Chief of Everything | Essential principles for founders ready to scale

Catherine Brown
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

When you’re wearing every hat—from sales and marketing to operations and HR—you aren't just the founder; you're the bottleneck. If you are struggling to scale your business without losing your sanity, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Catherine Brown, Chief of Everything is designed to help founders trade the "all-the-hats" hustle for high-impact growth. In each episode, we interview subject matter experts who have been exactly where you are. We skip the fluff and distill years of expensive mistakes into essential principles you can use to make your business more efficient and your leadership more effective.

Episodes

  1. FEB 18

    The Power of Presence | Creating Time with Ellen Williams

    What if the secret to building a successful business isn't doing more—but being more present? As entrepreneurs, we wear "busy" like a badge of honor. We fill every moment, chase every opportunity, and convince ourselves that constant motion equals progress. But what if this approach is actually holding us back? Ellen Williams, author of Creating Time: The Key to Productivity and Peace, challenges the hustle culture narrative and reveals why presence—not productivity—is the real competitive advantage for founders. Ellen shares her journey from a verbally abusive marriage to building a thriving consulting practice, and how learning to be present transformed not just her business, but her entire life. We explore why founders resist rest, how identity shapes our relationship with work, and practical ways to create time (not just manage it) so you can build the business and life you actually want. Highlights • Why the biggest mistake founders make is believing they always have to be doing something • The identity trap: How wearing yourself out becomes a false badge of honor • Decision lists vs. to-do lists: A simple reframe that reduces overwhelm • The power of being present: How it prevents burnout before you get there • Why authenticity matters more than you think in building sustainable business relationships • Small practices that cultivate presence: Starting with your phone and keys • How to create time by making conscious choices in everyday moments • The truth about entrepreneurship: You're going to make mistakes, and that's how you learn Chapters [0:00] Introduction to Ellen Williams [1:04] The Importance of Presence and Self-Care [3:16] Common Objections and Misconceptions [6:14] The Role of Identity in Entrepreneurship [8:17] Ellen's Personal Journey and Insights [16:14] Practical Tips for Cultivating Presence [24:31] Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned • Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins • Creating Time: The Key to Productivity and Peace by Ellen Williams • The Salient Strategist (Ellen Williams' firm) Connect with Bryan SteeleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-steele-ks/ Want to join with other like minded entrepreneurs? Visit the Good Humans Growth Network for connections and support (and sign up for the next conference): https://www.theghgn.com/

    25 min

  2. FEB 11

    Unlocking Podcast Potential: Insights with Bryan Steele

    What if the content strategy you've been putting off could turn a seven-call sales cycle into a single conversation? Bryan Steele of Forge Podcast Company joins me to dismantle the myths holding micro business owners back from launching their podcasts. We explore why giving away your best content actually builds trust faster than any sales funnel, how to overcome the perfectionism that keeps you waiting for "someday," and why your very specific niche is actually your greatest advantage. Whether you're convinced podcasting is "too late" or you're paralyzed by imposter syndrome, this conversation will show you why consistency beats perfection, and how the right 50 listeners can be more powerful than 70,000 followers. Highlights • Why holding back your best content is the opposite of what you should do in podcasting • The real story behind a one-call close that happened because a prospect listened to five podcast episodes • How podcasting builds trust faster than blog posts, TikToks, or traditional sales meetings • Why 70% of podcasts never make it past episode 10—and how that creates opportunity for you • The two essential pillars every founder needs to understand before launching a podcast • Why "done is better than perfect" applies to podcasting just like every other aspect of building a business • How to get specific with your niche using at least three distinctives • When in your business journey you should actually start considering a podcast • The leading vs. lagging indicators that matter when you're just starting out • Why authenticity and imperfection are actually what listeners want to hear Chapters 0:00 - Introduction to Bryan Steele and Podcasting1:30 - The Paradigm Shift: Give Away Your Best Stuff4:22 - Success Story: The One-Call Close7:47 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Fear of Imperfection11:48 - Learning Through Practice: The Diary of a CEO Example14:51 - Podcasting as a Metaphor for Business Growth18:36 - Done is Better Than Perfect21:40 - Leading vs. Lagging Indicators in Podcasting28:25 - When to Start Considering a Podcast31:51 - It's Not Too Late: The Numbers Behind Podcasting Opportunity36:15 - Building Trust Through Consistency40:49 - The Power of Authenticity Over Polish42:33 - Bryan's Workshop Framework: Two Pillars of Podcasting50:20 - Getting Specific with Your Niche53:45 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Bryan Resources Forge Podcast CompanyWebsite: forgepodcast.co Connect with Bryan SteeleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-steele-ks/ Want to join with other like minded entrepreneurs? Visit the Good Humans Growth Network for connections and support (and sign up for the next conference): https://www.theghgn.com/

