The Better Entrepreneur Book

The Better CEO MasterClass

Growth doesn’t usually come with a clear line in the sand.

It just keeps moving, and eventually, something feels off.

In this episode of Constructive Interference, Rufus sits down with JT Wiederholt for a conversation shaped by years of working alongside business owners, leaders, and family-run companies.

They talk through the realities Rufus has seen in his own business and the patterns JT has observed over decades, what it looks like when a company grows, when responsibility shifts, and when the role of the founder starts to change whether they’re ready for it or not.

The conversation moves across leadership, profit, failure, succession, and legacy, touching on moments where business owners begin to feel tension between control and trust, growth and sustainability, protection and accountability. JT shares stories from working with multi-generation businesses, leadership teams, and entrepreneurs who have built something meaningful, but complex.

They also talk about learning through mistakes, why sheltering people from failure can limit growth, and how profit reshapes the way leaders think about their businesses. Throughout the episode, the focus stays on experience, perspective, and the long view of building something that can last.

⚡ They get into:

– Leadership as businesses grow

– Shifting responsibility and trust

– Profit, growth, and sustainability

– Family businesses and succession

– Learning through failure

– Long-term perspective in leadership

📚 About the Guest

JT Wiederholt is the founder of Balance Approach Consulting, a leadership coaching and consulting firm that works with entrepreneurs and organizations focused on sustainable growth and alignment. He is the author of The Better Entrepreneur, a book about leading with clarity and building businesses that thrive without sacrificing what matters most.

👥 Connect with JT Wiederholt & Balance Approach Consulting

JT's LinkedIn

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The Better Entrepreneur Book

The Better CEO MasterClass

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Most business advice sounds smart.Very little of it actually works.In this episode of Constructive Interference, Rufus sits down with Angelique Rewers, founder of BoldHaus, to challenge some of the most repeated ideas in modern sales, marketing, and leadership and explain why they are quietly failing the people who follow them.They talk about why “content is king” is often misunderstood, why curiosity based sales tactics lead to wasted conversations, and why decision makers are tuning out outreach that feels polished but hollow. Angelique shares what she has learned from nearly two decades of working inside boardrooms, watching how executives actually make decisions and why most people are aiming at the wrong outcomes.This conversation also goes beyond tactics. They get into trust in the age of AI, the danger of transactional thinking, the difference between looking busy and building value, and what it really means to create long term relationships instead of chasing short term wins.⚡ They get into:– Why most sales and marketing advice sounds good but does not convert– The real difference between curiosity and urgency– Why decision makers ignore most outreach– How AI and over polished messaging are eroding trust– Gold stars vs gold bars, activity vs outcomes– What executives actually respond to when making decisions📚 About the GuestAngelique Rewers is the founder and CEO of BoldHaus, an Inc. 5000–recognized firm that helps expert-led and boutique service businesses win and retain corporate clients. With nearly two decades of experience inside Fortune 500 boardrooms, Angelique specializes in teaching business owners how decision makers actually think, buy, and build long-term relationships.👥 Connect with Angelique Rewers & BoldHausAngelique's LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeliquerewers/Company LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldhaus/Website — https://boldhaus.com/X — https://x.com/AngeliqueRewersInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/angeliquerewers/TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@angeliquerewersYouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1g8lB2H_NC8IHB61Ifz5lQ🎙️ Listen to Constructive InterferenceSpotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/6MIfRbPLH394j9Jtb2JcdlApple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/constructive-interference-with-rufus-cressend/id1804636517Amazon Music — https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/605e21b2-7c0a-48e0-ba7d-cb07541143e0/constructive-interference-with-rufus-cressendiHeart Radio — https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-constructive-interference-271034111/Audible — https://www.audible.com/podcast/Constructive-Interference-with-Rufus-Cressend/B0F2J9R21C?language=en_US&share_location=pdp&source_code=ASSGB149080119000H📲 Follow Constructive InterferenceInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/rufuscressend/Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ConstructiveInterferencePod/TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@rufuscressend?lang=enThreads — https://www.threads.com/@rufuscressendX — https://x.com/RufusCressendWebsite — https://www.rufuscressend.com/👉 Comment below: What’s one piece of business advice you followed that didn’t work the way you were told it would?This is an honest, grounded conversation about what works, what does not, and why clarity matters more than noise.

Most founders don’t struggle because they lack vision. They struggle because their company still can’t run without them.

In this episode of Constructive Interference, Rufus Cressend sits down with Ken Paskins, the first fractional integrator, for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about trust, control, execution, and what it really takes to build a company that can scale and exit beyond its founder.

Ken shares why most “fractional integrators” aren’t actually integrators, how founders unknowingly train their teams not to think, and why trust isn’t built through intention, it’s built through consistent execution and results. Together, they unpack why so many leadership teams stall, why founders become accidental bottlenecks, and what must change for real growth to happen.

⚡ They get into:

– Why most fractional integrators fail, and how to spot the real ones

– How founders accidentally train teams not to think

– Why execution, not intention, is what builds trust

– How to let your team fail without letting your business fail

– The uncomfortable truth about control, delegation, and leadership

– What it actually takes to build a company that can scale and exit

– The difference between being a visionary and being the bottleneckIf you’re building a company that still needs you in every room, still waits on your decisions, or still feels heavier than it should, this conversation was made for you.

📚 About the Guest

Ken Paskins is the founder and CEO of GCE Strategic Consulting and is widely recognized as the first fractional integrator. His team supports EOS-based companies around the world, helping visionaries build leadership teams, scale operations, and prepare their companies for long-term growth and exit.

👥 Connect with Ken Paskins & GCE Strategic Consulting

Company LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/gce-strategic-consulting/

Company Website — https://gcestrategicconsulting.com/

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/gcestrategicconsulting/

X — https://x.com/gceconsultantsKen's

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpaskins/

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👉 Comment below: Does your company still need you in every room, or is it built to run without you?

What happens when visionary leaders stop playing small — and start building for the long game?In this episode of Constructive Interference, Rufus Cressend sits down with John Scott, President and CEO of Westminster American Insurance Company, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, longevity, scaling wisely, and what it really takes to build a company that outlives its founder.John shares how Westminster grew from a struggling regional insurer into a multi-state company approaching $100M in written premium — and the leadership principles that guided that growth. Together, they explore why some founders scale faster, why clarity and execution matter more than ideas alone, and how long-term leaders think differently about people, culture, capital, and risk.⚡ They get into:– Why visionary leaders think in decades, not quarters– How to build companies that can run without their founder– The real difference between ideas and execution– Why environment and fellowship accelerate leadership growth– How to prepare for succession, scaling, and long-term value– The mindset shift from operator to owner– Why great leaders invest in people, not just systemsIf you’re building something bigger than yourself, preparing your company for its next chapter, or rethinking how you lead — this conversation gives you a deeper look at what long-term leadership really requires.📚 About the GuestJohn Scott is the President and CEO of Westminster American Insurance Company. Under his leadership, Westminster has expanded across multiple states and grown toward $100M in written premium.👥 Connect with John Scott & Westminster American Insurance CompanyCompany LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/gowaic/Company Website — https://www.westminsteramerican.com/John's LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-scott-jr-2718ba16/Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/WAICInsuranceX — https://x.com/WestAmInsCo🎙️ Listen to Constructive InterferenceSpotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/6MIfRbPLH394j9Jtb2JcdlApple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/constructive-interference-with-rufus-cressend/id1804636517Amazon Music — https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/605e21b2-7c0a-48e0-ba7d-cb07541143e0/constructive-interference-with-rufus-cressendiHeart Radio — https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-constructive-interference-271034111/Audible — https://www.audible.com/podcast/Constructive-Interference-with-Rufus-Cressend/B0F2J9R21C?language=en_US&share_location=pdp&source_code=ASSGB149080119000H📲 Follow Constructive InterferenceInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/rufuscressend/Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ConstructiveInterferencePod/TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@rufuscressend?lang=enThreads — https://www.threads.com/@rufuscressendX — https://x.com/RufusCressendWebsite — https://www.rufuscressend.com/👉 Comment below: Are you building your company for today — or for the next decade?

What happens when you know you’re meant to lead… but your voice, your clarity, and your message haven’t fully caught up with your vision?

https://www.imatter.com/the-visionary-summit

In this episode of Constructive Interference, Rufus sits down with Winnie Hart, to break down what it really means to stand out, stay human, and communicate like a leader others want to follow. Winnie shares how purpose, identity, reputation, distinction, and audience alignment shape influence, and why clarity is the most undervalued currency in leadership. They explore the work required to articulate vision, build messaging that resonates, and turn ideas into momentum instead of noise.

