Adapting for Growth: Lessons from Cogent Analytics with Robert and Michael In this insightful episode, Michael D. Levitt sits down with Robert from Cogent Analytics to explore how businesses can scale and thrive—even in the face of disruption. Robert shares the incredible journey of growing Cogent Analytics from a lean startup to a 250+ employee powerhouse. Their success has been built on strategic business development, organizational and process engineering, and a data-driven approach to decisi...
May 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 1166
The Power of a Fractional CMO: Strategic Growth Without Full-Time Overhead In this episode, Michael sits down with Angela, a seasoned fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), to explore the advantages of bringing in high-level marketing expertise—without the commitment of a full-time hire. They discuss how fractional CMOs provide strategic direction, prevent costly marketing missteps, and help businesses focus on core growth instead of getting lost in daily execution. Michael highlights the val...
May 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1144
Beyond Money: The Real Keys to Employee Motivation Welcome to the Breakfast Leadership Network podcast. I'm your host, and today we're diving into something every leader needs to understand: why throwing money at employee motivation just doesn't cut it anymore. Here's the thing - while a healthy paycheck keeps the lights on, it's got a surprisingly short shelf life, especially for seasoned professionals who are financially stable. If you're still relying solely on cash incentives, you're basical...
May 02, 2025•3 min•Ep. 1168
🎙 Breakfast Leadership Show – Episode: The Value of Decisions with Somik Raha Hosted by: Michael D. Levitt – Burnout and Leadership Expert | Top 50 Global Thought Leader 💡 Episode Overview: In this thought-provoking episode, I sit with Somik Raha, a global decision analyst and author, whose research dives deep into the principled framework of values and decision-making. From his journey through Japan to Stanford, Somik brings a wealth of insight and a fresh lens on how values shape our persona...
May 01, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1159
Episode Title: Rebuilding Connection: A Cure for Workplace Disengagement In this insightful episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , Michael Levitt and guest Dennis Holland dive deep into one of today’s most pressing workplace challenges—disengagement—and the critical need for meaningful human connection at work. 🔹 Disengagement is Costing Us Billions With a staggering 7 out of 10 employees disengaged, organizations are facing a silent productivity crisis. Michael and Dennis unpack how this w...
Apr 30, 2025•40 min•Ep. 1155
📌 Episode Summary: In this episode, Rachel and Michael dive deep into the power of intentional living, self-permission, and setting boundaries to create a fulfilling life. They explore how shifting your mindset, defining success on your terms, and managing your time effectively can help you take control of your life and live authentically. 🎯 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Designing a Life with Intention Many people drift through life without realizing they have the power to design their path. Giving yours...
Apr 29, 2025•32 min•Ep. 1143
Brien Gearin is a partner and podcast host at Millionaire University, an organization that seeks to mold the next generation of entrepreneurs. He is also the founder and CEO of Ricochet Digital Marketing, where he and his team serve Residential Service Providers across the country by building and maintaining marketing systems that lead to massive growth. Website: https://www.millionaireuniversity.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillionaireUniversityMU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...
Apr 28, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1102
Community Engagement and Overcoming Digital Overwhelm In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , Michael D. Levitt sits down with Craig to explore the power of community engagement in the workplace and how it impacts younger generations. Craig shares insights from his book Digital Overwhelm , which examines how people navigate technology-related challenges. They also discuss seasonal shifts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the importance of being prepared for unexpected weather changes. Ge...
Apr 23, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1123
Building Resilience and Emotional Hygiene In this episode, I sat down with Malisa to talk about her new course, Surviving the Shit Show , which is all about building resilience and emotional hygiene in today's chaotic world. Malisa shared how daily practices can help cultivate joy and peace, no matter what's happening externally. She also opened up about her healing journey, self-love, and the power of human connection. I encouraged her to dive deeper into her experiences and what she hopes to a...
Apr 21, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1139
Heart-Centered Leadership & Entrepreneurial Innovation with Joshua and Michael D. Levitt 🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode, Michael D. Levitt and Joshua dive deep into heart-centered leadership, entrepreneurship, and the challenges of remote work. They discuss breaking down silos, fostering innovation, and promoting accountability within organizations. Joshua shares insights from his Entrepreneurial Leaders System, while Michael reflects on transforming a toxic workplace culture into a thr...
