CEO.com Podcast | Dispatch from the frontier of leadership

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233

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Unfiltered conversations with public and private company CEOs. Navigating the AI shift. How they lead themselves and others. The people who gave them a chance.

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June 16, 202622 min

HopSkipDrive Co-Founder & CEO Joanna McFarland - How Transportation Shapes Educational Opportunity

Joanna McFarland, Co-Founder & CEO of HopSkipDrive, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on education, transportation, AI, entrepreneurship, and creating access for millions of students.What began as a solution for busy working parents evolved into one of the largest student transportation networks in the country. Today, HopSkipDrive partners with approximately 700 school districts across 17 states, helping schools safely transport students who often fall outside the reach of traditional bus systems.In this episode, Joanna shares how transportation impacts far more than getting from one place to another—it affects educational outcomes, workforce participation, foster care stability, special education access, and economic opportunity.The conversation also explores startup pivots, leadership, AI-powered route optimization, scaling mission-driven companies, and surviving the challenges of COVID.00:00:00 - Introduction to HopSkipDrive00:00:29 - Identifying the Problem00:01:01 - Founding Story and Initial Solution00:01:43 - Evolution to School Transportation00:02:47 - Differentiation from Uber and Lyft00:03:29 - Safety Measures and Technology00:05:13 - Impact on Parents and Special Needs00:05:46 - Realizing the Business Potential00:06:57 - Serving Vulnerable Populations00:09:15 - Current Reach and Scale00:09:32 - Typical Day for the CEO00:10:53 - Utilizing AI in Operations00:14:34 - Funding and Financial Challenges00:15:31 - Navigating COVID-1900:18:39 - Leadership and Company Values00:21:05 - Final Thoughts and MentorshipIf you're interested in education, AI, entrepreneurship, public policy, transportation, leadership, or building companies that create meaningful social impact, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 15, 202617 min

Branch CEO David Karnstedt - How AI Agents Will Transform Marketing

David Karnstedt, CEO of Branch, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, mobile marketing, deep linking, digital privacy, and the future of customer acquisition.Branch powers the infrastructure behind mobile experiences for many of the world's leading brands, helping marketers understand which channels drive results while ensuring users land exactly where they intend to go inside apps and digital experiences.In this episode, David shares why AI is rapidly reshaping marketing, how personal AI agents could become the next major platform shift, and what businesses need to do to stay relevant in a world where discovery, engagement, and decision-making are increasingly automated.The conversation also explores leadership, remote culture, fraud prevention, creator economies, and the future of digital advertising.00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Branch00:00:49 - David's Background and Role at Branch00:01:10 - Impact of AI on Marketing00:02:20 - Future of AI and Personal Agents00:03:34 - Social Media in the Age of AI00:04:40 - Employee Empowerment and Efficiency with AI00:05:34 - Building Company Culture Post-COVID00:07:06 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:07:49 - Reading and Podcast Recommendations00:09:02 - Funding and Financial Strategy00:10:05 - Macroeconomic Environment and Business Strategy00:11:08 - Privacy and Security in Marketing00:12:37 - Best Paid Marketing Channels00:14:10 - Growth of TikTok and Influencer Marketing00:14:47 - Qualities of a Great Leader00:15:56 - Reflecting on Career Opportunities and Mentorship00:16:51 - Conclusion and Thanksgiving WishesIf you're interested in AI, marketing, mobile technology, digital advertising, leadership, or the future of customer engagement, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-changing areas of technology.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 12, 202617 min

Savvi Financial Co-Founder & CEO Gina Mourtzinou - How AI Is Transforming Financial Wellness

