OneSharpSword

Dr. Wayne Pernell, CEO and Founder, DynamicLeader, Inc.
  • 5.0 (59)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Most people live their lives using a dull blade, hoping to make it through to another day. Even a thousand dull blades would be no match for One Sharp Sword! One Sharp Sword is about breaking free and cutting through the veil that holds us back from living fully into our own truth. Who would you be if you weren't listening to someone else's voice? What job or career path would you be on? Where might you be living? Who would you surround yourself with? What would you eat? What music would you listen to? Better still, what music would you play? Dr. Pernell (also known as "Dr. P") brings you his insights and interviews guests who have had their own significant breakthroughs. Here, you're certain to come away inspired, ready to sharpen your sword. Be sure to get your weekly breakthrough with Dr. P, every Tuesday right here! One Sharp Sword!

  1. Leadership, Opportunity, and Lifting Others with Barbara Negron

    1D AGO

    Leadership, Opportunity, and Lifting Others with Barbara Negron

    What if your career path didn’t need to be linear to be powerful? In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell speaks with Barbara Negron, a senior fintech executive who built her career through unexpected pivots—from hospitality to banking to financial technology. Barbara shares: How disruption (9/11, mortgage crisis) became opportunity Why sponsorship—not just mentorship—changes careers What it means to lead with heart in high-performance industries The importance of representation in fintech and STEM How family, values, and identity shape leadership This episode is for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating change while building something meaningful. If you enjoyed this episode:Follow, rate, and review One Sharp Sword—and share it with someone ready to lead at the next level. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/i1gnV0iQtbk 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSwordPodcast #WaynePernell #BarbaraNegron #CareerGrowth #LeadershipInsights #FintechLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopmentBarbara Negron's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/barbara-j-negron-babba6

    46 min
  2. Reimagining Hiring: Speed, Humanity, and the Future of Work with Ann DiFrancesco

    APR 28

    Reimagining Hiring: Speed, Humanity, and the Future of Work with Ann DiFrancesco

    The hiring process is broken—and everyone knows it. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Ann DiFrancesco, Co-Founder of Guhuza, an AI-powered hiring platform that reduces time-to-interview from weeks to minutes. After 20+ years in recruiting, Ann saw the same problems everywhere: slow processes, ghosting, and frustrated candidates. So she asked a simple question: “If someone can fix this… why not us?” What followed is a complete reimagining of hiring—one that prioritizes speed, efficiency, and human connection. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why traditional hiring systems fail candidates and employers How AI is transforming recruitment in real time The psychology behind candidate engagement (and dopamine-driven responses) How to overcome imposter syndrome when building something new Why speed and humanity don’t have to be in conflict If you care about leadership, innovation, or the future of work—this episode is for you. Links:🌐 https://guhuza.com🔗 Connect with Ann on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anndifrancesco 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WDv7PKvVtxE 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #AnnDiFrancesco #HumanCenteredAI #FutureOfHiring #LeadershipGrowth #StartupJourney #HRInnovation

    42 min
  3. Scaling from $100M to $1B: Leadership, Labor Shortages, and the Future of the Data Center Industry with Steve Wortman

    APR 21

    Scaling from $100M to $1B: Leadership, Labor Shortages, and the Future of the Data Center Industry with Steve Wortman

    The data center industry is booming, driven by AI, cloud infrastructure, and unprecedented global demand for digital capacity. But when companies grow from $100 million to $1 billion, leadership often becomes the bottleneck. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Steve Wortman, CEO of Wortman Management Group, to explore the leadership challenges behind hypergrowth organizations. Steve shares insights from advising private equity firms and high-growth infrastructure companies, including: The leadership gaps exposed by rapid scaling• Why companies fail to build systems early enough• The growing skilled labor shortage in technical industries• How AI is reshaping work and leadership• Why culture and communication determine long-term success If you lead a growing organization — or want to — this conversation will challenge how you think about growth, leadership, and organizational capacity. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_fOrYFWFA6k 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSwordPodcast #WaynePernell #SteveWortman #ScalingLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #AIandWork #BusinessGrowth #InfrastructureLeadershipSteve Wortman's LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wortman

    49 min
  4. The Future of Gaming, Digital Ownership, AI, and Leadership with Arron Goolsbey

    APR 14

    The Future of Gaming, Digital Ownership, AI, and Leadership with Arron Goolsbey

    The next evolution of the internet isn’t theoretical — it’s already live.In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Arron Goolsbey, President & COO of Mythical Games, to explore the future of player-owned economies, Web3 gaming, AI in interactive entertainment, and leadership at scale. Arron has helped scale some of the most influential platforms in gaming — from Wizards of the Coast to Activision Blizzard to Meta. Now, he’s helping build what many see as the next version of the internet: interactive, player-owned ecosystems.Most digital experiences operate on a consumption model:You buy it. You use it. You leave with nothing. At the same time, leaders are navigating rapid disruption in AI, blockchain, and digital transformation — often without clear frameworks for culture, decision-making, and innovation. Key Themes Digital ownership vs digital consumption Blockchain as infrastructure Web3 gaming strategy Tribal leadership models Psychological safety in innovation Scaling creative organizations Meaningful work and cultural accountability Arron Goolsbey is President & COO of Mythical Games, a company pioneering player-owned digital economies in gaming. His prior leadership roles include senior positions at Wizards of the Coast, Activision Blizzard, and Meta. Learn more: 🌐 https://mythical.games 🔗 Arron Goolsbey's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/arron#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #ArronGoolsbey #Web3Leadership #DigitalOwnership #AIAndCreativity #Web3Gaming #FutureOfWork 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jAdpuxjgCD4 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell

    49 min
  5. Systems, AI, and the Small Things That Change Everything with Gilbert Guzmán

