Shows
The Conscious EntrepreneurEP 88: What to Expect at The 2025 Conscious Entrepreneur SummitMost entrepreneurs want exponential growth. Few pause long enough to ask what’s quietly getting in the way.
In this episode, Alex Raymond shares what’s ahead for the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, happening May 28th and 29th in Boulder, Colorado. This is the one event built entirely around the well-being of entrepreneurs, and it’s designed for those who are serious about scaling both their business and their inner capacity to lead.
Sarah Lockwood, the founder of HiveCast and longtime member of the community, joins Alex to ask the questions many potentia...2025-05-1231 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 87: The Entrepreneur’s Mental Balance SheetBuilding a business is one thing; holding your vision steady through growth, pressure, and uncertainty is something else entirely.
Alex Raymond sits down with John Sampogna, the co-founder and CEO of Wondersauce, to talk about what the entrepreneurial journey really demands once the excitement wears off. John shares how he built a 100-person agency, why he created a “mental balance sheet” to manage the emotional costs of leadership, and what he learned from selling his company while staying true to its original vision. How do you scale without losing yourself in the process? How do you k...2025-05-0534 min
Account Management SecretsEpisode 35: Career Moves for Account Managers: What Works NowSpray-and-pray job applications aren’t getting anyone hired. So what actually works when the competition is this intense?
In this episode, Alex Raymond is joined by Carly Agar, the founder and CEO of Carly Agar Training, to talk about how account managers can navigate the current job market with more clarity and control. What do hiring managers really care about? How do you stand out when hundreds of people are applying for the same role? Carly shares why intention matters more than volume, and how treating your job search like a high-value client strategy changes eve...2025-05-0246 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 86: Being A Dumb-Ass Is Your SuperpowerReal leadership isn’t being the smartest person in the room. It’s creating the kind of culture where people feel safe enough to say, “I don’t know.”
In this episode, Alex Raymond talks with Garry Ridge, the former CEO of WD-40 and the author of “Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It.” Garry shares how a moment of “jumping in to fix it” early in his career completely reshaped his approach to leadership. That shift, from problem-solver to coach, set the foundation for one of the most admired cultures in business, with 93% employee engagement and a company-wide comm...2025-04-2837 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 34: How AI Is Reshaping Customer ValueAI isn’t just changing the tools we use, it’s reshaping the entire conversation around business value, accountability, and risk.
In this episode, Alex Raymond sits down with Mark Stouse, the CEO of ProofAnalytics.ai, to talk about how AI is driving a seismic shift in how companies operate. The core message: transparency and accountability are no longer optional, and gut instinct won’t cut it.
Mark explains how AI is collapsing the “gray zone” of ambiguity in business, forcing teams to prove value with hard data. He also shares a critical le...2025-04-2544 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 85: Nobody Cares About Your Crappy Little StartupBuilding a business with purpose will push you to grow in ways you probably didn’t expect. What happens when your ambition outpaces your timing? Or when your team starts breaking down and you realize the real issue starts with you?
In this episode, Alex Raymond talks with Brian Dally, the co-founder and CEO of Groundfloor, a fintech company that gives everyday investors access to real estate debt. Brian shares what he learned from starting too early, betting on the wrong timelines, and eventually paving the way for a market that wasn’t quite ready for h...2025-04-2138 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 33: The End of Customer Success as We Know ItCustomer success was supposed to be the future. So why are so many CS teams under-resourced, misunderstood, and fighting to stay relevant?
Alex Raymond sits down with Parker Chase-Corwin, the CEO and principal consultant of Xperience Alchemy who’s helped dozens of B2B companies rethink how they approach retention, risk, and long-term value. They unpack why CS never quite delivered on its promise, why the function has become a catch-all for upstream problems, and what needs to change if companies want better outcomes and fewer surprises.
Is customer success really one...2025-04-1843 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 84: A Look Inside the Conscious Entrepreneur SummitMost entrepreneurs think they need a new growth strategy. What they actually need is a better relationship with themselves.
In this episode, the tables turn as Sarah Lockwood, the founder of HiveCast, interviews Alex Raymond about the upcoming Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, happening May 28–29 in Boulder, Colorado. Now in its fourth year, the summit offers something most business events miss entirely: a chance to work on the person behind the company.
Alex shares how the idea for the summit came from countless conversations where founders showed up to talk about strategy but ende...2025-04-1440 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 32: Secrets of Dynamic Account PlanningMost account plans feel like busywork. Why? Because they’re built in a broken system that rewards documentation over results.
In this episode, Alex Raymond explains why so many account plans fail to drive real impact and what to do instead. He introduces a framework: three customer goals, three key contacts, and three specific actions for the next 90 days. No fluff. No filler. Just a clear plan you can actually use.
Are you building your plan to impress your boss, or to deliver value your client will notice? Are you tracking assu...2025-04-1137 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 83: From Sales Leader to CEO: Mark Kosoglow’s Leap into EntrepreneurshipMost outbound sales strategies rely on volume and noise. Mark Kosoglow is betting on something different: relevance, proof, and actually caring about the people on the other end.
Mark helped scale Outreach to over $230 million in revenue as its first sales hire. Now he’s a first-time founder and CEO at Operator, a startup built inside the GTM Fund, where he’s rethinking what outbound should look like and calling out what’s broken. What happens when you stop chasing reply rates and start focusing on provable business problems? How do you build a company without...2025-04-0740 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 31: The Account Manager Career Path: What Hiring Managers Really WantMost account managers are chasing career growth, but few stop to ask whether their next opportunity might already be within reach.
Alex Raymond talks with Swati Garg, the founder and CEO of Melo Associates, about what hiring managers are prioritizing right now, and what many candidates are getting wrong. What skills actually stand out in a crowded field? How do you show you’re ready for more responsibility? And why are so many companies missing the mark by defaulting to external hires?
Swati shares what’s shifting in the job market, includ...2025-04-0440 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 82: Winning the Cookie Wars: Bennett Maxwell’s Playbook for Growth and ResilienceSurviving a lawsuit, scaling a franchise, and losing 125 pounds all pointed Bennett Maxwell toward one surprising realization: his nervous system had more influence than he ever imagined.
Bennett joins Alex Raymond to talk through the chaos and clarity that came with building Dirty Dough. When Crumble, a billion-dollar competitor, sued him over sprinkles and box shapes, he could have folded. Instead, he went bold. His response—cheeky billboards and viral content—caught fire and helped fuel the sale of 450 franchises in just two years.
But what happens after the adrenaline fades? What i...2025-03-3137 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 30: The Megadeals MindsetSecuring Megadeals requires more than just a strong pitch. It demands a deep understanding of deal orchestration and stakeholder management.
In this episode, Bora Brännström, the co-founder of Megadeals Advisory, joins Alex Raymond to share insights on navigating the complexities of large, multi-million dollar contracts. Bora breaks down what makes a deal truly complex, from influencing decision-makers at every level to managing a web of cross-functional relationships. He points out a common challenge many companies face—rainmaker dependency—and how relying too heavily on a few key individuals can hinder growth, especially for scale-u...2025-03-2850 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 81: Breaking Free from the StruggleMost entrepreneurs think they’re chasing success. Could they actually be addicted to the struggle?
Alex Raymond is joined by Dr. Nona Djavid, the founder of eLIVate Club, to discuss why so many business owners feel stuck in cycles of burnout, even when they seem to be thriving. Dr. Djavid built a successful business, but instead of feeling fulfilled, she found herself exhausted and trapped. That realization changed everything. She wasn’t chasing success; she was hooked on the struggle.
Why does overwork feel normal? And how do you break free from i...2025-03-2442 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 29: Why Onboarding MattersMost companies treat onboarding like a finish line, but it’s the starting gate for retention, customer success, and long-term revenue.
Alex Raymond welcomes onboarding expert Donna Weber, the author of “Onboarding Matters,” to challenge the idea that implementation equals success. If a customer isn’t using a product in a meaningful way, does it even matter that they have access to it? Donna explains why the first 90 days determine whether a customer sticks around or drifts away, and how her orchestrated onboarding framework helps companies guide customers to real value, not just a completed setup.2025-03-2146 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 80: How Entrepreneurs Can Succeed Without Burning OutEntrepreneurship can feel like a lonely grind, but it doesn’t have to be. Dave Parker, the CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, knows firsthand what it takes to build, scale, and sometimes close a business. In this episode, he joins Alex Raymond to share what separates successful founders from those who get stuck—breaking down product-market fit, the power of timing, and why self-awareness matters more than most people think.
A key takeaway? Forum, EO’s peer-driven support system, offers entrepreneurs a space to be real about the highs and lows without the noise of unsolicit...2025-03-1745 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 28: RevOps in Action: Driving Retention and GrowthRevOps is more than a back-office function. It is a game-changer for sales operations, account management, and long-term revenue growth.
Alex Raymond sits down with Katherine Nino, the head of global revenue operations at Makosi, to talk about how RevOps goes beyond traditional sales enablement and shapes the entire customer lifecycle. They discuss the power of client health scores, how data-driven insights help account managers stay ahead of churn, and why a culture shift around risk and collaboration is essential.
Katherine shares her approach to building a health score model that cu...2025-03-1450 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 79: Impossible Goals: How 10X Thinking Unlocks Exponential GrowthMost entrepreneurs play it safe with their goals, but Dr. Benjamin Hardy makes a bold case: setting “impossible” goals is the fastest way to scale. Is aiming for something that feels out of reach exactly what forces clarity, focus, and exponential growth?
In this episode, Alex Raymond sits down with Dr. Hardy, an organizational psychologist and bestselling author, to discuss the mindset shift behind 10X growth. Why do so many entrepreneurs stay stuck in slow, incremental progress? According to Dr. Hardy, the problem isn’t effort. It’s the way we set goals. Most people aim for w...2025-03-1047 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 27: The 5-Year Customer ModelMost companies chase new customers without realizing retention is where real growth happens. Bob Mathers joins Alex Raymond to share why the smartest businesses focus on keeping customers for five years and how the right strategy can turn retention into a competitive advantage.
In this episode, Bob breaks down the 5-Year Customer Model and explains why high churn is often a sign of deeper problems. Are companies setting themselves up for long-term success, or are they still stuck in outdated sales-driven models? Bob challenges leaders to rethink how they structure teams, run QBRs, and measure s...2025-03-0742 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 78: Why 10X Growth Starts WithinMost entrepreneurs assume growth means doing more. More effort. More complexity. More stress. But what if scaling 10X was easier than doubling your efforts?
Alex Raymond digs into the bold idea behind 10X Growth, inspired by 10X is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan and Ben Hardy. He challenges the trap of incremental thinking and explains why real success comes from eliminating distractions, simplifying decisions, and focusing on what truly moves the needle. If most of your results come from a small fraction of your efforts, what would happen if you let go of everything e...2025-03-0338 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 26: How to Turn Customer Success Into a Growth FunctionCustomer success is at a crossroads. Does it need a complete rebrand? A new strategy? A bigger role in driving revenue?
In this episode, Alex Raymond talks with Rav Dhaliwal, a veteran in customer success and account management, about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change. Rav shares why customer success teams struggle to define their own value and how that disconnect affects both customers and company growth.
One of the biggest challenges? The divide between sales and customer success. Both teams focus on helping customers see value...2025-02-2847 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 77: Why Spirituality Matters for EntrepreneursPain and curiosity are two of the greatest forces for growth. Dr. Anna Yusim, a psychiatrist and spiritual teacher, shares how entrepreneurs can use both to tap into intuition, break free from limiting patterns, and build a more fulfilling path.
Her journey from Stanford and Yale-trained psychiatry to a deeper exploration of spirituality and Kabbalah wasn’t planned. It started through unexplainable moments with patients and a dream that shifted everything. In this episode, she challenges the idea that success is purely external, showing how personal growth and self-awareness shape the way entrepreneurs lead, create, and...2025-02-2443 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 25: Resilience Under Pressure: Tools to Thrive as an Account ManagerDrowning in unrealistic expectations? If “hero mode” feels like your default setting, it’s time for a reset.
Rachel Provan, a customer success leader turned coach, joins Alex Raymond to discuss why so many account managers are expected to operate at peak performance with fewer resources and more demands. She breaks down how to push back effectively, set real priorities, and communicate workload challenges without feeling like you’re making excuses.
This episode digs into the mindset shifts that help account managers move from constantly defending their role to confidently leading client con...2025-02-2141 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 76: The Science of Peak Performance and Purpose with Jamie WhealEntrepreneurs chase optimization, but what happens when that’s not enough?
Jamie Wheal joins Alex Raymond to talk about flow, resilience, and the deeper search for meaning in leadership. He challenges the idea that personal optimization is the ultimate goal, suggesting it’s only the first step. The real work is in navigating uncertainty, making an impact, and staying grounded through Hedonic Engineering—a way to keep motivation high even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
Jamie shares how flow states unlock creativity and why great teams embrace dynamic subordination, letting th...2025-02-1757 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 24: When Clients Don’t EngageMost account managers are told to ask great questions, but without trust, those questions go nowhere. So how do you earn the right to dig deeper without losing credibility?
In this episode, Alex Raymond is joined by Richard Harris, the founder of the Harris Consulting Group and author of “The Seller’s Journey,” to discuss how emotional intelligence helps account managers earn the right to dig deeper without losing trust. Richard introduces the “respect contract,” a way to set the stage for better client conversations.
This episode also explores why focusing on economic i...2025-02-1444 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 75: Worry Doesn’t Serve YouSuccess isn’t supposed to feel like a grind. The real challenge is knowing when to let go and step into what feels effortless.
