In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Lee Russel — AI strategist, bestselling author of Minimal Viable Launch, and builder of systems that generate real ROI, not just buzzwords.

Lee brings a refreshing, pragmatic approach to AI. He’s not here to sell hype — he’s here to talk about what’s actually working in the real world. If you're wondering how to use AI without wasting time, money, or credibility, this one’s for you.

💥 The 80–90% failure rate in AI pilots — and what the winners are doing differently

🧠 Why AI is an accelerant for experts, not a replacement for them

⚠️ Why outsourcing your thinking to AI is a dangerous trap

🤖 How to use AI for high-touch customer experiences at scale

📉 What businesses still don’t see coming: shifting customer expectations

This episode cuts through the noise and lays out a practical path forward for leaders ready to innovate intelligently.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Adam Kingl — author of Sparking Success, educator at top business schools, and expert in creative leadership.

Adam has helped organizations from Disney to Deloitte to Shell unlock their people’s creative capacity. He breaks down why creativity isn’t chaos — it’s a discipline leaders must master if they want to adapt, lead, and outpace disruption.

💡 Why creativity is the most underused leadership skill in today’s workplace

⚠️ The 3 organizational blockers that kill innovation before it starts

🧠 How structure enables creativity — it doesn’t kill it

🎯 The simple mindset shift every leader can make to get better ideas from their team

🎷 What jazz and improv can teach business leaders about experimentation and adaptability

This is a must-watch for execs, managers, and culture-builders ready to spark real, sustained innovation.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Amy Summers — entrepreneur, communications strategist, and author of Lift: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career.

With more than 20 years leading virtual teams, Amy is on a mission to rehumanize leadership in a disconnected world. Through micro-feedback, intentional presence, and everyday actions, she shows how mentorship is not an event — it's your style of leadership.

📚 Why you’re already mentoring — and how to do it with intention

🧠 The concept of “pebbling” and how tiny moments create lasting impact

💬 How vulnerability and empathy unlock deeper trust (without oversharing)

📉 Why traditional mentoring programs often fail to create real connection

🧭 What healthy exits, parenting, and team culture all have in common

Whether you're a seasoned exec or emerging leader, this conversation will reshape how you show up — and why small moments matter most.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Jeff Holman, founder of Intellectual Strategies, an innovation-focused law firm helping startups scale without the legal guesswork.

Jeff blends experience as an engineer, attorney, and entrepreneur — and brings a rare ability to bridge strategy and legal for early-stage founders. His frameworks like the Four Fears of Innovation and Five Factor Strategy Model have helped startups move from hesitation to confident growth.

🚫 The 4 fears that stop innovators from taking action — and what to do about them

⚖️ Why legal shouldn't be a cost center — it should be strategic leverage

🤝 The "Fractional Legal Team" model that puts law in service of innovation

🧠 How second-time founders think differently — and how you can too

📈 Why scaling yourself is just as hard (and important) as scaling your company

Whether you're just launching or preparing to scale, this conversation will reframe how you see legal — and how to make it work for your business.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Simon Copsey, transformation consultant, delivery strategist, and creator of Curious Coffee.

Simon brings a rare blend of engineering rigor and people-first systems thinking. With deep roots in the Theory of Constraints, he’s helped early startups and global enterprises navigate transformation — not with generic playbooks, but with adaptive, tested methods rooted in the scientific method.

🔍 Why treating symptoms instead of causes is killing your transformation

⚙️ How to build a mental model of dysfunction using the scientific method

🧠 Why most orgs optimize for efficiency — and end up stuck in traffic

❗ The problem with planning: strategies ≠ deterministic solutions

☕ Why Simon started Curious Coffee and what’s possible in 1 good conversation

This episode will shift how you think about root causes, transformation speed, and what leadership really means when things get messy.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Adam Overhiser, co-founder of SPRG and a sharp systems thinker whose journey spans sales, startups, and venture capital.

Adam brings unapologetically honest takes on organizational dynamics, leadership culture, and why the real problem with AI adoption is human, not technical.

🌪️ Why friction in your org might be the best sign of health

🧠 How most hiring processes optimize for the best liars — not the best talent

🧭 Why culture is built on whether or not friction is invited — not avoided

🤖 The surprising role of AI co-pilots in founder-led innovation

📉 Why trusting your team means letting go of the illusion of control

This one’s a masterclass in strategic humility and organizational honesty.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Amir Elion, founder of Think Big Leaders and former head of AWS’s digital innovation program in the Nordics.

With 25+ years in product strategy, emerging tech, and innovation leadership, Amir shares how he blends systematic frameworks with AI tools to scale creative thinking — without losing the human touch.

🧠 Why innovation still requires human empathy, even in an AI-driven world

🛠️ How Amir trained ChatGPT to act as an “innovation co-pilot”

🧭 A step-by-step breakdown of Amazon’s Working Backwards methodology

🧪 Real-time AI in workshops: how to use it without killing the vibe

💡 Why clarity on your customer and problem is the most important innovation skill

Whether you're building an AI-powered future or just trying to innovate more effectively, this episode delivers actionable frameworks with practical depth.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we talk with Chris Major, founder of the Human Potential Project and a pioneer in performance transformation from the battlefield to the boardroom.

Chris has worked with elite athletes, Navy SEALs, and Fortune 100 execs to help them push beyond what they think they're capable of — and step into who they’re truly meant to be.

💥 The mindset shift from “knowing more” to being more

🎯 Why most adults never learn anything — and how to unlock true growth

📉 The lie of practice: "You're just getting better at being bad"

🧠 How embodied competence trumps intellectual understanding every time

🚨 Why business leaders need coaching more than anyone else

Chris’s frameworks and stories will leave you rethinking how you lead, learn, and show up — for yourself, your team, and your mission.

Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we speak with Anders Boulanger — professional magician turned communication strategist and founder of Engageify.

Anders spent two decades performing magic around the world before turning those skills into a corporate training empire. His book, Engage First, teaches how to capture attention, build trust, and drive results — whether on stage or in the boardroom.

🎩 How magic taught Anders to master business engagement

📉 Why “boring” is more dangerous than “annoying” when presenting

💬 The Boring-to-Annoying Line — and why you're probably too far left

🎯 How to show up with 33% more energy (especially on Zoom!)

📊 Why being “memorable” beats being “perfect” every time

Whether you're in sales, leadership, or training — this episode is a must for anyone who needs to capture attention before they can earn trust.

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In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Andy Milligan — founder of MMG Design and host of the Marketing by Design podcast.

Andy took a layoff at 23 and turned it into a thriving business. But he didn’t just hustle — he built with intention, documenting every step, mistake, and milestone along the way.

📉 Why his monthly revenue dropped to $800 — and why he posted it anyway

📈 How he climbed to consistent $20K+ MRR as a solo founder

🎙️ Why launching a podcast became the key to business growth and mental health

💡 His advice for separating yourself from your business

🧠 How fear, feedback, and consistency shaped his entrepreneurial path

This episode is for the builders — the creatives, freelancers, and founders doing the work behind the scenes to build something real.

Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!