Inside the C-Suite with David Wurth

Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because founders lose control of their finances—or refuse to adapt when reality changes.In this episode, Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media, breaks down the uncomfortable truths behind growth, marketing, and modern entrepreneurship.After selling his own ecommerce companies, Erik realized something few founders say out loud: most marketing agencies overcomplicate everything, chase the wrong clients, and leave growth-stage businesses stranded. So he built an alternative—one designed for founders in the messy middle.What started as a four-person team is now a 250-person company supporting more than 6,000 brands. Along the way, Erik developed a simple but ruthless framework: businesses only fail for two reasons—financial misalignment and a failure to adapt.In this conversation, we explore:Why “playing it safe” quietly kills companiesThe real reason most marketing doesn’t workHow founders should think about risk, pressure, and ambitionThe three pillars of marketing that actually create trustWhat Erik looks for when investing through Hawke VenturesThis isn’t a how-to episode. It’s a reality check—for founders, operators, and anyone trying to build something that lasts.

In this episode, join David Wurth as he sits down with Lucas Keller, the visionary founder and president of Milk and Honey, a global talent management powerhouse that has reshaped both the music and sports industries. From humble beginnings in Wisconsin’s punk scene to building a music division whose clients have contributed to over a billion album sales and dozens of Grammy nominations annually, Lucas reveals the strategic moves that propelled Milk and Honey’s songwriters and producers to craft chart-topping hits for Dua Lipa, BTS, Post Malone, and beyond. Discover how Lucas parlayed his success in music publishing—brokered hundreds of millions in catalog sales at peak market multiples—into a groundbreaking sports agency representing NFL stars like Travis Kelce and Cortland Sutton. Lucas shares his playbook for scaling internationally, launching offices in New York, Nashville, London, and Dallas, and diversifying genre portfolios while maintaining high-touch service. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, music industry insider, or sports agent, Lucas’s resume-driven story—built on relentless hustle, strategic vision, and innovative asset-building—offers actionable lessons on building a resilient, asset-backed service empire. Tune in to learn how to turn creative passion into a multi-million-dollar platform that stands at the intersection of entertainment, advocacy, and investment.

"From Dorm Room to Billion-Dollar Success: Phil Shawe’s Journey with TransPerfect" How do you turn a two-person startup into a global leader with over 10,000 employees and $1 billion in revenue? Phil Shawe, CEO and Co-Founder of TransPerfect, shares the incredible journey of building the world’s largest translation services company—one that has achieved 33 consecutive years of growth. In this episode, we explore: How TransPerfect started as a school project and grew into an industry powerhouse The key strategies behind sustained growth, employee retention, and customer loyalty Why embracing AI and emerging technology has been critical to staying ahead The dramatic legal battle that led to TransPerfect relocating to Puerto Rico Shawe’s vision for the future as TransPerfect expands beyond language services This is an unmissable episode for entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone looking to scale a business against all odds. Listen now on Spotify. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #StartupSuccess #AI #Innovation #PhilShawe #TransPerfect

Building a Future That Doesn’t Yet Exist: An Interview With Anousheh Ansari From a young girl staring up at the stars in Iran to becoming a space traveler, tech entrepreneur, and CEO of XPRIZE, Anousheh Ansari has always dared to imagine a future that doesn’t yet exist. In this powerful conversation, Ansari shares: How she manifested her journey to space and spent nine days aboard the International Space Station Her role in revolutionizing commercial space travel through the first XPRIZE competition The future of technology, AI, and sustainability, and how XPRIZE is solving humanity’s biggest challenges Why hope is the antidote to despair and how we can all contribute to a better future Join us for an inspiring discussion about innovation, impact, and shaping the world of tomorrow. Listen now on Spotify. #SpaceExploration #Innovation #XPRIZE #FutureOfTechnology #STEM #Entrepreneurship #HopeForTheFuture

Jessica Schaefer, a trailblazer in PR and communications, shares her inspiring journey from Point72 with Steven Cohen to founding Bevel, a PR firm that helped shape multi-billion-dollar brands like Venmo, Coinbase, and Acorns. In a candid conversation with CSQ’s David Wurth, Jessica delves into her unique approach to building brands, fostering diversity, and her bold entrepreneurial moves that led to Bevel’s $75 million acquisition. Jessica also introduces her latest venture, Lushi, a revolutionary fertility platform aimed at empowering women with innovative solutions to fertility challenges. She discusses how Lushy addresses the stigma around fertility treatments, simplifies complex medical processes, and creates an emotionally supportive experience. Jessica's story is a testament to resilience, bold vision, and breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. Tune in to learn from Jessica’s insights on leadership, the power of storytelling, and how she continues to redefine industries with her visionary approach. Perfect for entrepreneurs, professionals, and anyone inspired by stories of innovation and empowerment.

