CEO Podcast | The leaders shaping our world

Only 27% of Americans trust businesses to use AI responsibly. Congress polls at 16 percent. The public is running out of people to believe.

Go here to find links to all of the sources cited in the video: www.ceo.com/the-ai-crisis-is-a-leadership-crisis/

H.J. Chammas, Founder & CEO of Authority Publishing, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on personal branding, entrepreneurship, publishing, AI, and how leaders can turn their expertise into authority.

After leaving the corporate world at Nestlé, building financial independence through real estate, and experiencing the failure of his own first book, H.J. discovered an important lesson: publishing a book isn't really about selling books. For entrepreneurs, executives, coaches, and consultants, a book can become the foundation for credibility, speaking opportunities, partnerships, clients, and an entire personal brand. 

Today, Authority Publishing helps experts transform their knowledge and experience into intellectual property designed to make an impact and grow their businesses. H.J. breaks down his Publish, Promote, Monetize framework and explains why simply putting a book on Amazon is nowhere near enough. 

Timestamps:
00:00:05 - Introduction and Guest Background
00:00:21 - What is Authority Publishing?
00:01:17 - Importance of Authority in Business
00:02:19 - Writing a Book to Gain Authority
00:03:07 - H.J.'s Story of Failure and Learning
00:04:52 - Transition from Food Science to Publishing
00:06:00 - Real Estate Ventures and Lessons Learned
00:08:39 - Finding True Purpose in Authority Publishing
00:09:47 - Living Between Dubai and Lebanon
00:10:16 - Current Situation in Lebanon
00:11:20 - Entrepreneurship in Lebanon vs. Dubai
00:12:15 - Initial Steps for Aspiring Authors
00:14:04 - The Publish, Promote, Monetize Framework
00:16:09 - Ghostwriting Process and AI's Role
00:19:41 - Marketing a Book to Bestseller Status
00:24:42 - Monetizing Beyond Book Sales
00:27:03 - Cost of Services at Authority Publishing
00:31:38 - H.J.'s Daily Routine and Work-Life Balance
00:33:41 - Impact of AI on Book Writing and Editing
00:35:26 - Reflecting on Who Gave H.J. a Chance
00:38:41 - Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, personal branding, publishing, AI, thought leadership, or turning your expertise into a business, this conversation offers a practical look at how a book can become much more than something people read.

For your free copy of Chammas’ book “Publish. Promote. Monetize” visit: https://authority-publishing.com/blog
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Megan Duong, Co-Founder & CEO of Plot, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, social video, entrepreneurship, consumer intelligence, and how brands can understand what people are actually saying about them online.

Megan began her career in social media and brand marketing, including time at Apple, before launching her own agency in 2020. As TikTok and short-form video exploded, she saw a major problem: brands could track captions, hashtags, and tags, but much of the most valuable consumer conversation was happening inside the videos themselves. That insight became Plot. 

Today, Plot uses multimodal AI to analyze millions of social videos, identifying products, conversations, behaviors, trends, and untagged brand mentions that traditional social listening tools can miss. Megan explains how that intelligence can help companies discover organic superfans, measure influencer campaigns, identify emerging trends, conduct consumer research, and even detect AI-generated misinformation. 

Timestamps:
00:00:05 - Introduction and Welcome
00:00:25 - What is Plot?
00:01:50 - Megan's Background and Career Path
00:03:25 - Starting a Social Media Agency
00:04:42 - Fundraising Journey
00:07:51 - Working with Alexis Ohanian
00:10:08 - Technology Behind Plot
00:13:17 - How Brands Use Plot's Data
00:17:03 - AI and the Future of Video
00:21:42 - Cost Management and AI Models
00:23:26 - AI-Generated Video Content
00:29:38 - The Importance of Authenticity in Video
00:32:39 - Leadership and CEO Role
00:36:59 - A Typical Day for Megan
00:38:14 - The Importance of Giving and Receiving Chances
00:38:58 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find Plot

If you're interested in AI, social media, marketing, consumer intelligence, entrepreneurship, creator marketing, or the future of video, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how AI is transforming the way brands understand what consumers are saying and doing online.

