Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change

Natalie Nathanson
  • 5.0 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In today’s business world change is the only constant, and mastering transformation is the ultimate key to success. Welcome to Shift & Thrive! Each week, Host Natalie Nathanson will bring you conversations with CEOs, who delve into how they successfully drove critical change in their organization. This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.

  1. Holiday Reflections on Change, Curiosity, and Growth - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 076

    16H AGO

    Holiday Reflections on Change, Curiosity, and Growth - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 076

    In this special solo episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie steps back from the usual interview format to reflect on the year, what it taught leaders, what themes surfaced repeatedly, and what’s ahead. The episode invites listeners to slow down during the holiday season and consider the lessons they want to carry forward into the new year. A Look Back: Lessons That Shaped This Year Openness is the starting point for transformation. Leaders and teams grow when they stay open to new ideas, new paths, and new challenges, even before the answers are clear.Curiosity is a powerful leadership skill. Whether it involved listening to dissenting voices or asking bolder questions, curiosity proved to be a consistent catalyst for stronger strategies and more connected teams.Real change requires patience and adaptability. Even when leaders know exactly where they want to go, guiding a team through change rarely moves as quickly or cleanly as planned.  Links: Natalie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienathanson/ Website: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com/insights/podcast/  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797   This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    8 min
  2. A Year in Conversation: 2025 - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 075

    6D AGO

    A Year in Conversation: 2025 - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 075

    What does real growth look like when leaders reinvent themselves, rebuild systems, and rediscover purpose? This special Shift & Thrive compilation brings together unforgettable stories and lessons from some of the year’s most thoughtful leaders. Listen to our guests share insights about transforming AI’s evolution into human-like teammates and the profound clarity that comes from surviving a life-threatening disaster. Across technology, mindset, communication, and personal resilience, each guest offers a different lens on what it means to lead with intention. These stories remind us that progress isn’t just about scaling companies or refining strategy; it’s about identity, patience, preparation, and meaningful service. Takeaways: Design for human experience, not just efficiency. As AI becomes more agentic, users need support in shifting from command-based tools to true collaboration with technology.Presence is a leadership skill. Balancing ambition with mindfulness prevents burnout and allows leaders to show up more effectively for their teams and families. A grounded leader makes better long-term decisions.Habits and endurance fuel sustainable growth. Whether training for triathlons or scaling a business, progress comes from consistent behaviors and the willingness to push through discomfort. Identity drives behavior change. Seeing yourself differently, as a CEO, an athlete, or a healthier person, creates the conditions for new choices. When identity shifts, habits follow naturally.Strong systems prevent overwhelm. Like sports teams that rehearse repeatedly, businesses need documentation, practice, and structure so challenges stay manageable.Purpose elevates leadership. When leaders orient their work toward service rather than self-preservation, they build deeper meaning and stronger impact.  Links: Matt Darrow, CEO & Co-Founder at Vivun LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdarrow/ Full Episode: https://youtu.be/vcjoj95EriI Pete Martin, Co-Founder & CEO at Realm.SecurityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-martin-b2199334/ Full Episode: https://youtu.be/8RaHrjlEadg Nathan Whittacre, Founder and CEO at Stimulus TechnologiesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanwhittacre/ Full Episode: https://youtu.be/1d22cHtNRGo Rich Walker, CEO at Quik!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quikformsceo/ Full Episode: https://youtu.be/0w8p9nTWrAk AJ Meyer, CEO at Pickle Robot CompanyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-meyer-2457594/ Full Episode: https://youtu.be/P6KBLGOUJmQ Pete Jones, CEO & Founder at Grypp Corp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-jones-gryppcorp/ Full Episode: https://youtu.be/cRFUVVTazKE John Graham, Executive Director at The Giraffe Heroes Project LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnagraham1/ Full Episode: https://youtu.be/1iTda8jrlwA Bill Flynn, CEO/Chief Catalyst at Catalyst Growth AdvisorsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billflynnpublic/   Full Episode: https://youtu.be/Stfvg2-d5HU  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClf9QxGUxZw_Sv8_4bZP34Q  This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    39 min
  3. Why Most Transformations Fail - Marcia Daszko - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 074

    DEC 10

    Why Most Transformations Fail - Marcia Daszko - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 074

