Throttle Up Leadership Podcast

Dr. John P Dentico
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The leadership podcast that asks the question nobody wants to answer: What if the problem isn't your people? Weekly conversations exploring why the workforce crisis isn't a people problem. It's a leadership problem. And what organizations and individuals can both do about it.

  1. Episode 167: From Static Plans to Living Strategy: The CIO Who's Making Strategic Planning Affordable and Unstoppable with Mike Burns

    5D AGO

    Episode 167: From Static Plans to Living Strategy: The CIO Who's Making Strategic Planning Affordable and Unstoppable with Mike Burns

    What happens when a billion-dollar CIO decides the nonprofit world deserves better strategic planning tools? You get StratSimple — and one of the most honest conversations about strategy, leadership, and AI you'll hear this year. Mike Burns spent over two decades driving organizational transformation, including serving as CIO of Benco Dental. In 2023, he co-founded StratSimple, an AI-powered platform built to make high-quality strategic planning accessible to nonprofits and consultants who've long been priced out of the game. In this episode, Dr. John Dentico and Mike dig into the critical difference between strategic thinking and strategic planning, why the five-year static plan is officially dead, and how AI is reshaping what it means to truly listen to your organization. They explore why leaders fail to operationalize their plans, the irreplaceable role of human facilitators, and why "context engineering" is the real skill of the AI era. If your organization has ever confused activity for strategy, this conversation is your wake-up call. 0:00 — Meet Mike Burns: From Army Brat to AI Strategist 2:30 — Why Nonprofits Are in an Existential Crisis Right Now 4:30 — The Death of the Five-Year Plan — and What Replaces It 6:15 — Strategic Thinking vs. Strategic Planning: A Critical Distinction 10:00 — Leadership as Process, Not Position 13:00 — The Fence Company Story: What a Salesperson Saw That the CEO Missed 15:00 — How AI Enables Real Listening at Scale 17:30 — Context Engineering: The Skill That Actually Matters 20:00 — Nonprofits Have Competitors — Whether They Like It or Not 23:00 — Why Having a Plan Means You're Just at the Starting Line 27:00 — Process Mapping, Deming, and the Power of the How-To 32:00 — Empowerment, Delegation, and Letting Go of the Seesaw If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    39 min
  2. Episode 166: The Execution Gap: Why What Leaders Say Never Matches What Gets Done with Steve McNicholas.

    FEB 16

    Episode 166: The Execution Gap: Why What Leaders Say Never Matches What Gets Done with Steve McNicholas.

    In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Steve McNicholas. Steve McNicholas failed education in working-class Liverpool, the city that gave the world The Beatles, yet became an executive in global banking before the 2008 crash forced brutal clarity. That failure catalyzed three decades investigating what works. Interviewing 100+ highly successful leaders nobody's heard of, Steve uncovered a repeatable pattern: Leadership Success Engineering. His devastating insight challenges everything: most organizational failures aren't strategy or talent deficits; they're execution gaps. The distance between what leaders say they'll do and what gets done destroys organizations. When every leader runs leadership their way, you don't get excellence. You get chaos. Co-authoring with Jack Canfield and writing "Unlocking the Success Code," Steve's mission targets 1,000 leaders annually. His framework isn't another development event cluttering calendars; it's installing operating system behaviors and accountability standards making leadership predictable, scalable, effective. Currently writing book three, Steve remains most alive working with practitioners: sleeves rolled up, demanding proof leaders applied what they committed to. The accountability check-in 30 days later when leaders grow "a foot taller" having executed? Pure magic. 1.     Failed Education in Liverpool - 02:52 2.     Working Class Roots to Global Banking - 03:18 3.     2008 Financial Crash Catalyst - 04:16 4.     Private Equity Turnaround Expertise - 04:25 5.     Interviewing 100+ Successful Leaders - 05:40 6.     Leadership Success Engineering Framework - 06:12 7.     The Execution Gap Problem - 08:30 8.     When Leaders Say vs. Do - 12:45 9.     Operating System Not Events - 15:20 10.  Accountability Check-Ins That Work - 39:41 11.  Writing Book Three - 38:40 12.  Most Alive With Practitioners - 39:17 If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    44 min
  3. Episode 165: Community of Communities: How Trust Networks Replaced Mass Markets with Karim Jaafar

