# Tales From The Sky Lounge > Adventures of a Consulting CTO ## Posts - [TFTSL Ep45—John Church](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2026/03/11/2380/): Today in the Sky Lounge, we are joined by John Church, lead product manager at Nethermind and adjunct professor at Duke University. John has been deep in the blockchain world since 2017 — from speculative ICOs to running treasury management for a 20,000-person decentralized autonomous organization, to now working on zero-knowledge cryptography and AI agent infrastructure. In this conversation, John breaks down what stablecoins actually are and why their adoption matters far beyond the crypto-native crowd. He explains why Ethereum's decentralization gives it an edge over faster competitors, and what it means that AI agents are already building wallets and executing trades on their own. He also shares his take on how he's preparing engineering students for a world where AI compresses timelines — and creativity matters more than syntax. Plus, a survival school story from the Utah desert involving a wanted poster, stolen macaroni casserole, and a well-timed lie. - [TFTSL Ep44—Niral Shah](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2026/02/25/tftsl-ep44-niral-shah/): Today in the Sky Lounge, we are joined by Niral Shah — trauma surgeon, serial entrepreneur, and one of the more unusual career arcs you're likely to hear about. Niral started medical school at 19, paused to build a search engine in Silicon Valley during the dot-com boom, went back to finish his MD, became a trauma surgeon, and then in 2018 decided healthcare was headed for a reckoning and he needed a seat at that table. This conversation covers a lot of ground. Niral talks about pitching Nokia Ventures without a deck — and not even knowing he was going to pitch. He walks through why he chose Chapter 7 over keeping the cash when his first company ran out of road, and what that decision meant for his reputation with investors. On healthcare, he's direct: the U.S. spends 18-21% of GDP on it and gets outcomes roughly equivalent to Albania. He explains where the fat actually is, why the end user and the buyer are almost never the same person in healthcare, and where he thinks entrepreneurs should be focusing right now. Plus, his wife's very unexpected airport lounge conversion story. - [TFTSL Ep43 —John Yates and Gregg Bedol](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2026/02/11/2309/): Today in the Sky Lounge, we are joined by John Yates, a partner at Gunderson-Dettmer, and Gregg Bedol, founder of TractionBD. Their collaboration represents something rare: seasoned professionals using decades of hard-won experience to build something genuinely new. John arrived in Atlanta in 1981, the same year IBM announced the PC and opened its architecture to software developers. For 44 years, he's represented tech companies through every stage of growth, from garage startups to some of the largest companies in the country. Gregg's path ran through Arthur Andersen's consulting division, executive roles in tech companies, and multiple entrepreneurial ventures. They've been friends and neighbors for 35 years. The driveway conversations finally led somewhere. The problem they're solving is as old as professional services itself. For centuries, the model has been apprenticeship: find a mentor, learn for years or decades, hope they retire and hand you their book of business. It's slow, uncertain, and increasingly rare. ""There aren't as many people who want to help the next generation,"" as the conversation acknowledges. Most professionals find themselves having to scramble and make their own destiny. John's insight, refined over four decades, comes down to a simple equation: prospects plus actions equals clients. The catch? It takes an average of 7 to 10 actions to convert a prospect into a client. Most professionals give up after two or three because they can't think of what else to do. You can only invite someone to play golf or attend a football game so many times. TractionBD emerged from recognizing what AI suddenly made possible. Gregg describes it as ""putting John Yates in a box""—taking expertise that previously required decades to develop and making it accessible through software. The platform is voice-enabled and mobile-first because professionals don't want to come back to a desktop and type into a CRM. ""That's been there for years. It's called CRM, and it doesn't work,"" Gregg notes. The distinction matters. Traditional CRMs are repositories for data, designed for marketing organizations and professional salespeople. TractionBD targets professionals who don't sell to make a living—lawyers, accountants, consultants—people who deliver a service where selling is a necessary component. The tool handles the grindy parts: scanning business cards, building ideal client profiles, suggesting contextually appropriate actions, maintaining persistence without being obnoxious. ""Business development is not an automated process. It's a human-to-human process,"" Gregg emphasizes. The technology accelerates and enhances, but the core hasn't changed. It's still about relationships. Relationships drive revenue. The difference is that AI can now help you stay top of mind with a hundred people instead of ten, and it can craft messages that sound authentic because it learns your voice over time. The conversation extends to Atlanta's opportunity. John is working to establish the city as a hub for Applied AI, bringing together Fortune 500 headquarters, venture capital, Georgia Tech's research capabilities, and a mayor who cares about technology. The Southeast is probably the fastest-growing area for tech in the country, but it requires intentional community building—something John has been doing since 1981. What makes this collaboration work is the combination of deep domain expertise with genuine technical innovation. John knows what business development requires. Gregg knows how to build it. They're old enough to have extensive networks and young enough to be building something new. The tools available now—AI, social media, mobile platforms—create advantages that didn't exist even two years ago. Experience finally has the edge. - [TFTSL Ep42 — Chris Thomajan](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2026/01/21/tftsl-ep42-chris-thomajan/): Today in the Sky Lounge, we are joined by Chris Thomajan, a CFO who's spent 35 years with startups and has worked with over 100 companies—mostly in biotech, mostly venture-backed, always as the steady hand while everyone else loses their minds. Chris didn't start in finance. English major, disco worker in London, law firm (hated it), Columbia Business School, then three decades of pattern recognition in the startup world. He's developed a particular skill: knowing which CEOs will make it and which won't. He's even categorized them like wine—from Beaujolais Nouveau (enthusiastic first-timers) to Port (dictators you really don't want to work for). We explore what makes Boston's biotech ecosystem unique, why nine out of ten boards need to be "managed away," and what it really takes to prepare a company for IPO. Chris breaks down the current VC landscape ("too many capital calls, not enough distributions"), why he'd never personally invest in early-stage biotech, and the one quality that separates great CEOs from the rest: the ability to delegate. Plus: hitchhiking 5,000 miles across America in an era when that was still possible. - [TFTSL Ep41 — Bryan Dennstedt of AIwithBry](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2026/01/02/tftsl-ep41-bryan-dennstedt-of-aiwithbry/): Today in the Sky Lounge, Todd is joined by Bryan Dennstedt for the second year running to review how their 2025 AI predictions played out and forecast what's coming in 2026. They tackle the AI trough of disillusionment head-on—turns out they nailed it, though some people are well up the other side, while others are still stuck at the bottom. The conversation moves from commercial real estate's ongoing struggles to the rise of agentic workflows that are replacing simple chatbots. Bryan explains the shift from "light bulbs to motors"—companies moving beyond point solutions to build real automation factories. The duo unpacks SaaS pricing compression, the manufacturing renaissance happening through local 3D printing, trust verification, and speed starting companies in the AI era. They close with a lightning round covering college's ROI, world models versus LLMs, healthcare disruption, and whether we'll hit AGI by 2027. - [TFTSL Ep40 – Steve Subar](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/12/10/tftsl-ep40-steve-subar/): Today in the Sky Lounge, we are joined by Steve Subar, COO/CEO at TechCXO, who's spent three decades building, guiding, and growing companies. His latest venture? The world's first fully automated yoga mat cleaning machine. It's not exactly cocktail party material, Steve admits. But the story behind MatFresher reveals something more interesting than the product itself: what happens when an experienced founder decides to design the business model before the company. After selling Open Kernel Labs to General Dynamics in 2012 and spending 13 years consulting for tech companies, Steve started his next venture with three non-negotiable constraints. He wanted recurring revenue. He wanted high gross margins. And he was done—completely done—with B2B sales friction. His entire career had been large systems, complex sales, long cycles. At this stage, he wanted something different. The yoga mat problem emerged from Steve's own 20-year hot yoga practice. Here's a discipline built on the Sanskrit concept of Saucha (cleanliness of spirit, mind, and body), practiced on mats that smell like the inside of old hockey equipment. But before investing in product development, Steve did what experienced entrepreneurs do: he tested whether anyone actually cared. He bought a folding table, rubber gloves, antiseptic spray from Whole Foods, and a Square reader. He showed up at yoga studios and asked people if they'd pay two bucks to get their mat cleaned. They would. But something more valuable happened during those 50-minute gaps between classes when he had nothing to do but talk to studio owners and staff. He learned that the bigger problem wasn't hygiene—it was unit economics. Only 10% of yoga studio operators net more than $100,000 annually. They're not in it to get rich; they're in it to help people. But cleanliness is the number one factor affecting their Net Promoter Score and churn rate. If Steve could reduce their labor costs while visibly improving hygiene, he'd solve two problems at once. This is the kind of insight you can't get from market research or surveys. "Information is not the same as wisdom," Steve says. You can look up anything online, but "you can't Google for experience." True wisdom comes from combining information with experience—and that's what leads to good decision-making. Steve's career bears this out. At Open Kernel Labs, his team figured out how to apply virtualization software to power-constrained devices like mobile phones. They started by targeting the most paranoid customer: the NSA. Thousands of people couldn't bring cell phones into Fort Meade. The agency was stuck with the "ObamaBerry"—essentially two BlackBerrys glued together, one for classified and one for unclassified communications. Open Kernel Labs became the first method for the NSA to enable standard smartphones for their employees. That stamp of approval opened commercial doors. By the time General Dynamics acquired the company, their software was in 1.6 billion phones. Steve calls this approach "in through the out door"—finding the entrance nobody else is using. While everyone lines up at the obvious door, he looks left and right for the legitimate entrance that's wide open but overlooked. Now with MatFresher, he's applying those same principles to a hardware-as-a-service business in an industry where most VCs say "we don't do hardware." But that's the point. Thirty years in, Steve isn't looking for the crowded entrance. He's still finding out doors nobody else sees. - [TFTSL Ep39 – Neal Miller](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/11/19/2195/): Today in the Sky Lounge, we are joined by Neal Miller, partner emeritus at TechCXO and one of the firm's earliest members. Neal shares stories from 19 years working with over 70 companies, including the legendary Cloud Sherpas journey that started with a Monday morning Starbucks meeting in 2008 and ended with an Accenture acquisition. He reveals the simple napkin drawing that transformed Boomtown from chaos to clarity, why the 1983 IPO market let an $8 million revenue company go public, and his unusual career path from KPMG auditor to software sales to CFO. Plus, hear about his transition to Costa Rica, lessons from owning a microbrewery, and why uncertain economic times actually strengthen the fractional executive model. - [TFTSL Ep38 – Louis Gump](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/10/22/tftsl-ep38-louis-gump/): Louis Gump joins us in the Sky Lounge to explore a question every founder and executive faces eventually: what happens after the acquisition? In this candid conversation, Louis shares how he helped build the mobile business at CNN.com, led digital transformation at The Weather Channel, and became the steady hand guiding post-acquisition innovation at startups and growth-stage companies alike. We unpack the differences between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, what makes someone thrive inside a big company post-acquisition, and how timing and self-awareness shape every meaningful career move. Louis also discusses the importance of clarity in strategy, the value of not rushing change, and why keeping founders involved after a deal often leads to better outcomes. Louis is also the author of The Inside Innovator, a practical guide to driving innovation from within established companies — ideal for leaders navigating post-acquisition roles or scaling without the founder title. Whether you’re scaling, selling, or staying to build the next chapter — this episode will meet you at the crossroads. - [TFTSL Ep37 - Mike Martin](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/10/01/tftsl-ep37-mike-martin/): Today in the Sky Lounge we are joined by Mike Martin, fractional CMO at TechCXO and creative veteran behind some of advertising's most impactful campaigns. Mike shares the inside story of creating the legendary Truth anti-smoking campaign, producing million-dollar Super Bowl spots that ran only once, and why he believes vanilla content is the biggest risk brands can take. From dealing with maniacal bosses who threw storyboards down hallways to accidentally creating viral moments with ice cream trucks at elementary schools, Mike's career spans the evolution from traditional advertising to AI-powered creativity. Plus, hear his travel adventures including swimming with 400-pound pigs in the Bahamas and getting rewarded for government success by having his program cancelled. - [TFTSL Ep36 – Ted Stone](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/09/17/tftsl-ep36-ted-stone/): Today in the Sky Lounge we are joined by Ted Stone, a 72-year-old fractional CFO at TechCXO who's living proof that experience beats age in the business world. Ted shares insights from four decades of private equity deals, including rollups, spinoffs, and integrations that taught him every strategy in the playbook. He explains how the "silver tsunami" of baby boomer business exits is creating unprecedented opportunities for private equity firms, why ESOPs are emerging as attractive exit strategies, and how fractional executive work lets veterans stay in the game past traditional retirement. Plus, hear his incredible travel story about surviving not one but two helicopter incidents on a single business trip. - [TFTSL Ep35 – Virginie