Alex Raymond sits down with Ret Taylor, the co-founder and former co-CEO of Ned, to talk about the moment he knew it was time to walk away. After years of building a wellness company with a mission he believed in, Ret found himself stuck in the day-to-day demands of running a business that no longer felt right. A banking crisis forced him to make a decision, but his real breakthrough came whe...2025-02-1047 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 23: The No-BS Guide to Customer SuccessMost customer success strategies miss the mark because they push a product instead of solving real customer pain points. So how do you keep clients engaged and drive real growth?
Alex Raymond sits down with Emilia D’Anzica, the Chief Customer Officer and founder of Growth Molecules, to discuss what makes customer success work. Emilia shares why leaders struggle to get buy-in, how silos kill momentum, and why clear roles and accountability matter more than ever. She also challenges companies to rethink their approach—are they equipping teams to drive retention, or just expecting results witho...2025-02-0749 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 74: The Paradox of Success: Wil Schroter on Founders and FulfillmentSuccess won’t fix what you think it will—and Wil Schroter, founder of Startups.com, explains why so many entrepreneurs hit major milestones only to feel more lost than ever.
Wil has built, sold, and acquired multiple companies, yet he’s seen countless entrepreneurs hit their biggest milestones only to feel more lost than ever. He sits down with Alex Raymond to talk about why financial wins don’t fix deeper struggles and how chasing an exit can leave founders grappling with purpose, identity, and unexpected disappointment.
Wil shares what he’s learned...2025-02-0339 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 22: From Key Account Manager to Chief Customer OfficerAccount management is more than a role. It’s the backbone of customer success and a springboard to leadership. David Karp, chief customer officer at DISQO, joins Alex Raymond to share how his 20-year career journey, rooted in building relationships and understanding customer needs, led him to the C-suite.
David provides a behind-the-scenes look at the multifaceted responsibilities of a CCO, from aligning sales, product, and operations to fostering collaboration across teams. He points out the importance of key metrics like net revenue retention to assess value delivery and drive business growth, while emphasizing a hand...2025-01-3144 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 73: Personal Branding for Conscious LeadersWhy do the most thoughtful leaders hesitate to share their stories online? Justin Nassiri, the founder and CEO of Executive Presence, believes those voices are exactly what the world needs. In this episode, Justin joins Alex Raymond to break down how leaders can use LinkedIn to build authentic personal brands that amplify trust and authority without losing their true selves.
From navigating discomfort with social media to creating content that genuinely reflects your voice, Justin shares strategies for standing out in the noisy world of online platforms. He explains why personal branding should be more a...2025-01-2738 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 21: The Truth About Customer-Led Growth“Any successful organization is only successful because it puts its customers at the heart of what it does. If they’re not, then it’s what I would call a scam or a rip-off, quite frankly,” says Dave Jackson, a coach and author known as the “CS Heretic.” In this episode, Dave joins Alex Raymond to talk about customer-led growth, exploring why it’s not just a post-sale activity but a comprehensive approach to the entire customer lifecycle. Are companies truly understanding and delivering what matters most to their customers, or are internal silos holding them back?
Dave share...2025-01-2439 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 72: From Dirty Laundry to Clean Leadership: Ajay Prakash on Scaling Rinse with ResilienceEntrepreneurship throws constant challenges, but Ajay Prakash has mastered staying grounded through resilience, psychological safety, and a no-excuses approach to leadership.
In this episode, Ajay, the co-founder and CEO of Rinse—a company transforming the laundry and dry cleaning industry with a tech-driven approach—joins Alex Raymond to reflect on how he’s built Rinse into a national brand over 11 years while navigating setbacks like revenue losses and the pressures of scaling. As a leader, how do you keep a team motivated when the stakes are high? Ajay believes transparency, trust, and a culture of openness...2025-01-2033 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 20: Stop the Churn: How to Retain Customers and Drive GrowthRetention is the secret weapon for sustainable growth, yet too many companies overlook its true power. Ali Cudby, the CEO of Alignment Growth Strategies and author of “Keep Your Customers,” joins Alex Raymond in this episode, and explains why fixing the leaks in your bucket changes everything.
Why do so many businesses prioritize acquisition over retention? Ali breaks it down, and points out the hidden costs of churn and the untapped potential of keeping customers engaged long-term. From chaotic onboarding processes to misaligned internal teams, she shares how these common missteps can derail growth.
...2025-01-1745 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 19: Customer Success is a Strategy, Not Just a FunctionCustomer success teams are facing mounting pressure to prove their worth as organizations tighten budgets and shift priorities. Ed Powers, an expert in customer success and account management, joins Alex Raymond to discuss the challenges of reducing churn and demonstrating customer value in a way that resonates with decision-makers. Why do some customers leave while others stay and deepen their engagement? Ed points out the importance of understanding this dynamic and argues that true success lies in connecting day-to-day activities with tangible business outcomes.
The discussion also examines the evolving role of customer success, from b...2025-01-1043 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 70: Giving Private Equity a Human Touch“Some would say they manage people. We like to think we lead hearts, and that if we tap into the power of the heart, then the mind and the hands and the effort comes much more powerfully thereafter,” shares Ryan Heckman, Olympic athlete turned private equity investor and co-founder of Rallyday Partners, a firm transforming private equity with a deeply human-centered approach.
In this episode, Ryan joins Alex Raymond to discuss how Rallyday Partners is challenging the traditional stigma of private equity as a necessary evil. Ryan explains how his experiences as both a CEO and a...2025-01-0638 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 18: Using Customer Success to Drive Growth and Boost Retention“Customer success is no longer just held accountable for adoption and NPS; CS teams now have to own a portion of the number, as we should,” says Maranda Dziekonski, the new VP of Customer Success at ID.me. In this episode, Maranda joins Alex Raymond to talk about the transformation of customer success into a strategic driver of revenue, providing insights on how CS teams can align their goals with executive priorities and board expectations.
From tracking customer success qualified leads to leveraging quarterly business reviews as more than just check-ins, Maranda explains how CS leade...2025-01-0336 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 69: Billionaire Wellness for Entrepreneurs“With an improved healthspan, cognitively, people are on their game. They’re in flow with their business. They’re able to be much more productive.” For Dr. Fred Grover Jr., the Chief Medical Officer of Phi Longevity, this is more than a vision—it is a measurable goal. By prioritizing proactive, integrative health strategies, Dr. Grover points out that optimizing physical and mental well-being goes beyond extending life; it’s about thriving in every area of work and life. Entrepreneurs, he explains, can unlock extraordinary creativity, leadership, and resilience when they prioritize their health as much as their business goals.
2024-12-3055 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 17: Expanding Existing Accounts with the REACH FrameworkHow can account managers and customer success teams become true drivers of growth in today’s competitive, profit-focused landscape? In this episode, Rod Cherkas, the author of “The Chief Customer Officer Playbook” and “Reach: A Framework for Driving Revenue Growth from Your Existing Customers,” joins Alex Raymond to share insights into his REACH Framework, a structured approach to uncovering expansion opportunities, building stronger customer relationships, and delivering consistent value.
