Measure Success Podcast

Hosted by Carl J. Cox

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Episodes

275

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

This is the Measure Success Podcast, which features top leaders on how they measure success in their business and life. We talk with CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors, and extraordinary high achievers. The host, Carl J. Cox, is the CEO of 40 Strategy. 40 Strategy guides leaders to take their organization to the next level by designing world-class strategic plans and keeping them accountable to get it done. Go to 40strategy.com to learn more. As an entrepreneur and executive, Carl has been with 7 different companies that have grown from 2x to 7x. Carl is the author of Lost at CEO, An Entrepreneur's Guide to Strategy. This book reached #1 Amazon bestseller in 12 separate categories at launch, and a must-read for entrepreneurs and leaders.

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60 recent

June 16, 202640 min

What AI Agents Mean for Small Business Growth

AI is moving faster than most businesses realize. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Trent Gillespie, former Amazon executive and CEO of Stellis AI, breaks down what business leaders need to understand about AI agents, automation, and organizational readiness. We discuss: • Why prompts are no longer the main conversation • How AI agents are changing work • What leaders should do to prepare employees for change • Why businesses need visibility in AI search and recommendation systems • How organizations can build AI adoption without overwhelming teams If you think AI is only about saving time, this episode will challenge that assumption. Listen now and start building for your future customer. Connect with Trent: LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/trentgillespie Website https://trentgillespie.live

June 9, 202644 min

How Great Leaders Rebuild After Failure

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Ryan Hogan, founder and CEO of Talent Harbor, about entrepreneurship, leadership, recruiting, and recovering from failure. Ryan shares the story of building a zombie-themed event company that scaled quickly before collapsing into bankruptcy. He explains the stress, lessons, and rebuilding process that followed. He also discusses launching Hunt A Killer, scaling the business to more than $55M in revenue, and eventually exiting the company. You will learn: • Why great businesses need the right people • How top sales talent changes company growth • What companies miss when hiring salespeople • Why peer groups matter for leaders • How Ryan rebuilt after losing everything If you lead a business, hire talent, or want practical lessons on growth and resilience, this episode is worth your time. Listen now and follow the Measure Success Podcast for more leadership and strategy conversations.

June 2, 202641 min

Digital Marketing Fraud Is Costing You Money

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Rich Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Anura.io, about entrepreneurship, leadership, company culture, and digital ad fraud. Rich shares lessons from building multiple successful technology companies over the past three decades while staying committed to family and long-term relationships. The conversation covers leadership, work-life balance, remote work, scaling teams, and how businesses lose billions each year to fraudulent digital traffic. You will learn: • Why entrepreneurs regret not taking the risk • How strong company culture improves retention • What ad fraud is costing businesses today • How leaders can protect both growth and family priorities If you lead a business, manage marketing spend, or want to build a healthier company culture, this episode is worth your time. Listen now and follow the Measure Success Podcast for more leadership and strategy conversations. Connect with Rich: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richkahn/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/anurasolutions/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anura.io/ Twitter https://x.com/richkahn Website https://www.anura.io

May 19, 202644 min

Why Most Brands Fail to Stand Out Today

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with Jason Sherwood, founder of Phase 23, to discuss how businesses can stand out in a crowded market. As AI reshapes search and marketing, many companies struggle to stay visible. Jason explains why strong positioning and clear messaging still matter most. They explore a simple exercise: ask your best customers to describe your company in two words. If the answers are not consistent, your brand lacks clarity. Key takeaways: AI is changing how customers search and find businesses Clear positioning reduces price competition Strong messaging builds trust and drives growth Branding is not design—it is strategy Listen now to learn how to sharpen your message and build a brand that connects. Connect with Jason: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsherwood/ Website https://phase23.com/

May 5, 202631 min

How to Win Without Being the Biggest

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Alex Smith, founder of Basic Arts and author of No Bullsht Strategy*. They discuss why many companies chase being better when they should focus on being different. Alex explains how businesses can cut through noise, build clear positioning, and create real competitive advantage. He also shares why simple strategy often works better than overcomplicated plans. If you lead a business, manage a team, or want smarter growth decisions, this episode is for you. Listen now and rethink how your company stands out. Connect with Alex: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-m-h-smith/ Twitter https://x.com/smithesq Book No Bullsh*t Strategy Book Link https://basicarts.org/book/ Website https://basicarts.org/