Gina Mourtzinou, Co-Founder & CEO of Savvi Financial, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on financial wellness, employee benefits, AI, retirement planning, and helping people make smarter financial decisions.Savvi Financial helps employees navigate some of the most important financial decisions of their lives—from selecting healthcare benefits and retirement plans to building long-term financial security. Through analytics and personalized guidance, the company helps individuals optimize their financial journeys while helping employers improve benefits utilization and employee well-being.In this episode, Gina shares why financial planning matters more than investment performance alone, how AI is changing financial services, and why privacy and trust remain essential in an increasingly data-driven world.The conversation also explores behavioral finance, personal financial planning, startup leadership, workplace benefits, and lessons learned from decades in asset management.In this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Savvi Financial00:01:52 - Impact of AI on Workflow and Industry00:04:30 - Drawbacks and Cautions of AI in Financial Services00:05:21 - Gina's Background and Inspiration for Founding Savvi Financial00:08:06 - Financial Planning Advice for CEOs and Leaders00:09:47 - A Day in the Life of Gina, CEO of Savvi Financial00:10:22 - Reading Recommendations and Interests00:11:32 - Data Privacy and Security in Fintech00:13:06 - Hybrid Work Model and Company Culture00:14:50 - Macroeconomic Environment and Future Outlook00:15:59 - Reflecting on Opportunities and Mentorship00:17:19 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you're interested in fintech, personal finance, retirement planning, AI, leadership, or employee benefits, this conversation offers practical insights into building financial confidence in an increasingly complex world.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 11, 202623 min

Fast Slow Motion Founder & CEO John Burdett - How to Build a Business That Runs Without You

John Burdett, Founder & CEO of Fast Slow Motion and author of The Scalable Business Framework, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, leadership, business systems, AI, faith, and overcoming life's toughest challenges.Fast Slow Motion helps businesses scale through Salesforce and HubSpot by building the systems, processes, and operational foundations that allow companies to grow without chaos. But this conversation goes far beyond software.In one of the most personal episodes of the CEO.com Show, John shares how a devastating health battle—including the removal of his colon and a subsequent Stage 3 cancer diagnosis—became proof that the business principles he'd spent years teaching actually work.The conversation explores leadership, culture, remote work, faith, resilience, and why truly scalable companies are built on purpose, people, and profit.In this episode:00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:00:11 - Overview of Fast Slow Motion00:00:28 - Comparing Salesforce and HubSpot00:01:11 - Importance of Data Consolidation00:01:45 - Impact of AI on Business Platforms00:02:27 - Challenges with Data Management00:02:44 - John's Personal Journey and Health Struggles00:05:38 - Coping with Adversity00:07:53 - The Scalable Business Framework00:09:50 - Qualities of a Great Leader00:11:34 - Building Company Culture00:13:36 - Remote Work and Company Flexibility00:15:50 - Origin of the Company Name00:17:28 - Macroeconomic Perspectives00:20:43 - The Importance of Giving and Receiving Chances00:22:34 - Closing Remarks and Health UpdateIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, company culture, AI, or building a life that can withstand adversity, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-earned lessons.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 10, 202632 min

Endor Labs Founder & CEO Varun Badhwar - Why AI Makes Cybersecurity More Important Than Ever

Varun Badhwar, Founder & CEO of Endor Labs, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, cybersecurity, software supply chains, data centers, and the future of software development.After helping pioneer cloud security with RedLock, Varun founded Endor Labs around a simple but powerful idea: modern software isn't written from scratch—it's assembled from open-source components, third-party libraries, and increasingly, AI-generated code. As AI accelerates software development, security can no longer be treated as an afterthought.In this episode, Varun explains why software supply chain security has become one of the most critical challenges in technology, how AI is changing both cyberattacks and cyber defense, and why every organization must rethink how software gets built.00:00:00 - Introduction and Varun's Background00:00:39 - The Concept of Software Assembly00:01:10 - Security Challenges in Software Development00:02:30 - AI and Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities00:03:08 - Importance of Cybersecurity in the Age of AI00:04:51 - Understanding Software Supply Chain Security00:08:36 - Protecting Against Software Supply Chain Attacks00:09:09 - Open Source Security and OpenClaw00:11:15 - Embedding Security in Software Development00:12:04 - On-Prem vs. Cloud Security00:13:49 - The Scale of Code Rewriting Needed00:17:34 - Public Perception of AI and Data Centers00:21:40 - Token Costs and AI Utilization00:22:50 - The AI Race with China00:25:15 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:27:47 - Core Principles of Leadership00:30:19 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances00:31:43 - Closing Remarks and GratitudeIf you're interested in AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud computing, technology infrastructure, or the future of software development, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the industry's leading thinkers.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 9, 202640 min

Prospero AI CEO George Kailas - How AI Is Democratizing Investing

George Kailas, CEO of Prospero AI, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on investing, artificial intelligence, market prediction, wealth creation, and the future of retail investing.After starting his career in value investing as a teenager, George spent years building algorithms and AI systems designed to uncover market signals typically available only to institutional investors. Today, Prospero AI helps everyday investors access data-driven insights that have consistently outperformed the broader market.In this episode, George explains how AI is changing investing, why trust may become the most valuable asset in the AI era, and what individual investors can learn from institutional behavior.The conversation also explores prediction markets, market bubbles, data centers, quantum computing, and the future of wealth management.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:09 - Founding of Prospero AI00:00:42 - Retail Investors' Data Disadvantage00:01:02 - Simplifying Investment Signals00:01:46 - Democratizing Investing00:02:11 - Building a Community00:03:02 - Trust in AI and Community-Based Research00:04:08 - Future Vision: Public Utility of Data00:05:12 - Predicting News Events00:07:16 - User Base and Growth00:07:40 - Beyond Stock Market: Betting Markets00:09:08 - Institutional vs. Retail Behavior in Markets00:12:11 - AI's Impact on the Stock Market00:16:10 - Overbuilding Compute and Data Centers00:20:31 - Incentives Behind Building Data Centers00:23:13 - Future of AI Companies Going Public00:27:09 - Staying Ahead with Prospero's Algorithms00:30:57 - Typical Day of a CEO00:33:43 - Team Size and Structure00:34:42 - Funding and Investment00:35:08 - Long-Term Vision for Prospero00:38:30 - Acknowledging Mentors and OpportunitiesIf you're interested in investing, AI, financial markets, entrepreneurship, wealth building, or the future of technology, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how data and intelligence are reshaping finance.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 8, 202629 min

Extend Co-Founder & CEO Andrew Jamison - How AI Is Reinventing Expense Management

Andrew Jamison, Co-Founder & CEO of Extend, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on fintech, AI, banking partnerships, entrepreneurship, and the future of business spending.Extend helps companies control spending before it happens by turning existing credit cards into powerful expense management tools. Rather than replacing banks, Extend works alongside financial institutions to give businesses greater visibility, control, compliance, and automation.In this episode, Andrew shares how his experience at American Express and SAP led him to identify a massive opportunity in the middle market—and why partnering with banks proved to be a better strategy than competing against them.The conversation also explores AI, leadership, company culture, venture capital, and how financial workflows are becoming increasingly automated.00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background00:00:11 - Overview of Extend00:00:52 - Journey to Founding Extend00:02:29 - Origin Story and Entrepreneurial Drive00:05:09 - Market Opportunity and Middle Market Focus00:07:22 - Collaboration vs. Disruption in FinTech00:10:11 - AI in FinTech and Expense Management00:12:15 - Internal Use of AI at Extend00:14:24 - Funding and Investors00:15:28 - Company Culture and Remote Work00:18:45 - Reading Recommendations00:21:37 - Macroeconomic Environment and FinTech00:23:36 - Mentorship and Early Career Challenges00:27:23 - Capital Raising Journey00:28:37 - Closing Remarks and Future Check-inIf you're interested in fintech, AI, banking, entrepreneurship, leadership, or the future of financial operations, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of the industry's most experienced operators.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 5, 202628 min

Gravyty CEO Justin Beck - How AI Is Transforming Student Engagement

Justin Beck, CEO of Gravyty, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, higher education, student engagement, fundraising, and the future of universities.Gravyty helps colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and nonprofits create meaningful human connections at scale through AI-powered engagement tools. By connecting student support systems, fundraising platforms, alumni engagement, and institutional data, Gravyty helps organizations deliver better experiences while operating more efficiently.In this episode, Justin shares how AI is reshaping higher education, why student belonging and retention matter more than ever, and how universities are navigating growing financial pressures while still delivering meaningful outcomes.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Gravyty00:00:22 - Formation and Evolution of Gravyty00:00:55 - Justin's Career Journey00:01:44 - Justin's Experience in EdTech00:02:05 - Gravyty's Role in Higher Education00:02:27 - Integration with LMS and CRM Systems00:03:11 - Breaking Down Silos in Education00:03:53 - Future of Higher Education00:04:25 - Value of Campus Connections00:05:07 - Administrative Challenges in Education00:05:33 - Traditional Methods vs. AI Solutions00:06:49 - Impact of Government Funding Cuts00:07:13 - Enhancing Donor Engagement00:08:17 - AI in Fundraising and Advancement00:09:46 - NIL Deals and Athletic Departments00:11:10 - Role of University Presidents00:13:46 - Day in the Life of a CEO00:16:51 - Funding and Private Equity00:19:49 - Future of AI in Education00:21:49 - Book Recommendation: "The Score That Matters"00:23:23 - Building Company Culture00:25:34 - Macroeconomic Environment and Education00:27:06 - Importance of Trade and Vocational Programs00:27:19 - Reflecting on Career Opportunities00:27:49 - Conclusion and FarewellIf you're interested in AI, education, leadership, fundraising, edtech, or the future of higher education, this conversation offers valuable insights into how institutions are adapting to a rapidly changing world.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 4, 202621 min

