• Episode 175: Principles Over Plans: A Security Expert's Unfiltered Guide to Leading Under Fire with Michael Gips
    2026/04/21
    What happens when the plan hits the wall, the clock is running, and nobody's reading the manual? For Michael Gips, that's not a hypothetical: it's Tuesday. With over 30 years navigating the intersection of security, risk, and leadership, Michael is Managing Director at Kroll, one of the world's foremost global risk advisory firms. He's a Certified Protection Professional, a Chartered Security Professional, and the author of It's Not In the Manual: Real World Leadership For Security and Risk Professionals, a title that, as Dr. John Dentico notes, may be the most honest thing anyone in leadership has said out loud in years. He also writes a monthly leadership column for Security Magazine. In this episode, Michael pulls back the curtain on what leadership actually looks like when the crisis doesn't follow the playbook, which, as it turns out, it never does. He shares the counterintuitive reframe that has defined his career: great security leaders aren't the "Department of No." They're the "Department of KNOW" know the people, know the processes, know the business deeply enough to be an indispensable partner, not just a gatekeeper. From the post-9/11 breakdown of public-private trust to the modern reality of perma-crisis (where a ransomware attack, a geopolitical flashpoint, and a natural disaster can land simultaneously), Michael maps the terrain of 21st-century security leadership with clarity, candor, and a wry humor that only comes from having survived enough chaos to find it funny in retrospect. He and Dr. Dentico also dig into one of the most under-discussed leadership questions of our time: what does it take to develop the next generation of leaders, not just the ones who already look the part? This is a conversation packed with hard-won insight, zero fluff, and the kind of grounded wisdom that doesn't come from a textbook. It comes from showing up in the room when things go sideways; and knowing what to do next. 0:00 Welcome & Introduction — Who Is Michael Gips? 1:55 From New Rochelle to Kroll: The Creative Roots of a Security Leader 4:00 When the Manual Runs Out — Leading on Principle, Not Plans 7:30 Mission Clarity: The One Sentence That Guides Every Decision 12:30 The Department of KNOW: From Gatekeeper to Strategic Partner 16:30 Building Influence Without Authority — Getting a Seat at the Table 17:30 Post-9/11 Lessons: When Public & Private Sectors Finally Started Talking 20:00 Perma-Crisis & Poly-Crisis: Welcome to the New Normal 23:00 Technology, Privacy & Geopolitics: Even Simple Problems Are Now Global 28:00 Developing the Next Generation: Leaders Who Grow Leaders 32:00 Leadership Is a Process, Not a Personality Type 36:00 Adaptive Leadership: Why One Size Never Fits All 40:00 Embracing Doubt — The Counterintuitive Key to Collaboration 43:00 The Ego Trap: Humility, Self-Awareness & the Ongoing Work of Leading 45:30 What's Next: Michael's Vision for His Second Book 47:00 Closing Thoughts & Farewell If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.
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    49 分
  • Episode 174: Scaling Humanity: Mastering AI Nuance to Accelerate Creative Workflows with Oleg Danyliuk
    2026/04/13

    In this episode, Dr. John Dentico sits down with Oleg Danyliuk to explore a transformative vision of Artificial Intelligence—one where technology acts as a powerful co-pilot rather than a replacement for human talent. Moving beyond the overwhelming hype and fears of job displacement, Oleg explains how AI is "collapsing" routine, repetitive tasks—the digital drudgery that often drains productivity. By automating these everyday workflows, professionals are liberated to focus on high-level strategy, complex logic, and creative problem-solving.

    The conversation highlights the growing necessity of mastering nuance; much like a new form of prompt engineering, success in this era depends on our ability to clearly describe processes and guide AI outputs to ensure accuracy and prevent hallucinations. Ultimately, the episode presents a compelling argument for "scaling human ability." As we integrate these intelligent tools into our workflows, the goal is not merely automation, but an evolution where technology amplifies our unique creative potential, allowing us to reach new heights of productivity while preserving the essential human element in business.

