Just Get Started Podcast

Teresa Quinlan is an executive leadership coach and accomplished athlete who specializes in the intersection of emotional intelligence and leadership excellence. She works with CEOs, SVPs, and mid-level leaders who are willing to do the real work of developing their EQ — not just their technical skills.In this episode, Teresa breaks down the difference between emotional intelligence (EI) and the emotion quotient (EQ), and introduces her powerful framework: IQ + EQ = TQ (Talent Quotient). You'll discover why most people's view of emotional intelligence is far too narrow, which two overlooked EQ skills — independence and flexibility — are holding leaders back, and how to use the ABCDE method to build emotional self-awareness starting today. Whether you're leading a team, raising a teenager, or just trying to show up better in your own life, this conversation delivers practical, immediately actionable insight.Chapters:0:00 — Welcome & Intro to Teresa3:36 — Who Teresa Works With8:10 — EI vs. EQ: C

Casey Brown, pricing expert and author of Fearless Pricing, shares her journey from chemical engineer to entrepreneur and pricing consultant. Casey unpacks why most businesses — regardless of size or industry — are leaving money on the table due to fear-based pricing decisions. She explains the psychology behind underpricing, the dangers of unnecessary discounting, and why a customer objecting on price is actually a buying signal. Casey also gets personal about her path from poverty to Fortune 500 to founder, the lessons of niching down early, the importance of meditation, and her evolving pursuit of a more intentional, peaceful pace of work.Chapters:00:00 Intro & Elevator Pitch03:10 The Origin of a Pricing Geek05:20 The Leap from Corporate to Entrepreneur10:10 Niche Down Sooner13:55 Post-It Note Wisdom17:50 Mantra & Mindset Under Pressure19:30 Imposter Syndrome & Self-Doubt26:55 Pricing Blind Spots & Fears30:55 How to Set the Right Price42:20 Price Objections Are Buying Signals44:50 Why You N

Tyler Denk built beehiiv after seeing how chaotic newsletter ops were at Morning Brew—writers pasting Google Docs into fragile HTML, ads tracked in spreadsheets, growth tools scattered everywhere. beehiiv’s goal: one ecosystem for publishing, growth loops, monetization, websites, surveys, and automations. Tyler explains the double-edged sword of shipping fast: it wins users, but every feature creates maintenance debt, and one weak feature can taint the whole product. He shares what newsletter formats win, why owned distribution matters for companies, and how he monetizes beyond ads through high-ticket founder masterminds.Chapters:0:00 Welcome + Tyler’s newsletter journey0:40 The Morning Brew problem: “duct-taped” systems everywhere3:04 Building the referral program + growth mechanics3:35 Leaving Morning Brew: non-compete tension and rebuilding trust4:42 beehiiv’s vision: growth + monetization + platform ecosystem6:07 Product philosophy: shipping fast vs. maintaining quality12:01 Fixing surveys + the “cool dow

In this conversation, Justin pulls back the curtain on what actually makes a business last. Not hacks. Not virality. Not chasing quick wins. He talks about learning to solve real problems—the kind that keep people up at night—and why most “good ideas” fail because they never go deep enough. He shares how he tracks progress, how he thinks about money and energy, and why optionality matters more than speed.You’ll hear why action creates momentum, why saying “yes” changed the trajectory of his career, and how building a runway, relationships, and clarity gave him the freedom to reinvent himself—again and again.This isn’t an episode about getting rich fast.It’s about building something honest.Something sustainable.Something that still works when the hype fades.And if you’ve ever felt like you’re meant for more—but can’t quite name what that is—this conversation might help you take the next step.Chapters:0:00 — Introduction1:31 — The “brewery dream” + why you haven’t started (yet)4:29 — Why Justin shifted from tac

John Miles explains why burnout and disconnection often stem from one overlooked issue: mattering. He shares how chasing achievement without meaning leads to emptiness, and why intentional choices—especially in relationships—restore fulfillment. Through rapid-fire insights on sunk costs, mentorship, and self-doubt, John offers practical ways to realign with what truly matters, including why he believes these lessons must start in childhood.Chapters:00:00 — Welcome + stacking reps over time 01:35 — John’s mission: the idea of mattering 04:40 — Loneliness, burnout, and invisibility share one root 08:30 — Why modern life is eroding real connection12:40 — Rapid Fire #1: Sunk costs & knowing when to quit 16:55 — Rapid Fire #2: Who he admires but never met 20:15 — Rapid Fire #3: Almost quitting—and pushing through doubt 24:10 — Rapid Fire #4: Mentors and how to approach them correctly 28:20 — Rapid Fire #5: Planning the year vs spontaneity31:10 — Success, meaning, and the hedonic treadmill 35:40 — “Should vs Co

