Escape the CEO Doom Loop

Glen Dall & John Ninkovich
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Escape the CEO Doom Loop is built for CEOs and leadership teams ready to grow. Each episode delivers practical insights, real-world stories, and tools you can use today to lead with clarity and scale with confidence. We spotlight what’s working—and what’s not—for leaders navigating growth, building culture, and driving accountability.  It’s more than a podcast—it’s a gateway to The CEO Playbook and the next step in becoming the leader your business needs next.

  1. JAN 27

    Episode 15: When Hitting Your Goals Leaves You Asking "Now What?" with Dan Hanson

    Most CEOs do not burn out from lack of effort. They burn out from reacting too fast. Dan Hanson is the CEO of Hanson Remodeling, serving homeowners across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the first ring of suburbs. With a background in business management and philosophy, Dan built the company through hands-on work before shifting his focus to leadership development and long term purpose. Today, his work centers on building a durable culture, developing leaders, and creating a business that lasts beyond the founder. Dan Hanson built a strong company, hit his goals, and still found himself awake at 3 a.m. That was the signal. This conversation is about the shift from gumption to leadership. From solving everything yourself to building people who can. 00:00:00 Pain triggers reactivity or curiosity 00:01:18 Building a company without a clear end goal 00:02:44 Hitting every target and still feeling stuck 00:03:29 Realizing the business could not grow past the CEO 00:04:45 How the Doom Loop shows up at 3 a.m. 00:05:11 When effort becomes the problem 00:06:29 Why calm leadership changes everything 00:07:25 What got you here will not get you there 00:09:16 Develop leaders or replace them 00:11:07 Why swooping in kills leadership growth 00:12:27 Self care as a leadership discipline 00:13:45 Knowing when to put the tools down 00:14:18 How to get out of your head at night 00:15:19 Living in the gap versus the gain 00:17:10 When personal growth creates team chaos 00:19:09 Why CEOs need community 00:20:00 How philosophy shaped decision making 00:21:04 The evolution from money to meaning 00:23:00 Why leadership never feels finished 00:24:22 When success stops being fulfilling 00:27:00 What defines a level five leader 00:29:06 Building something that is not hollow 00:30:07 Imposter syndrome as a growth signal 00:33:20 Doom Loop as regression 00:34:10 Why CEO experience matters in coaching 00:38:17 Accountability as care 00:42:06 Empathy without rescuing 00:45:36 Letting pain teach instead of trigger 00:48:00 Servant leadership is and not or 00:51:16 Letting people go with empathy 00:53:04 Developing thick skin as a CEO 00:56:53 What belongs in the CEO playbook 01:00:07 Pause before you pounce Send us a text

    1h 2m

  2. JAN 12

    Episode 14: Accountability Without Emotion: Building a Values-Driven Business with Philip Chabot

    What happens when a CEO realizes he’s the bottleneck in his own business? In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Philip Chabot, CEO of RSC Mechanical, to talk about the uncomfortable truth every leader faces — when old habits hold back new growth. Phil shares his candid story of stepping into a 500-person family business, struggling with the “Doom Loop,” and rebuilding through accountability, structure, and consistency. He explains how RSC turned its Compass — a simple framework of mission, vision, and values — into a living system that drives culture and clarity across 19 states. If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or executive looking to break free from burnout and lead with focus, this episode delivers the real-world playbook: lean in, write it down, make a plan, and stay consistent. Watch now to learn: How to recognize and escape the CEO Doom Loop Creating accountability systems without emotion Balancing family, business, and leadership growth Why consistency beats intensity every time 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Escape the CEO Doom Loop  02:24 – Meet Philip Chabot, CEO of RSC Mechanical  03:40 – The Family Legacy and Early Lessons in Leadership  06:25 – The Planned CEO Transition  08:05 – “Want vs Will”: The Real Test of Leadership  11:09 – Balancing Family and CEO Responsibilities  15:10 – Recognizing the Doom Loop  17:08 – Escaping It: A Good Plan Beats No Plan  20:47 – Building Accountability Through “The Compass”  23:57 – Culture Over Convenience in a Family Business  26:40 – Maintaining Standards and Communication  32:37 – What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There  35:45 – Scaling with Structure and Data  38:30 – Building Culture That Attracts A-Players  40:30 – Using Data as a Leadership Tool  43:33 – Consistency Drives Profitability  45:36 – Phil’s Advice: Write. Plan. Measure.   51:00 – Closing Thoughts: Consistency Wins Every Time Send us a text

    47 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Episode 13: Carl Saunders on Doubling Revenue, Tripling Profit, and Rebuilding Trust

    Carl Saunders was stuck. Four years of flat revenue. Flat profit. Eighty to one hundred hour weeks. Two top performers asking, “Where is the opportunity here?” Most CEOs know that moment. Few know how to climb out. In this episode, Carl shares how he broke the cycle that was burning him out and stalling the company. His story moves from overwork and fear-driven leadership to a system that transformed the business: daily huddles, transparency, servant leadership, real accountability, and a team that delivered without him in the center. Within four years, Vorum doubled revenue, tripled profitability, and sold the company with a six-month earn-out because the team was running the business, not Carl. If you’re a CEO who feels stuck, this is the roadmap. What You’ll Learn• The Doom Loop defined Flat growth, overwork, and top talent questioning their future. • Why founders stay stuck Fear of failure, over-involvement, “hero mode,” and the belief that effort equals value. • The exact tools Carl used to turn it around Daily huddles Radical transparency Servant leadership one-on-ones • Proof of transformation Revenue doubled. Profitability tripled. Earn-out reduced from two years to six months. • What goes into the CEO Playbook Stop wearing 80-hour weeks like a badge. Lean into personal change. Make accountability visible. Coach your leaders, don’t rescue them. Don’t try to do this alone. • A 30-day roadmap to break the Doom Loop Simple steps any CEO can start now. About Carl SaundersFormer CEO of Vorum, a global medical technology innovator in custom orthopedic devices. Now a full-time Metronomics coach helping CEOs escape the patterns he once lived through. Chapters00:00 Cold Open 00:45 Introduction 02:00 Carl’s Doom Loop Moment 08:00 Why CEOs Get Stuck 12:00 Tools That Break the Loop 22:00 Transformation and Results 28:00 Carl’s CEO Playbook 33:00 Coachability and Resistance 36:00 A CEO’s First 30 Days 39:00 Recap and Close Resources and LinksDownload the free CEO Playbook The frameworks Carl used. The same tools we teach. Subscribe to Escape the CEO Doom Loop Real stories, real systems, straight from CEOs who’ve done the work. About the ShowEscape the CEO Doom Loop is for CEOs and leadership teams ready to grow with clarity, momentum, and purpose. Hosted by Glen Dall and John Ninkovich, each episode brings you practical tools and real-world stories from leaders who’ve built strong companies without sacrificing their sanity. Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gGJHsNT9 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDywEfuc YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gcNmQvA4 #EscapeTheCEODoomLoop #CEOLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #Metronomics #LeadershipSystems #GetUnstuck #CEOPlaybook Send us a text

    37 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    Episode 12: How Ego, Crisis & Coaching Rebuilt Matt Dion's Leadership

    In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with former tech CEO turned coach Matt Dion. Matt shares his unfiltered story of success, burnout, and reinvention through the 2008 financial crisis. He explains how ego and overwork trapped him in a cycle of stress — and how mentorship, structure, and self-awareness helped him escape it. Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or executive looking to lead without losing yourself, this conversation offers real-world wisdom on building teams, embracing conflict, and leading with purpose. Watch now to learn how clarity and courage create freedom. Chapters:  00:00 – Intro & Show Opening  02:17 – Meet Matt Dion: From Tech Startups to CEO  05:10 – The First Rise and Fall  07:11 – Ego and the 2008 Crash  09:50 – Burnout & Hitting Bottom  11:00 – Discovering Coaching and Frameworks  16:47 – Lessons from The Motive  19:02 – Building A-Player Teams  25:18 – From Ego to Purpose  27:19 – Conflict as Data  39:33 – Freedom Through Courage  40:22 – Closing Thoughts & Takeaways Send us a text

    56 min

  5. 11/11/2025

    Episode 11: Pressure Is a Privilege: Josh Barney on Family Business Leadership

    In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Josh Barney, Vice President of JJ Barney Construction. A former attorney who left the courtroom for concrete, Josh shares the story of joining his fourth-generation family business, the challenges of stepping into a future CEO role, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Josh reflects on transitioning leadership from his father, building a dream team, and why he believes construction is a people business. From honoring his great-grandfather’s legacy to shaping a modern company culture, this conversation explores faith, family, and the real meaning of leadership. Watch now to hear how Josh plans to avoid the CEO Doom Loop and what advice he has for leaders carrying the weight of legacy and growth. Chapters:  [00:00:00] Introduction & Setup  [00:03:30] Welcome Josh Barney  [00:04:14] The History of JJ Barney Construction  [00:10:27] Leaving Law for the Family Business  [00:17:41] Building Leadership & Structure  [00:23:24] Challenges of Delegation and Change  [00:40:22] Faith, Family, and Legacy  [00:44:01] Fear, Pressure, and Privilege  [00:46:18] Three Keys to Avoid the CEO Doom Loop  [00:49:25] Closing Thoughts Send us a text