Apr 18, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1129
Show Notes: In this insightful conversation, I’m joined by executive coach and cross-cultural advisor Olga, who works closely with tech leaders and entrepreneurs navigating high-pressure environments. Together, we unpack the intense demands of the tech industry—where innovation races ahead at lightning speed, but personal well-being often gets left behind. Olga highlights the unique tension of building groundbreaking technologies while maintaining a healthy life outside of work. I chimed in with...
Apr 17, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1135
Breath Work for Stress Management In this episode, Michael and Anisa dive into the power of breath work as a tool for managing stress, enhancing mindfulness, and building emotional resilience. Anisa, the creator of the Yang Energy practice, highlights how intentional breathing can prevent burnout and improve overall well-being. Michael, drawing from his own experience with asthma, emphasizes the importance of proper breathing for grounding and focus. In today’s fast-paced world, they agree that ...
Apr 16, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1141
Creating Thriving Work Environments Eric and I dove into the essentials of workplace culture, a topic central to our careers. Eric shared his journey from a childhood fascination with business to leading large teams at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. His book on company culture and high performance has become a key resource for his speaking and consulting work. We explored what it takes to create work environments where employees don’t just survive—they thrive. It all starts with strong relationships, cl...
Apr 15, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1127
Show Notes: In this thought-provoking episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, I sit down with Charley, a visionary leader whose personal and professional evolution exemplifies what it means to lead with awareness and purpose. We begin by exploring Charley's roots—his upbringing in Utah, a deeply unique religious foundation, and the life-shaping mentorship of a profoundly enlightened teacher. These early experiences ignited Charley’s pursuit of understanding across multiple spiritual traditions...
Apr 14, 2025•38 min•Ep. 1156
Breakfast Leadership Show: Interview with John Gronen, CFO of Yooz Episode Recap: Michael sat down with John Gronen, Yooz's CFO, to discuss the shift from paper-based processes to automation in accounting and finance. They explored the real benefits of AP automation, including time and cost savings, reduced errors, and improved fraud detection—all while tackling the common roadblocks businesses face when adopting digital solutions. The conversation also took a fascinating turn regarding AI advan...
Apr 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1153
Learn how to boost employee morale with these simple yet effective strategies, which can be implemented today! Low employee morale can decrease productivity, lead to high turnover rates, and create a hostile work environment. This episode will explore practical tips and ideas to improve employee satisfaction, engagement, and overall job happiness. We've covered you, from recognizing and rewarding employees to fostering open communication and creating a positive work culture. Watch to discover ho...
Apr 10, 2025•5 min•Ep. 1158
Belonging in the Workplace and Leadership In this episode, Beth and I dive into the crucial role of belonging in the workplace and its direct impact on employee engagement, collaboration, and retention. When employees don’t feel a sense of belonging, they’re more likely to experience stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and even physical health issues. We discuss how leaders play a pivotal role in fostering this sense of connection, yet many aren’t equipped with the right training or skills to do it eff...
Apr 09, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1046
Business Coaching for Sustainable Growth In this episode, Michael sits down with business coach Dave Reynolds to explore the strategies that drive sustainable growth. Dave shares his journey from selling his previous company and working in telecommunications to becoming a business coach. He highlights the power of asking the right questions and taking an outside perspective to help organizations uncover hidden opportunities. Michael and Dave dive into a common challenge: many businesses have gro...
Apr 08, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1136
Philippe is the Founder of CrowdSec, an open-source multiplayer firewall that analyzes visitor behavior and provides an adapted response to all kinds of attacks. It leverages crowdsourced power to generate a global IP reputation database that protects the user network. As of today, CrowdSec boasts 250k+ user installations from 185+ countries and 50M+ malevolent IPs blocked. The CrowdSec community's users include governments, major e-commerce actors, media and financial institutions, armed forces...
Apr 07, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1108
Disrupting Search: A Conversation with Vikas on HyperDart In a recent discussion, I spoke with Vikas, an entrepreneur and computer engineer with a track record of launching game-changing ventures. From founding Nagaro to building HyperDart, his latest innovation in the search engine space, his entrepreneurial drive is undeniable. We talked about the cycles of tech disruption—how every 20 years, industries are reshaped by fresh technologies or business models. HyperDart is positioning itself as t...
