What does it really mean to become a CEO? For Matt Blumberg, multi-time CEO, founder, author, and board member, the answer isn’t about titles or authority, it’s about responsibility.

Matt explains that the CEO carries the weight of the entire company, navigating the highest highs and lowest lows, often at the same time. Drawing on decades of experience scaling companies, leading through crises, and mentoring founders, he shares candid lessons on what the CEO role really demands.

You’ll hear:

• Why great CEOs act as the company’s chief storyteller and ambassador
• What Matt learned leading through the dot-com crash, 9/11, and the financial crisis
• Why hiring for values is just as important as hiring for competence
• How successful companies stay ahead by constantly reinventing themselves
• Why writing and publishing content can clarify a leader’s thinking

Today, Matt is the CEO of Markup AI, the global leader in AI-powered content governance for enterprises. He also serves as Chairman of Bolster and hosts ‘The Daily Bolster’, a podcast for CEOs and senior leaders.

🌐 Learn more about Matt‘s work: https://startupceo.com/
📘 Order Matt’s book Startup CEO: https://www.amazon.com/Startup-CEO-Scaling-Business-Techstars/dp/1119723663/
🎙️ Listen to The Daily Bolster: https://podcast.bolster.com/public/142/The-Daily-Bolster-29d59cf2
🔗 Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blumbergmatt/

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Why do so many succession plans fail? For Jay Hummel, Co-Founder of Wealth Advisor Growth Network, the answer is rarely about numbers - it’s about leadership.

Jay believes leadership is about intentionality: preparing for succession well before it’s needed, building cultures defined by accountability, and having the courage to make decisions when others stall. He also unpacks why emotions often derail leaders more than strategy or finance ever do.

You’ll hear:

• Why true succession planning starts years before the transition
• The difference between hiring harvesters and hiring planters
• Why indecision at the top kills momentum everywhere else
• How culture is built through clarity and accountability, not perks
• Why emotions derail more businesses than financials ever do

Jay now advises leaders and firms on growth, succession, and culture, helping them navigate the financial and human side of leadership and transition.

🌐 Learn more about Jay’s work: https://wagn.biz/
📘 Order Jay’s book Success and Succession here: https://www.amazon.com/Success-Succession-Unlocking-Potential-Professional/dp/111905852X
🔗 Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-hummel/

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What does it take to grow from hustling founder to seasoned CEO? For Eytan Wiener, co-founder of Quantum Networks and former CEO of GETIDA, the answer is grit, agility, and relationships.

Eytan’s leadership journey wasn’t learned from theory. It was built through trial, error, and relentless persistence. From learning the hard way that money isn’t the ultimate motivator, to realizing that business success comes down to people and integrity, he shares candid lessons from scaling, exiting, and starting again.

You’ll hear:

• Why grit and agility matter more than having the “perfect” plan
• How scaling forces leaders to change their role and let go of control
• Why relationships and integrity are the real currency in business
• What Eytan learned about success after exiting his company
• Why he finds more fulfillment in the journey than the destination

Eytan now advises and invests in high-growth companies through his new company Potentiate Ventures, helping founders scale, raise, and exit with the benefit of real operator experience.

🌐 Learn more about Eytan’s work: https://www.potentiate.vc/
🔗 Connect with Eytan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eytanwiener/

Follow Becoming a CEO for more conversations with founders and CEOs about what it really takes to lead.