Best The First Gen Mentor Podcasts (2025)

1
The First Customer - Closing Inventory Gaps With A Tech Platform with Bevz Co-founder Jason Vego 25:36

2d ago25:36

25:36

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Vego, co-founder and CEO of Bevz, a digital platform helping mom-and-pop liquor and convenience stores go online and manage inventory. Jason shares how growing up with an entrepreneurial father planted the seed for his own ventures, including an early attempt to build software for dog groomers.…

1
Leadership Lounge: The Art of Succession: How to Identify Tomorrow's Leaders Today 21:52

1d ago21:52

21:52

Identifying and developing the next generation of leadership talent is critically important. No decision will have a bigger impact on the performance of an organization and its enduring legacy. Yet, many leaders struggle with effective succession planning. In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—James Diggines…

1
How to Manage Gen Z Employees 40:27

3d ago40:27

40:27

When you were an apprentice, you did what you were told... You listened... You worked hard... And you were grateful for the opportunity. These days? It’s different. Young workers think they know everything... Even though they’ve barely picked up a shovel... They only work as hard as they have to... And they want everything... Including a pay rise..…

1
The First Customer - Positioning Yourself To Win in a Cutthroat Industry with Founder Brett Tiagwad 21:33

9d ago21:33

21:33

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brett Tiagwad, founder and CEO of Elevated Angles. Brett shares his unconventional path from finance to drone media. After a challenging personal journey, including recovery and the loss of his mother, Brett found solace and inspiration in flying drones. What started as a therapeutic hobby quickly be…

1
The Real Reason You're Not Growing (You’re Not Special) 30:53

10d ago30:53

30:53

The guys don’t fill out job cards because... We can’t charge that much because... It’s impossible to find good workers because... [INSERT EXCUSE HERE] Our new Podcast digs into How to Overcome the Excuses Holding Your Business Back. No excuses, mate... WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST: What to do when you feel stuck and can’t see …

1
382. How San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan combats organized retail crime 29:45

10d ago29:45

29:45

Organized retail crime (ORC) is not a victimless crime — it can have a devastating impact on the real people behind retailers. Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney, joins us to discuss the fight against organized retail crime. We explore laws and initiatives to combat the insidious issue, plus what local businesses can do to protect t…

1
The First Customer - How Dissatisfaction Can Fuel Business Growth with Founder Christian Espinosa 20:48

16d ago20:48

20:48

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Christian Espinosa, founder and CEO of Blue Goat Cyber. Christian shares his experience of growing up in poverty with an unstable home life, seeking structure in the Air Force, and eventually transitioning from a successful freelancing career to launching his first company, Alpine Security. Christian…

1
104. Series 4 | Episode 4. Is B2B Content Marketing Still Worth It in 2025? With Araminta Robertson, Founder & MD of Mint Studios 28:31

17d ago28:31

28:31

In this episode of Market Mentors, Matt Dodgson interviews Araminta Robertson, founder of Mint Studios, about the state of B2B content marketing in 2025. Despite AI disruption and tightening budgets, Araminta explains why content remains essential for sharing expertise and generating leads. They discuss: The Importance of Content Marketing in 2025 …

1
Music with a Mission: Former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy on Leading with Purpose 48:37

16d ago48:37

48:37

Many of us have heard the expression “doing good is good for business.” In this episode, Simon Kingston sits down with former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy about how he put this concept into practice on a truly global scale. Bill takes us on his journey of how he redefined broadcast television, launching the most channels in televis…

1
How To Find Out What Your Team Really Thinks 31:51

17d ago31:51

31:51

Ever hired a good worker…? Who started out all gung-ho…? But lately their output’s gone downhill? Perhaps your most onto-it team member… Who used to have everything sorted… Is now making loads of costly mistakes? Or maybe your number one guy… Who’s been loyal for years… Suddenly jumped ship, completely out of the blue? It’s easy to blame team issue…

