Freedom isn’t just about money — it’s about how you build the place you spend half your life. Most founders miss what true ownership can unlock until they’re already stuck. Carl Erickson started Atomic Object after a failed startup imploded. He turned it into one of the most admired software consultancies out there by making employees owners from day one. Over twenty years, Carl pushed extreme programming, radical pairing, and direct ownership, building a company designed to last a century. In t...
Jun 29, 2025•51 min
Purpose isn’t a destination — it’s how you show up. And most leaders are looking for it in all the wrong places. Davin Salvagno is a bestselling author, speaker, and executive coach known for helping leaders reconnect with why they started — and who they’re becoming. He’s the co-founder of The Purpose Summit and author of Thieves of Purpose: Overcoming the 12 Mindsets Robbing You of Your Potential , a powerful guide to identifying what’s stealing your motivation. In this episode, Davin shares ho...
Jun 14, 2025•49 min
AI isn’t just another tool — it’s a multiplier. But most business owners are missing the mark completely. Jeff MacPherson is a three-time tech founder, the creator of the first Instagram DM chatbot (yes, the one that handled nearly a billion messages), and now the co-founder of XnGen AI. He helps businesses turn their internal IP into scalable AI systems that drive real profit. In this episode, Jeff shares how business owners can stop chasing shiny tools and start building real leverage — even i...
May 31, 2025•49 min
When your business disappears and the customer doesn’t blink, that’s a problem. Bill Mills is the CEO of Executive Group and author of Breakthrough: The Power of Conscious Conversation . He’s helped countless business owners build companies their customers can’t live without. In this episode, we talk about what separates good companies from great ones — and what it takes to become indispensable. We talk about: 🔹 Why execution isn’t your real problem 🔹 The difference between vision and distract...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Elizabeth Glasbrenner — CEO of Smiley Technologies, a family-owned business providing core banking software to community banks and financial institutions. Elizabeth’s story is one of courage, clarity, and people-first leadership. After co-founding the business in 2002 with her brother Vance and father Walter, she stepped into the CEO role in 2016 — not just to scale the company, but to rebuild trust, reshape the culture, and guide the b...
May 04, 2025•50 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience, I sit down with Ken Sanginario —turnaround expert, value growth strategist, and founder of CVM, The Value Growth Company . Ken spent nearly two decades being parachuted into distressed companies by investors, banks, and private equity firms, tasked with answering one brutal question: Can this company be saved, or is it time to shut it down? Today, Ken helps business owners see what most miss — the hidden weaknesses holding their businesses back — and sh...
Apr 27, 2025•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Lloyd James Ross—entrepreneur, investor, international speaker, and host of the hit podcast Money Grows on Trees . Lloyd has built multiple seven-figure businesses, earned a Two Comma Club Award from ClickFunnels, and holds the Legacy Club Millionaire title with Isagenix. But beyond the accolades, what truly sets Lloyd apart is his approach to time. In this conversation, we explore the concept of becoming “time rich,” and how business o...
Apr 19, 2025•46 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Kelly O’Finnell —President of EFS ESOP Consultants, author of The ESOP Coach , and one of the leading voices in employee ownership and business succession planning. With over four decades in the field, Kelly has helped countless business owners transition their companies into ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans), creating incredible wealth and preserving company culture. In our conversation, we explore how ESOPs aren’t just an exit st...
Apr 12, 2025•50 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Amy Courter—former national commander and CEO of the Civil Air Patrol, where she led 61,000 volunteers as a two-star Major General. Amy's leadership journey is nothing short of extraordinary, from the Pentagon to tech startups, from taking a company public to coaching leadership teams as an EOS Implementer. We explore why vision is a leader’s most important compass, the power of vulnerability-based trust , and how healthy conflict build...
Apr 05, 2025•59 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Joel Trammell—Chairman and Founder of CEO-S, author of The CEO Tightrope and The Chief Executive Operating System , and a seasoned entrepreneur who has spent over three decades in the CEO seat. Joel shares hard-earned wisdom from scaling startups to leading a billion-dollar public company. We dive into the unique mindset shifts that CEOs must make as their companies grow—from wearing every hat in a 20-person startup to leading a functio...