Nick Gray (Founder of Museum Hack and Author of The 2-Hour Cocktail Party) is back — and this time the conversation goes beyond cocktail parties.(If you wanted to listen to our first episode together, you can ⁠find it here⁠.)Brian opens with a real-world test: hosting his first two-hour cocktail party, inviting “weak ties” into his home, and watching the surprising social physics play out (including 18 follow-up messages the next day). From there, Nick shares what he’s been building lately — from an AI-assisted museum donor database (Patron View) to a simple but overlooked edge most people still don’t use: proactive reputation management through a personal website.They dig into the mindset traps that quietly stall growth (like “adding too much value”), how to filter advice without getting pulled into noise, why focus is a real leadership skill, and why your digital footprint matters more than ever — especially if you’re job hunting, hiring, networking, or just trying to control what people find when they Goog

Episode 478 features Adriana Tica, Founder of Strategic AF, to share her in-depth State of Solopreneurship Report for 2025 and why it matters for your business in 2026.Chapters: 00:00 — Adriana returns + why solopreneur data matters 01:00 — Why she built the report (bad benchmarks + “MrBeast metrics”) 02:18 — Rapid Fire 1: fortune cookie message (unique like everyone else) 04:17 — Rapid Fire 2: her next “Just Get Started” (community in 2026) 07:15 — Rapid Fire 3: silencing the inner critic 09:43 — Rapid Fire 4: Perfectionism, delayed launches, typos, and the Pratt-Fall effect 12:00 — Rapid Fire 5: Do you learn more from wins or losses? (and the role of timing) 15:03 — The newsletter correlation: why top earners all have one 23:43 — LinkedIn drives revenue… but “owned channels” are the 2026 focus 26:14 — CTA strategy: reverse planning your content around offers 33:04 — Services as the cash cow + why products require massive trust/audience 36:36 — Revenue bragging vs profit reality (margins matter) 38:49 — The

Feeling “successful” on paper but quietly miserable inside?In this episode, I sit down with no BS success coach Lauren Hannon to talk about what happens when you blow up the life everyone else envies — the big house, the big paycheck, the in-ground pool — because you’re disgusted with how misaligned it feels.Lauren and I get into the real inner work behind change: listening to your gut, noticing disgust instead of numbing it, re-writing brutal self-talk, and taking the very first small step when you don’t know “what’s next” yet.If you’ve ever stayed in a high-paying role because you’re the breadwinner, afraid to start over, or unsure what else you’d even do, this one’s for you.00:00 – Introductions01:20 – Blowing up a “perfect” life: money, house, pool, status 02:05 – What a “no BS success coach” really does 05:28 – Rapid Fire intros 05:50 – Quit vs. push through: listening to your gut and your body 10:29 – The 9-option whiteboard for big decisions 15:25 – How Lauren talks to herself when things go badly 21:1

In this episode, Jeremie Kubicek returns for his third appearance to talk about his new book The Voice-Driven Leader and what it actually takes to develop people, not just manage them. We get into personality-driven onboarding, how to hire your first few team members, why equity is so often misallocated, and when to prune a business that isn’t working. Jeremie also shares humbling stories from the dot-com era, his favorite interview question, and why Elon Musk is the perfect example of intent plus relentless action.If you’re an early-stage founder trying to build a real team (not just a product), this one’s for you.Key Discussion Points:- Why “hyper-personalized” development beats one-size-fits-all training- The four stages of development: onboarding, immersion, empowerment, and multiplication- Speaking your team’s “voice language” so you can actually influence themJeremie's decision filter for saying “yes”- Why starting is way more mental than most founders expect- Why he admires Elon Musk’s mix of inten

AI used to feel like a “someday” technology. Now it’s a power tool founders can use this weekend to build real products, validate ideas, and even qualify leads while they sleep. In this episode, I’m joined by Cooper Simson of Martell Ventures to talk about the real front lines of AI: shutting down a profitable AI startup, spotting bad ideas in a hype cycle, and using AI to build, sell, and iterate faster—without getting lost in the noise.Topics we cover:When AI actually “caught fire” and why development is becoming commoditizedHow Cooper turned grant writing into an AI startup (and why he shut it down even though it was working)Practical signals it might be time to wind down your product or pivotThe difference between product validation and true product–market fitWhat Martell Ventures looks for in founders (domain expertise + speed of action)Common AI founder mistakes: copycat products, no defensibility, and one-and-done toolsWhy so many founders struggle with sales (and how to sell problems, not features)How

