Ep 147. From Military Grit to AI Innovation: Mike Thompson’s Epic Entrepreneur Journey

From fighter jets to AI-powered learning — and the loss that changed everything.

What do survival training, business culture, and AI have in common?

That’s what I explored with Mike Thompson — a former military trainer, now CEO of one of America’s fastest-growing companies.

Mike’s story is extraordinary. He began in advertising. Trained teams in survival with the Air Force. Became a pilot. Built a tech company revolutionizing workforce learning.

But what shaped him most… was losing his son.

“Life is precious — and we only get one shot to make it matter.”

That loss deepened Mike’s perspective on leadership. It became the lens through which he leads his people, builds culture, and shows up with purpose.

In this episode, we talk:
→ The painful pivot points that shape who we become
→ How quiet reflection fuels clarity and direction
→ Why culture will always beat strategy
→ What AI means for leadership and learning
→ And how to stay human in a high-tech world

Whether you're leading a team, navigating personal change, or searching for purpose — this one will stay with you.

→ Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

#Leadership #AI #Resilience #GriefToGrowth #PurposeDriven #ModernWorkforce #BusinessCulture

From fighter jets to AI-powered learning — and the loss that changed everything.

What do survival training, business culture, and AI have in common?

That’s what I explored with Mike Thompson — a former military trainer, now CEO of one of America’s fastest-growing companies.

Mike’s story is extraordinary. He began in advertising. Trained teams in survival with the Air Force. Became a pilot. Built a tech company revolutionizing workforce learning.

But what shaped him most… was losing his son.

“Life is precious — and we only get one shot to make it matter.”

That loss deepened Mike’s perspective on leadership. It became the lens through which he leads his people, builds culture, and shows up with purpose.

In this episode, we talk:
→ The painful pivot points that shape who we become
→ How quiet reflection fuels clarity and direction
→ Why culture will always beat strategy
→ What AI means for leadership and learning
→ And how to stay human in a high-tech world

Whether you're leading a team, navigating personal change, or searching for purpose — this one will stay with you.

→ Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
#Leadership #AI #Resilience #GriefToGrowth #PurposeDriven #ModernWorkforce #BusinessCulture

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

https://www.youtube.com/@LeadersLanePodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 

🔗 Stay Connected With Me.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade 

Website: http://www.monicakade.com/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.

https://www.youtube.com/@LeadersLanePodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 

🔗 Stay Connected With Me.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/leaderslanepodcast 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakade 

Website: http://www.monicakade.com/

CONNECT WITH MIKE THOMPSON

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-thompson-9872181/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learner-mobile/