Podcasts about chief growth officer

The following article of the AI Cloud & Data industry is: 'Without Order, There Is No AI: The AI Challenge for Companies' by Roberto Esparza, Chief Growth Officer, Bambú Tech Services. 

Jamie Gutfreund is a leading authority on the creator economy, advising marketers, investors, and technology companies on how to  capitalize on the rapidly evolving creator media ecosystem. Drawing on senior leadership roles across brands, agencies, and platforms, she specializes in creator marketing technology, measurement strategy, and market positioning.Jamie currently serves as Co-Chair of the IAB Creator Economy Board, is an advisor to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and covers the creator economy for Forbes. Her career includes C‑suite and senior leadership roles at Microsoft, Expedia, WPP, Hasbro, and CAA, as well as Chief Growth Officer at Whalar and board member for Tubular Labs.She has authored widely used industry resources, including the Creator Rosetta Stone with The Harris Poll and Apples to Apples, a categorized database of the creator technology ecosystem. Jamie has been named to Campaign's 40 Over 40, Forbes' 50 Most Entrepreneurial CMOs, and Elle's Women to Watch.Today, she leads Creator Vision, a consultancy that builds the strategy and infrastructure brands, investors, and technology companies need to win in the creator economy. Read more about APPLES TO APPLES.

Sometimes the question is not whether you can retire. It is whether you are willing to be honest about what retiring early can look like.In this episode, Ari responds to a voicemail from a couple with a target retirement date, a month picked out, and a plan that looks solid on the surface. Two homes, multiple account types, a pension on the horizon, and a spending goal that seems reasonable. But the more interesting question is not whether the math works. It is whether the life they are building toward matches the one they actually want.Ari's first instinct is not to run projections. It is to ask whether they are enjoying life today. A household that is saving aggressively but skipping experiences it genuinely values is not optimizing for retirement. It is just deferring. At a certain point, the highest-value move is not saving more. It is getting clear on what the money is actually for.The spending conversation is where the plan gets real. A stated monthly budget is a starting point, not a conclusion. Most people spend more in the early years of retirement when health and energy are at their peak, and less later. Understanding that shape, how it rises, levels off, and shifts again with medical expenses and legacy decisions, changes what the portfolio actually needs to support and when.The account structure raises its own questions. Wealth spread across multiple account types, some accessible before traditional retirement age and some not, means the order of withdrawals matters as much as the total. The brokerage account becomes the bridge. Tax gain harvesting, subsidy planning, and the eventual pension and Social Security layering all depend on keeping that coordination intentional rather than accidental.Retiring at 52 with a specific month circled on the calendar is a legitimate goal. Getting there on those terms requires knowing exactly what you are willing to adjust and what you are not. That clarity is the plan.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

In this episode of the AdTech Heroes podcast, Jon Wallett welcomes Kevin Hein, Chief Growth Officer at GIPHY.They discuss how communication has evolved from the analog world of early mobile phones to today's internet culture, shaped by emojis, GIFs, and artificial intelligence. The conversation explores the rise of visual self-expression, why group chats have become more trusted than traditional channels, and how brands can authentically tap into this shift without losing the human element AI still can't replicate.Interested in being a guest? Contact us: adtechheroespodcast.com/contact

Mark Sirkin, Chief Growth Officer at Walk West, breaks down how marketers should actually use AI agents in 2026: not as a fancy autocomplete, but as a team that forces clearer thinking, sharper brand POV, and real workflow leverage.In this episode of Beyond Social, we get practical on:→ Why "rewrite this" prompts keep you stuck with mediocre output→ The interview method that pulls better strategy out of AI→ How to build an AI agent team that does real marketing work→ Why AI literacy + brand taste beat tool-chasing→ The hard truth: if you wait too long on AI, you're already behindIf you run social, growth, or an agency, this one's for you.

Healthcare is one of the biggest fears keeping people from retiring early.But for many future retirees, the actual cost is not the problem. The uncertainty is.In this episode, Ari Taublieb, CFP®, responds to a listener  hoping to retire at age 60 with approximately $1.9 million saved between retirement accounts, a brokerage account, and a Roth IRA. While the numbers appear solid, one concern continues to stand in the way: how to pay for healthcare before Medicare begins at age 65.Like many people approaching retirement, the caller worries that healthcare premiums could force them to work longer than necessary. But as Ari explains, healthcare costs are often misunderstood because they are closely tied to how retirement income is structured.The conversation shifts away from chasing a portfolio target and toward a more important question: can your assets generate the income needed to support the life you want?Using the caller's pension, spending goals, and retirement accounts as an example, Ari walks through how healthcare costs fit into a broader retirement plan. He also highlights how brokerage accounts can create flexibility, why taxes matter just as much as investment returns, and how many retirees may have more options than they realize.The deeper lesson is that retirement planning is rarely about a single expense.Too often, healthcare becomes the reason people delay retirement, even when the rest of the plan is already strong. The real challenge is understanding how all the pieces work together and determining whether the fear is based on reality or simply a lack of clarity.The takeaway is simple. Don't let uncertainty make decisions for you. A well-built retirement plan helps you understand the true cost of healthcare, the role of taxes, and whether work is still a necessity or has already become optional.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

The worst tax stories aren't about criminals, they're about ordinary people doing what they thought was allowed and stepping into a trap. Bri Conn, CFP® reads a string of real-world cautionary tales while Maddy Roche reacts and Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® explains what actually went wrong, from the influencer myth that your whole life becomes a write-off, to the unpaid tax bill that can revoke your passport at the airport, to the rent your unmarried partner pays you that the IRS counts as income. The throughline is one every Childfree person building a life outside the standard script needs to hear: the tax code has sharp edges around staying single, filing unmarried, and living abroad, and ignorance of the rules is the one excuse the IRS will never accept.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why "I post about my life, so my life is a write-off" is a myth, how the IRS separates a real business with a profit motive from a hobby, and what actually happens when you never show a profitHow unpaid taxes can get your passport revoked, why the IRS can lien your home or garnish wages after the fact, and why a payment plan keeps you current and protectedWhy chasing a lower tax bill by moving states or obsessing over brackets can cost you far more in happiness than it saves, and how to weigh the real tradeoffsWhy getting legally married often works against Childfree couples on taxes and student loans, and how filing unmarried, gift-tax limits, and estate-tax cliffs quietly reshape the mathHow an ordinary foreign bank account can trigger FBAR reporting and life-altering penalties, and why your CPA and financial planner can only protect you if you tell them everythingEpisode Hosts:Bri Conn, CFP® is a Childfree Wealth Specialist® at Childfree Wealth® and Customer Experience Manager at Childfree Trust®. She specializes in financial management, life design, and estate planning, with particular focus on LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, drawing on her own early financial challenges and recovery to fuel her work in personal finance education.Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® is the Founder of Childfree Wealth®, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping Childfree and permanently Childless people, and Childfree Trust®, the first of its kind next of kin representation service for Childfree people. He is also the author of The Childfree Guide to Life and Money.Maddy Roche is the Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust®, where she leads all sales, marketing, and partnership initiatives and brings sharp insight to estate planning, LGBTQ+ legacy considerations, and Childfree financial decision making.About Childfree Insights:Childfree Insights delivers education for financial and estate planning without children. It supports people with no kids in making informed decisions about retirement, legacy planning, beneficiaries, and long-term care. Home of Childfree Wealth® and Childfree Trust®.Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text 307-200-8222. Monday-Friday, 3 pm-6 pm MT. https://RushToReason.com HOUR 1 From Dry Skin to Dramatic Weight Loss, Rethinking What Healthy Aging Looks Like. Is America's weight-loss revolution about to change your life? John Rush dives into the GLP-1 medication craze, revealing what's really happening behind the headlines and sharing personal insights from his astonishing 125-pound transformation. Discover the truth about keeping weight off for good—and what the future might hold for your health, your shopping habits, and beyond. What's the real cost of living in Colorado's extreme climate? Ann Mattingly-Lowe exposes the skincare mistakes that could leave you worse off—and shares her Colorado-crafted solutions for surviving the altitude, sun, and dryness. One simple product could transform your skin. Paul Pruitt of Sharks joins John to pull back the curtain on the exploding GLP-1 industry. Is this miracle drug a game-changer, or just another costly quick fix? Get the inside scoop on insurance, muscle loss, and whether these meds are your ticket to lasting change—or a dangerous dependency. Guests 14:17 — Ann Mattingly-Lowe — https://GenerationsSkincare.net 31:52 — Paul Pruitt, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Sharks — https://sharxplan.com HOUR 2 The Case for Capitalism & Why Small Business Is a Threat to Big Government. Labor Day is around the corner, but have you ever wondered what's really at stake for American opportunity? John Rush and Richard Battle reveal why small business is the ultimate disruptor—and how anyone can reinvent their future in the U.S. Their conversation could change the way you see entrepreneurship, your money, and the freedom you might be losing without realizing it. Then Sunny Kutcher of Young Americans Against Socialism faces off with John in a no-holds-barred debate: capitalism or socialism—which path leads to prosperity, and which to disaster? Real stories, hard truths, and a challenge to everything you thought you knew about success and control. A dating app stirs up controversy: Should your COVID vaccination status dictate your love life? John Rush digs deep into the science, the fear, and the surprising social consequences behind the headlines. Are we letting old divisions control new relationships? Guests 1:08 — Richard Battle — https://richardbattle.com 27:58 — Sunny Kutcher, Young Americans Against Socialism — https://yaas.org HOUR 3 Socialism Is Rising, But Will Americans Buy What It's Selling? CO's New Winter Traction Rules. Scott Greer, author of White Pill, joins John Rush to expose the real forces behind America's socialist surge. Is the country ready for a radical shift—or about to face a harsh economic wake-up call? Don't miss this deep dive into the future of American politics. Next, discover the hidden rule that could catch Colorado drivers off guard this winter. John breaks down the new traction law—especially for front-wheel-drive vehicles—and reveals the costly surprises awaiting those who aren't prepared for the mountain roads. Scott Garliss of Bent Pine Capital uncovers what's really driving today's economy. From the hidden pitfalls of AI-driven growth to international tensions, this segment reveals what the headlines aren't telling you—and what it means for your wallet. Then, John exposes a shocking social-media trend that could be shaping kids in ways parents never imagined. Are you sure you know what your child is seeing online? Guests 1:08 — Scott Greer — https://www.highly-respected.com/ Book —https://passage.press/products/whitepill 27:04 — Scott Garliss — https://www.bentpinecapital.com/

Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text 307-200-8222. Monday-Friday, 3 pm-6 pm MT. https://RushToReason.com HOUR 1 From Dry Skin to Dramatic Weight Loss, Rethinking What Healthy Aging Looks Like. Is America's weight-loss revolution about to change your life? John Rush dives into the GLP-1 medication craze, revealing what's really happening behind the headlines and sharing personal insights from his astonishing 125-pound transformation. Discover the truth about keeping weight off for good—and what the future might hold for your health, your shopping habits, and beyond. What's the real cost of living in Colorado's extreme climate? Ann Mattingly-Lowe exposes the skincare mistakes that could leave you worse off—and shares her Colorado-crafted solutions for surviving the altitude, sun, and dryness. One simple product could transform your skin. Paul Pruitt of Sharks joins John to pull back the curtain on the exploding GLP-1 industry. Is this miracle drug a game-changer, or just another costly quick fix? Get the inside scoop on insurance, muscle loss, and whether these meds are your ticket to lasting change—or a dangerous dependency. Guests 14:17 — Ann Mattingly-Lowe — https://GenerationsSkincare.net 31:52 — Paul Pruitt, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Sharks — https://sharxplan.com HOUR 2 The Case for Capitalism & Why Small Business Is a Threat to Big Government. Labor Day is around the corner, but have you ever wondered what's really at stake for American opportunity? John Rush and Richard Battle reveal why small business is the ultimate disruptor—and how anyone can reinvent their future in the U.S. Their conversation could change the way you see entrepreneurship, your money, and the freedom you might be losing without realizing it. Then Sunny Kutcher of Young Americans Against Socialism faces off with John in a no-holds-barred debate: capitalism or socialism—which path leads to prosperity, and which to disaster? Real stories, hard truths, and a challenge to everything you thought you knew about success and control. A dating app stirs up controversy: Should your COVID vaccination status dictate your love life? John Rush digs deep into the science, the fear, and the surprising social consequences behind the headlines. Are we letting old divisions control new relationships? Guests 1:08 — Richard Battle — https://richardbattle.com 27:58 — Sunny Kutcher, Young Americans Against Socialism — https://yaas.org HOUR 3 Socialism Is Rising, But Will Americans Buy What It's Selling? CO's New Winter Traction Rules. Scott Greer, author of White Pill, joins John Rush to expose the real forces behind America's socialist surge. Is the country ready for a radical shift—or about to face a harsh economic wake-up call? Don't miss this deep dive into the future of American politics. Next, discover the hidden rule that could catch Colorado drivers off guard this winter. John breaks down the new traction law—especially for front-wheel-drive vehicles—and reveals the costly surprises awaiting those who aren't prepared for the mountain roads. Scott Garliss of Bent Pine Capital uncovers what's really driving today's economy. From the hidden pitfalls of AI-driven growth to international tensions, this segment reveals what the headlines aren't telling you—and what it means for your wallet. Then, John exposes a shocking social-media trend that could be shaping kids in ways parents never imagined. Are you sure you know what your child is seeing online? Guests 1:08 — Scott Greer — https://www.highly-respected.com/ Book —https://passage.press/products/whitepill 27:04 — Scott Garliss — https://www.bentpinecapital.com/

Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text 307-200-8222. Monday-Friday, 3 pm-6 pm MT. https://RushToReason.com HOUR 1 From Dry Skin to Dramatic Weight Loss, Rethinking What Healthy Aging Looks Like. Is America's weight-loss revolution about to change your life? John Rush dives into the GLP-1 medication craze, revealing what's really happening behind the headlines and sharing personal insights from his astonishing 125-pound transformation. Discover the truth about keeping weight off for good—and what the future might hold for your health, your shopping habits, and beyond. What's the real cost of living in Colorado's extreme climate? Ann Mattingly-Lowe exposes the skincare mistakes that could leave you worse off—and shares her Colorado-crafted solutions for surviving the altitude, sun, and dryness. One simple product could transform your skin. Paul Pruitt of Sharks joins John to pull back the curtain on the exploding GLP-1 industry. Is this miracle drug a game-changer, or just another costly quick fix? Get the inside scoop on insurance, muscle loss, and whether these meds are your ticket to lasting change—or a dangerous dependency. Guests 14:17 — Ann Mattingly-Lowe — https://GenerationsSkincare.net 31:52 — Paul Pruitt, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Sharks — https://sharxplan.com HOUR 2 The Case for Capitalism & Why Small Business Is a Threat to Big Government. Labor Day is around the corner, but have you ever wondered what's really at stake for American opportunity? John Rush and Richard Battle reveal why small business is the ultimate disruptor—and how anyone can reinvent their future in the U.S. Their conversation could change the way you see entrepreneurship, your money, and the freedom you might be losing without realizing it. Then Sunny Kutcher of Young Americans Against Socialism faces off with John in a no-holds-barred debate: capitalism or socialism—which path leads to prosperity, and which to disaster? Real stories, hard truths, and a challenge to everything you thought you knew about success and control. A dating app stirs up controversy: Should your COVID vaccination status dictate your love life? John Rush digs deep into the science, the fear, and the surprising social consequences behind the headlines. Are we letting old divisions control new relationships? Guests 1:08 — Richard Battle — https://richardbattle.com 27:58 — Sunny Kutcher, Young Americans Against Socialism — https://yaas.org HOUR 3 Socialism Is Rising, But Will Americans Buy What It's Selling? CO's New Winter Traction Rules. Scott Greer, author of White Pill, joins John Rush to expose the real forces behind America's socialist surge. Is the country ready for a radical shift—or about to face a harsh economic wake-up call? Don't miss this deep dive into the future of American politics. Next, discover the hidden rule that could catch Colorado drivers off guard this winter. John breaks down the new traction law—especially for front-wheel-drive vehicles—and reveals the costly surprises awaiting those who aren't prepared for the mountain roads. Scott Garliss of Bent Pine Capital uncovers what's really driving today's economy. From the hidden pitfalls of AI-driven growth to international tensions, this segment reveals what the headlines aren't telling you—and what it means for your wallet. Then, John exposes a shocking social-media trend that could be shaping kids in ways parents never imagined. Are you sure you know what your child is seeing online? Guests 1:08 — Scott Greer — https://www.highly-respected.com/ Book —https://passage.press/products/whitepill 27:04 — Scott Garliss — https://www.bentpinecapital.com/

Retiring abroad sounds cheaper on paper. The real question is whether it creates the life you actually want.In this episode, Ari responds to a listener considering retiring in Thailand within the next few years. The appeal is obvious. Lower healthcare costs, lower living expenses, and the possibility of stretching retirement dollars much further than they would in the United States.But the conversation quickly shifts beyond the math. Ari walks through the tradeoffs people often underestimate when considering retirement abroad. Community, family, healthcare quality, lifestyle expectations, and whether saving money alone is enough reason to move somewhere permanently.The financial side matters too. Rental income, healthcare costs, withdrawal strategy, and cost of living all play a role in determining whether the plan is realistic. But even a perfect spreadsheet cannot answer the deeper question of where you actually want to build your life.Because retirement planning is not just about lowering expenses. It is about creating a life you are excited to wake up to every day.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

What a company is trying to reach is rarely a certificate. Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer at Steel Patriot Partners, treats the destination as the opening question rather than the closing one, and the firm orders its own priorities to match. Business owners first, engineers second, compliance and security people third. What does a secure and compliant business actually look like? It looks like whatever lets that business do what it set out to do. For one company it means entering a regulated industry it has never served. For another it means proving to itself and to an auditor that it is secure enough to work with a partner that will not move without evidence. The framework follows the objective. Before a framework gets named or a control gets selected, someone has to decide whether the trip is worth taking. Michael Parisi puts more than half of that work in the category of psychology, and describes the most fulfilling part as helping someone understand where they actually stand. He comes at it from several sides of the same decision, having spent about fifteen years with the Big Four, five and a half with a cybersecurity standards organization and certification body, and two in a similar role at an audit and attestation firm. How does a company know which route it is on? Steel Patriot Partners narrowed it to five positions and put three questions in front of them under the name Find Your Path. Growth has tapped out and a new industry looks like the way to keep going. Money is already committed to a direction someone else recommended. The decision is settled and the work needs a specialist. The open question is which partners and auditors to trust. Or the team needs sustained support rather than a project with an end date. What makes the answer usable is that the firm has nothing riding on it. Steel Patriot Partners stays agnostic relative to tools, software, and auditors, which keeps the opening question plain. Who do you like, and what do you already have? Personality and culture then carry weight alongside capability. Knowing the route also means knowing where it narrows, so Michael Parisi and CEO Jason Ford both press on what a client has not considered, then on what to watch out for. Sometimes the useful answer points somewhere else entirely. Find Your Path is not a robot, an LLM, or an AI tool, and the point is to give an organization enough value to lower its guard and talk directly. One of Michael Parisi's favorite outcomes is confirming that a company may not need to do the thing it walked in asking about, and when the work sits outside what Steel Patriot Partners handles, the firm connects them with someone who does. This is a Brand Spotlight. A Brand Spotlight is a ~15 minute conversation designed to explore the guest, their company, and what makes their approach unique. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#spotlight GUEST Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, Steel Patriot Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parisi-4009b2261/ RESOURCES Steel Patriot Partners: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com Find Your Path, three questions to start: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/find-your-path Steel Patriot Partners Insights: https://resources.steelpatriotpartners.com Are you interested in telling your story? ▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full ▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight ▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight KEYWORDS michael parisi, steel patriot partners, sean martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand spotlight, black hat usa 2026, find your path, secure and compliant business, business enablement, cybersecurity strategy, grc, governance risk and compliance, agnostic advisory, audit readiness, fedramp, cmmc, entering a regulated market, vendor and partner selection

Mike Sullivan, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer at OneDigital and Vinay Gidwaney, Chief Product Officer also at OneDigital joins Enterprise Radio. They are co-authors … Read more The post Workforce Intelligence: The People-First Playbook for Leading Your Company Through AI Transformation appeared first on Top Entrepreneurs Podcast | Enterprise Podcast Network.

