Shift & Thrive: CEO Insights on Driving Change

How can leaders shift from being the hero who fixes problems to the architect who builds teams that thrive on their own? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, growth advisor and business strategist Bill Flynn joins host Natalie Nathanson to share hard-won lessons from decades of leadership experience. From embracing frameworks like EOS to turning around struggling companies and guiding CEOs through complex change, Bill offe...

How can businesses stay competitive in an AI-driven world? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Cheryl Jordan-Aguilera joins host Natalie Nathanson to share lessons from her 25-year career in sales and strategy, highlighting the power of collaboration, cultural fit, and consultative selling. She reflects on building scalable growth at GutCheck, navigating M&A challenges, and leading at Official AI, where ethical AI use...

What’s the real reason most companies invest in cybersecurity, and why is it too late? In this episode of CEO Confidential, host Natalie Nathanson sits down with Corey White, veteran cybersecurity leader and CEO of Cyvatar.ai. With nearly 30 years of experience, including time spent on the front lines of major breaches, Corey shares what leaders get wrong about cybersecurity, why compliance isn’t enough, and how AI is both...

In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson interviews Pete Jones, founder and CEO of Grypp, about the unexpected moment that led to a complete business pivot, from in-person sales tech to a visual-first platform transforming the contact center industry. Pete shares the story behind Grypp’s evolution, including how a single conversation exposed the inefficiencies in traditional call centers and inspired a new ...

Is your go-to-market strategy built for today’s challenges? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Jacki Leahy, founder of Activate the Magic, for a deep dive into all things Revenue Operations (RevOps). We explore how RevOps can serve as the backbone of a modern go-to-market strategy, especially as traditional outbound tactics lose effectiveness and AI raises the bar for personalization. Jacki shares ...

What happens when a robotics CEO ditches Agile and embraces long-term commitments? AJ Meyer shares how bold moves and clarity of vision drive real innovation. On this episode of Shift and Thrive, AJ Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Pickle Robot Company, pulls back the curtain on building a robotics company that’s tackling one of logistics’ biggest challenges: autonomously unloading trucks. From his MIT roots to raising a $50M ...

How can leaders evolve their management style, leverage AI, and navigate rapid market changes to build resilient, forward-thinking organizations in tech? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Dimitri Sirota, Co-founder and CEO of BigID, shares insights from his journey as a data privacy leader, including how he guided his company through the uncertainties of COVID-19, transitioned to a remote-first culture, and embraced A...

What if the key to solving industrial carbon emissions lay in modular innovation, AI, and a mission sparked by a childhood shaped by disaster? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Aniruddha Sharma, CEO of Carbon Clean, to explore the transformative journey from student startup to global carbon capture leader. Aniruddha shares how a deep personal connection to environmental impact and a passion for innovation propelled C...

How can leaders transform go-to-market strategies by aligning sales, marketing, and customer experience while fostering a people-first culture and driving sustainable growth? In this episode, Brad McGinity draws on his deep experience as a founder, board member, and revenue leader to explore what it takes to build resilient go-to-market strategies. He shares lessons from transforming sales motions, emphasizing the critical...

What does it take to lead a cybersecurity startup with empathy, clarity, and focus, while staying true to your vision and your customers' real needs? In this episode, Pete Martin, co-founder and CEO of Realm Security, shares his journey from leading at top cybersecurity firms to building a company focused on simplifying security data. He opens up about the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the ongoing challenge of...

How can leaders adapt, grow, and lead with impact in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape while staying true to their values and vision? In this special “Flip the Mic” episode of S&T, Natalie celebrates one year of the podcast and kicks off season 2 by switching seats from host to guest. With colleague Cindy Hunter stepping in as guest host, Natalie reflects on her journey as a B2B marketing leader, the founding of M...

What does it take to evolve from a startup into a global leader in a cutting-edge industry? In this re-air of Shift & Thrive, we’re bringing back a powerhouse conversation between Natalie and Matt McCrann, CEO of DroneShield. If you missed it the first time or need a second listen, you’ll hear Matt unpack how he’s guided his team through rapid growth, innovation, and the unique challenges of the counter-drone space. Fr...

What happens when startups align sales, marketing, and customer success from day one, and what role should AI and leadership play in that equation? In the first episode of our Go-to-Market miniseries, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Scott Brown, partner and head of platform and GTM at Cervin Ventures, to explore how early-stage companies can transform their growth strategies. They dive into Scott’s shift from outbound to ...

What if embracing empathy and intentionality could unlock your greatest business success? In this episode, Ricky Sun, founder and CEO of Tupa, joins Natalie Nathanson for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, mindset, and building a values-aligned company. From his shift to a more intentional way of living, fueled by meditation and spiritual practices, to navigating go-to-market strategy and leading remote teams, Rick...

What does it take to lead innovation across industries while staying true to your values? In this episode, Natalie sits down with François Dossa, a global executive whose journey spans banking, automotive, and tech consulting, to explore the answer. From launching a corporate venture fund to promoting sustainability, François shares how technology, diversity, and authenticity have shaped his leadership. We talk about the w...

What does it take to turn cutting-edge robotics into practical tools for farmers? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie is joined by Katie Bradford, co-founder and CEO of Rotate8. She shares how her team is making farming tech more accessible, modular, and repairable. From her transition from engineer to leader to her vision for slow, sustainable growth, Katie offers insights on collaborative leadership, user-center...

What does it take to scale a cybersecurity startup into a globally recognized company while maintaining trust and team culture? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Varun Iravatham, CEO of NopalCyber, to explore exactly that. From his transition from pro cricket to entrepreneurship, to building a thriving business with over 50 clients across three continents, Varun shares the pillars behind NopalCyber’s growth: sales st...

What does it take to shift from a consulting model to a tech-driven product in a traditionally risk-averse industry like food safety? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie Nathanson interviews Karim Khinouche, founder and CEO of Novolyze, about his journey from industrial engineer to food safety innovator. Karim shares how his company evolved from a consulting firm into a scalable tech platform, the misconceptions s...

What does it take to lead with confidence, navigate acquisitions, and build a high-performing team? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Craig Dunham, CEO of Voltron Data, to discuss his career journey, leadership philosophy, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way. Craig shares insights from his time as CEO of Lumar and GM at Guild Education, as well as his experience leading Seismic through the acquisition of V...