1
Ep. 18: I moved to Spain! 38:30

18d ago38:30

38:30

Welcome back pod listeners! Big news- After 3 amazing years in Chicago, I’ve packed up my life and relocated to Spain! 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: * 2025 book tour stops coming to a city near you* The 4 most FAQs questions about my move to Spain * Newsletters community questions about my move abroad 👉 Hit play to hear what I’ve been up to a…

1
The First Customer - How to Stick with Your Vision and Resilience with Co-founder and CEO Dori Yona 20:57

23d ago20:57

20:57

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dori Yona, Co-founder and CEO of Simple Closure. Dori shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a childhood influenced by his entrepreneur parents and a deep connection to Silicon Valley. He first launched a dating app in Israel, but quickly pivoted to create Earny, a consumer fintech comp…

1
How this Air Con Business Increased Its profit by $770K per/yr 49:57

24d ago49:57

49:57

Jake and Nassia thought the business was humming along nicely. Then—bang—3 of their guys quit the week before Christmas. That’s when they realized: Culture is everything. Fast forward to now? Jake and Nassia haven’t lost a single team member in over 18 months. Their crew’s tight, their culture’s rock solid, and the business is flying. WHAT YOU’LL G…

1
381. The innovators driving the future of retail 26:48

24d ago26:48

26:48

One thing is constant in retail: change. Innovation is the cornerstone of the industry. We’re joined by Seth Webb, executive vice president of Tusk Strategies, and Sucharita Kodali, vice president and principal analyst of Forrester Research, to discuss the transformative trends, cutting-edge technologies, and emerging solution providers that are sh…

1
The First Customer – Mistakes, Mentors, and a Maverick Mindset with CEO Mark Wormgoor 24:34

1M ago24:34

24:34

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Mark Wormgoor, CEO and tech coach at The Maverick CTO. Mark shares that despite a successful 25-year corporate career in IT, he felt unfulfilled after reaching his long-term goal early and ultimately chose to go independent. He candidly reflects on the decision-making process behind leaving corporate…

1
Leadership Lounge: How to Build Trust and Transform Executive Team Performance 17:17

1M ago17:17

17:17

Today's senior executives operate in an environment where trust has never been more critical, or more fragile. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in business leaders is at an all-time low, with people's fear that business leaders are dishonest increasing by 12% in the last year. So, as a leader, how can you cultivate trust withi…

1
How to Charge More When You’re Flat Out (Without Losing Work) 28:24

1M ago28:24

28:24

Burst pipe at midnight? Power out before a big party? Heating’s died in the middle of winter? People will pay extra to get it fixed now... And you should be charging for it. It’s called Surge Pricing. Raising your price when demand’s high and supply is low. Airlines do it. Uber does it. Hotels and events too. And so should you LINKS MENTIONED IN TH…

1
The First Customer - What Most Startups Miss About Lead Gen with Founder and CEO Bert TerHart 20:20

1M ago20:20

20:20

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bert TerHart, CEO and Founder of LeadBrain AI. Bert shares how his upbringing in a small Canadian town and the work ethic of his entrepreneurial father shaped his approach to business. From surveying frozen land with his dad on holidays to founding three companies in the tech and healthcare sectors, …

1
Why Your Leads Aren’t Converting (And How to Fix It) 32:12

1M ago32:12

32:12

If you want to lock in and book in more jobs, before your competitors can even get a price out... This episode is for you. WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST: Why You’re Losing Work Without Realizing It How to Beat Your Competition (Even If They’re Cheaper) The Phone Call Hack That’ll Fill Your Calendar LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISO…

1
380. How Vera Bradley transformed a legacy brand 24:49

1M ago24:49

24:49

Vera Bradley, the beloved purse, travel and accessory retailer, recently refreshed their brand look and strategy to increase brand awareness and expand their consumer profile. Vera Bradley’s CEO, Jackie Ardrey, joins us to discuss the brand’s transformation, the Vera Bradley customer and how the company stays ahead in the ever-evolving retail indus…

