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PODCAST

Leadership Launchpad

Matt Gjertsen - Better Every Day Studios

Welcome to the Leadership Launchpad where we help technical managers improve themselves, their teams, and their organizations. Host Matt Gjertsen — former Air Force instructor pilot and head of training and development at SpaceX — brings hard-won lessons from the world"s most demanding organizations to help new managers lead with clarity and confidence. Each episode cuts through the noise with practical frameworks, real stories, and straight talk on what it actually takes to build high-performing

business management

All Episodes

35:15

Inspiring Teams to Solve Hard Problems with Eric Berger

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/11/25

In this episode, Senior Space Editor and author Eric Berger joins the show to discuss the evolving landscape of the space industry. Drawing on his extensive reporting experience, he explores major trends such as the rise of China as a space power and the shift toward commercial space companies like SpaceX. Eric Berger shares insights into workplace culture, leadership traits, and the intense sense of mission driving innovation at companies like SpaceX and Stoke Space. The conversation covers the

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14:22

How to Avoid "Check Box" Training Mistakes

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/11/18

This solo episode delves into the common misconception that training is a quick fix for workplace issues. Drawing insights from a recent industry conference, the discussion focuses on why training often fails to address real business problems and outlines four essential questions managers should ask before pursuing a training solution. Listeners will learn how to distinguish between individual performance issues and broader organizational challenges, the importance of proper documentation and

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37:58

Creating Collaborative Cultures in Tech with Lucie...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/11/11

In this episode, Lucie Nurdin, a chemical engineer and former interim technical director at Terraform Industries, shares her journey transitioning from academia to the startup world and from individual contributor to manager. She discusses the technical challenges of developing economically viable synthetic fuels from CO2 and sunlight, and reflects on her experiences leading and growing a technical team. Lucie Nurdin talks about building trust, effective delegation, fostering team communication, and

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38:30

Going from Industry Laggard to Industry Leader with...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/11/04

In this episode, leadership strategist and executive coach Andrea Wanerstrand shares insights from her experience inside global companies like Microsoft, Meta, and T-Mobile. Andrea discusses the cultural and leadership transformation at Microsoft, highlighting the shift from a know-it-all to a learn-it-all mindset and the importance of psychological safety, growth mindset, and resilience. The conversation also covers her A3 philosophy—authentic, autonomous, and accountable leadership—and practical

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19:27

Do this if you want to break free of bureaucracy

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/10/28

Why is it so hard to get things done in large companies? In this solo episode of the Leadership Launchpad, Matt explores the benefits and the struggles of bureaucracy and gives tips every leader can use to help fight it on their teams. If you want your teams to be productive in a world that doesn't stop changing, you have to watch this episode.Want more tips on being an effective manager? Sign-up for our weekly newsletter: https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/sign-upVisit us at

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36:41

Managing Teams Through Constant Change with Yaron Alfi

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/10/21

In this episode, Yaron Alfi, co-founder and CEO of Magenta, discusses his experiences in software and manufacturing at companies like SpaceX and ABL Space Systems. He explains why legacy software can be a limiting factor in manufacturing, the importance of building tailored software solutions, and how Magenta is leveraging AI to streamline manufacturing workflows. Yaron also shares leadership lessons from his time at SpaceX, his approach to building and scaling teams, and the value of trust in both

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38:49

Building Culture and Morale as a Leader with Warren...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/10/14

In this episode, Warren Ernst joins the show to discuss his extensive experience in learning and development across several innovative startups, including SpaceX, Karma Automotive, Heliogen, and Impulse Space. The conversation focuses on the significant impact that manager development has on company success, especially in fast-growing organizations. Warren shares insights on common skill gaps for new managers, such as giving feedback, delegating tasks, and meeting discipline. He also highlights how

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35:52

Empowering Candidates in the Hiring Process with Tom...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/10/07

In this episode, guest Tom Kelly, co-founder of Evona, a recruitment firm specializing in the space industry, discusses the current talent landscape and the impact of AI on recruitment. The conversation explores the most in-demand roles within the space sector, highlighting ongoing shortages in both engineering (especially electrical engineering) and sales positions. Tom shares insights into how AI-driven tools are transforming the hiring process, from sourcing candidates to automating outreach, as

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39:43

What Does High Performance Engineering Look Like with...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/09/30

In this repeat episode with Chris Kaufield, we explore the intricacies of high cadence engineering and leadership. Chris, VP of SaaS Growth at Stoke Space, shares how distributed ownership in engineering leads to collaborative success. We delve into Stoke’s mission to achieve rapid, reusable rocket flights, drawing parallels between hardware and software development. Chris highlights optimizing products by focusing on immutable laws and customer-centric approaches while emphasizing data-driven

