Pivoting to Technology Adoption

Donna P. Mitchell

70% of technology transformations fail. Not because of the technology — because organizations never close the adoption gap. Host Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™ and author of Pivoting to Technology Adoption: Mind the Gap, brings 48 years of Fortune 500 experience across telecommunications, aviation, airline, healthcare, and Web3/AI to every conversation. She's enabled 150,000+ professionals through four major transformation types — and she knows exactly where adoption breaks down. Each episode features executives, strategists, and innovators who've faced the gap firsthand. AI governance, workforce enablement, healthcare technology, enterprise transformation — the leadership decisions that determine whether your investment delivers or derails. Forbes Business Council. C-Suite Network Contributor. Five industries. One question: Will your people adopt what your technology promises?

  1. EP108: From Crime Scenes to Med Tech — How Storytelling Drives Technology Adoption | Jason Ellinger

    3D AGO

    EP108: From Crime Scenes to Med Tech — How Storytelling Drives Technology Adoption | Jason Ellinger

    00:00 Cold open — "You're not the hero, you're the guide" 00:09 Introduction 01:58 Jason Ellinger — who is Beard & Bowler 04:09 The 11-year-old's funeral that changed everything 06:31 Deacon Willie Davis and the community garden 08:11 Finding the why — storytelling for impact 08:52 How the HERO Grant was born 10:31 The #1 mistake businesses and nonprofits make 11:05 The 7-part StoryBrand formula 12:23 Why 70% of revenue came from med tech 14:40 The impossible goal — 50 HERO Grants in one year 15:48 The Flip — team buy-in and 100% conviction 17:15 Pivoting from nonprofit to enterprise 21:45 AI adoption — automation for nonprofits and executives 24:01 Master Operating Prompt (MOP) and Voice Maps 26:18 Custom GPT for story editing — days to hours 28:13 Second-degree recon — AI-powered LinkedIn outreach 30:19 Donna's gut check — protecting your network 33:22 Med tech storytelling — nerve blocks to ankle replacements 35:05 Who Jason wants to reach 36:29 How to connect with Jason 36:57 Closing What is the HERO Grant model? How does storytelling drive medical device adoption? What is a Master Operating Prompt (MOP)? How does a news photojournalist covering crime scenes become a med tech storyteller funding nonprofit impact? Jason Ellinger, Co-Founder of Beard & Bowler Productions, shares how covering an 11-year-old's funeral as a news photojournalist made him rethink his entire career — leading him from hard news to nonprofit storytelling to med tech filmmaking, where his company now uses the HERO Grant model to fund nonprofit storytelling through corporate revenue. In this episode, Jason breaks down the StoryBrand 7-part formula, explains why positioning yourself as the guide (not the hero) transforms storytelling, and reveals practical AI adoption strategies including the Master Operating Prompt (MOP), voice maps, and custom GPTs that transformed operations. SUBSCRIBE for new episodes every Tuesday. NEW BOOK: Pivoting to Technology Adoption: Mind the Gap https://amazon.com/dp/B0GP3CWH2H FREE Newsletter: The Transformation Brief https://transformationbrief.beehiiv.com/subscribe Work with Donna: https://www.pivotingportal.com Connect with Jason: beardandbowler.com Connect with Donna: https://linkedin.com/in/donna-mitchell-a1700619 https://pivotingportal.com

    38 min
  2. ARISE — The FREE AI Governance Framework Unifying Cybersecurity & Compliance | Paul Crafer

    FEB 24

    ARISE — The FREE AI Governance Framework Unifying Cybersecurity & Compliance | Paul Crafer

    00:00 Risk shouldn't be a competitive differentiator 00:17 Introduction 03:15 Paul's journey from Apple to AI governance 04:45 How he found ForHumanity 05:58 DeepSeek as a Sputnik moment 09:01 What is the ARISE framework 10:28 Why ARISE is FREE and hand-mapped 15:05 Risk shouldn't be competitive 21:59 What is temperature in an LLM 24:06 Nigeria financial inclusion project 27:53 Nigerian Presidential Committee partnership 31:17 Where Assessed Intelligence operates 33:52 Will the EU stand firm on AI Act 36:16 AGI hype - do not panic 36:50 How to connect with Paul Most organizations in critical sectors have significant AI governance gaps. The ARISE framework is FREE and hand-mapped to fix that. SUBSCRIBE for new episodes every Tuesday. NEW BOOK: Pivoting to Technology Adoption: Mind the Gap https://amazon.com/dp/B0GP3CWH2H FREE Newsletter: The Transformation Brief https://transformationbrief.beehiiv.com/subscribe Work with Donna: https://www.pivotingportal.com In this episode of Pivoting to Technology Adoption, Paul Crafer — VP Services EMEA at Assessed Intelligence, ForHumanity Fellow, and former Apple leader — reveals why most organizations are failing at AI governance and what to do about it. We discuss the ARISE framework (FREE, hand-mapped, not AI-generated), why "risk shouldn't be a competitive differentiator," and his groundbreaking financial inclusion work with the Nigerian Presidential Committee. WHAT'S COVERED: - ARISE framework: 7 pillars unifying AI governance, cybersecurity, and compliance - Why risk shouldn't be a competitive differentiator - Shadow AI: How to find what's already in your organization - Nigeria financial inclusion project with Presidential Committee - Why "regulation hampers innovation" is a line from technocrats - AGI hype: Do not panic — they're probably just trying to make a buck ABOUT PAUL CRAFER: Paul Crafer is VP Services EMEA at Assessed Intelligence and a ForHumanity Fellow specializing in AI governance and policy. With over 10 years of leadership at Apple and 20+ years in global technology and business development, he made a strategic pivot to AI governance in 2023. Certifications: ForHumanity Certified Auditor (EU AI Act, GDPR, AAA Cybersecurity), ISO 42001 and ISO 27001 Lead Auditor. Education includes AI governance coursework at Edinburgh University Business School, Jönköping International Business School, and Umeå University. He presented at the First Pan-African AI Summit in Accra, Ghana (September 2025) and is leading the ARISE framework launch. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivoting-to-technology-adoption/id1703617237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0v0upDqC2dW37Q8qLgWbGw All Platforms: PivotingToTechnologyAdoptionPodcast.com Love the show? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. CONNECT WITH PAUL CRAFER: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcrafer/ Website: assessedintelligence.com ARISE Framework (FREE): ariseframework.com ForHumanity: forhumanity.center Email: paul.c@assessedintelligence.com CONNECT WITH DONNA P. MITCHELL, THE TRANSFORMATION AUTHORITY™: Book: Pivoting to Technology Adoption: Mind the Gap — https://amazon.com/dp/B0GP3CWH2H Website: PivotingPortal.com Podcast: PivotingToTechnologyAdoptionPodcast.com Book a Call: ConnectWithDonnaPMitchell.com Forbes Business Council | C-Suite Network Contributor

    38 min
  3. Why 99% of Transformations Fail: The 3 Variables C-Suite Ignores | Chris Majer

    FEB 23

    Why 99% of Transformations Fail: The 3 Variables C-Suite Ignores | Chris Majer

    99% of transformations start with systems and processes — and that's why they fail. Chris Majer has generated $4 BILLION in documented results for clients like Microsoft, Intel, and AT&T. Here's what executives keep getting wrong. 📥 FREE: The Transformation Brief Newsletter → https://transformationbrief.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🎯 Work with Donna → https://www.pivotingportal.com In this episode, Chris Majer — founder of the Human Potential Project, Amazon best-selling author, and transformation architect behind $4 billion in documented client results — reveals why most organizational transformations fail and what actually works. Chris started in 1981 training elite athletes, then spent three years with the U.S. Army including a classified project with Special Forces. He brought those performance principles to Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Intel, AT&T, Capital One, and Allianz. We discuss his 3 Variables Framework (Mood, Leadership Practices, Systems), why delegating transformation to HR kills it, and what executives must understand about AI adoption. What's covered: • Why 99% of transformations fail when they start with systems • The 3 Variables Framework: Mood, Leadership Practices, Systems • Allianz Life case study: $10M investment → $685M return • Why delegating transformation to HR kills it • 'Understanding is the booby prize' — why knowledge isn't enough About Chris Majer: Chris Majer is the Founder and CEO of the Human Potential Project (HP2) — a modern-day entrepreneur, Amazon best-selling author, and transformation architect behind over $4 billion in documented client results. Starting as a competitive rugby player and performance coach, Chris went on to train elite athletes, teach combat skills to Marines, and develop performance programs for the U.S. Army Special Forces. He later brought those principles to the corporate world, leading large-scale transformation projects for Microsoft, Intel, AT&T, Capital One, Amgen, and Allianz Life. Over three decades, he has pioneered innovative leadership and performance systems through Commitment-Based Management, helping organizations worldwide achieve measurable, lasting results. Chris is the author of The Power to Transform – Your New Future Awaits and has been featured in Time, People, and Esquire, as well as on the Today Show and Charlie Rose. Today, he continues to inspire global audiences as a keynote speaker and transformation leader. TIMESTAMPS : 0:00 — Introduction 1:38 — The 3 Variables Framework: Mood, Leadership, Systems 2:55 — Why 'Mood Is Everything' in Transformation 4:55 — The Paint Scraping Analogy: Why New Systems Don't Stick 8:09 — Allianz Life Case Study: $10M to $685M Return 10:40 — Why 9-Month Programs Work (Not 3-Day Workshops) 13:48 — Action Cycles: 'For the Sake of What?' 17:02 — Navigating Governance Without Waiting Forever 18:25 — Two Types of Companies That Won't Transform 19:03 — The Training Camp Speech: Why Cutting Investment Fails 21:42 — How COVID Killed Innovation (And What to Do Now) 24:45 — Radio to TV to AI: Historical Perspective on Disruption 28:06 — Reskilling for the AI Era 29:27 — Embodied Competence: Understanding Is the Booby Prize 31:38 — No Learning Occurs Inside Your Comfort Zone 33:06 — Centering Practice and Final Wisdom 34:27 — How to Connect with Chris Connect with Chris: • Human Potential Project: https://humanpotentialproject.com • Chris Majer Speaking: https://chrismajer.com • Book: 'The Power to Transform' (Amazon) Connect with Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™: PivotingPortal.com PivotingToWeb3.com ConnectWithDonnaPMitchell.com Forbes Business Council | C-Suite Network #Transformation #Leadership Want to be a guest on Pivoting to WEB3? Send Donna Mitchell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1671449794354x786692998532303600 #Podmatch

