Measure Success Podcast

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with real estate investor and educator Jay Conner to break down private money and why it has been the foundation of his business since 2009. Jay explains how private money works, who private lenders really are, and why having capital ready changes everything about deal execution. He shares a real world case study where preparatio...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with John Whitt, founder of Business Whitt and author of Checkmate, to explore how strategic thinking, leadership, and generosity intersect. John explains how lessons from competitive chess apply directly to business. Small advantages, disciplined execution, and resource placement matter more than chasing quick wins. The convers...

AI is changing how companies grow, how leaders lead, and how strategy gets executed. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with Klee Kleber, co-founder and partner at Build Group, to discuss what leaders need to understand right now. Klee shares why expertise is becoming a commodity, why implementation is still the biggest challenge, and how operator-led strategy cre...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alleyoop, about the real role of outbound sales in today's market. They discuss how AI is changing sales without replacing human connection, why founders should stay close to revenue early, and how content builds trust before the first conversation ever happens. Gabe shares lessons from scaling a remote SDR or...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down again with CEO and author Trey Taylor for a candid conversation on AI, culture, and the future of leadership. Trey explains why AI is no longer optional, how leaders can avoid lazy thinking, and what's driving the rapid rise of Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. He shares insights on balancing culture, people, and numbers—his signatur...

In this episode, Carl J. Cox talks with global speaker and executive coach Dona Amelia about why leaders need safe spaces to grow. Dona shares her upbringing in rural Indonesia, her rise as a performer and executive, and how those experiences shaped her belief that leaders can only grow when they have a place to speak honestly, ask real questions, and receive support without judgment. She explains...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl sits down with digital marketing expert Dave Burnett to unpack the seismic shift happening in search and AI. Dave explains why Google is no longer the only place customers look for answers and how large language models are reshaping discoverability. He shares lessons from his own journey—partnership failures, business resilience, and recovering...

On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox speaks with Tammy Nam, CEO of The Brief, the AI Agency for marketers. Tammy shares how she doubled revenue at Viki while cutting costs and improving team morale—a rare combination that highlights her strategic clarity and leadership strength. She explains how The Brief helps marketers run smarter campaigns from start to finish using intel...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and author of The Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations. Michael shares his powerful story of losing a multimillion-dollar company to fraud and how that crisis transformed his view of leadership. He explains how elite organizations are built around five obsessions—great people, inspi...

Many technical founders find themselves running companies almost by accident. They know their craft — but struggle to lead with clarity. In this Measure Success Podcast episode, Carl J. Cox interviews Pete Steege, author of Radical Clarity, to discuss how "accidental CEOs" can grow their businesses by uncovering their true story. Pete explains why clarity — not more effort — drives growth. He shar...

Leadership alone doesn't drive success—it's only part of the equation. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Dr. James Chitwood shares how his TRAC framework—Training, Recognition, Accountability, and Communication—creates lasting organizational transformation. Hear how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy, why capitalism is at risk, and what it takes to build high-pe...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Jenny Sheridan, attorney and founder of JL Sheridan Law, about how changing data privacy laws are shaping the way companies operate. Jenny shares insights on how businesses can stay compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws, the real risks of ignoring them, and how privacy can become a com...

In this week's episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Richard Dunbar, CEO of Bottom Up Consulting and author of Bottom Up Breakthrough, to discuss how true innovation often starts from the ground up. Richard shares how empowering employees at every level builds trust, strengthens transparency, and improves retention. He explains why many leaders fear "bottom-up" leadership—and how...

Amanda Patterson, CEO of Rocket Fuel Labs, joins Measure Success Podcast to share how startups and high-growth companies can achieve predictable growth. She explains her Four P's framework—precision, process, positioning, and performance—and why knowing your LTV to CAC ratio matters. We discuss how AI is reshaping marketing, why human connection is still the key differentiator, and how founders ca...

On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Marley Majcher, CEO of The Party Goddess and author of But Are You Making Any Money? Marley shares her journey from early mistakes in the restaurant world to building a thriving events business while helping other entrepreneurs avoid the same pitfalls. You'll learn: Why profits matter more than press or followers How to price y...

Why do 99% of projects go wrong? Dr. Thomas Zweifel, author of Gorilla in the Cockpit, joins the Measure Success Podcast to explain why the real cause is human—not technical. We explore: The "black box" of hidden conversations that sabotage progress Why mindset and accountability are key to successful projects How leaders can transform breakdowns into breakthroughs If you want to uncover the hidde...

Tariffs, AI, and pricing pressures are reshaping manufacturing and small business. On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Paul Menig, CEO of Business Accelerants, about why companies are "tariff-ified" and how leaders can adapt. Key takeaways include: How tariffs impact cost structures and margins Why gross margin dollars matter more than percentages The role of AI i...

On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox welcomes Matthew Stafford, co-founder of Build Grow Scale. Matt shares how he turned a $1,000 investment in analytics into a billion-dollar path in e-commerce. They dive into the mindset shifts leaders need, how AI transforms data into action, and why profitability matters more than revenue growth. You'll hear how one client scaled from $...

Cash flow is more than money in the bank—it's about clarity, planning, and purpose. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Michelle Röse, COO and co-founder of Breakaway Bookkeeping and Advising. Michelle shares how her team helps businesses forecast cash weekly, align budgets with reality, and make faster, smarter decisions. She also dives into why success isn't on...

On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Mark Murphy, CEO of Northeast Private Client Group and top-ranked financial security professional. Mark explains why wealth is created not by holding assets, but by investing in your business, real estate, and smart financing. He shares how leaders can strengthen culture, improve liquidity, and turn volatility into opportunity....

Innovative ideas often die inside large companies — not because they lack potential, but because they don't fit the organization's existing priorities and processes. On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox speaks with Jim Bodio and Stephen Rich of BRI Associates, creators of Growth Forge. They share how their platform helps companies de-risk innovation by guiding teams through s...

Professional services firms often face a growth ceiling — struggling to scale without losing client relationships or service quality. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with Mohan Rao of KnownWell to discuss how AI can help break through that barrier. Mohan explains how their platform turns everyday communication data into actionable insights, helping firms identi...

What if curiosity was the secret to getting unstuck? In this episode, Jon Bassford — CEO of Lateral Solutions and author of The Curious Leader — shares how leaders can overcome fear, break unhelpful habits, and create a culture of growth. We explore his TEDx talk, how to create operational excellence, and the difference between being busy and being effective. ✅ How to stop doing everything yourse...

What if a business disaster was the exact push you needed? Nicole Cramer's story starts with a total digital wipeout: her Facebook group hacked, Instagram accounts stolen, website taken down. Instead of folding, she turned it into fuel for her long-delayed goal—becoming a full-time speaker. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Nicole shares how she pivoted, what she learned from profess...

Trey Taylor returns to discuss what CEOs are getting wrong about AI—and why lazy usage is worse than no usage at all. From productivity tools to people leadership, this episode challenges leaders to take full ownership over how AI is integrated in their organizations. You'll also hear how AI is being used in construction, insurance, and even quoting systems—and why quality control still starts wit...