Welcome to the UNLEARN Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Emily Ross , co-author of Just Evil Enough and a leader in brand strategy and creativity. With a career spanning tech innovation, marketing, and even circus performance, Emily approaches challenges from unconventional angles. As Director of Brand Strategy at X (formerly Twitter ) for EMEA, Emily also serves as an Advisory Board Member at SXSW and GoGreen Routes , an EU funded, pan-European research project on nature-based connectedness, as C...
Jan 29, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the UNLEARN Podcast! Today, we’re joined by a thought leader and prolific voice in product management and organizational design, John Cutler . With a unique ability to navigate the “beautiful mess” of product development, John has spent his career exploring the complex overlaps of product, UX, and strategy. Currently serving as Head of Product at Dotwork , John has previously held impactful roles such as Senior Director of Product Enablement at Toast and Product Evangelist at Amplitud...
Jan 15, 2025•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the UNLEARN Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Lee Vorthman , Vice President of Strategic Security Initiatives at Oracle . Lee leads a global team to protect and strengthen Oracle's operations. He is also a Global CISO Advisory Board Member at HMG Strategy and an Advisory Board Member for Phoenix Security . His career began in the US Navy , and he has since held key roles across defense, technology, cloud, education, and oil & gas industries. Lee’s past roles include Chief Secu...
Dec 18, 2024•31 min•Ep 145•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the UNLEARN Podcast! Today, we’re joined by an inspiring leader in global banking and transformation, Ani Filipova . With over two decades of experience, Ani has made her mark as a former international banking executive, setting up and managing three banks, including Citibank Bulgaria. She also led the transformation of a $2 billion business across 16 countries as Regional COO for Citibank Treasury and Trade Solutions in Asia. Ani’s path to success was anything but conventional. Fuele...
Dec 04, 2024•47 min•Ep 144•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the UNLEARN Podcast! Today, we’re joined by a true pioneer in digital transformation and customer strategy, David C. Edelman . With over three decades at the forefront of marketing and digital transformation, David most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer at Aetna/CVS , where he led transformative shifts in customer engagement. Before that, he co-led McKinsey’s Global Digital Marketing and Sales Practice and held key leadership roles at Digitas and Boston Consulting Group (BCG)...
Nov 20, 2024•39 min•Ep 143•Transcript available on Metacast Mastering venture capital and ethical growth is essential for startup success. Today’s guest, Andy Budd , shares insights from his journey as Founder and CEO of Clearleft , Venture Partner at SeedCamp , and Founding Member of Adobe’s Design Circle . Andy has evolved from a designer to an investor and advisor, bringing a focus on ethical growth practices and high-impact startup development. As the author of The Growth Equation , Andy draws on over 20 years of experience to help companies achieve ...
Nov 06, 2024•47 min•Ep 142•Transcript available on Metacast Mastering executive search and building lasting business relationships are essential for successful transformations. Today’s guest, Michael A. Morell , shares insights from his journey at Riviera Partners , a top executive search firm, and as a former member of the Technology Advisory Board at Bridgewater Associates . Michael A. Morell is the Founder and Managing Partner of Riviera Partners, with over two decades of experience in executive search. After starting his career in technology, a poor ...
Oct 23, 2024•38 min•Ep 141•Transcript available on Metacast Driving innovation in technology and business transformation demands visionary leadership, seamless integration of business and tech strategies, and a willingness to take risks. Today's guest, David Gledhill , exemplifies these qualities as he shares his experience leading DBS Bank through a remarkable digital transformation and beyond. David Gledhill is a seasoned technologist and business leader. As the former Group Chief Information Officer at DBS Bank for over 11 years, he spearheaded the ba...
Oct 09, 2024•38 min•Ep 140•Transcript available on Metacast Leadership in technology and operations requires a strategic focus on scaling businesses, empowering teams, and driving innovation. Today's guest, Richard Lennox , exemplifies these qualities as he shares his journey from leading Skyscanner through rapid growth to scaling healthcare innovation at Current Health . Richard Lennox is an experienced technologist and business leader. As Senior Director at Skyscanner, he led the company’s engineering and operations teams through a pivotal period of sc...
Sep 25, 2024•36 min•Ep 139•Transcript available on Metacast Leadership in government and technology requires not only innovative thinking but also a deep commitment to public service. Today's guest, Paola Santana , exemplifies these qualities as she shares her journey from law and politics to becoming a trailblazer in government technology. Paola Santana is a lawyer, public procurement expert, and serial tech entrepreneur who is revolutionizing government systems. As the founder and CEO of Glass, she is pioneering G-commerce, a new way for governments to...
