CEO.com Podcast | Dispatch from the frontier of leadership

David Meltzer, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, joins Clint Betts for a powerful conversation on success, faith, AI, leadership, purpose, and the pursuit of true wealth.From becoming a millionaire just months after graduating law school to losing more than $100 million—and rebuilding his life around service and purpose—David shares the defining moments that completely transformed how he views success.Known as the inspiration behind Jerry Maguire through his time leading Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, David explains why money isn't the destination, why AI is making wisdom more valuable than ever, and how anyone can build a life centered on gratitude, accountability, and fulfillment.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome00:00:10 - David's Early Life and Aspirations00:00:35 - Growing Up in a World of Not Enough00:00:56 - Pursuing Wealth and Career Choices00:01:16 - Shift from Athlete to Lawyer00:01:37 - Early Career Success and Internet Ventures00:02:10 - Becoming a Millionaire and Career Growth00:02:44 - CEO of Samsung's Phone Division and Lee Steinberg Sports00:03:04 - Losing Values and Financial Collapse00:03:25 - Losing Everything and Telling His Mom00:04:19 - Paradigm Shift and Return to Faith00:05:01 - Aligning Life with Divine Direction00:05:37 - Host's Reflection on Money and Happiness00:06:20 - Realizing Life's Purpose00:06:46 - Shifting Perspective from "I'll Be Happy When" to "For the Sake of What"00:07:08 - Aligning Behaviors with Goals00:08:01 - Self-Leadership and Faith00:08:32 - Leading Back to Faith00:08:43 - Embracing Uncertainty and Using Gratitude00:09:26 - Communicating with God and Living by Values00:10:11 - AI's Impact on Humanity and Leadership00:11:06 - Leadership and AI00:11:50 - Accelerated Time and Decision-Making00:13:39 - Challenges of Leadership in the Age of AI00:16:17 - David's Daily Routine and Non-Negotiable Behaviors00:19:40 - Book Discussion: "Don't Do Business with Dicks"00:21:07 - Reflecting on Who Gave David a Chance00:21:49 - Closing Remarks and Future CollaborationIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, AI, faith, business, or living a more meaningful life, this conversation is filled with timeless wisdom and practical lessons.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Jerald David, CEO of Lynq, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on blockchain, tokenization, stablecoins, financial infrastructure, and the future of global markets.Lynq is building a real-time settlement network that allows trusted counterparties to move capital instantly using blockchain technology. While much of the public conversation has shifted from crypto to AI, Jerald believes the biggest blockchain revolution is happening quietly behind the scenes as financial institutions modernize the infrastructure that powers global markets.In this episode, Jerald explains why blockchain is becoming the backbone of modern finance, how tokenization works, and why 24/7 settlement could fundamentally change the way money moves around the world.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome00:00:09 - Overview of Link00:01:34 - State of Blockchain and Digital Assets00:03:57 - Market Structure and Regulation00:05:07 - Gerald's Background and Career Path00:06:09 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:07:33 - Quantum Computing and Blockchain00:08:41 - Market Inefficiencies and Link's Solutions00:13:17 - Blockchain 101 and Tokenization Explained00:18:06 - Stable Tokens and Their Use Cases00:22:46 - Macro-Economic Perspective00:24:00 - The Importance of Stable Tokens for the US Dollar00:24:16 - The Importance of Giving Chances00:25:08 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you're interested in blockchain, fintech, cryptocurrency, AI, financial markets, entrepreneurship, or the future of global finance, this conversation offers a clear look at where the industry is heading next.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Eric Girouard, Founder & CEO of BRUNT Workwear, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, branding, AI, e-commerce, and building one of America's fastest-growing workwear companies.Founded in 2020, BRUNT Workwear has become one of the most recognizable brands serving skilled tradespeople by doing something few companies have done well—building a brand that genuinely represents the people who keep America running. Eric shares how conversations with lifelong friends in the trades inspired a company that's redefining workwear through authenticity, community, and customer obsession.The conversation explores brand building, AI, product development, leadership, e-commerce, and why listening to customers is the ultimate competitive advantage.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Eric and Brunt Workwear00:00:41 - Eric's Blue-Collar Roots and Early Entrepreneurial Ventures00:02:14 - Learning from Serial Entrepreneur Ben Fishman00:03:41 - The Genesis of Brunt Workwear00:05:06 - Building a Brand for Tradespeople00:06:08 - The Role of AI in Brunt Workwear00:10:03 - The Importance of Building a Brand00:14:28 - Community Building and Brand Building00:16:46 - The Process of Bringing a Product to Market00:21:36 - The State of E-commerce and Brunt's Success00:25:07 - A Day in the Life of Eric00:29:07 - Principles of Leadership00:33:57 - Trends in the Trade Industry and Macro Economy00:37:10 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances00:38:55 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, branding, e-commerce, AI, consumer products, leadership, or building an enduring business, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of today's most successful brand builders.