Step into the world of high-stakes innovation and entrepreneurial brilliance with Brandon Steven and Seth Glassman, the visionary founders behind Gravitas Club in Beverly Hills. In this captivating conversation with CSQ's David Wurth, they share the journey of turning an underutilized corner into a 28,000-square-foot luxury members-only super club designed to redefine hospitality and community. From Brandon’s entrepreneurial roots selling pigeons at 12 to building a business empire across automotive (21 dealerships), fitness (71 health clubs), and hospitality, and Seth’s rise through top-tier restaurants and his passion for hospitality, discover how these two powerhouses merged their talents to create an unparalleled experience. Gravitas Club isn’t just a space—it’s a statement of sophistication with retractable roofs, private meeting spaces, and a culture-first approach that celebrates diversity, innovation, and exclusivity. Learn about the highs, the challenges, and their relentless pursuit of excellence as they've opened this transformative venue. Perfect for visionaries, business leaders, and anyone inspired by bold ideas, this episode reveals the making of a modern cornerstone for community in the heart of Beverly Hills.

Join renowned billionaire orthopedic surgeon, inventor, and philanthropist Dr. Gary Michelson in an inspiring conversation as he shares his remarkable journey from life-changing moments as a child to becoming a trailblazer in spinal surgery and a prolific innovator with over 990 patents. Discover how he revolutionized minimally invasive spine surgery, his transformative contributions to education through free digital textbooks saving students billions, and groundbreaking achievements in animal welfare with vaccines to reduce overpopulation humanely. This episode dives into the vision behind the California Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, a $3 billion initiative aiming to prevent cancer and chronic diseases through cutting-edge biotechnology and quantum computing. Learn how Dr. Michelson's commitment to solving humanity’s greatest challenges, from rare diseases to accessible healthcare, is reshaping our future. A must-listen for anyone passionate about innovation, impact, and the future of medicine.

Terry Pirovolakis shares his personal journey as the father of Michael, who has the rare neurodegenerative disease SPG50, and details the extensive efforts undertaken to develop a gene therapy treatment. After liquidating his life savings to fund 4 million in research, Terry succeeded in creating a charity and collaborating with experts, leading to a gene therapy treatment for Michael at age four. He discussed the gene therapy process, challenges faced during clinical studies and FDA approval, as well as the formation of Elpida Therapeutics to expand their focus to treat additional rare diseases (10,000 globally). Highlighting the financial sustainability model through the Priority Review Voucher system, Terry expressed ambitions to scale treatment efforts significantly. He emphasized the need for community support and revealed plans for future fundraising initiatives, including a 100 million grant application to advance multiple clinical programs. Terry provides continuing education for families starting their rare disease journeys and disseminating fundraising information to assist more children in need. https://www.elpidatx.com/

Noel Goggin, CEO of Conga, is transforming revenue lifecycle management. Serving over 10,000 clients, including nine of the top ten global pharmaceutical giants and leading tech firms like Salesforce and Workday, Conga annual revenues are around $500 million with a dedicated team of 1,800 employees. Conga stands at the forefront and pioneer of its industry. Goggin shares his vision on how Conga manages its impressive growth and scaling challenges. He emphasizes the need for evolving leadership to stay ahead, ensuring that leaders are prepared to anticipate future needs and drive innovation. Noel discusses the critical importance of transparent communication about expectations and changes, underscoring how leaders can empower their teams rather than constrain them. We also explore Conga’s distinctive company culture under Noel’s leadership. He highlights the focus on nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit, achieving goals through teamwork, and ways to consistently driving business value. You’ll hear about Conga’s recognition programs that celebrate top performers across all functions and include annual awards chosen by their customers, reinforcing the values that Noel champions. If you’re curious about the strategic decision to remain a private company, Noel explains how Conga’s private status enables them to innovate freely and define new industry categories without the pressures of the public markets. Tune in to gain a deep understanding of how Noel Goggin and Conga are leading the charge in revenue management. You’ll pick up actionable insights on leadership, scaling, and fostering a thriving company culture—lessons from a true industry leader that you won’t want to miss.

A Masterclass in precious metals investing, Collin Plume, founder and CEO of Noble Gold Investments, started with a diverse entrepreneurial journey. Collin transitioned to the gold business in 2008 just prior to the "Great Recession" and emphasized building his company on the principles of customer service, integrity in hiring, and marketing acumen. Noble Gold has achieved remarkable growth, becoming the largest IRA gold company for three consecutive years and recording $2 billion in transactions in the last four, with nearly 40 employees and a customer-centric culture. Collin emphasizes the rising potential of silver as an essential investment, especially in light of its industrial applications and the implications of upcoming political shifts in 2024, hinting at promising market dynamics due to potential inflation and changes in monetary policy.

We explore balancing authenticity with revenue generation, drawing from experiences at CNN and The New York Times. Alex Wellen shares his inventor background to financial transformations of MotorTrend post-2016 under Warner Brothers' ownership, highlighting new diversified income streams. Alex discusses partnerships with private equity firms and Warner Brothers Discovery amplifying content distribution and subscription services. We dive into long-form entertainment programming and automotive events tailored for various platforms while maintaining MotorTrend's appeal to automotive enthusiasts. The conversation shifts to future mobility trends, focusing on electric vehicles and software-defined cars. Alex previews upcoming content on classic cars, supercars, drag racing, autonomous vehicles, and EV technology, helping consumers navigate the evolving car ownership landscape. We wrap up with Alex and David Wurth sharing personal anecdotes about family, parenting, book recommendations, and mentors.