Measure Success Podcast
by Carl J. Cox
This is the Measure Success Podcast, which features top leaders on how they measure success in their business and life. We talk with CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors, and extraordinary high achievers.The host, Carl J. Cox, is the CEO of 40 Strategy. 40 Strategy guides leaders to take their organization to the next level by designing world-class strategic plans and keeping them accountable to get it done. Go to 40strategy.com to learn more. As an entrepreneur and executive, Carl has been with 7 different companies that have grown from 2x to 7x.Carl is the author of Lost at CEO, An Entrepreneur's Guide to Strategy. This book reached #1 Amazon bestseller in 12 separate categories at launch, and a must-read for entrepreneurs and leaders.
Episodes
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Stop Leaking Company Data Into ChatGPT
Is your team accidentally leaking company data into ChatGPT right now? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Chris Carter, Chairman and CEO of Approyo, to discuss the hidden risks of AI data privacy, the difference between open and closed AI systems, and how one…
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The Brutal Truth: Most Books Sell Less Than 50 Copies
Think your book is going to sell itself? The average self-published title sells fewer than 50 copies. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Stephanie Chandler, founder of the Nonfiction Authors Association and author of The Nonfiction Book Marketing and Launch Plan, to...
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85% of Employees Don't Know Your Strategy — Here's the Fix
Why do 85% of employees have no idea what their company's strategy actually is? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Evan Campbell, a former Green Beret and seasoned technology executive who founded Chinook Ranch Consulting, to discuss why most strategies fail, the real...
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10 AI Agents, One Sales Team: Scaling Without New Hires
Are you still selling the way you did in 2022? Frank Sondors says that's why you're falling behind. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Frank Sondors, co-founder and CEO of Salesforge, to talk about how his company went from $3M in year one to running 10 AI agents…
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Goals, Plan, Tactics: Most People Do It Backward
Most people build their financial plan backward. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Mando Sallavanti, CFP, certified exit planning advisor and founder of Freedom Path Wealth, to discuss why goals have to come before tactics, how to give yourself permission to actually...
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De-Risk Your Business Before You Sell It
Private equity wants to buy you before you know what you're worth. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Tom Bradbury, founder and CEO of Broad-Gauge, an execution risk intelligence platform, to discuss how to prepare your business for a sale, why execution risk is the...
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Leadership Is an Attitude, Not a Position
What if leadership was never about the title? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Seger Morris, DO, MBA — osteopathic physician, healthcare executive, and author of the new book Let Me Lead — to talk about why impact doesn't wait for a title, how to escape the...
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AI Is Writing Your Reputation, Take Control Now
AI is writing your reputation right now, whether it's accurate or not. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Dave Fulk, entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of Reputation Rhino, to discuss why your online reputation now decides more sales than your pitch does, how AI is...
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Real Estate Wealth: Performance Beats Location
Most people are told real estate is all about location. What if that's the wrong rule? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Axel Meierhoefer, former German Air Force fighter pilot and founder of Ideal Wealth Grower, to discuss how to build real estate wealth that...
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Humans Buy From Humans in the Age of AI
In a world drowning in AI content, why do humans still only buy from humans? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Robb Fahrion, Co-Founder and CEO of Flying V Group, to discuss how trust and authenticity win in the AI age, why he signed a high-rent office lease when...
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Get Paid For Your Screen Time: The AI Play
What if the crash that almost killed your company was the best thing that ever happened to it? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Dan Novaes, co-founder and CEO of Mode Mobile, to discuss surviving a near-collapse after explosive growth, pivoting from...
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Reinvest 10% in Yourself: The Antidote to Business Fear
Most CPA firms are terrified of AI. We used it to go from 2 employees to 10 in one year. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Tommy Breedlove, CPA-turned-executive-coach and bestselling author of Legendary, to talk about the fear driving business owners right now, why…
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SEO Is Dying: How to Get Found by AI
SEO is dying. Do you know what's replacing it? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Jimi Gibson, VP of Brand Communication at Thrive Internet Marketing Agency, TEDx speaker, and former professional magician, to discuss how AI search is replacing traditional SEO and what...
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Why the Rich Pay Almost Zero in Taxes (Legally)
Is it really possible to pay almost zero in taxes, legally? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Bronson Hill, founder and CEO of Bronson Equity and author of Fire Yourself, to discuss how high earners legally reduce their taxes, the real estate professional…
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Why 100 AI Leads Won't Save Your Business
AI just handed you 100 leads. That might be the worst thing that could happen to your business. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Gal Borenstein, founder and CEO of The Borenstein Group and author of Beating Goliath with AI, to discuss why more leads won't grow your...
