Episode Links:

Perlow Productions - https://www.perlowproductions.com

Email Mike -- mike@perlowproductions.com

The Connective -- https://www.theconnective.me/

LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeperlow/

Summary:

In this episode of The Corvus Effect, I welcome Mike Perlow, the unintentional entrepreneur who leverages his storytelling expertise from TV sportscasting to help businesses create videos that deliver real ROI. As President of Perlow Productions, Mike has discovered that success isn't just about great content - it's about building the right networks and asking the right questions.

Mike shares his journey from covering the Red Sox's historic 2004 World Series run as a NESN broadcaster to building a thriving video production company. He reveals why most businesses answer the wrong marketing question and how this fundamental misunderstanding costs them customers. Through candid stories about his evolution from control freak to collaborative leader, Mike demonstrates how authentic relationships and strategic preparation drive sustainable business growth.

Show Notes:

00:30 Meet Mike Perlow: The Unintentional Entrepreneur

01:38 Mike's Journey with the Red Sox

04:31 The Birth of Perlo Productions

06:08 Building a Business from Scratch

09:45 The Importance of Storytelling in Business

11:10 Adapting to Technological Changes

13:03 Animation and Complex Storytelling

14:21 Common Mistakes in Business Storytelling

17:50 The Value of Preparation and Collaboration

21:25 Reflecting on Impact and Achievements

22:49 Impact of Fundraising and Team Collaboration

23:26 Transactional vs. Relational Work Approaches

26:06 Delegation and Trust in Leadership

34:55 Balancing Work and Family Life

37:59 YouTube Channel Review Offer

39:09 The Connective: B2B Networking

41:42 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Summary:

This episode features a "Too Long, Didn't Listen" (TLDL) summary of my conversation with Andrew Hartman, founder of Time Boss and fractional COO. In this focused dive, we explore Andrew's transformative journey from a burnt-out executive who lost his sense of smell from stress to someone who has mastered the art of sustainable high performance.

The key insights include his revolutionary concept of treating time like cash rather than credit, the power of strategic constraints in driving creativity, and his game-changing approach to achieving true presence at home through commitment plans rather than endless to-do lists.

Andrew's marathon analogy for finding your highest sustainable pace offers a powerful framework for ambitious leaders who want both professional excellence and personal fulfillment. His story proves that you don't need to choose between results and relationships.

Show Notes:

01:24 The Grind Works Until It Doesn't

02:25 Time as Cash Philosophy

03:36 Presence Through Systems

Episode Links:

Time Boss -- https://timeboss.us

Weekly Operating System Masterclass -- https://www.timeboss.us/masterclass

Andrew Hartman LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhartman/

Cal Newport / Deep Work -- https://calnewport.com/writing/#deep

Summary:

In this episode of The Corvus Effect, I sit down with Andrew Hartman, founder of Time Boss and fractional COO, whose journey from burnout to balance offers profound insights for ambitious leaders. At 27, Andrew discovered the devastating cost of grinding without boundaries when stress literally took away his sense of smell for six months. This wake-up call launched his 15-year quest to discover what he calls his "highest sustainable pace."

Andrew's Time Boss framework challenges the hustle culture mentality that dominates today's leadership landscape. Through candid storytelling and practical wisdom, he reveals how treating time like cash instead of credit can transform both professional results and personal relationships. His approach proves that excellence doesn't require sacrificing family presence or personal wellbeing.

The conversation explores the emotional complexity of time management, the hidden costs of multitasking, and why most leaders struggle with boundaries that actually stick. Andrew shares how his daily review process allows him to completely disconnect from work and be fully present with his wife Kelly and children Emma and Luke.

For leaders caught in the endless cycle of always being "on," this episode offers a roadmap to sustainable success without the burnout. Andrew's insights reveal that the most successful leaders aren't those who work the most hours, but those who work within intentional constraints that force creativity and preserve what matters most.

Show Notes:

00:32 Meet Andrew Hartman: Founder of Time Boss

02:59 Understanding the Grind Trap

04:42 The Imposter Syndrome Connection

05:30 The Cost Revelation

06:42 Accepting Finiteness

07:51 Time as Cash Philosophy

10:44 Finding Highest Sustainable Pace

11:30 The Marathon Analogy

15:07 Strategic Constraints Drive Creativity

16:24 The Development Through Delegation

18:27 Installing the Framework

20:39 The Multitasking Trap

23:52 Building Boundaries That Stick

24:56 Retraining Relationships

26:46 The Presence Problem

27:06 The Room on Fire Solution

31:59 Living the Framework

35:57 When Plans Need to Flex

37:58 Message to my kids: Emma and Luke