Shows
Becoming RadicalUnlocking the Magic of Customer Experience with Shep HykenIn this episode of Becoming Radical, Michael Gaizutis sits down with Shep Hyken, world-renowned customer experience expert, keynote speaker, and Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations. Together, they dive into what it really takes to create unforgettable customer experiences, experiences that turn customers into loyal fans.Shep shares his journey from a 12-year-old magician writing thank you notes to becoming one of the leading voices in customer service strategy. He unpacks the philosophy of “moments of magic” versus “moments of misery,” why consistency is the true key to amazement, and how culture, not just initiatives, defines a company’...
2025-09-0236 min
Becoming RadicalProfit Sharing That Actually Works: Rob Gallaher on Building Teams That Think Like OwnersIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Rob Gallaher—entrepreneur, business leader, and author of Profit Sharing—to explore what it really means to build a business where everyone wins. Rob shares how fear of repeating the burnout-filled legacy of traditional business ownership led him to transform his companies through a powerful, human-centered model: profit sharing.Rob breaks down how this model works, why it radically shifts team culture, and how it helped him scale without sacrificing family, freedom, or financial sanity. The conversation touches on everything from leadership mindset shifts and avoi...
2025-08-2635 min
Becoming RadicalWhy AI Won’t Replace Private Equity, It’ll Make It Ruthlessly EfficientIn this episode of Becoming Radical, Michael Gaizutis sits down with Rolan Reichel, co-founder of Moic.co, to talk about how AI is changing the private equity world and why mid-cap companies valued between $400 million and $1.5 billion are right in the middle of it all.Rolan shares how his journey from tech entrepreneur to growth strategist led him to create Moic.co. The company helps private equity firms do more than just buy companies and hope they grow. Instead, they build real AI-powered workflows that unlock value quickly and in a way you can measure....
2025-08-1930 min
Becoming RadicalThe Zero-Click Future: How Customer Behavior is Rewriting Digital StrategyIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis speaks with Tim Peter, a veteran digital strategy consultant, about what really drives digital transformation. Tim challenges the idea that technology alone leads to success, highlighting instead the importance of adapting to changing customer behaviors, like the rise of zero-click searches.He shares lessons from decades in the industry, including insights from the pandemic’s impact on e-commerce. According to Tim, long-term strategy requires a clear “North Star,” but companies must also stay flexible enough to pivot when needed.The conversation explores the role of AI in mar...
2025-08-1239 min
Becoming RadicalThe $82 Billion Problem: How Beauty Genome is Disrupting Skincare WasteIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis speaks with Sarah Rinehart, CEO and co-founder of Beauty Genome, a tech-powered platform that uses AI and genomics to deliver truly personalized skincare recommendations. With nearly two decades of experience across salons, editorial makeup, and medical aesthetics, Sarah brings both depth and clarity to a conversation many consumers have been waiting for: why is skincare still so confusing?Sarah explains how Beauty Genome creates product recommendations that are evidence-based, product agnostic, and tailored to each person’s unique needs. They explore the overwhelming landscape of marketing buzzwords, the la...
2025-08-0534 min
Becoming RadicalRewiring the Food System: How Helios AI Is Tackling Climate and Supply Chain ChaosIn this episode of Becoming Radical, Michael Gaizutis sits down with Francisco Martin-Rayo, the founder of Helios AI, to talk about something we don’t often think about: how our food actually gets to us… and what happens when climate change and outdated tech threaten that process.Francisco brings a wild mix of experience: he's been in tech, imported avocados (yes, really), and even worked in management consulting. But what really pushed him to start Helios was a pair of bold questions: What if we could predict agricultural disruptions before they happen? And what if we gave that...
2025-07-2931 min
Becoming RadicalChocolate With Purpose: Keith Bearden on Scaling Sustainability at Alter EcoIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco, a pioneer in sustainable food and ethical chocolate. With decades of leadership experience and a mission deeply rooted in environmental impact, Keith shares how he went from auditing global supply chains to owning and operating one of the most climate-forward chocolate companies in the world.The conversation spans everything from regenerative farming and compostable packaging to the future of ethical CPG. Keith also unpacks the challenges of scaling a mission-driven brand while navigating rising commodity prices, packaging innovation, and...