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12:46

Turning Engineer Superpowers into Management Strengths

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/09/23

In this solo episode, Matt explores why engineers often struggle when they transition into people management roles, despite having unique strengths that could make them exceptional leaders. The discussion is structured around three core “superpowers” that engineers possess: technical credibility, data-driven decision-making, and systems thinking. The episode examines how these strengths can inadvertently become weaknesses, such as leading to micromanagement or overlooking team dynamics. Solutions

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30:26

The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership with Julia...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/09/16

In this episode, Julia Allen, former Chief Technology Officer at Saab, shares her leadership experiences across the military, government, and tech industries. She discusses her time as a company commander in the Maryland National Guard, emphasizing the importance of building trust within diverse teams and adapting leadership styles to different environments. Julia also highlights how establishing a culture of vulnerability, celebrating team achievements, and shouldering responsibility help foster

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32:13

How AI Is Transforming Leadership Roles with Elena...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/09/09

In this episode, Elena Agaragimova, co-founder and CEO of Shiftwell, joins to discuss the role of AI in modern management and leadership. Drawing on her experience in talent development and performance, Elena explains how AI tools can help both individual employees and managers. She highlights how AI can support employees in taking ownership of their performance and well-being, while also freeing managers from some administrative tasks so they can focus on more strategic responsibilities. The

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39:00

Elevating Team Performance with Coaching with Ian Maron

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/09/02

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, Ian Maron, VP of People and Talent at Apex, joins the show to discuss the value of coaching in leadership, particularly in technical and engineering environments. Ian shares insights from his career journey—from teaching with Teach for America to leading HR and people teams at several companies, including startups in the aerospace industry. The conversation explores the key differences between management, mentorship, and coaching, highlighting the importance

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12:17

Breaking Down Barriers to Leadership Promotion

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/08/26

In this solo episode, Matt explores why talented engineers and technical experts often avoid management roles and what that means for organizational success. Drawing on recent conversations with HR professionals and experiences in various companies, the episode breaks down the root causes of this leadership gap—highlighting overly complicated management systems, excessive bureaucracy, and misaligned promotion criteria as key contributors. The discussion also covers the organizational costs of this

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30:11

Inclusive Communication for Stronger Teams with Emma...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/08/19

In this episode, guest Emma Strong, Senior Learning Development Program Manager at Veritex Legal Solutions, shares her approach to designing a leadership development program for new managers and leaders. Emma explains how the program was tailored with different tracks for team leads, managers, and supervisors, taking into account whether participants were promoted internally or hired externally. The conversation covers the importance of addressing unique challenges like transitioning from peer to

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35:26

Transforming Company Culture for Growth with Garry Ridge

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/08/12

In this episode, Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40, shares insights from his journey transforming WD-40 into a globally recognized brand by prioritizing company culture over just product focus. He discusses the importance of building a culture where employees feel they belong, know they matter, and are empowered to make decisions without fear. Garry outlines key steps leaders can take to foster engagement, psychological safety, and learning within their teams. Drawing from his experiences and his

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38:11

Mastering Leadership Through Rapid Change with Matt...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/08/05

In this episode, Matt Mueller, a SpaceX veteran and co-founder of Glīd, shares his experiences and lessons learned from leading technical teams in high-stakes environments. He talks about his early days managing a team of experienced technicians at Honeywell and transitioning to leading engineers at SpaceX. Matt discusses the challenges of balancing technical expertise with managerial responsibilities, the importance of understanding team context, and strategies for staying connected to the

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14:50

Breaking Down the True Cost of Disengaged Teams with...

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/07/29

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, host Matt Gjertsen dives deep into one of the biggest issues facing organizations today: poor employee engagement and its staggering $1.9 trillion cost to the US economy each year. Drawing on years of experience—from serving as an Air Force instructor pilot to leading training and development at SpaceX, and now running his own consultancy—Matt unpacks the latest Gallup research on the true state of engagement in the workplace.Tune in as Matt breaks down why

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35:59

What It Takes to Lead a Start-Up with Justus Kilian

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/07/22

In this episode, host Matt Gjertsen and guest Justus Kilian dive deep into what truly makes leaders stand out—well beyond what any MBA program can teach. Justus, a partner at Space Capital and an expert in evaluating startup founders, shares the six core leadership skills he looks for when betting on new companies. Together, they break down essential leadership traits like unreasonable persistence, adaptability, cross-functional experience, first principles thinking, adaptive “heat” management, and

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32:24

Empowering Frontline Workers through Better Leadership

Leadership Launchpad ·

2025/07/15

In this episode of Leadership Launchpad, host Matt Gjertsen sits down with JD Dillon, Chief Learning Architect at Axonify and renowned author, for an in-depth conversation about one of the most overlooked yet critical segments of the workforce: frontline employees. Drawing on years of experience and his soon-to-be-released book, JD breaks down what truly defines frontline workers, why supporting them is so uniquely challenging—especially in manufacturing and technical environments—and how

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