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What if the money rules you inherited were never designed to create financial freedom? Dr. Wayne Pernell talks with Mark Quann—founder and CEO of The Perfect Portfolio, financial educator, investor, and bestselling author—about rebuilding after roughly $700,000 in debt and questioning the conventional financial playbook. Mark shares how childhood poverty fueled his drive to understand money, how aggressive real-estate leverage collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis, and why communication, sales, mentorship, and resilience became essential to his comeback. He also breaks down the Buy, Borrow, Die concept: acquiring appreciating assets, borrowing against them instead of selling, and thinking about long-term wealth transfer. You’ll hear a provocative critique of traditional financial advice, a discussion of brokerage accounts and margin loans, and a challenge to raise your financial IQ before making major money decisions. Learn more about Mark, his books, and The Perfect Portfolio at ThePerfectPortfolio.com. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/6Laky2fbD04 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #MarkQuann #FinancialLiteracy #MoneyMindset #WealthBuilding #PersonalFinance #Leadership #FinancialEducation #PersonalGrowthMark Quann's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/mark-quann-author

What does it mean to “be the bank”—and how is artificial intelligence changing mortgage-note investing? Fred Moskowitz joins Dr. Wayne Pernell on One Sharp Sword to explain how his career in computer engineering and technology leadership led him into alternative investing. Fred breaks down mortgage notes, the difference between active investing and passive note funds, and the factors investors should understand, including risk tolerance, minimum investment requirements, liquidity, and time horizon. You’ll also hear how Fred uses AI to speed due diligence, cash-flow modeling, forecasting, research, and the review of large loan pools. Just as important, he explains why AI output must be tested, manually verified, and kept under human oversight. This episode is about more than investing. It is a practical conversation about adapting to fast-changing technology while protecting trust, accountability, and human connection. The core leadership lesson: use better tools, but keep relationships at the center. You’ll learn: How mortgage-note investing differs from owning rental property When active or passive note investing may fit different time commitments Why liquidity and investment horizon matter Where AI adds speed—and where people must retain judgment How engineering-style testing can reveal faulty assumptions or outputs Why being a good human remains a competitive leadership advantage Connect with Fred: FredMoskowitz.com • GiftFromFred.com Book: The Little Green Book of Note Investing Subscribe, rate, and share One Sharp Sword—and keep cutting through to what matters most. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/3Lo2xB61dsk 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #FredMoskowitz #MortgageNoteInvesting #AlternativeInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #FinancialEducation #Leadership #InvestingPodcast #EntrepreneurshipFred Moskowitz's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/thefredmoskowitz

Every interaction leaves a mark. When people walk away from an interaction with you, do they feel more capable—or less? Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with leadership educator and author Doug Crandall to explore the central idea behind Doug’s book, Building or Diminishing: almost every interaction either strengthens another person’s capacity or quietly diminishes it. Drawing on nearly three decades of leadership development experience, including teaching at West Point and developing corporate executives, Doug reveals how expectations, trust, dignity, and presence shape the people we lead. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why there may be no neutral interaction• How the Pygmalion Effect influences performance• Why leaders should assume positive intent• The difference between being kind and merely being nice• How to challenge people without diminishing them• The four leadership archetypes: Builder, Driver, Cheerleader, and Belittler• Why trust makes difficult feedback more powerful• How quickly a leader can reshape someone’s confidence• Why a phone on the table can weaken human connection• The question every leader should ask: “What does this person need to hear?”• Why reflection—not experience alone—creates growth Doug also shares a formative lesson from fellow West Point instructor Everett Spain, who challenged him to “never meet a bad cadet.” That shift in expectations transformed how Doug taught, coached, and led. The conversation offers a practical challenge for leaders, parents, coaches, educators, and anyone whose words affect others: Am I building—or diminishing? ABOUT DOUG CRANDALL Doug Crandall is a West Point graduate, former West Point faculty member, Stanford MBA, leadership educator, and Head of Teaching at The Referent Group. He has designed leadership-development experiences for thousands of leaders and is the author and co-author of multiple leadership books, including Building or Diminishing. CONNECT WITH DOUG BuildingOrDiminishing.comDoug Crandall on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/doug-crandall-585a4 ABOUT THE SHOW One Sharp Sword, hosted by Dr. Wayne Pernell, cuts through to what matters most in leadership, personal growth, relationships, and high performance. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/UkBb6XawjUc 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell

Award-winning director, author, speaker mentor, and entrepreneur Tricia Brouk returns to One Sharp Sword for a powerful conversation about ambition, presence, service, and wise leadership. Tricia takes Dr. Wayne Pernell from her childhood on a Missouri farm to a global dance career that included performing with Mikhail Baryshnikov. She shares how appearing in Antigone shortly after 9/11 transformed her understanding of art as service—and why influential communicators must show up prepared to care for their audience. They explore why speakers should share from the scar rather than the wound, the difference between having emotion and becoming emotional, and how Tricia's STILL method—Stop, Tune In, Intuit, Listen, and Learn—helps leaders respond from wisdom instead of ego. Tricia also discusses Being Smart Is Stupid, The Wise Leopard, the upcoming film Dog Years, and the leadership lesson at the heart of her relationship with Wayne: work with people who make you better. Connect with Tricia, explore her books, and learn about her workshops: https://triciabrouk.com/ Pease enjoy Tricia’s free programs at www.TriciaBrouk.com/workshops  🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jca6BPENyE0 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #TriciaBrouk #Leadership #DreamBig #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #SuccessMindset #WomenInLeadership #PurposeTricia Brouk 's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/triciabrouk

Can you verify that a private charter is legal and safe before you board—and before your money moves? CoachAir founder and CEO Jacob Baumler joins Dr. Wayne Pernell to reveal a largely hidden problem within private aviation: passengers may have no simple way to confirm an operator’s authority, aircraft status, pilot qualifications, insurance, and trip legality. Jacob’s mission began after he personally experienced an illegal charter and fraud. In response, he and his wife founded CoachAir to help replace aviation’s fragmented, trust-based processes with connected verification and protected transactions. In this episode: The personal experience that inspired CoachAir• What makes a private charter legal or illegal• Why Part 135 certification matters• How passengers can verify before they fly• Why aviation still relies on paper, spreadsheets, and phone calls• How protected payments can serve passengers and operators• How better aircraft visibility could improve emergency response• What FBOs and vertiports do• How air taxis will change transportation• Why advanced air mobility needs verified trust• Jacob’s leadership vision for scaling CoachAir• The future of safer, frictionless aviation Jacob also explains why this issue extends beyond today’s private travelers. As air taxis, electric aircraft, drones, and other new forms of mobility become more accessible, the industry will need a safety and trust infrastructure capable of scaling with them. Learn more about Jacob and CoachAir:https://www.GoCoachAir.com/ Subscribe to One Sharp Sword for candid conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers who are cutting through to what matters most. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/wRs1ltHFQA0 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #JacobBaumler #PrivateAviation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #AviationSafety #BusinessLeadership #CoachAir

Are you consciously creating your future—or simply following the script you were handed? Dr. Wayne Pernell talks with entrepreneur, Army veteran, business operator, and author Steve Rolle about rejecting inherited limits and deliberately building the life you want. Steve shares how growing up in a low-income community outside Washington, D.C., shaped his early expectations—and how mentorship, books, an Army ROTC scholarship, and exposure to business ownership expanded his sense of possibility. You’ll learn how environment influences identity, why the right mentor can interrupt a limiting pattern, and how small, repeatable wins help you prove a new identity to yourself. Steve also explains why joining higher-level communities requires bringing value to the table and shares his motivation formula: value × belief × immediacy ÷ friction. The episode’s central challenge is simple but powerful: actively reject the future you did not choose, decide who you want to become, and prove it through action. Learn more about Steve at [SteveRoll.com](https://steveroll.com), follow **@RollWithSteve** on social media, and find his book, *The Future You Choose*, on Amazon. If this conversation helped you, follow *One Sharp Sword*, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who is ready to stop living by default.Steve Rolle's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/steverolle 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/7JMatzv3Wy8 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #SteveRolle #Leadership #PersonalAgency #Mindset #Identity #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #ChooseYourFuture

What if self-trust is not something you build over time, but a decision you can make right now? Dr. Wayne Pernell talks with self-trust business coach, author, strategist, and podcast host Dawn Ledet about moving before certainty arrives. Dawn shares how a season of “overworking and underliving” exposed her reliance on external validation—and led her to rethink confidence, identity, self-sabotage, and follow-through. You’ll discover why fixed labels such as “procrastinator” or “self-saboteur” can weaken your agency, how to treat decisions as data, and how Dawn’s “lobby” and “inner room” metaphor can help you relate differently to difficult thoughts. The conversation also explores productivity, ADHD-friendly work patterns, outcome-based leadership, and why a strong identity floor matters more than trying to break through another ceiling. Key takeaway: choose self-trust first. Follow-through is its expression, not the price you pay to earn it. Learn more about Dawn, explore the free **Meet You in the Lobby** tool, and find her books at [TheSelfTrustCoach.com](https://theselftrustcoach.com). Connect with Dawn Ledet on LinkedIn and listen to *The Self-Trust Solution* podcast. If this conversation helped you, follow *One Sharp Sword*, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who is ready to trust themselves and take the next step. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/pmWyxkaRmtw 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #DawnLedet #SelfTrust #LeadershipDevelopment #Mindset #ExecutiveCoaching #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipPodcastDawn Ledet's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/dawnledet

