Are critical thinking skills declining in the age of AI? In this episode of Critical Intelligence, we sit down with Geoff Gibbins, author of Critical Intelligence, to explore how AI is transforming human cognition—and what we must do to stay ahead.

From students relying on chatbots for homework to executives using AI for strategy, overdependence on technology risks cognitive atrophy. This episode dives deep into critical thinking skills, how critical thinking works, critical thinking steps, and why these abilities are more vital than ever. We examine are critical thinking skills declining, can critical thinking be taught, critical thinking for strategic intelligence, critical thinking and analysis, and the complex relationship between critical thinking and AI.

What’s Covered in This Episode:

Understanding Critical Intelligence in the Age of AI

Geoff Gibbins introduces the concept of “quiet cognitive atrophy” — the gradual erosion of independent thought as people increasingly defer complex reasoning to AI. While AI delivers fast answers, the uniquely human skills of asking the right questions, analyzing results, spotting flaws, and making ethical judgments remain essential.

The conversation highlights that critical thinking skills are often not formally taught, yet they form the foundation for working effectively with AI. Geoff emphasizes viewing AI as a partner in a back-and-forth dialogue: challenge its responses, ask it to critique your thinking, and use it to surface blind spots rather than accepting the first output.

Key practical takeaways include:

Whether you're a student, professional, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode provides actionable insights on strengthening your mind while leveraging AI responsibly.

Connect with Geoff Gibbins

Books: Critical Intelligence https://a.co/d/03zCAADZ

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

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

Fractional CEO Services For Small Businesses

In this episode, Tim Staton and Kristen McAlister explore fractional CEO services for small businesses, clarifying fractional CEO meaning and what does fractional CEO mean for today’s leaders and owners. They discuss fractional CEO jobs, typical fractional CEO salary expectations, and answer the question: What can a fractional CEO make?

Kristen McAlister explains how fractional CEO services work for small businesses by providing on-demand executive expertise that delivers immediate impact without the overhead of a full-time C-suite hire. Listeners will learn How to become a fractional chief executive and gain insight into the growing world of fractional leadership roles.

Key Topics Covered:

Tim Staton and Kristen McAlister also touch on Kristen’s upcoming podcast “She Owns It,” which amplifies stories of women entrepreneurs.

This episode is essential listening for anyone exploring what fractional CEO services can do for their business, seeking greater leadership and agility, or considering a career in fractional leadership roles. Whether you want to understand fractional CEO salary potential, how to become a fractional chief executive, or simply need proven strategies for sustainable growth, you’ll walk away with actionable insights.

Connect with Kristen McAlister

Fractional CEO | Interim Leadership | Leadership Agility Expert

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenmcalister/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kristenmcalister/

She Owns It! podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SheOwnsItPodcast

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV4G9CJ1

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

    Discover what tech job is paying six figures right now and the best six figure IT jobs available in 2026. In this powerful episode, Tim Staton sits down with Andres Blandon, a combat veteran who transitioned from military service to a successful corporate IT career. Andres now helps veterans, college students, and anyone stuck in a dead end job — even stuck in a dead end job with a degree — break free and land high paying tech jobs, six figure jobs tech, jobs that pay six figures, and some of the highest paying jobs and best paying jobs with no experience.

     Andres shares his raw journey of overcoming post-military struggles, including foreclosure and vehicle repossession, while learning to provide for the family. He explores powerful a man should provide for his family quotes and the mindset shifts needed to succeed. If you're battling imposter syndrome meaning, searching for ways to imposter syndrome overcome, looking for an imposter syndrome cure, or need inspiring imposter syndrome quotes, this episode delivers practical strategies and motivation.

     Unlock Six-Figure Careers for Veterans — and civilians too. Andres reveals his proven military-style “recon missions” framework for breaking into Tech jobs 2026, entry level tech jobs, and high paying jobs. Learn how to bridge the military-civilian credibility gap, earn industry certifications from Cisco, CompTIA, and ISC2, build a powerful network, and position yourself as the top candidate even in a volatile market with layoffs and shifting demands.

     Whether you're a veteran transitioning out of service, a recent graduate feeling lost, or someone determined to escape a dead-end situation and provide for the family, this conversation gives you the exact roadmap. Hear real success stories, including a mentee who reached a six-figure salary in just one year.

Key Topics Covered:

     If you want six figure IT jobs, highest paying jobs, or simply the best paying jobs with no experience in tech, this is your episode. Apply the framework, overcome obstacles, and start building the career and life you deserve.