    41 min

  6. 10/28/2025

    Episode 10: From Millions Lost to Millions Gained: Richard Bryan’s Story

    At 28 years old, Richard Bryan was thrown into the CEO seat of his family’s 100-year-old car dealership group — a business losing millions and on the brink of collapse. With 400 employees and 16 family shareholders depending on him, survival became the only goal. In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, Richard shares how he led under immense pressure, the pivotal role his mentor “Frank” played, and the leadership lessons he carries into his work today as a Metronomics coach. From firing C players to building an A-team, Richard’s story is a raw look at what it takes to lead through a crisis. If you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or leader navigating growth and uncertainty, Richard’s journey will challenge and inspire you. Subscribe for more conversations with leaders escaping the Doom Loop. Chapters: [00:00:00] Intro & Guest Welcome [00:06:01] Becoming CEO at 28 [00:07:46] Defining Success as Survival [00:12:00] Six Months of Cash Left [00:13:38] Finding Frank the Mentor [00:18:00] Hard Decisions: Closures & Layoffs [00:29:42] Building an A-Team [00:36:19] From Survival to Growth Vision [00:43:28] Transition to Coaching [00:50:00] Leadership Lessons for CEOs Send us a text

    50 min

  7. 10/07/2025

    Episode 9: The CEO Shift: From Doer to Leader - Shawn Verlinden, Auch Construction

    In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Shawn Verlinden, CEO of Auch Construction. Shawn shares his journey from project manager to CEO of a 100+ year-old construction firm, and how building leadership rhythms transformed his company’s culture and growth trajectory. Shawn explains how letting go of daily tasks was the best move he made, how daily huddles created trust and speed across the company, and why coaching and accountability drive momentum. From his first year as CEO, Shawn’s insights are practical, candid, and deeply human — lessons every leader can use. If you’re a CEO struggling with growth challenges, this episode will give you practical strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and discipline. Subscribe for more conversations with real-world CEOs. Chapters:  [00:00:00] Intro & Guest Welcome  [00:01:00] Shawn’s background in construction  [00:03:00] The CEO Doom Loop explained  [00:07:00] Building a cohesive leadership team  [00:13:00] First year as CEO: lessons learned  [00:17:00] Letting go of projects to lead the company  [00:20:00] Shifting from operations to strategy  [00:27:00] Coaching, huddles, and momentum  [00:34:00] Shawn’s leadership philosophy & vision  [00:42:40] Closing Send us a text

    35 min

  8. 09/09/2025

    Episode 8: Burnout, Bad Hires & Bulldozing Through the Doom Loop with Anthony Stayman

    Burnout, Bad Hires & Bulldozing Through the Doom Loop What happens when you hit rock bottom in the CEO seat—8 figures in debt, team trust eroding, and no clear way out? In this episode, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Anthony Stayman, who shares the brutal truth of trying to do it all—CEO, head of sales, firefighter—and what finally helped him escape the Doom Loop. They unpack: What $8M in debt teaches you about leadershipWhy hiring the “smartest person in the room” can backfireThe hidden cost of bulldozing through burnoutHow coaching helped rebuild momentum without selling the company Subscribe for real stories, not theory. Full episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gGJHsNT9 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDywEfuc YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gcNmQvA4 #LeadershipPodcast #CEOStories #ExecutiveCoaching #BurnoutRecovery #APlayerTeams #EscapeTheCEODoomLoop Send us a text

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Escape the CEO Doom Loop is built for CEOs and leadership teams ready to grow. Each episode delivers practical insights, real-world stories, and tools you can use today to lead with clarity and scale with confidence. We spotlight what’s working—and what’s not—for leaders navigating growth, building culture, and driving accountability.  It’s more than a podcast—it’s a gateway to The CEO Playbook and the next step in becoming the leader your business needs next.

Information

  • Creator
    Glen Dall & John Ninkovich
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Escape the CEO Doom Loop
  • Show Website
    Escape the CEO Doom Loop