the Learn-It-All™ podcast
Self-Improvement
About
The Learn-It-All™ podcast is built on the conviction that the leaders worth following aren't the ones with all the answers. They're the ones who never stop learning. If you've chosen growth over coasting, and curiosity over the comfort of being the smartest person in the room, you're a learn-it-all. And this podcast is for you. Host Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, CEO of Learnit, and someone who has spent 30 years watching what separates leaders who keep growing from those who quietly become the ceiling that limits everyone around them. Each episode features real conversations with top executives, founders, NYT bestselling authors, and world-class athletes — people who've faced adversity, made costly mistakes, and done the hard, unglamorous work of growing. They share what they learned — and unlearned — to lead at the next level. Great leaders aren't born or made. They're always in the making. Let's not do that work alone. Stay curious. Keep learning. Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode.
Episodes
- 294. NBA's Top Psychologist Reveals How to Thrive Under Pressure | Wayne Chappelle
In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, clinical psychologist Wayne Chappelle discusses the mental habits that distinguish elite teams. He outlines four warning signs of mental breakdown—blindness, complacency, distraction, and despa…
- 293. The Leadership Skill Nobody Teaches (But Every Top Performer Has) | Damon Lembi
In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon Lembi argues that self-awareness is the most critical leadership skill, often absent from formal training. Drawing on personal anecdotes and lessons from mentors, Lembi explains how becom…
- 292. The Ancient Leadership Principle That The Top 1% Leaders Know | DJ Vanas
This episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast features DJ Vanas discussing ancient leadership principles centered on contribution, protection, and service. Learn how to build a tribe, earn respect, give feedback, and build trust through qualit…
- 291. The One Rule That Separates Great Leaders From Average Managers | Tyler Dickerhoof
In this episode of the Learn-It-All podcast, Damon Lembi interviews leadership coach Tyler Dickerhoof about the key difference between great leaders and average managers. Dickerhoof explains the importance of focusing on developing others…
- 290. You're Not Behind (Yet): How Leaders Need To Adapt With AI | Danielle Clark
On the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Danielle Clark and Damon Lembi explore AI leadership. Clark emphasizes adapting to AI as a business shift, not an experiment, and guiding teams through adoption by focusing on workflows and outcomes. The discu…
- 289. The Reason You Still Feel Empty After Getting Everything You Wanted | Jim Murphy
In this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, Damon Lembi talks with Jim Murphy, author of Inner Excellence. They discuss why successful people often feel empty, exploring Murphy's "PALMS" framework (possessions, achievements, looks, money,…
- 288. How to Get the Most Out of Your Financial Advisor (Most People Don’t) | CJ Davidson
CJ Davidson shares his journey from traditional financial services to founding Proxy Financial, emphasizing a client-first culture and the importance of ethical practices. The episode discusses how to select a financial advisor and the evo…
- 287. Leadership Expert: “Before You Accept A Promotion, Ask Yourself This…” | Vincent Wanga
Vincent Wanga discusses the 'why' behind
- 286. Why Most Founders Aren’t Ready to Scale | Ray Lane
Ray Lane discusses leadership, company turnarounds, founder potential, and scaling businesses on The Learn-It-All™ Podcast. He shares lessons on rebuilding trust, identifying founder potential, and common scaling mistakes.
- 285. Little League Baseball Teaches Kids to Fail — Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing | Damon Lembi
In this solo episode, Damon Lembi explores how Little League baseball provides a valuable opportunity for children to learn from failure, developing essential life skills like resilience, teamwork, and courage. The episode emphasizes the i…
- 284. Former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster on Confidence, Reinvention, and Why Education Is Freedom | Jim Keyes
Jim Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, shares insights on building confidence through knowledge and preparation, not just innate talent. He discusses lessons learned from leading major turnarounds and navigating crises, emphasi…
- 283. Why Your Brain Shuts Down Under Pressure | Rob Kalwarowsky
Rob Kalwarowsky joins The Learn-It-All Podcast to discuss why leaders freeze under pressure, exploring concepts like inner chaos and amygdala hijack. He shares strategies for leaders to remain calm, make better decisions during uncertainty…
- 282. How Great Leaders Build Winning Habits | James Laughlin
James Laughlin, high-performance coach, joins The Learn-It-All Podcast to discuss how great leaders build winning habits. The episode covers rewiring belief systems, visualization, work-life counterbalance, and overcoming imposter syndrome…
- 281. Bold AI Predictions for Work by 2027 | Damon Lembi
This episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast features Damon Lembi and Mickey Fitch-Collins discussing AI's evolving role in the workplace by 2027. They cover AI becoming a collaborative teammate, essential human skills for leadership, and pred…
- 280. Breaking Free from Perfectionism | Todd Patkin
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Todd Patkin discusses his journey of overcoming perfectionism, anxiety, and depression. He shares insights on how perfectionism can sabotage life and career, offering practical habits like exer…
- 279. How to Stop Getting Ghosted After the First Sales Meeting | Lee Salz
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon interviews Lee Salz about how to prevent being ghosted after initial sales meetings. Salz explains that replacing the egocentric sales step of "discovery" with a value-led consultation ca…
- 278. Why CEOs Must Train Like Athletes | Pearce Cucchissi
Pearce Cucchissi, former Army Ranger and performance coach, explains on The Learn-It-All™ Podcast why CEOs should adopt athletic training principles. He covers optimizing mental and physical health, resilience, avoiding burnout, and the li…
- 277: Your Leadership Operating System Needs an Update | Townsend Wardlaw
On the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Townsend Wardlaw joins Damon to discuss the concept of a "human operating system" for leaders. The episode explores how updating core beliefs and mindsets can lead to personal transformation, offering practica…
- 276: The Psychological Safety Test Leaders Never Try | Aoife O’Brien
Aoife O’Brien discusses her "house" framework for creating happy, high-performing workplaces on the Learn-It-All™ podcast, covering psychological safety, culture, drivers, and capabilities with actionable guidance for leaders.
