Momentum Mode w/ Corey Ferengul & Mike Shannon

Karl Hughes has done what many founders aim for but few actually achieve: he built a company that didn’t need him. In this episode, Karl shares how he scaled a technical content agency to seven figures, took a full month off, and began acquiring other small service businesses through micro M&A. We dive into:  – How to design for founder independence  – Why reps beat perfection when building te...

AI isn't just another tool—it’s a complete shift in how companies are being built, scaled, and operated. In this episode, Mike and Corey sit down with Eric Mills, founder of Density and Y Combinator alum, to explore what it really means to build an AI-native company. From early-stage experimentation to shipping with agents and orchestrated workflows, Eric brings a practical lens to the hype and a...

This week on Momentum Mode , we’re joined by Amanda Lannert, longtime CEO of Jellyvision, for a conversation that goes deep into the mechanics of building a strong, sustainable company culture. Amanda breaks down how Jellyvision’s values—like trust, responsiveness, and the deceptively powerful mantra “be helpful”—translate into everyday decisions, from hiring and onboarding to managing through lay...

What does it really take to lead a company through high-stakes growth, acquisitions, and transformation? Dan Dal Degan—known to many as Triple D—returns for a deep dive into what most leadership playbooks leave out. Drawing on decades of experience scaling enterprise software companies, including an early role at Salesforce, Dan shares what it means to build strategy that’s not just understood by...

What actually happens after a founder steps aside and a new CEO steps in? Kelsey Behringer, CEO of Packback, joins us to unpack the emotional and operational realities of leading a company through a major transition—from a VC-backed startup to a growth-stage business under new ownership. Kelsey opens up about what surprised her most in the CEO seat, including the often-unspoken loneliness of leade...

Venture capitalist and Booth professor Ira Weiss joins Momentum Mode to break down what great board members actually do, how investor dynamics shift across funding stages, and why early-stage founders should rethink how they engage with their boards. A candid conversation on strategy, signals, and the real work of scaling.

Amanda Lannert became CEO of Jellyvision by surprise—literally. In this episode, the longtime leader of Jellyvision shares how she grew into the role, navigated scale without losing soul, and learned to balance rapid change with operational stability. It’s a candid look at leadership, authenticity, and building with intention, even on the fly. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re ready for the...

We’re back—with a new name! Opening the C-Suite is now Momentum Mode. Same podcast, same candid conversations—now with an even sharper focus on building and sustaining momentum in leadership and business. In this episode, Dan Dal Degan (Triple D) joins us to unpack the realities of leadership, mentorship, and company-building. A seasoned SaaS executive, investor, and board member, Dan has played a...