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Toni De La Fuente, Founder & CEO of Prowler, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on cloud security, AI, open source software, cybersecurity, and building one of the world's fastest-growing security communities.What started as a personal project to secure cloud environments has evolved into Prowler, an open-source security platform approaching 50 million downloads and helping organizations secure AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365, GitHub, Cloudflare, and more.In this episode, Toni explains why AI security and cloud security are rapidly converging, how open-source communities are shaping the future of cybersecurity, and why organizations must rethink security as AI-generated software becomes commonplace.The conversation also explores startup building, venture capital, remote work, leadership, cloud infrastructure, and what it takes to transform an open-source project into a venture-backed company.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Toni00:00:20 - Founding of Prowler00:01:25 - Transition from Open Source Project to Company00:02:52 - Importance of Security in the Age of AI00:05:21 - Opportunities in Cloud Security00:07:24 - Concerns about Security Vulnerabilities in Old Code00:10:01 - Growth and Adoption of Prowler00:12:02 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:13:41 - Decision to Go Fully Remote00:15:02 - Moving to San Francisco00:16:41 - Reading Recommendations for CEOs00:19:44 - Leadership Lessons and Challenges00:21:07 - Macroeconomic Environment and Planning00:23:52 - Funding and Venture Capital00:26:10 - Balancing Community and Company Needs00:28:33 - Community Reaction to Paid Features00:30:03 - Future Growth Potential of Prowler00:31:28 - Competitors in the Cloud Security Space00:34:39 - Thoughts on Quantum Computing00:35:31 - Reflecting on Opportunities and Support00:37:12 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you're interested in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, open source software, startups, or the future of technology infrastructure, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the industry's leading builders.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Heather Conklin, CEO of Torch, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on leadership, coaching, AI, personal growth, and what it takes to lead effectively during times of rapid change.Torch helps organizations develop leaders through a combination of human coaching, AI-powered coaching, and leadership development programs designed to align leadership behavior with business outcomes. As AI transforms nearly every industry, Heather believes leadership is becoming more important—not less.In this episode, Heather explains why leadership isn't a title, why organizations are facing a leadership deficit, and why the most valuable skills in the AI era may be the deeply human ones.The conversation also explores self-awareness, coaching, organizational culture, leadership development, and the balance between performance and empathy.00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Torch00:01:02 - Integrating AI into Leadership Coaching00:02:31 - Defining Leadership00:04:28 - Common Traits of Effective Leaders00:06:17 - The Role of AI in Modern Leadership00:07:07 - The Necessity of Leadership in the AI Era00:10:04 - Challenges in Developing Great Leaders00:12:12 - Personal Leadership and Self-Management00:14:20 - A Day in the Life of Heather00:16:33 - Building and Growing a Coaching Business00:20:00 - Becoming a Coach at Torch00:21:51 - Reading Recommendations00:23:49 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances00:25:37 - Conclusion and GratitudeIf you're interested in leadership, AI, management, personal growth, company culture, or developing high-performing teams, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of leadership.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Joe Grover, Chief Growth Officer at Ampleo, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, acquisitions, marketing, and the lessons that come from failure.After building businesses, working in venture capital at Mercato Partners, leading marketing teams at venture-backed companies, serving as a turnaround CEO, and helping scale companies like Homie, Joe has spent decades helping businesses grow through both success and adversity.Today, Joe helps lead Ampleo, a firm providing fractional finance, marketing, HR, and executive leadership services to growing businesses. In this episode, he shares how AI is changing professional services, why trusted advisors still matter, and why entrepreneurs learn more from failure than success.The conversation also explores acquisitions, executive decision-making, startup leadership, productivity, and how AI is reshaping knowledge work.In this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction and Joe's Background00:00:14 - Early Career and Venture Capital Experience00:00:35 - Turnaround CEO and Homey Experience00:00:56 - Sabbatical and Joining Amplio00:01:17 - Amplio's History and Services00:01:55 - Impact of AI on Business00:02:11 - AI in Board Meetings and Strategy00:02:42 - AI Adoption in Small to Mid-Sized Businesses00:03:04 - Early Adoption of ChatGPT and Custom GPTs00:03:47 - AI in Professional Services00:04:50 - M&A Strategy and AI Integration00:05:11 - Value of Executive Experience vs. AI00:06:04 - Identifying AI-Disruptable Verticals00:07:10 - Preference for Claude and Co-Work Over ChatGPT00:07:39 - Use of Various AI Tools for Content Creation00:08:54 - Automating Daily Work Life with AI00:09:47 - Typical Workday Routine00:10:20 - Use of ClickUp and AI for Team Management00:11:54 - Reducing the Need for Meetings00:12:32 - Integration of Various SaaS Products00:13:04 - Future of SaaS and AI Integration00:14:56 - SaaS Market Trends and HubSpot's Position00:16:11 - Uncertainty in SaaS Platforms' Long-Term Position00:17:15 - Technology Adoption in SMBs00:18:08 - HubSpot's Market Penetration00:19:12 - Leadership Philosophy00:22:08 - Recommended Reading00:25:29 - Common Marketing Mistakes00:27:19 - Effectiveness of Billboards and Owned Media00:29:09 - Owned, Earned, and Paid Media Strategies00:31:02 - Experience with Homey and Billboards00:31:27 - Launching a Podcast on Failure00:34:55 - Mental Health and Entrepreneurship00:36:04 - The Fail Club Concept00:36:46 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?00:39:02 - Junto Program and Early Entrepreneurship00:40:13 - Equity and Investment in Junto Program00:40:44 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, venture capital, AI, business growth, marketing, or executive decision-making, this conversation is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Joanna McFarland, Co-Founder & CEO of HopSkipDrive, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on education, transportation, AI, entrepreneurship, and creating access for millions of students.What began as a solution for busy working parents evolved into one of the largest student transportation networks in the country. Today, HopSkipDrive partners with approximately 700 school districts across 17 states, helping schools safely transport students who often fall outside the reach of traditional bus systems.In this episode, Joanna shares how transportation impacts far more than getting from one place to another—it affects educational outcomes, workforce participation, foster care stability, special education access, and economic opportunity.The conversation also explores startup pivots, leadership, AI-powered route optimization, scaling mission-driven companies, and surviving the challenges of COVID.00:00:00 - Introduction to HopSkipDrive00:00:29 - Identifying the Problem00:01:01 - Founding Story and Initial Solution00:01:43 - Evolution to School Transportation00:02:47 - Differentiation from Uber and Lyft00:03:29 - Safety Measures and Technology00:05:13 - Impact on Parents and Special Needs00:05:46 - Realizing the Business Potential00:06:57 - Serving Vulnerable Populations00:09:15 - Current Reach and Scale00:09:32 - Typical Day for the CEO00:10:53 - Utilizing AI in Operations00:14:34 - Funding and Financial Challenges00:15:31 - Navigating COVID-1900:18:39 - Leadership and Company Values00:21:05 - Final Thoughts and MentorshipIf you're interested in education, AI, entrepreneurship, public policy, transportation, leadership, or building companies that create meaningful social impact, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

David Karnstedt, CEO of Branch, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, mobile marketing, deep linking, digital privacy, and the future of customer acquisition.Branch powers the infrastructure behind mobile experiences for many of the world's leading brands, helping marketers understand which channels drive results while ensuring users land exactly where they intend to go inside apps and digital experiences.In this episode, David shares why AI is rapidly reshaping marketing, how personal AI agents could become the next major platform shift, and what businesses need to do to stay relevant in a world where discovery, engagement, and decision-making are increasingly automated.The conversation also explores leadership, remote culture, fraud prevention, creator economies, and the future of digital advertising.00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Branch00:00:49 - David's Background and Role at Branch00:01:10 - Impact of AI on Marketing00:02:20 - Future of AI and Personal Agents00:03:34 - Social Media in the Age of AI00:04:40 - Employee Empowerment and Efficiency with AI00:05:34 - Building Company Culture Post-COVID00:07:06 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:07:49 - Reading and Podcast Recommendations00:09:02 - Funding and Financial Strategy00:10:05 - Macroeconomic Environment and Business Strategy00:11:08 - Privacy and Security in Marketing00:12:37 - Best Paid Marketing Channels00:14:10 - Growth of TikTok and Influencer Marketing00:14:47 - Qualities of a Great Leader00:15:56 - Reflecting on Career Opportunities and Mentorship00:16:51 - Conclusion and Thanksgiving WishesIf you're interested in AI, marketing, mobile technology, digital advertising, leadership, or the future of customer engagement, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-changing areas of technology.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Gina Mourtzinou, Co-Founder & CEO of Savvi Financial, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on financial wellness, employee benefits, AI, retirement planning, and helping people make smarter financial decisions.Savvi Financial helps employees navigate some of the most important financial decisions of their lives—from selecting healthcare benefits and retirement plans to building long-term financial security. Through analytics and personalized guidance, the company helps individuals optimize their financial journeys while helping employers improve benefits utilization and employee well-being.In this episode, Gina shares why financial planning matters more than investment performance alone, how AI is changing financial services, and why privacy and trust remain essential in an increasingly data-driven world.The conversation also explores behavioral finance, personal financial planning, startup leadership, workplace benefits, and lessons learned from decades in asset management.In this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Savvi Financial00:01:52 - Impact of AI on Workflow and Industry00:04:30 - Drawbacks and Cautions of AI in Financial Services00:05:21 - Gina's Background and Inspiration for Founding Savvi Financial00:08:06 - Financial Planning Advice for CEOs and Leaders00:09:47 - A Day in the Life of Gina, CEO of Savvi Financial00:10:22 - Reading Recommendations and Interests00:11:32 - Data Privacy and Security in Fintech00:13:06 - Hybrid Work Model and Company Culture00:14:50 - Macroeconomic Environment and Future Outlook00:15:59 - Reflecting on Opportunities and Mentorship00:17:19 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you're interested in fintech, personal finance, retirement planning, AI, leadership, or employee benefits, this conversation offers practical insights into building financial confidence in an increasingly complex world.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

