Escape the CEO Doom Loop

In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Josh Barney, Vice President of JJ Barney Construction. A former attorney who left the courtroom for concrete, Josh shares the story of joining his fourth-generation family business, the challenges of stepping into a future CEO role, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Josh reflects on transitioning leadership from his father, building a dream team, and why he believes construction is a people business. From honoring his great-grandfather’s legacy to shaping a modern company culture, this conversation explores faith, family, and the real meaning of leadership.

Watch now to hear how Josh plans to avoid the CEO Doom Loop and what advice he has for leaders carrying the weight of legacy and growth.

Chapters:
 [00:00:00] Introduction & Setup
 [00:03:30] Welcome Josh Barney
 [00:04:14] The History of JJ Barney Construction
 [00:10:27] Leaving Law for the Family Business
 [00:17:41] Building Leadership & Structure
 [00:23:24] Challenges of Delegation and Change
 [00:40:22] Faith, Family, and Legacy
 [00:44:01] Fear, Pressure, and Privilege
 [00:46:18] Three Keys to Avoid the CEO Doom Loop
 [00:49:25] Closing Thoughts

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At 28 years old, Richard Bryan was thrown into the CEO seat of his family’s 100-year-old car dealership group — a business losing millions and on the brink of collapse. With 400 employees and 16 family shareholders depending on him, survival became the only goal.

In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, Richard shares how he led under immense pressure, the pivotal role his mentor “Frank” played, and the leadership lessons he carries into his work today as a Metronomics coach. From firing C players to building an A-team, Richard’s story is a raw look at what it takes to lead through a crisis.

If you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or leader navigating growth and uncertainty, Richard’s journey will challenge and inspire you. Subscribe for more conversations with leaders escaping the Doom Loop.

Chapters:
[00:00:00] Intro & Guest Welcome
[00:06:01] Becoming CEO at 28
[00:07:46] Defining Success as Survival
[00:12:00] Six Months of Cash Left
[00:13:38] Finding Frank the Mentor
[00:18:00] Hard Decisions: Closures & Layoffs
[00:29:42] Building an A-Team
[00:36:19] From Survival to Growth Vision
[00:43:28] Transition to Coaching
[00:50:00] Leadership Lessons for CEOs

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In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Shawn Verlinden, CEO of Auch Construction. Shawn shares his journey from project manager to CEO of a 100+ year-old construction firm, and how building leadership rhythms transformed his company’s culture and growth trajectory.

Shawn explains how letting go of daily tasks was the best move he made, how daily huddles created trust and speed across the company, and why coaching and accountability drive momentum. From his first year as CEO, Shawn’s insights are practical, candid, and deeply human — lessons every leader can use.

If you’re a CEO struggling with growth challenges, this episode will give you practical strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and discipline. Subscribe for more conversations with real-world CEOs.

Chapters:
 [00:00:00] Intro & Guest Welcome
 [00:01:00] Shawn’s background in construction
 [00:03:00] The CEO Doom Loop explained
 [00:07:00] Building a cohesive leadership team
 [00:13:00] First year as CEO: lessons learned
 [00:17:00] Letting go of projects to lead the company
 [00:20:00] Shifting from operations to strategy
 [00:27:00] Coaching, huddles, and momentum
 [00:34:00] Shawn’s leadership philosophy & vision
 [00:42:40] Closing

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Burnout, Bad Hires & Bulldozing Through the Doom Loop

What happens when you hit rock bottom in the CEO seat—8 figures in debt, team trust eroding, and no clear way out?

In this episode, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Anthony Stayman, who shares the brutal truth of trying to do it all—CEO, head of sales, firefighter—and what finally helped him escape the Doom Loop.

They unpack:

• What $8M in debt teaches you about leadership
• Why hiring the “smartest person in the room” can backfire
• The hidden cost of bulldozing through burnout
• How coaching helped rebuild momentum without selling the company

Subscribe for real stories, not theory.

Full episodes:
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gGJHsNT9
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDywEfuc
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gcNmQvA4

#LeadershipPodcast #CEOStories #ExecutiveCoaching #BurnoutRecovery #APlayerTeams #EscapeTheCEODoomLoop

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What does it really take to lead a century-old family business into its next era of growth, without losing yourself in the process?

