Episodes

  • Why Trust Is the Currency of Every Great Business: A Conversation with R. Adam Smith
    May 19 2025

    Strategic advisor, deal maker, and global expert in private company finance and family offices. Founder of RAS Capital and the Family Business Audiocast, Adam has advised and financed over 50 private equity-backed companies since the mid-1990s, participating in billions in transaction value.

    As an entrepreneur and investor, Adam has led over a dozen private company investments with $600M+ in sales and $250M+ in equity capital. He founded Circle Peak Capital, a pioneering private equity firm, and has served on multiple boards, including global advisory boards for Salomon Brothers and private equity firms.

    Adam’s expertise spans investment banking, alternative investing, governance, and capital raising. A Columbia MBA graduate, he’s a frequent speaker, podcast host, and philanthropist, leading initiatives like Caring Capitalism and Leukemia Fighters.

    Proud father of three, Adam is a patron of the arts, amateur pianist, and collector, actively shaping family enterprise, governance, and legacy strategies.

    Learn More: https://www.rascapitalpartners.com/r-...

    Become a CEO Zones Member: https://ceozones.com/apply

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    40 mins
  • Meet The Member: American Cloud
    May 6 2025

    At American Cloud, the mission is to empower businesses of all sizes to reach their full potential through the use of innovative cloud computing. The company is dedicated to promoting a free and open internet for everyone, as they firmly believe that such an internet is essential for fostering innovation, economic growth, and free societies. American Cloud is committed to providing its clients with the highest level of service, support, and security, enabling them to focus on their business without the fear of cancellation. The company strives to be the premier choice for businesses seeking to harness the power of the cloud, all while upholding the principles of a free and open internet. Their goal is to make it simple and affordable for clients to utilize the best tools and technologies to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

    Learn More: https://americancloud.com
    Become a CEO Zones Member: https://ceozones.com

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    15 mins
  • Meet The Speaker: Mike Ashabraner
    May 6 2025

    Mike Ashabraner grew up in the Kentucky foothills, fueled by hard work, grit, and a gift for bringing people together. Today, he's known as the Redneck Financial Coach, helping entrepreneurs grow their net worth with down-to-earth advice and real-world strategies. As the founder of the Hounds of Business and creator of the Hound Pack Principles, Mike is recognized for building powerful communities — all while sporting his signature camo cap and sharing country wisdom that sticks.

    Become a CEO Zones Member: https://ceozones.com/apply

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    32 mins
  • Meet The Speaker: Preston Poore
    Feb 26 2025

    Through his roles at Consumer Products giants The Coca-Cola Company and The Hershey Company, Preston has learned how to be a powerful leader while staying true to his values, purpose, and goals. Now he desires to share his knowledge with others to enrich their professional experiences and, ultimately, their personal lives.

    Preston uses his wealth of hard-earned experience in the corporate arena to help others achieve at their highest levels. He is a game-changer when it comes to building capability in emerging leaders. Preston leads and teaches by example. His lessons are not drawn from the classroom of academic theory but from the crucible of marketplace trenches. Preston is a Certified Maxwell Leadership Team Keynote Speaker, Facilitator, Trainer, and Executive Coach to help people become the best version of themselves.

    See more here: https://prestonpoore.com

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    41 mins
  • Meet The Speaker: Dr. Jay Raines
    Jan 16 2025

    Jay has more than 30 years of experience in leadership, mentoring, and developing others. Before launching LeadersQ, he co-founded a leadership consulting company in India with clients such as Moog, Toyota, and UST Global. He has also consulted for startups, SMEs, and non-profit charities.

    He enjoys the creativity involved in helping teams and individuals move forward to success as well as fly fishing and roasting coffee.

    See more here: https://www.leadersq.com/about-us/

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    37 mins
  • Meet The Speaker: Scott Wozniak
    Jan 11 2025

    Scott Wozniak, CEO of Swoz Consulting, has helped leaders on six continents create high-performance organizations, whether that’s through better innovation, customer experience, or just accelerating their personal growth.

    He has started four organizations (two non-profit and two for-profit) and written two books. His previous book, How to Fail as a Leader, is a leadership fable with epic medieval battles. Scott spent eight years working at the Chick-fil-A headquarters, including working directly with the founding family and executive team on company strategy, leadership development programs, and leading major change initiatives. In addition to helping Chick-fil-A, he’s spoken for and consulted with senior leaders at multi-billion dollar global companies, city governments, churches, software start-ups, and universities.

    More of his journey can be found on his blog at www.ScottWozniak.com.

    Become a CEO Zones Member: https://ceozones.com/apply

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    41 mins
  • Meet The Speaker: Randy Gravitt
    Dec 17 2024

    Randy Gravitt is an author, speaker, and executive coach who encourages leaders to reach their potential.

    In 2014 Randy founded Lead Every Day where he currently serves as the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), leading a team of coaches and consultants who work with high-performance leaders, organizations, and teams around the world.

    As a speaker, Randy delivers keynotes and training workshops on the topics of leadership, culture, team building, organizational effectiveness, and peak performance. Those he works with include Chick-fil-A, Grand Hyatt, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kroger, and the Winshape Foundation. He has also served as one of the leadership coaches for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Buffalo Bills.

    Randy’s writing includes two books, Finding Your Way and Unstuck, and he has a daily podcast, The Lead Every Day Show, with best-selling author, Mark Miller.

    Randy and his wife Laura live in Sharpsburg, Georgia, where they raised their four daughters. Outside of work, he loves girl-dad status, being RanDad to his five grandkids, playing golf, reading, and sitting on his back porch.

    Learn More: https://leadeveryday.com/services/spe...

    Become a CEO Zones Member: https://ceozones.com/apply

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    42 mins
  • R. Adam Smith: Deal-Making, Legacy, and Family Enterprises
    Dec 12 2024

    Strategic advisor, deal maker, and global expert in private company finance and family offices. Founder of RAS Capital and the Family Business Audiocast, Adam has advised and financed over 50 private equity-backed companies since the mid-1990s, participating in billions in transaction value.

    As an entrepreneur and investor, Adam has led over a dozen private company investments with $600M+ in sales and $250M+ in equity capital. He founded Circle Peak Capital, a pioneering private equity firm, and has served on multiple boards, including global advisory boards for Salomon Brothers and private equity firms.

    Adam’s expertise spans investment banking, alternative investing, governance, and capital raising. A Columbia MBA graduate, he’s a frequent speaker, podcast host, and philanthropist, leading initiatives like Caring Capitalism and Leukemia Fighters.

    A proud father of three, Adam is a patron of the arts, amateur pianist, and collector, actively shaping family enterprise, governance, and legacy strategies.

    Learn More: https://www.rascapitalpartners.com/r-...

    Become a CEO Zones Member: https://ceozones.com/apply

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    43 mins