In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Kelley Thornton, co-founder of Tiege Hanley, a successful men's skincare brand. Thornton discusses his journey from corporate America to becoming a mission-driven entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of humble and empathetic leadership, sharing insights into e-commerce, customer engagement, and the power of routine in business. The conversation delves into topics like the significance of a succinct mission statement, the challenges of subscription-based models, and the value of resilient, heart-driven teams. Thornton also reflects on the role of partnerships in modern brand building and offers advice for aspiring business leaders.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:10 Kelley Thornton's Background and Early Influences

04:49 Transition from Corporate America to Entrepreneurship

07:03 The Importance of Grit and Problem Solving

08:17 Rapid Prototyping and Market Testing

10:48 Building a Mission-Driven Company Culture

16:28 Challenges and Strategies in Subscription Models

21:44 The Power of Saying No and Focused Mission Statements

30:38 Empathetic Leadership and Trust

32:40 Final Thoughts and Magic Wand Question

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico hosts Len Silverman, a strategic marketing expert and author. They delve into the 2025 theme: The Future of Work: Meaning is the New Money. Len's extensive experience in B2C and B2B marketing, as well as his new book 'Mesh', which explores aligning Gen Z's personal brand with company culture, forms the core of this discussion. They discuss the importance of leadership clarity, employee journey mirroring the customer journey, and the significance of value alignment in the workplace. Additionally, they share insights on integrating work and personal life, learning from diverse age groups, and the evolving leadership landscape shaped by AI and Gen Z talent. This episode is a treasure trove of strategies for fostering a purpose-driven, innovative workplace where employees and leaders thrive.

00:00 Welcome to Throttle Up Leadership Podcast

01:27 Introducing Len Silverman: Marketing Expert and Author

03:41 Len's Early Life and Influences

05:21 The Employee Journey and Gen Z

09:23 The Big Three in Workforce Development

11:11 Mentorship and Training in the Modern Workplace

21:04 Aligning Personal Values with Company Culture

23:06 The Importance of Clarity and Integration

31:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico talks with John Chappelear, an acclaimed author and expert in life, balance, leadership, and communication. They delve into John's background, the influence of his upbringing, and how his father's entrepreneurial spirit taught him lessons in leadership. John discusses his views on emotional connection in leadership, drawing from his experiences and works, including 'The Daily Six' and 'People Come First: Leadership for The New Millennium.' The conversation navigates through various aspects of leadership, emphasizing the importance of trust, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, especially in the context of Artificial Intelligence. John also shares insights on global leadership challenges and the potential for AI to transform workplace dynamics. He advocates for values-driven leadership and discusses the importance of continual learning and adaptability in the modern workforce. The episode concludes with John's aspiration to spread emotional intelligence and authentic connection in leadership.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:41 Early Life and Influences

03:32 Leadership and Emotional Connection

05:33 Challenges in Leadership

08:03 Trust and Organizational Culture

14:19 AI and the Future of Work

16:48 Adapting to Change

29:39 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico welcomes Suhein Beck—a woman who has navigated war zones, humanitarian crises, and leadership challenges with the kind of courage that makes you sit up straighter. From growing up in a family rooted in honor and service, to walking into the heart of the Syrian refugee crisis, Suhein shares a riveting journey that fuses faith, fearlessness, and fierce love for humanity. She opens up about the moments that shaped her—from translating pain into purpose, to leading with compassion when the stakes were life or death. Their conversation also explores a powerful, often-overlooked leadership value: honor. In a time when corporate buzzwords often eclipse deeper truths, Suhein makes the compelling case that honor—real, practiced, lived honor—isn’t just a virtue; it’s a leadership necessity. Whether you’re building a business, guiding a team, or simply trying to lead yourself well, this episode will challenge you to rethink what integrity and service look like in action. With clarity, grace, and a storyteller’s fire, Suhein doesn’t just talk about leadership—she lives it.

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction

Dr. John Dentico opens with reflections on courage and introduces guest Suhein Beck.

01:57 – Early Life and Family Legacy

Suhein discusses her upbringing, family values, and her father’s influence.

06:21 – Leadership in Crisis Zones

A deep dive into her work in the Middle East and navigating life-and-death decisions.

10:33 – Facing the Syrian Refugee Crisis

She shares emotional experiences from the front lines and lessons learned.

17:45 – Faith, Resilience, and Purpose

How her spiritual foundation gave her strength in the darkest moments.

