In this episode of Burn the Blueprint, Tony Franklin and Dr. Bridget Cooper pull back the curtain on one of corporate America’s biggest failures, the broken system of middle management. They dig into the impossible expectations placed on middle managers, the lack of real leadership training, and the cultural disconnect that leaves teams disengaged and organizations bleeding talent.

Using insights from Simon Sinek and eye-opening industry stats, Tony and Dr. B break down how poor training fuels burnout, turnover, and collapsing productivity. More importantly, they lay out a smarter path forward, calling for a shift from traditional “management” to true leadership built on emotional intelligence, accountability, and conflict-ready skills.

If you’re ready to rethink how companies build and support the people who carry the weight of the organization, join the conversation and discover how to make smarter, people-centered systems that drive performance.

00:00: Introduction to Burn the Blueprint Podcast

00:49; The Challenges of Middle Management

02:44: Statistics Highlighting Management Issues

04:58: The Disconnect Between Leadership and Values

13:51: Solutions for Effective Leadership

16:59: Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of Burn the Blueprint Podcast, Tony Tidbit welcomes Colleen Ferrary, CEO of

Peak Fractional Leadership and Advisory Group, to officially kick off the Future of Work Leadership Series. Colleen joins the show to break down the series' purpose, why it matters now, and how today’s workplace realities demand a new level of leadership thinking.

Together, Tony and Colleen explore the forces reshaping the workplace, including the rise of AI, shifting employee expectations, and growing job insecurity. Colleen offers clarity on what leaders should anticipate as the landscape continues to evolve, setting the stage for future episodes.

From here, Tony and Dr. Bridget Cooper will take the reins, diving deeper into the outdated corporate norms, behaviors, and beliefs that need to be challenged, reworked, or retired. This kickoff lays the foundation for a bold, honest conversation about what leadership must become.

00:00: Introduction to Burn the Blueprint Podcast

00:17: Meet the Hosts: Tony and Colleen

00:36: The Future of Work in Leadership Series

00:50: Why Burn the Blueprint?

01:30: Challenges in Modern Leadership

01:51: The Role of AI and Job Insecurity

02:24: Changing the Leadership Narrative

03:14: What to Expect from the Series

03:59: Empowering Leaders to Make a Difference

04:53: Conclusion: Let's Get Started