Glaenzer](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/09/03/tftsl-ep35-virginie-glaenzer/): Today in the Sky Lounge we are joined by Virginie Glaenzer, fractional CMO at TechCXO and author of ""The Economy of Abundance."" From landing in Silicon Valley with four suitcases during the height of the dot-com boom to building community-driven marketing strategies that outperform traditional branding, Virginie shares insights from 25 years of digital transformation. She explains why the AI revolution exceeds the internet boom in scope, how Gen Z is rejecting traditional business models, and why the future belongs to co-creators rather than controllers. Plus hear about her minimalist lifestyle, founding the Acorn Oak women's community, and why Dubai's mall-centric culture shocked this world traveler. - [TFTSL Ep34 - Brantley Fry](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/08/20/tftsl-ep34-brantley-fry/): Today in the Sky Lounge we are joined by Brantley Fry, Partner at TechCXO specializing in human capital management. Brantley shares her remarkable journey from environmental lawyer working on the largest spills in US history to political service as state director for a US Senator, and eventually to the startup world where she helped navigate a successful acquisition by Quest Diagnostics. Her philosophy of being a ""connector"" between people and policy has guided every career move, and she reveals the inside story of managing culture and communication during M&A. Plus, hear about her transformative 500-mile walk across Spain on the Camino de Santiago. Takeaways Brantley Fry emphasizes the importance of viewing people as fuel, not friction, in business. Her career path has been shaped by a mix of luck and preparation, often finding herself in the right place at the right time. Effective communication is crucial in legal practice, especially during complex cases. Brantley highlights the significance of connecting people and policy throughout her career. She believes in the value of recruiting for culture and the importance of aligning values during mergers and acquisitions. The healthcare sector in Birmingham is evolving, with a focus on biotech and health tech initiatives. Brantley advocates for the need for more good people in politics to bridge divides and address common issues. She shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in startup legal needs and the role of fractional executives. Brantley discusses the importance of understanding the business problem when hiring and the value of non-traditional candidates. Her experience walking the Camino de Santiago taught her about the diverse paths in life and the connections we make along the way. - [TFTSL Ep 33 - Alex Gafford](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/07/30/tftsl-ep-33-alex-gafford/): Today in the Sky Lounge, we are joined by Alex Gafford from BlueStreet Capital, who's living proof that the traditional 40-hour work week is completely broken. Alex's company discovered something remarkable nine years ago - an asset that increased their KPIs by 24%, boosted revenue by 30%, and dramatically improved retention without costing them a penny. That asset? Time itself. Through their revolutionary five-hour workday experiment, they've unlocked the secret that knowledge workers can only maintain peak mental performance for about five hours max, and everything after that is just diminishing returns dressed up as "dedication." Alex breaks down the neuroscience of ultradian rhythms, reveals why multitasking wastes 28% of your day, and explains how his team finances everything from AI infrastructure buildouts to data center expansions while working just 25 hours a week. Plus, he shares wild stories about financing raw GPUs for AI companies and why the future of work isn't about grinding harder - it's about being strategically smarter with your energy. - [TFTSL Ep32 - Joe Gruca](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/07/09/tftsl-ep32-joe-gruca/): "Today in the Sky Lounge we are joined by Joe Gruca, Partner in Revenue Growth at TechCXO. Joe shares his remarkable journey from getting laid off during the 2008 financial crisis to helping grow Hire iQ, a pioneering automated interview platform, into a successful predictive hiring platform used by global giants like Delta Airlines. Now helping early-stage tech CEOs accelerate growth, Joe offers hard-earned insights on building repeatable sales motions, the evolution of B2B selling, and why founder-led sales are both essential and limiting. - [TFTSL Ep31 - Mike Biwer](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/18/tftsl-ep31-mike-biwer/): Today in the Sky Lounge, Todd Merrill interviews Mike Biwer, CEO of Cavallo, discussing his journey to the company, the importance of distribution in the economy, and the challenges and strategies in the software and ERP space. They explore the origin of Cavallo's name, the company's growth, customer satisfaction, and the significance of profitability in distribution. Mike shares insights on navigating ERP changes, the role of private equity, and how to approach economic cycles. He also offers advice for aspiring software CEOs, emphasizing the need for product market fit and understanding customer problems. - [TFTSL Ep30: Bob Brogan](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-ep30-bob-brogan-2/): Bob Brogan is a seasoned investor and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience navigating through multiple economic cycles. Watch on YouTube: Takeaways ... - [TFTSL Ep16 – Rich Makover](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-ep16-rich-makover-2/): Leadership, Resilience, and Sales Mastery Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST - [TFTSL – Matt Oess: Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-matt-oess-data-analytics-and-business-intelligence-excellence-2/): Main episode description content here... Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST Guest information content here... - [TFTSL – Ian Findlay: Digital Transformation and Technology Leadership](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-ian-findlay-digital-transformation-and-technology-leadership-2/): Main episode description content here... Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST section content here... - [TFTSL – Marc McCarthy: Strategic Growth and Business Development Mastery](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-marc-mccarthy-strategic-growth-and-business-development-mastery-2/): Main episode description content here... Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST section content here... - [TFTSL – Katherine Hunter-Blyden: Leadership Excellence and Organizational Development](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-katherine-hunter-blyden-leadership-excellence-and-organizational-development-2/): Main episode description content here... Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST section content here... - [TFTSL – Nikolaos Vasiloglou: AI Innovation and Machine Learning Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-nikolaos-vasiloglou-ai-innovation-and-machine-learning-excellence-2/): Main episode description content here... Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST section content here... - [TFTSL – Mike Blake: Financial Strategy and Business Valuation Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-mike-blake-financial-strategy-and-business-valuation-excellence-2/): Main episode description content here... Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST section content here... - [TFTSL – Kathryn O'Day: From Triathlon to Venture Capital Success](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-kathryn-oday-from-triathlon-to-venture-capital-success-2/): Episode description content... why being nice can be a superpower in business. Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST section content... - [TFTSL – Adam Lehde: Building Tech Solutions Across Continents](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-adam-lehde-building-tech-solutions-across-continents-2/): ...underestimated hub for startups and innovation. Watch on YouTube: ABOUT OUR GUEST - [TFTSL – Bryan Dennstedt: Fractional CIO Leadership and IT Strategy Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-bryan-dennstedt-fractional-cio-leadership-and-it-strategy-excellence/): Strategic IT Leadership for the Modern Digital Enterprise Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Bryan Dennstedt, a fractional CIO and IT strategy expert with extensive experience leading technology... - [TFTSL – Matt Oess: Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-matt-oess-data-analytics-and-business-intelligence-excellence/): Transforming Data Into Strategic Business Insights Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Matt Oess, a data analytics and business intelligence expert with extensive experience transforming raw data into... - [TFTSL – Jeff Haynie: Enterprise Software Development and Technology Innovation](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-jeff-haynie-enterprise-software-development-and-technology-innovation/): Building Enterprise Software Solutions Through Innovative Technology Leadership Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Jeff Haynie, an enterprise software development expert with extensive experience building scalable software platforms... - [TFTSL – Michael Weinstein: Corporate Strategy and Business Transformation Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-michael-weinstein-corporate-strategy-and-business-transformation-excellence/): Driving Business Transformation Through Strategic Leadership Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Michael Weinstein, a corporate strategy expert with extensive experience leading business transformation initiatives and implementing strategic... - [TFTSL – Maria Goldsholl: Strategic Communications and Public Relations Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-maria-goldsholl-strategic-communications-and-public-relations-excellence/): Building Brand Reputation Through Strategic Communications Leadership Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Maria Goldsholl, a strategic communications expert with extensive experience developing and executing comprehensive public relations... - [TFTSL – Jan Heybroek: Supply Chain Innovation and Global Logistics Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-jan-heybroek-supply-chain-innovation-and-global-logistics-excellence/): Optimizing Global Supply Chains Through Strategic Innovation Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Jan Heybroek, a supply chain and logistics expert with extensive experience optimizing complex global supply... - [TFTSL – Mark Flickinger: Technology Architecture and Systems Engineering Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-mark-flickinger-technology-architecture-and-systems-engineering-excellence/): Building Scalable Technology Systems Through Strategic Architecture Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Mark Flickinger, a technology architecture expert with extensive experience designing and implementing scalable technology systems... - [TFTSL – Jay Kleinman: Investment Strategy and Financial Advisory Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-jay-kleinman-investment-strategy-and-financial-advisory-excellence/): Strategic Investment Management and Wealth Building Expertise Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Jay Kleinman, a seasoned investment advisor and financial strategist with extensive experience helping individuals and... - [TFTSL – Christy Johnson: Marketing Strategy and Brand Development Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-christy-johnson-marketing-strategy-and-brand-development-excellence/): Building Powerful Brands Through Strategic Marketing Leadership Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Christy Johnson, a marketing strategy expert with extensive experience developing compelling brand narratives and implementing... - [TFTSL – David Morczinek: Operations Excellence and Strategic Process Optimization](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-david-morczinek-operations-excellence-and-strategic-process-optimization/): Driving Operational Excellence Through Strategic Process Innovation Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is David Morczinek, an operations excellence expert with extensive experience optimizing business processes and implementing strategic... - [TFTSL – Chris Caparon: Cybersecurity Leadership and Risk Management](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-chris-caparon-cybersecurity-leadership-and-risk-management/): Securing Digital Assets Through Strategic Cybersecurity Leadership Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Chris Caparon, a cybersecurity expert with extensive experience leading security initiatives and risk management programs... - [TFTSL – Rob Reesor: Innovation Management and Product Strategy Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-rob-reesor-innovation-management-and-product-strategy-excellence/): Driving Innovation Through Strategic Product Leadership Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Rob Reesor, a seasoned product strategy and innovation management expert with extensive experience leading product development... - [TFTSL – Katherine Hunter-Blyden: Leadership Excellence and Organizational Development](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-katherine-hunter-blyden-leadership-excellence-and-organizational-development/): Transformational Leadership and Organizational Excellence Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Katherine Hunter-Blyden, a distinguished leader with extensive experience in organizational development, strategic leadership, and transformational change management.... - [TFTSL – Marc McCarthy: Strategic Growth and Business Development Mastery](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-marc-mccarthy-strategic-growth-and-business-development-mastery/): Building Sustainable Growth Through Strategic Business Development Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Marc McCarthy, a seasoned business development expert with extensive experience driving strategic growth across multiple... - [TFTSL – Nikolaos Vasiloglou: AI Innovation and Machine Learning Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-nikolaos-vasiloglou-ai-innovation-and-machine-learning-excellence/): Pioneering AI Solutions and Data Science Innovation Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Nikolaos Vasiloglou, a leading expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning with extensive experience developing... - [TFTSL – Ian Findlay: Digital Transformation and Technology Leadership](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-ian-findlay-digital-transformation-and-technology-leadership/): Driving Innovation Through Strategic Technology Leadership Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Ian Findlay, a seasoned technology executive with deep expertise in digital transformation and strategic technology leadership.... - [TFTSL – Mike Blake: Financial Strategy and Business Valuation Excellence](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-mike-blake-financial-strategy-and-business-valuation-excellence/): Expert Insights into Business Valuation and Strategic Finance Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Mike Blake, a renowned expert in business valuation and financial strategy. With extensive experience... - [TFTSL – Kirby Winters: Strategic Leadership in Technology Innovation](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-kirby-winters-strategic-leadership-in-technology-innovation/): Navigating Innovation and Strategic Growth Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Kirby Winters, a strategic technology leader with extensive experience in driving innovation and growth across