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Geoff Woods, Founder of AI Leadership and bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on AI, leadership, strategy, and how executives can use artificial intelligence to think better—not just work faster.

After helping grow a public company from a $750 million market cap to $12 billion, Geoff became convinced that AI's greatest value isn't writing emails or summarizing meetings. Instead, it's helping leaders solve better problems, make better decisions, and think at a much higher level.

In this episode, Geoff explains why leaders should stop treating AI like a productivity tool and start using it as a strategic thought partner.
If you're interested in AI, leadership, strategy, entrepreneurship, executive development, or the future of work, this conversation is packed with practical frameworks you can apply immediately.

00:00:22 - Jeff's Background and Career Achievements
00:01:04 - Key Drivers of Company Growth
00:01:35 - Discovering ChatGPT and AI
00:02:06 - Using AI as a Thought Partner
00:02:27 - Live Use Case with AI for Strategy
00:03:09 - Writing the AI-Driven Leader Book
00:03:21 - Resonance and Market Research
00:04:30 - Changes Since First Publication
00:05:11 - Self-Leadership and AI
00:05:44 - AI as a Thought Partner Example
00:07:09 - CRIT Framework for AI Prompts
00:09:59 - Elevating Strategic Thinking with AI
00:10:11 - Defining Leadership in the AI Age
00:12:02 - AI as a Liberation Tool
00:12:54 - Misconceptions About AI
00:14:02 - Human-Led Decisions in the AI Era
00:15:04 - AI's Unpopularity and Public Perception
00:16:49 - Effective Messaging About AI
00:18:09 - Role of Government and Leadership in AI
00:20:13 - Identity and Job Attachment
00:21:42 - Personal Journey and Identity Crisis
00:24:03 - Double-Edged Sword of Success
00:25:07 - Leadership and Human Value in AI
00:26:15 - Valuable Skills in the AI Age
00:26:58 - Example of Empowering Employees with AI
00:30:49 - Overview of Jeff's Company, AI Leadership
00:31:44 - Transforming Companies with AI
00:35:23 - Final Question: Who Gave You a Chance?
00:37:17 - Conclusion and Book Promotion

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David Meltzer, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, joins Clint Betts for a powerful conversation on success, faith, AI, leadership, purpose, and the pursuit of true wealth.
From becoming a millionaire just months after graduating law school to losing more than $100 million—and rebuilding his life around service and purpose—David shares the defining moments that completely transformed how he views success.

Known as the inspiration behind Jerry Maguire through his time leading Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, David explains why money isn't the destination, why AI is making wisdom more valuable than ever, and how anyone can build a life centered on gratitude, accountability, and fulfillment.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:10 - David's Early Life and Aspirations
00:00:35 - Growing Up in a World of Not Enough
00:00:56 - Pursuing Wealth and Career Choices
00:01:16 - Shift from Athlete to Lawyer
00:01:37 - Early Career Success and Internet Ventures
00:02:10 - Becoming a Millionaire and Career Growth
00:02:44 - CEO of Samsung's Phone Division and Lee Steinberg Sports
00:03:04 - Losing Values and Financial Collapse
00:03:25 - Losing Everything and Telling His Mom
00:04:19 - Paradigm Shift and Return to Faith
00:05:01 - Aligning Life with Divine Direction
00:05:37 - Host's Reflection on Money and Happiness
00:06:20 - Realizing Life's Purpose
00:06:46 - Shifting Perspective from "I'll Be Happy When" to "For the Sake of What"
00:07:08 - Aligning Behaviors with Goals
00:08:01 - Self-Leadership and Faith
00:08:32 - Leading Back to Faith
00:08:43 - Embracing Uncertainty and Using Gratitude
00:09:26 - Communicating with God and Living by Values
00:10:11 - AI's Impact on Humanity and Leadership
00:11:06 - Leadership and AI
00:11:50 - Accelerated Time and Decision-Making
00:13:39 - Challenges of Leadership in the Age of AI
00:16:17 - David's Daily Routine and Non-Negotiable Behaviors
00:19:40 - Book Discussion: "Don't Do Business with Dicks"
00:21:07 - Reflecting on Who Gave David a Chance
00:21:49 - Closing Remarks and Future Collaboration

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, AI, faith, business, or living a more meaningful life, this conversation is filled with timeless wisdom and practical lessons.

