Unlearn

AI can now generate code in seconds. Deployment pipelines are faster than ever. And yet, many teams still feel slow.

In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Forsgren, world-renowned researcher, co-author of Accelerate, and Senior Director of Developer Intelligence at Google. We explore why speed alone doesn’t create performance — and how hidden friction inside systems, culture, and decision-making quietly holds teams back.

Nicole bre...

AI isn’t about productivity. It’s about presence.

In this special episode, the tables turn and I’m interviewed by Sham Colegado about my new book, Artificial Organizations. We explore why 95% of AI projects fail, why executives don’t want more tools — they want their life back — and how the real competitive edge isn’t automation, but judgment at speed.

If you’ve been overwhelmed by the explosion of AI tools or unsure where to start, ...

What if success isn’t about scaling faster, shipping more, or chasing perfection — but about building something so honest it can last for generations?

In this episode, I sit down with Gerry Khouri, Founder & Managing Director of Bufori, one of the world’s longest-running handcrafted automobile companies. For nearly 40 years, Gerry has gone against almost every rule of modern business — choosing craftsmanship over scale, long-ter...

From graduate engineer to CTO, Andrew Phillips’ 16-year journey at Skyscanner is a story of continuous reinvention. He didn’t chase titles—he chased growth, deliberately stepping out of his comfort zone and unlearning the habits that no longer served him. What’s kept him at the company for over a decade isn’t status, but challenge: new teams, unfamiliar problems, and the chance to stay close to the work, even as his scope of leader...

What if machines could truly see and understand how we move? In this episode, I sit down with Sherry Shang, CEO and co-founder of Neural Lab, a company reimagining how we interact with technology through visual intelligence AI and gesture-based interfaces. 

Sherry’s journey from Intel technologist to startup founder began with a pivotal moment during the pandemic. What started as a side project in her living room became Neural ...

Today’s guest is someone I first came across on the Irish People in VC list—and I’m really glad I reached out. Because it turns out Maureen Haverty has one of the most fascinating jobs you can imagine: helping build the future of space. As a Principal at Seraphim Space, the world’s leading space-focused VC firm, she invests globally in technologies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible —and shaping the future of space startup i...

Back when I first worked with Jana Werner at Tesco Bank, I saw firsthand how a crisis could be a crucible for innovation and transformation. Her ability to unlock potential in even the most challenged teams was unforgettable. Now, teaming up with Phil Le-Brun—a transformational leader I came to know through his work at McDonald’s—they’ve co-authored The Octopus Organization, a guide for thriving in an age of continuous transformati...

In this episode of The Unlearn Podcast, Barry O’Reilly is joined by Steve Elliott, a serial entrepreneur, product leader, and investor with two decades of experience advising high-growth companies. Steve is the founder of Dotwork, an AI-driven platform that connects strategy to execution, and co-founder of The Uncertainty Project, a community for product leaders focused on better decision-making.

He previously served as Head of Prod...

In this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, I sit down with Cass Pratt, Chief Human Resources Officer at Progyny, to explore how HR is evolving into a design discipline that blends human connection with AI-powered productivity. From building bots to boost employee experience to reshaping how we think about roles in an automated world, Cass shares an honest look at how she’s bringing people along on a transformation journey—with curiosi...

When most leaders think about transformation, they reach for tools and tactics. But real, lasting change doesn’t start with new methods—it starts with culture. In this episode, I sit down with Phil Gilbert, the former General Manager of Design at IBM, who led one of the boldest reinventions in corporate history. After selling his third startup to IBM in 2010, Phil was asked to transform how IBM’s teams worked using design thinking ...

When it comes to product positioning, clarity isn’t just a communication tool—it’s a strategic advantage. In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Pierri, co-founder of FletchPMM, a product marketing consultancy that’s helped over 400 B2B software startups discover and sharpen their positioning. We explore how founders can unlearn generic marketing advice, clarify their message, and activate their strategy through one often-overloo...

In today’s hyper-connected world, many of us are experiencing a paradox—more digital interactions, but deeper loneliness. In this episode of Unlearn, I sit down with Dr. Ben Rein, neuroscientist and author of Why Brains Need Friends, to unpack why human connection isn’t just emotional—it’s biological. From the neuroscience of loneliness to surprising acts of generosity in mice and minnows, we explore how your brain interprets socia...

What happens when you stop treating HR as a back-office function and start designing it as a competitive advantage?

Theresa Cantwell, Strategic HR Consultant and Director at GSD HR Consulting, believes scaling a company shouldn't mean burning out your team—or yourself. With nearly two decades leading people strategy at companies like Microsoft, ThoughtWorks, and Equal Experts, Theresa has helped organizations across Europe and Asia ...

What happens when you stop chasing returns and start investing in purpose?

Ron Diamond, Founder and Chairman of Diamond Wealth, believes the future of finance isn’t just about building wealth—it’s about what that wealth can do. As a trusted advisor to over 100 family offices ranging from $250 million to $30 billion, Ron has spent more than two decades helping ultra-wealthy families align their capital with causes that matter.

In this...

What if networking wasn’t about schmoozing but about being seen? David Homan joins me to unlearn the myths of traditional networking and share how vulnerability, deep listening, and small group connection can foster truly meaningful relationships. As a master connector, classical composer, and co-author of Orchestrating Connection, David breaks down the silent skills that build trust, activate communities, and transform the way we ...

Paul Hutchinson’s life story reads like a thriller, but his mission is deeply real and urgent. Once a multi-billion dollar fund manager, Paul transformed his life to become an undercover operative, leading more than 70 rescue missions across 15 countries to free thousands of children trapped in sex trafficking. He is the true-life inspiration behind the Sound of Freedom movie and the author of The Sound of Freedom: True Stories Tha...

What if generosity—not hustle—is your greatest competitive advantage?

Brad Feld—co-founder of Foundry Group, Mobius Venture Capital, and startup accelerator Techstars—joins Barry to explore the transformative philosophy of “Give First,” a mindset that’s reshaped how founders, investors, and mentors build lasting companies and vibrant startup ecosystems. Brad has spent over three decades cultivating startup communities by putting peo...

What if becoming a better leader meant letting go of being the expert? In this Unlearn episode, I’m joined by David Tuck, Chief Executive of Waracle, for a thoughtful and human-centered conversation on the mindset shifts required to lead high-performing teams in complex, fast-changing environments.

David’s leadership journey spans over 15 years of agile transformation, commercial growth, and organizational design. He’s held executiv...

What if the biggest risk in your business isn’t building the product but realizing no one wants it? In this Unlearn episode, I’m joined by Alistair Croll, technologist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of Lean Analytics, for a candid and clever conversation on rethinking product development, marketing, and demand generation.

Alistair’s work focuses on data-driven innovation and human behavior. He co-authored Just Evil Enough: Th...