The Growth Switch

Jules Fox
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

The Growth Switch is the podcast where bold business leaders share their strategies, struggles, and breakthroughs. Hosted by Jules Fox, growth strategist and lead content creator at Ariz Media, each episode dives into how top brands scale, overcome challenges and achieve sustainable success. Through candid conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers, we uncover the pivotal moments, surprising insights, and hard-earned lessons that drive real growth.

  1. How Kathleen Steffey Built a Recruiting Empire That Top Talent Can’t Ignore

    09/17/2025

    How Kathleen Steffey Built a Recruiting Empire That Top Talent Can’t Ignore

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, we sit down with Kathleen Steffey, CEO and founder of Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search, to unpack how she’s spent over two decades mastering the art (and science) of placing top-tier sales and marketing talent across North America. 💡 What if your next great hire isn’t on the job boards, because they’re not even looking? Kathleen shares how her team consistently attracts A-players, why tech-enabled outreach isn’t enough, and how storytelling creates trust with both clients and candidates. We explore: The outdated sales tactics that no longer work, and what to do instead Why most internal recruiting teams miss the mark on executive hires How Kathleen uses tools like Keap, Sales Navigator, and AI-powered data syncs The “calibration call” that sets Naviga apart (and why they won’t work with you without it) A powerful mindset shift for candidates trying to stand out in a flooded market Why consistency and imperfection are essential to long-term business growth Whether you’re hiring a CRO, scaling a sales team, or planning your own career move, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to compete (and win) in a high-stakes talent market. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Learn more about Naviga Recruiting: https://www.navigarecruiting.com 🔗 Connect with Kathleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleensteffey 🔗 Learn more about Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Take our 3-minute business bottleneck quiz: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com

    17 min
  2. Heart, Hustle, and Hiring Smarts – with Francy Lucido

    09/11/2025

    Heart, Hustle, and Hiring Smarts – with Francy Lucido

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, we sit down with Francy Lucido, co-founder of Michigan Staffing and Aspen Search Group, to explore what it really takes to build an enduring, people-first company in a high-turnover industry. 💡 What if the secret to sustainable growth wasn’t just strategy, but service? With over 35 years in executive search, staffing, and leadership coaching, Francy has quietly built two award-winning firms rooted in long-term relationships, high-touch care, and servant leadership. In this powerful conversation, we dig into: How Francy scaled her companies by treating clients and candidates like family The surprising “social work” side of staffing and why it matters more than ever Her secrets to 20+ year employee retention (in staffing!) The rise of automation and what it really means for hiring in 2025 Why coaching is her next calling and how it supercharges her placement work How serving at-risk communities shaped her approach to leadership and business 🎧 Whether you’re a founder, hiring manager, or aspiring coach, this episode is packed with real stories, real heart, and game-changing wisdom from someone who’s been in the trenches for decades. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Michigan Staffing: https://www.michiganstaffing.com 🔗 Francy Lucido Coaching: https://www.inspiredwithfrancy.com 🔗 Learn more about Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Book a Free Growth Strategy Session: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com/

    14 min
  3. Why Executive Search Still Beats AI – With John Chaintreuil

    09/11/2025

    Why Executive Search Still Beats AI – With John Chaintreuil

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, we sit down with John Chaintreuil, Associate Partner at Hanover and executive search expert with over 20 years in the game. 💼 What if your next key hire isn’t just a better resume, but the right person to unlock explosive growth? John shares candid lessons from two decades of helping companies scale through transformative leadership hires. From surviving the dot-com bust to rebounding after losing 50% of revenue with the First Republic collapse, John breaks down the mindset and methods that keep Hanover ahead in a tech-disrupted world. We explore: Why executive search still wins, despite AI, LinkedIn, and job boards The biggest red flags candidates spot (but companies miss) A powerful story of one leadership hire who turned a stalled company around What makes a "B-shop" vs. a talent magnet and how to know which one you are How Hanover rebuilt and expanded globally with a smarter, more agile model 🎧 Whether you’re scaling a startup or overhauling your C-suite, this episode offers a masterclass in people-first growth strategy. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchaintreuil 🔗 Learn more about Hanover Search: https://www.hanoversearch.com 🔗 Explore growth strategy with Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Discover what’s holding your brand back: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com

