The Breakout CEO

In this episode of The Breakout CEO Podcast, host Jeff Holman sits down with leadership coach and former competitive chess player John Whitt to explore the powerful parallels between chess strategy and modern business leadership. John shares how his early experience competing in the U.S. Chess Championships shaped his approach to clarity, planning, and decision-making, skills he later applied throughout a successful corporate career and now teaches to scaling CEOs. 

The conversation dives deep into why clarity is the “queen of business,” how to build and lead A-player teams, and why hiring mistakes are one of the biggest barriers to growth. John explains the necessity of testing ideas, evaluating risk, and implementing continuous course correction, especially for CEOs navigating rapid growth and constant change. Whether you’re a CEO, founder, or emerging leader, this episode delivers actionable insights on strategic thinking, coaching, hiring, and resilience in the face of inevitable adversity. 

Check out John's work at https://businesswhitt.com/.

Say hello to John! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnwhitt1959/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businesswhitt/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjohnwhitt/ 

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest

In this episode of The Breakout CEO, Jeff Holman sits down with Paige Arnof-Fenn, a 24-year marketing veteran and CEO of Mavens & Moguls, to break down what truly drives growth for scaling companies. Paige explains why the core principles of marketing haven’t changed even as tools, platforms, and AI evolve. She shows why a strong brand story still outperforms clever features, and how emotional connection is the ultimate differentiator in crowded markets. 

She also shares practical steps CEOs can use immediately, starting with a communications audit to uncover messaging gaps, inconsistencies, and misalignment across teams. Whether you’re leading a SaaS company, ecommerce brand, or B2B tech startup, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to strengthen your brand, clarify your value proposition, and scale with confidence. 

Perfect for CEOs focused on marketing, branding, storytelling, PR strategy, and building emotional connections with customers. 

Check out Paige's work at https://mavensandmoguls.com/ 

Say hello to Paige! 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigearnoffenn/  

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest

In this episode of The Breakout CEO Podcast, host Jeff Holman sits down with Aasha LaCount, CEO of BeyondEQ International, to explore how emotional intelligence (EQ) is transforming modern leadership. 

Aasha shares her raw personal story of burnout, anxiety, loss, and rebuilding, and how those experiences led her to uncover the hidden link between emotional regulation, team performance, and business growth. 

The conversation delves into the importance of authenticity, the ripple effects of leadership on teams, and the necessity of self-love for personal and professional growth. Aasha emphasizes that emotional intelligence is not just a buzzword but a vital investment for future leaders, as it directly impacts team dynamics and overall business success. 

Check out Aasha's work at https://www.beyondeqinternational.com/.

Say hello to Aasha! 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aasha-t-lacount-449b59201/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasha_t_international/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondeq_international/  

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest

This episode is part of our CEO Expert mini-series where we talk with experts who coach, mentor, train, and work with scaling CEOs to expand their insights and help identify and achieve their breakout moments.

In this episode of the Breakout CEO Podcast, Jeff Holman speaks with Angela Lapovsky, a fractional COO, about the challenges and strategies for scaling CEOs. They discuss Angela's background, her approach to helping startups navigate chaos, and the importance of clarity in strategy.

Angela shares insights on staying motivated, the role of a fractional COO, and the significance of breakout moments in business. The conversation emphasizes the need for CEOs to recognize when they need external support and how to effectively implement change within their organizations.

Check out Angela's work at https://arlelevate.com/.

Say hello to Angela!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelalapovsky/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest

In this episode of the Breakout CEO Podcast, host Jeff Holman speaks with Earl Foote, founder of Nexus IT, about the company's growth, team culture, and the importance of personal development in leadership. Earl shares insights on how to motivate teams, the evolution of his organization, and the significance of coaching and development programs. He also discusses his personal breakout moments and offers advice for aspiring CEOs on how to grow and evolve as leaders.

Check out Earl's work at https://nexusitc.net/.

Say hello to Earl Foote! ⬇️

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlfoote/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bassslappinceo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NexusITC/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NexusITConsultants

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply https://go.intellectualstrategies.com/podcast-guest

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the CEO and Chairman at Healionics Corporation, Mike Connolly. Mike shares his journey from teaching physics to co-founding startups that have revolutionized women’s health and dialysis care.

He discusses the challenges of medical device innovation, the importance of persistence, navigating regulatory and reimbursement hurdles, and the need for focus in startups. Mike also highlights his team’s work at Healionics on a novel biomaterial for vascular grafts, aiming to improve outcomes for dialysis patients.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Mike's work HERE.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the Partner at Aspen Mountain Partners, Greg Schow. Greg shares lessons from his early ventures, the value of teamwork, and the realities of acquiring and growing “non-sexy” businesses like vending machines and steel fabrication.

He emphasizes the importance of hard work, people over prestige, and adapting to challenges. Greg also discusses building company culture, learning from setbacks, and aligning incentives, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating acquisitions and leadership.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Greg's work HERE.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the Full Professor at INSEAD, Spencer Harrison. Spencer discusses his journey from aspiring English professor to business scholar, focusing on creativity and curiosity in organizations.

Drawing on research and personal stories—including lessons from their influential high school physics teacher, Mr. Jackson—they explore how leaders can foster curiosity, engineer surprise, and balance innovation with efficiency.

Spencer shares practical habits for cultivating curiosity and offers a “garden” metaphor for organizational growth, emphasizing the importance of learning and adaptability for leaders and teams. Spencer is a Professor at INSEAD.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Spencer's work HERE.

Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the Founder of Product 1, Steven Selikoff. Steven shares insights on navigating recent changes in import regulations, the importance of building resilient businesses, and why profitability—not just revenue—should guide product decisions.

He emphasizes learning from mistakes, the value of experienced mentors, and the critical role of a good accountant. Steven also discusses his book and his work at Product Development Academy, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs aiming to succeed in today’s complex global market.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Steven's work HERE.

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of The Breakout CEO: Inside the Strategic Moves of Scaling CEOs, Jeff Holman speaks to the CEO and Co-Founder at Shyft, Alex Burdge. Alex shares his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of Shyft, and how the company navigated major disruptions like the US-China trade wars and COVID-19.

He discusses building a resilient international team, adapting to constant changes in global logistics, and the importance of maintaining a positive, opportunity-focused mindset. Alex also highlights the influence of key mentors and offers practical advice on leadership, resilience, and finding opportunities amid challenges in the ever-changing world of supply chain and manufacturing.

Listeners are encouraged to nominate CEOs with compelling breakout journeys.

Check out Alex's work HERE.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.