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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico sits down with Chris Carter, a visionary tech entrepreneur, four-time bestselling author, and CEO of Approyo. With over 25 years in the IT industry, Chris shares the fascinating "behind-the-scenes" story of launching the first SAP Cloud in 2005—a breakthrough moment that involved late-night brainstorming sessions with global teams and a surprise encounter with SAP's executive leadership. Chris discusses how his early passion for creative coding on a Commodore Vic 20 evolved into leading a global organization recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine and Forbes for its impact on digital transformation.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the practical reality of Artificial Intelligence, moving past the "bombastic claims" to focus on how leaders can use AI to find greater meaning and efficiency in their work. Chris emphasizes the importance of human oversight, noting that while AI tools like Claude or Gamma are powerful, they still require "human eyes" to prevent hallucinations and ensure quality. Exploring themes of leadership evolution and the emerging entrepreneurial age, Chris and John discuss why lifting others up and truly listening to customers remains the ultimate secret to a high-performing company culture.

00:00 – Introduction to Chris Carter: SAP Expert and Visionary Entrepreneur

02:36 – Early Influences: From Lake Michigan to Georgia Tech

04:13 – The Breakthrough: Building the First SAP Cloud in 2005

07:01 – Meeting Bill McDermott: When Innovation Outpaces Contracts

09:40 – Meaning as Currency: Why Work Must Matter

11:02 – The AI Truck: Navigating Hype vs. Reality

12:21 – Strategic Tooling: Moving Beyond "Boiling the Ocean"

14:35 – Software vs. Hardware: The Evolving Tech Horse Race

16:45 – The Prompting Evolution: Why AI Still Needs Human Eyes

19:07 – Coding Wars and the End-User Experience

22:01 – The "Human Hack": Getting Past Automated Screening

23:58 – The Cultural Secret: Listening and Lifting People Up

26:12 – AI Augmentation: Addition vs. Multiplication in Teams

31:04 – Leadership Evolution: From George Washington to Steve Jobs

33:22 – Hope for the Future: Growing the Next Generation of Talent

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico welcomes Al Kushner, an award-winning author and strategist specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence and professional presence Al shares his journey from a Brooklyn art school background to becoming a 20-year veteran of LinkedIn, explaining how his unique perspective on art and design helps him help others refine their digital identities. He discusses the inspiration behind his book, The AI LinkedIn Advantage, emphasizing that while many resources cover AI or LinkedIn separately, few combine them to provide a truly competitive edge in today's "noise-filled" digital landscape.

The conversation dives deep into practical strategies for maintaining authenticity while leveraging automation tools like Perplexity, Claude, and 11 Labs. Al explains his "two-prong" approach to profile optimization and outreach, sharing a recent success story of an accountant who grew his connection rate by 400% through targeted AI tactics. Looking toward the future, Al and Dr. Dentico discuss the emerging "entrepreneurial age" and why professionals must embrace AI-powered education and certifications to remain marketable. The episode concludes with a look at the future of search engines and Al's free resources for listeners to audit their own LinkedIn profiles.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Al Kushner and The AI LinkedIn Advantage
• 01:44 – Early Influences: From Coney Island to Art School
• 02:27 – Two Decades on LinkedIn: Evolution of a Thought Leader
• 04:02 – Why Combine AI with Personal Branding?
• 05:03 – Establishing Authority through Content and Newsletter Strategy
• 07:20 – Top AI Tool Recommendations: Perplexity, Google Gemini, and Claude
• 09:48 – Balancing Automation with Human Authenticity
• 10:52 – Video Strategy: Using AI Avatars and Cloned Voices
• 14:16 – LinkedIn Success Rules and Influencer Engagement
• 16:29 – Transparency: Admitting to the Use of AI
• 18:34 – Case Study: A 400% Increase in Connection Growth
• 19:52 – The Future of Work: Certifications and Lifelong Learning
• 22:52 – The Coming AI Shakeout and the Future of Search
• 28:02 – Final Thoughts and Free LinkedIn Audit Resources

You can reach AL at https://linkedvantage.com/

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