Do you ever wonder why, no matter how much your business grows, your personal finances still feel out of control?

If you've ever felt like your success at work doesn't translate to financial peace at home, this episode is your wake-up call. Jim Schleckser sits down with money expert and bestselling author Mike Michalowicz—creator of Profit First—to talk about why most people, even entrepreneurs, struggle with money and how simple behavior shifts can create real financial freedom.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to "pay yourself first" in a way that guarantees profit instead of hoping for it.

• The behavioral money trap that keeps even smart business owners broke—and how to intercept it.

• A simple system to reduce financial stress for you and your employees, leading to happier, more productive teams.

Hit play now to learn Mike's practical, life-changing approach to mastering your money habits—and start keeping more of what you earn today.

Check out:

• [08:45] – The "Profit First" Mindset: Mike explains how reversing the traditional approach to profit—taking it off the top instead of waiting until the end—can transform how you run your business.

• [22:10] – The Behavioral Intercept: A powerful discussion on why most people fail with budgets and how simple systems at the bank level can automatically change your financial behavior for good.

• [39:25] – Redefining Retirement: Jim and Mike challenge the traditional idea of retirement and explore how to plan for a meaningful, flexible, and financially confident future.

About Mike Michalowicz

Mike Michalowicz is the entrepreneur behind four multi-million-dollar companies and the author of bestselling business books including Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan, and All In. His newest book, The Money Habit, is a groundbreaking approach to personal finance. The television host of The 4 Minute Money Maker and a former columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Mike now travels the world helping individuals grow thriving businesses and live richer lives.

Are you ready to face the AI facts about what it really takes to lead in the age of disruption?

If you're a CEO or senior leader trying to navigate the chaos of AI transformation, this episode is your roadmap. Jim Schleckser sits down with Geoff Woods, bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, to reveal the hard truths and surprising opportunities behind AI adoption. You'll see how Geoff went from leading a global industrial powerhouse to helping executives turn AI into their ultimate competitive advantage.

You'll discover how to:

• Use AI as a thought partner to sharpen strategy and decision-making.

• Separate hype from the AI facts that actually drive performance and growth.

• Lead your team through change with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Listen now to uncover the AI facts that can transform how you think, lead, and compete in the years ahead.

Check out:

• [00:10:45] – The Skill That Changes Everything:
  Geoff shares the career-defining advice that led him to focus on mastering skills that stay valuable no matter how technology evolves—setting the stage for his journey into AI leadership.

• [00:38:20] – The "AI Boardroom" Breakthrough:
  Hear how Geoff helped a CEO save his executive team's jobs by using AI to simulate board members' personalities and predict meeting outcomes—a real-world example of AI as a strategic thought partner.

• [01:12:05] – The 100x Value Lesson:
  Geoff reveals how his assistant used AI to multiply her impact and redefine her role, illustrating what it means to become an AI-driven leader instead of just an AI user.

About Geoff Woods

Geoff Woods is the #1 international bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, host of the AI-Driven Leader podcast and the Founder of AI Leadership where he empowers leaders to harness AI, escape operational overwhelm, and think strategically to accelerate growth. As the former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, his guidance helped their market cap grow from $750 million to over $12 billion in four years. He also co-founded the training and consulting company behind The ONE Thing, where he coached and advised companies with annual revenues from $10 million to $60 billion.

Ever feel like your gut tells you one thing, but the numbers tell you another—and you're not sure which to trust as a CEO?

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by financial reports, hesitant to ask "basic" money questions, or unsure how your cash flow can look great on paper but tight in practice, this episode is for you. You'll hear how understanding your company's finances at a deeper level can help you make smarter, faster decisions—without needing to become an accountant.

In this conversation with financial leader Pam Meissner, you'll learn how to:

• Simplify financial statements so you actually use them to lead, not fear them.

• Build cash flow confidence by spotting problems before they become crises.

• Turn financial data into clear, actionable strategies for growth.

Listen now to discover how trusting your gut and mastering your numbers can transform the way you lead your business.

Check out:

[07:45] – Pam shares her bold early-career leap from Pricewaterhouse to privatization work in post–Cold War Poland, setting the tone for her "say yes to risk" philosophy.

[26:20] – A powerful exchange on why CEOs shouldn't be afraid to admit they don't fully understand the balance sheet—and how asking the right questions can transform financial confidence.

[48:10] – Jim and Pam break down practical, real-world cash flow forecasting tips, including how to spot "bad money" and avoid the traps that quietly sink growing businesses.

About Pam Meissner

Pam Meissner is a seasoned financial and operational leader with experience as CFO, COO, and CEO across multiple industries. She's helped scale companies to billion-dollar valuations by turning complex financial data into clear, actionable strategies for growth.

With a global outlook shaped by extensive travel and cultural immersion, Pam champions adaptability, innovation, and diverse thinking in leadership. Her career is marked by resilience—recently widowed after 30 years of marriage, she continues to lead with purpose and strength. She's also a proud mother: her son, who has autism, recently graduated from college, and her daughter runs marathons to raise funds for autism research.