What does it take to lead a company through transformation while keeping people motivated, curious, and focused on the future? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Matt Waxman, Chief Product Officer at Arctera, a data management company reimagining how enterprises handle compliance, resilience, and lifecycle governance. From making people “comfortably uncomfortable” to creating a culture that embraces experimentation, Matt explores how leaders can align teams around a shared strategy, harness AI as an accelerator (not a replacement), and keep transformation human-centered.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What can entrepreneurs learn from bootstrapping a startup, leading with empathy, and embracing the mindset of “Why not?” even when the odds are slim? In this episode, Natalie Nathanson sits down with serial entrepreneur Sanjay Manandhar, whose journey from Nepal to Massachusetts is filled with resilience, creativity, and servant leadership. Sanjay shares how bootstrapping shaped his approach to business, why every founder should learn sales, and how embracing the philosophy of “Why Not” can unlock opportunities that seem out of reach. From running Nepal’s first ISPs to founding AI-driven cybersecurity startup Zifino, his story is a masterclass in perseverance, empathy, and innovation.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can CEOs adapt their go-to-market strategy when the old playbooks no longer deliver results? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Stephen Ochs, Head of Marketing at Selector, to explore how startups can build smarter go-to-market engines in today’s market. Stephen shares his experience leading marketing and biz dev teams in SaaS companies from Series A through Series C, and why he believes influencer-driven community marketing and AI-powered operations are changing the game.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can executives harness AI without losing sight of strong business foundations? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie welcomes back Adi Klevit, Founder and CEO of Business Success Consulting Group. With more than 25 years of experience, Adi has been at the forefront of helping organizations build scalable systems and adapt to transformative technologies. She shares how process documentation lays the groundwork for effective AI adoption, what leaders must prioritize as they navigate change, and how she uses AI herself as a strategic thought partner.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What does it take to disrupt an industry dominated by giants like Salesforce and HubSpot? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, I sit down with Adam Honig, founder and CEO of Spiro, to talk about his journey from building one of the largest Salesforce consulting firms to launching an AI-powered CRM that redefines how companies engage with customers. Adam shares how focusing on the manufacturing vertical transformed Spiro’s trajectory, why provocative positioning (“the anti-CRM”) works, and what leadership lessons he’s carried from scaling services businesses to SaaS.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What does it take to lead massive business transformations in automation and robotics? On this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Craig Ulrich, CEO of Acieta and a veteran leader in industrial automation with more than 30 years of experience. From scaling warehouse automation from a few million to $80M in revenue to guiding major transformations at companies like Amazon and General Motors, Craig has seen firsthand what it takes to succeed in high-stakes industries.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
How can leaders drive company transformation without losing their team’s trust and energy? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie Nathanson talks with Leslie Poston, a seasoned go-to-market strategist and leadership advisor. Leslie shares how she led Austin Data Labs’ transformation from a small, multi-industry SaaS company into a high-growth leader in food and agriculture, culminating in a successful acquisition. Leslie shares how she prioritized psychological safety, built a customer-first strategy, and kept teams agile while navigating rapid change. The conversation also dives into her current work helping leaders create high-performing, psychologically safe teams, and her perspectives on AI, burnout prevention, and building adaptability for the future.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can leaders balance automation and AI with the irreplaceable human elements of sales, culture, and leadership? In this episode, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Tameem Hourani, founder and CEO of RapDev, to explore his journey from a technologist to leading a rapidly growing tech services firm. Tameem opens up about the challenges of shifting from an engineering mindset to scaling a sales-driven organization, and why investing in people, not just automation, is critical for growth. Throughout the conversation, Tameem reflects on the personal growth required to lead boldly, the lessons learned from taking risks, and the importance of building a culture where transparency, accountability, and challenge fuel success.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What does it take to turn a market gap into a thriving business? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie Nathanson sits down with Haseeb Budhani, co-founder and CEO of Rafay Systems, to explore how he’s navigated multiple startups, scaled innovative technology, and adapted to the evolving demands of AI and Kubernetes infrastructure. From his early entrepreneurial lessons to building high-impact partnerships with NVIDIA, Accenture, and Dell, Haseeb shares actionable strategies for founder-led sales, shrinking sales cycles, and enabling customers to succeed faster. Whether you’re a tech founder, sales leader, or business strategist, you’ll come away with insights you can apply immediately to accelerate growth and strengthen your go-to-market approach.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can leaders shift from being the hero who fixes problems to the architect who builds teams that thrive on their own? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, growth advisor and business strategist Bill Flynn joins host Natalie Nathanson to share hard-won lessons from decades of leadership experience. From embracing frameworks like EOS to turning around struggling companies and guiding CEOs through complex change, Bill offers a powerful case for mindset over skillset and explains why curiosity, humility, and strategic patience are the real keys to sustainable growth.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can businesses stay competitive in an AI-driven world? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Cheryl Jordan-Aguilera joins host Natalie Nathanson to share lessons from her 25-year career in sales and strategy, highlighting the power of collaboration, cultural fit, and consultative selling. She reflects on building scalable growth at GutCheck, navigating M&A challenges, and leading at Official AI, where ethical AI use and internal alignment drive success.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What’s the real reason most companies invest in cybersecurity, and why is it too late? In this episode of CEO Confidential, host Natalie Nathanson sits down with Corey White, veteran cybersecurity leader and CEO of Cyvatar.ai. With nearly 30 years of experience, including time spent on the front lines of major breaches, Corey shares what leaders get wrong about cybersecurity, why compliance isn’t enough, and how AI is both a threat and a tool. From servant leadership practices to go-to-market strategy, Corey gives a masterclass in building trust, scaling a business, and staying one step ahead in an evolving threat landscape.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Natalie Nathanson interviews Pete Jones, founder and CEO of Grypp, about the unexpected moment that led to a complete business pivot, from in-person sales tech to a visual-first platform transforming the contact center industry. Pete shares the story behind Grypp’s evolution, including how a single conversation exposed the inefficiencies in traditional call centers and inspired a new way to approach customer experience. He unpacks the challenges of building a highly configurable, no-code platform, and highlights how Grypp enables partners to drive measurable ROI in their own markets.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
Is your go-to-market strategy built for today’s challenges? In this episode of Shift and Thrive, Natalie sits down with Jacki Leahy, founder of Activate the Magic, for a deep dive into all things Revenue Operations (RevOps). We explore how RevOps can serve as the backbone of a modern go-to-market strategy, especially as traditional outbound tactics lose effectiveness and AI raises the bar for personalization. Jacki shares her expertise on diagnosing GTM bottlenecks, aligning cross-functional teams, and using systems thinking to scale smarter.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What happens when a robotics CEO ditches Agile and embraces long-term commitments? AJ Meyer shares how bold moves and clarity of vision drive real innovation. On this episode of Shift and Thrive, AJ Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Pickle Robot Company, pulls back the curtain on building a robotics company that’s tackling one of logistics’ biggest challenges: autonomously unloading trucks. From his MIT roots to raising a $50M Series B, AJ’s journey is one of rethinking not just the tech, but how a company operates.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can leaders evolve their management style, leverage AI, and navigate rapid market changes to build resilient, forward-thinking organizations in tech? In this episode of Shift & Thrive, Dimitri Sirota, Co-founder and CEO of BigID, shares insights from his journey as a data privacy leader, including how he guided his company through the uncertainties of COVID-19, transitioned to a remote-first culture, and embraced AI across operations and products. He reflects on shifting from autocratic leadership to empowering autonomy, navigating go-to-market changes, and preparing for the evolving future of work. Dimitri also opens up about his immigrant upbringing, the value of learning from failure, and how character is shaped by challenge.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What if the key to solving industrial carbon emissions lay in modular innovation, AI, and a mission sparked by a childhood shaped by disaster? In this episode, Natalie sits down with Aniruddha Sharma, CEO of Carbon Clean, to explore the transformative journey from student startup to global carbon capture leader. Aniruddha shares how a deep personal connection to environmental impact and a passion for innovation propelled Carbon Clean to the forefront of industrial decarbonization. From navigating strategic partnerships with Chevron and Aramco to integrating generative AI in their technology, Aniruddha offers a masterclass in building mission-driven, scalable solutions for one of the world’s biggest challenges.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can leaders transform go-to-market strategies by aligning sales, marketing, and customer experience while fostering a people-first culture and driving sustainable growth? In this episode, Brad McGinity draws on his deep experience as a founder, board member, and revenue leader to explore what it takes to build resilient go-to-market strategies. He shares lessons from transforming sales motions, emphasizing the critical importance of foundational work, cultural alignment, and a sharp focus on your ideal customer profile. From evolving sales dynamics to modern communication tactics, Brad offers actionable advice for CEOs and revenue leaders aiming to drive long-term growth through disciplined execution and authentic relationships.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
What does it take to lead a cybersecurity startup with empathy, clarity, and focus, while staying true to your vision and your customers' real needs? In this episode, Pete Barton, co-founder and CEO of Realm Security, shares his journey from leading at top cybersecurity firms to building a company focused on simplifying security data. He opens up about the importance of vulnerability in leadership, the ongoing challenge of achieving product-market fit, and why clear internal communication is essential for startup success. Pete also offers insights on balancing short-term wins with long-term strategy, using AI responsibly in cybersecurity, and leading with empathy, lessons shaped by both his upbringing and becoming a parent. This episode is packed with practical takeaways for leaders navigating fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com
How can leaders adapt, grow, and lead with impact in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape while staying true to their values and vision? In this special “Flip the Mic” episode of S&T, Natalie celebrates one year of the podcast and kicks off season 2 by switching seats from host to guest. With colleague Cindy Hunter stepping in as guest host, Natalie reflects on her journey as a B2B marketing leader, the founding of Magnitude Consulting, and the leadership lessons that have shaped her along the way. From the role of AI in modern marketing to building resilient teams, this candid conversation dives into the mindset and strategy needed to lead through change, build credibility, and drive impact.
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This show is sponsored by Magnetude Consulting, bringing you the thinking-Power of a Growth Consultancy and the Getting-It-Done Power of a full-service B2B Marketing Agency.
Learn more at: https://www.magnetudeconsulting.com