The Frustrated CEO

Episode 97 – Stop Working In the Business: Start Leading It | The Frustrated CEO Podcast
Are YOU the bottleneck in your business?

In the final episode of our Growing Up Your Business series, Patrick and Patsy dive into one of the most critical (and most frustrating) leadership challenges: making the shift from working in the business to working on it.

If you're a CEO or leader who's constantly caught...

Are your leaders truly ready for growth — or are they the reason your business is stuck?

In Part 4 of our Growing Up Your Business series, Patrick and Patsy uncover a hidden growth killer: leadership immaturity. Too many companies promote top performers into leadership roles without preparing them for the very different work of coaching, delegating, and empowering others.

The result? Bottlenecks, stalled execution, and frustration at...

When senior leaders aren’t on the same page, the ripple effects are massive:
🚫 Delayed decisions
⚠️ Sloppy execution
❗ Confused teams
🛑 Stalled growth

In Part 3 of our Grow UP Your Business series, Patrick and Patsy expose one of the biggest barriers to organizational maturity—misalignment at the top—and why it's the silent killer of momentum.

But there’s a better way.

✅ Align your leadership team around a unifi...

Episode 94: Growing Up Your Business, Part 2 – The Strategic Power of Pausing

In Part 2 of our Growing Up Your Business series, Patrick and Patsy dive into a bold but often overlooked strategy for growth: pausing on purpose.

While the instinct to “push forward at all costs” feels natural in fast-moving companies, it can backfire when your foundation—leadership, structure, clarity, and process—isn’t ready to support scale. This episod...

🎧 Episode 93 – Why Growing Your Business Isn’t the Same as Growing It Up

🚨 Are you scaling your business… but still stuck in frustration, poor accountability, or reactive leadership? You might be chasing growth before your organization is truly ready.

In this eye-opening episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, hosts Patrick Lyons and Patsy Feeman reveal why growing up your business—not just growing it—is the key to long-term success...

Q3 2025 INDUSTRY TRENDS GUIDE HERE: http://www.thelyonsgroupconsulting.com/trends
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In Episode 92 of The Frustrated CEO, we cut through the noise to help you spot the business trends that actually matter. Learn a simple framework to focus your attention, engage your team, and lead with confidence—plus, get our free guide: 2025 Q3 Trends & Strategies for Family-Run Businesses. Don’t chase trends—use them strategically.<...

Episode 91 – The New War for Talent with David Nilssen, CEO of Doxa Talent

In today’s episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, we’re diving into one of the most critical and ongoing challenges for leaders: the war for talent — and how to win it by building future-proof teams.

We’re joined by David Nilssen, CEO and co-founder of Doxa Talent, a company that's transforming the way organizations scale by building h...

In this episode of The Frustrated CEO Podcast, we sit down with Joe Battaglia Sr. and his sons, Joey and Nick, the powerhouse family behind Senior Services of North America (SSNA). From a single postcard that sparked an idea to becoming a national leader in the Medicare insurance space, the Battaglias share their journey of building a business rooted in family values, driven by relentless vision, and powered by innovation. Hear how...

Health insurance costs are rising, and most CEOs feel trapped in a system that seems impossible to control. But what if there was a way to cut costs, improve employee benefits, and take back control?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Chris Hamilton, partner at Hotchkiss Insurance, we dive into practical strategies that business owners can use to build a high-performance, cost-saving health plan—without sacrificing quality...

Welcome to the Frustrated CEO Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Hamilton, a Partner at Hotchkiss Insurance, as he dives deep into the complexities of healthcare and insurance costs that are draining business profits across America. Chris specializes in employee benefits consulting and has spent over a decade advising clients on how to reduce expenses, improve coverage, and enhance employee health outcomes.

Ch...

In this episode, Mark Williams, CEO of Brokers International, shares his approach to leadership that prioritizes people and culture. From balancing vision and execution to supporting mental health and embracing empathy, Mark dives into strategies for building a thriving workplace. He also reflects on adopting a "no more wasted days" mindset after a health scare and offers practical tips for leading with intention.

Website:...

Welcome back Mark Reifenrath! 

This episode features a conversation with Mark Reifenrath, the CEO of Spinutech, a digital marketing agency. Mark discusses the challenges of leading a remote workforce during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of connecting with employees on a personal level and being vulnerable as a leader. He shares insights on creating a new leadership playbook, the value of in-person team meetings,...

This episode of the Frustrated CEO podcast features an insightful discussion with Sharissa Deppen, CEO of the Leadership Mastery Alliance. The conversation focuses on the unique strengths and challenges of introverted leaders in corporate settings.

Sharissa shares her expertise on what it means to be an introvert, debunking myths about introverted CEOs and senior leaders. She explains how introverts often excel in areas li...

This episode features Chris Wise, a dynamic entrepreneur, visionary leader, and pioneer in law, technology, and community development. Chris discusses the lessons he learned from his formative experiences in sports and the military that prepared him for his current roles. He shares his approach to innovation and long-term vision, emphasizing the importance of building a team that shares the big picture. Chris also talks about using...

This episode features an interview with Rick Bettger, the owner of Omaha Car Care, a successful auto repair business. Rick discusses how he has grown the business over the past 23 years, including navigating a major rebranding as well as industry changes. Key topics covered include building a strong company culture focused on customer service, attracting and retaining top talent in a challenging labor market, and the importance of ...

In this episode, listeners get an inside look at the family-owned business of Trade School Inc. Founders Lance and Madison Hallberg share their personal journeys and leadership strategies, including:
 
 - Balancing "creators" and "maintainers" on their team
 - The importance of self-awareness and "brutal honesty" as a leader
 - Tips for integrating new talent into a family business
...

In this episode, serial entrepreneur Mac Lackey shares insights on maximizing business value and preparing for a successful business exit. Lackey emphasizes the importance of strategic value, leadership, and proactive planning, advising entrepreneurs to focus on creating optionality, surrounding themselves with experienced mentors, and designing their businesses for both wealth and personal freedom. Listeners will gain practical st...

This episode of the Frustrated CEO podcast offers valuable insights for executives and professionals navigating personal and professional transformation in midlife. Our guest, Aneace Haddad includes topics on embracing change, navigating generational differences, finding purpose, and cultivating "superpowers" in the second half of one's career. You'll gain practical strategies to help you thrive in the unique la...