How do you lead well in a world transformed by AI? This week, Do Good to Lead Well tackles this question head-on, as I speak with Mike Sullivan, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of OneDigital, and the co-author of the timely and insightful book, Workforce Intelligence. Throughout our conversation, Mike breaks through both the hype and the fear surrounding AI in today's workforce. As a champion of people-centered AI, he offers an inspiring roadmap for activating, not replacing, the human workforce.Listeners are invited into the story of “Ben,” a digital coworker, and how Mike and his team treat AI onboarding like hiring a real employee: with transparency, development, and high expectations. The result? A culture where humans and digital agents collaborate, learn, and continuously improve together. We also discuss how workforce intelligence is being redefined and how high-performing teams are built not on software alone, but on empathy, transparency, and courage.For leaders and organizations seeking practical strategies, this episode brims with actionable advice, from measuring workforce intelligence to ensuring HR has a seat at the AI table. It's a compelling argument for seeing the faces behind the headcount, and for cultivating trust as the cornerstone of 21st-century leadership.What You'll Learn- Start with honesty, not hype when it comes to AI.- Don't treat AI as ‘software': Treat it like a coworker.- Transparent roles & faces build trust.- What is your Workforce Intelligence (WI) score? The success metric.- Activation moments matter.- Top-down Is the only way forward.- People Always Come First.- It's not either/or. It's Human Intelligence (HI) + Artificial Intelligence (AI). Podcast Timestamps(00:00) – Personal Fear and the Human Side of AI(06:02) – No Code? No Problem – Mike's Personal AI Journey(10:05) – The Human Side of AI Deployment(12:29) – Hiring AI Coworkers: Internship to Full-Time(16:33) – Managing a Blended Human-AI Workforce(21:54) – HR's Role and Navigating Workforce Change(26:29) – Defining Workforce Intelligence and the WI Score(30:58) – Overcoming Employee Fears and Building Trust(37:43) – Leadership Activation and Empathy in the Age of AI(53:00) – Final Reflections and The Humanity TestKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, AI, Artificial Intelligence, AI Transformation, Workplace Intelligence, People-First Leadership, Human-Centric Organizations, AI Adoption, Digital Coworkers, Organizational Change, Employment Disruption, Job Automation, Human Resources (HR), Talent Management, Growth Mindset, Trust in Leadership, Empathy in Business, AI Onboarding, Blended Workforce, WI score, Transparency in AI, Disruption, Future of Work, Human-AI Collaboration, Managing AI Anxiety, CEO Success

In this special episode, we are joined by Mike Sullivan, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at OneDigital, and Vinay Gidwaney, OneDigital's Chief Product Officer, to discuss their new book, Workforce Intelligence: The People-First Playbook for Leading Your Company Through AI Transformation. Together, they offer a practical, pro-human framework for navigating a future where artificial intelligence becomes deeply embedded in how organizations operate.   We explore why leaders should focus on tasks rather than headcount, how AI can amplify uniquely human capabilities, and why companies may need to rethink how they manage their workforce. Mike and Vinay explain their concepts of reducible and irreducible skills, AI coworkers, workforce intelligence, collaborative AI use, and the importance of building an organizational intelligence layer. They also share practical lessons from OneDigital's own AI transformation—including why leadership activation, trust, reskilling, and a partnership between technical and non-technical leaders are essential.   This conversation offers an alternative to the prevailing narrative of AI-driven job elimination. Instead, it asks a bigger question: if AI can take on more of the work we currently do, what might humans become capable of doing next?   Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:00) Highlights. (0:00:25) Introduction. (0:01:23) Why AI adoption affects employers, employees, and financial markets—and why the conversation is relevant far beyond technology. (0:02:27) Two possible paths for companies: replacing people with AI or using AI to amplify human capabilities. (0:03:53) How PWL is already using AI to help financial planners and portfolio managers work more strategically and serve clients better. (0:06:22) Mike and Vinay's five-year partnership around deploying AI inside OneDigital. (0:09:07) The "radiating red dot": Why Mike's analysis suggested that up to 25% of OneDigital's workforce could be disrupted by AI. (0:11:09) "See faces, not headcount": The decision to pursue transformation by amplifying people rather than simply reducing jobs. (0:12:19) Why Mike and Vinay felt a responsibility to offer a more practical, human-first narrative about AI and work. (0:13:40) Vinay's realization that widespread access to AI makes human differentiation even more important. (0:17:22) Mike's first experience with an AI coworker—and the endless possibilities it unlocked for curiosity and exploration. (0:18:22) Human intelligence versus artificial intelligence: Why AI's greatest value may be its ability to help people think differently. (0:22:19) Why the future of work should be analyzed at the task level rather than through predictions about jobs disappearing. (0:23:58) The coming reskilling challenge—and why the allocation of work between AI and humans needs to be more deliberate. (0:25:12) Why Vinay believes companies that discard their human talent could lose their most important competitive differentiation. (0:26:30) Why AI transformation should be viewed as a "movie, not a snapshot," with work continually being reshaped. (0:28:10) What "workforce intelligence" means: Managing the combined intelligence of human talent and AI talent. (0:30:07) Why Mike and Vinay believe HR—not just IT—must play a central role in leading the transition to a blended workforce. (0:31:54) Reducible versus irreducible skills: Letting AI handle work that can be broken into processes while humans spend more time on judgment, experience, and other "squishy" capabilities. (0:34:10) Applying the framework to financial planning: AI for modeling and information processing, humans for judgment, relationships, and helping clients navigate life decisions. (0:37:00) How AI can reduce meeting preparation from hours to minutes while generating insights that would otherwise be missed. (0:37:48) The importance of trust and communication as employees try to understand what AI means for their future. (0:39:53) The Workforce Intelligence score: Treating AI as talent and measuring the evolving mix of human and AI work. (0:42:09) Transactional versus collaborative AI use—and why collaboration can be more amplifying for both people and organizations. (0:45:40) Why companies need agency over their AI systems and should think carefully about intelligence lock-in. (0:48:47) Codifying organizational intelligence: Building systems where human expertise improves AI, which in turn helps humans become more capable. (0:50:24) What it means to become "activated" by AI—and how using AI as a coach and teacher can expand human potential. (0:52:44) Ambient AI: Systems that continuously observe information and surface patterns when human judgment is needed. (0:54:11) The Charlotte-Denver redundancy and the challenge of making the best organizational intelligence available to everyone. (0:57:26) OneDigital's five-tier fluency model for developing AI capabilities across employees, advanced users, managers, and builders. (1:00:13) Why democratized software development creates a new governance challenge—and how AI may help manage it. (1:00:54) Why OneDigital gives AI coworkers names, faces, profiles, skill sets, and human managers. (1:04:01) Mike's belief in the dignity of work—and why employers need to approach the AI transition with humanity and care. (1:06:53) Vinay's belief in human potential and why the goal should be to expand what people are capable of doing. (1:08:56) Why organizations should avoid measuring AI success solely through cost cutting and instead consider human amplification. (1:12:41) The four questions for Monday morning: Turning big ideas about AI transformation into practical actions leaders can take immediately. (1:13:55) Why AI transformation needs leadership from the top and a partnership between someone who understands technology and someone who deeply understands the business. (1:15:40) Leadership activation: Why organizations are unlikely to change until their leaders personally experience how AI can transform their own work. (1:17:44) What we still don't know about AI—and why the guests believe we are still in the very early innings of this transformation. (1:18:55) The three-minute-mile analogy: AI may optimize human minds in ways we cannot yet imagine. (1:20:00) A final call for a pro-humanity, blended workforce—and the need to move faster in adapting to what AI makes possible.   Links From Today's Episode: Meet with PWL Capital: https://calendly.com/d/3vm-t2j-h3p Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/ Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Benjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/   Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

The first thing we learn on Episode 283 of The Unique CPA is that Randy has real trouble saying the word "multidisciplinary." Once we've worked that out, we learn that his guest Mike Payne built his career on a bet that most professionals avoid: pairing a law degree with a CPA license instead of picking a lane. That combination became the foundation of BOSS Advisors, a firm he grew to $2 million before recognizing the ceiling of his own skillset. Rather than force growth he wasn't suited to drive, Payne sold the firm to Haga Kommer, a Midwest-based multidisciplinary group with plans for an employee stock ownership structure. Now serving as Chief Growth Officer, he's applying the same generalist philosophy that built his practice, and he argues that AI makes broad issue-spotting more valuable and accessible than narrow specialization, since professionals who can flag a problem can always bring in the right expert to solve it. Mike unpacks the mechanics of merging a law-and-accounting practice, the ethics rules that shaped it, and what business owners should weigh before selling to a larger platform. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Retirement planning often sounds like a math problem.But sometimes the most important question is not whether you can retire. It is what kind of life you want your money to support.In this episode, Ari Taublieb, CFP®, responds to a listener who is 52 year old and hopes to retire at 55 with approximately $2.8 million saved. On paper, he appears to be in a strong position. But like many people approaching retirement, he is trying to balance competing goals.He wants the freedom to spend more, travel, fly airplanes, and enjoy experiences he has worked decades to afford. At the same time, he is considering purchasing a home, navigating the Rule of 55, and figuring out how much is actually safe to withdraw without creating problems later.The challenge is not a lack of resources. It is deciding which priorities matter most.Ari walks through the tradeoffs involved when multiple goals compete for the same dollars. Buying a home may provide peace of mind, but it can reduce the assets available to generate retirement income. Spending more can create incredible experiences, but it may require accepting a different long-term outcome. Delaying retirement can improve the numbers, but it may come at the cost of years that can never be recovered.The deeper conversation centers around a mistake many future retirees make. They focus on reaching a specific net worth target instead of determining what income and lifestyle they actually need.By reverse engineering retirement around spending goals, future Social Security benefits, pension income, and personal priorities, a clearer picture begins to emerge.The takeaway is simple. Retirement is not about maximizing every financial decision. It is about understanding the tradeoffs, making intentional choices, and building a plan that supports the life you actually want to live.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

Olivier Roth, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at The Swarm, explains how relationship intelligence helps B2B sales teams turn hidden network connections into warm introductions. He shows how mapping investors, advisors, customers, and former colleagues surfaces paths CRM records alone can't reveal, and why treating LinkedIn as an audience rather than a network changes how teams should prospect. Learn more at https://www.theswarm.com/.

