The CEO Shift

What if you could be the expert everyone refers before they ever Google you? On this episode of The CEO Shift, host Shawndel Spader sits down with Lisa Apolinski to explore the mindset shifts, strategies, and leadership lessons that move CEOs from operator to visionary. About Lisa Apolinski: Lisa Apolinski is a digital storytelling and brand authority expert who helps CEOs and service providers become the trusted go-to voice in their industry through consistent, value-first visibility strategies. In this conversation, you will learn: - How to become the go-to expert in your industry - Building trust, visibility, and credibility as a CEO - The concept of authority power for service businesses - Why consistency matters more than follower counts - Relationship-first visibility for long-term, high-value clients - How to build a brand that gets you referred before you are Googled - Avoiding the trap of chasing vanity metrics on social media Who this episode is for: CEOs, agency owners, and consultants who want to build real authority in their niche instead of shouting into the LinkedIn void. Connect with Lisa Apolinski: Website: https://www.3dogwrite.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaapolinski/ About The CEO Shift Podcast: The CEO Shift is a weekly leadership podcast hosted by Shawndel Spader, founder of Spader Group. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, agency owners, founders, and industry experts about the real mindset shifts, strategies, and systems that turn capable operators into intentional leaders. If you are growing a service business, running an agency, or leading a team, The CEO Shift is designed to help you lead with clarity and scale with confidence. Follow and subscribe to The CEO Shift on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review to help more CEOs discover the show. Visit spadergroup.com/ceo-shift for episode resources and the free CEO Decision Guide. Connect with Shawndel Spader: Website: https://spadergroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndelspader/

What if the secret to scaling your agency isn't louder marketing, but deeper relationships? On this episode of The CEO Shift, host Shawndel Spader sits down with Jamie Shibley to explore the mindset shifts, strategies, and leadership lessons that move CEOs from operator to visionary. About Jamie Shibley: Jamie Shibley is the CEO of The Expressory and the bestselling author of Relationship First. She helps CEOs and growing companies turn relationship-building into a measurable growth engine through intentional gifting, empathy-led outreach, and strategic client experience design. In this conversation, you will learn:   - Why relationship-building is a CEO-level growth strategy, not a marketing tactic   - The science behind human connection and why it drives client retention   - How intentional gifting and personalized outreach create loyalty at scale   - Shifting from transactional selling to purposeful, long-term leadership   - The biggest mistakes CEOs make when trying to differentiate their brand   - How kindness and empathy become your competitive advantage in a disconnected world   - Practical ways to build a relationship-first culture inside your own company Who this episode is for: Agency owners, founders, and CEOs who want to grow through client loyalty, referrals, and long-term partnerships instead of chasing every new lead. Connect with Jamie Shibley: Website: https://www.theexpressory.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieshibley/ About The CEO Shift Podcast: The CEO Shift is a weekly leadership podcast hosted by Shawndel Spader, founder of Spader Group. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, agency owners, founders, and industry experts about the real mindset shifts, strategies, and systems that turn capable operators into intentional leaders. If you are growing a service business, running an agency, or leading a team, The CEO Shift is designed to help you lead with clarity and scale with confidence. Follow and subscribe to The CEO Shift on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review to help more CEOs discover the show. Visit spadergroup.com/ceo-shift for episode resources and the free CEO Decision Guide. Connect with Shawndel Spader: Website: https://spadergroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndelspader/

What if your team, not your to-do list, is the real growth strategy? On this episode of The CEO Shift, host Shawndel Spader sits down with Mark Scrivner to explore the mindset shifts, strategies, and leadership lessons that move CEOs from operator to visionary. About Mark Scrivner: Mark Scrivner is the founder and CEO of Snapshot, a creative marketing agency with more than 25 years of experience. He is known for building empowered teams, mentoring other agency owners, and leading through collaboration rather than control. In this conversation, you will learn: - How to empower your team through strategic planning and shared ownership - Surrounding yourself with the right people as a CEO - Mentoring other agency owners and navigating hard leadership decisions - Building a scalable agency with clarity, heart, and structure - Lessons from 25 years leading creative marketing agencies - Why collaborative leadership is the ultimate growth strategy - The surprising story of how a small agency helped land Amazon's Nashville hub Who this episode is for: Agency CEOs, small business founders, and creative leaders who are ready to stop going it alone and start building something scalable with a team they trust. Connect with Mark Scrivner: Website: https://snapshotinteractive.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner/ About The CEO Shift Podcast: The CEO Shift is a weekly leadership podcast hosted by Shawndel Spader, founder of Spader Group. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, agency owners, founders, and industry experts about the real mindset shifts, strategies, and systems that turn capable operators into intentional leaders. If you are growing a service business, running an agency, or leading a team, The CEO Shift is designed to help you lead with clarity and scale with confidence. Follow and subscribe to The CEO Shift on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review to help more CEOs discover the show. Visit spadergroup.com/ceo-shift for episode resources and the free CEO Decision Guide. Connect with Shawndel Spader: Website: https://spadergroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndelspader/

What if selling did not have to feel pushy, salesy, or exhausting? On this episode of The CEO Shift, host Shawndel Spader sits down with Hannah Roth to explore the mindset shifts, strategies, and leadership lessons that move CEOs from operator to visionary. About Hannah Roth: Hannah Roth is the Director of Strategy at Predictive ROI. With a background blending science and strategic agency growth, she helps agency owners replace awkward sales tactics with authentic, science-backed conversations that convert without compromise. In this conversation, you will learn: - How to build a sales process that feels natural and aligned with your values - Turning pushy tactics into meaningful, trust-building conversations - A science-based framework for thoughtful agency sales - Scaling revenue without sacrificing authenticity or your reputation - How to shift your sales mindset from convincing to serving - Why self-aware selling outperforms scripts and pressure - Practical ways to turn discovery calls into genuine partnerships Who this episode is for: Agency owners, consultants, and CEOs who dread selling or want a sales approach they can actually feel good about using and teaching their team. Connect with Hannah Roth: Website: https://predictiveroi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-c-roth/ About The CEO Shift Podcast: The CEO Shift is a weekly leadership podcast hosted by Shawndel Spader, founder of Spader Group. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, agency owners, founders, and industry experts about the real mindset shifts, strategies, and systems that turn capable operators into intentional leaders. If you are growing a service business, running an agency, or leading a team, The CEO Shift is designed to help you lead with clarity and scale with confidence. Follow and subscribe to The CEO Shift on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review to help more CEOs discover the show. Visit spadergroup.com/ceo-shift for episode resources and the free CEO Decision Guide. Connect with Shawndel Spader: Website: https://spadergroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndelspader/

Can you really step away from your business without everything falling apart? On this episode of The CEO Shift, host Shawndel Spader sits down with Megan Braverman to explore the mindset shifts, strategies, and leadership lessons that move CEOs from operator to visionary. About Megan Braverman: Megan Braverman is the CEO of Berbay Marketing and PR, a firm that serves professional service clients in law, real estate, and finance. With two decades of experience, she brings a practical, systems-first view of how agencies can grow without burning out their people. In this conversation, you will learn: - What it really takes to scale a high-performing marketing agency - Why playbooks and process documentation are non-negotiable for growth - How to shift your mindset on AI in professional services - Embracing discomfort as a core leadership skill - Building infrastructure that supports a resilient, collaborative team - Sustainable agency growth that does not burn out your people - How to stop being the bottleneck in your own business Who this episode is for: Agency CEOs and founders who want the business to run smoothly without them in every meeting, and who are ready to invest in systems over heroics. Connect with Megan Braverman: Website: https://berbaymarketing.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganbraverman/ About The CEO Shift Podcast: The CEO Shift is a weekly leadership podcast hosted by Shawndel Spader, founder of Spader Group. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, agency owners, founders, and industry experts about the real mindset shifts, strategies, and systems that turn capable operators into intentional leaders. If you are growing a service business, running an agency, or leading a team, The CEO Shift is designed to help you lead with clarity and scale with confidence. Follow and subscribe to The CEO Shift on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review to help more CEOs discover the show. Visit spadergroup.com/ceo-shift for episode resources and the free CEO Decision Guide. Connect with Shawndel Spader: Website: https://spadergroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndelspader/

Does the thought of stepping on stage, or into a boardroom, make your palms sweat? On this episode of The CEO Shift, host Shawndel Spader sits down with Erin Duffy to explore the mindset shifts, strategies, and leadership lessons that move CEOs from operator to visionary. About Erin Duffy: Erin Duffy is an executive presence coach with a background in creative agency leadership and the performing arts. She works with CEOs and entrepreneurs to help them show up with confidence, clarity, and real authenticity when it matters most. In this conversation, you will learn: - How CEOs can show up with confidence, clarity, and authenticity - What it really means to own a room as a leader - Practical tools for overcoming fear of public speaking - Storytelling as a leadership superpower - Leading with more connection and less performance - How to prepare for high-stakes moments without sounding rehearsed - Translating performing arts techniques into business presence Who this episode is for: CEOs, founders, and leaders who want to speak with more authority, land their message in high-stakes rooms, and lead without feeling like they are performing. Connect with Erin Duffy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-duffy/ About The CEO Shift Podcast: The CEO Shift is a weekly leadership podcast hosted by Shawndel Spader, founder of Spader Group. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, agency owners, founders, and industry experts about the real mindset shifts, strategies, and systems that turn capable operators into intentional leaders. If you are growing a service business, running an agency, or leading a team, The CEO Shift is designed to help you lead with clarity and scale with confidence. Follow and subscribe to The CEO Shift on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a rating and review to help more CEOs discover the show. Visit spadergroup.com/ceo-shift for episode resources and the free CEO Decision Guide. Connect with Shawndel Spader: Website: https://spadergroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndelspader/

Shut up and listen. That one line from Justin Bieganek might be the most important leadership shift growth-minded CEOs are missing. In this episode of The CEO Shift, Shawndel Spader sits down with Justin, founder and brand advisor of Mercury Creative Group, to unpack the leadership and brand strategy shifts that take CEOs from doing the work to actually leading the business. Justin shares the Mercury Method, his team's approach to helping CEOs navigate change, co-create with clients, and build brands from the inside out. He also gets candid about the personal turning point that rewired his leadership: a three-week Alaska trip and a very direct message from his team telling him to get out of the day-to-day. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why curiosity is the most underrated leadership skill Why "ask a question, then shut up and listen" might reshape every meeting you run How to spot when you are the bottleneck in your own business What it looks like to work on the business, not in the business How to build a brand from the inside out so your team, culture, and story align Why a strong number two and a circle of fellow CEOs is a non-negotiable for sustainable growth If you are a CEO or agency owner ready to move from operator to leader, this episode is your permission slip and your playbook. Connect with Justin: MercuryCreativeGroup.com https://mercurycreativegroup.com/about/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmbieganek/ Learn more about The CEO Shift at spadergroup.com/ceo-shift and subscribe to have new episodes delivered straight to your inbox.