the Learn-It-All™ podcast

Failure is an option. Accepting that may be the fastest way to perform at your best.

Dr. Haley Perlus is a performance psychologist who helps business leaders and elite athletes apply the mental strategies of top performers. When leaders insist that failure isn’t an option, they often tighten up, micromanage, and second-guess every move. Dr. Haley explains why that happens and what to do instead. She also covers how to tell the difference between discipline and rigidity, why the kindest thing a leader can be is direct, and why mental toughness is really about working with whatever shows up.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why trying to avoid failure drains the energy you need to perform
• Which words (“have to,” “must,” “need”) signal fear-driven leadership, and what to say instead
• How to be a “truth teller” instead of a “fortune teller,” and how a “now goal” keeps you focused
• The difference between discipline and rigidity, and why it matters as AI changes how work gets done
• Why being direct is often the kindest and most effective thing a leader can do
• Why you can’t jump from failure straight to a lesson, and how to make room for disappointment first
• How confidence and doubt can exist together, and what “doubt tolerance” means

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:07) Why Avoiding Failure Backfires

(02:03) “Have To,” “Must,” and “Need”

(03:19) Leading With Curiosity

(08:05) Fortune Teller vs. Truth Teller

(11:09) Outcome Goals vs. Now Goals

(12:58) Discipline vs. Rigidity

(16:11) How a $100 Bet Started It All

(18:25) Pressure Is an Invitation

(21:27) Kind vs. Effective Leaders

(23:53) Failing vs. Being a Failure

(29:14) Redefining Mental Toughness

(33:43) Why Vulnerability Builds Connection

(37:44) Sharing a Personal Story

(40:38) Confidence and Doubt Can Coexist

(43:48) What’s Next for Dr. Haley

Connect with Dr. Haley Perlus:

Website: https://drhaleyperlus.com/

Book, Personal Podium: https://www.amazon.com/Personal-Podium-Maximize-Potential-Sport/dp/0988631938

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-haley-perlus/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drhaleyperlus

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drhaleyperlus

About the Guest:

Dr. Haley Perlus is a Doctor of Performance Psychology, speaker, author, and coach. She applies sport-specific techniques to help athletes, business leaders, and high achievers optimize their mental game. With a Ph.D. in Sport Psychology and certifications in coaching, fitness, and nutrition, she combines her firsthand experience as an athlete and coach with advanced academic expertise. Within one year of earning her doctorate, she became a professor, sought-after speaker, published author, and consultant to Olympics, X-Games, national team, and Division I scholarship athletes.

She is the author of Personal Podium: How to Use Your Mind to Maximize Your Potential in Sport and Life. Her presentations and workshops have reached organizations including Marriott, Starbucks, and CU Buffaloes, and she has contributed content to outlets including Oprah, ESPN, One Life Radio, Thrive Magazine, and Beachbody. She also works directly with high performers across competitive sports as well as C-suite executives.

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren’t born. They’re always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

The goals you set on Monday can be irrelevant by Friday. Leading through that takes honesty, not certainty.

Matt McClernan is the CEO of Augment Code, the leading AI platform for professional software engineers. Before that, he helped scale MongoDB from roughly $60M in revenue to over $1.2B. A year into his first CEO role, he shares what he’s learned about setting goals in a market that changes by the month, and why the best leaders ask for help early.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to set goals when your market changes faster than your quarterly plan
• What to say to your team when your goals stop being relevant
• Why asking for help is a strength, and who to turn to when the CEO seat gets lonely
• The right reason (and the wrong one) to step into a bigger role
• How a football career cut short by injuries shaped the way Matt leads under pressure
• How to bring AI enthusiasts and skeptics along on the same transformation
• A simple way to focus on your “big rocks” when everything demands your attention

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:54) When Goals Expire Mid-Quarter

(03:11) Owning the Mistake With Your Team

(04:37) Who a CEO Turns To

(06:08) Why Leaders Should Ask for Help

(08:03) Leading With Why, Not Fear

(10:28) “I’m Not Ready to Be a CEO”

(12:56) The Wrong Reason to Want the Title

(14:41) When to Trust Your Gut

(17:15) When the Pressure Follows You Home

(19:32) Augment’s Big Pivot

(24:00) Bringing AI Skeptics Along

(25:31) Finding Your Big Rocks

(27:29) Real Customer Impact

(30:20) Who Should Use Augment

Connect with Matt McClernan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmcclernan/

https://www.augmentcode.com/

About the Guest:

Matt McClernan has spent nearly two decades in enterprise technology, building and leading world-class teams to tackle complex challenges at scale. Matt is currently the CEO of Augment Code, the leading AI platform for professional software engineers.

