Disruptive Ceo Nation

We respect the mission of Two Chairs because we believe that human potential relies on individuals remaining mentally strong. Enter Alex Katz. He has a clear vision for company growth and expansion, deeply rooted in his personal experiences and commitment to improving mental health care. But this is not just about access, the systems are highly sophisticated to introduce the patient to the right therapist based on personalized matching factors. Alex emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation before scaling, particularly in healthcare, where patient outcomes are critical. His approach involves investing in the right clinical culture and technology, ensuring that the company stays true to its core values of patient and clinician care while attracting aligned investors. As Two Chairs has grown to connect around 600 therapists with clients - and these are employees, not an independent network so they are verified and aligned with the brand. Alex aspires to expand the company's reach across mul

Supratim Srinivasan is deeply concerned about the fragility of the electrical utilities industry, so he is doing something about it. As an engineer with a strong background in finance, he co-founded Atma Energy to make distributed energy resources like solar and energy storage more accessible to the individual homeowner and business owner while at the same time enabling them to capitalize on surplus power that they may be generating. This development of virtual power plant programs leverages and aggregates individual energy sites into a robust, utility-supportive fleet. This innovative approach enhances grid resilience, especially during natural disasters, and facilitates a transition towards a more sustainable and distributed energy model. Highlights of our conversation: - Supratim is on a mission to provide clean energy solutions, especially in vulnerable regions like Texas. - Visionary leadership and belief are crucial in tackling the problem of making solar energy more accessible even in remote areas

Dr. Benjamin Ritter sees in others what they can’t yet see in themselves, which is what we love about his work. So we invited Dr. Ritter to join us and discuss his book, Becoming Fearless, because we believe that everyone should feel in control of their business journey and find joy along the way. This book is a reflection of his work with CEOs, founders and senior leaders where he has helped individuals move from self-doubt to self-mastery - in fact he cites 65 ways that anyone can do this. His guidance to his clients places a strong emphasis on skill development in effective communication, performance management, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance to prevent toxic relationships and turnover. He knows that leaders who learn to tone down the fear and amp up the confidence move further faster on the quest for success. Highlights of our conversation: - To rise up one needs to break free from limiting beliefs and create a career aligned with true desires. - You must be your greatest champion and lear

Vidusha is a distinguished expert in leadership training and coaching, with over 20 years of experience in the field. As the founder of High Five Consultancy and Luminary Learning Solutions, she has made significant strides in HR consulting and leadership development, authoring over 70 books and establishing herself as a thought leader. Vidusha's perspective on leadership emphasizes that leaders should not see themselves as superhuman, but rather as individuals performing a role, where self-doubt is a healthy trait that can lead to better decision-making. In other words, be human as you lead. Highlights of our conversation: - Leaders need to be confident and selfless to grow a strong leadership pipeline. - Joy, self-awareness, and positive leadership are crucial for fostering a supportive environment for leadership development. - Self-doubt is important in decision-making to prevent toxic behavior and promote collaboration. - Understanding one's mortality and focusing on shared success are key for building

Alex French, the co-founder and CEO of Bizzy Cold Brew, has steered his company from the remnants of a failed snow sports venture to a thriving brand known for its exceptional 48-ounce cold brew coffees. With his extensive background in marketing at Best Buy and General Mills, Alex has channeled his expertise into creating a product that stands out for its high quality, significant caffeine content, and affordability. He underscores the meticulous effort invested in crafting the perfect cold brew coffee, overcoming numerous challenges, and targeting a niche market within the food and beverage sector. Alex takes immense pride in the brand’s growth, now available in 8,000 stores, and relishes the sight of strangers enjoying his product, validating its value and impact in their daily lives. Highlights of our conversation: - Bizzy Cold Brew was founded to cater to the demand for ready-to-drink beverages, recognizing the popularity of cold brew coffee and the inefficiencies of making it at home. - Leveraging hi

