CEO School - podcast cover

CEO School

Suneera Madhaniwww.spreaker.com
Less than 2% of female founders ever break 1M in revenue. We’re on a mission to change that. Welcome to CEO School. I'm your host, Suneera Madhani, and each week, you’ll learn from incredible mentors who’ve made it to the 2% club and women well on their way. But first, a few class rules. Grab your seat because we’re here to get sh*t done. We’re one team, one dream. And we believe that we deserve to have it all because nothing bad happens when women make more money. You’re a real business now. Class is officially in session.
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Episodes

After the Billion: What No One Tells You About “Making It”

What happens after the billion-dollar milestone? In Part Two of her powerful conversation with Jay Shetty, CEO School founder Suneera Madhani opens up about what came after the unicorn valuation—from the health crisis she didn’t see coming to the identity loss that followed stepping away from the company she built from scratch. This episode is a masterclass in honest leadership, conscious entrepreneurship, and redefining success after burnout. Suneera shares the emotional, mental, and physical t...

Jun 30, 202536 min

Scaling with Heart: My Billion-Dollar Story (As Told on On Purpose)

What does it really take to scale a billion-dollar business—and still have time for what matters most? In this summer school replay of her interview on On Purpose with Jay Shetty, CEO School founder Suneera Madhani shares her powerful journey from corporate employee to unicorn founder. In this wide-ranging conversation, she opens up about redefining success, learning to reclaim time, and building a business rooted in purpose and presence. From her immigrant roots to the early days of pitching a ...

Jun 23, 202551 min

359. There’s No Finish Line: Lessons from 5 Years of CEO School

What if the secret to success wasn’t more hustle—but better alignment? In this heartfelt solo finale, CEO School host Suneera Madhani reflects on five years of podcasting and the powerful lessons from this season. With themes of energy, alignment, and evolution, she walks listeners through the mindset shifts that helped her grow a billion-dollar business and build a new one—all while protecting her peace. From running a tech startup to creating the Millionaire Founders Club, this episode is a de...

Jun 16, 202522 min

358. What 100 Seven-Figure Female Founders Taught Me About Scaling, Leadership, and Sisterhood with Brielle Cotterman

Ever wonder what it’s really like inside a room full of powerhouse women running seven and eight-figure businesses? In this special episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani is joined by President of CEO School and MFC community leader Brielle Cotterman, fresh off of the Millionaire Founders Club Spring Retreat. They’re giving you a true behind-the-scenes look at what goes down when nearly 100 seven-figure CEOs come together to share strategies, support each other, and scale with heart. From f...

Jun 09, 202544 min

357. Hiring, Firing, and Everything In Between: An HR Deep Dive with Zak Human Solutions

HR isn’t just policies and paperwork—it’s the secret to building an aligned, unstoppable team. In this episode, host Suneera Madhani sits down with HR experts and MFC members Kacie Scott and Nadian Zak of Zak Human Solutions for a crash course in all things people, culture, and compliance. Whether you’re hiring your first contractor or managing a full team, this candid conversation breaks down what you actually need to know as a founder—including the HR mistakes that could cost you big. In this ...

Jun 02, 202556 min

356. The Power of Small Habits and Big Vision: How to Scale Without Burning Out with Dawn McGruer

What if the key to scaling your business isn’t working harder—but rewiring how you think? In this episode of CEO School, Suneera sits down with UK-based business strategist, Forbes mentor, and founder of Dawn of a New Era, Dawn McGruer. Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, this powerhouse conversation dives deep into mindset, neuroscience, and the strategy behind sustainable, freedom-driven business growth. Dawn shares the three pillars that have helped thousands of women scale witho...

May 26, 202536 min

355. The Secret Sauce of Thought Leadership (and How to Find Yours) with Cris Gordon

What if your next level of growth isn’t about doing more, but showing up more powerfully for the work you’re already doing? In this episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with powerhouse publicist and founder of CBee Communications, Cris Gordon, for a masterclass on visibility, storytelling, and stepping into the spotlight—even when it feels scary. Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, Cris shares her playbook for building a personal brand that opens doors, positions yo...

May 19, 202530 min

354. Mother. Immigrant. Matriarch: An Emotional Mother’s Day Special with Shama Rehmetullah

This week on CEO School, we’re celebrating Mother’s Day with one of the most heartfelt, vulnerable, and inspiring episodes yet. Host Suneera Madhani is joined by the most important guest she’s ever had on the show—her mom, Shama Rehmetullah. In this candid conversation, Suneera and her mom talk about everything from growing up during wartime in Bangladesh to immigrating to the U.S. with nothing but a dream. Shama shares how she worked her way up from sweeping floors at 15 to managing a Garrett P...

May 12, 202536 min

353. Stop Launching, Start Licensing: A Smarter Way to Scale Your Business with April Beach

What if your most valuable asset isn’t what you’re selling, but what you’ve already built? In this episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with licensing strategist and lifelong entrepreneur April Beach to unpack the untapped goldmine that lives inside your intellectual property. Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, April breaks down exactly how to turn your playbooks, processes, trainings, and frameworks into scalable assets through licensing. Whether you’re a coach, c...

May 05, 202529 min

352. That Sucked, Now What? Dr. Neeta Bhushan on Resilience, Reinvention, and Joy

Ever wonder how some women turn their hardest seasons into their greatest growth? In this powerful episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Dr. Neeta Bhushan—bestselling author, speaker, founder, and host of The Brave Table podcast—to talk about resilience, emotional health, and the art of coming back stronger. Live from the Millionaire Founders Club Retreat, Suneera and Neeta dive deep into grief, reinvention, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the importance of creating emotio...

Apr 28, 202553 min

351. From Broke to Bestselling: Tiffany Aliche’s 10-Step Path to Financial Wholeness

In this powerful episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani is joined by the incomparable Tiffany Aliche, aka @thebudgetnista. Tiffany opens up about how a financial scam, a job loss during the recession, and $300,000 in debt led her to start her mission: helping women become financially whole. Tiffany shares how she went from a broke preschool teacher to a New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Get Good With Money Library. This conversation covers everything from the emotions of ...

Apr 21, 202558 min

350. Celebrating 5 Years of CEO School: AMA, Reflections & Real Talk

Five years, 350 episodes, and countless women impacted—this week’s episode of CEO School is a celebration. Host Suneera Madhani reflects on five years of showing up weekly with zero podcasting background, fueled only by passion and purpose. From the early days recording on her laptop to hitting top charts, she shares the real behind-the-scenes of what it’s taken to build the CEO School community. Want to win some CEO School Swag? Leave us a review, dm @ceoschool on Instagram a screenshot, and fo...

Apr 14, 202537 min

349. How Betches Went Viral: Aleen Dreksler on Building a Media Empire from a Blog

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a viral brand and stay relevant in today’s fast-moving content world? In this episode, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Aleen Dreksler, Co-Founder and CEO of Betches Media, to talk about launching one of the internet’s most iconic brands, navigating creative burnout, and embracing the cringe in the name of growth. Aleen shares how she and her two best friends turned a scrappy anonymous blog into a media powerhouse, landing a book deal, building a loya...

Apr 07, 202535 min

348. CEO Behavior: Ask Me Anything with Suneera on Burnout, Boundaries & Showing Up Anyway

Ever wish you could sit down with Suneera and ask her anything? In this special episode of CEO School, we’re flipping the script. Podcast producer Lily Wiggle takes the mic to ask Suneera your most pressing questions—completely unfiltered and unprepared. From executive style tips to productivity hacks, managing distractions, and staying motivated when burnout hits, Suneera gets real about what it takes to lead like a CEO while keeping it human. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💼 How to elevate yo...

