What if the biggest barriers to change aren’t what we can see — but what we can’t?
In this episode, Christopher Donaleski sits down with Erica Wexler, Change Architect and Founder of Transformational Guidance, to explore what she calls “the alchemy of the invisible.” Together, they unpack how the validation of our thinking patterns shapes culture, readiness, and the way leaders guide transformation.
Erica shares insights from her work across insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, and higher education — showing how neuroscience, systems thinking, and leadership all intersect when companies face AI disruption, organizational fatigue, and the pressure to adapt faster than ever.
In this season’s first episode of Smidgen of Proof, host Christopher Donaleski sits down with Camila Ferreira, a global customer experience leader who’s lived in six countries, led international teams, and ran Uber Eats operations during the pandemic.
Together, they explore what it really means to “serve first” in business—how speaking your client’s language builds trust, why finance and CX are two sides of the same coin, and how data and empathy must coexist for real leadership to emerge.
Camila shares powerful stories from her career, from transitioning out of finance to leading CX transformations at scale, and reveals why most companies never make it across the bridge between what they say and what customers actually feel.
This conversation dives deep into courage, leadership, and decision-making with only a smidgen of proof.
Key themes:
Seeing the world through your customer’s eyes
The bridge between finance and customer experience
How fear and courage shape leadership decisions
Why authentic connection can’t be automated—even by AI
Building trust before technology
This episode explores a behavior that often looks like leadership but quietly undermines it, the compulsion to act without clarity.
Host Christopher Donaleski opens with the story of JFK’s early misstep at the Bay of Pigs to reveal how urgency, pressure, and fear can drive poor decisions disguised as decisive action. From boardrooms to battlefields, we explore how the bias for action manifests, why stillness can feel risky, and how the best leaders learn to pause before taking action.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “just do something,” this episode offers the perspective and the questions you need to lead with intention, not reaction.
Episode 7: The Sunk Cost Trap (And Why You Stay Too Long) explores the powerful pull to keep going simply because you've already come so far. Host Christopher Donaleski opens with a personal story from a family hike at Enchanted Rock, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of why letting go can feel like failure, even when it’s the most sensible move.
From the boardroom to war rooms, we examine real-world examples, such as the Vietnam War and BlackBerry’s fall from relevance, to illustrate how sunk costs can distort our judgment.
You'll learn why we stay in jobs, projects, or relationships past their prime, and how to spot the signs when you're stuck. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to keep going or call it, this episode gives you the questions and the permission to pivot with purpose.
In this episode, Christopher Donaleski unpacks one of the most persistent myths in business and leadership: the belief that emotion and logic are at odds. Drawing on the research of neurologist Antonio Damasio, he reveals that emotion isn’t a distraction from rational thinking—it’s a necessary part of it. From gut feelings to executive decision-making, you'll hear how emotion helps guide focus, create meaning, and drive action in ways data alone cannot. If you’ve ever been told to “leave emotion out of it,” this conversation will challenge that idea and show how the best leaders use emotion as a source of clarity and insight.
You don’t run out of time. You run out of clarity.
In this episode of Smidgen of Proof, Christopher Donaleski unpacks decision fatigue, what it is, how it quietly erodes your judgment, and why even leaders like Jeff Bezos build their schedules around protecting mental energy.
You'll learn how to recognize the signs, guard your best thinking, and design smarter systems that help you protect your most valuable decisions, before your brain hits empty.
In this episode of Smidgen of Proof, Christopher Donaleski explores the tension between instinct and data in decision-making. What if both are valid? One feels right. One looks right. Each is a form of validation, and each has its place. Learn how to spot the signals from your gut, pressure test them with data, and make smarter decisions in complex situations. It's not about choosing one over the other. It's about knowing when and how to use both.
We like to think we’re rational thinkers. Logical. Objective. But today’s episode explores a harder truth: your brain isn’t wired for truth—it’s wired for comfort. And that wiring? It influences everything from the feedback you ignore to the decisions you justify.
In this episode, we dig into how discomfort avoidance silently shapes our leadership, decision-making, and the stories we tell ourselves. You'll learn:
If you're someone who wants to see clearly, challenge assumptions, and grow past the comfort zone, this one’s for you.
We hear it all the time: “I’m a data-driven leader.”
But what if that’s just a myth?
In this episode of Smidgen of Proof, Christopher Donaleski breaks down the illusion of objectivity in leadership and explores the real force behind high-stakes decisions: how we validate what’s true, not just what’s measurable.
From executive boardrooms to team huddles, we look at:
Why even the most analytical leaders still use emotional filters
How data can become a delay tactic instead of a decision driver
The difference between data literacy and decision maturity
A story of two executives who looked at the same numbers, and saw completely different paths
If you’re serious about improving how you lead, decide, and influence others, this one’s for you.
It’s not about having more data. It’s about having the right framework to use it.
Follow, rate, and share the show with leaders who want to make better decisions, not just data-driven ones.
We like to believe that intelligence protects us from bad decisions.
But what if it actually blinds us to them?
In this episode of Smidgen of Proof, Christopher Donaleski explores how smart, capable people can still make costly choices—not because they lack information, but because their reasoning outpaces reality.
From the Challenger disaster to the Titan sub implosion, we examine two high-profile decisions where confidence crowded out caution, and why the real danger isn’t ignorance, but unchecked logic.
Here’s what we cover:
Why intelligence doesn’t prevent bad decisions—it can mask them
How logical thinking can still lead you in the wrong direction
The hidden cost of systems with no friction or feedback
How to slow down decisions that feel automatic and bring context back into focus
This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered how a smart choice still went sideways, and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.
Overconfidence doesn’t always look like arrogance. Sometimes, it shows up as experience, a strong track record, or a bulletproof roadmap.
In this episode, Christopher Donaleski breaks down how unchecked confidence can quietly derail even the best strategies. From a major U.S. retailer’s failed international expansion to research-backed patterns in executive decision-making, we explore how good intentions and proven success can still lead to costly outcomes.
You’ll learn:
Why overconfidence is often rewarded until it backfires
How feedback loops close too early in high-trust teams
What “confidence without validation” looks like in action
Three ways to prevent confidence from becoming a blind spot
This episode is a practical look at one of the most overlooked risks in leadership. Because when assumptions go unchallenged, the cost isn’t always immediate—but it’s often irreversible.
The Invisible Frameworks Behind Every Decision
Behind every tech rollout, strategy pivot, or quick “yes” in a meeting lies an unseen architecture, mental shortcuts, cultural norms, and tool-driven defaults that steer choices long before the data shows up. In this kickoff to our Summer Sessions, Christopher Donaleski peels back those layers, explaining why most organizations struggle not with what they choose, but how they choose it.
In less than ten brisk minutes, you’ll learn:
Why 35,000 daily decisions are guided by “invisible frameworks” you never named
How systems like CRMs and onboarding flows quietly lock in assumptions (and create adoption headaches)
Three red-flag questions to spot a framework that’s running your team instead of serving it
Christopher also previews two upcoming tools: the Validated Mind Assessment for individuals and the Enterprise Index for teams, that surface these patterns and turn them into levers for change.
If you’re scaling, transforming, or simply tired of decisions that don’t stick, hit “play,” then subscribe for the rest of our bite-sized deep dives into the mechanics of choice.
In this episode of Smidgen of Proof, we’re live from OTC 2025 with Christian Hearns, Senior VP at AIS, for an energizing conversation about the power of data, trust, and tech that actually delivers value in oil and gas.We dive into:Why engineers are still wasting time finding info in 2025 (and how AIS is solving that)The real problem behind digital transformation delaysHow AIS approaches digital twins (hint: it’s more about visibility than buzzwords)The role of AI in operations today vs. what’s actually realisticThe story behind the “3 C’s”: Curiosity, Collaboration… and Cucumber 🥒Christian shares how AIS is saving companies thousands of hours through smarter data access and visual decision tools. We also talk about trust in data, the myth of a “single source of truth,” and how visual systems can make teams 42% more likely to achieve their goals.If you work in energy, tech, or transformation—or just want to understand how decision intelligence is evolving—this one’s worth your time.🔗 Learn more about AIS: https://www.aize.io/📍 Meet them at Booth #2643 at OTC 2025🌐 Catch them next at the World FPSO Congress in SingaporeSmidgen of Proof Podcast brought to you by https://aiadvisorygroup.com
In this episode, Christopher Donaleski talks with Eric Girard—author of Lead Like a Pro and host of the Management Development Unlocked podcast—about what it really takes to grow strong managers. They dive into soft skills, empathy, the danger of promoting top performers too quickly, and how AI is shaping leadership today.
If you're leading a team, building future leaders, or rethinking how people grow inside your organization—this one's for you.
🎯 Topics:
The importance of “sets and reps” for soft skills
Why empathy is a must-have leadership skill
Dual career tracks: technical vs. people leadership
Using AI the right way for resumes and decisions
How to get buy-in and make training stick
📘 Grab Eric’s book: Lead Like a Pro: https://a.co/d/h3JgELa
🎙 Check out his podcast: Management Development Unlocked: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK8DRmyu-E9PVa9eNOTgC9UeFMmx1l6Ef&si=XIUnKMYKqv2ElM8B
In this episode, Christopher Donaleski and Tony Alampi return for a deep, unfiltered conversation on AI's rapid evolution, human behavior, ethics, and whether we're chasing progress—or just keeping up. From quantum computing to ego-driven tech adoption, it's a thought-provoking exploration of where we are and where we're headed.
In this episode, Christopher Donaleski sits down with cybersecurity expert Reynaldo Gonzalez to discuss the evolving battlefield of cybersecurity in the age of AI. From AI-powered attacks to AI-driven defenses, they explore the growing reality of AI fighting AI—and what that means for businesses, individuals, and national security.🔹 Why most cyber breaches aren’t about technology—they’re about people🔹 How AI is reshaping both offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies🔹 The rise of synthetic identities and deepfake threats🔹 Why the future of cybersecurity might require a “personal AI bodyguard”🔹 How businesses can balance innovation, security, and ethical AI useAs technology advances at an exponential pace, are we prepared for the implications of AI-driven security threats? And how can we protect ourselves in a world where our digital footprints are currency?
In this episode, we sit down at CERAWeek with Kevin, an industry expert who shares his insights on the rapid acceleration of AI, digital transformation, and the evolving landscape of technology in the energy sector.
We explore the overwhelming pace of innovation, the challenges of navigating an event packed with AI discussions, and the critical question: How do businesses determine which AI solutions are truly valuable at scale?
Key topics include:
🔹 The reality behind AI hype—what’s practical vs. what’s marketing
🔹 The growing fatigue around digital transformation and emerging technologies
🔹 The risk of creating new data silos and technical debt in AI adoption
🔹 The challenge of scaling AI-driven solutions beyond proof-of-concept
🔹 How AI is reshaping work, skillsets, and corporate mindsets
Kevin also shares his perspectives on digital twins, ERP modernization, and the impact of AI on jobs, as well as how leading organizations like Siemens and NVIDIA are pushing the boundaries of industrial AI.
If you’re a business leader, technologist, or anyone navigating the AI revolution, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Tune in for a candid, thought-provoking discussion on what’s next for AI and digital change.
In this episode of Beyond the Screen, Christopher Donaleski sits down with Kiesha King, Chief Experience Officer at Loyalty Centric, to explore how AI-powered video content is transforming branding and customer experience. They dive into the generational and industry-specific challenges of video marketing, the fear of being on camera, and how businesses can use AI avatars to scale their message while maintaining authenticity.
Kiesha shares insights on balancing AI with human connection, the ethics of AI-generated content, and the importance of personal branding in an era where digital identities can be easily mimicked. The conversation also touches on the future of AI in internal corporate communications, the role of storytelling in marketing, and how companies can build trust and loyalty with personalized video experiences.
If you're curious about the intersection of AI, branding, and the future of video, this episode is a must-listen!
Impromptu conversation with the owner of OGGN, the world's top oil, gas, and energy podcast network. Live from NRG Convention Center at NAPE Expo 2025.
In this episode,Christopher Donaleski andModesta Mahiga dive into the challenges of navigating global business shifts, AI disruption, and the evolving role of leadership in an unpredictable world. They discuss whytrust is the foundation of change management, how organizations can stayrelevant and agile, and the impact ofAI, automation, and synthetic data on industries. Packed with bold insights and strategic thinking, this conversation is a must-listen for leaders navigating the future of work.
