Disruptive Ceo Nation

What does it really take to lead with empathy in today’s fast-paced world? Today we invited Angie Morgan, a New York Times bestselling author and Marine Corps veteran. She reveals how blending mission-driven leadership with genuine care for your people creates unstoppable teams.   In this insightful conversation, Angie dives deep into the evolving world of leadership. From her time in the Marine Corps to leading multinational companies, Angie teaches us how empathy, clarity, and courage are the foundation for effective leadership. Learn how to strike the balance between caring for your team and driving results without compromising your mission. Whether you're a leader or aspiring to be one, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom that will help you rise to your best leadership potential.   Here are highlights:   -Empathy in Leadership: How understanding and connecting with your team's emotions fosters stronger performance and results, without lowering expectations. -Leading from the Front: The Ma

What if your biggest business breakthroughs aren’t just about strategy or hard skills but about building real, meaningful connections? In this thought-provoking episode, Noah Askin, a professor and leadership expert at UC Irvine, explores the powerful intersection of culture, vulnerability, and connection in the business world. Through a detailed discussion of his research, he uncovers how business leaders can intentionally craft an environment that nurtures authentic relationships. Noah explains how to balance results with meaningful cultural practices and why understanding yourself is the key to building thriving networks and communities.  Whether you're a CEO, manager, or entrepreneur, Noah’s insights are sure to inspire new strategies for achieving both personal fulfillment and business success. Here are highlights: -Building Trust Through Vulnerability: Noah explains how being vulnerable is a cornerstone of trust-building, both personally and professionally. -The Importance of Self-Awareness f

What happens when a former automotive executive pivots into e-commerce logistics and builds one of the fastest-scaling fulfillment companies in the world? You’ll find out in this revealing conversation with Abel Horvath. In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, Abel Horvath, Founder and CEO of Fulfillment Hub USA joins the conversation. Starting out in Miami just months before the pandemic, Abel scaled his business to include facilities across the U.S., Europe, and South America—all while navigating global supply chain chaos, customer needs, and explosive e-commerce demand. Abel shares what it takes to lead a fast-growing logistics company, why customization is the future of fulfillment, and the unexpected lessons he’s learned along the way. If you’re in the business of physical products or curious about global entrepreneurship, this is a must-listen episode packed with operational wisdom, leadership insights, and inspiring grit.   Here are highlights: -Abel’s Journey from Volkswagen to Founder: He le

It’s the 300th episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, and Allison Summers is flipping the script! Join her as she’s interviewed by Seth Greene, CEO of Market Domination LLC, for a special celebration filled with powerful leadership insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and a look at the incredible journey that led to this milestone. You won’t want to miss this!   Together, they revisit the journey that led to this milestone and share invaluable insights on leadership, business growth, and the power of storytelling. With deep reflections on her evolving mission and what it truly means to be a disruptive CEO, Allison reveals how the show has influenced her leadership style and impacted her guests. From breakthrough moments to hidden gems of wisdom, this episode is a testament to the impact of business storytelling and the incredible leaders that shape it.   Here are highlights:   -The Journey to 300 Episodes: Allison reflects on her podcast journey, from initial self-doubt to confidently hosting deep, meaningfu

This week, Josip Rupena, Founder and CEO of Milo, reveals how his company is revolutionizing access to credit by letting clients use their crypto— without cashing it out. If you're curious about real-world crypto applications, borderless lending, and leading through regulatory headwinds, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Drawing on experience at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, Josip shares his journey from traditional finance to crypto-backed mortgages. Yes, buying real estate without selling your Bitcoin. We dive into how Milo raised millions in venture capital, scaled across six continents, and navigated the volatile regulatory landscape around crypto. You’ll also hear the story behind Milo’s owl logo, why “obvious” is a company value, and how Josip keeps his team aligned and energized across borders. Whether you're crypto-curious or a fintech founder in growth mode, this episode will challenge how you think about innovation, leadership, and the future of financial services.   Here are hig

