In this episode, we sit down with serial founder and advisor Jim Ball to unpack how real companies grow: through teams, systems, and clear roles that compound over time. Entrepreneurship is a disciplined craft, not a daredevil act.

We dig into the sell-build-run triangle that underpins resilient organizations.  Jim explains when a CEO should jump on a sales call—and when they should stay out—and why the real goal is a system that closes deals while you’re working on the business.

Jim also introduces Build Grow Last and the Ascent framework, a stage-by-stage map for marketing, sales, finance, legal, and operations. Most founder problems are common, which means much of the solution already exists - you adapt the last mile to your market. We close with concrete takeaways: design processes you can scale, measure what matters, and keep improving the machine. 

An ad in a Sunday paper, a faxed resume, and a week later Craig Guarente was on a plane to start at Oracle. That origin story sets the stage for a tour through three decades of deals, from paper contracts and fax machines to cloud subscriptions and the rise of generative AI. 

In this episode our usual host, Craig Guarente, is in the guest chair, interviewed by Marisa Gallicchio, Director of Marketing at Palisade Compliance. We talk about what has really changed in enterprise negotiations (and what hasn’t).

We connect the enterprise to the everyday: the coffee mug that needs an app, “subscribe to wash” dishwashers, and why clicking “I accept” without reading the terms and conditions is now a high‑stakes decision. Ownership vs. access isn’t just a vibe; it’s a negotiation position with real costs at renewal time.

Along the way, Craig’s core advice anchors the conversation: keep going. Resistance often signals you’re onto something worth doing, whether you’re renegotiating a ULA, building an internal AI capability, or breaking vendor dependency.

Follow Craig on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/craigguarente

In this episode we sit down with Emmy‑winning executive and esports entrepreneur Anthony Gaud to map the real terrain of competitive gaming and the fractured media world we all inhabit now.

The conversation widens to the media shift hiding in plain sight: Game Awards streams outdrawing the Oscars, streamers surpassing cable ratings, and a generation that knows MrBeast better than late‑night hosts. Anthony argues that rebuilding shared culture will require more live, scheduled moments - and less algorithmic drift. 

He also pulls back the curtain on publisher control choking event organizers, the implications of leveraged buyouts in gaming, and how his team blends real game design with regulated iGaming to create safer, more engaging experiences for adults. Along the way, we celebrate the artistry of modern games such as Red Dead Redemption 2, and how gaming unites people of all ages and backgrounds.

Learn more about GaudHammer Gaming Group at: https://www.gaudhammer.com/

Check out Galaxy One Radio program on Apple, Spotify, and iTunes, or tune into WOND radio.

The software asset management industry has long suffered from a fundamental misunderstanding: that technology alone can solve compliance challenges. In this episode, we welcome Rory Canavan, founder and CEO of SAM Charter. Rory and Craig discuss why so many organizations continue to face painful audits despite investing in expensive SAM suites.

Drawing from his decade-plus experience developing SAM frameworks for organizations worldwide, Rory shares how process-driven approaches have delivered remarkable results and how the compliance landscape continues to evolve, particularly as organizations migrate to cloud services. 

Check out these resources from SAM Charter:

• Bermuda Triangle of SAM: https://www.samcharter.com/resources/awesome-explainer-video/
• AI Paper:  https://www.samcharter.com/download/ai-machine-learning-and-sam/ 
• ITAM Accelerate Process Kit: https://www.itamaccelerate.com/product/process-kit/

The contract world is broken, and Ken Adams, Head of Adams Contracts - a division of LegalSifter, has spent over two decades trying to fix it. In this episode, the world's foremost authority on contract language reveals why most business agreements are dysfunctional and how to break free from the "copy-paste machine" that perpetuates bad drafting practices.

Ken highlights his highly customizable, automated templates that force users to make deliberate decisions through a dynamic questionnaire process. This approach represents a complete paradigm shift from traditional methods of contract creation. Through revealing examples like the widely misunderstood concept of "consequential damages," Adams demonstrates why simply tweaking existing templates can never produce truly effective agreements.

Connect with Ken at adamsdrafting.com or explore his customizable templates at adamscontracts.com.

In this episode we welcome Ashley Cruz, a highly accomplished marketing technologist and IT leader with over 13 years of experience driving digital transformation and operational excellence at Televerde, a global sales and marketing solutions provider. Ashley and Craig discuss her journey at Televerde from calling agent to IT leader and the challenges and opportunities she has faced in her role as Head of Information Technology.

Ashley and Craig also discuss the Televerde Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing currently and formerly incarcerated women with the personal and professional development programs necessary to successfully join and advance in the global workplace while addressing issues that cause recidivism. Ashley mentors throughout the Televerde network and helps to empower women who are rejoining the workforce to learn the skills they need, not just for the workplace but also for every day life.

To learn more about the Televerde Foundation and their mission, visit televerdefoundation.org.

Migrating to the cloud is something many companies will do in the near future, if they haven’t already. These migrations can be costly, complex, and slow – and with so many cloud providers out there, the task of adopting new technology can be a confusing and daunting process.

In this episode we welcome Raj Joshi, Founder of CloudifyAI, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the way businesses leverage data and AI to drive innovation, create value, and solve complex challenges.

Raj and Craig discuss how companies are moving to the cloud, the challenges and roadblocks they face when adopting cloud technologies, and how they manage risk during migration. Raj also discusses how CloudifyAI works to empower businesses through innovative AI-driven insights and seamless cloud transitions, allowing companies to make smarter decisions.

CIO Dive is a leading publication that provides in-depth journalism and insights into the most impactful news and trends shaping IT. In this episode we welcome Matt Ashare, Senior Reporter at CIO Dive.

Matt and Craig discuss current IT trends and influences, how CTOs and other technology executives are forging paths to adopt new technologies, and customer sentiments around IT vendors.

Visit CIOdive.com to get the latest IT news.

In this episode Craig welcomes Brian Luper, Director of IT Procurement at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Brian focuses on overseeing a team that deals with endpoint management, remote support, managing physical and virtual computer labs on campus, as well as coordinating central software licensing for the institution.  

Craig and Brian discuss the Rutgers IT organization’s challenge of developing and offering services to the entire university community of of 2,000 employees, 27,000 faculty and staff, and 69,000 students. From providing support to centralizing licensing and bringing down costs, this episode gives insight into the responsibilities of an IT leader in a large university system.

Brian also highlights his work with EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance the strategic use of technology and data in higher education. To learn more, visit educause.edu.

To learn more about Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, visit rutgers.edu.

In this episode Craig welcomes Sally Guyer, CEO of World Commerce & Contracting, formerly IACCM, a non-profit association and the only global body promoting standards and raising capabilities in commercial practice. Craig and Sally discuss WCC’s mission to transform contract management and the contracting process within global trade while encouraging commercial innovation.

Learn more about how Sally and WCC are transforming contract management at worldcc.com.