

Unlearn
Barry O'Reilly
The way to think differently is to act differently and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. For business leaders, entrepreneurs, managers and anyone who wants to improve how they work and live: Welcome to the Unlearn Podcast. Host Barry O’Reilly, author of Unlearn and Lean Enterprise seeks to synthesize the superpowers of extraordinary individuals into actionable strategies you can use—to Think BIG, start small and learn fast, and find your edge with excellence.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 16, 2025 • 49min
Why AI-First Digital Product Consultancies Will Win Big with David Tuck
David Tuck, Chief Executive of Waracle, brings over 15 years of leadership experience in agile transformation and organizational design. He discusses the evolution from expert to inquirer, emphasizing the power of asking better questions as a leader. David shares insights on crafting supportive company cultures, particularly in hybrid environments. He underscores the importance of human relationships amidst AI advancements and explains how leaders should adapt to remain relevant in a tech-driven world.

22 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 45min
Bold Go-To-Market Tactics: Just Evil Enough to Win with Alistair Croll
In this engaging discussion, Alistair Croll, a technologist and bestselling author, reveals bold insights on product development and marketing. He emphasizes the importance of proving demand before perfecting features. Alistair introduces the 'fluency equation,' highlighting how consumer desire can be influenced by reducing complexity. Using clever examples like Burger King's marketing tactics, he encourages subversive creativity in strategy. He also addresses the challenges leaders face in leveraging AI, urging a shift in mindset for growth in a rapidly changing landscape.

Jun 18, 2025 • 37min
Visionaries, Rebels, and Machines: Getting the Best of All with Jamie Dobson (Explicit)
Jamie Dobson, a technologist and former CEO of Container Solutions, navigates a compelling journey from software engineering to conscientious leadership. He shares insights on transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. Key topics include the emotional toll of leadership, the fine line between ambition and failure, and the ethics of making tough decisions, especially during redundancies. Jamie emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and supportive environments to empower teams in a tech-driven world while maintaining a commitment to integrity.

Jun 4, 2025 • 45min
What Happens When You Go All-In in Work and Life on AI with Jeremy Shankle
In this engaging discussion, Jeremy Shankle, a full-stack engineer and AI strategist at Nobody Studios, shares how embracing AI has transformed his work and personal life. He explores the drastic improvements in productivity by using AI tools like GPT-4 for coding and daily tasks. Jeremy emphasizes unlearning multitasking, which helps reduce context switching and enhances focus. He also touches on navigating time zone challenges in software development and the exciting future of specialized AI tools, showcasing their innovative potential for workplace efficiency.

