

Breakfast Leadership Show
Michael D. Levitt
The Breakfast Leadership Show, hosted by leadership consultant and burnout expert Michael D. Levitt, is a globally ranked leadership podcast exploring how executives build stronger organizations, better leadership systems, and healthier workplace cultures.
Each episode features conversations with founders, executives, and industry experts on topics such as leadership operating systems, leadership decision making, executive leadership consulting, organizational leadership systems, and leadership burnout prevention.
Listeners gain practical insight into how leadership teams improve performance, reduce burnout, and design the structures that drive sustainable growth. The show covers leadership strategy, workplace culture, decision clarity for leadership teams, leadership infrastructure, and the systems that help organizations operate at a higher level.
With actionable lessons drawn from real executive experience, the Breakfast Leadership Show helps leaders move beyond management tactics and focus on building high-performance leadership systems that scale.
Interested in being a guest on the show?
Visit: https://BreakfastLeadership.com/Podcast
Note: Some episodes may include sponsored guest appearances. In those cases, guests may have provided financial compensation to participate in the podcast.
Each episode features conversations with founders, executives, and industry experts on topics such as leadership operating systems, leadership decision making, executive leadership consulting, organizational leadership systems, and leadership burnout prevention.
Listeners gain practical insight into how leadership teams improve performance, reduce burnout, and design the structures that drive sustainable growth. The show covers leadership strategy, workplace culture, decision clarity for leadership teams, leadership infrastructure, and the systems that help organizations operate at a higher level.
With actionable lessons drawn from real executive experience, the Breakfast Leadership Show helps leaders move beyond management tactics and focus on building high-performance leadership systems that scale.
Interested in being a guest on the show?
Visit: https://BreakfastLeadership.com/Podcast
Note: Some episodes may include sponsored guest appearances. In those cases, guests may have provided financial compensation to participate in the podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2020 • 29min
Interview with Miha Matlievski
One business coach has forged his approach to helping entrepreneurs and business executives by using a monumental personal failure and eventual redemption to help get others where they need to go to find their personal success and fulfillment.
At just 18 years old, Miha Matlievski, a Slovenian high school dropout, dreamed of becoming a successful entrepreneur. And he pursued it with a passion, putting in 12 years of hard work that resulted in four successful businesses and a personal net worth of $15M.
But in December 2009, an unexpected call from his bank, which had decided to foreclose on his real estate investments, brought his world crashing down around him. That one negative event instigated an avalanche of ruin for him and his businesses, resulting in his four, once-successful companies going bankrupt.
Learn more about Miha and how the Fail Coach was born by visiting the links below.
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mihamatlievski/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/matlievski.miha
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/FailCoach
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fail_coach
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/failcoach/
FrameWork4Freedom program:
www.framework4freedom.com

Jul 10, 2020 • 32min
Featured Interview with Tamara Ghandour
Tamara Ghandour, author, podcaster, keynote speaker and founder of innovation training company, LaunchStreet, used to believe that innovation was the domain of a select few, exclusive to certain industries, or relegated to a specific job role. But, as Tamara discovered in her 25 years of work and research, everybody has the capacity to innovate. It's a person's unique innovation style, (which can be assessed and channeled), that can transform inertia into innovation.
Drawing on eye-opening data from her proprietary Innovation Quotient Edge Assessment, Innovation is Everybody's Business is for those looking for solutions to the daily pain of "how do I prove my worth," a reality for many people whether they work in the C-Suite or on the front-lines. This book will resonate with those that recognize that being more innovative is their ticket to being indispensable. It is also for leaders under pressure to build a culture of innovation but don't know how. As organizations face pressure to innovate, the accountability for making it happen falls on senior and mid-level leaders. They are told what to do, but not how to do it. This book will give them a tool to build a team of innovators who make an impact every day in big and small ways.
Book: Innovation is Everybody's Business: https://amzn.to/2TnsaY9
Website: https://www.gotolaunchstreet.com/