multiple industries.... - [TFTSL – Kathryn O'Day: From Triathlon to Venture Capital Success](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-kathryn-oday-from-triathlon-to-venture-capital-success/): Endurance Sports Meet Startup Success Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Kathryn O'Day, entrepreneur and partner at Atlanta Ventures. Kathryn shares her journey of building multiple successful startups... - [TFTSL – Adam Lehde: Building Tech Solutions Across Continents](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-adam-lehde-building-tech-solutions-across-continents/): From Mobile Development to Global Innovation Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Adam Lehde, founder of Happen Technologies. From growing up to becoming a tech entrepreneur, Adam's journey... - [TFTSL Ep16 – Rich Makover: Leadership, Resilience, and Sales Mastery](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tftsl-ep16-rich-makover-leadership-resilience-and-sales-mastery/): Leadership, Resilience, and Sales Mastery In this episode, we sit with Rich Makover, a seasoned CRO and executive coach, to discuss how athletics prepared him for a career in sales... - [Episode: Teja Yenamandra - Building Gun.io with Hip-Hop Ethos: From Bootstrap to Investment](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-teja-yenamandra-building-gun-io-with-hip-hop-ethos-from-bootstrap-to-investment/): Episode Teja Yenamandra - Building Gun.io with Hip-Hop Ethos: From Bootstrap to Investment Featuring: Teja Yenamandra, CEO & Co-Founder of Gun.io Published: June 2024 | Duration: 45 minutes | Category:... - [Episode: Bob Brogan - Finance & Operations Excellence: Delivering $100M+ in Shareholder Value](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-bob-brogan-finance-operations-excellence-delivering-100m-in-shareholder-value/): Episode Bob Brogan - Finance & Operations Excellence: Delivering $100M+ in Shareholder Value Featuring: Bob Brogan, Partner at TechCXO Published: June 2024 | Duration: [Duration] | Category: Finance & Operations... - [Episode 31: Mike Biwer - From Ford to SalesPad: A Journey of Business Transformation and Leadership](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-31-mike-biwer-from-ford-to-salespad-a-journey-of-business-transformation-and-leadership/): Episode 31 Mike Biwer - From Ford to SalesPad: A Journey of Business Transformation and Leadership Featuring: Mike Biwer, Chief Executive Officer at CAVALLO Published: June 2024 | Duration: 45... - [Episode 22: Antonio Pagano - Phishing, AI Scams, and the Ever-Intensifying Cybersecurity War](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-22-antonio-pagano-phishing-ai-scams-and-the-ever-intensifying-cybersecurity-war/): Episode 22 Antonio Pagano - Phishing, AI Scams, and the Ever-Intensifying Cybersecurity War Featuring: Antonio Pagano, Founder of Wawandco & Co-founder of Symbol Security Published: June 2024 | Duration: 52... - [Year-End Special: Travel Stories and Business Adventures Around the World](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/year-end-special-travel-stories-and-business-adventures-around-the-world/): Special year-end episode where the Tales From The Sky Lounge team shares favorite travel stories from a whirlwind year of adventure. Cover mind-boggling mishaps, inspiring lessons learned on the road,... - [Episode: Bart Foster - From Startup Ouster to Living with Intention](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-bart-foster-from-startup-ouster-to-living-with-intention/): Episode featuring Bart Foster, founder and CEO of BusinessOutside®, discussing his transformative journey from being ousted from a thriving startup he founded to living a life of intention and purpose.... - [Episode: Alan Gold - B2B Marketing Mastery and Technology Leadership](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-alan-gold-b2b-marketing-mastery-and-technology-leadership/): Episode featuring Alan GoldAlan Gold is a veteran of the B2B marketing world and an executive in startups, international public companies, and high-growth technology and services companies. This episode covers... - [Episode: Jim Rozich - Two Decades of Sales and Marketing Mastery](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-jim-rozich-two-decades-of-sales-and-marketing-mastery/): Episode featuring Jim Rozich, industry veteran with 20+ years in sales and marketing. Cover his expertise in bringing products to market, CRM implementation strategies, lead generation tactics, message crafting for... - [Tales From The Sky Lounge - Episode 02: Lewis Goldman on Marketing Evolution](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/tales-from-the-sky-lounge-episode-02-lewis-goldman-on-marketing-evolution/): Tales From The Sky Lounge - Episode 02: Lewis Goldman on Marketing Evolution Guest Bio: Lewis Goldman Lewis Goldman is a renowned marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience... - [Episode 02: Lewis Goldman - Mastering Marketing Evolution in the Digital Age](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-02-lewis-goldman-mastering-marketing-evolution-in-the-digital-age/): Episode 02 featuring Lewis Goldman Guest Introduction Lewis Goldman is a marketing strategist and digital transformation expert with extensive experience helping companies navigate the evolving digital marketing landscape. His expertise... - [Episode 25: Lisa Calhoun - Earning Every Win: Grit, Innovation, and Knowing When to Venture!](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/07/episode-25-lisa-calhoun-earning-every-win-grit-innovation-and-knowing-when-to-venture/): Episode 25: Lisa Calhoun - Earning Every Win: Grit, Innovation, and Knowing When to Venture! Guest Introduction Lisa Calhoun is a prominent venture capitalist and the General Partner at Valor... - [TFTSL Ep30 – Bob Brogan](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/06/04/tftsl-ep30-bob-brogan/): Bob Brogan joins us in the Sky Lounge to share his journey as Managing Partner at TechCXO for the Great Lakes Region. He pulls back the curtain on four decades in operations, IT, consulting, and strategy—including the story behind an incredible $100 million exit. From his family's surprising connection to the Chicago Bears to what really makes a business investable, this conversation delivers wisdom that's been battle-tested through multiple economic cycles. - [TFTSL Ep29—Teja Yenamandra](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/05/14/tftsl-ep29-teja-yenamandra/): Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Teja Yenamandra, founder of Gun.io — the dev marketplace built for engineers who don’t belong on job boards. From martial arts to macro trends, Teja breaks down why great hiring is about rhythm, not resumes; how AI is reshaping the shape of work itself; and what most startups forget after the match is made. This is a founder story built on cold calls, precision matching, and scaling trust — not headcount. - [TFTSL Ep28 – Michael Weinstein](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/04/30/tftsl-ep28-michael-weinstein/): "Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Michael Weinstein — fractional CFO, economic strategist, and finance veteran — who brings his hard-won insights and wit to an time of financial uncertainty in the current economic climate. From early days at Anheuser-Busch (yes, there was free beer) to senior roles in asset management, Michael has seen more business cycles than most of us have had iPhones. We dig into the structural fractures in today’s economy, why uncertainty is stalling investment, and how tariffs are creating ripple effects across industries. Michael breaks down why venture capital exits are clogged, the “overvalued” truth behind many private companies, and how interest rates are shaping (and stalling) our next wave of innovation. Plus, we explore how entrepreneurship might be the escape hatch — if we’re bold enough to build what’s next. - [TFTSL Ep27 – Jeff