    21 min
  4. From Rock Star Dreams to Recruiting Powerhouse, with Greg Thorpe

    08/28/2025

    From Rock Star Dreams to Recruiting Powerhouse, with Greg Thorpe

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, I sit down with Greg Thorpe, Vice President of Client Engagement at WorkRocket, to explore how he helps companies in manufacturing, heavy equipment, and trucking attract and retain top talent in one of the tightest labor markets we’ve ever seen. What if the secret to filling critical roles wasn’t AI algorithms or keyword screens, but real human conversations? Greg shares how WorkRocket has grown into a recruitment leader by combining creativity, persistence, and authentic engagement with both clients and candidates. We explore: How Greg went from aspiring rock star to leading recruiter Why recruiting is really a sales job on both sides of the table The dangers of over-automation and why AI isn’t ready to replace human recruiters How “selling the lifestyle” can help companies attract scarce skilled workers Why the skilled trades are a goldmine of opportunity for young people What companies must do to keep their best employees from leaving 🎧 Whether you’re an employer struggling to find reliable people, or a job seeker exploring career moves, this episode will give you fresh insight into how recruiting really works in 2025. 🔥 Watch now to learn how to outsmart the talent shortage and build teams that stick. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Learn more about WorkRocket: https://workrocket.com 🔗 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-thorpe-92694644/ 🔗 Learn more about Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Take the free Growth Quiz: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com

    14 min
  5. The Secrets to Winning Top Insurance Talent, with Gail Audibert

    08/28/2025

    The Secrets to Winning Top Insurance Talent, with Gail Audibert

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, I sit down with Gail Audibert, founder of Gail Audibert Associates and a powerhouse in executive search for the insurance industry. With over 25 years of experience placing top leaders, Gail shares how she’s seen recruiting evolve from handwritten resumes to AI-driven applicant tracking systems and why the human element still matters more than ever. What if your next great hire wasn’t just a resume, but the catalyst for long-term growth? Gail reveals her “secret sauce” for matching talent to company culture, not just filling roles. We explore: How recruiting has shifted from human conversations to keyword-based automation (and how to stand out) The real reasons insurance faces a critical talent shortage and what to do about it Common mistakes companies make when trying to attract high performers Why ghosting is killing both sides of the hiring process How video outreach and storytelling are bringing authenticity back to recruiting Advice for founders and new agencies trying to land their first star hires 🎧 Whether you’re an agency owner, carrier, or professional navigating career moves, this episode gives you a front-row seat to Gail’s decades of wisdom on building teams that actually last. 🔥 Watch now to learn how to outsmart the talent gap and create an irresistible company culture. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Connect with Gail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audibert/ 🔗 Learn more about Audibert Associates: https://audibertinc.com/ 🔗 Learn more about Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Take the free Growth Quiz: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com

    22 min
  6. Why Founders Burn Out (and How Fractional Leadership Saves Them) with Maddie Niebauer

    08/28/2025

    Why Founders Burn Out (and How Fractional Leadership Saves Them) with Maddie Niebauer

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, I sit down with Maddy Niebauer, founder and co-CEO of VChief, a five-time Inc. 5000 honoree pioneering the world of flexible executive staffing. From fractional chiefs of staff to part-time COOs and CFOs, Maddie has built a company that helps leaders scale without burning out. What if you could cut your workload in half while actually growing faster? Maddy shares how fractional leadership is giving founders and executives the support they need, without the full-time overhead. We explore: How VChief went from one fractional role to a full suite of executive support services Why hustle culture is broken (and why Maddy works just 25 hours a week) Real-world stories of founders who scaled by letting go of the “monkeys on their back” How fractional executives create ROI during transitions, projects, and leaves of absence Why success isn’t about the hours you work, it’s about where you put them What it takes to build a culture of sustainability while still landing on the Inc. 5000 list five times 🎧 Whether you’re a solo founder, a startup leader, or running a Fortune 500 team, this episode will help you rethink how you use your time and show you the power of fractional leadership. 🔥 Watch now to learn how to scale smarter without burning yourself (or your team) out. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Learn more about VChief: https://vchiefs.com 🔗 Connect with Maddy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleineniebauer/ 🔗 Learn more about Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Take the free Growth Quiz: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com