    FEB 8

    Episode 165: Community of Communities: How Trust Networks Replaced Mass Markets with Karim Jaafar

    In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Karim Jaafar. Karim Jaafar didn't just pivot from award-winning filmmaker to brand storytelling strategist; he decoded how the entire consumer landscape fractured beneath our feet. Born in Cyprus, raised across Canada, Egypt, and Lebanon, now headquartered in UAE, this Grithaus.me founder crafted narratives for Kellogg's, Pringles, Nestle, and Cartoon Network before recognizing the seismic shift: we're no longer one big population making decisions. We've become a community of communities, micro-tribes gathering around cars, keto diets, health kicks, shared values, each functioning as its own filtration system determining what enters and what gets rejected. This isn't marketing theory; it's survival strategy. Communities of trust now decide brand fate, not mass messaging. Karim's 2026 resolution captures the zeitgeist: from doubting to doing. Years spent paralyzed by post-COVID fear and anxiety about capabilities taught him the Arabic wisdom "motion brings glory." Stop overthinking. Execute. The transition from filmmaker to marketing solutions owner wasn't risky, it was inevitable. In fragmented markets, only those who understand authentic community connection survive. Karim sees patterns others miss. Cyprus to Canada to Lebanon Journey - 03:33 UAE Internship to Marketing Entrepreneur - 04:03 The Risky Transition: Film to Brand Storytelling - 04:26 Kellogg's, Pringles, and Global Brand Work - 06:45 Founding Grithaus.me - 09:30 Technology Connecting Brands with People - 12:15 Authentic Storytelling in Advertising - 15:40 Evolution of Consumer Behavior - 19:25 Communities as Filtration Systems - 27:27 Community of Communities Framework - 28:03 From Doubting to Doing: Motion Brings Glory - 29:02 If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    31 min
  4. Episode 164: The Donut That Funds Smiles: MBTI, Enneagram, and When Leaders Need Saving Too with Kimberly Collins

    JAN 26

    Episode 164: The Donut That Funds Smiles: MBTI, Enneagram, and When Leaders Need Saving Too with Kimberly Collins

    In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Kimberly Collins Co-Owner of Collins Orthodontics and The Donut.  Kimberly Collins isn't just another personality assessment enthusiast, she's the multihyphenate who turned childhood road trips to Yellowstone into a leadership philosophy. Growing up in Montana with two musical sisters and a manager father obsessed with MBTI, young Kimberly took typology tests in the family car, never imagining those exercises would rescue her from crippling burnout years later. As co-owner of Collins Orthodontics and The Donut, a purpose-driven venture funding free orthodontic care for pediatric cancer survivors, this professional musician turned certified Enneagram and MBTI coach discovered that understanding personality systems isn't about boxing people in; it's about setting them free.  The conversation tackles the crushing weight leaders carry alone: imposter syndrome, burnout, and the exhausting game face they maintain while making decisions affecting others' livelihoods. Kimberly's hope? Leaders developing emotional intelligence not to better serve teams, but to lighten their own unbearable loads. As AI handles 75-80% of redundant work, the remaining 20%, authentic human connection, becomes exponentially more valuable. For leaders drowning in isolation, Kimberly delivers both empathy and actionable psychological insight wrapped in Montana wisdom. Montana Upbringing with Musical Sisters - 01:52 MBTI Tests on the Road to Yellowstone - 02:26 Father's Influence as People Manager - 02:22 Professional Musician Turned Coach - 02:19 Burnout with Three Kids and a Team - 02:52 Discovering the Enneagram - 03:05 MBTI Preferences, Not Boxes - 03:28 The Donut: Orthodontics for Cancer Survivors - 12:30 Emotional Intelligence for Leaders - 18:45 Authenticity and Imposter Syndrome - 29:54 Leaders Need Support Too - 31:01 AI and the 20% That Matters - 32:32 If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    36 min
  5. Episode 163: The Engagement Disconnect: You Get What You Reward, Not What You Promote with Dave Chauhan

