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

IAM2498 - The Power of Checking In: Broker's Journey

Gresham Harkless discusses missing his day 178 recording due to a disrupted routine caused by his baby’s sleep regression and adjusting to a time zone change, focusing on how life’s unpredictability can impact consistency.

 

Gresham highlights the isolating nature of this work, which can sometimes cause one to lose sight of the purpose and approach.

 

He emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment, anchored in faith, and cites 1 Corinthians 3:7 to reinforce that true growth comes from God, not solely from personal effort. 

 

Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful, referencing a trainer’s experience where things began to shift after five months, suggesting that persistence can eventually lead to progress and clarity.

• 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!

IAM2497 - Don't Throw in the Towel - Here's Why

Gresham Harkless shares a raw and motivating message centered on perseverance through difficult times. He reflects on feeling discouraged, as though life isn’t aligning in his favor, to emphasize the importance of staying consistent and committed to the work, especially in a results-driven business where one franchise sale can completely shift momentum. 

 

Gresham recognizes moments in the past when he gave up and how deeply he regrets them, using that experience to encourage listeners not to "throw in the towel" now.

 

In addition, he points out that enduring hard moments builds the resilience and strength needed for future challenges, and reminds us all that we’re closer to our goals than when we began.

• 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!

IAM2496 - When Nothing Goes Right: Finding Your Path Forward

Gresham Harkless shares a deeply personal moment in his entrepreneurial path, expressing the emotional weight of a season where nothing seems to be going right, professionally or personally.

 

He discusses the cumulative toll of losing loved ones, the underperformance of his digital marketing business despite team growth, and the stagnation of CB Nation, all of which have left him questioning his progress. 

 

Despite these challenges, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith, practicing mindfulness, and reframing struggles as opportunities for resilience and growth. 

 

 Gresham highlights the importance of acknowledging small victories, facing challenges with mindful resilience rather than bottling them up, and staying rooted in the belief that obstacles can lay the groundwork for a strong comeback.

 

• 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!

IAM2495 - Senior Vice-President Helps Clients in Driving Innovation in High-Performance Buildings and Sustainable Design

Susan Heinking is the Senior Vice President of High Performance and Sustainable Construction at Pepper Construction Group, one of the largest contractors in the Midwest and a national leader in sustainable building practices.

 

Susan explains how she helps bridge the gap between design intent and construction execution, making sure sustainable choices, such as energy-efficient systems and healthier building materials, are both practical and aligned with the client’s goals.

 

She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, noting that successful building projects require constant communication among architects, contractors, and tradespeople, as well as shared responsibility for long-term outcomes. 

 

Moreover, her approach blends thoughtful preparation with flexibility, always focused on building a better, more sustainable future.

 

Website: Pepper Construction 

LinkedIn: Susan Heinking

 

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!

IAM2494 - Wealth Builder Helps Clients With Tax Planning and Preparation

Jeff Badu is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), entrepreneur, and wealth strategist dedicated to helping individuals and businesses build and sustain generational wealth. 

 

Jeff founded Badu Enterprises LLC, a global company that owns Badu Tax Services, a top virtual tax firm with clients across the U.S. and five countries. 

 

Jeff specializes in tax planning, financial coaching, and real estate investment, particularly focused on revitalizing underserved communities such as Chicago’s South Side. 

 

Jeff emphasizes automation, virtual assistants, and systems thinking to streamline operations and scale impact.

 

He recommends starting with a clear mission, learning from mentors early, and focusing on legacy-building through smart strategy and leadership development.

 

Website: Jeff Badu 

LinkedIn: Jeff Badu, CPA

 

Previous Episode: iam302-wealth-builder-helps-clients-with-tax-planning-and-preparation

 

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!

IAM2493 - Best-selling Author Helps Executives Make Major Changes in Their Organisation

Ron Carucci is the co-founder and managing partner at Navalent, a boutique consulting firm that works with CEOs and senior executives navigating complex change. He is a best-selling author of eight books, a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes, and a two-time TEDx speaker. 

 

Ron highlights the harsh truths about being a CEO, describing it as a role marked by loneliness, limited actual power, and an unforgiving spotlight. 

 

He discusses how Navalent supports leaders, especially first-time CEOs, by helping them transition effectively, develop strategy, lead transformations, and build authentic, high-performing cultures.

 

Ron advocates powerful leadership wisdom, including the need to live by your mission statement, accept discomfort, and embrace the responsibility that comes with leadership’s disproportionate influence.

 

Website: Navalent 

LinkedIn: Ron Carucci

 

Previous Episode: iam298-best-selling-author-helps-executives-make-major-changes-in-their-organisation

 

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!

IAM2492 - 166 Days into the Franchise Broker Journey

In this special episode of day 166 of the Franchise Broker journey, Gresham Harkless reflects on a moment of late-night clarity that led him to reassess his direction and strengths. 

 

Gresham realizes that his content creation and digital marketing expertise could be the key to transforming how franchise leads are generated and converted.

 

He identifies a major opportunity in improving the quality and conversion of leads, noting that while he has generated around 120 leads, only about 10–20% have turned into deals, and even fewer have advanced meaningfully. 

 

Additionally, he highlights the potential of co-brokering, collaborating with other brokers to help close deals, as a key part of the future strategy.

• 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!

IAM2491 - To Sign or Not? Uncovering the Cause

Gresham Harkless reflects on day 164 of his journey as a franchise broker, centering his thoughts around a recent presentation on a sales mastery program. While the program initially caught his interest, he’s uncertain whether the $3,000 cost would effectively tackle his main challenge—consistently generating high-quality leads.

 

Gresham recognizes a pattern of time constraints interfering with his goals and feels torn between needing more advanced sales training versus simply increasing lead volume and improving lead quality. 

 

Gresham leans toward exploring more targeted lead generation resources, specifically mentioning Alex Hormozi’s content, as potentially more impactful. 

 

Furthermore, he highlights the importance of understanding client pain points to create more relevant content and strategies.

 

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!

IAM2490 - Secrets of the Franchise Broker Journey

Gresham Harkless shares a transparent and reflective update marked by personal life events and professional roadblocks. After missing the previous day’s video due to his son’s birthday and a long bike ride, he dives into the core issues he’s facing: lead quality, conversion uncertainty, and growing frustration. 

 

Gresham highlights the difficulty of identifying which marketing channels or candidate profiles are effective, as the current results lack clear patterns.

 

He reflects on whether his abilities are well-suited for the broker role, and begins to wonder if launching a franchise himself would have made more sense. Despite feeling mentally drained and unsure when to cut losses, he remains cautiously optimistic, reminding himself that even two to four successful deals could change everything.

• 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!

IAM2489 - The Secret Life of a Traveling Broker

Gresham Harkless takes a moment to reflect on recent progress in his personal life and franchise broker journey while spending time in Austin with his wife’s family. He shares that travel went smoothly with their baby and expressed hopes of reconnecting with a local franchisee candidate who had previously gone silent.

 

From a business standpoint, he's testing various outreach methods, such as cold DMs and Meta ads—efforts that generated strong engagement but ultimately didn’t lead to any conversions.

 

Gresham recognizes that content creation is his core strength and sees an opportunity to shift away from ad-heavy strategies toward more meaningful, relationship-based growth through storytelling and podcasting.

 

• 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!