Ed Birchall, the founder of Sobirho, brings a wealth of experience from his professional rugby career and roles in finance and technology to revolutionize fan engagement in the sports industry. He passionately believes that Sobirho's data-driven AI technology is crucial for delivering hyper-personalized interactions and maximizing revenues. I met Ed while I was speaking at SEICon (Sports, Entertainment and Innovation Conference) and was impressed not only by his ease and knowledge of intelligently using data to drive financial performance but his passion for keeping minor league sporting teams from soccer and cricket to baseball and football alive and relevant in their communities. He emphasizes that understanding fan behavior and preferences is key to driving revenue and fostering deeper connections between teams and their towns. Highlights of our conversation noted: - Sobirho’s start-up story and why it is a personal mission. - Why a focus on hyper-personalized fan and player engagement is critical for t

Jose Pereira, a renowned leader and former CEO of Citgo Petroleum, exemplifies resilience and leadership, especially highlighted through his harrowing experience as one of the Citgo Six who were wrongfully detained and held hostage by the Venezuelan government from 2017 to 2022. During his unjust imprisonment, Pereira's perspective on resilience evolved profoundly, leading him to become a motivational speaker and author. He also is now a champion for raising awareness on kidnapping and hostage situations not only for the business person, but for their family members who are with them. In his book From Hero to Villain: True Story of the Citgo Six and through his program "Life Pills for a Surviving Guide," he emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing physical and mental health to navigate challenges effectively. Pereira advocates for raising awareness about critical issues and sharing personal experiences, believing these actions can inspire others on their journeys towards resilience and effective leadership.

Who doesn’t want their teams to be agile and shoot for success? Well, enter Gerald Leonard, a seasoned expert in project, program, and portfolio management who passionately shares his insights on productivity smarts and wisdom. In addition to the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute, he is also the CEO of Turnberry Premiere. Gerald believes that effective productivity is not just about managing time, but about prioritizing daily actions and moving steadily toward well-defined goals while relishing the journey. He advocates for the importance of setting goals and managing priorities, emphasizing that this approach leads to both personal fulfillment and professional success. And if you are lucky, you may hear him play some bass guitar for you as well. Listen to our conversation and gain some advice that will be music to your ears: - Setting goals and enjoying the journey are key to productivity and wisdom for every individual. - Culture and leadership in business play a crucial role in success, emphas

Rick embarked on an unexpected founder's journey to Vietnam that ultimately led to remarkable success. Initially hesitant about moving to Ho Chi Minh City, Rick embraced the opportunity, which catalyzed the founding of TRG International, now serving clients in 80 countries. His experience underscores the importance of adaptability and proactive decision-making, especially in navigating the challenges and uncertainties of a dynamic business landscape. Through his journey, Rick champions resilience, continuous learning, and the power of seizing new opportunities, encouraging others to shape their own paths and legacies. Some key takeaways from our conversation: - Embracing new opportunities can lead to unexpected and fulfilling outcomes in business. - Resilience is key in navigating through disruptive times and evolving industries. - Continuous self-learning and growth are important for both individuals and teams. - Being a lifelong learner is essential to staying relevant in rapidly changing business landsc

Pat Lynes has been consistently at the forefront of business evolutions impacting teams and human capital management. Lynes has utilized his experience as a senior figure in the UK recruitment sector to challenge the dominance of large consulting firms and inspire the future of work by founding Sullivan & Stanley (S&S). We spoke with Lynes on his entrepreneurial journey, how managers today should nurture teams differently, and why he believes that senior leaders need to better position themselves for a future where they control their options related to work. Some key takeaways from our conversation: - Executives are encouraged to explore freelance roles, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace opportunities in the freelance world. - This is why he wrote The Disruptive Executive book which offers a practical roadmap for executives to transition to a plural portfolio executive arrangement. - He believes that practicing gratitude can significantly impact one's outlook on life, leading to a more fulfilli

