Are your current growth strategies actually increasing your business worth—or are hidden constraints quietly keeping you stuck as your company scales? If you're feeling stretched thin, hitting growth ceilings, or wondering why scaling feels harder than it should—this episode is for you. Carl Gould breaks down the real stages of business growth and the predictable pinch points that trip up founders, especially as AI disruption accelerates change and raises the bar for how companies scale, systemi...
Jan 26, 2026•29 min
Is your business worth more when AI writes faster—or when you show up as an authentic leader your team actually trusts? You're under constant pressure to communicate clearly, move quickly, and keep up with AI without losing your voice in the process. In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Allison Shapira about the real tension leaders face today: using AI to gain efficiency while still sounding human, credible, and genuinely connected to the people who matter most. By listening, you'll gain:...
Jan 20, 2026•33 min
Have you thought about what your founder futures look like if you're suddenly not here—and whether your business worth is actually protected? You spend your time thinking about growth, valuation, exits, and risk—but many founders avoid the uncomfortable questions about legacy, control, and continuity. This episode connects estate planning to founder futures, showing how personal preparedness, governance decisions, and AI disruption all shape what really happens to the value you've built when cir...
Jan 12, 2026•36 min
Is your company's "AI disruption" happening with you—or quietly without you… and putting your business worth at risk? If you're leading a mid-to-large company right now, you're probably feeling two pressures at the same time: move faster with AI and don't blow up the business while you do it. Because AI isn't a future trend anymore—it's already being built, tested, and used across departments, geographies, and teams (often without a single unified view). And that creates a real leadership headac...
Jan 05, 2026•33 min
Ever catch yourself wondering, "What is my business worth —like, the real number, not the cocktail-party guess?" If your business represents the majority of your net worth (and for most CEOs, it does), not knowing your true valuation is risky. You could be planning an exit, thinking about succession, considering a partnership change, or even just trying to make smarter growth decisions—but without a real valuation framework, you're basically relying on back-of-the-napkin math. In this episode, y...
Dec 29, 2025•32 min
Have you ever bailed on a "seat at the table" moment because imposter syndrome convinced you you didn't belong? This episode is basically a reality check for that spiral. If you've ever walked into a room of bigger titles, bigger experience, bigger confidence—and immediately started listing all the reasons you're "not enough," Megan Reilly's story will feel uncomfortably familiar (in the best way). She breaks down what imposter syndrome costs you, how to stop self-eliminating, and how to stay in...
Dec 22, 2025•28 min
What if the expertise that makes your company valuable today could be replicated—or even surpassed—by AI within a year? If you're running or leading a business, you're already feeling the pressure: AI disruption is moving faster than your operating model can adapt. This episode helps you understand why the ground is shifting so quickly, what it means for the expertise inside your organization, and how you can stay ahead instead of getting blindsided by competitors who adopt AI more strategically...
Dec 15, 2025•37 min
Ever feel like you want to embrace AI, but it is moving so fast? What you just learned is already outdated—and you're worried your competitors might be pulling ahead while you're still figuring it out? This episode is basically a reality check for you as a leader: AI isn't a "someday" thing anymore. It's here, it's democratized, and it's about to split industries into the "haves" who use it to accelerate growth and the "have-nots" who get left behind. If you're trying to grow a mid-to-large comp...
Dec 08, 2025•34 min
Ever feel like your "new product" ideas stall out — not because they're bad, but because the team can't stay aligned long enough to bring them to life? If you're trying to grow in a world of constant AI disruption, you can't afford ideation that dies in committee or teams that melt down under pressure. This episode hits the real blocker most CEOs run into: brilliant people get promoted, but nobody ever taught them how to lead, think clearly under stress, or build a team that can take an idea fro...
Dec 01, 2025•32 min
What if the real competitive edge in your company isn't another strategy shift—but your human sustainability as a leader? You're expected to perform like a high-level athlete: stay sharp, set direction, handle pressure, and keep your team moving—often while AI disruption speeds everything up. But here's the catch: if your internal system is running at red line, your decision-making, culture, and results eventually pay the price. In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Pearce Cucchissi, a form...