Jul 8, 2020 • 25min
Featured Interview with Matt Gallant
Support the Breakfast Leadership Network!
Contribute on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bfastleadership
Or PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/bfastleadership
Breakfast Leadership Network Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/breakfast-leadership-network
------
A deep dive into Ad Fraud, the largest threat draining digital ad dollars and halting campaign success. The technology tribeOS uses to detect, stop, and protect ad spend and boost campaign performance. Plus, insights and proven steps to grow a business in this highly competitive age.
linkedin.com/in/matt-gallant-61535b8
https://www.facebook.com/matt.gallant.520
https://twitter.com/MattGallant
https://www.instagram.com/mattgallant
Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tribeos
https://www.facebook.com/tribe0S
https://twitter.com/tribe0S
https://www.instagram.com/tribe0s

Jul 6, 2020 • 4min
T in Burnout Stands For Time
Last on the BURNOUT acronym series is the letter T, and that's for time.
One of the biggest challenges that many people face is they say that they don't have enough time. Last time I checked, everyone gets the same amount of time every day. It's how we choose to spend our time. The key is really to know how you choose to spend your time.
Book a no-obligation call to discuss your burnout:
https://www.meetingbird.com/l/bfastleadership/Intro

Jul 3, 2020 • 24min
Interview with Sarah Elkins
Support the Breakfast Leadership Network!
Contribute on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bfastleadership
Or PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/bfastleadership
Breakfast Leadership Network Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/breakfast-leadership-network
------
Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will, is Sarah Elkin's new book Sarah says "I've learned that most people don't recognize the importance of personal storytelling, and cannot pinpoint a specific incident to share to inspire and connect."
What internal messages are holding you back? What stories are you sharing that confirm those messages, and impact the perceptions of the people around you? Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will will help you uncover where those messages came from and the patterns they have created in your life, create context around them, and shift them to benefit you, your relationships, and your career. Story sharing isn’t just about entertainment and persuasion. When you share the right personal story at the right time and with the right audience, you connect more authentically and open the door for real positive impact. Whether you’re sharing personal stories or business stories, the stories you share and how you share them shape your identity and have the power to bring out the stories of others. What personal stories will you uncover using the exercises in this book?
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesmileisfree/
Book: https://bookshop.org/books/your-stories-don-t-define-you-how-you-tell-them-will-storytelling-to-connect-persuade-and-entertain/9781646631117
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elkinscommunication/
Website: https://ElkinsConsulting.com
Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/your-stories-dont-define-you-how-you-tell-them-will/id1329558957?mt=2

Jul 1, 2020 • 19min
Interview with Lisa Fain
Support the Breakfast Leadership Network!
Contribute on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bfastleadership
Or PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/bfastleadership
Breakfast Leadership Network Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/breakfast-leadership-network
------
Lisa Fain is the CEO of Center for Mentoring Excellence, and founder of Vista Coaching, the coaching division of the Center. Her passion for diversity and inclusion work is fueled by her strong conviction that leveraging differences creates a better workplace and drives better business results.
She has conducted mentoring training programs for corporate, government and educational institutions. Lisa coaches mentors, mentees and program administrators on how to achieve mentoring excellence and create the right environment for achievement of career and personal goals. She is highly regarded for her special combination of knowledge, expertise, humor and a no-nonsense practical approach.
As Senior Director of the Diversity and Inclusion function at Outerwall, Inc. (the parent company to automated retail giants Redbox and Coinstar), Lisa spearheaded the development, establishment and implementation of its diversity initiative, including launching the company’s first mentoring program for its Women’s Business Resource Group. Prior to that position, she worked as Outerwall’s in-house counsel, where she coached leaders and partnered with Human Resources to establish fair and effective policies and practices that would sustain the organization as it grew in size, revenue and renown.
Lisa practiced law with the Chicago office of a major multinational law firm and counseled employers on creating inclusive policies and practices. In addition, she served as a Master Trainer, training thousands of employees at a variety of companies, large and small, on how to create a better workplace. Certified as a mediator through Chicago’s Center for Conflict Resolution, Lisa applied her counseling skills to help clients understand and proactively prevent conflict.
Lisa holds a B.S. in Social Policy from Northwestern University and a JD degree from Northwestern University School of Law. Lisa is a Life Coach and has completed her certification from the International Coach Academy.
A native of Syracuse, NY, Lisa spent 17 years in Chicago and moved to Seattle, WA in 2014, with her husband and two daughters. She now spends as much time as she can hiking and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Website: https://www.centerformentoring.com/
Book: https://amzn.to/2ZoWSUB

