The CEO Project Podcast

• Don't Be a Dinosaur, Embrace AI for Every Level in Your Company

  Ever feel like you want to embrace AI, but it is moving so fast? What you just learned is already outdated—and you're worried your competitors might be pulling ahead while you're still figuring it out? This episode is basically a reality check for you as a leader: AI isn't a "someday" thing anymore. It's here, it's democratized, and it's about to split industries into the "haves" who use it to accelerate growth and the "have-nots" who get left behind. If you're trying to grow a mid-to-large company, keep your team relevant, and avoid getting blindsided by tools your people are already experimenting with, this conversation meets you right where you are. You'll hear why AI-first thinking isn't hype—it's how you protect your business and unlock more creativity, speed, and capacity across every function. By listening, you'll walk away with: A clear, CEO-level way to think about AI as a multiplier, not just an efficiency tool—so you can free your team from the mundane and push more energy into innovation and growth. Practical guidance on adopting AI without freezing up, including how to handle the very real fear of job disruption by leveling up faster instead of resisting change. Concrete, cross-functional use cases you can copy immediately, from smarter customer and HR communications to rapid code generation, finance/M&A insight spotting, legal review, and hiring support—plus the "hybrid model" mindset to keep humans in the loop where it matters. Hit play now and steal these AI-first leadership moves so you can get ahead of the curve this quarter—not six months from now when the gap is harder to close. Check out: 04:30 — "AI will split the world into haves and have-nots" Jim tees up the urgency, and Eric immediately reinforces that this divide is coming in months, not years. 12:00 — "AI as the 5th tectonic tech shift + democratization" Eric walks through the internet → PC → web → iPhone → GenAI progression, and why democratized access changes everything for CEOs. 27:30 — "AI-first mindset + real business use cases (HR, finance, legal, hiring)" The conversation shifts into practical deployment: AI-first workflows, hybrid human+AI supervision, and concrete examples like HR response automation, M&A insight spotting, and interview-transcript evaluation. About Eric Vaughan Eric Vaughan is a globally sought-after speaker and pioneer of AI-driven digital clones, leading IgniteTech's AI-first transformation and reinventing products, services and the workforce while shaping the future of enterprise AI. He's known for launching two innovative AI products in just ten months and steering the high-profile acquisition of Khoros. Eric founded and led three successful software companies and managed over 50 major M&A deals. He's also a regular writer, tech educator and passionate runner who has completed 50 marathons and more than 50 ultramarathons.

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• Build a World Class Team by Optimizing the CEO

  Ever feel like your "new product" ideas stall out — not because they're bad, but because the team can't stay aligned long enough to bring them to life? If you're trying to grow in a world of constant AI disruption, you can't afford ideation that dies in committee or teams that melt down under pressure. This episode hits the real blocker most CEOs run into: brilliant people get promoted, but nobody ever taught them how to lead, think clearly under stress, or build a team that can take an idea from "interesting" to "in market." You'll hear how misdefined problems, ego-driven leadership habits, and check-the-box people programs quietly slow your growth — and what to do instead. A practical way to spot why ideas aren't turning into products (hint: it's usually a problem-definition gap, not a talent gap). A clearer read on your own leadership wiring — what's hardwired, what's learned, and how that mix impacts trust, communication, and execution. Simple, high-leverage moves to elevate your team's thinking so you can stop living in the tactical weeds and lead more strategically. Hit play now and steal Curtis Sprouses' tools for sharpening your team (and your own leadership) so your next big idea actually makes it to market — with fewer headaches and better results. Check out: 06:30 — The perfectionist founder example + why EQ can cap your growth Curtis walks through the real profile of a biotech CEO (high dominance, extreme perfectionism, low emotional intelligence) and shows how that combo derails fundraising, trust, and team performance — even when talent is off the charts. 18:45 — "Do you want to be remembered as the leader who grew people… or the one everyone avoided?" Curtis shares a sharp coaching story about a long-tenured exec who'd been rewarded for harsh habits for decades — and the one reframing that finally got him to shift how he led (with ripple effects at work and home). 28:00 — The #1 fatal flaw: CEOs define the problem wrong Curtis explains the "pressure vs. problem" distinction and gives a quick diagnostic (person vs. process vs. resources vs. priorities). This is the core "aha" for why teams spin and boards get frustrated. About Curtis Sprouse Curtis Sprouse is the founder of EurekaConnect and the Institute for Biomedical Entrepreneurship (IBE), where he helps leaders and teams outperform through strategic behavioral programs. With over 5,000 professionals coached and 200+ biomedical innovations advanced, Curtis specializes in turning science and technology into viable, impactful ventures. His programs have helped companies raise tens of millions in capital and bring real products to market. Curtis speaks on leadership, team building, personal development, and the future of business and society.

