In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli sits down with Sarah Lehman, CEO of Zartico, and Gord Boyce, professional EOS Implementer. Together, they explore how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helps fast-growing companies bring structure, clarity, and discipline to rapid growth.
Sarah shares Zartico’s journey from explosive early growth to what she calls a company refounding. After scaling quickly during COVID and launching a powerful new visitor intelligence platform, Zartico reached a point where growth was amplifying chaos. Sarah explains why she revisited EOS, how working with an experienced implementer changed the outcome, and what it looks like to build scalable systems without slowing momentum
Gord brings the operator’s perspective, drawing on decades of experience as a tech CEO who scaled companies through high-growth phases. He explains why EOS works for entrepreneurial teams, why leadership cadence and accountability matter, and how an external facilitator accelerates results by keeping teams focused on execution
Together, they discuss leadership alignment, accountability charts, Level 10 meetings, KPIs, and why CEOs benefit from participating in the process rather than trying to run it alone.
If you are leading a growing company and looking for a proven framework to support your next phase of growth, this episode offers practical insight from leaders who have lived it.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Rick Lindquist sits down with Yeshwanth Pulijala, co-founder and CEO of Scalpel AI, and Julian Castelli, operating partner at Mercia Ventures.
Scalpel AI is transforming the surgical supply chain using computer vision to ensure every operating room has the right instruments at the right time.
Yeshwanth shares how Scalpel is tackling inefficiencies that have existed for decades in surgical logistics, saving hospitals time and money while improving patient outcomes.
Julian discusses how he supports founders like Yeshwanth as an operating partner, helping them navigate U.S. expansion, build stronger teams, and scale operations with structure and speed.
Together, they break down what makes the partnership between investors and founders work, from trust and transparency to clear priorities and shared accountability. Yeshwanth explains how working with Julian helped Scalpel strengthen hiring, finance, and go-to-market execution as the company accelerates growth in the U.S.
If you are interested in how AI, partnership, and operational expertise can turn complex challenges into scalable solutions, this episode offers a practical look at the power of collaboration between founders and operating partners.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli talks with Andy Barraclough, founder and CEO of Voxpopme, and Betsy Shaak, the company’s VP of Product.
Voxpopme is an AI-powered qualitative insights platform that helps brands understand customers through video, turning everyday conversations into powerful data.
Andy and Betsy share how they are transforming traditional market research, once dominated by slow, expensive focus groups, into fast, scalable, and human-centered insights powered by AI.
They explain how the platform lets companies capture real customer voices, run research in minutes instead of months, and surface insights that drive better product decisions.
The conversation also dives into the art of building great products. Andy and Betsy reveal how their product team works closely with engineering and customers, balancing founder intuition with data-driven discovery. They discuss trust, rapid prototyping, prioritization, and how AI is changing what is possible for both product teams and researchers.
If you are interested in how technology, empathy, and speed are reshaping customer understanding, this episode is packed with lessons from two leaders building the future of product insight.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli talks with Justin Nassiri, founder and CEO of Executive Presence and a former Navy officer, McKinsey consultant, and serial entrepreneur. Justin shares how he helps CEOs and executives build credibility and influence on LinkedIn.
He explains why LinkedIn has become the most powerful platform for business leaders. He shares how executives can overcome the fear of posting, shift from self-promotion to education, and use storytelling to engage their audience. Julian and Justin discuss the data behind what actually works on LinkedIn, how to turn interviews into high-performing content, and why consistency matters more than perfection.
They also explore Justin’s journey from submarine officer to Silicon Valley founder to leadership advisor, the lessons he learned about timing, product market fit, and the mindset that separates successful entrepreneurs from struggling ones.
If you’ve ever wondered how top executives use LinkedIn to grow their brand, attract opportunities, and inspire their teams, this episode breaks it all down.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli sits down with Park City High School head football coach Josh Montzingo to unpack the leadership journey behind one of Utah’s most inspiring sports turnarounds.
Coach Montzingo reflects on his experience transforming a struggling high school football team through character development, cultural alignment, and meaningful relationships.
He also explains how mentorship, fundraising, delegation, and personal growth shaped his philosophy and how he guided a high-school football team and its leadership council to redefine their values in pursuing lasting success .
The episode covers parallels between coaching and corporate leadership, how to scale with limited resources, and the mindset needed to do hard things as a team or community.