2025-07-2247 min
Becoming RadicalHealing the Hustle: Alessandro Grampa on Entrepreneurial Trauma and Inner TruthIn this episode of Becoming Radical, Michael Gaizutis sits down with Alessandro Grampa, founder of Wholegrain Wisdom and systems thinker whose work challenges the way we view performance, leadership, and growth. Drawing from a decade-long journey through meditation, biohacking, Eastern philosophy, and energy work, Alessandro introduces a provocative thesis: much of today’s entrepreneurial output is shaped by unresolved trauma—and ignoring it limits innovation.The conversation explores the often-overlooked mental and emotional burdens founders carry, how neurodiversity shapes executive behavior, and why Western approaches to problem-solving are frequently incomplete without inner alignment. Alessandro also discusses his vision...
2025-07-1543 min
Becoming RadicalInside Africa’s Fintech Revolution: How Tayo Oviosu Is Rewiring PaymentsWhat happens when you trade Silicon Valley success for a mission to revolutionize finance in Africa? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Tayo Oviosu, founder and CEO of Paga, one of Africa’s leading mobile payments companies serving over 26 million users.Tayo opens up about the lightbulb moment that led him to leave behind a thriving career in the U.S. to tackle Nigeria’s cash-first economy—and why frictionless payments are just the beginning. From building trust in digital finance to designing a platform empowering individuals and small businesses, this conver...
2025-07-0845 min
Becoming RadicalLeadership’s Blindspot: Ignoring Employees Is Killing Your CXIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Annette Franz, CEO of CX Journey and author of Built to Win, to unpack how customer experience (CX), leadership alignment, and culture shape business success. With over 30 years of expertise, Annette offers hard-earned insights on why real transformation starts with employees, how to build customer-obsessed cultures, and the crucial—often overlooked—role of listening.Annette draws on lessons from corporate life, entrepreneurship, and her early career roots at J.D. Power to reveal how disconnected leadership, poor cult...
2025-07-0135 min
Becoming RadicalHow Robots and Activism Can Coexist with Dr. Ada Rhodes WishThey say machines are only as good as the people who build them—but what if the people building them haven’t questioned the systems they live in? In this compelling episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Dr. Ada Rhodes-Wish, a roboticist, systems designer, and activist whose work bridges the technical and the transformative. Together, they explore how robotics and artificial intelligence intersect with ethics, inclusion, and social change. Dr. Ada discusses her research in computational cognition—building machines that think more like humans, not just mimic them—and why today’s generative AI tools often fall...
2025-06-2443 min
Becoming RadicalInside Fortune 500 AI Strategy: Sam Ransbotham Breaks It DownDid you know that only about 11% of companies are leveraging AI to its full potential? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Sam Ransbotham, professor of analytics at Boston College and co-host of Me, Myself and AI (in partnership with MIT Sloan Management Review). From the cultural foundations that shape successful adoption to the hype vs. reality debate raging across C-suites, this episode gets honest about what AI can (and can’t) do. Sam also explores why the next wave of disruption may come from AI agents, not humans, and what businesses ne...
2025-06-1733 min
Becoming RadicalFrom Hollywood to Hemp: Sasha Pieterse on Creating Hippie Water and Breaking the StigmaIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with actress, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate Sasha Pieterse to explore her bold leap from screen to startup. Best known for her role on Pretty Little Liars, Sasha opens up about the personal health struggles that led her to co-found Hippie Water, a new kind of THC beverage that's flipping the script on what it means to relax and recharge—without the hangover.From navigating the cannabis beverage industry and destigmatizing THC to building a product-first brand with purpose, Sasha shares the raw, inspiring story behind Hippie Wa...
2025-06-101h 04
Becoming RadicalMr. Beat on Making History Cool: From Classroom to YouTube FameWhat happens when a high school history teacher turns YouTube into a global classroom? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Matt Beat, the creator behind the wildly popular educational YouTube channel Mr. Beat. From his early days making "cringy" videos for his students to becoming a full-time "EduTuber," Matt shares his journey of democratizing history education—one viral video at a time.Matt dives into the challenges of staying neutral in polarized times, the secrets behind engaging Gen Z audiences, and why he believes collaboration (not competition) is key in the ed...
2025-06-0336 min
Becoming RadicalFrom Satellites to Soil: How Tech Is Rewriting the Future of FarmingIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Dr. Anastasia Volkova, founder and CEO of Regrow Ag, to explore how climate technology is transforming the future of agriculture. From her roots in Ukraine to earning a PhD in drone navigation, Anastasia shares her journey and the vision behind Regrow—a company that uses satellite imagery, AI, and agronomic modeling to help food and agriculture companies measure, report, and reduce their environmental impact across supply chains.Together, they unpack how Regrow is enabling the global transition to regenerative agriculture by quantifying su...