    01:01 Introduction to Oleg Danyliuk and His Mission

    01:54 Early Influences: From Ukraine to the World of Tech

    03:35 Why Human Connection remains Vital in Sales

    04:02 The Role of AI as a Co-Pilot for Sales Teams

    12:23 Using AI to Unlock and Express Creative Ideas

    12:45 Feeding the Nuance: How to Guide AI Outputs

    13:00 Accelerating Professional Content with Automation

    34:38 The Evolution of Duanex: From Staffing to Expertise

    35:01 Identifying Opportunities for Process Automation

    35:15 Scaling Companies While Preserving Their Humanity

    34:25 The Future Vision for Duanex and Insightful

    37:23 Final Reflections and Closing Remarks

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    40 分
  • Episode 173: Chief Everything Officer: Why Brilliant Women Founders Burn Out in the Messy Middle with Lindsay White
    2026/04/07

    Lindsay White carries Alberta homesteader DNA, generations of powerful, independent women who earned the vote through partnership work, not permission. That matriarchy shaped everything about her 20+ year HR career, though she insists it's never been about HR. It's about the messy inflection point where brilliant female founders can no longer touch everything in their business yet still try, burning out as Chief Everything Officers because nobody taught them the operator-to-CEO transition.

    Her LPC Method, Lead, People, Culture, targets the strategic gap most women face: hiring too early, hiring wrong, hiring before understanding their zone of genius. Lindsay's devastating insight? Before bringing on that first person, founders must answer: What am I really good at? What do I love? What would I die happy never doing again? Then hire for the gaps, not the tasks. Her mission is becoming the go-to strategic partner for women scaling businesses, teaching them that leadership isn't about being the hero who saves everyone, but building teams that don't need saving. No fluff. No judgment. Just clear strategies and real talk from someone who knows the messy middle intimately.

    02:01 - Alberta Homesteader Matriarchy Legacy

    02:36 - Calgary Roots and Powerful Women

    03:19 - Never Really About HR

    03:36 - The Messy Inflection Point

    04:14 - Operator to CEO Transition

    04:41 - Chief Everything Officer Syndrome

    08:30 - The LPC Method Explained

    12:45 - Hiring Mistakes Female Founders Make

    18:20 - Stop Being the Hero

    22:15 - Code-Switching Cost in Leadership

    32:05 - Zone of Genius Before First Hire

    33:49 - Go-To Strategic Partner Mission

    If you enjoy our podcasts plese like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

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    37 分
  • Episode 172: Unpacking the Bag: Turning Invisible Weight into Inner Strength with Raul T. Pereyra
    2026/03/30

    In this deeply personal and transformative episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico welcomes Raul Pereyra, a first-generation Latino leadership coach with over 25 years of experience. Raul's approach to leadership is forged not in academia, but in the challenging environment of East LA, where he learned to navigate the "invisible weight" of growing up with an alcoholic father.

    The conversation centers on Raul's innovative "The Bag We Carry" framework, which helps leaders identify the Beliefs, Assumptions, and Guardians (like the inner critic) that often weigh them down and hinder growth. Raul and John dive into the psychology of behavioral change, discussing the importance of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the courage to reframe past trauma into a "jet pack" for future success. From the "parable of the two arrows" to the pursuit of contentment over fleeting happiness, this episode offers a roadmap for leaders ready to do the hard work of internal growth to achieve external excellence.

    00:00 – Introduction to Raul Pereyra and his "Inside Out" coaching philosophy.

    02:12 – Growing up in East LA: Influences of family, immigrants, and trauma.

    04:10 – The turning point: Finding intellectual stimulation and a mentor who believed.

    06:07 – Unpacking the BAG: Beliefs, Assumptions, and Guardians.

    08:28 – The Inner Critic: Transitioning from a protective force to an acknowledged guide.

    11:42 – Jet Pack Thinking: Reframing self-doubt into a propelling force.