In this episode, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Matt McDonell, CEO of MJS Packaging, to explore his journey from family member on the sidelines to full-time sales leader and, ultimately, CEO. 

Matt opens up about the weight of leadership, the discipline of strategic planning, the loneliness that often comes with the role, and the ongoing work of building a culture that retains A-players in a modern world.

If you’re leading a growing business, navigating succession, or just trying to find balance in the chaos, this conversation is for you.           

Key Topics Covered:
The evolution of a 135+ year-old family business
Transitioning into the CEO seat during COVID
Breaking old habits: from "everyone sells everything" to strategic focus
Building a true leadership team and letting go of firefighting
What it feels like to live in the CEO Doom Loop—and how Matt gets out of it
The cost of ignoring personal well-being as a leader
Balancing legacy with future growth (including acquisitions)
How to retain A-players and build accountability in a family-oriented culture
Why a CEO coach matters—and what kind of support makes a difference

Guest Bio:

Matt McDonell is the CEO of MJS Packaging, a multi-generation family business founded in 1885. With deep roots in sales and a strategic mind for growth, Matt has helped lead the company through industry disruption, leadership transitions, and internal reinvention. He’s known for his direct communication, humble leadership, and commitment to building a business that outlasts him.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Who is Matt McDonell?
04:00 – Family business legacy + Matt’s path to CEO
10:15 – First strategic planning sessions with John
15:45 – The decision to reinvest in leadership (vs. distribute profits)
20:30 – Growing pains & signs the team needed change
26:00 – Becoming the CEO: reality vs. expectation
33:40 – Recognizing and escaping the CEO Doom Loop
39:25 – Balancing family, health, and mental clarity
44:15 – Building a culture that attracts and keeps A-players
49:10 – Driving change in a legacy business
53:40 – The importance of understanding your core customer
59:00 – How Matt's role has evolved + becoming a remote CEO
1:06:15 – Vision, legacy, and what comes next
1:10:30 – Matt’s CEO Playbook: 3 non-negotiables
1:14:00 – Final reflections from Glen & John

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When your company’s growth slows, the instinct is to work harder, move faster, and push your team harder. But what if that’s exactly what’s keeping you stuck?

In this episode, Michael Guthrie, experienced CEO, breaks down why even the most successful leaders can get caught in the CEO doom loop, and how to break free.

We unpack:

• How growth plateaus actually start (and why it’s rarely market conditions).
• The warning signs your leadership team is out of alignment.
• Why “do more” often backfires when revenue stalls.
• The small, deliberate shifts that reignite momentum.
• How to keep your head clear when the weight of the company feels like it’s all on you.

If you’re a CEO, founder, or senior leader, Michael’s insights will give you both the diagnosis and the cure for your company’s slowdown.

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In this episode, Glen and John sit down with Bill Costello, CEO of Streeter Custom Builder, for an honest and insightful look at what it really takes to transition from doing the work—to leading the people who do.

From running operations to stepping into the CEO seat, Bill’s journey is filled with the tough mindset shifts and real leadership lessons that define a high-performing company. Whether it’s letting go of control, navigating team turnover, or building a leadership rhythm that drives culture and profit—Bill shares how he escaped the Doom Loop and built something stronger.

This conversation is packed with truth, strategy, and the kind of wisdom only hard-earned experience can bring.

In this episode, Bill shares:

• What it was like to take over a legacy business—and why vision had to come first
• The hardest transition of all: letting go of operations
• Why accountability scared some people off—and why that’s okay
• His framework for coaching senior leaders instead of managing them
• The rhythm that built consistency, culture, and over $3M in net profit
• What changed when he stopped being the fixer and started asking better questions
• How “Automate the Ordinary, Elevate the Extraordinary” became a leadership mantra
• Why building an A-level team is the CEO’s most important job

Timestamps:
 00:00 – Welcome + Meet Bill Costello
 02:30 – From COO to CEO: The messy middle
 06:45 – Trusting the team to rise
 11:10 – Letting go of control and the COO title
 15:30 – Building a vision the whole company could believe in
 21:15 – When the vision finally clicked—and fear turned into buy-in
 26:50 – What accountability really means (and what it cost them)
 31:20 – Turning metrics into motivation
 36:15 – Bonus structures, performance, and retention
 42:30 – When team changes force a reset
 47:00 – Coaching through hard decisions
 51:45 – Working on the business vs. in the business
 55:00 – Ask more questions. Be patient. Stay disciplined.

