Michael Palmisano didn’t stumble into success—he earned it through years of uncertainty, persistence, and an unwavering belief that the things worth having take time. In this episode of Who Got Me Here, Michael shares how the collapse of the traditional music industry forced him to rethink everything, ultimately leading him to build a global audience by teaching guitar online and breaking down songs.

Guided by his mantra—working hard, getting better every day—Michael reveals how showing up authentically, being vulnerable, and embracing imperfection helped him connect with nearly a million subscribers on a deeply human level. From betting his family’s savings on an unproven idea to launching his next entrepreneurial act with Teleport pedals, this is a powerful story about patience, self-trust, and building a life around what matters most.

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https://www.youtube.com/@whogotmehere-podcast

In this episode, Kraig Swensrud—3x founder, CEO of Qualified, and former CMO of Salesforce, reflects on the people and pivotal moments that shaped his career. From early bets placed on him as a rookie sales engineer, to mentors who opened doors, to colleagues who pushed him to take bold risks, Kraig shares how relationships powered his path from Oracle to founding three companies.

He opens up about the leaders who invested in him, why he now pays it forward by spotting future superstars inside his own company, and the simple practices that build lifelong bonds. Kraig also offers grounded advice for early-career professionals: take more risks than you feel comfortable with, lean into emerging technology, never burn bridges, and remember that today’s peers will be tomorrow’s industry leaders.

A candid, inspiring look at how great careers are never built alone, but together.

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Time Stamps:

* 01:33 - Introduction to Kraig’s Journey

* 01:47 - The Salesforce Acquisition Story

* 05:04 - Taking Risks and Building Relationships

* 06:19 - Breaking into Tech and Early Mentorship

* 08:18 - Paying It Forward: Mentorship Today

* 10:26 - Forging Relationships Through Work

* 11:45 - The Tech Industry Is Smaller Than You Think

* 13:56 - Networking Strategies and Building Connections

* 18:46 - Leveraging AI and Technology in Networking

* 19:50 - Cold Emails and Standing Out

* 23:10 - Lessons from Marc Benioff

* 25:40 - Final Reflections and Career Advice

People That Helped Kraig Along The Way:

* 06:19 - Norman Gennaro – One of Kraig’s First Bosses, CRO of Miro

* 02:14 - Sean Whiteley – 3x Co-Founder with Kraig, How They Got Their Start

* 7:06 - Phillip Merrick – It Started With a Cold Email

* 13:59 - Alex Bard – Thanksgiving Ritual That Builds Lifelong Relationships

* 15:50 - Dan Darcy – Surround Yourself With a Superconnector

* 18:46 Rich Campbell – Grab Onto a Technology To Grow Your Career

* 23:10 Marc Benioff – Master Networker and Someone Who Truly Cares

We've all heard it a hundred times: Your network is your net worth. Who Got Me Here features leading executives looking back on the relationships that transformed their careers, unearthing lessons that anyone can use to build more meaningful connections and make the most of them.

This season, we’ve got a lineup of legends and inspiring guests. They include founders, investors, community builders, and CEOs.

By reverse-engineering career paths, we reveal what it really takes to succeed—And the stories of gratitude, risk, and resilience that shape remarkable careers.

Join hosts Jamie Grenney and Annie Riley as they reverse-engineer career paths, revealing what it really takes to succeed—And the stories of gratitude, risk, and resilience that shape remarkable careers. Tune in — and hear stories that move you to create more meaningful relationships

www.whogotmehere.com

https://whogotmehere.substack.com

https://www.youtube.com/@whogotmehere-podcast

https://www.instagram.com/whogotmehere-podcast/