Smashing the Plateau

Smashing the Plateau
  • 5.0 (160)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Smashing the Plateau features candid conversations with experienced professionals who are building businesses around their expertise and creating greater control over their work and their lives. Many of our guests are corporate refugees who transitioned from employment to entrepreneurship, often continuing to build on the expertise and experience they developed over many years in their field. Others have spent years building independent practices and are continuing to make decisions about how they want their businesses, and their lives, to evolve. Each conversation explores the decisions that shape an independent business. Guests share what they have learned about positioning, growth, marketing, clients, focus, money, relationships, and the many other choices that come with building something of your own. But experience doesn't make every decision easier. Inside organizations, important decisions rarely happen entirely alone. Colleagues test assumptions, provide context, share experience, and help us see situations from different perspectives. When you become independent, much of that support disappears. That's why collective intelligence matters. Through hundreds of conversations with experienced professionals, we've seen how collective intelligence can strengthen our thinking when trusted people ask good questions, challenge assumptions, share different perspectives, and help us see what we might miss on our own. What you'll find on Smashing the Plateau: • Candid stories from experienced professionals building businesses around their expertise • Practical insights drawn from real business decisions and experiences • Different perspectives on the choices independent professionals face • Ideas that can help you reflect more deeply and make better decisions • Conversations about community, trusted relationships, and the value of thinking with others If you're building a business around your expertise and want greater control over your work and your life, Smashing the Plateau offers ideas, experiences, and perspectives to help you think more clearly about the decisions that matter. Take the next step: Better decisions begin with seeing your situation more clearly. Get the free SMASH System™ Self-Assessment at https://SmashingThePlateau.com/clarity.

  1. 6d ago

    When Outside Perspective Changes Everything — Kyle Romaniuk

    Kyle Romaniuk is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author of EMBARK: Providing the Refraction Pathway, a Proven Framework for Organizational Growth. Over a full career spanning more than 30 years, Kyle has built businesses across industries, worked with iconic brands including Red Bull, Scotiabank, and GoodLife Fitness, and earned a spot on WIRED Magazine's Top 100 New Products of the Year list. A career shaped by many rich influences, he now channels that experience as founder of FRAKXION, helping founder-led businesses scale with intention. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how fractional leadership can help your business scale smarter — and why it might be the most overlooked growth strategy for founder-led companies. Kyle and I discuss: How Kyle's entrepreneurial journey started [02:31]What motivated Kyle to build FRAKXION [05:01]How Kyle recognized he was the bottleneck in his own business [06:01]The key difference between fractional leaders and consultants [07:40]Why hiring fractional may be smarter than hiring full-time [08:15]A real client success story [10:50]How fractional leaders bring impartiality to complex decisions [14:01]Trends in mid-career professionals choosing the fractional model [16:46]How to build a support community as an independent professional [20:04] Learn more about Kyle at https://www.frakxion.com/. ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

  2. Aug 10

    Structure Without a Safety Net — Daria Rudnik

    Daria Rudnik is a Team Architect and Executive Leadership Coach — and the author of Clicking, a practical framework for building high-performing teams that don't depend on the leader to function. A former Chief People Officer and ex-Deloitte professional with 15 years of international experience in tech and telecom, she has helped leaders across six continents navigate financial crises, wars, and COVID-19. Today she works with executives and HR leaders who are building teams that can perform — and hold together — in an AI-driven world. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to build high-performing teams and a resilient independent career that doesn't depend on institutional support. Daria and I discuss: What drew Daria to entrepreneurship after a fast-rising corporate career [03:41]Why a corporate job is no longer the safe choice [05:15]What independents get wrong about building a team [08:45]Why shared understanding is the foundation of every strong team [09:56]The role of well-designed processes in making delegation work [10:28]The five elements of high-performing teams from her book Clicking [12:48]How Daria navigates plateaus and keeps moving forward [15:13]Why optimism and perseverance are non-negotiable for entrepreneurs [16:05]How to build a peer support network outside of corporate [18:18]What makes a community worth being part of [20:20]Why building a parallel career is the smartest first step [21:37] Learn more about Daria at https://dariarudnik.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariarudnik/. ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

