Lets Have This Conversation

As organizations race to adopt AI and navigate rapid digital transformation, a troubling paradox is emerging. According to LinkedIn, 93% of IT leaders say they’re confident in their AI governance—yet 29% admit AI has already exposed sensitive, unauthorized data. At the same time, nearly half of finance leaders (48%) are being asked to adopt new technologies under tight headcount constraints, forcing a sharper focus on cost-effective, secure solutions. So, what’s really driving competitive advantage in 2026? It’s no longer just the technology. It’s the people. Research continues to reinforce this shift. A recent study by Deloitte found that while 59% of organizations are still taking a technology-first approach to AI, those companies are 1.6x more likely to fall short of expected returns compared to those that prioritize a human-centered strategy. Meanwhile, insights from McKinsey & Company show that 48% of CFOs are focused on navigating inflation and regulatory pressure while adopting new technology, and 44% are prioritizing cost reduction—making clarity, not complexity, the true currency of leadership. In this episode, we sit down with Noah Landow, CEO of Macktez, who has spent nearly 30 years helping founders and executives “tame the tech beast.” Noah doesn’t just solve technical problems—he redesigns how organizations think about technology. With a background rooted in architecture and design, his philosophy is simple but powerful: Technology should have structural integrity—it should support both the people and the mission it serves. Through his work, Noah helps leaders: But what makes this conversation truly unique is how Noah connects technology leadership to seemingly unrelated disciplines: Because in a world where AI is rapidly becoming ubiquitous and replicable, the real differentiator isn’t the tools—it’s how humans use them. This episode challenges a critical assumption: What if the organizations winning with AI aren’t the most advanced technically, but the most aligned culturally?   For more information: https://macktez.com/ Discover More: https://noahlandow.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Burnout among high performers has reached a critical point.   The numbers you’re working with point to a clear and uncomfortable pattern: burnout isn’t just widespread—it’s structurally concentrated in the very people organizations rely on most. The 66% overall burnout rate (as reported by LinkedIn) already signals a systemic issue across the workforce. But the more telling stat is the ~85% among top performers. That gap matters. It suggests burnout isn’t evenly distributed—it disproportionately affects those who are: In other words, burnout at the top isn’t primarily about volume of work—it’s about role creep without structural boundaries. Dr. Natalie Luke’s framing of a “broken responsibility structure” aligns with what these numbers imply. High performers aren’t just doing more—they’re absorbing unassigned, unowned, and often invisible work. Over time, this creates: Her concept of the “Trust Tax” is a sharp way to describe this: trust becomes a liability when it leads to unchecked responsibility transfer. The story about producing 15 peer-reviewed papers while managing a personal crisis illustrates the extreme version of what many high performers experience in quieter ways—expectations expand to match capability, not capacity. The key insight from both the data and narrative: Burnout in high performers is less about overwork and more about unbounded ownership driven by trust and organizational gaps.         LinkedIn: @NatalieLukePhD Listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lCQ5OC6kXFCXlHR1o2hkR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two-thirds of employees are burned out—and the problem is only getting worse. According to research from Moodle, conducted in partnership with Censuswide, 66% of American workers report experiencing burnout in 2025. Even more striking, younger generations are being hit the hardest, with 81% of those aged 18–24 and 83% of those aged 25–34 reporting burnout, compared to just 49% of workers aged 55 and older. At the same time, debates over remote work continue to divide organizations, despite growing evidence that flexibility plays a critical role in reducing stress—especially for caregivers and individuals with disabilities who benefit from remote work. So what’s broken? And more importantly, how do we fix it? On Work Sucks, But I Like It, Tony Tenaglier challenges the outdated definition of work as simply a “9-to-5 job.” Instead, he explores work through a broader lens—one inspired by physics: work as force multiplied by displacement. In other words, work is anything that creates movement, impact, or progress in your life. Tony is a materials science engineer, quality leader, author, rock climber, yoga teacher, Lego builder, and podcast host who thrives at the intersection of practical problem-solving and deep theoretical understanding. Whether improving casting processes, elevating quality systems, or helping teams navigate complex challenges, his approach blends hands-on experience with analytical rigor to drive meaningful, sustainable solutions. Grounded in the belief that “success isn’t a matter of luck—it’s the product of good skills, consistent effort, and the mindset you bring to every task,” Tony brings a philosophy to life: “How you do anything is how you do everything.” Beyond engineering, he is the author of two self-help books and uses this podcast as a platform to explore work, performance, identity, and what it really takes to build a fulfilling life. Drawing from psychology, yoga, and real-world experience, each episode is designed to help listeners pursue growth with clarity and purpose. With a background spanning engineering, quality management, psychology, and yoga, Tony is committed to designing systems—and a life—that work better. His work is grounded in continuous improvement, human behavior, and a drive to build environments where both people and processes thrive. At the core of his personal and professional philosophy is a simple idea: designing a life worth living. If you’re navigating burnout, questioning your relationship with work, or striving to build something more meaningful—this podcast is for you.   For more information: https://worksucksbutilikeit.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really mean to live well in a world dominated by convenience and processed foods? In this episode, we explore the growing tension between America’s rising wellness awareness and its continued reliance on ultra-processed diets. While 82% of U.S. consumers say they prioritize wellness, more than 60% of the average American’s calorie intake still comes from ultra-processed foods—a striking disconnect highlighted by McKinsey & Company. At the same time, the U.S. wellness market has surged to an estimated $480 billion, growing at 5–10% annually, fueled largely by Millennials and Gen Z. Enter UpWellness—a company built around the idea of nutrient-rich living. Born out of a naturopathic doctor’s office, UpWellness was created to bridge the gap between the demand for natural healthcare and the limited access to it. After 15 years of clinical practice, long waitlists, and a desire to reach more people, co-founder Dr. Joshua Levitt set out to scale the principles of naturopathic medicine beyond the walls of his clinic. Dr. Josh, a naturopathic physician, educator, and former clinical preceptor at Yale School of Medicine, brings over two decades of hands-on experience to this conversation. He shares how UpWellness combines high-quality, science-backed herbal and nutritional supplements with a mission to empower individuals to take control of their health. This conversation  unpacks the realities of modern wellness, the rise of preventative health, and how companies like UpWellness are reshaping what it means to get well—and stay well.   For more information: https://www.upwellness.com/ Instagram: @drjoshlevitt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American teens aren’t just experimenting with skincare—they’re reshaping an entire industry. In fact, U.S. teens are now spending an estimated $1.7 billion annually on skincare, with some starting routines as young as 12. Fueled by social media trends and influencer culture, many are adopting complex, multi-step regimens—and about 20% are spending over $50 a month on products, according to Yale Medicine. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Angela Casey—a double board-certified dermatologist, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, educator, and founder of Bright Girl—who’s working to bring clarity and common sense back to skincare. As both a physician and a mom of three, Dr. Casey offers a grounded, practical approach that cuts through the noise. She shares how parents and teens can move away from overwhelming routines and instead focus on what actually works: proper cleansing, effective moisturizing, and consistent sunscreen use. Her philosophy centers on prevention, education, and building lifelong habits that protect and support healthy skin. We also explore how her Bright Girl platform is helping families navigate skincare with confidence—empowering young people to understand not just what to do, but why it matters. With a growing community of over 50,000 followers, Dr. Casey is making science accessible and encouraging meaningful conversations around self-care, confidence, and long-term wellness. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or teen trying to make sense of today’s skincare boom, this episode delivers clear, trustworthy guidance—and a refreshing reminder that sometimes, simpler really is better.   For More Information: https://brightgirl.com/ Follow: @brightgirlbeauty   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices