CEO.com Podcast | Dispatch from the frontier of leadership

CEO.com
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Management
  • Updated Semiweekly

Unfiltered conversations with public and private company CEOs. Navigating the AI shift. How they lead themselves and others. The people who gave them a chance.

  1. Jul 9

    AI Leadership Founder Geoff Woods - Why AI Won't Replace Great Leaders

    Geoff Woods, Founder of AI Leadership and bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, leadership, strategy, and how executives can use artificial intelligence to think better—not just work faster. After helping grow a public company from a $750 million market cap to $12 billion, Geoff became convinced that AI's greatest value isn't writing emails or summarizing meetings. Instead, it's helping leaders solve better problems, make better decisions, and think at a much higher level. In this episode, Geoff explains why leaders should stop treating AI like a productivity tool and start using it as a strategic thought partner.If you're interested in AI, leadership, strategy, entrepreneurship, executive development, or the future of work, this conversation is packed with practical frameworks you can apply immediately. 00:00:22 - Jeff's Background and Career Achievements00:01:04 - Key Drivers of Company Growth00:01:35 - Discovering ChatGPT and AI00:02:06 - Using AI as a Thought Partner00:02:27 - Live Use Case with AI for Strategy00:03:09 - Writing the AI-Driven Leader Book00:03:21 - Resonance and Market Research00:04:30 - Changes Since First Publication00:05:11 - Self-Leadership and AI00:05:44 - AI as a Thought Partner Example00:07:09 - CRIT Framework for AI Prompts00:09:59 - Elevating Strategic Thinking with AI00:10:11 - Defining Leadership in the AI Age00:12:02 - AI as a Liberation Tool00:12:54 - Misconceptions About AI00:14:02 - Human-Led Decisions in the AI Era00:15:04 - AI's Unpopularity and Public Perception00:16:49 - Effective Messaging About AI00:18:09 - Role of Government and Leadership in AI00:20:13 - Identity and Job Attachment00:21:42 - Personal Journey and Identity Crisis00:24:03 - Double-Edged Sword of Success00:25:07 - Leadership and Human Value in AI00:26:15 - Valuable Skills in the AI Age00:26:58 - Example of Empowering Employees with AI00:30:49 - Overview of Jeff's Company, AI Leadership00:31:44 - Transforming Companies with AI00:35:23 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?00:37:17 - Conclusion and Book Promotion Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    AI Leadership Founder Geoff Woods - Why AI Won't Replace Great Leaders

  2. Jul 7

    Napoleon Hill Institute Chairman David Meltzer - Why Wisdom Beats Wealth

    David Meltzer, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, joins Clint Betts for a powerful conversation on success, faith, AI, leadership, purpose, and the pursuit of true wealth.From becoming a millionaire just months after graduating law school to losing more than $100 million—and rebuilding his life around service and purpose—David shares the defining moments that completely transformed how he views success. Known as the inspiration behind Jerry Maguire through his time leading Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, David explains why money isn't the destination, why AI is making wisdom more valuable than ever, and how anyone can build a life centered on gratitude, accountability, and fulfillment. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome00:00:10 - David's Early Life and Aspirations00:00:35 - Growing Up in a World of Not Enough00:00:56 - Pursuing Wealth and Career Choices00:01:16 - Shift from Athlete to Lawyer00:01:37 - Early Career Success and Internet Ventures00:02:10 - Becoming a Millionaire and Career Growth00:02:44 - CEO of Samsung's Phone Division and Lee Steinberg Sports00:03:04 - Losing Values and Financial Collapse00:03:25 - Losing Everything and Telling His Mom00:04:19 - Paradigm Shift and Return to Faith00:05:01 - Aligning Life with Divine Direction00:05:37 - Host's Reflection on Money and Happiness00:06:20 - Realizing Life's Purpose00:06:46 - Shifting Perspective from "I'll Be Happy When" to "For the Sake of What"00:07:08 - Aligning Behaviors with Goals00:08:01 - Self-Leadership and Faith00:08:32 - Leading Back to Faith00:08:43 - Embracing Uncertainty and Using Gratitude00:09:26 - Communicating with God and Living by Values00:10:11 - AI's Impact on Humanity and Leadership00:11:06 - Leadership and AI00:11:50 - Accelerated Time and Decision-Making00:13:39 - Challenges of Leadership in the Age of AI00:16:17 - David's Daily Routine and Non-Negotiable Behaviors00:19:40 - Book Discussion: "Don't Do Business with Dicks"00:21:07 - Reflecting on Who Gave David a Chance00:21:49 - Closing Remarks and Future Collaboration If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, AI, faith, business, or living a more meaningful life, this conversation is filled with timeless wisdom and practical lessons. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    Napoleon Hill Institute Chairman David Meltzer - Why Wisdom Beats Wealth