Haynie](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/04/09/tftsl-ep27-jeff-haynie/): Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is tech entrepreneur and innovation veteran Jeff Haynie, co-founder of Appcelerator and now founder of Agentuity, a startup building a next-gen cloud platform for AI agents. Jeff takes us deep into the early days of mobile development—before React Native, before Node.js—and the wild ride of launching Titanium, an open-source mobile framework that scaled to millions of developers. From those Silicon Valley go-go years to today’s decentralized future, Jeff shares startup lessons, hard-won insights, and where he sees the future of AI development going next. - [TFTSL Ep26 – Matt Oess](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/03/19/1765/): "Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Matt Oess, a seasoned leader in sales, marketing, and executive coaching at TechCXO. With over a decade of experience guiding C-suite executives, Matt shares invaluable insights on leadership coaching, AI-driven business transformation, and navigating the complexities of high-stakes decision-making. We dive deep into AI’s game-changing potential, the evolving role of coaching in leadership, and how businesses can leverage AI for productivity, sales, and innovation. Matt also takes us behind the scenes of his work with the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy, where he’s helping shape global policies on emerging technologies like AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. From early-stage startups to billion-dollar enterprises, Matt has seen it all. He reveals why vulnerability is a CEO’s secret weapon, how AI is revolutionizing business workflows, and why the next era of software might outgrow traditional SaaS models. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that bridges technology, leadership, and human potential—perfect for executives, tech enthusiasts, and emerging leaders preparing for tomorrow's challenges." - [TFTSL Ep25 — Lisa Calhoun](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/03/05/tftsl-ep25-lisa-calhoun/): "Joining us in the Sky Lounge today is Lisa Calhoun, founding managing partner of Valor Ventures! Lisa shares her journey as a fourth-generation entrepreneur, the importance of relationships in venture capital, and her investment philosophy. She and Todd discuss the current state of the venture landscape, the impact of AI on startups, and advice for young entrepreneurs. Lisa shares her insights on navigating challenges in the industry and the transformative power of travel and personal growth. Growing up, working for her family's commercial print shop, cold-calling clients as a teenager, and witnessing the rise of the microcomputer revolution firsthand, Lisa's got a lot of experience with making things happen in the tech industry. She explains how those experiences shaped her investing philosophy at Valor, where she leads seed-stage AI and SaaS deals across the South. - [TFTSL Ep24 – Alan Gold](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/02/12/tftsl-ep24-alan-gold/): Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Alan Gold, a marketing and sales strategist with decades of experience in M&A, startups, and growth strategy. Alan has been on both sides of the table—helping companies scale, navigating acquisitions, and leading turnarounds. From being part of the launch team for Wi-Fi technology to working on speech recognition and AI-powered business tools, he’s seen how markets evolve and what it really takes to stay ahead. We dive into: M&A trends—why some companies are stuck while others are thriving The hard truth about growth and why some businesses hit a ceiling The real role of strategy in marketing (hint: it’s not just about SEO and PPC) How AI is reshaping sales and marketing, and what’s next for the industry Why most companies miss the mark when hiring sales leadership Plus, Alan shares hilarious and wild travel stories, including a baboon with an attitude and getting detained in Colombia. If you’re in startups, consulting, M&A, or just trying to grow a business, this one’s for you. - [TFTSL Ep23 - Antonio Pagano](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/01/29/1723/): Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Antonio Pagano, founder of Wawandco and co-founder of Symbol Security. Todd and Antonoio discuss the importance of cybersecurity, focusing on the human element and compliance, the evolution of phishing attacks, and the role of AI in crafting sophisticated scams. Antonio shares insights on real-world cybersecurity incidents, the trends in cyber insurance, and the dynamics of running a business with a remote co-founder. Antonio Pagano shares his journey as a founder, discussing the challenges, successes, and the constantly evolving landscape of entrepreneurship. While Antonio is always challenging himself to learn and develop new skills and understanding, he also highlights the importance of balancing ambition with personal well-being, and that a grounded approach fuels both creativity and success. - [TFTSL Ep22 - Bryan Dennstedt](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2025/01/09/1705/): Today in the Sky Lounge, Bryan Dennstedt joins Todd Merrill as they bring their unique perspectives from years in business, technology, and investing for a deep dive into the trends that will shape 2025. From venture capital’s cautious return to the AI-driven reshaping of industries, this episode is a candid discussion about what’s next for tech, work, and investing. Everything from whether AI is going to hit speed bumps or keep climbing, blockchain’s role in authenticity in AI and the future of collaboration tools is on the table! - [TFTSL Ep21 — James Rozich](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/12/18/tftsl-ep21-james-rozich/): In this episode of Tales from the Sky Lounge, Todd Merrill speaks with Adam Lehde, co-founder of Happen Technologies, about his journey in building a hybrid software development team that leverages talent from Ukraine. They discuss the cultural differences encountered while working with Ukrainian developers, the impact of remote work dynamics post-COVID, and the potential for a thriving startup culture in Ukraine as the country looks towards recovery from conflict. In this conversation, Adam Lehde shares his journey through mobile development, the challenges of cross-platform technology, and the importance of user engagement in apps. He discusses the balance between family and career, his transition to entrepreneurship, and how fitness plays a crucial role in managing stress. Adam also reflects on his travel experiences and the cultural insights gained along the way, emphasizing the value of community and personal growth. - [TFTSL Ep20 — Adam Lehde](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/11/27/1680/): In this episode of Tales from the Sky Lounge, Todd Merrill speaks with Adam Lehde, co-founder of Happen Technologies, about his journey in building a hybrid software development team that leverages talent from Ukraine. They discuss the cultural differences encountered while working with Ukrainian developers, the impact of remote work dynamics post-COVID, and the potential for a thriving startup culture in Ukraine as the country looks towards recovery from conflict. In this conversation, Adam Lehde shares his journey through mobile development, the challenges of cross-platform technology, and the importance of user engagement in apps. He discusses the balance between family and career, his transition to entrepreneurship, and how fitness plays a crucial role in managing stress. Adam also reflects on his travel experiences and the cultural insights gained along the way, emphasizing the value of community and personal growth. - [TFTSL Ep19 - Kathryn O'Day](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/10/30/tftsl-ep19-kathryn-oday/): Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Kathryn