The Business of Whats Next

Matthew Shipp
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The Business of What’s Next is a podcast for growth-stage business leaders who are ready to move beyond “busy” and focus on what really drives results. Hosted by Matthew Shipp, facilitator and strategic coach at Emberi Solutions, the show highlights how ambitious leaders make smarter decisions, prioritize the right projects, and set a sustainable rhythm for growth.

  1. Turning Technical Overwhelm Into Scalable Cloud Confidence with Kevin Weber

    5D AGO

    Turning Technical Overwhelm Into Scalable Cloud Confidence with Kevin Weber

    Technology should accelerate growth. Not quietly restrict it. In this episode, Matthew Shipp sits down with Kevin Weber, founder of Polyfortech, to unpack why so many mid-stage companies feel stuck when it comes to cloud migration. The systems may be “working,” but technical debt, manual processes, and fragile infrastructure often create hidden operational drag. Kevin explains how leaders can modernize their infrastructure without overwhelming their teams or disrupting momentum. Kevin operates as a hands-on fractional CTO who doesn’t just advise. He demonstrates. His “see one, do one, teach one” model empowers internal teams to migrate confidently to AWS, reduce fear, and eliminate technical bottlenecks that slow execution. This conversation is a practical roadmap for CEOs, founders, and technology leaders who want scalable systems that support what’s next. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ What technical debt really is and why postponing fixes compounds risk ✅ When a growing business is truly ready for cloud migration ✅ The difference between on-premise disaster recovery and cloud redundancy ✅ Why “click ops” and undocumented systems create hidden leadership risk ✅ How to move from reactive firefighting to automated, self-healing infrastructure ✅ A practical framework to migrate systems without overwhelming your team   Ready to evaluate your cloud readiness? If you’re navigating infrastructure decisions and wondering whether AWS migration makes sense for your business, Kevin offers discovery calls to help you assess your next step. Visit polyfortech.com to schedule a conversation or connect with Kevin directly on LinkedIn. Kevin Weber Polyfortech       Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    35 min
  2. Hiring With Strategy and Kindness: The New Standard for Leadership Teams with Carey Parks

    FEB 18

    Hiring With Strategy and Kindness: The New Standard for Leadership Teams with Carey Parks

    Hiring senior leaders is one of the most strategic decisions a CEO will make. Yet many founders approach it like a staffing task instead of a growth decision. In this episode, we explore why executive hiring often fails and how a lack of clarity, culture alignment, and delegation readiness can stall scaling efforts. Carey Parks, founder of Talent Kind Search, brings decades of experience in executive search and HR consulting. She works with mid-stage businesses to align leadership hiring with long-term strategy, not just immediate workload relief. Her approach blends strategic clarity, culture-first thinking, and intentional leadership development to help CEOs build teams that actually scale. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why strategic hiring starts with defining outcomes, not writing job descriptions ✅ The founder delegation trap and how it sabotages strong leadership hires ✅ How culture alignment directly impacts executive performance ✅ The role of kindness as a strategic leadership advantage ✅ When to consider fractional or contract leadership before full-time hires ✅ Industry shifts in food and beverage that demand smarter hiring strategy If you’re a CEO, founder, or business owner preparing for your next leadership hire, this episode will help you approach executive talent acquisition with clarity and confidence.   Carey Parks Talent Kind Search Instagram Facebook         Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    36 min
  3. Creating long-term value through disciplined, outcome first leadership.

    FEB 4

    Creating long-term value through disciplined, outcome first leadership.

    Growing companies don’t fail because leaders lack vision. They struggle when growth outpaces clarity, alignment, and execution. In this episode of The Business of What’s Next, Matthew Shipp sits down with Rebecca Kay, founder of PIC Operating Group, to explore why many organizations stall after early success—and how outcome-first leadership creates long-term enterprise value. Rebecca shares how her experience across multiple industries shaped a disciplined approach to value creation. Instead of starting with tools, roles, or frameworks, she helps leaders define the desired future state first, assess reality honestly, and prioritize the few initiatives that truly move the business forward. The result is sustainable growth, healthier teams, and companies built to last. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why starting with outcomes beats solution-first thinking ✅ How misalignment and lack of clarity quietly limit growth ✅ The importance of fixing foundations before scaling ✅ Common leadership blind spots in founder-led companies ✅ How reducing founder dependency increases enterprise value ✅ Building systems that support people, not slow them down   Rebecca Kay  PIC Operating Group     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    29 min
  4. From story to strategy turning experience into influence through authorship with Sean Mabry

    JAN 21

    From story to strategy turning experience into influence through authorship with Sean Mabry

    Writing a book isn’t just about sharing what you know—it’s about transforming how people see you. In this episode, we explore how business leaders can use authorship to clarify their message, build authority, and attract new opportunities. Ghostwriter Sean Mabry explains why books still matter, how to overcome writer’s block, and what makes a book truly resonate. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why writing a book is a high-leverage business move ✅ How story structure creates clarity and authority ✅ What most founders get wrong about book planning ✅ The difference between tactical books and transformational ones ✅ Role-playing workshops that build team communication   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mabry-781b39a3/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smabry The Book Clarity Engine: https://book-clarity-engine.lovable.app     Sponsors: Seek Coaching       Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    45 min
  5. Why Your Customers Decide in Seconds: The Biology Behind Effective Brand Messaging with Leo York

