Ready Set Exec: The Podcast

Alan McLaren: The Silent Leadership Signal Destroying Your Team | Ready Set Exec S01E33

CEO posts generate 7x more impressions than company pages. Most CEOs aren't posting. That gap is costing them trust, talent, and revenue. Alan McLaren is the co-founder of Strata Originals, the leadership branding firm that has coached more than 600 CEOs to clarify their leadership signal - the way their voice, presence, and perspective land with authority in every room and on every platform. With 30 years in executive roles across public companies, partnerships, and entrepreneurial ventures, Alan helps leaders understand why being felt is more important than just being seen. In this episode, Alan breaks down everything: why your leadership brand matters more than ever in the age of AI, why 90% of sales reps are doing social selling completely wrong, what the Coldplay CEO scandal teaches us about visibility and values, and how to frame your communication so it builds trust instead of triggering partisan walls. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters: 00:00 Who is Alan McLaren? 600 CEOs coached, 30 years in exec roles, Strata Originals 01:24 Leadership branding vs. personal branding 06:37 What to do if you're a CEO who hates being in front of cameras 08:00 The basic assets every executive should build to start their leadership brand 15:03 The loneliness of leadership: why even CEOs need mentors and community 22:58 What "leadership signal" actually means in the Mensa CEO story 26:00 How to frame content so it starts conversations instead of creating partisan divides 28:14 Why CEOs should never talk politics online Connect with Ready Set Exec: * John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/] * Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec [https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec] * Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g [https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g] * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413] Connect with Alan McLaren: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanmclaren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanmclaren] #CEO #leadershipbranding #personalbranding #LinkedInmarketing #socialselling #executiveleadership #thoughtleadership #podcast #ReadySetExec #trustbuilding

Dr. Steven Wright: The 3 AI Threats Your Company Isn't Protecting Against | Ready Set Exec

AI isn't what most people think it is. And the threats it's creating are ones most companies have no plan for. Dr. Steven Wright is a globally experienced technology strategist, educator, and lawyer with over three decades of leadership across telecommunications, IT, and emerging digital ecosystems. He has contributed more than 50 patents, negotiated international technology agreements, and serves as faculty at multiple universities, driving innovation in AI, network architecture, and technology law. In this episode, we unpack the full landscape of what's actually happening at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, law, and ethics - including why politicians can't regulate what they don't understand, the three AI-enabled threats most companies aren't protecting against, and when quantum computing will actually break the internet's current security infrastructure. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters: 00:00 Who is Dr. Steven Wright? 01:04n The different ethical frameworks and why they matter for AI 05:30 Why calling it "AI" is the problem 07:36 Autonomous vehicles and the trolley problem 11:51 Who pays when an AI makes a mistake? 15:13 Why politicians can't regulate what they don't understand 20:30 Data suppression: how information is censored, hidden, and manipulated at scale 23:36 Deepfakes - CEO impersonation, blackmail, and why your company is the target 31:56 Quantum computing, when is it actually coming, and what will it break? 36:23 Post-quantum cryptography - the Y2K-scale challenge already underway 38:25 Blockchain, the GENIUS Act, and stable coins where crypto law actually stands in 2026 48:23 NFTs, practical blockchain use cases, and what actually worked Connect with Ready Set Exec: * John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/] * Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec [https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec] * Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g [https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g] * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413] Connect with Dr. Steven Wright: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstevenawright/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstevenawright/] #AI #cybersecurity #deepfakes #datapoisoning #quantumcomputing #blockchain #techlaw #AIethics #podcast #ReadySetExec

Joshua Ramsey: Why Your AdWords Isn't Working (And It's Not the Agency's Fault) | Ready Set Exec

Most businesses are handing thousands of dollars a month to marketing agencies that start from scratch every time, run ads at 2 am to nobody, and load 1,200 keywords when 50 would do the job. Joshua Ramsey has spent over 20 years as a fractional CMO running campaigns across 15 industries, and he's seen every way a marketing budget gets quietly wasted. In this episode, we break down how to hold agencies accountable, what your AdWords account should actually look like, and why following AI for your marketing strategy may be the most expensive mistake you make in the next two years. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapter: 0:00 - Intro: Who is Joshua Ramsey? 1:25 - Managing agency transitions without killing your pipeline 6:36 - How to hold agencies accountable with KPIs 9:33 - Law of diminishing returns in AdWords 12:27 - What healthy AdWords numbers actually look like 14:51 - Search impression share: the sweet spot 20:58 - What a real fractional CMO actually does 30:42 - AI search optimization: real or hype? 33:07 - How to show up in ChatGPT and Gemini 37:00 - Why AI marketing advice will sink your business 42:58 - Building a brand narrative that differentiates you 44:03 - The trauma egg: your founder story as your edge 51:18 - Nike, McDonald's, Rolls-Royce operational truth in branding Connect with Ready Set Exec: * John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/] * Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec [https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec] * Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g [https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g] * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413] Connect with Joshua Ramesy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaramsey] #FractionalCMO #MarketingStrategy #AdWords #GoogleAds #BusinessGrowth #DigitalMarketing #BrandNarrative #AIMarketing #ContentMarketing #Podcast2026 #SMBMarketing #LeadGeneration #MarketingAgency #FounderMindset #Entrepreneur

Justin Freishtat: How to launch a hedge fund

Navigate the complex world of private equity with insider secrets from Justin Freishtat. Discover how to structure, fundraise, and protect your fund amidst market volatility. Learn the importance of legal structures like 506(c) vs. 506(b), third-party administration, and audits to safeguard against fraud. Justin shares strategies for raising capital, building a personal brand, and identifying qualified investors. Stand out in a crowded market with integrity and transparency. Hear stories of fraud, lessons learned, and the critical role of due diligence. Whether you're a high-net-worth individual or an aspiring fund manager, this episode is your guide to turning risk into reward. Justin's expertise in private equity and hedge funds offers essential insights for elevating your investment strategy. Tune in to master capital formation and personal branding, and start building smarter, safer, more profitable funds today. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Justin Freishtat and His Ventures 01:06 Understanding Modern Private Equity and Fund Structures 02:45 Launching a New Fund: Insights and Preparations 04:10 Market Changes and Investor Sentiment 06:18 Fundraising Strategies in a Constrained Environment 09:10 The Importance of Personal Branding in VC 11:41 Retail Investment Trends and Social Media Influence 14:45 Navigating the Risks of Investment in a Volatile Market 18:41 Education and Discipline in Investment Strategies 21:29 Lessons Learned: The Importance of Third-Party Reporting 24:52 Navigating Legal Challenges in Business 27:01 The Journey of Heartland: A Family Business Success 29:05 Transitioning from Family Business to Hedge Funds 32:17 Reinventing Yourself in New Ventures 36:37 Finding Fulfillment Beyond Financial Success 38:40 The Importance of Enjoying the Journey 40:39 Building a Personal Brand in a Digital World 42:07 The Future of Advertising and Social Media 43:28 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Goals Connect with Ready Set Exec: * John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/] * Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec [https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec] * Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g [https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g] * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413] Connect with Justin Freishtat: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-freishtat-68063579/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-freishtat-68063579/]

Jim Carlough: How I Took a Sales Team's Close Ratio from 15% to 70% in 3 Years

Most sales teams track their close ratio and quota attainment. Jim Carlough's team went from 15% to 70% by measuring everything else first. Jim Carlough is a transformational executive and leadership identity architect with 30 years of driving growth across healthcare and technology. As Chief Sales Officer at Impulse, he leads AI-powered engagement strategies delivering over one billion healthcare conversations annually while accelerating double-digit ARR growth. As former President of Health Trio (acquired by Impulse), he tripled revenue in three years, going from 1 deal a year to 10, selling a new deal every month for nine consecutive months in his best stretch. In this episode, Jim breaks down exactly how he did it: the pipeline cleansing, the drip campaigns, the KPI structure, and the hiring philosophy he learned from Ross Perot. He also shares the research behind his new book on "accidental leaders," the 82% of managers promoted without any leadership training, and why AI will never replace the human judgment, empathy, and integrity that real leadership requires. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapter: 00:00 Who is Jim Carlough? 30 years, $100M healthcare SaaS, CSO at Impulse 01:25 How Jim took close ratios from 15% to 70%, the first thing he did 03:20 The pipeline cleansing operation is removing years of garbage from Salesforce 08:15 KPIs that actually matter: drip campaigns, early-stage pipeline, and qualified pipeline 12:45 9 deals in 9 months, and the chairman's call in October 15:03 Building a metrics-driven culture without destroying your team's morale 16:19 Hire winners or people who hate to lose, the Ross Perot hiring philosophy 23:56 The two things all salespeople struggle with and how to coach around them 43:20 Why AI will never replace leadership empathy, integrity, and judgment 47:23 Jim's book: The Six Essential Pillars for fixing "Accidental Leaders." Connect with Ready Set Exec: * John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/] * Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/] * Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec [https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec] * Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g [https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_g] * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413] Connect with Jim Carlough: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcarlough [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcarlough] #salesleadership #B2Bsales #salesKPI #SaaS #healthtech #AI #leadership #CRO #podcast #ReadySetExec