Rod challenges the status quo by urging customer success teams to adopt a more revenue-focused mindset and demonstrates how methodologies like the REACH Framework can turn account manag...2024-12-2742 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 68: The Future of Work is Human“I set up Oyster as a software platform to enable any company in the world to tap into the global talent pool without setting up entities, hiring lawyers, accountants, payroll providers, benefit providers. I established it as a mission-driven company, first and foremost, because what I realized was if I align what I do with what I believe in, I feel more fulfilled. I feel happier in my life,” shares Tony Jamous, the CEO and co-founder of Oyster, a company that’s shaping the future of work by embracing borderless, flexible, and human-centered principles.
In this epis...2024-12-2335 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 16: Third Box Thinking: Redefining Customer-Centricity in Key Account Management“It’s all about ‘what I want the customer to do based on what I care about.’ Nobody says that explicitly, but underlying that is a mindset still focused on what we need for our business to succeed, rather than what we need to do to help the customer’s business succeed,” says Shakeel Bharmal, as he highlights the critical gap between claiming customer-centricity and truly living it. Organizations must transition from self-serving goals to genuinely prioritizing the success of their customers—a shift that fosters trust, loyalty, and long-term growth for both parties.
In this episode, S...2024-12-2039 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 67: Bold, Fast, Creative and Free“How do we get organizations where everyone has the opportunity and the support to contribute to their fullest?” For Michele Zanini, the co-author of “Humanocracy: Creating Organizations as Amazing as the People Inside Them” with Gary Hamel, the answer lies in rethinking the way companies operate.
In this episode, Michele explains how organizations can move beyond rigid bureaucratic systems to create environments that thrive on creativity, resilience, and accountability. He points out the power of a clear, shared purpose to align teams and the importance of nurturing small, autonomous groups that stay agile and entrepreneurial as compani...2024-12-1649 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 15: The Dark Arts of Creative Agency Account Management“We’re diplomats, we’re orchestrators, we’re figuring out how to thread the needle of client needs and agency ambitions,” explains James Hidden as he reflects on the complexities of account management in creative agencies. This role isn’t about following a script but about balancing strategy and creativity, structure and adaptability.
In this episode, James, who’s a seasoned account management leader and former managing director at Ogilvy, joins Alex Raymond to share how the best account managers navigate client relationships and agency dynamics. Why is listening more important than speaking? How does tenacity outwei...2024-12-1339 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 66: Nervous System Mastery for EntrepreneursSuccess on paper can hide a mountain of stress, as Andrew (Andy) Johns reveals in this episode how a seemingly perfect startup career left him barely holding it together, and what he learned about reclaiming resilience through nervous system mastery.
Why do so many entrepreneurs push themselves to the brink without realizing the cost? Andy, a Silicon Valley veteran, joins Alex Raymond to open up about the burnout that forced him to reevaluate everything and shares the tools that helped him recover. From the power of breathwork as the “remote control to your nervous system” to the...2024-12-0947 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 14: Why Most Account Plans Fall ShortMost account plans fail not because they lack detail, but because they fall short as tools for proactive, strategic partnership. In this episode, Alex Raymond challenges account managers to rethink their approach to account planning, asking: Are your plans truly aligned with your clients’ goals, or are they just ticking a box? He identifies the most common mistakes—overcomplicating plans, treating them as static documents, and planning in isolation—and explains why these habits can damage trust, limit growth, and make account planning feel like a burden.
Through a more thoughtful, collaborative, and client-focused approach, Alex sho...2024-12-0626 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 65: ADHD as an Entrepreneur’s Superpower“In the context of entrepreneurship, ADHD can be an advantage, but it surely can be a disadvantage in life,” says Dr. John Torrens, an accomplished entrepreneur, professor of entrepreneurial practice at Syracuse University, and author of “Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win.” Joining Alex Raymond in this episode, he discusses how traits like impulsivity and hyperfocus often associated with ADHD can fuel entrepreneurial success but require careful management to avoid burnout and personal setbacks.
Dr. Torrens shares his work on ADHD and its interesting connection to entrepreneurship. From his universit...2024-12-0241 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 13: Authentic Discovery: How to Build Deeper Client Relationships with Bob London“There’s a mythology surrounding the concept of listening to the customer and being customer-centric. It comes from the fact that we think we’re listening, but the reality is customers don’t feel heard and understood,” says Bob London, the creator of the Radically Authentic Discovery Method.
Joining Alex Raymond in this episode, Bob challenges account managers to rethink how they approach client relationships. Are you truly listening to your customers? Or are you missing the deeper insights that could transform your understanding of their business needs?
Bob introduces his method of “radic...2024-11-2948 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 64: Easier is Better: Embracing Rest and Emotional Intelligence“Resting requires a stillness and a surrender that is uncomfortable.”
Alex Raymond is joined by Tovi Scruggs-Hussein, a visionary leader and healer, to explore how meditation and emotional intelligence can reshape how we live and lead. Tovi shares her journey from a life of high achievement to one grounded in mindfulness and self-awareness. How can rest, ease, and intentionality bring flow into our lives, especially in a culture that glorifies hustle?
Tovi discusses the role of “beingness” in leadership and challenges the constant drive to “do” with a more self-aware and compassionate...2024-11-2545 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 12: How to Uncover Blind Spots in Your Strategic AccountsBlind spots in customer understanding can hold companies back, but customer advisory boards offer a way to uncover them and strengthen strategic accounts.
Alex Raymond is joined by Betsy Westhafer, the CEO of the Congruity Group, to discuss how CABs reveal gaps in customer knowledge that companies often miss. Are you as customer-centric as you think? Betsy shares eye-opening stories, including one where a global company’s lack of account planning was laid bare in a CAB meeting. Insights from that moment led to significant improvements and pointed out the importance of truly knowing your cus...2024-11-2249 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 63: Why Happiness is Your Greatest Business Asset“Happiness is a choice, but also happiness is a skill set. And if we do certain things on a consistent basis—not once or twice, but on a daily basis—then I promise you and I guarantee you that you will live a happy and fulfilled life,” says Dr. Elia Gourgouris, known as the Happiness Doctor. In this episode, he joins Alex Raymond to discuss how happiness is an essential foundation for both personal and professional success.
Dr. Gourgouris challenges the idea that happiness comes after success, pointing out that it’s something we build from the st...2024-11-1842 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 11: QBRs Don’t Have to Suck“Most QBRs suck,” says Alex Raymond, calling out the truth that too many Quarterly Business Reviews are boring, one-sided, and lack real impact. But what if QBRs could be more? In this episode, Alex gets into why so many of these high-stakes meetings fall flat. Are outdated beliefs holding you back from having the kind of QBRs your clients want? Alex uncovers four common missteps: seeing QBRs as presentations, handling them solo, taking a defensive stance, and focusing too much on past results.
