Episodes

In this episode, we explore why the best leaders are willing to make decisions that aren’t popular but are necessary for long-term success. Using real-world examples from business, leadership, sports, and history, this conversation breaks down why comfort, familiarity, and fear often stop people from making the changes they know they need to make. This episode challenges the idea that good leadership is about keeping everyone happy. Instead, it reframes leadership as stewardship, making hard, i...

In this unexpectedly deep episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, Tom and Adam unpack the real reason entrepreneurs lose focus, drain their energy, and struggle to stay productive — even when they’re in their zone of genius. What begins with a chaotic dog interruption unfolds into a powerful exploration of attention management, flow states, boundaries, energy cycles, and why most business owners break their own non-negotiables without realizing it. Through raw conversation, pattern rec...

In this grounded and introspective episode of Be The CEO, Tom Marino and Adam Hurd explore what it really means to lose — and then rediscover — your rhythm during seasons of transition. What begins with a story about unexpected humanity turns into a powerful discussion about ambition, choices, daily structure, energy management, and why entrepreneurs often feel stuck even when life is objectively good. Drawing from their own personal challenges, shifting priorities, and evolving obsessions, the...

In this episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into the real engine behind business success: meaningful connection. What begins as a light conversation about Thanksgiving traditions, nightlife, and family quickly evolves into a powerful exploration of why the hardest skill in business is *learning how to create meaningful, deep, human connection*—something no one teaches, but every business depends on. Through stories about partying, parenting,...

In this emotionally powerful episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd open up about one of the most difficult realities of leadership: how to survive when life hits harder than your workload. What begins as a conversation about stress, surgery, and personal strain quickly evolves into a deep exploration of resilience, identity, partnership, and what it truly costs to lead when you’re not operating at full strength. Tom reveals his recent health battle and ...

In this episode of The Atomic Business Coaching Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into the real conversations that inspire growth, creativity, and purpose in business and life. What starts as a light chat about music evolves into a powerful dialogue about emotional connection, self-awareness, and the transformative journey of entrepreneurship. They explore the idea of The Lonely Chapter—a concept introduced by Chris Williamson and Alex Hormozi—that moment between who you were an...

In this episode of the Be The CEO Podcast, hosts Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive into two powerful ideas shaping business and mindset today: Loving the process more than the destination Why confidence is a decision backed by action Drawing inspiration from Alex Hormozi’s philosophy and a thought-provoking post by Yousef L. Alame, Tom and Adam break down how business owners can simplify success, stay present, and overcome the paralysis of overthinking. Key Takeaways 1. The Work Is the Goal In...

In this insightful episode of Be the CEO, hosts Adam Hurd and Tom Marino dive deep into what it really means to “be the CEO” — not as a title, but as a mindset. They redefine CEO as Commitment, Effort, and Obsession, exploring how these three traits are essential for leading both your life and your business with purpose and passion. Key Topics Covered The True Meaning of CEO Adam and Tom clarify what Be the CEO stands for: Commitment: Going all in on your goals. Effort: Consistently taking ...

In this episode of Be the CEO, Adam Thomas Hurd and Tom Marino dive deep into two powerful ideas that define what it really means to be the CEO of your business, your time, and your life. They tackle the long-debated concept of work-life balance versus work-life harmony, revealing why striving for balance can actually hold entrepreneurs back. The conversation then flows into embracing failure, why “failing faster” accelerates success, and how ego often stands in the way of growth. Packed with ...

Turning Fear Into Fuel & The Power of Listening In this episode of Be the CEO, Tom Marino and Adam Hurd explore two of the most overlooked yet powerful drivers of success for self-employed people: fear and listening. Whether you’re running your own business, trying to scale, or just struggling to get unstuck, this episode dives into how to transform the very things that scare or hold you back into tools for growth. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Fear is not the enemy – staying stuck...

In this episode, Tom Marino and Adam Hurd dive deep into what it really means to step out of self-employment and into true CEO leadership—at work and at home. What We Cover in This Episode: The trap of self-employment: Why so many business owners simply create a new prison for themselves instead of finding freedom. Gary Vee’s challenge: “If you want it so bad, how are you not doing everything you can?” Adam and Tom unpack the meaning behind this mindset and how it applies to entrepreneurs. A...

In this episode of the Be the CEO Podcast, Tom and Adam dive into two powerful ideas that every business owner needs to hear: working less but more effectively, and the importance of small beginnings. Drawing inspiration from Gary Vaynerchuk and Justin Welsh, they share personal stories, client examples, and practical insights on shifting from being “busy” to being truly impactful. Whether you’re self-employed or leading a growing team, this conversation will challenge the way you think about p...

