Wick Buildings CEO launches RATCHET-UP podcast on leadership and culture

Allan Breidenbach, president of Wick Buildings and an upcoming Forbes Books author, has launched RATCHET-UP, a podcast about the people problems that shape business results. The show debuts with four episodes and is now available on major audio and video platforms as the company positions it as a leadership resource for executives.

Why it matters: - RATCHET-UP is aimed at leaders trying to improve performance by addressing culture, accountability and team dynamics, not just strategy or operations. - The podcast extends Allan Breidenbach’s upcoming Forbes Books project into an ongoing format that can reach executives, entrepreneurs and managers between book release milestones. - The show centers the idea that business outcomes are driven by people, which puts leadership behavior and organizational culture at the center of performance.

What happened: - Allan Breidenbach, president of Wick Buildings, launched RATCHET-UP in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, on September 10, 2026. - Breidenbach is also the author of the forthcoming Forbes Books title RATCHET-UP: Solving the Human Problems Behind Business Performance. - The podcast focuses on people and leadership challenges that affect organizational results. - The first four episodes are now live.

The details: - The podcast is built on the principles and framework from Breidenbach’s upcoming book, scheduled for release through Forbes Books in March 2027. - RATCHET-UP features conversations with executives, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. - Topics include leadership, culture, accountability, innovation and organizational performance. - New episodes are designed to offer practical lessons leaders can apply in their own organizations. - Breidenbach said, “Business performance is ultimately driven by people.” - Breidenbach said the podcast is intended to help leaders build stronger teams, improve culture and create lasting organizational success. - Episode 1, “Why Growth at All Costs Is Killing Startups,” features Steve Farsht, co-founder of Corazon Capital. - The first episode covers founder evaluation, emotional intelligence, stakeholder management and the growing role of AI in business and investing. - Episode 2, “Agentic AI Is Changing Leadership,” features Michael Carr, president and CEO of Naviant. - The second episode focuses on leading through AI-driven change, trust, accountability, change management and maintaining a human-centered approach to new technology. - Episode 3, “From Iowa Football to Bank CEO,” features Jim Hartlieb, president and CEO of First Business Bank. - The third episode discusses leadership, hiring, resilience and lessons from long sales cycles and high-performing teams. - Episode 4, “Why Your Employees Quit the Leader, Not the Job,” features Tony Misura, founder and CEO of The Misura Group. - The fourth episode explores employee retention, accountability, leadership effectiveness, company culture and AI-related opportunities for businesses and individuals. - The audio podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and iHeart. - The show can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and iHeart. - The video podcast and additional information are available through Forbes Books, the Wick Buildings YouTube channel and the Wick Buildings events page.

Between the lines: - The launch pairs a leadership podcast with a forthcoming book, suggesting a broader content strategy built around one framework. - The episode lineup signals an emphasis on current management pressures, especially AI adoption, retention and the human side of growth. - The podcast’s mix of operators and investors suggests Breidenbach is aiming for practical business advice rather than theory.

What's next: - More episodes are expected as the podcast continues beyond its four-episode launch slate. - The book RATCHET-UP: Solving the Human Problems Behind Business Performance is scheduled for release in March 2027. - Additional video and podcast content will continue to route listeners to Wick Buildings and Forbes Books channels.