Imagine instead a QBR where the focus is on the client’s goals...2024-11-1527 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 62: Facing Mortality: Entrepreneurial Lessons from the Terminally Ill“Live authentically, as much as possible, and as soon as possible.” This is the advice from entrepreneur Travis Luther, who joins Alex Raymond in this episode to explore the weighty themes of mortality, regret, and pursuing a life true to oneself. Having spent the past year interviewing terminally ill entrepreneurs, Travis brings forward the moving insights he’s gathered on what truly matters when life’s timeline suddenly feels finite. Reflecting on his own personal loss, he contrasts the difference between a life driven by passion and one on autopilot—a common struggle for entrepreneurs who often trade present joy for fu...2024-11-1142 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 10: Unlocking the Ridiculous Upside That Already Exists Inside Your Strategic Accounts“There are strategic accounts that will organically grow without proactive effort. Every account is strategic but you don’t have the time to grow them in terms of the way in which top performers do versus the rest. I think it’s a big mistake up front by trying to go for it all, because you end up winning less,” says Andy Springer, the Chief Client Officer at RAIN Group.
In this episode, Andy joins Alex Raymond to talk about the game-changing power of focusing on fewer, high-potential accounts. Why spread your resources thin when doubling...2024-11-0848 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 61: In Extremis Leadership: Lessons for EntrepreneursEffective leadership in times of uncertainty hinges on trust, especially when chaos is in play. Retired Brigadier General Tom Kolditz joins Alex Raymond to share leadership insights drawn from his military experience and his book, “In Extremis Leadership.” Tom explains how startup founders, like military leaders in crisis, often face overwhelming uncertainty. And for him, the key to guiding a team through it is trust.
Tom urges entrepreneurs to focus outward and shift their attention from their own anxieties to the needs of their teams. He talks about the importance of both mentorship and coaching in le...2024-11-0449 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 9: Building True Customer and Employee Experiences“I strongly believe that there’s a strong connection between employee experience and customer experience. Employee experience drives the customer experience,” says Annette Franz, the CEO of CX Journey Inc. She joins Alex Raymond to talk about how putting employees first fuels customer success. Annette challenges the typical focus on metrics, asking us to consider: Are we truly supporting our employees to deliver the experience our customers expect?
Annette’s perspective is clear: collaboration—especially between sales and account management—is the key to equipping teams with the resources and support they need to meet customer need...2024-11-0137 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 60: Investing to End Mental Illness“Our fundamental belief is that what we currently understand as these conditions that are treatment-resistant or intractable, we will have ways to treat them such that people can not just get to their baseline, but actually ultimately flourish. And that’s really, I would say, a huge focus of ours,” says Greg Kubin, as he refers to conditions like depression and PTSD. He discusses the future of mental health solutions and the role PsyMed Ventures plays in driving this change.
In this episode, Alex Raymond is joined by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky, partners at PsyMed...2024-10-2836 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 59: Shifting on Purpose“For me, every time I fasted, the goal was to gain clarity on a specific aspect of the entrepreneurial journey—like the calling, who I understood God needed me to be,” says Samella Watson, tech entrepreneur and founder of BLCK. She joins Alex Raymond in this episode to share how faith and spirituality have been key to her growth, both personally and in business. Fasting, in particular, has been her way of quieting the external noise to gain focus and reaffirm her purpose as an entrepreneur.
Samella opens up about how this practice helped guide her dur...2024-10-2135 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 7: Real-World Strategies for Revenue Growth“You’ve got to move your customers to be a partner. Your aim is to get larger revenues, have partnership relationships with your key customers, so that you have a much bigger share of the purse going forward,” says Janice Gordon, a renowned account management strategist. She joins Alex Raymond in this episode to talk about the importance of account managers shifting from transactional to more buyer-focused relationships. But what does this really mean for companies today? It starts with understanding your customers on a deeper level—not just what they need right now, but where they’re headed and the la...2024-10-1843 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 58: Skills for Creating Mattering“Mattering is our inherent need to feel significant and to feel significant to the people around us,” explains Zach Mercurio, an expert on mattering and its crucial role in creating meaningful and engaging workplaces. In his conversation with Alex Raymond, Zach stresses that mattering is more than just a feel-good concept—it’s a fundamental human need that can transform motivation, productivity, and overall well-being. When people feel like they don’t matter, it often leads to disengagement or even quiet quitting.
Zach explains how crucial it is for leaders to make their teams feel noticed, af...2024-10-1441 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 6: Mastering the Art of Win Backs and Renewals with Tim Riesterer“Winning somebody back who had experiences with you is easier than taking net new share. You need to understand why they left because certain reasons for leaving are more likely to result in a potential opportunity for a win back than others,” says Tim Riesterer, Chief Strategy Officer at Corporate Visions. He sits down with Alex Raymond in this episode to talk about the expansion sale and the nuances of customer recovery, stressing the importance of understanding why clients leave in the first place. So, why do customers actually walk away? In Tim’s experience, clients who leave over servic...2024-10-1148 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 5: Why Unhappy Customers Stay“Happy customers stay, and unhappy customers leave”—or at least that’s what we’ve always believed. But Greg Daines, a customer retention expert, sits down with Alex Raymond to challenge that assumption. Are metrics like net promoter score really reliable indicators of loyalty? According to Greg’s extensive research, retention has more to do with delivering measurable results than simply keeping customers happy. It turns out, customers who see clear, tangible outcomes are far more likely to stay—regardless of whether they’re fully satisfied.
Greg encourages account managers to rethink their approach and shift from focusi...2024-10-0441 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP 56: Crowdfunding Wellness: Anna Gudmundson on Sensate, Stress Resilience, and Conscious Growth“This is ancient knowledge and cutting-edge technology brought together into a product that is helping thousands of people all over the world,” says Anna Gudmundson, the CEO and co-founder of Sensate. She sits down with Alex Raymond in this episode to explore how Sensate is transforming stress management with its innovative technology. Sensate’s device combines sound and infrasonic therapy to help users regulate stress and anxiety, and Anna breaks down how it works on a physiological level, particularly its role in improving vagal nerve tone—a key factor in managing stress and enhancing overall well-being.
Anna al...2024-09-3035 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 4: Why Account Management Matters More Than Ever“What if I told you that you’re responsible for over 70% of your company’s revenue, but probably aren’t getting the recognition, resources, or support you deserve,” says Alex Raymond as he draws attention to how often account managers are overlooked. In this episode, he talks about how account management is becoming more critical in today’s business landscape. Account managers are emerging as the key to long-term growth as sales teams struggle with decreased win rates, longer sales cycles, and rising costs to acquire new customers. Would it be wiser for businesses to keep chasing new leads or should th...2024-09-2725 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP55: The Entrepreneur's Inner Journey“I love helping entrepreneurs shift into focusing on their ‘inner game,’ because then they get to both have a better experience—more joyful, less stressful, more enlivening, more playful—and more likely to succeed,” says Dave Kashen, a highly regarded leadership coach in Silicon Valley. He shares how embracing life as it unfolds, instead of clinging to rigid expectations, can help entrepreneurs tap into creativity and find peace, leading to more sustainable success.
