In this robust conversation, Yosi Kossowsky shares his journey from engineering to executive leadership, revealing the critical gap in traditional education regarding understanding people. He opens up about his growth path—diving deep into emotional wellness, therapy, limiting beliefs, and the neuroscience behind human behavior. Yosi challenges the long-held notion that humans are primarily rational beings, showing how emotions drive decisions and actions more than we often realize.

Decoding Communication and Team Dynamics

Yosi and I unpack how perception and communication are filtered through our personal experiences—and how those filters can cause serious disconnects in teams. I share a common leadership trap: asking “any questions?” in meetings and wondering why no one speaks up. It turns out that psychological safety and peer pressure play significant roles. Together, we emphasize that leadership today must involve creating a culture where understanding, clear communication, and cross-functional respect are non-negotiable.

Navigating Change: AI, the Pandemic & the Modern Workplace

We dive into the disruptive forces shaping our workplaces—AI, remote work, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic. Yosi and I discuss many organizations' struggles in adapting to these shifts, especially with employee engagement, turnover, and generational gaps. Yosi calls for more innovative strategies and deeper support systems to meet today’s evolving demands. I also flag a growing concern: how AI could economically destabilize regions dependent on virtual assistant roles if we don’t plan thoughtfully.

Emotional Mastery as a Leadership Tool

We explore what it takes to manage your emotions in high-stress situations. I introduce one of my favorite leadership tools—the “feeling wheel,” which helps leaders identify emotions beyond just “angry” or “sad.” It’s about using the right emotional tool for the job, not just muscling through—leaders who understand their feelings and why lead with more clarity, empathy, and purpose.

Creating Human-Centered Workplaces

Yosi and I spotlight emotional well-being at work—not as a perk, but as a performance driver. We discuss the urgent need for organizations to cultivate psychological safety, promote self-awareness, and provide authentic coaching, not just check-the-box solutions. It’s time to normalize asking for help and talking about real challenges, because strong teams are built on open communication and mutual support.

Where to Connect with Yosi

Want to learn more about Yosi’s work? LinkedIn is the best place to connect with him. He’s open to conversations and has a booking link for those wanting to explore this work further.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykossowsky/

Website: https://www.k-torconsulting.com/

Episode Title: From Gym Floor to Franchise Vision: Devan's Journey of Discipline, Impact, and Humility

Show Notes:

Redefining Career Paths: Devan’s Bold Leap into Fitness Leadership In this powerful conversation, Mike sits down with Devan to unpack his unconventional career shift—from business management to kinesiology and eventually launching his own gym. What started as a personal passion for helping others transformed into a broader mission: building a gym franchise that changes lives at scale. Devan shares the driving forces behind his leap, the courage it took to walk an uncharted path, and the resilience needed to build something bigger than himself.

Franchise Growth with Heart: Leading Without Ego Devan opens up about the evolution of his gym into a thriving franchise and the deep fulfillment that comes with seeing his vision positively shape communities. What sets Devan apart? His grounded approach to leadership. He doesn’t lead from the top down—instead, he jumps in wherever he’s needed, showing that true leadership is about service. Mike highlights Devan’s humility, noting that this mindset is often what sustains long-term success in business and in life.

Health as the Ultimate Performance Hack Mike and Devan dive into the critical link between physical health and mental wellness, especially for entrepreneurs and leaders. Mike challenges listeners to rethink their priorities—replacing scrolling time with sweat equity. Devan echoes the importance of customizing fitness to fit real lives and busy schedules, emphasizing that excuses are barriers we build ourselves. If you want high performance, health has to be non-negotiable.

The Discipline Blueprint: How to Show Up for Yourself Discipline isn’t about motivation—it’s about systems. Devan and Mike explore how developing consistent habits around health, fitness, and mindset fuels personal and professional growth. The secret? Treat your workouts and self-care as appointments that cannot be canceled. They both reflect on how discipline directly improves mental clarity, decision-making, and leadership capacity. If you want to lead others, it starts with showing up for yourself first.

Takeaway: This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, fitness lovers, and anyone looking to lead a life of purpose and performance. Devan’s story proves that success isn’t about titles or ego—it’s about impact, intention, and the daily disciplines that move you forward.

Website: http://strive11fitness.com/

🎧 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or at BreakfastLeadership.com.

Finding Purpose Through Passion: Sarah’s Journey into Hairdressing

In this heartfelt episode, Michael D. Levitt sits down with his daughter, Sarah, to explore the winding paths we take in our careers and the passions that fuel them. Sarah shares how a visit to a Florida cosmetology school during a trip to see her grandmother sparked a lifelong interest in hair styling. That moment planted a seed that would later grow into a full-blown calling — one that she’s now pursuing at barber school.

Michael reflects on his own unexpected career path, tracing it back to his childhood fascination with baseball cards, which eventually led to a successful career in accounting. In a candid moment, he opens up about the personal toll of his divorce and its impact on his family, offering a message of hope and healing for anyone navigating life’s tougher chapters.

From Setbacks to Comebacks: The Grit Behind Sarah’s Hairdressing Career

Sarah takes us behind the scenes of her journey into the hair industry — a path filled with obstacles including financial constraints, educational hurdles, and challenges in workplace dynamics. Despite these setbacks, Sarah’s unwavering determination helped her earn her credentials and build real-world experience across salons and barbershops.

When she faced difficulties transferring her Canadian license to the U.S. and finding stable opportunities in her new environment, Sarah didn’t give up. Instead, she doubled down on her passion and remains focused on reigniting her career in the States. Her story is a powerful reminder that growth often begins in the trenches.

Grief, Growth, and the Power of Dreams: Honoring a Grandmother’s Legacy

The loss of her beloved grandmother — her best friend and biggest supporter — became a turning point for Sarah. Rather than giving in to grief, she chose to channel her emotions into a meaningful goal: becoming a hair stylist. Enrolling in barber school became both a healing journey and a way to honor her grandmother’s legacy.

Now, a year later, Sarah is back in the U.S., diploma in hand and hope in her heart. Her transformation is a testament to the power of purpose, even in the midst of profound personal loss.

Resilience, Passion, and Clarity in Career Choices

Michael highlights the resilience Sarah has shown throughout her journey — something he sees as a vital ingredient in long-term career success. Together, they discuss the stability and creative fulfillment the hair industry can offer, especially during economic uncertainty.

Michael encourages Sarah to stay aligned with her passion, trusting that the right path will reveal itself through self-reflection, creativity, and deep listening. Whether it's behind the chair or in another meaningful direction, Sarah’s journey is far from over — it’s just getting started.

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Hairtasticbysarahhhhh