Best The First Gen Mentor Podcasts (2025)

1
Leading with a North Star: Former Decathlon CEO Barbara Martin Coppola’s Blueprint for Bold Change 41:57

9h ago41:57

41:57

Born in France almost 50 years ago, Decathlon has grown into the world’s largest sporting goods retailer with over 1,700 stores in more than 70 countries. On today’s episode of Redefiners, Simon Kingston is joined by our new co-host, Marla Oates, as they sit down with former CEO of Decathlon Barbara Martin Coppola. Barbara takes us through her glob…

1
099: The ‘Success Sequence’ of Leadership, with Larry Freedman 37:18

3d ago37:18

37:18

In this episode, I sit down with Larry Freedman, an accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including nearly three decades in sales leadership. Larry shares the guiding principles behind his highly effective “success sequence”—a stepwise approach he developed for leading teams—and describes how building …

1
The First Customer - Why Picking a Niche Early Can Make or Break Your Agency with CEO James Griffin 29:40

7d ago29:40

29:40

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview James Griffin, CEO of Invene. James shares how he transitioned from a self-taught coder with early entrepreneurial tendencies to leading a successful healthcare-focused software firm. Raised in an engineering-driven household in McKinney, Texas, James initially pursued biomedical engineering before s…

1
The First Customer - Closing Inventory Gaps With A Tech Platform with Bevz Co-founder Jason Vego 25:36

14d ago25:36

25:36

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Vego, co-founder and CEO of Bevz, a digital platform helping mom-and-pop liquor and convenience stores go online and manage inventory. Jason shares how growing up with an entrepreneurial father planted the seed for his own ventures, including an early attempt to build software for dog groomers.…

1
Leadership Lounge: The Art of Succession: How to Identify Tomorrow's Leaders Today 21:52

14d ago21:52

21:52

Identifying and developing the next generation of leadership talent is critically important. No decision will have a bigger impact on the performance of an organization and its enduring legacy. Yet, many leaders struggle with effective succession planning. In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—James Diggines…

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The First Customer - Positioning Yourself To Win in a Cutthroat Industry with Founder Brett Tiagwad 21:33

21d ago21:33

21:33

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brett Tiagwad, founder and CEO of Elevated Angles. Brett shares his unconventional path from finance to drone media. After a challenging personal journey, including recovery and the loss of his mother, Brett found solace and inspiration in flying drones. What started as a therapeutic hobby quickly be…

1
The First Customer - How Dissatisfaction Can Fuel Business Growth with Founder Christian Espinosa 20:48

28d ago20:48

20:48

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Christian Espinosa, founder and CEO of Blue Goat Cyber. Christian shares his experience of growing up in poverty with an unstable home life, seeking structure in the Air Force, and eventually transitioning from a successful freelancing career to launching his first company, Alpine Security. Christian…

1
104. Series 4 | Episode 4. Is B2B Content Marketing Still Worth It in 2025? With Araminta Robertson, Founder & MD of Mint Studios 28:31

28d ago28:31

28:31

In this episode of Market Mentors, Matt Dodgson interviews Araminta Robertson, founder of Mint Studios, about the state of B2B content marketing in 2025. Despite AI disruption and tightening budgets, Araminta explains why content remains essential for sharing expertise and generating leads. They discuss: The Importance of Content Marketing in 2025 …

1
Music with a Mission: Former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy on Leading with Purpose 48:37

28d ago48:37

48:37

Many of us have heard the expression “doing good is good for business.” In this episode, Simon Kingston sits down with former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy about how he put this concept into practice on a truly global scale. Bill takes us on his journey of how he redefined broadcast television, launching the most channels in televis…

1
Ep. 18: I moved to Spain! 38:30

30d ago38:30

38:30

Welcome back pod listeners! Big news- After 3 amazing years in Chicago, I’ve packed up my life and relocated to Spain! 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: * 2025 book tour stops coming to a city near you* The 4 most FAQs questions about my move to Spain * Newsletters community questions about my move abroad 👉 Hit play to hear what I’ve been up to a…