In this episode, Dave talks with Alex Raymond about the “inner game” and conscious leadership. When entrepreneurs stop chasing external validation and focus on internal...2024-09-2352 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 3: Earning the Right to Sell“When I got into sales, I was thinking about the customer throughout the whole life cycle. It wasn’t just about the hunting aspect; it was also about the farming aspect. Because of that, I think I always connected how to grow the account with how the customer was growing,” shares Jan Young, an expert in customer success and post-sale strategies.
In this episode, Jan joins Alex Raymond to dive into the concept of “earning the right to sell,” a core principle for account managers aiming to boost net revenue retention and unlock upsell potential. She stresse...2024-09-2040 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP54: Fighting Loneliness“A lot of people are lonely and they don’t even really know it until they find a connection, until they find that sense of community and involvement,” says Sadie Lincoln, co-founder of barre3, a fitness franchise that blends strength, cardio, and mindfulness. In this episode, she joins Alex Raymond to share her personal journey—from feeling isolated as a new parent to building a global community that empowers women entrepreneurs and fosters real connection.
Sadie delves into how barre3 challenges the fitness industry’s harmful messaging, which often promotes shame and an unhealthy relationship with exerci...2024-09-1646 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 1: Customer-Centric Metrics for Account Managers“Every team should have some kind of number, some kind of metric to show what their impact on the business is,” says Jay Nathan, a veteran in customer success and account management. In this debut episode of Account Management Secrets, he joins host Alex Raymond to discuss why customer success teams need to focus on measurable business results—whether it’s revenue, bookings, or customer retention—especially in today’s efficiency-driven economy.
Jay points out that understanding the financial side and aligning customer success efforts with the company’s goals are key to reducing churn and driving gro...2024-09-1347 minAccount Management SecretsEpisode 2: Mastering the Chief Customer Officer Role“I am responsible for ensuring that our customers derive value from our partnership and remain with us for the long term,” says Mary Poppen, President and Chief Customer Officer at HRIZONS and co-author of “Goodbye Churn, Hello Growth!” In this episode, she sits down with Alex Raymond to talk about how the role of a CCO is evolving, especially as customer success becomes essential for reducing churn.
Mary walks through her 5Ps framework—Playbooks, Prediction, Prescriptive, Proactive, and Personalization—as a comprehensive strategy for deepening customer relationships and achieving meaningful results. She emphasizes the importance of seeing val...2024-09-1344 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP53: Mastering Psychological Safety“Psychological safety is the belief that you can speak up without fear of humiliation or punishment. It’s essentially an environment where candor is expected. It’s not comfortable, it’s not easy, and it’s not an environment free from negative feedback. It’s a learning environment, and it’s being misused,” says Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor at Harvard Business School. This week, Amy joins Alex Raymond to discuss how creating psychological safety within a team enables risk-taking, learning from mistakes, and driving entrepreneurial success.
What does it mean to foster psychological safety? Amy introduces the id...2024-09-0941 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP52: Transforming DEI: From Surviving to Thriving"DEI is often seen as something off to the side—something we can easily discard because people still don’t always see its benefits,” says Ericka Hines, founder of Black Women Thriving. This week, she joins Alex Raymond to shed light on the vital role of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Drawing on over 14 years of experience, Ericka shares insights from her Black Women Thriving Report, which explores the unique challenges Black women face in the workplace and provides actionable recommendations for creating environments where they can truly flourish.
Ericka emphasizes the need to move beyond traditi...2024-09-0244 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP50: The Courage to Grow“Leadership isn’t about doing certain things; it’s about being a certain type of person,” says Ryan Gottfredson, a professor and consultant specializing in leadership development. In this episode, Ryan, the author of “Success Mindsets” and “The Elevated Leader,” sits down with Alex Raymond to explore vertical development—a powerful approach to growth that goes beyond just acquiring new skills.
Ryan’s journey into this field started back in high school when a sports psychology class ignited his passion for personal development. That passion eventually led him to pursue a Ph.D. in organizational behavior and human res...2024-08-1949 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP49: Reinventing OrganizationsTraditional corporate hierarchies are being replaced by dynamic, self-managing organizations that embrace wholeness and evolutionary purpose, as explained by Frederic Laloux in this week’s episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur. Frederic, the author of Reinventing Organizations, joins Alex Raymond to mark the 10th anniversary of his influential book and discuss its impact on modern organizational management.
With an MBA from INSEAD and a successful career at McKinsey, Frederic was well-acquainted with conventional business paradigms. However, personal experiences and a transformative coaching session led him to question traditional corporate structures. Influenced by Ken Wilber’s developmental theor...2024-08-121h 08The Conscious EntrepreneurEP48: Dancing with Gorillas: Navigating Corporate-Startup Partnerships with Shameen PrashanthamCan startups truly innovate by partnering with corporate giants, or as Dr. Shameen Prashantham puts it, “dancing with gorillas”? In this episode, Dr. Prashantham, professor of International Business & Strategy at the China Europe International Business School, joins Alex Raymond to share his research on corporate-startup partnerships. They explore how these collaborations have evolved, emphasizing the shift towards equity-based models and the critical role of non-equity partnerships in fostering innovation.
Dr. Prashantham stresses the importance of startups balancing optimism and caution when engaging with large companies. He advises focusing on core expertise and being strategic about revea...2024-08-0544 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP47: The Psychology of CourageCourage means choosing growth despite uncertainty. How can entrepreneurs adopt this mindset? Joshua Steinfeldt, a renowned coach and host of “The Courageous Life” podcast, joins Alex Raymond to discuss the psychology of courage, fear, and personal growth.
Joshua’s coaching journey began during the 2008 economic downturn when he noticed fear as a prevalent challenge. This led him to explore courage deeply, culminating in his master’s thesis on its four key components: choice, fear, risk, and a worthwhile goal. He emphasizes aligning actions with core values and regularly reassessing motivations to stay true to oneself.
2024-07-2945 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP46: Preparing for M&A“A bit of a puzzle around finding the right piece to fit and being willing to say no to the pieces that don’t—that was what got me excited about the M&A process,” says Brenda Jacobsen, the managing director of STS Capital Partners. “The last piece is just creating a win for all because there’s nothing worse than making someone who’s given up or agreed to sell you their life’s work and feeling like they were cheated out of what they feel it was worth,” she adds, emphasizing that transparency and realistic valuations are crucial to prevent...2024-07-2253 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP45: A Guide to CEO Succession“Should I stay or should I go? Every founder asks themselves this question at one point or another,” says Alex Raymond, as he tackles the often taboo topic of CEO succession and transition with Evgeny Shadchnev, author of “Startup CEO Succession: A Founder’s Guide to Leadership Transition.” Evgeny shares his experience of stepping down as CEO of Makers, a software developing bootcamp he led for seven years, and discusses a nine-step roadmap for succession planning.
In this episode, Alex and Evgeny emphasize the importance of early and open conversations about succession, addressing fears, and the need fo...2024-07-1544 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP44: The Path to Pivot“A pivot really is a second chance,” says Jason Shen, author of “Path to Pivot.” In this episode, Alex Raymond talks with Jason about the critical decision-making process of whether to continue, pivot, or close a business. Shen emphasizes leveraging assets and insights to create a market advantage, highlighting the rarity and value of a well-executed pivot.
