Aurora Winter: How to Write a Business Book That Makes You 7 Figures | Ready Set Exec

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

Aurora Winter: How to Write a Business Book That Makes You 7 Figures | Ready Set Exec

In 2026, there are two types of people: those who work for AI, and those who have AI work for them. A book is one of the fastest ways to end up in the right category. Aurora Winter is a thought leader, launch expert, media coach, and bestselling author of 10 books. A former film and TV executive, she helps entrepreneurs and executives turn their expertise into books, powerful messages, and lasting authority. Dr. Wayne Dyer has endorsed her work and helped clients get featured in major media outlets, raise capital, and become recognized voices in their fields. In this episode, we break down exactly how to write, publish, and launch a business book that actually grows your revenue - not just your shelf. Aurora covers the Hormozi playbook that generated $81M in one day, the neuroscience behind why stories sell 27x more, and why a bad book can hurt your brand more than having no book at all. 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 Aurora Winter? Film/TV exec turned 10-time bestselling author 01:53 Why 2026 is a watershed year for personal brands - and AI's scary split 03:56 Why strong brands grow in recessions - the Chanel 2008 case study 07:13 Step-by-step: how to plan your business book from scratch 09:41 Self-publishing vs. traditional - which one is right for you? 11:26 Why AI-written books will destroy your brand (not build it) 13:25 The full book launch system - from manuscript to thought leader 17:18 How Alex Hormozi made $81M in one day - the self-publishing blueprint 21:00 Realistic expectations: the dentist who built a $120M company from one book 29:39 Neuroscience of trust: why stories produce 27x more revenue 31:50 Social proof and status - how a book shifts every client conversation 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 Aurora Winter: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/aurorawinter [http://linkedin.com/in/aurorawinter] #personalbranding #writingabook #businessbook #selfpublishing #thoughtleadership #AlexHormozi #authorpreneur #podcast #ReadySetExec #brandbuilding