2025-05-2751 min
Becoming RadicalReviving Coral Reefs: Sam Teicher on Restoring Our Oceans with Coral VitaIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Sam Teicher, co-founder and CEO of Coral Vita, to discuss the groundbreaking work of restoring coral reefs and preserving marine ecosystems. Sam shares his journey from a passion for the ocean to leading a mission-driven startup that blends science, community, and business innovation.Sam opens up about the challenges and triumphs of coral farming, from navigating natural disasters and global pandemics to pioneering cutting-edge restoration techniques. He also delves into Coral Vita's for-profit social enterprise model and how leveraging capital for good can drive large-scale...
2025-05-2042 min
Becoming RadicalBuilding a Guilt-Free Snacking Revolution: Chris Annoual on Binge SnacksIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Chris Annoual, CEO of Binge Snacks, to discuss building a disruptive brand in the better-for-you snacking space. Chris shares how a personal health challenge sparked the creation of Binge Snacks, a guilt-free indulgence that blends nostalgia with clean ingredients.Chris opens up about the journey of bringing Binge Snacks to life, from the challenge of formulating the perfect taste to building a brand that resonates with Millennials and Gen Z. He also discusses the importance of staying lean in the early stages, navigating co-packing challenges...
2025-05-1339 min
Becoming RadicalEmpowering People for Success: Robin Daniels on Leadership and LearningIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Robin Daniels, Chief Business Officer at Zensai and former marketing leader at Salesforce, LinkedIn, and WeWork. Robin shares his incredible personal and professional journey—from growing up in Denmark to becoming a Silicon Valley exec—while offering a masterclass in leadership, learning, and human-centered business strategy.Robin dives deep into the evolving role of HR, the creation of a new category he calls “Human Success,” and how companies can drive performance by investing in people. He opens up about risk-taking, failure, team building...
2025-05-0649 min
Becoming RadicalHow Sean Busch Revolutionized Household Products and Empowered DadsIn this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Sean Busch, founder of Purity, a plant-based cleaning brand that hit $100M in sales before being acquired, and the creator of Dad Mode. Sean shares his incredible journey of building successful brands, including the challenges, wins, and lessons he learned along the way. From listening to customers and building brand trust to tackling the difficulties of scaling and managing risk, Sean opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Key Takeaways:Customer-Centric Innovation: Sean...
2025-04-301h 03
Becoming RadicalThe Real ROI of Taking Care of Your People with Steven Langer on Workplace WellnessWhat’s the true return on investing in your people—and how do you design a workplace that’s as human as it is high-performing?In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Steven Langer, founder and CEO of Well by Design, to uncover the transformative power of workplace wellness. Through candid conversation and real-world examples, Steven explains why taking care of your team isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a business imperative.From redefining "non-billable" time as "renewable hours" to identifying blind spots in leadership assumptions, Steven share...
2025-04-2245 min
Becoming RadicalHow Radical Surprise Breaks Unconscious Bias and Sparks Authentic Leadership with Laura FlessnerHow do you break through unconscious bias in corporate environments where it’s invisible, systemic, and unspoken? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Laura Flessner, founder and CEO of MindTap, to explore how neuroscience, surprise, and innovation can be the ultimate unlocks for authentic leadership and inclusive impact.Laura shares her story of being let go during a corporate restructuring—an unexpected moment that sparked her journey to becoming a founder. She reveals her three-step framework for innovative leadership, including how to lead with bold ideas, gain stakeholder support, and create real...
2025-04-1545 min
Becoming RadicalCan AI Save the Planet? Inside Finch’s Fight for Transparent ConsumerismWhat does it mean to make truly sustainable choices in a world flooded with greenwashing? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis speaks with Lizzie Horvitz, the founder and CEO of Finch, a company making strides in the sustainability space. Lizzie shares how her early experiences living off the grid inspired her commitment to environmental issues. She explains Finch's mission to provide consumers with reliable information on sustainable products and discusses how the company evaluates the environmental and social impacts of various products. Lizzie also delves into common misconceptions about sustainability and the real challenges c...
2025-04-0836 min
Becoming RadicalThe Secret Behind Celebrity-Backed Billion-Dollar BrandsVenture capital is shifting, and so is the way startups take off. Is the secret to hypergrowth really just about great products? Or is it about the people behind them? Influencers, creators, and celebrities aren’t just launching brands—they’re rewriting the rules of business. So, who’s really shaping the next wave of billion-dollar empires?In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Scott Van den Berg, founder of Hotstart VC, to discuss how he’s transforming venture capital by investing in celebrity-backed startups. From early-stage challenges to game-changing investment strategies, Scott shar...