Jason recounts his shift from writing about resilience to focusing on pivots, inspired by his experiences with his Y Combinator-backed companies, Ridejoy and Headlight. While Ridejoy’s pivot failed, Headlight’s pivot led to a successful exit to Facebook, for...2024-07-0846 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP43: Goal-Setting for Entrepreneurial Success“I like to think of life as a trilogy,” says keynote speaker and entrepreneur Keith Roberts. Along with mentor Ryan Avery, Keith set a Guinness World Record for the longest public speaking marathon by a team of two, promoting their co-authored historical novel, “The Eternal Flame: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s Modern Leader.”
Keith joins The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast to share insights from his 30-year practice in Buddhism, founding and selling his company Zenman, and participating in the global nonprofit Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and MIT’s Entrepreneur Masters Program. He discusses the power of gratitude in creating you...2024-07-0144 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP42: The Power of Parable“Ultimately, I decided I actually owe it to myself to not be in the kind of leadership situation where I’m unable to follow my intuition,” says Cristina Poindexter about the valuable realizations she gained from co-founding Parable, a CPG start-up dedicated to brain health nutrition. She ultimately stepped away from her role as co-CEO just before the company’s dissolution.
At the time of founding, the market was eager for supplements focused on brain health and cognition. Cristina, open about her own mental health journey, was enthusiastic about moving from the tech space to offering...2024-06-2449 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP38: Why Pretending to Know It All Can Kill Your Startup“This is totally counterintuitive to what everybody says to do on Twitter, and to what most of these well-known entrepreneurial influencers tell you to do,” says Erik Severinghaus, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Bloomfilter. That kind of toxic, hustle culture advice, the kind that tells you to “do more, and go faster,” at the expense of your mental, physical and emotional well-being is like “psychological meth” he says. Stories about a handful of unicorn entrepreneurs tend to leave out the many variables of success, causing the vast majority of us to internalize messages of failure.
Instead, Erik offers ha...2024-05-2759 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP36: Imperfectly Entrepreneurial: Real and Raw Stories of Success“It’s about helping individuals, through the power of community, unlock and achieve the greatness within themselves,” says Sam Jacobs, of Pavilion, a community and platform for people who are trying to accelerate and improve their sales career and their performance in sales. On today’s episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, Sam talks to host Alex Raymond about what happens when a group of likeminded people—and a concrete set of curricula—align and operate to make the world better. In a world that believes in growth at any cost, Pavilion believes—and teaches its business owners—that growth comes from align...2024-05-1338 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP35: Hustle Responsibly“I’ve had multiple founders say ‘I cry on the bathroom floor before my weekly stand up,’ and that same founder was at an event doing the ‘rah-rah’ spiel.” Such is the nature of business-founding, says today’s guest Brad Baum: the personal and professional stress and sacrifice is hidden by the (albeit necessary) public-facing hustle culture, which, in turn, creates yet another element of pressure. As common as mental health struggles are among entrepreneurs, they remain, nonetheless stigmatized. Brad is seeking to change that with the Founder Mental Health Pledge, which he founded and co-created to support founders’ mental health and p...2024-05-0639 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP34: Telling Your Authentic Story“The biggest mistake people make is that they’re not themselves,” says today’s guest authenticity expert Erin Weed. Using a process she created called “The Dig,” Erin helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders discover and cultivate their most authentic selves in order to most effectively communicate with their audiences. Through a series of questions, she helps her clients discover their message on both the macro and micro levels, the ‘why’ behind the ‘how,’ so that they can clearly, confidently and concisely deliver their singular message to the world in a way that makes audiences sit up, listen, engage and trust. On today’s ep...2024-04-2941 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP33: Why HALF of Founders Want to Quit their Startups“It can be difficult for people to know who they can speak to about it,” says Amy Lewin, of entrepreneurs who are unhappy in their own companies. Amy is the Editor at Sifted, a media platform focused on Europe’s startup ecosystem and she joins The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast to discuss a survey Sifted recently posed to a number of entrepreneurs, the vast majority of whom reported experiencing poor mental health, high stress and even a strong desire to leave their businesses within the coming year. Though these figures may seem alarming, they merely shed light on common struggles and pre...2024-04-2229 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP29: The Burnout Breakthrough“Going whichever way the wind blows, depending on what other people want, that’s driftwood in the ocean,” explains Dr. Neha Sangwan, CEO and Founder of Intuitive Intelligence Inc. and author of “Powered By Me.” “When I know who I am and make decisions based on my highest values, I become a sailboat with a rudder, charting my own course.” From an early age, Dr. Neha fulfilled her family’s needs and desires, leading her to become an internal medicine physician, a mechanical engineer at Motorola, as well as completely burnt out by age 31. On today’s episode of The Conscious Entre...2024-03-2550 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP27: Purpose-Driven CapitalismEleanor Allen joins The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast to discuss the power of business to act as a force for good. It’s a culture, she says, that is formed from the top. Following her passion for environmentalism and entrepreneurship, she worked as CEO of clean water charity Water for People and while there, she attended an inner development program run by a non-profit out of Paris called the Well-Being Project.
There, while gaining tools and learning skills to help prevent the pitfalls frequently experienced by those in the social impact space—high rates of burnout, divorce, and depre...2024-03-1151 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP21: Are Entrepreneurs Touched with Fire?Entrepreneurship is more than a career or an identity; it's an emotional journey that demands resilience. In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond invites Dr. Michael Freeman to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and entrepreneurial success. Dr. Freeman, a renowned psychiatrist and expert in entrepreneur mental health, sheds light on the unique challenges faced by those in the entrepreneurial world.
Discussing the highs and lows inherent in entrepreneurship, Dr. Freeman emphasizes the critical role of mental health resources in sustaining growth and wellbeing. His research offers a surprising perspective: entrepreneurs with...2024-01-2956 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP20: Thriving in the New World of Work"There's a people revolution," says Kendra Prospero, founder and CEO of Turning the Corner, in this insightful episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast hosted by Alex Raymond. Kendra delves into the evolving dynamics between employees and employers, emphasizing the growing demand for workplaces that genuinely respect and value their staff.
Kendra discusses how leaders must adapt to this shift, creating environments where employees don’t just show up for work but feel truly supported and appreciated. She shares strategies for developing an outstanding company culture, focusing on the importance of leaders addressing their own "head trash" to be...2024-01-221h 04The Conscious EntrepreneurEP19: Becoming a Business Titan is Your Spiritual PathIs your definition of success conventional? This episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast features host Alex Raymond in conversation with Dr. Srikumar Rao, celebrated author, speaker, and coach. Dr. Rao’s shares what some may consider an unconventional definition of success. He encourages entrepreneurs to seek joy and fulfillment in their work, steering away from the pursuit of material gains and societal recognition.