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Why 75% of Business Owners Regret Selling
Most business owners celebrate the sale. Most also regret it. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Bob Bedritis, founder and managing director of Oswego Private Wealth Management and a certified exit planning advisor, to discuss why nearly 75% of owners regret selling...
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More Than Money: Building Wealth That Matters with Tyson Ray
What is wealth really for? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with Tyson Ray, CEO and Founding Partner of Form Wealth Advisors, to discuss building wealth that creates a better life. Tyson shares lessons from his career helping business owners, a powerful experience in...
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Passive Income, AI, and Purpose with Mark Podolsky
What happens after you achieve financial success? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with Mark Podolsky, known as "The Land Geek," to discuss passive income, AI, entrepreneurship, and finding purpose beyond financial success. Mark shares how he transitioned from...
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Why Entrepreneurs Get Stuck and How to Move
Are you building, coasting, or struggling? In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox welcomes confidence coach Scott Ballard for a conversation about the mindset of today's entrepreneur. Scott explains his "Day 1, Day 2, Day 3" framework and why many business owners become stuck...
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How To Build Relationships That Scale Business
Networking is not about collecting business cards. It is about building relationships that create measurable business growth. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Donnie Boivin, founder of Success Champion Networking, shares how business owners can stop wasting time networking and…
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What AI Agents Mean for Small Business Growth
AI is moving faster than most businesses realize. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Trent Gillespie, former Amazon executive and CEO of Stellis AI, breaks down what business leaders need to understand about AI agents, automation, and organizational readiness. We discuss: • Why…
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How Great Leaders Rebuild After Failure
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Ryan Hogan, founder and CEO of Talent Harbor, about entrepreneurship, leadership, recruiting, and recovering from failure. Ryan shares the story of building a zombie-themed event company that scaled quickly before collapsing…
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Digital Marketing Fraud Is Costing You Money
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Rich Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Anura.io, about entrepreneurship, leadership, company culture, and digital ad fraud. Rich shares lessons from building multiple successful technology companies over the past three decades while...
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Why Leaders Must Act on AI Right Now
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl talks with Trey Taylor about the real impact of AI on business today. AI is not coming, it is already reshaping how companies operate, compete, and grow. Trey shares how AI tools can replace entire workflows, reduce costs, and unlock new value…
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Why Most Brands Fail to Stand Out Today
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with Jason Sherwood, founder of Phase 23, to discuss how businesses can stand out in a crowded market. As AI reshapes search and marketing, many companies struggle to stay visible. Jason explains why strong positioning and clear...
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Why Growth Requires Better Processes
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox welcomes back Adi Klevit from Business Success Consulting Group. They discuss how strong systems, clear processes, and smart use of AI help businesses grow faster and operate better. Adi explains why documented procedures matter, how...
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How to Win Without Being the Biggest
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Alex Smith, founder of Basic Arts and author of No Bullsht Strategy*. They discuss why many companies chase being better when they should focus on being different. Alex explains how businesses can cut through noise, build clear...
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From Revenue to Real Business Value Explained
In this episode, Carl sits down with George Sandmann of Growth Drive to discuss how business owners can increase the value of their company by building strategic capacity. They explore the gap between what owners think their business is worth and what it could be worth. The conversation…
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How to Build Systems That Create Real Results
In this episode, Carl speaks with Will Spengler about what it takes to build success that lasts. They discuss the role of discipline, clarity, and execution in business and leadership. Many people focus on ideas, but this conversation highlights the importance of systems and consistent action.…
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How to Sell High Value Services the Right Way
In this episode, Carl speaks with Mike Garrison about referral-based sales and how service businesses grow. Mike shares why most sales approaches fail and how business owners must shift their thinking from price to lifetime value. He explains how referrals should be treated as a system, not a…
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How to Move from Employee to Business Owner
In this episode, Carl speaks with Jon Ostenson about franchising, business ownership, and the shift happening in today's workforce. As AI reshapes jobs, many professionals are exploring ways to build their own income streams. Jon shares what he sees across the market and what separates successful...
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Why Leaders Burn Out and How to Prevent It
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Dr. Tracy Gapin, founder of the Gapin Institute and a leading expert in executive health and performance. After years of success in traditional medicine, Dr. Gapin realized that many high-performing professionals were...
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How to Actually Use AI to Scale Smarter
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with business strategist and performance coach Ashley Shaw. Ashley shares how she transitioned from the fitness industry into entrepreneurship and built a thriving business focused on helping entrepreneurs scale smarter through...
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Tariffs, Energy, and AI: Economic Signals to Watch
Economic headlines move fast. Strategy requires context. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with economist Dr. Bill Connerly about the trends shaping business decisions today. The conversation covers tariffs, supply chain strategy, artificial intelligence…
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How to Build a Reputation in Business
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Steve Griggs, founder of Steve Griggs Design, one of New York City's premier luxury landscape design-build firms. Steve shares how he built a successful company after starting in the lawn care business at age 16. With more…
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Startup Strategy in an AI-Driven World
AI is accelerating innovation—but it is not a substitute for strategy. In this episode, Carl J. Cox speaks with Josh Carter, co-founder of Upstart Collective, about what founders must understand to build sustainable companies. Josh shares insights from working with early-stage startups, including...
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The Truth About Business Valuation and Risk
Selling a business is not a simple transaction. It is a strategic event that often defines an owner's financial future. In this episode, Carl J. Cox speaks with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of International Business Associates, about what it really takes to sell a privately held business....
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How to Turn Around Strategy for Businesses
In this episode, Carl sits down with Ashish Gupta, founder of ScaleUp Exec, to discuss business turnarounds, leadership decisions, and culture resets. Ashish shares how he acquired a struggling company, realized innovation had stopped, and eventually rebuilt the team to change the company's...
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Big Bet Leadership in the Age of AI
High-stakes initiatives fail more than 80% of the time, yet leaders still have to pursue them to grow. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with John Rossman, former Amazon executive and author of Big Bet Leadership, about how leaders should approach bold, risky...
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Why Most AI Efforts Miss the Mark
AI is everywhere, but most businesses are using it the wrong way. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with Eli Portnoy, co-founder and CEO of BackEngine.ai, to talk about the real gap between AI hype and real-world results. Eli explains why generic AI outputs…
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How To Scale Sales: Avoid Mistakes
This episode is sponsored by Altezza Solutions, liberating entrepreneurs through fractional sales execution. Today, Steve helps growth-stage companies break through revenue barriers while giving founders the freedom to focus on building extraordinary businesses. Founder-led businesses often grow...
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The Real Truth About Private Equity Growth
Selling to private equity is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new phase of growth. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy and 40 Accounting sits down with Neel Bhargava, founding partner at NB Group, to unpack how private equity...
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The Funding Mistake That Kills Deals
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with real estate investor and educator Jay Conner to break down private money and why it has been the foundation of his business since 2009. Jay explains how private money works, who private lenders really are, and why having...
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Strategy Is Not About Doing More
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with John Whitt, founder of Business Whitt and author of Checkmate, to explore how strategic thinking, leadership, and generosity intersect. John explains how lessons from competitive chess apply directly to business. Small...
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How Smart Leaders Use AI to Execute Better
AI is changing how companies grow, how leaders lead, and how strategy gets executed. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with Klee Kleber, co-founder and partner at Build Group, to discuss what leaders need to understand right now. Klee shares why expertise is...
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AI, Sales, and the Power of Human Connection
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alleyoop, about the real role of outbound sales in today's market. They discuss how AI is changing sales without replacing human connection, why founders should stay close to revenue early, and how content...
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Why AI Is Reshaping Leadership Today
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down again with CEO and author Trey Taylor for a candid conversation on AI, culture, and the future of leadership. Trey explains why AI is no longer optional, how leaders can avoid lazy thinking, and what's driving the rapid rise of...
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Where Do Leaders Go For Real Growth?
In this episode, Carl J. Cox talks with global speaker and executive coach Dona Amelia about why leaders need safe spaces to grow. Dona shares her upbringing in rural Indonesia, her rise as a performer and executive, and how those experiences shaped her belief that leaders can only grow when they...
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Get Found in the New AI Economy
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with digital marketing expert Dave Burnett to unpack the seismic shift happening in search and AI. Dave explains why Google is no longer the only place customers look for answers and how large language models are reshaping...
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Double Revenue. Cut Costs. One Strategy.
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Tammy Nam, CEO of The Brief, the AI Agency for marketers. Tammy shares how she doubled revenue at Viki while cutting costs and improving team morale—a rare combination that highlights her strategic clarity and leadership...
About this show
This is the Measure Success Podcast, which features top leaders on how they measure success in their business and life. We talk with CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors, and extraordinary high achievers.The host, Carl J. Cox, is the CEO of 40 Strategy. 40 Strategy guides leaders to take their organization to the next level by designing world-class strategic plans and keeping them accountable to get it done. Go to 40strategy.com to learn more. As an entrepreneur and executive, Carl has been with 7 different companies that have grown from 2x to 7x.Carl is the author of Lost at CEO, An Entrepreneur's Guide to Strategy. This book reached #1 Amazon bestseller in 12 separate categories at launch, and a must-read for entrepreneurs and leaders.
Hosted by
Carl J. Cox
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