2025-04-0143 min
Becoming RadicalFrom Silicon Valley to Sustainability: How Tessa Clarke is Disrupting Waste CultureFood waste is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. But what if there was a simple way to connect surplus food with those who need it? What if a single app could spark a movement that transforms communities and the way we consume?In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of Olio, to explore how she turned her personal values into a global mission. From her upbringing on a farm in rural England to scaling a business that has facilitated the sharing of...
2025-03-2551 min
Becoming RadicalFrom Rejection to Resilience: Mastering the Art of Sales with Mike MarkSales is more than just numbers—it’s about people, resilience, and strategy. But what does it take to build a sales team that not only survives but thrives in today’s competitive landscape? In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Mike Mark, founder and CEO of Coaching Sales, to unpack the art and science of building high-performance sales teams. The conversation dives into the common pitfalls of sales team development, like rushing the hiring process or overburdening a single salesperson, and how to avoid them. Mike also explores the transf...
2025-03-1853 min
Becoming RadicalThe Truth About Success: Mark Samuel’s Radical Rule for Health and HustleWhat does it really take to build a game-changing brand in the food industry? If you think it’s just about having a great product, think again.In this episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Mark Samuel—founder of IWON Organics and CEO of Unbun Foods—to uncover the real story behind launching and scaling a consumer food brand. Mark built IWON Organics from the ground up, only to face the harsh realities of capital constraints, shifting markets, and the brutal lessons of entrepreneurship. Now, he’s back with Unbun Foods, leading...
2025-03-1129 min
Becoming RadicalWhat Every Founder Needs to Know About Scaling a Consumer Brand – Will Nitze’s JourneyIn this powerful debut episode of Becoming Radical, host Michael Gaizutis sits down with Will Nitze, founder and CEO of IQ Bar, to unravel the bold, unexpected journey from software sales to industry disruptors.Will was stuck in a job he didn’t love, but a personal health struggle changed everything. His search for better nutrition led to a radical idea: what if a simple snack could fuel both the brain and body? With zero experience, no funding, and everything on the line, he took a leap of faith—launching IQ Bar through a make-or-break Kickstarter campaign.
2025-03-0452 min
Becoming RadicalOfficial Trailer - Becoming RadicalInspire, challenge, and transform. “Becoming Radical” is a podcast for visionaries, innovators, and bold thinkers who refuse to settle for the status quo. Hosted by Michael Gaizutis, each episode dives into the untold stories of companies, brands, and leaders radically reshaping their markets. From groundbreaking strategies to hard lessons learned, this is your go-to guide for redefining success in a rapidly changing world.
2025-02-1001 min
DesignRush PodcastHow Web3, AI and Metaverse Are Changing the Digital World | Michael Gaizutis of RNO1Welcome to the 20th episode of the DesignRush Podcast. In this session, we're exploring the cutting-edge confluence of Web3, AI, and the Metaverse with RNO1’s Founder Michael Gaizutis. 🎙 Throughout this episode, our host Vianca Mayer and Michael will navigate the intricate landscape of these revolutionary technologies. They'll discuss how these innovations are reshaping the digital domain and the potential they hold for the future of digital design and marketing.
2023-11-131h 18
DesignRush PodcastHow Web3, AI and Metaverse Are Changing the Digital World | Michael Gaizutis of RNO1
Welcome to the 20th episode of the DesignRush Podcast. In this session, we're exploring the cutting-edge confluence of Web3, AI, and the Metaverse with RNO1’s Founder Michael Gaizutis. 🎙
Throughout this episode, our host Vianca Mayer and Michael will navigate the intricate landscape of these revolutionary technologies. They'll discuss how these innovations are reshaping the digital domain and the potential they hold for the future of digital design and marketing.
2023-11-131h 18
DesignRush PodcastHow Web3, AI and Metaverse Are Changing the Digital World | Michael Gaizutis of RNO1Welcome to the 20th episode of the DesignRush Podcast. In this session, we're exploring the cutting-edge confluence of Web3, AI, and the Metaverse with RNO1’s Founder Michael Gaizutis. 🎙
Throughout this episode, our host Vianca Mayer and Michael will navigate the intricate landscape of these revolutionary technologies. They'll discuss how these innovations are reshaping the digital domain and the potential they hold for the future of digital design and marketing.
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2023-11-101h 18