Ilya Brovin is Chief Growth Officer of Sumsub. He joins host Aaron Stanley at Bitso Business' Stablecoin Conference in Mexico City to discuss how AI is changing identity fraud. Sumsub onboards 12 to 15 million people a month, and Brovin describes a clear shift over the past year: criminals have stopped faking documents by hand and started training agents to attempt verification programmatically, at machine speed and scale. The conversation covers why deepfake detection alone does not work, what reusable identity looks like in practice, and how verification changes when the customer is an agent rather than a person.You can connect with Ilya Brovin on LinkedIn--------------------------------------------------------------------Bits and Borders is presented by SumsubSumsub recently released its fourth annual State of the Crypto Industry report. The new research reveals how digital asset companies are balancing fraud prevention, regulatory pressure, and user experience as they scale in 2026. This report draws on Sumsub's internal data from 2024–2025 and insights from 300 crypto companies surveyed outside Sumsub's customer base.Read the full report here:

Steel Patriot Partners lists its priorities in an order much of the cybersecurity industry reverses. Business owners first, engineers second, security and compliance people third. Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, says the sequence is deliberate and shapes how the firm opens a client conversation. The order tracks the path the founders took. Jason Ford, Co-Founder and CEO, started in the late 1990s as a government contractor at the FBI, met FISMA and SAS 70 early, and built a platform for the Treasury that sold savings bonds online before PCI was a standard. He started his first company in 2004, took it through FedRAMP in 2013, and was acquired in 2017 holding 35 to 36 authorizations to operate across multiple agencies. What changes when an advisor is free to answer directly? Parisi spent about 15 years in the Big Four across PwC and Deloitte before joining Steel Patriot Partners. Auditors hold independence, which means watching a decision head the wrong way without steering it. In an advisory seat, he says, telling an organization that its preferred direction falls apart as a business decision becomes part of the work. How does a company find out where it actually stands? Ford says compliance is one outcome among many, sitting alongside operational maturity, better visibility, and integrating AI into DevSecOps. The common gap is not knowing where you sit on your own maturity journey. That finding cuts both ways, and some organizations learn they are further along than they assumed. Buying more tools rarely closes the gap. Ford argues the work is holistic and that each organization is unique, so what fits one may fit another poorly. AI does not settle it either, since a model fed your own assumptions will hand them back. The name follows the same logic. Steel is Pittsburgh, Patriot is Boston, and Partners is the operating model, since Steel Patriot Partners advises, deploys and operates environments alongside the client. Parisi closes by asking anyone weighing a path to verify it as a business decision rather than as an information security purchase or a price comparison. This is a Brand Spotlight. A Brand Spotlight is a ~15 minute conversation designed to explore the guest, their company, and what makes their approach unique. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#spotlight GUESTS Jason Ford, Co-Founder and CEO, Steel Patriot Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ford-5ab206/ Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, Steel Patriot Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parisi-4009b2261/ RESOURCES Steel Patriot Partners: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/ Find Your Path, the qualifier that helps you locate your starting point: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/find-your-path ROI Workshop: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/roi-workshop ITSPmagazine event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/black-hat-usa-2026-cybersecurity-event-coverage-in-las-vegas Are you interested in telling your story? ▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full ▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight ▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight KEYWORDS jason ford, michael parisi, steel patriot partners, marco ciappelli, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand spotlight, cybersecurity compliance, grc, fedramp, fisma, cmmc, maturity assessment, cybersecurity advisory, business risk, compliance strategy, security consulting, ai in devsecops, trusted advisor

Najoh Tita-Reid, former Chief Growth Officer at Mars Petcare, joins us to discuss why she made the unusual decision to step away from one of the biggest roles in marketing to embark on a self-described "learning safari", immersing herself in the world of AI and exploring what it means for the future of business.In this conversation, Najoh shares why she believes too many organisations are using AI purely to drive efficiency, when its greatest opportunity lies in unlocking growth. We explore how AI is changing creativity, leadership and the role of the CMO, why marketers risk becoming tacticians instead of strategic business leaders, and what today's CEOs really expect from marketing.Timestamps00:00 - Start00:57 - Why Najoh left Mars02:18 - Why F1 is the perfect metaphor for AI in 202605:18 - Using AI for growth vs efficiency08:01 - The impact AI is having on creativity09:17 - Why AI is the colonisation of inefficiency16:21 - Are we at risk of becoming tacticians and not strategy leaders?18:52 - Does the CEO understand your role?22:40 - Can AI actually delivery higher efficiency?25:00 - What's the secret to delivering growth28:24 - What having a different job title gives you permission to do33:11 - They key leadership skills for a great CMO34:02 - Why great CMOs are accountable for making change36:06 - Lessons from Najoh's biggest failure40:01 - The difference between culture in the UK and USA44:09 - What Najoh has learnt on her learning safari49:47 - The best advice Najoh has ever been given ---Thank you to our sponsors System1 and HubSpotDownload System1's creator effectiveness report here:https://system1group.com/the-creator-effectiveness-playbookFind about more about HubSpot's AEO product here:https://www.hubspot.com/products/aeo

UnitedHealthcare posted $5.5 billion in profit this quarter. Another state just opted out of physician supervision requirements. And CMS quietly gutted what's left of anesthesia's quality reporting program. Joseph A. Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Guide Anesthesia, is joined by Randy Moore, Chief Anesthetist Officer and Executive Vice President for Strategy, and Gary Keeling, VP Business Development at Coronis Revenue Cycle Management, for a wide-ranging read on where anesthesia economics are actually headed. They don't agree on how much of this changes practice on the ground. That's the point. Ohio becomes the 27th opt-out state, and the three break down why the practical impact rarely matches the headline. CMS's 2027 proposed rule drops the conversion factor again and dismantles MIPS reporting, Gary explains why almost nobody hits the threshold anymore. UnitedHealthcare's quarterly numbers spark a sharper conversation about what a 7% margin on $112 billion in revenue actually signals about the system underneath it, and about the difference between a flawed idea and a poorly executed one. A new rural healthcare bill promising higher CRNA and anesthesiologist reimbursement gets a clear-eyed "it won't work" from all three. Plus: the pre-op smoking conversation nobody has ever actually had, and why "productivity, not cost" might be the real headline healthcare keeps missing. TAKEAWAYS Opt-out status changes almost nothing for practice models outside of all-CRNA sites already considering the switch. The headline outruns the operational impact by a wide margin. MIPS in anesthesia has become a check-the-box exercise with no measurable link to patient outcomes. Most providers no longer even hit the reporting threshold. Every CMS reimbursement cut gets absorbed the same way: pushed onto facility subsidies, which raises the cost of entry for new and smaller groups and accelerates consolidation. A rural anesthesia reimbursement bump sounds like an access fix but doesn't change the math for anesthesiologists or hospitals. Small percentages of small numbers stay small. Extreme profit sitting next to a broken system is not proof that free enterprise failed. It's proof that execution failed. Confusing the two is what pushes public opinion toward bad solutions. Healthcare's financial strain reads as a cost problem when it's actually a productivity problem. Fix throughput and OR utilization, and a large share of the "cost crisis" narrative disappears. Want more Dr. Joe Rodriguez? Tik Tok: @jrodcrna21 Instagram: @jrod.crna & @abouttherestpod YouTube: @AboutTheRest Thanks for my co-hosts: Randy Moore (EVP & National Chief CRNA, NorthStar Anesthesia) Gary Keeling (VP of Anesthesia Services, Coronis RCM) To Learn More about Human Content Visit: ⁠⁠⁠http://www.human-content.com⁠⁠⁠ To Learn More about About The Rest Visit: www.abouttherest.com Got a Question? hello@abouttherest.com Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer at Steel Patriot Partners, connects with ITSPmagazine on location at Black Hat USA 2026 for a recap of the week. He describes Steel Patriot Partners in the order it sets its priorities. Business owners first, engineers second, compliance and security people third. A consulting and advisory company, he says, but really an engineering firm. What changed at this event? Parisi says the AI slop visible at RSAC Conference died down here, and that people are cutting through the noise and going back to a core group of tools and solutions with the capabilities to address the business challenges AI is creating. Non-human identities sit at the top of that list, the number one concern he heard relative to AI. Organizations recognize the risk and are working out how to solve for it. His observation is that many information security teams do not realize their traditional cybersecurity tools already carry the capabilities to do it. Who are security leaders asking before they decide? People they already know. Parisi describes CISOs going back to the individuals they have had long-term relationships with and sourcing guidance from them before decisions get made. Automation has expanded what can be done, but nobody got more hours in the day to evaluate everything arriving in front of them. The next move he points to is asking the question, either of the engineers at the provider or of a trusted advisor, and getting the configuration aligned to the business outcome it was bought to serve. This is a Brand Briefing. A Brand Briefing is an on-location conversation recorded on site at Black Hat USA 2026, putting a spotlight on the guest and their company and pairing it with the editorial reach of ITSPmagazine. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/performance/#briefing GUEST Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, Steel Patriot Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parisi-4009b2261/ RESOURCES Black Hat USA 2026 event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/black-hat-usa-2026-cybersecurity-event-coverage-in-las-vegas Steel Patriot Partners: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com Find Your Path, three questions to start: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/find-your-path Steel Patriot Partners Insights: https://resources.steelpatriotpartners.com Are you interested in telling your story? ▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full ▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight ▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight ▶︎ Get your own Brand Briefing at an upcoming event: https://www.studioc60.com/buy-brand-briefings KEYWORDS michael parisi, steel patriot partners, marco ciappelli, brand briefing, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, black hat usa 2026, non-human identities, machine identity, ai risk, security tool configuration, trusted advisor, ciso decision making, cybersecurity engineering, compliance advisory, security tool sprawl, vendor noise Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace—and many professionals and organizations are quietly asking one of two questions: Am I going to lose my job? or Is my organization already behind? In this episode of the Moving Forward Podcast, 4word President & CEO Melissa Harrison talks with Melissa Peak about how women and organizations can navigate AI transformation with wisdom, intentionality, and courage. Melissa is the Chief Growth Officer at Servant, the Founder and CEO of The CEO Project, and a member of the 4word Advisory Board. Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience leading businesses and large-scale transformation, she explains why fear may be a natural starting point—but cannot become our staying point. In moments of uncertainty, leaders have an opportunity to bring calm, clarity, and direction. The conversation explores the difference between experimenting with AI as a personal assistant and developing a responsible strategy that creates meaningful value across an organization. Rather than beginning with the latest tool, Melissa encourages leaders to identify the problems they need to solve, define what success looks like, assess their organization's readiness, and establish guidelines that reflect their mission and values. Melissa also addresses concerns that AI could diminish the human element of work. She challenges leaders to approach AI with a different goal: use technology to handle repetitive tasks so people have greater capacity for relationships, creativity, mentorship, discernment, and the meaningful connection only humans can provide. The conversation also introduces an exciting new year-long partnership between 4word and Servant. As 4word's AI transformation partner, Servant will help equip women at every stage of their careers to engage with AI thoughtfully, responsibly, and confidently through workshops, thought leadership, digital content, and experiences at BOLDLY and the 2027 Executive Women's Forum. And in the final part of the conversation, Melissa shares a personal leadership lesson that changed the way she approaches work: God did not create us to be "human doings." He created us to be human beings. She reflects on boundaries, burnout, stewardship, and learning to trust God when the work is not finished—but the workday is.   In this episode, we get into: Fear can be a starting point—but not a staying point. Lead with calm and clarity through change. Start with the problem, not the tool. Define what you're solving before adopting AI. Let AI free people to do what only humans can do. Create more capacity for human creativity, relationships, and discernment. You'll also hear about: How to assess your personal and organizational readiness for AI Moving from AI experimentation to an intentional business strategy Why organizations need clear guidelines for acceptable AI use The risks of telling employees to avoid AI altogether Identifying the right problems for AI to help solve Protecting human dignity and strengthening relationships at work Why Christians need to participate in conversations about AI How AI fluency can become a career accelerator FaithBase and its role in helping faith-driven organizations use AI Setting healthier boundaries as a high-achieving leader The new year-long partnership between Servant and 4word   About Melissa Peak Melissa Peak is the Chief Growth Officer at Servant, the Founder and CEO of The CEO Project, and a member of the 4word Advisory Board. She brings nearly 30 years of experience leading organizations, teams, and P&Ls ranging from thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. Before joining Servant, Melissa served at Amazon Web Services, where she led sales and delivery for some of AWS's largest Fortune 100 and enterprise customers. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations navigate transformation, accelerate growth, develop leaders, and align business strategy with meaningful human impact. Melissa is passionate about equipping leaders and organizations to use technology thoughtfully while protecting human dignity, strengthening relationships, and creating opportunities for people to flourish. Learn more about Melissa on LinkedIn Learn more about Melissa's work at Servant   About Servant Servant is a management and technology consultancy that helps faith-driven organizations amplify their missions through strategy, technology, AI transformation, and digital experiences. As 4word's AI transformation partner, Servant will provide thought leadership, workshops, digital content, and learning opportunities designed to help women and organizations move from uncertainty and experimentation to responsible, strategic AI adoption. Learn more about Servant and explore FaithBase AI Follow Servant on LinkedIn and Instagram   About Melissa Harrison Melissa Harrison is a journalist, nonprofit leader, and President & CEO of 4word. She is passionate about helping women integrate faith, leadership, and purpose in the workplace. As host of the Moving Forward Podcast, Melissa brings a storyteller's perspective to honest conversations about work, calling, growth, and the courage to keep moving forward.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Kristin Wozniak, Chief Growth Officer and Data Officer at Cosmo5, formerly SVP Analytics and Strategy at Cossette Media. Kristin discusses why she believes many leaders have developed an unhealthy obsession with data, how "the need for certainty" stifles innovation, and Goodhart's law, which states "when a measure becomes a target, it's no longer a good measure." Key topics include:- The risk of constantly wanting more data and dashboards- The need for "buddy metrics"- Why you should link KPI's, compensation, and business results- The concepts of "AI Brain Fry" and "Hiding Behind the Data"Chapters

