The Achieve Podcast

Achieve CMO
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  • Entrepreneurship
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The Achieve Podcast is a platform where real business owners share their stories, challenges, and breakthroughs. Each episode provides authentic insights and actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow and succeed in their ventures.

  1. Aug 4

    Gary de Rodriguez (Peopleistic)

    Host Jessie Warner sits down with Gary de Rodriguez, CEO of Peopleistic, to discuss how AI, psychology, and leadership can work together to create stronger executive teams and healthier organizational cultures. Drawing on decades of experience in executive coaching and human behavior, Gary shares how understanding unconscious relationship patterns can improve decision-making, alignment, and business performance. What You'll Learn: Why the health of the C-suite directly influences culture throughout an entire organization.How unconscious relationship patterns can create conflict and slow business growth.Why leadership alignment around shared values and purpose leads to faster, better decisions.How AI can be used as a powerful coaching and leadership development tool without replacing human judgment.The importance of keeping the human element at the center of every AI strategy.Why trust and psychological safety are essential for building high-performing leadership teams.How self-awareness enables leaders to improve communication, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.Why the future of AI depends as much on human character and values as it does on technology. Throughout the conversation, Gary emphasizes that the most successful organizations are built by leaders who invest in both technology and people. His perspective demonstrates that while AI can accelerate insight and decision-making, lasting success comes from creating aligned, purpose-driven teams that put human relationships first. To learn more about Gary de Rodriguez and Peopleistic, visit peopleistic.com.

  2. Jul 31

    Steve Sapourn (The Neuro's Journey)

    Host Jessie Warner sits down with Steve Sapourn, former hedge fund manager and creator of The Neuro's Journey, to discuss how overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and nervous system dysregulation transformed both his life and his career. After spending more than 30 years in finance, Steve now helps others understand the connection between emotional healing, authentic leadership, and sustainable entrepreneurial success. What You'll Learn: Why unresolved trauma and nervous system dysregulation can quietly influence business decisions and personal relationships.How entrepreneurs can achieve greater success by investing in their own emotional health, not just their business skills.Why vulnerability and authenticity create stronger relationships than projecting constant success.How networking and community help entrepreneurs overcome the isolation that often comes with building a business.Practical ways to use AI as a research and thinking partner without sacrificing your authentic voice.Why many high achievers unknowingly use work, achievement, or addiction to cope with deeper emotional challenges.The importance of recognizing that personal growth and business growth often happen together.How embracing your story can become one of your greatest strengths as a leader and entrepreneur. Throughout the conversation, Steve emphasizes that true success isn't just measured by financial achievements—it's built on a foundation of self-awareness, emotional resilience, and authentic human connection. His journey demonstrates that when entrepreneurs take the time to heal internally, they become better leaders, build stronger relationships, and create businesses that are both meaningful and sustainable. To learn more about Steve Sapourn and The Neuro's Journey, visit theneurosjourney.com.

  3. Jul 9

    Zachary Hedges (Customer Model AI)

    Host Jessie Warner sits down with Zachary Hedges, CEO and co-founder of Customer Model AI, to discuss how businesses can replace marketing guesswork with data-driven customer insights. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in digital marketing, automation, and enterprise technology, Zach shares lessons on scaling companies, leveraging AI responsibly, and building sustainable growth strategies. What You'll Learn: Why understanding your ideal customer is the foundation of effective marketing and business growth. How businesses can use data to make smarter decisions instead of relying on assumptions or intuition. The evolution of AI from analytics and automation tools to today's generative capabilities. Why advanced data science and customer modeling are becoming accessible to businesses of all sizes. How trust, education, and consistent communication drive modern customer acquisition. Why entrepreneurs often underestimate the amount of time and repetition required to see meaningful results. The importance of staying committed to proven strategies long enough for momentum to build. How adaptability and a willingness to pivot can help businesses navigate changing markets and opportunities. Throughout the conversation, Zach emphasizes that long-term success comes from combining data, technology, and patience. His perspective highlights the importance of understanding customers at a deeper level, embracing innovation thoughtfully, and remaining committed to the long game of building a business that lasts. To learn more about Zachary Hedges and his work, visit customermodel.ai.

  4. Jun 18

    Riley Epps (State Tax Advisors)

    In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Jessie Warner sits down with Riley Epps, founder and managing partner of State Tax Advisors, to discuss the complexities of state and local tax compliance, building a niche business, and what it takes to scale a specialized professional services firm. Riley shares lessons from decades in the industry, including how he grew his company from a solo practice into a 22-person team serving clients nationwide. What You’ll Learn: Why specializing in a niche market can create long-term growth and differentiationHow referral partnerships with CPA firms can become a powerful and sustainable sales channelThe importance of identifying “nexus” and tax exposure before it becomes a costly issueHow AI is transforming back-office operations and dramatically improving efficiencyWhy hiring ahead of growth can unlock more revenue opportunitiesThe role of delegation and trust in scaling beyond the early stages of businessHow remote work expanded access to talent and changed the hiring landscapeWhy maintaining culture and communication becomes even more important as teams grow remotely Riley’s story highlights the power of staying focused on a core competency while continuously evolving to meet client needs. From launching new services to embracing technology and building strong referral networks, his approach shows how consistent execution, trust in your team, and adaptability can fuel sustainable growth over time. His journey also reinforces that growth often comes with complexity—but for those willing to lean into it, the opportunities can be significant. To learn more about Riley Epps and his work, visit statetaxadvisors.com.

  5. Jun 15

    Paul Adams (Sound Financial Group)

    In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Taylor Baker sits down with Paul Adams, CEO and founder of Sound Financial Group, to explore how financial planning, leadership, and long-term thinking intersect. Paul shares his unconventional approach to wealth management, building a values-driven business, and why designing your life first is the foundation for financial freedom. What You’ll Learn: Why separating financial advice from product sales creates greater trust and better long-term outcomes for clientsHow adopting a “design-build” model in business can create more transparency and empower customers to make better decisionsWhy giving employees autonomy and flexibility leads to stronger loyalty, better performance, and healthier company cultureThe difference between learning principles versus chasing shortcuts, and why principles create sustainable successHow creating content without holding back can build trust, attract aligned clients, and establish authority over timeWhy AI should be used to reduce cognitive load and improve team performance, not replace peopleHow regularly re-evaluating your systems, software, and processes can reveal hidden inefficiencies and opportunities for growthWhy defining your personal ambitions before your career goals can help you build a life aligned with your values instead of drifting into someone else’s version of success Paul Adams offers a compelling reminder that financial success isn’t just about accumulating wealth—it’s about intentionally designing a life worth living. Through his client-first philosophy, innovative business structure, and focus on personal contentment, Paul challenges conventional thinking around money, work, and fulfillment. His approach shows that clarity, planning, and values alignment can create both financial freedom and a meaningful life. To learn more about Paul Adams and his work, visit sfgway.com.

  6. Jun 11

    John Morgan – Pelagic

    In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Taylor Baker sits down with John Morgan, Founder and CEO of Pelagic, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of building resilient supply chains for high-growth consumer brands. John shares lessons from his journey through SpaceX, startup leadership, and scaling Pelagic into a trusted partner for companies navigating rapid growth. What You’ll Learn: Why supply chain excellence can become a major competitive advantage for growing consumer brands.How John’s experience at SpaceX and Seed Health shaped his approach to solving complex operational challenges.The importance of building systems and processes that can scale alongside a fast-growing business.Why community, referrals, and trust have been more powerful growth drivers than traditional marketing.How focusing on high-quality clients helps protect team culture, performance, and long-term success.Why controlled growth is often healthier and more sustainable than pursuing every opportunity.How investing in employee development creates stronger organizations and future leaders.The role AI may play in training, knowledge sharing, and operational efficiency within service-based businesses.John Morgan’s story highlights the often-overlooked importance of supply chain strategy in business growth. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that sustainable success comes from investing in people, maintaining strong cultural values, and building systems that empower teams to deliver consistently as organizations scale. His perspective offers valuable lessons for founders seeking to balance rapid growth with operational excellence. To learn more about John Morgan and his work, visit pelagic.co.

