APPLE PODCASTS EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

Episode Title: How to Lead Through Economic Chaos: CFO's 5-Star Strategy for Business Resilience

Episode Description:

Discover the proven framework that helped one CFO double revenue at five companies while others struggle with economic uncertainty. In this episode of The Self Aware Leader, host Jason Rigby interviews Karl Maier, seasoned CFO, business advisor, and author of "Surfing Economic Chaos: How American Business Can Prosper Despite Globalization's Collapse."

What You'll Learn:

• The revolutionary 5-Star Model for evaluating business resilience and market positioning
• Why demographic shifts are creating unprecedented leadership challenges and hidden opportunities
• How to identify and eliminate unprofitable customers that drain resources and morale
• The strategic planning framework that transforms crisis into competitive advantage
• Why traditional globalization assumptions no longer apply to modern business strategy
• How to implement weekly management systems that drive consistent growth and accountability
• The critical mindset shift from reactive "chess piece" to proactive "chess player" leadership
• How to challenge dangerous assumptions that keep businesses stuck in mediocrity
• Why return on capital analysis is now essential for business survival and growth
• When and how to bring fractional leadership expertise into your organization

Key Insights: Karl reveals why the average age of skilled workers is 58 years old and what this demographic shift means for wages, hiring, and business strategy over the next decade. He shares the shocking story of a chemical company president who discovered his entire understanding of which division was profitable was completely wrong—a $2 million blind spot that transformed the business once corrected.

Perfect For:

• CEOs and business owners navigating economic uncertainty
• Entrepreneurs seeking strategic frameworks for sustainable growth
• Leaders struggling with cash flow, payroll, and profitability challenges
• Executives wanting to transform reactive management into proactive leadership
• Anyone interested in applying ancient wisdom principles to modern business strategy

About Karl Maier: Karl Maier has over 25 years of experience starting, managing, and advising lower middle-market companies. He facilitates CEO peer advisory roundtable groups and speaks to companies about seizing opportunities in economic chaos. Karl holds a B.A. in Economics and MBA from Rice University and is the founder of Abundant.

About The Self Aware Leader: Hosted by Jason Rigby, The Self Aware Leader combines ancient wisdom with modern leadership challenges to help entrepreneurs and executives develop authentic, resilient leadership skills. Each episode provides practical frameworks for conscious leadership, emotional intelligence development, and strategic business transformation.

Connect:

• Karl Maier: LinkedIn @karlkmaier | www.abunden.com
• Jason Rigby: All platforms @TJasonRigby | www.selfawarepodcast.com
• Join our Circle community for deeper leadership discussions

Tags: leadership development, business strategy, economic leadership, conscious leadership, strategic planning, business transformation, executive coaching, financial leadership, crisis management, resilient leadership, self awareness, organizational culture, team building, authentic leadership, mindfulness leadership, CEO advice, entrepreneurship, business growth, management systems, capital allocation