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

IAM2542 - Founder Provides Affordable, Accessible Holistic Wellness Care

Michelle Pellizzon is a former professional dancer turned tech entrepreneur and the visionary founder of Holisticism, a wellness tech company dedicated to making holistic and alternative health care more accessible, inclusive, and empowering. 

 

Drawing from her diverse experience in the arts, technology, and holistic health, Michelle launched Holisticism as a modest passion project, one that rapidly grew into a vibrant digital community of more than 45,000 members.

 

Michelle believes the heart of Holisticism’s success lies in its community-first approach, built on truly listening and empowering people to take control of their healing journeys.

 

She highlights the importance of meditation for mental clarity and burnout prevention, and encourages CEOs to focus on making the next best decision rather than chasing perfection. 

 

Website: Holisticism

 

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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!

IAM2541 - My Surprise Birthday Secret

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless showed appreciation for his development so far, even if results haven’t matched his initial goals, recognizing that unpredictable market conditions and widespread hesitation have added complexity to the path.

 

A recent coaching session prompted him to recalibrate his target client profile and shift focus toward building referral relationships, particularly through rejoining a BNI networking group and leveraging his podcast as a platform to connect with potential partners.

 

He recognizes the importance of using digital marketing not just for direct leads but as a tool to foster strategic connections and enhance credibility. 

 

Gresham admits he wasn’t in the right place to begin his journey this way—balancing fatherhood and a steep learning curve—but he’s now more equipped to move forward with clarity and a focus on building meaningful relationships.

 

• 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!

IAM2540 - Speed Up Your Franchise Journey!

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on the importance of maintaining momentum and acting with speed in business.

 

Gresham shares insights from a recent call with a potential client tied to a traditional franchise brand, which highlighted major gaps in digital marketing and innovation, areas where many franchisors still fall short.

 

This experience emphasizes a clear gap in the market and reaffirms Gresham’s belief that there's a real opportunity to support and add value in this space.

 

Gresham recognizes that staying active, testing ideas with low risk, and leveraging networking groups are essential steps forward.

 

• 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!

IAM2539 - Master the Art of Decision-Making

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is thoughtfully considering how to join a networking group like BNI in a way that aligns with both his business goals and personal responsibilities. He’s confident that joining is the right move; it’s not a question of if, but how.

 

He’s aware of the standard 90-minute weekly meetings and the risk of overcommitting, and plans to stay engaged without getting pulled too deep into group roles.

 

Gresham plans to be intentional, focusing on meaningful one-on-one meetings, continuing his professional development, and using the connections he builds to create valuable content such as podcasts.

 

Additionally, he intends to stay engaged, form genuine connections, and ensure each interaction adds value, all while staying aligned with his bigger-picture goals.

• 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!

IAM2538 - Embrace New Beginnings: A Journey to Rediscovery

Gresham Harkless reflects on the challenges of a long and uncertain sales process, particularly in selling a business opportunity that lacks the clear, proven system of a traditional franchise.

 

He acknowledges the difficulty in balancing patience with the need for continuous improvement and occasional pivots, while also recognizing the value of sticking to what works.

 

Despite not having closed deals yet, Gresham celebrates small wins, such as successfully handing off prospects to his Zor and providing ongoing coaching.

 

Gresham plans to reinvigorate his approach starting on day 201 by joining a BNI networking chapter and focusing more on content creation, especially leveraging his podcast, to build momentum.

• 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!

IAM2537 - Founder and President Helps Businesses Get Found Online Through SEO

Bruce Clay is widely known as the “Father of SEO” and a pioneer in the digital marketing space since 1996. 

 

He went on to build Bruce Clay Inc., a leading company that helps businesses get found online through SEO, paid ads, content, and social media. 

 

Bruce is the author of the popular book Search Engine Optimization All-in-One for Dummies and has trained thousands of people through his website SEOtraining.com.

