In 2009, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a bizarre challenge: find 10 red weather balloons hidden across theUnited States and do it faster than anyone else. What followed was a test not just of internet savvy, but of leadership in the digital age. In this episode, we dive into the winning strategy from MIT, uncover why most teams failed, and extract powerful lessons about networks, incentives, and what it really means to lead when scale and speed matter most.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Imagine being told that cars were a passing fad, that no one would want a computer in their home, or that phones without buttons would flop. In hindsight, these predictions seem absurd—but at the time, they were the prevailing wisdom.
In this episode of the Learn to Lead Podcast, we explore the surprising stories behind some of history’s most spectacularly wrong predictions. From the birth of the automobile to the rise of Japanese carmakers and the launch of the iPhone, these moments remind us of a powerful leadership truth: progress often begins when someone dares to question the consensus.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations andleadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
What if the lessons you’re learning from success are leading you in the wrong direction? In this episode, we revisit astunning insight from World War II, where Abraham Wald changed the course of military strategy—not with weapons, but with a shift in perspective. By showing that the real danger lies in what we don’t see, Wald exposed the blind spot of survivorship bias. We dive deep into what this means for today’s leaders: how chasing success stories can leave you vulnerable, how missing data skews decisions, and why learning from failure isn’t optional—it’s essential. If you’ve ever armored the wrong part of your plan, this story will stick with you. Because sometimes, the greatest leadership insight is found in what didn’t survive.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
We often treat failure as the end of the road—but for great leaders, it’s just the beginning. In this episode, we explore the hidden stories of public setbacks that led to extraordinary impact. From Walt Disney’s bankruptcy to Abraham Lincoln’s long trail of election defeats, from Oprah Winfrey’s career derailment to The Beatles’ early rejections, these stories remind us that success is rarely a straight line. If you’ve ever stumbled, doubted yourself, or been told “no,” this episode is for you.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
What if the price you put on something didn’t just reflect value—but created it? In this episode, we explore three real-world stories where pricing reshaped perception, influenced behavior, and even altered experience itself. From shirts to luxury office supplies to the world of wine, each example reveals how price can tell a powerful story. And for leaders, that story matters—because how you position value can shape how others see your product, your brand, and even your leadership.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Some problems are so obvious, we forget they’re problems at all. In this episode, we explore two surprising stories: how the tin can was invented nearly 50 years before the can opener, and why it took centuries after the invention of the wheel to finally put wheels on luggage. These examples aren’t just amusing—they reveal a deep truth about leadership and innovation. Often, the biggest opportunities are hidden in the pain points we’ve learned to tolerate. What frustrations have you accepted without questioning? Join me as we explore how fresh thinking turns the obvious into the extraordinary.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
What do a photography giant and a live comedy show have in common? In this episode, we explore how two iconic institutions—Kodak and Saturday Night Live—faced the same challenge: what to do when the thing that made you successful starts holding you back. One resisted change and paid the price. The other built reinvention into its DNA and stayed relevant for nearly five decades. These stories reveal the high stakes of clinging to comfort and the power of breaking what works—before the world does it for you. If you’re leading anything today, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Setbacks are an inevitable part of any journey, but what if they were actually the first step toward success? In this episode, hear the fascinating stories of how a failed adhesive experiment led to the creation of Post-it Notes and how 5,126 failed prototypes became the foundation for Dyson’s billion-dollar breakthrough. Discover how seeing opportunities in obstacles can transform failure into a launching pad for greatness.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
The Gold Rush was full of dreamers searching for fortune—but the biggest successes didn’t come from those digging for gold. In this episode of Learn to Lead, we uncover the surprising stories of those who found lasting success by thinking differently. Their journey holds a powerful lesson for leaders today.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development -https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast -https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter -https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making -https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
We’re kicking off a whole new approach to the Learn to Lead podcast this year. Every month, I’ll bring you real-world stories packed with surprising lessons in leadership, creativity, and innovation. For our first iteration of this new approach I want to start with a question: What do tires, trivia, and food ratings have in common? In this episode of Learn to Lead, we uncover the surprising origins of two iconic innovations born from unexpected challenges. These stories reveal how bold, creative thinking can transform obstacles into lasting impact. If you’re ready to see challenges in a whole new light, this episode is for you!
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 50 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
- Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
After 130 episodes exploring leadership, I decided to shake things up and let technology step into the spotlight. For this episode, I used AI to analyze and learn from every conversation we’ve had so far. From those 130 episodes, the AI has pieced together its own take on leadership, shaped by the many insights we’ve shared along the way. I gave the AI tool no guidelines whatsoever, I simply asked it to summarize the key topics from this podcast, and I hit generate.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
- Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Andrea Sampson is the CEO and Founder of Talk Boutique. She joined me on the show to discuss the power of storytelling in business and in life. We discuss a structure to tell more clear stories and how some people get off track when attempting to integrate storytelling into their approach to leadership. We finish the show by talking about curiosity and what makes a story that someone will remember.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Lisa Bodell is the CEO of Future Think and the bestselling author of "Why Simple Wins" & "Kill the Company.” She joined me on the show to talk about why successful leaders don't fear failure, instead they fear complacency. We also talked about her process around goal setting and what advice she would have for her younger self. We closed the conversation talking about the power of curiosity and how education needs to change to prepare future leaders and professionals for the current challenges they face.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
- Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Rocky Garza is a keynote speaker focused on people and culture development. On this episode we talk about the power of challenging the stories we tell ourselves so that we can experience the freedom and confidence that comes with living vulnerably. We also talk about the way a leader can build a life of fulfillment and success without compromising their true self. We close by talking about the power dealing with life’s challenges with a focus on what is possible in the darkest times.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries.
To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
- Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Erin Defosse is a longtime entrepreneur in the Austin area and is the founder of the Magellan School. He joined me on the show to talk about his experience as a founder and leader of early stage companies and what that has taught him about the importance of inspirational leadership. We also discuss why effective leadership begins by realizing that it isn’t about you as the leader. We close by talking about his lessons for his younger self and the importance of knowing oneself in the pursuit of becoming the best leader you can be.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
- Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Petra Velzeboer is a mental health expert and author of the book Begin With You. She is also the CEO of mental health consultancy PVL. On this episode we talk about Petra’s journey and some of the lessons she learned along the way. We then talk about goal setting and how to have effective (and fewer) meetings. We also discuss her advice for her younger self and the power of curiosity.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Vitaly Veksler, is the CEO of Vista Social, a unified social management tool that has almost 3 million social profiles connected through their platform. On this episode we talk about the defining moments in getting Vitaly to the place he is today and what he has learned along the way. We also talk about lessons around hiring effectively and figure out how to find balance in work and in life.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Ryan Estis is a former Fortune 500 CRO who is the Founding Partner of ImpactEleven. He is also the author of the book Prepare for Impact, and he was recognized by Meetings & Conventions Magazine as one of the best keynote speakers in the world. On this episode we talk about what Ryan means by “human centered organization” and why they have an advantage in the competitive business world we operate in. We also discuss risk taking and how two moments in Ryan’s life had a transformative impact on the person he is today. We finish by talking about curiosity and the intersection of technology and people that we are currently living through. — Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below: Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/ Host Matthew Confer: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Michael Coughlin is Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC Chief Program & Innovation Officer. On this episode we talk about what it takes to run NYC’s largest youth-mentorship program, which annually matches more than 2,500 kids from across the five boroughs with “bigs” who support and advise them. We also talk about the power of partnerships and how Michael has evolved as a leader as his role has grown.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie, a leading provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.
Patrick and Kathy Terry, are the co-founders of P. Terry's Burger Stand an American Fast Food Company that was named by USA Today as one of America’s 15 favorite regional fast food chains. Not only are they business partners, they are also a married couple. They joined the show to talk about the origin story of the restaurant and how they were feeling on their opening day in 2005. They also shared how they have evolved as leaders over the years, and what makes the employees that work at P. Terry’s such a critical part of the brand’s success. We close by talking about what they have learned about partnership as a married couple that works together every day. It was a fascinating conversation with a fascinating duo.
—
Learn To Lead is brought to you by Abilitie a leadership provider of experiential learning. Abilitie’s simulations and leadership programs have inspired over 100,000 professionals in more than 30 countries. To learn more about Abilitie and about our host Matthew Confer, visit the links below:
Abilitie Leadership Development - https://www.abilitie.com
The Learn To Lead Podcast - https://www.abilitie.com/learn-to-lead-podcast/
Host Matthew Confer:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MatthewConfer
Matthew’s TEDx Talk on Decision Making - https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_confer_before_you_decide_3_steps_to_better_decision_making
Make sure you subscribe to our show to ensure you get our next episode when it is released.