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Jerald David, CEO of Lynq, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on blockchain, tokenization, stablecoins, financial infrastructure, and the future of global markets.

Lynq is building a real-time settlement network that allows trusted counterparties to move capital instantly using blockchain technology. While much of the public conversation has shifted from crypto to AI, Jerald believes the biggest blockchain revolution is happening quietly behind the scenes as financial institutions modernize the infrastructure that powers global markets.

In this episode, Jerald explains why blockchain is becoming the backbone of modern finance, how tokenization works, and why 24/7 settlement could fundamentally change the way money moves around the world.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:09 - Overview of Link
00:01:34 - State of Blockchain and Digital Assets
00:03:57 - Market Structure and Regulation
00:05:07 - Gerald's Background and Career Path
00:06:09 - A Day in the Life of a CEO
00:07:33 - Quantum Computing and Blockchain
00:08:41 - Market Inefficiencies and Link's Solutions
00:13:17 - Blockchain 101 and Tokenization Explained
00:18:06 - Stable Tokens and Their Use Cases
00:22:46 - Macro-Economic Perspective
00:24:00 - The Importance of Stable Tokens for the US Dollar
00:24:16 - The Importance of Giving Chances
00:25:08 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude

If you're interested in blockchain, fintech, cryptocurrency, AI, financial markets, entrepreneurship, or the future of global finance, this conversation offers a clear look at where the industry is heading next.

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Eric Girouard, Founder & CEO of BRUNT Workwear, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on entrepreneurship, branding, AI, e-commerce, and building one of America's fastest-growing workwear companies.

Founded in 2020, BRUNT Workwear has become one of the most recognizable brands serving skilled tradespeople by doing something few companies have done well—building a brand that genuinely represents the people who keep America running. Eric shares how conversations with lifelong friends in the trades inspired a company that's redefining workwear through authenticity, community, and customer obsession.

The conversation explores brand building, AI, product development, leadership, e-commerce, and why listening to customers is the ultimate competitive advantage.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Eric and Brunt Workwear
00:00:41 - Eric's Blue-Collar Roots and Early Entrepreneurial Ventures
00:02:14 - Learning from Serial Entrepreneur Ben Fishman
00:03:41 - The Genesis of Brunt Workwear
00:05:06 - Building a Brand for Tradespeople
00:06:08 - The Role of AI in Brunt Workwear
00:10:03 - The Importance of Building a Brand
00:14:28 - Community Building and Brand Building
00:16:46 - The Process of Bringing a Product to Market
00:21:36 - The State of E-commerce and Brunt's Success
00:25:07 - A Day in the Life of Eric
00:29:07 - Principles of Leadership
00:33:57 - Trends in the Trade Industry and Macro Economy
00:37:10 - The Importance of Giving and Taking Chances
00:38:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, branding, e-commerce, AI, consumer products, leadership, or building an enduring business, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of today's most successful brand builders.

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 Sheldon Lewis, Managing Partner at Blueprint Equity, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on venture capital, growth equity, AI, SaaS, startup investing, and the future of software businesses.

Blueprint Equity manages more than $600 million and specializes in helping bootstrapped and lightly funded vertical SaaS companies scale from early traction to sustainable growth. In this episode, Sheldon shares why he believes we're living through both the most exciting and most uncertain period in software investing history.

