"What's more important—helping someone write a cold email or paying attention to a kid who's excited to come home and tell you the score on their test?"

In this episode, I speak with Jen Allen-Knuth, founder of DemandJen, sales educator, LinkedIn powerhouse, and rescue dog evangelist. We talk about what it means to truly show up—not just in work, but in family, in grief, and in life. Jen opens up about becoming a stepmom to four kids, how that role helped her finally disconnect from hustle culture, and what losing her dad taught her about hard work, legacy, and humor.

We also cover her unexpected rise as a dog rescue advocate, the real reason she left corporate roles, and how a conversation with Amy Volas finally pushed her to bet on herself. This one’s for anyone figuring out how to find meaning outside of metrics—or just trying to stop writing cold emails long enough to live a little.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:49) Internet friendships and social anxiety

(04:24) Balancing work and personal life

(05:28) Step-parenting and personal growth

(18:34) From Dalmatian to Pit bulls

(20:20) The ferret named Ernesto DePantolano

(21:05) Discovering the world of rescue dogs

(22:33) Using social media for a cause

(24:05) Balancing work and passion

(24:39) Volunteering and making a difference

(27:36) Advice to younger self

Connect with my guest:

Jen Allen-Knuth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demandjen1/

Explore DemandJen: https://demandjen.com

Connect with me:

Kyle Lacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelacy/

Explore Docebo: https://www.docebo.com/

Produced by our partner, Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=rev-diaries

“You have to show up. Creativity doesn’t just happen—you make it happen.”

In this episode, I speak with Rob Joyner, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Centerbase and a self-taught artist who turned a garage experiment into a thriving creative career. By day, Rob helps lead a legal tech company. By early morning, he’s in his studio, pushing the boundaries of abstract art with layers, texture, and movement.

Rob shares how painting became his way to manage anxiety, why early mornings are his secret weapon, and how a simple trip to Michael’s turned into a six-figure art business. He also talks about navigating parenthood while juggling multiple passions, building a brand without relying on galleries, and why saying yes led to a $36,000 day.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) Discovering art and the impact on anxiety

(02:58) The journey from hobby to professional artist

(05:00) Developing a unique artistic style

(07:00) The breakthrough moment in Rob’s art career

(09:00) Navigating the art world and gallery experiences

(12:00) The benefits of early morning creativity

(15:00) Balancing career, art, and family life

(18:00) How to find a meaningful hobby

(20:00) Prioritizing family while managing a career

(24:00) The importance of setting boundaries and being present

Connect with my guest:

Rob Joyner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-joyner/

Explore Centerbase: https://centerbase.com/Rob Joyner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paintedjoyner/

Explore Rob’s art: https://paintedjoyner.com/

Connect with me:

Kyle Lacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelacy/

Explore Docebo: https://www.docebo.com

Produced by our partner, Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=rev-diaries

“I’m not dying for your cold email sins.”

In this episode, I speak with Jordan Crawford, founder of Blueprint and an advisor at Clay, who’s shaking up the world of B2B sales with a data-driven approach to outbound strategy. By day, Jordan helps revenue teams escape broken outreach models. By night (and probably early morning), he’s deep in the world of AI, segmentation, and scalable personalization.

Jordan shares why most outbound sales motions are fundamentally flawed, how AI is both the problem and the solution, and why the best revenue teams are ditching generic intent data in favor of highly specific insights. He also talks about why SDRs hold the real keys to better messaging, how “shiny object syndrome” is leading teams astray, and why being too broad is the fastest way to fail.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:22) Understanding the role of a Go-To-Market Engineer

(05:04) Challenges in modern marketing tools

(15:09) Crafting effective marketing messages

(19:15) The rise of shiny object syndrome in marketing

(20:08) Vertical SaaS - the key to effective outreach

(21:34) The importance of human insight in marketing

(28:03) Leveraging AI for targeted marketing campaigns

(32:28) Practical steps for implementing AI in marketing

Connect with my guest:

Jordan Crawford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordancrawford

Explore Blueprint: https://blueprintgtm.com

Connect with me:

Kyle Lacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelacy/

Explore Jellyfish: https://www.jellyfish.co
Produced by our partner, Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=rev-diaries

Elaine Zelby is the co-founder of Tofu, a former mechanical engineer, and a mom of two. Her husband is also a startup founder, so yes—they’re building two companies and raising two kids at the same time.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Ruthless prioritization as a founder and parent
• Living life at 3x speed (literally)
• Why she shut down her podcast and newsletter to focus
• The dream of starting a maker camp for adults
• The best career advice she gives to anyone early in their journey

Elaine’s energy is contagious, her ideas are endless, and her perspective on work and life is refreshingly honest.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:17) Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship

(03:16) Daily routine and time management

(06:14) Unplugging and hobbies

(08:16) Wood and metal crafting

(11:17) Newsletter and business ideas

(17:32) Foodie adventures and favorite spots

(20:44) Elaine gives career advice

Connect with my guest:

Elaine Zelby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainezelby

Explore Tofu: https://www.tofuhq.com

Elaine’s “3 Things” Newsletter: https://zelby.substack.com/

Connect with me:

Kyle Lacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelacy/

Explore Jellyfish: https://www.jellyfish.co

Produced by our partner, Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=rev-diaries

“No one has a perfect answer. You might as well just try something and see versus getting hung up on always doing things perfectly.”