Apr 04, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1116
From Parking Garage Cashier to Executive Leader: Rhoda Banks’ Inspiring Career Journey 🎙️ In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, host Michael D. Levitt sits down with Rhoda Banks, a powerhouse in culture and inclusion leadership. Rhoda shares her remarkable journey—from working as a cashier in a hospital parking garage to becoming a senior executive in a financial institution. She discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her career, her passion for leadership development, and how he...
Apr 02, 2025•30 min•Ep. 1134
Dan’s Journey to Idaho Retreats In this episode, Michael welcomes Dan to discuss his incredible journey from Israel to the United States, where he built a career in programming and later wrote a book to help people discover their sense of belonging. Now, Dan is focused on building retreat venues nationwide, creating spaces for people to reconnect with themselves and others. Michael shares a personal story about his cousin, who turned a passion into a thriving business, reinforcing that pursuing ...
Apr 01, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1140
Overview of LOOR and its mission @ 0:00 Marcus Pittman, the CEO and founder of LOOR.tv, explains that he created the platform to address the lack of entertainment content and programming targeted at younger, college-age audiences, particularly those with more conservative or faith-based leanings. LOOR aims to be an independent, crowdsourced platform that empowers young, emerging artists to create and fund their own projects without the constraints and regulations of the traditional Hollywood sys...
Mar 31, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1111
Episode Summary: In today’s fast-paced world, burnout is a growing epidemic. But what if the secret to higher energy, sharper focus, and sustainable success isn’t working harder—but sleeping smarter? Enter sleepmaxxing, a game-changing approach to optimizing rest for peak recovery, clarity, and mental well-being. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ How sleepmaxxing prevents burnout and boosts resilience. ✅ The science behind high-quality sleep and cognitive performance. ✅ Proven strategies to impro...
Mar 27, 2025•4 min•Ep. 1150
Seema’s Leadership Journey and Insights Seema, a leader in business transformation, shared how she realized that leadership needed a serious overhaul to create value without causing harm. Her experience launching Canada’s first Social Finance Bank and working in finance across the country gave her a unique perspective on what works and what doesn’t in leadership. I recognized her drive to improve leadership and make a real impact, something she’s now bringing to the world through her book. Addre...
Mar 26, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1126
Matthew Lesko, an 81-year-old entrepreneur, shared his life journey, his realization about government money programs, and his desire to educate people about them. He also discussed the importance of giving and helping others, the role of technology in sharing information, and the significant income disparity in the US. The conversation concluded with a discussion on personal growth, the widening income gap, and the importance of taking control of one's own destiny. Community Economy and Capitali...
Mar 24, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1105
Transformative Leadership Insights: As the founder of Conscious Business Consulting, Monika has empowered high-profile clients like EY, Unilever, and Toyota to enhance their leadership capabilities and prevent burnout, showcasing her ability to drive results across diverse industries. Her work with leaders from 68 countries provides unique cultural perspectives that can inspire actionable changes within workplace environments. Innovative Approaches to Resilience and Inclusivity: Monika’s innovat...
Mar 21, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1133
In this episode, we explore the art of delegation—a vital skill for executives aiming to lead resilient, adaptable organizations. Many leaders struggle to relinquish control or feel swamped by daily tasks. Discover three essential strategies for effective delegation, uncover common obstacles, and learn actionable solutions to empower your team and prioritize strategic leadership. Keywords: delegation strategies, effective leadership, resilient companies, executive delegation, team empowerment Wh...
Mar 20, 2025•3 min•Ep. 1149
Breaking Barriers: Advancing Women’s Careers Without Burnout – with Dana Cox In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , Michael welcomes Dana Cox, founder and CEO of Fixed Coaching and Consulting, to discuss the realities of career advancement for high-achieving women without sacrificing well-being. Dana shares her mission to help women rise in leadership while avoiding the burnout trap. They tackle the unique challenges female executives face, including the “third shift” of mental load ...
Mar 19, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1147
Adapting Leadership for the Modern Workforce In this episode, Michael D. Levitt and Dr. Greg Giuliano explore the evolution of leadership from a rigid, top-down approach to a more coaching-driven model. Greg highlights the shift in workplace dynamics, where employees now seek empathetic, adaptable, and empowering leaders. Using the analogy of a soccer coach, he illustrates how successful organizations recognize that leaders should set the vision, but the team is responsible for delivering result...
Mar 18, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1128