John Burdett, Founder & CEO of Fast Slow Motion and author of The Scalable Business Framework, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, leadership, business systems, AI, faith, and overcoming life's toughest challenges.Fast Slow Motion helps businesses scale through Salesforce and HubSpot by building the systems, processes, and operational foundations that allow companies to grow without chaos. But this conversation goes far beyond software.In one of the most personal episodes of the CEO.com Show, John shares how a devastating health battle—including the removal of his colon and a subsequent Stage 3 cancer diagnosis—became proof that the business principles he'd spent years teaching actually work.The conversation explores leadership, culture, remote work, faith, resilience, and why truly scalable companies are built on purpose, people, and profit.In this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:00:11 - Overview of Fast Slow Motion00:00:28 - Comparing Salesforce and HubSpot00:01:11 - Importance of Data Consolidation00:01:45 - Impact of AI on Business Platforms00:02:27 - Challenges with Data Management00:02:44 - John's Personal Journey and Health Struggles00:05:38 - Coping with Adversity00:07:53 - The Scalable Business Framework00:09:50 - Qualities of a Great Leader00:11:34 - Building Company Culture00:13:36 - Remote Work and Company Flexibility00:15:50 - Origin of the Company Name00:17:28 - Macroeconomic Perspectives00:20:43 - The Importance of Giving and Receiving Chances00:22:34 - Closing Remarks and Health UpdateIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, company culture, AI, or building a life that can withstand adversity, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-earned lessons.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Varun Badhwar, Founder & CEO of Endor Labs, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, cybersecurity, software supply chains, data centers, and the future of software development.After helping pioneer cloud security with RedLock, Varun founded Endor Labs around a simple but powerful idea: modern software isn't written from scratch—it's assembled from open-source components, third-party libraries, and increasingly, AI-generated code. As AI accelerates software development, security can no longer be treated as an afterthought.In this episode, Varun explains why software supply chain security has become one of the most critical challenges in technology, how AI is changing both cyberattacks and cyber defense, and why every organization must rethink how software gets built.00:00:00 - Introduction and Varun's Background00:00:39 - The Concept of Software Assembly00:01:10 - Security Challenges in Software Development00:02:30 - AI and Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities00:03:08 - Importance of Cybersecurity in the Age of AI00:04:51 - Understanding Software Supply Chain Security00:08:36 - Protecting Against Software Supply Chain Attacks00:09:09 - Open Source Security and OpenClaw00:11:15 - Embedding Security in Software Development00:12:04 - On-Prem vs. Cloud Security00:13:49 - The Scale of Code Rewriting Needed00:17:34 - Public Perception of AI and Data Centers00:21:40 - Token Costs and AI Utilization00:22:50 - The AI Race with China00:25:15 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:27:47 - Core Principles of Leadership00:30:19 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances00:31:43 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you're interested in AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud computing, technology infrastructure, or the future of software development, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the industry's leading thinkers.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

George Kailas, CEO of Prospero AI, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on investing, artificial intelligence, market prediction, wealth creation, and the future of retail investing.After starting his career in value investing as a teenager, George spent years building algorithms and AI systems designed to uncover market signals typically available only to institutional investors. Today, Prospero AI helps everyday investors access data-driven insights that have consistently outperformed the broader market.In this episode, George explains how AI is changing investing, why trust may become the most valuable asset in the AI era, and what individual investors can learn from institutional behavior.The conversation also explores prediction markets, market bubbles, data centers, quantum computing, and the future of wealth management.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:09 - Founding of Prospero AI00:00:42 - Retail Investors' Data Disadvantage00:01:02 - Simplifying Investment Signals00:01:46 - Democratizing Investing00:02:11 - Building a Community00:03:02 - Trust in AI and Community-Based Research00:04:08 - Future Vision: Public Utility of Data00:05:12 - Predicting News Events00:07:16 - User Base and Growth00:07:40 - Beyond Stock Market: Betting Markets00:09:08 - Institutional vs. Retail Behavior in Markets00:12:11 - AI's Impact on the Stock Market00:16:10 - Overbuilding Compute and Data Centers00:20:31 - Incentives Behind Building Data Centers00:23:13 - Future of AI Companies Going Public00:27:09 - Staying Ahead with Prospero's Algorithms00:30:57 - Typical Day of a CEO00:33:43 - Team Size and Structure00:34:42 - Funding and Investment00:35:08 - Long-Term Vision for Prospero00:38:30 - Acknowledging Mentors and OpportunitiesIf you're interested in investing, AI, financial markets, entrepreneurship, wealth building, or the future of technology, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how data and intelligence are reshaping finance.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Andrew Jamison, Co-Founder & CEO of Extend, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on fintech, AI, banking partnerships, entrepreneurship, and the future of business spending.Extend helps companies control spending before it happens by turning existing credit cards into powerful expense management tools. Rather than replacing banks, Extend works alongside financial institutions to give businesses greater visibility, control, compliance, and automation.In this episode, Andrew shares how his experience at American Express and SAP led him to identify a massive opportunity in the middle market—and why partnering with banks proved to be a better strategy than competing against them.The conversation also explores AI, leadership, company culture, venture capital, and how financial workflows are becoming increasingly automated.