O'Day, entrepreneur and partner at Atlanta Ventures. Kathryn shares her journey of building multiple successful startups and being a major part of massive acquisitions. We dive deep into the parallels between endurance sports and entrepreneurship, uncovering how triathlon training taught her key lessons in consistency, grit, and pushing through difficult times. Kathryn also reveals key insights into startup culture, highlights how Atlanta Ventures finds and molds startups to be their best selves and shares the value of being “positive, supportive, and self-starting”—qualities that shaped her experience at Pardot and beyond. We explore the importance of confidence, especially for women in tech, and discuss why being nice can be a superpower in business. - [TFTSL Ep18 Ghazenfer Mansoor](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/10/16/ep18-ghazenfer-mansoor/): Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Ghazenfer Mansoor, founder and CEO of Technology Rivers. From growing up in Pakistan to becoming a tech entrepreneur in the U.S., Ghazenfer's journey has been defined by his passion for mobile development and a knack for turning ideas into reality. In this episode, Ghazenfer takes us through his experiences—starting his own software company, transitioning from a secure 9-to-5 job to entrepreneurship, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He dives deep into the challenges of building a business across multiple continents, explaining how managing teams remotely has its own set of rewards and difficulties. Ghazenfer also discusses how his company focuses on helping startups build scalable products through his unique blueprinting process, drawing on his two decades of experience in software development and mobile tech. His insights into AI, building products that people actually use, and how to successfully integrate technology to boost business efficiency make this episode a must-listen for any entrepreneur or tech enthusiast. We also explore the personal side of his entrepreneurial journey, including his early ventures in Pakistan, tutoring to earn money, and how his innate drive has always led him to explore new opportunities. - [TFTSL Ep17 - Kirby Winters](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/10/02/tftsl-ep17-kirby-winters/): Joining us in the Sky Lounge today is Kirby Winters—tech entrepreneur, cybersecurity expert, and partner at TechCXO. Kirby takes us through his journey from telecom to launching (and selling) his own business before diving back into consulting. Kirby breaks down the world of cybersecurity, from social engineering scams to compliance audits, and how AI is changing the game. Along the way, he shares stories of leadership—both good and bad—that have shaped his approach to balancing innovation and risk. - [TFTSL Ep16 – Rich Makover](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/09/18/tftsl-ep16-rich-makover/): Joining us today in the Sky Lounge is Rich Makover, a seasoned Chief Revenue Officer and executive coach with over 30 years of experience in sales, finance, and leadership. Rich shares his journey, from playing lacrosse at Penn State to leading high-growth companies and navigating diverse industries from luxury goods to private equity. Along the way, Rich reflects on the powerful intersection of sports and sales, failure and success, and how resilience and competitive drive shape top-performing salespeople. - [TFTSL Ep15 - Ian Findlay, David Johnston & Paul King](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/09/04/tftsl-ep15-ian-findlay-david-johnston-paul-king/): Today, we are joined in the Sky Lounge by IT experts Ian Findlay, David Johnston, and Paul King from TechCXO to explore the crucial role of IT leadership in today’s challenging economic climate. They delve into the importance of technology health assessments, uncovering hidden cost inefficiencies, and share strategies for optimizing IT spend. From alternatives to VMware to cutting cloud costs, the panel offers actionable insights for businesses navigating economic downturns and making smart IT decisions. - [TFTSL Ep14 - Nikolaos Vasiloglou, Joel Forman & Kevin Carlson](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/09/03/tftsl-ep14-nikolaos-vasiloglou-joel-forman-kevin-carlson/): The Sky Lounge is packed today with our first Roundtable! Joining us are AI experts Nikolaos Vasiloglou, Joel Forman, and Kevin Carlson to dissect the latest in machine learning, generative AI, and the future of tech. When is AI, AI?! When is it just a parrot? From practical applications to ethical quandaries, get ready for a deep dive into artificial intelligence past, present and future! - [TFTSL Ep13 Marc McCarthy](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/09/03/tftsl-ep13-marc-mccarthy/): Joining us in the Sky Lounge is Marc McCarthy, a seasoned business consultant helping UK companies expand into the US market. Marc spills the beans (and tea) on the quirks of taking your business transatlantic—from cultural idiosyncracies to navigating legal language mazes. Discover why you need to get off Zoom and into the room where it happens! Marc offers practical advice for businesses looking to make their mark across the Atlantic. - [TFTSL Ep12 Katherine Hunter-Blyden](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/08/19/tftsl-ep12-katherine-hunter-blyden/): Joining us in the Sky Lounge is Katherine Hunter-Blyden, a seasoned marketing expert who has journeyed from insurance pricing to global marketing roles at Ford, and now serves as a fractional CMO. Katherine shares her experiences, from the impact of mentorship and learning to take calculated risks, to the essentials of modern marketing in both large corporations and smaller startups. Discover her strategies for branding, direct response marketing, and leveraging AI tools, while still finding time to travel around the globe just to volunteer at the Olympics!! - [TFTSL Ep 11 - Rob Reesor](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/08/19/tftsl-ep-11-rob-reesor/): It all started with stumbling into a computer science course at the University of Oregon and culminated in a decades-long tech career filled with success. Rob Reesor reflects on his journey from pioneering early e-commerce to advancing AI, shares a ton of wisdom on how to lead a team and deliver promise to customers, and looks forward to sharing his expertise in new and exciting ways. - [TFTSL Ep 10 - Chris Caparon](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/08/16/tftsl-ep-10-chris-caparon/): Today we’re joined by Chris Caparon, a seasoned entrepreneur and tech veteran. Chris shares his journey from Michigan to sunny California, where he co-founded CForia Software and navigated the turbulent waters of tech business, venture capital and 20 years of highs and lows through every kind of crisis (un)imaginable. Now that he’s exited out the other side, he shares some perspective and excellent lessons learned. - [TFTSL Ep 09 -Bart Foster](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/08/16/tftsl-ep-09-bart-foster/): Bart Foster visits the Sky Lounge to talk about how an unceremonious ouster from the thriving startup he founded led him on a transformative journey to living a life of intention and purpose. He discusses founding BusinessOutside as a result, a venture that leverages nature to cultivate deeper connections and personal growth among leaders and teams, and the techniques he uses to get out of the mundane and into the “real” talk that makes real connections. - [TFTSL Ep 08 - David Morczinek](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/07/05/tftsl-ep-08-david-morczinek/): David shares his fascinating journey from aerospace engineer to leading a cutting-edge company. - [TFTSL Ep 07 - Christy Johnson](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/04/30/tftsl-ep-07-christy-johnson/): Christy discusses the importance of culture, the challenges of remote work, and the power of being