June 26, 2026

Host: Erik Berglund

What if the next big innovation came from a box cutter? Erik sits down with Bruce Vojak—advisor, executive, and author—to explore the surprising, human-driven process of innovation inside mature industries and companies. They unpack the difference between optimization and renewal, the danger of solving the wrong problem, and why some of the most impactful innovators are names you’ll never know. This conversation is a masterclass in shifting paradigms, staying curious, and creating the conditions for real change.

May 17, 2026

Host: Jon Rennie

Most companies think innovation is about technology, strategy, or process. Dr. Bruce Vojak says they’re wrong. In this episode of Deep Leadership, Jon Rennie sits down with innovation expert Dr. Bruce Vojak to explore why innovation succeeds or fails based on the people inside the organization. Drawing from decades of experience at companies like Motorola and from his research on “serial innovators,” Bruce explains how breakthrough ideas actually happen and why mature companies must innovate if they want to survive.

March 10, 2026

Host: Mick Spiers

Want more than buzzwords and brainstorms? Mick Spiers sits down with innovation authority Bruce Vojak to explore how real breakthroughs actually happen. His message is clear: innovation is a human act first. It comes from curious people who challenge assumptions and reframe problems. From the evolution of the carrot peeler to a billion-dollar innovation at Procter & Gamble, this conversation shows how deep user understanding drives real change. Bruce also shares a practical playbook for leaders: create internal alignment, keep processes simple, empower your innovators, and focus on learning fast. We also tackle the harder question of unintended consequences and why leaders must ask: What can we make possible, and what have we just made possible?

February 23, 2026

Host: Tyler Dickerhoof

What if the future of your company depends on people you’re overlooking right now? In this powerful episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, Bruce Vojak reveals why breakthrough innovation doesn’t come from process, hierarchy, or fancy strategy decks — it comes from rare individuals who naturally see patterns others miss. These “pattern recognizers” anticipate trends before they’re obvious. They influence without authority. And they quietly shape the future from inside organizations. Most companies fail to identify and empower them.

February 2, 2026

Host: Lisa Ryan

Bruce clarifies a common misconception: innovation isn't just creativity or something new—it must have financial impact and marketplace value. While many manufacturers focus on lean implementations, Six Sigma, or equipment upgrades, true innovation changes the basis of competition in an industry. It creates advantages or protects against disadvantages in transformative ways.

January 20, 2026

Host: Anthony Taylor  

Bruce explains why many mature companies default to cost-cutting and optimization when under pressure, and why that approach often accelerates long-term decline. He outlines his framework, built on alignment, simple processes, and innovation exemplars, and shows how leaders can assess whether their organization is truly capable of innovation or merely incremental improvement.

December 21, 2025 

Host: Elena Paweta  

We dive into why innovation feels so difficult for established organizations — and why so many default to cost-cutting instead of the strategic renewal they actually need. Bruce breaks down the myths surrounding innovation, the fears that silently shape decision-making, and what leaders can do to create cultures that support experimentation and long-term thinking.

March 9, 2025

Host: Natalie Born  

Bruce Vojak, founder of Breakthrough Innovation Advisors and author of No Excuses Innovation, joins the podcast to discuss why mature businesses struggle with innovation, the fears that hold them back, and the simple, low-cost steps they can take to start thinking differently. He breaks down the myths surrounding innovation and provides practical insights for business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.

January 26, 2025 

Host: Chad McAllister  

In this episode, Bruce Vojak, PhD, explains how serial innovators transform product management. Listen to this episode and avoid missing the career-defining insights that accelerate your journey from product manager to product leader.