    JAN 20

    Episode 163: The Engagement Disconnect: You Get What You Reward, Not What You Promote with Dave Chauhan

    In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Dave Chauhan. Dave Chauhan didn't just study leadership, he lived it through two value systems. Born in Libya to Punjabi parents working in embassy health roles, young Dave was raised by his grandmother in India, creating an early identity crisis that became his secret weapon. Two sets of parents meant two conflicting value frameworks: disciplined professionalism from one, sage wisdom seeking deeper meaning from the other. This Australian leadership coach and co-founder of Purple Spark Advisory spent 17 years discovering that outdated control-based playbooks fail spectacularly in today's chaos. As author of "Captain Set Sail" and creator of the Nautical Leadership Framework, Dave champions courage, clarity, and compassion over quarterly obsessions. His devastating metaphor cuts deep: leaders forget why they got in the car, becoming infatuated with traffic lights, fuel levels, and maintenance schedules, the rules of the game, while losing sight of the destination itself. When boardroom decisions chase 5% profit at the expense of stated values, actions reveal truth marketing can't hide. Dave argues leadership transcends KPIs; it's about unleashing talent that exceeds every metric leaders fixate upon.   Born in Libya, Raised by Grandmother - 02:30 Two Sets of Parents, Two Value Systems - 03:04 The Identity Crisis That Shaped Leadership - 03:16 Captain Set Sail and Nautical Leadership - 05:12 Purple Spark Advisory in Australia - 08:45 Courage, Clarity, and Compassion - 11:30 The Car Metaphor: Forgetting the Destination - 34:48 When Actions Don't Align with Purpose - 33:31 Falling in Love with KPIs - 35:14 5% Profit Versus Core Values - 34:18 Leadership Beyond Quarterly Results - 36:25 Unleashing Talent Beyond KPIs - 36:33 If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    39 min
  6. Episode 162: The Startup Whisperer: Why Founder Success Doesn't Guarantee Investor Success with Andrew Ackerman

    JAN 12

    Episode 162: The Startup Whisperer: Why Founder Success Doesn't Guarantee Investor Success with Andrew Ackerman

    In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Andrew Ackerman. Andrew Ackerman isn't just another VC with opinions; he's the startup whisperer who's lived every role in the ecosystem. This serial entrepreneur turned angel investor turned venture capitalist has invested in 70+ startups, mentored hundreds of founders, and built innovation programs that deliver. As strategic advisor and head of Reach Labs for Second Century Ventures, he brings battle-tested perspective to property tech and construction tech, though his hard-earned lesson surprises: being a successful founder doesn't automatically make you good at recognizing success in others at scale. Born in Israel to American parents, raised around New York City, Andrew credits his entrepreneurial grandfather, who died when Andrew was twelve, as his biggest influence. The conversation cuts through startup mythology with surgical precision, tackling founder archetypes, pattern recognition failures, and AI hype versus reality. Andrew's hope? That we find the right balance between proven methods and shiny new tools, building wisdom while maintaining optionality. For his three daughters facing 40-year career horizons in radically uncertain times, he champions transferable talents over rigid job titles; advice that resonates across generations. Born in Israel, Raised in New York - 02:13 Grandfather's Entrepreneurial Influence - 02:46 Every Hat in the Startup World - 03:27 Founder to Investor Transition - 03:42 Pattern Recognition Pitfalls - 04:03 The Entrepreneur's Odyssey Book - 08:15 Founder Archetypes and Success - 14:30 Property Tech and Construction Tech - 19:45 AI Hype Versus Reality - 35:20 Shiny Objects Versus Accumulated Wisdom - 46:47 Career Optionality for Next Generation - 47:14 Finding Balance in Uncertainty - 48:02 if you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    52 min
  7. Episode 161: The Work Works If You Work It: Old-School Fundamentals in an AI World with Sean Kling

    JAN 5

    Episode 161: The Work Works If You Work It: Old-School Fundamentals in an AI World with Sean Kling

    In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Sean Kling. Sean Kling doesn't apologize for being Gen X—he weaponizes it. As author of "Outwork Them All: A Gen X Guide to Business and Leadership," this former Marine and Pennsylvania native makes the provocative case that in a world drowning in viral trends and AI hype, old-school fundamentals like consistency, loyalty, and face-to-face relationship building have become rare competitive advantages. Raised on stories of his grandfather's World War II service and father's Vietnam tours, Sean absorbed community values that now power his nine-step business rebuilding blueprint and lean operation philosophy: run tight, stay human, outwork everyone. The conversation tackles generational differences with nuance—Sean doesn't dismiss younger entrepreneurs but argues they're missing the power of boring consistency over exciting pivots. He champions building trusted advisor circles, maintaining in-person networks, and running businesses without overpriced software dependencies. His mantra "the work works if you work it" cuts through motivation culture noise. Dr. Dentico reinforces this by noting that as AI handles 75-80% of routine tasks, the remaining 20%—the human connection part—becomes exponentially more valuable. For leaders exhausted by productivity hacks and viral formulas, this episode delivers street-tested strategy wrapped in Marine Corps discipline. Small Town Pennsylvania Roots - 02:15 Marine Corps Family Legacy - 02:50 Community Service Values - 03:23 Gen X Fundamentals That Still Win - 04:09 What Younger Entrepreneurs Miss - 04:26 Outwork Them All Philosophy - 06:45 Building Your Trusted Advisor Circle - 11:30 Nine-Step Business Rebuilding Blueprint - 15:20 Running Lean Without Software Bloat - 18:45 Two Podcasts: Travel and Life Stories - 28:12 Hope for Daughters' Success - 27:24 The 20% That Matters Most - 30:02 If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    33 min
  8. Episode 160: The 3 Brains Advantage: Getting Your Head, Heart, and Gut to Finally Sign the Same Contract with Christoffel Sneijders

    12/30/2025

    Episode 160: The 3 Brains Advantage: Getting Your Head, Heart, and Gut to Finally Sign the Same Contract with Christoffel Sneijders

    In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico speaks with Christoffel Sneijders, a master of psychological coaching, clinical therapist, and pioneer of the 3 Brains Intelligence. Christoffel shares his journey from working in a supermarket and playing football to becoming a leading expert in human behavior and organizational transformation. He discusses how leadership is not just a title but a responsibility to understand the biological and psychological drivers behind human actions. By focusing on the "Three Brains"—the Head, Heart, and Gut—Christoffel explains how leaders can move past the logic of the "Head" brain to connect with the deeper, more intuitive systems that truly drive decision-making and authenticity.  The conversation explores the modern challenges of leadership, including the "digital noise" of the current era and the emergence of an entrepreneurial age powered by AI. Christoffel provides a fascinating perspective on why many professionals feel stuck or "run over" by technology, noting that without aligning our three internal brains, we struggle to make meaningful impact. He highlights how his methods help individuals and organizations overcome procrastination, develop genuine trust, and lead with a balance of strategy and empathy. The episode wraps up with Christoffel offering practical advice for listeners to stop over-thinking and start leading from a place of integrated intelligence. 00:00 – Introduction to Christoffel Sneijders and 3 Brains Intelligence 01:54 – Early Influences: From Supermarkets to Clinical Therapy 03:45 – The Transition to Coaching: Why People Matter Most 05:11 – Breaking Down 3 Brains Intelligence: Head, Heart, and Gut 08:15 – Moving Beyond the "Digital Noise" to Authentic Leadership 10:30 – AI and the Entrepreneurial Age: Tools vs. Human Insight 13:55 – Why the "Head Brain" Isn't Enough for Strategic Thinking 16:40 – Overcoming Procrastination by Aligning Internal Desires 19:15 – The Importance of Trust and Safety in Team Performance 21:58 – Redefining Success in the Next Three to Five Years 24:32 – The Role of Continuous Education and Side Hustles 27:10 – Final Thoughts: Becoming a More Integrated Human Leader If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.

    41 min
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The leadership podcast that asks the question nobody wants to answer: What if the problem isn't your people? Weekly conversations exploring why the workforce crisis isn't a people problem. It's a leadership problem. And what organizations and individuals can both do about it.

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