[A] Growth Ventures Podcast with Hamlet Azarian

Hosted by Azarian Growth Agency

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May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, the go-to platform for entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers. I'm your host, Hamlet Azarian. In this podcast, we delve into the world of business, technology, and innovation. We bring you conversations with industry leaders, disruptors, and visionaries who are shaping the future and making a difference in their fields. Each week, we explore the challenges and opportunities of growth, from startup to scale-up, and everything in between.

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34 recent

May 25, 2026Episode 331 hr 6 min

"Better Leads Come From Better Decisions" — How Behavioral Economics Is Reshaping Lead Generation

In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sits down with Tom Thompson, Chief Economist at Havas Edge - the world's largest full-service performance marketing agency - and Entrepreneur in Residence at Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs.With roots in naval intelligence, game theory, and behavioral economics, Tom spent over two decades applying the science of consumer decision-making to how the world's biggest brands generate leads and convert customers.This conversation unpacks Tom's unconventional journey - from submarines and Gulf War intelligence operations to the U.S. Department of Treasury's housing crisis response, to becoming the in-house economist reshaping performance marketing strategy at global scale.His central insight: most conversion friction isn't informational - it's psychological. And until marketers understand that, they'll keep optimizing the wrong things.

May 8, 2026Episode 3245 min

Michael Slawson: Professionalizing Sales at First Institutional Capital

In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sits down with Michael Slawson, President of Apparel Advisors, and the go-to expert PE firms call when their portfolio companies need a serious go-to-market overhaul.With a background spanning international consulting, the World Bank, clean energy entrepreneurship in Kenya, and hypergrowth stints at Hum Capital and Clipboard Health, Michael brings a rare blend of global perspective and on-the-ground sales execution to every engagement.This conversation explores Michael's journey — from co-founding a pyrolysis-based clean energy charcoal company in East Africa and learning hard lessons about willingness to pay, to doing door-to-door pest control sales, to now building full GTM systems from scratch for sponsor-backed B2B companies.His central insight: go-to-market is never just a hire — it's a system built around four pillars: accounts, channels, messaging, and RevOps. And if you're not building that system with flexibility baked in, you're accumulating GTM debt that future you will regret.

May 13, 2025Episode 3159 min

Jason Jones: From Investor to Builder: Launching Ventures and AI in Accounting

In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sits down with Jason Jones, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Tellen, a vertical AI company reinventing how accounting firms conduct audits.With a background in venture capital, hedge funds, fintech, and DeFi, Jason brings decades of experience in identifying disruptive trends and translating them into scalable businesses.This conversation explores Jason’s journey - from investing in early Web 1.0 companies and launching Lending Robot, to pioneering securitization protocols on the blockchain, and now building AI-powered tools for the audit and accounting space. His central insight: disruption always follows a recognizable pattern, and opportunity lies in spotting it early.

March 23, 2025Episode 2751 min

Dennis Mortensen: Build a Better Startup - Obsess Over the Pain, Not the Tech

In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sat down with Dennis Mortensen, a serial entrepreneur with four exits and a deep passion for building AI-powered products that solve real, tangible problems.As the founder of Launchbrightly, Dennis is tackling a unique but widespread issue in the SaaS world: outdated help docs caused by constant product updates. Beyond that, this episode is packed with powerful lessons for founders who want to build, validate, and scale startups correctly.

March 23, 202559 min

Russell Palmer: Empowering Creators - How AI is Shaping the Future of Filmmaking

In this episode of [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sits down with Russell Palmer, the CEO and Co-Founder of CyberFilm AI. Russell's journey from working at Microsoft and Samsung’s AI division to launching an AI-powered filmmaking tool is an inspiring story of innovation and perseverance. CyberFilm AI is designed to help filmmakers create high-quality films on an indie budget, giving storytellers the tools to bring their visions to life efficiently.

March 13, 2025Episode 2733 min

Clate Mask: Lessons on Scaling and Supporting Small Businesses

Want to 10x Your Business? It Starts with the Right Leadership.In the latest episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sat down with Clate Mask, co-founder and CEO of Keap (formerly Infusionsoft), to discuss scaling businesses, leadership evolution, and the role of AI in entrepreneurship.

March 6, 2025Episode 2739 min

Ghassen BENHADJSALAH: How To Leverage AI To Create Value

In the latest episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, the conversation centered around solving one of the most pressing challenges for businesses today: workplace disengagement.Hamlet Azarian talked with Ghassen Benhadjsalah, a serial tech entrepreneur and co-founder of inncivio. It’s a startup focused on modernizing workplace learning. With over 15 years of experience as a founder and a deep background in AI, machine learning, and fintech, Ghassen shared valuable insights on innovation, leadership, and building a team and product with lasting impact.

November 12, 2024Episode 2644 min

Walter Paulsen: Lead Like a Pro – Thriving with AI and Innovation for CEOs

In this episode of [A] Growth Ventures podcast⁠⁠, we hosted Walter Paulsen, the former founder of Blackhawk Network, who has had multiple successful exits, including a unicorn. Walter shared his insights on adopting AI, taking calculated risks, and aligning technology with long-term goals. His advice, emphasizing core values and sustainable growth, offers powerful guidance for leaders navigating today’s rapidly changing landscape.

November 6, 2024Episode 2555 min

Robin Waite: Secrets to Business Growth from a Bestselling Author and Coach

In this episode of [A] Growth Ventures Podcast⁠, Robin Waite, founder of Fearless Business and expert in pricing strategy, shared strategies for business growth by emphasizing value-based pricing. If you want to master pricing beyond numbers and learn why authentic video storytelling could be your brand's secret weapon, this episode with Robin is for you. You'll also discover strategies to avoid burnout while scaling with purpose. Dive into how to blend profit with purpose, reframe setbacks as growth fuel, and leverage AI to stay ahead in a changing landscape.

October 24, 2024Episode 2447 min

Julia Enthoven: Building Kapwing and Shaping the Future of Content Creation

In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, we sit down with Julia Enthoven, CEO and co-founder of Kapwing, to explore the journey behind building a successful tech startup. Julia discusses her challenges while founding Kapwing and transitioning from product manager to CEO. Throughout the conversation, we dive into her unique leadership style, how she and her team stayed innovative, and the critical role SEO played in maintaining a competitive edge. Julia also shares her experiences with fundraising and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly about turning setbacks into opportunities. If you're interested in startup growth, product innovation, or hearing Julia's insights on leading a fast-growing company, this episode is packed with wisdom you won't miss!