Retiring early is one thing. Trusting that you can stay retired is something completely different.In this episode, Ari responds to a listener who retired at 48 while her husband prepares to leave work as well. The numbers say they are in a strong position, yet the doubt still lingers. Are we really okay. Did we miss something. Should we keep working just to be safe.Ari explores why so many people struggle to trust their retirement plan even after years of disciplined saving and investing. Sometimes the issue is not the math. It is the emotional weight of making a decision that most people around you are nowhere near making.The conversation also touches on the real role of a financial advisor. Not simply managing investments, but helping validate assumptions, pressure test decisions, and bring confidence to a transition that can feel far bigger than a spreadsheet.Because retirement confidence is not about eliminating every doubt. It is about understanding your plan well enough to move forward anyway.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

File this under: things we genuinely did not realize we needed to know as parents.

In this week's podcast, we're talking about a problem that is increasingly difficult to ignore: wildfires and extreme weather. My guest is Indran "Indy" Ratnathicam, Chief Growth Officer from Technosylva, a company whose tagline says it all: “We fight fire and extreme weather with science.” Indy and I chat about about Technosylva's dedicated wildfire supercomputing system, how AI fits into the architecture, what kinds of high-resolution data are required to model fire behavior, and why hyper-local modeling is so important when a wildfire is involved.

Welcome to They Might Be Right, the disagreeable cousin to Call To Action. It's a podcast so unfamiliar with the concept of diplomacy that even a judge couldn't settle this. This week's audio squabble is a law-industry themed special.  Tackling one of the prickliest topics in the modern law business are four of the industry's most compelling and convincing voices – a group carefully selected for their intellect, eloquence and experience. Our collection of courtroom confrontationists are… Clare Quinn-Waters, the first ever Chief Growth Officer at Edwin Coe. Leor Franks, Chief Commercial Officer at Kingsley Napley. Addleshaw Goddard's Chief Marketing Officer, Laura Ottley And Matt Skipper, Head of Business Development at Mills & Reeve Desperately trying to keep the haymakers at bay is our host and referee, Giles Edwards, a man so afraid of conflict he has never successfully retrieved his own pound coin from a supermarket trolley.  The freshly dismembered bone of contention for this debate is: ‘Partners are no longer the primary source of growth.' If you're building the case for proper marketing inside your firm, consider this episode exhibit A. Exhibit B is our printed guide to Proper Marketing for Law & Professional Services. Get in touch with elliot(at)gasp.agency for a copy.  Follow Clare, Leor, Laura, and Matt on LinkedIn///// Timestamps 01:21 - Meet the Contenders: Four Perspectives on Growth 07:04 - The Main Event: What Really Drives Growth? 10:02 - The Four Rs: Recognition, Reputation, Relationships & Revenue 12:13 - The Human Element: Why Relationships Still Matter 14:49 - Commoditized vs. Sophisticated: When Partners Matter Most 19:20 - The Future of Legal Services: Human Skills vs. AI 21:27 - Navigating Change: Rethinking How Legal Work Is Delivered 26:29 - The Bigger Picture: Recognising the Whole Growth Team 28:10 - Clare's Final Word: Are Partners Really the Primary Drivers? 28:33 - The Verdict: A Draw/////

Connect with us via text! Medical aesthetics has never been more technologically advanced, yet many practices are still struggling with disconnected systems, inefficient workflows, and technology that creates more complexity than clarity. In this episode Dr. Tiphany Hall, Chief Growth Officer of Aesthetic Record, Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Aesthetic Next, and a leading voice in medical aesthetics business strategy, breaks down the hidden costs of a fragmented tech stack and why the future of practice management may depend on bringing everything together. From the launch of AR ONE at Aesthetic Next 8.0 and the philosophy behind a “One Platform” approach to the evolving role of AI, operations, and practice growth, Dr. Hall shares what modern aesthetic practices need to rethink to build more efficient, scalable businesses.Follow DERMASCOPE:Instagram: @dermascopeFacebook: facebook.com/dermascopePinterest: @dermascopeTikTok: @dermascopeYoutube: @dermascopeFollow Aesthetic Record:Instagram: @aestheticrecordFacebook: facebook.com/aesthetic.rec Additional Links:Visit our website.Learn more about this podcast.Subscribe to the magazine.Read the August 2026 issue. Use code DERMMAG100 for $100 your Aesthetic Nezr 8.0 ticket! 

"Creativity is all about creating desire." So what makes people truly desire a brand?This week, we're back at the Havas Café for the second of our three-part series exploring Creating Desire. This conversation focuses on one of the most powerful drivers of all: creativity.Jim is joined by:Ryan Dullea, Chief Growth Officer at ReckittJennie Weber, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Best BuyMatthew Bull, Chief Creative Advisor at AB InBevTogether, they discuss how leaders create cultures where creativity can thrive, why teams need permission to take risks, how healthy debate leads to stronger ideas, and why AI should accelerate human creativity rather than replace it. Along the way, they share lessons from building some of the world's most iconic brands and explain why the best marketing doesn't just capture attention. It creates genuine desire.Recorded live during the Cannes Lions Festival, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons for anyone looking to build stronger brands, stronger teams, and more creative organizations.—This week's episode is brought to you by Havas and Infillion.—Meet The CMO Podcast On the RoadThe CMO Podcast will be on the road throughout Q4 2026, capturing conversations with the leaders shaping the future of marketing, leadership, and business. If you'll be attending one of these events, we'd love to connect. Let us know!BLINK Cincinnati | October 8-9ANA Masters of Marketing | October 19–22—Interested in partnering with The CMO Podcast?!Looking ahead to the rest of 2026 and into 2027, we're partnering with brands to create executive content platforms that extend far beyond a single event. From pop-up podcast studios and live recordings to executive roundtables, keynote conversations, and bespoke thought leadership programs, we work with partners to build meaningful experiences that connect with senior marketing leaders.Whether you'd like to partner with us at one of the industry's biggest marketing events or create a custom experience designed specifically for your brand, we'd love to explore what's possible. Reach out to learn how we can build something together.Email us at podcasts@vyve.co—Produced by vYveThe CMO Podcast is proudly produced by vYve Production, a full-service production and content studio specializing in podcasts, executive storytelling, branded content, and live experiences. vYve is a community of ambitious leaders dedicated to unlocking what's next in business and in life. Through executive coaching, transformative experiences, strategic content, and communities like The CMO Podcast, vYve helps entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and teams grow their businesses, strengthen their leadership, and build meaningful connections that last.Learn more about vYve and The CMO Podcast community at www.vyve.co.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sonia Garcia, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Amae Health, an integrated care company specializing in the treatment of severe mental illness that operates community-oriented clinics to deliver comprehensive psychiatry-led care. They provide continuity of care across multiple acuity levels, recognizing these conditions require long-term management. Amae is also advancing psychiatric care through research and partnerships by deploying wearables for health monitoring and investigating biomarkers and pharmacogenomics to improve treatment outcomes. Sonia explains, "Amae Health is an integrated care company that exists to treat the most complex mentally ill. So those that are suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder. And we do so through these community-oriented clinics that deliver comprehensive care that's psychiatry-led, but also incorporates therapy, primary care, social services, peer support specialists, dieticians for a lot of nutrition guidance, and health coaching. Then clinic care coordinators manage all the in-between things that need to happen to get somebody back on track and living a healthy, stable life."   "Another core pillar within the company that I'll just add is getting into technical research and innovation, with lots of work we can do to uncover what is causing this, what interventions we can deploy. How can we partner with others in the ecosystem, whether that's pharma or life sciences, to advance psychiatric care and see if we can get towards putting many of these conditions into remission?" #AmaeHealth #MentalHealthCare #SevereMentalIllness #IntegratedCare #MetabolicPsychiatry #Schizophrenia #BipolarDisorder #ValueBasedCare #ContinuityOfCare #HealthcareInnovation #Psychiatry amaehealth.com Download the transcript here

