The Frustrated CEO

🎧 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 Nelson, 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 Nelson, CEO and co-founder of Doxa Talent, a company that's transforming the way organizations scale by building hig...

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
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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...

In this episode of the Frustrated CEO podcast, we interviewed Dr. Thom Mayer, a highly respected leader in times of crisis. Listeners will gain valuable insights on effective decision-making, the importance of listening and storytelling, and strategies for avoiding burnout as a leader. Dr. Mayer shares his experiences from high-pressure situations like 9/11 and the NFL, providing practical advice on building trust, embracing failur...

This episode of the Frustrated CEO podcast features an interview with Charles Read, founder of Get Payroll and author of four books on payroll and small business topics.

Charles has over 50 years of experience in financial leadership. The discussion covers Charles' experience in the military and how it impacted his leadership style and business. Charles emphasizes the importance of self-care for longevity in leadershi...

In this episode, we investigate the crucial topic of organizational readiness for growth. Leveraging our real-world experience, we share practical steps for improving alignment, enhancing leadership development, and cultivating a growth-oriented culture. Drawing from our work with clients, we provide actionable advice and examples to help you prepare your organization for sustainable growth. Packed with insights on leadership devel...

This episode equips CEOs and senior leaders with effective strategies and tools for proactively developing and sustaining resilience. We dive specifically into CEOs' resilience with the expertise of Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, once again! The conversation takes off with challenging common misconceptions CEOs hold about resilience, highlighting that it's not a fixed personality trait but rather requires active management. ...