Episodes

  • AI #074: Slow Down to Scale Up: Neil Katz on Playing the Long Game in Business- Neil Katz
    Aug 5 2025

    In this new episode, host Joe Testouri sits down with Neil Katz, a seasoned fractional HR leader with decades of wisdom, patience, and perspective under his belt.

    Neil opens up about the pivotal moments that led him to choose slowing down as a conscious business strategy—revealing how intentional pauses, thoughtful decisions, and long-term thinking became his unfair advantage in a fast-paced world. From his corporate climb to his transition into fractional leadership, Neil shares why scaling up isn’t always about speed, and how real growth happens when you zoom out and play the long game.

    Whether you're a founder, HR leader, or simply someone reevaluating the pace of your professional journey, this conversation will give you both the mindset and practical insights to grow with clarity and intention.

    EP Guest: Neil Katz
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkatzhr/
    Website: https://www.exceptionalhrsolutions.com/

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    39 mins
  • AI #073: Burnout, Bloat, and Blind Spots: The Real Reason Founders Need a Strategic CFO - Eric Josovitz
    Jul 29 2025

    In this new episode, Joe welcomes Eric Josovitz, the sharp-minded founder of AdaptCFO — a strategic accounting firm built specifically for fast-growing small and mid-sized businesses.

    Eric doesn’t just balance books — he helps founders reclaim sanity. In this conversation, we unpack how burnout, operational bloat, and financial blind spots silently sabotage even the most passionate entrepreneurs.

    Eric shares:1. Why traditional accounting fails scaling companies
    2. The real cost of not having strategic financial leadership
    3.How founders can spot early warning signs of financial misalignment
    4. Why clarity is the most underrated tool in business growth


    Whether you're drowning in decisions or running lean but feeling lost — this episode is a powerful reminder that numbers don’t lie... but they need to be interpreted by the right people.

    If you're a founder, CEO, or operator juggling growth and stress, this is your call to pause and re-strategize.

    EP Guest: Eric Josovitz
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/josovitz
    Website: http://www.adaptcfo.com

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • AI #072: What If You Die at 40? Urgency, Empathy, and Building a Business That Matters - Zach Nunn
    Jul 22 2025

    In Episode 72 of the Grappling Growth podcast, host Joe Testouri sits down with Zach Nunn, the dynamic Founder & CEO of Building XM Solutions, for a raw and deeply reflective conversation.

    Zach doesn’t just talk business—he talks legacy. Drawing from personal moments and bold questions like “What if you die at 40?”, Zach shares why building with urgency and empathy isn't just a strategy—it's a responsibility. From creating impact-driven solutions to making work better for real people, Zach unpacks what it means to be intentional with your time, energy, and leadership.

    This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking purpose beyond profit, and wanting to create work that lasts longer than they do.

    Tune in to be challenged, inspired, and equipped to lead with heart.

    EP Guest: Zachary Nunn
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynunnphr
    Website: http://www.living-corporate.com
    Living Corporate Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mRmf9FpyH8GfhRNSQ1ZV9

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    46 mins
  • AI #071: From Business to Company: The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything - Jahmad Canley
    Jul 15 2025

    In this new episode, we sit down with Jahmad Canley — visionary leader, master storyteller, and the President & CEO of Potential Unleashed. With a powerful blend of lived experience and strategic insight, Jahmad unpacks the pivotal mindset shift that helped him transition from simply running a business to building a company with lasting impact.

    He shares how redefining leadership, embracing scalable culture, and focusing on systems over hustle helped him create a values-driven organization that truly unlocks human potential. From working with Fortune 500 companies to grassroots communities, Jahmad’s mission is clear: transformation starts within.

    If you're a founder, leader, or entrepreneur stuck in the weeds, this episode is your call to zoom out, refocus, and lead with intention.