The conversation dives into AI's impact on startups, whether the so-called "SaaSpocalypse" is real, the future of venture capital, and what investors are looking for in founders today.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Blueprint Equity
00:00:50 - Blueprint Equity's Investment Focus
00:01:56 - The State of SaaS and SaaSpocalypse
00:03:41 - Public Market SaaS Companies
00:05:05 - Efficiency and AI in Series A Funding
00:08:09 - The Future of Venture Capital
00:12:22 - The Potential of Software and AI
00:14:08 - Exciting Investment Verticals
00:17:10 - What Blueprint Equity Looks for in Founders
00:20:29 - Effective Board Meetings and Communication
00:23:25 - Public Sentiment on AI
00:26:29 - A Day in the Life of Sheldon
00:29:00 - The Importance of Giving and Receiving Chances

If you're interested in venture capital, startups, SaaS, AI, entrepreneurship, investing, or the future of software businesses, this conversation is packed with valuable insights from one of the industry's leading growth investors.

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Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO of A Place for Mom, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on caregiving, aging, leadership, AI, healthcare, and one of the biggest demographic challenges facing America.

As the first wave of baby boomers turns 80, millions of families are being thrust into caregiving roles with little preparation, enormous financial burdens, and difficult decisions about senior care. A Place for Mom helps families navigate those challenges by connecting them with trusted advisors and care solutions tailored to their unique situations.
In this episode, Tatyana shares why caregiving is becoming one of the defining issues of our time, how AI can support both families and businesses, and what leaders must do to navigate uncertainty and change.

The conversation also explores immigration, resilience, company culture, healthcare innovation, and the future of senior living.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Career Journey
00:01:11 - Mission of A Place for Mom
00:02:44 - Caregiving Crisis and Statistics
00:03:55 - A Day in the Life of a CEO
00:05:06 - Optimism and AI
00:07:04 - Leadership and Decision Making
00:09:05 - Company Values
00:10:18 - Balancing Efficiency and Compassion
00:13:02 - Inspirational Leaders
00:14:42 - Managing Company Culture
00:17:04 - Future of Senior Living Industry
00:19:05 - Influence of Immigrant Experience
00:20:38 - Acknowledging Mentors and Supporters
00:22:07 - Conclusion and Gratitude

If you're interested in leadership, healthcare, AI, aging, caregiving, entrepreneurship, or building mission-driven organizations, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of society’s most important challenges.

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Toni De La Fuente, Founder & CEO of Prowler, joins Clint Betts for a conversation on cloud security, AI, open source software, cybersecurity, and building one of the world's fastest-growing security communities.
What started as a personal project to secure cloud environments has evolved into Prowler, an open-source security platform approaching 50 million downloads and helping organizations secure AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Microsoft 365, GitHub, Cloudflare, and more.

In this episode, Toni explains why AI security and cloud security are rapidly converging, how open-source communities are shaping the future of cybersecurity, and why organizations must rethink security as AI-generated software becomes commonplace.

The conversation also explores startup building, venture capital, remote work, leadership, cloud infrastructure, and what it takes to transform an open-source project into a venture-backed company.

00:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Toni
00:00:20 - Founding of Prowler
00:01:25 - Transition from Open Source Project to Company
00:02:52 - Importance of Security in the Age of AI
00:05:21 - Opportunities in Cloud Security
00:07:24 - Concerns about Security Vulnerabilities in Old Code
00:10:01 - Growth and Adoption of Prowler
00:12:02 - A Day in the Life of a CEO
00:13:41 - Decision to Go Fully Remote
00:15:02 - Moving to San Francisco
00:16:41 - Reading Recommendations for CEOs
00:19:44 - Leadership Lessons and Challenges
00:21:07 - Macroeconomic Environment and Planning
00:23:52 - Funding and Venture Capital
00:26:10 - Balancing Community and Company Needs
00:28:33 - Community Reaction to Paid Features
00:30:03 - Future Growth Potential of Prowler
00:31:28 - Competitors in the Cloud Security Space
00:34:39 - Thoughts on Quantum Computing
00:35:31 - Reflecting on Opportunities and Support
00:37:12 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude

If you're interested in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, open source software, startups, or the future of technology infrastructure, this conversation is packed with insights from one of the industry's leading builders.

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