Sonia Garcia, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Amae Health, an integrated care company specializing in the treatment of severe mental illness that operates community-oriented clinics to deliver comprehensive psychiatry-led care. They provide continuity of care across multiple acuity levels, recognizing these conditions require long-term management. Amae is also advancing psychiatric care through research and partnerships by deploying wearables for health monitoring and investigating biomarkers and pharmacogenomics to improve treatment outcomes. Sonia explains, "Amae Health is an integrated care company that exists to treat the most complex mentally ill. So those that are suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder. And we do so through these community-oriented clinics that deliver comprehensive care that's psychiatry-led, but also incorporates therapy, primary care, social services, peer support specialists, dieticians for a lot of nutrition guidance, and health coaching. Then clinic care coordinators manage all the in-between things that need to happen to get somebody back on track and living a healthy, stable life."   "Another core pillar within the company that I'll just add is getting into technical research and innovation, with lots of work we can do to uncover what is causing this, what interventions we can deploy. How can we partner with others in the ecosystem, whether that's pharma or life sciences, to advance psychiatric care and see if we can get towards putting many of these conditions into remission?" #AmaeHealth #MentalHealthCare #SevereMentalIllness #IntegratedCare #MetabolicPsychiatry #Schizophrenia #BipolarDisorder #ValueBasedCare #ContinuityOfCare #HealthcareInnovation #Psychiatry amaehealth.com Listen to the podcast here

If you work with an agency, there are a few things you usually only learn once the campaign is already running. In this special in-person episode, Michael sits down with Belkins Managing Director Alex Sribnyi to talk about what actually happens behind the scenes of B2B lead generation: why some agency-client relationships work, why others fall apart, what companies often misunderstand about outbound, and how the role of an SDR is changing. Alex has spent more than 10 years in the industry, managed hundreds of SDRs and Account Managers, and worked across thousands of B2B client strategies. So this conversation goes well beyond theory. Michael and Alex get into:

Automation and AI have flooded the sales and marketing side of the market, and Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer at Steel Patriot Partners, says the security leaders on the receiving end were already past capacity. The pitch tends to lead with the product rather than the problem. So many CISOs have stopped taking direct sales calls and started asking a different question: what VAR do you work with, and who can I buy you through? That routing puts weight back on partners who know where a program has been and how to move it forward. Parisi describes a partner meeting during the week with RegScale and Wiz, with Steel Patriot Partners in the services role, and the recognition that the company is moving toward systems integration with engineering at the center. Software providers can supply the product. Aligning and configuring it against a specific set of business expectations is a different job. What happens when that job has no owner? Tools get bought and the return never shows up. Parisi sees organizations spending on best of breed and failing to recognize ROI because the tools are not being used or configured against the business objective. The correction is engineering work rather than another purchase. One client was told by its board to cut a significant portion of the IT and information security budget. Steel Patriot Partners looked for overlap, found three tools accomplishing the same business outcome, met the number, and exceeded it on cost savings. Parisi attributes the underlying problem to years of deferred maintenance on the stack, from teams with the appetite to buy tools and without the time to configure them. He expects the consolidation the cloud market saw a decade ago to reach cybersecurity tooling and GRC, and puts a number on it: 48 main GRC providers today, roughly five within five years. Good enough, configured appropriately, beats best of breed sitting idle. For CISOs building the next budget cycle, Parisi recommends bringing the sourcing closer in. Go to your anchor partners, ask what they are running next year and what worked this year, and skip the attempt to talk to everybody. Steel Patriot Partners co-founder Jason Ford has a line that fits alongside it. Have an open mind. This is a Brand Spotlight. A Brand Spotlight is a ~15 minute conversation designed to explore the guest, their company, and what makes their approach unique. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#spotlight GUEST Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, Steel Patriot Partners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parisi-4009b2261/ RESOURCES Black Hat USA 2026 event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/black-hat-usa-2026-cybersecurity-event-coverage-in-las-vegas Steel Patriot Partners: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com Steel Patriot Partners at Black Hat USA 2026: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/events/black-hat-usa-2026 Steel Patriot Partners Insights: https://resources.steelpatriotpartners.com Are you interested in telling your story? ▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full ▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight ▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight ▶︎ Get your own Brand Briefing at an upcoming event: https://www.studioc60.com/buy-brand-briefings KEYWORDS michael parisi, steel patriot partners, sean martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand spotlight, black hat usa 2026, ciso budget, channel partners, var, systems integrator, grc consolidation, security tool sprawl, licensing costs, roi, configuration, compliance, cybersecurity engineering, regscale, wiz Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan MailGrowth in entertainment is no longer just about getting attention; it is about turning emotional connection into live experiences, licensing, merchandise, sports, and global partnerships without diluting what people loved in the first place. Veronica Hart, Chief Growth Officer of RWS Global, unpacks how leaders can build new revenue streams, protect brand integrity, and create momentum in complex markets while making sure women are not waiting for permission to claim their seat at the table.SHOW NOTESStrategic FocusThis conversation explores the discipline behind modern brand growth: how companies decide when an idea has enough audience demand to expand, how leaders build alignment across creative and commercial teams, and why women's perspectives are not a side conversation but a business requirement when companies are trying to reach the full market.Key Takeaways Brand expansion works when companies understand where fans are emotionally invested, then create products, experiences, and partnerships that feel like a natural extension rather than a cash grab.  Live experiences are becoming a serious growth channel because consumers need a compelling reason to leave the couch, show up in person, and participate in a story beyond the screen.  Women leaders bring a critical lens to growth strategy because companies often leave meaningful revenue untapped when they fail to account for women as consumers, decision makers, and cultural drivers.  Veronica's career shows the power of taking an opportunity further than assigned, especially for women who have been conditioned to ask for permission when the better move is to take the work, run with it, and raise the standard. GUEST CONTACT & CONNECTVeronica Hart is the Chief Growth Officer of RWS Global, where she leads growth strategy across live entertainment, brand experiences, licensing, merchandise, and global partnerships. Her career includes executive leadership roles at Paramount, CBS Consumer Products, Sesame Workshop, The Jim Henson Company, and HIT Entertainment, as well as service as Chair of the Board for Licensing International.Website: www.rwsglobal.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rws-global/ Instagram: @rwsglobalofficialJoin the proveHER community and read the companion Blogcast for deeper takeaways from this conversation.---Subscribe and ReviewIf you loved this episode, drop us a review, share it with a badass woman in your life, and subscribe to Badass Women in Business wherever you get your podcasts.Stay badass. Stay bold. Build it your way.Keep up with more content from Aggie and Cristy here:Facebook: Empowered Women Leaders  Instagram: @badass_women_in_businessLinkedIn: ProveHer - Badass Women in BusinessWebsite: Badasswomeninbusinesspodcast.comAthena: athenaac.com

Five million dollars sounds like more than enough to retire. The real question is whether it supports the life you actually want to live.In this episode, Ari responds to a listener planning to retire around age 55 with roughly $5.1 million and spending close to $16,000 to $17,000 per month. On the surface, the math looks close. A simple rule might suggest it works. But real retirement decisions are rarely that simple.The first layer is structure. How much of that money is in pre tax accounts versus a brokerage account. When most assets are locked inside retirement accounts, access, taxes, and flexibility all become part of the equation.The second layer is concentration. A portion of the portfolio is tied to company stock. That can create opportunity, but it can also introduce risk if too much of the plan depends on a single position. Diversification becomes less about theory and more about protecting the outcome.Then comes the part most plans skip. Lifestyle. Spending is not static. The early years often look different from later years. More travel. More activity. More flexibility. A flat monthly number rarely captures how retirement actually unfolds.Ari also challenges the idea that every dollar needs to be optimized. In some cases, working longer, spending differently, or even pursuing a hobby that costs money can improve quality of life more than maximizing an ending balance.The takeaway is simple. A strong portfolio creates options. The real decision is how to use those options in a way that aligns with your priorities, your time, and the kind of retirement you want to build.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

Most B2B event strategies don't fail because of budgets or venues, they fail because they're built around pitches, decks, and headcount instead of real conversations with the right people. Today's guest, Joseph Fontana, Chief Revenue Officer at Amzai and Chief Growth Officer at Buyer Foresight, has spent over 30 years building sales organizations and leading thousands of sales conversations. He's turned a simple but powerful idea into a scalable model: conversations move pipeline, not pitches. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Joe breaks down why we're living in a “golden era” for events, even as AI floods the market with low-quality content and buyers become more skeptical than ever. Instead of chasing massive conferences and overproduced webinars, Joe helps B2B brands design one-to-few executive dinners and small-format events where prospects talk honestly about their biggest pain points. No slides. No case study walk-throughs. No “quick demos.” Just carefully curated conversations that build trust, insight, and long-term pipeline. Joe explains where most companies get events totally wrong: talking at prospects instead of with them, making the night about their agenda instead of the buyer's, and pushing decks, collateral, and follow-up sequences that instantly kill trust. He shows how to flip that model by starting with one critical question: “What makes this person sweat the bed at 4 a.m.?” From there, Joe and his team craft tight messaging, smart outreach, and 6–7 sharp questions that get high-value prospects to happily show up, engage with peers, and open up about the real problems they're trying to solve. You'll also hear Joe's philosophy on simple systems that scale, the crucial difference between motivation and accountability, and why even the best event will fail without disciplined, thoughtful follow-up from the actual people in the room (not a random SDR three days later). He shares how his own chocolate-tasting events for marketers and sales leaders double as both a memorable experience and a live demonstration of his methodology in action, no hard pitch required. https://youtu.be/LvNl-OfwKsM?si=v8QDCY_6YZW4b5_d If you're tired of events that “look good” on a slide but don't turn into revenue, this episode will show you a different path. You'll learn how to design small, high-trust experiences that your buyers actually want to attend, how to listen more and talk less, and how to turn authentic executive conversations into predictable, high-quality pipelines. Quotes: “Sales has always been and always shall be a series of conversations that moves you from awareness to consideration, from life as it is today to life as it can be.” “There's nothing easy about a simple process, people see simple and assume they can ‘make it better,' and that's exactly how they break it.” “Your prospect doesn't care about you; they care about themselves, and the only time you enter the equation is if they think you might cost them their job.” Contact Details: Ready to Make Every Event Deliver More? Discover How Amzai Helps Organizations Connect with Joe on LinkedIn to Unlock Your Next Business Opportunity Love a Good Laugh? Subscribe to Joe Fontana's YouTube Channel! Fred Flintstone Selling in a George Jetson World on Amazon Turn Buyer Conversations Into Qualified Pipeline: Connect with BuyerForesight Today

Jason Leeds is Chief Growth Officer at Dartcor Enterprises where he helps organizations use hospitality to create workplaces that strengthen culture, connection, and employee engagement. Jason brings a unique perspective at the intersection of hospitality, commercial real estate, and the future of work, so Mike Petrusky asks him how hospitality helps people connect and thrive at work. They explore intentional, detail-driven experiences that can contribute to a sense of belonging and increase employee engagement as facility management leaders seek to reinvent workspaces and make them more attractive. Technology and AI, when used thoughtfully, can automate routine tasks and provide more space for genuine human interaction in the workplace, and Jason says collaboration across FM, HR, and IT is essential for delivering seamless workplace experiences. Small, consistent actions can create significant positive change in the workplace over time, and the future workplace will be more flexible, experience-based, and focused on human connection, so Mike and Jason offer practical advice and the inspiration you will need to be a Workplace Innovator in your organization! Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-leeds-7b253a87/ Learn more about Dartcor Enterprises: https://www.dartcorenterprises.com/ Explore Dartcor Hospitality: https://www.dartcorhospitality.com/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4H3pwnlU2AuqynuRDpvnh4J Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

The growth playbook behind Mike & Ike's We Got'Chew with Meenakshi Trehan, Chief Growth Officer at Just Born   Meenakshi Trehan is responsible for growing some of the most iconic candy brands in the world, including MIKE AND IKE, PEEPS, HOT TAMALES and GOLDENBERG'S PEANUT CHEWS. As Chief Growth Officer at Just Born, she's helping beloved brands with decades-long histories find new ways to show up for today's consumers. In this episode of Question Everything with Meenakshi, we cover how MIKE AND IKE turned a product truth into the "We Got'Chew" brand campaign platform, the best ways to modernize legacy brands, and celebrity partnerships that actually build brand equity. What you'll learn in this episode:  How legacy brands should (and should not) use their heritage How MIKE AND IKE and Curiosity arrived at the new "We Got'Chew Platform" The four keys for a successful legacy brand Meenakshi's proven leadership advice for CMOs Why Knicks player Josh Hart was named President of Candy Operations The story behind Kenan Thompson's directorial debut for MIKE AND IKE's We Got'chew How family-owned companies like Just Born can outperform corporate machines Balancing playful creative with meaningful business results   Resources:   Learn more about MIKE AND IKE and Curiosity's We Got'Chew campaign Meet Josh Hart, MIKE AND IKE's President of Candy Operations See how PEEPS ignited social during this year's big game Learn more about the family-owned company, Just Born Connect with Meenakshi on LinkedIn  

Jim Fields is an American entrepreneur who has spent over 15 years living and building businesses in China. He speaks fluent Mandarin, began his career at Adobe in Silicon Valley, and moved to China, where he worked at Nokia and Reckitt Benckiser before founding Relay Video in 2016 - a Beijing-based creative marketing agency that helped Chinese tech companies including Xiaomi, Tencent, and Lenovo tell their stories to global audiences. He later founded Relay Club, an influencer management platform for Chinese brands going outbound. He now serves as Chief Growth Officer at Nuon Medical and is involved with Oren Medical, a Shenzhen-based manufacturer within the Kaiyan Medical Group.In this episode, Jim talks about his journey from Silicon Valley to China, what he learned building Relay Video, and the most common mistakes Chinese tech companies make when trying to go global. He explains why he pivoted from marketing into medtech, and breaks down both companies he works with today: Nuon Medical, which embeds clinical technologies like red light therapy, microcurrent, and PEMF directly into cosmetics applicators for brands including Clarins and Vagheggi, and Oren Medical, which manufactures red light therapy and medical wellness devices with over 300 patents across six FDA-cleared facilities.Jim also discusses his TEDx talk arguing that light is a fourth macronutrient alongside oxygen, water, and food - the science behind red and near-infrared light therapy and why he believes it belongs in everyday consumer products. He covers the beauty tech market in China versus the West, how US-China trade tensions and tariffs affect a cross-border business like his, and what he's learned from 15-plus years of building across both markets. Discussion Points·       Jim's journey from Silicon Valley to 15+ years building businesses in China·       Relay Video's thesis: Chinese brands are the brands of the future but need help telling their stories globally·       The most common mistakes Chinese tech companies make when going global, from working with Xiaomi, Tencent, and Lenovo·       The pivot from marketing to medtech and how Jim's China background connects to his work in beauty tech·       Nuon Medical: embedding clinical technologies (light therapy, microcurrent, PEMF) into cosmetics packaging·       Jim's TEDx argument that light is a fourth macronutrient - the science behind red and near-infrared light therapy·       Oren Medical: China's medical device manufacturing sophistication, 300+ patents, six FDA-cleared facilities·       Beauty tech market maturity in China versus the West and where China is leading·       How US-China trade tensions and tariffs affect a cross-border business built on Chinese manufacturing·       Lessons from 15-plus years building businesses that span China and the West

Sometimes retirement planning is not about optimization. It is about rebuilding.In this episode, Ari Taublieb, CFP®, responds to a voicemail from a 52 year old widow whose life changed overnight. The plan she once built with her spouse no longer applies, but the desire to retire early and live intentionally is still there.On paper, she is in a strong position. Over $2.5 million saved across retirement accounts, no debt, a paid off home, and relatively low spending. The question is not whether she can retire. It is how to navigate the years before 59 and a half, when most of her money is not easily accessible.Ari walks through the real constraint. It is not total wealth. It is flexibility. With limited funds in a brokerage account, generating income in the early years requires careful coordination. That could mean drawing from taxable assets, adjusting spending, or continuing part-time work not out of necessity, but as a bridge that preserves long-term growth.But the deeper conversation goes beyond numbers.After a loss like this, the goal is not to build the most efficient plan possible. It is to build a life that feels meaningful again. Travel. Volunteering. Creating structure and purpose. The financial plan exists to support that, not replace it.There is also a quiet risk that shows up in moments like this. Playing it too safe. Delaying experiences out of fear of running out later, only to realize those early years were the ones that mattered most.The takeaway is simple. A good plan adapts when life changes. A great plan makes space for what matters now, not just what might matter decades from now.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

How do you franchise your business without weakening the company that made it successful? Brian Luciani explains the economics and founder mindset that separate scalable concepts from expensive mistakes. In this Franchise Fit Podcast episode, Lance Graulich sits down with Brian Luciani, Chief Growth Officer and Venture Partner at SMB Franchise Advisors, to answer the question many independent business owners ask: Is my business ready to franchise? Brian explains product-market fit, repeatable operations, unit economics after royalties, and founder responsibilities. He explains why becoming a franchisor means moving from player to coach, why the first franchisee can shape the culture for years, and why accepting the wrong candidate can cost more than walking away from a check.

FedRAMP has changed before. What makes the Consolidated Rules for 2026 different is that the dates are on the calendar and the fence sitters have run out of runway. Jason Ford, Co-Founder and CEO of Steel Patriot Partners, has been inside the program since Rev 3 in 2013. Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, comes at it from the business side. Together they map what changes and, more usefully, what it means for the decision in front of a provider right now. So what actually changes? The program consolidates into two paths, 20X and Rev 5. FedRAMP Ready moves to legacy status. Class A, B, and C pipelines open across a thirty to sixty day window, mandatory adoption arrives January 1, and new Rev 5 certifications close on June 11, 2027. Authorized becomes certified. Jason Ford also points out where the rules live: fedramp.gov, hosted in GitHub, which means they move with a commit. Reading them once is not tracking them. Why did FedRAMP need to change at all? Michael Parisi frames it as a supply problem. Agencies and primes have been working from a limited and aging set of technologies while better tools sat outside a process that was slow, rudimentary, and expensive. The action was warranted. His follow-up question gets less airtime: if the process moved faster, did responsibility move with it, and does the stakeholder now holding that due diligence know it yet? The engineering shift is real and it is the part most teams see coming. Jason Ford describes RMF thinking giving way to continuous DevSecOps, proving compliance in real time rather than at a point in time. Vulnerability remediation is where the compression bites. CISA's updated guidance drops severity score as the driver in favor of stepped prioritization, and windows that used to run 30, 60, and 90 days now land closer to three to twenty-one. What does this cost a business past the budget line? Time and capacity. 20X is faster than a Rev 5 process that once ran eighteen months, but faster is not instant. Retraining a couple hundred users inside a thousand-person organization is not a small endeavor, and if the transition eats half of the organization's capacity for a year, that is half as much capacity aimed at the business paying for it. Jason Ford is not arguing against the move. He is arguing that disruption belongs inside the decision. Then there is the internal work almost nobody has started. Mapping an existing Rev 5 ATO scope into a new certification level is not clear-cut, and past the mapping, marketing and sales both need re-education. Michael Parisi describes building a translation layer for customers: here is what we provided before, here is what it is now, and this change came from the program rather than from any reduction in assurance. Roughly half the time, Steel Patriot Partners tells organizations not to pursue certification at all. Michael Parisi treats that as one of the more valuable things the firm does. The opposite failure shows up just as often, with companies preparing to spend heavily on 20X because it sounds quicker and cheaper, when the agency or prime they are chasing expects a certification level. A lower bar only helps if the buyer accepts it. Where should a business start? With the business conversation. Michael Parisi notes the answer does not have to be yes or no today; it can be a maybe with defined trigger points. Jason Ford closes on posture: come with an open mind, and do not hand a multi-year commitment to a language model whose guardrails and training are not built for that call. Or, shorter: don't wait, and don't go it alone. Steel Patriot Partners built a three-question starting point for that first conversation at https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/find-your-path. This is a Brand Story. A Brand Story is a ~35-40 minute in-depth conversation designed to tell the complete story of the guest, their company, and their vision. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#full GUESTS Jason Ford, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Steel Patriot Partners On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ford-5ab206/ Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, Steel Patriot Partners On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parisi-4009b2261/ RESOURCES Learn more about Steel Patriot Partners: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/ FedRAMP's Consolidated Rules for 2026: What It Means for Cloud Providers: https://resources.steelpatriotpartners.com/fedramps-consolidated-rules-for-2026 Find Your Path, a three-question starting point for ISO, CMMC, and FedRAMP decisions: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/find-your-path Complimentary ROI Workshop: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/roi-workshop Are you interested in telling your story? ▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full ▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight ▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight KEYWORDS jason ford, michael parisi, steel patriot partners, sean martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, fedramp, fedramp consolidated rules for 2026, fedramp 20x, rev 5, fedramp certification classes, cloud service provider compliance, federal compliance, cisa vulnerability remediation, continuous monitoring, devsecops, ato, 3pao, govramp, cmmc, grc, federal marketplace, compliance roi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building real community as an adult is quietly one of the hardest things about modern life, and it gets harder when you're Childfree. The friends you assumed would always be around get busy, have kids, or move away, and one day you look up and realize the built-in social life adulthood promised never actually arrived. Maddy Roche sits down with four people who got tired of waiting and built the communities they couldn't find. Kari Cardinale of the Modern Elder Academy, Florence Wlodarski of Parallel Social Club, and Charlie and Ali Higgins of DINK Social each started from the same quiet ache, wanting people whose weekends were free and whose lives looked like theirs, and turned it into something thousands have now joined. Underneath it all sits a striking finding: the single biggest predictor of a long life is not diet or exercise, but the quality of the friendships you build in midlife.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why finding your people gets harder in your 40s and beyond, the specific friction points that make adult friendship so difficult, and how these community builders designed around every one of themHow three very different organizations approach the same need, from a midlife wisdom school to an in-person social club to an app built specifically for Childfree couplesWhy the first hangout is only the entry point, and how structured, smaller gatherings create the deeper "third vault" conversations that actually bond people togetherWhat it takes for an introvert to walk into a new community and get the most out of it, including why small, vetted, interest-based groups beat big networking-style eventsThe 80-year Harvard finding that the quality of your midlife friendships predicts a long life more than diet or exercise, and why that reframes community as a health priorityEpisode Guests:Kari Cardinale is a partner and Chief Content Officer at MEA (Modern Elder Academy), a midlife wisdom school with campuses in Baja, Mexico, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, plus a digital campus and an alumni community of 8,000 people across 60 countries, all built around navigating midlife and building new friendships.MEA (Modern Elder Academy): meawisdom.comFlorence Wlodarski is the co-founder of Parallel Social Club, a social wellness community in Los Angeles built for DINKs, SINKs, Childfree, and childless adults. Parallel hosts around ten small, curated in-person events a month, designed to remove the friction from adult friendship and help busy professionals actually connect.Parallel Social Club: parallelsocialclub.com Charlie and Ali Higgins are the co-founders of DINK Social, a social app built exclusively for Childfree couples to connect, discover events, and build real friendships. Launched in early 2026, the community-driven platform has already surpassed 2,500 couples.DINK Social: dinksocial.com Episode Host:Maddy Roche is the Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust®, where she leads all sales, marketing, and partnership initiatives and brings sharp insight to estate planning, LGBTQ+ legacy considerations, and Childfree financial decision making.About Childfree Insights:Childfree Insights delivers education for financial and estate planning without children. It supports people with no kids in making informed decisions about retirement, legacy planning, beneficiaries, and long-term care. Home of Childfree Wealth® and Childfree Trust®.Connect with Us:Ready to work on building better financial habits? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com.Follow Childfree Life by Design on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation on social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsightsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsightsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsightsDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast.

