What does it really take to build an elite engineering team—and why is retention one of the most overlooked financial risks in business?

In this episode of Beyond The Numbers, host Chris Everett sits down with John Szeder, a Fractional Chief Technology Officer and “zero-to-one” builder, to explore the intersection of engineering leadership, business performance, and long-term value creation.

From his early inspiration in online gaming to leadership roles at Zynga and beyond, John shares the real lessons behind building high-performing teams—and why keeping great talent is one of the most important financial decisions a company can make.

• What separates elite engineering teams from average ones • Why retention is a business value problem—not just HR • The “zero-to-one” mindset and building from scratch • Lessons from Zynga and live operations environments • How AI is reshaping hiring and engineering leadership • The rise of fractional CTO roles and portfolio careers • Equity, compensation, and the reality of startup incentives • Why your career is your most valuable financial asset • How to build meaningful, engaging team cultures

John Szeder is a Fractional Chief Technology Officer who works with companies like Seismic Studios and Tennex Networks, helping them build and scale elite engineering teams. Known as a “zero-to-one” expert, he specializes in taking ideas from concept to execution across industries—from gaming to startups.

He brings a unique perspective shaped by both technical and leadership experience, emphasizing retention, culture, and long-term value creation as core drivers of business success. John is also active in the Technology Executives Club, where he contributes to discussions on AI, leadership, and the future of engineering.

Beyond the Numbers is where growth-minded professionals talk strategy, legacy, and the financial decisions that shape their future. Hosted by fiduciary financial planner Chris Everett, the podcast explores how people align business growth with personal purpose through intentional wealth-building. Chris is also President of Everett Wealth Solutions, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Illinois for fiduciary financial planning and asset management across the nation.

00:00 Show Intro 00:35 Meet John Szeder 02:38 Career Inflection Points 04:36 From Builder to Leader 05:35 Zynga Lessons & Live Ops 07:13 Zero to One Mindset 08:32 What Makes Teams Elite 11:04 Retention as Value 13:09 Career as Human Capital 15:29 Culture, Meaning & Joy 17:50 Leading in the AI Era 20:02 Fractional CTO Playbook 22:02 Money, Equity & Startups 24:32 Advice and Closing 28:28 Where to Find John 30:41 Final Outro

• Leadership and growth • Financial strategy for high performers • Building wealth with purpose