John Sampogna is a forward-thinking leader recognized for his creative impact in the advertising industry. His perspective on paid media strategies is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the full customer journey, encompassing all touchpoints and platforms. He advocates for innovative media placements and encourages brands to diversify beyond traditional outlets like Meta and Google. What we enjoy about Wondersauce, is that John believes in the importance of returning to the art of marketing, urging brands to create engaging and fun content that attracts organic interest, much like the early successes of direct-to-consumer brands such as Dollar Shave Club and Casper. He also thinks there is a place where art and advertising can beautifully intersect. Through our conversation, John explains: - The inception of Wondersauce including how it got its name and progressed from a small independent venture established in 2011 to an expansive team doing remarkable client projects.  - The importance of dissecti

254 Transforming Logistics by Engaging People Who Make Movement Happen with Todd Haselhorst, CEO & Founder of HEALE Labs, Miami, FL USA We love innovative companies seeking to elevate the participation of all people working in the supply chain; that is just what HEALE Labs is doing. With a deep-rooted passion for logistics, Todd Haselhorst has dedicated his career to revolutionizing the transportation industry. His innovative approach, fueled by knowledge gained in economics, game theory, and technology, has led him to found HEALE Labs. HEALE Labs tackles the $268 billion data coordination problem in logistics by leveraging open and decentralized networks. His perspective highlights the importance of timely solutions to optimize the middle mile of the shipping process and address the challenges of errors, fraud, and waste in the industry. But on a simplistic level, his approach demonstrates value in each critical stage of the transportation and delivery ecosystem. Here are some highlights from our chat: -

In today's environment, innovation is recognized as a critical business practice, but do companies encourage innovation to the fullest? Do business leaders feel secure in allowing ideas to grow and potentially sprout into a completely new organization? In this episode, Dr. Andre LePlume shares insights from his extensive research on spinout ventures explaining how companies can benefit from encouraging employees to form internal corporate ventures and pursue innovative ideas. Based on his book, Spinout-Ventures-Transitioning-Employees-Entrepreneurs, he also expresses his view that the best new companies aren't founded in garages, but rather come from a place of keen knowledge and understanding of the needs in a market. Episode Highlights: - Defining Spinout Ventures: Spinouts are created using knowledge and resources transferred from a parent organization. They can ultimately benefit the company even if the spinout founder creates a new company as it may offer needed services. - Encouraging Innovation: And

Charles Fisher is a pioneering figure in the application of artificial intelligence to medicine and healthcare. With a PhD in biophysics from Harvard and a robust background in machine learning research, Fisher believes that AI has the potential to revolutionize medicine by addressing complex challenges and he does with the handpicked team he has assembled at Unlearn.ai. He highlights the rapid advancement of AI technologies, while also acknowledging that the current systems are not yet all-encompassing but improve annually. Fisher emphasizes that high-quality medical datasets are crucial for training effective AI models and views the creation of large datasets as essential for unlocking significant improvements in healthcare. Here are some highlights are from our chat: - AI advancements in medicine are underhyped, with rapid progress driven by machine learning technologies, better computers, and data accumulation. - The medical field lags behind consumer applications in AI due to the need for comprehensiv

Eric Vaughan is a pioneering leader in the realm of AI-first transformations, advocating for the urgent adaptation to Generative AI. At the Imagine AI conference,Eric emphasized that this shift is not only essential but crucial for maintaining competitiveness in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. In this episode, Eric explains how he completely reimagined the structure, talents and thinking needed to prepare Ignite Tech and GFI Software to be stand out category leaders in the future. He draws parallels between this transformative trend and past revolutions like the Internet and iPhones, underscoring the necessity for businesses to foster a culture of AI-first thinking. Here are some highlights are from our chat: - Gen AI is the fifth trend that has changed the world, following the Internet, personal computers, the web, and the iPhone. - CEOs play a crucial role in leading AI initiatives and championing AI within their organizations. - Eric's hands-on leadership includes personally interview

250 Crisis Preparedness for Business with ‘Disaster’ Patrick Hardy, Founder Reverse Disaster; Sacramento, CA, USA Patrick Hardy is a renowned expert in the field of emergency response challenges, boasting an impressive background which includes founding reversedisaster.com and accumulating hands-on experience from real-life emergency scenarios. This is why he is known in the industry as ‘Disaster Patrick’. Patrick has developed a perspective on emergency response that emphasizes proactive preparation and planning. His clients have covered everything from standard offices to alligator farms. Believing strongly in turning a disaster into an opportunity for growth and resilience, he promotes a culture of preparedness in both personal and professional settings. His unique approach to emergency readiness along with his wide ranging experiences have enriched his insights, making him a valuable source of guidance and expertise in the realm of emergency response. Patrick shares insights from his book Design any D

Ronny Shmoel, CEO of Circuit City, has a background forged in successfully exiting multiple companies over the past two decades. His perspective on the transformation of Circuit City is rooted in the brand's core values of service and innovation, acknowledging the power of adapting these values to fit the modern market. His goal is to ensure that their brand is the leader in customer service and that ‘Powered by Circuit City’ becomes a place of comfort and trust for the consumer. By expanding thoughtful partnerships while still doing what they do best, Ronny plans to bring Circuit City into the future while staying true to its roots. Here are the highlights of our talk: - Circuit City aims to redefine the consumer electronics market through service and innovation, prioritizing customer service and a consultative approach to stand out from competitors. - The company plans to expand into a third-party marketplace, allowing quality sellers to offer their products under the Circuit City brand, creating a unique

248 Is an Amazon Business for You? With Steven Pope, Founder of My Amazon Guy; Georgia, USA Steven Pope, widely known as "my Amazon guy," is a seasoned entrepreneur who transitioned from TV reporting to creating a 500-person agency focused on enhancing businesses' presence on Amazon. His unique perspective on Amazon delivery and ordering is shaped by his profound experience in e-commerce. He perceives Amazon Prime's delivery service as unrivaled in convenience and speed, thanks to its customer-centric approach and efficiency. He sees Amazon as a marketplace where many businesses can thrive due to high customer demand, though he notes not every business will succeed in this highly competitive platform. Steven believes that everyone can succeed on Amazon but cautions he has spent years learning the ins and outs that can keep you from stumbling when you take your own business down this path. Here are the highlights of our talk: - Native Born Amazon Brands are unique to the e-commerce world and exclusively ex

Jason Radisson was introduced to us as a serial ‘unicorn breeder’ that we needed to talk with. Well, yes, he has over 20 years of experience in strategy, operations, and growth with global companies like Uber and Brazil's 99Taxis, but what we were really excited about was his passion for bringing frontline workers digital advancements so that they weren’t left behind and left out of the technology revolution that has improved the worklife of desk workers in the last five years. Jason is the founder of Movo, a platform designed to streamline processes for any ‘on their feet’ or ‘in the field’ workforce member by providing a flexible and better connected work experience. All with the goal to lead to productivity enhancements, employee satisfaction and reduction in turnover. Our conversations balanced lessons learned by Jason as a business builder as well as the ambitions of his latest work through Movo. Here are the highlights of our talk: - Motivation Behind Movo: Jason identified a significant gap in the m

Shayna Solis is a creative soul applying her vision and dreams to shake up technology applications through her company Navteca. Focusing on emerging tech and IT innovation, like cloud, ML/AI, and virtual reality, Navteca develops technical solutions for government clients like NASA, NOAA, and the Spain Ministry of Tourism. Shayna's vision for Navteca extends beyond business success, aiming to leverage technology, particularly AI and data visualization, to address pressing global challenges like climate change. Here are the highlights of our talk: - Voice Atlas Revolutionizes Access to Knowledge: Navteca's Voice Atlas is a product born out of their exploration of natural language processing and AI. Initially piloted with NASA, Voice Atlas enables users to access designated knowledge bases securely and seamlessly through voice-enabled devices, revolutionizing information accessibility and usability. - A Twist on the Path to Being a Founder: Shayna's journey to becoming a tech entrepreneur wasn't linear. With