May 21, 2025 • 39min
The Future of Housing and Modular Home Building with John Avrett
Tap into a network of bold thinkers and industry leaders by sponsoring the Unlearn Podcast.Contact here: https://bit.ly/contact-barryoreilly____________________________________________________________Welcome to UNLEARN, the podcast where we talk about bold ideas, fresh thinking, and the mindset shifts needed for real change. Today, I’m excited to welcome John Avrett, former U.S. diplomat, aerospace and electrical engineer, and now Founder and CEO of Hive Modular. With past roles in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Department of State, John is leading a new wave of modular home building in the Philippines, tackling the global housing crisis with factory-made homes and smart design.John isn’t just a builder; he also loves solving big problems and making homes better for everyone. His journey from engineering and diplomacy to modular homes shows how thinking differently can help fix housing issues in new ways, especially by building smarter and faster in places that need it most.John has worked across engineering and global trade before starting his company to build homes in a new way. At his factory in the Philippines, his team makes modular houses using a process like a car factory, helping build faster and cheaper. He focuses on smart design and shipping, bringing homes to places that need them, while using skills from aerospace and diplomacy to guide his work.Key Takeaways:Fixing Housing Problems: John shares how factory-made homes can help more people.Starting a Business: What he learned from taking a big risk to follow his dream.Thinking Differently: Why new ways of thinking are key to solving old problems.Global Experience: How living and working abroad shaped his big ideas.Smart Building: How using a car-like factory process makes building homes faster.Additional Insights:Mixing Tech and Building: John shows how factory skills can improve home building.Working in New Markets: What it takes to build homes in places with big needs.Learning from the Past: How John’s old jobs help him find smart new ways to build.Solving Real Problems: How he uses design to make homes faster and cheaper.Adapting to Change: Why being open to new ideas helped grow his company.Join John Avrett as he shares how bold ideas, smart building, and global thinking can help solve housing needs and spark new ways to grow in today’s world.Episode Highlights:[00:10] - Episode Recap"John Avrett joins to talk about solving housing issues with modular homes and lessons from past careers."[01:38] - Guest Introduction: John Avrett"John is an ex-aerospace engineer and U.S. diplomat now building smart, factory-made homes in the Philippines."[04:48] - Museum Visit Sparks a Big Idea"A prefab home exhibit opened John’s eyes to a better way of building and inspired his mission."[07:25] - From Engineer to Diplomat to Builder"John shares how his global work helped him spot the housing crisis as a real problem to fix."[10:09] - Why Housing Innovation Fell Behind"Homes take longer and cost more today than in the 1960s, John explains why change is overdue."[13:07] - Rethinking Risk to Start a Company"Leaving a stable job was tough, but learning to see risk in a new way helped John take the leap."[14:53] - Turning Homes Into a Factory Process"John explains how car-style production lines and steel frames help build better, faster homes."[19:42] - Blending Standard Design with Custom Feel"Standard frames and flexible layouts allow homes to feel unique while staying easy to build."[22:24] - Labor and Logistics in Home Building"Even in a factory, homes take skilled work, and every site brings its own tricky challenges."[27:02] - Strategy, Scaling, and a Life-Changing Book"John explains how scaling isn’t about more small homes but bigger impact and how a book by Annie Duke helped shape his thinking."[33:18] - Global Momentum and What’s Next"John shares why support from countries like Canada and Australia shows prefab housing is gaining ground and how rising costs may push the U.S. to follow soon."FOLLOW THE GUEST:LinkedIn Accounts: John Avrett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-avrett-26891944/ Hive Modular: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hivemodular/ US Department of State: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doscareers/US Navy: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-navy/ United States Air Force: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-states-air-force/ Websites: Hive Modular: https://www.hive-modular.com/ US Department of State: https://www.state.gov/ US Navy: https://www.navy.mil/ United States Air Force: https://www.airforce.com/ FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryoreilly Personal site: https://barryoreilly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barryoreillyauthor/ Twitter: https://x.com/barryoreilly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barryoreilly/ Email: hello@barryoreilly.com

May 7, 2025 • 35min
The New Science of Self-Actualization for Founders to Reinvent Identity & Find Meaning - Faisal Hoque
Faisal Hoque, a prolific author and entrepreneur, shares his insights on blending Eastern wisdom with modern leadership. He discusses how unlearning past beliefs can foster personal and professional growth. The importance of collaboration over competition in entrepreneurship is highlighted, showcasing a venture studio's unique approach to launching companies. Faisal emphasizes the need to rethink efficiency by focusing on human effectiveness and suggests tools like meditation and AI for continuous self-improvement.

22 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 46min
Unlearning Legacy Systems to Build Antifragile AI Operating Models with Ja-Naé Duane
Ja-Naé Duane, a systems thinker and behavioral scientist, dives into unlearning outdated practices to build resilient AI models. She discusses how the pandemic prompted a shift from centralized systems to decentralized resilience. Ja-Naé emphasizes reconnecting with primal skills in a technologically advanced world. The conversation also highlights the importance of self-awareness and adopting transformative mindsets for personal growth. Finally, she explores the role of Generative AI in boosting productivity and innovation in the business landscape.