Mar 31, 202532 min

347. How Patty Arvielo Built a Multi-Billion Dollar Empire Without a College Degree — And Why She’s Still Not Done

Feeling stuck in your career or wondering what’s next in your entrepreneurial journey? Patty Arvielo’s inspiring story is proof that reinvention, resilience, and purpose can lead to incredible success at any stage of life. In this episode, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Patty Arvielo, Co-Founder and CEO of New American Funding, to discuss her journey from an entry-level job at 16 to building one of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the United States. Patty opens up about navigatin...

Mar 24, 202541 min

346. Success Isn’t Enough: Why Finding Your People Changes Everything

Feeling like success should feel better than this? After exiting her billion-dollar business, Suneera Madhani faced something unexpected — emptiness. Despite achieving her biggest goals, she realized what was missing: a circle of like-minded women who truly understood her journey. In this episode, Suneera shares how finding her "business besties" transformed her life, reignited her passion, and inspired her to create the Millionaire Founders Club — a powerful sisterhood of ambitious women dedica...

Mar 17, 202530 min

345. From Garage Workouts to Fitness Empire: How Ailsa Navarro Built a Multi-Studio Powerhouse

In this episode, host Suneera Madhani chats with powerhouse entrepreneur Ailsa Navarro, the inspiring founder of HILI Studios. Starting with just one reformer in her garage during COVID, Ailsa scaled her Pilates empire to eight thriving studios across Central Florida. In this episode, Ailsa shares the mindset shifts, smart strategies, and unwavering commitment that made her rapid growth possible. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💪 How Ailsa turned her garage workouts into an award-winning Pilates...

Mar 10, 202546 min

344. 6 Things Holding You Back from Success—And What to Let Go of Now

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're spinning your wheels? The secret to growth isn’t just about adding more to your plate—it’s about letting go of what’s holding you back. In this solo episode, host Suneera Madhani shares 6 things you must quit to create space for success, wealth, and true fulfillment. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or ambitious woman ready to level up, this episode will challenge you to break free from bad habits, reframe your mindset, and step fully into your power...

Mar 03, 202542 min

343. Stop Babysitting Your Employees! The Secret to a High-Performing Team

Struggling to get your team to take ownership? Feeling stuck in the weeds instead of leading like a CEO? In this episode, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Lia Garvin, aka The Team Whisperer, to reveal how to manage like a CEO, delegate with confidence, and build a high-performing team that drives results. With experience leading teams at Google, Microsoft, and Apple, Lia shares the exact strategies that help business owners get out of the day-to-day and turn their employees into profit-genera...

Feb 24, 202547 min

342. Fall in Love with Your Team: The Key to Leadership Success

Feeling frustrated with your team or struggling to lead with confidence? You’re not alone—and this episode is exactly what you need. In this solo episode, host Suneera Madhani opens up about the real, messy, and rewarding journey of leadership. From scaling a team from 0 to 400 employees to starting from scratch again with Worth, Suneera shares her biggest wins, hard lessons, and practical tips to help you build a team you love and lead like the CEO you’re meant to be. In this episode, you’ll le...

Feb 17, 202540 min

341. Stop Wasting Time: How to Automate, Delegate, and Scale Like a Pro

This week on CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Tamara Munoz-Whilden, CEO of Behind the Screens and the ultimate operations expert, to break down how smart systems, automation, and delegation can transform your business from chaos to control. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ The #1 mistake business owners make that kills profitability 📌 Why failed payments are costing you thousands (and how to fix it ASAP) 🛠️ The top tools to streamline your business and eliminate busywork ⚡ Ho...

Feb 10, 202551 min

340. Stop Losing Customers! The 5 Secrets to Creating Raving Fans in 2025

Most businesses are stuck in a never-ending cycle of chasing new customers, but what if the real secret to growth was right in front of you? In this episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani shares a game-changing perspective on business success: instead of constantly chasing new customers, focus on deeply serving the ones you already have. With over five years of running this podcast and building multiple businesses, Suneera has learned that loyal customers are the foundation of sustainable g...

