CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.co

IAM2602 - Unlocking Progress: Strategic Moves for Tomorrow

In this episode, Gresh shares the highs, lows, and lessons in real‑time creates a roadmap for fellow founders and holds you accountable. 

He also shares on building a Lead‑Gen Ecosystem First – Before scaling, focus on a self‑sustaining machine that continuously feeds qualified leads into your pipeline. It’s the foundation of a repeatable growth model.

Gresh wants to adopt a Marathon Mindset – Speed isn’t everything; pacing yourself, iterating, and avoiding “move‑too‑fast” mistakes leads to lasting results.

• Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2601 - Get Back in the Game: Basketball Workout

In this episode, Gresh shares candid reflections on his current stage: experimenting with organic lead generation, resisting the pressure to buy leads, and navigating the inevitable ups and downs of building a business.

He recounts a nostalgic basketball‑style sprint workout that reminded him how past discipline still fuels his present mindset, emphasizing that mental blocks often become self‑fulfilling unless you keep moving forward.

A pending call with a potential funder highlights the mix of optimism and uncertainty that comes with early‑stage entrepreneurship.

Ultimately, Gresh stresses the importance of taking one day at a time, staying strategic, and leaning into what works while continually refining the approach. 

• Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2600 - Podcaster Helps Entrepreneurs Understand about Authentic Thought Leadership

In this episode, Nick McGowan talks about Thought Leadership - it's your personal lens on what matters to you.

He likens it to painting, music, or a podcast—any medium that lets your inner voice shine.

Nick also shares why podcasting works for him. Verbal communication is his super‑power; podcasting let him heal, mentor, and broadcast ideas publicly that he’d otherwise share behind closed doors.

Website: themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com

Youtube: themindsetandselfmasteryshow

LinkedIn: thenickmcgowan

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded.

Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2599 - Author and Coach Helps Leaders and Teams Realize Peace of Mind and Confidence

Lee Eisenstadt is the founder of the Leading with Courage Academy in Chicago. After a new managing partner swept away the C‑suite at the fifth‑largest accounting firm, Lee pivoted from seeking another full‑time role to taking on one‑off projects that leveraged his expertise in client‑loyalty assessments and cost‑streamlining.

A series of interim consulting gigs—culminating in a three‑year interim COO position—revealed to him that he could never be “fired” again and set the stage for launching his own leadership‑development business. Lee’s firm offers a data‑driven toolbox of assessments, workshops, and coaching—including DISC, emotional‑intelligence, and employee‑engagement surveys grounded in his book- Leading with Courage.

He emphasizes that self‑awareness is rare—only 12‑15 % of people truly possess it—and that CEOs must cultivate the courage to ask for honest feedback and act on it.

Website: www.lwcacademy.com

LinkedIn: leeeisenstaedt

 

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded.

Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2598 - Entrepreneur Inspires Leaders to Move Beyond Barriers and Limitations

Alicia Houston is a former biotech founder who spent over a decade scaling her company before selling it for a seven‑figure sum. 

Alicia works primarily with small‑ to medium‑sized businesses, viewing them as mirrors of her own early entrepreneurial experience. 

Leveraging her background in neuroscience, she helps leaders understand the brain’s wiring, hormonal influences, and neural pathways that can create mental blocks, enabling them to “hack” their own thinking and develop new habits. 

Her approach blends scientific insight with practical coaching to unlock both individual and organizational potential, ultimately allowing the entire team to serve the shared vision more effectively.

Website: alyciahuston.com

Facebook: AlyciaHuston
Instagram: alyciahuston

 

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2597 - Keep Jogging: Embrace Your Journey

In this special episode, Gresh reflects on the past year, noting that his original focus on the franchise‑broker business has been pushed to the side as unexpected demands arose in his digital‑marketing venture. 

Despite the shift, he remains optimistic, pointing to early signs of opportunity. He uses a marathon metaphor to describe the entrepreneurial journey: there are fast‑paced stretches, moments to pause, hydrate, and refocus, but the race never truly ends. 

This mindset keeps him motivated, especially after a recent workout that reminded him of the constant nature of progress.

Looking ahead, Gresh is eager to keep leveling up in both his personal health and his brokerage business. He plans to leverage the experiences he’s documenting, run experiments, and share future updates with the audience. 

• Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2596 - Finding Leads Like a Pro: Tips Unveiled

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless Jr. launches a new “Franchise CEO” segment within the IAMCEO podcast to chronicle his BlueStar Franchise startup, offering aspiring entrepreneurs a real‑time look at the challenges and decisions involved in building a business.

He now targets people who publicly ask franchising‑related questions on podcasts, social media, and newsletters, aiming for a handful of high‑quality conversations each week instead of a high volume of low‑quality leads.

To sustain this pipeline, he aggregates prospects from YouTube, his newsletter, Facebook groups, and other social channels into a single master list. While he feels “nine months behind schedule,” he believes the slower, relationship‑focused approach will reduce wasted effort and generate better long‑term opportunities.

• Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2595 - Always Another Level: Embrace the Journey

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless shares insights from top leaders and announces a new “Franchise CEO” series that will chronicle his own launch of Blue Star Franchise, offering a real‑time case study for aspiring entrepreneurs.

He uses a grueling Peloton push‑up ladder workout as a metaphor for growth, stressing that waiting for others to catch up keeps you stuck. Instead, he embraces the mindset that there’s always “another level” to reach—whether in business, fitness, or personal development—and commits to pushing past comfort zones.

Gresham addresses a team member’s lack of focus, declaring a clear “in‑or‑out” stance to enforce accountability. 

• Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2594 - Is the Agency Model a Relic of the Past?

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the evolving nature of the traditional agency model, questioning whether it's truly obsolete or simply transforming.

 

He shares that his move into franchise brokerage was driven by a desire to break away from the often rigid and inefficient agency structure and to build something that leveraged his marketing expertise into ownership and long-term value. 

 

He emphasizes that while AI has certainly disrupted the industry by offering fast, accessible tools, it lacks the nuance, context, and experience that seasoned professionals bring.

 

Gresham believes there's a critical need for tools and resources, like CEO Hacks, that help distill information and guide decision-making amid the overwhelming flood of new technologies.

 

• Blue Star Franchise: http://bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: https://bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: http://bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site - coming soon) - http://franchiseceo.co

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

IAM2593 - CEO Helps Business Professionals with an All‑In‑One Business Services and Reseller Opportunity

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Engles, the visionary behind MyGig – a full‑stack affiliate platform that equips business professionals to earn recurring income while delivering every essential service a modern company needs, from tax‑credit optimization and IT security to PEO‑backed HR, CRM automation, financing, credit‑building, and even fractional CMO marketing.

Gary’s journey is anything but ordinary. He launched a martial‑arts‑based leadership academy at 22, sold it, turned COO of a trading‑education firm, helped multiple companies prep for lucrative exits, and now runs MyGig’s “business‑in‑a‑box” ecosystem.

He’ll share how his 35‑year martial‑arts discipline shapes his leadership philosophy, why staying in your “area of genius” is the ultimate productivity hack, and the exact SaaS tools he wishes he’d had when he first started.

If you’re a founder looking to streamline operations, boost revenue, or become a certified MyGig reseller, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, real‑world examples, and the secret sauce that lets you focus on vision while outsourcing the rest. Tune in, take notes, and get ready to level up your business—fast.

LinkedIn: garyengels

Website: www.joinmygig.com

Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. 

I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!