Apr 9, 2025 • 44min
From Fashion to Real Estate, Unlearning to Realign Purpose and Scale with Francesca Cortesi
Tap into a network of bold thinkers and industry leaders by sponsoring the Unlearn Podcast.Contact here: https://bit.ly/contact-barryoreilly____________________________________________________________Today on the Unlearn Podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by Francesca Cortesi, CPO and Founder of Prodotto Collective, a product visionary, transformational leader, and someone who truly understands what it takes to build beloved products and high-performing teams.Francesca was the Chief Product Officer at Hemnet, Sweden’s leading property platform, where she played a pivotal role in scaling the product organization and driving the company through a successful IPO in 2021. Under her leadership, Hemnet achieved consistent double-digit growth, became one of Sweden’s most appreciated apps, and stood out as a top performer on the Swedish stock exchange.But her story goes far beyond business metrics. Francesca led cultural shifts too, transitioning the company language to English and increasing female representation in tech, proving that growth and inclusion can go hand in hand.In this episode, we explore how Francesca thinks about unlearning as a tool for personal and organizational growth, building product excellence at scale, and creating environments where diverse teams thrive.Key Takeaways:Changing careers: Francesca switched from fashion in Milan to tech in Sweden after many rejections, showing strong resilience.Product Management: Asking many questions helped her shift from project management to product management.Asking for Help: Great leaders don't need to know everything; asking for help builds stronger teams.Idea company size: Francesca thrives best in scale-up companies (40–400 people), not large corporations.Unlearning and Growth: Every new role required Francesca to "unlearn" old ways to adapt to new challenges.Additional Insights:Changing Roles: Your job changes when your company grows, so be ready for change.Know your strength: Understand clearly what you’re good at and where you fit best.Start Fresh: Always approach new tasks like you're learning for the first time.Get ready for a powerful conversation with Francesca Cortesi on embracing change, scaling with intention, and building inclusive, high-performing product teams that thrive through continuous unlearning and growth.Episode Highlights: [01:00] - Episode Recap "Welcome to the Unlearn Podcast, Exploring career shifts, new leadership styles, and how to build strong product teams."[02:03] - Guest Introduction: Francesca Cortesi "Francesca, former Chief Product Officer at Hemnet, helped scale the product and led the company to a successful 2021 IPO."[03:22] - From Milan Fashion to Stockholm: The First Career Pivot "I worked in fashion, got a translator job in Sweden, and decided to move."[07:10] - Facing Rejection and Redefining Identity "I tried returning to fashion, but it wasn’t working, time to move on."[10:13] - Discovering Product Management Through Curiosity and Questioning "I kept asking questions, turns out, that curiosity led me into product management."[15:20] - What Francesca Had to Unlearn"As a product manager, I had to leave behind what worked before, it’s always contextual."[19:56] - Transition from Individual Contributor to Product Leader "My first leadership role taught me to stop copying others and find my own style."[24:54] - Why Role Expectations Must Be Rewritten During Scaling "Too many questions about roles and success? That’s your sign to pause and redefine expectations."[27:52] - Realizing Where She Thrives: The Scaleup Stage "My sweet spot? Companies ready to scale after finding product-market fit."[37:24] - From Operator to Advisor: Unlearning and Redefining Impact"New roles come with new expectations, especially the ones you set for yourself."Follow Our Guest:LinkedIn Accounts: Francesca Cortesi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-cortesi/Prodotto Collective: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prodotto-collective/ Hemnet: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hemnet/ Websites: Prodotto Collective (Francesca’s Personal Site): https://www.francescacortesi.com/ FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryoreilly Personal site: https://barryoreilly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barryoreillyauthor/ Twitter: https://x.com/barryoreilly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barryoreilly/ Email: hello@barryoreilly.com

Mar 26, 2025 • 39min
The Neuroscience of High-Performing Teams for Leaders to Achieve Workplace Success | Dr. Marcia Goddard
Welcome back to the Unlearn podcast! Today, we're exploring neuroscience with Dr. Marcia Goddard, a top neuroscientist and high-performance expert. As the founder of Brain Matters, a LinkedIn Top Voice, TEDx speaker, and a Neuroscientist. She's known for making science practical for business success. Her work with Formula 1, where she studied behavior and culture within teams to develop comprehensive strategies that enhance performance, along with her contributions to Leiden University, and The Contentment Foundation has helped leaders and teams boost performance and teamwork. She is also the Board Advisory Member of Equalture. Tune in for an insightful talk on unlocking human abilities and building creative workplace cultures!She is a respected neuroscientist who is dedicated to guiding young professionals and bringing fresh ideas into different industries. Dr. Marcia’s work is a valuable resource for anyone aiming to make a big impact in technology and business.Dr. Marcia Goddard, a neuroscience expert with over 10+ years of experience, applies brain science to boost workplace performance and culture. She has consulted with high-performance teams, including Formula 1 and Fortune 500 companies, optimizing team dynamics. Her thought leadership focuses on psychological safety and inclusion, guiding organizations toward innovation and growth.Key Takeaways:Expanding Globally: Dr. Marcia Goddard’s strategies for international growth. Overcoming Challenges: Solutions for fast-changing industries. Adapting to Change: Stay flexible, ditch outdated methods. Personal Experience: Dr. Goddard’s lessons in action.Additional Insights:Effective Strategies: Dr. Marcia Goddard on reshaping industries. Thriving in Growth: Tips for fast-expanding businesses. Experience to Innovation: Dr. Goddard’s journey to better solutions.Get ready for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Marcia Goddard on infusing new ideas into business strategies and fostering a culture of innovation and growth.Episode Highlights: [00:36] - Episode Precap"Welcome back to the Unlearn podcast, where we challenge conventional thinking to unlock high performance and breakthrough innovation."[01:17] - Guest Introduction: Dr. Marcia Goddard“I'm joined by Dr. Marcia Goddard, a neuroscientist, author, and keynote speaker specializing in applying brain science to workplace performance and culture.”[02:30] - Navigating Introversion, Networking Opportunities, and Career Growth"My career was once a series of what I called coincidences, but I no longer believe they were."[06:46] - Unlearning Misconceptions in Neuroscience"There are two answers to that. My favorite quote is, 'If the brain were simple enough for us to understand, we would be too simple to understand it.”[10:26] - Practical Tips for High-Performance"It's a good question, especially in individual coaching. I think that's what it's related to."[12:40] - The Importance of Reflection in Decision-Making"We often tell ourselves we must decide now, but that’s rarely the case."[15:58] - Enhancing Team Communication"The most common thing I see at a team level, especially in growing organizations."[18:44] - Remote Work and Maintaining Connections"For remote organizations, let’s be clear: I don’t support full-time office work."[26:04] - Future of High-Performance Teams"Looking ahead, what excites you most in the industry, and what do you think needs to be unlearned?"[29:31] - Rethinking Diversity and Inclusion Programs"We need to unlearn the notion that ticking boxes creates impact and that DEI is just the right thing to do."[35:52] - Future Trends in Neuroscience and Performance Teams"Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of performance teams and neuroscience?"Follow Our GuestLinkedIn Accounts: Dr. Marcia Goddard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mngoddard/Brain Matters: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainmattersconsulting/ Formula 1: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formula-one-management-ltd/ Equalture: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equalture/ The Contentment Foundation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contentment-foundation/ Leiden University - Faculty of Archaeology: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faculty-of-archaeology-university-of-leiden/ Websites: Brain Matters: https://brainmattersconsulting.com/ Formula 1: https://www.formula1.com/ Equalture: https://www.equalture.com/ The Contentment Foundation: https://www.contentment.org/ Leiden University - Faculty of Archaeology: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/archaeology ____________________________________________________________Download my free innovation map I use to help companies like Google and Nike figure out the gap between their current state and desired state.Download Now: https://bit.ly/InnovationPortfolioWorkbook FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryoreilly Personal site: https://barryoreilly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barryoreillyauthor/ Twitter: https://x.com/barryoreilly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barryoreilly/ Email: hello@barryoreilly.com