In this episode, Tom and Adam take a new direction with Be the CEO Podcast. Each week they’ll bring you content from top voices in entrepreneurship and leadership—posts they love, disagree with, or find thought-provoking—and break it down through the lens of their own experience. This week’s discussion highlights two powerful posts from Dan Martell and Alex Hormozi, sparking conversation about the real challenges of moving from self-employed to CEO. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The Money...

In this episode of Be The CEO, Adam and Tom dive into the mindset shifts required to go from simply growing a business to truly leading one. They answer questions posed by their assistant, Gary, based on real conversations with clients, challenges in their own business, and lessons learned through years of coaching entrepreneurs. From tackling limiting beliefs and sabotaging habits to mastering focus, scaling strategically, and protecting your energy, this episode is packed with actionable insi...

In this first episode of the Intentional CEO Podcast, Tom and Adam reintroduce their mission: helping entrepreneurs move from being accidental CEOs—overworked and reactive—to intentional CEOs who lead with clarity, agency, and purpose. Drawing on four decades of combined experience and four years of partnership, they dive into the real challenges business owners face and share practical stories, insights, and tools to help you take control of both your business and your life. What You’ll Learn...

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive deep into one of the biggest challenges new and accidental CEOs face—confusing burnout with boredom. They unpack why hustle isn’t a badge of honor but a warning sign, how being the bottleneck stunts growth, and why systems—not endless motivation—are the true foundation of sustainable success. From decision-making with certainty to reframing your identity as a CEO, this conversation highlights the mindset and structural shifts every founder must embrace. You’ll...

In this episode, Tom and his co-host dive deep into the real challenges entrepreneurs face when running their businesses — from burnout and chaos to flimsy business models and the trap of being “busy.” Fresh off their recent Accidental CEO Workshop, they share the powerful lessons learned working with a unique group of business owners, highlighting the difference between reaction mode and true forecasting. With decades of experience behind the scenes of hundreds of businesses, they reveal the p...

In this episode, Tom and Adam tackle one of the biggest challenges small business owners face — getting stuck in the role instead of stepping into the CEO mindset. They share real-world client stories, personal insights, and practical strategies for breaking free from overwhelm, reclaiming your authority, and running your business like a true leader. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The “Technologia” Trap: How small technical issues mirror the bigger challenges business owners face when they ...

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive into a challenge most entrepreneurs don’t even realize they’re facing—the quiet tax of control. From refusing to delegate to fearing the business will collapse without them, accidental CEOs often unknowingly sabotage their own growth. The conversation covers: • Why taking a vacation every 90 days isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for clarity and vitality. • How burnout, lack of structure, and fear of letting go keep business owners stuck. • The difference bet...

In this real and raw episode, Tom and Adam peel back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a podcast as accidental CEOs—and why it’s okay to still be figuring things out after 130+ episodes. They dive deep into the mindset shifts needed to thrive as a business owner, why calculated risk is essential, and how to balance commitment with joy in your business. This episode is your reminder that success isn't about perfection—it's about progress, persistence, and perspective. 🔑 K...

In this powerful and candid episode, Tom and Adam delve into the challenges and mindset shifts that every accidental CEO faces when transitioning into a confident and intentional business leader. They unpack the paradox of creating content that truly helps without preaching, the patterns they observe in their coaching clients, and the recurring struggles business owners face—especially when it comes to asking for help, managing focus, and navigating the unpredictable trio of clients, employees, ...

In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the real reasons behind why so many small business owners and entrepreneurs take the leap—often unintentionally—into the role of CEO. From building a business around family needs to redefine success with purpose and intention, this conversation explores what it truly means to live life and run a business on your own terms. Our hosts reflect on their own journeys into entrepreneurship, the struggles of balancing parenting with business, and how the pu...

In this episode, Tom and Adam dive deep into the messy reality of running a business in today’s rapidly evolving tech environment. From software updates disrupting workflows to business owners struggling with delegation, they explore why simplicity in business often gets lost in the search for optimization. The conversation flows through topics of technology overwhelm, the myth of the perfect system, the fear of failure, and the importance of embracing the journey—mess and all. The hosts discus...

In this powerful and reflective conversation, Tom and Adam unpack the experience of transitioning from running a business by chance to intentionally leading one as a CEO. They reflect on their recent morning workshop, the dynamics of energy in virtual versus in-person sessions, and the importance of intentional leadership. They also dive into how mindset shifts around leadership, hiring, and personal healing influence business growth. Throughout the episode, they discuss the themes of awareness...