    14:02 – Thinking Fast vs. Thinking Slow: The neuroscience of behavior change.

    16:01 – The formula for change: Thoughts + Beliefs + Values = Behavior.

    18:51 – Moving from self-awareness to self-acceptance and ownership.

    20:56 – Progress through truth-telling: Breaking the victim mentality.

    22:48 – The Parable of the Two Arrows: Choosing healing over suffering.

    25:27 – The Achievement Trap: Why "keeping up with the Joneses" leads to misery.

    27:40 – Finding Contentment: Accepting humanity over the chase for perfection.

    31:48 – Reframing the past: Grateful that it happened for you, not to you.

    Raul is offering a free consultation. Contact him at ftplearning.com/tiny

    If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

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    39 分
  • Episode 171: Packets of Meaning: How Narrative Bridges Divides and Catalyzes Change with author Zoe Arden
    2026/03/24

    In this compelling episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico sits down with Zoe Arden, a fellow at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and author of Story Centred Leadership: Crafting Cultures of Change. Zoe brings over 20 years of experience to the table, demonstrating that storytelling is not just a "soft skill" but a vital strategic infrastructure for modern leadership.

    The discussion explores Zoe's Five-Stage Story Centred Leadership Model—story listening, building, shaping, sharing, and living. She explains how narrative can bridge divides and catalyze action in an era of polarization and fragmentation. John and Zoe dive into the psychological and practical depths of storytelling, touching on Aristotle's parts of rhetoric and the essential balance between logic and meaning. From walking in a stakeholder's shoes to using storytelling as a lever of influence, this episode provides a roadmap for leaders looking to build authentic, purpose-driven cultures.

    00:00 – Introduction to Zoe Arden and her 20-year journey in storytelling.

    02:12 – Profound beginnings: Growing up in London and early influences.

    03:51 – Overcoming self-limiting stories that box in leaders.

    05:59 – Defining the essence of story: Little packets of meaning.

    07:03 – The power of story listening and empathy for stakeholders.

    09:01 – Logic and Meaning: The two fundamental elements of a story.

    10:46 – Interactive story-making through realistic leadership simulations.

    12:03 – Immersing yourself in your stakeholder's world.

    14:56 – Shifting perspectives: Putting the powerful at the powerless table.

    16:37 – Levers of influence vs. hard levers of power.

    18:36 – The importance of cross-training and escaping the internal silo.

    20:00 – The irreplaceability of personal liaison and human connection.

    If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

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    42 分
  • Episode 170: The Ego Trap: Why Success Creates Your Biggest Leadership Blind Spots with Leanna DeBellevue
    2026/03/16

    In this insightful episode of the Throttle Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico welcomes Leanna DeBellevue, founder of DeBellevue Consulting and an international speaker. After building and scaling an award-winning global marketing agency for over 15 years and successfully selling it in 2025, Leanna realized a profound truth: success often creates its own set of blind spots. She now specializes in helping successful leaders who have outgrown their current operating models identify what is truly slowing them down, fostering a culture of perspective-driven accountability.

    The conversation delves into the psychology of leadership, specifically how ego and the need for control can lead to "founder bottlenecks" and burnout. Leanna and John explore the shifting dynamics of the modern workforce, identifying Gen Z as the "canaries in the coal mine" who are exposing a deep-seated workplace crisis by demanding meaning, purpose, and personal agency in their roles. From embracing doubt and ambiguity to moving beyond the myth of work-life balance toward true work-life integration, this episode offers a roadmap for leading with grace and intentionality in an increasingly complex world.