  3. Jul 2

    Lynq CEO Jerald David - How Blockchain Is Reinventing Financial Infrastructure

    Jerald David, CEO of Lynq, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on blockchain, tokenization, stablecoins, financial infrastructure, and the future of global markets. Lynq is building a real-time settlement network that allows trusted counterparties to move capital instantly using blockchain technology. While much of the public conversation has shifted from crypto to AI, Jerald believes the biggest blockchain revolution is happening quietly behind the scenes as financial institutions modernize the infrastructure that powers global markets. In this episode, Jerald explains why blockchain is becoming the backbone of modern finance, how tokenization works, and why 24/7 settlement could fundamentally change the way money moves around the world. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome00:00:09 - Overview of Link00:01:34 - State of Blockchain and Digital Assets00:03:57 - Market Structure and Regulation00:05:07 - Gerald's Background and Career Path00:06:09 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:07:33 - Quantum Computing and Blockchain00:08:41 - Market Inefficiencies and Link's Solutions00:13:17 - Blockchain 101 and Tokenization Explained00:18:06 - Stable Tokens and Their Use Cases00:22:46 - Macro-Economic Perspective00:24:00 - The Importance of Stable Tokens for the US Dollar00:24:16 - The Importance of Giving Chances00:25:08 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude If you're interested in blockchain, fintech, cryptocurrency, AI, financial markets, entrepreneurship, or the future of global finance, this conversation offers a clear look at where the industry is heading next. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    Lynq CEO Jerald David - How Blockchain Is Reinventing Financial Infrastructure

  4. Jun 30

    BRUNT Workwear Founder & CEO Eric Girouard - How Authentic Brands Win

    Eric Girouard, Founder & CEO of BRUNT Workwear, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, branding, AI, e-commerce, and building one of America's fastest-growing workwear companies. Founded in 2020, BRUNT Workwear has become one of the most recognizable brands serving skilled tradespeople by doing something few companies have done well—building a brand that genuinely represents the people who keep America running. Eric shares how conversations with lifelong friends in the trades inspired a company that's redefining workwear through authenticity, community, and customer obsession. The conversation explores brand building, AI, product development, leadership, e-commerce, and why listening to customers is the ultimate competitive advantage. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Eric and Brunt Workwear00:00:41 - Eric's Blue-Collar Roots and Early Entrepreneurial Ventures00:02:14 - Learning from Serial Entrepreneur Ben Fishman00:03:41 - The Genesis of Brunt Workwear00:05:06 - Building a Brand for Tradespeople00:06:08 - The Role of AI in Brunt Workwear00:10:03 - The Importance of Building a Brand00:14:28 - Community Building and Brand Building00:16:46 - The Process of Bringing a Product to Market00:21:36 - The State of E-commerce and Brunt's Success00:25:07 - A Day in the Life of Eric00:29:07 - Principles of Leadership00:33:57 - Trends in the Trade Industry and Macro Economy00:37:10 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances00:38:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you're interested in entrepreneurship, branding, e-commerce, AI, consumer products, leadership, or building an enduring business, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of today's most successful brand builders. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    BRUNT Workwear Founder & CEO Eric Girouard - How Authentic Brands Win

  5. Jun 24

    Blueprint Equity Managing Partner Sheldon Lewis - Is the SaaSpocalypse Real?

    Sheldon Lewis, Managing Partner at Blueprint Equity, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on venture capital, growth equity, AI, SaaS, startup investing, and the future of software businesses. Blueprint Equity manages more than $600 million and specializes in helping bootstrapped and lightly funded vertical SaaS companies scale from early traction to sustainable growth. In this episode, Sheldon shares why he believes we're living through both the most exciting and most uncertain period in software investing history. The conversation dives into AI's impact on startups, whether the so-called "SaaSpocalypse" is real, the future of venture capital, and what investors are looking for in founders today. 00:00:00 - Introduction to Blueprint Equity00:00:50 - Blueprint Equity's Investment Focus00:01:56 - The State of SaaS and SaaSpocalypse00:03:41 - Public Market SaaS Companies00:05:05 - Efficiency and AI in Series A Funding00:08:09 - The Future of Venture Capital00:12:22 - The Potential of Software and AI00:14:08 - Exciting Investment Verticals00:17:10 - What Blueprint Equity Looks for in Founders00:20:29 - Effective Board Meetings and Communication00:23:25 - Public Sentiment on AI00:26:29 - A Day in the Life of Sheldon00:29:00 - The Importance of Giving and Receiving Chances If you're interested in venture capital, startups, SaaS, AI, entrepreneurship, investing, or the future of software businesses, this conversation is packed with valuable insights from one of the industry's leading growth investors. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    Blueprint Equity Managing Partner Sheldon Lewis - Is the SaaSpocalypse Real?