    34 min
  4. AI Won't Replace Commercial Lenders — Here's Why | Walt Postlewait

    FEB 10

    AI Won't Replace Commercial Lenders — Here's Why | Walt Postlewait

    AI reduced FinTech development from 125 hours to 25 hours. But it will NEVER replace commercial lenders. Here's why. 📥 FREE: The Transformation Brief Newsletter → https://transformationbrief.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🎯 Work with Donna → https://www.pivotingportal.com In this episode, Walt Postlewait — 30-year commercial banking veteran, CDFI leader who deployed $600M+ to underserved communities, and co-founder of Portfolio Watch — reveals why AI will transform some lending but never replace the human judgment required for commercial credit decisions. We discuss 'vibe coding' (AI-assisted development), why CDFIs are the 'best-kept secret' in business lending, a $200K+ technology adoption failure at his previous organization, and where AI will actually make an impact in financial services. What's covered: • Vibe coding: 125 hours → 25 hours (5x efficiency gain) • Why AI won't replace commercial lenders • CDFIs explained: The 'best-kept secret' in lending • Technology adoption failure case study ($200K+ lost) • Where AI WILL transform lending (fraud detection, coaching) About Walt Postlewait: Walt Postlewait is Co-Founder of Portfolio Watch and Chief Credit Officer at MStreetX. With 30+ years in commercial banking and credit risk, he spent 13+ years in CDFI leadership at Craft3, where he grew annual lending production from $14M to $55M and deployed over $600 million in funding to small businesses and underserved communities. Now he's building Portfolio Watch — an AI-powered platform for commercial loan portfolio management using 'vibe coding' (AI-assisted development that reduced build time from 125 hours to 25 hours). His focus: bringing institutional-grade tools to community lenders who've been locked out of expensive enterprise solutions. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 — Introduction 2:30 — Walt's background: 30 years in commercial banking 4:45 — Vibe coding: 125 hours → 25 hours development 8:20 — What is Portfolio Watch? 11:30 — CDFIs explained: The best-kept secret 15:20 — Technology adoption failure case study 19:45 — 'Get past salespeople, talk to actual tech folk' 22:10 — Why AI won't replace commercial lenders 24:28 — 'Too much humanity in credit decisions' 27:00 — Where AI WILL impact lending 29:30 — AI governance: 'Wild, wild west Connect with Walt : LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walt-postlewait-0082ab31b/ Connect with Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™: PivotingPortal.com PivotingToWeb3.com ConnectWithDonnaPMitchell.com Forbes Business Council | C-Suite Network #VibeCoding #AIFintech #PivotingToWeb3 Want to be a guest on Pivoting to WEB3? Send Donna Mitchell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1671449794354x786692998532303600 #Podmatch

    33 min
  5. Why AI Fails in Regulated Industries: EY Leader on  Governance, People & ROI | Srinath Chandramohan

    FEB 2

    Why AI Fails in Regulated Industries: EY Leader on Governance, People & ROI | Srinath Chandramohan

