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the Learn-It-All™ podcast

Damon Lembi

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.

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  • 23 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 48 min
  • English

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  • #326
    Thursday · 47 min

    326. Why High Earners Feel More Stuck Than Ever (The Success Trap) | Alexa DePaolo

    What if earning more money didn’t create freedom, but quietly made you a hostage to the life you built? Real estate expert, Keynote speaker, and business strategist Alexa DePaolo escaped poverty, became a national top producer, and created the financial security she once dreamed about. Yet even after the desperation was gone, she continued answering calls at 11 p.m., stepping away from her daughters’ activities, and sacrificing family time to protect a success she feared could disappear at any moment. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Alexa joins Damon to explain why high earners feel trapped by success, how a scarcity mindset can survive long after financial hardship ends, and why peace sometimes feels like laziness to high performers. She shares the boundaries that helped her stop operating from desperation, the 30-day hiring rule that prevents resentment, and why she now gives paying business away when a client’s values do not align with hers. If you are financially successful but still feel overworked, guilty when resting, or unable to disconnect from your business, this conversation will help you redefine success around freedom, family, meaningful relationships, and work you actually enjoy. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why Alexa felt happier when she was poor and how the fear of losing everything kept her trapped in a desperation mindset even after she became successful How scheduling family time like a client closing prevents empty calendar space from automatically becoming more work Why overgiving is not always generous and how giving to everyone else can quietly take time, energy, and presence away from your family How avoiding an uncomfortable employee conversation caused Alexa to build resentment and become the kind of leader she never wanted to be Why Alexa evaluates new hires at 30, 60, and 90 days and believes poor performance during the “honeymoon phase” rarely improves later How high performers can stop chasing every deal, choose relationships that align with their values, and accept that calm can sometimes be the goal Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:02 – Why Alexa was happier when she was poor 03:11 – Did ignoring an 11 p.m. call ever cost her a deal? 03:51 – The boundary that protects both business and family 04:43 – Growing up without water, electricity, or security 06:19 – The moment her daughter made change non-negotiable 07:20 – “I’ve survived worse than this” 09:52 – Learning to belong in rooms filled with wealth 11:35 – Giving value without giving yourself away 13:39 – When generosity becomes another person’s mess 15:39 – The people who showed Alexa what safety feels like 17:30 – Building a team where questions feel safe 19:08 – How kindness turned into resentment 21:37 – The 30-day rule that prevents bad hires 24:05 – Alexa’s no-bullshit approach to high performance 25:25 – Leaving a predatory leader and facing a lawsuit 28:47 – What broken trust taught her about leadership 31:13 – Why great leaders expect good people to leave 34:03 – The simple systems Alexa teaches from the stage 36:40 – The hustle-to-hostage trap high performers recognize 37:15 – Why peace can feel suspiciously like laziness 40:03 – Raising capable kids without recreating hardship 45:27 – Schedule family time before it is too late 46:42 – Where to connect with Alexa About Alexa DePaolo Alexa DePaolo is a real estate expert, business strategist, and national keynote speaker known for her authentic, no-fluff approach to growth. After rising from poverty and navigating single motherhood, she built a thriving career helping others turn grit into momentum. With almost 20 years in the mortgage industry, Alexa empowers real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, and sales teams to master their mindset, build sustainable systems, and create businesses they actually love. She is the founder of The Ripple Effect, both a live event and YouTube show where she sits down with professionals to hear their stories, business lessons, and real-world strategies for growth. Resources and Mentions Alexa DePaolo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexadepaolo/ Alexa DePaolo’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealexadepaolo/ Alexa DePaolo’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexaCOHomeLender/ Alexa DePaolo’s Website: https://www.alexadepaolo.com/ The Ripple Effect: https://www.alexadepaolo.com/the-ripple-effect Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #325
    Tuesday · 54 min

    325. Harvard Business Review Writer: The Goal You Just Set Only Has a 34% Chance of Success | Kyle Austin Young

    Most people think there are two ways to succeed: be talented, or get lucky — but there are two more no one talks about. Kyle Austin Young is a strategy consultant and author of Success Is a Numbers Game, which outlines his probability hacking framework for achieving your goals. He's spent a decade using it with leaders and their organizations: mapping out what has to go right, removing risks, and stacking the odds in their favor. In this episode, you will learn: How to calculate the real odds on any goal you’re chasing The averaging trap that leaves you blind to failure How to find the real threats to your goal Why "think positive" can lower your odds of success Two paths to success most people never consider What to salvage when a goal falls apart Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:47) #1 Predictor of Success (01:56) The Success Diagram (05:52) Get Good Advice (07:53) Hired as a Director at 21 (12:01) Success Diagram for Hiring (14:16) Four Paths to Success (18:00) Probability Hacking (20:10) Why Businesses Fail (23:15) Think Negative (27:22) Repurposing Failure (30:40) The $6,000 Mistake (38:28) Context Changes Your Odds (40:02) Prioritizing Your Goals (44:22) The Edison Story (49:35) Success Diagrams for Sales Connect with Kyle Austin Young: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleaustinyoung/ https://kyleaustinyoung.com/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760298/success-is-a-numbers-game-by-kyle-austin-young/ Resources Mentioned: The JOLT Effect: How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision by Matthew Dixon and Ted McKenna About the Guest: Kyle is an award-winning strategy consultant for leaders and teams in a wide range of fields. At the core of his methodology is a powerful system for accomplishing big, meaningful goals that focuses on understanding and changing your odds of success. The nicest compliment Kyle has ever received happened unexpectedly when the phone rang during dinner. The biotech CEO on the other end was brief. “I just felt like I should tell you that you’re the first consultant we’ve ever worked with who did exactly what he said he was gonna do.” That was nearly a decade ago, and it has set the tone for everything since. Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

  • #324
    August 20 · 57 min

    324. The BIG Leadership Mistake That's Quietly Destroying Your Team | Joe Machicote

    When your company’s values are just words on the wall, trust crumbles—and so does your team. In this revealing episode of The Learn-It-All™ podcast, Joe Machicote, veteran leadership coach and bestselling author, joins to unpack the hidden (and costly) gap between what leaders say and what they actually do. Joe pulls back the curtain on why culture begins at the top, how one word can transform blame into trust, and why needing to be “right” can destroy more than any honest mistake ever could. Through candid stories, ranging from boardrooms to personal tragedy, Joe offers a masterclass in owning your actions, rebuilding credibility, and creating environments where people want to show up, not check out. You’ll walk away with tools to close the say/do gap, handle tough feedback, lead teams through conflict, and, most importantly, lead yourself with more humility and intention. What You’ll Learn: Why as much as 50% of turnover stems from leaders whose actions don’t match their words, and how to fix it The science behind trust: what happens when there’s a gap between stated values and daily behaviors How to hold even CEOs accountable (hint: it takes “straight talk” and real relationships) The magic of shifting from “you have a problem” to “we have a problem” Why owning your mistakes publicly actually builds more credibility than always being right Joe’s most vulnerable story of shifting from “why me?” to “why not me?” and how it made him a better leader and person ‍In This Episode: 00:00 – The say/do gap: when visions & values don’t match employee experience 01:30 – Why up to 50% of people leave over leadership hypocrisy 02:49 – People “make stuff up” when behavior doesn’t match the wall 03:51 – How trust (or lack thereof) drives disengagement 04:40 – Can a CEO really shape a 150,000-person culture? (yes, here’s how) 06:47 – What happens when a leader “whispers”—the whole organization hears a roar 07:08 – How to deliver feedback up the chain and the power of straight talk 09:33 – “My bad”: Why quickly owning mistakes changes everything 11:38 – Joe’s early-career failure: choosing service over the need to be right 16:02 – The real price leaders pay for always needing to be right 17:59 – How to lead teams through collective mistakes and turn “you problems” into “we problems” 22:30 – Joe’s two life rules learned from his mother (and a dance studio metaphor you’ll remember) 37:14 – Pivotal life moments & leading through personal crisis 48:51 – Moving from “buried” to “planted”—the ultimate leadership mindset 54:20 – The impact you never see: how a single keynote changed a security guard’s life 56:10 – Why Joe’s company logo is a black steel butterfly About Joe Machicote: Joe Machicote is the Founder and CEO of Transformational Leadership Solutions Group and the #1 bestselling author of Own Thy Stuff. With more than 35 years of experience, Joe has helped CEOs and executives at organizations as large as 150,000 people build cultures where values aren’t just words, but daily realities. He’s passionate about closing the gap between what leaders say and do, reshaping trust, and leaving both people and organizations better than he found them. Resources Mentioned: Joe Machicote on LinkedIn Transformational Leadership Solutions Group Own Thy Stuff (Book by Joe Machicote) George Carlin on “Stuff” (YouTube video as mentioned) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Background on trust & self-esteem) Southwest Airlines & Herb Kelleher (More on culture leadership) Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of the Learn-It-All™ podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit Follow Damon Lembi: ‍LinkedIn‍ Instagram