In this conversation, Chris LaFay (Founder, Classic City Consulting) shares a decade of hard-won lessons on staying profitable, avoiding bloat, and building an agency that lasts. We dig into “one-glass focus,” why not niching can still be strategic, when to pass on work, partnerships without finders fees, pricing and retainers, and the KPI that quietly compounds new business: intentional outreach.In this episode, you’ll learnWhy “one glass” focus beats scattered growthProject variety vs. “niching down” (and how to niche by systems, not industry)The comparison trap: learning from peers without copy-pasting their playbookWhen referral partnerships work without commissions—and when they don’tThe 4 R’s growth engine: Retain → Reactivate → Referral → Recruit (new)Don’t hire on a hope: catching operational bloat before it sinks marginsPricing, retainers, and the “help agencies look great” strategyThe single KPI Chris tracks in good seasons: weekly intentional check-insHow to handle sunk costs with a “fans-first” le

In this engaging conversation, professional cyclist Alison Tetrick shares her journey from a competitive tennis player to a successful cyclist, discussing the importance of mental health, the joy of sports, and the need for community support. She emphasizes the significance of encouraging youth, especially girls, to stay in sports and find joy in their pursuits rather than focusing solely on competition. Alison also opens up about her personal challenges, including overcoming fear and anxiety after traumatic experiences, and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals. The discussion highlights the value of enjoying the process and finding personal inspiration in one's goals.Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:50 Current Projects and Initiatives05:43 The Journey of a Cyclist11:42 Overcoming Challenges and Mental Health14:38 Rapid Fire Questions23:10 The Importance of Enjoying the Process28:55 Navigating Fear and Anxiety36:44 The Role of Sports in Personal Development43:40 Encouraging Youth

Episode 472 features Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, a biotech entrepreneur, executive, and champion for under represented leaders. Her new book, "The Mirror Effect: A Transformative Approach To Growth For The Next Generation Of Female Leaders" is out now.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Book Announcement02:15 The Unmet Need: Writing for My Younger Self05:30 Overcoming Challenges: A Personal Journey09:45 The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship14:00 Spiritual Growth and Finding Purpose18:20 Building a Personal Board of Directors23:10 The Inner Critic and Self-Compassion28:45 The Importance of Storytelling in Leadership33:00 Navigating Negative Work Environments37:15 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability and ConnectionFind Sheila Online:Website: ​​https://sheilagujrathimd.com/ TEDxTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DpDx6T3-X4 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-gujrathi-md/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilagujrathimd/ Book: https://sheilagujrathimd.com/book/ About Sheila:Sheila is a biotech entrepreneu

Episode 471 features Alyona Mysko, Founder & CEO of Fuel Finance.Chapters:00:00 — Introduction01:23 — How Alyona Met Alina Vandenberghe (Eastern Europe Bond)03:59 — From Math Geek to Finance: Teachers, Simpsons, Degrees07:02 — Big Four to Fractional CFO ➜ Founding Fuel Finance08:44 — Opportunity Cost & Learning to Say No12:28 — Biggest Risks—Startup, Product, Move to the U.S.16:48 — What Founders Miss at the Start: Talk Money on Day One23:42 — Profit 101: Your First Financial Plan & Realistic Forecasting40:06 — Product-Market Fit Signals & Narrowing Your ICP44:25 — Action Challenge: Set Your “Life Number” + Monthly P&L HourFind Alyona Online:Website: ⁠https://fuelfinance.me/⁠Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyona-mysko/⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/alonamysko⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/alyona_mysko/⁠About Alyona:Alyona Mysko is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fuelfinance, an AI-powered financial planning and analysis platform built for SMBs. Before starting Fuel, she spent 10+ years as a

Episode 470 features Amanda Goetz, a 2x Founder, CEO and 4x CMO and author of the book, "Toxic Grit: How to have it all and (actually) love what you have."Find Amanda Online:Website: https://www.amandagoetz.com/Book: https://www.toxicgrit.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagoetz/Twitter: https://x.com/AmandaMGoetzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/ About Amanda:Amanda Goetz is a 2x Founder, CEO and 4x CMO. She is an inspirational writer and content creator captivating millions of people every month through her social insights and newsletter “Life’s a Game”. Amanda graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and went on to lead marketing teams at Ernst & Young, The Knot and still advises as Fractional CMO to multiple startups. She started her last company, House of Wise, during the pandemic in her garage, raised two rounds of venture capital and sold it in 2022 all while homeschooling three young children as a single mom. She found

