Redefining Connection: The Power of Professional Matchmaking in a Modern World In this insightful episode, I sit down with Maria and Ann, the dynamic duo behind a leading professional dating service AfterHello.com , to unpack the strategy and psychology behind intentional matchmaking. They walk us through their thoughtful, human-first process—starting with in-depth client interviews, leveraging an extensive and curated database, and culminating in collaborative team sessions designed to make mea...
Jul 21, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1186
In this special episode, I sat down with Peter Bissonnette—former President of Shaw Communications—to talk about his remarkable leadership journey and his upcoming book, Count on Me , launching July 18th. Peter’s story is anything but conventional. From life in a monastery to serving in the Air Force, and ultimately leading one of Canada’s most recognized telecommunications companies, his path to leadership is rooted in humility, adaptability, and service to others. Leadership Lessons from a Lif...
Jul 16, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1199
In this episode, Michael D. Levitt sits down with Justin, founder of Aryo Consulting Group , to unpack small businesses' real-world challenges in today’s fast-paced economy. With a track record of helping over 350 companies—ranging from scrappy startups to established enterprises—Justin brings practical insight into what works (and what doesn’t) when scaling a business. 🚧 Growth Isn’t Glamorous—It’s Gritty Small and large businesses alike are battling similar dragons: customer acquisition costs...
Jul 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 1174
Episode Title: Market Resilience, Counterfeit Realities, and the Future of Authentication with Perry Nguyen of Check Check Show Notes: In this episode, I’m joined by Perry Nguyen with Check Check , a cutting-edge digital authentication platform reshaping the luxury resale landscape. Our conversation explores the parallels between nature’s most resilient species and the dynamic, ever-evolving global marketplace, particularly the explosive growth of luxury resale and the counterfeit economy. Perry...
Jul 09, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1197
In this powerful conversation, Michael D. Levitt and branding expert Barry LaBov explore the critical role of differentiation in today’s hyper-competitive and fast-moving business world. It’s not about being the biggest or best in every category—it’s about being unmistakably you. The Human Edge of Differentiation Barry opens with a compelling take: while modern tools have made producing fast, mediocre content easier, what sets brands apart today is authenticity and humanity. He warns that failin...
Jul 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1170
this episode, I sat down with R.T. Custer to explore how he's bringing precision craftsmanship back to American soil. As the founder of Vortic Watch Company, R.T. began his journey a decade ago by upcycling antique American pocket watches into stunning wristwatches—each a one-of-a-kind blend of history and innovation. Now, with the launch of Colorado Watch Company, he's scaling that mission, aiming to produce over 500 watches a month. It’s a bold step forward for U.S. manufacturing. Investing in...
Jul 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1177
On this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , I sit down with Sean Griffith, founder of Truffle , a forward-thinking hiring platform that's changing how small and mid-sized businesses approach talent acquisition. 🔍 Truffle’s Smarter Hiring Model Sean shares how Truffle uses asynchronous audio and video interviews with structured, role-specific questions to efficiently filter large applicant pools. Designed especially for growing teams that can’t afford bulky enterprise software, Truffle de...
Jun 30, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1202
Let’s face it—hostile workplaces are more common than we care to admit. Whether it’s passive-aggressive emails, micromanagement, gaslighting, or relentless pressure that crosses the line into emotional fatigue—these aren’t just “bad days.” They’re environments that chip away at your mental health. But here’s the good news: you are not powerless. This isn’t just about “getting through it.” It’s about transforming how you show up—with boundaries, support, and a deep commitment to your own growth. ...
Jun 27, 2025•7 min•Ep. 1205
Episode Title: Rethinking Wellness and Feedback Loops in Today’s Workplace Show Notes: In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , Michael connects with business strategist Andrew Ronchetto to explore how organizations must evolve their approach to wellness, leadership, and performance in an ever-changing workforce. Redefining Wellness & Feedback in the Modern Workplace Michael and Andrew dive into the shifting dynamics of today’s workforce and why it’s time to rethink traditional wel...
Jun 23, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1171
From Cockpit to Boardroom: Boo's High-Performance Flight Path In this compelling episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , Michael chats with Boo—former fighter pilot turned entrepreneur—about his extraordinary journey from the Air Force to launching ventures in the Middle East, real estate, and digital publishing. Boo opens up about navigating the early days of Facebook and Google ads, and how his involvement with Afterburner, a company built on the high-performance mindset of fighter pilots, ...