- 275: He Took Over From a Legend After 45 Years—Here’s What Worked | David Brint
David Brint shares his journey of leading a mission-driven organization, inspired by his son's diagnosis. He discusses scaling an affordable housing company, transitioning into nonprofit leadership, and the importance of succession plannin…
- 274: The 6 Levels of Control That Signal Team Failure | Kevin Black
Learn how to harness team chaos for growth. This episode explores the difference between destructive and constructive chaos, behavioral adaptability, and the PAR dynamic, providing leaders with tools to navigate uncertainty and foster resi…
- 273: Stop Hiring for Experience: The 3 Traits That Predict Top Performers | Ursula Mentjes
This episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast features Ursula Mentjes, who discusses why certain traits can make
- 272: The 5 Cs That Make People Trust You | Damon Lembi
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi introduces his "Five C's" framework: Character, Curiosity, Courage, Confidence, and Community. He explains how these elements, particularly humility, are crucial for leaders to…
- 271: The $10B Portfolio Standard They Refuse to Compromise | Mark Gleiberman
Mark Gleiberman, Founder & CEO of MG Properties, shares on the Learn-It-All™ podcast how he built a $10 billion, 33,000-unit real estate empire from a single acquisition. He discusses the importance of niche focus, resilient growth strateg…
- 270: Why Letting Go of the Outcome Changes Everything | Jim Harshaw Jr.
Jim Harshaw Jr. discusses achievement on the Learn-It-All™ podcast, reframing failure as a catalyst for growth and sharing mindset shifts and practical frameworks for lasting success.
- 269: Dan Ariely: Remote Work Didn’t Kill Productivity — It Killed Connection
Behavioral economist Dan Ariely joins the Learn-It-All™ podcast to discuss how remote work impacts team connection and motivation. The episode explores the drivers of high-performing teams, the limitations of extrinsic rewards, and strateg…
- 268: Start Strong Mini-Series: Four-Time Olympian on the Two Types of Courage That Change Everything | Ruben Gonzalez
Damon interviews four-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez on The Learn-It-All™ podcast. Gonzalez discusses the two types of courage, overcoming failure, visualization techniques, and finding passion over willpower. He shares insights on resilienc…
- 267: Start Strong Mini-Series: NFL Quarterback on the Comeback Mindset That Refuses to Lose | Jake Plummer
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Jake Plummer, former NFL quarterback, shares insights on the comeback mindset, emphasizing belief, resilience, and curiosity. He discusses leadership, team building, overcoming challenges, and…
- 266: Start Strong Mini-Series: Three-Time Gold Medalist on Why Action Beats Anxiety Every Time | Leah Amico
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon interviews three-time Olympic gold medalist Leah Amico. They discuss how mindset, action, and adaptation are crucial for elite performance, covering topics like overcoming imposter s…
- 265: Start Strong Mini-Series: NCAA National Champion on the “F-Switch” That Unlocks Your Potential | Seth Pepper
Seth Pepper, a national champion swimmer and performance coach, discusses how mindset, learning from failure, and embracing pressure are key to success. He shares his journey from novice to champion, detailing strategies like belief, visua…
- 264: Start Strong Mini-Series: Two-Time World Champion on the Difference Between Gold Medalists and Everyone Else | Arjun Dhingra
Arjun Dhingra, a two-time Taekwondo world champion, discusses resilience, high performance, and adaptation strategies with host Damon on the Learn-It-All™ podcast. The episode covers frameworks for thriving during disruption, the dangers o…
- 263: The Data Says America’s Best Days Are Ahead (Even If the News Doesn’t) | Larry Aldrich
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon Lembi talks with Larry Aldrich about why America's best days are ahead. Aldrich uses data, history, and personal stories to argue that optimism, grit, and bold thinking are key strengths.…
- 262: Hard Work Doesn’t Get You Promoted—This Does | Nadine Niba
Nadine Niba shares insights on building a standout career, emphasizing resilience, cultural intelligence, and strategic career development. Drawing from her immigrant journey and the metaphor of a football quarterback, she provides actiona…
- 261: 99% of Hiring Managers Miss This One Critical Interview Step | Scott Arias
Scott Arias, Navy veteran and CEO of ACE Group, discusses building a values-driven construction company. He shares insights on integrity, humility, courage, and practical strategies for creating a high-trust culture and inspiring loyalty,…
- 260: The One Signal That Separates Those Who Succeed from Those Who Quit | Jerrid Sebesta
On the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Jerrid Sebesta shares his journey of overcoming scarcity and fear to build a purposeful life. The episode explores rewriting limiting beliefs, using fear as fuel, and strategies for creating an authentic and a…
- 259: The Hidden Framework Behind Every High-Growth Partnership | Phil Hayes-St Clair
Phil Hayes-St Clair discusses the IDEAL framework for building high-trust partnerships, essential for business growth and leadership. The episode covers making people feel they belong, hiring strategies, and coaching specialists, drawing f…
- 258: The Basketball Miracle No One Saw Coming | Coach Jim Johnson
Coach Jim Johnson discusses the inspiring "J-Mac Game," where a team manager with autism became a sensation. The episode explores lessons in resilience, trust, vulnerability, and servant leadership applicable to any field.
