Realistic CEO Podcast

Realistic CEO

5.0 (3)
Business
Updated Weekly

My high school teacher said it’s unrealistic for me to be a CEO. Now I interview CEOs on my podcast to learn how to be a CEO. My goal for my journey, podcast, public speaking and book is to inspire people to pursue their dreams confidently, no matter what anyone tells them. Learn to be a CEO or become a better CEO with Realistic CEO.

1d ago

EP. 96 | Ali Connor | The Truth About Quitting Your Job & Going All In

In this episode of the Realistic CEO Podcast, the host interviews Ali Connor, owner of Camp K9 Doggy Daycamp & Sleepovers, which provides daycare for about 80 dogs a day and overnight care, plus events like dog birthday parties and holiday visits. Ali shares how she shifted from dreams of radio and broadcasting into entrepreneurship, leaving a corporate job to build Camp K9 after struggling to find consistent care for her own dog. She explains the importance of learning the industry through classes, prioritizing safety training like dog first aid/CPR, and staying current through ongoing courses. Ali discusses early challenges such as being “on” 24/7, balancing life through trusted staff, finding support via online owner groups, and using ChatGPT mainly to refine emails and social posts. She offers advice on finances, planning, networking, pivoting, and interpreting the book’s five types of work and “LBW” (long, lonely, boring work). 00:00 CEO Dream Origin 00:27 Meet Ali Connor 01:06 From DJ to Dog Daycare 02:29 Building Camp K9 03:47 Safety Training Essentials 05:24 Money Advice for Entrepreneurs 06:49 Always On as Owner 09:44 Support Groups That Help 12:40 Using AI at Work 14:15 Quitting Corporate to Go All In 17:03 Hiring the Right Team 19:42 Reading the CEO Book 23:09 Handling Doubters 23:42 Dreams Over Doubt 24:52 Doggy Daycare Naysayers 27:11 Advice Without Support 28:51 Lemonade Stand Basics 29:51 Pivoting Through Change 30:40 Learning To Say No 33:15 Five Types Of Work 36:26 Long Lonely Boring Work 37:54 Helping Kids Believe 40:18 Fun Fact And Farewell 42:48 Support And Next Episode
Aug 2

Ep. 95 | Why Great Cities Invest in Creativity | Karen Finn

In this episode of the Realistic CEO Podcast, the host interviews Karen Finn of the Springfield Cultural Partnership, which connects artists, cultural organizations, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and the city to create opportunities, visibility, and community wellness while treating artists as essential workers. Karen shares her path from Texas to a presidential fellowship in Washington, DC working with the Department of Defense and the Marine Corps, where she learned about integrity, accountability, and organizational camaraderie, then later moving to Western Mass and taking a leap into arts and culture work using her fundraising and policy background. She discusses similarities between her roles, the importance of asking communities what they need, grant writing and value propositions, balancing mission alignment, and adapting programs while honoring community-driven projects like Trust Transfer. The host reads his book “I Am a CEO,” prompting Karen’s reflections on working hard, smart, right, networking, teamwork, and the long, lonely, boring work, and she shares a new pop-up civic space grant and her love of scuba diving. 00:00 CEO Dream Origin 00:22 Meet Karen Finn 00:45 What Cultural Partnership Does 01:38 Karen Journey To Springfield 03:19 DOD Fellowship Lessons 05:42 Grit And Taking Leaps 12:37 Artists Community Impact 14:42 Fundraising Real Talk 17:54 Grant Fit And Storytelling 21:03 Building Programs Process 23:05 Storytime I Am CEO 27:14 Working Hard Defined 27:58 Working Smart Strategies 28:54 Doing Work the Right Way 30:41 Networking With Integrity 31:52 Teamwork and Diverse Teams 33:19 Tackling the LBW Grind 36:48 Pop-Up Civic Space Grant 38:50 How They Won the Grant 43:11 Fun Fact Scuba Diving 45:08 Closing Advice and Thanks
Jul 28

Ep. 94 Glenmeadow_1

On the Realistic CEO Podcast (Future Leaders Edition), the host interviews Adetayo , a 25-year-old vice president of human resources at Glen Meadow, about how she mapped out a career plan starting at 17 through internships, transferable skills, and researching career paths on LinkedIn. Adetayo highlights key skills like communication, being a people person, and networking, and explains how Glen Meadow’s “Kindness first, growth always” culture, CliftonStrengths focus, and leadership team support employee development and resident wellbeing. She shares a person-centered HR approach aimed at “putting the human back in human resources,” offers advice on overcoming imposter syndrome through mentors, writing goals, and confidence, and discusses Gen Z leadership, job mobility, and workplace change. The episode also covers the host’s book “I Am a CEO,” the five types of work, and the LBW (long, lonely, boring work). 00:00 CEO Dream Origin 00:22 Meet Adetayo VP HR 01:24 Fast Track to VP 02:39 Transferable Skills Networking 03:30 Strategic Career Blueprint 05:55 Why Glenmeade Culture 08:41 Human Centered HR 12:36 Gen Z Leadership Mindset 16:44 Beating Imposter Syndrome 18:37 Pivoting After Failure 20:46 Networking Like a Pro 23:02 Book Five Types Work 27:54 LBW Long Lonely Work 28:30 Wins Challenges Fun Fact 30:46 Final Thanks Next Steps
Jul 22

EP. 93 | The Secret to Getting Ahead in Your 20 | Ted Zwinski

In this special Future Leaders episode of the Realistic CEO Podcast, the host interviews Ted, a news producer at WWLP 22 News in Western Massachusetts, about how he got into local media through communications and journalism studies at Western New England University, networking, and experience in college and professional radio. Ted explains why local news is a public service, how stories are found through police departments and scanners, and shares memorable assignments like covering an attempted robbery call and four electric buses on fire in -10° weather. He advises aspiring journalists to build a portfolio, practice on-camera skills, and gain experience interviewing. The conversation also covers cherishing the present, Ted’s career goals, and the host’s Realistic CEO journey and book, including the five types of work and the LBW (long, lonely, boring work), plus a fun fact about ear-wiggling. 00:00 Proving CEO Dreams Real 00:27 Meet Ted the Producer 01:03 Breaking Into Local News 03:22 Chasing Stories Safely 04:47 Favorite Features and Wild Nights 07:07 Advice for Aspiring Journalists 08:34 Radio Roots and Career Lessons 10:20 Future Goals and Mentorship 12:35 Turning No Into Momentum 17:24 Storytime Realistic CEO Book 21:03 Handling Doubt and Staying Driven 23:53 Five Types of Work 27:11 LBW Overnight Grind 28:00 Fun Fact and Farewell
Jul 22

Ep. 92 | Change Your Relationship With Rejection | Julie Phillips

Mikey hosts the Realistic CEO Podcast with guest Julie Phillips, Executive Director of Development at HCC, who leads the alumni and development team within institutional advancement and focuses on storytelling to bring resources like scholarships, emergency funds, labs, and buildings to support students. Julie shares how she entered fundraising through networking and a part-time assistant role in 2010, was recruited to HCC in 2019, and faced major challenges including rapid change, state-institution constraints, and maintaining a positive mindset. She advises Mikey on funding his nonprofit Realistic Lemonade by aligning with mission-matched funders, using data and emotional storytelling, applying broadly, and leveraging LinkedIn and networks. Julie highlights favorite moments at HCC, including a successful pandemic-era Giving Day, a mentorship program with 100% retention, and President George Timmons’ inauguration, and discusses hard work, smart delegation, working right with integrity and data, teamwork, and long, unseen effort. 00:00 Dreaming of CEO 00:22 Meet Julie Phillips 00:38 What Advancement Does 01:37 Finding Fundraising Later 02:40 Career Path to HCC 03:56 Biggest Challenges Today 06:48 Funding a New Nonprofit 09:23 Entrepreneurial Backstory 12:39 Reframing Rejection 15:19 Favorite Wins at HCC 20:29 Mentorship and Representation 21:54 Teachers Build Confidence 24:02 Mentorship That Makes You Grow 26:24 Five Types of Work 26:38 Working Hard Lessons 28:05 Working Smart Boundaries 29:22 Working Right With Data 30:17 Networking Opens Doors 32:17 Teamwork And Crucial Talks 34:06 Long Lonely Boring Work 37:07 Fun Fact Handstands And Clowning 38:39 Final Thanks And How To Support
Jul 1

Ep. 91 | Jawad Khokhar Shares the Financial Secrets Every Small Business Needs

In this episode of the Realistic CEO Podcast, the host interviews Jawad Khokhar of Tyrbrook Financial about what a financial planner does for individuals and entrepreneurs, including business structure reviews, tax planning coordination with CPAs, estate planning, and risk coverage like life and disability insurance. Jawad shares how he moved from college finance studies and retail into banking, got sponsored for licensing, and eventually went independent, describing the long, lonely, boring work of building a book of business and improving work-life balance with calendars and a dedicated office. He explains differences between accountants and planners, common business-owner mistakes like poor bookkeeping and improper entities, and gives an example where switching from an LLC setup to an S-corp structure saved a client about $5–6K. The host reads from his children’s book I Am A CEO and discusses the five types of work, financial literacy in schools, goals to distribute 500,000 books, and a podcast goal of interviewing Shaquille O’Neal. 00:00 Dream to Be CEO 00:23 Meet Jawad 00:41 What a Financial Planner Does 02:40 How He Got Started 05:22 Accountant vs Advisor 07:46 Common Business Mistakes 10:02 LLC vs S Corp 12:50 Boosting Profitability 14:42 Going Independent 17:12 Storytime CEO Book 22:36 Five Types of Work 24:55 LBW and Work Life Balance 26:47 Calendar Balance Hacks 27:25 When School Slips 28:17 Advice To 19 29:18 YouTube Rabbit Holes 31:30 Travel Goals From TikTok 32:20 AI And Future Jobs 34:53 Trade Schools And Taxes 37:34 CEO Impact In Schools 40:54 Books And Reading Plans 42:32 Big Goals And Sponsors 43:15 Dream Guest Shaq 46:14 Podcast Sign Off
Jun 3

EP. 90 | How One Small-Town Coffee Shop Became a Community Powerhouse

The host of the Realistic CEO Podcast shares how a teacher once said becoming a CEO was unrealistic, inspiring a mission to help kids believe their dreams can come true. He interviews Victor Narvaez, co-owner of Good Works Coffee House in downtown Chicopee, a coffee shop built around community impact, partnerships with nonprofits, and internship opportunities for at-risk youth. Victor describes his 11 years as a social worker with the Department of Children and Families, his passion for representation and mentoring adolescents, and why he chose a coffee shop as a community hub. The host reads his children’s book about becoming a CEO and discusses collaboration to inspire students. Victor explains the five types of work—working hard, smart, right, networking, and teamwork—plus LBW (long, lonely, boring work) like weekly inventory, and shares a fun fact: he’s a singer who performed at the Apollo Theater. 00:00 Dream to Be CEO 00:22 Meet Victor 00:42 Good Works Mission 01:09 Social Work Roots 02:58 Mentoring Youth Vision 04:46 Why a Coffee Shop 05:31 Internship Stories 07:34 Storytime Realistic CEO 11:47 Five Types of Work 16:15 Imposter to Impact 19:49 Long Lonely Boring Work 20:30 Fun Fact and Wrap Up 21:07 Support and Next Steps
May 28

EP. 89 | From Wanting a Suit to Becoming a Leader

In this episode of the Realistic CEO Podcast, the host interviews Anne Kandilis, leader of Springfield Works, a citywide collaboration of employers, educators, and residents focused on economic mobility by expanding access, opportunity, and choice. Anne shares her Springfield upbringing, first-generation college path at UMass Amherst while working multiple jobs, early management experience, and career moves from a small accounting firm to the Big Four and beyond, including becoming a tax partner at 38 and later shifting from corporate work to policy and education-focused nonprofit work after consulting with Springfield Public Schools and related initiatives. They discuss helping students understand C-suite roles, the host’s children’s book I Am a CEO, Realistic CEO inspired by being told becoming a CEO was unrealistic, and the “five types of work” (work hard, work smart, work right, networking, teamwork) plus the LBW (“long, lonely, boring work”). 00:00 Proving CEO Dreams Real 00:22 Meet Springfield Works 01:22 From Springfield to Big Four 04:40 Why the Suit Mattered 06:22 Corporate to Community Impact 08:01 The Five Year Career Rule 09:45 Teaching Kids the C Suite 11:25 Making Partner and Lessons 13:29 Reading the Realistic CEO Book 18:37 Why I Wrote This Story 20:32 Teachers and Confidence 22:59 Five Types of Work Explained 29:07 The Long Lonely Boring Work 30:51 Fun Facts and Farewell

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

My high school teacher said it’s unrealistic for me to be a CEO. Now I interview CEOs on my podcast to learn how to be a CEO. My goal for my journey, podcast, public speaking and book is to inspire people to pursue their dreams confidently, no matter what anyone tells them. Learn to be a CEO or become a better CEO with Realistic CEO.

Creator

Realistic CEO
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

98
Rating

Clean
Copyright

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Show Website

Realistic CEO Podcast