1
The First Customer - How to Stick with Your Vision and Resilience with Co-founder and CEO Dori Yona 20:57

1M ago20:57

20:57

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dori Yona, Co-founder and CEO of Simple Closure. Dori shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a childhood influenced by his entrepreneur parents and a deep connection to Silicon Valley. He first launched a dating app in Israel, but quickly pivoted to create Earny, a consumer fintech comp…

1
The First Customer – Mistakes, Mentors, and a Maverick Mindset with CEO Mark Wormgoor 24:34

1M ago24:34

24:34

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Mark Wormgoor, CEO and tech coach at The Maverick CTO. Mark shares that despite a successful 25-year corporate career in IT, he felt unfulfilled after reaching his long-term goal early and ultimately chose to go independent. He candidly reflects on the decision-making process behind leaving corporate…

1
Leadership Lounge: How to Build Trust and Transform Executive Team Performance 17:17

1M ago17:17

17:17

Today's senior executives operate in an environment where trust has never been more critical, or more fragile. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in business leaders is at an all-time low, with people's fear that business leaders are dishonest increasing by 12% in the last year. So, as a leader, how can you cultivate trust withi…

1
The First Customer - What Most Startups Miss About Lead Gen with Founder and CEO Bert TerHart 20:20

2M ago20:20

20:20

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bert TerHart, CEO and Founder of LeadBrain AI. Bert shares how his upbringing in a small Canadian town and the work ethic of his entrepreneurial father shaped his approach to business. From surveying frozen land with his dad on holidays to founding three companies in the tech and healthcare sectors, …

1
The First Customer - Scaling Internal Talent and Building from Within with CEO Bridgette Ferraro 22:41

2M ago22:41

22:41

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bridgette Ferraro, CEO of iCopy Legal. Bridgette shares her unexpected journey from studying human services at Purdue to leading a legal document retrieval company. She recounts how a bold consulting pitch turned into a long-term leadership role, where she embraced the challenge of scaling a traditio…

1
The Only Certainty Is Change: Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman on AI, Innovation & Market Evolution 39:16

2M ago39:16

39:16

When it comes to global financial markets, the only certainty is the likelihood of uncertainty and change. The world is in a period of transformation on multiple levels fueled by AI and technology innovation, shifting economic policies, and infrastructure modernization. At the foundation of all of this transformation is the unrelenting need for lon…

1
103. Series 4 | Episode 3. How to Build Trust and Drive Growth with B2B Influencer Marketing, with Vahbiz Cooper, Digital Marketing Manager at Demandbase 31:47

2M ago31:47

31:47

“People buy from people.” And that’s why B2B influencer marketing actually works. In this week's podcast episode, I sat down with Vahbiz Cooper, Digital Marketing Manager at Demandbase, to dig into: What Are the Benefits of Influencer Marketing for B2B Companies? How to Find the Right Influencers? Maintaining Influencer Relationships Effective Chan…

1
The First Customer - Why Networking is a Developer's Best Friend with Codingscape CTO Jimmy Jacobson 23:59

2M ago23:59

23:59

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jimmy Jacobson, CTO of Codingscape. Jimmy discovered programming through his father's university lab computer, unaware it could be a career. He later pursued computer science, freelancing while working at Overstock and Zappos. Zappos’ culture encouraged risk-taking, fueling his entrepreneurial drive.…

1
The First Customer - Breaking into the Birmingham Tech Scene with Co-founder Will Blackburn 26:24

2M ago26:24

26:24

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Will Blackburn, co-founder of DevClarity. Will shares he's from Birmingham, Alabama, where he still resides. Although he moved to Atlanta, thinking Birmingham lacked a tech ecosystem, he returned after seeing local success stories and opportunities. Birmingham’s smaller, supportive startup community,…

1
Leadership Lounge: Boardroom Bound: How to Navigate Your Journey from Executive to Board Director 15:40

2M ago15:40

15:40

Today's board directors operate in a complex business landscape, balancing strategic guidance, technological innovation, and heightened governance expectations. They must provide critical leadership while navigating rapid change and increasing stakeholder scrutiny. So, as an executive, do you have what it takes to thrive in a board role? And how ca…