Sep 11, 2024•49 min•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast Leadership in digital ecosystems requires a commitment to safety, trust, and ethical practices. Our guest today, Dave Byrne , founder of Trust Raise and a member of the Irish Digital Board, shares his journey from major tech giants to establishing a company dedicated to improving the integrity of digital platforms. Dave Byrne has had an illustrious career, holding significant positions at Google, TikTok, and Spotify, where he spearheaded initiatives in brand safety and platform integrity. Now, a...
Aug 28, 2024•48 min•Ep 137•Transcript available on Metacast Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field that requires continuous learning, adaptability, and a deep understanding of both the technological landscape and human behavior. Today’s guest, Dave Mahon , a seasoned cybersecurity expert with extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, shares his journey from the FBI to leading global cybersecurity efforts in the corporate world. Dave Mahon served as a Senior Advisor for Deloitte , where he was instrumental in developing and executing s...
Aug 14, 2024•43 min•Ep 136•Transcript available on Metacast Innovation and Inclusivity in Motorsports are about breaking barriers, fostering innovation, and making the sport accessible to all. Today's guest, Rob Smedley , founder and CEO of the Smedley Group , shares his journey from Formula One engineer to entrepreneur, revolutionizing the motorsport industry. Rob Smedley is known for his work with top Formula One teams like Ferrari and Williams. Using data technology to drive innovation, Rob has now embarked on a new venture to create a global karting ...
Jul 31, 2024•46 min•Ep 135•Transcript available on Metacast Leadership is about embracing sustainable practices, fostering continuous improvement, and aligning personal values with professional goals. Today's guest, Annastiina Hintsa , CEO of Hintsa Performance , shares her insights on achieving peak performance in both business and sports. Annastiina Hintsa is the CEO of Hintsa Performance, a world-leading evidence-based coaching company that helps top athletes and business professionals achieve sustainable success. Driven by science and guided by peopl...
Jul 17, 2024•38 min•Ep 134•Transcript available on Metacast Leadership is about embracing the process of unlearning outdated practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and aligning your team with visionary goals. Today's guest, with his esteemed 29-year tenure at one of the largest asset managers in the world, Vanguard, shares how he successfully navigated this journey. John T. Marcante is a renowned technology and business executive with expertise in digital transformation, business strategy, financial planning, and cybersecurity. He is t...
Jul 03, 2024•36 min•Ep 133•Transcript available on Metacast AI is transforming the world, and William is working on how IP is impacted in an AI world… William Carbone is an AI expert, former IBMer, and now a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in aerospace, quantum computing, and AI. At IBM, William’s main focus was to identify opportunities, driving business & technology strategies and roadmap for the industries worldwide. He led the Business Development for IBM's Global Automotive, Aerospace & Defense industries. ...
Jun 19, 2024•35 min•Ep 132•Transcript available on Metacast The definition of success can change everything. Properly defined, you have an agile organization where each team member can contribute fully. Poorly defined, you have stagnant teams and users that don’t like the products. In this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, host Barry O'Reilly sits down with Josh Seiden, a sought-after designer, strategy consultant, and coach. Together, they explore the importance of understanding user behavior, how that behavior can be translated into goals, and how compan...
Jun 05, 2024•38 min•Ep 131•Transcript available on Metacast Accelerator, Incubator, Venture Capital, Venture Studio? There are a lot of ways to get a new startup off the ground. Ben Yoskovitz, founding partner at Highline Beta, joins Barry O'Reilly on this episode of the Unlearn Podcast to talk about exactly that, and Ben shares insights into the world of venture studios, discussing his journey from founding Year One Labs, a venture studio before there were venture studios, to establishing Highline Beta. Ben's expertise in creating and scaling startups p...
May 22, 2024•40 min•Ep 130•Transcript available on Metacast The innovative spirit of startups is one of their strengths, something that seems to disappear as a company matures. Does it have to be that way? In this episode of Unlearn, host Barry O’Reilly is joined by Elliott Parker, CEO of High Alpha Innovation, who is an expert in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. Together, they explore how corporations can regain the innovative spirit of startups to drive growth and transformation, and it begins with changing how they think about traditional me...
May 08, 2024•39 min•Ep 129•Transcript available on Metacast What problem are you trying to solve? Is it even the right one? In this episode of Unlearn, host Barry O’Reilly is joined by Renee Hawkins, a skilled technology and transformation practitioner. Together, they discuss problem solving, aligning business strategies with purpose, and how to pivot your organization successfully. With practical tips on networking, market research, and seeking advice, Renee offers a roadmap for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the business world. Renee Haw...
