessed industry.

•Actionable tools you can use this week to become a more effective leader.

This is a raw and honest conversation for every CTO, engineering manager, and aspiring tech leader who has ever felt like they are great at the tech but struggling with the people.

Guest Information:

•Andrew Hinkelman: Founder of Priority-1 Group, Executive Coach, former CTO

•Website: https://www.pri-1.com/

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhinkelman

Watch the full video experience on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7sIJGF6Hz08

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•Website: theweirdcanadian.ca

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In this urgent and revealing episode, we unpack two of the most consequential pieces of legislation affecting Canadian digital rights: Bills C-11 and C-18. While government officials frame these laws as consumer protection measures, the reality is far more complex—and concerning.

Digital rights advocate Miriam Rachel Burr joins us to explain exactly what these bills do, why major tech companies like Meta have abandoned the Canadian market, and how these laws are already affecting everyday Canadians. She shares concrete examples: Amber Alerts that didn't reach people because Meta blocked news sharing, wildfires where critical evacuation information spread only through word-of-mouth, and the chilling effect on entrepreneurs and creators who now face impossible compliance burdens.

But this isn't just a story about government overreach. It's about the future of innovation, competition, and free expression in Canada. The government now has the power to decide which content is "discoverable" online—a level of control that fundamentally changes how digital markets operate. For entrepreneurs, creators, and business leaders, this has direct implications for how you reach customers and operate your business.

Miriam has launched an official House of Commons petition (E6994 ) to repeal these bills. With just 500 signatures, this petition can trigger a parliamentary review and force a conversation at the highest levels of government about whether these laws serve Canadian interests or stifle innovation and freedom.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who cares about the future of digital freedom in Canada, the health of our digital economy, and the principle that government should not control what information citizens can access online.

Watch the Full Video Interview: https://youtu.be/J8pvpVxGziU

Sign Petition E6994: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6994

Connect with Miriam Rachel Burr:

•Twitter/X: https://x.com/miriamrachel75

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamrachel/

Follow The Weird Canadian:

•YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Weird_Canadian

Key Topics Covered:

•What Bill C-11 and C-18 actually do (explained in plain language )

•Real-world impacts: Amber Alerts, news blackouts, and missed emergency information

•Why Meta walked away from Canada

•The compliance burden on small businesses and creators

•Government control over content discoverability

•How petition E6994 can trigger a parliamentary review

•Why this matters for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and everyday Canadians

#BillC11 #BillC18 #CanadianPolitics #FreedomOfSpeech #DigitalRights #DigitalPolicy #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #CdnPoli #TheWeirdCanadian

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We have more customer service technology than ever before—chatbots, AI assistants, and complex CRM systems. So why does it feel like customer experience is getting worse?

In this episode, I sit down with Abisola Fagbiye, a UK-based Customer Experience (CX) Strategist who has worked with organizations ranging from small startups to the United Nations. She argues that the obsession with technology is causing businesses to lose the one thing that truly matters: the human touch.

Abisola shares her revolutionary philosophy that customer experience is everyone’s job, not just a single department. We discuss why small businesses are uniquely positioned to win by leveraging empathy, building community, and “killing the script.”

If you’re a business owner feeling overwhelmed by the tech race, this conversation will give you a new perspective on how to build a loyal customer base and a brand that people trust.

Key Topics Covered:

•The real reason customer experience is broken.

•Why being a small business is your secret weapon.

•The power of “killing the script” and empowering your team.

•How to build trust, the true currency of the future.

•The role of AI in enhancing, not replacing, human connection.

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uc6ievOxVU8

#CustomerExperience #Business #AI #CX #Entrepreneurship

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This podcast is powered by Pinecast.