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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