Prior to Augment, Matt served as SVP and GM of Workato’s Enterprise business. Earlier in his career, Matt held multiple leadership roles at MongoDB, helping scale the company from roughly $60M in revenue to over $1.2B and through its IPO.

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren’t born. They’re always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Being good at what you do gets you the first call. It doesn’t guarantee the next one.

Kenny Aronoff has spent over four decades as one of rock's most in-demand drummers, recording with hitmakers like John Mellencamp, Elton John, and The Smashing Pumpkins. The best of the best keep coming back to him, and not just for his drumming.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Three skills that help you get to the top, and stay there, even if you’re not the most “talented”
• How to make yourself invaluable as a leader and a teammate
• Why turning down a sure thing for your passion can be the right decision
• Where to start if you're good at your job but don't love it
• How to connect with people when it doesn’t come naturally
• The four things that drive long-term success

Upcoming Event with Kenny: https://davesandersonspeaks.com/kenny/

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:05) Why the Best Keep Calling Him

(03:10) The Full-Circle Moment

(10:09) Classical Music Training

(15:06) How to Deal with a Tough Boss

(18:35) Leading with Fear vs. Love

(21:31) RPS (Repetition is the Preparation for Success)

(23:17) Turning Down a Good Opportunity

(26:49) Joining John Mellencamp

(30:53) Finding Your North Star

(32:51) Getting Fired and Fighting His Way Back

(38:42) The Road to “Jack & Diane”

(48:22) Can Your Purpose Change?

(50:50) Co-Elevation

(53:18) The Bill Clinton Lesson

Connect with Kenny Aronoff:

https://kennyaronoff.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@KennyAronoffOfficial

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennyaronoff/

https://www.instagram.com/kennyaronoff

https://x.com/AronoffOFFICIAL

https://www.facebook.com/KennyAronoffOfficial

About the Guest:

Kenny Aronoff is one of the most influential and in demand drummers and percussionists in the world. He has entertained millions of people with his drumming, has played on thousands of records, and has been the “go to” drummer for the biggest stars in music while providing the beat of American culture over four decades!

He studied and played with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, including world-renowned timpanist Vic Firth. He went on to study one year at the university of Massachusetts and four years at Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, where among other honors, he was awarded the school’s prestigious performer’s certificate. After graduating, Kenny was offered timpani positions in several symphony orchestras, but instead said “no” because he still wanted to be in a rock ‘n’ roll band and be part of a team of musicians that recorded music and toured the world, just like The Beatles did.

Three years later in 1980, he joined the John Mellencamp band, recording 10 albums and toured with him for over a 17-year period. Kenny’s innovative style and solid back-beats became the driving force behind Mellencamp’s long run of definitive hit records in the ’80s and ’90s.

In addition, Kenny is an enormously successful studio musician recording over 300 MILLION records in sales with more than 1300 that were RIAA Certified Gold, Platinum Or Diamond. A true renaissance man, Kenny is also a best-selling author, television show host, and accomplished corporate speaker, having taken the stage for top universities, corporations, and organizations around the world!

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

When things go wrong, nobody cares about your title. They care whether you can make the call.

Dave Sanderson was the last passenger off Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson, where he and 154 other people had just six minutes to work together to survive. He's spent the years since turning what happened that day into a repeatable way to make decisions. Today, he works with leaders who have to act fast when the stakes are high, usually without every answer in hand.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Three ways to maintain your state in a crisis
• How much information you really need to make a call
• Dave's ASSESS framework for making a decision quickly
• What leaders lose when they freeze instead of making a call
• How to build connections that lead to collaboration
• What happens to your team when you step in too often

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:45) Miracle on the Hudson

(03:37) Turning Uncertainty Into Certainty

(05:07) Keeping Your Head Under Pressure

(11:34) How Much Info Is Enough?

(13:52) Trust vs. Competence

(17:20) Networking vs. Collaboration

(21:19) The Colin Powell Lesson

(24:46) How to Learn from Mentors

(29:07) Connecting in an AI World

(30:55) How to Gain Access

(33:46) Reading an Introvert

(36:11) His Mother's Lesson

(39:42) Why Your Team Needs Consequences

(43:04) "Do Not Let This Die with You"

(46:54) Moments That Matter Magazine

Connect with Dave Sanderson:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredavesanderson

https://resiliencepartnersgroup.com/

https://www.instagram.com/davesandersonspeaks/

About the Guest:

Dave Sanderson was the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson. He survived, then he made a decision: he wouldn’t let that moment be the end of the story.

