The CEOpeek Show

Dave Osh
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The CEOpeek Show is a podcast where exceptional leadership stories unfold. Hosted by Dave Osh, this podcast brings you intimate, deep-dive conversations with some of the most admired CEOs in the corporate world—leaders whose companies consistently earn stellar Glassdoor ratings (typically around 4.5 stars) and impressive Glassdoor CEO approval rates higher than 90%. Now in its third season with over 60 episodes published, The CEOpeek Show has evolved into long-form, authentic discussions, uncovering the raw, honest realities of leadership. Our guests courageously share their personal journeys, struggles, defining moments, and the unique “secret sauce” behind their remarkable success. Given the anonymity of Glassdoor reviews, consistently outstanding ratings from current and former employees reflect truly exceptional leadership**,** making these conversations uniquely insightful. Your host, Dave Osh, is no stranger to executive excellence. As a former CEO who led multinational teams across 34 countries—including living in dynamic markets such as Israel, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Silicon Valley—Dave has an extensive background in guiding leaders through transformational growth. Today, he coaches senior executives in Fortune 500 corporations, mid-sized tech firms, and innovative unicorn startups, positioning them to transcend their personal and organizational potential. Dave is also the author of the influential book CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team, and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, further enriching the depth and quality of conversations you’ll experience here. The CEO Peek Show reveals the behind-the-scenes of outstanding leadership, shares the experiences of top-tier CEOs, and uncovers insights that can profoundly elevate your leadership potential.

  1. Sep 9

    First-Time CEO Learning Curve with Steven DeMaayer, CEO of Novatech

    What happens when decades of executive experience meet the CEO chair for the first time? Steven DeMaayer stepped into his role as CEO of Novatech with more than 25 years of experience in managed IT and senior leadership. Yet his first year reinforced something counterintuitive: becoming CEO doesn't mean having more answers. It requires becoming more comfortable admitting what you don't know. In this conversation, Steven and Dave Osh explore the transition from experienced executive to first-time CEO—and the leadership shifts that come with it. Steven shares why he spent his first 90 days learning rather than arriving with a predetermined plan, traveling to all 18 Novatech locations and listening to employees throughout the organization. He reflects on learning to give up control of execution without giving up accountability for outcomes, building trust with a new leadership team, and navigating the expectation that the CEO should somehow know everything. They also explore a different challenge: moving from an optimization mindset to a growth mindset. Steven discusses why companies can't optimize their way to sustained top-line growth, the role of experimentation in creating organic growth, and how Novatech is evolving as AI rapidly changes both its industry and its clients' needs. Ultimately, Steven returns to one lesson from his first year: curiosity requires humility. If a CEO needs to appear as though they already have the answers, they may stop asking the questions that help them find better ones. This episode is about letting go of control, staying curious, and discovering what changes when an experienced leader becomes a first-time CEO. About Steven DeMaayer:  Steven DeMaayer is CEO of Novatech, a nationwide provider of managed office solutions spanning IT, print, cloud, and security. Before joining Novatech in 2025, Steven held senior leadership roles at Blue Mantis, Carousel Industries, Wipro, Dimension Data, and HP. He brings more than 20 years of IT services leadership experience and holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration from the University of Florida. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    First-Time CEO Learning Curve with Steven DeMaayer, CEO of Novatech

  2. Jun 9

    Beyond the First Answer with James Freeman, CEO of PJ Fitzpatrick

    What if the most important conversation is the one happening beneath the words? James Freeman, CEO of PJ Fitzpatrick, believes great leadership begins by asking “the question beyond the question.” Instead of accepting the first answer, he teaches leaders to look deeper—to uncover potential, understand what truly matters to people, and help them become more than they thought possible. Since becoming CEO in 2020, James has led PJ Fitzpatrick through extraordinary growth while preserving a culture centered on trust, intentionality, and people development. Under his leadership, the company has expanded from 150 to 800 employees, grown revenue more than twelvefold, and earned one of the highest employee approval ratings in the country. In this conversation, James and Dave Osh explore why kindness is a leadership choice, why failure is an essential part of growth, how leaders create cultures where people thrive, and why developing people—not managing them—is the ultimate competitive advantage. This episode is about leading with intention, seeing the person behind the role, and discovering the potential that often lies just beneath the first answer. About James Freeman James Freeman is the CEO of PJ Fitzpatrick, one of the leading home remodeling companies in the United States. Since taking the helm in 2020, he has led the company’s remarkable growth while building a people-first culture recognized nationally for employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and leadership excellence. James was named Power100’s #1 CEO in America in both 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. He was an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist in 2024 and 2026. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    Beyond the First Answer with James Freeman, CEO of PJ Fitzpatrick

