Episodes

  • Nate Randle - CEO of Gabb

    Nate Randle - CEO of Gabb
    May 12 2025

    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Nate Randle, CEO of Gabb, a company focused on creating a safe tech environment for children.

    Nate shares his career journey from sports to tech, highlighting roles at Nike, Callaway Golf, and the Utah Jazz, before transitioning to tech firms like Vivint and Qualtrics. He discusses Gabb's mission to protect children from social media dangers while fostering family connections.

    The episode also explores leadership lessons, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the challenges of entering the competitive telecom market.


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    34 mins
  • Ken Gavranovic - CEO of Product Genius Corporation

    Ken Gavranovic - CEO of Product Genius Corporation
    Apr 7 2025

    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Ken Gavranovic, a seasoned entrepreneur and former CEO of Web.com. Ken shares his journey in scaling Web.com to significant growth and a successful IPO during the early internet era. Key insights include the importance of automation, marketing strategies, and data-driven decision-making. Ken emphasizes understanding customer needs, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and integrating AI to enhance business operations. He also discusses the transformative potential of AI, particularly for small businesses, and underscores the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in leadership.

    For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthElevated.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠.
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    40 mins
  • Tom Lineen - Founder & President, West Town Payments

    Tom Lineen - Founder & President, West Town Payments
    Mar 25 2025

    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Tom Lineen, a seasoned leader in the payments industry and founder of West Town Payments. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, Tom's company focuses on underserved markets like hemp and CBD. Tom shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the challenges of finding a banking partner and the strategic decisions that led to his company's success. He emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and leveraging technology. The episode offers valuable insights into navigating business growth during challenging times.


    For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthElevated.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠.
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    26 mins
  • Rob Kaminski - Co-Founder & Partner, Fletch PMM

    Rob Kaminski - Co-Founder & Partner, Fletch PMM
    Mar 10 2025

    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Rob Kaminski, co-founder of Fletch Product Market Management. They explore the challenges technology startups face in product marketing and positioning. Key themes include the importance of clear messaging, the pitfalls of broad target definitions, and the necessity of a focused approach. Rob shares his journey and insights from consulting with over 300 startups, emphasizing the need for specificity in defining value propositions. The episode provides valuable strategies for startups to refine their messaging, target their audience effectively, and navigate market complexities.


    For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthElevated.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠.
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    43 mins
  • Kathy Slowinski - CEO, Trilogy

    Kathy Slowinski - CEO, Trilogy
    Feb 27 2025

    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli interviews Kathy Slowinski, a turnaround CEO known for revitalizing distressed software companies at Trilogy Software. Kathy shares her journey in the tech industry and discusses her operational strategies, including cost-cutting, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and integrating AI to enhance business performance. She emphasizes the importance of transparency, customer engagement, and making tough leadership decisions. Kathy also highlights the benefits of measuring AI usage within teams and fostering a competitive spirit. The episode offers valuable insights for tech leaders and entrepreneurs navigating company transformations.


    For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthElevated.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠.
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    40 mins
  • Dan Lambert - Former CEO, PathologyWatch