    EP Guest: Jahmad Canley
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmad-canley-he-him-his-b70ba9a
    Website: http://www.potential-unleashed.com

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    50 mins
  • AI #070: The Sherpa Bot Revolution: How AI Became Agile Sherpas' Missing Puzzle Piece - Andrea Fryrear
    Jul 8 2025

    In this new episode of Grappling Growth, we’re joined by Andrea Fryrear, CEO and co-founder of AgileSherpas—a global leader in Agile marketing transformation. Andrea takes us behind the scenes of how her team discovered the final piece to their operational puzzle: artificial intelligence.

    We explore the journey from human-first agility to AI-augmented performance, how AgileSherpas integrates AI into their systems and services, and why Andrea believes that the future of high-performing marketing teams lies in a seamless dance between strategic sherpas and smart bots.

    From the evolution of Agile practices to the unexpected turning points in her leadership journey, this is a conversation packed with insight for anyone scaling teams, navigating transformation, or just wondering how to make AI truly useful in real-world business.

    Episode Guest: Andrea Fryrear
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/afryrear
    Website: http://www.agilesherpas.com

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    31 mins
  • AI #069: The Talent House Always Wins: How to Make Smarter People Decisions With Data - Nathan Guard
    Jul 1 2025

    In this special episode, I’m joined by Nathan Guard, a visionary in talent intelligence and a Founder, CEO at TalentThrive. Nathan unpacks the data-driven methods behind building high-performing teams, retaining top talent, and making smarter hiring decisions in a world where culture, capability, and character must align.

    We explore how the right people decisions—when backed by data and context—can fundamentally change the trajectory of a company. From real-world case studies to frameworks that Talent House uses to give companies a competitive edge, this episode is packed with insight for founders, hiring managers, and leaders alike.

    Whether you’re scaling your team, struggling with retention, or trying to turn people problems into strategic wins—this one’s for you.


    Episode Guest: Nathan Guard
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanguard
    Website: http://www.talent-thrive.com

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    32 mins
  • AI #068: Why the Future of Business Is Regenerative—Not Just Sustainable - Alistair Gordon & Darin Fox
    Jun 24 2025

    In this episode, I’m joined by Alistair Gordon and Darin Fox, co-authors and visionary leaders behind the groundbreaking book Regenerative Work. Together, they challenge the traditional mindset of sustainability and make the case for a bold new business paradigm—regeneration.

    We unpack why “doing less harm” isn’t enough in today’s economic and ecological climate, and what it truly means to create companies that give more than they take. From corporate leadership to culture design and value-driven systems, Alistair and Darin share powerful frameworks that help businesses not just survive, but thrive—while healing the world around them.

    Whether you're a CEO, startup founder, or curious leader, this conversation will radically shift how you think about growth, purpose, and impact.


    Topics Covered:

    • The difference between sustainable and regenerative business models

    • How regenerative leadership transforms teams

    • Real-life examples of companies applying regenerative principles

    • The future of work in a climate-conscious world


    Listen in to discover why regeneration is more than a buzzword—it’s the blueprint for the next era of business.

    Guest: Alistair Gordon & Darin Fox
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-gordon-5a69349
    Website: http://www.expertunity.global

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    50 mins
  • AI #067: FOBO, Microlearning & The $37K Mistake: The True Cost of Losing Talent- Jon Grannis
    Jun 17 2025

    In this eye-opening episode, Joe Testouri sits down with Jon Grannis—learning strategist, talent development advocate, and founder of Sollah—to dive deep into the hidden costs of indecision, the power of microlearning, and the $37,000 mistake that reshaped how he views talent retention forever.

    Jon shares raw insights on FOBO (Fear of Better Options) and how it's paralyzing companies from making confident, people-centered decisions. He walks us through real-world stories where poor onboarding and underinvesting in learning cost businesses more than they ever realized—not just in dollars, but in people.

    We explore the rise of bite-sized, personalized learning (microlearning) as a solution for a rapidly evolving workforce, and why rethinking employee development isn’t just a "nice to have"—it's a survival strategy.

    Whether you’re a business leader, HR professional, or startup founder, this episode will challenge how you view talent, growth, and the systems you're building around them.

    Tune in to learn what Jon would do differently, and how you can avoid making the same costly mistake.

    Episode Guest: Jon Grannis
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jongrannis
    Website: http://www.sollah.com

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    36 mins