- 257: Why Punishing Mistakes Quietly Kills Workplace Innovation | Mark Graban
Mark Graban discusses with Damon Lembi on the Learn-It-All podcast how embracing mistakes, rather than punishing them, drives innovation and trust in organizations. They explore creating psychological safety, the costs of punitive cultures…
- 256: Why Waiting to Feel “Ready” Is Killing Your Potential | Valerie Bowden
Valerie Bowden discusses her transition from social work to founding multiple startups after a transformative solo trip. She shares insights on building resilience, self-trust, and learning from failures, emphasizing practical takeaways fo…
- 255: How Great Leaders Grow People Faster — The 2025 Leadership Playbook | Cameron Herold
Cameron Herold discusses core leadership skills for growing people and teams, focusing on interviewing, delegation, culture building, and adapting to AI. The episode covers practical frameworks and mindset shifts for leaders to scale thems…
- 254: Early Warning Signs of Employee Burnout Managers Should Act On Now | Joyce Marter
Psychotherapist Joyce Marter discusses modern leadership, mental health, and burnout on the Learn-It-All™ podcast. She shares insights on resilience, transparency, and shifting mindsets, offering strategies for leaders to navigate stress a…
- 253: What Great Leaders Unlearn That Average Managers Still Believe | Josh Nanavaty
On The Learn-It-All™ podcast, Josh Nanavaty shares insights on leadership, emphasizing the shift from an individual contributor mindset to a team-focused approach. He covers what leaders need to unlearn, strategies for building trust and p…
- 252: What Leaders Don’t Know About Tribal Psychology | Tim Ash
Host Damon Lembi welcomes Tim Ash to the Learn-It-All™ podcast to discuss how ancient tribal psychology impacts modern leadership, culture, and team dynamics. They explore primal brain wiring, the science behind belonging, and how leaders…
- 251: How Great Leaders Face Fear Head-On: 3 Steps to Build Courage Through Effort | Quinn Magnuson
This episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast features Quinn Magnuson, discussing how great leaders face fear by valuing effort over results. They explore practical strategies for building courage, managing doubt and imposter syndrome, and lea…
- 250: How Pros Beat Resistance Every Day | Steven Pressfield
On the 250th episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, author Steven Pressfield explains that the difference between amateurs and professionals lies in consistently battling resistance, fear, and self-doubt. He details how resistance manifests…
- 249: What Elite Sports Teams Know About Building Culture That You Don’t | Ken Crenshaw
Ken Crenshaw, former Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks, discusses building strong team cultures based on trust, connection, and shared purpose. He shares lessons learned from his career in Major Leagu…
- 248: The HR Skills That Separate Strategic Leaders From the Rest | Nahed Khairallah
This episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast features HR strategist Nahed Khairallah discussing how founders can overcome people-related challenges to achieve business growth. The conversation covers essential HR skills for leaders, effective…
- 247: 22 Championships in a Row | The Character Over Talent Formula | Rusty Komori
On the Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi interviews Rusty Komori, a coach known for 22 consecutive state championships. Komori shares insights on building character, mindset, and empathy to foster sustained success and leadership gre…
- 246: What Elite Sales Reps Do That AI Can Never Replace | John Barrows
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, John Barrows shares insights on how elite sales representatives can thrive despite AI advancements. He highlights the importance of human skills such as curiosity, empathy, and grit, and discus…
- 245: The Workplace Gratitude Practice Most Leaders Are Missing | Joel Zuckerman
This episode features Joel Zuckerman, author of Gratitude Tiger, discussing gratitude as a powerful leadership tool. He shares how expressing authentic appreciation can enhance morale, build trust, and improve retention, particularly addre…