    Dan Lambert - Former CEO, PathologyWatch
    Feb 11 2025
    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli welcomes Dan Lambert, CEO of PathologyWatch. Julian introduces the podcast's focus on leadership and growth in tech companies and highlights the annual tech summit organized by Growth Elevated. Dan shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing his ventures in grocery couponing and medical education before delving into his current work in healthcare technology. PathologyWatch is working to improve cancer diagnostics through digitization of pathology tools and AI research. The episode emphasizes the importance of resilience, strong teams, and community support in navigating the challenges of the tech industry.For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthElevated.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.Timestamps:Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:02)Julian Castelli welcomes listeners and introduces the podcast's focus on leadership in technology companies.Community of Tech Founders (00:00:29)Julian discusses Growth Elevated, a community for tech founders, and mentions the annual tech summit in Utah.Introducing Dan Lambert (00:01:16)Julian introduces Dan Lambert, highlighting his entrepreneurial background and his current work with Pathology Watch.Dan's Founding Journey (00:02:15)Dan shares his experiences leading up to his current venture, emphasizing the challenges and learning from past startups.First Startup: Grocery Couponing (00:02:33)Dan describes his first company that enabled digital coupons in grocery stores, replacing outdated systems.Second Startup: Medical Education (00:04:05)Dan discusses his second venture, Board Vitals, which focused on providing medical education and compliance resources.Transition to Healthcare Technology (00:05:09)Dan explains how his experiences led to the founding of Pathology Watch, aiming to modernize pathology processes.Background in Medical Sciences (00:05:37)Dan reflects on his initial interest in medicine and how he transitioned to engineering and technology.MBA Experience (00:06:52)Dan shares insights from his MBA program, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives in business.Identifying the Cancer Challenge (00:08:24)Dan discusses the decision to tackle cancer, noting the advancements in radiology compared to pathology.Building a Comprehensive Solution (00:09:02)Dan explains the need for a complete solution in pathology, integrating software with laboratory processes.Understanding Pathology Watch's Customers (00:11:04)Dan clarifies who their customers are and the outdated processes they are replacing in pathology.Old Pathology Process (00:12:03)Dan describes the traditional manual process of analyzing biopsies and how it is inefficient.Pathology Watch's Digital Solution (00:12:51)Dan outlines how Pathology Watch digitizes slides and integrates with dermatologists' systems for better efficiency.Benefits of Digital Pathology (00:14:38)Dan highlights the advantages of digital pathology, including improved communication and patient care.Impact on Healthcare Costs (00:16:26)Dan discusses how their technology aims to reduce healthcare costs while improving cancer detection and treatment.Company Launch and Growth Timeline (00:17:33)Discussion on the timeline of Dan Lambert's company from inception to acquisition.Finding Co-Founders (00:17:44)Dan shares how he found his co-founders and their complementary skills.Anticipating Regulatory Changes (00:18:28)Importance of building a business with expected regulatory shifts in digital pathology.Client Engagement Strategy (00:19:12)The significance of consulting dermatologists before product development.Acquisition and Growth Metrics (00:21:17)Details on company growth, revenue, and the decision to sell or raise funds.Acquisition by Sonic Healthcare (00:22:14)Insights on the acquisition by Sonic Healthcare and its strategic advantages.Industry Adoption of Digital Pathology (00:23:10)Discussion on the rapid adoption of digital pathology as a standard of care.Regulatory Challenges in Health Tech (00:24:50)Challenges faced with compliance to various health regulations during startup.Staying Informed on Regulations (00:26:36)Methods for startups to keep up with complex health regulations.Leadership Lessons from Experience (00:28:19)Dan shares key leadership lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey.Importance of Hiring the Right People (00:29:31)Focus on recruiting top talent and maintaining cash flow as a CEO.Navigating Challenges as a CEO (00:30:05)Insights on recognizing when to delegate and not micromanage.Learning from Feedback (00:31:12)The value of early client feedback and how it shapes product development.Personal Impact of the Technology (00:32:13)Dan shares a personal story of how the technology saved his life.Recommendations for Entrepreneurs (00:33:43)Dan discusses his involvement in venture capital and suggests ...
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    35 mins
  • Jonathon Fishman - CEO & Co-Founder, LeanLaw

