Escape the CEO Doom Loop
Escape the CEO Doom Loop is built for CEOs and leadership teams ready to grow. Each episode delivers practical insights, real-world stories, and tools you can use today to lead with clarity and scale with confidence. We spotlight what’s working—and what’s not—for leaders navigating growth, building culture, and driving accountability.
It’s more than a podcast—it’s a gateway to The CEO Playbook and the next step in becoming the leader your business needs next.
Episodes
11 episodes
Episode 11: Pressure Is a Privilege: Josh Barney on Family Business Leadership
In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Josh Barney, Vice President of JJ Barney Construction. A former attorney who left the courtroom for concrete, Josh shares the story of joining his ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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40:35
Episode 10: From Millions Lost to Millions Gained: Richard Bryan’s Story
At 28 years old, Richard Bryan was thrown into the CEO seat of his family’s 100-year-old car dealership group — a business losing millions and on the brink of collapse. With 400 employees and 16 family shareholders depending on him, survival be...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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50:02
Episode 9: The CEO Shift: From Doer to Leader - Shawn Verlinden, Auch Construction
In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Shawn Verlinden, CEO of Auch Construction. Shawn shares his journey from project manager to CEO of a 100+ year-old construction firm, and how...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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34:33
Episode 8: Burnout, Bad Hires & Bulldozing Through the Doom Loop with Anthony Stayman
Burnout, Bad Hires & Bulldozing Through the Doom LoopWhat happens when you hit rock bottom in the CEO seat—8 figures in debt, team trust eroding, and no clear way out?In this episode, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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44:39
Episode 7: Leading a Legacy Without Losing Yourself with Matt McDonell
What does it really take to lead a century-old family business into its next era of growth, without losing yourself in the process?In this episode, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Matt McDonell, CEO of MJS Packaging, to explo...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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38:10
Episode 6: Escaping the Doom Loop & Staying Aligned at the Top with Michael Guthrie of InForm Studio
When your company’s growth slows, the instinct is to work harder, move faster, and push your team harder. But what if that’s exactly what’s keeping you stuck?In this episode, Michael Guthrie, experienced CEO, breaks down why even the mo...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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36:32
Episode 5: Discipline, Vision, Trust: The Core of Real CEO Growth with Bill Costello
In this episode, Glen and John sit down with Bill Costello, CEO of Streeter Custom Builder, for an honest and insightful look at what it really takes to transition from doing the work—to leading the people who do.From running operations ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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40:12
Episode 4: From the Floor to the Front Office: Lauren Carson on Leading with Vision
In this episode, Glen and John sit down with Lauren Carson, President of ARC Abrasives, to unpack her raw and insightful leadership journey. From inheriting operations without a playbook to becoming the type of leader who attracts top talent an...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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33:54
Episode 3: You Can’t Go Back—But You Can Help the Next CEO
Becoming the Coach I Needed: Glen’s Story | Escape the CEO Doom Loop Podcast“I wish I could go back and coach myself when I was CEO.”That’s the core of Glen’s purpose—and in this episode, you’ll hear why. From the weight ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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29:42
Episode 2: “From the Corner Office to Coach: John's Journey Through the Doom Loop”
In this powerful second episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, co-host John Ninkovich opens up about his personal leadership journey—from working behind the counter of a family business at age nine to running a company, losing it all, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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32:24
Episode 1: “You’re Not Alone: The Truth About the CEO Doom Loop”
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop — hosted by Glen Dall and John Ninkovich, two seasoned CEO and leadership team coaches who've been in the seat and lived to tell about it.In this launch episode...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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23:01