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• The Fundamentals of Human Sustainability through Behavioral Science Analytics

  What if the real competitive edge in your company isn't another strategy shift—but your human sustainability as a leader? You're expected to perform like a high-level athlete: stay sharp, set direction, handle pressure, and keep your team moving—often while AI disruption speeds everything up. But here's the catch: if your internal system is running at red line, your decision-making, culture, and results eventually pay the price. In this episode, Jim Schleckser talks with Pearce Cucchissi, a former Army Ranger turned executive performance coach, about how leaders build the stamina, clarity, and resilience to thrive long-term—without burning out or becoming the bottleneck themselves. By listening, you'll gain: A fresh way to think about leadership as human sustainability—how to keep your mind and body durable enough for the pace you're running. Tools to identify "people bottlenecks" on your team, including what's really behind wrong-person/wrong-seat issues. A practical, data-informed approach (like psychometric assessments) to reduce stress deltas, improve fit, and increase longevity for you and your leaders—especially during growth or acquisitions. Press play to learn Pearce's battle-tested methods for building human sustainability into your leadership—so you can win the long game with more energy, focus, and staying power. Check out: 04:30 – "Business athlete" framing Jim and Pearce connect elite athletic performance to executive leadership—stamina, mental state, keeping score, and bringing the team along. 12:40 – Operator syndrome → CEO burnout bridge Pearce explains "operator syndrome" (stuck in fight-or-flight) and why the same pattern shows up in CEOs, athletes, and PE-backed exec teams. 24:10 – Psychometric delta + right person/right seat The Culture Index / psychometric "delta" idea: how to spot misalignment, stress, disengagement, and predict longevity—plus what to do with hotspots on a leadership team. About Pearce Cucchissi Pearce is a former military special operator who brings battlefield-tested strategic thinking and elite team dynamics to the boardroom. As the founder of Built to Evolve, he helps executives and teams unlock peak performance through a cutting-edge blend of neuroscience, psychology, and physiology. His mission is to create business athletes, leaders with the stamina, clarity, and resilience to thrive under pressure and deliver maximum positive impact. Pearce has worked with top-tier organizations including Citibank, The Las Vegas Raiders, and Charter Communications. Today, he advises executives within Private Equity-backed portfolio companies, where the stakes are high and the mental toll is real. His coaching style is direct, data-driven, and deeply human, balancing performance optimization with personal well-being to ensure leaders are built to evolve, not burn out.

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• Critical Money Habits to Build Business and Personal Wealth

  Do you ever wonder why, no matter how much your business grows, your personal finances still feel out of control? If you've ever felt like your success at work doesn't translate to financial peace at home, this episode is your wake-up call. Jim Schleckser sits down with money expert and bestselling author Mike Michalowicz—creator of Profit First—to talk about why most people, even entrepreneurs, struggle with money and how simple behavior shifts can create real financial freedom. In this episode, you'll discover: How to "pay yourself first" in a way that guarantees profit instead of hoping for it. The behavioral money trap that keeps even smart business owners broke—and how to intercept it. A simple system to reduce financial stress for you and your employees, leading to happier, more productive teams. Hit play now to learn Mike's practical, life-changing approach to mastering your money habits—and start keeping more of what you earn today. Check out: [08:45] – The "Profit First" Mindset: Mike explains how reversing the traditional approach to profit—taking it off the top instead of waiting until the end—can transform how you run your business. [22:10] – The Behavioral Intercept: A powerful discussion on why most people fail with budgets and how simple systems at the bank level can automatically change your financial behavior for good. [39:25] – Redefining Retirement: Jim and Mike challenge the traditional idea of retirement and explore how to plan for a meaningful, flexible, and financially confident future. About Mike Michalowicz Mike Michalowicz is the entrepreneur behind four multi-million-dollar companies and the author of bestselling business books including Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan, and All In. His newest book, The Money Habit, is a groundbreaking approach to personal finance. The television host of The 4 Minute Money Maker and a former columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Mike now travels the world helping individuals grow thriving businesses and live richer lives.  

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• Breakthrough AI Facts Every CEO Should Know Right Now

  Are you ready to face the AI facts about what it really takes to lead in the age of disruption? If you're a CEO or senior leader trying to navigate the chaos of AI transformation, this episode is your roadmap. Jim Schleckser sits down with Geoff Woods, bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, to reveal the hard truths and surprising opportunities behind AI adoption. You'll see how Geoff went from leading a global industrial powerhouse to helping executives turn AI into their ultimate competitive advantage. You'll discover how to: Use AI as a thought partner to sharpen strategy and decision-making. Separate hype from the AI facts that actually drive performance and growth. Lead your team through change with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Listen now to uncover the AI facts that can transform how you think, lead, and compete in the years ahead. Check out: [00:10:45] – The Skill That Changes Everything: Geoff shares the career-defining advice that led him to focus on mastering skills that stay valuable no matter how technology evolves—setting the stage for his journey into AI leadership. [00:38:20] – The "AI Boardroom" Breakthrough: Hear how Geoff helped a CEO save his executive team's jobs by using AI to simulate board members' personalities and predict meeting outcomes—a real-world example of AI as a strategic thought partner. [01:12:05] – The 100x Value Lesson: Geoff reveals how his assistant used AI to multiply her impact and redefine her role, illustrating what it means to become an AI-driven leader instead of just an AI user. About Geoff Woods Geoff Woods is the #1 international bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, host of the AI-Driven Leader podcast and the Founder of AI Leadership where he empowers leaders to harness AI, escape operational overwhelm, and think strategically to accelerate growth. As the former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, his guidance helped their market cap grow from $750 million to over $12 billion in four years. He also co-founded the training and consulting company behind The ONE Thing, where he coached and advised companies with annual revenues from $10 million to $60 billion.

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