The CEO.com Show l442d

In this episode of The CEO.com Show, Clint Betts sits down with Ken Rusk, a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. Ken defied the odds by achieving Wall Street Journal bestseller status with his book, "Blue Collar Cash." He also hosts the podcast "Comfort, Peace, and Freedom" and offers a course titled "The Path to a Successful Life." Ken shares his fascinating journey from being a proud ditch digger to leading a successful company with 200 employees. He discusses the importance of blue-collar work, the value of a clear vision, and the power of goal setting. Ken also touches on the impact of AI on blue-collar jobs and the significance of lifelong learning. Timestamps: 00:06 - Introduction to Ken Rusk 00:43 - Ken Rusk's Blue Collar Beginnings 01:33 - The Importance of Blue-Collar Work 03:13 - The College Controversy 05:43 - Vision and Goal Setting for Leaders 07:28 - Creating Personal Visions 09:43 - Response to Blue Collar Cash 11:27 - Lifelong Learning and Hard Work 13:48 - Focusing on What Truly Matters 15:11 - The Impact of AI on Blue-Collar Jobs 16:49 - Ken Rusk's Course and Its Purpose 18:25 - Motivation for Donating Course Proceeds 20:04 - Ken Rusk's Legacy 21:03 - The Importance of Giving Chances 21:56 - Closing Remarks and Website Promotion

In this episode, we sit down with Jon, the founder and managing partner of Torch Capital, to explore his fascinating journey from the music industry to venture capital. Jon shares his unique path, starting as a drummer and concert organizer in college, to working with legendary bands like Dave Matthews Band, and eventually transitioning into the world of venture capital. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including his time at McKinsey, his mentorship under Jack Welch, and his early investments in companies like ZocDoc and Com. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:07 - Jon's journey from music to venture capital 02:01 - Influence of diverse background on leadership and investments 03:05 - Mentorship under Jack Welch 06:14 - Early stage investing and recognizing talent 08:54 - Qualities to look for in startups 12:05 - Lessons from McKinsey 14:22 - Council of Foreign Relations insights 16:26 - Advice for mission-driven entrepreneurs 20:15 - Balancing life and work 22:15 - A typical day in venture capital 23:32 - Reading recommendations 24:48 - Surprising elements of the journey 26:42 - Mental health and resilience 28:09 - AI in early-stage startups 30:54 - The role of empathy in leadership 32:34 - Mentors who gave Jon a chance

In this episode, Clint sits down with Jason Beem, the former CEO of Panopto, to discuss his fascinating journey in the software industry and his role at Panopto. Founded in 2007, Panopto has become a leader in higher education video capture tools, helping students and faculty enhance learning outcomes through innovative video solutions. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:17 - Jason's career journey and Panopto's mission 01:50 - The culture and team at Panopto 02:47 - Panopto's customer base and market expansion 04:26 - The future of SaaS and AI 06:07 - How Panopto uses AI 08:38 - The magic of text-to-video technology 09:43 - A day in the life of a CEO 12:14 - Meeting structures and productivity tips 14:08 - Recommended reading and personal interests 15:50 - Work from home vs. office dynamics 18:13 - Communication strategies in a remote work environment 19:39 - Economic outlook and market trends 23:01 - The future of education and AI's role 26:00 - The tech scene in Austin, Texas 28:19 - The importance of mentorship

In this episode of the CEO.com Podcast, host Clint interviews Graham Dugoni, the founder and CEO of Yondr. Yondr is revolutionizing the way we experience live events and education by creating phone-free spaces. Discover how Graham's background in sociology, philosophy, and professional soccer influenced his journey to founding Yondr and the impact of phone-free environments on schools and live events. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:13 - What is Yondr? 00:26 - Concept of Phone-Free Spaces 00:47 - Implementation in Events and Schools 01:36 - Founding Yondr and Initial Vision 02:39 - Early Challenges and Validation 03:53 - Professional Soccer Experience 04:44 - Lessons from Sports to Entrepreneurship 05:35 - Thoughts on AI and Technology 07:20 - Impact of Phone-Free Schools 09:06 - Personal Experience Without a Smartphone 10:21 - Mental Clarity and News Consumption 12:13 - Reading Preferences and Recommendations 12:58 - Economic Outlook and Selling to Schools 15:07 - Importance of Giving and Taking Chances 16:46 - Collaboration with Dave Chappelle 17:59 - Cultural Impact of Phone-Free Spaces 18:26 - Closing Remarks and Appreciation

