Disruptive CEO Nation

Can love be a business strategy? In this episode, we talk about how leading with love can transform your team and your bottom line.   Frank Danna, a seasoned leader and marketing expert, brings his wisdom on building authentic connections in the workplace. We explore how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and the importance of creating a culture that values trust, inclusion, and vulnerability. Frank shares his personal journey from a toxic work environment to one where love and empathy drive success, offering actionable advice for leaders looking to transform their organizations.   Here are some highlights: -The Power of Love in Leadership: Frank explains how love, empathy, and trust are essential to creating a successful and human-centered workplace culture. -AI and Creativity: Frank discusses how AI can free up time for leaders to be more creative and focus on what truly matters: human connections. -Building a Culture of Love: Learn the six key behaviors—Inclusion, Empathy, Vulnerability, Trust, Empowerment, and Forgiveness—that make up a culture of love in the workplace. -The Challenge of Toxicity in Leadership: Frank shares his experience of working through a toxic work culture and how a shift in leadership behavior can turn things around. -Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength: Frank highlights the importance of vulnerability in leadership and how sharing personal stories can foster real connections with your team.     About the guest: Frank E. Danna is the Marketing Director at Softway and Co-Founder of Culture+, where he transforms leadership through love, empathy, and behavior-driven change. Co-author of Love as a Business Strategy and Love as a Change Strategy, Frank challenges fear-based leadership practices and champions a human-first approach. He co-created Culture Rise, a transformative leadership experience that’s impacted over 6,000 leaders worldwide. Frank’s expertise spans storytelling, communication strategy, and creative content, having reached 100 million viral views on Vine and co-founding GhostCodes, acquired by Softway. He’s worked with brands like HBO, Twitter, and Coca-Cola, and is a sought-after speaker on culture, AI, and change.   Connect with Frank: Website: ​​www.softway.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankdanna/      Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your product strategy stops at the download, you’re leaving impact—and revenue—on the table. In this conversation, I sit down with Ghazenfer Mansoor, CEO & founder of Technology Rivers, to talk about building software that actually gets used, loved, and shared. Ghazenfer has been in mobile since the pre-iPhone days and has led the build of nearly 60 apps, primarily in healthcare. We explore ideas from his forthcoming book, Beyond the Download, including why retention beats acquisition, when a mobile app truly makes sense (and when a web experience is smarter), and how AI-driven, proprietary workflows can become a company’s real moat. We also step into leadership, including what it takes to fix “broken” projects, the values that guide his global remote team (transparency, fairness, and getting things done), and why peer networks and coaching matter for founders. It’s a practical, fast-moving chat for leaders who want their technology to create efficiency, differentiation, and long-term value. Here are some highlights: -Retention over acquisition: Ghazenfer shares practical ways to design for daily use and bring people back because downloads without engagement aren’t success. -“Do you really need an app?”: We unpack decision criteria for native vs. web, and why solving a real, repeat problem is the first gate before writing any code. -Workflow is the moat: How codifying proprietary processes, especially in healthcare and HIPAA-sensitive environments, creates efficiency, margin, and higher valuations. -Fixing broken projects: Common failure patterns (from feature chasing to UX missteps) and how to course-correct so you “build it right the first time.” -Leading a global team: The operating system behind Technology Rivers; clear KPIs, remote-first communication, fairness, and a growing commitment to women in tech. Plus the role of EO/Vistage-style peer groups and coaching for tough decisions. About the guest:  Ghazenfer Mansoor is the founder and CEO of Technology Rivers, a Washington, D.C.–area software firm specializing in HIPAA-compliant healthcare SaaS and mobile apps. A mobile veteran since the pre-iPhone era, he has led the build of 59+ apps and numerous AI-powered workflow platforms that help service businesses scale, boost margins, and increase valuation. Known for “building it right the first time,” Ghazenfer is frequently tapped to rescue broken software projects. He’s the author of the forthcoming book Beyond the Download: How to Build Mobile Apps That People Love, Use, and Share Every Day and host of the podcast Lessons from the Leap. Active in EO and other CEO peer groups, he leads a global, values-driven team grounded in transparency, fairness, and getting things done. Connect with Ghazenfer: Website: https://technologyrivers.