intentional in business practices and some holiday celebrations that are…NOT mandatory (hint: they are). - [TFTSL Ep 06 - Mike Blake](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/04/30/tftsl-ep-06-mike-blake/): Dive into the world of business valuation and strategy consulting, and learn how Mike navigates multimillion-dollar valuation opportunities with the finesse of a recovering venture capitalist. - [TFTSL Ep 05 - Jay Kleinman](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/04/30/tftsl-ep-05-jay-kleinman/): Jay dives into his journey from playing football at Auburn University to launching and scaling ventures in the healthcare space. Discover the power of teamwork, the art of sales, and the impact of digital health on elder care. - [TFTSL Ep 04 - Mark Flickinger](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/04/30/tftsl-ep-04-mark-flickinger/): Mark shares insights into competitive drive in founders, The State of Startups in the Southeast, how #VentureCapital Funds operate and what it means to have a great team. - [TFTSL Ep 03 - Jan Heybroek](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/04/30/tftsl-ep-03-jan-heybroek/): Jan shares insights on the journey through closing an M&A deal (with some powerful Dutch negotiating techniques) that made him an ‘Exited Entrepreneur’. - [TFTSL Ep 02 - Lewis Goldman](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/04/24/tftsl-ep-02-lewis-goldman/): Lewis Goldman, NYC marketer, discusses AI's impact on digital marketing and the future of influencer roles. - [TFTSL Ep 01 - Maria Goldsholl](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2024/04/22/tftsl-ep-01-maria-goldsholl/): Todd and guest Maria Goldsholl discuss growth mindsets and traits for evaluating leaders. - [Tales from the Skylounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2023/11/27/tales-from-the-skylounge/): High growth companies inevitably experience leadership challenges. Often the Technical Founder gets frustrated at inflection points in the business and leaves due to evolving responsibilities. Sometimes the existing Tech leadership... - [Interim CTO: How we work at TechCXO](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/2023/11/04/interim-cto/): At TechCXO we have a great view of the business landscape! We'd love to share some memorable stories. ## Pages - [Update Home Page Podcast Cover Art Display](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/update-home-page-podcast-cover-art-display/): - [Tales From The Sky Lounge - Business, Consulting & Venture Capital Podcast](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/): Tales From The Sky Lounge"Nothing interesting happens in the office Get out there and make something happen!"Welcome to Your Virtual Sky LoungeJoin host Todd Merrill high above the hustle and... - [Entrepreneurship & Leadership Episodes - Tales From The Sky Lounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/entrepreneurship-leadership-episodes-tales-from-the-sky-lounge/): Entrepreneurship & Leadership Discover the mindset, strategies, and lessons from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who've built and scaled companies. Featured Episodes: Episode 10: Chris Caparon - Hard-Won Lessons from... - [Marketing & Sales Mastery Episodes - Tales From The Sky Lounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/marketing-sales-mastery-episodes-tales-from-the-sky-lounge/): Marketing & Sales Mastery Master the art and science of marketing and sales with proven strategies from industry veterans and successful business leaders. Featured Episodes: Episode 02: Lewis Goldman -... - [Cybersecurity & Technology Episodes - Tales From The Sky Lounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/cybersecurity-technology-episodes-tales-from-the-sky-lounge/): Cybersecurity & Technology Deep dive into cybersecurity challenges, technology trends, and digital transformation with industry experts and tech leaders. Featured Episodes: Episode 22: Antonio Pagano - Phishing, AI Scams, and... - [Venture Capital & Investing Episodes - Tales From The Sky Lounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/venture-capital-investing-episodes-tales-from-the-sky-lounge/): Venture Capital & Investing Explore the world of venture capital, early-stage investing, and funding strategies with industry experts and successful investors. Featured Episodes: Episode 25: Lisa Calhoun (Valor Ventures) -... - [Complete Episodes Directory - Tales From The Sky Lounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/complete-episodes-directory-tales-from-the-sky-lounge/): Complete Episodes Directory - Tales From The Sky Lounge Comprehensive directory of all Tales From The Sky Lounge episodes organized by topics: VENTURE CAPITAL & INVESTING Episode 25: Lisa Calhoun... - [Welcome to Tales from the Sky Lounge - Podcast Introduction](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/welcome-to-tales-from-the-sky-lounge-podcast-introduction/): Welcome episode introducing Tales From The Sky Lounge podcast. Explain the concept of the virtual sky lounge high above everyday hustle, journey through business, consulting, and venture investing. Feature stories... - [Episode: Bryan Dennstedt - 2025 Tech Trends, AI, and the Future of Venture Capital](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/episode-bryan-dennstedt-2025-tech-trends-ai-and-the-future-of-venture-capital/): Episode featuring Bryan Dennstedt, accomplished Fractional CTO and Fractional CIO with TechCXO in Charlotte, North Carolina. Todd and Bryan discuss 2025 trends, venture capital's cautious return, AI-driven industry reshaping, tech... - [Episode: Adam from Happen Technologies - Mobile Apps, Innovation, and Ukraine's Tech Scene](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/episode-adam-from-happen-technologies-mobile-apps-innovation-and-ukraines-tech-scene/): Episode: Adam from Happen Technologies - Mobile Apps, Innovation, and Ukraine's Tech Scene In this episode, we feature Adam, the founder of Happen Technologies, who brings extensive expertise in mobile... - [About Todd Merrill - Host of Tales From The Sky Lounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/about-todd-merrill-host-of-tales-from-the-sky-lounge/): About Todd Merrill - Host of Tales From The Sky Lounge Professional Introduction Todd Merrill is an experienced software executive and the host of Tales From The Sky Lounge, a... - [All Episodes - Tales From The Sky Lounge Podcast](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/all-episodes-tales-from-the-sky-lounge-podcast/): All Episodes - Tales From The Sky Lounge Podcast Introduction Welcome to the complete archive of Tales From The Sky Lounge episodes. Explore our conversations with business leaders, venture capitalists,... - [Podcast Episodes](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/podcast-episodes/): Welcome to Tales From The Sky LoungeWhat is THE SKY LOUNGE?Tales from the Sky Lounge is a podcast where we take you on a journey through the world of business,... - [Podcast: Tales From The Sky Lounge](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/tales-from-the-sky-lounge/): Welcome to Tales From The Sky Lounge! "NOTHING INTERESTING HAPPENS IN THE OFFICE--GET OUT THERE AND MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN!" What is THE SKY LOUNGE? Tales from the Sky Lounge is... - [Privacy Policy](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/privacy-policy/): Privacy Policy of talesfromtheskylounge.com This Application collects some Personal Data from its Users.This document can be printed for reference by using the print command in the settings of any browser.... - [Discovery Call](https://talesfromtheskylounge.com/discovery-call/): Todd MerrillPartner - Product and Technology email: Todd@SilverbackCTO.comcalendar: https://fantastical.app/toddmerrill/tech-cxophone: +1 678-521-5305 ## About Built with WordPress. Optimized with GEOPress. Contact: todd.a.merrill@gmail.com