    Why do so many enterprises fail at AI adoption? The technology works — but the governance doesn't. 📥 FREE: The Transformation Brief Newsletter → https://transformationbrief.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🎯 Work with Donna → https://www.pivotingportal.com In this episode, Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™, speaks with Srinath Chandramohan — Senior Manager at Ernst & Young with 17+ years driving enterprise transformation — about why AI projects fail in regulated industries and what executives must understand about governance, human expertise, and ROI. About Srinath Chandramohan: Srinath Chandramohan is a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young (EY) with over 17 years of global experience leading enterprise modernization, AI enabled innovation, and product-led transformation across regulated industries. He advises executive leaders on product strategy, governance, and operating model transformation, helping organizations scale responsibly and achieve measurable business outcomes. What's covered: • Why governance is THE key player in AI adoption • How 30 years of expertise can't be replaced — but CAN be enhanced • The gap between AI's potential and enterprise readiness • Real example: How AI summarizes 400-page documents in seconds • Why executives must invest in AI NOW to see ROI by 2027 • Who should be in the boardroom when planning AI transformation TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Introduction 02:08 — Srinath's journey from Java developer to AI transformation leader 06:17 — Why enterprises fail at AI adoption 08:13 — Governance as the key player 09:28 — The people side: Are companies really prepared? 11:01 — Why AI won't replace 30 years of experience 13:05 — Who should be in the boardroom 18:08 — Responsible AI and governance policies 22:47 — Real transformation example: 400-page documents 27:04 — Human intervention still required 30:31 — Words of wisdom for executives in 2026 32:30 — How to connect with Srinath Connect with Srinath : Email: srinathittouch@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinath-chandramohan-insurtech Connect with Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™: PivotingPortal.com PivotingToWeb3.com ConnectWithDonnaPMitchell.com Forbes Business Council | C-Suite Network #TransformationAuthority #ExecutiveLeadership #CSuite Want to be a guest on Pivoting to WEB3? Send Donna Mitchell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1671449794354x786692998532303600 #Podmatch

    33 min
  6. The Shadow Ledger: Why Your AI Is Accumulating Hidden Liabilities | Allen Martinez

    JAN 27

    The Shadow Ledger: Why Your AI Is Accumulating Hidden Liabilities | Allen Martinez

    Your AI is making decisions in your name right now. But can you prove why? In this episode, Allen Martinez — founder of Noble Digital and creator of the BXAI-OS framework — reveals why 84% of AI failures are leadership failures, not technical ones. We discuss the Shadow Ledger (hidden liabilities accumulating in every ungoverned AI system), the Three Gaps killing your AI strategy (governance, identity, accountability), and why the regulatory deadline is coming but the competitive deadline is NOW. Allen's journey spans directing for Quentin Tarantino's A Band Apart, engineering the largest Shark Tank exit ($300M with Plated),and now building constitutional AI governance frameworks for enterprise. Key Takeaways: AI governance is a supercharger, not a brake. The Shadow Ledger compounds daily. Fixing one gap just migrates the problem. California AI enforcement started in January 2026. Timestamp: 0:00 - Introduction 1:45 - "Everyone's debugging the code, but nobody wrote the spec" 3:30 - The dream scenario: AI that sounds like you at scale 6:30 - The Shadow Ledger concept explained 9:30 - The Three Gaps: Governance, Identity, Accountability 12:00 - "AI is being adopted inside your company — you just don't know it" 16:00 - The Identity Gap and the "sea of sameness" 18:30 - The director as bottleneck — film production meets AI 21:00 - Why AI is already experiential 23:00 - Who should read the book: mid-market companies (50-300 employees) 27:00 - Why fixing one gap at a time fails 30:00 - 5 diagnostic questions to test your AI strategy 32:00 - The "industrial hangover" — execution vs. value 36:00 - How to reach Allen — Shadow Ledger Assessment 37:30 - Closing: "The regulatory deadline is coming. The competitive deadline is now." Connect with Allen: Email: allen@nobledigital.com Website: https://allenmartinez.net Linktree: https://linktr.ee/allenmartinez Connect with Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™: PivotingPortal.com PivotingToWeb3.com ConnectWithDonnaPMitchell.com Forbes Business Council | C-Suite Network #TransformationAuthority #ExecutiveLeadership #CSuite #PivotingToWeb3 Want to be a guest on Pivoting to WEB3? Send Donna Mitchell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1671449794354x786692998532303600 #Podmatch

    37 min
  7. Why 70% of Students Never Enroll & What AI Is Doing About It | Jason Sherman