    12/17/2025

    Why Your Customers Decide in Seconds: The Biology Behind Effective Brand Messaging with Leo York

    Guest: Leo York, Founder of Leo Copywriting Understanding your audience isn’t just about demographics or market trends. It’s about biology. In this episode, Matthew talks with Leo York about the behavioral side of brand communication—how people make decisions, what captures attention, and why messaging works best when it aligns with instinct rather than guesswork. Leaders often struggle with clarity because they widen their message, rely on gut feel, or try to do everything themselves. Leo breaks down why that happens and how to fix it. Leo brings a background in copywriting and biology, offering a practical view of persuasion grounded in how the brain reacts to visuals, color, urgency, and focus. His approach helps businesses avoid scope creep, strengthen their message, and make better strategic decisions. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why effective messaging starts with human behavior, not clever words ✅ How visuals and color shape perception before anyone reads a sentence ✅ The real reasons leaders get stuck—scope creep, founder syndrome, and decision paralysis ✅ How narrowing your message actually widens your reach ✅ “Outsource productivity, insource creativity” and why it changes growth ✅ Using time, specificity, and urgency to drive customer action ✅ How team alignment strengthens messaging more than solo decision-making If your business is rethinking its messaging or struggling to communicate clearly, this episode gives you a grounded framework to move forward with confidence. LinkedIn Instagram Facebook   Sponsor: Seek Coaching     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    33 min
  6. Why Strategic Thinking Still Outperforms Technology for Growing Businesses with Jake Truemper of Shift

    12/03/2025

    Why Strategic Thinking Still Outperforms Technology for Growing Businesses with Jake Truemper of Shift

    Many leaders jump into tools, technology, or AI before understanding the real problem. In this episode, Matthew talks with Jake Truemper, founder of Shift, about why strategic clarity is still the strongest advantage any leader can build. Jake explains how human-centered strategy helps teams cut through noise, uncover real needs, and make decisions that lead to meaningful progress. He shares how visual planning—whiteboards, maps, prototypes—helps leadership teams align faster and eliminate costly missteps. Jake also walks through examples from healthcare innovation to frontline workflow audits, showing how service design uncovers friction and reveals where time and resources should shift. He closes with insights on why most AI efforts fall short and how leaders can use AI effectively by grounding it in clear strategy. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why leaders rush into solutions—and how to avoid premature decisions ✅ How human-centered strategy reveals real priorities and unmet needs ✅ The role of visual tools in creating alignment and clarity ✅ How service design removes friction and improves performance ✅ Why many AI initiatives fail—and how to apply AI with intention ✅ How stronger strategic thinkers help teams move faster with confidence   Jake Truemper Shift LinkedIn   Sponsors: Seek Coaching     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    23 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    The Simple System That Helps Leaders Beat Mental Overload

    Show Notes Every leader knows the feeling: too much to do, too little clarity. In this solo episode, Matthew Shipp tackles the real reason behind mental overload—and why it’s not your fault. He explores the biological limits of working memory, the hidden weight of cognitive load, and how most productivity advice misses the mark. The good news? There's a system that works with your brain, not against it. Matthew walks through practical strategies to get out of your head and into focused execution—so you can lead your team with clarity and momentum. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why mental overload is biological, not personal ✅ The limits of working memory and how to work around them ✅ A mind dump process that instantly reduces mental clutter ✅ How the 1-3-5 method creates a brain-aligned daily structure ✅ On-radar vs. off-radar lists to stay flexible without losing focus ✅ How to design your day around real cognitive energy—not wishful thinking ✅ Why creating white space is essential for strategic thinking       Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    11 min
  8. From Burnout to Balance: The Leadership Shift Toward Alignment with Stefani Seek of Seek Coaching

    11/05/2025

    From Burnout to Balance: The Leadership Shift Toward Alignment with Stefani Seek of Seek Coaching

    In this episode, host Matthew Shipp talks with Stefani Seek, founder of Seek Coaching (formerly Love the Sell), about how today’s leaders can find clarity, balance, and renewed purpose in their work. After 25 years in corporate sales and leadership, Stefani hit burnout and decided to redefine success on her own terms. Through her 5V’s Methodology, she helps executives and professionals align their values, voice, and vision—bridging the gap between who they are and how they lead. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why achievement without alignment leads to burnout ✅ How subconscious beliefs can quietly limit your growth ✅ The 5V framework for rediscovering purpose and direction ✅ The importance of setting boundaries and protecting your energy ✅ Simple mindset practices to reconnect with your authentic voice ✅ Why alignment, not hustle, is the new measure of success Connect with Stefani Seek: 🌐 seekcoaching.com  📧 stefani@seekcoaching.com LinkedIn     Connect with the HostMatthew Shipp Be a Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewshipp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjshipp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emberisolutions Emberi Solutions: https://emberisolutions.com/ Buy me a coffee ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/mattshipp

    34 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Business of What’s Next is a podcast for growth-stage business leaders who are ready to move beyond “busy” and focus on what really drives results. Hosted by Matthew Shipp, facilitator and strategic coach at Emberi Solutions, the show highlights how ambitious leaders make smarter decisions, prioritize the right projects, and set a sustainable rhythm for growth.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Shipp
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Business of Whats Next
  • Show Website
    The Business of Whats Next