Mochi Founder & CEO Dr. Myra Ahmad - How GLP-1s Are Transforming Healthcare

Dr. Myra Ahmad, Founder & CEO of Mochi, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on obesity medicine, GLP-1 medications, telehealth, healthcare innovation, and the future of personalized metabolic care.Mochi is building a marketplace for evidence-based healthcare, helping patients connect with providers for customized treatment plans focused on obesity, metabolic health, menopause care, skincare, and more. In this episode, Dr. Ahmad explains why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are fundamentally changing healthcare — and why obesity should be treated like any other chronic medical condition.The conversation also explores telemedicine, personalized medicine, healthcare costs, startup culture, compounding pharmacies, and the growing role of technology in healthcare delivery.00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:00:13 - What is Mochi?00:00:31 - Revolution in Metabolic Health00:01:01 - Mochi's Unique Approach00:01:48 - Future of Healthcare00:02:11 - Dr. Ahmad's Background and Inspiration00:02:33 - The Obesity Epidemic00:03:37 - Factors Contributing to Obesity00:04:12 - Socioeconomic Factors in Obesity00:05:02 - Government and Food Industry's Role00:05:24 - Decline in Obesity Rates00:05:55 - Anti-GLP-1 Sentiment00:06:19 - Medication Management and Supervision00:07:29 - Personalized Medication and Compounding00:08:28 - Understanding Compounded GLP-1s00:09:47 - Future of Personalized Medication00:10:17 - Why Drugs are Expensive00:11:27 - A Day in the Life of a CEO00:12:05 - Funding and Profitability00:12:24 - Competitive Landscape00:13:18 - Building the Team and Culture00:13:37 - Advantages of Starting in San Francisco00:14:03 - Startup Culture in San Francisco00:14:55 - Reading Recommendations for CEOs00:15:29 - Regulatory Hurdles in Health Tech00:16:40 - Transition from Medicine to Startup00:17:42 - Impact of Being an MD00:18:29 - Macroeconomic Environment00:19:45 - Political Impact on Healthcare00:20:49 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?00:21:21 - Closing Remarks and Future PlansIf you’re interested in healthcare, startups, telemedicine, GLP-1s, entrepreneurship, or the future of metabolic medicine, this conversation is packed with insights on where healthcare is heading next.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 3, 202626 min

Prometeo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ximena Aleman - How AI Is Reshaping Financial Infrastructure

Ximena Aleman, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Prometeo, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on fintech infrastructure, AI agents, open banking, stablecoins, and the future of financial systems across Latin America.Prometeo has built one of the largest open banking networks in Latin America, connecting more than 1,200 financial institutions across 11 countries. In this episode, Ximena shares how her team identified the infrastructure bottlenecks slowing fintech innovation in the region — and why solving those problems became the foundation for Prometeo.The conversation explores AI inside financial services, regulatory complexity, stablecoin adoption, startup culture, and what it takes to scale infrastructure across emerging markets.00:00:00 - Introduction and Background00:00:19 - Early FinTech Ventures00:00:52 - Building Prometeo00:02:28 - FinTech Ecosystem in Latin America00:05:33 - AI in FinTech00:07:38 - Security and Compliance in AI00:10:36 - Cryptocurrency Adoption in Latin America00:14:03 - A Day in the Life of Samantha00:16:19 - Funding and Investment Journey00:18:39 - Macroeconomic Environment Impact00:20:44 - Company Culture and Remote Work00:24:40 - The Importance of Giving Chances00:26:32 - Closing RemarksIf you’re interested in AI, fintech, open banking, payments, crypto, entrepreneurship, or the future of financial infrastructure, this conversation is packed with insights on where the industry is heading next.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.