Parallel Entrepreneur with Mark Cleveland

In this special Innovation Series episode of Parallel Entrepreneur, hosts Mark Cleveland and Johnny Anderson sit down with Shauna Sprague, an AI strategist, architect, and TEDx speaker with 20+ years of experience helping Fortune 500 organizations navigate technology transformation.Shauna is known for helping leaders move beyond the AI hype and into confident execution—building clear roadmaps, designing intelligent workflows and agents, and scaling automation responsibly. She’s led AI initiatives across 49 business units and brings hands-on experience with tools like AWS, Power BI, Zapier, n8n, and LangChain.In this episode: • Why most people aren’t afraid of AI — they’re just overwhelmed by it • How to move from curiosity to confident AI execution (without getting lost in buzzwords) • The “automate the mundane” mindset that gives teams time back for meaningful work • A parent-friendly AI hack: photo → sports schedule → fully automated calendar • The first practical tools to start with, even if you don’t have a big budget or deep technical expertise • When to use workflows, automation, RPA, and when it’s time for AI agents • Why working at the top of your skill set is becoming the new competitive advantage • How to scale AI responsibly—and why human-centered, inclusive AI mattersShauna brings clarity, humility, and a deep sense of purpose to a topic that feels overwhelming for a lot of teams. If your organization has been circling AI wondering where to start, this conversation will help you take the next step—with confidence.Chapters (add/adjust timestamps after final edit): 00:00:00 Introducing Shauna Sprague: AI Strategy Without the Hype 00:01:30 Why AI Feels Overwhelming (and Why That’s Normal) 00:04:10 Turning Curiosity Into Confident Execution 00:06:40 Automate the Mundane: Getting Time Back 00:09:20 The Parent Hack: Photo → Schedule → Automated Calendar 00:12:10 Where Organizations Should Start With AI (Simple, Practical Tools) 00:15:40 Workflows vs. RPA vs. AI Agents: What’s the Difference? 00:19:10 Building a Clear AI Roadmap Leaders Can Actually Use 00:23:00 Intelligent Workflows & Agents That Scale 00:28:10 Responsible Automation: Guardrails, Risk, and Trust 00:33:30 Working at the Top of Your Skill Set 00:38:20 Human-Centered, Inclusive AI (and Why It’s Non-Negotiable) 00:43:10 What to Do This Week: First Steps for Teams 00:47:30 Final Reflections: The Future of Work & Real ImpactABOUT OUR GUEST Shauna Sprague is an AI strategist, architect, and TEDx speaker with 20+ years in technology innovation. She has led AI and automation initiatives across 49 business units, built intelligent workflows and agents, and developed AI personas that streamline operations and increase efficiency. She’s also a board member, STEM advocate, and champion for inclusive innovation.https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunasprague/ABOUT THE HOSTSMark A. Cleveland — Managing Director at Kensington Park Capital, entrepreneur, M&A advisor, and host of the Parallel Entrepreneur Network.https://www.linkedin.com/in/macleveland/Johnny Anderson — Nashville tech leader, GNTC board member, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the EC, and host of The Impodsters™.https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnyonbrand/👉 Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: https://www.parallelentrepreneur.com/#about-me👉 Subscribe for more stories from entrepreneurs who thrive across multiple ventures—and live aligned lives.👍 Like this episode? Leave a comment or share it with someone who leads across lanes.👉 Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: (link below)👉 Subscribe for more Innovation Series conversations with builders and operators.👍 Like this episode? Leave a comment or share it with someone who’s ready to make AI practical.#ShaunaSprague #ParallelEntrepreneur #InnovationSeries #AILeadership #PracticalAI #AIStrategy #Automation #AIForBusiness #FutureOfWork #HumanCenteredAI #InclusiveAI #DigitalTransformation #NashvilleTech #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipPodcast

In this special Innovation Series episode of Parallel Entrepreneur, hosts Mark Cleveland and Johnny Anderson sit down with Rod McDaniel, CEO of S3 Recycling Solutions and Board Chair of the Greater Nashville Technology Council.Rod’s journey, from growing up in public housing in Nashville to leading a nationally recognized, mission-driven tech recycling company, is a powerful example of what community, purpose, and leadership can create.In this episode: • Why community is Nashville’s greatest strength • How mobility, transit, and opportunity are deeply connected • What’s fueling Nashville’s new leadership renaissance • How to use “dead time”, traffic, commutes, swims, for growth • Why passion outside of work strengthens culture inside it • How companies relocating to Nashville are shaking things up • The surprising role of musicians, artists & creators in tech culture • The city’s collaborative DNA, and how to protect itRod’s story is as grounded as it is extraordinary, and this conversation is filled with the kind of insight that only comes from someone who’s built a life on purpose, service, and second chances.Chapters: 00:00:00 Introducing Rod McDaniel: Competitive Drive & Entrepreneurial Roots 00:01:10 Early Lessons from Sports, Discipline & Team Culture 00:03:05 Learning to Win Without Burning Out 00:05:00 First Ventures and the Reality of Risk 00:07:15 Navigating Failure, Pressure & Self-Doubt 00:09:40 Building Confidence Through Repetition and Trust 00:12:05 Leadership Beyond the Title 00:14:30 Accountability, Standards & Personal Ownership 00:17:00 What Real Grit Looks Like Over Time 00:19:20 Building Teams That Actually Work 00:21:45 The Importance of Culture Before Scale 00:24:10 Why People Matter More Than Process 00:26:30 Decision-Making Under Uncertainty 00:29:00 Growth, Patience & Long-Term Thinking 00:31:25 Lessons Learned the Hard Way 00:33:40 Balancing Ambition with Perspective 00:36:00 Redefining Success at Different Stages 00:38:30 Community, Connection & Giving Back 00:41:00 Nashville’s Role in Shaping Leaders 00:43:20 Creating Impact Beyond Business 00:45:40 Advice for Founders in the Middle 00:48:10 Staying Grounded While Scaling 00:50:30 Final Reflections on Leadership & LegacyABOUT OUR GUESTRod McDaniel is CEO of S3 Recycling Solutions, a 5x Inc. 5000 company and Best Place to Work honoree. A native Nashvillian and community advocate, Rod has driven more than 3,000% revenue growth, speaks nationally on sustainability and leadership, and serves on major boards including the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Nashville Technology Council.https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-mcdaniel-7478729/ABOUT THE HOSTSMark A. Cleveland — Managing Director at Kensington Park Capital, entrepreneur, M&A advisor, and host of the Parallel Entrepreneur Network.https://www.linkedin.com/in/macleveland/Johnny Anderson — Nashville tech leader, GNTC board member, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the EC, and host of The Impodsters™.https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnyonbrand/👉 Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: https://www.parallelentrepreneur.com/#about-me👉 Subscribe for more stories from entrepreneurs who thrive across multiple ventures—and live aligned lives.👍 Like this episode? Leave a comment or share it with someone who leads across lanes.#RodMcDaniel #S3Recycling #NashvilleTech #LeadershipPodcast #MissionDrivenBusiness #CommunityLeadership #EntrepreneurStory #Inc5000 #SustainabilityTech #FaithAndBusiness #PurposeDrivenLeadership