    APR 7

    Systems, AI, and the Small Things That Change Everything with Gilbert Guzmán

    In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell welcomes Dr. Gilbert Guzmán — executive leader, AI founder, and author of Atomic Impact — for a powerful conversation on leadership, systems thinking, and productivity. After being fired early in his career, Gilbert rebuilt his trajectory through operations, HR leadership, and enterprise-level strategy at Kroger before launching IntraQ, an AI-powered HR command center for small businesses. Together, they unpack why most workplace problems aren’t caused by people — they’re caused by systems. You’ll learn: The critical difference between leadership and management Why chasing KPIs often backfires Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s Red Bead Experiment explained How “fundamental attribution error” damages culture The hidden impact of small, unmeasured actions Transformative productivity and the Chain Reaction Coefficient How AI can reduce HR risk for startups and small businesses Why every leader’s real job is to reduce friction If you’re a founder, executive, HR leader, or entrepreneur navigating growth, AI, and performance metrics — this episode will challenge how you think about productivity and people. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/L_B-xYULctc 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell#Leadership #SystemsThinking #Productivity #AIinBusiness #WorkplaceCulture #HRLeadership #TransformativeProductivity #AtomicImpactGilbert Guzmán's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/gilguz

    1h 5m
  6. Saying Yes Before You’re Ready. Choosing Growth When It’s Hard with Christine Maguire

    MAR 31

    Saying Yes Before You’re Ready. Choosing Growth When It’s Hard with Christine Maguire

    What does it take to lead through crisis, scale global teams, and pivot industries — successfully? In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell interviews Christine Maguire, EVP & Chief Business Officer at RVO Health, about building a bold, non-linear career across media, travel, and healthcare leadership. Christine shares how she: Transitioned from construction and finance into digital media Led transformation at Condé Nast Navigated massive layoffs at TripAdvisor during COVID Built culture through transparency and empathy Now oversees major health media brands serving millions You’ll learn: Why “choose your hard” is a leadership mantra How empathy unlocks performance How to communicate vision across distributed teams Why stepping back can launch you forward How great leaders remove obstacles instead of forcing growth If you're an executive, founder, or emerging leader navigating uncertainty, this episode delivers practical insights on scaling teams, managing change, and leading with clarity. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/rp9OnY758os 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #TeamScaling #CrisisManagement #CareerGrowth #EmpathyInLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #OneSharpSwordChristine Maguire’s LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/christine-maguire-7717472a

    43 min
  7. AI Doesn’t Replace Leaders — It Reveals Them with Daniel Morales

    MAR 24

    AI Doesn’t Replace Leaders — It Reveals Them with Daniel Morales

    In this episode, I’m joined by Daniel Morales Jr., founder of AI Shield OS and a former U.S. Army leader, to unpack why so many AI initiatives stall inside organizations. Despite massive investments in artificial intelligence, many companies are failing to see expected ROI. Daniel explains why the issue isn’t usually the technology — it’s decision architecture, governance, and alignment. We explore: Why AI accelerates probability, not wisdom How leadership decisions compress time in the AI era The role of intentional communication in AI adoption Why shared understanding creates buy-in How leaders must own decision responsibility The human side of exponential technological change Daniel’s work focuses on diagnosing AI friction points and helping leaders align culture, governance, and strategy before adding more tools. If you’re a CEO, founder, executive, or change leader navigating AI implementation, this episode delivers grounded insight and practical clarity.#AILeadership #OneSharpSwordPodcast #WaynePernell #LeadershipClarity #DanielMoralesJr #TechAndLeadership #AIAdoption 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/LeCauYDhBeo 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell Daniel Morales 's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daniel-morales-jr-303186320

    42 min
  8. Finance is storytelling. Leadership is perspective. Growth requires courage with Joe Hamrahi

    MAR 17

    Finance is storytelling. Leadership is perspective. Growth requires courage with Joe Hamrahi

    In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Hamrahi — CPA, founder of FinStrat CFO, and seasoned executive leader — for a powerful conversation about business growth, resilience, and relationships. Joe shares his journey from accounting to executive finance to launching his own fractional CFO firm — and why he finally made the leap in his 50s. We discuss: Why accounting is about telling the story behind the numbers The difference between compliance and strategic finance How to ask better business questions: What happened? Why? Where do we go now? Why genuine relationships outperform transactional networking The courage it takes to step outside your comfort zone How mentorship, therapy, and coaching accelerate growth Joe also explains why “slow and steady like a manatee” can be better than chasing explosive growth — and why understanding your goals matters more than chasing arbitrary metrics. If you're a founder, CEO, or entrepreneur seeking clarity in your financial story and business direction, this episode delivers grounded wisdom and practical insight. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/PH897Z1WIOM 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #FinancialLeadership #Entrepreneurship #CFOInsights #OneSharpSwordJoe Hamrahi's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/joehamrahi

    48 min
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5
out of 5
59 Ratings

About

Most people live their lives using a dull blade, hoping to make it through to another day. Even a thousand dull blades would be no match for One Sharp Sword! One Sharp Sword is about breaking free and cutting through the veil that holds us back from living fully into our own truth. Who would you be if you weren't listening to someone else's voice? What job or career path would you be on? Where might you be living? Who would you surround yourself with? What would you eat? What music would you listen to? Better still, what music would you play? Dr. Pernell (also known as "Dr. P") brings you his insights and interviews guests who have had their own significant breakthroughs. Here, you're certain to come away inspired, ready to sharpen your sword. Be sure to get your weekly breakthrough with Dr. P, every Tuesday right here! One Sharp Sword!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Wayne Pernell, CEO and Founder, DynamicLeader, Inc.
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    215
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    OneSharpSword