April 28, 202652 min

From Revenue to Real Business Value Explained

In this episode, Carl sits down with George Sandmann of Growth Drive to discuss how business owners can increase the value of their company by building strategic capacity. They explore the gap between what owners think their business is worth and what it could be worth. The conversation highlights how improving leadership, systems, and execution can increase valuation multiples and create predictable growth. Key takeaways: Strategic capacity drives higher business value Revenue alone does not determine worth Most businesses are too dependent on the owner Private equity rewards structure and discipline Exit outcomes depend on preparation, not timing If you want to build a business that creates long-term wealth and runs without you, this episode gives you a clear path. Listen now and apply one idea this week. Connect with George: Guest Assets: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-sandmann/ Book: The Growth-Driving Advisor: Proven Strategies for Leading Businesses from Stuck to Best-in-Class Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Growth-Driving-Advisor-Strategies-Best-Class/dp/164225875X Website: https://www.growth-drive.com/

April 21, 202639 min

How to Build Systems That Create Real Results

In this episode, Carl speaks with Will Spengler about what it takes to build success that lasts. They discuss the role of discipline, clarity, and execution in business and leadership. Many people focus on ideas, but this conversation highlights the importance of systems and consistent action. Key takeaways include: • Why clarity drives better decisions • The role of discipline in long-term success • How systems improve performance • What separates high performers from others This episode offers a practical look at how to think, act, and lead with purpose. Listen now and apply these ideas to your own work. Connect with Will: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-spengler-2193433a/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrederickFoxGroup/ Website https://frederickfox.com/

April 14, 202643 min

How to Sell High Value Services the Right Way

In this episode, Carl speaks with Mike Garrison about referral-based sales and how service businesses grow. Mike shares why most sales approaches fail and how business owners must shift their thinking from price to lifetime value. He explains how referrals should be treated as a system, not a hope. Key takeaways include: • Why predictable referrals matter • How buyers think about long-term value • The role of trust in high-value sales • Why sales is the core of every business This episode gives a clear and direct look at how to improve your sales process. Listen now and rethink how you grow your business. Connect with Mike: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegarrisoncaniborrowyourcar/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mike.garrison.73 Book Can I Borrow Your Car: How Financial Advisors Can Grow Their Business And Love Their Life Book Link https://www.amazon.com/Can-Borrow-Your-Car-Successful/dp/B0BKSCTHL7/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Wur7S3XBKsl32zDYadB-n5EZHgRFOY9ADL7zcZIcVT9SBeddbgLweBkt9dmaT_lLSJ_Htrph1NoPw5y3vfj1NN-qkkNte_3kRBe0bfL1eOedDvsVI-sW_q58OG8D1nH9xB7mnlmn8XFb_a4y3kQZN0hqPI_h1JbpoAQEcf0SfzpmzgY_EzhLbNUbjGxqyXqPvcfrEadDRKIS-7I1EmTRT62ZK0e2RobTI1nEUvWYtss.-nT483q5EJsYXxxYwUL6iDwKU_1T3BCqdYNV6AW4UJQ&qid=1760356398&sr=8-1 Website www.caniborrowyourcar.com

April 7, 202632 min

How to Move from Employee to Business Owner

In this episode, Carl speaks with Jon Ostenson about franchising, business ownership, and the shift happening in today's workforce. As AI reshapes jobs, many professionals are exploring ways to build their own income streams. Jon shares what he sees across the market and what separates successful business owners from those who struggle. Key takeaways include: • Why following a proven system matters • The role of mindset in business success • How "non-sexy" businesses can drive strong returns • What to expect when transitioning from employee to owner This episode gives a clear look at risk, opportunity, and long-term income strategy. Listen now and start thinking about your next move. Connect with Jon: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JonOstenson1 Book Non-Food Franchising: https://www.amazon.com/Non-Food-Franchising-Better-Business-Ownership/dp/B0BJNDCGN4 Website https://franbridgeconsulting.com/

April 1, 202640 min

Why Leaders Burn Out and How to Prevent It

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Dr. Tracy Gapin, founder of the Gapin Institute and a leading expert in executive health and performance. After years of success in traditional medicine, Dr. Gapin realized that many high-performing professionals were neglecting their own health while pursuing business success. The conversation explores how stress, poor sleep, hormones, and lifestyle habits affect leadership performance and long-term health. Key takeaways include: • Why many entrepreneurs wait until health problems appear • How small daily habits can improve energy and focus • The role of sleep, hormones, and stress in performance • Why leaders must align their health with their purpose If you lead a business, team, or organization, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you measure success. Listen now and start building a strategy for both business and health. Connect with Tracy: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracygapin/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drtracygapin/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drtracygapin/ Twitter https://x.com/DrGapin Book Male 2.0 and Codes of Longevity Book Link https://www.amazon.com/Male-2-0-Cracking-Limitless-Vitality/dp/0578605961 , https://www.amazon.com/Codes-Longevity-Leading-Potential-Optimized/dp/1735373850 Website https://gapininstitute.com/