What if the biggest risk to your business... is your mindset?

Many of you know, I just returned from The Reinvention Summit in Dublin, what some are now calling the “Davos for Doers.”

My guest this week is straight from Dublin, Aidan McCullen, a former international rugby player, global keynote speaker, and one of the masterminds behind the Reinvention Summit. Let me tell you, after hearing Aidan at the conference, I had to have him on this show to share his wisdom with all of you!

From selling strawberries as a kid on the side of an Irish highway, to helping big brands navigate constant change, Aidan lives and breathes reinvention. He has insatiable curiosity. His frameworks are grounded by his love of literary classics and nature.

We talked about:

🌀 Why the “S-curve” of growth is broken—and what to replace it with

🌳 What stress wood, butterflies, and murmurations teach us about leading through change

♾️ How to build a mindset of permanent reinvention as a leader and as a company

I hope this episodes helps you reframe how you think about transformation, resilience, and what it really takes to grow something that lasts.

LINKS:

Murmurations:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/murmuration-organisations-flying-haier-aidan-mccullen-xds8e

Infinity Curve

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com/p/organisational-and-personal-autophagy-the-innovation-show-3d7d5e91f327

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/avoiding-burden-curve-gift-from-your-younger-self-aidan-mccullen-rbepf/

We Are All Astronauts:

https://youtu.be/Boywptyj4xk?si=-ET2vC3lj6tlFIaT

The Book Aidan is currently reading:

https://a.co/d/9zaxiPr

CFO Michelle Hook of Portillo’s joins me to talk about the ingredients behind one of the most craveable brands in the business!

From her first paper route at 13 to overseeing finance, IT, and supply chain for a $9M-AUV powerhouse, Michelle shares so many great insights and leadership lessons.

In this episode:

📰 How coin rolls, customer notes, and rainy-day tips shaped her leadership style

🍕 What Domino’s taught her about technology, timing, and transformation

🎓 Why she went back for her MBA, and what changed because of it

🥤 Chocolate cake shakes and all the moments that make up Portillo’s crave-worthy culture

📈 How Portillo’s is growing fast, even though just 1% of revenue is spent on marketing

The big takeaway from the episode? You don’t need a big budget to create big moments that matter!

John Summit x Portillo's: https://www.instagram.com/johnsummit/p/DA8l6r0uzCB/?hl=en&img_index=1

#Portillos #BusinessOfJoy #Technology #Finance #LeadershipLessons

🌟 NEW PODCAST EPISODE 🌟

I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Danny Klein, VP Editorial Director at WTWH Media (QSR, FSR Magazines), for a conversation that I can't stop thinking about.

We covered so much ground:

💡 How a “breathless” review turned into a rallying cry for differentiation

🤝 Why building a community beats chasing clicks

🛡️ Why authenticity is a business superpower

🎤 And how sometimes, true leadership is handing the mic to others and cheering them on

The conversation is a great reminder that leadership isn't about a title. It’s about taking care of the people who put their trust in you.

There’s so much wisdom packed into this episode, along with a few heartwarming stories about dogs, dads, and daring to try 🐾💛

#BusinessOfJoy #Leadership #Community #Innovation #Authenticity #Podcast