This podcast gives valuable lessons and insights to those who are leading a startup or sports team.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli talks about annual planning with Gord Boyce, a veteran tech CEO and EOS implementer, and Keziah Wonstolen, founder and CEO of Vannin Chief of Staff, an award-winning entrepreneur and former Accenture Chief of Staff.
They share why most companies start planning too late and how shifting the process earlier can set your team up for success.
Gord explains how EOS tools like vision building, rocks, and Level 10 meetings turn strategy into action. Keziah highlights the role of a chief of staff in keeping the process on track, aligning teams, and ensuring consistent communication.
You’ll hear practical tips on retrospectives, top-down and bottom-up planning, quarterly reviews, and how to keep your plan simple and achievable. They also reveal the pitfalls of big-enterprise planning and how to adapt in today’s remote, fast-paced work environment.
So, If annual planning feels overwhelming or messy, this episode will give you a clear playbook to simplify the process, align your team, and make strategy execution part of your culture.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli reveals how to turn your weekly executive meetings into something that actually drives results.
He highlights a harsh reality: executive meetings are among the most costly hours a company spends, yet they are so often neglected.
Julian shares a simple framework to change that:
Start with vision and values, so it sets the tone and reminds everyone why they’re there. Keep updates short and to the point, no rambling. Got a big issue that’s going to eat up time? Toss it into the “parking lot” and come back to it later, without derailing the whole meeting.
He also digs into the prep work that makes all the difference, like how shared docs keep everyone aligned and why assigning clear roles keeps things moving.
So, if your meetings drag on, feel messy, or end without clear action steps, this episode will give you the reset you’ve been waiting for.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli talks with Dave Garrison, co-founder and Chief Navigation Officer of Garrison Growth and author of The Buy-In Advantage.
Dave shares how great leaders inspire real commitment from their teams instead of just compliance. He explains why so many employees are disengaged and how leaders can create a culture where people care deeply about their work.
Dave and Julian discuss simple, practical tools from his book, including the “collective genius” process that helps teams make smarter decisions together, and the “three is greater than seven” rule that keeps priorities clear and achievable.
Dave also shares how a surprising conversation with a shaman changed his view of leadership, purpose, and success. They explore how defining purpose and values can improve hiring, lower turnover, and boost profits by building genuine buy-in across the company.
The conversation is full of lessons for CEOs, executives, and anyone who wants to lead with purpose and unlock their team’s potential.
If you want to elevate engagement, improve alignment, and help your people thrive, this episode will show you how.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli is joined by Larry Mathis, former CEO of Houston Methodist and author of Mathis Maxims: Lessons in Leadership.
Larry reflects on his journey leading one of the world’s top medical centers through a cultural transformation rooted in service, accountability, and integrity.
He shares candid stories that shaped his leadership philosophy including how he built a high-performance executive team, led billion-dollar growth, and even paddled a canoe through a Houston flood to lead by example.
He also discusses the importance of empowering employees, thinking long-term, and why “the troops eat first” applies just as much in healthcare as it does in the military.
This conversation offers enduring principles for leadership with purpose and the humility to keep learning at every stage.
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Scaling with Clarity: How a Chief of Staff Brings Structure to Visionary Leadership
In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, Julian Castelli explores the expanding impact of the Chief of Staff role with Keziah Wonstolen, founder of Vannin Chief of Staff, and James Adcock, CEO of MT Studio Services.
They discuss how a Chief of Staff helps leaders align vision, drive execution across departments, and create space for strategic focus.
Key Takeaways:
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli sits down with seasoned investor and Neotera founder Carl Coward to unpack one of the most urgent challenges facing U.S. industry today: securing a stable, domestic supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, rare earths,copper, tin,graphite etc.
Carl shares his global journey through mining and investment banking, his deep concern over U.S. reliance on adversarial nations like China, and the bold private-public efforts underway to rebuild a Western supply chain. They discuss the undeniable link between national security and rare earth processing and what needs to change at the policy level, and the once-in-a-generation ROI potential for investors and engineers alike.
If you've wondered what it really takes to mine, process, and protect the future of American innovation, this is the conversation to hear.
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How can AI-powered video analytics transform retail and restaurant operations without drowning in complexity?
In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, Julian Castelli sits down with Brock Weeks, CEO and co-founder of Savi, to uncover how his team is turning security cameras into real-time operational tools for cutting costs, reducing theft, and dramatically improving customer experiences.