 

He discusses how AI is reshaping SEO, likening it to a new “Wild West,” and the importance of adapting to modern SERP (Search Engine Results Page) features beyond traditional rankings.

 

Bruce introduces his methodology using 12 personas to map user intent and strategically place intelligent, question-based calls to action (QCTAs) that convert. 

 

He highlights how SEO, PPC, content, and AI must now work in tandem under a unified brand strategy. 

 

Additionally, Bruce emphasized that brand visibility and sentiment are becoming critical ranking factors in AI-driven search.

 

Website: BruceClay 

LinkedIn: Bruce Clay

 

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!

IAM2536 - Serial Entrepreneur Creates Hyper Growth Products and Product Teams

David Cancel is a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and technology leader best known as the founder and Executive Chairman of Drift, the leading platform for conversational marketing and sales. 

 

With a career spanning five successful startups, including Performable, Compete, and Ghostery, David has built a reputation for creating high-growth products and scaling world-class teams. 

 

David shares how his upbringing in an entrepreneurial household influenced his career and how Drift was born out of a desire to modernize outdated sales and marketing tools that no longer fit today’s buyer-centric landscape.

 

He explains that traditional lead capture methods, like forms and email nurture sequences, are obsolete in a world where customers expect real-time, 24/7 access to solutions. 

 

David emphasizes that true innovation isn't just about software — it requires a complete cultural and data model shift, similar to how the social graph disrupted CRMs. 

 

David advocates for embracing mentorship and collective knowledge rather than learning every lesson through struggle, as the most important insights often come from others, and the earlier we internalize them, the better.

 

Website: Salesloft 

LinkedIn: David Cancel 

Instagram: dcancel

 

Previous Episode: iam330-serial-entrepreneur-creates-hypergrowth-products-and-product-teams

 

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!

IAM2535 - Coach Helps People Create Stable Intimate Relationships Full of Big Love

Alice Turpin-Johnson is a relationship coach and educator who helps individuals and couples create emotionally fulfilling, stable relationships without losing their sense of self. 

 

Alice shares her journey from being a high school teacher to launching her coaching practice, driven by her passion for emotional literacy, resilience, and empowering others to take creative control of their relationships. 

 

Alice emphasizes a personalized, human-centered approach, coaching clients to access their clarity, desires, and communication tools to build lasting love. 

 

She discusses how much having a solid support system matters in business and life, and reminds us that it’s totally normal if some people don’t get what you’re doing — they’re just not your people.

 

Alice advocates for others to believe that meaningful love is always within reach, and it starts with owning your feelings and taking charge of your relational choices.

 

Website: Alice TJ Coaching and Education 

LinkedIn: Alice Turpin-Johnson

 

Previous Episode: iam326-coach-helps-people-create-stable-intimate-relationships-full-of-big-love

 

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!

IAM2534 - BNI Mastery: Achieving Milestones

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless reflects on reaching the 200-day milestone in building his franchise brokerage business, sharing both the challenges and growth he experienced along the way.

 

Gresham highlights the overwhelming influx of emails, ranging from newsletters to campaign-related messages, that have made managing communications increasingly difficult.

 

He's running campaigns and has a developing pipeline of 5-6 potential candidates, though conversions are taking time.

 

Gresham is also reconsidering joining a BNI chapter, something he found valuable in the past, but is now looking for a virtual, noon-time group that fits his current parenting schedule.

• 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!

IAM2533 - The Turning Point: Restructuring Everything

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is in a defining phase of his journey, weighing whether ongoing adjustments can fix deeper issues or if it’s time to let go and start anew with a clean slate.

 

Despite attempts to streamline and restructure, there’s still a disconnect between the business’s operations, culture, and direction, further strained by the challenge of juggling too many roles and ventures at once.

 

Gresham emphasizes that the complexity and volume of moving parts have made it difficult to be fully present and effective, both internally and with clients.

 

In addition, Gresham is exploring whether beginning again, with the wisdom and tools he gathered, could open the door to a clearer, more purpose-aligned future.

 

• 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!