👉 Subscribe for more on high paying tech jobs, career transitions, and veteran success stories.

Drop a comment: What’s holding you back from six-figure success?

Connect With Andres Blandon

IT career training Website:  https://blandonsg.com

Newly published book:  https://blandonsg.com/book-1

Facebook Signal Jobs community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17YjpaWJWv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

Discover what is executive decision making and the essential executive decision making skills every leader needs in this powerful episode of 37 Secrets to Lead with Confidence with Bill Miller.

Bill Miller takes you through the making of executive decision, sharing his remarkable journey from junior engineer fixing bugs at Foxboro Company in the 1970s to tech executive, COO, and CEO advisor. Through real learning from past experience and learning from experience examples, Bill reveals how he turned unexpected opportunities in sales, marketing, and team leadership into a thriving career at companies like Prime Computer and Rockwell.

This conversation is packed with practical career advice and practical advice for life that goes far beyond theory. Bill dives deep into decision making frameworks and ethical decision making frameworks that first-time CEOs and founders can use immediately to avoid costly mistakes. He shares hard-won lessons on learning from others experience and his own, including military basic training insights on disciplined communication and a memorable lesson about speaking out of turn on a conference call.

You’ll learn how to maintain composure during a high-pressure presentation and how to develop calm discipline under pressure in high-stress jobs. Bill explains how to build emotional intelligence, overcome reactive outbursts, establish clear feedback loops, and eliminate dangerous blind spots that can hurt companies more than financial problems.

The episode also explores AI’s growing role in leadership. While AI can support executive decision making through custom tools and frameworks, Bill stresses that human judgment, clarity, and ethical oversight remain irreplaceable—especially in hiring, strategy, and high-stakes situations.

Whether you’re an emerging leader, first-time CEO, or seasoned executive navigating chaos, this episode delivers actionable insights on resilience, communication, team-building, and confident leadership you can implement today.

About Bill Miller

Bill Miller is an executive advisor, mentor, and coach to founders, aspiring CEOs, and small-tomid-size company leaders who want to lead with confidence, clarity, resilience, and power. He is the award-winning author of The Rookie CEO, You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! and the newly published What Every CEO Must Know, 37 Secrets to Lead with Confidence and Power. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience, Bill helps leaders eliminate blind spots, build trust, and deliver operational excellence that fuels growth and profitability. Over the past 35 years, Bill has held senior executive roles in Marketing, Product Management, Business Development, Strategic Planning, Development, and Operations across startups, venture-backed companies, and multi-billion-dollar global firms. His deep cross-functional background gives him a unique ability to connect strategy with execution and theory with reality. He founded his consultancy in 2011 to help first-time CEOs and expanded to Beelinebill Enterprises in 2020.  As an advisor, Bill partners with first-time CEOs and founders who need a trusted sidekick to navigate uncertainty, make better decisions, and stay focused on what matters most. His clients learn to build their “blind spot muscle,” strengthen their leadership confidence, and lead their organizations with clarity and purpose. Bill’s structured approach blends people, processes, and performance to create alignment and results. He has led or restructured multiple companies and business units, driving transformation through what he calls People-Function Fit, the often-overlooked complement to Product-Market Fit.

Connect with Bill Miller

Socials: https://linktr.ee/beelinebill

Book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Every-CEO-Must-Know-ebook/dp/B0FVVJN8FL

Email:  [email protected]

Website: www.BeelineBill.com

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

In "The Fragility of Trust in Leadership," Timothy Staton delves into the critical role of trust within organizations. This episode explores how trust varies across different leadership levels, emphasizing its delicate nature as responsibilities increase. Key concepts include the "Goldilocks leadership" approach, which balances firmness and empathy. Staton discusses how trust is built on character and competence, and why emotional discipline and transparency are vital for leaders. This insightful episode is essential for understanding how trust shapes organizational culture and leadership effectiveness.

Core Points:

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

What is Job Hugging with Nanci Appleman-Vassil

In this powerful episode of leadership and personal development, The Human Side of Leadership with Nanci Appleman-Vassil, discover how human connection, self-awareness, resilience, and compassionate leadership are the true game-changers for career success and personal empowerment. Nanci Appleman-Vassil, CEO of APLS Group with over 25 years of experience, shares transformative insights on career transition, overcoming fear, and navigating today’s AI impact on the workforce.

