Best Joe Michalowski Podcasts (2025)

1
Barebones SEO fundamentals 11:43

4d ago11:43

11:43

In this episode, Joe shares insights on the right approach to SEO for companies that are just beginning. Key points include understanding the levels of SEO investment, the importance of laying a solid technical foundation, prioritizing bottom-funnel keywords, and building a comprehensive content strategy. Joe emphasizes that while advanced SEO tact…

1
The content snowball 9:50

5d ago9:50

9:50

In this episode, Joe Michalowski discusses the concept of 'content snowballs' in the SaaS industry, emphasizing the importance of long-term content strategies over immediate results. Drawing on insights from Jay Clouse's Creator Science podcast and an interview with James Clear, the author of 'Atomic Habits,' Joe explains how the visible success of…

1
The 4 types of input engines for quality content at scale 16:09

6d ago16:09

16:09

In this episode, Joe Michalowski discusses the crucial role of quality inputs in creating impactful content, inspired by a Stephen King quote. He recounts his own journey from a novice freelance writer to a seasoned content creator, emphasizing the importance of gathering valuable insights. Four primary strategies for building robust input engines …

1
The 80/20 rule of Jon Hamm (and content) 7:30

7d ago7:30

7:30

This episode discusses Jon Hamm's career post-Mad Men and draws parallels to effective content marketing strategies. Despite perceptions, Hamm has been consistently working in various roles. Using Hamm's career as a metaphor, the talk emphasizes the importance of the 80/20 rule in content strategy—highlighting that while big, splashy moments (20%) …

1
A never-ending ideation exercise 24:16

1M ago24:16

24:16

Joe Michalowski addresses the common concern of content marketers: "Do we have enough content?" He outlines a systematic approach to ideation, helping marketers continually generate strategic content by focusing on audience pain points and responsibilities. Key Discussion Points: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:13 Is there such thing as …

1
Simple ways to approach positioning and messaging from a content seat 16:35

1M ago16:35

16:35

I explore the critical overlap between content marketing and product marketing, focusing specifically on positioning and messaging. Discover a straightforward approach for content marketers to quickly build effective positioning and messaging frameworks, even when official documentation is lacking. Key Discussion Points: 02:36 Building positioning …

1
Trailer: Introduction to Content Blocks 5:00

1M ago5:00

5:00

You've found Content Blocks! However you made it here, I'm thrilled to have you. This is just a quick 5-minute memo from me where I introduce the idea behind Content Blocks, why I'm planning to focus on B2B SaaS content, and what you can expect from episodes moving forward. As a quick introduction of myself, my name is Joe Michalowski and I've been…

1
Breaking Down Annual Planning with CJ Gustafson of Mostly Metrics 46:16

1+ y ago46:16

46:16

In this episode of The Role Forward, host Joe Michalowski welcomes CJ Gustafson, CFO of PartsTech and the mind behind Mostly Metrics. They dive into the intricacies of annual planning, a critical period for finance professionals. CJ shares his unique journey from M&A consulting to private equity and finally to his current role, emphasizing the impo…

1
Mapping the Path to Profitability with Kristian Marquez, CEO of FinStrat Management 45:55

1+ y ago45:55

45:55

In the latest episode of The Role Forward podcast, host Joe Michalowski sits down with Kristian Marquez, founder of FinStrat Management. Kristian shares his diverse journey in the finance sector, highlighting his experiences from being part of a billion-dollar IPO to the challenges faced in a telemedicine startup. The duo dives deep into the evolvi…

1
Exploring AI in Finance with Todd Spartz, CFO of LinkLive 47:37

1+ y ago47:37

47:37

In the latest episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski welcomes Todd Spartz, the CFO at LinkLive. Todd dives deep into his rich background in the tech world. From semiconductor equipment manufacturing to networking, and from web analytics to web advertising, Todd's journey is vast. As he transitioned to enterprise SaaS, he shares the insights a…

1
Getting the Best Out of Fractional CFO Services with Scot Mollot, CFO at Attivo Partners 48:11

1+ y ago48:11

48:11

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe and Scot dive into the world of fractional CFO services and the transition to in-house teams. They discuss the inflection points where companies outgrow fractional CFO services and the economic factors that drive the decision to hire in-house. The complexity of business activities and the need for a 24/7 fin…

1
The Collaborative Finance Function with Zack McCarty, Director of FP&A at Qwick 49:44

1+ y ago49:44

49:44

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts Zack McCarty, Director of FP&A at Qwick. McCarty shares insights on the importance of collaborative planning and stakeholder buy-in in the food and beverage industry. He emphasizes the transformative power of basic financial information in driving valuable change within a company. McCarty d…

1
The State of Strategic Finance in Q3 2023 42:12

1+ y ago42:12

42:12

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts a deep dive into strategic finance with Bijan Moallemi and Joe Garafalo, co-founders of Mosaic. The trio unpacks the evolving landscape of business and the increasing complexity that demands more from finance professionals. Joe emphasizes the importance of investing in finance functions, es…

1
The State of Venture Funding in 2023 with OMERS Ventures 48:53

1+ y ago48:53

48:53

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts a deep dive into the world of venture funding. The guests — Joe Garafalo, Marissa Moore, and Eugene Lee — share their insights and experiences. The conversation revolves around the importance of good financial modeling practices, the current state of venture funding, and the future outlook.…

1
Board and Investor Communications Q&A with XYZ Capital, Spiff, and Mosaic 54:36

2y ago54:36

54:36

In this episode of The Role Forward, host Joe Michalowski brings together a panel of industry leaders for a Q&A-style discussion. The guests include Bijan Moallemi, Co-Founder and CEO at Mosaic, Chauncey Kerr Hamilton, Partner at XYZ, and Jeron Paul, CEO of Spiff. The conversation revolves around board management, investor communications, and effec…

1
Modern Finance Tech Stack Q&A with Spiff, XYZ Capital, and Mosaic 54:36

2y ago54:36

54:36

In this episode of The Role Forward, host Joe Michalowski brings together a panel of industry leaders for a Q&A-style discussion. The guests include Bijan Moallemi, Co-Founder and CEO at Mosaic, Chauncey Kerr Hamilton, Partner at XYZ, and Jeron Paul, CEO of Spiff. The conversation revolves around board management, investor communications, and effec…

1
Making Sense of SaaS Billing Data with Brian Campbell, Co-Founder of Mosaic 45:45

2y ago45:45

45:45

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts Brian Campbell, the co-founder at Mosaic. The two delve deep into the world of strategic finance, discussing the challenges and solutions of handling high-volume data. Brian shares his experience working with Stripe, a platform often used by B2C and product-led growth companies. He highligh…

1
30-60-90 Plan for New Finance Leaders with Jervis Williams, CFO of Second Front Systems 50:23

2y ago50:23

50:23

In this episode, our host Joe Michalowski speaks with Jervis Williams, the CFO of Second Front Systems. Jervis shares his experiences and lessons learned from his journey as a finance professional, particularly during his first 90 days as Second Front's new CFO. He highlights the importance of establishing a solid finance team early on and engaging…

1
How to Raise Debt as a Startup with Jeremy Tsui, Co-Founder and CEO of Finley 35:53

2y ago35:53

35:53

Many of today's most innovative companies rely on debt capital to reach their full potential, and debt capital can be the difference between hypergrowth and stagnation. But capital providers and borrowers are stuck with legacy systems, which means slow transactions, disjointed processes, and limited visibility. In this episode of The Role Forward, …

1
How Finance Can Help Drive Customer Retention with Nick Tarnoff, VP Finance, SupportLogic 42:28

2y ago42:28

42:28

In times when a growth-at-all-costs mentality, companies funneled as much money as possible into customer acquisition. Retention was always important, but not the primary focus. But now, as companies get more cautious with their capital, there's a brighter spotlight on customer success and retention. Great customer retention is key to efficient, su…