    JAN 20

    Why 70% of Students Never Enroll & What AI Is Doing About It | Jason Sherman

    Why is university enrollment down? How to improve university website conversion? AI integration for enterprise bottlenecks? Did you know 70% of students who visit a university website never enroll? In this episode, Jason Sherman, Founder of Vengo AI and Campus Pixel, reveals how AI is transforming enterprise operations—from university admissions to Fortune 500 bottlenecks. We discuss why LLMs are running out of training data (and why OpenAI wants to buy Pinterest), how to build proprietary AI infrastructure that protects client data from Big Tech, and why decentralized storage through SC Prime is safer, cheaper, and more resilient than AWS. Jason also shares his perspective on AI in filmmaking—where it helps (pre-production, storyboarding, research) and where humans must remain in the loop (storytelling, screenwriting). Key Takeaways: AI is eliminating enterprise bottlenecks. Universities are 40-50% down in enrollment. Decentralized storage offers better security at a fraction of the cost. The human in the loop remains essential for creative work. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction 1:30 - Why 70% of university website visitors don't enroll 4:00 - Campus Pixel: AI admissions counselors 5:30 - Data security: Building proprietary infrastructure 8:00 - Why LLMs are running out of data (OpenAI + Pinterest) 10:00 - AI integration for Fortune 500 bottlenecks 14:00 - Universities are 40-50% down in enrollment 16:00 - AI in filmmaking: Where it helps vs. human creativity 22:00 - The human in the loop for storytelling 24:00 - AI adoption: Electricity, automobiles, and adaptation 28:00 - SC Prime decentralized storage explained 31:00 - How to connect with Jason Connect with Jason: jasonsherman.org (has Vengo AI agent live on site) beforethemoonfilm.com Connect with Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™: PivotingPortal.com PivotingToWeb3.com ConnectWithDonnaPMitchell.com Forbes Business Council | C-Suite Network #TransformationAuthority #Publicity #ExecutiveLeadership #CSuite #PivotingToWeb3 Want to be a guest on Pivoting to WEB3? Send Donna Mitchell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1671449794354x786692998532303600 #Podmatch

    34 min
  8. Why AI Fails: The Sociopath Problem No One's Talking About | Jeff Mahony

    JAN 13

    Why AI Fails: The Sociopath Problem No One's Talking About | Jeff Mahony

    Why do 70% of technology transformations fail? It's not the technology. It's the adoption. In this episode, Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™, speaks with Jeff Mahony, a technologist with three decades of experience building scalable financial systems. Jeff shares a provocative framework that every executive racing to implement AI needs to hear: "AI is a sociopath. It has no understanding of right and wrong." This isn't fear-mongering. It's a framework for responsible transformation. Jeff breaks down why mass AI adoption is premature, how "agency equals bias" when amplified through technology, and why human oversight isn't optional—it's "hyper-necessary." Whether you're a C-suite executive, transformation leader, or technology strategist, this episode delivers the governance perspective missing from most AI conversations. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction 07:45 - Why "pitching features" loses executives 08:55 - The 70% failure rate: It's adoption, not technology 09:33 - Behavior change: The transformation killer 11:48 - Security-first vs. speed-to-market 13:21 - "Agency equals bias"—The hidden flaw in AI 19:35 - "Talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not" 21:45 - Why AI isn't ready for mass adoption 22:55 - "AI is a sociopath"—The case for governance 24:32 - Human oversight is "hyper-necessary" 26:54 - Anomaly management: What humans do that AI can't 27:15 - The audit and compliance gap 31:24 - Interoperability over disruption #TransformationAuthority #AITransformation #EnterpriseAI #podmatch Connect with: Jeff Mahony Website: ryt.io Email: admin@ryt.io Connect with Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™: PivotingPortal.com PivotingToWeb3.com ConnectWithDonnaPMitchell.com Forbes Business Council | C-Suite Network Want to be a guest on Pivoting to WEB3? Send Donna Mitchell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1671449794354x786692998532303600

    34 min

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5
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About

70% of technology transformations fail. Not because of the technology — because organizations never close the adoption gap. Host Donna P. Mitchell, The Transformation Authority™ and author of Pivoting to Technology Adoption: Mind the Gap, brings 48 years of Fortune 500 experience across telecommunications, aviation, airline, healthcare, and Web3/AI to every conversation. She's enabled 150,000+ professionals through four major transformation types — and she knows exactly where adoption breaks down. Each episode features executives, strategists, and innovators who've faced the gap firsthand. AI governance, workforce enablement, healthcare technology, enterprise transformation — the leadership decisions that determine whether your investment delivers or derails. Forbes Business Council. C-Suite Network Contributor. Five industries. One question: Will your people adopt what your technology promises?