  3. May 5

    Leading Through Uncertainty with Daria Leshchenko, CEO of SupportYourApp

    What does leadership look like when “normal” no longer exists? Daria Leshchenko, CEO and Managing Partner of SupportYourApp, leads a global organization across rapidly changing environments while continuing to scale an international business and distributed teams around the world. Taking over the company at just 21, Daria scaled it into a multinational operation with over 1,200 people across 8 global hubs, serving more than 250 clients in over 30 countries. Along the way, she co-founded additional ventures in AI data and talent solutions, building a portfolio of fast-growing companies. In this conversation, Daria and Dave Osh explore what it takes to lead when uncertainty becomes constant, how to build resilient global teams, and why mindset becomes one of the most important leadership tools in rapidly changing environments. Daria shares how she approaches leadership as a game, how she maintains momentum through complexity and pressure, and why adaptability, emotional intelligence, and perspective are essential in today’s world. This episode is about resilience, perspective, and redefining what leadership means when the environment is constantly evolving. About Daria Leshchenko Daria Leshchenko is CEO and Managing Partner of SupportYourApp, a global Support-as-a-Service company providing technical support and CX solutions to fast-growing businesses worldwide. She took over the company at age 21 and scaled it into a multinational organization with over 1,200 team members across 8 hubs and clients in more than 30 countries. Daria is also the co-founder of Label Your Data and Outstaff Your Team, and was named to Inc.’s 200 Female Founders list in 2023. A passionate advocate for innovation and emotional intelligence, she is a frequent contributor to major global publications and a speaker at international conferences. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    Leading Through Uncertainty with Daria Leshchenko, CEO of SupportYourApp

  4. Mar 17

    The Leadership Mistake That Breaks Teams with Anthony Romano, CREtelligent CEO

    What quietly destroys teams inside otherwise successful companies? Not bad strategy. Not market pressure. But something much closer to home. Anthony Romano has spent more than 15 years leading growth and transformation across the real estate finance and mortgage technology industries. Today, he serves as CEO of CREtelligent, a commercial real estate due diligence and risk management firm he joined to lead its strategic and digital transformation. Throughout his leadership journey—from executive roles at CoreLogic and First American Financial to building companies of his own—Anthony has seen a consistent pattern: organizations struggle not because they lack strategy, but because their culture allows internal competition to erode trust. In this conversation, Anthony and host Dave Osh explore the leadership behaviors that shape culture—and why the most successful organizations create environments where people support each other rather than compete internally. Anthony also shares a personal reflection from his own family life that unexpectedly shaped how he thinks about teamwork, trust, and leadership. Why it matters: Strategy may define direction, but culture determines whether people actually move together. In this episode, we discuss: Why internal competition quietly weakens organizationsHow leaders unintentionally create cultural frictionThe connection between trust, alignment, and performanceWhy the strongest teams operate with mutual support rather than rivalry About Anthony Romano Anthony Romano is the CEO of CREtelligent, a commercial real estate due diligence and risk management firm. A veteran of the real estate finance and mortgage technology sectors, he previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at First American Financial and Executive Vice President at CoreLogic. Earlier in his career, Anthony co-founded CustomerLink Systems, a CRM technology platform, and was named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Bay Area Award finalist. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    The Leadership Mistake That Breaks Teams with Anthony Romano, CREtelligent CEO

  5. Mar 4

    The Power of Authentic Leadership with Krista Snelling, CEO of West Coast Community Bank

    What does it really mean to lead with authenticity, especially when everything you say and do could be scrutinized? Krista Snelling, CEO and Chairman of West Coast Community Bank, has spent nearly three decades in banking and leadership. In an industry built on trust, regulation, and reputation, she has learned that leadership isn’t about managing perception—it’s about consistency of character. In this conversation, Krista and Dave Osh explore the reality of leading under constant visibility, why integrity is not situational, and how small daily decisions shape long-term credibility. We also discuss the pressure leaders face to “perform” the role, and why authenticity is not a soft concept—but a strategic necessity. Krista shares insights from her journey from CFO to CEO, how she navigates high-stakes leadership with clarity and discipline, and why doing the right thing consistently eliminates the need to manage optics later. This episode is a reminder that leadership is always on display—and that trust is built long before it’s tested. About Krista Snelling Krista Snelling is Chairman and CEO of West Coast Community Bank, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in banking, finance, and executive leadership. She previously served as COO and CFO of Five Star Bank and has been recognized multiple times by American Banker and the Silicon Valley Business Journal for her impact in the industry. Krista serves on the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank’s Home Office Board and holds degrees in economics from the University of the Pacific and UC Davis. About Dave Osh Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    The Power of Authentic Leadership with Krista Snelling, CEO of West Coast Community Bank

  6. Mar 3

    When Being Right Holds You Back with Conor Bagnell

    What if the very thing that got you promoted is the thing that now limits your leadership? When Conor Bagnell stepped into the top role at MHK, part of the Hearst Health network, he did what high performers do — he provided answers. When his team asked for alignment, he went away, built the strategy himself, and brought it back. What he got in return wasn’t momentum. It was silence. That moment forced a deeper realization: at the enterprise level, leadership isn’t about being right. It’s about building shared ownership. In this episode, Conor and I explore the shift from expert to enterprise leader, why premature clarity can undermine alignment, and how productive disagreement strengthens executive teams. We also unpack how meditation shaped his self-awareness, why new CEOs should resist the urge to make immediate decisions, and how trust grows when leaders create space rather than control outcomes. If you’ve built your career on being the smartest person in the room, this conversation may challenge you. About Conor Bagnell Conor Bagnell is President of MHK, part of the Hearst Health network, where he leads strategy and operations in the healthcare technology space. With a background in engineering and product leadership, he has spent over 15 years serving health plans and provider organizations, focused on innovation, alignment, and customer impact. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    When Being Right Holds You Back with Conor Bagnell