1
Getting Off the Ad Hoc Analysis Treadmill with Joel Blachman, Operations and Finance Lead at Amper Technologies 40:29

2y ago40:29

40:29

Ad hoc analysis is a type of analysis that is performed on an as-needed basis without a predefined plan or structure. Ad hoc analysis is often used when there is a need to investigate a particular issue or answer a specific question, and it can be a powerful tool for gaining insights into data quickly and efficiently. But ad hoc analysis can be tim…

1
How to Manage Your Accounting Data Hygiene with Numeric Co-Founder and CEO Parker Gilbert 43:49

2y ago43:49

43:49

Episode Summary No matter your industry, clean data results in well-informed decisions. By keeping your data clean and accurate, you save time from searching for answers and reconciliations and can spend more time diving into the “why” behind your numbers and making actionable insights. But for companies who experience hypergrowth or need to make a…

1
Fundraising in a Down Market with Scott Stouffer, CEO and Founder of scaleMatters 42:56

2y ago42:56

42:56

Investors provide vital funds so that companies can achieve their next level of growth, whether it’s making the next important version of a product or a key hire that will unlock the company’s potential even further. But in a time of economic uncertainty, where we see layoffs, budget freezes, and falling tech industry stock prices, venture capital …

1
How to Ensure a Successful NetSuite Implementation with Edwine Alphonse, Controller at Ramp 44:25

2y ago44:25

44:25

Episode Summary NetSuite implementation is a large, challenging project, as it includes many different phases and complex steps. But an experienced implementation partner can make all the difference. In this episode of The Role Forward podcast, our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Edwine Alphonse, a controller at Ramp. They talk about the biggest chal…

1
Financial Transformation in Finance’s Golden Age with Chris Ortega of Fresh FP&A 48:08

2y ago48:08

48:08

The finance team is essential for any business — especially as the company grows. And while in recent years the role of the finance team has evolved from a stereotypical back-office scorekeeping function toward a forward-thinking strategic partner, the process of financial transformation and implementation within the business is complex — and somet…

1
Building a Career in and Beyond Finance, Former Teampay COO Peter Nesbitt 45:55

2+ y ago45:55

45:55

There's something special about a career in finance. Because you sit at the intersection of all data in the organization and collaborate with so many different functions, your job in finance can become the perfect stepping stone to a wide variety of career paths. But how do you maneuver your way from day one to where you want to take your career? I…

1
How to Bulletproof Your Business with the Right Tools with Mosaic COO, Joe Garafalo 33:15

2+ y ago33:15

33:15

Times are tough right now. World events have affected the macro environment, and a market downturn looms on the horizon as the Federal Reserve Board raises interest rates and the CPI continues to go up each month. Companies have to be extra careful about their finances. That’s why it’s important for finance teams to feel enabled to embrace the spot…

1
Taking Your Financial Storytelling to the Decision-Makers' Table with Mosaic CEO, Bijan Moallemi 29:07

2+ y ago29:07

29:07

Finance can be a strategic partner and growth catalyst for department and executive leaders. But many organizations still see finance teams as a back-office department, simply delivering financial reports. If companies really want sustainable growth, that mindset needs to change. This episode of The Role Forward revisits the presentation Mosaic CEO…

1
The Heuristics of Forecasting with Brian Weisberg, CFO at Tidelift 40:34

2+ y ago40:34

40:34

Forecasting is essential for every team, and it involves tracking key performance indicators and financial metrics to measure each team's success. But many people don’t discuss best practices, especially when you begin to add headcount into the mix. Our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Brian Weisberg, the CFO at Tidelift, back to The Role Forward podc…

1
Death to Spreadsheets? Tracking the Way to Finance’s Future in Automation with Lauren Bahr of Occupier 45:12

2+ y ago45:12

45:12

No one denies Excel’s contribution to the business world and how it took operations to the next level. However, it’s time to admit that there are use cases that have outgrown spreadsheets and can make the lives of finance professionals easier. Whether spreadsheets will soon become part of the past is a burning topic among finance professionals acro…

1
The Rapid Growth of Third-Gen FP&A Tools: The FP&A Guy, Paul Barnhurst 46:05

2+ y ago46:05

46:05

Technology is always evolving, and over the last few years we’ve seen rapid advancement of third-gen tools. But these third-gen tools are still evolving. In this episode of The Role Forward, our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Paul Barnhurst, the founder of The FP&A Guy. They talk about the gaps in third-gen FP&A tools, why MS Excel is not going anyw…

1
A Complete Guide to Headcount Planning: Assemble Co-Founder, Enrique Esclusa 46:39

2+ y ago46:39

46:39

For SaaS companies, headcount amounts to 70% of operating expenses. If finance dives straight into the numbers without keeping the company’s short- and long-term goals in mind when headcount planning, it spells imminent disaster with misforecasts and errors that can take months, if not years, to resolve. In this episode of The Role Forward, our hos…

1
The Most Interesting Conversation on SaaS Tax Compliance with Paddle VP of Finance, Daniëlle Keeven 41:57

2+ y ago41:57

41:57

Tax compliance is not everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s often underappreciated and overlooked — until it’s down to the wire for SaaS companies who have received warnings about being audited. Tax compliance needs to be more top of mind for SaaS leaders who want to truly embrace strategic, sustainable growth and expansion. In this episode of The Role F…

1
Build a SaaS Operational Model People Actually Use — Sprig Head of Finance, Jenny Jao 44:59

2+ y ago44:59

44:59

Finance is often perceived as a back office function. But getting out of the back office to collaborate with other departments within an organization is a prerequisite for business success. In this episode of The Role Forward, our host Joe Michalowski chats with Jenny Jao, the head of finance at Sprig, to discuss what it takes to build a financial …

1
How Organizational Transparency Creates Trust at the Workplace: ChartHop CFO, Matt Wolf 36:22

2+ y ago36:22

36:22

Organizational transparency is one of many buzzwords in the business world, but it can be a game changer for any company that adopts it. Executive leaders shouldn’t be afraid of being transparent with employees because it can lead to greater motivation, more trust, and improved productivity. However, it can be a struggle to find the sweet spot betw…

1
Early-Stage SaaS Financial Modeling: Taylor Davidson, Foresight 50:25

2+ y ago50:25

50:25

Starting a company requires an idea and people to help bring it to reality. But a company requires more than a vision, even though it’s fundamental to its success — its needs a well-thought-out business model. For early-stage SaaS startups, creating and implementing a financial model is challenging for a variety of reasons. Which is why Taylor Davi…

1
Turning Finance into a True Strategic Business Partner: Russ Jones, Former CFO, Shopify 42:45

2+ y ago42:45

42:45

Building a finance team means investing in processes, tools, and people. But, making all three segments successful can be time-consuming and requires having a CFO ready to look outside the box and build partnerships with every department within an organization. That's easier said than done, but fortunately, there are success stories that prove it i…

1
Scaling from Startup to Wall Street: ZipRecruiter Chief Accounting Officer, Amy Garefis 36:36

3y ago36:36

36:36

It is common for accounting and finance teams to work together. However, for a business to grow, it is important for executives to create a culture encouraging partnership between all the departments. Although accountants are not perceived as the most creative people in an organization, their expertise and unique perspective can help other teams, i…

1
The ERP Gap: Nixsheets CEO, Sal Abdulla 35:01

3y ago35:01

35:01

In this era where there’s a better SaaS tool for every workflow, ERP solutions are ripe for innovation. Many finance and accounting teams leverage a distributed EPR model that they’ve cobbled together using various point solutions coupled with spreadsheets to fill additional gaps between the systems. What they’re often lacking is a solution that ti…

1
CRM Hygiene: Galley Chief Business Officer, Jason Peretz 39:33

3y ago39:33

39:33

CRM software is one of the most vital business tools today, and most companies nowadays use it to conduct sales, track finances, and manage customer relationships. However, CRMs can be complicated and difficult to set up and use. But your CRM should work for you instead of the other way around. In this episode of The Role Forward podcast, our host …

1
CAC Masterclass: The SaaS CFO, Ben Murray 32:17

3y ago32:17

32:17

SaaS companies have a lot of different efficiency metrics. And customer acquisition cost — the amount of money a company spends to get a new customer — is a ubiquitous SaaS metric. How can SaaS companies achieve financial stability and transparency and calculate CAC correctly? What if we have basic calculations and our company matures? How are othe…

1
Crypto on the Balance Sheet: Ramp Head of Finance, Alex Song 41:28

3y ago41:28

41:28

Cryptocurrency is a hot topic not just in the finance or business world but also in our everyday interactions. But, with all the information available today, it's still challenging for most of us to understand what it is and how it has and will change the global monetary system. Luckily, the number of subject matter experts is growing daily, and on…

1
How to Think About Customer Cohort Analysis with Steve Groccia, Head of Customer Success Operations at Mosaic 31:51

3y ago31:51

31:51

The contemporary business world depends on in-depth and high-quality data analysis. But it seems like many departments don't have adequate time or tools to focus on data. In a study conducted by Mosaic, only 14% of surveyed finance leaders said they used cohort analysis. Therefore, it is critical to determine the reasons behind this small percentag…

1
Keys to SaaS Pitch Decks and Fundraising with John Luttig, Principal at Founders Fund 27:09

3y ago27:09

27:09

A successful pitch deck is an informative presentation that includes all relevant details and critical metrics that SaaS investors want to see. And you should use that space wisely to get your message across. But there's no one-size-fits-all pitch deck template. You need to tell your company's unique story. In this episode of The Role Forward podca…

1
How to Optimize Cash Flow in all Market Conditions with Brad Silicani of Anrok 36:06

3y ago36:06

36:06

In every business, the goal is to protect cash and to build a product to get to market. And big companies, which earn tons of revenue, are successful at cash optimization. But there is so much pressure in the economy — interest rate movement, inflation, rising prices — that needs to be overcome. And that could be difficult for companies that do not…

1
How to Make Accounting More Strategic with Howard Katzenberg, Founder & CEO of Glean 37:42

3y ago37:42

37:42

There are lots of stereotypes around accounting teams, and one of them is that they're controlling and "no" people. Their stereotypical reputation arises from the fact that they live and die by their routine, spreadsheets, and statements, and they seem to like it that way. But one of the goals of CFOs is to align finance and accounting with other t…

1
Financial Data Management with Aneal Vallurupalli, CFO of Airbase 37:27

3y ago37:27

37:27

With data as one of the most valuable assets, most companies, regardless of their size, work on ways to better organize and leverage this information to drive their business growth. But becoming a data-driven company requires several technical and administrative changes. The success of such a venture depends on collaborative work between all the de…

1
Finance Automation in the Month-End Close with Temi Vasco, Controller at Gem 46:53

3+ y ago46:53

46:53

Finance and accounting teams play a significant role in every organization. Their job is to provide relevant and dependable information that helps department heads make the best decisions. But, being an accountant or finance expert is more than a technical role; it is also a strategic role. The success of these two teams depends on the quality of t…

1
Collaborative Budgeting with Brian Weisberg, Head of Finance and Business Operations at Tidelift 33:07

3+ y ago33:07

33:07

When someone even mentions the budgeting season, most business owners and their team members — especially the finance department — start feeling anxious. But it should not be like that, says our guest, Brian Weisberg, the Head of Finance and Business Operations at Tidelift. The key to any fruitful budgeting process is a well-thought-out financial m…

1
Cash Flow Management and Forecasting with Andi Ruda, Rainbow CFO Founder 27:42

3+ y ago27:42

27:42

In this episode of The Role Forward, our guest is Andi Ruda, the founder and CEO of Rainbow CFO. Prior to starting her own business, Andi worked as the full-time CFO at three different companies. The experience she gained during that period and the challenges and struggles she saw many companies face when determining their financial strategies, emp…

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