  • #323
    August 18 · 48 min

    323. The Hidden Cost of Letting AI Do Your Thinking | Dr. Soren Kaplan

    8 in 10 AI rollouts go the same way: high hopes and minimal results. Dr. Soren Kaplan, organizational psychologist and author of 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, has advised more than 30 Fortune 1000 companies and seen why AI adoption fails — it starts with people, not the technology. In this episode, you will learn: Where most companies go wrong with AI adoption What experiential intelligence is and why it matters How to rebuild the strategic skills AI is quietly eroding Why even good AI experiments don't scale How to turn experimentation into real results The three abilities that separate leaders in an AI world Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:49) Impact on Future Leaders (02:43) Experiential Intelligence (04:19) Innovation Outside AI (06:05) Why You're Losing Skills (08:33) Build Skills Through Real Work (11:20) The Ford Keynote (18:05) Why Companies Don’t Get Results (19:47) AI Adoption & Innovation (21:46) Fractured Adoption (24:27) What Leaders Can Do (28:52) The Three Abilities (31:20) What to Hand Off & What to Keep (33:07) Develop Experiential Intelligence (38:21) Using It to Your Advantage (42:38) Vulnerability, Risk & Failure (47:15) Your Challenge Connect with Dr. Soren Kaplan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorenkaplan/ https://www.instagram.com/soren.kaplan/ https://www.youtube.com/@drsorenkaplan About the Guest: Dr. Soren Kaplan helps leaders make sense of disruption. And act on it. A Wall Street Journal bestselling author, organizational psychologist, and innovation expert, he translates fast-moving shifts in business, technology, and society into clear strategic insight and practical action. He doesn’t just explain what’s changing. He shows leaders exactly what to do next. Soren brings three decades of work with organizations across industries — including Disney, JPMorganChase, PepsiCo, Colgate, Visa, Medtronic, Nucor, and Ascension — and leads executive education programs at USC’s Center for Effective Organizations. He has written multiple award-winning books, contributes to Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, and Psychology Today, and has built numerous AI-powered businesses including SmartCoach365.com. Thinkers50 and Business Insider recognize him as one of the world’s top management thought leaders and consultants. He speaks on leadership, innovation, AI, organizational culture, and strategic change, always through the lens of what’s happening right now and what it means for the people and organizations navigating it. Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

  • #322
    August 13 · 52 min

    322. By Age 12, 75% of Your Time With Your Kids Is Already Gone | Jeff Wickersham

    By the time your child turns 12, 75% of the time you’ll ever spend with them is already gone. So what are you doing with the time that’s left? High-performing dads can be crushing it at work, providing for their families, and still feel that nagging sense that something is off at home. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Jeff Wickersham, bestselling author, speaker, and founder of The Warrior Dad, to unpack what intentional fatherhood actually looks like when work, ambition, stress, and everyday life are competing for your attention. Jeff explains why the small “micro moments” matter more than most dads realize, why repeatedly saying no can eventually cause your kids to stop asking, and why one of the most powerful parenting habits is simply learning to answer the bid for attention. Jeff also shares the personal losses and struggles that reshaped his approach to fatherhood, including the final conversation with his mother that made him think differently about legacy. He walks Damon through his 15-minute “Morning Fire” routine for becoming a better husband, father, and leader, why consistency builds trust inside a family, and how making daily deposits into your family’s “love bank account” can strengthen connection even when you travel constantly. They also explore how to raise resilient kids without snowplowing every obstacle out of their way, why your children absorb your energy and behavior more than your advice, and how one intentional father can change the family tree for generations to come. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... How to answer your kids’ bids for attention so they keep asking you to spend time with them, even when they become teenagers Why crushing it professionally can still leave high-performing dads feeling disconnected at home, and why Jeff believes true fulfillment comes from leaning into your family Jeff’s seven-part Morning Fire Protocol, a roughly 15-minute routine built around hydration, movement, meditation, declarations, love notes, gratitude, and learning Why consistency is more important than intensity, and how repeatedly starting and stopping habits can slowly erode trust with your spouse, kids, and even yourself How to make daily deposits into your family’s “love bank account” through simple notes, messages, hugs, and moments of connection that may seem small but matter deeply Why parents should resist the urge to “snowplow” every challenge out of their kids’ lives and instead help them develop resilience, grit, ownership, and the ability to bounce back How your mood, language, habits, and relationship with your spouse shape your children because, as Jeff puts it, “more is caught than taught” How to become the dad who “cuts the anchor,” changes the narrative, and changes the family tree instead of unconsciously passing old patterns into the next generation Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:01 – Why winning at work can still feel empty at home 03:22 – The promise Jeff made to his mother before she died 05:34 – What happens when you stop running from pain 09:29 – The tragedy that gave The Warrior Dad its mission 13:13 – The inner voice high performers keep trying to numb 15:44 – What quitting alcohol taught Jeff about leading his sons 18:04 – Seven wins in 15 minutes: Jeff’s Morning Fire Protocol 23:59 – Why consistency beats waiting until you feel motivated 27:52 – The parenting rule Jeff wishes every dad would follow 31:36 – Why teenagers actually can still want to hang out with you 33:37 – Stop snowplowing the road in front of your kids 35:31 – How making excuses can quietly create a victim mindset 39:24 – How traveling dads can stay connected from thousands of miles away 40:45 – Your kids are absorbing your energy whether you realize it or not 44:10 – What Rocky II can teach fathers about refusing to stay down 47:27 – The surprising downstream effect of intentional fatherhood 49:04 – How one dad can change a family tree forever About Jeff Wickersham Jeff Wickersham is the founder of The Warrior Dad, where he helps high-performing fathers who are succeeding professionally become more intentional, present, and connected as husbands and dads. After the loss of his mother and his own struggles with alcohol, gambling, and feeling like he wasn’t living up to his potential, Jeff began experimenting with habits, routines, coaching, and personal development systems that transformed the way he approached his life and family. Today, his mission is to positively impact one million dads and more than two million kids by January 1, 2053, helping fathers lead from the front, build deeper relationships with their families, and create a legacy that lasts for generations. Resources and Mentions The Warrior Dad book: https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Dad-Children-Family-Legacy/dp/B0DW49YK12 Jeff Wickersham’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_wickersham/ Jeff Wickersham’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wickersham/ The Warrior Dad Website: https://thewarriordad.com/ The Warrior Dad Blind Spot Assessment: https://blindspot.thewarriordad.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #321
    August 11 · 35 min