    Jonathon Fishman - CEO & Co-Founder, LeanLaw
    Jan 11 2025
    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Jonathon Fishman, a seasoned entrepreneur and leader in financial legal tech. Jonathon, a three-time founder, currently leads LeanLaw, a SaaS company that streamlines financial operations for law firms. The discussion explores Jonathon's journey, the evolution of LeanLaw, and the transformative impact of adopting the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Key topics include the importance of having the right leadership roles, the benefits of EOS in strategic alignment and accountability, and the challenges faced in refining their go-to-market strategy and talent management. For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthElevated.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on LinkedIn. Timestamps: (00:00:08) Julian Castelli welcomes listeners to the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, emphasizing leadership challenges in tech. Introduction of Jonathon Fishman (00:01:19) Julian introduces Jonathon Fishman, a three-time founder in financial legal tech, focusing on Lean Law. Overview of LeanLaw (00:02:12) Jonathon describes Lean Law as a SaaS company for law firms managing the financial lifecycle of clients. Origin of LeanLaw (00:03:27) Jonathon shares the founding story, highlighting Gary Allen's vision and the generational shift in law firms. Transition to Full-Time Commitment (00:04:48) Jonathon discusses the pivotal moment in 2020 when he decided to fully commit to LeanLaw. Leadership Structure and Challenges (00:06:38) Jonathon reflects on the challenges of leadership roles and the need for the right team dynamics. Capital and Leadership Evolution (00:07:33) He explains the need for outside capital and the importance of establishing a strong leadership structure. Adopting EOS Management Methodology (00:08:23) Jonathon introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) as a transformative framework for their company. Defining Roles Within EOS (00:10:06) He elaborates on the roles of visionary and integrator within EOS, emphasizing the need for clarity. Importance of EOS Framework (00:12:03) Jonathon highlights how EOS provided a structured management framework, aiding in company operations. Hiring an EOS Implementer (00:14:19) He discusses the benefits of hiring an EOS implementer for effective strategic planning and execution. Impact of EOS on Company Growth (00:15:20) Jonathon asserts that adopting EOS was a major turning point that significantly improved their operations. Key Changes Post-EOS Implementation (00:15:51) He outlines how EOS aligned strategic goals and created clarity through metrics and accountability. Framework for Evaluating Talent (00:18:12) Jonathon explains EOS's framework for assessing team members, emphasizing the importance of capacity. Understanding Capacity in Leadership (00:19:16) Discussion on the three levers of capacity, desire, and ability in leadership roles. Joining the Growth Accelerator (00:20:19) Jonathon shares his experience in the Growth Acts accelerator program and its impact on Lean Law. The Love Letter to Ideal Client Profile (00:21:18) Explaining the concept of a "love letter" to effectively communicate with the ideal client. Importance of Ideal Client Profile (00:22:40) Jonathon emphasizes the necessity of knowing and narrowing down the ideal client profile. Stage Appropriate Talent (00:24:46) Insight on hiring talent with experience suitable for the company's growth stage. Learning from Hiring Mistakes (00:25:32) Jonathon reflects on a hiring mistake due to a lack of stage-appropriate experience. Product Market Fit and Customer Journey (00:26:56) Discussion on achieving product market fit and the importance of a cohesive customer journey. Rev Ops Integration (00:32:35) The significance of hiring a revenue operations leader for understanding the customer journey. Hiring the Right Rev Ops Leader (00:35:12) Jonathon discusses the impact of hiring a stage-appropriate rev ops leader on company growth. Recommended Resources (00:35:38) Jonathon shares influential books and podcasts that have shaped his leadership approach.
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    38 mins
  • Trail Marker: Do You Have Five Pullers?

    Trail Marker: Do You Have Five Pullers?
    Dec 14 2024

    In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli delves into the important topic of team optimization, focusing on the "pushers versus pullers" leadership concept. He encourages Team Leaders to take the time to categorizes team members as "pullers," who drive progress and inspire others, and "pushers," who are not really carrying their weight and require excessive supervision, motivation and support. Julian emphasizes the importance of having a strong executive team of pullers to ensure success in 2025. He provides insights on identifying pushers, their impact on team morale, and the necessity of making changes to enhance team effectiveness. The episode offers practical advice for leaders to evaluate and improve their teams for the new year.


    For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthElevated.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.


    Timestamps:

    Introduction to Team Building (00:00:02)

    Overview of the podcast's focus on leadership challenges in growing technology companies.


    Push vs. Pull Framework (00:00:28)

    Discussion on evaluating team members as "pullers" or "pushers" for effective team dynamics.


    Identifying Pullers (00:01:10)

    Characteristics of pullers who drive progress and inspire their peers within the team.


    Recognizing Pushers (00:02:09)

    Identifying team members who require motivation and support, referred to as pushers.


    Concept Inspiration (00:03:01)

    Julian shares the inspiration behind the push vs. pull concept from another podcast.


    Santa Claus Analogy (00:03:58)

    Using Santa and his reindeer to illustrate the difference between pullers and pushers.


    CEO's Role in Team Dynamics (00:05:53)

    Importance of attracting and retaining a strong executive team for future success.


    Evaluating Team for 2025 (00:06:48)

    Encouraging leaders to assess if their team is suited for the challenges of 2025.


    Challenges of Team Composition (00:07:46)

    Discussing the common issue of needing the right team as companies evolve.


    Framework for Team Evaluation (00:10:26)

    Advice on categorizing team members into pullers, pushers, and maybes for assessment.


    Signs of Pushers (00:11:24)

    Five indicators that may suggest a team member is a pusher rather than a puller.


    Performance Indicators (00:12:21)

    Evaluating team performance as a primary sign of potential pushers.


    Team Turnover Issues (00:13:12)

    High turnover in a department may indicate a struggling leader or pusher.


    Defensive Behavior in Meetings (00:14:13)

    Signs of pushers being defensive or argumentative during executive meetings.


    Impact on Team Morale (00:15:03)

    Frustration among pullers can lead to losing high performers if pushers are not addressed.


    Final Thoughts on Team Composition (00:15:55)

    Encouragement to identify and replace pushers with pullers for success in 2025.
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    17 mins