The Scaling CEO

Glenn Gow talks with Devon MacDonald, CEO of Cairns O’Neill, about what it takes to lead with integrity when doing the right thing comes with a cost. Devon shares lessons from scaling global agencies, building teams that grow with change, taking a public stand on Twitter, and using AI to stay ahead in a fast-moving industry.

Shannon Swift has spent over two decades helping CEOs scale the people side of their companies, from leading HR at Zillow to founding Swift HR Solutions. In this conversation with Glenn Gow, she explains why people are hired for what they know but fired for who they are, how settling on the wrong hire destroys culture, what CEOs secretly admit behind closed doors, and why turnover is far more costly than most leaders realize. Shannon also shares how CEOs can use AI to clear time for the one thing machines can’t replace — human empathy.

From chess grandmaster to tech CEO, Mark Bluvshtein has mastered the art of strategy under pressure. He helped scale Wave through hypergrowth to a $500M exit and now leads Collage HR. In this conversation with Glenn Gow, Mark shares why promoting your best people into management can ruin their superpower, why learning to say no is critical for CEOs, and how AI is reshaping the future of HR. It’s an honest look at the tough calls leaders must make when growing a business.

Tom Alexander has spent his career at the intersection of people, policy, and technology — from the mayor’s office in Chicago to COO of 1871 and now CEO of Holistic. In this conversation with Glenn Gow, he reveals why internal communication is the true cheat code for scaling, why perks like snacks and ping pong are distractions, how leaders sabotage themselves by ignoring culture, and how AI can help CEOs turn employee insights into real action. This is a powerful episode on the people side of growth and what it really takes to build companies that last.

In this episode, Glenn Gow sits down with Matt Cohen, CEO of PlaySpace, to unpack the hard truths of scaling in digital health. Matt shares why theory often looks right on paper but fails in reality, how market timing and geography shape growth, and why purpose-driven leadership matters in fixing broken systems. From tackling mental health accessibility to leveraging AI responsibly, Matt reveals the lessons every CEO can use when scaling in complex industries.

In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Jennifer Barnes, founder and CEO of Optima Office. Jennifer has built two fast-growing companies by putting people first. Her core belief is simple: “people over profits.” She shares how this approach led to 86% employee retention in a tough industry, why hiring for kindness matters, and how CEOs can avoid burnout in their teams. Jennifer also explains the biggest blind spots CEOs face with their numbers, and how AI tools like Power BI can help leaders make smarter, faster decisions.

In this episode of the Scaling CEO Podcast, Glenn Gow talks with Leigh Feldman, CEO of Youth Franchise Brands and former Google leader, about why not everything that’s measured truly matters. Leigh shares lessons from building iconic brands like Google, Nike, and Disney, and explains how CEOs can scale without losing the soul of their brand. From helping franchisees succeed in local markets to using AI to protect authentic storytelling, Leigh reveals practical insights on growth, leadership, and choosing the right metrics to drive real business impact.

Jon Nordmark scaled eBags through the dot-com crash before founding Iterate.ai, now powering global enterprises with AI. He explains why raising money too early can be destructive, why boards can make or break CEOs, and how “agentic AI” will reshape work. His journey blends discipline, invention through constraint, and bold lessons on scaling.

Executive coach John Volturo opens up about how a brain tumor forced him to shift from chasing external validation to building self-trust. He shares his “Prove Nothing” framework, insights on scaling without the constant swirl of doubt, and why relationships and joy outside of work make CEOs more effective.

Andrew Pudalov left Wall Street trading to build Rush Bowls into a national franchise brand. He shares lessons on risk-taking, staying focused on vision, and why he was never afraid to fail. Andrew also explains how he sees AI as today’s “dot-com boom on steroids,” creating both massive opportunities and risks for CEOs.