Mar 12, 2025 • 39min
Why Playing Too Small Is Stopping Your Finance Career Growth with Kristie Edling-Day
Welcome to UNLEARN, the podcast where we will discuss the transformative journeys, innovative tactics, and the pivotal mindset shifts necessary for authentic progress and development. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Kristie Edling-Day, the current Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Advisor Technology at LPL Financial, and former Principal and Chief Information Officer at Vanguard, a pioneer in strategic development and information management.Kristie is not just a leader; she also loves helping young professionals grow and bringing new ideas to different industries. The book ‘Innovate to Elevate: Transforming Markets and Minds in Southeast Asia’ explores groundbreaking insights, offering valuable strategies for those aiming to drive change in technology and business.Kristie has worked in the Financial Services industry for over 18 years, helping improve technology and develop new products. At LPL Financial, she manages Client Works, a platform that helps over 20,000 advisors with important tools for handling accounts, investments, trading, advisory programs, and compliance. She also leads LPL’s strategy for AI, making sure the company and its advisors have access to the latest in what technology can do both for efficiency and growth.Key Takeaways:Growing Businesses Worldwide: Kristie shares how to expand companies across different countries. Facing Challenges: Tips on handling problems in fast-growing industries. Learning and Adapting: Why being open to change and unlearning old ways helps with innovation. Using Personal Experience: How Kristie solves problems based on her own challenges.Additional Insights:Smart Strategies and Strong Operations: Kristie explains how these key skills can change industries. Succeeding in Fast-Growing Markets: How to handle challenges in quickly expanding businesses. Turning Experience into Innovation: How Kristie uses her own experiences to create better business solutions.Get ready for an insightful talk with Kristie Edling-Day on bringing fresh ideas into business strategies and building a culture of innovation and growth.Episode Highlights:[00:37] - Episode Introduction"Systems like LPL’s ClientWorks platform are so important and they help over 20,000 advisors manage their work more effectively and stay compliant. "[01:35] - Guest Introduction: Kristie Edling-Day.“I did not join Vanguard thinking I wanted to be an executive in technology."[05:20] - Turning Point in Career Growth Choices and Embracing Uncertainty.“On my first day at the new job, I realized that I didn't really know the boss or even the names of all the divisions in the company."[10:05] - Nurturing Passion and Building Effective Leadership Teams"What are the things you were doing when you chose to stay late, didn't mind, and in fact, were excited or couldn't wait to get up the next day?"[16:28] - Adjusting to New Roles and Unlearning"I think it is one of the most profound realizations that two organizations can think about roles and define them very differently."[24:05] - Discovering Aha Moments in Personal Growth"Some of the things that helped you, like those aha moments? Now that you have new clarity, what are you doing differently?"[28:54] - The Need for Unlearning in Industry Evolution "Things most exciting about in the industry, and what do you think needs to be unlearned? I’ve noticed both individuals and organizations often resist asking for help, preferring to go it alone."[36:04] - Conclusion and Future Aspirations"It's been absolutely phenomenal to have you on the show. Thank you for sharing your story so openly and humbly. This is what people love listening to."Follow Our GuestLinkedIn Accounts: Kristie Edling-Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristie-edling-day-10690623/ Vanguard : https://www.linkedin.com/company/vanguard/ LPL Financial : https://www.linkedin.com/company/lpl-financial/ Websites: Vanguard : https://investor.vanguard.com/corporate-portal Download my free innovation map I use to help companies like Google and Nike figure out the gap between their current state and desired state.Download Now: https://bit.ly/InnovationPortfolioWorkbook FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryoreilly Personal site: https://barryoreilly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barryoreillyauthor/ Twitter: https://x.com/barryoreilly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barryoreilly/ Email: hello@barryoreilly.com