Nov 24, 2025•29 min
Do you ever wonder why, no matter how much your business grows, your personal finances still feel out of control? If you've ever felt like your success at work doesn't translate to financial peace at home, this episode is your wake-up call. Jim Schleckser sits down with money expert and bestselling author Mike Michalowicz—creator of Profit First —to talk about why most people, even entrepreneurs, struggle with money and how simple behavior shifts can create real financial freedom. In this episod...
Nov 17, 2025•25 min
Are you ready to face the AI facts about what it really takes to lead in the age of disruption? If you're a CEO or senior leader trying to navigate the chaos of AI transformation, this episode is your roadmap. Jim Schleckser sits down with Geoff Woods, bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader , to reveal the hard truths and surprising opportunities behind AI adoption. You'll see how Geoff went from leading a global industrial powerhouse to helping executives turn AI into their ultimate competi...
Nov 10, 2025•36 min
Ever feel like your gut tells you one thing, but the numbers tell you another—and you're not sure which to trust as a CEO? If you've ever felt overwhelmed by financial reports, hesitant to ask "basic" money questions, or unsure how your cash flow can look great on paper but tight in practice, this episode is for you. You'll hear how understanding your company's finances at a deeper level can help you make smarter, faster decisions—without needing to become an accountant. In this conversation wit...
Nov 03, 2025•31 min
Are you ready for the AI disruption that's changing not just how you market—but how you show up as a leader? AI disruption isn't just shaking up industries—it's redefining how executives connect with customers, present themselves, and make smarter business decisions. In this episode, you'll learn how embracing AI-driven innovation can help you stand out, streamline your work, and future-proof your brand in a rapidly evolving digital world. You'll discover: How to turn your company's unique data ...
Oct 27, 2025•31 min
What if the winning strategies for your business weren't locked in the boardroom—but hidden in the minds of your frontline team? If you've ever hesitated to share financials or key metrics with your employees, you're not alone. But what if open-book management could turn your entire team into business thinkers who drive profit, accountability, and innovation? In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Kylie Jackson from The Great Game of Business about how transparency can transform the way your...
Oct 20, 2025•32 min
What does it really take to turn a good product into a great brand —one that people can't stop talking about (or eating)? If you've ever wondered how to revive a once-famous brand or stand out in a crowded market, this conversation is for you. Host Jim Schleckser talks with David Clarke, CEO of Chipwich, about how he brought a nostalgic favorite back to life and built a great brand story that connects with both retailers and consumers. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Identify undervalued b...
Oct 13, 2025•38 min
What if the secret to stronger client relationships isn't about selling more — but about creating experiences people can't stop talking about? If you've ever wondered how to make clients feel genuinely valued instead of just served, this episode is for you. Jim Schleckser chats with leadership strategist and author Neen James about how luxury brands like Ritz-Carlton and Rolex master the art of human connection — and how you can apply the same principles to elevate every client and team interact...
Oct 06, 2025•30 min
Are you struggling to find the right people—and wondering if you've been fishing in the wrong talent pool all along? With birth rates down and skilled workers in short supply, the talent pool feels tighter than ever. But what if you could widen your reach by engaging an overlooked group of professionals eager to bring their experience, leadership, and skills back into the workforce—if only given the right flexibility? In this episode, you'll learn: How to uncover a hidden talent pool of highly e...
Sep 29, 2025•31 min
What if banana ball held the secret to building a business culture that fans can't stop talking about? This episode takes you inside the world of the Savannah Bananas—a team that has turned baseball upside down by creating banana ball, a fast-paced, joy-filled experience that keeps fans lining up for more. And the lessons go way beyond sports. You'll see how putting customers first, eliminating friction, and daring to innovate can transform your own organization just like it did for theirs. In t...
Sep 22, 2025•32 min
What if the secret to keeping up with rapid change isn't just better strategy—but joining the right ceo peer advisory or networking groups? In a world where technology is evolving faster than organizations can adapt, you need more than just headlines to guide your decisions. This episode dives into how networking groups for CEOs and executives create the conversations, connections, and peer learning that help leaders stay ahead of disruption. Alan Murray—former CEO of Fortune Media and now leadi...