In this episode, I speak with Natalie Marcotullio, Head of Growth and Operations at Navattic. From launching a laptop rental side hustle in college to leading growth at a high-speed startup, Natalie is no stranger to uncertainty, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Natalie shares how she keeps burnout at bay, sets boundaries in a fast-paced world, and why her parents (a Fortune 1000 exec and a kindergarten teacher) shaped her leadership style more than any job ever could. She also talks about her deep love for New York, why running the 800-meter race is pure torture, and the underrated power of just figuring it out.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:18) Managing stress and learning from family

(01:58) How to onboard new team members

(04:18) Balancing work and personal life

(05:28) The importance of physical fitness

(13:05) Natalie's entrepreneurial journey

(17:38) Love for New York and Italy

(21:43) Why startup marketing isn’t for everyone

Connect with my guest:

Natalie Marcotullio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-marcotullio/

Explore Navattic: https://www.navattic.com/

Connect with me:

Kyle Lacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelacy/

Explore Jellyfish: https://www.jellyfish.co

Produced by our partner, Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=pod&utm_campaign=rev-diaries

One day, your parents are driving you to practice, packing your lunch, and making sure you don’t burn down the house. Then suddenly, you’re the one driving to practice, packing lunches, and wondering when you became the adult in the room.

In this episode of Revenue Diaries, Shali Reed joins me for a candid conversation about the shift that happens when you go from being someone’s kid to being someone’s parent.

We talk about:
✅ The moment you realize your parents were never all-knowing—they were just doing their best.
✅ Anticipatory grief—what happens when you realize time is moving forward, and there’s no slowing it down.
✅ Blending cultures and traditions in parenting.
✅ The ongoing battle over Pop-Tarts in the Reed household.

This one got personal. Give it a listen.

In this episode of The Revenue Diaries, Kyle Lacy talks with Kyle Norton, a CRO balancing the competitive drive of a sales leader with his commitment to being a present and thoughtful father. From martial arts to mindfulness, they explore how physical and mental health drive performance at work and home.

Kyle Norton shares his journey from competitive martial arts to rediscovering his fitness and identity during the pandemic. With insights on habit-building, family life, and the philosophy of "slow is smooth, smooth is fast," this episode is packed with practical advice for leaders juggling high-pressure roles. They also explore the importance of mindfulness, the lessons learned from failure, and balancing passion with pragmatism.

Tune in to hear personal stories about family traditions, parenting challenges, and why Kyle's mantra is all about progress over perfection. Whether you're looking for inspiration, wellness tips, or just a good laugh, this episode has it all.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Building daily habits for physical and mental health

• The competitive spirit in work and life

• Lessons from martial arts and starting a business

• Parenting, mindfulness, and maintaining perspective

Don't miss this raw and inspiring conversation between two Kyles! 🌟

In this deeply moving episode, Kyle Lacy speaks with Dave Sims, Chief Marketing Officer of Austin Fitness Group and a lifelong triathlete. Dave shares his journey through the challenges of navigating family trauma, including his ex-wife’s struggle with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders, her tragic suicide, and the lasting impact on their family.

The conversation highlights the importance of fitness as a tool for mental health, the complexities of coping with trauma, and the strength it takes to rebuild relationships. Dave also discusses his podcast, Over the Borderline, which serves as both a therapeutic outlet and a resource for others dealing with mental health struggles and family challenges.

1. The Role of Fitness in Mental Health:

2. • For Dave, triathlons, cycling, and Orange Theory Fitness have been lifelines during difficult times, offering a sense of control, peace, and mental clarity.

   • He advocates for physical activity as a crucial element of mental health, encouraging others to start, even with small steps.

3. Addressing Suicide and Its Aftermath:

4. • Dave candidly shares the devastating impact of his ex-wife’s suicide, a loss that profoundly shaped his family’s recovery and his daughters' ongoing challenges with grief and anxiety.

   • He stresses the importance of open conversations about suicide and mental health to support those affected.

5. Family Resilience Through Trauma:

6. • After years of estrangement and emotional challenges, Dave reconnected with his daughters, rebuilding trust and love.

   • His podcast, Over the Borderline, chronicles their shared experiences and provides hope to others navigating family trauma and complex relationships.

7. Therapy and Mental Health Resources:

8. • Therapy, while challenging to access and maintain, was critical for Dave and his daughters in processing their experiences and moving forward.

   • He emphasizes the need for persistence in finding the right therapist and the value of ongoing support.

9. Mental Health in Professional Spaces:

10. • Dave reflects on the difficulty of addressing personal mental health challenges in the workplace, particularly for men in leadership roles.

    • He advocates for fostering environments where employees feel safe seeking help without fear of stigma.

11. Breaking the Stigma Through Storytelling:

12. • Dave’s podcast offers a raw and honest exploration of mental health, alcoholism, and family dynamics.

    • By sharing his story, he hopes to connect with others, reduce isolation, and shine a light on the path to healing.

• Instagram: @dave.in.austin

• LinkedIn: Dave Sims

This episode is a poignant reminder of the importance of resilience, mental health advocacy, and the power of sharing our stories—even through life’s darkest moments. Listen to the full conversation for an inspiring account of navigating trauma and finding strength through connection and action.