In this episode of Grappling Growth, we sit down with Jack Skeels—CEO, former RAND researcher, and trusted advisor and coach to executives—to unpack one of the biggest questions facing leaders today: Is AI really coming for our jobs?

Jack brings a rare blend of deep research, real-world leadership experience, and practical wisdom as he shares how project-based organizations can redesign the way work actually works in the age of AI. Instead of fear-driven narratives, this conversation explores what’s really changing, which roles are most at risk, and how leaders can future-proof their teams by rethinking systems, workflows, and human value.

If you’re a business leader, executive, or professional navigating uncertainty, this episode will challenge your assumptions, sharpen your thinking, and help you see AI not just as a threat—but as a catalyst for smarter, more meaningful work.

EP Guest: Jack Skeel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackaskeels/

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Jack Shade — CEO, former RAND Corporation researcher, and trusted advisor and coach to executives — to unpack what leadership really looks like when the stakes are high and the decisions truly matter.

Jack brings a rare perspective shaped by years of rigorous research, strategic advisory work, and real-world executive coaching. From advising senior leaders to helping organisations navigate complexity, uncertainty, and pressure, Jack shares what separates effective leadership from performative leadership.

We explore:

• How research-driven thinking shapes better leaders

• The realities of decision-making under uncertainty

• Why clarity, judgment, and self-awareness matter more than charisma

• Common leadership blind spots executives don’t realise they have

• What it truly means to lead people — not just manage outcomes

This conversation goes beyond buzzwords and frameworks. It’s a grounded, thoughtful look at leadership through the lens of experience, discipline, and deep reflection.

If you’re a founder, executive, or emerging leader looking to sharpen how you think, decide, and lead — this episode will challenge and elevate your perspective.

Tune in and enjoy.

EP Guest: Jack Shade
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackaskeels/
Loud Collective Website: https://www.loudco.com/
Infinite CXO Website: https://infinitecxo.com/
Email: jshade@loudco.com

Are small businesses actually leveraging AI effectively—or are they already falling behind?

With years of experience leading large-scale transformation across enterprises, Lauren brings a rare and grounded perspective on how leadership, culture, and strategy must evolve in an AI-driven world. This conversation goes beyond the hype to explore what real AI adoption looks like for small and mid-sized businesses—and why technology alone is never the answer.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why many businesses are “using AI” but not truly getting value from it

• The leadership mindset required to adopt AI without creating chaos

• How small businesses can compete with larger enterprises using smarter AI strategies

• Common mistakes leaders make when introducing AI into teams and workflows

• Practical ways to get ahead of the AI curve—without losing the human edge

This is a masterclass in leading change, embracing innovation, and building future-ready businesses—especially for leaders who want to move fast without breaking what already works.

Whether you’re a founder, executive, or operator navigating AI for the first time, this episode will challenge how you think about technology, leadership, and growth.

Tune in and learn how to lead on the edge—before the edge moves.

EP Guest: Lauren Ryder
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-ryder1/
Website: http://leading-edge.global

In this episode, we sit down with Toby Henry, a leader driven by one mission: helping organisations change from the inside out.

Toby shares his journey from corporate consulting to acquiring and running a business, and what truly shifts when you move from advising transformation to owning the responsibility for it. We explore why real change isn’t driven by frameworks or technology alone—but by people, culture, and the courage to adapt quickly.

From developing leaders and teams to embracing technology without losing human connection, Toby breaks down what sustainable transformation actually looks like inside modern organisations. This conversation is packed with honest lessons on growth, ownership, and why the future belongs to companies that invest deeply in their people.

If you’re navigating change, considering an acquisition, or leading transformation in an AI-driven world, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and progress.

Tune in and discover what it really takes to build a culture that evolves—and lasts.EP Guest: Toby Henry

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-henry-79498b13/
Website: http://www.acceleratorsolutions.com

In this powerful and deeply human episode of the podcast, we sit down with Tia Lancaster to unpack a journey that reshaped her life, her work, and her sense of purpose.

After surviving cancer, Tia was forced to confront questions many of us avoid: What actually matters? How do you spend your energy? And what kind of work is truly worth doing? That experience became a catalyst—not just for healing, but for clarity.

In our conversation, Tia shares the lessons cancer taught her about resilience, perspective, and intentional living, and how those lessons now guide the way she approaches work, leadership, and technology. We explore how AI can be used as a tool for alignment rather than burnout, helping people reclaim time, focus on meaningful contribution, and build careers that support life—not consume it.

This episode is about more than business or technology. It’s about survival, purpose, and designing work that reflects what truly matters.

If you’re navigating change, rethinking your priorities, or searching for meaning in the work you do, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.EP Guest: Tia Lancaster

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-lancaster-b14655122/
Website: revaluate180.com

In this episode of the Grappling Growth Podcast, we sit down with Bryon Morrison — creator and host of the Leaders List Show, and a seasoned operator with over 25 years of experience across marketing, digital transformation, and executive leadership.

As the Co-Founder and CEO of Proxxy, Bryon helps SMBs prepare for exits, build scalable operating systems, and grow without descending into chaos. But today, he brings something even more valuable:

Bryon breaks down:

• Why the most effective leaders of the next decade will be the ones who stay deeply human

• How AI can enhance decision-making without replacing intuition, empathy, or communication

• The biggest operational mistakes SMBs make when scaling — and how to fix them early

• Why clarity, rhythm, and systems separate thriving companies from overwhelmed ones

• The mindset shifts leaders need to adapt, stay relevant, and inspire their teams

If you’re a founder, operator, or SMB leader looking to grow with clarity—not chaos—this conversation is a must-listen. Bryon brings sharp insight, practical frameworks, and a refreshingly honest view of leadership in a rapidly evolving world.

Tune in for an episode that will challenge how you think, work, and lead.

A blueprint for leading with human intelligence in an AI-driven world.

EP Guest: Bryon Morrison

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryonmorrison/
Website: proxxy.com
Phone Number: +12149122171
Email: bryon.morrison@proxxy.com

In this episode of the Grappling Growth Podcast, we sit down with Lanny Bassham — Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion, and Founder & CEO of Mental Management Systems. Known as one of the most influential mental coaches in the world, Lanny has helped elite performers across business, sports, military, and the arts master the inner game that drives consistent success.

Lanny shares the untold story behind his Olympic journey, the breakthrough that transformed him from a talented athlete into a champion, and the mental frameworks he developed that now power top performers globally. From managing pressure to defeating self-doubt, to training your mind to execute with confidence on command, this conversation is a masterclass on peak performance.

If you want to learn how champions think — and how to apply those same principles to your life, career, or business — this episode is for you.

Tune in and get a rare look into the mental playbook of an Olympic legend.

EP Guest: Lanny Basshan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanny-bassham-017a748/
Website: http://www.mentalmanagement.com
Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winning-Mind-Lanny-R-Bassham/dp/0709093780

In this episode of the Grappling Growth Podcast, Joe sits down with Mark Fleming, CFA, FRM — an elite financial strategist, seasoned investor, and the mind behind multiple successful business acquisitions.

Mark pulls back the curtain on how small business buyers can realistically acquire, scale, and exit companies worth $5M+, even without deep pockets or decades of experience.

Inside this episode, Mark shares:

🔹 The exact framework he uses to evaluate acquisition targets🔹 How to structure deals creatively (even when capital is limited)🔹 The hidden red flags most first-time buyers never see🔹 Why risk management matters more than revenue🔹 What separates successful operators from armchair entrepreneurs🔹 The mindset shift you must adopt before buying your first business

Mark’s journey is packed with discipline, strategic thinking, and hard-earned wisdom — shaped by years in finance, risk management, and real-world dealmaking.

If you’ve ever considered acquiring a business, scaling a portfolio, or learning how real operators think, this is a masterclass you won’t want to miss.

Tune in and take notes. This is the $5M Acquisition Playbook—broken down step by step.

EP Guest: Mark Fleming
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mflemingcfa/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@owneractions
Website: http://www.owneractions.com