From Hollywood stuntman to tech founder saving lives—Kenny Kelley’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this powerful episode, he shares how a motorcycle accident led him to create a game-changing safety tech company that’s revolutionizing workplace protection. We sat down with Kenny Kelley, founder and CEO of Silent Beacon, a personal safety technology company helping protect vulnerable workers through panic button solutions. Kenny’s journey to become to tech entrepreneur is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and listening to the market. He shares the origin story of Silent Beacon and the hard-earned lessons that came with funding, product-market fit, and scaling in regulated industries like healthcare. Kenny opens up about surviving the startup trenches, rebounding from naysayers, and why feedback is the fuel behind every innovation. If you’ve ever faced rejection, doubted your vision, or wondered how to pivot with purpose, this one’s for you.   Here are highlights: A Stuntman’s Wake-Up Call:

What does that mean for leadership in today’s skeptical world? Communications expert Jenni Field joins us to explore how credibility, integrity, and intentional leadership are the cornerstones of organizational trust– and how to build them before it’s too late. In this powerful episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, founder of Redefining Communications and author of Nobody Believes You, Jenni, comes to share her wisdom. Together, we unpack the rising challenges leaders face in building trust, developing middle managers, and scaling culture in a skeptical, fast-paced business environment.   If you’ve ever struggled with communication gaps, growing pains, or a loss of team credibility, this episode delivers real insight and practical tools you can apply right now.    Here are highlights: - Credibility Starts with Integrity: Jenni explains how credibility isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s built moment by moment by doing what you say you’ll do, even when it’s inconvenient. - Bridging the Leadership Gap: Disc

What if addiction recovery was treated with the same compassion, personalization, and whole-person care as any other chronic condition? We sit down with William McKinney, CEO of Eleanor Health, to discuss a revolutionary approach to addiction recovery that goes far beyond medication. Eleanor Health is transforming how we treat substance use disorders—integrating therapy, peer support, health coaching, and compassionate care rooted in science and dignity. William shares how Eleanor Health launched just before the pandemic, scaled during volatile healthcare shifts, and is now entering a rapid growth phase with plans to expand into a new state every month. You'll hear why this work is so personal for William, how the company is navigating stigma and digital marketing barriers, and why he believes Eleanor’s model could extend to other addictions beyond substances in the near future. Whether you lead a health startup, care about mental wellness, or know someone affected by addiction, this episode is not to be m

What if your company’s unsellable inventory could become a lifeline for nonprofits instead of ending up in a landfill? In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, host Allison K. Summers talks with Disney Petit, founder and CEO of LiquiDonate, a groundbreaking platform turning excess retail goods and customer returns into powerful tools for social impact. From building the tech to power smarter giving to literally digging through dumpsters to understand waste, Disney shares how she’s creating a new supply chain for good—and why reconnecting to your mission might be the most powerful business strategy of all.   Here are highlights: -Turning Returns into Resources: LiquiDonate matches excess or returned retail inventory with schools and nonprofits in need, saving goods from landfills and cutting reverse logistics costs by 50%. -Hands-On, Mission-Driven Leadership: Disney shares how she reconnects with purpose by making deliveries herself, ensuring she stays grounded in the impact of the work. -Scalable Tech

What if your child could actually learn to manage money—not just play pretend with it?   Teaching kids about money has traditionally involved games, fake dollars, and hypothetical situations. But what if the key to lasting financial habits was giving them real financial experiences? In this eye-opening episode, we talk to the CEO of Stockpile, a financial platform that helps kids and families learn to save, invest, and spend. Victor opens up about his founder journey, raising $45 million, the company’s mission-driven design, and how Stockpile empowers kids to make real investment choices while giving parents peace of mind. You’ll hear how Stockpile has built a platform that doesn’t just teach financial literacy; helps families live it, building lifelong confidence and smart money behaviors. This one’s a must-listen for parents, educators, and startup founders alike.   Here are highlights: -Real Financial Literacy for Kids: Research shows kids learn best with real-world experience. Stockpile’s platform