⚡ They get into:

– Why clarity, not volume, is what makes leaders unforgettable

– The 8 fundamentals of standing out as a thought leader

– Communicating vision so clearly others believe in it with you

– Differentiating yourself beyond job titles & industry labels

– How implementation beats inspiration every time

– Why 2026 might be the year of the thought leader

– How AI + digital twins could change leadership foreverIf you’re building influence, sharpening your voice, or preparing to scale your leadership, this conversation shows you how to step into the version of you the world is waiting for.

📚 About the Guest

Winnie Hart is the CEO of Thought Leadership Academy and founder of Twin Engine, where she helps visionaries clarify their voice, define their message, and stand out with purpose-driven influence. With decades of experience in branding, leadership, and strategic communication, she works with leaders who are ready to show up boldly, communicate with clarity, and lead movements that matter.

👥 Connect with Winnie Hart

Website — https://winniehart.com/

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/winniehart/

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/winniebhart

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/winnie.hart/

X — https://x.com/WinnieHart

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👉 Comment below: What part of your voice or message do you feel called to clarify in 2026?

👍 Like, share & subscribe for more conversations on standing out, communicating with purpose, and leading with clarity and confidence.

What happens when you spend your whole life chasing success… only to realize you were climbing the wrong ladder?

In this episode of Constructive Interference, Rufus sits down with Ron Cox, visionary, leadership coach, advisor, and the mind behind impactful frameworks that help high achievers rediscover meaning.

Ron unpacks the moment Stephen Covey changed his life, what it means to “win at the wrong game,” and why so many successful people secretly feel unfulfilled.

⚡ They get into:

– Why high performers drift into misaligned success

– The Covey idea that transformed Ron’s worldview

– How purpose gets lost in achievement

– The hidden emotional cost of relentless performance

– The mindset shift that leads to sustainable fulfillment

– How to rebuild alignment when your ladder is on the wrong wall

– How to stop chasing validation and build an integrated life

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but something still feels off… this conversation might have some answers for you!

🚀 Chapters

00:00 Snippet

00:47 Intro

01:53 RC Development Solutions & Leadership Philosophy

06:11 From Bankrupcy to 200M

10:53 Choosing the Next Challenge

17:52 Fear, Ethics, and AI

22:58 Lessons That Shaped Ron

28:55 Lifelong Learning and the Right Ladder

41:42 Defining Success, Legacy and Staying Focused

48:42 Closing

49:27 Outro

📚 About the Guest

Ron Cox is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with decades of experience in strategic development, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational leadership. He has guided companies through growth transitions, implemented innovative business practices, and authored a book sharing insights on leadership and entrepreneurship. Ron is passionate about lifelong learning, helping teams thrive, and exploring new challenges in business and development.

👥 Connect with Ron Cox

RC Developement Solutions LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rc-development-solutions/

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👉 Comment below: What motivates you to keep learning and taking on new challenges, even after achieving success?

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#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #LifelongLearning #BusinessDevelopment #VisionaryLeaders #ExecutiveInsights #ScalingBusinesses #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy

Entrepreneur, author, and investor Lewis Schiff joins Rufus Cressend on Constructive Interference for a deep dive into the real meaning of entrepreneurship — from the early dot-com era to today’s capital-driven economy.Lewis shares his personal entrepreneurial journey, exploring how his understanding of business, innovation, and leadership evolved over three decades. He discusses the power of community and collaboration among business owners, how embracing failure became his best teacher, and why risk-taking with purpose fuels sustainable business growth.💡 Watch this if you want to learn:– Lewis Schiff's journey as an entrepreneur began in the 1990s during the dot-com era.– The term 'entrepreneur' was not commonly used during Lewis's early career.– Community and collaboration are essential for entrepreneurs to thrive.– Failure is a crucial learning opportunity for entrepreneurs.– Understanding risk is vital for innovation and entrepreneurship.– The loneliness of being an entrepreneur can be alleviated through community support.– Capital markets play a significant role in entrepreneurship.– Business owners often misunderstand capitalism, leading to undervaluation of their businesses.– The liquefaction of lower middle market businesses can create new opportunities for entrepreneurs.– Entrepreneurs must learn how capital works to maximize their business potential.🚀 Chapters00:00 Snippet01:10 Intro02:03 Meeting Lewis Schiff & the Origin of Birthing of Giants06:05 The Power of Community. Why Entrepreneurs Need Peers08:32 Beyond the School of Hard Knocks. Mentorship, Vulnerability & Smarter Learning15:07 Risk & Innovation. Why Entrepreneurs Run Toward Uncertainty20:25 Failure as a Teacher. Turning Setbacks into Growth27:00 Finding Purpose. Knowing What Drives You35:15 Understanding Capital. How Entrepreneurs Misunderstand Capitalism47:09 The Future of Capitalism. Liquidity, Blockchain & Smarter Funding53:29 Closing54:05 Outro📚 About the GuestLewis Schiff is the Executive Director of Moonshots & Moneymakers and Chair of the Birthing of Giants Fellowship, a program helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and lead with intention. He’s the author of Business Brilliant and The First Habit, and a thought leader on capital markets, innovation, and entrepreneurial mindset.👥 Connect with Lewis Schiff LinkedIn— https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewisschiff/🎙️ Listen to Constructive InterferenceSpotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/6MIfRbPLH394j9Jtb2JcdlApple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/constructive-interference-with-rufus-cressend/id1804636517Amazon Music — https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/605e21b2-7c0a-48e0-ba7d-cb07541143e0/constructive-interference-with-rufus-cressendiHeart Radio — https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-constructive-interference-271034111/Audible — https://www.audible.com/podcast/Constructive-Interference-with-Rufus-Cressend/B0F2J9R21C?language=en_US&share_location=pdp&source_code=ASSGB149080119000H📲 Follow Constructive InterferenceInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/rufuscressend/Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ConstructiveInterferencePod/TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@rufuscressend?lang=enThreads — https://www.threads.com/@rufuscressendX — https://x.com/RufusCressendWebsite — https://www.rufuscressend.com/👉 Comment below: What’s one lesson failure has taught you in business?👍 Like, share & subscribe for honest conversations on leadership, growth, and vision-driven entrepreneurship.#Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #LewisSchiff #ConstructiveInterference #RufusCressend #Innovation #RiskTaking #StartupMindset #CapitalMarkets #Community #Mentorship

Rufus Cressend joins Dr. Craig Greene on Under the Knife for an unfiltered conversation about creativity, leadership, and the journey of self-discovery.

In this episode, Rufus shares:
– How he turned a restless drive into visionary growth
– The role creativity played in shaping his career in finance and business
– Why “help me understand…” is a phrase that transforms conflict
– The importance of finding your tribe and owning your wiring
– Lessons from book clubs, mentors, and 10X thinking

About the host: Dr. Craig Greene is an orthopedic surgeon and public official, exploring politics, medicine, and life through deep conversations with leaders and changemakers.

About Rufus: Rufus Cressend is the host of Constructive Interference, a podcast on vision-driven entrepreneurship, and the founder of Bilt Bayou, a brand showcasing ambitious, over-the-top builds.

Credit: Original episode from Under the Knife with Dr. Craig Greene.

Most of what you’ve heard about money is a myth. In this conversation with Megan Shea on Partnerships for Profit, Rufus breaks down the truth about financial planning, the mistakes most people make, and the mindset shifts that lead to real financial freedom.

You’ll learn:

• Why following the herd keeps you financially stuck

• How emotions sabotage money decisions

• Why investing in yourself is the smartest first step

• The habits that lead to long-term independence

• How to keep more faith than fear in your financial life

  
  

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed about money, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and practical steps you can start today.

👉 Subscribe to Constructive Interference for more unfiltered conversations with vision-driven entrepreneurs.

What happens when you stop chasing accolades and start serving from purpose? This conversation goes deep.

In this special episode of Constructive Interference, I’m sharing a conversation originally streamed live on Abizer Rasheed’s LinkedIn.

We talk about:

• The “surround sound” of expectations — and how to rise above it

• Shifting from recognition-seeking to purpose-driven living

• Letting go of head trash so you can fully show up as yourself

• How to help others become the hero in their own story

• Why service without expectation is the real game-changer

Abizer brings a fresh perspective that will resonate whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or leader seeking more meaning in your work and life.