  7. Jun 10

    Sanjay Bhatia (Runday.ai)

    In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Taylor Baker sits down with Sanjay Bhatia, CEO and founder of Runday.ai and a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience building AI-driven companies. Their conversation explores how artificial intelligence is transforming sales, marketing, and customer engagement, while highlighting the importance of combining human expertise with AI-powered systems. What You’ll Learn: Why traditional advertising is becoming less effective and how data-driven outreach is creating new opportunities for growth.How AI-powered brand ambassadors can identify, qualify, and engage ideal buyers before a salesperson ever enters the conversation.The importance of focusing on buyer intent and timing rather than relying on broad marketing campaigns and lead-generation funnels.Why community-building through webinars, masterminds, and industry ecosystems can outperform purely transactional marketing efforts.How businesses can use AI to empower employees, eliminate repetitive tasks, and improve productivity rather than replace human talent.Why demographic workforce trends may create labor shortages for years to come and how AI can help organizations bridge those gaps.The value of adopting a true omnichannel approach that combines email, phone, social platforms, messaging apps, and AI-driven engagement.Why hiring people you genuinely enjoy working with can have a greater long-term impact than hiring solely based on credentials or experience. Throughout the conversation, Sanjay presents a vision of AI as a tool for creating more meaningful and efficient connections between buyers and sellers. Rather than replacing people, he believes AI can enhance human capabilities, improve targeting, reduce wasted effort, and help businesses build stronger relationships with the right customers at the right time. His perspective offers a practical roadmap for organizations looking to grow in an increasingly data-driven and AI-enabled marketplace. To learn more about Sanjay Bhatia and his work, visit Runday.ai.

  8. Jun 10

    Brad Hawkins (Infinite Protection)

    In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Taylor Baker sits down with Brad Hawkins, CEO of Infinite Protection and a longtime entrepreneur focused on making cybersecurity accessible for small businesses. Their conversation explores the growing cybersecurity challenges facing entrepreneurs, the importance of building security-minded cultures, and how leaders can create lasting impact through both technology and people development. What You’ll Learn: Why small businesses are increasingly targeted by cyber threats and often lack the resources of larger organizationsHow Brad’s entrepreneurial experiences shaped his mission to make cybersecurity affordable and practical for growing companiesWhy employee behavior and company culture are often the biggest cybersecurity vulnerabilitiesHow gamification and education can help teams develop stronger security habits without creating fear or frustrationThe value of proactive cybersecurity assessments and identifying vulnerabilities before they become costly problemsWhy successful entrepreneurs view obstacles as learning opportunities rather than failuresHow adaptability and continuous course correction are essential for long-term business growthWhy investing in people, leadership development, and personal growth creates lasting value beyond business results Throughout the conversation, Brad emphasizes that cybersecurity is not simply a technology problem—it is a people, leadership, and education challenge. He shares how entrepreneurs can protect their businesses through practical security measures while also embracing a mindset of resilience and adaptability. The discussion highlights the importance of taking action, learning from setbacks, and building organizations where both security and personal growth are prioritized. Ultimately, Brad’s message is that long-term success comes from continually improving systems, empowering people, and staying committed to progress even when the path forward changes. To learn more about Brad Hawkins and his work, visit infiniteprotection.ai.

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About

The Achieve Podcast is a platform where real business owners share their stories, challenges, and breakthroughs. Each episode provides authentic insights and actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow and succeed in their ventures.

Information

  • Creator
    Achieve CMO
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    270
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Achieve CMO
  • Show Website
    The Achieve Podcast