Measure Success Podcast

AI is everywhere, but most businesses are using it the wrong way.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with Eli Portnoy, co-founder and CEO of BackEngine.ai, to talk about the real gap between AI hype and real-world results. Eli explains why generic AI outputs fail, why context matters more than tools, and how sales and go-to-market strategies must evolve in a crowded, low-...

This episode is sponsored by Altezza Solutions, liberating entrepreneurs through fractional sales execution. Today, Steve helps growth-stage companies break through revenue barriers while giving founders the freedom to focus on building extraordinary businesses.

Founder-led businesses often grow fast, then stall.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl Cox sits down with Steve C...

Selling to private equity is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new phase of growth.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy and 40 Accounting sits down with Neel Bhargava, founding partner at NB Group, to unpack how private equity partnerships really work for founder- and family-owned businesses.

Neel shares how his firm approaches gro...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox sits down with real estate investor and educator Jay Conner to break down private money and why it has been the foundation of his business since 2009.

Jay explains how private money works, who private lenders really are, and why having capital ready changes everything about deal execution. He shares a real world case study where preparation and acc...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox sits down with John Whitt, founder of Business Whitt and author of Checkmate, to explore how strategic thinking, leadership, and generosity intersect.

John explains how lessons from competitive chess apply directly to business. Small advantages, disciplined execution, and resource placement matter more than chasing quick wins. The conversation cov...

AI is changing how companies grow, how leaders lead, and how strategy gets executed.

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

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Gabe Lullo, CEO of Alleyoop, about the real role of outbound sales in today's market.

They discuss how AI is changing sales without replacing human connection, why founders should stay close to revenue early, and how content builds trust before the first conversation ever happens. Gabe shares lessons from scaling a remote SDR organizatio...

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

He shares insights on balancing culture, people, and numbers—his signature "three ...

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

She explains how peer...

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

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

She explains how The Brief helps marketers run smarter campaigns from start to finish using intelligent ag...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and author of The Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations.

Michael shares his powerful story of losing a multimillion-dollar company to fraud and how that crisis transformed his view of leadership. He explains how elite organizations are built around five obsessions—great people, inspiring purp...

Many technical founders find themselves running companies almost by accident. They know their craft — but struggle to lead with clarity.

In this Measure Success Podcast episode, Carl J. Cox interviews Pete Steege, author of Radical Clarity, to discuss how "accidental CEOs" can grow their businesses by uncovering their true story.

Pete explains why clarity — not more effort — drives growth. He ...

Leadership alone doesn't drive success—it's only part of the equation.
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Dr. James Chitwood shares how his TRAC framework—Training, Recognition, Accountability, and Communication—creates lasting organizational transformation.

Hear how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy, why capitalism is at risk, and what it takes to build high-performing,...

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Jenny Sheridan, attorney and founder of JL Sheridan Law, about how changing data privacy laws are shaping the way companies operate.

Jenny shares insights on how businesses can stay compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws, the real risks of ignoring them, and how privacy can become a competitive ...

In this week's episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Richard Dunbar, CEO of Bottom Up Consulting and author of Bottom Up Breakthrough, to discuss how true innovation often starts from the ground up.

Richard shares how empowering employees at every level builds trust, strengthens transparency, and improves retention. He explains why many leaders fear "bottom-up" leadership—and how shifting...

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

On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Marley Majcher, CEO of The Party Goddess and author of But Are You Making Any Money? Marley shares her journey from early mistakes in the restaurant world to building a thriving events business while helping other entrepreneurs avoid the same pitfalls.

You'll learn:

• Why...

Why do 99% of projects go wrong? Dr. Thomas Zweifel, author of Gorilla in the Cockpit, joins the Measure Success Podcast to explain why the real cause is human—not technical.

We explore:

• The "black box" of hidden conversations that sabotage progress

• Why mindset and accountabil...