Nanci discusses practical strategies around how to recover from being laid off and how long it takes to recover from being laid off, drawing from her own experience of being laid off twice before launching her successful business. The conversation covers what to do after being fired from a job, including job outplacement services, job search outplacement, and job outplacement support that treats people with dignity. She stresses the importance of compassionate leadership during layoffs—offering real help like resume workshops and interview preparation instead of cold emails.

Listeners gain actionable advice on addressing low self-esteem, breaking free from “job hugging,” entrepreneurship, and building the courage to take risks. Nanci also explores her lifelong passion for human connection, the power of open-ended questions, and how self-awareness and resilience fuel both professional growth and personal fulfillment.

Whether you’re facing a career transition, seeking empowerment after job loss, or wanting to become a more effective leader at work or home, this episode delivers heartfelt wisdom on overcoming fear and leading with humanity in an AI-driven world.

Tune in to The Human Side of Leadership with Nanci Appleman-Vassil for inspiring stories, practical tools, and a refreshing focus on authentic human connection that drives real results. Perfect for anyone interested in leadership, personal development, and compassionate career guidance.

Connect with Nanci Appleman-Vassil:

Books:

Website: https://aplsgroup.com/

LinkedIn: hhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nanciapplemanvassil/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apls-group/

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

In this conversation, Palm’s Up Leadership with Rich Plumery, Rich Plumery shares his journey from being a lost kid to becoming a successful leader. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the principles of servant leadership, and how to engage teams effectively. Rich emphasizes the need for humility in leadership and the significance of transferring wisdom to future leaders. He also highlights the role of parents in fostering servant leadership in their children, advocating for a collaborative and supportive approach in both professional and personal settings.

Rich Plumery bio: As the Senior Vice President of Project Delivery for AECOM, the world’s largest and

Rich Plumery is now the author of Palms Up Leadership: Developing Our Future

Rich’s journey included growing and selling multiple businesses, including a successful

Connect with Rich Plumery:

website: www.palmsupleader.com

Book: https://a.co/d/hsKlvMZ

Tim Staton hosts conversations on leadership, entrepreneurship, ethical decision-making, and practical wisdom leaders can apply every day.

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

What does it take to move from entrepreneur to super angel investor, and what can leaders learn from that journey? In this episode, The Leadership Toolkit with Dave Berkus, Tim Staton sits down with Dave Berkus, a pioneering entrepreneur, tech innovator, and investor with more than 200 startup investments, to unpack the lessons he has learned building companies, backing founders, and advising leaders.

Dave shares how a teenage side business evolved into a public company, how he recognized opportunity during crisis, and how he built one of the earliest hospitality software systems, technology that helped shape modern hotel reservations and was adopted by Marriott International for decades.

The conversation explores the evolution of angel investing and the story behind the renowned Berkus Method, Dave’s practical framework for valuing early-stage startups before revenue. He explains what he looks for in founders, the red flags that signal trouble, why coachability matters, and why disciplined investing is often about making money before you ever exit.

Tim and Dave also dive into missed opportunities, including passing on Amazon, and why failures and near misses often become a leader’s greatest teachers. Dave offers candid insights on risk, diversification, internal rate of return, and why angel investing is not for the faint of heart.

The discussion also turns to leadership through Dave’s book, The Leader's Toolkit, where he shares practical wisdom on decision-making, crisis leadership, governance, and building the right advisory board. From startup strategy to boardroom negotiations, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, investing, and thinking long term.

In this episode, we discuss:

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, investing, or building something that lasts, this conversation delivers wisdom earned through decades of experience.

Listen in and discover why great leadership, like great investing, often comes down to judgment, relationships, and seeing opportunity before others do.

Most veterans leave service with powerful leadership skills, but many struggle to translate those lessons into a thriving civilian life—until now.  Andrew Bice, a retired Army aviation senior and dedicated wellness coach, reveals how the core lessons of military discipline, adaptation, and communication can revolutionize your health, resilience, and daily performance. In this candid conversation, Andrew shares his journey from combat veteran to advocate for mental and physical well-being. You'll discover how simple routines—like reclaiming the power of the pause and structuring your day—can dramatically reduce stress, improve health, and increase life longevity. We break down the mental iceberg: what’s hiding beneath the "I’m fine" façade, and how to start meaningful conversations that spark real change. Expect eye-opening insights into the importance of accountability, routine, and a mindset shift from "I have to" to "I get to," empowering you to take ownership of your wellness journey. Andrew offers practical, actionable strategies for busy individuals—especially veterans—who feel overwhelmed by life’s demands. You'll learn why identifying your personal "why" is key to forging lasting change, how small daily adjustments can prevent burnout, and why the habit of pausing might be your most powerful performance tool. Whether you're navigating career transitions, health challenges, or simply seeking deeper resilience, this episode provides the clear, honest guidance you need to reclaim your vitality and purpose.This is essential listening for anyone ready to unlock their full potential—using lessons learned in service to create a stronger, healthier civilian life. If you believe in continuous growth or want to better support veterans in your circle, Andrew’s insights are a game-changer. Tap into the transformational power of leadership, routine, and honest communication—because your best life begins with one informed, intentional step.