Sep 15, 2025•34 min
What if you could spot employee turnover before it happens—and stop it in its tracks? Turnover is expensive, frustrating, and disruptive. In this episode, you'll hear how AI is changing the game for leaders like you by predicting when employees are at risk of leaving and giving you real, actionable strategies to keep your best people engaged. Here's what you'll learn when you listen in: How companies are using AI to predict employee turnover and proactively boost loyalty. Why recognition, schedu...
Sep 08, 2025•26 min
What happens when your personal brand gets the spotlight—are you ready to make the most of it? You work hard to earn visibility for yourself and your business, but the truth is: securing the booking is only half the battle. The real impact comes from how you show up, connect, and tell your story in a way that builds trust and grows your influence. In this episode, you'll discover how to: Sharpen your on-camera and on-mic presence so you come across with confidence and credibility. Use personal s...
Sep 01, 2025•27 min
What does it really mean to build a purpose driven business—and how can focusing on more than just profit transform your success? As an entrepreneur, you know the tension between chasing growth and staying true to your deeper mission. In this episode, Kyle Kamrooz, founder and CEO of Bonus Home, opens up about the lessons he's learned in real estate, technology, and venture capital—and why putting purpose over profit is not only more fulfilling but also a smarter long-term strategy. By listening...
Aug 25, 2025•35 min
Ever wonder how a CEO goes from managing 2,000 apartments to building multiple seven-figure ventures backed by private equity? If you've ever struggled with scaling a service business, finding reliable vendors, or wondered how to make the leap from bootstrapping to private equity funding, this episode will feel like it's speaking directly to you. Tyler Dunagin shares the real story of how he solved a problem most property managers know all too well and turned it into a rapidly growing portfolio ...
Aug 18, 2025•27 min
Have you ever wondered why the 80/20 rule works in almost every aspect of life, from business to personal connections, and how you can use it to optimize your success? The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, has been around for decades, but do you really understand how deeply it impacts your business? In this episode, we explore not just the basics of 80/20, but how digging deeper into this principle can radically shift your approach to everything from customers to employees, and even your own pers...
Aug 11, 2025•31 min
What if behavioral science—not just branding—was the key to finally getting people to pay attention, change habits, and take action? Whether you're launching a product, driving cultural change, or working to influence public behavior, you're up against deeply ingrained habits. In this episode, you'll hear how expert Tim Berney uses behavioral science to create campaigns that do more than inform—they shift mindsets and drive real-world results. This approach works just as powerfully for CEOs as i...
Aug 04, 2025•34 min
Are you leading a high-performing team but still struggling to handle stress as it builds behind the scenes—despite doing all the "right" things? In this episode, you'll hear from Keri Ford—former creative director turned global leadership advisor for top-tier women leaders—who explains why success often comes with silent struggles no one talks about. Through her work in nervous system regulation and somatic strategies, Keri helps founders and CEOs break patterns they didn't know were sabotaging...
Jul 28, 2025•29 min
What if the secret to remarkable sales growth isn't a new hire, but an AI that works like one? If you're leading a business and wondering how AI will actually impact your bottom line —not in theory, but in real, everyday decisions—this episode is for you. With AI evolving faster than most leaders can keep up, it's no longer about if you'll use it, but how well and how soon you adapt. In this episode, you'll discover: Why the most valuable AI applications today aren't about replacing jobs, but au...
Jul 21, 2025•31 min
Are you still managing your team the old way—while others are using breakthrough strategies to build unstoppable momentum? In a world where AI is reshaping entire industries and the workforce is more dispersed than ever, staying relevant as a leader means more than just adapting—it means radically rethinking how your team operates. This episode is for CEOs and executives who want to build resilient, innovative, high-performing teams—and stop carrying the weight of leadership alone. In this episo...
Jul 14, 2025•31 min
What's the secret behind remarkable sales growth—especially when it comes from landing just a few large, high-stakes accounts? If you're tired of chasing endless leads with little payoff, this episode will show you how to stop playing the numbers game and start playing a smarter one. You'll discover what truly drives growth in companies that consistently win big deals—and how to build a sales process that scales beyond one superstar rep. You'll walk away from this episode with: A structured larg...
Jul 07, 2025•33 min
