CEO Podcast | Unfiltered conversations with the leaders shaping our world.

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Jul 2026

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The official CEO.com podcast featuring unfiltered conversations with the leaders shaping our world.

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July 9, 202637 min

AI Leadership Founder Geoff Woods - Why AI Won't Replace Great Leaders

Geoff Woods, Founder of AI Leadership and bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, leadership, strategy, and how executives can use artificial intelligence to think better—not just work faster. After helping grow a public company from a $750 million market cap to $12 billion, Geoff became convinced that AI's greatest value isn't writing emails or summarizing meetings. Instead, it's helping leaders solve better problems, make better decisions, and think at a much higher level. In this episode, Geoff explains why leaders should stop treating AI like a productivity tool and start using it as a strategic thought partner. If you're interested in AI, leadership, strategy, entrepreneurship, executive development, or the future of work, this conversation is packed with practical frameworks you can apply immediately. 00:00:22 - Jeff's Background and Career Achievements 00:01:04 - Key Drivers of Company Growth 00:01:35 - Discovering ChatGPT and AI 00:02:06 - Using AI as a Thought Partner 00:02:27 - Live Use Case with AI for Strategy 00:03:09 - Writing the AI-Driven Leader Book 00:03:21 - Resonance and Market Research 00:04:30 - Changes Since First Publication 00:05:11 - Self-Leadership and AI 00:05:44 - AI as a Thought Partner Example 00:07:09 - CRIT Framework for AI Prompts 00:09:59 - Elevating Strategic Thinking with AI 00:10:11 - Defining Leadership in the AI Age 00:12:02 - AI as a Liberation Tool 00:12:54 - Misconceptions About AI 00:14:02 - Human-Led Decisions in the AI Era 00:15:04 - AI's Unpopularity and Public Perception 00:16:49 - Effective Messaging About AI 00:18:09 - Role of Government and Leadership in AI 00:20:13 - Identity and Job Attachment 00:21:42 - Personal Journey and Identity Crisis 00:24:03 - Double-Edged Sword of Success 00:25:07 - Leadership and Human Value in AI 00:26:15 - Valuable Skills in the AI Age 00:26:58 - Example of Empowering Employees with AI 00:30:49 - Overview of Jeff's Company, AI Leadership 00:31:44 - Transforming Companies with AI 00:35:23 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance? 00:37:17 - Conclusion and Book Promotion Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

July 7, 202622 min

Napoleon Hill Institute Chairman David Meltzer - Why Wisdom Beats Wealth

David Meltzer, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, joins Clint Betts for a powerful conversation on success, faith, AI, leadership, purpose, and the pursuit of true wealth. From becoming a millionaire just months after graduating law school to losing more than $100 million—and rebuilding his life around service and purpose—David shares the defining moments that completely transformed how he views success. Known as the inspiration behind Jerry Maguire through his time leading Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, David explains why money isn't the destination, why AI is making wisdom more valuable than ever, and how anyone can build a life centered on gratitude, accountability, and fulfillment. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:00:10 - David's Early Life and Aspirations 00:00:35 - Growing Up in a World of Not Enough 00:00:56 - Pursuing Wealth and Career Choices 00:01:16 - Shift from Athlete to Lawyer 00:01:37 - Early Career Success and Internet Ventures 00:02:10 - Becoming a Millionaire and Career Growth 00:02:44 - CEO of Samsung's Phone Division and Lee Steinberg Sports 00:03:04 - Losing Values and Financial Collapse 00:03:25 - Losing Everything and Telling His Mom 00:04:19 - Paradigm Shift and Return to Faith 00:05:01 - Aligning Life with Divine Direction 00:05:37 - Host's Reflection on Money and Happiness 00:06:20 - Realizing Life's Purpose 00:06:46 - Shifting Perspective from "I'll Be Happy When" to "For the Sake of What" 00:07:08 - Aligning Behaviors with Goals 00:08:01 - Self-Leadership and Faith 00:08:32 - Leading Back to Faith 00:08:43 - Embracing Uncertainty and Using Gratitude 00:09:26 - Communicating with God and Living by Values 00:10:11 - AI's Impact on Humanity and Leadership 00:11:06 - Leadership and AI 00:11:50 - Accelerated Time and Decision-Making 00:13:39 - Challenges of Leadership in the Age of AI 00:16:17 - David's Daily Routine and Non-Negotiable Behaviors 00:19:40 - Book Discussion: "Don't Do Business with Dicks" 00:21:07 - Reflecting on Who Gave David a Chance 00:21:49 - Closing Remarks and Future Collaboration If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, AI, faith, business, or living a more meaningful life, this conversation is filled with timeless wisdom and practical lessons. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