Jun 18, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1109
Video Leadership Presence for Personal Growth In this episode, Michael and Ryan explore the power of video-based platforms in building authentic leadership presence. They discuss how confidence, executive presence, and self-improvement are essential for personal and professional growth. Ryan shares his journey in leadership development and how it shaped his company, Better On . Michael reinforces the idea that presence isn’t just about appearance—it’s about taking ownership of your growth, self-...
Jun 16, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1132
The Leadership Legacy: Estate Planning with Purpose In this insightful series, I sit down with Sara Ecklein, a California-based professional fiduciary, to unpack the often-overlooked leadership responsibility of estate planning. We explore how proactive planning—through trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives—is not just about assets, but about clarity, care, and legacy. 🔍 Why Estate Planning Matters for Leaders Sara and I dig into the reality that only one in three Americans have an estate p...
Jun 13, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1167
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Nick Halaris, a purpose-driven real estate entrepreneur, to explore the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship—and why it’s more important than ever to lead with both ambition and impact. 🧭 Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Community Change Nick and I unpack why more individuals are choosing the entrepreneurial path in today’s transformative era. But we also challenge the narrative that being your own boss is just about personal freedom and financ...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1154
🎙 From Single Dad to Financial Powerhouse: Dwight’s Journey to Purpose and Prosperity In this inspiring episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , I sat down with Dwight, a former IT consultant turned top-tier financial services and lifestyle coach, to explore his incredible transformation—from single father of five to one of North America’s most successful financial strategists. 🔥 Key Highlights: 💰 Living a Life of Purpose Through Finance Dwight opens up about his transition from tech to fin...
Jun 09, 2025•34 min•Ep. 1160
In this robust conversation, Yosi Kossowsky shares his journey from engineering to executive leadership, revealing the critical gap in traditional education regarding understanding people. He opens up about his growth path—diving deep into emotional wellness, therapy, limiting beliefs, and the neuroscience behind human behavior. Yosi challenges the long-held notion that humans are primarily rational beings, showing how emotions drive decisions and actions more than we often realize. Decoding Com...
Jun 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 1190
Episode Title: From Gym Floor to Franchise Vision: Devan's Journey of Discipline, Impact, and Humility Show Notes: Redefining Career Paths: Devan’s Bold Leap into Fitness Leadership In this powerful conversation, Mike sits down with Devan to unpack his unconventional career shift—from business management to kinesiology and eventually launching his own gym. What started as a personal passion for helping others transformed into a broader mission: building a gym franchise that changes lives at scal...
Jun 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1163
Finding Purpose Through Passion: Sarah’s Journey into Hairdressing In this heartfelt episode, Michael D. Levitt sits down with his daughter, Sarah, to explore the winding paths we take in our careers and the passions that fuel them. Sarah shares how a visit to a Florida cosmetology school during a trip to see her grandmother sparked a lifelong interest in hair styling. That moment planted a seed that would later grow into a full-blown calling — one that she’s now pursuing at barber school. Micha...
Jun 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1179
From Blue Collar Roots to Boardroom Success: Intrapreneurship, Culture, and Growth with Ken Rusk In this powerful episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , I sit down with Ken Rusk, author of Blue Collar Cash , to explore how alignment, action, and authentic leadership can transform both lives and businesses. Ken shares his incredible journey—from a blue-collar background to building a thriving franchise organization—grounded in the philosophy of intrapreneurship and a deep commitment to his em...
Jun 02, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1184
🎧 Episode Summary: In this uplifting and timely episode, we help you redefine what summer relaxation looks like in 2025, even amidst inflation, rising costs, and tightened budgets. Source mentioned in the show: How to Enjoy Summer 2025 Without Breaking the Bank Drawing on his global expertise in burnout prevention and workplace wellness, we share actionable, no-cost ways to recharge your mind, reconnect with your values, and refocus your energy during the summer months. You’ll discover how smal...
May 28, 2025•4 min•Ep. 1188
Fostering High-Performance Culture Without Burnout In this episode, leadership coach Shauna Moran joins Michael Levitt to explore how organizations can build a high-performance culture without sacrificing employee well-being. They dive into the unique challenges women face in the workplace, particularly burnout, and the urgent need for systemic change. Michael reinforces that organizations must prioritize well-being as a core strategy, not an afterthought. Together, they break down how businesse...