What do you get when you cross a behavioral psychologist with significant experience in the business world? You get the insightful mind and wisdom of Richard Reid.   Richard knows that commanding attention and influence while leading through change is more difficult than ever. He shares that the mind and thought processes of an employee today have more dynamic needs than even a decade ago. This is why he wrote Charisma Unlocked: Science and Strategy behind Presence, Persuasion and Authentic Leadership.   We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation as we think any tip and wisdom that an executive leader can gain that will make their business run smoother. Any increase in profitability while elevating employee satisfaction is a win.   Here are highlights: -Emotional Intelligence: Self-awareness, particularly in managing stress and improving communication, is critical as the foundation for a leader that others are willing to follow.   -Charisma in Modern Leadership: Richard discusses the importance of chari

I love discovering founders who are using technology to democratize access to services that have traditionally been out of reach for many people. That's why I was so excited to speak with Alexander Harmsen, the founder and CEO of Global Predictions. Alexander created PortfolioPilot, an AI-powered financial advisor that helps individuals take control of their financial lives without the high fees or intimidation factor of traditional firms. What started as a personal side project has become a platform managing over $30 billion in assets all while helping simplify investing for the everyday person. In our conversation, Alexander shares how he’s building not just a product, but a movement to empower everyday investors with real, personalized advice. Here are highlights of our conversation:   -   From Side Project to $30 Billion Platform: Alexander built the first version of PortfolioPilot to manage his own finances after selling his previous startup. Today, the platform serves tens of thousands of users an

A few years ago we had the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan Ogurchak about the success of his company STACK. Now we have invited him back to see how the business has progressed and learn about his new venture, Zeal Specialty Pharmacy.   As a pharmacist, Jonathan observed significant inefficiencies and a need to modernize processes. This set him on a course to develop and deliver better technology that would ultimately improve patient care. Today, he is a recognized serial entrepreneur, a leader in technology, and a man whose latest endeavor is centered on the delivery of medication to individuals with rare diseases.   Here are highlights of our conversation:   -An Update on STACK: The business has expanded its product offerings including a new product called On Queue, an operations workflow platform to enhance the pharmacy patient journey and capture valuable data. They now have customers in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Dubai.   -Healthcare Compliance: STACK software helps organizations manage compli

We always say your best business partner can be in the most surprising places. Today, we discuss why holding a global mindset and helping new companies with their first funding boost, regardless of location, makes for a healthier business ecosystem.   Jenny Fielding, the co-founder and managing partner of Everywhere Ventures, is a big believer in the game-changing impact of global entrepreneurship. From her own journey as an accidental entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, she stresses the importance of backing founders in the early stages with key resources like mentorship, funding, and connections.   With investments spread across the world, Jenny pushes for a global perspective in entrepreneurship, urging entrepreneurs to embrace diverse cultures for resilience and adaptability. Her "everywhere mindset" highlights the potential of dynamic startup scenes globally, motivating entrepreneurs to broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge to thrive in an interconnected world.   These are the highlights

 What if you could look into a crystal ball and see exactly what your family’s long-term care needs will be in the future?   In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lily Vittayarukskul, the brilliant CEO and co-founder of Waterlily, an AI-powered platform that uses over 500 million data points to help families plan for the financial and emotional realities of aging. Lily is a World Economic Forum Top Innovator, a patented inventor, and someone who turned a heartbreaking personal experience into a mission-driven company that is disrupting the way we think about long-term care.   As someone with two parents in their 80s, this topic hits close to home for me—and I know it will for many of you too. We talked about everything from how she built Waterlily and earned the trust of major investors to the importance of planning so families aren’t torn apart in times of crisis.   These are the highlights of our conversation:   - Waterlily Predicts Long-Term Care Needs with AI: Waterlily uses over 500 millio

