What if the scariest moment of your life led to your true purpose?

In this episode, I chat with bestselling author John Strelecky — whose dream of becoming a pilot was cut short by a health crisis, leading him down a path of backpacking, deep introspection, and ultimately writing one of the most impactful books on life purpose: The Cafe on the Edge of the World. We dive into how major setbacks can trigger creative breakthroughs, why following your intuition matters more than a perfect plan, and how living with intention changes the way you lead, market, and create. This isn’t your typical business conversation — but if you’ve ever felt stuck, off-purpose, or unsure about your next chapter, what John shares will stay with you.

Key Takeaways:

1. From Pilot to Purpose: John’s Life-Altering Pivot: John shares how a medical diagnosis derailed his dream — and became the starting point for something far bigger.
2. Tapping Into Flow and Creative Intuition: We talk about accessing creative flow, listening to your instincts, and why the best ideas don’t come from overthinking.
3. The Big Five for Life and the “Museum of You”: John explains his core life framework — and how it can guide not just personal choices, but business and marketing decisions too.
4. Fear, Failure, and Putting Yourself Out There: We dive into the inner obstacles that stop people from taking bold steps — and how to reframe them with purpose in mind
5. Marketing That Spreads: Books, Ideas, and Word of Mouth: John gets tactical on how he markets his books, builds global reach, and keeps things aligned with service, not ego.

Ready to rethink what success really looks like? Tune in now on the Lean Marketing Podcast.

Connect with John Strelecky:

Website: https://www.johnstrelecky.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstrelecky/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnstrelecky
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAmJBp6eHE7ONFNYEHxCRWQ

Books: https://www.johnstrelecky.com/books/

Connect with Lean Marketing:
Website: https://leanmarketing.com/
Work With Us: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator
Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books
Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial
Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

Can your company grow bigger and stay true to what matters most?

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Glazer — serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and a true expert in values-driven leadership. We dive into the uncomfortable question: can you scale a business without diluting your culture or losing your way? Robert shares hard-earned wisdom on defining your personal and organizational core values, how to hire and lead with alignment, and why getting this right isn’t fluffy — it’s foundational. He also opens up about his new book The Compass Within, revealing how values aren’t just good for business — they’re key to living a life that feels right. Whether you're hiring, scaling, or leading, this episode will challenge you to think bigger by getting clearer on what actually matters.

Key Takeaways:

• Leading with Core Values from the Start: Robert shares how being values-led helped him build Acceleration Partners into a global performance marketing agency — without selling out.
• Scaling Without Losing Your Culture: We discuss the growing pains of expansion, and how to protect what makes your company great while still growing fast.
• Aligning Personal Growth with Professional Success: Robert explains why leaders need to understand their own core values — and how The Compass Within helps them do just that.
• Hiring, Retention, and Culture Fit: Get Robert’s framework for attracting and keeping top talent who don’t just perform, but align with your mission.
• Using AI Without Losing the Human Touch: We explore how leaders can leverage AI for productivity — while doubling down on the uniquely human parts of leadership.

Tune in to this values-first conversation — only on the Lean Marketing Podcast.

Shareable Quotes:

• "You can’t scale what you can’t define — and that includes your core values." — Robert Glazer
• "Culture isn’t what’s written on the wall. It’s what happens when no one’s watching." — Robert Glazer
• "I’ve always believed that how you grow matters just as much as how big you grow." — Robert Glazer
• "Scaling a business without breaking your culture is one of the hardest things to do — and the most worth doing." — Allan Dib
• "AI will never replace real leadership. But it will expose the leaders who relied on busywork." — Allan Dib

Connect with Robert Glazer:

Website: https://robertglazer.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glazer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertglazer_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertSGlazer

Free Resource: robertglazer.com/six
Books: https://geni.us/values

Free Course with Book Purchase: https://robertglazer.com/compass-allan/

Connect with Lean Marketing:
Website: https://leanmarketing.com/
Work With Us: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator
Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books
Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial
Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

What if your copywriter became your CEO… and crushed it?

In this episode, I sit down with Claire Marshall, who started with us as a copywriter and eventually became the first CEO of Lean Marketing (back when we were still called Successwise). We reflect on the wild ride of building a global team, leading without micromanaging, and growing a business by growing people. Claire also shares the deeply personal journey she’s been on since stepping away from chasing external success to redefining what fulfillment actually looks like.

If you've ever wondered what kind of person can run your business like it's their own — or whether it’s possible to shift gears after years of hustle — this one will hit home.

Key Takeaways:

• Meet Claire Marshall: The Digital Nomad: I introduce Claire — our very first CEO — and we talk about how her global lifestyle shaped the way she leads and works.
• The Journey from Copywriter to CEO: Claire didn’t start in leadership — she started writing copy, and we walk through how she rose to lead the entire company.
• Hiring for Attitude and Growth: We unpack my philosophy on hiring, and why I’d choose someone with curiosity and grit over experience any day.
• Challenges and Lessons in Leadership: Claire and I get real about the growing pains, missteps, and what we both learned navigating leadership in a fast-scaling business.
• Transitioning and Personal Growth: After stepping away, Claire shares how she redefined success and found a new path that goes far beyond business.

Listen in for the laughs, lessons, and everything in between — only on the Lean Marketing Podcast.

Shareable Quotes:

• "Marketing is the sexy part, but it’s the systems that make the sexy stuff actually work." — Claire Marshall
• "You’re not just running a company — you’re growing people." — Claire Marshall
• "Somebody who thinks it's very exciting that the world is their oyster, and somebody who is terrified that the world is their oyster." — Claire Marshall
• "I often hire for attitude rather than skills, which is great — but there is definitely a cost to it." — Allan Dib
• "A-players are contextual. Someone who’s great in one company might not be great in yours." — Allan Dib