What happens when a city stops waiting for permission and starts acting like the technology hub it already is?You get Nashville’s tech moment, and leaders willing to build it together.Mark Blaze is the kind of leader communities grow around. As President & CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council, he’s less interested in headlines and more focused on connection, collaboration, and long-term impact.In this Innovation Series episode, recorded live at the Greater Nashville Technology Council Innovation Summit, Mark joins hosts Mark Cleveland and Johnny Anderson for a grounded, honest conversation about what makes Nashville different, and what it will take to turn momentum into global prominence.If you care about ecosystems, talent, leadership, and building something bigger than any one company, this conversation is for you.In this episode:• Why Nashville already has “all the pieces of the puzzle” • How public–private partnership accelerates real innovation • What servant leadership looks like at a city-wide scale • The importance of finding, developing, and retaining tech talent • Why collaboration — not competition — is the region’s real advantage • How reverse mentorship strengthens modern leadership • What it will take for Nashville to earn worldwide tech prominenceChapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to the Innovation Series from the Nashville Innovation Summit 00:01:20 Introducing Mark Blaze & the Greater Nashville Technology Council 00:02:35 Why Nashville Is the Best Place to Start and Grow a Business 00:03:55 Geographic Advantage, Tax Policy & Momentum 00:05:10 “We Have the Height” — Nashville’s Natural Gifts 00:06:30 Collaboration as a Competitive Advantage 00:07:45 Servant Leadership and Mark’s Influences 00:09:10 Learning from Reverse Mentorship 00:10:40 Government as a Partner in Innovation 00:12:20 Public & Private Investment Working Together 00:13:55 What’s Still Missing — And Why Nothing Is Broken 00:15:30 Connecting Talent, Capital & Opportunity 00:17:10 The Vision for Nashville’s Tech Ecosystem in 3 Years 00:18:45 Finding, Developing & Retaining Talent 00:20:30 The Region’s “Special Sauce”: Its People 00:22:10 Final Thoughts on Community, Leadership & What’s NextShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereConnect with Mark Blaze• LinkedIn – Mark Blaze • Greater Nashville Technology Council – technologycouncil.comAbout Our Hosts• Mark Cleveland — Managing Director at Kensington Park Capital, founder, M&A strategist, and host of The Parallel Entrepreneur • Johnny Anderson — Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, advisor, and tech community leader👉 Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: https://www.parallelentrepreneur.com/#about-me👉 Subscribe for more stories from entrepreneurs who thrive across multiple ventures—and live aligned lives.👍 Like this episode? Leave a comment or share it with someone who leads across lanes.

What happens when a cybersecurity veteran automates the work his competitors still struggle to deliver? He builds the future—and lets them use it.Michael Peters is a rare kind of founder: one who leads both with technical depth and creative clarity. In this episode, we dive into the frameworks behind his companies Lazarus Alliance and Continuum GRC, the origin of the HORSE Project, and how he balances operational intensity with deep personal discipline.If you're building more than one thing—and trying to stay grounded while doing it—this conversation is for you.In this episode:• How Michael turned spreadsheet pain into an AI-driven compliance platform• His decision to turn down a major buyout• What it means to lead a “family-responsible” company• How he manages time, noise, and multiple companies with intention• His upcoming leap from cybersecurity to sci-fi storytellingChapters:00:00:00 Introducing Michael Peters: Venture Catalyst & Cybersecurity Pioneer00:01:52 Lazarus Alliance: Audits, Compliance & Global Reach00:04:15 From “Spreadshits” to Automation: Birth of Continuum GRC00:05:03 The HORSE Project: One Question, Many Frameworks00:06:21 Automating the Boring Stuff00:06:45 Pivoting to Continuum GRC and Passing on a Buyout00:09:41 Navigating Jurisdictions: From FedRAMP to GDPR00:11:07 Why We Let Competitors White-Label Our Tech00:12:18 My First Business: Cannons, Cabins & Capitalism at Age 900:13:34 Hacking Bell Labs and Exploring the Internet in the 90s00:14:49 Selling My ISP in 1995 Before the Web Was Cool00:16:00 Using AI to Transform Compliance & Technical Writing00:17:30 Time Management, Focus Time, and Email Discipline00:20:08 Structure, Boundaries, and Protecting Family Time00:22:45 Creating a Family-Responsible Culture at Work 00:25:50 Managing Auditors vs. Software Creatives00:27:20 Overcoming Upward Delegation with Great Leadership00:28:35 Aligning Vision Across Two Very Different Companies00:30:00 The Traits That Make Parallel Entrepreneurs Thrive00:31:30 Why I Work in 15-Minute Bursts00:33:01 Advice to My Younger Self: Be Bolder00:35:30 The Power of Younger Friends and a Growth Mindset00:37:21 Books on Our Nightstands00:38:50 Engineering Meets Creativity in My Daily Workflow00:40:30 Solving Problems Before They Become Disasters00:41:42 Biggest Challenge: Bureaucracy vs. Innovation00:43:29 What’s Next: A Sci-Fi Trilogy at 4 A.M.00:46:32 The Books I’ve Written and the LifeLock Exit00:48:19 Togetherness, Legacy, and Mars00:50:49 What You Didn’t Ask: The Secret Sauce I Won’t ShareShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereConnect with Michael Peters - LinkedIn – Michael PetersContinuum GRC - continuumgrc.comLazarus Alliance - lazarusalliance.comTo Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth about Moving Others by Daniel Pink - https://www.danpink.com/books/to-sell-is-human/ The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind by Gustave Le Bon - https://www.amazon.com/Crowd-Study-Popular-Mind/dp/1636000169 Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau - https://www.timeanxiety.com/ Securing the C Level: Getting, Keeping, or Reclaiming that Executive Title by Michael Peters - https://www.amazon.com/Securing-Level-Getting-Reclaiming-Executive/dp/146796882X The Holistic Operational Readiness Security Evaluation: HORSE Project Series: Governance Documentation and Information Technology Security Policies Demystified by Michael Peters - https://www.amazon.com/Holistic-Operational-Readiness-Security-Evaluation/dp/1468063871 👉 Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: https://www.parallelentrepreneur.com/#about-me👉 Subscribe for more stories from entrepreneurs who thrive across multiple ventures—and live aligned lives.👍 Like this episode? Leave a comment or share it with someone who leads across lanes.

In this episode of The Parallel Entrepreneur, Mark Cleveland welcomes Carla Bailo—an industry visionary who’s helped shape the future of mobility, from General Motors and Nissan to leading the Center for Automotive Research and winning the USDOT Smart City Challenge for Columbus, Ohio. Carla shares stories of innovation, mentorship, boardroom leadership, and the importance of building systems that serve every citizen.Carla's bold curiosity and relentless learning has had great impact on transportation, public policy, and corporate governance. From deploying bus rapid transit in underserved neighborhoods to baking the perfect baguette, this episode celebrates the human side of engineering and entrepreneurship.Chapters List:00:00:00 – Introduction to Carla Bailo00:01:00 – Carla's Impact on Cities and Roads00:03:19 – Columbus Wins the Smart Cities Challenge00:06:50 – Rethinking Mobility for Underserved Communities00:10:13 – Logistics Innovation: Rickenbacker Middle-Mile Project00:12:45 – A Flyer on the Door: Communication Gaps in Tech Projects00:15:23 – Paralleling Transportation, Economic Access, and Planning00:18:36 – Start Small, Learn Fast: Scaling Smart City Systems00:21:24 – Asking Better Questions: Carla’s Mentoring Style00:23:33 – Think in Seven Generations: Long-Term Urban Planning00:25:58 – Carla on Joining Corporate Boards and Boardroom Roles00:28:00 – Lessons from Her Father on Responsibility and Preparation00:32:29 – Learning Upstream Oil & Gas Through Hands-On Curiosity00:34:20 – CEO Oversight and Navigating Shifting Political Climates00:37:22 – What Makes a Great Board and a Good CEO00:40:55 – Mentoring Done Right: Listening and Mutual Learning00:46:50 – Grandparent Wisdom and Generational Teaching00:49:49 – The Joy of Embracing the Unknown00:53:07 – Baking Baguettes & Balancing Curiosity with Relaxation00:54:40 – Surviving as a Woman Engineer in the ‘70s and ‘80s00:57:54 – Final Reflections: Making a Difference at ScaleShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereCarla Bailo, NACD.DC on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-bailo-nacd-dc-604ba19/ Smart Columbus - https://smartcolumbus.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com US Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge - https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-columbus-winner-unprecedented-40-million-smart Society of Automotive Engineers – https://www.sae.org/ Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation - https://awafoundation.org/ The Road to the Top is Not on the Map: Conversations with Top Women of the Automotive Industry by Carla Bailo – https://www.amazon.com/Road-Top-Not-Map-Conversations/dp/0768000920The Road Forward: More Conversations with Top Women in the Automotive Industry by Carla Bailo –  https://www.sae.org/publications/books/content/r-513/ Women in Mobility Bundle by Carla Bailo - https://www.amazon.com/Women-Mobility-Bundle-Carla-author/dp/1468603574/ Enjoy this episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow entrepreneurs! For more insights and to join our community, visit parallelentrepreneur.com.

Welcome back to The Parallel Entrepreneur for part 2 with British-American polymath Matthew Joynes. In this fast-paced sequel we dive into:• How Matthew rescued a bankrupt currency-trading firm and scaled it to $1 B+ in volume.• Why he calls Bitcoin “a collectible—like Beanie Babies” and predicts its slide back to reality.• Dollar dominance, tariffs as modern-day tribute, and the hidden mechanics of fiat liquidity.• AI-driven disruption—from accountants to animation studios—and the rise of “one-person unicorns.”• Freedom as America’s true currency, and how Gen-Z parallel entrepreneurs can seize the moment.Stick around to the end for Matthew’s no-BS advice on patents, cap tables, and turning unused assets into new revenue with AI.Chapters:00:00:00 Matthew Joynes Show Teasers00:00:32 Part 2 Kick-Off With Matthew Joynes00:01:19 From Law to Saving a Bankrupt FX Firm00:04:28 Market Manipulation: Gold, Silver, Currencies00:06:12 Bitcoin Debate: Commodity or Currency?00:09:39 Crypto Regulation & Generational Wealth Gaps00:11:20 Money Creation: Share Price as Printing Press00:13:00 “Bitcoin Is a Beanie Baby”00:13:54 Why the Dollar’s Purchasing Power Rose00:14:44 Tariffs, China’s Trap & Deflation Forces00:17:11 Digital Dollar, CBDCs & Surveillance Risks00:18:28 Freedom as America’s Ultimate Currency00:22:21 Rethinking Value in an AI-Robot Economy00:23:59 Tariffs Through a Business Lens00:25:15 Tribute Economy & the Stock-Market Train00:31:01 Adapt, Adopt, Change: Redefining Failure00:33:54 Patent Wars Versus Creative Marketing00:35:37 Why Patents Usually Waste Money00:38:50 Gen-Z’s Parallel Entrepreneurship Boom00:41:54 Pinpoint Apps & the Free-Service Model00:45:40 Renting Idle Assets With AI Matching00:47:27 Knowledge Is Cheap, Everything as a Rental00:49:12 Phones, Cubes & Voice-First Futures00:51:38 “Spend the $20 and Learn AI”00:53:37 Animation Disrupted: IP vs. Algorithms00:56:00 Final Takeaways & Thanks to MatthewShow Notes:Matthew Joynes – LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjoynesGamevice - https://gamevice.com  LifeMed AI - https://lifemed.ai/ Pulley - https://pulley.com/CompaniesHouse.gov (free UK company filings)👉 Subscribe for more conversations that unleash potential everywhere.🎧 Listen to the audio pod & get extras: https://theparallelentrepreneur.transistor.fm/🚀 Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: https://www.parallelentrepreneur.com/