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background00:00:11 - Overview of Extend00:00:52 - Journey to Founding Extend00:02:29 - Origin Story and Entrepreneurial Drive00:05:09 - Market Opportunity and Middle Market Focus00:07:22 - Collaboration vs. Disruption in FinTech00:10:11 - AI in FinTech and Expense Management00:12:15 - Internal Use of AI at Extend00:14:24 - Funding and Investors00:15:28 - Company Culture and Remote Work00:18:45 - Reading Recommendations00:21:37 - Macroeconomic Environment and FinTech00:23:36 - Mentorship and Early Career Challenges00:27:23 - Capital Raising Journey00:28:37 - Closing Remarks and Future Check-inIf you're interested in fintech, AI, banking, entrepreneurship, leadership, or the future of financial operations, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of the industry's most experienced operators.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Justin Beck, CEO of Gravyty, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, higher education, student engagement, fundraising, and the future of universities.Gravyty helps colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and nonprofits create meaningful human connections at scale through AI-powered engagement tools. By connecting student support systems, fundraising platforms, alumni engagement, and institutional data, Gravyty helps organizations deliver better experiences while operating more efficiently.In this episode, Justin shares how AI is reshaping higher education, why student belonging and retention matter more than ever, and how universities are navigating growing financial pressures while still delivering meaningful outcomes.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Gravyty00:00:22 - Formation and Evolution of Gravyty00:00:55 - Justin's Career Journey00:01:44 - Justin's Experience in EdTech00:02:05 - Gravyty's Role in Higher Education00:02:27 - Integration with LMS and CRM Systems00:03:11 - Breaking Down Silos in Education00:03:53 - Future of Higher Education00:04:25 - Value of Campus Connections00:05:07 - Administrative Challenges in Education00:05:33 - Traditional Methods vs. AI Solutions00:06:49 - Impact of Government Funding Cuts00:07:13 - Enhancing Donor Engagement00:08:17 - AI in Fundraising and Advancement00:09:46 - NIL Deals and Athletic Departments00:11:10 - Role of University Presidents00:13:46 - Day in the Life of a CEO00:16:51 - Funding and Private Equity00:19:49 - Future of AI in Education00:21:49 - Book Recommendation: "The Score That Matters"00:23:23 - Building Company Culture00:25:34 - Macroeconomic Environment and Education00:27:06 - Importance of Trade and Vocational Programs00:27:19 - Reflecting on Career Opportunities00:27:49 - Conclusion and FarewellIf you're interested in AI, education, leadership, fundraising, edtech, or the future of higher education, this conversation offers valuable insights into how institutions are adapting to a rapidly changing world.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Dr. Myra Ahmad, Founder & CEO of Mochi, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on obesity medicine, GLP-1 medications, telehealth, healthcare innovation, and the future of personalized metabolic care.Mochi is building a marketplace for evidence-based healthcare, helping patients connect with providers for customized treatment plans focused on obesity, metabolic health, menopause care, skincare, and more. In this episode, Dr. Ahmad explains why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are fundamentally changing healthcare — and why obesity should be treated like any other chronic medical condition.The conversation also explores telemedicine, personalized medicine, healthcare costs, startup culture, compounding pharmacies, and the growing role of technology in healthcare delivery.00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:00:13 - What is Mochi?00:00:31 - Revolution in Metabolic Health00:01:01 - Mochi's Unique Approach00:01:48 - Future of Healthcare00:02:11 - Dr. Ahmad's Background and Inspiration00:02:33 - The Obesity Epidemic00:03:37 - Factors Contributing to Obesity00:04:12 - Socioeconomic Factors in Obesity00:05:02 - Government and Food Industry's Role00:05:24 - Decline in Obesity Rates00:05:55 - Anti-GLP-1 Sentiment00:06:19 - Medication Management and Supervision00:07:29 - Personalized Medication and Compounding00:08:28 - Understanding Compounded GLP-1s00:09:47 - Future of Personalized Medication00:10:17 - Why Drugs are Expensive00:11:27 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:12:05 - Funding and Profitability00:12:24 - Competitive Landscape00:13:18 - Building the Team and Culture00:13:37 - Advantages of Starting in San Francisco00:14:03 - Startup Culture in San Francisco00:14:55 - Reading Recommendations for CEOs00:15:29 - Regulatory Hurdles in Health Tech00:16:40 - Transition from Medicine to Startup00:17:42 - Impact of Being an MD00:18:29 - Macroeconomic Environment00:19:45 - Political Impact on Healthcare00:20:49 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?00:21:21 - Closing Remarks and Future PlansIf you’re interested in healthcare, startups, telemedicine, GLP-1s, entrepreneurship, or the future of metabolic medicine, this conversation is packed with insights on where healthcare is heading next.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Ximena Aleman, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Prometeo, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on fintech infrastructure, AI agents, open banking, stablecoins, and the future of financial systems across Latin America.Prometeo has built one of the largest open banking networks in Latin America, connecting more than 1,200 financial institutions across 11 countries. In this episode, Ximena shares how her team identified the infrastructure bottlenecks slowing fintech innovation in the region — and why solving those problems became the foundation for Prometeo.The conversation explores AI inside financial services, regulatory complexity, stablecoin adoption, startup culture, and what it takes to scale infrastructure across emerging markets.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:19 - Early FinTech Ventures00:00:52 - Building Prometeo00:02:28 - FinTech Ecosystem in Latin America00:05:33 - AI in FinTech00:07:38 - Security and Compliance in AI00:10:36 - Cryptocurrency Adoption in Latin America00:14:03 - A Day in the Life of Samantha00:16:19 - Funding and Investment Journey00:18:39 - Macroeconomic Environment Impact00:20:44 - Company Culture and Remote Work00:24:40 - The Importance of Giving Chances00:26:32 - Closing RemarksIf you’re interested in AI, fintech, open banking, payments, crypto, entrepreneurship, or the future of financial infrastructure, this conversation is packed with insights on where the industry is heading next.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Andrejka Bernatova, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Dynamix, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on energy, AI, investing, crypto, SPACs, and the mindset required to build an extraordinary life.Born in communist Czechoslovakia, Andrejka shares the remarkable story of raising money at age 14 to come to America, how that experience shaped her approach to fundraising and entrepreneurship, and why the American Dream fundamentally changed her worldview.Today, Dynamix operates across private equity, SPACs, energy infrastructure, and digital assets — with a major focus on the intersection of AI and energy.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:11 - Journey from Czechoslovakia to America00:01:24 - Fundraising for the American Dream00:02:50 - Pitching the Dream to Potential Donors00:04:43 - Inspiration to Move to America00:06:40 - First Impressions of America00:09:03 - Early Career Aspirations00:10:36 - Founding Dynamics and Initial Vision00:13:30 - Impact of AI and Energy on Business00:17:22 - Future of Energy and Digital Assets00:19:59 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:22:17 - Macroeconomic Perspectives00:25:19 - State of Public Markets and SPACs00:29:51 - Acknowledging Key Supporters00:32:30 - Closing Remarks and ReflectionsIf you’re interested in AI, energy, investing, entrepreneurship, crypto, geopolitics, or leadership, this conversation is packed with insights on where the world is heading next.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Shensi Ding-Lopez, Co-Founder & CEO of Merge, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI agents, integrations, startup culture, and the future of enterprise software infrastructure.Merge helps B2B software companies securely integrate with third-party systems across HR, accounting, ATS, ticketing, file storage, and more through a unified API platform. In this episode, Shensi explains why integrations are becoming one of the biggest bottlenecks in AI adoption — and why secure infrastructure for AI agents may become one of the most important categories in enterprise software.The conversation also explores startup fundraising, product-market fit, technical leadership, company culture, and what it takes to build deeply technical products at scale.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:22 - Founding Merge00:00:54 - Launching the Second Product00:02:05 - AI Agents and Security00:03:36 - Fundraising Journey00:04:36 - Early Customer Validation00:05:10 - Co-Founder's Background00:06:00 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:07:16 - Technical Contributions00:08:22 - Future of AI00:09:01 - Economic Environment and Optimism00:10:01 - Company Culture and Hiring00:11:56 - Reading Habits and Recommendations00:13:32 - The Importance of Giving Chances00:14:51 - Closing RemarksIf you’re interested in AI, APIs, enterprise software, cybersecurity, startups, or the future of agentic workflows, this conversation is packed with insights for founders, operators, and technical leaders alike.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Jill Schulman, Founder & Principal of Breakthrough Leadership Group and author of The Bravery Effect, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on fear, leadership, resilience, and the science of bravery.A former United States Marine Corps officer and happiness scientist trained in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, Jill has dedicated her career to helping leaders overcome fear and unlock their highest potential.In this episode, Jill explains why bravery isn’t about fearlessness — it’s about taking action despite fear — and why that mindset is essential for CEOs, executives, and anyone navigating uncertainty in today’s world.The conversation also explores Stoicism, leadership under pressure, difficult conversations, AI, and how courage can fundamentally reshape both organizations and personal lives.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background00:00:21 - Discovering the Study of Bravery00:01:03 - The Role of Fear in Happiness and Self-Actualization00:01:56 - Defining Bravery00:02:08 - Writing "The Bravery Effect"00:02:41 - The Book Writing Process00:04:04 - Collaborating with a Ghostwriter00:05:05 - Publishing Challenges00:05:27 - Practical Examples of Brave Leadership00:06:07 - Leading Through Uncertainty00:08:14 - Having Difficult Conversations00:09:46 - Motivation to Join the Marines00:11:29 - Founding Breakthrough Leadership Group00:14:57 - A Typical Day in Jill's Life00:16:35 - Speaking Engagements00:17:25 - Impact of AI on Work00:19:23 - Reading Preferences and Recommendations00:22:05 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances00:22:23 - Acknowledging Key Supporters00:23:04 - Closing RemarksIf you’re interested in leadership, psychology, resilience, personal growth, or becoming a more courageous leader, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiration.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and leadership.

Leslie Ann Hall, Founder & CEO of ICED Media, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, beauty marketing, digital commerce, and the future of consumer discovery.ICED Media has become one of the leading digital agencies in the beauty industry, helping brands navigate the rapidly changing worlds of TikTok Shop, social commerce, and now AI-powered discovery. In this episode, Leslie explains why ChatGPT and generative search may completely reshape how consumers discover and purchase beauty products online.The conversation also dives into thought leadership, company culture, accountability, and what it takes to build a trusted brand in one of the fastest-moving industries in the world.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome00:00:20 - Leslie Anne Hall's Background and Iced Media Overview00:01:04 - Specialization in Beauty and Performance Marketing00:01:57 - AI Integration in Iced Media00:03:08 - AI's Impact on Consumer Discovery in Beauty00:04:45 - Search and Discovery Discipline at Iced Media00:05:51 - A Day in the Life of Leslie Anne Hall00:07:06 - Building Relationships and Company Culture00:10:30 - Challenges in the Beauty Industry00:12:31 - Reading Recommendations00:15:25 - Proud Projects and Advisory Board00:18:24 - Advice for Aspiring Thought Leaders00:22:01 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave a Chance00:24:11 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you’re interested in AI, digital marketing, e-commerce, leadership, beauty, or the future of consumer behavior, this conversation is packed with insights for founders, operators, and marketers alike.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Brendan Noud, Co-Founder & CEO of LearnUpon, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, personalized learning, startup culture, and building one of the world’s leading learning management platforms.What started around a kitchen table in Ireland has grown into a global SaaS company serving more than 25 million learners worldwide. In this episode, Brendan shares how LearnUpon scaled from a bootstrapped startup into an international learning platform helping companies train employees, customers, and partners at scale.The conversation explores the future of AI in education, company culture, global expansion, and why personalized learning may become one of the most important business challenges of the next decade.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:26 - Founding LearnUpon00:01:18 - Initial Focus and Evolution00:02:00 - Funding and Tech Scene in Ireland00:04:27 - Realizing Success00:05:42 - Impact of AI on Learning Management00:07:17 - AI in General Education00:08:48 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:10:18 - Reading Recommendations00:11:00 - Company Culture00:12:23 - Becoming a Global Company00:13:49 - Macroeconomic Environment00:15:19 - Learning from Failures00:17:06 - Future Roadmap00:18:57 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?If you’re interested in AI, SaaS, education, leadership, or building global technology companies, this episode is packed with practical insights for founders and operators alike.

Jonathan Shank, Founder & CEO of Terrapin Station Entertainment, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on the evolution of the music business, live entertainment, AI, authenticity, and building iconic entertainment experiences.From hanging flyers at the legendary House of Blues in New Orleans to producing global live tours for brands like Peppa Pig, Disney Junior, and Gabby’s Dollhouse, Jonathan shares the journey that shaped his career in music and entertainment.The conversation dives into artist development, the rise of streaming and viral discovery, leadership in creative industries, and why authentic creativity still matters in the age of AI.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background00:00:34 - Early Career at House of Blues00:01:17 - First Job Responsibilities00:01:58 - Learning the Music Business00:02:33 - Interning with Kim Fowley00:03:26 - Moving to Los Angeles00:03:49 - Representing Classic Rock Bands00:04:10 - Working on Jazz is Dead00:04:32 - Managing Second-Generation Rock Stars00:05:25 - Managing Particle and Festival Success00:06:57 - Transition to Producing Shows00:07:50 - Founding Terrapin Station Entertainment00:09:07 - Changes in the Music Industry00:11:01 - Impact of Technology and AI00:11:55 - Bob Dylan at House of Blues00:14:26 - Leadership and Company Growth00:17:12 - Impact of AI on the Industry00:19:42 - Typical Day in the Life00:21:23 - Promoting the Podcast "The Jam"00:22:33 - Acknowledging Mentors and Supporters00:23:55 - Closing RemarksIf you’re interested in music, entertainment, creativity, entrepreneurship, or the future of AI in media, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, artists, and leaders shaping the future of business and culture.

Carrie Joy Grimes, Founder & CEO of WorkMoney, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on the shrinking middle class, the future of the American Dream, and how collective bargaining power could reshape the economy for everyday people.WorkMoney has grown to more than 9 million members by helping Americans save money, lower bills, access discounts, and better navigate an increasingly difficult financial system. In this episode, Carrie explains why so many people feel financially stuck — and what can actually be done about it.The conversation explores AI, economic inequality, remote work, monopolies, and why the next generation faces a dramatically different financial reality than previous generations.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome00:00:10 - Founding of WorkMoney00:00:25 - Mission and Vision of WorkMoney00:01:14 - Economic Inequality and Wealth Transfer00:02:04 - Challenges for the Next Generation00:02:41 - WorkMoney's Membership and Scale00:03:22 - Negotiating for Members' Benefits00:03:33 - Impact of AI on Jobs and Economy00:04:11 - Personal Financial Struggles and Housing Market00:05:03 - Economic Challenges Over the Decades00:06:18 - Capitalism and Wealth Distribution00:07:00 - Rand Corporation Study on Income00:08:37 - WorkMoney's Response to COVID-1900:09:41 - Empowering Individuals Through Collective Action00:10:53 - Personal Definitions of a Good Life00:12:06 - Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Structure00:13:23 - Growth and Member Engagement00:14:52 - Remote Work and Organizational Culture00:16:35 - Advantages of Remote Work00:16:55 - A Day in the Life of the CEO00:19:33 - How to Become a WorkMoney Member00:20:04 - Negotiating on Behalf of Members00:22:05 - Future Plans for Negotiation Services00:24:26 - Revenue Model and Philanthropy00:27:09 - Role