Feb 03, 202534 min

339. Wealth-Building Strategies for Female Founders with Michelle Taylor

In this empowering episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Michelle Taylor, founder of Women in Wealth and host of the Talk Wealthy to Me podcast, to discuss all things money, wealth, and financial empowerment for women. From personal money stories to actionable tips, Michelle shares her journey from launching ventures in Florence to becoming a trusted wealth advisor for women entrepreneurs. Together, Suneera and Michelle tackle essential financial topics: 💸 How to develop a ...

Jan 27, 202554 min

338. 5 Time-Saving Hacks For Busy CEOs: How to Save 10 Hours a Week

Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? In this solo episode, host Suneera Madhani dives into her top five time-saving hacks guaranteed to give you back at least 10 hours a week. From resetting your schedule with a time audit to embracing delegation, automation, and mindful boundaries, Suneera shares actionable strategies for CEOs to reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters in business and life. In this episode, you'll learn: How to perform a time audit to identify ineffic...

Jan 20, 202540 min

337. Unlocking Influence in 2025: Personal Branding, PR Strategies, and Impact with Brielle Cotterman

In the first guest interview of the year, host Suneera Madhani sits down with Brielle Cotterman, CEO of the Influential Leader Agency and President of CEO School. Brielle shares her expertise on personal branding, leveraging PR, and creating impactful thought leadership in 2025. Discover actionable strategies to build your influence, align your personal mission with your professional goals, and elevate your brand to attract soulmate clients and opportunities. In this episode, you'll learn: The f...

Jan 13, 202548 min

336. 5 Rituals Every CEO Should Start in 2025

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 and the first episode of the year on the CEO School Podcast with your host, Suneera Madhani! In this inspiring episode, Suneera shares her 5 New Year’s Rituals Every CEO Should Start to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet. These aren’t resolutions—they’re sustainable, simple, and sacred habits designed to fuel your success in both business and life. Here’s what we dive into: ✨ Prioritizing rest and recovery for peak performance ✨ The power of daily movement for mental an...

Jan 06, 202537 min

335. The Freedom Formula: Why Alignment Is the Key to Crushing 2025

Join host Suneera Madhani as she reflects on the lessons learned from an incredible, challenging, and transformational year. From building a startup from the ground up to balancing the demands of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and life, Suneera shares the key takeaways that helped her align with her values and embrace the freedom formula she’s developed to achieve a fulfilling life and career. In this heartfelt and motivational episode, Suneera dives into: ✨ Why alignment with your values is the ...

Dec 16, 202438 min

334. What Every CEO Needs to Quit for a Better 2025

As we wrap up 2024, CEO School host Suneera Madhani kicks off a two-part series reflecting on the highs, lows, and lessons of the year. In this episode, Suneera gets vulnerable and real, sharing the three key things she’s quitting in 2025 to create space for growth, alignment, and intentional living. Tune in as Suneera dives into: ✨ The dangers of over-commitment and how she plans to simplify her life and work. ✨ Letting go of the fear of disappointing others and reclaiming her boundaries. ✨ Tac...

Dec 09, 202435 min

333. Leading with Legacy: How Julie Rotuno Took Charge of a 40-Year Family Business

In this powerful episode of CEO School, Suneera sits down with Julie Rotuno, CEO of Mid Atlantic Packaging and second-generation leader of a thriving 40+ year family business. Julie shares her inspiring story of stepping into her authentic self, transforming her mindset, and growing her family business into a multi-million dollar enterprise. Together, Suneera and Julie dive deep into: The challenges of leading a legacy family business and carving out her own identity. The journey from self-doubt...

Dec 02, 202441 min

332. 10 Game-Changing Lessons from Millionaire CEOs: What You Need to Know

In this solo episode of CEO School, host Suneera Madhani shares powerful lessons and reflections from her whirlwind travel schedule, including highlights from the Millionaire Founders Club Fall Retreat in Tucson, where 75+ highly successful women CEOs gathered for inspiration, collaboration, and million-dollar deal-making. Tune in as Suneera dives into her Top 10 Lessons from Highly Successful CEOs—from the importance of alignment and setting boundaries to the game-changing power of your network...

Nov 19, 202445 min
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