Mar 29, 2025•58 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience, I sit down with Garth Jemmett, Founder and CEO of We Explain Stuff™️, a consultancy that helps businesses articulate powerful value propositions that drive sales and simplify marketing. Garth shares his journey from creative director to business owner and how he helps founders and teams distill their value propositions into clear, visual sales collateral. We explore why so many businesses unknowingly hold themselves back by selling features instead of o...
Mar 22, 2025•53 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Josh Leatherman , Chief Marketing Officer at Service Express , who has played a pivotal role in scaling the company from $30 million to over $350 million in revenue . Josh shares how he built a high-performing marketing team , why revenue operations is the "Switzerland" between sales and marketing , and how experimentation, accountability, and specialization drive scalable business growth. We explore his R&D mindset — "Rip Off &...
Mar 15, 2025•51 min
Matt’s journey started in 2004 as a summer intern. Today, he leads an 80-person civil engineering firm ranked among the Top 5 Best Firms to Work For in the nation—not by accident, but through a deliberate approach to leadership, decision-making, and ownership. We dive into the unique decision-making filter that guides every major move at Choice One, their employee ownership model, and how they’ve built a company that grows for opportunity—not just for the sake of growth. Matt shares how Choice O...
Mar 08, 2025•56 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Tracy Bech, founder of 60 Minute CFO and author of 60 Minute CFO: Bridging the Gap Between Business and Finance . Tracy shares her journey from being a web developer to a multi-million dollar e-commerce entrepreneur and how she learned the critical financial lessons that now empower entrepreneurs to master business finance without being overwhelmed. We dive deep into why so many business owners struggle with cash flow despite showing pr...
Mar 01, 2025•57 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with John Abrams, founder of South Mountain Company and a pioneer in employee ownership. John transitioned his company into a worker cooperative in the 1980s—long before employee ownership became a mainstream conversation. Now, with his upcoming book, From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership , he’s on a mission to help more business owners build companies that endure. We explore what it really t...
Feb 23, 2025•53 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Bo Burlingham, celebrated author of Small Giants , The Great Game of Business , and Finish Big , to discuss what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Bo has spent decades observing and writing about businesses that prioritize greatness over growth. In our conversation, we explore the principles of Evergreen companies, the importance of mojo, and why businesses with a clear purpose stand the test of time. 🎥 Watch this convers...
Feb 15, 2025•54 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Cate Zoltan , Founder and CEO of the Undo app , to explore a radically different approach to meditation. Cate shares how Natural Meditation helps people reconnect with their bodies, process unresolved emotions, and move away from rigid, goal-oriented techniques that often don’t work. We discuss the disconnect between the mind and body, why traditional meditation methods might not serve us in today’s world, and how true healing comes fro...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Episode Description: In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Peter Koehler, founder of Lumo Group , to explore alternative ownership models that help businesses endure beyond their founders. Peter shares his journey from the startup world to becoming a leader in employee ownership trusts and perpetual purpose trusts. We discuss the risks of traditional venture capital, the challenges of scaling with integrity, and how business owners can transition ownership while preserving ...
Feb 01, 2025•50 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I’m joined by Dominic Monkhouse , a business growth expert who has scaled two UK technology companies from zero to £30 million in less than five years. Dominic shares his proven strategies for creating high-performing teams, building intentional company cultures, and turning hiring into a competitive advantage. From his unique hiring techniques (think crayons and pictures!) to insights on why scaling requires CEOs to shift from basketball to football-s...
Jan 25, 2025•44 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Patrick Thean , an international speaker, CEO coach, and bestselling author, to explore his remarkable journey and the powerful lessons shared in his new book, The Journey to CEO Success: 7 Practices for High Growth Leadership . From building Inc. 500 companies to guiding CEOs through high-growth challenges, Patrick shares his unique insights into leadership, execution, and cultivating curiosity as a driver of success. 🎥 Watch this con...
Jan 18, 2025•55 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , Jean Moncrieff speaks with Bruce Eckfeldt, a seasoned entrepreneur, coach, and expert in agile development and strategic growth. Bruce shares his unconventional journey from architecture to founding a successful agile software development company and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. This conversation dives deep into the critical elements of scaling a business, preparing for an exit, and overcoming the personal challenges that often accomp...
Jan 11, 2025•55 min
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Freedom Experience ! In part two of this special year-end review, I reflect on three powerful themes that emerged from my conversations with incredible guests over the past year. These insights are designed to help you refine your strategy and set yourself up for success in 2025. 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube , and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! If you missed last week’s episode, be sure to check it out—we tackled escaping the CEO Doom Loop, aligning with you...
Jan 05, 2025•25 min
In this solo episode of The Freedom Experience® , host Jean Moncrieff reflects on key insights from past conversations and shares strategies for business owners to regain momentum as the new year approaches. Jean delves into three critical areas: escaping the CEO Doom Loop, the transformative power of purpose, and building high-performing leadership teams. With actionable advice and real-world examples, this episode equips entrepreneurs to break free from stagnation and lead their businesses wit...
Dec 28, 2024•41 min
Catherine Dahl is the former CEO of Beanworks, a fintech company specializing in accounts payable automation. Under her leadership, the company scaled from early struggles to a $100M exit. Today, she focuses on supporting early-stage fintech companies and mentoring women entrepreneurs. 🎥 Watch this conversation on YouTube , and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! Key Topics Covered From Accountant to CEO: Catherine’s unconventional path to leading a tech company and the lessons she learned as a non-tech...
Dec 22, 2024•54 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Eric Rieger , Founder and CEO of WEBIT Services , to discuss his inspiring journey from making t-shirts to building a purpose-driven, employee-owned tech business. Eric opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from early failures, and his commitment to addressing systemic issues like income inequality through innovative business practices. Watch this conversation on YouTube. And SUBSCRIBE! Key Themes: The E...
Dec 15, 2024•57 min
In this episode of The Freedom Experience , I sit down with Carl Saunders, the founder of VORUM, a pioneer in prosthetic and orthotic technology. Carl shares his journey from bootstrapping his business to scaling it into a global impact player. We discuss the lessons he learned from navigating growth plateaus, the importance of purpose-driven leadership, and how adopting systems like Metronomics transformed his business. Our conversation also touches on the decision to sell the company, the impa...
Dec 07, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Richard Bryan stepped into leadership at age 28, inheriting a struggling $120M family automotive business in the UK facing $3.5M in annual losses. Through radical decision-making and cultural transformation, he turned the company around by prioritizing mentorship, transparency, and building high-performing teams. Today, as a keynote speaker and executive coach, he helps business owners master succession planning and create sustainable enterprises that thrive without their constant presence. In o...
Nov 30, 2024•48 min
Rob Dube's entrepreneurial path revealed a powerful truth: sustainable success starts from within. After building imageOne into a Forbes Small Giant, he discovered meditation and mindfulness weren't just personal practices - they transformed his leadership. Today, through the 10 Disciplines, his books "Shine" and "donothing," and his leadership retreats, Rob helps driven entrepreneurs find that elusive balance between remarkable business results and inner peace. His approach shows how slowing do...
Nov 24, 2024•1 hr
🎙️ THE FREEDOM EXPERIENCE - Episode 29 The Hidden Truth About Purpose at Work with Zach Mercurio In this powerful conversation with Zach Mercurio, we explore why purpose isn't just about having a mission statement - it's about creating environments where people truly feel they matter. Zach shares insights from his research and upcoming book about how leaders can build cultures of significance in their organizations. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Purpose exists in every role - it's about connecting work to ...
Nov 17, 2024•58 min
Art Saxby is the founder and CEO of Chief Outsiders , a company revolutionizing how mid-sized businesses access executive talent through fractional leadership. From his early days as a "born nomad" to leadership roles at Frito-Lay, Kellogg's, and Coca-Cola, Art has mastered the art of thriving in new situations. At age 50, driven by necessity during the 2009 recession, he founded Chief Outsiders, which now boasts over 130 battle-tested marketing and sales executives helping companies reignite gr...
Nov 09, 2024•52 min