  7. Feb 24

    When Failure Becomes Your Advantage with Keith Miller

    What if the moments that hurt the most are the ones that quietly shape you into the leader you become? Keith Miller doesn’t define his leadership by success. He defines it by recovery. In this episode, Keith reflects on the setbacks that tested him — the operational missteps, the financial pressures, and the hard lessons that forced him to grow faster than he wanted to. Instead of hiding those moments, he explains how they strengthened his judgment, sharpened his instincts, and deepened his commitment to servant leadership. We explore what it takes to build loyalty in a high-growth organization, how to choose the right capital partners, why silos quietly destroy performance, and how resilience is built in real time — not in hindsight. This is a conversation about discipline. About humility. And about understanding that failure, when faced directly, becomes an advantage. About the Guest Keith Miller serves as President of Partnerships for Dentists (P4D). With more than 28 years of executive experience across retail and retail healthcare, Keith has built and scaled high-growth platforms through disciplined execution and a servant leadership culture. Before joining P4D, he served as President of Legacy ER & Urgent Care, tripling the company’s size through strategic acquisitions and building the infrastructure for continued expansion. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    When Failure Becomes Your Advantage with Keith Miller

  8. Jan 20

    Choosing Courage When Certainty Is Gone with Ernesto Aguilar

    What happens when playing it safe starts costing more than taking the risk? Ernesto Aguilar has spent more than three decades leading through complexity—scaling firms, integrating acquisitions, and making decisions where certainty was never guaranteed. In this conversation, Ernesto reflects on the moments when caution felt responsible—but courage turned out to be essential. We talk about fear not as something to eliminate, but as something to work with. Ernesto shares how experience, loss, and long-term perspective reshaped the way he approaches leadership, growth, and responsibility—not just to the business, but to the people inside it. This episode explores why meaningful progress often requires discomfort, how regret quietly accumulates when leaders delay hard choices, and why courage becomes clearer with time—even if it never gets easier. Ernesto spoke about leading without false confidence, building an employee-centric culture in a fast-growing organization, and why integration—not expansion alone—is the real work of growth. About the guest Ernesto Aguilar is the CEO of Ardurra Group, Inc., a national architectural and engineering consulting firm. A seasoned Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience, Ernesto brings deep expertise across operations, business development, project delivery, and M&A integration within the AE industry. As CEO, he leads Ardurra’s organic and acquisitive growth strategy with a sharp focus on culture, quality, and long-term value creation—drawing from his experience leading private, public, and private equity-backed organizations. About the Host Dave Osh is the founder of Varlinx and a transformation catalyst dedicated to evolving leadership potential and creating a ripple effect of unity in our divided world. His conversations surface practical, human strategies leaders can use tomorrow. Dave is the author of The CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, and is known for his TED talk, Overcoming Bias to Unite Our Divided World.

    Choosing Courage When Certainty Is Gone with Ernesto Aguilar
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About

The CEOpeek Show is a podcast where exceptional leadership stories unfold. Hosted by Dave Osh, this podcast brings you intimate, deep-dive conversations with some of the most admired CEOs in the corporate world—leaders whose companies consistently earn stellar Glassdoor ratings (typically around 4.5 stars) and impressive Glassdoor CEO approval rates higher than 90%. Now in its third season with over 60 episodes published, The CEOpeek Show has evolved into long-form, authentic discussions, uncovering the raw, honest realities of leadership. Our guests courageously share their personal journeys, struggles, defining moments, and the unique “secret sauce” behind their remarkable success. Given the anonymity of Glassdoor reviews, consistently outstanding ratings from current and former employees reflect truly exceptional leadership**,** making these conversations uniquely insightful. Your host, Dave Osh, is no stranger to executive excellence. As a former CEO who led multinational teams across 34 countries—including living in dynamic markets such as Israel, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Silicon Valley—Dave has an extensive background in guiding leaders through transformational growth. Today, he coaches senior executives in Fortune 500 corporations, mid-sized tech firms, and innovative unicorn startups, positioning them to transcend their personal and organizational potential. Dave is also the author of the influential book CEO Potential: Transcend Self, Team, and Organization for Lasting Success in the New Age of AI, further enriching the depth and quality of conversations you’ll experience here. The CEO Peek Show reveals the behind-the-scenes of outstanding leadership, shares the experiences of top-tier CEOs, and uncovers insights that can profoundly elevate your leadership potential.

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Osh
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Varlinx
  • Show Website
    The CEOpeek Show