Episode 469 features Timothy Springer, Founder of Level Access and 1 to 100.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:50 Traveling and Balancing Work03:57 Current Projects and AI Innovations07:44 Partnerships and Entrepreneurial Support11:51 Coaching and Operational Guidance15:52 Goal Setting and Planning19:52 Persistence and Overcoming Challenges23:45 Market Timing and Business Viability27:35 Finding Product-Market Fit28:24 The Reality of Startup Timelines30:36 Sales Strategies and Market Focus35:11 Avoiding Common Startup Mistakes40:11 Mindset Shifts Across Revenue Stages47:29 Founder-Led Sales: When to Transition53:14 Actionable Insights for FoundersFind Tim Online:https://1to100.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/1-to-100/https://x.com/1_to_100mAbout Tim:Tim Springer built a B2B technology company from his Stanford dorm room to $100M+ in annual recurring revenue—a path traveled by only 1 in 2,500 tech startups.His story isn't about overnight success. It's about consistent execution over 25 years, na

Episode 468 features Desiree-Jessica Pely, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Alfa by Loyee.ai (Top 50 GTM Startup).Find Jessica Online:Website: https://www.loyee.ai/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pely/About Jessica:Desiree-Jessica Pely, PhD, is pioneering a finance-led approach to B2B sales, go-to-market strategy, and revenue growth. As Co-Founder and CEO of Alfa by Loyee.ai (Top 50 GTM Startup), she leads the development of an AI-driven platform that transforms complex market signals into precise, actionable insights for sales, marketing, and finance teams.Jessica brings together a PhD in Financial Economics, a background in Computer Science, and hands-on entrepreneurial execution. She has collaborated with Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler, exploring the intersection of behavioral economics and decision-making, and began her career in quantitative finance and predictive modeling.Her passion for redefining GTM strategy grew from a common challenge: sales teams drowning in data yet struggling to identify the acco

In episode 467, I'm joined by Pete Kazanjy, author of Founding Sales, and one of the earliest voices behind the “founder-led sales” movement. Pete shares lessons from building and scaling startups, the critical mindset shifts founders must make when selling, and why focusing on your ideal customer profile (ICP) is key to growth. From when to hire your first sales rep to the biggest blind spots founders face, this conversation is packed with practical insights for any early-stage entrepreneur navigating sales for the first time.Find Pete Online:Website: https://www.foundingsales.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazanjy/Twitter: https://x.com/KazanjyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FounderLedSalesStoriesSubstack: https://founderledsalesstories.substack.comFounder-Led Sales Stories Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0GktosGS97HbPoVr8jq5T1

On this week's episode, I welcome in Andy Milligan to explore the art of entrepreneurship and personal growth. Discover how to balance ambition with authenticity and transform challenges into opportunities. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives eager to elevate their game and mindset.Find Andy Online:Website: ⁠https://www.mmgdesign.net⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@mmgdesign⁠Link To Podcast You Host (if applicable): ⁠https://www.mmgdesign.net/podcast⁠About Andy:I’m Andy Milligan, and I run a design and marketing consultancy called MMG Design. I help startups and small marketing teams improve the design and strategy of their website through redesign sprints, audits, and strategy sessions.My story isn't super glamorous, but the theme is consistent in that I always show up and learn the next step along the way.After playing college golf at Methodist University and transferring, I joine

This week's episode welcomes in Gabe Marusca, a business development strategist and host of the Authority in the Wild Podcast.Find Gabe Online:Website: ⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/⁠Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/GabeMarusca⁠Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/GabeMarusca⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorityInTheWild⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemarusca⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/⁠Authority In The Wild Podcast: ⁠https://authorityinthewild.comAbout Gabe:Gabe's focus is on helping established coaches and consultants serve clients better and longer, doing what they love and know best. Gabe's being driven by the mission to help 10,000 individuals achieve freedom through entrepreneurship.Having lived through earning a mere $200 paycheck, experiencing burnout, and repeatedly rebuilding from scratch, Gabe deeply understands resilience and adaptation.Over six years ago, he sold everything, bought a one-way ticket to Asia, and began traveli