Jun 29, 2020 • 6min
U in Burnout Stands For Upheaval
Next up in the BURNOUT acronym is the letter U for upheaval.
Burnout can create a situation where your life is completely upside down, and create upheaval all of your life. When I had my burnout in 2009/10, you can say that my life was upside down and an upheaval took place. For those of you that are not familiar with my over a period of time over 369 days, I had a heart attack that should have killed me. I lost my job during an economic recession. The family vehicle was repossessed. And then finally our home was foreclosed. All in a year. I don't want anybody to go through that. It was not fun for my family or myself to experience those losses. But we did. And as I said in an earlier post, burnout is a choice.
Book a no-obligation call to discuss your burnout:
https://www.meetingbird.com/l/bfastleadership/Intro

Jun 26, 2020 • 20min
Interview with Tom Eddington
Tom & Michael discuss conscious leadership during COVID-19.
One of Silicon Valley’s most renowned business advisors and coaches, Tom Eddington, works with some of the nation’s most influential CEOs and non-profit leaders, advising them on everything from global mergers and organizational change to conscious leadership and work/life integration.
Internationally and multi-industry experienced Board Member, Advisor and business professional providing Board of Directors and Leadership with Organization Effectiveness expertise including assessment and development, Talent Management, Retreat Facilitation, and Executive Coaching services.
Specialties: Conscious Leadership, Executive Coaching, Board and Leadership Effectiveness, Talent Management, Organization Growth, and Expansion
Website: https://bit.ly/BLTomEddington
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMlzFomdf0E&feature=youtu.be

Jun 24, 2020 • 26min
Interview with Sonny Sultani
Website: https://sonnysultani.com/
Social Media: @SonnySultani
About Sonny:
Digital Marketer with over a decade of experience in PPC Management.
Services Include: PPC Management, LinkedIn Lead Generation, and Conversion Rate Optimization.
Industries Served: Healthcare, Manufacturing, AEC, OEM, Professional Services, and In-Home Services
Why Me:
1. Business Experience: Former CEO at a startup that grew and was acquired. I understand budgeting and the importance of every dollar spent.
2. Cost-Conscious: I understand not everyone has massive budgets to work with, I believe in doing more with less and can work on smaller budgets.
3. Communication: Ability to speak about the numbers/metrics that matter in a way that is easily digestible.
4. Goal-Oriented: Act as a member of the team (rather than a consultant) and strive to hit customer acquisition goals given the money spent.

Jun 22, 2020 • 5min
O in Burnout Stands For Offside
Next up in the Burnout acronym is the letter O for offside.
I'm a huge sports fan. I wasn't very good at it playing. I played basketball and baseball as a kid, but my asthma and body size as a youth was a barrier (self-imposed) to pursue a career in sports.
I could have made changes. I could have taken better care of myself as a child. I could have chosen to be a little bit more athletic and practice. Yes, A.I., I said practice. We're talking about practice.
You can improve yourself and you can actually stay in the game and be in balance. When you're burned out in the game of life. You're offside. You're out of bounds. You're not doing the things that you need to do because you're too busy fighting this burned out state. Your body is in a constant state of flux, pedal to the floor constantly, which has your body's using all its energy to repair the damage that burnout causes.
Book a no-obligation call to discuss your burnout:
https://www.meetingbird.com/l/bfastleadership/Intro


