Unlocking Momentum

About Unlocking Momentum

Transformation doesn’t come from theory. It comes from motion. From momentum. And from leaders willing to do things differently. Unlocking Momentum is for the evolving CIOs, strategic leaders who aren’t satisfied just managing systems, but driving growth, enabling innovation, and building the future of their organizations. Hosted by Aaron Kopel, founder of Project Brilliant and creator of the Momentum Locksmith framework, this show is where forward-thinking leaders come to grow.

Publisher

Aaron Kopel

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Dec 2025

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   A Great Strategy Is Worthless Without Great Execution with Evan Campbell

   In this episode of Unlocking Momentum, host Aaron Kopel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel/) sits down with Evan Campbell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/evcampbell/), Principal Consultant at Adaptivity (https://www.adaptivitygroup.com/) and author of Adapt to Win (https://www.adapttowin.co/), to explore why even experienced leadership teams struggle to turn strategy into real organizational progress. Evan draws from a career spanning the military, technology leadership, startups, consulting, and enterprise transformation to explain why creating a strategy is only the beginning. Key Takeaways: Strategy Needs Strong Execution: A good strategy means little without consistent communication, investment, and clear execution across the organization. Good Leaders Build Independent Thinkers: Strong leaders develop people who can solve problems and make sound decisions independently. Cross-Team Alignment Is Essential: Strategic initiatives can fail when departments prioritize their own goals instead of shared company objectives. Employee Involvement Strengthens OKRs: Involving employees in goal-setting improves understanding, ownership, and accountability. AI Needs Strategic Direction: AI experiments should have clear business value and support broader strategic priorities. Adaptability Creates an Advantage: Organizations that can quickly adjust and execute their strategy are better positioned to compete. Episode Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Teaser: Evan explains why organizations struggle to turn strategy into execution and underestimate the effort required. [00:04:48] - The Leadership Lesson Evan Learned: Evan shares why leadership is about developing people to think and solve problems independently, not having all the answers. [00:07:04] - Unlocking Momentum for Evan: Evan discusses strategy deployment, organizational inertia, and how strategy clarity can fade across company layers. [00:16:08] - Horizontal Alignment and the "Catchball" Method: Evan explains the importance of cross-functional alignment and using the Catchball method to identify team dependencies. [00:22:14] - Avoiding AI as a Shiny Object: Evan explains why AI experiments need clear business value and alignment with strategic goals. [00:30:40] - Why AI Won’t Fix Weak Systems: Evan explains why AI cannot solve underlying delivery and transformation issues. [00:38:40] - The CIO as a Strategic Partner: Evan shares how CIOs can connect technology with business goals. [00:50:36] - Learning Through Experiments: Aaron and Evan discuss testing ideas, scaling what works, and learning from failures. [00:57:10] - Closing Thoughts: Evan discusses Adapt to Win and how listeners can connect with him. Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. 🔗 Connect with Guest, Evan Campbell: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evcampbell/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/evcampbell/) 👉 Read the breakthrough new corporate strategy book Adapt to Win: https://www.adapttowin.co/ (https://www.adapttowin.co/) 🔗 Connect with Guest’s Company Adaptivity: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adaptivitygroup/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/adaptivitygroup/) 👉 Website: https://www.adaptivitygroup.com/ (https://www.adaptivitygroup.com/) 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdaptivityGroup (https://www.youtube.com/@AdaptivityGroup) 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adaptivitygroup/ (https://www.instagram.com/adaptivitygroup/) 🔗 More from Unlocking Momentum: 👉 Website: https://www.projectbrilliant.com/ (https://www.projectbrilliant.com/) 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/projectbrilliant/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/projectbrilliant/) 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project_brilliant/ (https://www.instagram.com/project_brilliant/) 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrilliant (https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrilliant) 👉 Twitter: https://x.com/ProjBrilliant (https://x.com/ProjBrilliant) 🔗 Connect with Host, Aaron Kopel: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel/) 👉 Email: aaron@projectbrilliant.com (mailto:aaron@projectbrilliant.com) 🔗 Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-momentum/id1854160757 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-momentum/id1854160757) 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kvYZRD0iYCGZdPDZP1BDk?si=adb89c88728e4197 (https://open.spotify.com/show/5kvYZRD0iYCGZdPDZP1BDk?si=adb89c88728e4197) 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@projectbrilliant (https://www.youtube.com/@projectbrilliant)

2. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Why Complexity Is the Main Reason That Leaders Lose Momentum in Projects with John Mergy

   In this episode of Unlocking Momentum (https://www.projectbrilliant.com/), host Aaron Kopel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel/) sits down with John Mergy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mergy-2176ab345/), Co-Founder and CEO of M0DUS (https://m0dus.co/), to discuss how complexity can slow down projects and prevent leaders from making progress. John shares lessons from his 38-year career in technology leadership, including his time as CIO at Do it Best and his work helping companies navigate AI transformation. The conversation explores how leaders can simplify complex initiatives, create clarity, manage change, and help technology teams become strategic business partners. John also discusses AI adoption, the importance of intentional leadership, and why creating time for innovation is critical in a rapidly changing world. Key Takeaways: Complexity Can Slow Down Teams: Large projects can lose momentum when scope expands, and teams face too many technology, process, and people challenges at once. Reconnect With the “Why”: Leaders can regain direction by removing unnecessary complexity, revisiting goals, and focusing on the next steps. Change Management Drives Success: Successful transformation requires helping people understand change, build confidence, and adopt new ways of working. AI Requires Time and Experimentation: Leaders need to create space for learning, testing ideas, and exploring AI opportunities. CIOs Must Become Strategic Partners: Technology leaders have an opportunity to shape business strategy, not just manage systems and requests. Episode Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction to AI Transformation: John shares how companies are navigating AI adoption, uncertainty, and finding practical ways to use new technology. [00:07:30] - Bringing Clarity Back to Projects: John shares how leaders can reset priorities, remove unnecessary complexity, and refocus teams. [00:09:30] - AI Transformation and Change Management: John explains why AI adoption requires strong change management and helping people understand the purpose behind the change. [00:17:47] - Rethinking Business Processes With AI: Aaron and John discuss how AI can help organizations rethink workflows instead of only improving existing processes. [00:28:19] - Advice for Leaders Adapting to Change: John shares why leaders need agility, continuous learning, and time dedicated to innovation. [00:33:39] - Rapid Fire Questions With John Mergy: John shares personal insights on relationships, passions, and legacy. [00:36:03] - Connecting With John Mergy: John shares how listeners can connect with him through LinkedIn and M0DUS. Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. 🔗 Connect with Guest, John Mergy: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mergy-2176ab345/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mergy-2176ab345/) 🔗 Connect with Guest's Company: 👉 Website: https://m0dus.co/ (https://m0dus.co/) 🔗 More from Unlocking Momentum: 👉 Website: https://www.projectbrilliant.com/ (https://www.projectbrilliant.com/) 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/projectbrilliant/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/projectbrilliant/) 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project_brilliant/ (https://www.instagram.com/project_brilliant/) 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrilliant (https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrilliant) 👉 Twitter: https://x.com/ProjBrilliant (https://x.com/ProjBrilliant) 🔗 Connect with Host, Aaron Kopel: 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel/) 👉 Email: aaron@projectbrilliant.com (mailto:aaron@projectbrilliant.com) 🔗 Follow the Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-momentum/id1854160757 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unlocking-momentum/id1854160757) 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kvYZRD0iYCGZdPDZP1BDk?si=adb89c88728e4197 (https://open.spotify.com/show/5kvYZRD0iYCGZdPDZP1BDk?si=adb89c88728e4197) 👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@projectbrilliant (https://www.youtube.com/@projectbrilliant)

3. 

   19 Aug 2026

   The CIO Role Was Never About Technology

   Most CIOs weren't hired to reshape the business. But that's exactly what the role is becoming. In this episode of Unlocking Momentum, Aaron Kopel goes solo to share what he's been seeing firsthand at conferences, client conversations, and workshops across Indiana and the Midwest. The shift is real: the CIO is no longer just responsible for keeping technology running. The job is now about helping the business understand how it should work. Aaron unpacks why long-range project plans are losing their footing and why outcomes matter more than delivery timelines. He also gets into how CIOs can stop being order takers and start shaping strategy at the executive table, what it actually looks like to lead enterprise-wide transformation, and why the people's side of change remains the hardest part to get right. Key takeaways: The CIO's job is no longer about running technology, it's about shaping the business Chasing project completion misses the point when the real goal is building lasting capability People, not platforms, determine whether transformation actually takes hold Episode highlights (00:00) Why the CIO role is evolving (03:54) From order taker to strategy shaper (06:27) Breaking down the change curve (08:49) Why 60% of CIOs lack a true executive seat (11:28) Moving from project delivery to capability building (15:31) What the most valuable CIOs will be remembered for Aaron Kopel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronkopel) Explore Project Brilliant: https://projectbrilliant.com (https://projectbrilliant.com) Buy Unlocking Momentum: https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS (https://a.co/d/hKPFqoS)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings