Business Leader Breakthroughs

In this final episode of Business Leader Breakthroughs, Ryan Castle and Dr. Mike Ashby reflect on over six years and 100+ episodes of podcasting, sharing how their journey has evolved. They announce the exciting launch of their new podcast, Level Ten Leaders, coming in September 2025. This new show will feature a mix of long-form interviews and quick, actionable leadership tips based on feedback from their community.A big thank you to all of our amazing listeners for joining us on this journey. Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements—we’ll see you soon on Level Ten Leaders!👉 Free Resource: tbco.at/ambook Download The Active Manager book – your field guide to leading through uncertaintyWhere else you can find usWebsite: https://thebreakthrough.coLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-companyPodcast: https://thebreakthrough.co/podcast/Blogs: https://thebreakthrough.co/blog/

In this episode of Business Leader Breakthroughs, we’re trying something different—an AI-powered deep dive into what Gen Z and Millennials really want from work.Here’s the headline: 94% of Gen Z don’t want traditional leadership roles. The problem? Most managers aren’t equipped to deliver what this generation actually values. They manage tasks. They don’t build people. And that disconnect? It’s costing companies future leadership, innovation, and engagement.Using Google's NotebookLM to analyse Deloitte's 2025 global survey, we unpack the manager gap—and what needs to change.Is this the future of podcasting? Fast, fact-packed, and future-focused? Hit play, decide for yourself, and tell us what you think.Useful links:2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, DeloitteFree Resource: tbco.at/ambook Download The Active Manager book – your field guide to leading through uncertaintyWhere else you can find usWebsite: https://thebreakthrough.coLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-companyPodcast: https://thebreakthrough.co/podcast/Blogs: https://thebreakthrough.co/blog/

👉 Free Resource: tbco.at/ambook Download The Active Manager book – your field guide to leading through uncertaintyIn this episode of Business Leader Breakthroughs, Ryan Castle and Dr. Mike Ashby dive into the challenges of learning and why it's often harder than we expect. They explore the natural resistance we face when trying to change and the mental energy required to push through it.They break down the stages of learning—from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence—and share how business leaders can apply these stages to develop their teams. With practical insights on overcoming learning struggles, the episode also highlights the importance of repetition and consistent practice for mastering new skills.If you’ve ever struggled with helping your team learn or develop new habits, this episode is packed with actionable advice to make learning stick and drive results.Where else you can find usWebsite: https://thebreakthrough.coLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-companyPodcast: https://thebreakthrough.co/podcast/Blogs: https://thebreakthrough.co/blog/

👉 Free Resource: tbco.at/ambook Download The Active Manager book – your field guide to leading through uncertaintyIn this episode of Business Leader Breakthroughs, Ryan Castle and Dr. Mike Ashby get real about the hidden cost of bad—or as they call them, crap—bosses. They break down how poor management shows up in micromanagement, low trust, and missed opportunities, and how it kills culture, productivity, and engagement.They share practical steps to move from micromanaging to active management, plus a story of one manager who shifted their whole approach with one mindset change. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re too in the weeds—or suspect someone else is—this episode is a must-listen.Useful links:Nine Lies About Work by Marcus Buckingham & Ashley Goodall - Amazon (Note: We are not affiliated with this link; it’s shared for reference only.)Where else you can find usWebsite: https://thebreakthrough.coLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-companyPodcast: https://thebreakthrough.co/podcast/Blogs: https://thebreakthrough.co/blog/

In this episode Ryan Castle sits down with AI expert and entrepreneur Brian Russell, PhD to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping business growth and innovation. Drawing on his PhD and deep industry experience, Bryan shares practical insights on how business leaders can harness AI, from large language models to advanced decision-making tools, to scale expertise and solve complex problems.Bryan breaks down key AI concepts like prompt engineering, agents, and validation, explaining how these technologies can be integrated into organizations to unlock breakthrough performance without losing the human touch.Connect with Brian Russell, PhD - LinkedIn👉 Free Resource: tbco.at/ambook Download The Active Manager book – your field guide to leading through uncertaintyWhere else you can find usWebsite: https://thebreakthrough.coLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-breakthrough-companyPodcast: https://thebreakthrough.co/podcast/Blogs: https://thebreakthrough.co/blog/