Welcome to the CEO.com Show! In this episode, host Clint Betts sits down with Aileen Alexander, the Chief Executive Officer of DSG Global, the world's largest woman-founded executive search firm. Eileen is also the co-author of the influential best-selling book, "Deliberately Different: 50 Years, Two Generations, Leading in a Changing World." us as Aileen shares her unconventional path to becoming the CEO of Diversified Search Group, her experiences in the US Army, and her insights from working in Washington, D.C. Aileen also discusses the evolving landscape of executive search, the impact of AI on leadership, and the timeless qualities that remain essential for leaders today. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:18 - Aileen's background and path to CEO 01:00 - The founding of DSG Global by Judy Von Zelnick 02:05 - Eileen's career in the US Army and Washington, D.C. 03:50 - Transition to the business world and executive search 05:29 - The decision to become CEO and the process 07:18 - Writing "Deliberately Different" and its significance 09:08 - Unconventional paths to leadership 10:40 - Leading in today's uncertain environment 11:24 - Essential qualities for modern leaders 13:10 - A typical day for Aileen 15:15 - The role of AI in executive search 17:13 - Timeless leadership principles 18:49 - The importance of giving and taking chances

Welcome to another episode of The CEO.com Show! In this episode, Clint Betts sits down with Denver Naidoo, the CEO of Zeligate, an innovative Australian startup that's revolutionizing the way businesses operate with AI. With 24 years of experience in the software industry, Denver shares his journey from working with the Commodore 64 to gaining early access to OpenAI's LLMs, and how these experiences led to the creation of Zeligate. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:17 - Denver Naidoo's Background 01:16 - The Journey to Zeligate 02:30 - Early Access to OpenAI's LLMs 03:55 - Building a Startup in Australia 06:39 - How Zeligate Uses AI 10:07 - Real-Life AI Use Cases 19:08 - The Future of Zeligate 27:01 - The Role of a CEO in a Startup 30:24 - Who Gave Denver a Chance?

Welcome to the CEO.com Show! In this episode, host Clint Betts sits down with Bill Donlan, the CEO of Astound Digital. With a rich background in IT services and consulting, Bill shares his journey from working at Arthur Anderson Management Consulting to leading Astound Digital. Bill discusses the current state and future of consulting, emphasizing the transformative role of AI in the industry. He also delves into the challenges and opportunities of leading a private equity-owned company, the resilience of his team in Ukraine, and his approach to maintaining a work-life balance. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:17 - Bill Donlan's background and journey to becoming CEO 00:58 - Overview of Astound Digital 02:43 - The current state and future of consulting 04:25 - The role of AI in consulting and project delivery 07:36 - Balancing work-life as a CEO 09:52 - Bill's leadership style and company culture 11:17 - Remote and hybrid work at Astound Digital 12:56 - The resilience of the Ukrainian team 14:25 - Balancing work and personal life 15:14 - Leading a private equity-owned company 16:59 - Outlook for 2025 and comparison to 2024 18:37 - The importance of giving and receiving chances

Welcome to the CEO.com Show! In this episode, host Clint Betts sits down with Amir Elichai, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Carbyne, a global leader in mission-critical technologies. Amir shares his incredible journey from being an Israeli army officer to founding Carbyne, a company revolutionizing emergency communication with cutting-edge cloud and AI technologies. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Amir and Carbyne 01:00 - The Origin Story of Carbyne 02:33 - Carbyne's Technological Innovations 03:46 - Carbyne's Success and Reach 05:10 - The Role of AI in Carbyne's Growth 07:59 - Future of AI in Emergency Services 10:21 - Global Expansion and Use Cases 11:08 - Carbyne's Customer Base and Sales Strategy 12:39 - Fundraising and Investors 13:36 - Company Structure and Workforce 14:06 - Amir's Perspective on Current Events in Israel 15:40 - Challenges in Selling to Local Governments 17:49 - Future of AI in Law Enforcement 19:49 - Reflecting on Opportunities and

In this episode, Clint Betts sits down with Adam Wilkes, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Carma, a global house of brands that partners with cultural icons like Mike Tyson, Ric Flair, and Future to revolutionize industries. Under Adam's leadership, Carma creates unique products and experiences through brands such as Tyson 2.0, Ric Flair Drip, and Evolve by Future, bridging the worlds of entertainment, culture, and commerce. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Adam Wilks and Carma HoldCo 00:54 - Overview of Carma HoldCo's Brands and Products 03:21 - Mike Tyson's Involvement and the Genesis of Carma HoldCo 04:22 - The Creation and Success of Mike Bites 06:00 - Global Expansion and Adaptation of Products 09:10 - Evolution and Future of the Cannabis Industry 12:40 - Personal Anecdote: Adam's Grandmother and Cannabis 13:06 - A Day in the Life of Adam Wilkes 14:30 - Leadership Philosophy: People First 15:34 - Advice for Entrepreneurs and Investors in the Cannabis Industry 17:27 - Elements of a Great Marketing Campaign 19:33 - Selecting Celebrities and Influencers to Work With 22:06 - Manufacturing and Partnering with Growers 24:24 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave Adam a Chance 26:18 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude

In this episode, Clint sits down with Anthony Georgiades, the general partner of Innovating Capital. Anthony shares his journey from a finance student at the University of Pennsylvania to leading investments in disruptive technologies across cybersecurity, enterprise infrastructure, and Web3. Anthony dives deep into his early experiences, including the challenges he faced with his first startup and how it led him to pursue a more technical path. He also discusses the current state of Web3, the impact of meme coins, and the role of AI in transforming the industry. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:40 - Anthony's journey to Innovating Capital 04:06 - The current state of Web3 06:12 - The impact of meme coins 09:42 - Success stories: Solana and Injective Protocol 12:34 - Thoughts on XRP 17:23 - A day in the life of Anthony Georgiades 18:41 - The role of AI in Web3 22:17 - Traits of successful founders 24:56 - Who gave Anthony a chance?

In this episode, Clint Betts sits down with Genevieve Bellaire, the founder and CEO of Real World, an AI-driven platform designed to help young adults navigate the complexities of modern life. From setting up a 401k to finding the right health insurance, Real World aims to be the one-stop shop for all things adulthood. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Overview 00:17 - Genevieve's Background and Real World Origin 01:09 - Realizing the Knowledge Gap in Adulthood 01:51 - The Impetus for Creating Real World 02:22 - Evolution of Real World Platform 03:06 - Early Validation and Pattern Recognition 03:59 - Experimenting with Different Product Formats 04:58 - Initial Focus on Educational Courses 05:51 - Challenges with B2B Model and Pivot to B2C 07:07 - Future of Education and AI Integration 07:34 - Personalization and Generative AI in Real World 08:58 - Automating Adulthood with AI 10:03 - Excitement and Challenges of Rapid Technological Advancements 11:11 - Overcoming Significant Challenges and Pivots 13:06 - Differences Between B2B and B2C Models 15:23 - and Long-term Vision 18:06 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 19:06 - Reading Habits and Recommendations 20:49 - Fundraising and Venture Capital Strategy 22:04 - Important Attributes of Leadership 23:19 - ired Leaders and Their Impact 24:40 - Lessons Learned and Trusting Your Gut 26:00 - Current Market Outlook and Optimism for 2025 28:37 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave a Chance 29:44 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, we sit down with Matt Tebbe, the President and CEO of Cartus, a global leader in corporate relocation and talent management services. Matt shares his journey to becoming the CEO, the unique challenges and opportunities in the relocation industry, and how Cartus is leveraging AI to enhance productivity and client experience. Timestamps: 00:06 - Introduction to Matt Tebbe and Cartus 00:40 - Matt Tebbe's Journey to CEO of Cartus 01:28 - Overview of Cardist's Services 02:44 - Lessons Learned as CEO 03:35 - Work from Home and Hybrid Work Trends 05:24 - The Role of AI in Cardist 07:44 - AI's Impact on Productivity 09:00 - Future of AI in the Workplace 09:48 - DEI Programs and Their Impact 11:31 - DEI as a Political Topic 13:16 - A Day in the Life of Matt Tebbe 14:08 - Reading Recommendations 15:26 - Leaders Matt Tebbe ires 16:40 - Lessons Learned in Leadership 17:46 - Building Culture in a Remote-First Company 19:00 - Over-Communicating in a Remote Environment 19:49 - Economic Outlook for 2025 21:53 - The Importance of Giving Chances 23:04 - Closing Remarks

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, we sit down with Cleveland Brown, the co-founder and CEO of PayScout. Cleveland shares his fascinating journey from building a communication platform for public schools to leading a global payment processing technology company. Discover how PayScout transforms payment processing from a cost center to a profit center using their proprietary payment orchestration platform and AI-driven tools. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:16 - Cleveland's journey to becoming CEO of PayScout 00:50 - What is PayScout? 01:20 - Cleveland's excitement about payments 02:25 - Transition from communication platform to payment processing 03:04 - Studying philosophy and its impact 04:07 - First experience with Nietzsche 04:54 - Importance of company culture 06:19 - Mentorship at PayScout 07:09 - AI in payments and its future 09:25 - Crypto and its impact on payments 11:08 - Using AI for fraud detection 13:21 - Cleveland's reading recommendations 15:34 - Thoughts on raising capital 16:20 - Leaders Cleveland ires 17:11 - Outlook for 2025 19:17 - Cleveland's name and family legacy 20:23 - The importance of taking chances