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In this episode, Glen and John sit down with Lauren Carson, President of ARC Abrasives, to unpack her raw and insightful leadership journey. From inheriting operations without a playbook to becoming the type of leader who attracts top talent and drives bottom-line results—Lauren shares what it really takes to lead a legacy manufacturing company into the future.

This conversation is packed with real-world lessons, laughter, and leadership truths.

In this episode, Lauren shares:

How she unexpectedly became president of a 60-year-old manufacturing company

What it feels like to fall into the CEO Doom Loop—and how coaching helps her climb out

The hardest people decisions she’s had to make—and why her team trusts her more because of them

Her strategies for empowering managers, tracking performance, and growing profitability

Why “every day is the Super Bowl” when you’re building a culture that wins

How boundaries, gym routines, and family time keep her grounded and energized

What legacy means to her—and why ARC’s name should stand for something more than sandpaper

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + Lauren’s intro
03:45 – From sales exec to president
08:55 – A bold vision for manufacturing
12:20 – Recognizing the CEO Doom Loop
15:45 – Coaching and holding up the mirror
18:15 – Building a culture that attracts A-players
23:05 – Making the hard people decisions
28:30 – Metrics, profit, and empowering the floor
33:00 – Shifting from in the business to on the business
38:45 – Leadership team evolution
44:00 – Boundaries, routines, and energy
48:30 – The legacy Lauren wants to leave
53:10 – Executive hires and team performance

Watch or listen to the full episode here:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

About the Show:
Escape the CEO Doom Loop is for CEOs and leadership teams ready to grow—with clarity, momentum, and purpose. Co-hosted by Glen Dall and John Ninkovich, each episode delivers real-world stories and practical tools to help you lead better and scale smarter.

#EscapeTheCEODoomLoop #ManufacturingLeadership #CEOPlaybook #ExecutiveCoaching #GrowthMindset #WomenInLeadership

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Becoming the Coach I Needed: Glen’s Story | Escape the CEO Doom Loop Podcast

“I wish I could go back and coach myself when I was CEO.”

That’s the core of Glen’s purpose—and in this episode, you’ll hear why. From the weight of lonely decisions to years spent without clarity on strategy or people, Glen unpacks what it really felt like to lead without a coach—and how that fuels the work he does today.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Why Glen coaches
02:20 – Leading without a guide
05:30 – The loneliness of the CEO seat
08:45 – What he would do differently today
12:00 – Helping others get clear on purpose and team
16:40 – Final reflections on coaching, growth, and mission

Watch or listen to the full episode here:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

About the Show:
Escape the CEO Doom Loop is for CEOs and leadership teams ready to grow—with clarity, momentum, and purpose. Co-hosted by Glen Dall and John Ninkovich, each episode delivers real-world stories and practical tools to help you lead better and scale smarter.

#EscapeTheCEODoomLoop #GetUnstuck #ExecutiveCoaching #CEOLeadership #ClarityInChaos

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In this powerful second episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, co-host John Ninkovich opens up about his personal leadership journey—from working behind the counter of a family business at age nine to running a company, losing it all, and rebuilding with purpose.

John sits down with Glen Dall to share the real story behind why he became a CEO coach—and why the most valuable lessons don’t come from the wins, but from the moments you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom.

Inside this episode:

• What it really feels like to go from CEO to employee—and why ego isn’t your enemy, but your teacher.
• The hard truth behind family business dynamics, loyalty, and painful people decisions.
• Why coaching your own team is like trying to play quarterback and be the head coach—and why that rarely works.
• The 3AM sweat: waking up with payroll panic and learning what real responsibility feels like.
• How the darkest moments often become the foundation for your purpose as a leader.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of leading a team, the fear of failure, or the isolation that comes with the title “CEO,” this episode is for you. John’s story is a reminder that real leadership is forged in adversity—and that you’re not alone in the journey.

Up next: In Episode 3, Glen shares his CEO story—the rise, the fall, the public-company pressure, and the path to purpose.

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