1
The First Customer - Scaling Internal Talent and Building from Within with CEO Bridgette Ferraro 22:41

1M ago22:41

22:41

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bridgette Ferraro, CEO of iCopy Legal. Bridgette shares her unexpected journey from studying human services at Purdue to leading a legal document retrieval company. She recounts how a bold consulting pitch turned into a long-term leadership role, where she embraced the challenge of scaling a traditio…

1
The Only Certainty Is Change: Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman on AI, Innovation & Market Evolution 39:16

1M ago39:16

39:16

When it comes to global financial markets, the only certainty is the likelihood of uncertainty and change. The world is in a period of transformation on multiple levels fueled by AI and technology innovation, shifting economic policies, and infrastructure modernization. At the foundation of all of this transformation is the unrelenting need for lon…

1
The Truth About Imposter Syndrome (And How to Beat It) 35:51

2M ago35:51

35:51

Imposter Syndrome hits everyone... And it could be costing you big time. Stopping you from charging what you’re worth… Keeping you from hiring (or firing)… Making you hesitate when opportunities come up… WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST: Top Ways to Think Like a Winner – so your team does too How to Beat Procrastination – and fina…

1
103. Series 4 | Episode 3. How to Build Trust and Drive Growth with B2B Influencer Marketing, with Vahbiz Cooper, Digital Marketing Manager at Demandbase 31:47

2M ago31:47

31:47

“People buy from people.” And that’s why B2B influencer marketing actually works. In this week's podcast episode, I sat down with Vahbiz Cooper, Digital Marketing Manager at Demandbase, to dig into: What Are the Benefits of Influencer Marketing for B2B Companies? How to Find the Right Influencers? Maintaining Influencer Relationships Effective Chan…

1
The First Customer - Why Networking is a Developer's Best Friend with Codingscape CTO Jimmy Jacobson 23:59

2M ago23:59

23:59

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jimmy Jacobson, CTO of Codingscape. Jimmy discovered programming through his father's university lab computer, unaware it could be a career. He later pursued computer science, freelancing while working at Overstock and Zappos. Zappos’ culture encouraged risk-taking, fueling his entrepreneurial drive.…

1
Marketing Agencies: How to get the most from them 35:29

2M ago35:29

35:29

Hiring a marketing agency can feel like gambling. You put down your money... Hope for the best… And get... whatever you get. If you’re lucky, it’s some new jobs. If you’re not, it’s crickets. And a bill, plus some fluff report about “likes” and “reach”. But if you know how to get the most out of them... Marketing agencies can change the game for yo…

1
379. Whole Foods’ holistic approach to merchandising and customer service 24:12

2M ago24:12

24:12

Whole Foods places its whole focus on serving and nourishing its shoppers. Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer for Whole Foods Market, joins us to talk about how Whole Foods stays ahead of food trends, builds trust with its customers and leads the industry in high-quality sourcing. She also shares her career journey, what …

1
The First Customer - Breaking into the Birmingham Tech Scene with Co-founder Will Blackburn 26:24

2M ago26:24

26:24

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Will Blackburn, co-founder of DevClarity. Will shares he's from Birmingham, Alabama, where he still resides. Although he moved to Atlanta, thinking Birmingham lacked a tech ecosystem, he returned after seeing local success stories and opportunities. Birmingham’s smaller, supportive startup community,…

1
Leadership Lounge: Boardroom Bound: How to Navigate Your Journey from Executive to Board Director 15:40

2M ago15:40

15:40

Today's board directors operate in a complex business landscape, balancing strategic guidance, technological innovation, and heightened governance expectations. They must provide critical leadership while navigating rapid change and increasing stakeholder scrutiny. So, as an executive, do you have what it takes to thrive in a board role? And how ca…

1
Billionaire Mentor Shares How to take control of your business (and life) 39:16

2M ago39:16

39:16

I just chatted with James Schramko – business coach and author of Work Less, Make More. We discussed how lots of business owners get so consumed dealing with other people’s problems, that they kind of lose sight of their own businesses... And then we covered how to retake control so you can make serious profit and have a great work/life balance. WH…

