Join host David Mansilla and Freestar CEO Kurt Donnell for an unscripted, powerful conversation about the true cost of success and the non-linear path to the top.

Kurt Donnell breaks down the complex world of digital ad monetization, revealing how his company runs over a billion ad auctions daily—operating like a high-frequency trading firm in the ad space.

What You Will Learn:

• The Ad Tech Black Box: How ad space is sold in real-time auctions within milliseconds, and the wild flow of platforms involved.
• The Career Lattice: Why ditching the traditional "career ladder" for a "career lattice" is essential for lifelong growth, including sideways and even downward moves.
• The A+ Strategy: Kurt's counter-intuitive advice: Stop focusing on improving your weaknesses (B to C) and dedicate your energy only to the things that take you from an A to an A+.
• The CEO's Real Job: Why the majority of a CEO's time is spent on the "3D puzzle of people" (HR) and finance.
• The Emotional Cost of Success: Donnell opens up about his high-powered law career, the resulting unhappiness that led him to therapy, and the painful lessons learned from watching his kids grow up "horizontal".

This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur or leader seeking honest wisdom on strategy, people management, and balancing ambition with personal well-being.

#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #CareerAdvice #CEO #AdTech #WorkLifeBalance

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