July 2, 202625 min

Lynq CEO Jerald David - How Blockchain Is Reinventing Financial Infrastructure

Jerald David, CEO of Lynq, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on blockchain, tokenization, stablecoins, financial infrastructure, and the future of global markets. Lynq is building a real-time settlement network that allows trusted counterparties to move capital instantly using blockchain technology. While much of the public conversation has shifted from crypto to AI, Jerald believes the biggest blockchain revolution is happening quietly behind the scenes as financial institutions modernize the infrastructure that powers global markets. In this episode, Jerald explains why blockchain is becoming the backbone of modern finance, how tokenization works, and why 24/7 settlement could fundamentally change the way money moves around the world. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:00:09 - Overview of Link 00:01:34 - State of Blockchain and Digital Assets 00:03:57 - Market Structure and Regulation 00:05:07 - Gerald's Background and Career Path 00:06:09 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 00:07:33 - Quantum Computing and Blockchain 00:08:41 - Market Inefficiencies and Link's Solutions 00:13:17 - Blockchain 101 and Tokenization Explained 00:18:06 - Stable Tokens and Their Use Cases 00:22:46 - Macro-Economic Perspective 00:24:00 - The Importance of Stable Tokens for the US Dollar 00:24:16 - The Importance of Giving Chances 00:25:08 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude If you're interested in blockchain, fintech, cryptocurrency, AI, financial markets, entrepreneurship, or the future of global finance, this conversation offers a clear look at where the industry is heading next. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 30, 202639 min

BRUNT Workwear Founder & CEO Eric Girouard - How Authentic Brands Win

Eric Girouard, Founder & CEO of BRUNT Workwear, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, branding, AI, e-commerce, and building one of America's fastest-growing workwear companies. Founded in 2020, BRUNT Workwear has become one of the most recognizable brands serving skilled tradespeople by doing something few companies have done well—building a brand that genuinely represents the people who keep America running. Eric shares how conversations with lifelong friends in the trades inspired a company that's redefining workwear through authenticity, community, and customer obsession. The conversation explores brand building, AI, product development, leadership, e-commerce, and why listening to customers is the ultimate competitive advantage. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Eric and Brunt Workwear 00:00:41 - Eric's Blue-Collar Roots and Early Entrepreneurial Ventures 00:02:14 - Learning from Serial Entrepreneur Ben Fishman 00:03:41 - The Genesis of Brunt Workwear 00:05:06 - Building a Brand for Tradespeople 00:06:08 - The Role of AI in Brunt Workwear 00:10:03 - The Importance of Building a Brand 00:14:28 - Community Building and Brand Building 00:16:46 - The Process of Bringing a Product to Market 00:21:36 - The State of E-commerce and Brunt's Success 00:25:07 - A Day in the Life of Eric 00:29:07 - Principles of Leadership 00:33:57 - Trends in the Trade Industry and Macro Economy 00:37:10 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances 00:38:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you're interested in entrepreneurship, branding, e-commerce, AI, consumer products, leadership, or building an enduring business, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of today's most successful brand builders. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 24, 202630 min

Blueprint Equity Managing Partner Sheldon Lewis - Is the SaaSpocalypse Real?

Sheldon Lewis, Managing Partner at Blueprint Equity, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on venture capital, growth equity, AI, SaaS, startup investing, and the future of software businesses. Blueprint Equity manages more than $600 million and specializes in helping bootstrapped and lightly funded vertical SaaS companies scale from early traction to sustainable growth. In this episode, Sheldon shares why he believes we're living through both the most exciting and most uncertain period in software investing history. The conversation dives into AI's impact on startups, whether the so-called "SaaSpocalypse" is real, the future of venture capital, and what investors are looking for in founders today. 00:00:00 - Introduction to Blueprint Equity 00:00:50 - Blueprint Equity's Investment Focus 00:01:56 - The State of SaaS and SaaSpocalypse 00:03:41 - Public Market SaaS Companies 00:05:05 - Efficiency and AI in Series A Funding 00:08:09 - The Future of Venture Capital 00:12:22 - The Potential of Software and AI 00:14:08 - Exciting Investment Verticals 00:17:10 - What Blueprint Equity Looks for in Founders 00:20:29 - Effective Board Meetings and Communication 00:23:25 - Public Sentiment on AI 00:26:29 - A Day in the Life of Sheldon 00:29:00 - The Importance of Giving and Receiving Chances If you're interested in venture capital, startups, SaaS, AI, entrepreneurship, investing, or the future of software businesses, this conversation is packed with valuable insights from one of the industry's leading growth investors. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 23, 202622 min

A Place for Mom CEO Tatyana Zlotsky - Solving America’s Growing Caregiving Crisis

Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO of A Place for Mom, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on caregiving, aging, leadership, AI, healthcare, and one of the biggest demographic challenges facing America. As the first wave of baby boomers turns 80, millions of families are being thrust into caregiving roles with little preparation, enormous financial burdens, and difficult decisions about senior care. A Place for Mom helps families navigate those challenges by connecting them with trusted advisors and care solutions tailored to their unique situations. In this episode, Tatyana shares why caregiving is becoming one of the defining issues of our time, how AI can support both families and businesses, and what leaders must do to navigate uncertainty and change. The conversation also explores immigration, resilience, company culture, healthcare innovation, and the future of senior living. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Career Journey 00:01:11 - Mission of A Place for Mom 00:02:44 - Caregiving Crisis and Statistics 00:03:55 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 00:05:06 - Optimism and AI 00:07:04 - Leadership and Decision Making 00:09:05 - Company Values 00:10:18 - Balancing Efficiency and Compassion 00:13:02 - Inspirational Leaders 00:14:42 - Managing Company Culture 00:17:04 - Future of Senior Living Industry 00:19:05 - Influence of Immigrant Experience 00:20:38 - Acknowledging Mentors and Supporters 00:22:07 - Conclusion and Gratitude If you're interested in leadership, healthcare, AI, aging, caregiving, entrepreneurship, or building mission-driven organizations, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of society’s most important challenges. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 22, 202637 min

Prowler Founder & CEO Toni De La Fuente - Why AI Security Is Really Cloud Security

Toni De La Fuente, Founder & CEO of Prowler, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on cloud security, AI, open source software, cybersecurity, and building one of the world's fastest-growing security communities. What started as a personal project to secure cloud environments has evolved into Prowler, an open-source security platform approaching 50 million downloads and helping organizations secure AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365, GitHub, Cloudflare, and more. In this episode, Toni explains why AI security and cloud security are rapidly converging, how open-source communities are shaping the future of cybersecurity, and why organizations must rethink security as AI-generated software becomes commonplace. The conversation also explores startup building, venture capital, remote work, leadership, cloud infrastructure, and what it takes to transform an open-source project into a venture-backed company. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Toni 00:00:20 - Founding of Prowler 00:01:25 - Transition from Open Source Project to Company 00:02:52 - Importance of Security in the Age of AI 00:05:21 - Opportunities in Cloud Security 00:07:24 - Concerns about Security Vulnerabilities in Old Code 00:10:01 - Growth and Adoption of Prowler 00:12:02 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 00:13:41 - Decision to Go Fully Remote 00:15:02 - Moving to San Francisco 00:16:41 - Reading Recommendations for CEOs 00:19:44 - Leadership Lessons and Challenges 00:21:07 - Macroeconomic Environment and Planning 00:23:52 - Funding and Venture Capital 00:26:10 - Balancing Community and Company Needs 00:28:33 - Community Reaction to Paid Features 00:30:03 - Future Growth Potential of Prowler 00:31:28 - Competitors in the Cloud Security Space 00:34:39 - Thoughts on Quantum Computing 00:35:31 - Reflecting on Opportunities and Support 00:37:12 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude If you're interested in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, open source software, startups, or the future of technology infrastructure, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the industry's leading builders. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 18, 202626 min

Torch CEO Heather Conklin - Why Human Leadership Matters More in the AI Era

Heather Conklin, CEO of Torch, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on leadership, coaching, AI, personal growth, and what it takes to lead effectively during times of rapid change. Torch helps organizations develop leaders through a combination of human coaching, AI-powered coaching, and leadership development programs designed to align leadership behavior with business outcomes. As AI transforms nearly every industry, Heather believes leadership is becoming more important—not less. In this episode, Heather explains why leadership isn't a title, why organizations are facing a leadership deficit, and why the most valuable skills in the AI era may be the deeply human ones. The conversation also explores self-awareness, coaching, organizational culture, leadership development, and the balance between performance and empathy. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Torch 00:01:02 - Integrating AI into Leadership Coaching 00:02:31 - Defining Leadership 00:04:28 - Common Traits of Effective Leaders 00:06:17 - The Role of AI in Modern Leadership 00:07:07 - The Necessity of Leadership in the AI Era 00:10:04 - Challenges in Developing Great Leaders 00:12:12 - Personal Leadership and Self-Management 00:14:20 - A Day in the Life of Heather 00:16:33 - Building and Growing a Coaching Business 00:20:00 - Becoming a Coach at Torch 00:21:51 - Reading Recommendations 00:23:49 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances 00:25:37 - Conclusion and Gratitude If you're interested in leadership, AI, management, personal growth, company culture, or developing high-performing teams, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of leadership. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

June 17, 202641 min

Ampleo Chief Growth Officer Joe Grover - Why Failure Is Every Entrepreneur’s Greatest Teacher

Joe Grover, Chief Growth Officer at Ampleo, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, acquisitions, marketing, and the lessons that come from failure. After building businesses, working in venture capital at Mercato Partners, leading marketing teams at venture-backed companies, serving as a turnaround CEO, and helping scale companies like Homie, Joe has spent decades helping businesses grow through both success and adversity. Today, Joe helps lead Ampleo, a firm providing fractional finance, marketing, HR, and executive leadership services to growing businesses. In this episode, he shares how AI is changing professional services, why trusted advisors still matter, and why entrepreneurs learn more from failure than success. The conversation also explores acquisitions, executive decision-making, startup leadership, productivity, and how AI is reshaping knowledge work. In this episode: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Joe's Background 00:00:14 - Early Career and Venture Capital Experience 00:00:35 - Turnaround CEO and Homey Experience 00:00:56 - Sabbatical and Joining Amplio 00:01:17 - Amplio's History and Services 00:01:55 - Impact of AI on Business 00:02:11 - AI in Board Meetings and Strategy 00:02:42 - AI Adoption in Small to Mid-Sized Businesses 00:03:04 - Early Adoption of ChatGPT and Custom GPTs 00:03:47 - AI in Professional Services 00:04:50 - M&A Strategy and AI Integration 00:05:11 - Value of Executive Experience vs. AI 00:06:04 - Identifying AI-Disruptable Verticals 00:07:10 - Preference for Claude and Co-Work Over ChatGPT 00:07:39 - Use of Various AI Tools for Content Creation 00:08:54 - Automating Daily Work Life with AI 00:09:47 - Typical Workday Routine 00:10:20 - Use of ClickUp and AI for Team Management 00:11:54 - Reducing the Need for Meetings 00:12:32 - Integration of Various SaaS Products 00:13:04 - Future of SaaS and AI Integration 00:14:56 - SaaS Market Trends and HubSpot's Position 00:16:11 - Uncertainty in SaaS Platforms' Long-Term Position 00:17:15 - Technology Adoption in SMBs 00:18:08 - HubSpot's Market Penetration 00:19:12 - Leadership Philosophy 00:22:08 - Recommended Reading 00:25:29 - Common Marketing Mistakes 00:27:19 - Effectiveness of Billboards and Owned Media 00:29:09 - Owned, Earned, and Paid Media Strategies 00:31:02 - Experience with Homey and Billboards 00:31:27 - Launching a Podcast on Failure 00:34:55 - Mental Health and Entrepreneurship 00:36:04 - The Fail Club Concept 00:36:46 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance? 00:39:02 - Junto Program and Early Entrepreneurship 00:40:13 - Equity and Investment in Junto Program 00:40:44 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, venture capital, AI, business growth, marketing, or executive decision-making, this conversation is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, CEOs, and leaders shaping the future of business and technology.

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 HopSkipDrive 00:00:29 - Identifying the Problem 00:01:01 - Founding Story and Initial Solution 00:01:43 - Evolution to School Transportation 00:02:47 - Differentiation from Uber and Lyft 00:03:29 - Safety Measures and Technology 00:05:13 - Impact on Parents and Special Needs 00:05:46 - Realizing the Business Potential 00:06:57 - Serving Vulnerable Populations 00:09:15 - Current Reach and Scale 00:09:32 - Typical Day for the CEO 00:10:53 - Utilizing AI in Operations 00:14:34 - Funding and Financial Challenges 00:15:31 - Navigating COVID-19 00:18:39 - Leadership and Company Values 00:21:05 - Final Thoughts and Mentorship If 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.