  6. Jun 23

    A Place for Mom CEO Tatyana Zlotsky - Solving America’s Growing Caregiving Crisis

    Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO of A Place for Mom, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on caregiving, aging, leadership, AI, healthcare, and one of the biggest demographic challenges facing America. As the first wave of baby boomers turns 80, millions of families are being thrust into caregiving roles with little preparation, enormous financial burdens, and difficult decisions about senior care. A Place for Mom helps families navigate those challenges by connecting them with trusted advisors and care solutions tailored to their unique situations.In this episode, Tatyana shares why caregiving is becoming one of the defining issues of our time, how AI can support both families and businesses, and what leaders must do to navigate uncertainty and change. The conversation also explores immigration, resilience, company culture, healthcare innovation, and the future of senior living. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Career Journey00:01:11 - Mission of A Place for Mom00:02:44 - Caregiving Crisis and Statistics00:03:55 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:05:06 - Optimism and AI00:07:04 - Leadership and Decision Making00:09:05 - Company Values00:10:18 - Balancing Efficiency and Compassion00:13:02 - Inspirational Leaders00:14:42 - Managing Company Culture00:17:04 - Future of Senior Living Industry00:19:05 - Influence of Immigrant Experience00:20:38 - Acknowledging Mentors and Supporters00:22:07 - Conclusion and Gratitude If you're interested in leadership, healthcare, AI, aging, caregiving, entrepreneurship, or building mission-driven organizations, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of society’s most important challenges. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    A Place for Mom CEO Tatyana Zlotsky - Solving America’s Growing Caregiving Crisis

  7. Jun 22

    Prowler Founder & CEO Toni De La Fuente - Why AI Security Is Really Cloud Security

    Toni De La Fuente, Founder & CEO of Prowler, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on cloud security, AI, open source software, cybersecurity, and building one of the world's fastest-growing security communities.What started as a personal project to secure cloud environments has evolved into Prowler, an open-source security platform approaching 50 million downloads and helping organizations secure AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365, GitHub, Cloudflare, and more. In this episode, Toni explains why AI security and cloud security are rapidly converging, how open-source communities are shaping the future of cybersecurity, and why organizations must rethink security as AI-generated software becomes commonplace. The conversation also explores startup building, venture capital, remote work, leadership, cloud infrastructure, and what it takes to transform an open-source project into a venture-backed company. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Toni00:00:20 - Founding of Prowler00:01:25 - Transition from Open Source Project to Company00:02:52 - Importance of Security in the Age of AI00:05:21 - Opportunities in Cloud Security00:07:24 - Concerns about Security Vulnerabilities in Old Code00:10:01 - Growth and Adoption of Prowler00:12:02 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:13:41 - Decision to Go Fully Remote00:15:02 - Moving to San Francisco00:16:41 - Reading Recommendations for CEOs00:19:44 - Leadership Lessons and Challenges00:21:07 - Macroeconomic Environment and Planning00:23:52 - Funding and Venture Capital00:26:10 - Balancing Community and Company Needs00:28:33 - Community Reaction to Paid Features00:30:03 - Future Growth Potential of Prowler00:31:28 - Competitors in the Cloud Security Space00:34:39 - Thoughts on Quantum Computing00:35:31 - Reflecting on Opportunities and Support00:37:12 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude If you're interested in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, open source software, startups, or the future of technology infrastructure, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the industry's leading builders. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    Prowler Founder & CEO Toni De La Fuente - Why AI Security Is Really Cloud Security

  8. Jun 18

    Torch CEO Heather Conklin - Why Human Leadership Matters More in the AI Era

    Heather Conklin, CEO of Torch, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on leadership, coaching, AI, personal growth, and what it takes to lead effectively during times of rapid change. Torch helps organizations develop leaders through a combination of human coaching, AI-powered coaching, and leadership development programs designed to align leadership behavior with business outcomes. As AI transforms nearly every industry, Heather believes leadership is becoming more important—not less. In this episode, Heather explains why leadership isn't a title, why organizations are facing a leadership deficit, and why the most valuable skills in the AI era may be the deeply human ones.The conversation also explores self-awareness, coaching, organizational culture, leadership development, and the balance between performance and empathy. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Torch00:01:02 - Integrating AI into Leadership Coaching00:02:31 - Defining Leadership00:04:28 - Common Traits of Effective Leaders00:06:17 - The Role of AI in Modern Leadership00:07:07 - The Necessity of Leadership in the AI Era00:10:04 - Challenges in Developing Great Leaders00:12:12 - Personal Leadership and Self-Management00:14:20 - A Day in the Life of Heather00:16:33 - Building and Growing a Coaching Business00:20:00 - Becoming a Coach at Torch00:21:51 - Reading Recommendations00:23:49 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances00:25:37 - Conclusion and Gratitude If you're interested in leadership, AI, management, personal growth, company culture, or developing high-performing teams, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of leadership. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

    Torch CEO Heather Conklin - Why Human Leadership Matters More in the AI Era
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Unfiltered conversations with public and private company CEOs. Navigating the AI shift. How they lead themselves and others. The people who gave them a chance.

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