With 38 years as a top sales producer and decades of experience leading under pressure, Dave founded Resilience Partners Group to help leaders and teams navigate crisis, uncertainty, and high-stakes change—without waiting for permission, perfect clarity, or a title. His work equips people to stay calm, make high-velocity decisions, and take the next best step even when the full path isn’t visible.

Dave has delivered keynotes for Fortune 500 organizations, coached executives, and helped raise $14.8 million for the American Red Cross. Named one of Inc.com’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers, he is known for blending unforgettable storytelling with practical, immediately applicable tools. Dave’s message is simple: You don’t need a title to lead. You need clarity, courage, and conviction. He lives in Charlotte with his family—and speaks today with one goal: to help others lead when it matters most.

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What are the biggest pitfalls leaders face, and how can you avoid them? In this solo episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon shares 16 common leadership mistakes, from canceling one-on-ones to over-delegating to top performers. Through candid stories and actionable advice, Damon helps listeners build trust, empower teams, and steer clear of costly missteps. Listen through to the end for a special birthday giveaway!

What You'll Learn:

• How to empower others instead of being the "hero"
• Ways to address tough conversations sooner, not later
• The risks of overloading your best people
• Why presence and consistency matter in leadership
• The dangers of promoting high performers without preparation

In This Episode:

• 00:01 – The inspiration for this episode
• 01:01 – Hero vs. hero maker
• 02:01 – Avoiding hard conversations
• 03:47 – Canceling one-on-ones
• 05:13 – Lack of clarity
• 06:35 – Over-delegating
• 08:16 – Adapting your leadership style
• 09:20 – Sharing credit
• 10:15 – Allowing toxic behavior
• 12:09 – Not being present
• 13:45 – Promotions gone wrong
• 16:05 – Overpromising, underdelivering
• 17:23 – Moving underperformers
• 18:13 – Listening to understand
• 19:28 – Not connecting enough
• 21:18 – Not standing up for your org
• 23:04 – Being a "yes-man"
• 24:27 – Recap and giveaway

About Damon Lembi:

Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, the host of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete's perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time.

Resources Mentioned:

• Traction by Gino Wickman
• Damon Lembi on LinkedIn

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making.

New episodes of the Learn-It-All™ podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube

📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit

Follow Damon Lembi:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Build the culture, and the culture builds everything else. Neglect it, and you’ll never get buy-in.

Jon Gordon is the author of 19 bestsellers, including The Energy Bus and his latest release, The Power of Positive Habits. In his work with leaders in pro sports and business, he's seen what sets the great ones apart — and how you can lead like them starting today.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Three traits of leaders that build strong cultures
• The first step to turning around a subpar culture
• How to support your team while driving results in the age of AI
• The habit that earns you the right to challenge your team
• How to stop being your own worst critic
• Why the hardest habit to practice is the most impactful

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:59) Three Traits of Top Leaders

(04:04) Turning Around Your Culture

(05:32) The Blueprint of a Strong Culture

(09:31) The Leader's Role

(14:10) Trust in the Age of AI

(17:18) Connect Before You Correct

(22:07) Become Your Greatest Encourager

(24:34) The Habit That Changed Jon's Life

(28:25) The Habit Before the Habit

(30:15) Dead Hangs & Squatting Like a Child

(31:22) Forgive Fast

(34:36) The Trust Tax

(38:16) Get Rid of Your Worst Habit

(39:31) Create an Amazing Funeral

Connect with Jon Gordon:

http://www.jongordon.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jongordon11/

https://x.com/JonGordon11

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jongordonenergy

https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage/

https://www.threads.com/@jongordon11

About the Guest:

Jon Gordon is one of the most influential and sought after leadership authors and speakers today. He’s a consultant to numerous leaders, CEO’s, NFL, NBA, and MLB Coaches, championship teams and high performers and an inspirational teacher who has helped millions of people have a more positive mindset.

He is the author of 32 books including 19 best sellers and 5 children’s books. His books include the timeless classic The Energy Bus which has sold over 3 million copies, The Carpenter which was a top 5 business book of the year, Training Camp, The Power of Positive Leadership, The Power of a Positive Team, The One Truth and his latest release The Power of Positive Habits.

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Only one player scores the goal. But it's the team that wins championships.

Joanna Lohman played professional soccer for 16 years, including time on the U.S. Women's National Team. Now, she helps leaders build high-performing teams where every role gets the credit it deserves and no one settles for the bare minimum.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What happens when leaders only celebrate their star employees
• Why striving to be the greatest can keep you from being great
• How to reward the important work that often goes unnoticed
• Why your team is playing not to lose instead of playing to win
• What to do when a high performer struggles in a leadership role
• How to make the path to success clear for your team
• How to show up authentically in any situation

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:26) The Risk of Focusing on Superstars

(03:01) Celebrating Role Players

(06:58) Playing to Win vs. Playing Not to Lose

(08:17) Playing at the Edges

(11:02) From Her Peak to Rock Bottom

(14:46) Shedding a Performance-Based Identity

(18:20) Letting Go of What You Can't Control

(20:21) Authenticity and Performance

(22:59) Why Top Performers Struggle as Leaders

(24:56) Making Success Simple

(28:10) Dialing Authenticity Up and Down

(31:48) 7 Words That Changed Her Life

(38:24) What Parents Get Wrong in Youth Sports

(44:09) Season 39 of The Amazing Race

Connect with Joanna Lohman:

https://joannalohman.com/about/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalohman/

https://www.youtube.com/JoannaLohman

https://www.instagram.com/joannalohman15/

Get Joanna’s Book, Raising Tomorrow's Champions: https://rtcsoccer.com/

About the Guest:

Joanna Lohman is a former professional soccer player and member of the United States Women’s National Team. She is the first player in Washington Spirit history to have her jersey retired, honoring her 16-year playing career where she built a platform for social impact. She is the author of, "Raising Tomorrow's Champions", a global keynote speaker, and authenticity activator. She continues her influence as a Sport Diplomat and your new favorite celesbian.

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Most leaders think they're managing stress. A lot of the time they're managing fear.

Michelle "MACE" Curran is a combat veteran and former fighter pilot who flew lead solo for the Thunderbirds. Her book, The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower, outlines how fear isn't something to get rid of — but rather something to use to make better calls when the pressure is highest.

What kept her steady in the cockpit is exactly what leaders need on the ground.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why the self-doubt or anger you feel is actually hiding fear
• How to mentally rehearse difficult conversations
• A two-second reset you can use anywhere without anyone noticing
• How much pressure you need to be a high performer
• How to build trust quickly in your team (and then keep it)
• What to say when someone on your team makes a costly mistake

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:11) Fear That Lives in Your Mind

(02:51) Overthinking & Self-Doubt

(04:27) Self-Regulation Tools

(10:27) Too Little Pressure Is a Problem

(15:40) Setting the Standard for Female Pilots

(18:19) When the Room Turns to Look

(23:01) When Your Leader Believes in You

(29:27) Building Trust with 50% Turnover

(32:37) Debrief Without Blame

(35:54) The Right Way to Handle a Costly Mistake

(39:53) Thunderbirds Near-Death Experience

(44:27) Decisions Under Pressure

(50:54) The Pause Before You React

(53:37) The Impact of Her Book

(57:05) Feed Your Kid's Curiosity

Connect with Michelle “MACE” Curran:

https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran/

About the Guest:

Michelle “MACE” Curran is a combat veteran, former fighter pilot, and only the second woman in history to fly as the Lead Solo for the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s elite demonstration squadron. Now on a new mission, she’s using her story to inspire others to take bold action and flip their fear. Mace has become a highly sought after keynote speaker for clients like Microsoft, PwC, and SpaceX, helping audiences build courage, trust their instincts, and take decisive action under pressure. Her latest book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘍𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳, turns high-stakes cockpit lessons into powerful tools for life and leadership and recently landed in the Top 20 on the USA Today Bestseller list.

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

In Business, "Got five minutes?" is almost never five minutes. And the impact on your team doesn't end when the task does

Shawn Vanderhoven leads the executive development practice at The Wiseman Group and wrote the USA Today bestseller Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World. His research found that there are two types of leaders: those who generate traction, and those who amplify distraction.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The leadership practices that help teams focus in distracting environments
• The five questions to ask before you hand someone work
• The digital wake you leave every time you hit send
• The eight-question quiz that shows how distracting you are to your team
• An exercise to find the hidden issues slowing your team down
• The AI habit that produces more work instead of better work

Topics discussed:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:05) The #1 Thing Holding People Back

(02:18) Traction Leaders vs. Distraction Leaders

(03:31) Tune In Before You Jump In

(09:18) The Origin Story of Pause

(13:23) Your Digital Wake

(15:23) The Distraction Test and Your House Rules

(18:01) Turn Out Your Pockets

(21:11) Pausing Up With a Boss or Client

(24:28) Bias for Action vs. Bias for Impact

(27:49) Using AI for Better Work

(32:58) What a Real Pause Looks Like

(36:04) Two Bosses, Two Outcomes

(41:45) Clearing Emotional Distraction

(43:39) Writing the Book With His Wife

(48:34) Which Practices to Start With

Connect with Shawn Vanderhoven:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnvanderhoven/

https://www.pausebook.co/

About the Guest:

Shawn Vanderhoven is the author of Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World. He’s a Partner at The Wiseman Group, leading their development practice for senior executives and emerging leaders. He works with top brands like Apple, Johnson & Johnson, and Tesla, building strategies to leverage their greatest assets: talent. He lives with his wife, Anne, in Menlo Park, California.

Let us know your key takeaways from the episode!

And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making.

New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week.

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com

Follow Damon Lembi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What if AI is not replacing people because it is smarter, but because too many businesses have become broad, vague, and easy to copy?

Matthew Whyatt, founder of Tech Torque and Authority RevUp, believes founders must “get known before they can get chosen.” In an emergency, nobody calls a generalist. They look for the specialist who understands the exact problem and can solve it faster than anyone else.

In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Matthew to unpack how founders can specialize without limiting their growth, identify their most profitable ideal customers, and build a repeatable B2B sales and marketing system. Matthew explains why a 90% close rate can signal a serious lead-generation problem, how to classify customers using his “absolute, beneficial, and convenient” framework, and why AI becomes jet fuel only after the underlying sales machinery works. They also explore how human taste, judgment, storytelling, and face-to-face relationships create trust in an AI-saturated market.

📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5

In this episode, you’ll learn...

1. Why generalists become easier to overlook as AI makes basic knowledge and execution widely available
2. Matthew’s “target, tolerate, and toss” framework for deciding which customers to pursue, accept, or avoid
3. How job listings can reveal your ideal buyer’s education, responsibilities, performance metrics, and internal priorities
4. Why your content strategy needs three distinct stages: growth, trust, and conversion
5. Why an 80% or 90% close rate usually means you are not generating enough opportunities or taking enough calculated risks
6. The difference between scaling from $2 million to $10 million and building the management structure required to reach $25 million
7. Why AI is “jet fuel” for a working sales engine but helps broken companies “do more dumb stuff faster”
8. How zero-based thinking helps leaders escape sunk-cost decisions: “Knowing what I know today, would I start this again?”

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 01:22 - The four foundations founders need before using AI
• 02:18 - Specialization makes you harder to replace
• 03:52 - Growth, trust, and conversion are not the same content
• 05:19 - Which customers should you target, tolerate, or toss?
• 09:24 - When your largest account becomes your greatest threat
• 11:28 - Building a software company at 22 without a real plan
• 14:13 - The franchise mistake that exposed a broken system
• 18:49 - Escaping an endless cycle of “got a minute?” meetings
• 23:01 - Why identifying as a problem solver can hold you back
• 24:53 - The $230,000 betrayal Matthew never saw coming
• 28:41 - Why 50/50 partnerships create dangerous deadlocks
• 31:01 - The red flags that reveal someone is taking you for a ride
• 32:29 - The zero-based question that kills sunk-cost thinking
• 36:49 - Why growing from $2M to $10M is a different game
• 39:18 - The business math behind predictable customer acquisition
• 40:19 - Why a 90% close rate should make founders nervous
• 40:59 - AI is jet fuel, but what happens when the engine is broken?
• 43:21 - The one human advantage you cannot outsource
• 46:50 - The speed of growth is the speed of transferred trust
• 49:09 - The sales books Matthew keeps coming back to
• 51:04 - Matthew’s most practical daily AI workflow
• 52:31 - How a podcast created an unexpected career opportunity
• 54:43 - Where to connect with Matthew

About Matthew Whyatt

Matthew Whyatt is the founder of Tech Torque and Authority RevUp, a two-time startup founder with more than 25 years of experience in B2B software, SaaS, sales, and marketing. After starting his first software business at 22 and scaling a company through the messy transition from founder-led hustle to professional management, Matthew now helps technology companies build clearer positioning, stronger demand-generation systems, and revenue operations that do not depend entirely on the founder. He is also the host of The CEO and the Salesman Podcast.

Resources and Mentions

Matthew Whyatt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwhyatt/

Tech Torque’s Website: https://techtorque.co/

Authority RevUp’s Website: https://authorityrevup.com/

The CEO and the Salesman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCeoAndTheSalesmanPodcast

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: [email protected]

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