1
The First Customer - Embracing Open-Mindedness and Independence with CEO Tatsiana Kirimava 23:02

2M ago23:02

23:02

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tatsiana Kirimava, CEO and co-founder of Orangesoft. Tatsiana shares that she grew up in various countries, including Poland, Belarus, and the U.S. She attributes her open-mindedness and independence to her parents, who encouraged her to make her own decisions. She highlights her ability to communica…

1
The Danger of Blended Roles: How to Fix a Disorganized Team 27:35

2M ago27:35

27:35

Ever tried hiring someone to juggle multiple tasks? Or maybe you’ve looked at your current team, and thought… “Who can take on more?” Two birds with one stone, right? Hybrid roles might feel like quick fix… But long-term, they’ll have you constantly chasing your tail. WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST: The Secret to Building a High…

1
378. How Coach captivates consumers with visual storytelling 25:52

2M ago25:52

25:52

Coach is a visionary of visual storytelling and experiences. Giovanni Zaccariello, SVP of global visual experience for Coach, joins us to discuss the evolution of visual merchandising and how he tells Coach’s story to a global audience. He also shares the moment that changed his career trajectory and his advice for taking risks and following your g…

1
The First Customer - How IT Pros Thrived by Choosing the Right Clients with Founder T Brad Kielinski 23:02

2M ago23:02

23:02

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview T. Brad Kielinski, Founder of IT Pros. Brad shared his journey from growing up in Plymouth Meeting near Germantown Academy to becoming a successful tech recruiter in Philadelphia. Inspired by witnessing his uncle and aunt’s homegrown business grow to 400 employees and his father’s inventive spirit, B…

1
Paws, Purpose & Profit: A Conversation with Pets at Home CEO Lyssa McGowan 48:09

2M ago48:09

48:09

The global pet industry is expected to grow from $320 billion today to nearly $500 billion by 2030, as more pet parents treat their pets like their own children, often sparing no expense on their pets’ nutrition, health, and wellness. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, today’s episode features a conversation with Simon, Hoda and Lyssa McGow…

1
The Fastest, Cheapest Way to Lock in More Work 34:13

2M ago34:13

34:13

Forget newspaper ads, radio spots, or TV commercials. The better way to attract customers and book jobs today… Social Media. But here’s the problem—most trades and contracting business owners get it wrong. You can’t just post a couple of times and expect work to come your way. Plus, Social Media changes all the time. The platforms… The algorithms… …

1
The First Customer - How To Avoid The Pain of Missed Opportunities with Founder Charles Sims 23:22

3M ago23:22

23:22

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Charles Sims, CEO and founder of Investimate. Charles shares how he grew up around innovation and leadership inspired him to build and scale ventures, starting with a paintball supply company as a child. His ability to adapt and thrive in chaos earned him the moniker "Hurricane CTO" during his tenure…

1
How to Build a Team That Grows Your Business 28:02

3M ago28:02

28:02

You built your team so they could share the load... So you wouldn’t have to handle everything yourself... Right? But instead of making your life easier... Has hiring more guys actually made your job harder? Now there’s more to think about... More responsibility... And less time to focus on running and growing the business. But don’t sack everyone a…

1
377. How Pinterest wins with personalized content 27:42

3M ago27:42

27:42

Consumers turn to Pinterest for inspiration on everything from design and fashion to meal prep and so much more. Rachel Hardy, director of consumer product marketing for Pinterest, joins us to share how the brand captures such a wide and engaged audience. We explore the consumer outlook and emerging trends for 2025, including mobile spending, AI op…

1
102. Series 4 | Episode 2. Demand-Gen Strategies to Drive B2B Startup Success, with Kartik Krishnan, B2B GTM Leader 40:18

3M ago40:18

40:18

In this episode of the Market Mentors podcast, Matt Dodgson is joined by Kartik Krishnan, a demand-generation expert with experience at Google, Onfido, CapDesk, Beamery, and Founders Factory. Kartik shares his insights on how early-stage B2B tech startups can effectively balance demand creation and demand capture, overcome marketing challenges with…

