The Habit Architect

How do you decide what matters most when everything feels urgent? In this episode, producer Florencia Llosas flips the script and interviews host Michael Cupps about the foundation of effective habit building: your personal hierarchy of values. Michael explains why most people fail at building habits because they skip the critical first step of defining their values. Not political talking points,...

For those of you who can't believe it's almost Christmas already, let's go back to the end of October with this episode. AI promises to make life easier, but what happens when these tools actually hijack our habits instead? In this conversation, host Michael Cupps talks with Cortnie Abercrombie , author of "What You Don't Know" and founder of AITruth.org They discuss...

Michael Cupps sits down with Rachel Shaw, CEO of Shaw HR, to explore creating inclusive workplaces for employees with disabilities. Rachel shares her journey from handling ADA compliance to building a career helping organizations move beyond checkbox compliance toward human-centric decision making. Learn why diverse workforces are 20% more profitable, the critical difference between starting with...

What happens when your values collide with real-life financial pressure? Brent Hines , founder of the Foundation for Financial Wellness, joins Michael Cupps to explore how behavioral habits (not just income) shape long-term financial health. Learn how to build financial habits rooted in purpose, stop the comparison trap, and make money decisions with clarity, not chaos. A must-listen for anyone fe...

 What does it really take to stick with fitness?  In this episode, Michael Cupps sits down with Coach Junior to talk about the mindset behind lasting fitness habits. From showing up sore to staying consistent when motivation fades, this conversation goes beyond reps and routines.  You’ll learn how coaching creates accountability, why small steps matter more than perfect plans, and what keeps peopl...

 Why do AI projects fail when the tech works?  Michael Cupps and returning guest Tony Castelli, PhD (Rulesware; ex-Accenture, IBM, Pegasystems) explain how change management, trust, and team habits determine AI adoption. We cover shadow resistance, the role of middle management, and simple ways to move from AI drafting content to assisting real decisions. Practical takeaways: continuous learning,...

We all say we’ll start tomorrow. But what keeps us from following through? In this episode, Michael Cupps and Florencia Llosas explore why habits don’t stick—even when we want them to. From finite time blindness to emotional burnout, they unpack what’s really holding you back and how to reset. You’ll learn: Why awareness isn’t enough How emotions derail routines Simple ways to build habits that la...

Michael Cupps is joined by Ivana Brutenic and Kristina kováčiková from SUNDAYFLIES , a sister-led consultancy helping people and companies show up authentically on LinkedIn.  Learn how to turn content creation, comments, and storytelling into simple daily habits that build real engagement and trust—without spamming your feed.  The Habit Architect is sponsored by Enterprise Diagnostics and Time Ban...

Is your benefits package really supporting your life—or just checking a box? In this episode, host Michael Cupps welcomes Jordan Peace , CEO of Fringe , to explore how companies can rethink employee benefits to meet real, everyday needs. From flexible perks and retention to mental health and neurodiverse leadership, Jordan shares his personal journey with ADHD, fatherhood, and building a business...

 If your habits are inconsistent and your energy constantly dips, the issue might not be your willpower. it might be your nutrition.  In this episode of The Habit Architect , Michael Cupps speaks with registered dietitian Marissa Dankosky from Foodsmart about how food choices impact focus, consistency, and long-term habit formation.  They explore the real reasons it’s hard to stick to healthy rout...

Can 10 minutes of focused learning change how you lead and grow? In this episode, Michael Cupps talks with Ana Mashchuk of Headway Inc to explore how micro-learning helps busy professionals build better habits, sharpen leadership skills, and boost team performance. What you’ll learn:  ✔️ What micro-learning looks like in real life  ✔️ How top teams use it to build stronger culture  ✔️ Tips to star...

Employee benefits can feel confusing, expensive, and full of fine print, especially in the U.S. healthcare system. In this episode of The Habit Architect , host Michael Cupps speaks with Kristan Carlton , a Tulsa-based expert in group health benefits and employee coverage strategies. As VP of Operations at Inspire Benefit Consultants , Kristan shares what employees and HR leaders need to know to n...

