Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change

Natalie Nathanson
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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.

  1. What Investors Really Look For - Elena Gantvarg - Shift & Thrive - Investor Spotlight - # 084

    -6 J

    What Investors Really Look For - Elena Gantvarg - Shift & Thrive - Investor Spotlight - # 084

    In this Investor Spotlight episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Elena Gantvarg, Principal at Flint Capital, to unpack how early-stage investors evaluate startups in today’s rapidly evolving market. Elena shares firsthand stories of portfolio transformations, explains why product-led growth has become a baseline expectation rather than a differentiator, and offers a candid look at what founders often misunderstand about go-to-market, scaling speed, and U.S. market entry. The conversation explores how culture, leadership decisions, and execution discipline increasingly separate companies that scale from those that stall. Takeaways: Be willing to evolve leadership as the company scales. The founder or CEO who gets a company off the ground may not be the right person to lead it through hypergrowth, and recognizing that early can unlock the next stage of value creation.Focus on execution over ideas at the seed stage. Investors care far more about the team’s ability to sell, adapt, and execute than the originality of the idea itself.Treat product-led growth as a baseline, not a strategy. Buyers expect to experience value immediately, but PLG alone won’t close deals without strong sales execution behind it.Design your go-to-market for your industry, not trends. What works in enterprise software may fail in digital health or regulated markets, so tailor GTM decisions to how buyers actually purchase.Prove U.S. market traction before scaling aggressively. Even small wins in the U.S. signal cultural and sales readiness and reduce the risk of a costly expansion misstep.Pivot for the right reasons, not impatience. Course corrections should be driven by real market signals and constraints, not by the assumption that another market or idea will be easier. Quote of the Show: “ What has changed the most during the last few years with Go-To-Market is that the buyers don't want to be sold to. They want to touch the product and realize the value immediately.” Links: LinkedIn: http://flintcap.com Email: eg@flintcap.com Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-gantvarg-1a9423/  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

    49 min
  2. Transform in the Age of AI - Kristina McMillan - Shift & Thrive - Go-to-Market Deep Dive - Ep # 083

    11 FÉVR.

    Transform in the Age of AI - Kristina McMillan - Shift & Thrive - Go-to-Market Deep Dive - Ep # 083

    In this Go-to-Market Spotlight episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Kristina McMillan, a seasoned go-to-market strategist and venture advisor, to unpack how AI is reshaping the way companies grow. Drawing from her experience and hands-on work with early and growth-stage startups, Kristina shares real-world examples of AI-enabled go-to-market transformation. Together, they explore why strong foundations matter more than ever, how AI can unlock productivity without sacrificing humanity, and what leaders must do to evolve their teams, structures, and strategies in today’s noisy, buyer-driven market. Takeaways: Revisit your go-to-market fundamentals before scaling with AI. Strong ICPs, clear positioning, and disciplined execution are what allow AI to amplify results instead of accelerating confusion.Use AI to remove friction, not replace human judgment. Free up time through automation so your team can focus on personalization, strategic thinking, and building real buyer trust.Break down go-to-market silos and orchestrate across roles. The most effective strategies connect executives, marketing, sales, and product around shared thought leadership and coordinated execution.Start small, prove what works, then scale. Nail a “unit of one” go-to-market motion before rolling it out broadly, especially when experimenting with AI-driven tactics.Invest in people alongside AI adoption. Clearly communicate how roles will evolve so your team feels empowered, as productivity and expectations change. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinamcmillan/ Website: https://www.scalevp.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

    54 min
  3. Flipping the Mic on Natalie Nathanson - Shift & Thrive (Re-air)

    4 FÉVR.

    Flipping the Mic on Natalie Nathanson - Shift & Thrive (Re-air)