    321. He Studied 1000s of Teams — You're Losing 29 Hours a Week and Don't Know It | Ron Friedman, Ph.D.

    Only 8% of people are on superteams. The rest lose hours every week sitting in meetings, answering messages, and doing work that gets them nowhere. Ron Friedman, social psychologist and author of Superteams, researched thousands of teams to find out what high-performing teams do differently. In this episode, you will learn: Why most teams loses 29 hours every week How superteams handle wins and losses Why productivity hacks slow the whole team down Meeting rules that give your team its week back How superteams collaborate to get the best ideas The number one predictor of high performance Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:53) Three Factors of a Real Team (02:33) What Makes a Superteam (06:57) The Sunday Night Test (09:42) Team-First Culture (12:34) Why Teams Need to Fail (16:38) Where Your Week Disappears (18:23) Productivity Hacks That Backfire (20:15) Meeting Rules of Superteams (22:01) The Brainstorm Problem (25:59) What Drives High Performance (29:02) Best vs. Worst Teammate Traits (32:37) Why 97% Of Feedback Fails Connect with Ron Friedman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronfriedmanphd/ https://www.instagram.com/ronfriedmanphd/ https://x.com/RonFriedman https://www.threads.com/@ronfriedmanphd https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIFgRGcGjxXjmovUEBcnbXA Book link: https://geni.us/superteams Superteams Masterclass: http://superteamsmasterclass.com Superteams Quiz: http://superteamquiz.com Ron’s Website: http://www.superteamsinc.com/ About the Guest: Ron Friedman is an award-winning social psychologist and bestselling author of The Best Place to Work and Superteams. His research on building high-performing teams has been featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg, and Harvard Business Review, where his article “How to Build a Superteam That Keeps Getting Better” is this month’s cover story. To learn more about his work, visit superteamsinc.com. Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

  • #320
    August 6 · 42 min

    320. The Mindset Shift High Achievers Need Before Burnout Forces It | Mairin Moore Cane

    What if the mindset that made you successful is also the mindset quietly pushing you toward burnout? High achievers are rewarded for going, doing, achieving, and hustling, but leadership advisor, Keynote speaker, and bestselling author Mairin Moore Cane says there is a hidden cost when your identity and self-worth become tied to performance. You stop appreciating what you’ve already accomplished, failures start feeling personal, and slowing down can feel almost impossible. For Mairin, that pattern eventually became impossible to ignore. After years of pushing herself, people pleasing, and trying to show up for everyone else, chronic illness forced her from running nine miles a day to spending three years largely bedridden. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Mairin to explore the mindset shift high achievers and leaders need to make before burnout forces it for them. Mairin shares how to recognize when ambition has become misalignment, why knowing your values matters more than constantly proving yourself, and how her Root, Realign, and Rise framework helps people move through failure, pressure, identity shifts, and difficult seasons without letting those moments define them. Damon and Mairin also unpack authentic leadership, creating psychologically safe and connected teams, learning to say “I don’t have the answer,” and why some of the strongest leaders stop pretending they have everything figured out. If you’re navigating leadership burnout, performance-based self-worth, people pleasing, chronic stress, or the pressure to constantly achieve, this conversation offers a more sustainable way to succeed without losing yourself in the process. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... The warning signs that you’re living out of alignment, including saying yes when something inside you wants to say no, constantly trying to fit in, and ignoring the feeling that something isn’t authentic Why strong leadership does not mean having every answer, and how Mairin learned to tell her team, “I don’t have an answer,” while inviting them to figure out the next step together How leaders can create safer, more connected teams by admitting their own weak points, understanding where employees are struggling, and taking two minutes to genuinely ask, “How are you doing?” How the Root, Realign, and Rise framework helps you separate a difficult circumstance from your identity, return to what is true, realign around your values, and use adversity as a foundation for what comes next Why Mairin sees failures as “launching points into the next pivot,” and how learning to move before you have everything figured out can build stronger leaders and more resilient teams Why becoming matters more than appearing perfect, and how difficult seasons can deepen your roots instead of proving that you are failing How gratitude, intentional pauses, and acknowledging what you have already accomplished can interrupt the constant pressure to rush toward the next goal Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:12 The hidden danger of tying self-worth to achievement 02:35 Why high performers struggle to slow down 05:48 The moment Mairin realized achievement wasn’t enough 08:41 Where the need to please everyone really began 10:48 The warning signs you’re losing yourself 12:36 Why control can quietly run your life 14:28 The leadership lesson she learned from having no answers 15:37 How to rewrite your identity as a leader 19:33 What business failure taught Mairin about resilience 23:37 How great leaders make failure feel safe 25:46 The two-minute habit that builds stronger teams 27:50 The Root, Realign, and Rise framework 33:18 What happens when you stop resisting who you’re becoming 34:54 Why Mairin doesn’t want her old life back 37:48 You don’t have to be whole to lead 38:47 The story that brought Mairin to tears 40:51 Finding purpose in the pain 42:13 Damon’s challenge: Are you really showing up? About Mairin Moore Cane Mairin Moore Cane is a leadership advisor, keynote speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and host of the Root, Realign, Rise™ Podcast. After more than two decades of leading businesses through growth, uncertainty, difficult decisions, and major transitions, Mairin now helps leaders navigate pressure, strengthen resilience, and make clearer decisions without losing themselves in the process. Her work centers on authentic leadership, identity, performance under pressure, and the belief that you don’t have to have everything resolved before you can lead well. She is also the author of Rooted, Not Rushed: Healing, Reclaiming, and Rising in a World That Told You to Shrink. Resources and Mentions Rooted, Not Rushed book: https://www.amazon.com/ROOTED-NOT-RUSHED-Healing-Reclaiming/dp/1968250751 Mairin Moore Cane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mairinmoorecane/ Root, Realign, Rise™ Podcast: https://mairinmoorecane.com/podcasts/ Mairin Moore Cane’s Website: https://mairinmoorecane.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #319
    August 4 · 51 min

    319. His Apps Reached 100 Million Users: Here's Why Your Customers Don't Stay | Colin Hodge

    A million users in three months. Then the hardest three months of his life. Colin Hodge, author of Outrageous Startup Growth, walked away from Microsoft and spent the next decade learning how to build a truly sustainable business — reaching a total of 100 million users in his career. But in between came an App Store ban, a major lawsuit, a co-founder's burnout, and a 3 AM breakdown that put his resilience to the test. In this episode, you will learn: Why understanding people beats better technology How to build empathy without becoming “soft” The Method Mindset technique for thinking like your customers How to grow through adversity and burnout Why removing all friction from your product can backfire The bias that shows up in nearly every negotiation How to keep your work human in the age of AI Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:51) Tech Isn’t Everything (02:24) Why He Left Microsoft (09:23) The Taboo Founder Trait (11:02) The Method Mindset Technique (15:38) When Your People Burn Out (19:54) Empathy Without Going Soft (21:37) Bang with Friends Origin Story (26:07) 1M Users in Three Months (30:04) Banned By Apple & Sued By Zynga (32:47) Surviving Rock Bottom (37:51) Sustainable Growth (41:00) Good Friction vs. Bad Friction (47:26) The Bias That Saves Thousands Connect with Colin Hodge: https://linkedin.com/in/ckbhodge https://colinhodge.substack.com https://instagram.com/ckbhodge https://facebook.com/colin.hodge Resources Mentioned: Outrageous Startup Growth: Uncovering the Secrets of User Psychology to Scale Your Success by Colin Hodge About the Guest: Colin Hodge is a startup founder and national bestselling author who has led companies and growth teams responsible for over 100 million users. He currently is co-owner of DOWN, a top 10 dating app in the US with millions in annual revenue – built on the growth principles and lessons shared in this book. He achieved a successful exit for DOWN (then later reacquiring it) and 17Live, the top live-streaming video company in Asia. While chief growth officer at 17Live, Colin led data-driven initiatives in growth, global expansion, and marketing, then launched the platform in the United States as the first US CEO. Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

  • #318
    August 1 · 17 min

    318. The Fastest Way to Scale AI Across Your Organization

    Companies are spending billions of dollars on AI tools, and most of them still aren't seeing the ROI they expected. In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit, sits down with Christa Hill, Learnit's Chief AI Learning Officer, to share what they're actually hearing behind the scenes. After going through 100+ calls with the leaders responsible for AI adoption, they pulled the three questions that come up again and again and answer them with actionable advice. 🚀 Get your team into the top 3% of AI users in North America in about four weeks with Learnit's AI Kickstarter: https://www.learnit.com/lp/ai-skills-program Thanks to our sponsor, P3•EDU: https://p3edu.com/ In this episode, you will learn: Who's actually in the room when companies make AI decisions Why the "AI strategist" role is suddenly showing up everywhere Whether you need training, consultants, or both The right way (and the wrong way) to build an AI pilot team Why voice, not typing, is the biggest unlock people find in AI training Topics discussed: 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Sponsor Shoutout: P3EDU 01:30 Who's Actually in the Room for AI Decisions 02:56 The Rise of the AI Strategist Role 04:23 Training or Consultants? Why the Answer Is Both 07:22 Do AI Pilot Programs Actually Work? 09:19 Naysayers vs. Early Adopters: Building the Right Team 13:08 The Real Mindset Shift Behind Adoption 13:37 Voice Over Typing: The Biggest Aha Moment 16:06 Free AI Training for Your Team About the Guest: Christa Hill is the Chief AI Learning Officer at Learnit, where she leads the AI Kickstarter program and teaches AI literacy to leaders and teams. She's in live classrooms most of the week, helping organizations move from first exposure to real adoption — and helping leaders navigate the human side of change: fear, resistance, and "what's in it for me?" Follow her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christajhill/ Great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of the Learn-It-All™ podcast with Damon Lembi every week. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

  • #317
    July 30 · 58 min

    317. Why Great Salespeople Struggle When Promoted Into Leadership | Lynn Hidy

    What if promoting your best salesperson is one of the fastest ways to create a struggling sales manager? Being great at selling and being great at leading require completely different skills. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with inside sales expert and author Lynn Hidy to explore why top-performing salespeople often struggle after transitioning into leadership roles. Lynn explains why new managers must stop trying to clone their best rep, define what leadership looks like for them, and understand that their success is now measured through the performance of others. She also shares the questions every salesperson should ask before accepting a promotion and introduces her “puzzle box” framework for building a clear sales leadership vision. Damon and Lynn also discuss why effective sales coaching must focus on the person behind the number. Great leaders uncover what quota, commission, or President’s Club actually represents to each salesperson and use that motivation to drive consistent performance. Lynn breaks down her Bell Curve Manifesto, revealing why the overlooked 68% in the middle may offer the greatest opportunity for growth in the sales team. You’ll also learn how AI is changing customer expectations, why listening and storytelling matter more than ever, how to handle toxic top performers, and why celebrating resilience and small wins helps inside sales teams stay motivated. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why great salespeople often struggle as first-time sales managers when they assume everyone should sell exactly the way they did The questions high performers should answer before accepting a leadership promotion, including whether they want their success to depend on other people’s success How Lynn’s “picture on the puzzle box” framework helps sales leaders define how they want to show up and align their team with the organization and its customers Why coaching to numbers creates a motivational disconnect, and how repeatedly asking “What does that get you?” reveals the real goal behind President’s Club, quota, or commission How the Bell Curve Manifesto redirects leadership attention toward the overlooked 68% who are hitting goal inconsistently or performing well without being treated like rock stars Why resilience deserves to be celebrated through small wins, productive activity, frustration bingo, and even contests that reward hearing “no” Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:46 Three questions to ask before accepting the promotion 07:32 From sales hero to hero maker 09:45 Leadership and management are not the same 12:09 The expectations most new leaders never clarify 14:04 What is the picture on your puzzle box? 17:41 What customers still need from human salespeople 21:11 Stop coaching the number and coach the person 23:35 The annoying question that reveals real motivation 26:36 How to measure a salesperson’s true value 30:02 What to do with a toxic top performer 36:33 The biggest opportunity hiding in the middle 41:58 Where sales leaders can find more time 44:21 How often should you coach each salesperson? 47:07 When a sales team becomes too big to lead 48:10 Why the player-coach model breaks down 50:24 The sales job changed. Many teams did not. 51:48 Why frustration deserves to be celebrated 55:24 What successful sales leadership should feel like 57:04 Damon’s challenge for every sales leader About Lynn Hidy Lynn Hidy is an inside sales expert, trainer, coach, consultant, and founder of UpYourTelesales.com. With 30 years of sales experience, she helps inside sales leaders build engaged, high-performing teams without trying to clone their best salesperson. She is also the author of Mastering Inside Sales Leadership, a practical guide that helps new and experienced managers define their leadership vision, understand what motivates each team member, focus on the behaviors and results that matter, and become hero makers rather than heroes. Resources and Mentions Mastering Inside Sales Leadership Book: https://masteringinsidesalesleadership.com/ Lynn Hidy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnhidy/ UpYourTelesales Website: https://upyourtelesales.com/ Simplify Inside Sales: https://upyourtelesales.com/2021/07/22/simplify-inside-sales/ Go For No!: https://www.goforno.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #316
    July 28 · 42 min

    316. You're Probably in the Wrong Career — Here's How to Find Your "Thing" | Tom Rath

    By the time you picked your career, you probably only knew about 5% of the opportunities out there. No wonder so many of us end up in the wrong one. According to bestselling author Tom Rath, millions of people die with their greatest contributions locked inside them. He makes the case that a few key changes can unlock your full potential, make you a better leader, and build purpose into your day. In this episode, you will learn: Why most people end up in the wrong career The daily question that keeps you focused on what matters Why chasing your own happiness is the wrong goal How to find the right career and build purpose into your day How the leaders can bring out the best in their teams Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:47) Why Most People Choose Wrong (05:54) Stop Promoting the Wrong People (07:13) How His Health Shaped His Mindset (12:21) One Question to Ask Daily (15:53) The Happiness Mistake (17:23) Help People See Their Greatness (23:23) Don't Specialize Too Early (25:43) Rethinking Purpose (27:59) Stop Sleepwalking Through Your Day (32:05) Your Role as a Leader (35:09) Boost Your Productivity (36:59) How to Find Your Path Connect with Tom Rath: https://tomrath.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/trath/ https://x.com/TomCRath https://www.facebook.com/authortomrath https://www.instagram.com/tomrath_author Resources Mentioned: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink About the Guest: Tom is an author and researcher who studies how careers impact health and wellbeing. He has written 12 books that have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists. Tom's first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. His book StrengthFinder 2.0 was listed as Amazon's top-selling non-fiction book of all time. Tom's other bestsellers include Strengths Based Leadership, Wellbeing, Eat Move Sleep, and Are You Fully Charged? Tom is currently co-founder and CEO of CareerSight. He previously led Gallup's workplaces business and served as a Senior Scientist. Tom was also a Vice-Chair of the VHL cancer research organization. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, where he has also been a guest lecturer. Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

  • #315
    July 23 · 35 min

    315. Meet the Teacher Behind 2M+ Students on Udemy | Kyle Pew

    How do you stand out and build a thriving online business when there are already thousands of competitors in your exact niche? When Kyle Pew first searched the Udemy platform to launch his online courses, he typed in keywords like "Excel" and discovered over a thousand courses already existing in his space. It was discouraging, and he initially wondered if he was just going to waste his time. Yet, instead of walking away, he took the leap, tested the waters with smaller courses, and ultimately built a student base of nearly 2.5 million learners. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Kyle Pew, Microsoft Certified Trainer and Udemy Instructor Partner, to unpack the mindset shift and operational strategy required to scale an e-learning empire from scratch. Kyle shares the raw reality of his first six months, detailing how he balanced a nine-to-five job while delivering massive value to students who only paid $10 for a course. You will discover why separating yourself from the crowd means refusing to "record and forget" your digital products, and how continuous feedback cycles can completely transform your career. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur trying to gain traction in a crowded market, a corporate leader trying to motivate a discouraged team, or a professional wondering if Microsoft Excel is still relevant in the age of AI, this conversation offers a masterclass in consistency, deep listening, and outcome-based professional development. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why entering a market with more than 1,000 competitors can reveal exactly how to stand out, especially when others have stopped listening, improving, and showing up for their customers. How Kyle built early momentum by treating every low-cost student like a long-term relationship, answering questions daily and delivering far more support than the course price promised. Why real learning begins when people connect a skill to an immediate problem, rather than simply completing a list of topics and hoping the knowledge sticks. How to separate useful criticism from empty negativity, identify repeated feedback, and turn uncomfortable comments into practical improvements without allowing them to drain your confidence. Which human skills will become even more valuable as AI changes tools like Excel, including judgment, context, curiosity, data analysis, and the ability to connect information across teams. Why Kyle’s biggest measure of success is not millions of students or hundreds of thousands of reviews, but building a career that allows him to be present for the moments his family will remember. Timestamps 00:00 – Episode preview and introduction 01:34 – The discouraging search that nearly stopped Kyle before he began 02:36 – From teaching Excel to designing video games and back again 04:26 – The six-month signal that proved his side project could work 05:34 – Why giving students more than they paid for changed everything 06:29 – The opportunity Kyle found inside 1,000 competing courses 09:11 – Eight hours of unusable footage and the lesson it forced him to learn 10:42 – How to learn from criticism without letting it consume you 13:19 – What teaching millions revealed about how people actually learn 15:11 – The listening habit that makes leaders and instructors more effective 18:50 – Why checking every box can still produce the wrong outcome 21:22 – How AI is changing Excel without making human skills irrelevant 24:07 – Using ChatGPT as a sounding board instead of surrendering your judgment 26:18 – How learning creates confidence only when you put it into practice 28:21 – Staying grounded after teaching more than two million students 29:25 – The advice from Kyle’s father that shaped his definition of success 32:08 – The surreal moment the student counter reached one million 33:03 – What to do when you keep trying, and nothing seems to be working 33:46 – The legacy Kyle wants to leave beyond courses, reviews, and revenue 34:50 – Damon’s challenge to show up, listen closely, and keep learning About Kyle Pew Kyle Pew is a world-class Microsoft-certified trainer and entrepreneur who has taught nearly 2.5 million students globally on the Udemy platform. With over two decades of classroom and digital training experience, Kyle previously specialized in live instruction environments in the San Francisco area, including several years as a premier instructor at Learnit. He also brings a diverse creative background to his educational methodology, having graduated from the Art Institute of San Francisco's media arts and animation program before working in game design for Electronic Arts (EA). Today, he focuses full-time on creating dynamic online courses, managing a massive global learning community through active Q&A facilitation, and helping professionals build the workplace skills necessary to advance their careers. Resources and Mentions Kyle Pew’s Website: https://www.officenewb.com/ Kyle Pew’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficeNewb Microsoft Excel Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/microsoft-excel-2013-from-beginner-to-advanced-and-beyond/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #314
    July 21 · 43 min

    314. The #1 Reason Your AI Investment Isn't Paying Off | Julie Stone

    If your AI spend outweighs the returns, it's probably not the tool. It's how you're using it. Julie Stone is the Chief Learning Officer at TTEC, where she's led the AI transformation of a global workforce spanning more than 20 countries. She shares where most leaders go wrong with AI adoption, and how to fix your AI strategy before it costs you another year of growth and your team's trust. In this episode, you will learn: The most expensive mistake companies make with AI Where AI improves your work — and where it doesn't What to do with team members who resist AI How to lead through change without losing your team's trust Topics discussed: (00:00)Introduction (00:54) AI Leadership Mistake (03:48) Get Team Buy-In (06:23) Why Your Team Fears AI (10:02) The Employee Contract (13:28) AI for Human Connection (17:27) Turn AI Into a Daily Habit (21:02) Why the AI Revolution is Different (25:32) Lead Through Change (28:43) The Real Edge: Human Skills (31:28) 3 Things That Build a Thriving Culture (32:12) When Your Team Resists AI (34:46) Long-Term AI Training (36:24) Reframing AI Failure (38:23) Avoiding Work Slop (40:34) Confident Leaders in the AI Era Connect with Julie Stone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-stone-talent-leader/ https://www.julieastone.com/ Resources Mentioned: Superteams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams by Ron Friedman About the Guest: Julie is an enterprise executive at heart, with experience as an enterprise operator inside complex global organizations. She builds and deploys workforce strategies, AI-powered learning ecosystems, and leadership frameworks inside the world’s most complex organizations. Today, she advises CEOs and leadership teams on how human and agentic teams drive enterprise performance, resilience, and long-term value creation. Great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. 📘 Get a free copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com #LearnItAll #DamonLembi #Leadership #LeadershipPodcast

  • #313
    July 16 · 36 min

    313: What Elite Sports Teach You That Business School Never Will | Andreea Dragoi

    Are you letting fear of discomfort hold you back from your next massive career breakthrough? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with D1 swim team captain, model, and MBA candidate Andreea Dragoi to discuss how elite athletic training builds a high-performance mindset that business schools simply cannot replicate. Andreea dives deep into how her upbringing in Romania fueled her relentless, fearless drive to think outside the box, try new things, and never take "no" for an answer. Together, Damon and Andreea unpack why high-performance habits like waking up at 5:30 AM to dive into a cold pool translate into invaluable business assets. Andreea shares practical mental strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome as a young leader, blocking out the superficial "noise" of social media, and learning to "focus on your lane" to ensure long-term success. If you are looking to build learning agility, break out of your comfort zone, or understand how to lead highly ambitious team members, this episode will provide the ultimate playbook for athletic discipline and professional growth. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why doing what makes you uncomfortable can open doors that staying safe never will. How to train your mind to “enjoy the pain” and push past the psychological barriers that tell you to stop. Why being coachable means accepting feedback you may not want to hear and actually applying it. How ambitious people can lose their edge when life gets too comfortable, and how to reconnect with the reason you started. Why confidence comes from repeatedly putting yourself in situations that scare you, not waiting until you feel ready. How to stay focused on your own lane when social media makes everyone else’s life look perfect. Timestamps 00:00 Episode preview and introduction 00:57 The fearless mindset behind Andreea Dragoi’s success 02:23 The two people who shaped her drive 03:16 Moving to America alone at 18 05:28 What American culture could learn from Romania 08:12 The brutal discipline of a D1 swimmer 09:04 How to become 1% better every day 11:26 The difference between learn-it-alls and know-it-alls 13:31 The race she lost before it even ended 15:50 Turning rejection into your next opportunity 17:12 How sports built her confidence beyond the pool 18:03 Two tricks for performing under pressure 19:49 How an introvert learned to own the room 20:55 Why companies keep hiring former athletes 22:44 What ambitious young employees need from leaders 23:35 The leadership style that kills motivation 25:14 How Andreea uses AI to work smarter 29:54 Why everyone needs to learn how to sell 30:27 Advice for an eight-year-old with big dreams 31:19 The truth about imposter syndrome 32:15 Why we care so much about other people’s opinions 33:00 The social media reality nobody wants to admit 34:20 The hunger that keeps high performers moving 35:35 Damon’s challenge: Get uncomfortable and take the risk About Andreea Dragoi Andreea Dragoi is a Division 1 varsity swimmer and captain at San Jose State University, currently completing her accelerated MBA program. Born and raised in Romania, Andreea moved to California at the age of 18 to pursue both her academic and athletic passions. In addition to her athletic achievements, Andreea has successfully navigated roles in modeling and pageantry. She is a passionate advocate for learning agility, leveraging artificial intelligence in marketing, and encouraging the next generation of leaders to push past their comfort zones. Resources and Mentions Andreea Dragoi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreea-dragoi-270377235/ Andreea Dragoi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragoi_andreea/?hl=en Andreea Dragoi’s Website: https://andreeadragoi.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #312
    July 14 · 48 min

    312. $10M Founder: Stop Blaming The Market If Your Business Isn't Growing | Bryan Clayton

    Getting stuck at $2 or $3 million isn't a market problem. It's a blind spot problem. Bryan Clayton, founder of GreenPal, escaped the trap so many founders fall into — becoming the biggest obstacle to their own growth — and scaled his first company past $10M. In this episode, you will learn: What helped Bryan break through a years-long plateau in the business The hiring mistake that cost him years How to get brutally honest feedback on demand. His story will help you stop being the bottleneck and turn AI into your biggest advantage. Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:39) Constructive Dissatisfaction (01:51) The Hidden Blind Spot (03:03) Know-It-All vs. Learn-It-All (06:45) Start Here With AI (09:47) Breaking The $3M Plateau (11:57) The Hiring Mistake That Cost Years (14:03) Why You Hate Your Culture (15:52) Resisting Feedback (20:21) Ask AI to Roast You (23:35) Selling The Business (26:21) Life After The Exit (29:59) Starting Over At Zero (33:01) 3 Things to Do in the Early Days (36:16) Finding A Blue Ocean (41:11) Going Into New Markets (43:50) The Road To A Million (45:44) Advice For Stuck Founders Connect with Bryan Clayton: https://www.yourgreenpal.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bryanmclayton/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-clayton-a96b33214/ Resources Mentioned: 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘭: 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 by John Warrillow 𝘌𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘜.𝘚. 𝘕𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘈𝘓𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘪𝘯 by Jocko Willink 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘖𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺 by Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim About the Guest: Bryan Clayton started mowing lawns as a teenager with a push mower. Twenty years later, he’s the CEO of GreenPal — the app Entrepreneur Magazine calls the Uber for lawn care. Before GreenPal, Bryan built one of Tennessee’s largest landscaping companies growing it to over $10 million a year before selling it. Now he’s doing it again — this time with technology. GreenPal connects 300,000 homeowners with reliable lawn pros, handling thousands of jobs every day all over the US. Bryan’s on a mission to bring AI into one of the oldest industries out there — helping small lawn care businesses use data and automation to compete like big companies. From pushing a mower to building a $30 million tech platform, Bryan’s story is all about grit, adaptation, and how old-school hard work can thrive in a high-tech world. Great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. 📘 Get a free copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com #LearnItAll #DamonLembi #Leadership #LeadershipPodcast

  • #311
    July 9 · 48 min

    311. How to Lead People Who Know More Than You | Jon Rennie

    What do you do when you are the youngest, least experienced person in the room, but you are still asked to lead? It is a terrifying reality that many young leaders and entrepreneurs face early in their careers. The instinct is to jump in and prove you have everything under control, but true leadership requires a completely different approach. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with leadership expert, professor, and former nuclear submarine officer Jon Rennie to break down how to successfully lead people who know more than you. Drawing from his high-stakes military background on a nuclear submarine and his experience running eight manufacturing companies, Jon shares why the ultimate answer to your team's problems already exists within the four walls of your organization, if you are humble enough to look for it. Jon and Damon discuss how to break down corporate silos by getting out of the corner office, why you must establish high relational trust to survive a crisis, and how to practically lead just like playing chess or the guitar. Whether you are a corporate executive trying to cut through the management filter or a solo entrepreneur hiring your very first employees, this conversation provides an actionable roadmap to shifting your perspective from being a "non-useful body" to a highly respected, resilient leader. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why the best way to earn respect when your entire team is older and more experienced than you is to remain present, observe carefully, and get up to speed quickly so you don't become a liability. How to eliminate "us vs. them" mentalities between salary and hourly workers by forcing managers to work side-by-side on the shop floor to face reality and see the true root causes of operational problems. Why senior leaders must resist the urge to immediately hand over answers, and instead use coaching questions to let employees struggle, learn through failure, and build authentic ownership. Why building deep, authentic relationships during normal times gives leaders the leverage and leeway they need to keep their teams motivated and unified when unexpected disruptions hit. Lessons from the Navy submarine community on creating an onboarding culture of positive peer pressure and strict accountability where every single person actively adds value to the mission. Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:55 What to do when your team knows more than you 2:04 How young leaders earn respect fast 3:38 Why proving yourself can backfire 5:46 The “us vs. them” culture hiding in your business 6:54 Fridays on the Floor: the habit that changed everything 9:28 The management mistake that keeps problems hidden 11:45 How to get honest ideas from the front line 14:57 Respect is not soft leadership 16:55 The union story that did not end perfectly 18:21 What corporate leadership misses that submarines get right 20:43 Why nobody wants to be a NUB 23:36 Leadership is learned by doing, not reading 24:36 How to let future leaders fail safely 28:14 What changed most in Jon’s leadership style 30:03 The danger of becoming a know-it-all 31:28 How great leaders find signal in the noise 34:30 Why hard times build another gear 35:57 What resilient leaders actually do in a crisis 38:10 The fastest way to start rebuilding trust 40:49 Why fake plastic leaders lose the room 41:37 What younger leaders understand about BS 44:27 If your team goes quiet, pay attention 45:13 The future needs leaders who can handle messy people 46:57 Where to connect with Jon Rennie 47:36 Damon’s challenge: listen, learn, lead About Jon Rennie Jon is a former U.S. Navy submarine officer who later led eight manufacturing businesses for three global companies over a 22-year corporate career. In 2016, he founded AccuGrid Technologies, a manufacturing company serving the electric utility industry, and now serves in a strategic leadership role. Jon teaches business and leadership at Thales College and hosts the globally ranked Deep Leadership podcast, which sits in the top 1.5% worldwide. Resources and Mentions You Have To Watch book: https://www.amazon.com/You-Have-Watch-Journal-Following/dp/B09XJFFJ6H All in the Same Boat book: https://www.amazon.com/All-Same-Boat-Organization-Submariner/dp/B0942FWMKK Jon Rennie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonscottrennie/ Jon Rennie’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeepLeadershipPodcast Jon Rennie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonsrennie/ Jon Rennie’s X: https://x.com/jonsrennie Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #310
    July 8 · 47 min

    310: 6 Questions About AI Every Leader Needs To Debate

    Everyone says they're "adopting AI"—but the bills are landing and no one's sure what tokens, logins, or dashboards actually prove. The harder truth: most "AI failures" are human ones in disguise. In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon Lembi kicks off a new monthly series with Learnit's Chief AI Learning Officer, Christa Hill. In a rapid-fire "agree or disagree" format, they go six rounds on the questions every leader is stuck on. 🚀 Get your team into the top 3% of AI users in North America in about four weeks with Learnit's AI Kickstarter: https://www.learnit.com/lp/ai-skills-program In this episode, you'll learn: Why token usage is the wrong first metric to measure The hidden cost of the marathon chat session Why "show, don't tell" hackathons beat login counts for tracking real adoption. How to answer the "what's in it for me?" question that stalls adoption in management And much more! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: a new monthly series with Christa Hill 01:08 - Round 1: Is token usage the right adoption metric? 02:00 - Should you track logins and sessions instead? 03:17 - Why long chat sessions quietly burn tokens 03:56 - Hackathons and "show, don't tell" 05:13 - Round 2: Is "just adopt AI" a strategy? 06:10 - Raise the literacy floor first 07:28 - Why leaders must model the behavior 08:52 - Answering "what's in it for me?" 11:03 - Ask your AI what it can't do in your job 13:00 - The non-binding social contract 15:17 - Round 3: If I keep failing, am I doing it wrong? 16:23 - The Jenga test for working at the edge 17:34 - Does AI stifle critical thinking, or sharpen it? 18:18 - The $18,000 mistake and who's at fault 21:21 - You own what AI produces 23:00 - Christa's Easter-egg swear jar 23:30 - Round 4: Do you meet people where they are? 24:53 - Christa's honest take on adoption fatigue 28:40 - Timeboxing and stacking small wins 29:54 - Why there's no finish line 30:23 - Round 5: Are the jobs coming back? 32:07 - Why the comeback jobs look different 32:57 - White Castle and the plumber that fooled Mom 35:13 - Round 6: AI adoption or better work? 36:51 - Rethinking performance reviews 38:08 - Smash or Pass: the tools lightning round 38:42 - Claude Cowork (smash) 39:26 - Copilot's surprise 10-out-of-10 41:47 - Canva (pass, for now) 42:49 - Gamma and the death of the fancy deck 44:00 - Wispr Flow (smash): throw away your keyboard 45:39 - Christa's final challenge: think bigger 46:26 - Damon's closing: adoption starts with you About Christa Hill: Christa Hill is the Chief AI Learning Officer at Learnit, where she leads the AI Kickstarter program and teaches AI literacy to leaders and teams. She's in live classrooms most of the week, helping organizations move from first exposure to real adoption—and helping leaders navigate the human side of change: fear, resistance, and "what's in it for me?" Resources and Mentions: Soren Kaplan's Inc. article: https://www.inc.com/soren-kaplan/half-of-ai-job-cuts-will-be-reversed-by-2027-gartner-says-heres-the-real-lesson/91361788 Learnit AI Kickstarter program: https://www.learnit.com/lp/ai-skills-program Wispr Flow (voice-to-text): https://wisprflow.ai Claude & Claude Cowork: https://claude.ai Microsoft Copilot: https://copilot.microsoft.com ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com Canva: https://www.canva.com Gamma: https://gamma.app Great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of the Learn-It-All™ podcast with Damon Lembi every week. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

  • #309
    July 7 · 47 min

    309. AI Is Forcing a Leadership Reset. Are You Prepared? | Sue Bethanis

    Are your employees silently resisting your latest technology mandates, or are you accidentally destroying trust by throwing down executive edicts? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with executive coach and change management expert Sue Bethanis to unpack why the AI economy demands a massive shift from traditional "change management" to high-empathy leadership. For 30 years, Sue has helped executive teams navigate monumental shifts, from the .com bust and the Great Recession to COVID-19 and now generative AI. She reveals why simply commanding workers to adopt tools like ChatGPT or Claude creates widespread anxiety and stalling, and explains why true productivity takes time, experimentation, and psychological safety. Damon and Sue dive deep into what sets human leadership apart in a world where anyone can access the same data with the push of a button. You’ll discover how to move your team from functional users to fluent innovators by sharpening human-centric skills like taste, discernment, creative judgment, and deep design thinking. Whether you are a risk-averse senior leader trying to protect your organization or a change agent pushing for rapid iteration, this conversation delivers actionable coaching frameworks to replace workplace tension with curiosity, grace, and meaningful connection. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why the AI era is uniquely threatening to knowledge workers Why sending top-down corporate mandates fails miserably, and how leaders can put on a coaching hat to physically sit with team members, practice empathetic listening, and lower adoption anxieties. How to step away from rigid timelines and instead iterate with your employees by identifying real pain points, engaging in rapid prototyping, and fostering a culture that celebrates "failing fast". Why true innovation means shifting focus away from the repetitive "making" process and spending your energy on developing a unique market perspective and creative vision. A 3-step physical reset to prevent corporate blowouts Why it is completely okay if you aren't seeing massive, instantaneous productivity spikes a year into deployment, and how viewing the tool as a partner on a "tandem bike" helps build sustainable, long-term velocity. Timestamps 00:00 Episode preview and introduction 01:19 Why AI feels different from every past disruption 02:53 The hidden pattern behind every major change 03:58 Why leaders accidentally make resistance worse 05:02 The shift from driving change to inspiring it 06:42 Why empathy is now a leadership skill 08:40 The trust problem slowing AI adoption 10:15 Where leaders should actually start with AI 12:07 Why “fail fast” needs more grace 13:29 The Slack message that exposed AI fear 15:01 The ROI mistake companies keep making 16:53 Why humans are still responsible for AI output 18:16 The real skill that separates people in the AI economy 20:55 The sand pile lesson for unpredictable change 23:16 What leaders can learn from a late-night parenting moment 26:39 The question that buys leaders time 27:34 How to repair trust after losing your cool 29:08 What sports teach leaders about pressure 31:08 Balancing intensity with empathy 34:52 Why critical thinking has become non-negotiable 36:26 How AI can help you influence upward 38:59 Why audience context changes every decision 40:09 The difference between AI advice and human coaching 43:22 Why the best leaders still ask for coaching 45:29 Where to connect with Sue Bethanis 46:09 Damon’s challenge to every leader using AI About Sue Bethanis Sue Bethanis is the Founder and CEO of Mariposa Leadership, an elite executive coaching and leadership development firm celebrating its 30th anniversary. For three decades, Sue has coached top-tier executives at iconic Silicon Valley tech companies, including Apple, Yahoo, Pinterest, and Amazon, guiding them through massive economic and technological disruptions. Alongside tech veteran Ethan Evans, she co-teaches the highly acclaimed Maven course, "Cracking the C-Suite in the AI Economy," where she trains senior leaders to scale corporate culture, build executive presence, and act as strategic change agents. Resources and Mentions Sue Bethanis’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suebethanis/ Mariposa Leadership website: https://mariposaleadership.com/ From Resistance to Resilience: Our Roles as Change Agents in AI Adoption: https://levelupwithethanevans.substack.com/p/from-resistance-to-resilience-our Cracking the C-Suite in the AI Economy: https://maven.com/ethan-evans/cracking-the-c-suite Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #308
    July 2 · 1 hr 7 min

    308. The Neuroscience of High Performance: 3 Steps for Clarity & Confidence | Angus Nelson

    Are you working incredibly hard but still feel like something is missing? In an era of AI integration, market volatility, and relentless global economic issues, it’s easy to default to a head-down hustle mentality. But the truth is, you can’t outwork velocity. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with executive coach and author Angus Nelson to reveal why the single most expensive bottleneck in any business today isn't weak strategy or broken systems, it's a disregulated nervous system. If your inner operating system is running on scarcity, control, and fear, your decision-making stalls, brain fog rolls in, and talent hemorrhages. Angus shares how high performers can shift their framing from external accolades back to internal sovereignty and personal power. Tune in to discover how to bridge the knowledge-action gap, transform your psychology from a victim mentality into full agency, and learn a practical blueprint to stop white-knuckling your way through life so you can finally remember "who the f*** you are." 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... How to identify a disregulated nervous system in corporate leadership through micro-moments, like snapping at a spilled coffee or offloading self-trust onto consultants and advisers. The dangers of "people-pleasing" and micromanagement behaviors, revealing how stepping into a situation to "help" is often just a guise for a leader trying to enforce control out of fear. The secret to becoming the most powerful person in any room by adopting a psychological framework of nothingness: having nothing to gain, nothing to prove, and nothing to lose. The mechanics of the C³ Protocol: Clarity, Capacity, and Composure, and how moving through these three pillars allows leaders to stop reacting blindly to chaos and start moving with swiftness and auditing their own behavior. How to execute a 10-Minute Revolution using a daily sequence of affirmation, identity work, and concrete choices to pull your idealized future self directly into your current day-to-day actions. The power of the "Spice Girl Principle" in coaching to cut through what leaders don't want, forcing absolute honesty regarding their true desires and personal destinations. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 01:06 - Why high performers still feel stuck 02:42 - The tiny signs your nervous system is running the show 04:01 - When “helping” becomes control 05:19 - What resilience actually means under pressure 09:30 - When AI makes people question their value 10:43 - The dangerous phrase leaders can’t afford anymore 13:38 - The $72,000 failure that changed Angus’ life 17:32 - Why great coaching requires telling the truth 20:52 - What happens when leaders finally give themselves permission 33:11 - Why the inner critic is not actually the enemy 35:29 - Damon’s honest fear as a business owner 38:04 - The Spice Girl principle for getting honest 39:50 - What human success really means 41:35 - How stable leaders become magnetic 47:45 - The leaders who changed what people believed was possible 50:13 - Three signs you need a nervous system upgrade 55:07 - The 10-minute revolution 58:59 - How to walk like the person you’re becoming 1:02:34 - What Angus hopes readers say one year later 1:04:08 - Where to get Neuro-Resilient Leader book 1:05:50 - Damon’s final challenge to listeners About Angus Nelson Angus Nelson is the author of Neuro-Resilient Leader and the founder of Evolve Leadership. He helps entrepreneurs and high-performing leaders install Leadership Stability, the ability to make clear, high-stakes decisions without burnout by recalibrating the nervous system. He has advised executives at Cisco, FedEx, and Workday and shares his C³ Protocol: Clarity, Capacity, and Composure, with leaders navigating pressure, uncertainty, and rapid change. Resources and Mentions Neuro-Resilient Leader book: https://www.amazon.com/Neuro-Resilient-Leader-Internal-Operating/dp/1636988792 Angus Nelson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angusnelson/ Angus Nelson’s Website: https://angusnelson.com/ Angus Nelson’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachangusnelson 10 Minute Leaders: https://angusnelson.com/10-minute-leaders Evolve Leadership Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolve-leadership/id1040543696 Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

  • #307
    June 30 · 1 hr 8 min

    307. The Hidden Cost of Being Great at Your Job | Billy Keels

    Are you getting on planes you don't actually need to be on? It is easy to confuse your corporate role with your personal identity, especially when you are a high performer consistently hitting the president's club. But what is the hidden cost of chasing that next title, bigger team, or salary increase? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Strategic Advisor, Author, and Top-Ranked Podcast Host Billy Keels to discuss what happens when your identity gets completely wrapped up in your corporate lifestyle. Billy shares his personal wake-up call from October 2012, when he found himself boarding a flight for an executive meeting in Germany on his son's third birthday, physically feeling sick because he was far away from the people he wanted to be with. He dives deep into the corporate "busy-ness" that keeps high achievers frantic and explains why every corporate relationship eventually ends. If you are a high-earning corporate executive trying to figure out how to stop being just a corporate number, manage the chaos of a side business, and gain control of your calendar, this conversation provides a strategic roadmap to designing a life where your job becomes completely optional. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why Billy’s flight on his son’s third birthday exposed the hidden cost of tying your identity to your corporate role How high performers can separate their title from their values before the next promotion, paycheck, or business trip starts making decisions for them Why “spending time” with family is not the same as “investing time,” and how intentional presence changes the way leaders show up at home How to calculate your optionality number so your job becomes a choice instead of a financial dependency Why every corporate relationship eventually ends, and how to build a backstop before layoffs, leadership changes, or personal crises force your hand How Billy helps executives reclaim time, structure a side business, and stay successful at work without sacrificing the life they say matters most Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 00:53 - The birthday flight that changed Billy’s life 02:27 - When the plane took off and his heart sank 06:21 - Why high achievers keep choosing the job 07:32 - When your title becomes who you are 10:15 - The three-part clarity framework 11:47 - Spending time vs. investing time 13:28 - Finding your optionality number 19:09 - Why high achievers struggle to ask for help 20:41 - The scary part of finally opening up 23:38 - Moving out of victim mentality 26:57 - Are you just a corporate number? 29:35 - Why companies protect themselves first 31:57 - How to build optionality while keeping your paycheck 34:34 - Do you really need to work those extra 15 hours? 36:21 - The path to making your role optional 37:26 - What money is actually for 39:00 - What truly high performers have in common 41:46 - Why successful executives reach out for help 43:14 - When a high income still does not feel like freedom 48:46 - How to define what “being present” actually means 50:55 - When real change starts to show up 54:34 - The two types of executives Billy helps most 56:45 - Why podcasting can change your life and brand 01:00:16 - How podcasting built Billy’s confidence and network 01:04:21 - The fatherhood practice Billy is most proud of 01:06:08 - Where to connect with Billy 01:08:02 - Damon’s challenge: Are you getting on planes you do not need to be on? About Billy Keels Billy Keels is a national best-selling author, host of the top 1.5% globally ranked “Going Long Podcast”, and expert/go-to executive coach for enterprise-level executives around the world. Based in Barcelona, Spain, Billy is an international speaker and elite advisor to ambitious C-level leaders looking to maximize their positions and opportunities while maintaining their existing career security and stability. Billy is on a mission to help high earning executives multiply their options for the future. Resources and Mentions Billy Keels’ website: https://www.billykeels.com/ Billy Keels’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billykeels/ The Going Long Podcast: https://www.billykeels.com/podcast The Pathway to Optionality: https://www.makeitoptional.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

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