    What happens when leaders discover that most barriers to transformation come from within their own systems rather than the people inside them? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with transformation strategist Marcia Daszko, whose work with CEOs, boards, and executive teams has shaped transformations across industries from Fortune 50 corporations to school districts and private companies on the brink of collapse. Marcia shares why meaningful transformation always begins with personal change, why leaders must embrace curiosity and courage, and why systems, not individuals, determine performance. She explains how clarity of aim creates alignment and why most companies sabotage themselves by clinging to old management habits. Together, Natalie and Marcia explore the stamina required to lead through uncertainty, the impact of fear on productivity, and the risks of layering new technologies like AI on top of broken processes Takeaways: Curiosity is the entry point to transformation. Leaders must develop a habit of questioning their assumptions, challenging long-held beliefs, and examining the practices they’ve accepted as normal. Courage determines whether learning turns into action. The leaders who succeed push through discomfort, confront outdated systems, and take ownership of the conditions they’ve created, even when it means letting go of familiar habits.Systems drive results, not individual effort. When performance stalls, most leaders look to accountability or evaluation tactics. Marcia urges the opposite: redesign the system.Fear quietly erodes productivity and profits. Naming and removing those fears builds trust, unlocks creativity, and helps people contribute without self-protection getting in the way.Flow is the north star of transformation. When barriers, waste, complexity, and unnecessary practices are removed, work, communication, and innovation move more naturally. Transformation becomes less about force and more about enabling conditions.AI is not a shortcut; it’s an amplifier. Leaders who apply AI to broken systems risk multiplying waste.  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciadaszko/ Email: md@mdaszko.comPhone Number: 408-398-7220 Website: https://mdaszko.com Pivot, Disrupt, and Transform Book: https://a.co/d/gjnqCwF  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797   This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    54 min
  4. Building a Change-Ready Organization - Elizabeth Harz - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 073

    DEC 3

    Building a Change-Ready Organization - Elizabeth Harz - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 073

    Why do some leaders thrive in ambiguity, and how can you build that same capability across your organization? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Elizabeth Harz, CEO of Veriato, to explore what it really takes to lead through continuous transformation. Elizabeth’s career has spanned enterprise technology, digital media, gaming, edtech, and now insider-risk management and behavioral intelligence. Throughout each chapter, she’s built a repeatable yet flexible approach to change, grounded in curiosity, structured communication, and deep respect for leadership as a discipline. Together, Natalie and Elizabeth unpack the realities of guiding organizations through fast-moving environments, especially in a world where change no longer has a clear endpoint. They also discuss Veriato’s evolution, the shifting landscape of security, and the growing need for proactive, behavior-driven insight inside modern companies. Takeaways: Treat leadership as a discipline, not an instinct. Elizabeth emphasizes that strong leadership requires intentional skill-building, just like product development or finance.Normalize change and get comfortable with ambiguity. The real work is creating clarity of vision, psychological safety, and an honest acknowledgment that some team members will opt in at different speeds. Use your network as a strategic asset. Elizabeth highlights the value of both formal and informal networks for navigating complex decisions. When challenges arise, trusted peers can accelerate clarity.Involve the organization early and often. Listening tours surfaced the insights, skepticism, and creativity needed to shape the path ahead.Create early wins to build belief. Skeptics often become the strongest champions once they see progress.  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eharz/ Website: https://veriato.com/  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797   This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    53 min
  5. Building Smarter Go-To-Market Engines - Scott Brown - Shift & Thrive GTM Mini-Series (Re-air)

    NOV 26

    Building Smarter Go-To-Market Engines - Scott Brown - Shift & Thrive GTM Mini-Series (Re-air)

    What does it really take to build and evolve a go-to-market engine that drives sustainable growth in today’s environment? This week, we’re re-airing one of our most popular conversations from the Shift & Thrive Go-To-Market Miniseries: a deep dive with Scott Brown, Partner and Head of Platform & Go-To-Market at Cervin Ventures. It’s packed with practical insights for leaders rethinking how their teams generate and retain revenue in a changing market. Takeaways: Use data to challenge assumptions. Inbound signals often reveal overlooked opportunities; the right metrics can prove where to shift focus and resources.Test, learn, then commit. Approach go-to-market changes with a hypothesis mindset. Controlled experiments reduce risk and build confidence in new strategies.Align your teams early. Sales, marketing, and customer success should share language, systems, and goals to drive retention and expansion, not just acquisition.Balance human and AI strengths. AI can amplify strategy, but only when teams have the right foundations and oversight to guide automation effectively.Keep the human in the loop. AI tools are powerful accelerators, but without human judgment and oversight, they can magnify errors or inefficiencies.Lay strong operational foundations. Even the most advanced tools can’t fix a flawed setup. Double-check your systems before scaling.Invest in customer success before it’s a problem. Retention planning should be part of your first go-to-market blueprint, not a late-stage fix. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsbrown7/ Website: https://www.cervinventures.com Email: scott@cervinventures.com  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797   This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    53 min
  6. Grounded Innovation in the Age of AI - Yossi Carmon - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 071

    NOV 19

    Grounded Innovation in the Age of AI - Yossi Carmon - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 071