Connect with Andrew Bice:

Books: https://andrewdbicebooks.com/

Website: https://www.pnwdsfconsulting.com/

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ghstrdr42

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

In this insightful discussion on leadership and employee development episode, Stop Losing Your Best Employees Now, Tim Staton and Sharyn Abbott explore how growing smarter—not just working harder—drives unstoppable success for individuals, teams, and organizations. Sharyn Abbott, a seasoned speaker, author, and founder of Ultimate Business International with over 30 years of experience training entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 teams, shares proven strategies for developing executives and fostering sustainable growth.

Drawing from her personal journey overcoming stuttering, dyslexia, and a challenging family background marked by abuse, Sharyn learned to deeply understand human behavior. Her 20+ years in the printing industry, including sales roles with companies like Hewlett Packard and Varian, gave her a front-row seat to observe diverse management styles and their real-world impact on employee engagement.

Examples of Impersonal Leadership Styles and Their Consequences

Sharyn highlights how modern leadership has increasingly become impersonal, contrasting it with heart-centered approaches backed by Institute of HeartMath studies showing greater profitability, productivity, and employee retention. Impersonal leadership examples include a manager threatening an employee’s job over a family Thanksgiving trip or the mass layoffs during the 2008 downturn, which eroded loyalty and left workers feeling disposable—prompting many to seek more appreciative environments, such as Tesla opportunities in Texas. These impersonal leadership styles destroy trust, fuel disengagement (as seen in the Cisco example where 21 employees played Solitaire at 9:30 AM), and create high turnover.

Benefits of Flexible Talent Programs for Employee Engagement

To counter these issues, Sharyn strongly advocates for flexible talent programs that invest in people from day one. By matching employees to roles aligned with their unique personalities and learning styles—whether kinetic, visual, or auditory—companies can boost excitement, productivity, and long-term commitment. This tailored approach, far superior to rigid training manuals, significantly reduces turnover costs and builds a more engaged workforce.

Delegation and Addressing Conflict: Building and Eroding Trust

A core theme is building and eroding trust through effective delegation and addressing conflict. Ownership issues often prevent delegation, as managers claim credit for team ideas, breeding resentment and an “us vs. them” culture between departments. Sharyn recommends open-door meetings, leveraging natural team leaders, and clearly explaining the “why” behind decisions to resolve issues like mandatory overtime. Her personal philosophy—starting with 100% trust and allowing it to adjust based on actions—encourages leaders to avoid carrying past baggage into new relationships.

Evolving Leadership & Ethics with Sharyn Abbott’s “Growing into Leadership”

Sharyn introduces her book Growing into Leadership, which guides the transition from entrepreneurship to corporate roles while emphasizing evolving leadership & ethics. The focus is on instilling trust and respect without fear, helping managers bring others up through the ranks by recognizing individual strengths and avoiding authoritarian pitfalls.

Self-Care for Leaders: Essential for Sustainable Success

Finally, a critical message for busy executives is self-care for leaders. Sharyn compares it to securing your own oxygen mask first—leaders must prioritize rejuvenation through peer discussions, courses, family time, or other restorative activities to prevent burnout and maintain peak performance. For practical support, many leaders turn to the best self-care apps for busy leaders, such as Headspace or Calm for mindfulness, Forest for focused productivity, or habit trackers like Daylio and Finch to build sustainable wellness routines.

This episode delivers actionable insights on developing executives who lead with heart, ethics, and flexibility—ultimately creating loyal, high-performing teams and lasting organizational success.

Connect with Sharyn Abbott

Website: https://sharynabbott.com/press-room/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharyn-abbott-ubu/

Connect With Tim

Website: timstatingtheobvious.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw

Instagram: @TimStating

TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/

SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b