    23 min
  7. Why Storytelling Is a CEO’s Secret Weapon, with Damon D’Amore

    08/28/2025

    Why Storytelling Is a CEO’s Secret Weapon, with Damon D’Amore

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, I sit down with Damon D’Amore, C-suite advisor, keynote speaker, and founder of Legacy Mentor and all around epic human, to unpack the leadership skills every executive needs right now: storytelling, psychological performance, and crisis leadership. What if the key to thriving in uncertain times wasn’t more data or tools, but a better story? Damon shares how leaders from Wall Street to Hollywood to the Fortune 500 have relied on pragmatic optimism and narrative mastery to rally stakeholders, survive crises, and lead with authenticity. We explore: Damon’s unconventional path from Wall Street to Hollywood to advising Fortune 500 CEOs Why pragmatic optimism beats toxic positivity when leading in uncertain times How to tell corporate stories that actually rally stakeholders (and silence doubt) Why resilience isn’t a tool for crisis, it’s a lifestyle The hidden dangers of losing control of your narrative (and how to take it back) How women in the C-suite can leverage unique leadership skills post-2020 🎧 Whether you’re a founder, a corporate leader, or simply someone navigating constant change, this conversation will show you how to think clearer, communicate stronger, and lead smarter. 🔥 Watch now to learn how to make storytelling and resilience your competitive edge. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Connect with Damon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damondamore 🔗 Damon’s Substack & Legacy Mentor: https://legacymentor.co/ 🔗 Learn more about Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Take the free Growth Quiz: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com

    27 min
  8. From Nuclear Physics to Telehealth: How John Serri Built a Disruptive Healthcare Tech Company

    08/07/2025

    From Nuclear Physics to Telehealth: How John Serri Built a Disruptive Healthcare Tech Company

    In this episode of The Growth Switch, we chat with John Serri, founder and CEO of EyeQue, a groundbreaking ophthalmic telemedicine company. John takes us on a journey through his fascinating career, from his early days as a physicist at MIT to building satellite systems and later launching a revolutionary telehealth platform. 💡 What if you could get a reliable eye exam with just your smartphone? John explains how a casual conversation with a friend led to the creation of a telemedicine platform that offers accurate eye tests at a fraction of the cost of traditional eye exams. Along the way, he shares the challenges of innovating in the medical space, the obstacles faced by new technology, and why staying optimistic is critical for success. We explore: How a physicist’s background fueled John’s approach to solving real-world problems The moment EyeQue was born, how a simple question led to a global telehealth venture The realities of building a tech company in a highly regulated industry How EyeQue is tackling the massive need for accessible eye care The critical role of persistence and optimism in entrepreneurship Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about healthcare innovation, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at a game-changing startup and the mindset needed to make it succeed. 👇 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗 Connect with John Serri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnaserri/ 🔗 Discover more about EyeQue: https://eyeque.com/ 🔗 Learn more about Ariz Media: https://arizmedia.com 🔗 Take the Growth Score Quiz: https://arizmedia.scoreapp.com

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Growth Switch is the podcast where bold business leaders share their strategies, struggles, and breakthroughs. Hosted by Jules Fox, growth strategist and lead content creator at Ariz Media, each episode dives into how top brands scale, overcome challenges and achieve sustainable success. Through candid conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers, we uncover the pivotal moments, surprising insights, and hard-earned lessons that drive real growth.

Information

  • Creator
    Jules Fox
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    93