22:01 – Storytelling as Strategy

Why telling hard truths became a form of activism—and leadership.

27:10 – Empowering Women Through Action

Reflections on what leadership looks like for women in high-stakes environments.

30:55 – Legacy and Future Vision

Suhein’s hopes for the next generation, and what leadership must become.

35:12 – Final Reflections and Farewell

John closes with takeaways on courage, clarity, and contribution.

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico interviews Steven Puri, a versatile entrepreneur with significant experience in Hollywood, high-tech startups, and productivity innovation. Steven, the CEO of the Sukha Company, shares insights from his eclectic career journey that began as a youth newscaster and led him through roles at IBM, a co-founding stint at Centropolis Effects, and executive positions at 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks. He discusses the mission of his current venture, the Sukha app, which aims to enhance focus and foster a healthy work-life balance for remote and hybrid workers. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies related to productivity and creativity in various work environments, touching on the impacts of AI and the importance of incentives in shaping work culture. They also explore the concept of 'flow' and its critical role in achieving sustained productivity and happiness.

00:00 Introduction to Throttle Up Leadership Podcast

00:09 Meet Steven Puri: A Multifaceted Innovator

02:52 Early Life and Influences

04:07 Transition to Hollywood and Tech

05:45 The Birth of Sukha Company

06:59 Insights on Productivity and Work-Life Balance

09:48 The Concept of Flow and Sukha's Approach

16:47 The Role of AI in Enhancing Productivity

22:55 Creative Thinking and Remote Work

28:41 Future Perspectives and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, host Dr John Dentico engages in a comprehensive conversation with Dr. Michael Neal, Founder and CEO of Build My Team and a practicing optometrist in Holly, Pennsylvania. Dr. Neal shares his journey of revolutionizing the hiring process after experiencing repeated hiring failures that stunted the growth of his private practice. Inspired by elite organizations like Disney and the Four Seasons, Dr. Neal's data-driven hiring system, which prioritizes core performance capabilities over experience, has successfully served clients in various healthcare professions across the US and Canada. They delve into the importance of a service-based mindset, the unexpected benefits seen in hiring fresh talent, and the critical role of assessing natural strengths. The discussion also highlights the psychological and emotional impacts of proper job fit, the costs of turnover, and the profound ways that prioritizing employee happiness and strengths can enhance productivity and work satisfaction.

00:00 Welcome to Throttle Up Leadership Podcast

00:04 Introducing Dr. Michael Neal and Build My Team

01:47 Personal Background and Influences

02:40 The Breaking Point: Reimagining the Hiring Process

04:44 The Build My Team Approach

08:33 Values and Mindset in Hiring

29:35 The Cost of Turnover and Importance of Fit

30:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, host Dr. John Dentico interviews Daniel Friker, a global executive strategic advisor and AI workforce futurist. With over 20 years of experience across various industries and AI certifications, Friker discusses how AI is reshaping hiring, HR, and leadership strategies. He emphasizes the critical need for companies to adopt AI technologies early and highlights the importance of building cross-functional AI teams. The conversation also covers the evolving job market, the inefficiencies in current HR practices, and how organizations can adapt strategically to maintain a competitive edge. Dr. Dentico and Friker further explore the contrast between traditional fear-based organizational structures and modern trust-based models, stressing the importance of mutual trust and adaptability in leadership. They conclude by examining the impact of certifications, the human element in hiring, and the future of the staffing industry in the AI era.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:44 Dan Friker's Background and Influences

04:38 AI's Impact on Jobs and Industries

09:59 Leadership Evolution in the AI Era

21:27 AI in HR and Talent Acquisition

32:36 Future of Temporary Staffing and HR Tech

46:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast, Dr. John Dentico interviews Dr. Ravi Iyer, a TED speaker, author, coach, and transformational expert. Dr. Iyer shares insights on his upbringing in India, his career in medicine, and his approaches to overcoming psychological and emotional barriers. The conversation delves into the impact of predictability on human behavior, the role of leaders in creating safe environments for innovation, and techniques for achieving mental clarity through observation. With examples from the pandemic and personal anecdotes, Dr. Iyer emphasizes the importance of finding meaning, standing in reflective spaces, and cultivating inner silence to unlock one’s full potential.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:48 Early Life and Influences

03:30 Medical Career and Insights

07:01 Leadership and Predictability

11:55 Meaning Making and Innovation

23:03 Practical Exercises for Observation

28:04 Reflective Space and Quietude

32:38 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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