For companies in the defense industrial base, a compliance deadline is not paperwork. It is the difference between winning contracts and watching them stall. In this Brand Feature, Jason LaPointe, Chief Technology Officer at Exostar, and Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer at Steel Patriot Partners, walk through what it takes to get FedRAMP ready without cutting corners. Exostar was born out of a consortium that included Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and its FedRAMP-moderate posture lets smaller suppliers keep working on Department of War contracts. How does that work? Instead of moving every server and mailbox into a secure boundary, a supplier inherits roughly 80% of the controls from Exostar, which shrinks the scope of its own CMMC audit considerably. The clock was real. At the time, a November transition date loomed, after which many suppliers could no longer self-attest. That specific timeline has since been paused, but the pressure to prove readiness has not gone away. Exostar needed to show it was FedRAMP-moderate and ready for an audit, and working with Steel Patriot Partners, the team pulled a January target in by nearly three months, not by skipping steps, but by moving with confidence. Why build a new platform instead of retrofitting the old one? Jason LaPointe describes a platform first initiative: build the new compliant home, then migrate customers into it. Trying to modernize inside a live production environment would have been disruptive, so the team built alongside rather than on top, which freed them to re-architect and retool without breaking customers. Michael Parisi frames the engagement as embedding, not staff augmentation. Steel Patriot Partners plugged directly into the product team through daily standups and leadership calls, delivered infrastructure as code and deployment pipelines, and kept the work with US citizens, a requirement once controlled unclassified information is in play. What makes an audit go smoothly? Preparation that extends to how questions get answered. Jason LaPointe compares the audit to a deposition, where an unsolicited comment hands an assessor somewhere new to go. Michael Parisi, who spent years in the assessor's seat and ran the practice for a large C3PAO, explains why knowing the auditors and presenting information cleanly protects the outcome. The business math is unforgiving. Miss the audit window and millions in direct contracts can be exposed, while auditors book out six to eight months. Exostar cleared it with a clean, no POA&M result, and the business is now seeing tailwinds through initiatives like Golden Dome. The lesson Jason LaPointe offers other technology and security leaders is about temperament. Every part of the organization gets touched, from R&D to HR to finance, and the willingness to change quickly becomes the governor on success. Having a clear voice at the table for what good looks like, as Steel Patriot Partners provided, is what accelerates the decisions. This is a Brand Feature. A Brand Feature is a ~30 minute in-depth conversation designed to go deep on a company's story, solutions, and customer success. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#feature GUESTS Jason LaPointe, Chief Technology Officer, Exostar Website: https://www.exostar.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlapointe Michael Parisi, Chief Growth Officer, Steel Patriot Partners Website: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parisi-4009b2261/ RESOURCES Learn more about Exostar: https://www.exostar.com/ Aerospace and Defense solutions from Exostar: https://www.exostar.com/industries/aerospace-defense/ Learn more about Steel Patriot Partners: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/ Find Your Path with Steel Patriot Partners: https://steelpatriotpartners.com/find-your-path/ Are you interested in telling your story? ▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full ▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight ▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight KEYWORDS Jason LaPointe, Michael Parisi, Exostar, Steel Patriot Partners, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand feature, FedRAMP, FedRAMP-moderate, CMMC, CMMC 2.0, defense industrial base, DIB, controlled unclassified information, CUI, compliance inheritance, C3PAO, FedRAMP audit, platform modernization, GCC High, Department of War, defense supply chain, cybersecurity compliance Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Too many producers operate from a place of scarcity - they walk into discovery meetings desperate for the win, giving off an energy that actually repels prospects. If you want to scale your book and become a true industry expert, you have to completely shift your mindset: stop needing the deal, and start making it entirely about the buyer.My guest, Jon Slusser, Chief Growth Officer at Gibson, joins me to discuss how to cultivate this "Elite Mindset." Jon shares his journey from being a self-described "turd" and selfish college soccer forward to becoming an ego-free, collaborative sales leader. We discuss the necessity of "detaching" from a deal, why new producers must operate with a sense of urgency (and avoid the "salary guarantee trap"), and how Gibson uses the "4 C's" to successfully integrate new talent alongside gray-haired veterans. Jon also opens up about his son Leo, a true "one-of-one," and how facing an unprecedented medical journey clarified his ultimate priorities as a father, husband, and professional.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callhttps://completegameu.com/request-a-callTimestamped Outline(00:00) The Mastodons and Nepotism: How Jon Found His Way to Insurance(04:54) The Worst Teammate: A Harsh Soccer Lesson That Built a Better Leader(07:37) The Necessity of Coachability: Identifying Natural Curiosity and Humility(10:33) Shifting Mindsets: Detaching from the Deal and Leading with Abundance(13:00) The Unseen Force of Sales: How Prospects Feel Your Scarcity Energy(14:50) "If You Can't Be My Friend, You Can't Be in My Book of Business"(16:32) Advice for New Producers: Bring Your Future Forward and Ditch the Waiting Game(18:31) The Trap of Salary Guarantees: Finding the Sweet Spot of Urgency(21:40) Gibson's Training Strategy: Niche Focus, Defined Buyers, and Veteran Support(25:01) The 4 C's of Producer Development: Clarity, Connection, Contribution, and Commitment(26:44) The Tampa Bay Epiphany: Transitioning from Top Producer to "Hero Maker"(31:13) Leo's Story: Controlling the Controllables During a 103-Day NICU Stay(37:34) Jon's Lightning Round: The 4:30 AM Five Pillar Routine, Marathon Training, and The Purple CowCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

Most people think tax strategy is the starting point. It's not. It's the final layer that sits on top of a life you actually want to live.In this episode, Ari Taublieb, CFP®, responds to a listener with over $3 million across pre-tax, Roth, and brokerage accounts, plus a pension and future Social Security. On paper, everything looks optimized. In reality, he's stuck on a question that keeps a lot of high savers from moving forward.Should he use his brokerage account for income, for tax strategies, or to fund Roth conversions?The answer is not as simple as picking the most tax-efficient move. In fact, focusing on taxes first can lead to the wrong outcome entirely. Ari walks through why having too much income later in life can create a “tax bomb,” how required minimum distributions change the equation, and why Roth conversions can make sense when future tax rates are likely higher.But the real takeaway has nothing to do with spreadsheets.Before deciding on conversions, withdrawal strategies, or tax brackets, the first question is much simpler. How much do you actually want to spend? Without that clarity, even the best tax plan can lead to regret. With it, the right strategy becomes much easier to see.Because the goal is not to minimize taxes at all costs. The goal is to use your money in a way that actually improves your life while you still have the time and energy to enjoy it.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

Having over a million saved does not automatically mean you can retire early. Where your money sits matters just as much as how much you have.In this episode, Ari walks through a real case of a 47 year old aiming to retire at 55. On paper, the numbers look strong. But most of the assets are tied up in retirement accounts, which creates a gap in the years before those funds are easily accessible.Ari explains why this is often called being “qualified rich” and how it can delay retirement even when you have done everything right. The conversation shifts to what actually creates flexibility. Brokerage accounts, cash strategy, and how to position assets so income can be generated when you need it most.The deeper question is not just whether retirement is possible. It is how early it can happen and what tradeoffs are worth making to get there.Because retirement is not about having enough on paper. It is about having access to your money when it matters.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

Wanting to retire in five years is a good goal. Knowing if you actually can is a different question.In this episode, Ari walks through a real case study of someone in their early fifties trying to determine if early retirement is realistic. The numbers look strong at first glance. But the real question is not how much you have saved. It is whether your plan supports the life you want to live.Ari breaks down how income would be generated in the early years, how account structure impacts taxes, and why having access to flexible funds can make or break an early retirement plan. He also highlights the tradeoff many people miss. Continuing to save more versus letting the portfolio do the work through growth.The takeaway is simple. Retirement is not just about hitting a number. It is about understanding how that number turns into income, adapts to change, and supports your lifestyle over time.Because the goal is not just to retire. It is to retire on your terms.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.