I had a buddy ask me today, “how do you get from 1 to 10 million?”

This podcast is my full playbook to scale from 1 to 10 million, simplified, digestible. If you want to scale, this is for you.

Books mentioned:

Metronomics

Traction

Scaling Up

Playing to Win

In this episode, I discussed the audit I perform with every CEO I work with. There’s so many pressing items to deal with in the business that if you don’t set up your day with your highest value tasks, taking priority, then they will never get taken care of.That leaves you in the weeds forever. This is the process I took to go from 80 hour work weeks to one hour work weeks.

Guest Adam Cruz joins today!

From pastor to Silicon Valley titan.

Stop being married to your solution. Obsess the client experience what their problems are. That’s where you win.

What’s up founders!

Getting the right tool for the job is critical. I’ve hired facilitators, coaches and consultants. All have pros and cons. Here’s what to look for in each, and when to hire one.

Hiring one developer sounds simple—until you realize you're the roadmap, the product manager, and the visionary all in one. Most founders get stuck here. They micromanage story points, avoid real strategy work, or leave their dev flying blind.

In this episode, I’ll show you how to manage just one developer the right way—by focusing on outcomes, giving context, and creating a light but effective management rhythm. Whether you're technical or not, this is how to move fast without micromanaging or burning out.

What you’ll learn:

Why managing one dev is harder than it looks

The 4-part cadence I use to stay aligned and move fast

How to avoid the biggest mistakes founders make when building early products

Why you can’t outsource vision in the early stage

Subscribe if you’re building a team, a product, or both.

In this episode, I talk about why most attempts to “fix” team culture completely miss the mark.

I used to think I could change culture with a team retreat, some new core values, or a few extra perks. I even flew my exec team to Park City, brought in a yoga teacher, and ran us through the Five Dysfunctions of a Team exercise. It felt productive—but nothing actually changed.

Because here’s what I learned the hard way:

Culture isn’t what you say. It’s what you tolerate.

If your team feels lazy, disconnected, or entitled—don’t reach for another vibe check or values workshop. You need clarity, consequences, and the courage to enforce standards.

In this episode, I break down:

The moment I realized my culture sucked—and why all my “fixes” failed

The shift that turned things around almost overnight

The 3 levers I use today to build a culture that A-players love

A practical action plan you can use this week to start the change

This isn’t fluff. It’s what actually works.

If you’ve got a team with potential—but the culture feels off—this one’s for you.

Let’s fix it.

The most ignorant thing I ever heard came from the smartest person I knew—an executive at Wells Fargo with a $300K MBA.

After 18 months of chasing their business, I finally landed them. And then he said:

“Cort, the only reason your company exists—and Wells Fargo exists—is to drive shareholder value.”

This was right after Wells Fargo was fined hundreds of millions for opening fake accounts and destroying customer credit scores—all in the name of “shareholder value.” Their stock dropped, trust collapsed, and the very thing they were chasing got destroyed.

In this episode, I unpack the false gospel of shareholder value—and share the story of how hiring the wrong CEO almost killed my company. I break down the tension between purpose and profit, and what it really takes to build a business that inspires your team and drives results.

You’ll learn:

Why employees don’t care about quarterly earnings

How to balance purpose with performance

The 3-part framework I use to align vision, execution, and financials

And when to bring profit into the conversation with your team

This episode is a must-watch for any founder, CEO, or manager who’s scaling a business and trying to lead with both heart and strategy.

If your team isn't leveling up, it's not a motivation problem—it's a leadership one. In this episode, I share the mindset shift that changed everything for me: it's not about you anymore. It’s about them.

Drawing inspiration from world-class drummer Kenny Aronoff, we explore what it really means to lead like a pro—how he became great only after he stopped trying to be the star and started making others shine.

You’ll learn:

Why being the hero is holding your team back

3 practical ways to create A-players without micromanaging

How to shift from performer to producer and elevate your people

If you're still solving every problem, making every decision, and carrying the team on your back—this episode will set you free.

Wondering how long it really takes to build a successful business?

In this episode, I unpack one of the most common questions I hear from founders — and the mindset shift that changed everything for me. I used to spiral after every slow week, every failed launch, every quiet DM inbox... until I stopped asking if this would work and started asking when.

I’ll walk you through the four elements that make success inevitable:

👉 The right person

👉 With the right pain

👉 Matched to the right solution

👉 Seen enough times to say yes

If you’ve got those locked in — it’s not a matter of luck, it’s a matter of time. I’ll show you how to audit each step, avoid the biggest pitfalls, and accelerate the timeline without burning out.

Whether you’re in the early grind or stuck in the messy middle, this one’s for you.

In an age where every answer is just a click away, knowledge has become cheap. Ubiquitous. Infinite.

So why are the results still so uneven?

In this episode, I break down why knowledge alone no longer builds empires — and what does.

Drawing from history, scripture, research, and the lessons I’ve learned from interviewing over 100 millionaires, I unpack the three traits that consistently separate those who consume information from those who create outcomes:

Clarity – Why knowing your purpose matters more than knowing the answer.

Execution – Why boredom, not hardship, is the true enemy of success.

Emotional Quotient – Why the most resilient leaders are the ones who "do it scared."

Whether you're scaling a company, building a brand, or trying to lead through uncertainty — this episode will help you cut through the noise, recommit to your purpose, and build something that lasts.