  3. Aug 3

    The Limits of Analysis — Boudewijn Bertsch

    Bou is a leadership consultant who helps his clients discover how to bring out the best in themselves and others. He designs and delivers customized leadership development workshops for executive teams around the globe, and also has a thriving executive and life coaching practice. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to trust your inner knowing and use community to navigate the complex decisions that come with building an independent career. Bou and I discuss: The difference between conceptual and non-conceptual knowing [00:04:48]How the Cynefin framework explains why analysis alone fails in a complex world [00:19:06]Why leaving corporate can feel like both a terrifying leap and a profound relief [00:08:13]The biological reason hierarchy creates fear and stress [00:09:31]Why community is indispensable for sense-making when the path isn't clear [00:23:06]What Bou wishes someone had told him when he first went solo [00:28:00] Learn more about Boudewijn at https://www.spimanagement.com/. ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

  4. Jul 27

    Unraveling the Matrix — Shanta Inshiqaq

    With more than 25 years of experience in global publishing, Shanta Inshiqaq has built a career leading international sales, marketing, distribution, and strategic growth initiatives for major publishing organizations. She has held senior leadership roles at companies including Penguin, Bloomsbury Publishing, Baker & Taylor, and Columbia Business School Executive Education. Drawing on decades of corporate leadership, relationship building, and market expansion expertise, she now advises publishers and authors through Inshiqaq Global, helping clients navigate growth, partnerships, and industry strategy with practical insight and a global perspective. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how decades of insider experience in a specialized industry can become the foundation for a consulting business built on access, relationships, and trust. Shanta and I discuss: How Shanta's career in publishing began — and why it didn't start the way she planned [02:07]Why her career grew through relationships and reputation rather than job applications [04:32]What it means to be a "starter-upper" and why she kept getting tapped for new roles [11:39]What changed when she left corporate life to run her own business [13:00]Who her ideal clients are and what she helps them do [15:38]How she decides what to say yes and no to as a new business owner [19:04]The role of trusted peers and a small circle of thinking partners [20:40]Her mission to stop gatekeeping and unravel the publishing matrix for clients [23:32] Learn more about Shanta at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanta-inshiqaq and www.inshiqaqglobal.com. ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

  5. Jul 20

    When the Small Market Is Your Advantage — Matthew Davis

    Matthew Neill Davis is an attorney and entrepreneur who led his solely owned firm, Davis Business Law, through over 1,000% growth over ten years, making it one of the very rare law firms ever to make the Inc. 5000 list. With over twenty-five years of experience helping business leaders with their legal and entrepreneurial matters, Davis now teaches them how to deal with their vulnerabilities so they can capitalize on their opportunities through his firm's proprietary Strong Protected Business System. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to grow a professional services business beyond referrals by building digital marketing muscles and surrounding yourself with the right people. Matthew and I discuss: What led Matthew to leave his firm and practice solo [02:26]Why he started a law firm after six years on his own [02:53]How he grew his firm through digital marketing [04:03]His approach to cracking new markets [05:19]Why measuring qualified leads matters more than traffic [08:17]How he learns digital marketing without outsourcing it [09:09]His thoughts on AI and the future of digital marketing [13:34]How he approaches decision-making with his leadership team [16:36]The frameworks and books that guide his thinking [17:24]Where he goes for peer support and trusted advice [18:54]His suggestions for solos who haven't found their tribe yet [21:03] Learn more about Matthew at: https://davisbusinesslaw.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/davisbusinesslaw https://www.facebook.com/davisbusinesslaw ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

  6. Jul 13

    The Second in Command — Derek Fredrickson

    Derek Fredrickson is an American entrepreneur based in Paris and the founder of The COO Solution, a firm that embeds fractional COOs into founder-led businesses as the trusted second-in-command — the bridge between vision and execution. For the better part of two decades, he has helped business owners scale to seven- and eight-figure levels while reclaiming their freedom. His team serves clients across the U.S., the UK, and Europe. Outside of work, he skis the French Alps and pursues a lifelong mission to master French wine. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how embedding a fractional COO into your business can bridge the gap between vision and execution while freeing you to lead at a higher level. Derek and I discuss: How Derek transitioned from Wall Street to entrepreneurship [01:41]What it felt like to leave corporate life and redefine his identity [02:52]How Derek discovered his zone of genius was running other people's companies [06:14]The identity shift of going from COO to CEO of his own firm [06:39]How Derek decides what to say yes and no to [08:01]How to navigate unexpected plateaus in your business [09:34]Why focusing on one client avatar unlocked more traction [11:19]What makes The COO Solution different from matchmaking or placement services [14:44]The role of emotional intelligence in COO leadership [17:17]Why experience-based peer communities matter more than advice [18:35] Learn more about Derek at https://thecoosolution.com/. ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