In this episode of The Habit Architect , Michael Cupps sits down with Benj Miller , co-founder of System & Soul and a leadership coach who helps companies align people, processes, and purpose. Together, they unpack why so many business meetings become time-wasters, how company culture shows up in the way meetings are run, and what leaders can do to make every meeting count. You’ll discover how...

In the Season 2 premiere of The Habit Architect, host Michael Cupps sits down with Andrew Olowu, CTO of Axxess, to explore the habits, mindset, and personal journey behind his remarkable career. Born and raised in Nigeria, Andrew shares how an early curiosity about computers led him to the U.S., where he steadily built a path from student to global tech leader. This episode goes beyond career mile...

In this Season 1 finale of The Habit Architect, host Michael Cupps and co-host Reem Metawei return for Part 2 of our reflection, revisiting Episodes 11 through 19. These conversations went beyond productivity and into the habits that carry us through real-life transformation: recovery, reinvention, caregiving, and confident aging. Fiona Ross challenged long-held leadership scripts and asked us to...

In Part 1 of this special two-part finale, co-host Reem Metawei joins me to revisit the first 10 episodes that built the foundation for The Habit Architect. These conversations shaped not just a podcast but a mindset. We uncovered powerful truths about identity, discipline, resilience, and how intentional habits shape the way we lead and live. We heard how Brandon Lee treats digital presence like...

In this special episode recorded from the French coast, Michael Cupps shares reflections on the first season of The Habit Architect and previews what’s ahead. With two recap episodes coming soon, joined by Reem Metawei to unpack the top insights from 19 powerful conversations, this episode is a short solo moment to reconnect. Michael also shares a personal lesson: how trading up your time, letting...

In this powerful and practical episode, host Michael Cupps sits down with Cathy Minter, Co-Founder and CEO of Wisdom.io, to explore how intentional habits and respectful technology can support older adults as they age with confidence in the homes they love. Cathy shares the heart behind Wisdom.io | an innovative, privacy-first smart system that detects routine changes, supports caregivers, and hel...

What separates high-growth tech companies from those stuck in stagnant lead funnels? It’s not just tools. It’s not just talent. It’s habits, the daily, intentional actions that compound into sustainable demand. In this episode, Michael Cupps is joined by Shannon Prager, President of Leadit Marketing. Shannon helps tech companies with complex offerings untangle their go-to-market chaos and rebuild...

Behind every stalled transformation is a system without structure or habits without reinforcement.  In this episode, Michael Cupps is joined by Tony Castelli, Executive Vice President at Rulesware and former Pega, Accenture, and IBM leader, to explore how successful enterprise transformation depends not only on strategy, but on disciplined execution. Tony brings decades of experience guiding enter...

In this insightful episode of The Habit Architect, host Michael Cupps is joined by Dr. Jennifer Churchill, a management psychologist, high-performance executive coach, and Certified Hormone Health Coach. Together, they confront a growing and often ignored crisis: the quiet exit of high-potential women from the workforce during midlife. Dr. Churchill shares her deep expertise on the intersection of...

Emergencies rarely give us time to prepare. Whether you are a military spouse, supporting aging parents, or simply planning ahead for your family’s peace of mind, being organized is not just smart. It is essential. In this episode, Michael Cupps sits down with Donna Tellam, founder of GoBinders, to explore how small, consistent habits around organization can bring clarity and calm in life’s most c...

What does it take to feel more in control of your choices and routines?  Whether you are looking to moderate or stop drinking, bring more intention into your day, or simply design habits that better reflect who you want to be. In this episode, Cupps sits down with Jonathan Hunt-Glassman, CEO and founder of Oar Health, to talk about how thoughtful habit design can support long term personal change....

Ever reach the end of the day wondering where the time went? In this episode of The Habit Architect, Michael Cupps and Reem Metawei dig into the hidden habits that quietly drain our focus like nonstop notifications, endless meetings, and mindless scrolling. They reveal how these distractions sneak in, what they’re really costing us, and how to take back control with simple intentional shifts. If y...

🎙️ On this episode of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵, host Michael Cupps and co-host Reem Metawei are joined by business strategist and mentor Sophie Stardust to explore how intentional habits and simple systems can create space for sustainable success, with more clarity, calm, and joy. Sophie works with creative entrepreneurs and business owners to design habits that align with their values, energy, and vis...