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

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upbringing in an entrepreneurial household influenced his career and how Drift was born out of a desire to modernize outdated sales and marketing tools that no longer fit today’s buyer-centric landscape.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

 

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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!

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!

IAM2532 - The Art of Persistence: From Ghosting to Meeting

Gresham Harkless reflects on the critical role of persistence and resilience in business, particularly within entrepreneurship, consulting, and franchising. 

 

He emphasizes that success isn’t solely about talent, money, or intelligence; it’s often about the willingness to keep going despite setbacks.

 

Inspired by concepts from Angela Duckworth’s Grit, Gresham shares a real-life example involving a candidate who initially ghosted him, then briefly reappeared, only to disappear again.

 

Gresham also highlights the unique challenges of working with entrepreneurial-minded individuals, who may lack traditional follow-through yet possess the drive needed for franchising success.

• 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!

IAM2531 - Embrace Change: Mastering the Art of Pivots

In this special episode, Gresham Harkless is in a transitional phase of his franchise broker journey, approaching day 197 with a mindset shift toward embracing the unpredictability and learning that comes with building a business.

 

Gresham explores the value of high-ticket sales through deeper, trust-based conversations rather than chasing volume. 

 

Reflecting on his results so far, he highlights that out of roughly 200 leads, only a handful turned into quality conversations, and just one might be nearing a deal.

 

Gresham acknowledges that he's still in the early "baby giraffe" stage of development, unsteady but learning, and is increasingly drawn to a long-game approach where he acts as a connector and co-creator in the franchise industry.

 

Gresham intends to evolve into more of a "connection broker", someone who doesn’t just sell but helps co-create opportunities by doing things differently, like strategic content creation and deeper, more intentional networking.

• 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!

IAM2530 - Award-Winning Scriptwriter Specializes in Rewrites that Elevate Scripts into Production-Ready Projects

Joy Cheriel Brown is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright, author, speaker, and professor of screenwriting at Howard University. 

 

She went on to teach high school from 2008 to 2011, during which she committed to making “three shorts and a feature.” 

 

In 2012, she officially launched her production company, Third Person Omniscient Productions, a name that reflects her writer-first philosophy and belief in storytelling as a force for change. 

 

One of her most personal and acclaimed works, N.O.S., is based on her first psychotic episode and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

 

Joy identifies her unwavering commitment to storytelling as her unique strength, along with her spiritual insight and resilience.

 

Her internal drive to meet goals, even when facing emotional blocks or personal challenges, keeps her focused and productive.

 

Joy shares the empowering belief that “everything happens in your favor and for your highest good.” Even setbacks, like the delayed funding for N.O.S., worked out in divine timing, allowing her to use the perfect filming location that wouldn’t have been available earlier.

LinkedIn: Joy Cheriel Brown 

Instagram: @joycheriel 

 

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!

IAM2529 - Branding Consultant Helps Clients Communicate Their Awesomeness

Tiffany Hoeckelman is the founder and CEO of Lone Orange, a virtual brand consulting firm dedicated to helping solopreneurs build powerful, authentic brands through strategy, systems, and storytelling.

 

Tiffany’s passion for supporting solopreneurs shines through in her belief that branding is about identity, not just imagery. She teaches that it begins with self-awareness, clear communication, and systems that turn vision into a consistent client experience.

 

She recounts how an early trademark dispute necessitated a rebranding effort, which proved to be a crucial catalyst for gaining clearer direction and a more defined mission.

 

Tiffany combines her creative branding expertise with a strong affinity for systems and structure, helping clients scale their businesses with clarity and integrity, without compromising their core values.

 

Furthermore, her “Know, Communicate, and Be” framework helps clients align every part of their brand with their purpose, attract like-minded customers, and build teams that enhance rather than dilute their identity. 

 

Website: Lone Orange 

LinkedIn: Tiffany Hoeckelman 

Facebook: Lone Orange

 

Previous Episode: iam319-branding-consultant-helps-clients-communicate-their-awesomeness

 

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!

IAM2528 - Podcast Host and Business Coach Teaches Entrepreneurs to Embrace Fear

Josh Cary is a speaker, podcast host, and business coach who helps entrepreneurs shed the masks they wear and step fully into their authentic selves. 

 

As the founder of The Hidden Entrepreneur Podcast, Josh draws from his powerful journey, having spent over 40 years hiding behind fear and seeking approval, to teach others how to overcome self-doubt, embrace vulnerability, and lead with purpose. 

 

Josh committed to daily self-improvement, starting small with habits like waking up earlier, meditating, and prioritizing purposeful action.

 

Josh emphasizes the importance of aligning your actions with your long-term legacy and encourages others to define how they want to be remembered. 

 

Website: Hidden Entrepreneur 

LinkedIn: Josh Cary

 

Previous Episode: iam318-podcast-host-and-business-coach-teaches-entrepreneurs-to-embrace-fear

 

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!

IAM2527 - Unlock Your Future on Day 204!

Gresham Harkless shares a powerful and personal update centered around his 38th birthday, using the day as a moment of introspection and realignment.

 

He recalls being on a podcast at 11:38 AM, the exact time he was born, which he felt was perfectly on brand and symbolic of his purpose-driven journey. 

 

A standout moment from his birthday was the hydro float therapy session, where the calm, weightless experience in saltwater offered a clear reminder that sometimes progress comes not from effort, but from learning to release and trust the flow.

 

Gresham reflects on how entrepreneurs often carry the weight of constant decision-making, leadership responsibilities, and personal obligations, and how experiences like floating remind him that release can lead to greater clarity and peace. 

 

Additionally, Gresham expresses excitement for the future, believing that the seeds he planted are beginning to grow and that through consistent action and spiritual trust, transformation is already underway.

 

• 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!