What happens when the rules no longer apply? In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with transformational CEO Julie Peck to explore leadership in a rapidly changing world. From AI disruption to shifting business models, Julie shares why traditional “playbooks” are breaking down—and what today’s leaders must do instead. They dive into navigating uncertainty, building organizational courage, and leading with clarity when the path forward isn’t obvious. If you’re leading through complexity, this conversation will challenge how you think about risk, strategy, and success. Key Takeaways: You can’t risk-mitigate your way to success Chaos isn’t a threat—it’s an invitation Old leadership playbooks are becoming obsolete Organizational risk = individual risk tolerance scaled into policy The best leaders balance vision (zoom out) and execution (zoom in) Failure, when used well, accelerates success Leadership today requires courage, clarity, and adaptability Memorable Quotes: “You can’t risk-mitigate your way to greatness.” “Chaos isn’t a threat—it’s an invitation.” “Playbooks have become our security blankets.” Topics Covered: Leadership under pressure AI and organizational transformation Letting go of outdated strategies Building cultures that embrace failure Decision-making in uncertainty Vision vs. planning Connect with Julie Peck:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliepeckceo About the Show:One Sharp Sword cuts through to what matters most—helping leaders think clearly, act decisively, and lead powerfully. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/XxdzlQncU0g 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #JuliePeck #Leadership #AILeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessTransformation #FutureOfWork #Innovation

What does it take to build resilient leaders in a world dominated by technology, distraction, and constant change? In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Peter Cuneo, former CEO of Marvel Entertainment and author of Superhero Leadership: 28 Essential Lessons for Managers from a Former Marvel CEO. Peter shares timeless leadership lessons drawn from decades of executive leadership, including why resilience matters more than perfection, why face-to-face relationships still outperform technology, and why parents and leaders alike must allow people to fail if they want them to grow. Whether you're leading an organization, raising children, or building your own career, this conversation offers practical wisdom for navigating today's increasingly complex world. In this episode, you'll learn: Why face-to-face experiences build stronger leaders The hidden cost of overparenting Why failure is essential for growth How technology impacts communication and leadership Why travel and diverse experiences expand leadership capacity Building resilience in young professionals Leadership lessons from decades of executive experience Memorable Quotes: "Let your kids fail." "You can't learn a thing by spending hours on your cell phone." "We're all feeling the same emotions." "People will say things online they'd never say face-to-face." #Leadership #PeterCuneo #WaynePernell #OneSharpSword #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveLeadership #Resilience #Management #PersonalGrowth #BusinessLeadership 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/X5RNRC54cNs 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernellPeter Cuneo's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/peter-cuneo

Artificial intelligence is everywhere. The question is no longer whether AI will change work. The question is whether humans will continue to think critically while using it. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Sameer Ranjan, CTO and Director of Data Science at Catenate, to discuss how AI can be used to enhance human potential rather than replace human judgment. Sameer shares how his company helps organizations identify talent, improve workforce mobility, reduce turnover, and create measurable learning outcomes. Together they explore behavioral economics, Ikigai, career transitions, critical thinking, creativity, and the growing importance of curiosity in an AI-driven world. They also discuss: Human-centered AI• Workforce intelligence• Career transitions and upskilling• Learning and development measurement• Emotional intelligence and data• Curiosity as a leadership advantage• Critical thinking in the age of AI• The future of work and talent development If you're a leader, educator, founder, HR executive, or simply curious about how humans and AI can work together more effectively, this conversation is for you. Sameer Ranjan's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sameerranjan009 Hosted by Dr. Wayne Pernell. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/OsAU85Sphqc 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #SameerRanjan #AIandLeadership #HumanJudgment #FutureOfWork #TalentStrategy #DataScience #Leadership

Leadership isn't about having all the answers. In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell interviews Dr. Tobias Bartholomé, psychologist and strategic workforce leader at Lufthansa Group, about leading through complexity, transformation, and uncertainty. Tobias shares lessons from more than twenty years inside one of the world's largest aviation organizations, including navigating mergers, workforce restructuring, leadership development, and the disruptions of COVID-19 and AI. Together, they discuss why leaders should focus less on being experts and more on creating environments where people can grow, why employees should be treated as adults rather than managed through outdated assumptions, and how organizations can preserve culture while adapting to rapid change. The episode concludes with a powerful leadership principle: Trust reduces complexity. In This Episode: Leadership in complex environments Human-centered organizational transformation Employee engagement and motivation Workforce strategy and future talent planning Cultural integration after acquisitions Resilience during uncertainty The future of leadership Connect with Dr. Tobias Bartholomé on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tbartholome 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/4KYPLrtjmDA 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #TobiasBartholome #Leadership #TrustInLeadership #OrganizationalChange #FutureOfWork #ExecutiveLeadership #Complexity