    What does it take to balance innovation with reality when AI moves faster than your market? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Yossi Carmon, CEO of Accelario, to unpack what it really means to lead through transformation in the age of AI. Drawing on his early startup lessons and his experience leading tech companies, Yossi explores how founders and CEOs can stay rooted in customer needs while effectively harnessing cutting-edge technology. He also shares how authenticity is redefining go-to-market strategies and reflects on the personal side of leadership. Takeaways: Don’t fall in love with your technology. Yossi reminds leaders that ideas only matter when they deliver real value. Falling for the tech instead of the problem leads to missed opportunities.Let technology be part of the journey, not the destination. Founders who treat AI as a partner rather than a replacement for judgment will build stronger, more relevant products.Listen before you build. Asking customers what they truly need may reveal that only a fraction of your original idea is necessary to succeed.Stay on your toes. The business landscape, especially with AI, is shifting daily. Leaders must constantly reassess strategy, pricing, and messaging to stay relevant.Lead with clarity and heart. Yossi’s approach to leadership emphasizes honesty, fast decision-making, and transparency as keys to building trust and culture.Be authentic in your marketing. With AI flooding channels with content, customers crave human connection and genuine experiences more than ever.Know when to step aside, or level up. Strong founders bring in people who are smarter than they are in key areas. Growth requires courage and humility. Quote of the Show: “Your startup cannot be just about your technology. It has to be about searching for and understanding the true value for your customer. Otherwise, you end up building something that’s irrelevant for customers.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yossicarmon/ Website: https://accelario.com/ Email: yossi.carmon@gmail.com  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797   This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    48 min
  7. The Modern GTM Engine - Sajag Chikarsal - Shift & Thrive - Go-To-Market Mini-Series - Ep # 70

    NOV 12

    The Modern GTM Engine - Sajag Chikarsal - Shift & Thrive - Go-To-Market Mini-Series - Ep # 70

    How can marketing leaders build go-to-market engines that evolve with today’s fast-changing buyer behaviors, while using AI intentionally, not accidentally, to drive meaningful transformation? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Sajag Chikarsal, GTM Leader, advisor, and ex-Celona, Google, and Zscaler. His career spans every stage of company growth, from being the first marketing hire at Zscaler to leading global campaigns at Google Cloud. Sajag shares hard-won lessons on transforming go-to-market strategy, the role of AI as the new GTM operating system, and why foundational clarity still matters more than ever. He unpacks the frameworks that helped Google Cloud scale from $1B to $5B per quarter, explains how startups can practically implement AI, and reveals how marketing leaders can build teams ready for the next wave of transformation. Takeaways: One message doesn’t fit all. Craft different layers of communication for CXOs, directors, and practitioners while keeping a unified campaign thread.AI is your new operating system. When governed and integrated correctly, it can turn fragmented GTM efforts into a cohesive, data-driven engine.Foundations before ROI. Data hygiene, clear ownership, and structured enablement are prerequisites before expecting measurable AI returns.Start small with AI. Create an internal AI council and a library, and empower teams to experiment with tools they already use.Personalize at scale. Custom GPTs can turn complex ABM research into minutes-long workflows, amplifying insight and speed across teams.Marketing owns the customer journey. Its role is to orchestrate, not just communicate, connecting every touchpoint from brand to demand. Quote of the Show: “There is only one function in the company that has full visibility of the customer lifecycle or the customer journey, marketing. And that's the reason I love marketing, because yoy understand the overall journey and know how the pieces of the puzzle fit together.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sajagchikarsal/ Website: https://celona.io/  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797   This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    45 min
  8. The Customer: The Real Key to GTM Success - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 069

    NOV 5

    The Customer: The Real Key to GTM Success - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 069

    What does it take to build a go-to-market motion that actually works today? In this special compilation of Shift & Thrive, host Natalie Nathanson brings together insights from CEOs, founders, and marketing leaders who’ve learned that growth starts and ends with one thing: the customer. As markets evolve and AI-generated content floods every channel, connecting with buyers requires a deeper, more dynamic understanding of what really drives their decisions. You’ll hear how leaders are redefining customer-centric growth as they avoid tech-first messaging traps, strengthen alignment across teams, and rally their organizations around a shared view of the customer. Takeaways: Start with customer truths, not assumptions. Most teams can’t clearly explain why their best customers buy. Without that clarity, go-to-market strategies rely on luck instead of insight.Stay close to your market. Long-term success comes from being genuinely curious and consistently showing up for your customers, even when your product isn’t a perfect fit yet.Build trust before the sale. Transparency and honest conversations about fit create lasting client relationships and save time for both sides.Use process insights to innovate. Mapping customer processes, not just needs, can uncover automation opportunities and help scale efficiency.Listen for what isn’t being said. Uncovering the unspoken drivers behind customer behavior can transform how you position and message your product.Align incentives around customer success. Simplifying compensation and focusing on client satisfaction over net-new sales strengthens loyalty and drives long-term value. Links: Bill Flynn’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billflynnpublic/ Matt McCrann’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmccrann/ Pete Jones’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-jones-gryppcorp/ Phil Duffy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipfduffy/ Konstantin Vilk’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/konstantin-vilk/ Brad McGinity’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcginity/ Matt Farry’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfarry87/ James Loffler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesloffler/  Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2D1YbT2QhKxIwbREpU7EMb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/id1740828813 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fa60b654-1955-4055-93df-fdd40c2a5c8f/shift-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shift-thrive-ceo-insights-166792501 Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/shift-and-thrive-ceo-insights-on-driving-change/PC:1001086797   This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.  Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com

    29 min
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In today’s business world change is the only constant, and mastering transformation is the ultimate key to success. Welcome to Shift & Thrive! Each week, Host Natalie Nathanson will bring you conversations with CEOs, who delve into how they successfully drove critical change in their organization. This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.

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