He guides clients to recognize their true nature as pure awareness, transcending ego-based goals. His focus is on personal development through business, cultivating gratitude and well-being.
A key theme of the episode is t...2024-01-1559 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP18: Hard-Headed, Soft-Hearted"How are venture capital firms redefining their role to support both business performance and founder well-being?" This pertinent question sets the stage for a captivating episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, where host Alex Raymond, following up on a discussion from the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit in 2023, sits down with Lisa Mikkelsen, Global Head of Human Capital at Flourish Ventures. Lisa shares her insights on how venture capital is evolving to encompass not just business metrics but also the mental health and overall well-being of founders.
In her role, Lisa focuses on various critical aspects like HR, recruiting...2024-01-0859 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP17: Getting Clarity on Your GiftsAre psychedelics the next frontier for entrepreneurial growth and self-discovery? In this episode, Alex Raymond chats with Austin Mao, co-founder of Ceremonia, a psychedelic church in Colorado. Austin recounts his journey from a successful entrepreneur in tech and real estate to embracing the healing power of psychedelics.
At Ceremonia, Austin combines elements of psychology, spirituality, science, and shamanism to offer a holistic experience with substances like psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca. He discusses the significance of a religious context in their use, akin to traditional sacramental practices. Austin talks about setting up Ceremonia, emphasizing the importance of legal...2024-01-011h 00The Conscious EntrepreneurEP16: Go Big, With EaseThe Enneagram helps us see ourselves at a deeper, more objective level, and can be of invaluable assistance on our path to self-knowledge. With this insight, host Alex Raymond of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast welcomes Rudir Krishtel, a former lawyer turned transformation coach. Rudir shares his journey from a demanding legal career to discovering his true calling in coaching, guided by the principles of the Enneagram.
Rudir's transition was spurred by the challenges and burnout he faced as a litigator. Seeking a more fulfilling path, he found solace and direction in the Enneagram, a tool that deepens...2023-12-251h 02The Conscious EntrepreneurEP15: The Conscious Handover: Embracing Change at the TopIn this deeply personal episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond welcomes his friend Chris Schwalbach, founder of AVL Growth Partners. Chris shares his journey of self-discovery and the pivotal decision to replace himself as CEO of his company, a choice that significantly impacted both his professional and personal life.
Chris's story is a compelling tale of introspection, personal development, and the transformative power of self-awareness. He discusses the challenges he encountered in realizing that relinquishing his CEO role was the best path forward for his company's future. This episode provides an intimate glimpse into...2023-12-1836 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP14: Balancing Act: Kristin Darga on Entrepreneurship, Self-Discovery, and Well-BeingEvery entrepreneur faces challenges, but what happens when those challenges become overwhelming? In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, host Alex Raymond dives deep into the world of entrepreneurship and mental health with guest Kristen Darga, Founder of Impact Founder. Kristen's journey from a simple photography exhibit to a beacon for entrepreneurs struggling with mental health issues is both inspiring and eye-opening.
Through their conversation, they explore the surprises and challenges Kristen faced, the profound impact of her work, and how it has evolved in response to the pandemic. They discuss the importance of reshaping the narrative...2023-12-1134 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP13: The Joy FormulaCan a simple formula transform the culture of a company and the lives of its employees? In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond interviews Patty Condon, the innovative owner of FBC Remodel. Patty introduces his groundbreaking Joy Formula, a unique concept that redefines the essence of workplace satisfaction and success.
Patty's Joy Formula, encapsulating the equation 'joy equals success plus wellbeing to the power of purpose,' has reshaped his company's culture. He explains how success is not just about business metrics but also includes wellbeing, measured through the seven F's: Family, Friends...2023-12-0456 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP11: Why Happiness is the Secret to Optimal Human PerformanceAre you tired of chasing happiness, always thinking it's just one step ahead? In this insightful episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond sits down with Ashish Kothari, founder of Happiness Squad and author of "Hardwired for Happiness." They delve into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of entrepreneurship: the integral role of happiness in achieving success and fulfillment.
Ashish brings a fresh perspective, challenging the common notion that happiness is a distant goal. He argues that happiness is a key driver of human performance and an essential state for operating at one's best. This...2023-11-201h 02The Conscious EntrepreneurEP10: The Courage to Move from Corporate to CreativeIs it possible for your business to be a true reflection of your values? That's the question at the heart of this episode of "The Conscious Entrepreneur," where host Alex Raymond and Kayleigh O'Keefe, founder of Soul Excellence Ventures, delve into the intersection of personal growth and entrepreneurship.
Kayleigh recounts her significant shift from a decade-long corporate career to launching her own venture—a move that resonates with many entrepreneurs seeking less hustle and more meaning in their work. In February 2020, Kayleigh took the leap into the entrepreneurial world, a space where a significant portion of startups st...2023-11-1358 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP08: The Soul of StartupsModern entrepreneurship demands conscious leadership. In the latest episode of "The Conscious Entrepreneur," host Alex Raymond sits down with Julie Penner, a seasoned startup coach and investor who has worked with over a hundred early-stage companies. Together, they discuss the evolving role of founders and the new expectations they face. Julie shares her insights on a range of “startup killer” dysfunctions, from focusing on culture too late, failure to delegate responsibilities, to co-founder conflicts and more. She emphasizes the value of self-awareness for founders, noting its role in attracting and retaining top talent and building successful companies. Creating positive comp...2023-10-301h 03The Conscious EntrepreneurEP06: Creating the Life You Want"Hustle culture is bullshit," says Dave Mayer. And he knows a thing or two about suffering through hustle culture.
Alex Raymond sits down with Dave, the CEO and founder of Technical Integrity, to discuss his journey from burnout and exhaustion to building a successful business with a focus on cultural fit. Dave shares his personal struggle with burnout and how he overcame it by embracing a service-led, give-first approach. He emphasizes the power of slowing down, practicing breathwork, and giving yourself space to breathe and reflect so you can create the life and business you wa...2023-10-1644 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP04: What Most People Get Wrong About Burnout"Shame is this place that gets us into burnout and keeps us in burnout because we don't want to let people in on what's actually going on," says Jim Young.
If you’ve ever felt burned out, embarrassed, and alone, this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast is a must-listen. Host Alex Raymond interviews Jim Young, a men's burnout coach and author of the book "Expansive Intimacy." In this powerful conversation, Jim shares his personal journey of burnout and the moment he realized he wasn't okay. He delves into the one-two punch of burnout and shame, discussing th...2023-10-0957 minThe Conscious EntrepreneurEP02: Community Engineering and Human Connection"Entrepreneurship is a personal growth journey," says Lizelle van Vuuren.
Lizelle is a force in the Denver Startup Community, she’s founded her own companies, is an advisor and an investor, and now she’s exploring her passion for soccer and her mission to bring professional women's soccer to Denver. On this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, Alex Raymond is in conversation with Lizelle about her journey as an entrepreneur and the resilience and inspiration needed to build a successful business. Through her own experiences and reflections, she shares valuable insights on the importance of self-di...2023-10-091h 15