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Springate, the founding partner of Muse Capital, to explore her incredible journey from brand research to becoming a venture capitalist. Rachel shares her unique, non-linear path into the world of venture capital, highlighting the pivotal moments and influential figures that shaped her career. Timestamps: 00:07 - Introduction and Welcome 00:29 - Overview of Muse Capital 01:02 - Investment Focus Areas 02:07 - Care, Play, and Live Buckets 02:48 - Early Challenges and Market Gaps 03:19 - Rachel's Non-Linear Path to VC 04:02 - Early Career in Brand Research 04:46 - Role at Quintessentially 05:52 - Transition to Technology and Early Stage Investing 07:02 - Meeting Troy Carter 08:44 - Moving to New York and Starting a Consultancy 09:49 - Partnership with Asia and Formation of Muse Capital 11:04 - Personal Challenges and Impact on Business 13:04 - Raising the First Fund 14:10 - Overcoming Skepticism in Women's Health Investments 15:12 - Gender Disparities in VC Funding 16:14 - Structural Issues in VC and LP Funding 18:02 - Future Wealth Transfer to Women 19:06 - Muse Capital's Focus for the Next Decade 21:04 - Excitement About AI and Technology 22:18 - Traits of Great Entrepreneurs and Leaders 24:12 - Importance of Team, Timing, and TAM 24:27 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave a Chance 25:46 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Robert Hargrove, the esteemed author of "Masterful Coaching," now in its third edition. Robert shares his incredible journey from being an editor at the Boston Globe to becoming a renowned executive coach. He delves into his experiences interviewing iconic figures like Henry Kissinger, Muhammad Ali, and Salvador Dali, and how these interactions sparked his interest in leadership. Robert discusses the evolution of his career, from leading personal transformation seminars worldwide to pioneering the field of executive coaching. He offers a candid take on the current state of the coaching industry, the challenges of working with CEOs, and the qualities that make a great leader. Drawing on historical examples and personal anecdotes, Robert provides a wealth of knowledge on leadership, ambition, empathy, and responsibility. Timestamps: 00:06 - Introduction and Guest Background 00:29 - Transition to Leadership and Coaching 01:01 - Early Career and Influential Interviews 01:33 - Public Speaking and Personal Transformation Seminars 02:26 - Shift to One-on-One Coaching 03:23 - The Rise of Coaching Industry 04:45 - Challenges in the Coaching Industry 05:31 - Reflections on Coaching CEOs 07:01 - Mission and Challenges in Coaching 08:28 - CEOs and Their Preoccupation with Money and Power 09:48 - Examples of Successful Leaders 11:12 - Identity and Leadership 12:21 - Case Study: Leadership Project and Personal Ambition 13:42 - Characteristics of Great Leaders 18:03 - Historical Examples of Leadership 20:52 - Closing Remarks and Final Question 21:17 - Acknowledging Opportunities and Gratitude

In this episode of the CEO.com Podcast, we sit down with David Snider, the founder and CEO of Harness Wealth. David shares his journey from being the COO and CFO of Com, the largest residential real estate company in the US, to founding Harness Wealth, a company dedicated to making the tax process seamless and insightful. David discusses the importance of proactive tax planning, the impact of AI on the finance and tax industries, and his personal strategies for effective leadership and time management. He also delves into his early career experiences, the six criteria he used to choose his career path, and the mentors who gave him a chance to succeed. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:16 - David Snider on founding Harness Wealth 00:59 - The genesis of Harness Wealth 03:02 - Common tax mistakes by entrepreneurs and CEOs 05:38 - A day in the life of David Snider 09:43 - David's early career aspirations and journey 13:47 - The six criteria for choosing a career path 18:08 - AI's impact on the finance and tax industries 21:01 - Thoughts on tariffs and economic policy 25:45 - The private sector approach to government efficiency 30:22 - Raising a Series A round and advice for fundraising 33:10 - The importance of mentorship in David's career

On this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Bill O'Dowd, the CEO and founder of Dolphin Entertainment. Recently named the agency of the year, Bill shares the incredible journey of how he transitioned from a failed attorney to a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment industry. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Agency of the Year Award 01:02 - Founding Dolphin Entertainment 01:55 - Early Days and First Productions 03:35 - First Big Accomplishment 04:46 - English Language Telenovela 06:08 - Evolution of Movies and TV 08:30 - Marketing and Promoting Movies 10:10 - Consumer Product Launches and Influencer Marketing 16:08 - Crowdfunding and Angel Studios 18:43 - Influencer Marketing vs. Traditional Ads 20:53 - AI in Marketing and Production 27:43 - Role of Traditional Media in PR 30:49 - Future of Content Distribution 32:44 - Lessons on Leadership and Integrity 34:31 - The Importance of Optimism 34:44 - Who Gave Bill a Chance 37:21 - Conclusion and Gratitude

In this episode of the CEO.com podcast, Clint sits down with John Harris, the CEO of Worldwide Partners, to delve into the unique model and global impact of this remarkable network of independent marketing services agencies. With 95 agencies across 50 countries, Worldwide Partners stands out by maintaining the independence of its agencies while fostering a collaborative spirit that drives success for both the agencies and their clients. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:13 - Overview of Worldwide Partners 00:57 - Unique Business Model 01:28 - Value Proposition for Clients 02:20 - Benefits for Agencies 03:03 - Community and Mentorship 03:37 - Agency Selection Process 04:09 - Unique Capabilities and Expertise 04:50 - Collaborative Spirit and Culture 05:42 - Protecting the Community 06:02 - Controlled Growth Strategy 06:23 - Analogy to Sports Commissioner 06:42 - Elevating the Network's Value 07:35 - Origin and History of Worldwide Partners 08:38 - Community and Commerce Balance 09:10 - Typical Day as CEO 11:01 - Impact of AI on the Industry 13:44 - Reading and Podcast Recommendations 15:44 - Best Leadership Advice 18:57 - Industry Outlook for 2024 and 2025 20:39 - Importance of Giving Chances 20:50 - Acknowledging Key Mentors 21:48 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative world of leadership with our special guest, Kyle McDowell, the author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller, "Begin With We: The 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence." With nearly 30 years of experience in corporate America, leading tens of thousands of employees, Kyle shares invaluable insights on what it means to be a leader today. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction  00:18 - Discussing Leadership and Historical Leaders 00:28 - Introduction to the Book "Begin With We" 00:43 - Guest's Background in Corporate America 01:10 - Paradigm Shift in Leadership Approach 01:32 - The Birth of the 10 Principles 02:04 - Feeling Disconnected in Corporate America 02:26 - Creating a Culture of Excellence 03:09 - Transformation and Results 03:31 - From Bosses to Leaders 04:04 - Leadership's Evolving Challenges 05:00 - CEOs' Roles Inside and Outside Companies 05:12 - Authenticity in Leadership 06:05 - The Shift in Leadership Dynamics 07:08 - The Impact of Remote Work and Gig Economy 08:12 - Establishing Leadership Principles 08:23 - The 10 Principles Overview 09:07 - Principle 1: We Do the Right Thing, Always 09:59 - Principle 2: Lead by Example 10:20 - Principle 3: We Say What We're Going to Do, and Then We Do It 11:03 - Principle 4: We Take Action 11:56 - Principle 5: We Own Our Mistakes 12:26 - Principle 6: We Pick Each Other Up 13:30 - Principle 7: We Measure Ourselves by Outcomes, Not Activity 14:47 - Principle 8: We Challenge Each Other 15:39 - Principle 9: We Embrace Challenge 16:31 - Principle 10: We Obsess Over Details 17:43 - The Importance of Simplicity in Principles 18:05 - Judging Ourselves on Outcomes 19:01 - The Problem with Busyness in Corporate Culture 20:29 - The Dependency on Meetings 21:10 - Writing the Book: Process and Challenges 24:01 - Reading Recommendations 26:13 - Daily Routine and Personal Discipline 28:27 - Coaching CEOs and Leaders 31:05 - Thoughts on AI and Future Challenges 34:37 - The Importance of Giving Chances 36:48 - Closing Remarks and Book Promotion

In this episode, Clint sits down with Dan Conant, the CEO and founder of Solar Hauler, the largest developer and installer of solar projects in central Appalachia. Dan shares his inspiring journey of building a solar industry from scratch in coal country, focusing on West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:21 - What is Solar Hauler? 01:20 - Impact of Solar on Communities 02:03 - West Virginia's Energy Legacy 02:44 - State for Solar Companies 03:57 - Utility Prices and Public Sentiment 04:34 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 06:00 - Virtual Power Plant and Crowdfunding Innovation 09:24 - Leadership Lessons 11:00 - Revitalizing West Virginia 13:48 - Decline of Coal Industry and Population 15:58 - Combating Brain Drain with Internships 18:42 - Reading Recommendations 19:31 - Economic Outlook for 2025 22:51 - AI and Power Needs 25:44 - The Importance of Giving Chances 27:39 - Closing Remarks