In this episode, I am happy to introduce you to a great mind from my circle here in Chicago.   Lisa Guillot, a best-selling author and expert in personal branding, offers a transformative perspective on the significance of a clear vision framework for achieving success. With a rich background in design and branding, Lisa specializes in helping leaders craft vibrant and purposeful personal and professional brands. Her approach is encapsulated in her book, "Find Your Clear Vision," and the CLEAR methodology, which stands for Clear Concept, Legit and Long Lasting, Expanded Energy, Aspirational Success, and Rooted in Celebration.   By promoting self-awareness, authenticity, and intuition, Guillot's framework empowers individuals to align their values and goals, fostering sustainable engagement and passion in their personal and professional endeavors.   Lisa unleashes her high energy and insights in this conversation, touching on:   - Energizing Teams: A leader must invest in a team member's vision and development

From buying property while in his Harvard dorm to starting a business with his wife, Derrick has made it his life's mission to improve the process for and access to real estate investing. Derrick Barker, the co-founder and CEO of Nectar, is at the forefront of transforming the real estate finance landscape through innovative technology solutions. Based in Atlanta, his company provides liquidity to commercial real estate owners with low-leverage, cash-flowing assets, enabling them to grow their portfolios and contribute to community development.  Derrick envisions a future where rapid property closings become the norm, empowering medium-sized real estate sponsors to create strong, balanced communities by enhancing their access to capital.  Here are the highlights of our conversation: - Nectar stands out in the finance and real estate technology industry by providing liquidity to owners of commercial real estate, specifically focusing on low-leverage, cash-flowing assets to support strong real estate operat

As the complexity and demands of technology continue to rise in our business lives, CEOs need to explore all available avenues of how to identify and attract top talent. This is where nearshoring comes in. Nearshoring is a valuable vehicle to augment existing teams, support rapid scaling, or bring new knowledge into an organization quickly.   To learn more about nearshoring we turned to Brian Samson, an entrepreneur who has lived and established multiple companies in Latin America. Because of this he holds unparalleled insight into leveraging untapped talent pools of highly educated individuals in Central and South America. Brian holds a passion for helping businesses thrive by introducing great talent to great companies but along the way we also learned he is a caring human who will always be found rooting for the Chicago Cubs.   Here are highlights of our conversation:   -      Nearshore Defined: Moving jobs or tasks within the same time zone, as opposed to offshoring which involves moving across an ocean.

Sandra J. Horton is a well-known author and speaker who offers valuable insights and practical strategies for today's organizational challenges. As a systemic leadership sustainability strategist, she penned "Activate Success: Tips, Tools and Insights to be a Leaders in Your Niche," a book packed with 27 activators to help leaders excel in diverse situations.   Sandra's take on sustainable leadership highlights the importance of aligning values and being ready to address and adapt to rapid change. By promoting mindful, empathetic, and proactive leadership, she urges leaders to build resilience, support their teams effectively, and navigate change with clarity and ethical integrity.   Here are the highlights of our conversation:   - Leadership Requires Conscious Change Management: Sandra emphasizes that many leaders stand in a reactionary mode, making decisions under stress rather than responding thoughtfully. She advocates for leaders to raise their consciousness, pause, and assess their approach to change be

Imagine if, within 9 years of starting a company, you could grow to have 34 million people a month interacting on your platform. And that is the story you will hear today from Adrián Ridner.   Driven by a mission to provide life-changing and accessible education, Study.com is one of the largest online learning platforms for K-12 through college and beyond. With learners and educators representing more than 11,000 schools, Study.com is focused on supporting students, teachers, and the teacher pipeline. The platform also seeks to make college-level education accessible and friendly for the non-traditional student and help professionals prep for and ace licensing exams.   Here are the highlights of our conversation:   - The Personal Why: Hailing from Argentina, having lived in four countries, and learning three languages (Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, and the US), Adrián's experience of assimilating into the education systems has influenced his passion point around it. Adrián also highlighted the personal aspect