Breakfast Leadership Show

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, the hosts explore the key themes from the recent article, “Redefining Workplace Culture: A Human-Centered Approach to Engagement and Wellbeing.” Serving as a pointed response to the 2025 Gallagher Workforce Trends Report, this conversation challenges surface-level interpretations of employee engagement, workplace culture, and inclusion initiatives—offering a bold al...

900 Episodes of Transformative Leadership

In this special 900th episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, I take a moment to reflect with deep gratitude. Hosting nearly a thousand conversations with thought leaders, change-makers, and everyday champions has been a true honor. Each episode is rooted in one mission:

Helping you lead a better life by navigating workplace stress, avoiding burnout, and stepping into the leader you were ...

Episode Summary

In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Candace Pendleton, a dynamic force in commodities trading and a passionate advocate for financial empowerment—especially for women. We tackled the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and financial markets, particularly the trading sector. Candace shared her deeply personal mission: helping women break into commodities trading as a path to wealth-...

Adam O'Connor from Gear Inc., a BPO company operating in 25 countries and covering 75 languages, discussed their services in customer service, trust and safety, and back-office operations. Michael highlighted the value of Gear's diverse organization for managing economic challenges across markets and supporting businesses in global expansion. Adam emphasized their flexibility in adapting to...

Unleashing Purpose and Prosperity with Pushkar Anand

In this compelling episode, I sit down with Pushkar Anand, a transformational leader whose 15-year journey from high-achieving banker to purpose-driven author is nothing short of extraordinary. What began as a quest for personal success evolved into a mission to uplift humanity and empower others to unlock their highest potential.

From Success-Seeker to Soul-Driven Leader

Pushkar...

Untying the Knot of Remote Work Communication In today’s evolving workplace, communication breakdowns are more than just frustrating—they’re costly. Dianna Anderson joins me to unpack her innovative "Untying the Knot" approach, rooted in large-scale change management and coaching. We dive deep into how organizations often rush remote work decisions without engaging their teams, and how this disconnect impacts morale and productivi...

Redefining Connection: The Power of Professional Matchmaking in a Modern World

In this insightful episode, I sit down with Maria and Ann, the dynamic duo behind a leading professional dating service AfterHello.com, to unpack the strategy and psychology behind intentional matchmaking. They walk us through their thoughtful, human-first process—starting with in-depth client interviews, leveraging an extensive and curated database, and...

In this special episode, I sat down with Peter Bissonnette—former President of Shaw Communications—to talk about his remarkable leadership journey and his upcoming book, Count on Me, launching July 18th. Peter’s story is anything but conventional. From life in a monastery to serving in the Air Force, and ultimately leading one of Canada’s most recognized telecommunications companies, his path to leadership is rooted in humility...

In this episode, Michael D. Levitt sits down with Justin, founder of Aryo Consulting Group, to unpack small businesses' real-world challenges in today’s fast-paced economy. With a track record of helping over 350 companies—ranging from scrappy startups to established enterprises—Justin brings practical insight into what works (and what doesn’t) when scaling a business.

🚧 Growth Isn’t Glamorous—It’s Gritty Small and large businesse...

Episode Title: Market Resilience, Counterfeit Realities, and the Future of Authentication with Perry Nguyen of Check Check

Show Notes:

In this episode, I’m joined by Perry Nguyen with Check Check, a cutting-edge digital authentication platform reshaping the luxury resale landscape. Our conversation explores the parallels between nature’s most resilient species and the dynamic, ever-evolving global marketplace, particularly the exp...

In this powerful conversation, Michael D. Levitt and branding expert Barry LaBov explore the critical role of differentiation in today’s hyper-competitive and fast-moving business world. It’s not about being the biggest or best in every category—it’s about being unmistakably you.

The Human Edge of Differentiation Barry opens with a compelling take: while modern tools have made producing fast, mediocre content easier, what sets bra...

this episode, I sat down with R.T. Custer to explore how he's bringing precision craftsmanship back to American soil. As the founder of Vortic Watch Company, R.T. began his journey a decade ago by upcycling antique American pocket watches into stunning wristwatches—each a one-of-a-kind blend of history and innovation. Now, with the launch of Colorado Watch Company, he's scaling that mission, aiming to produce over 500 watches a mo...

On this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, I sit down with Sean Griffith, founder of Truffle, a forward-thinking hiring platform that's changing how small and mid-sized businesses approach talent acquisition.

🔍 Truffle’s Smarter Hiring Model Sean shares how Truffle uses asynchronous audio and video interviews with structured, role-specific questions to efficiently filter large applicant pools. Designed especially for growin...

Let’s face it—hostile workplaces are more common than we care to admit. Whether it’s passive-aggressive emails, micromanagement, gaslighting, or relentless pressure that crosses the line into emotional fatigue—these aren’t just “bad days.” They’re environments that chip away at your mental health.

But here’s the good news: you are not powerless.

This isn’t just about “getting through it.” It’s about transforming how you show up—wit...

Episode Title: Rethinking Wellness and Feedback Loops in Today’s Workplace

Show Notes:

In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, Michael connects with business strategist Andrew Ronchetto to explore how organizations must evolve their approach to wellness, leadership, and performance in an ever-changing workforce.

Redefining Wellness & Feedback in the Modern Workplace Michael and Andrew dive into the shifting dynamics o...

From Cockpit to Boardroom: Boo's High-Performance Flight Path

In this compelling episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, Michael chats with Boo—former fighter pilot turned entrepreneur—about his extraordinary journey from the Air Force to launching ventures in the Middle East, real estate, and digital publishing. Boo opens up about navigating the early days of Facebook and Google ads, and how his involvement with Afterburner, a c...

In this episode, Michael and Ryan explore the power of video-based platforms in building authentic leadership presence. They discuss how confidence, executive presence, and self-improvement are essential for personal and professional growth. Ryan shares his journey in leadership development and how it shaped his company, Better On. Michael reinforces the idea that presence isn’t just ab...

The Leadership Legacy: Estate Planning with Purpose

In this insightful series, I sit down with Sara Ecklein, a California-based professional fiduciary, to unpack the often-overlooked leadership responsibility of estate planning. We explore how proactive planning—through trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives—is not just about assets, but about clarity, care, and legacy.

🔍 Why Estate Planning Matters for Leaders Sara and I dig i...

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Nick Halaris, a purpose-driven real estate entrepreneur, to explore the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship—and why it’s more important than ever to lead with both ambition and impact.

Nick and I unpack why more individuals are choosing the entrepreneurial path in today’s transformative era. But we also challenge the narrative ...