1
The First Customer - Embracing Open-Mindedness and Independence with CEO Tatsiana Kirimava 23:02

3M ago23:02

23:02

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tatsiana Kirimava, CEO and co-founder of Orangesoft. Tatsiana shares that she grew up in various countries, including Poland, Belarus, and the U.S. She attributes her open-mindedness and independence to her parents, who encouraged her to make her own decisions. She highlights her ability to communica…

1
The First Customer - How IT Pros Thrived by Choosing the Right Clients with Founder T Brad Kielinski 23:02

3M ago23:02

23:02

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview T. Brad Kielinski, Founder of IT Pros. Brad shared his journey from growing up in Plymouth Meeting near Germantown Academy to becoming a successful tech recruiter in Philadelphia. Inspired by witnessing his uncle and aunt’s homegrown business grow to 400 employees and his father’s inventive spirit, B…

1
Paws, Purpose & Profit: A Conversation with Pets at Home CEO Lyssa McGowan 48:09

3M ago48:09

48:09

The global pet industry is expected to grow from $320 billion today to nearly $500 billion by 2030, as more pet parents treat their pets like their own children, often sparing no expense on their pets’ nutrition, health, and wellness. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, today’s episode features a conversation with Simon, Hoda and Lyssa McGow…

1
The First Customer - How To Avoid The Pain of Missed Opportunities with Founder Charles Sims 23:22

3M ago23:22

23:22

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Charles Sims, CEO and founder of Investimate. Charles shares how he grew up around innovation and leadership inspired him to build and scale ventures, starting with a paintball supply company as a child. His ability to adapt and thrive in chaos earned him the moniker "Hurricane CTO" during his tenure…

1
102. Series 4 | Episode 2. Demand-Gen Strategies to Drive B2B Startup Success, with Kartik Krishnan, B2B GTM Leader 40:18

3M ago40:18

40:18

In this episode of the Market Mentors podcast, Matt Dodgson is joined by Kartik Krishnan, a demand-generation expert with experience at Google, Onfido, CapDesk, Beamery, and Founders Factory. Kartik shares his insights on how early-stage B2B tech startups can effectively balance demand creation and demand capture, overcome marketing challenges with…

1
Ep 17: 6 book launching mistakes and how to avoid them 22:06

3M ago22:06

22:06

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 2 of the Cultura & Cash! This episode is for future authors or current authors- or anyone launching a new product! 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The 6 mistakes I’ve seen other authors make during their book launch and how you can avoid th…

1
The First Customer - The Path from Real Estate Mogul to Wealth Tech Innovator with CEO David Snider 22:43

3M ago22:43

22:43

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview David Snider, founder and CEO of Harness Wealth. Growing up in Boston, David's early exposure to financial services and an interest in problem-solving shaped his career. After co-founding and helping grow Compass, a major real estate brokerage, he realized that navigating tax and financial complexiti…

1
Digging Deep: Leadership, Growth & Risk with BHP CEO Mike Henry 42:37

3M ago42:37

42:37

The world needs more metals, minerals, and natural resources to fuel the global economy, power the energy transition, and feed a growing population. As the CEO of the world’s largest mining company, BHP’s Mike Henry is redefining his business in a competitive industry which is projected to grow to $2.8 trillion by 2028. In today’s episode, Clarke d…

1
Ep 16: Welcome to season 2! 24:03

3M ago24:03

24:03

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 2 of the Cultura & Cash! After an 8 month hiatus, I’m back to go creating new episodes for your every Monday. When I ended Season 1 in May 2024, I was expecting to return in the Fall, but after a heavy H1 that was all about book launching, I de…

1
The First Customer - Marketing, Momentum, and Making It Work with CEO and Founder Jason Shafton 19:23

3M ago19:23

19:23

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Shafton, CEO and founder of Winston Francois. Jason shares his journey from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in Chicago to becoming a growth and marketing consultant for tech startups. Inspired by his parents’ business ventures in high-end audio equipment, Jason developed an early passio…

1
The First Customer - Empowering Tech Founders to Build Successful Companies with Vladimir Baranov 20:28

4M ago20:28

20:28

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Vladimir Baranov, CEO and founder of Human Interfaces. Vladimir had early exposure to the turbulent Russian business climate, which made him cautious about entrepreneurship, but his experiences in the U.S. gradually changed his perspective. In college, he created a textbook-sharing platform, an early…

1
Leadership Lounge: How can family enterprise leaders stay ahead in a fast-changing world? 16:59

4M ago16:59

16:59

We explore how family enterprise leaders can strike the right balance between preserving their organization's legacy and adapting to an evolving business landscape. How can family enterprise leaders stay ahead in a fast-changing world? Family enterprises are the backbone of economies worldwide, but their leaders face an increasingly critical challe…

1
The First Customer - Why Niching Down is the Fast Track to Product-Market Fit with CEO Peter Bonney 20:16

4M ago20:16

20:16

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Peter Bonney, CEO and founder of Fastbreak RFP. Peter shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his childhood in a small town in Massachusetts. Growing up with a father who ran shoe stores and constantly engaged in side hustles, Peter absorbed key lessons in customer focus and hustle. He refl…

1
101. Series 4 | Episode 1. Reality of Job Searching as a Senior B2B Tech Marketer Today with Lisa Vecchio, Enterprise Marketing Director at Veed.io 24:39

4M ago24:39

24:39

What's it REALLY like to search for a senior marketing role in B2B tech today? After leaving her company and looking for a job during the second half of 2024, Lisa Vecchio shares her story and insights on searching for a senior B2B marketing role in tech. We discuss: How good or bad is the job market? Did you have a clear idea of what type of job y…

1
The First Customer - What Risk-Taking Looks Like When You Have a Plan with CEO Shae Feltz 25:53

4M ago25:53

25:53

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Shae Feltz, CEO and founder of NOTICS, an IT service provider based in Minneapolis. Shae delves into his humble beginnings in Brainerd, Minnesota, where he learned early on that working for someone else wasn’t for him. At just 16, Shae launched a mobile iPhone repair business, gaining valuable insigh…

1
AI or Die: A Conversation with Coveo Chairman and CEO Louis Têtu 42:02

4M ago42:02

42:02

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key topic in C-suite and board room discussions these days; one with the potential to redefine or at least impact every aspect of business and society. Leaders around the world and across industries are racing to figure out how to best implement the technology to gain efficiencies, increase productivity, and ultima…

1
The First Customer - From Supply Chain Snags to Seamless Solutions with Founder and CEO Brian Glick 20:48

4M ago20:48

20:48

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brian Glick, CEO and founder of Chain.io Brian traced his inspiration to a family background in leadership and entrepreneurship, coupled with firsthand experience in customs brokerage. Dropping out of college, Brian’s entry into the supply chain world began humbly, crawling under desks to set up comp…

1
The First Customer - Paving a Path from Rocks to a Dynamic Creative Agency with CEO Jon Wise 22:01

5M ago22:01

22:01

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jon Wise, the founder and CEO of Jon Wise Creative (JWC). Jon started his childhood in suburban Atlanta, where his father ran a local software store. Jon recalls his earliest entrepreneurial endeavor at a community festival, selling “Tucker Rocks” to neighbors, which marked the beginning of his creat…

1
Talking Transformational Leadership with RRA’s CEO Constantine Alexandrakis 37:47

5M ago37:47

37:47

In today’s fast-paced, competitive business landscape, hiring and developing future-ready, transformational C-suite leaders is critical to organizational success. Making the wrong hiring decision can often lead to higher costs, damage to workplace culture, or worse. So what are the key things to keep in mind as you think about the leaders who can h…

1
The First Customer - Creating Relational Ecosystems for Leaders and Teams with CEO Etienne de Bruin 36:08

5M ago36:08

36:08

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Etienne de Bruin, Founder and CEO of 7CTOs. Etienne shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his upbringing in South Africa to founding his organization that supports technology leaders. Growing up during a time of global isolation for South Africa, Etienne reflects on how this scarcity of r…

1
The First Customer - The Role of Personalized Nutrition in Holistic Wellness with CEO Rachel Sanders 23:20

6M ago23:20

23:20

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Rachel Sanders, CEO and Co-Founder of Rootine. Rachel shares the transformative journey behind her health and wellness brand. Rootine’s mission is to empower individuals with personalized, data-driven health solutions, starting with custom multivitamins tailored to biological data. Rachel recounts ho…

1
Redefiners Rewind: Insights and Takeaways from 2024 53:20

6M ago53:20

53:20

Leaders have to make tough decisions and overcome adversity, often navigating through uncertainty and challenges along their leadership journeys. In this final episode of 2024, we’ll take a look back at the conversations we’ve had with the incredible leaders who joined us on Redefiners this past season to share their leadership stories and insights…

1
The First Customer - Demystifying Backend Development with Founders Hunter Fortuin and Tom Carmona 30:10

6M ago30:10

30:10

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Hunter Fortuin and Tom Carmona, co-founders of Wolfjaw Studios. Based in Troy, New York, Wolfjaw specializes in backend development for online gaming services, tackling the complex systems that enable matchmaking, account management, and telemetry. Tom recounts how the company’s first major client or…

1
The First Customer - The Three To Twelve Month Rule in Personal Branding with CEO Jason Barnard 22:49

6M ago22:49

22:49

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Barnard, CEO of Kalicube. Jason recounts his beginnings in the music industry, where he started a record label after failing to secure a deal for his band. This led him to his first customer, a record company, which he gained through relationship building. He further explains the challenges he …

1
Exploring the Art of Possible with Google and Alphabet President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat 40:43

6M ago40:43

40:43

Change is something all leaders deal with at various points in their careers. Whether it’s technological change, organizational change, or perhaps even changing careers or industries. Our guest today has managed through all of that change and more. In today’s episode, Clarke and Hoda talk with Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at A…

1
The First Customer - The Power of Community in Building A Successful Consultancy with Dave Reinhold 22:52

6M ago22:52

22:52

In this episode, I was very, very lucky enough to interview my former boss, Dave Reinhold, Founder of VentureCPO. Growing up in New York, Dave recounts his first “business” selling bubble gum and fans to classmates, reflecting a lifelong drive for independence and resourcefulness. His early passion for technology blossomed with his first computer, …

1
The First Customer - The Secret Sauce For Success in Cybersecurity with Co-Founder Deanna Sheward 24:05

7M ago24:05

24:05

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Deanna Sheward, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Capablanca. Deanna shares her unique journey from academia to entrepreneurship. She recounts how her background in art, architecture, and research instilled in her a passion for learning and personal growth, which later fueled her pivot into the…

1
Leadership Lounge: The art of feedback - How to have honest and candid conversations 17:31

7M ago17:31

17:31

We share how leaders can master the art of giving and receiving regular, effective feedback—and the benefits when they get it right. As the end of the year draws closer, you’re likely reflecting on your team’s performance—and how to give feedback that helps your leaders develop and improve. But, these types of conversations aren’t always easy to na…

1
The First Customer - The Quiet Wins: The Formula for Progress with Founder and CEO Sean Languedoc 25:23

7M ago25:23

25:23

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Sean Languedoc, Founder and CEO of Outforce AI. Sean recounts his unconventional start in business, inspired by advice to "learn by doing" instead of pursuing an MBA. He shares his experience launching a tourism venture during Expo 86 in Vancouver, which taught him the value of adaptability when the …

1
The First Customer - Pioneering Solutions for an Inclusive Future with Founder Jordan Saunders 22:46

7M ago22:46

22:46

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jordan Saunders, founder and CEO of NextLink Labs. Jordan reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, building computers at age 12. He shares how his passion for technology led him to pursue consulting right out of college after studying computer…

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The First Gen Mentor Podcasts

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