  7. Jul 6

    The Scarcity We Carry — Larry Kesslin

    Larry Kesslin is an executive coach and business strategist and the author of his fourth book, The Joy Molecule. He focuses on the human side of growth, believing that sustainable success starts from within. His work sits at the intersection of business, philanthropy, and spirituality, guiding others to build meaningful relationships, create impact, and experience more joy in life and work. His mission is to help people connect with themselves, connect with others, and connect to the resources they need to leave the planet better than they found it. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn why smart, driven people often end up unhappy despite outward success, and what it actually takes to build a thriving business as an independent professional. Larry and I discuss: Why high performers in corporate often carry the heaviest load [10:27]What caused Larry to leave a promising corporate career [06:07]The hidden cost of scarcity thinking for new entrepreneurs [17:49]The Five Dots business development system [18:59]Why building strategic advisor relationships matters more than selling [19:39]The enough equation and why comparison kills joy [11:51]Why scarcity is a mental state, not a reality [22:28] Learn more about Larry at http://www.5-dots.com/. ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

  8. Jun 29

    Solving the Wrong Problem — Monica Maltzman

    Monica Maltzman is the author of You Are the Prototype: Own Your Too Much in a World That Wants Less and an advisor on human-centered work. She works with professionals at critical moments in their careers — when their influence is expanding, their authority is being challenged, or their work environment is quietly eroding their clarity and ability to hold their ground. After 15+ years leading global teams across corporations, government, startups, and technology, she identified a pattern most organizations overlook: the hidden human cost created by the way work is experienced day to day. Her work helps people build trust-based influence and reduce the human cost of how they work — so they can stay, grow, or leave from a place of clarity, not pressure. In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to identify the real problem keeping you stuck — and how to move forward from a place of clarity, not pressure. Monica and I discuss: Monica's career journey and transition out of corporate [02:48]Why organizations create corporate refugees [03:45]Her decision to leave Apple and go independent [04:22]The two distinct groups Monica works with [08:00]Why most stuck people are solving the wrong problem [09:33]A client story: building a product nobody could onboard [10:36]How leaders lose their voice in difficult environments [12:28]Plateaus Monica has faced and overcome [14:36]The role of trusted peers and thinking partners [16:37]One piece of advice for early-stage corporate refugees [18:53] Learn more about Monica: Your Next Move Strategy Session with Monica Maltzman: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7RHUL93T9EPGE Website: http://monicamaltzman.com/ You Are The Prototype: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G275NNB8 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamaltzman/ ______________________________________________________________ About Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses. Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you. We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success. ______________________________________________________________ Take the Next Step • Experience the power of peer perspective. Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges: https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest • Stay connected to the conversation. Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: https://smashingtheplateau.com/news

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5
out of 5
160 Ratings

About

Smashing the Plateau features candid conversations with experienced professionals who are building businesses around their expertise and creating greater control over their work and their lives. Many of our guests are corporate refugees who transitioned from employment to entrepreneurship, often continuing to build on the expertise and experience they developed over many years in their field. Others have spent years building independent practices and are continuing to make decisions about how they want their businesses, and their lives, to evolve. Each conversation explores the decisions that shape an independent business. Guests share what they have learned about positioning, growth, marketing, clients, focus, money, relationships, and the many other choices that come with building something of your own. But experience doesn't make every decision easier. Inside organizations, important decisions rarely happen entirely alone. Colleagues test assumptions, provide context, share experience, and help us see situations from different perspectives. When you become independent, much of that support disappears. That's why collective intelligence matters. Through hundreds of conversations with experienced professionals, we've seen how collective intelligence can strengthen our thinking when trusted people ask good questions, challenge assumptions, share different perspectives, and help us see what we might miss on our own. What you'll find on Smashing the Plateau: • Candid stories from experienced professionals building businesses around their expertise • Practical insights drawn from real business decisions and experiences • Different perspectives on the choices independent professionals face • Ideas that can help you reflect more deeply and make better decisions • Conversations about community, trusted relationships, and the value of thinking with others If you're building a business around your expertise and want greater control over your work and your life, Smashing the Plateau offers ideas, experiences, and perspectives to help you think more clearly about the decisions that matter. Take the next step: Better decisions begin with seeing your situation more clearly. Get the free SMASH System™ Self-Assessment at https://SmashingThePlateau.com/clarity.

Information

  • Creator
    Smashing the Plateau
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Smashing the Plateau
  • Show Website
    Smashing the Plateau