May 26, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1124
Transforming How We Work: Rethinking Operating Models with Jen from Talk Point Advisory Group In this thought-provoking conversation, I sat down with Jen from Talk Point Advisory Group, a boutique consulting firm that helps organizations reimagine and revitalize how they operate. We dove deep into the often-overlooked world of operating models — the blueprint behind how work gets done — and why companies need to stop letting these frameworks evolve by default. Rethinking How Work Gets Done Jen a...
May 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1183
Charting Your Course: A Business Navigation System That Aligns Strategy, Intuition & Purpose In this episode, we dive deep with Tim Dwyer, a visionary who has spent over three decades developing a true "Google Maps for business"—a navigation system that integrates logical strategy, heart-centered leadership, and deep intuition. Tim’s entrepreneurial spark ignited at age 12 during a petrol strike in Australia, selling coffee to stranded drivers. That ingenuity evolved into a career dedicated ...
May 22, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1182
Unlocking Spiritual Intelligence, Calm Leadership, and AI Resilience in the Workplace In this compelling episode, I sit down with Amy to explore three powerful themes that are reshaping today’s workplaces: spiritual intelligence, leading through chaos, and navigating the rise of AI with confidence and compassion. Part 1: Spiritual Intelligence in the Workplace Amy shares her transformational journey—from corporate executive to purpose-driven leader—sparked by a personal spiritual awakening. We d...
May 20, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1145
Meditation Transitions in Workplace Wellness In this episode, Jillian and Michael share their journeys from corporate careers to prioritizing meditation and workplace wellness. Jillian, a former publishing company owner, discovered the power of meditation in preventing burnout and made it her mission to teach others. Michael, a healthcare leader turned workplace culture strategist, shifted his focus to addressing burnout at its root. They explore how meditation has become a vital tool for mainta...
May 19, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1118
Living Through the Aftershock: COVID-19’s Lasting Impact on Our Lives and Leadership In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, Amrita Subramanian and Michael D. Levitt explore the profound and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—not just on health systems, but on our humanity, leadership, and everyday decisions. Reckoning With Collective Trauma The episode opens with a candid reflection on how society continues to carry the emotional residue of the pandemic. Amrita underscores the impor...
May 16, 2025•36 min•Ep. 1106
Disrupting Status Quo for Business Growth Michael and Lisa discussed the importance of disrupting the status quo for business growth. Lisa emphasized the need for leaders to challenge their current processes and embrace innovation to overcome plateaus and achieve growth. They agreed that the combination of people, process, and technology is crucial for business success. Technology Should Enhance Human Capabilities Michael and Lisa discussed the importance of understanding employees and processes...
May 15, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1162
Seeing the Unseen: Kevin’s Journey Through Business, Blind Spots, and Redemption In this deeply introspective episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , I sat down with Kevin, a business owner and consultant whose journey is as cautionary as it is inspiring. Kevin pulls back the curtain on his early days—driven, ambitious, but unaware of the blind spots that would later cost him everything. From selling a business during the height of the .com boom to entering a consulting deal that spiraled int...
May 14, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1169
From the Streets to Significance: Ken’s Incredible Journey of Redemption In this powerful episode, I sit down with Ken—a remarkable individual whose life journey redefines perseverance, transformation, and the human spirit. Born into hardship as the son of a teenage runaway and a pimp in New York City, Ken’s early years were marked by instability, foster care, and adoption. Despite earning his way to Dartmouth and achieving academic success, he faced a decades-long battle with addiction, homeles...
May 12, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1152
🎙️ 27 Years of Gold: Dana’s Journey Through the Precious Metals Market In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , I sit down with Dana from American Gold Exchange—an industry veteran with over four decades of experience in precious metals. Dana’s company has not only been around for 27 years but has also facilitated over $2 billion in business. He shares fascinating stories from her early days working with Jim Blanchard, a key figure in the relegalization of private gold ownership in th...
May 09, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1164
Reimagining Affordable Healthcare with Mark Newman of Nomi Health In this compelling episode, Michael connects with Mark Newman, co-founder and CEO of Nomi Health, to tackle the unsustainable state of the U.S. healthcare system. Mark shares a bold vision: rebuilding healthcare from the ground up to be 30–50% more affordable. With every American contributing $1,600 annually to Medicare, Mark emphasizes that we can't afford not to innovate. Together, they unpack how business-minded strategies can ...
May 07, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1151
