In this episode, Glenn Gow sits down with Matt Cohen, CEO of PlaySpace, to unpack the hard truths of scaling in digital health. Matt shares why theory often looks right on paper but fails in reality, how market timing and geography shape growth, and why purpose-driven leadership matters in fixing broken systems. From tackling mental health accessibility to leveraging AI responsibly, Matt reveals the lessons every CEO can use when scaling in complex industries.
Sep 25, 2025•29 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Jennifer Barnes, founder and CEO of Optima Office. Jennifer has built two fast-growing companies by putting people first. Her core belief is simple: “people over profits.” She shares how this approach led to 86% employee retention in a tough industry, why hiring for kindness matters, and how CEOs can avoid burnout in their teams. Jennifer also explains the biggest blind spots CEOs face with their numbers, and how AI tools like Powe...
Sep 25, 2025•21 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Leigh Feldman, CEO of Youth Franchise Brands and former Google leader, about why not everything that’s measured truly matters. Leigh shares lessons from building iconic brands like Google, Nike, and Disney, and explains how CEOs can scale without losing the soul of their brand. From helping franchisees succeed in local markets to using AI to protect authentic storytelling, Leigh reveals practical insights on growth, leadership, and...
Sep 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 16
Jon Nordmark scaled eBags through the dot-com crash before founding Iterate.ai, now powering global enterprises with AI. He explains why raising money too early can be destructive, why boards can make or break CEOs, and how “agentic AI” will reshape work. His journey blends discipline, invention through constraint, and bold lessons on scaling.
Sep 18, 2025•28 min•Ep. 14
Executive coach John Volturo opens up about how a brain tumor forced him to shift from chasing external validation to building self-trust. He shares his “Prove Nothing” framework, insights on scaling without the constant swirl of doubt, and why relationships and joy outside of work make CEOs more effective.
Sep 18, 2025•23 min•Ep. 13
Andrew Pudalov left Wall Street trading to build Rush Bowls into a national franchise brand. He shares lessons on risk-taking, staying focused on vision, and why he was never afraid to fail. Andrew also explains how he sees AI as today’s “dot-com boom on steroids,” creating both massive opportunities and risks for CEOs.
Sep 18, 2025•24 min•Ep. 13
Brett Carlson, CEO of ServiceUp, explains why borrowing proven playbooks speeds growth and how DoorDash’s model informed their marketplace strategy in this episode of Scaling CEO Podcast with Glenn Gow. He covers spending discipline after big raises, a near-fatal Patagonia expedition that shaped his grit, and practical ways AI and automation will scale the auto-repair ecosystem without losing the human element.
Sep 11, 2025•23 min•Season 12Ep. 12
Glenn talks with Lindsay Johnson, CEO of FitPros, about scaling a wellness company without outside funding and the mistake many CEOs make—forgetting their people. She shares hiring lessons, how to prove ROI using claims data, and why empathy and authenticity help companies scale. She also touches on using AI tools inside the business while staying human-first.
Sep 11, 2025•24 min•Season 11Ep. 11
Elias Berlinger, CEO of MyMusic Workshop, shares a 16-year journey of patient growth and a pandemic pivot from in-person classes to an online platform. He explains the marathon mindset for scaling, how constraint sparked creativity, and how he uses AI to support the brand’s personality rather than replace it. He’s now seeking the right partner to reach more families.
Sep 11, 2025•21 min•Season 10Ep. 10
Most CEOs think success comes from the perfect product or strategy. But Neema Mahdavian says if you can’t sell, you can’t scale. In this episode, Glenn Gow talks with Neema, a serial entrepreneur who’s built and sold over a dozen companies in industries like crypto, cannabis, and AI. He shares why sales, grit, and mindset matter more than anything else, and what CEOs often get wrong when trying to grow.
Sep 05, 2025•21 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Vlad Podoliako, CEO of Belkins. Vlad shares the hard truths of being a CEO — from choosing the “best failure” to why a $500,000 hire won’t fix a broken business model. He also reveals how Belkins scaled through war and tough times, built predictable sales pipelines, and turned setbacks into growth.
Sep 05, 2025•24 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow sits down with Ninh Tran, CEO of Grav.id, to explore scaling startups, AI disruption, and building technology that truly creates impact. Ninh shares his journey from co-founding HireEZ to helping nonprofits secure funding with AI, the lessons he learned scaling to eight-figure ARR, and how CEOs should rethink growth in the age of AI.
Sep 05, 2025•25 min•Ep. 7
Most CEOs get distracted chasing future problems that don’t matter yet. In this episode, Chia-Lin Simmons (CEO of LogicMark, ex-Google & Amazon) shares why focusing on today’s real pain points is the key to scaling. She and Glenn Gow break down how to find the few issues that truly drive growth, and how to balance risk, innovation, and AI without losing sight of what matters now.
Aug 28, 2025•23 min•Ep. 6
In this episode, Glenn Gow talks to Reza Mirza, CEO of Icelandic Glacial, about the real keys to scaling a business. Reza shares the importance of focusing on EBITDA, building the right team, and cutting out unnecessary expenses. They dive into the mistakes many CEOs make and reveal why brand awareness alone won’t drive growth. Tune in for insights on sustainable scaling and leadership strategies that actually work.
Aug 28, 2025•21 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of Scaling CEO, Glenn Gow interviews Peter Malek, CEO of Inbound AV. Peter shares his journey from music producer to tech founder, the skills he learned in the studio that helped in business, and the importance of recognizing opportunities. They also discuss the role of AI in business and how CEOs can navigate its challenges.
Aug 28, 2025•23 min•Ep. 4
Most CEOs think the key to success is growing as fast as possible, but Zach Smith, CEO of Anywhere.com, has learned it’s better to grow with trust, patience, and real human connection. In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Zach about how he built a global travel brand by focusing on relationships instead of hype. Zach shares why operating with constraints can actually help your business grow stronger, how a costly rebrand taught him the danger of chasing vanity metrics...
Aug 25, 2025•27 min•Ep. 3
When is it time to let go of a high performer? In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast , host Glenn Gow sits down with Allan Lopes , biologist-turned-CEO and founder of the Healthy Building Certificate, to talk about the tough calls leaders have to make. Allan shares why results alone aren’t enough to keep someone on your team, how toxic behavior can quietly erode culture, and why putting people first is key to long-term performance. They also explore how our work environments impact producti...
Aug 25, 2025•25 min•Ep. 2
Sales can bring in revenue, but they won’t scale your company by themselves. In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow sits down with Nellie Akalp, founder and CEO of CorpNet, to talk about what it really takes to grow a business the right way. Nellie shares her journey building multiple companies, why operations and infrastructure matter as much as sales, and how to create systems that support long-term growth. If you’re a CEO or founder who thinks more sales is the only answer, thi...
Aug 07, 2025•20 min