    00:00 – Introduction to Leanna DeBellevue and her 15-year agency journey

    02:04 – Early influences: The value of hard work and the company you keep

    04:10 – Identifying the "Something is Off" syndrome in successful leaders

    06:14 – The struggle between the conscious and subconscious mind

    08:56 – Embracing doubt and ambiguity to foster collaboration

    10:20 – The mechanism of blind spots: Why ego is often the root cause

    12:14 – The Orchestra Analogy: Moving from player to conductor

    14:50 – Meaning and personal agency as the ultimate motivators

    17:10 – Gen Z: The canaries in the coal mine for workplace culture

    19:10 – Previewing the field report: "Throttle Up from the Field"

    22:23 – Mindset shifts: Transitioning from scarcity to abundance

    25:01 – Work-life integration vs. the myth of 50/50 balance

    26:56 – The power of accepting your own humanity and leading with grace

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    35 分
  • Episode 169: Scale Smarter, Lead Stronger and the Fractional Shift: Lessons from a $40 million journey with Cortney Watson
    2026/03/10

    In this episode of the Throttle Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico sits down with Cortney Watson, a fractional advisor and business coach with over 20 years of experience. Cortney shares her journey of scaling a consulting firm to $40 million in revenue and growing a network from 50 to over 450 consultants.

    The conversation dives deep into the "founder bottleneck" and the critical inflection point, typically around 30 to 40 employees, where instinct-driven leadership must transition into structured systems and strategic planning. Cortney and John discuss the rise of fractional C-suite roles, the importance of values alignment in preventing employee burnout, and why the best leaders empower their teams to thrive independently of the founder. Cortney also reflects on her personal shift toward a more balanced, "less goal-oriented" life after years of high-pressure leadership.

    00:00 – Introduction to Cortney Watson and her background

    02:04 – Lessons from growing up in a small-business family

    04:10 – Identifying the founder bottleneck and the power of delegation

    06:14 – The 30-40 employee inflection point and the need for strategic plans

    08:56 – Discussing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and leadership as a process

    11:13 – Distinguishing between productive intensity and destructive burnout

    14:42 – The role of meaning, purpose, and values alignment in retention

    19:40 – Why employee opinions are vital for organizational change

    22:42 – The impact of management quality on employee success

    25:09 – The booming world of fractional work and its benefits

    29:10 – Fractional roles as a "doorway" to full-time hires

    31:54 – Cortney's shift toward balance and living in the moment

    if you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

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    36 分
  • Episode 168: Beyond the Budget: The Fractional CFO Strategy for Staffing Success with Scott Geller
    2026/03/02

    In this insightful episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico sits down with Scott Geller, a fractional CFO who has carved out a powerful niche supporting staffing agencies with revenues under $30 million. Scott shares his journey from the rigid corporate world to the agile fractional model, explaining how he helps underserved firms bridge the gap between basic bookkeeping and high-level financial strategy. They dive deep into the "profitability illusion" many agency owners face due to the massive time gap between weekly payroll and client payments, highlighting why moving from cash to accrual accounting is a non-negotiable for long-term health.

    The conversation shifts toward the future of work, exploring the critical role of AI and the shifting values of Gen Z in the workplace. Scott introduces his PathPredict framework, a six-step method designed to build "financial muscle" through continuous forecasting rather than static annual budgeting. Whether discussing the "human-in-the-loop" requirement for AI or the need for strategic clarity, this episode offers a masterclass in adapting leadership and finance to a hyper-dynamic world.

    0:00 Hello again and welcome to the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast

    1:58 The Fractional Model and the Future of Work

    3:51 Solving the Employee Engagement Crisis

    6:00 Unique Cash Flow Challenges in Staffing

    7:28 Why Cash Accounting Fails Staffing Agencies

    10:49 AI's Impact on the Staffing Industry

    13:20 The Ultimate AI Hack: Humans in the Loop

    14:41 Real-World Perspective vs. AI Generics

    16:45 Integrating Financial Clarity with EOS

    22:38 Beyond Budgeting: The Power of Continuous Forecasting

    25:37 Strategic Thinking vs. Strategic Planning

    28:19 Recruiting vs. Staffing: Key Differences

    33:10 PathPredict: The Six-Step Financial Method

    37:40 Gen Z: The Canaries in the Coal Mine

    If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

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    41 分