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmansoor/  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From dentist to consciousness architect, Dr. Kevin Kremer shares how purpose, processes, and mindset can transform a practice into a portfolio and a leader into a builder of thriving cultures. In this conversation, I sat down with Kevin, a dentist-turned-entrepreneur who has grown and scaled ten ventures and founded the Kremer Leadership Institute. We unpack the journey from a single practice to acquisitions, a patient finance company, and an implant surgery center delivering same-day reconstructions. Kevin explains his “three Cs” framework—customer, culture, company—and why culture is the hardest to keep healthy in 2025.  We also dig into his book, Quantum Accountability, and his Quantum Awareness Model, exploring how accountability for your mindset leads to action and, ultimately, abundance. Along the way, Kevin shares a remarkable 93% year-over-year turnaround from a recent acquisition, practical ways he trains teams with playbooks and interactive learning, and how AI is reshaping both clinical and operational excellence. Here are some highlights: • The three Cs in practice: how balancing customer experience, culture, and company health creates the “sweet spot” for sustainable growth and why culture is the toughest to maintain. • From chairside to CEO: the steps that took Kevin from solo practitioner to acquiring practices, launching patient finance and membership programs, and opening an implant surgery center. • Playbooks that actually work: mapping the entire customer journey, training with short videos, and reinforcing skills through interactive quizzes to keep standards high across teams. • Mindset drives outcomes: inside Quantum Accountability and the Quantum Awareness Model and how accountability for your thinking leads to better actions and an abundance mindset. • Technology with a human core: real examples of AI in diagnostics, workflow, and same-day full-mouth restorations, plus why communication and trust will always be the differentiators. About the guest: Dr. Kevin Kremer is a dentist-turned-entrepreneur with 25 years of leadership in healthcare and business. He has built and scaled ten ventures, including a multi-location dental group, a patient finance and membership company, and a same-day implant surgery center. As founder of the Kremer Leadership Institute and author of Quantum Accountability, Kevin teaches his Quantum Awareness Model—moving from accountability to action to abundance—and the “three Cs” framework of customer, culture, and company. Known for practical playbooks and team training that elevate service standards, he’s led notable turnarounds, including a 93% year-over-year lift at a recent acquisition. Kevin combines cutting-edge technology with human-centered care and mentors clinicians to grow as confident, purpose-driven business leaders. Connect with Kevin: Website: https://www.kremerleadership.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kremer-leadership-institute/  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're ready to unlock the blueprint for explosive growth and transformative leadership, this conversation is for you. Dhaval Jadav, CEO of alliant, shares insights into adapting and scaling a business in today’s fast-paced, disruptive world. From AI discovery and business innovations to talent and tax strategies, Dhaval has succeeded in building an integrated consultancy firm to help businesses overcome blind spots and thrive.  In this episode, Dhaval dives into the power of investing in people, cultivating a transparent culture, and staying ahead of the competition with cutting-edge technology. He also offers practical advice on navigating the challenges of growth and change, and how CEOs can lead their businesses into the future with resilience and innovation. Here are some highlights: -Scaling with a Focus on People: Dhaval discusses how investing in and empowering his team has been the key to alliant's rapid growth from 2 to over 2,500 employees. -Building a Culture of Transparency: Learn how alliant’s roundtable approach allows for open communication, where the best ideas win, no matter the title. -Embracing Disruption: Dhaval explains why businesses must disrupt themselves to stay relevant and how alliant uses technology like AI to stay competitive. -Managing Change in Growth: Scaling a business requires a solid change management plan. Dhaval shares strategies for helping employees adapt as the company evolves. -Future-Proofing the Workforce: With AI and digital workers on the rise, Dhaval offers insights on how to balance human talent with technology for a thriving, adaptable workforce. About the guest: Dhaval Jadav is the co-founder and CEO of alliant. Under Jadav’s leadership, the firm has empowered 24,000+ companies in 70+ industries with actionable business solutions. Prior to founding alliant, Jadav developed his expertise in high-tech business deals as a member of a Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity/Strategic Buyer Services Group in San Francisco and honed his business operations acumen with Deloitte & Touche in its Washington National Office. Connect with Dhaval: Website: https://www.alliantgroup.com/  LinkedIn: Dhaval Jadav | LinkedIn Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if machines could sense the world like we do and use that awareness to make cities safer and more connected?   