Founder & CEO

Mike Viscuso & Patrick Morley
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Former Founder, Mike Viscuso, and Former CEO, Patrick Morley, of cybersecurity firm Carbon Black, which sold to VMware in 2019 for $2.1B, help modern business leaders by discussing the most important entrepreneural topics today.

  1. 5 FEB

    Episode 44: Escaping the Hub-and-Spoke CEO Model

    In this episode, Mike and Patrick unpack the “hub-and-spoke” operating model that quietly burns out founders and slows companies to a crawl. They share real stories from their own journeys as first-time CEOs, the subtle signs you’re the hub of every decision, and why your team keeps lining up outside your door for answers. You’ll learn how fear of failure feeds control, what it does to speed and morale, and the first practical steps to empower your leaders, improve decision-making, and finally get your leverage back

    48 min

  2. 12 JAN

    Episode 43: Leveling Up Customer Success - An Interview with Jenny Campbell

    In this episode of the Founder and CEO Podcast, Mike and Patrick are joined by customer success expert Jenny Campbell to explore the full lifecycle of building, expanding, and optimizing customer success and customer experience teams in high-growth companies. Jenny shares actionable insights on when to hire your first customer success leader, how to structure and compensate CS teams, the critical distinctions between customer success and customer experience, and the metrics that matter (GRR, NRR). From early-stage player-coach hires to scaling up with segmentation and executive alignment, learn how to avoid common pitfalls, adapt to each growth phase, and develop a customer-centric organization that drives retention, expansion, and lasting business value.

    53 min

  3. 6 JAN

    Episode 42: Demystifying Comp Plans: Mini-Series Part 3 - Startup Equity

    In today's episode, Mike Patrick dive deep into the often misunderstood world of startup equity compensation. Using personal experiences and industry-tested frameworks, they break down key equity concepts - from options and RSUs to vesting schedules and cliffs. The conversation covers different types of grants (new-hire, promotion, merit, and evergreen), the evolution from flexible early-stage percentages to fair and equitable banding systems as companies scale, and the pivotal role of equity in attracting, retaining, and motivating top talent. Learn practical strategies and math-backed models for structuring offers, communicating value, and leveraging equity as a competitive advantage - plus why regular education and board collaboration are essential in a successful equity program.

    1h 6m

  4. 2 JAN

    Episode 41: Demystifying Comp Plans: Mini-Series Part 2 - Rethinking Variable Compensation Across the Company

    In this episode of the Founder and CEO Podcast, hosts Mike Viscuso and Patrick Morley dive deep into one of the most impactful, and often misunderstood, aspects of startup scaling: company-wide compensation strategy. Drawing from their real-world experience building and leading teams at Carbon Black, Bit9, and beyond, Mike and Patrick debate the pros and cons of implementing variable compensation for every employee, not just in sales. Listen as they break down classic models like the 50/50 sales comp split, explore alternatives for engineering and other departments, and discuss the importance of driving alignment through compensation. Patrick and Mike also share where they agree and where they differ, from favoring big, rallying goals for the entire business to tailoring incentives with individual objectives. They also explore the challenges of OKRs, the "tax" of managing variable comp plans, recruiting implications, and share actionable advice for founders ready to put these strategies into practice.

    39 min

  5. 17/12/2025

    Episode 40: Demystifying Comp Plans: Mini-Series Part 1—Building Simple, Effective Compensation for Sales

    Join Mike Viscuso and Patrick Morley for the kickoff of a new miniseries designed to help founders tackle one of the most confusing hurdles for early-stage companies: creating and managing compensation plans. Whether you’re wondering how to structure OTE, balance base and variable pay, set achievable targets, or avoid common pitfalls, this episode offers proven advice, real-world anecdotes, and actionable insights for sales comp. Discover why simplicity and alignment are crucial, how to handle your first sales hire, and what founders need to know to attract and retain top talent. This episode is perfect for startup founders, CEOs, and anyone facing the transition from founder-led sales to scaling a sales team.

    1h 5m

  6. 24/11/2025

    Episode 39: Unlocking Leverage - The Power of a CFO for Early Stage Companies - An Interview with Gordon Pothier and Steve Webber

    In this episode of The Founder and CEO Podcast, Mike and Patrick Morley sit down with veteran CFOs Gordon Pothier and Steve Webber to demystify the CFO role. Discover why hiring the right CFO can be a game-changing decision, what differentiates a CFO from an accountant or VP of Finance, and the essential skills great CFOs bring to growing companies. Also in this episode: Learn when to bring on this key partner, how their responsibilities evolve as a business scales, and actionable advice on building a strong CEO–CFO partnership. If you're a founder looking for more leverage in your business, or simply curious about how finance leadership shapes company success, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

    44 min

  7. 24/10/2025

    Episode 38: The Ecosystem Architect - An Interview with Top Partnership Builder, Tom Barsi

    Join Mike Viscuso and Patrick Morley as they explore the world of business development with special guest Tom Barsi, a global ecosystem leader with extensive experience at companies like Carbon Black, Expanse, and Veza. Their conversation dives deep into the strategic art of building powerful tech partnerships, in the early stages and uncovers how startups can leverage resellers, hyperscalers, and tech alliances to drive growth.

    1 hr

  8. 10/07/2025

    Episode 37: Cracking the Channel Code - An Interview with Longtime Channel Leader Jessica Couto

    Wondering about your channel strategy? Join us on the latest episode of the "Founder & CEO" podcast where Jessica Couto, a channel veteran who's built programs for companies like Carbon Black and LastPass, breaks down everything you need to know about channel partnerships. Learn when to start, how to recruit the right partners, and why channel could be your secret weapon for explosive growth. Whether you're in cybersecurity or any tech industry, this episode is a helpful roadmap to understanding how to leverage channel partnerships effectively.

    59 min
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About

Former Founder, Mike Viscuso, and Former CEO, Patrick Morley, of cybersecurity firm Carbon Black, which sold to VMware in 2019 for $2.1B, help modern business leaders by discussing the most important entrepreneural topics today.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Viscuso & Patrick Morley
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Copyright
    © Founder & CEO
  • Show Website
    Founder & CEO