Atomic CEO

In this unexpectedly deep episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, Tom and Adam unpack the real reason entrepreneurs lose focus, drain their energy, and struggle to stay productive — even when they’re in their zone of genius. What begins with a chaotic dog interruption unfolds into a powerful exploration of attention management, flow states, boundaries, energy cycles, and why most business...

In this grounded and introspective episode of Be The CEO , Tom Marino and Adam Hurd explore what it really means to lose — and then rediscover — your rhythm during seasons of transition.    What begins with a story about unexpected humanity turns into a powerful discussion about ambition, choices, daily structure, energy management, and why entrepreneurs often feel stuck even when life i...

In this episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into the real engine behind business success: meaningful connection. What begins as a light conversation about Thanksgiving traditions, nightlife, and family quickly evolves into a powerful exploration of why the hardest skill in business is *learning how to create meaningful, deep, human connection*—...

In this emotionally powerful episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd open up about one of the most difficult realities of leadership: how to survive when life hits harder than your workload. What begins as a conversation about stress, surgery, and personal strain quickly evolves into a deep exploration of resilience, identity, partnership, and what it truly...

In this episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast , hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into the real conversations that inspire growth, creativity, and purpose in business and life.  What starts as a light chat about music evolves into a powerful dialogue about emotional connection, self-awareness, and the transformative journey of entrepreneurship. They explore the idea of The Lo...

In this episode of the Be The CEO Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive into two powerful ideas shaping business and mindset today:  Loving the process more than the destination  Why confidence is a decision backed by action  Drawing inspiration from Alex Hormozi’s philosophy and a thought-provoking post by Yousef L. Alame, Tom and Adam break down how business owners can simp...

In this insightful episode of Be the CEO , hosts Adam Hurd and Tom Marino dive deep into what it really means to “be the CEO” — not as a title, but as a mindset. They redefine CEO as Commitment, Effort, and Obsession , exploring how these three traits are essential for leading both your life and your business with purpose and passion.    Key Topics Covered   The True Meaning of CEO...

In this episode of Be the CEO , Adam Thomas Hurd and Tom Marino dive deep into two powerful ideas that define what it really means to be the CEO of your business, your time, and your life.  They tackle the long-debated concept of work-life balance versus work-life harmony , revealing why striving for balance can actually hold entrepreneurs back. The conversation then flows into embracing fail...

In this episode of Be the CEO , Tom Marino and Adam Hurd explore two of the most overlooked yet powerful drivers of success for self-employed people: fear and listening . Whether you’re running your own business, trying to scale, or just struggling to get unstuck, this episode dives into how to transform the very things that scare or hold you back into tools for growth.  What You’ll Learn in...

In this episode, Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into what it really means to step out of self-employment and into true CEO leadership —at work and at home.  What We Cover in This Episode:   The trap of self-employment : Why so many business owners simply create a new prison for themselves instead of finding freedom.  Gary Vee’s challenge : “If you want it so bad, how are you not...

In this episode of the Be the CEO Podcast , Tom and Adam dive into two powerful ideas that every business owner needs to hear: working less but more effectively, and the importance of small beginnings. Drawing inspiration from Gary Vaynerchuk and Justin Welsh, they share personal stories, client examples, and practical insights on shifting from being “busy” to being truly impactful.  Whether...

In this episode, Tom and Adam take a new direction with Be the CEO Podcast . Each week they’ll bring you content from top voices in entrepreneurship and leadership—posts they love, disagree with, or find thought-provoking—and break it down through the lens of their own experience.  This week’s discussion highlights two powerful posts from Dan Martell and Alex Hormozi , sparking conversation a...

In this episode of Be The CEO , Adam and Tom dive into the mindset shifts required to go from simply growing a business to truly leading one. They answer questions posed by their assistant, Gary, based on real conversations with clients, challenges in their own business, and lessons learned through years of coaching entrepreneurs. From tackling limiting beliefs and sabotaging habits to mastering f...

In this first episode of the Intentional CEO Podcast, Tom and Adam reintroduce their mission: helping entrepreneurs move from being accidental CEOs—overworked and reactive—to intentional CEOs who lead with clarity, agency, and purpose. Drawing on four decades of combined experience and four years of partnership, they dive into the real challenges business owners face and share practical stories, i...

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive deep into one of the biggest challenges new and accidental CEOs face—confusing burnout with boredom. They unpack why hustle isn’t a badge of honor but a warning sign, how being the bottleneck stunts growth, and why systems—not endless motivation—are the true foundation of sustainable success. From decision-making with certainty to reframing your identity as a CEO...

In this episode, Tom and his co-host dive deep into the real challenges entrepreneurs face when running their businesses — from burnout and chaos to flimsy business models and the trap of being “busy.” Fresh off their recent Accidental CEO Workshop, they share the powerful lessons learned working with a unique group of business owners, highlighting the difference between reaction mode and true for...

In this episode, Tom and Adam tackle one of the biggest challenges small business owners face — getting stuck in the role instead of stepping into the CEO mindset. They share real-world client stories, personal insights, and practical strategies for breaking free from overwhelm, reclaiming your authority, and running your business like a true leader. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The “Technol...

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive into a challenge most entrepreneurs don’t even realize they’re facing—the quiet tax of control. From refusing to delegate to fearing the business will collapse without them, accidental CEOs often unknowingly sabotage their own growth. The conversation covers: • Why taking a vacation every 90 days isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for clarity and vitality. • How bur...

In this real and raw episode, Tom and Adam peel back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a podcast as accidental CEOs—and why it’s okay to still be figuring things out after 130+ episodes. They dive deep into the mindset shifts needed to thrive as a business owner, why calculated risk is essential, and how to balance commitment with joy in your business.  This episode is...

In this powerful and candid episode, Tom and Adam delve into the challenges and mindset shifts that every accidental CEO faces when transitioning into a confident and intentional business leader. They unpack the paradox of creating content that truly helps without preaching, the patterns they observe in their coaching clients, and the recurring struggles business owners face—especially when it com...

In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the real reasons behind why so many small business owners and entrepreneurs take the leap—often unintentionally—into the role of CEO. From building a business around family needs to redefine success with purpose and intention, this conversation explores what it truly means to live life and run a business on your own terms.  Our hosts reflect on the...

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive deep into the messy reality of running a business in today’s rapidly evolving tech environment. From software updates disrupting workflows to business owners struggling with delegation, they explore why simplicity in business often gets lost in the search for optimization. The conversation flows through topics of technology overwhelm, the myth of the perfect syst...

In this powerful and reflective conversation, Tom and Adam unpack the experience of transitioning from running a business by chance to intentionally leading one as a CEO. They reflect on their recent morning workshop, the dynamics of energy in virtual versus in-person sessions, and the importance of intentional leadership. They also dive into how mindset shifts around leadership, hiring, and perso...

In this deeply honest episode, Tom and Adam pull back the curtain on their recent frustrations with content creation and the overwhelming noise of so-called expert advice. They get real about what it means to remain authentic while building a successful business and coaching practice—especially as they navigate their own commitment to the Method of One framework: one product, one channel, one mark...

In this episode, we open with a story about wanting to use Nas’s track "Spicy" as our theme music—and what happens when audio hits differently depending on where you hear it. From there, we dig deep into the challenges and transformations that every accidental CEO faces. From financial freedom to micromanagement, to finding clarity and trusting your intuition, this conversation is packed with cand...