[Podcast Episode #22] Leadership vs. Management: Know Which Hat to Wear (and When)
Big ideas don’t move the needle if no one cleans the bathrooms. In this episode we unpack the real difference between leadership and management with candid stories—from a student-run catering company that grew fast and cracked under overmanagement, to a hotel pitch that thrilled U.S. investors with vision and then hit a wall when a German board asked the most practical question: who cleans the toilets?
[Podcast Episode #21] Strategy Is the Shortcut: Why Thinking Beats Hustle Every Time
In a hustle-obsessed world, strategy is your ultimate shortcut. Cris Auditore and Dr. Philip Zimmermann reveal why thinking — not constant busyness — is the most powerful skill for entrepreneurs who want to build a self-managing business and a lasting legacy. Learn the four pillars of strategic thinking, how to shift from operator to strategist, and why slowing down is the fastest way to scale.
[Podcast Episode #20] Design for Exit—Even If You Never Plan to Leave
Most business owners dream of selling their company, but the reality is that many small businesses cannot be sold because they’re too dependent on the owner. Creating a self-managing business that can operate without you is essential whether you plan to exit or not.
[Podcast Episode #19] Being a Control Freak Is a Sickness
When a clinical psychologist told Cris “being a control freak is a sickness,” it hit him like a hammer. For years, Cris had worn his controlling tendencies as a badge of honor, even priding himself on how his team would sit up straighter when he walked into the office. This revelation sparked a profound journey of self-examination that transformed his approach to both business and family life.
[Podcast Episode #18] What’s Your 500 Year Plan?
What would change in your business decisions if you were thinking 500 years ahead instead of just the next quarter? This thought-provoking question frames our exploration of legacy creation for entrepreneurs and business owners who want more than fleeting success.
[Podcast Episode #17] Work Less. Earn More. Sleep Better. Systemize It All.
What separates those who work endlessly from those who work efficiently? Systems. Most business owners remain trapped in operations because they excel at exciting new projects but fail to transform them into repeatable processes. If your business doesn’t become boring, you can’t scale it and you can’t delegate it—a hard truth for adrenaline-seeking entrepreneurs.
[Podcast Episode #16] Unlock the Hidden 30% in Your Business
What treasures are hiding in plain sight within your business? Discovering untapped revenue potential doesn’t require radical transformation—just a strategic eye for the opportunities you’ve been overlooking.
[Podcast Episode #15] The Real Reason You’re Not Rich
Ever wonder why some businesses thrive while others struggle despite having great products? The answer might surprise you: it’s all about sales. In this episode we explore why sales is the most critical skill for business success and wealth creation, revealing why even legendary figures like Martin Luther King were masterful salespeople.
[Podcast Episode #14] Ready to Be Ruthless? Act Like a Renaissance Ruler
Ruthless leadership isn’t about cruelty—it’s about decisiveness, stability, and the courage to make necessary choices that others avoid. Drawing from Machiavellian principles and Renaissance ruler strategies, Philip and Cris explore when and how business leaders must make “bloody decisions” to create thriving organizations.
[Podcast Episode #13] The Hardest Truth About Money Nobody Wants to Hear
Could your frugality be sabotaging your success? In this thought-provoking episode, the Medici brothers challenge conventional wisdom with what they call “the hardest truth about money nobody wants to hear” – you must spend money to make money, and you must do it before you think you can afford it.