The Founder's Growth Show with John "Small Mountain" Hill

John (AKA Small Mountain) Hill | The Founder's Growth Show

Learn how to grow and scale a business without losing your way. Most business podcasts promise "10x growth," "overnight hacks," and "crushing the competition." But for the founder in the thick of it, those words often feel like more noise in an already loud room. Real growth isn't about moving faster; it's about taking intentional steps built around processes, culture, and leadership. Every week, John (AKA Small Mountain) Hill interviews Founders, Creators, Coaches, and Industry Leaders who have done the work, made the mistakes, and learned how to achieve lasting, sustainable success. No silver bullets or quick fixes; we talk about how they overcame the unsustainable systems, the leadership bottlenecks, and the mental shifts required to build a business that actually serves your life. If you are a founder who feels like you're working harder but gaining less ground, this is your space. No lectures or fluff—just the experienced insights you need to build a resilient, impactful business. New episodes every Thursday. Available in video on YouTube and audio on all major podcast platforms.

  1. 5d ago

    Escaping Founder Burnout, Bad Revenue, & Sales Leadership Pitfalls | Will Aitken

    In this episode of The Founders Growth Show, host John Hill, AKA Small Mountain, sits down with Will Aitken, Sales Trainer, Consultant, and Author, to discuss the realities of transitioning from a high-performing sales role to running your own business. Will breaks down the dangerous trap of "bad revenue," explaining how saying yes to every client opportunity leads to fulfillment friction, burnout, and unsustainable operations. This enlightening conversation explores: Founder mindset, Managing ADHD and focus without relying on crutches, And why traditional quick-fix sales workshops fail to produce real behavioral change in B2B selling teams. Will also shares practical frameworks for maintaining mental resilience, including his daily check-in routine for high-stress founders. If you feel like you're drowning in work that doesn't light you up, Will's founder journey is the compass you need to find your way into a more fulfilling life and business.   Connect with Will Aitken: Website: https://www.willaitken.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@justwillaitken LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justwillaitken/ Book: Gap Prospecting   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch Workshops: Revenue Evolution Workshops

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing The Lindsay Clancy Case, Understanding Postpartum Psychosis from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast The Lindsay Clancy case has captured the nation’s attention, causing heated debate in the national conversation. On January 24, 2023 Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children in her basement and then attempted suicide by jumping from a second-story window in her house. The resulting injuries left her paralyzed from the waist down. After 21 days of testimony from more than 80 witnesses, the jury was not able to reach a unanimous decision. Lindsay Clancy’s defense team has argued that she is not guilty by reason of insanity as she was experiencing postpartum psychosis, while the prosecution argued she committed premeditated first degree murder. Oprah is in Massachusetts for a wide-ranging conversation about the case with an audience including an exclusive interview with Meg Hamp, a nurse who worked alongside Lindsay for 7 years and testified at her trial - plus medical experts, legal scholars and women who have personally experienced postpartum psychosis. Their stories give us a rare, first-hand insight into what it is to experience this challenging mental health issue. Oprah will also talk with social critics who will share their opinions and she will hear speculation on many sides of the case. Oprah has hosted conversations on postpartum depression and psychosis for 40 years with the intention of providing a platform for a mature discussion. This podcast episode contains discussions of murder, suicide, and mental illness that may be upsetting to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast
  3. Sep 3

    Intentional Leadership vs. Mediocre Management | Jesan Sorrells

    Are you driving long-term alignment, or are you hiding behind short-term vanity metrics? In this re-released episode of Founder's Growth, host John Hill (aka Small Mountain) sits down with Jesan Sorrells—author of 12 Rules for Leaders, Podcast Host, and Principal Consultant at Leadership Toolbox—to explore the operational differences between basic task management and intentional leadership. Together, they unpack: Why accidental promotions create hidden friction, How mediocre leadership erodes company culture, How founders can audit their own blind spots, And so much more. Jesan shares practical frameworks for moving past quick-fix tactics, front-loading culture during sales hiring and onboarding, and systematically removing performance roadblocks to help your entire team achieve sustainable growth. If you're ready to step up into true leadership, not just task management, this interview will help you start that climb to success.   Connect with Jesan Sorrells Website: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@leadershiplessonsgreatbooks   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch Workshops: Revenue Evolution Workshops   Episode Topics Differentiating process management from intentional business leadership Uncovering organizational blind spots and personal biases Why mediocre leadership is more toxic to scaling startups than bad leadership Best practices for sales hiring, onboarding, and team accountability Removing performance roadblocks to build a resilient company culture

    Intentional Leadership vs. Mediocre Management | Jesan Sorrells
  4. Aug 27

    The Go-To-Network Playbook: How Warm Intros Beat Cold Outbound with David Connors

    In this episode of The Founder's Growth Show, host John "Small Mountain" Hill sits down with David Connors, Co-Founder and CEO of The Swarm. David breaks down why traditional cold outreach and spray-and-pray outbound sales playbooks are failing and introduces the "Go To Network" paradigm. We explore David's journey from working in-house at Sequoia Capital to founding The Swarm, and we discuss how top-performing startup founders leverage investor networks for hiring, fundraising, and sales growth. David also candidly shares: How he pivoted his business when market dynamics changed, The three core founder archetypes, Why building products with your clients is more beneficial than building on your own, And why fostering long-term relationships creates compounding returns for early-stage companies. If your cold outbound efforts aren't providing the ROI you're looking for, this interview is a masterclass in how to shift your efforts.   Connect with David Connors: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorsdavid/ Website: https://www.theswarm.com/   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill:  Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Revenue Evolution Workshops: https://agsherpa.com/revev   Books/Resources Mentioned: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly

    The Go-To-Network Playbook: How Warm Intros Beat Cold Outbound with David Connors
  5. Aug 13

    Founder Mindset & Resilience: Rebuilding After Burnout and Crisis with Rachel Druckenmiller

    How do founders maintain resilience and clarity when faced with burnout, sudden market shifts, or personal setbacks? In this episode of The Founders Growth Show, host John "Small Mountain" Hill sits down with Rachel Druckenmiller, Keynote Speaker, Professional Singer, and Founder and Leadership Trainer at Unmuted. Rachel shares her journey transitioning from a 13-year corporate career into full-time entrepreneurship, overcoming severe burnout, serious illness, and a life-threatening accident along the way. We explore critical business leadership and founder mindset topics, including: Moving past the performative need to be "the best" to establish genuine authority and a more abundant viewpoint. How to cultivate self-trust and agency through continuous action and evidence-building. Practical strategies for B2B selling and public speaking without losing your authentic identity. Navigating sales friction, adapting during economic uncertainty, and surrounding yourself with high-accountability networks to scale a business. If you feel like you're more of a background character than the main star of your own life, Rachel's phenomenal journey is the motivation you need to raise your hand and make your voice heard.   Connect with Rachel: Website: https://www.racheldruckenmiller.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbdruckenmiller/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.druckenmiller   Connect with John "Small Mountain" Hill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast Book: Selling From Scratch Free Workshops: Revenue Evolution Workshops

    Founder Mindset & Resilience: Rebuilding After Burnout and Crisis with Rachel Druckenmiller
  6. Jul 30

    From Punch Cards to AI: How to Spot Industry Pivots Before You're Left Behind — Humberto Rodriguez

    In this episode of The Founder's Growth Show, host John Hill, AKA Small Mountain, sits down with Humberto "Bert" Rodriguez, CEO and Co-Founder of SupplySoft, to explore what it takes to build operational systems that withstand decades of technological change. Drawing from over 30 years in supply chain technology—from high school punch cards to modern AI and warehouse automation—Humberto breaks down how unwritten rules and key-person reliance create invisible ceilings on business expansion. Founder-Centric Topics Discussed: The Tribal Knowledge Trap: Why relying on key-person memory and knowledge limits operational velocity and how to systemize execution. Value-Based Pricing: Realities of pricing services based on client impact rather than labor hours. Navigating Market Pivots: Transitioning through major tech shifts (DOS to Windows, Cloud/SaaS, AI) without sacrificing business continuity. The Power of Niching Down: Why focusing deeply on a core partner platform beats spreading thin as a generalist. Leadership Without Ego: Implementing operational litmus tests and building a unified, client-focused culture across global remote teams. If you want to know how a business owner can stay successful and ahead of the game for decades, Bert's expertise is what you need.   Connect with Humberto "Bert" Rodriguez: https://www.supplysoft.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/humberto-rodriguez-b3648b4/ Connect with me:  Newsletter: https://podcast.adaptedgrowth.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnblanehill/ Website: https://adaptedgrowth.com/ Revenue Evolution Workshops: https://agsherpa.com/revev

    From Punch Cards to AI: How to Spot Industry Pivots Before You're Left Behind — Humberto Rodriguez

About

Learn how to grow and scale a business without losing your way. Most business podcasts promise "10x growth," "overnight hacks," and "crushing the competition." But for the founder in the thick of it, those words often feel like more noise in an already loud room. Real growth isn't about moving faster; it's about taking intentional steps built around processes, culture, and leadership. Every week, John (AKA Small Mountain) Hill interviews Founders, Creators, Coaches, and Industry Leaders who have done the work, made the mistakes, and learned how to achieve lasting, sustainable success. No silver bullets or quick fixes; we talk about how they overcame the unsustainable systems, the leadership bottlenecks, and the mental shifts required to build a business that actually serves your life. If you are a founder who feels like you're working harder but gaining less ground, this is your space. No lectures or fluff—just the experienced insights you need to build a resilient, impactful business. New episodes every Thursday. Available in video on YouTube and audio on all major podcast platforms.