    58 min

  3. FEB 4

    Wealth Wisdom: Transforming Your Business into a Legacy with Jason Lee

    What if the business you're building is actually your greatest financial asset—but you're treating it like just another job? Jason Lee, Vice President at Exponent Prosperity Advisors, challenges entrepreneurs to shift their mindset from survival mode to wealth-building mode. Whether you're grinding through your first few years or already generating serious revenue, Jason reveals why most founders accidentally sabotage their path to financial freedom—and exactly what to do about it. From the surprising income threshold that puts you in the top 1% to the delegation decisions that make or break your future exit strategy, this conversation will change how you think about money, time, and the true purpose of entrepreneurship. HIGHLIGHTS • The paradigm shift: Your business isn't a job—it's your greatest financial asset • Why most entrepreneurs leave corporate life but accidentally recreate the same limitations • The delegation trap: How holding onto $60K tasks prevents you from building million-dollar value • What it really takes to be in the top 1% of earners (the number might surprise you) • The 18-24 month timeline: Why building wealth infrastructure takes longer than you think • How guilt around money keeps good entrepreneurs from achieving the freedom they started their business for • The "start with the answer" principle: Defining your exit before you're drowning in daily operations • Why your first 2-5 years will be chaotic no matter how much advice you follow—and what to focus on anyway CHAPTERS [00:00] Introduction to Jason Lee and Exponent Prosperity Advisors [01:38] The Paradigm Shift for Founders [04:15] Understanding Wealth and Entrepreneurial Motivation [08:00] The Importance of Delegation and Vision [11:24] Challenges and Strategies for Wealth Accumulation [15:43] Mindset and Identity in Wealth Building [18:34] Setting the 1% Mindset [18:58] Advanced Tax Strategies [19:25] Leveraging Net Worth [20:22] The Importance of Financial Independence [21:52] Aspirational Goals and Planning [25:49] The Entrepreneurial Journey [27:19] Building a Comprehensive Plan [30:35] Investing in People [35:42] Overcoming Money Struggles [36:47] Conclusion and Contact Information RESOURCES MENTIONED • Exponent Prosperity Advisors - https://exponentx.net • Jason Lee on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonleeexponent/ • Email: jlee@exponentx.net • C12 Group - Christian CEO peer advisory organization - https://www.joinc12.com/ • Katherine Pomerantz - Guest on Episode 2 Want to join with other like minded entrepreneurs? Visit the Good Humans Growth Network for connections and support: https://www.theghgn.com/

    38 min

  4. JAN 28

    From Overwhelm to Clarity: A Marketing Masterclass with Dana Casto

    Are you drowning in random marketing tactics that aren't producing the qualified leads you need? You're not alone. Most micro business owners struggle with marketing overwhelm—posting on every social platform, buying ads before speaking events, and outsourcing Instagram to whoever's available. But what if the solution isn't doing more, but doing less with greater clarity? I sit down with my friend Dana Casto, a fractional Chief Marketing Officer who works with consultants and coaches, to tackle the marketing chaos that keeps business owners up at night. Dana shares his three-part framework—a Venn diagram approach that anyone can use to stop doing random acts of marketing and start producing real results. You'll learn why narrowing your focus is actually the secret to scaling, how to identify where your audience really is, and the exact sequence to follow before making your first marketing hire. If you're ready to move from scattered efforts to strategic growth, this conversation will change how you think about marketing forever. HIGHLIGHTS • The three biggest marketing mistakes: fragmentation, reactivity, and misalignment • The 1-1-1 rule: one audience, one problem, one channel • Why joy matters in choosing your marketing channels (and how it's like choosing a workout you'll actually do) • Dana's three-circle Venn diagram for finding your marketing sweet spot: what you're exceptional at, what people will buy, and what brings you joy • The critical sequence for your first marketing hire: clarity first, then strategy, then implementation • Why marketing is a long game, not a quick win—and how small adjustments beat hard resets • How to know if you should focus on email, LinkedIn, or another channel based on what you actually enjoy • The most expensive misunderstanding: hiring implementers before you have a strategy CHAPTERS 0:00 - Introduction: Meet Dana Casto, Fractional CMO 1:30 - The Marketing Paradigm Shift: Do Less, Not More 3:45 - The Three Marketing Mistakes: Fragmentation, Reactivity, and Misalignment 8:15 - The 1-1-1 Rule: One Audience, One Problem, One Channel 10:30 - Finding Your Marketing Channel: What Brings You Joy? 14:20 - The Three-Circle Venn Diagram Framework 18:45 - Dana's Journey to Focusing on Strategy 21:00 - Why Email Marketing Works (and Why We Love It) 28:30 - The Power of LinkedIn Comments for Relationship Building 31:15 - Your First Marketing Hire: The Expensive Mistakes to Avoid 35:40 - Clarity → Strategy → Implementation: The Right Sequence 38:20 - Demystifying Marketing Strategy 41:30 - Where to Find Dana + Final Thoughts on Intentional Growth RESOURCES MENTIONED • Dana Casto's website: whispr.us • Dana Casto on LinkedIn Want to join with other like minded entrepreneurs? Visit the Good Humans Growth Network for connections and support: https://www.theghgn.com/

    25 min

  5. JAN 21

    Money Mastery: Rethinking Financial Mindsets with Katherine Pomerantz

    What if the way you think about money is actually keeping you from building the business you want? As a founder, you're making financial decisions every single day—but most of us are operating with outdated beliefs about what money actually is and how it works. Katherine Pomerantz, fractional CFO and tax strategist, reveals that money isn't something you earn and keep—it's a flowing force that needs to be assigned jobs, just like a teammate. Through her Money Storyteller Method, Katherine helps personal brands, speakers, and consultants understand the three roles money plays in their business story: teammate, treasure, or villain. When you cast money in the wrong role, you delay success, give away your power, or worse—burn out trying to reach a finish line that keeps moving. Katherine shares how to identify your money mindset, organize your financial data, and map a path to the lifestyle and freedom you actually started your business to create. HIGHLIGHTS • Money is a flowing force (currency = current) that cannot stand still—your cash flow statement will never be zero • The three roles money plays in your story: teammate (effective), treasure (delays success), or villain (gives away power) • Making money the "treasure" shows up as "I'm not ready yet" or "I need to earn/deserve this first" • Making money the "villain" sounds like "I could never charge that much" or "my clients will always be demanding" • Every life event—positive or negative—has a significant financial consequence, creating financial trauma that shapes our decisions • The average wedding costs $27,000; financial stress isn't about the money itself but about the emotions we attach to it • Taxes are the biggest expense you'll pay in your lifetime—you need a smart system so you work for yourself, not the government • Having clean financial data isn't enough; you need it organized in a way that helps you make strategic decisions • The Money Storyteller Method has three pillars: Money Story (mindset), Money Systems (data), and Money Map (strategy) • You don't stop being the chief of everything—you just become a smarter one CHAPTERS 0:00 - Introduction: Understanding Founders' Mindset About Money 1:09 - The True Nature of Money: It's Always Moving 3:50 - Money as a Teammate: Assigning Jobs to Money 7:34 - The Hero's Journey: Storytelling and Money 10:39 - Common Money Archetypes: Treasure and Villain 18:10 - Financial Trauma and Its Impact on Money Mindset 21:18 - Integrating Professional Services with Storytelling 24:43 - Practical Steps for Founders: Financial Help and Assessments 26:54 - Conclusion: Becoming a Smarter Chief of Everything RESOURCES MENTIONED • Money Storyteller Method Assessment - Take the 10-minute assessment to get your Money Storyteller score across all three pillars (money story, money systems, money map) • GROW 2026 Conference - Katherine Pomerantz will be offering Financial Readiness Review sessions in her consulting corner • StoryBrand - Business storytelling framework referenced in the episode • Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey - The storytelling research that forms the foundation of Katherine's money framework Want to join with other like minded entrepreneurs? Visit the Good Humans Growth Network for connections and support: https://www.theghgn.com/

    22 min

  6. JAN 14

    Branding Mastery for Small Businesses: Insights with Sarah Sears

    We often think branding is just logos and colors—something to tackle "later" when we have a budget. But the truth is, without a clear brand strategy from the start, you're wasting precious hours every single day making decisions that should already be systematized. Sarah Sears, founder and principal of S Design, joins me to break down what branding really means for small business owners and why it's so much more than visual identity. We explore the uncomfortable truth that your business will evolve over years (not months), why designing for yourself instead of your customer is a costly mistake, and how brand strategy connects to everything from sales to hiring. Sarah shares practical advice on creating systems that save time, the power of consistency, and why trusting your gut about brand misalignment is actually strategic intelligence at work. Highlights Brand is the perception customers and stakeholders have about you—not just your logo and colorsThe evolution of your business takes years, and trying to shortchange this process always backfiresBrand strategy is fundamentally about differentiation: solving problems differently and aligning with what customers actually needThe biggest waste of money is not having a branding system in place—teams waste time daily rethinking tone, messaging, and visual decisionsYour purpose lasts forever, values anchor to purpose, but mission and goals evolve over timeBrand strategy and business strategy should align like two strands of DNAThat "nagging feeling" when something doesn't feel right is brand misalignment—trust your intuitionDesign thinking is iterative: gather research, reflect, incorporate, and continuously improveSchedule regular time (monthly or weekly) to reflect on what you're learning about your brand and businessChapters 0:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 1:12 - The Importance of Branding for Small Businesses 2:17 - Understanding Brand Strategy 5:30 - Differentiation and Customer Alignment 6:51 - Brand Identity and Consistency 10:07 - Common Branding Mistakes and Solutions 15:27 - Evolving Your Brand and Continuous Improvement 19:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned S Design Inc. - Sarah Sears' branding agency: sdesigninc.comSarah Sears on LinkedInChatGPT Want to join with other like minded entrepreneurs? Visit the Good Humans Growth Network for connections and support: https://www.theghgn.com/

    21 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

When you’re wearing every hat—from sales and marketing to operations and HR—you aren't just the founder; you're the bottleneck. If you are struggling to scale your business without losing your sanity, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Catherine Brown, Chief of Everything is designed to help founders trade the "all-the-hats" hustle for high-impact growth. In each episode, we interview subject matter experts who have been exactly where you are. We skip the fluff and distill years of expensive mistakes into essential principles you can use to make your business more efficient and your leadership more effective.

Information