In this episode, I sit down with Michael Kelly, Chief Strategy Officer at Mozee, to unpack Generative Perception Intelligence (GPI)—a fundamentally different approach to machine perception that goes beyond today’s catch-all “AI.” Michael shares how Mozee’s “community-first, human-centered” mission shows up in beautiful, real-world transportation experiences, why GPI is their beachhead for autonomous mobility (and far more), and how a band of “super builders” scaled from 4 to 20 people while preparing for a big Series A year.   We also get personal: Michael’s path from JP Morgan to startups, his passion for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, and the books he recommends for anyone intent on building meaningful work and stronger communities. If you’re near a browser, peek at Mozeealong.com while you listen.   Here are some highlights:   -GPI vs. AI—what’s different: Michael explains “perception lag” and why Mozee built a single “brain” that processes multiple sensor inputs simultaneously rather than stitching together separate systems. -On-device, ultra-fast, resilient: GPI runs entirely on device (no cloud dependency), reacts orders of magnitude faster than human pain response, and is designed to operate even in disconnected or high-risk environments. -Autonomy as the beachhead: While autonomous vehicles are the first proving ground (and the inspiration behind “Mozee Along”), the same perception engine translates to drones, robotics, warehouses, traffic systems, and city-scale applications. -Scaling the builder culture: From 4 to 20 team members, a move into a 63,000-sq-ft facility, and a pipeline of large city contracts, including work tied to 2026 global events and groundwork for 2028, Mozee is preparing to launch its Series A off a major public milestone. -Purpose, category design, and careers: Michael’s take on entrepreneurship as a path to meaning and mobility, why Play Bigger belongs on every builder’s shelf, and how to apply category-creation thinking even as an intrapreneur.   About the guest: Michael Kelly is the Chief Strategy Officer at Mozee, an autonomous mobility company revolutionizing urban transit with AI-powered, electric shuttles. Before joining Mozee, Michael spent 12 years at JPMorgan as VP of Investments, managing a global portfolio. He held Series 7, Series 66, and insurance licenses across 20+ states and was recognized for driving 60x business growth under his leadership.   A serial entrepreneur, Michael launched his first venture in 2005 and now sits on the Dallas Entrepreneur Center’s Venture Board, fostering startup growth in DFW. He mentors with Plug and Play, Capital One, and MassChallenge accelerators and was an Entrepreneurship Fellow at SMU. Outside of work, Michael is an avid sports fan and enjoys serving as his daughter’s jester in his free time.   Connect with Michael: Website: https://www.mozeealong.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resolutemichael/   Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the next level of your leadership isn’t about learning more but aligning more? In this conversation with Grace Najean, we explore how high achievers can move from stress-driven success to effortless, purpose-anchored leadership. As a former concert pianist turned corporate strategist and master coach with Tony Robbins, Grace brings a rare left-brain/right-brain lens to leadership. In our talk, we unpack her “vessel, compass, and light” model—body, mind, and consciousness—and why knowledge alone rarely transforms a leader. We also name the pattern many of us feel but seldom admit: “achievement fatigue.” Grace offers simple, practical practices and a dimensional view of leadership.  