Apr 24, 2024•37 min•Ep 128•Transcript available on Metacast They say those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. As true a statement as it is, it’s missing one crucial element. If you never confront the reality of the present and get to the heart of why you are where you are, you won’t be able to unlearn the habits that got you there in the first place. In this episode of Unlearn, Barry O’Reilly talks with Dom Price, Work Futurist at Atlassian, who shares insights on facing the reality of the present, unlearning outdated practices, and e...
Apr 10, 2024•45 min•Ep 127•Transcript available on Metacast How well would you fare in the high-stakes world of blockchain and cryptocurrency? Could you navigate the complexities of decentralized technology and its potential to revolutionize society? In this episode of Unlearn, Barry O'Reilly sits down with Anne Connelly, a blockchain expert passionate about leveraging technology to transform lives in emerging economies. As a faculty member at Singularity University and Boston University, who has also lectured at Oxford University, Anne teaches about how...
Mar 27, 2024•35 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast Would you be willing to take on mission critical, make or break projects as your career? How would you handle the challenges that arise from situations like bankruptcies and mergers while managing the extreme pressure that comes from such high stakes? Daniel Henry doesn’t just take on high stakes projects as they arise. He actively seeks them out. Daniel’s fascinating career has spanned EDS, American Airlines, and most recently, CIO at McDonald’s. He has gained invaluable insight in building tea...
Mar 13, 2024•35 min•Ep 125•Transcript available on Metacast What was your biggest personal transformation? More importantly, who helped you achieve it? Read this blog and episode of the Unlearn Podcast for top leadership transformation mindset advice from a world-class leadership coach. Sabrina Braham is an executive coach, mastermind group leader, author, and leadership and career development expert with almost three decades of experience, but she nearly walked away from that journey before it ever began. What kept her going? A teacher who was more like...
Feb 28, 2024•42 min•Ep 124•Transcript available on Metacast What if success isn't about being the best but about continuous improvement? Global executive James Williams shares his journey from leading Olympic campaigns to empowering startups and teaching MBA students. Discover how his focus on performance, purpose, partnerships, and people has shaped his career and why he believes that embracing discomfort is the key to personal and professional growth. Now, as an advisor at Nobody Studios and a mentor to the next generation of marketers, James sha...
Feb 14, 2024•33 min•Ep 123•Transcript available on Metacast How can the lessons learned from a childhood of tinkering and a career influenced by tech visionaries like Bill Joy and Andy Bechtolsheim guide us toward a more sustainable future for technology? We’re joined today by Adrian Cockcroft, a trailblazer in cloud architecture at Netflix and a proponent of open source at Amazon Web Services, who is now channeling his expertise into the vital cause of sustainability in cloud computing. Adrian shares his journey from the early days of buildi...
Jan 31, 2024•55 min•Ep 122•Transcript available on Metacast Connie Kwan is a seasoned product and marketing expert with over two decades of experience in a variety of fields. During her time at Microsoft and Atlassian, she honed her skills in simplifying complex concepts and navigating ambiguous situations with powerful questions. She’s currently putting those skills to work as the Chief Product Officer at Nobody Studios. Connie joins Barry O’Reilly to delve into the concept of unlearning perfectionism in the professional world, how to balance perfection...
Jan 17, 2024•28 min•Ep 121•Transcript available on Metacast Sahra-Josephine Hjorth, co-founder and CEO of CanopyLab, joins Barry O'Reilly on this episode of the Unlearn Podcast to explore the interconnectedness of different skills, fields and interests. Sahra’s career has spanned diplomacy, startups, creating social learning experiences and inventing the first AI course authoring tool, and she has been recognized for her innovative contributions to education, including being selected for Barack Obama's Leaders in Europe program in 2022. Sarah and Barry t...
Jan 03, 2024•39 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. John Lowry, CEO of Thrivence, a management consulting firm based in Nashville, TN, joins Barry O'Reilly on this episode of the Unlearn Podcast to talk about John's journey from being a lawyer to teaching negotiation skills worldwide. John uses his diverse background in law, consulting, entrepreneurship, coaching, and university administration to bring a unique perspective to negotiation. He currently serves as the President of the Lowry Group and teaches at Pepperdine University's Straus Ins...
Dec 06, 2023•35 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast What if we have barely scratched the surface of human potential? According to Nichol Bradford, a pioneer in technology and human transformation, we need to challenge the assumption that machines will surpass humanity. Nichol has led operations for gaming giants like Activision Blizzard and Epic Games in China. She built communities that connected people globally through the power of shared narratives. Now she lectures at Stanford and Singularity University, while investing in startups focused on...
Nov 22, 2023•35 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast 