Key Takeaways:
From Security to Profitability - How Savi repurposes existing cameras to track labor efficiency, theft, and wait times (saving brands $15K/site!).
Scaling Sales the Right Way - Why Brock delayed hiring until his CAC metrics proved scalability (and the costly mistake most startups make).
The Power of ‘No’ – How focusing on restaurants first (not banks or pharmacies) unlocked Savi’s 10,000-site growth.
Leadership Lessons - Building a durable company culture with Radical Candor, OKRs, and Andy Grove’s High Output Management.
COVID Pivot to Profit - Launching weeks before lockdowns and why narrowing their niche saved the business.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli engages with Joe Grover, a seasoned entrepreneur and current CMO at Ampleo.
Joe shares his journey, focusing on his impactful role at Homie, a tech company disrupting the real estate market with a cost-effective, transparent model.
He discusses marketing strategies, challenges in scaling, and the importance of profitability over mere growth. Joe also highlights Ampleo's mission to enhance small business success through fractional leadership.
The episode underscores the value of mentorship, strategic insights, and the entrepreneurial spirit in building successful ventures.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli is joined by AI expert Kevin Williams and MyAdvice CEO Shawn Miele to discuss practical strategies for AI adoption in organizations.
Sean shares his company’s journey, highlighting the importance of leadership, company-wide involvement, secure platforms, and continuous training.
Kevin offers insights on industry trends, the need for AI literacy, and common pitfalls. The conversation covers empowering employees, automating tedious tasks, and fostering a culture of innovation to achieve measurable AI wins in 2025.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli interviews Eli Portnoy, CEO and co-founder of Back Engine.
Eli shares his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on his experiences with Sense360, a data analytics company for the restaurant industry.
He discusses the challenges of transitioning from founder-led sales to a scalable model, the impact of COVID-19 on his business, and the importance of adaptability and collaboration.
Eli also highlights the evolving role of AI in business, emphasizing the need for curiosity and innovation. The episode offers valuable insights into scaling startups and leveraging AI for efficiency.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Nate Randle, CEO of Gabb, a company focused on creating a safe tech environment for children.
Nate shares his career journey from sports to tech, highlighting roles at Nike, Callaway Golf, and the Utah Jazz, before transitioning to tech firms like Vivint and Qualtrics. He discusses Gabb's mission to protect children from social media dangers while fostering family connections.
The episode also explores leadership lessons, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the challenges of entering the competitive telecom market.
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In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Ken Gavranovic, a seasoned entrepreneur and former CEO of Webcom. Ken shares his journey in scaling Webcom to significant growth and a successful IPO during the early internet era. Key insights include the importance of automation, marketing strategies, and data-driven decision-making. Ken emphasizes understanding customer needs, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and integrating AI to enhance business operations. He also discusses the transformative potential of AI, particularly for small businesses, and underscores the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in leadership.
For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at GrowthElevated.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.
In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Tom Lineen, a seasoned leader in the payments industry and founder of West Town Payments. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, Tom's company focuses on underserved markets like hemp and CBD. Tom shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the challenges of finding a banking partner and the strategic decisions that led to his company's success. He emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and leveraging technology. The episode offers valuable insights into navigating business growth during challenging times.
For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at GrowthElevated.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.
In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli converses with Rob Kaminski, co-founder of Fletch Product Market Management. They explore the challenges technology startups face in product marketing and positioning. Key themes include the importance of clear messaging, the pitfalls of broad target definitions, and the necessity of a focused approach. Rob shares his journey and insights from consulting with over 300 startups, emphasizing the need for specificity in defining value propositions. The episode provides valuable strategies for startups to refine their messaging, target their audience effectively, and navigate market complexities.
For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at GrowthElevated.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.
In this episode of the Growth Elevated Leadership Podcast, host Julian Castelli interviews Kathy Slowinski, a turnaround CEO known for revitalizing distressed software companies at Trilogy Software. Kathy shares her journey in the tech industry and discusses her operational strategies, including cost-cutting, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and integrating AI to enhance business performance. She emphasizes the importance of transparency, customer engagement, and making tough leadership decisions. Kathy also highlights the benefits of measuring AI usage within teams and fostering a competitive spirit. The episode offers valuable insights for tech leaders and entrepreneurs navigating company transformations.
For more resources on how to be a a better leader in business, please visit us at GrowthElevated.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.