Quantum computing is closer than most people realize — and it may change cybersecurity, privacy, leadership, and digital trust forever. In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell speaks with technology strategist and post-quantum security expert Anna Murray about the rapidly approaching “Q-Day,” the future moment when quantum computers can break current encryption systems. Anna explains quantum computing in accessible language while exploring the real-world implications for business leaders, governments, organizations, and everyday people. Together, they discuss “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later,” AI-driven vulnerabilities, decentralization, leadership under uncertainty, and why leaders don’t need to become technologists to ask better questions and make better decisions. If you’ve heard about quantum computing and wondered why it matters — this conversation is your starting point. Topics Covered Quantum computing explained simply Q-Day and the future of encryption AI + cybersecurity risks Leadership during technological disruption Data privacy and digital sovereignty Post-quantum readiness Organizational adaptation and decision-making GuestAnna MurrayCo-Founder, Six3ROAuthor of Quantum Computing 101Technology strategist, speaker, and systems thinker 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/FgEFrx0QiJ0 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #AnnaMurray #QuantumComputing #Cybersecurity #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfTechnology #Innovation #TechnologyLeadership

Most companies aren’t lacking data—they’re lacking clarity. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with AI and technology strategist Tim Piemonte to explore why organizations struggle to turn data into decisions—and what leaders must do differently. Tim shares lessons from leading large-scale enterprise initiatives and explains why success with AI isn’t about tools—it’s about people, process, and clear strategy. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by technology, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually works. In This Episode: Why “data intelligence” matters more than “artificial intelligence” The real reason organizations fail with AI adoption How silos destroy value (and how to fix them) The correct order of transformation: People → Process → Platform How to start small and scale technology successfully What leaders must clarify before implementing AI Tim Piemonte – Founder, Empire Intelligence Group 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/-c8jOnGhTKQ 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernellConnect with Tim: Email: [email protected] Tim Piemonte's LinkedIn Page: linkedin.com/in/timpiemonte #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #TimPiemonte #AILeadership #DataStrategy #DecisionMaking #BusinessClarity #FutureOfWork

What do clinical trials, leadership, and mountain biking have in common? More than you think. In this episode, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with clinical pharmacology expert Graham Wood, who has led over 350 first-in-human trials, to explore how innovation actually happens—under pressure, with uncertainty, and through collaboration. You’ll learn: Why scientists are always “selling” ideas How great leaders build teams that don’t depend on them How to make decisions when you don’t have all the data Why discomfort is a sign of growth—not failure Where drug development is heading (and how AI is changing everything) If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or high performer navigating complexity, this episode will shift how you think about risk, leadership, and progress. Guest: Graham WoodHost: Dr. Wayne Pernell 👉 Follow, rate, and review One Sharp Sword to support the show. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WkYlT4qYKOU 🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell 📌 Connect with Graham on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/grahamkeithwood#OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #GrahamWood #LeadershipUnderPressure #DecisionMaking #InnovationLeadership #RiskAndReward #HighPerformance

What does leadership look like when the future won’t sit still? In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Dessalen Wood, Global Chief People Officer at Syntax, to explore how leaders can navigate AI, uncertainty, and rapid change—without getting lost in fear or hype. Dessalen cuts through the noise with a powerful reframe: AI isn’t about tools—it’s about outcomes. And the leaders who win are the ones who stay grounded in what’s true today while building toward what’s next. You’ll learn why resistance to AI isn’t really about technology, how to create change that feels winnable, and why the most important leadership skills haven’t changed at all. If you’ve been wondering how to lead in the age of AI—this conversation brings clarity. In This Episode: Why leaders must ask: “What does this mean for me right now?” The truth about AI replacing jobs vs. transforming tasks What’s really driving resistance to AI adoption Why leaders don’t need to be AI experts How to measure success with AI (beyond activity metrics) The enduring leadership edge: relationships, influence, and political intelligence How to focus your team on meaningful outcomes—not just automation Don’t focus on the tool. Focus on the result—and let automation help you get there.Dessalen Wood is the Global Chief People Officer at Syntax with 25+ years of experience in HR, leadership development, and organizational culture. She is known for helping organizations adopt AI with clarity, realism, and a people-first approach. Find Dessalen Wood on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dessalen-wood-b1192513 🎥 Watch the full episode now on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/olDi7bK7AIM🔔 Subscribe for more leadership insights: 👉https://www.youtube.com/@DrWaynePernell #OneSharpSword #WaynePernell #DessalenWood #AILeadership #FutureOfWork #LeadershipClarity #PeopleFirst #ExecutiveLeadership