If you’re ready to trade pressure for presence, this episode will meet you where you are and invite you to lead from alignment. Here are some highlights: • From knowledge to integration: Shift from simply collecting information to truly integrating it by aligning your body (energy/resilience), mind (clarity/emotional intelligence), and consciousness (presence/intuition), so leadership transforms rather than just informs. • Naming “achievement fatigue”: Recognize the often-hidden cost of success—feeling drained despite appearing successful—and gain the language and awareness to identify the blind spots that high achievers often overlook. • A practical reset you’ll actually use: Implement simple yet effective practices, such as coherent breathing (inhale for 5, exhale for 5), a 50-to-1 countdown for focus, and a morning visualization of 2–3 outcomes, to shift your day from reactive to intentional. • The 3D→4D→5D leadership framework: Progress from 3D (survival/reactive) to 4D (awakening/self-aware) to 5D (visionary/aligned), realizing that true leadership comes not from more strategy, but from changing the dimension in which you operate. • Retreat as a catalyst for alignment: Discover why immersive environments, like Grace's 7-day retreat in Lombok, are key to accelerating transformation, using vocal empowerment and energy work to help leaders align their mind, body, and purpose. About the guest: Grace’s professional and personal journey embodies the fusion of creativity, strategy, and soulful leadership. Starting as a professional pianist in her youth, she cultivated discipline and artistic expression that remain integral to her leadership approach. Transitioning into corporate roles, Grace spent over a decade excelling in strategy and business development before stepping into her calling as a leadership coach. Her eight years as a Platinum Tony Robbins Coach and over 4,500 hours of coaching have empowered her to transform high-performing leaders around the globe. Through these experiences, she developed The Soulfluence© , a framework that harmonizes Body, Mind, and Consciousness for authentic and impactful leadership. Connect with Grace: Website: https://gracenajean.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracenajean/  Soulfluence Retreat: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/hKSyiNjj4Hx9IrbZaWNN?notrack=true  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to be the leader people lean in to hear—without getting louder, longer, or “less you”? This conversation shows you how to turn your ideas into influence and how to say them. Today I’m joined by Dr. Laura Sicola—executive presence mentor, TEDx advisor, and author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. We dig into the moment that matters most: those first seven seconds and the next seven when you open your mouth. Laura unpacks the “authenticity myth,” shares her simple “digital mixing board” for tuning your delivery (without changing who you are), and explains why even the quietest voice can command a room. We also talk about pitch coaching for founders, crafting a TED-worthy talk, and how to make networking feel natural. If you’re climbing to the C-suite, raising a round, or leading a mission-driven team, this is a masterclass in aligning what you say with how you say it so your credibility, clarity, and confidence are undeniable. Here are highlights: -7 + 7 Seconds Rule: First impressions land fast—and the next seven seconds (your first words) either confirm or rewrite them. Make those opening lines count. -The Authenticity Myth: Being “authentic” isn’t being unfiltered. Leadership requires tact, intention, and alignment—not a louder version of you. -Your Digital Mixing Board: Don’t flip an on/off switch—tweak levers like pace, volume, jargon, and intensity to fit the audience while staying you. -Quiet Can Command: Authority comes from congruence and presence, not decibels. Calm, focused delivery can move 200 people without raising your voice. -From Pitch to TED: Win investors (bet the jockey!) and craft a killer TED talk by challenging assumptions, telling real stories, and driving to one clear takeaway. About the guest: Dr. Laura Sicola is a leadership communication and influence expert based in Philadelphia, PA. She is the founder of Vocal Impact Productions and the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. With over 20 years of experience, she helps executives, entrepreneurs, and rising leaders develop executive presence, master the art of influence, and align how they speak with what they want to achieve. A TEDx speaker and advisor, Laura has worked with leaders from Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits worldwide, guiding them to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. Connect with Laura: Website: https://laurasicola.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc/  Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP4D611Z?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6GKSA3X8WMAPHBGSDH0B  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever felt stuck running the day-to-day while the future rushes past, this conversation is your permission slip to step outside the building and rethink how your company actually innovates. In this episode, I sit down with innovation strategist and author Alan Gregerman to challenge the way leaders pursue “new.” We unpack his upcoming book The Wisdom of Ignorance and the counterintuitive idea that breakthrough ideas often come from not being the expert. Alan shares why most companies confuse process improvement with innovation, how to unlock the genius in your teams (especially your newest hires), and six leadership habits that keep organizations relevant in a world that won’t slow down. You’ll leave with practical ways to fuel curiosity, test faster, and future-proof your business. Here are highlights: -Innovation ≠ Incrementalism: Alan draws a sharp line between improving what exists and pursuing big, valuable problems, urging CEOs to imagine their company five years out and backcast a path to get there. -The 99% Rule: Breakthroughs are rarely born on a whiteboard. 99% of new ideas build on something that already exists. Get your team out into the world (museums, neighborhoods, other industries) to borrow and remix smarter. -Six Keys to Relevance: Be purposeful, curious, humble, respectful, future-focused, and a bit paranoid. You’re creating value while scanning for the competitor who might “eat your lunch.” -Use Fresh Eyes on Purpose: In onboarding, hand new hires a clipboard and ask them what you’re doing well, where you’re stuck, and what other industries are doing better—before you “teach” them your way. -Ship the Half-Bake (Responsibly): Stop waiting for perfection. Launch minimally viable ideas that deliver real value and let customers help you iterate your way to remarkable. About the guest: Alan Gregerman is an innovation strategist, author, and the President & Chief Innovation Officer of Venture Works. For more than two decades, he has helped companies of all sizes remain relevant in fast-changing markets by unlocking the “genius” in their people and organizations. Alan has been featured in over 250 outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and CNN. He is the author of Lessons from the Sandbox, Surrounded by Geniuses, The Necessity of Strangers, and the forthcoming The Wisdom of Ignorance, a blueprint for leading breakthrough innovation. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, Alan works across industries and donates 20% of his time to small nonprofits, bringing the same tools and rigor he uses with corporate clients to missions that make the world better. Connect with Alan: Website: www.alangregerman.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-gregerman-a33b236/  Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/  Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/   #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered how AI can actually make a real impact on your bottom line? In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, Ron Green, co-founder of KungFu.AI, shares how he helped a publicly traded company cut their fraud rate, reduce turnaround times to mere seconds, and add $250 million to their market cap with the power of AI. Join me for an enlightening conversation with Ron Green as we explore the true potential of AI beyond the buzzwords. From real-world case studies to the challenges and opportunities AI presents, Ron explains how businesses are using AI to drive innovation and growth. Whether you're a CEO looking to understand AI’s role in your company or just curious about its impact, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for today’s leaders. Here are highlights: -AI in Business Transformation: Ron shares how AI is being used to drive real, measurable results across various industries, including healthcare and finance.-Avoiding the AI Boondoggle: Learn why many AI projects fail and how to avoid common pitfalls that waste time and capital. -Case Study Successes: Discover how Kung Fu AI helped a loan factoring company transform its operations, saving time and money while increasing customer satisfaction. -Practical Advice for CEOs: Ron discusses the best approach for CEOs to adopt AI, stressing the importance of starting small and focusing on ROI. -The Future of AI in Programming: Hear about the impact of AI on software development, and why junior programmers are particularly affected.    About the guest: Ron Green is an AI expert and serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the technology and business sectors. As the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of KUNGFU.AI, Ron leads a team of talented machine learning engineers and data scientists in developing cutting-edge AI solutions. With a proven track record in deploying AI systems across a variety of industries including healthcare, government, retail, real estate, and financial services, Ron has consistently driven innovation and measurable impact. He is also the host of Hidden Layers: Exploring the People and Tech Behind AI, where he delves into the world of AI, its evolution, and its transformative potential.   Connect with Ron: Website: https://www.kungfu.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rongreen/ Resources: https://www.kungfu.ai/resources/hidden-layers    Connect with Allison: Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/    #CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices