Join host David Mansilla and Freestar CEO Kurt Donnell for an unscripted, powerful conversation about the true cost of success and the non-linear path to the top.
Kurt Donnell breaks down the complex world of digital ad monetization, revealing how his company runs over a billion ad auctions daily—operating like a high-frequency trading firm in the ad space.
What You Will Learn:
- The Ad Tech Black Box: How ad space is sold in real-time auctions within milliseconds, and the wild flow of platforms involved.
- The Career Lattice: Why ditching the traditional "career ladder" for a "career lattice" is essential for lifelong growth, including sideways and even downward moves.
- The A+ Strategy: Kurt's counter-intuitive advice: Stop focusing on improving your weaknesses (B to C) and dedicate your energy only to the things that take you from an A to an A+.
- The CEO's Real Job: Why the majority of a CEO's time is spent on the "3D puzzle of people" (HR) and finance.
- The Emotional Cost of Success: Donnell opens up about his high-powered law career, the resulting unhappiness that led him to therapy, and the painful lessons learned from watching his kids grow up "horizontal".
This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur or leader seeking honest wisdom on strategy, people management, and balancing ambition with personal well-being.
https://www.davidmansilla.com/
https://www.breakfreepodcast.co/