    What happens when the host steps into the hot seat to reflect on leadership, growth, and navigating change in uncertain times? In this special re-aired episode of Shift & Thrive, we flip the mic and turn the spotlight on Natalie. Guided by Magnetude’s VP of Client Strategy & Delivery, Cindy Hunter, Natalie shares her entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of Magnetude Consulting, and the leadership lessons shaped by growth, disruption, and personal resilience. The conversation spans go-to-market transformation, the real impact of AI on modern marketing teams, and what CEOs need to understand as buyer behavior and economic conditions continue to shift. It’s a candid, reflective discussion that remains just as relevant today as when it first aired. Takeaways: Leadership is built through experience and reflection. Natalie explains how observing both effective and ineffective leaders influenced her emphasis on empathy, realism, and transparent decision-making.Go-to-market strategies must evolve with the buyer. Digital noise, better-informed decision makers, and changing expectations mean yesterday’s playbooks no longer deliver the same results.Industry expertise drives faster results. Deep knowledge of target markets allows marketing teams to create more authentic messaging and deliver value more quickly, especially in technical B2B environments.AI requires intention, not panic. Adopting AI successfully means investing in change management, shared learning, and strong foundations.Resilience is a leadership muscle. Balancing personal challenges alongside business growth reinforced the importance of adaptability, perspective, and trusting your instincts.Marketing should be involved earlier than most CEOs think. When marketing is treated as a strategic partner, companies are better positioned for launches, expansion, and transformation. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienathanson/  Website: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.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  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

    55 min
  4. Why Listening Defines a CEO - Maximos Lih - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 081

    28 JANV.

    Why Listening Defines a CEO - Maximos Lih - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 081

    How can today’s CEOs evolve fast enough to lead through AI disruption, generational complexity, and outdated incentive systems? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson sits down with executive coach Maximos Lih to unpack how leadership must fundamentally change as companies scale. Drawing from his experience at Google Ventures and coaching hundreds of founders, Maximos explores why ecosystem thinking now matters more than playbooks, how rising complexity is overwhelming leaders, and why many incentive structures quietly undermine collaboration and trust. Together, they examine the shift from hero leadership to architectural leadership, the importance of deep listening, and how human-first approaches to AI, hiring, and performance can unlock both stronger cultures and sustainable growth. Takeaways: Leadership today requires collapsing complexity by focusing on what only the CEO can do, not everything they can do.Ecosystem-level thinking matters: scaling tools like AI without rethinking systems can create congestion, chaos, and cultural damage.Modern leaders must design clarity, helping teams say “no” more often in an environment obsessed with urgency.Managing across five generations requires abandoning one-size-fits-all definitions of professionalism, engagement, and success.Hero-style leadership undermines accountability and growth; architecting systems empowers teams to solve problems independently.Incentive structures drive behavior, misaligned rewards can unintentionally encourage hoarding, fear, and disengagement.Human-first AI and impact-based incentives can increase both employee purpose and long-term business value. Quote of the Show: “Recognize that the things you're complaining about may actually be your own blind spots. Listening to that instead of feeling frustrated will help unlock the things that can actually get you to the next level.” Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximoslih/ Email: maximos@emboldenedllc.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

    52 min
  5. Crisis-Tested Leadership - Joe Campanella - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 080

    21 JANV.

    Crisis-Tested Leadership - Joe Campanella - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 080

    How do leaders stay calm, compliant, and effective when everything is on the line, and turn crisis into a catalyst for growth? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Joe Campanella, CEO of Complily, to unpack what it truly means to lead through extreme pressure. Joe shares the behind-the-scenes reality of navigating an 18-month FTC investigation, the leadership lessons forged during uncertainty, and how that experience ultimately sparked the creation of an AI-powered compliance platform. The conversation spans leadership under fire, letting go as you scale, building resilient go-to-market strategies, and using AI to reduce risk while improving customer trust. Takeaways: Leading through crisis requires calm, clarity, and communication. When everything feels chaotic, the strongest leaders are the ones who slow the room down, give clear direction, and keep teams aligned around what matters most in the moment.You don’t get out of hard moments by avoiding them. Joe reinforces that the only way out is through. Breaking overwhelming challenges into smaller, manageable steps and focusing on progress one day at a time.Letting go is a prerequisite for scale. As companies grow, leaders must be willing to hand off responsibilities once someone else can do the job well enough, even if it’s not perfect.Go-to-market focus starts with knowing exactly who you serve. Trying to sell to everyone dilutes momentum; defining a clear ICP creates repeatable, scalable growth.AI is a force multiplier when used beyond surface-level tasks. Tools like AI-driven compliance review and knowledge synthesis free leaders to focus on strategy rather than manual oversight. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-campanella-aa33382/  Website: https://www.complily.com/ Email: joe@complily.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

    52 min
  6. What No One Tells You About Becoming CEO - Monique McDonough - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 079

    14 JANV.

    What No One Tells You About Becoming CEO - Monique McDonough - Shift & Thrive - Episode # 079

    What changes when a COO becomes CEO? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Monique McDonough, CEO of WorkTango, to explore the unexpected lessons of stepping into the top seat, the emotional realities of leadership, and what it really takes to guide organizations through change. With more than two decades of experience across consulting, technology, and employee engagement, Monique shares candid reflections on how the weight of leadership evolves, why curiosity is a CEO’s most underrated skill, and how leaders can stay grounded while navigating AI disruption, M&A transitions, and shifting workforce expectations.  Takeaways: Leadership carries weight beyond meetings and tasks. CEOs shoulder responsibility even when they’re not actively working, making balance and pressure management essential.Curiosity is a leadership superpower. Asking better questions builds confidence in unfamiliar areas and leads to stronger decision-making.The CEO role changes how words land. Even familiar leaders must become more deliberate as people assign greater meaning to every message.Effective change management is emotional, not just logical. People need empathy, context, and a clear vision of what success looks like.Feedback only works when it’s closed-loop. Listening, acting, and communicating progress builds trust and sustained engagement.Staying close to customers fuels a smarter strategy. Direct conversations uncover insights that no filtered report can replace.AI works best as a thought partner. Used intentionally, it accelerates preparation, insight, and higher-order thinking without replacing human judgment. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemmcdonough/ Website: https://www.worktango.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

    54 min
  7. Clarity, Alignment, Trust - Sangram Vajre - Shift & Thrive - Go-To-Market Deep Dive - Episode # 078

    7 JANV.

    Clarity, Alignment, Trust - Sangram Vajre - Shift & Thrive - Go-To-Market Deep Dive - Episode # 078

    Go-to-market is no longer a function, a plan, or a quarterly initiative; it’s a living, evolving operating system. In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie sits down with Sangram Vajre, one of the most influential voices in modern B2B go-to-market strategy, to unpack what GTM really means in today’s market and why CEOs must take ownership of it. Drawing from his experience as a co-founder of Terminus and former CMO of Pardot, Sangram challenges conventional thinking around growth, alignment, and execution. Together, Natalie and Sangram explore why misalignment at the executive level derails even the strongest marketing and sales efforts, how clarity and trust drive better decisions, and why companies must stop treating GTM as a project and start treating it as a transformation. Takeaways: Go-to-market is a transformational process, not a one-time strategy or off-site exercise. Every decision a company makes either strengthens or weakens its GTM motion.The CEO must own go-to-market. When GTM is delegated to marketing or sales alone, organizations lose alignment, clarity, and long-term momentum.Not all pipeline is created equal. Focusing on the wrong ICP can create short-term wins while undermining long-term growth and retention.High-performing executive teams prioritize clarity, alignment, and trust over tactics, tools, and trends.AI and automation won’t fix a broken strategy. Without clear direction, technology only accelerates confusion.The future of GTM is shifting from software-first to outcomes-first, with services and systems wrapping around technology to deliver real value. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sangramvajre/ Website: https://gtmpartners.com/ GTM Monday: https://gtmonday.substack.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

    54 min
  8. Selling Starts with Leadership - Bill Flynn - Shift & Thrive (Re-air)

    30/12/2025

    Selling Starts with Leadership - Bill Flynn - Shift & Thrive (Re-air)

    Are you leading your business like a hero or an architect? We’re re-airing this powerful conversation between Natalie Nathanson and Bill Flynn, a seasoned growth advisor and business strategist with over 30 years of experience leading startups, driving company turnarounds, and coaching executives. Bill shares timeless lessons on what it really takes to lead through complexity, empower teams, and create sustainable growth in an unpredictable world. His insights are just as relevant today as when this episode first aired, offering a masterclass in modern leadership and resilience. Takeaways: Empower your team to solve problems. True leadership isn’t about fixing everything yourself; it’s about creating systems, accountability, and clarity so your team can thrive independently.Adopt the architect mindset. Move from being the “hero” who saves the day to the architect who builds environments where innovation and ownership naturally emerge.Understand why customers buy. Avoid go-to-market pitfalls by deeply researching customer motivations and applying frameworks like “Jobs to be Done” instead of guessing.Lead with adaptability in a complex world. Today’s “BANI” environment demands resilience, building diverse teams, promoting open dialogue, and being ready to pivot as conditions evolve.Focus on team balance, not personal perfection. You don’t have to be great at everything. Identify your strengths and surround yourself with people who complement them.Have the courage to let go. Sustainable growth happens when leaders step back, empower others, and focus on strategy and vision rather than daily firefighting. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billflynnpublic/ Website: https://catalystgrowthadvisors.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

    55 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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