of AI in WorkMoney00:28:28 - Reading Recommendations00:31:46 - Reflecting on Who Gave a Chance00:34:25 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you’re interested in leadership, economic mobility, AI, public policy, or the future of work and money, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Seth Sternberg, Co-Founder & CEO of Honor, joins Clint Betts for a powerful conversation on aging, AI, mental health, leadership, and what it means to build technology that is genuinely “world good.”Honor is transforming how society cares for older adults by helping seniors safely age in their homes through technology-enabled care. In this episode, Seth explains why the aging population crisis is one of the most important challenges of the next decade — and how AI can help solve it.The conversation also dives into Silicon Valley culture, the responsibility of founders, social media, political division, and why the best companies are built around mission and impact rather than just valuation and wealth.00:00:00 - Introduction and Honor Technology Overview00:01:00 - Aging Population and Societal Challenges00:01:53 - How Honor Technology Helps Older Adults00:03:01 - Seth's Background and Motivation00:04:06 - Importance of Meaningful Work00:05:00 - Silicon Valley's Focus on Valuations Over Impact00:07:01 - AI's Role in Honor Technology00:08:30 - AI's Transformational Impact00:10:07 - Balancing AI's Benefits and Risks00:10:27 - Typical Day as a CEO00:13:00 - Maintaining Company Culture00:15:22 - Reading Habits and Recommendations00:16:47 - Audio vs. Physical Reading00:17:24 - CEO's Role in Addressing Societal Issues00:20:01 - Encouraging Positive World Change00:21:41 - Mental Health Crisis and Societal Division00:25:16 - Importance of Constructive Dialogue00:26:09 - Social Media's Impact on Society00:28:04 - Legacy and Positive Change00:29:22 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?00:31:04 - Closing RemarksIf you’re interested in AI, healthcare, leadership, startups, or the future of technology and society, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

Dax Dasilva, founder and CEO of Lightspeed Commerce, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on building one of Canada’s most successful tech companies from the ground up.From launching Lightspeed in 2005 to scaling it into a global public company serving 145,000 businesses worldwide, Dax shares lessons on leadership, AI, company culture, profitable growth, and why human connection still matters in the future of work.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Lightspeed Commerce00:00:54 - Evolution and Expansion of Lightspeed's Services00:01:26 - Target Market and Customer Base00:02:07 - Early Success and Key Milestones00:03:38 - Impact of AI on Business Operations00:04:45 - Role of the CEO in Modern Times00:06:03 - Public Statements and Political Opinions00:07:27 - Going Public: Decision and Reflections00:08:48 - Benefits of Being a Public Company00:10:09 - Company Culture and Hybrid Work Model00:10:25 - Returning as CEO and Office Dynamics00:12:28 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:14:22 - Reading Recommendations00:15:35 - Writing Books: Process and Inspiration00:17:44 - Qualities of a Great Leader00:19:49 - Building a Global Company from Canada00:20:48 - Economic Outlook and Consumer Sentiment00:22:49 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave a ChanceIf you’re a founder, operator, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on building enduring companies in a rapidly changing world.

Jay Kulkarni, Founder & CEO of Theorem, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, video commerce, hybrid work, and building a global technology company without outside funding.Jay bootstrapped Theorem more than 20 years ago from a spare bedroom in New Jersey and grew it into a global digital marketing technology company serving major media, streaming, and commerce brands around the world.In this episode, Jay explains why the future of commerce is shifting toward video-driven experiences, how brands are navigating AI and automation, and why authentic human storytelling still matters in an increasingly automated world.The conversation also explores leadership, company culture, operational discipline, and how hybrid work can succeed when built intentionally.00:00:00 - Introduction and Jay's Background00:00:50 - What is Theorem?00:01:12 - Theorem's Business Model00:01:55 - Upword: Theorem's Automation Solution00:02:29 - Video Commerce and Its Importance00:03:24 - Evolution and Future of Video Commerce00:04:08 - Benefits of On-Site Video Commerce00:05:02 - AI in Digital Marketing00:06:08 - AI and Brand Safety00:07:03 - AI in Advertising Processes00:08:16 - Human Touch vs. AI00:09:38 - Jay's Daily Routine00:12:00 - Hybrid Work Model00:14:01 - Building Company Culture00:17:18 - Internal Use of AI and Automation00:19:38 - Economic Environment and Future Outlook00:20:58 - The Importance of Giving Chances00:21:13 - Personal Story of Opportunity00:22:56 - Conclusion and FarewellIf you’re a founder, operator, marketer, or leader thinking about AI, media, commerce, and the future of business, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Susan Odle, CEO of StorMagic, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on leadership, remote culture, AI, and the future of edge infrastructure.StorMagic helps organizations keep critical systems running in remote environments around the world — from retail stores and warehouses to utilities and manufacturing sites. In this episode, Susan explains how the company simplifies virtualization and infrastructure for businesses that can’t afford downtime.The conversation also dives deep into modern leadership: why empathy matters, how remote-first companies build culture intentionally, and why the best leaders today must balance performance with humanity.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:32 - Joining StoreMagic00:01:08 - StoreMagic's Edge Solutions00:02:41 - Democratizing Business00:03:23 - StoreMagic's Stability and Reliability00:04:09 - Transition from CGO to CEO00:06:05 - Daily Routine and Meditation00:07:43 - Importance of Notepads00:08:41 - Company Culture and Remote Work00:10:33 - Management Strategy and Culture00:12:41 - Reading Recommendations00:14:19 - Changing Management Paradigms00:15:03 - AI and Operational Data00:17:45 - AI Implementation Strategy00:18:24 - Market and Economic Impact00:21:00 - Leadership Qualities00:23:16 - Reflecting on Opportunities Given00:25:00 - Closing Remarks and Future TopicsIf you’re a founder, operator, IT leader, or executive navigating AI, remote work, and modern leadership, this conversation is full of practical insight.