Leadership Suplex
Leadership Suplex
Aaron Burgess and Steve Carr
The Leadership Suplex podcast covers issues of influence through the lens of the professional wrestling. Whether you're a fan of leadership principles or enjoy these southern soap operas, the conversations will keep you mildly entertained and maybe even view professional wrestling in a new light.
Episode Ten: Girls Just Want to Have Fun
In this episode, two men discuss WWE’s women’s revolution, as ladies main event Wrestlemania for the very first time. This should go well.
Apr 4, 2019
1 hr 3 min
Episode Nine: Road to Wrestlemania
Welcome to season two of the Leadership Suplex. After a two year hiatus we’re bringing back our musings on the more thoughtful side of professional wrestling. This is a catch-up episode where we reset our philosophy of this podcast and make a significant announcement about our future. We’re still getting reverified by iTunes. We’ll update the link soon.
Mar 28, 2019
48 min
Episode Eight: This Is A Work
Most podcasts go over six months without recording, right?As the Doctors of Doom get back into the swing of things, the pressing topic is the business of WWE. How has the brand split affected the company's bottom line. We're not going to lie: it's a lot of industry talk, but there are some relevant leadership concepts that we observe as the industry changes.Some links from this episode:Just a few Chris Jericho quotes to whet your appetite That NY Times article about WWE Network from last AprilWatch the Miz increase his brand on the mic outside the ringDid he say retrench?
Jan 28, 2017
45 min
Episode Seven: Plot Twist
In this episode, we discuss the implications of the Roman Reigns suspension. How should leaders react when faced with a crisis in their organization? We apologize in advance: we had some microphone issues on this podcast. Instead of trashing it, we decided to give it to you as is.Some links from this episode:Hulk Hogan Vs. Nick BockwinkelProactive Vs. Reactive LeadershipYou must PIVOT sometimesStart Up podcastBlack Swan book
Jun 27, 2016
42 min
Episode Six: And You Can't Teach That
In this week's episode, we have a great verbal sparring match over the teachablility of leadership: are great leaders born or taught? Plus, we get to talk about the most refreshing addition to the WWE line-up: the tag-team partnership of Enzo Amore and Big Cass. We're keeping leadership conversations from going SAWFT.Mentioned in this week's episode:Enzo and Big Cass entrance ("And you can't teach that")Anders Ericsson and Deliberate PracticeR. Kelly's I Believe I Can FlyMalcolm Gladwell OutliersThe Freakonomics PodcastRichard Hughes' book on Leadership
May 8, 2016
41 min
Episode Five: Five Lessons from Wrestlemania 32
This week the guys breakdown WrestleMania 32. Besides Shane McMahon being amazing, what can we learn from the WWE's premier event? Listen here or on iTunes.Some links from the show:Who is Dr. Steve Carvajal?The Starbucks StoryThe Freebird ClauseShane McMahon jumpsSteve reacts to the jumpJohn Kotter's Eight-Step Process for Leading ChangeWhen Mae Young attacksTeaser of the Women's Championship
Apr 8, 2016
52 min
Episode Four: How Rudo!
This week the guys examine the role of heels in both wrestling and leadership. Having an enemy define you, hold you back, or enhance your leadership. Listen here or on iTunes.Some links from the show:Donde esta la bibliotecaSkippy from Family TiesHogan turns heelMalcolm Gladwell on David and GoliathPogo (not Paco) cartoon quoteLocus of control testPorter’s Five Forces Analysis
Mar 25, 2016
39 min
Episode Three: Five Lessons From Smackdown
In this week's episode, we look back at our experience at WWE's Smackdown Event which aired on March 17, 2016. What leadership lessons can be extracted from this spectacle? We give you five things that are applicable to all sizes of organizations.Some links from the show:Enhancement TalentSeth Godin on Disruptive LeadershipThe rated-R popularity of DeadpoolDean Ambrose's CincinnatiDonald Trump and the WWETerry Funk interviewHacksaw Jim Duggan monologue
Mar 18, 2016
40 min
Episode Two: Is It Real?
In this week's episode, we dive into the topic of authenticity: what makes certain wrestlers and politicians popular? There's something that Ric Flair and Donald Trump have in common.Some links from the show:Bubble Soccer?Andy Kauffman and Jerry Lawler on LettermanJohn Stossel regrets asking if wrestling is fakeThe 1975 plane crash (note: some foul language in article)Triple H is really a softieExample of kayfabe today: Ambrose & LesnarMarco Rubio trying to be authentic
Mar 8, 2016
44 min
Episode One: Get in the Ring
For the inaugural episode, we unveil the direction of the podcast. You can stream or download below. Some links from the show:The original Skyline ChiliThe Missing LinkNational Wrestling AllianceRing of HonorWrestlemania III (Ricky the Dragon Steamboat VS. Macho Man Savage)Stone Cold PodcastThe WWE Network
Feb 27, 2016
31 min