What happens when super-AI makes lawyers, accountants—and even capitalism—obsolete?British-American “apex” parallel entrepreneur Matthew Joynes (PGA producer, GameVice inventor, LifeMed AI founder) joins host Mark Cleveland to smash the china shop of old-school business.In this high-voltage conversation you’ll learn:▸ Why Joynes says the real product of your company is its share price▸ How LifeMed AI replaces 90,000 manual billing jobs with 120 staff and a neural network▸ The fatal cap-table mistakes that make a start-up “un-investable”▸ Post-capitalist realities: one-person, billion-dollar AI companies, robot labor, 7-day weeks disappearing▸ Practical first steps for founders—tokenization, options, warrants, “buying your own time,” and moreChapters:00:00:00 Matthew Joynes Show Teasers00:00:26 Meet Matthew Joynes, “Apex” Parallel Entrepreneur00:02:31 Why AI Will Rewrite History00:09:29 The Fear (And Opportunity) in AI00:12:27 From Blind to Seeing: AI As New Vision00:13:30 Work, Creativity, and Post-Capitalism00:15:54 Parallel Entrepreneurs as Creators00:17:24 What Matthew’s Reading Now00:18:50 Why Every Tech Founder Is Parallel00:22:00 “Your Product Is Your Share Price”00:25:32 Biggest Mistakes in Forming a Company00:29:10 Turning Shares Into Currency00:30:27 Building an Investable Cap Table00:37:52 Competing With (And Eating) Yourself00:38:45 AI As Your Personal Teacher00:44:10 Follow Your Curiosity, Not Just Passion00:49:30 Selling a Film With Just Script & Poster00:52:20 AI Accelerates Every Creative Idea00:56:55 Letting Go, Buying Your Own Time00:57:30 Stop Spending on Others—Invest in Yourself00:59:17 Teaser for Part TwoShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereMatthew Joynes – LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjoynesGamevice - https://gamevice.com  Stolen (2012) - http://www.stolen-movie.com/ Bullet (2014) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdF9Vcv4cCo I Am Soldier (2014) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LIqnkUl0zA Marmadue (2022) - https://scfilmsinternational.com/current-films-animation-titles/marmaduke-3d/Dragonkeeper (2024) - https://dragonkeepermovie.com/ LifeMed AI - https://lifemed.ai/ Pulley - https://pulley.com/Brendan Iribe - https://brendaniribe.com/ Backbone One - https://playbackbone.com/ Join the Parallel Entrepreneur Network: https://www.parallelentrepreneur.com/

Stop juggling. Start PARALLELING. Entrepreneur, community‑builder and podcast host Mark Cleveland takes the Creative Mornings stage to share why the future belongs to parallel thinkers—people who let multiple passions run side‑by‑side so each fuels the next.Whether you’re a founder with five side projects, an artist‑parent, or a multipotentialite who refuses to “pick a lane,” this 15‑minute talk will give you:• A new definition of success (alignment, not hustle)• Real‑life examples from the Parallel Entrepreneur Network  • A 60‑second guided reflection you can do right now  • Practical prompts to weave business, art, family and growth into one powerful tapestryChapters:00:00:00 Intro — What “parallel” really means  00:01:55 The origin of The Parallel Entrepreneur project  00:04:17 Case study: Caitlin MacGregor’s aligned life  00:07:08 Insight: The power of slowing down  00:09:40 When stillness feeds creativity  00:11:32 Paralleling vs. Pivoting  00:13:05 Guided reflection exercise  00:14:40 Final invitation + takeaways  Join the community:https://ParallelEntrepreneur.com/Subscribe for more talks & founder stories:  https://www.youtube.com/@ParallelEntrepreneur?sub_confirmation=1 Key Quotes“Success isn’t in speeding up; it’s in letting every lane of your life feed the others.”  “When who you are shows up in everything you do, stress becomes spaciousness.”Connect with Mark• Twitter – https://twitter.com/MarkCleveland  • LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark‑cleveland/ • Podcast – https://parallelentrepreneur.com/podcast  Connect with Creative Morningshttps://creativemornings.com/Show Notes:Share and engage with this video on LinkedIn: Click here

Looking for inspiration on juggling multiple business passions? Tim Ozgener might just be your blueprint. He helped take CAO Cigars from a basement startup to a global best-seller and then founded OZ Arts, a cutting-edge contemporary arts hub in Nashville. Now launching Oz Family Cigars, Tim blends art, science, and storytelling into every venture. In this episode, he and Mark Cleveland explore:• Following Your Heart: Why Tim chose cigars and contemporary art• Improv & Entrepreneurship: Leveraging “Yes, And” to handle surprises & spark creativity• Exiting at the Top: Inside the CAO sale, key lessons in valuation & deal structure• Nonprofit vs. For-Profit: Contrasts in building teams, mission, and sustainability• Staying Centered: Yoga, mindful scheduling, and choosing environments that fuel innovationParallel Entrepreneurs, subscribe now and tell us in the comments which Oz insight struck your fancy—was it engineering meets art, or harnessing improv in daily business?Chapters List:00:00:00 Meet Tim Ozgener: Nashville’s Multi-Passionate Unicorn00:01:14 Why Follow Your Passions?00:02:23 The Art & Science of Cigars00:05:09 Improv Skills in Business00:07:14 Launching OZ Arts: A Different Kind of Startup00:09:22 The Power of Authentic Connection00:12:13 Lessons from Dad: Engineering Meets Entrepreneurship00:15:18 Time Management & Team Trust00:19:00 Nonprofit vs. For-Profit: Contrasting Cultures00:22:00 Building Global Distribution00:29:08 The CAO Exit Story00:37:14 Yoga, Flow & Mindful Entrepreneurship00:42:00 Embracing Failure & AuthenticityShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereCAO Cigars - https://www.caocigars.com/ OZ Arts - https://www.ozartsnashville.org/ Crowned Heads Cigars - https://www.crownedheads.com/ Oz Family Cigars - https://ozfamilycigars.com/ The Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering by Malcolm Gladwell - https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Tipping-Point-Overstories-Superspreaders/dp/0316575801/ Headway app - https://headwayapp.co/ Art Basel - https://www.artbasel.com/ Ken Cope Consulting, LLC - https://kencopeconsultingllc.com/ 

AI and security compliance could make or break your next venture. In this episode of The Parallel Entrepreneur, Mark Cleveland sits down with Justin Beals, co-founder of Strike Graph, to dive into frameworks, data risk, and that special systems-thinking spark that turns small wins into scalable success. Leveraging his EdTech expertise to tackle security compliance for billion-dollar enterprises, Justin’s story is a masterclass in spotting trends and executing effectively.Key Highlights:• Opportunity Filtering – The three questions Justin always asks before launching a new product.• AI as Internal Auditor – How Strike Graph deploys large language models to verify compliance automagically.• Co-Founder vs. Solo Act – Winning arguments for teamwork, board partnerships, and the joys of not going it alone.• Music & Mental Health – Surprising ways that daily creative outlets (and old-school Ashtanga yoga) keep Justin’s energy fresh.Ready to sharpen your parallel potential? Subscribe now and share which insight resonated most—AI? Mentoring? Or making that “hundredth monkey” leap?Chapters List:00:00:00 Introduction to Justin Beals and StrikeGraph00:02:02 Spotting Opportunities: Three Key Questions00:04:10 Building Strike Graph: Why Framework Matters00:06:06 Understanding Risk in Entrepreneurship00:08:19 Systems Thinking & Data Models00:12:09 Trends in Cybersecurity and Business Impact00:14:31 Surviving a Downturn: B2B SaaS Realities00:16:18 Co-Founders & Good Investors00:19:43 Leveraging AI in Cybersecurity00:22:35 Mentoring & Measured Learning00:27:25 Creativity and Leadership in Entrepreneurship00:33:13 Lessons Learned in Business and Co-Founding00:40:36 Navigating Change with Venture Backers00:43:19 The Emotional Landscape of Collaboration00:45:18 The Art of Flexibility in Leadership00:46:20 Shifting Focus: From Sales to Strategic Partnerships00:48:00 Scaling with Core Values00:51:38 Identifying Aha Moments in Customer Experience00:53:57 The Impact of AI on Business and Society00:57:52 Empowerment through Creative Technology00:01:05:47 The Future of AI Companions00:01:08:21 Lessons from the Past: Advice for the Future00:01:18:58 The Essence of AI and PoetryShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereSecure Talk podcast - https://www.strikegraph.com/secure-talk-podcastStrikeGraph – https://www.strikegraph.com/ Roundbox Global - https://roundbox.com/Koru - https://www.koru.global/Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Crash Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan -  https://www.amazon.com/ZEALOT-Life-Times-Jesus-Nazareth/dp/140006922X Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC – AD 1000 by Barry Cunliffe - https://www.amazon.com/Europe-Between-Oceans-9000-BC-AD/dp/0300170866 The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three-Body_Problem_(novel) Hundredth Monkey Effect - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundredth_monkey_effect

What happens when a merger you can't control threatens to destroy your 22-year business overnight? Meet Robert Hartline—parallel founder who scaled his wireless stores to $100 million, only to face a brutal T-Mobile merger that forced him to shut down half his locations in months. In this candid episode of The Parallel Entrepreneur, Robert reveals why he believes in dancing through chaos, harnessing AI for decisions, and leading from a place of love.Key Highlights:• Secrets of a $100M Scale – How Robert powered up his cell phone stores with EOS and big-picture “why.”• Dark Night of the Merger – The day Google listings vanished, store traffic plummeted, and Robert sold to survive.• Harnessing AI as "Idea Manager" – Why we should treat AI like a creative partner, not a threat.• Mindset & Breathwork – Tools Robert swears by to stay calm, refocus, and unlock “superhero energy.”• The Clark Kent vs. Superman Moment – Overcoming shame, embracing authenticity, and letting your real self shine.If you’re juggling multiple ventures—or dreaming of it—hit Subscribe and share in the comments which breathwork or AI tip resonates most with you!Chapters List:00:00:00 Introduction to Robert Hartline00:00:47 Scaling to $100M & EOS Discipline00:03:01 How Robert Reframes to Discover His “Why”00:08:38 The T-Mobile Merger: From Momentum to Meltdown00:14:20 Darkness, Divorce, and Post-Merger Fallout00:19:45 The COVID Mask Pivot & Parallel Entrepreneurship Gone Wild00:23:49 AI as Your “Idea Manager” 00:27:40 The Energy of Connection and Creation00:30:12 How to Flow: Add Love, Breath & Movement00:32:43 Unique Ability and the Power of Community00:34:56 Discovering Your Why and Core Values00:37:16 The Role of Love in Business and Life00:40:00 Clark Kent vs. Superman: Embracing Your True Self00:42:46 AI as a Decision-Making Tool00:50:07 Energy Management and Personal Practices00:52:17 The Biggest Gift Ever & the Future00:54:56 Slowing Down to Speed Up00:58:15 Wrap-Up & GratitudeShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereThe Decision Experience - https://thedecisionexperience.com/ Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) - https://www.eosworldwide.com/ Soma Breath Guided Breathwork Training and Certification- https://www.somabreath.com/ Wim Hoff Breathing - https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises Strategic Coach by Dan Sullivan - https://www.strategiccoach.com/book-a-callTraction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman - https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy Seals, Pro Athletes, and Maybe You by Douglas Brackmann and Randy Kelley - https://www.iamdriven.com/ 10x Is Easier Than 2X: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy - https://10xeasierbook.com/ The Three Marriages: Reimaging Work, Self and Relationship by David Whyte - https://davidwhyte.com/store/book/the-three-marriages/ Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert - https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/CallProof, sales tracking app - https://callproof.com/ 

How do you launch a thriving medical practice, then pivot to a fast-scaling software startup—all while staying laser-focused on patient care, personal growth, and 24 years in recovery? In this episode, Mark Cleveland welcomes Dr. Michael Sprintz, an anesthesiologist-turned-tech-entrepreneur tackling chronic pain, addiction, and complicated billing structures in healthcare. Dr. Sprintz shares how resiliency, authentic leadership, and “flow” guide his parallel ventures.Highlights:• From OR to Revenue Tech – Why Michael traded the surgical suite for software code.• 24 Years Sober – How recovery principles shape his resilience in business.• Nail Compliance, Stop Revenue Bleed – The healthcare billing problem Michael solves.• Mindset Hacks – Handling stress, negativity, and “the shadow self” with unshakable resolve.• Chasing Flow – Moving from “hustle 24/7” to deeper creativity and real presence.Chapters List:00:00:00 The Journey of Dr. Michael Sprintz00:01:45 Resilience and Tenacity in Recovery00:04:27 The Intersection of Pain and Addiction00:06:40 Lessons from Entrepreneurship00:09:00 Aligning Vision and Values00:10:39 The Birth of Solarian00:13:21 Navigating the Software Landscape00:14:08 The Role of AI in Healthcare00:16:13 Market Response and Growth Strategies00:18:14 The Art of Adaptation00:20:07 Authenticity in Business00:22:08 Future Aspirations and Innovations00:24:48 Best Advice Received: What you sell your company is not what you created at first00:28:52 Helping Others See Beyond Their Current Reality00:29:53 Understanding the Opioid Crisis and Healthcare Misalignment00:32:45 Balancing Stress and Personal Life as a CEO00:34:13 Time Management and Effective Communication00:35:56 Lessons from Life and Death Experiences00:37:43 Finding Meaning and Making Ethical Decisions00:39:37 Embracing Technology and Uncertainty in Healthcare00:41:27 Reflecting on Past Accomplishments and Future Risks00:42:55 Living Life with No Regrets00:43:55 The Impact of Literature on Personal Growth00:45:14 The Connection Between Humanity and Business00:52:44 Art, Music, and the Flow of Life00:57:13 Trusting the Process and Letting GoShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereCellarian Inc., healthcare software that improves diagnosis, treatment, documentation and risk-management for substance use disorder and other diseases - https://www.cellarian.com/ A Life of Meaning: Relocating Your Center of Spiritual Gravity by James Hollis - https://jameshollis.net/hollisBooks.html Living with Borrowed Dust: Reflections on Life, Love and Other Grievances by James Hollis - https://jameshollis.net/hollisBooks.html The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – https://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0062315005/ Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss – https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805 Mark’s 2025 Bhavana – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twS9UpeqeF0 

Wondering how to nurture alignment throughout M&A integration?  In this episode John Farkas, founder of Ratio and Candor—two companies that help businesses master M&A integration—discusses how to unlock growth-ready alignment. From creating synergy across different offerings to leading teams through high-stakes transformations, John shares real-world lessons on balancing purpose with performance, leveraging “context switching,” and staying ahead of rapid market shifts.Highlights:• Parallel Mindset – John runs two consultancies that fuel each other.• M&A Mastery – Turning chaotic post-acquisition phases into opportunities for deeper alignment.• Keeping Pace with Change – Simple practices to handle lightning-fast market shifts without burning out.• AI & the Future – How advanced tech is reshaping value propositions—and why you need to adapt now.• Leading with Love – The surprising “sticky note” that guides John’s leadership style.Chapters List:00:00:00 Meet Organizational Alignment Guru John Farkas00:02:08 Taming Chaos: Context Switching Across Industries00:05:17 Birth of Candor: Solving the "Alignment" Dilemma00:07:20 Understanding Organizational Alignment00:09:13 Overcoming Fear & Building Trust in Organizational Change00:11:29 Pace Paradox: Thriving in Accelerating Markets00:13:46 Flattened Org Charts & Shared Objectives00:16:02 The Impact of AI on Business Models00:18:26 Spectacular Failures & Lessons Learned00:20:37 The Mentoring Gap & Real Team Building00:22:52 How do you manage time and energy between ventures00:23:43 Superpowers: Context Switching & Listening00:26:42 Self-Care & the Importance of Loving Leadership00:30:16 M&A and Human Capital: Missing the Biggest Asset00:34:19 Facing an AI-Driven Future00:39:38 Rapid Fire: North Star, Books, Gifts & Wise Words00:43:38 Closing Thoughts: Curiosity, Intent, and LoveShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3HDZLsSRatio, a growth marketing consultancy helping B2B healthtech and fintech companies - https://goratio.com/ Candor, a growth architecture firm - https://www.candorgrowth.com/ 99% Invisible podcast - https://99percentinvisible.org/ The Power Broker by Robert Caro - https://99percentinvisible.org/club/ Conclave by Robert Harris - https://www.amazon.com/Conclave-novel-Robert-Harris/dp/1101972904John's "walk on" song - Beautiful Day by U2

Are you a serial entrepreneur juggling multiple ventures and hungry for breakthrough growth? In this candid conversation, Silas Deane reveals his battle-tested blueprint—from bootstrapping a game-changing fintech solution in an unlikely industry to executing a $90M exit without investors. If you’re ready to unlock the secrets of scaling, pivoting, and innovating across diverse markets, this episode is your must-watch playbook.Highlights include:• How Silas bootstrapped VendEngine from idea to digital disruption• An innovative approach to transforming inmate financial transactions• Scaling strategies that grew the business from county jails to 425 facilities• Merging startup agility with corporate synergy at Tyler Technologies• Critical lessons on embracing failure, pivoting, and mastering time management• Leadership insights on integrity, mentorship, and building winning teams• The mindset behind taking calculated risks and seizing future opportunities, including AI trendsChapters:00:01:00 Introduction: Bootstrapping & Exiting with Silas Deane00:02:56 VendEngine's Genesis: Innovating Inmate Transactions00:04:32 Transforming the Inmate Payment System00:07:27 Scaling Success: From County Jails to 425 Facilities00:11:13 Corporate Synergy & Strategic Growth: Acquisitions & Hardware Innovation00:16:09 Finding Synergies and Growth Opportunities00:17:14 Learning Through Failure: Time Management & the Power of Pivoting00:21:32 Leadership in Action: Integrity, Mentorship & Government Insights00:24:46 Overcoming Financial Hurdles: Hustling to a $90M Exit00:29:09 The Journey of a Parallel Entrepreneur00:32:21 Learning from Mistakes and the Freedom of a Clean Slate00:34:29 Feeding the Creative Drive00:36:26 The Power of Historical Insights and Identifying Patterns00:39:08 The Importance of Business Basics00:40:19 Discovering and Nurturing Talent00:41:45 Turning Mistakes into Learning Opportunities00:46:25 Advice to My Younger Self00:48:14 The Nature of Risk in Entrepreneurship00:50:18 The Value of a Large Addressable MarketShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4l4RZH8VendEngine Inc. - https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210901005799/en/Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL) - https://www.tylertech.com/ KPMG - https://kpmg.com/us/en.html Deane/Smith & Partners, a Nashville-based, award-winning public relations, marketing and advertising agency - https://deanesmith.agency/ NIC transaction management solution - https://www.florida.egov.com/services.html University of Kentucky, Gatton College of Business and Economics, Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship - https://vace.uky.edu/node and https://vace.uky.edu/bootcamp/mentors/silas-deaneJunior Achievement of Middle Tennessee, a nonprofit that inspires and prepares young people for success - https://jausa.ja.org/indexThe Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage by Daymond John - https://daymondjohn.com/pages/power-of-broke 

Unlock the secrets of building an acquisition empire from someone who's done it well. In this exclusive interview, John Cerasuolo, CEO of Leap Partners, reveals the unconventional strategies and hard-won lessons that propelled his journey from the Naval Academy to leading a thriving home services network. If you're a parallel entrepreneur looking to scale or dreaming of launching your own network, this conversation is your blueprint for success.Highlights include:• His transformative journey from the Naval Academy to leading a multipreneur empire• How Leap Partners was born out of a shared vision and 45+ acquisition successes• Proven strategies for identifying quality businesses and integrating diverse cultures• Lessons learned from early exits and the importance of “begin with the end in mind”• The secret to balancing rapid growth, due diligence, and celebrating success• Insights on building a people-first, family-centric company culture• Rapid-fire insights on must-read books and what fuels his day-to-day driveWhether you're running multiple businesses or planning your next big leap, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom for every ambitious entrepreneur.Chapters List:00:01:00 Introduction to John Cerasuolo and Leap Partners00:02:06 Naval Academy: Forging a Leader00:04:09 Leap Partners Genesis: From ADS Security to Home Services00:08:31 Identifying Acquisition Opportunities00:11:05 Integrating Cultures in Acquisitions00:14:36 Exiting with Great M&A Advisors00:18:17 Challenges in Due Diligence00:20:07 Celebrating Success00:23:03 Mindfulness and Daily Practices00:24:18 Advice to His Younger Self00:26:08 Learning from Each Other in Business00:27:15 Navigating Talent Challenges in the Trades00:29:21 Rapid Fire Insights00:32:20 Recognition and Awards00:33:03 Scaling a Culture of Happiness00:34:20 Modeling Leadership Behavior00:35:22 A Day in the Life of a CEO00:36:48 Choosing the Right Financial Partners00:38:09 Surrounding Yourself with Talent00:39:22 Books that Inspire00:40:21 Closing Thoughts on Life and BusinessShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3HUWntGLeap Partners, a Family of Service Companies - https://www.theleappartners.com/ Fossil Future by Alex Epstein - https://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2022/09/29/book-review-alex-epsteins-excellent-and-essential-fossil-future/ Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - https://aynrand.org/novels/atlas-shrugged/ Joe Scarlett, former President and Chairman of Tractor Supply Company - https://joescarlett.com/ 

Ready to discover how to hire for potential rather than past credentials—and why it could transform your business? In this episode of Parallel Entrepreneur, Mark Cleveland sits down with Caitlin MacGregor, CEO and Co-Founder of Plum, to talk about building a high-growth company while raising a family and defying the usual startup playbook. If you’re juggling multiple ventures—or planning to—Caitlin’s journey will inspire you to embrace change, experiment with collaboration, and double down on what really drives success.Highlights:• Power Couple: Why being married to her co-founder is Caitlin’s superpower (despite investor skepticism).• 13 Years of Growth: Balancing fundraising with customer-driven revenue, and why sales might matter more than venture capital.• People Over Résumés: How Plum’s behavioral data approach uncovers “diamonds in the rough” for any role.• Authentic Leadership: Leading with love, care, and collaboration to break down silos and foster real engagement.• GenAI & the Future: Why tasks, not jobs, are being automated—and how to reinvent your organization for exponential success.Don’t miss these candid insights from a founder who’s rewriting the rules on entrepreneurship and talent strategy.Chapters List:00:00:56 Meet Caitlin MacGregor: Founder, CEO & Human Potential Champion00:02:44 When Your Co-Founder Is Your Spouse00:05:08 Growing a Family & a Company Simultaneously00:09:21 Fundraising Lessons: 99 No’s for 1 Yes00:15:17 Rethinking Growth in a Shifting Market00:17:30 Why Sales Might Matter More Than Fundraising00:20:48 Integrating Feminine Dimensions of Leadership00:25:16 Symbiotic Health - the New Model for Business Success00:26:51 Well-being, Mindfulness & Self-Awareness00:31:06 The Science of Unlocking Human Potential00:35:00 Hire for Behaviors, Not Resumes00:35:57 The Collaborative Operating System: Eliminating Silos00:38:48 Perfection vs Collaborative Creation00:45:42 Transforming Company Culture to Eliminate Politics00:48:00 A Hiring Experiment That Sparked Plum00:52:18 Advice for Future Generations00:57:07 GenAI & the Future of Work00:59:55 Books, Escapes & Art01:04:53 The Future of Change ManagementShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3FKdXQFPlum, a revolutionary talent platform - https://www.plum.io/  EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women - https://www.ey.com/en_us/entrepreneurial-winning-women-north-america/class-of-2024  Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies by Reid Hoffman - https://www.blitzscaling.com/Bo Burlingham - https://boburlingham.com/The Revenue Engine: Fueling a B2B High Octane Pipeline by Kara Smith Brown - https://therevenueengine.com/The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - https://rebeccayarros.com/fourthwingAbout Plum:Dive into a fresh take on talent strategy with Plum, the durable skills company. Our robust talent assessment platform, PlumThrive, helps you harness the lasting impact of the core competencies that matter. By focusing on durable skills, we transform your company into a skills-based powerhouse, allowing you to make better talent decisions across the employee journey.Are you ready to boost your hiring precision and extend employee tenure? Explore PlumThrive and transform your workforce strategy today: https://www.plum.io/book-demo

Get ready for a masterclass in multi-venture entrepreneurship from Christian Paro, founder of Center 615, Studio 615, Five Points Alley Shops—three of the most dynamic co-working and creative spaces in Nashville—and a new 49-acre trail-oriented development, featuring artist lofts. Hosted by Mark Cleveland, this episode of Parallel Entrepreneur explores how Christian turned a park-management background into a cutting-edge real estate empire that thrives on community, collaboration, and creativity.What You’ll Learn:• Banker Skepticism → Big Vision: How Christian overcame early financing doubts to build Nashville’s go-to coworking hub.• The Power of Celebration: Why throwing parties and embracing small wins keeps your team and tenants inspired.• Mindful Pauses & Ping Pong: Christian’s secret to staying calm under pressure (including his favorite “reset” technique).• Mentoring vs. Micromanaging: How giving autonomy attracts long-term staff and nurtures a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.• Expanding Into Events & Arts: From a single building to 49 acres of innovation—Christian’s massive new development plan.Chapters List:00:00:00 Meet Christian Paro: The Man Behind Nashville's Most Innovative Collaboration Spaces00:01:28 From NYU Parks & Rec to Property Investor00:03:06 Discovering Coworking: The Birth of Center 61500:05:19 Banking Skepticism & the Power of Relationships00:08:29 Studio 615: Expanding into Creative Production Spaces00:12:05 Patterns, Parties & Parallel Lessons00:13:48 Biggest Lessons & Avoiding Over-Leverage00:14:54 Mentoring, Not Micromanaging00:16:32 Mindfulness Practices & the Entrepreneurial Journey00:22:13 Designing a New 49-Acre Community00:24:13 Mindful Pauses: Staying Centered Under Pressure00:27:25 Rapid Fire Insights: Gifts, Mantras, Books & Jedi Wisdom00:32:36 Do What Scares You00:37:12 Facing Fears & Final ThoughtsShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereC615, a driving force in building and shaping community in Nashville - https://c615.co/Artist Sergey Gordienko (the art behind Mark) - https://www.instagram.com/dowhatyoulove.artist/Joanna Barbera, Nashville Musician and Mindfulness Mentor - https://www.joannabarbera.com/8 Decisions (Conscious Entrepreneur Tribe) by Robert Hartline - https://8decisions.com/Nasty Girl by Iglesias - https://open.spotify.com/track/5MghBTWUogtorQqmKBwaBnAll about Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks - https://www.amazon.com/All-About-Love-New-Visions/dp/0060959479The Optimist by Sophie Kipner – https://www.amazon.com/Optimist-Sophie-Kipner-author/dp/1783525584 The Madness of Crowds: A Novel by Louise Penny - https://www.gamacheseries.com/books/the-madness-of-crowds/Do One Thing Every Day That Scares You: A Journal - https://www.amazon.com/One-Thing-Every-That-Scares/dp/0385345771“Jenny’s Answer (867-5309)” female empowerment parody song by Jenny Pruitt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi2Ru6vvZo0Tiny Happy Things: Poems by Jenny Pruitt - https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Happy-Things-Jenny-Pruitt/dp/B0DLD78L24

Ready to master the art of running multiple ventures without losing your sanity—or your shirt? Join host Mark Cleveland and Craig Fuller, the pioneering founder of FreightWaves, as they rip open the playbook on “Parallel Entrepreneurship.” From launching data-driven freight tech to buying iconic media brands—and even building an aviation empire—Craig spills the secrets behind owning your audience, harnessing AI for growth, and seizing opportunities most people miss. If you’re tired of thinking small and ready to multiply your wins, this episode is your ultimate roadmap.What You’ll Learn:• How to leverage distribution (and why it’s everything)• Turning media audiences into profit engines• When boredom is more dangerous than burnout• Using AI to supercharge content creation and customer engagement• The power of small, strategic M&A deals for explosive growthHit play and discover how to “Focus Less, Explore More” so you can scale your impact across industries—on your own terms.Timestamps:00:00:51 Introduction to Craig Fuller and FreightWaves00:01:50 Revolutionizing Transportation with Data00:03:40 The Business Model of FreightWaves00:05:12 From Futures to Transparency in Trucking00:06:46 The Bloomberg Inspiration for FreightWaves00:11:56 Pursuing Opportunities to Drive Top of Funnel00:18:45 Motivating Teams and Sharing Value00:21:20 Finding Inspiration and Avoiding Burnout00:26:29 Current Trends in the Transportation Market00:34:04 Harnessing AI for Enhanced Content Creation00:39:58 AI's Role in Customer Engagement00:41:54 Evaluating Business Opportunities00:42:56 The Importance of Distribution in Business00:47:22 Asymmetric Risk and Business Strategy00:50:10 Learning from Experience and Testing00:56:58 The Journey vs. Destination in Entrepreneurship01:02:37 The Value of Shared Experiences in BusinessShow notes: Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: Click hereBloomberg by Bloomberg - https://www.bloombergbybloomberg.com/The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Law-Venture-Capital-Making/dp/052555999XRange: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein - https://davidepstein.com/range/The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolved by Matt Ridley - https://www.amazon.com/Rational-Optimist-Prosperity-Evolves-P-s/dp/0061452068Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell - https://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Success-Malcolm-Gladwell/dp/0316017930

How do you juggle multiple ventures and keep your cool under pressure? Meet Nitin Rai — seasoned founder, investor in 70+ startups, and champion of underrepresented talent. In this eye-opening episode, host Mark Cleveland uncovers Nitin’s secrets to mastering delegation, cultivating mindful leadership, and building “small” ideas into life-changing success stories. Discover why he believes failure is not an option, why women-led startups excel, and how a single headstand (yes, you read that right!) can sharpen entrepreneurial intuition.If you’re a Parallel Entrepreneur hungry for both impact and inner balance, this conversation is your roadmap to thriving in the fast-paced world of multi-venture leadership.In this conversation, we dive into:• How openness and authenticity drive healthier board relationships and better decision-making• Why failure isn’t an option for many minority entrepreneurs• Why relinquishing control is essential for founders who juggle multiple ventures—and how to do it effectively• Why women-led ventures often outperform expectations and attract strong investor support•  What’s happening outside of Silicon Valley in today’s startup worldTime Stamps:00:00:26 Introduction to Nitin Rai and His Journey00:05:42 The Importance of Transparency, Leading from the Heart00:08:49 Challenges in Raising Capital: The Current Landscape00:14:43 Balancing Multiple Ventures: The Art of Delegation00:18:05 Navigating Exits: Lessons Learned00:19:40 Sharing Wealth: The Entrepreneurial Approach00:22:01 Role Models and Mentorship: Influences on Nitin's Approach00:24:45 Identifying with Entrepreneurs: A Personal Connection00:25:40 The Power of Small Ideas00:25:56 The Power of Intuition00:27:16 Mindfulness Practices and Self-Care00:29:51 Celebrating Entrepreneurial Success00:32:12 The Virtuous Cycle of Wealth Creation00:34:28 Entrepreneurship as an Art00:35:23 Defining Success in Entrepreneurship00:38:24 The US Entrepreneurial Landscape00:41:01 Advice to Your Younger Self00:42:14 Reading and Continuous LearningShow notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/43UJPKmKishau Rogers, Founder of Time Study - https://kishau.com/about/Ania Rodriguez, Founder of JourneyTrack - https://www.journeytrack.io/aboutAllie Magyar, Founder of Hubb - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hubb/Monica Enand, Founder of Zapproved - https://zapproved.com/about-us/company/Nat Parker, Founder of Globe Sherpa (changed to Moovel North America) - http://moovelus.com/Ganesh Shankar, Entrepreneur & Investor - https://www.responsive.io/about/"Anarchy" by William Dalrymple - https://www.amazon.co.za/Anarchy-Company-Corporate-Violence-Pillage/dp/1635573955White Mughals by William Dalrymple - https://www.amazon.com/White-Mughals-Betrayal-Eighteenth-Century-India/dp/014200412XLight on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar - https://www.amazon.com/Light-Life-Journey-Wholeness-Ultimate/dp/1594865248

How do you scale, sell, and still come back for more? Meet Roger Brown — a serial founder who’s built (and exited) four different ventures, from physician services to cannabis testing labs. In this power-packed interview, Roger reveals how to create genuine value in a business (not just revenue), the art of spotting the right time to sell, and why trusting your team is your ultimate superpower. He also dishes on where AI fits in modern marketing, the pitfalls of overvaluing your own company, and how a simple dose of salt water therapy can recharge an overworked mind.Whether you’re juggling multiple startups or dreaming of your first exit, Roger’s candid insights are a must-watch for any Parallel Entrepreneur.Tune in to gain insights from a leader who believes in doing the right thing, embracing change, and leaving a lasting legacy.Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction to Parallel Entrepreneurship00:00:24 Roger Brown's Journey into Cannabis Testing00:01:18 The Thrill of Building Businesses00:04:13 Creating Value in Business00:05:25 Challenges in the Healthcare Industry00:06:30 The Debate: Symptoms vs. Wellness00:08:27 The Role of Co-Founders in Business00:11:27 Insights from M&A Advisors00:14:56 Lessons Learned from Selling Businesses00:17:59 Navigating Healthcare's Evolution00:20:22 AI's Role in Modern Business00:23:14 Finding Balance and Recharging00:24:44 Guiding Principles and Life Lessons00:28:13 Learning from Mistakes00:30:42 Legacy and Life's Purpose00:31:53 Rapid Fire Questions00:32:59 The Importance of Trust and Team Dynamics00:36:44 Embracing Change and PerspectiveShow Notes:Share and engage with this interview on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/43EixZQ