1
Ep 17: 6 book launching mistakes and how to avoid them 22:06

3M ago22:06

22:06

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 2 of the Cultura & Cash! This episode is for future authors or current authors- or anyone launching a new product! 🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The 6 mistakes I’ve seen other authors make during their book launch and how you can avoid th…

1
The First Customer - The Path from Real Estate Mogul to Wealth Tech Innovator with CEO David Snider 22:43

3M ago22:43

22:43

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview David Snider, founder and CEO of Harness Wealth. Growing up in Boston, David's early exposure to financial services and an interest in problem-solving shaped his career. After co-founding and helping grow Compass, a major real estate brokerage, he realized that navigating tax and financial complexiti…

1
Digging Deep: Leadership, Growth & Risk with BHP CEO Mike Henry 42:37

3M ago42:37

42:37

The world needs more metals, minerals, and natural resources to fuel the global economy, power the energy transition, and feed a growing population. As the CEO of the world’s largest mining company, BHP’s Mike Henry is redefining his business in a competitive industry which is projected to grow to $2.8 trillion by 2028. In today’s episode, Clarke d…

1
Kobe Bryant's Mindset Coach on How to Win Business 59:15

3M ago59:15

59:15

Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He led the LA Lakers to 5 NBA championships. But at one point in his career, Kobe started to lose his edge. That’s when he called Todd Herman, and together, they made a change that put Kobe in in the Basketball Hall of Fame forever. Want to know what he did, and how the same method …

1
Ep 16: Welcome to season 2! 24:03

3M ago24:03

24:03

Hola, hola! It's your girl Gigi (Giovanna Gonzalez), also known as The First Gen Mentor, back with Season 2 of the Cultura & Cash! After an 8 month hiatus, I’m back to go creating new episodes for your every Monday. When I ended Season 1 in May 2024, I was expecting to return in the Fall, but after a heavy H1 that was all about book launching, I de…

1
The First Customer - Marketing, Momentum, and Making It Work with CEO and Founder Jason Shafton 19:23

3M ago19:23

19:23

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Shafton, CEO and founder of Winston Francois. Jason shares his journey from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in Chicago to becoming a growth and marketing consultant for tech startups. Inspired by his parents’ business ventures in high-end audio equipment, Jason developed an early passio…

1
376. How Target’s consumer-first strategy drives success 19:58

3M ago19:58

19:58

Target hits the bullseye when it comes to serving its customers. Rick Gomez, Target’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, joins us to talk about Target’s winning merchandising strategy, his favorite consumer trends and how shopping habits have evolved in recent years. He also shares the biggest lessons he’s learned in his illustr…

1
How Systems Lead to Bigger Profits w/ Steven Graham 52:13

3M ago52:13

52:13

Are you a workaholic? Steve was. He had so little time that he skipped eating meals. All he ate was an apple a day... But since turning his business around, it’s three meals a day... Plus better cash flow, improved profitability... And the freedom to go wake-boarding and barefoot water skiing with his girls. WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY…

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The First Customer - Empowering Tech Founders to Build Successful Companies with Vladimir Baranov 20:28

3M ago20:28

20:28

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Vladimir Baranov, CEO and founder of Human Interfaces. Vladimir had early exposure to the turbulent Russian business climate, which made him cautious about entrepreneurship, but his experiences in the U.S. gradually changed his perspective. In college, he created a textbook-sharing platform, an early…

1
Leadership Lounge: How can family enterprise leaders stay ahead in a fast-changing world? 16:59

3M ago16:59

16:59

We explore how family enterprise leaders can strike the right balance between preserving their organization's legacy and adapting to an evolving business landscape. How can family enterprise leaders stay ahead in a fast-changing world? Family enterprises are the backbone of economies worldwide, but their leaders face an increasingly critical challe…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

The First Gen Mentor Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen