Episodes

  • LeaderbookAI Trailer

    LeaderbookAI Trailer
    Feb 5 2026
    AI automation and leadership that creates value. Join Felicia Shakiba on LeaderbookAI (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK) for candid conversations with CEOs, executives, investors, and innovators who are making the decisions that matter. From timeless leadership principles and decision-making frameworks to cutting-edge AI automation strategies—this podcast gives you the insights you need to lead with confidence. Whether you're navigating leadership challenges, evaluating investment opportunities in private equity, implementing business process automation, or building your organization's strategy around machine learning and emerging technologies, you'll find practical diagnostics and real-world wisdom here. Some episodes focus on core leadership. Others dive deep into AI automation and how technologies like generative AI are reshaping business. All of them deliver actionable value for leaders and investors. Real insights. Real results. Real talk about what drives business success. New episodes weekly.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Alignment in Action: Introducing LeaderbookAI

    Alignment in Action: Introducing LeaderbookAI
    Jan 20 2026
    What does real alignment look like—when leadership, strategy, and execution finally match? In this bonus episode, Felicia Shakiba shares an important update: CPO PLAYBOOK is becoming LeaderbookAI. This isn’t just a podcast name change—it reflects the evolution of the entire business. Episode 95 explored the cost of misalignment inside organizations. Here, we practice what we preach. LeaderbookAI represents the expanded work behind the show today: AI-enabled transformation, value creation planning for private equity and investors, world-class executive coaching, M&A integration, compensation and organizational design, and leadership development directly tied to business outcomes. Felicia also thanks the listeners who’ve helped build this show into the top 6% of podcasts worldwide, as it approaches 100 episodes and prepares for Season 5. Same conversations. Same rigor. A name that finally matches the impact. Welcome to LeaderbookAI.
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    3 mins
  • 95 Why Companies Stop Growing — And How CEOs Can Fix It

    95 Why Companies Stop Growing — And How CEOs Can Fix It
    Jan 20 2026
    What if your growth problem isn’t your product, pricing, or team—but misalignment? We’re joined by Dr. Philippe Bouissou—Apple alum, bestselling author of Aligning the Dots, and the mind behind the A4 Precision Alignment™ methodology that’s fueling faster, more sustainable revenue growth for companies around the world. With a PhD in chaos theory and a resume that includes scaling Apple’s eCommerce from zero to $350M under Steve Jobs, Philippe has spent 30+ years advising CEOs, investing $44M in startups, and sitting on 23 boards. He’s the founder of Blue Dots Partners, where he and a team of elite CEOs decode growth through alignment. Chapters 00:00 The Pressure of Growth: Understanding Misalignment 03:01 The Core of Growth: Alignment with Target Market 06:01 Dimensions of Alignment: Addressing Customer Pain 09:01 Perception vs. Messaging: The Communication Gap 12:02 Frictionless Transactions: The Buying Process 14:59 Delivering Delight: The Customer Experience 17:50 Diagnosing Misalignment: The CEO's Challenge 20:55 The Importance of Internal Alignment 23:51 First Steps to Realignment: A Practical Approach 26:59 Understanding Market Truth: The Customer's Perspective 29:55 Final Thoughts: Simplifying Growth Strategiesbles frictionless transactions and sustainable growth at scale. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast. Want to create 10x the value of your business or investments? Let’s talk: https://leaderbook.ai/contact
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    38 mins
  • 94 How Hyatt Hotels Develops AI-Ready Leaders at Scale

    94 How Hyatt Hotels Develops AI-Ready Leaders at Scale
    Jan 13 2026
    What do you do when the world changes faster than your workforce can adapt? Carlee Wolfe, AVP, Leader Development and Organizational Effectiveness, Hyatt Hotels, shares how she’s helping over 125,000 employees stay ahead—by building leadership capabilities that thrive in uncertainty and unlock transformation. Carlee reveals how Hyatt diagnoses leadership gaps, drives behavior change at scale, and develops future-ready leaders through a culture of continuous learning, curiosity, and experimentation. From AI adoption to people-first transformation, this episode is packed with strategy, humanity, and actionable insight. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Leadership in Uncertain Times 02:00 The Impact of Sports on Leadership Development 02:58 Understanding Leadership Roles at Hyatt 03:54 Identifying Leadership Capability Challenges 08:01 AI's Role in Leadership and Organizational Change 12:02 Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption 14:11 The Dangers of the 'All-Knowing' Leader 16:54 The Importance of Continuous Learning in AI Transformation 18:40 Learning Out Loud: A Leadership Approach 21:10 Curiosity as a Business Competency 24:45 Diagnosing Leadership Capability Gaps 28:28 Building Leadership Capabilities at Scale 32:49 Sustaining Leadership Development 37:04 First Steps for CEOs in Leadership Development — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast Want to create 10x the value of your business or investments? Let’s talk: https://leaderbook.ai/contact
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    42 mins
  • 93 AI Tools for Creatives

    93 AI Tools for Creatives
    Jan 6 2026
    What does it mean to be an AI-native employee—and why will they win? Thibault Imbert, Chief Product and Growth Officer at The Brief, joins Felicia Shakiba to break down what it truly means to work, think, and create in an AI-first world. From conversational AI to real-time prototyping with voice and visual tools, Thibault explains how AI-native employees are redefining productivity, creativity, and leadership in the modern workplace. This episode explores how AI automation, machine learning, and generative AI are transforming day-to-day work—reshaping decision making, accelerating innovation, and enabling smarter business process automation. Leaders will learn what AI-native workflows look like in practice, why speed and experimentation now drive value creation, and how empathy and human judgment remain essential even as enterprise technology advances. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 04:30 The Journey of AI Transformation 09:52 Mastering Conversational AI 15:52 Visual Creation and Concepting Ideas 23:10 Voice as a Creative Output 27:45 Prototyping and Building in Real Time 32:58 Innovative Tools for Research and Presentation This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, capital discipline, and building companies that last. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast: https://leaderbook.ai/podcast We create high-performing power houses. Let’s talk: https://leaderbook.ai/contact
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    38 mins
  • 92 How a CEO Biotech Founder Scaled to IPO Without Silicon Valley

    92 How a CEO Biotech Founder Scaled to IPO Without Silicon Valley
    Dec 16 2025
    What does it take to build a biotech company without burning billions—or losing your conviction? Felicia Shakiba sits down with Dr. Shalabh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics, to unpack what real leadership discipline looks like in one of the most capital-intensive industries in the world. A physician turned Wall Street analyst, Dr. Gupta shares how he raised over $150M in public markets, took a biotech company public with a single employee, and scaled to FDA submission readiness with just 22 people—without relying on traditional Silicon Valley venture capital. This episode explores how leadership clarity, rigorous decision making, and focused C-suite strategy drive value creation under extreme constraints. Dr. Gupta explains why great CEOs start with the problem—not the product—and how disciplined execution, process rigor, and business process automation enable scale without excess. Leaders across industries will gain executive insights into credibility, trust, and navigating digital transformation in highly regulated environments. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unisysive Therapeutics 04:27 Innovative Approach to Biotech 07:55 Understanding the Biotech Landscape 10:39 Transition from Medicine to Wall Street 14:08 Lessons from Genentech 19:46 Building a Company Alone 22:47 The Importance of Networking 27:00 Engaging with the FDA 30:57 Raising Capital in Biotech 41:58 Navigating Investor Relationships This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, capital discipline, and building companies that last. — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast Want to create 10x the value of your business or investments? Let’s talk: https://leaderbook.ai/contact
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    45 mins
  • 91 From Athlete to Investor: How to Build Wealth & Scales Startups

    91 From Athlete to Investor: How to Build Wealth & Scales Startups
    Dec 9 2025
    Can financial education turn athletes into powerful investors? Danny Cortenraede joins Felicia Shakiba to share how he’s helping athletes and early-stage founders build long-term wealth through financial education, mentorship, and hands-on investing. Drawing from his experience scaling multiple companies, Danny explains how athletes can move beyond endorsements and develop the leadership mindset required to make smarter investment decisions and shape their legacy off the field. This episode explores how leadership development, disciplined decision making, and clear C-suite strategy translate into sustainable value creation. From transitioning into equity ownership to understanding capital strategy and ecosystem building, the conversation highlights how business process automation, enterprise technology, and modern digital transformation support scalable investing and founder success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Danny Cortenraede 01:16 Danny's Entrepreneurial Journey 04:28 Transitioning to Investment and Education 10:00 The Importance of Financial Literacy for Athletes 19:36 Building the Athlete Council and Educational Initiatives 26:51 Success Stories and Impact of Education 31:33 Changing Perspectives on Investment Among Athletes 34:14 Mindset for Lasting Legacy — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast Want to create 10x the value of your business or investments? Let’s talk: https://leaderbook.ai/contact
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    36 mins
  • 90 What Makes a Great CEO in Healthcare Entrepreneurship?

    90 What Makes a Great CEO in Healthcare Entrepreneurship?
    Dec 2 2025
    How do you take a healthcare innovation from lab to market—without losing your shot at impact? Sasha Schrode, CEO of FEMSelect, joins Felicia Shakiba to share her founder journey—from licensing IP out of the University of Pennsylvania to raising venture capital, securing FDA approval, and successfully exiting her first healthcare company. Now leading FEMSelect, Sasha breaks down what it really takes to move innovation through regulation, reimbursement, and clinical validation without losing momentum—or purpose. This episode explores how leadership discipline, investor-level decision making, and clear C-suite strategy drive value creation in one of the most complex industries. Sasha explains why great CEOs fall in love with the problem—not the solution—and how business process automation, enterprise technology, and digital transformation support scalable execution in healthcare. Her personal cancer diagnosis adds a powerful lens on resilience, learning, and purpose-driven leadership. Chapters 00:00 The Journey from Diagnosis to Innovation 13:18 Understanding Market Viability and Clinical Need 22:43 The Iteration Process in Med Tech 24:20 Insights on Raising Capital and Exiting 27:24 Common Mistakes in Commercialization 32:00 First Steps for Aspiring Innovators — Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast Want to create 10x the value of your business or investments? Let’s talk: https://leaderbook.ai/contact
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    34 mins